It was Saturday afternoon and I was walkingup the long cobblestone walkway that led to the front door of the Wayne Manor. I still couldn't believe I was about to appear publicly amidst hundreds of people as Bruce Wayne's "date". You could never undo a reputation addition like that, but I was sure I could think of far worse rumors that could be spread about me. As I approached the door, my pace began to slow as I heard a verbal confrontation of sorts occurring on the other side of the door. I stopped and turned my head to the side so that my super hearing could pick up more.
I overheard Bruce yelling at Alfred saying, "You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. It is strictly business, and has been from the beginning."
I made a face, as I was insanely curious as to what exactly he was talking about and edged my body closer to the door. Alfred replied, "Master Bruce, I am simply informing you what I observed, as I would like to think, after all these years, I know you rather well. Perhaps, even more than you know yourself."
My face contorted in on itself and my head was almost completely pressed against the door as Bruce said, "I think you've lost a bit of your mind in your age, old man."
He said this just before the door was suddenly whipped open and I stood straight at attention, pushing some of my hair behind my ear in an effort to act innocent. Bruce looked at me quizzically as I cleared my throat, pointing idly at the doorframe.
"These hinges look a little flimsy; you might want to have someone take a look at that," I managed to blurt before brushing past him in an effort to avoid the impending question of how much of that conversation I had heard.
"So what am I wearing for this little shindig? I've got two hours to make myself look like something you'd attach to your arm for a night," I stated as I crossed my arms over my chest. Bruce still looked at me quizzically as he started for the stairs, motioning for me to follow him. I obliged, glancing over my shoulder at Alfred who shook his head with a sigh. Bruce led me into what I had assumed was a guest bedroom. He pointed to the closet where a garment bag hung. I eyed it suspiciously, as I walked over to unzip the bag and reveal the most gorgeous, pale yellow, satin dress I have ever seen. I did everything I could possibly do to avoid my jaw dropping to my toes as I removed the bag to view the dress in all of its prettiness.
"Bruce, this is…wow, I seriously couldn't possibly accept this. This had to have cost a fortune and just for the sake of a cover." I ran my hand delicately down the dress as if it'd break from me simply touching it. Bruce smirked as he walked over with his hands placed firmly in his pockets.
"Did you seriously just bring up how much something cost to me, Kara? My dates wouldn't show up wearing JC Penney. Consider it an advanced 'Thank You' gift," he said as he surveyed my expression. I could not retain the smile that spread broadly across my face as I stood on my tippy toes to remove the hanger from the doorframe and draped the dress over my arms.
"Did you know my favorite color was yellow or was that sheer luck?" I asked, eyeing him curiously. Bruce looked behind him and then back to me before pointing to myself.
"Oh I'm sorry, have we been introduced? I'm Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman, The Dark Knight, The Caped Crusader, and The World's Greatest Detective," he said as he raised his eyebrows at me. I rolled my eyes and idly hit him in the arm as I passed him.
"You can be such a brat," I said as I made my way to the bathroom. Bruce smirked as he moved for the exit to the room.
"I'm rich, comes with the territory," he said with a lopsided grin before exiting. I looked at myself in the mirror as I held the dress up to my body. It really was one of the most beautiful dresses I had ever seen, I thought. This night might actually not turn out that bad after all. At least I was going to feel like a Barbie doll the entire time, right? I spent the next hour and a half fixing my hair and make-up and slipped on the dress as the final addition. I spun myself in the mirror view and smiled to my reflection. This dress was sure to give someone a heart attack tonight with the plunging back that didn't stop until it reached about an inch above my tail bone. I gave my wavy blonde locks one last tussle before I headed down the stairs where Bruce and Alfred were already waiting for me. How did he know I was coming down the stairs at that exact moment? I swore this man was a telepath and I stuck to my case. He tried to hide it, but Bruce's eyes widened as he caught sight of me and I could hear his heart began to pick up pace which made me smile.
"So do I look convincing enough to be seen with Bruce Wayne in public?" I asked directly to Alfred, leaving Bruce to roll up his tongue from the floor. You know those old cartoons where the wolf had to roll his eyes and tongue back up after seeing a pretty gal? That's what I had been picturing.
"Bruce Wayne? You look convincing enough to be seen with Oliver Queen!" Alfred exclaimed and I laughed at his joke, more than likely sparked from their little spat they had earlier. Bruce furrowed his eyebrows at his butler.
"Really, Al?" he asked as Alfred held up his hands in mock defense with a light chuckle. I reached into my clutch bag to remove the fake glasses and slid them over my face. Had to keep up my Linda Danvers appearance, ball or no ball. Bruce moved to the door and opened it, motioning for me to exit. I frowned up at him as I passed.
