Chapter 7

"Moving Day"

Gotham

There was a buzz around the Wayne Enterprises building when everyone found out the owner was on site. Bruce could feel it as he made his way to his office, the overly friendly smiles and the slight nervous excitement in his employees was something he was used to by now. Because his family name was on the building, most assumed he was in charge. That was only partly true.

He was the largest shareholder and in theory he had the final say on everything that happened in the company, but for the most part he left the day-to-day operations to a trusted few, Lucius Fox being an example. Special Projects was the one division he had a heavy influence on. Bruce stayed abreast of everything the company was doing, but more and more he had to force himself to make appearances.

Today it was necessary, as Clark was stopping by to pick up the keys to the house and sign the final papers. Keeping a fake smile on his face, Bruce made his way through the executives, even joking and flirting with some, but it was just an act. His mind was elsewhere, the Batcave to be specific.

The trappings of wealth served their purpose, but this life held little interested for him anymore. Boardrooms, stockholder meetings, hedge funds and power lunches were so far removed from what was really important to him. The world was turning into a cesspool and that was the reality that mattered. More and more putting on an Italian suit and driving a Porsche seemed like the costume. Batman was his reality.

He managed to get some paperwork done before Clark arrived. Sitting behind his desk, he did take special interested in watching Clark make his way through the building to his office. Bruce actually smiled as he observed Clark give his name twice at the front desk. At each stage of his ascent up the building, security and receptionists would ask who he was and where he was going. Patiently Clark would explain he was Clark Kent and he was here to see Bruce Wayne. Each time they would check to see if he was on the list and then wave him through.

They forgot him the moment he was out of sight. If they noticed him at all, it was only because Clark was here to see him, Bruce mused. They probably wondered why this nobody was getting to see the owner of the company. He had seen it a hundred times, but it was no less remarkable how effortlessly Clark blended in. It was so deceptively simple, a size too large plain suit, thick bland glasses, the stooped posture and awkwardness, yet no one saw through it.

If his employees only knew they worked for the Batman, the outlaw vigilante that terrified most of them and that the man they had just dismissed was Superman, the hero they adored, there would have been a seismic shift felt through the building.

Bruce watched as Clark finally makes it up to his office. He gave his name twice to the secretary on duty and after she checked the list, she finally buzzed Bruce.

"Yes?"

"There's a Mr. Kent here to see you, Mr. Wayne,' the secretary said.

"Who,' Bruce asked, wanting to see if he could get any reaction from Clark. Nothing. The woman asked him again and Clark repeated his name for her.

"His name is Clark Kent, Mr. Wayne,' she buzzed again.

"Oh, yes, please send him in,' Bruce replied.

"Yes, sir."

A moment later, the door opened and Clark stepped inside. He closed it softly and then turned to Bruce.

"Was that really necessary,' Clark asked. "Who? Come on."

"Just wanted to see if you'd react,' Bruce explained with a smile.

"I've done this before, Bruce, besides, didn't you watch me on your cameras all the way up here,' Clark asked with a smile of his own.

"Diana's not with you,' Bruce said, not answering Clark's question, but shifting the topic.

"Ah, no, we're not exactly speaking at the moment,' Clark admitted as he took the offered sit across the desk from Bruce.

"Trouble in paradise already?"

"A difference of opinion."

"I have to say, I didn't see Queen Hippolyta pulling that one,' Bruce offered. "A clever lady."

"Yeah, scary too,' Clark said with a sigh. "I think you owe me a lot more than one interview for that, Bruce."

"You could have just said no,' Bruce replied. Clark gave him a look.

"You've met Diana, haven't you Bruce? Have you ever tried to talk her out of something she really wants?"

"Still, marrying her?"

"We, well, she believe and convinced me, that Hippolyta was bluffing,' Clark explained. "She was wrong, by the way."

"Many men would envy you, Clark, married to Wonder Woman,' Bruce said with a grin.

"Not if they had the talk with Hippolyta that I did after the wedding," Clark replied. "Like I said, you owe me."

"Well, maybe I can get Zee to do an interview with you,' Bruce offered. "I'm sure that wouldn't be too hard."

