Chapter Nine
I half expected us to zap to the dinner party but Fate had other plans. I cleaned up from my late lunch while Fate flipped through his books. I turned on some music as I ran a nice steamy shower. I continued to hum along to the music two hours later when I was checking myself over in my full length mirror. I felt my stomach turning flips as I wondered what Fate would think of my outfit. Maybe I did too much? Oh well I couldn't change it now. Turning away from the mirror while I still had the nerve I left my room. Fate did not notice me at first and I felt my cheeks warm as I tried to clear my throat. This seemed to grab his attention.
"What do you think?" I asked.
Fate did not respond at first as he stared at me.
"You're staring. I'm guessing that's a good thing" I chuckled nervously.
"Yes" He said being dragged out of his own private thoughts that caused even Zatara to blush.
"You look beautiful" He said after gathering control of his thoughts.
"Thank you and you are dashing as always" I smiled walking to his side.
"Shall we?" Fate's deep voice questioned offering his arm to the beautiful woman at his side.
"What? No magical appearance?" I teased.
"Not tonight my love" He said gently as we left my apartment.
Downstairs was a navy colored limousine. It was so dark it almost appeared black but under the shine of the street lights you could see the slight distinction. I looked up at Fate with a smile. With a wave of his hand the door opened. I giggled lowly. I was such a sucker for magic. I slid inside of the limo and could not help but bounce with excitement. I could not keep from talking the entire time and although I could see that Fate was sometimes confused as I jumped from one topic to something completely different he still listened as his arm held securely to my waist. I sat against him and laid my head on his shoulder enjoying the short remainder of the ride.
Soon the limo pulled up to the Wayne Manor. My eyes sparkled taking in the grandeur of it all. The hired valet opened our door and Fate exited before me however he turned around and gently took my hand to escort me out of the limo.
"Thank you" I said to Fate before smiling in thanks at the Valet.
We followed behind other couples into the Wayne Manor. We were lead up a curved staircase to the second level of the house which was buzzing with laughter and conversation. The theme of the party seemed to be white and gold judging from the table clothes and clothing of the servers. There were golden balloons suspended in mid air and I became curious how they pulled that off. Maybe Bruce Wayne knew magic too. I smirked at this thought and saw Fate silently question what I was thinking. I shook my head showing him it wasn't important. We continued on before we were surrounded by a few of Gotham's wealthy socialites. I gripped Fate's arm a little tighter making him glance down on me.
"Doctor Fate. It is a pleasure to meet you" A handsome man a few years older than myself greeted with a beautiful young woman on his arm.
"Yes" Fate answered simply.
"Ethan. Ethan Towers" The guy shot with excitement before rambling off his resume pretty much. He was loaded and was looking to work with Fate on some kind of space travel thing. Honestly I tuned the guy out behind my interested smile. He seemed sweet but I did not understand a word of what he was talking about.
His date seemed to be doing the same thing although she was not as skilled at her pretend interested smile. I gave her a sympathetic smile before we began our own conversation.
"Excuse us" Fate said after some time passed.
"Sweet couple" I said and Fate simply nodded but I don't know if it was in agreement or just to show he heard me.
"Doctor Fate I am glad you could make it" A jovial voice cried.
I watched as Bruce Wayne stumbled over to us with a woman hanging onto each arm. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I saw a woman who looked oddly familiar glaring daggers at the playboy billionaire while a guy with sandy brown hair and youthful features smiled at me from a bar. I turned my attention back to Bruce Wayne.
"Mr. Wayne" Fate greeted.
Bruce Wayne gave a dizzied smirk before greeting him back.
"And Ms. Summers always an honor to bask in your beauty" He said reaching for my hand but I placed it on Fate's arm near my other hand.
"Thank you Mr. Wayne" I said with a curt nod.
Fate glared down on Bruce Wayne but he did not seem as protective. That was strange.
"I trust you will be singing for us tonight"
"I have agreed to do a song or two. It was very nice of you to consider me for the entertainment"
I watched Mr. Wayne sway a little as the woman at his sides chuckled looking a little buzzed themselves. You could smell them coming about a yard away but when Bruce Wayne leaned closer to speak to me I could barely smell the scotch on his breath. He was faking it, but why? I narrowed my eyes in confusion trying to figure out why he would deliberately sabotage his image. His eyes met mine but something flickered across them making him leave us pretty quickly.
"He was faking it you know?" I whispered to Fate.
"Indeed"
"You knew? Why would he do that?"
"The mind is a puzzle without a solution" Fate answered.
"Maybe. It's just weird" I said eyeing him. "What exactly is he hiding?"
"So inquisitive my love" Fate chuckled brushing a hand across my cheek drawing my attention back to him.
"Dance with me" I smiled pulling Fate towards the open dance floor.
Fate's arms wrapped around me naturally as we danced and for a few moments we were the only ones in the room. I felt myself begin to pant as Fate walked me over to a table and magically a drink appeared in his hand. I sipped the champagne slowly as the heat began to dull from my cheeks. Fate stood close to me protectively. I chuckled as I sipped from the glass. Placing the glass on the table before standing.
"I'll be back" I smiled heading off in search of a bathroom.
