Partners. Was that really possible? Bruce couldn't help but still see the shadows at the back of his eyes. Jim, white-haired and faded, sprawled on stark white hospital sheets, barely noticeable because he was so pale, he had lost so much blood. Could he work with this man- as partners?

The only person he had ever used that word on was his Robins, and those he had trained for the specific purpose of being able to keep up with him. Could Gordon do that? Especially a Gordon that might not have an idea about the differences between himself and his counterpart, whoever that Batman might be?

And, more importantly, could Bruce risk it? Could he take the risk that he might be wrong about Gordon being able to keep up, and risk seeing him on a hospital bed, breathng through a tube again?

(He can't, he can't-)

Bruce lidded his eyes, and hissed out a breath through his teeth.

"We'll see," he said, because it was a better answer than a lie that he would. This was the truth, and Gordon deserved that- for this, at the very least. Bruce wondered what other things did he deserved truth- for who else did.

Damnit. He lidded his eyes slightly.

"I'll keep you in the loop. But-" he turned, and fixed Gordon with a sharp gaze. "There are people here you cannot deal with, because they have metahuman abilities. People I'm used to.

"You'll leave those to me."