A/N—Sorry for the long delay in updating this story. I've been busy trying to figure out how to write this chapter and I hope I don't disappoint. Don't worry I will complete this one for sure and the next update will not be long. Thanks to Psyche613 for her and advice and beta as my regular beta, Hepburn, is on vacation. This story's rating is going to go up to M in the next chapter. Please read and review. It is always nice to hear what you liked and even what you didn't like.

Disclaimer—All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

I'm wide awake

Yeah, I was in the dark

I was falling hard

With an open heart

I'm wide awake

How did I read the stars so wrong

I'm wide awake

And now it's clear to me

That everything you see

Ain't always what it seems

I'm wide awake

Yeah, I was dreaming for so long

I wish I knew then

What I know now

Wouldn't dive in

Wouldn't bow down

Gravity hurts

You made it so sweet

Till I woke up on

On the concrete

Falling from cloud nine

Crashing from the high

I'm letting go tonight

(Yeah I'm) Falling from cloud nine—Wide Awake by Katy Perry

Chapter 10—Wide Awake

Diana didn't have to fake the bored expression on her face as Veronica Cale droned on and on about the virtues of doing business with Cale Anderson Pharmaceuticals. Diana was disguised as Daphne Bettencourt, Bruce Wayne's "personal assistant." She had the whole sexy secretary look going on with a fitted white blouse the hugged her breasts, a black pencil skirt that skimmed the curve of her hips and Louboutin pumps that make her long legs seem endless. Her hair, which was blond thanks to some magic, was done in a loose bun with tendrils of hair curling around her face and she wore a pair of black designer eyeglasses. When he had briefed her for this mission he has explained that the idea was that she seem more his mistress than his secretary. Diana had hated the idea (and frankly still hated the idea) but he had explained that Veronica Cale was a highly competitive woman who was the type to enjoy getting another woman's man to pay attention to her. And in trying to get Bruce's attention Veronica would be more amenable to doing whatever to please Bruce. By the way Dr. Cale was looking at Bruce the whole time she was talking, he appeared to be right. Diana did have to like it though.

She repressed the urge to sigh in irritation as Veronica continued to speak. Diana already knew that much of what she was saying was not entirely true. Yes their American based labs were state of the art and humanely run but not so her foreign sites. Diana grit her teeth as Dr. Cale gave Bruce another come hither smile as she stroked her pearls before moving on to the next topic. Bruce grinned at her and made some idiotic comment. She fought not to laugh as his Bruce Wayne act was so far from who he really was. She could never imagine Batman making that stupid face. Realizing her thoughts had softened towards him, another wall quickly shot up in her mind. I do not like him, she thought to herself even as the subtle wink he gave her made her stomach flutter.

She had been grateful that Bruce has slept the entire flight down to Dallas. Her feelings toward him had been becoming increasingly confused lately and she found herself hiding even more in the cold demeanor she had established to deal with him. Memories of better times coupled with the fact that he was doing everything he could to help her and being so kind as to help train her son had left Diana feeling conflicted. And being conflicted was pissing her off. She didn't want to like Bruce and she definitely didn't want to want him. Of course watching him faun all over Dr. Cale was enough to stop that from happening even though she knew is mostly an act. A very effective act as Veronica seemed ready to do anything to please him.

She nearly groaned as Dr. Cale went on to talk about another division of her company. As the woman continued, Diana glanced around the table. Across from her was a brunette woman wearing glasses. She smiled kindly when Diana caught her eye. Diana knew her to be Leslie Anderson, Veronica Cale's partner. She had a reputation for being a brilliant scientist and researcher. Diana wondered how much she knew about how Veronica ran the company.

She moved on and her gaze settled on Ari Buchanan. He was an executive consultant working with Veronica. He briefly made eye contact with Diana before she moved her gaze to the next person. But that was enough to make her skin crawl as his eyes were utterly cold and devoid of any emotion. She just knew he was someone not to be trusted.

She was glad a few minutes later that Veronica finally finished her presentation to a quiet round of applause. She'd been more entertained listening to a French diplomat talk about trade tariffs for eight hours straight. Then, Bruce began to speak.

"Thank you Dr. Cale for that wonderfully informative presentation. I know that Ms. Bettencourt and I are simply amazed at the ambition and growth of your company," Bruce said giving Diana a silly smile. Diana felt her face flush at the glint in his eyes and forced herself to nod eagerly and smile at Veronica. The woman grinned like a shark in return.

"So, Mr. Wayne, are you ready for a tour of our company? We are also holding a benefit for cancer research this evening and we are hoping you will attend," Dr. Cale asked.

