Chapter 8

Thank you everyone for the reviews.. I was hoping my take on Alfred would jell...i love him/Michael Caine

CMU...there is something special in here just for you ...

Abelard.. this chap will flesh out the young artist for you i think- I loved your review...I wanted to hug your neck when I read it...seriously I have writer love for you...just sayin

KLCthebookworm and I have similar respect for the power of Alfred..lmao awesome that we both see him as the pinnacle of strength in the justice league.. his super power is superiority hahahahaha

nogood4me-you are sogood4me- glad you like Siggy;)

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xxxxxxx

Selina frowned at the young man beside her and shrugged, "Siggy, I guess I have to draw the damn bridge again after all."

He laughed at her pitiful face and hugged her warmly with his free hand, kissing her cheek. "Find me again, love, and we will paint the town fantastic, literally." He nodded toward the canvas he was working on hoping to entice her into meeting him again.

She ruffled his hair and kissed him on this cheek. "Consider it a date." She gathered up her sketch book and looked back over her shoulder as Alfred led her away. "I'm coming back to buy that rainstorm of yours, so don't sell it!"

"I told you, take the damn thing!" He dropped his hand to his hip in mock anger.

Selina waved him off, "Never give it away when someone offers to pay for it."

"Spoken like a true painting prostitute." He laughed and then abruptly called out again, "Wait!" He bent down and rummaged through his bag. He jogged up and handed her a new sketch book. "I know you worked through yours today. Take this, you might get stranded and need to pimp your pictures again."

They hugged again and he kissed her lightly on the lips. "What an absolute dream," he said to himself and shook his head at her retreating form. Turning back to his booth he noticed a man looking at the work on his easel and drifted back to engage him. "See something you like?"

Bruce lifted his chin, "Yeah I did, but it looks like she is calling it a night."

The young artist laughed and shook his head, "Better try chatting up another skirt chum. She is locked up. Tight." He gathered up his brush and wiped it on a damp rag before tossing it into a cup of thinner.

"Is that so?" Bruce asked as he turned to face the young man.

Sigmund Geller was a lot of things, but unobservant wasn't one of them. He had poured over Leslie's drawings and this was definitely the chap in her pictures.

His mind flashed to a particularly steamy one that she had drawn of him sleeping. Head turned to the side, well muscled arm thrown over his head, bed sheets not covering much at all. Damn...Rex Speedman did live up to the hype. Sigmund decided he would have given about anything to have a muse like him to work with...not that much painting would ever get done.

"You ought to know sexy Rexy. It is you after all." He smirked and wiped his hands on the towel before picking up his coffee again.

Bruce reserved his response.

"She is positively pissed at you right now, you know that right?" Sigmund's eyes danced as he watched Leslie's man. The first few moments with the straights were always the most telling. Would he be the typical macho man homophobe that would be disgusted and repulsed by Sigmund's very existence? Sigmund was hoping for tolerant indifference at best. American's were normally so pent up.

"How pissed are we talking?" Bruce asked, amusement and maybe even a little relief sounded in his voice.

Relief that I'm gay...haha that's a new one. Sigmund smiled into his cup, "Pissed enough that you will be bringing home one of my paintings to make it up to her."

Bruce nodded in agreement to the penalty. "Wrap up the one she wants then."

The dark-haired artist smiled broadly. "You're not even going to ask the price?"

Bruce stared at him evenly. "Do you think it would matter?"

He smiled, realizing the man before him wasn't hesitant in the least in providing Leslie what she wanted. "I guess it doesn't." He hesitated a moment assessing the intense man that had captured his new friend's interest so completely. He finally smiled, "You are lucky I am an honest man or I would have soaked you for all you are worth."

"You are lucky I am an understanding man or I'd be punching a hole through you for kissing my girl," Bruce stated this not as a threat but more as a casual fact.

Sigmund grinned, "Not much for sharing are you, then?" He nodded approvingly. "Not that I begrudge you that though sport. She is a looker, smart as a whip, funny...talented." He grinned as Bruce's eyes narrowed at the obvious affection he had for Selina.

"Sounds like you have a little crush on her yourself," Bruce stated the obvious.

"A man would have to have rocks in his head not to. Lucky thing for you chum, that I am into strong thighs and hairy chests."

