Title: Life Is Good: XIV

Author: D C Luder

Summary: The second addition in the Series of Three storyline. Se three months after his full recovery, the Dark Knight is back with a vengeance.

Rating: T

Infringements: All recognizable characters belong to DC Comics, not DC Luder.

V

Men truly were the weaker sex.

No matter how macho or burly they tried to appear, men were hardly in control of anything beyond their favorite sports team. Women made them watch their weight, made them dress up, made them think dirty thoughts. Women caught their eye and made them suck in their guts to make themselves appear attractive.

Yuck.

It had all started with one man.

Dr. Peter Rosenblum, a divorced, chubby psychologist had been in charge of my "treatment" during my last incarceration at the lifeless Arkham Asylum. At first, I had behaved, mostly because the good doctor always wore his facemask to prohibit my pheromones from intoxicating him. That was until one warm April morning when I had killed the A/C vent after clogging it with fast growing weeds. He had removed the mask, trusting me after all of the progress I had achieved. Within ten minutes, he was ogling me and calling me "Lady Ivy." The weaker the will, the stronger the control I always had over them.

After a week and a half, he had arranged for me to be transferred to Arizona, more specifically to a mental institute and research facility in the middle of the desert. I was to aide in their projects and help with finding ways to cultivate and duplicate various effects of toxins from plants. Poor old Dr. Rosenblum was heart broken when I left in the transport van and had cried silently to himself. When I walked past him, I released an aroma of roses and his frown evolved into a content smile. After all, it was him who got me out of that hellhole to begin with, why would I have wanted to end things badly?

After playing along for a year, slowly enticing control of every faculty member at that quaint stucco facility in Arizona, I had keys to every major exit in addition to numerous faculty vehicles, who had made spares just for little old me. Although hardly any better than Arkham, that research facility had lots of windows and lots of light.

But it was still a cage.

The escape had been the easy part, walking past doctors and orderlies and having them completely oblivious while under a touch of my toxic spell. I had even had the receptionist bring me a nice pantsuit to wear for the "big day." No need to be trying to travel across the nation in a beige scrub suit with a number branded on it. Upon the last door, a beefy security guard, who had taken quite a long time to warm up to me, held the door open.

I smiled, paused and stood up and kissed his cheek.

He blushed instantly and grinned, "You have a nice trip, Ms. Isely."

The only good man was a tamed one.

The trip back to my home had been rather uneventful. Numerous flights, fake ID's and layovers allowed for a rather relaxing journey. The money I used had been given to me by a dreamy eyed resident who broke into the chief of staff's office. Five thousand cash that was there every Friday for a faculty poker game. I had never been so glad that men obsessed over gambling as I had been when I saw all of those bills.

On the last flight of the trek, from Detroit to Gotham City, I had been seated in first class next to a rather interesting gentleman. He had seemed uneasy around me and eyed me cautiously. At first I thought that he had recognized me but then I saw a swelling in his pants that suggested his discomfort was out of attraction, not fear.

Men.

I started out casual, asking who he was, where he was from, what he did and so forth. William Wrightman, a native to Columbus, Ohio and it turned out he was the new manager for the National Bank of Gotham. Jackpot, I thought to myself as I asked about his marital status. As he went on about rugged details of a divorce, I released seductive pheromones and scents that had him under my control within moments. Apparently, he had a penthouse waiting for him at the Roxbury on Mabry Avenue.

"How splendid," I commented as I traced a twitching muscle of his arm through his suit coat.

After grabbing my nearly empty valise from baggage claim, I walked with him to his waiting limo and climbed in first as he held the door open for me. My control over others had always been an added bonus of my toxic touch, one I never took for granted. That was until someone defied my control and pissed me off.

His penthouse had been on the twenty-fifth floor and was decorated in heavy red silks, from the drapes to the bed sheets. I was pleased to see that no plants had been sacrificed and drowned in a vase, a cruel welcoming gift that many seemed to enjoy. Although it was eight in the evening, I decided that enough time had been wasted and it was time for me to get to work.

I lead poor Will to the master bedroom, excitement and anticipation coursing through his veins. I had been deadpan but he hadn't noticed. After he obeyed my order to get on the bed, I slowly unbuttoned my top and shimmied up next to him. His breath failed him and I smiled, realizing how easy it was going to be. I moved my leg over his and straddled him, looking down at his mesmerized features.

"Will, where are the keys to the bank?"

"Um, in my coat pocket," he replied as I lowered my torso closer to his.

"And the security code?"

