A/N: Sorry it took so long to
update, wasn't really happy with the way the chapter was turning
out. I finally got it as close to what I wanted as I could, so
here it is. I hope to keep my updates weekly from now on. I
liked some of the ideas I got from the reviews but I
already know how bruce is going to find out, but thanks for the
suggestions, if I use any I'll give credit where credit is due.
Again thanks for the kind words and hope you like this chapter.
Chapter 4
Xander woke up sometime in the early evening feeling refreshed. He leaned back against his headboard and started mulling over the things he had discovered that afternoon.
'So, I have a comfortable bed, am staying with a beautiful woman that is completely out of my league, have somehow managed to make friends with her billionaire childhood friend, and this same person happens to be a crime-fighter that dresses up as a giant bat and wants to train me to fight… Nope, my life's not complicated. Not at all… Maybe while I'm at it I'll find a pot of gold and a leprechaun will give me 3 wishes…'
The annoying voice in his head that reminded him of Giles decided to remind him that leprechaun's didn't exist. 'Well Duh, That was the point.'
As the voice started to complain to him about the impossibility of telling when the youth of America was using sarcasm or was just stupid, Xander realized he was in serious danger of getting into an argument with himself and decided to stop. Right after he blew a raspberry at his reflection in the mirror.
'I really need to talk to my friends. I wish I could tell them about Bruce/Batman, but I have a feeling Bruce wouldn't appreciate that. Either way I think I am over due for a call to Giles and the girls. What the hell am I going to say to them? Best to just keep it simple and just tell them the facts about the trip and maybe they'll just be happy for me because of the job.'
That being decided, he slowly got up and started on some stretches he remembered from soldier boy that would help him recover quicker. It was very basic physical therapy that the soldier learned recovering from various black ops missions that still occasionally messed with his dreams.
Ten minutes later Xander got up and felt better, if not a little more sore. He took his pills that were on the bedside table with his soda and wandered out to see what Rachel and Bruce were up to while also looking for the phone.
Wandering around it seemed fairly quiet and he found Rachel sitting on the couch in the patio room looking through some files.
"Hey what happened to Bruce?"
Rachel looked up with a smile, "Good to see you awake hero. Bruce said he had to go. He probably has a few supermodels that he has to chat up, knowing him."
He noticed a bit of a grimace on her face as she mentioned it. "I take it you don't approve?" If he were honest with himself he would have said she was jealous, but he was holding out hope that she would be more interested in the poor hero type.
She let out a small sigh, "It's not that really, it's just that Bruce is really caught up with his… Image, I guess is the best way to put it." The far away look in her eyes pretty much convinced Xander that she was pining for him.
'Damn, all the money and all the girls too. Oh well, I didn't have much of a shot either way. I'm probably too young for her anyways.' Even though he was 'in the know' about Bruce/Batman, he didn't really get the fact that his Bruce persona was just an act.
With a shake of her head she continued, "Whatever, anyways how are you feeling now."
"Pretty much like I just went 10 rounds with Tyson. Other than that I'm good. I should be up to 100 in a couple of weeks." He responded while rubbing his ribs and chest. "By the way, could I use your phone? My friends back home are probably pretty worried about me."
"Oh, sure, sorry the phone is next to the fridge in the kitchen. Shouldn't you call your parents too?" She tried to sound casual as she mentioned it, but she really wanted to find out about his home life.
Xander got a somewhat disgusted look on his face, "I wouldn't worry about them, it's an even bet that they haven't even noticed I'm gone yet… Well either that or celebrating."
Rachel was slightly shocked at his response, "Do you want to talk about it? I'm sure there is something I can do to help out. I know some people in the justice department that could help you…
Xander interrupted her, "Actually, please don't worry about it. I can deal with my parents. It's really not all that bad." He responded with a grimace trying to sound a little sincere. He forgot he wasn't in Sunnyhell any more, none of that looking the other way here. 'Damn, and I thought after my slip the hospital everyone here was just as oblivious as back home.'
Rachel got a stern look on her face as she responded, "Look I really don't want to pry too much, but I am just concerned. Your hospital records go back a good deal further than your sophomore year in high school."
