Birthday Surprises
"Are you sure?" Britt asked Donnie, finding it somewhat difficult to believe. The famous vigilante…here in Century City?
"Positive. I have one myself back in my bedroom at the apartment." Donnie said. "He leaves them behind all the time, uses them for everything from surprising people to cutting ropes and sometimes even to hook up a grappling line. They've more or less become collector's items in Gotham. Why do you ask?"
"Because we ran into him last night." Britt groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Don't worry, he didn't shoot me but he was able to block Kato's attacks. Nearly caught us."
Now it was Donnie's turn to look surprised. "What's he doing here?" She asked.
"I don't know. It might have something to do with the False Face Society." Britt said. "They make Butch Manuel look like a common street punk."
"They could be a national or international crime syndicate." Kato said from the doorway, carrying a tray. "Or at least be stationed in Gotham and they've branched out."
"In that case, be very careful. Gotham's criminal bunch are very different from the ones you're used to." Donnie warned.
"We'll keep that in mind." Kato said as he put the tray down at the foot of Britt's bed. "What will our plan be regarding our new friend?" He asked, pointing to the Batarang in Donnie's hand.
"The best thing we can do now is lie low and wait for the Black Mask to make his next move." Britt said. "In any case," he pointed to his wrapped up arm, "do I look like I'm up to going anywhere?"
Bruce Wayne finished spreading the shaving cream over his cheeks, chin and neck. His bloodshot blue eyes looked back at him in the hotel mirror as he shaved. Even though he was exhausted from his evening activities as Batman, Bruce Wayne had to keep up the charade as dedicated businessman with a playboy streak. Sometimes…he wondered if Bruce Wayne was the mask.
"A rough night of crime fighting, sir?" His butler, Alfred, remarked as he brushed down the tailored Armani suit.
"What do you think?" Bruce commented as he moved the razor down in face in short strokes.
A news report came onto the television playing in the main room of the hotel suite. Bruce idly listened as it talked about reports that the Green Hornet was shot and suspected to be gravely injured.
"Looks like the Black Mask won't be the only low life you'll be running into." Alfred commented.
"I ran into the Hornet and his bodyguard last night." Bruce said, wiping the leftover shaving cream off of his face. "The Black Mask was goading him to shoot a reporter by the name of Mike Axford. Don't worry, the reporter escaped to write another story. Although I think he's going to have a massive headache because he was knocked out cold and had to be taken to the hospital."
"If I may suggest, Master Bruce. You must be more wary of this Green Hornet. According to the news reports, he's the most wanted criminal lord in this part of the country." Alfred suggested as he passed him his clothes.
"I studied him last night. His planning and manner suggests somebody who has studied and understands The Art of War. Definitely some military influence for both him and his comrade. Whoever he is…" Bruce said, getting dressed. "…he's not somebody to treat lightly."
Britt didn't get the all clear from Donnie to return to work until three days after the shooting. By then, he was bored out of his wits and itching to get back to doing something productive. Even though Donnie had managed to get the strongest painkillers she could find, there was still the dull throb and stinging sensation.
"Are you sure that you're ok?" Casey asked him as she took his coat and hat from him.
"Ms. Case, I appreciate your concern. I really do." Britt said. "But I'll be fine."
She nodded. "I'll direct your calls and the like." Casey said as she sat down at her desk. Britt did the same, but he studied her from his vantage point. Casey…he had been thinking a lot about her lately. Especially after what happened. She had put up with so much from him. Yet she was still there.
And he loved her for it.
He made up his mind and picked up the phone. Casey's birthday was at the end of the week. He was going to take her out and talk to her. "Hello, is this the manager of the Striker Club? This is Britt Reid and I was wondering if you had any reservations open for this Sunday night…."
"Ok, now you're sure everything is set and to go?" Britt asked me.
I laughed. It was the morning of Casey's birthday and Britt, Kato and I had come up with a surprise for her. Britt and I were going over the final details over the phone. "Britt, you've asked me that ten times. Yes, Casey and I are going out for drinks at the Pink Pony after work and I'm pretty sure she has no clue what we've got planned."
"Good! Because I had to work so hard to get reservations at the Striker Club…"
"I'm shocked…the rich and famous Britt Reid had to work to get reservations at the newest hotspot in town?" I teased. "I thought all you had to do was mention your name and poof, instant reservations!"
