I choose to start this story now...

My eyes were tired as I returned to street level from the subway and got two cups of triple shot mocha. That ought to wake me up. The rest of the party had gone smoothly. I continued to circulate with Lois and Clark, sometimes with Perry, sometimes with Dick. It was nearly 2 am by the time I got home. Don't know why I'm so tired. I'm usually out later slaying.

As I crossed the office I noticed a tall vase of pale white roses on Clarks desk. "Sending flowers to yourself Clark?" I asked sitting down beside him.

"They're for you," he grinned.

"They are? Who sent them? Olsen? Cause I don't care how much money he spends I'm telling you know it will not work."

"I didn't look at the card except to see your name. But I can guess who they're from."

"Can you?"

"Lois can too."

"You two are enjoying this way too much. Just for that I'm not going to look at the card."

"If you won't I will," Lois said snatching the card out of the arrangement.

"Hey, no fair Lois. That's mine! Oh hey Perry." Lois spun hiding the card behind her back from whence I stole it.

"Now that isn't fair Buffy. So who are they from?"

"Who did you two think they were from?" I asked peeking at the name on the card.

"Dick Grayson," they said in excited unison.

"Bzzzzzt. Wrong. They're from my dad," I said, holding out the card for them both to see, hoping my disappointment at them not being from Dick didn't show.

Lois and Clark both dove for their telephones and began dialling. "Damn," Lois muttered and glared at the back of her husbands head.

"What are you two doing?"

"Nothing. Come on Buffy, let me show you Perry's office. I just remembered he's out for the day."

As Lois led me away I heard Clark say, "Can you ask him to call me as soon as he gets back in Alfred?"

Just then the elevator dinged on our level and the doors slid open and an extravagantly coloured bunch of gerberas, daisies and sunflowers preceded Dick Grayson onto the Daily Planets floor. His eyes roamed the office searching for something or someone. Apparently he found the whatever he was looking for and was headed in our direction.

My mind decided that was the moment to start playing 'Roam' by the B-52's. I tried to shake it clear and not look like a deer caught in the headlights when Dick approached me,-where had Lois gone?-and held out the flowers. I blushed and smiled. "Thank you. They're lovely but why?"

"Thought you'd like some cheering up and someone to take you to lunch later."

"You'd take me to lunch? Why?" Lois' elbow connected heavily with my back. "I'm allowed to ask," I said in her direction.

Dick laughed. "Yes and why not? I still have both of my ears and my arm has recovered so I thought maybe we'd try our luck in the sunlight."

"As long as Lex Luthor has nothing to do with the sun it sounds lovely." Behind me Lois snorted and I suspect got an elbow from Clark by the annoyed 'oomph' I heard.

"What time for lunch?"

"Clark?" I asked. Dicks eyes followed mine to Clark.

"1-ish?"

His eyes were focused on me again. "1 o'clock it is. See you then Buffy."

"Uh... bye..."

"I think swept off her feet would adequately describe what we just saw," Clark chuckled. "I'd better call Alfred back."

"Lois?" Damn, I sounded all dreamy. I shook it off before I spoke again. "Who is Alfred?"

"Bruce Waynes butler."

"Why did Clark call Bruce's butler?"

"If we tell it'll ruin the surprise. Besides the reason he called doesn't exist which is why he's back-pedalling now."

"Did you three make a bet or something?"

"Nope."

"You're lying. I can tell."

"That's a good instinct in a reporter."

"I need something to put these flowers in."

Lois pulled the roses out of the vases and put the flowers I held into the water. "I saw how disappointed you were that they weren't from Dick. He could have sent you a withered olive branch and you'd have been happy. Right?"

"Am I that transparent?"

"No. I'm a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist. I see these things..."

"She was exactly the same when..." Lois clamped a hand over Clarks mouth.

"No I wasn't. Now what do you want to do with these?"

"I think it's illegal and my dad's latest girlfriend wouldn't appreciate it. Flowers from dad do not make up for time he doesn't spend with me. Honestly Lois, I don't know. What would you do?"

She dropped them in the trash.

"I hope dad doesn't come by today..."

I worked quietly beside Clark sorting through some files for one of his potential pieces. 1pm arrived before I had a chance to look at the clock. A bright red gerbera appeared before me and there beside me stood Dick.

"Hello," I grinned. I must have looked like a complete idiot.

"Ready?"

"Yes she is," Lois said handing me my coat.

"Gee Lois. Would you rather go with Dick to lunch?"

"Sorry Buffy." She didn't look sorry. "Have a lovely time you two."

"And try to have her back in an hour," Clark added.

"Yeah. I turn into a pumpkin," I said.

"And a lovely looking pumpkin you'd be."

"Uh.... Thanks." The elevator doors slid closed.

"Is there anything particular you'd like for lunch?"

"Food," I offered.

He chuckled. "How about pasta?" He indicated a smallish cafe type restaurant, and I nodded. The waiter sat us at an outside table.

I turned my face into the sun and let it warm and relax me. "This is lovely," I said smiling at Dick.

"I'm glad you like it. I ordered it just for us."

I laughed. "I don't think that's possible Dick. Nor is choosing one thing from this menu. It all looks fabulous." I finally decided on something though I don't remember what. Dick and I talked about normal things that normal people talk about. No demons. No vampires. No sacred duty. I could definantly get used to this.

He talked about growing up at Wayne Manor, about Bruce and Alfred and a boy named Tim, who he said was like a little brother he'd never had.

I told him about my mum and about Dawn, about moving to Sunnydale and meeting Willow and Xander, Cordelia, Angel and Giles. I told him about college and throughout all of it I managed not to mention any of the supernaturalness that is so much a part of my life. I told him about Riley and about the Magic Shop and how much fun it was learning about all of that stuff.

He didn't believe that anyone could believe in what he called mysticism in this day and age. I told him not to knock it until he'd tried it.

He got me back to the office for 2 o'clock and we laughed when Lois grumbled about Clark always being right as she handed him a twenty dollar bill. I promised to be late if there was ever a next time.

At home that night, on my own, I exercised and stretched, relaxing myself with my Slayer study while Andrea Bocelli sang soft Italian in the background. Giles is determined to teach me at least one other language and thinks that hearing it being sung will help me understand the linguistic sounds. I just like the music.

I meditated for about an hour. As I finished I felt eyes on me through the window which I had yet to pull the curtains over, choosing instead to let the bright moonlight bathe me, allow me to feel the affinity between it and myself. I scanned the moonlit night with trained eyes and spotted a dark, masked figure on a building a block away. It's funny. I could see they wore a mask and had loose hair, but I couldn't make out the design on their costume or whether they were male or female, but from they way they stood I would bet on them being male.

Dad came home then, I said hello and when I turned back to the window, he was gone.