Chapter 3
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters except, Liz is mine. Please read and review. Enjoy!
Bruce took the least expensive car he could find in such short time. God, he didn't want to run into Alfred. That was the last thing he needed. Alfred would see right through him. He would know. He would never understand. Alfred might even turn Bruce in… was loyal but honest as well. Which would win out? Would his concern for Bruce survive the fact that he had murdered a man? Bruce was not about to find out.
The Mercedes drove around for quite some time. Bruce finally found himself in a neighborhood he only frequented as his alter ego. He knew there was a bar there and a good drink or two was exactly what he needed. As he parked the car, he hoped that his simple sweatshirt and hood would conceal eager eyes from seeing who he really was.
Bruce entered the bar. It was like walking into a scene from a movie. There were drug addicts smoking up in the back. Drunks were grabbing waitresses' asses as they tried to serve drinks. Bruce kept his head down until he reached the bar stool. His brown eyes softened as he saw the barmaid. She appeared to have had a long night as well. She was beautiful. Her blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail with frayed ends. Her blue eyes sparkled when she saw Bruce. Finally, she thought a handsome face among scum. A bit familiar too perhaps?
"Hey handsome what can I get you?"
Bruce smiled. "Anything hard would be nice." She gave him a weird smile and he realized that he had said something that was taken the wrong way.
"I didn't mean that the way it sounded….vodka straight is fine."
She giggled back and he couldn't help but find himself smiling. As the barmaid went to get the drink Bruce allowed his mind to wander for a bit. What was he suppose to do?
All he could think about was the pounding blows he had given to that man, a man he had thought to be Chill, but who was rather a pawn of Crane's who now was a casualty of Batman's. Bruce closed his eyes fearing that he would soon vomit.
The barmaid appeared back rather quickly handing Bruce his drink. Bruce took it in one swift motion cringing at the aftertaste. The barmaid could tell Bruce wasn't a drinker.
Bruce could tell that maybe her boyfriend was from the bruise she had.
"So what's your name, handsome?"
Bruce decided to turn on the Wayne charm.
"David. You can call me David. What's yours?"
Her yes sparkled. "My name is Liz."
Bruce put down the drink which Liz quickly refilled.
"Well, Liz, how long have you been working here?"
She rolled her eyes.
"Too long. So how come I've never seen you around here before? Although, maybe I have…you do look sort of familiar…"
Bruce lowered his head.
Liz smiled, "It isn't in a bad way, Hon. I don't recall anything about you that would be bad."
Bruce grimaced. Not yet you don't.
"I'm actually new here," Bruce continued with his lie. Although in a way it was true. "David" was new to town.
"So how are the people here? Bruce asked.
Liz looked at him before bursting out laughing.
"You must be new around here. Few folks here call these things," she said gesturing toward the bar, "people. Mostly monsters. A lot of animals who come to hide from others," she paused. "Or themselves."
She smiled as she walked away from Bruce gently touching his hand. That simple touch sent a fire through his veins. God, how long has it been since I have been with a woman, he thought? He had dates, but beyond kissing there was no intimacy, no time to really know someone. The last time he was with someone had to be before he met Ducard. There was a beautiful woman. Miranda…the memories. They made Bruce only want to drink more.
"Liz, another round please, "he called.