"This is one bet you're going to lose." Cisco teased in a sing song voice. Iris gritted her teeth as she tapped her com in irritation. It would look weird to the people in the gala if she began talking to herself.
"Says who?" Caitlin retorted.
"2 words, Cait; super powers." Cisco sighed dramatically. "Face it; you're both doomed."
"You're bluffing" Caitlin said. "You haven't vibed anything and you're just trying to scare us."
"Can you two shut up?" Iris hissed, turning away from the glitterati at the Wayne Foundation Gala. "You're distracting me."
"Iris, you gotta admit it." Barry's voice came over the coms. "You're going to lose."
They'd been in Gotham capturing a meta human and chasing down a lead on Jessie's location. Harry had left to investigate on his own and Team Flash had decided to make their last two days in Gotham a little more interesting by going bat hunting. Which ever team could get the closest to Batman in the remaining two days would have the other do team latte runs for the next two months.
"Says who?" Iris said, in an undertone, shaking her head at a waiter who was handing out champagne flutes and walking out of the doors that lead to the balcony. Hopefully now less people could see her apparently talking to herself.
"Let's do the math, shall we?" Barry said. "All I have to do is zip around Gotham until I find a bat boomerang-"
"Bat a rang." Cisco corrected.
"And bring it back to Cisco so he can vibe it." Barry finished smugly. Iris sorted. She'd done her research on Gotham and if she was right, she had a much better shot at meeting Batman at the Gala. It was attacked almost every year. She was lucky she'd gotten an invitation. Now she could write a story about the gala while winning her bet with her friends. Her editor would be thrilled at the exclusive; Bruce Wayne rarely allowed members of the press into the gala, especially those from outside Gotham.
"Excuse me," A voice came from behind Iris. "Are you not enjoying yourself?"
Iris turned and came face to face with her host. Bruce Wayne was standing about one foot away from her. Tall, handsome with dark hair and blue eyes, he was looking at her with amusement. She'd seen pictures of him; everyone had, but having him in front of her was enough to make her lose some of her composure.
"Mr. Wayne." She said, holding out her hand and forcing what she hoped was a charming smile on her face. "Iris West, Central City Picture News. You have a lovely home." Really West…that's the line you're going with? She thought with irritation.
"I do." Wayne said flippantly as he took her hand and brought it to his lips. "And I'm so pleased you could accept my invitation."
"Well I had some personal business in Gotham so it worked out perfectly." She grinned. "And it's not every day a girl gets to wear a fancy dress and go to the ball."
"I'm very….selective about the reporters I allow in." He replied, looking her up and down. Iris fought the urge to retch. In two seconds he'd gone from charming host to pervy billionaire. No doubt his follow up line would be some innuendo about just what she'd be willing to do for an exclusive. Selective? More like he was more interested in looks rather than substance. The only other two reporters in the gala were Vicki Vale of the Gotham Gazette and another female gossip columnist from the Daily News. Both were supermodel gorgeous and neither would be overly critical of Wayne…which begged the question; why was she here?
"It's interesting that you'd invite me." Iris continued. "I don't tend to write society articles."
"Mostly because Central City doesn't have a large society scene.' Wayne replied.
"Or I don't waste my time on useless puff pieces to bolster the reputation of the 1%." Iris shot back. Wayne smirked.
"And yet you accepted my invitation." He said, smugly.
"Well the open bar was too good to pass up on." Iris replied. Wayne chuckled.
"So what do you think of Gotham?" He leaned against the balcony.
"It's very….old fashioned." Iris replied.
Wayne raised an eyebrow and inclined his head, implying she should continue.
"Well everyone here's more interested in keeping up appearances rather than addressing issues head on." As Iris spoke she noted the way Wayne's aloof expression didn't quite meet his eyes. He was listening to every word intently. "Having a good reputation is more important than actually being a good person." She looked into the gala. "I counted 3 politicians who've been accused of sexual harassment, but have had the suits dropped, probably through coercion. 2 CEOs who've been accused of moving their production to countries with fewer human rights restrictions so they won't have to spend money on pesky salaries and heath insurance for their employees." She turned back to Wayne. "And those are things that we know about." She knew he'd probably be upset but she'd come to far to give up now. "And then there's the way the city's leadership outwardly decries the actions of the Batman, yet the second a bank robbery becomes too much to handle, they activate the Bat Signal." Looking Wayne straight in the eyes, she noted that all pretense of bravado was gone and replaced with an expression of appreciation.
"You know, there's very few people who would have spoken as candidly as you just did." He replied. "How can you be sure that I'm not connected with these people, seeing as I invited them to my gala."
"Because you have to keep up appearances too." Iris replied.
Wayne nodded. "Well, you'll be happy to know that it's my intention of cutting all business ties with those 2 business men you mentioned and supporting the opposing candidates of those politicians. I'm announcing it during my speech tonight." He smirked at Iris. "How's that for your society puff piece?"
She shrugged and sighed sarcastically. "I guess it'll have to do."
Wayne let out a low laugh at her answer that gave her goosebumps. "You're quite unique, Ms. West."
"I just tell the truth. There's nothing unique about that."
Wayne shook his head. "Its disappointing how untrue that is." He looked back at the gala. "Not all heroes wear masks." He continued, "you telling the truth is just as important as someone donning a cape or a lightning emblazoned suit."
Iris was taken aback by his sincerity. "Thank you Mr. Wayne."
Wayne smiled, his playboy persona back. "Don't thank me just yet. I'm afraid that compliment has a few strings attached."
"Strings?" Iris asked.
"Well after I make my speech I'm not going to be very popular among my guests." Wayne explained. "Would you still be willing to dance with me, even if I might shatter whatever hope you had at a good reputation?"
