Ok...here are a few words before the chapter

1. Some of the dialogue in this chapter comes directly from the movie. I hope that's not a problem for any of you reading this. If it is, please let me know. If enough people tell me that it is in fact a problem (since I am stating the fact here) I will try to revise the conversation. Again, I am not trying to step on anyones' toes, so please let me know what you think. (Especially if you have seen the movie

2. I know this chapter is a short one. I think just about every chapter I write is short. I do plan on writing the next part tomorrow (and I actually have to get up to play golf with a friend...it's going to be ugly...me getting up before the afternoon arrives...and I have to play golf) But, on the bright side...I have no plans after that. And, since it is supposed to be around 100 degrees (no joke) You can bet that I'll be finding myself inside my air conditioned apartment!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bruce raised his eyebrows slightly at the kid's question. If not for what the kid might have heard, Bruce would have found the question funny. He was about to speak up, but was cut short by Alfred.

"I say young sir; what brings you back to this part of the manor?"

The kid seemed to fidget for a moment, as though he wasn't quite sure what to say. Finally, the young man's shoulders slumped slightly before shrugging.

"People in the main room basically took no interest in me. I was basically by myself and got bored." He shrugged his shoulders again. "I didn't feel like I belonged in there, so I wandered off." His eyes lit up in slight alarm. "I was just bored and wandering. I swear; I was just looking around. I didn't take, or even touch anything."

Bruce titled his head slightly in the young man's direction. Outwardly he was cool, and calm. Perhaps an amused twinkle could be seen in his eyes. Inwardly was a maelstrom of emotions.

A great part of him was amused with the kid's antics while being nervous. A small part of him was worried that the kid may have heard too much. But, if that was the case, they would deal with it later. Most of his attention, however; was devoted on two things. The first being the fact that Dr. Jonathan Crane had informed him, under a bout of terror, that the man he had been working for was none other than Ra's Al Guhl Even though he had seen Ra's Al Guhl die, there was a firm part of him that believed Crane was speaking nothing but the truth. But, just as equally important, was the sleeping form of Rachel Dawes, one of the very few true friends that Bruce had. She was down in the cave below the manor, and he needed to have Alfred bring her home. He also hoped that she would be quick in getting the vials of antidote to where they needed to be.

Noticing that the kid was getting jitterier with every moment that passed, Bruce quickly abandoned his musings. He gave a small smile and a quiet chuckle.

"Not to worry. While we don't want our guests to go wandering about the entire estate, we didn't cordon off a room for the evening. It's ok for you to go looking about." The kid seemed to be breathing a bit easier with that remark, and Bruce couldn't help but to smile slightly. "And don't worry about not fitting in with the people out there." He snorted. "I'm the 'birthday-boy' and I feel out of place in there."

Xander's eyes went a bit wider as what he had expected turned out to be true. "So, you are Bruce Wayne?"

Bruce smiled and nodded once. "Yes, and this is Alfred." He pointed towards the quiet Englishman while sending a curios gaze in Xander's direction.

Xander looked startled for a quick moment. "Oh! M-my name is X-Xander." His face began to flush as soon as he began to nervously stutter. He took a deep and calming breath. 'Ok Xan, you can face of against Demons, Vampires, and pissed off Slayers. One Millionaire playboy should not cause you to stutter. Come on! You haven't done that since you were five!"

He noticed the Englishman, Alfred's, curious gaze. He chuckled slightly. "It's short for Alexander, but I prefer Xander." He looked over towards Bruce's amused expression.

"Oh, and by the way, Happy Birthday."

"Thanks." Bruce smiled at him. "You know, I'm about to head out to great the guests. Why don't we see what we can do about your popularity in there?" Xander's eyebrows shot up. "Trust me; these things can get very dull very fast. And something tells me, with you around, it won't get boring." Silently he added, 'It will also let me get a feel of what exactly you do know.'

Xander just shrugged in response. If nothing else, Bruce was right on the money. Seldom were there dull moments in his life. Plane rides to Gotham not withstanding.

"Good, if you'll just give me a moment or two with Alfred, I'll be right out to do the meet and greet."

Xander nodded his head while glancing out into the hallway. He turned back towards the two men and nodded down the hall.

"I'll just be on the chair down the hall." He shook his head. "Please, don't rush on my account. I'm not all that anxious about going back in there."

Bruce nodded and smiled as he watched the young man make his way down the marble hallway. Though the kid was out of hearing distance; both men looked at each other and kept their voices low and soft.

Alfred glanced, and nodded towards the television that was still replaying the chase scenes from earlier that night. Even though Alfred's tone was still light, there was a clear reproving tone to it.

"With reckless driving like that, Master Wayne, it was a miracle no one was killed."

