Chapter 10

Opening her apartment door, Selina raised an eyebrow at Ivy's appearance. She had never realized the other woman was so skilled at changing her appearance. If it weren't for the fact that she recognized Ivy's features under the make-up (though she had to do a double take when she looked through the peep-hole to do so) and her unnaturally green eyes, she never would have realized just whom was at her door.

"And I thought you didn't tan," she said, a little sarcastically.

Selina really didn't know what possessed her to let the other woman in. She knew, more than most, just how dangerous Ivy was. But she also knew that Ivy was a proud woman.

It wasn't like her to ask for help.

Ivy rolled her eyes as she stepped into the apartment. "Yes, since I'm pardoned I can now walk downtown Gotham without a certain someone interrogating, and possible pushing me enough that I need to arrange a new pardon," she replied with equal sarcasm.

Selina smiled, somewhat sadly. Bruce would definitely do that if he saw her. "So, what does the great Poison Ivy need my help with?" she asked.

The thief noticed Ivy hesitate for a minute. And when the other woman spoke, her voice was serious, with no hint of sarcasm or malice. "How did you convince Batman you loved him? That you weren't just using him?"

Selina was surprised at Ivy's question, but her eyes narrowed, her conversation with Bruce earlier in the night still fresh in her mind. "Why are you interested?" she asked, perhaps a little coldly.

Green eyes looked over to her. "Is it safe to assume you know the identities of Batman and his associates?"

Selina nodded. "Are you saying you've fallen in love with on of his associates?"

"Oracle."

Selina sat down in one of her chairs and leaned back in her seat. She knew of Ivy's preference for women, it was a relatively well known fact about the other woman. It didn't surprise her that of all the Bat-Family, it would be Barbara that caught her eye. But she had better make sure this wasn't a trick.

Despite her and Barbara's general distrust of one-another, she did respect the re-head. Especially since she refused to let her paralysis keep her from fighting crime, even if it wasn't directly.

"What's her identity?" Selina asked, if she got confirmation of it, she'd hear Ivy out. If not, she'd assume it was a trick.

Ivy hesitated a moment, before replying, "Barbara Gordon."

Selina sighed, "What exactly is the problem?"

Ivy snorted. "The problem is that, despite the fact that I've promised to give up crime, despite the fact that I've given her back her legs, despite the fact that we're having a child together, she still doesn't trust that my feelings for her are genuine."

The thief's eyes widened and she held up her hands. "Whoa, back up. You're having a child together? How is that even possible?"

"It's complicated," Ivy said. "But yes, we are having a child, a girl, in about ten months. As for how, I developed a way, leave it at that." She sent a slight glare at Selina, "Now can you please answer my original questions. How did you convince Batman you loved him? That you weren't using him?"

Selina sighed. Her hand drifting unconsciously to her belly. "I'm not sure I ever did," she admitted sadly.

Ivy's eyes widened as she noticed the movement. "Bruce's?"

"Of course," Selina said, a sad smile on her face. She looked down. "I told him earlier that I was giving up Catwoman, and I asked if he would give up Batman."

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When Selina looked back up, Ivy could see the tears in the other woman's eyes. "He said no," she finished sadly. "I refuse to raise my child with the possibility, every night, that I'll have to tell her that her father won't be coming home. To risk that one of his enemies discovers his identity and comes after our child when neither of us may be around to protect it. In fact, I'm making arrangements to leave Gotham. This city is just to dangerous to raise a child in."

"I'm sorry," she told the, now former, thief sincerely.

Selina shook her head. "It's not you're fault. Anyway, that's not what you need to hear." She paused for a moment before saying, "If you want Barbara to trust your feelings for her, you need to show her you can be trusted, every day. Don't give her reason not to trust you. Eventually, hopefully, she will realize that you are truthful. I'm afraid that that's all you can do I'm afraid."

Ivy sighed. "Thank you, I suppose." She held out her palm, allowing a flower to grow, much like she had when she first visited Barbara in her tower. "I know we've never been best friends," she said, plucking the flower from her hand with a slight wince. Handing Selina the flower she continued, "But if you ever need help, or even just want to talk, don't be afraid to use this. Speak into it, and I'll hear you." She then gave Selina the instructions to keep the flower alive.

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Remus was walking back to his hotel when his sensitive nose picked up a familiar scent.

It smelled like the earthy scent that he had memorized the day he first held Pamela, though it was mixed with rose, jasmine, and cedar, the underling scent was that same earthy one.

It wasn't until he rounded a corner, and bumped into someone that he found the scent.

"Excuse me," a raven-haired woman said softly.

Remus was about to waive of her apology, when he saw her face. And saw the unmistakable lines of Lily Potter in her face.

"Pamela?" he asked.

"I'm sorry," she said, "you must have me mistaken for someone else."

But even as she said it, he knew it was a lie as the scent of poison began to permeate the air.

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When the man she bumped into said her name, Ivy immediately infused her lips with venom, just in case he really had recognized her and was an enemy.

She knew she had made enemies that wouldn't be deterred by her pardon in her time as Poison Ivy. It was what the man said next, however that shocked her.

"Pamela Potter."

Looking up, her green eyes met amber and the man grinned in triumph that Ivy knew either Dumbledore or Voldemort had found her. Acting on pure instinct, she used the only weapon she had available at the moment...

...and pulled the man's lips to her own in a poisonous kiss.

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It's a little late, but Merry Christmas. I hope you all enjoy.

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