Faith spent the better part of the morning following Alfred around the Penthouse pleading with him to give her something to do, but to the man's credit...he just smiled and shook his head as he did his job.

When Faith realized she wasn't going to guilt Alfred into changing his mind, she decided to go for a swim in their pool, and then she took a nap in the early afternoon...feeling a bit more tired than normal...which her OB had indicated was normal. Her doctor had recommended prenatal vitamins, which Faith still needed to pick up at the pharmacy. She'd been reluctant to do so because she wanted to tell Bruce about the pregnancy first before going out in public and buying something that screamed to the world...'pregnant with the Wayne Heir!'

Putting on a pair of leather pants, boots and long sleeved t-shirt...Faith grabbed her car keys and headed for the elevator to go get her vitamins when a voice stopped her.

"Miss Faith, where are you headed?"

"I'm going to the Pharmacy, Alfred...I need to get my prenatal vitamins."

The man nodded and went to reach for the keys to the Bentley Arnage, but Faith shook her head. "I'm capable of driving myself Alfred. I don't want to be a bother."

Alfred sighed. "Miss Faith, you will never be a bother but I must insist on driving you. Master Bruce would be quite put out if I didn't."

Groaning in exasperation, Faith just stared at Bruce's surrogate father unhappily. "How long?"

"How long what, Miss Faith?"

"How long are you and The Control Freak going to be like this? My entire pregnancy?"

Alfred chuckled at the very accurate description of his charge when it came to his wife. "Yes, I do believe that is the plan, Miss Faith."

"Who's idea was it?"

"I believe Master Bruce was quite clear in his wishes this morning Miss Faith. I just ask that you exercise some patience where he is concerned. It is likely that as your pregnancy progresses his desire to keep you both safe will only get worse. I don't think we've ever really discussed what life was like for him after he lost you. This last month has been very difficult for him...you are precious to Master Bruce. If something were to befall you or the baby, he would not survive it Miss Faith."

Faith sighed in defeat...knowing that Alfred was correct.

"Fine...Thank you for taking such good care of Bruce this past month. I'm so sorry I left without saying goodbye and didn't communicate with either of you."

"I do understand Miss Faith, how difficult this has been for the both of you...but you in particular. Master Bruce would have made due without a child regardless of what you might have believed...as long as he had you. Having you home again and now that you're pregnant, he's going to be more diligent and attentive than normal."

"I know," Faith admitted, "and I love that about him, I do. I'm just so used to taking take of myself."

"I do understand that, Miss Faith. Master Bruce has never allowed himself to be as open and free with anyone but you. I just ask that you be patient with him and remember that everything he does is because of his love for you and the child you're carrying."

"So I just have to suck it up and be okay with my husband's need to control the universe and everything in it?"

Alfred smiled and nodded. "Would you expect anything less, Miss Faith?"

"Probably not Alfred. Fine, let's go get my vitamins. I would like to stop by Wolfram and Hart to give Micah my final report as well, if that's alright."

"That is perfectly fine, Miss Faith." Alfred pressed on the elevator button just as Faith's phone rang.

Looking down at it, Faith sighed and pressed the green button. "Hi husband, what can I do for you?"

She could hear Bruce chuckling on the other end before he spoke. "I was just calling to check up on you and see how you're feeling."

"I'm fine...I'm just on my way out."

There was a brief pause on the phone before Bruce spoke and his voice was strained. "Where are you headed?"

Sighing internally, Faith reminded herself that this was her husband and she needed to practice patience. "I'm heading to the pharmacy to get my prenatal vitamins and I need to drop off my report to Micah."

"I see," Bruce said quietly before he immediately replied with, "Alfred can take you."

"He's already informed me of that fact." Faith snarked out petulantly and she could almost picture the self-satisfied smug look on her husband's face.

"Good," Bruce stated firmly, "If there's something you need or somewhere you need to go, Alfred will be more than happy to drive you."

"Yes, I know control freak. He'd mentioned it already."

"Faith..." Bruce growled out in warning, while she sighed at the tenor of his voice.

"I know Bruce. I get it...okay? I can be okay with your controlling nature and still feel a bit put out about not being able to do these things for myself...I can't change nearly 20 years of being self-sufficient with no one to take care of me overnight. I've done a remarkable job so far these past three years...right?"

