17: Dinner With The Waynes

18:39 October 29th

Skye was excited to have dinner with Bruce and Dick, but the fact that it was in a restaurant were dinnerware was required made her nervous. She would have preferred a dinner over this, but she had to admit it was fun getting dressed. Dick had took her shopping, which was a surprise to her. He didn't seem the type to sit around in a women's dress shop waiting to see what she picked out.

It was amusing to Skye, even with the other glances from women in the store. They were looking at Dick, of course, but she didn't care. Finally, after a good half hour of staring at the dresses the saleswoman had picked out, Skye decided on a dark blue dress that hugged her curves and stopped just above the knee. It has a square neckline and tiny sleeves. Dick's eyes lit up when he saw her, and Skye shyly push hair behind her ear. She'd keep her hair down with this, she thought.

"Fantastic," Dick complimented her. "I like the shoes." He looked down and hummed in appreciation.

Her shoes were four inch thin heels with straps holding them on from top to bottom of the shoes. Her toes were painted blue, which she had done earlier while Dick went for a quick run. She had a feeling the run had to do with raging hormones and not being restless.

"Would you like to wear it out of the store?"

"Can I?" Skye asked, surprised.

"Yes, of course."

Skye made Dick get a new suit - charcoal pants and blazer with a white button up shirt with it. Dick refused a tie, and unbuttoned the top button of the shirt. He took her hand as they walked out of the men's store and found a limo waiting on the curb. Alfred, who Skye had met at the engagement part a few weeks ago, was standing near the back passenger door.

"Master Dick, it's good to see you."

"What are you doing in D.C., Alfred?" Skye noticed Alfred barely smiled in any case, but the corner of his lips were twitching as they greeted them.

"A little vacation, Master Dick."

They slid into the back of the vehicle, Skye keeping her hand in his.

"He calls you Master Dick." She covered her mouth to stop a giggle. Dick pressed his lips together to keep from smiling.

"I can't get him to stop. I've tried," he sighed, shaking his head. The car moved into the street and led them to the restaurant.

"Was he around when you were younger with Bruce?"

"He's always been around. He was with Bruce when he was a kid."

"Really?" How old was Alfred? She asked Dick.

"No idea," he admitted. "I don't ask. Don't underestimate Alfred, though, he's a tough old bastard."

"I heard you, Mr. Grayson," Alfred said from the front, the window between the front and back rolled down.

"I know you did, Alfred," Dick chuckled. "I was only speaking the truth."

"Yes, Master Dick." Alfred sent them a small smile from the rearview mirror.

The restaurant was as fancy as Skye had thought. Sucking in a breath, she looked up at the sign, bright above the entrance, as they were led from the limo into the main dining area. They were taken past the average people - although they were anything but average - and led them into a private dining room, where Bruce was being seated. Alfred stepped toward Bruce and bowed his head.

"Sir."

"You were invited, too, Alfred. Sit." He told all three of them.

"This is… beautiful." Skye looked at the deep reds of the room. The lights were only enough to cast an orange glow around the room. It was romantic, but also friendly and inviting.

"Thank you, sir," Alfred said, taking a seat next to Bruce. The table was around, and Dick took a seat next to Alfred, while Skye sat at his right. Bruce was on Skye's right side.

"Isn't it?" Bruce replied, looking around. "I invested in this place years ago."

The waiter come about to tell them the meal for the night:

Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp with Gouda & Roasted Apricots

Fresh Micro-Greens with Pan Seared Scallops

Sweet Corn Relish & House Champagne Vinaigrette

Seared Ahi Tuna Topped with Sauce Vierge

Steamed Asparagus with White Truffle Olive Oil

Wild Rice Pecan Pilaf

Amaretto Infused Louisiana Pecan Pie

Skye listened with interest and amazement. Some of the stuff she had never thought to taste before. Dick watched intently, and Skye saw him like his lips in anticipation. Alfred didn't make any move as he listened, and Bruce nodded along. Once the dark red wine was poured - Skye couldn't pronounce the name - Bruce turned his attention to her. She took Dick's hand under the table to hold. It was an anchor for nervousness.

"Congratulations on the job with Diana." Bruce sipped his wine. "She seems happy to have you on board."

"Thank you, it's very exciting. I'm still getting used to the idea I'll be working with Wonder Woman." She took the sip of the wine and let out a hum. "This is perfect." She brought up her hand from Dick's and sat it on her own lap. She was comfortable with his family.

"Enjoying D.C., Miss Skye?" Alfred asked, his face blank. His eyes, though, were bright with interest.

"It's new," she replied. "A lot of… business class." Changing the subject, she moved on. "Dick told me that he has… siblings? Adopted?" Dick coughed on the wine.

