A/N:
CRed1988- Nice! And kinda surprise to hear Dick is marrying Kori.
Correction: IS married to Kori. And why is it a surprise? Because of that damned Teen Titan's Go? Because of the most recent Nightwing comics? I don't care what anyone says, Dick and Kori were perfect for each other. I grew up with those two and by god I will continue with those two!
The guests were already milling around, talking and gossiping when one noticed Bruce at the top of the steps, everyone stopping to look at their host.
Bruce held up a glass of champagne. "I'd like to thank everyone, Gotham residents and international guests alike, for coming to the Wayne Manor Ball. In this room are some of the most successful entrepreneurs, the best stars, and the most brilliant of businessmen, with the respected reporter sprinkled in here and there. I'm sure you are all expecting a long-winded speech, but this is a party at the end of the night. So, let's enjoy the night with some champagne, hor d'oeuvres, and some of the most successful business deals that will change the world! To Gotham!"
"To Gotham," the partygoers went as they toasted with Bruce before taking a sip and milling around.
As Bruce walked through the room, he saw plenty of socialites. Politicians, movie stars, models, businessmen, the works. He was honestly glad Jim wasn't there like previous commissioners would be. Gotham PD needed its leader in order to properly protect the corners even Batman couldn't be.
Bruce also spotted Vicki Vale and Jack Ryder seemingly talking to socialites, but bits and pieces of the conversation let Bruce know they were interviewing the men and women they were talking to. Bruce also noticed the small patch on Jack's neck, nodding in approval to know that he was keeping up with his medication dosage. Creeper may be a good hero, but Jack might be slightly more needed in the world than Creeper.
Bruce also noticed some of his enemies: Simon Stagg, Lex Luthor, and Maxwell Lord milling about. Bruce is still trying to gather the evidence needed to convict Stagg for what he did to Metamorpho. Sure, Metamorpho became a great hero and one of Bruce's greatest allies, but no one deserves what made him what he is. Lex is still trying to buy some of Bruce's stocks and parts of his company. Bruce is actually starting to wonder if Lex is starting to hate him as much as he hates Superman since Wayne Company keeps outdoing Lex Corp. Their little fight a few years ago didn't exactly make Lex the biggest Batman fan either. Maxwell must be pretty confident to waltz into Wayne Manor considering he tried to brainwash Bruce not even three months ago. It took the combined efforts of Red Hood and Robin to save him that day, and that was only because Bruce kept fighting back against Lord's hypnosis, making Lord lose his cool from rage.
Bruce then saw some of his exes, from the beautiful Silver St. Cloud to the enchanting Selina Kyle. Silver noticed him, and looked down sadly, before getting another man's attention to start a conversation. It was an obvious excuse, but Bruce wasn't about to pry. He had his chance with her and he knew he blew it. As for Selina, she winked at him before going back to wandering around the party. Bruce sighed when he saw her take a man's gold watch and a woman's pearl bracelet.
Bruce continued to look around, having the odd conversation or two, making a profitable business deal with one of them, and sighed when he didn't see what he was looking for.
His eyes widened in surprise when he felt someone poke his back.
"Allowing someone to reach your blind spot. Even if the opponent is your superior in skill, I'm still disappointed in you, Wǒ de
xuéshēng (my student)."
Bruce turned around to see Lady Shiva, holding a glass of sparkling water, her enchanting smile making even Bruce's heart skip a beat, but he kept his composure.
Bruce then smiled to keep up appearances, gently grabbing Sandra's hand. "Miss Sandra Wu-San. I see you got my invitation." Bruce then kissed her hand. "It's quite the honor to have the CEO of China's greatest pharmaceutical company attend my party."
"One of Asia's greatest, actually," Sandra said as she took a sip of her water. "It was almost surprising to see that the great Bruce Wayne would invite little old me to one of his illustrious parties."
"Nonsense. It is actually a privilege to have a woman of your radiance attend."
"Radiance," Shiva said as she raised an eyebrow, still smiling. "And here I thought my brilliance was sought after," she said as she sipped more of her drink, pleased by Bruce's slight twitch of the mouth, seeing one of his rare slip-ups.
