"Bruce Wayne Vindicated, Gordon the Ripper"

The headline in large, black, serif letters adorned the newspaper that slid under the Wayne household's door; it was but ink but to him its content was authentic black diamond. Bruce knelt and picked it up. He took one good look at it then passed it to the person behind him.

"It's official," Those were Selina's first words to Bruce that morning, both of them still in their sleepwear. "You're a free man." After reading a few paragraphs of the news as she walks to the dining room, her sight glided to the publisher. "Daily Sentinel? I know that I don't read the papers everyday but this looks new."

"They've been around in this city for barely a week," Bruce said as they seated. "How was your sleep last night?"

"I-it was fine," She reservedly replied, thinking back to the conversations of yesterday.

oOo

"Oh, so that's a Batarang," Selina nodded with understanding as Bruce explained the aforesaid tool to her. The Wayne Residence wasn't far off and they had already caught a glimpse of its frontage. Her elation dampened from seeing it as it's then that she realized that she forgot to ask to be brought to her home first and it's too late to turn back. However, she had no choice. "Hey, Bruce?"

"Yeah, what is it?"

"I hate to bother you and Alfred but I forgot to have you drop me off my house. Can we, maybe, take a detour? You can just drop me off to the nearest street and I'll just wait for a carriage."

"About that… I have something in mind regarding your living accommodations." Bruce said. "Are you really comfortable with that hotel room?"

"It's sufficient. What could a bachelorette like me want more than an undivided living and bedroom? A kitchen?" Her tone made out the last phrase to be a jest.

"How about the rent? Is it reasonable?"

"Well," She began exhibiting signs of uncertainty: a softened tone and diverted gaze. "It might be straining the regular pay at my job as a stage performer but rich fans backstage do tip and give presents and that helps me break even." She noticed that his face suddenly blanched and she felt the need to follow it up. "Oh, for no extra performance at that, if I may add."

"Good! I mean, it's good to know that you're doing well." He cleared his throat. "We're already here anyway so why don't you stay here for a while before you go home?" Bruce said with a smile.

"If it wouldn't be a nuisance, then please excuse me," She said as she stepped down the carriage with Bruce's hand guiding her.

"Please make yourself at home while I prepare something for us to eat," Bruce said as he made his way to the kitchen while pointing at the sofa.

"Oh, Bruce, that would be too much," Selina tried to stop him but the man was adamant.

"Consider this as a celebration of closing the Ripper case," Bruce insisted. "Also, I want to thank you for helping me several times during and even after that."

A flash of red streaked in her cheeks and she relented. "Alright then, but you saved my life, too."

"Let me help you cook, Master Bruce," Alfred volunteered.

"No, let me do it this time," Bruce reiterated his intent to do it by himself. "Just keep her company for me, will you?"

Bruce vanished behind the kitchen door then Selina and Alfred gave each other perplexed looks.

"Bruce can cook?" She inquired.

"I think he can," Alfred gave an assuring answer. "But he only do so when I contract a disease or if I request a day off; both of which I rarely do."

"I wouldn't have guessed that a rich playboy like him would be willing to do chores, much more cook at home. Even chefs that I've met before consider it as an insult to their masculinity to cook in anywhere but a restaurant."

Alfred sighed then gestured to Selina to come nearer. He spoke with a lowered voice, "Don't tell Bruce that I've told you this: his superficial playboy persona? That's all a ruse."

Selina glanced doubtfully at Alfred and voicelessly mouthed the word "Huh?"

"You see, being the Batman, Bruce must be alert at all times and, as much as possible, devote time and focus for his vigilantism," Alfred began explaining. "But what about Bruce Wayne? He needs to propagate the image of a normal man with above average wealth as much as possible. And following that standard, he must make it seem like he has a healthy… love life, like all other men of his standing. So, a few times in a month, he brings a willing woman home he met somewhere, imbibing alcohol together while making sure he takes less than that night's lady guest, leading her to his bedchamber, and indulging her until she falls asleep. When the lady wakes up in the morning, remembering very little of the previous night's tryst, she'll fill in the blanks herself with what she thought happened."

