Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six | Part Seven | Part Eight
Casual Encounters
Part Eight
written by destinyawakened
Sarah had given him the third degree when they arrived back at his house later that afternoon. She said she wanted to go with them bowling if Bruce was now invited as well. Gordon found he had to tell her that Bruce Wayne wasn't invited, he merely invited himself and they probably wouldn't be going at all now, just to avoid the public outcry of Bruce being at a bowling alley bowling with Commissioner Gordon and his kids. Gordon got enough publicity on his own, he didn't need more from Bruce Wayne.
Around nine the evening Gordon had started to push Sarah out the door, the last thing he needed was for her to be here when Batman dropped by that evening. Batman had set that up the evening before, said he needed to talk to him about something important, and it was better off that they did it at his house than waiting until Monday evening on the MCU rooftop. With Batman being hunted, MCU was getting to be one of the worst placed to be meeting these days.
Not that Jim Gordon's house was any better.
Sarah stared at him as she stood her ground on the front porch, glaring at him. “I've just about had it with you, Jim. You haven't been yourself at all this past week. First the Bruce Wayne issues and now you're throwing me out of your house to have some secret meeting with a masked vigilante! I'm beginning to see why Barbara left you!”
“Now, wait just a damn minute,” Gordon started. But Sarah was half way down the steps to the sidewalk.
“No, I'm tired of waiting on you, James Gordon.” Sarah snapped at him and didn't look back as she walked to her car. Now, usually Gordon was all for going after her, but she had a point and he couldn't really say he blamed her; his had been somewhere else lately and he definitely didn't have time or energy to put into the relationship they were trying to build. It was just not worth it to him, even though he knew it was worth it to her. They just weren't quite on the same page.
Story of James Gordon's life.
“She'll come around.” Rasped a voice from the raptures on the porch. Gordon looked up at Batman squatting there, one hand on the rail.
“I'm not so sure I want to her to.” Gordon replied with a small shake of his head. “I don't have the time or energy to invest into a relationship like the one she wants from me. She's young and wants a family of her own, to start something I started years ago when I was her age. I don't really want to start over.”
Batman looked like he nodded in understanding, sometimes it was hard to tell. “What is it you want?”
Gordon quirked an eyebrow at the masked man curiously. “I'm not sure that matters.”
“It does.”
Gordon considered it; Batman was asking and would obviously never drop it unless Gordon gave him some kind of answer. “What I want in life?” Batman nodded and Gordon had to think for a moment, to find the words that he needed. “Things to be less complicated. There seems to be a lot of that lately. If things were simpler, I'd be happier.”
“Complicated?” Batman asked, he had a hint of confusion in his voice now.
Gordon shrugged. He knew what he meant, but Batman was still trying to place the meaning. Gordon wasn't stupid and he had figured a few things out days ago, but only now was he really allowing himself to see things in perspective. It took Batman asking him what it was he wanted in life to see that what he needed was a more than a partner and more than a friend. And even though Gordon had done his best to keep the secrets planted in front of him from seeping together into one big puddle, he was done splashing around in it to keep it from coming together; now he felt like he was wading in it, thick an heavy and all it was going to take was a little nudge.
But a part of Gordon, even though the truth was staring him in the face, wanted it to spill from the lips of the man in front of him – only then would it all feel real, only then would it all make sense.
“So, this important business you needed to talk to me about?” Gordon asked. Changing the subject before Batman could ask more questions seemed best; if the vigilante couldn't figure out what Gordon meant then he really wasn't the best detective after all.
Batman was quiet for a moment, his eyes assessing Gordon as if to figure out what it was he wanted. “The mob. They're setting something up for tomorrow night.”
“Hm. I'll have to get Gerry on that.” Because Sarah won't be talking to you for along time. “Shouldn't be too hard. I don't suggest showing up, we'll most likely have to bring SWAT in if it gets ugly.”
“It won't.” Batman said. “I'll be there.”
Gordon wondered how Batman could always be so sure.
----
Jim Gordon didn't really sleep that night. He had had the revelation some days ago, but being the man he was, he simply blocked it out. Given the right amount clues and information, figuring out Bruce Wayne wasn't so hard after all. Gordon almost felt ashamed for having assumed Bruce was a boozing playboy who constantly partied and never thought about anyone else. Now, Gordon couldn't be sure, but he could have almost sworn that Bruce had been running into him this week purposely to show the commissioner he was not in fact a complete dimwit.
Over the last week Bruce had won over Gordon's kids with gifts of the almost irreplaceable kind, and even went out of his way to be nice to Gordon, even when the older man told him off. Then there was the bit at the miniature golf course with Clark and Tony. Everyone knew Tony was Iron Man, and Gordon, being a glasses wearer himself, was not stupid enough to fall for that from Clark, and had seen right through that the minute he saw Superman the other night. A bit too convenient. So it really left Bruce Wayne the odd one out unless he fit into the same genre as the other two.
