Renewal

Chapter 4

Kate went to sleep that night feeling as if the world had some iota of hope. She and her uncle had stayed up later than what was probably reasonable, talking up a storm long after Bruce had retired for the night. While her body began to rest and slacken into the darkness of sleep, Kate's mind raced through all of the events that led up to such a day. Questions and thoughts about Olivia's death, and also what she did with her life were plaguing her. Did she ever get married? Nobody talked about that at the funeral, and there was no husband there next to her while Olivia went into the ground. What kind of doctor did she become? Where did she live? She had obviously become apart of the crème de la crème of Gotham, seeing as they were all there at the funeral. So many questions, and at the bottom of her list was Bruce Wayne. She didn't want to like him at all. He was the "Prince of Gotham" for Christ's sake. The anti Kate if you will, but he was incredibly likable. Sarcastic and slyly cheeky, but interesting. Kate decided that if these thoughts continued though, she would never be able to succumb to sleep. She began to rest her mind, and picture the rolling hills of the Highlands, covered in heather………..

"Mghghgnnnmmm."

"Welcome back."

"What?" Sleepily Kate tried to open her eyes and look at the person the voice resided in.

"Did you enjoy your rest?" Alfred smirked at his niece.

"I suppose. I still wanna sleep though." Kate pulled the comforter up over her head, blocking the rays of sunlight from attacking her eyes.

"Well, that would be up to you, but if I had anything to say about it, I would say its time to get up and face the world."

"What do you mean? What time is it?" She kept her head covered and stifled a yawn while talking from underneath her warm haven.

"I think it's around 2:30pm"

"That's not too bad, I think that puts about 12 hours of sleep under my belt."

"It's about 2:30pm on Tuesday September 29th." Alfred chuckled at Kate's reaction.

"What!" Kate bolted upright, causing her to become dizzy. "Why didn't you wake me up?"

"Well I thought that you needed the rest, and not a lot has been lost in the process, although, a lawyer by the name of Richard Turner has been calling often. Something about some legal matters involving your sister."

"Well, I think I should get up now, and start all this."Sighing she began to sit up.

"I took the liberty of picking up your things and bringing them here, but if you need anything else just call for me."

After Alfred left her alone in her room, Kate started the daunting task of trying to get up. Almost 2 days of sleep had tensed her whole body, and her feet felt like jelly when she tried to stand on them. After about five minutes of working out her muscles little by little, Kate moved towards the bathroom to start working at making her self look presentable. This consisted of a shower, and minimal make-up. Kate hardly ever did her hair, she had been fortunate to have hair that fell in place if she just dried it. She hated putting on the make-up but there was no doubt that she needed it. Her lashes were pale, and needed all the help they could get so it looked like she even had eyelashes. Once she had hit most of her bases she looked into the mirror. Looking back was a woman that looked different to her. She had the same strawberry-blonde hair, falling at her shoulders with layers all around. Same face, eyes, and mouth. She couldn't pin point it yet, but something felt different.

With her shoulders slumped, she moved toward her luggage, pulling out a pair of boot leg jeans, a white tank top, a beige cashmere sweater, and her black boots. After putting on her outfit, she thought out loud, "What now?"

Walking over to her bed she saw a small stack of papers, looking like an awful lot of messages. The top message had the name of the lawyer who Alfred said had been calling. She took the sheet and slowly found her way to the rec room to make the call.

"Hello, Richard Turners office."

"Hello, my name is Katherine Morton and I am returning a message..."

Kate was quickly cut off by the chipper secretary.

"Mr. Turner has been expecting your call, I'll put you right through."

A brief second passed before the sound of a strong male voice resounded through the receiver.

"Ms. Morton, I am so glad you've called back."

"Sorry for the delay Mr. Turner, but it's been a rough couple of days."

"I understand completely. I just need you to come in to go over your sister's last will and testament."

"Oh. When would be convenient for me to come in?"

"Ms. Morton, I think you should come in as soon as possible. I will clear my appointments for the afternoon so that we can discuss the documents in detail."

