𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐭, 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞

𝟏𝟐: 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧

Cassandra woke up alone in Bruce's bed, stretching as she blinked away sleep. The scattered clothes on the floor were a reminder of the night before, and she bit her lip, smiling at the memory. Feeling like she was floating, she let herself sink back into the bed, her worries from the past few days fading into the background. But then she sat up, suddenly aware that Bruce wasn't there. Quickly, she got up, grabbed a pair of his boxers from the dresser, and slipped into one of his button-up shirts from the closet. She glanced at herself in his full-length mirror, feeling a warm sense of comfort seeing herself wrapped in his clothes. Bruce must be downstairs. He wouldn't just leave her...would he?

She left his bedroom and made her way down the stairs. As she turned a corner, she nearly bumped into Alfred. "Alfred!" she exclaimed, surprised but pleased to see him. It had been a while.

"Cassandra, what a delight," he said, pulling her into a hug. "How was Philadelphia?"

"It was nice, but lonely," she admitted.

Alfred nodded. "Well, it's good to have you home. Breakfast is in the kitchen if you're hungry."

"Thanks, Alfred." She smiled, still wondering where Bruce was. "Do you know where he is? I woke up, and he wasn't there."

"Master Wayne is in the bat cave. I can lead you to him." Alfred replied.

"Wait—there's a bat cave in the basement?" Cassandra asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Indeed. Even though Master Wayne retired the cape, he still goes down there to keep tabs on things." Alfred led her down a hallway and opened a door to reveal a stone staircase.

"Tabs? On what?" she asked as they started descending.

"You, among other things. He has access to street cameras, police footage... enough to make sure you're safe," Alfred explained. "He cares deeply for you."

Cassandra's heart softened. "I care about him too."

When they reached the bottom, Cassandra was struck by the sight. The bat cave was vast, with a waterfall cascading down one side, surrounded by high-tech equipment and gadgets. It was even more stunning than she'd imagined. Her gaze shifted as Bruce groaned, strapping something to his leg.

"Does that hurt?" she asked, catching his attention.

Bruce looked over, flashing her a grin. "You're welcome to try it if you're curious."

She laughed. "I'm fine where I am." He walked over, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek.

"What's that for?" she asked, eyeing the brace on his leg.

"Helps me walk. Remember when I tackled Harvey and took that fall a couple of years ago?" Bruce asked, trying to retrace Cassandra memory.

"When you saved my life? Yeah, I remember." Cassandra chuckled.

"That fall did some damage to my leg," he explained.

"How's it handle?" Alfred asked.

Bruce backed away from Cassandra. "Not bad," he replied, then gave the brick wall a powerful kick, sending it crumbling into pieces. He smirked. "Not bad at all."

"Damn," Cassandra muttered. Watching Bruce like this made her pulse quicken in a way she didn't entirely mind.

Alfred kept pace with Bruce as he moved toward a rising platform just above the water. "If you're seriously considering going back out there, you should hear the rumors about Bane."

"Isn't he just some psycho orphan who likes to kill?" Cassandra asked, following them both.

"He's much more than that," Alfred replied gravely.