Hunter's Night
By Christy
A/N: Just got accepted to the University of Edinburgh's Creative Writing MFA! :) It's currently my top choice, so it's a great feeling! Pray that I get to go! I've also been accepted to a few other Creative Writing MFA programs, both in the States and in the UK, but my heart's in Edinburgh right now. :)
CASTING: Justin Hartley as Oliver Queen
Charlize Theron as Dinah Lance
Richard Armitage as James Gordon (in case you forgot)
K, BIG NEWS: My novel UNDER is up for reading/rating on Swoon Reads, a Macmillan publisher's website that will publish the TOP 3 Books every few months. I NEED you all to GO TO THE LINK ON MY PROFILE and RATE and Review my novel for it to be in the running! :)
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Diana
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Dinah would be joining us for dinner. After learning about her meta-human abilities and her ordeal in Star City, I was even more determined to get to know the Assistant D.A. more closely. While I was still somewhat on the fence about Harvey Dent, I had to admit that he was doing a decent job bringing Gotham's mob to trial. Maroni's court date was coming up soon, and I had a feeling that Dent would be just as ruthless and impassioned as he was about everything else he did. That, at least, I had to respect. The man did do his job well.
But Dinah... She was something else. I was startled to discover that Helena had not only run into Dinah, but had struck up a conversation with the woman, given her initial hostile reaction to her. But after Helena sent me a quick text saying "Me and Blonde coming in five, suit up", I grinned and hastily threw on my wig and glasses. Helena burst through the back kitchen door only a few minutes later with a "Party's here", followed by a more sheepish, hesitant Dinah. Alfred and Mom didn't even look up at Helena, Mom grinning at Helena's antics.
"Mom?" Dick's voice came echoing down the hall. He burst into the kitchen, shouting, "Mom, have you seen my mask? I can't find it in the -" And he stopped short upon seeing Dinah. He flushed, looked at me in sheer panic. "Uh, my mask, for the school party," he hastily added. "Next week."
I shot him a look and shook my head. That was close. "No, I haven't seen it, honey. We can run to the party store tomorrow and get you a new one if you can't find yours."
Dick was beet red by this point. "Um. Thanks."
Dinah grinned. "Hi, Dick. Good to see you."
Dick smiled wanly. "Uh, you too. Hey, Aunt El," he greeted more exuberantly, hugging Helena tightly. "You bring any chocolate chip cannolis?"
Helena grinned. I never saw her light up more than when she was around children. Born to be a teacher. I just hoped she'd have her own kids someday. I tried to picture Sage as a father, but I could only grimace slightly. I didn't see him ever having kids... But then again, I'd honestly never imagined Bruce having kids a few years ago. Anything could happen.
"Sorry, mister, not this time," Helena said, pressing a smacking kiss to Dick's head. "We'll go after school this week, kay?"
"All right," Dick said, somewhat dejectedly. He was nearly bowled over by Cass as she bolted into Helena's arms, beaming. Helena laughed and turned to let Cass piggyback.
"Nice to see you too, munchkin," Helena said, gently butting her head into Cass's. Cass signed something, and Helena grinned. "In a sec, hon. Gotta have some boring adult talk first, and after dinner we'll finish that game. I'm going get all of your properties, buddy," she warned Dick. "Wayne Tower and Arkham Asylum are mine."
Dick glowered. "You already have like four monopolies already!"
"Name of the game, buddy. Gothamopoly is yours to lose." Helena set Cassandra down and turned to face me. "So, wine, anyone?"
Mom smiled and handed her a glass. "Already ahead of you, hon." She glanced at me before turning to Dinah, who looked a bit awkward hanging back a few paces. "Hi, I'm Alkyone, Diana's mom," she greeted warmly, holding out a hand.
Dinah smiled and stepped forward. "Dinah Lance," she replied. "I'm the Assistant D.A. I met Diana and Helena a while back. I've heard a lot about you."
"Nothing true, I'm sure," Mom teased. "This is Alfred and Miranda, my cousin." She motioned to Bruce's guardian, currently engaged with Myrto cooking the salmon for dinner.
