Preordained Chapter 9

Read in 1 hours and 45 minutes

Preordained

by DebC and Christina A

Summary: Bruce & Grace reunite after a painful 4-month separation and everyone’s lives are affected.

Chapter Nine

Thursday, January 20, 2005

Eugenia was just settling into her seat with her morning coffee when the mayor all but burst out of his office. Startled was an understatement as he rarely, if ever, acted in this manner. “Two things. One, call Lee Merryweather. I want Bruce and Grace’s first available evening, as soon as it can be arranged. Second,” and he tried to keep his voice calm, “I want you to call Councilman Fitzgerald’s office. I want a meeting with him within the hour. I don’t care what excuse you give him; tell him I want to discuss changing my crime bill.”

“But sir…”

“Just do it, Eugenia, please. I’ve already placed a bunch of calls myself and have several more to make BEFORE Councilman Fitzgerald gets here.”

*-*-*

Within the hour, Councilman Arnold Fitzgerald was sitting across from Miles’ desk.

“Changing your mind about the crime bill, Old Man,” Fitzgerald began, a smirk on his face.

Miles steepled his fingers under his chin and said nothing. In all honesty, Miles was disgusted. “Oh I wouldn’t say that,” he finally began, his voice low, the words coming out slowly. “I wouldn’t say that at all.” He didn’t move as he said his next words. “What I am going to do is open up all the city offices to a probe by the District Attorney’s office.”

Fitz’s eyes narrowed into tight slits. “You can’t do that!”

Miles shrugged. “Why not? I have nothing to hide. I’ve been in contact with a few other members of the city government today. So far, you’re the only on who’s protested.”

“Blaire, I’m warning you…”

Miles looked directly at him. “Warn, suggest, threat… call it whatever you want. But I cannot expect the citizens of this city to undergo stricter crime laws without expecting it from those who run the city as well. If you have nothing to hide, what’s a little probe going to hurt?”

“Because I’m an American, I have rights!”

“And you are also an elected representative of the American government.”

“I won’t stand by and watch you turn Gotham into a police state!”

“A police state? Funny that *you* continue to use that phrase. Yet, according to the polls, over 80% of the citizens of Gotham support my legislation.”

Fitz leaned forward. “I think you should check your figures again, Old
Man.”

Miles leaned forward as well. “I think you’d better think a little more about how you try to sway the lobbyists.”

The two men stared at one another for the longest time. “You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into. Wayne and I had lunch… I made a suggestion. There’s no law breaking in that,” Fitz finally said, standing up and abruptly striding for the door. “Run your probe if you must.”

Miles inhaled deeply when Fitz left, the air seeming to clear with the man’s departure. Picking up his phone, he called his secretary. “Eugenia, call my wife and daughter… call Lee Merryweather… I want to know where they are going to be… constantly. Call Seth as well… have him get Grace’s schedule to me, as well as his.”

“I can do that, sir.”

“Thanks, and Eugenia… I want yours too. Oh yeah, and when you talk to Merryweather, I want him to have Bruce call me immediately.” He wouldn’t put anything past Fitz or those he worked for. If any of his family were even five minutes late for an appointment, he wanted to know about it.

*-*-*

During breakfast, Bruce told Grace that he was planning to visit his parents’ graves that day. As he expected, she offered to go with him… should he want her there. At first, he told her no, he wanted to be alone… needed time to think and say some things that needed said.

“That’s fine, Bruce,” Grace told him, setting her coffee cup down to touch his hand. “Whatever you need to do is fine. I understand.”

Later, however, as he was pulling on his overcoat, he was seized with the sudden need for company. He didn’t want to ride out to the cemetery alone he decided.

He found Grace in her room, changing for a mid-morning work out. “Um, Grace…” he began, looking sheepish. “Would it be alright if you… rode out with me to the cemetery?”

She nodded. “Of course, just let me change.” She walked into the closet to grab some more appropriate clothing. She had a black, long-sleeved velvet Prada dress that fit her form and fell just below her knees. She may just be going along for the ride, but for Grace, there was never such a thing as being overdressed. She was comfortable in anything she wore, and she wanted to be respectful.

As she put it on, she couldn’t help but think about how big this was.
His parent’s gravesites were sacred to him, as they should be. The past few times he’d gone to visit, she’d always offered, but he always preferred to go alone. As she quickly put on some pantyhose and grabbed a pair of shoes, she had to wonder what made this time different. She didn’t question him though, merely grabbed her long black leather coat on her way out of her closet. “Ready,” she said tying her overcoat closed.

Bruce offered her his arm, his eyes traveling over her black-clad form in a moment of appreciation. The occasion was somber enough, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy the view before him right now. Then Grace slipped her arm through his, and Bruce caught sight of them both in the mirror on the opposite wall. For over a minute, all he could do was stand there, holding her arm, and staring at the image they made framed in her mirror. Mesmerized by the ‘picture perfect’ quality of what he was seeing. Finally, he broke his gaze with the mirror and turned to Grace, giving her an ambiguous smile. “Shall we?” he asked, almost suavely, as he escorted her from the bedroom.

She rested her head on his shoulder as her hand moved down his arm to take his hand with hers. She wondered what he’d been thinking as he looked at the two of them in the mirror. It wasn’t the same look he’d given to the professional, impromptu pictures that had been taken of them on one of her photo shoots. The pictures had come in and he’d looked at them, almost in awe! They had been gorgeous pictures… his darker features contrasting gorgeously to her fairer ones.

But this look, it was different… deeper somehow. Like he was seeing more than a couple people dressed in fine clothing. Then it hit her, what Fitz had said, what Miles must have said. Family. Her voice was soft as she said, “I’m right beside you.” The multiple meanings were evident in her voice.

Bruce could hear more in her voice than just the immediate meaning that she was ready to go. She was with him… there for him… for as long as he wanted her there. He had her support, in more ways than even she knew about, and that meant more to him than he had words to express. She was literally, figuratively, and every other ‘ly’ he could think of, by his side, and all his heart told him this was how it meant to be.

He glanced at her, grinning, as they made it to the stairs and began to descend. Alfred met them at the landing with a bouquet of roses that had been delivered at Bruce’s request. During the summer and autumn months, Bruce usually picked them himself from his mother’s favorite garden, but in the winter, he used his standing account at a local florist shop. They never failed to deliver for him on the spur of the moment; though, Bruce suspected that Alfred gave good tips.

If Alfred was surprised that Grace was going with Bruce he didn’t show it. Although, he did nod knowingly at Grace and send a smile her way while Bruce took the roses from him. “Will the two of you be gone long, Master Bruce?” he inquired politely.

“I’m not really sure, Alfred,” Bruce replied. “As long it takes, I guess. It’s been awhile.”

Alfred nodded again. Bruce had last visited the cemetery right after his split with Lex. And then he’d pushed Grace away, and the guilt of that outweighed any pain Bruce had ever known save losing them. Maybe even including that, as Grace had been the one person whose presence in his life vanquished all shadows.

She gave Alfred a small smile. Getting a whiff of the scent of the roses, she let Bruce walk on ahead of her for a moment. “I’ll take care of him,” she whispered to Alfred.

“I’ve little doubt of that, Miss Grace,” he replied, knowing full well the import of Bruce asking Grace to go with him.

She walked quickly out of the Manor to join Bruce at the limo, slipping inside as he held the door open for her and moving closely to his side once he got in. The physical closeness was a visible support of her earlier words. Also a way to prove to him… he wasn’t alone. She wouldn’t get out of the limo unless he asked her too, but at least for the ride there and the ride home, her physical closeness would be a comfort for him. Just as she had last night… it was enough that he knew she was there should he need anything!

As the limousine pulled away from the Manor, Bruce set the bouquet down on the leather seat and took Grace’s hand, caressing it softly with his fingers. They could have been on a date, for all the devotion he was showing her hand except that he’d yet to say much of anything as they drove. Mostly, he just wanted to touch her, to feel the warmth that came from his skin in contact with hers. He craved it –the connection to another person. So many years spent isolating himself behind an emotional barrier had left him starved for it… for the kind of connection he had with Grace. With her, the barriers didn’t exist.

They rode in a comfortable silence to one of the older cemeteries in Gotham city. Bruce thought it might be the oldest, actually. The tombstones were tall and ornate, speaking of many years and many generations. The markers and crypts boasted the surnames of the founders of the city and the county in which it was located. Like the names, the grounds were stately and pristinely kept year round, even in the worst of weather. His family had a crypt and two family plots flanking it on a little hillock near the center of a particularly old section.

Bruce, though, barely knew the names beyond his parents, grandparents, and his uncle –his father’s brother who’d died of SIDS before they knew what SIDS was. The rest were names written in the family Bible, a book he hadn’t seen since the day Alfred dutifully wrote in the date of his father’s death and his mother’s in the family tree on the front pages. Bruce’s name was there, too, waiting vigilantly to be joined by the siblings who never came or the wife he might someday –or not– take. Alone at the end of the page.

The limo pulled around the corner, taking it sharply because the cemetery path was narrow and not really meant for large vehicles. Or any vehicles, really, although most people drove in anyway. The groundskeepers never said anything. The chauffeur stopped the limousine and parked it under the shadow of a huge marble marker that read ‘Wayne.’ There was no road up the hillock, although the cobblestone path had been cleared and salted recently.

When the chauffeur came around to Bruce’s door, Bruce finally released Grace’s hand and reached for the roses. He hesitated, debating asking her to come up the hill with him. She’d never met his parents before, and although a part of him thought it was about time, another part of him feared the ground would open up and swallow them both should he invite her without first ‘consulting’ them.

“Bruce,” her voice finally broke through the silence. “It’s okay,” she offered encouragingly, reaching out and squeezing his hand. “I’ll wait here. Should you want me to join you, I’m just a motion away.” Another soft squeeze of his hand, and this time her words were softer… somehow though carrying so much meaning. “I love you. And
I’m with you.” She knew this was sacred for him, and that even having her in the limo was a big step. The last thing she was going to do was push him. She was here. He could have the rest to himself. It was true as well, all he had to do was motion for her, and she’d join him.
She wouldn’t be hurt if he didn’t ask her. It was something she understood on some level. They were his parents. The pain of their deaths was something he still felt very intensely. The hateful words from Fitzgerald, though tempered by more honest ones from Miles, had spawned the need for this visit. She understood his need to be there alone physically. But he would never be emotionally alone, not ever again. And she knew, by the look in his eyes, that he understood that.

