A/N: I know I never do these. I wanted to thank those who have reviewed my story and are reading it again after I had abandoned it for such a long time. This chapter is a long one and is probably the first chapter I started writing for this story. With that being said, this chapter has had many, many iterations that are long gone from my computer by now. Some of the content is taken from Batman's contingency plan from DC Universe Online game and a wiki page describing Batman's Contingency Plans. I am enjoying getting reviews. I get a slight dopamine hit every time! Most of all, I am having a lot of fun writing Barbara again. I think she is a character that is not used enough. I want to note that I feel a Bruce/Barbara relationship only works in the DCAU. In the comics and Young Justice, I am definitely a Dick/Babs shipper. But the DCAU is my favorite Batman and this relationship, unfortunately, gets a bad rap. I hope my story shows how this relationship is completely plausible and just as meaningful as any other relationship in the DCAU. I am thinking about going back into my story and fixing some things but nothing major will be changed. Mostly typos and grammatical errors. ENJOY!
"Oracle, I've just landed five klicks from Waller's property. Have you been able to breach her security system," Batman asked through my headphones.
"I'm just about set," I replied, "I will be ready to go by the time you reach her home." Batman was going to use the secret underground tunnels that led to Waller's home. I already disabled the security camera at the entrance to the tunnels.
It took a while for Batman to get there so I was ready for him once he arrived. "Cameras are ready to go dark at your request," I said breaking the silence.
"I'm ready," he replied.
"On my count...three, two, one. They are down," I chimed.
Batman left the channel open so I could hear what was going on. It was the only way I was going to agree to do this job considering what we were doing was not only breaking in and entering but could be considered treason to certain people in the government.
During his encounter, I could hear Batman list all the things we knew about Waller and I could also hear her threaten him back. It ended in a stalemate about how they both could expose each other and it would be mutually assured destruction if one decided to out the other to the American public. Then it happened. She spouted on about all the things I was afraid she was going to say about their reasoning for trying to bring down the Justice League. I cringed when Batman said that the Justice League would take her down if she presented a threat. When she responded about how the threat was the League, I didn't blame her. It killed me, but I couldn't blame her. I understood what she meant.
I heard Batman walk away. Their conversation was done. What needed to be said was said. An alarm blared. Batman exited the home the same way he came in.
Communication was silent until Batman reach the Batwing. "It seems like our guess was right. Cadmus is in the business of developing weapons to fight the Justice League," I said breaking the silence. I also don't want to tell you I told you so.
"When are you going to say I told you so," he replied almost as if he could read my mind like J'onn.
"I'm not going to. You are hard on yourself as it is," I replied feeling a bit bad for him. He was in a precarious position. He himself was human and could understand the fear others would have of the Justice League, but he also is one of the founding members of the Justice League.
"Good work Oracle with neutralizing security. I'm going to the Watchtower to report. Batman out." He cut radio communication. I wanted to hail him again on the radio and tell him that everything was going to be okay, but I decided not to. Bruce needed time to brood.
One look was enough to make my heart break. I could see he was feeling distressed. He was asleep and resting but his face was not relaxed at all. I curled up in a chair with a blanket and a book as I sat by his bedside. I tried to read the volume of Browning that Alfred had let me borrow. It was opened up to "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came". I had mentioned to Alfred that I was lacking knowledge of poetry and he was delighted to lend me one of his favorites. I wasn't having a difficult time understanding the material and the meaning, I was just having a difficult time concentrating. I had never seen Bruce like this and it was a haunting sight. I decided that staring at him wasn't going to change anything so I got back to reading about Childe Roland and his journey. I was mid-way through the poem when I heard him speak my name.
"Barbara," he said confused. He wasn't expecting me to be there.
"Take it easy," I said trying to calm his confusion.
"You shouldn't have come. I will be fine," he said a bit irritated that he could barely move with the neck brace on.
"You crashed a plane into a Kryptonite warhead," I replied with my eyebrows up, "and I also came for Alfred."
"Alfred worries too much," Bruce said. Alfred could never replace the father that Bruce lost, but he was the closest thing he would have to one.
"So, have you come here to scold me for both you and Alfred," he asked. His mood was sour. Clark was right about Bruce being even more irritable than usual.
I gave him a sharp glare. "Are you trying to pick a fight with me right now," I asked irritated.
"No," he replied flatly but also somewhat apologetically. Well as apologetic as Bruce Wayne can get. He sat there looking somber. I wasn't going to tell him that I was upset when I heard what happened and that my heart was racing until I got up here. I didn't want to put him through any more distress.
