Alfred pulled open the door to Wayne Manor on the calm afternoon, having heard the bell ring moments before. He wasn’t sure quite what he was expecting; more than likely, a visitor for master Bruce.

To find instead a face that he recognized gave him pause. He almost hadn’t recognized them -- how long had it been? -- but he couldn’t forget them. A friend from his past, a fellow soldier in the military, here at his door. A smile pulled at his features.

“Dear gods,” he mused softly. “I hadn’t expected to see you again.”