A/N - Thank you for all the reviews, critiques and suggestions. You're right. I don't have a beta and I write this in small increments throughout my day. Although I do read it over before submitting it, I'm bound to miss something. I had hoped to have this one out sooner, but some life circumstances has caused the delay...oops, it happens! Anyways, on with the story.
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Saturday, October 5th
Wayne Tower
9:10am
Bruce groaned inwardly when he saw the mass of reporters waiting around outside the building doors. He knew exactly why they were there. He had read the newspaper and seen the television report, both featuring a sketchy photo of his wife holding the hand of the Dark Knight on the balcony of their penthouse apartment. Rumours were flying, about what was going on and since Olivia had locked herself up in the penthouse, the media came to him, hoping to get a little piece of his side of the story.
Bruce had been kicking himself verbally all morning. He was angry with himself for becoming so sloppy and for bringing Olivia into this mess. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the doors open and walked into the morning sunshine and the bright lights of the cameras.
"Mr. Wayne! Can we have a statement, please?"
"What is the nature of your wife's relationship with the vigilante?"
"Does this further solidify a possible separation between you and your wife?"
Bruce pushed his way through the crowd, towards where Alfred had pulled up the car alongside the curb.
"What about the baby? Is there a chance that the baby isn't yours and instead is the child of Batman?"
Bruce paused, slightly surprised that a reporter would even have the audacity ask that type of question. By the hushed sound of the other people around him, he suspected that they too, were shocked. Nonetheless, they outstretched their microphones and recording devices, eager to hear his response. Bruce turned, not certain who had asked the question. He paused for a second, recognizing the smell around him. Pamela. He couldn't see her anywhere. After a moment, he mentally shook it off to answer.
"It's not a lie that my wife and I are having marital problems, but to ask whether the child my wife is carrying isn't mine, is inappropriate and over the line," he stated. "As for her relationship with Batman, that is something that I'd discuss with my wife and not with the society of Gotham."
Bruce turned to continue walking towards the car as the media once again continued the questioning. He was grateful to see that Alfred already had the door open for him and the moment that he disappeared into it, the door shut. Bruce waited until they pulled away from the curb before speaking.
"How is she?"
Alfred kept his eyes on the busy road, but still answered.
"She was still in the bathroom when I left," he replied. "She refused to open the door and I was concerned when she wouldn't even answer me. I didn't know what else to do but to call you."
Bruce nodded.
"That's fine, Alfred. I figured that it would be a short day when I saw the newspaper on my desk this morning."
Bruce looked over his shoulder at the crowd they left behind. "There's a bigger problem. Pamela Isley was back there."
"Excuse me, sir?"
"Dr. Isley," he repeated. "She was in the crowd of photographers. I smelled the perfume. I can't be certain but I think she may be behind this."
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Wayne Penthouse
9:23am
The door had barely opened when Bruce stepped through it, with Alfred right behind him. Bruce glanced around the large room and began checking the rooms, not seeing Olivia anywhere.
"Olivia?"
The phone rang, catching Alfred's attention.
"That had better not be another interview request for you or your wife," he said grimly, as he walked in different direction. "It would be the sixth one so far today and I'm beginning to run out of ways of politely saying, not interested."
Bruce could hear the television coming from their bedroom. He rounded the corner and stopped, absorbing the scene in front of him. Olivia was reclined on the bed, sniffing as she watched Mike Engel on GCN doing a telephone interview with a caller. The bed was littered with used tissues and he watched as she ate spoonfuls of ice cream in between a tearful sarcastic laugh at the caller's comments. They called her things such as tramp, slut, gold digger and other words that Mike Engel had to have censored out. The comments and to hear them refer to his wife in this way, angered Bruce. Olivia glanced over towards the door, seeing him standing there.
"They're saying that this baby may not even be yours and instead, it's Batman's," she cried, with her mouth full of ice cream. "How ridiculous is that? Huh?"
Bruce shook his head as he walked over towards the bed and sat down next to her.
"But, I am Batman."
She pointed to the television as Bruce lifted his feet up and laid down beside her.
"They don't know that. They're making me come across like some sort of tramp who's having a love affair with Batman. They have had call-ins all morning with people who are angry with me for sleeping with the devil when I have a handsome husband at home. They're being sympathetic to you. The crazy part is that the only photo they have, is of me and Batman on the balcony. How the hell did someone even get a picture like that?"
