Author's Note: another update for you! Probably the last for a while. Anyway this is another flashback to Bruce's past. I just want to give you all an insight into how Bruce used to be when younger because he might start finding his mental state reversing too... oops! No spoilers here I promise ;)

Thanks to Armand for reviewing regurly! To answer your question... you'll have to wait and find out ;) oooh suspense!

Disclaimer: I dont own Batman.

Reunion

Chapter 9: Money

After half an hour the motion sickness faded. Jason sat beside Bruce, watching the blur of colour of the passing forest out of the wind screen. They were going so fast it was hard to tell how Bruce could even navigate. He looked up slowly, taking a subtle peek at his old...(young?) Mentor's face. That scar was really quite something. It wasn't ghastly but it certainly was intimidating. Thoughts and questions started to bombard Jason's mind about Bruce's early life.

With a sigh Jason decided to voice some of those questions;

"So... Why did you drop out at fourteen?"

"To start training." Jason waited for an elaboration on those three words, but when it was clear Bruce had finished talking, Jason decided to push him.

"To avenge your parents?"

Gloved hands tightened with a squeak on the Jet's manual controller. Bruce gave a slight nod.

"...so do you know like school stuff? Like Trigonometry and history?"

Bruce turned his head slightly to meet Jason's gaze.

"I'm named The World's Greatest Detective. I think I know how to handle geometry." Jason raised an eyebrow, egging Bruce on to continue.

Bruce sighed, letting his past overwhelm him. "Alfred taught me advanced sciences, mathematics, geography... at degree level. I was miles ahead of my former peers. When I was away from Gotham I brought advanced research and books with me to continue learning in my spare time. I wasn't going to sacrifice my intelligence for my physical prowess."

"Makes sense." Jason didn't want to let this opportunity of speaking to Bruce slip. The man was always so reserved that this was a revelation. "So...you said you worked hard...but played hard?" Jason let a smirk cover his lips.

Bruce had to suppress a smile. "Yes Jason I indeed 'played hard'. Some of the parties I hosted... I became a philanthropist at seventeen. Actually, right after I got this scar," Bruce trailed a finger down his face, "I held my first fund raiser party."

"And how did that work out for you?" Jason chuckled. Bruce grinned in response.

"Well."

"Master Bruce... are you alright?" After Bruce had cried with Alfred he had gone straight to his room for some privacy. When Alfred came to check up on him, he found Bruce wearing a tuxedo whilst admiring himself in the full length mirror.

Bruce turned to greet Alfred with a rueful smile.

"Alfred! Yes I'm great. Brilliant! And I have an idea. In honour of my parent's...passing, tomorrow night we will be holding a charity fundraiser for Gotham's homeless."

Alfred's jaw dropped.

"Sir...how on earth will we organize such an event in merely twenty four hours?"

" That's a good question my friend." Bruce walked over to Alfred and put his arm around his shoulder. "I've already made some calls to an organizer. She couldn't say no when she realised whom was speaking. I need you to send invitations to all of Dad's old contacts and all the business workers. Heck, call the mayor, call Gotham's richest! We are going to raise the largest sum of money Gotham has ever seen!"

With that, Bruce belted out of the room, still in his tuxedo, to tidy the place up before the eager organizer arrived. Alfred was left stunned in Bruce's room.

"Yes, Sir." Alfred whispered being reminded painfully of Bruce's father's exuberance when holding such events.

When Gotham heard of the young billionaire's return and event, it's population was buzzing. The rich could not reject an invitation from Bruce Wayne, that would be social suicide. Instead they rushed to the shops to buy the most upper class outfits money could buy. Dresses from France, Shoes from England, everyone wanted to make the greatest of efforts to impress the young batchalor.

When commissioner Gorden found an invitation to the Wayne Manor in his letter box, he was quite surprised. He hadn't seen Bruce in years, and now he was holding a fund raiser? That kid was quite the philanthropist.

Later that evening, Wayne Manor was full to the brim with Gotham's richest. Men shook Bruce's hand, congratulating him on such a monumental event, young women swooned over him, complimenting him on how ravishing he looked. The champagne flowed and laughter filled the once deserted house.

