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The next day, Bruce and I were back in the cave, getting ready to modify the suit.
"Tell me…ugh…again…why I…gah...agreed…meh…to this?" I grunted, hefting a large steel frame to a more even part of the bumpy floor. Bruce rolled his eyes before easily picking it up and setting it where he wanted it. I blew a breath out in annoyance. Show off.
"Because deep down, you believe in what I'm doing," he answered easily, beginning to hang the suit up, "and if you hadn't volunteered; I would have had to kill you."
"Right, thanks for that," I muttered, handing him the bottom part of the suit. He sniggered, shaking his head.
"What did you do without me for seven years?" I asked sweetly, more to myself. I distinctly heard him mutter something about 'thank God ninjas are silent' but decided to let it slide.
Once we had the entire suit hung up, we studied it for a moment.
"It's missing something," I stated, cocking my head to the side, "Something… intimidating. I mean if you're going to put Falcone and all those other Godfather wannabes in their padded cells, you're going to have to increase the badass factor." He nodded, furrowing his eyebrows. It was silent before he snapped his fingers.
"I got it," he said, reaching out and grabbing what looked like a pile of rags. I watched as he unraveled the tattered cloth to reveal something that looked conspicuously like weapons.
They were armbands, detailed beautifully with intricate swirls and designs. I almost didn't see the sharp blades on one side. I reached a hesitant finger out to trace the non-lethal surface, slightly awed.
"Ninja toys?" I breathed quietly. He chuckled, taking them and fitting them around my wrist carefully. I froze; scared one wrong move could shred one of us to bits.
"See, this is a way to deflect their attack and defend yourself. If they have a sword that is," he instructed gently, pulling my hands up to protect my face. My eyes were still widened in wonder.
The same feeling I'd had the day before came rushing back to me. This connection to Bruce that I was aware of. He was letting me in on something that he felt very strongly about. Rachel didn't even know about this and here I was using ninja gear.
It felt great!
After showing me how to protect my face and defend myself, he took the gauntlets off and laid them on the table set up with paint supplies. He picked up a painting mask and handed it to me before putting his own on.
"All I need is an even coat on it. Think you can do that?" he asked, handing me the spray can.
"I think I'll manage," I deadpanned. He nodded, smirking, before grabbing an airbrush and making his way over to the survival suit.
For no more than an hour we covered our respective items in matte black paint. I watched Bruce after I'd finished the gauntlets as he vigilantly sprayed careful and even layers onto the chest plates; the faint blue tint of the Kevlar disappearing behind the dark coat.
"Thought you could use some lunch," came the distinct voice of Alfred. He was carrying a little cooler along with a set of rolled up plans to something. Bruce had just finished up the last layer on the suit and took off his mask.
"Thanks Alfred!" I chirped, taking a bite of my bologna and cheese sandwich. Bruce cleared a spot off the adjoining table and laid out the scrolls of paper, revealing something that looked like a mask with pointed ears. I jumped up and sat on the edge of the table as Bruce and Alfred bent over the papers
"We order the main part of this cowl from Singapore," Alfred began, pointing to the mask part.
"Via a dummy corporation," Bruce clarified.
"Indeed. And then, quite separately, we place an order to a Chinese company for these." He pointed to the 'ear' parts.
"Put it together ourselves," Bruce reveled, studying the picture.
"Precisely. They'll have to be large orders to avoid suspicion," Alfred nodded.
"How large?" I asked through another bite of sandwich. Alfred gave me a patronizing stare for my nonexistent manners and returned his attention to Bruce.
"Say 10,000," he answered straightforwardly. I almost coughed up my food as both Bruce and I stared at him in surprise.
"Well at least we'll have spares," Bruce said, clicking his pen away.
"Yes," Alfred agreed, missing the sarcasm.
With the suit and gauntlets drying, Bruce figured he might as well set up the secret elevator to the gratefulness of Alfred and I.
"I never liked hiking, you know," I added casually as Bruce installed the motor to the pulley system. He rolled his eyes.
I was singing a different tune however when Bruce asked me to test it. For a while I just blathered on about how hiking was good for me and it wouldn't hurt Alfred to work out more until Bruce picked me up and threw me over his shoulder.
