Selina awoke hours later. It was still a few hours from sunrise, and the moon hung low over the Gotham skyline. But it wasn't the view that first caught her attention; it was the overwhelming sense of something missing. At first, she couldn't place it, but she soon realized what it was. She was alone. Bruce was gone. It was amazing how just a few hours of holding a strapping man could make her feel so lonely when he was gone. Most of all, she felt cold. He had been so warm when he was holding her, and she him. Now, she just felt the cold, and the crushing silence that solitude brought.

Getting off the bed, she dragged the blanket with her and covered herself in it like shawl. As she walked to the bedroom window to get a better view of the Gotham cityscape, she couldn't help but laugh a bitter laugh. He was probably out there somewhere. He had finally acted human around her, and his walls were probably already being built back up.

He had warned her, she supposed. He said that it wouldn't be easy. That being said, what she had felt last night, it was more than flirtation, more than simple chemistry. There was an indisputable pull between both of them for better or for worse. They were slowly growing closer. They were on a collision course. She could feel it, the sense of anticipation that comes with the unknown. It unnerved her, and it scared him. Heh, she was the only one in Gotham to every really scare the Batman. Crane would lose his mind if he ever found out. But at this rate, still suffering from emotional whiplash, Selina wondered if she would lose her mind first.

Looking out on the view, she could see the batsignal in the air. She knew who she was trying to develop a relationship with. This wasn't the hero who fought for truth, justice, and the American way. He was a nighttime vigilante with some issues, she knew that she would find herself alone some nights. But after what they had shared with each other, she thought tonight would be off limits. It would be different if she was back in shape, because then Catwoman could be out and about with the Batman, but she wasn't. She was stuck back here. She silently cursed the waving black bat that was silhouetted against the dark sky. Any other night, it seemed, it would be ok. But not tonight, not when they just started.

"I love this view" a rumble came from behind her. She smiled, she just couldn't help herself. Maybe she had been too quick to judge. She didn't turn around, but she let Bruce wrap his arms around her, the now familiar warmth soaking back into her body. She leaned her head back to get as much contact with him as possible.

"I thought you were out there." She purred, "I was going to give you hell for leaving me alone when you got back. I guess I'll just have to save that speech for when it happens."

"It won't." He spoke so firmly and confidently.

"It's ok Bruce, it was just a joke." She said, playfully slapping the arm that was around her. She left her hand where it made contact with him though, wanting to hold him back in some reassuring way.

"I mean it. At least, not until you're back in shape to go out there too. I don't know who is after you, but while you're recovering at least I know you are safe here with me." It was touching, but behind the sentiment was a calculated tactic. Still, she wasn't going to let the fact he had planned this out scientifically and logically get in the way of the romance bubbling from beneath the stoicism.

"That's so sweet, it's almost cunningly methodical, but mostly sweet Bruce. Just one questions though?"

"Mmhhmm" His chest rumbled against her back.

"Who's going to protect the good people of Gotham while we're on our little stay at home vacation?"

"I called in Dick, Tim, and Barbara to step up their patrols for the next week and a half. The crime rate is down, there hasn't been a breakout from Arkham, the city isn't in mortal peril, they can handle it for that long."

"Wow, all this for little ol' me?"

"Don't get used to it. When you're back in shape to be out there you'll owe us. I was thinking you could start by helping Barbara patrol the South Side and part of Central with Dick." Only about ten other people in the world would be able to hear the humor in his voice. Luckily for him, she was one of them.

"You really know how to sweet talk a girl. So I'm being drafted into the family already?"

"You don't have to do anything you don't want to do Selina. But if you responding to a woman in need being mugged when you were shot tells me anything, it's that helping me and the others with Gotham is a logical conclusion."

"You just want to go on a date with me while we're both wearing our outfits and beating up random thugs don't you?" He loved the way she spoke; you could hear the smile in her words.

"If we were honest with each other, we'd both agree that we had been doing that for years anyway."

"Well, when you put it that way." She reached up and kissed his neck, the only part of his anatomy currently open to her. Her reward was a snugger hold and a chuckle that rumbled out from his chest.

"Say, in this little family of yours…"

"Yes?"

"You're sort of the Dad aren't you?"

"I'd argue that Alfred fills that role more often. My history as a parent isn't without its failures."

"No, Alfred is like the Grandfather, wise and caring and generous. You're the Dad right, like the one that gives the orders and deals out punishment and is respected and followed, yes?"

"Well, I guess when you describe it that way."

"So Dick and Tim would be your sons, I'm assuming Barbara is almost a niece?"

"I don't see where you're going with this."

"What would I be? Because I don't look good in an apron, I'm a horrible cook, and I'm lacking certain…maternal instincts." There was concern in her voice. She was vocalizing what they were both thinking, this conversation was moving incredibly fast and it's gaze was cast far into the future.

There was a long pause, and Bruce wasn't going to answer. This was all starting to move a little fast now. Yes, he saw Dick and Tim as adopted sons in a way, Jason as well. Also, yes, he saw Barbara as a young valuable asset to his unofficial team, and he had played a mentor role for her. But a family?

"Nightwing, Batrgirl, and Red Robin, along with Alfred are the closest thing that I've had to a family since I was nine years old." He said with a flat voice that contained the slightest tremor of emotion. "I don't think there is anything wrong with me wanting to share that with you."

"I don't either," she smiled, though still somewhat concerned, "it's just, I'm not sure I'm quite the type for capes."

"Selina," he turned her away from the window and toward him. "If you're worried about whether or not you'll fit in, don't be. This," he then stepped next to her and guided his hand over to the illuminated batsignal, but then swept it over the rest of the Gotham skyline, "is my world. I just want you to be a part of it."

She didn't say anything. She didn't have to say anything. My, the progress that one night of honesty can create between a reformed thief and an urban legend vigilante.

"I'd like that."

He kissed her then. It was chaste compared to the ones they had shared before, but it will full of promise and of hope for the future. Their kissed deepened though, as they pored all of their tired emotion into physical act of showing their affection for one another. Eventually, they broke though, Bruce looked annoyed and held a finger to his ear.

"What is it? I told you I can't be out there tonight." He sighed, casting an apologetic gaze to Selina who just shrugged in response. Suddenly, Bruce became still, and his brow furrowed in a thoughtful expression. "We'll be there in thirty, secure the scene, alert Gordon."

"What is it?" Selina asked as Bruce broke away from her. He simply asked her to follow him, as he guided her to the large study downstairs. He set the grandfather clock to eleven, and it opened to reveal the batcave. He was still silent as he guided her down to where the various armor and costumes were stored. He immediately began to change into his Batman suit as he talked to her, gesturing to her suit, goggles, and whip, that were on display next to his.

"Can you go? You won't have to fight or run or anything."

She just nodded her head as she began to change as well. He turned his back to her out of respect, which she appreciated but thought was moot since they had showered together not even twenty-four hours ago. When she was dressed, and had set her goggled on top of her head just in front of her cat ears, she told him he could turn around. He placed the cowl over his head, and briskly walked over to the Batmobile.

"Can you stop with the silent treatment and actually tell me where we are going?" She asked as she go into the passenger side seat.

"Nightwing called, they found the body of Floyd Lawton, aka Deadshot, about five minutes ago."