"Could we please not talk about this now? I really do have a few calls to make, and I don't think I'm up for this conversation right now."
She sighed as she responded, "Alright, for now we'll let it drop. But, we will be having this conversation later. I know you don't want to talk about it, but it needs to be discussed, I hope you know you can trust me, and that I am just worried about you."
Xander just looked at her for a bit, and came to a decision. "Ok, we can talk about this later, and I know you're just worried, but really, at this point there isn't anything to worry about. I don't intend to go back to that house for any reason other than to pick up my stuff."
He gave her a reassuring smile as he turned to go make his calls.
As he left the room Rachel started to think about what his life must have been like and started feeling melancholy, 'I guess he's probably right being that he is an adult now, but I wish someone had caught on earlier.'
Xander took a deep breath as he reached the phone, 'Never thought I'd be worried about a person being too good to me but hey, there's a first time for everything.' As much as he was dreading the conversation that they would be having, he did appreciate the feeling behind it.
With that he called his work to let them know that he would be missing at least a week. His boss had already received a call from Bruce about the situation and told him it was fine, though he sounded a little odd on the phone. I wonder if he's mad about the situation? He shook off those thoughts and pulled out his calling card for the next call.
"Hello, Giles residence."
"Hey G-man, what's the what?"
"How many time… Never mind, I'll let it pass for now seeing as you were just suffered a head injury. Now how are you being treated over there? Is everything going well?"
Giles was really trying to sound annoyed, but he was actually very relieved to hear from the young man he thought of as a son. As much as he would never admit it, he really missed having Xander around. As much as Xander's sense of humor could grate on his nerves sometimes, as a whole it made their lives a good deal more upbeat. Plus he felt as though he were suffering from the amount of estrogen poisoning. He really did love is other two charges as though they were his own, but he really did miss having another male around. As much as he liked Oz, his quiet and stoic personality wasn't enough to really clear the air with two women around.
Xander really did love the caring and concern that he heard in Giles voice, "Actually, things are going so well I think I may be dreaming. I am staying at the apartment of the woman I saved on Friday till I'm back on my feet. And before you ask, yes she is safe. She's actually the Assistant District Attorney of the city."
Giles was surprised to hear this, "Really, I had thought you would be coming home as soon as you were released from the hospital?"
"Nope, sorry Giles, I've run into some good luck over here, if you don't count the vampire attack, but that was someone else not me really, I just kinda got myself involved, and then I happened to get hospitalized... Sorry, was channeling Willow there for a sec." Giles just smiled patently and waited for him to continue. "Anyways, you'll never guess who I met."
Giles attempted to sigh at the annoying games of the youth, "Really I have no idea."
"Aww, that's no fun. Just try to guess."
"Xander, as much as I do enjoy playing inane guessing games, could you please just end the suspense?" Giles relief and happiness about hearing from Xander could only go so far.
Xander was slightly disappointed that Giles wouldn't play the game, but didn't really expect him to in the first place. "Weeeell, it turns out that the ADA I saved happens to be a close personal friend of THE Bruce Wayne. You know, the multi-Billionaire?"
That was a shock that he wasn't expecting, "Are you saying you've met one of the most wealthy and influential men in the country, if not the world!"
"More than that G-man, he was so thankful that I helped save his oldest friend that he got me an entry level job with a career track for one of his construction companies that I was working part-time with before this whole mess started." Xander said with not a little pride in his voice. "I'll probably have a chance to spend some time with him later since I am staying with his best friend. Plus I think he wants to check up on me later."
Giles was a bit torn on the issue. His pride in Xander doing something positive with himself was warring with the though of him staying in Gotham. "So does this mean you'll be relocating to Gotham?" He asked with a bit of trepidation in his voice.
"What? Oh, no, I'm not moving here. I'm extending my stay for a few months to get a good start, then he said I could transfer to one of their affiliates in good old SunnyD. Don't worry Giles, I can't stay away for too long. I mean imagine all the trouble you guys will get into with out me helping you out. Besides,.." he continued with a faint hint of sarcasm, "who would get the snacks? Can't slay or research on an empty stomach." He gave a little laugh at the end to lighten the comment a bit.
