Welcome Dark Knighters!
Since the next 2 -3 chapters deal exclusively with Bruce's perspective—I thought I should post it here—if you're interested you should follow this story ASAP as it will be in the crossover fic section soon.
To my regular followers… grab a tea, make a coffee—this chapter is long - over 10K words – Enjoy!
As Penelope told her story, he saw flashes of their life... how it all began..
Bruce Wayne and I were a thing—When I was working for Applied Sciences -I meet Bruce. We dated kind of
"Master Wayne, Master Wayne," Alfred called into the empty bedroom on the lower level. He scanned the room for signs of life and to no avail Bruce was gone. Alfred assumed he was on the 4th floor of the penthouse sleeping in his actual bed. Then he heard a clinking coming from the closet area and followed the sounds. He was surprised to see Bruce in the bathroom groomed, he hadn't been groomed in months—dare he say years - Since Rachel's funeral to be exact.
"What are you doing up and out of bed so early?" he asked entering the bathroom.
"You shaved?" Alfred added.
"Trimmed, I'm heading to Applied Sciences today."
Alfred looked at him in the mirror full of questions.
"Meeting with Lucius."
"This wouldn't have anything to do with that attractive blond technologist who came to visit us on Monday."
Bruce glared and ignored Alfred, yet he continued, "She is smart, cute, and feisty—and we know you like feisty. But you normally like brunettes, so this is a new development." He smiled at Bruce in the mirror, "A welcomed new development, sir."
"Alfred - Rachel and Harvey just passed," he said, tired of Lucius' and Alfred's attempts to fix him up with anyone with a pulse. He loved Rachel and no one could replace her – ever.
"That was over a year ago," he sighed heavily, "and I'm not suggesting you forget about Ms. Dawes, Master Wayne, I am reminding you that she wouldn't want you holed up in your mansion letting life pass you by."
"Penthouse," Bruce corrected.
He paused and added directly, "She chose Harvey."
"She is my life Alfred," he said solemnly.
"Yes, she was," Alfred paused and whispered, "your life."
He patted Bruce on the back, "But she is no longer here. So what are you waiting for—her reincarnation?"
"Alfred, not today," he said as he exited the bathroom.
"Fine, sir," he said watching him limp slightly out of the bathroom.
"After your meeting with Lucius you should swing by the hospital and have someone look at your knee," Alfred nagged.
Bruce ignored him. Bruce often slept in his new bat cave—one of the perks of the mansion's renovations. He clicked on the screen to show Alfred his detective work.
"I've been researching, Lulu -real name, Penelope Garcia. Did you know the code she wrote for Lucius is similar to code Gordon found in computer that rigged Harvey and Rachel's explosions?"
He clicked the keyboard a few times and a string of code appeared on the screen.
"If she is the same programmer, she posts the complicated parts of the code on various listservs and sites for others to use. Covering her tracks, so it doesn't point back to her. And it is apart of the hood's manifesto—liberating knowledge."
"So take her to lunch and ask her about the code she wrote," Alfred said as if that was the most logical thing in the world.
"You want me to date a criminal computer hacker now," he shook his head, "I thought you like the models."
"She is not a criminal yet, sir. See, there's this thing called the presumption of innocence and due process. Plus, the models were so boring."
Bruce ignored Alfred's jab, "Penelope went to Caltech where she was top of her class. She wrote this program to quantify the effects of local farmers and food deserts. See this bit right here—it is almost identical to the code the hoods used at Gotham Savings and Loan – the mob bank, and what she up loaded to our servers last Monday during a patch update. The chances that she is using string of code from another hacker for the past 7 years is a bit far fetched. I mean she is good – look at this bit here."
He said highlighting it with a cursor.
"Normally that would be at least 3 pages of code but she likes to define terms and variables first. Which is more work on the front end but allows you to create simple succinct programs."
Bruce looked at the beauty of her code and said with admiration, "She's good"
"So what is your plan Mr. Wayne?" he asked knowing he already had one.
"Have her create a code similar to what she did for the hoods and then turn her over to Gordon."
"You want her to incriminate herself and then turn on the alleged gang terrorizing the Falconies—and here I thought you wanted dinner and dancing."
"Mr. Wayne—I won't help you," Lucius said rising out of his seat.
"Lucius she is apart of the Hoods"
"You think she is," Lucius said walking towards him, "Yes, she is different in a punk-rock –Seattle grunge kind of way. But she infused this department a fresh energy, creativity, and profits." Lucius shook his head, "this is wrong—she's been here more than a year and has created amazing work for us." He said sitting at the edge of his desk.
"If she was involved in such a thing—that is her past. Everything she has done while here has been above board."
Lucius could tell he wasn't convinced, "I would rather let her go – then set her up like this for what? So a young girl can waste away in prison. That is a bit much even for you and your alter ego, Mr. Wayne"
"The hoods killed Harvey and Rachel," Bruce said firmly.
"Allegedly and Lulu had nothing to do with it."
"Actually her code is what links the deaths, to the mob bank hit, and god knows what else." He said placing the folder in front of Lucius.
Lucius looked through the folder and his expression softened from complete defiance to a face Bruce didn't recognize.
"Lucius, I'm not asking," he said reminding the gentlemen who was in charge.
"Old man Luc-" Penelope walked right and started talking before she realized that Lucius had a client in his office, "Oh, sorry—the door was open."
She saw Bruce siting down and actually rolled her eyes inward, "I'll come back later, Mr. Fox."
"It ok Lulu, we were almost done— 5 minutes."
She was wearing a dark purple button down with a black skirt and oxfords—it was spring, Bruce thought.
Her long blond locks were in a side ponytail, black cat eyed glasses framed her eyes, and she wore her signature red lipstick. She swung around and was out the door as quick as he came.
His meeting with Lucius didn't get the response that he hopped and he didn't want to push it – Lucius and Alfred had this habit of being right most of the time and there was one thing Bruce hated hearing, "I told you so."
He noticed a deliveryman making his way toward Lulu's desk and his interest was piqued. He made his way over to her desk.
"Who would send you that, Lulu?" Charles Reese asked as Bruce walked over to Penelope.
"He's coming," Charlie whispered, as he scampered away.
"That's morbid," Bruce said taking in the bouquet of dead flowers.
She opened the card and he read it over her shoulder—I'm literally dying without you. Dinner, please? Amour, Me.
She chuckled and put the flowers in the trash.
She turned towards him and pushed her glasses further up on her nose as she coolly said, "How can I help you Mr. Wayne or did you swing by to complain about me some more?"
He was surprised that she was chastising him, he raised his right eyebrow daring her to continue.
She took his look of surprise as an invitation; she didn't care who he was.
"I mean most people would write an email about the customer service—but not you—" she said wagging her finger, "shaved most of your creepy beard and came down here to chat with my boss about how poorly I updated your system."
