Chapter Two
A/N: Since you all requested it, here's Mission: Impossible, Chapter Two … ;)
"We have arrived, Miss Barbara," said Alfred.
Barbara stared up at the looming Clocktower from the passenger seat of the Hummer. "Where are we?" she asked.
"Home," Alfred replied.
Barbara stared at Alfred in puzzlement. "THIS is an office building…"
"Correction, Miss Barbara … it WAS an office building," said Alfred. "Master Bruce has arranged for an entire floor of this building to be converted into living quarters for you and your … staff."
"I see," said Barbara. "But why this building? Why this building in particular?"
"This was once the headquarters of Wayne Enterprises," said Alfred. "It seems that they outgrew the space some time ago." Alfred paused. "As for why Master Bruce has selected this particular building to be your base of operations, I cannot say."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa … back up," interjected Barbara. "Bruce wants me to live and WORK out of this building?"
"Master Bruce wishes for you to conduct HIS work out of this building, yes."
Barbara closed her eyes, shook her head, and gave a wry smile. "Poor Lucious," she said. "All that lost rent." Barbara paused. "Poor guy must've had a stroke when Bruce told him his plans for the place."
"I'm afraid I wasn't present when that conversation took place, Miss Barbara."
"That's all right," Barbara said softly.
"Shall we go inside?" said Alfred.
Barbara and Alfred stood in front of the elevator and took in the scene that lay before them. The detritus of construction -- sawdust, two-by-fours, sawhorses, etc. -- lay scattered about the room. The massive gears of the clock were located at the far end of the room.
"What's that?" asked Barbara as she pointed out the gears.
"That would be the clock mechanism, Miss Barbara," Alfred replied.
"Why are we here … and why all the construction?"
"It is Master Bruce's intent that this facility … serve as your primary base of operations."
He wants me to work out of a clock, Barbara thought wryly. "Dare I ask why he chose this particular facility for me?" Barbara asked. "It's certainly not one that I would've chosen."
"If I may be so blunt as to say this, Miss Barbara … I believe that was the whole point," Alfred replied. "It is most certainly the last place anyone would expect to find the headquarters of a … vigilante … crimefighting operation."
There IS a certain logic in that statement, Barbara thought.
"Miss Barbara, I was wondering if you would permit me to ask a … personal question … of you."
"Alfred … we've been friends for years!" Barbara exclaimed. "You may ask anything of me that you wish."
"Thank you, Miss Barbara," Alfred replied. "I am curious … what led you to become a schoolteacher?" Alfred paused. "Master Bruce has informed me that you used to be an engineer."
Barbara let out a breath. "Before I was a schoolteacher, I was a weapons designer … for a defense contractor," said Barbara. "I made a career out of developing new ways to kill people as quickly and efficiently as possible." Barbara paused. "After having come so close to death myself, I guess I just lost the desire … to dish it out to other people."
"That's certainly understandable," said Alfred.
"The pay's lousy, I know … at least, it's not anywhere NEAR what I WAS making," said Barbara. "But at the same time, there's more to life than money." Barbara paused. "Bruce taught me that. Without a higher purpose in life … without a reason to get up in the morning … life isn't worth living." Barbara smiled. "…And all the money in the world won't make it so," she said quietly.
"Very true," said Alfred. Without missing a beat, he then turned to Barbara and asked, "Do you wish to see your apartment?"