Monday morning came early, and as it was a federal holiday all the banks as well as the stock exchange were closed. Faith decided to do a bit of recon and with a small entourage that evening, the group of Willow, Buffy, Bruce (dressed as the Batman), Spike, Angel, Gunn and Wesley all moved through the sewers and into the Narrows to the abandoned site of Jon Logerquist's old homestead. It was late, after midnight when they reached the abdomen building that looked like a worn down old building on the outside but as they got closer, it was clear that a glamour had been placed over the property, and what they saw as they walked up to the front door, was an old Colonial style mansion, reminiscent of homes in New England around the same time period. The front facing columns were breaking down, chips in the veneer of the Stone work evident in the age. The brick siding was worn with age, ivy covering the western part of the building completely and on the eastern end, all the flora was dead. Completely barren as if nothing could be sustained there.
The front door was likely white at one time, like the columns, but that too was in disarray...looking worn and tattered. The steps leading up to the home had holes in them and the windows were all broken in some shape or form.
Faith walked up to the door and turned the knob, surprised to find it open and she went in first, flashing her light inside and around the entry room. Once she'd entered and gave the entryway a quick glance, she gestured for everyone to follow. Once the last person had entered, the sconces on the walls lit up throughout the house and the door slammed...sealing it shut. Angel moved over to open it and hissed when his hand came away burnt. Faith came over in concern and looked at the wound, then went to reach for the knob when Bruce pulled her back and shook his head.
"Probably not worth taking the chance."
"Then how are we supposed to get out?" Spike snarked out in irritation.
Bruce sighed and looked around curiously. "Well, if it was me...and I wanted to keep people in here, then there would either be no way to get out, or some kind of spell to get out. Since we've been led here to find a certain object, my guess would be once we've secured it, the house will release us."
"That's inspired." Breathed Wesley.
Willow nodded in agreement. "Makes the most sense actually."
"Well, let's not stand here all day then," Spike drawled, "we have a weapon to find...as I'd like to get out of here while I'm still able to."
The group searched for hours, noticing that the house had been completely ransacked at some point. When it was close to three in the morning, Faith heard Wesley yelling from the second floor... "I think I've found something."
Faith dashed upstairs and found Wesley near a bookshelf by a window that looked out over the back of the property. Faith looked confused for a moment before Wesley pulled down on a sconce near the window and the bookshelf opened up. Smirking at Bruce, Faith winked as she walked behind the bookshelf and the sconces within the room lit up. The room itself wasn't much bigger than 14x14 but what was unusual was there was no furniture or windows...just runic markings all over the wall. When Wesley entered behind Bruce...his eyes widened in recognition.
"These are Sumerian in origin, but some of them are Demotic as well."
Willow, when she came she walked the perimeter of the room before she stopped near the far left wall by the corner. "There's something not right here."
Faith moved over and touched her hand onto the walls surface where Willow was pointing...and felt the wall give way, her hand reaching into the unknown as she felt around for something. When her hand clasped onto something that was warm...then ice cold, her breath caught in shock then understanding. Bruce came over and tried to pull her out but she screamed 'No!' to the shock of everyone within the room.
Turning to the others, Faith spoke firmly. "You all need to leave the room now...if this goes bad, I don't want anyone in here."
Bruce growled. "I'm not leaving!"
Angel nodded. "Neither am I."
Faith looked at Bruce imploringly but he shook his head firmly, signaling the conversation was done. Soon a voice spoke and Faith recognized the words from her dream.
"Nibiru mitu Dalkhu Rabi isten peta."
Faith stood there as she tried to figure out how to answer. Looking at her friends and Bruce, they all seemed as confused as she was...the prompt had something to do with a demon...that they'd figured out...but beyond that, the translation was unclear.
Faith said firmly, "Strega."
She waited a minute and pulled on the weapon but nothing happened for another minute when the voice repeated the prompt.
Willow went to speak but Faith shook her head...if she was right, any talking would be taken as an answer. She racked her brain and shook her head in exasperation, fear trickling down her spine as she realized she likely had two more attempts before the spell burned her arm to ash.
