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After the third time I walked into a store and got a dirty look I was getting fed up. The shop assistants would see me walk in, in my jeans and hoodie, and would glare until the realised Bruce, who would walk in behind me, was with me. And suddenly they'd be all sunshine and compliments.
My mood was getting worse by the minute.
As we were about to walk into the fourth shop, Bruce's phone rang, and he paused before sighing. "I need to take this. You go ahead, I'll be in the car." He said, and I heaved a sigh.
It would be even worse without Bruce.
Ten minutes later I was storming out of there, slamming the car door shut when I got in.
"Something the matter, Miss Elizabeth?" Alfred asked, looking at me in the rear view mirror while Bruce was hanging up the phone.
"Apparently," I said, scowling. "None of the clothes in that boutique are suited to someone of my status."
Bruce tensed besides me, frowning. His eyes glinted suddenly as he opened his door. "Come with me." He said, and I sighed, too exhausted to protest as he dragged me out of the car.
He marched me into the store, and I tried not to roll me eyes as I chanted in my head 'please don't make a scene, please don't make a scene.'
And he didn't.
The shop girls froze when they saw me again, Bruce holding my hand.
He made a show of looking around the store, holding my hand still, before turning to the shop girls.
"You were right," he said, sneering at them. "There's nothing here that would suit someone of my daughters status."
They froze and Bruce smiled coldly. "And please tell your boss Elena to cancel my order for the Women In Need Help line's charity ball. I'll no longer be needing your services."
They sat there, stunned, as we walked out of the store, my cheeks burning.
"Thanks," I said quietly when we got into the car, and Alfred had started the engine. Bruce said nothing, still scowling.
"Alfred." He said finally. "Take us home and then go pick something up for Elizabeth from Susannah Perdon. She always has nice dresses."
I started, Bruce wasn't going to make me shop anymore?
"As you wish, Master Bruce." Alfred said. "Do you have any preferences to the style or colour, Miss Elizabeth?"
I shrugged, feeling defeated. "Just send me a picture before you buy it." I said, bringing my knees up to my chest, looking out the window of the car as we drove towards the city limits. We got to the Manor and I let out a little squeal of excitement, my drama at the boutique forgotten.
Roy was just getting off his motorbike, taking his helmet off as we pulled into the driveway.
"Let me out here, Alfred." I said, not waiting for the car to stop moving completely before jumping out and flinging myself into Roy's waiting arms.
Alfred drove around to the garage, something I was glad of when I was able to give Roy the kiss I wanted without Bruce staring at us through the window.
When we finally broke apart I smiled up at Roy. "What are you doing here so early?" I asked, the smile glued to my face.
"I figured I wouldn't get to spend too much time with you tonight, so I came early." He said, his hands on my hips. "How long do you have before you have to get ready?
I grimaced. "About five minutes."
Roy frowned, then sighed. "Well," he said. "Looks like I'll be learning all about makeup and hair…stuff today then." He said, smiling wryly.
I laughed, pulling him into a deep kiss before pulling him into the Manor. I had to get in there. The makeup artist was probably already waiting.
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I could feel Roy's horrified gaze on me as my eyebrows were plucked, fake eyelashes glued on, and foundation caked onto my skin, and I couldn't help but laugh.
"All this, just for a birthday party?" he asked, and I smiled.
"Yep."
He looked dumbfounded. "I hope you don't expect me to return the favour." He said bluntly. "The furthest I'll go is a shave."
"Aww…" I teased. "But that shade of lipgloss…" I laughed as he scowled.
The makeup artist finished, smiling in satisfaction at her work, before nodding to the hair stylist. "She's all yours."
As the stylist pulled out all the different tools, I couldn't help but giggle at Roy's expression. He had a lot to learn.
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There was a hush among the crowd as I descended down the stairs. God this was embarrassing. I could feel my cheeks colour as I squeezed Bruce's hand just a little tighter.
A round of applause went up, and my only desire was to melt into a puddle on the floor and disappear. But I couldn't do that to the dress Alfred has picked out. It was exquisite. I'd never had something that fit this well.
All the poking and prodding I'd gone through was worth it when I saw Roy, his mouth agape as he stood next to a group of blondes, the drink in his hand forgotten.
I gave him a small wave as Bruce led me into a crowd of mostly unfamiliar people, and I smiled as wide as I could. I only had to get through the entire room of introductions. Then I could go do what I wanted at my party. I sighed.
Finally the words I'd been longing to hear came out of Bruce's mouth.
"And lastly," he said, drawing me to a stop in front of Roy and the group he was standing with. "Harper you know."
I snorted. "I should hope so." I muttered, and Bruce have me a patient look before continuing.