Bruce nodded a little and gave a weak smile. There would be other visits, and maybe… He looked at her, finding her eyes and holding them with his own. No, there would be no ‘maybe.’ Bruce felt it as tangibly as he felt the cold air on his cheeks; Grace had more than earned the right, and he wanted her to know them… them to know her. “I won’t… be long,” he said softly, squeezing her hand once before exiting the car. He instructed the driver to keep the car warm, as the air was nippy, and trudged up the path alone.

He stopped in front of the two most recently added headstones and stood there for a few minutes in reverent silence. When he raised his head, he pulled a single rose from the bouquet, and knelt between the stones. He placed the single rose by his father’s name, staring at the contrasts in the red and the fading grays of the stone. His mind flashed on the first time he’d come to this cemetery, when his grandfather died years before his parents were murdered. He remembered his father’s hand, but the rest of the memory was faded into oblivion.

“I, uh… I’m sorry I haven’t been around lately,” he said, focusing on the name before him as if his father might still hear his apology. “I’ve been busy with that project I’ve been telling you about. Alfred’s been an invaluable asset.” He paused, knowing it wouldn’t be enough to bring them back, even if that were possible.

“Grace and I are back together,” he said, turning to place the rest of the roses on his mother’s grave. His tone made it sound as if he were calling from college with a weekly update. “I really…” his voice seized up a little. “I love her… a lot.” But they knew that already; he’d told them before about the amazing woman he’d been sharing his life and their home with. “I know, the last time I said I thought we should end it, but something happened.” He went on to tell them about Grace’s stalker and the attack… finding her and taking her home. “It may sound odd, but I think she belongs with me.” His voice was hopeful, as if waiting for one of them to tell him to ‘go for it.’ Though, for what exactly escaped him.

When no answer came, he told them about lobbying for Miles’ crime bill and his meetings with Fitzgerald. “Miles says you know him, that he’s been that much of a jerk all his life. I know I shouldn’t let it bother me, but sometimes I wish… you…” He choked on whatever words were coming next and he stopped, reaching out to touch his father’s name. “I wish you were here to guide me. Alfred and Miles… they try really hard, but sometimes, Dad, I’m so afraid of failing you. Sometimes I feel like I’m going backwards instead of forward. I’m so lost…” he whispered, lapsing into silence. He couldn’t run the company and concentrate on being Batman. He couldn’t do everything alone.

‘Then why are you trying?’ The thought popped into his head as if someone had gently nudged it along. Because alone was all he had been until recently. Because it was all he knew? But that was a lie. He wasn’t alone anymore, except whenever he chose to be. Miles, Grace…
Courtney… they were only as far away and he wanted them. He didn’t want them to be so far away, and maybe… maybe his parents knew that.

He’d always said it was Fate… Fate that brought him to Courtney, Fate that broke them up but refused to them either of them let go. Fate that made him spoil her with gifts and trips that ultimately led her to Seth… and him to Grace. The same Fate who saw fit to make sure the girl in line next to him at the soup kitchen was Miles Blaire’s daughter. Miles, who was his father’s closest friend, and now Bruce’s only link to certain memories of his childhood.

Fate acted like it cared sometimes, maybe. Or maybe Fate had help?

He turned his head and looked towards the limo where she waited either for him, or for his signal to join him. Rising to his feet, he turned a little and caught the chauffeur’s attention, motioning for him tap on Grace’s window.

“Mom, Dad…” he said as he saw the window roll down a bit. “There’s someone really special I want you to meet.”

She sat stunned for a moment when she saw Bruce signal to the driver. She’d wanted to be there with him. But there was no way on Earth she was going to push her actual presence upon him during this moment. She was there with him in spirit. When the driver opened the door for her, she ran a quick hand through her hair. Funny, she was actually a bit nervous about meeting his parents… but honored at the same time.

With the help of the driver’s offered hand, she got out of the limo and made her way up the same path Bruce had walked up minutes before. Her eyes met his and the sheer import of the moment hit her full right then and there. This was the only way he could communicate with his parents. She hadn’t realized, until just now, how fortunate she’d been. Her father was a phone call away. And true, her biological mother was all but dead to her… but she had Janet. And she loved Janet like she was her mother.

This was all Bruce had… at least by way of contact with his biological parents. And he was sharing that with her. Right this very moment. He was sharing with her, and she knew he shared this with no one. Moving to stand beside him, she took his hand and felt no cold, no wind, and no sting of chill on her cheeks. She felt love. Taking his hand, she stood closely to him but said nothing. She simply looked at the headstones respectfully, waiting for Bruce to speak.

Most people didn’t believe as she did. But to her, when a loved one passed, part of Heaven was being able to still be ‘with’ the ones you loved on Earth. She believed there were times when she still felt her grandparents… and right here, right now, she knew (and so did Bruce) that his parents were here. That was the love she felt all around them.

Bruce squeezed Grace’s hand, feeling as nervous as if he were bringing her home to the Manor for the first time, and they were waiting in the library to meet to her. This hadn’t happened before. There had been no one in his life that he’d ever “brought home to meet his parents.” Maybe it was because most people he’d dated knew he was the famous Wayne orphan. Or maybe it was because none of his previous relationships had been with people he truly loved. Sure, he’d cared about all of them –Bruce was like that, he cared about people– but most of them hadn’t lasted longer than a couple dates. Quite a few of them had been the same sort of mindless, consequence-less fling Grace had been expecting the night they first met. The night he surprised her by just taking her home, not making untoward advances. He’d had those sorts of relationships… too many for his young age. So had Grace: all that and worse, he’d learned later on. And those relationships had left them both cynical.

Yet, here they were… almost two years later, standing where two such jaded people should not have been. Presenting themselves to his parents. It overwhelmed him, left him speechless for several minutes. Then he looked up from his thoughts and met Grace’s eyes, and all he could think was that it was right. There would never be a better time to do this than now. It was why he’d asked her to come, even if he hadn’t realized it until just this moment.

Giving her a loving, almost supporting smile, he turned back the graves. “Dad, Mom… this is the one I’ve been telling you so much about… my sweet Amazing Grace.” He smiled again, wistfully this time, when he spoke the pet name he’d given her soon after they’d begun to date. His mother’s favorite song, something seemed to remind him. He hadn’t realized it before, but in his heart, she equated most to that song.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me….
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

When he looked at her, he felt saved, no longer lost or adrift in the world. Home.

She gave him a soft smile as her free hand reached up to lightly touch his cheek before turning to the headstones. She’d always felt deeply about family, maybe because of what had happened with hers, maybe because of the determination of her father for them to *be* a family. She wasn’t exactly sure what it was. But as she looked at the headstones she found herself drawn to them… wanting desperately to know these two people who’d created the man she loved with everything she was. “Mr. and Mrs. Wayne,” she started, her voice barely above a whisper. Her dad always said that volume wasn’t nearly as important as the words that were actually spoken. “I’m honored more than I can express to be here… meeting you… I’m sure you know how wonderful your son is. How much he cares for those he loves…”

She swallowed and blinked her eyes. Her hand squeezed his again before she could continue. “I love him very much… more than I dreamed I could ever love another soul.” Her eyes finally left the tombstones and she turned them to gaze at him. “And I will love him for the rest of my life. I promise you that.” The last was said not only to his parents, but to him as well. Because this… without a doubt… was the single most important way he could express to her what she meant to him. She fell silent then, her head moving to rest on his shoulder.

“I told you she was amazing,” Bruce said after a moment of silence. His voice was light and cheerful, as if he felt them approving of what she said and of how it warmed his heart. He slid his arm around her, though respectfully, as if they were watching. “You are, you know,” he said softly, privately. “Every day I love you more. Amazing. I never knew love was like this.” His voice was so low now that they were little more than a rumble in his chest and his vocal chords.

“Me either,” she admitted, speaking just as softly though her voice lifted up to him. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever known… I never dreamed I’d feel. And everyday, I feel it more too.” She stepped a bit closer to him, not necessarily out of the need for warmth, but just for closeness.

They stood there for several more long moments, his arm held her respectfully, both sets of eyes looking at the tombstones. Both, perhaps, saying their own mental words. Grace found herself truly wishing she could have known these people. Because, though he was young when they were killed, they had a great influence on who he was today. And she meant what she’d said earlier. There wasn’t anyone she loved, needed, or treasured more than the man standing beside her. And they were to thank for him. So she did…

As if by silent agreement, they turned simultaneously and headed back to the limo. The driver had the door opened for them and Grace slipped inside. When Bruce got in she once again moved next to him, her head on his shoulder. They said nothing, as words weren’t really needed between them. They didn’t need to say anything to communicate… not anymore.

It was just as his hand was reaching for hers, though, that the phone rang. It was like a shock back into the real world, and she jumped slightly, her head lifting from his shoulder so he could reach into his pocket and get the phone.

“Wayne,” he answered as the chauffeur closed the door behind them. He listened intently and then looked at Grace with a small smile. “It’s Lee,” he told her before turning his attention to his secretary. “Yes, of course. He said he’d be contacting you,” he said when Lee told him that the mayor had phoned about a private dinner at his residence.

“So I was looking over your schedule, Bruce,” Lee rambled, ignoring the way Bruce already knew the call had been coming. “You have nothing on Monday… if you’d like me to call him back and…”

“Wait a minute, Lee.” Bruce turned to Grace. “Miles wants to have dinner at our earliest convenience,” he said. “Monday night good for you?”

She did a quick mental rundown of her schedule. Of course, she rarely did anything in the evenings, preferring to have that time to be with Bruce. So she gave him a nod and a smile. Dinner with the Blaire’s would be nice. “Monday’s fine with me,” she agreed.

His eyes were on hers as he said into the phone. “Monday’s good.”
With that, they exchanged brief farewells and hung up the phone.

That done, Grace moved back into her position, which she didn’t move from until they got back to the Manor.

*-*-*

Bruce sat on the couch, browsing the afternoon newspaper. Grace was stretched out, resting her head in his lap. She was also reading a section, but mostly she was just there with him. Bruce loved the companionship they shared, even in silence. When Alfred entered the library with a silver tea tray, laden with the matching tea service and the phone, Bruce looked up from the article he was reading.

“Mayor Blaire is on line two, sir,” Alfred informed him. “He says it has to do with his crime bill.”

“Thanks, Alfred. I’ll, ah, take it in the den. Could you transfer it to the phone there?” Grace sat up instantly, moving away as Bruce stood.

“Of course, sir.” Alfred set their tea down on the coffee table, leaving it for Grace to have if she still wanted it.

