The song used here is "Bound To You" written by Christina Aguilera, Samuel Dixon, and Sia Furler for the motion picture "Burleque" on November 2010. I do not own this song in any way, but it does fit very well into the story and for Elle's voice. Thank you, Leah Tatyana Nicole for bringing it to my notice.

No Warnings . . .

Dick was sitting in his regular place, but not at his regular table. The restaurant had rearranged a few tables near his to accommodate his guests. There were a few. Some of his close friends, those who could make it, and some of Elle's, those he knew and could find, and family, of course.

He was surprised when Cedric showed up with his bodyguards, and Hugh and Edward walked in right behind them. Cedric still looked terrible, but when he heard about tonight's get together and the show, he insisted on making the trip. A couple of people Dick hadn't met had accompanied him. Cedric introduced them as his physicians. The man wouldn't be able to stay long after dinner. Dick would have to see Morris about changing the schedule to accommodate the man.

Dick got up to greet Clark and Lois as soon as he saw them.

"I was hoping you two would make it," he said, shaking Clark's hand.

"I wouldn't miss it," Clark pulled Lois forward. "And when she heard, neither would she."

"Lois, it's good to see you," Dick kissed her cheek. "You are almost always out on assignment whenever I make it to Metropolis."

"Which isn't often enough. Dick, you've grown into a real charmer," she teased, looking lovely in a dark blue dress. "This place looks really nice. I didn't know Bludhaven had any nice places."

Dick laughed. "You just have to know where to look."

As Lois and Clark stepped forward, Dick was surprised by the couple behind them.

Clark chuckled. "I hope you don't mind. We brought guests."

"It was Ollie's fault," Dinah smiled as she came forward to greet her honorary nephew. "When he heard about a dinner and a show, he invited himself along. I came to keep him in line and to make sure he doesn't embarrass himself."

Oliver Queen laughed good-naturedly. "I checked this place out. It's got a five-star rating for food and service, and I hear the music is really good. I couldn't resist." He shook Dick's hand. "I hope Dinah doesn't cramp your style by showing up like this," he joked.

Dick smiled. "The more, the merrier," he said.

Robert, Chez Donovan's head waiter, appeared. "Ladies, gentlemen, if you will follow me to your table."

"Say, is Bruce really here? I didn't think he dragged himself out of his . . . office for much of anything but a world-wide cataclysm," Ollie said.

"See for yourself," Dick waved a hand, indicating his table.

The Kents and the Queens table was next to Dick's. Bruce rose smoothly to greet the two couples as they approached. The couples were even more surprised to see that the whole family was present and currently not killing each other. Although Alfred's seat was strategically placed between that of Tim and Damian.

"This place better have beer," came a familiar voice behind Dick where he still stood near the vestibule.

He spun around, already laughing. "Roy! I didn't think you could make it!"

"What choice did I have," he muttered with a smile edging his lips. "This guy practically kidnapped me and carried me here," he snorted, indicating the couple behind him.

Wally was in the process of taking Linda's coat to give to the woman manning the coat check closet.

"Snazzy place," Wally commented. "Hope the portions are good."

"I was hoping that you had eaten already," Dick teased. "Otherwise, I'll have to see Bruce about a loan." He gave Linda a peck on the cheek as he greeted her. "I haven't seen you since the twins were born. You look lovely."

"Hey! I hear you have your own woman now," Wally shoved Dick back, playfully as he took his wife's arm. "Leave mine alone, thank you very much."

To their surprise, Dick blushed. He rubbed the back of his neck and grinned. "Saw that, did you? I can't believe it made the papers in Central City."

Roy laughed. "It made the papers everywhere! Including Starr City, which is why Ollie and Dinah came. I assume we'll be meeting her tonight."

"You will, but not until later," Dick grinned, and clarified for them. "It's kind of a surprise for her, too."

Linda gasped. "Oh, Dick, you didn't!"

"Ah, probably. What did I do wrong now?" He looked at Linda with wide-eyed innocence.

"You are going to just dump all of us on her without any warning?" Linda shook her head sadly. "You will be lucky to climb out of the doghouse by this time next year."

"Linda, she loves me. I'm pretty certain she'll forgive me before the night is over," Dick smiled.

"She must either blind or desperate," Roy joked, slapping Dick on the back.

"You'll have to judge that for yourself," Dick smirked, but felt the nervousness of earlier coming back.

