A/N: Okay guys, just a few more chapters and it will all be over (tear) you've been great, seriously. Anyway, hope you like the chapter- things actually get rolling! Read, Relax, Review, Enjoy!
Only Human
Chapter 12
Bruce growled softly in frustration. It had been almost a week and a half since he had returned to Gotham and, in the dark knight's opinion, the first eight days spent drifting in and out of consciousness while concentrating on amplifying and aiding his body's natural healing abilities should have been more than enough to get him back on his feet. Alfred had disagreed. Still, the Butler had conceded him the use of a computer, providing he remained in bed. Alfred may be one of the few people on the planet that could make the Batman do something he did not want to do, but even he knew not to press his luck.
Bruce stifled a few choice words and resisted an almost overwhelming urge to put his fist through the screen. The relatively small database and computing power of the laptop simply could not meet his needs. It moved incredibly slowly and the cursed machine kept freezing up whenever he asked it to run more than ten programs. This would not do. Not if he was going to end this bomb threat once and for all. He would not fail again. Alfred was just going to have to understand that.
He eased himself out of bed, grabbing a blanket from its foot, and made his slow way to the super computer that occupied the large dais in the center of the cave. Bruce sat gratefully in the chair's cushioning, supporting structure and actually sighed. The chair was one of his rare indulgements. He designed and built it to fit his person exactly and to give him the utmost comfort and support during his long hours positioned before the cave's glowing screens. After all, the last thing the Dark Knight needed was to develop back pains from uncomfortable chairs. Or, at least, that was how he rationalized it. How ever one chose to look at it, his 'indulgence' could not help but aid his present condition, and his condition needed all the aid it could obtain.
1…1
"Well, sir, I do hope you are hungry because I have just made the most-" the normally collected British butler almost dropped his tray when he saw the empty med lab.
"Over here Alfred," growled Bruce from the main cavern. Alfred slid carefully around the corner, unsure what to expect. From the master's tone he was either in great pain or extremely annoyed.
"Bruce?" asked Alfred fearfully when he saw the dark figure hunched over the key board. "What in haven's name do you think you're doing?" there was an ominous pause. "Bruce…are you alright?"
"I can't do it Alfred…" mumbled Bruce with his head cradled in his hands. "I've failed; he's going to get away."
"Master Bruce, I'm sure that everything will resolve itself," he said carefully, fearing that the master had perhaps re-injured himself "I think that, perhaps, it would be best if you returned to the med lab." He put a guiding hand on the younger man's shoulder, only to have it violently shrugged off. Or as violently as Bruce could muster.
"Alfred," he growled "I am not an invalid, nor am I delusional. There just isn't enough evidence, we were so close!" He pounded his fist on the console. "He left just enough clues that we would know it was him but be helpless to do anything about it." Alfred took a moment to look over all the active screens; suddenly he completely understood the master's feelings.
"Oh, him. Sir, I am sorry, and after all the sorrow he has brought on the world."
"And will continue to bring," agreed Bruce dejectedly. There was a lengthy silence, suddenly Bruce's head shot up and began working the keyboard furiously.
"Sir?"
"Not now Alfred." Alfred recognized the tone and knew to take no offense.
"What shall I do with your meal?"
"Just put it over there," he said distractedly. Alfred sighed knowing that, while at least some of the specially prepared meal would be eaten, it would certainly not be savored. Ah, the curse of the butler.
1…1
"Master Bruce?" inquired Alfred mildly as he approached to collect the used tray.
"I've put the plan together," announced Bruce in a tone that bordered dangerously on happy. "All of it. I need to contact the Justice League."
"Well, I'm very happy for you I'm sure," said Alfred placing the tray back down on the console and looking not the least bit exited, "but you cannot possibly be contemplating another excursion so soon. Sir, you barely-"
"Alfred!" interrupted Bruce sternly; he did not need to be reminded of his past mistakes. "This is important." He paused, taking notice of the worry and concern written into the older man's face "Besides I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to test the new suit." Alfred knew Bruce well enough to recognize this as the apology it was intended to be. And he understood the compromise Bruce was offering.
The suit in question was something Alfred had insisted on designing and building despite Bruce's protests. Not only did it employ a homing signal that Alfred could pick up even on the Watchtower, but it also contained a full array of bio sensors so that he could monitor the Batman's health at all times. In an attempt to make the suit more palatable to an extremely skeptical Batman, Alfred had even built in strategic supports and gadgetry that would increase the wearer's strength and take a great deal of strain off his all too human shoulders. The project had not been a resounding success. Master Bruce hated the thought of being 'checked up on' and insisted that he could look out for himself. Even the strength enhancements did little to endear it to the young master, as he said that it would be far too easy to rely on the suit as opposed to his own crime fighting prowess. The suit had never even been out of the cave. Until tonight, it would seem.
Alfred helped Bruce into the last pieces of the new suit. He was confident that the slight extra bulk would be hidden by the Dark Knight's cloak. The suit would do its job, of this he was sure. And it was the only reason he was allowing this to happen, but that didn't mean he had to be happy about it.
"Sir, are you absolutely certain that I can't talk you out of this?"
"Alfred…"
"Quite, sir. Still, in light of your still dubious state of health, minght it be too much to ask that the Batman remain in the shadows, as it were?"
"I'll do my best," replied Bruce, which was the best the butler could hope for. Bruce slid on the cowl, attached the cape, and headed toward the Bat-Wing, leaving Alfred alone in the fluctuating glow of the computer screens. The butler sank into the seat and stared at the medical readouts that would accompany him on this night's vigil. Some nights he actually felt he was the age his old bones tried to tell him he was.
A/N: Bum, bum, bum. Who it the bad guy? Will he actually be caught? Well I'm not going to tell you! (not yet anyway) So, review, come on, tell me what you think! Have mercy on a story that is winding down!
Speaking of reviews, an increadably greatful shout out to those who showed their continued support by reviewing last chapter: Saibachick, Valandil, Lynn, EvilHamsterMastermind, and RedSoxGirl5