"As long as there is champagne, I am up for anything," Bruce quipped with a grin and a few at the table chuckled. Diana repressed the urge to roll her eyes and instead smiled softly while attempting to look a bit empty headed.

"Absolutely sweetie," Veronica drawled with a wink as she rose from the table while others followed her lead. Most of the people present returned to their labs or offices, including Ari Buchanan after he whispered something to Veronica that caused her to smile coldly. Diana was able to make out the words, "Land the whale," with her enhanced hearing but had no idea what the relevance of those words were. She shrugged when Bruce glanced at her.

Only Veronica and Leslie were left in the room with them and Leslie quickly lead them to the elevator. "We thought you would like to see my lab first since that is where we are developing the drug that would be perfect paired with your new biomechanical delivery system," Leslie said with such passion that Diana actually couldn't wait to see her lab.

And her laboratory did not disappoint. Leslie Anderson, her research and her creations were clearly the best Cale Anderson had to offer. Dr. Anderson was a world-class scientist and her work was meticulous as well as innovative. She received such a clear sense of the woman's scientific and personal integrity that Diana couldn't understand why she would have anything to do with the shady dealings of Cale Anderson. Her instincts were telling her she didn't.

Veronica also seemed quite different around Leslie. Diana knew, from Bruce's research, that they had been friends since college. Gone was the icy confidence and smug attitude that she had had in the W.H.O. interviews and just recently in the boardroom. Here she was warm and funny as she teased Leslie about naming the rats after the seven dwarves. She clearly had genuine affection for her partner and Diana had to admit that Veronica had a powerful charisma and charm as she found herself briefly doubting her decision not to back Cale Anderson. That is until Veronica wrapped her arm around Bruce's and leaned her body into him. At that point, the princess had no trouble remembering the horrifying reports she had read on their Santiago facility. The woman was a viper.

"Well Mr. Wayne, what do you think?" Leslie asked.

"Oh Dr. Anderson, please call me Bruce," Bruce said with a grin. "I am very impressed. Of course much of what you said was beyond my comprehension." Both ladies laughed at his silliness and Veronica pressed herself a little closer to him as he continued, "But I can tell you are doing incredible work here."

"Thank you," Leslie responded.

"Darling you are just too modest. You should be proud of the fact that you are one of the best doctors of pharmacology in the world. Isn't that right, Bruce?" Veronica drawled with pride.

"I couldn't agree more Dr. Cale," Bruce said and Diana could tell he was being sincere. "I would have no problem backing any work you do. Wayne biotech would benefit from what Dr. Anderson has to offer."

Diana could help but notice how he avoided saying anything about Cale Anderson in general but referred only to Dr. Anderson's work. She couldn't help the small smile that ghosted across her lips at his ability to manipulate the truth.

"So, Bruce," Veronica said interrupting Diana's thoughts. "What department would you like to see next? Maybe Ms. Bettencourt would like to see our skin care line. We have a face cream that will take years off your face."

Diana hid her annoyance as she knew perfectly well that she didn't look a day over twenty-five and her skin was flawless, even in her disguise. She also knew that she was supposed to be Bruce Wayne's eye candy assistant and the type of woman who was obsessed with the latest in beauty products. She gave Veronica an excited smile. "Really?"

"Daphne, sweetheart," Bruce said as he gave Diana an intense look that caused her heart to speed up a little and color to rise in her cheeks. "You know you're incredible looking. I can't see how some cream could improve your beauty." The air fairly crackled with sexual tension and Diana couldn't turn away from his hungry stare. Her body started to throb with a long dormant, yet familiar desire that she had never wanted to feel again.

The spell was broken as Veronica cleared her throat and Diana was sort of grateful. "Bless your heart Bruce, but all women love free beauty products no matter how pretty they are. Ain't that right, sweetheart," Veronica cajoled.

Diana felt ice trickle down her spine as Veronica's cold stare settled on her, but she was still able to catch Bruce's almost imperceptible nod signaling that he wanted her to insist that they go check out the beauty lab. Before coming on this mission Bruce had told her to be watchful of any signs he may give and she responded immediately. She took a step closer to Bruce and stroked his tie softly as she looked into his eyes and said in a dulcet voice, "Please can we go there next, Mr. Wayne." She gave him sexy pout.

Again tension crackled between them as Bruce took her hand as kissed it softly. "Anything for you, my dear." Diana immediately resented the electricity that shot up her arm as his caress.

