Hi all. Firstly, thank you so much for all your fantastic reviews. It really means the world that you are enjoying this story. This chapter is beyond long, it's more like epic. I really couldn't stop so I'm apologising in advance. Make sure you have a drink handy or something. Just kidding. As always I'd love to know your thoughts. Also did any of you see the final Joker blogs episode last week? If you didn't, shame on you! Go and check it out. But read this first! Thanks guys.

Cuts and Bruises

Selina stumbled as she crawled into her bedroom, the silence that greeted her feeling oddly surreal. She stared down at the disarray of clothing strewn across the carpet from the night before. A soft pattering of rain began trickling down the bedroom window as she heaved it closed, wincing at the sharp, knife like pain in her side. Fingers trailing absently to her lips she wandered into the bathroom, recoiling in horror at her reflection. Leaning against the sink, she peered at her beaten appearance.

She was white, her skin like rice paper compared to the fierce brightness of her green eyes. Her face was a mass of run makeup and faded red lipstick. Blinking back tears she unbuttoned the faded blue shirt that Jack had dressed her in. Swallowing she revealed a garish purple bruise on her collar bone. She let the shirt slip to her feet, which were covered in dried blood.

Selina closed her eyes. Her body was literally a reference point for every injury Benito Falcone had inflicted upon her. Closing her eyes she recalled every kick, every blow, the sound of his fist against her flesh echoing in her ears.

Breathing deeply, she reached for the faucet, wanting at once to be clean and rid of the blood and its smell. She felt violated and dirty. The pipes groaned before unleashing a jet of hot water into the tub. No sooner had she pushed the plug into its hole, did the bathroom door crash open.

Yelping, Selina ducked behind the shower curtain, shame coursing across her face. But in the reflection of the mirror, Holly stood open mouthed. The younger girl was ashen, her eyes looked sore and her clothes unusually rumpled.

"Selina?" she blinked rapidly, raising a hand to her mouth. To Selina's horror, Holly started crying. As deftly as she could manage, Selina squirmed back into her shirt and wrapped her arms around Holly's trembling shoulders.

"I thought...I thought you were dead!" she sobbed and Selina led her out into the kitchen. Selina pushed Holly into a chair and Selina gently eased herself into the one opposite.

"I'm alright, Holly," she insisted, though she knew she was far from it. "I've been through hell and back but I'm alright."

Finally Holly looked up, wiping at her eyes. "You don't look alright. You look...Jesus I've been so worried. Where were you?"

Selina frowned momentarily. She knew that she looked like hell but she didn't think she'd been gone that long.

"What day is it?" she asked suddenly and Holly made a noise as though she'd just asked what colour the sky was. Holly shook her head in disbelief.

"Are you serious? Its Friday, Selina. You went missing Wednesday night! I've been going crazy, out of my mind! Where the hell were you?"

Selina slumped back in the chair, her jaw sagging slightly. How long had she been in that factory? Was it possible that she had been locked up for over twenty four hours? How hard had that guy hit her? Selina licked her lips. She knew that she should feel dehydrated, her throat raw from thirst. Her shoulders sinking slightly, she realised that Jack had taken better care of her than she thought possible. Her mind flashing back to only moments earlier on the fire escape, she wished that she had known, and then at least she could have thanked him. But then he wouldn't have told her, it wasn't his style. And she had a feeling that he liked the idea of her owing him a favour, to be cashed in at the time he chose.

"Selina!" Holly cried and Selina blinked, unaware that she had temporarily phased out. Holly was leaning across the table, her pupils wide and black against the blue of her irises. "Selina don't ignore me, please. Tell me what happened?"

Sucking in her breath, Selina recounted the tale of horror that she had had to endure. When she finished with how the Joker had dropped her off here only minutes ago, Holly sat back in her chair, her face whiter than it had been to begin with.

"The Joker was here?" Holly breathed uneasily. "God...he knows where you live?"

Selina waved her hand in the air. "He won't come back here again."

"But how can you know? I don't understand why a man like that would even help you. He wants something."

Selina had to admit that the thought wasn't completely ridiculous. She hadn't spoken of her involvement with Jack in her past and she didn't want to drag that up now. Selina answered her friend with a shrug of her shoulders.

"I don't know. But he said he would leave me alone."

Holly snorted. "And you trust him?"

Selina smiled despite herself. "Not one bit. But he patched me up pretty good. He took, what I suppose constitutes for 'care' in his world, of me. And I'm alive. Which believe me, if he hadn't of shown up, I would be in pieces at the bottom of the East River by now."

Holly visibly shivered and Selina was glad to see that some of her colour was returning. Holly had been chewing her bottom lip so hard that she had left a welt there.

