A/N: This was a really hard chapter to write and it contains some mature topics. And I'm not sure how I feel about it. Please review. Thank you.
Disclaimer: As you know nothing belongs to me.
Selina woke up the next morning groggy still in last night's dress. She changed into her pajamas. Upon entering, Holly stuck a cup of coffee in her face.
"What?" Selina stuttered.
"Drink," Holly commanded. Too tired to argue, Selina did was told. When she finished half Holly took the cup and set it down on the counter. Then Holly dragged her to the breakfast table. She looked at the clock it was 11, which explained why Holly was there. Normally, she sleeps in the room the expensive client provides for her until at least 9.
"The newspaper comes to the penthouse I was at. You might want to check the first page." Holly informed her shoving the newspaper in her face. Selina's eyes widened when she saw that her face was splattered all over the front page of the tabloid section of the newspaper with the words "Fling or Forever?" plastered at the top. There were pictures of her and Bruce from the charity ball including one where they were dancing and when Bruce had comforted her after they had talked to Commissioner Gordon. But perhaps the most damning one was the one of them kissing outside the apartment complex. After reading the article, she put the newspaper down and stared at Holly.
"How? What?" Selina spluttered. She was speechless. There were a million things running through her head at the time.
"Look on the bright side, at least, he didn't come up. That would have been another picture," Holly said. Selina looked at her in horror. "You asked him to come up," Holly realized. "Why?"
"Because, I didn't want him to get attached," Selina said. "I figured out a long time ago that there would be no place for love in my life. I come with a lot of baggage, more than that average person. Baggage, as you know, no decent man would be willing to accept. I thought if he got what he wanted then I could go back to my life and he would go back to his. But he doesn't want to do that because he cares." Selina said burying her head in her hands. "He can't care because I can't let him in."
"Then stop seeing him," Holly said reasonably.
"But that's just it. I already have let him in. He just doesn't know it yet," Selina explained. "In any scenario, I'm the loser, Holly. Besides, there's only so much time before he figures out my past. Anybody could tell him."
"Who's going to tell him," Holly said rolling her eyes.
"Commissioner Gordon. Carmine Falcone."
"Carmine Falcone. You saw Carmine Falcone last night. Did he recognize you?" Holly asked.
"You can bet on it. He even referenced my mother. He knew exactly who I was."
"Do you think we should move," Holly asked cautiously, "One of those pictures was taken in front of the apartment complex."
"Crap I didn't even think about that. Let's give it two weeks; if he tries to contact us in any way, we'll move."
Holly nodded. "Even if Falcone told him, would Bruce believe him?"
"Even if he didn't believe him. He'd probably tell me about it. Then it's on me to act indifferent."
"In that moment be Catwoman," Holly said. "Don't throw him away, Selina. You're happy, no matter how much you try to hide it, I can tell."
"Holly, I can't fall in love with him." Selina reasoned.
"Who says you will?"
"If I know my self, Holly. I will fall and I can't. I won't be able to lie to him. More importantly, I might not be able to recover."
"Cross that bridge when you get to it. You can't go through life fearing a bridge that might never come."
Selina didn't say anything. "Why don't you take a shower?" Holly suggested. Selina nodded and walked to her room. She picked her purse off the floor and put her cell phone in charging. After her shower, Selina turned on her cell phone. She had voicemail, but before she could even take a look at who had called, her phone buzzed.
"Hello," she answered.
"Selina, thank god, I've been trying to reach you all morning," Bruce said relieved.
"Sorry, I didn't charge my phone last night," she responded.
"Did you see this morning's paper?" He asked carefully.
"Yeah, I did," she confirmed.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know we were being photographed and I don't know who leaked the photos from the ball." Bruce apologized.
"Why are you apologizing? You didn't write the article," Selina told him.
"Because you shouldn't be dealing with this." Bruce said.
"I can handle it. I'm a big girl."
"I'll find out who did this," he vowed.
"And do what? Gotham won't suddenly forget my name or what I look like when you find out who leaked the photos. Besides they'll forget in a couple of weeks anyway."
