Not a romantic chapter. I couldn't really think of anything so here's an Alfred and Paula family moment with a certain discussion.
Paula sat in her wheelchair with nothing more to do. With her useless legs she was trapped in the small nasty apartment in Gotham. She wanted to get out. She wanted to meet the boy that was making Artemis seem like a normal girl, and not a roughed up ex-con. Her curiosity was growing, when she heard Jade talk about an eerily identical driver who had set her up on a date.
She sighed looking out the window when she saw a black van. Her heart froze. The last time a van showed it was her spouse. He wanted to see Artemis. The last thing she wanted was for her husband to show up. He hadn't been home in a while. She stared out the window in pure terror when she saw an elderly man step out. He then rapped on the passenger side window until a boy stepped out. It was a little difficult to see him from the window until he started talking.
"Mr. Pennyworth what is this about?" he asked. He was dressed in a black suit, a top hat and was now putting on a pair of glasses that had a glare. White gloves were on his hands and running across the bridge of his freckled nose. The man said something and the boy sighed. He then began walking up to the door of her apartment. There was a knock. A small weight came off her shoulders. If it was her husband or someone who worked for him they would've just come in. And if he was a criminal, he would've broken down the door.
Strangely enough, whoever was driving the vehicle did not get out, but sent the boy up alone.
"I'm coming," she said rolling herself to the door. Artemis was out shopping with Megan (or was it M'gann?) so she was alone. When she got to the door she noted that the boy was taller than Artemis. His nose had a spray of freckles that seemed to be the one thing that contradicted his clean look.
"Um… Mrs. Crock?" he squeaked.
"Yes. I'm Paula Crock. Can I help you?"
"No," he said gathering himself. His voice became sweet and serious, "But I believe that my employer and I can help you."
Oh boy. Another insurance scam. Or they are trying to get me to buy a home I can't afford.
"I bet you haven't been outside in a while. Would you like to come with me for a drive?"
Might as well take advantage of what I can get freely. And going out does sound nice.
"Alright."
He gave a cheesy nonprofessional grin before he stepped behind her and pushed her wheelchair to the car.
"Pardon me," he said lifting her out of her wheel chair and putting her in the passenger's seat. He put her wheel chair in the back.
"Thank you Wallace. Be sure to be ready for your shift in an hour."
"Wait. What? Hey!" he yelled as the driver took off. Paranoid radar rose in Paula.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Calm down Mrs. Crock. You want to see where your daughter is going to meet her friends when she leaves?"
"Yes but… You're one of the care takers?"
"In a sense."
"So back there was…?"
"Wallace. But I believe Artemis calls him Kid Flash or anything similar?"
"That was… Oh my. Artemis would die if she knew he met me."
"And it would be even worse if she discovered what we are discussing today."
"And that would be what exactly?"
He had a knowing smile. Almost reminded her of her dad when he was still alive. The only real difference was the black suit he was wearing that smelled like cookies.
"It would seem as though your oldest daughter has a crush on Red Arrow."
Paula stifled a laugh. She and Jade seldom talked, but they chatted recently about how she might have found the perfect guy. And a bit to vent about the waste of a perfectly good person known as Red Arrow.
"I should have known. They sounded too much alike to be coincidence," she smiled. The scenery passed them as they left Gotham.
"And your other daughter Artemis seems to like my new student."
"Student? You mean the driver?"
"Yes. He is currently working for me. At least until Christmas."
"And when will I meet this devil that seems to be turning Artemis into a normal girl?"
"You already have."
Paula tilted her head back with a full hearted laugh.
"That boy back there? Kid Flash? My little girl likes a super hero."
"The feeling is mutual."
"So what do you want me to do?" she asked. She couldn't do anything for Jade, but she would do all she could for Artemis.
"I'm surprised you are so willing," he said.
"Don't be. There's not much to do when you can't use your legs."
He gave her a sad gaze, "Have Artemis give him something at least meaningful. And try to convince her uncle to barricade the exits."
She nodded. It was almost like living in a movie. A romantic comedy. And she was an actress in all of the commotion.
"Only if you let me go for a sleigh ride with my potential son-in-law."
"That can be arranged."
Probably my worst chapter. Any newcouples before I start the finale? And as Always please review.
Shout out to my new Beta Inscriber!