"Bruce! There you are!" Bruce looked to see Jack walk up to him and Sandra. "I've been trying to find you ever since you gave that speech. How's about a talk between old-" Jack noticed Sandra and stiffened up. "Well, well, well! If it isn't Asia's most illustrious bachelorette! I've always wanted to meet the famous Sandra Wu-San! May I say you're as beautiful as the papers say you are?"
Sandra giggled. "I suppose."
"Mind if I borrow Mr. Wayne for a bit?"
"By all means."
"Thank you," Jack said as he led Bruce away. Jack led Bruce to a corner of the party, away from prying eyes and astute ears before looking at Bruce. "Bruce, what are you thinking," Jack whispered as calmly as he could, despite being desperate.
"I know what I'm doing, Jack."
"Oh, really?"
"You didn't react like this with Stagg, Luthor, or Lord."
"Stagg, I can punch as just me. Luthor, I can just call Clark. Lord? He's actually AFRAID of the Creeper. Her? That's Lady Freakin' Shiva!"
Sandra was standing in the middle of the room, analyzing the people attending the party. She saw some people who were connected to her Shadows... and a few connected to Ra's Assassins. Not assassins themselves. Just financial backers Ra's seduced into his corner by promising a place in his new world. If she could get them on her side, it would damage Ra's organization.
"You'd better be careful with that hand, Selina. None have reached that far down and lived to tell the tale, save for one," Sandra said as she sipped her water.
"Mreow. So it is you," Selina said as she seductively walked past Sandra, mostly for the men's sake, but also to just plain show off. "Your tongue is as sharp as ever."
"And you're still as skilled as ever, I see. Not nearly at the level needed to rob from me, but still admirable."
Selina raised an eyebrow. "Big talk coming from the chick whose operation I foiled in Shanghai."
"A minor setback at best. Though, had I been there, it would have been different. I still can't say I approve of you breaking Tigress's arm."
"Hey, she got in the way."
"As did you. You virtually assisted Ra's Al Ghul and his League of Assassins by foiling that operation, did you not," Sandra asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Ooh. That's a kick in the ol' ego. He's the LAST person I ever want to help."
"Mm." Sandra took another sip of her sparkling water.
"Alright, Sandy, that's bothering me a bit. Is the champagne too cheap for you or something? We can always lodge a complaint with Bruce."
"A certain medical condition makes it unwise for me to partake in any form of alcohol," Sandra said as she placed the empty glass on a passing waiter's dish.
"Well, well, who would have thought that the great Lady Shiva could get sick," Selina said with a teasing smile.
"I wouldn't call it a sickness," Sandra said as she accepted an hor d'oeauvre. "I wouldn't call it a disease either. Most women would call it a gift."
"A gift," Selina asked curiously. She then looked at the hor d'oeauvre to see it was a spinach quiche. "Sparkling water instead of champagne. One of the more healthy side dishes around here. Something women would call a gift. . . Oh. My. God. Sandra Wu-San, are you..." Selina moved in close to Sandra's ear. "Pregnant," she whispered.
"And here I was led to believe Bruce was the only detective in this room," Sandra said as she elegantly finished the quiche.
"Who would have thought? Sandra Wu-San, CEO of Wu-San Pharmaceuticals, Grand Master of the League of Shadows, and the World's Deadliest Woman is going to be a mom. So who's the lucky Shadow?"
"And what makes you think it was one of my Shadows?"
"It wasn't one of the Assassins, was it?" Selina held up her hands out of pure reflex when Sandra glared at her. "You're probably the only woman in the world who could literally kill with a look."
"If I were you, I wouldn't test that theory," Sandra said as she walked into the crowd. She then tossed something at Selina, who caught it easily. She looked to see what it was.
"Wait a minute. This is the watch I stole. When did she... Dammit, she's scary."
"I'm just saying, Bruce, you're probably the only person in this room who can take her in a fight and win. She beat up The Creeper. Harley Quinn dropped a statue on my head and I brushed it off like it was nothing! Just popped my head out like a jack-in-the-box. Anyone who can beat the Creeper, in a fair fight, no less, isn't someone to mess with."
"As I said, Jack, I can handle Shiva."