"Are you sure?" Bruce asked.
"Please, my only concern is looking Jeremy in the face tomorrow." She told him.
"Would you like me to call him ahead of time?" He chuckled.
"No thank you."
There was a slight pause.
"Can I see you tomorrow?" Bruce asked.
Selina hesitated, she wanted to see him, but was it worth the heartache."I don't see why not."
"Great."
After a few minutes, Selina put down the phone. For the rest of the day, Holly and Selina brainstormed how to prepare in case Falcone's men came after them, which involved Holly staying out of the apartment as much as possible and Selina to take different paths home from work.
Selina was scared. Ever since she had heard Carmine Falcone's voice, she had this ominous sense of she would not be able to outrun him last time as she had during her years in East End. Last time, she avoided Falcone's men by hanging out on rooftops for most of the nights while they looked for her. He had instigated the first emergence of Catwoman, a frightened fourteen year old sleeping on the rooftop in her old prostitute costume made of black leather because she could blend into the darkness and not freeze in winter. Setting her fears away, she went to sleep.
"Maggie," Selina called. There was no answer. "Maggie," she called again, but she was met with the emptiness of the street corner that they had called home for the past year and half. Suddenly a distinct smell filled her nostrils, one that was foreign for the dirty street corner. She knew that smell it was the aftershave that Stan wore everyday that made him smell more like a sleaze bag that he already was. Selina rushed back to Stan's apartment. She found the door to be locked, but she could hear screaming. Quickly she took out a bobby pin from her hair and unlocked the door. She found that there was glass everywhere and there was Maggie on the floor, bruised and beat up with Stan hovering over her. This was not going to happen to Maggie. She was going to make sure of it.
She picked up shard of glass and threw it at Stan. His attention diverted, he turned to where the glass had come from.
"Well you were right. Your precious sister has come to save you, but it's too late. I own you now."
"You don't own Maggie. You own me." Selina said firmly.
Moving towards Selina, "Well that's about to change, kitten," he said menacingly.
Selina started pelting whatever she could pick up and throw at Stan. Some hit some missed but he was getting away from Maggie and that was the point. Selina ran through the apartment looking for a weapon of any kind. She picked up wine bottle, broke the neck, and threw it at Stan. Stan cried out in pain as the shard lodged in his leg.
"That's it you brat," he said pulling out a gun. "Now you are going to come watch your sister's initiation into our line of work."
Selina was led back into the room with a barely conscious Maggie. Stan walked over to Maggie and turned her on her back and knelt. That's when Selina leapt on to her sister pushing her out of the way. Stan pulled his gun out on Selina and pulled the release back. She blindly kicked and punched and the gun fell from Stan's hand. Stan leaned over to retrieve the gun, but Selina kicked him the gut and he doubled over on to Selina for a split second. In that time, Selina managed to get a hold of the gun. Stan, however, began to wrestle her with for the gun. A shot goes off and Selina's eyes go wide as a bloody Stan begins to drop to the ground. She quickly moves out of the way.
A pool of blood begins to form where Stan lays. Selina begins to catch her breath. Pulling herself up, she rushes over to Maggie and tries to wake her up. As Maggie begins to stir, Selina hears sirens.
"Selina," Maggie mumbles.
"Maggie, I'm here but I can't stay," Selina said quickly.
"Stay," Maggie mumbles back.
"I can't. I love you." Selina said pulling herself away from her sister and ran out of the apartment ignoring her sister calling her name. Unable to go down, she went up. She reached the fifth floor and saw an open door. She ran in and hid in a wardrobe. She was in there for hours. Suddenly she heard the door shut.
"Stan's been shot." A voice said. "The cops are here processing the apartment."
"I see," another voice calmer than his companion's frantic one. "Do we know who killed him?"
"One of the girls." The first voice responded.
"Find her and bring her to me. I will deal with her."
"That's the problem. The only girl who know who killed Stan is in police custody."
"Who is that girl?"
"Magdalene Kyle."
