Author's note: I would like to thank AFY2018 for helping me with this story as Beta reader.

I am also Beta reading two stories for SawuScimitar74 called Southern Lord and Frozen Exteriors, Thawed Interiors. Please check out their work.


Chapter 8

A Night of Surprises

In her abandoned greenhouse, Ivy and her partner got ready for bed. Harley was in the bedroom wiping off her makeup while Ivy was in the bathroom in a greenish set of pajamas.

"Boy, that was way too close," Quinn noted as she put on her pink pajamas.

"You can say that again," Pamela replied after she finished brushing her teeth.

"Do you think we'll have to live somewhere else for a while?"

"No, we're fine," she assured her on her way to bed. Ivy sat next to her girlfriend. "The vines will protect us from the police. All we have to worry about now is Superman."

"Actually, I overheard the chief's conversation with him and from the sounds of it, the Schlemiel of Steel's got someone else on his mind."

"What do you mean?"

"Let's just say that little miss Lois Lane may have lost her way back home and he's worried sick about her. Which means..." Harley trailed with a smirk which her girlfriend returned.

"We'll only have to worry about his annoying cousin and Batbrat," Ivy finished. Her girlfriend confirmed her statement with a nod. "Looks like our plan isn't in too much jeopardy, then?"

"Yep, soon those museum plants will be yours," Harley promised as she snuggled under the covers.

"Indeed, and you could always steal something for yourself?" she offered as she followed suit.

"Well, I did see two beautiful rubies."

Ivy smiled at her before turning off the lights just as Harley put her arm over her waist.


Elsewhere, Clark was having trouble sleeping. He tossed and turned before finally letting out a loud sad sigh and getting out of bed. Clark made his way to the small table in his room. He picked up one of the books he had brought with him and went back to bed. Once he was under the covers, he began reading, hoping it would help clear his mind. After thirty minutes his eyes finally began to feel heavy. Clark put down the book and slowly drifted off to sleep.

In another hotel, Lana was sketching some of the final designs for a dress. She picked up a light blue pencil to color it in. Just as she finished the final drawing, she let out a sleepy yawn and placed her sketchbook on the table before she made her way to the bathroom. After a quick shower and teeth brushing, Lana pulled on her dark red nightgown. Like Clark, she had trouble sleeping. She didn't know why, but she felt as if something was different. She tossed and turned under the covers for ten minutes and finally fell asleep.


In their apartment, Barbara and Kara were giving a quick call to Bruce to update him during his absence.

"Any news on Joker?" he asked.

"Nothing yet, thankfully," Barbara informed him.

"Scarecrow?"

"Still in jail," Kara added.

"Ivy and Harley?"

"Just got them arrested tonight." The redhead informed him.

"Good. How's your dad?"

"He's good."

"How's your cousin?" he asked Kara.

"Not great. He had a fight with Lois, and she's missing."

Bruce's eyes widened. "Do you need me to come back early to help look for her?"

"No, we're fine. Besides, how are you going to convince the board members to let you leave the trip?" Barbara pointed out.

"I'm sure I could come up with something."

"Thanks, but we can handle it," Kara assured him.

"Alright, remember if you need me or any of the other league members, just call."

"We will," they said in unison.

"Ok then. Good night."

"Night."

Bruce put down the phone and left his first-class hotel room. Dressed in an immaculate suit, he made his way to the dining hall where he saw a poster for the entertainment for the evening. "The Amazing Zatanna! For one week only." Under the title was a picture of the entertainer standing with her wand held high in her left hand and her hat in her right hand. Bruce let out a light chuckle and checked a clock just above the door, 6:30.

He entered the large room and a host led him to a table in the front row. A few minutes later the waiter came with Bruce's lobster dinner. He thanked them just as the lights dimmed and a spotlight came up onto the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Presenting the lovely, the spectacular, the amazing, Zatanna!" a voice announced as the velvet red curtains revealed the beautiful magician sitting on a large purple rectangular box.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," she said as she got off the box. "Prepare to be mesmerized," she said her purple cape transformed into a flock of white doves which flew over the audients to their amazement.

As the show continued, the raven-haired magician performed tricks that became more elaborate. After finishing her last one, she spoke to the crowd: "Now for my next trick, I will need a volunteer." She looked through the many spectators until her eyes fell upon Bruce. "How about the gentleman here in the front?"

Bruce got up and made his way to the stage.

"Now sir, could you please enter the box," she requested.

"Of course, Miss."

Zee closed the box once he was inside. "Now I will make this man disappear," she said. Zatanna turned around and then whispered an incantation. She opened the box to reveal his sudden departure. She then closed the box and whispered another spell before opening the box to show that he had reappeared. The audience applauded as Bruce walked out of the box before making her way back to his table and the show continued.

The show ended at seven-thirty. As the audience left, Bruce made his way to the stage to speak with Zatanna.

"Great show," he congratulated her as she walked toward him.

"Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. So, what brings you here?"

"Business trip."

"Is it as boring as it sounds?" she teased.

"I've had worse," he jibed, earning a chuckle.

