The Dark Knight(mare) of Gotham City
In which Bruce & his 'bat-family' are really vampires.
I would like to apologize for the delay in adding this chapter. I almost couldn't bring myself to type it, (laziness really) so I just made myself write it to be sure it would be done and added by the end of the week. I would also like to give a warm thank you to 'anon', 'guest' & 'The black out' for their kind words, and I'm glad you like my story. Your reviews mean more than you think. I would like to give another warm thank you to 'PuppyProngs' & 'The black out' for the favorites, as well as 'Blue Jedi', 'Mireilles3' & 'KiwiClover' for following this story. I am truly grateful and I hope my story doesn't disappoint you all.
Finally got this chapter finished. I'm really sorry it took so long to get written everybody. I wanted to try and post one new chapter every week, and I'm sorry I didn't do that right. Never the less, here's my latest chapter. And I tried to give a few tidbits of information on the nature of the curse.
I promise the romance will be as little as possible. Also, I really like the thought of Jason and Stephanie together. I saw a fanart of them together and fell in love with the couple. I like Tim and Stephanie together, but I like Jason and Stephanie better. If there's anything you would like to ask me about the curse or the story, just message me and I'll try my best to answer it without spoiling the story. Otherwise, please be patient with me.
Thank you all so very much for everything, and don't forget to review, or message me.
Fair warning, if Stephanie seems OOC, please overlook it, as I still don't have a grasp on her character. Besides, under the circumstances, I think she's entitled to act a little different. Also, she seems to realize that she won't be leaving the manor for quite some time. (She just doesn't know why, yet.) The others are going to seem OOC to, but hopefully not to the same extent.
Also, I'll explain in later chapters why I changed the guy's names. Bruce is going to be called Andrew when he's around people who don't know what he is. Dick is called John and Jason is called Peter for the same reason. They call themselves by their real names, so I'm sorry if it gets a bit confusing. I'll stop after Stephanie finds out the truth.
Oh, and before I forget, I put the study on the second floor, without realizing it's supposed to be on the first. Oops, I know I screwed that up, but I like having the study on the second floor, so let's just pretend that the entrance to the Batcave starts on the second floor. Please?
Disclaimer: Batman belongs to Bob Kane, Bill Finger, DC Comics, Warner Brothers & anyone else I might have forgotten.
Chapter 3: Meeting the Family (can be tough sometimes)
After asking Jarvis if he would help her find something suitable to wear for her meeting with Mr. Wayne, Stephanie was pleased to find that her favorite pale blue short-sleeve blouse and her mother's cameo brooch were nice enough to wear. She was however dismayed to find that she had to borrow a dark purple pantsuit and matching pair of heels from Barbara. She was surprised to find that Barbara's clothes fit her so well, but her shoes were one size too small. Jarvis expressed his apologies at not asking her what shoe size she wore, but Stephanie was quick to reassure him that it was alright. She found she liked the pantsuit, which made her feel a little awkward, so finding the shoes not fit her made her feel more at ease. After spending nearly an hour of looking through clothes and finally finding something to wear, she laid out her clothes for the evening and changed back to her regular clothes. Stephanie then volunteered to help Jarvis was his daily chores.
At first she was rebuffed, after all she was a guest, and the Wayne family wouldn't be happy if Jarvis wasn't able to do his respective duties. But, after explaining that she wanted to do something to keep her occupied until it was time to get ready, Jarvis hesitantly agreed. After eating breakfast she was only allowed to help him make lists of the food and drinks in the house as he took inventory, since his eyesight was starting to go bad. She quickly took to writing down everything she was told to, and Jarvis was somewhat delighted to have her help. They spent the next five or so hours quietly working on lists: for groceries Jarvis would need to order, what could be thrown out, what needed to be taken care of later in the week, and so on.
Lunch came and went as Jarvis began to regale her of the legacy of the Wayne family starting back during colonial times. He also went on to describe how a Pennyworth man or woman had served the Wayne family since before the civil war. Stephanie was captivated listening to him tell his tales, yet somehow she found herself beginning to think that Jarvis was hiding something from her. She just shrugged her shoulders, and continued to listen to his tales. After lunch, Jarvis politely told her that he was capable of finishing his chores by himself, but appreciated the help she had provided. He showed her the library downstairs and told her she was free to read whenever and whatever she wanted, so she began to look at the expansive library. She found a book she had started to read last year before needing to stop because she had found out she was pregnant. So she read until Jarvis came to collect her at seven o'clock.
