Chapter 3: Two Women, One Heart
The next morning , Alfred Pennyworth walked through the upper level of Wayne Manor carrying a silver tray of oatmeal with blueberries and brown sugar along with a tall glass of orange juice. He entered the doorway of the dark bedroom and found his master sleeping with no shirt on and just a pair of sleep pants, the covers were hanging off the bed and touching the floor. The old butler placed the tray on the dresser and looked at the solemn man resting while coping with the pain that seized his body.
"Master Wayne," Alfred said gently. "Sir,"
Bruce flicked opened his eyes and looked at his butler. "Alfred," he yawned. "What time is it?"
Alfred looked at the alarm clock. "3:15 PM. I prepared a little breakfast."
"
I'm not hungry." Bruce growled as he sat up leaning his back agaisnt the headboard.
Alfred shook his head with a displeasing manner. "Sir with all due respect you must eat to keep your strength up. It's the only way for your body to heal."
"My body should of healed eight years ago." Bruce looked at his scar from the bullet wound on his lower abs. "I think this is my punishment." He placed his feet on the bare hard wood floor and looked at the tray.
"Do you need help sir?" Alfred asked .
"No. I'm fine."
"Very well Master Wayne."
Bruce placed his hand on the nightstand and lifted himself up carefully trying not to put any pressure on his right leg .He winced but then took a deep breath as he stood on both feet.
Alfred handed him the cane.
"No. I don't want it."
"Sir,"
"Alfred I'm tired of walking with that thing. I'm tired of waking up in the morning and not being able to do pushups, and my sits up. I feel useless and restless." He limped his way to the window. "It's time that I get on with my life."
"How will you do that?" Alfred asked looking at his master. "Are you talking about wearing the cape and cowl again sir?"
Bruce lowered his head. "No, I'm done with Batman. He doesn't exist anymore."
Alfred nodded.
"Is there anything else you need?"
" No."
" I'll be in the kitchen preparing for tonight's dinner if you need me,"
Bruce nodded and waited for his butler to leave, and he walked over to the dresser and looked at the picture of Rachel and him when they were children.
A tear ran slowly down his cheek as he remembered the last moment he spent with her , she was trying to stop him from making the choice to turn himself in at the press conference but he was to prideful with his own goals that he let her become his only key to the real world. Then he got her killed, his friend, and his love all because of his choices.
That's all his life has been about, the choices he made and the consequences he endured it was because of them he couldn't live a normal man's life.
A life that his parents wanted him to live without the pain and guilt that he forced onto his body.
Meanwhile at Wayne Enterprises , Miranda Tate was sitting in Fox's office with her arms crossed and eyes looking at the man Bruce trusted life his life.
"Mister Fox,"
Lucius lifted his head. "What can I do for you , Miss Tate?"
" I been going over our recent stocks of the R and D department, and to be honest sir, it's just a stumble block that should be removed."
" The R and D department was crested to store and test prototypes for the company. If we get rid of that area than we will make Wayne enterprise become a stumble block for the international market?"
Tate nodded. "Well can we at least get rid of the vehicles? There unless now."
Fox shook his head. " I can't without Bruce Wayne's permission."
" I see." Miranda stood up. "Well thank you for your time Mister Fox."
Just as she was about to exit through the door way, Fox stopped her. "Oh Miss Tate, how did the charity ball turn out?"
Miranda turned around with a fake smile painted in her face, "It went better than I hoped. I saw an old friend of yours."
"Who was this friend of mine you saw Miss Tate? Fox asked with light shining in his deep brown eyes.
"Bruce Wayne."
Fox's eyed went wide. " Bruce Wayne, how was he?"
" He looked like he was not in great shape. He had a cane."
" A cane ? I thought he recovered from his injury years ago?"
" Apparently not, Mister Fox"
Fox lowered his head; he knew the pain Bruce was experiencing was deeper than any bullet wound. And if his young friend continued to be a lonely recluse, he would never heal or let alone wear the cape and cowl again.
"Miss Tate, I have a job for you. I want you to find away to bring Bruce Wayne back into this building, after all this is his company." He stated.
Miranda nodded. "I'll try."
