Chapter 37 — Wildest Dreams

Zoey groans as she opens her eyes. The last thing she remembered was snow tumbling down on top of her. The weight of everything pressed down on her as she fell down the mountain. She slowly tries pushing herself up and looks around the room. It was very threadbare, with just a twin bed and a small dresser in the corner. She looks down and finds that she's wearing a loose pair of sweat pants and an oversize shirt. Zoey stands up and walks out of the room. The hallway is long. There's a bank of windows across the hall. She looks around. Doors were along the wall.

Zoey turns to the left and makes her way down the hallway. Her feet shuffle along the smooth wood. The wind was lightly blowing. She stops and looks out the window. A mountain was in the background. She wonders if that's the mountain she was trying to climb. Footsteps echo in the hallway and she turns. At the end of the hallway, a tall dark-haired man was standing there. He was dressed in clothing similar to the people in the small village where she had met the mountaineer who was leading her and a small group up the mountain.

"Zoey," the man disbelievingly asks, moving towards her.

The bright blue eyes and the cheekbones are very familiar. "Bru…" Zoey rasps. She starts coughing and leans against the open window. He quickly closes the gap between them and gently grasps her bicep. Her dark green eyes met his. "Bruce?"

He shoots her a quick smile. One that she had been familiar with for years, but one she hadn't seen in over five years. "You know, this wasn't how I pictured ruining into you again," he tells her.

"You pictured running into me," Zoey amusedly replies. Bruce shakes his head. He scoops her up and she quickly drapes an arm around his shoulders. "You know, I can walk."

"You just survived an avalanche," Bruce argues. He walks down the hallway to the room she had been in.

"Where am I," Zoey questions as he sets her down on the bed. "And how in the hell did I survive an avalanche?"

"You're in Nanda Parbat. It's a small village in Tibet," Bruce answers, sitting down next to her. "And I don't know the answer to the second question."

Zoey nods. She looks down at her hands. "Did anyone else survive the avalanche?"

"No."

"Then how am I alive? How did I end up here?"

"I wish I had answers for you, Zoey." Bruce stands up. "I'll see you later. I have to head to training."

"Training? Training for what," Zoey questions. Bruce remains silent as he walks out of the room. She sits there, more confused than ever.

That night, when the urge to eat became so unbearable, Zoey walks out of the room. No one had come by the rest of the day. The wind was howling and she rubs her arms as she quickly walks down the dark corridor. She had no idea where she was or who she was with. The mountaineering guide had made it clear to her that the group would be on the Nepal side of the mountains, which had left her wondering how she had ended up in China. Zoey's so lost in her thoughts that bumps into a man wearing all black clothing.

"I'm sorry," Zoey apologizes, backing away from the man. There was something in his gaze that made her feel like she wasn't welcomed. "Um, do you know—" She's cut off when the man wraps a hand around her neck. The only thing she could make out were the dark eyes glaring at her. She holds up her hands.

Zoey hears someone speaking. She didn't recognize the language, but given what Bruce had told her, she guessed that it was Tibetan. The man suddenly lets go of her and pushes past her to walk down the hallway. She sees a man with a thin mustache wearing long dark robes. "Ms. Queen, I apologize for my acquaintance," he tells her. "He's not exactly fond of outsiders."

"It's no problem," Zoey replies. "Um, I was looking for something to eat."

"Did no one bring you any dinner?" Zoey shakes her head. "Come, I'll take you down to the kitchen and have them make you a meal."

Zoey softly smiles. "Thank you…"

"Ducard. Henri Ducard."

"Thank you, Mr. Ducard." Zoey follows him through the building. She doesn't miss the distrustful looks that some people send her. "Mr. Ducard, where exactly am I? Bruce said I was in Tibet."

Ducard nods. "Nanda Parbat is a small village buried in the foothills of the Himalayas, Ms. Queen. I didn't realize that you and Mr. Wayne were acquaintances."

Zoey shifts. "We've known each other for a long time. So, is this place like a, uh, Buddhist monastery or something?"

Ducard smiles. "It's not a Buddhist monastery. But Nanda Parbat is home to the League of Shadows."

Zoey raises an eyebrow. "League of Shadows?"

"We're an organization that believes in ridding the world of corruption and providing peace." Ducard stops in front of a door and she realizes that he had led her back to the room she had been in most of the day. "I'll have someone bring you something to eat, Ms. Queen. I would advise that you don't leave your room unescorted."

