Hello, valued readers! I've only ever written one other thing and I'm trying to keep up with it but shiny new things always catch my attention, and what's more shiny than a Lasso of Truth and a Tiara to match? Nothing! I'll try to not ramble as much in the following chapters, but I thought some explanations were in order. This story will be in chapter format, but each chapter will be able to stand alone. Think of these as a series of moments of BatClan antics. As you've seen from this chapter's title, this 'moment' is closer to the middle. I know what you're thinking. Why did didn't you just start from one end or the other? Well, dear reader, I could have done that, but I got too excited and way too ahead of myself. For all intents and purposes, this chapter is the first. It might get a little confusing, but each chapter posted after this one will be titled with how many years before or after this chapter's moment it takes place. On a timeline, this chapter would be the start. Have I lost you? Ah, well. Just enjoy the read and maybe leave me something when you're done?
Much love, C8-E-CAT
"You know why I need to go." He spoke to the figure standing in the Cave, not turning away from the large computer screens in front of him.
"And you know why you need to stay." Came the exasperated reply.
Bruce Wayne could practically feel Diana's irritation burning a hole into the back of his chair. Finally, he turned to look at his sleep deprived wife.
"I would stay if I could. I am still Batman. The city still needs me, Diana."
The Amazon's eyes narrowed angrily. "So does your daughter, Bruce."
"Veda is asleep well before I leave for patrol." He reminded her calmly. "I'm not neglecting our daughter. I'm here from the time she wakes up to the time she goes to sleep."
"Fine." That's never good.
"Princess…" Bruce sighed again, getting up and crossing the short distance to stand in front of her. "I love you. I love Veda. I also need to leave now. Go back up," He pleaded with the Amazonian beauty still glaring at him. "I'll be back before you know it."
Diana searched his face for another full minute before retreating back up to the manor.
"Good night, Batman." She excused him over her shoulder. "I'll see you when you get in."
That was easy.. He thought, failing to notice the over-emphasis of the pronoun in his wife's good bye.
Bruce was in the process of rechecking each compartment of his utility belt when he heard the shuffling approach of another person. The footsteps were not nearly graceful enough to be Diana's, nor silent enough to belong to Alfred. Logically, that left only one other.
"Veda," he chided gently, replacing his belt to gather the drowsy child in his arms. "What are you doing up?" He questioned, only half expecting an answer. His wife's obscurity suddenly made a whole lot more sense.
"I had a bad dream." The little girl offered, failing to fight back the yawn that threatened to escape. One small hand went to rub at her sleepy blue eyes, the other remained clutched tightly on the stuffed animal made in the likeness of the Flash. Bruce rolled his eyes. Of all the toys she could've latched on to, the Flash imitation had to become her favorite.
"It's alright, sweetheart. It was just a dream." He settled them back into his chair and rubbed her back soothingly. "Does anyone know you're down here?"
Another yawn greeted him. "Momma doesn't know."
"Oh, I bet she doesn't." He grumbled with a slight shake of his handsome head. Veda's weight was shifted into his right arm as he looked down to check his watch. 10:39, it flashed back at him, reminding him of the patrol he had been just about to go on.
"What do you say we get you back up into bed?" He asked, nuzzling the top of the little girl's small head.
"I'm not even-" A big yawn interrupted her argument. "Tired." She finished with a pout. Bruce chuckled at the grumpy look on his daughter's sweet face before lifting the two of them off of the chair and heading for the entrance to the manor. Knowing she was running out of time, little Veda changed her strategy. The small hands of a child pawed at his neck, forcing his gaze down. Big blue eyes stared up into his pleadingly. I can blame Diana for that trick, he grumbled inwardly, tapping into all of his Bat-training to deal with such a look.
"No, Veda. It's way past time for bed."
"How come you got to stay up then?"
"I make up the rules."
"That's not what momma says…"
"Oh, yeah? What else does momma say?" Bruce asked with the hint of a smile gracing his normally stoic visage.
"Momma says-" Another yawn. "Momma says that I'm not allowed to tell you."
Bruce feigned shock. "You're keeping secrets? From me?"
Veda flashed him a wide grin.
He looked around quickly, pretending to make sure they were alone before asking, "Do you know what happens when little girls keep secrets from me?" He whispered conspiratorially, having reached the warm atmosphere of the manor. The house was totally silent as he waited for a response.
His daughter's usually fearless eyes rounded anxiously in reply.
"They… Get… Tickled!" He growled into her ear, gently prodding at her ribs with one hand while the other held her wriggling form to his side. Peals of bell-like laughter erupted into the darkness as the girl squirmed away from him. She maneuvered her small body out of his grasp like a fish and dropped to the ground, falling into the crouch position he had been teaching her. As his big, calloused hands reached for her, she darted to the staircase leading to the person that would offer her sanctuary from her father's torture: Diana.
He pulled a small phone from off the table beside him and quickly dialed Dick's number.
