The transport buzzed with energy. Batman had arrived in the Bat-Cave too upset to think straight. "Am I so sure ending this relationship was the right thing to do? Was hurting her like this worth it?" his emotional side wondered. "It was the only logical conclusion. The complications from that relationship were just too numerous". His logical side replied.

Still, logic didn’t make him feel better. He’d hurt her. Badly. He hated every fiber of his being for acting so callously. "It’s for her own good. Give her time, she’ll thank you". The logical side of his brain chimed in. "Can you be so sure?" His emotional side replied.

Frustrated, he pulled his cowl back. He went upstairs. He first went to the bar in the living room and grabbed a bottle of Bourbon. He wasn’t a heavy drinker, but by God he needed a drink right now.

He then stopped by his bedroom. He grabbed a pillow and a few blankets. He didn’t want to sleep in this bed he’d shared with her. He didn’t want to be in this bedroom, this living room, this dining room, and this study where he’d spent time with her.

The Bat-Cave had a small Cot. Not very comfortable, but with the extra pillow and blanket it would do just fine. The bat-Cave had a latrine … not the comfortable bathrooms of the Manor … but it would do; until he felt up to facing the Manor again.

He gave the bed one long lingering look. That side of the bed where she had slept. While he was controlling the sobs, he could feel the tears coursing down his face. That made his anger flare up. He did not want Alfred to see him like this.

He stormed out of the Master bedroom, slamming the door without meaning to. He stomped his way downstairs to the study. He saw Alfred from the corner of his eye but walked away without a word. He didn’t want to explain. He didn’t want to be seen like this.

He opened the secret passageway to the Bat-Cave and stomped his way back there. He put the bottle of Bourbon on the small table by the Bat-Computer. He then walked to the cot and dumped pillow and blankets onto it.

He sat down on the cot, to catch his breath. He then couldn’t hold it in any longer. Covering his face with his gloved hands he wept bitterly. After a few minutes, he composed himself. "Alfred might walk in at any moment. Can’t let him see me like this." He thought.

He got up to the Bat-Computer and switched off the main lights. The Emergency lights came on. Enough darkness and shade for him to hide his pain. He gave the bottle a long, appraising look. "No, not yet." He mumbled. He sat at the Bat-Computer and engaged the Gotham Police monitoring web. Batman immersed himself in work.

He noticed a report about a mugger who kept eluding James Gordon’s men. A slippery eel of a man, a low-life who preyed on elderly people, robbing them and roughing them up. Bruce clenched his teeth. In the short term, he had a mission to occupy his mind.

It was late; he needed rest. He lied down on the cot and fell asleep.

Commissioner Gordon was deep in thought in front of a pile of paperwork. Even with Batman, Robin and the odd appearance of Nightwing, the Gotham Police Force still had a hard time to cope.

Super criminals, lower-level thieves and violent criminals never seemed to rest. "Like damned warts, you think you’re rid of one, a new one grows in its place." He thought morosely. He reached for his cigar box and gasped – Batman was standing in the corner, entering unnoticed through the window.

"Just like old times, eh Batman?" Gordon said. "Keep on sneaking up on me like this and you’ll be sure to give me a damned heart attack!"

"Sorry Jim. It’s been a while. The Justice League had been keeping me busy, but I’m going to be here a while now. I hear you’ve been having problems with a mugger?" Batman said.

Jim Gordon sighed. "A nasty piece of work that one. Preys on the elderly. He snatches purses, steals wallets, jewelry…" he shook his head

"I have one old man in a coma with a broken hip and a concussion. The other victims are too frightened to testify. We have one Good Samaritan who gave us a summary description: suspect is a male Caucasian though that might be wrong as he was wearing a nylon on his head, 5’8" – 5’10", medium build. At the time of that spotting he was wearing worn jeans and sneakers and a faded denim jacket. No distinctive marks noticed, as he ran off when our witness yelled at him. Disappeared without a trace."

"I might have an idea." Batman said.

"Your input is certainly appreciated, we’re understaffed and overworked, it’s good to have you back…" the Commissioner stopped in mid sentence. Batman was gone.

"I hate when he does that!" Jim Gordon said, eyebrows raised.

