"A Simple Kind of Life"

By: Angelic Temptress

Disclaimer: I bet you didn't know they weren't mine.

Rating: PG-13. Why not?

Spoilers: None really. (Um… I really hope EVERYONE saw the new episodes, though this doesn't have anything to do with them.)

A/N: Um… Bruce and Shayera had to pretend they didn't know one another. C'mon guys. Keep up, would ya? Hahaha… J/K! ;)

And thanks to Missy for the beta and taking my side. ;)

VV

Wednesday

"Sgniw hsinav rof eerht syad."

Shayera feels a tingling down her back and takes in a deep breath as she watches Zatanna recite the spell and wave her wand.

Instantly, she is without wings.

"Now, did that hurt? I told you it wouldn't." Zatanna places her wand inside of her desk drawer and lays a hand on her hip, tilting her head and waiting for an answer.

"I guess not." Shayera turns to look over her shoulder and into the mirror. Inside, she shudders.

Zatanna steps to Shayera's side and hairsprays her straightened hair. She's wearing a jean mini skirt with black fishnets, ankle boots, and a teal off-the-shoulder top. A white tank's straps are visible on the sides of the wide-neck sleeved shirt.

Shayera is wearing dark brown Capri pants with tan boots, a white midriff-bearing tank, and a short tan coat. Her hair's been curled into dozens of ringlets to hide both its length and her identity. Her lipstick is dark to take attention away from her eyes.

"Are we ready yet?" Dinah asks as she waltzes into Zatanna's bedroom wearing a burgundy top with a plunging neckline, dark jeans, and black heels. "I didn't bring the cycle since there are three of us." Her blonde strands sit in a messy bun at the nape of her neck. Wisps of hair outline her pretty face.

"Arrow's working?" Shayera asks.

"Girls' night out. The boys have a poker game tomorrow in Metropolis."

VvV

"Isn't this fun?" Dinah calls back to Shayera as the three try to shove their way through the heard of dancers near the front door. She definitely feels several pairs of hands, hips, and other unmentionable body parts running into her, but she resists doing anything about it.

They finally reach the crowded bar and all three maneuver their way to the barstools. One seat has just been vacated, and a guy offers his to Dinah. Shayera squeezes between Zatanna and a man wearing a shimmering shirt. He turns to look at her and accidentally bumps into her invisible wings. She winces, and he walks away with a scared look on his face.

The bartender, an attractive dark-haired man with deep gray eyes, instantly walks over to them and distinctly locks gazes with Zatanna.

"Hi, Zee."

"Hi, Eric."

"Apple martini?"

"Of course."

While still sneaking glances to the magician, Eric asks, "What can I get you ladies?"

Dinah answers first, "Long Island iced tea."

"Jack Daniels," Shayera says frankly and tightens her jacket. The DJ changes the song, and both of her friends light up with complete joy. Before Shayera can ask the significance of the song, they scream:

"Material Girl!"

She feels their hands grip her shoulders but shrugs them off. "I'm going to sit this one out."

"Warning: we have a wallflower," Zatanna mumbles with a slanted smile.

"Go ahead. I want a drink."

Two of the trio link arms and move to the center of the dance floor where Shayera can't see them. She blows a bang from her eye and turns to look at the bartender who is still trying to keep tabs on Zatanna. He places the alcohol before her and waves away her money.

"First one's free for heroes. Just don't spread the word."

Her jaw nearly drops. "What?"

"She obviously hasn't told you about me," Eric says and leans again the bar table. "I own the joint, and she likes to come in here a lot. We've been…"

"Spare me the details," she scoffs and shakes her head. "Thanks, but –"

"You really need to work on your people skills." Eric starts to dry martini glasses with his gray eyes locked on her. "Do you really hate being here so much?"

She swallows the drink and wipes her mouth with the back of her sleeve. "This isn't exactly my type of place, at least not anymore."

"I can see that."

"Uh huh." Shayera swallows some more of the dark liquid. "So what do you do? Stand there and try to get your customers to tell you their life stories?"

