Thanks for the PM's, reviews and encouragement. I've decided to make this a multi chapter fic, although I'm not sure how long it will be yet. I'm open to suggestion.

Disclaimer: I do not own Batman or anything associated with Batman.

"Alfred" came the voice over the crackling communications system.

"I would have hoped to have heard from you by now" was the brisk response.

"I've been busy". That was an understatement. Batman had been on the Bat-pod for the last fifteen minutes after leaving Gordon to it at the place where Rachel had been blown away. After the Commissioner had put the call in he knew he only had moments to get out of there, but he had to be seen first. They couldn't have then questioned whether he had been there or not. But this situation wasn't ideal, it would be hard to come back from this. Harvey had fallen, they'd placed too much strain on the man, or more his reputation. Bruce knew only too well what the pressure of being the one hope for a festering city could do to a person. His first priority however was to get away then out of the suit, they could work out the rest from there.

Alfred hadn't heard from Bruce since just before he met with Dent and the Gordon's. To say he was very worried didn't even begin to describe how he'd been feeling. "I can see that. Tell me, which part of all this seemed like a good idea at the time?"

The straight forward part of Batman mentally growled. "We can talk about his later"

A pause, like the butler didn't want to know the answer to his next query. "Are you hurt?"

This was a more reasonable set of questioning. "Not exactly. Bruised. The suit blocks bullets well but the impact still comes through"

"Well, now we know, perhaps that can be avoided in the future?". There was a host of car alarms going off down the line. "Where are you?"

He was zipping past parked cars, the streets were bare. Was everyone alright? "I'm about five minutes from the bunker. I'm not being followed. I'm going to change clothes then get back to the penthouse"

"Right then. I suppose we tell everyone you've been sleeping after your little traffic altercation earlier when you tried to run that red? Perhaps feign concussion?"

"Perfect". After a time he quietly pulled into the yard where the bunker was located. After cutting the engines he was able to position the bike and gradually descend into the room.

Slowly Alfred came into view, he was stationed at the computer. He looked alert but even from here Bruce could tell that he was tired. "I've been keeping an eye out at Blackgate and Arkham. There seems to be something going on at the asylum, police car after police car have arrived and it looks as though there could be SWAT there too"

"They'll be moving him there". The Billionaire was walking over, the Bat-pod had been parked, the cowl was off as he was using his teeth to remove the gloves as his eyes stayed fixed on the live feed from the mental hospital's gates. "It's the logical choice. Blackgate is empty and too dangerous. After his behavior they'll need to asses him mentally before his trial".

Alfred's bright eyes bore into his, he could see him trying to assess how hurt he was and what mental state he was in. "Do you think he'll make it to trial?"

Bruce turned so they were both front on. "You think they'll have enough grounds to lock him in Arkham without a court case?"

"Actually I was hoping one of his many new enemies will do us all a favor in the short term" the man explained with little humour.

Bruce wasn't impressed, he'd been going over and over this in his mind. "No. He needs to face justice. It would be too easy that way. He needs to realise and pay for what he has done, it's the only way". He then sat in the chair and made a sound close to a sigh. "But it's going to be harder than I expected. Batman is under attack".

Alfred frowned but decided to leave that particular line of questioning for later. "May I suggest we get back to the penthouse? The police will be everywhere soon. And you can fill me in on what's happened". Bruce did this on the way back to where they had been staying, letting the older man in on what had taken place. Among other emotions he wasn't impressed. "So you're telling me that Batman must take the fall for Dent? Forgive me, but the truth will come out. Someone will know something. Surely the Commissioner will do what's right".

"He is doing what's right" he patiently explained as he watched the world shoot past the windows of the car, this speed was no match for the Bat-pod. "Gordon knows Batman can take it. It's Dent's reputation that is more important here"

"That was all very well when Dent was alive, but now he's gone-"

"-it's even more important to make sure people think he was good until the very end. If not, everything we worked for will be thrown back in our faces".

