A/N: Last chapter, our two favorite heroes decided to become partners in Bruce's scheme, and now are dealing with the immediate fallout, plus, the return of our favorite conspiracy theorist. This is a long one, but I have a lot of bases to cover.

Just a note, since there is the problem of Olivia's training, and the fact that Bruce completely destroyed the League of Shadows' base, I am inserting three weeks into the Batman Begins timeline. I don't think Cragen/Ra's al Ghul could assemble the League of Shadows so quickly after such a disaster. It makes more sense this way, plus fitting with the new story arc.

Love it? Hate it? Please review!

Disclaimer: Blah, blah, blah, I don't own it, [insert angry rant here].

Chapter 11: The Day After

Pulling into the parking lot of the 1-6 precinct, Olivia felt exhausted. After a long, sleepless night at (and underneath) Wayne Manor, she still wore the hastily donned clothes from scrambling to get to the pier when Elliot called last night. Taking a minute to check herself out in the mirror, Olivia noticed she had bags under her eyes, her face was pale from lack of sleep, and her dark, bob-cut hair was a mess. "Face it Benson, you look like you spent the last two nights in an alley." A wide grin spread across her face. "Yet I feel happy." It was true, she was happy. For the second time in her life, the first being when she first joined SVU, Olivia felt like she was going to make a difference and get justice for all the deserving victims that the system screwed over. Still beaming, she stepped out of her car and headed for work.

"Hey Benson," hollered Brian Cassidy, as smug and vile as ever. "You look like you slept in a ditch. If you're having problems with insomnia, I could certainly help with that." God, she wanted to beat the living shit out of him. Deciding it would do more harm than good, and the fact she wasn't about to let a slug like him ruin her mood, Olivia simply gave him the finger.

"Classy," smirked Elliot, walking into the bullpen from the Captain's office. "Morning Liv," he said amiably, handing her a cup of coffee. "Wow, you certainly can roll with the lack of sleep better than the rest of us. You actually look happy."

Olivia smiled warmly at her partner. Unlike most others in her life, he actually gave the time and energy to actually care to notice her moods. "Thanks El; I'm just glad Falcone's put behind bars for good," she replied, which wasn't false. Sipping the coffee, she smiled again at her partner. It was just the way Olivia liked, not just better than Munch's old coffee (a cup of battery acid had more appeal).

"You don't want to do that Liv," Elliot said as she was about to sit at her desk.

"Why? Do we have a case?"

"Nope, but Munch wants to see all of us at One PP right away."

"What? I thought the arrests were by the book."

"They were; this is about the Batman. Munch is pissed, and the Mayor is giving him hell which is pissing him off even more."

'Oh Bruce," Olivia thought, 'What have you gotten yourself into? Hell, what have I gotten myself into?'

"The mood of our illustrious former Captain is moot. The point is we better haul ass to One PP," said Cassidy, rising out of his chair. "Olivia, it would be a pleasure to give you a ride in my BMW."

"The very idea makes my skin crawl Cassidy," she replied coldly, angry that he used her first name without permission, "I'll ride with Elliot thank you very much." With that she stormed off to the elevator, motioning for Elliot to follow.

Glaring at Cassidy, Elliot decided to give him a piece of his mind. "Look Cassidy, when can you get it under your thick skull that she's not interested? Move on to some bimbo who you have a less than zero shot with and spare all of us the discomfort." Not waiting for his response, Elliot stormed off to join his partner.

Reaching the elevator, he caught Olivia smiling at him. "Thanks El," she whispered, grateful that he stuck up for her. He was almost like the older brother she never had.

"Asshole had it coming."

"Very true. Now let's see what Munch has cooked up for us."

"Ten bucks says he mentions the CIA at least once," smirked Elliot, since the Commissioner's penchant for conspiracy theories was well known.

"I'm not taking a bet that I will surely lose El."

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"Do you see this," shouted Commissioner John Munch, his usual needling demeanor hidden by his anger. He hefted an early morning addition of the Gotham City Ledger, whose headline read: "Mob Boss Busted! Falcone taken down by Bat. "This is unacceptable! Listen up people, this is now your top priority. Find this crazy bastard in a bat costume."