She continued to reiterate what she said yesterday.
"I told you – you need more memory and just an overall server upgrade if you want to run all of those programs and have a secure connect to company files."
She finally looked up at him lowered her voice "and I apologized for the dancing. I've never shared the same space with an original Gramophone – I mean yours must be circa 1910- and I got carried away," she played with the tip of her ponytail, "Did you know that the Grammys are named after that player—" and then she looked up at him and continued, "I mean you had an original 1963 Nina Simone Live at Carnegie Hall just sitting in the record player—how can you not dance everyday? My dad loved Nina" she ended wistfully.
He was surprised by her candor and remembering her performance made him smile – on the inside.
"Actually I have a project I need Lucius to work on for me and I wanted to apologize."
Now it was her turn to look surprised.
Bruce continued, "My behavior was unacceptable and I am sorry."
She bit her bottom lip, "well, thank you. I guess I should've let you speak first before I went all full metal jacket on you—sorry for biting your head off."
He turned on his billionaire playboy charm and said, "I was hoping I could take you out to lunch… give you the full Bruce Wayne apology special."
"Sorry, I brought my lunch today," She said returning to the slight clutter on her desk, "I bring it most days."
This was a first, he thought—did she say no?
"What days do you not bring lunch," he asked surprised that she said no.
She tilted her head, "I bring it most days," she repeated, "but I accept your apology, you accept mine lets just shake on it."
She extended her hand; as he took it, she smiled, "now we're even."
"Oh, you're still here, Mr. Wayne," Lucius said surprised that he was talking to the alleged suspect.
"Just leaving," he said joining Lucius.
As they walked towards the elevator, "I want to do this Lucius—this is the led Gordon needs and it is right under our nose."
"I'm firm, Mr. Wayne – no."
As the elevator headed to the main level, he thought about what kind of life he would have once Rachel's killers were brought to justice. The city didn't need the Batman anymore—corruption was a thing of the past. He missed patrolling the streets at night and busting a drug shipment now and then but he wasn't a necessary evil anymore—and Bruce often wondered, what would life be like after the cape. Could he just be a normal man? How could he… when his normality was bound to Rachel so firmly. She was his everything and he had to find a way to – he couldn't and he knew it. Sometimes he wished Alfred would stay out of his head.
Thursday morning to Alfred's surprise Bruce was up and showered.
"Twice in one week?" he asked as he delivered his green juice cocktail to his bedroom in the bat cave.
"Last night the Mission Church received $250,000 donation and I believe it was the hoods."
"But you're not wearing the suit— how ever will you stop them?" he asked mockingly.
Annoyed by the teasing, "Alfred it is day time."
"I am going to visit the Free Clinic we fund across the street and see what I can dig up."
"Always the detective, Master Wayne."
"What car shall I drive? Will we be back for lunch?"
"I'm taking Lulu to lunch today?" he said trying to say her nickname like it was normal. He'd been practicing saying it since last night, the day he came our of retirement… after he tied up a few drug dealers at the pier. He wasn't a nickname kind of guy- but it suited her. When he said her nickname he often felt like he was trying too hard. Why was he trying so hard? He thought as he tried to decide which shirt to wear—the light blue or the lighter blue.
"Lulu?" Alfred asked officially intrigued
"Penelope Garcia—the hacker," he said indifferently – but Alfred wasn't buying it.
"So you are taking my advice—exchanging notes."
"Well let's see if she says yes," he said now debating between a blazer and a sweater—"she said no last time."
Alfred released a fake gasp, "she resisted the charms of the billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne."
"I like her already," Alfred said choosing the sweater with the leather elbow patches.
Bruce shook his head, "Lucius is really taken with her. He would rather fire her then help me uncover the hoods."
"He said no too… this must've been a bad week for you to come out of retirement, Master Wayne."
"I guess it's just you and me." Beverly said to Penelope leaning on her cube divider.
"No Charlie?" Penelope pouted—"Mr. Reese is going to be pissed that he missed the Kati Roll truck. It's not spicy Thursday for nothing."
Beverly relayed the text she just received, "He's with the engineers on 3rd. Instead of Spicy Thursday can we just get dessert for lunch then—I think 2 cupcakes and a latte would suit me perfectly."
"Yum," Penelope replied, "The future Mrs. Reese has a sweet tooth."
"you should've come out last night – Alex was there," she said in a way Penelope could hear her smile.
She began to search her cluttered desk for her something, "I'm not dating," she said definitively.
"I know – that's why you should have met Alex," Beverly teased, "cute engineer, normal, tall, normal, with striking blue eyes… did I say normal?"
Penelope finally looked up, "I get it… he's normal."
"He asked about you," she said loving the role of matchmaker, "drinks next Friday?"
She ignored the invite, "Where's my ID—I should totally just clip it to my necklace and I would never lose it."
"Hi Lulu."
She turned around and surprise filled her eyes, "Mr. Wayne."
"Bruce, please." he corrected quickly followed with his playboy smile.
She stood up and she was wearing a jcrew white and purple floral button down with a matching purple skirt.
"Can I help you with something?" she asked looking for her ID.
"I was looking for Lucius," he said looking around and he asked nonchalantly "—did you bring your lunch today?"
"No, and I think he is traveling today. I'm not his assistant" she quipped and then quickly followed with, " but I can call Janet for you."
"How about lunch then?" he asked as she found her ID.
"I'm getting lunch with Beverly actually," she said smiling too sweetly.
Beverly heard her name and frowned.
"Maybe another time, then?" he asked
"Mr. Wayne," she said titling her head – "we don't need to..."
"Bruce," he corrected.
"Bruce," she repeated as Beverly looked at her phone and said super fake, "oh geez, Charlie just called – I mean texted me and he wants me to wait for him at his desk." She said showing them her phone screen.
She looked at Bruce and said, "His desk right over there" and she pointed just as awkwardly as she sounds.
She started walking away and said, "I guess we're not getting lunch after all."
"Beverly," Penelope chastised her.
"Maybe next week?" She said super sweet.
"I think you just became unexpectedly free," Bruce said smiling. I have to send her a bottle of wine, he thought.
She looked up at Beverly who mouthed GO! Have fun!
"Looks that way, sir."
"Bruce."
"Bruce," she repeated.
She turned to glare at Beverly one last time as she walked to the elevator. Beverly was already smiling, she texted her Sorry, but it's Bruce Freakin Wayne – maybe, you'll have a nooner :P
As they left the building Alfred opened the door for them and she smiled at him, "Hi Alfred."
"Ms. Garcia"
"So where are we going?"
"Jean George– it has a gorgeous view of the bay," Bruce replied.
He couldn't figure out how to make conversation with a potential suspect. He was used to scaring it out of them – small talk escaped him. He was relieved when he saw her pull out her phone and start texting. He pretended to do the same thing.
