A man walked down the mountain slowly. He was tall, and well built to say the least. His face was undeniably handsome even under the layers of mud and dirt that the man had picked up during this last travel of his. He couldn't help but realize that he grew excited and slightly nervous as he set foot on the tarmac.

Squinting his light colored eyes, he looked ahead and couldn't resist a smile to appear on his lips as he saw the white jet waiting for him. It wasn't the jet itself that he was missing or life in the fabulous lane. If most of his fortune wasn't there he wouldn't mind the least bit. Although he had to admit that with the plan he had in mind, his financial status was going to come in handy.

The man continued to walk, getting closer to the plane with every step and his smile growing ever more genuine. He got close enough and the Wayne Enterprise logo was clearly visible. The door to the plane opened, revealing a face that he has missed dearly.

"Master Wayne, you've been gone a long time." Alfred noted a small smile on his lips as he saw the last Wayne standing in front of him.

Adrienn stepped out of the bathroom that was on the plane and stood still for a moment, allowing her ears to adjust to the silence. She heard Alfred talking. A streak of curse words ran through her head as she calmed herself down enough to spare the old man from one of her small tantrums. She had made him swear on the way there that they'll go together! It suddenly became clear to her why Alfred was more than happy to keep pouring her orange juice. Their situation reminded the brunette of siblings fighting over a toy, the toy being Bruce in this case.

"Yes I have." Bruce replied, smiling a bit and looking down at his feet. He brought his gaze up suddenly when a rather shrill voice broke the silence.

"ALFRED!" Adrienn screamed, slapping the man playfully on the shoulder. "I told you to wait for me!" She scolded and bickered with the old man who was putting his hand up in his own defense. Bruce just smiled, taking in the scene in front of him. Seeing his best friend after all those years, really made him appreciate her in his life. It was the best surprise he could've imagined for himself.

"OH SHUSH!" Alfred snapped, not coldly, he just wished to end the small fight that had erupted between the two. "You look very fashionable." He stated, a small frown creasing his forehead. Bruce knew exactly what was going through the butlers head, and his thoughts soon became voiced,

"Apart from the mud." Adrienn stated cheekily, as she took the steps two at a time to reach Bruce. He chuckled and extended his arms out allowing her to jump into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around the young woman's small frame and pulled his body close to hers.

"I've missed you Bruce." She whispered into his muddy jacket. He inhaled her unique scent deeply, desperately trying to memorize it. She pulled away from him, all muddy now but she still had a smile on her face.

"It is good to be heading back Adri." He smiled down at his hyper best friend, who seemed to be going into hyperventilation with hearing her old nickname. He shook his head at the brunette who was easily a head or more shorter than him.

"COME ON!" Adrienne yelled, pulling Bruce up the plane. He noted to himself that she wasn't going to be calming down any time soon and no matter how tired he was and how all he wanted was rest he really did miss her erratic behavior. In all honesty, Adrienne was the only person that could make him genuinely have a good time and a smile on his face. Ever since that night… she truly is his best friend.

The trio boarded the plane and made themselves comfortable, ignoring Alfred's muttering about the mud and what not. Bruce sat down opposite Alfred and watched Adrienn walk over to the bar to grab some drinks and small appetizers for them to snack on. He took in her appearance. She was happy. Pure joy was radiating from her petite body. Ever since she saw him a few minutes ago, the smile has never left her features.

He knew he couldn't lie to her. Definitely not her. He had already decided on telling Alfred. There isn't anything in the world he would keep from Alfred. He also managed to understand that he can't put Rachel in danger, he wouldn't be able to cope with her loss, but Adrienne was different. She seemed to have more attitude and was more… cautious. There was definitely more to Adrienne that meets the eyes, and Bruce could sense that. He just didn't know what caused the sudden change in her personality. One thing for sure, she was definitely a more complex person now.

She grew up. She is a woman now, Bruce mused to himself, finally admitting the truth. She wasn't the little girl that he used to help out. No. She was a full grown womanwhich means that she will be just that much more complicated.

Bruce knew that he needed Adrienn's attitude especially with what he was about to get himself into. Deep down, he knew that with Adrienn's help, he could go through it. Plus, in order to protects Alfred's mental health, he definitely needed her. Alfred approved of Adrienne more than anyone he ever knew of. Bruce recalled not once that Alfred hinted of them being a couple. Bruce scrunched up his nose at the thought. It seemed so surreal… she was like family to him. Honestly his best friend.

"What's up Brucey, smell something bad on yourself?" Adrienne teased, pointing at his muddy coat. She was completely obnoxious to his thoughts. Bruce snapped out of his daze and looked up at his brunette friend. She was smiling at him warmly, holding out a glass of water for him. Alfred was already munching down on some pretzels that she had placed on the table in a small bowl.

"Are you coming back to Gotham for long sir?" Alfred asked, leaning back in his chair and studying Bruce's face intently. Bruce glanced at the pair in front of them and then stared out the window. Adrienne had her fingers crossed under the table, thinking that she could hide it from him. The little action caused a small smile to tug at his lips.

