"Lottie! Someone important is here for you! Come quick!" Hunter burst into the kitchen.
"What? Who?" Lottie asked as she wiped flour from her hands, but Hunter had already rushed back out. She sighed and followed him out into the main part of the cafe.
"Hunter who could possibly be here that would make you-" She stopped when she saw a familiar young man at the end of the counter.
"Hi Lottie," the young man gave a sheepish wave and smiled.
"Timmy! Oh my god!" Lottie rushed to hug him, almost running into Hunter.
Tim laughed and returned the hug, "It's been awhile. I missed your hugs,"
"And I've missed yours. Let's get a look at you," She stepped back to give him a once over, "Timmy, you look so grown up! How can you be taller than me, yesterday you were four and calling me Aunt Tee!"
Tim laughed and hugged her again. "Sorry it's been awhile. I was dealing with some stuff." Lottie hugged him tighter.
"Don't you dare apologize for needing time. I'm just glad you're here and doing okay," She went back to the counter, "Abby will be bummed she missed you though."
"I promise I'll come back when she's working. When's her shift?"
"She's closing this month, so anytime after one. Can I get you the usual?" Lottie asked, already setting up for Tim's old favorite.
"Lottie, I'm not eight anymore," He huffed, but she caught him eyeing the turnovers. She gave him a knowing smirk.
"Okay, I'll still have a turnover," he rolled his eyes, "but can I get an americano with an extra shot?"
"No extra," a new voice corrected from behind Tim. Lottie looked to see Bruce Wayne had joined them. She guessed she should've expected that since Wayne had become Tim's guardian.
"Come on Bruce, I need it for my English test this morning," Tim pleaded. Lottie marveled at how comfortable Tim seemed around Bruce already. Jack Drake had died only a few months ago. What had she missed in the four years since she had last seen Tim?
"It'll stunt your growth," Bruce said, skimming the menu.
"That's a myth," Tim grumbled. He had certainly become more like a teenager. She chuckled at the exchange as she made his drink.
"You only wanted to come here because you knew you wouldn't get away with this at home," Bruce countered. Lottie handed Tim his drink, no extra shot.
"That's not… the only reason," Tim protested as he took a drink, "Mmmm, Lottie, you make the best coffee in Gotham," Tim smiled into his cup.
"You definitely take after your mother, Timmy." Lottie was pleased to see bits of her old friend in the young man before her, "She always made me bring her back some rare coffee when I used to travel."
"I remember her bringing me in here with her when I was really little. Oh!" Tim looked at Bruce, "Bruce, Lottie was a friend of my mom's. They met on tour. And Lottie, this is Bruce, he's been taking care of me for years, we were neighbors," Tim finally remembered to introduce them. Lottie held in a chuckle. It was impossible to live in Gotham and not know who Bruce Wayne was.
"Pleasure to meet you Mr. Wayne. And thank you for taking care of Tim. We're especially fond of him around here." She held out a hand to Bruce. They shook hands and Lottie couldn't help but notice how calloused it felt.
"I'm fond of Tim myself, we love having him around the manor," He gave Tim a pat on the shoulder, Tim smiled at him, "What did he mean by on tour?" He looked directly at her. Anyone would think he was just being a polite conversationalist, but Lottie had worked with businessmen since she was 15. She knew Bruce was assessing her. For what, she couldn't guess.
"Ah, well," Lottie waved to the one hint to her former career in the cafe, "I used to be a performer, Charli Lovestar," She patted the picture behind the counter of a teenage Lottie with what looked like a chour group. Lottie was the only one dressed in a glittery outfit, "Retired a year before Timmy was born to help my grandmother with the cafe," She explained to Bruce. It wasn't like she hid the fact she used to be a teen pop-star, but she was such a different person now, she felt like that was another lifetime.
"Don't be modest Lottie!" Hunter spoke up from the other end of the counter.
"Yeah! Mom said you were one of the best performers ever." Tim added. He turned to Bruce, "All of her albums went gold or platinum, and she had tons of number one hits."
Lottie looked at Tim in amused confusement, "Timmy, I didn't think my music was your style?"
"Oh, it's not," Tim blushed, "but Mom always listened to it in the car, and when I got old enough to understand who you were I looked you up. And I do like some of your songs."
"Well I hold your review in the highest regard, Timmy. Anyway, what can I get you Mr. Wayne?"
"I'll try the Guatemalan Antigua blend," He gave her a charming, but fake, smile. She returned it with a fake one of her own. She knew a performance smile when she saw one. Realizing he was caught, his smile turned genuine. Lottie thought he looked more handsome that way. Kinder even.
"You were at the Heart Association fundraiser a few weeks ago right? Your performance was wonderful, so i think the praise is justified," Bruce seemed satisfied now that he recognized her. She hadn't even known he was there.
"I was there, and thank you. I only do charity events these days, and that's only when friends ask. I feel like I can do more meaningful work behind the scenes," She told him as she prepared his drink.
"I understand that better than most," Bruce nodded. Him and Tim shared a conspiratorial look. She wondered what that was about.
"Here you go Mr. Wayne," Lottie handed him his drink after a minute, "And two fresh from the oven turnovers for the nice gentlemen."
"I didn't order-"
"It's on the house. Think of it as a thank you for taking care of Timmy when we couldn't," She smiled as Tim took a bite of his turnover.
"Thank you, it was nice to finally meet you," Bruce smiled as he paid, "Come on Tim, Alfred is waiting,"
"Bye Lottie, I promise I'll see you soon!" Tim waved.
It was a rare quiet night in Gotham. Batman didn't like it.
"You think Agent A will let me stay up if we get back early?" Robin asked, perched on the ledge next to Batman.
"No, and neither will I. You have school tomorrow. One more loop around then call it a night."
"Fine," Robin grumbled, launching himself off the building. Batman headed in the opposite direction, towards the more dangerous parts of their patrol route.
He was right to be wary of the quiet. One black market bust and hours later, Batman was finally done for the night. On his way back to the Batmoblie, he passed Broader World Cafe, Lottie's shop. There were lights on, even though it was three thirty in the morning. He could see Lottie standing in the middle of the tables and chairs. What was she doing?
He debated stopping to find out, but thought better of it. Besides, he was tired and needed to shower. He didn't want Lottie to have a bad impression of him.
Wait. Since when did he care what people thought of Batman? Especially a woman he had only met once. A woman who had challenged him without a word. Who was very fond of Tim it seemed.
He smiled at the memory. She was bold, he'd give her that. And perceptive.
People usually just gawked at him when they met him outside of a business setting, never truly paying attention to his mannerisms. Lottie, though, saw through the 'Brucie' act immediately. She intrigued him. He was curious what else she had noticed. Maybe he would get coffee with Tim more often to find out.
Or, he had a better idea.