There was silence after this. They slipped down a ramp and waited for the door to open. "So I take it this is it then? This is over?". They both stepped into the basement carpark and even though they knew no one was there, Bruce protected his identity.

"Do you mean it's time for you to focus on the cocktails and parties only now? No".

"No?"

"No. There has to be another way". They briskly walked to the elevator which opened almost instantly. The door closed with them inside and Alfred dropped his voice.

"A new suit perhaps?" he questioned after pushing the button.

"Perhaps" Bruce replied calmly. He had already begun to plan out what to do next but he would be kidding himself if he thought he knew all of the answers.

There was a curl in Alfred's lip. "Well, may I put out there that I've always been a fan of turtles".

Even in pain from his wounds Bruce couldn't help but crack a small smile, it had been a while since he had anything to smile about.

Once they had reached the top floor Bruce realised it was time to address one thing he had been trying to ignore: his injuries. With his top off he turned so he could see himself in the mirrors. He was a mess of red and purple with older green from previous days there too. That metal bar his foe had used and those dogs had caught up with him. "I think I'm going to have to ice a lot of this"

"I can fill the bath with it to save time, you can just lie in it" the caring, elderly man suggested.

"Not exactly funny"

"Not exactly joking" Alfred returned quickly and made eye contact until he saw something and turned his head like a curious animal. "Did you get bitten by a dog again?"

"Three" the younger one explained, trying to give an indication of the size of the Rottweilers with his hands.

"Three? Well, you do like to do things properly, don't you?" Alfred quipped, trying to keep their spirits up.

It took a while but finally Bruce was cleaned up and sent to bed by Alfred. He didn't want to sleep but the old man had insisted. "You can just lie there for an hour" he'd said. "Humour the old man, will you?".

Bruce didn't think he'd sleep but six hours later he opened his eyes as the sun streamed into his room. He couldn't believe it, it was the longest he'd slept without waking in as long as he could remember. At this there was a knock at the door. Alfred entered.

"Sorry, Master Bruce. There are a group of reporters at the bottom of the building, won't take no for an answer"

"What do they want?" he yawned, adjusting his 1000 count sheets.

"The mishap with the Lambourgini, the press is wanting points of view about this whole thing from every angle and your involvement as a big name is too good for them to leave alone. Also, Coleman Reese has reportedly gone missing. Unconfirmed".

Bruce rose and slowly got dressed in the clothes that had been left out for him. "Haven't they got better things to be doing? How about they start with finding out who The Joker is, where he's come from?"

The older man adjusted his button-up, woollen vest. "Apparently people what to hear about what happened. You can just pretend you're going out for a coffee. Remember, you're concussed, it shouldn't be too hard to fake it looking as you do". He tried not to smirk at Bruce's unimpressed pout. "No offence, of course".

Ten minutes later the elevator doors shot open and a suit and sunglasses clad Bruce walked into the foyer. He was dressed sloppily, tie somewhat undone, blazer open. As he strode forward he was set upon by a variety of reporters and cameramen.

"Mister Wayne!"

"Bruce Wayne!"

"What happened-'

"-can you tell us-"

"-can you tell us what happened yesterday?"

Bruce stopped near the outside doors and smiled. "You'll have to forgive me, I'm pretty tired. I hit my head in the accident yesterday, only just got out of bed. Coffee sounds-"

"-what happened?" a shrill woman chirped over the top of the people shouting questions, cameras going off and the shuffle of their feet in the echoing marble tiled room.

"Like I said in my police report, I was in a hurry and thought I could make it through the intersection before the light turned red. Nothing more exciting than that. I've got a fast car, would have made it if that other guy hadn't had been there"

A tall, blond journalist leant forward with his microphone. "You realise what you did though? You saved the life of that man"

"Yeah but, come on, it was an accident. I'm glad I was able to help but, yeah. It's good no one was hurt"

"Bruce, what do you think of last night's events?" a stocky, brunette questioned.

