A Common Need
By J. "Mysterious Wind" Ruisu
Chapter Twenty-One
Harvey
Alfred had apparently told Rachel when my flight was landing, and where (a fact he neglected to fill me in on), and she was waiting for me. Her hair was pulled to one side in a low pony-tail, something that looked surprisingly good on her, and for once she wore a casual t-shirt and hoodie, along with a jean skirt. My heart, despite everything, quickened gently at her smile, and I let one of my own creep across my lips.
"Hey, sweetheart." Rachel chimed before hugging me tightly. For a moment, I felt worry spread through me; what if she smelled him on me? What if she'd suspected all along? No, I shook my head, quickly covering it up by pressing my nose into her hair.
"Hey," I grumbled, hugging her tightly for a moment longer before pulling away.
Rachel gazed at me for a moment, and I knew that neither of us were conscious of the bustling crowd filling the airport. "You know I wasn't serious when I said that I was pregnant, right?" she questioned suddenly, accounting my silence for stress about that – I actually laughed.
"I'm glad I am back," I confessed, refusing to say the word 'home'. I could never say that again.
"Me, too." As we began to walk from the airport, Rachel slipped her hand into mine. "Did you find any leads?"
I winced. "I honestly don't know," I confessed.
Bruce
Alfred gazed at me impatiently, a slight bit of awe filling his face as I gazed absently out of the window. "You are not the sort to hide things, Master Wayne. At least not from me. Please; what happened? Did you fight? Wasn't as if no one saw that coming..." the Brit tilted his head to one side.
I sighed. "The opposite."
Alfred leaned back, a bit, and I took the moment to breath in deeply, the scent of a strong brewing tea in the distance. "God forbid you get along with the man. I thought that you admired him?"
My brows involuntarily dug downwards. "Admiration and friendship are two different things." Alfred hadn't understood. Of course he hadn't; he wasn't a mind reader. I hadn't expected (nor wanted) him to, had I? So why did I feel so horrible and misunderstood as I followed along with the 'friendship'? Unless that was British slang for... whatever you would call that. A weekend stand? I wouldn't admit it to myself, but I had seen it coming...
"I need to get out, Alfred." I decided, desperately searching every region of my mind for something that would not remind me of what I'd done, and finding nothing.
"You were just out, Master." Alfred twitched an eyebrow.
"Out. I don't want any of this, any more. I don't want Batman, I don't want Rachel, I don't want money, I don't want a name; hell, Alfred, I don't want to live, at this point. Not if it is going to be like this."
I felt the worry spill out of Alfred's eyes. "What are you talking about, Master Wayne?"
I sighed, and let my head drop down into my hands. "You know I am not going to tell you, Alfred."
The old man sighed. "Suppose I do, Bruce." he shook his head, disappointment a practically tangible aura around him, and I felt relief pool in my stomach as he walked away, leaving his tea behind.
Author's Note: This is short, but don't freak out, because 22 will be up very soon. I was going to try to get it done tonight, but I am just too freakin' tired. I decided to write this short because what happens next would be kind of silly to have in one chapter... it just wouldn't 'match'. Anyways, my apologies; I know I promised that Rachel would be fading out of existence, but I lied; she really is a persistent dog. Either way, things slowly start to improve form here on out, in one way or another. Do expect more drama, though. Haha! Love to all the readers, watchers and reviewers!