Hey everyone...sorry this took a lot longer to get out than i wanted. Computers are great...when they WORK! grumbles angrily Anyway, hopefully the technical difficulties are all fixed now and the rest of this story can be posted a chapter each week. Thanks again to everyone who has reviewed and I'm glad you are enjoying it so far! Please continue to let me know what ya think.
December 27 (still)
Batcave
New Gotham
Late Evening
Barbara guided her chair out of the elevator and glanced towards the training room as she made her way over to where Leslie sat next to Dinah. "They're still in there?" she asked a tiny bit surprised.
"And what's even more amazing is that there have been no further sounds of violence either," Leslie answered dryly.
"I guess I'm just surprised because it has always been a fight to ever get either of them to open up about even the tiniest emotional issue. Helena may wear her emotions on her sleeve, but she would never talk about them."
Leslie shrugged. "A person can only pretend to be emotionally closed off for so long Barbara. A fact I think you have learned the hard way this past year as well," she reminded gently.
Barbara sighed, and looked away slightly ashamed. "God we're a screwed up bunch," she muttered tiredly as she rubbed absently at her broken arm.
"Is it bothering you much?" Leslie asked slipping into her professional role as she leaned forward to inspect the injured limb.
"I've had worse," Barbara answered, her expression more pained from the sight of Dinah still lying pale and unmoving, than from her own countless injuries. "How is she?"
Leslie sat back, giving up on trying to distract the redhead, and turned to her young patient. "There's been little change. I've run batteries of tests on her Barbara, and there is nothing physical to cause her condition."
"It's frustrating when you can't even see what your fighting against," Barbara said quietly as she reached out with her good hand and brushed some of the blonde's long hair back. "She's brought so much light into my world Leslie. She was as determined as Hel to prove herself to me…to us. It took Hel months to admit that she actually enjoyed having Dinah around, but I think both of us realized just how much we needed her the moment she insisted on staying."
Leslie simply listened as her friend got a distant look in her eyes as she opened up about the depth of her love for her youngest charge. "She was the first breath of fresh air either of us had had since that night. We had rebuilt our lives, we had made new identities for ourselves, and we had moved on…but the darkness never seemed to have left. And then one day Dinah showed up on our doorstep…literally…and suddenly it's like we have a family again."
Barbara was silent for a minute as she continued running her fingers through Dinah's hair, praying that the gifted teen could somehow sense her love. "Hel calls her Sunny D, and she hates it," Barbara told Leslie with a slightly amused expression. "But that's because she doesn't really understand just how much of a compliment it is."
Leslie smiled warmly at her long time friend. "You've done an amazing job guiding these two young women through some difficult periods in their lives Barbara. Both Selina and Carolyn would have been proud….but then I think they knew that you could do it or else they wouldn't have entrusted their care to you."
"But Carolyn-," Barbara began confused.
"Shhhh. She may not have left Dinah with you to begin with. Of course you were just cutting your teeth on a batarang back then yourself anyway," the older woman chuckled. "You were hardly an appropriate choice as a guardian. But you've told me in detail about what happened when Carolyn finally did come back. And Dinah told me a bit more when I talked with her about it after I helped tend to that nasty concussion she got a few months back," she admitted. Barbara raised an eyebrow, but Leslie merely fixed her with a firm gaze. "In the end, Carolyn was proud of what Dinah had become. And she knew it was all because of you, and that she could leave this life because you would be there to continue looking after her."
Barbara's green eyes watered, and she looked down at the body laying before her. But before she could say anything else, there was a clapping from overhead and a melodramatic sigh. Two pairs of eyes snapped upwards, and Leslie was out of her chair as she and Barbara gaped at the….people floating above them.
"Who the hell are you!" she demanded angrily as she rolled back to have a better view- and shot- at the elven-looking man that floated next to a familiar looking human child.
She had pitched her voice loud enough that Helena's hearing had obviously picked up her demand and both she and Bruce came running out of the training room. The brunette was by Barbara's side instantly, but Bruce hung back a bit sizing up the situation.
"What's going on here?" Helena growled, her eyes flickering gold.
"Now, now," the little man sighed rolling his eyes. "There's no need for hostility. And I really wish you would stop that growling you're scaring the kid."
"No she's not Uncle Puck," the boy huffed indignantly.
Helena's growling stopped instantly, and both she and Barbara looked at each other before looking back at the Fae with dawning understanding. "Did he just say Puck?"
"I thought you were the one with the keen hearing and all that," Puck answered sarcastically.
