Title : Return to Reality

Author : Madd13

Rating : T

Disclaimer : All credit to DC Comics to the creation of all characters involved.

Characters : Selina Kyle, Edward Nygma, Bruce Wayne, mention of and scenes with others.

Summery : Sequel to Something New, Please, Selina returns to Gotham to find she's been very missed.

Edward remained quiet on the bike, save to the whispers of directions. Regardless of who he was with, he hadn't liked that bike ride at all. He had molded himself to her back, arms tightly around her waist as they sped through the streets. He usually didn't have an issue with speed. But this, this was utterly reckless and terrifying in the fact that he felt like he was going to be thrown from the bike any second and made into street art down the whole block. Such a shame that he couldn't enjoy being this close to her the whole way to his home.

He mentally repeated the manta "I am the great genius in Gotham, I will not shake." He mostly succeeded in keeping his form steady as he dismounted the bike in front of what seemed to be a very run down building. He tugged his jacket straight and try to fix his hat that had gotten just a little crushed. "Well, that was … quick," He murmured as Selina shut off the engine and smirked at the tall man. "Best way to get around." Gotham wasn't the place to be taking leisurely drives around town. One, there was nothing nice to look at, and two, you never knew when you would end up car jacked and dead on the side of the road.

It was always best to keep moving until safely inside. Right then, she wanted to be inside. She took in the building, taking a stab at the fact that this kind of degradation was not what lay inside. She didn't think that someone so flashy as The Riddler would allow himself anything other than the best. After all, he thought that very thing of himself. She started forward, letting Edward catch up to her while he caught the hint that lingering outside wasn't a smart idea.

He stepped in front of her, unlocking his front door with a key and a series of buttons on a hidden keypad. "My lady, welcome home," He said with a flourish, pushing the door open and allowing her to go first.

The thief was stunned as she stepped into Edward's home. It was so very much the opposite of what lay outside. A few wide steps led down into a lovely living area. It was furnished with a nice white carpet, pale green furniture, a large fireplace, and a full entertainment center. That was just a few of the things that filled and lined this particular room. Off to the side was a half wall that looked into a kitchen.

There were two hallways off of either side of the main room. She guessed that one would lead to bedrooms and other typical rooms. The other might hold similar rooms but she doubted it. This was a base of operations so she was sure that somewhere there was a door that would lead to his personal command center. She would have to find that eventually but not tonight. Most likely not this week given that she would be spending her time trying to get reestablished here again.

She put her goggles on top of her head and turned on the brunette, hands on her hips. "So, what's the catch? What do I have to do to crash here for a few days?" She started, eyes narrowed to suspicious slits as she examined him. "Play maid? Do your shopping? Play a part in your riddles?" She listed off some of the most reasonable stuff that she could think of. If it was the last option, she couldn't guarantee that she would be staying, but at least she would hopefully have the option of doing so willingly.

Edward raised a brow at the feline fatale, carefully putting his hat and jacket away while keeping the cane on his person. "Nothing, Selina. Just enjoy your stay." He gave a small smile, oddly devoid of mockery, hidden agendas, or anything remotely more sinister. "Let me give you the tour." He started through the living area, not bothering to point anything out since everything in it was obvious. He motioned off to the kitchen. "Obviously the cooking area. It has an eating nook as well. I find it much more pleasant to take my meals in there. I have a false window with a programmable view," He started, taking a glance in himself to see where he had left the setting. Selina hurried to catch up, following his gaze out on … Paris. She probably should have guessed it would be somewhere in Europe.

The thief took a proper look at the kitchen, noting that it was all top shelf appliances. It was similar to hers in the fact that everything was neat, state of the art, and laid out like hers. She would have to snoop and see if he organized his cabinets like hers. As he moved on, so did she. He headed down the closest hallway, pointing out a few closets, one of them for linens, a bathroom and two bedrooms. She admitted to herself that she had been a little worried about the sleeping arrangements. She didn't want to sleep on the couch, but she would rather that than sleeping in the same room as Edward Nygma.

