AN: Like the previous chapter, this one has dialogue from the movie. So, if you have yet to see the movie, Batman Begins, you may want to skip reading this until you do. Anyways, thanks for reading...and I hope you enjoy!

AN2: For those of you who are curious...i believe that this takes place in season 3 of Buffy, and is AU from this point out...obviously :) I'm not positive when Xander and Cordelia started to actually date, but I believe it was in season 3...I know for sure that they broke up after Cordelia was impaled with a rebar in season 3...after Dru left Spike for Betraying Angelus in the end of season 2. I think they started dating in the beginning of season 3...but don't quote me on that.

The timeline that I am using for this...is to match up season 3 with the same timeframe as Batman Begins...so i still envision Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne when I am writing this...but if you can associate it better with another batman shrugs as long as you enjoy it then I'm happy :-D

Also...thank you to everyone who has reviewed. I love getting reviews, and I wish it was possible to reply to the individual reviews (though in reality I'm horrible at doing even that) However, just the same, I would like to thank you all.

A special thanks to Jania, when I read your review, it definitely made my day. If ever there is motivation to write more...that would be it. Again, thank you to everyone else as well...you all have been extremely kind

Ok...enough rambling...enjoy the latest chapter!

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As they neared the entrance to the main room, in which the party was being held, the beginning of 'Happy Birthday' could be heard coming from the guests, with a small accompaniment of an orchestra playing in the background.

Both Bruce and Xander let out a small sigh of desperation. Both men glanced at each other with small smiles on their faces as they finally reached the entrance. Bruce leaned towards Xander and talked softly to the young man.

"Just follow my lead. Hopefully the meet and greet won't be too bad."

Xander looked at him with an amused expression. "You realized that you just jinxed yourself right?" Xander glanced to one of the empty corners of the room. Nodding his head in that direction, he spoke. "If you need me, I think I'll be over there."

As Bruce took two glasses of champagne from the waiter just off to the side, he placed one glass in Xander's hand. With his now free hand, he pulled the young man closer to him with a smile on his face.

"No chance in hell of that happening." He looked down at the young man with a smirk on his face. "You're my out with these people." He leaned in conspiratorially. "They have a tendency to go on and on. You can only pray for some distraction, else you be pulled away to someone else who is just as boring."

Xander looked up at him in mock outrage. "I'm being used!"

Bruce's smirk deepened. "Get used to it, kid." Both men chuckled at that.

As the music and singing finally came to a close, Bruce began to walk into the throng of people; Xander only a half a step behind. Bruce nodded and smiled as he slowly made his way into the crowd. A few people patted him on the back while repeating the same 'happy-birthday' and well wishes that he was sure to hear throughout the night.

A middle aged man, wearing an expensive tuxedo, who also seemed to exude the aura of a man who believed himself to be an extremely important individual, if not a small bit arrogant too, approached Bruce. As Xander glanced at Bruce, he could see the strained smile he was trying to hold.

He wasn't sure why, but Xander felt animosity to the man from the start. Perhaps it wasn't fair, but it was just a gut feeling he couldn't ignore.

Once the man had placed an amicable, if strained, smile on his face, Mr. Wayne spoke up.

"Mr. Earle."

While shaking Bruce's hand, he replied. "Happy Birthday, Bruce." As he was talking, he glanced towards the young man standing just off to Bruce's side. He sent Xander a confused look. Bruce saw this and smiled.

"Mr. Earle, this is Xander. Xander, this is Mr. Earle. He runs Wayne Enterprises."

While chuckling, Mr. Earle responded. "It's more of a team effort." He sent Xander an inquiring stare. "Xander, huh?"

Xander tried to put on a charming smile. But he was sure that he was failing miserable.

"Xander is short for Alexander. It's Xander Harris. It's a pleasure to meet you."

There was a brief silence as Mr. Earle merely nodded his head in response. Bruce decided to break up the silence.

"Mr. Earle just brought Wayne Enterprises public." He turned from a nodding Xander towards Earle. "So, how did the stock offering go?"

Mr. Earle smirked slightly. "The price is soaring."

Bruce nodded along. "Yeah, who's buying?"

Mr. Earle simply shrugged. "All kinds of funds and brokerages; it's a bit technical." He looked smugly at the young millionaire. "The key thing is that our company's future is secure."

Bruce simply smiled back tolerantly while raising his glass of champagne.

