CHAPTER 1
Bruce Wayne looked over Gotham City from the balcony of his penthouse.
The penthouse was located not far from Wayne enterprises, in the heart of the city. There were still smudges of graffiti on the walls and windows, a reminder of what had happened six months ago
Bruce sighed. He didn't like thinking about the nightmare six months ago, the nightmares he still has while sleeping, but it was all he could think about.
He went inside the penthouse, out of the cold. All the equipment from the Bat cave had been moved here after Wayne Manor burnt to the ground. The tables were clattered with batarangs, bat claws, explosive gel, smoke bombs, everything that Bruce has used over the years. The Bat Bike was hidden in the parking lot, the only vehicle he is able to use now since the Bat-mobile was destroyed and he didn't think it was smart bringing a boat and plane into a car park.
Bruce looked at the Bat-suit, hanging in a glass wardrobe. It was still stained with blood, torn across the chest, arms, shoulders and cape.
"Will you be eating tonight sir?"Alfred asked as he walked in.
"A bit of pasta will do" Bruce replied.
"Of course sir…would you look me to clean that suit afterwards?"
"I'll try not to drop much on it"
"I didn't mean that suit sir"
"Oh"
"Really, running around as Batman in a torn suit doesn't seem to be too formal"
Bruce chuckled. "As Batman", he thought. Guess everyone really does call me by my real name now, then.
"I thought you can't knit that material" Bruce said, looking at Alfred.
"Well, at least you'll have the blood stains out sir" Alfred replied. "So, pasta was it?"
"Yeah"
"I wouldn't mind some pasta as well" someone said.
Bruce turned to the balcony window to see Catwoman standing there, seductively.
"Selina?"
"I'm not here to fight, just to talk" She said, walking in. she took her mask off to reveal the face of Selina Kyle, dropping it on the ground.
"I'll bring some champagne as well" Alfred said, walking away.
Bruce and Selina moved closer to each other.
"I haven't seen you in ages Bruce" Selina said, hugging Bruce tightly, her head resting on his chest. "I missed you"
"I…um…what did you mean your not here to fight?"
"Oh you know, just living like it's the old days" Selina said, sitting down on a couch.
"I liked those days" Bruce said.
"You mean you liked having fights with me?"
"No, I mean when…when things weren't like this" Bruce said, sitting down next to Selina.
"Your still out there fighting every night, that's something at least"
"Yeah but…those criminals just taunt me. I used to be their fear, but now, I'm just a failed Scarecrow illusion"
He looked at Selina, she looked back.
"I hope your not a failed lover" She said, moving in to kiss him.
Bruce closed his eyes.
"SIR!"
Bruce opened them again.
"Sir, the Joker has escaped again!" Alfred called out from the doorway.
Bruce grunted. He got up and walked towards Alfred.
Selina ran up to him, grabbed him and pulled him into a deep long kiss.
"Don't let anything get your strengths down" She said, breaking off.
Bruce stared at Selina and kissed her on the forehead.
"I'll do the pasta when you get back, shall I sir?" Alfred asked as Bruce walked into the elevator.
"You're not coming?" Bruce asked.
"Good God, Arkham Asylum? I wouldn't be caught dead in that place"
Bruce chuckled, and left the penthouse.
"Will you be staying for the pasta Ms Kyle?"
"I might as well" Selina replied. "Do you have some knitting gear; I might as well fix up Bruce's suit while I'm here"