"That's right, she is performing in Gotham in a week. I guess I could ask her,' Clark said.

"How did you know she's performing in Gotham next week?"

"She put me on her mailing list,' Clark explained. "I get e-mail updates on her schedule every other week."

"Clever girl,' Bruce mused. He shuffled through some of the papers on his desk and pulled out a picture of the house in Gotham Heights. "I also got you the nicest house on the block in Gotham Heights, so that should help too."

"How about next time you figure out a way to leave me out of you love life,' Clark asked.

"I didn't involve you this time, Diana did,' Bruce replied. "And this has nothing to do with my love life, Clark."

"Right, sure it doesn't." Clark smiled.

"It's a simple bet, Clark, that's it,' Bruce carefully explained.

"Bruce, we've known each other a long time and nothing is simple with you. Diana thinks this is your way of showing her that you two could never be a couple because you're from different worlds,' Clark replied. "She's determined to prove you wrong."

"She won't, but I will admit that might have something to do with it,' Bruce said cautiously.

"Ah-huh, see now I've been thinking about it too,' Clark offered. "I believe there's more to this than you're letting on. I think you're testing her."

The smile vanished from Bruce's face as he looked at Clark.

"Is that so?"

"Yeah."

"What is it you think you know, Clark,' Bruce asked.

"You're attracted to her, just like she is to you,' Clark explained. "Given the women you're typically attracted to, it's usually a trust issue with them, but not Diana. Her you already trust, so it's this two worlds thing. You have to test her to see if she really understands what it means to live in Batman's world. If you care for her, Bruce, why don't you just tell her the truth?"

"Like you have with Lois,' Bruce calmly replied.

"Touché."

Bruce looked at him for a moment and then turned to look out over the city.

"She thinks she understands, so do you, but neither of you do, Clark. My world is a dark, dangerous place; so far removed from yours you can barely see it as you fly over. If I care for Diana, why would I want to bring her down into that world? She doesn't belong there."

"Isn't that her choice,' Clark asked.

Bruce slowly turned back and looked Clark in the eye.

"No."

Clark realized this was Batman he was talking to. The costume might not be there, but the look in Bruce's eye and the tone of his voice was pure Batman.

"What if she passes the test?"

"I don't think she will,' Bruce admitted. "If I'm wrong, I guess we'll see."

It was that moment when the pieces all fell into place for Clark. Since he'd been dragged into this bet, he'd been trying to figure out what was really going on. Now he knew. There was a mutual attraction between Bruce and Diana. She was fighting to get closer and he was fighting to push her away.

Not for the first time, Clark worried about his friend. Batman was born out of tragedy and Clark feared the path Bruce was on would end in tragedy as well. It seemed with each passing year, he slipped a little further into being Batman. Clark didn't know all the details, but he knew enough to know that Bruce and Selina Kyle had some sort of relationship. Clark also knew it was Bruce that ended it.

Now there was Diana. She wouldn't give up without a fight. In many ways she would be the best thing to happen to Bruce, but his fears and old scars wouldn't let him see it. Even if she passed this test, there would be another and another, Clark sadly realized.

Clark started to say something, to argue with Bruce, but suddenly knew there would be no point right now. For every reason Clark knocked down, Bruce would have five more. It was another tragedy. Diana was this amazing woman that any man would be lucky to have, Clark thought. She's kind and loving, intelligent and beautiful, yet Bruce could only see the negatives.

If Bruce only had five years with Diana, wouldn't that be more than most people could ask? It seemed like it to Clark, but then he wasn't the one she was attracted to. It was in Clark's nature to want to fix this situation, but sadly as he looked at Bruce he knew it wasn't that simple. He would do his part, help Diana win the bet and hope maybe Bruce would change his mind. With a sigh, Clark decided to just get this bet started.

"So you have some papers for me to sign?'

"Yes, the transfer of the house in Gotham Heights,' Bruce explained. "I had it bought through a small subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises. Technically, you will just be renting it from us, but to all outward appearances you will own it. Here are the keys to the house and a car. Ollie has a warehouse just outside the community limits that he's not using, so we've refit it for you to use. You can drive to it, transport up to the station if you're needed, that sort of thing. Diana picked up her keys earlier at the house."

