Part 2.
Alfred walked into Robert's room, he had a silver tray in his hands. On the tray was leftover's from last night's dinner that Robert never ate, next to that was a glass of orange juice and a folded in half newspaper. He pushes the door open with his shoulder and walks in to see Robert sound asleep on his bed. He sets the tray down on the nightstand and opens the curtains, the sunlight hits the room as Robert groggily wakes up.
Robert: Ughh,bats are nocturnal!
Alfred: That may be sir, but 6 is pushing it.
Robert: AM?
Alfred: PM sir.
Robert jumps out of bed and begins to panic; he heads to his closet and begins to change into clothes.
Alfred: Something wrong?
Robert: Why didn't you wake me sooner!?
Alfred: I tried; you were dead asleep, what's wrong sir?
Robert: I have dinner with Alice's family in 2 hours, and I just woke up!
Alfred: What about Batman?
Robert: What about him?
Alfred: Aren't you going out tonight?
Robert: Why? Crane's in custody; and the GCPD can handle him. Gotham doesn't need me tonight.
Robert comes out in a nice suit jacket, with a blue t-shirt with some designs on it, a pair of black jeans, and his boots. He had his motorcycle helmet in his hand.
Alfred: Taking the bike sir?
Robert: Quickest way to her house. See you later.
He heads to the garage and sees the various rows of motorcycles, they varied in style and design, but he wanted something sleek, he takes a black Yamaha style motorcycle and puts on black leather gloves, he revs up the bike as the garage door opens, he blasts out of the garage as if it were the cave, he begins to ride to Alice's house.
Alice's house wasn't as luxurious as Robert's nor was her family nearly as wealthy as the Wayne's. But they were apart of Gotham's upper class. Her house was a bit larger than usual, the front yard had a drive way and a sidewalk, the sidewalk came straight from the street in a more wealthier neighborhood. The driveway lead to a large garage that housed at least 4 vehicles. The house was a more modern style house and was not intimidating as Robert's.
Alice was in the kitchen with her mother, she was in a nice set of clothes with her hair done nicely, she was nervous. Robert very rarely came over her house at all, let alone had dinner there. Her kitchen had a nice wooden floor that was polished, a counter that was black marble on top, it's frame and body was wooden. Including the top and bottom cabinets. The counter's sink was in front of the window looking out into the yard, it was beautiful and quite large. Across from the counter was a nice silver refrigerator , adjacent to it was the entrance to the dining room.
An older woman in her 40's who was dressed in a business casual attire, was at the counter chopping a carrot with a knife was standing at the counter making dinner. She had green eyes that were covered by nicely framed glasses, her blonde hair was done up in a bun and it was quite clear where Alice got her looks from. Her name was Mallorie Kane.
Alice: Mom, is dinner almost ready?
Mallorie: Sweetie, it'll be done before he arrives don't worry.
Alice: I know I just want this evening to be perfect, God Max better not screw this up.
Mallorie: Hey be nice, Max is your brother and he means well.
Alice: Yes but he's never met Robert, and Robert isn't really the type to deal with how Max is.
Mallorie: I'll talk to him before dinner starts.
Alice: Is dad working late again tonight?
Mallorie turns to her daughter.
Mallorie: * Sigh* Yes, but you know he does like Robert as long as he treats you right that's all we care about.
Alice: I know, but still it would be nice. I mean I barely got Robert convinced to have dinner with us, it would've been perfect if dad was here.
Mallorie: I know, but there's always next time.
Alice hears the doorbell ring, she knew it was Robert.
Alice: I-
Max: I'll get it!
Max, her 17 year old brother runs down the stairs, he was a bit shorter than Alice. He had light brown hair, green eyes, and was dressed in a hoodie, jeans and tennishoes. He had a prankster like quality to him, which Alice knew would annoy Robert. He opens the door and sees Robert, flowers in one hand and his motorcycle helmet in the other.
Robert: Um hi, is Alice home?
Max: Maybe, them flowers for me?
Robert raises an eyebrow, not understanding the joke.
Robert: Um, no?
Max is pushed out of the way by Alice, who smiles at Robert.
Alice: Hi, sorry about him.
Robert: It's okay, I got you something.
He hands her the flowers, they were lovely.
Alice: Robert they're beautiful. Thank you. You have trouble finding the house?
Robert: I've been here before, remember?
Alice blushes a little.
Alice: Yes but not for dinner with my family, and this time I'm not home alone.
Robert and Alice chuckle a little and smile.
Robert: So can I come in?
Alice: Yes, yes absolutely.
