Chapter 7

Later that night…

In Bruce's Mind…

I was out on a rooftop looking over Gotham, it was a slow night, almost creepy. I knew something was wrong but I couldn't figure it out…

Suddenly my phone rang, I answered, "Alfred?"

"Master Wayne," Alfred said, his voice was almost shaking.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"Sir, there's been a break in at the Manor…"

"Is everyone okay?"

"I—, Sir, They—"

"Alfred, are Riley and Audrey okay?"

"Audrey is okay but Riley—"

"No, no, I'm coming there."

I hang up the phone and went as fast as I could home to the manor.

The police were not there yet; Alfred knew not to call them until after I arrived.

I ran in as fast as I could taking off my mask.

"Alfred! Alfred!"

"Master Wayne—"

I ran up the stairs, "Where are they?"

"In here sir."

I ran in to see Riley unconscious and Audrey in her crib.

"No…" I said almost inaudible. I ran to her and dropped to her side. I ran my fingers through her hair, "No, Riley… Ri' come on Hun wake up, I know you're going to be okay…"

No response… "Alfred what happened?"

"I'm not sure sir. It happened so fast. Ms. Wayne was in here putting Audrey down to sleep and I suddenly her glass and her yell, the next thing I knew I was upstairs and she was unconscious with Audrey next to her crying…"

"So they escaped."

"Unfortunately…"

"Damn it… I can't lose her Alfred, we need to get her to the hospital, fast…"

"Master Wayne, it's too—"

"No! Alfred, no. Go get the car, I'll change and get Riley downstairs, I need you to go out and get the car ready, I'll take her to the hospital, you stay here with Audrey."

Alfred knew it was too late but he also knew how much I loved Riley. He nodded and went downstairs.

I had Riley to the hospital with twenty minutes… I explained what had happened, I kept praying that she would wake up and be fine, but I knew she would not. The doctor's rushed her back; I followed them holding her hand until they went into the operating room.

They spent hours in there trying to help her, but it was too late.

The doctor came out, "Mr. Wayne."

I ran over, "Yes."

"Your wife is awake," my heart sank, thank god, I thought. "But we've done everything we can, she wont make it through the night sir."

"But—, I… I want to see her."

"Of course…"

I ran into her room, she was barely conscious, "Oh my god… Riley…"

"Bruce?" she rasped.

"It's me Ri', don't worry I'm right here," I went to her side and took her hands in mine.

"Bruce, I'm so sorry, I was protecting Audrey, they came in so fast. I never even really saw them. Is she okay?"

"Audrey's fine, Alfred has her at the Manor."

"I'm going to die aren't I? I can feel it…"

"No, no, you're not going to die, you can't leave me, not like this…"

"Bruce, I need you be strong okay? I need you to be there for Audrey okay?"

"Don't talk like that Ri', please—"

"I love you so much."

"I love you too."

She flinched in pain, "Don't let anything happen to her Bruce, I know you wont but please, just promise me—"

"Riley—"

"I don't have much time left… just please… promise me you'll live on, teach Audrey to be strong like you… tell her I love her… I love you…"

I could barely speak, "I… I promise…" the machines started beeping faster, "No, no, no, not yet. Come on hold on a little longer."

"I'm so glad I got to see your face one… last time…"

"Riley."

The nurses came in and started doing things to the machines and Riley's I.V.

"I'll never forget you, Riley."

"Thank you… Bruce, for…. For everything… I love you and Audrey… so much…"

"Thank you Riley," I backed of a little but still held her hand as the machines beeped even faster.

"I'm right here honey, right here," I rasped watching her.

She nodded her head and looked at me, "Don't… let go… Tell me… tell me it's going to be okay…"

"I'll never let go, never…" I took a breathe, "It's going to okay, I'm right by you…" I was almost crying.

"Goodbye Bruce… I… I… love you…" Suddenly her eyes started closing, the machines stopped and there was a long sound. The nurses turned them off and walked out. Riley's hand fell limp in my hand.

That's when I lost it; crying uncontrollably, holding her hands tight to me, I rest my head by her side…

Logan was watching Bruce, Good god, he thought. What the hell is going through his head? Logan had been watching Bruce's vitals' go up and down. Suddenly Bruce moved a little, Logan sat up straight, Bruce moved again.

"Oh my god…" Logan whispered. He then looked at Bruce.

Suddenly, Bruce's eyes opened, he was breathing heavily and looking around fastly, he just kept thinking, where am I?

"Bruce? Bruce? It's okay man, you're okay."

Bruce stopped and looked at Logan, "Logan… where am I?"

"The hospital… you were in an accident. You've been out for a day and a half…"

"What about Riley?"

"She's… she's across the hall, still out."

"I, I had a nightmare; there had been a break in at the manor, Riley was knocked out protecting Audrey, I took he to the hospital but she, she—"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Bruce takes a breath. Slow down, it's okay, it was just a dream. Now what are you talking about, who's Audrey?"

"Audrey… Audrey was our daughter…"

"Oh… that's… it's okay, everything is going to be fine."

Bruce nodded.

"You need your rest."

"Okay… I don't have the energy to argue it so okay," he laughed.

Logan laughed, "It's good to have you back."

"It's good to be back, but Logan?"

"Yes."

"I, I don't want to sleep, I need to think—"

"Alright, alright… need any help thinking?"

"Funny, but I'm serious. I'm worried about Riley… I need to talk to you about something…"

"Okay."

"But you have to promise em not to tell anyone, especially Riley…"

"Ok—ay," Logan said confused.