Alfred had seen many unusual things occur in Wayne Manor since Batman had taken residence, and had learned many things a butler would never have touched on with a regular employer. Normal, Alfred thought to himself with a bit of a smile on his face, meaning, of course, that most filthy rich men of an appealing age, were not parading through the streets of the cities every night wearing a black costume with an intense display of weaponry.

Rosa had said something once when she was young, before the senior Waynes had died, "Alfred knows everything." It seemed that this statement had become a prophecy, and one that Alfred minded only a little bearing. He knew things that were only shared between two people, and knew things only three people knew.

To neutralize the feeling of discomfort from the weight of so many secrets was the large chunk of power that now sat on Alfred's shoulders. He was nothing short of a brilliant man, but at the same time, he knew that to be a manservant in a household which was comparable to the royal castles in his homeland, was a position which necessitated nothing short of brilliance.

It was his responsibility to know every room like his own, and to make sure that each crevice and nook in the Manor was matched to someone who would clean it with the utmost love and care. And, of course, being the gentleman's gentleman. Watching over both Bruce and Batman was his utmost priority, as well as being the most important thing he had ever done in his entire life. As soon as Batman emerged from Bruce, Alfred quickly discovered the farthest point of knowing that it is practically impossible to serve two masters, and usually this wasn't a problem, because he just thought about which personality presented itself at any given time. However, tonight, he was worried about both parts of Bruce Wayne.

"Batman" was of course the most current incarnation of his master, but Bruce was in quite a bit of trouble - even though by any standards he didn't exist right now. Alfred took out his pocket watch and opened it with shaking hands. A drop of nervous sweat fell onto the watch's face as Alfred noted that it was almost one hour after the official beginning of Bruce Wayne's incredibly decadent twenty-eighth birthday. The period of no curiosity as to where the guest of honor was quickly slipping away - even for the most infamous playboy in Gotham. Whomever the guests supposed Bruce to be with, or whatever they imagined him doing - all the allowance of improper behavior expected from Bruce Wayne was running out. Alfred looked around the main room once again, noting, once more, the presence of Wayne Enterprises' president, who was looking at his own watch with a grim look on his face.

Of course Alfred knew what was most important, but it was most glaringly important that Bruce arrived soon. Without the cover of Bruce's self, there could be no Batman. Ten more minutes, Alfred thought to himself, and then I'll have to announce something to the crowd. In the meantime, Alfred moved as fast as his body allowed him to the music room, praying to see something of Mr. Wayne.

Simultaneously, a rush of relief and fear ran through Bruce's devoted valet as he saw two figures emerge from the cave's hidden entrance. Bruce, still dressed in his black suit, dangled his cowl dangerously from his pinky finger, both arms wrapped around Rosa Ducard, who was obviously trying to keep herself from sobbing. This was rather counterproductive, as she kept sniffing and coughing, hiding her face in the space between Bruce's shoulder and neck. The cowl dropped from Bruce's hand as he began stroking her hair slowly.

Bruce looked at Alfred, and said in a calm of voice as possible, "Rachel's downstairs, Alfred. I've vaccinated her, and given her a strong sedative. Can I ask you to make sure that she gets home?" In the same breath, Bruce added, "is Lucius Fox here?"

"Yes, Master Bruce," Alfred said very quickly. "And your other guests are becoming restless, I think it would be in your best interest to change and join them. Is Miss… is Rosa alright?"

"I'm f-f-f-fine. You don't have to talk about me in the th-th-th-third person. I just need to sit down f-f-for a bit, I'll be f-f-f-fine."

"As convincing as that is, Rosa…" Bruce started, "… you've just had a lot of shock. I'll help you to your room. I'll come wake you up after the party, we'll get you home, call Jim, all that good stuff, okay?"

Rosa nodded slowly, "Sleep - home - sleep - Jim - Bruce. Go on and lead the way… comfy clothes, sneakers…. Jim."

"Okay then." Bruce looked at Alfred significantly. Alfred nodded, and entered the still-open elevator to the bat cave. "I'll get her home safely, Master Bruce."

"Thank you, Alfred." As Alfred disappeared and the entrance concealed itself again, Bruce very carefully sat Rosa down, and then sat next to her. He kneeled down and took off her heels, then picked the clearly waning Rosa up and carried her toward her room. As he looked down at her, he was relieved to see Rosa's face finally relaxing into a semblance of her normal expression. Her face, though, was still red and swollen, tears still flowing out of the sides of her eyes.

