A/N:I forgot to mention in the last chapter that this story is dedicated to an awesome friend and writer Alaura Nova Shadowmane and to my two great friends who inspired me to write this story. I'm not sure when I'll update this story but I'll try my best. Anyway, I'll shut up now and let you read the next chapter, enjoy!

All the rights go to Christopher Nolan and Bob Kane (DC Comics)


Concealed Into the Night

Chapter 2-Complications

TO PRESENT DAY

Back in the museum, Selina strode closer to Batman hopping he'd return the jewel back to her. "Could you let me have something for once! It's bad enough that the cops are behind me but, why do you care so much?" She questioned as her eyes trailed down to the emerald.

"I care because I don't want you to end up like every other criminal in Gotham who's terrorizing the streets with nothing but greed and fear. There's more to you than this." He growled.

"There's no way out, I have to fend for myself to the best of my ability. I didn't choose to be a thief, it's what helps me survive in this godforsaken city!" Selina clenched her fists together, trying to control her emotions. She backed away when the realization of the police sirens grew even louder than before.

Batman watched her climb onto a ledge and leaped out of a clear glass sky light, escaping into the night. Batman took a deep breath, he was left alone again. He had to talk sense into Selina before the situation could get out of hand. In time, she'll understand.

"She got away?" He heard a cop tell from behind. Following him were three other officers carrying hand guns, scanning the museum.

Batman shook his head lightly. "Yes, but the emerald is safe. Tell your men to check the art division of the museum, I have a feeling she might've stole something there."

The cop gestured his men to the other direction. "Anything else to report? What about last nights fire, any leads to who might've done it?" The detective asked.

"Not yet, the investigation is still ongoing. I'll look into it and send you a message tomorrow." He rasped as he placed the jewel back in its display case.

"You can head on out batman, I'll have my men contact Gordon to have them patrol the city for the night." He replied keeping a gaze at batman. With that he ran out of the building, he still had a certain cat burglar on his mind.


Inside Wayne Manor, Alfred Pennyworth was preparing breakfast for Bruce who was sound asleep in the early parts of the morning. The famous billionaire playboy by day and the masked vigilante by night, Bruce never thought about a life beyond Gotham. In many instances, Rachel was the sign of hope and happiness. After the Joker's chaos, hope was lost and Bruce never returned to light and stayed into the dark ever since. It's been 2 years since the death of Rachel Dawes and Harvey Dent, both souls had an lasting affect on the people of Gotham. Now they have to rely on batman, because for now he's the sign of hope the city really needs.

There was a loud knock on the door which caught Alfred's attention. He strode to the door and opened it, finding Selina Kyle standing in front of him. Her dark brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, she looked somewhat tense. Her posture was firm as she wore a light brown coat with skin tight jeans and flats.

She tenderly looked into the butler eyes and smiled. "Good morning Alfred, may I come in?"

Alfred nodded politely, returning the gesture. "Of course Ms. Kyle. Master Wayne isn't awake yet. Would you care for something to eat?"

She walked in the manor, taking in the surroundings like she always does. "No I'm fine Alfred, but thank you for asking. I'll just wait here until Bruce wakes up." Selina paced herself into the kitchen and set herself down on a stool next to the counter.

"Fair enough." The loyal butler replied as he exited out of the kitchen without another word.

Deep into the covers of the bed, Bruce progressively tossed and turned into his bed when he heard loud footsteps approaching his bedroom. Blinking his hazel eyes, he watched Alfred walk in carrying a glass containing a green substance. He placed the glass on the bedside table and unclasp the curtain and pushing them to the sides. Making the entire room brighten from the sunlight.

Bruce shielded his eyes and groaned loudly. "It's early Alfred. You know I sleep till noon."

"Ms. Kyle is here to see you. So I thought it was best wake you and not keep her waiting." Alfred remarked.

Bruce arose from the bed, tossing the covers aside he grabbed his robe and drank the green substance in one gulp. "She wouldn't come this early unless something's wrong." Bruce narrowed his eyes at the butler.

"Well whatever the reason, you need to talk to her." Alfred's gaze went at his wry master then back at the doorway.

"I can't believe all this time, she was catwoman. How come I was so blind to not notice this before." Bruce asked looking out into the window and admiring the garden outside of the manor.

"Maybe you've grown certain feelings for Ms. Kyle and didn't take much notice of her personal activities?" Alfred calmly answered.

Bruce ignored that notion. "Selina is my friend, we're not that close and now I'm sure we won't ever be." Bruce stormed out of the bedroom and made his way down the staircase.


Selina tapped her dainty fingernails on the hard countertop. She glanced at the unusual nicknacks placed on the walls off the house. This never intimidated her but, she had a feeling Bruce never liked company. She met Bruce at a charity ball two months ago. The thought of being friends with a playboy billionaire never came into mind. Bruce was a mysterious being, no doubt about that. But was he more mysterious and brooding like the batman? Numerous times, Selina compared her relationship with batman and with Bruce Wayne. Each was different but also enjoyably at the same time.

"And I thought you said you're not a morning person?" A brisk voice jolted Selina back into reality. Bruce advanced closer to her as her leaned against the counter top keeping his distance.

Selina smirked at that comment."I could say the same thing about you, Wayne?" She paused. "Sorry if I awoken you, but I needed someone to talk to." Her voice trailed off.

