Absinthe

There was something about Gotham City during the night. It was as if there were two different places in one: the bustling community during the day, and the crime woven realm in the dark.

A tall slender figure in a black suit scurried from rooftop to rooftop. She seemed like an elegantly curved silhouette that gracefully bounded wherever she pleased. Something hot pierced her square in the back and she fell with a hard thump.

Landing without a sound, Starlight's eyes glowed with their usual radiant white light. She watched the figure tremble as she forced herself to sit up, shake it off and do a backflip to put some distance between herself and the assailant, "That was a warning shot." Chelsea told her, raising her hand as light twisted around it, "The next one you won't get up from." she squinted in the dark, trying to identify the shady figure. There had been a streamline of burglaries as of late, and from the look of the sack she carried, it appeared this cat burglar had stolen yet another rare valuable. Chelsea's eyes widened when who stood before her became clear, "Catwoman." she mouthed.

Selina smiled beneath the mask as she came running toward the girl, did a couple acrobatic moves and with the use of her legs flipped her to the next rooftop. She never broke stride as she kept running. Starlight once again fired a light bolt at her, but she escaped between two buildings. When Chelsea got up to investigate, there was no trace of her. She vanished.

Alfred came down the winding staircase with a tray in hand. He came up beside Batman who was intently investigating the recent burglaries that had taken place around Gotham. The valuables were all stolen from different museums around the city. Priceless gems seemed to be the common theme. The most recent one was a legendary emerald found in the depths of an Egyptian tomb, "Green doesn't strike me as your color Master Bruce." quipped the butler, "Still trying to track down our cat burglar?"

"Excellent word choice Alfred. Selina seems to be back to her old habits." Bruce told him, rubbing his temple impatiently, "Her most recent job seems different from the others though."

Alfred could sense an air of hostility more foul on Bruce than ever before. He hadn't been the same since Chelsea had left. He had to admit, the whole manor felt empty without her presence. He missed her dearly and he knew that Bruce was no exception to this emptiness, despite him trying his best not to show it. He stared at the emerald that was on the screen, "And they say diamonds are a girl's best friend."

"The Absinthe Stone," Bruce explained, "legends surrounding the stone say that those who come into contact with it have violent hallucinations." Bruce took a drink of the tea Alfred had brought him and continued to rub his forehead.

Alfred watched his movements carefully and the corner of his lip arched, "Sir-"

"Don't Alfred." Bruce replied.

"Deny it all you like, you miss her. And the longer you wait to approach her with an apology, the longer she won't be in your life." he turned away from Bruce and started to strut off in his usual sassy manner, "She waited on you long enough. It's the least you owe her after giving you her heart." Alfred missed Chelsea dearly. They had grown so close. And in her absence, he saw Bruce falling into old habits far more extreme than before. He always pushed away the ones that got close and truly cared for him, he had hoped Chelsea would be different and persevere, but just because she could no longer did not make the wise old butler resent her. She was different. She was special.

The next day the Wayne Designs building was buzzing with conversation and hard work. Chelsea wasn't in her usual tom boy attire. Today she had a black and white spotted dress with sleeves that came to her elbows and a pleated bottom that floated just above her knees. She couldn't part with her high top converse shoes. It was like they were fused to her feet. When she strutted in she turned heads.

Chase looked up from his work station, "Oh goodness girl," he shook his head in protest, "You just couldn't wear heels, could you?"

She stuck her tongue out at her work friend, "You needed reference pictures of a girl in a dress for the ad. I offered to help, but I have my limits."

His eyes couldn't roll any harder if they tried, "I'll get my camera set up in the photo studio. I'll let you know when I need you."

Chelsea nodded, "I'll be in my office so just come by when you need me, alright?" she made her way to her office and closed the door behind her. Leaning against the door she sighed. The window behind her desk had a lovely view, but the billboard facing it had a picture of Bruce on it promoting Wayne Enterprises. She stayed fixated on it for a moment before nearly falling back when someone opened her office door.

Stumbling to stay on her feet she turned around to have a girl giving her a questioning stare, "What were you doing just now?" it was one of her graphic artists, Jasmine. She looked her up and down, "And why are you dressed so nicely?" her eyes narrowed when they came to her feet, "Converse… really?" Jasmine always dressed beautifully. Her look was professional and sophisticated. There was never a hair out of place.

