"Bruce", the voice of Alfred Pennyworth called to him, barely audible in the noise in the large ballroom.

Bruce looked at the gray haired, with a peculiar expression, "Something the matter?"

Alfred laughed and gestured to the back of the ballroom, "Have you spoken to her."

Bruce sighs, his eyes darting in the direction of the woman he was gesturing to...Zatanna. He had been trying to ignore her presence all night. Which had become...difficult. Due in no small part to that dress she was wearing. Black had always been her color.

"No", was Bruce's blunt response.

"Do you plan to?"

"No."

Alfred gave him that look. The look Bruce always dreaded as a child. It shouldn't work on him at twenty-eight years old. It does.

"Some roads are best left untaken, Alfred", Bruce says, avoiding Alfred's eyes.

As Bruce looked to his left, he caught her gaze. Her blue eyes met his and she gave him a soft smile. Bruce inhaled deeply, trying to regather himself. Her gaze could be difficult to ignore, but he had to. He had to remain steadfast. He didn't need to go over and hurt her more than he already had. Distance was key to keeping him from needing her like he had in London.

She had told him she forgave him for abandoning her in London without leaving more than a short note, but he still felt he needed to stay out of her life. Let her find a nice guy and settle down, if that's what she want she was looking for. All he could ever bring her is pain. He never wanted to hurt her and unfortunately, he already had. He didn't want to repeat that.

But here she was, looking at him with that smile that has always made his knees go weak. Bruce chuckled for a moment. He really didn't have a choice, did he?

"You were saying, sir?", Alfred said, with a smug expression.

Bruce glared at his butler, beginning to walk over to where Zatanna was. A few people tried to stop him for conversation as he approached her, all looking for his money for whatever phony cause they were trying to sell him on. Bruce shut them down bluntly, making his way over the back corner of the ballroom, where the black-haired woman was located.

As he made his way closer to her, he noticed who she was talking to…Sofia Falcone, the daughter of Carmine Falcone. Why would she be talking to Sofia? Had the new heir to Carmine's empire threatened Zatanna? Bruce walked a bit faster.

He reached them, preparing to interject in the conversation. Unfortunately, he got distracted by the vision that was Zatanna Zatara. Her long black hair was down, looking curlier than she normally wore it. She wore a sleeveless black dress with a flowery pattern embroidered into the material. In short, she looked stunning.

He refocused himself, once he noticed her catching him staring, "Ladies."

Zatanna had a teasing smile on her face, "Mr. Wayne", she said.

Sofia expressed her own greetings, which Bruce returned. His smile was tight lipped, though. He wanted to know why she came to greet his...er…Zatanna.

Bruce turns to Zatanna, extending his hand, "May I interest you in a dance, Miss Zatara?"

He was employing his playboy smile with her. Had to keep up appearances after all. She raised her eyebrow at his obvious unnatural smile. Still, she extended her hand onto his, allowing him to clasp it. He gently brought her dainty hand up to his lips and pressed a kiss into her hand. He saw her breath in deeply. He had to smile at that.

He led her away from Sofia, still watching the young member of the Falcone family out of the corner of his eye. He placed his left hand on her hip, as she placed her left hand on his shoulder. They then clasped their hands, achieving the natural dance etiquette.

His eyes met hers with a serious expression, "Why were you talking with Sofia Falcone?"

Zatanna smirked, "That sounds like worry, Bruce."

"The Falcone's are dangerous, Zee. No matter how innocent or kind they may seem, they always have an ulterior motive."

Zatanna shook her head, "I know that, Bruce. You do realize that I live in this city just like you, right?"

Bruce stared blankly. She still wasn't grasping the gravity of talking to a Falcone. Of what that could entail and the consequences of not giving a Falcone the answer they wanted to hear. Why didn't she understand?

Zatanna sighed, "She wanted me to perform at some event later this month. I said I was booked. She didn't threaten me. Didn't even have much of a chance to respond before you walked over. I wasn't in danger."

Bruce nodded. Perhaps she wasn't out of the woodwork yet, though. Best to keep an eye on her for the next few weeks. Bruce knew Sofia was looking to establish herself in the wake of her father's death and he perhaps he was being paranoid, but she may want to make an example out of someone who didn't give the desired answer. It certainly wasn't out of the realm of possibility.

"You're being paranoid", Zatanna said, with an eye roll.

Bruce gave her a questioning look, "I didn't say anything."

"You were thinking it. I know that look, Bruce. You shouldn't worry so much, even if it is a bit sweet of you. I can take care of myself", she says in a serious tone.

Bruce looks at her, he's not sure what expression is showing on his face. His control of his emotions always seemed to escape him whenever he was around her. Even when he told himself he would keep his wall up around her, she always seemed to be able to bring it crashing down.

Suddenly, Zatanna leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder. Bruce wasn't sure what brought that on, but he wasn't complaining. He lightly rubbed her hip as he enjoyed feeling her body close to his. He breathes in, as he lightly sways with her. He doesn't think about anything else in that moment, allowing this time with Zatanna to stand on it's own. The two of them dancing together in silence.