Bruce raised his eyebrows at that.

"Not that you would have had to worry anyways. She seems quite taken with you for some reason." He pulled out a painting from behind the easel that Selina had used. "You do need to do some damage control though. She was stranded for hours after all and she has a bit of a temper."

Sigmund took delight in restating everything he was sure her man was already painfully aware of. "But this will get you out of the dog house and back between the sheets where you belong." He winked at Bruce as he sat the painting on the vacant wood holder and waited for Bruce's reaction.

Bruce took a moment to appreciate the work. He didn't offer any platitudes or comments, he simply studied the piece; processing the colors and mood, asking himself what it told him about the artist. He finally spoke after several minutes of silence, "It has a sad finality to it."

Sigmund crossed his arms over his chest and considered the man's unexpectedly thoughtful assessment of the piece, "I painted it the day I dropped out of school and my suffering artist period began in earnest." He ran a hand across the top of the picture. "That woman of yours looked at my portfolio and told me my stuff was shit until I painted this one."

Bruce looked over at him with something akin to pity. Selina could be ruthless at times, if she thought you needed a kick she would deliver one, usually right to your head.

"She was right though, my stuff was shit." He smiled at the picture. "This was the first thing I painted that I was proud of. I bring it with me every day, but I couldn't ever sell it." He looked at Bruce sheepishly, "I didn't want to cheapen it." He tucked his hands into back pockets. "Leslie got that. She seemed to understand everything I am going through." He laughed, "How can someone get that from only meeting me for a couple hours? "

Bruce looked at him thoughtfully, "Maybe she has been there herself."

Sigmund nodded as his hand fingered the corner of the easel, "I want her to have it."

He stopped Bruce from reaching for his wallet. "I told you, I can't take money for it." He looked at Bruce for a long moment and then said goodbye to his painting. He nearly teared as he remembered how he had sat under the fabric canopy of the cafe and painted the storm. His life unraveling around him as his future disintegrated and there was nothing left for him, but to paint his pain.

"You seem like an alright chap, I can't take your money, but strings are attached. You have to let her out to play once in a while. I've got a beautiful city I want to paint with her."

Bruce gave him a once over again. Sigmund fidgeted under the man's heavy stare, finally offering up his obvious defense. "I'm a gay English bloke." He shrugged, "How much competition do you really have in me?" He smiled, "She's the one that should be jealous," Sigmund gave Bruce an appraising look, "You are just my type."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bruce drove up and got held at the gate. He depressed the call button as the red sports car idled powerfully. Alfred had left with Selina while he negotiated terms with her new acquaintance so they should have arrived long ago. Bruce shook his head. She was killing him. Gone for five hours and she had already picked up a new admirer.

In truth Bruce had liked the kid, once he got past his initial impulse to crush his larynx. Bruce was able to see what Selina had liked about him. Sigmund was intelligent and engaging with a raw talent that was being squandered as he struggled to survive in the city. Catwoman apparently had an affinity for picking up strays. He chuckled and then laughed heartily at the analogy.

He glanced at the security panel and sent a brief text to Fox. Several seconds later the security system beeped a response and the gate slid obediently open. Bruce parked in front of the empty house and killed the motor. He laid the seat back and shut his eyes as he listened to the radio playing softly. The sound of the gate roused him, Bruce's eyes flicked to the mirror as the Rolls pulled up beside him

Selina gave him an icy look as the car pulled by. Bruce, who had by now become somewhat of an expert in reading her moods recognized it for what it was, a tease.

With Selina and Alfred both toying with him, this had the potential to be a long evening had at his expense. He was amused at himself to find he was looking forward to it immensely. The two most important people in his life gathered around him; hell yes he was looking forward to it.

Alfred walked the circle around the Rolls effectively cutting Bruce off from opening the door for Selina. He laid a hand on her door "You can get the bags in back Master Wayne, best you leave the lady in my care lest you forget and leave her sitting in the car all night."

Selina grinned as Alfred opened the door for her. If he wanted to torture Wayne, who was she to stop him. It wasn't the turn over his knee Bruce deserved, but Alfred was definitely wrapping his knuckles some. A girl has to take what she can get.

