I choose to start this story now...

On day five I felt every bump and lurch on the subway and each one brought me a moment closer to regurgitating my breakfast on the people I was sandwiched between. I felt dreadful. Maybe whatever was coming was something I've faced before. Maybe in this City of the Future the air is cleaner and it keeps my mind and body more open to these mystical warnings. Maybe my increased emotion allows me to heed the warnings.

Maybe I'm paranoid.

Maybe the end of the world is finally coming.

"You don't look so good Buffy," Jimmy said as I walked out of the elevator and past him.

"Don't you know you don't actually tell a woman that Jimmy?" I said quietly, trying to hold onto my train of thought as my stomach lurched again. That coffee really did smell dreadful.

"Oh. Sorry," he said, sheepishly.

"It's ok. Life’s all about learning." I kept walking.

"He's right though."

"I don't wanna hear it Clark. I feel awful. I think something I ate last night didn't agree with me." Which may also be part of it so it's not a lie.

"Why don't you go home?"

"I'll be ok. Just need to drink lots of water. Angels package is due today. Is it ok if I go through it when it arrives? I know what you are looking for so I can at least take out anything that isn't at all relevant." Or that Angel forgot to remove, I added silently.

"That's fine with me. Lois?"

"Sure," she nodded. "But if you don't feel any better in the next hour you should go home."

"I'll be fine." I continued with some of the filing I hadn't finished the previous day. I began to feel better pretty quickly, thanks to advanced Slayer healing and maybe just a little bit of getting used to the feelings.

The package from Angel arrived, which he had addressed to me and not to Lois or Clark like I had said. It was a thick folder of paper clippings and carefully edited case files. No demons in this file but accounts of some activities that would definitely interest Lois.

A drawing fell on top of the pile of papers before I could call Lois. "His name is Nightwing. He's part of Gotham City's Bat led vigilante group," Clark said. "He's a good guy, barely. I don't think you have anything to worry about." I stared up at him.

"And if he tries anything just scream. Superman will save you," Lois smiled.

"Uh... thanks Clark. Glad to know I'm *probably* not in any danger," I groaned. "On a much brighter note, I've sorted through Angels files and I think you'll have more than enough." I slid back a little and she brought her chair over to Clarks desk to sit beside me, going through the papers.

"This is great Buffy. Tell your friend thank you."

"I will. I'm glad it's of use."

"Oh and take a long lunch then go home Buffy. You really don't look very well and you won't be able to help us rewrite the article tomorrow if you aren't well," Lois smiled.

"Really?" I asked nearly bouncing in my seat.

"It was your contact, your work. You deserve some of the credit."

I squealed in delight and hugged Lois. "Thank you so much."

"It's only a half-sized by-line if we can convince Perry..."

"It's the thought that counts," I grinned.

"What thought is that?"

"Not the one about lunch with you unfortunately Dick. Are we still on for lunch?"

"You aren't looking too well and I was just going to ask you the same thing so we are if you want us to be," he said, smiling with concern. I think he must be the bucket of water to my Wicked Witch of the West. He makes me all melty, and I can admit I like it.

"Cool, cause Lois insisted that I take an extended lunch then go home and rest. I think it must have been something I ate last night. Oomph!" I was so busy talking to Dick I walked straight into Clark. My stomach gave a great heave then settled. I'm sure I was green.

"Just make sure she gets home for some rest," Clark said to Dick in a tone I don't think even Giles has mastered, "And that she isn't disturbed."

Dick met Clarks eyeball challenge and held it. He grinned. "Of course Clark. Buffy's got strong arms, I don't think I could twist them if I tried."

"Are you ok Clark? You've been a bit weird these last two days. Maybe you need to go home and rest too?"

"I'm ok Buffy, just want to be certain you are."

"I am and it's sweet you are concerned but I'll be here bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 9am tomorrow. See ya." I walked past him. Dick fell against me and I turned around. He muttered something about tripping over big feet. I noticed Clark studying his fingernails. "Stop it Clark or I'll call Perry and tell him you need a vacation."

He looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

"I think she's got you there Clark," Lois said.

"Let's go. I'm starving," I said, taking Dicks hand.

Lunch was hotdogs, my idea though I don't know where it came from, while we walked around Metropolis, taking in the sights and sounds, seeing the differences and similarities between this high-tech upgraded city and our own cities.

HISTORICAL NOTE: A while ago, a technological virus called the B13 virus, rebuilt Metropolis with technologies we are only beginning to understand. LexCorp uses B13 technologies that we do understand, like nanobots, in some of it's industries. Oh, and the B is for Brainiac.

