Gotham's gothic Christmas...

With Joker, Riddler, and now “Scarecrow” as people were generally referring to Crane in lock up, a semi-permanent position of “Monitor” had to be introduced. Barbara, with her “Digital Goddess” inclination, had volunteered to cover it more and more. Kara slipped into the alternative cave built into a sub-basement of a building next to Barbara’s apartment building.

“Hay there,” Barbara said from the monitors.

“Is that a gaming chair?” Kara asked.

“No, got it from an office store,” Barbara said getting up.

Kara smiled at the sight of Barbara in her latex gothic Christmas dress of dark green and blood red corset and gloves and stockings. Kara was dressed similarly but, in a blood red latex mini-dress and grey and white marbled latex stocking and gloves.

“Any updates on the prisoners?” Kara asked.

“If Crane wasn’t crazy before,” Barbara said as she finished up, “He is going crazy now.”

“Wonderful news,” Kara rolled her eyes, “What now?”

“His responses to the tests the Arkham and federal evaluators have been getting more and more erratic,” Barbara noted, “Also, Bruce was rather interested when one ‘Amanda Waller’ went to visit him.”

“Amanda Waller is some sort of Federal recruiter for a black ops program according to Bruce,” Kara shrugged.

“Well enough of this,” Barbara said grabbing her purse, “Babs and Kara need to make an appearance at a few clubs now that winter break has started for Gotham Community College. Let’s go sexy.”

*

Kara and Barbara walked into the Batcave and were glad to see Dick was home and down here in the basement.

“Hay there, pretty bats,” Dick said from the parallel bars that he had set up, “What are you two up to?”

“I’m glad you are here,” Barbara smiled, “What is with Project Kettle?”

“I was expecting you to ask me for some sexy poses,” Dick arched an eyebrow, “But I will play along. What is with Project Kettle?”

Barbara cocked her head to the side and put her fists on her hips. Kara looked at her friend and smiled.

“You look cute like that,” Kara smirked.

Dick did a theatrical dismount and came over and put his elbow on Kara’s shoulder.

“The blonde has a point,” Dick said, “You do look cute like that.”

“Command lines were entered into the mainframe under the encrypted code labeled ‘Project Kettle’. It came from your login,” Barbara said.

“Let me guess,” Dick folded his arms across his chest, “The login came from my old porn pad.”

“Yeah about that,” Barbara said.

“Relax babe,” Dick said, “The last entries I put in there were all pictures of you. Jason has it now. So what ever Project Kettle is, it is a Jason plot.”

“Ok so then what is Project Kettlemeister?” Barbara asked.

“Was it spelled with German dots over the vowels?” Bruce asked as he appeared from a hidden area of the cave.

“Yes?” Barbara asked confused.

“Then that would be Alfred’s work. What ever Jason is up to,” Bruce looked up from the paper he was reading, “Alfred is already aware of it and taking countermeasures. Dick take a look at this. Will you and your father be joining us for Christmas Dinner? I know Dick and Kara invite you two already.”

While Dick read the sheet of paper, Barbara wrapped an arm around Kara’s waist and smiled.

“Kara was very convincing,” Barbara said.

“That is funky,” Dick said, “Check this…”

Dick handed the paper to Kara and Barbara. Kara and Barbara read it. It was a short email about the possibility of recruiting Joker, Nigma or Crane for some Federal Program… Only Nigma was recommended for further evaluation, the other two were dismissed out of hand.

“Some one wanted to recruit the Joker?” Barbara asked.

“Seems his was a standard check in a search for a particular type of sociopath for use by black book operations,” Bruce noted dryly, “Think about… How easy would it be for the Government to dismiss the actions of a gang of known criminals when they try to steal a high tech prototype weapon or murdered a high ranking government official?”

“Especially if the US government hands over some wreckage from their attempt to capture the criminals when they entered US territories…” Dick noted, “Unrelated question, where did Kate disappear too?”

“She went to spend Christmas with the remains of the Kanes up in the Berkshires,” Bruce said.

“Aren’t you half Kane?” Barbara asked, “Why don’t they ever come spend time with you here? Or you go there?”