Once they were seated and placed their order—he figured out a strategy.
"So how did you find yourself at Applied Sciences?"
"Lucius found me at a hot dog stand – offered me a job. I respectfully declined. But you know Lucius he is persistent," she quipped nibbling on the bread.
"Where did you go to school?"
"CalTech," she replied after her sip of tea.
"A Caltech grad! I see why Lucius is obsessed with you – you went to his alma-mater," he teased
"Well not a grad."
Her eyes became distant, "my parents died in a car accident my freshman year of college. By the middle of my sophomore year I ran out of funds so I came to San Francisco looking for work in technology. Lucius found me a few years after that and the rest is history."
"I'm sorry about your parents," he said thinking about his.
"Its fine," she said looking out at the bay.
The waiter placed their food on the table and she shook off the dark and twisties, "But I love working for Lucius - he keeps it interesting. His wife makes the best pies – Janice is amazing."
After a few bites, Bruce asked, "why computers?"
"my best friend moved away and I decided to build a friend without legs."
"you built a computer – when?"
"8th or 9th grade – yes, I was that geeky," she smiled.
"not geeky—ahead of the curve," he said as a true smile formed on his lips.
She blushed and they continue to about technology and code until the bill arrives.
Alfred is surprised by the change of mood as they return to the car.
"So do you really just write and think about code all day," Bruce asked as the car boarded the highway.
"No, I'm not 100% geek all of the time. I go to concerts, movies, read—you know take in all forms of entertainment."
She gave him a playful judgmental look and asked, "I mean what does the prince of Gotham do for fun besides grow weird beards, date models, buy hotels, and apology lunches?"
Alfred couldn't help but laugh, which he tried to turn into a cough.
"I train with a grand masters, spelunking, sky diving, and sponsor several philanthropic endeavors," he replied as if those were normal answers.
"I never understood why most millionaires are thrill seekers."
"Billionaire."
"Even worse," she said shaking her head, "well, this is me, thank you for lunch."
"Bye, Alfred" she said and gave Alfred's shoulder and affectionate rub as she he held the door for her
As the elevator door opened to Applied Sciences Bruce saw, Penelope and a young girl working on the whiteboards. Saturday's Hackathon… Penelope had on a pair of black fitted jeans cuffed at the bottom, a form fitting Ramones t-shirt, black suspenders and her favorite shoes… black and white oxfords. Her hair was a crazy bed head mess and black cat eyed glasses. He watched her work on the problem and as she stood on her tippy toes to correct a mistake in the assumptions section—he could see two divots or dimples in her lower back… I think they are called Venusian dimples and was convinced that was the sexiest thing he had ever seen.
"Hi," he said as he entered.
"Charlie please tell me you are late because you were picking up vegetarian pad thai for Holly and I."
"We're starved," she said before she turned around.
To her surprise it was Bruce… again, she thought.
"Hey Lulu," he said and it actually sounds casual. Too bad he was stiffly leaning against the door as if he was posing for a magazine advertisement.
"Oh I thought you were Charlie."
She turned down the music and pulled down her tight t-shirt. Which just made her breast stand out, and her stomach appear flatter, Why are you checking her out? He chastised himself—because she's pretty he answered.
"Bruce this is Holly—Holly…"
"I know Bruce freakin Wayne," said the 5'3 latina teen with wavy brown hair and green eyes. She walked directly over to him and sized him up.
"I'm Holly, junior at Central High—senior this September."
"Nice to meet you, Holly," he said shaking her extended hand.
After a few more moments of inspection, "How old are you?"
"31, why?" Bruce replied giving her a playful quizzical eye.
"Well, I'm 16 and by the time I graduate Brown I'd be 21 and you would be 36 or 37—you'd totally have your princess of Gotham by then and I would be too old for your son."
"Holly," Lulu said embarrassingly as Bruce laughed.
Holly continued to calculate as she asked, "Are you here for the hackathon?"
"No, here to meet with Lucius."
"Do you like vegetarian pad thai? When you're done with your meeting you can eat with us." She said starting to moon over the man.
"Holly, he's not Justin Timberlake."
She turned over her shoulder and glared at Penelope, "But he is the closest thing to it and I have questions."
Penelope whispered back, "You do know he is still in the room."
Penelope looked up at Bruce— and mouthed sorry.
"Well, we don't want to hold you up," she said as corralled him out of the room.
This was the first time he saw her without lipstick on her lips were the perfect color of pink. They looked soft and luscious - he loved that her bottom lip was bigger than the top. Where did these thoughts come from.
"Sorry you know teenagers," she said as they stood in the door way, she tried to fix her hair by putting it in a side ponytail but all he could think of is her messy hair all over his... he officially started to beg his brain to stop thinking about her.
"Your sister?" he asked not really seeing a resemblance besides her latin last name and Holly's latin looks.
"No… well… kinda," she said as she hooked her thumbs through her suspenders. Her skin above her hip looked so soft and touchable. He naturally inched closer to her – to the point where he could smell the lavender mint shampoo she used.
A smile emerged across her lips, "Taking her to a Destiny's Child concert tonight so... I may be deaf next week."
"Destiny's child?"
"You," she said poking him in the upper chest, "really need to get out of the cave and experience the world around you," She teased leaning closer to his ear and said "you're turning into a hobbit."
"Mr. Wayne," Lucius called.
"Later," she said as she slipped into the conference room. The last thing he heard was Holly saying Beverly was right... he likes you—even dressed like a tomboy.
He closed the door to Lucius's office.
"Thank you for the knee contraption – just one day and they are like new."
"You're welcome. Glad I can help you come out of retirement," he teased.
Bruce pulled out a few drawings, "I need a new suit… it's still a bit heavy and the suit has too many weak spots for knives. The first suit was perfect but I couldn't turn so I was thinking maybe we could… add this."
"Let me see what we can do—have you made a decision about Penelope? I won't entrap her."
"But you will give her a glowing recommendation and find her a new job right?"
Lucius smiles, "she stays," Bruce informed him.
"But I can't tell you anything more —I'm playing this one close to the chest."
Lucius smile fades—he understood this was to be the last time they discussed her, "Mr. Wayne, do I have your word that you aren't trying to incriminate her or use her as bait."
He nodded, "No matter what I discover she will not have to deal with the Gotham Police or any higher authority– you have my word. She'll be safe."
As he left the building, he called a security team to set up surveillance cameras in her apartment. He tapped her phone, internet, and debated if he should have her followed.
Rachel's killer wouldn't slip through his fingers again.
A month or so later was the annual Wayne Enterprise Midsummer nights ball. Holly made such a big deal about it at the last Hackathon—She decided to make Penelope a dress and basically demanded that she go.
