Hermione didn't have long to wait for Bruce Wayne to make his move...it would seem that Lucius Fox was able to read between the lines well enough that he understood the correct undertone of their conversation. Three days after her meeting with Mr. Fox, she received a phone call from the man himself, requesting a dinner meeting at one of Gotham's finest restaurants, which was also owned by the man in question.

Hermione dressed the part, realIzing that first impressions were important and she didn't want to appear intimidated nor overconfident. The dress she chose, was a black Valentino that she'd purchased a few months ago. It was simple, but a bit on the daring side too. The skirt went to the just above the knee and had a subtle jaquard print while the top of the dress had three-quarter sleeves, was black velvet and the neckline plunged between her breasts to sit just below the bottom of her sternum. Her cleavage looked amazing in this dress, and it was classy, yet sexy...everything she'd never felt in the skin of Hermione Granger, she embraced enthusiastically as Mia Black. A confident, sexy and brilliant woman...

When she'd entered the restaurant and the Maitre D' led her to the appointed table, she was taken aback momentarily at how handsome her dining companion was for the night. She'd noticed the appreciative stares from many of the men within the restaurant and it seemed her date did as well, as he stood up politely and greeted her, as his hazel eyes roved over her body, before meeting her eyes once again.

"Miss Black?"

Mia nodded. "Mr. Wayne."

Bruce moved over and pulled her seat out, and Hermione could feel the heat from his body radiating behind her, as well as his cologne, which was simply mouth-watering.

Taking a fortifying breath, Hermione sat down elegantly as she watched Bruce Wayne take his seat across from her, his eyes scrutinizing and calculating as he gave her the once over. Deciding offense would be the best defense, Hermione smiled politely before she spoke. "I must admit, I was a bit surprised to hear from you so soon, Mr. Wayne. Mr. Fox indicated that it would be at least a week before you'd both had a chance to look over my prospectus."

Bruce sat back and took in the beautiful English woman before him. She was simply stunning...her hair was long, flowing and smelled fantastic, her body was sinful and her eyes held the deepest intelligence he'd ever seen. He couldn't help but be instantly intrigued.

"We were both very impressed with your work, Miss Black. I don't think I've ever seen Lucius as excited about a prospectus in all the years I've known him."

Hermione smiled softly at the compliment. "Well, my work is my passion so I'm pleased he was impressed."

Bruce smiled in return, but his eyes remained guarded. "Lucius mentioned this was more of a philanthropic effort for you, and while I admire the sentiment, I can't help but wonder if there isn't more to your interest in working with Wayne Enterprises?"

Here we go...smirked Hermione inwardly. "I've done my research on your company, I'll admit. I was most impressed with your father's efforts during the economic downturn when he was CEO. It was my understanding he was a medical doctor as well?"

Bruce nodded once, unsure of where she was going with this.

"Part of my research has some medical components to it...genomic statistical analysis and so forth. I've developed my own statistical algorithm that looks primarily into medical mathematical modeling as a means of developing new treatments for various diseases. Of course it's still in the development phase, but should it prove useful it could greatly improve the quality of life for many. Your father seemed like his heart was in the right place...so I had hoped that might extend to his son as well."

Bruce stared at the English woman, who radiated nothing but calm sincerity. It was a bit too good to be true however...and he kept wondering what the catch was.

"Thank you for those kind words about my father." Bruce offered quietly. "But that being said, I still feel as if there's more to this than what you're sharing with me."

"Everyone has their own personal motivations for why they choose to do certain things Mr. Wayne. I'd imagine you're no different than your father in that regard. You've done some traveling I'd assume, seeing as you were gone from Gotham for seven years...did you find what you were looking for?"

Bruce's gaze narrowed a bit, unsure of exactly where this conversation was going. "You've done your research, Miss Black...Perhaps you might have an answer to your own question already formed?"

Hermione smiled genuinely. "Not as such...circumstances change as does a person's motivations...and sometimes we end up serving something far greater than ourselves in the process. I'd imagine being whom you are, Mr. Wayne...that you've found that to be true more often than not."

Bruce smirked at how intelligent this woman was...she'd just confirmed without actually coming out and saying it, that she suspected he was Batman. "You seem to be very well informed."

Hermione shrugged elegantly. "I'm highly observant...which sometimes can be both a blessing and a curse."

Bruce grinned. "I'm sure being above average intelligence doesn't hurt either?"

Hermione laughed a musical sound that had Bruce's eyes widening in admiration. "Thank you for the lovely compliment, Mr. Wayne. I'm sure you won't be disappointed if I neither confirm nor deny that supposition as it would be a bit unseemly to do so."

This got a firm chuckle from Gotham's Prince as his eyes warmed a bit at their excellent repartee. "Well, Miss Black, I wouldn't want to put you on the spot."

"At least not intentionally, yes?"

Bruce shook his head in amusement. "Are you always two steps ahead of everyone else?"

Hermione's smile was radiant and Bruce felt his breath hitch at how beautiful she looked with her eyes sparkling and her smile blinding him to all but her. "I'm not sure we are even playing the same game, Mr. Wayne? All these double entendre's and subtle nuances do make the conversation more interesting to be sure...I'm just not sure what the endgame is?"

"Aren't you?"

Hermione's tilted her head at the hit. "I'm a simple girl, Mr. Wayne. Perhaps you're ascribing characteristics to myself that aren't quite in evidence yet."

"I doubt there is anything simple about you Miss Black. In fact, I'd stake my entire fortune on that fact."

"Well, please don't do that on my account. I've never been a gambler, at least not with anyone's life but my own."

This comment had Bruce sitting up and leaning forward in his seat with interest. "Are you a bit of an adrenaline junkie?"