"Very well."

Mr. Earle nodded with a shark's head grin at the young Mr. Wayne, patted him on the back, and went to mingle with the other guests. Bruce turned to look at Xander who had just handed his still full glass to a waiter.

"I don't think you'll get me into trouble."

Xander shook his head. "Nah, that's ok. I've seen what it can do to people. It's not really my cup of tea."

Bruce gave him a small smile and nodded his understanding. It was just another facet about the young man who may or may not know more about his secret.

A small part of Bruce felt bad for the young man. True, neither of them had known each other for more than a few minutes. But it was never a good thing to learn that someone, anyone, was living in troubled times. Bruce had spent so much time trying to live with, and learn about the criminals and the evils of the outside world. He realized that it was quite easy to forget, or perhaps to not take enough notice of, the evils that existed within people's private homes. It was just another thought to put off until later. He did hope that the conversation between the two of them would take a different direction. It was hard enough to plaster on this strained smile with everyone wishing him a 'happy birthday' every other second.

Bruce brought himself out of his musings when he noticed the large grin that had spread across the young man's face. He couldn't help but to notice that his own smile became a little less strained at the sight. He had to stifle an inward giggle. There was a definite mischievous quality in that grin. Oh yes, tonight would prove to be interesting if nothing else.

Xander took a step closer towards Bruce and nodded just over his left shoulder. "I think I see some people we definitely have to meet."

Bruce raised an eyebrow at that. "We do?"

Xander's face broke out into a full smile. "Oh yeah; it's my girlfriend, Cordelia Chase, and her parents." His smile became a bit more feral. "If nothing else we have to do it for the shock factor."

Bruce shot him an amused look. "Well, lead the way young sir."

Xander snorted, but quickly made his way towards his girlfriend, whose eyes kept leaping back between himself and Bruce. Her wide eyed expression was definitely worth the plane ride over. Well, it was almost worth the plane ride over. The fact that Mr. Chase actually took notice was a surprise. The fact that Mrs. Chase seemed a bit drunk was not a surprise.

Xander smiled as he walked up to his girlfriend and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek.

"Chase family, this is Bruce Wayne. Bruce, this is the Chase family."

Bruce smiled and shook Mr. Chase's hand. He then took Cordelia's hand loosely in his own, and brought it forward to kiss her knuckles. Xander knew if the man said 'enchante' he wouldn't be able to hold back the obligatory eye-roll.

"You must be Cordelia. Xander has told me a bit about you."

Bruce had to use quite a bit of willpower to suppress the laughter that was threatening to escape his lips at the expression coming from the Chase family, and from the panicked look on Xander's face, it was a battle that the laughter almost won. Quickly though, Xander was able to regain control and quickly wrapped his hand around his girlfriend's waist.

Xander smiled at Bruce. "Yep, that's right. I told him all about my beautiful, loving, caring," He pulled Cordelia in tighter. "And extremely forgiving girlfriend, Cordelia Chase!"

After what happened earlier this evening with Henri Ducard, he really hoped she was in a forgiving mood. Xander noticed a change in Bruce's expression. He turned his head slightly and got a quick glimpse of a black man, just passing into his elderly years, hunched over the buffet. Glancing back at Bruce, Xander couldn't help but to define the new expression as one of worry.

Before Xander could enquire what was wrong, Bruce placed his hand on Xander's shoulder.

"I see someone I have to talk to. I promise I won't be long." With that he made his way from the Chase family.

Xander looked at Bruce's parting back, and couldn't help but to be curious at what could have changed the man's entire demeanor. He was worried that he was about to be held up by his girlfriend, a valid concern, but before she could ask any questions, her mother began to slur a question towards her daughter.

"That was such a nice young man." She actually swayed slightly, causing her husband to steady her. "Why can't you meet someone like him?"

Cordelia gave her mom an indignant screech. It was quiet, so as to not alert the people around them, but Xander was sure it was about to get louder and more involved. He used this small distraction to make his way over to where the two men were conversing with their backs to him.

As he got within hearing distance, it was Bruce's voice he heard.

"How long would it take to manufacture on a large scale?"

The other man replied. "Weeks. Why?"

Bruce nodded. "Someone is planning on disbursing the toxin through the water supply."