Normally, he didn't attend such events either... but this year with the mansion renovations finally complete- he chose to don a summer tux and mingled with the board, the heads of business, and his employees. He thought after the fire people would be wary of parties at his house but I guess everyone likes free booze he thought.
He was standing on the balcony when she walked in with Charlie, and his fiancé - Beverly. She wore a green dress with some sort of matching green lace overlay. She wore a light green headband, heels, and matching belt. Her hair was in loose curls and her lips were covered in her signature red lipstick.
"You normally avoid these events sir," he noted as he removed a piece of lint from his summer grey suit.
"What was that Alfred?"
"You've been spending a lot of time at Applied Sciences recently," he said noting who held his attention… Ms. Garcia.
He cleared his throat and continued to watch her, "Well, it gives me the opportunity to see her code up close and personal, Alfred. I can almost link 5 mob hacks to her. She known as the Black Queen and her tag his happy happy meow meow," he said chuckling.
"Why not turn the information over to Gordon and let him work the case."
"I gave my word to Fox that I wouldn't involve the police."
"But you do know she is a criminal right, Master Wayne?"
"Criminal? The jury is still out. I don't have any proof besides the code. I haven't asked her if she's a member of the hoods? But she hasn't had any contact with them or so it appears yet… her string of code was used at the latest robbery but I don't know when it was acquired. I looked through all of the footage again and all of the members are men. No one fitting her dimensions."
"So, you're at square one," Alfred said as he watched Penelope greet a lanky young man.
"No, she did commit a crime. I have her hacks from CalTech."
"What did she take?"
"Her tuition but then she dropped out – she could've finished. No one knew."
"A pretty thief with a conscience."
"I wonder why she hasn't stolen anything from Wayne Enterprises," a frown came across his face and Alfred leaned over the railing to see what caused it. The same young man spun Ms. Garcia as he led her to the dance floor.
"I think she has but you haven't noticed it yet," Alfred said quietly almost to himself.
Bruce fixed his bow tie and said, "I should greet our guest," as Alfred watched him walk towards the party.
"Alfred,"
"Sir."
"Can you send Beverly – she's with Charles Reese a bottle of our best red and white wine with a note – thank you for rescheduling your lunch."
Alfred nodded. He wondered how long would it take Master Wayne to realize the cause of his new sunnier disposition. Bruce loved a good puzzle Alfred thought but choosing to protect her, going to Applied Sciences weekly, while solving Rachel's murder—was his last great transition, Alfred hoped. Maybe he would leave Gotham with her and they could truly be happy. Martha would've liked Penelope- she brought out a complete Bruce, Alfred thought.
Bruce was continuously stopped on his way to the bar. Two or three songs played and she was still on the dance floor with the same man.
She laughed as the young man spun her around. As they song ended he bowed and she courtesy – they shared another laugh, "Thank you Alex," and she turned to part ways.
Bruce was right there for the next dance, "shall we?"
She smiled.
He placed his hand on her lower back as she rested one hand on his shoulder and the other in his. As his hand held her—he felt exposed- nervous – as if everyone was watching.
"How are you?" She asked
"Having a good time?" he asked at the same time
They let out a lite chuckle as he said, "you first."
"I'm having a good time. You?"
He smiled and brought her hand to his chest, "You look beautiful."
She blushed, "Thank you, senorita de fashionista Holly created this look," she said smiling. "I think she may choose the road less traveled and become a designer. I'm becoming her personal Barbie meets Madonna circa 1987."
"Well, green does suit you," he said loving the colorful way she always depicted a scene.
"What brings you to your own party? I mean isn't that against the rules," she teased.
"I was bored on a Tuesday night and I wanted to have a few friends over," he said mocking his Bruce Wayne Billionaire persona.
She laughs. "Aggh, but your fan club at the bar will have a hard time finding you."
He looked at her quizzically.
"With all that scruff." She said gesturing towards his beard, "I like the scruff, but the models need the press to see you in classic form. Can't confuse the paparazzi."
He chuckled.
"I mean – right now you look like a biblical dude from Oregon who grows his own tomatoes and kale," she quickly laughing at her own joke.
He pulls her closer and guides her slowly across the floor.
He lowered his head to her ear, "I didn't know you were a comedian too," as his lips brushed against her earlobe he felt her body grow tense in his arms.
She turned to him; their faces centimeters apart and pouts, "I thought you knew - I'm a woman of many talents, darling."
"Eclectic surprises. Your 10 minutes hip-hop dance breaks ... is definitely one for the record books."
"You have to do new things... or your brain becomes static. open you mind, music does," she like yoda.
He chuckled and held her close. As the music ended, he looked into her eyes and held her. A new song started and they were still smiling at each other.
"Thank you for the dance," she said when she realized the next song began.
He released her from the embrace and put his hands in his pockets.
She smiled, "have a good night."
"You too," he said.
He talked shop as much as he could, but when the models descended upon him he went to hide. He never really liked the attention before but now –all he wondered was where was Lulu. They said good-bye but he didn't think she would leave so early.
He continued to walk towards the garden when he heard her.
"That isn't the reason."
"I want you around but when you are here with me your aren't and right now... what I want is what you can't give."
"I mean your not here... I invited you and you couldn't dust off a suit and show?"
"It's not about that"
"But" she began
"This is why we've been over for a year already."
"Maybe we should and it should start now."
"I'm going to hang up now, because I'm at a party having fun."
Her phone rang again and she looked at it for a while then sent the call to voicemail and promptly powered down her phone.
She sat in the garden lit by paper lanterns with her shoulder slumped slightly defeated.
She exhaled a deep breath and tried to sit up taller.
He walked towards her as he asked, "Was that Mr. Dying Without You?"
"Geez, you've mastered lurking in the shadows, Mr. Prince of Sneakiness."
Defensively he started, "I was coming out for air and I"
"No, it fine – yes that was Mr. Dead Roses. I now understand why you should never date your best friend – when you break up it is always a surprise to someone and you can't ever really be friends again without relationship angst hovering over you."
She stood up, "so you should never date your best friend," she said as if she was revealing the meaning of life.
"Sometimes you have to ripe the Band-Aid off completely."
"I know," she said taking off her headband and running her hands through her hair, "but it hurts, Band-Aids always hurt when they come off."
"But in the end it will be worth it," he said caressing her cheek. He didn't know what made him do that. But the desire to kiss her quickly followed the touch and he thought he saw the same flash of desire in her eyes.
She stepped out of his caress, "who knew you gave relationship advice too. You're like Oprah meets McHottie meets Doogie Houser."
She took a two glasses of champagne from the waiter who probably followed Bruce down to the garden.
"McHottie?"he said smiling… she thinks I'm hot?
"Like McSteamy? McDreamy? Grey's." His smile faded… what's Grey's?