"Then you're looking for Selina Kyle," the voice said. Selina could hear him get up and walk around and her fear began to sink in.
Suddenly there is a knock on the door; Selina could hear the shuffle of feet getting to the door.
"I'm looking for Carmine Falcone," said a new voice.
"I am Carmine Falcone," the calm voice responded.
"I just need to ask you some routine questions about the apartment and we were also wondering if you had blueprints for the apartment." Selina assumed it was an officer.
"Sure, Lou finish up here and lock up." Carmine told his companion as he left with officer. Selina held still in the wardrobe until she heard a lock from the door. She climbed quietly out of the wardrobe and opened the window to the fire escape and walked down the escape into the alley and ran into the darkness.
The walls of the buildings narrowed and she kept running turning with the road. The walls became black and Selina picked up speed. Suddenly a body fell hanging by a rope, Selina gasped as she abruptly halted. Panting, she looked at the woman who was hanging dead in front of her. The woman had raven hair just like she did and had the same facial features. Her eyes, however, were ice blue. Selina, then, observed the noose that was suspending this poor woman in the air. She found that it wasn't actually rope but something black and of a furry quality. Her eyes followed the noose to the source and found a large cat with green eyes staring back at her. She turned to run away only to find Batman.
Selina woke up with a start. Her alarm clock read 5:30 am. Selina got up and started to get ready for work. She made her coffee and sat at the table silently staring into her cup.
"Morning," said Holly sleepily as she walked into the kitchen. Selina looked up from her cup.
"Morning," Selina replied looking up slightly before returning her attention to her coffee. Holly a few minutes later dropped into the seat next to her.
"What happened to you," Holly asked looking at Selina's furrowed expression.
"I had a bad dream about Carmine," Selina sighed leaning back in her chair.
"Bad like what could happen bad or what already happened bad?"
"What already happened bad," Selina responded. Holly looked somewhat relieved.
"What did you dream about?" Holly asked cautiously.
"Stan's death, the first time I found out I would be on the run from Carmine, and my mother's suicide."
Holly nodded, "You've dreamt of those before."
"Yes, but this time I turned around to run away from my mother's hanging body only to have Batman standing right there."
"It probably doesn't mean anything," Holly consoled.
"Yeah, probably," Selina echoed quietly. They both sat there in silence drinking their coffee unconvinced of what the other had said. Finishing her coffee, Selina made her way to leave.
"Selina," Selina heard Holly call. She turned her head to look, "Be careful."
"You too." She said closing the door behind her and made sure to put her sunglasses on so people wouldn't recognize her. She zigzagged her way to work; avoiding people's curious glances; making sure she didn't stay on one street for too long. She was relieved when she finally made it to her office. As soon as, she sat down Jeremy walked into her office.
"I had an interesting Sunday," Jeremy started, "What about yourself?"
"I -," Selina started, but was at a loss for words.
Jeremy smiled, "Selina, what you do with your private life is your business, but you're like a daughter to me. It was a shock to see you on the front page of the tabloid section. I'm not here to scold you. Just try not make it into the tabloids too often with our biggest sponsor."
Selina nodded.
"Oh and don't worry. I made sure none of the boys saw the article," he added.
"Thank god. I'm really sorry I had no idea we were being photographed." Selina said finding her voice.
Jeremy nodded with a sly smile on his face as he left her office. Selina began her paperwork that took her through the entire day. At five, she began her walk back to the apartment. Suddenly a car pulled up to her and for a split second she panicked, but she recognized the car as the passenger window began to come down.
"Need a ride," Bruce asked.
"I can walk, thanks," Selina smiled.
"Do you have something against this car?" Bruce asked.
"Other than it being the car that drenched me, no. But I don't take rides from strangers."
"You don't take rides from strangers," Bruce repeated, "but you invite them to your bedroom."
"You act as if you've never done it." Selina dismissed.
"Touché," Bruce said.
"Your holding up traffic. You know?" Selina informed him.
Bruce shrugged, "They can wait."
Selina rolled her eyes, "I'll see you at my place. Let the cars through."
