Inbetween

Chapter One: Where It Starts

I've been thinking about doing this for a while.
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Bruce sighed rolling onto his back, he would regret staying in later. For now he shut his eyes and relished the peace and quiet that was ridiculously rare in his house. His alarm had been snoozed over three times now and he knew sooner or later Alfred would come up and check if he was okay. Even if he didn't want to admit it he really needed a break from everything that's been going on.

Between crime fighting, his enterprise, and his two sons returning to school he had no time for himself or his thoughts. Richard was only a Junior in highschool and Damian was a fifth grader causing a few grey hairs to grow on Bruce's head. Damian had insisted on home schooling, but Bruce had no time for that so he put both his boys in private schools. Only the best for his kids. Richard had agreed without argument which Bruce appreciated seeing how he had a ten year old nagging him most of time.

Bruce rubbed at his messy hair sitting up from his spot. His body ached from all the extra fighting and training he had been doing the day before. The Joker had been giving Batman a hard time lately almost as bad as Damian. He just couldn't catch a break not from his family or his villains. He didn't expect to, but it's nice every once in a while to catch a break from anyone.

His phone started buzzing and he had to stifle the annoyed groan that escaped his throat. He snatched his phone off the bedside table and sighed. It was Clark, of course it was him. Only he could make Bruce's week even more complicated. He swiped the answer key on his phone and waited for Clark to speak.

"Hello..?" Clark sounded too peppy for Bruce's taste.

"Kent." Bruce grunted his voice raspy from sleep.

"Did you forget we have a justice league meeting this morning." Clark hummed, "by the way you're on speaker."

He could hear Wally, Diana, and John in the background shouting their hellos, "I'm aware of that."

"Well don't be late." Kent chimed and if Bruce could punch him right now he would.

"I know." Bruce spat hanging up the phone.

So he wasn't a morning person that much was expected when he had so much on his plate. He scooted to the edge of his bed and stood up. He trudged towards his bathroom dreading the day to come, he seriously needed a vacation. As if he would take one. Bruce stripped off his pajamas and turned on his shower waiting for the water to turn just how he liked it.

He stepped under the water letting the hot droplets fall onto his skin with soft stings. He put his head under the water, steam rising from his body that was now turning a bit red. He lathered his body with soap and rolled his neck back and forth hoping to release some tension from that area.

After cleaning all the soap off his body he shut off the water and grabbed a towel from the rake beside the shower. He wrapped the towel around his waist and wiped at his foggy mirror. The mist from his shower had caused everything in the bathroom to become moist and a bit hard to see. He looked at himself in the mirror and bit his lip a bit surprised.

His eyes had dark purple rings and heavy looking bags under them causing his icy, blue eyes to look darker than usual. His skin seemed lighter than usual also and he could see a small bruise forming on his left cheek. He ran a finger over it surprised that it was already numb. He huffed and turned on the sink water ready to brush his teeth.

A knock on the door gained his attention, "Master Bruce, you're running late for the justice league meeting."

Bruce sighed he hated rushing but he couldn't show up late. Not after giving the Green Lantern grief not even a week ago about being late. He brushed his teeth and exited the bathroom where he spotted Alfred laying out one of his work suits on his bed.

"Sadly sir, you won't be able to change after the justice league meeting." Alfred spoke in his usual calm tone, "you and Mr.Fox have a meeting with Lex cooperation soon after."

Bruce sighed but nodded, "Thank you, Alfred."

"No problem, master Bruce." Alfred smiled walking out the room.

"Yeah, no problem." Bruce muttered.

~*~

Bruce showed up to the Watch Tower with two minutes to spare and a piece of toast still in his mouth. He made his way towards the meeting room where he could he could hear everyone talking amongst one another. He straightened up and swallowed his last bite of toast.

He stepped into the room gaining the attention of everyone in their seats. Everyone was dressed in their super suits, everyone, except Bruce. He only strolled to his seat and sat down raising his eyebrows at Superman who looked like he wanted to say something. John had given Wally a look that Batman knew well enough. One of them was about to say something stupid.

"Did someone forget that heros have super suits or..?" Wally grinned and Bruce restrained himself from rolling his eyes like he usually did behind his cowl.

"I have a meeting after this." Was all Bruce said and then glared at Clark, "so let's get on with this."

Superman cleared his throat and nodded, "A new threat has occurred with Lex Luther once again."

An audible groan could be heard throughout the group and superman sighed, "apparently he's created a machine that can pull other universe's villains here."

"How'd you figure that out?" Bruce raised an eyebrow seemingly disinterested.

"Last night I had to go to an event for an interview and I heard him speaking to someone in a different room." He spoke in an irritated tone now seeing how Bruce was looking at him.

"Good." Bruce nodded.

"Good?" Diana gaped at him, "how is that good?"

"The meeting I'm going to is with Lex Corps." Bruce's thoughts were now kicking into hi-gear as he started planning on a way to attack from the inside.

"Dude, we could follow and then sneak in while you distract." Wally suggested.

"I can disguise myself as a worker and make sure the others get in." J'onn nodded in agreement.

"First off don't call me 'dude'." Bruce glared at Wally, "and Lex is probably heavily guarded which would make it impossible for any of us to sneak in."

The table became silent thinking over what he had just said. He was already forming a better plan as the silence grew longer. Clark sighed and looked up at Bruce.

"I'm sure you have a plan already." Superman deadpanned.

"I do." Batman grinned, "do you own a suit?"