Disclaimer: Batman, and related characters are the properties of DC COMICS. All other characters are the figment of this author's imagination. This is an original fan fiction piece, not written for profit and not intended to infringe on their copyright. *** Reindeer Ridge By: Gina Ivy (ShadoeOfTheBat@aol.com) *** Corner of Grant and 86th Street, I wait for Enrique to show. That to my dismay entails a lot of my job out here on the streets. Waiting for contacts to be made, waiting for dirty deals to go down. It's frustrating. Logically I know that's the way it has to be. An airtight case MUST be made. I am the Batman and I will settle for nothing less. I check my heads up display in my cowl; it's 2:33. I try to ignore the biting cold but it's increasingly hard. Enrique will be here; it's just a matter of waiting. I try not to let my mind wander to a warm bath and a serious mug of hot chocolate. Staying focused is everything in this job. I allow my self a brief moment of warmth as I run my gauntlets across exposed skin. One of these days I'm going to redesign this costume to include a full-face mask as protection from the elements. For tonight though, I just continue to rub my face trying to elevate some of the numbness. Another twenty or so uneventful minutes go by and then I catch a glimpse of Enrique. He's looking around nervously but I know he doesn't see me. Once he is inside the warehouse and I'm confident that he is alone, I make my move. There is no roof access but there is a second story window, it will have to do. I drop in on him making plenty of noise. I want to scare him; if he fears me then he will be a lot easier to work with. As he turns around quickly, he lets out a frightened howl and turns pale. Even after all this time that reaction still brings me satisfaction. "Hello, Ricky". "Ba..Batman! You took twenty years off my life just now!" Well that will work I think, he took twenty off mine just waiting for him. "You said you would be here hours ago. I DON'T LIKE to be kept waiting Ricky.." "Sorry. Don't get your cape in a wad. I had trouble sneaking out of the bar. I got the information you asked me for.." He fills me in about the Penguin's latest so-called legitimate business. He also picked up talk of a chop shop operating near the docks. I hand him a thousand dollars for the info. It doesn't seem like much when you consider he risked his life to bring this to me. If any of the associates he deals with were to ever find out he was a snitch, not to mention a snitch for the Bat he wouldn't live another hour. I try not to think about that. I need Enrique and others like him to be my eyes and ears. If I allow myself to dwell on the possible repercussions then I wouldn't get very far in this war I have declared on crime. "One more thing Ricky." "Name it Bats." "Your dad still owns that wood carving shop on Helm Street?" "Yeah?" I can see he is worried. I should have found a different way to ask. Now a thousand thoughts of his father in danger is running through his young mind. I can see them reflected in his eyes. "Think he could make something for me?" I see him visibly relax. I make a mental note to find a way to make it up to him. It's one thing to scare Gotham's nightlife; it's another to make them afraid of losing family. Take it from me, that's a pain no one should ever have to endure. I fill him in on my special request, giving him a partial payment. He promises me delivery will be made ON TIME. I hope he's right. Timing is everything in this job. I head back out the way I came. I have a shipment for Penguin to intercept and a chop shop to bring down before dawn. I'm still trying not to think about that mug of hot chocolate... *** I sleep until ten, waking under protest as Alfred opens the blinds. He knows that gets me up every time. It never worked when I tried it on Dick. He would just roll over with his back to the window and put a pillow over his head. I wish I could figure out how he does that. "Good Morning Master Bruce." "If you say so Alfred." He smiles at me. My gruff 'Batman' voice doesn't intimidate him in the least. It never did. "What's on my plate for today Alfred?" "You have a meeting with Mr. Fox in an hour. Also a Mr. Jenkins called and said he needed you to clarify your special order." He waits for me to tell him what that's about. I don't offer any details. Serves him right for opening the blinds, just three hours after I lay down. "Thank you Alfred." "Sir may I inquire as to why you called a florist shop?" "Sure Alfred, you can inquire all you want. I'm going to hit the shower." I leave him with a very annoyed look on his face. Good, it beats a smile at ten in the morning. That's unbearably cruel. *** I no sooner hit my office floor than I'm overloaded with people wanting my attention. Sign this; answer that, and the ever-popular can I have the afternoon off so I can get some Christmas shopping done? I manage to make it to my safe haven and I lock the door behind me. I walk over to the bathroom that is adjacent to my office and find a washcloth. I run the water over it until it's