AN: Alrighty, here's another chapter for you guys! This one is a bit different than most, but I figured we needed a bit of advice giving from someone who is oh so good at that...not to mention I liked putting Alfred in so he's back! Ok, and now I'm shutting up before I give something away....hope you guys like it....

We left shortly after The Joker. I think Bruce felt it best to get me away from there before shit hit the fan with my father. I had a feeling that while he forgave me, he didn't completely believe me about being done with The Joker, especially after that little incident. Honestly, I wasn't completely convinced myself that I was done with The Joker, but I wasn't really going to say that out loud.

Once we reached Wayne Manor, Bruce disappeared into the Batcave. I didn't follow. He didn't say much of anything to me on the way back to his place, and I really couldn't blame him. I figured he'd eventually question what happened there. Or maybe he just trusted me enough to only blame The Joker.

Within a couple of minutes, he emerged from the Batcave, dressed as Batman. "I'm going out and you are to stay here," he said firmly, though not in his gravely Batman voice.

"Fine. And exactly where are you going?"

"The Joker threatened your father in case you missed that. He's a man of his word so it's highly likely that he's going to make good on that promise. I'm going to see if I can't find out what he's up to first."

"And Benjamin?"

"We'll worry about Benjamin later. Right now, I'm trying to make sure your father isn't murdered in his sleep tonight," he said and then he was gone.

I sat down on the bottom stair of the grand staircase that led upstairs to the many bedrooms. Somehow I always manage to screw things up, even when I'm not actually trying to do anything, I thought bitterly.

Suddenly, Alfred appeared and knelt down to my level. "What's the matter, Miss?"

"Oh, nothing, Alfred," I sighed with a frown.

"A look like that accompanied by the 'nothing' remark almost always means something. So what's on your mind?"

I sighed heavily, "I don't think I want to talk about it."

"I won't tell anybody and it looks to me like you need somebody to talk to. Why don't you come with me to the kitchen and we'll fix you up something and you can talk then?" he asked, standing up and holding out his hand.

I nodded slowly and took his hand. He pulled me up to stand and we walked to the kitchen as I tried to figure out what I would actually tell Alfred.

"Promise not to tell Bruce anything I say?" I asked when we reached the kitchen.

"I can do that," Alfred said with a tiny smile.

"Ok, well, it basically comes down to that I screw everything up like all the time," I said as I watched Alfred move around the kitchen.

"What do you want me to make you?" he asked, basically ignoring my comment.

"Oh, umm….ice cream sundae?"

"Alright, one ice cream sundae coming right up," he said as he went to the freezer and got out the vanilla ice cream.

"Wait, can I do a banana split instead?" I requested.

"Since I haven't actually started the sundae yet, then yes."

"Thanks," I said.

"So you were saying?" Alfred urged me to continue.

"Yeah, I was saying that I always screw things up. Even if I'm not trying to really do anything, I mess it up."

"I don't believe that. What did you supposedly mess up this time?" he asked as he concentrated on making my banana split.

"Well, we were over at my dad's and I got him to forgive me, but then The Joker showed up. And he kissed me and I didn't exactly pull away. And not only do I now think my dad is skeptical of my words, but I think I hurt Bruce too."

"Why do you think you hurt Master Wayne?" Alfred asked, setting the banana split down in front of me and taking a seat next to me.

"Well, I mean he was standing right there when The Joker kissed me like he did. And then he didn't say a word to me on the way back here and he barely said anything to me before he left."

"I wouldn't worry about it too much. He's probably madder at himself for letting The Joker do those things to you than he is at you. And he's probably off looking for some criminals to pummel to get his anger out," Alfred chuckled lightly.

"You're telling me he has that sort of a violent side?" I asked skeptically. I mean sure I had seen him in action as Batman, but I couldn't really imagine him being that violent.

"Oh you have no idea," Alfred said with a mysterious smile.

"Now that just makes it sound like he does this on a regular basis," I protested.

"I wouldn't call it a regular basis, but when the people he cares about get hurt, he gets very agitated and will find a way to right those wrongs."

"Like what made him become Batman?"

"Like what happened to Rachel Dawes."

