ship_manifesto

Title: Timeless
Author:

faith_of_borg
E-Mail: julia_hoffman2003@yahoo.com
Fandom: DC Comics
Pairing: Alfred Pennyworth/Dr. Leslie Thompkins
Spoilers: Just to be safe, I'll say everything up to most of the recent Batman related comics.
Notes: Thanks to

comicfangirls and

canonistas for helping me to answer a few questions. Many thanks go out to my beta readers:

__marcelo and

seandc. (Also, thanks to

seandc for the Alfred/Leslie icon.) Thanks also go out to

kkglinka, for creating the banner after the LJ cut.

And although Prunus Persica, in the language of flowers, translates to the elaborate: “Your qualities, like your charms, are unequaled,”—the isolated peach blossom eloquently insists that: "I am your captive."
--from Gotham Knights #7; Alfred’s unique way of wooing Leslie. [The conversation in its entirety can be found in the essay.]

title or description

Introduction

A butler. A doctor. Surrogate parents. Confidantes. Alfred Pennyworth and Leslie Thompkins are many things to many people. However, in between these jobs—and in between helping to keep all the secrets of Batman and his allies—these two individuals barely have time for themselves. And yet, they are completely devoted to one another. They have shared each other’s joy and pain.

Alfred Pennyworth

Ah, Alfred Pennyworth. He is the cornerstone of Batman’s world. Without him, many would probably be dead. His advice has soothed many a troubled soul. So have his cookies—which have eased some enough to open up about their worries. He may have the role of a butler, and the air of a gentleman, but that is hardly all there is to him. He has been an actor; a doctor; a spy; and a surrogate father. He is a man of many talents. (And a spectacular cook to boot!) When forced, he can also be ruthless. Or slaughter people with the use of his sarcastic wit.

A good example of his ruthlessness is when Bruce Wayne was threatened by Bane. Alfred went into action, and tried to stop Bane from harming his surrogate son. It meant that he could have lost his life. While this did not happen, he did get a thorough beating from the encounter—but he never released his grip on his rifle.

During the course of Alfred Pennyworth’s tenure at Wayne Manor, he met and was charmed by Dr. Leslie Thompkins. During one evening while Bruce was out as Batman, a conversation about tea and flowers rapidly turned to romance. (This can be seen in Gotham Knights #7.)

Leslie: Oh, this looks very complicated.
Alfred: It is intricate dear lady, but therein lies the joy. Allow me to take you through it.
Leslie: Ah, so you’ll be my little Geisha? How charming!
Alfred: Well, the Master of a tea ceremony is hardly--
Leslie: *looks across the table.* Mmm...isn’t this a peach blossom?
Alfred: It is, indeed. And although Prunus Persica, in the language of flowers, translates to the elaborate: "Your qualities, like your charms, are unequaled,"-—the isolated peach blossom eloquently insists that: "I am your captive."
They kiss—until Bruce interrupts them with an injury that he acquired as Batman.

Dr. Leslie Thompkins

"We become hostile when we’re trying to protect ourselves, but here’s the secret. What we’re trying to protect is the soft, warm, compassionate vulnerable place in ourselves. It’s because you are open to the world and can be deeply touched that you strive to shield your heart in the first place. I choose to try to remain open. I choose to move always on the side of good. Will my commitment to medical and spiritual healing lead others to recognize the tenderness in their violence? I don’t know. But I have made a choice."
--Leslie, to Huntress on why she chooses the path of non-violence. No Man’s Land, Volume 4.

Dr. Leslie Thompkins--while devoted to her clinic in Crime Alley--is not merely a doctor. She is also one of the most caring and compassionate individuals in Batman’s world; world - his surrogate mother, in fact if not in name.

Leslie was one of the first on the scene after the murder of Bruce’s parents. She attempted to comfort the boy, and was the one who volunteered to take him home after everything that had happened that night. She was also the one who broke the news to Alfred, since everyone else seemed to have overlooked him. Bound by tragedy, they stayed strong and raised young Bruce together. However, there were times when her caring nature caused Leslie and Alfred to be separated by miles. A prime example of this was when she went to Africa to help needy children. Eventually, she would return to her clinic in Gotham City. Until then, she was desperately missed by both Alfred and a young Bruce.

Perhaps one of her most trying times was during No Man’s Land. She stayed behind to help those who had become trapped and left to fend for themselves within what was left of the city. With Alfred’s help, she continued to treat patients--even when there were more people than she could treat alone. With Batman’s help, she scavenged supplies for the clinic. She even treated (and was helped by) Killer Croc. However, when she chose to treat Zsasz, her life was put in danger. She actually refused to harm him when threatened
with death. That is how devoted she is to her principle of non-violence. Even without putting on a costume, she could be a hero.