steaming hot and then sit down with it covering my eyes. After some eyes drops and a few minutes of warm cloth treatment, my eyes start to feel like they might survive after all. I get up only when I hear Lucious knocking outside my outer office door. "Come in Lucious, sorry to keep you waiting." He sees the washcloth in my hands. After all these years together he knows what its for and doesn't act surprised by it. Funny thing is he thinks its because I have such a terrific social life after dark. Oh wouldn't it be nice if that were true? I would settle for a date with an intelligent woman now and then. I'm getting tired of talking to myself, and Alfred, well he's just not pretty enough for my taste. Lucious and I no more than get seated than here comes Greta with her notepad in her hands. "Mr. Wayne?" I try to maintain my happy go lucky persona, fighting hard against the growl that wants to escape my lips. "Yes, Greta what can I do for you?"' "A Mr. Edward Sharp called from Sharp's jewelers. He said he had your special order ready for you. You can pick it up this afternoon." "Thank you Greta." She stands at the doorway looking uncertain. I pretend that I have no idea what's coming next. "Oh, and Mr. Wayne?" "Yes, Greta?" "Could I maybe have the afternoon off, I have some Christmas shopping to do..." Lucious rolls his eyes. He hates that I always say yes. What can I do though? I love the Christmas season. It renews my faith and somehow gets me through until the next year. I never felt that way until Dick came into my life. He changed my opinion of the holidays. Actually, he changed a lot of things in my life. I wonder if he knows how much that has meant through the years. "Of course you can Greta. Have a nice time. Oh and don't forget we are having a coat and a canned goods drive tomorrow. So if you have anything you can donate bring it in." "Will do Mr. Wayne. Little Tony has a coat his grandma got him. He hardly wore it, before he had outgrown it. I don't know what I'm going to do with him if he doesn't slow down off the groceries." I smile at her thinking of the little three-year-old boy who loves french fries. She has had to bring him to work a few times. Another thing that Lucious doesn't agree with. I have no trouble with people bringing their kids to work with them, as long as they are kept under control. I even donated a room with lots of toys and coloring books, etc. for just that reason. I know what it's like. I used to bring Dick with me all the time. I just realized how much I miss that... *** I leave work for lunch, knowing I'm not coming back for the rest of the day. I don't tell Lucious, he'll figure it out soon enough. I feel guilty every time he gives me one of his patented 'not again' looks. I stop by Dick's favorite Chinese restaurant. The owner is in so I pull him aside and make a 'special order' to be delivered at just the right time. He smiles at me and calls me a hopeless romantic.. Driving home I try to do a mental check of all the items required. Oh NO! I can't believe I forgot the most important ingredient. At least it's not to late. I double back and park in back of the Church. Father O'Rourke is here. He gives me a genuine smile making his way over to me. He seems disappointed that I don't want to go to confession. A running joke between us. I go to the alter and spend the next hour or so on my knees in prayer. When I'm finished I pull him aside and ask him for a favor.. "You see Father O'Rourke, I have a special prayer request.." He laughs when I tell him.. *** Night arrives again all too soon. I caught a short nap so I'm ready for the night's prowl. Before work though I head to East Bay Condos, dropping in on an old friend. "Hello Batman." He doesn't turn around when I enter. I'm not surprised. It's almost impossible to sneak up on him. "ShadowWoolf" "Don't tell me you need more surveillance equipment..." ShadowWoolf is a code name I gave him many years back when we worked a case together. Woolf has proved to be a force to be reckoned with. I was instantly impressed with his combat skills which came in very handy when he had to save me from a drug bust gone bad. After leaving the Army, he made Gotham his home and he has sat up a combination private investigator and spy type surveillance business. I throw him all the work I can. Not that he needs it; his caseload is always full. "I need your help on the most important case I've ever worked on." I notice the smile. Have I used that line before? "Meaning you want me to bump you ahead of all the other cases on my desk.." He knows me all right. "Well yeah.. but you know I pay well." He laughs and I can't help but smile. The first case we worked together I paid him with Alfred's hot fudge brownies. That has been his required payment every since. "Okay, what do you need?" "I need video surveillance in these key locations at these times. With sound, of course." "Oh of course.." He takes a minute to look over the request. I see he's about to object to the date and I remind him of the brownies by asking if he wants walnuts on top or not.. He doesn't argue