Alter Ego (Closed)

[Mayu]

It had been a very long day at work, she finished work she had been doing for Bruce
for a while. She always wanted to be the best worker, she didn't know why either
guess she was strange. So she was humming to herself, and took the elevator
down to the car garage. It was chilly and about ten at night, she yawned a bit not
knowing something was about to happen. She got to her car a nice little black one,
not a sports car but just something simple. She put her bag down in the back, but
she thought she saw something out the corner of her eyes. Turning around she
didn't see anyone, course it was dark.

But it was then she heard something, she was a bit paranoid but in this city you
couldn't afford to not be. With so much crime in Gotham it was a surprise she was
ever safe. But as she was about to get into her car, she heard something heavy
hit the ground. She had her gun in her hand and moved in front of the car, and
saw a dark figure on the ground. But when she got closer she saw a cape, and then
saw the symbol on his chest.

"Batman what are you doing here?"

She was surprised she had never met him, so this was the first.

 

[AmenRa]

The sun was setting. Clouds in the sky were once white, but now they shown gray and black and red as the sun slipped behind them. There was a hint of moon beginning to show as the twilight came sneaking to darkness.

The sounds of the city below filtered up to the rooftop.

He listened.

He watched.

With ears and eyes trained through years of discipline and resolve he could observe the city as it came alive.

Certainly the hustle and bustle of the daytime had its place, but night was his element. He owned it. He laid claim to it and to all who dared enter his domain.

He was a protector for some. For others, however, he was that deep, inner part which man feared most. A shadow of thought. A fleeting image in a dark alley. A footstep from behind where there should be none at all.

For those that would do evil things he would be a dark shape descending upon them. Something terrible, some said, from the depths of hell to take them down to atone for their sins.

Watching him as he sat perched on the ledge of the building's rooftop, one could see a slight change in his form. The pointed-ear cowl shifted ever-so-slightly. The head itself leaned just a little forward and down to peer out over the roof, into the depths of the alley below him.

And suddenly, yet with incredible silence, The Batman dropped from the roof.

The scalloped cape unfurled, catching the wind, slowing his descent. A million-dollar design of his own, the silk-like material fluttered and undulated as it spread itself open like the wings of some great dragon.

Or demon.

Or bat.

And, then, his boots struck the grimy pavement of the alleyway, and he bounced and somersaulted to belay the shock of the landing. He recovered from the gymnastic move into a fighting stance with his cape pulled back across his shoulders.

Killer Croc's tail slashed out, but The Batman had already jumped again, somersaulting in mid-air over the swipe. The Dark Knight landed easily, dropping back into his fighting stance and releasing a handful of bat-shaped shuriken with his left hand. The razor sharp projectiles imbedded themselves into Croc, some distracted by his torn trench coat but others slicing into his arms and chest.

With blood oozing from the wounds, Croc hissed, "This is where I break you!"

The Batman's upper lip twitched very slightly, but he said nothing. Instead he stepped forward with a roundhouse kick to Croc's head. The Batman's reinforced boot struck home, and Croc slammed against the alley wall. The Batman moved in again, kicking low, slamming two successive crescent kicks to the back of Croc's knee. The kicks dropped Croc to the ground.

Batman reached into his belt pouches and withdrew the hand-held hypodermic dart that would put Croc out. He drew his right hand across his body, preparing to throw it into Croc's back.

Killer Croc was not out of the fight, however. Batman's assault had hurt him, yes, but it had not taken the reptile/human down. Killer Croc turned quickly and with a speed that Batman had not anticipated. The reptiles claws raked across the Batman's stomach, cutting through the reinforced fiber of the body suit and into his flesh. The hypo dropped from his hand.

The redness of pain clouded his mind for an instant. Somewhere, detached from the fight, the rational and logical part of Bruce Wayne/Batman's psyche was chastising himself for being overconfident.

And in that instant, Killer Croc latched onto Batman's left arm with his teeth.

The Batman yelled.

He pummeled Croc's head with his free fist. He kneed Croc in the stomach and brought his boot down hard against Croc's scaly feet.

But still the bite held.

The Dark Knight could feel Croc's teeth ripping into his bicep, tearing through the bodysuit's armor and into his muscles. He could feel the creature's hot saliva mixing with his own blood as it frothed and pooled at the monster's mouth.