"Keys? You gave her a car too,' Clark asked.

"Yes."

"Does she even know how to drive?"

"No, but she seemed very determined to learn,' Bruce replied. He gave Clark a look. "Yes, I did try and talk her out of it and no, it didn't work."

"So she's driving around Gotham Heights right now?"

That was actually kind of a scary thought, Clark realized.

"Not yet, Dinah, Zee and Mari went down with her to help her move in the last few things. I made Dinah promise she'd drive them to the house."

"So I get the pleasure of being her first passenger,' Clark groaned. 'What did I ever do to you, Bruce? I thought we were friends?"

"Well, you are invulnerable, remember?"

"I don't think my nerves are,' Clark lamented.

"You can always quit the bet,' Bruce quickly replied. He even had a smile on his face as he said it.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you,' Clark said. "All right, so driving lessons it is. Anything else?'

"No, I don't think so, you just have to sign the papers and as soon as you get to Gotham Heights the bet begins.'

Clark reached over and took the pen and quickly signed the papers. He figured if he thought about it too much he would only get a headache at this point.

"So do you want to fly in or I can have someone drive you,' Bruce asked.

"No, I thought it would be nice to drive down with Kara,' Clark replied. "She wanted to see the house and I figured it would give us some time together."

"How is she handling covering Metropolis for you,' Bruce asked.

'A little too well, if you ask me,' Clark said. "She can hardly wait to get me out the door. I have visions of wild parties in my apartment the moment I leave."

"Well, she is eighteen, Clark. An attractive young woman on her own in the big city, it must be tempting to her,' Bruce stated. He was needling Clark, knowing how protective of his young cousin he was.

"That's what I'm afraid of, Bruce, but thank you for putting it into words,' Clark sarcastically replied. "Let's just hope Toyman doesn't decide to try something."

"Why Toyman,' Bruce asked. "He's not really that much of a threat is he? "

"Kara hates Toyman, Bruce,' Clark replied. "Well, most of the women in the League hate him, but she's got a special loathing of him."

"His dirty mouth?"

"Exactly." Clark agreed. "I think he's got a death wish or something."

"I'll let Jonn know to keep an eye on it for you,' Bruce offered.

"Thank you,' Clark said. He stood up and Bruce did too. They shook hands and even smiled at each other.

"So I guess this is it?"

"Don't worry, Clark, I figure it should be over in a week, maybe two, tops."

"You might be wrong his time, Bruce,' Clark replied. "There's a first time for everything you know."

"We'll see."

Gotham Heights

LuAnn, Dottie and Nancy stood in the Vintons front room watching as the new neighbor moved in.

"Are you sure they're not filming a reality show over there,' Dottie asked. "I mean those four look like supermodels to me."

"No, there was nothing in the weekly gazette,' LuAnn replied. She had made microwave popcorn and brought it out for them.

"I'd swear I've seen the one in a magazine somewhere,' Nancy added. "I'm sure she's a model."

"Did you see the tall one,' LuAnn said, as she dug into the bag of popcorn. "She's a giant and gorgeous!"

"Why would they be moving here,' Dottie wonder aloud. "I always thought women that look like that are in Hollywood or Europe, not in the suburbs."

"I can just imagine what Phil's going to be like when he sees them,' Nancy groaned. "He already has a wandering eye."

"She's out of his league,' Dottie absently replied.

"What's that supposed to mean,' Nancy protested. "Are you saying my husband isn't attractive?"

"No, but just look at them, Nancy," Dottie answered. "There out of everyone's league around here.'

"I'm not worried,' Luann said.

"Oh, really? You're don't think Cubby would be interested in them? Come on, LuAnn, he's a man!"

"I know he will be, but that's fine,' LuAnn replied. "We have a open marriage."

"You mean you sleep with other people?"

"Yeah, it kind of spices up our marriage,' LuAnn explained. "If he can sleep with one of those women, I'm not going to stand in his way.'

