The Language of Flowers

Author's Disclaimer; Me no own, Please no sue.

This is a companion piece to follow after 'The Long Goodbye'... you really didn't think I'd kill her, right? But hey, she can't get off the hook that easy... The next few stories will chronicle Selina's stay in the Metro Tower and her various visitors. Some guests; Huntress, Black Canary, Batgirl, Wildcat, Flash, Hawkgirl, Nightwing, Robin, and an arranged visit from the Riddler! So stay tuned and ready, more comming at ya!

If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the NOs on their vacancy signs

If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark

Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Follow You Into The Dark

Selina Kyle stood at the window of her hospital room. The I.V. dripped slowly in her veins giving her a very drugged sense of reality. She stood there, staring at Metropolis trying to find a middle ground between the drugs and clarity. Too much clarity made the wounds feel fresh and new… much like life, she mused.

She glanced around the private room that was littered by acres of flowers stuffed in vases and almost making the room cloying and rich with perfume. She went to open the window and just stayed for a moment, inhaling the scent of a new city, thinking about what happened.

She saved Batman's life by getting shot. Okay, well, it was gonna happen sooner or later, they both knew that. They had saved each other's lives more than they could count… sometimes, she comforted herself with the fact that it was to make up for breaking each other's hearts so often.

This was different, fear got into her gut, and it was about Batman. She didn't like that eating at her along with this goddamn constant pain! She grumbled in her mind, 'What kind of hospital is this? Feels like I never got fixed… at least they have morphine…'

She looked around the room at the different gifts and flowers around her; A bouquet from the Justice League for 'saving' one of their own ('He would have been fine without me, he's the goddamn Batman.', she told herself). It was a generically beautiful bouquet; bright happy flowers in reds, yellows, oranges, pinks, purples, whites, green, ect, ect… it was huge, prominent, and nauseatingly sweet… ha, just like the Justice League. Well, except for one flower in there; a tulip. The only reason she knew what this particular tulip was called was from the dozens of garden magazines that kept getting sent to her apartment and their eye catching name for such a dark purple tulip that was almost black;

Queen of the Night

Appropriate, and she didn't have to be the world's greatest detective to figure who sent it.

On the other side of the table there was a bunch of yellow roses elegantly arranged in a simple vase. Those had no scent, store bought. She could almost kiss Wildcat for the thoughtfulness of 'no-scent', knowing him it was an unconscious effort on a run to the nearest grocery store.

Another flower arrangement came from Bruce Wayne which was perhaps the loveliest and most expensive of the bunch. It was filled with red roses ranging from a deep bright red to a dark almost black-blood color. With those were springs of baby's breath, lily-of-the-valley, and different types of green leaves. It was artfully done and breathtaking, the card read,

'Leave playing hero to Batman. Get well soon.

Always ,

Bruce'

in an elegant flourish.

She placed the card back in the bunch of flowers, "Sweet Bruce, but if I did that, life would be too dull."

She went back to her bed, her legs not feeling very stable anymore and upped the drip every-so-slightly until the pain's echoes began to dull. Things got fuzzy, this felt great! Like getting drunk instantly.

Weeeee!

There was a knock on the door, "Cm'in!" and she gave an exaggerated wave.

The door parted slowly and a head slipped in, "Selina?" Bruce said in that cheerful way he always had.

"I jus' read the card, s'lovely."

Bruce chuckled, "Upped the dose, I see."

"Started hurting 'gain." She snuggled down deeper in her bed as Bruce moved to the chair at her side. He took her hand and placed it in his. As she turned towards him with her head resting on the pillow, her face frowning, "Bruce, why's it all s'ill hurt? … Should feel better, righ'?"

He frowned and looked down and kissed the top of her hand, "I should go."

She grip tightened, "No, wai'." She smiled at him, "I have s'much drugs in me, I wanna be hones' with yoo, as' me anythin'."

Bruce couldn't help but laugh, quirking a smile at her, "Anything?"

"Mm-Hm."

He thought about a question or two before leading up to the larger questions, "What is your favorite flower… in case this happens again?"

She laughed, "My fav'rite isn't cattails (pronounced 'ca-dails', by Selina's slurred tongue), or tiger lilys, or anythin' else ca'-themed." She paused and smiled gently, "I love calla lilies. S' white ones, naw tha' new fad colors wi' spotted leaves or any a' those." She grinned, "I'm 'lergic ta Dogwood."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"My turn."

Bruce eyes widened in surprise, "I thought this was about you?"

"No fun." She rolled her head so she was staring at the ceiling, "When's Alfred's Bir'day?"

He smiled, "April 19th."

"Good, 'got a beau'ful English sal' set for 'im. I's crys'al 'n silver."

He debated asking her how she got it, but simply said, "I'm sure he'll like it."

She turned back, "Your turn."

"What do you want for your birthday?" he said, keeping the conversation light. In fact, he rather enjoyed the fact deeper questions hadn't been probed.

"I need a new pair of fuzzy slippers." she said, "My cats either get a' 'em, or they get worn down so they're no' fluffy 'nmore."

"Then I'll get you a new pair every year for your birthday." He said, squeezing her hand.

There was a knock on the door and they both looked over. Bruce set Selina's hand back on the bed and kissed her forehead, "I'll get it."

Selina snuggled back into bed, "Mkay."

He opened the door and saw John standing there, "You left your light on." John grinned.

Bruce looked back and saw Selina had fallen asleep. He stepped forward and closed the door, "Nightwing called?"

John nodded, "Break-out at Arkham; Scarecrow, Croc, Bane, and Ivy." He took a look at Bruce who seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders, "Is she okay?"

"She's asleep, let her stay that way." He said softly before he followed John down the hall.

Bruce took out his cell phone and called the house. "Yes, Master Wayne?"

"I need you to find a pair of—" he sighed, he hated saying anything 'out-of-character', even as Bruce Wayne, "—fuzzy slippers, and send them to Selina. I think I have her shoe size in the computer (lifted from a robbery attempt a few years ago)."

"Color, sir?"

"Black, preferably. And send up an arrangements of Calla lilies to go with them."

"Very well sir, will that be all?"

"Yes Alfred, thank you."

Next... Birds of Prey! WITH BAT-BUDDIE! ;)