For Appearance's Sake
By Teala373
Chapter 10
In our last chapter: Barbara rattles Bruce when she defies his orders. She begins solving their latest investigation and calls him out on why he is arguing with her, causing Bruce to leave Dick and Barbara alone. While Bruce evaluates his feelings, Dick then gets back in Barbara's good graces. Bruce's jealousy ensues.
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When Barbara returned to the batcave after her second patrol, she was more tired than she could remember being in a long time. It had taken a lot of her energy to stand up to Bruce and she was now paying for it.
She had quickly showered and changed, and was now typing her findings into the case files. She hoped she could finish before either Bruce or Dick made it back so she could head home to bed. She was only halfway through her task when she heard the roar of the batmobile entering the cave. Sighing, she continued typing.
Removing his cowl, Bruce commended her on her efforts as he walked past her, heading for his own shower. Just as Barbara was finished saving her last file, he stealthily appeared behind her, blocking her path.
"Listen, about what I said earlier," Barbara began, but Bruce cut her off as he crushed her body to his and captured her lips in his own.
Barbara felt herself melting against him as every nerve ending buzzed with a sensation she couldn't quite define. Just when she felt as though she would burst, Bruce eased his lips only millimeters from hers.
"You're tired. I'll take you upstairs."
Before she could respond, he scooped her up in his strong arms and carried her out of the cave. It felt like forever for them to finally reach his bedroom, where he gently set her down in his bed, as he had done before. Barbara could feel that her cheeks were flushed, but she could scarcely think about it as Bruce climbed in behind her, drawing her into his strong arms.
It was the best sleep she could remember having in a long time.
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A delicious scent awoke Barbara from her sleep. As she opened her eyes, she inhaled deeply and realized the aroma was French toast with cinnamon.
"Mmm…" she mumbled as she began to sit up.
Bruce was immediately at her side, raining kisses down her neck. "Good morning."
"Mmm… morning…" Barbara mumbled as she leaned back against the headboard, happy to have such attention.
"I hope you don't mind French toast. I know you like to eat healthy, but it's okay to indulge once in a while."
Barbara was now fully awake. This was not the Bruce she knew. "You're kidding, right?"
The response was a piece of syrup-laden French toast, which she now realized was stuffed with cream cheese, being stuffed in her mouth.
"Good?"
She nodded. "Yeah. That's amazing."
He picked up the breakfast tray and rested it on her lap. "I thought you would like it. It's Alfred's special recipe."
Barbara smiled. "Thank you. French toast is actually my favorite, but I haven't had it in a long time."
Smiling widely, he settled beside her and began making light conversation while she ate.
"So, I am curious to know what else you can cook seeing that you've spoiled me twice now with your culinary prowess."
Laughing lighting, Bruce took the tray from her and set it on the nightstand. "You'll just have to wait and find out."
She flashed a quick smile before pulling back the covers and getting up. "I have a few errands I need to run before we have to go to the ball. What time do you want me back here?"
"I'm having an outfit and accessories sent here from Bergona's. It should be here by 3:00."
"Bergona's?!" There were many fine stores in Gotham, but Bergona's was the most exclusive and most expensive by far. "Bruce, you didn't…"
He held up a hand before crossing over to stand opposite her. "Don't worry about it."
Her thoughts about expensive dresses were soon lost as he threaded his hands in her hair and kissed her deeply.
"You taste like syrup," he murmured as he dipped his head down to kiss her once more. Barbara could never remember being kissed in such an erotic way, in which she was being tasted.
Barely managing an intelligible sentence, she made her way back to her car and cleared her head enough to drive to her apartment.
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Dick awoke late in the morning and quickly donned his Nightwing attire. He wanted to do another sweep of Roland Desmond's latest venture to ensure it truly was legit. While Barbara hadn't mentioned Blockbuster, he was now suspicious of his recent activity in light of how the major players in Gotham were working together.
Barbara had mentioned that some of Penguin's stray shipments were going to Bludhaven, and that only fueled his curiosity that Desmond was some how involved. First, he used his computer to run a few queries about the building being renovated, and compared it to the batcave's files.
He was now fairly confident that Barbara was right and that Desmond was involved. Desmond was now considered a contractor for Two Vines and had access to Westford staff, which made some of the conversation of the workers from the previous night fit into the case.
Heading over to the apartment building, he found the activity there lighter than when he had first investigated. He found it easy to slip inside and make his way down to the basement where a strong hunch told him to check.
It didn't take him wrong to discover that one of the locked storage units concealed a set of stairs that led downward.
Smiling to himself, Nightwing began to descend to the lower level.
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Barbara blushed as Bruce's eyes roamed hungrily over her. "You look beautiful."
"You had to pick out the lowest cut dress they had, didn't you?" She was in Bergona's most expensive dress: a floor length beaded halter gown that hugged every curve and showed a very ample amount of cleavage.
He laughed lightly before offering her his arm. "No, I picked it out because it matched the color of your eyes."
She smiled as they headed to the ball. She wondered if she should reveal to Bruce that she hadn't bothered to wear the tiny scraps of fabric included in her parcel that were supposed to pass as under garments.
Of course, something told her that he somehow knew as he shot her a particular look while helping her into the car.