"Wouldn't that bother you," Dottie asked. "The thought of him sleeping with one of your neighbors?"

"At least I'd know where he was at, besides if he can sleep with a neighbor, so can I,' LuAnn said with a grin.

"You are so progressive, LuAnn,' Nancy said. "You're like those hippies and their free love in the movies!"

"The best part, it makes sex with Cubby even hotter,' LuAnn confided to them.

"Really?" Nancy was very interested now. "It makes it better?"

"Oh, yes, much better."

"Wait, go back,' Dottie said. "You still enjoy sex with your husband?"

Gotham Heights – Across the Street

Dinah, Mari and Zee helped Diana moved some of the smaller boxes in to her new house. It was mostly items to accent the furniture and theme Diana had created in the place. As Zee set the last box down, the three of them looked around.

"This is really a nice place, Diana,' Mari offered.

"Thank you," Diana said with a smile. "I've never decorated someone completely by myself so it was fun and different."

"Your mother really made you two get married,' Zee asked again.

"Yes, Zatanna, why is that so hard for you to believe,' Diana asked.

"Doesn't it seem kind of sudden? I mean I thought you Amazons hated men for the most part,' Zee explained. "Now, out of the blue your marrying them? That's kind of a big leap, isn't it?'

"I swear you're as bad as Kal, Zatanna,' Diana remarked. "I explained that. I thought she was bluffing to make me give up the bet! Besides, it's only for a month and it's more like an engagement or an old fashioned courtship according to the way my mother told Kal. I wish he'd let it go already."

"No touchie the Princess, Superman,' Mari whispered with a smile.

"I guess that's better,' Zee admitted.

"Let it go, Zee, he's sort of married to Diana now,' Dinah said to her friend.

"I was just asking,' Zee protested. "Can't I just be interested in what's going on with friends?"

'Right,' Dinah sarcastically replied. "If you're so interested in what's happening between your friends, how come you never ask me how things are going with Ollie?"

"That's old news," Zee stated. "Besides, you two are boring."

"We are not!"

"You keep telling yourself that, Di,' Zee said with a smirk. "Ask Mari, she'll tell you.'

Dinah turned towards Mari, but she wisely didn't want to get involved. She quickly turned to Diana.

"How about a tour, Diana?"

"Yes, I'd be happy to give you a tour of my home!' Diana smiled and ushered them around the place.

"This is the kitchen,' she said as they entered the large area. There was a center workspace with chopping block and a hanging rack filled with pots and pans. A small breakfast nock sat next to a large bay window and there were shiny brand new stainless steel appliances lining the walls.

"Wow, some lay out,' Zee commented.

"Look at all those pans,' Dinah observed. "I wouldn't know what to do with half of them. Would you?"

She turned and looked at Mari and Zee.

"I don't cook,' Zee replied. "Room service mostly."

"I don't cook either,' Mari said. "I like to eat out."

"I wish I could, but I don't," Dinah admitted. "How about you Diana? Since you bought all of them, you must be a wiz in the kitchen."

"No, they came with the house,' Diana replied. "They do look nice though."

The four of them stood there for a moment just looking at the pots and pans.

"So would you like to see the rest of the house,' Diana offered.

The three agreed.

Diana showed them the living room and the back patio that opened up onto a pool and Jacuzzi. They toured most of the downstairs rooms and then headed upstairs.

"And this is the bedroom," Diana said, gesturing to the master suite. The other three pushed their way inside, very interested in this.

"Wow, that's a big bed, Diana,' Mari said.

"Yeah, how many does that sleep, like ten,' Zee asked.

"That must have set Bruce back quite a bit,' Dinah observed.

"Well, I wanted to be comfortable and he did tell me to furnish the house,' Diana said with a smirk.

"So if this is where you're sleeping, where's Clark sleeping," Zee asked.

"Well, here of course, we're supposed to be married, remember,' Diana replied.

"Wh-What?"

"You're going to sleep together, Diana,' Mari asked, not believing what she was hearing.

"Yes, but it's not what you're thinking,' Diana explained. "It would be the same if we were on a mission and had to share accommodations. It's only a month, so it seemed silly to buy two beds."

