"As a matter of fact, here he is now, Lucius. Back from a Sunday drive." Alfred Pennyworth said through his phone as the roaring craft, nicknamed the Batwing shot through the massive waterfall that concealed the entrance to the large cave beneath the home of Gotham's billionaire, Bruce Wayne.

The Batwing circled around the metal helipad twice before the lower section of the wings flipped out and shot out hot air that helped cushion the craft as it landed on the pad. The Batman hopped out as the cockpit slid backward and he landed softly on the metal floor. The Batman looked at his butler standing beside the great design he had created almost two years before, a mass computer system that had several large monitors and nearly six million dollars in hardware invested inside it. As he walked across the metal bridge that connected the two sections of the cave, he removed his cowl, revealing his identity, Bruce Wayne. He saw that Alfred was on the phone and quickly walked over to his suit chamber near the computer. The chamber was concealed within the rock wall of the cave and Bruce pressed on a certain section of the wall, pushing in a square the size of his fist and watching the concealed part of the chamber slide to the right. In its place was a small area with a transparent plastic container that had several pegs on each side of the container which Bruce stepped into, securing himself to the pegs after placing his cowl on a small shelf. The plastic door closed and he held his breath, feeling the intense air pressure enter the chamber and separate the suit in a brief moment.

Bruce was left with only a slick black wetsuit-looking underwear that covered his whole body, save for his hands and feet. The door opened again and exhaled deeply, feeling the cool air across his body. He walked across the cold cave floor and pressed the rock in again, the suit chamber returning to concealment in the wall. He saw the frown across Alfred's face and began wondering what he was concerned about as he took the satellite phone from him.

"Hello, Mr. Fox. I'm glad you caught me. It's been a busy night." Bruce said.

"Alfred told me. I just wanted to let you know that your new 'night wear' is ready for shipment. When would you like delivery?" Fox asked.

"Whenever it suits you best. Now, I have a small party to attend to upstairs. Goodnight." Bruce replied.

"Have a good time." Fox said before hanging up. Bruce handed the phone back to Alfred and looked at him as they walked to the elevator across the cave. Alfred cleared his throat as he placed the cell phone in his jacket pocket and pressed the elevator button.

"What's wrong, tonight?" Bruce asked as they walked inside the door.

Alfred gave a small sigh and turned his weary eyes to his master. The butler held up his pinky finger and wiggled it around in his face.

"I got the message through. And I properly bandaged it after. Be happy for that."

"Was that really the right thing to do? Hm, Master Bruce?" Alfred asked.

Bruce shook his head and looked forward, not wanting to argue with his oldest friend. Ever since Bruce had begun his battle against crime in Gotham City, Alfred had always tried to be the shining light in the darkness that surrounded his master. His moral compass in a new world where morality was all but gone. He had become a father figure for Bruce in his time of need and tried to guide him and reduce the amount of brutality he showed the criminals on the battlefront. Alfred himself was no stranger to violence, being a soldier and mercenary, fighting in several wars and living with the guilt of ruining multitudes of lives.

"Those men... on a daily basis.. kill the last remaining rhinos. They sedate them, force them to the ground, and chop off their horns with machetes, leaving them to die in the wild. They deserve a hell of a lot cut off more than a small appendage. Better than another small appendage anyway. He'll always remember that... even if I can't find him again. Can we not do this tonight? I need to act happy for my first time out in the public spotlight since Julie's death." Bruce said as they flew up in the elevator and into the study in Wayne Manor.

"I understand. You need to instill fear in the hearts of these men, but not become them." Alfred said before exiting the elevator, leaving Bruce to collect himself.


"Wayne's got a nice house. Old chandeliers, stained glass angel windows, nice furnishings. How many hookers do you think have been over here?" a man around Bruce's age asked his date as he took a sip from his champagne glass.

"Knock it off, Tommy." the girl responded with a small chuckle, holding her purse and trying her best to look sexy amongst the hundreds of people inside the mansion.

"What? Back when we were good friends, he always had girls. When's the last time you've seen him without someone on his arm? Besides Julie, that is." Tommy said with a bit of malice in his voice.

"Hey. You know it wasn't him now. Let it go." the girl responded, bringing her voice down a level as she looked in her date's eyes.

Tommy rolled his eyes and drank the rest of the alcohol from the glass, his eyes widening as the Prince of Gotham showed up behind them and Bruce Wayne offered his hand. He was wearing a black tux that showed off his broad chest and shoulders, his thick hair slicked back with gel, the small tuffs of his bangs sticking up and showing his signature style. Bruce gave a big, white smile at Tommy and slowly approached his hand as Tommy sat the glass down on his table. He returned the offer and squeezed tight as he swallowed the rest of his drink.