any farther. *** Three days later and I think everything is running smoothly. It twas the night before Christmas.... I'm excited and nervous. If my Christmas present to Dick is a flop, I don't know how I'll ever make it up to him. On the other hand if it's a success, maybe I'll be a hero to him, like I used to be.... *** The florist arrives at Barbara's apartment at exactly noon on Christmas Eve. I watch from the window as she opens the box and reads the card. Her eyes dance with a sparkle that I haven't seen from her in a long time. Straight away she picks up the phone. I read her lips as she tells him how happy he makes her. I hold my breath, hoping she doesn't mention the flowers directly since he knows nothing about them. She doesn't. I'm saved, at least for now. The odds of this all coming together right are about a million to one, but I take them anyway. She tells him she'll meet him for lunch at his favorite Chinese restaurant at 2:00. Damn. I put 3:00 on the card. Bumping things up is NOT a good sign. I leave her so she can have the privacy to get ready but not before I steal one more look at her happy face. Please, I pray, let this work. *** I arrive at the restaurant half an hour before they get here. I want to make sure everything is perfect, and it seems to be. I've arranged for the entire restaurant to be empty. The sign says 'closed for private party'. The owner's son is standing at the door watching for Dick and Barbara to make sure they don't turn away when they read the sign. All the lights in the lobby have been turned out and the glow of the candlelight is spectacular. There's a poinsettia on the table and I've arranged for a tape of 'their song' to be played over and over after they arrive. ShadowWoolf has been here since I called him frantic at noon. The video set up is complete and ready for it's stars. I'm pacing and he's laughing at me. He thinks it's funny, how I wish I did. Woolf is one of very few trusted friends that know of both my day and nighttime persona's. He saved my life once before and if needed I know he would again, but if he doesn't stop teasing me about being an overprotecting, overbearing father I might just pop him. Of course, he would pop me right back.. I look out the window for the hundredth time and suddenly realize something is dreadfully wrong. I grab my cell phone and misdial the number twice before Father O'Rourke finally answers. "Have you looked outside?" "Hello to you to Bruce." "LOOK OUTSIDE!" "I have. It's a very pretty day." "How can you say that?" "There's not a cloud in site Bruce." "EXACTLY my point! Where are the snow clouds? I'm running out of time here.." "Bruce, you don't honestly expect the Lord to work by your schedule do you?" He sounds amused. I'm getting antsier by the minute. My silence gives him his answer and he laughs at me again calling me a hopeless romantic. "Okay Bruce I will pray about it again, but remember the Lord works in mysterious ways." "I know Father O'Rourke. That's one of the things I like about him..." *** The restaurant owner grabs my arm and points at the office door. I make a quick dash for it with Woolf right behind me. The office has a two-way mirror and the video is set up through it. The table is right in front of it so we should get an excellent tape out of this. Woolf has worked it from several different angles so we are sure to get the best shots. I watch with nervous butterflies doing weird things to my stomach as Dick and Barbara make their way in and are escorted to the table. The look of confusion and surprise on Dick's face is priceless. He comments to Barbara how beautiful everything is and how cool it is to have a private party. I smile as I realize he thinks she set it up and she's agreeing with him thinking he set it up. Good. Everything is great so far. When the music starts softly playing he looks sincerely touched by it. The love in his eyes when he looks at her is so tangible I can almost touch it. She returns the look and I'm reassured that I'm probably doing the wrong thing but for the right reasons. I have to tell Woolf to shut up at least ten times during the meal. He's going on and on about how Dick is going to kill me when he finds out what I've done. Woolf doesn't even know the half of it... Finally, the meal is over and the fortune cookies make their way to the table. I hold my breath. If I'm going to stop this insane plan now is my last chance. I grab the doorknob but Woolf stops me. 