| Subject: Re: With Arms Wide Open chapter 3 |
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Princess
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Date Posted: 12:27:45 01/28/04 Wed
In reply to:
Classic Cowboy
's message, "With Arms Wide Open chapter 3" on 22:14:10 01/05/04 Mon
Wow!!! I just love this story. Please don't make us wait much longer.
>Chapter 3: The Boy Wonder’s Curse
>
>“Let me get this straight.” Bruce growled quietly
>while gripping a coffee mug, “Alfred, Diana came to
>visit me last night while I was asleep. Then you
>happen to decide to show her all my baby and childhood
>photos, and also told her about the time I rode a pony
>through the manor and spray panted the stretch limo?”
>
>“Also the time you decided to come down to your
>birthday party,” Alfred started proudly, “wearing only
>your birthday suit, Sir.”
>
>Bruce’s eyes widened for a moment as he squeezed the
>mug so tightly that it started to crack. “Oh.”
>
>“It’s not like he showed her the picture your mom took
>you when she made you dress up as a girl for
>Halloween.” Tim Drake added from across the table,
>trying to help.
>
>Alfred flinched slightly.
>
>“Alfred… you didn’t…” Tim gasped, “That’s just…
>cruel!”
>
>“Anyway.” Bruce grunted as he stood up, “What’s on the
>agenda for today, Alfred?”
>
>“Resting and healing would be nice.” A voice came from
>the doorway.
>
>“Good morning, Madam,” Alfred greeted as Diana walked
>in, “It’s always a pleasure to see you.”
>
>“What are you doing here?” Bruce growled with his back
>to the heroine.
>
>Diana didn’t even flinch at the obvious snap, which
>amazed Tim. Most girls that hung around Bruce ran for
>the hills when he gave them the 'Bat' glare. Of
>course, Diana wasn't 'most girls.'
>
>Diana simply dropped the bouquet of flowers with a
>‘get well’ card attached on to the table, “Well, I’m
>glad to see you’re up and about again, Bruce.” Diana
>smirked as Bruce cut his eyes around at her almost
>like he was surprised she was still there.
>
>“Who asked you to care?” Bruce asked emotionlessly
>narrowing his eyes at her.
>
>“Who said I did?” Diana retorted resting her hands on
>her hips.
>
>“Proved that when you voted me out of the JLA.” Bruce
>stated in full Batman mode.
>
>“Bruce…” Diana said finally back-stepping, “It… wasn’t
>like that.”
>
>“Yeah, sure.” Bruce growled pouring himself some more
>coffee.
>
>“Bruce… you planed on ways to kill us!” Diana snapped
>glaring a hole through Bruce’s back.
>
>“No.” Bruce stated, “I was planning on ways to stop
>members of the JLA, if one or more of its members
>decide to go rogue.”
>
>“You should know no one would do that.” Diana reasoned.
>
>“Tell that to Hal Jordan.” Bruce said coldly.
>
>“Bruce…” Diana sighed sadly, looking down feeling
>somewhat ashamed.
>
>“Ahem.” Alfred cleared his throat making Diana and
>Bruce turn quickly to him and Tim like they had forgot
>about them being there.
>
>“To answer your earlier question, Master Bruce.”
>Alfred said, “You are invited to the year anniversary
>of the end of reconstruction of No Man’s Land. And I
>might suggest you find a date. Oh how the tabloids
>would attack Bruce Wayne arriving without a the
>company of a woman.”
>
>“It’s kind of short notice, Alfred.” Tim said,
>eyeballing Diana, “Even Bruce would have trouble
>finding a date this late!”
>
>Diana blinked a few times, while Bruce seemed to be
>thinking, “Well, Alfred, what was Nicole’s number?”
>Bruce asked picking up the phone.
>
>“Out of town, sir.” Alfred stated.
>
>“Amanda?”
>
>“On Honeymoon, sir.”
>
>“Whitney?”
>
>“Caught you kissing Amanda, Sir.”
>
>“Sarah?”
>
>“Told you to catch TB and burn in hell, sir.”
>
>“Amy?”
>
>“I’d rather not say what she said to you, sir, most of
>her words are not in my vocabulary.”
>
>During this conversation Tim had his eyes locked on
>Diana, and he could easily see her fists clench, her
>face slowly turn red, and could plainly hear her teeth
>grinding.
>
>“Misty?”
>
>“YOU KNOW, I might be free tonight, Mr. Wayne.” Diana
>growled.