"I don't want you to rearrange your day sir, later in the afternoon would be fine if it better suits your schedule, or perhaps tomorrow even."

"Ms. Morton, I don't think you understand. It's prudent that you come in as soon as possible. I cannot discuss these matters over the phone, but there are many people who want to know the outcome of this will and I was instructed to read it to you and you only. I cannot release its contents without you in my presence."

"What do you mean 'many people'? Who would care about my sisters will?"

"Most of Gotham madam. Your sister was worth millions."

"I'll be there within the hour then."

Kate hung the phone up feeling bewildered and slightly confused.

It was in the late afternoon that Kate walked out of Richard Turners office feeling the same as she did going in, bewildered and confused. She was in a cloud again, feeling as though the events happening around her were fictional and unreal. Fifteen million dollars. Her sister had left her fifteen million dollars. Everything that Liv had possessed in her life was now hers. Not only had her sister left her the money, she also had some requests of Kate.

Alfred could clearly hear Kate's distress when she phoned him.

"I'm on my way down. I'll be outside in a few minutes." Kate spoke mechanically; plans and thoughts were racing through her mind.

"How did it go?" The old butler was curious to say the least at what happened in that office.

"I….uh…pretty well I suppose." She had no idea what to say, that was the best she could come up with.

"Right, I'll be downstairs waiting then."

"Oh and Uncle Alfred, do you think you can help me find an apartment, it would seem that I am staying in Gotham indefinitely."

"Really? I'm sure we could arrange something. Are we looking for something permanent?"

"So it would seem Uncle Alfred, so it would seem."

Ethan Reed awoke with a massive headache. His body felt violated from head to toe with pain he didn't know a human could feel. How did he get here? How could he let this happen to him or to Olivia? She was dead. Oh god they killed her. They killed her because of him. He had thought he was the king of the world when he had gambled. No one could beat him; he could go up against anyone because luck shined on him. As it would seem, this was the cost of his arrogance. His wife dead, his life gone, and no way to repair the damage. The Carver Gang had kidnapped him and Liv on the same night, in an attempt to collect their debt. He had already paid them everything he had; he even emptied his savings account that held the inheritance that he never touched from his grandparents. Nothing seemed to be enough though. Every time he gave them money, they wanted more for having to wait. Eventually Ethan realized what they were doing,and it was a sick game they played. They would take you for all you had and ruin you for fun, always intending to kill you or your loved ones. They were crazy! Out of their minds! Even now he knew that they planned on killing him, but in the back of his mind he still hoped that they would leave him alone if he got them more money.

Pulling himself out of his train of thought, he began to take in his surroundings. He was in an ally somewhere in the narrows, and judging by the sky it was late afternoon. Stumbling upright, he began walking down the ally to try and get help. He needed a hospital. Blood was still oozing its way down his neck and ear. As he approached the mouth of the smelly ally he saw Gotham General Hospital right in front of him on the other side if the street.

Dodging his way through traffic, with numerous horns being honked at him, he made it across but not without repercussions. He had begun to feel light headed and sick from all his efforts. As he stumbled more and more, he caught the attention of a nurse outside.

"Get a gurney! Incoming!" The nurse began shouting as she ran up to Ethan. A few other workers following behind.

As she reached him, Ethan fell into her muttering "Help me, please."

Looking at the man before her, she said "Mr. Reed? Oh my god! Mr. Reed is that you? Rita quick! Rita this is Ethan Reed, Dr. Morton-Reed's husband!"

Sitting on her bed in one of the guest bedrooms at Wayne Manor, Katherine Morton was contemplating her future. She was now going to live in Gotham. That meant she needed a job (regardless of her ridiculous amount of wealth) although the amount of wealth made it less stressful to find one right away. Never in her wildest dreams did she expect to have Olivia leave her so much. Livey knew she had money. After their parents died, they both inherited around 1.5 million dollars, so she most certainly didn't need it. Olivia had left her a brief note in the will expressing that the money belonged in the family, and Kate was her only family. Along with the money, Kate also now possessed their old family home in the country outside of the Gotham city center which, she was in awe of. She had no idea that Olivia had bought the old place, and was actually really thrilled to have it.