The smirk that bloomed on Mia Black's face was positively sinful as her eyes darkened at the question. She didn't answer however, and Bruce now found himself painfully intrigued.

"I thought you were going to feed me, Mr. Wayne? And as much as I'm enjoying our excellent conversation, I understand they have an divine Beouf de Rue here, that I'm simply dying to try."

Bruce bowed his head in acknowledgment. "Of course, far be it for me to leave a lady wanting."

Hermione's bit her lip seductively and watched as Bruce's eyes scope-locked onto her lips as his gaze darkened in response. "I sincerely doubt that is one of your shortcomings, Mr. Wayne."

Bruce grinned in a predatory way. "And what shortcomings would you ascribe to a man such as myself, Miss Black?"

Hermione's gaze locked with his as she smirked wickedly. "I'd imagine you're interests are quite nocturnal in nature...which probably doesn't leave much time for a proper social life?"

Bruce's eyes and features darkened dangerously, which caused Hermione's heart rate to double as she swallowed at how completely captivating he looked in that moment. Bruce's hazel eyes locked onto hers and they were positively blazing. "You seem to have me at a disadvantage, Miss Black."

"I'm sorry if you feel that way Mr. Wayne. I'm in no way trying to make you feel uncomfortable. On the contrary, I admire your desire to make Gotham safer...it was the main reason I came to your company with my prospectus. I would rather be upfront with you, and I'd thought you'd prefer that as well, or am I wrong in that assumption?"

Bruce's body relaxed a bit as he thought over Miss Black's words before he nodded his head once. "No, I suppose it does neither of us any credit to pretend. Lucius mentioned to me that you might be a bit more informed about certain aspects of my life...so I probably shouldn't be surprised."

"But you are?"

Bruce nodded again in acquiescence. "I am."

"Please be assured that whatever level of trust you place in me will not be taken lightly. We all have a past, and in some cases it can serve to complicate our present. We both have suffered tremendous loss, my only motivation is to make sure others don't have to needlessly suffer a similar fate. If I can be an agent of change, at least in my own way, then why wouldn't I do all I can to ensure a better future for someone else?"

Bruce was taken aback by Miss Black's words. He didn't think it was possible to find someone so completely devoted to helping others, but here was a woman willing to do just that...if she was to be believed. As Bruce looked into the golden amber eyes across from him he was floored to see the raw pain and haunted quality of the eyes staring back at him.

"And what about your future, Miss Black?"

"I do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, but try and concentrate the mind on the present moment."

Bruce couldn't help but be impressed by the sentiment as he smiled softly. "Buddha."

Hermione nodded. "Eastern teachings are quite simplistic in their beauty. I did a bit of traveling a few years ago throughout Nepal, Tibet and Kashmir. The people there are lovely people who lead very minimalistic lives...it was actually quite refreshing. They stay in the moment, are ever present to each other and how they look at life. It was a good place to disappear for a while and recalculate my life, such as it is. I find that despite my wealth, there is little value in all the intrinsic nonsense that comes with it. Other than helping others."

If Bruce had been impressed before, he was doubly so now. "Tapā'īṁ dhērai prabhāvaśālī hunuhuncha." (You are quite impressive)

Hermione smiled widely. "Tyō tapā'īnlā'ī dhērai bhanna kō lāgī cha." (That is very kind of you to say so)

Bruce smiled genuinely as their waiter came over and took their orders. The conversation flowed from there, and Bruce had to admit...Mia Black was the most interesting person he'd ever met. She was witty, intelligent, a bit sarcastic, humble, gracious and kind to a fault. He couldn't help but wonder if she was seeing anyone romantically, but unsure if it was wise to mix business with pleasure, despite very much wanting to.

When dessert was finally served, Mia moaned at how decadent the chocolate torte was and when she looked up into Bruce's hazel eyes, they were staring back at her with undisguised lust. "Good?" He smirked teasingly.

"Delicious." She winked back playfully. "I don't believe I've indulged in anything so decadent in quite some time."

Bruce felt himself respond to the sultry words, as he discreetly adjusted himself. "That's a shame, Miss Black...a woman such as yourself should enjoy life's simple pleasures."

The musical laugh was back, and Bruce couldn't help but respond to it with a chuckle of his own before heated amber eyes caught his in challenge. "What makes you think my pleasures are simple ones, Mr. Wayne?"

Bruce visibly swallowed at the look Miss Black was sending his way. "Then I would ask if you have someone in your life to indulge with, Miss Black?"

Hermione smiled softly as she shook her head in the negative. "Alas, I'm unattached. Perhaps as we get to know each other better, you might afford me an introduction to someone who might help me in that regard?"

Okay, now she was teasing him and baiting him too...not one to back down from a challenge, Bruce sat forward a bit in his seat as his eyes bored into the beauty across from him. "I'm sure you'll find that unnecessary, Miss Black."

"And why is that, Mr. Wayne?"

"Because if anyone is going to indulge in you, I'd prefer it was me."

Hermione's breath caught at the fierce, almost possessive look in Bruce Wayne's eyes. "Do you often mix business with pleasure, Mr. Wayne."

"Never, Miss Black...but sometimes exceptions have to be made."

Hermione smiled seductively in response. "So, I take that to mean we will be working together?"

Bruce chuckled deeply before taking a sip of his coffee. "As if that was ever in doubt, and since we are going to be spending time getting to know each other, please call me Bruce."

"Mia, then."

"Mia..." Bruce said the name huskily as it rolled off his tongue in pleasure, not missing the subtle shiver of the woman across from him...clearly as affected by him as he was by her.

"I want to thank you for a lovely dinner, Bruce."

"It was my pleasure, Mia. Perhaps you might allow me to take you out again tomorrow evening?"

Mia's smile was playful as she nodded. "I would like that very much."