"Pleasure to meet you," Alfred greeted eloquently, turning to Dinah with a smile. "Apologies for my poor manners, Miss Lance - but I'm afraid this salmon cannot wait."
Myrto - going as Miranda to the world - nodded silently to Dinah and muttered something in Themysciran to Alfred. He nodded and moved to get the salt.
"No worries," said Dinah, studying Myrto with a curious eye. Even more curious when Artemis and Charis entered the kitchen, talking.
"And this is Charlie and -" My breath hitched. I'd never come up with a name for Artemis. Dinah's surprise visit had thrown me off slightly, and Artemis hadn't had to give a false name to anyone else before. Other than Jim.
"Sarah," said Artemis, sizing Dinah up as she did every newcomer.
I raised an eyebrow and exchanged a surprised look with Mom. We both were thinking the same thing - Sarah? But I mentally shrugged, encouraged by Artemis's choice. It meant 'Princess.' Good name. I'd always liked it - even had it on the list of potential baby names. Not what I'd expected from Artemis, but my friend always had a way of surprising me.
"Dinah, nice to meet you." Dinah's slightly puzzled expression fell over Charis and Artemis, then to Myrto. "You're all cousins?"
"Distant, but yes," Artemis said smoothly. "And you are the Assistant District Attorney, correct?"
Dinah nodded. "Yeah, that's right."
"Hmm," was all Artemis said, ever the tactful one, before turning to move around to the refrigerator and grab a couple of beers. She tossed one to Charis and nodded to me before heading back out of the kitchen with a still silent Charis.
A pause, then Helena said dryly, swirling her wine around in its glass, "They're not really strong on the social side of things, Blondie."
Mom snorted, moving to set some cheese and crackers on a platter. "Understatement."
Dinah smiled faintly. "I'm not the best in social situations, either," she said self-depreciatingly. "I'm fine in the courthouse, but get me in a party and I'm about as introverted as you can get."
"Mo-om!" Dick's voice called out from the living room. "He's home!"
I grinned and took my wine glass, ushering Dinah through the kitchen. "C'mon, Dinah. We'll find a spot for you at the table. I didn't know you were coming, but I'm sure we can find a seat for you."
I heard the garage door opening and Bruce's voice - but he was talking to someone. How odd. Dick was in the living room with Cass now, so Bruce couldn't have been talking to him. But as Dinah and I continued down the hall and turned the corner, we came face to face with Bruce, who walked alongside another familiar man. I nearly dropped my wine glass in astonishment.
Oh, crap.
Oliver Queen. Billionaire playboy. Green Arrow. Former boyfriend of Dinah Lance.
Well.
Bruce saw me and flashed me a smile, slipping his hands into his pockets, every inch the picture of ease. "Speaking of which... here she is. Diana, Oliver Queen. Not sure you two have met before." His gaze slipped to Dinah, and I saw him raise an eyebrow slightly, then look back to me with narrowed eyes.
Dinah went white; Ollie's lips parted in obvious shock.
"Dinah," he blurted out. "What -"
My eyes slid from Dinah to Bruce, who graced me with a slightly irritated expression. I gave him a helpless look. He hadn't known that Dinah was here, and I obviously hadn't known about Ollie coming over. Communication seemed to be lacking tonight.
"I have to go," Dinah whispered, her eyes filling with fear. Before I could stop her, she turned and fled the hall back towards the kitchen.
"No, wait - Dinah!" Ollie reached for her.
With a look to Bruce, I bolted after Dinah, who was already grabbing her purse and jacket from the kitchen, shaking her head and hastily apologizing to Mom and Alfred.
"Dinah, what's wrong? Tell me what's going on," I urged.
Dinah's eyes were watery, and she shook her head stubbornly. "I can't, Diana - I'm sorry. I - " She hesitated, licked her lips. "I have to go." She pressed a hand to my arm, shot a look to a knowing Helena, and hurried out the back door.
