Title: Life Is Good: XVIII

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.

Author's Note: Another fun dream sequence courtesy of Chris!

V

Ten was such a wholesome number.

Ten Tic Tacs. Ten doughnuts since a dozen would be too much. Ten reps of pressing two-fifty at a time. Ten day cruise. Size ten flip-flops.

But ten days left until the wedding was hardly wholesome.

In fact it was frightening.

It was Wednesday afternoon and I had finally snagged a day off from work. I had trudged through the day shift for a week and a half. The usual bank robberies, grocery store hold ups and of course old lady muggings that were common day practice on most cities were mastered by middle school thugs in Bludhaven. I felt like a truancy officer after three days of catching pint- sized criminals in the act of ridiculously "planned" crime sprees.

Back at the station, they had taken to call me Punkie Buster.

I enjoyed it as much as I could, but seeing how as soon as I would clock out, I had to head to Gotham to check on things, maybe see Babs and if it was needed, would don the cowl for a hour or so, beat up the more refined and aged criminals, then change into Nightwing's guise and finish off the wee hours in my city, and then finally, sleep an hour and then get up to start all over again…

I was not the happiest of campers. Hence my well deserved day off.

It had been decided for Bruce that even though he had mostly recovered from his injuries, there was no need for anything to happen to him before the wedding. Selina banned him from wearing the mask or any other disguise for that matter. The battle of wits had lasted for a week, with Selina being victorious after blowing the final and lowest of blows.

When Bruce called to inform me that my services would required be longer than planned, he had quoted her as saying, "And Mattie and I will be enjoying the Honeymoon and you can celebrate with your damned flying rats."

Poor guy.

I slept in until noon, rose groggily and stumbled to my bathroom for a quick shower and shave. After dressing in shorts and a tank top, I went about finding my poor apartment, washing load after load of laundry and scrubbing fossilized dishes until bubbles floated from my sink. At three- ten, I settled in for a large bowl of instant macaroni and cheese and a cherry cola as I slouched on the sofa and went into a Soap Opera coma.

Just as I began to doze off, the phone rang.

"Hello?" I asked quietly.

"Dick?"

Oh great. "Hi Bruce."

"You weren't at work."

A very observant individual, that World's Greatest Detective was...

"No I took it off."

"Good then you come to Gotham."

I sighed and made my way to the kitchen with my bowl, "What would I want to do that for?"

He cleared his throat then replied, "Can you... Just be up here at the Manor by six."

"For...?"

I heard a giggle in the background and then a shrill, child's voice, "Dahie tellie!"

Bruce paused, covered the receiver, "Yes, I'm on the phone, where's you mother?"

Mattie's voice repeated the announcement that her father was using the phone and then, "Icie baf..."

Bruce then said to her, "Oh, well go help her," then to me, "Selina's bathing the cat," as if I had asked and then continued, "Can you be here by six?"

"Sure."

He hung up after saying, "Mattie, no, shoes are not gloves."

I grinned and shut the phone off. Once I had learned how to walk on my hands, I would wear my father's shoes on my palms and "walk" around the circus in the hours before a performance. My mother would call out about how shoes were not gloves but my father would point out that my hands were now feet so they needed shoes on them. She would scowl at him, then eventually smile and shake her head, commenting that it was hard to tell which Grayson man was the child and which was the adult.

The good old days.

Just as sat back down to enjoy what was left of my mindless television viewing, the phone rang again. I picked up after the second ring with a smile, "Bruce, I'll be there at six, don't worry."

"Dick?" a voice replied that was not that of my pointy-eared mentor. But was a hero to me nonetheless.

"Uh, yeah, sorry Clark, Bruce just called, thought he was calling back."

"No problem, I called the, uh, police department, they said you had the plague."

I plopped onto the couch, "Yeah, the plague of my over achieving nature running out. So what can I do for you?"

"Lois was wondering-ow!" he remarked and I heard a female growl on the other line, "We were wondering if anyone needed any help, for the wedding I mean."

"Uh, not that I know of," I said, recalling last weekend's hectic image at Wayne Manor. Selina camped out in the library, every document related to her wedding in addition to a gallery of photographs and images that depicted what her wedding would look like plastered on tables, the carpet and even the bookshelves. Her wedding gown, in addition to the bridesmaids' and Mattie's dresses were locked in the deep recesses of her closet. The tuxes had yet to be picked up but had been fitted not even four days ago. Selina ranted about it every moment she possibly could. And Bruce would sit quietly, daughter in hand and had only one reply to offer her.

Yes, dear.

V

"Madam?"