"So Elisa wasn't just pulling our leg about Avalon and you guys?" Helena asked uncertainly.
The Fae floated down in front of her, grinning. "Nope. I'm the real deal sister…well actually it would be cousin…distant that is. Alex can you tell me which one of our relatives helped produce this little wildcat?"
The child focused intently on Helena for a second and she shivered as she felt a…presence…seem to brush inside her. "Whoa, what the hell was that!" she demanded.
"Sekhmet?" the child answered.
"Clooossseee…who was Sekhmet's mommy?" Puck coached, ignoring Helena's mounting irritation.
Alex frowned, his tiny brow furrowing as he thought hard. Puck began whistling the Jeopardy theme song, Alex pursed his lips, and Helena finally snapped. "Ok what the hell did the kid just do to me, and why are you even here!" she shouted, advancing on the floating trickster.
"Bast!" the boy suddenly exclaimed.
Puck beamed at his student, and then hastily backed away from Helena waving a hand at her. "Down kitty!" he commanded, and Helena was instantly reduced to the meowing form of a kitten.
Alex clapped in amusement, floated down to the floor where he could pet the kitten, and giggled. "Careful Alex you don't know if she's had all her shots no-urk!"
"That would be my daughter you're referring to, and if you don't turn her back to normal immediately, this iron pipe is going to be doing more than cutting off your air circulation got it?" a steely voice threatened quietly.
"Got it!" Puck squawked hoarsely. Bruce released the struggling Fae who zipped away from him quickly and glowered at him while rubbing his throat where the iron had begun to burn. "You people are no fun. But don't you dare try and threaten the kid, because I won't be the only one you'll have to deal with."
Bruce took a step forward, pipe raising and Puck sighed. "Fine, fine. Alex play time is over, obviously Hudson was mistaken as to the hospitality of these people. Change Helena back and then we'll get down to business so we can leave."
"But-," the child began to protest, looking up from his spot on the floor where he had been petting the kitten form of Helena.
Barbara, who had been mostly silent the whole time as she tried to process what was going on, stared at the child intently. His face was extremely familiar. Then she gasped and every one looked over at her. "Oh my god, you're Alexander Xanatos!" she exclaimed softly. "But…how…?" she trailed off staring at the boy in wonder. Off to one side, even Bruce blinked, taken aback by that revelation.
Alex gave Helena one last good scratch along her back from neck to tail and then stood and approached Barbara. He held out a tiny hand, gave her a smile full of innocence, but with just enough mischief in his eyes to keep her alert, and introduced himself formally. "Hi! I guess you already know my name, what's yours?"
"I'm Barbara Gordon, pleased to meet you Alexander. This is Doctor Leslie Thompkins, that is Mr. Wayne, and I think you've already met Helena," she told the boy with an amused smile. He had obviously made a quick impression on the cat-form of Helena because the kitten was curling around the boy's legs, purring loudly and demanding more attention.
The child giggled and reached down to pet Helena once more. Puck hovered several feet away, and cleared his throat. Alex crouched down and looked Helena in the eye. "I gotta change you back now 'cause I don't want your daddy to hurt Uncle Puck," he whispered. The kitten meowed, butted her head against Alex face and then he whispered something quietly in Latin as his eyes glowed green.
A moment later, Helena was back to her own self, and Alex stood and looked up expectantly. The room was still for a few seconds, waiting to see Helena's reaction. She stared down at the toddler, a mixture of emotions running across her face. Finally she chuckled, shook her head, and ruffled his hair before she moved to stand next to Barbara.
Barbara glanced up at her in surprise. "What?" Helena asked defensively. When Barbara said nothing, Helena shrugged. "What can I say? The kid knows all the right places to scratch."
Leslie chuckled softly, Barbara smirked, but Bruce continued looking stern. "So why the visit?" Helena asked into the ensuing silence. "What's all this about a lesson?"
"Long story short, I'm Alexander's teacher. Due to some…restrictions placed upon me by Lord Oberon a few years ago, I can only give up my human guise when I am either teaching or protecting Alexander."
"So the kid's meta too?" Helena asked.
"That's one way to put it. What you call meta-human, we call halflings. You are all descendants of some member of the Third Race. Magic is a very powerful thing, and carries through even the most diluted bloodlines. Now normally we aren't supposed to interfere with lives of humans, but Elisa helped to point out the loophole to Queen Titania who then asked me to pay all of you a visit," he answered with a gesture to Dinah.