"You'll have to tell me your secret," Roy grinned, "of how you are able to fool all of these beautiful women we see you with into thinking you have charm."

"I'm betting its hypnosis," Wally laughed.

Linda smacked her husband on the arm and stepped forward to grasp Dick's arm instead. "Don't you listen to them, Dick. You are a real catch. Wally's just lucky I met him first," she teased.

"Too bad Donna couldn't make it," he said, a little disappointed.

Roy patted him on the shoulder. "She wanted to, buddy. She sends her love."

"Hey! What are you moping about? You still have us," Wally grinned, moving up between his wife and his best friend.

"I thought you were supposed to be cheering him up," Roy snarked.

Dick laughed as Robert stepped up to lead his friends to their table near his. He followed them back, stopping to greet another table that had a few of Elle's college friends and their husbands. They had been difficult to arrange, but Dick had been thrilled when the three couples had arrived a little earlier.

He grabbed Robert's arm as the man moved past him.

"Have someone let me know if Jason Todd arrives," Dick instructed the man.

"Of course," Robert assured him. "He's another of your friends?"

Dick smiled. "No. Well, yes. Um, sort of . . . He's my brother."

Robert looked back at Dick's table. Every place had already been taken by members of the man's family. "I can have another table and chair brought out," he began.

"No, that's okay," Dick patted the man on the back. "It would be better, I think, to seat him at that table," he said, indicating the table with Wally and Roy. Linda would make Jason behave himself.

Robert's brow rose and a look of understanding crossed his face. "Of course. I take it," he murmured, "that you've been able to hide all of this from Elle."

"I have, and I can tell you it wasn't easy," Dick laughed. "And if you see Brian, let him know I appreciate everything he's done. He's gone all out for me."

Robert smirked. "He went all out for Elle. You are still on his shit list," the waiter whispered. "Maybe if tonight works out as you planned, he'll be willing to mark you off."

Dick looked uncomfortable for a moment. "Uh . . . I'm not still on Raymond's list, am I?"

He hadn't eaten since noon, and he was starved. He could imagine everyone's dinner being exquisite, and he would get the leftovers from the previous night and the burnt portions. Dick didn't mind Brian's shit list, but dreaded remaining on the chef's.

Robert laughed outright. "No. And you may thank Elle for that. Your dinner will be excellent, I am sure."

"Make sure that Raymond sends something backstage for Elle. I don't know when she ate, and later she may not get a chance to," Dick instructed.

"He usually does," Robert assured him. "But I'm guessing that tonight it will be something a little extra special."

"She'll be wondering at her good fortune," Dick grinned. "Let me know when she arrives, also. I want to go back and wish her luck."

"And perhaps keep your little surprise a secret for a few minutes more?"

"That, too." Dick nodded. "She only knows that I'm coming for the show."

"You are risking a lot on her ability to forgive," Robert said.

"I'll take my chances," Dick laughed.

Robert excused himself to continue seating the restaurant's other guests while Dick made his way back to his table.

He kept glancing back every so often to see if any new arrivals contained Jason. He had been astonished by the younger man's agreement to show tonight. He had expected to have to promise the man favors and agree to turn a blind eye to some of his less than stellar activities, but no . . . Jason had been amazingly easy to get to accept his invitation.

"Did you expect it to be that easy," Bruce leaned over to ask after the fifth time Dick looked to the entrance.

"Nothing about Jason is easy," he admitted. "But he did say that he would show up."

"Perhaps something caught his attention," Bruce said. "He may just be running late."

Dick frowned. Jason was a lot of things, but he wasn't a man to break his word. "You don't think he's in trouble, do you? That maybe something happened to prevent him from coming?"

"Dick, whatever you are thinking, stop right now." Bruce chided. "It took a lot of time and effort to arrange this tonight. You will not leave in the middle of it. If Jason doesn't show by the time Elle's show begins, I'll go look for him."

Dick sighed. "No, I don't want you going after him. I want you here."

"What good does it do if I remain and you leave?"

"Just . . . stay. I wanted him here, but I want you here more. And I'd be more disappointed if both of you were gone." Dick slumped.

Bruce slapped Dick on the shoulder. "And you're supposed to be happy tonight," he reminded him. "Damian's been on his best behavior. That's got to count for something!"

Dick glanced over in his youngest brother's direction. "That's right! He hasn't tried to kill Tim once tonight. Although Alfred is there, I kind of expected him to at least attempt to stab him with his fork at some point."