Ms. Kyle had been standing quietly at the bay window, staring out into the back yard where Master Bruce and Miss Mattie were kicking around a soccer ball. Occasionally, the young child would trip after kicking the ball, falter to the grass and then look up at her father for comfort. He would smile and motion for her to get back up and after a bit of pouting she would stand up and then run after him.

She turned and faced me, tucking back a strand of black hair behind her ear. Seeing as she had been rather casual of late, spending her days in the Manor caring for not only her young child but her ailed fiancé as well, I was surprised to see her dressed in an ankle length blue silk skirt and a white fitted sleeveless blouse. Her feet wear nestled in Master Bruce's tan loafers that she favored wearing.

"Hi, Alfred," she smiled warmly before returning her gaze out the window. Master Bruce was on his back, holding the child high above him. He shook her body gently and even through the wind and birds, I could hear her giggles. After a moment, Ms. Kyle turned and seated herself on a pale green velvet couch. I sought refuge on a straight-backed chair with similar covering, mere inches from her side. "Would you care for anything to eat, or some tea perhaps?"

She drew a long breath, "Sure, tea would be nice. I'll wait for Bruce to come in to eat though." I rose and turned to leave the room when she stood as well, "I'll go with you."

"There is no need, madam, rest, I insist."

She hooked her arm with mine, "Nah, no rest for the weary, that's my new motto."

I smirked, "A similar saying has been mine for some time now, Ms. Kyle."

Once in the kitchen, she beat me to the stove and filled the stainless steel teakettle. Instead of quarreling with the lady of the house, I instead retrieved two teacups, saucers and spoons in addition to the cream and sugar. I set them on a serving tray and we awaited the whistle to signal.

"Do think it's going to go to hell?"

"I beg your pardon," I replied, utterly confused by her question.

"The wedding," she faced me, arms crossed over her chest, "Everything has gone wrong this last year, so it seems simply logical that the wedding would. Christ, Alfred, the worst injuries he's had in a long time were from a damned car accident."

I remained silent as she faced the sink and looked down at herself. The frustration and anger in her features faded and were replaced with concern and uncertainty. After a long, quiet moment, I stepped towards her and spoke once her eyes looked into mine, "Of which he has recovered from. Every path is strewn with obstacles, Selina. Master Bruce's path has a few more than others. That has not stopped him from overcoming them so that he could enjoy a life with the woman he loves."

She smiled slightly, "Or from getting hurt every three to six weeks."

"Ah, yes, the infamous 'occupational hazard.' Very few obstacles are safe in his life."

She leaned against the marble counter, "I was."

My brow arched with intrigue.

"What, I'm not worthy of being an obstacle? I tortured the poor man for years, have the claim to about half of a dozen scars on his body and will be enslaving him in ten days."

"You do prove a most interesting point, Ms. Kyle."

Just as the whistle of steam sounded, the service door opened to reveal two forms. Miss Mattie sat upon her father's shoulders as he ducked through the entrance and into the kitchen. One of her tiny hands clamped a handful of hair while the other was wrapped around his forehead.

"Look what the kitten dragged in," Ms. Kyle grinned and walked over to them.

Miss Mattie beamed, "Mah-mie!"

Master Bruce carefully slipped her off of his back and held her in his arms so that she faced her mother. When Selina took in how dirty the child was she commented, "Look at you, what did Daddy do, bury you in the dirt?"

"Bahl," her daughter replied and clapped her hands together.

"Were you playing with a soccer ball?"

The child giggled, "Bahl!"

She kissed the child's cheek, "Why don't you take her and get her cleaned up, we'll get lunch going."

He nodded in reply and made his way to the door, his steps were soundless which drew my attention to his sock clad feet. Ms. Kyle took the teakettle and proceeded to fill our cups as I ventured to the service door. After opening it, I looked out and saw two pairs of sneakers sitting side by side just outside the door. One pair was no bigger than my palm and was white with purple trim. The other pair was dark blue and three times larger.

Both were plastered with fresh lawn clippings and dirt.

I smiled to myself as I shut the door. I had groomed Master Bruce to never wear dirtied footwear in the house from a very young age. I recalled many Saturday afternoons where I found one small and one large pair of shoes beside the door after Dr. Wayne and Master Bruce had played outside.

Once orphaned, there were no more dirtied sneakers by the door for me to tend to.

Ms. Kyle asked, "Something funny, Alfred?"

After realizing that a smile had broke on my lips, I paused before facing her, "Ms. Kyle, I do believe we are well overdue for an afternoon of storytelling."

V

"He said no, Lois."

"What do you mean, he's just a kid, what does he know about weddings?" my wife asked as she put her hands on her hips. Although the day was well under way, she looked as if she had just dressed, wearing a knee length black skirt and a blue long sleeved blouse. The shoes were new, but I only knew because I had been there when she had purchased them. How many black high heels did she have? Obviously not enough.

