"Really, I'm fine, there's no need to worry about me!" Alfred insists, despite his currently rather pale complexion and trembling frame.

It's a little scary, seeing the man who helped take care of you when you were a child so sick, and a part of you is terrified that Alfred's age is catching up to him. Everyone in Wayne Manor is concerned, even Grayson sent a little care package since he's busy with Titans business.

Alfred keeps insisting that he's not sick, and even if he is, it's just a little cold and he'll be up and at 'em in no time.

The logical part of you agrees (not least because you and Damien spent all day researching symptoms and cross-referencing to finally come to the conclusion that Alfred indeed only has a cold), but the emotional side of you wants to shrink down to germ size and throttle all the cold germs for daring to attack Alfred.

Hm. Maybe Superman has a shrink ray? You'll have to ask next time you see him.

In the meantime, you guide Alfred to bed, much to his disdain. "No, no! Even if I'm feeling a bit... Under the weather, that doesn't mean you need to coddle me!"

Unfortunately for Alfred, it does indeed mean you need to take care of him. Bruce is at some charity gala, Damien is at a martial arts camp for the week, which leaves you to make sure Alfred isn't pushing himself too hard.

Which is harder than it seems. It's like trying to herd cats, trying to get Alfred to stay in bed and rest. Every time you leave, he's immediately up and dusting and doing his best not to sneeze.

You suppose it must be boring, just staying in bed all day, so you decide to make a cup of tea, with cream and three sugars, just how he likes it (one more sugar and you're sure that instead of being a butler, he'd be one of Gotham's usual crazies), and bring a plate of nice biscuits to dip.

... And a box of tissues would also be helpful. And a throat lozenge. And a thermometer, and a wet rag to put on his forehead, because apparently that's what people do, and maybe keep Dr. Thombkins on standby just in case anything goes wrong. Which it won't. But just in case.