THIS IS A FANFIC! ALL PROPERTIES BELONG TO DC

Morning

BATCAVE

Bruce life signs are stable. Harley holds his hand tightly, waiting for Bruce to wake up. She refuses to leave his side for a second. She even called in sick, just in case Bruce doesn't wake up soon.

Dick, now in his civilian clothes, looks at the monitor closely.

"Bruce is usually prepared for something like this. He has dealt with meta-humans nearly all the time, even when he joined the Justice League. Whoever that woman was… she must be tough." Dick looks at Harley "He'll be fine, Harles."

"I know." She whispered "but seeing him like this. It's just… it breaks my heart."

Dick nods "You need time alone?" He asks.

The blonde shakes her head "It's fine. Besides… he'd want you here." She looks at Bruce for one final moment "I need to talk to someone."

Harley quickly walks out of the cave, leaving Dick confused.

KITCHEN

Alfred looks around the kitchen. Reminiscing his time here. Teaching Harley to cook, watching Bruce reading a book over the counter, having Barbara and Dick annoying him while he was cooking. Everything at this moment was in this kitchen. The old man strokes the counter gently, feeling a tremor on his fingers.

Alfred can smell the food that he made. Turkey for thanksgiving to serving pancakes for the whole family. He calls them family, because to him, they are family. Bruce is his son and Harley is the future daughter in-law. Dick and Barbara are his grandchildren. They are all his family, despite not being blood related.

Alfred smiles at the memory, despite that it's failing him sometimes. But he remembers how they all trained. He closes his eyes.

"I know you're there Miss Harley."

Harley is behind Alfred, arms crossed, watching at the old man.

"I've had years of experience to have people sneaking behind me, I can hear you from a mile away."

"Why did you lie?" She asks.

"I never lied to you." Alfred whispers.

"But you're not telling the truth. How long have you known?" She walks up close to him.

"Known?" He asks, pretending to be confused.

"You know."

Alfred smirks, and places his hands behind his back "After you're Father's funeral. I keep forgetting a few details."

"And Bruce doesn't know?" She asks.

"Believe me. Keeping secrets from Bruce was very difficult. But I know his routines. His obsessions. I know how to hide things from him. Just takes a bit of my theatrical acting to cover up my illness." The Butler pulls his hands away, to look at the back of his left hand "Even my hand is shaking, and you barely knew."

Alfred turns away from Harley "my memory is slowly fading. And my motoring skills are nearly at its limit. But I can handle them. Enough for your wedding day."

Harley places her hand on his shoulder "You got to tell Bruce. If you're worried about money, I'm sure he can afford the medical bills, for chemo."

"I'm sure he can. But that is not why I am refusing. He no longer needs me." He lowers his head "I knew my time on this Earth is limited. Even the Batman knows that he can't save everyone. But I'm okay on dying."

"Why?" She asks, a tear flowing down slowly on her cheek.

"Because he's got you Harley." Alfred turns to Harley "You love him. And he loves you. There's no room in this house for an old man like me."

Harley tears are now flowing down her face, unable to hold her emotions "Of course there is."

"No there isn't. It hasn't been for a long time."

"Stop talking like that!" She shouted "There's always room no matter what! This is a fucking mansion for god sake. There's more room for a whole planet!" She bites her lower lips lips, her face is coloured red, full of rage and hurt "You are not giving up, Alf. You are going to live a long life. With me and Bruce."

Alfred places his hand on Harleys cheek, whipping her tears from her eyes "Both of you will be fine. Miss Harley." He smiles at the blonde.

Harley, full of emotions of sorrow, anger and love, all mixed in one, wraps her arms round Alfred, neck and hugs him tightly. She refuses to let go of Alfred. Tears still flowing down her cheek, as she cries on Alfred suit. Alfred wraps his arms around Harley, gently.

"You will be fine." He whispers to her ear.

BATCAVE

Dick stands over Bruce, watching him carefully, as the Dark Knight, slowly opens his eyes, gaining consciousness.

"How you feeling Bruce?" Dick asks.