"Stupid ninja strength," I grumbled as the blood rushed to my head. I could feel his shoulders shaking from his laughter.
I clung on for dear life as Bruce fired up the elevator and it rose to the top of the shaft. I carefully walked along a small pathway, shining the flashlight around and praying I wouldn't encounter any bats. I was thrilled when I noticed what looked like the outline of a door and I pushed on it. It creaked open and I saw… books. The library?
"What's up there?" Bruce yelled up to me.
"The study! It's a secret passage from the study!" I shouted back. I felt myself being lowered back down and Bruce soon climbed in with me. He pulled the lever and we rose once more, the rusty framing groaning and me clinging to Bruce's arm in fear.
"I really don't feel like falling to my death today," I explained at his bemused expression. He grinned as he slung an arm around my shoulders, pulling me against his side.
We entered the study and strode to find Alfred, who was surprised to say the least when we were suddenly behind him.
"Bloody hell you two!" he panted, clutching his chest. I laughed, rubbing his back in comfort.
"Sorry, but it was about time to… Damn it!" I shrieked, realizing the time. I tripped over myself trying to race to my room.
"Laney? What's wrong?" Bruce asked urgently, following me.
"I have a date!" I screamed back, slamming the door behind me and riffling through my closet.
It was silent for a moment. "With who?" he inquired mildly.
"Friend from college!" I bellowed through the door.
"Oh," was all he offered before I heard his retreating footsteps.
Grabbing my clothes, I raced into the bathroom and practically flew into the shower. It took me record time to wash my hair and body before falling into my room and toweling off. I glanced at the clock: 7:45. Yikes!
I wasn't exactly sure where Chris was taking me, so I fell back on a pair of dark wash jeans, a blue dressy top, and black glittery flats. I blow dried my hair stick straight and swept on some make-up. My leather jacket and purse came next, filled to the brim with the essentials like my phone and chap-stick.
A knock on the door alerted me that Chris was here. Alfred pushed it open and stuck his head in.
"Mister Mays is here for you, Miss Delaney," he smiled brilliantly. I could tell he was happy I'd finally agreed to go on a date with someone.
"Thanks Alfred," I giggled, kissing his cheek as I passed him. We made our way downstairs to the parlor where Christian and Bruce stood, discussing business.
"…since you came back, and the Wayne Enterprises stock value has skyrocketed! It's unbelievable really, how fast people are to invest in something so publicized." Bruce just nodded, catching sight of me and reaching a hand to shake Chris's.
"Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, Christian. But I won't keep you and Laney from your date," he winked at me and I shook my head.
"I wouldn't let you if you tried," I shot back, coming up and hugging Chris briefly. He gave me a beaming smile and I felt myself mirror it, excited to see what he had planned for us.
"I'm sure. I'll see you tonight, Lane," Bruce assured, walking away. Once he had disappeared, Chris turned to me.
"Ready?" he asked excitedly. I nodded and he took my hand and led me out to his car that was parked in the front. I waved to Alfred as we drove off the property.
"So, any chance you'll tell me where we're going?" I asked hopefully. He shook his head, laughing when I pretended to pout.
We drove out of the Palisades to a quaint little town just outside main Gotham City. A giant sign proclaiming 'CARNIVAL' made me gasp in exhilaration.
"We're going to a carnival?" I barely contained my squeal. Chris chuckled.
"Remember one of our fundraisers back in college? You wanted to throw a carnival but no one else wanted to do it. You told me it was because some of your favorite memories were at the kid's carnival by your house. And… I wanted to surprise you," he finished, a rose-colored pallor filling his cheeks. I sat back, a stupid grin on my face.
I couldn't believe he remembered that. I'd been so disappointed when my class had shot down the idea of a family carnival fundraiser on campus because I'd hoped it would bring back the great times I'd had at them with Bruce. Every time there was a traveling group in Gotham, Bruce and Alfred would steal me away and we would spend the whole day riding rides and stuffing ourselves with cotton candy and ice cream. It was one of my favorite childhood memories.
