Chapter Three – About Her, Part I
It happens about a year before the original timeline. I wanted to write a separate chapter telling how Bruce and Diana met in this reality. After all, here there is no Justice League, no Batman, no other heroes.
Diana shifted in bed. Bruce looked at his wife's sleeping figure. His day was difficult, and perhaps because of that, the strange visions persisted. Nothing to upset his work, but still disturbing. He did not tell Diana, trying to preserve her. However, if is continued, he would have to tell her, then get help.
He knew that Diana would support him in everything. It was one of the qualities he most admired in her. Diana was strong, much stronger than he was. Diana was more woman than he was a man. Maybe that's why he loved her so much. Because she was the only one who could deal with him.
He looked from her to the ring on his finger. One year. The best year of his life since met her.
A year before ...
How the day was exhausting! Being a CEO of a company was exhausting. And with the broken car, it was not his day. Bruce took a good look around. They were still far from home and stress only increased.
There was a bar across the street. The red neon sign caught his attention, and for some reason decided to go there. Jonathan had left the car, waiting for the repair.
He opened the simple door and was greeted by the jazz chords. The place was almost empty. It was early and should have just opened. A few tables scattered around, opening the way to the center below a stage. He crossed the lane and went straight to the bar.
At the moment, there was no one to serve him. He thought of going, but ended up sitting in one of the many chairs available. His thoughts are far from his actions. He covered his face with his hands, sighing loudly. He noticed someone approaching him, but did not look up until he heard the sound of a spilling liquid.
To his surprise, a pretty, very smiling woman poured whiskey into a glass. She had long, dark hair and blue eyes. She wore plain jeans and a white tank top. She set the bottle beside her and held out the glass to him.
"On the house." She said. "I think your day was a bad one."
"You have no idea how much." He took a sip. The liquid was burning down his throat. He reached out to her. "I'm Bruce Wayne."
"I know, I see you in the news. I'm Diana. What are you doing in a place like this, Mr. Wayne?"
He shrugged. The girl understood and asked no further, clearing the counter. He let Bruce drink his drink in peace, and he watched over the glass. Some time later, Jonathan appeared.
"Mr. Wayne." He called. "It's ready."
Bruce nodded and got to his feet. He looked at Diana, opened his wallet to take some notes, but she refused the money, saying it was the house. He replied with a "thank you" and walked to the exit. But he stopped and went back to her. She put her hands on her waist, questioning him with her eyes.
"When is your time off?"
"Tuesday. Why?"
"Would you like to go out with me?"
"Sorry, but I'm not one of those."
He blinked, puzzled. No woman ever refused to go out with him. Diana continued.
"I know your fame and I honestly don't want to be on your list of lovers."
"You offered me a drink." He returned. It was his only argument at the time.
"It doesn't mean that I want you."
She gave him a mocking smile before ducking into the back of the bar. What girl!
The next weeks were spent with Bruce thinking about Diana, the bar girl. She was beautiful, of strong personality and managed to captivate him like no one else. He was crazy to have an excuse to review her, but he could not think of anything. So it was almost a month, until the will spoke louder.
It was a weekend so he would not have to work the next day and he could stay as long as he was in that bar, waiting for the girl of his dreams. She smiled, but closed her face when she saw him approach.
"Oh, Mr. Wayne. I thought you wouldn't go back to a place like that."
Bruce shrugged, sitting on one of the unoccupied chairs.
"What will you want?" She gestured, trying to be friendly. She was still at her place of work.
"Whiskey. And you."
"Sincere, I liked."
Both Bruce and Diana turned in the direction of the voice. A woman stood with her arms folded and smiling. She was red-haired, looked about thirty. She wore jeans and a Ramones shirt, her plaid shirt tied around her waist.
"Excuse me, Shay, but ..." Diana opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by the redhead.
"It's okay. Come on, Di. I take care of the movement."
"I'm Bruce Wayne." He reached for the redhead, who accepted the greeting.
"I'm Shay. As the boss, I release her at night if she wants to."
"What does Diana want?" He gestured.
"I can answer for myself." Diana said harshly.
"I think she can answer."
They both turned to the waitress, waiting for an answer. She folded her arms and shook her head.
"No!"
Shayera's smile faded and Bruce still did not understand. But Shayera understood, and pulled her friend to a corner behind the counter. Diana looked over her shoulder at Bruce, who was still watching them.
"I'm not going out with him, Shay!" Bruce did not want to, but it was impossible to avoid hearing the conversation, after all the girls talked about him. "I don't want to."
"And why? He's handsome, rich, yummy. If I weren't married, I'd take it."
"He's practically engaged to that socialite. I don't want to be the lover again."
"You made a mistake, Di. It does not mean it will repeat."
Diana folded her arms, facing her friend. She was never lucky for men, and she did not think Wayne would be any different.
"Not everyone is as lucky as you." She said. "I'm 30 years old and I've given up my enchanted prince."
"If I were looking for a prince, do you think I'd been with Wally for so long? He's a dump." She paused. "But it's mine. All right, you're right. But give yourself a chance with him. A date, I don't know. Let him try."
Diana let out a heavy sigh. Was Shayera wrong? Never. The redhead always had the right advice, and she knew when a man was no good. And, for the first time in a long time, she seemed to approve Bruce as her friend's future boyfriend. She decided to listen to her, at least this time.
"Okay, you convinced me. I go out with him, but on one condition."
"What?"
"You go with me."
So the next week Diana would look in the mirror, trying to see if the plain blue dress was good enough for a date with Bruce Wayne. She was so nervous that she did not seem to want the meeting a week earlier. The bell rang and she knew it was time. She took the coat off the couch and opened the door.
To her surprise, it was not Bruce. It was Shayera. The redhead wore a red wool sweater over her jeans. Her hair was trapped in a ponytail and she smiled broadly.
"Disappointed that you're not the handsome one?"
"He's late. I think he gave up."
Diana heard Wally's laugh, before the boy appeared behind Shayera pulling Bruce. Wally was red-haired, his red hair a little messy. He was in jeans, sneakers, and a leather coat. Bruce was already out of it, and although he was not wearing a suit, his brown pants and light yellow shirt were more elegant than the three friends together.
"They made me do it." He said. "I'm sorry."
"Shayera!"
"It was my idea, Di." Wally hugged her friend, before embracing Shayera. "Don't blame my wife."
"I don't know why I'm still friends with you."
"Maybe because you love us." Wally replied. "Shall we?"
Everyone agreed. Bruce now had his chance to impress Diana.