"Just get in the car."
"You're creating a scene." Selina argued.
"And you're not?" Bruce countered
"Fine," Selina huffed and got into the car.
"Now that wasn't too hard, was it?"
"Just shut up and drive before I get out of the car," Selina threatened.
Bruce did as he was told and drove past her apartment complex. "Wait my apartment was back there." Selina informed him.
"I never said I was taking you home." Bruce said turning to face her.
"Where in heaven's name are you taking me?" Selina inquired.
"Don't worry about that. Tell me about your day."
"I'm not a fan of surprises," Selina said bluntly.
Bruce smiled. Ten minutes later they arrived a closed pizza parlor in the industrial side of town.
"It's closed," Selina observed as she got of the car.
"No worries," Bruce said taking her hand and led her around back. He knocked on the back door. An older man with a long face and buzz cut, with a black and white apron covering his beer belly opened the door.
"Mr. Wayne," the man said delighted, "Come in."
"Thank you Tony," Bruce said stepping through the threshold. "This is Selina Kyle."
"Pleasure to meet you," Selina said offering Tony her hand.
"Ms. Kyle, so glad you could come. I haven't seen Mr. Wayne here with a lady in almost a decade."
Selina smiled and looked sideways at Bruce, who ignored the comment and asked, "Do you think we could sit at the bar and order a pizza to share?"
"Of course. Have a seat wherever you like," he responded.
"The usual," Bruce said as he led Selina out of the kitchen and into the restaurant. It was dimly lit and the chairs were still on the tables.
They took a seat at the bar. A waiter brought out garlic bread.
"How did you find this place?" Selina asked picking up a piece of bread.
"Wayne Enterprises helped his father keep the place when LexCorp tried to run them out when I was a kid. My parents used to bring me here a lot." Bruce explained, "I was teenager when Tony took over the place from his father."
Selina nodded. "You can take me to your childhood favorite place next time," Bruce said diverting the conversation.
"Let's not and say we did." Selina replied.
Bruce chuckled, "Why not?"
"Because if I had to choose it would Sunday mass," Selina responded.
"That really can't be the only place you liked as a kid," he insisted.
"Not everyone is as lucky as you, Mr. Wayne," Selina smiled softly. Before Bruce could even respond, Tony put down the pizza in front of them.
"Tony, I asked for the usual," Bruce said.
"Mr. Wayne, you've been coming here since you were a boy. This is the first time in ten years you've brought someone. I made you the Sicilian pizza. I hope you and Ms. Kyle enjoy and come back." Tony replied and then moved back into the kitchen. Selina helped herself to a slice. The pizza was delicious. They continued talking, as the waiters readied the restaurant for the dinner service that was starting at 6:30. A little before 6:30, Bruce and Selina got up and went into the kitchen.
"Thank you, Tony," Bruce said shaking his hand, handing him money for the meal.
"Mr. Wayne, I cannot accept this." Tony said trying to hand back the money.
"Tony, it's okay; take it," Bruce responded.
Before Tony could protest again, Selina interjected, "Tony please take it."
"Tony, see even Selina's saying to take it. She might not go out with me if you don't take it," Bruce winked at her.
Tony mumbled a thank you and Selina and Bruce made it back to their car. They began to drive back to Selina's apartment. Selina turned around to see a gold sedan following them.
"Bruce, can you turn left up ahead and then make the second right," Selina asked.
"Why?" Bruce inquired.
"Let's just see if I'm being paranoid or not," Selina said vaguely.
Bruce didn't reply but turned left and then made the second right, sure enough the sedan followed them.
"Okay so are you paranoid," Bruce asked.
"No, we're being followed," Selina replied.
"It's probably the paparazzi," Bruce responded.
"They don't look like the paparazzi," Selina countered.
At the red light, Bruce looked in the rearview mirror and said, "You're right. They aren't the paparazzi. I'm taking you to Wayne Enterprises."
"Wait," Selina said, "Go through East End."
"Why?" Bruce asked.
"Just do it and be sure to drive onto Ester Road," Selina responded.
