Chapter Three: A Web Weaved
Bruce is pleased with how his arrival at Wayne Tower goes. He plays off his smirk at Earle as a charming smile 'sorry to disappoint' he says with some amusement. Earle tells Bruce that he can't stop the company going public even if he wanted to, which Bruce knows is a blatant lie. The CEO looks down his nose at Bruce and his eyes glitter in malicious amusement as Bruce tells him of his interest of joining the applied sciences division. Bruce pretends not to notice any of it as he directs Bruce to the dark dead basement of Wayne Tower. He is surprised by what he finds there. The tech and gadgets catch his eye, but it is the man that leaves an impression, Fox. When Bruce leaves, he leaves feeling as if a friendship was burgeoning.
"How was Wayne Enterprise?" Cassandra bumps into him in the front entrance.
"Earle wasn't too pleased to see me." They share a grin before Bruce frowns. "Aren't you supposed to be at school?" The girl seemed to be developing a habit of bumping into Bruce and he wondered vaguely if she had caught sight of Alfred who was lowering supplies into the cave. He wonders for a second what he can do to explain that away but clears his thoughts. She hadn't noticed, and he'd deal with it when it came to it.
"I was, just got back." She said, gesturing to her backpack that's slung over her shoulder. His tone makes her wonder if she had interrupted something, but Cassandra can't see anyone else around and Bruce's quick smile puts her at ease. "Well I'm going to go study; will I see you for dinner?"
"Actually I'm going to be a bit busy later tonight." He doesn't offer an explanation why and Cassandra gets an odd feeling that he'd like to leave it at that. So she gives a small nod and begins up the grand stairway towards her room.
That night seems to set the tone for the coming weeks. Cassandra finds herself alone more often than she's with company, Alfred seems to align himself to become Bruce Wayne's shadow and other than mealtimes she sees him far more infrequently. At first Cassandra tries to rationalize it, from the bits and pieces of conversations in passing that she gets from Bruce she finds out that he's working at Wayne enterprise so she tells herself that that's what's keeping him busy. Then she finds out that he's working in applied sciences division and that rationality goes completely out the window. Cassandra has kept herself well apprised of the state of Wayne enterprise, applied sciences she knew was a glorified storage closet where the most time consuming job was dusting regularly. There was certainly no paperwork to bring home, which is exactly what Bruce claims. When Bruce lies to her about it he sees it in register in her expression and in that moment he's aware she knows something is not quite right. He braces for her to say something, to call him out or to question him but she withdraws instead and simply says goodnight. It's the same night that Bruce pulls on a ski mask and holds a stapler to the back of Sergeant Gordon's neck. That night he's sloppy and he injures himself escaping from Gordon's office. He awakens late in the day with Alfred standing over him offering him a much needed breakfast shake.
"Getting up later and later sir, people will start wondering what keeps you up so late at night. Someone is wondering." Alfred presses with a glint to his eye. Bruce sits up and rubs the sleep from his face.
"Cassandra…" Bruce says slowly, he had sensed Alfred would bring up this topic sooner rather than later. "She seems content to let it go."
"For now Sir, I assume you'd like me to lie for you should she ask?"
"We can't tell her Alfred." Bruce insists, cutting to the heart of the subject looking up at his old friend wearily. "She wouldn't be safe." And I'm not sure if she can be trusted. Bruce leaves unsaid. The girl was young, too young to be trusted with something this important. Daughter or not what he was building was too important to be toppled by a simple slip up.
"What you are protecting her from is truly knowing you." Alfred said, knowing the conversation was over. He left his master to rise and dress with his breakfast shake in hand to think on his words. Bruce groaned as he stood, pain lancing though his side were a large purple bruise was blooming. He was planning on going to Wayne Enterprise to see if Fox had a little something for… base jumping. Bruce chugged his shake before falling to the floor and beginning to do pushups ignoring the pain as he did so. He readies himself, going through his morning routine: showering, using expensive cleansers and conditioners the names of which he wouldn't want to try and pronounce. The hot shower is painful at first on his taut muscles and he groans as they slowly relax under the thrumming pressure of the water. Bruce dries and finally dresses in Wayne Enterprise appropriate attire. He feels a little more refreshed as he leaves his bedroom.
