On an unoccupied road:

[kathy-duquesne.livejournal.com]

Kathy Duquesne, daughter of the crime lord Carleton Duquesne, speeds through the hairpin turns of the hills, going well over 60 miles per hour. For safety, the signs recommend going no faster than 35 in this area, but Kathy pays them no mind. The top of her convertable cherry-red Viper is down, and her hair blows freely, giving her a sense of flight and freedom. A wide smile is on her face, and as the momentum of the fast turns throws her from side to side, she lets out the occasional laugh.

She slows as she approaches her destination, finally pulling up in front of the massive Wayne Manor. For a moment, she regards the large, mostly-empty house.

Then she hops out of her car, and straightens her strapless evening dress wih her long-white-gloved hands. The white velvet clings to her every curve, and the skirt ends well above the knee, showing an ample amount of thigh. She brightly steps to the front door and uses the large brass knockers to delightedly rap out a playful greeting knock.

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[kathy-duquesne.livejournal.com]

She takes his hand and stands up, eyeing him carefully.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_darkknight_/]

The other arm goes about her waist to the small of her back, drawing her close. Wordlessly he bends down and kisses her thoroughly. Yep, definitely awake now.

[kathy-duquesne.livejournal.com]

She returns the kiss, then breaks it with a grin. "Well, come along," she commands, heading for the exit. "I've got reservations for a very nice place."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_darkknight_/]

"This is a pretty nice place," Bruce says petulantly, though his eyes twinkle as he snares his coat on the way toward the door. "Let me tie my tie and leave a note for Alfred and we can go.

"You know, Kath, you look fantastic tonight."

He's walking behind her this time, and he sounds more sincere than ever.

[kathy-duquesne.livejournal.com]

"Well, that was the plan," she winks. Then she pauses, and for a moment, the mask dips. "Thank you," she replies honestly.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_darkknight_/]

Bruce's note to Alfred is printed and to the point:

Alfred -- taking Kathy to dinner. Don't wait up. Got my cell. -- Bruce

He knots his tie with the expertise of someone often in a tuxedo, then smiles down at Kathy with a warm that suggests his own mask is slipping a bit. "It's really good to see you," he murmurs before planting a lingering kiss on her lips. "Okay, if we have to go, I guess we can go."

[kathy-duquesne.livejournal.com]

She leads Bruce out to her Viper, and she hops into the driver's seat, letting Bruce get in on his own.

"Make yourself comfortable. Gin's in the glove box," she adds with a wink.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_darkknight_/]

"I'm more a vodka man," Bruce chuckles as he sits back in the comfortable leather of the passenger seat. After buckling up, he remarks, "Won't all this wind mess with my hair?"

[kathy-duquesne.livejournal.com]

"Poor dear," she winks. "Thankfully, there's a comb in the glove box, too."

The engine roars, and she tears off down the road, going at least 15 miles over the speed limit.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_darkknight_/]

"Watch the hedges on the way out," Bruce cautions. "Alfred's really particular about them since I plowed one over a few years ago. Says it took months to grow it back to the right shape and size and stuff." He turns to watch her drive. "So any hints about where we're going? And will our night be interrupted by your friendly neighborhood goons?"

[kathy-duquesne.livejournal.com]

"The best place to hide is in plain sight," she answers with a wink. "All I'll tell you is that it's a very nice nightclub, and it has great food."

She handles the car magnificently; she knows exactly what she's doing behind the wheel.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_darkknight_/]

To his credit, Bruce is far more interested in how she handles herself than the car; not easy for a man to be in a powerful sports car with someone unfamiliar behind the wheel, driving like a maniac, but he seems to trust her or not care. That or he likes looking at her. "Well, maybe sometime we can get some less public time."

[kathy-duquesne.livejournal.com]

She eyes him slyly. "Really?" she asks. "We're alone now... what would you like to say in private?"