"Can you, now?"
Jack actually jumped when he heard Shiva's voice, Bruce looked at her without a hint of fear or surprise in his eyes.
"I admit, you have defeated me a number of times, it is still quite the assumption to say you can 'handle me', Bruce."
Bruce actually chuckled. "With you, I have to agree. Are you enjoying yourself, Madam Wu-San?"
"I have to say that I am. I've made a few business deals in my short time here. However, it's time I had my most important meeting. One I would rather have in private. Do you believe the host can meet me for a small talk?"
Bruce looked around, seeing that everyone was properly distracted and enjoying themselves. Even the villainous guests were enjoying themselves, including the Assassin depositors and the odd League spy. He also noticed that some of Shiva's Shadows were in attendance.
Bruce even made eye contact with one of the Shadows. They stared at one another before Bruce looked in a direction before looking back at the Shadow. The Shadow glanced before looking back at Bruce, nodding in understanding before walking toward the Assassin, and starting a conversation.
"Already leading my Shadows?" Bruce looked at the smiling Shiva. "If you want to join, you simply need to ask."
"Speaking of asking, you wanted to have a conversation? Why don't we go to my study? Have a quick game of 'chess'?"
"That sounds nice. But how about a game of Xiangqi instead?"
"The game I never beat you at when we 'studied' together? Sounds lovely," Bruce said as he held out his arm, Shiva gently grabbing it as Bruce led them away.
The Assassin noticed Bruce and Sandra heading up the stairs.
"Excuse me," he said.
The Shadow grabbed his shoulder. "Come now, my friend."
SHING
The Assassin glared down at the small blade that popped out of the Shadow's wrist.
"We were just getting to know each other. I think we were just about to make a deal."
Shiva was standing at the window, looking out toward Gotham. "From a distance, it's quite beautiful."
"It is, isn't it," Bruce asked as he stood next to her. "I've been asked by friend and foe alike as to why I try so hard to protect Gotham. To save it. It's because there is still beauty in the city. Besides, if I can save Gotham, who's to say the rest of the world can't be saved in the same vain?"
"A noble goal, Bruce."
"More selfish than noble. I just refuse to let crime win. Just like you refuse to let Ra's win."
Shiva giggled. "We think alike at times, Bruce."
"At times."
Shiva then coughed, getting Bruce's attention.
"You... never cough."
"Just something I've had to deal with for the past month."
"Month?"
Shiva looked up at Bruce with a smile. Had Bruce been anyone else, he wouldn't have noticed Shiva's hand on her stomach. Nor would he notice the protective way she rubbed it. Because of these observations and the time Shiva gave and his vast medical knowledge, he came to the conclusion he knew Shiva wanted him to reach, his eyes widening in shocked realization.
"You're pregnant."
Bruce looked down at Shiva's stomach before looking into her beautiful green eyes. "How long have you known?"
She looked back out toward Gotham. "Merely a week. I had just gotten your invitation before one of my Shadows asked me to see the company physician when I began to cough."
"A rare sign of pregnancy."
"Uncommon is the more appropriate phrase. No one woman's pregnancy is exactly alike. Different cravings, different intervals of sickness, and different signs of life growing within. I suppose my years of training to be the Ultimate Assassin have made me sign what most would see as an omen of disease. I should be grateful. It would be unfortunate if my first sign of pregnancy was retching. That would have terrified most around me."
"The Most Dangerous Woman in the World vomiting? I suppose even your Shadows would believe a plague had been unleashed," Bruce chuckled.
"The legendary Batman making a joke," Shiva asked with a smile as she side-glanced at Bruce.
"Batman doesn't joke, but I'm technically Bruce Wayne right now, Lady Sandra."
"Mm, I suppose so," she said as she looked back out the window. "I plan on carrying out the pregnancy. Ra's raised his daughter to be a weapon. I will raise my child to be far more than that."
"Is this about Ra's in the end," Bruce asked with a stern look.