"From what I know of the Joker...from what little I know, I don't see this as over. He'll come back for you. You're too interesting for him to leave alone. He didn't have to help you. A guy like that, always has reasoning."

Holly's words were almost close to the mark and Selina rubbed her arms. She didn't want to think about that right now. But Selina promised herself that if Jack did show up she would be ready. And she certainly wouldn't be kissing him again anytime soon! The moment on the fire escape came back to her and when she looked up at her friend, she feared that she could read it in her eyes. Selina felt her stomach coil at the thought of the kiss. She was ashamed at how she had reacted and even more ashamed that for a fraction of a second, she had wanted more. Selina had to tell herself mentally that there was no part of her that wanted him to come rushing back up the metal stairs and finish what he had begun.

Even though that was a lie.

"Selina, we should really get you to a hospital?" Holly suggested, scraping back her chair and wandering behind the blonde woman and flicking on the kettle. She retrieved two stripy mugs from the dishwasher and rinsed them around, almost on autopilot. Selina shook her shoulders.

"I'm OK Holly," she promised. "Besides if I go then the police would have to be involved and that would mean I would have to come up with some kind of story...."

Selina's eyes suddenly widened and she shot forward in her chair. Abruptly she turned and Holly was standing behind her with anxiously gritted teeth. She had been gone since Wednesday?

"Holy crap!" Selina moaned, letting her dirty head tumble forward onto her forearms. "Bruce Wayne. I missed our date!"

Holly scooted into the chair and slid a mug of tea across the table towards her. "Yeah. Sorry."

Selina lifted her head, her eyes aching. "Did he call? What did you tell him?"

Holly bit on her lip again. "I told him you were sick. He sent you flowers. They're in a vase on your coffee table."

Selina rested her forehead against her arm, wanting nothing more than to slam her head into the pine veneer surface below it.

"He called a few times actually and really wanted to speak to you," Holly leaned forward in her seat. "I was so scared Selina. I didn't know what had happened to you and then they found Benito Falcone's body in the river. It was all over the news. His sister was put into a secure unit at Gotham General and you were gone...I didn't know what else to tell him!"

"You did fine," Selina mumbled into her hands.

"If it makes you feel any better he sounded really keen to meet up when you were better?" Holly prompted her voice hopeful. "I think he really likes you."

Selina straightened up, using her trembling arms to lift her out of her seat. As if Holly read her mind, she met Selina at her phone which was on the wall by her calendar. Holly prised the receiver out of Selina's blood stained hand which would have normal taken some doing. Selina however, looked ready to crumple to the floor; her breaths were shallow and raspy.

"You can't call him now sweetie," Holly smiled tightly, placing the phone back in its cradle.

Selina shot her a dark look. "Why? He probably thinks I'm not interested!"

"Selina...its six thirty in the morning and your playboy won't even be awake yet. And you really think you can go on a date after what you've been through? Besides you smell like...I don't know...whiskey!"

Selina mumbled her agreement, caving in only because she knew that at any moment she could pass out from the pain rocket ting through her body. She swayed on her feet and Holly caught her by the upper arms. Holly guided Selina back to the bathroom, forcing her to perch on the edge of the tub, while she let it run. Steam clouded the room and Holly tried to ignore the deep, vicious grazes that ran down the length of her friend's legs. She helped Selina out of the shirt, pretending that it didn't hurt her to see the dark, purple bruises that were blooming all over her back and torso.

Selina eased into the tub, the suds rising up to her face. Holly swallowed her tears, helping Selina to wash out the blood that was matted in her usually lovely blonde locks. When she was clean, Holly picked up the shirt off the floor.

"Is this...his?" she asked, giving it an obligatory sniff. It just smelled musky and damp, like Selina had been. "Shall I throw it away?"

Selina closed her eyes, trying to pretend that being immersed in hot water was as soothing as it should be. Instead, blood was rushing in her head and she felt sick. Every cut on her body stung. Tears leaked out from under her lashes.

"Just leave it there, I'll deal with it," she answered dully and Holly rolled her eyes.

The younger woman was about to shut the bathroom door behind her when Selina suddenly leaned out of the tub, hugging her knees to her chest.

"Holly...can you call Bruce for me? When it's a reasonable hour of course. Tell him I'd be happy to meet him later on this afternoon if he's free?"

Holly screwed up her face. "There is no way you....no! You can't even walk!"

Selina could feel her temper rising and she bit down on her tongue. Didn't her friend realise that it exhausted her to have to argue her case all the time?

"I just need some sleep and lot and lots of painkillers," Selina insisted. "Please just do this for me. I don't have the strength to fight you."