>
>Bruce then turned and looked at her with a look of
>pure shock and perplexed surprise.
>
>If Tim didn’t value his life, he would laugh his head
>off at Bruce’s face, but he knew if he did, he would
>die a slow painful death.
>
>“Diana…you…I…you really don’t have to…” Bruce, the
>world’s greatest detective, stumbled over every word
>as if he had no idea what the hell he was doing.
>
>“What time is the party, Alfred?” Diana asked,
>ignoring Bruce’s rambling.
>
> “Eight PM, Madam.” Alfred informed.
>
>“Ok, I’ll be here around, seven thirtyish.” Diana
>stated looking toward Bruce questioningly, “If that’s
>alright.”
>
>“I… I… I…” Bruce stammered, trying to regain some
>control of the situation.
>
>“See you then, Bruce.” Diana said, winking at Bruce
>and walking out the door.
>
>“I… I… I…” Bruce continued to stammer turning his
>attention to Alfred with a look of shock and a bit of
>fear on his face.
>
>“Very good, Sir,” Alfred said proudly, “You got a date
>for tonight all on your own.”
>
>“But… I… her…she’s Wonder Woman…she’s…” Bruce sighed
>as he set down and placed his hands over his face.
>
>“What about Phantasm?” Bruce said, looking up, “I
>can’t go out on a date and leave her to kill again.”
>
>He then heard Tim’s voice and turned and seen him
>talking on the telephone, “…Yeah that’s right, Dick, a
>date with none other then Wonder Woman! So you will…
>ok… ok… I’ll tell him…yeah… thanks man… I thank you
>and Bruce thanks you, well as much as he’s possible
>for… yeah… hehehe… he might just get lucky… ya never
>know… SHIT he’s looking this way, talk to you later,
>Dick, Bye!”
>
>Tim then nervously walked over to where Bruce was
>setting at the breakfast table, “Ok, Dick said he’d
>help cover the rounds tonight. So don’t worry, Bruce.”
>Tim said forcing a smile, “We got it covered.”
>
>Bruce looked up at Tim and gave him his trademark
>glare, “Just this one time.”
>
>Tim gave a loud gulp, “Yes, sir.” He said fearfully as
>he noticed Bruce’s glare didn’t waver, “oh look at the
>time, I gotta go to school, see ya tonight, Bruce,
>Alfred.” Tim said as he gingerly ran out the door.
>
>Bruce cracked a half smile. “What is it, Master
>Bruce?” Alfred asked, looking perplexed.
>
>“It’s Saturday.”
>
>
>Later that evening, New York City …
>
>“Too revealing,” Diana said as she tossed a dress
>behind her. “Too old lady like,” she said as she threw
>another. “What am I going to wear?!”
>
>Diana then ran from her room and stormed into Donna’s
>room dressed only in her bra and panties, “I need a
>nice dress.”
>
>Donna blinked in confusion, “Really?” she asked
>sarcastically.
>
> “Donna, I’m serious!”
>
>“Ok, Ok, lets see what we can do,” Donna said, pulling
>her sister into the room and closing the door behind
>her.
>
>The former Wonder Girl walked to her closet and looked
>for a moment before turning back to her sister, “Ok I
>have one that’s perfect but … you’ll have to lose both
>of those,” Donna said, pointing to the Amazon
>Princess’ bra and panties.
>
>---
>
>Bruce walked down into the dark dampness of his Cave,
>completely dressed in his formal suit but still
>wrestling with his bow tie. His blue eyes narrowed
>dangerously when he heard the deep cave walls echo
>with loud laughter. He could guess the joke.
>
>Bruce walked toward the massive Computer and the
>gathering of five individuals around the monitor.
>
>“Wonder Woman will have him paralyzed from the waist
>down again, I’m telling you,” Nightwing laughed, with
>his back to the approaching out of uniform Dark
>Knight. “That is if she doesn’t smash his head before
>the end of the night!” He laughed louder just before
>noticing Alfred, Batgirl, Robin, and Oracle had
>stopped laughing and were staring behind him
>fearfully, “He’s … right behind me, isn’t he … damn.”
>
>Nightwing turned to see Bruce standing only a few feet
>from him, “So, ready for the date, Bruce?” Nightwing
>chimed, stepping back toward Barbara as if she could
>protect him.
