Part X

Bruce sat impatiently in front of the cave's computer as it compiled the mass of data he had requested. He wore only his batsuit as his cape and cowl was thrown over the back of his chair. The glow of the screen flickered over his hardened features as picture after picture passed in front of him. He knew he recognized his attacker from the previous night, but his identity continued to elude him. He couldn't concentrate. He knew why, but every time his mind drifted to that subject he forced his mind back to the case.

Concentrate.

Dammit concentrate.

He searched his mind for the information, letting it grasp at different threads of memory for the right one.
Finally sheer willpower paid off, as he recalled a case from a few years ago. With a few keystrokes the case files were brought up in front of him. Bruce scrolled through mugshots of the apprehended suspects. He found his man in the third picture. Freddie Dalcone. He was a little heavier now, maybe twenty or thirty pounds, but Bruce could tell he was the man who had shot him. He tended to remember those faces a little bit better than others. The case was a small time arms ring. Dalcone and a couple of other small timers were supplying local gangs and dealers with guns. They'd been easy to find, even easier to catch. Because of his connections though, Dalcone had walked, while the others were sent off for a long time. Bruce wondered what Dalcone was up to, not to mention, what was so important in that briefcase that someone would try to kill him for it.
Bruce's thoughts were interrupted as he heard the entrance from the manor open. He recognized Alfred's steps as he carried Bruce's diner tray to him. Bruce turned to the man and gestured for him to sit the tray on a nearby worktable.

"I see things did not go well with Miss Diana."

Bruce followed Alfred's line of sight to where the still overturned Batmobile sat.

"A necessary evil, Alfred."

"I do not believe necessary, nor evil would describe this situation very
well, Master Bruce."

"Perhaps you're right about the evil part, but I can tell you now that it was
necessary."

Bruce could tell by Alfred's unamused expression that he didn't believe a word of it.

"Since when is it necessary for a man to disregard a lady in such a manner?"

Bruce turned back to his monitor.

"It's necessary because it's a chance I'm not willing to take. No matter what my
feelings. She was right."

"Right about what Sir?"

"That I could never allow myself to love her."

"Do you believe that's true?"

Turning the monitor off, Bruce swiveled his chair towards Alfred and rested his elbows on is knees.

"Yes, not because of what she thinks though."

"And what does she think, Master Bruce?"

"She thinks that I won't allow myself to become the person in her dreams."
Alfred, playing the perfect role of psychiatrist, pulled up a chair.

" Could you really allow yourself to change?"

"It's not really a matter of my ability to change. It's a matter of self control."

"Is that the real reason?"

Bruce's eyes, which had held Alfred's throughout the conversation, now were averted towards the cave floor.

"Partly."

"Might I ask what the other part consists of, Master Bruce?"

Bruce shot a hard glare in Alfred's direction/

"Do you really think that works on someone that saw you through puberty?"

"Very funny."

"I think so, sir."

Bruce grunted before continuing.

"The other reason being that it could go either way. She could bring me into the light of her world, or I could bring her into mine. I can't take the chance of doing that to her Alfred and if I admit to her how I feel there will be no turning back."

"There is an equal chance for it to go either way, Master Bruce."

"But a chance either way, Alfred. I've made my choice."

Alfred detected the definitive tone to Bruce's voice and knew that there would be no more arguing with him tonight.

"Very well, sir, but are you willing to sacrifice everything you've gained."

Bruce watched the aging man climb the stairs, while contemplating his decision to himself. He knew that things would never be the same between he and Diana. He also knew all to well what a woman scorned was like.

This was not going to be enjoyable.