"Why?" Bruce asked again.
"They might work for Carmine Falcone."
"How does driving through East End and Ester Road prove that?"
"Because everyone will run for cover," Selina responded simply. Bruce made his way through East End and onto Ester Road. Sure enough, as soon as the gold car turned onto the road everyone moved away from the sidewalk and behind something if they could. Mothers shielded their children and all the windows of the road shut.
"You weren't kidding," Bruce responded.
Selina shook her head, "Turn onto Fifth St. and then into the parking garage on the right side. Be sure to be fast otherwise they'll see."
Bruce did as he was told and parked on the third floor. "How did you know they were Falcone's men?"
"Let's just say I've pissed off Carmine more times than both he and I'd like to admit." Selina responded vaguely.
"You lived in Carmine's part of East End?" Bruce asked.
Selina shook her head; "Carmine owns everything in East End, down to the dirt on the sidewalks, but it takes four families to run East End. Carmine's family regulates from First to Fourth Street between Xavier and Toll. I lived in Fat Louie's part of East End, which is from Fifth to Ninth between Toll and Andrew."
"That's where the East End Orphanage is isn't it?"
"Yeah, it is," Selina said shortly.
Sensing a sensitive topic, Bruce deterred the conversation, "Which part are we in now?"
"The Angiolini's," Selina responded. "Guns and gangs," she mumbled.
"Is that what they're known for," Bruce asked her apparently hearing her.
"Yeah, they run all of Carmine's man power. If you've seen Carmine with a bodyguard, you can bet it's an Angiolini." Selina responded.
"What was your part of town?" Bruce asked.
Selina winced, "Prostitution."
"Oh, and that makes the last family …" Bruce trailed.
"The Gallo's. They run the illegal casinos and drug trafficking. The nicest place to live in East End."
"I think we should be fine. Let me check something." She got out of the car and ran to the ledge of floor to look down at the alleyway behind the parking structure and ran back.
"Okay, we'll exit through the back no one's there," Selina said.
"Lead the way." They went out the alleyway and made it back at Selina's apartment.
Selina opened the door, "Sorry about tonight."
Bruce smiled, "Why are you sorry?"
"Because," Selina hesitated, "they were probably following me."
Bruce was silent for a moment, "Is Holly home?"
"No."
"Close the door," he said stiffly.
"Why?" Selina said.
"Because you're not going to stay here alone."
"This is nonsense. I can take care of myself."
"Selina, this is not up for discussion," Bruce said firmly, "You are not staying here alone."
"I've been the run from Carmine since the age of fourteen," she argued. "I can handle this."
"You may be able to handle it, but I will never forgive myself if something happens to you," he said stonily.
"Why?" Selina said raising her voice in frustration, "Why do you care so much? You don't know me. We've been on two dates. Why do you care so much?" Her voice cracked. She just wanted him not to care, so she could walk away unscathed.
"Because I do," Bruce replied, "Selina look at me. I care because you are part of my life and you're quickly becoming an important part. You need to trust me."
"Bruce I'm going to tell you this right now. You're investing your time in someone who at the end of the day when you find about her you will not approve of," Selina told him, "Don't invest your time in me. You're going to just be disappointed." She got out of the car and ignored Bruce's calls as she made her way to her apartment. She willed herself not to cry. Two minutes after she had closed the door of her apartment, there was a knock on the door.
"Selina," Bruce called. "I know you're in there. Open the door."
Selina remained silent, hoping that he would just go away.
"Selina I'll stay out here all night if I have to, but you have to open the door."
"Go home, Bruce," Selina responded, "Leave me be. Honestly, what am I to you?"
"Selina, I am not going home until we talk about this. Who broke you?" Bruce responded. "Open the door, Selina."
"If I open the door and tell you who broke me, will you leave me alone?" Selina negotiated.
Bruce was silent for a moment, "Okay."
Selina opened the door and let him in.
"His name was Scott Jacobs," Selina said after they had situated themselves. Selina stopped. She was regretting making this compromise. No one but Holly knew about her life and she really wasn't expecting to ever tell the richest man in Gotham.
