Chapter 10

Happy Thanksgiving Gotham.

I have to wonder ...is Bruce Wayne a white meat or dark meat kind of guy? Is he a cranberry jelly or cranberry cocktail man? Is he a bread stuffing or traditional cornbread dressing connoisseur?

All of these are questions that Alfred could answer for us...too bad he is busy in the kitchen.

I hope everyone has a great holiday. Enjoy your dinner and have some extra dessert for me!

-Slingblade-

xxxxxx

Three days later Lucius Fox was touching down at the airport in Nice. Selina Kyle leaned comfortably against the fender of the red Bugatti as the private plane dropped onto the runway. The little puff of smoke as the wheels met the tarmac made her smile in spite of herself. Fox was here and he was bringing a sack of goodies that Santa himself would be jealous of. It was time to get this job underway and Selina Kyle was more than ready.

Earlier:

Alfred and Bruce were to embark on their own adventure while Selina drove in to pick up Fox. Selina had chosen a beautiful thigh length cream dress with brown striping and monster six inch coffee colored heels to wear to the airport. She completed the cultured look by curling her hair in waves and adding the Wayne pearls.

Alfred was in the kitchen making preparations for breakfast when she walked in. He cleared his throat at Bruce who was working diligently on the computer and tapped his shoulder, "You had best get on your feet so that she can knock you off of them properly."

Bruce looked up, still dressed in his black silk robe and pajamas. "Wow." He did rise to his feet because he didn't know what else to do when something like that walked into the room.

Selina grinned and gave them a twirl in the dress. She loved it, it made her feel like a million dollars. Hell, it probably cost a million dollars. The boutique Bruce had bought it from didn't even have the nerve to put prices on their items. Bruce, had simply smiled and kissed her and told them to bundle it and the shoes she had tried it on with.

I remember buying the dress but I don't remember her looking quite so drop dead amazing then as she does right now… He rethought his decision to let her go without him…how does a man separate himself from that intentionally?

Alfred rounded the counter, tossing the tea towel over his plaid sweater. "Miss, you look positively breathtaking." He looked with approval at her outfit and shook his head in amazement. Just an hour ago she was in track pants and a ball cap doing pull ups off the balcony railing. Alfred had interrupted her workout demanding she go to the lower level lest she wish to give him a pounding coronary at the thought of her falling.

She strode up to Alfred and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "You are too kind Alfred, but I will admit...I do love this dress."

"What do you think of our lovely lass, Master Bruce?" Alfred baited his silent employer.

She smiled over at Bruce who still hadn't seemed to have recovered completely. "Cat got your tongue, Master Wayne?" Selina teased him at her own expense and was rewarded with Alfred's hearty laugh.

Bruce shook his head at them, "Very droll." He moved to kiss her, but Alfred intercepted and lead her away, "I'll thank you not to muss up what is obviously a perfect product. It seems as though she has dressed for receiving other company, not for the ex-billionaires lounging in my kitchen."

"Ouch," Bruce pretended to be wounded at the shot. It felt good to be relaxed enough to experience humor in his life again.

Alfred smiled, "You best be on your way Miss. Fox will be landing in five hours."

Selina smiled and collected her jacket and purse from the helpful host. "I will be there with bells on, Alfred."

"Very good then." He helped her into her jacket and opened the door. She waved goodbye to Bruce over Alfred's shoulder as she pressed a kiss to Alfred's cheek hugging him goodbye.

"Hey!" Bruce complained immediately, "What was that business about 'mussing' the final product?"

Alfred held the door for Selina as she cleared the threshold and descended the stairs. He then shut it securely behind her. "That rule doesn't apply to me Master Wayne. I have a more refined touch when it comes to women."

You are not helping my cause, Alfred." Bruce gave Alfred a withering look.

"Not trying to sir," Alfred chuckled.

Xxxxxx

A small circle of bubbles was the only disturbance on the endless smooth lines of tide. Several seconds later another even stronger eruption boiled up from the ocean depths. A diver broke the surface, his face obscured by the scuba mask and regulator. Kicking powerfully, the diver made his way against the current, swimming toward a yacht that drifted along slowed by the anchor sunk deep beneath it.