"You look like a man losing a war with himself," I said studying the features of his face. It took him a moment as if he needed to focus and remember where he was. For the first time ever I think I truly noticed the weight he carried on his shoulders. Batman was a force, potent, mythic, and dueling terrifying. At least he was that to most people. Many also put him on this pedestal, as if he were a superhuman like the rest of the founding members of the League. I knew the truth though. I've seen all his scars, bruises, and wounds. The worst wound is the one he suffered many years ago as a boy. As a man, he is demanding to know why the world had treated that boy so cruelly.
"I've lost my way," he said, "it's all gone grey with doubt and confusion. Paranoia, fear, and anger is growing between the League and the people we are meant to protect. We both have the same goals, we just don't trust each other. I should have known that this escalation was inevitable. I-I don't know how to do this anymore. I don't know how to fix it. I've failed."
"No. You just haven't succeeded yet," I said putting a hand on his. "This is all going to get sorted out somehow. We just don't know how it will happen yet."
"You're resorting to comforting lies," he asked stealing my words from weeks ago, "You weren't this positive about the situation before."
"No, I wasn't, but you told me you weren't going to let anything happen and I believe you," I replied.
"Did Kent tell you what they did to Doomsday," he asked irritated.
"Oh ya, he sure did. I definitely told him how idiotic was. Who brings an unstoppable force like Doomsday aboard a pressurized space station," I asked irritated. My comment didn't help the situation, it only reminded Bruce how they didn't fully think about their actions because they are so used to being invulnerable.
"When I was in the Justice Lords' world, I understood where that Batman was coming from. It will only take a small step for me to cross that line. The idea of Kent even taking any step toward that line is concerning," he said looking at me as best he could with his neck brace hindering his movements.
"Bruce, I'm not going to let you ever take that step," I said firmly making sure he knew I had his back, even when it came to protecting him from himself.
"What if for some reason you can't do that? I'm the only one of the founding members who looked at my counterpart and identified with him. The rest thought they would never do anything like what the Justice Lords did. They aren't vigilant enough against the possibility that one day they will be willing to go too far and no one will be there to stop them. And when they do take that final step, they won't believe they've changed at all," he said frustrated.
"Then we will push. We will push until they get it," I replied, "In the meantime, you need to rest. You won't be able to push if you aren't healed."
He nodded and put his hand in mine. I brought his hand to my face and closed my eyes as I felt the warmth of his skin on my skin.
"Sorry I know we are to be discreet. I just-" he cut me off.
"Come see me when I get back to the manor," he said in a low tone. His eyes gave me the intense look I knew well by now. It's the look he gives me when we are alone. The look that is reserved only for me. I closed my eyes and gave a kiss to the back of his hand before setting it down. I didn't think anyone was watching, but I needed to stop being so affectionate in case someone walked in.
"I'm glad you're here," he said as his index finger stroked the top of my hand. "You're the last person I thought about before going unconscious and the first one I thought about when I woke up." The intensity of the conversation was too much. I wanted to kiss him badly but I knew it was not a good idea.
"Wow, that's a good line," I said smiling a bit and trying to defuse the tension. A faint smile danced on his lips. He knew I was kidding.
"Did it work," he asked playfully.
"Oh definitely, it worked. I"ll show you how much it worked when you're back home," I said making him blush. "You are blushing Bruce Wayne. I didn't know you were capable of that," I said pointing it out.
"Well you've given me something to blush about," he replied. He tried to sit up but then winched.
"Whoa there casa nova, no sudden movements," I said now concerned. He stopped winching and nodded at the advice I gave. We then both heard a knock at the door.
"Come in," Bruce said. It was J'onn coming to check on Bruce.
"Barbara, I'm glad you're here. I don't get to see you in person very often anymore," J'onn stated looking at Bruce's vitals on the monitors.
"Maybe if you left the Watchtower every once in a while we could have sushi in Gotham. I still want to take you to that place. I think you'd love it," I replied bringing back an old conversation we had from our time working with each other in Metropolis.
"You're right, I should come down sometime," he replied getting pain meds to put in Bruce's IV.
"I don't need them," Bruce said as J'onn was about to inject the medication into his IV line.
"Bruce, we need to stay ahead of the pain," J'onn replied. I looked at J'onn and psychically talked to him. We did this a lot when we were working together. Give me a second J'onn. I'll convince him.