"Who was he?" Bruce asked tentatively.
"My ex-husband," Selina said flatly staring fixatedly at the ground. "After I got out of the East End Orphanage, I worked for Mama Fortuna for about a year and a half, in order to avoid Carmine. After leaving her, I moved in with Holly and started working as a waitress at Mario's, which is where I met Scott Jacobs. He was 28, a stockbroker from Chicago. We went out. I fell in love. After three months, he proposed. I was surprised, but I accepted. Everything was fine for a little while, but two months after the wedding was when things went south. He would come home drunk every night. He would beat me, whip me, call me a whore and leave me to clean up my own wounds in the morning." Selina brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around herself, "He even raped me a couple of times, not that I hadn't been raped before, but to have someone that you love rape you. That was something entirely different. As our first anniversary approached, Holly demanded that I leave him. We planned for two months and on my birthday I left for New York. Holly delivered the divorce papers to him herself and got him to sign. I may have left him, but he scarred me. I have not healed and probably never will." Selina's eyes stung. She smiled sadly, "So you see there's no need to waste your time. I'll survive. I always have."
Bruce Wayne had his fists were clenched, his mouth was in a hard line, and he was penetrating hate of this man, "How old were you?"
Selina looked up to meet his eye; "I got married to him a little less than a month before my 20th birthday. The abuse started when I was 20."
If it was even possible Bruce's scowl became deeper. Selina looked away from him as silent tears began to stream down her face as her eyes bored into the wooden floor. She felt a thumb brush her tears away. She looked up to see Bruce standing there. He placed a kiss on her forehead. Selina could not bear to look at him. She felt him sit down next her and entwine his hand with her. With that hand he brought her face towards his and tilted her chin up. Selina lifted her eyes to meet his.
"Why are you still here Bruce?" Selina asked.
"Because I'm going to prove you wrong," he responded. He rested her head on his chest and stroked her hair.
"You said his name was Scott, right," Bruce asked.
"Ya, Scott Jacobs."
"Stockbroker right?" Bruce confirmed again.
Selina's dropping eyes shot open as she pulled out of his embrace, "What are you thinking of doing with this information?"
"I'm not going to have him killed if that's what you're thinking. Even though, …" he trailed off.
"Even though, you would like to," she finished for him. "Bruce, don't there's no need."
He nodded, but she wasn't entirely convinced he wasn't going to do anything. Bruce pulled her back into his embrace. She felt drained. She closed her eyes, listening to Bruce's heartbeat.
Selina woke up in her bed the next morning in last night's clothes. Brushing her hair out of her face, she looked around. There was a piece of paper on her nightstand with her name on it.
Selina,
I hope you slept well. I want you and Holly to take my apartment until this Carmine escapade smooths over. Please consider it. Let me know if you're free Thursday. I'll be at the Boys' Home to see the boys either way. I'm not leaving you, but do take your time.
Sincerely,
Bruce.
Selina sighed and walked out of her room to see Holly making breakfast.
"I honestly don't know how you wake up before me," Selina said making her coffee.
"My stomach wakes me," Holly laughed. "How was your date?"
"We were chased by the Angiolini's." Selina replied.
"What?" Holly exclaimed turning around to face her.
"Yeah, we lost them, but Carmine is definitely keeping tabs on me."
"We should move," Holly responded. Selina looked away and Holly could tell from her body language that she was hiding something. "What's wrong?"
"Bruce knows," Selina said.
"Knows what?" Holly prodded.
"About Carmine following me and," Selina paused, "Scott."
"What, how?" Holly asked.
"I told him that we should stop seeing each other because I came with baggage that no decent man would accept."
"Selina," Holly complained.
"He followed me up," Selina saw Holly smile, "and demanded I tell him what I meant. So I struck a deal; I would tell him if he left me alone. He agreed, I told him and he didn't leave."
"Surprise, surprise," Holly said dryly, "You believe me now that not all men are scumbags like Scott."