The Batmobile was heading back to the Bat-Cave. Batman’s plan was simple: dress up as an old man, stroll the places where the mugger had struck. He would allow himself to be mugged and plant a transmitter on the bastard. Then, go after him as Batman.

He arrived to the Bat-Cave. He would need his makeup kit and some street clothes.

The search had begun. He needed to push away the dreams, vivid dreams of Diana, smiling, laughing. Disguised as an old man, he called a cab from the Bat-Cave and waited for it near the gates of Wayne Manor.

He didn’t feel like explaining the details of his investigation to Alfred, or why he had been boycotting the Manor. "I just see her everywhere I look, thank God I’ve disabled the main lights in the Bat-Cave." A voice from within said. He wished he could get the hair on his body not to stand straight.

He took the cab and asked to be dropped at a greasy spoon a few blocks from the Gotham P.D. He’d just noticed that he hadn’t eaten in three days, since he hadn’t advised Alfred he’d be at the Manor – and since he hadn’t slept in his own bed for the past three days, Alfred had likely assumed he’d returned to the Watchtower.

No matter how much he wanted to be left alone, Alfred deserved better. "I’ll just advise him I’m busy in the Bat-Cave and that I don’t wish to be disturbed. At least he’ll make sure I don’t forget to eat!" Bruce thought.

He ordered scrambled eggs and bacon, toast and coffee. The food wasn’t the greatest, but he ate heartily, his first meal in three days. "Mental note to self, don’t neglect your diet, broken hearted or not." He thought.

He paid his bill and walked around the corner from the precinct, towards the Park where most of the muggings seemed to occur.

He strolled towards a park bench and sat. The mugger had no set time, this might be a long day. He watched with a hint of a smile as Nannies pushing strollers walked by, as elderly couples walked around, admiring the trees and well manicured bushes, and as young couples walked hand in hand, lovingly looking in each others’ eyes, kissing…

"Oh great, I needed to see that!" he thought, rolling his eyes, feeling a lump in his throat. "Okay Wayne, grab a hold of yourself. Focus."

He took in a deep breath. This was going to be a long day indeed. "Here mugger, mugger…where are you when you’re actually wanted?"

The day passed, no mugger sighting. He walked back to the street and called another cab. He returned to Wayne Manor or at least a few blocks from it and tipped the cabby handsomely to avoid any questions.

He came in, and removed his wig after the door closed behind him. He paged Alfred.

"Yes Sir? Oh my, another under cover mission?" Alfred said.

"That’s right Alfred, I’m assisting Commissioner Gordon in trying to flush out the mugger who has been attacking seniors." Bruce said, peeling off the prosthetic makeup from his face. "I’m going to be very busy Alfred, I’ll be sleeping in the Bat-Cave. Please see that I’m not disturbed."

"Not even for food Sir?" Alfred asked.

"Of course, Alfred, but I’ll be eating in the Bat-Cave as well. From this moment on I’m Garbo: I want to be alone. There’s too much work to do." Bruce hated lying to Alfred. But he didn’t want to come out and say: "Diana and I broke up. I see her in every room of the Manor, and I can’t deal with it."

Alfred knew better then to ask questions. "Very well Sir. Do let me know if and when you need me."

Bruce showered and went back to the Bat-Cave. This would be the last shower in a while.

After wasting a day in the Lady of Gotham Park, Bruce was spending the next day doing some further research. Using the Bat-Computer, he mapped the sites of the various muggings. "This is what I should have done in the first place" he mumbled. He hadn’t been thinking clearly. In fact part of him didn’t want to think at all. Thinking kept bringing her back.

And thinking of her invariably brought back the tears.

He focused as best as he could on the task at hand. The muggings had all occurred in the vicinity of the Park but in different spots. Each time the mugger would run off and seemed to vanish. The idea struck him like a ton of bricks.

He keyed in a few commands and superimposed the Gotham sewer system on top of the mugging sites. Batman grinned. Approximately 20 to 50 meters from each site there was a Manhole leading to the sewer system.

Which just happened to be in the direction the perpetrator was running after the muggings. "The Punk couldn’t be found because he went underground!" Batman grinned feverishly. "Gotcha you bastard!"

He flipped a few more switches. The monitor was now showing a split screen of the security cameras from the sewer system sections that were used by the mugger. He then keyed in a few more commands.