He paused, almost reluctant and then replied, "6-30-85, my anniversary with my ex. It's the same for the locks and the vault."

"Thank you my love," I whispered in his ear before facing him and kissing him full on the lips. His excitement surged and I felt the muscles of his entire body go rigid as his one arm embraced me. I released more toxins through my saliva and smiled as the muscles quivered beneath me. Then grew very still.

After a quick peck on his cheek, I pushed him away and retrieved the keys. I redressed, cleaned up a bit and then made my way to the bank. Seeing there was roughly fifty million dollars on hand, there were four guards, all of them screaming body builder.

But even the strongest of men couldn't resist me.

Nor the smartest.

It was just after I had begun to plant fast growing plants about the stone and marble interior of the bank that I saw it out of a small window. The Bat Signal. Well that wasn't very long, it had hardly been an hour since I had killed the banker. Had someone called from Arizona, warning of my return? I had intoxicated all of the employees well enough to cover the two-week time span I had planned on being gone. The over all goal was to walk in and out of that facility whenever I needed to get some cash or to make a point in the world and then be able to return in order to verify my alibi. My return to Gotham had been solely for the money and to find stashed resources of plant seeds and other materials.

And maybe perhaps deep down I wanted to see him again.

Whenever we had quarreled in the past, it had ended awkwardly. He would have saved my life or I would have saved his. And more often than not we would kiss. No, I would kiss him and he would rear back, violently searching for his little antidote that hardly worked at all. In fact, I never really poisoned him seriously, maybe to instill a bit of a cough to think that his chemicals really worked.

He was after all the right man, just not for me.

As I stared at the signal in the sky, I smiled to myself.

Men were the weaker sex, but "Bat" men were another story all together.

Of all the kisses, either for "hello" or "I love you", nothing compared to a "good-bye".

V

"You said he was where?" I asked Oracle as I tapped on my comm.. link ear piece. Probably needed to be replaced but I had things to do other than drive all the way out to the Cave, break in, and install a new link device.

"Mabry. He's heading over to the scene of a 247, that's what Dad was called back to HQ for," she replied, annoyance seething in her voice. We had both been up for more than thirty hours and it wasn't doing anything good to our usually cheery dispositions.

"Okay, where on Mabry, it's kind of a big street."

She sighed, "Roxbury, should be floor numero twenty-five, but go through the back window, no crime scene tape is up back there."

"How do you know?" I asked as I shot a line to a fire escape across the street.

"He told me, he's been there for almost a ha-en-er..."

"What?"

"Half and hour, your link rusty?"

"Must be," I commented as I tapped on it again.

"Wouldn't be surprising, all of you boys wreck toys the second you get them."

"You like surprises though," I commented as I leapt across an alley, catching a glance down below at a small woman feeding cats on her terrace.

"Um, no, I am all about the predictable nature of the male species."

And then silence.

In the quiet of the night, I slowly made my way to the scene, my thoughts keeping me company when no one else seemed to want to. Batgirl and Robin had resumed normal patrols so that Batman could handle the situation with Poison Ivy. I was left without a purpose in Gotham.

But I most definitely had one at home.

Bruce's return to the mantle had allowed me to return to a somewhat normal life back in Bludhaven. I still came to help out in Gotham as Batman reacquainted himself with his city and of course to drop in on Barbara whenever possible. We had a few dates in the last month and none had been interrupted by chat about Batman or work or anything other than how good it was to just be normal. My promotion at work had earned me some attention and appreciation. My caseloads weren't noticeably different and Amy and I still worked quite a bit together. There had been talk that I was going to be getting a rookie of my own to train in May. Fun fun fun.

So the main reason I was seeking Batman was...?

I wanted his permission to leave.

I was a grown man, not a fifth grader wanting to go to the movies.

Barbara had been right, and not only was the back window free form the "Crime Scene, No Trespassing" tape, but it was also slightly ajar. After increasing my night vision, I maneuvered through the rear hallway, noticing that it was frighteningly similar to those of Wayne Manor. Massive oil prints cradled in carved wooden frames, plush carpet the color of coagulated blood. After fifty feet of cautious steps, I noticed a light spilling out into the hall from a half opened door. After hearing the soft mumblings of the World's Greatest Detective's gravelly voice, I walked in quietly.

He was hunched over the carpet, misting the floor with a small bottle of Luminol. Even though I hadn't made a sound, I spoke firmly, "Hit the lights."

