Chapter 25

I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone that has supported this story as it was developing. Your knowledge of the characters and all of the ideas that you brought were invaluable as I was creating the story line and dialogue. There are some of you that have been along for the ride from the beginning and I feel like this is as much your story as it could ever be mine.

Landscaper01 you were one of my first reviewers and have stuck with me through it all! Thank you so much for all of the suggestions, and inspiration you have given me. You are a treasure and I couldn't have done it without you. My Bruce Wayne would still have performance anxiety and probably would have retired back into stately Wayne Manor to live out his years in celibacy. So on behalf of the entire female population of the world -Thank you.

Abelard, chipsnopotatoes, nogood4me, klcthebookworm, CMU and countless others (i'm sorry I couldn't list you all because every review meant something to me)- you guys have been there from the get-go as well. Thank you for always taking the time to review and inspire me to keep writing. It felt good knowing people cared about the direction of the story and honestly ...without support of reviewers like all of you I might not have ever finished it. Many times I wouldn't be motivated to write until I read a review from one of you and got fired up again.

As you will see I decided against an epilogue and a tidy ending... too much Stephen King influence in my life I suppose...

Happy reading Gothamites.

-Slingblade-

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Bruce sat on the patio of Alfred's villa three weeks post-surgical. The weather was warm in Florence, but he was watching a storm blowing across the city from the coastline. He checked his watch and then looked back out to the west for Selina. Her route would bring her straight down the rolling hills that bordered the canal. He liked that she finished that way because it gave him a chance to watch her run. When he had told her that she had laughed and called him a stalker, but she had made it a point to finish every run since down those hills.

The rain beat her home. Alfred was quick to check on Bruce and extended the patio cover when he felt the first drops falling, "Master Wayne, would it not be preferable to wait for her inside, out of the monsoon? I have some fresh coffee brewed. "

Bruce smiled at his longtime companion, "Alfred, you are on vacation. You should start acting like it. I am perfectly able to take care of myself."

Alfred gave him a deprecating look and then gestured around them, "Says the bloke sitting in the rain."

Bruce smiled at the scolding and Alfred patted his shoulder lightly, "I would go retrieve her myself if I believed she would get into the bloody car without a row."

Bruce chuckled as his eyes found her familiar form on the horizon, he gestured at her, "No worries Alfred. Looks like she is nearly home. Besides, she likes running in the rain." He watched her draw closer as the sky opened up and the rain began in earnest. Bruce tried not to let his longing to be running beside her dampen his enjoyment as he watched her sprint towards him. That will come soon enough. I am already stronger than I have been in years. My knees haven't felt this good since college; my shoulders and elbows are coming along nicely as well.

He looked down at himself. He was already dressed for his own work out; black shorts and a grey T-shirt. His black and white Puma running shoes looked new still as they had not been broken in with anything more than brisk walks around Florence with Selina. Still, walking was something. It was more than something when I take into account that it was pain-free and performed without a brace or even a hint of a limp. Now it's time for me to get really serious about rehabbing.

The doctor had given his blessing to try whatever Bruce felt himself able to tolerate. I am going to reduce my reps and increase my weights today. It is time to start bulking up. If I am going to train Blake I will need to be in top condition myself.

Selina's arms and legs pumped as she powered down the hill. To hell with Blake, I need to be in top condition if I intend to keep up with her.

Bruce lost the visual for a moment as she dropped down before the last incline. He liked this part; it gave him a gauge on how fast she was moving. It seemed like only seconds before she crested the hill and was running up the drive. She ignored the gate controls and jumped onto the block wall. Leveraging herself up, she gained her footing instantly and was running full tilt down the narrow brick divide.

Bruce found himself holding his breath as he watched her coming toward him, water was running freely off her white cap and her bare arms and legs were slick from the rain. Her green tank was clinging to her like a second skin, outlining every curve the white sports bra failed to contain. His sexual attraction suspended momentarily and was replaced with awed appreciation when she jumped from the wall to the patio. It was a graceful powerful arching leap, a not-so-infrequent glimpse into her dancer's repertoire; her black nylon running shorts exposed the definition in her well-muscled legs as the pump from the run had them corded from the exertion. She was beautiful.

Selina landed lightly on the railing and hopped down on the patio. She smiled at him from underneath the brim of her hat as she panted to catch her breath, "Morning, sleepy head."

Bruce smiled at the tease, "More like good afternoon. You are a fine one to talk about sleeping-in anyways; you didn't roll out today until nine yourself."

Selina grinned and slipped underneath the shelter of the canopy, "What can I say, I was enjoying the company of my fiancée." Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him, "I have to take advantage of every moment while I still have him all to myself."

Bruce understood the undercurrent in her message. Their stay in Europe was drawing to a close and they both were treating time together like a precious commodity. He tapped his finger on the metal table, "We could stay a few more weeks if you wanted. Hit the slopes. Give you another shot at your ice climb..."

Selina grimaced at the memory of her failed attempt as she pulled off her soaked shirt and dropped down on a chair, "It's not about what I want, Bruce. You have things in Gotham that need your attention. I understand."

