Word of Warning: This is where it starts to get technical, pepes- remember how I said a scientifically feasible mpreg? Well, that's not all I challenged myself to do. I also wanted to attempt a scientifically possible NATURAL mpreg-birth. *It hasn't happened yet, guys- just prepping you* This is the chapter I sart to explain HOW, so it does get a bit...ew-ish- TMI at parts...but it ain't even started getting disgusting yet!

Ye hath been warned!

Chapter 34:

Winslow sat back in the armchair of her private study, reviewing files and information related to her latest patient. She marvelled at how much had happened in the month that she had been attending Batman-that is to say- Bruce Wayne. Using the careful techniques of comfort and a calm and reassuring bedside manner, she had been able to work her way- slowly at first- into what she supposed was the outer-walls of Bruce's "comfort zone". She smirked cynically- she supposed that if an "inner sanctum" existed for him, the closest one could get by concious effort was as close as she had gotten- because anyone trying to break that final wall would probably have been allowed in by the man himself, anyway.

So she felt accomplished. It had been very difficult at first, trying to coax the man into sharing more about his situation- it wasn't that she was not aware of what happened, she had only to recall the scene of their first examination to realise it- further information about Batman's awfule experience was provided by her other employer (reluctant as though she was to associate with Harley, even mentally).

Winslow sighed. As well aware as she had been, and as expecting of it as she could have been, nothing could really have prepared her for the moment when he actually made the admission for himself.

She could remember it clearly-

3 Weeks Earlier

"We can't do this anymore."

Bruce spoke calmly and without any indication of the emotion behind this facade. He pushed a cheque towards the woman in the chair before him.

"A cheque, with the full payment. I'm sorry, its just not going to work out this time."

Winslow frowned.

"What is your alternative, Mr Wayne?" She asked."How are you going to deliver this baby without any adequate medical care?"

He avoided her intense gaze.

"It's possible for me to do this without help."

She sighed, shaking her head as she spoke.

"No pre-natal check-ups, no examinations, no ultrasounds- no doctor..." She stared at him with perplexity. "No doctor means no Caesarian, Bruce!"

His eyes turned to the floor, staring at it grimly.

"You said it was possible for me to deliver without a c-section..."

She scoffed, shaking her head again.

"Oh, well- yes, I did say...but theoretically, Bruce! In theory!"

He began to pace as he re-iterated her words to him.

"You said that according to the x-rays and previous medical reports, I have a fissure- an opening- in my...bowels"

"Your rectum. It would seem that it's towards the middle- amidst a few transverse folds- I'm surprised you haven't had cervical infections, to be honest."

He grimaced briefly, but continued.

"Yes, so there IS something in there that connects to my...er, the uterus- when the time comes, I'll go into labour- I'll have a colonic cleanse, an enema, - clear myself out completely. Then, I deliver through there."

"You would do irreperable damage to your rectum, your anal passage, sphincters-"

"But with enough preparation, I could...prepare for that. Muscle relaxants, I could practice stretching and massage...and I could-"

"It would not work. The muscles in your rectum do not contract nearly as much as they would in a vaginal passage, you would need forceps or someone actually, physically guiding the infant out- and unless they have x-ray vision, I don't know anyone without medical training who could do it." She sighed exasperatedly.

She spoke again, her tone rising slightly.

"And even if you did do it without a C-section,you still wouldn't be avoiding the one thing you've been trying to- someone's still going to be touching you there, Bruce." She paused a moment, taking his guarded expression in. She sighed, and continued with less ferocity. "It's inevitable, Bruce."

He glanced at her and shook his head.

"I wouldn't say that, I'm sure there's-!"

"Bruce, this has to stop!" She said, cutting him off gently, but firmly.

He turned to face her, she was standing out of her chair now, hands crossed at her front. He noted that her head was tilting gently to one side. He could see that she was fighting to keep her eyes calm and indifferent- but they betrayed her ever so slightly. He could see in her eyes that she was waiting for something. Anticipating a response? Or was it understanding- pity even?

He sighed deeply, nodding slowly.

"You know too, then." He stated.

She smiled sadly.

"Secrets kept best are easily guessed." She quoted. She folded her arms and turned away with an air of melancholy dowsing her features.

"My mother used to say that...I think it meant that the secrets we keep closest to ourselves are probably the ones that all the most important people know about already."

Bruce said nothing as he stood there, watching her. She turned back to face him.

"Now, you assume I know, but until you tell me in person, anything I've guessed is only an assumption. You can't trust a doctor who works on assumptions, Bruce- it's not ethical." At the word "ethical" she secretly felt a wave of guilt wash over her. She shook her head.

