Bruce stood silently as the elevator descended. Janie and Charlotte had looks of fascination on their faces. When it reached the bottom, both of the girls' faces fell. Sheesh, Janie thought, you'd think Batman's hideout would be more high tech…Before them was a gigantic concrete room, with no windows, but bright lights. The only things the room contained, were a desk with computer monitors, and a furnace (which Alfred was stuffing papers into). Bruce turned to the girls.
"I'm DEAD serious. Don't. Touch. Anything." And without a backward glance, he walked over to Alfred, who showed him a file.
"This too sir?"
"Anything that could lead back to Rachel or Lucius." The conversation continued while Janie and Charlotte examined the desk. There were no papers on it, but about five large screens with surveillance tapes playing all together. The girls leaned in, trying to figure out…
"GAH!!" Janie screamed, falling backward when the Joker's ugly mug appeared on the screen larger than life, looking smug as he delivered his ultimatum. Bruce and Alfred started, looking over at her. She was sprawled across the ground, her eyes wide and staring ahead. Charlotte laughed, and leaning over her, asked: "You all right?" Janie didn't move, but looked at Charlotte incredulously.
"Alfred, you know that friend in the forest in Burma, with the Ruby…how did you find him?" Bruce asked after a minute, when he was sure the girls' attention was directed elsewhere. Alfred tossed another file into the furnace, and looked at Bruce.
"We burned the whole forest down." Alfred breathed. Bruce opened his mouth to speak, but turned toward the girls, who were staring at them a look of confusion and shock. Alfred cleared his throat, and Bruce looked down.
"Morbid…." Janie muttered after a moment of silence.
……………………………………………………………………………………………....
"I assure you, everything is being done!" Harvey exclaimed desperately. For once in his life, Bruce actually pitied Harvey. From his view in the crowd, Harvey seemed determined, and a little taken aback by the crowd's reaction. Few cameras clicked, and almost no questions were asked. Some press conference…
"Take the Batman into custody!" Harvey yelled. The police took a step forward. Bruce looked down, preparing himself for major humiliation. "I am the Batman." Harvey held his head high; the look on his face was smug and dignified. Bruce stood dumbly, trying to comprehend what had just happened.
……………………………………………………………………………………………....
The second Bruce walked into the penthouse, he was nearly killed.
"UNCLE BRUCE!! I THOUGHT YOU WERE THE BATMAN!! I DON'T UNDERSTAND!" Janie screamed dramatically.
"Yeah! I'm confused!" Charlotte jumped on Bruce's back.
"Don't worry, so am I…" Bruce muttered.