Men, Women, Garters, and Chains
By: The Angelic Temptress
Disclaimer: If I owned them, things would be different.
Spoilers: Through "Starcrossed"
Rating: PG-13 for the usual features
Pairings: BM/WW BM/CW GL/HG NW/BG
##
Prologue:
The wind tousled her auburn strands and rumpled her feathers as she gazed onto Midway City from her perch on the roof of its museum. She wrapped her arms around herself in attempt to warm her trembling body and to forget that she didn't have strong arms to catch her anymore.
She was alone now and had been for months. Although she had "claimed" Midway as her own, like Batman had claimed Gotham and Superman had taken Metropolis, she was an outcast in the city. She hadn't been engaged in a conversation with another person since the day she had left The Justice League at the Wayne Manor.
The city had been quiet that night, and her heroics were unneeded. The Thanagarian decided to get some rest and slipped into the attic of the museum through a trap door.
Her modest loft was dark, but she easily found the way to the bedroom and pulled off her helmet. She tossed it aside but suddenly noticed a shift in the shadows.
She froze.
Her mind instantly began to examine the scene. Batman had been known to sneak in on those he wished to speak with... or scrutinize. Although her hopes clung to the idea that one of her former teammates had decided to contact her, she knew better.
She grasped her mace, raised it over her head, and altered her stance. When it came to battling in the dark, she wasn't much of an expert but didn't dare light the room with her energy mace. It would give her position away, leaving her open to an attack.
She gasped when something pierced her skin; something had been shot into her throat. The former lieutenant forced her left hand to her neck and pulled out whatever had hit her. She tried to study the dart, struggling with her weakening eyesight, but nothing came of it. The room had gotten darker, and she couldn't manage to stand any longer.
Her legs gave out from under her, and the woman fell to the hard floor, dropping her mace simultaneously. She couldn't move her legs, so she tried dragging herself toward the single telephone she kept on the nightstand. If she could dial the only number she had memorized, maybe...
The numbness traveled up her spine, and her bones began to shake. She couldn't feel her wings.
Her surroundings began to swirl around her, and before she knew it, she had blacked out.
##
Chapter 1: Luck Be a Lady
Wearing a pair of dark slacks, a pastel pink tee, and a messy bun on her head, Diana sat in a remote and seedy bar stationed on the outskirts of Metropolis. Unbelievably, she hadn't been recognized as Wonder Woman by any of the regulars. It was late, about two in the morning, and the tavern, for the most part, was empty. There were only four people, including both the bartender and the Amazon.
She was on call that night, waiting for either Superman or The Green Lantern to contact her. It had been five months since the Watchtower had been destroyed, since the Thanagarians had left Earth, and since The Justice League had become a member smaller.
The League was in the middle of recruiting new members and rebuilding a new Watchtower. Batman had confirmed that it would be completed within the next month or so.
Batman.
Bruce.
Diana and Bruce Wayne had started "seeing" one another, as Americans would say. They had been spotted in Rome, Gotham, Tokyo, New York, and Paris together, either at parties or restaurants. In the public's eye, the blue- eyed duo was an official couple, the new Jen and Ben.
As much as she enjoyed spending time with Bruce outside of the League and without their costumes...
Although she loved going out with the handsome billionaire, she hated the playboy image he faked. He had two roles, two personas that the papers had to recognize: the rich ladies'/ business man and, of course, the mysterious crime fighter. Who the true Bruce Wayne was, Diana yearned to know, but he wouldn't let her near. He was afraid of something.
The princess needed some time away from the cameras and Bruce's persistent solitude. She needed to be alone.
"Here you are, sweetheart," the bartender said and placed a drink before Diana.
"I didn't order –"
"It's been taken care of." The older man motioned toward the individual sitting three seats away from Diana.
The beautiful woman sent an intriguing smile and popped an olive into her mouth. She possessed seductive emerald eyes and layers of dark, gorgeous hair. When the princess returned a smile, the woman ran a hand through her shoulder-length hair and came to join Diana.
"This seat reserved for someone?"
"Help yourself."
After sitting down, she sipped her martini. "Come here often?"