Bruce watched as Alfred helped her out of her seat. Bruce met her cool gaze, a faint hint of a smile on her lips. He felt the familiar twist in his chest as he looked at her.

Alfred cackled at the young couple, "I will be in the house. Come in when you have made up properly."

"Nice of you to send Alfred to retrieve me." She smirked at him.

Bruce turned and sat down on the edge of the bumper. "I had more pressing business," he stated it as such she would understand he was kidding.

She raised an eyebrow in disapproval. "I'm not sure I like believing you found something more important than me."

Bruce twisted a strand of her hair around his finger. "I know the feeling, Selina."

Selina tilted her head as she considered his words a sudden rush of panic accompanied her understanding. He had been there, seen her with Sigmund. She thought about how it could have looked to Bruce. She had kissed Sigmund without even thinking...from afar Bruce could have misinterpreted.

She slipped her hand under his chin and searched his eyes. "Bruce, that was totally not what—"

He kissed her and stopped her needless explanation. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her down to his lap allowing his touch to melt away the insecurity he had seen in her eyes. He hadn't liked the spark of fear he had seen there. He never wanted her afraid of him.

When they separated she was breathless and panting lightly. "Bruce...I want you to understand what you saw."

"I understand perfectly Selina." He kissed her gently and let his teeth graze her lower lip. "But I still didn't like it. You are mine." He looked her in the eyes, "If you allow anyone to think any differently you are opening them up for a world of hurt." He stood and tugged her hand gently, encouraging her to follow him to the red sports car.

Selina swallowed thickly as the words passed through her ears. "Sigmund is—"

"A very talented artist," Bruce interrupted her. He popped open the passenger door and her eyes fell on the painting. "He is also the third gay man that has come onto me since I've been in Europe." Bruce acknowledged that she had understood the two men at the flower market when he had assumed her ignorance of French. "I am thinking I might need to change my image."

Her eyes danced and she slid her arm around his waist and placed a kiss on his jaw. "You will change nothing, Bruce."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Alfred waved off any assistance with dinner and went to work preparing eggplant parmesan and roasted vegetables. Evidently he and Selina had discussed the menu while shopping together at the market and everyone was eating vegetarian tonight.

Bruce stood behind her and slid an arm around her waist as she sat at the island bar watching Alfred work. Bruce watched her flex her hand and rub at the cramping muscles in her palm. He pressed his lips against her ear, "I'm so sorry, Selina."

"You better be," she answered and she sipped from her red wine.

Alfred glanced up, noting Bruce's arm around her. Gesturing with the knife he was using to slice the eggplant, "None of that. I'll not be chaperoning you love birds while trying to cook."

Bruce grinned in reaction to the elder man's order. "I thought you would be happy for me Alfred."

Alfred continued to chop, "I'm ecstatic. Over the moon in fact, but there will be no canoodling in the kitchen."

Selina snorted a laugh, nearly choking on her wine. Bruce patted her back as she coughed. He bent down to her and whispered, "Alfred and I have very different rules when it comes to the kitchen area." She remembered immediately their romp that left her laid across the counter in the kitchen of the pent house.

Selina pressed her lips together and ducked her head as her cheeks flushed. She fiddled with the stem of her glass as Alfred looked expectantly between them. "Did you have something you want to share with everyone, Master Wayne?"

Bruce straightened and shook his head to the negative while smiling down at the young woman.

Alfred returned to his work. Damn if it wasn't the most amazing thing he had ever witnessed. Bruce Wayne smiling, laughing, even flirting and none of it was an act.

After all these years that Alfred had stood beside him he had never realized how much had been missing from Bruce. He was a different person when she was in the room with him. He was more...there. The lost look that had been a part of him was gone and there was life in him now and love in his eyes.

Alfred retreated to the stove as he simmered the tomatoes and fresh herbs. He watched Selina as she looked over her shoulder at Bruce. He was instantly attentive to her and seemed to have a complete inability to keep his eyes and hands off her. Selina swatted those roving hands away and shoved him towards a neighboring bar stool. She glanced guilty over at Alfred, who nodded his approval as he put a tray of vegetables in the stove.

Alfred had always been one that believed in the direct approach and there were some answers he still wanted. "So how is it you managed to be alive and in my kitchen Master Wayne?"