Bruce Wayne was in the Bat cave looking at his costume through the glass case. He moved his body close to see his faces reflection in the empty cowl. Inside his wary body was a burning desire to open the case and transform into batman.
"Sir," Alfred said standing on the stairwell.
"What is it Alfred?" Bruce asked with a cold tone in his voice.
"Shouldn't you be getting ready for your date? It's almost six thirty."
Bruce sighed as he placed his hand on the glass case." Master Wayne, are you alright?"
" I miss it old friend. I miss prowling the roof tops, talking with Gordon on the roof and most of all I miss protecting the city that I love. But I know inside that Batman will never arise from the abyss."
" You don't know that. Remember this , Master Wayne no matter how hard you fall, you always rise and pick yourself up."
Bruce turned around. " I fell too many times." He answered.
" Yes. But you've always found way to pick yourself up. I have faith that the Batman will come back, it may not be today or tomorrow but the dark knight will rise when he is needed again. Now come up stairs and get ready."
Bruce looked down at the cowl. "Alfred,"
The old butler turned around. "Yes, Master Wayne?" He asked.
"Thank you. I don't know what I would do without you."
Alfred smiled.
"I dread to think of that sir,"
The evening rain was hitting the glass of balcony window as Selina Kyle looked in the mirror of her vanity, her dark brown hair was long and flowing down her back and she was wearing a plain black long sleeve evening dress. Curled up in a ball was her two year old black cat Midnight.
She glanced at the clock and then looked back at her reflection. "Do I really have to this?" she asked herself while thinking about Bruce Wayne, the man she thought was an arrogant self centered jet setting playboy that only cared about his check book . But after last night she found out there was a different side of him, he actually did have a heart that was worth taking.
She sighed and then grabbed her handbag.
Bruce entered the dining room of Wayne Manor, the place where his parents used to share a bottle of white wine and eat small bits of cheese cake. Now it was a place that was long left forgotten until now. He looked at his Rolex watch and then saw Alfred setting the plates on the table.
"It's been a long time since this room has been used."
"Yes. It has." Bruce answered back with his ginger green eyes reflecting in the dim light of the room. Sometimes he would eat a light lunch with Alfred but never have dinner with a woman. Not even Rachel ate in this room, either because she chose not too or he never invited her.
"I trust that you and Miss Kyle are ..."
Bruce smirked showing his charming smile. "We're just having a quiet dinner. I want to get to know her better. She is the kind of woman that makes you feel alive."
Alfred placed the bread rolls in the middle. "What about the young board member you met last night?"
"You mean Miranda?"Bruce asked as his butler gave him a pleasing nod in agreement. "She's nice but there's something about her that I don't trust."
"And you trust , Miss Kyle?"
Bruce nodded.
"I thought you weren't the trusting kind."
"People change , Alfred."
There was an interruption between the two of them, the door bell sounded off.
"That's can't be her," Bruce said looking at his Rolex. "She's too early."
Alfred sighed. "I'll go see who it is sir, stay here."
The old butler moved down the hall to the front door and opened to only to see a beautiful dark haired woman with drenched curly locks and steel blue eyes.
"Good evening, Miss…" Alfred said in a pleasant voice.
"Hello, sorry to come uninvited but have to see your master, it is of much importance." She said smiling with her curved lips. "Forgive, I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Miranda Tate."
Alfred nodded. "Please, Miss Tate, due come in, Master Wayne is in the dining room."
Miranda entered through the door and Alfred took her coat. Bruce walked up to her, he was still limping but without the cane. His darken eyes stared at Miranda as his inviting lips form into a welcoming smile. "Miranda, this is an unexpected surprise." He said moving closer. "Is everything alright?"
"I just wanted to see you Bruce." She said in a comforting tone that had bit of an accent. "I hope you don't mind."
Bruce shook his head. "Not at all, it gets lonely around here," He took her hand "Please come into the dining room to share a drink with me."
"Well if you insist." Miranda said with a small smile.
He leaded her to the dining room and pulled out a chair at the huge oak table, she sat down as he sat across from her.
"Were you excepting someone Bruce," Miranda asked looking at the trays with covers.