I sat at my desk at the Planet, my sleeves rolled and tie loosened. I had just gotten off the phone with Dick, who was surprisingly enjoying a day off. I suddenly wished I could have the same luxury. Or at least a lunch break.

"I asked, and he said they don't need any help, everything is under control. And if I were you, I wouldn't barge in on them either."

She sat on the corner of my desk, a half-smile half-scowl on her face. It oddly reminded me of a look I had seen several times on Batman's face after he had conquered some undefeatable force. I suppressed the shudder and listened to her, "Clark, we've been through the whole wedding process. I think it is our duty as their friends to go a few days early to Gotham and help them get ready. Aren't you heroes supposed to help each other out. All for one, one for all?"

"That's the Three Musketeers, dear. Bruce is hardly a team player and hardly needs anyone's help. Even at his wedding."

I turned to continue typing my story for the evening edition. The Mayor's oldest son was on trial for drug trafficking and the trial's coverage had been absorbed by the Planet. Lois tapped my shoulder and prevented my progress.

"Why can't we go early, for fun. We already have the whole week off."

"What? Lois, I requested a four days off, not a seven day weekend!"

"Oops," she grinned, "Oh don't be a party pooper, Clark. Besides, we never go to Gotham and I want to see the museums and the art galleries."

"No, Lois, you don't. You want to waltz into Wayne Manor and say 'Surprise' and get me in trouble."

"Well that too," she commented as she looked away. After a moment, "Fine, I'll go early, on my own accord and you can stay here and pout. Deal?"

"No deal, Lois. Leave them alone. I bet they are both strung up enough, they don't need you on the agenda as well."

She mocked pain, "Clark, I wouldn't get in the way. Selina needs someone to support her, someone with experience and Bruce, well Bruce needs... Well, I would leave him alone. Alfred can deal with him."

I sighed and turned my chair so that I faced her, "Lois, did you really get all of next week off?"

She nodded.

"And I assume that you already have made reservations in Gotham."

"Flight arrangements too."

I glared at her but she shrugged innocently in reply.

"Lois, have you called them, to let them know?"

"Why would I have to call? This is America, I don't have to ask permission to travel. Besides, I thought it would be best if you did it."

I sat for a moment before reaching for the phone. Lois stood, kissed my cheek, "Thanks, Clark. Tell him we'll be flying in Saturday night and that I want to go out for dinner to some fancy schmancy Italian place. In a limo."

After dialing a number I rarely used, I listened to three rings. Then a rushed voice, "Hello?"

"Bruce?"

"Yes?" he replied, sounding as if he didn't even realize who I was.

"It's me, Clark."

He replied gruffly, "I know. What do you want?"

Before I could reply, I heard footsteps, the splash of water and soft infantile mumblings. "Are you busy, I could call back later?"

"Now's fine." His tone was easily read. Get to the point Farmboy.

"Um, well I was calling to let you know that Lois and I were flying into Gotham City Saturday night. She has reservation for a hotel in town, but I thought I'd call and let you know what we were up to. So you'd know."

He drew a breath, mumbled something incoherent and said, "Fine."

I had received acknowledgement from the Batman for intruding his city seven days before his wedding to Catwoman. Seven days earlier than necessary. Without thought, I blabbed, "Lois wanted to catch up on the city, like art and some other things, and she wanted to make sure that everything was in order for the fifteenth."

He spoke, but not to me, "Duckie stays in the tub, Mattie," then a big splash of water, "No, water stays in the tub too."

I grinned selflessly. The Big Bad Bat was not on the other end of the line. His distraction was not out of rudeness but out of a split attention between his daughter and me. I asked, "Bath time in the Wayne residence?"

He growled, "Don't you have a job or something?"

Despite his aggressive tone, I couldn't help but keep mine amiable, "How's the little flower girl?"

"Flowery," he replied, "Where are you staying?"

"I don't know, Lois kind of threw everything at me a few minutes ago. She took all of next week off for the both of us, got airline tickets and hotel reservations, then told me to call and inform you we were coming a little sooner than planned. I hope you don't mind too much."

Bruce said, "I was thinking she must have put you up to this."

"Don't tell her I told you, she'll kill me."

"Oh, I won't tell her. But I'm sure good old fashioned babysitting torture will set her right."

We chatted briefly until the conversation grew stale and uncomfortable and Bruce claimed he had to get Mattie out of the tub. He hung up after I said good-bye without returning the gesture.

Not even ten seconds after I returned the phone to the cradle, Lois was at my side, a can of cola in her hand, "Well, did he breathe fire?"