Selina focused down on her finger worrying the painful blister as Bruce gave Alfred the abridged version of the events that had led them to Florence. She smirked a little as he left out the best parts...the sex and most of the violence. Strictly the PG version for Mr. Pennyworth.

Alfred didn't miss the look on Selina's face. "That's the story were going with then. You onboard with that are you, young miss?" Alfred appraised her reaction with open amusement.

Selina cleared her throat. "It's a little watered down and vanilla but it's...fundamentally accurate." She smiled up at the old gentleman and he nodded curtly.

"As I expected." He glossed over the forbidden topics in present company, but he fully intended on grilling Bruce over some of the specifics later. "Now, what's this business about a bank robbery?" Alfred looked between them, "A bit of a departure from the original intent of the Batman, isn't it sir."

Selina smirked again, "You implying I'm a bad influence Sir Alfred?" She dabbed at the blister with a tissue as she smiled up at him.

Alfred tossed a cloth over his shoulder and set a platter of stuffed mushrooms in front of them. "Are you not?"

Selina smirked as she cast a furtive glance at Bruce who was ignoring her as he busied himself choosing a mushroom.

Alfred looked over at her and his eyes narrowed slightly. "Let's have a look at that." Alfred took Selina's hand and brought it toward him as he pulled his eyeglasses from his shirt pocket. He pulled the small wad of tissue from the wound and assessed the raw bleeding skin, "Got a thorn in your paw now did you?"

Bruce snorted a laugh at the Catwoman's expense as he tossed a mushroom into his mouth. This is turning into an entertaining evening indeed.

Seeing that Alfred's attention was off him Bruce winked at Selina. She returned a glare to him.

"Alfred, the bank job can hardly be called a robbery...It is my money after all." Bruce smiled as he watched Selina and Alfred together.

"I suppose waiting for the authorities to return it to you is out of the question?" Alfred asked with obvious disapproval in his voice. He slid open a drawer under the counter and produced a small first aid kit. "Stop squirming," he order Selina.

"International banks don't work that way Alfred. The US government has no jurisdiction, the money would get rolled into a sludge fund and directly back to the government of Monaco."

"Lucky for you then that you just happen to have a feline friend with an applicable skill set." Alfred looked up into Selina's eyes and smiled.

Xxxxxxx

Selina took the guided tour with Alfred as he showed off the villa. The space was amazing, eight bedrooms and three huge living areas. Three levels with balconies on every side. They settled on the highest perch as it afforded the most awe inspiriting view of the city. Bruce leaned casually against the stone pillar that jutted above the rock patio.

Alfred had made another pot of coffee and tea for himself and Selina. Selina had tried to beg off of eating or drinking anything further telling Alfred that she was splitting at the sides as it was. He rolled his eyes and continued undeterred.

Selina walked over to join him fastening her sweater higher against her throat. "I need to call Fox and tell him to let my suit out a few inches."

Bruce smiled caressing her cheek. "It's good to see you finally eat something more than a bite of fruit."

Selina sighed, "I still have to cut weight, but honestly, I couldn't help myself tonight. That was fantastic. He is an amazing cook." She glanced over Bruce's body. "I don't know how you are not three hundred pounds living with him."

Bruce slid his free hand around her slender waist and kissed her gently. "Please tell me you are joking about losing weight, you are perfect."

Selina shook her head and shrugged. "I have to be able to fit in the cooling ducts going into the computer server room and I am not having a repeat of that shit in the tunnels." She shuddered involuntarily, her skin breaking out in cold chills as she remembered getting stuck. "So I don't care if it means not touching another scrap of food until the job. I will be down at least another ten pounds."

Bruce sat his coffee down on the wide ledge and braced Selina between his legs, leaning her gently into his chest. "I know that had to have been terrible." He petted her hair and kissed her forehead.

Selina let him console her because it damn sure had been terrible and she wasn't going to have it happen again.

He smoothed his hand along her back, "You sure there isn't another way that you can make your entry that won't involve you starving to death or asphyxiating in a ventilation shaft?"

"Now there is the after dinner conversation not many couples are having tonight in Florence." Alfred's exasperated voice sounded behind them. "You two are a match made in heaven. Two feathers from the same bird are you two." He wagged a finger at Selina, "And you will most certainly eat. I will see to it, because there already isn't anything to you."