Xander's eyes got a little wider at that. 'Toxin? Someone is poisoning the water supply? What water supply? What the hell is going on?' Xander stayed where he was, doing his best to remain silent as he listened in on the rest of the conversation.

Shaking his head, the man responded. "Water supply won't help you disperse an inhalant." The man paused for a moment and cocked his head to the side.

Bruce leaned into the man. "What?"

The man shook his head. "Unless you have a microwave emitter powerful enough to vaporize all of the water in the mains; a microwave emitter like the one Wayne Enterprises just misplaced."

Bruce voice was laced with shock and a bit of disbelief. "Misplaced?"

"Earle just fired me for asking too many questions about it."

Bruce let out a breath while shaking his head. "I need you to go back to Wayne Enterprises and start making more of that antidote. I have a feeling the police are going to need as much of that stuff as they can get their hands on."

The man shook his head. "My security clearance has been revoked."

In a sarcastic tone, Bruce replied. "Well that won't stop a man like you, now would it?"

Even Xander could hear the smile in the man's words. "No, I suppose not."

As Bruce turned around, and the two men parted ways, he came face to face with Xander. The curious and penetrating stare spoke volumes that the young man had heard what had just been discussed.

Both men simply stared at each other. After what felt like an eternity, but was likely no more than a few moments, Bruce shook his head in defeat. He took a few steps forward, Xander didn't move an inch.

"Look, Xander I can expl-"

The voice of an elderly woman caught both of their attention. "Bruce, there is somebody hear that you simply must meet."

Bruce never took his eyes off of Xander. "I'm sorry but now is not a good time."

The lady paid him no mind as she dragged him over to a man whose back was turned to him.

"Now, am I pronouncing this right? Mr. Raz Al Gouhl?"

Bruce's head snapped from Xander's direction and a sharp look was sent to the back of the man's head. Xander noticed a whole new expression. It looked as though Bruce was readying himself for a fight. Not knowing what was going on, Xander took a few cautionary steps forward, to back up Mr. Wayne, should he need it. If nothing else was gained from the earlier conversation, Bruce definitely had people's best interest in mind.

As the man turned around, Bruce's stance shifted slightly, and he looked at the Japanese man in slight confusion.

"You aren't Ra's Al Guhl. I watched him die."

The man began to turn around once again, as a voice was heard from behind both Xander and Bruce.

"But, is Ra's Al Guhl immortal?" It was a voice that was familiar to both Bruce and Xander. It was the voice of Henri Ducard. "Are his methods supernatural?" Xander had to suppress a snort at the man he had met earlier.

Bruce, on the other hand, spoke up. "Or cheap parlor tricks to conceal your true identity, Ra's." The last part spoken in barely a whisper, only Xander and Henri were able to hear it.

Henri, or more rather Ra's Al Guhl, smirked while responding. "Surely a man, who spends his nights scrambling up the rooftops of Gotham, wouldn't begrudge me a dual identity."

Bruce looked upon the man whom he had once considered a friend and mentor, in a whisper that had Xander staining to hear, he replied. "I saved your life."

Ra's, holding a thin black cane, nodded thoughtfully. "I warned you about compassion, Bruce."

Bruce began to glance around the room. Knowing that something was about to happen he had to act fast.

Staring straight into his former mentor's eyes, he spoke. "Your quarrel is with me. You let these people go."

Ra's leaned in towards Bruce and spoke softly. "You are welcome to explain the situation to them." With that he leaned back and sent a smile just over Bruce's shoulder. "Hello, Xander. I hope you are enjoying tonight's festivities."

Xander, who had been able to hear the entire conversation, wasn't surprised by the sharp and curious look sent his way. He simply met Bruce's look and shrugged in response.

"So sue me. The one person to actually take notice of me is a nut." Bruce's eyes shot up at that. "Hey, don't look at me like that. I told him he was crazy before. I mean, who starts a sparring session during a party?"

Ra's Al Guhl began to chuckle quietly to himself. "We shall see young man, we shall see." Ra's studied the boy for a moment, and had to smile at what he saw. He truly hoped the young lad would pass his tests.

Bruce looked back between the two men, who seemed to be intent at staring at each other. He came to a quick decision. Taking a few steps towards the center of the room, he began to get everyone's attention.

"Everyone," He took a few paces glancing at the people as they began to halt their conversations. He tapped his crystal champagne glass, causing a slight ring to be heard from the half filled glass. As everyone began to turn their attention over in his direction he placed on a crooked smile as he began to talk with a slightly drunken tone. He was about to make a speech that no one would soon forget.