Her relationship with Alfred Pennyworth is also not something to be taken lightly. She is completely devoted to him. For over 20 years she has helped and comforted him, and listened to his worries about Bruce. She has always been there in his time of need, and he in hers. She can break through the outer layer of polite civility that he shows, and reach the very sweet man beneath.

Together

"Leslie says that he’s doing better, but I think she’s just putting on a brave face. I never told you that they’re an item. They’re both prim and proper whenever they’re together. But sometimes you can catch them stealing glances...like they share something no one will ever know...”
-- from Gotham Knights #42. Tim Drake, in an e-mail to Stephanie, while Alfred has The Clench.

As was proven by the above quote, practically everyone in the Bat clan knows about Alfred and Leslie, even if they have kept it private. It is that obvious.

During the course of Gotham Knights #42, Alfred is stricken with a version of The Clench--the virus that nearly decimated Gotham City. He caught it due to the bats in the Batcave catching a strain of the disease. The way he got the disease: Tim Drake has The Clench; the virus gets into the bats, which are then infected. From there, it was expelled through their droppings. When Alfred cleaned up after the bats, he was infected.

Leslie stays with him, and helps to ease at least a little of the agony Alfred is in. The longest she leaves his side is but a few moments. And that is simply to try to find a cure—and to check on the rest of the Bat clan, and discover if they have been infected as well. Thankfully, they haven't. And once the Batcave is fumigated with the cure, things go back to as normal as things can get for them.

Further proof of their devotion comes in the wake of Bane. After Bruce’s back was broken, he and Alfred went on a mad chase to help find Tim Drake’s father. During the course of this, Bruce risked never being able to walk again—this incident caused Alfred to, briefly, leave his employ. Alfred then flew from England, to Gotham City. To tell Leslie that he was leaving for England. There was this exchange, once Leslie realized that Alfred was serious about leaving.

Leslie: But...but Alfred--what will he do without you? What will you do without him?
Alfred: I...I thought I might journey homeward.
Leslie: You’ll...you’ll be sorely missed.
Alfred: Ah, he’ll more than manage. In truth, the little bit we do to keep him safe and warm is almost certainly more necessary to us than to Master Bruce.
Leslie: I wasn’t speaking of Bruce.
*They kiss, hug each other goodbye, and stare at each other for a few minutes.*
--from Gotham Knights #7.

From there, Alfred returned to England. Eventually, he returned to Gotham City, and things returned to relative normality.

Pre-Crisis

While looking through older comics, it quickly became evident that Alfred and Leslie did not even meet until Post-Crisis. Therefore, their Pre-Crisis selves will be briefly mentioned.

Pre-Crisis, Leslie did not even know that Bruce Wayne was Batman. She merely knew that Batman liked to visit Crime Alley on a certain day every year. She did recall a boy whose parents were killed in Crime Alley, but she did not know this boy was Bruce Wayne. She is so much stronger Post-Crisis. She is more of a fleshed out character who has her ideals, and sticks with them--no matter the cost to herself. And one whom had a bigger impact on a young Bruce’s life, than the character did within the Pre-Crisis universe.

The Alfred Pennyworth of the 1940’s era of comics was quite different from the Alfred Pennyworth we know and love today. For one thing, upon his first appearance he was chubby and without a moustache. A disastrously clumsy man, he had a penchant for do-it-yourself detective work. He considered himself to be an amateur sleuth. Also, his speech pattern was different. He referred to everyone as "Mawster."

Thankfully, after a quick trip to a spa, Alfred was changed into the man we know today. Of course, how the spa caused him to no longer be clumsy is lost to both the mists of time and Crisis on Infinite Earths. Thanks to the Crisis, history was changed and Alfred has always been as he is now. Within DC’s current continuity, Alfred remains our favorite snarky British butler. With luck, this will never change.

Their Place Within The DCU

Within the DC Universe, Alfred Pennyworth and Leslie Thompkins are vital elements. Those who have walked within the halls of Wayne Manor, always come away with a respect for Alfred; those who visit Leslie’s clinic leave with much the same impression. They are two very strong individuals. The superhero community loves them. They always offer their advice, and help others get their heads on straight.

Unfortunately, their predilection to putting their duty first and putting their love second may have possibly been a bad influence on Bruce Wayne as he grew. Having seen two people so devoted to doing their duties, rather than devoting themselves to each other, could have caused a young Bruce to decide duty was more important than anything else. Even love.

At the very least, it could have been but one of many other factors. Just how much this aspect of their relationship affected them is unknown. If that is the case, however, Alfred really needs to sit Bruce down and come clean about just why they have not gotten together. Knowing Bruce, however, he is more than likely completely in the dark about their feelings for each other. After all, every time he walks in the room—if they are showing affection—they stop whatever they are doing, and see to his needs.