Excusing himself –though not without leaning in to kiss Grace– Bruce made his way to the den. A red light on the desk phone was blinking, telling him that Alfred had transferred the call as he’d asked. Reaching for the phone, he sat on the edge of the desk. “Hello, Miles,” he said in greeting. “How’s City Hall?”

Miles, who had literally been on the phone all day, sighed in exasperation. “How’s hectic sound to you, Bruce?” He shook his head, knowing full well he could confide in the man he was talking to on the phone. “I need to tell you some things. I’ve already talked to Constance… Seth… Courtney, though getting through to her was like pulling teeth.” He sighed again. Of everyone he’d spoken to today,
Courtney had been the one who’d given him the most difficulty. Not because she didn’t want to share her schedule, but because she wanted a piece of Fitz herself and Miles had staunchly refused to let her set up a meeting with the Councilman.

“After I left the Manor last night, I did a lot of thinking.” It was here that he went into his plans for the probe… his conversation with the other city officials… and then his talk with Arnold Fitzgerald. “He’s crooked, Bruce,” Miles confided finally. “And I wouldn’t put it past him to go after my family to get to me. I know I’m asking a lot, but please, could you just make sure Lee gives Eugenia your schedule?
Grace’s too if he has it? I just need to know where you guys are; I need to know you’re safe.”

Bruce was silent for several long seconds while he digested the Mayor’s words. He couldn’t say that he blamed Miles. Fitzgerald wasn’t the only one who was on the take. Bruce’s research into Fitzgerald and Kirkland had revealed at least two councilman and several police officers from various precincts around the city. Bruce sighed. “Tough spot to put yourself in, Miles, but I understand. I’d like to think I’d do the same thing, if the situations were reversed.” He told Miles he’d have Lee fax his entire schedule tomorrow. Grace’s as well. His mind, however, was already turning. He’d talk to Alfred and the head of his security, Mr. Sloane. He wasn’t concerned with himself, but Grace… no one would hurt her again.

“Nee gave you a hard time, huh?” he asked. That sounded like Courtney. Knowing her, she’d still be pissed about it on Monday night when they came for dinner.

“Thanks,” he said in reference to the schedules. If only his daughter had been this easy to talk to. “Hard time is actually a mild statement. First she asked why. And you know her. She didn’t let up until I explained why. Then she was enraged because first, I left last night without telling her why and second, because I wouldn’t let her have a little ‘chat’ with Fitzgerald. However, a brief reminder of the fact that I’m her father and she’s my daughter… not vice versa… and she calmed down.” Miles laughed lightly. “I think it’s kinda funny actually. I was expecting her to tell me she was old enough to take care of herself… to give me flack about sharing the schedule… and though I think her response was to snort before she agreed… at least she agreed.” He paused. “I’m doing what I feel has to be done, but I don’t want my family to pay. And people like Fitzgerald… they don’t care how they get to you… so long as they do.”

Bruce understood; he’d played into Fitzgerald’s games on Wednesday, but no longer. And like Miles, he didn’t want Courtney near Fitzgerald, even if she thought she was doing it in defense of him. “I’m sure she understands on some level. This is pretty big, after all.” But he knew Courtney; she never let things go once she got them into her head. Bruce had once joked that he could never win an argument with her. It really wasn’t a joke. “Keep her away from Fitz, Miles,” he said and it wasn’t a command, it was pleading. “I don’t trust him, and Courtney will underestimate what he could do if properly motivated.”

The change in Bruce’s tone caught Miles’ attention immediately. “It is pretty big. And I have no intention of letting her anywhere near Fitzgerald. If I have to have her confined to her house, I will.” He paused, again evaluating the tone in Bruce’s voice. There was more going on here than what Bruce was saying. “Is there something on your mind, Bruce?” he asked. “Something you’d maybe like to talk about?”

Bruce smiled a little, knowing Miles couldn’t see it. He’d been wondering how to get this said without making it questionable how he knew. “When I began my lobby for this crime bill, I started a little research project for my own information. Background on the councilmen I’d be dealing with… that sort of thing. I wanted to be prepared, to know my opposition.” Or know enough to make sure they wouldn’t stay opposition long. “Something came to my attention recently through that research. Fitzgerald isn’t the only one with a questionable past.” Miles knew about Kirkland, Fitzie’s partner in crime on most voting issues, but he gave a small gasp when Bruce named Edward Jackson and also said Jackson had questionable ties to several precincts in the Gotham PD. “I hesitate to suggest this, Miles,” he concluded, “but extending the probe to the police force might not be a bad idea. If Commissioner Gordon is willing, of course.” He hesitated because it was added danger for their loved ones. Courtney, Grace… Seth… Constance… Bruce knew Miles had weighed his options before he acted, but could he afford to add a new stone to the already overflowing bucket?

Miles sat for the longest time, looking at the pictures that decorated his office. Jackson? He couldn’t believe it! How many times had he sat on that council with Eddie and they’d talked like they were friends… had agreed on so many issues. True, Eddie had been opposed to the last couple crime bills, but his excuses had seemed more valid and logical than the other two.

There was no doubt that he believed Bruce. If anything, Bruce was far more removed emotionally from all of this than Miles. If Jackson were in on it with Fitzgerald and Kirkland… and he had the police in his pocket… “There’s little choice, is there?” Miles finally spoke. “I doubt that Gordon will have a problem with it. I know without a doubt he’s clean. But Bruce,” he confided, “they can have me… this is my decision. It’s something I have to do. But they won’t come at me directly. My wife… my family… all of you are going to be the targets.” The words pained him, but he couldn’t back down now… no matter how bad it got.

“Understood,” was Bruce’s response. More so than Miles knew, perhaps.

Miles sounded weary, as if this newest revelation had knocked the wind out of him. “I already plan to speak to Sloane when we’re through.” Sloane was Bruce’s head of security, a former Navy Seal who looked like Mr. Clean only less personable. He was also very efficient, and Bruce trusted him, and the other five men he’d hired on Sloane’s suggestion, implicitly. Bruce, however, was less concerned with himself. Grace and the others were where his priorities lie. “If you’d like… I could send over a man or two for Nee and Constance.”

Miles’ eyes slid closed for a moment. Security of the measures Bruce had was something Miles couldn’t extend to his family. He simply didn’t have the means or the ability to justify it. And the fact that Bruce had extended the offer to Constance. He was touched.

Finding out that someone he’d thought was fairly honest was as crooked as Fitzgerald had struck him hard. The tiredness showed through in his voice. “For Constance, yes. She would appreciate the protection. She doesn’t always show it, but there are times when she… frets.” That wasn’t actually the best word, but it was rather appropriate. “I would like to say yes for Courtney… but she’s her own woman now, Bruce. I’m not her guardian anymore nor am I her husband.” He stressed the last word hoping Bruce would get the meaning behind it. “I’ll leave that up to you.”

*-*-*

“Miss Grace,” Alfred reappeared shortly after Bruce went into the den to take the call from Miles.

She was sitting in the chair closest to the fireplace. The Manor seemed especially cool now even though she’d changed into jeans and a heavy sweater. “Yes?” she asked, setting aside the newspaper.

“Master Alex is on the phone for you. He called earlier, however, you were out, and he said he would return his call.”

Taking the offered phone, she thanked him. She wrapped the blanket more securely around her legs and said, “Hello, Alex.”

“Gracie, hon,” he began, voice more serious than she’d ever heard it. “I’m truly sorry about yesterday. I just… It shouldn’t have happened.”

From the sound of his voice, Seth had let him have it but good. “It’s okay, Alex. Really, I’m fine.” And she was. After what happened today, the events of yesterday and the photo shoot seemed soooo… inconsequential.

“You sure?”

“Positive. Believe me, there are worse things that could have happened.” She thought about Bruce and how shaken he’d been over the words Fitz had said, and then she thought about today and how overwhelmingly important it had been. “Seeing Philip was a shock, yes, but I survived.”

“I just should have said something… to you… to Seth.”

“Alex,” she started softly, “he didn’t come down too hard on you, did he?”

Alex laughed lightly. “At first, yes. Wasn’t much that was pretty about it. But don’t worry, hon. Seth’s like that. He gets angry, blows off steam, and then it’s over. Water under the bridge.”

“You’re still in charge of my booking, aren’t you?” It was a concern for her. Alex was perhaps the best agent she’d ever worked with. But she knew Seth too. He’d felt he let her down, which wasn’t true. In turn, Alex had let Seth down. Seth didn’t handle things like that well.

“Yes, honey, I’m still in charge of your bookings.” The happy lilt was back in his voice. “Seth’s been my boy for over twenty years. I’m used to how he works. It’s cool, and I’m cool if we’re cool.”

“We’re cool,” she said with a smile.

“Great.” He paused. “Business over!” he pronounced. “Personal now?”

Her smile grew bigger. The relief she felt over the fact that he was okay made her excited to hear the personal news. “Yes, personal now.”

They chatted for several more minutes. AnnaBeth and Alex were getting along far better than even Grace could have imagined. She wasn’t sure how serious it was… oh, from what she could gather, it was VERY physical… but Alex had yet to encounter AnnaBeth’s temper. From both of her parents… she had inherited a nasty temper. But knowing Alex, he’d be able to bring her out of it with a joke or a smile. Either that or it would drive her insane. They exchanged goodbyes… everything back to the way it had been before the Philip incident.

Clicking off the phone, she stared at it for several long minutes. The events of today flashed through her mind. She closed them and saw the headstones… Thomas Wayne… Martha Wayne. Again, she was washed over with the emotion of how blessed she was. Turning the phone on, she dialed.

One more VERY important call to make.

*-*-*

When Bruce got off the phone with Miles, he instantly hit the button that got him the kitchen, where Alfred was likely biding his time until someone needed him. “Alfred, I need you to get Sloane in here ASAP, please.”

“Is something amiss, sir?” Alfred asked calmly after his obligatory ‘Yes, Master Bruce.’

“Yes, Alfred, there is… and if you don’t mind, I’d like you to be present for this meeting.”

“As you wish, sir,” came the tireless reply.

Within fifteen minutes, both men were in the den, awaiting Bruce to tell them why they’d been sent for, which Bruce did without much preamble.

“I just got off the phone with the mayor.” Here Alfred nodded. Sloane showed no reaction either way. “He’s opened City Hall to an administrative probe… several of the councilmen who’ve opposed his crime bill are… suspicious.” He paused and then said, “I want to beef up security around the grounds, and around Grace. Also…” He directed his gaze to the former Navy Seal. “I want you to select someone to send over to Mayor Blaire’s residence. His wife is an obvious target.”