Holly made a noise of disapproval in her throat, letting the door clang shut behind her. For the next few moments, she heard her friend tidying around the bedroom. Then it was silent. Selina supposed she was out of line for what she had put Holly through. But she couldn't sit up here in this apartment and think about what had happened to her. Selina had learnt long ago never to dwell. Dwelling on what had passed was dangerous. She wanted badly to be looking around Bruce Wayne's Manor not sitting here flashing back to when Rene Falcone had jammed a shard of glass under her skin.

Shivering, Selina realised she had sat too long in the tub and was starting to prune up. Rising up slowly, she grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her torso, relishing the clean feeling. She scrubbed her teeth to remove the taste of stale whiskey.

"You should take your medicine. It'll be better if you do..."

Spitting out the toothpaste into the sink, she pushed the thoughts away, slipping her silk robe over her dry body. Her feet still bare, she padded out into her bedroom, noticing that Holly had remade her bed. Feeling marginally better she glanced at the clock she saw that it had gone past nine. How long had she been sitting in that tub? She realised dimly that she was slipping again, phasing in and out, a diehard habit she had thought was broken. It was something she used to do all the time when she was a child. Mentally she shook herself; she would just have to learn to get over it.

There was a plastic bag on the bed and when looking through it, Selina found that it had a few different types of pain medication in it, plus some ointment and clean bandages. She half smiled, picking up the note that Holly had left by the side of the bag.

'You're an idiot. But he said he would pick you up at five.'

The shirt was folded up at the foot of the bed, sitting on the bed linen like it expected to be lovingly put away in a draw. Gently, Selina picked it up, letting its frayed edges splay across her lap as she sat on the bed. She traced her fingers across its faded blue and green pattern, lifting it to her nose to breathe in the scent that lingered there. Her heart jumped into her chest as the memory of his touch came back.

"See you around, match girl." He had said, smiling, giving her that mock bow before disappearing out of her life. Selina sniffed. God why was she such a mess? Dragging the shirt with her, she folded herself under the covers, clutching it firmly in her hand as she fell asleep.

////

Sunlight filtered shyly through her closed curtains as she opened her eyes, what felt like only moments later. Wrinkling her nose she thought she smelled the clean, pressed scent of washed laundry. Heaving herself out of bed and slipping her feet in some socks, Selina wandered into the kitchen, where Holly was struggling to collapse the ironing board.

Smiling wryly, Selina helped her flatten it and then pried it out of her hands. She folded it with ease and shoved it in the cupboard behind her. Holly made a huffing noise and folded her arms across her chest defensively.

"How are you feeling?" she asked. Her teeth were gritted and Selina saw the annoyance in her old friend's usually warm face. Selina arched her back and stretched her arms above her head, almost instantly doubling over as white hot pain scorched up under her ribcage.

Holly shook her head. "I'm calling Wayne and cancelling. You cannot do this today!"

Selina shot her a fierce look. "I love you for caring but if you do that I'll string you up by your ankles over the East river....and I can do that you know!"

Holly's face broke into a grin. She shrugged helplessly and nodded her head to the pile of neatly folded laundry on the kitchen table.

"Well suit yourself."

"Its just cuts and bruises Holly," Selina insisted, her eyes running over the neat pile, wondering what she had in her limited wardrobe that would pretty much cover her from neck to toe. Her voice was distant. "I've had broken bones and all sorts...most of them from Elliot, who said he loved me."

Knowing that she hadn't done a very good job of convincing her friend, Selina set about getting ready for a date with a millionaire. She didn't want to appear forward and didn't want Wayne to think she'd tried too hard. She chose a pale, mint green shirt in a very sheer material that did up to her neck, fastened with a little ribbon. She wore loose cream pants and threw a cream pashmina over her shoulders. Selina paid extra attention to her makeup, thickening her mascara and layering concealer under her eyes, taking care that she had erased all signs of her ordeal. She wore her hair tousled and loose, making it slightly higher at the back of her head, to cover the growing lump on her scalp. Liberally spraying perfume and slipping her feet into an expensive pair of heels, she admired her reflection in the mirror.

Staring dismally at her face, she fought down the knot that was growing in her throat. Closing her eyes she told herself to breathe. Images came flooding back to her. She saw Benito Falcone flexing the muscles in his fingers, before balling them up into a fist. She remembered the savagery in his eyes as he kicked her over and over. Selina thought of Rene, her expression cold and unfeeling as she sliced through her suit with the blade. It was just business to them.

Now because of Jack, Benito was dead and Rene in the hospital. But Selina couldn't think of a better place for either of them. Selina had hurt the Falcone family financially. She had embarrassed them and that was worse than anything physical she could do to them. She remembered Batman's warning to her and how surreal that sounded in her head now. Her vengeance had blinded her and she had fallen straight into their snare. She wouldn't be so stupid next time.

