Chapter 8-24 hours

Alfred tiptoed throughout the room calling Bruce's name.

"Bruce…where are you. Someone is here to see you. It is the fox you asked for."

Lucius stared at Alfred and shook his head at his words. What exactly was going on here?

Then in the corner of the room Alfred noticed a shadow hunched over near the windowsill. It was almost hidden perfectly until the slightest movement gave him away.

"Master Wayne? It's ok Sir, Lucius is here…"

"I don't have time to talk to anyone."

Alfred took a step back at the gruff tone Bruce was using. It almost sounded like…Batman.

Bruce looked over at the two fools. What do they know? I need to save this city, he thought. Only I can save it. The corruption runs so deep that even Gotham's own justice is trading favors with sin.

Fox came forth to Bruce and tried to make some sense of this madness.

Mister Wayne sir. I heard you weren't feeling like yourself and I have something here that may help you."

"I am never myself," replied Bruce.

Fox smiled. "Really. Let me see who you are then."

Bruce moved like the shadow he hid within so that only Fox could see his eyes in shining in the moonlight.

"Keep guessing."

The initial shook and tone Bruce greeted him with caused Lucius to step back. He looked over to Alfred for help, but Alfred only nodded urging Fox forward in his mission. Bruce crouched down with one arm over his body as if holding an imaginary cape.

Fox knew that whatever was happening was not a good thing for Bruce and action needed to be done quickly. Hoping that this "character" (although Lucius had a strong inclination of who) Bruce was would come to the rescue of an old friend. Fox lunged quickly and suddenly toward Alfred knocking him to the ground. Alfred landed with a thump while Lucius continued to attempt to strike him. Bruce leapt from where he was protectively in front of Alfred. His face…the look he had would frighten even the bravest of knights.

"No one hurts anyone in my city."

Bruce leapt for Fox only to find a sudden calm come over him as the needle reached its target. Bruce slumped over landing peacefully on the bed. Alfred picked himself up off of the floor and dusted his sweater.

"Well, Lucius, remind me not to invite you over for afternoon tea any time soon."

Lucius smiled and began to draw Bruce's blood.

"I am sure if Bruce knew what I was doing to him, he would say the same thing."