"This is Oliver Queen, his son, Conner Hawke, and his ward Mia Deardon. And the woman who occasionally puts up with Oliver, Dinah Lance."
"Pleased to meet you." I murmured, shaking hands with them.
Oliver placed a kiss on my hand, before shooting a look at Roy. "Absolutely gorgeous, and polite. How'd you manage to catch this one?" he asked, before Dinah nudged him in the ribs.
"Ignore him." she said to me. "Ollie really doesn't pay attention to being polite."
I nodded politely, before turning to Roy, holding my hand out. "Dance with me?" I asked, and he obliged, taking my hand and leading me out to the dance floor as the band started playing something slow.
"Interesting party Bruce's set up here." Roy said, and I laughed.
"Yeah…real interesting if you count inviting everyone who earns more then a million bucks a year to a party and then introducing me to EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. OF. THEM."
He laughed. "Not true." He said, smiling down at me. "I doubt some of those reporters earn over a million a year." He nodded towards a regal looking woman. "Or the Ambassador for Themiscyra."
I blinked. That was Wonder Woman. Why on earth had Bruce invited her?
I voiced my question, then shook my head. "At least she's more normal then half these idiots here, but wouldn't it compromise his identity?" I hissed to Roy, keeping my voice down. He frowned, nodding.
"Maybe he wants you introduced to some of the more senior members of the League." He said. "In case you ever need help."
I shrugged, leaning into his embrace as we danced.
So long as his arms were around me, everything was alright.
I regretted thinking that when moments later the doors burst open, and men armed with guns charged in.
Everyone ran towards their nearest exit, and it was chaos, until one of the intruders fired a few rounds into the ceiling. Everything stopped. I stood besides Roy, ignoring his attempts to place his body in front of mine.
Across the room, I saw Tim leaving through a door to a 'storage room'. The one with the false bottom that led to stairs then to a tunnel that went to the Batcave. Dick was after him, but Bruce stayed where he was. That made sense, a distant part of my mind thought. If he left now, and Batman showed up, it would be too coincidental. People would start to piece it all together.
One of the gunmen fired another volley into the ceiling and I grimaced. It turned into a full on scowl when they started speaking.
"Where's the birthday girl?" a weaselly voice called out, and Roy tensed besides me. "Come on, Lizzie, we just wanna talk to you for a few minutes."
Scattered laughter from the thugs made me realise we were surrounded. I shook off Roy's hand on my shoulder and began walking forward. He grabbed my hand, wrenching me to a stop.
I turned wordlessly, stretching up to kiss him as sweetly as I could, trying to convey all my feelings of love that I had for him in that single kiss, before disentangling myself from him and stepping forward again.
I excused myself as I pushed through the crowd, refusing to look at my father as I did.
"I'm here." I said quietly as I cleared the crowd. I tried not to gasp when I saw who it was.
The Penguin.
This wasn't good. This wasn't good at all.
"Ah…" the short, rotund man said, twirling his umbrella. I kept a wary eye on it. I knew the types of things he hid in his umbrella. "Lizzie." He crooned. "Firstly," he said. "Happy Birthday."
I stayed silent.
"Allow me to introduce myself." He said, waddling forward.
"I know who you are, Cobblepot." I said sourly. "I don't have to be native to know that."
He made a disappointed sound. "Such an unhappy tone of voice for your birthday. You should be celebrating! We're here to liven things up a bit."
I couldn't help the snark in my voice. "Well, it is my party." I said. "I can do what I want to, apparently."
He laughed at that, before gesturing for me to come closer. I stayed where I was.
"If it's the same to you, Penguin, I'd rather not." I said coolly, and he scowled.
"So far, I like you." He said. "Don't make me change my mind."
I pursed my lips, refusing to look over at Bruce, and wishing Dick and Tim would hurry up.
I stepped forward until I was only a few feet away from him.
"Why are you here?" I asked, and he scowled. I guess I was off his Christmas card list.
"Your jewellery." He said. "take it off." He brandished his umbrella like a weapon. I spared a glimpse at Bruce, and he gave me a small nod. He wanted me to give it to the little midget?
I frowned at him, before turning back to Cobblepot. I took the earrings and placed them in the bag he shoved at me. The necklace was next, and it fell into the bag. He ripped the bag off me, before poking me with the umbrella.
"Turn around." He said. "And start walking. We're going to collect the jewellery from all the other nice ladies here."
I raised my arms slowly, in surrender, and began walking.
"You know, most of the jewellery here are one offs." I said conversationally. "How are you going to fence something that traceable?"
He poked me hard in the back. "Shut up."
"And on the topic of umbrella's." I said resisting the urge to reach back and rub the spot he'd jabbed, as he held the bag out to be filled with jewels. "What type is the one you've got, exactly? Gun, Flamethrower? I just asked because I want to know what I'm being threatened with."
