The Proposal

10. The Invitation

Author: Batman_Wolverine (a.k.a. Bruce Logan)

Summary: The counter-plan is set in action....and how is Diana doing?

“What do I do?”

“Diana, are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yes,” Wonder Woman looked up at the woman pacing in front of her. “The week is up. I have played your game long enough. I cannot continue this any more, my conscience won’t allow me.”

“But, Wonder Woman,” the ‘younger’ man piped up. “He is being affected. I know that for a fact. He’ll come around soon.”
“Under different circumstances, I would have been glad, overjoyed to hear this news,” Diana hung her head. “But not now. Not with something that is based on lies.”

“Lies,” the raven haired woman stormed to her side. “We didn’t lie. We just….polished the truth to our liking.”
“You do have a way with words,” Diana gave a rueful smile. “But….”

-----

*Ding Dong*

The front door bell startled them, causing the guest duo to make a beeline towards one of the inner rooms.

Composing herself, Diana walked to the door and opened it.
“Alfred,” she blurted out. “What are you…?”
“Good morning, Miss Diana,” the kindly butler greeted her with slight bend at the waist.
“Good morning,” Diana responded as she stepped aside. “Please come in.”
“Thank you Miss, but today I am here as a messenger,” he withdrew a crisp envelope from behind his back, a single red rose attached to it.

“What is this for?” she accepted the offering, lifting the beautiful bloom to take in its naturally calming scent.
“I am just the messenger,” Alfred reminded her with a twinkle in his eyes. Even though his visage was as unemotional as that of his employer, Diana knew that he was avoiding the question.
“Sure you are,” Diana shook her head slightly as she started to open the envelope.

Inside it was a small note addressed to her.

-----

Diana,

I would appreciate your company at the manor. Tonight, 7 PM E.S.T.
Please let Alfred know of your decision.

B

PS: Its just B. Not the cape or BW. Just B.

-----

“What is this for?” she narrowed her eyes, waving the note in the space between her and the butler.
“I assure you Miss, I have no idea,” Alfred answered truthfully.
“Hmm,” she read the note again, her lips curving at the ‘B’ comment. It meant that it was a message from Bruce. Not the Bat and definitely not the Playboy Wayne.

“Your response Miss,” Alfred asked at just the right time, not missing the effect of the note on the superhero princess.
“My response,” the lips finally formed a smile. “Yes. I will be there.”
“Very well madam,” Alfred gave the slightest of head nods. “I will be here at half an hour before the appointed time.”

“Its seven,” she answered involuntarily. “I can come on my own. There is no requirement for….” She trailed off at the no nonsense look on the older man’s face. “I will be ready by six-thirty.”
“Six-thirty,” Alfred repeated as if to commit it to memory. “Your transportation will be at your doorstep. Good day madam,” he stepped away from the door.
“Have a pleasant day,” Diana stepped back inside and closed the door.

-----

“Who was that?” the female half of the devious-duo jumped in at the sight of the rose lying on the table.
“Alfred,” Diana answered, the note still grasped within her fingers.
“Alfred!!” her eyes widened. “Why? Why was he here?”
“To give me this,” Diana handed over the invitation note.

“This….this is great,” her eyes lit up. “This is….”
“Just what we wanted,” the male superhero supplied.
“Yes,” Diana nodded her head. “I can finally end all of this.”
“Diana,” both of her guests started.

“No,” her tone was complete Wonder Woman. “Not anymore. I will go there, listen to whatever he has to say, have a nice dinner and come back. I am not going to play any games that cause both him and me pain.”
“Hmph,” the mystery woman handed the note back. “I guess,” she said after a couple of minutes. “The truth has to and should come out….”
“The sooner the better,” her counterpart completed it. “Especially when you are dealing with the Batman. I am sure he has something cooked up.”

“Do you think, he had caught onto us?”
“You bet,” he sat down next to his co-conspirator, Diana sitting down on the couch in front of them. “Even if he doesn’t know the specifics, yet, he is sure to have figured out that Diana’s recent actions haven’t been from her own independent thoughts.”

“Good,” Diana leaned back on her seat.

“It will make things easier for me.”