A/N:This is my first batman story so I'm still not sure how will this play out, tell me what you think of it so far. I'm not really good at this stuff so I'm open for suggestions. I don't own any characters from Christopher Nolan or Bob Kane.
Concealed Into The Night
Chapter 1- Unexpected Encounter
The sounds of sirens blared into the the night sky. Gotham at it's late hours always showed its true colors. Mobsters and drug lords scattered into the deepest parts of the city, flooding the streets with trouble and fear. But now since "the batman" has arrived, a lot has changed.
This very night marked the two year absence to the white knight, Harvey Dent. He fell through the clutches of the psychotic clown. The Joker killed five people including Harvey's girlfriend and Bruce Wayne's childhood friend, Rachel Dawes.
After two years Gotham hasn't changed much. The city didn't lose hope, they still had a silent guardian, a protector for its inhabitants. But could they trust "the batman"? With all the chaos conjured by the Joker, risking citizens life to hand over the dark knight, could he turn to the shadows and never return?
The click of heels began to echo throughout a natural history museum. A woman in skin tight suit with goggles approached a small glass container. She grinned at the item that held inside the glass as she grazed it with her long nails.
"You don't belong in this crummy, old museum." She lifted the case and held a small yet valuable green emerald. "Don't worry, you're safe with me." The thief replied.
"I wouldn't touch that if I were you." She heard a voice from behind, making her nearly wince. Looks like she wasn't alone after all. That voice, it seemed oddly familiar.
"Well it took you this long to show up. So batman, came here to stop me from stealing this precious jewel?" She crossed her arms over her chest, awaiting for an answer.
Batman took a few steps forward, feeling in the gap that was created. His hazel eyes was the only thing exposed in the dimly lighted building. He gestured his hand to her. "Hand it over." Batman rasped.
The thief didn't fall for it. She batted her eyes at him. "Oh Batman, why do you always have to spoil the fun?" She toyed the gem with her fingertips.
He glared into her brown eyes and replied. "This isn't right Selina, one of these days you're going to realize how far you could go with all these thieveries. A person like you can take so much up until the point where you're caught and punished for these crimes." He backed away, slowly he grabbing her wrist and obtaining the jewel in one swift move.
Selina crossed her arms as anger churned inside. She despised the fact that her identity is unmasked from batman. Ever since last nights encounter in the warehouse, she had no choice.
THE NIGHT BEFORE...
Bruce sat quietly in the batcave keeping a close eye at the computer which tracked the whereabouts of upcoming crimes in Gotham. Alfred walked out of the elevator holding a tray of tea. He carefully placed the cup on the Bruce's desk who took no attention to his loyal butler's arrival.
"Any crime activity to report, Master Wayne?" Alfred asked turning his gaze to the monitor.
"Nothing yet. But I have a feeling there might be some tonight." He pointed to a red dot on the computer. "That dot pinpoints the location of thieveries that are taking place."
Alfred eyebrows furrowed in response. "So that means Catwoman is behind all this?"
Bruce nodded. "Exactly, but what I'm trying to figure out is why is Catwoman intruding in Carmine Falcone's hideout?" He arose from his chair and strode to a glass case. He pressed a button of the case and it opened containing a black cowl with a Kevlar suit and a cape.
Moments later Bruce Wayne has taken the persona of the dark knight. Protecting the streets of Gotham from crime and corruption. The remaining part of his suit was his cowl, the mask symbolizes fear but also protection for the people he deeply cared about.
"With all due respects Master Wayne, but haven't you realized that there are also people around you who want you to come back in one piece?" Alfred moved closer to Bruce who was gathering all his gadgets and placing them in his belt.
Bruce look up and smiled in response. "You're thinking about Selina, aren't you?" His eyes narrowed at Alfred.
The butler chuckled. "Actually I was thinking about myself." He paused then continued in a serious tone. "Don't you think it's time to tell Ms. Kyle the truth? After all, she's become quite an acquaintance."
Bruce held out his cowl. He thought of the pain and suffering he endured the last couple of years. With Rachel's death seeping through his insides everyday. His great friend and love, Bruce couldn't let himself face the fact that the Joker caused this ungrateful loss and not his will of act. And then he met Selina Kyle, she was bold and beautiful. They've been on several dates together however, they weren't officially a couple. But now Bruce realizes that he's growing feelings for this woman, but is he ready to come clean and unmask his identity?
"Alfred, I can't risk her life. I know that I have to tell her eventually, but right now the priorities of Gotham's safety is more important." And with that Bruce placed the cowl over his head and approached the bat pod.
"How long we'll you be gone, Master Wayne?" Alfred called out.
Bruce turned his head to him and rasped. "Not long." He powered up the engine of the vehicle and sped out of the bat cave, without another word. Leaving Alfred, alone in the cave.