"Hello Bruce." He's surprised by Cassandra's voice. He wasn't expecting to run into anyone until at least downstairs, and his mask had not fully slipped into place yet. He had hobbled slightly as he exited his room, his bruised side guarded instinctually as he moved. He looks to see if Cassandra has caught this as an easy smile slides over his features. Cassandra has a pleasant expression but her eyes carry the hint of worry, she had noticed.
"Good morning." Cassandra laughs, quirking a brow at his greeting.
"It's nearly noon." She corrects him and her eyes slide to his side. "Are you okay? You looked like you were hurting…"
"Oh, that yeah I was injured, base jumping." It's still a lie, but it's not outright denial. Cassandra gives a small nod, but he can see she doesn't quite believe it.
"So are you coming down for lunch?"
"No, I just uh ate breakfast actually." Bruce gives a small laugh. How must he look to her he wondered. "So no school today?" A stupid question, he realizes as soon as it leaves his mouth and Cassandra raises her brows slightly higher.
"No, it's Saturday." She says simply. There is an awkward silence, but instead of motioning to leave he gets the sense Cassandra wants to ask him something. A hint of dread curls at his insides, is this where she begins questioning him? He wonders what his solution is to this will be.
"Well since you're up…" She begins nervously, her hands clasping behind her back. "I just wanted to ask you something."
"Well I'm running a little late to Wayne Tower." He tries to hold off this inevitable conversation for just a little longer and steps forward, moving to go towards the grand staircase. Cassandra isn't deterred though and quickly moves to follow him.
"I just wanted to know if tomorrow you'll come with me to the orphanage." She blurts in a rush and Bruce freezes mid step to look at Cassandra surprised and feeling slightly embarrassed he'd just tried to brush her off so callously. When he looks at her, her big brown eyes look incredibly hopeful and guilt clutches him. He forgets for a moment that he's a man with a secret and remembers that he's a man with a daughter who very much wants to get to know him. Alfred's words surface in his mind 'What you are protecting her from is truly knowing you.' He suddenly decides that he's going to do what he can not to make that true, to be batman and a father.
"I just thought that you could really cheer up some of the kids there and we can announce that were hosting a fundraiser. Ever since it got out that your back everyone's been talking about it." Cassandra continues when Bruce doesn't answer, hoping he won't out right reject her. The man before her confused her and she didn't know what to expect. When he first arrived she'd been hopeful, but he pulled away. She was beginning to think it was just his nature to keep people at a distance and he would probably say no.
"I- Sure, I can definitely make time for that." Her relief and gratitude is evident and breaks out like a sunrise on her features.
"T-thank you!" She pulls him in to a quick and brief hug before Bruce even knows what's happened, before he can react she pulls away and excitedly runs down the stairs, but not before Bruce sees the deep flush of embarrassment on her cheeks . Bruce feels a weight in his chest as he watches her go. He likes her he realizes, he doesn't love her yet but he's already begun caring for her. The thought of disappointing her makes that weight in his chest constrict uncomfortably. There was another woman who held a weight against his heart, Rachel. How long had it been since he'd seen his old friend?
"Alfred, Bruce agreed to come with me to the orphanage tomorrow!" Bruce hears Cassandra announce with girlish excitement in her voice, reminding Bruce how young she was and drawing him out of his thoughts, although the yearning pang to see Rachel again remained. It had been too long since he'd seen his friend face to face. Soon he would be delivering the evidence against judge Faden. He decides as he heads to Wayne tower that he will deliver it tonight after he busts Carmine Falcone's drug shipment. First things first, he would see if Fox had something to help him fall a little more gracefully.
Fox has exactly what he needs and a little something extra. Like a boy, he finds the Tumbler to be particularly exhilarating, on a purely professional level of course. He feels equipped now, his suit had been missing a piece without the cape, now it would be complete. The tumbler would be delivered to Bruce and the cape he already had stashed in brief case to take home with him right away. It would be put to use that night.
"Ah, Mr. Wayne." Earle greeted Bruce with the air of false pleasantries as Bruce stepped out of the elevator.
"Hello Mr. Earle."
"Please Bruce, call me Bill." Bruce gave a friendly enough shrug, his eyes narrowing as he felt that Earle didn't run into him on accident. "I was just coming down to see how you were doing in applied sciences actually."
