He knew something was wrong when he'd woken up that morning, but things were finally getting back to normal with Selina -- well, as normal as things could be with Selina -- and he knew that if he didn't show up he'd be setting them back several steps in their relationship. What that word meant for him and Selina he still wasn't quite sure, but he wasn't going to mess it up again, especially not for a little tiredness and a headache.

So he met her that night at their usual rooftop meeting place. Selina was already there, feeding the caged birds that he thought should be asleep at this time of night.

"Hey," he said, and frowned at the slight raspiness in his voice. Selina didn't seem to notice this, however, and turned to greet him with a small smile, "Hey. I know where some low-lifes are gonna be tonight. They'd probably make a good warm-up." Bruce smiled, "Sounds perfect." He and Selina had recently started working together, both finding it beneficial to have someone watching their back.

They made quick work of the low-life criminals Selina had suggested, and as they ran away from the scene in high-spirits, Bruce heard a sound he wasn't sure he'd ever heard before, it was Selina laughing. It wasn't sarcastic or mocking, but genuine laughter, which made him smile.

Their high spirits didn't last long, however, because as soon as they were sure they were safe and hiding behind what seemed to be an abandoned building, Bruce leant against the wall with his arm, breathing far too heavily for what his normal endurance was.

Selina realized this and put a hand on his shoulder. "Bruce?" She asked, "You okay? You get cut or something?" Bruce shook his head, "N-No. I'm... fine. Just... a little..." He didn't get to finish his sentence as he felt himself being caught by Selina just before he hit the ground.

The next thing he knew he was in his bed, Alfred sitting at his side, frowning down at him. Bruce looked up at his guardian, trying to will his eyes to focus, "Selina?" he asked. Speaking proved painful, and he could only get out the one word, but Alfred understood what he wanted to know. "She's alright, Master Bruce. She brought you here. Lord knows how she managed it without help, but there you are." "...Where is she now?" "She left as soon as she knew you were safe."

Bruce looked disappointed, but he nodded slightly to show he'd understood. "...It wasn't her fault, Alfred." "I know it wasn't. --You should have told me you weren't well." "You would have tried to convince me not to go." "Of course I would have. You were clearly in no condition to be galavanting about. ...You gave Miss Kyle and I both quite a fright."

Bruce sighed a little, sinking further into his pillows, "I know. I'm sorry. ...What's wrong with me?" "Just a bad bout of flu, I think. You had quite a fever when Miss Kyle brought you home, but it seems to have come down to a much more reasonable temperature now."

Bruce nodded again, "Thank you for taking care of me, Alfred." Alfred smiled, "I'll always be here when you need me, Master B. Now, get some rest. I'll be in to bring you some tea and see how you're fairing shortly." Alfred stood up and began to leave the room, looking back when he reached the doorway just to confirm that Bruce was safe.

Not long after Alfred had left, Bruce heard the faint sound of voices coming from the drawing room. He couldn't make out what they were saying, but he knew the voices belonged to Alfred and Selina.

He smiled at the knowledge that Selina had come back to make sure he was alright.

The voices from the drawing room stopped, and for a minute Bruce thought that Selina had left again. Then the door to his bedroom swung open. He knew it couldn't be Alfred, who always knocked and would never treat anything in this home so carelessly. No, this had to be Selina.