A Day With Two

As Chelsea and Bruce came through the front door, the movers were on their way out. Alfred had instructed them to move all of Chelsea's belongings into a vacant bedroom for the time being until they figured out just where everything was going to go. Bruce placed his hand on the small of her back. Putting his lips to the rim of her ear he cooed, "Come with me." They traveled up the staircase and down the hall to Bruce's master bedroom. His room had a balcony. Out on the balcony was a table set for two with candles.

Chelsea gave him a look of awe, "The stars are out and you're still here?"

He smirked as he pulled her chair out for her to sit. Taking a seat across from her he tilted his head, "I wanted to spend the evening with my new roommate."

Alfred brought out some dinner he had been preparing. It smelled heavenly. Chelsea's stomach growled right on cue, "Thank you, Alfred. It looks delicious."

"Enjoy your evening Master Bruce, Miss Chelsea." Alfred bowed with a grin before leaving them to their night.

"The kids are working graveyard shift for you?" she asked.

He bobbed his head as he started cutting the meat on his plate, "Did everything go over well between you and Wally?"

"As well as it could," she shrugged, "he's still sheepish to some degree. It'll take him a while to readjust. I'm just glad he's coming around. I missed him so much."

"Do you like your new place?" he asked, half joking.

"I dunno, it's a bit on the small side." she winked, mirroring his tone.

He smiled at her. He was so happy she would be staying here. When he came home, it would be to her. Nothing would please him more.

"What made you decide to surprise me with dinner?" she questioned.

"We haven't had time to be together as much as I would like… I wanted tonight to be special… just us." He reached across the table and took her hand, "I'm not finished yet." he teased.

After they ate, Bruce drew a bath for them to lay in together. She rested against him with her back to his front. His large arms cradled her body. They enjoyed the simplicity of the moment. Once and a while, Chelsea would lift her hand to intertwine their fingers together and gaze at them quietly. She never thought in all her life she'd be bathing with Bruce Wayne. That she'd lay in his arms feeling seemingly weightless. That she wouldn't be afraid to be in her most vulnerable state near him. If it was hard enough for her to believe, it was near impossible for Bruce. He never felt more at peace than when it was just them. It made him want to turn away from the world, and find solace in her alone.

Following their bath, Bruce came out of the bathroom with his night pants on made of red silk, "Have you seen my shirt by any-" he locked eyes with her. She sat at the foot of the bed with the matching silk red shirt on. It seemed to totally submerge her in crimson fabric. The sleeves were clearly too long, and it fell just below her bottom. She wore underwear beneath the garment. Her hair was wet and messy with waves that cascaded all around her face. She smiled at him with a laugh.

He approached her, "You're so beautiful." he told her.

She cupped his face in her hands and ran her fingers back through his hair, "Lay down. I'll give you a back massage. Of all people, you probably need it most." He laid down on his stomach with a pillow folded beneath his chest. She sat on his butt and started kneading at the knots beneath his skin. She couldn't believe the damage on his body. He had so many scars. So many memories that would not let him forget. The knots were large and tense. When she moved up to his neck, still more knots were found, "How do you live like this?" she asked with concern.

"I hardly feel the pain anymore," he told her.

It saddened her to hear that. No one should be so accustomed to pain that they're numbed by it. Bruce had been comfortably numb for far too long. She leaned down and kissed the back of his neck. His skin reacted, showing little goose pimples. He turned his head to look back at her with his brilliant blue eyes. She ran her fingers through his hair again. He closed his eyes, enjoying the treatment he was receiving. His eyes slowly opened again as his eyes focused on something other than her. She kissed his neck again, then traced the rim of his ear with her index finger. When he looked at her again, she had never seen that shade of blue in his eyes before. She felt her heart start to rapidly beat in her throat, "I'll be right back." she told him, sliding off of him and retreating to the bathroom.

She looked herself over in the mirror, trying to tell herself it was nothing. The way he looked at her just then. There was desire in his eyes. It made her heart flutter. Like she could read his mind in that instant. She pulled her fingers through her hair and straightened his shirt on her square on her shoulders. She came back into the bedroom with him. He was sitting at the foot of the bed now, looking her over. She sat down beside him, afraid to look up at him for the moment.

When nothing was said between them, she looked up. Her eyes glanced back and forth between his. He was so good at pretending to feel nothing. Of being totally stone faced when he wanted to. She swallowed, and leaned forward, putting her lips to his.

This night truly would be special.

The next morning Chelsea stumbled downstairs to the extremely large kitchen. Alfred was outside tending to his flowers. He took a lot of pride in his flowerbeds. She watched him for a moment through the window before strolling over to the refrigerator. As she peeked inside, contemplating its contents and what she wanted to fix for breakfast, her cell phone started to ring. She smiled at the lit up screen, "Good morning Wally…" she mused.