"Danzalthar." Faith said again, this time with a slight tremor in her voice and the room quieted as she pulled at the item in the wall...but again there was resistance until the voice spoke out again...one last time.
"Nibiru mitu Dalkhu Rabi isten peta."
Faith stared at the wall and closed her eyes in fear, trying to control her breathing. Who could the demon be that the question was asking about, when her mind flashed back on her dream...to the image of the demon's eye she'd seen. It wasn't here on the wall, which meant it was an image of an actual demon's eye. Faith racked her brain when the answer came to her suddenly.
"D'Hoffryn."
She heard the gasps of a few of her friends and Bruce took in a sharp breath as she pulled on the item in the wall and felt it give way...moving it out of the wall and getting a good look at it. Faith held a sword unlike any other she'd ever seen. It had a long blade that was at least three feet long. There were scroll markings on the hilt near the handle...from the hilt, the sword tapered into a middle part of the body, which had two large pointed ends sticking out almost in a diamond shape...and in the center of the diamond were more markings...from that point it tapered again to a razor sharp end. The metal was also unlike anything she'd ever seen...it was almost black onyx in appearance...but looked to be some kind of iron.
Bruce gave Faith a questioning look as he grabbed her hand and led her from the room quickly, not bothering to hang around any longer than necessary.
The group moved through the house to the front door, where Faith grabbed the knob and felt it turn in her grip. Nodding at the others, she opened the door and the rest of the group stepped out into the night making their way back to the bridge and from there, the sewer system returning to Wolfram and Hart. Once there, Faith handed the sword to Wesley and Willow for analysis.
"How long do you think it will take to figure out the markings and the metal?"
Wesley shrugged. "Hopefully not long...but we will let you know when we know for sure."
Faith nodded and felt herself being pulled by Bruce, back to the sewers underground...but not before Willow stopped her.
"Why D'Hoffryn?"
Looking over at the faces of her friends, Faith could see that a few of them had the same question on their mind.
"It's not my story to tell, at least not yet." Was all Faith would say and everyone nodded in understanding except Bruce, who was unusually quiet.
When Faith and Bruce returned to the Penthouse and Bruce changed out of his Batman gear, the two sat on the couch and looked out over the Gotham city skyline together. Faith was curled into Bruce's side while he just absentmindedly played with her hair.
After an hour, Bruce finally spoke up. "You didn't tell your friends about the deal with D'Hoffryn, why?"
Faith sighed softly, knowing this was going to be an issue. "Because its really none of their business. It's personal, and I don't feel I need to share everything with my friends, no matter how well meaning they are."
"Not even Angel?"
"Especially not Angel."
Bruce cupped Faith's face and titled it up so he could see her eyes. "What am I missing?"
Faith gazed into Bruce's hazel eyes and decided that perhaps part of the truth might be alright. "D'Hoffryn and Willow have a history...as did another person who fought with us in Sunnydale...her name was Anya and she was engaged at one time to Xander. Anya was a vengeance demon for over 1000 years, before she became mortal again. She used the power of the 'wish' to grant women the ability to exact revenge upon scorned lovers. When Willow broke up with her boyfriend Oz, D'Hoffryn came to her and offered her the power of vengeance...to become one of his own, but she refused."
Bruce nodded as he thought about everything that Faith had told him. "So you didn't want to share the particulars with your friends to avoid unpleasant memories?"
"In a way. When Wood left...I was not in a good way...full of uncontrolled rage and anger. D'Hoffryn approached me and offered me the same deal he'd made to Willow."
"You turned him down, that's why he made that comment about vengeance?"
Faith nodded. "Yes...I just didn't have that kind of rage and hate in me anymore, so I passed. But I seriously considered it...for about two days...it's just something I'd rather not share with my friends."
"Okay, that makes sense...but that doesn't explain why it was D'Hoffryn's name that released the sword."
Faith sighed and cupped Bruce's head in her hands, silently calling to him until he nodded...then she told him what D'Hoffryn had shared with her about Strega saving him from his fate with Danzalthar and that's how Faith knew that the demon was likely D'Hoffryn.