She took a big long sip; finished the bubbly; and passed the glass back to the waiter, "In that big mansion you don't have a television." She started to head back to the party as she continued, "Do you really just date Victoria Secret models, buy hotels, and try to solve code problems?"
She stopped to see his reaction to her question, when she was greeted by an unreadable smile that lit his eyes, she added "I mean that's what they say… I added the code part."
"Is it?" he said as he stepped closer to her. Their bodies were now inches apart.
"Crap, you never repeat idle gossip to the .. the y'know," she said gesturing towards him. She finished her champagne quickly and passed Bruce her glass, "I've had enough fun tonight – I should head home."
"I can give you a ride."
"No," she shook her head to emphasize her answer, "you should stay and have fun at your party."
"I'd rather make sure you got home safe then listen to people pontificate my greatness."
"And here I thought you had a small ego."
She linked arms with him as they exited the garden.
"I'll accept the ride if—I get to play DJ."
"Sure."
She slide in the small fancy sports car and fastened her seatbelt.
"Where to," he asked even though he already knew where she lived.
She gave her address and turned on the radio and Free Fallin by Tom Petty was beginning.
She took her shoes off and put he toes out of the window.
By the time the chorus arrived Penelope was ready to sing.
A few songs later they were at her house.
He hopped out of the car and was by her door within seconds. He took the shoe out of her clumsy hands and slipped it on her foot.
"I can do it," she said as he held her calf and placed the other shoe on her foot.
"Done," he rose and held the door open waiting for her to exit.
"Thank you for the mini-concert," he said as he rested his hand on her lower back.
"I just really like Tom Petty—sorry – I know, I have a horrible voice," she said as they walked to the door.
Once they arrived to her stoop, "No, it just and acquired taste," he said smiling down at her.
She opened her tiny purse and looked for her keys, "You can put a nice spin on anything."
She blew her bangs up as she continued to look.
When she found them she dangled them in the air.
"Thanks for the ride. I think you have about 2 thousand more people to drop off. Now, I can see why you sit out these type of events."
He brushed the bangs out of her eyes and said, "You definitely minored in comedy."
"Comedy is really about the art of pleasant surprises and universal truths."
"Really," he asked trying to figure out a way to prolong their conversation— prolong this moment.
She stood on her tippy toes and her lips touched his. She meant for it to be a quick brush of lips but he immediately stepped closer and drew her in by her waist. He tilted his head and began to kiss her bottom lip—alternating between light kisses and sucking. When his tongue began to taste her she pulled away. She kissed his cheek by his ear and murmured, "A pleasant surprise quickly followed by a universal truth. Now this is much better than dropping off Lucius in the burbs."
"Much better," he said as his eyes focused on the object of his desire. He claimed her lips again as his hands cradled her face. She gasped slightly as they explored each other through the kisses. She tasted of champagne and berries and her mouth was warm and made of the softest velvet. He moaned as he pulled her closer to him so her body was fully pressed against his. He nibbled on the bottom of her lip waiting for his heart to catch up with his breath. He rubbed his nose on hers in a slight eskimo kiss before he started to kiss her slowly and rhythmically. His tongue explored her mouth leisurely as his hands gripped her hips. A moan escaped her lips as she wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him in closer. She placed a hand on his cheek as she kissed him back – trying to match his vigor.
He began to kiss her neck and she broke apart from him.
"I think the line is getting insane for rides and if you give everyone this kind of service I'd imagine that you won't get home till dawn."
And in that moment he fell for her, even if his head didn't know it.
Six days later, He was at Applied Science wrapping up his meeting with Lucius.
"I think I've seen you more in the past month than I have since I've known you."
Bruce laughed as he looked for Lulu.
"Lunch with Charlie I think? Or Alex" Lucius said smiling – he liked the budding romance between the two.
"Alex,"— Bruce said wondering out loud
"an engineer," Lucius teased, "you do know we have 7 other techs in addition to Ms. Garcia and the 3rd floor is filled with engineers."
Instead of giving Lucius the signature stop thinking about my romantic life look a bit of crimson crept into his cheeks.
"Charles is engaged to Beverly, she's a nice woman," he said absentmindly. He couldn't stop thinking about her or the kiss. He tapped his lip when he saw them get off the elevator.
Their arms were linked and they were laughing, if he didn't know Charles was engaged his annoyance would've surfaced.
"That burger was amazing. We can't tell Holly at movie night – I am trying to be a vegetarian but damn that was pretty freakin good."
"I think I need a nap. At my old job, the PR girls used to sleep underneath their desk and I never understood why but now I get it," Charlie added.
"God, a nap would be as delicious as that milk shake, but I," she said plopping down on her chair "—I could use a latte."
"We need a cappuccino machine on this floor—stat," she reiterated as if she was on a hospital procedural drama.
"There's one on the executive floor? want to get one?" Bruce interjected surprising the two.
"King of the sneakiness," she said once the surprise wore off.
"Or would you rather go across the street and get an iced caffeinated beverage?"
"Iced caffeinated beverage?" she poked fun at him.
"Sure," she said with a slight hesitation—"Charlie?" She said inviting him—but Charlie was always weird around Bruce; awkwardly he said, "Iced double cap."
She glared at Charlie and grabbed her ID. He knew she was inviting him and opted out.
They walked to the elevator in silence.
When the door closed she watched the numbers descend.
He looked over at her, watching her, watch the numbers.
She looked over at him quickly, bit her lip, and returned to watching the numbers.
He never had to chase a woman—in his 31 years—they all just came to him or wanted him. But Penelope was a runner—and he didn't have a pair of sneakers.
"I called you," he began when she interrupted him.
"I know—I've been really busy," she paused and he could see her wheels turning, "I texted you," she said as if that was equal to returning his call.
"You texted," he said, she returned his call when she was inspired with a text—or an emoticon asking wassup.
"I'm helping Holly with her applications and planning college visits. Summer is the time to do those things," the words rushed out of her mouth as if it was a race—a nervous race, "I'm helping her practice for the SAT's and that so time consuming you know—words that you have to know that you will never use again. I mean I did pretty well on my SAT's but helping her is like re-learning words that I forgot I didn't need. And the math, I mean that's the part that still comes naturally if I do say so myself. I always loved math there is a right and a wrong. No interpretation and debates. "
The elevator door opened and they exited.
"Unless that is… you get to the higher echelon of the mathematical process—then, yes there are debates and logic test."
"Its just dinner," he said murmured as he listened to her ramble on.
"And look I used echelon—a word we were practicing," she said as he held the door for her.
"Lulu, it's just dinner," he repeated
"Not with you – everything is over the top and sparkly and even though I love sparkles… over the top isn't my thing and my life is getting simplified and I want to keep it that way. I mean a picture of us made it into the paper, from the mid summer night thingy – and I don't want to be in the paper or known as one of your girls."
