Sparks | (nolanverse AU)

TWELVE - TRUTHS REVEALED

Bruce Wayne entered the penthouse with a sense of urgency, his mind racing. The usual calm and composed demeanor he maintained was absent. He had been grappling with the complexity of Andy's true identity and was now seeking answers from Alfred.

Alfred, ever perceptive, noticed Bruce's agitation. "Is something wrong, Master Wayne?"

"Andy," Bruce said, his voice laced with concern. "I feel like there's more to her than meets the eye. I don't want to believe she could be involved in anything nefarious, but there's something about her past that doesn't add up."

Alfred's expression grew serious. "When you told me Miss Carmichael knew of your secret after you saved her and Miss Helena outside the Italian restaurant, despite her actions, I decided to dig deeper."

"Alfred..." Bruce began, his voice trailing off, his eyes searching for answers.

"Eight years ago, Andromeda Jackson was recruited into the FBI Academy from Columbia University," Alfred began, his tone steady and factual. "She was a stellar recruit, becoming a remarkable agent known for her ruthless efficiency in taking down those involved in federal crimes—mobs, gangs, money-laundering schemes, domestic terrorists. Her work made her many enemies. Despite this, she married Dr. Mason Keyes, a general surgeon, and gave birth to a daughter named Helena Elizabeth Keyes on June 12, 1999. They were a peaceful family until Christmas of 2000, when their home was ambushed in a gas explosion. The entire family perished, and everyone presumed the FBI's best agent and her family were dead due to retaliation. Her best friend and coworker, Special Agent Yvonne Carter, signed off on their deaths and resigned two months later due to insurmountable grief."

Bruce's face grew pale as he absorbed the weight of Alfred's words. "So Andy and Helena survived the attack... Yvonne helped them hide and has been with them ever since."

Alfred nodded. "Miss Jackson, now Andrea Carmichael, has always been aligned with the side of good, but her primary focus has been on protecting her daughter at all costs. The trauma and loss have shaped her into the fiercely protective mother she is today."

Bruce's mind raced, with what Andrea had said earlier. We're too similar. In more ways than you can imagine.

He walked over to the large window overlooking Gotham, his thoughts a whirlwind. The revelation about Andy's past cast a new light on her actions and decisions. He had always seen her as a capable and dedicated individual, but now he understood the true extent of her strength and the sacrifices she had made. Understanding Andy's past had transformed his perspective on her and Helena. It was no longer just about being a protector in Gotham; it was about standing by those he cared for, who had faced unimaginable loss and continuing to offer them the support they needed. The stakes had indeed been raised, and Bruce was now more determined than ever to ensure their safety and well-being.

***

The evening air was crisp as I stood in front of my closet, trying to shake off the nagging doubts about going out tonight. Yvonne had been practically nudging me out the door for weeks, urging me to rejoin the dating scene. After months of putting myself last, I finally decided to take the plunge.

I pulled out the black satin Marchesa dress from my closet—a spaghetti-strapped creation that hugged my figure perfectly, with a daring leg slit and high heels that would make me feel both elegant and confident. With a deep breath, I slipped into it, feeling the smooth fabric against my skin. My dark brown hair was swept into an elegant updo, and I applied red lipstick, keeping the rest of my makeup simple but polished. I looked at myself in the mirror, feeling a rush of excitement mixed with nerves.

"Wow, Mom, you look amazing!" Helena's voice broke through my thoughts, her eyes wide with admiration.

I smiled, feeling a warm glow at her compliment. "Thank you, sweetheart. Be good for Yvonne, okay? I'll be back soon."

Yvonne, who had been helping Helena with her homework, looked at me with an approving nod. "You look fantastic, Andy. Have a great time tonight."

With a final glance in the mirror and a deep breath, I headed out the door. I arrived at the theater with time to spare and found Nathaniel Sanders waiting at the entrance. He looked sharp in his suit, but his smile seemed a bit forced.

"Ms. Carmichael," he said, extending his hand. "I'm glad you could make it. Shall we?"

I took his arm, feeling a flutter of anticipation. "Thank you, Mr. Sanders. I'm looking forward to it."

The theater was grand, and as we were shown to our seats, I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. Nathaniel was polite and tried to make conversation, but his topics seemed to revolve around his work and other mundane details. I found myself struggling to engage in the conversation, my mind wandering as the orchestra began to play.

During intermission, I attempted to steer our conversation to more engaging topics, but Nathaniel's responses were short and lacked enthusiasm. I felt a disconnect, the chemistry that I had hoped for simply wasn't there.

As I scanned the room, I noticed a familiar face. Bruce, dressed impeccably in a tuxedo and accompanied by a stunning date, was seated in a nearby section. Our eyes met briefly, and I felt a fleeting moment of recognition and curiosity.

"Bruce Wayne," Nathaniel remarked, noticing my distraction. "Do you know him?"

I hesitated, glancing back at Bruce who was engaged in conversation with his date. "Not personally. We've crossed paths a few times."

Before I could elaborate, Bruce stood and made his way toward us. His presence was commanding, and there was a genuine warmth in his approach.

"Ms. Carmichael," Bruce greeted with a polite nod. "Fancy seeing you here."

"Mr. Wayne," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the surprise. "Yes, it's quite the coincidence."

Bruce's gaze shifted to Nathaniel. "I see you're on a date too. How's the evening treating you both?"

"Quite well," Nathaniel replied, his tone friendly but unremarkable. "And you?"

"Likewise," Bruce said with a slight smile. "I hope you enjoy the rest of the performance."

"Thank you," I said, my curiosity piqued. "You too."

As Bruce returned to his seat, Nathaniel glanced at me with a raised eyebrow. "You seem to know some interesting people."

I forced a smile. "Gotham's a small city in that way. You never know who you might run into."

The rest of the evening dragged on for me. Nathaniel was polite, but our conversation felt more like a series of polite exchanges rather than a genuine connection. The ballet was beautiful, but I found myself increasingly distracted by the lack of chemistry between us.

When the final curtain fell and the audience erupted into applause, I felt a sense of relief. As Nathaniel hailed a cab for me and we said our goodbyes, I couldn't help but reflect on the evening with a tinge of disappointment. Maybe, just maybe, I had more to learn about what I truly needed.