August 17, 0708

	Alfred made great effort to control the tremor in his hand as he poured 
hot coffee into three mugs.  Granted, he wasn't as young as he used to be, but 
the shock of it all was turning him into an old man.  He set the coffee pot down 
for just a moment, to rest, and an instant later was grateful he had.
A sharp rap at the kitchen storm door startled him. He took a moment to compose 
himself before unlocking and opening the heavy interior door that connected the 
kitchen to the driveway.  Two worried faces peered at him through the screen in 
the storm door.
	"Master Timothy!  Miss Cassandra!"  His fingers fumbled the latch 
confounding his attempts to open the door.
 	"Sorry Alfred," Tim apologized shortly.  "We should have gone to the 
front."
 	"Not at all, young sir."  With a deep breath, Alfred quickly manipulated 
the lock and opened the door to the younger members of the family.  "I had not 
expected to see you this morning."
	Tim passed a weary hand over his face.  He looked like death warmed over, 
Alfred despaired.  His skin was sallow and his eyes red and dull with 
exhaustion.
 	"We're on our way to work," Tim explained succinctly.  I wanted to stop 
and see how he was."
 	'He' meant Master Dick, of course.
 	"Of course," Alfred replied.  "Would you care for some coffee first?"
 	Tim looked incredibly grateful.  It had been an exhausting and frustrating 
night.  He'd had just enough time to get back to his apartment, shower and 
change for work and race back to BlŸdhaven to see Dick before taking off for 
work again.  "Please?"
 	"Of course," Alfred said, immediately handing him one of the freshly 
poured mugs.  "Miss Cassandra?"
 	Cassandra looked at him knowingly.  "Bad night."
 	Alfred nodded.  "A very bad night indeed."