If the surprised looks I was getting from the party guests were any indicator, they were astonished I was keeping my cool like that. There was no answer, only a grunt of annoyance.
"And you know you probably wont get away with this." I said. "This is Gotham City. Batman or his crew always show up to beat you guys." I smiled when I said this, at the two shadows just below the ceiling.
In an instant they were flying down, taking out two thugs.
I used Penguins distraction to my advantage, spinning and yanking the umbrella out of his hands. I had it up and pointed at him before he could try and take it back, my free hand groping around until I found the trigger.
I kept my finger on it as I smiled at him. "Place the bag on the ground." I said, and he scowled, even as Robin came flying in on a line to land beside me.
As I watched, the umbrella still pointed at Penguin. Thugs were landing, hands tied, one by one, in a pile behind Penguin.
I smiled up at Wonder Woman, even as Robin was snapping cuffs on Cobblepot. I handed Robin the umbrella when he was done, eager to be done with it.
The entire time, I was aware of one lone cameraman taking pictures, even as Wonder Woman landed besides me.
"Boy am I glad you were on the guest list." I said, and she gave me a gentle smile.
"As am I." she said softly. "If anything were to happen to you, I'm not certain how your father would cope." She shook my hands, before standing by the villains, even as Bruce swept me up into a hug, kissing me on the forehead. I leaned into the embrace, before pulling away.
"I'm okay, really."
"Don't you ever do something stupid like that again." He said softly, and I leaned in to give him another hug.
When I was let go I stepped back, only to be swept up into another hug, and then a deep passionate kiss.
Roy.
I sighed softly when we parted, resting my forehead against his, aware of the camera's going off from the few camera men that had been invited.
"They're earning their pay tonight." I murmured against Roy's mouth when we were done kissing. He shook his head, exasperated with me, and we stepped back, even as the police started flooding in.
I remembered my position as Princess of Gotham, stepping forward to shake Tim, and the Dick's hands.
"Nightwing, Robin." I said as solemnly as I could. "Thank you."
Who knew, maybe if they were shown being publicly thanked for saving my ass, the general public might be more accepting of them.
"No problem at all, Miss Morgan." Dick said, and I could see a twitch of a smile on his face. "It's what we're here for."
I almost laughed at the cliché response, but kept my expression thankful. "Gotham needs more like you." I said, making sure my voice carried far enough for the reporters to hear.
There's a sound bite for you, I thought to myself with satisfaction, even as Bruce stepped up and added his gratitude. Finally we were approached by Commissioner Gordon. As I looked around, I noticed that uniformed police officers had started taking statements from some party guests.
"Miss Morgan." He greeted sombrely. "I'd like to ask you some questions if I could." I nodded, and next to me Bruce piped up. "You can use one of the study's."
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After we'd all given our statements, and Tim and Dick had reappeared to give theirs, we retired to the Cave, as a sort of debrief of the night. Roy tagged along, Wonder Woman making Bruce promise to keep her informed before leaving herself.
It was weird to see at least Roy standing by one of Bruce's mega computers.
"So, we gonna get this thing started, or not?" I asked, sitting on an office chair next to Roy. I gave it a little spin, ignoring the exasperation on my fathers face.
"We're waiting for a few people." He said, stopping me mid swing.
"Who?" I asked, frowning.
"Other people that were there." He said vaguely, and I raised an eyebrow.
"Who would be…" before I had a chance to answer the intercom sounded.
"Batman, I'm about to come in with the Green Arrows and Speedy." It was a familiar female voice.
I frowned, but before I had a chance to question Bruce, he'd touched an earpiece he'd attached to himself.
"You're clear, Black Canary."
A minute later four motorcycles came roaring in. The helmeted riders got off, two men, and two women. I gasped when the woman in black took her helmet off.
Dinah Lance knew about Bruce? Dinah Lance was a superhero?
The other three took their helmets off and I recognised them instantly, despite the masks they all wore. The Green Arrow's were Conner Hawke and Oliver Queen. Dinah was no doubt Black Canary, and Mia Deardon had taken up Roy's old mantle of Speedy.
Roy squeezed my shoulder gently, and I took it as a sign not to make a big deal of what I'd just been included in.
I reached up and covered his hand with mine, squeezing back. He was right, we had more important stuff to be dealing with.
"Oracle, are you online yet?" Bruce asked seemingly to no one, but then the screen came to life, an animated face appearing.
"Just now, Batman."
"Bring up the footage of the Penguins meeting with Dr Freeze." Bruce ordered, and I tensed.
Dr Freeze was involved? Suddenly the other heroes involvement made sense.