Selina smiled at the proper butler, blinking as he told her what she was going to do. Bruce laid his chin on her head and tried unsuccessfully not to laugh.

Alfred glared at him and narrowly held himself from scolding him for allowing her to pull this job at all. "Something more to say Master Wayne?" Alfred look at him expectantly.

Bruce smiled at his old butler. "I have missed you Alfred."

Xxxxxx

Selina had long since retreated to bed claiming her morning run as the reason for her departure, but Bruce could tell she was giving him some time with Alfred. He had since looped his trusted guardian in on all that had happened as they sat alone on the dark patio. They retired inside only after a few drops of rain began to fall. Alfred started a fire and poured them a brandy.

Alfred had finally gotten the nerve to ask about his time away from Gotham and Bruce was struggling over where to begin. "It was hell, Alfred. Sheer and complete living hell. Gotham was under siege and all I could do was lay on a bunk unable to move. That damn hole in the sky taunting me with the hope of escape." He exhaled a breath and looked over at the elder man. He dropped a supportive hand on Alfred's knee when he saw the emotion rising up in the old man.

"I'm alright now," Bruce reassured him. He hesitated a moment, "I'm better than alright, Alfred. I am making an appointment in Zürich after this is over. I'm done hiding."

Alfred leaned forward and clasped his hand on the younger man's shoulder. "After all this time, Bruce."

Bruce looked toward the bedroom and nodded.

Alfred shook his head. "I don't know whether to be amazed or afraid at how much power that little sliver of a woman has over you."

Bruce rubbed a calloused hand across his face. "Me either." He laughed self-consciously, "But Alfred, I'm feeling pretty damn great about it right now, so I am going to ask you to be optimistic."

Alfred smiled and squeezed Bruce's shoulder. "Have you told her you are in love with her?"

Bruce winced in spite of himself, shaking his head. "I'm afraid to." He acknowledged what he was feeling to Alfred and to himself for the first time. There was no need in pretending that he wasn't in love with her, the absolute truth of his condition was evident to them both.

"I don't know if she is ready for that, Alfred. I can't chance her cutting and running on me." He rubbed his brow and took another drink of the warm liquid. "It would kill me to lose her now."

Alfred chewed his lip thoughtfully, "Bruce you have to trust her if you ever hope to make this last."

Bruce nodded, "I do trust her Alfred, but there is more to this." He closed his eyes and dove in despite the dread of telling Alfred that he was going back to the Gotham...back to being the bat.

He told Alfred about Blake, discussed his plans to help him into the role, ensure his training and preparation. He felt he had to do it to give the young man a fighting chance to survive the transition. To do that Bruce had to return to Gotham, but there was no way that Selina could.

"Alfred, it is the best compromise I can give you." Bruce felt like he was begging a little and he resigned himself to the fact that Alfred's buy in warranted it. "I am going to train him and back him up until he is ready. Then I fade off and do what you always wanted me to do, lead change in Gotham through the humanitarian philanthropic front."

Alfred looked at Bruce's tightly pressed lips and averted eyes, and realized it took more strength for him to not be Batman than it had every taken to put on the cowl. "Are you sure that you will be able to put it away again when the time comes Master Wayne?"

Bruce swirled the brandy in the cut crystal glass, smiling into the liquid. "With Selina there I believe I could, and I know she would understand if I ever had to break out of retirement and help Blake with the heavy lifting." He lifted his eyes to Alfred, "I could do it because she would be right there in the thick of things with me." He took a sip of the amber liquid. "I know that must seem like a conflict of interest to you...putting the woman I love in harm's way."

Alfred looked at him a long moment before settling back into his chair. "From what I see, you are just directing the energy. She would be beside you whether you chose to allow it or not."

Bruce nodded in solemn agreement with Alfred's assessment. "Fox warned me about trying to control her, trying to make her into something she wasn't." Bruce smiled at Alfred, "They have become very close." He felt the need to clarify to Alfred why he was willing to defer to Fox on issues concerning Selina. "I don't want to screw this up Alfred, but I feel like I'm walking a tightrope here."