I followed another woman down a quiet hallway but before I could reach my destination I was blocked by a woman similar in age to myself. She had raven colored hair that reached down her back and a beautiful dress that reached a few centimeters above her toes. The dress matched her hair nearly perfectly with slits reaching to her thigh on both sides. Her cold expression took me by surprise especially since I did not know her.
"Um Hello. Great party isn't it?" I said trying to make conversation but she continued staring at me.
"What is wrong with you?" She questioned harshly
"I'm sorry?"
"Don't play dumb"
"Look I don't know who you are or what you want but obviously you have the wrong person" I sighed trying to walk past her but she blocked me.
"He has a family you know?"
I felt my mouth go dry as I looked up at her. I felt as if ice water raced through my veins. Was she talking about Fate?
"What? What are you talking about?" I said with fear in my eyes not really wanting to hear the answer.
"Oh my God. You don't know do you?"
"Are you related to Fate?" I asked feeling my hands begin to shake. "Is he married or something?" I asked feeling tears gathering in my eyes.
"Come with me" She said eyeing something behind me but I did not bother turning around.
I followed her into one of the restrooms and she closed the door behind us.
"Just tell me please" I said preparing myself for the worse.
"Yes I am Zatara's daughter, Zatanna" She said sadly.
"Who's Zatara?" I questioned in confusion.
"Zatara is the man wearing the helmet of Fate"
"I don't understand" I said in confusion.
"Fate was a God or something like forever ago. He was part of a group known as The Lords of Order. They kept balance in the Galaxy against The Lords of Chaos. Fate, known as Nabu then, thought he was the best at restoring order because he was void of weaknesses like morals. The punishment was the same for anyone inflicting Chaos whether man, woman or child. The Lords of Order did not agree but when he began using his powers to restore order without going to the council they knew they were losing control of him. The Lords of Order did not believe in killing they only punished but Fate did not agree with this rule. He said The Lords of Chaos would never stop. The Lords of Order did not want a war from his actions so they sealed him away in the Helmet of Fate as punishment seeing that they could not kill him, it was against their code" Zatanna explained.
"What? How do you know all of this?" I questioned suspiciously.
"Because I was trapped like my father. My father made a deal with Nabu his life in exchange for mine. I haven't seen him sense" Zatanna said trying to stop the tears from cascading down her cheeks.
"I am so sorry. I did not know if I had...I don't...I..." I stumbled as I leaned my back against the door for support.
"Do the others know? The Justice League I mean"
"Yes" She spat harshly turning away with an angered expression.
"I don't understand why did they not tell me? How could they not tell me? How could he not tell me? Oh my God"
I grabbed onto the sink trying to keep upright as tears flowed. Zatanna held me to keep me from falling.
"I love him...what do I do?" I cried looking desperately to Zatanna for an answer.
Her eyes seemed to glaze over with guilt as she opened her mouth to answer when the door to the bathroom burst open in interruption. On the other side stood the beautiful woman glaring at Bruce Wayne nearly the entire evening and the sandy brown man that was staring at me from the bar.
"Who are you two?" I asked a little uneasy trying to wipe at the tears but they were replaced with more.
"What has happened? Zatanna what did you do?" The woman asked.
"She needed to know. I could not just sit around and watch like the rest of you and pretend everything was ok" Zatanna spat.
"We had strict order from Batman..." The woman began but did not have a chance to finish.
"I don't give a damn about Batman or his orders. He is my father" Zatanna yelled with fury.
"I can't...I can't breath" I gasped feeling myself growing faint.
The sandy brown haired man rushed to my side scooping me up in his arms.
"You need some air gorgeous" He smiled.
"Flash?" I whispered trying to keep the other women from hearing me.
"It's ok they know"
My attention turned to the tall woman with her long black hair in a ponytail falling to the center of her back.
"Wonder Woman?" I asked.
She gave a small smile.
"Why did you not tell me?" I asked the two heroes.
"Trust me I wanted to" Flash said with a serious expression, which looked out of place on him seeing as he was always happy go lucky.
"I want to go home" I sighed beginning to feel numb to this entire situation.
"Sure thing gorgeous" Flash smiled.
"I think we should contact Batman and let him handle this" Wonder Woman urged.
"I'm just taking her home" Flash shrugged.
"And when Fate finds out?" Zatanna questioned.
Flash made almost a wincing sound.
"Good point"
"I can get home on my own thanks anyway. You can put me down" I said with a small smile.
"Thank you Zatanna for telling me the truth" I mumbled before heading back to the party.
"I will keep an eye on her and make sure she gets home safe" Zatanna offered following Destiny at a distance.
My eyes quickly scanned the room to land on Fate and Bruce Wayne speaking quietly to one another. I turned away quickly before either one of them could notice me and rushed towards the entrance never noticing Zatanna who trailed silently behind. Neither one of us saw Bruce Wayne's eyes following us causing Fate to turn his attention and see us leave through the front door.
Fate did not wait for Bruce to speak as he maneuvered his way through the crowd ignoring people who were trying to capture his attention. Once he came to the front door there was no sign of Destiny just Zatanna looking around in confusion searching for the young woman she was following.