"Any movement in that section will trigger an alarm on the Bat-wave. I’m gonna see you, I’m gonna find you … and God help you when I do!"

Alfred was bringing some lunch down to the Bat-Cave: a bowl of chicken soup, a BLT sandwich, a mug of coffee and a bottle of spring water.

In the many years of "Bat-business", Alfred had learned not to ask questions. So when the Batman came home four days earlier slamming doors and looking positively upset, Alfred didn’t ask why.

He had originally thought the Batman was returning to the Watchtower, as Master Bruce had not said a word to him.

Miss Diana had not come over for dinner for at least a month, which also concerned him, but still he did not ask. After all, being in the Justice League was very time consuming.

His instinct was telling him they may have had a spat, and he remained hopeful Master Bruce and Miss Diana would be mature enough to talk things over.

He entered the Study, putting the tray down on the desk. He opened the secret passageway to the Bat-Cave, a section of bookshelves neatly sliding sideways. He was surprised at how much darker the Bat-Cave was this day in particular.

Going down carefully, step by step, he saw the familiar glow of the Bat-Computer. Emergency lighting was on only, dimly illuminating the Computer area, the stairs, the Batmobile and the exits. The paths leading to the Batwing and Batboat were drearily dark, as was the Hall of Trophies.

"An old man could break his neck in these conditions Master Bruce!" he said, putting the tray down on a small table next to the Bat-Computer. He also noticed the unopened bottle of Bourbon sitting there.

"Thanks Alfred, that will be all," he turned to Alfred and with a sheepish smile, said "Here" flipping a switch, turning on the stairwell lights. "I wouldn’t want you to get hurt."

Alfred was still looking at the bottle on the table and his concern was growing. He also noticed his employers’ eyes: red, swollen and teary. The rock that was the Batman had been weeping.

No wonder he had most of the lights off: he hated to be seen in a state of weakness.

Alfred cleared his throat, and said: "Master Bruce, while questions are discouraged when the Batman is involved, I must ask: that bottle of Bourbon … in the years I have known you, you have never been a heavy drinker. I am growing concerned…"

Bruce looked at Alfred, sparing him the Bat-stare. In a voice he tried to make as reassuring as possible, he said:

"I just need some time alone Alfred that’s all. This mugger business is taking a lot of my time. I may have a drink or two to help me relax, but don’t be concerned: I’m not going to make a habit of this. You may even call the Watchtower and let them know I’m all right, I just can’t be bothered with them right now."

Hoping Alfred would buy it, he also added: "Gotham City is my main priority right now. Tim’s involvement with Young Justice is taking more and more of his time and his senior year is making things worse."

Alfred nodded, thinking, "The Justice League can dispatch reinforcements to assist the Police force, what is your real reason for isolating yourself sir?" But the words never came out.

"Now give me some space Alfred, I have a lot of work to do." Bruce turned back to the Bat-Computer.

Knowing it was pointless to argue, Alfred simply said "Very well Sir, you know where to find me if you need me." With a resigned sigh, he proceeded back upstairs.

Alfred was watching the news on a small television set in the kitchen, shaking his head in shock. Not since the death of Jason Todd had the Batman been this brutal. According to the News Flash shown on Gotham Action News, a mugger had been found tied up and hung by the belt to a lamppost, battered and bruised, jaw broken.

Agreed, the mugger got what he deserved. He targeted seniors, injuring one rather badly. But the excess violence was clearly out of character for Batman.

Add this beating to Batman’s recent hermitage, his breaking all ties with the Justice League, the absence of Miss Diana and his tendency to immerse himself in work … this was doing nothing to ease his worry.

Master Bruce wouldn’t be back from patrol for a while yet. Alfred went to the kitchen, fixed two Tuna salad sandwiches and wrapped them in cellophane. He also took a fruit salad cup and another bottle of Spring Water.

He took the food down to the Bat-Cave and left it on the small table with a hand written note.

"Dear Sir, I have several errands to run. I have left you some lunch. If you wish, there is still some chicken soup in the kitchen and Irish stew in the fridge. Please help yourself to some. Alfred."

He looked at the bottle of Bourbon and saw the level had dropped everso slightly. Relieved that Bruce had kept his word and not gone on a binge, Alfred stepped closer to the Bat-Computer, and spoke into the microphone:

"Watchtower transport, Bat-Cave, one."