Olivia spooned another scoop of ice cream into her mouth as Bruce gently took the carton away and placed it on the bed side table. Bruce put his arm around Olivia, feeling her head rest under his chin.
"This is my fault," he said, softly. "I shouldn't have stopped by the other night. I never thought that someone would ever be able to get a decent picture from this height. I'm sorry, Olivia."
He listened to her sniff softly as she rubbed her nose against his shirt. Bruce smiled inwardly.
"Look at me," she said, sitting up. "I must sound pathetic. I must look horrible. I mean, who acts like this?"
"Olivia, you're pregnant and your hormones are wreaking havoc on your emotions," he assured her, looking up at the television as it repeated the grainy photo on the screen. He pointed up to the television. "This, should be the least of your concern. We'll just wait this out."
"You're not going to do anything?" she asked.
"What can I do? If I go calling all the newspapers in the city, with threats to sue if they don't pull the edition, it would raise a lot of questions and suspicion. In a weeks time, it'll be old news."
"So, what do we do?"
He sighed audibly.
"Someone got the photo, so we'll play it out like Batman came in to visit for a cup of coffee, instead of denying the event all together," he said.
"Are you serious? Coffee?"
Bruce shrugged as Olivia chuckled.
"He has saved you in the past," Bruce said, as Olivia nodded.
"You're right. He brought me to the hospital when I was in pre-term labour."
Bruce grinned and nodded.
"He could have just been checking it to see how you were doing," Bruce suggested.
"That's right," Olivia said. "He is quite overprotective when it comes to pregnant women."
"Especially when one of them is his wife," Bruce said, leaning in to kiss her. Olivia hooked her arm around his neck, pulling him closer. Bruce brushed his fingers through her hair just as the sound of someone clearing their throat caught his attention. Bruce broke the kiss and turned to see Alfred at the door.
"Excuse me sir, madam, but there is a phone call for you, Olivia," Alfred said. "It's your parents."
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Bruce watched from where he sat on the edge of the couch, as his wife paced the floor in front of the large floor to ceiling windows. The phone was on her ear and each time she would pass by Bruce, she would roll her eyes and make the gesture with her hand as someone who as talking too much.
"No, Mom. Everything is fine. You can't believe half of what you read these days." There was a pause. "Yes, that was Batman. He was in the area and came to check on me." Another pause. "Over an hour? Pff! Whoever got that information needs a new watch. He was at the penthouse for less than five minutes." Olivia sighed. "No, you guys don't need to come visit. Yeah, David probably misses you but...."
Olivia sat down on the couch.
"Yes, I'm feeling fine still. Bruce is taking care of me."
She looked up at him when she felt his hand on her shoulder.
"When will you be coming in?" She paused again, listening to the answer. "No, Mom. You guys don't have to be here when the baby is born. Knowing me, I'll probably be out of it from the meds anyways that I wont even remember you being there."
Olivia chuckled.
"Visiting for two weeks is good enough."
Olivia looked up at Bruce as he mouthed back, 'two weeks?' She nudged him playfully and shrugged.
"Yeah, then you'll be able to come to the baby shower that Jill is throwing for me. It'll be good times." Olivia paused to listen. "All right. Say hi to Dad for me too. I love you too. Good bye."
Olivia let out a sigh after she hung up. She looked up at Bruce.
"My parents are coming for a visit next month. I think they need the reassurance that nothing major is going on between us," Olivia said. "Dad reads into the news too much and gets Mom all worked up over the stories that she'll think that it's true."
Bruce nodded.
"I'm sure David will enjoy seeing them," he said.
"I'll have to call up a hotel soon. With Christmas parties, it's sure to get full quickly," Olivia said.
"Why not have them stay at Wayne Manor? We certainly have the room."
Olivia reached up to feel Bruce's forehead, to check for any indication for why he'd suggest it. "Do you know what you're saying?"
Bruce chuckled.
"Olivia, it's your parents. It's no big deal."
"A lot happens around the Manor. Are you sure this is okay?"
"It'll be fine."
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Thursday, October 10th
10:25am
David sat on the floor, watching the men dressed in black practice. He found it amazing that someone could move so quickly. He wasn't completely paying attention to the men. David could hear a soft conversation going on behind him.
"Do you think he could do it?"
"He's not ready yet. Give me more time."
