"This is getting to be too much." Dent yelled, as he stood atop MCU station. The Joker had killed three more people in one day and an exodus had started from Gotham. The national press had began to label Gotham a cursed city.

"I know." Commissioner Gordon said.

Batman stood silent. The weight of the burden he carried, the responsibility of the blood on his hands. He did not truly believe that the Joker would stop killing if he 'came forward' but as of now that was the justification for the killing.

"We need to do something." Harvey yelled.

"You act is if we have not tried." Gordon said, in frustration. "If you have an idea give it."

"What I know is we have to act."

Batman turned towards Dent. "You have an idea."

Harvey was unsure whether Batman meant it as a statement or a question but Batman gave no quarter. Harvey had to say it, though Bruce had an inkling as to what Harvey was about to say.

"We set up a trap for the Joker. You turn up at Lower Fifth apparently challenging the Joker to finish it all. Call out all the media. The Joker will not be able to resist he likes collateral damage." Harvey paused, the unsaid phrase ringing in everyone's ears:"-and tempting you to break your one rule and set up a murderous trap."

"That is suicide!" Gordon broke in. "Lower Fifth is nearly impossible to protect."

"Which is why this will work." Batman said. Bruce had no desire to live anymore anyways. He would be happy if Joker was the last villain he fought.

"Batman, we can come up with something else."

Batman purposely made sure to look at Harvey, he did not need Gotham's White Knight plagued by guilt and wanted to show Harvey that he bore him no ill will and that he did not mind thim. Bruce also looked at Harvey, but he wanted to see the eyes of Rachel's choice when he condemned him to a likely death. The baser part of Bruce thought, this was a way for Harvey to clear a path for himself.

Gordon took his hand off of his hip and said, "at the very least we need to plan every aspect of this. Shall we meet back here in two hours so then we can begin planning?"

"Perfect for me." Harvey looked relieved.

Bruce smirked. Harvey and Rachel had a coffee date.

Batman nodded briefly. This way he could go to Wayne Enterprises and see what he could come up with in terms of supporting equipment.

"Mr. Fox. I was wondering if you had anything. My parties are going kind of empty and I wanted…"

"decoy people that are convincing enough?" Mr. Fox answered. "How convincing?"

"Well, these parties get dangerous. Perhaps enough for fake blood."

""That shouldn't be too hard. But, please remind me to turn down an invitation to your parties." Mr. Fox said.

Bruce chuckled.

"Be safe, Mr. Wayne."

"Thank you. You too." There was a touch of sadness in Bruce's voice that would have worried Lucius was he not already focused on the task ahead.

Bruce was glad Alfred came in a few minutes later. He wanted the company and the comfort of someone who cared.

"You are up to something." Alfred said, coming in.

"Aren't I always." Bruce said, continuing to clean equipment.

Bruce saw that Alfred had understood much from his demeanor.

Alfred's eyes were sad and that broke Bruce's resolve a bit. Alfred had already suffered so much. Bruce found that he was unable to laugh it off saying that at least Alfred could enjoy the Rolls and Lamborghini. For one, Alfred would slap him and second he couldn't minimize Alfred' pain and love. So, instead Bruce gave Alfred an apologetic and comforting smile, "I should be back soon."

"No patrolling tonight?"

"Not tonight." Bruce said, knowing that tonight could possibly be the last night of his life. He wished that he could ask them to put off the impending action. But then the Joker would get suspicious. It had to appear spontaneous.

Bruce came back to find Harvey beaming. "Good news, I presume." Gordon asked, Dent.

"Sorry." Harvey said, obviously taking Gordon's reaction as criticism of the fact that even though they were discussing the Batman undertaking a suicidal mission that could potentially have a lot of collateral damage and Dent looked happy.

Batman was just going to express Bruce's reservations and discuss ways to ensure his safety, not for his own sake but for the sake of others such as Alfred. Before he could say anything, Harvey continued.

"Rachel agreed to marry me."

Bruce was glad for the mask as shockwaves of surprise, pain, and despair overtook him.

He remained quiet then as Gordon and Dent quibbled over the details. "Batman, your thoughts?"

