Epilogue
December 21st in Gotham is a bleak day. The chill of winter has set into the city and gray clouds veil the sun.
Inside Gotham University, Lucius Fox delivers the news to Bruce that his blood test has come back negative for the avian flu, as did the tests for the other lab workers caught in the explosion the month before. The vaccine Catherine manufactured was effective in stopping the spread of the H6TX strain of the avian flu.
Bruce leads Lucius into a room with a large window overlooking a sterile room with one lone resident. The young girl is playing with dolls on the floor, when Bruce speaks to her through an intercom.
"Hello Isabelle, my name is Bruce Wayne. I know your mother."
The girl is delighted at the mention of her mother, whom she hasn't seen in over a year. Bruce spends a few minutes talking with the girl about how they are going to help her, the important research findings her mother added to the project and what she would like for Christmas.
As he leaves her playing with her toys, Bruce takes Lucius back into the hallway of the hospital.
"Thank you for setting this up Lucius."
"I believe you deserve the credit this time. That girl will owe her life to you for funding this project. You've given her a chance."
"Catherine's research will give her a chance. I'm just making sure Isabelle isn't forgotten. Does Catherine know she's here?"
"I believe that might be the only thing keeping Dr. Henner alive. Her injuries were quite severe. It will be a miracle if she ever gets to visit the girl."
"It's Christmas Lucius, no better time for miracles."
"Bruce, the chances…"
"But there is a chance Lucius, a chance that a mother and daughter might someday be able to see each other without something between them, and that's all that matters."
Bruce's cell phone rings, checking the caller ID, he recognizes the number as belonging to the city government offices.
"Bruce, it's Harvey Dent. I have some news for you. The police have found Rachel Dawes' body."
The news hits Bruce harder than his nightly fights as the caped crusader.
"I would like you to identify the body, but I have to warn you, her face has been disfigured."
"How?"
"She's been cut from the corners of her mouth to her ears."
"How was she killed?"
"Toxicology reports show large quantities of 'blis/z'; it appears she was bound and injected with the stuff."
"I'll meet you at the Medical Examiner's office."
Bruce pauses a moment after the call to remember the woman he sought to protect that night in The Narrows. He snaps back to his present reality and turns to his friend.
"Have the tailors wrap up my wardrobe. I'll meet you at the stockroom later to pick it up along with a few other items."
Bruce walks away to see a friend to whom he owes a promise. There is a drug designer in Gotham who is about to meet Batman.
THE END