I stood and looked down at her curious smile, "Surprisingly no. But he would like to have a chat with you when we get in to town."

She shrugged, sipped from the can, "I can handle him. As long as it's over a heaping pile of garlic shrimp penne pasta, he can verbally abuse me all he wants. I don't see why you all cower in fear from him, he's really a big softie deep down."

I thought back on icy cold glares, harsh words and the calculated measures he had performed over the years. I thought back to heated arguments, voting him out of the League and seeing him with his true identity erased by a single bullet.

I wrapped an arm around Lois' back, "I'd like to see you call him that to his face."

"And I'd like to see you in a toga, you don't see me complaining," she stepped away and made her way to her desk, calling back, "Get back to work, Smallville, I've got to get out here to pick out a dress for the wedding."

I reclined to my own chair and resumed typing, "Yes, dear."

V

I didn't know why I was there, but I found myself in a nightclub. I liked them occasionally, usually going with the gang at school in search of female companionship. This particular one was new looking, with super lighting, extensive speaker systems and a blue tiled dance floor packed with writhing bodies of all shapes and sizes.

Dressed in loose dark jeans, wide leather belt and black muscle shirt, I searched the sea of dancers with a keen eye. I probably should have been on patrol, but it was summer break and Timmy needed some fun time.

Cassandra suddenly appeared next to me, wearing a shimmering strapless top and dark jeans that looked like they had been painted on. She had dark eye shadow and bright lip-gloss, accentuating already perfect features. She winked at me, grabbed a shot glass off of the bar and dumped it down her throat. She set it down, winked at me and then shimmied off to the dance floor.

As I watched her move away, a flash of color caught my eye. Towards the middle of the crowd, I saw the back view of a black haired woman with a body that was shaped like an hourglass. Her form was dressed in a royal blue dress that hardly reached her thighs, and knee high matching leather boots topped off the ensemble. She had good rhythm and danced provocatively to the latest dance mixes that blared out of the speakers. Her wide hips swayed and twitched in beat as her arms rose and fell in tune.

Cass called out my name and I shook my head before searching her out in the crowd. Oddly enough, she was mere inches from the woman in blue. As I weaved through the bodies of the dance floor, I caught glimpses of her blue dress and even saw flashes of her body and face. Some makeup, but it wasn't needed. In the deep recesses of my mind, I thought her green eyes were familiar but I dismissed it as I met up with Cass.

Not even a foot from her, my legs froze and my jaw dropped in disbelief.

The man that danced next to the woman garbed in blue was over six feet tall and was dressed in tailored black slacks and a form fitting black tee with a yellow Batman insignia over the chest. He was a handsome man in his late thirties with dark graying hair and piercing blue eyes. He danced awkwardly, like a teenager on his first date. The grin on his face mesmerized me long after I recognized him.

He glanced towards me and waved, "Tim, shouldn't you be on patrols?"

My mouth was as dry as cotton, but I managed, "Bruce!"

He continued dancing and began performing the hand jive as his feet tapped the tiled floor, completely out of beat. The woman in blue kept dancing to the music, which had suddenly changed to Eminem's "Without Me." I rubbed my eyes, popped my ears in hopes that I was seeing and hearing things. When I looked at Bruce's dance partner again, my throat constricted and I felt my heart drop somewhere in the vicinity of my ankles.

It was Selina. I had been ogling Selina Kyle. The Catwoman. Batman's fiancée.

Oh, Boy Wonder, this was too much.

I stood, as bodies writhed around me and stared at the two of them as they literally cut a rug before me. Selina's form in all her splendor dancing in ways I only saw on MTV and Bruce… looking like he was a reject from "Grease."

Suddenly, his fingers formed peace signs and he held them over his eyes, the fingertips just touching with the palms facing me. He then pulled them slowly apart, revealing his face, which had grown somber.

He repeated the odd maneuver and within seconds everyone in the club was doing it, adding in twists of their rears and wiggles of their bodies. Bruce called over the bass's beat, "I call it the Batusi, what do you think?"

I turned away suddenly and dashed off the floor and made my way to the nearest exit. The alley offered dark, damp air and odd comfort. The door behind Bruce and me opened stood there, his head bopping to the song from inside. Before he could speak, I yelled, "What the hell is going on, Bruce?"

"The Batusi?" he asked quizzically.

"Yes, and you even being here, and with Selina!"

"Tim, you seem upset."

I was beyond baffled and simply nodded as I stared at him.

He shook his head and walked towards me, a knowing look on his face. I was further shocked to see him rest a hand on my shoulder. "You see, Timmy my boy, there is a point in every young crime fighter's life when... Well, let's see, how did I explain this to Dick?"

