Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving

“Master Dick!” Alfred snapped.

“I am helping,” Dick said while hanging a paper turkey in a pilgrim hat on the wall.

“USE A LADDER!” Alfred snapped and Jason mimed.

Kara and Barbara looked at each other and snickered as Alfred staired daggers at Jason.

“I will add your input to the file Mister Wayne,” the woman from the state smiled as they exited the library.

“I am sure I would be considered biased, but I hope my honesty helps Selina’s application,” Bruce smiled.

“Oh,” the woman said looking over and seeing Dick up the wall, “Ahh…”

“That would be Richard Grayson miss,” Alfred said, “He feels compelled to use his experience in the circus to try and give me a heart attack.”

“Of course, the circus orphan…” the woman smiled.

Alfred went and opened the door for her. Kara wanted to laugh. Bruce walked over and rolled his eyes at her and went over to the kitchen. Barbara and Kara looked at each other. Kara went after Bruce.

“What’s up?” Kara asked.

Bruce had gone around the kitchen island and was looking for a glass.

“I need a drink,” Bruce muttered.

“Was it that bad?” Kara asked.

“She is helpless,” Bruce muttered as he pulled a glass out and went looking in the fridge.

“What happened,” Kara came over and asked.

“You know Selina’s sex dungeon?” Bruce asked as he pulled out a bottle of ginger ale from the fridge.

“Of course,” Kara said as she came closer to Bruce, “You know full well that Selina has had Barbara and I over for ‘lessons’ on how to deal with boys.”

“And how to entertain each other,” Bruce added, “Well the state social worker saw it.”

“Oh shit,” Kara gasped, “Any hopes of adopting a kid is done and sunk.”

Bruce poured his glass of ginger ale and sighed heavily.

“No, not at all,” Bruce said as he closed the bottle and put it back.

“What?” Kara asked.

“Selina told the social worker that the room was a play room for cats,” Bruce closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“She actually used that lame an excuse?” Kara asked.

“What is worse,” Bruce said as he raised the glass to his lips, “The social worker bought the line, hook and sinker.”

“HOLY SHIT!” Jason burst out before laughing so hard he fell over.

“Oh no,” Kara put her hands over her face.

Bruce gulped the glass in one chug. Kara looked back at Jason as he rolled on the floor laughing. The thought of him trussed up like a turkey and Selina spanking him came to Kara’s imagination.

*

Barbara and Kara looked down over the Docks. Memories of her first night crashing to Earth plaid in the back of Kara’s mind.

“Are we sure this is where the speed freak is?” Kara asked.

“Yep, this is one of Finch’s secret workshops,” Barbara said, “and this place has been pulling a lot of juice off the grid in the last three weeks.”

“Right,” Kara sighed, “Game face.”

Barbara put her hand on Kara’s shoulder and turned off her coms. Kara did likewise.

“This is where you crashed, isn’t it?” Barbara asked.

“Yes, right over there is where I climbed ashore,” Kara pointed at a ramp into the water.

“Flashbacks?” Barbara asked.

“Yes,” Kara walked over to the side of the roof they were on, “This alley right here is where I met the ‘Shadowman,’ as I thought of him that first night.”

“I remember that…” Barbara smiled, “Come on. Let’s see what the Gearhead is upto.”

Both young ladies turned their commlinks back on. They jumped across to roof of Nathan Finch’s workshop. Batgirl approached the skylight cautiously. It was clear of traps and in the room under it she could see lights on right next to the skylight that would obstruct the ability of the people inside to see up into the night.

Batgirl waved for Oracle to come over. Other vigilante came over and looked down into the workshop under them.

“It is me or is that a painting booth?” Batgirl whispered.

“Looks like some sort of special primer base,” Oracle agreed, “And he needs to use lamps to set the primer base. My guess is he is baking it on overnight. Maybe he will be ready by black Friday?”

“Base, we have eyes on another generation of Gearhead’s supercar,” Batgirl spoke into the commlink.

“Understood,” Alfred’s calm flat response retorted.

“What can you tell about upgrades?” Robin asked over the line.