"Well…I did have to flirt with the head manager…" I could just imagine Britt winking.
"Don't tell Casey that! Remember, she's your girlfriend now." I giggled.
"Not yet, Donnie…I'm going to ask her tonight if she wants to make it official. Uh oh, here she comes now. I've got to go. We'll talk tonight, ok?'
"Sounds great. Have a good day at work, love you."
"Love you too." Britt hung up.
I smiled and left the break room of St. Jude's Hospital. The scene was all chaos, people running around and adjusting things. "Hey, what's going on?" I stopped Dr. Katy Van and asked her. "I didn't hear a code go off on my cell…"
"Did you forget?" Katy asked, readjusting her ponytail. "Bruce Wayne is coming here!"
Of course I did. I remembered some hotshot was coming by but Bruce Wayne…?! "The wealthy playboy from Gotham City?" I asked.
"No, Christian Bale, of course it's Bruce Wayne the playboy!" Dr. John Bruce said as he came upon us, the fluorescent bulbs glowing off his short gold hair. "He was one of the big grant donors to St. Jude's. He's coming by to see how we are."
"Oh, gotcha." I remembered Bruce Wayne…not only did he volunteer at the center named after his father in Park Row from time to time, but he had also founded the scholarship that helped me get through medical school.
"Donnie, come with us! Mr. Wayne wants to meet the interns that had come from Gotham City." John called me over. All of us hurried to the main entrance. Bruce was just as I remembered. Tall. Dark. Handsome. He was dressed in a tailored Armani suit and steel-blue tie. I saw some of the younger doctors and nurses giggling. He was greeting everyone in turn. That was until he came to me. His dark blue eyes widened in surprise. "Mr. Wayne, this is Dr. Anders, she was a student at G.S.U. Medical School and is now a resident here." John introduced me.
"It's nice to see you again, Bruce." I smiled and held out my hand so he could shake it.
"It's good to see you too, Donnie." He smiled as he shook my hand. "How're your folks?"
"They're good; I'm surprised you remember me. You must meet a lot of people, I mean."
"Well, it's hard to forget a woman like you, Donnie Anders." Bruce chuckled. "Tell Ace and Wendy I said hello." He said before leaving with John to continue the tour.
I smiled and went to rearrange the paperwork at the front desk. "Oh my God, did Bruce Wayne really just flirt with you?!" Nurse Linda asked me. "First Britt Reid and now Bruce Wayne, tell me…what's your secret to attracting the hottest and richest men?" She winked, teasing me.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Speculate all you want, Linda." I laughed. "Britt's already taken and I met Bruce a couple of times at the place where my parents work. Nothing serious will come out of either of them."
Britt smiled as Casey stepped into her attached office. "Good morning Ms. Case." He said as she took off her hat and coat.
"Good morning, Mr. Reid." She noticed the sunflowers in the purple vase on her desk. A bright smile filled her face. "You remembered, didn't you?" She asked as she turned on her work computer.
"How could I forget your birthday, hmm?" He asked before turning professional. They might be dating pretty soon, but work was another story. "What do we have on our agenda today?"
Casey turned to her computer and logged in. "Let's see… oh, yes! You've got a business appointment with Roman Sionis of Janus Cosmetics in fifteen minutes."
That's right, Mr. Sionis of Gotham had wanted to discuss putting some ads to the airtime for the Daily Sentinel's news channel. He was opening up a new store in Century City. There was also rumors that he was coming out with a new makeup line.
"What else…" Casey muttered before a pinging sound came up on her computer. "Oh! Mike sent a message for you. He wants to meet you in five minutes about a newspaper story." She said, rolling her eyes.
"Note to self, invest in a good pair of earplugs." Britt laughed. "Let me guess what our resident gumshoe has to dish about; the Green Hornet."
"Actually, it's about the other masked freak in this town, boss!" Mike said as he came in without knocking as usual. He was mad, his face as red as his hair.
"Didn't your mother ever teach you to knock before barging in?" Casey asked, making Britt smirk.
"Very funny, Casey but you shouldn't be laughing about this guy." Mike said before turning to Britt. "You know that masked and caped freak that's running through Gotham?"
"The Batman? What about him?" Britt asked.
"He's here! He's right here in Century City!" Mike began waving his arms around wildly like a windmill. "He's attacked!"