"What, we're not taking the Batmobile? I always wondered what it was like to ride in that thing," I mused as Bruce just shook his head and waited for Alfred to follow us at the rear. We waited for a few moments before Alfred pulled an expensive looking black car in front of us. I couldn't even begin to tell you what kind of car it was; all I knew is that it was expensive and shiny.
We arrived at the entrance to the charity ball where the event was in full swing. Spotlights swirled in the sky, the music blared, and dozens of very well dressed rich people filed into the entrance with their checkbooks at the ready. Alfred opened the car door for Bruce who then walked around to my side of the car and opened my own door with a hand outstretched to me. I took his hand and pulled myself from the car, suddenly feeling a bit overwhelmed as a hundred flashes went off from nearby cameras. Bruce interlaced our arms as he began to walk us down the entrance carpet and then he leaned in towards me.
"You really do look amazing in that dress," he said, as my face beamed, looking up at him. This interaction made the flashing progress rapidly, which made me wonder if he said it at that point in time purely for the cameras or if he actually meant to compliment me. Before I could think any further on the subject, we entered the establishment and people pining to speak with him immediately engulfed Bruce. I suddenly felt like I was the size of an ant as his arm left mine to shake hands. I awkwardly crossed my arms over my chest before seeing a tray of champagne walk past me. I grabbed a flute and immediately brought it to my lips. Not that the alcohol would subdue my nerves, but at least it gave my hands something to do so I didn't look so pathetic. Once Bruce was able to start moving to the side of the crowd, he idly touched my arm and led me over to a quiet spot. He leaned in again, that deep rumbly voice speaking to me in a low tone.
"Time to go to work. We will split up. Act as if you're interested in the jewelry on the other side of the room that is up for auction. If you need to talk to me, just speak lowly and I should be able to hear you," he said as he idly motioned to the device in his ear. I nodded in response before getting on my tippy toes to give him a kiss on the cheek. His entire body stiffened as he looked down at me.
"Business doesn't usually get a kiss on the cheek," he said, stifling a grin.
"A date would. Wouldn't want to blow our cover," I said with a smirk before turning and heading over to where the jewelry displays were. I didn't have to pretend that I was interested, considering diamonds really were a girl's best friend, human or not. How could any woman not love something that sparkles and glitters? An elderly woman noticed my interest and extended her hand to me. I shook it with a smile.
"I do not believe I have seen you at one of these events before," the woman said as I took an idle sip of my champagne.
"Danvers. Linda Danvers, I am here with Bruce Wayne," I said as her face looked like she just realized why the color of the sky was blue.
"Ah, Mr. Wayne, of course. You wouldn't be interested in placing a bid on one of these lovely, expensive pieces then would you?" she asked and I most certainly did not appreciate her tone. She was insinuating that I was here as a piece of tail for Mr. Wayne and had no business mixing with the rich folk. My eyes narrowed before I smiled, picking up the pen for the bid counts.
"Actually, Mr. Wayne sent me over to make a bid on his behalf," I said smiling as widely as I possibly could at the woman before brushing my way past her. There's no way he'd actually win the thing right? I started to make my way through the crowd, perking my ears at anything that could seem out of the ordinary. Aside from the slew of men cheating on their wives at this particular juncture, there wasn't anything else askew. Suddenly, I heard a hushed conversation that seemed like it was in another room from the one everyone was gathered in. I stopped in my tracks to focus in on those particular voices, drinking my champagne to hide my focus.
"Are you sure this is gonna do, Boss? There's a lot of people here. What if the Bat shows up?" the male voice said.
"It'll be fine; we just need to blend in. We already got past the hard part of sneaking these things in," the other male voice said. I idly slid the glasses down the bridge of my nose to use my x-ray vision. I spotted two human bodies in a room on the next level to the building. I started taking note of the items they were concealing before skin touching my arm caused me to jump, nearly knocking my glasses off my face. I turned to see a middle-aged man with two drinks in either of his hands; a man that I hadn't the foggiest clue of who he was.
"I am so sorry I didn't mean to startle you like that. My name is Simon Stagg. I saw you from across the room and I just had to approach you," he said with an overly confident and positively, putrid grin. I am pretty sure a bit of vomit came up in my mouth as I gave a nervous laugh.
"You flatter me. I am actually here with someone though," I said, immediately turning in an attempt to start looking for Bruce who I'm sure had to have been hearing this conversation by now. The man moved his imposing form in my way as my jaw squared.