Batman dropped his weight, bringing Croc lower to the ground. This caused more ripping from the beast's teeth, but the Batman ignored it. He brought all of his discipline and focus into pushing the pain away as he reached his right hand to the ground.

Batman's fingertips brushed the hypo dart's smooth, metal surface. Then Croc yanked hard on the Batman's arm. The beast began to sling his head from side to side. Batman grunted with the new pain as his vision began to redden and cloud. He focused again, reaching, almost touching the dart.

Croc hissed through his bite.

Batman felt the dart in his hand.

He swung wide, coming up behind Croc's head and plunged the hypo into the monster's neck.

Croc instantly released the bite and Batman dropped free. He fell to the ground as his foe did the same.

Batman was on his knees. He took in great breaths of air. He glanced at his injured arm and saw the blood and froth on it. He was bleeding heavily. He had no idea of the extent of the injury because he could not see through the torn bodysuit.

Slowly and wearily he extracted a locator marker chip from his belt pouch. He activated it by tapping the red button. He then laid it on the ground next to the sleeping Killer Croc. This marker would alert the Arkham Asylum security team to Batman's location so they could recapture the escaped monster.

Batman knew, though, he could not wait for them. He pulled his cable gun from his belt and aimed it towards the distant rooftop. He fired the gun and when the cable harpooned into the building, he was pulled upwards.

Once on the roof, barely able to stand, Batman took aim again at another roof across from him. He slid to this one, nearly missing the step to the roof ledge. He hung precariously onto a rain downspout for a second, then somehow summoned the strength to swing himself over the ledge. With blurring and dim vision he eyed his next target.

Once more, he took aim. The cable imbedded itself and he began a swing towards a distant building. Halfway there, he disconnected and began to fall.

With only one hand to open the cape he spread as much of fabric as he could. He tumbled in the air. Batman righted himself, arcing smoothly over an exterior parking lot. He began to tumble again, but as he looked through heavy eyes he saw the multi-level parking garage of Wayne Tech in front of him. His trajectory was sure, and he spun beneath the mid-level roof, over the barrier, and onto the roof of a parked SUV. He laid there for a moment, his head throbbing. Then he slowly slid from the car onto the cold concrete of the floor.

The safe room and medical facility he had secreted away beneath the floors of Wayne Tech was only an elevator ride away.

He tried to stand. He tried to even get to his knees.

But he fell onto his face, and then rolled over.

"Batman what are you doing here?"

With a dry mouth, he managed one, single, simple word.

"Help."

 

[Mayu]

She watched him fall onto his back, and her eyes went wide seeing the wounds.
Kneeling down she knew she had to help him, she noticed the blood on the
ground. Now she kind of wished she had the strength of a man right now, but she
was a very smart woman. She followed the blood to see the wounds, and looked
at him softly. Getting up she went into her trunk and took out a kit, coming back
to his side she knelt down. Opening it up she got some things out, and didn't know
much about the suite since she only heard about it.

"It's a good thing I always carry a big first aid kit, Bruce would always tease me
about it. But it's for something like this."

She said and smiled at him, the light was dim but she could see him just fine.

"Batman I need to see your wounds, I can either cut the suite or you can take the
top half off for me"

She said in a very tender fashion, placing her hand on his cheek she smiled some.

"Your in safe hands, my name is Grace by the way"

 

[AmenRa]

She said in a very tender fashion, placing her hand on his cheek she smiled some.

"Your in safe hands, my name is Grace by the way"

Grace.

Yes, Grace. She was Bruce Wayne's Executive Administrative Assistant. She had been hired by Lucius. She was Bruce's right hand. He couldn't find the "start" button on his computer without her, much less keep track of the dizzying array of appointments and constructs that came with being the CEO of Wayne Technologies.

Blue eyes peered up at her from the suit's eye slits. He blinked, summoning the strength to stand. He managed to roll onto his knees, bracing himself against the parking garage floor with his right hand.

A wave of nausea struck him. He turned his head in time and emptied his stomach onto the concrete floor. He heaved once more. He could feel himself breaking out into a sweat. His eyes watered. He knew that Croc's septic saliva was in his bloodstream now, the venom making its way throughout his body. He would need antibiotics. And blood, for he had lost a lot of it.