"Can I come in?" Bruce said as he popped his head through the door.

Glancing upward Kate felt a warm tingling sensation in her chest. "It's your house Mr. Wayne, I think you can go into any room you like." Bruce looked at her face trying to judge if she was in a bad mood or messing with him. He could tell by the look on her face that she was in fact kidding.

With mirth he retorted "I will remember that the next time you're in the shower."

Kate looked at him, astonished at his remark. Well, she was mostly astonished at how witty it was. But it was a risky joke none the less.

Becoming more serious he said "I was wondering if you wanted to talk."

"Talk about what?" The reply was rude to say the least. It seemed all her mirth and wit had jumped out a window.

"I didn't really have a topic in mind, I just wanted to extend the gesture in case you needed the outlet."

"I don't need a therapist, but thank you for your 'gesture'."

"I was defensive for years when anyone asked me how I was doing, or if I was moving on. If they said 'they would be so proud' it angered me but mostly it tore me apart when they said their names. I was so tired of hearing their names."

Bruce looked her straight in the eye as he talked, hoping she would understand what he was trying to do.

"Why are you telling me this?

"I know what its like to lose someone, and feel like you have nothing left to live for. I know loneliness and regret, and how its web can consume you till you feel dead through and through. I can see your spirit dwindling away with every new twist and turn, and so can Alfred."

The last thing Bruce had said hit her straight in the heart. Before she could even think about preventing it, the tears were streaming fast down her cheeks. She turned away from him hoping he hadn't noticed, which she knew was impossible.

He walked towards her slowly, she obviously had boundaries and he had no intention of challenging them, but he couldn't just watch her cry without comfort. He sat on the edge of the bed and laid his hand on her arm. Within seconds her quiet tears became full body sobs. Moving his hand around her shoulders to the other side, she leaned into him and cried her heart out. He had never heard such a soul shattering cry. All he wanted to do was make it all go away for her, make this pain she was feeling end. So he held her hoping that it would help somehow.

Ten minutes had passed and Kate was still holding on to Bruce for dear life. She had regained control over her hysteria but she was still crying, leaving tear stains on his shirt. Being held by him made her feel so protected and cared for. Strangely she didn't feel self conscious about breaking down in front of him at all. She could feel the empathy pulsing through him to her. He really does know how I feel she thought. With that thought she began to open up about how she felt.

"I keep thinking about all the never's. I never got to say goodbye, I'll never hear her laugh again, I'll never be able to say I'm sorry. So many never's, and they don't seem to stop."

Bruce tightened his grip on her shoulder letting her know he understood.

"I don't know how much more I can take. I can't lose anyone else, I can't lose anyone else..." She started rocking in his arms, repeating that phrase over and over again. Bruce decided to shift them, putting his back on the head board and letting her head rest on his chest. He sat there listening to her sobs and half sentences until she calmed. They just sat there in silence for awhile before Kate said, "Would you stay with me?"

"I won't go anywhere."

"Thank you, Bruce."

In spite of the situation, he let a smile form on his face. She had finally called him Bruce.

Alfred walked into the guest bedroom the next morning to a sight that made his heart soar. On the bed was Bruce, his cheek resting on Kate's head, his left arm draping comfortably over her. Kate had an arm resting on his chest, her face buried deeply in the crevice of his shoulder, one leg draped over his. He had no idea how it had happened but he was happy it had. For the first time since they were children, they both looked peaceful and relaxed. He hadn't really wanted anything like this to happen, but knew it to be inevitable when he witnessed their first exchange when Kate came to the manor. Bruce was Batman after all. If not for that, he wouldn't have an objection in the world. But he knew that she couldn't lose anyone else, and that was always a risk for any woman who dated Bruce. Unfortunately he knew he had to be the one who disturbed this serene picture; Bruce was needed at Wayne Enterprises early it seemed.

