A/N: Thank you for all the reviews, they were really appreciated C: There were some really good ones too! I'm glad that a few of you caught the Clark Kent/Superman reference I had going with Alfred and the glasses. I hope you enjoy this chapter x3

The date didn't end as badly as I'd thought. Actually, it went quite nicely, considering the circumstances.

I fussed over my appearance a lot more than I should have, really. Especially since it didn't even change anything in the end, my hair was still a mess and I just looked tired and grumpy. I wore an argyle slip-over over a button down, paired with some rather nice trousers.

Patriot (or Mr. Jones! I must remember to use that name!) picked me around 17:00. 5:00 PM for Americans. I had been anxious at first to give him my address but I supposed the harm was already done.

He was wearing a tee, jeans, and trainers. I felt a bit overdressed. On second thought, he was under dressed.

"Is dinner and a movie alright with you?" Alfred asked, straight away. He adjusted his glasses, and I noticed they didn't even have lenses in them. I pointed this out to him without thinking.

Alfred grinned nervously. "Uh... yes. Yes, there aren't any lenses. I just like the way glasses look on me, but my vision is 20/20."

I accepted his excuse, and he asked whether dinner and a movie were fine with me again. I nodded, and he pulled me by the arm towards his car, which was a bright red Corvette. I hissed between my teeth. How did he get that?

The movie he chose was terrible. It was some ghost flick with lousy effects and an even worse story line. Despite this, Alfred (amusingly) seemed terrified the whole movie. The great superhero Patriot, reduced by a quivering mass by cheap CGI?

He even tried to cling to me, but I quickly shoved him off. I did not want my arch-enemy all over me. Going on a date with me was bad enough.

Alfred took me to dinner at some horrid greasy fast-food place. I told him I wasn't hungry, but he insisted I order something. I settled for a salad (which ended up being wilted and managed to be fatty anyway), and he gleefully ordered several hamburgers. Just watching him eat those ended up making me feel more sick than before.

"Shooo..." he asked, "Waf duh ooh funk aboof Pafriod?"

"Have some manners! Swallow your food before you talk! I can't even understand you!" I snapped, distracted. With a sheepish smile, Alfred smiled and swallowed.

"So, Arthur, what do you think about Patriot?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"Just curious I guess."

I sighed and tried quickly to think about what to say. "He's nice," I finally answered. "I suppose. Keeps the city safe." After an awkward pause, I questioned, "What do you think about the Dark Sorcerer?"

"He's terrible!" Alfred replied quickly, standing up. He sat back down, and continued, "Err, sorry, I don't know what you think of him... you might one of those weirdos who are all into the villain and what not... but that's cool! That's alright! Just why Dark Socerer?" Alfred leaned closer. "I mean, frankly, he hasn't been in the news since for what, three years? Hasn't pulled off a real heist for five. Dude's lost his touch. I don't even know if he can curse people anymore, to be honest."

"He most certainly can!" I retorted, too quickly. "Or I'm fairly sure he can. How would he just lose that sort of power?"

"Ah, sorry, didn't realize you were a fan..." Alfred looked uncomfortable, and sighed awkwardly. "Well, I don't really like him... sorry."

"It's alright... don't think about it, really. I'm not a fan." I stirred my fork in my half-eaten salad.

He drove me back home, and walked me to my doorstep, where we stood together uncomfortably. Alfred fiddled with his shirt.

"Well, goodnight," he said. I blinked.

"Goodnight." I moved to open the door, but he grabbed my wrist.

"Wait!"

"What is it?"

Alfred shifted, and scratched the back of his head. "Well... You know, I really had fun tonight. Honestly. And I love spending time with you."

I scoffed. He wasn't serious, was he? It had been an awkward, long night. A bit enjoyable, yes, but I'd been stressing about hiding my identity the whole night.

"So," he continued, "I was wondering if you wanted to go out again this weekend? I mean, it's a bit soon, but... I was serious when I said I love spending time with you."

Oh no. He wasn't doing this to me. I groaned inwardly, and forced a smile (which probably looked like a grimace). I weighed the pros and cons. It meant more of a chance for him to discover my identity. It also meant more terrible food and entertainment if he chose where we went again. On the other hand... he was rather attractive. Attractive enough that I would date him again without a second thought if he wasn't Patriot. And I suppose I did enjoy spending time with him...

"Fine," I said, "I would love to go on a date with you again. But only if I take you this time, and I get to choose where we go."

"Fair enough!" Alfred chirped. He was about to leave, but then stopped and looked at me. "And.. there's something I've got to tell you if we're going to continue this relationship..."

"What?" I asked, though I could guess easily enough."

"I know this may shock you... but I'm Patriot." He pulled off his glasses and looked at me seriously.

I tried to ask surprised. "Oh my god! Are you serious? Ummm... yes! Without the glasses, I can see it. You are Patriot." Now I was trying to act impressed.

He flashed me a grin and nodded. "It's true. Sorry I didn't tell you earlier... I just had to be sure I could trust you. I can trust you, right? You won't tell anyone?"

"Of-of course not!" I sputtered. "No one will know but me! I promise!"

"Good." Alfred sounded relieved, then hugged me tightly. "I'll see you this weekend then!" I swear he practically skipped back to his car, as I entered my home.

So I might have to hold up a couple blokes to get the money for this date on the weekend, but I admit I am looking forward to it. He seems to be ignorant enough for me to pull this off. And I suppose it could give me an advantage over him when we are fighting...

A/N: Thank you for reading! Next chapter things start getting interesting and we start seeing a few of the other characters... hehe. Again, thank you!

-Foxyhound