"No. Thank you for the drink, but I can't accept it."
"Please, it's the least I could do for..." The woman paused to catch a glance at whoever could hear them. She then whispered, "Wonder Woman."
Diana's smile grew.
"I didn't know what you liked, so I got you a Shirley Temple." The friendly female bit her bottom lip. "If you don't mind my asking, what are you doing in a place like this?"
"Trying to keep a low profile. The paparazzi follows me everywhere."
"Well, who could blame them? You're a beautiful woman dating a beautiful man." When Diana shot her a playful glare, the woman added, "What? I read the papers."
Before Diana could respond, she heard Superman's voice.
"Diana?"
"Yes," she answered quietly as she pressed the comm-link hidden in her ear.
"We need you in Metropolis. We'll meet outside Lexcorp."
"Right." She turned to her companion. "I've got to go."
"Figured that. Take care."
The princess stood from her stool and stated, "I never got your name."
The green-eyed beauty grinned. "It's Selina."
##
Barbara felt Dick reach his peak and held him close as he did. Their heavy breathing had already begun to slow, but Dick's lips managed to cover the redhead's mouth once more.
It was five twenty-eight, an hour and a half after Batgirl and Nightwing had retired to Barbara's apartment. Somehow, the young vigilantes had ended up in bed together, again. They were on-again-off-again lovers and had been for years. Barbara knew that would never change unless she put a stop to the relationship. As painful as their random meetings were, she was too selfish to end it.
Richard Grayson separated himself from Barbara Gordon and rolled over to the left side of her bed. No matter how little sleep they had learned to operate on, they needed all they could get. When lying beside her former teammate, she always managed to sleep better. Dick wrapped his athletic arms around her, and she laid her head on his chest.
She closed her blue eyes and forced herself to drift off to sleep.
##
"Trouble sleeping?"
Supergirl spun around to see The Flash standing next to her. Her response to his question was a small shrug.
"You know, a hundred and fifty percent on the job isn't needed. I'm sure a hundred and ten will meet your cousin's expectations."
The blonde Kryptonian gave a small chuckle. "You've noticed."
"Babe, you're working twenty-four seven. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind, but even Supergirls need their rest."
"Maybe."
"How's it look on the East end?" Clark's voice said over the comm-link.
"It's quiet."
##
"Looks like a false alarm," The Green Lantern stated bluntly. He and the Martian stood on the roof of The Daily Planet.
"Seems as if the anonymous tip was incorrect."
"Yeah. Doesn't look like the group is robbing tonight." He sighed. "I guess we might as well head home."
"Would you mind if I asked you a personal question, Lantern?"
"No, J'onn."
"How are you?"
"Just fine. Why do you ask?"
The Martian Manhunter placed a hand on his friend's shoulder and said, "You miss her."
"Is it that obvious?"
"As Flash would say, 'A blind man in New Jersey could see it.'"
GL gave a slight laugh. "I want to get over her... but I can't let myself." He turned to face his comrade. "Do you understand?"
"More than you know."
"I wonder where she is and if she's all right."
"I'm positive that Batman could find her if you truly wished to learn of her whereabouts."
John shook his head. "No. It's better this way. She needs time; we both do."
##
"Give her time. She'll wake."
Shayera struggled with her heavy eyelids but managed to force her eyes open. Her head ached, and her body was sore. She groaned as she sat up in what looked like a holding cell.
"Look at the pretty birdy."
The ex-lieutenant raised her gaze to glare at her captors: two figures she couldn't make out in the dim light.
On instinct, she reached to her hip but found no mace. Her teeth clenched, and she stood from the hard floor.
"Who are you?" she demanded. "Where the hell am I?"
"Too many questions, Hawkgirl."
Suddenly, an electric current shot through her body, and Shayera Hol fell to her knees, crying out in pain. When the electricity stopped, she noticed a metal ring around her neck.
"Bastards," she muttered and grasped the bars of the cell, depending on them to help pull her up. "What do you want?"
"Just to balance the universe."
##
"It's only seven."
Dick Grayson turned to look at the redhead who laid in her bed, smiling at him. Barbara was beautiful, the ideal woman: intelligent, witty, sexy, very handy with computers...
