A Butler's Duty

By AJ

Prologue – A Knight and Squire

A butler's duty is to his employer. He acts as his social secretary and at times his valet. He is in charge of the staff and keeps that staff busy so the Master of the house does not have to worry about trivial things. If he is the only member of the staff, such as Alfred Pennyworth, he is also the chauffer, chef, and nursemaid. Alfred Pennyworth though was a lot more. Right at that moment he was Agent Penn, trying to seek out . . . Let's look back and find out why a butler suddenly act as a secret agent. It happened one evening near the end of June. On the evening in question, Alfred Pennyworth was assisting his employer Bruce Wayne and his youthful ward, Dick Grayson in preparing for a night out.

"Alfred, where are my cufflinks?" Bruce Wayne asked.

"They are where you left them before, on top of your borough."

"Thanks. Could you check to see if Dick is ready?"

"Very good, Sir."

"Alfred, why do I have to attend?"

"Because you and Mater Wayne were requested. The car should be ready."

"I can't believe you're not going to drive us," Dick Grayson pouted.

"The invitation was specific. A car would be provided."

"I just wish you were going to be there."

"That is most flattering Master Richard, but I have a prior commitment."

"You going to take Dr. Leslie out on a date?"

"Really, Master Richard. I do not know where you get your ideas."

"Ready Dick?" Bruce came out of his room wearing his black tuxedo. The sapphire cufflinks that were his father's were now in place.

"Almost. I'm having trouble with this tie," Dick said as his hands fumbled with the bow tie around his neck. "Whoever invented the bow tie should be strangled with it."

"Here, let me help you," Bruce approached his ward and helped him straighten out his bow tie. With the tie fixed, Dick grabbed his suit jacket from the closet.

"Next time there's an awards event, let's stay home."

"You don't want to see your guardian receive the humanitarian of the year award?"

Dick shuffled his feet and put his hands in his pockets. "It's not that . . ."

"Oh, I get it. It's because there's no patrol," Bruce said as he lifted his ward's chin so their eyes met. "Dick had grown a few inches, but he was still a long ways from reaching his full height. "Tell you what. We'll patrol afterward."

"What if it goes really late?"

'It's a Saturday," Bruce reminded him.

"Oh yeah," Dick gave Bruce a wide grin. Knowing that they were going to patrol afterward made going to the awards event less painful.

"I still don't understand why they want me there," Dick exclaimed.

"Well, I want you there," Bruce said patting him on the shoulder.

"The car is here, Master Bruce."

"Thank you Alfred."

Dick and Bruce climbed into the back of the limo and settled into the seat. Dick waved back at Alfred as the limo pulled out of the driveway. Once out of sight of the house, the limo driver turned the car away from Gotham City.

"Driver, you made a wrong turn."

The driver didn't answer. Instead a glass panel raised between the front and rear seats.

"DRIVER!"

"Bruce, what's going on?"

Smoke started billowing out of the side vents where normally the heat or air conditioning would be blown.

"GAS!"

Both Bruce and Dick started coughing.

"Holy abduction!" Dick exclaimed.

"It 's . . . some . . . sort of . . . trap!"

"Alfred . . . he . . . doesn't know."

Both were soon overcome by the knock out gas. Bruce slumped back in his seat while Dick's head lay against his guardian's leg. The driver of the limo turned down another road leading to Gotham's shipyards. The driver headed to a ramp and drove the car right into the hull of a steam liner. Once other cars and cargo were loaded, the ramp was removed and the doors to the cargo hold were shut. Within moments the ship was pulling away from the dock and out into Gotham Harbor. It would soon be entering international waters. Alfred wasn't aware that his two charges were in trouble. He would soon find out and it would be up to Alfred to save them. For among a butler's duty was to not only make certain his employer was always seen in the best light, but protecting that employer from those who would take advantage of him was his main priority, a priority that Alfred had done for many years. For Alfred, he would be facing his greatest challenge, a man from his past bent on destroying everything Alfred holds dear.

Continues with Part 1 – Kidnapped

A/N: I might be updating every couple of days on this story. I have a lot to write yet and I want to stay ahead of the game. So, please be patient as each part unfolds. It should be worth the wait.

I had to add this additional note! Please send well wishes however way you can to Adam West. If you will be at Ottawa Comiccon, please let Burt Ward know we are all thinking of Adam. Adam has a fractured vertebra in his back and will not be able to attend. This story is dedicated to him in hopes that he will soon be well.