"Well then, follow me," Veronica said in a saccharin voice as she walked out of the lab. Diana could tell she was not pleased with their flirting and had to fight the smug feeling she felt at Dr. Cale's displeasure.

The cosmetic division of Cale Anderson was almost as state of the art as Dr. Anderson's lab. Veronica introduced them to a Dr. Michael Westburg, who was the head of the division. Chemists were busy mixing ingredients running tests on various samples. Diana had a hard time seeing the animal testing in this lab, as it just didn't seem right to hurt them for the sake of vanity. Nonetheless, she kept faking enthusiasm as Dr. Westburg described several products they were developing and she made sure to have as much attention focused on herself as she could manage. Bruce had given her an indulgent smile and wink when they arrived so she knew Bruce was up to something and he was counting on her to be the center of attention. She added more sway to her walk and gave sweet smiles to every male in the lab while being extra friendly to all the females. She asked any question she could come up with until she caught a small nod from Bruce. After that they were soon finished and Diana was given a small bag filled with samples of their various products.

"So, what do you all think so far?" Veronica asked smiling at Bruce.

"So far you seem to have a well run company," Bruce said. "I would love to see and speak with your chief of security. I'd like to see and hear how he manages to protect such valuable research."

Veronica didn't even flinch at Bruce's request as she smiled and smoothly replied, "Our last head of security recently resigned. I heard he wanted to retire to a beach in Nicaragua or some such. We are in the process of interviewing his replacement but for now his number two, Carolyn Jenkins, is doing an excellent job."

Neither Bruce nor Diana reacted to her blatant lie as they followed her to the elevator. Diana noticed as Bruce surreptitiously pressed a button on his watch. He glanced at her and gave her a stupid grin and she knew everything was going according to his plan. The elevator doors opened and they followed Dr. Cale down another corridor. They arrived at the security suite where a muscular African American woman was talking on the phone in her glass-fronted office.

"...did what?" they heard her question as she noticed them enter. "Hold on a second, Dr. Cale just showed up in my office." She pressed the hold button and set the phone down.

"Dr. Cale, it looks like we have a problem. The computer and electronic systems in the cosmetic lab are going haywire."

"What?! We were just in the lab and everything was fine," Veronica fumed as she picked up the phone and hit the hold button to reconnect the call. She had a short conversation that ended with, "I'll be right there." She turned to Bruce and Diana with a grimace and said, "I am sorry but I need to take care of this problem personally. I designed our computer system and I know the most about fixing it. The problem sounds massive so I won't be able to finish your tour."

"I'd be happy to call them a car and escort them out of the building," Carolyn stated in a professional tone.

Veronica cursed softly but plainly. "Damn it to Hell. I'm sorry Bruce."

"It's okay Veronica, these things happen all the time – at least that's what Lucius tells me," he joked earning him a smile from Veronica. "Maybe Ms. Jenkins can explain some of your security measures before we leave?"

"That's an excellent idea and I'm sure we will be able to talk some more at the benefit tonight," Veronica said as she touched his arm.

"Of course," Bruce said again giving her a charming smile and raised her hand to his lips, which surprisingly made her blush.

"Good," she said as she recovered from her girlish behavior. "Until later, Bruce. Ms. Bettencourt." She nodded at Diana before leaving.

Carolyn started explaining about how every employee was issued a security card and, from the corner of her eye, Diana could see Bruce surreptitiously scanning the room. When Carolyn turned around to pull a card from a box in a locked cabinet, he gave Diana a significant look. She knew that he wanted her to create some kind of problem that would get Carolyn out of the office. After all this time, she could still read the small changes in Batman and Bruce's expressions. Years spent learning how to anticipate each other's moves was paying off. She could hardly believe how well they were working together and in spite of herself, she was enjoying this. She casually stroked her necklace, immediately coming up with an idea and used the magic to make her face pale as she let out a small groan and clutched her stomach.

The small smirk she caught out of the corner of her eye was quickly replaced by Bruce's fake look of concern. "Daphne are you okay?"

"I don't feel very well Mr. Wayne," she said in a pained voice. "I think I'm going to throw up."

Carolyn, concern spreading over her hardened face, immediately sprang into action. "The bathroom is down the hall. I'll take you there."

"And can you stay and make sure she's okay?" Bruce asked.

"Of course Mr. Wayne," she replied as she wrapped her around the Diana's waist and helped her wobble down the hall.

Diana immediately rushed to and locked herself in a stall and spend the next ten minutes fake retching and moaning, while Carolyn alternated between telling her everything would be okay and asking if she could get her anything. Diana continued for as long as she thought was believable then sat for a few minutes and did nothing.