"Do you and Chase ever stop?" Chelsea grimaced, "And have you ever heard of knocking?"

Jasmine's mind came back to the situation at hand, holding back the urge to chastise her for wearing those sneakers with a dress, "Oh," she swallowed, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but… Bruce Wayne is here to see you."

Chelsea's heart sputtered to a stop. She never anticipated in a million years that Bruce would come to her first. She assumed that at some point she would have to approach him in hopes that they could still be close to one another. But him coming to her? Any color that was present on her pale face drained immediately. Her mouth started moving, but no words were coming out. Quickly turning to her desk and straightening some paperwork she choked out, "Show him in."

She could feel herself nearly hyperventilating. Why was she reacting like this? It was like she was in shock. She rounded the desk to put something between them and continued to nervously shuffle papers around when he knocked on the already open door. Her head bolted upright like a deer in headlights.

Their eyes met.

He never did get tired of seeing her in a dress. It was a rare sight and despite her clumsiness, she was flawless. Anything to make this more difficult on him, of course.

He stepped forward and closed the door behind him. He was dressed in business attire. A baby blue button up shirt and royal blue tie with dark blue dress pants and a pair of suspenders clasped to them. His classic handsome look never failed him.

Take letters, smoosh them together, and make words. Formulate those into sentences. You've done it before, Chels.

Any words will do right now!

Her teeth jittered like she had a chill in that moment, "Hi," she finally said into the silence, and then cleared her throat, "I mean, hello Mister Wayne, what can I do for you?"

His expression softened just slightly, "You don't have to do that."

She lowered her eyes, feeling her heart being tugged on. Taking a deep breath she decided to start over, "How're you doing, Bruce?"

He took a deep breath, "Peachy."

He was acting so different than the last time she saw him as Batman. Maybe it was easier to hide behind the cowl.

"Are you going to tell me I don't have a job anymore?" she wondered into the open air.

"What?" his eyebrows scrunched, "No. No, absolutely not." he couldn't believe she would even think that for an instant, "I just…" his shoulders slumped momentarily, "I just wanted to see you." he decided to reword that, "Speak with you."

"It must have been hard for you to find the time." she said simply, realizing that he could take that wrong, "That wasn't meant to sound condescending, I promise." She came back to the front of the desk to bridge some of the distance between them, "Look, that message I left you… I would have much rather told you-" she started to say, but he cut her off.

"You don't have to explain yourself." he told her simply. He wandered to her window and looked out of it, his mind was in a far off place, "I always wanted what was best for you, Chelsea. I always wanted… to see you happy." he paused, collecting his thoughts, "I always knew you deserved more than all that life had to offer you… more than me." she watched him, seeing the small glimpses of sorrow on his face, "I came here to apologize. To make things right. To hopefully…" his eyes connected with hers and that's when she saw it. How pained he was. Those beautiful blue irises twisting with regret, "Clear the air between us." he raised and lowered his shoulders with a breath. He wasn't used to doing something like this, "The fact of the matter is… is I need you in my life." he admitted, "No matter what form that may take."

She couldn't believe he was admitting this. That Bruce Wayne was showing a vulnerable side to her. He didn't do it often, but when he did, it struck a chord deep within her. She could feel her heart weeping. She wanted to reach out to him.

"I've lost a lot in my life… I've lost too many important people. I don't want another one of those people to be you." he told her.

She leaned against her desk, sitting against the edge. Taking his hand in hers, she ran her thumb across his rough worked skin, "Bruce," she knew it took everything out of him to be this raw in front of anyone, but his words were sincere, "I spent so much of my life wishing to be a part of yours. Countless nights in my room listening to my parents bicker in the other room just wishing you would come save me." she gave him a smile, "And down the line, you did. More times than I can count." she put her other hand on top of the one she was holding, "It's not possible for you to lose me. From the start you and I have been close friends. Nothing could ever change that." she rolled her lips inward and then pursed them.

He studied their hands thoughtfully. Vulnerability was not in Bruce's vocabulary. How he hated situations like this. It was like his heart had bled out with his parents in that alleyway so long ago. When Chelsea had entered his life, he felt it start beating again, and now, blood was once again spilling over everything. She was right. There are times in life where love just wasn't enough. He would always be Batman, up until it killed him. He never wished such a life on her. He always wanted her to seek love elsewhere, so she could be happy.

