AN:
The rating on this fic has changed because of events in this chapter.
"What happened?" Alfred said as Ororo helped Bruce onto the table in the batcave.
"It's just a sprain, Alfred." Bruce growled, pulling, shifting so his leg was on the table. Ororo rolled her eyes.
"I was asking Mrs. Wayne." Alfred said. "Since I can be sure that I get an honest answer." Bruce huffed and crossed his arms. Ororo looked him over before turning to Alfred.
"He jumped the gun and got himself injured." She explained.
"I was protecting you." Bruce retorted. Ororo looked up at the ceiling and shook her head.
"We have been through this, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself in the field."
"He had a neutralizer, Ororo." Bruce growled. "You had your back to him and was about to shoot you. That's why "I jumped the gun"." He breathed angrily. "And have you stopped to think about how he might have gotten that particular piece of technology?"
Ororo bit her lip. She had her suspicions, but she'd wanted to be sure that Bruce was alright before voicing them. "You think Forge is behind this."
"You're damn right I do." Bruce said. Alfred stayed silent, wrapping Bruce's leg.
"Why?" Ororo sighed. "What would he have to gain?"
"Have you ever wondered why Azazel was working with Mojo?" Bruce said. "Because I've been doing some digging and it turns out he's one of a few mutants who's disappeared. And with each disappearance, money appears in one of Forge's offshore accounts."
Ororo pursed her lips. "How long have you known this?"
"Ever since Lucius and I found the hidden timebomb in the specs Forge sent you." Bruce said. "There was a kill switch, activated by the neutralizer frequency. He didn't count on me having stolen a broken one and taken it apart to see how it works. I rendered his evil plan useless." He made to get off the table. Alfred glared at him.
"Master Wayne. You are not moving until I allow it."
"And that's after he's gotten permission from me." Ororo said, Alfred nodded his agreement. Bruce looked openmouthed at the two of them.
"You're plotting against me." He said. Ororo pulled his cowl off and ran a hand through his sweatsoaked hair.
"It's because we love you." She said, feeling guilty about the specs. "I'm sorry, Bruce I didn't know."
Bruce gave her a half smile. "I would have told you, but I was worried you'd go after him." He said. Ororo pressed her lips into a hard line.
"If he was behind Mojo attempting to kidnap Bakari, there's no place in any universe he can hide." She growled. "As it is, I haven't ruled it out." Bruce nodded.
"We need proof." He said softly.
"Why would he want you dead?" Ororo asked. Bruce tilted his head.
"Is that really a question you need to ask?" He asked. "He's never liked the fact that you no longer belong to him."
"I never belonged to him." Ororo said.
Bruce nodded. "But in his mind you did." He looked at Alfred. "Can you ask Ororo for her blessing to give me permission to stand?"
Alfred turned to Ororo, amusement in his eyes. "He's learned not to fight us, Mrs. Wayne." He said. "What do you think?"
"I think he needs at least two days forced bedrest." Ororo said. Bruce sputtered in horror.
Later that night, after changing out of his suit and showering, Bruce was sitting in bed, his leg propped up on a pillow. Ororo came into the room.
"How's Bakari?" He asked.
"Still sleeping." She said, walking to stand by the window. "It'll be morning soon." She murmured, closing her eyes. Bruce knew that expression and made to move. "Don't even think about it." She said. He sat back.
"Think about what?" he asked.
"Coming over here to comfort me." Ororo said, turning and walking over to the bed. She sat on the edge of the bed, her back to him. "Have my choices caused this?"
"I don't think Azazel was after Bakari." Bruce said. "Mojo wanted you for his gladiator matches."
"But Forge tried to kill you." Ororo said, looking at him. "If I had never ask him for those design upgrades-"
"So it's your fault he's a jealous idiot with no morals?" Bruce asked, putting a hand on her shoulder. She reached up and covered his hand with hers, leaning her cheek on it.
"I love you." She said. He tugged her, urging her to turn to look at him.
"Nothing is going to take me away from you." He said. "Or Bakari."
She smiled, in spite of herself. "How can you make a promise like that." She murmured. "Especially seeing the world we live in."
"Because you'd never let me get hurt." Bruce said. "Just like I will fight to keep harm away from you. And the two of us will protect our son." He clutched her hand. "We've lost too much family which is why we'll do anything to protect the one we have now."
"I'm sorry I left." She said, closing her eyes. "I was confused and upset." Bruce pulled her close.
"You had every right to be angry at me." He murmured, tucking her under his arm and stroking her hair. She pressed her face in the crook of his neck. "I needed the reality check of losing you to see how foolish I'd been."
"Do you think Forge will come after us?" Ororo asked.
Bruce grimaced. "It's hardly the first time an angry ex has come after us." Ororo closed her eyes. "Just this time, it's yours."
Ororo held him tighter. "Don't sound so pleased." she muttered.
"I'm not." Bruce said, giving her a kiss on the forehead. "I'm really not."