Bruce made sure the Batman persona subsumed the hurting Bruce.

"I will be there.." Batman said. "I will publicly challenge Joker to a duel under lower 5th. I have decoy people, however so we can limit collateral damage. We cannot tell the press not to come because the Joker will find out and get suspicious."

"Understood." Gordon said. "There is very little actual assistance the police force can provide. I will have helicopters waiting in the background."

"Make sure it does not look too coordinated." Batman said, recalling as well Joker's statement that these people will let you take the fall. It might be a good idea to play up this aspect. "Also, perhaps it would be good to make it look like you would rather that Joker and I died."

Gordon and Dent looked puzzled, but Batman did not elaborate. "I will call the press." Batman said.

He left immediately and did not wait even though Gordon was talking to him.

He went back home and he called the Gotham press. "I challenge the Joker. Let's finish this one on one. Lower Fifth. Tomorrow. 9 PM."

He came back into the house and saw Alfred waiting, his eyes sad. "Just rest tonight, Master Wayne."

"Heard from Rachel?" Bruce asked.

"No. I am sure she will call or come when she hears the news story." Alfred said. "I decided to make a Mexican casserole, pasta casserole, and condensed milk for dessert."

"Thanks." Bruce said, again struck by how much Alfred cared.

"Did I mention I also put in a chocolate cake." Alfred asked.

After dessert, Bruce felt that he should bring up the issue that they were both thinking of. "I will make sure to destroy all documents that remain connecting you, Lucius… and others, to me. I have already updated my will. All the wealth, property, and stock options are going to you. I was wondering if I could ask you to include the other… Rachel… in your will." Bruce paused, reading Alfred's face. "But she already is your beneficiary."

"For the same reason you want her to be the next person in line, no matter how angry you are at her." Alfred said.

He waited for two minutes, and Bruce knew exactly what he wanted.

"She is getting married. She did not show me the courtesy of telling me in person. I had to find out from Harvey as Batman." Bruce turned away from Alfred for the first time.

Alfred put a comforting hand on Bruce's shoulder. "I am so sorry." Alfred said, simply. "But, put those thoughts out of your mind. For once, I am telling you to concentrate on yourself. Do not worry about Gotham. Rachel, or even me. Sleep."

Bruce let Alfred guide him to his favorite bed which was made up with Bruce's favorite sheets.

Bruce laughed as Alfred dragged over a rocking chair and parked himself in it, watching Bruce until he fell asleep.

Bruce actually slept well that awoke early so that he could watch the sunrise over the Pallisades. Alfred came out of his room, awaken by the slight noise. "Make me wake up bloody early." Alfred grumbled.

Bruce smiled at him.

"What are you going to do today, sir?"

"I thought I would go to WE for an hour. Preferably before anyone else gets there. Make sure everything is in order there. Then, we have not gone out for lunch together…in years. Then just relax for two hours. Prepare for two. Relax for the rest. Watch the sunset. Set up something so people believe Bruce Wayne is dead. I hope I can do it without blowing up what we have constructed in the Manor."

"Leave that to me." Alfred said.

Bruce did not want to fight with Alfred, though he knew that one of Alfred's motivation was trying to vindicate him, which would add danger to Alfred's life… and Rachel's not to mention Lucius's.

Bruce took Alfred out to an elegant lunch at his father's favorite restaurant in central Gotham. "Welcome back, Mr. Wayne." The owner who had known him since he was eight said, coming forward to take care of Gotham's favorite son.

"How are you, Charlie?" Bruce asked, giving Charlie a beaming smile with a touch of his charisma.

"Business is booming, so I am fine." Charlie stated as he led Bruce and Alfred to a private room in the back where two waiters waited.

Bruce made sure to tip the waiters very well, but not so much that if Bruce died people would say this showed his suicidal tendency. Well, additionally any staff at Charlie's knew not to reveal too much information as Charlie prided himself on protecting the privacy of the famous clientele of this place. this was one reason Bruce and his father loved this place and it had been the site of many business negotiations.

Bruce then retreated to the hot tub. It would loosen his muscles and relax him as well as prepare him for tonight.