Despite this possibility, they will always be needed. They will be needed by the Batclan; by their friends; and, most especially, by each other.

My Love For This Pairing

Alfred/Leslie. At first, you wouldn't expect them to work as a couple. She's a doctor, and he's a butler/helper of Batman. However, the time they spent together raising Bruce after the death of his parents brought them together. In many ways, they act exactly like a married couple. They understand each other wonderfully, and each knows how the other thinks. And why they do what they do.

Unfortunately, Bruce oftentimes ruins their brief moments together. He doesn't even realize it--and it's usually due to an injury that he's acquired as Batman.

On Leslie's side: Alfred brings her patience (and a patient in Bruce). He is one of the few people who has the gift of being able to get through to those who need his advice--including her, whether she wants his opinion or not.

On Alfred's side: Leslie helps to keep him grounded. He has someone to confide in whenever the Bat Family gets a little too intense or insane. She has comforted him in the past, whenever things have gotten too difficult--an example would be when Bruce decided to leave home and start training for his role as Batman. In essence, they are truly Bruce's parents. Or as close as they can legally get to that point, anyway. They are also a perfect match.

These two—while busy with their own secret lives—also combine two extremely compassionate natures. Without Leslie and Alfred, the universe of Batman would truly be uncaring, and, possibly, bereft of hope. These two provide a light in the darkness. They bring hope to Gotham City. Leslie with her work at the clinic; Alfred whenever he provides a helping hand during disasters, as well as when he provides a helping hand to those in need of his input. Together, these two have been through so much. And still, they refuse to give up. Now, if they would just allow themselves to get that far in their relationship, they could become a wonderful old married couple.

This is a pairing that really fits. One cannot see either of these two people with anyone else. It just refuses to work.

Recommended Trade Paperback And Comics

Gotham Knights #7. In flashbacks, you can see Alfred and Leslie’s love as it develops over the years, and learn that they are, in fact, together; despite the fact that very few know.

Gotham Knights #42. Alfred has The Clench, and everyone tries to find a cure. During the course of this story, you see just how much everyone loves Alfred. (Bruce refuses to stalk the night as Batman for most of that month, too.) And learn that Tim Drake secretly knows that Alfred and Leslie are together.

Batman: War Drums. In this trade, you see quite a few flashbacks of Alfred and Leslie trying to raise Bruce together.

Batman: No Man’s Land Volumes 1-5. Throughout these trades, Alfred volunteers at Leslie’s clinic, and helps out with her patients. In Volume 4 there is a pivotal moment where Leslie stands up to Zsasz—and refuses the use of any violence.

Batman: Bruce Wayne, Murderer. After Bruce is arrested for murder, Leslie goes to visit Alfred. They comfort each other, and together try to find a way that Bruce could be innocent--in spite of some erratic behavior in the past.

Batman: Haunted Knight. Bruce remembers how much trouble he gave Alfred and Leslie, back when he was recovering from the deaths of his parents. Together, Alfred and Leslie tried to help him and each other.

Batman Adventures: Shadows and Masks. While undercover as Matches Malone, Bruce needs a distraction to get away, and not let anyone suspect him of anything. Leslie provides that distraction by kissing Alfred. Alfred doesn’t recover for quite a while.

Websites

Fanfic Related

Things They Didn’t Need To Know. Written by Arlene, this is a wonderful story. Alfred and Leslie literally come out of the closet--and traumatize Bruce, who didn’t expect a make-out session in his closet. Truly hysterical. The sequel to this story is Things You Really Don’t Want To Know.

Crossed Lines. This story is written by Peggie, and is about Alfred and Leslie finally getting together—after a lot of miscommunication. All of Peggie’s stories are worth reading, as they focus on the trauma young Bruce sustained, and his long road to recovery, as well as Alfred and Leslie’s growing relationship. The series can be at Fanfiction.net. The first story (entitled Caring) in the series can also be found here.

The Courtship of Bruce Wayne’s Butler. Written by Syl. This story takes place shortly before the Wayne’s are murdered. It shows one of the first meetings between Alfred and Leslie, and their growing feelings for each other.

The Last Temptation of Alfred. This fanfic is written by

hradzka. While this story is not really Alfred/Leslie, it does center on Alfred. It is included because it is definitely worth a read.

In Spite Of It All. This story is written by Haydee. It is a story that relates Alfred and Leslie’s friendship through the years. It is a spectacular story that shows her mothering of Bruce, and how she relates to everyone. And then, what happens when something suddenly changes, and she’s given a new lease on life. I refuse to spoil it for the ones who wish to read it. It’s surprising. There are quite a few odd twists. If you can handle a really odd twist, just know that it will eventually be Alfred/Leslie. This author has also written a series of stories called Perspectives. Alfred and Leslie are together during the series. You can find the stories here.

The Rest Can Wait. This story is written by