4:15

Las Vegas

Bruce Wayne

Sitting in the small casino as a customer was nice. Besides all the people crowding him, the layers and layers of cigarette smoke and the general poor quality of the wait staff on this particular night, it was nice. On the stage was a magician. So far the show had been quite good, she had done many of the normal tricks you see. Rabbit in the hat, Magic box. All that sort. But now things were getting interesting.

"Hey toots, show us the real magic." He was obviously drunk. Several men around him cheered at his comment, and the magician gave him a grin.

"You want to see some real magic big guy? Alright then. Could we dim the lights a tiny bit." On que, the lights turned down a bit. She took off her top hat. From her sleeve, a wand came down. She tapped her hat three times, much in the similar way she did earlier.

"We seen the rabbit trick already." Another man from the crowd yelled up.

"Oh you've never seen this kind of trick before." She put the wand down the hat, and reached in. From the ceiling, a giant hand came down. Everyone began to scream with terror. But Bruce just grinned. He knew this woman, he'd seen this trick a hundred times, even helped her practice it.

The hand reached down and plucked up the first man who yelled at her. She pulled him to the ceiling. And back on stage, she pulled out the same man, only now he was tiny.

Everyone began to clap and cheer. Placing the man on the ground, she pulled her wand out of her had once more, and she spoke a spell to help fix this man's current situation.

"kcab ot lamron." The man grew until he was the same size now as he was before. He was shaking, and two men came to help him down. She took a bow and addressed them as a whole. The lights came back on, and an announcer began to speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Zatanna the Magician."

"Thank you all, you've been a lovely audience." The crowd stood, and applauded. Bruce got up, and began to walk to the back to meet her. As he made his way, her door was open. From inside, he could hear a man yelling.

"How many times do i need to tell you, no more of your Fathers garbage illusions. You're a magician, do magic!" He yelled. He was a squat rotund man. His hair was thinning and in general he seemed like an unpleasant man.

"But I-" and Zatanna was cut off once more.

"But nothing, I've had enough of this. You're-" And now Bruce cut him off.

"Excuse me."

"What do you want?" The man asked him. Zatanna's face lit up, she sat back with a smile reaching from ear to ear.

"I'd like to have a talk with Zatanna. If you'd excuse us."

"You'll need to wait in line. Just give me a second, and you can talk with little miss unemployed here as long as you'd like."

"That won't be necessary."

"What did you say? This is my cassino, and I will not stand for some smart mouth talking to me like this. Get out or you'll be dragged out by your ears."

"I don't think so." Bruce reached in his pocket and have the man a business card. Immediately the man's facial expression did a 180. He looked up, and as he was about to apologize Bruce beat him to it.

"This casino is sitting on some really good property. I think I'd like to make a sizeable investment. And I don't think you'll be necessary here any longer."

"But I-" he began.

"To late. Security." in walked two men in black. They walked the now ex-manager of the casino out. He closed the door behind him, and turned his attention to his friend.

"Quite a way to make an impression Boss." Zatanna said getting up. She walked over and gave him a hug. Bruce replied in kind. It had been a long time since he'd last seen her.

"Please Z. Call me Bruce."

"Ok Bruce. How have you been? What brings you to Vegas?" She asked.

"I came here on business. ANd I wanted to see you again."

"You know I don't even have to use any magic to know you're lying. I remember the last time we saw each other. You didn't even say goodbye."

"I had to get going. I was young and headstrong back then."

"And you're not now?" she asked.

"Less so."

"You could still have said goodbye." Bruce though for a second. Then he swallowed his pride.

"I'm sorry."

"I don't forgive you. My father was heartbroken when you left."

"How is he anyway?"

"Dead." She said coldly. It wasn't often that Bruce felt guilt. But this was one of them.

"Zatanna I'm sorry. Truly I am."

"What do you want Bruce?"

"To make amends. And finish by business plan."

"Well… I suppose we can stop by the graveyard. And what other business are you partaking in here?"

"Do you remember, all those years ago? When I said what I want to be?" He asked her.

"Yes. A symbol for good. One who strikes fear into those who would detract from the good of society, working by any means."

"Well I was able to do it."

"I know."

"What?" He asked surprised.

"Bruce I know you are Batman." She said slyly.

"How? When did you-"

"About a year ago. I saw you at a circus show, the one where the Flying Graysons were killed. And a few months later, a sidekick was found working with Batman. An I couldn't help but think, a few months before, Bruce Wayne adopted Richard Grayson. I thought about it for a while, and figured that you must be Batman."

"That's a fairly large jump in logic."

"I suppose it its. But at the same time, you practically told me this was going to be what you turned into. And then you left."

"And then I left." Zatanna cracked a grin. She turned away and began to giggle.

"Bruce I can't stay mad at you."

"You have every right to be Z. I wouldn't blame you."

"Oh just come here." Quickly She reached up and kissed him. Bruce made no efforts to resist. He remembered a simpler time. Before Batman, before the Justice League, before life was so complex. He learnt escape artistry, mental security from mind reading and valuable knowledge of arcane and black magic, as well as counter magic. Right now he wasn't going to use it, but he had it in mind just in case someday he needed it.

When Zatanna had had her fill, she pulled away. "So what brings you here Bruce? Surely it's not to just talk. What did you have in mind?"

"The Justice League is looking for members. I don't know of anybody who could fit the bill other than you."

"Me? Join the- The Justice League?"

"It's a big decision. Take as much time as you need."

"I accept." She said. Practically without thinking.

"Are you sure about this Zatanna. This is a big deal."

"I'm sure."

"Just one question. Why?" He asked her.

"I know that I'm here for more than this, being a stage magician. My father, before he passed, told me he wanted me to see more of the world, that he wanted me to take all the values and lessons he taught me and use them to better the world. I know this is dangerous, I remember last year when you almost died. I saw it on the television. But using the magics I knew that you had none no wrong."

"Why didn't you say anything then?" He asked her.

"I knew you wanted to do it the hard way." She said slyly.

"So you're sure? All the way?" He asked, one last time.

"Yes Bruce."

"Good. I'll be in touch."

"Sounds good. Batman."

He shot her a grin and let himself out. He pulled out his phone, and dialled up Kent.

"We have another."

-AN-

Hey all! Hope all is well. I know I am feeling great, writing again is always great.

I need a bit of help. I want to expand the Teen Titans. I have practically everyone for the Justice League (Although suggestions will always be appreciated and can be used in the future. Just not now :P) I have some people in mind, but i would like to hear other peoples thoughts.

Anyway, give me a message, I'll get back to you ASAP. Thanks for reading, Have a Great Day!