Selina ignored her comment, "Anyway, he offered his apartment for us to live in till Carmine lays off."
"Selina that's wonderful, but it's up to you. If I were you, I would take it," Holly responded. "Think about it."
Selina nodded and finished her breakfast. She got ready and left for work. When she got back, Holly was already gone. She made herself a simple dinner and looked over the budget sheet for the Boys' Home. She set her computer down for a minute as her mind went back to Bruce's offer. It would be convenient, but before she could dwell on it more there was a tap at the Juliet balcony. Her eyes widened when she saw Batman standing there with a boy in his hand. She opened the sliding door tentatively. Her heart racing with that fact that Batman was at her window.
"Ms. Kyle," Batman said in his deep voice that Selina knew all too well as he stepped through the threshold into her apartment. "This is Daniel Grey," he said indicated to boy in his arms. He had brown hair and a gash on his forehead.
"What happened?" Selina asked.
"His parents were murdered in their home in East End tonight. I understand you were once from there."
"So are a lot of people," Selina countered making her way to first aid kit that was in kitchen. She made sure she kept an eye on him so he didn't just disappear.
"No every East Ender works at an orphanage," he said as she walked towards him.
Selina nodded, "Put him on the couch." Batman did as he was told and Selina began tending to Daniel's wounds. Batman hovered over her for a moment and then moved to leave. Selina stopped what she was doing as she watched his retreating figure. She noticed that his eyes lingered on the roses that Bruce had gotten for her four days ago, before he jumped from her balcony. She finished dressing the wound on the boy's head and then closed the sliding door of the balcony.
She picked the boy up with a little difficulty, but did not wake him, to her own bed. She took the cushions from the couch and laid them on the side of her bed with a pillow and an extra blanket. She faced the boy. He seemed blissfully unaware that his life had just been turned upside down. She couldn't believe that Batman had come to her. The sheer irony of it made her scoff; Batman in Catwoman's house, it was unfathomable.
The next morning, Selina made sure she woke up before Daniel. He woke up around 7:30 and looked around. Selina could see that he was frightened.
"Hi, my name is Selina," Selina said softly, "What's your name?"
"Daniel," he answered quietly, "Where's my mom?"
Selina's heart was breaking, "Do you remember anything about last night?" She asked tentatively.
"These big guys broke the door open to my home and I was near the door so it hit me. I don't remember anything after that. Why are you asking me this? All I want is my mom," he responded beginning to tear.
"Honey, those men killed your mom and dad," she explained. "I'm sorry Daniel."
"You're lying," he said getting off the bed, "My mom and dad are behind that door," making his way towards the door. Selina let him open the door to be met with an empty living room. He went calling for his mom and dad. Selina followed him out of her room.
"Where are they?" He demanded.
"I told you," Selina said bending down to his level, "They're dead, Daniel, those men, they killed your parents." She gave him a hug. The boy started crying. Selina felt for him. She knew what it was like to lose your parents and her eyes moistened as well. After he had calmed down, they sat at the breakfast table. She was surprised that Holly hadn't woken up, but she went to knock on her door, before she started making breakfast for all three of them. Holly came out and sleepily said, "What's up?"
"Holly, this is Daniel," Selina said, "Daniel is my friend Holly."
Holly although confused said, "Hi Daniel."
"Hi," Daniel said shyly.
"Do you like panackes," Holly asked.
Daniel seemed to brighten and nodded his head.
"Okay chocolate chip pancakes it is," Holly said and started breakfast for them.
Selina sat down next to him, "Daniel, you're probably wondering how you got here and what's going to happen now."
He nodded.
"Okay so do you believe in Batman?" Selina asked him. Holly turned around from mixing to stare at Selina.
"I was saved by Batman," he said quietly.
"Yeah, you were. He brought you here," Selina told him.
"If he was there why didn't he save my parents?" Daniel asked suddenly bubbling with anger.
"Daniel, calm down," Selina said softly, "He probably got there after your parents were shot. I know Batman if he could have stopped the killing of your parents he would have." Selina could practically hear Holly smirk as the words fell out of her mouth to console the boy.