"Elisa? But…how?" Barbara asked.
Both Alex and Puck looked downcast. "When a mortal passes from this life to the next, they are escorted to it by one of my cousins, Anubis. Right now, my cousin is a very busy Fae, and it has allowed Elisa some time to visit her loved ones in the realm of Morpheus. My Lady, Queen Titania is overseeing Elisa's last requests and final journey personally."
"You mean….she asked for you to heal Dinah?" Helena asked, stunned at the depth of selflessness and caring Elisa has possessed…alive or dead.
Puck nodded soberly. "She did."
"So, you know what's wrong with her?" Leslie asked hopefully.
Puck eyed Bruce warily, and then cautiously moved over towards Alex. "Lesson time Alex. Now all I want you to do is focus on her life force and tell me what you find."
"Ok Uncle Puck," the boy said obediently, and his whole demeanor seemed to age decades as he crawled onto the bed and stared intently at Dinah's still figure. Several seconds later he gasped and looked over at Puck with shining eyes.
"She's….it's almost all gone!" he gasped in horror.
Puck nodded, his expression grim and sober. "Indeed. I want this to be a lesson to you Alex," he told the boy gravely as he floated down next to the child. "Dinah has a very powerful gift, not quite as strong as yours, but she could give you a run for your money. You remember how I'm always warning you about controlling your powers? That you should never let your emotions grow out of control while wielding your power? This is the reason why," the Fae told the boy, and everyone else there for that matter, sternly.
"Your gifts feed off your emotions, and make no mistake that they will destroy you as quickly as they can destroy an enemy. Her gift went rogue on her because she lost control, and this is the result. She's lucky she didn't kill anyone, including herself, the other night. On her own, it would take her months, perhaps even years to recover enough strength to wake up. And when she did, she wouldn't even be able to pick up a feather with her mind."
Helena's sharp hearing picked up Barbara's breath catching as Puck announced that ugly bit of information. She reached down, and placed a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder, lacing her fingers in Barbara's when the older woman sought further comfort. It was just as Leslie had feared, and more.
"Can we heal her from something this bad Uncle Puck?" the child whispered- almost fearfully. Obviously, Puck's warning was not going unheeded.
Puck gave him a comforting smile, and nodded. "Of course we can my dear boy. All she needs a jump start, and her body will handle the rest. Now, she will be by far the strongest mind you have touched yet, so I'm going to guide this lesson, but I'm going to draw the power from you. So get comfortable, and then we'll go in ok?"
"Ok!" the boy chirped excitedly, now relieved that they could help Dinah. He settled himself more comfortably on the bed, and Puck floated down next to him making himself comfortable as well.
The Fae looked over at the three humans staring at him and pointed a finger at them. "What you are about to witness can only be attempted by trained professionals so don't try this at home ladies and gentlemen. Please fasten your seatbelts, place your seats in their upright and locked positions, and don't bother the captain or his co-pilot while they navigate the friendly skies of Dinah's mind ok?"
They blinked at his complete emotional 180, he turned to Alex, and with a nod the two closed their eyes and slipped into a combined trance as they dove into Dinah's sub-conscious.
Uncle Puck?
Right here next to you my boy.
This place is scary.
Hmmmmm. A lot scarier than I thought it would be.
Who are those people? Why would they hurt her like that?
These are Dinah's memories Alex. I believe those people were her parents at one time.
But why would they do all those bad things to her?
Because some people are just bad Alex. Don't ask me why because I can't explain it, but there are people out there that are so messed up in their heads that they would do things like that even to a child, Puck answered sadly.
Can we make her forgets so she doesn't have bad dreams?
No, it's who she is Alex. I doubt very much she would appreciate us erasing a large part of her memory. Now let's get on with the healing ok?
Ok.
First we find her core- or at least what's left of it. Follow me…there now you see that small shimmer of light?
Yeah.
See how it's surrounded by a large area of nothingness? Imagine her core as a basketball. Ok now normally that whole area would be filled with the light, but because she's so weak, all that's left is that little itty-bitty pebble of light. The rest of the area is dark. What we need to do is to start filling that ball back up. Once we give her enough, her own body will start replenishing that energy on its own with some time and rest.
How much do we gotta give her?
Not much. Now remember how I taught you to channel your strength to me?
Uh-huh.
Ok, I want you to do the same thing to her. Now remember, when you do this you will be in direct contact with her consciousness. Given her abilities, she may try to kick you out so you need to establish trust right away ok?
What happens if she kicks me out?