We pulled into the parking lot and Chris ran around and opened my door for me. I blushed faintly as he took my hand and helped me out of the car. We made our way to the ticket booth.
The entire date, I couldn't wipe the silly grin off of my face. We started at the scarier rides first before stopping at a booth and getting hot dogs with the works and a soda to share. Then we moved on to the many games, trying every time to win something.
"No, I promise it's just what I wanted," I laughed, hugging the stuffed penguin closer to my chest. Chris was slightly miffed when the carnie worker would only allow me to select from the bottom row.
"Well, when you win something for your date, you want it to be the giant stuffed unicorn on the very top!" he pouted jokingly.
"'It's so fluffy!'" we both mimicked the little girl that had passed us and pointed the toy out to her father. He laughed, smoothly grabbing the hand that was closest to him. When I didn't pull it away immediately, his grin grew impossibly wider.
We drove away from the lights of the carnival, Chris easily handling the car while still holding my hand. We drove up to the manor and he shut off the engine.
"Thank you, Chris. Tonight was great," I said as we walked up to the door.
"I'm glad you liked it," he shrugged. We paused on the steps and he leaned in and kissed me.
It was perfect. A night that couldn't have gone better ended just how I'd wanted it to. The date, the guy, the kiss: it was all wonderful.
His lips were soft against mine, the hand he wasn't holding mine reaching up and cupping my cheek. I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him closer.
We broke apart, both grinning widely.
"Good night, Laney," he whispered. I reached up and kissed him again, practically glowing.
"Night," I said, watching him as he got back into his car and drove off. I sighed blissfully, opening the door and stepping inside.
"Laney? Is that you?" I heard Bruce ask.
"Yeah, I'm home. Hey Bruce, have you ever thought about donating to a car- What the hell happened?" I shrieked, catching sight of him limping towards me.
He was bare chested, a large purple bruise forming on his side as he cringed and lay gingerly on the couch. I rushed over, gently ghosting my finger across it.
"It's nothing, Lane," he muttered, gasping when I'd accidently prodded it too hard.
"Bruce Wayne, don't you dare tell me it's nothing! What happened?" I demanded, fixing him with a glare.
"I went to Gordon for some information. He didn't take to it lightly and I… had to jump off the roof," this last part he tried to say quietly to slide past me, but I heard it just fine.
"You what?!" I fairly screamed, jumping out of the position I was in next to him. He rolled his eyes.
"I'm fine, Lane," he muttered.
"Fine? You call looking like you were hit by a truck fine? Jesus Bruce, you could have been seriously hurt doing this!" I ranted.
"This is going to happen a lot more now. This is just the beginning, Laney, and I can't stop just because a slight mishap getting away from the cops." He was annoyed, his brow furrowing into a hard line and his brown eyes blazing.
"Yeah, what kind of ninja would you be then?" I mumbled sarcastically, then sighed, "Look, it just scared me a little to see you hobbling in with a bruise the size of Texas, saying you've been jumping off rooftops to get away from cops. I overreacted and I'm sorry." We were both silent for a moment.
"If it bothers you, you don't have to be a part of this," he murmured quietly, brushing back a piece of hair that had fallen over my forehead. I stiffened.
Was he trying to say he didn't want me in… whatever he was doing? Was he trying to push me away? My anger flared and I forcefully grabbed his cheeks in my hands, compelling him to look at me.
"Listen to me," I hissed, my own eyes flashing dangerously, "I'm already in too deep to bail out now. We're in this together now. No matter what, I'm going to be there. And you can't stop me." We stared at each other for a moment, before a wide grin slid onto Bruce's face.
"That's my girl," he said.
A/N: Hi guys! It feels awesome to be back on after a while. Sorry to keep complaining but I swear my schedule get busier everytime I look at it. Honestly, I was debating whether to put this story on hiatus until things calmed down but you can thank the author of one of my favorite stories on here for updating today and putting me in a good mood. So, here I am! What did you think of Laney's first date with Christian? Like it, love it, hate it? Let me know in a review! Thanks to everyone who put this story on alert/favorite and who put ME on alert/favorite. See you next time! ~Brooke