"Damn it, Ducard. You said that last week. With what has been going on between the Wayne's, we need someone on the inside and we need it now."
"He wont do it. He's still too devoted and dependent on his parents. I can see it in his eyes."
"When then?"
"You keep working on your little project, Dr. Isley and I'll work on mine."
David heard the woman scoff followed by footsteps approaching him from behind. He glanced up just as Ducard crouched down beside him.
"I want to be able to do that," David said, gesturing towards the men in front of him.
"You will," Ducard said. "You just need more practice. You've already learned so much since I met you."
David sighed and looked at the ground.
"I lied to my Dad again," David said. "I hate hiding and lying to him, especially when I know that he can tell when I'm not telling the truth."
Ducard grinned.
"Your father is a good judge of deception," he said. "He always has been. But you, my boy, will just need to be better and that takes practice."
Ducard tapped David on the shoulder and stood up. "Are you ready to begin today?"
David nodded and stood up, following Ducard further into the warehouse. Ducard looked over at the boy beside him. He couldn't help but smile. The boy was so similar to Bruce when he had found him years ago in the prison. Ducard reached over to a table as they passed by and grabbed an apple. He handed it to David.
"How are things with your parents? I heard that they were going through a rough time."
"You can't believe everything you read or hear."
"Can't I?" Ducard asked. "It's a shame about that picture with Batman and your mother making it into the media. Or should I say your parents."
David sighed as he glanced around. He knew Ducard was aware that Batman was Bruce Wayne, but he wasn't enjoying how he would remind him of that fact. He knew how important it was that no one would know his father's secret. His parents had taught him that.
"Your mother was looking radiant last time I saw her at the winery fashion show," Ducard said. "When is she due again?"
David thought for a moment. 'He was there?' He shook his head mentally.
"January," David replied before shoving another piece of apple into his mouth. Ducard nodded as he remembered.
"That's right. And are you excited about it? You're going to be a big brother."
David shrugged. "It's no big deal to me. To my Mom and Dad, they're really excited."
"It makes you wonder how you'll be treated after the baby is born," Ducard suggested. "You were the child that Bruce never thought he had and when he discovered he was a father, you and your Mother was the center of his world. But now, having a new baby in the house, changes everything."
David glanced over at him, allowing the suggestion to roll over him. Yet, even a half hour later, he was still thinking about it.
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Monday, October 28
6:34pm
Wayne Tower
Bruce was about to walk into his office that morning, when his assistant suddenly stood up at her desk to get his attention.
"Sir, your son's school is on line 2. They'd like to speak with you," she said.
"I'll take it in my office."
The assistant nodded as Bruce walked into the room. He closed the door and tossed his coat on his chair before picking up the phone and pressing the appropriate buttons.
"Bruce Wayne."
"Good morning, Mr. Wayne. This is Principal Maxwell. How are you today?"
"I'm fine," Bruce said, as he settled down in his chair. "And yourself?"
"Very good, sir. I wanted to speak to you about David and his absences. Normally, we don't call..."
"Wait," Bruce said, interrupting. "What absences?"
"Your son has missed every class since the beginning of September and usually if a student misses more than 40 percent of the class time, he's required to repeat the semester," Mr. Maxwell explained. "We have received his notes and his call-ins from yourself, your wife and Mr. Pennyworth regarding his absences, but we're concerned about his education."
Bruce was confused. He switched the phone to his other hand as he looked for a pen in his desk and a piece of paper.
"I understand that completely," Bruce said. "Can you tell me the first date that he was absent for?"
"Certainly." There was a pause as the Principal looked through the records. "September 5th was the last day that he was in school."
Bruce nearly dropped his pen in shock, as he wrote the date down on the paper.
"I'll see what I can do about this," Bruce said. "Thank you for notifying me."
Bruce hung up the phone rather roughly. A moment later, he picked it up again and dialed.
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2:37pm
Bruce sat in the parked Jaguar along the curb across the street from the school. He watched and waited for any signs of his son. Bruce knew that he was early, but he hoped that he could catch David's arrival if he was indeed skipping school. After a few minutes, he looked out the rear view mirror to see a boy walking on his side of the street. Bruce would recognize him anywhere. He watched as David kept his eyes on the pavement. When he was next to the car behind him, Bruce opened the door and stepped out.
"David!"
The boy stopped on the sidewalk and looked up, meeting the eyes of his father.
"Get in the car."
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