The chairmen of Wayne Enterprise walk into the meeting room where Lucius Fox stands at the end of the long table. He watches as they all take their seats. He waits a moment, watching the door. A look of disappointment crosses his face. He turns back to the chairman and begins to speak, only for one last figure to come into the room. "Sorry, I've been away for a while," Bruce Wayne dashes into the room, drawing everyone's attention, "I've been really getting into mountain climbing lately. You guys ever go? Perfect time of the year." He drops a stack of papers at the end of the table, "Anyway, here's the paperwork I owe you." The chairmen look at each other, scornfully. Bruce takes a seat at the end of the table, "I guess we can get started, huh?," he says happily as he kicks his feet up. Lucius smiles slightly, "Right, so the first order of business...".

Commissioner Gordon looks over a police report. After reading the last page, he drops it on his desk and pushes his glasses high on his nose. "So this is your report?," he asks. Bullock sits at the other side of the desk, "That's my report. It was my job to bring a killer to justice. I found him. It just didn't end up being the person we thought it was."

"You're a good cop, Bullock. One of the few in this town," Gordon looks through the file once again, "But this report's a nice combination of fact and fiction,"

"I'm still a clean cop, but these days, I'm also a Gotham cop," Bullock laughs a bit, "It's best that I left you out of the whole mess. Don't you think?"

"You realize what will happen once the press gets a hold of this."

"Yeah, well... It was bound to happen eventually, right?"

"By exposing Dent, we'll be taking away the city's last hope."

"What's better? Living in the shadow of a false martyr or living with a hero?," Bullock explains, "The people deserve someone better than a memory and a vigilante. You've done a fine job in bringing down the crime rate. There's no reason to drag you down in the muck too."

"I'm no hero, Bullock."

"Which is what makes you a good candidate," Bullock gets up and places his hat on his head, "With you looking good for the public and the 'Caped Crusader' working behind the scenes, this city should shape up soon enough. I'll see ya."

Gordon ponders this as the door closes.

Rachel Dawes' tombstone sits quietly. A figure kneels down in front of it. Bruce lays a bouquet of flowers on the grave. He looks at the stone quietly, trying to figure out what to say. "So here I am," he begins, "Sorry it's taken so long to... let you go. Long ago, you told me about my mask. It was probably true at the time. Not anymore. The mask has come off."

Bruce sits in a business meeting as Lucius Fox goes over a flow chart that depicts a rise in profits.

"I'm living my life and taking priorities. I know what's important."

Bruce holds a party inside of Wayne Manor with many invitees dressed nicely. He talks with them while sipping champagne.

"I think the time has come when I've been able to escape some of the darkness inside of me."

Bruce continues to speak to her tombstone, "But at the same time, I have realized who I truly am."

Batman perches on a rooftop, overlooking Gotham.

"I have come to grips with what I am. It may not be the life you wanted me to live. It may not even be the way I want to live, entirely,... but it is who I am."

Commissioner Gordon turns, extending his hand. Batman shakes it.

"It's my life and I'm doing right by you by living it. I am Batman."

"I'll be seeing you, Rachel," Bruce stands up, "Goodbye." He turns and leaves. Alfred stands behind him in the distance. He opens the car door for him with a smile, "Let's go home, Master Wayne." He gets in the driver's seat and drives away.

THE CAPED CRUSADER