"Well there's a lot of damage to the car but I've got another that I can use-"

"-about The Joker, his capture?" she explained further.

The vigilante stopped walking and adjusted his shades. "They got him? Great. Like I said I've been asleep, but that's great. Those men and women, the officers, obviously did a wonderful job". He tried walking out again but was blocked by the group.

"They say The Joker is at Arkham Asylum, do you believe the death penalty is in order?"

Bruce shook his head a little. "You're asking me? That sort of thing isn't for me to decide".

"They believe Coleman Reece is missing-"

"-there is a rumour that Lucius Fox has left Wayne Enterprises, can you comment on this?"

Bruce stopped and slid his sunglasses down a small amount so they could see him a little better. His eyes had dark purple shadows below them, in his condition concussion was plausible. "If I've got something to say about anything I will make a statement at a time that suits me, I'm not confirming or denying anything. I live in this building at the moment, you've got me straight out of bed. Right now I'm getting a coffee and apparently a newspaper. Have a great day everyone".

At this he was able to leave, they seemed to buy his vacant explanation of events, his disguise working as well as ever.

By the time he got back up to the penthouse Alfred had just finished watching the interview which had been broadcast almost straight away. All in Gotham were looking for as much information as they could about what had happened to their city. The fact that this report had a tabloid mainstay only encouraged them. "News about Lucius spread fast. Is it true?"

Bruce threw his security pass and glasses onto a table. "Yes and no. I just need to have a chat with him, that's all. He said that he wouldn't work there while a particular piece of technology was at Wayne Enterprises. I told him how to destroy it, hopefully he has, therefore he hasn't quit. I'll call him soon".

"And Coleman Reese?"

Bruce ran a hand through his hair in a small sign of weakness. "I can't go down to the computers now. I'm sure the police can handle a missing persons case without me. There is nothing I can do in the middle of the day about it". At this he disappeared into the study.

Hours later Alfred felt he had to do something. "Master Bruce, you've been staring at those news reports for ten hours straight. It's 2am".

"I know what I have to do, Alfred"

The named man stepped forward, not bothering to hide the concern etched in his features. "Sir?"

Commissioner Gordon breaking the Bat signal was replayed again in front of them on the news. "Bruce Wayne gives a lot of money to Arkham Asylum"

"Yes, you do". He had never liked the way the youngest Wayne seemed to talk about himself in third person, almost like it wasn't who he was.

"Well it's obvious. I give more and then demand to see the changes go through the system. Perhaps even tell them what I want. I could be there as much as I wanted and it wouldn't seem strange"

"That's all very well, but what are you planning on achieving? Batman-"

"-can't help The Joker right now. He may be able to help Gotham but not the clown". They watched as they saw the supposed footage of the scarred man being taken through the Arkham doors. It was too hard to see with the grainy long shot if it was him or not and there looked to be a cotton sack over his head.

The greying man seemed to strike up some courage. "I thought Batman's purpose was to help Gotham, not its destroyers"

"The Joker is a sick man" he explained in an almost monotone way "he deserves help"

This seemed too much for the butler. "Most people are saying he deserves a bullet in the head. Be careful about what you seem to be supporting"

Bruce sat up. "I'm supporting justice, I'm supporting what my father started in trying to help this city!".

"I can understand you wanting to understand how this man's brain works but I don't think you're going to like the answers, if there are any. There is no flipping the switch and sending him back out into society. Like I said, some men just want to see the world burn: don't let him destroy your world with it".

Bruce called out after Alfred who was leaving the room. "This is the best way to protect Gotham until they can work with Batman again". He settled back into the chair then seemed to think better of it. He stood, turning off the television and calling down the hall incase Alfred was hanging around. "I'll call the asylum first thing tomorrow and make an appointment to discuss the donation. I'm sure they'll be happy to hear from me or anyone else who seemingly isn't there just to get information on The Joker".

A/N: Reviews, comments and concerns are all welcome :)