Finally what Grace said about the suit struck home. He looked up at her, swaying slightly as he wiped his mouth.

"Can't be cut," he told her in a broken whisper. He turned his head slightly and gestured shakily towards the rear of the parking garage. "Elevator," he said as he stood. He nearly lost his balance, but caught himself on the fender of her parked car. "Private elevator."

He meant Bruce Wayne's personal elevator. The one that went directly to his penthouse office suite at the top of the building. But what no one save for Lucius Fox and Alfred Pennyworth knew was that particular elevator could be operated with a special USB key. And that special key would send the elevator beneath the building to a miniaturized version of the enormous cave beneath Wayne Manor.

 

[Mayu]

She watched him carefully, and knew he was really sick. But how did he know about the private elevator? Packing up what she could take, she put it in a bag and put it over her shoulder. Standing up she slowly and carefully helped him up, wrapping his arm around her body. Grace knew he was in a lot of trouble, but why did he come to her? Or perhaps it was just coincidence? She didn't know. Helping him into the elevator she reached into her pocket.

Getting the key out she put it in the elevator and it went right to Bruce's penthouse office. She felt Batman slipping so she held onto him a bit more, it felt like eternity till the doors opened up. She had no idea what secrets were in this office, right now it didn't matter much. She helped him onto Bruce's couch and Grace removed her own jacket, looking at him she knew he was sick very weak. Placing her hand on his cheek to feel his skin he was over heating.

"Good thing Bruce gave me a key here, but how did you know about it?"

 

[AmenRa]

She watched him carefully, and knew he was really sick. But how did he know about the private elevator? Packing up what she could take, she put it in a bag and put it over her shoulder. Standing up she slowly and carefully helped him up, wrapping his arm around her body. Grace knew he was in a lot of trouble, but why did he come to her? Or perhaps it was just coincidence? She didn't know. Helping him into the elevator she reached into her pocket.

Getting the key out she put it in the elevator and it went right to Bruce's penthouse office. She felt Batman slipping so she held onto him a bit more, it felt like eternity till the doors opened up. She had no idea what secrets were in this office, right now it didn't matter much. She helped him onto Bruce's couch and Grace removed her own jacket, looking at him she knew he was sick very weak. Placing her hand on his cheek to feel his skin he was over heating.

"Good thing Bruce gave me a key here, but how did you know about it?"

The Batman stumbled a few times as Grace held onto him. They walked to the elevator. She produced a key to unlock and open the private lift. Once inside, and the doors closed, the Batman slumped against the wall. Somehow Grace held onto to all 210 pounds of him.

The Dark Knight fumbled for the pouch on his utility belt that contained the USB thumb drive key. There was a hidden slot under the elevator's panel where he could insert the key. Dizziness took him, and he saw his vision fade to red, then to black. It only lasted a second as he slumped his head against the elevator's wall.

The doors opened, and the Batman saw the interior of Bruce Wayne's office. He hadn't been able to get the USB key out of his belt in time to send the elevator into the safe room below them. In the safe room was the medical supplies he needed, as well as a supply of his own blood. He had built this room for emergencies. Now was such a time.

Grace helped him onto the hideously expensive leather sofa that took up a portion of the front of the office suite. The Batman plopped down onto it, turning onto his right side so his injured arm was unencumbered.

He reached up with his right hand and unfastened the cape from his shoulders. The material slinked its way off his broad shoulders, piling behind him on the couch.

"Good thing Bruce gave me a key here, but how did you know about it?"

Not turning to look at her, the Batman reached behind his neck and found the closure for where the cowl joined the bodysuit. He undid the fasteners, then ran his gloved thumb beneath the cowl unsealing it from the suit. He pulled up the bottom, exposing his neck, then his chin, then his eyes and forehead as he removed the cowl and mask. The cowl flopped against the back of his neck.

Bruce's black hair was wet with sweat. The usual part he wore was disheveled from the Batsuit's mask, and the one unruly lock in the front looked even more untamed. He half-turned his head and looked at Grace through heavy-lidded eyes.

"This key," he said as he finally produced the USB thumb drive from his belt pouch, "unlocks the elevator." He tried to reach to her to hand it to her, but it fell from his fingers onto the deep pile carpet. "Takes us down....."

A wave of nausea hit him again. He fought it back, fought it down, and continued.