>
>“Almost,” Bruce stated, giving Alfred a look, and the
>older man walked up and began to tie Bruce’s tie for
>him, “We’ll have a nice little conversation later,
>Dick.” Bruce said, narrowing his eyes on the original
>Robin.
>
>“Least I can dress myself,” Nightwing mumbled.
>
>“What was that, Nightwing?” Bruce asked, once Alfred
>was finished.
>
>“Nothing!”
>
>“Anyway, I want you to spread out, you know the usual
>hot spots. You can decide yourselves who goes where.”
>Bruce said, walking over to the computer and punching
>a few commands, bringing up a map of Gotham with
>various red dots, “Those points are where the Phantasm
>has hit so far. If you see her, do not, repeat do not
>engage her alone. Call for the others and wait, but do
>not let her out of your sight. Understood, if it looks
>really bad, call me.”
>
> “Giving out orders, Commander?” a teasing feminine
>voice called from behind them, causing the four most
>observant heroes in the world to jump in surprise.
>
>Diana stood in the center of the cave giving Bruce an
>official salute she hadn’t used since her days in the
>military. She was wearing a skintight strapless, dark
>blue -almost black- dress that came to the middle of
>her thighs and showed just slightly more cleavage then
>her Wonder Woman uniform. Her long raven hair was
>curled slightly and ran down to the middle of her
>back.
>
> “Holy body paint, Batman,” Nightwing said under his
>breath, causing a smirk from Bruce and Barbara.
>
>“Hey, Robin, eyes up here,” Diana smirked, tapping her
>right temple.
>
>“Oh sorry, Wonder Woman, I was chest staring into
>space. I breast you and boobs have a good time, uh I
>mean …” Robin stammered.
>
>Diana blinked a few moments, almost in awe at the Boy
>Wonder, when Bruce’s glare caused the boy to gulp.
>“That’s enough, Robin.” Bruce hissed, before turning
>to Diana with a shy smile.
>
>“Ready to go, Diana?” Bruce asked, offering his arm.
>
>“When you are, Boobs,” She winked, taken back slightly
>at the sight of his sudden blush.
>
>“All of you be careful, remember if it gets hot, call
>me,” Bruce ordered one last time, before Diana almost
>literally dragged him up the stares.
>
>----
>
>Diana watched in awe as Bruce laughed –Laughed – among
>the dignitaries and moneygrubbers at the celebration.
>It was still surreal to her to hear him laugh, thought
>it was strangely pleasing at the same time. She wished
>it wasn’t just a part of the act but she knew better.
>
>She looked over the crowd and couldn’t stop herself
>from thinking a lot of these people shouldn’t have
>even been physically able to survive the nightmarish
>‘No Man’s Land’. She sighed discontentedly, listening
>to the soft music, and watching the many couples dance
>around the center of the hall.
>
>“Not enjoying yourself, Diana?” She heard Bruce’s
>voice, and glanced over.
>
>“It isn’t the company, Bruce, I assure you,” Diana
>smiled sweetly, “It’s just this is kind of …”
>
>“Dull?”
>
>“Yes, dull,” Diana nodded at the word.
>
>“Well then would you like to dance?” Bruce smiled, but
>Diana also caught the flinch.
>
>“Are you sure you’re able? I mean after …”
>
>“Yes, the skiing accident was bad, but I’m fine,” He
>smiled with a wink.
>
>She gave him a scolding look at the alibi before
>taking his hand, and letting him lead her out on the
>dance floor.
>
>Diana rested her hands on his broad shoulders while
>his came to rest above her hips as the two danced out
>the last of the current song.
>
>As the song ended, Diana looked up worriedly, “You
>sure your up to this?”
>
>“Diana,” He whispered so no one else could hear, “I
>fought back from being paralyzed from the waist down,
>I think I can handle a few dances with a beautiful
>goddess after a rough night.”
>
>“Beautiful former goddess,” Diana corrected, before
>smiling at the next song that began to play.
>
>{Tale as old as time
>True as it can be}
>
>“I love this song, fit the movie so well,” Diana
>whispered as they began to dance again.
>
>“Never thought of you as a Disney fan,” Bruce
>responded, sliding his hands around her waist to rest
>at the small of her back, pulling her closer.
>
>{Barely even friends
>Then somebody bends
>Unexpectedly}
>
>“There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” Diana sighed,
>bringing her arms around his neck, and resting her
>head on his shoulder as they slow danced. “Besides,
>this also reminds me of some other people we know?”