Still the fact remained: he loved her.

Oh he loved her with everything.

Maybe love wasn't enough, but it was still everything.

He would live everyday a martyr to continue to have her in some shape or form in his life. He never thought to do anything like that before. Anyone else, if it were anyone else he would feel betrayed. He would do his best to avoid them at all cost; Stay cold and unyielding, but if pain were to present itself with or without her, he chose the former.

He hadn't spoken in some time and Chelsea was watching him closely, trying to read him, but it was always difficult with Bruce. She pulled herself in and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. They held onto each other, with only the sound of their breathing in the quiet office.

He nodded as if confirming something to himself, rolling his tongue inside his mouth, he pulled back from her and tried to look neutral, "Wayne Enterprises is holding a benefit for a children's hospital this Friday at the Elizabeth Hall. I hope to see you there. Bring a guest." he straightened his tie.

She nodded slowly, her head tilting, "I'll be there." as he started to head for the door, Chelsea gathered her hair and pulled it over one shoulder, "I had a run in with Selina last night."

He paused with his hand on the door knob, "You're not the only meeting I have scheduled today." he stated simply, before disappearing out the door without another word.

Chelsea slowly sunk down in the seat of her desk. She placed her hands over her face, pushing on her eyes with her fingertips, trying to fight back any emotion. There was a long drawn out breath and the door opened again. She stood up quickly, seeing Chase, "Hey I'm ready for you." he squinted, "Are you alright?"

"Peachy," she replied, using the same tone Bruce had before.

Chelsea lucked out. She didn't have Watch Tower duty that evening, so she could stay in and rest. She knew her mind would be buzzing with wanting to investigate Selina, but she knew it was best to let Bruce do what he was born to do. Still Gotham was her home too. She knew her stubbornness would eventually get the better of her. When she came around the corner, shuffling her keys in her hand, she saw Wally sitting beside her door. She gave a concerned look, "You okay, Wally?"

He stood up quickly, "Yeah, I just got the night off from the lab and figured we could hang out." he lifted a bag of food in his hand, "I brought sandwiches." he stated in a joking tone.

She smirked at him, "You're in luck. That's the toll to getting into the apartment." she unlocked the door and allowed him entry, "You should have called. I would have gotten here quicker. I hope you weren't waiting long."

He shrugged it off, "No big deal."

She proceeded to toss her keys in the bowl and get them plates. He sat down at the small round table and started to unpack the sandwiches. While filling up cups with water she said, "There's a benefit I need to attend Friday. Do you want to go with me?" she slid him a cup and sat across from him.

He already started digging into his first sandwich. Swallowing a bite he batted his eyes at her playfully, "Are you asking me on a date, Chels?"

Why couldn't she ever stop smiling around him, "That depends on your answer." she quipped back.

He grinned, "Yeah, I'm down." he balled up the first wrapper and shot it into the trashcan like a basketball. Quickly he unraveled the next sandwich and continued to indulge, "I don't typically see you in a dress." he couldn't help, but bring it up.

She had honestly forgotten she even had it on, "Oh! One of my coworkers needed some reference images so I volunteered to help him out." she had begun to eat her sandwich, "Come with me Friday and I could be wearing one for you." she winked.

He fanned himself with his hand dramatically, "Well now I'm convinced." he joked. He became more serious when he caught her staring at him a certain way, "What's up?"

She had her chin rested on her palm, a soft, genuine smile on her full lips, "Nothing." she shook her head. Once she finished her sandwich she stood up and pushed her chair to the cabinet. Using her hand she felt around on top of the cabinet.

"Whatcha doin'?" he asked.

She got down and set a key down in front of him, "My spare key," she told him, "Don't know why I didn't think to give it to you sooner, but this way you can let yourself in no matter what."

He smiled and licked his fingers quickly before discarding his last sandwich wrapper, "Thanks Chels." he leaned back in his chair, stretching his legs a bit beneath the table, "Is there something on your mind? You seem, I don't know, distracted to me."

He always was intuitive when it came to her. She leaned against the table. There were many things on her mind, but the most prominent was Catwoman. She wanted to try to follow her. See what she was gaining stealing from the local museums, "I had a run in with a not-your-run-of-the-mill burglar last night. She goes by the name Catwoman. Her and Batman kind of have a history. I know he'd want me to stay out of it... "

"But he knows you won't." The speedster confirmed, standing from his chair, "Anyway I can help?"