"That's… a pretty complicated arrangement," Selina gave her thoughts on Alfred's exposition. "But was it all necessary? Does he really need to go that far to maintain appearances? By the way you tell it, it seems like it's a chore for him rather than anything… recreational, in spite of the supposed pleasure-seeking that comes with such a lifestyle."

"Bruce thinks that it's crucial to stay in the good graces of other influential men here in Gotham, to be recognized as one of them. The often helpful information that those men let slip is one of the reasons why the Batman has managed to keep up his fight against crime. However, isn't he paying more attention to being Batman than being Bruce Wayne? Putting up a facade to please those people is strengthening the Batman but is hurting Bruce and soon it will be the former wearing the latter as a mask." With those, he set the subject aside and changed it to another: her. "That was then, this is now; your presence is like a pebble thrown into the water of stagnancy that is Bruce's life. No two ways about it, young lady; he's enamored with you and I've never seen him like this before. Those other women only knew the decadent heir but not the man that protects this city. I'm not sure how far you and Bruce will go but I'm interested at how you can change him and, of course, I hope it will be for the better. Yet, everything remains to be seen at this point."

"Thanks, Alfred, but why are you telling me all of this?"

"Because I want you to know what you're getting yourself into, for your sake and his," The elderly man genially said. "And for the very long time that I've observed him and kept my opinions secret since he wouldn't listen, having someone to share this with is also a relief. Also, if I may boldly add, Master Bruce never seemed to have gone too far with the women he's been with. I could tell by the amount of time, or lack of it, he spends in his bedchamber with those ladies before leaving to carry out his vigil. As I've said, he just strives for the bare minimum to keep up his reputation. Make of that what you will."

Wait, could he mean… but it didn't seem like it. Is he…?

Selina took in all of Alfred's words but was at a loss with her own. She understood; the butler didn't say it outright but he is warning her that Bruce Wayne is not as experienced, in multiple senses of the word, as he appears to be. With how it could develop between them, she can make or break him. The Batman persona is eating away at his growth as Bruce Wayne and it should be stopped. A balance must be struck between the two.

Sparing her from more overwhelming dialogue was Bruce's voice commanding Alfred from the kitchen.

"Alfred, call the children down from the chimney. It's almost noon. Tell them to take a bath before eating. I'd be done here in a few minutes."

"It'll only be a moment, miss." Alfred excused himself.

When he returned, he was with three sooty boys. He lead them to the bathroom and by the time they returned, lunch was ready to be served. While the butler and the young robins ate in the dining room, Bruce invited Selina to eat in the balcony.

"This is a better view than from my hotel room, I must admit." Selina said in between sips of tea after they finished their chicken sandwiches, pieces of buttered bread, and cold puddings.

"Do you know how to take care of kids?" Bruce blurted out after his relative silence for most of their meal together. He was looking her straight in the eye and at that moment, he saw hers widen.

Her cheeks puffed then she gulped, "I think I can, but… what's with that question?" She asked aflutter.

"What I meant is that with the street children that Alfred brought home, someone needs to watch over them. It can't be Alfred because he's my butler and it can't be me because… I'm the Batman." He whispered the last sentence with a deeper tone and a grin. "Selina, if you'd agree, I want to hire you as their governess. You can still keep your current job if you like since it would just be for the daytime. Just teach them basic knowledge and etiquette for them to adjust to society."

"I don't think I'm the most suitable person for the job but if you're asking, I guess I could use the extra income," A realization dawned on her. "But if I'm to become their governess, would that mean… that I have to live here?"

"I think so," Bruce replied. "I'll make sure that the pay will be worth your effort and you can negotiate your wage."

"Well, if you've set your heart on it… then I accept the offer, Mr. Wayne." She said with a wink.

"Just call me Bruce… but you know that by now, right?" He engaged with her banter and reciprocated with a pleased smile.

Later that afternoon, the three adults of the household moved her belongings from the hotel to her own personal chamber in the Wayne Mansion. She was shown around the house afterwards to familiarize her with what could be her home until her wards grow up or, if things go well, forever.

But this is Gotham City. How good are her chances?