He materialized on the transport pad. He went in search of Superman. Wonder Woman saw him first. "Alfred! What brings you here?" She said with a smile.

"I need to have a word with Mr. Kent, " he said. Tentatively, he said: "We are missing your visits at the Manor Miss Diana."

Her expression became one of pain. Alfred’s instincts were right: She and Master Bruce did have a spat.

"I fear Bruce and I have issues to solve before I do go back." She said, looking down. "If you will excuse me … I don’t mean to be rude, but…"

"Oh think nothing of it Miss Diana." He said.

She looked at him with thanks, marveling on how perceptive the old Englishman was. She said: "Superman is in the Monitor Womb with Flash and Green Lantern."

"Thank you kindly Miss." He said with a bow.

Before she went on her way, she said: "Alfred? Thanks for letting me know he’s all right!"

Alfred smiled, bowing again. "All right might be an exaggeration Mistress Diana." He thought sadly.

As she said, he found Superman in the Monitor Womb, looking over Flash’s shoulder as Green Lantern and Flash were having an intense discussion on the Basketball finals.

Alfred cleared his throat. All three men turned around and almost in unison said "Alfred!"

Superman walked up to him, shaking his hand: "It’s good to see you! How’s Bruce? Where is he?"

Alfred sighed: "It is precisely Master Bruce I have come here to discuss. He is physically fine, but mentally … he returned to Wayne Manor 4 to 5 days ago, looking quite upset, slamming doors. He grabbed a few personal effects from his bedroom and went straight back to the Bat-Cave. He has hardly been coming upstairs – I have to bring food to him! He sleeps downstairs, spends half his time glued to the Bat-Computer and the other half patrolling Gotham City on his own."

He took a deep breath to slow down. Flash and Green Lantern had turned their focus to Alfred. "Then this morning I learn through the News he has beaten up a thief quite brutally."

Green Lantern said: "I saw it too. The punk used to prey on elderly people, he deserved every bruise if you ask me."

Alfred said: "Nevertheless, that behavior is quite out of character. Then there is that bottle of Bourbon."

Again, Flash, Green Lantern and Superman said in near unison "Bourbon?"

"Yes, Bourbon. Oh he is not over indulging, but that too is out of character - having that drink to relax."

All four men looked at one another in silence. Alfred spoke up again: "He wanted me to let you know that he is fine, and that he needs some distance right now, take care of Gotham City. Somehow, I cannot get rid of the feeling there is more to it than that."

Superman nodded. "I have a hunch…" He turned to a small cabinet and pulled out a pocket communicator, and handed it to Alfred. "I need to verify a few things. Keep an eye on Bruce. If his behavior becomes more reckless call me right away."

"Thank you Sir!" Alfred said, a relieved smile on his face.

"In the mean time, you might also want to get in touch with Dick … Bruce might confide in him." Superman said.

"Master Bruce might find it a bit suspicious…but I certainly will if he becomes too rambunctious." Alfred bowed and headed back to the transports. An idea was germinating in his mind.

"Move out of my way Kal!" Wonder Woman sounded furious. Superman was standing in the doorway of her quarters. She was being unusually stubborn and uncommunicative.

"Come on Diana, we all noticed the flirting, you certainly weren’t shy showing Bruce you liked him. All of a sudden Batman retreats to Gotham City and you start acting all moody. Talk to me!"

Frowning, she replied in a cold tone of voice that made him shudder: "Kal that is between Bruce and me. Let me kindly ask you to butt out and mind your business, I’m in no mood to talk." She walked past him with a shove.

Superman watched her walk away, eyebrows raised. "I may have been clueless before, but now I can see right though you," he thought. "You are head over heels in love with Bruce, and now you’re hurt. What did he say to you?" he wondered.

"I sure am going to find out!" He mumbled. Jaws clenched, he went to the nearest transport. He knew reasoning with Bruce was pointless. He also knew getting any answers would be impossible if he called from the Monitor Womb, in front of fellow Justice Leaguers. Bruce always retreated when he felt cornered.

A private conversation would be best. "Bat-Cave Transport, Watchtower One." He could have flown over, but this was quicker. Superman saw his old friend hunched over the Bat-Computer.

Without turning, Batman said: "I was wondering when you’d show up. Remind me to restrict transport access to the Bat-Cave."