I did so and watched as he scanned the carpet with a blue light. Nothing glowed in response to the chemical spray, suggesting that no blood or body fluids were present. After he nodded, I turned the lights back on and reduced my night vision completely. "No luck?"

He growled, "I found some fluids in the bathroom carpet, but there were no residue indicating Ivy's presence."

Residue as in that sweet smelling aroma of pheromones that follows her wherever she goes. A sweet, seductive smell that had caught my attention more than I would care to admit.

As he rose and returned his tools to a compartment on his belt, I took a glance of the bed. The crime scene crew had already been over it, evident of a few "Evidence" tags and numbers. An outline where the late William Wrightman had laid was done in masking tape on the bed, where all sheets, blankets and pillows had already been removed. The bed itself was massive, a king sized four-posted beast that dominated a majority of the room. Regency nightstands flanked the bed's headboard and sported two glass lamps with red silk shades that offered a pinkish haze.

I chided with myself that it was the cream of the Honeymooner's suites, minus the hear shaped pillows of course.

It had been less than an hour since the body was discovered by a housekeeper who had noticed the door to be ajar, and the CS officers had scanned quickly, taken what they wanted and were back at the office, sitting and pondering why Poison Ivy had to kill someone on their shift.

Although most cops were happy when they were handed a case where a major member of the rouge's gallery was the prime suspect. Then the burden of solving it was on the vigilantes, not theirs. Ah the glory of having higher solve rates than those that are paid to do the same thing...

I was just about to open my mouth when Batman stated, "You can go."

No, not stated, ordered.

"I was---," I began.

He interrupted as he faced me, "You have other engagements that are more pressing. Your own city. You own cases to solve."

"Batman if you need anything I can stay," I said as I stepped towards him.

His face was its same solemn self. I had learned over the years how to tell which of his looks meant certain emotions. This one was loud and clear: tired, frustrated and concerned. And also not in the mood for company. Especially from me.

I nodded and then turned away without another word. No need for words.

I had half expected that he would follow me into the hall, make some sort of failed apology and then ask me to look in on something or to contact the rest of the gang. Then who had I been fooling, he was who he was and short of a miracle he wasn't about to change.

After I had made my way to my motorcycle, I connected to Oracle with a press of a button, so to speak, "O?"

"You rang, Toy Wonder?"

I smiled a bit as I got on the cycle, "Yeah, so I'm heading out, need anything?"

"Um, if you really loved me you would go and buy me some ice cream."

"What flavor?"

"Surprise me," she said softly.

"I thought you didn't like surprises," I smiled, recalling our earlier conversation.

"That was of the male species, when it comes to frozen goods, unpredictability is key. But make sure it has chocolate in it."

Yes, ma'am.

V

For being sidekicks, we sure weren't working alongside our mentor.

Batgirl and I had headed out after Oracle, not Batman, had informed us about the crime of the evening. Poison Ivy, a villain I had little experience with, had killed a bank manager. Got it. But were we involved with the search for her? Of course not, we were stuck doing patrols on lifeless streets where the criminals had conveniently decided to stay in for the night.

Yeah for low crime rates and bored to death sidekicks.

I had almost stayed at school, but for some reason I just couldn't live myself if I had. The family was under duress. Plus Ivy added a nice touch of chaos to the already mangled mess. After classes ended, I set up my phone so the calls would be forwarded to my cell and had then proceeded to "sneak" out on my roomie and then I was Gotham bound.

Seeing Mattie well was a good start to the evening. From what Barb had told me, she was quite ill, especially if she had to be hospitalized. But stepping to that room and seeing her in Bruce's arms, a soft smile on her face, had made the whole trip worthwhile. That and the random flash of the Signal.

"Rain."

I turned around to see Batgirl staring up at a cloudless sky, "What are you talking about?" I asked suddenly.

"Rain," she pointed upwards, "Was supposed to rain."

"Oh, well I'm glad it didn't I hate wearing a wet suit. Makes me squeak."

She tilted her head and then scanned the horizon of the city.

Insert awkward silence.

Over the last few years, Cass and I had developed a partnership. Not a romance one, but then again something more than just a friendship. I knew from watching others that it was no way kosher to develop relationships within the super hero community, for when the inevitable break up arrived, everything that followed was just too angsty for my tastes. Then again, I look at Dick and Barb and they seemed to have been the exception to the "Don't Date Crime Fighters If You're One Too" rule. They took forever to get together but ever since, they've been the coolest couple I've ever known. They still work like a natural pair, get all cutesy and whatnot and have fights about the littlest things.

Just like Bruce and Selina, too.