Giles was both relieved that Xander would be coming home at some point, but was bothered by the last comment. "Xander, I do hope you realize that you are more important than that. Your contributions whether you mention them or not are fully appreciated." Xander may not realize that Giles knew of some of the things that he had done, but that would have to end. "I believe I know the full extent of your contributions to help us in the past, and I for one know the world would have met it's fate long ago without your influence."
To say Xander was surprised by that would be an understatement, "How did you find out about all that Giles?"
"You'll find that I know a great deal about the happenings on the hellmouth. My duties do not stop with Buffy."
Silence reigned for a few moments after that. Xander didn't think anyone knew about the O'Toole incident, which made him wonder what else Giles knew. "Thanks Giles. As much as I don't do any of this for the thanks, I found out not too long ago that it helps."
"Indeed it does Xander, I'm just sorry it took this long for it to come up." Giles felt he was reaching the limits of his British 'Stiff Upper Lip' persona that he adopted to cage his 'Ripper' side, so he cleared his throat and changed the subject. "Well my boy, that's really enough of that. Is there anything else of interest going on?"
Xander just let out a small chuckle at that, "Yea, that was getting a little sappy for a second wasn't it?"
"Well, these things happen." Giles replied with a smile.
"Hey, there is one more thing. The reason I aimed for Gotham City in the first place was cause I heard of that batman guy on the news about a month back. Did you hear about that?"
"I did hear something about a monster that was fighting criminals or some such thing on the east coast, but I figured it was from a tabloid that had taken off."
"Nope, he's the real deal, and he's here in Gotham. I wanted to check it out cause it sounded way too much like some old comic book. Turns out the guy is real, and is an actual human with a lot of cool gadgets and fighting moves. I'll tell you, I never thought a normal human could get that good. He could probably give Buffy a run for her money unless she went all out."
Giles was a little surprised by this, "Are you sure he is completely normal? He could be using some kind of magic."
"Nah, I doubt it. I figure I would have seen some kind of visible magic effect, besides he wasn't stronger or faster than a vamp, just better… And armored I think."
"Well, I guess that's feasible." Was Giles only reply.
"Yep, well that's about it. I should probably let you go. I have to call Buffy and Willow next."
"Alright, it was good to hear that you are getting better, let us know if there's anything you need."
"Thanks G-man. Talk to you later." He hung up and was getting ready to call Buffy when he heard Rachel walk up behind him.
"Hey, I was thinking of getting dinner started. Is there anything your in the mood for?"
"Oh you don't have to worry about me. I'll just scrounge something up later. I don't want to be any trouble." Xander obviously felt like a mooch as it was but there was no arguing with the power lawyer in front of him.
"Quiet you. It's not a problem, besides I was just planning on making spaghetti, and you can't just make enough for one. Now if you have to make another call go to the other room and dinner will be ready in a few minutes."
He knew there was no arguing by her tone of voice, so he just walked to the other room like she said and proceeded to call Buffy.
"Hello?"
"Hey Buff, what's up?"
"Xander! Are you ok, is the hospital treating you alright?" In the background he hears a loud screech that sounds distinctly like Willow.
"I'm good, but I'm not in the hospital any more. Turns out the woman I saved was the ADA of Gotham and she had the city take care of the medical bills. She also put me up in her spare room till I get better."
"Really? Wish we had more people like that around here." At this point he can hear a loud string of Willow babble coming from near Buffy but can't make out what she's saying.
"As cool as it is, I think for people to be like that around there they would have to have a clue, and having people on the hellmouth that aren't clueless could be a bad idea."
"Yea, I guess your right bu….." Buffy's voice suddenly gets pulled away and he can hear some struggling on the other end of the phone before she gets back on. "I think I better let you talk to Willow before she looses it."
"Good idea." He replied with a smile.
"Ohmygodxanderareyouokisthehospitalokyouknowyoushouldntfightvampiresalonewhenareyougettingoutandcominghome?"
He couldn't help but smile and be happy that Willow wanted to talk to him again. After the fluke their friendship had suffered and he was worried it would just get worse when she went to college.
"Calm down Wills, I'm fine. I'm not in the hospital anymore. I am staying with the ADA of Gotham. She's the woman I saved that night. She even had the city pay my medical bills."