Sloane nodded once. No more. Bruce continued to talk. He outlined what he wanted from each of them and then asked Alfred to let Grace know he wanted to speak with her here in the den. Sloane, he asked to stay.

*-*-*

The secretary answered the phone on the third ring. After giving the appropriate announcement, she asked, “How may I help you?”

“George O’Neil, please,” Grace asked softly, the need to talk to her father was becoming tantamount.

“I’m sorry, Ma’am. He’s in a meeting.”

She cleared her throat, trying not to cry. Of course he was in a meeting. It was Wednesday, and George O’Neil was a very busy man. She hadn’t thought beyond her need to talk to him. “Um… ok. This is his daughter, Grace. I just wanted… to… talk to him.”

Whether it was because it was his daughter or the tone of Grace’s voice, the secretary said, “One moment, I’ll put you through.”

George quickly cleared out the conference room, giving one particular young upstart a scowl when he dared to remind George that the case they were meeting over went to trial next week. Frankly, George didn’t care. His daughter was on the phone and he was going to talk to her.
After the last of his staff left, he picked up the phone. “Hey Pumpkin,” he said, taking a seat.

“Daddy,” she said softly, his voice like a wash over her soul.

He furrowed his brows for a moment. “What’s the matter, hon?”

She shook her head, even though he couldn’t see it. “Nothing. Really, nothing. I just wanted to hear your voice. It’s been a while since we talked and the last time…”

“Gracie… that last time… I was upset.”

“Oh no, Daddy. It’s ok! Really. Everything is just fine. It’s just…
Sometimes, people take things for granted. And lately, I feel like
I’ve been doing that with you. I’ve been so wrapped up in me… and Bruce… that I haven’t done right by you. And I just needed to… You know? To call and let you know that I miss you… I love you.”

“I love you too,” he said softly. “But really, what brought this on?
It’s not that I don’t appreciate the call and the verbalization of emotions, but normally if you do this, it’s on the weekend. Talk to me.”

She closed her eyes, leaning her head back on the chair, and reached for the blanket, wrapping it around her. “Bruce went to the cemetery today,” she said somberly.

“Ah,” he responded. He knew from their past conversations that Bruce going to the cemetery was a very personal experience. He also knew, from the words Grace didn’t say, that it was something he shared with no one. Something that he kept separate from everyone in his life. He also knew his daughter would have liked to have been a part of that life.

“He took me with him,” she said softly.

If anyone had been in the room with George, they would have thought he had just been given the biggest news of his life. And it was true. He was surprised… overwhelmingly so. Grace had made it very clear that
Bruce did this alone. They were his parents… going to see them was something very intimate for him. And yet, he’d taken Grace.

Words from previous conversations with Bruce floated back to George.
The young man’s staunch reassurances that he would never hurt Grace again, that she was in his heart and soul completely, and that there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for her. And George had taken them merely as words. Actions always spoke more loudly for him. In one week, however, Bruce was bridging the gap that had developed over the past four months. And he was bridging it quickly. First, he’d followed through on the charges and had done so in a way that was fairly trauma-less for Grace. Second, he’d done this. “That’s really something, isn’t it?”

“It is, Daddy. It’s…” She paused. “It was perhaps the most…” She paused again, unsure as to how she wanted to say this. “Of all the things he could have said or done to show me how much he loves me… to prove to me how important I am to him…”

“This was the biggest,” her father finished for her, thinking he had to once again reevaluate his thoughts towards Bruce. Janet had gone to great lengths to explain how she perceived the entire situation.
George had to agree. Bruce had been on his own for so long… alone.
Grace had, except for her mother’s abandonment, grew up in a home with family. Bruce didn’t come from the same background and experiences, and George shouldn’t judge him by the standards he set forth for himself. It hadn’t been fair to Bruce. Yes, he’d hurt Grace, but
George had no idea from where Bruce was reacting.

Janet believed it was fear… fear of commitment… Or that perhaps he felt he was shielding her from something. Or that the breakup with his other lover had been a part of it. And through all her arguments, George had to admit that she was right. He didn’t know.

But what he did know… Bruce was genuine. He loved Grace. He’d taken the berating from not only himself, but from Hope. He’d followed through on George’s requests… and he’d done so without question. And now this… taking Grace…

“He actually introduced me to them, Daddy. And it was like they were there. You know how I feel about stuff like that…”

“I do.”

“They were there, Daddy. I know they were. And it was…” She paused and smiled softly. “It was absolutely one of the best moments in our relationship. To date, it was by far the one with the most meaning.”

Leaning back in his chair, he let his head rest against the back of it. “Gracie, for what it’s worth… I believe you. I believe him. If this past week has taught me anything, it’s that Bruce Wayne is a man of his word. And that he loves you… beyond a doubt. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for you. And baby, that’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.”

She nodded, not trusting her voice at first. “I know why he asked me to move out, and it wasn’t because he stopped loving me.”

“I believe that. Your mother has said that on more than one occasion.”

“So, you aren’t angry at him anymore?”

George laughed lightly at that. “No, I’m not. You know me; I never stay angry for long. I just needed to make sure that YOU were okay. I care about Bruce, Gracie. I know he’ll never accept me as a ‘father figure’, and I accept why. But I still care about him. It’s something that grew out of my love for you and watching the love you have for one another. So, no, I’m not mad anymore.”

She smiled brightly. “Dad,” her eyes bright. It had been an emotional day, but a very good day. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Gracie Lou.”

That caused her to chuckle. “Tell Mom too… I love her.”

“I will.” He was smiling now. He could hear the happiness in her voice, and that was all that mattered.

“I’ll call this weekend.”

“You’d better,” he warned with a teasing tone.

They exchanged goodbyes and Grace hung up the phone, curling up in the blanket and turning so she could watch the fire. Emotional was a good word for today… but it had also been very meaningful. She told herself she’d just close her eyes for a moment while she waited for Bruce to join her. And as she did, she smiled.

*-*-*

Alfred found Grace napping in the chair. She was bundled comfortably in the mink blanket; the fire had warmed her cheeks to a rosy red.
Ever so gently, he said her name, watching as she stirred from whatever dream she’d been having.

“Alfred?” she questioned, sitting up slowly. “I think I dosed off.”

“That you did, Miss Grace. And I am truly sorry to wake you, but
Master Bruce would like to see you in the den. It is of the utmost importance.”

She nodded setting aside the blanket, running a hand through her hair as it had flattened on one side.

She followed Alfred into the den, getting the sense that something had come of the phone call he’d had with Mayor Blaire. The first thing she noticed when she entered the den was the extremely serious look on Bruce’s face. The next thing she noticed was that his head of security was standing there with him. Something was going on here. “Bruce?” she questioned, wondering what exactly had led to all of this. “Is something wrong?”

Bruce didn’t smile when she came into the room. Normally, he would have, as her presence was one of the few lights in his life, but right now? After Alfred had left, he and Sloane spoke in more detail about their current security status and what it would take to make the necessary upgrades. His frown was a permanent fixture by the time Grace arrived.

“Grace, my sweet,” he said softly, crossing the room to take both her hands in his. He needed to touch her, to know she was alright. “Miles’ call…” He paused to collect his thoughts of what to say. Upfront would be best, he thought. “Miles has issued a probe of City Hall, and possibly the police department as well. There are people who might not want that to happen, and…” This next part was hard, and judging from the look he saw growing in Grace’s eyes, she was already trying to anticipate it. “Miles thinks we should be cautious.” He chose his words carefully, so as not to scare her.

She swallowed hard and looked around him to the man standing stoically beside the desk. He tied into this somehow. Her immediate reaction was fear. “Why would we…” She’d stopped her question as the full reality of it hit her. “He thinks that the bad guys will use his family against him, doesn’t he? What about Courtney, Constance, Seth?” She squeezed his hands as the look on his face didn’t soften. “He thinks they could come after *us* too, doesn’t he?” Her eyes fell to where their hands joined.

It had been a long week… her mugging, reuniting with Bruce, finding out the mugging was a stalking, and now learning about this potential threat. His hands squeezed hers in support and that’s when her eyes lifted from their hands to lock on his. He wouldn’t let anything happen to either one of them. “What do you need me to do?” she asked softly. “Just tell me and I’ll do it.” And she meant that. She trusted him implicitly. Whatever he told her to do, she would do.

Bruce didn’t have to hesitate to say what he wanted, especially since part of it he knew Grace might balk at. She would want to hide, like she’d wanted to with the stalking. It couldn’t happen that way.

Giving her hands a gentle squeeze, he said, “Nothing you wouldn’t normally do, Grace. I want you to go to work, come home, go shopping, visit friends, whatever you would normally do… It’s important, because letting them know you’re afraid gives them the advantage.” This was true. “The only change in your daily routine is Sloane. I want him with you every time you leave the grounds. Every time, Grace. You go to a shoot, he goes with you. I don’t think Seth will mind, but if your clients don’t like it, they can talk to me. I also want you to start giving Alfred and Sloane copies of your work schedule, and… just letting Alfred know if you’re going out and it’s not for work.
We’re not going to stop living our lives because of a perceived threat, love. We’re going to use the forewarning to our advantage.”

She shook her head at first. “But going out…” She bit her bottom lip. Of course, he was right. And she had told him that whatever he wanted, she would do. She looked around him to the imposing presence
Mr. Sloane projected. Basically, he was going to be her personal bodyguard. Bruce wanted her to go get manicures and pedicures… shop for lingerie with this formidable man watching her every movement.

She looked from Sloane to Bruce again and then back to Sloane. The man’s face hadn’t changed expression, not once since she’d walked into the room. She wondered what he was thinking. She bet he knew what she was thinking… she was afraid. Not the paralyzing kind of fear. It was more of the concerned kind of fear. Bruce would do everything he could to protect her… and quickly her mind flashed on another factor. Somehow, she knew Batman would be out there watching. It was what he did, wasn’t it?

Between the three of them, she knew without a doubt she was safe. So she nodded and said, “Alex does all my bookings from the agency. He has a schedule of everything I’m supposed to be doing for the next several weeks. He’ll fax it to you, no problem.” She looked into his eyes again. “But what about Constance, Courtney, Seth…” her voice grew softer, “you?”

“I offered to ‘loan’ Miles one of my personal bodyguards for Constance. I’m thinking…” he paused and looked over at Sloane. “Steele?”