At eight o'clock, she found herself walking down the hallway to the study upstairs. She looked out a window as she passed and thought she saw a large shadow pass by the edge of the fence protecting the property. A large shadow that seemed to suddenly stand up right beside the fence and look straight at her, before disappearing from her sight. Thinking it was just her nerves getting the better of her; she shook her head and kept walking toward Jarvis. Jarvis waited outside the door of the study and smiled encouragingly at her.
"Master Wayne is waiting inside with his son and daughter-in-law. Just stay calm Miss. Stephanie; he's not going to bite you. He, well they actually, just want to meet you." Stephanie nodded her head to Jarvis, and took a deep breath. Jarvis knocked on the door and spoke, "Master Wayne, Miss. Brown is here to meet you, sir." She heard a deep voice reply shortly after.
"Please come on in." Jarvis opened the door and stepped inside ahead of Stephanie. As she slowly walked in, she saw a tall broad-shouldered man standing in front of the fireplace. He had his back to her, before turning around as she entered. She stopped a few yards away from the desk situated in the middle of the room. She hazarded a quick glance around and saw a young couple sitting on the couch a short distance away. The young man looked up at her and winked, before turning his attention to the man behind the desk.
"May I introduce, Miss. Stephanie Brown. Miss. Brown, the gentleman before you is Master Andrew Wayne." Said man nodded his head towards her, smiling quite charmingly. When she looked at his eyes, Stephanie thought she was seeing things. Brown eyes, I could have sworn they would be blue. Shaking her head at the ridiculous thought, she bowed her head at Mr. Wayne. Jarvis continued,
"And over here is Master Andrew's eldest son John, and his daughter-in-law, Ms. Barbara." The red haired woman smiled and gave a short wave as she and her husband got up off of the couch. Stephanie bowed to the couple and began to worry about whether Barbara would raise a fit about wearing her clothes. Hearing someone clear their throat, Stephanie turned once more to Mr. Wayne.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss. Brown. I'm Andrew Wayne, but you can call me Andrew if you'd like." She felt her palms start to sweat and quickly wiped them on her pants. Once she was satisfied they were dry, she lifted her right hand out in front of her and smiled.
"No, Mr. Wayne, the pleasure is all mine." Seeing her try not to shake from nerves, Andrew raised his right hand and shook hers in a firm handshake. Stephanie stood in front of him for a few seconds before realizing, she should probably let go of his hand. She let go of his hand and turned to the young couple that now stood next to him. "Jarvis told me about how you not only let me spend the night last night, but that you wanted to fix my car. I'm truly grateful for what you've done, especially since you didn't need to do it. I just wish there was something that I could do to repay your kindness."
Seeing a mildly confused look on his rather handsome face, Stephanie felt like a fool. 'Stephanie you moron, how could you be so stupid as to say something like that.' She didn't seem to realize that the Wayne family members were having a quiet conversation amongst themselves.
"Aw, this poor woman looks like she's about to have a nervous breakdown. She definitely seems rather sweet and kind, but she seems to be under the impression that she'll have to repay you, Bruce." The younger male spoke mentally.
"She thinks that she'll be able to leave after I fix her car, Dick. Unfortunately, once the gate lets someone in, they don't get out. You should have heard what she had to say last night when I had her under compulsion. She's had a tough life, and I do feel bad for her though." The elder man replied. But it was what the female spoke to them both that ended any further conversation.
"Bruce, Dick, I don't know how long she'll be able to keep her humanity. The dream I had last night had her dying in Jason's arms on the night of the new moon. That means either she dies on the new moon, or changes that night." Barbara stepped up to Stephanie and put a calming hand on her shoulder. "A little over a week away." Stephanie seemed to calm down and smiled awkwardly at Barbara, before turning back to face Andrew.
"Mr. Wayne, I apologize for sounding so rude just now. I'm just not used to being around people who aren't out to get me or be mean towards me. I'm very sorry, I just don't want to seem ungrateful for the kindness you all have shown me." She turned back to Barbara. "I'm very sorry I'm wearing your clothes. I just didn't have anything nice to wear tonight. Jarvis said you wouldn't mind, but still. Thank you for letting me wear them, I'll return them asap."
