"Here are the keys, Mr. Wayne," said a portly real estate dealer in a brown suit as he offered Bruce a fully loaded key ring. "I'm sure you'll make the most of this investment."

"I'm certain I will," Bruce agreed with a smile. He turned his gaze toward the newly acquired apartment building. It was rundown and most of the windows were broken and boarded up, but considering the cheap price Bruce had paid, it was still a bargain.

"How many of these crumbling old buildings are you going to waste money on?" Damien asked when Bruce got back in the car with him.

"I'll show you when we get the office," Bruce answered.

***

Spread over Bruce's desk was a map of the city. Bruce nodded toward the map while he shut the door behind them. "Have a look, Damien. Wayne Enterprises owns everything highlighted in green."

Damien examined the map and the color coding. He turned a stunned gaze on his father. "You own most of Gotham."

"The important parts," Bruce confirmed.

The intercom buzzed, and Bruce answered it. "Yes?"

"Mr. Wayne, the Mayor is here and would like to see you," his secretary reported.

"Send him in," Bruce instructed. He grinned at Damien. "He's going to be mad."

The doors to the office burst open as Mayor Hamlin charged in.

"Wayne!" the red faced politician shouted. "What are you trying to pull?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Mayor," Bruce innocently replied.

"Don't give me that," Hamlin shot back. "You've been buying property all over Gotham. Are you trying to own the whole blasted city?"

"With all due respect, Mr. Mayor, I do own the city," Bruce calmly replied. He gestured to the map. "To be more specific, I own sixty-nine percent of it, including but not limited to the industrial and warehouse districts, the waterfront, and a good portion of the residential areas."

The Mayor halted his accusations and swallowed hard. "What are you planning to do with it all?"

"As you may know, many people in Gotham are unhappy with Batman being in authority," Bruce explained. "The dissatisfied are leaving the city in droves, and the property values are plummeting as a result; it's how I bought everything so cheaply."

"I'm aware of this," Hamlin confirmed.

"What you probably aren't aware of are the sizable numbers of people wanting to move into Gotham," Bruce went on. "There are people outside the city who appreciate Batman taking a harder line with criminals. They're wanting to move in where they're protected from the scum prowling the city. People can walk the streets at night without fearing they're going to be murdered. Rich families don't have to worry about their children getting kidnaped for ransom. Anyone dumb enough to commit a crime in this town gets a visit from Batman, and that is what's keeping Gotham safe. A lot of people want that kind of protection, and I'm providing them a place to live so they can enjoy it."

"You're working with Batman," the Mayor assumed.

"I'm taking advantage of the situation he's creating, as any good businessman would," Bruce corrected. "By investing in the residential areas, I'll have decent places for the new citizens to live after a few renovations. Because I own holdings in the industrial areas and waterfront, I'll have jobs for them as well. In a year, maybe two, I'll earn back every penny I've invested. Afterwards, it'll be straight profit. Tell me, Mr. Mayor, do you want to be in opposition to this progress, or do you want to go down in history as the Mayor who led Gotham to great and new heights?"

The politician was quiet for a moment as he considered his position.

"You're going to control the votes of all those newcomers, aren't you?" Hamlin assumed.

"No, not control," Bruce denied. "As their landlord and employer, I'll have some influence, but their choice will always be theirs as long as I have a say about it."

The Mayor assessed Bruce with his eyes, reconsidering his opinion of the man.

"You really believe you can turn this city around so easily?" Hamlin questioned.

"It may not be easy, but it can be done," Bruce confirmed. "Many people get involved in crime when they're desperate. If we can improve the lives of the people, we may be able to prevent that desperation and avoid the crime that usually follows. Furthermore, the law needs to have teeth to the point where criminals are afraid of crossing the line. Have you ever wondered how criminals maintain control in organizations of law breakers?"

"Fear," Hamlin answered.

"Exactly," Bruce agreed. "Criminals obey their bosses because they know the consequences far outweigh any possible gain. When the law is like that, we will have order. Maybe then, we can put Batman out of business. If we're taking care of everything, what will be left for him to do?"

Bruce extended a hand toward the Mayor.

"What do you say, Mayor?" Bruce asked. "Will you help me take back this city?"