Kara and Bruce looked at Dick.

“They weren’t fans of my chandelier trapeze act,” Dick said calmly.

Barbara arched an eyebrow.

“That and the old timber baron decided the only way to deal with a ‘flying squirrel’ was with a shotgun,” Bruce added.

“Oh…” Barbara said.

“So, we don’t have social visits,” Bruce stated, “Kate and anyone is allowed to come and visit my home, but with the exception of Alfred, your father and his men, everyone else has to leave their guns and gun toting goons at home.”

“Any rate,” Kara said to change subjects, “We ran into Maven and Holly at the club. Selina and her pride are looking forward to coming over for dinner for Christmas.”

“Good,” Bruce said, “Kitirina needs all the help she can get after what happened to her.”

*

Batgirl and Robin stood on the roof of the building looking down into the valley of Eisenhower Street.

“I am telling you,” Robin said, “Those two homeless are looking to mug the drunk office worker.”

“No they aren’t,” Kara said.

“Yes, they are,” Robin reached under his cape.

“Hold on,” Batgirl put an arm out to restrain Robin from action.

The pair watched as the two homeless stood in place as the drunk office worker walked up to them. Kara wasn’t surprised to see the drunk office worker hand each of the homeless people a twenty and they all wished each other ‘Merry Christmas’.

“Take a closer look at the hobo on the left,” Batgirl smiled.

“What?” Robin took out a pair of micro-binoculars and zoomed in, “Wait, is that Tankinson?”

“Yeah,” Batgirl smiled, “Looks like Cash Tankinson is on Undercover Hobo Duty. It seems that GCPD introduced it as a punishment for annoying officers and to catch punks like your former friend from attacking the homeless.”

*

Kara wasn’t expecting this. Alfred asked her to make a pick up and drop off some things in town after dropping Jason off at school. When she pulled up to the grocery store and pulled into the curb side pick up parking spot, she wasn’t surprised to see the young man in the store uniform polo shirt walk up and confirm which order she was here for. She wasn’t surprised to see the young man only holding a tablet. She figured there was a bag of things back in the store.

“Can you please open up your back?” the young man asked.

“Sure,” Kara said as she reached for the control of the SUV.

Looking in her rear-view mirror, Kara’s eyes went wide at the sight of the parade of store employees pushing carts of food towards her SUV.

“What the…” Kara said before looking back at the young man.

“You are Kara Wayne picking up the Wayne order, card ending in 5158, correct?” the Young man said.

“Yes,” Kara said.

“There is your five turkeys, five twenty pound bags of potatoes, Three tofu birds….”

“Ok… go a head and start loading, I need to make a call,” Kara said.

Kara reached into her purse and pulled out her phone, she hit the speed dial button for Alfred.

“Alfred? What am I delivering? Oh… Who’s it for then? Oh… Ok. Why didn’t you tell me before hand? Ok, fine. I will talk to you later,” Kara said before hanging up and turning back to the young man, “Yep, the order is legit, but someone forgot to tell me what was going on.”

“What is going on?” the young man asked.

“It’s Gotham,” Kara said, “Bruce Wayne heard a charity needed help. So, he looked up a Dinner menu and multiplied and ordered it with the butler. And he wants me to drop it off.”

“That’s how we know that Bruce gives a shit, unlike many of the other billionaires,” The young man said, “Luthor’s order with a distributer seems good on the news, but cuts us out. Bruce ordering from us helps the poor and the working stiffs.”

Kara looked in the back at the rapidly filling cargo area.

“I really should shut up and suck on the silver spoon, right?” Kara turned back to the young man, “Really my complaint is, couldn’t they have warned me I was transporting a commercial kitchen?”

“Well,” the young man looked at the receipt, “There is a replacement sink in the order, so you can say you hauled everything including the kitchen sink.”

*

“Sorry I am late,” Kara said as she adjusted the skirt under her.

“That is fine,” Jean Paul smiled, “I hope you don’t mind I ordered a regular pizza for us.”