"As long as it takes." he began, still studying the clouds that they were flying above, "I want to show the people of Gotham that their city doesn't belong to the criminals and the corrupt." Bruce looked back at Alfred who seemed to be deep in thought, and for the first time since he met her, Adrienne's smile was replaced with a soft frown.

She leaned forward, crossing her arms over the table, "Bruce… Taking on the corrupt is no easy job. I've had to watch my back at GNB… The mob are finding ways around our system. I have seen everything from money laundering to robberies and killings…" Her voice wasn't happy anymore. She was sad about the situation in Gotham and Bruce could see that clearly. He watched her intently as she explained to him how she managed to hide the money, use fake accounts to donate to charities or public hospitals and what not…

"Impressive." Bruce nodded, "But… you can't keep going at that for too long. It is too dangerous."

"I know Bruce." Adrienne nodded, taking a few gulps from her water and leaning back. Alfred cleared his thought and seemed to join the other two back in this dimension,

"In the depression your father nearly bankrupted Wayne Enterprise combating poverty." Alfred began to explain to them how Thomas also saw the issue at hand and did everything in his power to stop it, "He believed his example can inspire the wealthy of Gotham to save their city."

"Did it?" Bruce asked, already knowing the answer. Adrienne let out a small snort, also knowing what goes on in Gotham.

"In a way." Alfred narrowed his eyes slightly at the brunette but he knew that her reaction was somewhat correct, "Their murdered shocked the wealthy and the powerful into action."

Bruce has seemed to have had enough of this part of the topic. He grew uncomfortable at the mention of his parents. He sat up in his seat, looking at his two friends.

"People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy." Bruce began, but was immediately cut off by Adrienne.

"You can't do that!" She said quickly, a frown appearing on her features, "What people are gonna see multi billionaire parading around trying to help others? Hell the people will think that you are bought off my some asshole as well! And God forbid history…" Adrienne dropped the subject, finding it too hard to continue and even harder to think about losing Bruce.

Bruce looked at her expression and nodded his head in understanding,

"I can't do that as a man. I am flesh and blood, I can be ignored, destroyed." Bruce continued, causing Adrienn to wince at the last part, "But as a symbol… as a symbol I can be incorruptible. I can be everlasting."

Bruce couldn't help but notice the creases on Adrienn's forehead getting deeper as her eyebrows smudged together into a frown. He knew that they both understood what he was talking about, what he was intending to do after his return to Gotham.

"What symbol?"

"Something elemental. Something terrifying." Bruce replied to Alfred without taking his eyes of the bowl of pretzels in the middle of the table.

"I assume that as you are taking on the underworld this symbol is a persona to protect those you care about from reprisals." Alfred stated,

"You're thinking about Rachel as well?"

"Actually, sir, I was thinking of myself." Alfred chuckled, suddenly lightening the mood. Adrienne couldn't help but roll her eyes at the butlers joke and smile, leaning her head on his shoulder. Bruce smiled at the two of them,

"Have you told anyone I'm coming back?" Bruce asked the pair. The two of them straightened, looking at each other sheepishly as if having a mental argument on who would tell him about his current… situation…

"Actually it is a bit more complicated…" Adrienne began, looking at Alfred for assistance.

"I just couldn't figure the legal ramifications of bringing you back from the dead." Alfred said, a small smile still on his lips. Bruce's expression turned to confusion in a split second, and Adrienn had to try very hard to not find the humor in this situation. To her it was hilarious.

"Dead?" Bruce asked still confused.

"Well you have been gone for seven years." Adrienn shrugged trying to force the straight face to stay on.

"You had me declared dead?"

"Well actually it was Mr. Earle. He is taking the company public."

"Yeah… he wanted to liquidate the majority of your shareholding." Adrienn finished for Alfred. "Let me tell ya… those shares are worth a shitloa-… I mean quite a bit of money." Adrienn smiled angelically as Alfred elbowed her in the ribs with a straight face. Bruce would've found the situation quite entertaining, but he was processing everything that had happened in their small catch up session.

"Well it is a good thing that I left everything to you then. And I believe you helped with the sorting out of the financial state of Wayne Enterprise." Bruce directed his statement at Adrienn who nodded happily.

"Quite so, sir." Alfred said aswell leaning his head back against the headrest and closing his eyes. "Oh and you can borrow the Rolls if you like. Just bring it back with a full tank."

-Thank you to everyone that reviewed, favorite and followed the story, please don't stop doing so! Ideas are also always welcome and of course constructive criticism! I know it is pretty boring but hang in there! Obviously as you can see it is going to be following the movie mainly, with a few little extras added here and there. Again, I don't own anything you recognize obviously.

Also, just a warning, I really am not a Rachel fan (WHO SAYS NO TO BATMAN? I can't get over it…) so there may be some Rachel hate in the future… I will try to control myself but… urgh comeon! WHO SAYS NO?