Good luck, J'onn countered back.
"I don't like it when you two talk to each other like that," Bruce added. I gave J'onn a look. Bruce knew our dynamic too well.
"Bruce this is stupid. More pain equals less rest and less rest equals healing slower. Nothing will require your attention from now until you wake up," I said sternly giving him a look that said 'take the meds'. He glared defiantly at me.
"Do I need to teleport Alfred up here to make you take the damn drugs?"
He grimaced at that and then looked at J'onn. He knew I would go get Alfred if I had to. "Fine. I'll take the damn drugs," he said irritated with a bit of a raised voice.
"Is Alfred the key to getting you to do things," J'onn asked. Bruce didn't answer, but I did.
"If Alfred can't get him to do it, then no one will," I replied, "I only pull the Alfred card in circumstances like these."
"I'm sitting right here," Bruce said annoyed.
"Well you didn't want us to talk to each other psychically so now you get to hear it all," I replied sharply to him.
"Enough Barbara, I get it. I will let J'onn take care of me," Bruce replied with an irritated growl.
"Thank you for not making us twist your arm, especially since your other one is broken," I countered his growl with my own sharp tongue and glaring eyes.
"And I thought Batman was scary," J'onn said out loud.
"J'onn, next time just do it. Don't ever ask permission, ask for forgiveness," I said smirking. Bruce glared back at me as J'onn injected the pain meds into the IV.
"Flash wanted to say hello, but you seem thoroughly annoyed so I will tell him to try back tomorrow," J'onn replied. A red blur flashed before my eyes after that sentence. Timing was sometimes not Flash's strong suit, despite being the fastest man alive.
"Bats! Are you okay buddy? I wanted to see you before I left the Watchtower," Flash said quickly. The drugs must have been working some because Bruce did not seem terribly annoyed by the Scarlet Speedter's presence.
"Of course, you couldn't leave without checking in," Bruce said only slightly irritated. Flash's attention was quickly diverted to me, a warm-blooded female in the room.
"Look who we have here, my fellow crime-fighting redhead," Flash said trying to flirt with me. He pulled back his cowl to demonstrate that he indeed still have red hair. Everyone in this room knew each other's identities so it was safe.
"It's nice to see you too Wally. Did that software update I sent you help at work? It's been a tremendous help at GCPD," I asked genuinely curious. I think it sometimes annoys Bruce that I have individual relationships with members of the League. I knew J'onn and Clark the best, but I started to really get acquainted with the others when I was working to recruit additional members of the League.
"IT DID WORK! And it had been a tremendous help," Flash said happily. I couldn't help but smile at that. His genuine happy-go-lucky disposition could be contagious, except to someone like Bruce.
"Thank you for stopping by Wally," Bruce said trying to get him to leave.
"Hey has anyone ever called you 'Bruised Wayne' before," Flash asked sincerely. I bit my lip and tried not to laugh.
Does Wally have a death wish? I said psychically to J'onn.
This is what happens when one's mouth runs faster than their mind. J'onn replied back mentally.
"No, I've never heard that one," Bruce said shooting me a glare that said he was going to kill Wally if he didn't leave soon.
"Robin said it to him once and now you've had your one-time Wally," I said with a smile and a tone that said 'You've really stepped in it now'. Wally knew that he had to tread lightly.
"Right," Wally clenched his teeth a bit in embarrassment realizing what he'd just done, "I'll just leave you to rest," Wally said slowly backing away and exiting the med bay quickly.
"Is there anything else you need," J'onn asked.
"No more visitors," Bruce said flatly.
"I will relay that message to the others," J'onn countered just as flatly.
When J'onn left Bruce looked at me, his eyelids were getting heavy as the medication began to take effect.
"Tell Alfred I'm in good hands up here. I don't want him to worry," Bruce said tiredly.
"I will. I'm just going to stay here till you fall asleep," I said going and turning off the lights in his room. He sighed as I sat back down next to him and put a hand on his. "You need your sleep Bruised Wayne," I said as seriously as possible.
"Are you done," he asked irritated.
"Yes," I said giving him a quick kiss on the cheek as an apology. It was safe. No one would be coming back into his room anytime soon.
"I'm going to be fine, please don't be upset anymore," he said knowing that I was probably still slightly scared, "I don't want you to have any nightmares about Cadmus."
"Just come home soon, and I won't worry," I replied gripping his hand softly.
