Disclaimer: Batman belongs to those people at DC Comics and Christopher Nolan. But my characters belong to only me and no one else.

As Alfred began his morning rounds, he was unsurprised to see that Master Bruce was already nowhere to be found. A peek at the empty bed in the master bedchamber with its mussed sheets indicated that Bruce had at least managed to get some sleep. Suppressing a sigh, Alfred went on to the kitchen to acquire some breakfast foods before heading down to the Batcave.

The Batman was right where Alfred expected him to be: at the computer, studying the information on the enormous LCD monitor, just as he had yesterday. But this time, the screen showed the Interpol database that the Batman had hacked into, and staring back at them was a photograph of the man identified as Francesco Barra. In the picture, was the weathered countenance of a man whose intense dark gaze spoke of a man who would have cut a commanding presence in person. It was taken nine years back and a far cry from the very few photos of the man that had been taken lately.

"I see you've started without me," The butler commented drily, placing the tray of breakfast on one of the worktables. "What have you got, sir?"

The Batman glanced over at Alfred. There was no need for him to know that it took him a good hour to get into the system. "According to their records, Barra previously had a Blue notice issued on him, requesting the Italian authorities for information pertaining to his involvement in a tax fraud. They never got anything that implicated him."

"And presumably, this tax fraud is no small amount," Alfred deduced.

"Almost 13 million Euros," He confirmed, redirecting his attention back to the screen. "But that's what the Interpol has. In Italy, it's quite a different story."

Yesterday, the Batman had begun digging into the background of Alberto Falcone and Francesco Barra. His preliminary investigations started off with a search of their criminal history in the States. That came up empty, so he matched their photographs for any that would have given him cause for alarm. To that, a trail of gossip references popped up for Alberto, linking him with Marco at several charitable foundation dinners, and at Harvard's student research conference a year ago.

A further check on Alberto and Francesco's income and assets showed no unusual activities and no liens and judgments against them. He and Alfred analyzed their tax returns and bank accounts but all the information balanced out. Up until that point, all of Chloe's concerns about them appeared unfounded, and neither the Batman or Alfred had any reason to doubt there was anything suspicious going on.

But he wasn't quite done with what he'd started. There were still databases that he could access, illegally of course, and he wouldn't rest until he'd exhausted all avenues of investigation. It seemed like his efforts paid off.

Alfred's surprise was evident at the sight of the portal that appeared on the screen. It was the Guarda di Finanza, an Italian law enforcement agency specializing in a variety of money- related crimes. "Isn't this taking it a step too far, Master Wayne?"

"No, Alfred. Just look." At the Batman's urging, he focused on the information that had been unearthed. It was all in Italian, but it was a language they both understood. Whatever doubts he may have had, it all began to be replaced with a growing uneasiness that the discovery was bigger than the Batman expected.

"The Camorra," Alfred said out loud, recognizing it as one of the oldest and largest criminal organizations in Italy. He turned back to the Batman. "You can never catch a break from the mob in this bloody city."

The two man stared at each other. Finally, the Batman spoke. "It's unlikely that Chloe knew what I would find. But she knew enough to suspect something."

Making a sudden swerve into the left exit, Chloe took the route that she knew lead toward Wayne Manor. She had spent countless nights awake in bed since she broke things up with Marc, wondering and doubting if she should just tell Bruce that she badly wanted the possibility of something more.

Chloe stepped up to the massive front door of Wayne Manor and pressed once at the doorbell. She heard the chime of it reverberating through the entire place as an anxious feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. It wasn't as if they haven't both clearly acknowledged that they were past the point of simple friendship. After a few moments, the door swung open, revealing the familiar face of the butler.

"Hello Alfred," She took a deep breath and straightened, hoping that it revealed none of her nervousness. "Is Bruce around? I need to talk to him about something."

The butler held her gaze searchingly before he stepped back and gestured for her to enter. "I'm afraid he's yet to return from the city. Would you like me to give Master Wayne a call that you're here to see him?"

