Strange's Ultimatum
"We weren't going to be able to hide it forever." I say, touching my stomach. "At least the secret was ours for over fifteen weeks."
Bruce nods. "Hey Grace, do you mind getting me some water?" He asks.
"Not at all." I say, standing up. "Need to stretch my legs anyway. Do you want anything, Alfred?"
"I'll be fine, thank you, Ms. Grace." Alfred says.
I take my purse from the bedside table and leave.
"You're concerned about this?" Alfred states more than asks once Grace closes the door.
"What will Strange do when he learns about Mercy?" Bruce asks. A question was eating at him.
Did Strange shoot him so he could attack Grace without worrying about Bruce defending her?
After what has happened, Bruce would not be the least bit surprised.
"What will you say to Ms. Grace?" Alfred asks. "Maybe you should tell her."
"But how, Alfred?" Bruce asks, groaning and rubbing his eyes. "She's been through enough already."
"But she'll find out eventually." Alfred points out.
"You don't think I know that, Alfred?!" Bruce snaps. Alfred doesn't say anything but gives a scolding look. Bruce feels guilty. "I'm sorry Alfred."
"All is forgiven Master Wayne." Alfred says before picking up the top magazine of the pile he's brought. "Now to learn more about our mysterious pursuer."
"No time like the present." Bruce says as he picks up a different magazine and begins reading.
I find the vending machines and purchase a couple bottled waters.
"…I'm not sure our insurance will cover it." Barbara says near me. She sounds upset.
"I understand your concerns, Mrs. Gordon but I'm offering my services for free." Strange says in a soothing voice. Oh no…I turn and look, seeing Strange and Barbara standing in a doorway. She's wrapping a lock of her hair around her finger. Strange is patting her arm familiarly. "You and your family have been through a lot since the Batman attacked you, haven't you? I can see it in your face. You haven't slept very well."
No…I'm going to stop this now. But how? I come up with something quickly. "Barbara! There you are." I say, walking over.
"Hey Grace, how are you doing?" Barbara asks as she looks at me.
"Good. I think we accidentally left something at your house yesterday." I say, desperate to get her away where we could talk.
Barbara nods, looking at me. "That's right, I've got in my car and meant to give it back to you. Why don't you come out to the car with me and I'll get it for you?" She says before turning to Strange. "Do you mind excusing us, Doctor?"
"Not at all." He gives a slight bow and lets us leave.
Once we're safely away, Barbara turns to me. "What's going on? I know you didn't leave anything at our apartment." She asks.
Keep this short and to the point. "Be careful around Dr. Strange." I say.
"What are you talking about?" Barbara asks, confused.
"Listen to me. Whatever he offers, don't take it. No matter how often he threatens or wheedles. Keep yourself and your family away from him." I say.
"Why are you saying that? Strange is a respected psychiatrist…" Barbara says.
"I can't reveal too much now but there's something wrong about that man. If you and your family need somebody to talk to, let me know and I'll find someone you can trust. Don't worry about the cost, I'll take care of it. But please…promise me you and your family will stay as far away from Strange as possible." I say.
Barbara nods, her eyes welling with tears. "You know the truth, don't you?" She whispers. "About the night Harvey Dent died?"
"I can't say how I know." I say, desperate to end the conversation. Bruce's secret had been kept for this long.
"I understand, Grace." Barbara says, a look crossing her face. "I'm just glad to know that we're not alone."
I walk back to Bruce's room, feeling better. The Gordons were out of Strange's grasping fingers.
I'm in a deserted hallway not far from Bruce's room when I begin feeling uncomfortable.
Somebody is walking very close behind me.
Somebody familiar…
I turn around and see Strange right behind me, smiling at me. I jump. "Good God, you scared me!" I shout, my heart pounding.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Wayne." Strange says. "Did you get the thing you left at the Gordon's house?"
I should be relieved that he's bought it. But those eyes…those hungry and gleeful eyes… "Yes. All taken care of. Now if you'll excuse me, my husband is waiting for me." I say, trying to move away.
Strange quickly moves in front of me. He's so close, I can practically smell his mint mouthwash. My stomach aches and I long to throw up even though it's been ages since I've eaten.
"You weren't saying anything bad about me to Mrs. Gordon, were you?" Strange asks, his smile wider.
Keep calm, Grace Andrea. I remind myself. "Why are you so concerned?" I ask before I try to slip past him. His hand grips my elbow before I can get away. It's cold and dry…and not in a comforting way.