Alfred felt himself relax marginally at the sight of Bruce back at the surface. Alfred had come to terms with the constant apprehension that he carried as to Bruce's safety when he was in harm's way. It was the way of most parents he assumed; their child would always evoke their protective instincts regardless of age or ability. He smiled to himself at the thought of Batman needing the protection of a well-seasoned English butler.

There were other things beyond the physical that needed protecting when it came to Bruce Wayne and Alfred was only too aware of them. The connection Bruce had forged with the world again was paramount on Alfred's list for preservation. He had watched Bruce over those eight years draw further and further away from society and into isolation. He had no intention of allowing it to happen again.

Alfred approved of the change he had seen in Bruce since his return. Alfred saw a man with hope and happiness, he saw a Bruce Wayne that he had never known could exist. Alfred knew that a large part of the transformation was as a result of Selina Kyle. She had been a catalyst of change in Bruce. Alfred recognized the importance of ensuring it continued if only to strengthen the tenuous tether that bound Bruce to the world.

Bruce was strong and capable. Alfred had no illusions to the contrary, but Bruce was also guarded and wary. He kept his battered heart under lock and key after his parents were murdered. Only Rachel and Alfred were left inside when the protective walls were erected by the young Bruce Wayne.

Alfred had thought Bruce's circle of trust impenetrable until Fox and Gordon. Alfred eventually understood why they had both been allowed passage into the solitary fortress. Both had been touched in some way through Bruce's parents. Fox through the business, Gordon through their untimely deaths. It was as if their relationships with Bruce's parents had in some way anointed them, gave credence to their worth to Bruce. This relationship with Bruce was born through history with his family in a way no other person could hope to achieve. Pennyworth, Fox and Gordon. These three men had keys to the most private of chambers belonging to Bruce Wayne, it was an honor that none of them had taken lightly.

Gordon had known him only as the Batman and that had been enough for both of the men. It in fact had been enough to alter the course and direction of an entire city, to alter the course of millions of lives for the better. Bruce had allowed Gordon deeper now, given him the trust that had been earned through years of service and partnership with one another. Bruce shared with him the identity of the man behind the mask. By doing this, Bruce acknowledged to Gordon that he had been a part of creating the Batman. Gordon had been the man that had shown Bruce the example of good, the example of compassion and justice that Bruce had modeled himself after.

Fox had reached deeper still into Bruce Wayne's fortress. He was the man behind the technology, a man that Thomas Wayne himself had relied on to guide the family business. Bruce gave him that same level of trust and Fox had proven countless times that he was deserving of the honor. He supported Bruce and helped to guide the Batman through both the technical and ethical convolution of his duty to justice.

Alfred had believed that he had access to all that was Bruce Wayne. He was the history of Bruce's life, he was the keeper of his memory, the last true connection to Thomas and Martha. He had been there as a moral compass and adviser for Bruce since the day Bruce could form a question. But now he realized that Selina Kyle had found something no one else knew even existed. She had accessed a part of Bruce that no one had ever seen. Alfred wondered if Bruce had even known that it was there; the side of himself that could still love...still hope… still believe in a happy ending.

She had come uninvited, scaled the fortress walls, waltzed through the impenetrable barriers of Bruce Wayne and engaged his dual identity without hesitation. She had discovered in her journey a vault in a hidden chamber.

Selina Kyle may not have been given the keys to Bruce Wayne's heart, but she was a thief and she damn sure knew how to pick a lock.

Bruce handed up a coil of cord to Alfred which the English Gentleman took wordlessly. He waited another moment as Bruce slipped the tank off and then pulled it aboard, cradling it by the valve stem.

Bruce kicked hard with his finned feet and propelled himself onto the dive shelf aboard the forty-foot Bavaria Cruiser. Bruce had regretted not using the wetsuit as the water temperature had been cooler than he expected. The dive down hadn't taken but half a tank of air, but his core temperature had cooled to a point his teeth were rattling and he was unable to stop the trembling of his muscles as they tried to warm themselves. The steady strong breeze across the ocean wasn't helping as his bare skin prickled with goose bumps.