"No, no. It's okay. I'll wait," Chloe immediately protested, taking Alfred by surprise but he quickly rearranged his expression into one of mild interest.

"If you don't mind, my dear, I have some tea and scones waiting in the kitchen. Would you like to have some while we wait for Master Wayne's return?" Alfred suggested.

"That would be really nice," Chloe couldn't help herself from accepting the offer, and judging by how Alfred was already leading her away from the front parlor, she guessed he already knew it.

Unexpectedly, they stopped in a large sitting room. She glanced around at the Victorian- style furnishings, taking in the plump chesterfield sofa in plum velvet, the warm leather armchairs and the pre-Raphaelite paintings on the walls. "I suppose you might like to wait here for Master Wayne."

"Alfred, I can just wait for him in the kitchen," Chloe turned to look at him curiously.

"Master Wayne wouldn't be back until six, and in the meantime, I'm sure you have some work that you would like done," His pointed glance at the bulging contents of her bag was all the answer she needed. Chloe had the decency to look sheepish when she was reminded of the work she'd brought from the office.

"Yeah, I might have forgotten about that," She admitted, looking up at a smiling Alfred.

Sometime between her second cup of tea, Chloe had removed her heels, opting to sit cross- legged on the sofa as she balanced the laptop on her lap. Alfred would come in at intervals to make her a new pot of tea and bring her even more of the crumbliest scones she'd ever eaten. At one point, she became aware of appearing to be quite the greedy pig to the butler.

"More scones, Miss Greenwell?" Alfred's eyes turned mirthful as he shuffled forwards to remove the silver tea tray before her for a refill.

"I think I'll just have more tea instead," Chloe replied, setting the fine china teacup down on the table without a sound. "I've had enough scones to constitute for a proper meal, actually."

"If you decide to have more, there's still plenty where it came from," Alfred said as he left to make more tea.

Through the curtained- window, Chloe watched as the sky became tinted with a blue hue, checking her watch to confirm that it was almost seven. As she thought about what she wanted to tell him when he came back, she felt a calmness settle over her. She had no doubts that Alfred could sense her nervous feeling for it explained the chamomile tea in the cup she held.

As soon as Bruce made it back to the Manor, he was directed to the sitting room by Alfred who informed him that Chloe was waiting for him. Without pressing Alfred for details, he made a beeline for the room. When he entered, he was confronted with a view of Chloe who was half- nodding off with the laptop situated precariously over one knee.

Bruce shed his jacket and carelessly slung it over the back of an armchair, stepping forward to place her laptop on the table. Even despite his careful attempt to not wake her up, she jolted awake, fixing a bleary eye on him. "Oh, you're back."

At the sight of the sleepy woman before him, Bruce had a ridiculous urge to kiss her senseless, to make up for the time they'd spent apart. But he held back, knowing that she was probably here to talk and he had no intention of ruining her plan. "It must be the rain," Bruce told her. "The traffic was terrible, all the way from Wayne Towers to out here."

He studied her for a moment, seeming to search for a clue that might tell him how she had been keeping since the last time at his place. Under his gaze, Chloe fidgeted. It wasn't much but it was enough for him to notice her doing it. "There's something you should know, Bruce."

"Tell me," Chloe didn't know what he expected to hear from her but she was almost certain that it would be very far off the mark.

"We're over," she said and Bruce's eyes flew up to hers in shock. It was then she realized she was conveying the wrong message, and hastily corrected herself. "I mean, I've finished things off with Marc."

Now that she'd done what she promised him, Bruce didn't immediately have anything to say to it. So he said nothing. And after a moment, Chloe spoke again, quietly. "I believe in this possibility of us."

Since his life had been turned upside down by his parent's passing and Rachel's subsequent demise, he had held back from what life had to offer. His soul had become like the dark, dank caves that his other self retreated to for refuge. Now, Chloe's words were like a small, feeble flame that was only beginning to chase the shadows back to where they came from. Bruce felt his heart soaking up the possibility of a future within his reach.

Bruce looked down at her, a king- sized grin breaking onto his face.

"That's your slowest reaction time. Ever," Chloe grumbled, rubbing a thumb down the side of his face smilingly.