"Because I'm curious about the night Mr. Dent died and I believe they're my best source of information." He says. "Don't forget that I still have your husband's identity in my hands…"
I'm angry. He has tortured Bruce and me enough. "You can do whatever the hell you want to me but I won't let you destroy another person." I say between gritted teeth, yanking my arm free from Strange's grip.
"Strong words from a small and fragile woman." Strange says, his smile taking on a frightening edge. "Indeed, what does your husband see in you? Somebody to protect and keep safe? How would he react if something happened to you?" His fingers stroke my chin. I step back.
"What's going on?" A familiar voice says from behind Strange. It's Tommy. Thank God…
A hard look crosses Strange's face and he grits his teeth. "Nothing. I was just making sure Mrs. Wayne wasn't lost." He says smoothly.
Tommy's face likewise hardens. I feel a little bit safer now. Clearly these two men don't like each other. "I was heading down to Mr. Wayne's room anyway so I'll walk her down there."
"Thank you, Tommy." I say in relief as we walk away, leaving Strange behind. "I thought I was never going to escape him."
"Glad to know you aren't the only one who doesn't like him." Tommy says. "That creepy voice is enough to give anyone nightmares. Hate to hear him read bedtime stories 'Good night, moon. Good night moon. Good night stars.'" Tommy says, mimicking Strange's voice…it's a scarily accurate rendition.
"Please don't do that again. Hits a little too close to home" I say, shuddering.
"I'm sorry, Grace." Tommy says, his voice and face relaxing. "I was just trying to cheer you up. 'The secret to humor is surprise' as Aristotle used to say."
"I appreciate the effort, Tommy." I say.
We're close to Bruce's room when Tommy breaks the silence again. "Hey Grace, can I ask you something?"
"You already have." I say, laughing. "Sure, what is your question?"
"What do you see in Bruce?" Tommy asks. "I mean…why did you marry him?"
I nearly fall back in surprise. "Well," I say, thinking about it for a minute. "Despite the air he puts on…he's kind and generous. He's been looking out for me all this time." I say. "Why do you ask?"
"Well…it's just that I'm pretty surprised he married someone like you." Tommy says. "When we were kids, Bruce was a brat, always insistent that he get his own way. He told you the story about the time he fell down into that cave full of bats?"
I nod, remembering Bruce telling me where his phobia of bats came from.
"I'm sure he didn't tell you it was because he was hiding from Rachel after he took an arrowhead that she found." Tommy says.
"Yeah, he did mention that part."
"Then he grew into a womanizing playboy after vanishing all those years ago." Tommy says. "You're his opposite in so many ways."
"Maybe so." I say. "But that was in the past. Bruce and I have been together since January and I'm happy that we are."
Tommy gives a smile. "If you say so, Grace."
"…Have you found anything yet?" Bruce asks Grace as she tosses another magazine to the side.
"No." Grace snaps, rubbing her eyes. She winces when she realizes what she's done. "I'm sorry, Bruce for snapping. It's just that this guy's like a ghost. Just basic information and nothing more. How in the world are we going to stop him?"
She's tired. Bruce thinks as he looks out the window. The sun is down. Alfred is back home, resting. He's probably had more rest than Grace. "How long have you been awake?" Bruce asks.
"If I had to make a guess, I'd say over thirty-six hours." Grace says, yawning. "I couldn't sleep at all last night." She says, fighting a yawn.
"Get some sleep, Grace. You're not going to do anybody any favors if you don't take care of yourself." Bruce says, turning off the light.
"So says the guy who spent nights dressed up as a giant bat." Grace mumbles as she turns over in the recliner chair next to the bed. Bruce chuckles slightly. At least she still has a sense of humor.
"Here, take the blanket from my bed." Bruce says, moving the itchy blanket off of him with his uninjured arm. "I'm too warm with it."
"Thanks." Grace says, taking the blanket and wrapping herself up with it. "Bruce?"
"Hmm?" Bruce asks.
"I was thinking about what you said earlier, about how you were worried Strange would attack Mercy…" she says.
Bruce remembers that. He told her after Tommy had visited. Grace had taken the news with a calm face. Now he could see the worry she had hidden.
Even now, with his legs held together by steel pins and healing bones, he was determined to protect two of the most important people in his life.
"I'm not going to let anything happen to either you or Mercy." Bruce says.
"How do you plan on doing that?" Grace asks, her voice faint.
"I'll beat him off with my crutches."
Grace chuckles. He could imagine the light in her green eyes. "At least you still have a sense of humor."
"I try." Bruce says. "Good night, Grace. I love you."
"I love you too." Grace mumbles. In minutes, her chest is slowly rising and falling.
A/N: So now Grace has stood up to Strange…what will the consequences be?