She holds the door open as he walks in, the home was cozy. It was the type of house that was seemingly perfect to him. He had been in there before but under different circumstances, he watches as Alice puts the flowers he gave her in a turquoise colored vase on the mantle of her fireplace in the living room. Robert looks to his left and sees the dinning room where the normal sized dinning table was made nicely but was nowhere nearly as nice as the one he had back home. But he didn't care. He sees Mallorie Kane walk in with a large plate containing pot roast on It, she sets it down in the center of the table.
Robert sets his helmet down on a leather couch in the living room and approaches Mrs. Kane.
Robert: Excuse me, Mrs. Kane?
Mallorie: Yes sweetie?
Robert: Mind if I help you set the table?
Mallorie: Oh Mr. Wayne you don't have to really.
Robert: I insist, and please call me Robert.
Alice smiles as Robert goes to help her mother. Max watches his sisters boyfriend and his mom head into the kitchen.
Max: I think mom likes him.
Alice: I think so too, but you better be on your best behavior, got me? I mean it.
Max: Okay okay sheesh, what's the big deal anyway?
Alice: One, he's not a very social able person, two he's the heir to the richest family in all of Gotham, and three he's been through a lot. So no jokes.
Max: Okay I won't, I promise.
Alice: You better not.
The two siblings sit across from each other at the wooden table, the dinning room had white walls, two cabinets across from each other that had old silverware and china in the cabinets. There was also a smaller cabinet next to the table in which some family pictures were kept on there. Some larger framed pictures decorated the walls, some were of Gotham's skyline and others were older family portraits. A nice chandelier hung from the ceiling, it lit the whole room up. Robert walked in carrying a plate of vegetables that Mallorie had set up while Mallorie brought in drinks. They set down their respective items and Mallorie sits at the head of the table, Robert sits next to his girlfriend.
They all begin to eat, Robert watched as the family seemed almost harmonious to him, it had been years since he had dinner with anyone but Ace and Alfred. His mind calmed, the fact that he was Batman didn't seem to matter anymore. Nor did Crane, or his family's secret. Right now, he had the one thing he wanted the most. A normal life.
Max: Yo Wayne, you okay man?
Robert looks up at Max.
Robert: Yeah I'm fine, and call me Robert.
Max: Alright Robert, I'm Maxwell, but you can call me Max.
They shake hands, Max looks at his sister, keeping his promise. He liked Robert a lot.
Mallorie: I'm sorry my husband couldn't make it this evening Robert.
Robert: It's okay Mrs. Kane, I'm just glad I could be here.
Max and Alice begin to eat, so did Robert. The dinner was very good.
Mallorie: So Robert, who runs Wayne enterprises at the moment?
Robert: A board of directors appointed by Lucius Fox, a friend of my father's. When the time is right I will step in to advise the company and maybe create some more programs for the company.
Max: Like what?
Robert: Well I was thinking about bringing back Gotham's steel industry, try bring in more work for Gotham's middle class. And expanding the medical program my grandparents started.
Mallorie: Sounds like you want what is best for the city.
Robert: Oh well of course, Gotham is my home.
Max: What about that bat guy, what are your thoughts on him?
Robert: You mean the Batman?
Max: Yeah, like do you think he's the same one from back in the day or some crazy ass dude?
Mallorie: Maxwell Stewart Kane! Language!
Max: Sorry mom.
Robert: Well, to answer your question I don't know if it's the same Batman, I haven't met him. But if you ask me, a dude dressed as a giant bat who goes out late at night to punch criminals in the face, clearly has issues.
Alice chuckles at the joke.
Max: Yeah, but do you think he's good for the city?
Robert sits back for a moment, thinking if what he was doing was right.
Robert: Well, he did take that Crane guy off the streets, so I suppose he's good for the city.
Max: You suppose hmm? You hiding something Wayne?
Robert seemed confused by Max's question. Trying to hide the obvious answer.
Robert: What do you mean?
Max: I mean what are your true thoughts on Batman? Personally, I think the guy has some nerve coming back after all these years.
Alice: Max, not this again.
Max: I mean come on, Gotham's so called " protector" vanishes for 20 years because the GCPD for once did what he never could and now he decides to take out an old geezer? Give me a break.
Mallorie: Max, enough. We have a guest.
Max: Sorry mom, may I be excused?
Mallorie nods yes as Max stands up.
Max: Nice meeting you Robert.
He shakes Robert's hand.
Robert: Likewise Max.
Max lets go and heads upstairs.
Mallorie: I apologize, he gets it from his father.
Robert: It's fine.
Mallorie: Would you kids mind helping me with the dishes?
Alice: Sure mom.