Bruce smiled. "He's been more mellow than usual at home as well."

"Mellow?" Dick couldn't imagine.

"Alright, less intense as of late," Bruce's smile widened.

"Are you talking about us," Damian asked, looking at them suspiciously.

"About how handsome and well-mannered you both are tonight," Alfred added jovially.

Damian rolled his eyes, but kept his sarcasm to himself, for which everyone was grateful.

"How is the meal, Alfred," Dick asked. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"It is quite excellent," the elder man exclaimed. "And the service is more than adequate."

High praise, indeed. Dick made a note to send his compliments to the chef. Perhaps if Raymond knew how difficult it was to impress Alfred, his pleasure would extend to Dick himself. But it was as Robert had promised. Dick's meal was as delicious as everyone else's tonight.

It had been far more difficult to talk Alfred into attending. He had had to divulge his plans to the butler in order to get him to disregard the impropriety of a servant attending his employer's event as a guest. Dick had sworn the man to secrecy and knew that not even Batman would be able to tear the information from him, but Bruce, being Bruce, probably already knew everything there was to know about tonight anyway.

Dick excused himself to go greet Elle.

"I was beginning to think you weren't going to show tonight." he teased, kissing her carefully so as not to smudge her make-up. "Any trouble getting here?"

"Not a bit. The cab driver was a pro. I had a little last minute shopping I wanted to get done before I came," she explained, putting away her coat. "It took a little longer than expected. Did you eat?"

"I did, and it was wonderful. Thanks for smoothing things over with Raymond." Dick patted his flat belly.

Elle lifted the top of the warming tray and nearly groaned. "Too bad I don't have time to do this justice. I need to hurry up and change," she said, as she stuffed a bite of chicken cacciatore into her mouth.

"I'll see you out front," Dick smiled. "Break a leg."

"Thanks," she said around a mouthful of chicken, already digging through her gowns for something suitable. She had a beautiful song planned and wanted to look special. Dick hadn't heard her sing this one yet and she was excited about it.

The meal had nearly concluded, when Daniel, their waiter leaned over Dick's shoulder. "Mr. Todd has arrived."

Dick spun around in his chair. Jason was standing at the back wearing a button-down shirt with a tie and jacket over a pair of black jeans and his biker's boots. He didn't realize that Jason even owned a tie or a jacket that wasn't made of leather. Dick was suitably impressed. He had expected Jason to show up in his motorcycle jacket with bulges under his arms for his guns. He didn't see any bulges now, however, Dick thought as he ran an expert eye over his brother. But he was sure there was something there, all the same. Dick suspected an ankle holster. Jason went nowhere unless he was armed.

He pushed back his chair and made his way over to Wally and Roy's table just as Jason was getting there.

"I was beginning to think you were going to back out of your promise," Dick said by way of greeting.

"I said I would be here, didn't I?" Jason answered.

The two men stared at one another for a long moment before Dick broke the tension by smiling and sticking his hand out to shake. Jason left him hanging for almost a solid minute before he took the proffered hand.

"I'm glad you could make it," Dick told him. "It means a lot that you could come."

Jason looked over Dick's shoulder at his table. Although Bruce sent him a hesitant smile and Alfred a warm one, he didn't acknowledge them. He looked back at Dick.

"So, where is she? I was under the impression I was coming here to meet that chick you were making out with in front of what had to be every photographer in the nation."

Dick laughed, but couldn't prevent the faint blush that stole up his cheeks over the thought of that photo.

"Did the Bat bust your chops over it?" Jason moved to sit down and Dick stole an empty chair from a nearby table to sit down next to him.

"No. Surprisingly, he didn't say much about it other than 'Nice picture of you two in the Gazette today'. And she's here. You'll be meeting her in . . ." Dick glanced at his watch. Less than five minutes until ten. "In just a few minutes."

Jason nodded to Roy and Wally. "Linda, you are looking lovely this evening. You still hanging around this bum," he joked lightly, indicating Wally.

"Hello, Jason," Linda greeted. She hadn't seen him in a few years now. "You're looking well."

He grunted.

"At least his hair is combed," Dick laughed. "Are you hungry? I think I can talk the chef into fixing you something," he offered. "I thought you knew that dinner was included when I invited you."

"I did. But I didn't want to go home hungry." He looked around the fancy restaurant. "These places don't know how to make a decent hamburger, you know?"

"Well, order yourself something to drink and enjoy the show," Dick made to get up.