The clock in the hallway read ten to five and Selina practised walking straight in her shoes, forcing her body into an uncomfortable position. At least it would make her more aware of her pain, less she forget it during the evening and then it crept back up on her by surprise. She hobbled down the narrow stairs, closely followed by Holly, who whistled through her teeth as they both set eyes on a grey, shiny limo waiting for her outside.

It was starting to spot with rain. Selina threw Holly a smile, pulling the wrap around her shoulders as she made the short three steps from the gallery door to the car. Slipping inside, the driver turned to greet her.

"Good afternoon Miss Kyle," his voice was pleasant, which matched his plainly handsome face. "Mr. Wayne offers his apologies that he isn't here to pick you up, but he was detained at the manor. Help yourself to some refreshments from the back?"

Selina's stomach suddenly lurched with nerves. "Thank you," she replied weakly. She suddenly didn't feel ready for this at all and wondered what on earth had possessed her to go ahead. Sitting back against the leather seat, she clutched her purse tightly in her lap. The limo smelt wonderfully of old worn leather and Selina tried to focus her breathing as it wound its way through the city centre, dodging the rush hour traffic.

After a while the view from the tinted window changed from blurry skyscrapers to long stretches of open country side. Selina was reminded of another journey she had taken to the famous Wayne Manor, but that was many years ago. She felt a dull ache beginning in her lower back and wincing, she began to riffle through her purse for the stash of pain medication that Holly had bought her. She downed some pills with a swig of still water from the small cabinet fridge, the liquid cooling her raw throat.

She noticed the limo driver watching as she popped the bottle back in the fridge. Selina threw him her best smile. "Headache," she said and he nodded.

Abruptly the car pulled off the road and Selina slid across the seat, her expression full of wonder as they were driving through a vast expanse of trees. They loomed over the dirt road, their branches reaching out from the woodland and Selina could barely suppress a shiver. It was all returning to her and at once she held her breath as the trees pulled back to reveal the house. Pressing her lips together, Selina inched closer to the window, her breath fogging the glass as she gazed upon Wayne Manor. It looked exactly as she remembered, except that somehow, it seemed darker.

The hundreds of little windows looked down upon the approaching vehicle like empty eyes and Selina was instantly struck with a feeling of terrible loneliness. It was as if the world had changed so vastly but this building, although rebuilt from the ground up had remained stuck in time. This was Bruce Wayne's childhood home but it was also his fortress. It was almost as if he'd rebuilt it to appear darker, the towers jutting out from the rooftops sharp and terrifying.

Rolling over the gravel to a halt, the driver swiftly made his way around to the passenger door, opening it for Selina to swing her legs out. Pulling her wrap tighter around her, Selina eyed the darkening clouds above before casting her eye to the man standing at the great oak door. She blushed, reaching out her hand as Mr. Pennyworth stepped forward and took her hand in his.

"Come inside Miss Kyle," he said leading her across the stone steps and into the marbled hallway. He smiled down at her, despite his age he was still a little taller than her. "We've met before?"

"Uh, yes," she laughed nervously. "At the fundraiser you threw in the city?"

"Of course!" he beamed. "You were admiring that Italian piece! What an interesting night that turned into."

"I know," Selina shook her head. "It was such a shame what happened."

Mr. Pennyworth smiled sadly, as if recalling a memory but whatever he was thinking passed out of his eyes as quickly as it had come. "At least that's all behind us now."

"I'm sure you're glad to be home aren't you?" Selina marvelled, letting her green eyes travel across the freshly painted stone walls. There was a fire crackling in the hallway, breathing in its comforting scent, Selina moved closer, the heat gently touching her skin.

"Its not quite the same as it used to be. There's still much to do and I think I've forgotten where everything went. Master Wayne had it rebuilt almost exactly as it was, not a brick out of place...but of course it has its improvements. We have so many fancy gadgets in the kitchen that I'm going to need a degree to use them!"

Selina found herself smiling and rubbing her shoulders for warmth. She loved everything about this house. She loved its homely smell; she loved its space and warmth. She loved the way it echoed.

"Where is Mr. Wayne?" she asked, her stomach knotting again. The older man rolled his eyes upward.

"I'm afraid that he's taking care of business on the other side of the house. He promised he wouldn't be too long. Can I offer you something to drink?" he explained apologetically. He began walking and Selina automatically followed. She was thinking that for a man who had been so desperate to get her here, Bruce Wayne was being extremely coy. Sending a driver for her and keeping her hanging around was exactly what she had expected of the famous playboy. But she had to admit she was a little disappointed to find that he did indeed live up to his reputation.

