Chapter 6
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in the story nor am I making a profit.
Bruce had gotten back into the routine of being Batman a lot quicker than he thought he would. He was demanding that Alfred bring him only protein shakes for breakfast like he did so many years ago instead of the large breakfasts in bed he and his wife…ex-wife now, used to have. It was simpler this way. It was simpler in a lot of ways.
Bruce would work out rigorously in the morning for about 2 hours. Then he would meditate and work out some more in the afternoon unless Wayne Enterprises needed his presence at a meeting. Bruce was torn. He had dedicated nearly three years to Wayne Enterprises giving his undivided attention. Now that he is pulling back, Bruce wondered what difference it would make to the employees. He shook his head. There would be time to think of that later. This was the work to do now.
The only thing that Bruce found the slightest bit comforting was his pain. This was a new pain. The memory of his parents still brought anger and even guilt, but Bruce found that with Barbara those feelings lessened. Now with Gordon's death on his hands he felt a new, fresher pain brought into perspective. Bruce would avenge Gordon's death. It was the only way to gain peace from within and to rectify his decision to dismiss Barbara.
Dismiss her, yes, Bruce knew it sounded cold, but it was the only way he could deal with that at the moment. He dropped to the floor and began to do his push-ups sending the smallest glance in Alfred's direction. He knew the old man didn't think well of him right now. Was anything Bruce ever did good enough for Alfred?
Alfred sighed as he went about his daily chores. When he had heard the news from Barbara that she would be leaving, his heart felt as if it were breaking although he was not sure for whom. He knew that it was not her choice, but somehow it would be for the best. He hugged her and felt the warm tears cover his cheek.
"My dear, you will stop by won't you?" Alfred asked fondly.
Barbara gazed at Alfred her blue eyes shining with hope.
"Perhaps, I will. Bruce said he still wants to keep the baby in his life…"
Alfred felt his face turn ashen.
"Baby? You are expecting then?"
Barbara turned away wistfully.
"Yes. Two months now. Bruce was very insistent that he stay in the child's life, but never tell him or her that he was the father."
At that thought, Barbara allowed more tears to flow form her eyes.
Her shocked looked mirrored Alfred's
"Why Alfred? Why doesn't he want me to tell the baby? Doesn't he think he is good enough?" She paused.
"He is always using the excuse to 'protect us'," she gestured using her hands as if quotations marks, "but you know as well as I that I can protect myself and the baby would always come first, no matter what. No one knows the future. Bruce knows that better than anyone. …God, "she covered her eyes and turned to leave. Alfred wanted to say something, anything, but had no excuse or reason for Bruce's actions. Bruce was who he was ….because of him? It must be Alfred's fault. Bruce was his responsibility. He allowed him too much freedom along the way….no; Bruce always made his own decisions. He took no one's advice. He cared only what Bruce thought was best not what anyone else thought was best. Stubborn, he was so very stubborn. Was anything Alfred did good enough for Bruce?