Disclaimer. Except for original characters, I have no legal rights to Batman and other characters from DC Comics. Read on, the ride's in motion. And I do apologize for the horrendous delay in getting this finished, it's not fair to the few readers that have been interested to wait this long. RL came up and bit me, and it's only been recently that I had the gumption to consider writing again, let alone on a story that haunted me so much when I originally started it.

Chapter Thirteen – Curse

"We're here, Father Tyler." Leslie pulled the car to one side of the circular drive in front of Wayne Manor, and shut off the engine. Tyler sat still for a few more moments, then opened the passenger side door and stepped out into the bitter morning wind. He could hear few remaining leaves on the limbs rattling in the winds, and there was the scent of pine in the air. Leslie came around the side of the car, and took his arm. "It's a bit slick out here, I'll help you over the grounds."

"That would be a good idea, as I've no clue where the front door is to this place. Grab my pack from the backseat, please?" Dr. Thompson reached into the back of the car and retrieved the pack, then turned them towards the front entry. They were at the door when it swung open, revealing Alfred. "Ah, Dr. Thompson, you have returned. And who might this be, so I can offer a proper welcome?"

Leslie spoke up. "This is Father Tyler, an old friend of mine. He's a priest, and might be able to help us all out of this mess. He might need some assistance in getting around the Manor, and to other locations of priority."

Tyler grinned. "What she forgot to say is that I might need a guiding hand for some of this quite literally, as I am completely blind. Young adult accident with oncoming traffic." He offered out a hand. "Hope that I'm of some help here. By your voice, you must be Alfred, right? Leslie did at least tell me that there's a very small staff around here during the mornings."

Alfred took a breath, then accepted the offered hand. "During most hours, it is only myself in the Manor. Thank you for coming all this way on such short notice, Master Tyler."

Tyler raised an eyebrow, and offered up a fake pout. "Alright, that's going to have to fade out in a hurry. I'm either Tyler or Father Tyler. Some have even gotten away with calling me Padre, and were nice enough to let me know that it basically stands for the same thing. I'm no one's master, in this life or the next. You sound like a smart individual, give it a try. You'll be amazed how fast I answer to it."

Alfred offered a slight smile. "Father Tyler it is then, young sir."

Tyler smiled. "See, that's not too hard. Now, please lead on to the man, or woman, that's in need of some help." Leslie took a gentle hold on his arm, and all three headed into the warm twilight that made up the light in the main part of the Manor. The trio headed to the stairs, and after a few moments, Tyler found a bit of courage to head down the irregular steps.

"Not one to complain too much, but is there a reason that this particular stairway had to be so uneven? My feet are in petrification at the idea of this. I'm fine in my head, by the way, but this is really upsetting my knees and toes."

Alfred sighed, and responded. "It was done to unnerve anyone that found their way to this area of the Manor."

"Well, it's working." Tyler reached out and touched a nearby wall, running his hand over it for a moment. "That's bedrock, and we're heading down quite a ways. How far underground are we heading?"

Alfred took a quick glance over at Leslie, who shrugged. She answered him. "Not too much farther, and we'll be on the main platform down here. I don't know how we're going to get you to our patient, but I'm sure that we'll think of something."

Tyler smiled. "Oh, I'll get my subject out of wherever the hiding place might be, that's part of the job description. It's this mentioning of platforms that has me slightly giddy. Far enough up, that I could fall to my death, by chance?"

Alfred answered that particular question. "I am afraid so, Father Tyler. It was never designed for those that are... well, there is no railing... and there are some quite deep caverns under that location."

"I can keep from falling, Alfred." Turning his face one way, then another, he smiled. "There's a lot of open air in front of us. That platform you spoke of?"

"How can you tell, the air is not moving in any manner."

"Part of my charm. Now shoo you two, and find another spot to park that one that's sound asleep over there." Leslie and Alfred glanced at each other, then over to Robin where he was resting silently. He was not even snoring. Tyler held out his hand. "May I have my pack, Leslie? It's being testy, and hiding from me today." She placed it in the outstretched hand, and stepped back.

"Tyler, this is a bad idea. What happens if he attacks you, or shoves you over an edge? You need someone here, if only for guidance around."

"Don't worry. I can handle myself, and there is always that Guy Upstairs that will keep me as safe as I need to be. Now turn off all the lights, and leave me to my duty."

Alfred spoke up. "This is not your duty, young man."

Though the eyes stayed still, Tyler's face became quite serious. "Oh, yes it is. It's my duty and honor and many other words that mean everything to me. There is someone here that needs help. It's my meaning in life, to help where I can." Tyler reached out, and after a few tries found Alfred's arm. "I don't usually explain myself to others, but you're owed a bit. Bruce is a good soul, I know it. I want him back in this world, just as much as you want him here. I made vows, I made promises, and I plan to live a long time." He lowered his voice, and continued. "Now, head upstairs with the nice lady beside you and that young man sleeping over there, drink some tea, and cry a bit. Talk to God. Talk to friends. I'll do my best to put this all back to rights."

"He has been my friend for a lifetime, Father Tyler. I feel that, somehow, this is my fault, that I did not watch closely enough, ask enough questions, to stop this from happening."

"None of us can save those that have no desire to be saved. That's not the case here, not by any distance. We all come to a dark point in our lives, a point where we do rather foolish things to make it all make sense to us, to somehow save the world. Bruce made a decision, and it was a bad one, that's all. But a situation is never hopeless, never so far beyond God's hands that miracles can't happen. We are all children of that Higher Power, and we all are put here for a reason. Perhaps this is why I'm here, in this cavern, about to risk it all for someone I've never met in the flesh."

"He's hurting." Alfred stiffened his back, refusing to cry. Tyler smiled.

"And I plan to ease that pain. He's in good hands. And when I've finished, I expect both of you to make an appearance at the church of your upbringing to thank God personally. He is always listening, we just get too busy to hear Him." Softer, he continued. "Shoo. Go. You could use some caffeine. I'm sure a good British guy like you can brew up a magnificent batch of Earl Grey." He grinned. "Save me a cup, no sugar or lemon or honey, very chilled if you don't mind. This is going to be thirsty work."

Nodding, Alfred motioned over to the sleeping Grayson, and the two wheeled his bed to one of the elevators. It was not until they were in one of the studies sipping tea, that it dawned on Alfred. "Just how did he know that this was about Master Bruce?"

Leslie glanced up. "He knows he's at Wayne Manor. Most likely he figured it out from that. Tyler's been an odd man, since the accident that took his sight."

"Who's blind? And where's Bruce?" The two looked up from their teacups, so see a battered but dressed Grayson standing by the door.

"Dick, you need to be resting!" Exclaimed Leslie, as she rose to her feet. The bandages and cast on his leg didn't seem to be slowing him down, as he entered the study. Limping slightly, he motioned for her to sit, and pulled up his own battered chair.

"Can't sleep any more, too worried. Was it my imagination, or is there someone in the Bat Cave that's not supposed to be there?"

Alfred poured him a cup of the tea, and deftly wrapped a reading blanket over Dick's shoulders. "If you insist on being out of bed, you should at least stay warm."

"I'll be fine. Now, who's Tyler?"