Co-Workers

Author: Pharo

Disclaimer: 'Justice League' belongs to Cartoon Network and DC Comics. No infringement intended.

Summary: Missing scene from "Hereafter." Alfred is not the only one who implores Batman to attend the funeral.

Spoilers: "Hereafter."

Feedback: pharo@newyork.com

She is a little shocked when he informs her that he isn't going to the funeral. She had always liked to entertain the notion saving the world wasn't all that brought them together, but that somewhere along the line, they had all become friends.

Obviously, he doesn't have the same sentiments that she does.

"Excuse me?"

She hopes that maybe she heard wrong.

"I'm not going, Princess."

He doesn't even bother to look at her. She hates it when he calls her that. She is no longer a princess and doesn't deserve the title. She is about to call him on it before she realizes that's exactly what he wants. He has it all planned out in his head: she gets angry with him, a few choice words are exchanged, and she leaves.

She refuses to play along.

"I know that you like to do things your own way," she says calmly, "but this is important."

"So is what I'm doing now," he says.

He stares at the monitor in front of him once more.

"You owe it to him," she implores.

"Good night," he says without emotion.

"Bruce—"

"Just stop, Diana," he says, a silent plea in his words.

She feels her anger rise.

"Bruce, you're not alone in this. Why won't you let us help you?" she asks desperately.

"I don't need your help."

She wants to shake him and make him see that he's not always right. He must know by now that it is not a weakness to need someone at times.

"Everyone needs help, Bruce. We're family."

His head snaps in her direction at the mention of family. For a split second, she can see that he's angry, but as always, he regains his composure.

"We're co-workers," he says, his voice cold and defiant. "I don't have a family."

Her ears ring in disbelief and she wants to smash his face for being so cruel.

"How can you say that?"

She understands that it is just his way of pushing her away, but it doesn't hurt any less to hear the declaration.

"You're going to be late," he says, turning away from her.

She suddenly feels contempt for the stranger sitting in front of her. A hero is dead and he can just sit there, compartmentalizing his emotions and pretending that nothing is really wrong, that Superman is not really gone.

"I didn't want to believe it, you know. I made excuses for you, told the others that you just had your own way of processing grief, but I obviously don't know you at all."

She shakes her head and walks away.

"You're just as heartless as the evil you fight against, Batman," she says, just loud enough for him to hear.

She doesn't see him turn around in his chair as she exits.