"Down. Down there. Blood. Medicine."

He couldn't focus. He couldn't think. His armed burned like fire.

"Down there...." he trailed off as his fever spiked and unconsciousness took him. He drifted back for a moment.

"Killer Croc," he told Grace. "Bit me."

Although his eye were nearly closed, he managed to give her the half of smile she had come to know so well from Bruce Wayne. "I'll see you get a raise," he whispered.

And then he blacked out again.

 

[Mayu]

She was taken back by this, he was actually removing his mask in front of her? She was beyond taken back, and when she saw the face behind the mask. Her best friend in the world was batman? She watched the key drop to the ground, and she managed to catch him some what. He still fell but not hard or fast, she looked at Bruce and heard everything he said and she nodded.

"Hang On Bruce..."

She was always thinking, she managed to get him in his chair that was on wheels and went back to the elevator to take them to the secret area he had. It took her a while, but she noticed this was like the bat cave. Putting the chair by a bed, she managed to get him in it. And while he was out she began to tend to his wounds, washing them out. And bandaged them up, she got up and found the medicine he was talking about. And injected some into his body to help, it was a good thing she had nurse training.

 

[AmenRa]

Bruce didn't remember being taken to the underground safe room by Grace.

When he awoke, he took stock of his situation. He tactically examined his surroundings.

He was on the small bed in the safe room. The room's bright LED lights were on above him. An IV stand was next to the bed, and on it hung a bag of saline, a smaller bag of antibiotic, and a bag of whole blood. He saw an empty bag of blood on the counter next to the medical supply cabinet. Next to the bed was the rolling chair from his office. Good job, Grace. Good job.

As always.

He saw the suit's top had been removed. Grace must have found the fasteners on the back. His utility belt was laying on the counter. Somehow she had figured out how to get it off. Impressive girl.

Bruce didn't know how long he had slept. He knew that Killer Croc's poison was on its way out of his system. He was still weak, though. And he was hungry.

There was a computer terminal to his right that had a direct link to the massive Cray 2 Supercomputer in the Cave below Wayne Manor. Beyond that was a large, metal cabinet that contained extra batsuits. And, still beyond that the room opened into a hangar area where he could park the car and access through an underground tunnel.

Grace was standing near him. Watching over him.

Bruce gave her his half-smile.

"So," he began. "I guess I have some explaining to do?"

 

[Mayu]

Grace noticed that he was waking up, she was really worried about him. It took her a while to find everything but she was able to find it, taking a deep breath she shook her head to what he said. Checking his bandages, she sat on the edge of the bed looking up at him kindly. Reaching over she stroked his cheek lovingly, she had always known he hid something from her but he was always a hero to her even before this night.

"Bruce it's alright, you don't have to explain. Frankly i'm surprised you came to me, good thing I told you about my nursing expirance. Figuring out how your suit worked was interesting, but ive always been clever. But no you don't have to explain, I know enough. Your batman or as some cops would call you the Dark Knight, I have to admit i'm glad you and batman are the same man. Because ive been in love with both you and him for ages. Good to know I was just in love with the same man. And your secret is safe with me."

She admitted she was in love with him, she got up and checked on everything. Once the medicine was completely out of the IV bags she put on some gloves and removed the IV's. Putting a bandaid where the needle was, looking at him kindly she sighed a bit.

"Your lucky you found me when you did, you broke a couple of ribs. Id highly suggest you not go out fighting for at least a week."

 

[AmenRa]

"Bruce it's alright, you don't have to explain. Frankly i'm surprised you came to me, good thing I told you about my nursing expirance. Figuring out how your suit worked was interesting, but ive always been clever. But no you don't have to explain, I know enough. Your batman or as some cops would call you the Dark Knight, I have to admit i'm glad you and batman are the same man. Because ive been in love with both you and him for ages. Good to know I was just in love with the same man. And your secret is safe with me."

Bruce said nothing. He never let anyone get close to him. Never. It was something he couldn't afford.

She had touched his cheek. It had felt nice. Appropriate, somehow. However it might had felt, though, he didn't dwell on it. His mind was on the fight with Killer Croc. What mistake had he made? He was careless. He had moved in too quickly, believing Croc was down when he wasn't. Killer Croc had never gone down in a fight with The Batman that easily and quickly. Bruce knew better. He had indeed been careless. Something else he couldn't afford.