"I, ah, would like to thank you all for coming here tonight and drinking all of my booze." This got a few chuckles from the guests. "No, really. You see, there's this thing about being a Wayne; that you're never short of a few freeloaders, like yourselves, to fill up the mansion with. So, here's to you people. Thank you." By now he was swaying slightly with a lost look in his eyes. The people were no longer laughing, but looking at him with a fair amount of shock, indignant expressions with perhaps a small amount of pity.

Fredricks, a man who had served with Thomas Wayne, Bruce's father, on the board of Wayne Enterprises, made his way towards Bruce as he took another long sip of his champagne.

Reaching to take the champagne away, he said. "That's enough, Bruce." But Bruce shook his head as he held his glass away from the man.

Shaking his head, Bruce went on. "Uh, no; I'm not finished." He glanced around at the shocked faces, it was clear that they did not know just what to expect next. After that brief pause he continued his mock tirade. "To all of you phonies; to all of you two-faced friends, you sycophantic 'suck-ups' who smile through your teeth at me, please leave me in peace." Using his hands to exaggerate what he was saying he continued with more of a slur. "Please go. Stop smiling, it's not a joke, please leave."

As people began to look at each other in confusion, a slow exodus began at Wayne Manor.

Fredricks walked up to Bruce with a reproving look in his eyes, in a disapproving tone he sadly stated, "The apple has fallen very far from the tree, Mr. Wayne."

Xander's eyes began to roam around the room as all the people began to file out of the mansion. At least, it was almost everyone. Quite a few of the people who had managed to catch Xander's eyes as a possible threat remained behind. And boy, did most of them look rather upset with young Mr. Wayne. Bruce, on the other hand, looked as though he was calming himself for what was to come. When they made eye contact, Bruce made his way over towards Xander.

"Xander," He sighed. "Please leave. You can't be here now, it's too dangerous."

Xander shook his head. "I'm no stranger to danger. And while I'm not sure just what's going on here," He glanced around the room at all of the thugs. As worried as he was, it was the slight grin that Ra's Al Guhl was sending his way that worried him the most. He looked back at Bruce. "You're the one who seems to care about the people around you." He shook his head. "I'll stay with you."

Bruce looked at the young man, he was beginning to surprise and impress him. But, in the end, it didn't change his stance.

"This isn't your fight."

Ra's made his way to the two of them. "He's quite right, this is a bit personal."

Xander shook his head as he began to glare at the man. "I don't care. I choose to make it my business." He looked over at Bruce. "Besides, look around. Everyone else is long gone by now." He couldn't help but to smirk. "I don't exactly have a ride."

Bruce closed the distance on his young friend. There was no way he was going to be responsible for this young man's death. A part of him had always, and most likely would always, blame himself for his parents' death. It was something he was gaining control over, but it would always be there. He had no desire to relive the death of someone else because of his actions, direct or not.

As he reached the young man he pulled out a large wad of bills. Firmly placing it into Xander's palm, he looked at the young man straight in the eyes. Doing his best to convey whatever emotion he could muster to motivate his young friend, he spoke.

"Xander, I'm asking you; please go home. You have no idea what's going on." He waved off the young man's protest. "I'm asking you, as a personal favor, please just walk out of here." He looked at the young man, who suddenly seemed to go within himself, an unsure expression marring his face. "Thank you for caring. But please go, leave this room while you can."

Xander looked around at the multiple thugs surrounding the room, then he spared a glance at Ra's, who seemed to be waiting patiently for a decision to be made. Finally, he let out a sigh and nodded.

Bruce let out a sigh of relief as soon as Xander had exited the room. Behind him Ra's glanced at one of his members. With a quick nod of his head in Xander's direction, the thug nodded back.

As Bruce turned around to face the man who was once his mentor, the thug quietly left the room.

Outside the main room, Xander walked down the main hallway. He had absolutely no intention of leaving Bruce by himself. While he figured that Bruce would know that, he was sure that Ra's Al Guhl would know that too.

Taking a silver candlestick holder from its place on a table, he went into the darkness of a neighboring room. Removing the wax candle from its holder, he waited in the darkness for one of his pursuers he knew would be soon to follow. He didn't have to wait long.