Night and Day

The next day, I was back at the embassy for a new day of listening to petitions, assisting refugees and negotiations with Mr. Lau. I had put the thought of my new engagement or arrangement out of my mind for now.

Bruce and I would talk further that night at dinner.

"…with Lau Securities, the surviving funds from your father's account will be perfectly safe in Hong Kong." Lau droned on and on.

I didn't see why my father trusted this man. I thought as I nodded and took as many notes as possible. There was something about the small man with his beige suits that reminded me of a slimy snake. Maybe it was the look in his dark brown eyes.

They were almost black…

"We even have dealings with Wayne Enterprises right now and will hopefully be closing soon." Lau continued.

The sooner we finished this meeting and I got him out of there, the happier I would be. Maybe I could talk to Bruce about him.

He seemed to understand my…ability with people…

"What the hell?!" Dr. Elliot shouted outside my office. Lau stopped and I looked up when there was a loud CRASH! BANG!

"What was that?" I asked, standing up.

"Let's go see." Lau said.

We left the office to find a group of people around the window. Annette was on the phone, dialing 911.

"…a school bus crashed into the building opposite the Corte Maltese Embassy. No, I don't know how many people are injured or even if there are any children onboard."

I made my way to the window and saw the crash.

A bright yellow school bus stuck out of the wall of the Avenue X Bank across the way from us.

Crisis mode turned on for me. I pointed at Cicero "Find security, see if they got the crash on video. If they have it, make a copy of it for the Gotham police." I pointed to a second councilmember, Salieri, "Check our emergency clinic, prepare them for a potential emergency in case we have injured children." I then found the third councilmember, Valestra, "Lock down the building. Nobody goes in or out until the police arrive to take our statements."

Everyone scurried about, obeying my orders.

Just then, a line of school buses passed us. I hoped the children on those buses wouldn't see the carnage in case any of their friends were onboard.

"Dear God…" I whispered, rubbing the pelican choker I always wore. The symbol of Corte Maltese, the choker was the last thing my father passed to me before he sent me to the planes evacuating the island.

That's when I knew he wasn't coming with us…

My reverie was interrupted the sound of the crashed bus creaking and moving out of the hole it created in the crash. What the…? I watched as the bus joined the line of school buses and then disappeared into the traffic just as we heard the wailing of sirens.

An hour or so later, Lieutenant Gordon of the Gotham P.D. arrived. I liked him immediately. He had warm brown eyes behind thick glasses and a soft smile. He wasn't a large man but from the way he carried himself and spoke, I knew he had the strength of a mountain but the gentleness of an ocean breeze.

He stood before me, shuffling his feet and looking at his feet before he looked up. "Uh, I[m not sure how to address you correctly. I've never interviewed a member of royalty before, let alone met one. My daughter will be excited to hear about his though."

I smiled, remembering meeting several children who were excited to be meeting a real-life princess. "It's all right, Lieutenant. You may call me Grace."

My relaxed demeanor put Gordon at ease and he smiled. "Okay, then Grace. Can you tell me everything that happened?"

I told him my recollection of events before ending with the arrival of the Gotham P.D. When I mention Lau's name, Gordon perked up his head. "Is something wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing, it's just…I didn't see Lau at all."

I looked around…just in time to that Lau was gone.

Something spooked him.

"You know him then?" I asked.

"It's confidential. But anyway…" Gordon continued with his line of questioning.

But I couldn't help but wonder.

I would need to talk to Bruce that evening.

The robbery at the bank across the street almost resulted in me being late for my first date with Bruce Wayne.

He had managed to get us reservations at Nazimova's, the brand new restaurant that opened at the Hotel Monolith.

Even I hadn't been able to get reservations at the place several months in advance for Mama's birthday.

As a result, I didn't have much time to change and put on my makeup before Bruce arrived.

"Grace! Bruce is here!" Mama called from the elevator.

"I'm coming!" I shouted, giving up on the makeup and just staying simple. I checked myself one last time before walking out with purpose, my back straight and firm.

Bruce stood at the elevator, carrying a dozen red roses. A deep red flush crossed his cheeks as he gave the roses to me.

"For you."

I took them and smiled. "My favorites…you remembered." I said, sniffing the blossoms.

"I'll put these up in a vase." I said but Mama took them out of my hands.

"I'll do that. You two lovebirds go out now."

Bruce offered his left arm to me. I slid my arm through it and allowed him to lead me to the elevator.

The Hotel Monolith was a classy affair. All the men wore suits or tuxedos and the ladies had their best eveningwear as they milled about the hotel lobby. I felt a little self-conscious in my simple powder blue dress and white shoes. But other than the white coronation gown Mom sewed for me, I had nothing appropriate to wear.

My shoulders hunched closer to my body and I found myself looking at my shoes. Bruce must've noticed my nervousness and leaned closer. "You look beautiful." he whispered to me, his lips brushing against my cheek.

My nerves taunt, I smiled back at him but I could tell from the look on his face that he wasn't reassured. Before I had a chance to answer, I heard the whispers and others staring.

"…is that Bruce Wayne?"

"…with the Princess of Corte Maltese? What's her name?"

"…Grace Montello…"

"…about time someone noticed her. She's been hiding in that embassy of hers ever since she arrived."

I gripped Bruce's hand when I saw some people holding their phones up to us to get a picture.

Panic was replaced with a cunning thought. They wanted a show? Well I'll show them.

I turned and planted a kiss on Bruce's cheek.

There were a couple of diners chattering with excitement.

"They want a show." I whispered to Bruce.

Bruce's smirk became a full on grin. "Then let's give it to them." He grabbed me and dipped me down into a full kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck as the flashes of cameras and squealing of onlookers filled the room.

When he raised me, I was still dizzy. But I wasn't sure if it was from him dipping me or the kiss itself.

It was very different from the shy and somewhat awkward kiss behind the olive trees. Oh it was more passionate and fiery…but some of the gentleness he had shown me was there.

We ignored the screams of the people and made our way to the booth. The host saw Bruce and grabbed two menus.

"Welcome Mr. Wayne and Your Highness. I have the owner's table ready to go." He said, waving at us to follow.

"Owner's table? How'd you get that?" I asked.

Bruce wiped my lipstick stain off of his cheek. "I own the place."

A/N: Well, this is one of those weird chapters...but I hope that it does establish the mood okay. Please let me know what you think!