Kara smiled. She could tell others were looking at her, somewhat disappointed by the rather bland outfit she was wearing. She was wearing black leather leggings, winter boots, a flared knee skirt in green wool, and a red wool turtleneck sweater. Kara noted that Jean Paul wasn’t looking her over, but looking right at her face.

“A cheese Pizza is fine,” Kara smiled, “What do you think of my outfit?”

“Christmassy,” Jean Paul noted.

“Thank you,” Kara said, “How is work?”

“It continues,” Jean-Paul said, “Working on prosthetics is not the most glamorous job, but it is most satisfying when you see the end results.”

“So, what are you doing for Christmas?” Kara asked.

“I was going to midnight mass,” Jean-Paul said.

“Are you spending it with anyone?” Kara asked.

“Not really,” Jean-Paul said as he took a sip of his glass of water.

“Why not come have Christmas Dinner with us?” Kara suggested.

“I don’t want to impose,” Jean-Paul arched an eyebrow.

“Nonsense,” Kara said, “Jason already invited a few of the kids that live at the school.”

“I couldn’t,” Jean-Paul noted, “Christmas is a time for you to be with your family…”

“And you shouldn’t be alone on Christmas,” Kara countered, “If you are worried about ruining our plans, don’t.”

*

Bruce sat looking up at the painting over the mantle. It was a position that he often could be found in when he was contemplating something important.

“Don’t stand there like a pack of wraiths,” Bruce pronounced, “Come in and speak your mind.”

“So,” Dick stated as he walked into the room, “Since Barbara and Papa Gordon, Selina and her pride…”

“Kara invited Jean-Paul Valley to have Christmas Dinner with us,” Bruce cut Dick’s rambling off.

“Yes,” Kara said feeling rather sheepish.

“Very good,” Bruce said without moving, “Was there anything else?”

“Wait, you are aren’t mad?” Jason asked when Dick took his hand off the red head’s mouth.

“Not in the least,” Bruce noted calmly.

“Ok, so what are you contemplating?” Kara asked.

“Think, Thank, Thunk,” Bruce said dryly.

“Think?” Dick started.

“Thank?” Kara continued.

“What?” Jason asked.

“It was an old trivia Game Show from years ago,” Alfred said as he entered the room, “Master Bruce, a news article of interest. It was a popular for a few years on a children’s television network during the day.”

“This will piss of Selina,” Bruce noted, “Especially since she has an iron clad alibi.”

“What?” Dick asked.

“A rather old and valuable cat statue was stolen while Miss Selina was in the company of Master Bruce and myself as well as a few hundred other guests of the Covenant Restaurant,” Alfred noted.

“Let me guess,” Dick said, “The folks upstairs think Selina committed the crime.”

“It hasn’t reached their notice, yet,” Bruce noted.

“I can imagine Selina getting all hair standing up and hissing catty about this,” Jason noted.

“Maybe you two should switch names,” Kara pointed at Dick and Jason.

“Alfred,” Bruce said calmly, “What is for dinner tonight?”

“I have prepared a nice hearty lamb stew for this rather chilly night,” Alfred said with a smile.

“Well, let’s wash up and have dinner,” Bruce said as he got up.

*

“Twas the night before Christmas,” Nightwing called over the open channel.

“And I am freezing my ass off!” Robin replied.

“Can the chatter,” Batman intoned.

“Humbug to you too,” Batgirl murmured.

*

“Twas the night before Christmas,” Joker sang to himself, “And all through the asylum, everyone was screaming, even the mouse!”

“That isn’t helping patient J,” Harley Quinzelle stated as she looked up from her notes.

“It most certainly is not,” Doctor Strange intoned, “Christmas is a very emotional time of year for anyone, and mocking the enhanced pain of your fellow patients doesn’t help anyone.”

“It’s not meant to help,” Joker snickered, “It’s meant to be hysterical.”

*

“Crane! Step up to the bars,” Detective Bullock called.

Crane got up from the bed and put down the book he had been reading and walked over to the cell door where the large detective stood.

“How can I help you detective?” Crane asked meekly.