"Thank you, Mr. Ducard," she softly says, then enters the room. She closes the door behind her. She doesn't miss the unmistakable click of a lock on the outside. She walks back over to the door and tries it. It was locked. "If I'm going to be locked in here, can I at least get a book to read or something? Ideally an iPad and the wifi password." She only hears silence and rolls her eyes. "Great."

Zoey settles into a routine as each day passes. Every morning and every evening someone would bring a tray of food, along with a book. Twice a day someone would escort her to the bathroom. No one talked to her. And she easily got the sense that no one wanted her there. Since everyone left her alone, she took the opportunity to plan an escape.

When she hears the unmistakable click of the lock, Zoey hides behind the door. She watches as a tall, dark-haired man walks into the room. Unbeknownst to anyone, she had a sharpened spoon hidden up her sleeve. She closes the door and holds out the shiv in front of her. "I want to go home. Now," she angrily says. The man turns around and she lets out an annoyed breath.

"Did you make a shiv," Bruce amusedly questions.

Zoey rolls her eyes and throws the shiv onto the small dresser. "I've been trapped in this damn room for who knows how long, Bruce. I want to go home."

Bruce sighs. "I know. I talked with Ducard. The avalanche has made getting in and out of Nanda Parbat a bit harder. So, it'll be a while before you can leave. And you've only been here for two weeks."

"Feels like forever," Zoey angrily mutters.

"So, why were you trying to climb Mount Everest?" Zoey avoids looking at him and Bruce can't keep the amused look off his face. He sits down on the bed. "Catch me up on what's going on at home."

"Earle is trying to have you declared dead," Zoey tells him. "But he's having trouble getting it done. Someone keeps refusing to cooperate with the police."

Bruce frowns. "How do you know that?"

"Um, well, Earle told me," Zoey answers, sitting down next to him. "He kept bringing it up every time we met to discuss the merger."

"Merger?"

"Between Wayne Enterprises and Queen Industries."

Bruce snorts. "Bet Queen loved that."

"Wouldn't know. I don't speak to Oliver anymore. He sold me his shares. The last time we spoke was before he got married three years ago. We've been divorced for four."

"How'd you get him to do that? Seemed like he would do anything to keep Queen Industries."

"I think he felt guilty. He got his mistress knocked up. So, it was over for good. And as for the mountain climbing…I just wanted an adventure. I wanted to feel alive again." Zoey turns on the bed to face him. They had both grown since they last saw each other. "So, what have you been doing since leaving Gotham?"

Bruce walks up to where Zoey was standing one morning. He carried two small duffle bags and was dressed for the cold weather. Granted being in the Himalayas, everyone dressed for the cold weather. He places a hand on her back and she shoots him a small smile before turning her gaze back to the mountains. "You know, I am going to climb that mountain," she tells him. "I can't let it defeat me. I have to show it whose boss."

Bruce moves to stand behind her. He gently grasps her head and turns it to face a mountain further away. "That's the one you want."

"Oh. Well, I'm going to come back and climb it. Along with that other one." Bruce chuckles as she turns around to face him. Zoey notices the bags. "Where are you going?"

"To pick some flowers. Ducard asked if I would do it." He smiles down at her. "You should come with me."

Zoey rolls her eyes. "You don't have to ask me twice. A chance to get out of this damn place for any amount of time is something I'll take."

"It's not that bad."

"Bruce, there's no WiFi. There's no cable. I'm gonna be so far behind on Grey's Anatomy when I get home. Same with Outlander. Granted, the biggest benefit of this place is that there's no annoying asshole ex-husbands."

"You don't sound bitter at all."

Zoey throws her hands up. It had been something she had heard time and again since her divorce. That she was angry all the time; cold-hearted. "I'm the one who got hurt over and over. And everyone hates me. Everyone says that I stole his company. Everyone acts like Oliver is the victim because he puts on fucking green leather and saves the world or whatever. No one ever remembers that he abandoned me when I needed him most; that he cheated on me. More than once I might add. And with different women. I'm just a cold-hearted bitch that drove him away and stole his company as petty revenge."

Bruce shoots her a smirk. "I think this hike will do you some wonders. Help you let go of that anger."

Zoey smacks his arm. "You're an ass."

Zoey watches as Bruce carefully picks the blue flowers. It had taken them a good day to walk to the field where the flowers grew. "What is so special about these flowers," she asks, looking into one of the bags that was filled with them. Bruce remains silent and she nods. "I'm not cool enough to know. That's okay." She turns her gaze back to the scenery around them. Mountains were everywhere one would look. A couple of yaks were by a stream with herders tending to them. She starts to walk over to them when a hand grabs around her wrist.