"What -" Mom started, just as Oliver Queen raced into the kitchen and immediately out through the back door after her, frantically calling Dinah's name.
I went to the open doorway and peered out into the night. Helena came up beside me, heaving a sigh as she chewed on a baby carrot. I shot her a look.
"What?" Helena said blandly. "I didn't know he was gonna be here. Or that Oliver Queen was the guy." She suddenly frowned, nudged me. "How come I can't get a billionaire boyfriend?"
I sighed, shaking my head, and watched Oliver try to coax Dinah into talking to him. "I didn't know he was going to be here, either. Poor Dinah."
"Something's got her cage shook up," Helena commented. "She won't go into it."
I hesitated. I'd told Helena everything, but Dinah's secret was her own. If Dinah wanted Helena to know, she'd tell her in her own time. Dinah didn't know that Bruce and I knew she was a meta-human. But if she didn't know about us, I doubted that Dinah would appreciate my telling Helena about her abilities.
"We should let them have some privacy," I said quietly, and shut the door.
Dinah
She couldn't believe it. Fate had to be deliberately screwing with her. Helena, a devout Catholic, would probably argue that it was God's plan, and everything happened for a reason. Dinah wished she had the Italian woman's faith, because at this moment, she felt as though the entire universe was out to get her.
It made sense, business-wise. Bruce and Ollie were both young billionaires running a couple of the biggest companies in the world. They had to know each other. And of course, Ollie just had to be invited over for dinner the same night she went to the Wayne household.
The universe was really screwing with her head.
She had prepared herself more times than she could count for Ollie showing up at her door. Seeing his face again, and being prepared for it. Having a calculated response. Being the one in control.
But when she walked through that doorway and looked up to see Oliver standing next to Bruce, all of her preparations had shot out the window, along with any semblance of self-control or awareness. It was like the wind was knocked out of her. There he stood, mere feet away from her, those shocked brown eyes locked on her, as if he hadn't seen her in years. Damn it, he looked even better than she remembered. And all those feelings she'd tried so hard to bury just came tumbling back out.
"Dinah," Ollie finally blurted out, "What -"
She couldn't take this. He moved instinctively towards her, but she roused herself, panic setting in.
"I have to go," she uttered, unable to keep her voice from shaking.
Ollie's agonized face only made it harder. "No, wait - Dinah -" He reached for her.
If he touched her, she'd never be able to let him go again. She turned and bolted for the kitchen. Hastily, badly contrived a lame apology effort to a confused Diana, nearly only making things that much harder for Dinah. As she headed for the back kitchen door, she caught Helena's disapproving, knowing look, and buried another lame retort. She flung the door open and ran for her car. The driveway was just around the corner, lit by multiple lamps bordering the driveway and pathways.
"Dinah, wait!" Ollie's voice and footsteps followed her. Dinah reached her car, touched the handle, but it was too late. Oliver had always been quick on his feet, damn him. He wasn't even out of breath.
Damn him.
"What?" Dinah couldn't keep her voice steady.
"I didn't know - I didn't know you'd be here, I swear," Oliver pleaded. "How would I know?"
Dinah looked away, gnawing on her lip. "It doesn't matter. I have to go." She opened her car door.
"Damn it, Dinah - Can't we just talk?" Oliver protested.
"Nothing to talk about," Dinah argued, feeling tears threatening to fall. She'd promised herself she wouldn't be like this around him.
A pause.
"Look," sighed Ollie, shoving his hands into his pockets, then running an agitated hand through his hair. "Don't... don't leave on my account. I'll go. You... you stay here. You were here first."
"What, are we two?" Dinah said bitterly. "No. I'll leave. I'm sure you and Wayne have business to talk about."
Ollie's hand held the door open, refusing to let her shut it.
She couldn't take this. It'd been months now. She thought she'd forgotten what he looked like. What his eyes did to her. What his warm aftershave smelled like as she was buried in his arms. The stubble on his chin and jaw that scratched and tickled her skin when he kissed her.
