Chapter Two: Interlude

Three days away….

Diana's Office at Wayne Tower

Diana couldn't resist the urge to roll her eyes and sigh at the projection screen on her desk as she watched her long-time friend Lois Lane-Kent giggle at the news.

"Date night, huh?" Lois said as she stared back at Diana while sitting in her home office back at Metropolis wearing a dark blue shirt. "I didn't Bruce was the type who'd do a 'date night'."

Diana shrugged as she rolled up her sleeves of the dress shirt she wore. "We haven't done anything like this in such a longtime, so I can understand why you'd say that."

Lois nodded her head as she leaned back in her chair. "Guess that's true."

There was short beat between the women as they quietly worked on their respective projects. Lois finally broke the silence with sly look.

"I'm guessing you'll use the 'super-secret' penthouse over at the other tower?"

Diana's ears perked up at this and she stared back at Lois with surprise. "You know about that?"

Lois laughed, "Of course I do, Bruce let me and Clark use when we visited Gotham for work reasons."

Diana raised an eyebrow as she continued to stare back at Lois. "Really?"

"Yep, it's quite lovely and that shower room is a dream." Lois pretended to fan herself as she began thinking about the time she and her husband Clark also known as Superman spent every night of their Gotham visit taking advantage of the penthouse suite. It was quite intense and romantic all at once.

"Lois." Diana spoke sternly but with a smile.

The other woman smiled back, "Oh, I'm just having fun." Lois replied as she took a sip of tea to clear her throat. "Just remember to do one thing though before you get the real fun of your date night."

"What's that?" Diana asked.

"Make sure old tall, dark and moody loosens up and has fun if you two are forced to dress up."

Diana chuckled and ran a hand through her long dark hair. "I'll make sure to remember that."

Later at Bruce Wayne's office at the other Wayne Tower

Bruce glared at Clark as his digital image projected onto the screen.

"She told you didn't she?" He said not hiding his annoyance. Though he deep down he wasn't surprised by this revelation. Women talk all the time and Diana and Lois were no different.

Clark Kent adjusted his glasses and loosened his tie before answering. "You know women Bruce, they talk."

"I knew that already, Kent." Bruce snapped back continuing the obvious charade of being angry. "That didn't mean you had to call and ask about my plans with Diana."

Clark shook his head and smiled. "You know, Bruce, sometimes you don't have to be paranoid or secretive about everything."

Bruce sighed and cracked his knuckles; he knew that he and Clark would be bantering like this for the next half hour and going nowhere. While it would have been fun pushing Clark's buttons this afternoon there was more pressing matters to attend to, primarily his job running his company.

"You're right Clark," Bruce admitted his tone changed to a more friendly one. "I just don't want everyone knowing that's all."

Clark nodded his head, "I agree, but these things get out too."

Bruce had to agree with that point, but since it was only Lois, Clark and Alfred, he'd be willing to play nice about it. No reason to make something that was going to be a light-hearted and romantic be turned into a serious event where there were life and death consequences.

Before he could answer, he saw the phone on his desk ring and noticed the name Dick Grayson appearing on the screen.

Wonderful timing Dick.

"Gotta go Clark. Phone call." Bruce quickly turned and began inputting commands to end the transmission.

Clark smiled, "Sure thing Bruce, have fun."

Bruce nodded his head and watched as Clark disappeared from the screen and the projection shut down. Sliding over to his right he picked his phone and tapped the answer button and turned on the speaker.

"Dick."

"Hey, Bruce," the younger man responded esthusiastically. "How's it going?"

"Fine," Bruce replied as he decided it was best to cut to the chase. "What do you need?"

"Always cutting to the chase even when you know the big date is coming, huh?" Dick chuckled.

"Alfred told you." Bruce deadpanned.

"Course he did." Dick answered, "You know Alfie, he'll tell me things that he won't tell the others."

Bruce rubbed his chin thoughtfully and knew that Dick was right, he was the first Robin after all, and he was the one of few who could talk back at him without any serious repercussions. Dick always knew when to push things right until he got to the borderline, but would back off once he felt he had made his point loud and clear.

"So," Dick spoke again interrupting Bruce from his thoughts. "I figured I'd call and maybe give you some advice."

Bruce's eyes opened wide at smartass comment and began to smirk. Dick giving him advice on having a date night? That was priceless. While he would certainly appreciate whatever suggestions or ideas Dick could provide. They were just that, suggestions and ideas nothing more and nothing less.

Bruce decided that since the Boy Scout knew when to leave well enough alone and not get caught in some uncomfortable teasing. He figured he could have some fun with his adoptive son and former protégé.

Your funeral Dick.

"I appreciate that Dick, but shouldn't I be giving you the advice?" Bruce asked wishing he could have a video feed right now so that he could watch Dick sweat.

"What do you mean?" Dick asked.

"Well, you have women troubles of your own don't you?" Bruce asked seriously, he could hear the awkward coughing and some movement in the background. "I mean, you, Selina, Karen, Zee.

Bruce quickly visualized Dick squirming and desperately trying to find a way out of this. "Four incredibly beautiful, and may I remind you, older women chasing after you."

"Quite the trio isn't it?" Bruce teased.

"Well…" Dick attempted to sound calm, but his voice cracked, he knew he was in trouble now.

Bruce tried not to laugh out loud; he might as well have some fun this afternoon. He made a mental note to remind Dick not to call and act like a smartass and arrogant, even if it was all in good fun, because Bruce knew how to pull his strings to.

And do a better job of it.

Next: Change of plans…

Note: Decided to add this little chapter as sort of a buffer between the first chapter and the rest of the story. I wanted to include Lois and Clark in this and also thought adding Dick Grayson would be a good idea too. Partly to use this chapter to setup a future story featuring Nightwing involved with Catwoman, Power Girl and Zatanna.