“Former Secret Service,” Sloane answered right away. Bruce nodded.

Constance would enjoy that added prestige, Bruce thought as he turned back to Grace. “Nee’s gonna be a harder sell, I’m afraid. She’s already given Miles a hard time and wanted to go harass Fitzgerald for hurting my feelings.” Here he finally cracked a small half smile. “But we’re going to work on her, because I’m not letting her put herself at risk, either.”

And then there was himself. Bruce didn’t think any danger Fitzgerald or his cronies on the city council could place him in would ever equal the danger he could put himself in as Batman. Therefore, his security wasn’t an issue as far as he was concerned. “I’ll be fine. I have four other bodyguards after Sloane and Steele, and they all do their jobs exceptionally well.”

“You’ll have one with you… all the time… just like I do… like Constance does? What about Seth?” She smiled lightly. “You know,
Seth could sell an East Indian water during a monsoon… He can literally talk anyone into just about anything. Sic him on Courtney.
And maybe if she knew there was someone watching him?” She couldn’t help but worry about Seth too. “All of us will have someone, right?”
She was still really trying to absorb all of this. And she was nervous. When she was nervous, she talked… a lot. “And I mean, I know he’ll have my schedule but what if you’re not home and oh I decide I want a Quarter Pounder… how do I get a hold of Sloane? What if he isn’t here?”

It was Sloane who answered, stepping forward towards them and coming to stand at their side in only a couple of strides. “I am always here, Ms. O’Neil, but should we not be in the same room when your craving for fat drenched beef products hit…” Here he reached into his pocket and pulled out a digital pager, which he then held out to her. “The red button will summon me.”

She stood there open mouthed for just a moment. She wasn’t sure if she’d just been insulted or teased. Her brows furrowed and then relaxed. Taking the offered pager, she said, “So I’ll summon you, we’ll hop in the big purple Hummer, wander into town and get fat drenched beef products together.” She smiled. “My treat, of course.”

Sloane nodded at her smile. He didn’t return it, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice when he replied, “Of course, but only if it involves milk shakes.” Again, there was little emotion to the words and he was back at his post by the desk in seconds of saying it.

Bruce leaned in and whispered in Grace’s ear, “Mr. No Smile here likes strawberry, extra thick.” He winked, and it was as if the mood shifted a little.

She laughed lightly, relaxing completely and accepting the situation as he felt it best handled. So, Mr. Sloane looked imposing… was a trained killer… had no emotional reactions… was all about his business… But something told Grace she was going to have a bit of fun as well. It was, after all, what she enjoyed doing… having fun. And
Bruce was right; the bad guys weren’t going to take that from them. “It’s a good thing McDonald’s have wider straws now… it’s really hard to suck those thick shakes up through those skinny straws.” She returned the wink, smiling.

Bruce chuckled, his first real laugh all day. If her sense of humor were back, Grace would be okay. She would adapt to the changes he’d placed upon her. That eased much of Bruce’s fears about the whole situation immensely.

Sloane, of course, made no visible reaction, save for an almost imperceptible twinkle in his eyes. He merely waited until Bruce dismissed him and went back to whatever corner of the Manor Bruce hid his security team in.

*-*-*

With the departure of Mr. Sloane, Grace turned her full attention back to Bruce. It wasn’t going to be so bad, having the security man with her all the time. Given everything that had happened recently, she was actually thankful for him.

She made a pretense of looking completely around the room to make sure they were alone before moving more fully into his personal space. Her hands were removed from his and her arms went around his neck. “I think I was actually dreaming of this when Alfred woke me up to have me come in here.” Her eyes locked with his and she saw the mixed emotions… the worry he had for all of them (which, she had to admit, was the most touching one) and the love he felt for her.

But what he’d said just a few minutes ago held even here. She wasn’t about to let the bad guys have her put off expressing what she was feeling. So they’d deal with the baddies in a minute. But for this moment, she wanted to share some good stuff. She pressed herself even more fully to him, her body molding perfectly to his. She smiled. “Yep, this is what I was dreaming about all right.”

It was hard to argue with that, as much as Bruce wanted to make sure she was safe first, and especially not with his arms aching to hold her. So he didn’t argue; he moved into the embrace without hesitation. He stroked her cheek, gently tracing the contours of her face. Devotion and love shown clear in his eyes as he moved his hand to her chin, tilting her face up to his just slightly. He didn’t speak, so much as let his kiss speak for him. His lips caressed hers softly as he poured out his devotion for her into the kiss. Everything –Fitzgerald, the cemetery, the threat of the probe– all melted away as his free arm circled her waist and he held close to him. There was nothing else that mattered right now but Grace in his arms, and the love he felt for her. More than love, for what Bruce felt for Grace in his heart couldn’t be expressed in terms as simple as just love.

“Must have been a wonderful dream,” he murmured against her lips when he finally pulled away to allow oxygen into his system.

A hand had found its way into the silky softness of his hair, while the other dangled lightly on his shoulder. With just the slightest move, the fingers that had been in his hair brushed along his jaw line and the thumb made its way to his lips, tracing along the bottom one lovingly. “The dream was a good one,” she smiled as she used the closeness to easily place a small kiss on his lips. She let her hand drop from his face to lightly rest on his chest. “But the reality,” her eyes held his, “the reality is so much better.”

This time, she initiated a longer, more intimate kiss. And as she felt his arms wrap more securely around her, her hand moved from his chest and around to hold him at his waist. Their heads instinctively angled to allow the kiss to deepen and Grace was momentarily swept away. It wasn’t so much the physical reaction that caused her to shiver, but all the emotion of the day and all the emotion she felt for him. She needed him… she loved him… and she hadn’t been speaking lightly when she said he was her life. Life without him would be meaningless…

They broke for air long enough to give one another a smile before lovingly rubbing noses and kissing again. Each kiss leading them closer to the promise of something more. A physical expression…

“They’re in the den, you said, Alfred,” Courtney called, opening the door as she did. She saw the intimate embrace, the intensity of the kiss that she knew was actually leading to something else, and the closeness of their bodies… Oh yeah, she’d definitely interrupted something. But Courtney, being who she was, felt no embarrassment at the intrusion. However, her apology was genuine. “Sorry guys,” she said. “Alfred said you were in here, and since I walk much faster than he does…” She entered the room more fully.

Alfred made it into the room just in time to apologize himself. “Master Bruce… Miss Grace… I do apologize.”

Grace, though mildly annoyed that they had been interrupted, took it all in stride. It was Courtney, after all, and the woman had more than earned her nickname. She kept her face close to Bruce’s through Courtney’s explanation and only moved away slightly when Alfred entered. She wasn’t breathing too steadily yet and needed a moment to gather herself. Bruce, more than likely, would have a very different reaction. At times, he could embarrass much more easily at getting ‘caught’. So she lingered closely for a moment. A moment to give each of them a chance to recover.

“It’s alright, Alfred,” Bruce managed to say, but his voice relayed his frustration clearly. Like Grace, he was breathless, and his face was flushed with the heat of their passion. That, however, was the least of it. Whether it was the high emotional toll of the last couple of days, the danger of threat bringing out a physical need, or merely the sweet taste of her lips, Bruce was already to the point where the desk behind them had begun to be very tempting. Therefore, he was grateful that Grace had not moved completely away from him, allowing him to obscure the truth of the situation from both Alfred –not that Alfred would have been in the least bit shocked– and Courtney. She did, however, turn to face them, and he snaked his arms around her waist to hold her there.

The butler nodded slightly, knowingly and said, “If there is nothing you require, I shall take my leave. There is dinner to prepare, after all.”

“No, nothing, Alfred,” Bruce said before considering it. Then he backtracked, asking Grace if she wanted anything. She shook her head, though Bruce was sure a few more minutes of ‘alone time’ would have sufficed. “No, we’re fine. Thank you, Alfred.”

“Very well, sir. Miss.” Alfred said to the couple. He then inclined his head to Courtney, giving her a smile. “Always a pleasure to see you again, Mistress Courtney.”

She smiled at Alfred before turning her attention to the other two people in the room. She didn’t miss the way Bruce was holding Grace to him. And she definitely did not miss what was going on when she entered the room. So, she was determined to keep her visit brief. Falling into the chair, she exhaled deeply. “Okay… first off… why is it I’m the last person to find out about that asshole Fitzgerald? I just spent a good portion of my morning discussing it with my father.”
She looked first to Bruce and then to Grace. “Now, I know it was Alfred who summoned Dad here last night. So that’s…” She shrugged.
“But…” And here she actually growled… “Pond scum has more worth than Arnold Fitzgerald.”

She stood and walked toward the window, needing to expend some energy. “Then… then!!!!! Dad wants to know my schedule, where I’m going to be… who I’m with. I’d like to see Fitz try something with me. I honestly believe I could…” She sighed again. “Ooooo, I just loathe that man. He’s so ignorant.” She finally looked up at Bruce… “You’re okay, aren’t you?”

Inwardly, Grace smiled. Mentally he was better, but there were still a few physical things that didn’t need to be shared with the world.

“Well, I was working on it, at any rate,” Bruce quipped, surprising both the women with the comment. Grace glanced sideways at him, mischievous approval sparkling in her eyes, and he winked. “Yes, Nee, I’m fine,” he said without the flippant tone. He didn’t say the next thing on his mind: that she need not worry. They’d had this discussion before. Courtney would always worry about him. “And you’re right; Fitzgerald is lower than your average fungus. But…” He trailed off, thinking about that day and what good had happened that wouldn’t have had he let the pond scum bother him. “I’m over it, really. So, please; don’t bother with Fitzgerald. Like you said, he isn’t worth it.” Bruce’s voice was edged with the worry he felt at the thought of Courtney barging into City Hall and confronting the man.

Taking her cue from Bruce, Grace felt the need to reiterate. “He really is fine, Courtney.”

She looked at both of them for a long moment, her eyes narrowing slightly… scrutinizing. She noticed Bruce’s face was still a bit flushed; she noticed he still held Grace very securely in front of him. “I have no plans on bothering Fitzgerald. Dad pulled rank and even though I argue with Mom, I can’t argue with him. I promised I’d stay away from him, and I will. I just…” And the look she gave them was genuine. “I just worry about you guys. Both of you. I have far too much invested not to worry.” She looked them both over again, as if making sure for herself they were both okay.

