A/N: Well, my family is back to normal....for now. Keep fingers crossed! Here's the next chapter. I hope you like it! Guess what?! I start school in two weeks. Summer goes by so fast....

Chapter 13

Selena's flight was delayed. Again. She could not believe this. First, her flight was delayed taking off, then there was turbulence the entire flight. Now, they were on the ground and just waiting to actually reach the gate. She was starting to think that this entire trip was cursed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. Just letting you know that our gate is ready. I would like to be the first to welcome you to Atlanta, Georgia. It is now 12:15 and a nice 93 degrees." Selena snorted at the patience comment.

When walking out of the plane, the heat and humidity of Atlanta engulfed her. (A/N: If you have ever taken a plane to the south, you know what I mean. You can barely breathe.)

"How the hell can it be this hot?" She asked no one.

"Honey, this is Atlanta, Georgia. It's always this hot." A young woman said as she passed by. (A/N: And there is my cameo into my story. WOO-HOO!!)

Selena left the airport and called a taxi to get to a hotel. When she got there, she was almost ill. The taxi driver drove like a maniac. Once in her room, she called Barbara.

"Hey there! How was the flight?"

"Oh, my God. I think that this plan is cursed. I almost got killed just from the taxi drive. I really don't think I can do this, Barbara."

"Yes, you can. You have to do this, Selena. Besides, if you don't do this, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

"How about I don't regret this and I just come back?"

"NO! You're going to do this and that's final!"

"Ok. Run through the plan with me. I need to hear it again."

"Again? I've gone through it a million times. But ok. You're now in Atlanta. Bruce is at the Wayne building in downtown Atlanta, roughly 5 miles away. Tomorrow, you have an appointment to meet with him. You're name is Mrs. Wilder and you are there to talk to Mr. Wayne about a charity involving disabled children in Chile. Once you go through his office door, the plan is complete. You'll be on your own." Living up to the Oracle name, Barbara had done her homework. With Alfred's help, she was able to locate the Wayne buildings in Atlanta, and got the phone number. She made the appointment herself. Once the appointment was set, she did a search for hotels in Atlanta. She found one, and made a reservation. Then she used Map Quest on Yahoo to get directions. (A/N: Hey! Even Oracle needs a little help from the Internet! She's never been to GA! Oh, and Yahoo didn't give me permission to put them in the story, but I am above the law!!! Besides, I hope they wouldn't be angry that I'm good-mouthing them....)

"Ok....I just hope this goes well." Barbara could detect the panic in Selena's voice.

"Selena, calm down. It's going to be ok."

"I know. I need some rest. I've had a looooooong day." They hung up. Selena laid down on her bed.

"How am I going to do this?" Was the last thing she said before she fell asleep.

- - -

The next day....

- - -

Ok. If Selena was panicked yesterday, it was nothing to what she was feeling now. She was sitting in a taxi, on her way to the Wayne building. She was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Even the taxi driver, who was a better driver then the other one was, noticed.

"Ma'am, are you ok? You look ill."

"Yes, I'm just a little nervous. I have an appointment with Bruce Wayne." The driver nodded, as if he understood. He looked as if he was about to ask her something, but then decided against it and concentrated on the road.

Selena looked out the window. She could see the Wayne building now. She felt butterflies in her stomach and a lump in her throat. She tried to calm down, but it was a futile attempt. She was scared to death of what could happen.

After about five minutes of staring at the building, she realized that the car had stopped at the entrance and the driver was staring at her. She shook her head, apologized, paid the driver, and stepped out of the car.

It took her a minute to remember to breathe and to walk, but she made it inside. She went over to the front desk, where a secretary was typing.

"May I help you, miss?"

"Uh, yes. Um...I have an appointment with Br-Bruce Wayne." She smacked herself mentally for stuttering.

"Ok. His office is on the sixth floor."

"Thank you." Selena turned to the elevator when the secretary grabbed her arm.

"Miss? Relax. He's only human." She smiled and continued to the elevator.