Although Selina was a far cry from a crime fighter, and Bruce broke any rule laid out before him.

With my mind somewhat focused, I connected to Barb, "O?"

"Why can't you people say the whole thing?"

I smiled, "Sorry, Oracle, Great and Powerful Being That Resides in Thy Clocktower."

"Much better. What do you need?"

"Direction."

"Excuse me?" she asked after a beat.

I glanced down towards the street after hearing a few car honks. I had hoped for a problem, but it had been a few guys driving around and had decided to signal at the local diner.

"Well it's pretty quiet, and we would like to do something other than have staring contests with the gargoyles."

"What are they still beating you?"

I didn't even humor her with a reply.

She said to check out some parts in Chelsea and said he would contact us if we were needed elsewhere. With a sigh, I transferred the orders to Batgirl and we trudged onward, hoping for at least some fifth graders to be out causing a ruckus. Not even ten blocks later, I had an idea.

"Batgirl, what was that bank?"

"The victim's?" she tried to confirm.

"Yeah, wasn't it National?"

She nodded, and I smirked a bit, "Wouldn't hurt to drop by see if anything's going on."

A quick peek through the skylight couldn't do much harm. And even still I would take trouble over boredom any day of the week. A nice balance between the two always made for a happy Robin.

Batgirl tagged behind by ten yards, keeping her eyes peeled for any sign of crime. That was the problem when we were too good at our jobs. We had nothing to do. We had to make something to do. And worrying about life and school and Mattie and everything else was not very constructive.

Of course the quick peek through the skylight had showed more than lazy security guards wandering about. It showed countless plants, trees, vines and flowers engulfing the one bare and stone dominated main lobby. Either they had decided to redecorate since the last time I had made a deposit or Poison Ivy had decided to make herself at home. I signaled for Batgirl to step back so I could quietly notify Barb about the situation. In all hopes, Batman already knew and was down below apprehending the red headed rogue.

V

Not good.

Not good at all.

Robin had called Oracle but decided to go in and look around, to see if Ivy was there. If anything else, we could plant bugs to monitor what was going on.

It was scary, with all of the plants moving and growing right before our eyes. It was like something in a movie, not real life. Robin made sure we both had our air filter masks on in case there were toxins in the air. He said with Ivy you could never be too safe. We had toured half of the lobby when we found the guards.

Four men, standing uneasily in the far corner. I thought of Ivy's poison touch and rushed over to help. In our belts, Batman had supplied an antidote to the spells that she cast, but it was not one hundred percent. Hence the masks as an added precaution.

Robin was at my side as we approached the guards and as the tallest of them turned towards us, I knew. She controlled them. Before I could flee or push Robin out of the way, the men scrambled and clawed at out capes, quickly closing in on us. We tried to get way but four hundred pounds of guards were aimed at both of us.

I sensed her before actually seeing her. There was a distinct aroma and the guards all shifted slightly, from mindless zombies to mindless men infatuated with a woman.

She walked around us, observing carefully before removing our belts and masks. I strained against the men who held me, not about to lose to her. Their muscles bunched and squeezed the breath from my chest. Just like Freeze all over again, I thought as my head went light.

And then a slight tickling at my feet brought me back to full attention.

Batman had demonstrated digitally what the fast growing vines looked like and how to best avoid their grasp. Unfortunately, being held in place as they wove themselves around me in addition to having my knife and acid in my missing belt didn't help much.

Ever since I had caught on to reading, I scanned a vast majority of the files on the computers in the Cave. The best way to defeat an enemy is to know them and their weaknesses. The only ones listed for Poison Ivy had been to knock her unconscious and prevent contact with her skin and her plants.

Well so far one out of two.

I caught Robin's eyes as the guards released and let the plants take full control. He wasn't worried at all and winked at me. We were in the wrath of killing vines and he was almost smirking.

How many times had he been a hostage?

I didn't care, it wasn't good at all.

Despite the fact that I would never be able to break the bonds, I pushed against them and tried to will my freedom. No good, for when I relaxed the vines tightened themselves.

Batman would surely come to the bank after observing the crime scene, but when would that be?

And most surely he wouldn't be able to walk right in, free us, defeat the guards and take down Ivy all by himself. Especially after two weeks of no rest and his mind not entirely focused on his work. How could it be, Mattie was sick.

Ivy paused in front of Robin, smiled at him, "Look at you, no longer a little birdie, are you? Practically a grown man..."

His only response was an unwavering glare.

But I knew what Ivy could do, her control over people.

I didn't want her to do it to him.