"Actually he didn't say much about her when we discussed the first round of The Joker's antics," I said.

"If you promise not to tell Master Wayne, then I'll fill you in if you like. I think you staying here and bonding with him entitles you to know," Alfred said.

"Ok," I replied, curious to find out more about Bruce.

"Well, Rachel was Bruce's best friend when they were little. Of course, Bruce disappeared for a time, but that is another story for another night."

I nodded as I made a mental note to find more out about that.

Alfred continued, "When he returned, he told Rachel his secret. I think he really began to fall in love with her too, but as long as he was Batman, Rachel said she couldn't be with him. So when Dent came along, Bruce thought that was his opportunity to give up the mask."

"But he didn't."

"Because he couldn't. Gotham still needs its dark knight, and it always will."

"You really don't think it will ever get better?"

"Gotham has been cast into darkness for too long. It's all these people know now, how to live in fear of the next criminal threat. Now, before Batman it was much worse, but there is never going to be a day where Gotham City returns to how it was in its prime, back when Bruce's parents were alive and doing all sorts of things to help this city strive," Alfred said sadly.

I nodded in understanding. "So what happened with Rachel?"

"Ah, yes, Rachel. Well, she was dating Harvey Dent and The Joker kidnapped them both," Alfred began.

"I heard about that. Rachel died, and Harvey became Two-Face."

"Right," Alfred agreed. "But The Joker tricked Batman on who was located where. So Batman rescued Dent as Gordon arrived seconds too late to save Rachel."

"He was upset wasn't he?"

"Almost inconsolable. He had believed that Rachel was going to wait for him and that killed him. That he let The Joker not only destroy Gotham's white knight, but also his love."

"Was she not going to wait for him or something?" I asked, catching his words 'he had believed.'

I seemed to have pulled Alfred from his memories. "Yes, she was going to marry Dent. She left him a note, but I never gave it to him."

"Why?"

"Because that morning he said that Harvey could never know and he was so hurt by her death that I really didn't think it wise to do him more damage. So while Harvey could never know what Bruce believed, Bruce could never know what was Rachel's truth."

"Makes sense I suppose," I said slowly. "So what did he do?"

"Was damned determined to get The Joker. And he did, and he still didn't break his rule. But obviously, The Joker's back again and attempting to harm someone Master Wayne cares deeply for," Alfred said.

"Me? I don't think he's that into me…is he?"

"He's definitely quite fond of you and very pleased to have you around. He doesn't like how The Joker has caused you so much pain, partly why he was more than happy to take you in that night you left for good."

"That may be, but I don't think he likes me like that."

"He kissed you, didn't he?"

"Well, yeah, but…"

Alfred shook his head, "No buts, Miss Staples. You're going to have to take it for what it is. Master Wayne is quite fond of you. And in my opinion, you're good for him."

"How can you say that? You've seen the people I've hurt."

"Yes, but I've also seen the people you've helped as well as how you've stood up to attempt to correct your faults. To admit you have been wrong is much more meaningful than to have been perfect or to turn a blind eye to those you injure. You have a good, kind heart, Melanie, whether you see it or not, the rest of the world does."

"Maybe….I still just don't see how I could be good for Bruce. Honestly it's shocking I haven't hurt him yet," I frowned.

"Trust me, I know Bruce and you are good for him. I also think even if you did 'hurt' him that he'd forgive you before you even realized you had done anything wrong. He's already forgiven you for your actions with The Joker."

"That's because he like everyone else blames The Joker for my actions. Of course, a lot more of it was me. And a lot more of it was actually things I wanted to do. There's just something about The Joker, he really gets into your mind and can change the way you think. In all honestly, lots of what he says makes sense if you really think about it, as wrong as it may seem."

"I can see that. The Joker isn't a normal criminal; he doesn't look for anything logical like money. He just wants to watch the world burn."

"Yeah…he's unique as are his philosophies…"

"I'll leave you to your thoughts then, Miss, but just know that Master Wayne is not mad at you because he wouldn't be able to be mad at you."

"Thanks, Alfred…for telling me everything you've told me tonight."

"You're welcome," Alfred said with a smile as he exited the kitchen while I turned back to the remaining spoonfuls of banana split.