Chapter 21

As they stepped down from the podium Bruce was about to lead Felicity to the dance floor when Tony intercepted.

"Thank you Bruce I'll take it from here"

"Dad"

"No objections young lady. As your father I demand the first dance. He can wait." Tony led her on the floor.

"You look beautiful princess, how long?"

"How long what?

"I recognize the necklace, it belonged to Martha. How long have you two been together?"

"We've been talking about it since I moved from Starling, but officially tonight is our first night as a couple."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "So the two of you have been living together? A man that my daughter is interested in dating has been sleeping under the same roof as her. Oh hell no."

"Dad I have my own room. We're taking it slow. Neither of us wants to screw this up."

Tony's eyes softened. "I guess I knew this day was coming. I don't like it, because I'm a dad and you're not supposed to date anyone until you're married. Can I blast him with my suit?"

"There will be no blasting until after dessert. Alfred would have kittens."

Tony laughed "By the way I brought an extra pair of fuzzy socks."

Felicity looked at him in mock-horror. "Alfred would never forgive us."

"Urgh Alfred" Tony said "here's an idea. I'll distract him by having the Iron suit steal his tea and dump it in the Gotham harbor, then you and I can bring out the fuzzy socks and bring some life to this party. They'll be talking about it for years."

They both laughed.

"Are you sure about this Lissie? A relationship with Bruce is serious business."

"I'm sure."

"And Queen is here because…"

"Because his company needs some good PR. This is my goodbye present. He and I would never work together and I don't feel about him the same way I feel about Bruce. In a way my crush on Oliver grew out of what I felt for Bruce. When I left Gotham after he came back from his…trip I was upset at who he had become. Working with Oliver allowed me to accept the way he changed and come back. It's him. It's always been him."

The song ended. Tony saw Bruce standing on the edge of the dance floor. "He's your Pepper." He said smiling. "Well I like Bat boy. Don't tell him though; I'm going to enjoy making him squirm for my approval." Tony let Felicity go and turned to the rest of the dance floor. "So who wants to dance with Iron Man?"