"Very well, there is certainly some interesting technology. It's too bad none of it will be put to much use." Earle nodded.
"I also wanted to invite you to a dinner tomorrow night. Some of the board members and other interested parties will be meeting for dinner and drinks, if you're interested." Earle squinted at Bruce who quickly nodded even though there was probably nothing he'd like to do less than waste his time with Gotham's elite. Oh well, he had an image to construct. Earle gave a smile that somehow made his face even less pleasant. "Good man, the party is at the Cordova Vacille hotel at 7pm. See you then." He left after giving Bruce a firm pat on the shoulder, Bruce struggled not to shrug off the touch and continued to smile until Earle was out of sight.
Bruce had left, Cassandra was enjoying the lunch Alfred had set out when she felt Alfred… hovering for lack of a better term.
"Is something wrong Alfred?" She asks, turning to look at Alfred. Alfred had seemed happy for her when she had announced Bruce would be accompanying her to the orphanage but he now seemed solemn. It worried Cassandra. Alfred looked hesitant to answer, his hands behind his back as he shifted uneasily.
"I only worry Miss… that you put a hope in Master Wayne that he will not be able to fulfill." Cassandra bit her lip and turned back to her food, playing with it for a second in silence.
"Is this about… his secrets Alfred?" She asked haltingly, unable to keep her eyes on her food she stole a glance back to Alfred. Very little emotion escaped his stoic expression, but he appeared to struggle for a moment.
"I'm sure you've noticed certain aspects about Master Wayne." He said vaguely and Cassandra couldn't help but scowl, feeling hurt suddenly that Alfred was keen to keep so much from her.
"You mean his lying." She nearly growled, unable to keep the bitterness from her voice.
"There is much Master Bruce seems intent on keeping private. It is not my place to speak on it, but know I do not agree with it. I've told him so and I'll tell you. "Cassandra's scowl lessened, so Alfred was on her side after all.
"Well it seems like a lot of nonsense to me." Cassandra grumbled. Alfred chuckled at that.
"You have no idea my dear."
Bruce was exhilarated for lack of a better term. His body hurt all over from the nights events. Images burned the back of his eye lids replaying scenes. Terrified faces of the criminals he took out one by one. Their screams echoing even after they fell silent. Carmine Falcone though, he had been the nights greatest triumph. It had worked out perfectly; his plan had finally been woven together and pulled tight. The police would find Carmine, with his drugs and men, his manifestos and records, and Rachel… Rachel would send them all right where they belonged. A different feeling tugged on Bruce's chest when he thought of Rachel, that weight had intensified when he saw her, it had been so good to see her. She had been so fierce, so brave against Carmine's men sent to kill her. He was grateful he had gotten there first. For all her fierceness she couldn't send a man into oblivion with a single punch. His heart which had been calm sped up after seeing her, vague worries surfaced but he smothered them. Did she know it was me? Would she recognize my voice. Bruce replayed the memory of her face after he returned home, stripping himself of his batsuit and placing it carefully in its cabinet, no matter how his muscles trembled in exhaustion. The suit had served him well, it would be put away. Finally the elevator hummed as it brought him to the surface, and from there he slunk like a wraith to his bedroom, snapping his curtains shut as the ghost of dawns tendrils streaked across the dark skies. Exhausted he fell heavily into bed.
The curtains were snapped open sharply and Bruce flinched, suddenly wrenched awake and felt as if he hadn't gotten any sleep at all.
"Bats are nocturnal." He growled to the sunlight, beginning to squint as he shifted the sheet down. Alfred eventually appeared in his vision as it adjusted in the light.
"Bats are, but 3pm is pushing it even for billionaire playboys. A price for leading a double life I fear" Alfred chided. Bruce groaned as he sat up revealing his purpling bruises to Alfred who frowned."Your theatricality made quite an impression." Alfred said, handing Bruce the morning paper, Bruce snatched it his eyes darting over the page.
"Theatricality, deception, are all powerful weapons Alfred. This is a good start."
"If those are to be the first of many injuries to come it would be wise to find a suitable excuse… polo for instance." Bruce scowled as Alfred pointed out his injuries.