"They won't talk to you," Bruce tells her.

"I know we don't speak the same language or anything, but that doesn't—"

"I said won't, not can't, Zoey. They think that you're with the League of Shadows. They won't talk to you." Zoey remains quiet as she looks down at the clothes she was wearing. It was an outfit similar to Bruce's. She looks back up to find that the herders are gone. Her gaze goes around the scenery. It stops on a snow leopard. By the time Bruce looks up, he sees that Zoey has made her way to the big cat and has her hand out.

"Hi," she softly greets, watching the snow leopard sniff her hand. Bruce watches as the snow leopard rubs its face around her hand. She shoots him an excited glance before turning her attention back to the big cat. Zoey runs a hand over the snow leopard head. Bruce silently makes his way over to them. "You are just a precious big kitty. And you are gorgeous." The big cat rubs its head on her legs. The snow leopard hisses as Bruce nears them. "It's okay. That's just Bruce. He's an old friend of mine. He won't hurt you."

The snow leopard hisses once more then runs off. Bruce places a protective hand on her back. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Zoey replies, with a smile. "That was amazing." She hits him on the stomach. "Why did you make her run away?"

Bruce shakes his head and guides Zoey back to the path. "We need to find a place to take shelter for the night."

That night as they sit in the entrance of a cave, Zoey watches Bruce warm his hands on the fire he had made. "So, how do you enjoy being somewhere where no one knows you?"

Bruce chuckles. "I've learned a lot."

Zoey stares at him with a curious look on her face. "Have you met anyone special?"

"No. What's with the third degree?"

Zoey shrugs. "Boredom."

"Have you met anyone?"

"No. No one wants to date me, let alone fuck me. I don't know if it's because they're intimidated or scared that Oliver is going to put an arrow in them. I had to buy a rabbit…to help relieve tension."

"Does it help?"

"Why? Are you offering to take its place?" Bruce shakes his head, but can't keep the smile off his face. A silence falls over them, each lost in their own thoughts. Zoey looks out at the dark scenery and sees snow falling. She walks out of the cave and laughs. "It's snowing." She looks up at the sky and sees the twinkling stars. "You never see the stars in Star City."

Bruce joins her by the entrance. "You never see them in Gotham."

"Are you ever gonna go back?"

"No."

Bruce finds Zoey curled up in her bed, reading a book she has borrowed from the library. He wasn't going to deny that he enjoyed her being there. He had missed her company while he was on his travels before arriving at Nanda Parbat. He flops down in the bed next to her and raises an eyebrow seeing the book was a copy of Anna Karenia. "I didn't realize Russian literature was something you were a fan of."

"It was one of the few books that I haven't read while here," Zoey replies, not looking up. "Why aren't you at the party celebrating…whatever it is they're celebrating."

Bruce shrugs. "Party kinda blows." He plucks the book out of her hands and presses his lips against hers. It had been quite a while since he had been with anyone. Talia was the last woman he was with before she had taken off suddenly. He yanks the blanket covering her legs off and pushes them apart. His hands run over her bare legs.

Zoey stares at him, then she pulls him back up and softly kisses him. She hadn't been joking when she told him that it had been a while since she had been with anyone. Since her divorce, she had focused on finishing law school and running Queen Industries. Her hands grab the bottom of the tunic he wore and pushes it up. Her hands over his chest. He had beefed up in the years since they had last been together.

Bruce quickly rids her of her tunic. He shoves his pants down and kicks them off the small bed. He presses her into the mattress. Her legs settle around his waist. He slides a hand between them and she lets out a soft moan. A finger slowly pushes in, then is quickly joined by another. Her nails gently rake down his back. Her breathe hitches. It always did when she was close. Even though it had been years since they had been together, that they both had changed over the years; there were some things that had never changed. He pulls his hand away.

"That's mean," Zoey breathes.

Bruce smirks, slowly entering her. He grabs her hands and holds them over her head. "Is it mean to only want to feel you cum on my cock?"

Zoey arches her back, pressing her breasts into his chest. Her breath hitches once more. "God, Bruce," she softly lets out. She clenches down on him and he lets out a groan.

Bruce presses open mouth kisses along her jaw. His hips never stop moving. "Fuck, Zoey."

Zoey laughs. "You don't swear."

