Prologue

About eighty years into the future…

The old man swallowed his pills before even trying to climb back into his chair. He knew his newest protégé had been right.

Selina, Barbara, and Dick had all left him because he had forced them to. With age, Bruce hadn't become wiser. He'd become more cynical, perhaps even more obsessive than when he had first donned the mask.

They didn't have what it took to protect and save his city.

He coughed. Years brooding in the cave hadn't helped his lungs.

Or his sanity.

How much more suffering must you endure before Gotham has quenched its thirst for Wayne blood?

Terry was Bruce's son because Amanda Waller had arranged for the manipulation of Warren McGinnis's DNA. His blood would later be spilled, setting a chain of events that had lead the young Terry to Wayne Manor.

The new Batman had endured his own sets of bruises, losses, and wounds for Gotham City, just like the first Batman had before him.

"Like father, like son," he grumbled to no one.

Perhaps the cracks in the cement of Gotham did crave Wayne blood.

Bruce Wayne wheeled himself past where the costumes of his protégés were suspended. Another costume regularly sought his attention, but it was located along side the souvenirs he'd collected from criminals he'd defeated in years past.

He knew it didn't really belong there beside the Riddler's cane, Mr. Freeze's ice gun, and the Joker's deck of cards.

But he couldn't logically hang it beside Nightwing's costume either.

Her voice, along with the voices of Alfred, his mother, and his father, always managed to surface from his memories. And like the words of those who had raised him, Selina's words always managed to cause a bittersweet twinge in his heart.

Bruce knew Selina would have put up with his bullshit if he would have allowed her to do so. She had understood. She had loved him once.

The city had been almost as important to her as it was to him.

And still, he had never told her to stay.

Chapter 1

Ten years prior to the present…

"You look exquisite."

Selina grinned. "You're too kind."

Her deep crimson dress had gotten his attention earlier in the night. She noticed because he had taken his eyes off of his and the other guests' dates.

When Bruce moved to stand beside her, she met his gaze in the large mirror they were staring into. His smile widened.

"This is a colossal mirror," she observed.

And it was. It had to be at least four feet wide and four feet tall. Its outline appeared to be trimmed in 24 carat gold. Its intricate design entailed both roses and crosses.

Bruce chuckled. "I got it in Europe, from a little gypsy woman."

"You're telling me a 'little gypsy women' carried this around to sell?"

"Hey. I just bought it."

"It is beautiful."

"It's supposed to reveal your future love when you stare into it."

Selina humored him. She stared at her reflection a little harder but only realized she needed to dye her roots. She shrugged.

"Nothing?"

"No. You?"

"I see a blonde beauty with large green eyes and plump red lips." Bruce turned to face her.

"Really? Does this image change every time a different woman steps before it?" She set her hands on her hips and arched an eyebrow.

"I wouldn't know. Alfred is usually pretty good about catching the guests who stray from the parties."

"Looks as if he missed me."

He laughed. "Or he let you by, knowing I'd find you. Alfred has taken a liking to you." He took a few steps toward her, and she could almost feel his breath on her face. "How about I get us a pair of glasses, both filled to the brim with champagne, and we escape into one of the empty rooms back here?"

She smirked. "What would your guests say? You're no stranger to vicious rumors."

"Neither are you, Selina."

"Touché." Selina ruffled her gown and asked, "Isn't Wayne Enterprises backing a new animal sanctuary?"

"Yes, and it's coming along rather nicely." Bruce took another step. "Let me take you to dinner, and we could discuss it. I know this delightful–"

She cut him short. "I'm sure it's charming, but I don't think it's wise for you to be associated with me, Bruce."

"To Hell with what those sycophants have to say." He moved even closer.

Before she tried to take a step backwards, Alfred arrived with two glasses of champagne. Selina simply shook her head as Bruce took the glasses and thanked the older man. He handed one to her and raised his for a toast.

"Well, what are we toasting to?" she asked.

"To your magnificence and your intelligence."

"And to my criminal record?"

Bruce shook his head. "How is that going, by the way?"

"I'm behaving."

"Selina, if you want to leave that life –"

"We've been through all this before," she interrupted. "You're a sweet man, but I can't allow you or your reputation to get involved. That, and I am fully capable of taking care of myself."

"And to your stubbornness," he muttered and sipped his drink before setting it on a table.

Selina smiled. "I'll drink to that." She sipped the champagne as well, enjoying the slide of the liquid down her throat. "Now, if you'll excuse me."

Bruce leaned in and kissed her. She didn't pull away, as she had told herself to do if he did make a move.

When their brief kiss ended, she whispered, "I really should go. Thank you, Bruce."

"I thought you'd given up thievery," Batman said from behind the cat burglar.

He saw her muscles stiffen. He wasn't sure if she was embarrassed, disappointed, or irritated.

Catwoman turned to face him. She let the bag she'd been filling with jewels fall to the carpeting and slowly raised her hands into the air. "What do they say about 'old habits,' Batman?" The thief took several steps toward him, until they were mere inches apart.

He took hold of both of her wrists, lowering them to waist level, and handcuffed them. Catwoman frowned.

"Old habits die hard," he said with a half-smirk.

"They do, don't they?" She leaned in and kissed him. At first, he didn't react. When her kiss intensified, he couldn't think logically. He placed his hands to either side of her waist, forcing her to deepen the kiss.

She laughed softly against his mouth and ended the kiss. He didn't even have to ask what was so funny.

Still with her lips against his, Catwoman whispered, "Sorry. Old habits, you know." She then took a step back, waved a free hand, and darted for the pent house's open window.

Catwoman had handcuffed Batman to his own utility belt.