Disclaimer

The characters used in the story are the property of DC Comics and Warner Bros. I have used them in the story which is entirely a product of my own imagination

Chap 14

There was hardly any room for air between them

But as they say, good moods don't prevail for long, especially for the Batman

The sound of a violent explosion brought them back to senses. Bruce ran towards the window to find out the source of commotion.

It was his car! Again!

Lisa soon followed and looked over his shoulder. She was equally stunned. Bruce snapped back to senses and made a dash to the door and strode downstairs. Lisa was too late to stop him, so followed him instead.

Bruce quickly looked around. Luckily, the road was deserted at the time of the blast, hence no one was injured. However the explosion drew quite a bit of attention from the neighbours whose sleep was disturbed. Bruce checked the remnants of the car and concluded that the explosive was placed in the back seat. The doors had flown away as before, one hit the tree on the other side of the road, while the other crashed against the window of an uninhabited apartment.

Among the whispers of the anxious crowd, Bruce could pick out his name being reiterated. They had indeed recognized him. Someone must've intimated the police, for Bruce could hear the siren of the night patrol car at a distance.

Lisa joined him. She appeared to be shaken and held Bruce's arm for support. The sighting of the couple increased the murmurs and Bruce felt very uncomfortable. To his relief, the police car finally arrived, but contrary to his expectations, it was Commissioner Gordon in the patrol car.

"Bruce!" the commissioner exclaimed, "What the devil are you doing here in the middle of the night."

That did not make Bruce situation any better. He was obliged to give an answer, although he was pretty sure commissioner would understand it upon careful observation, as he had already started squinting back and forth at Lisa and himself.

Bruce took a heavy breath and dropped on his knees, holding his head, hoping that a medical emergency would shift the focus off theunimportant matters. He winked at anxious Lisa, who understood his Que, and took the opportunity to inconspicuously make her way back to her apartment. Bruce succeeded, as the commissioner immediately ordered for Bruce to be shifted to the hospital immediately. Bruce pleaded to be taken to the Wayne manor, and after a long persuasion, the commissioner obliged. He escorted Bruce, leaving detective Bullock and his team to examine the scene.

"Twice in less than a week!" commissioner spoke once he made sure they were safely away. "Looks like someone is holding a grudge. Any idea who?"

"Beats me, Jim," Bruce spoke in a deeper Batman voice, "and this time, it was long shot. There was no reason to explode the car without me in it."

"Which brings us back to the question, what were you doing there?" Gordon nudged Bruce with a smile.

"Nothing of that sort, Jim," Bruce managed a smile, "I am a long way from that. But back to the more important matter in hand – why would someone go through the ordeal of exploding my cars!"

"Certainly the bomb was placed after you left the car!" Gordon remarked.

"Yes, that did occur to me. But it doesn't fit into our premise that someone is after my life!" Bruce frowned.

"May be its just a warning!" Gordon exclaimed.

"May be..." Bruce closed his eyes.

The patrol car reached the Wayne Manor.

"Jim, I want to you check with Arkham about the current status of Joker." Bruce spoke abruptly.

"You think he's behind all this?" Gordon frowned, as he opened the door.

"May be not," Bruce remarked, "but it won't hurt to keep a tab on him."

Alfred got the door and was rather surprised to see his Master come home in a police car. Bruce offered no explanation as he made his way past Alfred. Just as the engine started, Bruce turned around and rushed to the car.

"Gordon, please do me a favor! Keep Lisa out of this business. I assure, she has nothing to do with this!" Bruce almost pleaded.

"I will! However I don't speak for Bullock, so your girl friend might have to put up with some inconvenience." Gordon shrugged as he drove off.

Bruce sensed that Alfred was still waiting for an explanation. But he was in no mood what so ever. He was disappointed by the way a beautiful night had to end.

"Master Dick has asked me to expedite your presence in the bat-cave, sir!" Alfred spoke.

Bruce sighed. The last thing he wanted was another trouble maker. He reluctantly made his way to the bat-cave.

"What is it?" Bruce barked as he strode down the steps.

"I know you were at Lisa's." Dick remarked without turning around.

Bruce grunted his teeth. "This is what you called me for?" he scowled.

"Sit down!" Dick ordered.

Bruce frowned and clenched his fist. He was not used to taking orders, especially from this man. He decided to protest.

"What ever it is, however important it is, this is not the time!" Bruce countered, trying to sound equally intense.

"You were the one who asked me to look up about Lisa Prince!" Dick retorted, as he turned around.

Bruce took a sharp breath. Dick was being too indignant, but something told him that he had good reason for his behaviour. Still, he did not want to admit the defeat.

"I know all I need to know." He bluntly marked the end of conversation.

"What happened to that magnificent mind of yours, Bruce? Why have you shut it off? From when did you start believing people without trying to know about them first?" Dick shouted.

Bruce lost his temper.

"That's it! Dick, Lisa is my personal matter, and it is what I choose that counts. I choose to believe her, respect the confidentiality of her past and stand by her, come what may! And tell you what, I intend to make her my wife!" The last line slipped off his tongue in frustration. Bruce became conscious of Dick's mouth drop at that, but imagined that he would understand.

"You are so consumed by that woman, aren't you?" Dick shook his head in indifference.

"And what bothers you?" Bruce growled, "Does it pain to see me happy?"

"Shut up, Bruce!" Dick snarled, "You are completely out of your mind, that's what you are! The name Lisa has taken over you like a spell."

"Lisa Prince is perfect for me!" Bruce held his ground.

"Lisa Prince has been dead for three months!" Dick growled

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