AU story:Bruce Wayne is a bitter man, hating the world for the death of parents and the life he didn't choose. Can his old friend Lucius Fox change his heart?

A Bat Christmas Carol

With Great Respect For Charles Dickens

By

Part 9: A Second Chance

Bruce suddenly stopped and opened his eyes. He was inches from landing on his bedroom floor.

"What?"

Bruce looked around and a single ray of sunshine peeked through the drapes that were closed. It must be morning, but which morning? Bruce got up from his bed and walked quickly over to his closet. His silk shirt was still hanging there. He went over to the dresser and found that his cufflinks that his wife gave him were still there, sitting next to her picture. They hadn't been removed. He wasn't dead. He was still alive, and that meant he had a second chance. He heard a knock on his door and he opened it to see his old valet holding a tray covered with a silver dome.

"Alfred?"

"Mr. Wayne?" Alfred's eyes were wide. He hadn't expected to see his former employer. He usually tried to keep from being seen, but this morning, it was different.

"Alfred!" Bruce wrapped his arms around the man, hugging him.

"Mr. Wayne . . ."

"Alfred, what day is it?"

"Excuse me, Sir?"

"What day is it?" Bruce asked again.

"It's . . . Are you sure you wish to know, Sir?"

"Yes, I do."

"Well, Sir, you had forbidden me from mentioning any and all holidays. And when I forgot, just once, you gave me the sack . . . But . . ."

". . . You continued to bring me my breakfast, as if I didn't actually mean what I said. Only, you didn't let me see you. You wanted to make sure I ate."

"Should I not do that anymore, Sir? You really do not wish me to bring you breakfast?"

"To be honest, Alfred . . ." Bruce paused. "I want you to continue to give me breakfast. And I want you to wish me a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, whatever you want. I've been a fool."

"Are you feeling all right, Sir?"

"Yes, in fact, I'm feeling better, so much better that, I don't know what to do or what to think. And I'm reversing that order, and you're re-hired. I just need to know what day it is first."

"It's Christmas Day, Sir,"

"It's Christmas Day, I haven't missed it.

"Of course not, Sir. Are you sure you're feeling all right?"

'I've been given a second chance,' Bruce thought. 'The spirits must have done it in one night. They can do what they want. Now it's up to me to live up to my bargain, to prove that I've learned my lesson.' Bruce turned to his butler and valet. Alfred had a puzzled look on his face. "Alfred, I haven't been very kind to you in a very long time. I'm sorry for that. I would like to give you a raise for putting up with me all these years."

"A raise, Sir?"

"Yes, a raise large enough so you don't have to worry any more. I also want you to move back in. I . . . I need you."

"Thank you, Sir. I do not know what to say."

"Say you'll come back," Bruce pleaded. "There's so much I need to do, and I . . I know you don't trust me . . . "

"Master Bruce," Alfred said, kindly. "What is that you wish me to do?"

"Help me to help this city."

"Really, Sir? Of course, I will. All you had to do was ask."

"We'll work on that later," Bruce said. "There's something I need to do first. Could you go to the Christmas Market, if it's still open and purchase the prized turkey?"

"You wish to have a turkey dinner?"

"It's not for me," Bruce said as he handed Alfred several bills. "It's for my clerk, Richard Grayson, and his family, but I don't want him to know it's from me."

Bruce's stomach gave out a loud growl. "Looks like do anything else, I better have breakfast, more than just coffee and toast, too."

"It's about time, Sir," Alfred said. He set the tray down on a table and prepared to run Mr. Wayne's errand. He gave a hidden smile, pleased that once again, he was seeing more the boy he knew then the bitter man Bruce had become.

Once Bruce was done, he got dressed and headed outside. This was an opportunity he could not miss. Walking along the crowded streets, Bruce came across the two women who came to his office yesterday.

"Excuse me ladies," Bruce actually bowed to them.

"Mr. Wayne?"

"Yes, that's me. I'm afraid my name might not be please to you. Please forgive me for the way I treated you. I have not been myself for a long time. You asked me for a donation, yesterday. Put me down for . . ." Bruce handed the ladies a slip of paper.

One of the ladies opened it and their eyes were wide. "Are you sure, that's double that we . . . "

"Please, don't say anything. That's just the beginning of what I owe, and I want to make up for all that I could have done. And that amount will be given each year from now on."

"This is most generous," the ladies stated. "Thank you."

"Merry Christmas," Bruce said and left the two ladies. His next stop would be to the home of his sons, but when he reached their door, he became nervous, not certain if he would still be welcomed. He paced back and forth for some time, his feet starting to feel the bite of the cold. 'Come on, Bruce, think about that liquid courage the second spirit gave you. These are your sons.' Bruce finally knocked on the door and Damian answered.

"Father?"

"I've come to spend Christmas with you, if . . . If you'll have me . . . May I come in? I . . . I don't really want to spend another Christmas in the dark any more . . . Unless it's to . . ."

"Of course, you can come in," Damian said. "What's that comment about the dark?"

"I have an idea, and I'll tell you over dinner," Bruce said.

"I'd love to hear it, Father, and there's some people I would like you to meet."

Bruce entered the house, coming in from the cold. The next day, however, would prove to be the most rewarding, and the most nerve racking for Bruce Wayne, and the start of a new life, as well as new life for the city itself.

Continues with Part 10

A/N: MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!