"Hey," he replied, "what are your plans for today?"

It took Chelsea a moment to realize that today was one of those rare instances where she didn't have work or school to attend, "I'm totally free. Why? I thought you had an early shift today at work."

"There was a gas leak at work." he told her.

"Are you okay?" she asked with concern, closing the fridge instantly.

He chuckled, "I'm fine. I hadn't even made it to work yet. They said it would be a couple days until we could safely return. So I have some time off… wanted to know if we could spend some time together."

Chelsea pressed her back to the refrigerator and teared up with happiness. He was reaching out to her. Finally. He hadn't in so long, "I would love to, Wal. What did you have in mind?"

"Spontaneous," he said, "I didn't exactly have anything planned so I thought we could wing it."

"Alright," she laughed, "Lemme eat some breakfast first, then-"

"I haven't eaten brunch yet," he cut her off, implying he had, had breakfast, but his metabolism called for a second one, "why don't we just meet up somewhere and eat together?"

"Where were you thinking?" she asked.

"Well, we haven't been back to our usual place since the remodel. You in?" he pitched.

"I'm game. Give me about a half hour to get ready and I'll head over there." she said, twisting some hair around her finger.

"Deal." he replied.

Chelsea hung up the phone and stared at it for a bit. She was so happy Wally was reaching out to her. It felt like an age since they had been out together. She looked back out of the window admiring the beautiful day outside. A pair of arms wrapped around her body. She looked up, "Good morning, handsome."

Bruce kissed the side of her head and opened the cabinet to retrieve a glass, "Good morning," he said, "I have one last little surprise for you." he told her, pressing his glass to the ice dispenser on the fridge and then pressing the button for water, "I took the day off today, since I knew you were off work." he turned to her and leaned against the counter, "We should go out and do something together."

Chelsea looked at him shocked. First he took the night off, and now this? She looked down at her phone. Now what could she do?

He caught on to her panic rather quickly, despite her composure, "What's the matter?"

"It's nothing," she said pursing her lips, "Wally called to ask if I could come spend time with him today. You never take a day off. I assumed you'd be at work today." She swallowed and thought it over, "I'll call him back and cancel. He'll understand."

Bruce snatched the phone out of her hand quickly, before she could unlock the screen.

"Don't smash that one!" she held up her hands cautiously. Bruce had a habit of breaking her phone, and in kitchens no less!

He was holding it up above his head with his usual look of irritability, "Don't do that. You've been trying to coax him back. I know what it means to you."

She sighed, "But you never want to go out in public with me. This is a rare opportunity too."

He narrowed his eyes at her, "How did you come to that conclusion?"

She lowered her voice, momentarily abstaining from logic as she mocked his deep voice, "If someone were to catch on we were a couple, they would use you to get to me." she held up her index fingers on either side of her head to resemble his cowl. Her expression was nearly perfect. She realized what she had just did, and slowly let her hands fall to her sides.

He raised his eyebrow, "It's a good thing you weren't a theater major." He licked his lips, "Were you making fun of me?"

"Bruce," she said, "no one in their right mind would think to do that." she was trying not to smile.

He tilted his head and came toward her, setting the phone down on the counter, "I just…" he took a deep breath through his nostrils, "I worry about you. I know you're strong, but I still do."

"That's natural Bruce. I worry about you. Every second of every day, but you do what you do, and so do I. Plus this even isn't about that part of our lives. I know people take advantage of rich people's loved ones, but once and a while isn't going to hurt anything. Besides, we can act like friends or even act like it's a business thing since in reality you are my boss-" he put his finger to her mouth.

"Can I come with you?" he asked.

"What?" she asked with some surprise in her tone.

"Can I come… with you and Wally?" he repeated.

Alfred's words echoed in her eardrums. It was the conversation they had over ice cream on their day out, "I would love it if you came along."

His expression softened. His beautiful blue eyes shined with gratitude. He recalled the evening they had, had together the night before. Everything was so simple. Such simplicity for the first time in his life. She made it all so easy. He stepped forward and kissed her softly. His intent was to tease her. To test her reaction. When her cheeks grew warm with a rosy hue, he was satisfied, tasting her lips once more, he let go of her and resumed his position against the counter, "Go get ready."

"Meet you out front in twenty." she winked. She started to walk out of the kitchen.

"Work on your impression while you have a mirror in front of you." he teased, taking a drink of his water.

She nearly tripped on her way out. Bruce's sarcasm had a way of creeping up when one least expected it.

