Sunday was full of patrol and school was a blessing Monday morning. I donned the skirt and blazer with the Wayne crest and pulled my hair back. Lunch was in a bag waiting for me in the limo, and Dick slid in next to me still tying his tie.
"Are you doing anything after school?"
"No, why?"
"I was wondering if you'd come to the office with me. I need your expertise on something."
"Sure, I guess. Will Dad be there?"
"Probably, there is a board meeting after lunch so if they're still in session he'll drop by my office."
"You sound so official." I giggled.
"What? I can't go up there every day and keep desk hopping. It's not very large."
"That's a lie. It's probably only smaller than Dad's."
"I'm the boss man's kid, what do you expect?"
"They should have given you a broom closet. Might teach you some manners."
"If I get a broom closet for an office, you get a broom closet for a bedroom."
"That's not fair, I live there."
"I practically live there."
"Touché."
We pulled up to the school and went to our first period. Rin winked at me while I took my seat next to Stacy, not going unnoticed.
"What did you two do on your date?"
"It wasn't a date and we went to the fair." I opened my journal hoping to get her off of the topic.
No luck. "Was it just the fair or was there much more involved?"
"Seriously Stacy, it was just the fair."
"Fine, I see I'm getting nowhere. But I know sexual tension when I see it." She uncapped her pen as our professor began the lesson.
Lunch was interesting, as Rin still didn't get along too well with my other friends. The line was made even deeper when Roy showed up, wearing the Wayne uniform as well.
"What are you doing here?" Dick asked in surprise, shaking his hand.
"Remember when Bruce invited me? Well I took him up on the offer and enrolled this morning. Took forever to get my schedule right though."
"It's good to see you." I hugged him, feeling a wave of guilt ride over me.
"Aw, now we don't outnumber the boys." Stacy pouted as she shook Roy's hand.
"Girls, this is my boyfriend Roy Harper." I made the introductions and we all sat down to eat. I shared with Roy since he hadn't brought a lunch and we sat in the warm sunshine on the grass.
Dick and Roy got to talking about business which gave Rin a chance to pounce on me.
"I didn't know your boyfriend was joining the happy group."
"Neither did I. Bruce offered him at dinner Friday night but I thought it was more of a courtesy than an actual invitation."
"It would seem his presence here answers that question."
"It would seem it would." He lowered his voice slightly "I enjoyed last night."
"I did as well." A blush lit my cheeks "Did I say something wrong? You seemed to clam up there for a while."
"No, you didn't say anything wrong. I was just tired."
It was easy to see he was lying, but he also looked sad. "Alright."
He reached out to stroke my face but Roy interrupted. "So what does your schedule for the rest of the day look like? I hope we have the same classes."
"Yeah me too." I turned to him and smiled, bending over his schedule.
We got in the car after school and drove over to Wayne Enterprise headquarters. Dick's office was on the second to highest floor and as I had predicted, took up a large corner of the building. I dropped my bag on one of the couches and walked with him over to his desk. He booted up a program on the computer and stepped aside so I could look at it.
"This software will automatically keep track of the stock market's ups and downs, and tries to find a pattern between them to predict outcomes. But when we apply it to past years, it doesn't give us the right outputs. We don't know what's wrong."
"Who is we?" I tapped away on the computer, checking a few basic diagnostics.
"Roy and I. The software would be valuable to both companies, and we both could use the boost in our careers. We're not expecting it to be completely accurate, just a nice ballpark would be nice."
"When did you get so friendly with Roy?"
"We're not being friendly, it's business."
"Uh huh, sure. Well I can't see anything wrong with it so far. All your algorithms are in place. I can look into it further but maybe the stock market just doesn't like to be predicted."
"Other people have done it before."
"Stocks are weird, there are a lot of variables that go into them. Maybe you're not looking in the right places?"
"Hm." He grunted and went to go do some work on his laptop.
I found nothing wrong, and an hour later that hadn't changed. Dick didn't like to hear the news, but thanked me for my time. I went down to the staff break room and bought a juice, running into Bruce.
"Board meeting over with?"
"Thankfully. It is a lot to handle alone and too many things can go wrong. I don't know what I'd do without Lucius. Once Dick gets a little more experience things will go much smoother. I've been thinking about promoting him to a higher-level manager. He needs to get his feet wet with some personal experience dealing with the employees."
"If you think he's ready for it, then I don't see the problem. I know he wants to impress you."
"What are you doing here?"
"I tagged along with Dick, he wanted me to look at some software he's been making. If you're going home, I'll follow you though."
"Well let's go talk to him and see if he'll join us."
We walked back to the office to see a group of reporters circling Dick like sharks. Bruce and I immediately put on our good public personas and interrupted.
"Ladies and gentleman, is there something I can help you with?" Bruce's voice filled the room, redirecting their attention.
"Mr. Wayne, what do you say to the allegations against your company of dumping chemicals from your electronics factory into the river?"
"My company does everything possible to protect the environment. All of our hazardous waste materials are disposed of properly and absolutely nothing gets dumped anywhere it should not be."
"What do you have to say about the break in the other night?"
"The criminals did not get past our initial security, nor did they steal any information of any kind. The Batman saw to that."
"Does it bother you the Batman had to be the one to save your company?"
