Title: Never Did Run Smooth
Summary: As Shakespeare wrote, the course of true love never did run smooth, and even though Batman and Catwoman fight crime and each other in Gotham, their tale is no different.
Disclaimer: DC owns all characters.
AN: Originally written as a series of fics for the 10-inspirations Challenge Community (chose ten prompts and write ten fics), but as I wrote more of the fics, they seemed to follow each other to create this story. Not in traditional chapter format, more like a series of vignettes.


The evening had gone by slowly, but once Selina Kyle arrived, the dull fundraiser had turned quite interesting. As Bruce Wayne danced with her, he noticed the murmurs and whispers everyone exchanged as they passed them by. The words he heard most often were gold-digger, tramp, and fool. Selina was oblivious to them and he wished he could be like her this once.

As a rule, Bruce didn't drink, but tonight — being a special night — he decided to make an exception. While he led her out to the balcony, he grabbed two glasses of champagne. He offered one to Selina.

She took it, but raised a questioning eyebrow, "What's the occasion, Bruce?"

"We are."

She looked at him, a skeptical expression obvious on her face. However, she decided that if he was going to attempt to be sociable and pleasing, she could at least humor him, "Well, I'll drink to that."

They raised their champagne then took a sip. Bruce took her flute and set it on the narrow railing next to his. He wrapped his arms around that small waist, kissed her forehead, and rested his head tenderly against hers. Faint sounds of the music inside drifted towards them and the warm night air blew gently around them. He took a deep breath and then pressed his lips to her ear.

"What if we made this permanent?" he asked, his voice a low whisper.

"Made what permanent?" she wondered out loud, feeling him smile against her ear.

"This. Us."

Selina pulled away and looked up at him, "I think you've had too much to drink, Bruce."

He chuckled at her wide-eyed expression, "You know I wasn't even close to finishing my champagne."

She shook her head, "I don't think you've thought this through."

"I would have asked you sooner, but I didn't find the perfect ring until this morning." He took out a small box from inside his coat pocket and opened it for her to see, "Nothing else but this would do for you." He smiled, looking so happy, "What do you say, Selina?"

She looked from the beautiful and expensive ring up to his clear blue eyes without saying a word. For the first time she could remember she found them completely open and welcoming.

"Selina?"

Suddenly, his voice seemed far away. So very far away.

"Selina. Selina, wake up."

"Huh? Wh—Bruce?"

"You were talking in your sleep."

She sat up quickly, afraid of what she might have said and cpncerned over what he might have heard, "Was I?"

"Yes. Are you all right?"

"Yeah, I—it was just a nightmare."

"Really?" he asked concerned, "You were smiling."

Selina shrugged, "Must have been the sushi I ate last night. Remind me not to eat that crap again."

She turned away dismissively ending the conversation, then pulled the covers over her bare shoulder. He was waiting for her to elaborate, she knew, but she simply couldn't. Telling him about her dream would serve no purpose. They had just settled into something of a relationship and she wouldn't jeopardize it with silly notions.

Selina shut her eyes, but seeing that smile from her dream — that genuine, excited, happy smile on his face again — was too much and she had to get out of bed and away from him.