Chapter 4: Bruce and Alfred reunited
(Meanwhile…)
For the most part, the drive home in the car was quiet for both Margaret and her daughter Carrie. They say in tense silence, the likes of which that normally occurred with any kid who's had their parents called for any form of trouble at school. The car rattled and sputtered as they drove through a more rundown section of town.
"I'm sorry you had to come to school today, Mom." Carrie apologized.
Margaret turned toward her for a second, placing a hand upon Carrie's. The car's brakes squeal as it pulled up to their home, the blue house which its neighbors dread passing every day. Margaret sighed in resignation, while Carrie looked down with dread.
"Let's go inside, little girl." Margaret replied plainly. "You need to come inside with me."
"Mama, why didn't you tell me?" Carrie asked in concern. "I was so scared, Mama. I thought I was going to die. Mama, they laughed at me… and they threw things at me."
But Margaret gave no form of response to satisfy 'any' of her questions. She merely stepped out of the car while Carrie looked on.
"We'll talk about this inside, Carrie." Margaret responded.
Carrie got out of the car, but she was still upset and confused.
"No." Carrie spoke loudly.
(Later at Chamberlain Cafe…)
We came back to the Cafe in Chamberlain, Alfred was about to take a sip of his drink when he suddenly was startled by an unexpected guest and to his surprise…
Bruce sat on his table across from him.
"Master Wayne?" Alfred asked.
"Hello Alfred." Bruce said.
"Bloody hell I… I never expected us to ever talk again knowing you finally made it… especially Bane." Alfred said.
"Me neither. But…that happy endings over Alfred. Selina's…she went back on her jewel thefts. And how's Lucius?" Bruce asked.
"I know. It was all over the news. He's fine." Alfred said.
"I saw you, Lucius, Gordon and Blake at my funeral. But don't think it was a good time to…catch up." Bruce said.
"I thought I saw you too at the back…but what were you doing back at Gotham?" Alfred asked.
"That's why I'm here. Alfred I know you don't want me being Batman again…but it's just Gotham that needs him this time. It's the whole world." Bruce said.
Alfred was silent as Bruce continued.
"I'm freaking dead. Lead by a woman named Rita Desjardin." Bruce said.
"Who's Rita Desjardin?" Alfred asked.
"She's my childhood friend." Bruce said.
"Oh yes. Sure." Alfred said.
"I met her a long time ago. I was a kid. I live here in Chamberlain. I saw her at the school." Bruce said.
"Sure." Alfred said.
"Before, Joe Chill killed my parents. The Joker killed Rachel. I falsely killed Harvey. One year later, Selina killed Bane. But I need your help Alfred. Without Lucius…I need all the help I can get." Bruce said.
Alfred wasn't sure at first but the guilt of not being there for him during Bane's conquest guilted him enough…to nod.
"This is against my better judgement giving after everything that happened. My only intentions is for you to be safe and protected…but I for one…I am sorry Master Wayne." Alfred said.
"For what?" Bruce asked.
"For failing you. Your parents trusted me…and I failed them too. By leaving when you needed me more and for not supporting your cause for all of Gotham. Your father wanted to make a difference…my fear…of your path ending the same as his…clouded my vision of your accomplishments. Especially what you did for Gotham before. And for that… I am sorry sir. I hope you understand I only left because…" Alfred said, as he started crying.
"It's okay. I understand. And I'm sorry too…for not listening to you before. Each time I didn't, my enemies always got the better of me. Ra's Al Ghul, Scarecrow, The Joker, Two-Face, Bane…even Miranda Tate." Bruce said.
"Tate?" Alfred asked.
"She was pulling Bane's strings. Her real name was Talia Al Ghul. Ra's Al Ghul's daughter." Bruce said.
Alfred was puzzled.
"Daughter? Of course. You told me Ra's told you he had a wife who he lost." Alfred said.
"He didn't know she was pregnant till she found him after escaping the underground prison. I thought Bane was his child till Talia told me she was. Bane was born in the prison but he was her protector. But off the point we do this together from now on we do this together." Bruce said.
Alfred grew a smile of confidence.
And later they were on plane back to Gotham.
Bruce tells Alfred everything Lucius, Gordon and Blake told him at the funeral…
"This Ms. Desjardin, if she can clear your childhood friend, your wealth, what part of you are homeless she won't meet you?" Alfred asked.
"She wants me, as I do Chamberlain. If Gotham's criminals catch on they'll know where it is." Bruce said.
"And then after you saw her at school?" Alfred asked.
"I don't know. Guess we'll see when we cross that bridge. Right now you've been holding John Blake lately?" Bruce asked.
"Funny you should ask… Gotham's lately had a new protector…who the public knows…as Robin." Alfred said.
"Robin?" Bruce asked.
"Apparently that's what his mother always called him, drawing it as a mantel to honor her. Mere a handful as Gotham's criminals were put away by Robin." Alfred said.
"Lucius with Blake, I'll need all the help I can get. I think it's time Batman and Robin officially meet." Bruce said.
"And Ms. Kyle?" Alfred asked.
"I don't expect I'll hear from her anytime soon. She made her choice when she ran with my mother's necklace. It was clear where she really stood." Bruce said.
"Nonetheless I'm sorry. We all just want what's best for you sir." Alfred said.
"Now you sound like my parents." Bruce said.
Alfred mildly chuckled.
"Is Wayne Manor still holding the orphanage?" Bruce asked.
"Mr. Fox and I still held that arrangement." Alfred said.
"Then when the money is brought back in… we'll settle at the penthouse at Chamberlain." Bruce said.
Alfred nods.
"Tell Blake and Lucius. I got the Batsuit and the stayed in Chamberlain, Alfred." Bruce said.
"Very good, Master Wayne." Alfred said.
Before they knew it, the plane was now over Gotham...
To Be Continued…