"One of my girls?" he asked aloud pondering what that even meant. He did have a rep but most of it was old or false.
"Dinner is Dinner," he said crossing the street with her— "and I think I'm being relatively normal I'm not sending you hundreds of roses, chocolates, or gifts— but I can—I could…"
"Shame me into a date?"
He opened the door to the coffee shop but blocked her path in, "If I remember correctly you kissed me."
He leaned in and whispered, "You like me and," he said stepping out of the way, "dinner seems like the next step."
She blushed and walked past him, "two iced cappuccinos please," she said to the barista, "one double iced cap."
"I'm used to getting what I want and dinner with me isn't as bad as you heard. I don't bite," he said smiling at her with a challenge in his eyes.
"Good one," she said laughing.
He paid for the drinks and they headed out the door.
"Bruce," she began and he could hear her brain laying the logic foundation for declining his invitation.
He looked at her and took a sip of his drink, "Friday at 8." he informed her – he tried to act as if he was talking to the board and not a bundle of nerves. Penelope liked saying no, he thought. But he held her gaze and prayed.
"Fine, bossy pants," she said smiling "dinner Friday."
That was the first time he prayed in a while.
Friday rolled around sooner than normal. She called him several times that day to cancel and he refused to answer.
He came to her door promptly at 8, she was wearing her black yoga skirt, a white tank top, and leopard wrap sweater shirt.
"You look beautiful," he said, "But I think you're dressed a bit too casual for the Le Gamin" he said as he walked in.
"I tried to call you," she said as she tightened the wrap around sweater and the knot holding it together, "I was trying to tell you that I can't go tonight—I have some work to do and I'm a bit tired and…"
He was staring at her with such intensity that her excuses didn't work. She smiled awkwardly and looked at her feet.
"Canceling? It's rude to cancel last minute. Why?" he said passing her flowers that she quickly laid on the console.
She sighed, "You are a great guy and maybe it's.." She smiled awkwardly as the cliché she was about to say froze in her mouth as she looked into his eyes. Tell the truth she urged herself.
"I was in a relationship with a man for 6 years. I thought that –" she paused, "he was my everything and we were like homeward bound," she shook her head, "but, then we weren't. We are over and I don't regret it. See, my heart knows it," she said looking at her hands fidgeting, "But in my head we're not—I think about him and I worry about him and he wants us to get back together but – he's not healthy and I'm not ready. I'm not ready for a relationship and I thought I could be ready for a simple date but then someone calls me and asks about him and I unravel."
"I'm sorry," she whispered, "but, even if I put on the pretty pink dress and did my hair I wouldn't be on the date—he would still be in my head."
He walks over to her; they are now inches apart; and he touches the ends of her hair.
"You are an amazing fun woman- who is the walking personification of a rainbow. You try to kick my ass in every hackathon and are unfortunately, a doctor who lover – and trekie. You're beautiful and I know who ever this guy is – is kicking himself to let you slip through his hands. But even though he feels like he's still with you" – he looks around the room, "he's not."
He leaned in to whisper a secret, "He is in your past like breakfast."
She laughed, "are you trying to be hip?"
"He's like a puddle evaporating on a summer day. You can focus on the diminishing puddle or you can take in the sun. Close your eyes."
And she did.
"Now, would you rather watch that puddle at your feet or stare off into the clouds basking in the sun."
As her head tilted up he had his answer.
He lowered his mouth to hers and began to kiss her deeply, nibbling on her top lip as his hand played with the nape of her neck, his signature move. She stood on her tippy toes and caressed his cheek as she kissed him back which sent a bolt through his body. This was new he thought, his fascination got the better of him and he deepened the kiss and they were lost in the imaginary sun. His heart was summersaulting as his body craved more, he was touching the skin on her waist which sent shivers to his spine. He hadn't planned on reacting to her like this – he hadn't planned a lot of things this month but he just seemed led.
As their lips parted, "are you thinking about him now?"
She was breathless and she looked up at him in wonder.
"No."
"Night, Lulu."
He went home and couldn't help himself he turned on the surveillance monitors. She was sitting at the counter drinking a tequila gimlet—he learned that was her favorite.
He took of his shirt and drank a glass of water as he watched her pace in the kitchen.
What was she planning, he wondered.
He removed his sock and shoes and was procrastinating on a hot shower and a night on the roofs of Gotham.
She picked up her phone and then put it down.
She circled it like a tiger and then she picked it up again.
This time she clicked a few buttons and to his surprise his phone rang.
The next day they had brunch, which turned into a movie at the mansion, which turned into dinner with Holly and ended with him on the top of GPD talking with Gordon, GPD discovered a card at the last robbery, The Joker. I guess he came out of retirement.
But Holly was doing great and in my world all was ok – I mean my biggest problem was my love life – which seemed like nothing. Jack nonetheless hated Bruce because he was everything we were against this opulent lifestyle and disregard for the poor or so he thought.
The first time he met Jack as at a Holly's Birthday BBQ.
It was hard juggling batman, the hoods, the joker, the mob, and Lulu. She noticed his absence but never called him on it because they weren't serious. He spent every free moment with her but there weren't many of those. He patrolled the streets every night from 11 onward and slept in most days when he wasn't asleep in conference meetings. He took her to lunch but felt bad that their dates were always cut short. They couldn't do normal dates because she had the no photo rule so they often went to his house and ate dinner with Alfred then made out like teenagers watching movies they've already seen. At 1030pm, something would come up and he or Alfred would take her home.
She never asked why he always left at the witching hour and he was grateful most of the time but slightly frustrated too because he wanted more but didn't know how to get it. He was always better lurking in the shadows then actually living his life.
So he found himself with an apron on surrounded by high school seniors grilling meat. When Lulu asked him to be the grill master he said yes just because he wanted to spend time with her but he never cooked anything in his life really… So Lucius and Alfred showed him how to be a grill master – it was all about timing. Something he understood.
He walked into get more tea for the young adults when her heard a man ask Why so serious? His heart stopped. The last time he heard those words the Joker had a knife to Rachel's throat. He was paralyzed… just like Crime Alley.
Jack he heard her say. "What's wrong?"
"I need you – can I come in?"
"It's Holly birthday – we're having a party. Now isn't a good time."
He took her hand and tried to pull her out the door, "I want to marry you—let's go to Vegas. I love you and need you – come," he said kissing both of her hands.
"Jack," she said lovingly as she took her hands from his and touched his face, "Calm down darling. Take a deep breathe"
"Come on," he pleaded.
"Hey, look at me," she said calmly, "you're hot and sweaty."
"You make me hot and sweaty," he looked at her intently, "I need you. The next time we make love we have to be man and wife. I decided that this morning. I told my girlfriends - I'm off the market."
His pupils danced as he asked, "Can I come in?"