Bruce sat back and pondered this for a moment before he pulled Faith back into his side. "The weapon, it sounds like it belonged to him then."
Faith's eyes widened as she realized that Bruce was likely right...
"That's possible."
Bruce nodded. "Tomorrow is going to be a crazy day. If everything proceeds to plan, one or more of Miranda's agents is going to break into the Stock Market Data Base at some point before the close of business tomorrow. I've sent word as Batman to Commissioner Gordon about a possible physical break in sometime this week...but beyond that, I'm not sure if that's how they intend to access the database."
Faith sighed. "If they break in...Bane might be the one to do so...you think the police can stop him?"
"Batman will be there just in case...but I'm not convinced that's how it's going to go down."
"Me neither...Willow seems to think they could remote access it by breaking into the systems back door. Either way, Daggett is going to be in for a nasty surprise first thing Wednesday morning."
Bruce nodded and smirked in satisfaction. "Serves him right."
Faith sat up and grinned at Bruce in shock. "How very un-Batman like, Mr. Wayne."
"He hit on you Faith, so excuse me if I take retribution on your behalf. When he finally figures out who took him down, he'll get the message."
Faith moved over and straddled Bruce's lap, cupping his face in her hands as she gave him a seductive look. "This side of you is a major turn on."
Bruce chuckled deeply as he gripped Faith's hip with one hand, pulling her down on top of him more firmly and reached around to grab the back of her head with his other hand, pulling her head to his and kissing her breathless.
"I aim to please, beautiful."
"You are very pleasing, Mr. Wayne."
"Glad you think so." Bruce grinned as he lifted Faith into his arms and headed up the stairs to their bedroom...hoping that everything went to plan come the morrow.
As it turned out, Bruce was wrong in his assumption. Bane had been the one to break into the exchange and took all the people hostage but not before killing two security guards that were Gotham PD. When he had his accomplice enter Bruce Wayne's thumbprint and executed a series of short call futures trades that would expire at midnight and margin Wayne Enterprises bankrupt, he didn't realize it was John Daggett's thumbprint he was using, courtesy of Selina Kyle. When Bane broke out of the Stock Exchange, and was confronted by the Gotham PD and Batman, he managed to lead Batman on a merry chase through Gotham with a hostage before he disappeared into the underground sewer system.
When Bruce got home later, it was all over the news about the Stock Exchange break in, although no one seemed to know what had happened or why. Bruce and Faith sat there with Alfred and Lucius, watching the replays of Batman chasing Bane through Gotham City on his BatPod.
"What happens now Master Bruce?"
"Come morning I'm sure the papers and the news media will lead with the story about the break in. I had hoped to have Bane in custody tonight, because once the story hits, the SEC and the FBI will be coming for Miranda within hours."
Lucius nodded. "Will she be at the board meeting tomorrow morning?"
Bruce nodded. "She emailed me today to make sure I would be there...something to do with an amendment to her proposal, but I'm sure her motive is to be present to see me go down. The meeting will begin at nine, and the news media should have the story of her involvement sometime after the market opens...they are an hour ahead, so the timing will be key. Daggett will get the news likely at the same time."
"Do you think you'll need additional security at Wayne Enterprises tomorrow?" Faith asked quietly.
"I've asked Angel to send a few people from his staff, but if I pump up security too much, she might suspect something's up."
"Bruce," Faith said quietly, "If Bane is still out there and she is arrested at Wayne Enterprises, he may come for her regardless. He was her protector for all those years and I'm not convinced that it will matter to him one way or another who he kills to free her."
"Faith, I have a large security staff who are well trained. Granted they're not League trained, but the only ways into Wayne Enterprises are through the main lobby and my personal underground access."
"I know, but just be careful. I could come with you tomorrow?"
Bruce kissed Faith's temple reassuringly. "Trust me, okay?"
"Alright Wayne...but if something happens, I'm so going to kick you ass."
Everyone in the room chuckled. "Yes dear." Bruce grinned lovingly at Faith who curled up into his side.
Eventually Bruce and Faith went to sleep and when Faith awoke the next morning, Bruce was gone but there was a note on his pillow wishing her a good morning. Faith had been surprised that she'd been able to sleep as well as she did. Getting up and rushing downstairs after brushing her teeth and using the bathroom, she saw Alfred sitting in front of the television with the news on.