"Is Harley here?" He looks around, trying to find her.

"She's upstairs. Refuses to leave your side, actually. She must needed to get something to eat or something."

Bruce quickly grabs Dick's hand tightly "I know who she is."

Dick looks at him confusingly "What?"

"The woman in the hood. I know who she is. It's impossible."

"What are you talking about?" Dick grabs Bruce's hand to get him to let go.

"It's Sarah." Bruce grits his teeth as his eyes are wide open, like seeing a ghost.

"Sarah? Who the hells Sarah?"

"Sarah Quinzel. Harley's Mother." Bruce whispered, as he slowly gets off the table.

"What?" Dick looks around to see if anyone is listening "It's impossible. She died of breast cancer."

"I don't know." Bruce grips his waist "But she has skills. She was trained in the Agency."

"You mean Amanda Waller's group of numbskulls and her Suicide Squad?" Dick asks. Bruce nods while Dick scratches the back of his head "Come on Bruce, this is insane. For starters, Sarah Quinzel is a housewife and second she's dead."

"I KNOW WHAT I SAW!" Bruce shouted in rage, coursing Dick to step back away from him "I saw her face. As clear as I saw yours. She's alive and she's a Meta-Human. Gordon also work for her. Whoever she is? She's dangerous and we need to find her before she hurts someone." Bruce walks to the Batcomputer "And I know where to start."

MR SILVERS OFFICE

Mr Silver grabs Sarah by the neck and slams her to the wall.

"You fool! How could you let the Batman live?"

Sarah grabs his hand, trying to breathe "He's my daughters fiancé. I can't do it."

"Bullshit!" He tightens her grip "I brought you into this world. I can take you out. Back to the darkness."

Sarah eyes tears down her cheek.

"And I will make sure your daughter comes with you." He loosens his grip as Sarah falls to the ground, still trying to breathe "Next time. Kill Mr Wayne and his little bird. If they find out about our organisation, which has been under the radar for years, he can take down piece by piece."

Sarah looks up to see Mr Silvers face "I promise you. I won't let you down again."

ROOF OF GCPD

Jim smokes his cigar, inhaling the tobacco in his lungs.

"It worked. The details you gave to Bruce was enough." He turns around to find Selina behind him.

"It nearly killed him." She said.

"But it didn't. And I thank you." He smokes the cigar "It won't be long till he takes down the darkness."

Selina smirks "That's nice. And I'm glad I got my paws on your little plan but I do need to know more. What's going on Detective."

Jim smiles at her "The less you know the better. Now go."

Selina nods as she leaves the roof, leaving Gordon alone.

BATCAVE

Harley slowly walks down the stairs of the cave, whipping the tears from her cheek. She looks down at the steps, counting each footstep she is taking. One step, two step. It's in the same rhythm as her heart. She wants to get Alfred better. She doesn't want to lose him. Harley looks up to see Bruce standing, watching on the computer. Looking at details on Amanda Waller. Her heart stops as Bruce turns around to see Harley in front of him. Bruce smiles as Harley runs to him and hugs him tightly.

"Agh!" He groans.

Harley let's go "I'm sorry." She looks at her fiancé eyes "Who did this to you?"

Bruce smiles faded, unable to say the attackers name "A meta-human. Working for Amanda Waller."

"Waller?" She asks confusingly "She's bringing back the Squad without me?"

Bruce looks at her, eyes widened.

"I was only kidding."

"It's not that, Harley. Your eyes are red. You been crying."

Harley smile faded. She wants to tell him about Alfred but the words can't seem to come out. Bruce used to look up to Alfred as a child. How can Harley tell Bruce that the man that looked after him is dying.

"I… I…" the words just wont come out.

Bruce takes her hand "You can tell me. It's okay."

"I…" Harley smiles "I was worried about you. That is all."

Bruce smiles at her and the two hugged. But unknown to both of them, the hug is covering their true faces. The face of sadness and worry.

Neither of them can tell each other about Alfred and Sarah.

TO BE CONTINUED…