Bruce and Tommy are 7. Ollie is 5. Lex is 10.

Chapter 7: Caught in the Act

Bruce's POV

Tommy and I stood together and watched all of the adults talking together. Lex was bullying Oliver. I moved to stop him before Tommy held me back.

He shook his head and said, "Don't get in the middle of it. If Oliver can't defend himself then he deserves whatever happens to him."

I shook my head and said, "That's not right. My father says we should stand up for those who can't protect themselves."

"My father says we need to crush the ones beneath our feet like ants."

Before I could reply, I noticed some girl come walking in. Her party dress wasn't like the other girls. She had short black hair and a little bit of dirt was smeared across her face. None of the adults noticed her. But, none of the adults ever notice any of us.

"Who's she?"

Tommy turned around and narrowed his eyes. We watched her silently weave in and out amongst the crowds. She paused when she reached the dessert table a few feet away from where we were. She glanced around casually before stuffing a few desserts into the pockets of her dress.

Tommy reached out and grabbed her wrist. She narrowed her eyes before punching him in the face. Tommy let her go and started screaming. The girl disappeared into the crowd as all the adults crowded around Tommy. I could see blood dripping down his nose as I slipped past them to follow the girl. It wasn't long before some of the adults started screaming about missing jewelry.

I slipped out of the ballroom of the hotel where the gala was being held to see her open the door leading to the roof. I hurried after her. I pushed open the door to the roof and stepped out. Looking around, I found no one. I spun around as the door closed.

She had her arms crossed as she leaned against the door and narrowed her eyes at me.

"Did you steal the jewelry too?" I asked.

"And if I did?"

"You have to return it. Stealing is bad."

She smiled and moved closer. She began to circle me before asking, "What's your name?"

"Bruce Wayne."

"Hmm… That's nice."

As she continued to circle me, I asked, "Why'd you hit Tommy?"

"He's an asshole."

"That's a bad word."

She stopped moving and gave me a smile before she began walking again. She eventually came to a stop again, looked me straight in the eye and asked, "Well, dontcha wanna know my name?"

"You won't tell me."

"I might if you close your eyes."

I stared at her before asking, "If I do, will you return what you took?"

"Maybe."

I nodded before squeezing my eyes shut. For like a minute nothing happened. I opened my eyes and looked behind me when she called out, "By Bruce!"

I gasped when the door to the roof slammed shut and locked itself behind her.

"Wait!" I yelled, tugging on the door. "Hey! Come back!"

********Break********

Alfred's POV

I arrived at the gala to see more than Master Thomas along with his wife in shear panic. I immediately parked the car and ran to them. They hurried over to me and announced, "Alfred! It's just terrible! Several expensive pieces of jewelry including my pearls are missing! And Bruce is missing!"

"Master Bruce is missing! Where all have you checked? Was there anything out of the ordinary? Have any threats been made against you recently? Have you checked all possible exits?" I exclaimed.

They both stared at me, unsure of exactly what to say. I slowly inhaled before exhaling. I calmly asked, "Show me what room you were in."

Master Thomas said, "Alfred, we've already called the police and they're handling it. They'll find our jewelry and Bruce."

"I'm sure they will. Now, please show me to where this event took place."

********Break*********

"Has anyone searched the roof?" I asked Officer Gordon.

"Officer Downsworth," the man replied.

"If you would be so kind as to point him out to me, I'd gratefully appreciate it."

I thanked him as he pointed the officer in question out to me. I approached the man and asked, "Pardon the intrusion but I was told you were responsible for searching the roof and upper levels of this fine establishment."

"Yeah so?"

"Did you actually do your duty?"

"Look man, we'll find the jewelry-"

"I'm talking about finding a seven year old child!" I snapped.

He rolled his eyes and snapped, "Yeah, yeah. We'll find the kid too, alright? Now, let me get back to my work."

I am truly concerned for Gotham's "finest." Not believing the man, I decided to find the young master myself. I first climbed the stairs to the roof and paused when I reached the door leading out onto the roof. Is that crying I hear?

Opening the door, I was met by the sight of a small child, huddled on the ground, crying. I immediately rushed towards him and pulled him into my arms.

"A-alfred," he sniffed.

"It's alright, lad. You're safe now," I promised, lugging him onto my hip.

He wrapped his arms around my neck and buried his face into my shoulder. I transported back into the ballroom where his parents were still being questioned by the police. They both looked over at me as I entered. Bruce's mother immediately took the child from me as Master Thomas frowned.

He walked over and reached into his son's pocket to extract an expensive strand of pearls belonging to his wife.

"Bruce Thomas Wayne, what is this?" the man asked calmly.

"M-mommy's n-necklace," Master Bruce sniffed.

"Why did you have it? Where are the other valuables and jewels?"

"S-she took t-them."

Master Thomas' voice rose as he snapped, "Who took them?"

"I… I don't know her name… Tommy saw her!"

"He never said anything about a girl. He said you hit him and ran off."

"He's lying! She hit him!"

Master Thomas didn't say anything. He merely took the boy from his wife and dragged him out into the hallway. I took a step forward before her hand came to a stop on my arm. She smiled at me and said, "Thank you for finding Bruce."

"You're welcome… Surely, you don't believe that Master Bruce would do anything of the sort, do you?" I asked.

She merely shrugged and replied, "I don't know Alfred."

********Break********

Bruce's POV

Tiptoeing down the halls, I quietly crept down the stairs of the manor. I slowly reached the front door and turned the handle only to jump as Alfred called out, "Going somewhere, Master Bruce?"

I spun around to see him watching me with his arms crossed.

"I'm running away. Don't try to stop me."

"Really? You forgot to pack a bag and take some money. And where is your jacket?"

I shrugged and scuffed my shoe along the flooring. Keeping my eyes on the floor, I wiped my noose with my sleeve. Alfred suddenly reached out and lightly popped my arm. I glared at him as he said, "We do not wipe our noses on our sleeves. We use either a handkerchief or a tissue."

I didn't say anything. I just stood there for a minute before asking, "Aren't you going to tell Mommy and Daddy?"

"No. They're asleep. I figured we'd go have a talk in the kitchen over cookies and hot cocoa."

I though it over for a minute before nodding. I followed him to the kitchen and took a seat on the bar. Alfred put a few freshly baked cookies on a plate and set them in front of me. A few minutes later, a steaming mug of hot chocolate was set down beside the plate of untouched cookies.

"They hate me, Alfred."

"Your parents don't hate you."

"They do. They didn't believe me about what happened. They think I stole stuff and hit Tommy but that girl did all of it. Why'd she frame me and why'd Tommy lie?"

"Perhaps the young lady needed the money and your 'friend' cannot simply admit to the fact that a girl got the best of him."

I shrugged. Alfred reached out and laid his hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see him smiling at me. He said, "I believe you. Now finish your snack and get back into bed, alright?"

"Okay… Hey Alfred?"

"Yes, Master Bruce?"

"Thank you for believing me."

"I'll always believe you."