"Our security system could have taken care of them, but his help is always appreciated."
"Mr. Wayne-"
Bruce held up his hands. "While I would love to continue our little interview, I need to get my wards home. It is a school night after all."
The reporters just seemed to notice me standing next to him. "Ms. Wayne, there is a rumor spreading around you are dating Queen Consolidate's own Roy Harper. Your thoughts?"
I froze for a moment before responding. "I appreciate the concern but I have no comments at this time."
"But Roy Harper just transferred to the Wayne Academy of Learning Excellence, was this a public announcement of his intentions towards you?"
"It is my belief Mr. Harper transferred to the Wayne Academy for their fine academics and to join our wrestling team."
"Richard, if you're done, I'd like to head back to the Manor." Bruce announced.
"Of course." Dick shut off his computer and grabbed both our bags, heading out behind us. The four reporters and two camera men followed us all the way down to the lobby and almost into the limo. We shut the doors and drove away.
Bruce released a sigh. "I would almost rather take on a super villain than them."
"They can be very pushy."
"Lissa, I want to make something clear: I do not want the paparazzi to know of your friendship with Mr. Napier. I do not mind them knowing of your association with Mr. Harper however."
"Public image?"
"We need to keep everything contained. The less they know about our personal lives the better. Mr. Harper is a business man; we can keep it business."
"Plus you approve of Roy more."
"I believe Roy has better intentions." He ended the conversation there, pulling his phone out and answering e-mails. Dinner was also quiet and we all retired to our rooms a little early. I did my homework at my desk and finally shut my last textbook just before midnight. I heard the slight squeak of my window and smiled.
"Hey Rin."
"You heard me this time?"
"You're getting easier to predict." I turned and smiled. "Won't Jack get mad if he finds you gone?"
"He doesn't pay much attention to me unless he needs me. He's with his girlfriend tonight so I'm in the clear. Do you want to go out?"
"It's really late."
"Come on, it's a party."
"I can't. I have to get up early tomorrow to go to a lecture at school. Maybe another time."
He sighed. "Well, I'm going. I'll see you at school."
"Alright." He squeezed my hand before climbing out again.
I picked up my phone and called Roy, getting an answer on the second ring.
"Hey. I was just about to go to bed."
"Sorry, I just wanted to talk for a minute." I flopped on my bed and stared at the ceiling. "Why didn't you tell me you transferred?"
"I wanted to surprise you. I think Jarin was the most surprised out of all of us though."
"I noticed you and him don't get along very well."
"When competing for the attention of the same girl it can be hard to feel friendship. It's even harder when you know you're losing."
"You aren't losing, this isn't even a competition. I'm dating you."
"But you're attracted to him. I'd have to be blind not to see it. It's okay, really; just promise me I can trust you."
I hesitated. "Of course you can."
"Good, then I'll see you tomorrow in school. Hey, do you have any classes with him?"
"Just first period and lunch."
"Good. Alright, goodnight Lissa."
"Goodnight." I hung up and miserably drifted off to sleep.
"Wake up, Princess." Someone slid into bed, bringing the stench of alcohol with them.
"Rin?"
"Who else would be climbing in your bed in the middle of the night?"
"Are you drunk?"
"Nah, just a little buzzed."
"I can smell vodka."
"Yeah, Angel was making her special drinks. She was disappointed you didn't come, they all were. I was too. I missed you." He wrapped his arms around me.
"Rin, please. I wanted to talk to you about that. Roy called me and-"
"That stick in the mud? Don't tell me you still prefer him over me."
"He is not a stick in the mud. Bruce prefers me date him."
"That's Bruce. You know Harper can't make you feel like I do."
"Rin…"
"I see the way you are around him. You're reserved, docile, and maybe a little flirty. He's a rich boy, and you act like a rich girl. I can show you the fun side of life."
"We'll talk about this later when you're sober. You shouldn't be here."
"Why not? I thought you enjoyed my company?"
"I feel guilty. Roy is amazing and I've not been honest with him."
"He's been a stuck up jerk, like he always is. Gotham doesn't belong to him."
"Just because he's from Sterling City?"
He swore. "Nevermind. Come on, I came here to be with you."
"You came here to sleep with me."
"No, there were a dozen girls at the party I could have slept with. I came here just to be with you."
"That makes me feel special. This is a bad idea."
"I'm a bad idea, now go back to sleep."
"Fine." I closed my eyes.
His hand trace the curve of my waist, then wandered to my chest. "But I didn't say sex wouldn't be allowed."
"You are impossible."
"No, you're just irresistible."
He kissed my neck and ran his hands over me, grinding himself against my back. After a few seconds I gave a small moan, inviting him to have what he wanted. He was much rougher this time, but still took consideration of my pain. He laid on top of me after he was done, watching me pant beneath him.
"I lied earlier, my favorite you is post-sex you."
"Be quiet." I made a face, laying my arms next to my head. "Does it get any easier?"
"Yeah, it does." He kissed the tip of my nose. "You just have to give it time. I'll give you a few days of a break."
"You're so generous."
"I should go, it's getting early."
"Please just lay with me here for a while?"
He smiled. "Of course." He laid next to me and stroked my hair until I went to sleep. "Goodnight Princess."