DISCLAIMERS/NOTES

1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by DC Comics. I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.

2. This is partly a femslash story. If you don't like that sort of thing, you won't like this.

3. This is a story request by The Sacred and Profane. Again, apologies for the time it took to complete.

4. Thank you everyone for the response to this story. This is by far my most popular story, and credit must go to the aforementioned Sacred and Profane for the idea. A few aspects of this story will be reflected in future ones, most notably the Selina/Zatanna relationship. I hope you all like the final chapter.

PART 11

She heard the front door open and sighed... then immediately coughed. "I... in here... " she said weakly. After a few seconds, Alfred appeared in the bedroom's doorway. "I told you... not to... aCHOO!... not to come. I'm full of... cold."

"Nonsense," said Alfred. "It's my birthday, and I can do as I wish." He then smiled. "We missed you today, Leslie."

Leslie Thompkins blew her nose. Though just a cold, at her age, it had knocked her for six. "I missed you too... I wish I could've been there... urrrgh... As soon as Bruce came to tell me about your party, he saw me... and knew I couldn't... sniff... come."

"Ah, yes, the party," mused Alfred. "It was Lady Diana's idea." He pulled a chair over and sat at the foot of the bed.

Eyeing the butler, Leslie quirked an eyebrow. "A surprise party, I understand... "

"Yes," he said matter-of-factly.

"How long... cough!... had you known about it?"

Smirking, tilted his head. "Five days. I saw Lady Diana put the balloons and presents in the big hall."

"Bruce said you'd know... " said Leslie.

"I noticed something was up during my regular clean of the hall, and Her Highness was hovering around... literally." At that, Leslie gave a strained, cold-ridden laugh. "She's not usually so attentative to my chores - not enough to spy, anyway - so once I finished my next cleaning job, I returned to the hall and found her 'stash'."

Leslie blew her nose again. "And you didn't say anything?"

"For the childrens' sake," replied Alfred. "I knew they had their hearts set on surprising me. Besides, I've been on the receiving end of Lady Diana's wrath in the past. It's not an experience I'd wish to repeat."

"Wonder Woman was angry... at you?" Leslie exclaimed. "How... cough cough!... did you manage that?"

"When the twins were younger, and Bruce was... at work... I used to lock Lady Diana in her room so she wouldn't be disturbed by their crying." Alfred had stopped using titles when talking about Bruce to Leslie - he knew she hated that master/servant spiel. "On the fifth time, she... " He chuckled. "Well, she made it very clear that she wouldn't be 'held prisoner' in her own home."

"She must... feel pretty smug right now," the doctor said.

"Please, Leslie," drawled Alfred. "An Amazon is above smugness."

Leslie tilted her head. "Alfred... "

Grinning, he nodded. "That's what she told me, anyway."

Leslie laughed again, only to suddenly begin coughing and spluttering. "Oh, for... " she whispered after she had calmed. "Alfred, why did you come? You can... see what state I'm in. If you weren't nearly here when you called me, I'd have told you to turn around and go back." She wagged her finger at him. "Waiting until there was no turning back to warn me you were coming. Still... at least... sniff... you did call. Bruce just... " She grimaced and shivered. "I don't... know how you put up with him."

Alfred lowered his eyes. "You know better than anyone, Leslie. And I pray you accept it one day."

"You know I've... accepted it, Alfred," Leslie sighed. "I don't like it, but I've accepted it." She then smiled slightly. "And I pray he'll let it go one day."

"As do I," the Englishman said. They had had this talk many times over the years. The tone had become more hopeful when Bruce got married, but Leslie remained cynical. Alfred believed that slowly, ever so slowly, Bruce was letting go of his anger. The Batman of a decade ago would never have married nor had children. Once unfathomable, now the concept of Bruce retiring was feasible. Not likely, but feasible. If for no other reason than his offspring could continue. But Alfred would take any reason for his surrogate son to live the rest of his days in peace.

But with Leslie's current condition, Alfred decided now was not the time to elaborate. "Anyway, I didn't come here to discuss... business. I came to open your present."

Leslie's eyes widened. "You... cough!... didn't open it... ?"

"I wanted you to witness it."

"Alfred, that's silly," said the doctor.

"My birthday," Alfred deadpanned. "My rules."

Chuckling, Leslie sighed. "I hope you like it."

Nodding again, Alfred took the gift out of the bag he had kept it in. He then slowly unrapped it, the paper's tears being neat and tidy. When the present was free from its wrapping, he looked at it, and smiled. "Oh, Leslie... " he breathed. "It's lovely. Thank you." He then stood and walked to her side, before lowering himself to her...

"Alfred, no!" she yelped coursely. "I'm sick!"

"Nonsense," he said again. He then kissed her tenderly on the forehead.

Grinning, Leslie shook her head. "Happy birthday, Alfred."

Alfred smiled back at her. "It has been, indeed."

THE END