He fumbled with the release on the weight belt at his waist when he heard Alfred come up beside him. A heavy beach towel dropped down around his shoulder. Bruce wrapped up in it gratefully. "Thanks Alfred"

Alfred nodded and assisted the younger man in removing the weight belt and signaled that he should lift out a foot. Alfred assisted him in removing the dive fins his hand detecting the coolness of Bruce's flesh. He pulled another towel over Bruce's legs. "Look at the positive Master Wayne, you will not have to ice your knees now."

Bruce laughed, "Thanks Alfred."

"Here to serve, sir." Alfred smiled at him, patting his shoulder as he leveraged himself off his knees with an assist from Bruce. Bruce watched the older man protectively as he carried the scuba rig across the deck and secured it to the dive locker. Alfred looked at home aboard the schooner in his tan Dockers, navy button down and matching canvas boat shoes.

Bruce got to his feet and finished drying his chest and back, taking care not to pull the cover off his knife wound until he was sure he wouldn't have to reenter the water. Alfred shook his head at the new addition to Bruce's scar collection.

"Lucky for you the Missus fancies ruffians, Master Wayne." Alfred looked on as Bruce continued to dry past his dripping navy blue board shorts.

Bruce smiled ruefully at himself as he observed the lace of scars across his chest, "They don't seem to bother her."

Alfred nodded, unsurprised by the revelation, "You two cut a fine figure together Master Wayne." Alfred offered the compliment honestly as he took the coil of rope from the railing.

Bruce quirked a small smile at Alfred. "Does it bother you that she is a thief, Alfred?"

Alfred glanced over at Bruce and held up the rope, "You are about to become one yourself Master Wayne, I would refrain from hurling anymore stones in your glass house."

Bruce smirked and nodded in agreement, "I have done my fair share of shady things in my day."

Alfred nodded and started pulling the corded rope, "As have we all, Master Wayne."

Bruce tossed aside the towels and joined Alfred when he saw the weight of the cargo begin to strain the older man. He took over hauling in the catch as Alfred coiled the wet rope behind him. The first of three watertight black metal cases broke the surface of the water and Bruce grabbed the handle and hauled it aboard. The container was completely devoid of any design or marking save for the blinking transponder beacon that flashed from the handle.

Bruce quickly retrieved the other cases and stored them below deck in the master cabin. He heard the slide of the retreating anchor and hurried up to the surface in case Alfred needed his assistance. Bruce smiled as Alfred handled the controls masterfully, spinning the boat full circle and set course toward the Strait of Bonifacio.

Bruce and Alfred had been tasked with recovering the items Selina had commissioned from Fox. Coming through customs with Catwoman gear wasn't optional so they had agreed to this as the easiest avenue to smuggle in the supplies.

The two large islands of Corsica and Sardinia jutted out of the Mediterranean sea and housed some of the most luxurious and unique accommodations available. Fox and Selina were going to ride the ferry out and meet them on the French side of Corsica. Bruce had suggested they meet here as he had wanted Selina to experience the unique destination.

xxxx

Their yacht was moored up on the private docks of the Hotel Santateresa while Alfred and Bruce waited on the café patio overlooking the water channel separating them from the Italian island of Sardinia. The white limestone cliffs were in stark contrast with the calm blue of the Mediterranean sea. The pillared rock had been undercut by years of erosion so the buildings set on the very lip of the precipice appeared precariously perched two hundred thirty feet above the ocean below. From the distance it seemed like a suspended city gleaming above the tumultuous ocean waiting below.

"What is our anticipated wait do you suppose, Sir?" Alfred questioned over his menu, debating on ordering an appetizer to tide them over. He was famished and Bruce was feeling his same anticipation to eat. He checked his watch, "The next ferry will be another hour and a half." He picked up his phone and sent a text to Fox, ETA?

It immediately bounced back, 5 minutes.

Bruce glanced over at the waiter that was clearing a neighboring table and asked him in flawless French when the next ferry from the mainland was due to arrive.

Alfred grinned at the young man's ability, knowing that it was born of hard nights laboring at the table practicing with the newly, and strategically hired French downstairs maid. She had been more than willing to help Bruce with his language skills as it saved her from sweeping and dust mopping the huge expanse of wood floors.

At one point in her early employment she had looked up at Alfred thinking she had an ally against the established order and told him in French that the kid was mutilating the language like a butcher with an axe.