Her mouth had a diagonal appearance, "I know you wanted to hang tonight…"

He raised and lowered his shoulders, "Catching baddies is what we do, right? Gotham is full of 'em. Grumpy ole Bats always insists leaguers stay out of it, but…"

"It's my home too." she nodded. She grabbed her laptop from the sofa and sat down at the table, beginning to look up the news coverage regarding the robberies, "It's no bat computer or police records, but you'd be amazed what you can find with a little digging." she began reading an article about the latest robbery, "Huh…" she murmured, furrowing her eyebrows, "says here that the Absinthe Stone stolen from Gotham Central Museum was actually a fraudulent one. It was a placeholder for the real one that was in transit to their sister location." she clicked her tongue.

"She'll go for the real one." Wally confirmed. He knew there was more, by the look on her face, "What are you thinking?"

She had her hands folded over her lips, "Catwoman typically steals for her own gain… she's not a do-gooder, but she's no villain either. This stone is said to possess hallucinogenic properties… it doesn't add up." she narrowed her eyes, "Doctor Crane, Scarecrow… he's the only one I know that uses scare tactics bred from hallucinogens, but he's in Arkham. Batman put him in there a few weeks ago… how could he get her to steal something so powerful? And why would she?"

Wally could already feel his head throbbing. He was very thankful Central City's villains were simple-minded. At least for the most part, "Sheesh… money maybe? That's always a motivator."

"No," she shook her head, "If Catwoman wanted money she would steal something valuable for herself."

He sunk down in a chair beside her, "How does Bats do this?"

"The only way to figure it out would be to find her, follow her, and see where she goes." Chelsea told him.

The lovable speedster ran his fingers through his hair, "How will we know where she is?"

Chelsea typed away at her computer and pulled up a map. She pointed her finger at the screen, "She'll go to the sister location and try to finish the job."

He stood up and stretched his arms, "A stake out may require more food." he joked, "lead the way, partner."

The two of them sat perched upon the roof of the museum. They had watched the sun go down and the street lights slowly start to glow, like a Christmas display flickering to life. Chelsea had changed into more fitting attire for a stake out, "Thanks for coming with me." she told him.

He laid back, using his elbows to keep his upper body propped up, "No place I'd rather be, Chels."

Again she gave him a thoughtful stare. Once and awhile the wind would toss their hair. He had let his grow out some since the time when the Justice League only had eight seats and they practically lived at the Watch Tower. The wavy orange locks were messy yet somehow uniform on his head. He figured for this mission he'd stay out of uniform and just be Chelsea's backup. They both knew Batman wouldn't be happy if other leaguers were taking on a case in Gotham. Plus if the Flash needed to make an appearance, it would take nothing for him to simply don the red suit. Super speed did allow for quick apparel changes.

"You keep looking at me like that." he told her, his eyes searching hers.

Her legs were hanging off of the side of the building and she began to gently kick them, "Just admiring the view."

He sat up slowly and placed his hand on hers, "Hey…" he sighed. Her and Bruce had been broken up for a little more than a couple weeks now. It had become habit for Wally to come to her place a couple times a week and just spend time with her. He loved keeping her company. And while Wally had been swallowing the ever present knot of butterflies in his stomach for what seemed like an eternity, he had never stopped being in love with his best friend.

Yet there was never a right time to bring it up.

Not even now.

Especially not now.

Chelsea's attention was pulled downward at the sound of a window being opened. Quickly, the feline burglar sprung from the open window and latched onto a nearby building with her whip. Swinging to the next building she did a graceful roll and continued stride with ease.

Chelsea turned to Wally, "You take the ground and follow me. I'm gonna track her through the air so she doesn't catch on. Let's see where she's going."

The light bearing girl took flight, but hung low between buildings for extra cover. Wally ran on the opposite side so no matter which way the burglar decided to go, someone would always be on her. Chelsea was keeping track of Selina's movements carefully.

"Catwoman," a deep voice boomed. The silhouette of a dark, brooding figure stopped Selina in her tracks. Chelsea paused, staying out of sight, she tucked herself behind the building and waited. Wally rounded the corner to stand below her and watch, waiting to see what she would do. Why had they stopped?

It appeared Batman had been tracking the cat burglar as well, "Who are you working for? Why are you stealing again?"