"Nice to see you too my friend." Superman replied, dryly. "You disappear on us without a word, you can’t even be bothered to tell us you’ll be away for a while- you send Alfred to do that; Diana’s been acting all moody and out of sorts since … I’d say a few weeks before you took off, maybe a month. I may not be the world’s greatest detective, but I’d say it’s a safe bet there is a correlation there."

Superman crossed his arms, looking at Batman’s back, waiting for him to turn. He saw the bottle of Bourbon Alfred had mentioned, it was about two thirds full now.

Batman sighed. He turned to Superman, looking up at him, his face tired, eyes red. Superman could have sworn Batman –Bruce – had been crying.

"What do you want from me Kent? " He said. "I have work to do. If I hadn’t been clear in the past, Gotham City is my first priority. Diana is a good friend, a trustworthy teammate and all is fine. I don’t appreciate people butting in my personal business. Now please let me work"

Superman looked at him for a second. Bruce had turned back to the Computer, to him that conversation was over. "I’ll bet J’onn has some insight on that ‘non-relationship’ you have with Diana Bruce." He thought.

Superman said: "Fine, have it your way grumpy. You know where to find me if you want to talk. Watchtower Transport, Bat-Cave One." He transported back to the Watchtower not really knowing any more than he already did.

He went in search of Martian Manhunter. He found him in the mess hall, chewing on his trademark Oreo cookies.

"J’onn, do you have a minute?" Superman asked.

"Of course, Kal-El, please sit down. How can I help you?" Martian Manhunter asked back.

Superman sat down in front of Martian Manhunter, across the table. He raised his eyebrows and said: "Alfred paid us a visit yesterday. He expressed concern for Bruce, and quite frankly I am beginning to worry myself: I just saw Bruce a few minutes ago, he seemed emotionally unstable and physically drained."

Martian Mahunter nodded pensively. "How long until a total collapse in your opinion?"

Superman shook his head "With Bruce, hard to tell. He is extremely disciplined, he’s gone through extended rough patches before. But this time … if I didn’t know any better, I would say he is deeply hurt, hiding his pain in the shadows of the Bat-Cave, and venting his frustrations on every two-bit punk that comes his way."

Martian Manhunter still nodded. "And it is safe to presume you have a theory on the source of Bruce’s frustrations?" he tilted his head sideways.

Superman rolled his eyes "Great Krypton J’onn! Don’t tell me you haven’t sensed it? I may have missed it at first, but Bruce and Diana haven’t exactly been subtle about their flirting! Bruce swears up and down Diana’s a good friend and nothing more, and Diana nearly shoved me through a bulkhead when I tried to ask her what was up between them. I need to know why Bruce decided to exile himself. We need him here. I don’t buy his whole ‘Gotham First’ rhetoric."

Martian Manhunter smiled. "Kal El, you ask me to confirm what you already know. Your instincts are basically accurate. I can confirm something was not right between them for several weeks before Batman exiled himself. I can confirm they had a rather painful argument on the very day Batman exiled himself. I can also confirm that foolish pride and stubbornness misguide them both. Anything more would be an invasion of their privacy, which stands against everything I believe in." He took another cookie from the bag and popped it in his mouth.

Superman closed his eyes. He knew J’onn was right. All they could all hope for was for Bruce and Diana to come around and patch things up like civilized people.

"I just hope they can be rational about this J’onn" Superman finally said.

Alfred listened to another News flash, this time on the radio, with a mixture of anxiety, and pride.

"In a gesture of selfless heroism, Batman ran into a burning building at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Barrington Lane, pulling out a trapped fire fighter from the blaze, then running back in to rescue a little girl that was hidden under her bed before the building collapsed. More details…"

Alfred switched the radio off. A heroic act indeed, Master Bruce had saved two lives at the risk of his own … but that did nothing to ease his mind.

The bottle of Bourbon was now half-empty, Master Bruce had gone through his fourth uniform in four days, and while steam cleaning the kevlar suits did a good job at sanitizing them, it was becoming increasingly difficult to do.

Alfred made a mental note to have a full washroom built in the Bat-Cave in lieu of the latrine, complete with shower. This would make it more convenient for Master Bruce to wash up after physically straining missions.