Alfred had patted Bruce's shoulder when he looked questioningly up at him and told him that he was proud of him and that he was a superior lad to be putting in the additional effort to learn. He then looked at the maid and in his own flawless French informed her that she had just insulted the master of the house and that should she ever offer less than a respectful word to Master Wayne in the future, in French or English, she would be out of employment.

Like everything Bruce set his mind to, he became proficient. Bruce eventually worked his way through a German handyman, a Spanish gardener, and an Italian cook. Alfred wondered if they would run out of positions before Bruce's passion for language was sated. It had been worth the strategic hiring if only to listen to the young man go from room to room in the house conversing with the team of employees in their native tongues.

After the incident with the French maid, Alfred had taught Bruce another important lesson—how to command respect and how to carry himself with authority and dignity, even at his young age. He re-enforced the understanding that if you valued yourself you will command the respect of those around you. Bruce learned that lesson well and carried himself with a slight air of formality that seemed to encourage a respectful handling from everyone he met. He inspired an intuitive response in people that made them aware that they had just met someone of importance, like a movie star or a politician or one of the most powerful men in the world.

Bruce slipped several bills to the waiter and then turned back to Alfred and placed the phone down on the table. The waiter pocketed the money and pulled the white Lenin cloth over the table dropping a reserved sign on the top, he repeated this on all of the surrounding tables.

Bruce stretched and then straightened the jacket of his suit. It was a favorite of Alfred's, a Fioravanti Bespoket. A custom suit, blue grey glen check with a muted light stitching, complete with six button traditional vest and crisp white shirt and black tie. Alfred smiled, the kid did have taste. No one had to teach him that, he was born with it. Alfred was no slouch himself as he sported a dark chocolate suit from the same tailor with a rich brown tie and handkerchief, just a subtle shade lighter than the fabric of the jacket.

Bruce took a sip of his water, "The waiter said the next ferry is hours out, but Fox said they would be here in few minutes."

Alfred smirked, "Knowing Fox, they might arrive in a spaceship, or a time machine. Perhaps they are already here?"

Bruce shook his head tolerantly at Alfred. He knew the old gentleman had both respect and frustration for Fox's gadgets that had kept him alive over the years. In the distance he detected the sound of an approaching motor.

Intrigued, Alfred slowly closed his menu, and looked at Bruce expectantly.

Bruce shrugged, "I have no idea Alfred." He sat back in the white wicker chair, waiting for whatever was about to birth the corner.

A streak of red pelted past the narrow channel that lead into the dock, skimming the top of the water as the elongated bow stretched in front of the passengers compartment. The speed boat took a wide turn, utilizing the open ocean to accommodate the momentum rather than slowing the motors. The boat crossed its own wake and went airborne for several seconds before thundering down on the surf, spraying water into towering sheets.

Bruce would find out later the specifics on the craft. It was in fact, a 41 Super Leggera and it was doing better than one hundred m.p.h. when they rounded the island. The speedboat was the Lamborghini of the watercraft world—stylish, fast, and very expensive. The motor was deafeningly loud, the reverberation against the walls of the cliff brought diners out of their seats and to the railing to see the source.

The sound lessened as the craft rumbled into the pier, but it still growled like a caged tiger as it idled into the slip. Bruce smiled as he watched two people emerge from the boat. From his lofty perch it would have been impossible to identify them by their faces, but it could be no one else.

Fox and Selina released their safety harnesses and exited with the offered assistance of the crew. Standing on the pier, Selina straightened her dress and smoothed down her hair. Fox adjusted his light beige suit jacket and twisted his trademark bow tie back into place.

They looked at one another for a moment then erupted in laughter. Selina wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug and Lucius beamed as he returned the embrace. They made their way down the pier to the lift that would transport them to the top of the cliffs. They paused for a moment waiting for the operator to lower down the guard. The rail system that ascended the wall of granite was cut directly into the limestone and used tracks to charter guests to and from the hotel. The trip up took about eight minutes and since Lucius and Selina were the only passengers they continued their animated conversation about the boat for the duration of the ascent.

