Chapter 13
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters.
Bruce was awakened the next morning by a patient Alfred. Alfred must have been attempting to wake him for quite some time, but Bruce could not move. He hadn't felt this exhausted in a long time. His whole body felt drained and his mental state was not stable. Then again, Bruce mused, if I dress in a Bat costume, I suppose I never was stable. Bruce rolled over onto his back and finally opened his eyes. He saw Alfred leaning over him with an unusual expression on his face. Bruce hadn't told him yet about the implication of Gordon and Prentz working together. Bruce refused to believe it. There was something more behind that photo that he hadn't discovered yet. Alfred noticed the young man's concerned look and was almost hesitant to bring him the news he had just discovered. Bruce looked up at him and frowned.
"What is it, Alfred?"
Alfred placed the protein shake next to Bruce and unrolled the morning paper. Bruce held out his hand waiting for the news when he saw something in Alfred's eyes he couldn't quite place. Bruce opened the paper, but found that he didn't have to look far for the news Alfred wasn't saying. Within the first few pages, there was a picture of a smiling Barbara Wayne…no not Wayne…Gordon and her beautiful baby girl, .his baby girl. Bruce's heart quickened.
"Barbara had the baby?"
His words came out slow for fear of the truth. Of course it was true. He knew she was due any day. He had been true to his word by paying for all of her needs and the unborn child's as well. He would find out from the doctors her progress without Barbra knowing. Now all these months later when the Joker was closer than ever, here was the one thing that could change that and she was only 7 pounds and didn't even recognize his voice. Bruce's face grew determined.
"I need to see her."
Alfred wasn't sure who the 'her' was, Barbara or the baby or both, but either way he knew interception was needed.
"Master Wayne, I do not think that it is an appropriate time to visit. Madame Barbara must be tired and needs her rest…"
Bruce shot Alfred an angry look.
"She is my daughter, Alfred!"
Bruce threw off the sheets and stretched his muscles. Various bruises could be seen easily in the sunlight pouring through the window. Alfred lowered his head.
"Not now, Mater Bruce."
Bruce looked at Alfred and realized the implication his old friend was saying. Bruce had chosen another life now. He hadn't been there. Financially, he was, but nothing more. How hard it must have been for her to go on alone. Bruce turned his attention back to the blurred black and white image of his child and Barbara and …a man? Bruce took a closer look. He seemed young with a huge grin on his face.
Alfred noticed this too and turned to Bruce. Bruce clenched his fists tightly around the newspaper.
"Alone indeed."