'Let it play out' he chides. I think he enjoys seeing me squirm. Dick opens his first. He never could stand to leave them sitting on the table for even a minute. Pulling the 'fortune' out he reads it aloud. "With Barbara by your side you will be blessed with happiness and love" He's still assuming this is something she's worked up, so for now he's playing along. I just hope he doesn't blow it when she opens hers. She takes his out of his hand. Obviously surprised by it. Her eyes are dancing again. She's trying to play it cool and act nonchalant but it's all there in her eyes. "Open yours Babs." She does so slowly, as if she's afraid of what it might say. Then her emerald eyes get as big as saucers, followed immediately after with tears. To my relief they seem to be happy ones. Dick is in shock as he sees her holding an engagement ring. It was my mother's. A beautiful and tasteful princess cut diamond on a tiny gold band. I had to have it sized down just for Barbara's finger. Crying she reaches for him but he pulls away. NOT what I had expected. I know I must have turned pale at that point. I hear Woolf mutter an 'uh oh' and I cringe. I didn't start breathing again until Dick climbed out of the chair and dropped down on one knee. Now that's my boy! With all smiles I give Woolf an ' I knew it all along' look. I have to laugh when he shoots me the 'yeah rite' one back. "I love you Barbara. I have always loved you. I need you in my life baby, forever. I need to wake up to your sweet smile and go to sleep with your soft snoring. I can't imagine my life without you. I know you have said that you need time and I'll give you as much as you want. This is just to say that I love you and I'm not leaving you- EVER. No pressure here baby. You can wear it or not wear it. It won't change the way I feel. All this means is that in my heart you are the one for me." He reaches for her hand and places it over his heart. With his other hand he is softly brushing her tears away. "In here, in my heart where it counts- you're already Mrs. Grayson." "OH DICK!" She puts her arms around his neck as he pulls her into his lap and just holds her. She doesn't tell him yes, but she doesn't say no either. I'm so caught up in watching them that I'm annoyed when Woolf tries to hand me something. I reach for it, not really paying attention to what it is. Once it's in my hand I realize he has handed me some tissue. I hadn't even noticed the tears running down my face. What's even worse, I'm not even embarrassed by them. This is going to be a Christmas Eve to remember. The happy couple is told the meal is on the house so they make their way to Barbara's van. Inside there is a shiny costume made sled with a note that says ' try me out on top of Reindeer Ridge'. Dick smiles as he reads it. Reindeer Ridge is the name he gave a steep hill he found the first time I took him sled riding when he was nine years old. He liked the place so much that I bought the land that it was on to make sure he always had it. I shouldn't be following him this close. I mean this is NIGHTWING and BATGIRL we are talking about. They have to know I'm here. Well Dick knows, I'm sure. I think Barbara is too happy to be thinking clearly right now. I duck behind a parked car as he turns around. I stay there until they have gone. I can't believe it isn't snowing. This is the first Christmas Eve in years that it hasn't snowed in Gotham. What am I doing wrong I wonder? Disappointed, I go back and tell Woolf to take the rest of the day off. I don't think Dick will show at the Ridge tonight since there is no snow. I find myself going up there. I have to check the video equipment anyway. When I get there I see no signs of them. The carolers that I hired are there and there is plenty of hot chocolate, Dick's favorite, to go around. I'm just about to tell them they can go when Barbara's van pulls up. That turkey doubled back and followed me! I should have known. Caught with my hand in the proverbial cookie jar I try to make the best of it. "Glad you kids could make it." "You bet we made it. I wouldn't miss this for the world!" Dick looks happier than I've ever seen him. Which is saying something since Dick is a naturally good-natured person. I've never seen him look so proud or stand quite so tall. I wish the camera was picking this up but it's up at the Ridge. I guess I'll have to take a mental picture and hope it never fades. He carries Barbara to Reindeer Ridge while I carry the sled. The carolers follow us singing a requested song by me. 'Let it snow'. Please I whisper as I look up to sky. Please, for Dick. You know how much he loves snow... Dick settles Barbara in on the sled and climbs on back behind her. It is costume designed to give them both enough room and to not tip over easily. He kisses her as he's pushing off and she squeals in delight as the sled starts its descent. I feel something cold and wet hit my face and I look up to see beautiful crystal ice shards and dancing fluffy snowflakes. Where's Woolf when I need him? I could really use some tissue now. As they reach the bottom, Dick jumps off and cheers. "BRUCE, LOOK! IT'S SNOWING!" His happy look is the best Christmas present in the world. I give him a thumbs up. To afraid to try to speak at the moment. He dances around for a minute and then picks her up and swings her around. They twirl and twirl until he finally falls to the ground and she lands on top of him. The kiss he gives her is protective, loving and self-claiming. She belongs to him, he claims with his mouth. I read his lips as he tells her again he loves her. The carolers are singing merrily, the snow is falling rapidly and I finally get that mug of hot chocolate I've been waiting for... Fin.