Bruce watched Selina as she waited to exit the lift and he again admired the dress she had modeled for him that morning. The cream fabric clung to her figure as the dark brown stripes that embellished it wound around her like an enticing web, cradling the curves of her body. The dress was cut high on her neck and was modest by Selina Kyle's standards, but the illusion was still sexy and beautiful. She was a blend of bare, defined arms and incredibly long legs walking toward him in impossibly high heels.

"Alfred, is it just me or is she completely incredible?" Bruce asked the question under his breath.

Alfred sipped from his iced tea and gave a sympathetic look at the love struck man to his side. "She is a showstopper Master Wayne."

Her hair was blown out and curling around her bare arms as she tossed back her head, laughing at something Lucius had said.

Alfred chuckled at the sight. Bruce had not exaggerated about Selina and Fox, they seemed to enjoy each other tremendously. As they walked down the ramp with their arms around each other's waists laughing and talking excitedly Alfred commented on them. "Like you said Master Wayne, Fox and your Missus are peas in a pod."

Selina looked up and she found him. Bruce saw the subtle change in her immediately. Her eyes softened and her smile shifted. She made him feel like she held a private secret that only he knew the truth of.

She held his eyes for a long moment before she nudged Lucius and alerted him to their location. Lucius smiled and said something in her ear. Selina broke away from Bruce's gaze and gave Fox a light shove. Lucius laughed heartily and Selina responded with an amused smirk.

Bruce and Alfred both stood as the pair approached. Fox guided Selina over to the table with a light hand at her back. He smiled at Alfred, relieved to see the pain gone from the man's eyes. Alfred rounded the table and the two men extended their hands and shook hands firmly. "Lucius."

"Alfred," Fox responded the grin still firmly planted upon his face. Alfred kept his air of formality for only a few moments before pulling Fox into a strong embrace. Both men had been through the ringer the last time they saw each other and it was difficult not to get overwhelmed. Fox and Alfred separated and they watched Bruce and Selina for a moment.

As she walked up to him, Bruce found for the first time his eyes weren't hypnotized by her walk. This time it was her smile, her eyes. He wondered if she realized that she looked at him that way, if that look was reserved just for him? He hoped that it was. No other man should get to see the soft side of Selina Kyle. It was too important, too delicate to risk with just anybody.

Selina slipped her arms over his shoulder, letting them extend out behind him with her elbows resting on his shoulders her fingertips lightly touching each other. Bruce settled his hands at her narrow hips as he kissed her. He held himself back, only too aware of the public forum. When he broke away from her he looked at her a long moment and then gently kissed her cheek, "I've missed you."

Selina tilted her head as she pulled back her arms and ran her hands over his shoulders and then down his arms. "I got here as fast as I could."

"I saw that you did." They both looked down at the tethered speedboat and Selina grinned mischievously. "Want to take it for a ride?"

Bruce smirked, "You know I do."

Selina kissed him again on the cheek before turning her attention to Alfred. "How was your day at sea, Sir Alfred?"

Alfred smiled and nodded, "It was smooth sailing Miss. Your significant other brought in quite a haul."

Fox nodded in approval, "Glad everything made it in one piece."

Bruce slid a small white chair out for Selina and she accepted with a light smile. She took in the breathtaking view, glancing over at Bruce. She smiled realizing he and Fox were already launching into the state of the business. She returned her attention to the view and was surprised to feel Bruce's hand on her wrist. Her own hand turned in response to his touch and he laced his fingers through hers and squeezed gently.

Selina could not imagine a better place to be at this moment in time, as she listened to the voices beside her, she couldn't imagine better company to keep.

Xxxxx

Three hours later they were all about to retreat to their respective rooms. Fox was starting to fade as the jet lag from the time change and long hours at the office began to catch up with him.

Alfred had been relieved that he wasn't the only one that was exhausted from the day, he and Selina both were yawning and at one point she had stood up from the table and walked to the railing just to avoid nodding off.

He had joined her and they stood there together for a long while as Lucius and Bruce discussed strategy involving Wayne enterprises.

"Alfred?"

"Yes Miss?" He turned to her expectantly.

"What are you going to do after all this?" She continued to look out over the water below while she waited for his response.

Alfred rested his elbows on the railing and sighed, "I suppose that will be up to the wishes of Master Wayne. But I have found that retirement doesn't quite suit me, not just yet anyways."

