Murder at Wayne Manor

Chapter 20

Gotham; August 23rd, 17:56 EST

The colorful lights of the carnival rides capture my attention as I draw closer, a faint flutter of nervousness beginning to stir in the pit of my stomach. Finding a parking place, I park the car, turning the engine off and drawing a deep breath.

I don't know why I feel anxious about seeing her. It's Diana. I see her every day now that she and J'onn have moved into the manor. We're teammates...close friends. I shouldn't be nervous about spending the evening with her.

But it's Diana.

The flutter in my stomach is now matched by a flutter in my heart that comes with just thinking of her. No other woman has been able to do this to me quite like this or to this extent. It's a remarkable feat in and of itself, one that's a testament to how fully she's been able to breech all my defenses.

The woman hasn't just breeched all my meticulously erected walls meant to keep anyone from getting close to me, but she's pretty much decimated them. She has me under her spell and I find that I never want to break free from it.

Exiting the car, I make my way to the information tent, knowing she'll mostly likely be there. I was hoping that we could arrive together, but she's been working out here all day, helping set everything up and I had meetings most of the day at Wayne Enterprises.

Approaching the information tent, I spot a raven ponytail and glasses. Drawing closer, I notice she's wearing the diamond pendant necklace I gave her. Aside from when she's on a mission, I don't think that she ever takes it off. It means a great deal to me to know how much she loves the gift I gave her. It gives me even more hope that she truly shares these intense feelings I have for her.

"Bruce," Maggie calls to me. "So glad that you could make it."

Diana looks up sharply from the brochures that she's laying out on the table, a smile instantly warming her face as well as my heart. "Bruce, you made it," she greets me.

"Hello, ladies," I suavely reply with practiced charm that comes as naturally to me now as breathing. "How are things going?"

"It's going great," Maggie says. "Diana has been an absolute God-send."

Truer words had never been spoken by anyone, though Pantheon-sent may have been more accurate. I glance at Diana, sharing a knowing grin with her. "She is pretty wonderful," I agree.

Diana shakes her head at my cryptic choice of words, biting her bottom lip to keep from laughing. "I don't know about that," she interjects.

"Now, Diana," Maggie scolds her with a twinkle in her eye that belies her rebuke. "You have been a huge asset. Without you, it would have taken me days to get all of this set up."

Maggie has worked with Leslie at the clinic for over ten years now, helping in whatever capacity necessary in order to make it work. She is a sweet lady with a heart of gold. I'm glad to see that she and Diana have hit it off so well.

"Well, would you mind if I steal Diana away for a while?" I ask.

"You go right head and take her for as long as you want," she replies with a knowing grin. "She's been working herself to the bone without a break all day. Just be careful, Diana. This one here is a real charmer. He's ornery too so watch him."

"Maggie," I groan her name, my hand clutching my chest as I give her a pained look. "You wound me."

"I am well aware of his mischeivious, charming ways," Diana assures her. "He can't get anything past me."