"I heard it could be an actual bat that escaped the zoo," remarked Captain Arnold Flass of the 2-7, which elicited several laughs from the others present.

"I don't care if this was some deranged nut, a rival gang, a group of coked up shitheads, escaped Martians from Area 51, the Rand Corporation, or CIA assassination teams," at that Elliot winked at Olivia, who sniggered a bit. "Eh hem?" Olivia looked up to see Munch staring at her. "Is there something funny in this entire thing Benson?"

"No Commissioner, I'm just wondering why you're so angry about this. I mean, while I don't approve of his methods, the Batman did us a huge favor right?"

"This 'Batman' is a menace and must be stopped at all costs."

"May I add my two cents to this discussion," inquired Elliot, trying to break the tension between his friend and his boss. "He did just give us Falcone on a silver platter."

"No one takes the law into their own hands in my city Elliot, and I want all of you to work on getting him off the street, got it?"

"Yes Commissioner," they all chanted. 'Great job Benson,' Olivia thought, 'All your friends and coworkers will be hunting you down now.' "Excuse me Munch?"

Munch looked up at her, one of his eyebrows raised. "Yes Olivia?"

"Sorry about earlier. I guess I'm still getting used to you being the head honcho and all. We miss you over at the 1-6, though we don't miss your coffee."

Chuckling, Munch sat down at his desk. "I don't miss my coffee either. I know what you're feeling Olivia, and believe me, I'm just as excited about getting Falcone too. What's the latest on his vics?"

"Well, most of them are traumatized, but none were raped thank God. We're contacting the Honduran Consulate to get them sent home."

"Good." Munch furrowed his brow. "Is that all?"

Olivia cleared her throat, thinking of how to explain this. "I would like a leave of absence for the next three weeks or so."

"Are you sure Olivia? Back when I was your Captain you never took more than a day off."

'Well Munch, I'm going to Wayne Manor to join up with the Batman, who happens to be my best friend Bruce Wayne,' but Olivia knew that she couldn't say that. What to do? "My mother's not feeling well these days," she blurted (which was technically true). "I want to take some time off to take care of her."

"Ah," replied Munch, one of the few people in the department who knew of Olivia's troubled relationship with her mother. Thankfully for her, he decided not to pry. "Ok Liv, I think that's possible, though you're new captain would have to sign off on it."

"Thanks John; have a good one." She gave him an award-winning smile and left the office, seeing Elliot waiting outside the door. "You heard everything didn't you?"

"Guilty," he replied, looking like a five year old caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "Just wanted to wait and make sure Cassidy didn't ambush you for the billionth time this month. Listen, if you need any help with your mother, you can call me or Kathy. We'd be glad to lend a helping hand."

"You are so sweet Elliot Stabler. Kathy is one lucky woman." At that moment, her phone rang. "Benson."

"Hey Liv, it's Alex."

"Hey Alex." 'One minute,' she mouthed to her partner, heading to a private corner in the hallway. "What's up?"

"I was wondering if my favorite cousin would like to take a night off from dealing with the scum of the earth and join me for a girls' night. I know this fancy new hotel that has the best prime rib in the city."

Olivia smiled; she spent most of her time as Badass Benson, the scourge of rapists and sex criminals across the city, and now she was going to add masked vigilante on top of that. She deserved a chance to act like a regular girl for once. "Sounds great Alex; you'll pick me up?"

"You got it, see you tonight."

'Well Liv, better have fun tonight, for tomorrow begins the first day of your new life.'

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"Rise and shine sir! Your tea is getting cold." shouted Alfred cheerfully, opening the curtains to let the bright rays of the sun in.

Bruce pulled the sheet over his face, his slumber disturbed. "Bats are nocturnal," he groaned.

"They may be sir, but even for billionaire playboys, three PM is pushing it." He set the tray of tea and a protein shake on the nightstand, knowing Master Bruce preferred a simple breakfast. "The price of leading a double life I fear."

Groaning once more, Bruce suddenly jerked upward, his eyes wide. "Alfred, the drugs must have warped my mind, because I had a very strange dream last night."

"If your dream was about Miss Olivia sir, then I'm afraid it was most real."

