*Chapter 5: Revelation*

"Bruce? Bruce?" A female spoke. The man groaned and opened his eyes. His vision is becoming clear, yet his head is throbbing in pain. Mia looks down at him, touching his head. "Can you hear me?" She asked. Bruce's jaw tightened. His mask was off. The secret is out. He sat up on a table and held his head and look over at the nurse. They are in a Batcave. Axel stood by the Batcomputer with Robin.

"You know." Bruce spoke. Mia nodded at him. "You and your son know."

"When I took off your mask, I was...shocked. But, I had to help." Mia said. "We won't tell anyone." Bruce narrowed his eyes at her. He puts the cowl back on and got off the table. "You need to rest. Your head-"

"I'm fine." Batman said. "You're not hurt, are you?"

"I...no." Mia replied. She looked down at her hand. Her ring was gone. "Thank you. For saving us." Batman turned to face her. He then noticed her ring was missing. Taken by those thugs before he appeared. Mia looked up at him. "You really need to rest for the night."

"He hardly gets a night off." Robin commented.

"So, what happens now?" Axel spoke. "Since me and my mom know your secret. Does it mean we join the team?" Robin was about the reply, but Batman walked over to the boy with a neutral look.

"You were the first one who knew." He said. "And you never told anyone about this, did you?"

"No. Who would I tell?" Axel said. "Batman, you have to trust us. We won't tell anyone about your secret."

"Trust. Doesn't come easily in my line of order." Batman said. Mia crossed her arms at him. She wouldn't blame him for not trusting someone who is new in Gotham who just found out the secret. Still, who would she and Axel tell? Mia has to show Batman how much he could trust her. "You two are safe now." Batman spoke. "Alfred will drive you back home."

"Wait a minute, can't we talk more about this?" Mia asked.

"You two can't be involved. It's too dangerous." Batman said as he typed on his Batcomputer. "I appreciate your help earlier. I'll be fine."

"Bruce, let the nurse talk." Robin spoke, taking off his hood.

"Thank you, Tim." Mia said. She walked over to Batman's side. "Listen. I understand it would be a risky business, but I am not planning to do the crime fighting by your side for my son's sake. How about this? If any of you are injured in any way, I could come to your Batcave at evenings. And Alfred said something that he could use some assistance."

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea." Robin said with a shrug. "Sometimes we get beat up really bad out there. Alfred was always the only one who patched one of us up."

"Yeah. My mom is a great nurse." Axel said. Batman faced him and Mia in silent. Mia isn't a fighting type. She is a helpful person with experience of giving shots and patch wounds. The man behind the mask likes Mia, but as Batman, he must be cautious. "Can we join along?" Axel asked. "Please?" Mia stared at Batman, waiting for a response. The Dark Knight crossed his arms at her.

"If you are true to your word, then I accept. But under one condition." Batman said seriously.

"What's that?" Mia wondered.

"Always follow my rules." Batman told her and Axel. Robin snickered. "You think you can handle situations around Gotham? There is always crime."

"That's why Gotham has you." Mia said. "I've heard a bit about you from the papers. You and Robin always stop the most wanted criminals."

"Well, you aren't wrong." Robin said. "And speaking of criminals..." He pressed on the keyboards and brought up a file with a photo of Penguin. "We were supposed to find Penguin at the Bank of Gotham. But you guys were the first stop of the night. Not saying it's your fault for the delay."

"Is there time to stop him?" Axel asked.

"It may be late to stop him at the bank." A new male voice spoke from behind. Everyone turned around to see a man wearing a black suit with blue details, black gloves, and a black eye mask similar to Robin's. "I know where the little guy is hiding." He said, forming a smirk.

"Nightwing, what're you doing here?" Robin asked. Mia raised her brow at the man who walks up to them. "Oh, this is Nightwing."

"Who is your new friend, Batman?" Nightwing asked, looking at Mia.

"This is Mia Harlow. She knows my identity." Batman told his long time partner. "And this is Axel."

"Oh. Well, I guess I should say... Welcome to the Bat Family." Nightwing said with a smile as he shook hands with Axel.

"Bat Family?" Mia wondered. Batman hides his sigh as he tries to locate where Penguin is hiding.

"You're needed in Bludhaven. What're you doing here?" Batman asked Nightwing.

"Alfred called me. He...told me to go after Penguin. And I guess I know why." Nightwing turned to Mia. "Name's Dick Grayson, by the way. Sorry."