Telling herself that she didn't really care that much, Selina followed the old butler into a beautiful carved wooden kitchen. It was painted in a fresh cream, with a black and white tiled floor. Selina found herself with her mouth open; it was so unlike the steel coldness at the penthouse in the city. It was a family kitchen and Selina felt the yearning to be part of this home, take desperate hold of her once again.

"Take a seat. I'll make us some tea," he offered and Selina smiled again. She carefully pulled herself up onto a high bar stool, keeping her facial expression as neutral as she could as a splinter of pain sliced through her mid section. In a few moments, she was holding a warm china mug and chatting with the butler like she'd known him for years.

He asked her about how the gallery was doing and they talked about art. She cleverly dodged his queries about where she had travelled through her childhood, Selina having to think up various names and places she recalled on her journeys with Elliot. She guessed he was heading for something but he seemed to be keeping it close to his chest for the moment, but the expression in his older eyes was that of intrigue. When Selina glanced at the clock she realised that she'd been in this room for over an hour and it was dark outside. A glimmer of annoyance passed through her.

"You know there is something about you Miss Kyle that I can't quite work out," Mr. Pennyworth said suddenly and Selina's stomach lurched. She hadn't been wrong; he had been working towards something.

She smiled, concealing her nerves. "And what would that be?"

"I met a little girl many years ago at a children's home that Mrs. Wayne was a patron to before she and Master Wayne were killed. I know it's completely impossible as you were travelling with your parents but you could almost be her....it's just something about your eyes."

Selina lowered her gaze, finding herself staring at her fingers wound around the mug. She swallowed the knot that had formed in her throat and looked up at the older man carefully. She saw that he was leaning on his elbows across the kitchen counter.

Selina grinned. "What about my eyes?"

She was suddenly struck at how quiet the kitchen was and that a smattering of rain could be heard on the window pane.

He shrugged. "They're sad. You look lost."

Laughter escaped her lips nervously, the coils of her stomach tightening. She was hit by a sad memory of reading to an injured boy with a bandaged head. The story echoed over and over in her mind and it wasn't until weeks of reading him the same tale, that she realised that it mirrored her own pitiful existence.

"Maybe I am a little lost?" she offered gently, surprised at how quiet her voice was. "I came back here to find something. Except I don't really know what I'm looking for."

The butler straightened as someone else came into the room behind Selina. A part of her knew who it was but she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of turning around just yet.

"I think most people feel that way Miss Kyle. Its Gotham's curse I'm afraid. A city filled with people walking around never really seeing one another. It's a lonely place to be."

He reached across and patted her hand. Selina smiled warmly at him and then slid off the seat, her heels clicking across the tiles. She turned and Bruce Wayne stood sheepishly in the doorway of the kitchen. Dressed in casual grey slacks and a white T shirt, she was completely taken off guard by his laid back appearance. His hair was slightly damp and as he approached, she caught the clean fresh scent of someone who had just gotten out of the shower.

He wrapped his hand over hers. "Selina I'm so sorry to have kept you. You look better than I expected. Your assistant said you had been quite unwell?"

Colour flooded her cheeks and she scolded herself mentally. "I was. But I feel lots better now. Thank you for the flowers."

He smiled, that boyish, coy smile and her insides crumbled. "I'm glad to hear it. You'll have to forgive the way I look. I was painting in the east wing and I ended up with half the can over me so I jumped in the shower. Alfred has been having problems with the new appliances, the washing machine being one of them, so I'm down to my slacks I'm afraid."

Selina found herself grinning up at him like she was a ten year old. "Oh, you look fine to me!"

Realising that he still had her fingers entwined with his, she slipped her arm back to her side determined to get the upper hand back. Keeping her lips pressed she reached into her purse and pulled out a small memory stick.

"I brought all the files I was sent from Italy and I thought we could take a look at them when you're ready?" she pressed it into his hand and he raised his eyebrows.

"Straight to business, huh? Ok, you feel like a tour of the place while Alfred makes us some dinner?"

Selina laughed. "I would love one!"

Bruce ushered her back into the hallway, her heels clicking over the marble floor. She cast her eyes at the sweeping stone staircase. Closing her eyes briefly, she remembered running down them, her heart broken as the police took Jack away. Hiding a shudder that crossed over her shoulders, she smiled when he turned to look at her.

"Did you add anything to the old house?" she asked, trying to stay focussed. It didn't seem to matter that she hadn't been in the house that long, but the place held a lot of memories for Selina. It was from this place that she had begun on a new course.

Bruce shoved his hands in his pockets as they began to walk up the stairs, shoulder to shoulder.

