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

Epilogue: A New Day and A New Beginning

Bruce Wayne got up early, just before sunrise and went to the old offices of Wayne Enterprise. He looked at his reflection in the glass doors and remembered what he saw there. He touched the glass then pulled out a set of old keys, unlocked the building, and walked through. The upper portion of the building had not survived the quake that was sudden and unexpected. It had caught everyone off guard, but now that he thought about it, Gotham was on bedrock. How could an earthquake happen? Had it been a freak of nature? He had not questioned it before, but now that he had a chance to make things right, that was one of the questions that came to his mind. Right now, there was something he needed to do first.

Bruce Wayne climbed the steps to the floor that was exposed to the elements. It was now the topmost floor of the 60 story building. Climbing the steps was an arduous task, and Bruce realized he was totally out of shape. If he was going to change, he was going to need to change that. When he reached the top floor, he walked to the edge, remembering, the numbers of people who lost their lives that day. He hadn't been in the Wayne Enterprise building. Nor had he been at the Manor. That day was a blur, and yet he remembered someone telling him of the devastation, and brushing them off. He had not realized just how bad Gotham had been hit. Being up this high, he could clearly see just how much damage the earthquake had done. How people survived was unknown. While looking down, Bruce realized, he wasn't afraid. If he could shoot a rope across to another building, he could travel through the city, seeing it from a height that only a bird might see it. 'I bet it was even more beautiful at night, with the lights from the city, when there had been more lights.'

As the sun rose a little higher, Bruce realized he had little time to spare before he could put his plan into place. He raised down the steps and back out of the building. The door automatically locked behind him and he raced through the streets to the home of his clerk. He needed to get there long before Dick Grayson left. Once he arrived in front of Dick Grayson's home, he placed a thick envelope in his mailbox without being seen. Then he headed to the Christmas Market where people were selling their items and he purchased several things there. Then he headed to the smaller Wayne Enterprise office. He unlocked the door and went inside. It was then that he noticed how dismal and cold the place was, but for now, it would suit his purpose. He had a plan, and he would carry it out when Dick arrived, which he hoped would be later than early.

Bruce Wayne got out his account book and looked over what his clients owed him. There were several who owed him several thousand dollars while there were others who only owed a few hundred. Each month he would add in the interest that was owed when his clients would pay a portion of what they owed him. He carefully looked them over and realized that those who complained the most were the ones who had the largest loans and were also paying the least amount. Bruce Wayne in that moment made a decision. He pulled out some paper and a pen and began crafting a letter, which he then made several copies. Bruce then pulled out his bankbook and some checks, writing out each amount. He didn't do it for everyone, just the ones who needed it the most, and then he crossed their names off the list, closing their accounts, and ending their debt to him forever. Those that he kept on the list, those that owed him several thousand dollars, the money they owed him would go into a special account, an account that would change things for everyone, and perhaps restore people's faith.

As he finished up, he wrote one more letter. That he placed on his clerk's desk and then waited for Dick to arrive. Just as he surmised, Dick came into the office, late. Bruce kept his head down, but still had his eyes on the young man.

"You're late," Bruce said, just before Dick was to sit down at his desk.

'I'm sorry, Mr. Wayne, it won't happen, again.

"I will not tolerate this any longer."

"I'm really sorry . . ."

"Turn the heat on," Bruce interrupted his clerk. "it's cold in here."

"What?" Dick was confused. He thought Mr. Wayne was about to fire him.

"We need some warmth in here," Bruce said. "It's been cold for too long."

"Are you feeling all right?"

"I'm fine," Bruce gave out a slight gruffy sound, then cleared his voice. "In fact, I've never felt better in a long time. Now, I need you to sign that paper on your desk."

"Yes, Sir," Dick said, slightly puzzled. 'It's probably some formality that requires my signature, but Mr. Wayne hadn't required me to sign anything before . . .' Dick hesitated when he started to read what was on that paper. "I . . . I don't understand. Is this for real?"

Bruce got up from his desk and sat on the corner of Dick's. His face softened and he looked at the young man. "It's for real. I should have done this a long time, ago. You did something for me that I never fully appreciated, and I took advantage of it. For that, I owe you an apology, and a debt of gratitude."

"What did I do?"

"You asked if you could help," Bruce answered.

"I remember," Dick said. "I just remembered, you looked so sad and cross."

"You saw right through me," Bruce said. "And I did need help, help even I didn't realize at the time that I needed. Something happened to me last night, I can't explain, but I was reminded that what I was going to do, never happened. And I want to correct that, but I need someone to help me. And learning that you had a family, I want to help them, too. That paper is just a formality, but I want you to know, I mean every word on there. I want you to be my partner, in everything."

"I don't know what to say," Dick said, overwhelmed.

"Well, firsthand, sign that paper, and then we'll close up the office, and go have some lunch, and we'll discuss how we can help this city get back on its feet, and bring hope to this city."

Dick gave Bruce a wide smile. "Right away, Mr. Wayne." Dick Grayson signed the paper, and then Bruce Wayne took the pen and signed his name below.

"And Dick, please call me, Bruce."

After they did a few more things in the office, Bruce and Dick went to lunch, and did just that. They made plans to help each area of the city, investing into the needs of the people. Not only that, Bruce arranged for Dick's brother to see the healer. And when next Christmas came, Tim did not die, but saved his niece, and became a hero to his family.

And Mr. Bruce Wayne was as good as his word. He did bring hope back to Gotham. He helped to rebuild the city, and he opened a foundation to help those in need. Then a new light appeared in the sky, a signal to help shed light into the shadows where they needed it the most.

Bruce Wayne stopped in front of his parents' grave, wearing the shadowy costume inspired by the Spirit of Christmas yet to come.

"I did it, Mom, Dad," Batman said. "I'm finally fulfilling the vow that I made when you died. I'm sorry that it took so long. I even have someone at my side, a teen eager to learn. He calls himself Robin. The city is becoming safer and whole, again. I miss you, so much. Well, I have to go now. I'm taking Christmas off tonight to spend it with my new family, and my sons. I love, you, and Merry Christmas."

End