"You swear enough for both of us," Bruce argues. She goes to pull her hands away, but he tightens his grip. "I find it interesting that you want to have this conversation while I'm fucking you." She bites her lip, not wanting to let him know the effect he was having on her. He doesn't miss the shudder that passes through her body. "You're into dirty talk."

"Just fuck me already," Zoey snaps. Bruce smirks, pressing his lips against hers and picking up his pace.

Bruce finds Zoey standing next to the balcony, staring up at the mountains. It's the same spot where he always finds her. He had been spending nights in her room. Their relationship was one that had always been easy. They could talk to each other with no problem. He places a hand on her back and she shoots him a soft smile. "I managed to speak with Mr. Ducard today," she tells him, turning her attention back to the mountain. "They're finally working on sending me home."

"You could stay," Bruce replies. "I don't think I've ever seen you so relaxed before."

Zoey sighs. "Believe me, it has been years since I've felt so relaxed. But, um, Bruce, I can't stay here. I have responsibilities back home."

"You deserve to be happy."

"Yet the universe keeps punishing me."

Bruce stares at her. There was sadness around her. "Zoey—"

"I'd like to be alone right now." He stands there for a moment, then pulls her against his chest. She's tense for a moment, then relaxes against him. "I don't even know what the date is," she whispers. "And yet, I always know when it's this day."

A silence settles over them as he holds her. He knew that nothing he said at that moment would help with the grief she was feeling in the moment.

Bruce easily remembered the last time he had been to the Carmichael family home. It was nothing like Wayne manor. The grounds were manicured; the trees hid the home from prying eyes. It was an escape. The last time he was here was with his parents. It had been for the funeral of Zoey's parents. Zoey was sitting on the steps of the massive front porch. She was wrapped up in an oversized sweater. "What are you doing here," she softly asks. Her eyes were red.

He doesn't answer, sitting down next to her. Bruce pulls out a flask from his coat pocket and takes a swig. He holds it out to her. Zoey stares then grabs it and take a swig. She hands it back to him.

"You always did have good taste in whiskey," she tells him.

"Alfred is the one who picks it out."

"Next time I see Alfred I'll tell him he has good taste in whiskey. I hope you have more than that."

"I do."

"Good."

The arrangements to leave Nanda Parbat had taken months. During the months before leaving, Zoey had spent her time wandering around the compound. Though she didn't discover much about the mysterious place she had been spending her time. Most of the doors were locked. Bruce hadn't revealed much about the League of Shadows. Zoey had been very surprised when one-afternoon Ducard had shown up and told her that she would be leaving the next day.

There's a knock at the door and Zoey turns to see Bruce standing there. "I'd figured you might like some company on the walk to town," he greets.

Zoey smiles. "I'd like that," she replies, standing up. She grabs the small rucksack off the bed and slings it over her shoulder. In comfortable silence, they make their way out of the compound down to the dirt road that leads into the small village. There, Zoey would pick up a bus to Lhasa and then a private jet to Star City. "You know, I'm actually gonna miss this place."

"I thought you were itching to get home," Bruce amusedly counters.

"Oh, don't blame me. I look very much to having an insanely hot shower once I get home. But…I like how unreachable you are here. No cell phones going off every five seconds. It's peaceful." Zoey sighs. "Everything is gonna be a shit storm when I get home."

"What are you gonna do," Bruce questions.

"I don't know." Zoey shrugs and looks at the small village ahead of them. "I did this whole trip to prove to myself that I could do it. And I somehow survive an avalanche. So, maybe I couldn't climb a mountain. But I've survived a lot of crazy shit in my life and I'm only thirty. Maybe…Maybe I can finally force a bunch of old ass men sitting on the board to shut up and listen to me."

"I think you'll be able to do that."

They arrive at the bus stop. A few people were waiting around. They could see the bus rumbling down the road towards them. "I think that's my ride." Zoey looks at Bruce. "How much longer are you going to stay here?"

Bruce shrugs. "I haven't decided."

"If you ever make it home, let me know." The bus pulls to a stop and a few people start making their way off. Zoey grabs the collar of Bruce's robe and yanks him down. Her lips land on his. He's caught off guard but pulls her against his chest. Zoey pulls back and smiles at him. Bruce watches as she walks over to the bus and climbs aboard. The bus starts up. Zoey waves at him through the window as the bus picks up speed and heads down the dirt road.

Say you'll remember me
Standin' in a nice dress
Starin' at the sunset, babe
Red lips and rosy cheeks
Say you'll see me again
Even if it's just in your
Wildest dreams, ah, ha
Wildest dreams, ah, ha