Barely Above a Whisper
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, DC does
I decided to take a break form 24 Hours (I will get back to it I promise), but this story was stuck in my head. It is the missing scene from Batman Begins after Alfred tells Bruce Wayne in the elevator when Wayne Manor is burning why we fall…. I love that scene and once again wondered how it went from that to him suiting up. What happened in between? Here is one idea. I hope you all enjoy! Please review.
By Tammy Kushnir
His spirit was broken. Even once powerful words to the young man only brought faint hope in his lifeless eyes. Alfred knew he was in shock, that was true, but it seemed that his passion was now burning along with the Wayne's bricks and mortar. Alfred wished that his gentle action of physical healing to Bruce's wound caused from Ducard would allow mental healing through as well. It seemed not to be the case. Bruce continued to sit on the cold metal slab where Rachel once lay not so long ago. The spark of passion he once had in his eyes had faded. Tears flowed freely across his cheeks though Bruce did not acknowledge them. His mouth moved forming words Alfred could hardly understand.
He leaned in closer to his charge as he carefully healed the open wound.
"I know, Alfred, "he paused trying to catch his labored breathes, "that falling is a part of life's cruel lessons, but I am always falling." His hazel eyes pleaded into Alfred's gentle ones. "Batman was my phoenix and he failed. When will I be able to rise?"
Alfred looked down at Bruce's wound which he prayed would never become as deep as his other wound and took a moment to respond.
"Master Wayne, when I first saw you I knew that here before me was a changed young man, insecure but willing to face a world that had dealt him some of the most cruel and horrific events one must go through. I also knew that I had never seen you stronger and that I might never again, that is until now. "
Bruce looked directly into Alfred's lifted eyes.
"How could you tell all of that from seeing a half beaten and bloodied man covered in mud?" Bruce attempted a faint smile at these words recalling how he must have looked before boarding the Wayne jet from the League of Shadows.
Alfred returned the look.
"I couldn't tell it from that man, but from one much younger than he."
Bruce's brow furrowed a bit in finally realizing what Alfred was saying.
"The young man who came to me and admitted his fears of creatures that lurk in the dark, the one that shared his nightmares with me as well as his dreams," Alfred added gesturing toward the batcave. "the young man who got through the murder of his family only to pull forth the greatest rescue yet to be, that of himself."
Alfred pulled himself off of one weary knee with the help of a younger hand. Alfred laid that hand to rest on Bruce's shoulder.
"Sir, even though the myth that is Bruce Wayne, the myth that is the Batman, may be what people see, what I hear, although barely above a whisper, is the Bruce that I know holds them all together. That is where your phoenix lives."
Bruce's expression changed. His features that were so lost found formation. He stood up hesitantly and nodded to Alfred. As he slowly walked away to gather his mask, he stopped and turned.
"Thank you," he said, before continuing on.
Alfred smiled and replied with a whisper.
"You have found your phoenix, after all."
If I hadn't mentioned it before, please review! I love reviews. I get sad when I don't' get them Thank you!