It took only a few more minutes until he was able to drift back to sleep. This time his face looked relaxed. I decided that I should go before people start to wonder why I was staying so long. I also wanted to report back to Alfred. I gave Bruce a quick peck on the forehead before I left. When I exited the med bay Superman was there.
"How is he doing," he asked concerned.
"Better", I replied hesitantly. I didn't want him to think everything was better. I wanted him to take what Bruce said to him earlier to heart and not chop it up to him being in a bad mood.
"He was so angry earlier. I knew he needed to talk to someone other than me or Diana."
"You do understand why right," I genuinely asked.
"He doesn't like not being in control and today he wasn't," Clark said.
"Well yes, and he should be worried. This whole situation with Cadmus is going to get worse. I just hope it doesn't end with bloodshed," I said bluntly to him.
"Barb," he said frustrated, "I don't know if you are getting the full picture here. Batman is being a bit paranoid."
"Well if he is it's because of me. He was on the same page as you until I told him my concerns with Cadmus and the League," I replied.
Clark looked at me confused, "Barb, this whole thing is getting blown out of proportion."
"I'm sorry but does it look like Bruce and I are wearing tin foil hats? Because it feels like you are treating the situation that way," I asked trying to prove my point. "I trust you, Clark. I'm not scared of you at all. I also trust many people in the League. But I also have a personal relationship with you and some of the League members. If I didn't, I don't think I would be feeling so trusting."
"So you would trust Cadmus more if you didn't know us," he asked incredulously.
"Pff...God no," I scoffed, "I am always suspicious of politicians and the government. My dad has been a cop for too long for me to not be; but just because I don't trust one thing, doesn't automatically mean I trust the other." Clark was silent. I don't think he knew how to respond.
"What does Lois think about all this Cadmus business," I asked. I'm not even going to pretend they aren't together anymore.
"She was worried. The Kryptonite missile upset her. Why," he asked a bit irritated.
"Hmm, just curious. She's an army brat. She might have a perspective on it that you should hear," I replied knowing he knew exactly what I was insinuating.
"Barb-," I cut him off.
"Listen. I am saying this as your friend. I know you struggle with others trusting you and I know can't possibly begin to understand what it is like to be frightened of your own power. It's not fair that Cadmus has judged you without knowing you, but unfortunately, it is their job to be paranoid and suspicious. I know it is a tall order, but please try to understand their side of things. I know you can if you try," I said putting a hand on his arm.
"Okay," he said giving up the argument.
"Thank you," I said giving a sad smile.
He returned it with a sad smile of his own and then decided to change the subject while looking at the door to Bruce's med bay. "So how long has that been going on," he asked looking back at me.
"What are you talking about," I said genuinely curious.
"You and Bruce," he replied catching me off guard. Oh crap, he can play the outing romantic relationships game too.
"Wh-what," I stammered trying to keep my heartbeat steady. Damn Kryptonians can tell when I'm lying.
He gave me a pointed look. "J'onn told me Bruce was calling for you when he was in and out of consciousness," Clark said. Great now J'onn had suspicions.
I gave him a look and tried my best to not look guilty. "As far as I know nothing is going on," I replied, "you'll have to ask him why he was calling for me."
Clark looked at me suspiciously. C'mon just drop it.
"Besides today, he has been less brooding," Clark said.
"Hmmm, I suppose so," I replied innocently. I started to wonder just how secret our secret relationship was.
When I got back to the mansion I told Alfred all about how Bruce was feeling over a cup of tea. I also made sure to tell Alfred that invoking his name made Bruce shut up and take his pain meds. He seemed delighted that Bruce once in a while still displayed a healthy fear of him.
"Master Bruce made some valid points about the League and their unchecked power," Alfred said placing his cup down.
"I know," I replied looking down into my cup.
"He does have that piece of Kryptonite as a contingency plan," he said.
"That takes the heaviest hitter off the board, but we still have all the others to think about. Also, is it much of a contingency plan if the most powerful being on the planet knows you have the one thing that can kill him," I asked concerned.
"Worrying about this now is not helping my dear. You should go get some rest," Alfred replied taking my teacup away.
I went up to my usual room in the mansion. I didn't sleep well at all that night. I had too many thoughts whirling through my head. I finally just got up and went down to the cave. I started writing a file on my ideas for some contingency plans. As I was on the computer I found some files deep in the system that were only slightly shocking to me. It seemed that Bruce already started these contingency plans ages ago but has since abandoned them. There were audio files of Bruce stating what his plans were for each member of the Justice League.