Bruce nodded; he knew. Courtney had lobbied for their reunion every bit as much as he did for her father’s crime bills… and he loved her dearly for it, interruptions like these aside. “They were just words,” he said, meaning what Fitzgerald had said to him. “I shouldn’t have let it get to me and there won’t be a next time.” Still, he knew Courtney. She knew it had been serious enough for Alfred to call her father. Already he could see the inherent doubt of his protests growing in her eyes. It was a look she got every time he uttered the words ‘I’m fine.’ And he knew her enough to know that she felt slighted –even if only a little– that she hadn’t been the one here by his side. Though, in truth, the ‘man-to-man’ with Miles was exactly what was called for last night.

She moved back to the chair and sat in it again. “Well, if there is a next time… I’m not even talking to Dad before I speak my mind to
Fitzgerald. Man needs to learn a few manners.”

Grace felt Bruce’s immediate ‘problem’ ease and moved away just enough so he could decide what he wanted to do as far as their positioning.
Personally, she was quite content where she was. So when he moved to sit on the edge of the desk, she positioned herself so she was still standing in front of him, though between his legs so she could lean against his chest. She’d just been having interesting thoughts about this desk before the storm hit. So being next to it right now was causing all kinds of delicious thoughts to run through her head.
Deliciously naughty thoughts that shouldn’t be thought of in front of mixed company.

“Oh yeah,” Courtney continued, barely noticing the change. “And not only does Father fail to tell me about Bruce’s encounter, then he hits me with the entire schedule thing. And at first, I was too ticked to react the way I would have had the other not been going through my mind. How many shades of idiot would Fitzgerald have to be to come after the MAYOR’S family? Duh! He’d be the first one the police investigated.”

Grace shrugged. “People like Fitz don’t think like we do, Courtney. Doesn’t make sense, but he’s thinking the way to get Miles off his back is to threaten his family. A few precautions can’t hurt. I have Mr.
Clean as my new best friend. Man’s face never shows emotion. But hey,
I actually think having him around is going to be a comfort.”

“Mr. Clean?” Courtney question… then the rest of it hit her. “A bodyguard? Mr. Clean?”

Bruce chuckled a little at the amusingly apt description of his chief security officer. “She means Sloane… my head of security,” he added when Courtney’s face still registered confusion. “About so tall…” He gestured by raising his arm up above his head to about the right height. “As bald as Lex?” She still looked baffled. “You really didn’t know I have bodyguards, did you?” Bodyguards, plural, and judging from the look on her face, she hadn’t known.

“Does it look like I knew you had bodyguards?” she asked as if stating the obvious. “You have bodyguards?” She sat forward a bit in her chair. “I have NEVER seen one single solitary bodyguard around here
Bruce…” And that’s when it hit her… obviously if he had bodyguards, he would have the best. “You? Bodyguards? People who followed us around?” She was about to say more when Grace interjected.

“It makes sense, in a way. I’d never met any of them until today. I mean, I knew they were around… occasionally. But I just met Mr.
Clean today… when Bruce told me he was going to be watching over me.” She shrugged. “I really don’t mind, actually kinda like the idea of it. He,” and here she patted Bruce’s leg encouragingly, “has even sent one of them over to you mother.”

“My mother?” Her eyes moved to Bruce… still in a state of shock over the revelation.

“They didn’t follow us everywhere,” Bruce admitted, hoping honesty would make the news a little less traumatic. Their hiking trips and a few other places had been off-bounds, however Bruce had allowed Sloane to attach homing devices to all of his gear. “And yes –your mother. Miles is worried about a possible backlash because of the probe, and quite frankly, Nee, I agree with him that caution is warranted. Your father has shaken things up in this city and some people” –Fitzgerald, and the crime boss he paid tribute to– “can’t handle the pressure.” His arms wrapped around Grace’s waist out of the sudden instinct to ensure her safety. “So, I lent him one of my guys to watch after Constance. She’ll love him. Former Secret Service, very dashing in a James Bond sort of way.” He grinned slightly, trying to coax her out of her shock and outrage. “I’d like to do the same for you, Nee. I’d feel better if–“

“Oh no!!!!” She stood up, pacing the den. “I mean, I appreciate the sentiment and the concern, Bruce, I really do. But I can’t give up my life just because someone’s panties are in a bunch.” She stopped pacing and looked at him. “It’s like I’ve always told you… You have to live life. And I can’t hide behind bodyguards. I can’t function knowing someone’s tagging behind me.”

“But Court,” Grace interjected, “a bodyguard doesn’t stop you from living your life. After everything I’ve gone through recently, I’m not stopping my life… but the bodyguard…”

“Grace,” Courtney interrupted, fully understanding where Grace was coming from, “I just… I’m not comfortable with the idea. I gave Dad my schedule as ordered. But a bodyguard… I just highly doubt that there’s a need to go to that extreme.” She looked to Bruce, the look on her face absolutely genuine. “I am grateful for the offer, but I just don’t want someone tagging around after me.”

Bruce sighed inwardly, though he tried not to let his disappointment over it show. He’d hoped, however, that she would accept the offer. But Courtney… Courtney wasn’t one to be confined by lots of other people’s rules and obviously a bodyguard would be too confining.

“I understand, Nee,” he told her. “But the offer will stand indefinitely… if you change your mind.” His expression was one of open and sincere concern, and he hoped she would reconsider. “You’re not the only who worries about their friends, you know,” he added softly.

She sighed. “I know you worry. Bruce, I know.” She closed the distance between herself and her friends and leaned up against the desk beside them. “But to have a bodyguard is to change the way I live… to let them know that they have me frightened. And I’m not afraid, Bruce. Foolish or not, I’m not afraid. And I’m not going to let *them* know it.”

“Courtney,” Grace started. “How many times have you seen pictures of Bruce and I in the paper? Remember the one from that night at the club last week? Did you see any hovering secret agents? No. Was there any mention about bodyguards? No. But they were there. Like Bruce says, they aren’t there all the time, but whether we like it or not, bad people can do bad things to good people. There’s nothing wrong in taking a few precautions.”

Reaching out, Courtney lightly touched her hair. “And I am taking precautions. I’ll be careful.” Looking to Bruce, she said, “I promise
I will be careful.”

Bruce had little doubt she would be as careful as she thought she was being, but careful… careful only went so far. Grace’s stalking was a good example. For months, he’d watched her apartment as Batman and never knew someone else was watching it, too. It was so easy to miss that one key element, and then something bad would happen. Of course, he couldn’t just say this to Courtney, even if it might make her understand where his concerns stemmed from.

“I know you will, Nee. Just…” He gave her a look that clearly said everything he couldn’t in words. “Humor me and keep it in mind?”

She nodded. “For you, I will.” She wrapped an arm around his shoulder and placed a kiss on his cheek.

Grace moved out of the way to let the two friends embrace.

“Keep it in mind, I mean,” she teased, pulling away and then moving to hug and kiss Grace as well. “But for now, I have an appointment. And if I’m late, Dad will freak. I just wanted to blow off steam.” She leaned in and hugged Bruce again. “Talk to you later.”

Bruce returned the hug, a bit tighter than he usually would have, but he was holding on tighter to everyone right now. “Just be extra careful.”

Grace’s arm got a squeeze as Courtney started for the door. “Catch ya later…” She paused in the doorway, turning back to them as she grabbed the doorknob. “Oh and guys… this time… lock the door.”
She winked, closing the door. Her laughter at the look on Bruce’s face lingered long after she walked away from the door.

“Next time, knock!” Bruce called after her as the door closed.

He shook his head; Courtney was something else. Naïve, somehow, if she thought her father’s name and position would stay someone’s hand should Thorne order his men to exact revenge. Still, Bruce hoped that her faith in the ‘that can’t happen to me’ theology was founded. He loved her, and if something did happen to her…

Heaven help the person responsible.

He shook his head again, and made eye contact with Grace, who was laughing over their final exchange with Courtney. Lock the door, indeed! “You know, it’s my house,” he said to Grace, laughing as he pulled her back into his arms, this time facing him. “If I wanted to give into the naughty thoughts I’m having right now… here… I shouldn’t have to lock the doors.”

“Oh?” Grace tilted her head slightly, regarding him with a sly look. “What naughty thoughts might those be?” she asked, breathing the question against his lips.

He kissed her back, scooting back on the desk so he’d have to lean into her as the kiss deepened. “Can’t you guess?” he asked when they parted for air. He ran his hand along the surface of the desk suggestively.

*-*-*

“Court,” Seth called upon entering their home. Keys were dropped on the table in the spacious foyer. Looking to the left, he didn’t see her in the formal living room, but that wasn’t a surprise. Courtney said that room was strictly for ‘entertaining’, though how they ‘entertained’ was something the pair didn’t always see eye-to-eye on. “Court,” he called again, moving to the right through the dining room and into the kitchen, unable to remember whose night it was to fix dinner. Since nothing was cooking, it was probably his. Glancing down at his watch, he knew they’d be ordering out. It was far too late to cook now.

He moved through the kitchen onto other parts of the house. The home was large, but generally when he called, she heard him. Her BMW was parked in the driveway, so he knew she was home. Taking off his jacket, he dropped it on the back of the chair in the den. He could already hear her scolding him over it, and then he’d teasingly remind her that she said the den was ‘his’. He checked the room, though honestly he knew she hardly ever went in there. Going over to the bar, he grabbed a Coors out of the mini-fridge and worked his way up the stairs. Given the late hour, she could easily be soaking in the Jacuzzi. That thought made him smile. A nice soak with his wife would be fun. “Court,” he called again.

“In here,” she finally responded from one of the bedrooms they’d turned into an office. She was staring at the monitor of her computer, brows furrowed in concentration.

“Whatcha doin’?” he asked, leaning against the doorjamb.

Quickly, she saved her work and spun in her chair to face him. “I got three new parties today. A wedding, a retirement bash, and a fundraiser.”

“Mom working on a new gig?”

She shook her head. “Not Mom, no. Mrs. Dorothy Fitzgerald.”

“The Councilman’s wife?” He moved into the room, taking the chair at the other desk. “You sure that working with a Fitzgerald at all is a good idea?”

“Don’t you start on me too,” she said, her voice elevating slightly with frustration.

He remained calm. “Not starting anything, Courtney. Just asking a question.”

She sighed. “Sorry. It’s been a long day.”

Standing, he reached for her hand. A slow smile spread across his face. “Well, I have the perfect solution.”

“You do,” she returned his smile and took his hand.

“Yep. Thought about it when I came in. You… me… the Jacuzzi… Chinese takeout.” He waggled his brows. “I may even let you give me a massage.”

“Oh a girl could be so fortunate,” came her response, a teasingly sarcastic lilt in her voice.

