As always all characters are fictional. Wyvern, Deus, & Reaver are my characters. All other characters/locations are copyright of DC Comics & their respective creators.
To Move Past the Hurts of Yesterday: The Wyvern Arrives Part XVI
"Thisavros?" she gasped.
"Miss Diana, is something the matter?" Alfred's voice made her tense.
"No, I'm sorry to inconvenience you." Diana smiled.
"Now we'll have none of that Miss Diana." Alfred admonished. "I'll not have you showing any remorse just yet. I think it would be better for Master Bruce to think more on what he's done wrong." Diana couldn't help but smile at the words.
"So, I take it you didn't quite send him to bed without his supper?" With a slightly wicked gleam in his eyes Alfred responded.
"Good heavens no. I told him you wouldn't be up to tuck him in if he didn't behave." Diana's laughter echoed down the halls of Wayne Manor.
Neither of them knew how long they stayed in their embrace, and neither one cared. Finally the time came when they needed air, causing them to break the embrace. As the world seemed to reappear, CJ was glad that the first image he saw was Kara, her face flushed from the kiss. He could hear her heart beating almost too fast… or was that his heart?
"Sorry, I kind of got carried away."
"You've nothing to apologize for." Kara noticed CJ looked a lot happier. "If that's what happens when you get carried away Kara, I could come to like it." His smile was honest as he spoke to her, she was right about him, that made her happier.
"Well, shall we head back to the bar?" Kara queried "I need something to cool me off a bit."
"Kara, after that kiss you could stick me in an iceberg and it wouldn't help." Her arm had found it's way around his and CJ was surprised that the feeling seemed oddly… right.
"You guys seem to be getting along really well." A.C. grinned as they got back to the bar.
"Yes, a very impressive display of planning on the fly. You must be hell on wheels at a Go board." this got a laugh.
"No, I'm content knowing I can be a matchmaker for a good friend." she glanced over at Kara as she spoke.
"A.C., could you keep an eye on him please? I need to visit the ladies room" Kara asked.
"Hurry back, if you're gone to long I may come in after you." CJ joked as they shared another kiss. As Kara made her way to the restroom CJ watched her, hearing the voice return with unexpected words. 'So Reaver's still pissed that she loves me, but, I finally admitted I feel the same way.' For the first time in a very long period CJ found that he was focusing more on Kara and explaining how they happened to his parents. 'Mom will be overjoyed. Dad… he'll get used to it.' The memory of her final words flashed unbidden into his mind and a darker thought crept into his heart. 'I'll kill him before I let him harm anyone else I love.'
"Earth to CJ, you doing okay?" A.C. did everything short of waiving a hand in front of his face.
"My apologies, what were you saying?" his focus back on the here and now.
"Trying to warn you, trouble at six o'clock." she pointed.
"Haven't seen you around before." two blondes and a brunette had approached while his mind had been occupied, he recognized them as being in line eight point four meters from the door as he first entered.
"Are you new to Metropolis?" the looks they gave him showed that he had piqued their interest.
'Rao help me, they're worse than buzzards, or lawyers.' Kara noticed some of the usual mixers looking for new pursuits for the night. Kara was tempted to use her heat vision, but, held back when she heard CJ talking.
"I will have to decline your offer. I am here with my girlfriend and plan to leave with Kara. If you ladies will excuse me." Before they could protest A.C had signaled Ty to chase them away.
"Thanks for the assist." CJ dropped a twenty in the tip jar (which cleverly concealed the larger bill he'd folded inside).
"So, you're here with your girlfriend Kara?" CJ turned to see her wearing a bemused expression on her face.
"Well Kara, I thought fiancée would be a bit presumptuous at this point." He found he loved the way her eyes sparkled as she made a joke.
"Keep that up pretty boy, I may just ball and chain you." Kara could practically see the devil dancing in CJ's eyes as he spoke.
"Ah promises, promises..."
Thanks to A.C's musical choices CJ had many opportunities to savor his proximity to Kara. After three more ballads (along with several kisses) Kara's phone went off.