"Are you okay?" Carolyn asked after Diana was quiet for a few minutes.

"I think so," Diana croaked. She touched her necklace, making her appearance sweaty and pale. She flushed the toilet and slowly stood up still trying to stall for as long as possible. She acted shaky as she exited the stall. The concerned acting chief of security immediately helped her to the sink where Diana rinsed out her mouth and splashed cool water on her face.

"Is there anything I can get you? There's a vending machine around the corner, maybe a Sprite would help?" Carolyn suggested.

Diana smiled gratefully at her and said, "That would be great."

Carolyn left and returned a few minutes later with the soda. Diana sipped the soda slowly and allowed a bit of color to return her face. "This is perfect, thank you."

"Don't mention it sweetie. I have two kids and soda always hits the spot when they get a stomachache."

"I can't thank you enough. I knew that bagel and cream cheese tasted funny this morning," Diana improvised.

Carolyn chuckled. "And I am sure it didn't taste any better the second time," she said, causing Diana let out a small laugh as she took another sip of her drink.

"Well if you don't need to throw up again, we should head back to the security office where I can order you a town car. I'm sure you probably would like to return to your hotel and rest."

Diana sighed wearily, "You read my mind." She glanced at her watch and saw that twenty minutes had passed and she hoped that that was enough time for Bruce.

When they returned, he was calmly half-seated with his left hip resting on the edge of Carolyn's desk and reading one of the brochures that Veronica had given him. He looked up with a grin that rapidly melted into a look of concern when he saw his "assistant."

"Daphne, you look awful. Let's get you back to the hotel as soon as possible," he said as he put his arm around her for support. Diana was caught off guard by the desire that coursed through her body as she took in his masculine scent. She forced herself to focus on pretending to be sick and was grateful that the color in her cheeks made her look feverish.

Carolyn had immediately gone to the phone and called a car. "Mr. Wayne the car should be out front of the in a few minutes. I will escort you there."

Soon the two were being driven to a luxury hotel downtown. Neither spoke a word until they were safely in the penthouse suite. Diana was glad for this, as she needed time to clear her head and quell the heat that being in his arms generated within her. Bruce quickly scanned the room and shut the beautiful silk drapes, covering the French doors that lead to the large balcony. She watched as the playboy disappeared only to be replaced by the paranoid detective. But at the same time he wasn't the Batman everyone knew. He was her Batman, who was a little lighter and didn't have a problem showing her a wry sense of humor. Diana almost didn't know how to react to him.

He pulled a devise from one of his suitcases and pressed a button. "That should take care of any listening devises that might be planted in the room. You can speak freely."

"So did you find anything interesting in James Tibbett's office?" Diana asked as she took a seat on a plush sofa in the living room.

Bruce smirked as he said, "The place was pretty thoroughly searched before we arrived, so obviously they were looking for something. He must have had some information that he could've used that would hurt Veronica or Cale Anderson. But they seemed to have overlooked this." He pulled what looked to be a brass paperweight out of his briefcase.

"A paperweight?" Diana questioned with a raised eyebrow as she looked at the engraved sphere in Bruce's hand.

"Oh this isn't just a paperweight though that is all it seems to be. It is a puzzle box," he said.

"Aren't puzzle boxes usually wood?" she questioned.

"Yes, which is why most people probably assumed that this is just a paperweight. It's quite heavy. There's also a riddle on the top written in Latin. 'Et deterit mihi panem vivet. Da mihi aquam moriar'."

"Give me food and I will live. Give me water and I will die," Diana translated automatically.

"Correct. See – along the bottom edge of the sphere where it flattens out are the letters of the alphabet. And if you press here," Bruce pressed on a blank space in the letters and they all popped out attached to the sphere by thin metal posts. "Voila."

"So do you know the answer?" Diana asked.

Bruce raised a sardonic eyebrow at her. "If I can figure out the Riddler's clues, this is nothing." He moved the letters around until it spelled 'ignis' next to the blank tile. Fire. He pushed all the tiles back into the sphere and a slot in the bottom popped open, releasing a key.

Bruce picked up the key and examined it. A slow smile spread across his face. Diana could tell he knew what the key opened.

His eyes seemed to glow with triumph as he said, "It looks like Daphne Bettencourt is going to be too sick to attend the gala tonight because we are returning to Gotham."

