Batman was feeling restless when he returned to the Batcave. He was in no shape to patrol, not that that had ever stopped him before, but he still didn't feel it was necessary. This feeling was very uncharacteristic for him. After an hour, Batman was literally pacing the Batcave. He decided to change and go to sleep for the night, something else incredibly uncharacteristic. But his restlessness followed him to his bedroom. When he was through tossing and turning in bed, he decided to swim. This activity was something he hadn't done in a long while. He went to the west wing of Wayne manor where the pool was on the first floor. It was the only thing that was not present when the old mansion was built. Bruce had actually grown to dislike it. It seemed out of place with everything else. He didn't even know why he kept paying the pool boy. He was always tempted to stop and just drain the thing, but he could never bring himself to do it. Batman found a swimsuit in the pool house and climbed in. At first, he simply sat in the shallow end and got used to the water. Then he swam around a little, but his injured ribs made it difficult. After a while, Bruce just floated on his back and thought of past events. The floating was very relaxing and it was easy on his ribs. Bruce's thoughts wandered until it settled on recent events.
A crime syndicate had set up in various cities in the country, but the headquarters was in Metropolis. Batman had been investigating them for a few months because they had ties in Gotham City; something he took very personally. When he realized how large the syndicate actually was, he grudgingly went to the Justice League with the information. Of course the Justice League was eager to stop the criminals; that is what they do best. So a sting operation was formed with Flash going undercover. Batman didn't like the idea of the operation depending on Flash, but he was the least recognizable figure among them. Batman would have rather gone himself, but it was too risky that he be recognized as billionaire Bruce Wayne. In the end, Hawkgirl accompanied Flash undercover. It was hell trying to figure out how to hide her wings. Flash didn't mind the intrusion or lack of confidence placed in him. He welcomed the idea of having another person to help him. It took months of phony and false leads to discover who the leaders of the organization were, and the Justice League actually never found out who the top dog was, but they did manage to take down the hands on leaders. This action crippled the syndicate. When it was discovered who the leaders actually were, the Justice League had to wait for the opportune time to capture them. There was lucky enough to be a kind of a summit of the top people in the syndicate, where the Justice League went in with both barrels. If there had not been that summit they would have had to capture the leaders all individually which ran the risk of others finding out they were being cornered before they could be apprehended. Batman remembered the night very clearly. Guns blazing, power rings, energy maces, and heat vision going off like gangbusters. They apprehended most of the top people and their flunkies. Batman and Wonder Woman searched the building for anyone left. They split up and Batman found a laptop with what he hoped would be evidence. Unfortunately, in the same room Batman found one left over goon trying to hide until the heat was gone. There was a fight of course, in which the laptop was destroyed. The goon pulled out a gun, but Batman was ready for him. One swift hand motion, and the gun was out of his hands. Then in one swift kick . . .
"Master Bruce?" asked Alfred.
Batman was so startled he lost his balance and sunk into the water. But being in the shallow end allowed him to stand up quickly and not drown. When Batman righted himself he answered his butler and long-time friend.
"Yes, Alfred?"
"Isn't it a little late for a swim?"
"I don't follow normal hours Alfred, you know that."
"Still, you have been acting rather strange lately. Is something wrong?"
"No."
"Are you sure, sir?"
"Yes I'm sure. Anything else you want to know?" said Batman. Alfred was a little taken aback by the curt reply. Batman was generally very curt, but this felt a little different. Alfred heard distinct hostility in Batman's voice, so he made a quick retreat.
Batman climbed out of the pool and dried himself off. He dragged himself to bed and actually got some sleep. The next few days were relatively mundane, except that no one had seen Batman at all. He didn't go patrolling, he didn't answer the Bat-signal, and he didn't answer any calls from the Justice League.