The next time Bruce and Chloe emerged from the sitting- room and made their way into the kitchen, Alfred was busy putting the final touches on the dinner he'd made for three. He had known from the first time Chloe stepped foot in the Manor that the young master had allowed a semblance of a normal relationship into his life. To be sure, Chloe wrought a marked change in him. The man he raised began living life a little more freely and had taken an interest in discovering a genuine facet of himself.

"Alfred, meet my girlfriend," It was a simple statement, yet both men knew it to be laden with the promise of so much more.

The woman ensconced in the circle of Bruce's arm blushed. "Ah... well... looks like I'll be hanging around the Manor more often...?" She trailed away uncertainly but her gaze as it met Alfred's was that of a woman who would do her damnedest to be worthy of his charge's attentions and affections.

As Alfred regarded her carefully, Chloe could see that he looked infinitely pleased with the development. To be honest, she never thought that the three of them would ever be in this situation. And then Alfred spoke, with a lilting merriment to it that Chloe took as an approval. "I imagine I should now accordingly address you as Miss Chloe."

"Yes, Alfred. That would be advisable," Bruce drawled, on behalf of Chloe, shooting her a bemused look.

"Is it still too much to ask that you just call me by name?"

"My old man's too stuck in his formal British ways," Bruce interrupted before his butler could get a word in and at the twin looks of annoyance, he simply shrugged. "Can we eat? I'm starving." Bruce whined childishly. The only appropriate response was a dramatic eye roll from Chloe and a more dignified variation of it from Alfred.

After dinner, Bruce suggested taking a walk outside and Chloe found herself eagerly agreeing to the idea. Much to her dismay, Bruce took the opportunity to tease her about the development in their relationship. "Is Alfred really that intimidating, or are you just that excited to jump my bones?"

"I've no idea how I could fall for someone with an ego the size of yours," she snorted, ribbing him none too gently in his side. There she'd said it, but Chloe continued on, hoping that he'd missed that bit. "Now that I can rightfully call you boyfriend," She paused, testing how the word rolled off her tongue so effortlessly. "I'm feeling contemplative enough for a long walk."

Bruce rarely missed anything, and there was a not unwelcome feeling of relief that they'd both fallen for each other. Of course, when she'd chose him over her lover, it was the answer he needed right there. "Contemplative is the right word."

"You first."

"Huh?" Bruce pushed open a set of French doors that led outside.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked, gazing around at the Italian gardens that they were in the middle of. "I've always wondered about what goes around in that head of yours."

"My parents," Bruce said automatically, "They would have liked you. My father would have made it his mission to teach you how to stitch wounds properly. And my mother, well, you two and Alfred could have started your own sewing circle."

"Sewing?" Chloe spluttered, her disbelief loud in the silence of the night. "I happen to be seriously lacking in sewing skills of any sort. It explains why I can't stitch wounds, besides the sight of blood."

"We will have to work on that," Bruce said, more to himself than her.

"Speaking of which, how did you know how to stitch a wound?" It was a question that she didn't have the chance to ask previously.

"It's a little- known fact but I once volunteered with a relief effort in Sudan," Bruce grinned at Chloe, and she allowed herself to marvel at the man before her. "I actually even assisted the doctors in performing surgery without anesthesia." She knew Bruce had never exercised restraint when it came to his charitable donations but this hands- on, personal involvement was going further than anyone's expectations of the man supposed to be a lazy billionaire.

"Sure you do," Chloe was looking at him with a certain light shining in her eyes. "So this happened when you were away?"

"Those seven years weren't exactly a holiday," Bruce heard himself explaining it with a surprising degree of openness that had not gone unnoticed by her. "I learned to rediscover who I am when no one knew who I was. You could also say that I tried to get rid of my pain."

Something else was edging across his features and Chloe saw as it gradually wiped out the vulnerability that was brought about by the reveal. The next time she blinked Bruce was once again the charming, sweet boyfriend that every girl wanted. He smiled gently down at her and with their hands clasped tightly between them, he canted his head forward invitingly. "You better hope you're not spooked by the dark."