She could see Daniel relax slightly, "You know Batman?" He asked. Holly coughed unable to contain herself any longer. Selina ignored her. "Yes, I know Batman," she confirmed, "and I promise you if he could have saved your parents he would have."
Daniel nodded, so she continued; "Now the reason he brought you to me is because I work at the Gotham City Boys' Home, which is where I'm taking you today. We'll talk to Jeremy, my boss, and that's going to be your home from now on. Okay?"
Daniel nodded and Selina sent him to the bathroom to brush his teeth.
"You know it's ironic how Catwoman is sticking up for Batman," Holly smirked.
Selina smiled sardonically and Holly laughed. When Daniel came back, she began serving the pancakes. After finishing breakfast, they made there way to the boys' home. She told Daniel to wait in her office. She walked over to Jeremy's office.
"Selina, how can I help you?" he asked.
"I'm in a bit of a dilemma," Selina said hestitantly.
"Not another tabloid printing I hope," Jeremy joked taking off his reading glasses.
"No," Selina smiled, "thank god. Actually, what you say if I told you Batman dropped off an orphan at my apartment last night?"
"You saw the Batman," Jeremy repeated.
"Saw, talked to."
"What's the dilemma?" Jeremy asked after getting over his initial shock.
"He's not in our jurisdiction. He's from East End."
"Oh don't worry I'll have drinks with Mrs. Contz," Jeremy said, "Just send him in here. I'll get his paperwork started."
Selina was relieved there was no way she wanted to talk to Mrs. Contz again, "Thank you." She went back and got Daniel to introduce him to Jeremy.
Two days later Bruce Wayne came strolling into her office with a bouquet of flowers.
"Hello, love," Bruce said leaning in to give her a kiss, but she recoiled slightly. "What's wrong?"
"Why are you here?" Selina asked softly.
"Do you trust me?" Bruce countered in the same tone as hers. Selina nodded. "Then you know why," he said closing the gap. After he pulled away, he asked, "Did you consider my offer?"
"Yes, I did," Selina responded.
"And?" Bruce pressed hopefully.
Selina had thought over it and she wanted to decline, but she found herself saying, "Okay, if nothing happens to my apartment in the next week then we move back."
"Fair enough," Bruce said. "I have the key with me, so we can go right after work too. Holly working tonight?"
"You didn't know if I was going to say yes," Selina replied.
"A guy still buys a ring when he asks a girl to marry him," Bruce responded.
Selina shook her head and diverted the conversation, "Have you seen Jeremy, yet?"
"Not yet. I was hoping that you'd give me the tour." Bruce grinned. Selina rolled her eyes and led him to Jeremy's office. Jeremy was overjoyed to see him. Selina gave him a tour. They played catch, four square, and dodge ball with the boys. After three hours, Bruce declared he had to leave. Selina watched as the boys asked him if he would come back. Selina smiled, she wished her patrons had cared half as much as Bruce did.
Selina texted Holly on the way out of the office that they would be moving tonight, and to remove all the pictures from the apartment and to pack a week's worth of clothing. As soon as, they arrived Selina packed her bag and they left. Bruce pulled into the back entrance to Wilton Grand Hotel. They went up the service elevator to the eleventh floor and swiped a blank white card. As the elevator began to move, Bruce gave them each a white card of their own, "Those will be invalid next week. The card will let you enter the 11th floor," he explained.
"These," he said holding up two keys, "are the keys to your room. I'll need these back." He handed them the key. Once they were on the 11th floor, Bruce opened room number 1116. The room was lavishly furnished with a separate kitchen area and living area, unlike the combined space that was familiar of their own apartment. There were also two bedrooms.
"Thank you so much," Holly told Bruce. Holly took her back and went into her room leaving Selina and Bruce in living area.
"I won't ever be able to repay you," Selina told him.
Bruce smiled and wrapped his arms around her pressing his forehead to hers, "I think you'll be able to."
Selina smiled. Bruce gave her a kiss and left.
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