Or anyone else.

I had to do something.

Sitting as bait for Batman was not an option.

"Leave him... alone," I growled without thought.

Her head twitched towards me as she took three slow steps, "Excuse me?" I watched with wide eyes as she removed a green silk glove and pointed at me, "You are in no position to give orders, kid."

I wasn't.

But he was.

We all looked up at the sound of shattering glass as Batman crashed through the skylights just in time to save us.

Ivy raised her arms over her head, protective her red hair from the shower of glass particles. Her face was filled with pure rage and I made out her lips as she spoke silently: No, not yet.

Not yet for what?

After the initial shock of his entrance, the hypnotized guards went leapt at him, their massive fists ready to pummel something. I silently rooted him on, my lips smirking softly with every blow that he landed in his defense and then offense.

With his decades of training, the guards were hardly any problem for within second they had been defeated and laid unconscious on the cool floor.

It was Ivy he had to worry about.

V

I almost had gone back to the 'Mobile.

Almost.

Instead, I followed the gut yearning to head over the bank. Ivy had stolen the keys of the late bank manager, most likely to break in and clean out the vaults. Even if she hadn't been able to get the security codes, her living plants were more than able to bust in through the reinforced steel door of the vault.

And for the sake of Robin and Batgirl's lives, it was fortunate that I had.

By the time I had taken out Ivy's protectors, four innocent men who had fallen to her power. Instead of binding them, I simply delivered powerful chops to the back of their heads, a quick nap that would wake up in pain in a few hours. They had only landed a few hits during the fight; one smart one to the abdomen would be nicely bruised in the morning. But that didn't matter.

As I rose and glanced at my young partners bound bodies and the looks of fear that graced their faces, I felt her presence. I could feel her gaze, smell her aroma and hear her soft footsteps.

"I always thought Romeo was supposed to scale the wall to see his love, not break in through the window," her voice was heavy with control and seduction.

I turned, fronting her with as much as a stonewall face as I could muster. I had put on my protective breathing mask upon seeing the foliage form the rooftop, a key sign of Ivy's presence. Even if she had come and gone, there had still been the chance that her plants would take me on.

After a deep breath, I spoke, "Release them Ivy."

"Why, just because you say so?" she asked as she sauntered closer. When there was a space of ten feet between us, she stopped and glanced over at Robin and Batgirl. With a twitch of her brow the plants tightened their hold on them, causing their bodies to strain against the vines.

"Yes," I growled, my arms tightening beneath my cape.

She licked her lips, "I would do it, you know," she paused, and I knew had then known what her next words were, "For a kiss."

I heard a mumbled from behind me and foolishly chanced a glance. For just as my eyes locked onto Batgirl's I felt the oddly warm tentacles of vines growing about my ankles. I stepped back instantly, reaching for my knife to cut them away. The more I sliced the faster they grew. Within seconds, my arms were plastered to my sides and I did all I could do to keep breathing as they circumnavigated my torso.

The entire time, Ivy stood motionlessly, a sly smile on her face. After the vines had encapsulated me, she blinked slowly and approached me one step at a time. "Looks like you've lost control over the situation. Pity. Whatever am I going to do with you now?"

A gloved hand reached up and removed my filtration mask. Fresh air richly scented filled my nostrils. As I grew lightheaded, I knew I had gotten a full dose of pheromones. They never caused the ogling syndromes that were common in "normal" people. It wasn't tolerance from our many encounters; in my eyes attraction wasn't physical, it was mental. And if the object of my affection found out about Ivy taunting me, it would get very physical.

With my right hand, I was able to feel the edge of my utility belt. However, I was unable to move it to reach the antidote inhalant I had created to protect myself from the poisonous kiss that was most likely on its way.

So my only defense was to stare down at her as she spoke softly, so that the other trapped individuals in the room couldn't hear, "You could have taken me down when you had the chance."

I replied, "You could have left with the money."

She bit her lip before continuing, "Touché. Well, I couldn't step foot in Gotham without seeing you. Without saying good bye."

As she widened her green eyes, the back of my mind reminded me of her obsessions. Of her desires. She had long since romanticized the idea that we were made for each other, delusions of the insane tended to do that. It had climaxed several years back when I had saved her life from millionaire Christopher De Jardin who had tried to shoot her in revenge. She had said then that I couldn't have taken that bullet for her if I hadn't loved her. I couldn't get it through her crazed mind that no one deserved to die, even criminals.

I felt a hand on my chest and was brought back to the current.