"I have you, don't I?"

Her eyes took a moment to adjust to the growing darkness as they left the manicured gardens and went off the beaten path. They were now at the bottom of the hill which the Manor was built on. She noticed the slightly overgrown grass that poked at her feet, and curiously she bent down. Upon closer inspection, she saw it was interspersed with dandelions. Suppressing a smile at how easily she figured out his surprise, she straightened and simply walked on.

"You've figured it out, haven't you?" Chloe shrugged in reply.

Bruce led them through the dark for a little bit more and then stopped by the Wayne graves beneath the names of Martha and Thomas. She recalled their faces from the portrait in the study and how they looked like the perfect couple. It wasn't too hard to see that they were a charming little family. On its own volition, her hand reached out for the twin headstones but she pulled it back quickly. She could feel him watching her and hesitantly, she asked for his permission. "May I?"

"Yes, go ahead," Bruce's voice was choked with emotion and he didn't bother concealing it from her.

She knelt down, feeling the earth against her knees. Chloe let her fingertips graze over both of the Wayne names, giving both her equal attention. "I think I was at their funeral with my parents."

Beside her, Bruce knelt down. Difficult as it still was, Bruce paused to recall the day his parents were laid to rest. Many of his father and mother's friends had come up to him to offer their condolences. Alfred had been by his side then, and it was only his familiar presence that made Bruce bothered enough to acknowledge any of them. His memories of that day were fairly murky but it seemed as if Chloe's parents had indeed been there. "I don't remember meeting you back then."

"You don't have to." And right now, it felt as if any other topic of conversation would have belittled the individuals before her. Bruce might not have said anything about bringing her here but she knew it was important to him that she was here with him now.

"Mother. Father," He said softly, "There's someone I want you to m—"

Her hand darted out for Bruce's, much quicker than she intended, hoping to halt the words from leaving his lips. He didn't appear surprised by her action but when she met his gaze, she could see his confusion.

"I don't want to feel... obligated to be a part of your life," Chloe paused, thinking her words through before she put it out there. As much as she didn't want to think so far ahead, it needed to be said, to be given due consideration. "How can you be so optimistic about us? Fuck," Chloe couldn't hold back the expletive, and she knew neither the dead nor her boyfriend appreciated it. "I'm afraid of the day when we simply wouldn't work anymore."

She breathed in the warm August air, pressing her palms down on the earth. Chloe averted her gaze from where his parents lay buried and from him. "I will never stop caring for you," Bruce said, keenly aware of the depth of his feelings for her. He wasn't a man quick to jump the gun but this was a relationship he was sure he wanted.

"But what if I do?" Chloe barely moved a muscle, but Bruce saw her wiping her cheeks against the shoulder of her dress.

No one in Gotham was any wiser about the blooming romance between them and Chloe had every intention of keeping it under wraps. As she had explained it to Bruce, it was a considerably more delicate business to break it to her father.

"Mr. Greenwell asks for you in his office," Meghan was at the door with a funny expression on her face.

"I'll be just a sec," Chloe replied, gathering the files on her desk. She realized that her assistant was still at the door, hovering uncertainly. Only then did she notice the look on the younger woman's face. "Is something up?"

Meghan threw a look over her shoulder, making sure that no one was within earshot. "I heard Marc's voice in there. I think they're inking some deal with him."

"What sort of deal?" Chloe asked, attempting indifference. She had yet to hear anything from the Batman about the things she'd asked him to investigate, and having no news should be a relief, but maybe she was just being paranoid.

"No idea," Meghan admitted, studying Chloe very intently. "You two aren't together anymore," she said simply.

"I'd rather not talk about it. And my dad's the last person who should know that anything has changed." Chloe looked away. "But thanks for the heads- up."

She let herself into his office, her eyes briefly meeting Marc's who was seated opposite her father on the couch. "Hi Marc," She looked over to her father. "Hi, Dad."