"A couple of new rooms sprung up from the old plans but nothing major. I wanted to keep it as it was out of respect for my father. He designed so much of what you see now."

Selina folded her arms, feeling a little chill in the air. "It's a beautiful house. Don't you get lonely out here all by yourself?"

He smiled wryly as they rounded the corner, onto the first floor landing. This area was thickly, carpeted and Selina's heels sunk into the lush, red pile. Not wanting to make heel marks, she bent down and began unbuckling her shoes.

"What are you doing?" Bruce laughed as she kicked one of her heels free.

"Its brand new carpet!" she hissed. "I'll ruin it if I don't take them off." She gritted her teeth in annoyance for the buckle was being stubborn and bending at an angle was making her ribs hurt.

He raised his eyebrows and got to his knees on the floor, grinning up at her as he took her foot in his hand. Selina straightened, laughing as he wrestled with the buckle, loosening it so that he could slip the shoe off. For a moment, her breath caught in her throat, staring down at him as he held her ankle in his lap. Sighing he let her go and she caught her balance.

"Its very kind of you to worry about my carpet," he appeared to be swallowing, a streak of red crossing across his cheekbones. "But what were you asking?"

"I asked if you were lonely Mr. Wayne?" she quickly regained her composure. "Just you and your butler in this massive place, it must get really quiet sometimes?"

He climbed to his feet, handing her shoe back to her. "Quiet but never boring. I'm a solitary man and I can stand the silence. And call me Bruce by the way."

Selina retrieved her other shoe from the floor and held them by the straps. Glancing behind her she eyed two massive stone walls, completely empty and instantly saw potential for at least two pieces to hang very nicely.

"You should have one on this wall and then another on this facing wall," she gestured with her hands, aware that he was staring intently at her profile. "I'm worried that they might look a little small though. It's bigger here than I thought!"

When he didn't reply, she gazed back at him, noting his serious expression. Her stomach lurched suddenly as he inched a little closer to her, his arms folded over his broad chest.

"Is something the matter?" she asked and he shook his head.

"Nothing is the matter. But I wonder why you never mentioned that you were at my fundraiser all those months ago? When I mentioned to Alfred that I was bringing you here, your name rang a bell with him and he told me."

Sucking in her breath, Selina knew she had been rumbled. She forced her face to keep neutral and tilted her head to one side, wondering why he had chosen to bring it up now.

"I don't know why I didn't mention it," she answered honestly. "To be honest so much happened that night. I was a last minute invite anyway...Rachel Dawes asked me to come as she had come into the gallery that afternoon. I know she was a good friend of yours."

She noticed his eyes darken briefly. He lowered his gaze and Selina felt the heat leave her skin.

"How did you get out of the building?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "I don't remember seeing you."

At that Selina laughed, knowing that she had been well and truly busted. A blush crossed her cheeks and he noticed, mirroring her smile.

"Well there you have me...I was having a snoop. I saw you make your....very exciting entrance with two very attractive women and when you were talking I decided to have a look around. I'm an extremely nosy person I'm afraid!" she saw that he was chuckling and relaxed her shoulders.

"And how did you get out?" he probed. Selina's face broke into a grin.

"Actually I ran into Batman. Can you believe it? He very roughly pointed me in the right direction, scaring me nearly half to death I might add! So I slipped out of the fire escape."

Bruce shook his head. "What a guy, huh?"

"He comes in handy," Selina laughed. A sad look passed through his eyes.

"I'm sorry if he frightened you though," he apologised and Selina shook her head from side to side.

"Why should you be sorry? He got me out. And then from what I heard, broke up your party. I'd thank him if I ever saw him," she insisted and with that Bruce's face relaxed, his features softening with his boyish smile.

"So you were saying about these walls...?" he turned back to the two blank canvases looming down at them. Selina spent the next forty five minutes following him around the upper floor, identifying areas where some of her larger pieces could fit. In her head she totalled up that the millionaire had spent nearly forty thousand dollars so far and he hadn't even broken a sweat.

She noticed that when she spoke, he didn't seem to be listening to her, more studying her face, his eyes narrowing and creasing at the corners when she said something mildly amusing. By the time they were back in the kitchen and Alfred was serving up dinner, she felt very hot around the collar, like she'd been analysed.

To her surprise they ate in the kitchen, which was comfortable and more relaxing than in one of the massive ballrooms she'd seen on her tour. Those rooms were large and oppressive and didn't seem to fit well with either of the two men. She realised that they were a little family unit and this was how they ate everyday and she felt quite flattered that they hadn't put on all their airs and graces for her. Selina felt included and oddly at home.