The first flower was in her classroom. She'd come in early to prepare her lessons and the flower had been on her desk; a yellow tulip. She'd picked it up, smiling. Bruce must have left it for her to find. She quickly got herself a vase, putting the flower in. That night when she called Bruce, he didn't mention it, but that wasn't unusual; he wasn't one to brag about romantic gestures. The conversation was cut short as a break out in Arkham tore his attention away. By the time they spoke again, she'd forgotten about the flower.
A few weeks later she found another one on her window sill. She carried it down to her classroom. Logan was sitting there, his feet on the desk. "I want you out before the students show up." She said, putting the flower in the vase. She'd dried the other one. Logan raised an eyebrow.
"You tell the bat about your secret admirer?" He asked, focusing his gaze on the flower.
"What do you mean?" Ororo said. "Bruce left that for me."
Logan frowned. "Don't smell like him." He said, getting up and sniffing the flower. "That's definitely not the Bat."
"Should I be concerned that you've sniffed my boyfriend?" Ororo asked.
"Don't think so highly of yourself." Logan grumbled. "I sniff all the Xgirls' boyfriends." He tapped the vase. "Something's off about this, Ro. Be careful."
She told him about it at dinner the next night. "You wouldn't happen to have a criminal who specializes in yellow tulips?" Bruce frowned and leaned away from the table.
"Poison Ivy deals in all sorts of plant related crimes. Why do you ask?"
"Someone's been leaving yellow tulips for me to find." Ororo explained. Bruce's frowned deepened. "It started about 5 weeks ago."
"How many?" He asked.
"Three. The first one was in my classroom. The second outside my room on my windowsill and the third came this morning. I found it in my garden." Ororo bit her lip. "At first I thought it was you, but..."
"Do you have any of the flowers?" Bruce asked. Ororo nodded. "I'll need to analyze them." He frowned. "Next time you find one, tell me." He looked at the table. "Why do you think it's connected to me?"
She hesitated. "I don't know if it means anything, but after the third one, I looked up the meaning of yellow tulips. They signify hopeless love. Someone clearly doesn't like the idea of me being with you."
Bruce's expression turned stony. "Do you want to stay at the manor?" He asked.
"Saying you want me to move in?" Ororo said. "Why Bruce-"
"This is serious, Ororo." He said. "They've managed to infiltrate the institute."
Ororo looked down at her hands. "I'll think about it."
Bruce was lost in thought. "5 weeks ago." He mumbled. His eyes suddenly flashed with a realization. "You said 5 weeks ago."
"Yes." Ororo said. "Why?"
He got up and walked out of the dining room, motioning for Ororo to follow. They went into his office. Bruce went to the desk and pulled open a drawer. Inside he picked up a newspaper. "This was on newstands 5 weeks ago." He said, handing it to Ororo. She took it.
"A gossip magazine?" She said. Her eyes widened when she saw the cover picture. It was her and Bruce sitting at a cafe in Gotham. She was leaning forward, her hand on his arm. He had one of his small smiles and was staring at her intently. "Bruce Wayne's walk on the wild side?" she read, slamming the magazine down. "that's-" She was sickened.
"I've already sent my legal team after them." Bruce said. "Though there's not much they can do." He sighed. "The problem is whoever is targeting you probably saw this."
Ororo crossed her arms. "Why do I get the feeling that you know exactly who it is?" She said.
"I have my suspicions." Bruce said.
"Bruce." Ororo warned. "We discussed this; you need to communicate." Bruce shot her an unamused look.
"There's only one person who has the skills and motive." He said. "But...I thought she was dead." He frowned and sat in one of the large armchairs in the office. Ororo sat across from him. "She and I were involved when I was training. I'd joined a group of warrior monks, in order to hone my combat skills." He exhaled. "She was my trainer's daughter."
Ororo looked at her hands. "You fell in love."
"No." Bruce said. "It wasn't love; it was manipulation. The monastery was a front for the League of Shadows. My trainer was Ra's al Ghul." He looked over at Ororo. "I was young and still naive. I didn't know. Talia...she was..." He shook his head. "Well, it was easy for me to believe she was kind and caring because that's what she wanted me to believe. She'd stick up my wounds after practice. Tend to my bruises."
Ororo leaned back in her seat. "I didn't know the nurse routine worked on the almighty batman."
Bruce glared. "She was her father's pawn. Or willing accomplice. I wasn't sure." He looked at Ororo. "Her father revealed the truth about the League and tried to compel me to stay. He wanted me and Talia to provide him with an heir. There was some prophecy and" He shrugged. "I guess I fit the bill. Talia had been brainwashed into believing we were soulmates. When I refused, things turned violent." He closed his eyes. "There was a fight. I barely got out of Nanda Parbat alive, but...I could have sworn I saw Talia on the ground. Dead." He closed his eyes. "If she's alive and she saw that article, she'll view you as threat to her father's master plan."
"What happened to Ra's?" Ororo asked.
Bruce's lips pressed into a hard line. "He's dead." Ororo arched an eyebrow. "I didn't...He killed himself when he attempted to bomb Gotham. I managed to disable the device he'd put on the train, but he didn't make it out before it crashed." He hung his head. "You need to stay out of sight, Ororo."
"Absolutely not." She said, standing and walking to the door of the office.