"Damn it Liv," whimpered Bruce, sagging back onto the bed. "How could I have let her go through with it? I should have stopped her."

"Miss Olivia has always had a stubborn streak," replied Alfred, amused at the whole situation. "Once she sets her mind to something, I'd be hard pressed to find anyone strong enough to stop her. Even a certain masked vigilante."

"Much as I'd prefer otherwise, you are right. Have you heard from her at all this morning?"

"Ah yes as a matter of fact," said Alfred, picking up a note and a copy of the Gotham City Ledger. "First, she wants to confirm you and her little visit to the Applied Sciences Division tomorrow."

"I have to stop making promises after two AM," mumbled Bruce.

"Always a good philosophy Master Bruce. Her second point was to recommend today's paper. Your theatrics made an impression."

Taking the paper in his hand, the headline was enough to jolt Bruce out of his groggy state for good. "Theatricality and deception are powerful weapons Alfred; this is a good start."

Inspecting his various battle scars from last night's escapades, Alfred pointed at his ward. "Miss Olivia might have a plausible excuse for those, being in the constabulary and all, but if those injuries are the prelude to many more to come, I suggest you do something about it. I mean, strange injuries, a nonexistent social life, these things beg the question as to what things does Bruce Wayne do with his time and money."

Chugging down the protein shake in one large swig, Bruce hopped on the ground and started doing his morning (or afternoon) routine of pushups. "What does someone like me do Alfred?"

Alfred shrugged, "Drive sports cars, date foreign models, buy things that are not for sale, etcetera, etcetera. Just remember, if you try to have fun, you might have some by accident."

"Hmm," grunted Bruce, going at his third set of ten. "I think I'll take the Lamborghini tonight."

"You always had good taste sir."

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Bruce pulled up his brand new Lamborghini Murcielago, earning looks from the entire hotel staff. "Nice car!" exclaimed the valet, not ever thinking he would even see one of these, let alone drive one (for a short while anyway).

"Thanks," said Bruce, handing him the keys. Muttering softly, he added, "You should see my other one." To the continued stares and jealous curses coming out of the mouth of every guy present, Bruce opened the passenger side door, helping out two gorgeous European Beauties here for next week's Victoria Secret Fashion Show.

An hour later, Bruce was enjoying some post-dinner conversation with several of Gotham's high society. As he expected, the conversation quickly turned to the Batman. "He's done something the police have never done," concluded one woman.

"But you can't take the law into your own hands," interjected a man, "It just invites chaos. Bruce, help me out here."

"Well," Bruce said, smirking, "Anyone who dresses up like a bat clearly has issues." He silently thanked God Olivia wasn't here; he didn't particularly want his ass kicked six ways to Sunday.

"He's put Falcone behind bars," continued the woman, not wanting to lose the argument. "If the police want to take him down, I think it's jealousy."

"Sir," Bruce turned his head to see the hotel manager standing next to him. "The pool is for decoration, and your friends don't have swimwear. I'm afraid you'll have to leave." Bruce turned to see his dates frolicking in the pool.

"Well, their European," he replied, earning a laugh from his companions. "Besides, I'm buying this hotel, and I am changing the rules regarding the pool area." He slipped a check into the man's dinner jacket and jumped in to join his dates.

Outside, Alex and Olivia dropped off Alex's car and entered the hotel. "There is no way Falcone's goons can bury the bust now, not with the amount of press coverage it's been given."

"And I presume Judge Taft is on board?" asked Olivia, grinning.

"Turned white as a ghost when I showed him the photos. Next thing I know, Falcone's remanded to County."

"One problem out of the way, but what about this bat guy? Might screw everything up." Partners though they may be now, if the case tanked because of him, Olivia was determined to kick Bruce's ass, fancy training or not.

Alex scoffed. "Even if they admit in court to being thrashed by a giant bat, which makes Munch's theories look like the Warren Commission, we've got Falcone dead to rights."

"Ok, so when does the trial start?"

"Seriously Liv," Alex blurted, "Enough about work. When was the last time you've been out on a date?"

Looking up at the hotel ceiling, Olivia contorted her face into a lampoon thinking expression. "I'll have to say, not in a year or so. What about you? That Dent guy from IAB has the hots for you."

