The jewels that glistened before her could easily be purchased. The credit card in her pocket assured her of that. Before, they lived a content life. They had most of her money plus some from a fund that Bruce had hidden for emergencies. Their house had been modest, for Bruce's tastes at least, and they had managed to survive without many worries.

Now, however, Bruce Wayne was proven alive. That meant the name provided Selina with whatever she could possibly want, even if her name wasn't her own in public. It'd been her decision to hide her identity in the end. It was a testimony as to how much she had changed since meeting Bruce that she was so eager to put someone else's safety before her own, but protecting her daughter was her highest priority.

Ariana didn't deserve to have her name tarnished because of her mother's past crimes. She wore the fitted wig they'd found and she picked clothing that she never would wear herself. She created her new identity to protect, not only herself, but her family.

So, 'Alison' was walking down the streets, holding Ariana's hand and looking at all the things that were now at their disposal. Before leaving Gotham, Bruce had enough money that he didn't need the so called 'charity' of the expensive jewelers giving the rich discounts. Most of the wealthy didn't even have to but their own jewelry. It seemed as if you were given things for free, especially with a name like Wayne. But now, they weren't so well off.

"Mommy, look!" Ariana's little hand was pointing to the sparkling emerald before them, the green catching Selina's gaze instantly. She bent down to pick her up so she could see better, smiling to her as she explained which each one was.

"But the emerald is clearly the best. You have wonderful taste for being so young."

The voice came from behind them, Selina's initial instinct to run kicking in. She had no idea who this mysterious person was, but the tone of her voice sent a chill running down her spine.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Where are my manners? The name is Pamela. Pamela Isley. But you've probably heard all about me, seeing as I'm the new figure your husband seems to have come back to knock down."

This caught her attention. Selina turned to look at the woman behind her, red hair glistening in the sun as she wore an emerald green pencil skirt with her black dress shirt and heels. She looked the part of a Wayne Enterprises secretary. A 'threat' didn't exactly fit into her look.

"I'm sorry, but I haven't heard a thing of you." A blatant lie, but it wasn't like Pamela knew. How could she? To the public, she was Alison Dare, daughter of a billionaire in New York City. Bruce fled there after Bane's reign and the two married after. No one second guessed the story and the people of Gotham almost celebrated the return of their prince.

Ever since his 'death', he'd managed to win their hearts over with his generous donations and means of fixing the city. Still, no one put two and two together. Not a single citizen of Gotham realized he had been the dark knight protecting them for all those years.

But it seemed to Selina that this Pamela knew the story they'd managed to come up with to hide her identity was bullshit. And she didn't like the feeling that was encroaching upon her. "Granted to say, most of Gotham seems transfixed by your love story to their hero. And this little princess the two of you have brought back. But I seem to remember everything a bit differently. Idiotic playboy suddenly turns into doting husband? Something isn't right about your love story, sweetie."

Selina could feel the retort bubbling within her but it died in her throat when Ariana's grip on her shirt tightened. "No matter what you seem to remember, I suppose the common courtesy of seeing who your audience is has leapt from your mind. I don't appreciate how you are choosing to speak in front of my daughter. I think you should go, sweetie."

With a slight roll of her eyes, Pamela finally left the two to be and as soon as she cleared the corner, Selina made a beeline for the car. Bruce had asked her to take security with her. Instead of just telling him no, she let them start to follow her until she lost them in traffic enough times that Bruce just gave up in trying to have anyone with the two of them.

She'd been fine in the city without them before, but it seemed that this 'foe' of Wayne Enterprises was taking a more direct approach. And something told her that there was more than met the eye to the botanist turned business woman than Pamela led on.

-BM-

"Alfred!" screamed Ariana as she began running through the foyer towards him. After Bruce's 'death', Alfred had used the money he'd been given to buy a house not far from Wayne Manor. It was modest but still able to comfortably fit them all and it was safe enough that Bruce could relax from time to time.

Bending down to her level, the usually stoic man broke out in a smile. He seemed to have taken a liking to their daughter, something that Bruce was intrigued by. He could remember a time before Alfred was his general physician, fixing Batman's wounds, when he treated Bruce as any father would treat his son. But he couldn't recall him having the same reaction to him that he was having with his daughter.

"And how are you, Miss Wayne?"

Selina let the two talk as she walked past them, trying to find if Bruce was home without having to directly ask Alfred. With Ariana being as inquisitive as she was, it was hard for them to speak outright without someone making sure she was out of the room and occupied.

"You're back already?"

He was standing in their room with just his gym shorts on, still panting slightly from finishing his workout and Selina couldn't help but smirk.

"Glad I came early."

He laughed a laugh so full-heartedly that she had almost forgotten how beautiful the sound was. It was rare for him to seem carefree. It was one of the reasons she wanted to bring him back home.

She'd never admit it to Bruce, but for all these years, there was something missing about him. For a while, she assumed it was Batman but even when Ariana was born and he had something to protect, he still had moments where he seemed completely lost.

And now, with him back in Gotham, he was more at peace than he had been whenever they were away.

"Well, that wasn't meant to be funny," she teased, moving to him and leaning up to place a kiss upon his lips. Pamela could wait another day. She wanted to enjoy her husband's company and not ruin his mood because of some idiotic encounter.

Leave reviews! I hope you all know who the villain is :)

-Rae.