"I don't think you realize how serious this is." Bruce said, coming to stand behind her. Putting his hand on the doorknob, he pulled it shut, blocking Ororo's exit. She turned and looked up at him.
"I do." She said. "But I refuse to live in hiding. If Talia wants to come after me, then let her try."
"She was raised as an assassin princess." Bruce growled.
"And I was raised a goddess." Ororo retorted. "Who do you think wins?"
"She'll kill you." Bruce said, a slight tremor in his voice. "She won't hesitate."
"And I'll be ready." Ororo said, simply.
"I can't let you take that risk." Bruce said, anger in his eyes.
"Do think I can't take care of myself?" Ororo said, looking at him shock. He closed his eyes and exhaled.
"I..." He slammed his hand on the door and turned away. "I don't want to risk losing you." He admitted. Ororo's breath caught. He refused to look at her, moving further into the office, rubbing his temple, his shoulders tense. Ororo stepped closer to him. It was rare for him to be so emotionally vulnerable.
"Bruce." She said, putting her hand on his arm. "Look at me."
He turned, but his eyes looked over her shoulder, refusing to meet her eyes.
"Bruce." She said, a warning rumble of thunder sounded outside. He looked down at her. "You aren't going to lose me." She put her hands on his forearms. "But you also can't keep me locked up here. I'll go insane and take you with me over the edge." The corner of his mouth twitched.
"I never wanted my past to hurt you." He said.
"It hasn't hurt me yet." She replied, sliding her hands up his arms, linking her fingers behind his neck. Bruce let his hands rest loosely on her hips. "And I believe that between the two of us, she has no chance."
Bruce smiled. "The two of us?"
"Well, I included you to preserve your fragile ego." Ororo said. "I'm pretty sure I could take her on my own." She laughed as he hung his head, pressing his forehead against hers.
"Can I train you?" He murmured. "I'd feel better if you knew how to handle yourself without your powers."
She played with the short hairs at the back of his neck. "Hmm. Are you sure you could handle being so close to me in workout clothes? " Bruce let out an annoyed groan. Ororo laughed. "If it will set your mind at ease, I will add training with you to my weekly schedule."
He walked forwards, backing her up towards the door. Pressing her against the door, he leaned down, brushing his lips against her ear. "Daily." He said, kissing her neck.
"Weekly." She retorted, slipping her hands down his chest.
"Stay here with me." He murmured, taking one of her hands, bringing it up to his lips.
"It's the middle of the school year." Ororo protested.
"Then teach your class over Skype." He said. "I'll set up a blackboard. Your students can email your assignments. "
Ororo sighed, pressing herself against him. "You'd like that, wouldn't you? Me here, 24/7." She squeezed the hand that was in his around his fingers and slipped the other one to his pants. "At your mercy?" She cupped him through his pants. He closed his eyes, his mouth opening slightly.
"Are you trying to distract me with sex?" He said.
"Is it working?" She asked. He pushed her hand away and pressed his lips against hers, kissing her hungrily. She molded her body against his, her lips parting and her teeth grazing his bottom lip. He picked her up and opened the door, carrying her to his room.
Outside the manor, Talia al Ghul watched the two of them enter Bruce's bedroom. Her eyes narrowed; Bruce Wayne was her intended. She'd be damned if she let that white haired whore take him from her.
Ororo closed her eyes. "Would you mind terribly if I slept here tonight?" she asked. Bruce laughed.
"Yes." he said. "I am definitely going to kick my wife out of our bed." He shook his head. "But if you're not leaving, I guess I'll have to."
"You can try." Ororo retorted. "But on that leg, you're not going anywhere." She smiled. "You're helpless against me."
Bruce sighed, leaning back. "I am at your mercy, Mrs. Wayne." He smiled. "What are you going to do?"
Ororo lifted herself off of him and straddled his lap. "It's occurred to me that you received this injury trying to save me."
Bruce nodded. "Quite heroically, I might add." He said, placing his hands on her hips, rubbing his thumbs in a circular motion.
She smiled. "Always so humble."
"You love me." He said, matter-of-factly.
She hummed. "You have your moments." She rocked her hips back and forth. He closed his eyes.
"As do you."
She stilled. He opened an eye and looked at her. "Here I was, ready to reward your bravery." She sighed, moving away from him, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Ororo." He said, gripping her tighter, shifting slightly he winced as the motion moved his leg.
"I'm sorry." Ororo stopped moving. "Are you okay? I should have known better, I-"
Bruce sat up and cupped her chin, kissing her gently. "I've survived worse." He whispered. "And..." he hesitated before adding. "I'm happy that you're here with me..." It was the first time since her return. She looked at him from under her eyelashes. He took a shuddering breath and she felt him twitch and harden underneath her. "Even if it is out of pity for your poor invalid husband."
She laughed, pressing her lips against his. "I won't tease." she said.
"That would be a first." He said, sealing her mouth with a kiss, swallowing her indignant protests.
Notes:
I completely intended for this fic to be a oneshot, but the ideas wouldn't leave me alone and I got dragged into writing a multichapter fic that somehow takes place in two different times of Ororo and Bruce's relationship.
So thank you to all of you that stuck with this, even when I started adding more random chapters.