"Someday, outsmarting the truth will not be good enough, there will consequences no matter what." He thought to himself as he exited out of the cave.
"Listen, you told me there's a prize if someone gets their hands on the drugs?" A large man in a black suit stomped his clammy hands on to the hard desk. Guards were positioned at every corner. Another man wearing a white suit and leaning on a cane approached from the corner of the room.
"Gerald, you're a great sport! But you didn't send enough to get enough. I'm going to ask you to leave." He had a firm grasp of the large man's shoulder then gestured him to exit the room.
The man looked furious. "Falcone! I ain't leaving without my money. I can call the police and settle this once and for all!" He swung his fist at Falcone, but missed we he felt broad hands on his wrists, one of the guard pushed the large man away. Twisted his wrist in the process,
The man screamed in agony. "I'll get my share, just wait and see!" Two other men picked him up off the ground and took him out of the room.
Falcone sneered. "You see, that's what happens when you don't listen to directions." He sat in his chair, fiddling with the remaining drug orders and throwing them straight to the wall.
His eyes still narrowed at the broken bags of drugs. "This is my city, no one can outsmart me!"
"Oh yeah, well I beg to differ." A strong willed voice caught Falcone and his men attention to the ceiling. A dark figure leaped to the ground. She paced herself closer, making direct eye contact with Falcone who looked dissatisfied.
"They say a cat has nine lives. But it looks like you cheated some extra ones." Falcone teased. "What do you kitty?"
She swung her legs to the desk and sat on it, advancing closer to Falcone. Her fingers splayed carefully on his face then made its way down to his shoulders. "I just wanted to come down here and see what you're up to." She glance at the other direction then smiled. "I can see you haven't changed your ways Fal."
"If you're looking for money kitty, you know the rules." His voice sounded slightly tense.
"Oh c'mon Fal! The least you could to is make an exception. Just for me." With one touch of a finger, Falcone was distracted by her alluring beauty.
"Alright fine. But only this time your charm will work on me. Give the cat her money!" Falcone shouted to his men. He eyed Selina carefully as she took twirled her hair with her fingers. His hand moved slowly to her cheek made her wince for a second.
"Don't be shy." She grinned. Falcone licked his lips and leaned in until he heard a loud crash behind the door. He sprung from his chair and approached the door. Before he could open it, one of his man rushed inside out of breath.
"Bat...B-batman i-is h-ere." The guard exclaimed.
Once Selina heard the guard, she strode to the door when she felt a hand tugging her arm.
"Oh no sweetie, I'm not finished with you! So you knew that batman was coming all along? I should've never trusted you."
Selina crossed her arms and smiled. "Did you really think I called batman Fal? I'm just here to get what you owe."
"Sorry to break it to you kitten, but the deal's off! The batman has blown our cover so that means we have to scatter before the police come after us." He opened the door and grabbed his duffel bag of money and handed it to one of his guards.
Selina stood there, nearly frozen until she followed Falcone and his men from behind. Keeping a distance between her and Falcone she felt broad arms wrapping around her waist, making her a couple inches off the ground.
"Put me down!" Selina struggled as hard as she could until finally used her razor sharp heels the kick the man in the thigh. He fell to the ground in pain making a run for it. The building smelled like burning ashes, she could feel sweat dropping down her forehead with each step she took.
The building was on fire, her limps began to weaken. Her body felt frail until she saw a dark figure ran to her and leading her out of the fire. When she looked up to his the mysterious being, she noticed her mask came off. Exposing her true identity.
"Are you ok Sel- I mean Catwoman?" She heard a calm voice. That voice could only come from batman. Selina was relieved that he saved her from the fire but no he knew who she was, this could start lots of trouble for not just her Catwoman, but for Selina Kyle as well.
Batman's grip tightened as they arrived out of the burning building. Selina took in a few breaths to calm her senses until she finally removed herself from Batman's hold.
She stared off into fire. "You didn't have to save me, I'm not the damsel in distress type." She remarked coldly.
His hazel eyes bored into her chocolate brown ones and replied calmly. "How else would've you gotten out of that fire?" He paused, his gazed moved down to her suit with was tattered and torn along the sides of her elbow. "Are you hurt?" He rasped, his gleaming eyes showed concern.
Selina smiled slightly. "Just a bruise, I'll be fine." She glance at her feet and noticed her mask was still on the ground with a few burned marks along the rim. She frowned picking up the small item carefully. "Are you going to turn me in, after all you know who I am?" She reminded.
Batman took out a tracking device, pressing a red button and a flashing light appeared. He placed the tracker in his utility belt. "Looks like Falcone isn't far from here. Selina I need you to..." He glanced up and noticed that he was talking to himself. "You might've left but I know who you are." He muttered as he strode to the bat pod and sped out.
TBC...