AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know, this chapter is significantly shorter than what I usually write. Don't worry, just see it as a a buildup to a much better one. We're getting into the more gritty parts of the story now. Hope you guys enjoy!

Chapter 12

(Six Hours Earlier)

Bruce found himself being led against his will by Alfred. By his side he heard Krypto whining and barking unsure of what to make of this newcomer. Well, perhaps against his will was an understatement. At this point Bruce had become thoroughly lost as to where he was. He did not have any sense of direction as he found himself blindly led along by his butler. From time to time he felt his former butler's hand shaking as Alfred touched his arm or stroked his cheek.

"Bruce, it's been so long…" Alfred murmured choking back a sob in his throat. They reached his apartment in a matter of minutes, but it felt like a completely different lifetime. The former butler had a sudden urge to apologize for his inferior surroundings only to realize it would not matter.

As he opened the door Krypto went in first. Pushing past the two men to sniff around the room checking for any dangers. Gently, Alfred led his young master into his home for the last five years. His furniture was simple with hardly any personal touches. He had a small living room with a couch and two armchairs. A kitchen area rarely used considering how much Alfred had to travel abroad due to his status. Leading off to the right was a bedroom and bathroom. With the same simple but tasteful furniture in it as well. Also in the corner of the living room Alfred had his own desk which he often found himself sitting in to contemplate in the morning as he drank his tea.

"I'm so sorry, Alfred. I never meant…this to happen." Bruce whispered quietly. Ashamed of his condition. Of the fact in a moment of helplessness his former butler had come across him. Alfred led Bruce to the couch and had him sit down.

"Would you like some tea? I have Earl Grey. Unless you would prefer some raspeberry tea. It's a bit sweeter, but not as-"

"Alfred, please, you don't have to do anything for me." Bruce said quietly. He reached out to grasp the older man's hand. Squeezing it reassuringly as he tried to figure out the best way to explain his predicament.

"Sir, whatever it is that happened to you, it's not your fault. Never think it's your fault." Alfred assured him. He slowly sat down on the couch beside Bruce. His gloved hands clasped in the young man's whom he had raised since he was in diapers. For a moment Alfred could not figure out why the room had begun to blur. Then with a shock he realized tears were coursing down his cheeks.

"You don't understand. This time it is my fault. All of it. Even my…condition. I caused it." Bruce said quietly. He knew he should Connor right now. Mercy at the very least to let her know what had happened to him. So she could call her son to calm him down in order to make him see sense again.

"Bruce, tell me truthfully, what happened?" Alfred whispered.

It alarmed him to not feel the easy strength he remembered Bruce to have in his hands. While during his years as the Batman his ward would never hurt him in the slightest, Alfred had always been reassured by the his young master's strong grip. A grip which was confident of its own abilities while the same time exceedingly harmful to anyone who crossed his path. Able to deliver a quick blow within a fraction of a second. Now though Bruce's hands seemed limp in his own.

Up close Alfred could also see how thin Bruce was. As if the man had been starved at some point only to never gain back his weight. The muscles Bruce had built up during his ten years of training abroad had all but melted away. Even his usually intelligent blue eyes had lost their luster. Dimmed now to a milky blue which gazed into nothingness. It struck the old man how fragile his young master had become. Like a porcelain doll left on the shelf to long to gather dust before being taken down only for its owner to realize how their toy had lost its beauty.

This realization made Alfred sob in earnest. The last time he had ever shed tears had been when the state had officially declared Bruce dead. He had attended the funeral with Dick and Tim who had been just as torn by their mentor's supposed death. What had been worst was the fact they never had a body to bury. Yet to find his young master almost six years later alive was to much of a shock for the old man. He found he had a hard time even believing Bruce was real.

"Alfred, don't cry. Please, you're going to make me…." Bruce said feeling warm streaks slide down his face.

Krypto, sensing the two men were in distress came over. Whining the dog put his head in Bruce's lap begging for attention. Surprised by the animal's neediness Bruce let out a surprised laugh which seemed to take Alfred off guard as well. Reaching down he scratched behind Krypto's ears. Comforted by the animal's presence as he wiped his own eyes unsure of how to tell one of his most trusted friends what had happened to him.

"Do you remember Clark?" Bruce asked. There was no real burning need to ask the question, but he still felt he owed that much to Alfred. He heard a sharp intake of breath from his former butler. For a second it seemed as if his old friend would not say a word.

"He did this to you?" Alfred whispered, horrified at his own words. When Bruce nodded he felt his heart clench even more. Superman, of all people?

"He was one of the staunchest supporters of finding you! How did he…the bloody bastard! And here people are advocating for his release! What are these fools thinking? Bruce, we have to-"

BANG! BANG!

Bruce felt something warm splash across his face. Standing up hurriedly he blindly reached out to where he knew Alfred to be. Instead, his fingers met empty air as Krypto began to bark. His growls becoming louder as he moved in front of Bruce. Beginning to back up to force his master towards the entrance towards the house. Behind them however Bruce heard a crack then the inevitable crash of the door coming down.

"Watch out for the dog! He'll fucking-"

"SHIT! Shoot it! SHOOT IT!"

Bruce heard the gun shots ring a split second later. He felt a shudder by his leg as Krypto collapse. When he made to grab the animal a strong hand grabbed his upper arm. Bruce felt first shock and almost complied with his unknown assailants. Then anger took over as he clenched his fists yanking back despite the fact he had no idea who these people were. His kidnapped fought back, but not before Bruce grabbed his gun. Twisting it deftly from the intruder's hands before he dodged to the side expertly. Hearing the wind shift as someone's fist just barely missed him by inches.

"If either of them are dead, just know they won't be going alone." Bruce said coldly. He still felt the ringing terror of having heard the gunshots, but at the moment he could care less. His voice came out deep and commanding. Daring the two assailants to come after him.

His bravery only lasted for a split second. Terror came sweeping back in a moment later when Bruce tried to back up out the door. He lost count of his steps and went toppling backwards. A moment later he felt hands on him as the gun was ripped from his hands. He opened his mouth to scream, to call Connor for help, but suddenly he could not even do that much. He heard a ripping sound only to have his mouth covered up by what felt like duct tape.

"Not today, Batman." A voice whispered into his ear.