SHIELD [Book 1 of Alex & Allie Save The World]

Chapter 7 Found

"What?!"

"Ex-fucking-scuse me?" Alex spits out.

"Yes, I was on my way to the grocery store when I saw a bedraggled woman in an alleyway. I pulled over to see if I could offer assistance and found the lady crying about chocolate pretzels to a stray kitten," Alfred recounts and Alex sighs and smiles in relief.

"Oh god, it's her!"

"When I approached her she yelled 'this is Allie's Alley' and hastily added 'and Pretzel's referring to the brown kitten, I believe. However, when I came closer she saw my face and calmed down but refused to join me in the car until I promised to purchase her chocolate pretzels and allow the kitten to accompany her."

"Is she alright? She's in the car with you right?" Alex fires out quickly.

"Yes she seems to be doing well, all things considered. What shall I do with her?"

"Where should he bring her?" Alex queries to Bruce. "She has a double at the hospital so not there."

"Take her to GrayRidge Estate would you Alfred, and get her some chocolate pretzels on the way," Bruce requests.

"Miss Gray are you ready to go home?" Alfred asks aloud.

"Home? No! I have to talk to Bruce! He promised," Allie suddenly exclaims, loud enough for Alex and Bruce to hear. Alfred heaves an audible sigh and addresses Bruce.

"Master Wayne I'm putting you on speaker, please assure Miss Gray you will be at her home." The phone beeps and Allie's sniffled and the meows of her kitten become clearer and louder.

"Allie can you hear me?"

"Brucie!"

"Hi there, are you doing okay?"

"Will you be there?" she asks.

"Yes, yes I will."

"Promise?"

"I promise," he swears. "So will you please go with Alfred?"

"Wait! Alex is gonna be there too right?"

"Yeah, Allie, I'll be there," Alex chimes in.

"Oh, goodie! Then I'll go. Here Aldred, your phone." There's a moment of silence and then Alfred speaks again.

"We will arrive promptly no later than 1:30 pm," he states. "And Mister Aldridge it appears you have a cat named Pretzel now."

"We already have a-ugh dammit fine," Alex groans. "Thanks, Alfred."

"Thank you, Alfred," Bruce echoes.

"Of course." He hangs up and the heroes share a truly relieved look. A weight has been lifted that had been haunting them since the tower collapsed on Allie.

III

Alfred stops at a gas station and buys chocolate pretzels for Allie so she spends the ride quietly munching on them.

When they cross the bridge leading to the GrayRide mansion on a private island in Gotham Bay, Allie sits up and gazes out the window.

"My house is so pretty," she marvels. "It's like a maze in there Alfred. So huge."

"It is," Alfred agrees as he parks the town car in the front circular driveway.

Bruce and Alex are standing on the grand steps waiting for her.

"They are waiting for me! Oh, I feel special," Allie gushes and claps her hands. "Like a red carpet celebrity."

The second the car comes to a full stop the billionaires are scrambling forward to help Allie.