"No," he replies quickly. "They usually just come out and tell me."

"Right. Are there ever fights here?"

"Bartendah!" a blonde girl yells over the music to get Eric's attention. "Get me scotch, will ya?" When Shayera stares at her, the blue eyed girl asked, "What are you looking at, Red?"

"Nothing." She leaves a tip on the bar table before heading for the bathroom. After stepping inside, she hears voices.

"Why the hell are you here with him?"

"Rick, we've been over for a month now. Why did you follow me in here?"

A smack. A sob.

"You belong to me, you know that."

Shayera quietly moves to the stall the voices are coming from and looks to their feet. The man's shoes are closest to the door.

Without hesitation, she kicks the door open and knocks the guy to the floor. The dark haired girl yelps and then hurriedly steps over her ex. She stands to the side of Shayera and watches as the man struggles to his feet.

With another kick, he falls onto the toilet; unfortunately for him, the lid is up. Shayera grabs his throat and knocks the back of his head to the tile.

"How does it feel to be taken out by a real man?" she questions through clenched teeth and tightens her grip. "You will leave this girl alone." In a swift motion, she hits his head a bit harder against the tile, rendering him unconscious.

The girl makes eye contact with Shayera but doesn't say a word. The wig she's wearing is now lying improperly on her head.

"You could do two things: take off the wig and call the police. You need a restraining order for that guy."

The girl pulls off the black wig to reveal her light brown locks. "I didn't want him to –"

Shayera takes the wig from her. "I know. Just talk to the police. They'll help."

She shakes her head. "You didn't have to hurt him."

"What?"

"He didn't mean it, and what gives you the right to listen to our conversation?"

"You're welcome." Shayera leaves the restroom and gets Eric's attention. "Could you tell Thelma and Louise that I had something to do?" she requests and motions toward her companions.

"Sure."

Before Shayera can budge, a guy's hand grabs her elbow. Instead of socking him, she glares. He possesses pretty blue eyes and dark hair and is wearing a dark jacket, a black tee, and blue jeans.

"Going so soon?"

She pulls her arm from him. "What's it to you?"

He laughs. "I'm sorry. You don't know me. I'm Dick Grayson. I work with Bruce Wayne… in the basement."

Nightwing. "Oh. And why did you seize my arm?"

"I was going to offer you a ride home. There's a cute butler who would love to see you." He stands. "Bruce told him about you having the week off, Zatanna told Bruce you'd be in Gotham, and Alfred wants to make you breakfast. The room's already been prepared. I'm just the messenger."

"But Dinah and Zatanna –"

"Already know."

"I'm beginning to think Alfred taught Bruce his skills."

Dick guides her outside and to his motorcycle before handing her a helmet. A smile spreads on his face as she stares at it. "You don't want to look suspicious, do you?"

"I just don't like helmets."

VvV

"Alfred, sometimes I forget that you can be naughty." Dick Grayson laughs and covers his mouth with a napkin.

Shayera, Batman's protégé, and Bruce's butler are seated at the small kitchen table laughing up a storm. She sips her chamomile tea and savors the taste as she realizes she needs to ask Alfred for the brand.

"Don't be ridiculous, Master Dick. I am always on my best behavior."

He shakes his young head. "Nope." Dick looks at their guest. "Alfred's probably the only person who can put Bruce in his place."

"Nah. I highly doubt that," Shayera counters. "I think I give him a run for his money sometimes."

"Well, he always did like his women witty."

"Is he patrolling tonight, Alfred?" Shayera asks and takes a bite of her pastry.

Dick shakes his head. "Barbara and I've got it. He's in Metropolis for something."

"I see."

"Speaking of which, I need to get suited up. Babs is gong to kill me if I'm late." Before he leaves for the grandfather clock, he suggests, "You should come to Blüdhaven. We're having a 'Welcome home' party for Kyle Rayner, the other GL."

"When's that?"

"Friday."

VvV

Ok.

Ready for Boys' Night Out?