"Master Bruce?" Alfred kept his distance, speaking from a few feet away.

Bruce jolted awake at Alfred's voice.

"What time is it?"

"Seven in the morning sir. Mr. Fox needs you at Wayne Enterprises early, apparently it has to do with inventory in the Applied Sciences Department."

"Tell him I'll be there in an hour."

Alfred resisted the urge to ask him why he had fallen asleep with his niece, remembering that they were both adults, not the children he once knew. So he turned and walked to the kitchen to get something ready for Master Wayne, even though he knew it was one of those mornings when Bruce would likely skip out on breakfast.

After Alfred left, Bruce began working on getting up without waking Kate. They had fallen asleep late in the early morning after a night full of talking. He told Kate about Chill and why he disappeared. Conveniently leaving out the part about The League of Shadows. Kate talked about the events leading up to her leaving Gotham, and how it changed her completely. They talked about Liv leaving her everything and what that meant, and they talked about Liv's last wishes for her. All in all it had been a really wonderful night. He felt a pang of regret to leave her now without saying goodbye. He was able to maneuver out of the bed without her waking, but before he left he just looked down at her sleeping body. She is so beautiful he thought. But it wasn't just her physicality; it was her strength that attracted him most. She was probably the most beautiful person he had ever met. Recalling that he did get up for a reason, he started toward the door mentally preparing himself for the day ahead. He felt even through his elation that today was going to be a challenge.

Kate awoke to the sun beaming through her room. She sat up knowing today was going to be better. Talking to Bruce had helped ease some of her guilt, and decided it was time to live her life again, and there was no better time to start. She got up, got dressed and decided that the first thing she needed to do was get a realtor and get started on a place to live, because she knew that if she didn't, she might find herself going down a road with Bruce Wayne that she never wanted to go down again. How could she ever trust a man again? Anyways, now was not the time for romance, it was time to start being herself again.
"I found a place!" Kate could not even believe her luck today. It almost seemed too good to be true.

Alfred was overjoyed to hear his niece sound so jubilant.

"Can you believe it? Thank you so much for giving me her number! I can get the keys tomorrow, and Margo has been so efficient. I think I could say that she's the first person that's done the impossible for me in a long time!" Her realtor was smiling in her direction, no doubt due to Kate's gushing. Kate decided to go in to another room to finish her discussion on the phone with her uncle.

Alfred was going to miss her presence around the manor. It was so good to have her around; even depressed she was always emanating goodness. "So you can have it right away then?"

"About that, I was wondering if you could bring my things to The Rochester Hotel for tonight. I want to stay there so I can just start off my day downtown in the morning."

"I see. I suppose I could do that for you, perhaps while I'm there you could have dinner with your old uncle as well."

"Sounds like a plan. Let's say I meet you in the lobby at six. I'll keep it early for you oldie! Ok I'm off to go buy furniture for this place, and I need to have things shipped here from Scotland, and many other ridiculous plans that I wont even bother telling you about."

"I'm glad to have you back Kate-Mate."

"Thanks, it feels good to be around again." Kate felt tears welling in her eyes.

"I do need to go though, the realtor wants me to sign the papers."

"Bye, bye love."

"Bye Uncle."

Clicking her phone shut, Kate walked back to where Margo the realtor was. "Where do I sign?"

"Hi there. I need a grande, non-fat mocha, with no whip please." Katherine needed a jolt of caffeine badly. Within eight hours she had bought a rather large loft in downtown, bought furnishings for the entire place, called her friends back home to have them ready her things that she wanted shipped to her, and had a potential job lead at the museum. 'Too much good luck' she kept thinking. The rug has to be pulled out any minute now.