"Are you ok?" His eyes showed concern. He scooted his chair closer to her. Bruce could tell something was bothering her. The way she slouched into the stool and her concentration became somewhat uneasy.

Selina glanced down into her hands a sighed. "I'm just worried about Holly, my roommate. She's been hanging out with the wrong people, I don't want her to get hurt. But she never listens to me."

Bruce gently moved his hand over hers and smiled. "I have a feeling that Holly isn't the problem." He saw right through her, changing the topic wouldn't solve the actual problem.

Selina flinched her hand away while keeping a steady gaze at him. "Ok Wayne, you caught me!" She held out her hands in annoyance. "I've been really stressed out lately. And my job as a cashier in a clothing store isn't making things any better."

With the skill of disguise, Selina never confronted stress her entire life. Sure there was guilt and nightmares haunting her every waking minute. The idea of anxiety was somewhat foreign to her vocabulary. Not to mention "the batman" has been on her case for some time now but, she can't fight the urge of thrill their each encounter they had. Even thought she doesn't know the man behind the mask, it was the adrenaline rush that made it worthwhile.

"Why don't we get out of the city, just for one day." Bruce abruptly interrupted Selina's thinking process. She scoffed at the notion. "What do mean, just leave Gotham?"

He nodded. "Yeah, we could take a day trip and then come back before midnight. And the best part, we can just relax and not have to worry about a thing."

"Are you sure? I mean you're Bruce Wayne, billionaire playboy. Won't someone notice?" Her tone sounded unsure.

"I think the city can survive without the "Prince of Gotham" for one day." He paused to glance at the clock. "Why don't we leave tomorrow?"

She glared. "Seriously Bruce? Isn't it short notice. You're not the type of guy who hands out unplanned invites?"

"Consider my gift to you for our friendship." He reassured.

Selina smirked in response, crossing arms over her chest. "Hmm. I didn't know we were friends. I just met you."

It was true thought, they've been "acquaintances" for a short period of time. The real reason Bruce offered the day trip was to get know Catwoman, Selina's persona. She must have some motives to steal from museums and the rich social elites. In a way, Bruce has become fond of her dual character and that he thought it was best to see the real Selina Kyle and not the mask that conceals her entirety.

It took some thought for Selina to make a decision considering this is the first time in so long to actually flee from Gotham's limits. But she's a risk taker and passing up this opportunity would be fatal. "And to think I'll have the billionaire playboy all to myself." She thought attentively.

"So will you come?" He asked feeling a little hesitant for being assertive.

She shrugged and smiled softly. "Why not? I mean it sounds like fun to just relax from all the chaos this city has conjured."

Bruce never left Gotham since he disappeared seven years before. Honestly, he has no clue where he'll take them as long as they move away from Gotham, the better off they'll be. All of a sudden he felt as though large amounts of weights tumbled through his mind. Could the city survive a few hours without the batman?

He felt a hand nudging his shoulder, bringing him back to reality. "Bruce, are you alright? You look worried?"

Bruce rubbed his forehead to gather his thoughts and gave Selina a tender expression to her concern. "I'm fine just a little tired. My board meetings yesterday really worn me out."

"So why don't you skip them?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Well it's not easy to skip a meeting when your name is nailed to the tallest building of Gotham." He chucked. "Not to mention the paparazzi are following my every move."

"So that's why you want to go on a day trip, to leave the public eye for a bit." Selina remarked as she tapped her fingers along Bruce's shoulder.

He shook his head in response. "There were many instances where I wanted to the city limits for awhile. I guess I wasn't sure when the time would be right."

She leaned into the stool. "Well then it's a date!" She glanced at her watch. "I better get going, I don't want to late for work again. It was nice talking to you Bruce, I'll see you tomorrow." She smiled softly as she rose from her chair and gave a quick hug to Bruce and exited the doorway without another word.

Bruce watched Selina make her way into her car then drove out. Loud footsteps caught his attention from behind. "Everything went well, I suppose?" Alfred strode next to the nearby window that Bruce was observing.

He turned to his butler and replied. "She told me that a lot of stress has worn her out, so I offered that we'd go on a day trip tomorrow just to clear both our heads

There was a slight pause then Alfred asked politely. "What about your business meetings for tomorrow?"

"Just cancel them. It's time a get some fresh air away from Gotham." Bruce walked back into the kitchen and Alfred followed.

"What did Ms. Kyle think of the idea?" Alfred furrowed his brow at Bruce.

"She thought it was a great idea and it'll give me some time to get to know the real Selina Kyle and not the mask that conceals her features." Bruce acknowledged as he opened the fridge to pour a glass of orange juice.

"So your not resting from your work, you're using detective skills to spy on Ms. Kyle." Alfred sounding concerned.

In one gulp, Bruce finished the entire drink and placing the glass on the counter. He sighed. "Alfred, I need to see if she can be trusted. Now I know she's Catwoman, and to find a reason why she went Falcone's territory last night."

Alfred weary eyes gently closed then made contact with Bruce. "With all do respect Master Wayne, you've made it this far with her. Why the change of trust? Just because she's a petty thief it doesn't mean you could interrogate her spot on. May I remind you that she doesn't know the real Bruce Wayne who beats criminal to a pulp at night wearing a cape and cowl. For Ms. Kyle's sake, please don't hurt her Master Wayne. She still has emotions, don't let justice get in the way of sedimentary values." And with that Alfred exited the kitchen leaving Bruce into his thoughts.