He would not make that mistake again.

Once she had removed the IV lines from his arm, she spoke again.

"Your lucky you found me when you did, you broke a couple of ribs. Id highly suggest you not go out fighting for at least a week."

He raised an eyebrow. "Ribs, huh? Nice," he remarked. He adjusted the pillow beneath his head and sat up. There was a sharp pain in his right side, centered below his right chest muscle. Yes, broken ribs indeed.

"I appreciate everything you've done for me, Grace," he told her pointedly. "I really do." His eyes then got a distant look in them. "But I can't not go out. It's what I do. Ribs will heal, not much you can do for them, you know. I've broken some on the left side before. Guess now I'm evened out?"

He reached for a bottle of water on the stand beside the bed. "You know something?" he began. "I'm starving! What about you go topside into my office and order a late delivery from Arturo's? Get my usual, whatever you want, and bill it to the corporate account." Not that the corporate billing mattered. Bruce Wayne owned the swanky, upscale Italian eatery in Gotham's Upper Heights district.

 

[Mayu]

Grace listened to him and sighed some, it was something that something had to happen. When he sat up, she looked at him, enjoying the feel of him by her. She wanted to just be with him, but right now everything just seemed to stop, when he refused to do what had to be done, she wasn't going to just sit there quietly and she placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Bruce you need to stop, next time you wont be so lucky. Next time your going to be killed, I don't think staying inside for two days wont kill you. You need to heal, I know the city needs you, but I need you alive.."

When he said he was hungry, she got up and nodded. Leaving the area she went to order, buying his usual and waited for the delivery. She was humming to herself as she waited for it. As the person came she gave him some money that she used, petty cash. The delivery man took off, but in the distance eyes checked her out. The Croc had taken out the guards, killing them silently.

She set the food on the table and heard something, but before she could say much. She turned on her phone since she forgot the key and he would need to send up the elevator for her.

"Hey Bruce....C.."

She was about to say but her screams could be heard over the phone.

"Die Human!"

Crocs voice came through the phone as he was snapping at her, she was pushing him off her.

"Help Me!"

She cried out.

 

[AmenRa]

G

"Hey Bruce....C.."

She was about to say but her screams could be heard over the phone.

"Die Human!"

Crocs voice came through the phone as he was snapping at her, she was pushing him off her.

"Help Me!"

She cried out.

Bruce had spoken a word aloud when the computer's monitor near the bed began flashing the "call incoming" message. The call connected, and he heard Grace on the other end. Bruce Wayne, despite his injuries, and despite the fact he was barely even able to stand, bolted out of bed.

Killer Croc's unmistakeable hissing voice sounded throughout the safe room.

And Bruce Wayne's eyes narrowed to slits.

He immediately went into combat mode.

Superman had once described Bruce Wayne as "the most dangerous man in the world."

There was a reason for that.

And, although Bruce did not have Kal-El's Kryptonian strength, nor did he had J'onn J'onzz's ability to morph into any form, nor did have the magic lasso of an Amazonian princess, he did have a keen intellect and a combat knowledge honed and hardened by years of disciplined training.

That training went into effect when he punched in a code into the keypad lock of the hardened steel cabinet that contained the spare suits and weapons. He grabbed a small, egg-shaped object from inside one of the utility belts that hung neatly inside the cabinet. He then grabbed the only remaining auto-inject hypo dart from the belt he had worn when he and Croc had fought the first time.

Bruce hit the recall button on the elevator. He waited impatiently, flexing and uncurling his fingers of his right hand as the lift descended. Once the doors opened, Bruce stepped inside, was hit by a little dizziness, but he shook it off. He then realized he was still weak and in no shape to take on Croc again.

Grace was right. This time it could be the end of him.

As the lift ascended to the penthouse office suite, Bruce steadied his breathing and focused himself. He centered his ki, channeling his energies the way he had been taught.

The lift stopped.

The doors parted.

The office suite was still and quiet.

The main lobby! Bruce cursed slightly under his breath. Of course Grace had gone downstairs to wait for the delivery. Thinking quickly, he grabbed a spare iPhone off his desk and moved to the main elevator as quickly as he could. When he got in, though, he had to lean against the wall. He was weak, and the sudden exertion wasn't helping him rest to regain his strength.

