Lex had expected hesitation.
Instead, Gordon nodded immediately.
"Alright."
The answer came without pause, without conditions.
He even smiled.
"To be honest, I've been thinking about this for a while."
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
"You playing Batman at night and pulling guard shifts at the manor during the day? That's unsustainable."
Lex blinked.
Sustainable had never really been the point.
"It makes more sense to send you out," Gordon continued. "Expedition work. Active response."
He folded his hands.
"Normally, field teams operate in pairs. We don't send anyone out alone."
A brief pause.
"But in your case… I recommend solo deployment."
Lex narrowed his eyes slightly.
That wasn't standard protocol.
Gordon's smile deepened, faint but knowing.
"Officially, it's about flexibility."
Unofficially—
"All you have to do is depart Wayne Manor in front of everyone."
He gestured vaguely toward the outside grounds.
"Then take the Batmobile into the city."
Realization clicked into place.
"Make appearances," Gordon said quietly. "Short ones. Visible ones."
His voice softened.
"Let people see Batman."
Lex stared at him.
So that was the real objective.
Morale.
"Hope grows when he's seen," Gordon added. "Even if it's just for a moment."
Lex almost laughed.
So he'd been maneuvered into becoming a symbol on schedule.
Gordon's tone shifted slightly, as if worried he'd overstepped.
"I know you're capable on your own," he said carefully. "But Gotham needs Batman right now."
He held Lex's gaze.
"If you ever want to operate under your own name, that can be arranged. We just need the right timing."
Lex cut him off gently.
"It's fine."
He leaned back in his chair.
Using Batman as cover wasn't a drawback.
It was insulation.
Identity protection. Operational freedom. Psychological warfare.
He nodded once.
"We'll do it your way."
Gordon exhaled in relief.
"If that's all, Chief," Lex added, standing, "you should get some rest."
—
The manor lobby buzzed with unusual energy.
Gordon hadn't just brought back weapons.
He'd brought supplies.
Real supplies.
Boxes were stacked along the walls—canned goods, medicine, spare parts.
But two items had drawn the biggest crowd.
Cigarettes.
And alcohol.
A former dockworker named Barney stood behind a table like a king distributing treasure, handing out single cigarettes to grateful hands.
Men who hadn't smiled in days suddenly looked human again.
"Lex."
He turned.
Barbara approached, casual but watchful.
She handed him a small paper bag.
"For you," she said lightly. "Thanks for dragging me into that mess last time."
He raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
"Open it later."
She leaned closer, lowering her voice.
"In your room."
Her eyes flicked around the lobby.
"If people see it, I'll never hear the end of it."
He nodded.
"Appreciate it."
She gave him a brief grin.
Then turned and walked away, trying a little too hard to look indifferent.
Lex shook his head.
Kid's got nerve.
Back in his room, he opened the bag.
Two unopened packs of premium cigarettes.
A bottle of whiskey.
A small pouch of tea.
And a thick slab of cured ham.
He paused.
Even as Gordon's daughter, she wouldn't have had priority access to that much.
Which meant she'd pooled her own share.
He poured a glass of whiskey.
Cut a slice of ham.
For the first time since arriving in this world, he ate something that felt normal.
Civilized.
Comfort settled in his chest in a way he hadn't expected.
—
He slept through midday.
Didn't leave the room.
When he woke again, the light had shifted golden.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Lex? I hope I'm not intruding."
Alfred.
His tone carried unusual restraint.
"Come in."
Alfred stepped inside, closing the door carefully behind him.
He glanced down the hallway first.
Subtle.
"Everything alright?" Lex asked.
Alfred forced a polite smile.
"May we speak privately?"
The door clicked shut.
Lex gestured toward the small table.
"Whiskey?"
He held up the bottle.
"Barbara's gratitude."
"If you would be so kind… a small measure."
Lex poured him about an ounce.
Alfred downed it in one motion.
Exhaled slowly.
"I understand from Commissioner Gordon that you'll be conducting solo field missions."
"Yes."
"Under the Batman persona."
"Yes."
Alfred hesitated.
"May I have another?"
Lex held the glass but didn't refill it.
"Let's pace ourselves. What's this really about?"
Alfred inhaled.
"Lex… I require a favor."
There it was.
"And this request must remain confidential."
He paused.
"Including from Gordon."
Lex leaned back.
"So it's serious."
Alfred reached inside his coat and carefully removed three syringes.
He placed them on the table between them.
"I used the Batcomputer to finalize a compound."
His voice dropped.
"An experimental antitoxin."
"For the infection."
Lex's eyes sharpened.
"You're testing it."
"Yes."
Alfred's composure thinned just slightly.
"I need field validation. But until I confirm its efficacy, I cannot risk false hope spreading."
Hope again.
Always hope.
"You want me to capture infected subjects?" Lex asked.
"No, nothing so elaborate," Alfred replied quickly. "Simply administer the injections during encounters."
His fingers tightened slightly on the table.
"Observe outcomes. Report back to me directly."
Now it made sense.
Alfred couldn't go himself.
Other teams traveled in pairs.
Secrecy eliminated almost every option.
Except one.
"You picked me because I operate alone," Lex said.
"And because I trust you," Alfred replied without hesitation.
Lex studied the syringes.
"Side effects?"
"Unknown," Alfred admitted quietly.
"Projected survival rate?"
"Higher than zero."
Honest.
Lex appreciated that.
"In that case," he said, picking one up and examining it against the light, "it's manageable."
Alfred's shoulders eased slightly.
"I would not ask if it were not important."
Lex smirked faintly.
"What's in it for me?"
Alfred blinked.
"I beg your pardon?"
"You're asking me to field-test a classified compound in hostile zones."
Lex set the syringe down.
"Compensation."
Alfred's lips twitched.
"Of course."
He straightened slightly.
"I will personally authorize fabrication of equipment to your specifications."
"Custom?"
"Yes."
"Within reason?"
A faint pause.
"Within reason."
Lex leaned forward.
"Can I choose an existing Batsuit model?"
Alfred hesitated for exactly two seconds.
"Excluding the heavy tactical armor… yes."
Lex grinned.
"Deal."
He extended his hand.
Alfred grasped it firmly.
"Thank you, Lex."
There was genuine relief in his voice.
"From the moment I met you, I suspected you were dependable."
Lex tilted his head slightly.
"Flattery doesn't reduce my negotiation rates."
Alfred actually chuckled.
"Understood."
He glanced at the syringes again.
"When do you intend to depart?"
Lex stood, picking them up and sliding them into a secure inner compartment of his gear.
"If you're in a hurry…"
He looked toward the window, where dusk was beginning to bleed into the skyline.
"I can move now."
Alfred's eyes sharpened.
"Tonight?"
Lex gave a faint smile.
"Gotham doesn't wait."
....
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