Selina smiled softly at his response. "I know that will make Bruce very happy to hear, although I doubt you have to be employed in order to have a reason to stay in his life, Alfred."

Alfred grunted, "As difficult as he is sometimes, I deserve to be compensated."

Selina boosted herself up onto the thin round railing; sitting daintily she crossed her legs and balanced herself easily while they talked. Alfred glanced over at her and fought back the urge to reprimand her or at least put a hand of restraint on her to prevent her plunge to certain death. But after what he had witnessed on the patio of his villa he had no doubt that she was in control of herself.

He tried to remember what she had called the yoga maneuver he had seen.

memory:

Selina had excused herself to the patio their second night in Italy to relax and meditate. Alfred had avoided the area to give her privacy, but when he noticed the patio empty he had started outside with a drink. He noticed her at the last second, balancing on the stone pillar at the corner of the patio. She was in a full handstand, still and unmoving on the three-foot surface. She held the position for several long minutes. When she did finally move it was a controlled shift of her arms dropping herself down to balance on her forearms. She rolled a hip forward and extended a leg to touch in front of her face with the other leg extended straight above her body. Her display of control defied all notions of body mechanics that Alfred had ever known.

Bruce had walked up beside him and for a moment Alfred wasn't sure if he would be able to stop him from bursting out onto the patio. Fear of starling her and the possible result of doing so held them both in their places. Bruce had stood watching in tense silence as her second foot landed and she twisted up to stand steady upon the ledge.

Bruce blew out a breath and looked over at Alfred. Alfred looked back at him in disbelief, "What part of robbing a bank demands she practice that particular maneuver three stories above the ground?"

Bruce had growled something before opening the door and accosting Selina. He received a tolerant smirk for his trouble as he lifted her off the pillar and deposited her safely on the patio.

x

"You don't mind going back to Gotham? Leaving all of this behind?" Selina examined her fingernails nonchalantly as she considered Alfred's decision to return to service as a Wayne employee.

Alfred glanced at her before returning his eyes to the ocean. "All of this will still be here when I choose to return to it. Don't forget, Gotham has been my home for over forty years Ms. Kyle. I care about the city, just not to the exclusion of my own welfare or that of Master Bruce."

Selina nodded that she understood. Alfred turned to face her fully, "What about you, young Miss? What happens to you after you break the bank?"

She shrugged, "Bruce gets his money back and I get the names on the accounts." She smoothed her hands together and crossed her arms over her flat abdomen. "Gordon and I made a promise to each other to see this through to the last man. I intend to keep my word on that."

Alfred offered an observation, "Master Bruce would likely be more pleased with handling the matter himself rather than leaving it to others to settle his scores." He nodded in concession to Selina and Gordon's agreement, "Now that he is back in the world of the living again, that is."

Selina thought she understood Alfred's concern and she wanted him to understand that it was not just revenge that motivated her. "This is something I have to do Alfred. I want to finish this." Selina looked deeply into Alfred's blue eyes, "This is my forest fire, Alfred. My Rangoon."

She twisted and looked behind her into the distance filled with the blue of ocean and sky. "I will not spend my life looking back on this and living with regrets. I was a part of this mess, Alfred. I'll be damned if I leave it for someone else to cleanup."

Xxxxx

Selina slept fitfully. Her dreams ran the gauntlet between her father, Bane and Blackgate. She woke in a cold sweat, panting and panicking at the assault of memories. She couldn't even console herself that they were just dreams. Her monsters were real, her past a nightmare, her future a promise of hellish damnation.

She pushed off the covers and sat up dragging her legs to the side of the bed. She exhaled a tortured breath and wound her hands into the sweaty strands of her hair pulling it back into a harsh ponytail. The long dark strands flopped down onto the white sweat soaked muscle shirt she wore.

Bruce watched her quietly. She had been tossing all night and he had long since given up on sleep himself. Whatever the nature of her demons, they were in full possession of her dreams tonight. He had awoken her several times just to have her fall back into the hands of forces he was powerless to protect her from.

She took another deep breath and held it for a moment as she looked down at her bare toes. "How long you going to lay there pretending you're asleep, Bruce?"

"How long before you tell me what's eating at you Selina?" He responded with the same challenging monotone that she addressed him with.