It certainly would come in handy now that Master Bruce is seemingly boycotting the Manor, save for the odd visit to the bathroom. His body odor was permeating the suits.

"Time to add a sanitizing solution to the steam" Alfred thought resignedly "The smell of smoke is so difficult to wash off to begin with, let alone with the aroma of a man who hasn’t showered in 4 days."

The Intercom crackled. The Bat had returned. "Alfred, could you bring me a fresh uniform and a cup of coffee? Thanks."

Alfred sighed. "Right away sir."

He came downstairs with the fresh Bat-uniform in a suitcase, and a fresh mug of coffee.

Bruce had already stripped to his briefs. "Thanks Alfred, that smells wonderful."

"Speaking of smell Sir, I was thinking, if you are going to barricade yourself down here it may be a good idea to have a small washroom with shower built in the Bat-Cave to replace the latrine?" Alfred said.

"Sounds good. Call the hardware store, have them deliver the necessary supplies. I didn’t realize you were also a contractor Alfred!" Bruce said teasingly.

"I am not Sir … but at least this way I feel I am contributing to the maintenance of your Bat-suits!" He said in all seriousness.

Bruce looked at him sternly. "Just get moving Wise Guy!" Bruce said, slipping the fresh uniform on, Alfred wincing.

As Alfred walked to the stairway he noticed Batman reaching for the bottle to spike his coffee.

"Shall I call Master Dick now?" Alfred wondered, carrying the smoke reeking uniform upstairs.

Taking the uniform to the shed and adding some sanitizing solution to the steam cleaner, he remembered the communicator Superman had given him. He pressed the button.

Superman’s reassuring voice answered. "Superman here, what’s up Alfred?"

"I need to know Mr. Kent, have you made any progress with Miss Diana?" Alfred asked.

"Not much." Superman said. "I can tell you this much though: they are both acting like broken-hearted teens, too hurt to think clearly and to proud to sit down and talk like mature adults."

"So you’ve also spoken to Master Bruce? And Am I to understand Miss Diana is also behaving irrationally?" Alfred asked.

Superman answered "Not exactly. She is just being very defensive about discussing her feelings for Bruce, she nearly shoved me through a bulkhead when I tried talking to her. And yes, I did try talking to Bruce. I was once again told to butt out. But here’s what worries me: in the years I’ve known Bruce he’s always been in control of himself. He looked like he’d been crying."

Alfred sighed. "Yes, I have noticed it as well. Master Bruce went as far as keeping only the emergency lights on in the Bat-Cave, feeling that lower lighting will hide his tears."

Superman said: "If we could just lock them both up together, and only let them out once they’ve sorted out their differences!"

"I might have an idea to that effect" Alfred said, "But it will take careful planning. First I need to locate young Master Grayson. While he is in all likelihood in Blüdhaven, he does spend his off time at Titans Tower in New York. He is probably the only one who can see right through Master Bruce’s façades."

Superman said "Sounds good so far. Then what?"

Alfred continued "I will alert him that Master Bruce’s behavior has become violent, unpredictable, reckless … he will fly to the rescue. I will be sure to mention the founding members of the Justice League are very concerned…"

"Which will prompt him to contact us" Superman said.

"Precisely." Alfred continued. "It would be best if you personally handled his call, and conveniently mentioned the falling out between Miss Diana and Master Bruce."

Superman’s smile showed in his voice. "I like where you’re going with this, then what?"

"This is where it gets tricky: we must be sure Miss Diana is on hand when the Nightwing contacts you. If I know young Master Grayson’s methodology, he will contact me before being on his way to the Bat-Cave. You must not let Miss Diana know. After he tells me he is en route, I will personally contact Miss Diana to please meet me at Wayne Manor. It is imperative she does not take the transport." Alfred said.

"Why is that?" Superman asked.

"I need to usher her in discreetly as Master Bruce and Master Dick are talking. I want her to hear what they are saying and pray that Master Bruce confesses what is really troubling him. I must first get rid of that bottle of Bourbon though." Alfred said, steaming the kevlar uniform absent-mindedly.

"Sounds like a plan" Superman said. "When do you want to proceed?"

"I first need time to locate Master Grayson’s whereabouts. Then, get rid of that wretched bottle of Bourbon. Once we know both young Master Grayson and Miss Diana are available on the same day … I will communicate with you." Alfred said.