"I've got to get back to Bludhaven."
Immediately, a disappointed expression fell onto her gorgeous features. She wanted him to stay, to hold her, and to be the steady man in her unsteady life. The officer couldn't do that for her; Dick couldn't stay in Gotham.
Nightwing couldn't stay so close to Batman.
He pulled on one of the many pairs of sweatpants he kept at Barbara's apartment and sat back down on the bed. Dick gently brushed Babs' hair from her eyes and kissed her forehead. She gave a heavy sigh and placed her hand in his.
Dick knew he was ripping the commissioner's daughter apart by not sticking around. He loved Barbara Gordon more than anything, but couldn't be the man she needed. If he were to stay, he'd rip himself apart. Either way, they'd lose. At least this way, they knew someone loved them.
"I'll call you."
"You better, Boy Wonder."
Dick chuckled, and an idea sprung to mind. "Why don't you come visit me sometime? It would be like a mini-vacation."
"With Nightwing and Batgirl patrolling together?"
"Just like old times."
"Just like last night."
"Hopefully," he added with a smirk and kissed her again.
##
"Sir, I phoned Mr. Fox and informed him of your absence."
"Good, Alfred."
"And I will be reserving your box seats at the opera for you and Miss Diana."
"Good, Alfred." Bruce Wayne wasn't even listening to his butler's announcements. His thoughts were fixated on The Justice League's miscalculations from the night before. The tip had been a wrong one. The Shade, Grodd, and Clayface hadn't robbed the bank as they were expected to.
While analyzing all the theories his dark mind had created, only one seemed to fit.
The call had been a diversion.
Someone had gone through a lot of trouble to use Jim Gordon and the GCPD to give Batman information on a bank robbery and bombing in Metropolis. Batman had been skeptical upon receiving the tip, but he should have detected its fallacy much earlier.
Why contact Batman instead of Superman, especially when the tip dealt with Metropolis?
Bruce sat back in his seat before the Batcomputer and rubbed his chin. He heard Alfred shrug and walk away and then moved his attention to the blank screen.
What hadn't the tipper wanted the League to see? What had happened last night? What was Batman unaware of?
He turned on the morning news, waiting for his questions to be answered.
##
Diana waited as Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce's kind butler and surrogate father, opened the secret passage behind the grandfather clock. After he did, he moved aside so she could descend into the dark cave, alone.
Her heels, which Princess Audrey had sent from Europe, sounded in the Batcave with every step, but Bruce didn't even turn his head to look at her.
"What are you doing here?" he questioned, his eyes still on his computer.
"Well, I was supposed to be at the opera thirty minutes ago."
The man slightly winced with realization. He had stood her up unintentionally.
"Diana..."
"I know, you forgot. That's fine. You're working." She adjusted the shawl on her shoulders due to the coolness of the cave; a satin dress was not meant to be worn in a damp, frigid grotto. Diana leaned over his shoulder, resting a hand on his desk, to get his attention.
It didn't quite work, so she planted a kiss on his cheek.
"What has got you so oblivious to the world around you?"
"The error of last night."
"Oh."
"I think it may have been a distraction."
"What do you mean?"
"Someone wanted us all in Metropolis for a reason."
"What reason?"
"I don't know yet."
"But nothing happened last night, Bruce. At least nothing big."
His forehead wrinkled, and he stood from his chair. The Amazon knew she wouldn't be able to win this battle for attention. She'd be receiving none tonight.
So she stood and leaned against the keypad in defeat.
"Perhaps it was something small, something of irrelevance for ordinary people. Perhaps it would matter to The Justice League alone."
"Perhaps."
He finally made eye contact, and his expression softened. Instead of apologizing, he complemented his date.
"You look nice."
She glanced down at the clingy, lilac-colored dress and shook her head. "I try."
"We can still go to dinner."
"Okay."
"Give me fifteen minutes, and I'll have Alfred drive us into town."
"Okay," she repeated and watched him close the distance between them. He touched his lips to hers and brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
##
Selina Kyle sipped her martini and glanced around the fancy restaurant, seeing if she recognized any of the rich guests.
