Disclaimer: All characters belong to DC, with the exception of Magda, Jim, and Danny.
The ride was a rush and I did feel safe with him. The skyline came into view. Even though this city seems to carry a darkness about it, most of the buildings' gothic architecture is amazing. We parked outside of a store called Pop 32. We both got off the motorcycle, and I tossed my helmet at him. He placed both of them on the bike and made a motion seeming to say "ladies first". He held open the door for me, and I stepped inside. I couldn't move, and my mouth must of dropped open in aw. My eyes darted around the store. So much to cram inside such a small store front. He slid in front of me and placed a finger under my chin. He pushed up slightly and our eyes met, "Why can't you do that when you look at me?" He gave a chuckle.
I pulled away, "Are you sure you want to spend money on me? This could be a dangerous place, with your wallet in mind."
"The prices are decent. You just need a couple changes of clothes and a backpack. That can't be much." He walked over to a rack and pulled out a bright green sweater. "A little green to match those eyes?"
I gave him a cringe look. "Green yes, that shade, no. I'm not going for the fashion sense of the Riddler." He put it back on the rack.
"Yeah your right. So what are you waiting for? Go exploring!"
I walked down every aisle. By the time I made it to the dressing room, my arms hurt from the amount of clothes they were holding. I tried on everything and settled for two pairs of jeans, one black and one camouflage. A pair of dark brown military boots that reached mid calf. The cool thing about them was a little hidden zipper pocket they had on the outside. For the tops I decided on a dark blue long sleeved sweater and a deep red sweater with embroidered roses on the right sleeve. I needed some accessories like a black belt and leather wallet. Finally I found a black and white gingham fabric backpack, with plenty of pockets.
I took everything over to the counter and asked them to hold onto it for me. He had disappeared. I saw someone leaning up against the glass. It must be him. I poked my head outside and was met with the smell of smoke. I must of startled him because I caught him tossing a cigarette on the ground much too quickly and stamping it out with his foot.
"Hey! I guess your done?" I didn't say anything. I just walk up to him, and got close to his face. I quickly placed my hands on his shoulders and lift myself up on my toes. I leaned my head around the right side of his face, and smelled his hair. He didn't move. What the hell is she doing? I felt one hand come off my shoulder and wander into my breast pocket. She managed to pull out my cigarettes before I could catch her hand. I looked down at her guilty.
I lifted a brow, "So Robin the boy wonder is a smoker?" He snatches them back from me and stuffed it back into his pocket.
"Not so loud!" I pushed her over to the side of the building, and leaned on it with my elbow and hand on head. "Ok yes. I do on occasion. Some habits just don't go away. I keep a pack on me just in case. If it makes you feel any better, I've had this one for a month and have only used five. See." He made sure I saw his open pack. "Not that bad. Let's go back inside now."
We went back in, and I asked them to start ringing up my purchases. He tosses a leather jacket onto the counter. I turn around with a raised eyebrow. "Pick it up and take a look at it." The leather was soft with a red plaid flannel lining. It had a patch on each shoulder. One was a rose and the other a four leaf clover. He walked over and examined the other cloths. He picked up one of the sweaters, and held it up. "Aren't these a little big for you?"
"There is nothing wrong with oversized and comfy." I stuck my tongue out at him. He put it down, and paid for everything.
He gave me the paper bag of clothes. "All yours honey." We exited the shop and I stopped in front of his bike. He grabbed my hand. "Hey how about we walk a couple blocks? I know a nice place we can have some dinner."
We walked one block when I spied a lingerie store. A couple extra pairs of panties wouldn't hurt. "Hey could I borrow like thirty dollars?" He looked at me funny. I stopped in front of the store, and he looked up at it.
"Oh. For here. Sure I guess. Should I come in with you?"
"Not a chance."
He took the money out of his wallet and dangled it in the air. "But I'm paying for it." He gave a smile.
I jumped and snatched the cash and replied, "Only half." He didn't fight me on it. I heard him yell, "You're no fun!" as I went inside. I emerged ten minutes later with a small bag containing four pairs of panties, and two sports bras. I spent another twenty of my own money, so I was down to fifty. I followed him another block to a mom and pop joint. It was very rustic, but looked clean and well kept. The waitress seated us in a booth, and we looked over the menus. "Everything looks so good. Any recommendations?"
"They have a great homemade meatloaf. Good coffee too." The waitress came back ready to take our orders. He cleared his throat, "I'll have the Philly cheese steak and fries. And a strawberry shake sounds good. You never can go wrong with a little something sweet." The waitress smiled and gave a slight laugh.
She looked over to me. "I'll have a cup of coffee and the soup of the day." She left us some utensils, and put in our order.
"Just a cup of soup? You know I'm paying. You're making me look bad."
"If I'm still hungry I'll just order more. Hey, I'm going to go and change my clothes. I'll be back before the food gets here." I take my backpack and shopping bags with me to the restroom. I set my things on the counter and begin taking the tags off all the items. I keep one outfit out and hastily stuffed the rest in the backpack. I threw away the shopping bags, and headed to a stall. I changed into the new bra and panties, followed by the black jeans, boots, belt, and finally red rose sweater. I put the money I had left in my new wallet, and stuffed it into my back pocket. I slung the backpack over one shoulder and came back to the table. My coffee was already there.