Bruce continued to dress himself for the party. He didn't seem to be deterred by Alfred's tone. In a soft voice he defended his actions.

"I didn't have time to observe the rules of the road, Alfred."

Alfred shook his head. "You are getting lost in this monster of yours."

Shrugging on his coat, Bruce replied. "I am using this 'monster of mine' to help people. Just like my father did."

"For Thomas Wayne, helping other's wasn't about proving anything to anyone; including himself."

Bruce's head snapped in Alfred's direction. His voice became slightly louder, and a bit sharper as well.

"It's Rachel, Alfred. She was dying." He sighed. "She's downstairs. I have her sedated. I need you to take her home." With that Bruce began to make his way towards the exit of the room, and towards the kid who was patiently waiting for him. Behind him, Alfred's voice spoke up again.

"We both care for Rachel, Master Bruce. But what you're doing has to be beyond that." Alfred's voice became thick with emotion as Bruce turned back towards him. "It can't be personal, or you'll just be another vigilante." Alfred looked beyond him to the child sitting at the other end of the hallway, trying to give them as much privacy as was allowable.

Alfred sighed inwardly. He didn't like the way things were heading with the young man who had been like his own child since the day Bruce's parents had been murdered. He knew that the boy wanted so much to help those out there. To reach those that were seemingly unreachable. And, while a noble goal that was for sure, he was so very worried that Bruce would loose himself within that quest. And, no matter what it took, there was no way that Alfred would allow such an event to transpire. Not if it was within his power to do so. He didn't want to be hashing this out with the young boy nearby, but Alfred could tell that things were going to be quickly coming to a head. He knew the signs, he knew what to watch for, and all the portents were around them. If he didn't try to nip this in the butt now, Master Bruce may never be able to define himself from The Batman he had created.

He looked his young charge in the eyes. It was often quite difficult for most people to tell what he was thinking, but to Alfred, the young man was still an open book. And, quite frankly, he was not enjoying that he was reading. Finally, Bruce seemed to come to a decision.

"Is Fox still here?"

Alfred glanced down at the floor, a bit disappointed. He truly did not wish to loose this small battle.

"Yes sir."

Bruce nodded, paying little attention to the young man sitting patiently down the hall.

"We need to send these people away, now."

Alfred felt himself loosing his grasp on his young charge. He knew he needed to do something drastic, and now was the time. Almost shouting, he followed the young man.

"Those are Bruce Wayne's guests, Sir. You have a name to maintain."

Xander looked up at the outburst, but something told him to remain quiet, and as small as possible.

Partially out in the hallway, Bruce whirled around to face Alfred again.

"I don't care about my name!" He began to turn back and continue on his way.

With more emotion than either Bruce, or Xander for that fact, had heard or felt before, Alfred basically pleaded to the young man he cared so very much about.

"It's not just your name, Sir. It's your father's name." This caused Bruce's steps to falter. Slowly he turned back to the passionate Englishman. Bruce's eyes caught Alfred's and it was clear to see that the man was using most, if not all of his willpower to keep himself from completely succumbing to his emotions. "His name, it's all that's left of him." In almost a whisper, he finished. "Don't destroy it, Sir." With that he made his way back into the room to retrieve his young charge's sedated friend.

Bruce stayed in place for a moment, before slowly bringing his gaze to the marble floor. He tried to keep emotion from him. Emotions were powerful creatures, and if not kept in check, could quickly overwhelm, if not completely consume you. But hearing, and actually listening to everything that the man had said, Bruce didn't want to face himself.

Going down the path that he had been heading, Bruce knew it now; he knew that following this path would indeed lead towards destroying everything his father had left. And it almost choked him up inside to realize that is wasn't just the name that Alfred had been referring to. He was destroying himself. Perhaps it had started that dreadful night outside of the theatre, but he vowed, it ended tonight.

Slowly he turned around locking eyes with the young man still seated in a chair at the far end of the hall. Slowly he made his way towards the boy, never breaking contact. It was strange, but he could feel the sympathy, or perhaps apathy, flowing from the young man.

"Are you ok, Mr. Wayne?"

Bruce nodded. In almost a whisper, he responded. "Yeah, And please, call me Bruce."

Xander gave him a small smile and got up. "Ok, Bruce."

Bruce sighed. "Well, let's go meet the guests."

Xander rolled his eyes. With his voice laden with sarcasm, he replied. "Oh joy."

Bruce had to suppress a slight chuckle at the kid's antics. Alfred's words were still fresh in his mind, but Bruce knew that what he had said earlier was true. With the kid around, he doubted he would have a dull night.

Placing his arm around Xander's shoulder, he schooled his face into a happy mask before deadpanning. "Yep, oh joy."