Of course, it was Gotham City, a place where her alter ego was infamous.
At least, she liked to think so.
Wearing a black dress that covered most of her body, black nylons, and heels, she watched the room in amazement. She had stolen something from almost every single person in the room.
Then she noticed a beautiful, dark-haired, female in an expensive satin ensemble sitting next to one of the richest men on the East coast. Wonder Woman and Selina's ex-boyfriend, Bruce Wayne.
Years ago, Wayne had been infatuated with Selina and even looked past her scandalous record. He had posted bail for her many times and had waited for her outside Arkham when she had been released. That kind of a man, any woman could learn to love.
But he wasn't unachievable. He wasn't her Dark Knight.
He wasn't Batman.
The brunette finished her drink and walked toward their table. As she passed by, she intentionally bumped into Wonder Woman's chair to get their attention.
"I'm sorry," she said with as much sincerity as humanly possible and acted surprised when they made eye contact. "Wonder Woman?"
"Selina? What are you doing here?"
"I'm meeting a friend. How nice to see you again."
"You two know each other?" the handsome billionaire questioned in an almost harsh tone, and Selina looked up at him, ready to send him a glare.
She resisted.
"We met in Metropolis just last night," the heroine confirmed with a smile. "How rude of me... Selina, this is –"
"It's nice to see you again, Bruce."
This time, Wonder Woman raised the eyebrow.
"Likewise."
"How've you been?"
"All right. Yourself?"
"Good, thank you." Before Wonder Woman could get a word in, Selina asked, "How's Alfred?"
The other woman clutched her napkin in anger.
"He's fine." Bruce's blue eyes finally left Selina's face and moved to his date. "Selina and I had once dated."
"But that's ancient history," Selina added. "This isn't a time to stroll down memory lane. I've got to go, anyway." She turned to Wonder Woman and gave a smile. "Nice seeing you again."
"Yes. Nice seeing you too."
Selina walked away from the table, feeling accomplished.
And the band started playing some Sinatra.
"Luck be a lady," she mumbled to herself and left the restaurant.
##
By: The Angelic Temptress
Disclaimer: If I owned them, things would be different.
Spoilers: Through "Starcrossed"
Rating: PG-13 for the usual features
Pairings: BM/WW BM/CW GL/HG NW/BG
##
Prologue:
The wind tousled her auburn strands and rumpled her feathers as she gazed onto Midway City from her perch on the roof of its museum. She wrapped her arms around herself in attempt to warm her trembling body and to forget that she didn't have strong arms to catch her anymore.
She was alone now and had been for months. Although she had "claimed" Midway as her own, like Batman had claimed Gotham and Superman had taken Metropolis, she was an outcast in the city. She hadn't been engaged in a conversation with another person since the day she had left The Justice League at the Wayne Manor.
The city had been quiet that night, and her heroics were unneeded. The Thanagarian decided to get some rest and slipped into the attic of the museum through a trap door.
Her modest loft was dark, but she easily found the way to the bedroom and pulled off her helmet. She tossed it aside but suddenly noticed a shift in the shadows.
She froze.
Her mind instantly began to examine the scene. Batman had been known to sneak in on those he wished to speak with... or scrutinize. Although her hopes clung to the idea that one of her former teammates had decided to contact her, she knew better.
She grasped her mace, raised it over her head, and altered her stance. When it came to battling in the dark, she wasn't much of an expert but didn't dare light the room with her energy mace. It would give her position away, leaving her open to an attack.
She gasped when something pierced her skin; something had been shot into her throat. The former lieutenant forced her left hand to her neck and pulled out whatever had hit her. She tried to study the dart, struggling with her weakening eyesight, but nothing came of it. The room had gotten darker, and she couldn't manage to stand any longer.
Her legs gave out from under her, and the woman fell to the hard floor, dropping her mace simultaneously. She couldn't move her legs, so she tried dragging herself toward the single telephone she kept on the nightstand. If she could dial the only number she had memorized, maybe...
The numbness traveled up her spine, and her bones began to shake. She couldn't feel her wings.
Her surroundings began to swirl around her, and before she knew it, she had blacked out.
