The first thing Feli got back upon waking was her sense of touch. She was laid out on something soft and comfortable, and she wanted to burrow in deeper and go back to sleep. The second she got was sound, and with it the knowledge that she wasn't alone. She froze, trying to get her muddled brain to think of a proper way to deal with the intruders. As each sense came back, so did her ability to think, and she realized she wasn't home at all. A beeping sound nearby increased with her panic, and she clutched at the sheets below her tightly. One of the voices stopped, and she sensed someone approach.
"Miss Stark? Are you awake?" The British tone was familiar, but her poor mind couldn't make the connection. There was a rustle of movement. "Are you sure you should have brought her here?" There seemed to be a muffled conversation and she forced her eyes open, already trying to sit up. Two hands pushed gently on her shoulders.
"Hey, don't get up yet." Gaze focusing, she found herself looking up at Bruce Wayne. Her brow furrowed in confusion as she remembered what had happened, and she looked around for the Bat. There was something niggling at the back of her mind.
"Where am I?" Her voice sounded a bit rough and she looked around the room. It was warm, clearly a large bedroom that wasn't her own. She looked back to Bruce, noting the concern on his face.
"Wayne Manor. You were shot." His voice was soft, and she realized he was trying to break the news as gently as possible. She simply nodded, unsure of how to respond to that.
"Um...thanks. I guess you know about...well…" She hated to admit her activities out loud, but as her mind cleared and pain began to flare up in her side and shoulder, she began putting the pieces together. Bruce gave a grim nod as Alfred entered her field of vision, a glass of water in his hand. Both men helped her sit up carefully, and Alfred gave her a few sips of the water before setting it aside. The older man left the room, and she was left with Bruce. Feli couldn't meet his gaze, instead looking down into her lap. Her shirt had been taken, likely to treat where she had been shot, and a large t-shirt hung off her frame.
"Miss Stark, I think we need to discuss this." Bruce pulled a chair to the bedside, taking a seat and resting his arms on the edge of the bed.
"Felicity. Or Feli." She risked a glance up to his face. "No point in formalities at this point." He simply nodded, taking the time to choose his words carefully.
"Why are you doing this?" Somehow, she felt this would have been easier if he just yelled at her.
"To help my city. I assume the same reason you do." He actually looked surprised and she snorted. "Seriously? I got shot helping Batman and wake up in Bruce Wayne's house. It wasn't hard to put two and two together." He sighed, running a hand through his hair; Feli couldn't help but notice how much more attractive he would be if he left it disheveled.
"Alright, so I suppose no more secrets." He sighed, sitting back just a bit. "Felicia, I really think you should stop. You could have been killed today."
"Look, I know the Batsuit is bulletproof, but in that moment…" She trailed off, shaking her head. "I don't know. I just...felt the urge to keep you safe too."
"Why take the bullet? Why not just shove me away?" He sounded genuinely curious about that and she laughed.
"Seriously? Have you met you?" He arched a brow. "Knocking you down would be like knocking down a tree. I'd need to hit the gym far more often than I already do to accomplish that." Her own smirk led to a chuckle from him, and the tension in the air began to lift. "For real, though, I just...did what I could. After all, even Batman is a citizen of Gotham." He sighed, moving to lean towards her again as he thought.
"Well, you're going to need to rest up. From both crime fighting and your Youth Center." Her heart leapt into her throat at the idea of having to close the center and she was already shaking her head. "Please, don't fight me on this. You will only make the injury worse if you're running around."
"I can't just close the Center indefinitely. It'll ruin everything I worked to set up." His brow furrowed.
"Close it? No, no, just have another staff member take over for a bit while you rest. I wouldn't dream of closing it." The reminder that she still hadn't staffed any volunteers made heat rise to her cheeks and she dropped her gaze.
"There, um...there aren't any other staff…"
"What? How are you possibly managing with no other staff?" Bruce sounded shocked and she shrugged.
"I was still checking applications yesterday for volunteers. Background checks needed to be done and I would need to interview them directly." She frowned, picking at the duvet in her lap. "So, no, I can't just close the Center. I just won't be as active." He huffed, thinking over what she said carefully.
"I can get you some already verified volunteers for the next couple of days while you rest and finish your applications." Feli blinked, a bit shocked at the offer. "I also still have to make my donation, so expect that any day now as well."
"Bruce-" He held up a hand to cut her off.
"You'll also be staying here while you recover. Need to make sure you're actually resting." He seemed proud of all of his announcements.
"As much as I'd love to spend some time in a mansion on a mini-vacation, I can't. I have responsibilities at home." He gave her a pointed look. "I do! Two of them, in fact."
"Are you honestly trying to convince me you have to go home to two children?" Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms.
"I'm not lying, and I said no such thing. And if you won't take me home, I'll get Alfred to do it." He sighed, running a hand over his face.
"Fine, fine. I'll run you home in a little bit to take care of whatever it is." She nodded, and they lapsed into uneasy silence. Alfred came in with some sort of soup not long after, and she ate quickly, learning just how hungry getting shot could make a person. Once she was up on her feet and ready to go, Bruce helped her into a town car and she gave directions home. Relaxing into plush leather, she easily fell back asleep.