"You're firing me?" I cried out suddenly, with sudden images of Dick having the mask of Robin taken from him.

Cass and Selina emerged through the door, but Selina wore her Catwoman suit and her tagalong wore the guise of Batgirl. Selina leaned against Bruce's shoulder and licked his ear while Cass sauntered over and tried to mimic the act on me. After pushing her away, I closed my eyes and kept telling myself that this was not happening.

Bruce chuckled a chuckle that eerily sounded like he had inhaled some Smilex, "No, no, I would never fire you. We need to keep you around, seeing how smart you are and everything. But anyway, no this is about growing up, Tim."

We locked eyes before he continued, "You see Tim, when you get to a certain age, and you have certain feelings, you know, below the utility belt. Special tingling feelings..."

"AGGGHHH!" I screamed.

When I opened my eyes, I was in my bedroom at home, safe and far from any nightclub and blue leather boots and tingling feelings. I glanced at my alarm clock to see it was quarter of five. I had decided on a nap a little after one and had been asleep ever since.

After two courses in psychology, I was no expert in dream theorizing, but I knew mine had been severely messed up. I rolled out of bed and made my way to the bathroom. After splashing water on my face and wetting down my pillow-skewed hair, I stared at myself in the mirror. My eyes were puffy but not bloodshot. No fever. Tongue and gums were nice and pink. No physical reason to have such a bizarre and delirious dream.

I paused and then raised my hands to my face; my finger formed into peace signs and held them in front of my eyes. I quickly dropped them and shook my head, "Too weird," I told my reflection.

Twenty minutes later, I was dressed in khakis and a blue tee shirt declaring "Prozac. Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't." Once I had donned a pair of debilitated leather sandals, a splash of cologne, I was jogging down the main stairs and headed for the front door. My father and stepmother had gone into town for dinner and a movie. Fine by me, I had plans of my own.

Although the walk to Wayne Manor was less than twenty minutes, I was still groggy from my dream filled nap. After a walk around to a storage building on our property, I selected a bright green golf cart and carefully navigated out of the building before flooring it. After hitting a few bumps and hills, I decided there should be golf cart driving added to the X Games.

Instead of being rude, I slowed my speed as I entered Wayne property, not about to dig up the manicured grass. After parking next to the main garage, I turned the cart off and pocketed the keys. I saw three cars parked nearby and suddenly wondered if I was the last one to arrive.

As directed the night before, I walked around to the rear of the house where the stone floored deck was, complete with walls made of matching stonework. Several tables had been set and dressed in white linen sheets. I smelt the food long before I saw the outdoor cooking area, which was enclosed with the same stone that made up the patio. Alfred stood next to it, rotating and checking the foods that sizzled above the flames. I wafted the air towards myself. Yum, grilled lamb chops and something with onions.

At one of the tables, Barbara, Jim and Selina sat, drinking what appeared to be wine and talking with soft voices and bright smiles. Leslie was by Alfred peering over his shoulder and trying her best to distract him. The rest of the group, however, was not present. Before I could ask where they were, I heard Dick's voice call out "No!"

Interesting.

I walked around the deck and spotted four forms running about the grassy slopes of the rear yard. It was roughly an acre, lined with ancient trees, hills, and a pair of fenced in tennis courts. The group had designed their own field out of a lot that was less then thirty feet by fifteen with four white cones. Dick, Cassandra and a giggling Mattie were huddled on one end while Bruce stood patiently at the other.

Outnumbered, but hardly concerned.

I jogged over, waving at Dick who had finally seen me. "Good, we have a new second string QB," he laughed.

V

As I chewed the final piece of my chop, Bruce tapped his glass with the end of his spoon. I swallowed, wiped my moustache and looked up at him. Barbara was to my left and reached over to brush a crumb off my shirt. I looked down and she said, "Missed a spot, Dad."

When I looked up again, Bruce began, "As you know, the, uh, wedding is in ten days. Nine, actually seeing how this one is nearly over."

Dick snorted, "Ah the night is young."

I smirked until Bruce glared at Dick. Then all attention was back front and center. After a beat of silence, Mattie broke then tension and said "Tay-toe."

We all looked to see that she had squished her piece of baked potato on her hand and was offering it to her father. He smiled briefly, then turned serious before leaning over, "Daddy has a potato, you need to eat yours."

She replied by putting it on his chin.

That time, even Bruce smiled. It reminded me of James, splattering creamy peas all over my moustache when he was just a baby. Barb had laughed until tears were in her eyes, because despite my efforts, bits of green had been stuck and I went to work with a tinted moustache.

I was brought back to the present when Bruce said, "Anyways, nine days left until the wedding. The dresses and suits are ready, the flowers, the priest, the music, the caterers and everything else is ready."