##
Chapter 1: Luck Be a Lady
Wearing a pair of dark slacks, a pastel pink tee, and a messy bun on her head, Diana sat in a remote and seedy bar stationed on the outskirts of Metropolis. Unbelievably, she hadn't been recognized as Wonder Woman by any of the regulars. It was late, about two in the morning, and the tavern, for the most part, was empty. There were only four people, including both the bartender and the Amazon.
She was on call that night, waiting for either Superman or The Green Lantern to contact her. It had been five months since the Watchtower had been destroyed, since the Thanagarians had left Earth, and since The Justice League had become a member smaller.
The League was in the middle of recruiting new members and rebuilding a new Watchtower. Batman had confirmed that it would be completed within the next month or so.
Batman.
Bruce.
Diana and Bruce Wayne had started "seeing" one another, as Americans would say. They had been spotted in Rome, Gotham, Tokyo, New York, and Paris together, either at parties or restaurants. In the public's eye, the blue- eyed duo was an official couple, the new Jen and Ben.
As much as she enjoyed spending time with Bruce outside of the League and without their costumes...
Although she loved going out with the handsome billionaire, she hated the playboy image he faked. He had two roles, two personas that the papers had to recognize: the rich ladies'/ business man and, of course, the mysterious crime fighter. Who the true Bruce Wayne was, Diana yearned to know, but he wouldn't let her near. He was afraid of something.
The princess needed some time away from the cameras and Bruce's persistent solitude. She needed to be alone.
"Here you are, sweetheart," the bartender said and placed a drink before Diana.
"I didn't order –"
"It's been taken care of." The older man motioned toward the individual sitting three seats away from Diana.
The beautiful woman sent an intriguing smile and popped an olive into her mouth. She possessed seductive emerald eyes and layers of dark, gorgeous hair. When the princess returned a smile, the woman ran a hand through her shoulder-length hair and came to join Diana.
"This seat reserved for someone?"
"Help yourself."
After sitting down, she sipped her martini. "Come here often?"
"No. Thank you for the drink, but I can't accept it."
"Please, it's the least I could do for..." The woman paused to catch a glance at whoever could hear them. She then whispered, "Wonder Woman."
Diana's smile grew.
"I didn't know what you liked, so I got you a Shirley Temple." The friendly female bit her bottom lip. "If you don't mind my asking, what are you doing in a place like this?"
"Trying to keep a low profile. The paparazzi follows me everywhere."
"Well, who could blame them? You're a beautiful woman dating a beautiful man." When Diana shot her a playful glare, the woman added, "What? I read the papers."
Before Diana could respond, she heard Superman's voice.
"Diana?"
"Yes," she answered quietly as she pressed the comm-link hidden in her ear.
"We need you in Metropolis. We'll meet outside Lexcorp."
"Right." She turned to her companion. "I've got to go."
"Figured that. Take care."
The princess stood from her stool and stated, "I never got your name."
The green-eyed beauty grinned. "It's Selina."
##
Barbara felt Dick reach his peak and held him close as he did. Their heavy breathing had already begun to slow, but Dick's lips managed to cover the redhead's mouth once more.
It was five twenty-eight, an hour and a half after Batgirl and Nightwing had retired to Barbara's apartment. Somehow, the young vigilantes had ended up in bed together, again. They were on-again-off-again lovers and had been for years. Barbara knew that would never change unless she put a stop to the relationship. As painful as their random meetings were, she was too selfish to end it.
Richard Grayson separated himself from Barbara Gordon and rolled over to the left side of her bed. No matter how little sleep they had learned to operate on, they needed all they could get. When lying beside her former teammate, she always managed to sleep better. Dick wrapped his athletic arms around her, and she laid her head on his chest.
She closed her blue eyes and forced herself to drift off to sleep.
##
"Trouble sleeping?"
Supergirl spun around to see The Flash standing next to her. Her response to his question was a small shrug.
"You know, a hundred and fifty percent on the job isn't needed. I'm sure a hundred and ten will meet your cousin's expectations."
The blonde Kryptonian gave a small chuckle. "You've noticed."