"Damn," Bruce said softly. Rosa had seen some terrifying things in her life as a police officer, but never had she been in the position of watching someone she loved so much slip away so quickly, knowing that there was nothing she could do about it.

In fact, it was the first time Bruce had experienced that particular feeling as well. He hadn't been there for the infection of Rachel, but he had watched from the beams near the ceiling, feeling completely helpless as Rosa was first knocked out by one of thugs working for, then held hostage by Dr. Crane. No, those particular feelings had never graced his stomach before. He'd felt very angry, but for the first time, his anger was directed toward himself. He'd not been watching over Rosa often enough - he should have gone with the both of them the moment they left for Arkham. He should've put together all the facts more quickly : how obvious it seemed, at this moment, to connect Dr. Crane to the drugs-stuffed animals in the apartment, to connect Dr. Crane's very profession and the rumors that ran through Gotham's upper society about him, and how he treated his patients, and how Falcone's goons, and Falcone himself, had ended up in the Asylum instead of in jail.

Why had he been so distracted?

A spritely figure in black danced across his memory, a very awkward figure with red roses and a Zorro-esque black mask, a woman who knew the answers to most of his own questions, and who was always turning up at the wrong times.

But then - Bruce had been so very sure that he was the only one of his kind - and that no one else would dare to do something about the serious crime rate of Gotham. That was a bit arrogant of him, he thought now, in hindsight. Had he really thought that everyone else was fine with going to sleep at night, knowing that something awful could happen to them at any moment? That he was the only one who could be a hero, or had the guts to be one?

By the time he had come out of his epiphany, he was at the door to Rosa's room. He looked down at her one more time, and her eyes were open. "Hey there," she said, a bit awkwardly. Completely relaxed, she cocked her head and stared up at Bruce's face at a different angle. "This… is a bit weird?" She lifted up the corners of her mouth slightly, as if she was a baby being entertained. Bruce wouldn't have been surprised if a little drool slid out of the side of her mouth.

"Er…. Yeah." Bruce said, lifting his head back up and trying to catch the doorknob with one of his occupied hands. He tried at that for about five minutes, then made an executive decision. Very quickly, he transitioned Rosa from a horizontal position, and carefully laid her over one of his shoulders.

"Whooo!" Rosa cried delightfully. "That was fun."

Rolling his eyes, Bruce opened the door with his now-free hand, and heard from behind him, "You've got a very nice ass, you know."

Bruce stood very still.

"It's very, well, it's a nice little bumpy rump." Rosa continued. Bruce let out a sound that might have been a protestation had he been a bit more with himself, as he felt a hand reach down and pat his bum lovingly. "Nice job, there."

Bruce coughed uncomfortably, and said, "O-kay. You really need to get some sleep."

"Okay," said a very contented Rosa. "Will you be staying?" Bruce took Rosa off his shoulder and tried to steady her as she experimentally tried to stand on her feet. It wasn't working very well, she was wobbling all over the place, so ended up leaning against Bruce's chest as his arms shot out to catch her.

"Sorry, I have to be somewhere else - there's a party going on for me right now…" Bruce explained in a voice that made it clear he thought Rosa was completely out of it.

"Okay… Can I come?"

"After sleep."

"Oh-kay."

Bruce took down the covers, then slipped Rosa on top of the bed, and brought the covers back over her. Her eyes were slowly closing, but the lazy smile was still on her lips. Bruce turned around and started to quietly make his way toward the door.

"Hey?" Rosa said quietly.

Bruce cursed to himself as he turned around, forcing a compliant smile on his face.

"Come here for a sec. Here, sit down," Rosa feebly patted a space on the bed.

"I have to get to my party, remember?"

"Yeah, yeah. But hey, can I tell you a secret?"

"…Sure?" Bruce leant his head down toward Rosa's.

"I think you're the coolest, best, sexiest, most capable superhero I know," she said, then grabbed Bruce's face between her hands, and kissed him very firmly.

Bruce made a desperate attempt to disconnect, but Rosa was holding on tight, and Bruce was beginning to respond. The Batsuit was not made for sudden anatomical changes in the body. Damnit! He thought to himself as he brought one arm around Rosa to pull her closer.

Rosa smiled into his lips, and Bruce's resistance crumbled. Rosa's hand went around his neck, and he began to grab at her hair, and about ten seconds later they parted, panting.

"Yay," said Rosa, looking into Bruce's eyes, and then she flumped back down on the pillow, closed her eyes, and in seconds, began to snore.