They were a tad bit late getting to the ice cream parlor Chelsea and Wally had grown so fond of. Everything was rebuilt and polished to perfection. Chelsea walked in first, leaving Alfred and Bruce to have a brief exchange. When she entered, Wally stood up to greet her, "I don't think I've ever beat you here." He instantly hugged her.

She put her arms around him, "Yeah, well… I had a ride."

"You didn't fly?" he looked at her confused.

"Well, unexpectedly… Bruce took a day off of work so," Bruce walked in shortly after. He saw the two standing and talking next to a booth, "he'll be joining us today. I hope you don't mind."

Wally locked eyes with Bruce momentarily and lifted his hand to greet him with a wave, "That's fine."

When they sat down in the booth it was Chelsea beside Bruce on one side and Wally on the other, "Any idea yet as to where we're headed next?" she asked the ginger-haired young man.

Wally looked over the menu, "There's a bowling alley across the street."

"Oh we haven't done that before," Chelsea grinned.

Bruce looked over the menu as well. When the waitress walked up she was momentarily distracted by Bruce, "Uh- Can I start you off with some drinks?"

"Water for me please," Chelsea chimed.

"Strawberry shake," Wally commented.

"Water for me as well," Bruce said, his eyes never looking up from the menu.

"Alright, I'll be right back." told the waitress, shuffling away.

Chelsea took notice of Bruce's stance. He was sort of tense. She placed her hand on his wrist. He looked at her and his expression softened, "Do you have any recommendations?" she realized that Bruce probably didn't go to many burger joints in his lifetime.

"They have excellent breakfast food. If you get the sampler you get a little bit of everything." she pointed to the items on the menu, "I'll probably get the standard breakfast myself."

"I'm so hungry." groaned Wally.

"If I know you as well as I do, this is at least your third meal today." Chelsea joked.

"You know me well." he smirked with a head bob. The waitress returned with their drinks and took their orders. As she walked away Wally glanced back and forth between Chelsea and Bruce, "So how's the new place?"

"Big," Chelsea joked, before taking a drink of her water.

"Excuse me for a moment," Bruce said, standing up and walking toward the bathrooms.

"Is he really that quiet all the time?" Wally asked her.

"He's really tense right now. I don't know." Chelsea shrugged.

"Seems normal to me." said Wally, sipping his shake.

A familiar face walked by. One of the waitresses that used to work there previously. She recognized them right away, "Well if it isn't the cute couple that always used to come in. How are you doing?"

Wally looked down sort of saddened.

Chelsea smiled nervously, "Actually we're just really close friends."

"Oh I'm sorry," the woman apologized, "you two were just always together. If I may," she held up her clipboard to jokingly whisper, "you two seem like the perfect pair."

"She has a boyfriend." Wally corrected. His eyes turned to the window as he looked outside with a faraway look.

Bruce returned as if right on cue and resumed his place beside Chelsea.

"Well," the woman regretted making her remark. It seemed to make things awkward, "it was lovely to see you again. Stop by again soon."

Chelsea tried to make light of the situation, "Perfect pair… Wally's an expert on those huh?" she winked.

He looked back at her as his smile resurfaced, "What's the supposed to mean?"

"Oh come on! You bailed on me all the time back in the day for a pair of legs that would walk by… among other things." Chelsea commented, putting her hair behind her ear.

Bruce watched the two of them interact, "Do you know that woman?"

"She was one of the waitresses that was always working before. She recognized us and jokingly called us a couple." Chelsea waved it off like it was no big deal.

Bruce's eyes turned to Wally. Wally started to drift to that far off place again. He started to wonder if him being here was going to ruin their day.

"You ever bowled before?" Chelsea asked Bruce curiously.

He snapped back into focus, "We have a bowling alley in the manor."

"How did you not know that?" jabbed Wally.

"Are you kidding me?" Chelsea asked, "I still get lost on my way to the bathroom."

Bruce smirked at her comment and took a look around the restaurant.

"You should come play Mario Party on the 64 sometime. You'd like Tim. He's a good kid." Chelsea told Wally.

Wally connected the dots that Tim must be Robin, "I'm game. Don't think I've lost my edge just 'cause it's been a while." he leaned in to poke more fun at her, "And what's this I hear? Did you just call a kid fun? I thought you weren't a fan."

"I had good training having you as my best friend." Chelsea retorted with a wink.

"Is that right?" Wally leaned back, sipping at his milkshake that was already empty.

"So you're good at it then?" Chelsea turned her attention back to Bruce.

Bruce grinned, "I'm average on occasion."

"There's not a single thing on this planet you're average at Mister Wayne." Chelsea said with a roll of her eyes.

Bruce rested his arm on the back of the seat so it would sort of be around her, "I guess you're going to find out."