"How long's this going to take? I have work tonight," Jason met Dick gaze.

"They don't close 'til two, but I was hoping you might try to hang around an hour or two. That is, if you think you can manage it." Dick told him. "Oh, and thanks again for coming."

He left Jason to get reacquainted with Roy and Wally, and made his way back over to his table. He was slipping into his seat when Brian walked out onto the stage.

"What's Todd doing here?" Damian demanded to know.

"I invited him, Dami, now hush," Dick said gently. He didn't want to get the boy riled up. "The show is getting ready to start."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome the Chez Donovan's. I am the owner and your host, Brian Donovan. I hope you have enjoyed your evening thus far. Tonight is extra special, and your entertainment divine. Welcome to the stage, the extraordinary and talented, Arabella Hamilton!"

Dick was glancing at the other tables to gauge people's reactions. Jason was satisfyingly startled as he shot Dick a look. Wally and Linda were grinning, but Roy leaned back in his chair. He was either being one cool customer, or he did his research. Ollie and Dinah appeared startled, but Clark and Lois had apparently done their homework as well.

She looked gorgeous; almost as if she knew this night had significance. She wore a maroon and black ombre gown with a sweetheart neckline. The bodice was fitted to the hips and it had with a sweeping skirt of chiffon that skimmed the floor. Its dramatic coloring drew every eye in the house with the maroon encircling her waist and slowly morphing to black in the bodice and in the flowing skirt.

Her hair was down and styled in a vintage Hollywood starlet look; smooth, with a large, gentle waves along the bottom of the style. It was swept to the side and pinned into place with a single, rhinestone barrett; giving people a glimpse of the dangling rhinestone earrings in her ears. She looked as if she stepped out from a dream.

Elle's entrance was met with raucous applause from several of her friends, and her eyes widened is shock when she recognized them. Her smile grew larger as she waved to the audience. And her second surprise of the evening came when she turned to greet him as she usually did when he attended her show. Everyone in the family grinned back at her, and Damian even waved which Dick thought was adorable. He kept his mouth shut, however, to prevent the boy from storming out of the restaurant in a fit of embarrassment. Elle waved back.

He noted she had yet to see her father's face in the crowd, however. If she wasn't suspicious yet, she was bound to suspect something was up once she did. But the music started up immediately, and ever the performer, Elle launched into song.

Three songs in, Elle slowed the rhythm down with a change of pace from the upbeat, fun Jazz style that she was well known for to a love song made popular by pop star Christina Aguilera. As she sang, Elle walked across the stage until she stood in front of Dick's table.

Sweet love, sweet love
Trapped in your love
I've opened up, unsure I can trust
My heart and I were buried in dust
Free me, free us
You're all I need when I'm holding you tight
If you walk away I will suffer tonight.

I found a man I can trust
And boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
Can you see that I'm bound in chains?
I've finally found my way.

I am bound to you
I am bound to you

So much, so young, I've faced on my own
Walls I built up became my home
I'm strong and I'm sure there's a fire in us
Sweet love, so pure
I catch my breath with just one beating heart
And I brace myself, please don't tear this apart.

The song seemed to highlight Elle exquisite vocal control and left the audience caught up rapt in the amazing nuances of her range. He had wanted to watch the audience tonight, but as usual she held Dick spellbound and his awareness of the world around him faded until it was only his beautiful Elle singing just to him. Her emotions washed over him and he reciprocated, and the passion of her performance seemed to expand to encompass the world.

I found a man I can trust
And boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
Can't you see that I'm bound in chains?
I've finally found my way

I am bound to you
I am bound to

Suddenly the moment's here
I embrace my fears
All that I have been carrying all these years
Do I risk it all? Come this far just to fall?
Fall

I can trust and boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
Can you see that I'm bound in chains?
And finally found my way

I am bound to you
I am, ooh I am
I'm bound to you

As the last note drifted away there was a lull as the audience attempted to catch their breath and spent a moment drawing themselves out of the spell she seemed to cast upon them. There were tears in the eyes of the women and quite a few of the men. Couples discovered that they were holding hands; not remembering reaching for one another during the performance.

After a long moment, Dick started clapping slowly; smiling at her as he rose to his feet. All around the room people began to join him as they were released from the dream Elle had woven for them with her voice. One by one until everyone was standing; everyone applauding for what was for them a magical moment in time.

REACTIONS?

This is part one . . . There is more to come!

I'm so excited! ;D