“You can’t, but just say ‘thank you,’ and ‘Merry Christmas,’ ok?” Bullock took out a chocolate and peppermint candy and handed it to Crane.

“Thank you detective,” Crane took the candy, “Merry Christmas.”

“Yeah Merry Christmas…” Bullock turned to leave.

*

Kara wondered what else was going to happen… When they had called it and came home from patrol last night, Dick found Kori sleeping in his bed. Kori thought he and Bruce invited her to spend Christmas with them… Bruce said nothing and Kara noticed that Jason had slinked off. She wondered again about “Operation Kettle” and what it was.

“This is cool,” Bruce looked at the ornament, “Thank you Dick.”

Bruce got up and walked over to the Christmas tree and hung up the ornament.

“He worked very hard on it,” Kori said.

“You know,” Bruce smiled, “Last week I was asked what my children get me since I already have everything.”

“Oh?” Kori asked.

“Well everything but a sense of humor,” Dick noted dryly, “But you can’t buy one of those…”

“Otherwise, Master Bruce would have several,” Alfred noted as he entered the room with a cart of breakfast pastries.

“I hardly need a sense of humor when I surround myself with comedians,” Bruce noted, “Open yours Alfred.”

“Yes, Alfred,” Kori beamed.

Alfred and Jason both arched eyebrows as they shot looks at the red-haired alien princess seated with Dick.

“Very well Your Majesty,” Alfred noted calmly.

Bruce reached down and picked up the box labeled “To Alfred, from Dick”. He turned and handed it to Alfred as he went to the cart.

“Where is the, ah Blueberry,” Bruce muttered as he picked a danish.

Alfred opened the box and pulled out small glass globe with lighted base. He looked it over and looked at the various points on the globe.

“The Stars of the Orion Arm,” Alfred noted calmly, “Thank you. It is a most wonderful gift Master Dick, Your Majesty.”

“Who’s next?” Dick asked.

“Jason’s,” Kara said as she went over to the cart.

“Everyone around here wants for not,” Bruce said as we went back to his seat, “So the tendency is find a yearly moment for each of use to remember the year, it’s events, and our time together. At Christmas, it is natural to make or have made a custom Christmas Tree Ornament.”

*

There was a commotion outside as it was getting to be time for Christmas Dinner. Bruce, Kara, Dick, Jason and Kori went to the main hallway. The first in the door was Kitirina Falcone, followed by Selina, Holly and Maven.

“Hello, welcome, Merry Christmas!” Bruce said with a broad smile.

Selina walked up to Bruce and gave him a kiss.

“Merry Christmas,” was repeated by everyone as they shook hands.

Raven tried to sneak in after Selina’s pride, clearly not comfortable in the Christmas Dress she was wearing.

“Hello miss Roth, Merry Christmas,” Bruce gave a genuine smile rather than the floppish over performance, “Come in, Jason will want to see you.”

The black haired goth girl was followed by the long haired blonde man in a white button down shirt, black pants and black wool coat.

“Mister Valley, Merry Christmas! Come in. This is my friend Selina Kyle,” Bruce kept his tone pleasant and even.

“Merry Christmas Mister Wayne,” Jean Paul said.

“Please call me Bruce,” Bruce said.

“Jean-Paul is fine,” Jean-Paul quietly murmured.

(Do you Speak French?) Selina asked in perfect Parisian French.

(Somewhat, I have been living in America for years without anyone to practice with,) Jean-Paul responded in his own dialect.

“Quebec,” Selina’s eyes narrowed, “Well no one is perfect, welcome! (Merry Christmas!)”

“Selina be nice,” Bruce said, “Not everyone learns French in a Parisian Fashion House.”

“Bruce!” Barry Allen said as he and Iris walked in the open door.

“Barry, Iris, Merry Christmas!” Bruce’s smile became the fop act.

“So lovely to have you,” Selina kept her smile.

Diana walked in followed by Lois and Clark.

“Diana, Lois, Clark… Merry Christmas!” Bruce greeted the guests.

“Seasons Greetings Bruce,” Diana said handing Bruce a mace, “A gift for you. The symbol of the authority of justice.”