"What happened?" Fate boomed from behind Zatanna.
Zatanna turned her steely gaze in his direction.
"Ask her yourself" She spat before walking off.
"Fate!" Bruce called only to shield his eyes from a bright light and find Fate disappeared.
Zatanna was walking up the stairs back into the mansion when Bruce stopped her.
"What happened?" Bruce asked with his Batman gaze.
"Like I told Fate ask her yourself" Zatanna huffed attempting to walk past him but Bruce stopped her again.
"You told her didn't you?" Bruce questioned.
"Someone had to since all of you were fine with her dating a kidnapper and murderer" Zatanna growled.
"Stand down Zatanna"
Zatanna yanked her arm out of his grasp.
"He's my father. Like hell I will" She challenged.
Bruce's eyes narrowed at the defiant young woman.
"This is not what your father would want. If Fate chose to harm you he could not stop him. Do you want your father to witness that?" Bruce asked.
"Your little guilt trip won't work on me Bruce" Zatanna spat before turning to walk away.
Once Bruce could not see her expression her eyes sunk with sadness knowing that his words got to her, but she refused to let him know that.
Meanwhile Destiny was in a cab wiping away her tears. The cabbie was an older gentleman of Greek heritage. He questioned her about what was wrong and Destiny poured out everything although she left out the part that her boyfriend was Doctor Fate and the parts about the Justice League.
"I found out from his daughter this evening that he's married and not only that he isn't a really good man. How could I be so stupid? How can I still be in love with him?"
"Unfortunately the heart does not care about such things" The cabbie said sympathetically.
"I have to make myself stop loving him. He's married and I won't be responsible for tearing their lives apart anymore than I already have" I said mostly to myself.
"You are a good woman. Do not cry. Everyone has to kiss a few frogs before they find the one that is meant for them" The cabbie said trying to make me feel better but it did not help although I gave him a smile anyway.
We finally came to my apartment and I looked in my purse to see I did not have much cash on me.
"Do not worry about it. This one is on me" The guy smiled.
"Thank you so much Mr. Kostos. Have a great evening" I said sliding out of the cab and closing the door watching the yellow car drive away.
I suddenly had the strange sense that someone was watching me. I sighed in exhaustion and ignored them before heading to my apartment. If they wanted to kidnap me or something then they would have to pry me from my couch. I flipped on the light closest to my front door and locked the door behind me before throwing myself on the couch and closing my eyes trying to relax.
"Destiny? My love are you hurt?" A deep voice questioned in concern.
My jaw tightened but I did not open my eyes or make any sign I heard Fate.
"Destiny" fate called coming closer to me.
"Get out!" I growled lowly.
"What happened?" Fate demanded although I could hear worry in his voice.
"GET OUT!" I screamed shooting from the couch.
"My love..."
"DON'T CALL ME THAT. GET OUT I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN"
My eyes widened in shock from my own words.
"I will not leave you" Fate said with narrowed eyes.
"Oh so you're gonna hold me hostage too Nabu?" I spat.
His eyes widened in shock as he continued to stare at me.
"Who told you?"
"Really? That's all your concerned with?"
"Who?" He persisted.
"Doesn't matter"
Fate remembered Zatanna chasing after Destiny and a scowl crossed his face.
"It was Zatanna" He concluded.
"No" Destiny growled walking away from him.
"Allow me to explain" Nabu rushed trying to stop the woman he loved from walking away from him.
"Explain what? How you held a man captive taking him away from everyone and everything he loved"
"It was a necessary sacrifice" Nabu tried to reason.
"A necess...do you hear yourself? You are psychotic. You can't just hold someone hostage. Being trapped in a helmet for centuries would make me go crazy too but it's your punishment Nabu you can't force someone to serve it with you"
"The world needs Doctor Fate!" He growled.
"No you need the world. No matter how cold you act towards others you need them just as much as you claim they need you. You should have told me. So what were you planning huh? Were you going to gain my trust enough for me to put the helmet on so you could trap me too?" I shouted bordering hysterical.
"NEVER! I would never..."
"So how can you justify it as being the right thing to do if you feel so strongly about protecting me from it? It's because you know it's wrong. You know in your heart that the Lords of Order were right. You are just too prideful to admit you were wrong"
"You could not possibly understand you are nothing more than a simple minded human. It is impossible for you to comprehend the reasons why this is necessary" Nabu spat harshly.
Destiny stared at him as if she just been smacked.
"Do not blame me for this Nabu. Your own stubbornness and pride is the reason" Destiny said gently as she unclasped the necklace from her neck handing it back to Fate but he did not move to reach for it as his eyes stared at the necklace in her hands.
"Take it" She whispered as tears fell.
"My love please" Nabu pleaded.
The emotion behind the words gave Destiny second thoughts but she shook them away.
"Take it" She said again.
Gently Nabu took the necklace from her.
"Leave Nabu" Destiny said defeated as she turned and disappeared behind the door of her bedroom.
Nabu stared at the closed door and then to his gloved hands that held the necklace. A sudden pain overtook him making his stumble a step backwards. What was this he was feeling? Closing his eyes he disappeared back to his home.