She pressed the button for the sixth floor. The elevator moved way too fast for her because in an instant, she was there. Stupid technology, she thought to herself.

The doors opened to a beautiful entryway. There was a door to Bruce's office, and a secretary that looked up when she came in. Selena had a huge mental battle whether or not to bolt right now. Helena's face came into mind, and that gave her courage. (A/N: Ahh...warm fuzzies. You know, I'm getting nervous for her. Aren't you?) She walked up to the secretary.

"Hello. My name is Mrs. Wilder. I have an appointment." The secretary just gave her a look, and checked out Bruce's schedule.

"Ok. You're appointment is not for another twenty minutes. Have a seat. When Mr. Wayne is ready to see you, I'll let you know." That being said, she abruptly turned away to work on more important things. (A/N: I had to make him have a really horrible, snotty secretary. It's punishment. It makes him miss Alfred.)

Selena sat down. This was going to be torture. She hated that secretary. She knew that that secretary just wanted to make her more nervous by the second. After about five minutes, she couldn't take it anymore and stood up. The secretary eyed her warily.

"Excuse me, but is there a way that I can move my appointment up a little since I'm already here?" She tried to remain polite and suppress an urge to hit the secretary when she glared at her.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but Mr. Wayne is a very busy man. You will have to wait your turn. That is why you are supposed to make appointments." The secretary turned back to what she was doing.

"Fine. I will be in the restroom." Selena walked over to the ladies' room and walked in. She was happy to find that it was a one-toilet restroom. She locked the door, pulled out a cell phone, and called Barbara.

"Barbara, I can't do it. I'm sitting here, waiting, and all I can think of is bolting. Maybe this is a sign that I'm not supposed to do this."

"Selena. Breathe. It's ok. Look, there are some things I want you to remember. Bruce loves you. He'll be nothing but ecstatic that you're alive. He will be upset that he didn't see Helena grow up, but he'll understand. Now, stop being a wimp and go!" Barbara hung up the phone.

After hearing what Barbara had to say, Selena really did think. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her hands were shaking and she was pale. She started to calm down and washed her hands to try and get them to stop shaking. After a minute or two, she came out to face the music.

The secretary looked at Selena with disdain as she came back. She made a show of pushing the button on her intercom.

"Mr. Wayne, Mrs. Wilder from the D.C.O.C.C. is here to see you."

"Show her in." Hearing his voice made Selena's stomach flip-flop. She hadn't heard that voice in 24 years, but it still warmed her heart and gave her the courage to open the door to his office.

Bruce's office was like she remembered the one in Old Gotham. It was impersonal; strictly business. There were no pictures, knick-knacks, or anything that showed the real him anywhere. The only two things in his office were a desk that had a computer and writing utensils on it, and a bookshelf. Bruce was sitting at the desk, head down as he was reading some paperwork. He didn't look up as he waved her in. She was shocked by his appearance.

To most people, Bruce looked about twenty years older than he was. To Selena and anyone else who knew the real him, he looked to be a hundred. He had a ton of gray hairs on his head, and his shoulders were slumped as if defeated. He was obviously no longer the proud, legendary Batman. She didn't have to see his eyes to know they would have a deadened look to them. Pain, guilt, and regret were etched on each feature of his face.

"So, Mrs. Wilder, you represent the Disabled Children of Chile Charity?" He still hadn't looked up. (A/N: I know....it's a very stupid charity. I just made it up. Besides, it could be a real charity...)

"Yes. That's correct." Selena made a mental note to kill Barbara later for the charity name.

Upon hearing her voice, Bruce's head snapped up, and for the first time in 24 years, Selena Kyle and Bruce Wayne looked each other in the face.

- - -

A/N: Well, that's chapter 13! Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it. Big thanks to my sister for FINALLY reading my story, and happy faces to all my reviewers. It is very late. Next chapter I promise I'll do individual responses. Cross my heart and hope to die. Stick a needle in my eye!!!! :) :)