Barbara, smiled at her and told her,
"The suit looks on good on you. It definitely looks better on you then it ever did on me. Although, I guess dark purple goes better with blonde hair then it does with red hair. Don't worry about the clothes, I'm not going to get mad at you for borrowing them." Barbara extended her hand and shook Stephanie's. "My name is Barbara. Although I'm certain you know that, and I'm married to the handsome gentleman on my left."
"That would be me, John Wayne. No, definitely not the actor, but I've been told that I have a knack for 'charming the ladies'. You can call me John, but please, not Johnny. I don't like to be called that." Barbara released Stephanie's hand and John took her hand into his own. "As for repaying dad, well, he has a business proposition for you." Stephanie turned back to see Andrew looking at her expectantly. Stephanie felt her hand be released.
"I'm sorry Miss. Brown, I thought Jarvis had mentioned that I would like to see your skills with shorthand. Didn't he tell you that I needed a new secretary?" Stephanie gaped at him a few seconds before shaking her head. Jarvis spoke up from behind her.
"I'm very sorry, Master Andrew. I fear that I forgot about that little bit of information this morning. I told Miss. Stephanie that you wanted to meet her tonight, and after calming her down shortly thereafter, I made breakfast. She wanted to help me around the manor, and I only agreed when she mentioned that she could help me with the list of chores to make. I must admit sir, her shorthand is very good, and her handwriting is very neat as well." Jarvis answered as he pulled a list from his pocket and handed it to Andrew. Seeming to regain her ability to talk, Stephanie spoke to Mr. Wayne.
"Mr. Wayne, I don't know what to say. I only have a years' worth of typing. It's not like I have a college education, so I'm not certain I'd be good enough for what you might expect of your secretaries." She looked down at her hands and began to knot her fingers in worry. "Besides, how can I possibly take a job from you knowing that you're already doing so much for me? I really appreciate the thought, but." Stephanie was swiftly cut off from saying anything more when Andrew's hand lifted up.
"Jarvis you're right, her shorthand is quite good." He lifted his head from where he had been reading the list Jarvis had handed him. "Miss. Brown, I assure you it's no trouble. I can tell from this list that you're not only good at shorthand, but that you're also a bit of a perfectionist. You're penmanship is very neat, and I can read what you've written, which is an improvement from my last secretary. Would you consider at least a trial period of a week? Just to see if you can keep up with me?"
She was about to shake her head and say no, but something in his gaze sent a chill down her back. Something told her to hold her tongue and just accept the job offer. So she smiled and nodded her head.
"Well, since you're so certain, I suppose a week's worth of time as a fill-in couldn't hurt. Yes Mr. Wayne, I'll take the job." His smile seemed to ease any anxieties she had about the whole situation. "Ah, one question though, Mr. Wayne?" He looked at her in question. "If it's alright, I'd like to ask about payment?"
"Ah, you're quite right, I had almost forgotten. I pay my secretary 10 dollars an hour, so that's about 400 dollars a week. Is that alright with you, Miss. Brown?" Stephanie gave a shocked gasp at the amount mentioned. "If that's not enough, I could pay you 15 dollars an hour, or 600 dollars a week." Stephanie quickly shook her head.
"No, Mr. Wayne, that wasn't what I meant." Andrew frowned at her.
"I'm afraid I don't understand then. What exactly did you mean, Miss. Brown?" Stephanie swallowed loudly.
"What I meant, Mr. Wayne, is that since you're letting me stay here until my car is fixed, and that you're the one who's going to fix it, I don't think it's fair for you to pay me." Seeing him about to object, she shook her head and continued. "Mr. Wayne please, I think it's generous of you for even offering to pay that much. But I think that it would be rude of me to continue to take advantage of your kindness. At least until the trial period is over. That way, if I do a good job and you still want me to be your secretary, then you could pay me whatever you deem necessary." Andrew raised an eyebrow as he thought the statement through.
"Very well, Miss. Brown, I agree to your terms. I will wait until after the trial period is over before making my decision." He smiled at her again. "See, you're already helping me by keeping me in line. Now that that has been decided, Jarvis usually drives me to work by no later than 8:30 in the morning. Just to be certain that I'm ready for the day. And since your car is broken down, I don't mind riding with you, if you don't mind. Monday morning we leave at 8:00 exactly.