"No, it's still early." Bruce replied. "So what do I hold the honor of having such a beautiful woman in my home?"
"I came to talk about the clear energy project that I am currently working on."
"You mention this topic last night, but I see that you are very determining to get my company to go through with it."
"The senior boards still haven't given me a clear answer."
Bruce looked at her well structured face, she was a like a goddess. "Well, I'm sure I can persuade them, after all I am the owner." He said sipping his Ginger ale. "If it means that much to you ?"
Miranda smiled. "This it means a lot to my cause Bruce." She looked at his lips, there was a sudden urge that spike her body as she pulled out the chair and walked to window and stared out at the rain.
Bruce walked over to join her; she turned her body around as their lips were facing each other. Then she made the move and leaned forward to kiss him. At first he was a little hesitant but then he given in and kissed her, embracing his arms around her.
Bruce pulled away thinking about Selina.
Miranda placed her hand on his cheek. "I have to go," She said kissing him again tasting the passion he offered. "Enjoy the rest of your evening."
Bruce rubbed his lips together and nodded.
The harsh rain was making traffic become slower as Selina looked out the backseat window of the taxi cab at all the closed shops and diners.
A lot has changed in Gotham, more homeless lice on the streets with less hope and the graveyards keep on expanding.
People had become more afraid thanks to the lost of hope and the betrayal of the Dark Knight who disappeared and never returned on the roof tops.
For Selina living on the streets fending for her as always been her life. There was to glamour, no comfort or love for a mother or father just being alone like a stray cat that was forgotten. As she got older, she got street wise with stealing. Soon she perfected her habit and became a thief Stalingrad whatever she wanted, taking whatever she pleased.
Over the years she tasted the fine life of rich. The sweet and bitter taste of wealth and power But most of all she tasted the freedom.
Now that she was twenty eight years old, still fending for herself and doing jobs for hire, Selina realized that this was not the life she wanted or dreamed about. No when she was little, her dean was to find a rich prince, fall in love and live happily ever after but that was dream. In the real world you see the ugly side of life men treating women like breakable dolls. Women selling their bodies on the streets for the lustful men who want to feel worthwhile. Being in prison for a few months, fighting for your life and then of course watching your friends die from knives and bullets.
Selina saw it all over the years, it didn't make her feel weaker instead it gave her strength to be alone and fight for what she wanted in life. But when she arrived in Gotham two years ago, she wanted something that no one wanted in this crumbling city.
She wanted to meet the batman on aloof top and dance under the moonlight while the city is silent below them, the only sound would be their breath as they embraced into a passionate kiss knowing the risks and enjoying the thrill of the moment without any doubt or regrets.
The taxi pulled up and see paid the driver his tip and then opened the door. She looked at the huge mansion that stood in front of her, it looked like a castle. As she closed the door and stepped on to the steps she was feeling uneasy.
Meanwhile in the confining shadows of an abandon warehouse a bulky man with a shaved head stood beside a dark chocolate brown haired woman wearing brown overcoat were having a conversation about their plans to turn Gotham into their kingdom.
"Everything is ready my Mistress, my men in the sewers are waiting for the command."
"Not yet. We must let our kitten do her part and then we will destroy Bruce Wayne and make him lose everything and everyone he ever cared about. In three days Bruce Wayne's blood will spilled on the streets of Gotham and you will have the honor of clipping his wings once and for all Bane." The woman said looking at a dagger in her hand, as it gleamed into the light.
Bane nodded.
"Once the bat is clipped what will we do this his fractured shell?"
The woman laughed
"We take him away from his city, away from his cave and let him rot while his beloved Gotham is reducing to ashes."
Back at Wayne Manor , Bruce was busy looking at his reflection in the hallway mirror; his face had changed thanks to time and the stress he endured over the years. He peered at the man in the reflection the son of Thomas and Martha Wayne, there were a few wrinkles around his inviting lips that women would swoon over and desire to be kiss with. The hair on the sides of his ears was beginning to change in a silver grey, wrinkles were around his deep silver hazel green eyes making him look worn out and older.
