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Post by Bruce Wayne on Oct 12, 2009 14:34:33 GMT -5
**NEW DAY**
Bruce was going over some company reports, pointedly ignoring the clock on his desk. Stark was coming over, for whatever reason, to talk to him, and it was going to be in a few minutes. To say that he wasn't looking forward to this conversation was putting it mildly. Worse, there was...Jess. Just thinking about it made his blood boil, and at the same time, saddened him.
Why hadn't she contacted him? And why in god's name was she with Tony Stark?
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Post by Tony Stark on Oct 12, 2009 14:44:05 GMT -5
After greeting Alfred, whom he'd met a few times before, Tony followed the butler's directions to Bruce's office. The ginormous was silent as a tomb, and as he walked he wondered how Bruce could be comfortable living in a museum like this. Sure, Tony's house was big, but nothing ridiculous like Wayne Manor.
He knocked on the door, waiting a reasonable amount of time before knocking again.
"Bruce, I know you're in there, so please stop ignoring me."
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Post by Bruce Wayne on Oct 12, 2009 14:47:01 GMT -5
Bruce jerked in surprise at Stark's voice, jarred out of his introspection. Rolling his eyes, he walked over to the door and half-heartedly pulled it open, resisting the urge to roll his eyes again as Stark walked into the room like he was expecting cameras to be waiting for him.
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Post by Tony Stark on Oct 12, 2009 14:48:45 GMT -5
Tony tucked his sunglasses into one of his coat pockets as he watched, with amusement, as Bruce stiffly shut the door and walked back to his desk.
"You know you really need to stop hiding in caves and get out more, Bruce. People are going to talk."
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Post by Bruce Wayne on Oct 12, 2009 14:51:13 GMT -5
The cave comment made him narrow his eyes, but ultimately he ignored it. He really wasn't in any mood for banter.
"I don't have time for your games, Stark. Just tell me what this is all about."
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Post by Tony Stark on Oct 12, 2009 14:53:43 GMT -5
Of course, Bruce wasn't going to make things easy. But then he never did.
"I've heard tell that a certain caped friend of yours is in up to his eyeballs in trouble. I thought maybe you could tell him that Iron Man would be willing to assist if he needs it."
There. If Bruce wanted to cut to the chase, then he would.
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Post by Bruce Wayne on Oct 12, 2009 14:58:20 GMT -5
Completely thrown by the unexpected offer, Bruce just stared at Tony for a few moments. The almost solemn manner the offer had been given in made it quite plain that Stark was serious. It also made Bruce wonder if Stark knew more about Batman than he was letting on.
"I don't know what you mean about Batman being in over his head--the situation's been just fine."
Except for Poison Ivy, and the Joker, and...
So, maybe not. But he didn't need help, least of all from Stark, and if "Iron Man" hadn't figured out who Batman was yet, he'd find out for sure if they teamed up.
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Post by Tony Stark on Oct 12, 2009 15:01:33 GMT -5
Tony sighed.
"Look, Bruce. I've read the papers--it's obvious the Bat has a steadily growing collection of enemies, and it looks like it's only going to get worse. If Batman doesn't do something, he's going to get his ass kicked and then some."
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Post by Bruce Wayne on Oct 12, 2009 15:05:10 GMT -5
"Yeah? And you're not the only one who's read the papers."
He reached into a desk drawer and pulled out the newspaper with the incriminating photograph, dropping it on his desk.
"So, before I even bother listening to you, how about you explain how you've managed to end up with someone who was not only dead, but my girlfriend."
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Post by Tony Stark on Oct 13, 2009 12:46:52 GMT -5
He eyed the newspaper a moment, his expression unreadable as he thought how best to answer.
"I could launch into a gigantic counter-argument, Bruce, but I won't. Jess had her reasons for how things went the way they did, and really, if you want to know so badly...I think you should ask her yourself. She's a grown-up, you don't have to go through other people.
Now, are you going to give me an answer, or not?"
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Post by Bruce Wayne on Oct 13, 2009 12:49:07 GMT -5
While Stark was keeping his cool, it was quite evident from the facial tic that Bruce was still upset.
"Nice deflection."
He sat back, almost sagging in his office chair.
"I'll think about it."
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Post by Tony Stark on Oct 13, 2009 12:50:47 GMT -5
He quirked an eyebrow.
"You'll think about it? I'm pretty sure this is Batman's decision, considering the offer was to him, Bruce."
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Post by Bruce Wayne on Oct 13, 2009 12:52:08 GMT -5
He sighed.
"Yes, fine, I'll contact you when I have an answer. How's that sound?"
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Post by Tony Stark on Oct 13, 2009 12:54:09 GMT -5
Tony had quite a few suspicions about Bruce, but this just made it even worse.
"Sound's fine. Just don't lock yourself in a cave again."
Ah, was that an eyetic?
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Post by Bruce Wayne on Oct 13, 2009 12:55:52 GMT -5
Feeling as though he'd blown it with Stark, but still compelled to try to keep things a secret, he didn't outwardly react to the cave comment aside from what the other man had noticed.
"Right."
He gestured at the office door.
"We'll talk later, then."
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