Disclaimer

The characters used in this story are the property of DC Comics and Warner Bros. I have used them and fabricated this tale which is entirely is product of my imagination.

Chap 9

"I know that he is the man behind the bat!"

He froze as his eyes widened and his jaw dropped. The grip on the bat-jet's wing tightened and the muscles in his upper arm twitched. He couldn't believe she had caught him so easily. Her being endowed with Athena's wisdom was no gag!

But her next remark put him at ease.

"You owe a lot to him, don't you?" she remarked. He breathed easy, but made sure his decompression wasn't too conspicuous.

"What makes you think so?" he frowned, as if he thought it was completely unnecessary.

"I thought you should be!" She shrugged at his apathetic response. "He funds your extravagant superhero lifestyle."

Batman couldn't help a smile escape his lips for her description. "Not as much as his own. And, I have a purpose." He paused, as he realised he was giving away too soon, "But what gave you the idea that he is the man behind me?"

"It was an educated guess," she shrugged, "someone has to be filthy rich and straight to do that!"

Filthy rich - Batman suppressed the smile under his lips. She was catching up on the vocabulary of this world and Hawk Girl was no doubt the ludicrous inspiration. He realised he was enjoying the conversation again.

"It could as well be any other filthy rich person! There are many to name in Gotham."

"Perhaps," she smiled, "but the fact that you didn't deny implies that I am right."

"So, you were just throwing it at me?" Batman scowled.

"Not exactly" she replied calmly, "But you can say that I wanted to confirm." She gave a devious smile as she turned around satisfied, and walked away. Batman was stumped. He had offered too easily, despite his initial ratiocination about her wit. He let out a deep sigh and boarded the plane, thankful that he hadn't divulged his true identity in the process.

Wayne Manor – 25th December- 5:00 PM

Bruce decided that he needed to take a shower to cool off his mind. He had only arrived 15 minutes ago, but has been full with thought about Lisa, her being a friend of Diana, the discussion at the watch tower and his encounter with Diana in the hangar. He cogitated if it was wise to take the matters any further with Lisa, as she seemed to be in two minds. However he couldn't back out from taking her to the party now, unless she turned him down. He had checked with Alfred if Lisa had called in his absence, and the answer was non-affirmative. By plan, she had to arrive at the manor in 45 minutes. Bruce realised there was nothing he could do till then.

"A call from Miss Lisa, sir!" Alfred's voice startled him and he almost slipped on the lather, but held the shower tap for support. Alfred was standing outside the door with one hand holding the receiver and the other cupping it. Bruce stuck his hand out of the curtains, more as a reflex. Alfred handed him the receiver.
"You might want to turn off the shower, sir!"he remarked as he left.

Bruce put the receiver to his ear, but was too stunned to realise he had to speak. He was breathing heavily.

"Bruce! Are you Ok?" a concerned voice asked from the other side.

"Wha – Yes, yes of course, Lisa, I am fine!" he shook his head back to senses.

"Oh great! I just wanted to know how you're doing, and - " she paused. Bruce clenched his fists. I am sorry I cannot come with you – ran through his mind and he shivered. Lisa hadn't spoken anything yet, but something in him said that those would be her exact words.

She cleared her throat and resumed in a softer tone, "I just wanted to know if you still wanted to take me."

Bruce frowned at this unexpected enquiry. He then realised his shampoo lather was running into his eyes and they burned. He rubbed his eyes and turned the shower on to full force, in reflex. The receiver slipped off his hands and fell into the bath tub. Luckily for him, the tub was not filled, thus preventing the phone from getting short circuited. However the line was disconnected.

Bruce picked up the receiver in disgust. He then turned the shower off, took the towel and rushed out of the bathroom, into his bed room. He fumbled with his mobile and almost dropped it too. But finally he managed to punch in Lisa's number. She answered after the very first ring.

"Bruce!" she said in anticipation.

"Sorry, Lisa! My eyes burned...the phone slipped...got disconnected..." he paused to relax and collate his thoughts, "Whatever gave you the idea that I don't want to take you! Don't you want to go with me?"

"No-No! "Lisa interjected, "I have been looking forward to go out with you. But I just feared that you might think I'm not right for you, and might change your mind and would want to take someone, who is – you know, more worthy of you – in status!"

Bruce frowned, "Whatever gave you that idea! Lisa, get ready and meet me at the manor in half an hour. You are my date for tonight!" he bit his tongue – he said date, not that he did not mean it, but he did not want her to feel that he's moving too fast.

Silence prevailed for a while.

"Ok, then! I'm coming over!" Lisa said, breaking the silence. She sounded excited, which eased Bruce who was still considering his last remark.

"I'll be waiting!" Bruce replied as he heard her hang up. He gripped the phone, breathing heavily. Slowly his breathing turned into an exuberant smile. He realised Alfred was at the door, staring at him – wide eyed.

"She wants to go out with me, Alfred!" Bruce stressed on wants. He was exhilarated.

Alfred blinked and returned to his neutral expression and tone.

"Very well, sir!" Alfred sighed, "But you might want to have the towel on you than on the floor!"