"I'll handle Penguin." Batman said, trying to shake the pain away from his head. "Nurse Harlow won't stay for long. Alfred will-"

"Whoa, we're getting formal now?" Mia asked. "What do you want me to call you? Mr. Bat?" Batman shot her a glare before turning back to his Batcomputer. Mia rolled her eyes and turn to Nightwing. She has a lot to learn now since she is a part of the team. Even Axel was thrilled. As long as they both don't run into trouble out in a streets.

Alfred drove Mia and Axel back to their apartment. Mia looked out the window to see her purse is still by the steps of the buildings. Alfred got out of the car and got his umbrella out for the two. Mia picked up her purse and double check everything. Wallet, cards, car keys, a key to her apartment, her phone. Everything except her wedding ring.

"Here is my card, Ms. Harlow." Alfred gave her a card with a number. "In case I gave you a call if there is a need. And thank you again for helping Master Wayne."

"I can't believe we are part of this. This is so cool!" Axel said as they both walked inside the building.

"Alfred, would you like to come in? I have...concerns." Mia said. Alfred checked his watch and see he has some time to spare before returning to Wayne Manor. He knows that Mia has a lot of questions.

Mia and Alfred sat at the table while Axel is in his room to rest and be in warm clothes. Mia is in her robe with her pajamas underneath, holding a warm cup of tea as Alfred drank his.

"So, after his parents died, Bruce wanted vengeance?" Mia asked. "Fighting crime in Gotham as the Batman. Sounds like he was haunted by his past."

"It was a tragic night for Master Bruce. Surely he did tell you that story." Alfred said. "After he was Batman, we have Master Grayson was a former Robin a few years ago, then eventually become Nightwing. Then, there was...Master Todd." The old butler paused as he remembered the second Robin.

"Who's he?" Mia asked.

"He was the second Robin, but...we lost him long ago." Alfred told her. "Master Bruce feared to lose the ones he truly cared about. Master Todd was killed by the clown maniac, the Joker." Mia blinked at the butler, lowering her cup. "The Joker sends Batman the clip of him being shot. It was...unforgettable. For both of us. The poor lad was tortured."

"I...I'm sorry." Mia said. "That must've been rough."

"After Master Todd, we now have Master Drake. Now that you and your son were a part of this, you will one day meet Miss Gordan." Alfred said.

"You mean Barbra Gordan? I've met her at the party." Mia said. "She fights crime too?"

"Ah, yes. She is Batgirl." Alfred told her. "Now those were the members of the Bat Family who knew about Batman's secret identity. I highly advise you to keep away from dangerous criminals such as the Joker, the Penguin, and many others who are lurking around Gotham or Arkham."

"Of course." Mia said. "Thank you again, Alfred. And it will be a pleasure to help you all out. Just give me a ring if there is anything."

"I appreciate it, Ms. Harlow. You and your son stay safe and take care." Alfred said, getting up from a chair and walk out. Mia showed him the door said goodbye. As she closes the door, she looks down at the card he gave her. A number of his. Mia couldn't stop thinking about that story of Jason's death. She and her son will have to be very careful. She heard the Joker is a crazy criminal who kills people and pull pranks.

'What have I gotten myself into?' Mia thought to herself.

"You bloody wankers! Next time I will beat yer arse!" Penguin cursed as he was being dragged into the building of Blackgate Prison. Nightwing chuckled as he watched Batman brought the little man to the guards of Blackgate. "The money's mine, Batman! You really should keep yer bloody nose out of my business!"

"Next time you lay a hand on Gotham's money, I will break your fingers." Batman told his enemy.

"We'll get this guy locked up tight." One of the guards said, pulling Penguin inside the building.

"Keep kicking ass out there, Batman." The second guard said. Batman went back to his Batmobile, holding the back of his head.

"You sure you're okay, Batman?" Nightwing asked as he got in the car. "You know, that nurse is really something. Pretty too." Batman didn't speak to him as he drives off. "Tim told me you met her days ago at your party. You invited her over for dinner. And that kid found your Batcave. I think it's fate, Bruce."

"We weren't dating, Dick." Batman said. "She's a widow. Her husband died three years ago. She told me she tried dating and things never work out."

"I don't know. Maybe you and her could date one day. I bet you it will happen." Nightwing said with a smile. "You haven't dated a woman for some time." Batman gave his partner a silent treatment. He doesn't want to talk about this anymore. He and Mia won't be a thing. As Batman, it was business for them. As Bruce Wayne, they can be friends.