"Really? Are you sure she's safe? She's not a demon woman that wants to eat you is she?" Willow asked with trepidation.
Now Xander felt a little insulted, "Yes I am sure she's human and not trying to kill me. I mean really, it's not like every woman that I know turns out to be some monster…" Suddenly, he understood the reason for the question as he thought back to the women in his life. 'Damn, Cordy's the most normal woman I have ever been with… Something is wrong with my life.' He answered much calmer and a little understanding, "Never mind, don't respond to that. Yes I am sure she's human. Besides, she's just really concerned for my wellbeing, and I think she has a mad on for Bruce Wayne."
"Well that's no surprise. I think every woman with a pulse has a mad on for him. Probably even a few that don't. Personally I don't get the attraction to a guy just cause he's rich." Willow responded with a note of annoyance in her voice.
Xander smirked in response, "Well not every woman has been a close personal friend of his since they were kids. Besides, he is a fairly nice guy." '3..2..1..'
"OhmygodyouvemetBruceWayne!"
There was struggling on the phone again as he assumed Buffy was able to understand the Willow babble. 'God it's so easy. This is a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Glad they were together today.'
Buffy obviously won the fight over the phone, "Alright, spill. What is the richest man on the planet like? Is he cute, nice, what?.. I'm waiting."
At first Xander could only laugh in response, "Well you'll have to decide if he's cute, not into the guy thing, but he seems like a nice guy, he really cares about his friends and all. More than that I really don't know. We only talked for like an hour or so before I had to crash for a bit."
"Really? Do you think he'll come out to SunnyDale?... It's not like I could leave the hellmouth to meet him." Xander could hear the pout on Buffy's face when she made that comment.
"Not sure Buff," he replied with a smile, "I'll be sure to invite him out next time I see him. He did say he'd help me get a job though. If it works out I may be here for a while, but don't worry. Your Xander shaped friend will be transferring to a company in good ole SunnyHell as soon as I can."
"That great, I'm happy for you Xan…" He heard static and mumbling on the line as Buffy turned to fill in Willow and Willows voice was the next thing he heard.
"You can't stay gone for even longer Xander!.. I already miss you. Can't you come here and start your new job?"
"Sorry Wills, I miss you too, but I have to start the job and training here. Don't worry I'll be back before you know it. Besides, now when I do come back I'll be the new and improved working class Xander." he announced with a smile.
"I don't need an improved Xander, this Xander has been good enough for like my whole life. I just want you to come home soon."
Xander was really touched that his best bud really did want him back, "Thanks Wills, and I feel the same way, but I really need this job thing to pan out so I don't have to go back to my parents place…" There was silence on both sides as Willow was the only person in SunnyD that really knew what his home life was like. "If it makes you feel better I'll see if I can save up enough for you guys to come visit while I'm here?"
"Alright, but don't worry about saving for us, I've got enough money in savings to get us out there, just let me know when you have a place for us to stay… and you had better keep in touch. I want weekly updates on how you're doing, when you think we can visit, and when you'll be coming home."
"Will do Wills. I promise nothing less for my best bud."
"You better."
Xander started to hear a beeping sound on the line signaling his phone card was about to run out.
"Sure thing… Hey I wish I could talk longer but I'm running out of minutes on the phone card. I promise I will get a new one and call again soon."
"Ok, you be careful, and get better. I want my best bud coming home in one piece."
"I will, scouts honor. Tell Buffy and her mom I said bye."
"Ok, bye Xander."
Xander hung up the phone with a smile.
"You ready for dinner hero?"
Xander jumped at her voice and was startled by how close Rachel was when she spoke. "Geez, when did you get so sneaky?"
"Sorry" She replied with a smile, "Just thought you might be hungry"
Xander's stomach decided to agree and let out a loud rumble. "Guess I am. Thanks for cooking by the way."
"Don't worry about it. It's easier to cook for two anyways." She said with a smile as they walked back into the kitchen. "So how are your friends doing?"
"Their good. Kinda worried about me, and upset that I'll be staying here longer than planned, but things are good."
"Glad to hear it."