The simple fact was Selina was a wanted woman, one of the last remaining escapees from Blackgate that had not been brought to justice. She would never be able to return to Gotham despite all that she had done to save the city as long as the charges stood against her. The fact she was Catwoman couldn't be leveraged because without her identity protected, she would become an immediate target for anyone trying to get to the Batman. Not to mention the fallout from their own relationship once it went public. Because Bruce damn sure wasn't going to hide away in secret with her and giving her up wasn't an option. The reality of this was that the moment that Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle appeared together, speculation was guaranteed to arise as to the connection between Catwoman and Bruce Wayne...and then Bruce Wayne and Batman.

Bruce shared all of these concerns with his long time caregiver and Alfred listened with his usual calm demeanor. "A very simple solution would be to stay abroad with your newly recovered money or utilize that Clean Slate and be off with the entire thing. But then, you were never much for simple solutions." Alfred shook his head, "We are at least in agreement that she does not cross the pond until the charges are dropped against her correct?"

Bruce threw his hands up and nodded. "Of course Alfred, there is no way in hell I would chance her having to spend another night in police custody, I don't care if it's on the couch in Gordon's office at the MCU with Jim as her personal bodyguard." Alfred shook his head at this extreme example, but understood that Bruce was unwilling to take any chances with Selina.

His voice dropped into an angry growl, "Alfred, the fact they ever locked her up with those animals in Blackgate is deplorable. She hadn't even been to trial yet, everything broke loose in Gotham so quickly..." The anger in his voice was palatable as he ran a hand through his hair. "She can't go back now, especially not now, Alfred." His eyes held more than a little anxiety as he continued, "She tangled with some of the worst scumbags in Gotham before we left. It was because of her that Gordon was able to slam them back in their cages."

"That little scrap of a girl..." Alfred shook his head in wonder.

"She really is something, Alfred. The news reported that Jassop is still in the prison infirmary." Dark admiration flashed across Bruce's face, "She broke damn near every bone in the bastard's face." Bruce's voice held a note of macabre pride at her accomplishment even as his hand tightened around the glass and the muscle in his cheek twitched. "Can you imagine if they housed her back in Blackgate...if those inmates realize she is Catwoman? It won't matter how tough she is, if they lock her in with them...they will get to her eventually. I can't allow—"

Alfred interrupted Bruce's dark thoughts, he didn't want the image painted in his mind anymore than it already had been. "It goes without saying that she is staying here."Alfred stated this as a directive not a suggestion.

Bruce smiled at the old gentleman. "Thank you for that Alfred." He needed Selina to be grounded into his life and there were no deeper roots than those in Alfred. He looked at the old gentleman, Alfred needed people to care for and Selina needed to learn to let people care for her. It brought Bruce a level of comfort to know that Selina and Alfred could be there for one another.

He drummed his fingers against the soft leather of the chair, his eyes drawn to the fireplace as he considered his options. Just talking through it with Alfred was helping him work through some of the emotional and moral issues he was having. Alfred agreeing that she should stay abroad was a relief. Getting her to do it might be even easier now with the artist friend she had made keeping her entertained. He felt a small pang of guilt at thinking of the man in such a utilitarian manner, but once again, all was fair in love and war.

Alfred watched the young man work on his dilemma. "You must have something more than just a list of problems, what is your plan?"

Bruce rubbed the stubble on his chin thoughtfully, as he remembered the young woman's fingers running through his goatee the afternoon before they left for Monte Carlo. He was going to grow it out again for her. Selina had looked at him shyly while she sat on the counter watching him shave and told him she would miss the feel of it on her face when he kissed her. He had almost told her then he loved her, but instead he had just smiled and kissed her, intentionally rubbing shaving cream on her cheek as she struggled away from him.

"The Congressman will be the key to clearing her, he drops the charges and there is no trial. This entire thing goes away."

Alfred looked at him in surprise. "The Congressman...the one she kidnapped, drugged, then shot?"

Bruce raised his brows. "Allegedly shot," Bruce corrected Alfred with humor in his voice. "So you don't foresee his cooperation?"

Alfred chuckled, "I rather doubt his cooperation will come without considerable pressure and persuasion."

"I'm a persuasive man, Alfred." Bruce smiled grimly.

Alfred shook his head and chuckled, "And with the proper motivation," Alfred gestured toward the room holding Selina, "I am sure you will not hesitate to provide the appropriate pressure needed to see that you get what you want."