"Bruce?" She asked. When he didn't respond, she moved closer- until she was right next to him, standing beside the mantle. She asked again, this time placing a hand gently on his arm.

"Bruce...do you really mean to do this on your own? To put your life at risk- to almost certainly risk the baby's life, to avoid the discomfort?"

He leant forward, placing a hand on the mantle to steady himself as he furrowed his brow, rubbing his forehead.

"No. I never wanted that." He turned his head, looking over at her.

Winslow nodded slowly.

"If I could hazard a guess- I would even venture to suggest that you never intended to deliver without c-section. I bet that you suggested a "natural" birth to me in order for me to tell you that it would never work."

He almost chuckled.

"Maybe." He said, standing up straight. "Maybe."

Softly, she rested her hand upon his back, leaning in close- but not too close.

"I know it can't be easy for you Bruce. But maybe I'm the impartial ear that you've been looking for. Someone who can understand and listen, who isn't too closely connected to you. Someone you don't know all that well but you can trust". She was surprised by her own sincerity.

He gave one cynical "ha". She didn't know where it stemmed from, and for a moment she thought he may have been onto her, but he continued.

"They come and go lately. I don't know who I can trust anymore."

She gazed at him sadly.

"Well, let's give it a shot. I already know you're pregnant, so- well, that's already your biggest secret down."

She could almost see him mentally laugh, and she nearly did herself. She knew exactly why- Pregnancy was only one of Wayne's secrets. Still, she had to keep it up.

The act.

He smiled- not a warm smile, but a resigning, accepting smile. The sort you smile when you give up reluctantly but still held some vague feeling of fondness for the person you were giving in to.

"You just might be the world's greatest detective, Dr." He said.

"You're a good guy, Bruce." She said warmly, as she led him to his seat, pouring him some tea.

Present, Winslow West's Office

Winslow smiled at the memory- the moment he had told her the story about that night. True, she could see he had modified it to be unrevealing- instead of doing his Batman duties, he had apparently been stepping out for a night on the town.

Despite the topic being discussed, Winslow had to admit that It hadn't been horrible at all- unpleasant, yes- but also endearing. The way he had managed to overcome it all. His concerns, his moments of joy and relief. The times when everything was almost normal...

She could relate.

"Such a good guy." She said fondly as she gazed at the files with unseeing eyes. She didn't realise that she had been crying until she saw the splash of a tear-rop shine as it rolled down the embossed page.

Winslow slammed the files shut and wiped her eyes furiously.

"Don't get sentimental, West." She shook her head. "Don't wreck this for yourself."

She put the files away and went to bed, but sleep did not come.

The Batcave

Bruce stepped out of the elevator into the wide expanse of the batcave- a damp, dark place he hadn't spent a lot of time in during the recent months. He felt a slight lurch in his chest, a longing to put on the cape and cowl, and go out into the night to protect the city. His city.

Still, he knew the place was in good hands. He looked over to the computer where Barbara sat, speaking to someone over the phone- probably some research for a case. He had noticed that they barely approached him for assistance with cases anymore- only occasionally. In a way, he felt left out, left behind. As though he was a piece of old machinery that had been tossed out of a factory during an upgrade. On the other hand, he felt a great deal of pride for the youngsters- handling everything as well as they did. They had taken the role over and performed all the duties without fault. Yes, even Bruce could admit that.

So, maybe it was time afterall...

His thoughts were interuppted by Barbara as she ended her conversation.

"OK, Itzak. Thanks for letting me know. Yeah...yeah, I will. OK, bye." She hung up and turned to face Bruce.

"Hey Bruce." She said as looked cautiously towards the phone.

"You were talking to Itzak?" Bruce asked casually, trying to ease the awkwardness.

"Yeah..." She said somewhat sheepishly. "He was just letting me know about his sentence."

"They sentenced him?" Bruce's eyes squinted.

"His trial was yesterday..." Barbara admitted.

"No one told me about it."

"We thought it would be- I'm sorry if you- oh, gee- we didn't-" Barbara flushed bright red and looked highly apologetic.

"It's Ok, Barbara. I don't mind." Bruce said, smirking as he watched the relief wash over Barbara's features. While Itzak wasn't really ever mentioned in the house anymore, Bruce did not harbour any serious ill-feeling towards him. He felt that they had made their peace. Still, as much as he no longer wanted to throw Itzak against a wall, there was still a small dark place in his heart that harboured the feeling of hurt and betrayal- the same dark place that stored painful memories of the two worst nights of his life, and the place that he feared most when he had the upper hand in battle- when he could easily make a decision of life or death for the poor soul who had dared to do crime in his vicinity.

He snapped out of his reverie, remembering Barbara.

"So...what's the sentence?" Bruce asked.