"Oh but the night is so young and I grabbed you a drink," he said, as I eyed the drink he held out to me. Did this spiel actually work on women? No doubt, the drink was laced with some form of drug. I fought every impulse to teach that guy a lesson right there and then, but didn't want to reveal to everyone in the room that Supergirl was present. It was so tempting; I could knock him across the room, I could singe his eyebrows off, freeze his-,my thought process was interrupted when I felt a familiar, calloused hand pressing to the small of my bared back.
"I see you met my date, Ms. Danvers. Pleasure to see you again, Simon," Bruce said with a tone as smooth as silk. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel relief. Apparently, even Supergirl needed rescuing now and again.
"Ah, Bruce…had no idea this was yours," he said, as my eyes grew as wide as saucers. My form took a step forward as Bruce's hand grabbed at my waist to stop me.
"The next time I see you drug another champagne glass, Simon, I'll make your life a living hell," Bruce said sternly, more than clearly defending my honor, which was an estranged feeling. Simon was about to defend himself before Bruce grabbed both of the champagne flutes and tossed them into a nearby plant. He tugged at my arm as we moved to the dance floor. I barely had enough time to hand off my flute to a passing waiter before Bruce spun me around and yanked me to his chest. I let out a small grunt as Bruce completely took the lead and we started what I assumed was some kind of…waltz?
"So, did you find out anything?" Bruce said, back to business.
"I did actually," I replied, and just as I was about to explain, Bruce suddenly dipped me and brought me back up in one fluid motion. Okay, he wasn't kidding. Fred Astaire indeed. I pulled myself further into him as the music slowed, clutching to his shoulders so I could speak directly into his ear.
"I overheard two men talking and it seemed like they are prepping to steal. I didn't have time to hear their plan but I also saw they were armed with pistols, possibly more," I said as Bruce dipped his head into the nape of my neck, speaking lowly.
"Would you be able to identify them if you saw them?" he asked and I nodded in response.
"I wouldn't have to see them; I can just look for anyone armed in the room. How the hell do you know how to dance like this by the way?" I asked and he smiled at me.
"I am trained in over a dozen forms of martial arts. Plus, what billionaire playboys do you know that don't know a waltz or two?" he stated as I paused a moment to actually consider that question. He then spun me around one last time, letting go of my hand, which was a clear indication that it was time to get back to work again. I ran a hand through my hair as I adjusted the glasses on my face to use my x-ray vision. It took a few moments to scan through the oodles of bodies littering the floor, but I finally spotted the guns. I could also hear an increased pulse rate emanating from these particular bodies which was a clear indicator that things were about to go down. I slid the glasses back up my nose and spoke lowly to myself.
"Bruce," I stated, pausing to see him idly glancing at me from my peripheral vision.
"On your six. Time to suit up," I stated as he gave me a light nod and we both disappeared from the floor. I returned in mere moments as one of the men jumped up onto a table, spraying bullets from an assault rifle into the glass ceiling above. Glass crashed down everywhere as the crowd shrieked in horror.
"Alright everyone, listen up! All of your valuables into the bag, and no one has to die!" the man yelled and I flew to land right in front of him. The man looked at me before he began to laugh, looking over at his partner.
"Clyde, we was worried about the Bat and we got ourselves the blonde Super one," he said as I crossed my arms over my chest.
"Oh you should be worried Clyde…you got both of us," I said, timing it just perfectly for Batman's entrance as he came crashing through one of the already broken ceiling panels before landing with a light thud on the floor beside me. It was incredible the way his presence had an effect on people. Dark, mysterious, imposing, and downright bone chilling.
"Put your weapons down," Batman's voiced boomed as I stood for effect, ready to throw some bodies into walls if the situation called for it. I watched as the men hesitated, looking at each other with confusion.
"Be smart about this. I'm fast. He's smart. I'm bulletproof and he may as well be. Your chances look slim boys," I said to them before one of them suddenly disappeared in front of our very eyes. Batman looked over to me with a grimace.
"He must have taken the serum. Go after him, I'll take care of this one," Batman affirmed as I immediately sped off in search of the runner. I stopped upstairs, glancing around me and used my super hearing to detect any signs of his location. I picked up a faint hint of a scuffle in an adjacent room as I super sped to see a broken glass case with a red velvet pillow. My eyebrows furrowed as I walked further into the room; suddenly, the man reappeared out of nowhere and I felt a sharp pain eradiate from my side just before my body plummeted to the floor. The man stood over top of me heaving and in shock before he ran away. I lay there, unable to move and bleeding heavily. There could be only one explanation for my sudden situation: kryptonite.