Bruce was silent for a moment before Faith heard him sigh heavily on the other end of the line. "I'd rather not be reminded of that wife...but yes, you are remarkable and I appreciate your patience with me. I miss you beautiful. My mind has been pleasantly distracted today with inappropriate thoughts of my wife spread out underneath me."

Faith blushed then she smiled as one of the more provocative images from very early this morning came unbidden to her mind and closing her eyes, she reached out and tried to sense her husband, sending him the image telepathically. She hadn't been able to bridge the distance yet...and she was just about to give up when she heard Bruce gasp over the phone.

"Beautiful...did you just?" His voice broke off in wonder as Faith smiled widely.

"I did."

"Fuck baby...that's amazing...I love you too, so much."

Faith giggled before she spoke, "I'll see you when you get home later."

"Okay...be safe."

"I will."

The phone clicked off and Faith smiled down into the receiver, shaking her head in amusement.

"Everything alright, Miss Faith?"

"Five by five, Alfred...let's go."

Alfred dropped her off at the pharmacy and Faith made quick work of picking up her prenatal vitamins, ignoring the curious stares from the pharmacy technician who was a young woman probably no older than Dawn...and who also seemed to be a bit star struck.

"Here's your prescription Mrs. Wayne."

Faith gave the girl a warning look, which had her cowering a bit as she handed Faith her prescription bag. "Thank you, Amanda is it?"

"Yes Mrs. Wayne."

"Amanda, I hope I don't need to remind you that all transactions are confidential."

The young girl's face paled a bit, but she nodded vigorously in response. "Not to worry, Mrs. Wayne...we completely keep all records and transactions confidential."

"That's reassuring Amanda." Faith replied with a nod before putting her prescription into her purse and heading out of the pharmacy.

When she got into the back of the Bentley, Alfred gave her a concerned look. "Everything alright Miss Faith?"

"It's fine Alfred. The Pharmacy clerk was just a little too interested in my purchase."

Alfred sighed and picked up the phone before Faith could protest...the clipped tones of the ensuing conversation let Faith know exactly whom Alfred was talking to. When the Butler set the phone down and started the car, Faith sighed and flung her head on the back of the seat.

"How upset was he?"

"Master Bruce will make sure it's taken care of Miss Faith."

"I don't want the girl to lose her job Alfred."

"I'm sure if she keeps the information confidential it won't be a problem, a fact I'm sure Master Bruce will make very clear."

The car ride to Wolfram and Hart was subdued as Faith stared out the window, trying not to feel bad for the young woman...over the past three years Faith had been faced with many curious stares, whispers and in one case a rather persistent journalist who seemed inclined to follow her whenever she went out in public. When Bruce had realized that Faith had what amounted to a stalker in his opinion, the journalist had been summarily fired from him job at the Gotham Tribune and had left the city soon afterwards.

Faith hadn't felt bad at all, as she abhorred the press and didn't like the idea of being a fixture in the paper on a weekly basis. That had been over two years ago, and when word had gotten out that Bruce Wayne had been the one behind the reporters firing...most of the articles about Faith had stopped. There were still a few articles written each year when she and Bruce attended some social function in Gotham High Society...but for the most part, the press left her alone.

Once the pregnancy news broke, that would change drastically. The Wayne Heir would be big news and Faith realized that the hounding would likely begin again in earnest...that was probably why Bruce didn't want her going out in public alone...at least with Alfred she had a buffer...

Pulling up into Wolfram and Hart's parking garage the security guard let them in immediately. Alfred parked in Faith's old spot and went around to open her door for her.

"How long do you think you'll be Miss Faith?"

"Probably not more than an hour, Alfred. If you have any other errands to run, I'll be safe inside."

"I think I will go and get a few things. Call me when you're ready to leave."

"Alright."

Faith made her way up the elevator to the main floor where the executive offices were located. When she got out, Mason was waiting to greet her.

"Hey boss, how was Boston?"

"It was fine Mason. Is Micah available?"

"Should be." Mason walked down with Faith to Micah's office and sure enough the man was just finishing up a phone call with Angel when Faith walked in.

"Speaking of the devil Angel," Micah grinned, while Faith just shook her head, "Faith just walked in."