"Hello… Kal?" she seemed surprised. "Did Diana call you? No, I'm fine. Yes… CJ's doing great too. I know because I'm looking at him. So what if I kissed… wait… you followed me?! Does Lois know you're here?" Despite the number of people in the club CJ was able to hear the conversation Kara had with Clark, and thanks to his father's training, he'd already spotted him.
"Turn your phone off."
"What?" now she was confused.
"Turn your phone off and follow me Kara." She took his offered hand, but would put her foot down if he suggested splitting up once they got outside. As they approached the door Mo seemed to be expecting them.
"Ty told me your cousin showed up, need any help?"
"Yeah, you could suddenly have a three drink minimum." CJ spoke up first.
"Little harsh isn't it CJ? He wont be able to get home on his own." Mo grinned.
"Exactly, he'll have to call Lois and then, face his sentence."
"I can't believe you." Kara sighed.
"I like the way you think CJ."
"Please don't encourage him Mo." Kara pleaded.
"Well, in exchange for me changing the subject, boss lady has a Halloween party scheduled in a few weeks, can I put you guys names on the list?"
"Sure, sounds like fun. Costume party, right?" Kara was surprised that CJ had been the one to speak up first.
"Just make sure my cousin doesn't leave until after" Mo held up a hand to cut her off.
"Already called LL, don't worry, your escape is good to go."
"Diana?" He seemed a bit skittish as he spoke.
"Bruce, did you get permission from Alfred to leave your room?" The look she got made Diana chuckle behind her drink.
"Alfred told me you felt something having to do with our son." Diana's look as she set her cup down was dubiously uncertain as to his motives.
"Why is that important now?"
"Diana please, I just want to know that he's alright." it sounded like he was almost pleading
"He's happy." Diana slowly revealed.
"Happy?"
"Yes, as happy as I felt him to be when he realized he had a family here." Bruce could hear the double-entendre of her statement as he looked into her eyes.
"Do you know if he still feels anger towards me?" Diana was surprised at the question.
"Anger, you thought that was what he felt towards you?"
"Doesn't he? I could see in his eyes when he left that he" Bruce pointed out.
"Bruce." Diana was concerned, both with the pain in his voice, and the fact that he was being truthful. "Our child doesn't hate you. He said what he felt he needed to, but, he would sooner hurt himself than see his parents harmed."
"You can feel all of that?" his mouth held a small, but, hopeful smile.
"That, and Kara told me those were the words he'd told her during one of their little meal meetings." Bruce felt relief at hearing Diana's words, and knew she wasn't lying to him. He needed sleep badly, 36 hours straight with no sleep was making him slow.
"Wait a minute… CJ and Kara have had dates?"
"Wow, that's a nice ride." she was almost drooling over the car.
"Sixteenth birthday present/graduation gift. I thought it was a bit excessive, but mom and dad insisted."
"So, who got first dibs on riding with you?" Kara smiled sweetly as she let him help her into the car. She was a little disappointed when he shut the door without answering. As he settled into the driver's seat and started the engine he smiled.
"History repeats itself again."
"What do you mean CJ?"
"Took the first drive solo to get a feel for how the car handled on the road, second drive I had, you rode shotgun." Kara found that she was really happy knowing that they were as close as she'd hoped, she couldn't tell why, but, being around him felt natural. Maybe it was because they were both refugees from dead worlds who'd experienced more than their fair share of tragedies, but, she felt there was something else at play.
"Kara?" he ran a finger gently down her cheek, drawing her out of her contemplation.
"Sorry, what?"
"I asked where you wanted me to go, are you alright?" he seemed concerned.
"Fine, just drive, I'll give you the directions." she ordered.
"Ah, your place, I'll try to be on my best behavior." Kara felt her cheeks get warmer as he spoke.
"Are you serious?!" it seemed Bruce had some new information on their son.
"Well, you know he's special Diana." Bruce had decided to continue his conversation rather than opt for sleep.
"What exactly does 'Above genius level I.Q. mean?"
"I gave him the most advanced test available because he said he was bored during one of our talks, before he went to the Embassy." Bruce sat down.
"What was the result?"
"He completed it in twelve point three five minutes and found over a dozen discrepancies that pushed his score off the charts."
"Meaning what?"
"Put simply Princess," Bruce smiled that special one that seemed reserved just for Diana. "our boy's as good looking as you and smarter than me." Bruce could see Diana's eyes sparkle as he spoke.