"I'm not learning polo Alfred." He said with a slight sneer.
"Strange injuries, a nonexistent social life. These things beg the question as to what exactly Bruce Wayne do with his time and money." Bruce stood and took his morning shake, drinking it greedily as he stretched slightly, feeling the ache of well used muscles.
"What does someone like me do?" He asked, knowing Alfred would have an answer, he always had an answer.
"Drive sports cars, date movie stars, buy things that aren't for sale. Who knows Master Wayne, if you pretend to have fun, you might actually have some by accident. "
"And what about Cassandra in all this?" Bruce asked or rather grunted as he felt to the floor to begin his pushups, awakening his slumbering aching muscles.
"What about her? You've made it clear that she is to be kept in the dark." Alfred couldn't hide his disdain for the idea as he spoke.
"So she's to think her father is some vapid playboy?" Bruce grinds out, disliking the idea.
"You've chosen not to tell her the truth." Alfred pressed, hoping it may yet change Bruce's mind, instead Bruce's eyes hardened, his mouth becoming a grim line.
"I suppose I have." Bruce said, standing. Alfred released a sigh, knowing he shouldn't have reserved hope when Bruce was so stubborn.
"She's awaiting you down stairs Master Wayne. Your going to the orphanage with her. Remember?"
Cassandra is sitting in the kitchen eating lunch that Alfred had served her shortly before going to wake Master Bruce. It's a late lunch, but Cassandra had been waiting for Bruce to wake. Eventually Alfred and her had decided to wake him. Lunch is a steaming bowl of soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Cassandra holds a paper in front of her and Bruce catches the title fleetingly as he enters the kitchen. He knows what it says.
"WOW! Have you read this Alfred?" Cassandra exclaims taking a bite of her grilled cheese sandwich which was generously dipped into the soup.
"I was shocked myself Miss." Alfred says as he glances at Bruce with a slight smirk on his face.
"I mean it reads like a trash magazine, not the Gotham times." Bruce already knows of what the newspaper holds and is somewhat self congratulatory 'already made front page. That will get their attention.'
"What's so shocking?" Bruce asks innocently approaching Cassandra from behind. She holds up the paper for him to see the bold headline on the front page.
BATMAN VIGILANTE CATCHES CRIME LORD
Cassandra can't see Bruce's smirk.
"I mean it sounds insane but if it's true at least he did something." Bruce wants to agree with her, but knows he can't it doesn't fit into the image he's creating for himself.
"Some masked nutjob doesn't need encouragement Cassandra." Bruce forces himself to say and see's Alfred's expression darken marginally before he turns away from Bruce, hiding his disappointment. Cassandra's mouth pulls in a tight line and she shrugs in disagreement letting the subject drop as she continued to read the article.
"So are you ready to go?" She asks finally after putting the paper down. She turns to see Bruce is neatly dressed and clean.
"Ready when you are." Cassandra resists the urge to roll her eyes. 'I was ready hours ago'.
William Earle is sitting in the board office when one of the younger board members stumbles in. He's one of Williams personal assistants who he had placed on the board. He was ambitious, but totally loyal to Earle, which was just the way he wanted it. Earle squints at him for his abrupt intrusion, removing his reading glasses from the bridge of his nose. The man is sweaty and clearly looks unsettled.
"Sir, we have a situation…" His throat is tight and it's difficult for him to spit the words out.
"Alright." Earle bids for him to continue.
"The coast guard picked up one of our cargo ship last night. It was heavily damaged, all crew missing… probably dead." Earle's face was impassive as he listened the man walking closer as he spoke, his eyes on the table. Earle sensed he hadn't yet gotten to the important part.
"The ship was carrying a prototype weapon. A microwave emitter used in desert warfare, designed to eliminate the enemies water supply by using focused microwaves to vaporize the enemies water supply... it uh… It looks like somebody turned it on." A scowl formed on Earle's brow as his underling wiped his perspiring one with the back of his hand. "The damage to the ship was catastrophic, and the weapon…"
"Is missing." Earle finished with a harsh click of his tongue.
"Yeah…"
A/N: This is definitely a big 'Bruce' chapter and its shorter than I would have liked but I was having trouble with the next segment so I decided to post it as it is. Hope you enjoy and tell me how you like it :).