We'll try again, but if she refuses to let you in then I'll take over. Sometimes a little forcefulness is needed. But I don't think that will happen here…she's really too weak to fight much. Think you can handle this?
No problem Uncle Puck.
Lead the way then!
Alex focused on drawing his own energy to his surface and then he moved forward, into that dark ball where only a tiny flicker of life remained. He was suddenly hit with a wave of fear and hesitation. Puck? he whispered, frightened.
It's ok Alex I'm just outside if you need me, the trickster answered back reassuringly.
Alex hated this dark place, but he suddenly realized that it wasn't just his fear he was feeling. She's afraid of the dark too Uncle Puck.
Given some of her memories I can see why, his mentor commented dryly. Now don't dally around in there too long, remember we do have a time schedule to keep.
Ok. The child moved towards the flicker of light, and reached out mentally to brush against it. The light sudden flared a tiny bit and he felt the fear double
No it's okay! He cried out as he tried to soothe the agitated light. 'Lisa's my friend and I'm here to help. You don't hafta be scared now.
He felt Dinah's consciousness relax slightly and he smiled. She's gonna let me help her Uncle Puck!
Very good Alex. Now remember, slow and steady. You don't want to overtax yourself, nor do you want to send her own system into shock.
I know, I know, the boy sighed, having heard the same warning with nearly every lesson. He brushed his mind against Dinah's and opened a small rift in the protective barrier around his own power. It was then that he realized there was fourth in the meld with them and his gasp was both mental and audible.
It had been dark for so long. She hated the dark, and yet she knew that this was only the beginning. That realization had frightened her more than anything she had ever faced in her life. The only thing that kept her mind anchored to her body, was the familiar and comforting presence of her family, just beyond the fringes of her consciousness.
Just when she thought she couldn't even hold onto that however, Elisa had suddenly appeared in her mind. At first she thought the detective's appearance was just a dream. But when Elisa smiled sadly at her and explained what was going on, all Dinah could do was beg her not to leave right away. So Elisa agreed to stay until she would be forced to leave.
Dinah asked why she would have to go, why Elisa couldn't stay until she woke up. The detective settled in and told in great length about her journeys around the world, Avalon, and the Third Race. Dinah had heard bits and pieces of these adventures over the last couple of weeks, but as Elisa's life began to unfold before her, she was even more amazed at the things this woman had experienced.
So you see, I'm here on borrowed time. I spoke with Titania about your condition though sweetheart and she will be seeing to it that your taken good care of, Elisa promised with a reassuring smile.
She will? Dinah asked hopeful and fearful all at once.
I promise.
And you'll stay with me for as long as you can?
She watched as Elisa looked back at something she could neither see nor understand and then watched as Elisa seemed to come to a decision. She moved forward, and her presence enveloped Dinah's. I will stay with you until Morpheus comes for me, Elisa promised quietly.
And so they had drifted together in the darkness of Dinah's mind, the blonde's fear receding in the strong presence of Elisa. At times they would talk, sharing thoughts, fears, and emotions. But mostly, they reflected on their lives in the peaceful silence.
Then the darkness and silence was invaded by the presence of two strangers. Dinah immediately recoiled as one of them tried to 'touch' her, fearing who they were and what they wanted. But Elisa had withdrawn from around her and with a grin 'nudged' Dinah towards that presence.
It's ok Dinah, they are here to help you, she encouraged.
Dinah was shocked to realize that the mind reaching out to her was that of a child. But his aura was powerful, and the energy her was exuding was to tempting to pass up. The moment she allowed the child to touch her however, she felt both he and the other stranger freeze up and Elisa's name was gasped like an echo in her mind.
Well, this was an interesting development, Puck thought to himself. But they still had a task to finish and then they could visit. Mind on the mission boy.
The child seemed to have collected his focus again, and he slowly began to release the shields around his own core. Like a drowning person desperately clings to a thrown life-preserver, Dinah latched onto Alex with a strength borne of desperation.
Uncle Puck!
Easy girl, an older voice ordered firmly. Take too much in at once and you'll kill us all. Just relax and let Alex control the flow.
Dinah forced herself to listen to the second voice, and relaxed her mind's desperate grip on the child. Once the boy had re-asserted himself in the link, the flow of energy grew a little stronger and steadier, and she let out a mental sigh as she slowly began to feel her strength return.
The room had been absolutely silent for five minutes, as everyone watched and waited for some sign that Dinah was going to come out of her coma. Suddenly Helena's head tilted to one side, and Leslie leaned forward, eyes glued to the monitor.