We window shopped and chatted about college and life in general. Dick told me about Bludhaven and how he was trying to join their police force but that he was bar-tending in the meantime, so that he wasn't relying on Bruce for a livelihood.

Much sooner than I would have liked we were in front of my apartment building. Dick came in for a drink and watched television with me to pass the time in our leisurely afternoon together.

I must have fallen asleep because after The Powerpuff Girls I woke up in my bed, still in my clothes. It was only 6pm and I decided to I get up and eat something.

I went back to the bedroom. On my dressing table I noticed a note. 'Sleep well Buffy. Tell Clark I behaved and I will see you tomorrow for lunch. D.G.'

It was still light so I don't know why I thought to look but there he was and in the early evening light I could see him, the blue bird-like icon blazed across his chest. The wind gently ruffled his hair and I could feel him staring at *me*. He's quite magnificent. Whatever that outfit is made of it molds to him like a skin.

The only word to describe him is 'wow' and that is so very beyond inadequate. With an abbreviated wave he vanished again. I sighed and sat on the floor to begin my meditation. A gentle tapping at the curtained balcony doors pulled me out of my blissful state and into my dressing gown.

At this point I would like to say that Superman is HUGE! There he stood on the other side of the doors waiting for me to open them, which I did of course. "I-is s-something wrong Superman?"

"I wanted to make sure that you were ok after the other night."

"You mean the studly in the tight black spandex? He was here a while ago but he's gone. Did he do something he shouldn't cause my friend Clark Kent at the Daily Planet, who you sorta look like, said that Nightwing was harmless." The phone began to ring. "Uh, you'll have to excuse me Superman. I appreciate your concern but believe me when I tell you I can take care of myself. Thanks for your concern. I'll scream if I need you."

"Don't forget the phone," he reminded me quietly.

"Oooops..." I grabbed up the receiver. "Hello?"

"Hey gorgeous. Fancy dinner? Bruce is paying."

I laughed. "I thought Clark told you not to disturb me."

"You were already awake weren't you?"

"Yeah. Ok. Where are we going?"

"I'll be round in twenty minutes."

"Ok."

I hung up and hunted down a flowy sundress, complete with pastel flowers. I wasn't dressing up for anyone... Don't worry. I don't believe me either. I'd just finished pulling my hair up into a ponytail when the doorbell rang. I grabbed a lilac cardigan that co-ordinated with my sundress, my purse and the keys.

"This is beginning to become a pattern. How ever will I eat without you once you return to Gotham?"

"You could come with me," he suggested playfully but I think he was at least a little serious.

"I have to finish college... You could come to Sunnydale. Not as exciting as Gotham. We don't have a flying rodent problem but we do have a mystical history," I said as I stepped out of the apartment and into his open arms. I like the hugs and the kisses on my forehead. I could very definantly get used to having this man around. "So where are we going for dinner?"

"SuperPizza. They're supposed to make the worlds largest pizza and Tim wanted to see it."

Laughing I asked, "What? No snooty waiters and hundreds of dollars for one customers 3-course meal?"

"You haven't seen Tim eat yet."

Sitting in the car and observing as the day began to surrender to the night I noticed again that we were being chauffeur driven. "Dick? Who's driving this car?"

"Alfred Pennyworth. He's been at Wayne Manor since before Bruce. Alfred, I'd like you to meet Buffy Summers. Buffy, this is Alfred. You two could probably have a great discussion on human behaviour and psychology."

"Oh?" I asked.

"One in my situation observes a great deal Miss," Alfred remarked.

"I'm not surprised. I suppose many people would treat you more like furniture than a person."

"Indeed."

"Maybe if you relaxed a bit Alfred, people wouldn't think you were made out of wood," Dick chuckled.

"I can't imagine you maintaining that sort of posture and composure for more than 5 minutes at a time Dick," I retorted.

"It would be an active imagination indeed that *would* be able to imagine it Miss Summers."

I giggled and sat back in the seat. "Don't you ever get tired of driving people around? Wouldn't you rather be driving for yourself?"

"I wouldn't choose to be anything except what I am, Miss Summers."

"Alfred is more like Bruce's father than his butler Buffy. Alfred pretty much raised Bruce," Dick said.

"Wow. Poor Alfred. I bet Bruce was a handful."

"Yes Miss. He was and still is."

I was still laughing as Dick helped me out of the car. "Thank you Alfred. It was lovely to finally meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine Miss. Do behave yourself Master Dick. This young lady is more than a match for you."

"I know," Dick winked at me.