It was as he began his light work out and equipment check that Rachel stormed in. "Don't do this." She begged.

"Your fiancé's idea." Bruce said, not turning out to face the woman he loved.

"You heard." Rachel said softly.

Bruce said nothing.

"You are right. I should have told you. I was planning to tell you. I just thought that that might hinder you if you decide to go through with this. I just. I just couldn't hurt you before you fought Joker for the last time. To my original point, don't pull a stunt like this. Especially not simply because you are angry at me."

"Why do you care.." Bruce said, not turning around to face Rachel. "Don't pretend to care and simultaneously do what you have done our entire adult lives, tell me what to do and not treat me as a person. Not recognize-" Bruce punched his punching bag.

Rachel put her arm on Bruce's shoulder. "I do care. You know that." When Bruce still did not react, Rachel quietly added. "You should know that. I love you. I just… "

She waited for two minutes, and then knew that he would not turn around until she left. "Be safe."

Bruce heard the sadness in her voice, but did not turn around until he heard her walking out. He watched her leave with tears streaking down his cheeks.

He avoided going upstairs for a bit as he knew Rachel was there talking to Alfred.

"Dinner." Alfred called two hours later.

Bruce came upstairs, dressed in his father's favorite suit. "Don't worry. I will change out of it before I leave." Bruce sallied.

Alfred paused and shook his head. "Well of course, I don't think the Joker would be scared of Bruce Wayne dressed up in Thomas Wayne's suit."

Alfred and Bruce ate a quiet meal.

Bruce changed into the batsuit upstairs so he could watch the sun setting over Gotham.

He turned around to see Alfred holding a pen and paper. "Write." He commanded. "Tell Rachel how you feel. Don't leave it unsaid."

Alfred left the room as Bruce started, "Rachel, I love you. You have made me a better person. But in the last year, you have not acted like the Rachel I know and love. The strong woman who spurred me to fight and sacrifice for Gotham.

If you truly loved Harvey more than me, I would have stepped aside. I would not have been angry with you. But you just are not strong enough to make the sacrifice that you asked me to make. "

Bruce looked up, and then continued writing ending with… "You have blamed me for everything but have not helped me a bit. And yes, Alfred is making me write this.

Good-bye Rachel.

Bruce folded it up, knowing Alfred would get it to Rachel. He found Alfred waiting for the letter. "This will make you feel better too." Alfred said, taking the note from Bruce.

As Bruce continued preparing, he found that Alfred was right. It helped him concentrate and get ready for what would be one of the biggest fights of his life.

Alfred came and sat with him for the half an hour before he left, turning on one of Bruce's favorite television shows as they sat and watched in silence.

Bruce then wordlessly got up at 8:35. He put on the Batman mask. "I am sorry." Bruce said, as he left.

"For being the son that your parents would be very proud of."Alfred asked, his eyes shining with pride and tears.

"Now if you and Rachel could only make up…" He muttered to himself as Bruce left.

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After he left Alfred, Bruce let the Batman identity completely subsume him. He would need to be completely focused to ensure that he left this fight with the Joker no longer being a threat to Gotham. Batman concentrated on the task ahead and drove to WE to pick up the decoy people. He saw a car drive to WE from the corner of his eyes but he was too focused on the task and mentally preparing himself to evaluate it.

"This is Bruce Wayne. I want some of our people to observe this fight. I have people all ready in cars, just drive them to lower fifth." Bruce said, reading the note from Lucius informing him that the decoys were programmed to walk and would make sufficient small talk to fool someone as long as they did not have to have a long conversation.

Bruce sat the people in the cars and programmed them to walk in lower fifth where they would need to go. "All right, perch and surveil." He muttered to himself.

There was a place in Lower Fifth that he and Rachel had played in as kids that he perched in to surveil. "The benefits of knowing Gotham." He grunted. Though he knew better than to rely on the fact that Joker did not know these nooks to hide in.

He saw, with pleasure, that had he not known which ones were Fox's decoys he would not have been able to tell them apart.

Dent and Gordon got to the scene at 8:50. Batman hoped that they remembered to pretend like they wanted Batman dead early.