"Really, as good looking as me?" She wove her arms around his. "Tell me more Bruce."
"Man, this must have made your classmates in high school jealous." Kara teased.
"I didn't get this in high school Kara." she didn't mind him keeping his eyes on the road, but, she was surprised by his response.
"Not in… but… you said."
"Graduation from college, I should have clarified." he made it sound like an everyday occurrence.
"You graduated college at 16?" She found it cute how he squirmed and delayed before he answered.
"Yeah I did, so, is the turn off for your place close?"
"Oh no, I want to hear all about the sexy, nerdy Christian Wayne." Kara pressed.
"Only if I get to hear about your school experiences Kara." CJ smiled devilishly as he spoke.
"Okay, so the turn off's about a mile and a half up the road, pretty straight forward from there." CJ managed to wipe the grin off his face as he followed Kara's directions to the secure parking area for her apartment. As he was helping her to exit the vehicle, she paused.
"Now CJ, you remember what you said earlier about your best behavior?"
"I give you my word, I will be the honorable gentleman." As CJ spoke he saw that her smile was stunning, and just a bit wicked.
"That's very charming, I should let you know though, there is a permanent moratorium on the hands-off rule." Kara spoke up. CJ wondered if the designer of his car had made it so that Kara's exiting caused a strain of his willpower.
Kara's laugh preceded her as she opened the door to her apartment.
"Oh admit it, you're a sexy geek." CJ was scowling.
"While knowing the entire Star Wars universe by heart and having a love of manga and anime does qualify me as a geek, I'm not nearly narcissistic enough to count myself as sexy." he protested. As she closed and locked the door Kara continued to giggle as she asked.
"Have you looked in the mirror lately?"
"Every time I shave, why, do I have lipstick on my face?" Kara couldn't resist, she kissed him again.
"As long as it's only mine, you have no problems." Kara purred.
"The only other women that would kiss me would do so on the cheek or forehead." he pointed out.
"Right, your mom and aunt Donna… at least until the females of Arkham see you."
"I should probably inform you of this now so it is not a cause for concern in the future." His change of voice jarred her momentarily.
"What're you talking about CJ?"
"I am immune to any form of mental manipulation. Poison Ivy found out this fact regarding me in a most painful manner." he replied tonelessly.
"You bite her lip when she tried to plant one on you?" Kara teased.
"No, I broke her nose by way of a head butt."
"Ouch, that must have upset her." Kara winced.
"Harlequin was far more angered at my actions than the unconscious Poison Ivy."
"Okay, can I have my CJ back now please?" Her eyes held a touch of concern at how easily he switched back into The Wyvern when he recollected the stories of his youth.
"Sorry Kara, it's kind of a defensive mechanism." CJ confessed.
"I know you've been hurt," she placed a gentle hand on his cheek " but, this is your home now. Your family is here with you. Give it time, I'll bet it'll grow larger soon enough."
"No princess." Bruce growled.
"Oh come on Bruce, it'll be fun." Diana had cornered him in the living room.
"I'm not letting you use our son to let you get that lasso on me in some Amazonian version of 'Truth or Dare'." he was in a fighting stance.
"Well, since we're here, I could just tie you down to your bed with it." His eyes narrowed as he glared at her.
"Don't even think about it Diana." Even as he tried to find an escape route Diana pounced.
"I have an idea, how about we watch a movie." Before he could answer an alarm went off. As he pulled a device out of his pocket Kara grumbled.
"If that's your dad, any chance you can tell him no?" CJ held up his hand with one finger extended.
"Deus," his voice was one Kara heard from Batman when he was upset, but trying not to maim everyone within arms reach. "this had better be important." Kara couldn't hear the other side of the conversation, but his face told her everything.
"You could have told me that in a text message. I'm at Kara's!" His frustrated growl actually made her giggle.
"I swear to Christ almighty I'll cut off every source of outside stimuli if you pull this shit again." As he put the device away Kara spoke up.
"Why not just unplug him and store him in some obsolete computer shell?" she offered.
"Don't fuckin' tempt me Kara." he all but snarled.
"Wow, grouchy much?"
