Longing

I took a walk in the rain today
(I try to take one every day)
and thought about how you're a rare ray
of sunshine in my life.

I think you could be "meant for me"
but it's hard to "wait and see"
Do you even notice me?
Would you want someone like ME for a wife?

Until I know, until you say
I will be here, anyway
always just "around the way"
if you want me in your life.

New Year, Same Old Life

From the diary of Penelope Halwind:

New Year's Eve
The more things change, the more they stay the same...

Katie, the bartender at Pigeon's Place, had thought she'd seen everything. Not true. Here it was, New Year's Eve, and she was working; surrounded by Gotham's Most Wanted. For instance, she not only worked for Penelope Halwind, the notorious Pigeon herself, but it was well known that Penelope was seeing Stanley "The Question" Marx. Therefore she wasn't too surprised when Bruce Wayne himself walked up to the bar.

"What'll it be, handsome?"

He smiled. "I'm looking for Penelope."

"She's in the office right now, but I'm sure she'll be out soon to enjoy the party. I'll let her know you're here." Katie watched him take a seat down the bar next to Selina Kyle, AKA Lady Panther, who was drinking a Kaluha and cream.

My intercom buzzed. It was Katie letting me know the "gold plated bachelor" was here. What did he want? What could he POSSIBLY want? Actually, it didn't matter. I was going to have a couple shots of peach snappes and enjoy my party. I walked out of the office and ordered the shots. Bruce excused himself from Lady Panther and made his way over. What would she think of my suspicion that her crush and this "boring socialite" were one and the same?

"What can I do for you, Mr. Wayne?" He looked at me like he was struggling with a decision.

"Have you heard the news about Joker? He is out again...I thought, if the tabloid stories are true, that might effect your business."

I had to try very hard to cover my momentary fear (of Joker) and shock (Bruce just confirmed my suspicions: he IS Nightshade!) He cared enough to give me a 'head's up,' he was concerned for me. "No, I hadn't heard about the Joker." I smiled. "I doubt you would be interested in any business the tabloids claim I have. Katie! Mr. Wayne's drinks are on the house." I looked at him. "I know you won't abuse the offer. Take care."

Bruce ordered a smoothie to go and Katie watched him leave. She had always admired him...kind of a schoolgirl crush thing. Speaking of crushes, she thought, as her former crush Leo Janus made his way to the bar. He was great in 'Summer Heat.' Too bad about what happened on his last movie though. He was playing a hotshot lawyer and his jealous co-star, playing a mobster, was supposed to throw a glass of water in his face. He threw acid instead. Now half of Leo's face looked melted and he called himself Gemini.

"What's up, Katie my dear?" Gemini said in a mock Irish accent. He liked teasing her. What was it about redheads that revved him up? Probably cause most of them were feisty...

"What can I get you?"

"Whatever you feel like pouring, just make it a double."

Yes, Katie thought she had seen everything.

Holiday Cheer

From the diary of Penelope Halwind:

Dec 25
Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward Man

Christmas was never easy for Bruce. His parents had been murdered near Christmas when he was only 9, so every year the snow and month of December brought back painful memories. Bruce had been with them when they were shot. His butler, who also served as father figure, said he was making progress out of his depression; especially since he had decided how he would avenge and honor his parents. This year was different though. This year he had taken in a young boy who had also witnessed the tragic death of his parents.

The boy's name was Dick Greyson. He grew up in a circus family and when the circus got hit as part of a protection racket his family paid the price. It was easy to die falling from a trapeze. Dick didn't expect his new foster father to try and give him a storybook Christmas, but when things got gloomier rather then happier he knew something was up. He found Bruce alone in the study with two candles lighting a picture on the wall. It was of an older couple, very much in love and very kind looking. He asked Bruce if he was thinking about his mom and dad, too. Bruce put his arms around the boy and whispered yes.

Selina Kyle loved window shopping more than actual shopping. The displays made her laugh at their stupidity. No one would wear that hat with that dress, or be that happy just drinking a pop. All of the wasted time people put into what they thought were attractive designs. So, when they were home in their mundane little beds, she would go out and have a wonderful time taking whatever she wanted. Including other peoples Christmas presents, if she chose.

I woke Christmas morning to the smell of cooking sausage. This puzzled me until I turned over to find Stanley was not beside me. I crept to the kitchen to find him taking said sausage out of the pan. On the counter were a loaf of bread, the electric frying pan, a bowl of egg yolks covered in cinnamon, and a bottle of syrup. Stanley, the health nut, was trying to surprise me by making one of my favorite dishes: French Toast.

"Good morning."

He stopped, put the pan down, and hung his head. "I was trying to surprise you."

"The sausage smell woke me, it smells delicious."

He turned around. "Oh, well. Win some, lose some."

I walked up to him and put my arms around his waist. "Well, you haven't started the toast yet, right?"

"Right."

"...And the sausage is.... really too hot to eat right now."

"I guess so..." He looked at me as if to say 'where are you going with this?'

I smiled playfully and looked into his eyes. "I prefer room temperature sausage anyway."

He CRACKED UP. "That has GOT to be the goofiest 'come on' line I've ever heard!"

Some time later I turned over again to find myself almost face to face with a shiny green box I hadn't noticed under the tree last night. I got up and picked it up, looking at Stanley.

"Go ahead, open it."

Inside was a beautiful bird shaped pin. It had pearl wings and what looked like a diamond eye. "Stanley...it's beautiful. How thoughtful of you!" I handed him my gift: a rare, leather bound edition of one of his favorite books. Then he finished making breakfast.