Angel must have said something because the next thing she knew, Micah was handing her the phone.

"Faith." Angel's voice was clipped...like he was unhappy with her.

"Hey Angel...look I know you're going to scold me for not returning your calls and texts...but can we save it for another time please?"

"And why should I do that?" Angel growled out, "Bruce was beside himself Faith."

"Yes I know...I've talked in depth with my husband about this. I did have a good reason however."

"Which was?"

"I'm pregnant Angel."

The silence on the other end of the phone was deafening before Angel broke out in laughter. "That's great news Faith. Good luck getting Wayne to not be an even more controlling git now."

"Stuff it Mr. Broody...how's Cordelia?"

"She's fine. I'll tell her you asked after her. Buffy and Spike are on their way to London as we speak. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"No, I'm good. Thanks for being a good friend and worrying about me."

"I'm always going to worry about you Faith. Micah has a job for you, if you're interested."

Faith sighed. "I'll talk to him. I was thinking I might take some time off."

"Probably not a bad idea. I don't think Wayne is going to be alright with you leaving Gotham for the foreseeable future."

"That's an understatement Angel."

The vampire chuckled before wishing Faith well and making her promise to call him if she needed him for anything.

When she handed the phone back to Micah, the man said his goodbyes to his employer and then sat back considering Faith with a huge grin on his face.

"Congratulations Faith."

"Thanks Micah."

"So you want to take some time off?"

"Yeah, I don't think Bruce is going to be okay with me leaving Gotham while I'm pregnant."

"Definitely not. Too bad too, as I have a gentleman who is interested in hiring you to evaluate some antiques for him."

"Just who is this gentleman?"

"Oliver Queen...he lives in Starling City."

Faith rolled her eyes. Another billionaire collector. "Wasn't he missing for a few years."

"Yes he was...just took over the family business from his mother about six months ago."

"Oh joy...Starling City isn't too far from here?"

"No it's not...but you might want to talk to your husband before you make a decision."

"How complicated is this job?"

"Shouldn't take more than a few weeks at most."

"I'll let Bruce know...but I'm not encouraged that he's going to be okay with it. He wants to take me on a trip to Tahiti for a month, once I get the okay from my OB/GYN."

"Well, let me know. I don't think Mr. Queen is in a hurry and he will probably wait for you to return from your trip."

"Fine...here's my report from the Boston job...everything was fairly straight forward...there wasn't any weapons of the supernatural kind to deal with."

"That's good news." Micah glanced down at the paper work and nodded to himself. "I'll have Mason walk you out unless there was something else you needed to do today?"

Faith sighed. "Bruce called you too, didn't he?"

Micah grinned but didn't deny it, and Faith just rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Did he tell you I was pregnant too?"

Micah's smirk was telling, and Faith couldn't help but groan out her irritation. "I'll talk to you soon, Micah."

"Give your husband a break Faith. You didn't call the man for a month...he called here almost daily demanding updates and asking me if I'd heard from you. I can't imagine that was easy for a man like Bruce Wayne to humble himself like that."

"Why didn't he just come to Boston?" Faith wondered aloud.

"Because it's likely he wanted to give you whatever space you needed to figure a few things out. That man, worships the ground you walk on...he loves you Faith. I think you need to give him the benefit of the doubt."

"I know Micah."

"I believe you do. Take care of yourself Faith and if you need anything call me, okay?"

"Five by five...see you later."

Faith texted Alfred and Mason was waiting for her to escort her back to the parking garage. When they got to the basement level, the elevator door opened but it wasn't Alfred who was standing by the car door waiting for her arrival...it was her husband.

"Hi." Faith smiled warmly as she made her way over to where Bruce was standing. Mason said his goodbyes and Bruce nodded in thanks before opening the passenger door to his Lamborghini and guiding Faith inside. He made his way around the car quickly, closing his door before leaning over and kissing Faith passionately.

"Hi." Bruce said as he pulled back with a smirk. "Alfred got stuck doing some errands so I thought it might be alright if I came and got you."

Faith shook her head in exasperation at her domineering husband. "I'm always happy to see you husband. Did you get all your work done for the day?"

Bruce shrugged as he started the car and pulled out of the parking garage. "Most of it, I'll go back in tomorrow."

