LVII
The Exorcism of Raven Wayne

Bruce awoke, lying naked on the floor of his garage, painfully aware of the friction burns across his back. Draped across him with hair of ebony and skin of ivory was his beautiful, also naked, wife. Gently, he stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. A small moan of contentment sounded from her.

"You're not red anymore," he observed.

"So I'm not," she responded a little surprised, peering up from his chest to look at him smiling. "You have exorcised the demon, my love."

"Wasn't this was supposed to bring about the end of the world?..."

"Yes… but my only desire was to be with you. To keep the love that is mine."

"I am yours. Truthfully, there is no other woman that I want to be with." Bruce looked into her eyes of indigo once more. "Raven, I need to apologize. I don't know why I said those things. That shadowy thing in the hall hit me and the rest is… like I was someone else….until this gorgeous, crimson woman placed her lips next to mine."

"We both have demons inside us, my love. Yours is a fiery demon of vengeance that you have harbored for 20 years, as old and powerful as the one I hold by birthright."

"Then…are we the answer to one another? Have our demons have fallen in love?"

"I do not know… oh my love!" Bruce jolted forward when he heard the pain in Raven's voice as her knees raised to her side.

"What is it Raven?! Are you alright?" His concern was relieved when she smiled back at him.

"I am fine, dearest. I'm afraid I may have a little difficulty walking. My life as a virgin has ended today and my husband is… large."

"Sorry," he spoke with a charming grin. "Now that you mention it, I think my ribs are bruised. And this floor isn't very comfortable at all… I'll help you up. We should get cleaned up."

As a nearly naked Bruce and Raven stood outside the garage entry, he brought up the manor's security on a wi-screen before entering the house. He didn't care if Alfred saw them like this, but he did not want to shock his mother-in-law any further. The coast was clear.

Like guilty children, they scampered upstairs to the master bedroom and directly into their incredibly large shower. As the water from nine jets began to stream down their naked bodies, Raven once more wrapped her arms around him. As he was nine inches taller, she levitated up to his lips, to be eye-to-eye with her love as her feet gently caressed up his calves and thighs until her legs had wrapped around her husband once more.

"I thought you were..." Bruce's question was cut short as her lips locked onto his, tongues dancing in sensory anticipation. After one perfect kiss, she parted from his lips.

"The only pain I could not bear is losing you, my love. Say it for me again, heart-of-my-heart."

"I love you, Raven."

It was all Bruce could do to contain himself as his wife arched backwards in a sensual moan lowering herself upon him. She enveloped him and then they belonged to one another, one being of shared sensory experience coursing through the air surrounding them. He felt her in ways that should not be possible, sharing every pain which gave way to greater pleasures. She felt his need, his begging need for release for which she was only to happy to be.

After a lengthy, steamy, enjoyable shower, Bruce resisted the overwhelming urge to collapse on the bed with Raven - to share the heat and aftermath of emotion under fresh sheets of fine linen. To hide from the world and just share the beauty of their love. For a moment, he gazed at his beautiful wife who also gazed at him… smiling.

"We are content, my love. We are together."

"I love you, Raven Wayne… But there are things I must do. To prepare… for tomorrow."

"…May I join you tomorrow?"

Oh dear God, he had forgotten that he had forsaken her from attending Dick's funeral in his anger. How could he have been so callous?!

"I don't think I could make it through without you. Please, stand by me."

"I am always by your side, my love. I will need something appropriate to wear. Richard was never fond of the fashions of Azarath."

"Of course, I'll make the arrangements. Start picking out a lot of clothes, Mrs. Wayne. No more hiding."

"No more hiding. No more running. Promise. But I do need to rest, dearest. Your stamina truly is… remarkable."

"You are remarkable… in all ways. Now sleep my beautiful wife. Sleep."

Bruce finished dressing and proceeded downstairs. He was happy to see Alfred standing at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for him.

"Alfred, glad you're here... Raven's needs an outfit for the funeral tomorrow. We trust your choice in clothing."

"Forgive my impropriety, Master Bruce but I've already placed the order. They should be arriving within the hour, sir." Bruce couldn't help but notice the crimson flush in his old friend's cheeks.

"Alfred… did you…?"

"I'm afraid Mrs. Wayne's ability to suddenly appear in any room puts a servant at a… disadvantage in his discretion. Please forgive the intrusion, sir, it was completely unintentional."

"Forgiven, old friend. How is Arella?"

"Still quite concerned about the fate of the world and her daughter. Preparing herself by meditation. Can I assure her that Mrs. Wayne is doing well?"

"Yes Alfred, although perhaps I should tell her..."

"In time, sir. But I believe you should contact Mr. Fox first. I had told him you were unreachable, but he was very insistent on each of his… " Alfred counted on his fingers, "…eight calls. I believe it was concerning the actions of President Luthor."

"President Luthor? Luthor is alive?!..." Bruce took a deep breath. "Alright Alfred, but please let Raven rest for awhile. Is there anything to eat?"

"Of course, sir. It will be ready shortly."

The billionaire proceeded to his Wayne Industries office and pondered for a moment before placing his call to Lucius. The person that Mister Miracle had saved from the explosion this morning must have been Lex Luthor. But why?! Had Luthor gotten to Mister Miracle? And if Lex Luthor was president, Wayne Industries was in immediate jeopardy.

Bruce drew a rectangle in the air to open a wi-screen. He then placed his thumb in the center for the DNA recognition. He updated himself on the latest events and Luthor's miraculous escape. And then he placed the call to Wayne Industries CEO.

"Call Lucius Fox…Secure. Scramble."

A nervous Lucius Fox appeared before him. "Bruce! I trust you've seen the news? We need to dump all of our data to the Stockholm offices right away. There's a few life sentences for us if Luthor ever got his hands on that!"

"Kahndaq, Lucius. I have a secret facility in Kahndaq."

"Mr. Wayne, there's the distinct possibility we will be at war with Kahndaq within hours. I don't believe this is the best option…"

"It will be perfectly safe, Lucius. There will be no war. The data has already been moved. What about the hardware?"

"We have a cargo plane at Gotham Airport on stand-by. We think we can get the latest projects on board quietly. Shall I book that for Kahndaq as well?"

"No, Lucius. Our Ottawa1 offices, please. Move it tonight. You've made sure Wayne Industries is closed for the funeral?"

"I still don't believe that's a good idea in lieu of recent events, Mr. Wayne, but yes, the entire tower will be closed as of 6:00 A.M."

"Thank you, Lucius. Luthor would never buy what he could simply take. And right now, he can take anything. Will I see you at the funeral tomorrow, old friend?"

"Of course, Mr. Wayne... We'll do what we can by morning. Do you think we're over-reacting?"

"When it comes to Lex Luthor, there's no such thing…"

1. Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. Wayne Industries has a development and storage facility in that city's Industrial Park.