His eyes, hooded and dark with emotion, glittered in the dim light of the driveway lamps. She felt herself trembling. He was only inches away. He could kiss her right now, and she would melt into him like she always had.
"I can't," she whispered, and turned her head away.
Ollie let out a hissing breath and stepped back.
"Uh, Dinah?"
Dinah looked up miserably to see Diana standing there, arms folded over her chest. She threw an uncertain smile to the pair of them, her eyes flickering between Dinah and Ollie.
"You two okay out here?" Diana's voice was warm and kind, as it always was. "I don't want to get in the middle of your conversation, but -"
"Then don't," Ollie said shortly.
Dinah's eyes narrowed, and she glared up at him. He hadn't forgotten that look, she knew. She'd graced him with her deathly glare more often than not, a chiding glare when he happened to flirt with another woman or say something that pissed her off. Which he did... a lot. Ollie recoiled and had the good sense to look chagrined, as he usually did when she glared at him.
"I, uh, I'm sorry," Ollie apologized in a sheepish, disgruntled mutter. "That was rude."
Diana went up to him and held out a hand. "Diana," she said softly. "I don't think we've met, Mr. Queen."
"Oliver," said Ollie, shaking her hand, abashed. "I'm sorry about this. It's... Dinah and I go a ways back."
"It's freezing out here, both of you," said Diana. "Dinah, we'd love for you to stay for dinner. I understand if something's come up -" And she glanced to Ollie, "But if you change your mind, we're about to have dinner. You're both welcome to stay."
Dinah's face crumpled. She flexed her hands on the steering wheel and stared down at her knees. Helena's voice, blunt and honest, came back into her head, almost mocking her weakness. She'd been running for months now. Running from Star City, running from Ollie... running from what she was.
Maybe it was time to stop. She couldn't run forever.
Dinah sighed, rubbed her eyes. Felt the weight of Ollie's stare. Then, she slowly got out of the car, hoping she was making the right decision, and shut the door behind her. "I can stay for a bit," she told Diana. Avoiding Ollie's eyes, she pushed past him and followed Diana into the house. As she strode back into the kitchen, she caught Helena's raised eyebrow; and the Italian woman nodded her wine glass to her, then held out a second glass. Dinah smiled thinly and took it, nodding to her new friend.
Dinner was going to be interesting.
Diana
Our normally relaxed dinner atmosphere was more tense than a standoff with the Russian mafia. I was actually looking forward to a good fistfight after this.
Bruce sat at one end of the table, I at the other. On one side of Bruce sat a fidgeting, clearly anxious Oliver Queen, who couldn't take his eyes off Dinah, and on the other side sat Dick, who knew full well that Oliver Queen was the Green Arrow. I knew Dick was burning to ask Oliver questions - after all, archery was pretty cool in Dick's eyes. Although, he spent every day in the company of the best archers in the world, I thought, amused.
But Dick could not stay silent for long. "What's Star City like, Mr. Queen?" he asked eagerly, nearly bouncing in his seat.
Oliver, whose gaze had been locked on a stubbornly silent Dinah, blinked and roused himself. "Sorry, what?"
"Star City? You guys have a great basketball team," Dick said longingly. "Ours sucks." Upon seeing Bruce's frown, Dick shrugged. "What? Just sayin'. Aren't the Knights like worse than the Lakers this year?"
"Since when did you like basketball so much?" Bruce said dryly, taking a sip of water.
"Since forever," muttered Dick, picking at his broccoli.
Oliver smiled, bemused. I could tell he hadn't been more surprised to find Bruce not only had a fiancee, but also a few children.
"Uh, well, it's like any other city, I guess," Oliver said.
Dick frowned. "Really? Like Gotham?"
"Well, maybe not exactly like Gotham," amended Oliver, his eyes shifting to Dinah again.
Dick shot me a mischievous look. "You guys have a vigilante too, right?"
Oliver nearly choked on his food; Bruce cast his son a deadly glare. Dick popped a piece of broccoli into his mouth and grinned cheekily at his father, unfazed by Bruce's death stare.