They sat down and enjoyed a quiet meal. Xander complimented her on the food, and adding a little small talk while they ate.
The rest of the evening passed quietly as they finished the meal and Rachel went back to her work while Xander decided to go back to his room. He had a lot on his mind. Talking to Giles and 'His Girls' had helped him clear the cobwebs a bit, but he was surprised at the way his conversation with Giles went. 'I guess someone did notice how much I contribute. Plus it's good to know that everyone still wants me around.'
A small frown appeared on his face as he thought about the more pressing matter of what to do about Bruce/Batman. 'Well I figure I need to let him know that I know who he is, but if I do will he be pissed or what? Maybe I'll… Ooh Ooooh! I see a plan forming… Oh yea, and it's a good plan. Wow, this is either going to work really well, or blow up in my face, with my luck even a fool proof plan could go either way.' Chuckling but feeling better about what he had to do, Xander gently went back to bed hoping when he woke up, he'd be feeling well enough to get his plan in motion.
Plaza Hotel
"You know when I woke up and got the call that the hotel accepted my offer to buy them out I felt like an idiot, but now I'm thinking things turned out pretty well."
Alfred just rolled his eyes at Bruce's comment. "Really Master Wayne, it's just fortunate that the hotel is still doing well and lucky that it gives us a place to stay while the manor is repaired. Beyond that it really was a foolish gesture regardless of any 'Image' you believe you have to maintain to the public."
Bruce just smirked at him as he continued getting ready for his 'night job', "The glass is always half empty with you isn't it." He responded with a chuckle. "Actually I was thinking it was fortunate that the storage area and private parking in the basement allows me to have a secondary base in downtown Gotham. Makes it easier to get to and from Wayne Towers if I need to go to my second job from my day job."
With a snort Alfred replied, "Oh yes, how could I forget? Your true identity as a crime fighter… Master Bruce, may I be frank?"
"You've never needed to ask that before Alfred, no need to start now." Bruce responded with a smile.
Alfred straightened up as he started to speak and got a serious look in his eyes, "Sir, I understand what you are doing and your need to conceal your identity, but who you are is much more than that. I'm sure your father would be proud of your efforts and moral code in your 'work', but your parents would want you to have a life outside of that. Even if you one day rid this city of all major criminal influences what will you do then? Will you even remember what a normal life is, or how to live one? Although, what you are doing is important not only to you, but to the entire city, Bruce Wayne is just as important. From what I understand, your family's legacy saved this city once. It should remain a shining example to the people of the city, not the embarrassment that your 'persona' is lowering it to."
Bruce could see the sincerity and worry on Alfred's face as he gave his lecture. With a deep sigh he sat down and looked up at his butler/father figure. "I understand, I've actually been thinking a lot about that since the party when we spoke, before I had to kick everyone out. As the guests were leaving one of dads friends said, 'The apple fell very far from the tree'…" There was a deep regret in his eyes as he continued. "Everything you said really hit home after that. In a moment of sudden clarity I realized the damage I was doing to mom and dad's memory and I've been trying to figure out how to come to terms with things…" He stood and visibly tried to shake off the bad memories. "Tell you what, tomorrow when I wake up we'll talk about this some more and with your help I'm sure we'll come up with some way to balance this double life that I've adopted."
Alfred gave a genuine smile after that, "That we will sir, that we will."
"Oh, by the way, I have a project that I'm going to need your help with. It seems that there are more things under heaven and earth that we could even begin to guess at." Bruce said with an enigmatic smile on his face. "We should have a few weeks before it becomes an issue so after our talk tomorrow I'll let you in on one something that will dramatically change your world view."
With that Bruce fished a special key card out of his pocket and walked to a small hidden panel on the far wall of his suite. When he slid it into the wall a large section next to it slid open revealing what appeared to be a freight elevator which he stepped into and the wall closed completely hiding the previous opening. The last thing Alfred saw was Bruce with one of his mischievous smirks on his face.
"That boy is going to be the death of me, I know it… If he comes home and tells me he put Superman on retainer, I am going to keep his inheritance and move to the Bahamas." Shaking his head Alfred went back to his room and was happy that at least the hotel staff took care of cleaning up for him.