His eyes caught hers as he turned up the volume...so she could hear the news announcer...
"In dramatic fashion, a group of armed, masked men broke into Gotham's Security and Exchange yesterday 30 minutes before the close of trading and took the workers on the exchange floor hostage. Reports are sketchy this morning, but the head of the SEC as well as the FBI have promised to keep us updated as to what they may have been after. At this point, we have been told that a large number of futures trades were executed by someone with access, but not whom that individual was...those futures expired at midnight and whomever was the individual, it would appear they've been margined heavily. Two of the men were apprehended, but the third escaped the authorities and the masked vigilante known as the Batman. The Gotham police are searching the city as we speak for any information as to whom this third man was...or a name.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Gotham police anonymously.
In brighter news...it would appear as if Gotham's very own Prince is officially off the market. Sources claim that Bruce Wayne, owner and CEO of Wayne Enterprises was seen with his Lady Love this weekend after her harrowing ordeal not too long ago. Sources also confirmed to us that Bruce Wayne appeared completely smitten...leaving all of us in Gotham wondering when we can expect an engagement announcement."
Faith groaned at Alfred and rolled her eyes, while the Butler just grinned. Looking over at the clock, it was five minutes to nine, so Faith ran upstairs and grabbed her phone, sending a quick text.
"Hey, you available?"
Her phone rang instantly...picking it up she heard Bruce's deep voice on the other end.
"Morning beautiful. Did you just wake up?"
"More or less. Caught the news...it's all over TV about the break in, the news media still don't have a clue about the particulars so I wanted to tell you. There was even a lively blurb about us." Faith finished sarcastically and growled when she heard Bruce chuckling on the other end.
"I have to go into the meeting, but I'll text you when it's done."
"Okay...take your phone in with you."
"I will...wish me luck."
Faith smiled to herself. "You don't need luck Wayne...but be safe okay?"
"I aim to please." Bruce said before the call ended.
Faith sighed and went downstairs to eat breakfast, not able to get rid of the sense of foreboding she was feeling.
At Wayne Enterprises, Bruce sauntered into the boardroom and saw Lucius nod at him in greeting. He made it a point of greeting every board member personally before he sat down in his seat. Miranda was sitting at her assigned spot, talking with the other two members that had seemed unsurprised by her presence when she purchased Fredericks stock. Bruce had to give it to her, she was calm as a cucumber and when his eyes met hers, there was an amused glint to them that had Bruce smirking inwardly.
The board meeting droned on for the first hour, Lucius going over some of the new technology that Wayne Enterprises was looking to patent as well as a prospectus on a defense contract that was being prepared, when there was a loud commotion outside the board room. Miranda at this point was opening smiling and her two accomplices were having a hard time keeping their smug expressions to themselves when the FBI and the SEC came barging in. Miranda triumphantly caught his eye while Bruce just smirked back and winked at her...causing her to look confused for a moment before her eyes widened in horror.
"Miranda Tate...we are here to take you into custody." An FBI Agent with several members of Gotham City's police department as well as Jim Gordon moved behind the woman, and the FBI agent placed his hand on her shoulder, which Miranda shrugged off angrily.
"What is the meaning of this?" Warren Billings, the board member on her right said indignantly.
"Miss Tate, you are under arrest for violation of the SEC insider trading laws...as well as breaking into the SEC trading platform and manipulating the stock futures market, effectively bankrupting Daggett Industries."
Miranda's face paled in shock as she glanced over at Bruce who looked on with feigned shock. He actually was rather enjoying himself. Time to speak up...
"Agent..."
"Mathers Mr. Wayne. Sorry to interrupt, but we need to take Miss Tate into custody immediately."
Bruce steepled his hands as he glared at Billings, who was looking quite like he might be sick any moment. "Are you sure you have the right person, Agent Mathers?"
"Yes Sir, the men who were captured last evening confirmed it was Miss Tate who was behind the break in of the Stock Exchange. Her agents used John Daggett's thumbprint to execute trades on his behalf, effectively bankrupting Mr. Daggett."