She didn't mention Blake by name, but they both understood that he was the real draw back to Gotham. If not for the pressing need to get him trained they could remain abroad indefinitely. Not indefinitely. Bruce stopped himself before he went too far down the road that would have him resenting Blake. Gotham was still struggling to rebuild, Bruce needed to be a part in that. His father would have wanted him to be the man that helped lead the city's recovery.

Gotham itself had been relatively quiet on the crime front since their departure. The police force was back in control and most of the city's infrastructure had resumed normal operations. Bruce started to try and rationalize a longer stay in Florence.

Wayne Enterprises definitely wasn't missing me. I have been in contact with Fox constantly on the progress of company and it was rebounding spectacularly. Much of the credit was directly due to the new defense contracts and clean energy project. They had been just the jump-start WE needed to break out of the red. The energy project itself was drawing world-wide attention. Results from the first prototype were very promising. Stark had run the test in LA himself and for twenty-five minutes the device had powered all the lights in the city.

Pepper had called to check Bruce's progress and warn him of the publicity stunt. Selina and Bruce were sitting in his hospital room as Fox streamed the video live to their MacBook. Selina had thought it all endlessly entertaining while Bruce was at a loss for why Stark felt the need to play up the event with theatrics. All it did was paint a bull's eye on our backs. I guess it wasn't enough that we are already under fire from the petroleum conglomerates and international oil companies that were starting to realize the threat of losing their financial grip on the United States. The ability to produce energy without fossil fuels promised to upset the very basis of the world's economy and Tony was treating it the way he did everything else, like a kid that just found his father's gun. Stupid and reckless

Bruce was irritated until the press conference began at the Chinese theater on Hollywood Boulevard and Pepper activated the device. Then the world was witness to the first operational self-sustaining power source capable of sourcing a multilevel city grid system. The world also witnessed Tony Stark dropping to one knee and proposing to Pepper Pots. Bruce and Selina had watched his proposal and Pepper's stunned acceptance in silence. When it was over and they were kissing to the cheers of the on looking crowd, Selina had looked over at Bruce with that smirk he loved so much and said, "Yours was better."

Bruce looked down now at Selina's hand where the diamond ring shone brightly on her finger and again he was grateful for every moment he had with her. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the stone as he looked into her brown eyes, "I do have things that require my attention in Gotham. Like planning my wedding."

Selina smirked as she pulled off her cap and spun it around backwards on her head before she leaned forward and kissed him deeply. As she surfaced from the passionate kiss her voice was husky, "Mr. Wayne we both know Alfred is planning the wedding. All we are doing is showing up, so don't give me that."

Bruce smiled as he pulled her soaking wet onto his lap, "You got me there, but we do still have to decide on a venue. I was thinking...city hall...downtown Gotham." His mischievous smile brought out one in Selina as well.

She pursed her lips as if she was really considering it as a possibility, "Maybe a ticker tape parade right down Main, straight to the altar. We could have the ceremony in front of the Batman tribute statue..."

Bruce shrugged, "Why not?"

Selina smiled, "He did do his fair share to bring the two of us together. Batman should get a shout out."

Bruce smiled at her and stood, lifting her easily along with him before he deposited her on her feet, "Let's get you inside and dried off before you catch cold."

Selina looked at him and grinned as he swatted her playfully on her bottom, "You are getting around pretty good these days, Mr. Wayne."

Bruce grinned, "I'm feeling pretty good, Mrs. Wayne-to-be." He pulled her to him and his face got serious, "Actually... I am feeling fantastic. Never better in fact."

Bruce kissed her and for the briefest of moments all was right in the world. He was a man that had everything... Fortune...Friends...Family...and the promise of a future, but like so many times in life and especially in Gotham...things didn't always have a fairytale ending.

Alfred opened the door to the patio, his face was ashen and Bruce and Selina immediately rushed to his side.

Heart attack. That was the only thought that came to Bruce's mind. Aspirin...Ambulance...Please, Alfred...don't do this to me...

"Alfred, what's wrong?" Selina's voice was calm and authoritative as she helped steady the older man.

"Gordon…" Alfred lifted the phone up to Bruce as he tried to finish the sentence, "He escaped…the Joker escaped."

Bruce felt his blood run cold. The Joker...loose again in Gotham. His city needed him...Gotham needed the Batman...now...more than ever.

*The End?*

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xxedits by Cheedxx

All right folks... Why am I so sad?

I think because I love these characters so much. I also love the people that love them along with me. It has been incredible to share and contribute (I hope in some small way at least) to the continued enjoyment of the Nolan's trilogy. I cried at the end of the movie not because of the scene in Florence (although Sir Michael had me crying in every damn scene he was in) I cried because it was the end of a story that had really meant something to me. I cried because the characters meant something to me... That was why I continued it here. I hope my stories kept them living on for you a while more as well...

I hope to see you guys around sometime... maybe our paths will cross again someday in Gotham.

You never know when... or if... the Bat will make another appearance. Until then.. if the good citizens of Gotham need him... they can call... he will be watching the night sky for his signal...

-Slingblade-