"If necessary, that is exactly what I mean to do." He sat back and waited for Alfred's moral compass to redirect his trajectory and offer reasons designed to dissuade him from his course of action.

Alfred considered the situation before standing and pacing a small turn in front of the fireplace. He ended his journey at the steel drink cart by the double doors leading to the patio.

Alfred poured himself another finger of brandy, reconsidering he poured two more into his glass, taking the bottle with him gesturing to Bruce to present his empty water glass. His steel blue eyes were steady when Bruce looked up at him. Bruce was surprised not to see the expected disapproval in the man's eyes.

"Relax you rules for one night Master Wayne and have a belt while you tell me more," Alfred poured as Bruce talked.

xxxxxx

Fox reached over to the corner of his mahogany desk and plucked the satellite phone off the docking charger. His thumb flicked across the screen and accepted the unidentified call.

"Yes?"

"You burning the midnight oil at the shop?" Bruce bated his CEO.

"I have been putting in my fair share of hours." Lucius rubbed his eyes and squinted at the numbers on the LCD clock display near his desk lamp, he had cut the overhead lights hours earlier in favor of its softer illumination. It was nearly seven already. He had worked through lunch and his stomach growled in protest to his late stay in the office.

"Some of us have jobs," he teased Bruce lightly, "We all can't be gallivanting abroad with beautiful women."

"Woman, singular," Bruce corrected him smiling in spite of himself. "And I'm not sure what gallivanting looks like, but I'm pretty sure that's not what I've been doing."

Fox chuckled. "How is she?"

They had both been careful despite the secure link to not address themselves by name nor reveal the location of either party. Paranoia ran deep when one dealt with the Batman so it was second nature to operate in this medium.

Bruce pushed his thumb and index finger against his eyes hoping the pain would stay at bay awhile longer, "She is staying busy...tying me in knots mostly."

Lucius laughed merrily. "She already had you in a sizable tangle before you left. Can't imagine it is any worse now."

Bruce growled a response, but refused to add any more fuel to the fire. "How are your projects coming?"

"They are tracking on schedule..." He hesitated a moment. "What is your timeline there?"

Bruce detected an undercurrent in the man's voice. He didn't miss much when it came to Fox. He could read his eyes, his body language and definitely this tone that he now heard in his voice. "Problems?" Bruce braced himself for bad news.

"Possibly two very sizable ones." Fox took a breath, "Three if you count that I haven't found the Wayne Center rat." He adjusted several large stacks of paper on his desk. "The trade investigation is proceeding and they all but confirmed that they have established that the stock sells were illegal and fraudulent." He sighed, "But, with the process involved in recovery we are looking at eighteen months before any of those funds are returned to Wayne Enterprises. They have no way of tracing the international off shore accounts so the money has to come from Federal trade securities insurance. As we know the wheels grind very slowly when Uncle Sam has to open his wallet."

Bruce nodded his head and shrugged, "That's why we are here, early recovery."

"Well, we might need to step up our game and put that play in motion." Lucius dreaded telling his employer that their long time lender had been unwilling to extend the deadline on their loans. Loyalty was everything with Bruce and Fox anticipated his disappointment.

The renewal contracts on Gotham L&C is coming due in nine days, we did not receive an extension," He continued on not waiting for the response, "And, if that isn't enough, Hammer Industries is going under." He stated this with resigned finality, "Like we thought, Fujiwara is the front runner." Fox sighed in frustration, "With the condition the shop is in now, I couldn't even get an invitation to the table to hear the terms."

Bruce's lips pressed into a line. He could have gotten a personal line of credit and written a check for both of these just a few months ago. Neither venture was one they could afford to lose. Hammer Industries was on the ropes and facing hostile takeover from a Japanese based company. The largest single weapons manufacturer in the US would now be foreign based. Incredibly, the government had done nothing to impede the sellout.

The thought of American soldiers supplied with weaponry from a foreign based company using international trade lines turned both Bruce and Fox inside out. Not to mention the American jobs and revenue lost in the already struggling economy. Fox had made him aware of the situation before he left Gotham, and they had both agreed to go after it the company.

Bruce had counted on being back in the black before the company bellied-up. "I will request her to expedite the process." His voice was grim.