"Bruce! How long has it been?" he asked.

"About 8 years, I think? Right after senior year ended." Bruce replied.

"Ah," Tommy said, pausing for a moment, his mind focused on an old memory.

Bruce nodded and let go of Tommy's hand, smiling at his date. She smiled back, brushing back her long black hair and offering her hand. Bruce took it softly and shook it, seeing the large red ruby on her middle finger. He glanced at it and saw her eyes meet his. He felt a familiar sense of déjà vu and was puzzled for a second.

"I'm sorry, but have we met before?" Bruce asked, trying to be as polite as possible.

"I was thinking the same thing." the woman replied, with a small laugh.

Tommy's smile became a gritted look of agitation and while Bruce and his date laughed, he rolled his eyes and began to walk away. Bruce noticed and gave her a brief nod before spinning around and following Tommy as he headed back to the bar section of the dining room.

"Hey, Tommy!" he said with his hand up loudly, calmly pushing his way from the socialites inside.

Tommy turned around and put on a fake smile.

"Sorry, I was just getting another drink, that's all. I'll be back. How do you think you know Selina, anyway?" he asked.

Bruce stopped for a minute at the sound of her name and quickly shook the thought away, walking over to the bar counter with his old friend.

"I'm not sure. But it's nothing like that, I swear. Anyways, I've wanted to talk with you ever since Julie was killed. Once I learned that you were the fiancé, I knew I needed to explain everything to you. No matter what hurtful it'd be. I've been waiting for this. I'm glad to see that you're doing good. Making 20 million a year isn't a bad gig for a hospital job." Bruce said, trying to change the subject.

"Yeah, not unlike your dad making billions as chief medical director of Gotham General. But no, it's a good job. Get to meet all types of people. Ever think you'll need work done one day?" Tommy replied with a laugh.

"I'm pretty good right now I think and as you probably know, Dad never took a salary. The family fortune was enough."

"Well, whatever. This glass of tasty goodness is going to my head, I think. How was your Christmas, Bruce?"

"Just fine. After the terrorist attack in D.C., it got cut short. I set up a fund to help the victims of the bombings in Central City and D.C."

"I just gave old Alfred a check for 2 million to help the drive. He seems to be in good shape. How old is he now? 70?" Tommy laughed.

"No." Bruce chuckled.

"He's still young enough to kick our asses."

Tommy patted Bruce on the back and looked for his date, seeing that she was nowhere to be found. Bruce cleared his throat and shook his former friend's hand one more time before heading off into the party to greet other guests. He saw the captain of the GCPD, Jim Gordon with his wife. His mind went through all of their memories together, fighting side by side against the crime in Gotham City the past two years. Gordon wasn't aware of who the Batman really was and as far as Bruce could tell, Gordon didn't care much either. He waded through the crowd of people and held out his hand, meeting the ever-watchful eyes of the police captain.

"Captain Gordon! How are you?" Bruce said loudly as Gordon noticed him.

Sarah held her laugh in from Bruce's snobby attitude and waited as Gordon shook his hand with a tight grip.

"Mr. Wayne. Thank you for inviting me and my wife to the drive. It's a great thing you're doing."

"Ah! Are you kidding me? I should be thanking you for cleaning up this city! Whether or not the bat in black is involved, that doesn't matter, Jim. I'm glad to see you finally making your way up. You deserve it... honestly." Bruce replied.

"Sarah, Mr. Wayne worked with me and Bullock for a few months on the police reserves about six or seven years back. He was pretty enthusiastic. Do you remember that?" Gordon asked as Sarah shook Bruce's hand.

"Of course. You taught me how to find a criminal in any area." Bruce responded, pointing his finger across the room before winking at Sarah.

"Well... thank you, Bruce. Keep up the good work."

"You too, captain. Beautiful wife. Keep him straight." Bruce laughed.

As the billionaire disappeared into the crowd, Gordon downed his glass of ginger ale and burped quietly. Sarah looked at him and saw his suspicious eyes trailing Wayne. She smacked him gently on the chest, pushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear and laughing.

"What's with the look, Jim? Didn't like him winking at me?" she asked.

"No. It's not that. He's just so different from the kid I used to know. I remember hugging him as he watched his parents' bodies being hauled away. And now... look at him."

"I know, babe. But he's his own man. Without you there, I think things would have been a lot different."

"Yeah, I guess." Gordon grumbled.

"You better know. At least he's doing charity drives and such. Helping others instead of just helping himself." Sarah replied, playfully smacking him and pulling on his tie.

"I'm not talking about the money or the playboy act he pulls." he said quietly.

"What was that?" Sarah asked, leaning in closer.

"Nothing, honey. You want a shrimp ball?"