At that time Gordon ignored the accusation and went along. But seeing Bruce at the lingerie store today with lady friend and mentioning how he was basically keeping her out of trouble, really made Gordon think about the situation. The act of charity was usually only provided by Bruce when he felt it would benefit him the most, unless of course that too was an act, which Gordon had already figured out it was.
And with the bowling tomorrow he decided that they might just go after all and see if Bruce showed up. After hinting around to Batman, Gordon wasn't so sure Bruce would want to join them, especially if Gordon had figured him out.
The ball was in Bruce's court now and all Gordon wanted was to hear the plain truth from the lips of the billionaire. Gordon was not going to admit to knowing or not knowing, he was simply going to let Bruce figure out what it was that needed to be done. If Bruce didn't want Gordon to “know” then Gordon would go on pretending he didn't know. Simple was simple. Either Gordon knew or he didn't. Which ever way Bruce wanted to play this little game, Jim Gordon would play along.
-----
Gordon wasn't sure exactly what he was expecting that morning when Bruce showed up in the limousine, dressed in casual (but designer) blue jeans and a black and ridiculously expensive white bowling shirt that even had his named embroidered on the right breast pocket. Gordon himself was just in his jeans and a light colored plaid button up shirt. He thought it was very annoying that Bruce went through so much trouble to play this facade of his, that he would presumably embarrass himself with no remorse – that Gordon knew of, anyway.
“Ready to go?” Bruce asked as he leaned against the limousine. Gordon, Babs and Jimmy were walking out of the house as he said it, the kids had their bowling gear in hand and Bruce's eyes dropped to them for a brief moment, a hint of surprise in his eyes. Gordon kind of liked that, throwing the billionaire off wasn't unusual, but throwing – ahem, Batman – off guard was less likely. So, did Gordon forget to mention that he and his kids use to be on the bowling team for years and years? Why, yes, yes he did.
“Something wrong, Mister Wayne?” Gordon asked, emphasizing Bruce's name in a low teasing tone as walked past Bruce and piled into the limo one-by-one. Gordon caught Bruce's eye as he slid in and Bruce seemed completely dumbfounded and then recomposed himself and slid in after Gordon.
Babs had her bowling ball out of the bag, it was a deep purple with her named etched into it with yellow. She was giving it a once over with a rag and checking the rest of her bag for her shoes and glove. Bruce was watching with some worry forming around his eyes. Babs smiled at Bruce shyly and quickly put her things away and placed the bag down on the floor of the limo, pretending not to notice Bruce had been staring at her in some awe. Of course Babs took that the wrong way, Gordon thought. It was going to be a long day if this kept up.
On arriving at the bowling alley Bruce did his best to blend in, Gordon noticed. He wore his sunglasses even into the building and kept his head down. How was it that Bruce Wayne, a man who was so used to the limelight wouldn't want to be seen today? Unless it was for the commissioner's behalf, not wanting to draw attention to their little outing. How thoughtful, Gordon thought, considering he brought enough attention to himself these days as it was.
Bruce finally lost the sunglasses after he rented his bowling shoes and found a ball to use (with the help of Babs, who so very kindly offered up her services to help him pick out the right one). Bruce had his shoes on and Gordon was just finishing with his own when Bruce offered to start putting in the nicknames for each of them into the automated score keeper. Gordon watched reluctantly as Bruce started to enter “Commish” on Gordon's.
“Really?” He asked Bruce as he stood over him trying to get to the board so he could change it, but Bruce was blocking him every time the older man tried with lightening quick reflexes. Even more proof that Bruce Wayne was hiding a lot more than he telling the commissioner.
“I think it's fitting.” Bruce replied entering his own name last. Gordon glared down at him as Bruce gazed back up at him with that damn smug playboy “I didn't do it” smile on his face. Gordon felt like punching it right off those handsome features.
“Fitting.” Gordon huffed. “And what about you? No quirky little nicknames we can put into your slot?” Gordon was pushing Bruce out the chair before the younger man had a chance to 'okay' his own nickname on the screen. Gordon started to delete the letters of the name slowly and Bruce was staring at him, unmoving and completely stone-faced.
“Can't say I do.” Bruce said through slightly gritted teeth, eyes narrowed on the commissioner as Gordon stopped at the 'B' and left it there finger hovering over the 'A' and he watched as Bruce's glare went down to it and then back to Gordon's in a flash, a recognition. And just as quickly as it was there, it was gone and a bright smile spread across Bruce face and he waved Gordon off. “Whatever you want to put there will do.”
Gordon sat stunned. He wasn't sure if he was actually expecting Bruce to come out and say it in a crowded bowling alley, or if he wanted him to at least tease about it or something, but he was not expecting him to be so... cold about it, and then so 'who cares' seconds later. Gordon merely typed 'Bruce' back into the screen.