"Chloe, you're just in time," Her father said, keeping his eyes on his daughter as she took a seat beside him. "We've signed off on the joint venture with Alpha Pharmaceuticals and we're about to go for lunch. Would you like to join us?" His voice was casual but his keen gaze indicated otherwise. She had to make a choice between sitting through an awkward lunch or simply let him come to the realization that she and Marc wasn't meant to be.

"I can't. I've got to submit some stuff at the university," Even as he accepted the excuse, she could see the way her father's graying eyebrows furrowed as if he knew something was off.

"I'll need you back at the office after lunch," He informed her but Chloe had plenty of experience to know that it meant We need to talk.

"Of course," She nodded, glancing at Marc as if she expected their recent break- up to show on him. He still looked as attractive as he had been on the night they met. And suddenly Chloe was at a loss for action when he deftly slipped his hand around her waist, kissing her goodbye on the cheek. "Now you two better go enjoy your lunch."

As soon as they left, Chloe involuntarily shivered. Marc had pretended as if they were still together. Perhaps he had reasons similar to her own if he wanted to keep up the impression in front of his family but in front of hers, there was no explanation she could think of.

She was about to dial Bruce's number, not for any real reason other than to hear his voice when her gaze fell on the file on her father's desk. Bruce was never far from her mind, and it was odd for her to not have to pretend otherwise. Just yesterday she had spent the entire evening at the Manor, again. Even if he was more than happy to keep their relationship away from the prying eyes of the media, he had been relentlessly persistent about them going for a real date.

Chloe flicked through the contents of the file, briefly reading the pages before moving onto what exactly the agreement entailed. It wasn't so much of the legal aspect that she was concerned about, having enough confidence in their attorneys to protect the company's interest. Ordinarily, she had no reason to doubt her father's handling of company affairs but this wasn't a deal she was made aware of. Knowing her father, this deal would have been in the works for a long time coming and there was no excuse she could find to explain why he'd never even so much as alluded to it.

Except that she'd always somehow known that there was more to her relationship with Marc, hadn't she? Even if her father was concerned enough about having his daughter settle down for good, it wasn't the only thing in it for him. Maybe Marc wasn't how he made himself out to be, either.

The realization was enough for her to refocus her attention back to the task at hand. She shook her head at the thought that she had been kept in the dark all this while, deciding that it didn't matter. Not anymore. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had to know, convincing herself that she wasn't technically snooping around.

It wasn't very often that Chloe had to ask the question if there was anyone she could trust. For now, she trusted Bruce and that was more than she could say for anyone else. Well, except the Batman.

As she awaited the Batman's uncertain arrival, Chloe allowed her mind to ponder the eccentricities and the mercurial nature of her now billionaire boyfriend that had been hovering in her awareness since day one of meeting him. Even now, she wondered how someone who was constantly in the public eye could be an intensely private person in all the ways that truly mattered.

When it came down to the man she had fallen in love with, there was nothing she wanted more than the truth about the person beneath the man he pretended to be when they were together. Even if they were supposed to know each other better than anyone else, she'd watched him enough to realize he would rather retreat behind the safety of his own walls than share his innermost thoughts with her.

It had been a very long time since she experienced the heady rush and electrifying sensation that came with being one-half of a couple. But the worst part was knowing that theirs had all the signs of becoming a dysfunctional relationship if none of them was willing to volunteer the secrets that each of them kept.

Dammit. For over an hour, she'd been sprawled on the couch in the living room, trying to make her second glass of scotch last. Chloe rose from her prone position and headed toward the bar to pour herself another glass.

Knock knock.

It took Chloe a little while to make out the sharp rapping on the window. Cradling her glass of drink, she made her way over, peering curiously at where she heard the sound the first time. It was then she saw what could only be reasonably described as the trailing edge of the Batman's cape.

She made her way to the roof. And there he was, looking right at home in the shadowed edges of the rooftop.

"I didn't know the Batman actually knocked like everyone else."

"You wouldn't approve of the dramatic entrance I had in mind." The Batman looked as stern as ever but she was certain there was a flash of the dry humor in his downturned mouth.