"No he does not! Tonight we're dressed in our best, and neither of us is leaving until we get a date."

She was right, for between Alex's turquoise evening gown and Olivia's dark purple one, they were a pair of head turners. Several guys, some with women of their own, stared at them as they walked by. Even still, "Alex, come on, no dates. Let's just have a fun ladies night."

"Wet noodle," Alex smirked, before her attention was drawn to a man in a wet suit leading two robed girls to the exit. "Bruce?"

The man turned sharply, revealing that is was in fact Bruce Wayne. "Alex." His smug grin was replaced with an embarrassed smile. Stunned for a moment, he recovered his wits and glanced at Olivia. "Hey Liv."

"Looks like you're having fun, eh Bruce," she said, laughing. Inwardly though, she was feeling slightly jealous that her friend was more interested in her cousin than her. 'What are you doing Benson? Where did this come from?' The feeling passed quickly, and she patted Alex on the shoulder. "I'll give you some time to catch up. Evening Bruce," she called out to him as she walked to the bar.

Now just the two of them, Alex smiled warmly and looked straight at Bruce. "I heard you were back." When Bruce just nodded his head, his mouth not forming any intelligible words, she continued. "What were you doing?"

"I was, uh, swimming," which was technically true. He quickly switched gears. "Wow, it's good to see you."

"You were gone a long time."

Bruce nodded, smiling widely even though his stomach was churning. 'It's just Alex Bruce, calm down.' "How are things?"

"The same; job's getting worse by the day though."

"Can't change the world on your own," he declared, smiling but still trembling inside.

She smiled sweetly at him; even when they were kids, she was always the nicest of the group, saving her passion for court. "What choice do I have, when you're too busy swimming?"

That hit Bruce like a knife to the heart. "Alex," he confessed, "All of – this, it's not – me. I am more inside."

"Come on Bruce," called his dates from the door. "We have more hotels for you to buy!"

"Bruce, deep down you may be that same great kid underneath, but it's not who you are. It's what you do that defines you." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and left to join Olivia.

Bruce sighed and turned toward the exit. "If you only knew," he whispered, no one hearing but himself.

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Feeling nervous, more so than the day she first arrived at SVU (which was saying something), Olivia watched as the elevator descended floor after floor. Since Bruce was the owner of Wayne Enterprises, it had been easy to get her a guest pass, but even in a cream colored blouse and business skirt, Olivia felt out of place.

"Liv," said Bruce, squeezing her hand, "If you don't want to go through with this, it's not too late to forget the entire thing."

Olivia glared at him with an icy look. "What? You think a girl can't handle it?" she spat, her nervousness morphing into anger.

Smirking, Bruce chuckled. "I knew that'd ease the tension."

Realizing what he did, Olivia jabbed him in the stomach with her elbow. "Cocky bastard," she laughed. He really did know how to make her feel better.

An inventory report in his left hand, Lucius Fox raised a mug of coffee to his lips, mind in deep thought. 'Why would Earle authorize the transport of a microwave emitter? The American, British, Israeli, and Australian Governments all refused to purchase.' The only answer available to him was that Earle found another buyer, while not illegal, was certainly a contract violation. "What's the damn point?" he sighed, setting the inventory listing down. This job was all he had, and a bad reference would doom his chances for another. Fox was the proverbial poor dumb bastard caught between a rock and a hard place.

The sound of the elevator opening shook him out of his reverie. "Ah, if it isn't Mr. Wayne." His eyes widened, "And who is your lovely guest?" remarked Fox, thoroughly glad for this new interruption from his boredom.

"Good morning Mr. Fox. May I introduce to you my friend Olivia Benson."

"It is nice to meet you Mr. Fox," said Olivia, extending her hand, taking an instant liking to Lucius Fox. As a detective she could read people quite well, and Lucius Fox seemed like a man of good character.

Fox bowed slightly and kissed her hand, being a true gentleman of the old-school. "Likewise Miss Benson. One doesn't get to meet too many people down here, so every visitor is welcome. Now, what can I do for you two?" he asked, wondering if this was one of Mr. Wayne's many bimbo dates. He certainly wouldn't be a glorified tour guide.