Selina looked over her shoulder and snorted a small humorless laugh. "Same old story." She reached for her watch on the nightstand and growled. It wasn't even 2AM, way too early for a run. She fidgeted, needing to get rid of the anxiety that was building up in herself. She glanced around and contemplated a round of yoga, but there was no privacy and her concentration would suck...which would mean her balance would suck...which meant she would beat herself up about sucking... insert infinite loop of self deprecation here.

"Ugh!' She stood abruptly and stalked off to the bathroom.

Bruce watched her with a mix of concern, lust and frustration. He wanted to help her, but he was at a loss on how to.

She washed her face and brushed her teeth again as if repeating the night ritual would somehow allow her another chance at sleep. She glared at her reflection. If she was in Gotham she would suit up and go kick the shit out of somebody. There was never a shortage of scumbags in the neighborhood to serve as targets. She gripped the counter hard and tried to push back the anger and frustration that strummed through her body. She felt trapped, like her muscles would explode if they didn't get to release their reserves.

Fuck it. I have got to run. Not jog...run...run like Satan himself is chasing me. Run until I collapse in exhaustion. Yeah, that ought to do it.

She jerked open the door harder than she meant to and stalked across the room, she glanced over at the bed somewhat hopeful Bruce had fallen back to sleep. She didn't feel like explaining herself. She registered that he wasn't in bed the same instance she was captured from behind and lifted off her feet. The air whooshed out of her as the considerable strength of Bruce Wayne pressed her against him.

"Where do you think you are going?" Bruce's voice was low and heavy like the Bat.

Selina was annoyed to no end, but was still trying to remain civil. "Let me go Bruce. I am in no mood for this." That was as nice as Selina could get.

Bruce shook his head and held her tight against him. "No, I don't think so. I have seen you like this a few times now and I've seen what you do to punish yourself. I'm not having that tonight Selina." Selina's eyes were coal-black when he looked into them and he tightened his grip on her wrists, pinning them incase her more primal side took hold.

"Bruce, let me go now." Her voice was controlled, but Bruce was well aware that he was agitating nitroglycerin.

"Why do you run Selina? To burn off anger, relieve your frustrations, wear yourself out?" He was very aware of his own physical reactions to holding her like this. Never had a woman looked as sexy in a white wife-beater tank and white bikini briefs than did Miss Selina Kyle.

She swallowed hard and answered, "Yes to all of that. Now let go so I can get busy doing it."

Bruce remained where he was, but his grip on her wrists tightened and his mouth went to her neck. His teeth scraped down her neck and settled on her shoulder. Bruce closed his jaw harder than he normally would have, allowing his teeth to mark her. She inhaled with a surprised hiss. He whispered into her shoulder, "If you want to get worn out...to burn out your energy reserves...there are much better ways of doing it than by running, Ms. Kyle."

xxxx

Selina glanced around the room and was surprised to see that Bruce was gone. She checked her watch and frowned at the late hour. She had completely overslept her run. Guess he made good on his promise to wear her out. She smiled at the memory. It beat the hell out of running, no doubt about it.

She made herself get out of bed and walked through the hotel suite. No Bruce. He was probably with Alfred or Fox. She would stop by and find out their plans before heading out, she didn't want them to wait on her. She had some ideas for a workout today that involved the steep cliffs and she intended to take her time enjoying it.

She threw on some comfortable clothes and pulled back her hair, clearing the room quickly with not much thought to her appearance. It was feast or famine with her, and today was going to be on the skinny side of fashion she decided.

Selina paused outside Alfred's door, her hand ready to knock when she heard voices approaching from the other side. She dropped her hand smiling as she waited for them to open the door. From the clarity of their voices they were right on the other side of the door.

"Alfred I understand your concerns, but you can put it to rest. I have the situation in hand. I have been in touch with the Treasury department and I have this entire thing under control. Interpol agents will intercept her after she downloads the information and the US State department will handle her from there."

Selina froze, her eyes went wide and she felt her heart jump in her chest. Movement drew her eyes down to the door lever, as it turned and the door cracked opened.

xxxxx

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Ahoy matey ... there be a storm on the horizon and rough sailing ahead for our favorite couple ... best ye batten down the hatches.

Edit credit to Cheed