She had removed her gloves and had begum to trace the contours of my suit. As long as she touched the suit and not my skin, I could have cared less.

I heard the faint growls and thrashing behind me and knew Robin was violently trying to escape. I wanted to tell him to be still, to not fight it but Ivy's fingers cupped my chin. My skin burned from where she gently traced the part of my exposed jaw. Not with pain, but warmth. Electricity.

Despite my efforts I could no look away form Ivy's eyes. I tried to picture Selina and Mattie and everything else except for her endless green eyes. So deep and passionate...

"Good bye my love."

Her lips were fire on mine, sending a jolt of energy through my body. My control was completely lost as she kissed me, not allowing for any form of retreat. I put all of my will into focus and clamped my lips and jerked my head back.

She withdrew briefly, her face flushed and angered.

It was then I realized that no toxins had passed into my system.

Not yet.

She kissed me again, this time the heat of her lips passed through my pharynx and deep within my lungs. I could feel my chest closing up and could do nothing to stop it. Somewhere, I thought this was what you got for pissing off a murderer with poisonous skin.

And then I thought this was a foolish way to die.

And then I thought nothing at all.

V

I woke alone in bed.

After heavy prodding and lots of "please" 's, I convinced Mattie's doctor to release her early. After a quick stop at a twenty-four hour pharmacy and the drive home, my daughter and I were sprawled on my bed by 12:30. Once she had settled, I tucked her away in bed, still antsy about leaving her alone.

After a hot bath and change into warm pajamas, I got into bed, read for a while and then optioned for some sleep.

At one-fifteen, Dick called and said they were on their way home. And that they needed Alfred in the sick bay.

Apparently, Poison Ivy had decided to take her frustrations out on Batman's mouth, literally. Robin and Batgirl had been completely bonded and were unable to save him once "things" had started. But, as usual, it was the original Boy Wonder who had saved the day. Using the very skylight his mentor had broke moments earlier, Nightwing had leapt into the bank, landed on Ivy feet first and had stopped the toxic kiss before Batman asphyxiated.

Leslie had checked him out and had declared that no permanent damage would be suffered and that as long as he took antibiotics and anti-fungal throat sprays, he would live to fight another day. In the mean time, he would have the worst case of bronchitis in the history of mankind.

I found my robe and checked in on Mattie. Alfred greeted me, surprisingly, and said he had already begun to care for her. I asked about her meds and he had stated, "Although she has Master Bruce's blood in her veins, she took them quite nicely and without a fuss."

I kissed her forehead, Alfred's cheek and had left for the sick ward.

Since he would be ill for a week or so, it was decided that Bruce should have his own room so that everyone else in the house would be able to sleep. Even when I was ten feet away from the door, I heard his coughing fits loud and clear.

Quietly, I opened the door and peered inside. Bruce was bare-chested and half covered on a queen-sized bed. The muscles of his back quivered with each cough. I felt instant pity for him as I approached, "Bruce?"

He hacked a bit and then replied hoarsely, "I'm fine."

"I didn't ask if you were, dear."

I walked into the attached bathroom and cooled a washcloth. When I returned to his bedside, he had rolled onto his back and had regained somewhat normal breathing. I placed the cloth on his sweaty brow, and then sat on the bed next to him. As he drew ragged breaths, I traced the veins of his arms. He flinched and tried to push me away.

"How's," he coughed, "Mattie?"

"Fine," I replied as I touched the stubble of his face. His eyes were completely closed as if sleeping but were scrunched in pain. Poor guy, I thought before continuing, "Alfred's with her now, said she took her medicine like a trooper."

He nodded slowly and wheezed.

A thought suddenly came to mind and I grinned. After leaning over and kissing Bruce's cheek I said, "Guess I traded in one sick baby for another."

He hacked and then growled, "I'm not a baby," he paused, "And I'm hardly si- ACK!" he couldn't continue.

I kissed him again on the other cheek, "Whatever you say dear. Do you need anything?"

He rolled away from me and wrapped his arms around his most likely sore diaphragm, "No."

"Fine, be that way, baby." I rose and left him to be miserable by himself.

Just as I reached the door, he mumbled, "Maybe some water. And a straw."

"Yes, Bruce, I'll get you water ad a straw. Ice?"

"Chips, not cubes," he managed.

I took another step before he added, "And some applesauce" a cough then, "With cinnamon."

As much as I wanted to pick on him for being a baby, I knew he was struggling.

And as much as I loved him, there was no way I was going to waste all of those jokes on him when I could have an audience to chuckle with.

V