"It's been years since I've had an enjoyable evening like this and he feels the need to 'confirm' I'm having fun? That's beyond a stretch." His words made a smile shine on Kara's face.
"You mind prepping the popcorn and drinks? I want to change into something a bit more comfortable." Kara grinned.
Diana left Bruce resting comfortably in his room as she quietly walked to the library.
"Miss Diana?" Alfred's voice actually made her jump.
"It's bad enough you and Bruce do that, why do I imagine thisavros finding a new way to give out heart conditions?" Alfred smiled as he spoke.
"I take it Master Bruce has finally gone to sleep?"
"Yes, finally." Diana smiled, she couldn't stay upset with Alfred for any length of time. "I think he's more worried about CJ than he lets on."
"I have to ask, how is young Master Christian faring this evening?"
"He's happy Alfred, I can feel it almost shining from him." her smile seemed to shine as she spoke.
"So, will he be returning to the Manor soon?" She could see his reasons in Alfred's eyes.
"You want him here to reinforce his words to Bruce, that he can be happy and that he's the proof of that." she wasn't asking a question as she spoke.
"I know that having his family here will help him." Alfred confirmed.
"Well, I don't know if he'll be staying here," seeing Alfred's face fall Diana smiled and added "but, maybe we can convince them both." Alfred's smile came back with a vengeance.
"You all belong here and you deserve all the happiness in the world Miss Diana."
Thankfully (CJ's willpower had taken major hits already) Kara's change of clothes consisted of a short and form fitting pair of Wonder Woman shorts and a cut off gray t-shirt with Batman's symbol across the chest.
"Not that I'm complaining, but wont you be cold during the movie?" CJ joked as he set down their refreshments as the DVD loaded .
"That's what I have you for." Kara purred as she grabbed a blanket and joined him on the couch.
"Then how exactly am I supposed to concentrate on the movie?" he honestly wanted to hear her answer.
"You're Batman's son, I'm sure you'll find the willpower." she taunted as she leaned into him and brought the blanket over them both. As the movie played and the popcorn dwindled, CJ decided to kick off his shoes and lounge on the couch, Kara raised no objections as she placed her hand over his and interlocked their fingers together.
"I never noticed before, but, he plays a really good villain." CJ smirked as she joked.
"Meh, he's a rank amateur next to the likes of those that I've faced." Kara yawned at the quip as he turned off the movie's credits.
"I think it's your bedtime." He felt her tighten her hold.
"Five more minutes?" He thought of informing her that it was well after midnight and sleeping on the couch was not good for restful slumber, but decided to keep his mouth shut. Ten minutes later Kara was softly snoring as he managed to slip off the shirt he'd worn to the club, leaving only his undershirt on with the khakis he'd worn. As he gently lifted Kara into his arms he decided to leave his shoes where they were and carried her into her bedroom.
The first thing he noticed was that Kara was still nestled into his right side as he glanced at the clock, it read 11:30 a.m. He was about to try to fall back asleep when the sound of a key in the lock made him immediately alert. As the door opened he listened to who was entering the apartment.
"I don't see why I had to come along with, you could have just knocked Diana." Cassie half whined.
"I want to see something with my own eyes Cassie, I have to confirm this myself." Rather than try to get out of bed and make more of a scene CJ decided to stay right where he was.
"So what, CJ goes running into Kara's arms just to piss off big daddy Bats? Seems a little farfetched doesn't it?" Diana knew something was happening with CJ, but paused as something caught her eye.
"Really, than who's shoes are those? Kara's feet aren't nearly that big." Cassie's jaw dropped as she noticed the shoes, she knew exactly who they belonged to. As they made their way to the bedroom Diana had an idea of what she would find. Opening the door as quietly as possible, she saw her son. He was lying peacefully in the middle of the bed, while Kara was half covering his right side, her arm laying gently across his chest and her leg wrapped tenderly around his legs. Diana smiled, she'd felt that CJ had found peace and happiness, seeing him there confirmed it (though if Kara hurt him, Diana would make sure she paid dearly for it.) If Cassie's jaw had dropped from seeing his shoes in the living room, it hit the floor when she saw them in the bedroom.
"CJ… Kara?!"