JUST BUSINESS

Fire

In the moment it took to blink, the chef missed both his patrons exit, Diana flying directly though the kitchen and Bruce sprinting to the car. Taking the matte black bundle he whispered. "Hide." As the roadster rolled out on the quietly humming electro motor, its owner raced a flight of fire escape stairs just as silently. In darkness above the streetlights, he changed clothes in a rush, watching her seek out the would be arsonist.

Diana found the perp to be not a day over twenty. Grabbing him by the collar, she pressed him into the wall. "Go. Home." Her voice was a powder keg waiting to blow.

Unable to utter a sound, the youth nodded panicky. When she dropped him into a puddle of fuel of his own making he took of with the speed that would put Flash to shame.

Just than, the dark knight swooped down before Diana. "Who invited you?"

"Bruce Wayne, as a matter of fact." She walked up to him with confidence.

"Than leave with the coward." The Bat suggested, his voice icy. "NOW." His arm flashed in the direction of the bay.

Unimpressed, Diana pushed on, her face an inch from his. "If you can't appreciate help, you don't deserve it." She stated calmly and rose through the air.

The Bat watched her become an unsteady spot of light, indistinguishable form other stars. Shaking himself out of the trance, He fried a grapple into the sky. Picking up his attire, he followed the beacon to a set of trashcans in another such alley. He fell through the flickering holograph and opened roof, landing in a crouch between the seats.

No sooner than he changed back, the proximity alert blinked in warning. Dropping the cover, Wayne met her searching eyes.

Diana leisurely strode closer. "You forgot to pay the bill." She leaned over him.

"I 'forgot' my jacket in the restaurant." Bruce replied. "Keys, wallet and all."

"You'll call in the other car?" She didn't need to specify which.

"This is the other car." A cunning smirk threatened his cool.

"Hidden in plain view." She walked around it to the other side, looking for any unusual feature, didn't find any.

While she examined the vehicle, Bruce opened a secret compartment and took something from it with a sleight of hand. "I do appreciate you." He held out a single red rose.

The look they shared was many things at once: a thanks and welcome, and an agreement to end at this high point. Like a true gentleman, Bruce dropped Diana off at an inconspicusous location and walked her to the predetermined beam-out coordinates. He gave her an innocent kiss goodnight bur she deepened it, pulling him closer.

"Not yet." He managed a husky whisper, looking at the ground. "It's not…

"Appropriate?" She cut in. "I don't care about protocols, Bruce."

"We can't be paired in both identities." He spoke below threshold of normal human hearing „The public still thinks I almost killed myself on Santo Caro trying to save you."

She noticed the unspecified 'you', and knew he never left things ambiguous unless… "Clark could publish something on the founder's friction." Diana was quick with a solution.

Bruce snorted. "Like he would do me a favor right now."

"He might do me a favor." Diana replied.

He looked up slowly, his expression mild, as if he didn't dare hope. But his hand reached out to her instinctively, callous fingers grazing her cheek. This time he provided the passion. If his instincts had say, Bruce would have taken her right than and there. It took all of his discipline to pull away. Diana didn't question his action, just took a step back.

Seeing her phase out, Bruce returned to the black speedster. He leaned into the seat and stared at the clear, star lit sky. With eyes closed he felt a warmth swell in the pit of his stomach. Ki, lifeforce, overabundant and needing a way out. His brain was hijacked by thoughts of her. He knew patrolling in this condition would be suicide. Revving the car up, Bruce took off without aim, just moving through the city streets. He searched the stations until a familiar guitar riff filled the cabin.

With no secrets. No obsession.
This time I'm speeding with no direction.
Without a reason. What is this fire?
Burning slowly. My one and only.
Desire...

You know me. You don't mind waiting.
You just can't show me, but God I'm praying,
That you'll find me, and that you'll see me,
That you'll run and - never tire.
Desire...

To be continued...

For the curious uninformed: Ryan Adams – Desire.