"No," Sandra answered immediately. "It's odd, but I truly do wish to carry out the pregnancy and raise this child my way. It's... reassuring... knowing you have a legacy growing within you. I can feel it, Bruce. This child... OUR child is capable of great things. Things even we could not accomplish." She looked at her former student and one-time lover. "I wish to cultivate that child's talents and help it reach the pinnacle of its potential." Bruce just stared at Sandra. "Now that you know, what shall you do?"
"Explain."
"You know this child is yours. That you are the father. I'm giving you a choice: do you wish to be in the child's life or wash your hands of it? I will not force you into the role of its father. My Shadows and I will be more than enough. However, I believe there are some things only you can teach the child that even I cannot. So, what will it be, Bruce? Will you be the child's father or be just a story to it?"
Bruce stared at Sandra before turning and walking away. Sandra watched him as he... moved a small picture from the wall. A picture of Bruce... hugging his mother.
Behind the picture was a small safe, Sandra looking away to give Bruce the privacy to open it. When she heard the sound of it opening and then closing, she looked to see Bruce walk up toward her, holding a box.
"I promised myself that I would give this to someone special. Someone I trusted. Someone who meant something to me. . . And someone I truly cared about without any doubt in my mind." Bruce then opened the box.
Sandra looked down. Her eyes then widened. "B-Bruce, what are you-"
"Sandra Wu-San, don't think I'm going to say these words for the sake of our child. True, it is part of the reason, but not the main reason. I truly wish for this. Will you marry me?"
Sandra was shocked. She was expecting Bruce to be a mentor to her child at best. Someone the child could call father. She wasn't expecting a proposal.
Then, she looked at the ring, her eyes widening once more. "The diamond and the band. They are worn. Aged. It has seen much and experienced life and love already. But it has also experienced tragedy. . . This is your mother's ring."
"It is. It is one of the few things of hers that I have to truly remember her by."
"Bruce, this is equivalent to a sacred family heirloom."
"I'm glad you think that way. It makes me think I'm making the right choice."
"Bruce... are you sure about this? If you make me your wife... Wayne Industries will be mine. Yes, you will have access to Wu-San Pharmaceuticals, but you'd be giving the most Dangerous Woman alive access to the world's most advanced technology. If Talia was in my position, her loyalty to Ra's would make her use that kind of power to all but destroy the world. You could be making my League of Shadows unstoppable."
"The fact that you're telling me this of your own free will only tell me more of what I already know."
"Which is?"
Bruce gently lifted Sandra's hand... and slid the ring onto her finger. It fit her perfectly as if it was made for her. "That you're the right woman for me to marry."
Sandra looked at her ring before looking up at her now fiancé. "Bruce, if this is about our child-"
"Sandra, you know as much as I do that I have feelings for you." Sandra's hand twitched, still being affected by those words. "And you have feelings for me. We wouldn't have made that child otherwise in Dubai, now would we," Bruce asked with a smile.
Sandra looked away, a rare blush on her cheeks before she was surprised when Bruce gently grabbed her chin to have her look him in the eyes.
"Sandra, you're a good woman. The best one I know. You were the strongest student when we trained together, one of the greatest teachers I've ever had... and one of the most beautiful women I've ever laid eyes on. It may be superficial for now, maybe even a spur-of-the-moment one, but I do love you. I vow to be the husband you deserve and raise our child alongside you. So, will you honor me and become my wife? Will you become Lady Sandra Wu-San Wayne?"
Sandra's eyes widened before they softened. "Letting me keep my name, are you," she asked with a smile. Bruce only smiled back. "If you break any of your vows," Sandra said as she wrapped her arms around Bruce's neck, bringing him closer to her. "I'll personally kill you," she said in an oddly seductive tone before kissing Bruce.
Bruce then hugged Sandra's waist, the two falling deeply into the electric, addictive euphoria of their kiss.
A kiss that might as well be proof they were meant to be.
A knock was heard at the door, making the engaged couple part from their kiss and look at the door.
"Master Bruce," Alfred began as he opened the door. "Some of the guests have noticed your disappear- Oh, my. Am I interrupting something Master-" Alfred saw the gleam off of Sandra's ring, his eyes widening. "My word. Master Bruce, you gave her the ring? Does that mean what I believe it does?"
