"Alfred!"
Still breathless from her run up to the manor and her workout, Jules closed the heavy door behind her.
"You won't believe it! I can finally put my foot behind my head!"
Halting in the front room, the brunette listened intently to any sounds that could be echoing through the halls.
There were none.
"That's weird…" She muttered, walking into the first room.
Brushing off her black biker shorts and white over-sized t-shirt, she adjusted it to cover her bra strap.
Silence pervaded every wall, and Jules was getting a bit concerned.
'Did something happen to him?'
But nothing was out of place, nothing was broken, so she dismissed the thought.
'Maybe he just went out. Groceries or something like that. Maybe it was tea time.'
Walking into the kitchen, she stretched out her arms as her legs throbbed from the prolonged workout.
A note sat on the counter, and the brunette undid her braid before picking it up.
'Ms Waters,
I expected you'd be coming by while I was gone. Something very important came up, and I'll be gone for a day or so. There's some orange juice in the refrigerator and your favorite popsicles in the freezer.
Sincerely,
Alfred'
Smiling, she reached into the fridge and sat on the counter as she sipped at the juice.
'Guess he was alright after all…'
"Alfred just called."
Looking up from Tiny as she tried to brush out his fur, Jules tilted her head in question.
"What did he say, grandpa?"
"He wants you to go over. Said something about a surprise."
His eyes twinkled merrily, like he knew a detail she didn't and wasn't about to spill the beans.
Intrigued by this mystery, Jules faced it like she did the hidden pages her cases consisted of.
"I'll go now. Nothing better to do."
Tiny barked in agreement, and rushed to the door.
She grabbed the worn Marine jacket and straightened out her blue 'Smiles Make The World Go 'Round' shirt.
"Don't wait up for me."
"I will anyways, no need to tell me how you can take care of yourself."
Smiling, Jules kissed his cheek and headed for the door, grabbing the leash and clicking it onto Tiny's collar.
"Yet you're the one who insisted on the Tai Chi and gymnastics classes."
"You can kick butt and still my baby girl."
"Guess so."
Opening the door, she was pulled out by the Great Dane, waving goodbye.
"See you later!"
"Goodbye, sweetie!"
Closing the door, Grandpa Mike smiled to himself before heading back to the kitchen.
'Have a good time with Bruce…'
Tiny practically dragged his owner past the front gate of Wayne Manor and towards the actual building.
He had recognized the route, even by taxi, and had grown excited.
Alfred had given him treats and toys as a puppy, and even now as an almost-adult, so he enjoyed coming.
Jules laughed at his eagerness, and pulled out her keys as the front door came into view.
She came by so often that, after years of her visits, Alfred had gotten a key made for the girl to use.
"It's rather lonely in a house that doesn't look lived in, I have to admit. You bring a bit of life in." Alfred had explained.
Stepping inside, Jules closed the door firmly before looking around at the familiar manor.
"Alfred, I'm here! What's the surprise?"
Walking into a nearby room, she froze to a halt at the sight before her…
"Jules?" Bruce questioned, looking just as stunned.
When her muscles could move, the brunette released Tiny's leash and hug/tackled the billionaire.
Landing on his back, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
Train for seven years to fight Gotham crime, and he can't avoid being hugged by a girl of only 5 foot 5.
"Oh my God I knew you'd come back no one believed me but I just KNEW you weren't dead you sure got taller where have been I was worried sick-!"
Luckily for Bruce and his ears, Tiny decided to make his appearance.
Licking her face and then his, the Great Dane's tail wagged as he tried to identify this new person.
"Tiny!"
Jules laughed, shoving the canine off to the side.
"Tiny? You named a giant dog Tiny?"
"He used to be tiny." She defended.
Moving off his chest, Jules smiled as the Great Dane say down beside her, tail wagging.
"So, how have you been?"
"I've been fine." Bruce assured, trying for a smile.
She could read him like an open book…
"What have you been up to while I was gone?"
The brunette paused, eyes flickering as she studied his face, and tilted her head slightly in curiosity.
'Alfred already told him…Guess it was his only icebreaker.'
"Not much, really. It was BORING without you!"
Pouting childishly, her heart soared to hear him chuckle.
It had been almost a lifetime since she'd heard him laugh…
"Where did you go, anyway? South America? Canada? Europe?"
Eyes bright with curiosity, she straightened up a bit to see his hesitancy.