"So, what are you doing for the rest of the evening?"

"Not much, but I have a hunch you already have an idea."

"Damn, I've been caught." she joked.

"Well, whatever you have in mind, I'm sure I'll be more than happy to join in."

"Oh, I know you will," she hinted in a sultry tone.

Before he could reply they heard a scream. They sprinted to assess the situation. In the casino hall, six men were robbing people at gunpoint.

"Hand it over lady and nobody gets hurt!" the lead robber demanded to a woman as Bruce and Zatanna quickly slipped out of sight.

The robbers ran off with their stolen loot, but just as they got out of the back door Batman landed before of them. The gang froze in fear at the intimating figure.

"Gus, Tony, Boris, you take the loot back to the car. Me and the others will take care of the problem," the lead robber ordered, trying his best to sound tough.

His goons ran down the alleyway, while the other three took out their guns and knives. Batman threw out a Batarang which knocked the guns out of their hands.

The lead robber then charged at him, preparing to stab the dark knight. Batman dodged the strike and knocked him out cold with a single punch. The other two dropped their weapons and tried to make a run for it but they were chased down the alley. Batman threw another Batarang, knocking down a stack of crates that landed on top of them.

While the other three were still running down the back alley, Zatanna appeared in front of them.

"Nice legs, doll," Tony complimented.

Zatanna glared at them. "I'll give you ten seconds to take that back."

"Or what toots?" Boris smirked.

Zatanna didn't say anything she just conjured a purple shield. "Suit yourself."

The robbers charged at her with their knives held high.

Zatanna then spoke. "Snopaew evomer, epor ot dloh!" Suddenly all of the robbers' weapons disappeared and they were tied up in a purple rope. She then sternly spoke to Tony. "Don't ever call me doll."

Five minutes later the officers arrived and put the criminals in their van.

"Thank you for your help," one of the officers graciously stated.

"Don't mention it," Batman nodded.

"Anytime," Zatanna added.

The officer tipped his hat and made his way to the van. As the vehicle drove off, the heroes walked through the back alley where Zatanna used a spell to conjure casual clothing.

"So, what did you want to do before we were interrupted?" Bruce asked to which Zee just smiled with a raised eyebrow.


At eight, Bruce came out of one of the hotel pool's changing rooms, in a revealing pair of black swim trunks. Soon after, Zatanna came out of her changing room, wearing an equally revealing black bikini.

"You're right, this does make me more than happy," he successfully teased.

They approached the enormous pool where Zee made her way onto the diving board. She dove into the cool water as elegantly as a swan while Bruce entered via the ladder. He swam towards her just as she surfaced immediately getting splashed.

"Hey," he chuckled.

Zee smirked in response which led to them coyly swimming around for the next thirty minutes. As the night drew on, they decided to relax in one of the hot tubs.

"You've got to admit, this is the life," she said.

Bruce hummed in agreement. "You could say it's magical."

"By the way, how are the two lovebirds doing without your help on night patrol?"

"Fine, I asked Clark to help them."

"I see. How did he seem when you last spoke with him?"

"He seemed alright but..."

"You think he was having a bad day?"

"To put it lightly yes."

"Was it about Lois?"

"He didn't say but given how things have been going between them lately I wouldn't be surprised."

"Hope they were able to sort it out." Zee noticed his concerned expression. "What is it?"

"It's nothing you need to worry about."

"Come on, Bruce, what happened?"

"The girls just informed me that Lois has gone missing."

"What?"

"She had an argument with Clark and hasn't been seen since."

"Do you need me to go to Gotham?"

"No, they said they'll be fine. Besides, what about your tour?"

"I'm sure I could come up with something?"

Bruce held in his chuckle. "Thank you for the offer, Zee but I'm sure they'll be fine."

"Alright then, but they know I'm just one call away if they need me."

"Of course, they do."

"That's good, hate to see anything bad happen to Lane."

"Even after that little tiff, she had with you the other week?"

"You mean when she thought I was trying to flirt with Clark?" she rhetorically stated.

Six months earlier, Lois had gotten anger at Zee when she saw her with Superman after a mission. Zatanna was joking around with him, but Lois thought she was trying to her luck with him. The reporter lost her temper with Zee caller many unflattering names and even threated to end her career. Clark had to apologies to his friend, which she excepted however it meant he had an unpleasant argument with his girlfriend on the way home.

"I still can't believe after all that you're still willing to help her," Bruce said.

"Well, you know, the League looks out for everyone, no matter what."

"Can't argue with that." She smiled at him which he returned.

As they gazed at each other they saw the eyes of the other sparking in the blue light, although neither of them mentioned it to the other, then returned to chatting with each other until nine when they walked to Bruce's room.

"Thank you for the wonderful evening," he said.

"Don't mention it," Zee replied.

"Same time tomorrow?" They unintentionally asked at the same time.

"I'll be more than happy to. Good night."

Bruce entered his room as Zee went to her own.

As they lay in their beds, they wondered if they both had experienced the same moment under the blue lights. Either way, they smiled as they fell asleep.