Alfred sighed at the word "caterer."

Leslie elbowed him.

Ah, love.

"Does anyone have anything to say?" Bruce asked, with all the finesse of a businessman.

Dick nodded, "Are we, um, allowed to, uh, celebrate the night before the wedding. As in the women having a party and the, uh, men having a party?"

I suppressed a laugh. Barbara had asked me about any intentions of throwing Bruce a bachelor party. I promptly said no, because it was something Bruce wouldn't enjoy. She had suggested I had a mock hostage situation and that he would love it, even if there weren't strippers.

Dick, who had been in the other room, had overheard it and thought it be better if the strippers were the hostage takers.

After a few laughs and comments, Bruce denied any said parties.

Selina then spoke, "I second it."

Tim spoke up, "All opposed?"

Dick raised both hands and squirmed in his seat.

"Anyone opposed? Everyone's for it?" Tim continued, a serious look on his young face.

Dick growled, waved his arms and then settled for defeat.

After asking if there were any more problems and receiving no answer, Bruce nodded and as if commanded, we all resumed our meals. I selected another small chop and began to cut at the meat quietly as Tim asked, "So how did the doctor's appointment go?"

Someone dropped a fork and Dick choked down a mouthful of bread. Bruce chewed methodically and glanced at Selina. She shrugged then said, "It was fine. Ultrasound was pretty clear, some residual bruising but nothing major. Almost as good as new, right honey bunch?"

He mumbled something and drank wine.

"Still sore, though, Mattie was laying on him last night when he was reading to her and she elbowed him pretty good, almost made him cry," Selina continued despite a warning look from her betrothed.

To interrupt things and because I knew Bruce wouldn't dare growl at me, I asked, "How long are you out of commission?"

It took him a moment to realize I had been the one to ask the daring question. His face softened before my eyes before he replied, "Until after the wedding. No... Unnecessary risks," he finished after glancing at his fiancée.

"Does she let you drive?" I pushed.

He smirked and fingered the rim of his water glass, "Only if I wear my helmet."

Dinner ended with dishes of orange sorbet topped with whipped cream. Barbara commented that according to her diet plan, like she needed a diet, that you could have as much whipped cream as you wanted because it was counted as a freebie. Bruce pointed out the level of calories and listed the main ingredients until Selina slapped his arm and said, "Whipped cream is good for you, Barb, don't listen to him."

After some after dinner talk, Tim left to head home and Dick, Barbara and Cass headed out after loving and riling up Mattie. The child was running circles around her parents as they left and Selina snatched her up before she fell over her own two feet.

We had relocated to the den as the sun set and the bugs revealed themselves. Alfred had brought out coffee and as much as I loved his Columbian Roast, I was stuffed with free whipped cream. I managed to take in half of a cup before Selina rose with a drowsy child and bid everyone good night. She paused at Bruce's side and touched his shoulder. Before she moved on, he reached up and touched her hand gently.

Ah, love.

Within moments, Leslie and Alfred had also risen, removed cups and left the room. Leaving the two of us alone. For the first time in a long time. Long, long, long time. I hadn't really seen much of him since he had been in the accident, and that had been when he was half-asleep in a hospital bed. And then, two nights later, Batman showed up in my office just as he had the last time Bruce had danced with death.

For the first time in far too long, he spoke first, "Work been busy?"

I smiled, "Not too bad, actually. You heard about the school shooting?"

He nodded, "Had a check sent for security in public schools. And one to the family of that little girl."

"Damn shame. We haven't had much trouble in the schools since that bomb at Jefferson. Lucky to catch that one, though, with all those chemicals it could have been a rough one."

He nodded, recalling the same incident a few years back. A failing student had tried to exact revenge on his teacher. The boy's father had been arrested numerous times for arson but had never been found guilty when he went to court. Seeing as he wouldn't be a rocket scientist, the man had tutored his child in how to exact revenge through violence.

We went silent and after a moment, he glanced to the hall, fought with something in his head and then stood suddenly, "Jim, I want to show you something."

I stood as well, not surprised he'd want to be active instead of sitting and chatting. I half suspected he would take me to the library or tour a bit of the house. But instead he led me to a massive grandfather clock that stood in the main hall. It was a masterpiece and quite the sight to see. But it was still a clock.

He stood in my way and touched the hands of the clock, adjusting the time that read on its face. I heard a clicking noise and watched in awe as the clock shifted on hidden hinges. I stood, utterly confused as he turned slightly and looked at me. I noticed his jaw was clenched and his brow was furrowed. He then faced away and walked into the narrow entrance that had been concealed by the clock.

I had no choice. I followed him.