"Are you sure, Mike?" Casey asked.
"I saw him! With my own two eyes!" Mike trumpeted. "Last night! He took down a whole group of guns trying to hold up the post office!"
"The post office?" Casey asked, clearly surprised. "Why would anybody try breaking into the post office?"
"Maybe they had sent postcards to their pals in prison but forgot to add the postage stamp." Britt said with a grin, getting Casey to laugh.
Mike, however, wasn't amused. "This is no laughing matter boss! He's been beating up street punks left and right like they're his personal punching bags!"
"Wow Mike, I never thought you'd show any sympathy for common criminals." Casey dryly commented. Britt grinned as somebody knocked on the door. "That's probably Mr. Sionis now." She went to answer it.
"This'll have to wait for another time, Mike." Britt said, looking off at the door.
"Oh, I'll be back all right…" Mike mumbled and walked out, brushing past a shy and nerdy looking young man, dressed in a nice suit. He looked pretty young, maybe Casey's age. Big wide brown eyes shone underneath a thick mop of brown hair. This had to be Roman Sionis, Britt thought. Sionis turned to look at a departing Mike.
"Ignore him, Mr. Sionis. Mike's always like that." Casey soothed.
Time to put on faces. Britt thought. "Hello Mr. Sionis, I'm Britt Reid. Pleased to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too, Mr. Reid and please, call me Roman." Roman said with a shy smile.
"Only if you call me Britt."
The rest of the day went as normal. Britt thought. Roman was a little shy but clearly competent and very clever as a businessman. If he was a little more assertive and confident, then he'd go pretty far. Yet, Britt was relieved when the clock read quarter to six. Casey would be done in a half hour…and then she'd go out with Donnie and Britt would surprise her.
He was about to finish up editing that evening's broadcast when he heard a ruckus from Mike's desk. Now what's going on? Britt groaned as he got to his feet and looked out the window. Mike was arguing loudly with a cop. Oh no. Britt thought. Time to stop it. He hurried out onto the floor. "What's going on?" he said before turning to Mike. "What kind of trouble did you get yourself into this time, Mike?"
"None! He's trying to talk me out of something…" Mike blasted off.
"Mr. Reid, I'm here to warn him against joining us on our sting operation." The officer said.
"You've got something against free press!" Mike shouted.
"No I don't! I just don't think it's safe for anybody who isn't a cop to be there!" The officer argued.
"All right. Settle down, children." Britt said, holding up his hand. "What's going on?"
The officer sighed. "This is confidential, honestly I don't know how Mr. Axford learned of it. But a sting operation is going to be hosted at six tonight at the former Dirk Dairies. We're hoping to capture a former member of Butch Manuel's drug cartel."
"And the public has every right to know of it!" Mike said.
"Just as you have every right to live!" The officer shouted back.
Great…Britt thought. He just knew Mike would go if he got the chance… "Michael Axford, you will not go to the raid." Britt said in the firm Army Captain's voice he used during Afghanistan. "Do you understand me?"
Mike's eyes flashed in fear before he glumly nodded. "Yes, sir." He turned around and left.
But he knew that Mike would make up his mind to go before the hour was up. Looks like he would have to go and make sure the sting goes off without a hitch. Even if that means he'd be late for his dinner with Casey. "I wouldn't be surprised if he does go. Watch out for him." Britt warned with a sigh.
"Even after that command you gave him?" The officer asked. "I wanted to click my heels together and salute when you ordered him to stand down."
"Knowing Mike, I wouldn't have any doubt."
It was loud at the Pink Pony Club when Casey and I arrived. Many people were on the dance floor. The waitresses were scurrying around. We found our usual spot and sat down. Hallie, our usual waitress, walked over. "Evening, ladies. The usuals?"
"Yes please." Casey said, taking out her wallet.
"Uh, uh, uh Casey!" I said, beating her to the punch. "Remember, the birthday girl gets spoiled on her big day."
"Aw, it's your birthday?!" Hallie said, a bright smile crossing her face. Casey nodded, her fair cheeks flushing slightly. "In that case…they're on the house. My treat." Hallie left before we could stop her.
My phone buzzed. I checked it, it was a message from Britt. Running late. Mike got himself into trouble…again…
Groaning, I texted back. What'd he do this time?
Interrupting a sting. Going to stop him. Be no more than thirty minutes late, max.