Slowly undoing the buttons on her blouse, he teased back, “And you are lucky. I’ll even run the water for you as I’m ordering dinner.”

“It is your night to cook,” she replied as her blouse fell to the floor. “I couldn’t ask for more.”

*-*-*

Several hours later, they were snuggled in bed. Courtney was completely relaxed against Seth, as he hugged her to him. She was spooned, her back against his front; his hand draped softly over her hips. Placing a soft kiss in her hair, he broached quietly, “So, want to talk about what’s aggravating you?”

“Not aggravated now,” she said with a content smile.

“I would hope not,” he quipped with a teasing move of his hips.

“Play nice.”

“Never.”

She rolled her eyes at his response, which was followed by his laughter. God help her, but she loved this man. And they’d always said that here… their bed… was a safe haven. The one place where they could talk about anything and always find understanding. When he kissed her head again, she reached down and took his hand. “You know about Dad’s probe… giving him our schedules?” she finally asked.

Sensing the shift in mood, he easily followed. “Yep. I gave him mine already.”

“I went to see Bruce today,” she said.

To Seth, the statement seemed completely out of place with what they were discussing. He knew that because of the medicines she had to continue to take, sometimes her thoughts would jump quickly from one thing to the next… her ability to focus was something she had to work on sometimes. But she didn’t generally jump around like this. So his tone was a bit confused when he asked, “Why?”

“Because… last night Alfred called during dinner and it was Dad he wanted to talk to… Dad who went running. And sometimes I think… I feel…”

Seth sighed. “He needs you, Courtney. Sometimes I don’t understand how you can be so confident about everything but him. I talk to Mom about stuff all the time, and you don’t feel like I don’t need you. I do need you. He needs you. But sometimes, people need certain people for certain things. And Dad is the closest to a father that Bruce has. If you think about it, how many times do you go to your dad for things? A lot. So I honestly don’t understand why you worry because he talked to your Dad last night instead of you.”

Turning over so she could face him, she attempted to explain, “Because when I found him… when we met, he was a recluse. He rarely went anywhere… did anything. Just what he had to do because of his place in society. And now…” She shrugged. “Like I said, it’s been a long day.”

“That I believe,” he said softly trailing a finger along her cheek. She was an amazing woman. So full of love for those in her life. So protective and fierce when the moment called for it. But there was a vulnerability about her too. She was the kind of person who needed to be needed. And he also knew that once she got beyond the ‘long day’, she’d realize Bruce did need her. Her parents needed her. Alex needed her because he loved getting her all worked up. Most importantly, *he* needed her. “So, what happened with your visit to Bruce today?”

She couldn’t help but chuckle at the memory of what happened. “I walked in on Bruce and Grace… kissing.” She began to laugh. “And it was oh so obvious that it was rapidly moving to the ‘more than just kissing’ stage when I walked into the room.”

“There is something not quite right with you,” he joked.

“Well, you know, they make door locks for that… bedrooms as well,” she attempted to justify.

His immediate response was to tickle her before kissing her soundly. “I’ll remind you of that the next time you want to have sex in the dining room… library… living room…”

“Oh be quiet,” she mock-scolded.

“Kitchen… office… bonus room over the garage… den… hot…”

He didn’t get to finish the last phrase as he was kissed soundly. “You’re an ass,” she smiled as she said.

“And you love me,” he remarked with another kiss placed on her nose.

She pushed a stray hair from her face and nodded. “I do… with all that I am.” They weren’t exactly the most publicly demonstrative couple. Courtney was generally too busy with everything around her for Seth to stop her for too long. Oh, they held hands, and he loved touching her. But she was the kind of person who was always the focus of the people around her, and he was always pleased to stand back and let her have that. So it didn’t lead to a lot of kissing and petting in public. But here… in the privacy of their home… they were openly demonstrative both verbally and physically.

“Bruce has bodyguards.” Again, the statement seemed to come from nowhere to Seth.

“Yeah?” Seth asked. “Probably has an entire team of them.”

“You knew?” the tone she used was incredulous, like she was the only one of the group who hadn’t known.

“Courtney, I think sometimes you forget that Bruce is a rich man… young… powerful… extremely influential.”

“Like your friend?” And that’s when it hit her. Seth was right. She knew all those things he’d just said were true, and he was right in that she also overlooked them to the point that she did forget everything that went along with being Bruce Wayne. To her, he was just Bruce… best friend. “He’s assigned a bodyguard to Mom. Former Secret Service agent.”

The room was darkened, but there was no way she could miss the smile that spread across his face. “That was nice of him. I was worried about Mom. Her schedule changes so quickly, and she’s almost always late to meetings.” He laughed lightly at the thought of how many times Constance had burst into his office late for a lunch date she had insisted on setting up with her son-in-law. How could he not love Constance Blaire? In a lot of ways, Courtney was like her. “Having a specially trained pair of eyes watching her… especially right now… is a very good thing. I’d hate for anything to happen to Mom.” He made a mental note to thank Bruce. He wasn’t a fool; he knew the reason why Bruce had offered the bodyguard to Constance was because of Miles and Courtney. But he didn’t care about the reasoning, she was guarded and safe… *that* was what mattered.

“Grace has one too. He goes wherever she does. Work… everywhere. From what Bruce said, he’s actually assigned his Chief of Security to protect her.” She was revealing these facts to Seth as if they continued to surprise her.

Seth reacted as if it was everyday conversation. “I have a feeling that she’ll have that bodyguard long after the mess at City Hall is over. He’s going to want her watched over constantly. In case we haven’t noticed,” his voice light with teasing, “she’s his world. And given his past, he’ll go to extremes to protect her… keep her safe. And the mugging and the stalker shook him up too. He just reacts to it differently than Grace. But Courtney, it’s more than obvious that he’s doing what he can to make sure you’re all taken care of. He’d be distraught if anything happened to you.”

“He offered one to me too,” she said softly, “But I told him no.”

“Why’s that?” he asked, still doing his best to keep his tone level… not revealing any of his emotions because this conversation needed to be handled with a level head. He listened as she ran through all the excuses she’d given Bruce, and when she was finished, he said, “This is a dangerous situation, Courtney. Having a body…”

“I said no.”

Unlike everyone else, Seth didn’t back down from her. His tone bespoke of a bit more emotion though as he said, “Hear me out.” He drew her into his arms, hands lightly tracing her back. “It wasn’t all too long ago that I thought I was going to lose you.”

“This isn’t…”

“And the thought of that,” he said, ignoring her interruption, “nearly drove me insane with grief, fear, and worry. Maybe you don’t want to let the crooked politicians dictate your life to you… but there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do…” He paused for a moment, holding her a bit more tightly and trying not to sound as choked up was he was. “If something ever happened to you… If I lost you… That would be it for me. You understand that? I didn’t marry you because I wanted a year or two of good memories with the high-spirited red-haired beauty who breezed into my life and was tragically taken from it.” He swallowed hard, pressing his forehead to hers as he continued, “I married you because I wanted fifty or sixty years of life and love with the one person *I* can’t live without. The person who gives me meaning… a reason to get out of bed in the morning. I want to grow old with you… watch that gorgeous red hair turn to beautiful gray hair. I want to laugh… cry… argue… makeup with you until the day that *I* die. I want good times and bad times. I want you safe. I *need* you safe. Because Courtney, you are my world… and if anything happens…”

She reached out and pressed a finger to his lips. She heard everything he was saying and was touched beyond words. They were true for her too. Right here, right now, in this room, she had everything she needed. So it almost broke her heart when she had to say, “I don’t need a bodyguard, Seth. I’m going to be careful.”

He lay there for the longest time… lost in thought. His fingers still moved lightly along her back. Her stubborn tenacity was one of the things he loved most about her. He hated using his trump card. He knew without a doubt that if he played it… she’d give in. “Do it for me then, Courtney. Please?” His arms wrapped around her again, holding her closely to him. “I know you’ll be careful, but I’d just feel better…”

She sighed. Her father had told her that marriage wasn’t solely about yourself, that there were times when you did things because it made your spouse happy. Sacrifice. She loathed the idea of a bodyguard more than she could express, but if it gave Seth peace of mind… “Fine,” she relented, her tone not harsh, the words merely spoken softly. “I’ll call Bruce tomorrow and tell him I’ll accept the offer of a bodyguard.”

Her reward was a tighter hug and a kiss to her forehead. “Thank you.”

“Yeah,” she sighed again. “But I’m only doing this for you.”

He didn’t say a word, merely smiled. He didn’t care why she did it. He was fairly sure Bruce and Miles wouldn’t care why she was doing it. She was doing it and that’s all that mattered.

*-*-*

Officer Chad Harris pulled his patrol car into the alley. He parked and turned the key to shut off the engine. As the lights dimmed, a dark figure literally dropped out of the sky in front of him. He flipped on the headlights just in time to see Batman’s pitch black cape flutter around him as gravity pulled it down. Then Batman moved quickly, using each movement efficiently, to the side of the car. This time, the door was opened and waiting for him to get in.

As soon as the door closed, Chad held out a Styrofoam cup of coffee.
“Chilly night,” he said in explanation for the coffee. Taking the lid off his own cup, he took a sip of the hot liquid. His eyes on the club he was watching. Spence had called in tonight. Nicky was on the move… he wondered if they would both lead to Hammer and Deetz… or possibly to the men he heard on the tape. “Nice entrance.” He couldn’t help but let the corner of his mouth turn up in a smile of appreciation.

“Thanks, I’ve been working on it,” was Batman’s quick, stoic reply.

Chad let out a quick laugh in appreciation of the dry humor. He was starting to really wonder just who the man behind the mask was, but then at the same time, it didn’t matter. Whoever Batman truly was,
Chad was sure he was somewhat similar to the persona he portrayed when in costume. Taking the tape out of his pocket, he handed it back to Batman. “Starting tomorrow night, I’ll be in a black Chevy Cavalier.
Commissioner Gordon has assigned me to special duty… taken me off patrol and assigned me to this case. Actually, I’ll be lead on it.”
It wasn’t said with any kind of pride… just as a matter of fact.
Word had gotten to the commissioner that Chad had taken interest in the case… and with the probe… Gordon wanted him on Thorne’s case.

Batman nodded and removed the lid on his coffee. It was straight black and hot on his cold skin. Still, it was a welcomed sensation after waiting for Chad above the alley for as long as he had. As he drank, he digested what Chad had said about working directly for the commissioner on this case. Good for Chad, he thought, inwardly smiling.

