Alright, I was planning on tossing a whole bunch at all of you at once, but writing has been slow lately. So I'll give you what I can when I manage to write some.

...

Batman frowned at the readout he'd gotten on the sample of cake frosting. He reached over and typed something into the computer dominating an entire wall of the cave.

"Going into the confectionary business master Bruce?"

Alfred's dry tones echoed through the bat cave. Batman didn't respond right away. He brought up a couple pictures and documents. After frowning at them for a second, he spoke in a flat tone.

"The frosting on the cake was poisoned."

"Ah. It seems our mysterious good samaritan was gratifyingly thorough."

Batman gave Alfred a look, but his butler was distinctly unapologetic. It didn't take long for Batman to give up the staring contest. He turned back to the computer and highlighted portions of the chemical equation.

"The poison is ...interesting. It's actually based on the antidote to Joker Venom. Anyone else exposed would become sick, but the Joker-"

"-Jack Napier, Master Bruce."

Alfred interrupted Bruce with a firm tone. He continued speaking with conviction.

"I agree with Mister Osborn. There is no need to indulge the man by perpetuating the legend."

Batman nodded. He agreed of course, but old habits were hard to break. The obsession had run both directions in many ways.

"Yes… The poison had drastic effects on Jack Napier's modified biology. It was effectively a potent cytotoxin for him and him alone."

Batman brought up a photo of Joker's autopsy. The flesh had rotted off the perforated skull, leaving behind shrapnel-filled bone and yellowed teeth. A metal file had embedded itself between the skull's eyes with the engraved word 'ass' visible. Alfred nodded with a cold smile of approval on his face.

"Very thorough. Have you discovered the source of this special poison?"

Batman responded by bringing up another set of pages with information on different chemicals. Alfred's eyes flicked over them for a second before speaking in a surprised tone.

"Poison Ivy?"

"Not quite. The formulation is similar to those found in her antidotes and other manufactured concoctions, but the ingredients are artificial. She normally disdains anything that isn't naturally sourced and gathered by herself. Someone has access to her lab and methods, but he isn't limiting himself like she does."

"...Norman Osborn again. The boy really is full of surprises. I certainly hadn't imagined that Mister Wesker would gain his own children's show. The fact that it has become so popular is even more impressive."

Alfred's voice trailed off as he watched Batman's back. The man stared at the set of Bruce's shoulders and read his emotions with a level of skill only a telepath like Martian Manhunter could manage.

"Master Bruce?"

Batman stayed silent for a full minute. Alfred waited patiently and he eventually started speaking.

"...I came very close to disrespecting Gordon's wishes."

"Sir?"

Bruce covered his eyes with a hand and breathed slowly for a second before finally looking at Alfred.

"I was going to kill Jok-Jack Napier eventually. Or he would have killed me. Things weren't going to just keep going the way they were forever. Gordon asked me to do things by the book, but…"

Alfred just nodded and placed a hand on Bruce's shoulder. If anyone understood Batman, it was Alfred Pennyworth. Eventually, Bruce cleared his throat and spoke in a quiet, cold voice.

"And now, because I kept putting it off, a young man was forced to give up his powers and become a killer. And I'm thankful! Thankful that I wasn't forced to kill the Joker."

Bruce choked those last words out, shuddering in self-loathing. Alfred shook his head.

"With all due respect Master Bruce, you are taking credit for choices that the boy himself has made. A poison formulated to work specifically on Jack Napier's modified biology could not have been invented overnight. From what you've told me, it seems like Miss Gordon may be able to return this 'Cube' that was used to heal her as well."

With an effort of will, Batman gained control of his emotions once more and nodded in determination.

He would make it up to the kid, but for now, he went back to work.

...

People like to play up Batman's paranoia, but I thought that some of his other traits were a bit more important here.

I'm going to try to get the bit with Norm and Ivy next, but it's slow going.