"Tim." Bruce nodded. Skye frowned. Tim Drake, the teenager at the engagement party. Bruce seemed to read her thoughts, because he smiled. "Yes, that Tim."

"Why didn't you tell me at the time?" Skye looked at Dick.

"I didn't think about it," he said sheepishly. "I was worried you were overwhelmed already with everyone there."

"Don't be upset with Dick. There was so many people there you probably would have forgotten." Bruce gestured for the waiters to bring out the appetizer. Skye licked her lips and waited patiently for the delicious food.

"I already have forgotten some names and faces," she admitted as the plate was set in front of her.

"I'm sure you'll get to know most of them," Alfred replied, eyeing Dick with a raised eyebrow. He began to eat his appetizer politely.

"I hope so." Skye wanted to glance at Dick, but that comment from Alfred was a little uncomfortable. Dating for a month and they were already being pushed forward by Dick's family. Not that she minded moving forward, but she wanted it to be on their own pace. The food was delicious and she let out another hum. "Wow."

Skye watched as Bruce asked Dick about his time in Chicago. Dick complained about the help Bruce was giving him, but he did it good-naturedly. He wasn't whining. Alfred made a comment about having his room ready if he wanted to come visit sometime.

"Maybe," Dick answered.

"Have you spoken to Artemis lately?" Skye was confused about Bruce's question until she realized Artemis was the one who had lost her boyfriend, a close friend of Dick's.

"No, I haven't. How is she doing?"

"Focused on work more than she should be."

There was silence.

"I don't want to keep the mood depressing, but may I ask what happened? Dick explained about a close friend of his losing his life, but…" Skye trailed off, feeling guilty for asking. Instead, Dick took her hand and sat it on his lap with his. The men were smiling sadly, even Alfred.

"It's alright, if you're going to be around more often, it's better if you hear it from me than anyone else," Dick said. "Wally West, I kind of grew up with him. An incident happened here in the arctic three years ago."

"The tornado?" Skye remembered hearing about it.

"Yes," Bruce said, sitting down his silverware. "He was trying to save some people, and…" He stopped, glancing at Dick.

"Wally sounds like a real hero," she said quietly, settling her hands in her lap, letting go of Dick's. He nodded and took a deep breath.

"Artemis didn't take it very well. She had a hard upbringing, and Wally was one of the few stable things she had in her life."

The waiters came to pick up the appetizer plates, and they stopped talking until they were finished.

"You should visit her, Dick. You said it's been awhile since you've been around her." Not counting the engagement party, Skye thought.

"I will," he promised.

The waiters came by with the main course and sides. They ate in relative silence, interrupted by a comment by Dick to Bruce about his business and a joke toward Alfred. Bruce seemed to dodge questions about Diana, and Skye felt bad for the man. Dick really had a thing for Diana and Bruce being together. He took it in stride, though, and even laughed when Dick said he should come to the masquerade that was being held on Halloween.

"I will be there actually."

"As Diana's date?"

"Dick," Skye hissed with a smile. "That's just mean."

"Technically, yes," Bruce answered. His voice was even, but Skye saw a hint of pink in his cheeks. It might have been her imagination, but she liked to hope it wasn't.

"I've never been to a party like this," she said, changing the subject.

"We had one at the Wayne Mansion in the ballroom, remember, Master Dick?" Alfred looked at Dick intensely. "You snuck in and ate all the snacks for the visitors.

"And stole a few credit cards," Bruce said, sighing with a smile.

"Good times," Dick replied. Skye looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "It was when I first arrived at the mansion with Bruce."

The rest of the meal was filled with conversation about Dick growing up with Bruce and Alfred both. He seemed to be a troublemaker as he grew up, and proud of it. Alfred and Bruce both told stories fondly. Skye giggled as they told her about Dick's tumble off the roof of one of the garages and how his friends had camped out in the backyard and scared each other senseless with ghost stories.

The dessert finally came around and Skye was in love all over again with pecan pie.

"I didn't know you were such a trouble maker, Dick. I should have known, you like danger now."

Dick grinned, and Skye wondered if Bruce knew about Dick's nightly activities. From the conversation earlier about Chicago, he sounded like he didn't. Nibbling on a bite of pie, Skye watched them interact, with Alfred interjected sarcastic comments.

"Skye?" Dick asked, reaching over and squeezing her thigh. Her body warmed at the touch and she cleared her throat.

"Yeah, sorry, I was just thinking…"

"About what?"

Skye saw Bruce and even Alfred look at her with interest. Crap, I can't say what I was thinking!

"I was thinking," she answered slowly. "... about how I'm going to be in the public view now that I'll be working for Miss Prince. And I'll have interactions with the Justice League on occasion." She glanced at Dick, who was in the middle of eating a mouthful of pie. He squirmed in his seat.