"Give me a sec." Oracle said, and within moments there was a video on one of the larger monitors. The Penguin stood with Dr Freeze and both their thugs in a dark alley close to the edge of Gotham River.
"What are they doing working together?" I asked, frowning. "I didn't think they were big fans of each other."
"They're not." Bruce replied. "All Freeze wants to do is create his winter land, and all Penguin wants is to strike back against the rich."
"And get some cash while he does." Roy sounded disgusted.
"This is a recording of something Oracle caught on CCTV a few nights ago." Bruce said to the assembled heroes.
"So what does this mean?" I asked.
"There were a lot of diamonds in the jewellery Penguin tried to heist tonight." Oliver said, and Bruce nodded.
"From what we can deduce by Dr. Freeze and Penguin's discussion, Freeze has a big interest in creating small, hand held freeze cannons." Bruce said, and I grimaced.
Why did that not sound like something used to make snow cones?
"Meaning he can freeze more without having to set up a cannon every couple of hundred yards." Dinah said, and my father nodded.
I scowled. "Why does this weird stuff always happen in Gotham?" I asked. "Its not enough we have to have the muggers and killers, we have every crazy that decides they wanna do something nuts like freeze the entire city."
"Or kidnap famous peoples daughters." Tim said with a wry smile.
I snorted. "At least that's somewhat normal." I shot back.
"Robin, Elizabeth." Bruce said flatly, and we quietened. "I want you two researching any recent theft at jewellers shops or pawn shops in the Gotham area. Nightwing, you and Conner do the footwork on what they come up with. The rest of you, on the streets now to see if you can catch anyone in the act, try to get as much information as you can on their plan."
I was surprised and somehow gratified that he had included me in the plan.
"What are you going to do?" I asked as I settled down into a computer chair.
"I'll be going to the Police Station. I want to have a chat with Penguin and his goons before they ship Penguin to Arkham."
I suppressed a wince. Any 'chat' my father had with them was bound to be painful.
"You have our help as long as you need it." Green Arrow said, and Bruce did that stoic nod thing he always did when he played the role of Batman.
I rolled my eyes, but started my research as the others geared up for patrol.
"I'll run technical support for you while you're out there." Oracle's disembodied voice sounded from the computer.
"Be safe." I said to Roy, seriously, and he smiled softly at me.
"I'll do my best." He dropped a quick kiss on my cheek, before turning and walking away.
I spun around in my chair, folding my arms over my chest and giving Bruce a stern look.
"Same goes for you, mister. If I find out you've busted your stitches out there tonight, I'm gonna hide all your batsuits."
He gave me a look that would have frozen water quicker then Dr. Freeze's cannon, but I ignored it, staring him down.
I didn't want to cause a scene like the night before, but if I had to, for him to take me seriously, I would.
The other heroes except for Tim and Bruce left, and Bruce stepped up close to me for a moment.
"Elizabeth, I'm sorry I have to patrol on your birthday." He said softly, and I smiled up at him, before giving him a hug.
"Dad, you wouldn't be you if you didn't go out looking to stop these guys tonight." I said. "Just make sure you come back to me."
His arms squeezed around me for a moment before he let go and turned around. He donned one of his suits faster then I could have imagined, and before I knew it, the Batmobile was roaring out of the cave, leaving me and Tim alone with the computers and Oracle.
"Elizabeth," Oracles voice sounded over the computer. "I'm giving you access to the Police main frame. Any break-ins reported will be listed there."
"Thanks," I said as windows started popping up on my computer screen. "But what about the stores that didn't report the break in?" I asked, turning around only when no one answered me.
Tim was staring at me, and I had the feeling if Oracle had actually been there, she (he? It?) would have as well.
"I just thought there would probably be pawn shops selling stolen goods that might not necessarily report break ins to the cops." I blushed. "Nevermind."
"She really is Bruce's daughter." Oracle sounded amused. "You two check the police records, and I'll start on Elizabeth's theory."
I turned back to my computer and started researching. I sighed as I looked down at the beautiful dress I still wore. It was going to be a long night. This so wasn't how I wanted to spend my birthday.
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Three hours later my neck was aching and Alfred had already served me five cups of coffee.
Tim and I had taken to marking the different locations on a virtual map of Gotham, trying to find a concentration of break ins to centre our research around, but so far there wasn't any discernable pattern or anything to show us where their hideout might be.
"Robin." Oracle said, and we both looked up, eager for some sort of lead.
"I've finished on my end, I'm going to add my locations of my break ins to yours."
We both looked at the map expectantly as dots started appearing on it. When it was finished, I let out the breath I'd been holding.
The locations gave us a clear picture alright, just not the one we'd wanted.
The locations on the map gave us a symbol.
A question mark.