"That's a shocking accusation Agent Mathers. Would Mr. Daggett be able to recoup those losses?"
The Agent shook his head sadly. "Unfortunately not. Apparently a large set of trades were made this morning when the market opened up in the vacuum left by the devaluation of his stock. Daggett Industries has been taken over by an unknown corporation. We are looking into it, but frankly there's not much that can be done. The trades this morning were all done legally, so it's unlikely Daggett will come out of this intact."
Bruce's face darkened in disgust as he scoffed with just the right amount of feigned anger. "If this is true, Miranda...you have a lot of explaining to do. As of now, until the investigation is done, I wish for the SEC to look into rescinding her stock purchase of Wayne Enterprises as I believe Mr. Fredericks sold it to her under duress...I will even offer to purchase it back at fair market value."
"We will look into it Mr. Wayne."
The agent pulled Miranda up and cuffed her before moving out of the room with her. Angel's men were there, and Bruce saw one put a discrete tracking device on Miranda as a precaution.
When the agents and police were gone, Bruce openly glared at Billings and Eric Alderman, who was the other board member under Miranda's thumb. Both men were looking at Bruce with undisguised fear behind their eyes.
"Lucius, perhaps we should adjourn for the day."
"Of course, Mr. Wayne."
All the men stood up in unison until Bruce's voice stopped them cold. "Billings, Alderman...Perhaps you both might stay back for a minute?"
The two men looked at each other as the other men within the room seemed confused before a few shook their heads in disgust...realizing what this was likely about.
When the door closed, Bruce gestured for the two men to take a seat...which they did warily.
"I thank you both for staying. It hadn't escaped my notice that both of you seemed quite familiar with Miss Tate. So I wanted to encourage you both to step forward and help the police and FBI in anyway necessary."
Alderman cleared his throat uncomfortably, while Billings just tugged at his tie nervously.
"We had no idea that Miss Tate was involved in something that might bring John Daggett down, Mr. Wayne."
Bruce sat back and steepled his hands again, considering the two men before him. "No, I don't imagine that was the plan that Miss Tate came to you both with. What did she offer you? More stock...a bigger piece of the pie? Or was it Daggett?"
Alderman paled and Billings started breathing strangely.
"How?" Alderman said in horror.
Bruce smirked. "How long have I known? Well that's an interesting question and one I can't answer in all honesty. However, you two have a choice...you can sell me your shares of stock or I will make sure you both go to jail for aiding Miranda Tate. This is just the tip of the iceberg...I'm sure should the SEC and FBI start investigating my board members for possible accomplices, they might be persuaded to look in both of your's direction...at my behest of course."
Billings shook his head in shock. "You have no idea who she really is."
Bruce chuckled deeply and smirked. "I know exactly who Talia is, Billings...I'm not too worried."
If both men could pale even further, they did...and they were both visibly shaking. "I understand she may have threatened you, your families, yes?" Both men nodded. "That's unfortunate but not my problem. If you had come to me, shown loyalty to me...I could have helped you...but now I'm afraid my hands are tied. If you sell me your stock, you both could disappear...but your chances wouldn't be much better than if you sold your stock and turned States Evidence. They'd put you both in witness protection...your families too, I'd imagine. Neither choice is ideal I'm afraid. However if you were willing to do the right thing, I would do what I can for your families, I'm not heartless after all."
Both men sat there and looked completely shell-shocked. Bruce could well imagine how he might be feeling if Miranda's plan had succeeded, although he had enough funds hidden away overseas should anything untoward ever happen. It was good to be prepared.
The two men were talking amongst themselves when Billings finally turned to Bruce and nodded. "We will testify against her...but please, just protect our families. They had nothing to do with this."
Bruce nodded and then pulled out his phone sending a quick text. In a few minutes Wesley and Gunn walked in. "These men will take you both to a secure location for now."
Both men nodded and Alderman bowed his head apologetically. "We are very sorry, Mr. Wayne."
"I'm sure you both are." Bruce offered magnanimously, before nodding to Angel's men to take them away.
