Main Attraction | The Dark Knight Trilogy

FORTY THREE - UNDENIABLE LOSS

Bruce sighed as he jumped out of the Batwing, ignoring the look from Alfred as he took off his cowl.

"Very inconspicuous. Shall I tell the neighbors you got yourself a new leaf-blower?" Alfred asked.

Bruce rolled his eyes as he handed him the cowl. "We bought all the neighbors," he said.

Alfred ignored the comment as he cleared his throat. "From the look of the television coverage, you seem to have your taste for wanton destruction back," he said.

It was Bruce's turn to ignore him as he handed the older man a flash drive. "I retrieved this," he said.

Alfred took it but frowned. "Shouldn't the police be gathering the evidence?" he asked.

"They don't have the tools to analyze it," Bruce said, walking to the computer.

"They would if you gave them to them."

"One man's tool is another man's weapon," Bruce said.

"In your mind, perhaps," Alfred said, following him to the computer. "But there aren't many things you couldn't turn into a weapon."

"Alfred. Enough," Bruce snapped, turning toward the butler. "The police weren't getting it done."

"Perhaps they would've if you hadn't made a sideshow of yourself," Alfred said plainly.

"Perhaps you're upset you were wrong," Bruce said smugly.

"Wrong?" Alfred asked, watching as Bruce began to take off parts of his costume.

"You thought I didn't have it in me," Bruce said.

"You don't. You lead a bloated police force on a merry chase with some fancy new toys from Fox. What about when you come up against him. What then?" Alfred asked, pointing to the screen where a clip of Bane was.

Bruce watched it for a moment before shrugging. "I'll fight harder, I always have," He said.

"That was before. Things are different now. You are different now. You have no regard for your life," he said. Bruce went to switch the screen off but was stopped by Alfred, who grabbed his hand. "Take a good look. At his speed, his ferocity, His training. I see the power of belief. Of the fanatic. I see the League of Shadows resurgent," he said.

"You and Maya said he was excommunicated," Bruce said.

"By Ra's al Ghul himself. Who leads them now?" Alfred asked.

"Ra's al Ghul was the League of Shadows. Bane's just a mercenary, and we have to find out what he's up to," Bruce said, opening the text on the flash drive. He read them over for a moment before frowning. "Trades of some kind. Coded... and my fingerprint. Courtesy of Selina Kyle."

Alfred watched as he grabbed the Drive and handed it to him. "Get this to Fox - he can crack the code and tell us what trades they were executing."

Alfred was silent as he waited for Bruce to change, and then followed him out of the cave and through the manor. "I'll get this to Fox. But no more," he said.

Bruce frowned and turned around. "Alfred?" he asked.

Alfred shook his head and cleared his throat. "I've sewn you up and set your bones...but I won't bury you. I've buried enough members of the Wayne family."

Bruce paused as his words sunk in. "You'd abandon me?" he asked softly.

"You see only one end to your story. Leaving is all I have to make you understand: you aren't Batman anymore - you have to find another way," he paused before taking a deep breath. "You have a family to take care of now. You have a responsibility greater than this crusade of yours."

"I'm doing this for them," Bruce said. "I'm trying to protect them. To keep them from suffering the same fate as my parents."

"And what if doing this destroys them? Have you thought about that, Master Bruce? Have you thought about the kids who love you?"

"Don't bring the kids into this," Bruce said harshly. "This is for their protection."

"And who will protect them when you've gone and gotten yourself killed? What kind of man would leave his daughter? His sons?" Alfred shook his head. "How could you put Maya through that?"

Bruce was silent for a moment before glaring at the old man. "How dare you use them to try and stop me," he said viciously.

"I'm using the truth, Master Wayne. Maybe it's time we all stopped trying to outsmart the truth and just let it have its day. I'm sorry," Alfred said.

"Sorry?! You expect to destroy my world, then shake hands?" Bruce snapped.

Alfred shook his head. "No. I know what this means."

"What does this mean, Alfred?" Bruce asked.

"It means your hatred. It means losing the person I've cared for ever since I heard his first cries echo through this house. But it might also mean saving your life. And that is more important. And if you won't do it for me, Master Wayne... do it for Peter and Elizabeth. For Timothy. For Maya," Alfred said, tears filling his eyes.

Bruce was silent as he stared the man down. "Goodbye Alfred," he said finally.

Alfred gave a small nod and looked down. "Goodbye, Bruce."

Bruce watched as Alfred walked away, hoping the old man would change his mind and turn around. When he didn't, he sighed and walked up the stairs to the bedroom, only to stop as he saw Maya, standing at the top with tears running down her cheeks.

"Are you going to scold me too?" he snapped.

Maya ignored his tone and crossed her arms. "Are you going to go after him?" she asked softly.

"He made his decision," Bruce said, walking past her.

"Bruce..." she started.

"What?" Bruce snapped, turning toward her suddenly. "You agree with him? Are you going to leave to try and stop me?" he asked.

Maya flinched at his tone, but stood her ground. "He is practically your father, Bruce. You can't just let him go," she said.

"He made his choice, Maya," Bruce said. He went to make his way toward the bedroom.

"Are you okay?" Maya asked, following him in.

"Fine," Bruce said tersely.

"Bruce," Maya said, fatigue laced in her voice.

He sighed and turned back toward her, his eyes meeting hers. "I'm not injured... if that's what you're asking."

Maya nodded and walked toward him, her hand reaching out to gently take his. Instantly, he felt his fist unclench, and was shocked to realized he had clenched them in anger. Maya didn't say a word as she pulled him into a tight embrace, though he felt her tremble ever so slightly. When he pulled away he realized she had been crying. Throughout their entire marriage, even when giving birth to the twins, he'd never seen his wife cry.

"Maya-" Bruce whispered.

"I'm just... I'm just so glad you're okay," she said breathlessly.

Bruce leaned forward and kissed the top of her head. He said nothing as he pulled her in close and gently rubbed her back. No matter what Alfred thought, he was going to protect his family. By any means necessary.