"Uh, I guess?" Oliver smiled faintly. "I don't really pay attention to that stuff."
"He's called the Arrow, right?" Dick continued, unbothered.
Oliver's eyes narrowed slightly. "I don't know."
"Green Arrow," Dinah's voice mumbled, her eyes determinedly fixed on her plate. "It's Green Arrow."
Dick nodded thoughtfully. "Oh yeah. Green Arrow." His eyes lit up. "I wonder if he's met Superman."
Oliver reddened slightly but shrugged. "Don't know, kid. Not really my area of expertise."
"Man, he's so cool," sighed Dick. "I heard Superman's like a real alien. An alien! Wish we could have a guy like Superman here."
I stifled a laugh. I knew Dick was teasing all of us; and I couldn't help but be amused. Bruce was not in the mood; but it was worth it to see Oliver squirm and pretend he knew nothing about any of it. Also, it was even more worth it to see Bruce's expression.
"But we have Wonder Woman," Dinah cut in, surprising me. "And Batman." Upon seeing Oliver's gaze on her, she looked away.
"I've heard Batman's just a freak in a costume," Oliver said, his tone slightly on edge.
"And Green Arrow is what, exactly?" Dinah's smile was acidic.
"Well, for one thing, he doesn't go around beating criminals to a bloody pulp. And I heard that Wonder Woman actually killed someone. More like criminals themselves," Oliver said, agitated.
I felt my fork bend under my grip.
That's rich, Queen. Especially when you were begging us to join your little super party.
"Maybe she just did what she had to do," Dinah said quietly. "Maybe she didn't have a choice."
Oliver frowned. "No one told her and Batman to start being vigilantes."
"They've done more for Gotham than anyone else has," Dick interjected hotly.
Oliver smiled thinly. "Take it easy, there, buddy. Like I said, I don't really pay attention to this stuff. I'm sure you know more about it than I do."
Dick's glare was almost as dark as Bruce's. "Yeah," the boy said, his tone edgy. "I do."
Bruce was tense, clearly realizing as the rest of us that Dick was remembering the night of his parent's murder. My fiance cleared his throat and said in a falsely light tone, "Well, you have to admit that anyone who dresses up and plays hero has to have issues. Maybe the Arrow didn't get to play Robin Hood enough as kid."
Oliver glared at him. "Didn't realize you knew so much about a vigilante from Star City, Bruce," he said.
Bruce took a bite of food and said airily, "Just listen to the local gossip. These 'superheroes' popping up are a trending topic on Twitter. Speaking of which, I have to remind my publicist to tweet about the opening of my new club downtown. You should come to the opening, Oliver," he added. "Seems like it'd be your venue."
"I don't know," said Oliver, glancing again at Dinah. "I have a lot of work to catch up on this week."
"I'm in," Helena cut in. "Sounds like a blast, Wayne. What about the rest of you ladies?"
I shrugged. "Haven't gone out in a while. Could be fun."
Dinah nodded slowly. "Yeah. Might be a nice way to blow off some steam before the trial."
"I've heard about that all over the news," said Mom. "You and Dent are brave to be going after the mob like this. I'm sure your parents are proud of you, doing what you're doing."
Dinah hesitated. "My parents passed on," she said. "But thank you. I hope so. I just hope it's enough, you know?"
"Well, Gotham needs more people like you," I told her sincerely. "The city's been better the last few months then it's ever been - and I've grown up here, been raised here. I know what it's been like all these years, and I think there's a really good chance of it finally starting to turn around."
Dinah looked somewhat abashed. "Well, I can't take most of the credit," she said finally. "Not when Batman and Wonder Woman are doing most of the job for us. Even Commissioner Gordon's supportive of them," she added, looking at Ollie as if daring him to argue with her. "This city's seen the first ray of light in decades, ever since I can remember. And I was born here. I grew up here, I know Gotham."
"It's a shame we didn't go to the same school," I said. "I feel like we would've been good friends, even back then."
"Where did you go?" Dinah asked curiously.