He waited until he was alone, before taking his phone and calling Faith...who picked up on the first ring.
"So?" Faith said nervously, and Bruce couldn't help but smile softly at how worried she sounded for him.
"It's done baby...no worries."
Faith sighed in relief. "Come home Wayne...please."
Bruce grinned to himself as he stood up, heading for his private entrance. "I'm on my way. Have I told you today how beautiful you are?"
Faith giggled. "You can show me in person when you get home."
"Now that sounds like a plan."
Bruce had made it home in record time, and Faith accosted him as soon as he walked out of the elevator, jumping into his arms, and wrapping her legs around his waist as she kissed him breathless. After a few moments, Bruce pulled back and smiled softly as his Slayer. "That was some greeting."
"Yeah, well, I figured you deserved it. How was Miss Hoity-Toity's face when she realized that she'd been played?"
Bruce chuckled at the memory. "None too happy and understandably confused...then horrified. I rather enjoyed myself actually."
Faith threw her head back and laughed out in glee. "You are something Wayne."
Bruce shrugged as he placed Faith down and maneuvered his arm around her waist as he noticed Alfred was watching the local news. The word of Miranda Tate's arrest hadn't been made public yet, according to Alfred, but it was only a matter of time. After the debacle with the Joker, Bruce could well imagine that Miranda might be sent to Blackgate for security reasons. The Batman may have put the suggestion in Gordon's ear...if Bane did try and break her out...he'd have a hard time getting into Blackgate to do it.
After a few moments Faith heard her phone ring upstairs, and she dashed upstairs to get it just as Bruce's elevator dinged, signaling someone being let into his Penthouse elevator which she thought odd.
Faith grabbed her phone and didn't even get a 'hey' out before she heard Doyle tell her that he'd had a vision of Daggett going after Bruce with a gun...shooting him dead. Faith gasped and hung up the phone before her Slayer hearing picked up the sound of the elevator dinging again. Moving quickly to the top of the staircase, Faith gasped in horror as she saw John Daggett with a gun pointed at Bruce.
"How did you do it Wayne, huh? How did you figure out what Miranda and I had planned? I should take you out right now...kill you dead for ruining my plans!" The man was completely deranged as Bruce kept his eyes locked on Daggett, whose hand was shaking in anger.
Before Bruce could speak, Faith sauntered down the stairs, not missing Bruce's angry expression nor Daggett's surprised look.
"I'm afraid that would have been me, Mr. Daggett."
John turned to Faith and barked out an incredulous laugh. "You? I'm supposed to believe you figured it out?"
Faith looked at her fingernails with a bored expression before she sighed and nodded. "Miss Kyle was more than happy to make the fingerprint exchange. Really, she should have been a little more discreet with her attentions...but you did miss it when she took your scotch tumbler during our little chat."
Daggett's eyes widened before his face scowled angrily, as he glared at Faith. "You fucking bitch, I should kill you too...or maybe I'll just kill Wayne why you watch."
Faith chuckled. "You won't be killing anyone Mr. Daggett, but...if you put down your gun right now, I might consider allowing you to go...if not, well...the alternative would suck for you."
Bruce couldn't help but smirk at Faith's veiled threat, as he kept his eyes fixated on Daggett. "You're a crazy bitch..."
"No Mr. Daggett...I'm a Slayer..." Faith extended her hand and the Scythe appeared at her call...Daggett's eyes widened as he took in the weapon. "I'm more powerful than your little Miranda Tate...or would that be Talia al Ghul? Or how about Bane? If you don't put down that gun...I'm going to take it from you before I kick your ass."
As Daggett cocked the gun back, Faith sighed and held her hand out, the gun leaving Daggett's hand instantly as it flew into hers, while simultaneously throwing the Scythe and knocking Daggett unconscious.
"Hey, it worked!" Faith grinned happily before she glared at the unconscious man on the floor as the Scythe clanked to the ground. "What a loser. How the fuck did he get up here?"
Bruce chuckled as he shook his head at his Slayer, who looked at the gun in disgust before she set it down and backed away from it liked it burned her. "Hate guns...evil creepy things. Cowards use guns..." Faith muttered angrily, before she picked up the Scythe and sent it back into the ether.
