Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with DC Comics or anything that has to do with Batman in any way.

Also it is good to note that The Awful Truth article is not written by me. It is an article from the Gotham Times Website that is promoting The Dark Knight. It was my inspiration for this story so I used it to kick it off. Again I did not write the article! Also, the line about the Lamborghini is also from the latest viral promotion for the upcoming film. There is a lot of inspiration out there right now! Everything from here on out with be original, I swear!!

The story gets better as you go, and the chapters are much longer. Give it a chance after Chapter One!

The Awful Truth

By: Julia LaPointe

What kinds of couches do billionaire playboys surf when their manor is destroyed? Very pricey ones.

Since the historic Wayne Manor went up in flames, Bruce Wayne has been sighted at some of the most exclusive hotels in the city- but he seems to be spending the most time in the home of his Chief Operating Advisor, Lucius Fox.

But Wayne is, for once, getting a little tired of freeloading. Word has it that he is looking for the perfect temporary home until the Manor is rebuilt.

Why not continue freeloading on Fox? After all, Wayne has been freeloading on his family's money all his life. And he's been freeloading on Fox's business acumen in Wayne's playact as "Chief Executive Officer" of Wayne Industries. Maybe Wayne was getting home too late for Fox's taste.

After all, Wayne is going to all the swankiest clubs, and courting all the swankiest girls. That is, if you call "getting incredibly drunk and stumbling into an awaiting limo" a proper courtship. Maybe Fox sat the young tycoon down and asked him to take his perpetual party elsewhere since Fox, at least, has a business to run.

The question now is, where will Bruce run off to while he cuts down African rainforests to rebuild Wayne Manor to the splendor to which he is accustomed? Many real estate observers say Wayne should have no trouble renting.

That is, unless Wayne wants to rent in a tiny co-op, where the boards frown on public drunkenness, carousing, and bringing home every breast-enhanced floozy within driving distance.

Other apartment buildings won't be so selective. Bruce Wayne may be a dipsomaniac, he may be a decadent rich boy, but he's got money- and that's all that counts in Gotham these days. Real class picked up and fled long ago.

Chapter One : An Inconvenient Truth?

"What is it today Alfred?" Bruce slid into a chair at the dining table at Lucius Fox's home, battered and bruised from his nightly escapades.

"Well Sir, today you have earned a new fan at the Gotham Gazette." Moving towards Bruce he set the paper next to him with a loud flop.

"Seems that Lucius' kindness has now become public." Alfred moved around the round table and sat opposite of Bruce.

As Bruce looked down to read the paper Alfred kept a close watch at the young mans expressions. As he watched his saw the gradual change he had expected.

"Is this who I think it is?" Bruce looked up at the old man with an expression that exuded dumbfoundedness.

"Perhaps a call to Ms. Dawes would help to answer that question?" Alfred fought a smirk as he saw Bruce's mouth tug at the corners as the young entrepreneur grimaced in thought.

"I don't have time Alfred, not today. Lucius is expecting me in twenty minutes for a board meeting." Getting up from his seat at the table, Bruce threw the paper down on the table. "Perhaps we should go back to the Belmont until we find something permanent? I don't want Lucius in the papers any more than necessary."

"I'll arrange it first thing then. Will you be taking the Tumbler this morning?" He had said it casually as he stood up from the chair he had occupied, as though taking the Tumbler out in broad daylight was an everyday occurrence.

"No not today, I'll take the Lamborghini, I want to be discreet." Bruce smiled as he disappeared through the kitchen and around the corner.

Alfred chuckled as he moved to follow him out the door to yet again arrange their living situation.

Julia LaPointe walked onto the streets of Gotham with a spring in her step. She had been back in her home town for three months and today was the day of her columns debut in the Gotham Gazette. She was confident that the people of Gotham City would relate to her topic, and felt a surge of confidence as she took to the street en route to work. Moving briskly down the cold and crowded street she heard her phone ringing deep down in the plethora she called her purse.

She ungracefully pulled out her cell, almost falling over in the process, annoying a section of pedestrians she was sharing the sidewalk with. "LaPointe here" Anserwing as she walked, she passively ignored the evil glares from her fellow walkers as she regained her balance.

"Jules, you didn't have to write such a scathing piece on the man." The voice was that of Rachel Dawes, her oldest friend and only link to her past in Gotham.

"I wrote what I observed Rachel, nothing more nothing less."

"Freeloading? Don't you think that was a bit of a stretch?" Julia laughed as she moved along the street.

"Not at all. He's a spoiled, arrogant playboy that's throwing away his money on toys and impressive hotel purchases. I merely used his words against him and pointed out the hypocrisy those words created."

"I'm sure that the upper class here is now in love with you for that." Rachel said dryly.

"I aim to please. Don't you have better things to do than to sit there and chat with me about Wayne?" Julia retorted to her friend cheekily with a laugh.

"Fine, I'll leave you alone about it, for now. We still on for lunch this afternoon?"

"As long as we talk about something other than work."

"Deal, I'll see you at one-thirty." came Rachel's response.

"Send my love to Dent!"

"Bye Julia." Julia could hear her friend rolling her eyes at her on the other end.

Still laughing Julia said goodbye and entered her building making her way into the elevators.

"Thirtieth Floor please." She put her phone back into her purse and took a deep breath. 'Here we go' she muttered under her breath.

Authors Note: I know this was a bit short, but I wanted to take the temperature of you, the readers, and see what you think. If I continue on (which I think I will) I still wanted to know if you like the idea or not. The next chapter will be the lunch date between Rachel and Julia which I am finding very fun to write. So review and let me know what you think!

Oh, and for those that have read my other Batman Fic "Clarity in Darkness" I am taking a temporary break from that story to get it together. Thanks for your patience!

For those that review, you will get a million cookies from me filled with love!!

-Trisky