"You believe correctly, Alfred," Bruce said with a smile as Sandra walked forward before bowing. "It's a pleasure to finally authentically make your acquaintance, Sir Alfred Pennyworth. Since you are my fiancé's most trusted ally, I assume you already know who I am," she asked as she stood up, smiling beautifully at the butler.
"Indeed, I do, Ms... or rather Lady Sandra. Former Ms. Sandra Wu-San, founder of Wu-San Pharmaceuticals, known in the underworld as Lady Shiva, despised by the League of Assassins by becoming the founder and Grand Master of the League of Shadows, the Empress of Diyu, and the Most Dangerous or even the Deadliest Woman in the World. Spoken aloud, you might as well have been sculpted for Master Bruce."
"Is that right," Shiva asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Of course. What other woman could possibly be able to reign in Master Bruce's tendencies than a woman as powerful as he, if not more?"
Shiva giggled before looking at Bruce. "The man who raised you is wise indeed."
"So he reminds me every day."
"I beg your pardon, Master Bruce? I am not so vain as to say such a fact daily."
"You don't have to say it, Alfred. You prove it."
"Mm, I suppose I do. Very well, then, Master Bruce, Lady Sandra-"
Sandra raised her hand. "I am only wearing the ring, Sir Pennyworth. I haven't taken the vows of marriage yet."
"Ah. A woman of tradition. I dare say you have found the perfect bride, Master Bruce. Do you wish the ceremony to be a public or private affair?"
"The wealthiest woman in Hong Kong marrying the wealthiest man in Gotham being public knowledge," Sandra asked with a raised eyebrow.
"A private ceremony it is. Shall we inform the others?"
"Of course," Bruce answered. "Dick would never forgive me if I didn't invite him. Especially if he's going to be my Best Man like he made me at his and Koriand'r's wedding."
"And I suppose I will once again be the wedding officiant?"
"You're the only one who has the qualifications, Alfred."
"Oh, dear. The role was quite an honor for Master Dick. For you, Master Bruce, it feels like I'm marrying off my own son. What an odd sensation."
"I do have Shadows qualified for the role," Sandra offered.
"Certainly not, My Lady," Alfred went in an uncharacteristically challenging tone. "It would take Trigon himself to prevent me from making the ceremony a reality."
"Thank you, Alfred," Bruce said with a genuine smile.
"It is a chance for you to finally experience love in its truest form, Master Bruce. I will not allow such a fate to become nothing more than a fleeting dream," Alfred said as he walked away.
"You're quite cared for, Bruce," Sandra said.
"I know," he said as he walked up and gently grabbed Sandra's hand.
She looked at her clenched hand before looking down at her stomach, gently rubbing it. "This child... will I be able to show it such compassion? All my life, I have only known combat. Martial arts, assassination, war... murder. Can such a woman truly bestow love, compassion, and care to an innocent child?"
Bruce gently grabbed Sandra's chin, lifted her head, and kissed her again. The two parted, staring into the other's eyes.
"I'm far from a normal father myself, Sandra. Time and time again, I stare into the abyss, wondering if it will swallow me whole. I've never believed I was capable of truly finding love and happiness, let alone having a family. Yet, I have my sons. I have Alfred. Now... I have you." He then placed his hand over Sandra's, the two looking at her stomach. "And soon, we'll have our child. We may be unorthodox parents, but I swear to you, we will raise this child to not suffer as we have."
Sandra giggled as she leaned onto Bruce. "A difficult promise to make, Zhàngfū (husband)."
"People like us thrive on challenges, Qīzi (wife)," he said as he hugged her.
A crash followed by a scream was heard. The two looked at each other with serious expressions before running toward the ballroom.
When they reached the top of the stairs, they saw people running away and screaming, rushing out of Wayne Manor.
Shiva was the first to notice that her Shadow was killed, eyes still open in a droopy manner, blood staining his suit, and most of his limbs bent the wrong way. The Assassin was also dead, with a small cut on his neck, but foaming at the mouth from the poison. Yet, in front of Sandra's Shadow was a massive man looking down at the soldier.
The man then turned his head, noticing Bruce and Sandra had seen him, before turning around and smirking at the two.
"Hola," he said in a deep yet menacingly calm tone.