She let him in and he noticed the party festivities, "We can't be friends—but you can adopt these little ankle biters. Speaking of which…how is Holly doing?"
"I just told you it's her birthday." She tilted her head, "Are you ok?"
"Peachy," he said as he called for Holly like she was a cat.
"Here Holly, Holly,"
"Here Holly, Holly," he said too sweetly.
"You're not going to ruin her birthday,"
He scoffed, "She ruined us y'know. We were fine before she came around."
"What you wished we still lived on Hancock – 15 people sharing two bathrooms. We had to grow up."
"This is growing up?" he challenged as he looked around her place.
His mood changed quickly, "Remember our 30 minute dance parties?"
She smiled instantly.
"Yup, you do – do you remember we would go upstairs on the roof and dance to Frankie? You, me, Frankie, and the stars. We would make love under the stars and you'd whisper I love you in my ear and I knew in that moment—what heaven felt like," he said touching her chin, She couldn't help but smile, "Is that a smile I see?"
"No," she said as it became wider.
"I think it is. Oh Pen, I've missed that smile, I've missed that mouth."
He kissed her gently, when he tried to explore her mouth she didn't open quick enough and nipped her lip, the pain was sharp and quick.
"Jack not today." She said stepping away touching her lip.
"What about tonight? I miss the way you feel beneath me. I miss holding you, kissing you. I physically can't be with anyone else—See, I pretend sometimes that they are you. But their hair isn't blond enough, proportions aren't right. Once I found someone who was almost you.. I mean she was 99.5% but her voice was off," he pretends to really think about the imitation and added, "She was too pitchy."
"Does Brucey remind you of me? He's dark and airy—I mean he dates models and women who can barely count and I'm like this blond and brooding type. Maybe we're alike on the inside. Or maybe you've forgotten what I'm like. I don't mind giving you a refresher course."
"Jack are you high? What are you guys doing down there? The hoods weren't about drugs or stealing from the mob—we were about helping the poor."
"Don't you lecture me about what we are? You left us remember," He said in a voice that echoed in the room.
"You left me," he whispered. In a nano-second his demeanor and voice changed to a light playful tone. "I called you last night—I needed you. Your new boyfriend doesn't want to share?"
"He's not my boyfriend," she said exasperated.
"Finally you are acknowledging the facts – despite what the paper's say," he continued to grill her, "Do you really think that you have captured the Prince of Gotham's heart? Ol' Brucey is using you darling—now I can't figure out to what end but I know he is. You're some sort of project or an experiment." He chuckled as she walked to the door
"Wait, you can't leave." She said stopping him, "Jack," she said steadily, "I thought we made progress the other night. We went to Dr. Alice that morning."
"I'd take whatever medicine Dr. Alice doles out if you let me spend the night. Is that clear enough, Penny." He continued towards the door, "since, love isn't enough—maybe if I throw my health into the mix you'll come back."
"Jack," she began
"No, we'll never be over," he looked at her like she was daft, "don't you get it?"
"You can't mix the medication with drugs—you are obviously on something Alice didn't give you. I can't do this anymore."
He groaned, "I love you! I bleed for you but you keep on pushing me away."
"Jack, what are you taking?" she continued to press, "is this a result of the new medicine?" her panic sets it, "you need to go to the hospital." She touched his face hoping to find the answer.
"If I just had you back things would be normal balance would be restored," he murmured.
He rested his forehead on the door by her head. Their faces are centimeters apart, "I want to help you," she said "I do but," he interrupted her with a forceful kiss and she broke away.
"Don't," she said firmly
"Look at me and tell me you don't love me and I'll go," he pleaded
"Look at me," he said shaking her as he knocked her into the doorframe.
"You're hurting me", Penelope said. Those words woke Bruce up from his immovable state. Those were the same words Rachel uttered in the Joker's grasp.
"What's going on here?" he growled as he entered the room, forgetting he wasn't wearing his cape and cowl.
"Looky," Jack skipped, "Its the white knight to save the day- now if it was the dark knight it would be interesting. That would be a worthy opponent."
"Bruce, I'm fine he was just leaving," she said coolly.
He walked over towards Bruce – "I'm going to need you to stop playing house with my -"
"Bruce the coals are going out," Holly said entering the room. She froze when she saw Jack.
"Hiya Rugrat," he smiled a crazed toothy smile.
Holly instinctively stepped closer to Bruce.
"Happy birthday,"
"Now, where I'm from birthdays are the most important day and must be celebrated amongst those you love." Jack took a moment to reflect and added, "fireworks, of'course. Total 4th of July treatment – all the way, rugrat," He chuckled sinisterly.
"I left my sparklers at home but …I did get you something," he pulled out his wallet and passed her a stack of money.
"Don't spend it all in one place," he said turning around ignoring her thank you.
As he headed to the door, Penelope caught his arm as he passed the threshold. "Wait, I can take you to the hospital. I can call Dr. Alice and she can meet us there. Just tell me - What did you take Jay?"
"I'm trying to be good but failing," he confessed.
"Hey – you are getting better and I made you a promise - but you can't runaway."
He smiled, "Do you miss me?"
"I – of'course I miss you," she whispered.
Logically she continued, "I can take you to the hospital and we can get your medicine adjusted."
He chuckled, "I'm just starting to feel normal," he kissed her quickly, "I'll call next time."
"See ya, Brucey"
She watched him go, "Holy smokes he gave me 2,000 dollars!" Holly chirped.
"Holly,"
"I know don't give it back to Amazon," she said as she went to put her present away in her room.
She turned to Bruce a few moments later, "I know we need to talk… but can we do it after the party."
"Sure," he said hoping the past few minutes were a mirage. Her ex can't be the joker - she's in deeper than he thought- and so is he.
As they, cleaned up the party he started talking, "So that was your ex—Mr. Dead Roses."
She sighed, "Today was a bad day. He has them more and more often it seems. But Jack isn't a creepy drugged out ex-boyfriend – he's super smart almost a genius," she said defending him. "He just –"
Not knowing how or where to go next, he wanted to watch the footage from Harvey's fundraising party, run the facial recognition program, dust for fingerprints. He wanted evidence and he wished he could call Gordon, how could he explain this to her. He would need to tell her about being the Batman, the surveillance in the apartment, his suspicions about her and hope for the truth. Yet, he knew criminals never told the truth. But was she a criminal? Was Jack the Joker?
He needed to regroup, "It's late and we're tired. I should head back to," he began.
"But its not even 10 and I," she spills the cooler by accident.
"Frack," she bends down to pick up the sodas realizing she was about to ask him to stay—she didn't want to be alone, but then again they were just a fling, no strings, fun. No demands.
"I have an early meeting with," he began
"Go," she said shooing him with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "We're all done and I'm pooped."
"Tomorrow? Brunch?"