When Alfred offered to leave them alone to eat in private, Selina insisted that he stayed. Bruce didn't seem to mind either. Selina's private reasoning was that she needed a break from Bruce's intense watchful gaze and Alfred certainly lightened the mood. Selina knew that she was completely attracted to Bruce and felt it was almost unbearable to be alone with him for too long.

She wondered at how many women he had included in his life. She wondered at how many of them managed to cope with his shifting moods and intensity. Maybe that was the reason why he lived alone and had never married? There was certainly something deeper to Bruce Wayne than the playboy lifestyle he portrayed. There was darkness in him and it was so palpable, Selina could almost taste it.

"That was wonderful thank you," Selina thanked the older man, pushing her plate away. He smiled and took it away from her.

"Why don't you two go and sit in the living room while I make some tea?" he offered but Selina held up her hands after glancing at the clock. It was nearly ten thirty. She didn't know where the time had gone and she was also aware that her pain medication was wearing off.

"I'm so sorry to break this up but I have a really early start in the morning and I didn't realise it had gotten so late!" she turned to Bruce apologetically. "I hope you don't mind but what with my recent illness I've barely been in my own gallery."

Bruce shook his head. "Of course. I'll drive you back."

Selina felt her stomach bubble. "I've had a wonderful time. You have such a beautiful home!"

Alfred waited at the door with her as Bruce went to fetch the car. Lights appeared out of the darkness and a grey, metallic Porsche pulled up on the gravel. Selina turned to the old butler and smiled gratefully.

"Thanks for a lovely dinner!" she leaned forward and hugged him tightly, like he was an old Uncle she hadn't seen in years. Instantly she recognised his cologne, obviously he had loved the same one all these years.

"It's been nice to see you again Miss Kyle," he smiled. The wind was whipping up, blowing through her tousled curls. With the half lights of the headlamps on her face, she threw a smile back at him. "And I hope we see you here again. It's almost as if you belong here, you know."

Selina felt a familiar rush of emotion and biting down tears she wrapped her pashmina tightly around her. Just as she stepped onto the gravel, she heard the old man close behind her. He gently took her arm and pulled her back a step. Narrowing her eyes, she looked up at him as he bent towards her face, whispering something into her ear.

"Never be afraid to admit where you come from, Selina," he said. His words sent a chill up her spine. "We all have a past...even someone like me. You've grown up into quite a lovely young woman."

Selina stepped back and met his knowing eyes, which were twinkling down at her.

"Am I wrong?" he asked and she shook her head weakly. "I thought not. I never forget a face, especially not one like yours."

A look of pure terror must have passed through her eyes, for the older man reached for her hand and squeezed it affectionately. "Your secret is safe with me, Miss. I hope you find what you're looking for."

She tried to smile but found she was too weak. And the pain was beginning to kick in. As she climbed into the sleek interior of the Porsche out of the wind, she realised dimly that he had known who she was the whole time. Bruce was eyeing her quizzically as she strapped herself in.

"He didn't ask you out on a date or something did he?" Bruce joked and at that Selina forgot her nerves and laughed. "Because he might look old but I wouldn't put it past him!"

"No...nothing like that at all. He's a lovely man." The car sped out of the drive with such force that she found her fingers gripping the leather seat underneath her. Bruce must have noticed and altered his speed to a normal pace. It was pitch darkness and they were speeding through the vast empty countryside.

"Sorry...I always drive like someone's chasing me," he told her casually. He flicked on the radio so that it was low enough not to interrupt them, but kept the mood light in the car.

"Maybe someone is," she chided and he laughed. "You sure have a fair amount of press. It seems like every week you're in the gossip columns with a new woman on your arm!"

She saw his profile change, his eyes crease at the corners and she realised that the comment had come out far more snide than she had intended it to.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean that your some kind of womaniser....I just meant that it must be hard having your private life all over the papers!" she explained and he shrugged casually.

"The press love to pair me off. Half the time it's me playing with them. They love to speculate who the future Mrs. Wayne will be. But I know that when that day comes they'll attack her more than they attack me and I don't want that for anyone I love. The women you see with me...like the ones I had with me at the fundraiser are models that I hire to be there. It gives the press something to write about!"

Selina raised her eyebrows at his honesty. "And it gives the models more press which is great for their careers!"

He faced her and threw her a disarming smile. "I'm a nice guy, what can I say?"

"You are a puzzle," she agreed with a sigh and that earn a chuckle from him.

"Do you like puzzles?" he teased and in the darkness Selina blushed. In the distance the lights of Gotham were approaching. She could make out the black shapes of jutting skyscrapers penetrating the night sky. The cloud of smog that hung like a blanket over the city appeared illuminated.

"Only if I know I can solve them," she answered after a while. "I'm a bad looser."