"12 months. It was pretty reduced, I'd say, due to the fact that Itzak plead Guilty. I think the jury felt his intentions were good."

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions..." Bruce said darkly, but his tone softened. "Still, I think the punishment is fair, and Itzak is truly remorseful. This may be the most succesful rehabilitation Gotham's justice system ever turns out."

Barbara nodded, then raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Bruce...what brings you down here, anyway? I haven't seen you down here in over a month-"

He smiled slightly. "I'm meeting up with Dick when he gets in. I have something I need to talk to him about."

Barbara nodded slowly.

"and...how are, you know, things?" She asked, subtley glancing down at his big round belly.

"Huh?" Bruce said, before catching her glance and smirking. "Oh...you mean with...er"

"Alfred says you've been calling her "Joo"" Barbara smiled teasingly. " I've gotta say- that is simultaneously the most adorable and most scary thing I've ever heard you do."

They shared a smile as Bruce placed a hand affectionately on the bump.

"2 months and she'll be here." Commented Barbara. "Have you...you know, thought anymore on what you're plans are?"

The smile disappeared from Bruce's face.

"I- it all...it's still up in the air." He looked out to the entry-way of the Batcave. "It depends on a number of things, I guess."

The rumble of the Batmobile driving into the cave echoed throughout the caverns. Bruce watched with slight longing as he saw the beautiful beast glide into the cave, drawing to a smooth stop. The doors hissed and lifted . From out of it stepped Jason and Dick, fresh off duty. They were talking animatedly about the action of the night, and didn't even notice Bruce until they were nearly in front of him. Dick saw first.

"Bruce!, What brings you down here?" He asked excitedly.

Bruce smiled warmly at the boys. Jason looked perplexed, and slightly suspicious. Dick just smiled happily- like someone running into a good friend at the mall.

"Coming to get re-aquainted with the stuff before you jump back into the cowl, Bruce? Only a few months now..."

"Actually. I want to talk to you about that."

The seriousness of his tone wiped the smile off Dick's face.

"Go on" He indicated.

Bruce stood straight, trying desperately not to convey the extremely nervous twist he could feel in his chest.

"Boys...I think it's time to accept the facts."

Everyone watched the man with intensity.

"What do you mean?" Jason asked brusquey.

"Well..."Bruce said, "I'm no longer going to return to being Batman once the baby arrives."

"What?" Dick exclaimed. "So...what does this mean, then?"

Bruce sighed.

"I want you to be Batman, Dick- but you don't have to take him on if you don't want to. I'm sure we can retire him in someway, get him out of the picture if you'd rather be Nightwing." He avoided looking at Jason.

Dick's shoulders seemed to sag while Jason bristled, his entire body stiffening in some sort of indignancy.

"Bruce-" Started Dick. "How can you be sure? You're not out of commision, yet! Once you get over the surgery and are back into training, everything will return to normal..."

"It won't" Bruce stated firmly, looking at both boys and Barbara firmly. Jason seemed to be rather put-out. Barbara cocked her head.

"Bruce...does this mean...?"

All eyes were on Bruce as he tried to fight a small smile from creeping onto his lips.

"If you're thinking along the same lines as I am about the baby then...yes. It's true."

"I'm keeping her."

AUTHORS NOTE

TAAA-DAAAA! I updated, see? I really need to try to do this more often, but I get so bogged down with study and gaaaaah, stuff gets in the way.

By the way, everyone knows about the DC New Universe? The entire DC Comics universe has been Re-booted- every issue back at #1- which means old continuity doesn't effect the storylines and well, there are some changes. For example- SPOILERBarbara isn't paralysed anymore (WHAT! I LOVE ORACLE! I MISS ORACLE! - She's Batgirl again.. END SPOILER.)

SPOILER AGAIN- Speaking of Spoilers...what's gonna happen to Stephanie Brown Batgirl? I LIKED HER! END SPOILER

So, as much as I like the fact that the writers can begin new storylines and not worry about stuffing up continuity, I'm kinda almost slightly grieving the Universe as I knew it. I have never been around for a re-boot before (I would have died during Crisis on Infinite Earths...) HOWEVER, the Comics leading up to the reboot were FANTASTIC- Flashpoint, everyone- which focuses on the Flash, because basically, you can blame Barry Allen for the reboot!

Still, in the Flashpoint universe, Thomas Wayne is Batman- as a result of watching Bruce Wayne get shot that night D:

SPOILER
The last scene in Flashpoint before the reboot actually includes a trans-universal message from Thomas to Bruce, delivered by the Flash...so read it for some really awesome Bruce Wayne angst and sadface, but also happyface, read it.

END SPOILER

Remember, Read and Review!

I will try and update as often as I can!

3 The author