"This is Batman. Security level Omega. Password Delta Charlie dash 27 dash 5 dash 1939. Enable new protocol titled Agamemno Contingency. Recently Lex Luthor manipulated a powerful android named A.M.A.Z.O. by posing as a father figure to it. A.M.A.Z.O., better known simply as The Android or Professor Ivo's Android, was a nanotechnological creation of the late Professor Ivo. The Android's nanotechnology enabled him to copy any trait and characteristic of people and objects, by merely looking at them.
The Andriod went on a rampage to attract the League's attention. First, he assimilated Hawkgirl's mace and wings of flight, then he replicated Wonder Woman's powers and bracelets, John Stewart's power ring, and Flash's super-speed. With all their powers combined, The Android soon overpowered members of the League. When Superman showed up to try to stop him, he succeeded in emulating his powers, despite Superman's best efforts to prevent it. However, when The Android duplicated someone's power, he also took in their weaknesses. Superman's vulnerability to Kryptonite, which I exploited after The Android copied Superman. As A.M.A.Z.O. assimilated other traits, he also started to develop character and began to question Luthor's intentions. Despite his skepticism, A.M.A.Z.O. again was persuaded by Luthor to try and kill the League. This time A.M.A.Z.O. "adapted" and overcame his weakness to Kryptonite.
The combined power of The Android and Luthor nearly succeed in killing most members of the League until the Martian Manhunter stepped in and allowed himself to be copied. A.M.A.Z.O. acquired the Martian's power of telepathy and used it to read Luthor's thoughts and learned of Luthor's manipulations. At this point, Luthor activated a fail-safe kill switch developed by Ivo to detonate the bomb at the base of The Android's brain. However, having also duplicated J'onn's shapeshifting powers, A.M.A.Z.O. could now regenerate himself and simply regrow his head. The disgruntled A.M.A.Z.O. turned against Luthor, tearing his battlesuit apart and preparing to kill him. A.M.A.Z.O. only ceased his attack when the terrified Luthor pleaded for mercy. Upon realizing that he had nothing left to learn from Earth, A.M.A.Z.O. evolved into a golden version of himself and departed to explore the universe.
This incident has made me realize the need for a contingency plan for not just Superman, but the entire League. We need to have a plan in place to handle each and every one of us should one of us become a threat. The members of the League are my teammates but we need to be prepared for the worst, always."
I was astonished at first. This file was started ages ago and Bruce has been periodically adding to it ever since.
"Agamemno Contingency. File Code Name: Last Son. If Superman ever becomes a threat to the planet, the following protocols need to be enacted to ensure our survival. The sample of green Kryptonite in vault 7B provided by Superman himself will incapacitate him with brief exposure. Prolonged exposure will, in all probability, be fatal. If for some reason Kryptonite is not available, there are other ways to take him down.
One would be ionizing radiation. This would slowly but effectively strip Superman of his powers but I am unsure first of how to even capture him for it to work. If were to capture him, I am unsure how to use ionizing radiation without killing Superman.
A sensory overload could be used as a tactic to at the very least distract him. Superman can be overtaxed to the point of pain when encountering extreme stimuli.
Lastly, red sun radiation. Superman gets his power from our yellow sun's radiation. Before his homeworld was destroyed, Superman was vulnerable just like any human because his world had a red sun. If red sun radiation is used against him several times, it would deplete his yellow sun reserves and weaken him in a fight."
I know Clark knew about the Kryptonite, but I don't think he knew about these other contingency plans. I clicked on the next audio file labeled "2814".
"Agamemno Contingency. File Code Name: 2814. The ring of a Green Lantern is the most powerful weapon in the universe and is limited only by the imagination of the person who wields it. The ring cannot be separated from the bearer except in the event of their death. The ring's natural defenses prevent a direct attack. But in order to use the ring, the bearer needs to see what they are doing. While an attack on the eyes would be ill-advised due to the defenses of the ring, see table 38b for full offensive lists and their attendant probabilities of success.
Research indicates that a post-hypnotic suggestion could be planted in the Green Lantern's psyche causing them to believe themselves blind and the ring would then make them blind by enforcing their own willpower. Currently, there is no way to test this theory."
I at first couldn't believe what I found, but then it started to make sense to me. How Bruce was so confident before. How he didn't seem overly worried when I told him my fears about Cadmus. He isn't afraid of the League because he has a plan for them if they ever step out of line.