“I know a perfect spot for this,” Bruce said taking the mace.

“So nice to meet you your majesty,” Selina said throw a clenched smile.

“Bruce, it was so nice of you to invite us,” Lois said as she came in.

“Here is a little something, Ma made it especially for the family,” Clark said handing Bruce a Fruit Cake.

“Merry Christmas Clark, Lois, you know Selina, right?” Bruce kept up the foppish smile.

“Of course,” it was Lois’ turn to force a smile.

Bruce remembered how Catwoman had humiliated Superman and Lois two summers ago.

“It was so nice of you to invite us,” Clark smiled as he walked to Selina, “Merry Christmas miss Kyle.”

Then in walked in James Gordan and his daughter Barbara. The pair looked at Bruce and then looked at each other and then arched an eyebrow and walked up to Bruce. Barbara put a small wreath over the mace and on Bruce’s wrist.

“Merry Christmas Bruce, Miss Kyle,” James said with a smile.

“Merry Christmas Mister Wayne, Miss Kyle,” Barbara smiled, “Where is Dick?”

“Down the line,” Selina smiled, “Merry Christmas.”

“Anyone else?” Bruce asked Selina.

“One second,” Selina said as she went and checked the door, “Clear.”

Selina closed the door, and walked next to Bruce.

“Excuse me, I am going to kill Jason,” Bruce said throw the forced smile.

Selina looked at Bruce’s hands.

“Just don’t use the Fruitcake,” Selina said, “That would be too cruel even for the Joker.”

Kara walked up to Selina as Bruce was looking for the red haired boy.

“What?” Kara asked looking at Bruce’s hands.

“Kettle is an attempt to make me steam,” Bruce noted.

“I think this would look cute on the table,” Kara removed the wreath, “Alfred?”

Bruce continued to look for Jason. Alfred stepped out with a cart of drinks and went around and handed each guest a glass. Bruce watched as they all were about to ask Alfred for something particular only for Alfred to hand them their preferred drink as they complete the request.

“Are we sure Alfred isn’t a metahuman? Or a god?” Selina asked as she watched.

“According to Diana, Alfred is a much better host than anything she experienced in the halls of Olympus and her father is a god,” Bruce dryly noted.

After Alfred handed Barry Allen two extra large McDoland’s Milkshakes, he made his way to Bruce and Selina. Alfred pulled out a silver platter from under the cloth covered cart and accepted the fruitcake and then a velvet pillow and accepted the mace.

“I should think this will be perfect with the ceremonial sword that Emirate gifted you for your work improving their children’s hospital,” Alfred noted dryly.

“I was debating Jason’s skull,” Bruce confessed.

“We both know you would never do that,” Alfred said, “How ever a spanking seems to be in order after the guests have left.”

“Alfred…” Bruce was about to start.

“As if you need to ask,” Alfred interrupted, “I can assure you Master Bruce, everything is in hand.”

“Are you sure you aren’t a metahuman?” Selina asked.

“Hardly Miss Kyle,” Alfred smiled.

Bruce cocked his head for a second.

“Operation Kettle Meister?” Bruce asked.

“Of course,” Alfred said.

“Queen and country?” Selina asked.

Alfred smiled as he handed her a fluted glass of Champaign and Bruce a glass of tonic water. Alfred then went back towards Barry and pulled out another milkshake from under the cart’s cloth cover.

*

Kara sat with Jean-Paul and Maven as she looked around the room. Maven was dressed in a velvet column dress in her trademarked grey and silvers. It was actually rather conservative compared to other outfits that Selina would pick out for her.

“So do you find yourself tiptoeing around Miss Kyle’s normal associates?” Jean-Paul asked.

“Not so much tiptoeing,” Maven smiled, “So much as stalking them. Watching them, reading them, understanding them and their motivations. Miss Kyle will ask me for my observations after the meetings for a second opinion.”

“Do you get along with Holly?” Jean-Paul asked, “You two seem so different…”

Maven adjusted her glasses and smiled.

“It’s our differences that help us get along. In many ways we complement each other,” Maven said.