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Jason Bard stood at the bar chatting with Ted Kord, which immediately gained Bruce and Barbara's attentions. While greeting all the major players in Gotham and making boring, but necessary small talk, the duo kept an eye on both Bard and Kord. They weren't surprised when Pierce Montague joined their conversation.
Leading Barbara to the dance floor, Bruce immediately turned conversation to the case. "I'm still not sure where Pierce stands in all of this, but I don't think he is working one side or another."
"Agreed. His main motivations are making money and staying on the top of the social ladder. I think he only views Bard and Kord as customers, nothing more."
"Have you found any other information on Kord?"
Barbara continued watching him over Bruce's shoulder. "Two Vines was originally called Three Rivers. It was a subsidiary of Kord, Inc. that bought and sold property. Kord sold it to Westford so he could concentrate more on his main company. Later, he discovered Westford was a front for Thorn. When Thorn seemingly disappeared and Three Rivers was changed to Two Vines, he hired Bard."
"Good work. Any more on Bard?"
"No. He hasn't come up with much. I figured I would talk with him before the night is over and see what else I can find out."
Bruce nodded before leaning down and planting a kiss on her neck.
Sighing, Barbara leaned against him as they finished the dance.
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Nightwing wasn't sure if he was surprised or not surprised to find very posh living quarters in the sub-level of the renovated Bludhaven apartment building.
He was definitely not surprised to see the 'nine' with Catwoman and Bane sitting around a large table making plans.
"I'll go!" Harley called out. "I'm the perfect apprentice! Mr. J always said so."
Poison Ivy rolled her eyes. "Harley and I will be good distractions if any of the bats show up, but we'll need a lead."
Nightwing frowned. It was unusual for Poison Ivy to not want to take the lead on what was appearing to be a large job.
"I'm staying behind," Penguin crossed his small arms across his chest. "If you mongrels want to continue getting fed, I need to still be the picture of a perfect citizen."
Catwoman sheathed and unsheathed her mechanical claws. "I can serve you better as a scout and backup. I can station myself on the roof of the next building."
"Croc wait in bay!"
"Right you are, my dear reptilian," Penguin agreed, "but who is going to lead this escapade?"
Two-Face stood up and banged his fist loudly on the table. "Do we have to do everything?! We will need two others!"
Again, Poison Ivy rolled her eyes.
"Firefly! Riddler! Mad Hatter!" Two-Face bellowed. "You will come with me! Clayface, you will also serve as backup for the bats!"
"You said two," Poison Ivy drawled sarcastically, "that's three."
"Now we are two sets of two," Two-Face grinned evilly.
Harley leaned in towards Poison Ivy. "I can't believe you used to date that weirdo," she whispered.
Ivy ignored her. "Why don't you place Clayface on the unmanned roof, leaving Harley and I to back up Bane."
"Who said I needed back up?" Bane growled.
Sighing, Ivy leaned back in her chair. "While you are guarding the building, we can operate the controls and mind the hostages."
"Then it's settled," Penguin concluded. "Radio me when you're heading back and I'll make sure a delectable meal is waiting for you."
Nightwing slinked back further into the shadows. He had to warn Bruce and Barbara before he could take any further action. He carefully made his way back up the staircase, but the minute he was in the main basement of the building, he sensed he wasn't alone.
Sighing, he looked to his left as Roland Desmond walked out of the shadows. Though Nightwing was confident he could handle Desmond and the goons he was sure were on their way, he knew it would take up time he wasn't sure he had.
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Bruce and Barbara had been at the ball for over two hours, and so far haven't found anything out of the ordinary. Barbara had danced with both Jason Bard and Ted Kord, in addition to having numerous conversations with them both.
Bruce found himself wrapped up with the mayor, his vice-presidents, and several other prominent Gotham citizens after his first few dances with Barbara. He had managed a few conversations with Pierce Montague, but little had come of it. He looked past the mayor to watch Barbara dancing a vigorous jive with Ted Kord.
Once the dance was over, Barbara thanked Kord for the dance and headed out to the patio for privacy. The minute hand on her watch had flashed, alerting her that Nightwing was on her communicator. As she flipped her watch over and opened her communicator, she noted two figures on the rooftops of the buildings. Using her compact, she quickly recognized Clayface and Catwoman.
Her minute hand flashed again.
"Come in," she commanded softly into the communicator.
"Geez, took you long enough!"
"Sorry, but I've got…"
"No time for small talk, we gotta move! You were right about the nine!"
Barbara looked up at the view over the bay as Nightwing spoke. The restaurant the ball was being held at was just on the curve of the bay. Just three buildings down was a building under construction. There was a crane with a large wooden box settled on the ground. The wheels in Barbara's mind began to turn.
"Hey! Are you listening to me!"
Snapping out of her reverie, Barbara looked down at her communicator. "There is no construction at the Galvaston... ownership rights are still tied up in the courts."
"What? What are talking about?"
Spinning around, Barbara tried to catch Bruce's eye as he danced half-heartily with Veronica Vreeland.
"HEY! Are you still there? The nine are planning something big, but I got tied up with Blockbuster!"
Gunshots and loud commotion overtook the ballroom. Barbara allowed herself to be swallowed by the shadows as she headed towards the car where the costumes were hidden.
"Are you there?" Nightwing was trying to refrain from using names, but it was getting difficult. "The nine are…"
"I know, Nightwing. They're here!"
Severing the connection, Nightwing hurried to his cycle.