Nip a problem in the bud

Planning the wedding of Bruce Wayne was a monumental affair with a great deal of complexity. More than your average billionaires wedding. The average billionaire might have enemies but it was usually the case that those enemies weren't super villains. However, with Bruce Wayne the expectation of super villain involvement had to be considered.

More than just the usual Gotham rogues. Alfred had a plan in place to deal with the Gotham riff raff. Of course, implementation of that plan depended on whether Master Bruce could allow himself to be protected by Slade Wilson, otherwise known as mercenary Deathstroke. Should any of the Arkham inmates try their hand at the Wayne Wedding, Slade Wilson was authorized to terminate with **** prejudice. Bruce Wayne might consider all life sacred. Alfred admired his 'sons' dedication to that principle. Alfred however did not share it.

What had Alfred perturbed was more the master planners, men like Ra's Al Ghul or Lex Luthor. Unfortunately Alfred had no way of getting in touch with Ra's Al Ghul, despite being the grandfather of Bruce Wayne's son. while the majority of ra's people in the league of assassins would ignore the Wayne Wedding he was sure Ra's and his daughter Talia would be paying attention to each announcement. Alfred would mull over the next batch of press releases and choose the correct wording to entice Talia to make contact.

While Ra's might be momentarily beyond Alfred's reach Lex Luthor was not.

Picking up a safe phone Alfred dialed a number that he probably wasn't supposed to have.

"Who is this?" A sharp no nonsense woman's voice answered the phone.

"Ah, Miss Graves, yes?" Alfred asked.

"Yes. Who is this?" Mercy Graves snapped back.

"No need to be alarmed Miss Graves, this is Alfred Pennyworth. Please forgive the intrusion. I was calling on behalf of Bruce Wayne." Alfred used his most honeyed tones to soothe the woman on the other end of the phone.

"And to what do I owe this call?" Mercy's tone softened.

Alfred used one of the Batcaves computers to bring up the news from last night. It was time to see exactly how far the influence of his magical trinket reached. "Well, given last nights news bombshell that Mr. Luthor's cancer had returned and much more aggressively, Master Wayne just wanted to touch base. Given what is obviously a stressful and trying time he wanted to know if there was anything he could do?"

"I- I don't...." Mercy Graves stuttered to a stop. Alfred read the headlines as they changed and shifted to include the revelation that Lex Luthor was once more battling cancer. The daily Planet headline announced in bold WEEKS LEFT TO LIVE?

"Miss Graves?" Alfred prodded.

"Yes. Sorry. You'l forgive me, things are..." she faltered her voice trailing off.

"I understand. Master Wayne of course understands that Mr. Luthor won't be attending his upcoming nuptials." Alfred said sympathetically. "You'll forgive me but it is my understanding that the cancer is quite advanced and the prognosis is fatal."

"That is a pessimistic view of the situation."

"If you'll forgive me, Miss Graves, you should view this and all of your interactions with Lex Luthor with a brutal honesty. Can you honestly say that this isn't a fatal diagnosis?" A tiny idea began to take form in Alfred's mind.

"I... I can't say that." Mercy allowed.

"**** is a part of life, Miss Graves. I'm sure Mr. Luthor's acceptance of his mortality and his refusal to fight his on coming end was a shock. Given his normal mein of control over every aspect of his life Lex Luthor surrendering to the inevitable might be a shock." Alfred hoped that cemented Luthor's ****. Now, it was time to move onto his impulsive brainstorm. Swooping in and stealing Mercy Graves out from under the soon to be departed Lex Luthor. "I'm sure that he only accepted his **** after every other option failed."

"He even looked into cloning himself..." Mercy allowed.

"Do go on." Alfred prodded. "Let it out."

"Cloning at this point would only provide a clone that also had cancer."

"Terrible. Just terrible." Alfred allowed a moment to pass and then began his 'seduction', "Miss Graves, if you'll forgive my impertinence, do you have any plans after Mr. Luthor succumbs?"

"No. What? Why?"

"Again, forgive my forwardness, but i would ask that you keep an open mind and consider my next few words. Someone with your experience, someone with our rarefied skill set is sure to be in demand. While I am sure there is a more than substantial amount of money Mr. Luthor has left for you I know that a woman like you would find herself bored with nothing to do. I just want you to keep me in the fore front of your mind when you eventually decided to return to work."

A confused Mercy Graves asked, "Are you propositioning me or offering me work, Mr. Pennyworth?"

"You flatter me, Miss Graves." Alfred let out a small chuckle, "I am offering you a job."

"I see. I'll keep it in mind."

"I'm sure. Never far from your thoughts." Alfred nodded his head.

a moment of silence pass.

"Is there anything else Mr. Pennyworth?"

"That was all. Everyone here offers our deepest condolences. Please, do keep my offer in mind."

"Of course. Goodnight Mr. Pennyworth."

"Goodnight Miss Graves."

Well, that was two birds with one stone, Alfred thought. The only question was what other random piece of business this wedding would shake loose.