"I asked her to leave the carafe. And to get you some cream and sugar." He looked very sure of himself.
"That's nice of you." I pushed the creamer aside. "But I usually just take sugar." I spooned in some, stirring my cup, and took a test sip.
"Well I guess it's a start. I have a confession to make." He leaned back in his seat and put his arms behind his head. "I did a search on our database. And don't hit me, but I know your name." He took a long pause. "Magda."
I took a hard gulp of my drink. "So did you feel it was necessary to do that for your job? Or did you just have a burning desire to get to know me for your own gain?"
He shot me a smirk, raised and lowered his hands. "A little column A and a little column B. Doesn't the saying go "always know your enemy".
"Wait. So now I'm an enemy?" I shot him a glare.
"That's not what I meant." He leaned back into the table. "Magda. Can I call you Mags?"
"Sure." I poured another cup.
"As your protector, I thought it would be good to know something...anything about you. Using an associate against their boss isn't a common affair. In fact far from it. Your one of the first sane people he has chosen. I took a look at your background to make sure."
I felt a little insulted. "Thank you I guess? Now you don't have to worry about working with a crazy. At this point you might as well ask me more questions. Feel free. Just nothing inappropriate. I'm sure you have enough sense to know where that line is." The waitress brought out my soup.
Still smiling he said, "Yes. I know, and we can save those questions for another day. Is there anything you want to know about me first?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Actually no. I don't think it would be a good idea to get to know you better. Knowing you smoke is good enough for me." I sip my soup.
"Well I guess I understand. We might need to use you soon." The waitress came over with his plate and he thanked her.
We didn't have much to talk about after that. I took a couple fries from his plate, and he swatted my hand away playfully. When we finished I put on my new jacket. The sun was going down and the temperature with it. I put my backpack on and walked back to his bike with my hands in my pockets. He threw me a helmet, and I climbed on the back. I wrapped my arms around him and closed my eyes. For the rest of the trip I took in the sounds of my surroundings.
We stopped and I opened my eyes. He had parked his bike in the alley next to the house. I got off an handed him the helmet. He sat everything on the bike, and walked to the end of the alley. He came back with a tarp. "Wait. Don't tell me. You planned this?"
The tarp unfurled over the bike with a woosh. "Yup. I'm just full of surprises." We made our way up to the front door. "Can I come in? You know, to make sure no ones planning an ambush."
I twist the knob. "Sure. Just don't stay too long. I'm sure the Bat is missing you."
He entered and gave a big sigh. "I still can't believe out of all the houses you would choose this one. Where have you been sleeping?" We made our way upstairs. I stopped in the second bedroom. "You know that used to be my room right?"
"No, I didn't." Since he knew this place so well I began to ask, "Hey. You wouldn't happen to remember any hidden places containing a pillow or blanket would ya?" I could see him thinking about it. Without a word he disappeared and came back with both.
"In the basement we did keep old bedding. Looks like the moths got to the blanket, but it's better than nothing."
He handed them to me and I set up a space in the corner. "Thank you. Maybe you are a wonder boy." I gave a chuckle.
"I'm going to check the rest of the house. I'll be back in a minute, then I'm out of your hair for the night." He walked away. I slide under the blanket and exhaustion washed over me. My head hit the pillow and I was out.
I got back upstairs and heard her soft breathing. I leaned down and pushed the brown wavy hair away from her face. I felt my heart quicken. I shouldn't be feeling this way. I know it would never work. It's just the nature of the job. I leaned down and give her a kiss on the forehead, and pulled the blanket completely over her. Making a hasty retreat out of the building, I uncovered my bike and headed back to Wayne Manor. Alfred was waiting for me in the garage.
"Mr. Wayne is waiting for you in the study Master Jason." Before he left he turned to me. "You were gone most of the day. Did you stay out of site from the little Miss, or did you make your presence known?"
"I bought her some clothes and we had dinner." He gave me a smile.
"Be careful Master Jason, I have a feeling this one might steal your heart."
I covered up my bike and headed for the door. "You might be right Alfred." We both entered the house and he followed me to the study. Bruce was sitting in an office chair looking over files for the company. Alfred shut the door when he left.
"Good your home. I trust that our friend is still alive and safe?"
"Yes, she is, and I'm about one hundred dollars in the hole." I leaned on his desk.
He gives a little laugh. "Nothing too extravagant I hope?"
"Not at all. Just a couple new changes of clothes...and we had dinner."
"Jason. Don't get in too deep. I know that look. Did she ask you any questions?"
"No. She insisted that the less she knew the better." I head for the door.
"Smart girl. Your going to have to let her know we need contact with the Joker soon. Goodnight Jason." I shut the door behind me, and climbed the large staircase to my room. When I got there I stripped down to my boxers and jumped into bed. I laid there for a couple of minutes and fall asleep thinking about her.