"Well Mr. Fox, I was telling Olivia about my many extracurricular activities, and she is very interested."

"I was especially curious Bruce about your spelunking and base-jumping adventures. You did say Mr. Fox was the best at equipping someone for that?"

Stunned for a moment, Fox grinned and shook his head. "Oh where did you find this woman Mr. Wayne? She seems like a keeper." Bruce laughed while Olivia blushed, making Bruce laugh harder.

"I'll be sure to take that under advisement Mr. Fox. Now, what can you do for my friend?"

"I gather she would want the standard package?"

"I guess so," replied Olivia, trying to contain her excitement. 'God, I'm like a child on Halloween! Keep cool Benson.'

"Well, you are in luck Miss Benson. You see, when I developed the Infantry Armor for the Israeli Defense Forces, I also prepared a version to fit female combat troops." He punched in a code on the keypad and opened the air-sealed drawer. "This up to specification?"

Inspecting the strong yet lightweight armor, Olivia looked at Bruce. "Seems like the perfect spelunking gear to me."

"No objections here; now, let's get you set up for base-jumping. Nothing can quite beat the thrill of that," he said, tipping her a wink.

"I'll take that under advisement," she replied, a smirk plastered on her face. "Now Mr. Fox; I do not want my set of gear to be an exact duplicate of Bruce's. Do you have anything exclusive for me to use?" she asked, smiling sweetly.

"Hmm?" Fox rubbed his bearded chin, thinking. "I believe I have just the thing, only if Mr. Wayne doesn't object. He is the one who signs my paycheck after all."

Olivia giving Bruce her best 'Badass Benson' glare, she replied, "I'm certain Bruce will not object, right?"

Chuckling softly, knowing when he was beat, Bruce lifted his hands in a token of surrender. "Nope, and I promise I won't get too jealous."

"Cocky bastard," Olivia muttered. "So Mr. Fox, what have you got for me and me only?" She sent Bruce another glare.

Strolling to another locked cabinet, Fox returned with a small plastic container. "This is a real beauty Miss Benson," he said, opening the box.

"What is it?"

"It's an electrical stun device, sort of like a taser but attached to the arm like a set of brass knuckles. At full blast, this baby can send out a current which is primed to an exact frequency, which will cause a complete relaxation of a, oh let's say an attacking animal's, muscles in the contact region."

Grinning fiercely, Olivia picked up her newest toy. 'All mine!' "Why wasn't it sold?"

"The charge required a lot of energy, and because of that, the max rate we could use was one charge per hour. Since it was being designed for the Army Special Forces, that was considered too long a delay. It would work wonders the sort of sticky situations experienced by a spelunking, base-jumping billionaire don't you think Miss Benson?" She nodded.

A long and interesting hour later, Olivia had filled her hypothetical shopping cart with a treasure trove of Applied Sciences' latest and greatest. "Well is that everything Bruce? Those caves won't get explored without us."

"I think we've got everything, unless Mr. Fox has anything left?"

Fox suddenly remembered something. "Actually Mr. Wayne, the Tumbler you ordered is ready. Would you and Miss Benson like to take a first look?"

"Tumbler Bruce?" asked Olivia, slightly confused as to why her friend was sharing a naughty look with Mr. Fox. "What are you grinning about?" She would have none of it.

"I think this is something Olivia should see Lucius," said Bruce, wrapping an arm around his friend's shoulder, leading her to the test track.

"Well Mr. Wayne, Miss Benson, what do you think?"

Jaw dropping, Olivia gave Bruce a sidelong look. "Why shouldn't I have known you'd do something like this? I mean," she spread her arms, covering the entire vehicle, "This just screams you!"

"I take it the lady is quite taken by it Mr. Wayne."

"The LADY," replied Olivia, not liking how they were referring to her in the third person, "Loves it!" which made Bruce's turn to have his jaw drop. 'Well this is Badass Benson' he reminded himself. "It's just, does it have to be so, black?" Olivia was not amused about how hard Bruce laughed at that.

A/N: There we go; longest chapter yet. Next up is the training, with a little suspense for the rest of the story.

I added a little cause I wanted Olivia to have something that was her own in her batsuit. It'll come in handy later ;)

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