"Once we're there, I'll show you your desk, and answer any questions you may have. Is that alright with you Miss. Brown?" Stephanie stood there listening as he began his speech. When he finished, she nodded her head.
"I just wish that I didn't need a ride to work. Other than that, I think everything else sounds great." She smiled as brightly as she could. "Oh, one other thing Mr. Wayne, you can call me Stephanie if you'd like to." She paused to look at the amused looking couple and said. "The both of you can call me that too, but only if you'd like." Oh crud, now what am I going to wear for the week? I can't just keep borrowing Ms. Barbara's clothes.
Sensing her embarrassment, Barbara walked over to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Good, now that that's settled, this means you and I can do some shopping tomorrow afternoon." Stephanie looked at her with surprise on her face. "Oh don't worry, I don't mind letting you borrow my clothes, but you do need some shoes that fit. I know you'll be sitting most of the time, but it still wouldn't hurt to buy some new shoes." Stephanie attempted to protest, but Barbara insisted. "It'll be fun, just wait and see."
At the same time, the Wayne men conversed mentally while pretending to read the papers on Andrew's desk.
"Bruce, I just had a rather weird thought. I'd say it, but you might not like it." Andrew looked to his son and raised an eyebrow.
"Whether I like it or not, if it involves Miss. Brown, like I think it does, just say it." John sighed softly and turned to look at the two women chatting quietly amongst themselves.
"Alright, if you insist. I just thought that her stubbornness made me think that she was a politer, female Jason. What do you think?" At that the elder man's eyes whipped to Stephanie, before returning to look at his son.
"Dick, I think you might be on to something." Seeing the confusion on his son's face, he continued. "The gate only reveals itself to people who are fated to become a 'member' of the Wayne clan. I thought that meant she was going to become a daughter to me. What if she's supposed to become a daughter-in-law instead?"
John started, and glanced back to see the women now sitting on the couch laughing politely at a joke Barbara had made. "Wait, you mean, you think she might be Jason's soul mate? Like Barbara is mine?" He turned to walk around the desk to stand in front of his father. "I know the conditions of the curse are strange to say the least, but that she's supposed to be Jason's 'partner'? Does this mean you had the dream again?"
"I did, that's why I've been upset this week. I only have that memory-dream just before something like this happens." He paused and looked his son in the eyes with an intensity that had Stephanie look up quickly. Both men relaxed then, and Stephanie shook her head and returned to her conversation with Barbara. "Did you see that just now? She's a latent psychic, probably an empath, and she has a calming energy about her. If anyone can help curb Jason's violent tendencies, I think it's her. I'm not going to introduce her to him alone though, that would be stupid."
"Maybe, Babs did say she saw Jason with a gentle smile, which could only happen if he met the right person. His 'soul mate/partner' as per the curse. Either way, she's here to stay. Does this mean you're going to tell Jason?" Andrew returned his gaze to the top of his desk and nodded.
"I'll try to find him during patrol tonight. Now I think we need to interrupt the 'girl talk'." Andrew cleared his throat to get the ladies attention.
"I can't believe I forgot to mention this Miss. Brown. I want to introduce you to my younger son, who is currently out of town on business; but I believe he'll be back home sometime within the next few days. His name is Peter, although he prefers Pete. He's a few years younger than John and Babs and a few years older than you. When he returns, I'd like to introduce you to him." "Truthfully, I want to introduce the two of them and gauge his reaction to her. That will tell me the answer faster than anything else."
"That's right, if he can't take his eyes off of her, then she is supposed to be his 'partner'. I just hope she can calm him down, because I don't want to see her get hurt. And I don't want to hurt him either; after all, he is my younger brother." The clock chimed 8:30 and Stephanie tried to hide a yawn. Barbara saw it though and pointed it out.
"Stephanie, I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. You've been up all day and we just got here less than two hours ago. Maybe you should go to bed. After all, you'll need your rest since we're going shopping tomorrow. Even if you don't think you need to." Stephanie sighed as she realized Barbara wasn't going to let her wriggle out of going shopping.
"Yes ma'am. I didn't realize I was as tired as I am. Is it alright if I go to sleep so early though?" John turned to smile at her and replied.