"Come here." Bruce held out his hand and Faith took it instantly. "Thank you baby." Bruce whispered into her ear. "I should be angry at you for coming downstairs and putting yourself in harms way though. Telekinesis?"
"Yeah...all new powers happening and still trying to figure it all out and please...him and what army?"
Alfred chuckled while Bruce just grinned at Faith's audacity. "Alfred, would you be so kind to call the Police?"
"Of course Master Bruce." Alfred moved over to the phone, and dialed the number and after speaking for a few moments, he hung up.
"I was told that someone should be here shortly."
Bruce nodded as he held Faith on his lap, and waited for the police to arrive. Sure enough, it didn't take long...and about 15 minutes after the officers arrived and John Daggett was revived and taken away...Commissioner Gordon showed.
"Mr. Wayne...I'm relieved to see you are alright. It seems you've had quite the busy day, Sir."
"I'm just hoping that Daggett didn't hurt anyone before he accessed my elevator."
Gordon shook his head. "He shot one of the guards downstairs I'm afraid...the man should be alright though. It was a gunshot to the leg...and it would seemed he used the guards key card to gain access to your Penthouse. How were you able to disarm him?"
Bruce smiled softly and pulled Faith to him closely. "Faith was able to disarm him and knock him out. Took him by surprise so we were lucky. She had gone upstairs to get her phone when Daggett arrived and I kept the man focused on me so she was able to sneak up and disarm him, before knocking him unconscious."
Gordon looked over at the brunette beauty and nodded in appreciation. "That's was very brave of you Miss Lehane."
"I'm just glad no one was hurt too badly. I really hate violence."
Bruce inwardly smirked at the blatant lie...but his outward countenance just showed relief.
"Well, I have enough for an initial statement, but I will need you both to come down to the precinct and file a formal report. I'm afraid some of Gotham's reporters have encamped themselves in front of the building Mr. Wayne. Please refrain from speaking to the press until we get this settled?"
"Of course Commissioner. If I may ask, where are you holding Miranda Tate?"
"She's in police lockup until she can be formally booked and charged. That will happen tomorrow."
Bruce nodded. "We will be down then first thing, to file a report."
"Excellent, and I'm glad you're alright Sir. You as well Miss Lehane...have a pleasant rest of your evening."
"We will Commissioner...thank you for getting here so promptly." Bruce shook the man's hand and walked him out while Faith just sat there and gave Alfred a incredulous look. Gordon really had no idea Bruce was Batman...it was simply astounding!
After Gordon had left, Faith burst out into uncontrollable laughter and Bruce just looked on in confusion while Alfred smiled conspiratorially.
"That man calls himself a police officer but he's clueless!" Faith chortled with glee. "Please explain...because I'm at a loss as to how he doesn't know."
Bruce shook his head fondly at Faith as she was still giggling to herself. "He's a good cop...when I first started as the Batman he was Lt. Gordon...one of the few honest cops out there. As far as observation goes...I'm not entirely convinced he doesn't suspect my alter ego...but to his credit he's never confronted me about it."
"Ah..." Faith nodded in understanding. "Plausible deniability."
"Yes." Bruce grinned and winked impishly. "Most men would rather deny a hard truth than face it."
Faith's breath hitched as her face paled a bit and Bruce noticed. He walked over and enveloped her in his arms. "Hey...it's okay..."
Faith shook her head as she gave Bruce a considering look before she spoke slowly and with emotion. "To regret one's own experiences is to arrest one's own development. To deny one's own experiences is to put a lie into the lips of one's own life. It is no less than a denial of the soul."
Bruce looked at Faith completely flummoxed in shocked confusion...trying to understand what she was getting at...before he nodded and said softly, "Oscar Wilde."
Faith nodded. "I think I'm going to go take a bath...it's been a long day and I'm tired."
"Okay...I'll be up in a bit." Bruce said with concern in his voice before he kissed Faith's lips and watched as she moved up the stairs into their room.
"What was that all about Master Bruce?"
Bruce simply shook his head in confusion. "I have no idea, Alfred."