"Sure," she said as they stood up. She shook the water off her hands and he leaned in and kissed her—but, she gave him a quick peck and stepped back; quickly took in the work they completed and assessed what was left.
"Are you sure your alright?" he asked looking directly into her eyes.
"Yes, scouts honor," she said holding up her two fingers in a faux swear.
He kissed her forehead, and she whispered, "Night Bruce."
He was almost out the door, when he realized- he was still wearing his apron. He went back and saw her sitting on the picnic table with her head in her hands. He watched her as he debating what to do.
Holly came downstairs quietly, "she always cries when he visits."
Before he could ask why Holly offered, "he's the closest thing to family she has—her brothers don't talk to her because they blame her for the accident. She told you about her parents car accident right?" She did but no details—he got the details from the background check he ran on her. They died via drunk driver.
He nodded
"Jack is her only family and he is losing it – he's a lot like my dad – unfreakin stable."
Bruce just watched Penelope – he knew what it was like to blame yourself for losing your family.
"Soon it will just be us – when I graduate that is," Holly said eagerly.
He put the apron on the table.
"I'm going," he began gesturing towards Penelope
Holly nodded, "Please," she said emphatically, "I can only get her out of a Jack induced funk by making her watch Ever After or Never Been Kissed after copious amounts of chocolate. You're like her natural chocolate—well, mood lifter. You make her happy."
"But just in case you need help," she reached into the drawer by the fridge and pulled out a small chocolate bar.
He laughed, "armed and ready to go."
"Night," she said as she headed back up stairs.
He walked out to her and sat next to her. He took her in his arms and said, "it will be alright."
"I can't lose him too, Bruce" she sobbed, "I just can't."
He found it hard to find words of comfort knowing that Jack could be the man who killed Rachel. He manipulated Penelope at every turn—its like he knew exactly what buttons to press to make her come undone. Last week it was her brother's birthday now Holly's. He knew Penelope wasn't his girlfriend—but knowing that Jack spent the night brought out a protectiveness… no a possessiveness in him that he wanted to address, No. More. Sleepovers—kisses or whatever else they did when the disappeared to the one room without cameras… her bedroom. Now wasn't the time. He did what he could—he held her and when her tears subsided he carried her to bed.
She curled next to him and he felt at home, until he saw the light signaling for the Batman. He couldn't leave her – not tonight and for the first time since he donned the suit he ignored the call. He watched her sleep and wondered how did she become so important to him. Her honesty, wit, and beauty had him in a trans —he felt like he would never get enough of her and that scared him. What if she wasn't in the clear as he hoped – could he do what needed to be done – he couldn't think of it. Instead he thought of the future - a place outside of Gotham where they could be happy.
He watched her wake-up, it was the cutest thing her nose wrinkled first as if it was trying to smell for breakfast, and then her lips twitched. The twitch turned into a smile and she stretched like a cat. She exhaled and turned left—right into his chest.
"Morning," he said.
"Morning," she smiled and then their location hit her, "what are you doing here you had meetings and…"
"Canceled."
"You didn't have to—where you watching me sleep? That's kind of creepy you know… not cute like in the movies."
He laughed but she continued, "But really, you didn't have to – I'm not a – I don't fall to teary puddles every time he comes around. I just want him to get better- I
"I know," he said, he touched her cheek, "I get it," he said hoping it was true.
He sighed and a smile came to his lips, "I would've made you breakfast—but that would involve calling Alfred and that seemed a bit much since I just learned to BBQ."
"Wait, you didn't know how?"
He shook his head.
"You should've said something – I could've asked Charlie—"
"Nope, I wanted to play the hero," he said tickling her.
"I want to be your hero," he said like a 5 year old boy.
"But I don't need one,."
"Everyone needs saving," he said matter of factly, "Like right now you need saving from the tickle monster"
He tickled her until she was gasping for air, his hands were dancing on her belly as his leg slid between hers—"say it and I'll stop."
"No," she said between giggles.
He started up again and she was laughing uncontrollably
"Ok," she choked out.
"Ok," she said as his fingers stopped their dance and his ears perked up.
"Bruce Wayne is the," before she could finish his lips were on hers. His hair fell playfully on her forehead as he kissed her firmly. His hands made their way up her shirt and began to massage her breast. She moaned as he went to her neck. Another moan escaped her lips as her back arched pressing her breast into his hands.
"Bruce, we should,"
"I agree," he said playfully, "we should stop talking all together," he said as his hands skimmed the top of her panties.
"Ok," she hungrily nodded in agreement, her lips crashed on his pulling him firmly on top of her.
Her ardor was like a fire that spread through his body – once his fingers met her center groaned as each stroke sent shivers through her body. He was delivering savory kisses to her neck and collarbone when her door opened.
"Pancakes or French," Holly began and then sputtered, "OMG, I'm sorry," and quickly closed the door.
Penelope tried to move but he had her pinned.
"We have to get up," she said sweetly.
"No," he protested with a pout.
"No," she said as she cocked an eyebrow.
"Come away with me next weekend."
"Where?" she queried.
"Surprise," he said not even knowing where to go.
"I—" she began to think, "I can't say yes until"
"Well, I can't get up," he challenged as he rested into the pinned position he had her in.
"Holly's," she started.
"Going to Oberlin for a college visit with her class—perfect time for a holiday"
She said propping herself up on her elbows and looked at him with a questioning eyes.
"I just want you to myself," he said with the smoldering eyes.
She smiled at his confession, "Fine Mr. Wayne, but you have to move now—"
"Yes?" he repeated.
She nodded
"Great," he kissed her excitedly and hopped off the bed
She hopped in the shower and when she came out Bruce was wearing one of Jack's T-shirts and making pancakes.
"Can you believe he doesn't know how to make pancakes?" Holly said as she entered the room.
"Oh," she said raising her eyebrows.
"I do now—I'm a quick learner."
"A pancake natural," he flips two cakes with ease.
Then he flipped 4 on a plate for Holly and said, "Call me the pancake master."
The bowl of mix was almost empty – he opened the fridge, "where's the mix?"
They two ladies looked at each other —and they busted out laughing, "you make it" they chimed.
His life was filled with new experiences like bbq-ing, pancakes, and maybe love. He only had a few stolen kisses with Rachel and promises that faded when she met Harvey. What he had with Penelope was new and vibrant – her energy made him feel reborn, rejuvenated, and most importantly happy. As laughter filled the kitchen he felt like he was finally at home.
Thank you for checking out the story! I hope you Dark Knighters are into it... if so ... follow, I have 2 more chapters and it goes to crossover city. The next two chapters delve into the story of them as a couple and then we return to the case... with smaller flashbacks interwoven. If you like please follow and review!
I am still looking for a beta to proof the grammar - if you are into that PM me.
Thanks!