"Of course it's alright, Miss. Brown. If you're tired, you should go to bed. Besides, one of the first things you need to learn about us is that we keep all sorts of weird hours. We'll be alright, besides we need to go over what Babs and I found out about a potential partner for Wayne Enterprises. You'll hear all about it either tomorrow or Sunday." Stephanie nodded and got up to leave. She got to the door and turned around.
"Alright then, I guess I'll see you all in the morning. Goodnight everybody." She left the study to a chorus of 'Goodnight's and went back to her room. Once everyone was certain she had shut her door and couldn't hear anything else, 'Andrew' motioned the others towards the desk. Before he could say anything however, Barbara spoke first.
"Bruce, I think she's Jason's soul mate." 'John' chuckled as quietly as he could, while Jarvis gasped in surprise. Bruce locked his blue eyes onto Barbara.
"Tell me what you saw in your dream. Dick mentioned that you saw Jason with a gentle smile on his face? What did you see?" Barbara nodded her head.
"Well as you know, after being turned into a vampire, my precognitive abilities amplified. It hasn't happened to often in the last few decades, but last night I had a premonition-dream. I saw Jason standing on the roof of the tallest building in the warehouse district. His territory mind you, so that's not too surprising. What was surprising though, was the fact that when he turned towards me, he was smiling. A kind gentle smile, almost as if he was in love with someone. I could tell from his expression, that he was smitten.
"The next thing I saw was Miss. Brown standing in the ballroom at night. She must have heard someone, because she suddenly turned around and started smiling. I assume she saw someone she was happy to see, since she was smiling so widely, I would have thought that she had been hit with Joker toxin. Then the next thing I saw was Jason with tears streaming down his face, clutching a young, blonde woman covered in blood. He threw his head back, and howled in pain toward the sky." At this, Bruce gasped.
"How can you be certain the woman you saw was Stephanie Brown?" Barbara nodded her head and continued.
"The young woman was wearing a purple bodysuit of some kind. No boots, gloves, mask or belt. But she was still wearing her cloak. It was definitely Spoiler I saw. Or rather, I saw Stephanie wearing Spoiler's costume." Dick gasped and turned to Bruce.
"Didn't you say that Stephanie is Spoiler?" Bruce nodded. "That actually explains something I saw last year. I could have sworn I saw Jason come around an area Spoiler was hiding, and actually put his guns back in their holsters. I was kind of startled by what he did, so I asked him about it later. He said, 'Something just came over me, and told me to put my guns up.' What are the odds of that happening? It can't be a coincidence."
Bruce and Barbara stood somewhat surprised. Jarvis was the one to break the silence.
"Doesn't the curse on the Wayne family, draw new family members based on spiritual compatibility?" Bruce nodded his head and turned towards Jarvis.
"Tabitha told me, the curse was cast on me so that I may gather family members to form a new family. That way, I would stop obsessing over my lost parents. She told me later, that once I found someone else who would become a new family member, they would draw someone compatible to them, through a connection at a spiritual level. In other words, they would draw their 'soul mate/partner' to them.
"She said the same held true for me. Since I didn't stop hunting for my parent's murderer, not even to start a family of my own, she took the decision away from me. But, everyone in my new 'family' would inadvertently attract their 'soul mate' through their connection to me." Bruce shrugged his shoulders. "The curse draws me to people I share an affinity with. For Dick, it was losing our parents at a young age. As for Jason, it was our anger and stubbornness."
"And for Ms. Barbara? She was attracted to Master Dick, because you had taken him in, correct?" Bruce nodded and Dick answered.
"Somehow, I knew when I first saw her, that Barbara and I shared a connection. Being turned, just amplified the feeling even more. And since Bruce used his blood the strengthen the barrier on the gate, it too only draws in people 'fated' to become a member of the Wayne 'family' or 'clan', really." Dick sighed. "And since it's been so long since Jason came back to the manor, maybe it was just a matter of time until his soul mate came here. Maybe it means he'll be coming home, possibly to stay. Especially since, he's been gone for nearly two decades."
"I'm going to try and talk to him, to see if he will come back to meet her at least. I'm not going to mention her possibly being his soul mate, but I have to try to convince him to come here for long enough to meet her." Bruce replied as the clock struck 9:00. He looked at the others. "Jarvis, you mustn't mention anything to her about this, it'll only scare her. As for everything else, let's just wait and see what happens." Everyone nodded in agreement. "Now then, let's get ready for patrol."