“Well from the crates over there, looks like he got a hold of a 7.62 Machine gun,” Oracle noted.

“Two in front and one in back on a pop-up remote turret,” Batgirl confirmed.

“Base, start bringing out K-1,” Batman intoned.

“Kay One?” Robin asked.

“What’s Kay One?” Nightwing asked.

“Oh you will see,” Alfred noted.

“That scares me,” Batwoman commented with actual dread in her voice.

*

Kara looked at herself in the mirror, she had tried to dress normal, but cute. This was a date with a vanilla non-hero after all. The black turtlenecked sweater dress covered everything down to the mid thighs, where her bright orange cotton leggings warmed her legs as they tucked into the black leather over the knee boots. Her black leather purse hung from the gold chain on her shoulder.

“Ah, Miss Wayne! What a pleasure to see you again,” the greeter for the restaurant came back to the podium, “Are you ready to be seated?”

“Actually, I am waiting on someone,” Kara blushed.

“Would you like to wait at the bar?” the greeter offered.

“Yes, I could use a drink,” Kara smiled.

She wasn’t going to have anything that could get a human drunk, the excuse was that she drove and would have to be sober to drive home of course. Plenty of men and women looked at her as she walked with the greeter to the bar. She could tell the hint of disappointment at the somewhat baggy nature of her dress rather than the tightly fitted outfits she normally wore. She didn’t want to scare him and had even had to go to Alfred for advice. His advice, was to pull some boots, shoes, leggings, pantyhose and dresses out of her closet and then stand in front of the closet door with his arms crossed. Kara started sorting the items and complained that there was not leather besides the foot wear and no rubber or vinyl. Alfred’s response of that it the idea, stuck with her. She looked around at the others at the bar as the bar tender came over. There were one or two leather jackets, a few with fur trimmed collars, but for the most part everyone was wearing wool, cotton, silk, and nylons. Kara knew that her Kryptonian fashion sense wasn’t as appreciated here as it was back home, but she thought she had adapted it.

“What would you like?” A woman came over behind the bar and smiled.

“A diet coke to start,” Kara smiled.

“Sure thing,” the woman said before stepping back.

Kara looked around again and turned to face the bartender as she came back.

“Quite night?” Kara asked.

“Blame it on the panic from the Scarecrow or blame it on people leaving the city because it is the Tuesday before thanksgiving,” the Bartender shrugged.

“Oh, well…” Kara smiled and pulled a twenty dollar bill from her purse and put it down, “I am sure you can use all the tips you can, put this on my table check.”

“No problems,” the woman smiled.

“Your guests are here,” a waiter came over and smiled at Kara.

“Guests?” Kara asked.

“Right this way,” the waiter gestured.

Another waiter was bringing over a spare chair as Dick was seating Barbara in one and Jean-Paul was standing behind the other, clearly waiting for Kara. The table had been set for three.

“I am sooooo sorry miss Wayne, when you called there was a mix up and it was assumed you would be having dinner with Miss Gordan and Mister Grayson…” the manager said walking up next to Kara.

“It’s fine,” Kara smiled, “Hello Jean-Paul, ah… Do you mind if we share a table with my brother?”

“No, not at all,” Jean-Paul smiled.

Kara and Barbara ended up sitting across from each other with the boys being seated to either side of them and across from each other. Kara had to admit that Dick looked smart in his white shirt and black pants, but the loose hanging green silk tie betrayed his laidback attitude. Barbara was rather nice herself in her knee long grey coat dress. Jean-Paul seemingly went out of his way to try and impress Kara. His black shoes were recently cleaned, his black twill pants and white shirt were clearly freshly dry cleaned and while his black tie clearly had been crumpled and wrinkled, he had taken the effort to iron it. The waiter came over and got drink orders for everyone.

“So you are Jean-Paul,” Dick introduced himself, “Dick Grayson, Kara foster brother and Barbara’s love of her life.”

“Don’t mind captain modesty,” Barbara smiled.

“So, what do you do mister Grayson?” Jean-Paul asked.

“A college student and freelance circus freak,” Dick smiled.

“A ‘freelance circus freak’? What does that mean?” Jean-Paul asked.

