Author's Note: Ok, so I can't remember if Bruce ever finished school at Princeton so I'm assuming he didn't, let me know if I am wrong and I shall fix it! Enjoy and review, reviews, critics and advice are much helpful!
2.
"So who is this Paul guy and why is he not allowed to be in here unsupervised?"
Alfred made a face of pure contempt with a hint of disgust and a dash of annoyance. All while he checked on dinner and Athena peeked down the hall from the kitchen and tried to overhear the meeting between the two friends.
"He's a old schoolmate of Master Wayne's from Princeton. Paul also did not finish school, he however has a notorious career as a bounty hunter and sticky fingers. Last time he was here many items vanished."
A look of interest crossed her face.
Surprised at how much Alfred detested the man, especially since he was usually reserved.
"Did he say why he was here?"
Loudly Alfred sighed. He closed the oven and recounted the pretzels. "He's been hired by that vile little man who calls himself a prophet to hunt down and capture Batman."
Her eyebrows rose and she wished she could hear what was being said between Bruce and Paul from Princeton.
"Here. Put this on and take this out there. Bruce will think I'm snooping."
When she turned a white chef's jacket was held out, along with two wine glasses that held chilled Fiji Water. With a roll of her eyes she grabbed the white jacket and pulled it on over her clothes and button a couple buttons. The coat was longer then her clothing and covered a considerable amount more.
She then grabbed the glasses and sipped one.
While Alfred adjusted the jacket.
"Alfred please, I'm an adult, a little skin never hurt anyone."
Alfred bit his tongue.
He then gave Athena a push, "Find out what you can and don't come back empty handed."
At that she was in the hall.
She rolled her eyes and sipped more of the water. Down the hall she went without shoes or socks. When she made it around the corner she easily found the men.
Paul stood admiring a priceless painting bought at auction.
Bruce stood feet away, hands casually shoved in his pockets, a polite smile upon his face while Paul explained his appearance in Gotham. "...and this nerd, some prophet guy is paying me five hundred dollars a week to get this psycho dressed up as a bat. The best part is I get five grand upon the capture of him. Ten if I find him within a week and I think I may."
Bruce glanced at Athena.
She strolled on over and handed him the other glass of water. Keeping the other for herself. She'd never been good at entertaining.
Bruce sipped the water and slid his arm behind her back, curious how long it would take Paul to notice they were not alone.
"What makes you think you can catch him?"
Paul laughed, "Bruce please. How hard can it be to find a man dressed as a bat?" Paul then turned and jumped, "Oh! Hi...I didn't hear you come in."
She smiled and nuzzled against Bruce, who replied, "This is Paul, Paul this is Athena."
To avoid shaking his hand she raised her glass of water at him, "Where are you staying, Paul from Princeton?"
He gave her a large toothy smile. "At the W Hotel."
"That's mighty expensive for a bounty hunter," she replied. Bruce added, "Prophet Negly has fitted the bill for everything."
Her face remained placid, she then faked interest which wasn't real hard, "Really? I've heard so much about him! What's he like?"
Bruce feigned interest too.
"Crazy. I had to wear a tinfoil helmet. But the man's loaded so who cares. I'm meeting him tonight in some brothel down by the docks. The guy has some freaky taste in women."
It would have been impossible for Bruce to miss the slight tensing in Athena's body, knowing just how freaky Negly's taste in women, or young girls was. With that information she patted Bruce's thigh, "I'm going to check on dinner."
Bruce let her go.
He watched her leave the room knowing she was reporting to Alfred, a plan already in his mind for his work that night as Batman. But he could not help but watch her walk from the room. Knowing just what lay beneath the white jacket. He had seen what lay beneath the white fabric earlier in the day. He then noticed that Paul also was admiring the view.
"Are you still seeing Amberly?"
Paul blinked, "What?"
He then looked to Bruce, "You are a lucky lucky man."
"That I am."
7:00...
Bruce kissed Athena one last time and watched her climb into the speedy little Porsche she had bought earlier that month. A silver little thing that was alot of fun to drive.
"I'll see you in the morning," she told him as he handed her the purple lunch bag that Alfred always had packed for her. She took it and climbed down into her car. Turned it on and headed out of the massive garage.
Bruce waited until the red lights had vanished and then he hit the garage door button and went in his home.
"She's off, Master Wayne?"
Alfred was at Bruce's side and followed him down the hall. "Yes. She works seven to seven tonight."
Even though Alfred had her work schedule memorized like Bruce, which was all nightshifts that had no social gala's or events. Arranged around Bruce. Something he never asked her to do but had been done, deepening their relationship which had gotten surprisingly more serious upon her moving into the mansion.
"Shall I have breakfast prepared then?"
Bruce paused, almost to his study where the new elevator was that lead to the Batcave.
"Breakfast...is there something going on tomorrow?"
The look on Alfred's face was a pure sigh, "Only your lunch with the Japanese business men."