The darkness was overwhelming but he moved forward without any trouble. I knew he had traveled this narrow path thousands of times. Hundreds of thousands of times. I heard the shrill cry of something damned and airborne. Felt the flutter of wings far above my head.

He paused suddenly and after a flick of his wrist lights flashed suddenly and before me I saw something I had imagined in dreams for years. Granite stairs led the way down to a vast underground lair, which still retained the atmosphere of the cavern with random rock formations. I spotted a computer area, a medical bay and what appeared to be a laboratory and beyond that a training area. My eyes caught a reflection of light off of a glass case housing an old Robin uniform.

"The Batcave," I muttered without thinking.

V

I had just turned to the sixth chapter of the new Grisham novel when Bruce opened the door soundlessly. I pretended to ignore him as he made his way to the bathroom. After badgering him about taking his pain medication all week, he had blown up at me and told me in not so many words that he could take care of himself. Instead of making it a big deal, I accepted the fact that he was tired, sore and had been struggling with his forced break from life.

I kissed his flushed face and said, "Yes, dear."

He had suddenly about-faced last week, going from needy and mopey to independent and agitated. He schooled Tim in the Cave during the day and read over files at night. I knew he had started exercising but I had warned him not to overdo it. His post-op care had specified how excess strain would damage the internal sutures and if he wanted to end up on the operating table again he was free to disobey it.

However, no matter what he was doing at night, he would stop, come all the way upstairs just to put Mattie to bed and to check in with me. Real suave. Racking up brownie points the week before we were to be married.

When he returned, he wore a pair of silk pajama pants and one of his loafers. He looked at me, his eyes emitting accusations. I pretended to ignore him which forced him to ask, "Where is my other shoe?"

"What other shoe?" I asked without looking up.

"The one that matches the shoe on my foot."

"Oh," I replied, finally glancing over, "Don't know. Mattie was playing with them earlier, she probably hid it somewhere. You have other pairs, wear them."

He sat on his side of the bed retrieving a bottle of aloe form the bed table's drawer, "What is it with you two taking my loafers. I like this pair. They fit."

With his back to me, I watched as he rubbed aloe on the healing scars on his chest and arms. There were a few on his back and he tried to reach them. After a sigh, I practiced for the doting wife role and put my book down and slid over to him. "Give me the bottle."

"I can do it," he said quietly.

"Bruce, your arms reach only so far, give me the bottle."

He was about to contest when I dug a claw in between two of his ribs. He flinched slightly and through back the bottle without a word. As I applied it carefully, he asked, "How did Mattie go down?"

"She was a little fussy, missed her Daddy."

He sighed, "Was going to come up, but Jim and I were talking."

"Ah."

"It was important."

"I see."

"Selina."

"Bruce."

He turned as I was dabbing a sore on his neck and it ended up being splotched on his mouth. I contained my laugh as best as I could and said, "Sorry."

I half expected him to wipe it off and scowl at me, but to my surprise he leaned over and tried to kiss my mouth. I cried out and tried to push him away, "No, keep it to yourself." I slipped on the covers and was on my back as he crawled over top of me, putting his arms on either side of me.

"No where to go now," he commented as he descended towards me. I squirmed so that when he made contact, the aloe landed on my cheek. He laughed finally, and wiped his face and mine with his hand. Once he was clean, I reached up and kissed him.

"Mmm," I said, "Aloey-fresh."

Before he could reply, we both heard Mattie's cry. It was not one of fear or pain, but one of need. I rolled out from under him and went off to get her, even as Bruce already made his way towards the door. The second she saw us at her doorway, her cries faded and only sniffles and whimpers could be heard.

He picked her up as I turned the lights on, "What's the matter, kitten?"

She cried a bit louder and he began to rub her back as he held her closely. I walked over and kissed the crown of her head. She turned to face me, reached out with a hand but then drew it back to Bruce. Usually he would rock her in the chair until she fell asleep but he nodded towards the door and we returned to our room.

She clung to him as he pulled down the blankets. Since he had no shirt, she locked on to short hairs of which were not designed to be pulled. I got into bed first after shutting off the main light and leaving the bedside lamps illuminated. He handed her off and got in as well.

After a few moments of rubbing her back and talking to her, she settled and seemed to drift in and out of sleep. Bruce studied her intently until I reached over and touched his face. He looked up and smirked.

As his eyes drifted back to her, he said, "Should put her back."

I shook my head and pulled the sheet up to cover Mattie's back, "Let her sleep for a bit, then put her in bed."

He thought on it before nodding. We watched her sleep quietly for several minutes before he said, "Lois and Clark are coming in early for the wedding."

