Important Places (Fallen Angel)
Riley had nearly dropped her phone when she saw Bruce’s name cross it. The deep sinking feeling in her stomach was back. Her legs had started to wobble again and she could see spots starting to form in her vision. After pushing those feelings further down she slipped out of the building quickly and caught the tail end of her phone's ringer.
“Bruce?” She could already hear the panic in his breathing. “Bruce.” She stated his name more firmly to try to direct his attention.
“Alfred has been hurt.”
The cab hadn’t even stopped fully when she was already leaving the car tossing cash into the vehicle. She didn’t worry about the amount, only that he drove fast when she had flashed it. Reaching the double-doors they slid open for her and the chaos started.
Gotham General never stopped working, never a slow day at the office. Ahead of her was a line of people waiting to be seen or have their questions answered. Security guards stood at the end of every hall and next to every door. There was always a smell of disinfectant in the air in any hospital. Hospital staff occasionally entered and exited the double doors behind the welcome desk. It wasn’t long ago she was here after that night. Riley took a deep breath and walked heavy footed to the front of the welcome station.
“No cutting.” Someone behind her accused. Riley turned her hair to shoot them a glare that was as sharp as a knife. Turning back towards the nurse they stated the same thing.
“Miss you will need to wait like everyone else-” Riley slammed her open hand onto the table.
“I don’t give a damn about the line. Pennyworth, Alfred. He was brought in with Bruce Wayne, my brother. I will see them now or I will have your job.” It had been forever since she had spoken to anyone like that, like her mother did when she didn’t get what she wanted. The nurse looked flabbergasted to have been spoken to like that. “Now!” Riley directed, her voice getting louder and caught the attention of the guards. One came closer and looked at the nurse who was looking at the computer screen in front of them.
“Is there a problem here?” He asked, and the nurse shook his head.
“I was just getting the room number for Miss Wayne here… can you please escort her to room 513 and bring the doctor to the room as well. I will page them.” The nurse gave an apologetic look to Riley before the guard motioned for her to follow. Riley had returned the look with a curt nod. The elevator chimed closed and shifted to move upward. A wave of relief crashed over Riley when the situation finished and she wasn’t thrown out. The guard didn’t speak, just looked menacingly ahead at the doors. Every floor they reached the elevator would chime, but the doors would not open. It seemed to take forever to move to the fifth floor. Finally the fifth chime came and the doors opened. Riley exited too quickly and almost got run over by a hospital bed being pushed forward. The security guard had pulled her back just in time.
“Sorry!” She yelped out. She didn’t mean the eyes of the doctor or the patient as they passed them. The man pulled her arm gently escorting her to the next hall where she saw the 513 on the wall. Pulling her arm from his grip she briskly walked towards the door. She was stopped by a police officer before she entered. “Get your hands off me.”
The door opened a crack. Detective. James. Gordon. ‘Of course he’s there.’ Riley thought to herself rolling her eyes.
“Riley Wayne is allowed in, Officer.” She pushed past the two men seeing Bruce asleep on the couch that was tucked into the corner. Alfred was in the bed, a patient. She had never even seen Alfred get a cold, let alone being stabbed. She set her bag on the table next to the couch and looked at Alfred. It was then the tears threatened to fall. She had cried enough though. After everything Bruce had experienced she was all out of sadness. All that was left was the numb. “It’s okay to cry, Miss Wayne.”
“I’ve cried enough,” Her words fell on deaf ears as he set his hand on her shoulder. She pushed his hand away. “Did you catch who did this?”
“It’s still an ongoing investigation-” Jim stated, a typical police phrase.
“Then why are you here?” He looked taken back by her question. Her arms crossed over her chest. The expression rang of disappointment and distrust to the detective… and he couldn't blame her.
"Riley… I'm planning on doing my best work on both aspects. You know that." He tried to convince her of the words that fell flat. "Bruce said Alfred had an old friend stop by? Reggie?"
"He was still in town?" Riley looked back with curiosity in her eyes. “Surprised, it seemed like the only good thing he was good for was rummaging through the drawers of the manor.” She saw Jim pull out his notepad and jot something down, most likely relating to what she had just spoken. She was over the police, it was too much. She practically has Jim on speed dial. Her apartment being broken into, almost killed by the hitman, and then the fight she got into... “Jim, can you please just leave? I’ll call you later and we can meet up… I just want to be with my brother and Alfred.”
He saw the softness in her eyes as she spoke, then went to leave. “Bruce can return my coat later. I will also need his statement.”
“Not without me present… Alfred may be his legal guardian, but while he is in the hospital you go through me.” He nodded in agreement - not that she would give him a choice in the matter. Without another word he left the room, closing the door softly behind him. After taking off her blazer she shifted it behind her as a makeshift pillow as she sat on the couch. Scooting Bruce over a little to make more room for herself. He mumbled something under his breath before stilling. It wasn’t long before she was dozing off, ignoring her phone that flashed a Z on the screen. She had more important places to be.
Right now, it was here.
FIN
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