I rolled my eyes and sighed. You know who is supposed to be out of action.
He got back quickly. Don't have a choice. Mike will get himself hurt/killed if we don't stop him.
Casey noticed the look on my face. "What's wrong?" She asked.
"Mike got himself into trouble." I muttered as Hallie returned with the drinks. "You know what that means…"
Casey shook her head. "Remind me to kill him when I see him tomorrow."
"Who? Mike or Britt?" I asked.
"Both. How could you give Britt permission to go?" Casey asked, clearly upset.
"I didn't. He acted before I could stop him." I said, upset that she was turning on me. I could understand why though. "Read my texts if you don't believe me!"
"Sounds like somebody is upset." A familiar voice said from behind. Looking up, I saw Bruce walking towards us. He was dressed down in nice brown slacks and a red sweater. Behind him was another familiar sight, the tall and lanky Roman Sionis. But he was dressed in a nice suit and tie.
"Hello, stranger…" I said, smiling widely.
"Fancy running into you here, Donnie." Bruce said.
"Yep. Oh, Bruce, this is my best friend and roommate Casey. Casey, this is Bruce Wayne." I said.
"Nice to meet you, my dear." Bruce winked as he shook Casey's hand. "This is Roman Sionis…"
"We've met, Bruce." Roman said.
"You know Bruce Wayne, Donnie?" Casey asked me, suspicious.
"Of course, her parents work at the memorial clinic I established in Crime Alley. Roman volunteers there on occasion too." Bruce said. "Hey, how about I get the four of us a table? Come on, Roman, time for you to learn the fine arts of flirting." Bruce said.
I rolled my eyes as Bruce left to talk to a hostess, Roman faithfully at his heels. "Some things never change."
"Uh, don't you think we're getting played?" Casey asked.
"You'd be pretty surprised, Case. He's really nice." I said, sipping on my drink. "If he didn't establish that scholarship in his late father's name, I would never have gotten the chance to go to medical school. He also volunteers at the clinic where my parents work as does Roman. Even came over to dinner a couple of times with Dr. Thompkins, who runs the clinic."
"Why does he have all those escapades with heiresses, models and movie stars?" Casey asked.
"I think he puts on the playboy act to hide the fact he's a shy and quiet man." I said.
"What do you know about Mr. Sionis?" Casey asked.
"You think Bruce's story is tragic? At least his parents were nice people. Roman's parents could be downright abusive. When he was a teenager, he got attacked by a rabid animal at their country estate. They brought him to the clinic to be treated and told Roman to lie about what caused the injuries."
"Why?" Casey asked.
"They didn't want the publicity to get out, didn't want to be called bad parents. Mom tried to report it but nothing ever happened. I suspect some palms got greased. He was never really allowed out to experience his own life. Even when he volunteered at the clinic, they made sure cameras were around to capture the images. Not just for publicity mind you, but to make sure he was doing as they said." I said.
Casey shook her head. "And they allowed him to come to Gotham on his own?"
"Mr. and Mrs. Sionis were killed a few years ago when a massive fire that broke out at their house. It was ruled an accident but rumors flew around of how Mr. Sionis pissed off some members of the mob and was killed with his wife in a mob hit." I said.
Casey looked at me, sympathetic. "Wow…"
"I know, but don't say anything to Roman or Bruce, please? They don't like talking about what happened." I said as Roman and Bruce came back. Now I had to keep distracting Casey until Britt came to take her out for dinner. Thanks to Bruce and Roman, it would be much easier.
The Hornet watched the action on the screen in the backseat of the Black Beauty. They were sitting in an area where the cops wouldn't see them. So far, the sting was going according to plan. Maybe Mike had decided to stay home as the scanner wasn't picking up any sightings of him.
"Think we should get going?" Kato asked from the front seat.
"Yeah, we've kept Casey and Donnie waiting long enough." The Hornet said before he noticed a slew of trucks coming from around the abandoned dairy. "Oh no…" He said as armed assailants jumped out of the trucks, definitely not connected to the police. Hornet's blood chilled when the computer recognized some of them as former members of Butch Manuel's cartel… "Looks like there's an ambush. Let's roll, Kato!"
Kato slammed his foot into the accelerator, racing towards the trucks.