The kids were up first, both picking up spares in the end of the first frame and Gordon rolling a strike. Bruce started off very fluid, the way he moved graceful and neat, his movements with the follow through looking like they were going to lead straight for a strike as well... and then right at the line leading to the lane Bruce tripped up over his feet and sent the ball straight into the gutter. Babs giggled and Jimmy collapsed into a fit of laughter. Bruce didn't seemed phased by it, but Gordon saw something that no one else would see. Bruce had that down, like he'd bowled more recently and knew exactly what he was doing, but right as Gordon had started to really watch him, Bruce purposefully threw himself off and gutted the ball.
Bruce sighed as he walked past the commissioner to sit down. “So much for that one.”
“You get another go.” Gordon replied as Bruce's ball came back up through the ball holder. Bruce looked at the ball and then to Gordon with some deep regret in his eyes. There was something there, Gordon knew, something in which Bruce was probably afraid of Gordon knowing.
“So I do.” Bruce said, moving back to the lanes and pulling off a less exaggerated stunt than before, knocking down more than half the pins. Bruce sat down smiled at Gordon as Jimmy took his turn. Gordon tried to make it seem like he wasn't actually watching Bruce, but he really was, very closely. Bruce pulled out his phone and started to text someone. Bruce briefly stared up at Gordon from over his iPhone and it was that glare that Gordon had seen on many crimes scenes in the past. He cursed himself from staring too long, keeping the eye contact longer than was needed and turned his head back to the kids. Jimmy was making fun of Babs for not picking up that spare again and Babs was bickering back at him about her hand hurting.
Gordon got up to take his turn and to tell them to sit down and shut-up. Another strike. But this was nothing new for Gordon, he had bowled a lot in college, joined a league with the police force in Chicago, and then when the kids were old enough he took them too. One thing he had with his kids that Barbara didn't.
Bruce had a bored look on his face as Gordon walked back and hitched his thumb in the direction of the lanes to get Bruce to take his turn. Gordon knew Bruce was trying to pull the 'being so bored maybe they'll tell me leave' routine on him, and Gordon wasn't going to let him do it. Deep down, Gordon knew the reason that Bruce Wayne had been stalking him all week, and it was pretty obvious when he finally put everything into light. The billionaire was lonely and he was trying to fill a void with someone he already knew he could trust. Unfortunately for Bruce, Gordon wasn't willing to put a lot into a friendship with someone who couldn't even be honest with themselves, let alone the person they were pursing for a potential friendship. Gordon hoped Bruce figured it out, because the commissioner was completely down for being Bruce Wayne's friend, just not playboy Bruce's Wayne's friend. He wouldn't have any of that crap between them.
“Give it your best. I saw you play mini-golf the other better than this.” Gordon teased and Bruce shot narrowed glare at Gordon.
“I'm just off my game today.” Bruce replied as he grabbed his ball and it was then that Gordon did notice that Bruce's finger looked slightly swollen and probably had been dislocated earlier. Gordon didn't check in with Batman after every patrol, but there was at least one brawl every night that Batman got himself into, it wasn't surprising. Maybe Bruce was having some issues.
“Rough Polo match?”
Another glare from Bruce and this time the billionaire faced forward, determination written in his eyes. This time he gracefully finished the follow through and the ball shot down the lane quickly and crashed into the pins loudly. Gordon almost didn't see it. Babs and Jimmy were gaping at Bruce with their mouths opened, afraid to say anything.
“Were you holding back on us?” Babs asked rudely, hands on her hips, giving Bruce some of that teenage sass that Gordon hated.
Bruce motioned to her shoes and bowling ball bag. “Not anymore than you three,” he quipped back at her, throwing Gordon a more sincere smile this time. The game became very competitive after that, and in the end Bruce and Gordon tied, only because Gordon actually did trip up on the lane and ended up throwing his ball two lanes over. Jimmy came in last and made sure everyone heard about it in the back of the limo on the drive back to Gordon's house.
They pulled up just outside the house and they all piled out. Bruce tousled Jimmy's hair, gave Babs a little hug and then held his hand out for Gordon, as if this was the end of their meeting today, but something in Bruce's eyes made him realize that maybe it would be the end of every meeting Jim Gordon and Bruce Wayne had together. Gordon shook his head and didn't take it.
“Why don't you come inside? I'll drive you home later.” Gordon suggested with a nod of his head to the driver in the front of the limo. Bruce lowered his hand and Gordon saw him swallow, a little confusion written on his face, unsure as to what he should do. “It's a simple yes or no, Bruce.”
“Yes.” Bruce said and Gordon started for the house and let Bruce tell the driver to go on home. Bruce jogged to catch up moments later. The kids had gone back to their rooms to change and Gordon stared at the Wii and the new game Jimmy picked up for it, some super hero crime fighter game. He looked at Bruce.
“Wanna play?”
Bruce grinned at him mischievously. “Are you ready to get your ass kicked?”
~Fin~
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