>
>{Just a little change
>Small to say the least
>Both a little scared
>Neither one prepared
>Beauty and the Beast}
>
>“I guess,” Bruce smiled into her hair, “But if anyone
>else calls you a beast, I’ll knock their block off.”
>
>“Charming,” Diana sighed, resting her head on his
>broad shoulder as they danced.
>
>{Ever just the same
>Ever a surprise}
>
>Diana couldn’t help but feel as though she was dancing
>on autopilot. She sighed deeply, basking in the
>feeling that came from being in Bruce’s arms. It was a
>warm safe feeling she hasn’t felt in a very long time,
>not since Steve died. If only this wasn’t an act to
>protect his secret, his plan.
>
>{Ever as before
>Ever just as sure
>As the sun will rise}
>
>Bruce danced, though his mind was in an internal
>battle, the Batman was arguing to end this quickly, it
>was getting out of hand, while Bruce Wayne was lost in
>what he hasn’t felt since Andrea Beaumont. ‘Stop it,’
>his inner voice scolded. ‘Do you want her to end up
>like your parents? Jason? Or worse yet Andy?’
>
>‘Would it hurt to try?’ the other part of his mind
>responded, ‘She’s already proven stronger then Andy,
>she’s already proven stronger then you.’
>
>{Tale as old as time
>Tune as old as song}
>
>Bruce glanced downward, just as Diana looked up and
>blue locked with blue.
>
>{Bittersweet and strange
>Finding you can change
>Learning you were wrong}
>
>They stopped dancing to the music at the exact same
>time, almost as if each other’s gaze entranced them.
>
>{Certain as the sun}
>
>Bruce leaned toward her as she slowly closed her eyes,
>while ignoring the voice in his mind that has screamed
>about ‘the plan’ since he was eight. ‘Feels good to
>ignore that damn thing,’ Bruce thought before his mind
>shut down from his lips making contact with Diana’s.
>
>{Rising in the east
>Tale as old as time
>Song as old as rhyme}
>
>The two pulled back and looked at each other as if
>they were teenagers who just shared their first kiss.
>“You’re a pretty good kisser, Your Highness,” Bruce
>finally smiled.
>
>“You aren’t bad yourself, Mr. Wayne.”
>
>{Beauty and the Beast}
>
>As the song ended, Bruce flinched slightly, but set
>himself quickly. He had hoped Diana hadn’t caught him,
>but when he looked he saw her blue eyes staring at his
>hand gripping his injured side. “I’m ok,” he answered
>her unspoken question.
>
>“It is getting late, Bruce,” Diana said helping him
>stand upright, “I never really cared to stay in crowds
>for long anyway. Others are already leaving so I think
>we should follow suit.”
>
>“I’m in no condition to complain,” Bruce sighed,
>rubbing his sore side.
>
>The two walked out of the hall and waited for the
>valet to bring Bruce’s sports car around. “So we
>headed for home?” Bruce asked as the Viper pulled
>around.
>
>“Actually, Bruce …” Diana started with an unsure
>voice.
>
>“What is it, Diana?” Bruce asked worriedly.
>
>“I was wondering … if you’d … you’d take me … to meet
>… them?” Diana asked carefully.
>
>----
>
>Robin looked over the edge of the towering building in
>the warehouse district of Gotham City. There was a
>report of a meeting of crime lords in a warehouse
>across from Robin’s position, and Oracle had
>instructed him to stake it out. “I can lead the Teen
>Titans,” Robin sighed, letting his cape wrap around
>himself, “but I can’t take on Bruce’s one armed ex.”
>
>He then narrowed his eyes as he saw motion in the
>alley between the warehouse and the neighboring
>building. “I’ll show Bruce I got what it takes once
>and for all,” Robin said as he pulled his grapple gun.
>
>The Third Boy Wonder swung down over the alley, then
>flip jumped down into it. “I know I saw someone,”
>Robin said, finding the alley deserted.
>
>“You are not the Batman,” A deep voice said
>disappointedly.
>
>Robin narrowed his eyes, and eased into a fighting
>stance, “Who’s there?”
>
>“Robin, your angel of death awaits …”
>
>Robin barely was able to dodge the Phantasm’s slash
>from behind. “Maybe I should’ve called the others
>first,” he mused as he brought his staff up to meet
>Phantasm’s blade arm.
>
>Robin spun his staff around and swung it at the
>skull-masked murderer, but Phantasm brought her claw
>up and sliced his staff in two. “Ok, this is going to
>be fun,” He said as he flipped away from the woman,
>before pulling his grapple gun to try to get to higher
>ground.