"Does Clark know about this," Zee asked.

"No, we're not speaking at the moment,' Diana replied. "I make one miscalculation and he can't let it go!"

"I think he'll forget about it after you tell him about this,' Dinah offered, giving Zee and Mari skeptical look.

"So let me get this straight, you're not really married, but you are and now you're going to be sleeping together but not sleeping together,' Zee asked.

"Yes."

"Really?'

"Let it go, Zatanna,' Mari whispered to her.

"Oh, come on, that's like completely unfair," Zee whispered back. "She's stacking the deck and doesn't even know it! She already has a big enough advantage!"

"I think you're overreacting," Mari whispered in reply.

"Have you looked at her, Mari?'

"Is there a problem,' Diana innocently asked.

"No,' Mari and Zee said at the same time, smiling at Diana.

"Lovely house by the way."

"Thanks you."

Gotham Heights – Later

Clark and Kara slowly drove down the street looking for the address.

"They all look the same,' Kara said.

"Well, that one's sort of off white instead of white-white,' Clark offered.

'Why is the whole front of the house a garage? And why aren't there any porches,' Kara asked.

"I don't know, I guess that's the style."

"There must not be any old people living here,' Kara observed. "I can't imagine Ma Kent and her old lady friends from the church not sitting on the front porch knitting and talking about who died and whose ill."

"You paint such a beautiful picture with words, Kara,' Clark sarcastically replied.

"What? Are you saying they don't talk about that,' she asked.

"Hey, there is it.' Clark pointed out the house.

"Wow! That's beautiful."

"Bruce said it was the most expensive in the neighborhood."

"Boy, he must be loaded,' Kara commented. They pulled into the driveway and got out. Kara was already opening the trunk and pulling out Clark's bags as he stood looking at the front of the house.

"Well, don't just stand there, Clark, let's get you moved in with your wife,' Kara shouted as she pushed passed him and headed for the front door. Clark shook his head and picked the remaining bags and followed. He was digging for the key, but Kara had already pushed the door open and was inside.

"She left it open,' Kara called after her. As Clark picked up his suitcases, he could hear Kara dropping the ones she'd been carrying. The pile made it a bit difficult getting in the door, but he finally managed it. He set his suitcases down and stood in the entranceway with Kara looking at the spectacularly furnished living room.

"Wow."

"You're wife really has nice taste, Clark,' Kara teased.

"Would you stop saying there, please?"

"What? Your wife, Diana? You don't want me to say Diana, your wife?"

"Enjoying yourself?"

"Yeah!"

"Great,' he said and then looked around. "Let's see if she's here?"

"Where else would she be?'

"I don't know, maybe she took a walk around the neighborhood or God help us all, a drive,' Clark said.

"Where's the TV,' Kara asked.

Clark looked around, but he didn't see one either.

"Maybe it's one of those hide-away models?"

"No, I scanned the room, nothing,' Kara replied. "No TV, that's sucks."

"Let's just find Diana, alright?'

"I'll check upstairs,' Kara said, dashing off. Clark moved into the living room, still a little amazed at the furniture. It was really, quite exquisite and the whole room seemed to be perfectly balanced. He had to admit, Diana had fantastic taste.

The sound of splashing water drew his attention and as he turned he saw Diana climbing out of the pool. She was wearing a modest black one-piece bathing suit, but it did nothing to diminish the effect. She stood on the side of the pool and ran her hands through her hair to get rid of the excess water and Clark was mesmerized. The wet suit hugged every curve of her spectacular figure. He didn't think he'd ever seen anyone more beautiful.

"Pretty,' he absently whispered, the word just slipping out on it's own.

He seemed frozen to the spot, unable to take his eyes off her.

"Getting an eye full, Clark,' a teasing voice said behind him. "Why don't you take a picture, it will last longer."

His face turned red with embarrassment as he heard Kara giggling.

"Gee, no TV, I wonder what you two will do to pass the time.' Kara put her hands on his shoulders and leaned up to teasingly whispered in his ear. He looked again at Diana as she was drying herself off and groaned.

"Oh, Jeez, this is going to be a long, long month."