"Heart rate is picking up," she whispered, almost reverently.
"Her breathing has changed too," Helena confirmed, as she cast a hopeful look down at her friend and mentor.
Barbara, who had been holding her breath for who knew how long, dropped her forehead onto clasped hands and released a shaky breath. "Please," she whispered so softly only Hel heard it. "Please let her be ok," she asked, tears beginning to cloud her vision and tighten her throat.
Who are you?
Elisa moved forward once more, an all to familiar smirk painting her features. Dinah, I'd like you to meet Puck and Alexander Xanatos.
Auntie Lisa! Alex cried out as he threw himself into Elisa's arms with a sob.
Shhhh it's alright kiddo. Everything will be fine, she soothed him as he cried against her shoulder.
But everyone's so sad Auntie Lisa. Goliath….he cries every day in his sleep, the boy confided.
I know, but it will get better. I promise.
Has my cousin taken you to him? Puck asked as he too came forward.
Elisa sighed. I've tried. But…he wasn't receptive to my visits. But I did get to say goodbye to my family, and I helped keep Dinah company while she waited for your arrival. She will be able to tell the rest goodbye for me.
Dinah looked at Elisa, aghast. Elisa? You gave up time to be with him to stay with me? Oh my god why didn't you tell me? I would have understood!
Elisa smiled fondly at the teen. Goliath wasn't ready for me, and he still may not be. At least I spent my last moments with someone who needed and cherished my presence. I got to do one last good deed before I left. Just promise me that when you are recovered, you will show him what I showed you. That will be enough for me.
You know I will, Dinah swore. Then she looked at the child and the elf. Thank you, she told them genuinely grateful.
Your welcome, Alex replied politely.
The boy has given you enough energy to wake up, but you are going to still feel very tired and drained. I expect you to get plenty of rest over the next month while you recover.
A month? Dinah gasped mentally.
The silence in the cave was broken by Dinah's audible gasp, and everyone jumped slightly.
At least. And when I say rest, I mean absolutely NO using your powers. Not even a little bit. You nearly killed yourself and everyone else back at the docks with that little uncontrolled stunt of yours. The fact that you're obviously just starting to grow in your powers is what saved you then and now. Had you lost control at full strength, we wouldn't even be having this conversation.
Dinah mentally bowed her head, knowing she fully deserved the chastisement. I never meant to hurt anyone...I just wanted it to stop.
Well thankfully, only you ended up as the worst casualty of your overload, and you are the one we could fix. Are you finished Alex?
Yeap, the boy answered, and Dinah realized that the boy had still been linked to her because she suddenly felt the link sever completely.
Dinah shivered as his warmth disappeared from her mind, but she felt him smile at her. It'll only be cold for a little while, he told her.
She chuckled a little. You sound like you're speaking from experience.
He is. When he was a couple of years old, he decided to throw a temper tantrum and burned himself out pretty good one night. I don't know who was the bigger wreck, him or his parents.
Uncle Puck! The child protested, embarrassed.
Well enough stories, you father was very insistent about you getting to bed on time tonight young man and we still have to give you a bath. Our lesson is done here. And Elisa you seem to still have a little time left. I thin kI'll have Alex practice his sleeping spell briefly when we get back to the castle so that you can have a chance to get through that thick-skulled giant of yours.
Elisa chuckled as she ruffled Alex's hair as he grinned at her with mischief in his eyes. Just don't get caught you two, or you know there will be hell to pay later. But thank you.
She turned to Dinah then and hugged the girl. Take care sweetheart and give my love to everyone when you feel the time is right.
I will Elisa. Safe journey and thank you…for everything, the girl told her as she clung to Elisa one last time and then stepped back as the three waved goodbye to her.
With that she was left alone, and she mentally blinked as she was once again surrounded by silence. That was, until she slowly became aware of voices for the first time since the abyss had swallowed her.
"Wh- where'd they go?" Helena snapped as she jumped to her feet when the Fae and the child disappeared as quickly as they had appeared.
"What about Dinah?" Barbara was asking as she stared at Dinah's still unmoving body.
Leslie was bent over her monitors, but she straightened and gave Barbara a hopeful smile. "All her vitals have stabilized, and her brain activity has resumed normal functions."
Bruce stepped forward, and stared intently at the blonde. "Look at her eyes, she's fighting to come out of it. Talk to her Barbara," he encouraged quietly, much to everyone's surprise.