Fox understood Bruce's worry for he shared it completely, "I will need her final specs on the override mechanism ASAP, the rest of her requests I have ready."

Bruce continued to press his lips tightly together. "Understood," Bruce hesitated, "If you didn't go to the table...how did you get the info on the takeover?"

Fox smiled, "It helps to know the power players in the field."

Bruce exhaled an exasperated breath. "Those players better not be 'the Player' I am thinking of. I told you I wanted nothing to do with h—"

Fox interrupted his boss, "Sometimes exceptions have to be made." He laughed lightly at his own use of the phrase.

Bruce rolled his eyes, catching the reference to Selina. Fox had found that story of her kicking the cane hilarious when she had told him over dinner in the penthouse. "Why is everyone always on her side?"

Fox smiled, "Everyone?"

Bruce smiled, "Absolutely everyone." He confirmed to Fox that this group included Alfred.

Fox grinned, he had felt a huge burden lift from his shoulders when Bruce texted him for the security access at Alfred's home in Florence. He had wanted to tell Alfred the truth the moment he discovered Bruce was alive and well. "Well that's very good news indeed. So what you think of the place?" Fox's assistant, a thirtyish African American woman, came into the room as he asked the question.

Bruce glanced around the house, "I think you missed your calling. You should have gone into interior decorating."

Fox hadn't realized she was still working and he looked at her with disapproval. He placed a hand over the phone and mouthed 'go home.' Jessica scowled back at her long time boss as she shook her head. She sat a small plate holding a sandwich and carrot sticks on the corner of his desk. She followed the sandwich with a bottle of water and an oatmeal cookie.

Lucius nodded in thanks, grateful for the consideration. She pointed at the phone and mouthed,'Alfred?'

Fox shook his head yes, knowing that a lie was in order to cover the conversation. "Well I am glad you approve of it. I know I was very happy with how it turned out myself." He smiled at the woman that had helped coordinate the process. "I must confess that Jessica did the lion's share of things." He deflected the recognition toward his assistant and she smiled at the compliment as she slipped out of the office.

Bruce grinned, "How's her golf game coming?" He remembered showing her proper putting form the day he returned to Wayne Enterprises. She had gratefully reported to Earle at the time, but accepted the transition to Fox when Bruce made him CEO.

"Poorly, she has developed a mean slice." Fox smiled into the phone and then dropped back into business. "I have a 10:30 tomorrow with your favorite person, after that I will be able to tell you if we can make a run at Hammer."

Bruce felt his hand tighten on the phone. "Hopefully he won't show and you will get his handler instead."

Fox cackled and nodded in agreement. "I was hoping for that scenario as well. She is running the day to day now anyways."

Bruce smiled, "It was only a matter of time before he had to smarten up and put the right person in charge."

Fox nodded his head knowingly, "Indeed. He must have taken that lesson out of your playbook on that one."

Bruce acknowledged their similar situations. "I hate that you have to bring them in on this ..."

"You need all the leverage you can get in Washington." Lucius understood completely the importance of securing the money for the buyout. He hadn't made the decision to involve outside investors lightly. Loyalty didn't mean much in the business world. This was a simple fact that Fox had learned to accept over the course of his years in the business world. But, there were the occasional exceptions. "They owe us a favor." He stated the fact flatly, "I will call you when we ink it."

"One more thing," Bruce hesitated, "I am going to need some more of those meds."

Lucius knew what it had taken for Bruce to ask for that, "Of course, if there is anything else just let me know." He flicked off the phone and dropped it back on the stand. Fox depressed the button on his intercom. "Jessica...go home."

Jessica appeared at his door looking tired and slightly rumpled. "Take your own advice, Lucius."

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Happy Halloween...Every kid in Batman related gear gets extra candy at my house tonight!

Readers it is up to you to fill my treat bag with reviews! Good Reviews are (Almond Joys)and bad reviews are(caramel) But all are welcome ..cuz as with every Halloween...I am ready for anything!

-Slingblade_

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Almond joys to KLCthebookworm- you were the first to call it out..Was it your foundation in comics that clued you in on it or was I just too obvious?

...Susie..you better go ahead and get ready...:)

Cheed- gets credit for the edits