“As much as he claims to be a well-adjusted young man,” Kara noted, “When he says he feels like swinging from the chandeliers or bouncing off the walls…”

“He is being literal,” Barbara finished.

“Really?” Jean-Paul asked.

“I grew up in as a start in a trapeze act for a circus,” Dick shrugged, “When the act came to an end, I was adopted by Bruce just like Kara.”

“Take the boy out of the big top,” Barabra said, “But can’t take the big top out of the boy.”

The waiters returned with the drinks. The table ordered their meals. While the waiter was grilling Jean-Paul over how he wanted his steak cooked, Kara leaned in and whispered in Dick’s ear.

“You wouldn’t happen to be wearing a new pair of underwear Barbara got you, would you?” Kara asked.

“That noticeable?” Dick whispered.

“I recognized the snapping sound,” Kara smiled.

“I gets the feeling that you had a hand in this,” Dick muttered under his breath.

“Who else would Babs aske to help her pick out latex lingerie?” Kara smiled.

“I suppose you know she is blackmailing me to wear them,” Dick said.

“Of course,” Kara patted Dick on the head.

“And what would you like miss?” the Waiter asked.

“Linguini with white clam sauce,” Kara smiled, “And a dry salad with a small bit of vinegar on the side.”

“Very well,” That is everyone…

The waiter left. And the two couples went back to talk to each other.

“So how is Gotham treating you?” Kara asked.

“Fine I guess,” Jean-Paul smiled.

Kara could tell it was a nervous smile, the kind where he was lying but didn’t want to worry her.

“Oh? Nothing exciting?” Kara asked.

“I had… concerns about the Scarecrow attack,” Jean-Paul admitted, “But didn’t everyone?”

“Yes, we did,” Kara admitted, “I am glad you have decided to stay. I heard that the company had to offer a lot of people the opportunity to relocate or lose them.”

“I know,” Jean-Paul said, “But Gotham has much less of the crazies in costumes compared to other cities in the US right now.”

“Well with each city getting at least one big an well known costumed crime fighter,” Kara shrugged, “I think they call it Gun-slinger syndrome back in the old west.”

“Gun-Slinger Syndrome…” Jean-Paul started as if he didn’t understand, then something seemed to click, “Yes, I think that is the best way to describe it. With each costumed hero, they attract more costumed madmen.”

*

The four were enjoying their coffee’s and deserts. Jean-Paul turned out to be an excellent conversationalist. She found his fascination with Cybernetic prosthetics systems to be fascinating by itself. Dick had slipped the waiter a credit card a few minutes ago, so there were no questions about who was paying for dinner. But no matter what, there was still the sadness about him.

“How is your sherbet?” Barbara asked.

“Very good,” Jean-Paul smiled, “I don’t think I have had mint sherbet before.”

“It is one of my favorite,” Kara smiled.

“You have good taste,” Jean-Paul said.

*

Kara walked into the cave after having changed out of the sweater dress.

“Don’t tell me,” Bruce said, “Dick and Barbara are heading that ‘cat room’ you and Barbara set up under the Lincoln avenue property.”

“Ahh…” Kara stammered.

“I know that is where he went to put on that fun-underwear that you and Barbara bought for him,” Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose as he leaned back in his chair.

“What? Don’t tell me that Selina hasn’t asked you to wear some fun underwear for her,” Kara smirked.

“The only ‘interesting underwear’ that she has asked me to wear is no underwear and a condom,” Bruce groaned, “She might be a pervert, but we have an understanding.”

“Right, it is Miss Tibetan Assassin who has no respect for anyone else’s opinions. That reminds me,” Kara rolled her eyes, “Jean-Paul mentioned Gunslinger syndrome, he was referencing costumed heroes and the costumed villains.”

“That is exactly why I have insisted we stay invisible shadows and rumors… If anyone could prove that we exist they would invite others to come to Gotham to fight us,” Bruce sighed as he turned to face Kara, “I can give you advice on how to handle dating someone on the opposite side of the costumed divide, but you better ask Selina for advice when someone you are interested in has no interest in your interesting fashion senses or kinky erotic games.”