"Babe, you're working twenty-four seven. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind, but even Supergirls need their rest."
"Maybe."
"How's it look on the East end?" Clark's voice said over the comm-link.
"It's quiet."
##
"Looks like a false alarm," The Green Lantern stated bluntly. He and the Martian stood on the roof of The Daily Planet.
"Seems as if the anonymous tip was incorrect."
"Yeah. Doesn't look like the group is robbing tonight." He sighed. "I guess we might as well head home."
"Would you mind if I asked you a personal question, Lantern?"
"No, J'onn."
"How are you?"
"Just fine. Why do you ask?"
The Martian Manhunter placed a hand on his friend's shoulder and said, "You miss her."
"Is it that obvious?"
"As Flash would say, 'A blind man in New Jersey could see it.'"
GL gave a slight laugh. "I want to get over her... but I can't let myself." He turned to face his comrade. "Do you understand?"
"More than you know."
"I wonder where she is and if she's all right."
"I'm positive that Batman could find her if you truly wished to learn of her whereabouts."
John shook his head. "No. It's better this way. She needs time; we both do."
##
"Give her time. She'll wake."
Shayera struggled with her heavy eyelids but managed to force her eyes open. Her head ached, and her body was sore. She groaned as she sat up in what looked like a holding cell.
"Look at the pretty birdy."
The ex-lieutenant raised her gaze to glare at her captors: two figures she couldn't make out in the dim light.
On instinct, she reached to her hip but found no mace. Her teeth clenched, and she stood from the hard floor.
"Who are you?" she demanded. "Where the hell am I?"
"Too many questions, Hawkgirl."
Suddenly, an electric current shot through her body, and Shayera Hol fell to her knees, crying out in pain. When the electricity stopped, she noticed a metal ring around her neck.
"Bastards," she muttered and grasped the bars of the cell, depending on them to help pull her up. "What do you want?"
"Just to balance the universe."
##
"It's only seven."
Dick Grayson turned to look at the redhead who laid in her bed, smiling at him. Barbara was beautiful, the ideal woman: intelligent, witty, sexy, very handy with computers...
"I've got to get back to Bludhaven."
Immediately, a disappointed expression fell onto her gorgeous features. She wanted him to stay, to hold her, and to be the steady man in her unsteady life. The officer couldn't do that for her; Dick couldn't stay in Gotham.
Nightwing couldn't stay so close to Batman.
He pulled on one of the many pairs of sweatpants he kept at Barbara's apartment and sat back down on the bed. Dick gently brushed Babs' hair from her eyes and kissed her forehead. She gave a heavy sigh and placed her hand in his.
Dick knew he was ripping the commissioner's daughter apart by not sticking around. He loved Barbara Gordon more than anything, but couldn't be the man she needed. If he were to stay, he'd rip himself apart. Either way, they'd lose. At least this way, they knew someone loved them.
"I'll call you."
"You better, Boy Wonder."
Dick chuckled, and an idea sprung to mind. "Why don't you come visit me sometime? It would be like a mini-vacation."
"With Nightwing and Batgirl patrolling together?"
"Just like old times."
"Just like last night."
"Hopefully," he added with a smirk and kissed her again.
##
"Sir, I phoned Mr. Fox and informed him of your absence."
"Good, Alfred."
"And I will be reserving your box seats at the opera for you and Miss Diana."
"Good, Alfred." Bruce Wayne wasn't even listening to his butler's announcements. His thoughts were fixated on The Justice League's miscalculations from the night before. The tip had been a wrong one. The Shade, Grodd, and Clayface hadn't robbed the bank as they were expected to.
While analyzing all the theories his dark mind had created, only one seemed to fit.
The call had been a diversion.
Someone had gone through a lot of trouble to use Jim Gordon and the GCPD to give Batman information on a bank robbery and bombing in Metropolis. Batman had been skeptical upon receiving the tip, but he should have detected its fallacy much earlier.
Why contact Batman instead of Superman, especially when the tip dealt with Metropolis?
Bruce sat back in his seat before the Batcomputer and rubbed his chin. He heard Alfred shrug and walk away and then moved his attention to the blank screen.