"Bruce." Came the familiar voice from the other line.
"I need you to take care of the patrol tonight. Take Barbara if you have to." He threw out in place of a greeting, his voice little more than a loud whisper.
"Bruce? Is everything alright?" Dick questioned with mild concern.
Batman's answer was curt. "I have a villain to take care of here tonight."
"Well, if you need any backup, you know where to-" His offer was cut short as his adoptive father's line went dead.
With that taken care of, Bruce growled menacingly, throwing himself up the stairs after his escapee. "Better fly, Little Fox," he called softly, making it to the second floor of the mansion. "Better not let me catch you…" His threat trailed off into the dark as his eyes adjusted to the lack of light. Down the long hall was the faint glow of a lamp illuminating the frame of a door. His door. Blending into the shadows he had to stifle back a laugh as he heard the patter of tiny feet. A small silhouette could be made out in the faint glow from his bedroom as his victim raced to the door. Before she could reach for the knob and gain entrance, the sharp click of the lock echoed loudly. White teeth flashed in an evil grin. Diana was playing along. It was time to make his approach. Channeling Batman was as normal for Bruce Wayne as breathing, perhaps more instinctual than the act of refilling his lungs. His footfalls became silent, his muscular frame all but melting into the night as he came up on the little girl now scratching at the wood of the door. Her head whipped behind her franticly every few seconds while she attempted to plead with her mother from the outside.
"Mom!" She squealed in a panicked tone. "He's gonna get me! C'mon, mom! I'm the only kid you have, you can't just throw me to the wolves."
She glanced into the blackened hall behind her one last time, catching a glimpse of movement that had to belong to her father.
"Mom!" She begged once more to no avail. She'd have to brave this threat alone. Steeling herself with a steadying breath she turned to face him. The broad shoulders of her father came into view as she bared her teeth and growled. A lower rumble came in response. With a sharp cry, Veda threw her small body at the shadow following her, grabbing a hand by luck and biting down with all her might.
"Ouch!" Bruce yelped, very un-Batman like. He scooped girl up, holding her at arms length so as to avoid any more bites. "That's against the rules." He chided with a smile. He could practically feel Veda's heart hammering in her fragile ribcage as she recovered from their game of cat and mouse. Diana won't be happy about this, he thought, the smile disappearing at the thought of his wife's temper.
His long strides brought the pair to the door quickly but a jiggle of the door knob made it clear that their access was still denied. Bruce pulled a thin pin out from his pocket and slid it into the lock, wiggling it for a second before the lock clicked open.
Veda looked on in awe of this new discovery of her father's skill.
"You have to teach me!" She decided with excitement as the two crossed the threshold to find an irritated Diana waiting on the other side.
"Daddy wouldn't dare." Diana said in a sweet tone for her daughter. The way she held Bruce's gaze, however, made the threat in her words obvious for her husband.
"Of course not." He agreed, kissing the top of his daughter's head before placing her on the large bed centered in the room. "What do you say, Veda? Have we had enough action for one night?"
Veda's head bobbed up and down excitedly in agreement, the inky waves of her hair shaking around her face as she nodded. Diana looked as though she was fighting to keep up the irritated act but in the end lost out on the battle. She kicked off her slippers and crawled under the heavy blankets, pulling Veda with her. Bruce felt a warmth in his chest he hadn't quite adjusted to completely as he looked on at the sight before him. If someone had even suggested that this was to be his future ten years ago they probably would've had to of been scraped off the Gotham pavement.
As his two most precious girls settled into his bed, he couldn't get over how similar they appeared. Veda had her mother's big, blue eyes no doubt. Her hair, while the same dark shade as Diana's, had his wavy texture. One look at her smile and it was clear that she was his daughter. She had taken his shallow dimples and made them deeper, more noticeable. He had never been one to put much faith in Diana's Gods, but he sent a silent prayer every day that his daughter got her looks from her mother. He tried to avoid thinking too far into the future, knowing how people still looked at his wife longingly. His fists clenched angrily at the thought of those creeps gazing lustfully at his Veda too. Thinking of the way she had sprung herself from his grasp earlier that night, he couldn't help but smile. His daughter would be more than capable of handling herself, he was sure.
He shook his head and sighed, lowering himself onto the mattress. As soon as the back of his head touched the downy pillow, thoughts of sleep infiltrated his mind, lapping at his conscious. He turned off the lamp on his nightstand with a flick off his wrist before he pulled the sheets up around his chest. Before sleep had taken total control of his senses he thought of what tomorrow would bring. The work he had put off tonight would need to be finished early if he had any plans of following up on those leads. He was quickly pulled out of his thoughts when he felt something moving against him. Peeking out of one eye, he saw Veda curling up against his side like the fox she had gotten her nickname from would do. His hand found Diana's after a short search and he squeezed her fingers gently, saying everything without actually speaking. He had work he would need to finish tomorrow, and probably for the rest of his life, but he would always welcome a distraction from his two favorite girls.