DON'T OWN JL OR PLOT.

Alfred set out the seven plates and checked the silverware once more. He no longer bothered putting more then one fork at Wally's place, since the younger man rarely acknowledged the other utensils. Diana had been over since early this morning. She and Bruce had been talking about some matters that Alfred did not concern himself with. Although, he did suspect it had something to do with their plans of eventual marriage. Alfred placed the last plate before walking to the door after he heard the knock,

" Good Evening, Miss. Hol." The young woman was wearing a long black leather trench coat, which she handed to the gentleman,

" Hello Alfred. How are you?"

" Very well, Miss. And yourself?"

" I'm better. Thanks." He nodded and she walked down the hall to the library. Before Alfred had finished closing the coat closet, another knock sounded. He checked the peep hole and opened the door,

" Good Evening, Master J'onnz."

" Hello Alfred. I hope I find you well."

" Excellent condition, thanks to those vitamins you prescribed to me." J'onn laughed and handed him his old brown coat,

" Let me know when you run low."

" Of course, sir." J'onn followed the same path Shayera had taken and entered the library,

" Hello Shayera, Bruce, Diana." The others looked up and Shayera smiled at J'onn,

" Oh, J'onn! I really have to thank you that cream. My scar is almost invisible and just in time for the spring shoot." J'onn smiled, " I had a feeling it would work."

She then broke off to chat with Diana about, 'girl stuff.' Bruce strolled over,

" Did you see Clark on your way in?"

" No. But I'm sure he's on his way. Is something the matter?" Bruce waved a hand,

" No, no. Nothing. I was just asking."

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Wally kept looking over his shoulder as he and Clark made their way to Bruce's. Clark had not questioned Wally about the red head that had attacked him, but as Wally continued to paw at his wrist and shoulder, Clark could not help but ask,

" Something wrong?" Wally looked up and gave him a ghost of a grin,

" I was just thinkin'…that was my best knife that Raven ran off with." Clark knew in an instant that was not the truth but he decided not to press it,

" It was in the guy's shoulder, Wally. I doubt he chose to steal it." They rounded the corner and each gave a sigh as Bruce's estate came into view.

" How's your cut?" Wally touched the dried blood with a wince,

" I've had worse." He muttered darkly. Clark could have slapped himself,

" I uhh…wonder what Alfred's cooking."

" Whatever." Wally sped up, keeping himself three paces in front of Clark for the rest of the walk.

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John walked back into the air-conditioned office,

" Stewart! Hey Stewart!" A young man and woman came running up to him,

" Kat…Kyle…what's up?" Kyle reached him first.

" Did you hear that they're gonna cut out pay checks?!?" He wheezed. John shrugged out of his jacket,

" You're kidding me." Kyle shook his head, while Kat placed her hands on her hips,

" No. He's right, Stewart. We're going to have a union meeting on Saturday. Can we count you in?" John nodded,

" Saturday. What time?"

" 'Bout 8. Shift managers gonna show up too." Kat nodded and waved them good bye,

" See you two then." Kyle waved back,

" See ya, Kat!" He turned back to face John,

" How's Wally?" He asked, all humorous glint from his eyes, gone.

" He's doing better. Thanks." Kyle held up another white envelope,

" You're sure? 'Cause there's a wicked party on Friday!" He handed the item to John, " Tell him to call me…and to leave his damn cell phone on!"

" Will do."