Alice and Robert get up following Mallorie.
Meanwhile in Downtown Gotham City.
Richard Grayson stood inside a large parking garage with a few fellow detectives and armed GCPD officers. Richard was tapping his foot, he was nervous about this sort of thing. A police van opens up it's back doors as two SWAT members stood on the outside waiting for orders, Crane appears, restrained and in an orange prison jumpsuit. Crane looks at Grayson.
Richard: Last chance, tell me who hired you or you won't be seeing sunlight for a very long time.
Crane: It doesn't matter, you won't be able to catch him without the help of your pointy eared friend, speaking of which where is he tonight hmm?
Richard: Alright that's it, load him up.
The two SWAT members put Crane in the back of the van, the doors close as a fellow detective, Lieutenant Harvey Bullock stood next to Grayson. Harvey was much older than Grayson, but had a history of recklessness. He was a heavyset man, his black hair that was receding back was covered by a large brown fedora, a trademark of the officer. His badge was on his belt, next to his gun. The van begins moving in a large convoy
Harvey: You sure this is wise?
Richard: He's the only lead we got, he'll talk eventually. Come on lets go.
They get in a police cruiser and start driving along with the convoy through Gotham. At least 10 squad cars were with the van, along with a police chopper, City traffic was cut off, allowing for a clear direct path for the van to take Crane to a more secure location. Richard drove the car, looking up at the sky from his windshield, wondering where the new Batman was. He had already assumed who he was since it was clearly not Bruce Wayne. But he hid it from Bullock who was eating a large hoagie as he sat in the passenger side, Richard rolls his eyes.
As they approach the Bruce Wayne memorial tunnel, there is a roadblock caused by three cars and a a black SUV. The first Police cruiser stopped and two beat cops get out and approach the roadblock, they see two men, in black suits get out with black face masks on, they both had assault rifles, one had an M16 carbine assault rifle, the other had an M249 light machine gun, they instantly open fire on the two beat cops, the bullets ripping them to shreds.
Richard ducks and pulls Bullock down with him as the bullets tear through their windshield, Bullock grabs the radio while ducking from the gunfire.
Bullock: 10-4 Officer down! I repeat officer down! Backup requested!
Richard sees that there were more armed thugs coming out, they start making their way to Crane, he grabs the car door and uses it as a shield as he jumps out, he dodges the thugs bullets, he uses his speed to surprise the thug as he reloaded his MP5 and Richard grabs it, rips it from his hand, and slaps the thug with it. He takes it apart, one thug with a shotgun starts shooting at Richard who strategically dodges the blasts, one however grazed his shoulder. He grunts as he grabs a trashcan lid and throws it like how he used to throw a batarang at the thug's wrist, it hits him hard and he drops the weapon, and Richard runs up to him, punches him in the face, knees him in the stomach, and uses the trashcan lid and smacks him across the face, knocking him out.
Bullock shoots at a few of the thugs as they swarm the few officers that were left, the two SWAT members were dead and as more police officers pull up, chaos begins. Gunfire was exchanged all over the place, it was like when Gotham used to be bad. News choppers were in the sky, the whole thing was a mess. During the chaos, Crane is taken into the SUV and it speeds off, several police cars were in pursuit through the tunnel.
Crane: Idiots, the police are behind us! I'm sure your boss would not be pleased with the police knocking on his door.
Thug: Got it, yo Billy, take care of them.
Billy: Alright.
He opens the side window, and throws a grenade into the group of police cruisers, blowing them up. Richard had commandeered a motorcycle from a civilian, he rode up next to the SUV, the SUV accelerates. The thug who threw the grenade pulls out a handgun and begins shooting, Richard felt like he was Nightwing again and easily swerves away from the gunfire. Though, having Batman help him out would be nice. The thug shoots out his tire and he swerves hard, the bike going on it's side and him rolling off, he runs after the SUV but it was pointless, Crane got away.
Richard stood there watching as Bullock and the other GCPD members pull up, he holds his shoulder, no Batman in sight. He was furious.
Robert was in the living room with Alice, it was a slightly larger room than the dining room, it had two couches, one big one small, both were really nice leather and were across from each other. A lamp was in the corner and the floor was covered by a nice Persian designed carpet. The TV was a large flat screen that was built into the wall. The couple were watching TV when it was interrupted by a news broadcast, the news Ticker was on the bottom and it said " SHOOTOUT AT THE BRUCE WAYNE MEMORIAL TUNNEL, FIVE DEAD, SIXTEEN INJURED"
Jack Ryder, who's slicked back hair was graying on the sides, sat behind a news anchor desk, he wore a navy blue suit with a white dress shirt and red silk tie. Sat next to him was Vicki Vale, the famous TV reporter now turned anchorwoman seemed to hate Ryder, even though they were married. Her short blonde hair rested at her jawline as her suit was similar to Ryder's but was black and had a green tie.