Bruce and the others ended up staying at the Pink Pony quite late. Donnie kept them entertained with stories of the interactions between her pet parrot Hippo and Casey's cat Hortensia. And it was nice seeing Roman chatting with Casey. He seemed quite taken with the cosmopolitan young woman.
Bruce thought more about it as he drove the four of them to Casey and Donnie's apartment. He hadn't exactly wanted to be friends with Roman when they were kids. His parents pressured him into it, saying that Roman was very lonely and needed a friend. Even after his parents' murder, Bruce still remained friends with the shy and lonely kid. More out of pity.
Roman was the kid who knew how to bring down anyone's mood. A regular Debbie Downer if there ever was one. But now…seeing him happy with somebody…
Things immediately changed when they entered the apartment. Bruce felt his trained and ever vigilant senses heighten. Something about it felt wrong.
And from the look on Donnie and Casey's faces, it was clear that they sensed it too.
"What's going on?" Roman asked as Casey turned on the lights. "Why'd the mood suddenly shrivel up and die?"
"No, things are fine, just been watching too much Twilight Zone is all." Donnie said, beginning to explore the rest of the apartment. "Rod Serling really knows how to set the mood." She paused before her open bedroom door. "Oh now what…" She grumbled, taking out her phone. "Sorry, it's Mom, can you guys excuse me for a few minutes?"
"Yeah, sure. We'll be fine out here." Casey said, passing a terse look to Donnie. Donnie blinked once at Casey and held the phone up to her ear to begin talking.
"Hey Mom. What's going on?" She said stepping right into the bedroom and closing the door.
Bruce got suspicious.
Somebody was in the apartment. Somebody Donnie and Casey didn't want people knowing was there…
I knew right away that something was wrong when I came in. But I wasn't sure when I stepped into my bedroom. The Green Hornet was sitting on the bed, holding his injured shoulder. Kato was standing by the open window. Quickly coming up with the excuse that my mom was calling, I closed the door and walked over. "Don't tell me Mike managed to shoot you." I said.
"No." The Hornet said in a low voice, wincing. "But I think the stitches came loose."
I quickly went to get the kit that I had in my bathroom. Britt made sure that I had a war grade kit in case he or Kato needed treatment and they couldn't get home. After washing my hand and taking off my jacket, I helped him take off his coat and shirt. Sure enough, the bandages on his shoulder were splotched with blood. I unwrapped them and saw that the stitches had held just fine but it was clear he had seen some action as fresh blood began oozing out of the skin.
"Let me guess. Mike got himself into more trouble." I said.
"No, actually, Mike wasn't there for once." The Hornet said as I lay down fresh gauze on the wound. "But it was a good thing we were."
"Why do you say that?" I asked.
"There was an ambush waiting for the cops. Would've been a bloodbath had we not stopped them." Kato said, moving closer to the door.
"Good Lord…" I whispered.
"Bruce! What are you doing?!" I heard Casey yelling. WHACK! My bedroom door flew open. Bruce stood in the doorway, looking us down.
"Green Hornet!" He shouted. "I knew somebody was in here! What are you doing Donnie?!"
Kato yelled and threw a kick. Imagine my amazement when Bruce dodged the kick and also threw out a punch. Kato did a black-flip and scampered away before Bruce could hurt him. Casey and Roman stood in the doorway, Roman had his cellphone up to his ear, no doubt he was calling the police.
Time to go. The Hornet picked up his coat and shirt with one arm and held out his gas gun in case Wayne decided to attack again. "Go! Go!" He shouted at Kato, shoving him out of the open fire escape. The two men took the escape stairs two at a time, jumping into the Black Beauty. Within moments, they were on their way to the safety of their home.
"That was close." Kato said, gasping as they pulled past the mint advertisement.
"Too close." Hornet groaned and leaned against the back seat. "First the Bat and now Bruce Wayne!"
There was more to them, Bruce thought as he watched their car drive away. They wanted to get away even when they could've held them up. Everyone knew Bruce Wayne and Roman Sionis, two of the richest men in America, were in town. What a perfect way to get very rich. The Green Hornet and his men had every opportunity to rob them blind. But they didn't...
They also had some connection to Casey and Donnie. The two women almost didn't want them knowing that they had the Green Hornet and his bodyguard in the apartment.
What did they want from the two women?
A/N: Ok, so we haven't had the first encounter between Britt and Bruce (but don't worry…it's coming!)