Grabbing her coffee, she sat down inside the small city bistro, with a copy of The Gotham Tribune. She stared out the window watching the rain droplets pelt the pedestrians that walked past the window outside. Deciding that the rain reminded her too much of the last few days, she changed her focus to the paper in front of her. The front page story looked pretty interesting. Something to do with Gotham General Hospital. The headline read:

Missing Scientist Stumbles Into Hospital

Ethan Reed, husband of the late Olivia Morton-Reed, was found and admitted with serious head trauma and internal bleeding only days after his late wife's funeral. He and his wife Dr. Olivia Morton-Reed were abducted nearly three weeks ago, an abduction which left his wife dead. Reed was presumed to be dead as well, but it would seem that he had escaped his abductors….

Kate dropped the paper as she bolted out the door of the bistro at a dead run to her new car. Before she knew where she was going she was in front of Wayne Manor, and jumping out of her Land Rover moving at a march toward the front door. Pounding her fists on the enormous oak door, she beat it until her wide eyed uncle answered looking a bit confused. As he was about to ask what was going on, Kate beat him to the punch.

"They were married!! How in the hell could you not have told me! How come no one mentioned that Ethan was missing as well?"

Alfred was not at all prepared for the things she was saying.

"I don't know what to say dear. I wanted to protect you."

"Protect me? I found out from the tribune Uncle Alfred! How is that protecting me?!"

"I should have told you. I am sorry Kate."

Kate could see Bruce running in from the stairs.

"I heard shouting, what..." He was sharply cut off by a mad looking Kate, soaked from the rain yelling at her Uncle.

"What does 'sorry' mean? It means NOTHING!! I have never known anyone who meant those words!" With that Kate turned and dashed for her car, which was still running, got in and slammed the door. Putting her head on the steering wheel, she let herself release a moments worth of tears before she became angry at the fact that she was yet again crying. Pulling her seat belt over her body, she looked out her window to see Bruce coming toward her. Thrusting her stick shift into reverse she backed up aggressively, threw it into first, and sped off leaving Bruce behind in a storm of water and mud.

Later that evening a knock came at the door of Kate's hotel room.

Kate looked over at her clock, wondering what time it was. Deciding it didn't matter she yelled out, "My sign says do not disturb." But more knocking followed her comment.

Moving toward the door she grabbed the handle as she talked. "Would you please go away, before I call the hotel..."

"I own the hotel Katherine, I'm about as high up as you can go when it comes to the hierarchy of those who are in charge."

"Bruce, seriously? How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Take me by surprise all the time."

"It's a natural ability, it can't be taught."

"What are you doing here?" She had to be firm with this man.

"There was a woman at my house earlier, total mad hatter, taking her anger out on a poor old man. You wouldn't happen to know her would you?"

"I don't know anything about her." Kate felt redness on her pale cheeks. She had behaved like a child and she knew it.

"I didn't think so."

"Is there anything else then?"

"Have you had dinner?"

"Bruce, I don't think that us seeing each other..."

Kate was cut off very fast.

"Friends Kate, nothing more. I just want to have dinner with someone that I can have a good evening with."

"Bruce, I'm not good company right now."

"I love a challenge Katherine. Plus wallowing doest suit you."

"Come in then, but I need a couple of minutes." Kate smiled.

She had to learn how to say no to this man.

Ethan opened his eyes thankful for the first time in weeks to see his surroundings.

"Mr. Reed, welcome back."

He just groaned in response.

"You have some well wishers it would seem. A card came a few hours ago for you by someone named CC. It was the first one that arrived."

Ethan froze. CC?Charlie Carver?

"Can I read it?" His voice was raspy and weak.

"Oh hear ya go. Now don't move, you've got some broken ribs there, when your done just tell me and I'll put it over with the others."

Ethan read the inside, and as he did bile worked its way to his throat.

Trick Tock Reed. Get Well. We'll let you heal up before we get started again. We'll be in touch.

CC

A/N- I hope this was well received by everyone. I have mid-terms coming up and have been really busy studying and you know, life takes it's toll on time as well! Things are going to start getting interesting for Kate and Bruce, and I have been staying up way into the night writing it because I am having so much fun with it! So REVIEW please! I know it sounds lame, but it gives such a boost to keep going on with the story.

Till next time...