"How's Doug doing? Did you ever find out what the problem was?"

"I did."

"And?"

Bruce chuckled deeply at the curious look upon his wife's face. "I will tell you all about it when we get home, deal?"

"Fine."

"Don't be that way baby...I'd like to concentrate on my driving...I have very precious cargo to see to and make sure you and our little one get home safely."

"Did you get that clerk fired Bruce?"

Her husband sighed but he shook his head. "No, I called the owner of the pharmacy and let him know if there was a breach of privacy due to your pregnancy I would sue first and then buy out the chain. He was most understanding after that."

"I'll bet he was." Faith snarked out, and Bruce just grinned at his wife unapologetically.

"How's Micah?"

"He's fine...thanks for outing the pregnancy to him by the way."

"You're welcome beautiful. He seemed genuinely thrilled when I told him."

"He was talking to Angel when I got there."

"Did you tell Angel?"

"Of course I did, after he scolded me for not keeping in touch with both you and him. Apparently Micah felt it was necessary to add his two cents in."

Bruce's grin widened, while Faith just gave him the side eye. "Perhaps you might have Lucius configure a tracking device of some kind...I can have it implanted, so you can know where I am at any given moment of the day and night."

"That's actually not a terrible idea." Bruce responded with a wink.

"Jerk."

"Your jerk, beautiful."

"Not to change to subject, but Micah has a job offer for me."

Bruce frowned as he turned into the parking garage of their Penthouse, parking the car in the usual spot. When he turned off the car, he got out and made his way around the car to let his wife out, leading her by the hand to their elevator before he spoke.

"I thought you weren't interested in taking anymore jobs right now."

"I really wasn't, but apparently this individual asked for me specifically."

Bruce's frown deepened. "And just whom is this individual?"

"Oliver Queen."

Bruce's eyebrows lifted up in surprise before his gaze darkened ominously. "I see."

Faith stared at her husband in confusion. "I don't. Am I missing something?"

The elevator dinged and Bruce led Faith out into their living room, taking her hand and walking towards the couch where he situated them comfortably before he answered the question.

"The defense contract that I'm seriously considering, Oliver Queen has also made some overtures into the bidding process. It might be a coincidence."

"It's not, and we both know it."

Bruce sighed heavily, pulling Faith closer to him. "No, it's not."

"Was that what had Doug concerned?"

Bruce nodded. "It would seem that since taking over Queen Industries from his mother, Oliver Queen has been buying up several defense subsidiaries...normally it wouldn't look suspicious to an outsider...but Doug noticed a pattern and brought it to my attention."

"What kind of tech is he after?"

Bruce's expression darkened as he gazed down at his wife. "Very similar tech that I have employed for Batman."

Faith sat up in shock. "That's not a coincidence either, is it?"

"Probably not." Bruce agreed.

"I think I should take this job."

Bruce shook his head emphatically, "That's not a good idea beautiful. I don't know much about Oliver Queen other than he disappeared for five years...apparently he was stranded on an island of some kind and his father was killed when their yacht sunk."

"That sounds horrible." Faith sat back and thought about all the variables for a moment before she sighed in disbelief. "Where was he stranded? I don't think I ever read where they found him."

"He was found in the North China Sea, on an island call Lian Yu."

"Purgatory? Fucking seriously?"

Bruce's face registered shock for a moment before he grinned widely at his amazing wife. "Have I told you today how beautiful and extraordinary you are?"

Faith giggled. "Nope, I'm pretty sure you haven't mentioned that today."

"Well, I did make us dinner reservations so why don't you go get ready and I will call Lucius and have him look into Queen Industries more thoroughly."

"Did you share the news with Lucius?"

"Of course I did. Kathy and Doug were there as well, and congratulations were offered all around."

"Are we going to have to announce this or do you think we can keep it quiet for a bit?"

"We don't have to announce anything beautiful...once you start showing I'm sure the rest will take care of itself."

"Oh...joy..." Faith quipped sarcastically as she started to make her way upstairs to their bedroom. "When's our reservation?"

Bruce looked at his watch. "Two hours."

Faith smirked. "Then come join me upstairs husband."

Bruce grinned, standing up from the couch and following his wife upstairs. "I think that sounds like an excellent idea wife."