Iris laughed. "I think I'll risk it."
A loud bang came from the grounds pulled her attention away from him. Riding on a bright green and purple tank, twirling a long baton, Joker advanced towards Wayne manor. He'd blasted a hole in the stone gate surrounding the property and his minions were pouring in.
"HELLO GOTHAM CITY." Joker called out. "Forgive me for GATE CRASHING." He doubled over cackling.
"Get inside," Wayne ordered, grabbing her and practically carrying her into the gala. "run into one of the upstairs rooms and hide." He met the eyes of an old man in a butler's uniform across the room and nodded to him. Iris ran, doing as Wayne instructed.
"Barry," she hissed. "a Flash intervention would be very much appreciated right now. She pulled off her heels and scrambled to the stairs.
"Why so glum?" She heard the Joker say behind her. "Let's put a smile on that face." There was a small bang and gas started filling the room. People were coughing and covering their mouths. Iris had made it halfway up the stairs before she inhaled some of it.
Joker threw back his head, cackling in delight at the mayhem, then it died as he looked around. "Why isn't anyone laughing with me?" He turned and glared around the room, then his eyes widened as a giant black bat swooped down and landed in front of him. Joker tutted. "Batsy, were you on the invite list?"
"I put an antidote in the champagne." Batman growled. "It's over, Joker."
Iris couldn't help the smile that broke out over her face; Batman was here. She'd won the bet. She sat on the stairs and threw back her head and let out a laugh.
"Whooops." Joker smirked. "Looks like you didn't get everyone, bat boy. Better luck next-" Joker broke off as Batman's fist connected with his jaw.
Iris was doubled over and practically fell down the stairs, she was gasping so hard. She had to stop; her mind was screaming at her to stop, but that only made her laugh harder.
"Iris?" The Flash zipped in, knocking out all of Joker's minions.
"Get….out….gas." She said between laughs. Batman walked over and picked her up.
"Hold on, Ms. West." He whispered.
"Wait-" Barry said, but Batman glared at him.
"Your metabolism might protect you from the Joker gas, but she needs the antidote, I'm taking her to my lab."
"but-"
"Mr. Allen." Batman growled. "The only one who can save your friend is me." He turned and swept away, carrying Iris while she lost consciousness.
Iris blinked awake. She was lying on a table in a dark cave. There was a pillow and a blanket under her. She groaned as her jaw muscles burned.
"That table can get uncomfortable." Batman was standing next to her. She turned her head towards him.
"Where am I?"
"The Bat Cave." He said. "I've got an iv administering the antidote. Did you have any of the champagne?"
Iris shook her head. "I was…distracted."
"Because you were communicating with your friends on team flash." He said, succinctly. Iris frowned at his back as he turned to look over his computer.
"The Joker?"
"Back in Arkham." Batman replied.
"Thank you." She said.
"Just doing my job." He replied.
"I guess it's easy to do when you've got such a lucrative day job." Iris murmured. He paused.
"Oh?" He growled.
"I was wondering why Bruce Wayne would have invited me or how he knew who I was. At first I thought it was because he thought I was a pretty reporter and he wanted to sleep with me; he's got a reputation. Then I thought it was an attempt to have an outsider write a unbiased piece on his take down of corrupt politicians and business men because he was worried that local newspapers would criticize him to uphold the Gotham status quo. But now I know." She looked over at Batman. "You've got a very distinctive jawline, Mr. Wayne."
He turned and looked at Iris, silently.
"You only wanted me here because you wanted to get closer to the Flash." She felt a twinge of disappointment.
"Partially" He said, pulling off his cowl. "Who's to say it wasn't for all three reasons."
She grinned at being right. "I'm guessing I need to take this secret to my grave?"
Bruce chuckled. "I wanted to get a read on the Flash's inner circle. While the unbiased article was important, I was hoping you'd bring Mr. Allen as your plus one."
"Oh." Iris cleared her throat. "Well Barry and I aren't…he's not my…he's my brother. I grew up with him."
Bruce nodded. "Whenever you feel up to it, Alfred's got food ready in the kitchen. And I believe a certain detective Joe West flew in all the way from Central City to see if you were alright."
Iris winced. "How long have I been out?"
"9 hours." Bruce replied. "You had an allergic reaction to the Joker gas. You'll just have to avoid it in the future."
Iris swung her legs down and tried to stand, but she wobbled and had to sit back down. Bruce smirked.
"You're stubborn aren't you?" he said.
"You have no idea." Iris replied. "But if my dad doesn't see proof of life soon, he might start taking hostages." She looked up and groaned. "The ceiling is spinning."
Bruce offered her his arm.
"I can't help noticing…we didn't get that dance." Iris murmured as they made their way out of the cave.
Bruce smiled. "Does this count?"
"You always so charming to women around you, Mr. Wayne?" She shot back.
"Only the ones that I know will stick around." Bruce replied, pushing open the door. They stepped out into a large study. Bruce led her through the manor. In the kitchen she could hear her father talking to Cisco and a British man she supposed was Alfred. She glanced over at Bruce and noted he was still wearing his uniform.
"Do you want to change?" She asked. He pushed open the door. There was a silence as everyone looked at them, trying to decide whether to first react to her being okay or the knowledge that Bruce Wayne was Batman.
"Hungry, Master Wayne?" Alfred asked.
"Yes." He replied, pulling out a chair for Iris at the table and helping her in, leaning down. "I was serious about all achieving all three of my motivations for inviting you." He whispered before pulling away.
"We'll see, Mr. Wayne." She replied before being enveloped into a 4 way hug between Barry, Her father, Caitlin and Cisco.
"You okay?" Barry asked. Iris nodded.
"Especially." She grinned conspiratorially with Caitlin. "Because we won the bet."