He laughed. "That's something else we have in common."

The car wound through the darkened streets. The bars and clubs were beginning to empty, filling the streets with people walking aimlessly around, laughing and drinking. Bruce pulled the car up to Selina's building, letting the engine hum gently. Pressing her lips together, Selina barely knew what to say.

"So...I'll order those pieces for you tomorrow and hopefully they will be with me in the next couple..."

"When can I see you again?" he interrupted forcibly and Selina stared at his profile in the darkness. Her skin was scorching with anticipation. She hadn't expected to feel like this. It seemed like only five minutes ago she had been on the fire escape stairs, kissing another, very different man.

Guilt coursed through her at what she now knew was almost inevitable. Bruce leaned across the seat, his breath warm on her skin as he unbuckled her safety belt, letting it slip across her lap. Keeping her hands rigid at her sides and desperate not to react to him, he brushed his mouth against hers, parting her lips gently with his own. Swallowing she kissed him back, completely on fire, finding that she had reached for him , entwining her fingers in his soft hair.

When he pulled away she blinked at him, struggling to breathe at a normal speed.

"I'm free Monday," she offered and he kissed her again, sending her insides into a crazy dance.

"Not soon enough I'm afraid," he whispered against her cheek. "How about tomorrow?"

"Alright," she answered, and then mentally scolded herself for reacting like a teenager desperate for a date with the most popular boy in school.

"I'll come and get you for lunch," he told her and she nodded, hating herself for being so weak. Unsteadily she pulled out of his arms, flinging the car door open, the fresh air welcome as it hit her face. Selina's legs were like jelly as she raced for the gallery door, fumbling in her purse for her key. Turning she saw Bruce backing up the car, clearly waiting for her to disappear safely inside before pulling away. She waved her fingers in the air, opening the door and stepping inside.

Watching from the window as he sped away, Selina didn't bother to turn on the lights. She pressed her face into her hands. What was wrong with her? She had just kissed Bruce Wayne. She liked him. He was gentle and sweet and normal. He wouldn't hurt her. Then why did she feel like she'd just betrayed another man? A man who would never be able to love anyone, because there was so little humanity left inside him.

A noise in the darkness made her stiffen. She strained her ears, her body tensing. But she was too late to react.

Her back arched, she sensed the intruder's eyes on her. Whirling about she let out a cry as the man, pressed her forcibly back against the glass door, slamming her already broken body against it. In the darkness she recognised his smell, recoiling as he pressed his face close to her. It was a strange mixture of alcohol and cheap aftershave.

Drawing back his fist, he punched her in the gut, making her scream out in agony. Eyes wide in the dark, she trembled, staring dismally at the intruders muddy scuffed boots.

Grabbing a fist full of her hair, he hauled her to her feet so that Selina could stare into his familiar blue eyes.

"Evening Princess," Elliot whispered, kissing her roughly on the mouth. "Miss me?"

////

When the Porsche had disappeared down the street, another pair of headlights glinted in the darkness. The man in the cab of the van rolled down the window, feeling heavy with anger and the sharp bitterness of disappointment was like a bad taste in his mouth.

He had watched the couple in the front of the expensive, shiny car, not really knowing why he was even here, or why what he saw bothered him so much. He started the van, letting it slide out from its hiding place.

Intrigue and old memories like unhealed wounds had drawn him back here tonight. He hadn't felt anything for so long. It was as if he'd suddenly remembered that he could feel. The little nerve endings in his fingertips itched and came to life. When he thought about her, something happened to the skin around his neck, it grew warm and he found that he was consumed by the feeling. It made him feel helpless and he wasn't used to that. He didn't like it.

He pulled the car away, the shadows of the cab hiding his horrifying face. That was when he heard her scream. Abruptly he turned off the engine and strained his neck out of the cab window. Now he was curious, now he would have to go and look. Rolling his eyes, he let out a soft growl of annoyance. He was about to do exactly what he swore not to.

Humming to himself, tunelessly he ambled out of the driver's seat, his coat flapping around him in the night breeze. He flicked out his knife, his shoulders hunched as he strolled casually across the street. The Joker didn't think she would be too happy to see him, after he'd promised that he wouldn't come near or by again.

He wondered why people believed him when he promised them something. He'd never kept his word in his whole life.

A/N Phew. What did you think? I also wanted to add that I'm really sorry if I gave the impression that the relationship between Jack and Selina was completely over. I read my authors notes and realised I may have done this. There is going to be more Selina and Jack, just not as much fluff, is what I meant. Hope that's ok and sorry if I confused anyone! Also does anyone use twitter? I'm on it now and was wondering if anyone else was on it? I'm vneaves if anyone wants to be my friend? LBG xx