“How is Kit adjusting?” Kara asked.

The brown-haired girl was the center of attention for Iris, Lois and Diana. And she fidgeted in the black dress she wore while she looked for a way out. Holly came over and scooped up the girl asking if she wanted to ask Mister Alfred had a candy cane for her.

“Holly knows how and when to be brash,” Maven said, “Something that works well for us.”

Kara looked over at Raven in her black knit Christmas Dress with it’s white trim. She sat with Jason in the shirt, tie and slacks that the red-haired boy wore. Jean-Paul and Maven followed Kara’s gaze.

“If it wasn’t for his red hair, then you might make the mistake of thinking they were a black and white photograph,” Jean-Paul noted.

Kara looked over at Jim Gordan and Barry Allen, talking shop in the corner. Papa Gordon looked smart in his tweed suit. Barry looked respectable in his suit, but Kara noted he was still wearing sneakers. Bruce and Clark talked calmly in a corner. The double doors to the dinning room opened and Alfred stepped in.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Dinner is served…” Alfred called.

Everyone got up and made their way into the dinning room. There were place cards for everyone and plates next to the a buffet table.

“Mister Allen, I have something special for you,” Alfred said as he moved to a cart.

“Oh?” Barry said as he shuffled over.

Alfred pulled the cover off the cart and Barry smiled. The cart was packed with various items from a verity of fast-food places. Kara along with a few others smiled at this. Barry smiled as well.

“Thanks,” Barry said.

“It’s his favorite,” Iris smiled, “Lots of food.”

Kara watched as the Blonde man and his red-haired wife rolled the cart over to where their seats were. Jean-Paul handed Kara a plate with a smile.

“What do you recommend?” Jean-Paul asked.

“Everything is good,” Dick said in front as he plucked a few dinner rolls and tossed them up and over his shoulder, “But you have to try leg of lamb a la Pennyworth.”

Kara watched as Kori and Barbara caught the rolls with smiles. Alfred scowled at the display. Kara and Jean-Paul got their food and went to the table. Kara snickered when she saw Jason walking to the table with three lumps of charcoal on his plate. Bruce waited for everyone to get some food before getting a plate and heading to the seat at the end of the table.

“Everyone,” Bruce said as he picked up his glass, “I know not everyone celebrates Christmas or celebrates it in the same way. But let us each take a moment to each silently say a prayer for our friends and family that couldn’t be here tonight and for our personal intentions… Amen.”

There were was a chorus of Amens from around the table. Everyone one but Barry started eating, Kara noting that he had already downed three cheeseburgers and a quesadilla while Bruce was talking. Jean-Paul’s eyes shot open as he chewed on his first bite of Alfred’s famed roasted lamb.

“Chew your food before gushing about it,” Dick teased from across the table.

“Let me guess,” Maven said from the other side of Jean-Paul, “Best lamb you ever had?”

Kara smiled as she cut up a bit of the green beans.

“Alfred’s lamb is pretty notorious,” Kara mused.

Jean-Paul finished his mouthful and then took a quick drink of water.

“That is even better than the lamb at the monastery,” Jean-Paul said proudly.

“Monastery?” Bruce asked in as innocent a tone as he could while looking up from his plate.

“Yes, when I was young my father took me to a monastery in the Pyrenes mountains,” Jean-Paul said with a fond look on his face, “They raised sheep and served the best lamb stews and roasts… of course I was young so I didn’t put two and two together until much later.”

“Monks doubling as shepherds,” Jim Gordon noted dryly, “Very biblical. Was your father religious or were those work trips?”

“Religious, there was a shrine under the monastery,” Jean-Paul smiled, “I should make the pilgrimage again some time.”

“Well, you would have to speak with your manager about getting any time off,” Bruce smiled, “I tend to be rather hands off with the day-to-day things at work.”

“Of course, mister Wayne,” Jean-Paul said.

“Please, at home it is Bruce,” Bruce smiled, “Tell me Diana, when was the last time your travels took you to the Pyrenes?”

“Not for some time, Bruce,” Diana smiled as she picked up a glass of wine, “I travel where my work takes me, and not where I want to go most times.”