"Are you nervous?" Bruce asked.

"A little. Mostly being in the public eye. Working with superheroes probably isn't as difficult as it seems."

"I hope you won't be put into any danger, Miss Skye." Alfred shared a look with Dick. Did Alfred know?

"I can defend myself when needed," Skye assured the man. Alfred nodded, but looked at Dick once more as if to push his point of her needing protection.

"Diana wouldn't put you in a position if she thought you'd be in danger." Bruce waved over the waiter, and asked them to clear the plates. It seemed they would be leaving soon. Skye crossed her legs under the table, and reached with her hand to hold Dick's hand, lacing their fingers together.

"I shall get the car, Master Bruce."

"Thank you, Alfred." Bruce didn't bring out a card or anything, and Skye probably looked confused. "I have a tab which I pay monthly." Obviously Bruce Wayne was good for it, Skye thought.

As soon as the plates were taken away, Skye stood up, straightening her dress.

"Thank you for the dinner, Bruce. It was amazing." She felt honored to have been invited to such an expensive restaurant, along with sharing it with Bruce Wayne, his son, and his friend. Bruce nodded with a smile as he checked his phone.

"The car is ready."

Bruce led Dick and Skye through a hallway going the opposite direction of the entrance. Skye looked at Dick, had held her hand.

"They have a separate door just for him," he explained with a chuckle. "You were wondering of Bruce knows about my nightly habit."

Skye squeezed his hand, a bit embarrassed for him to know exactly what she had been thinking.

"Yes, but I caught myself. Did I do well?"

"Very." He let go of her hand and placed it on around her waist.

They walked close together out the back door and toward the limousine. Bruce was already inside, with Alfred waiting patiently to shut the door. Skye and Dick slid inside the car and it was off. Bruce was sitting with his back to the driver's area of the care, so Dick and Skye had the main seat.

"I assume you'll be joining Skye at the party in a few days," Bruce said to Dick.

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I didn't know when you'd be going back to Chicago."

Skye's stomach dropped at that thought, and she looked at their entwined hands between them. He was right, Dick would have to go back to Chicago soon. As much as part of her brain said that he could just leave it behind and stay here with her, she knew it wasn't fair to ask him of that. From the information she had gathered through conversations with him, he had only started settling in a few months earlier. What would he say to answer Bruce?

"On Monday." It was the day she started her job as Diana Prince's personal assistant. Skye looked out the window. They would be at her apartment building soon, she realized while looking at the street signs.

"I'll see you in a few days you two," Bruce said, snapping her out of her thoughts.

With an nod and a smile, Skye let Dick help her out of the car. With a wave to Bruce, the two made their way into the building, the doorman - a short, pudge white man - nodded to them. The ride up the elevator was silent, their hands still clasped. Dick glanced at her for a few times, but Skye was glad he let her think for a moment before starting the conversation they needed to have.

When the door to her apartment closed, Dick took off his blazer and put his hands in his pockets. He watched her as she sat on the couch and took off her heels.

"What is it?" he asked finally. Skye pressed her lips together, looking at her lap as she sat back on the couch.

"It's silly."

"But it's making you frown. Is it about Chicago?"

"Yes," she admitted, finally look at him. Skye sighed. "Like I said, it's silly. I know you need to go back, you were just getting settled into the city. It's not fair for me to be upset about it."

"I see," Dick said, slipping out of his dress shoes, then sitting next to her on the couch. He faced her and took her hands, holding them together with his. "I'm glad you understand about me going back, but that doesn't mean it's not gonna suck."

"I'm glad it'll suck for you," she said with a smile, feeling a little better.

"I thought so. Besides, I'll try to come down at least once a week."

"That sounds good." Skye grinned now, leaning forward. She brushed her lips against his and scooted closer. Dick stayed where he was, his eyes half closed as he kissed her back, keeping his hands where they were. Skye put her arms around his neck and pulled her head away slightly. "I assume you'll be staying here tonight."

"If you're comfortable with that," Dick replied. She bit her lip and smiled.

"So comfortable." Skye pulled his head back to her, opening her mouth to deepen the kiss, their tongues tasting each other's. Sighing, Skye held on tight and pressed her chest against his.

It had been a long time since she felt this aroused. Panic and anxiety had overshadowed it in the times she had tried, but this time was different. Still, it was too soon to move that way. Was it? She pulled back, furrowing her brows as she thought.

"Now what are you worrying about?" Dick joked, kissing the tip of her nose. His eyes were dark now, arousal noticeable with the heat of his body.

"Just normal nervous thoughts about this position." She stayed where she was, though, and Dick looked relieved after a moment.

"Do you want to stop?" he put his forehead to hers.

"No."