Jack: We have breaking news, former super criminal Johnathan Crane aka The Scarecrow was broken free from police custody after a large gunfight which took the lives of five officers and injured another sixteen. No comment has been reached from Commissioner Richard Grayson at this time.
Robert was horrified, he lets out a deep sigh as he held Alice's hand.
Alice: What's wrong?
Robert: I um...I have to get home.
Alice: This early?
Robert: Yeah, I had a great time but I have to get going, I'll call you okay?
Alice: Um okay.
He kisses her cheek and she smiles, he grabs his helmet and exits the house, she sees him get on his bike and dart off.
Alfred was in the cave with Ace, he sees Robert run down the flight of stairs who stops when he sees Richard standing to Alfred.
Robert: Alfred...?
Alfred: He worked with your father, he was the original Robin. He wants to speak to you. I'll leave you two in private.
Richard: Thank you, Alfred.
Alfred heads upstairs as Richard walks up to Robert's batsuit.
Richard: Hm, Bruce's prototype suit, I assume that you wore this during that little stunt you pulled the other night.
Robert: Yeah, I did.
Richard: I assume you know that Crane got away.
Robert puts his hands in his jacket pockets and leans against the workbench.
Robert: Yeah, I know I messed up, I should have been out there.
Richard: You're damn right you should have. Look, I know you're young and you just became Batman, but you have to realize is that there's more than just responsibility with Batman, there's also sacrifice. You have to give up quite a lot to become Batman, do you understand?
Robert: * Sigh* Yeah, I know...
Richard puts his hand on his shoulder, like how Robert's father did years ago.
Richard: Look at me.
Robert looks up at him.
Richard: You have all the potential to become Batman, don't ever forget that.
Robert: Okay.
Richard lets go.
Richard: I'm going to work on finding Crane, in the meantime, I have something that Batman could look into.
He hands Robert a file, Robert grabs it and opens it. He begins to read what was inside.
Richard: During Crane's escape the Mayor's mansion was broken into and his wife's jewelery collection was stolen, perhaps you could look into it.
Robert: Alright.
Richard: I have to get going now, the mayor wants to speak to me and the press is having a field day.
Robert: Wait, before you go...can I ask you something?
Richard: Sure, what is it?
Robert: Did my dad sacrifice a whole lot when he became Batman?
Richard: Yes, he did. I wish you didn't have to but you do, Gotham needs Batman, especially now more than ever.
Robert: I'll be sure to keep that in mind...
Richard nods and heads upstairs. Robert gets off the workbench and approaches his batsuit, he stared at it. Unaware that his butler and friend stood next to him, cane in hand.
Alfred: Something wrong sir?
Robert: Can I be both Alfred?
Alfred: Both?
Robert: Both Robert Wayne and Batman.
Alfred remains quiet, Bruce once asked him that same exact question years ago and he had no answer for it back then either.
Alfred: I wish I had an answer for you, but I don't. I'm sorry...
Robert puts his arm around Alfred.
Robert: It's okay Alfred, really it is...it's late and me going out there right now probably won't solve anything, you should get some rest.
Alfred: What about you?
Robert: I have homework to do.
He holds up the case file that Richard gave him, he walks over to the batcomputer and sets it down. He sits down in the large chair and begins to read through it. Alfred smiles as he begins to walk towards the stairs.
Robert: Alfred.
Alfred turns around, Robert was focused on the file.
Alfred: Yes?
Robert: Should I tell her who I really am?
Alfred: When you feel ready to do so, yes.
Robert: Who am I, Alfred?
Alfred: You are who you choose to be. But to me, you will always be Robert Thomas Wayne.
Robert remained quiet for several moments.
Robert: Thank you, get some sleep.
Alfred: You're welcome, goodnight.
Robert: Night Alfred.
Alfred begins to walk up the stairs as Robert activates the batcomputer.
Meanwhile at the Gotham industrial district.
The SUV that Crane escaped in pulls up to Roman Sionis's warehouse. Crane is escorted out as his handcuffs were removed by the thugs, Roman approaches his friend.
Black Mask: Crane, nice to see you again.
Crane: Likewise Roman, likewise.
Black Mask: Meet me inside, we have something to discuss, boys get rid of the van.
Thug: Yes sir.
The thug gets in the SUV and drives off, Black Mask follows Crane inside the large warehouse.
To be continued.