"Yes," Hamlin confirmed, taking Bruce's offered hand and shaking it firmly. "I'll help you."

***

Batman and Robin looked across Gotham from their rooftop vantage point. A light breeze gently rustled their capes.

The thirty members of the League of Assassins Ra's al Ghul had left behind were patrolling the city disguised as Batman, keeping criminals afraid of what might be waiting in the shadows if they broke the law.

"I'm surprised the Mayor didn't put up more of a fight," Robin remarked.

"Hamlin's a smart man," Batman answered. "He knows a good deal when he hears it."

"Was it the truth?" Robin asked hesitantly. "Do you really think Gotham can be fixed?"

"Yes to both questions," Batman said with resolve. "As the people learn how to live in a civilized society, they'll need less correction from law enforcement, or us. They'll devote themselves to more profitable and constructive endeavors. The iron hand of justice will only be needed for a time. Progress will be made."

Robin noticed a look in his father's eye. "What is it?"

"I was thinking about your mother," Batman admitted. "I wonder if she'd be pleased with how things have turned out."

"I'd say yes," a feminine voice spoke up from behind them.

Batman and Robin both spun around, batarangs held ready to fight off the unexpected intruder, but their conviction wavered when they saw who it was. Dressed in form fitting black, her raven hair partly concealed the side of her face but not enough to hide her identity.

"Mom?" Robin breathed in stunned amazement bordering on disbelief.

"Talia," Batman said. "How can this be? You died in that explosion."

"A secret tunnel underneath the warehouse let me escape," Talia explained. "The explosion collapsed the tunnel and removed evidence of its existence. I knew the criminals would try to kill each other, so I went there, knowing what would happen."

"You let us believe you died!" Batman shouted.

"You needed a push," Talia answered, looking him in the eye without flinching. "You wanted to save Gotham, but you'd always been unwilling to take the necessary steps. I did what I had to do to open your eyes."

Talia drew a knife from the inside of her left sleeve and held it by the blade against her chest.

"I know I drove a knife through your heart, Beloved," Talia told Batman. "If you wish, you may return the favor."

Batman moved swiftly, closing the distance to Talia and grabbing hold of the knife. He ripped it from her hand and sent it clattering across the rooftop as he threw it away. Wrapping his arms around her, he hugged Talia close.

"I thought I'd lost you," Batman whispered to her.  Even the distorter installed in his suit couldn't hide the choke of emotion in his voice.

"It was agony hiding the truth from you," Talia admitted. "Knowing the pain I was putting you through, every day that went by made we want to rush back into your arms and tell you I was fine. As much as I wanted to, I had to keep away and let things play out, but it's over now."

The last of Talia's explanation was almost smothered as Batman kissed her passionately.

Robin moved to the edge of the roof and sat down, giving his parents a modicum of privacy. Another reason for distancing himself from them was a desire to be alone and try to understand how he felt about his mother and her deception.

"Robin?" Talia's voice cut through his brooding thoughts and made his head snap up. "You've been very quiet. Do you have anything to say to me?"

"How did you know Batman wouldn't kill you for your deceit?" Robin asked. He stood up, anger burning in his voice. "How did you know I wouldn't?"

"I didn't," Talia said softly. "I knew once I pushed Batman to start killing it was entirely possible he would kill me too."

"You risked your life for this?" Robin inquired, his rage fading.

"Batman wanted to save Gotham," Talia explained. "This was the only way. If helping Batman achieve his goals required my life in payment, I would've gladly accepted it."

"I can't fault your dedication to the cause," Robin grudgingly stated. "I guess, welcome home."

"Thank you," Talia said with a relieved smile.  She turned to her husband. "What now, Batman?"

"Our mission hasn't changed," he told her. "We're still going to continue improving this city, be it under the cover of night or in the brightness of day. The only difference is we're all together."

"She'll need a mask," Robin commented, signaling his acceptance of his mother's return.

Batman, Talia, and Robin stood together, looking out over their city. No sounds of gunfire or police sirens reached their ears, formerly a constant throughout the night. Gotham had already been improved, and under their watchful care, the city and its people would continue to develop.

Batman took Talia's hand in his. Great and magnificent days were ahead, not only for Gotham, but for the Wayne family as well.