“It is so hard to get a good vacation from work these days isn’t it?” Lois chirped up with a knowing smile.

“A good reporter always knows where to find the news as it breaks, doesn’t she?” Selina asked.

“Of course, and occasionally Smallville here finds a scoop on his own as well. Speaking of sheep,” Lois looked Selina in the eyes, “Fleece any billionaires of large charitable donations that they have revealed publicly yet?”

“Lois,” Clark said with a ‘play nicely tone.’

“I’m a reporter Smallville,” Lois said, “I am just looking for a lead.”

“Well I am not suppose to reveal anything, confidentiality agreements,” Selina smiled, “Oh, on a completely unrelated note, I have to go out of town on New Years Bruce. I am sure Maven and Holly can count on your clan for any help with Kitirina should it be needed.”

“I’m not a baby,” Kitirina said.

“We know you are not,” Alfred said as he came over and put a fresh glass of water in front of the girl, “But are you sure about Miss Holly’s ability to cook?”

Kitirina and everyone looked at Selina’s blonde understudy.

“Do you deliver or just do takeout?” Kitirina asked Alfred.

That got a round of chuckles from a few of the guests.

“Hay you…” Holly said in mock insult.

“I see Kit is really fitting in Selina,” Jason noted.

“She is a darling little fireball at times,” Selina noted.

Kori was about to ask something but Dick put a hand on her arm cutting her off silently. Kara watched the guests around the table. Iris was enjoying her dinner and put her hand on Barry’s arm. Barry nodded and finished the bit of turkey he was eating.

“Bruce, I, we wanted to thank you and Dick for helping Wally while he was attending Gotham Academy,” Barry smiled.

“It is no problem,” Bruce smiled, “Dick needed a friend as well.”

*

Kara sat on the couch with Jean-Paul next to her. Lois, Clark and Diana left shortly after Dinner when they got a phone call. Papa Gordon and Barbara were seated next to Dick and Kori on the other couch. Selina was seated on Bruce’s lap while Kitirina was sandwiched between Holly and Maven. Jason and Raven were sharing a love seat by the fireplace.

“What do you think of your new classmate?” Selina asked Jason and Raven.

“Rose?” Jason asked, “She is nice enough once that she relaxes around you.”

“She can be rather stand offish until she does,” Raven noted.

“What about you?” Jim asked, “Where are you going to school?”

“We are getting her back into school after winter break,” Selina said, “Given what has happened the school was understanding that Kitirina needed some time.”

“That is good,” Gordon nodded, “Well I need to get back to the station. Good night.”

“Good Night,” Kara said.

“I should get going as well,” Jean-Paul said looking at the clock, “Thank you all for having me over. I will call you Kara.”

“Yes, Kara, show me the way to the little lady’s room,” Selina said getting up.

“Good night Jean-Paul, Merry Christmas,” Kara got up as well and hugged Jean-Paul before leading Selina out of the room, “What gives? You know this place backwards, forwards, lights out and naked.”

“Yes,” Selina said, “Are you serious about young Dee Snider?”

“Maybe,” Kara said, “He has been wondering if it is a good idea for him to date the bosses daughter.”

“That is one complication,” Selina noted, “And what does he think of your fashion sense?”

“He is taking a live and let live attitude,” Kara said.

“Have you tied him to the bed yet?” Selina asked.

“No,” Kara smiled, “not yet.”

“What do you think of Kit?” Selina asked.

“She is traumatized,” Kara said.

“Of course, but she might have potential as cape and cowl,” Selina said, “That’s what’s really happening on New Years.”

“So you dropped that to tweak the Leaguers?” Kara asked.

“Among other things,” Selina said.

“Selina, this is the silver closet, not the bathroom,” Kara folded her arms across her chest.

“I know Kitten,” Selina said as she picked the lock, “I am not stealing the family spoons, I need to borrow something from the wine celler…”

“Who are you going to use it on?” Kara asked.

“Hawk and Dove,” Selina smiled.

“Let’s go,” Kara smiled and grabbed the door handle and opened it.