Eight years ago when he was young and less experience with crime fighting he remembered all the times he stitched himself up in the cave , all the wounds and cuts that were on his arms from midnight brawls and the powerful urge to jump on the roof tops and prowl the streets without any worries and regrets . But after the Joker stabbed him in the back and Two Face shot him in the stomach, he realized that horrid night that Batman would never be the same.
Eight years ago...
The sound of sirens from patrol cars echoed through the streets of Gotham as a sound of roaring thunder boom in the background. Ten police squad cars were gaining up on a black cloaked figure that was racing through the dim lighted streets.
Batman was on the Bat pod clenching his jaws as the coursing pain from Two Face's bullet entered every part of his body. Blood was dripping from his mouth, his lips felt numb and his leg felt broken.
The only support he had to make his leg stay straight was his military climbing boots of Wayne Enterprises R and D department. He took a deep breath in and did a right turn into an alley.
Panting and breath heavy with his heart pounding his pressed the radio transmitter in his cowl.
"Alfred," he groaned. "Alfred, are you there?"
" Master Wayne?"
"I've lost lot of blood and I think my leg is broken."
Alfred felt his heart drop."Sir, can you make it to the bunker."
Batman coughed up blood. "I'll try."
The sound of the doorbell awoke him from his daydreaming, as Alfred opened the door and found himself staring a beautiful woman dressed in a black over coat.
"Miss Kyle "Please do, come in. Master Wayne is in the dining room waiting."
"Thank you..."
"Alfred."
The young brunette smiled and held out her hand. "It's nice to meet you."
" Likewise, may I take your coat and gloves?"
Bruce could hear her voice echoing from the halls, he stood by the fireplace and held his cane firmly. Selina entered the room looking stunning to his eyes.
"Hello handsome," she said with a soft voice tone.
Bruce walked over to her."You look amazing Selina."
"Thank you. " She surveyed his body. "I can't say the same about you though,"
He leaned his head over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
She looked at his face when pulled away feeling conflicted towards her emotions towards him. Deep down she was beginning to fall in love with him.
"So you live in this huge house all by yourself with your butler?" She asked looking at the high ceilings.
Bruce nodded.
"It must get lonely."
"You get use to it."
In the main dining room Bruce Wayne and Selina were enjoying a casual light dessert of strawberry cheese cake with chocolate covered strawberries on top and tea. The evening was trying out to be one that Bruce had never experience with a woman. He usually treated super models and famous Russian dancers to one of the restaurants he owned and then would end the evening with a pleasant kiss on the cheek. But this woman sitting before was a totally different creature, she was elegant with the way she sat with her arms off the table .
Most of the other women in his night life as the playboy billionaire were young and restless. They always wanted to do something that would cause a problem; either they would take a drip in the fountain at the Gotham Arms Hotel or empty a full bottle of red wine in a hotel room, while Bruce escaped for his nightly activities as Batman.
Selina bit into a small piece of her cheese cake while Bruce sipped his tea.
"So Selina, tell me more about your childhood?" Bruce asked.
"What's there to tell? There was no happy beginning."
Hearing those words made haunting Bruce become interested of her past. "What? Did one of your parents die?"
She nodded.
"I'm sorry."
"No. It's just that I really try not to think about it. There are just too many painful memories." She looked at Bruce, the son of Thomas and Martha Wayne who witnessed the death of his parent by the hands of Joe Chill. She read up on his past and how he left Gotham for eight years and then returned to take back his company and make a name for himself.
"My childhood was not like ours Bruce. I didn't have a huge house like you; all we had was a rundown apartment full of drug dealers and street girls. My mother Maria was a stripper and worked long hours making me responsible for watching my young sister. And my father was a drunk, who used to beat us if we refused to get his beer. But that's not the painful memories I experience. "She paused for a moment." When I was six years old and my sister two, we witnessed something that would change both our lives. One night my mother hid us in her bedroom closet and told my sister and I that no matter what happens don't make a sound. I nodded and held on to her sister as we watched our mother get beaten to death by one of the men she worked for. Then after he was done with her, he left her lying in a puddle of blood and took her tip jar. I lay beside my mother's body well my sister hid in the bathtub. After that night the police took her away and took my sister away. They tried to take me to an orphanage but I ran never looking back."