'He's hiding something.'
"I went to a few places. Nothing exciting."
Seeing her gaze narrow, and taking that as a sign that she was about to pounce for a fib, Bruce elaborated.
"Just Asia, and I went traveling around there. Learned some new things."
There was one rule when it came to Jules.
DO NOT LIE TO JULES.
It did not end well for anyone she caught, and the brunette was one of the best at catching lies.
"You must have done something while I was gone. Alfred said something about forensics?"
Distraction was key, though it didn't always work…
But by the way her eyes lit up and she seemed to almost vibrate, it just might this time.
"Yup! I'm a forensics scientists for the Gotham police!"
Well, THAT didn't sound safe…
"For the police? Jules, that's dangerous!"
"Well, DUH." She replied, rolling her eyes as if it was obvious.
"But I'm just so awesome no one messes with me."
Bruce put on a skeptical look, crossing his arms…
"…Well, they don't mess with me because of Tiny…" The brunette admitted.
"But I can still kick butt! Grandpa Mike made sure, cross my heart!"
Jules didn't want him to worry about her so soon after getting back, and wanted to assure him of her safety.
"I can show you! My lab's the safest place I go to!"
'We'll see about that…'
"See? It's perfectly safe!"
Bruce wasn't convinced of that so easily, but the lab was definitely impressive.
All steel and electronics, carefully tended to and in good condition even to the trained eye.
The room only had equipment on the walls not connected to the door, with a large computer station in the center.
Beside it was a table, with lights underneath for evidence, and spaces below to store evidence.
Tiny went straight to his 'bed' once they entered, chewing on his bone happily.
"No one gets in here without me, or at least Tiny, knowing about it."
Jules smiled brightly, and Bruce had forgotten how much he missed her.
They had been close, to the point that Alfred and her grandfather had affectionately called them 'the twins'.
"And what happens once someone comes in?"
"I only have three rules." Jules started.
"No lying to the forensic scientist, no blood, and NO TOUCHING ANYTHING."
And Bruce already knew what happened if a rule was broken…
Seeing Bruce rub his shoulder at the memory of pain, Jules' smile fell a few notches.
"Still remember that, huh?"
"Kind of hard to forget a little girl twisting your arm behind your back and squeezing until you tell the truth." Bruce admitted.
A knock on the door caught their attention, and Tiny raised his head to sniff the air.
Fur bristling slightly, he gave a half-hearted bark, not returning to his treat.
He didn't like who was coming…
"Come in."
In came Flass, looking as grumpy and miserable as always, who proceeded to slam a large jug of Sunshine Caf on her table.
"Nice to see you too, Flass." Jules replied with a vague smile, but Bruce could tell it was false.
He didn't particularly like this man either, clearly showing his dislike of Jules, Tiny in particular.
"Get the filthy mutt outta 'ere. 'E's just a nuisance."
"A nuisance that bit you on the butt my first day." Jules pointed out, hiding her amusement at the memory by sipping her drink.
"What's up?"
"Nothin'. Gordan was too busy ta brin' yer poison."
"It's nice to know I'm loved."
Putting down her adrenaline boost, she shrugged.
"But I'm kinda busy. So much to do, so little time."
Flass shrugged, immediately heading for the door and kicking Tiny's bed on the way.
The Great Dane snarled, baring his teeth, but a sharp rebuke from Jules kept him from pouncing.
"Stupid mutt…"
When the door closed, the brunette grumbled something under her breath and pat her dog's head.
"You drink this a lot?" Bruce wondered, hoping to redirect her thoughts.
Jules was a dangerous creature once you gave her time to stew…
"It's the nectar of the gods!"
That meant 'yes'…
"This stuff will give you a heart attack."
"I'm still alive!"
Bruce studied her more intently, and pushed the container further away down the table.
"When was the last time you slept?"
"Um…What day is today?"
Seeing his eyes narrow, clearly not happy with the implications, Jules sighed.
"I'm just busy, Bruce. Every good cop will only give their evidence to me, and each case is just as important as the rest."
Rubbing her eyes, the brunette stood up, a faint smile on her face.
"Besides, what's a few nights sleep compared to convictions in court, right?"
She looked tired, but still hopeful, and it strengthened Bruce's conviction.
"Don't worry, Jules. Everything will be alright."
Nodding, Jules' smile grew larger…
"I know. You always make things right somehow."