He pressed the button for the main lobby of the Wayne Tech building. The elevator moved. Bruce willed it to move faster.

Finally it arrived on the lobby level. The doors parted. The first thing Wayne saw was the main entrance doors, made of glass, were shattered. The glass lay all across the marble tile of the main floor reception area. He smelled the unmistakeable scent of chicken marsala, and he saw a neatly wrapped food package sitting on the huge oak reception table in the foyer. He also saw Grace pinned against one of the marble columns that lined the entrance way.

He stepped out of the elevator, but had to catch himself on the corner of the table. He was just too weak. Too tired.

Croc was holding Grace with his claws. The creature appeared to be inspecting her as if she was some prize. Bruce held his iPhone up to his mouth and whispered into it.

"Lights. Lobby. Main," he said.

And it went dark in the main floor of Wayne Tech.

Bruce's aim with the egg-shaped object was impeccable, despite his weakened state. The fact the lights were off was irrelevant.

Bats see in darkness.

The specialized device struck the floor where Croc had Grace pinned. There was a flash, and then an immediate glow of dim red light. It was enough for Grace to clearly see Bruce, however for Killer Croc it was like someone had poured acid in his eyes.

The light was a pulsating wave form of infra-red energy. Harmless to humans, but it caused excruciating pain and temporary blindness to reptiles who saw in the infra-red spectrum.

And in that instant, Bruce's accuracy again proved true as he threw the auto-inject dart to Grace's outstretched hand.

 

[Mayu]

Grace was starting to have trouble breathing, she didn't know how much more she could take. But then she heard something, she forced herself to stay focused and then she thought the elevator opened up. But couldn't tell, but then something made a sound and before she knew it a red light came out of it. She looked over seeing Bruce, and Croc was in a lot of pain, he let her go and then saw Bruce threw something at her. She grabbed it and looked at it, some kind of dart.

She had no idea what it was, but she quickly looked at the croc and saw a soft spot. She thrusted the dart right into the throat of him. He roared in pain and she managed to get away from him, tripping for a moment. She kept going forcing herself to stand but the croc was still coming to her. She stopped running and held her ground, putting her hands up, she twirled around on one foot and kicked him hard into a table.

He tried to get up again, but just passed out. Putting her foot down, she looked over at Bruce and could see he was tired. She picked up the food and ran over to him, placing the food on the elevator and she caught him, placing an arm around him.

"you ok?"

 

[AmenRa]

He tried to get up again, but just passed out. Putting her foot down, she looked over at Bruce and could see he was tired. She picked up the food and ran over to him, placing the food on the elevator and she caught him, placing an arm around him.

"you ok?"

"Yeah," he answered her, "just don't have a lot of strength yet."

Bruce surveyed the damage before him. His mouth twisted into a cruel, thin line when he saw the security guards laying broken on the cold tile.

He shook his head slowly. Killer Croc was out, this time. With a full dose of the sedative The Batman had prepared in the creature's system, Croc would be sleeping for quite a while.

"You'll have to handle this," he told Grace. "When we get back upstairs, I'll contact Arkham and let them know where to find Croc. I'll also call Lucius and wake him up to come down here and handle the police. We'll say I'm out of town...Oslo on the slopes, Rio...somewhere. And I want those security men's families to get a full pension...their salary every year for how ever long."

Bruce reached up and took her hand. "Impressive spinning heel kick you did there on Croc," he stated. "Where did you get your martial arts training?"

 

[Mayu]

She nodded some as she listened to what he told her, she would do it without a problem. But he had noticed the move she did on him, she was hoping to not have to explain it to him. She helped him get back upstairs, and knew she had to tell him. Keeping her arm around Bruce she looked at him lovingly and came clean.

"I learned it here in Gotham, forgot the name of the place. I'm a black belt, I had the chance to learn from the best, become a master. But that would involve me quiting my job for you, and I'll be damned if I'm doing that. I never told you I could fight, because well my skills are not as good as yours. But I know you have been fighting for many years, and I wouldn't want you to worry about me. Because it's not like I'm going out and finding trouble."

She was open with him since they were away from anyone who would be able to listen, she helped him to get to his phone so he could make the call. Grace knew she had a lot of work to do, but would do it happily. Since she liked having her job, and no one would take that from her.