Once they had finished eating they made their way across the street toward the bowling alley. As they started playing however, something became silently obvious among the three of them: Bruce and Wally were competing. Wally had a way of putting some unnecessary speed on the ball, while Bruce was able to finesse it at just the right angle for nearly the perfect game. Chelsea did well for only bowling for the third time in her life, but when she caught on to the boys' little side challenge, she decided to stay as far out of it as possible.

"Guys, I'm going to go get a refill." she grabbed their drinks as well and started up the small staircase to the snack bar.

Bruce took a seat across from Wally. Wally had gotten a tad bit sidetracked, watching Chelsea up at the counter without really realizing he was staring, "She missed you a lot, Wally."

Wally turned his head to Bruce and instantly felt an inch tall. Even with his own super speed, he was incredibly intimidated by Bruce, "I know… this is just… really weird for me." he admitted, running his fingers through his ginger hair, "I worry it's going to get too hard."

"You shouldn't abandon her again. You'll only hurt her." Bruce crossed his arms with concern.

"Don't you think I know that?" Wally sighed, "Look… it's… nevermind."

"It's hard for you to be around her knowing full well that we're together." Bruce analyzed.

"I just remember how she acted when she came home from your first date. She was putting on a strong front, but she was hurt. I couldn't believe anyone could have a bad time with her. And that's when I realized I cared about her so much." Wally told him.

Bruce felt a tug at his chest. He remembered all too well how that night ended. Bruce leaned forward, "Do you still love her?"

Wally looked up at him, afraid to answer, "No offense, but… You're quite the interrogator, Bruce."

"I already know the answer." Bruce said, sitting back in his chair. Bruce rubbed the irritation off of his face, "If something ever happens to me… Promise me you will take care of her."

Wally looked at him surprised, "Aw come on, you're too stubborn to let anything happen to you… besides…" Wally looked back to the snack bar to watch Chelsea wait in line, "I don't think I've ever seen her more happy in the whole time I've known her." just his eyes shifted to Bruce, "You're to thank for that."

Bruce found himself regretting it. And he hated that. It being the promise he made so long ago as a child. Gotham was still a cesspool of crime. He was the only weight that kept it from cascading into darkness. Yet for the first time ever in his life, he found himself yearning for normalcy. To cast the cowl aside and be Bruce Wayne, "Keep her safe, Wally." he instructed.

Wally glanced up at the scoreboard, "You beat me again… of all the rotten luck."

"Again?" Bruce questioned.

Chelsea walked up in that moment, handing Bruce his glass, "Look at you go."

Wally raised his eyebrows for a flicker of a second, to indicate he was referring to Chelsea, "Thanks for refreshing our drinks, Chels." he said, taking his cup from her.

"You boys up for another round?" she asked.

Bruce nodded once, "Sure."

An hour later they walked outside of the bowling alley. Wally admired the couple as they walked side by side. Chelsea looked so bright and happy. It made his heart brew with delight, "I have a shift at the Watch Tower in about an hour."

"Really?" Chelsea asked.

"Yeah," he bobbed his head, "I'm free again tomorrow though, so if you find some free time give me a call, 'kay?"

Chelsea nodded and hugged him tightly without hesitation. She took a deep breathe and smiled up at him, "You should put best hugs on your resume." she winked.

Wally felt his heart beating in his eardrums, "Right next to good kisser." he winked, forcing back a teary eye. She remembered their first night at the Watch Tower. Their first sarcastic, friendly exchange, that would bloom into a constant flirtation with one another, and eventually, unbridled love. He still loved her so much. And it hurt him to no end. He swallowed and pulled her in once again, enjoying the feeling he got when he held her. There was nothing like it to him in the world. He felt himself wanting to collapse. Like he was surrendering to the fact that this was so difficult. He pulled himself away and blinked away some tears, trying to smile.

"Wally?" she looked at him concerned, "Are you okay?"

He nodded a bunch, "Oh yeah I'm totally fine." he shrugged, taking a few steps back as he shoved his hands in his pockets, "After all how can I be upset about something I never had?"

Chelsea's shoulders slumped, "Wally…"

"I'm fine, Chels." he assured, trying to believe it himself, "You two be careful heading home." He took a couple more steps backward and started to turn forward, "See ya." was the last thing he murmured before disappearing with his super speed.

Chelsea stared blankly trying to figure out what had just happened.

Bruce put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze, "It's still a fresh wound Chelsea. It'll get better."

Chelsea wrapped her arm around his waist and rested her head against his arm, "Yeah… but when?"

Soon after Alfred pulled up, and they started for home.

Author's Notes: Sorry for the extra time it took to update. I hope everyone enjoys this new chapter. See you at the next one! Thanks for reading!