Part 5
by Darklady
Location: DC Universe... 'Bird' AU.
Rated: PG (Also B for Bummer!)
PS: Standard Disclaimer. I do not own the characters. But the characters probably wish I did.
( Bruce's POV)
^^V^^ ^BC^ ^^V^^ ^BC^ ^^V^^ ^BC^
*buzzzz*
Her earring. Not loud, but with Dinah's head on my shoulder I my perception is almost as clear as hers. And I am not asleep.
*buzzzz*
The sound opens my eyes, but it's the shadow on the clouds that accelerates my pulse.
*buzzzz*
Dinah looks up and slaps at her ear.
"Wha..?"
I would speak, but she sees the Batsignal first.
"Shit! Is that..?" She taps at her necklace. "Canary here."
I slide away and leave her to the Oracle. Memo: Advantage to J.S.A. ladies. No need to find a stupid excuse. By the time I am standing she is already looking for her purse and communicator.
She rolls to her feet. "I have to go."
I pick up her purse and hand it to her.
She pulls out a transponder. One of Knight's from the looks of it. "Sorry, Bruce, but...I have a situation....."
"I understand."
"Clothes..." She scans the floor.
Her dress is still in the living room. And hardly suited for combat. I reach into a drawer. "Dick may have left some sweats."
Canary pulls on the black pants and top. Much too large, but they synch at the waist. "Thanks."
She's tapping at her necklace. Linkage to Oracle, I assume.
"Should I call a car?"
"No...My bike and suit will be waiting downstairs."
*Beeeep* A sound from my belt buckle, which is currently on the floor with my pants.
"Pager?" She glances around.
I reach down discretely and click it off. "Probably my security. Warning me to avoid your situation."
She picks up the heels, then discards them. For now, bare feet will be more stable. "Oh.....well...you do that...." She looks at the wide window, then at me. "Bruce? If it's a rumble? You might be safer downstairs."
I nod but say nothing.
Black Canary is halfway to the elevator when she turns. "Take care, Bruce."
"Shouldn't I say that to you?" I answer.
"Hey", she grins as the doors slide open, "I'm a professional."
A gentleman would see her to her bike. With the Batcopter, I can beat her to the fight.
^^V^^ ^BC^ ^^V^^ ^BC^ ^^V^^ ^BC^
Killer moth. Nasty piece of work.
Score is at two legs for me and one Batcopter for him when Black Canary arrives. Good. The insectoid is vulnerable to sonics - which I assume Oracle is aware of. And what Oracle knows, her people know.
With her bike at ground level the buildings offer Canary some protection. Not enough. The motor hum is enough to turn Killer Moth's flight into a sharp dive. Too sharp and too fast.
I line under his thorax to buy time for Canary to get into position. To be effective, the scream will have to be from close range.
Coming over, I get in a clear kick on his left compound eye. That does some damage, but likely not enough. Vision is not his primary sense. He lashes out with a wing edge. Razor sharp. He clips my arm but the glove takes most of it. Barely slices through the kevlar. More of a problem in that he also slices the jump line. I make the roof and roll, but it takes a batarang at close range to ward off the mandibles.
The Black Canary Cries.
I know it because the world goes silent. That means the sound-baffles in the cowl have reacted to the sonics. Good.
Killer Moth twitches, his nervous system disrupted.
I shoot off two more batarangs on a line. They catch and tie the Moths unbroken four legs before he can recover enough to escape.
He jerks again.Likely a second cry. This time the wings collapse into motionlessness. He is unconscious. For now. A colloidal spray net should hold him until a S.T.A.R. Labs team can arrive. Which should be within a few minutes.
Black Canary steps in front of me. I can see her lips move. "Batman?"
I turn off my ear protection.
"Batman? Are you all right?"
Strange question. I follow her gaze to my right gauntlet. Blood. Apparently the Moth got a better shot then I had believed. No matter. I still have full movement, so the cut can not be deep. I say as much, and she nods.
Flashing lights reflect from below. The police have arrived, along with a heavy helicopter with S.T.A.R. insignia. I look at the Canary. "Can you handle this?"I ask.
"Sure."
"Do so." I line down from the roof. The Batmobile is waiting. It has been a busy night, and I have a full day tomorrow. Best to go home and get some sleep.
^^V^^ ^BC^ ^^V^^ ^BC^ ^^V^^ ^BC^
A hot shower and a bandage handles most of my aches. Those caused by Killer Moth, at any rate. The slice on my right arm will not require stitches, and my shirt will cover it. Which saves both a call to Dr. Leslie and the need for another story. Not a bad night, all considered.
This is my first time one-on-one with the Canary, and I find her... impressive. Physically spectacular and very inventive. In combat , of course. I focus my thoughts on that. it was an..informative..fight. Quite..memorable.
I drop the towel on the hamper and head for bed. Alfred has left my schedule on the nightstand. Finance Meeting at 10:30, lunch with Lucius Fox at 1:00. I glance at the clock. Just past 4:00 am now. I should still get a few hours sleep.
I pause, then reach for the phone. The shop is closed, but I leave a message. Two dozen roses. Yellow. If Dinah handles the police report, she should be in town until at least noon. Perhaps later.
If she's still in town tonight we could have dinner. Go dancing. Does she tango? Salsa? Would the J.L.A. files say? Surely Dinah plays tennis? Perhaps even racket-ball? I'd have to lose, of course. Still, to watch her move... She moves well. Very well. Amazingly well. Selena has a reputation for ...agility... but Dinah?
I stretch against a few new muscle aches *not* caused by a giant insect. We could go sailing. Dinah in a bikini is a very pleasant thought. No, it's still a bit cool. She might wear slacks.Perhaps swimming? The garden pool has a nice little jaccuzzi. And it's private. Too early to think of inviting her to the dojo. Not now. Maybe never. Probably never. Still..
As my head hits the pillow, I smile. Not a bad night at all.