I went through each file and listened to how Bruce would incapacitate each member of the League. For Wonder Woman, he would use nanites injected into her body that would leave her in a virtual reality battle against an opponent who is equal in every way and she cannot defeat. She would refuse to surrender and would eventually tire herself out and collapse from exhaustion.
For Flash, he wanted to develop a device that could harness extremely cold temperatures. The device could be used to rapidly slow down his metabolism and leave him without super speed. So far he concluded that Fries's gun was not cold enough to do the trick and he needed something even colder. If all else failed, Flash could be distracted and killed like any other human being.
Hawkgirl's contingency plan was maybe the most simple of everyone's. She may have her iconic wings and her Nth metal mace, but she doesn't have the invulnerability of Superman, Martian Manhunter, or Wonder Woman. She is a skilled warrior but her weak spot is Green Lantern John Stewart. If she is distracted long enough she can be fatally wounded with any weapon, just like a human.
My stomach churned reading about J'onn's contingency plan. It seemed to be the most brutal one of all. To incapacitate J'onn, all someone needed to do is to somehow inject him with or have J'onn ingest magnesium carbonate. This would cause him to sweat out the magnesium and leave his body extremely flammable. The fire would constantly burn, even if he was submerged in water or another extinguisher. The only way to relieve the Martian would be to inject him with aluminum oxide. Buring alive and not being able to ever stop it was a fate far worse than death.
Lastly, I came across two more files. One labeled "Detective" and one labeled "Oracle". I'm not sure if I should be scared or flattered that he thought I could be such a threat that a contingency plan was needed. I clicked the one labeled "Oracle" first.
"Agamemno Contingency. File Code Name: Oracle. Batgirl is an opponent who is often underestimated. She uses that to her advantage. She is in her own right a master strategist but also a collector of vast information. Her intuition and ability to read people are also impeccable. Similar to Batman, the best way to disable her is to distract her. Her father, Commissioner Gordon, is a blind spot. Her friends are also good targets. Batgirl has also been known to have been subdued by Jonathan Crane's fear toxin. Another thing to consider in Batgirl's case is Batman. One may have to subdue him as well in order to get to her. Even though Batman knows she is more than capable of taking care of herself, he will still have the urge to protect her at all costs. See file with Code Name: Dectective for details on how he can be dealt with."
I wonder when he decided to make this file. I looked at the date. It was when I was in Metropolis and working to recruit members of the League. My heart dropped a bit when I realized how much of a blind spot he considered me to be for him. I did as the audio file directed and clicked on the file labeled "Detective".
"Agamemno Contingency. File Code Name: Detective. While Batman is a master strategist and combatant he is only human. The best way to disable his strategic abilities would be to distract him. His parents are an excellent blindspot as is his endless crusade to protect the innocent. Taking hostages is a good distraction, particularly if they are friends or family. Batman will make the ultimate sacrifice if he is forced to in order to save someone, especially if that someone is part of the Batfamily. Robin would be the best target followed by Batgirl."
That last sentence gave me the chills. To think about anyone targeting Tim made me sick, but he was absolutely right. Tim would be the best target. I would die for Tim before anyone else and so would Bruce. My thoughts were soon disrupted by a familiar voice. "Mistress Babara, have you been here all night," Alfred asked from behind me. He came bearing a cup of hot tea for me. I gladly took it. I was starting to feel cold and tired.
"I'm afraid so," I said taking a sip from the cup. I'm sure I looked rather ragged.
"What is it that you have been doing," he inquired.
"Did you know about these," I asked showing him the Agamemno files on the computer.
"I knew of them yes," Alfred stated unafraid of any reaction I had.
"Is that why you told me to not worry last night," I asked looking at him.
"Partly. I also knew you needed rest, but it seems that was a waste of my breath," Alfred replied with an eyebrow raised.
"Alfred, you probably know more secrets than the FBI and CIA combined," I said with a smirk.
"Don't forget Her Majesty's Armed Forces," Alfred replied dryly. I couldn't help but snort at that.
"Have you started breakfast yet," I asked.
"No, but I will be shortly. Master Timothy will be up soon," he replied.
"Can you let me help? I want to witness how it is done and learn from the best," I asked with a smile. I needed to step away from screens and do something with my hands.
"You are welcome to learn from me in the kitchen anytime Mistress Barbara. I am never afraid that you will burn down the kitchen," he said referring to the time Dick caught the stove top on fire.
We made our way up the stairs to the mansion. There were many reasons why I was looking forward to Bruce's return, but now I had a whole other one.