She smiled. "I know what a great story for conversation."
Bruce gave her a gaze with his soulful eyes. "Did the police ever catch the killer."?
"No."
"Did he die?"
"Yes. He was found dead in his rotten apartment. He drank himself to death."
Bruce looked at her with a confused look. "How did you know that part?"
"Because he was my father."
" I'm so sorry."
"Don't be handsome. That's the ugly side of life. I guess you and I are same, both alone in this world without love."
She stood up and walked away from the table, with her arms folded as Bruce walked closer to her; he turned her body around and lifted her chin up with his hand. He leaned his head over and they became locked into a deep heartfelt passionate kiss that made time freeze around them.
Selina pulled her lips away and looked at her watch. "Can you excuse me for a moment? If have to use the girls room."
Bruce nodded. "Sure. It's up stairs by the guest bedroom."
"Thank you. I won't be long."
"Take your time."
Selina walked up the stair well with one thing on her mind. She had to put the necklace back and steal that arrow head, though it was wrong, she knew it was the only way to lure Batman and warn him about Bruce's fate.
Alfred entered the dining room and saw his master sitting at the table in deep thought.
"I trust that dinner went well?" He asked.
Bruce nodded.
"Thanks Alfred for everything."
"You're welcome. Master Wayne , Miss Tate called while you and Selina were sharing a moment."
Bruce's ginger green eyes went wide. "You saw that? I can explain."
"Don't worry it's none of my business. I told Miss Tate that you would call in the morning."
"I don't want to talk with her , Alfred."
"Maybe it's about your company."
"It's not my company Alfred it belongs to Fox."
"Master Wayne unless there's a big F instead of a W it's still your company."
Bruce's expression changed into a scowl. "I don't care about Wayne Enterprises.
"It's..."
"It's what sir?"
"Just forget about what I said."
Meanwhile Selina was poking in the master bedroom, at all of Bruce's Rolex watches, sunglasses and leather wallets. She smiled and then said "Perfect."
That was not the prize she wanted. She went to the dresser and opened the drawer, pulled out the tin box and lifted the lid, placed the necklace back. "Well I can say I Martha Wayne had excellent taste when it came to jewelry."
She walked to the dresser and grabbed the arrow head and stuffed it in her handbag. "Sorry Mr. Wayne, but this is the only way to save you." She placed a note in the drawer and then exited the bedroom.
Bruce and Alfred were having argument when she walked down the hall; she stood in the doorway and listened in on the conversation between the two men.
"Do you think rotting in this mansion is the live your parents would have wanted?"
Bruce eyes became piercing with anger. "Leave them out of this."
"No. It's time for you to get up from this slump you've let yourself live in. You're parents gave you live so you could have a life sir. I know that you're hurting inside for them and Rachel but you must pick yourself up and rise from this frozen time state."
"Enough!" He growled using his Batman voice. "I don't want to hear it. This is my choice."
Alfred crossed his arms. "Do you think she'll be there when you're in a wheelchair?"
"Leave me alone!" Bruce snarled. "This is my life."
Selina lowered her head.
"Very well Master Wayne," Alfred said. "I'll be in the study if you need me."
As Alfred exited the room Selina entered.
"Were you listening to that?" Bruce asked.
"Just little bit. Maybe I should go."
Bruce nodded. "Selina, I want to see you again."
"OK dinner , Friday night at the Gotham Arms Hotel."
"This time I'll pick you up."
Selina walked over and gently kissed him on the cheek. "Good night , Bruce."
"Good night Selina."
Under an overpass bridge the brutal mercenary called Bane was giving his army instructions.
"Two nights from now we take Gotham and tear it down brick by brick. First we start with the Mayor of this city and then the weak commissioner Gordon and finally the rich swine Bruce Wayne who will rot with the other pigs in the filth that will consume them." The men raised their automatic rifles."Gotham City will taste the bitter taste of death."
"What about the Batman?" One asked.
"I will clip his wings. Because a down bat is a dead bat."
Bane breathed in his toxin and then lifted his fist in the air. "Gotham will be ours. And no one will stand in our way."
The group of armed men called out "Bane!"