"And I will make sure Wonder Woman is on hand. Just page me with the communicator. You are one thoughtful man Mr. Pennyworth!" Superman said.

"Miss Diana brings a sense of serenity to Wayne Manor. I have no children of my own, but Master Bruce has always been like a son to me. It hurts me to see him lonely and bitter like this. And you are a very good friend Mr. Kent. Probably the best friend Master Bruce has ever had." Alfred said.

"We’ll fix them up Alfred, or die trying! Superman out."

Another day, another Bat-patrol. Alfred still couldn’t locate young Master Grayson. His answering machine at the Blüdhaven Police Department advised he was currently on sabbatical and his answering machine at home was full.

Alfred needed the access code to Titan Tower. Batman was currently in the Bat-Cave, between patrols. Alfred was buying his time. He prepared a Western Omelet, a thermos full of fresh coffee and croissants.

He brought brunch to the Bat-Cave. Master Bruce had reset the staircase lights to emergency again –he was probably feeling rather low right now. He could hear music playing, rather loudly. Master Bruce was facing the Bat-Computer, listening to a Web-cast. The lyrics seemed quite à propos with the way his employer was feeling.

He could see Batman, cowl off, sobbing to the song.

Bruce had smelled the food. He promptly turned his back, not wanting Alfred to see him like this. He turned the music off. "Just put the tray down Alfred, take the day off …please." His voice all nasal from the tears.

Alfred put the tray down without a word and took the nearly empty bottle of Bourbon away. He left swiftly. "If only I could only find the Titan Tower’s access code!" he thought.

He stepped outside to the recycling containers and tossed to bottle in. He then remembered: Master Bruce always kept a backup Palm Pilot with all-important contacts – Justice League Watchtower, Young Justice, and the Titans…

He returned inside. He felt in his pocket to make sure the communicator Superman had given him was still there. He went to the second floor, to the Master bedroom. "If I were the Batman, where would I keep a backup Palm Pilot?" he thought aloud.

He knew of the Video Comm link hidden behind the painting hung on the wall, above the bed. He then said: "In the last set of clothes I wore before changing into the Bat-suit." He had personally done that laundry 10 days ago and emptied out all pockets, except for the blazer, which was dry-clean only.

He had hung said blazer in the walk-in closet. Sure enough, the Palm Pilot was in the breast pocket.

Alfred scrolled through the Contact pages. He smiled. He had found the code to Titan Tower.

He went to the Study. The sliding door was closed, and Master Bruce was too busy moping in the Bat-Cave to notice him or care.

"Then again, he could monitor the outgoing communication from the Bat-Computer and scramble the signal." Alfred frowned. Batman was always one step ahead.

Alfred looked at the communicator Superman had given him. It had a USB cable jack … perhaps…

Alfred opened a desk drawer, and found a USB cable. He smiled. The portable Communicator could be hooked up to the Palm Pilot. Hooking them up, Alfred changed the band from Superman’s to Titan Tower’s. This was one communication that could not be monitored by Batman.

"Wayne Manor to Titan Tower, do you copy? Wayne Manor to Titan Tower do you copy?"

The small LCD screen revealed the face of Cyborg. "Titan Tower. May I help you?"

Alfred smiled "Mr. Cyborg, I have been trying to locate Mr. Nightwing, by chance he wouldn’t happen to be with you?"

Cyborg replied: "He’s been in New York and he’s been crashing with us for the past week or so. He’s not on duty today though, he stepped out earlier this morning. Shall I take a message?"

Alfred sighed. "Please tell him Alfred called, but not to use the regular landlines or Comm links. It is imperative he contacts me on this frequency channel."

Cyborg said: "Sounds serious."

Alfred replied: "I fear it may be. If he asks, tell him I said ‘the Bat has gone rogue’, he will understand."

"Will do, Alfred." Cyborg said.

"Thank you kindly Mr. Cyborg, Wayne Manor out." Alfred terminated the link.

"And now I wait." Alfred said to himself. "I might even exaggerate a few facts to young Master Grayson, just to impress on him the urgency of the matter. Weeks instead of days. That might be a greater motivating factor."

And this is where Reconciliations and New Beginnings starts. Nightwing returns Alfred’s call and Alfred’s plan is set in motion!