"When?" I asked, suddenly intrigued. I knew Clark somewhat from his visits, and had only met Lois once. When I saw their names on Bruce's half of the guest list he had commented that they would be the only reporters allowed.

He sighed and mumbled, "Saturday."

"This Saturday?" I asked.

He nodded, "Lois wants to catch up with the city, see some sights. But she can only fake that for about a day so they will probably end up here for most of the week."

"Bruce," I sighed as I sat up.

"What, I can't tell them not to come."

"Aren't you their boss?"

He smirked, "I own the Planet, I don't own them." I sat there, staring at him until he spoke up, "Besides, you are always telling me to be social and not 'fake social', so now that I am being cooperative and friendly, you disapprove?"

I had wanted something I could argue with, but he made a good point. Before I could reply, he sat up as well and picked Mattie up. When he had dropped her off in her room and returned, I had the lights off and was lying on my back. He got in, moved towards me, tried to hold me and when I moved away he asked, "What?"

I scowled, "You're all covered in aloe."

He grinned, then quickly wrapped his arms around me. I finally broke free and faced him as he whispered, "Now you are too. If we're going to be married, we have to share everything."

I kissed his neck, nibbled his ear and whispered back, "Not everything, you keep those gray hairs to yourself, bubs."

V

"What are you getting them?" Dick's voice came over the comm. link.

I sat at the computer bay, desperately trying to find something for the boy to do so he would leave me be. So far, after two hours of patrols, he had only been challenged with a few loitering kids, some pathetic muggings and a burglar who had been attacked by the resident's Springer Spaniel.

"I'm not telling," I replied as I switched the frequency on my scanner.

"I've got a proposal for you, my dear. How about we go in together and get them one big gift?"

After a moment I replied, "You haven't picked out a gift have you?"

He whined, "Babs, the man has everything ever invented and if Selina wanted something she could ask him to get it or go out and steal it herself."

I laughed, "That is no way to talk about your soon to be step-mother." I heard some heavy breathing and fast paced footsteps. He was running. "Trouble?"

"Nah," he puffed, "Getting some speed for some back flips."

After shaking my head in disbelief, I reminded myself the kid grew up in a circus. It wasn't fair to expect him to be normal. After spending most of his afternoon and evening in Gotham, he decided he would spend the night in Bludhaven, hoping for some serious action after his day off. Unfortunately, he was bored to death and was practicing acrobatics on the roof of a warehouse.

"So are you going to tell me?"

"No, Richard, I have my gifts done, you are on your own."

He sighed, whimpered and then moaned, "What did you get? Just so I know what not to."

"No, so you can get the same thing and claim you bought it months ago."

After a beat, "That too."

He signed off a few minutes later after a fire was called in at the athletic center a few blocks away. I monitored the calls, watched news programs and then sought out the Gotham Gang.

When I signed on to Robin's frequency I caught the tail end of him speaking, "... And it was so bizarre, he called it the Batusi and then the whole club was doing it."

"The what?" I blurted.

He gulped air, "O, how about we don't eavesdrop?"

I apologized then said, "You two doing anything constructive?"

Batgirl turned her link on, "No. Talking. Funny dreams."

"Ah, well then how have patrols gone?"

Robin spoke quietly to Cass, telling her that we didn't have to "tell her everything" and then spoke to me, "So far it's been pretty quiet. Guess Spring Fever has caused the bad guys to plant flowers or something."

I gave them a few hot spots to check on, told them Nightwing would be in Bludhaven for the rest of the night and to call me if they needed anything. After they had signed off, I spoke aloud to myself, "Batusi?"

After shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I moved to the kitchen and found an orange soda in the fridge that Dick had left. Usually I was a coffee girl, but a soda would be much easier than having to make coffee. And instant was not even an option.

When I looked at the clock above my stove, it read a little after one. I wondered if Bruce was still awake. Having him out again had lead to a bit of withdrawal. There was nothing better than to be almost settled in for a night of monitoring only to have tall, dark and gloomy appear out of nowhere and ask what was going on in his city.

Wednesday night. All the good TV shows were long over. The heroes were handling things just fine. Nothing left for a sweet, innocent cyber shut in to do...

Soda in hand, I retraced my path to the computer bay and pulled up my personal files on one display, keeping the other three open to receive anything from Nightwing, Robin or Batgirl. After cracking my knuckles and flexing my wrists I went at the keyboard and called up a file I hadn't opened in far too long.

"We meet again," I grinned as the enemy's image formed in front of me. The screen darkened to black with a white line down the middle. Two smaller white lines were on the left and right edges of the screen and a small white dot began moving slowly from side to side.

I was the Oracle, Queen of the Information Super Highway, Technology Wizard, Cyber Master.

Closet Pong addict.

V