Summary: Chloe's looking for a new job and comes to visit a member of her family while in Gotham – Alfred, but where does Bruce fit in all of this? Chloe/Alfred friendship and possibly an inkling of Chloe/Bruce.

A/N: Just something that popped into my mind in the middle of the night while sleep evaded me. It's not a long story as such, but it divided into chapters nicely, so that's how it'll be despite the shortness of this one. The next one will be up as soon as it's been proofread. Thanks for stopping by :)

Disclaimer: Not mine. Never was and I'm pretty sure never will be.

Detective Fiction

Chapter 1: A Request

Alfred Pennyworth walked into the office of Bruce Wayne one Wednesday with a silver tray on his hands, balancing a single cup smack in the middle of it.

"Sir," Alfred began, and placed the tray on the right corner of the desk, "I would like to request Friday evening off. The afternoon as well, if possible."

Bruce looked up from his paper, surprised by the unusual request. "What for?"

"A family member is in town, and I wish to spend time with her. It has been quite a while."

"Of course, Alfred. I can manage an evening on my own, you know."

"Certainly sir," Alfred said, a distant smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth as he poured Bruce a cup of coffee.

"I am a grown man," Bruce said in his defense.

"I wouldn't doubt you for a second," Alfred said. "Thank you, sir."

"Yes well, I probably won't even be here then, and it'll do you good. Who is she anyway?" Bruce queried, taking a sip of coffee, "If you don't mind my asking."

A brief smile crossed Alfred's face. "You won't remember her – Ms Sullivan has visited the manor briefly a handful of times, but you have been away on business."

"Really?" Bruce said with a huff. "I always knew you weren't cooped up here alone all the time."

"I do endeavour to maintain a life, sir."

Bruce chuckled, the coffee cup obscuring his mouth. "But you didn't answer my question. Who is she? Your family is fairly scarce."

"Ms Sullivan isn't a blood relative per se, but family nonetheless. I was a friend of her father's and have known her since childhood," Alfred said, wiping a spot off the tray with a napkin. "I used to read old detective novels to her all those years ago." He smiled at the memory, and refolded the napkin. "In any case, I wish to see her again, and she is coming this way for the weekend."

Bruce studied his beloved butler with interest. Alfred was positively beaming, and that was saying something. The man rarely requested anything, unless it really mattered, and this time it obviously did.

"You could ask her to stay here if you wanted to," Bruce stated, "I'll be gone most of the time anyway."

"That's very kind of you, sir, but I believe she has already arranged for accommodation."

Bruce placed the empty cup back onto the tray and smiled. "Alright. You just have fun, Alfred."

"Thank you, sir. And should Batman need my help, you know how to reach me, sir."

"I'll do my best not to ruin your plans," Bruce said. "Let's hope Gotham agrees."

Alfred nodded, and prepared to leave. "Oh, and sir," he began right as Bruce was getting up from his chair and reaching for his jacket. "Since the schedule is clear for tomorrow night, I was hoping I could invite Ms Sullivan for some tea. That is, if a vibrant young woman such as herself is free at such a time."

"Of course, Alfred," Bruce said. "Besides, I have that business meeting."

"Yes, sir. I will see you later," Alfred said as they split up in the corridor.