The guest bedroom was a decent size and very tastefully decorated. It was simple, classy, and done in nice shades of purple. She couldn't say that she would hate this style in her own place once she got one. "Thank you, Edward. I do appreciate this," Selina said quietly, forcing the words out of her mouth. It was degrading in her own mind to be accepting help like this. But the thought of going back to an easily tracked hotel after her first big heist after returning to Gotham bothered her. She was avoiding Bruce like the plague right now. Later, she wouldn't care in the least if he followed her home, but she wanted to feel good about being back before running into disaster.

Edward hadn't responded and the thief hadn't noticed his footsteps retreating or returning. "I doubt you're in the habit of bringing sleepwear with you on your little adventures," He said, holding out his hands. In them was a pair of dark green pajamas. Once handing them off, the genius tipped an imaginary hat and turned to leave. "Sleep tight, Selina." With that, he disappeared for the night.

Selina was shocked how well she had slept. She stretched, her feet and hands barely poking out of the sleeves and pant legs of the pajamas Edward had loaned her. It was so strange to think on how nice he had been. But she still couldn't trust him. She had taken precautions before retiring for the night. Most of them were flimsy traps and deterrents. A locked door, a chair propped under the door knob - cliché and usually ineffective - and little noise makers splayed around the bed so he couldn't sneak up on her while she slept … again.

She was pleased to note that she was not kissing him or finding him attempting to fit into her suit. The fact that she was now wearing his clothes did ring a bell with her, but at least these wouldn't get ruined given that they were too long on her. She had to cuff the sleeves but left the pants as they were, dragging as she padded out to the kitchen. Given that he had offered her a temporary home, she was going to take full advantage of his refrigerator.

The raven haired woman stopped in the threshold, emerald eyes wide. The first thing she noticed was pale skin contrasted with the black silk of Edward's pajama pants that hung low on his narrow hips. Silently watching him busy himself, she couldn't help but take note of the way his muscles moved. An unwanted thought occurred to her then. This wasn't the first naked back she had seen. The last one she had seen in Gotham had been a good deal broader, much more muscled.

Bruce had been almost blocky, making sure that his physique was not only in top notch condition, but also sizable enough to be intimidating. Edward, however, had lean muscle. They were there, but it wasn't that in your face, "I dare you to try and fight me" kind of muscle. Her mind continued to compare even as Edward turned around. He had to clear his throat in order for her to snap out of her thoughts, eyebrows raised high. "Good morning to you, too. I would have thought the window would catch your attention more," He said, tone clearly amused even as he motioned toward the false view.

Cheeks reddening, Selina turned to glare at the scene presented to her. "I should have known. Wasn't that place painful enough for you?" She drawled, forcing herself to ignore her own embarrassment at being caught staring at Edward. She moved to the table to get settled there, staring out over Rome. She rested her chin in her hand, angry with herself for allowing a nice body get to her like that. Worse yet, she knew very well that it was Edward Nygma of all people that had that nice body.

He chuckled, watching her, knowing what thoughts were running through her mind. Well, he could take an excellent guess and knew he would be right. But given that he didn't want his ass kicked in his own kitchen he decided not to be the irritating pest that he knew she would consider him. Instead, he was the gracious host and set plates and two cups of coffee at the small table.

Along with that came eggs, fresh fruit, and pancakes. It was a larger breakfast that he usually made considering that he typically ate alone. The brunette man put a little of each on his plate, trying not to smirk. "How did you sleep? I hope you had pleasant dreams." The implication that he hoped he starred in at least one lay heavy in the air.

"Uneasy. I thought someone was going to sneak in," Selina responded, purposely making a jab at him as she filled her own plate. They shared a small laugh, the thief feeling a touch better after staring at someone she really shouldn't. How terrible was it that she might actually consider that Edward's body was more attractive than Bruce's? Yeah, that was just what she needed people to know.

There had to be something wrong with her.