There was a giant collection box at the front of the Manor, transparent and full of hundred dollar bills. They seemed to have raised quite the sum. However, the night was still young.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" Bruce announced on the staircase, drawing every pair of eyes to his face.

"I want to thank you for coming tonight, and at...such late notice." A wave of laughter bounced from the crowd. A few drunken "here here's!" Could also be heard.

"Yesterday night marked the 9th anniversary of my parent's death." The jolly mood of the evening instantly halted.

"As you know, my father prided himself in making Gothem a safer place. I am not staying here for long, as I have accepted a scholarship to Cambridge university, England. However in three years I will return to continue my father's legacy. We need to focus on Gotham's poverty. In order to do that, charity is the key. If I could, I would thank each individual person here tonight for their contributions to the collection box. And if you haven't yet donated, there's still a chance." Bruce winked, making the audience titter with excitement.

"This is not just a charity fundraiser...but also a charity auction." The crowd cheered, forgetting their masks of sophistication and allowing their fun loving sides to take control. Alfred and Commisoner Gordon's eyes met across the hall and they shared a look of unexpected worry. Suddenly the sound of high heels echoed around the building as a beautiful blonde woman dressed solely in a diamond encrusted bikini walked down the stairs to stop beside Bruce. Anger filled Alfred. What the hell was that boy doing?!

"So, let's start tonight's auction with the beautiful Miss Derbysh. One date and an evening with this stunning prize for... $10,000?"

The mayor's stout hand shot up immediately and he announced "$20,000!" Another man doubled that sum. That was followed by $60,000 from another man. The audience were on the edge of their seats, loving the fact that their money could indeed buy anything. A woman bid $200,000 making Bruce blanche with surprise.

"Any advance on $200,000 from the woman at the back?"

The night fell into a pattern of bidding and cheering. Men and women were awarded with their prizes, and the sum of money raised on each woman was astounding. At that moment the greatest amount had been $2,000,000 on a brunette with curves to die for. Bruce had felt a little hot under the collar standing next to her.

The audience felt the evening drawing to a close as the last woman wandered over to her purchaser, a young entrepreneur from West Gotham.

"Now." Bruce captivated the crowd once again with his confident tone. " the last offer this evening will be a young man." This earned a cheer from the women, who were feeling quite neglected. "Who wants to start the bidding for-" Bruce took one step down and spread his arms out. "-Bruce Wayne." Alfred nearly had a seizure.

Shouts of huge amounts of money filled the hall. Bruce had to yet again control the rowdy crowd. Normal back and forth bidding commenced.

"$100,000,000." A large elderly woman announced. That made Bruce's skin crawl, but this was for charity.

"$200,000,000." The audience gasped as a beautiful young woman stood forward. Her hips swayed, making Bruce's eyes follow them like a metronome. She seemed a couple of years older than Bruce herself and a dainty cat mask covered her eyes. Bruce's heart melted at the sight of her.

"$400,000,000." The large woman countered. The other woman's gaze hadn't left Bruce's as they were locked in eachother's eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, and winked at Bruce as if he was the only person there.

"One billion dollars." She smirked. Bruce's mouth fell open. The audience gasped.

Bruce collected himself and when the old woman made no other offer;

"Sold." He smirked sensually at the young woman. "For one billion dollars." Bruce immediately came down the stairs, the crowd parting for him as he strode up to the woman. She returned the sensual look and locked his lips into a kiss.

"You sold yourself?!" Jason sounded hysterical with shock.

"For charity of course."

"Of course." Jason laughed, elated that Bruce had been so daring in his youth.

The jet touched down on top of a seemingly abandoned building in the middle of Gotham.

"We're at the second Bat Cave." Bruce sounded a little nervous. Like the confidence his older self had, had left him to fend for himself.

Jason picked up his red mask and pulled it down over his face. With the guise completing his outfit he turned back to Bruce, excitement making his body shudder.

"Let's get this party started."