"Gotham East - in the Narrows. Helena did, too. It's where we met."
Dinah frowned, then glanced at Bruce. "How'd you two meet, then?"
"Blessing of the gods," said Mom somewhat dryly, casting Alfred a warm smile. He in turn pressed his hand over hers.
Artemis made a strange noise.
"Happenstance," I said, smiling at Bruce. "Mom and I moved out here to the Palisades and rented a property on the edge of Wayne Manor. We met, became friends, and the rest is history."
Poor Oliver Queen looked so confused. "How did you two meet?" he demanded, glancing between me and Dinah.
"We're good friends with Commissioner Gordon," I said. "Seeing as how Dinah's the assistant D.A., our paths crossed a few times. Bruce also went to school with our D.A., Harvey Dent."
Oliver tensed immediately, his gaze shifting back to Dinah. "He's the one who asked you to Gotham." It wasn't a question.
Dinah straightened in her chair. "He made me a good offer. He's a good man and a good district attorney. One of the best."
"I'm sure," said Oliver sourly. "Star City's not renown for its high-profile criminals like Gotham. Or its charismatic district attorneys."
"Harvey's the first honest D.A. in years," Dinah said flatly. "I couldn't turn down his offer. Not when Gotham's at a tipping point like this."
"Sure it's got nothing to do with him," Oliver muttered, more to himself.
Bruce rolled his eyes and rubbed his temples, heaving an irritated sigh. This conversation was quickly getting out of hand; but for some odd reason, no one else seemed to be able to stop it. We all just sat there with baited breath, watching them go back and forth like a tennis match.
"Harvey's been one of the best things that's ever happened to Gotham," snapped Dinah. "I couldn't say no to someone who's more determined to fight corruption than any other lawyer I've ever met."
"Oh, I'm sure it's his moral compass that drove you to Gotham," sneered Oliver. "You two seem pretty cozy on TV."
Oh, for Hera's sake, I thought, internally groaning.
"What are you implying, Oliver?" Dinah sharply demanded, her voice deadly quiet. Her hands gripped her fork and butter knife in a death grip.
"Oh, don't play dumb with me, Dinah," snapped Oliver. "I know you better than that."
"No, you don't," said Dinah icily. "You really don't, Ollie."
"I'm sure it wasn't his sparkling personality or ruggedly handsome good looks that sucked you back into this hellhole," growled Ollie, looking ready to jump out of his seat.
Dinah also looked like she were about to tackle him. "I didn't get sucked back anywhere, Oliver Queen, and I'd rather be here than anywhere else in the world. I have friends, a job, a life - people who actually care." Her voice started shaking. Even Helena looked concerned about her well-being. "I don't need this. I don't need you to come barging back into my life and acting like a whiny two-year-old who can't get his own way."
"It's not like that!" Oliver exclaimed, bounding from his seat. "Dinah, I -"
"Enough." Bruce's voice was so cold and so dark that it nearly went to his Batman tone. But even more chilling.
Oliver recoiled, slowly returned to his seat. Dinah, also chagrined, sighed and rose from her seat.
"Thank you for dinner, Diana, Bruce." said Dinah softly. "I'm sorry. This was a mistake." She set her napkin down and strode out of the dining room.
Oliver fidgeted awkwardly in his chair, and after a pause, rose and uttered a similar apology.
"I'll see you later this week, Bruce. Thanks for having me," he said to me, Mom, and Alfred. "Dinner was - dinner was great." And he hurried out of the room.
There was a lengthy silence.
"Well, that was fun," said Helena dryly.
Dick just scowled, pushing away the rest of his broccoli. "What was his problem, anyway? I thought the Green Arrow was supposed to be cool."
"Not as cool as he thinks he is, believe me," said Bruce wryly.
Dick let out a guffaw.
Clearing her throat, Mom folded her arms over her chest and eyed me and Bruce with a stern look. "Someone want to tell me what that was all about?"
Thoughts?
Well, that went... well. I'll try to update sooner!
- Christy