Title:A Quite Night In

Author:Knights-Honour

Summary:

A "Batman Forever" fic. Bruce and Chase spend an evening together.

Spoilers:The movie, if you haven't seen it.

Disclaimer:

"Batman Forever" and related characters © Warner Bros

Chapter 1

Bruce Wayne sat in front of the lounge room's blazing fire, staring out of the closest window.

Outside the winter's snow clouds were in full force, covering everything in its path with a thick layer of pristine, white snow.

It was now a week before Christmas.

Bruce let out a sigh and turned back to the fire, deep in thought.

A month and a half had past since the events on Claw Island.

Thanks to those events, he knew he didn't have to choose between being Bruce Wayne or Batman. He could be both without sacrificing either identity, or those connected to each side.

And with that knowledge Batman had returned to his duties; protecting Gotham and training Robin. The duo, along with Alfred, had also started to reconstruct the badly damaged Batcave and replace all of his gear and design and add Robin's to the collection.

And with the help of the Malaysian Dream Warden, his dreams about his parent's death's had ceased and were now replaced by dreams of a certain blonde-haired Doctor.

'And speaking of Chase'

Bruce had been solidly dating the lovely Dr. Meridian in the weeks that had past, making sure that they had lunch together, either at the Manor or in town, at least once or twice a week.

Chase had also become his sole date to the myriad of functions that this time of year brought along with it.

The past week, however, had not gone to plan.

He had been unexpectedly called away to Metropolis for business at the start of the week. Bruce had tried to call Chase whilst driving to his destination to inform her of the change in plans, but had found that her line was disconnected.

As a result he had been, reluctantly, forced to call Alfred and ask the butler to pass on the message to her when he saw her next.

To make up for the disruption, Bruce had invited her to the Manor tonight for dinner, the first time since Halloween.

'And hopefully, she won't be kidnapped this time' he thought with a smile coming to his lips.

"Master Bruce?"

Bruce turned his head towards the door-way, where Alfred stood.

"Yes Alfred"

"Dr. Meridian is here"

"Thank-you, old friend" Bruce answered as he rose from the lounge and strode across the room.

As he entered the doorway from the lounge room into the main foyer he spotted Chase, her back to he and Alfred, talking to Dick as she took off her snow-dusted, navy blue overcoat. Beneath, she wore a red dress that ended just below the knee with a three-quarter length sleeve.

The dress was not designed to be seductive, but on Chase's slim figure that was exactly what it had become, and Bruce stopped dead in his tracks, swallowing hard.

Over Chase's shoulder, Dick saw this reaction and couldn't help himself, "So I guess this means I'm off the hook for training tonight?" he questioned with a wide grin that grew wider still when Chase turned to see Bruce in a dazed trance.

Unseen to Dick, Chase playfully raised an eyebrow at Bruce, silently triumphing that she could still throw his mind and body into chaos as she had the first day they had met.

Suddenly finding his legs, Bruce strode forward to where Dick and Chase stood, Alfred right behind him "Tonight you are, yes".

As he said this, he saw Alfred take Chase's coat from her and hung it on the coat rack by the main door.

"Then I'll leave you two alone. Chase" Dick nodded his head in a 'good-bye' fashion to her, then turned on his heel and sprinted up the stairs as if his very life depended on the escape.

Bruce just watched, slightly shaking his head, as Dick disappeared onto the third floor landing.

"He never ceases to amaze me" he said softly to himself as Chase moved toward him, an 'I know something you don't know' look in her eyes

"Chalk one up for me" she stated softly so that only he heard.

A laugh escaped his throat before he stepped toward her, closing the small gap between them, and kissed her on the cheek.

"Hey Al" Dick's voice called from above, breaking the couple's tender moment.

"Yes, Master Dick?" Alfred responded as Bruce turned his head to look at his young charge.

"Can I have my dinner brought to my room?"

"Certainly, sir"

"Right" and with a nod of his head, Dick vanished.

Bruce now turned to Alfred, who was now back beside them "When will dinner be served?"

"In half an hour, sir" Alfred replied

"Very well, Chase and I will be in the Lounge room until then"

Alfred nodded is head and then departed for the kitchen.

Bruce turned back to Chase, and, without a word, took her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm as the pair strolled into the Lounge Room.

TBC…