[For one satisfying moment he feels Oswald's hands squeeze tight against his windpipe and he thinks that he'll be able to find peace, but it drops away in a fit of rage. He can hear the other man screaming, crying, and it slowly dawns on him that he and Oswald are sharing the same type of pain. The same guilt and loss of a loved one.]
I'm sorry. [He says and quietly sinks down to his knees next to Oswald.
It's of course that moment that the cavalry finally arrives.]
Oh holy shit. [Bullock mutters when he sees the scene and looks over to Jim who already has his gun drawn. They approach slowly, Bullock wincing when he sees both Ed and Nyssa's bodies.]
Alfred. [Jim says slowly, his eyes watching Oswald carefully as he can't quite tell what state of mind he is in yet.] What happened? Are you okay?
[Alfred pulls in a ragged breath and slowly exhales and when he speaks his voice is controlled but also somehow horribly hollow sounding.]
Bruce is dead.
[His throat constricts painfully, a deep sob trying to choke him and he takes another breath before continuing.]
So no. I'm not okay.
I'm actually doing fucking awful, mate.
Bruce....no. [Jim whispers in disbelief and Alfred nods, slowly rising to his feet.]
Yes.
How?! [He demands and then turns his gun towards Oswald.]
What did you do, Oswald!!
[Alfred moves fast, faster than most people would assume a man his age could and grabs Jim's wrist, twisting it savagely until he drops the gun.]
Don't you fucking dare! [He snarls.] This is YOUR fault! You should have killed her the first time!!
[He shouts and punches Jim in the face.]
They'd both still be here if you'd done your job properly!!
[Jim staggers back, both from the blow and the strength of Alfred's sudden rage. Alfred meanwhile advances and is about to strike Jim again when Lee comes onto the scene.]
Alfred. Please, stop.
[Her tone is soft and full of sadness and somehow it reaches past his anger and touches him briefly.]
I know you're upset, but hurting Jim won't bring Bruce back.
[Alfred looks at Jim with absolute hate in his eyes and then turns away.]
No but it will make me bloody well feel better.
[He says bitterly and comes back over to kneel next to Oswald, wrapping an arm around him protectively.]
no subject
I'm sorry. [He says and quietly sinks down to his knees next to Oswald.
It's of course that moment that the cavalry finally arrives.]
Oh holy shit. [Bullock mutters when he sees the scene and looks over to Jim who already has his gun drawn. They approach slowly, Bullock wincing when he sees both Ed and Nyssa's bodies.]
Alfred. [Jim says slowly, his eyes watching Oswald carefully as he can't quite tell what state of mind he is in yet.] What happened? Are you okay?
[Alfred pulls in a ragged breath and slowly exhales and when he speaks his voice is controlled but also somehow horribly hollow sounding.]
Bruce is dead.
[His throat constricts painfully, a deep sob trying to choke him and he takes another breath before continuing.]
So no.
I'm not okay.
I'm actually doing fucking awful, mate.
Bruce....no. [Jim whispers in disbelief and Alfred nods, slowly rising to his feet.]
Yes.
How?! [He demands and then turns his gun towards Oswald.]
What did you do, Oswald!!
[Alfred moves fast, faster than most people would assume a man his age could and grabs Jim's wrist, twisting it savagely until he drops the gun.]
Don't you fucking dare! [He snarls.] This is YOUR fault! You should have killed her the first time!!
[He shouts and punches Jim in the face.]
They'd both still be here if you'd done your job properly!!
[Jim staggers back, both from the blow and the strength of Alfred's sudden rage. Alfred meanwhile advances and is about to strike Jim again when Lee comes onto the scene.]
Alfred. Please, stop.
[Her tone is soft and full of sadness and somehow it reaches past his anger and touches him briefly.]
I know you're upset, but hurting Jim won't bring Bruce back.
[Alfred looks at Jim with absolute hate in his eyes and then turns away.]
No but it will make me bloody well feel better.
[He says bitterly and comes back over to kneel next to Oswald, wrapping an arm around him protectively.]
Get out of here, all of you.