"That was close, wasn't it?" Alfred said as Batman hopped out of his car and took his cowl off.

Alfred was watching the news report on "The Escape of Batman" while Jack Ryder voiced his concerns of the vigilante. Batman had injured several men but the GCPD located four liquid nitrogen tanks but all the suspects had escaped before the police could find their way through his smoke bomb.

"Alfred, enough. I was this close to getting the man behind all this. I'm sure it's Fries. I couldn't get a good look at the man underwater." Bruce said, wiping the sweat from his head and removing his gloves.

"Master Bruce," Alfred said, turning off the news report, the clicking of the button echoing through the cave.

Bruce looked over at him as he removed all his gear at a high-tech, black and sleek workbench. He took off his dark yellow utility belt and reloaded the pouches with more glue and smoke pellets. He saw that he only had four batarangs left too. He would have to ask Fox to make at least one hundred more. Bruce stepped on a panel beside the workbench and two large clear cabinets raised in front and behind him. He held his hands out and spread his legs as the cabinets used air suction to pull off each side of the Batsuit. He was nearly naked now, only wearing tight underwear.

"If you want to be a hero and help this city, you need the police to know you are on their side." Alfred continued.

"One: I'm not a hero. Two: most of the force is corrupt. I'm on my own." Bruce said, walking over to the computer station and shutting it down.

"So, there are no friends left in the world? Master Bruce, that is a bleak outlook on life, sir." Alfred replied.

"It is one I've accepted. It helps me work harder and fight stronger. Just my opinion, okay?" Bruce said, walking over to the elevator that was embedded in the rock of the cave.

Alfred shook his head and carried an empty plate with him as he joined Bruce.

"You need a better excuse, sir. Just my opinion." Alfred said with a smirk as the door shut and they shot a hundred feet up to Wayne Manor.


After a shower and getting ready for bed, Bruce looked at the clock in his room. It was 3:24 a.m. He rubbed his sore right shoulder and adjusted the bandage on his forehead. He took two painkillers and dug himself under the covers of the master bed. As he settled in bed and drifted to sleep, a sharp tone ruined his serenity. He looked over at his bedside table and saw his phone ringing. With a groan, he slapped the phone against the desk and answered with a professional attitude, despite his sleep deprivation.

"This is Bruce Wayne."

"Why hello, Bruce. You answer in the dead of night but not when the sun is up. What does that tell me?" a calm sweet voice replied.

"Hi, Julie. How are you?" Bruce said with a smile.

Julie Madison was his on-again off-again girlfriend and Bruce made it that way. She was an actor and nearly as rich as Bruce. He was attracted to her because even though she came from money and had a large salary, she was full of kindness and did her best to help charities from her own money. They say that men go after women like their mother, and Julie was definitely like Martha Wayne.

She loved Bruce and wanted to be in his life but Bruce tried to protect her by pushing himself away. He loved Julie but tried his best not to think too much about her. As long as Gotham needed someone like the Batman to protect it, he could never have a normal relationship.

"I'm good. Staying up all night trying to read a new script. Wanna hear it?" she asked.

"Sure. I've got a minute." Bruce laughed.

"It's for a LexCorp PSA. You know how that is." she said.

"Hm. LexCorp? You're working with them?" Bruce asked.

"Corporate jealousy? Or are you upset that his bald head is sexier than your wonderful locks?"Julie laughed.

"Um..." Bruce replied.

"Just kidding, playboy. Don't worry, it's strictly business."

Bruce gave a slight hint of concern after her remark. Lex Luthor had done a lot of good. He basically rebuilt Metropolis after the Superman half-destroyed it in his battle with Zod. LexCorp had given the U.S. Military sound-wave weapons that shot out harmless beams of concentrated sound that caused disorientation to the enemy. He had also given twenty billion to charities across the world. But despite his supposed charitable nature, Luthor gave Bruce a pit in his stomach and he knew that there was more than met the eye with him.

"LexCorp. The one company you know you can rely on, no matter what happens. Who had protected your families and homes? Who made sure your money was safe and secure. And who is always there to help you up when you fall down? LexCorp: We are here to help." Julie read, talking like she was on a commercial.

"Hm. What a wonderful ad." Bruce replied dryly.

"I know right?" Julie laughed.

"It's so corny and old-fashioned."

"Yeah. Don't know what kind of vibe they're going for." Bruce said, a worried tone growing in his voice.

LexCorp was pushing the limit on their ambiguity. Clearly, Lex Luthor wanted control. Their meeting would be interesting in the morning.

"I better go to bed, Julie. I have a meeting with the wonderful LexCorp CEO tomorrow morning." Bruce added in.

"Fine. Don't sell your own company, Bruce. His commercials are very convincing." Julie joked before hanging up.

Bruce shook his head and laid in bed for an hour, worried about Luthor's ulterior motives.

I hope Luthor doesn't throw a tantrum when I screw up his plans...