Everyone looked back over, and watched as Dinah's eyes moved rapidly under closed lids. Barbara rolled closer to Dinah and took one slim hand into her own. "That's right Dinah," she encouraged gently. "You can fight this sweetheart. Just listen to my voice, and let it bring you back to us. I know how much you hate the dark….God I can only image how afraid you've been, but I'm here for you now and so is Hel. We'll always be here for you sweetie, so don't give up now when you're so close."
Tears began to trickle from emerald eyes and everyone held their breath while Dinah struggled to join the waking world. Finally, her lids began to flutter, and the whites of her eyes could be seen rolling slightly through the slim opening.
"Come on kid," Hel said taking Dinah's other hand in hers and squeezing. "Come back to us, or so help me god I'll find a way to kick your ass back to the land of the living."
There was another moment of silence, and then Dinah's lips moved ever so slightly. "You…wish…." She whispered so faintly that even Helena barely heard it.
But from the tears that suddenly sprang to her eyes and the relieved- almost delirious- laugh that bubbled from her chest, she did. Barbara leaned forward, hugging Dinah fervently, unable to speak around the lump that had formed in her throat.
Bruce withdrew from the room, leaving Helena and Barbara to welcome back a young woman that had become a sister and a daughter to them. Leslie hung back for a little while as well, allowing them a crucial bonding moment, before she moved in to check on Dinah and then encouraged her to rest once she was certain the girl was out of critical condition.
Barbara and Helena both refused to move from her side, so the elderly woman followed Bruce's example and allowed herself to head upstairs for her first night of decent sleep in days. As she exited the elevator in Bruce's office she was surprised to see him on the phone, with someone other than Barbara's father. And she slowed her exit from the office, curiosity getting the better of her, as she tried to discreetly listen in on the conversation long enough to decipher who he would be calling as Bruce Wayne.
Castle Wyvern
Manhattan
Late Evening
David Xanatos looked at his cell phone slightly irritated. He had forgotten to turn it off, but the number was vaguely familiar, and his gut told him he shouldn't ignore the call. So, despite his wife's protests, he answered it.
"Xanatos."
"Mr. Xanatos I hope I'm not catching you at an inconvenient time," the caller said, his voice a stirring from the past.
"Actually I'm just about to sit down to dinner with my wife. Is there something I can help you with?"
"I believe you already have, and I wished to express my gratitude. I don't know exactly how it came about that your son obtained his abilities, but his gift was greatly appreciated tonight."
"Ah, his field trip to heal Dinah," Xanatos deduced. "I must admit that I had some rather persuasive pressure to allow him to travel out tonight with his tutor to practice. I'm glad the lesson was a success. May I ask to whom I'm speaking with though? The voice is familiar, but I haven't been able to place it."
There was a small chuckle on the other end of the line. "It has been awhile Xanatos, and we only met twice when you were first cutting your teeth in the cutthroat world of building your own multi-billion dollar corporation."
David Xanatos sat back in his chair in shock, and then chuckled as the voice finally clicked into place with a face. One he had neither seen, nor heard anything about for the last decade or so. "Bruce Wayne."
"Very good David."
"I wasn't aware that you were back."
"Officially, I'm not. There are only a few close friends that know I'm back in New Gotham. I must congratulate you David – you gave my company a run for it's money in my absence. Every day I expected to hear the news that Xanatos Enterprises had done a hostile take-over of Wayne Industries."
"The thought had crossed my mind a few times," Xanatos admitted. His wife was now listening to the conversation, intrigued and she raised an eyebrow. "So tell me Mr. Wayne, am I to understand that the timing of your return is not just by coincidence?"
There was a slight pause on the other end of the line. "I think we both know the answer to that David. As for whether I will stay or not, that still remains to be seen."
"I would like to extend an invitation to you for a quiet lunch or dinner at my home to discuss some….personal business. If you do decide to leave, I hope you will still consider my invitation."
"I will David. I'll be in touch within the next couple of days."
Xanatos powered off his phone and looked over at his wife. "Well that was certainly unexpected."
"Indeed. So what did the richest bachelor recluse have to say?"
"He called to thank us for letting Alex go and heal Dinah, which leads me to believe that there is a great deal more to Mr. Bruce Wayne than meets the eye."
Fox thought about that as she sipped on the wine that was set before her. "I never got the opportunity to meet him when I was younger, though I did see him at a few of the party's my father actually did drag us too. It will be very interesting to see what really lies beneath that playboy exterior."