>
>Before Robin could recoil the gun and pull himself to
>a rooftop, his hand was grabbed by the Phantasm, then
>the sharp blade dug into his shoulder, cutting through
>his Kevlar tunic like it was soft silk.
>
>Robin cried out in pain as Phantasm freed her blade
>from the boy’s shoulder, and watched him fall
>backwards.
>
>The demonic villain then glanced beside Robin and saw
>a massive dumpster. A sinister smile crossed her face,
>hidden beneath the mask, as she picked up the heavy
>dumpster and brought it down forcefully across Robin's
>left leg. Robin cried out. Then she brought her claw
>down across his face, slicing him from his forehead,
>through his mask, across the bridge of his nose, and
>on down to his jaw.
>
>She laughed as the domino mask fell off the boy’s face
>in two pieces. “You will be a message to your master
>…” Phantasm said sinisterly, bringing the bloody blade
>down on the Boy Wonder.
>
>----
>
>Bruce’s sports car slowly drove up to the dark
>cemetery just outside Gotham City.
>
>Bruce glanced over at Diana who staring off into space
>while listening to the news on the radio.
>
>“… Superman stopped a missile attack on the Statue of
>Liberty earlier today. President Luthor assures the
>public there is nothing to fear from the terrorists.
>In west coast news, up and coming heroine heroine,
>Kimberly Possible saved various dignitaries and
>celebrities from billionaire turned terrorist, Senor
>Senior Sr. In local news no word on the apprehension
>of Andrea Beaumont also known as the Phantasm and
>recently escaped criminal Edward Nigma also known as
>the Riddler. Commissioner Gordon reassures that the
>police and the Batman are working tirelessly to-“ the
>news anchor was cut off by Diana switching off the
>radio.
>
>“No need in worrying about work tonight,” Diana smiled
>at him.
>
>Bruce nodded as he pulled the car to the side of the
>old road that went through the cemetery, “We’re here.”
>
>The couple got out of the sports car walked up a steep
>hill, through the garden of polished rocks. They came
>to a large stone with the name ‘WAYNE’ in large
>letters visible from a distance. “Bruce, can I have a
>moment alone with them?” Diana asked, smiling.
>
>Bruce gave a confused nod, and watched her approach
>his parents’ graves.
>
>Diana squatted down, and traced the names ‘Thomas’ and
>‘Martha’ with her finger. “Help me,” She quietly
>begged, “Help me help him let go. I’m not saying I
>want him to stop being the Dark Knight, but he’s
>killing himself. If you love your son, please help
>me.” She glanced back at Bruce just out of earshot,
>but kept her back to him so he couldn’t read her lips.
>“I know you’d be proud of him, he’s a great man, and a
>great friend. Hera bless you both with rest.”
>
>Diana walked back to Bruce silently. “That was a quick
>visit,” Bruce stated, quirking an eyebrow.
>
>“I just had to tell them what a cute baby they had,”
>Diana stated, “You would of made a cute little girl by
>the picture too, by the way Bruce.” She then smiled
>broadly at the blush that covered Bruce’s cheeks at
>the comment.
>
>“Thank you, Bruce,” Diana said seriously, “I’ve had a
>wonderful evening.”
>
>“You’re not going to leave already?” Bruce asked with
>a suggestive look on his face. “I mean the night’s
>still young …”
>
>“Bruce,” Diana smirked walking up toward him, a
>playful smirk on her face, “Would you like a repeat of
>the bank vault?”
>
>“Might find some place more comfortable then the floor
>of the vault this time,” Bruce purred, letting his
>face move closer to Diana’s. Just as their lips
>brushed one another’s Bruce’s cell phone began to
>ring.
>
>Bruce stepped back and brought the phone to his ear,
>“Wayne here.”
>
>“Master B-Bruce,” Came Alfred’s uncharacteristically
>trembling voice.
>
>“Alfred, what’s wrong?” Bruce asked, a feeling of
>dread filling his veins.
>
>“Master Bruce, there’s been an incident …” Alfred
>forced out.
>
>“What kind of incident? Is anyone hurt?” Bruce asked,
>looking into Diana’s now wide and fearful eyes.
>
> “Yes, Master Bruce, yes,” Alfred stated, audibly
>gulping, “It’s Master Timothy sir …”
>
>To Be Continued …
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