“Good coffee,” he said at last.

“Mom and Pop joint just down the street makes it,” he said, looking up to see someone enter the club. When it wasn’t anyone he was looking for in particular he returned to the conversation at hand. “Not too long ago,” he started, “I got too close to Thorne’s operation. Brought in a toadie and interrogated him for quite a while. The man squealed but didn’t give me much to go on. Three days after he was released, they find his body in the river. The next day, I broke up an attempted extortion collection. The man warned me off, but I arrested him anyway. The day after that… someone took a shot at me. It doesn’t surprise me that they’re going to keep coming after me. I’m a monkey wrench in their operation, and I’m not going to quit.” He looked over at Batman, no fear in his eyes, just determination. “So, we get to them first. The voices on the tape… the one directly threatening me… his name is Randall Caine. More than likely, he’s the one who did the hit on Ellis… the toadie I interrogated. The other man… I can’t prove anything, but I believe he works directly for Thorne… Jeremiah Hinkle. Both are practically untouchable.”

“No one is untouchable,” Batman said, his voice darkening considerably as he processed the information. “Take our friend, Deetz, for example.” Chad’s head snapped up, diverting his attention from both the coffee and the club. “Got into a bit of a jam down on the docks. His buddy left him, took the stuff and split.” Batman hadn’t seen who had made the drop with them; he’d been looking for Hammer and Deetz and caught up with them after the drop. At Chad’s shocked expression, he added a non-committal, “He’s not dead. Just a little waterlogged. Seems he can’t swim.” Batman informed him that the man in question was in Gotham General Hospital being treated for his near drowning and several injuries incurred in his rather flawed escape.

Chad took a few moments and let the information soak in. “You know,” he finally said, “if Hammer split on him, Deetz is going to feel betrayed. I’ve always thought Deetz was the weak link. Hammer probably wouldn’t talk no matter how much you tried to intimidate him. But Deetz… I think he can be persuaded to talk.” Another movement at the door and this time Chad looked a bit more closely. “You were at the docks tonight, huh?” He pointed at the man just slipping into the club. “That’s Nicky. If Hammer and Deetz were picking up tonight, Nicky’s involved somehow. He’ll either be the one they give the dope to so he can pass it on to the distributors, or he’s giving them cash that he just picked up from Spence.” He sighed. “I’m not exactly sure how it all runs. All I know for sure is that Hammer and Deetz run the drugs, and Spence runs the cash.”

He sighed. “Either way, what you interrupted tonight was definitely a drug drop. I’ll stop by the hospital and have a little chat with Deetz. If he’s alone and feels betrayed, I’ll get information from him.”

Batman nodded once, a slow but curt gesture. “Worth a try. They aren’t as tight as he thought they were, it would seem.” Batman considered his next course of action and then inquired about Spence. “Speaking of partners… how does this new assignment affect Spence’s day job?” It was a blanket question: was Spence along for the ride, or was he in the dark about Chad’s new assignment? Hammer had gotten away, and although Batman intended to try and catch up with him tonight, he was likely long gone. He’d also be more cautious now that he knew Batman was on to him. However, Chad’s partner was a different story. Maybe it was time for a little chat with Officer Spencer.

“He’ll be patrolling with someone else. Same shift. I’ve known the man for years. He’s a good man… at least I think he is.” Anymore, Chad wasn’t sure who was a good man and who wasn’t. The corruption was so deep there was just no sure way of knowing. “His new partner’s name is David Williamson. Been on the force for about ten years.” He looked back up to the building. “You know, half of me wants to warn David about Spence. Half of me knows if I do, it will alert Spence that I know. But David has a family… wife… two little girls. And Spence could get him into trouble, not back him up. I’m just me. David has a family.” He sighed again, not for the second time questioning the Commissioner’s decision and being torn in what he should do.

Chad’s mixed emotions were very clear to read in both his expression and tones. His concerns, of course, were good ones. Men with families had more to lose than those without. Families got hurt if you were injured or killed in the line of duty. Families made easy targets. Spence was a liability for an honest police office. It was a more than valid concern for Chad to have.

It was a concern he understood and felt very sharply right now.

Batman nodded. “It’d be better to stay the course,” he said, he let enough emotion seep into his voice, letting Chad know he understood where he was coming from. “I’ve got plans for our boy Spence.” He didn’t elaborate though, instead occupying himself with the coffee. When the cup was empty, so was the passenger seat.

*-*-*

Dawn came in two hours, and Bruce was just getting in. He checked in with Alfred and then went to his room via the secret passages, careful not to wake Grace. He smelled of the docks, Deetz’ blood, the alleys he’d been in that night, and generally just reeked of a bad night. He stripped off his clothes in the adjoining bedroom and slipped into his own.

Grace was asleep in the center of the bed. Moonlight shone in from the window and he had to stop on his way to the bathroom and stare at her illuminated beauty. Love greater than words welled up in his heart, causing his eyes to sting, and he finally turned away and entered the bathroom.

He turned the water on hot, and stepped into the shower. Reaching for the soap, he began to scrub, trying desperately to wash the smell of Gotham out of his skin. Tonight had been rough. Chad’s concerns about Spence’s new partner had clawed at his mind from the moment he left the patrol car. When Bruce had started on this course, he’d been too young to consider a family… all the plans and the years of preparation that had gone into becoming Batman hadn’t included a live-in lover, or an extended ‘family,’ none of whom he’d trade now for his very soul. But now… the probe on City Hall, and his own nighttime activities were enough to make his concerns eat him alive. And they were very hungry concerns, feeding on all his doubts, fears and worries and growing stronger with each meal.

Sighing, he leaned against the wall and let the hot water wash away the last of the soap bubbles. He then turned, placing his hands against the wall, back to the spray of the water, letting it pound his tense back muscles.

Stirring slightly in bed, Grace made an instinctive stretch for Bruce and not finding him in bed beside her, she lifted her head to check for the time. It was then that she heard the shower running. She noticed he did that often… coming home from whatever his nightly activities were… he always showered. She wasn’t sure what made her get up this time and cross the room toward the bathroom door. She wasn’t sure why she even woke up. The majority of the nights, she’d feel him climb in bed beside her; the only way she knew he’d had a shower was by the smell of fresh soap and shampoo.

But tonight, things were different. Tonight, something drew her to get out of bed and head for the bathroom. She knew the door wouldn’t be locked. Modesty wasn’t something that either of them experienced… so the bathroom door was never locked. She quietly opened the door and slipped inside. He was in the shower, the sight through doors offering her a clear view of her lover within. His back was to the shower, head bowed… at first glance she was overcome with the sheerly beautiful image he portrayed… dark skin flushed with the heat of the shower, water running down a well-muscled torso to even stronger legs.

But it was the profile of his face that caused the biggest response.
Those well-muscled shoulders carried such a big burden. With whatever these activities were… the probe into City Hall causing a threat to everyone he loved… and the horrible things Fitz had said… It was a lot for the shoulders of a young man to carry. Though she had to correct herself… he was young in biological years, but because of the responsibility… he was much older than his years in so many ways.

Ever so slowly, she crossed to the shower, trying not to frighten him by her appearance. She carefully opened the door and gave him a smile.
“You look like you could use a hug,” she said softly, noticing it even more once the shower door was opened.

Bruce turned at the sound of her voice, so full of concern for something she knew not what, and gave her a small, if weak, smile. “Hey, beautiful,” he said, weariness that wasn’t all born of little sleep showing in his voice. “A hug would be nice.”

She didn’t need to know why he looked so haggard and worn. She didn’t need to ask questions and find answers to problems that she was sure she couldn’t help solve. What she did need to do was be here for him.
And there was little doubt in her mind that right now, what he needed most was a hug. Without thought for the shirt she was wearing as a nightgown, she stepped into the shower. The hot water hit her causing momentary goosebumps to pop up all over her arms and legs. But it also didn’t take her long to adjust to the heat.

Stepping into his personal space, she ran one hand affectionately through his wet hair, the other wrapped around his shoulder and she leaned into him, hugging him tightly to her. Her eyes drifted closed and she turned her face to rest against his. She could do this… and he definitely needed it.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, the wet shirt clinging to both of them though he didn’t mind it if she didn’t. Indeed, he barely noticed it once he had her in his arms. Kissing the top of her already more than damp hair, he let himself melt into the hug and simply held her. For a while, he said nothing, as words weren’t necessary, but as her love poured into him through the hug, words came to him anyway.

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me…” he sang softly in to her hair. “I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.” His voice was soft, low, and yet he knew she heard as he continued into the second verse. “T’was Grace that taught, my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved.” His voice hitched a little here, before going on. “How precious did that Grace appear… the hour I first believed.”

He trailed off, not singing the rest of the song, but holding her all the tighter. It had been years since he’d put faith in the God this song spoke of, but it was his mother’s song, and in his heart, the first two verses were his… his amazing Grace, whose love had saved him so many times, like it was saving him now.

She was thankful for the warm running water as it washed away the tears that formed in her eyes as he sang to her. It had been a week ago this very night that Batman had swooped into her world, saving her life, and giving this man back to her. Seven days ago, that she had felt such emptiness only to have it erased by a moment much like this. She’d asked him to hold her that next day. She woke to find him watching her and asked him to hold her. And he did. As tightly as he was holding her now.

She held him even more tightly to her, letting him know without words that he was loved, that he was cherished, that he was the single most important person in the world to her. And he was. It had, in all honesty, taken less than a week for them to settle back into life together. That said something. And as she stood in the shower with him, the shirt she wore completely soaked and she didn’t care at all, she melted into him, holding him closely, not only with her body but also with her heart and soul.

They stood holding each other in the shower until the water began to cool and Grace’s goosebumps had started to return. She shivered, and Bruce response was to first turn off the water and second to scoop her into his arms. Two fluffy over-sized towels later, they were lying on the bed in his room, watching the fire crackle in the fireplace as it warmed their bodies. Bruce’s arms were still around her, her head on his chest. His desperation from earlier was gone, washed away in the shower as she held him, and now all Bruce felt was the comfortable warmth of their love for each other.

Falling in love, really falling in love, had not been in his plans. He’d never really understood that love like this was possible, until Grace. But it was possible and he had fallen. The rest, Bruce decided lazily as the warmth of the moment brought sleepy thoughts, would figure itself out. Plans could be altered, after all. They’d have to be, as this woman was the only thing keeping him sane and happy, and he wasn’t giving her up a second time.

*-*-*

Continued in Chapter Ten