 

[AmenRa]

Bruce called Arkham, and using his Batman voice, explained the incident at Wayne Tech and Croc's location. He also called Lucius Fox while Grace made other calls.

He listened to her telling of how she had learned her martial arts techniques. He found this very intriguing.

It wasn't long before everything had been handled, and Lucius, being Lucius and all, showed up in Bruce's office.

He surveyed Bruce's injuries and Grace's attentiveness.

"Well," he said with his hands on his hips, "I suppose the cat, or should I say 'bat'? is out of the bag?"

Bruce shrugged.

Fox shook his head. "You need to be more careful when dealing with individuals like Croc," he admonished. He had already been down to the sub-basement safe room and gathered up what was left of the torn and ripped Batsuit. "I'll take this to the lab and see what I can do to strengthen the fibers without losing any flexibility."

"As always, Lucius, I don't know what --" Bruce began.

"I know, Mr. Wayne," Fox said as he turned and left.

Bruce turned to Grace. "Now that everything is being handled, and well," he looked off for a minute, "since you know...I'd like to show you everything."

He stood up, and he wasn't shaky and slow like before. "Let's go home," he told her.

He realized he was risking a lot by letting her further into the secrets of his other identity. He knew, however, she was someone he could trust. She had already proven that over and over again at Wayne Tech. Tonight's incident had confirmed it beyond any doubt.

 

[Mayu]

Grace listened to Fox and knew who he was, not personally but enough to know he was someone not to mess with. So when everything was said and done she looked over at Bruce and smiled lovingly at him. He really was everything to her, it was almost amazing how he made her feel. When he wanted to go home she nodded some, and took him there, not much was really said but they were finally some place warm and safe. Looking at him lovingly.

"You know it's funny, with everything Ive seen and what you have taught me Bruce. You can't take anything for granted, Croc gets out and hurts you again. I will make him into a damn coat, but what you taught me. Never underestimate people, it will get you killed."

 

[AmenRa]

Wayne Manor was quiet, as it should be this time of the early morning. Alfred was asleep, of course, and Bruce took them quietly into the big mansion through the garage entrance.

They settled for a moment into a quiet study area. Books lined shelves on the wall. There were certificates and diplomas on the wall behind a large, oak desk. These framed documents weren't Bruce's, though. They belonged to his father, Thomas Wayne. There was even an old stethoscope hanging on a corner of a shelf.

"You know it's funny, with everything Ive seen and what you have taught me Bruce. You can't take anything for granted, Croc gets out and hurts you again. I will make him into a damn coat, but what you taught me. Never underestimate people, it will get you killed."[/QUOTE]

Bruce smiled. "Yeah, he would make a nice coat. Or maybe a purse and matching boots?" he suggested. "No, no, you are right," he admitted. "And Lucius was right. I have to be more careful with Croc, and others like him."

Bruce stood up. He held out his hand to her. "Come with me," he said, "there's something I want to show you."

He moved to a shelving unit on the study's far wall. He pulled a book out, and the shelf slid aside, revealing another sliding metal door. This door slid aside as well, and an elevator waited beyond.

He turned to her and spoke. "It's time you saw the cave,".

His voice had changed, though. It wasn't the usual, somewhat cheerful voice that was known to Bruce Wayne. No, it had changed to the low, raspy almost-whisper that people knew belonged to The Batman.

 

[Mayu]

She smiled at him, purse and boots very nice. But as she took his hand, and walked to the bat cave. The way he spoke though very dark, but she enjoyed it just the same any way. As they headed to the cave she saw the base of operations she considered it, looking up high she saw bats asleep. She spun around in place taking in everything, looking down she closed her eyes and spoke.

"With every crime, there is a reason behind it. Within the shadows, Gotham's true champion draws his breath. A bat the symbol of fear, power and strength. But behind the bat is a man, one who makes everyone strong. That gives us a reason to draw breath, to live another day."

She slowly opened up her eyes and realized something.

"I use to wonder why you pushed me away, has nothing to do with the fact of who I am. But what I am to you, I'm not going any where. You have someone who loves the man you are. Ive always seen things most do not, the good and bad in everyone. Able to gage people's motives Ive always been able to do, I know enough to hide in the dark."

She smiled some.