What hadn't the tipper wanted the League to see? What had happened last night? What was Batman unaware of?
He turned on the morning news, waiting for his questions to be answered.
##
Diana waited as Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce's kind butler and surrogate father, opened the secret passage behind the grandfather clock. After he did, he moved aside so she could descend into the dark cave, alone.
Her heels, which Princess Audrey had sent from Europe, sounded in the Batcave with every step, but Bruce didn't even turn his head to look at her.
"What are you doing here?" he questioned, his eyes still on his computer.
"Well, I was supposed to be at the opera thirty minutes ago."
The man slightly winced with realization. He had stood her up unintentionally.
"Diana..."
"I know, you forgot. That's fine. You're working." She adjusted the shawl on her shoulders due to the coolness of the cave; a satin dress was not meant to be worn in a damp, frigid grotto. Diana leaned over his shoulder, resting a hand on his desk, to get his attention.
It didn't quite work, so she planted a kiss on his cheek.
"What has got you so oblivious to the world around you?"
"The error of last night."
"Oh."
"I think it may have been a distraction."
"What do you mean?"
"Someone wanted us all in Metropolis for a reason."
"What reason?"
"I don't know yet."
"But nothing happened last night, Bruce. At least nothing big."
His forehead wrinkled, and he stood from his chair. The Amazon knew she wouldn't be able to win this battle for attention. She'd be receiving none tonight.
So she stood and leaned against the keypad in defeat.
"Perhaps it was something small, something of irrelevance for ordinary people. Perhaps it would matter to The Justice League alone."
"Perhaps."
He finally made eye contact, and his expression softened. Instead of apologizing, he complemented his date.
"You look nice."
She glanced down at the clingy, lilac-colored dress and shook her head. "I try."
"We can still go to dinner."
"Okay."
"Give me fifteen minutes, and I'll have Alfred drive us into town."
"Okay," she repeated and watched him close the distance between them. He touched his lips to hers and brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
##
Selina Kyle sipped her martini and glanced around the fancy restaurant, seeing if she recognized any of the rich guests.
Of course, it was Gotham City, a place where her alter ego was infamous.
At least, she liked to think so.
Wearing a black dress that covered most of her body, black nylons, and heels, she watched the room in amazement. She had stolen something from almost every single person in the room.
Then she noticed a beautiful, dark-haired, female in an expensive satin ensemble sitting next to one of the richest men on the East coast. Wonder Woman and Selina's ex-boyfriend, Bruce Wayne.
Years ago, Wayne had been infatuated with Selina and even looked past her scandalous record. He had posted bail for her many times and had waited for her outside Arkham when she had been released. That kind of a man, any woman could learn to love.
But he wasn't unachievable. He wasn't her Dark Knight.
He wasn't Batman.
The brunette finished her drink and walked toward their table. As she passed by, she intentionally bumped into Wonder Woman's chair to get their attention.
"I'm sorry," she said with as much sincerity as humanly possible and acted surprised when they made eye contact. "Wonder Woman?"
"Selina? What are you doing here?"
"I'm meeting a friend. How nice to see you again."
"You two know each other?" the handsome billionaire questioned in an almost harsh tone, and Selina looked up at him, ready to send him a glare.
She resisted.
"We met in Metropolis just last night," the heroine confirmed with a smile. "How rude of me... Selina, this is –"
"It's nice to see you again, Bruce."
This time, Wonder Woman raised the eyebrow.
"Likewise."
"How've you been?"
"All right. Yourself?"
"Good, thank you." Before Wonder Woman could get a word in, Selina asked, "How's Alfred?"
The other woman clutched her napkin in anger.
"He's fine." Bruce's blue eyes finally left Selina's face and moved to his date. "Selina and I had once dated."
"But that's ancient history," Selina added. "This isn't a time to stroll down memory lane. I've got to go, anyway." She turned to Wonder Woman and gave a smile. "Nice seeing you again."
"Yes. Nice seeing you too."
Selina walked away from the table, feeling accomplished.
And the band started playing some Sinatra.
"Luck be a lady," she mumbled to herself and left the restaurant.
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