"So what have you got?" Chloe dragged over two chairs from the outdoor dining area toward where Batman stood, gesturing for him to sit. Predictably, he declined. "It's not as if I'll be more intimidated by you when you're standing instead of sitting down," Chloe grumbled as she sat down.

She looked up at the Batman who still stood unmovingly but he was eyeing the other empty chair as if deciding whether or not to break character.

"You can stare at it all you want, but your ass wouldn't magically plant itself on it."

He didn't say anything and for a moment, they simply gazed at each other. The silence pressed down on them like a shroud and she was acutely aware of his presence. Chloe could hear his quiet, even breathing as words almost visible trembled on his lips. Slowly she could feel him relent before it gave away to a soft sigh. He sat down, the material of his cape pooling around his boots.

This time, it was her turn to stare at him, marveling at the odd sight of the Batman without his imposing stature that made him intimidating in the first place. Even so, there was still an unmistakable air of danger about him. At this proximity, Chloe tried to make out any distinguishing features she could but to no avail.

"Don't." The Batman narrowed his eyes at her, his voice sharp.

Chloe threw up her hands in surrender. "Any chance Bruce knows who you are? I don't imagine he'd be willing to contribute to your cause without knowing who exactly you are. He's much smarter than that."

"I'm not here to talk about your boyfriend."

She nodded, knowing the Batman had a point.

"There is a reason to believe that Francesco Barra is not simply a businessman with a successful pharmaceutical enterprise."

"I knew it!" Chloe exclaimed loud enough to startle the Batman and shot to her feet. But the excitement of having her suspicions being proven right was short lived when she caught the Batman's steely look.

"There' s more to it."

His words had an unsettling emphasis to it that was hard- to- miss. "What else?"

"Have you heard of the Camorra?" The Batman prompted, studying her intently. Chloe nodded once before it dawned on her he was implying that Barra had ties with the Mafia.

"It can't be..." Chloe trailed off, trying to recall if there could possibly have been any truth to what he was suggesting. "Did you find anyone else linked to the same organization?"

The Batman narrowed his eyes, clearly reading between the lines. "What do you mean?"

"What did you find out about Alberto Falcone?" She questioned back, obviously refusing to heed the Batman's line of questioning.

"Falcone's youngest has no criminal record," He informed her readily enough, but the disapproval that radiated from him was a palpable thing. Despite being let off easy the first time for refusing to volunteer any details, she knew there was no getting away from it this time around.

He stood up and loomed over her. "You have to tell me what else you know." With a strange, uncharacteristic gentleness that surprised both of them, one of his gloved hands lifted her chin, urging her to meet his eyes.

Chloe didn't attempt to look away. With perfect clarity, she could recall Marc telling her that he was from Naples but it could have simply been a coincidence. One which she was certain that the Batman didn't believe in and neither did she. "My ex might be involved but I have nothing to prove how he could be a part of it," She sighed. "He's Barra's nephew, by the way."

For a moment, he simply regarded her and then abruptly withdrew physical contact from her person. It was as if he could read her mind and the last thing Chloe needed to feel was as if the Batman was her little deal on the side. Ridiculous as it may seem to anyone else but her, their thrice-weekly rendezvous on the roof was close enough substitute for late-night booty calls which was admittedly nonexistent in her relationship with Bruce.

"You don't trust him, your ex?"

"No." The answer was out of her mouth before she realized that any residual feelings toward him had long evaporated, and trust was definitely out of the question. Not after what she'd discovered earlier at the office. "Not anymore."

"I'll do what I can to find out everything about him." He stepped back, readying the grapple gun for his departure and looked over his shoulder at her one last time. "Be safe."

Chloe nodded, even though the Batman couldn't see the gesture. "You too," she whispered.

Author's Note: You may or may not have noticed that writing this chapter took me longer than usual. So sorry. And honestly, this isn't even a particularly long chapter but here it is :) Thank you to everyone who alerted, favorited and reviewed! Anyway, I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter and please REVIEW! Your feedback is invaluable to me

On a completely unrelated note, who else is celebrating their birthday this month too? ;)