Marcus stared out the window watching Donna as she played in the pool with Thomas. He knew he shouldn't be snooping in her defacto office but since the moment she arrived she had drawn his attention. Maybe it was the haunted look in her eyes that she tried so desperately to hide with an interesting mix of acerbity and humor. He had to admit that he loved to set off her temper by sneaking up on her. The angry sparkle in her eyes was both amusing and attractive. She was a mix of contradictions – tough warrior Troia but also goofy Aunt Donna – and that made her hard to peg. While their talk early this morning had given him much insight, it had only made his fascination with her that much stronger.

It wasn't as if she was his type. She was definitely not like Bianca. Bee had been a petite and spunky blond who thrived on adrenaline. It made her good at her job and a lot of fun to be around. Marcus could still remember the sparkle in her brown eyes as she told him about her last assignment. She loved playing the role, infiltrating gangs and then making the bust. A strange part of him was grateful she died doing what she loved but his heart still burned with anger at the torture she'd endured before her death. Marcus closed his eyes for a moment as the emotions washed over him. He took a few deep breaths before regaining his composure.

He opened his eyes and watched as Donna laughed as she tossed Thomas into the deep end. For all that she was raised as a warrior and spent much of her time saving the world, Marcus didn't believe she thrived on the rush of it all. Her sister, yes, but for Donna it was a duty and a way to positively channel the pain she had suffered years ago. He laughed to himself at his thoughts on a woman he barely knew, but for some reason he did just know her. Like she was a kindred spirit.

Again he lifted her sketchpad and looked at the charcoal drawings she has lovingly created. This was her passion and she clearly left it on the page. The drawings were of Thomas, Mary and Jimmy playing in the back garden. She had captured every nuance of their joy in black and white. Clearly she was a gifted artist but also clearly she loved children. She was meant to be a mother.

He dropped the pad on the desk. He really should get back to work he thought as he glanced once more out of the window. Donna was walking up the steps to exit the pool and the rush of sudden sexual desire hit him like a tidal wave as he watched the water cascade down her body. She was wearing a red bikini and all her perfect curves were there for him to ogle. He had worked two years for Bruce Wayne and a plethora of beautiful women had come through the Manor in that time. Some of them had even been rather flirtatious with him but none had made him want to grab them into his arms and kiss them stupid. He just couldn't look away as she moved the towel over her body and he probably would have done something foolish if not for the loud cough from behind him.

Alfred almost had a smirk on his face as he watched the color rise in his nephew's cheeks. "She certainly is beautiful," he said.

"Yes. Quite," Marcus replied softly.

"If I were a younger man..." Alfred began only to be interrupted by Marcus.

"Uncle please..." he choked out as he felt mortified being caught staring by the sharpest eyes in the house. "Did you need me for something?" he asked, trying to get the conversation away from his interest in Donna Troy.

"Oh yes, Miss Mary and Master James are coming for dinner tonight and Master Thomas has requested tacos. I need you to accompany me to the store," he said as the smirk still played around his lips. Marcus also knew that "accompany him to the store" meant to drive him there, as Alfred was no longer able to drive.

"Of course Uncle, it would be my pleasure," Marcus replied with perfect manners.

"Good, now be a dear chap and go out there and tell that lovely lady that we will be out for about an hour," he said before he turned and exited the room.

The extra color that he was sporting slowly drained from his face as he looked at the object of his desire recline in the lounger. He hadn't yet dealt with the sudden sexual awareness he had toward her and had no idea how he was going to converse with her while she wore that tiny bikini. He closed his eyes and pulled his reserve around him like a cloak.

"Think clean thoughts," he muttered under his breath as he exited the room and headed out the back door. He could hear Thomas splashing in the pool as he approached the patio. He tried very hard not to stare as he quietly approached Donna.

He cleared his throat before speaking and watched with hidden amusement as she jumped and turned toward him. "Excuse me, Miss Troy," he began only to be interrupted sharply.

"I thought you agreed to call me Donna this morning, Mr. Pennyworth," she said as she slid her sunglasses down her nose and raised an eyebrow at him.

"Um yes, sorry for the error M...Donna. I just wanted to let you know that Uncle Alfred and I are going shopping and that we will be gone for the next hour," he said trying to remain expressionless and not stare at her long and beautifully shaped legs. She was perfect.

She gave him a small smile and replied, "I'm sure we will manage just fine without you." She then pushed the sunglasses back up her nose and returned to her reclining position on the lounger.

"Very good," he said as he quickly turned away before he did something foolish like offer to rub sunscreen into her perfectly toned back. Uncle, I swear I will find a way to get you back for this, he thought as he returned to the house.