Selina played the coy card she always did, "It's been a while." she approached him slowly, slinking up to his impressive figure, "How do you know I didn't do it just to get someone's attention?" she ran her claws gently across his chest, admiring the strength beneath, "Come now, Bats. Is that anyway to greet an old friend?"

He grabbed her wrist tightly, "My friend's don't break the law. Talk." he commanded.

"Straight to business as usual, huh?" she wondered, "You never change." still she pressed closer, resting her body against his, "Aren't you at all curious?"

"Curiosity killed the cat. I'm trying to help. Let me." he told her.

Her red lips smoothed into a cupid smile, "But satisfaction brought it back." she batted her eyes, and leaned in, her lips sinking into his. The grip he had on her wrist softened, and she took his hand in hers, wrapping her free hand around to grip his shoulder blade.

Chelsea watched the scene play out before her, her mouth locking closed at the sight. Her eyes blinked rapidly as she averted her eyes and slowly sank to the ground below to Wally's side. She looked as if she had seen a ghost, "Chels?" the speedster wondered, now dressed in his red suit. He was trying to be ready for whatever came next.

"Let's go back home." she told him, walking away.

"But?" he looked up at the rooftop and then followed after her, "Hey, what happened just now?"

Back on top of the building, Batman regained composure and flung Selina back, "This isn't a game! I'm trying to protect you. Keep you safe from whatever mess you've gotten yourself into. Let me help. Give me a name!" he growled.

She waved her finger at him, "Now, now that's no fun." she took a few more steps back, "See ya around, Bat." she back flipped off the building and when he looked over the edge she had disappeared.

Back at the apartment Chelsea fell back on her couch, "So wait…" Wally was trying to figure out the situation, "that's so weird. Doesn't seem much like Bats to play tonsil tag with just anyone. Is she an old girlfriend or something?"

Chelsea shook her head, "Their relationship in the past has always been kind of… undefined…" she shook her head, biting the inside of her cheek, "Why am I letting this bother me?" she sprung to her feet and started pacing around her living room, "Sure, we broke up. I wanted to. I'm the one that walked away." she groaned, "It's just not like him to…" an irritated sigh escaped her lips.

"Slow down," he told her, grabbing her shoulders gently so she would stop pacing, "Chels, you're always the first person to beat yourself up. I've known you long enough to know this. It's okay to be angry. It's okay to be jealous. You only broke up a few weeks ago. You didn't leave because you stopped loving him, you left because it was what was healthy for both of you. That doesn't mean the feelings just stop. You're human. It's a natural reaction for it to bother you." he offered her a small smile, "Okay? It's okay."

She looked down ashamed, still not happy with herself.

He sat down on the couch in front of her, "Look, this isn't just a six month relationship. This has been a better part of your life kind of love. Don't beat yourself up over it. Besides I mean it is weird. It's freaking Bats we're talking about. He kisses her, but normally someone can't even get a smile out of the guy."

Chelsea sat down on her coffee table, facing Wally, "It isn't like him, but if they have history, then who knows?" she licked her lips, "I just don't want her to… hurt him. Get him into trouble."

The ginger shook his head, "I don't think that's possible. For all you know he's just playing detective. He's manipulated people before to make them think they've gotten the better of him and then he winds up pulling the litter box out from under them." he jabbed her in the arm playfully. He then leaned forward, "You've been really quiet the last few days."

She looked down at her feet, "The first week after we broke up you and I stayed up til the crack of dawn almost every night and you listened to me talk about him. I just… I don't want to keep talking about it and get on your nerves."

"That could never happen." he grabbed her hands, "I like being the one you come to, to work through whatever it is you're going through." he gave them a gentle squeeze, "When your mom passed away… I had no idea what you had gone through in your life with your parents. I wanted to be that person. The one you came to when you needed someone to talk to, to keep you standing, but I felt like that position had been filled. That's the someone I wanted to be." he laughed inwardly, "And you being the selfless person you are just didn't want to bother me with any of it… you always do that, but I'm here. I'm here cause I want to be."

She turned his hands so they were palm up and started to dance her fingertips across them, gently, "Thank you doesn't begin to express my gratitude after how supportive you've been Wal. You've always been my rock." she took a breath out of her nose, "You've done so much more than you could possibly know."

He pictured himself kissing her in that moment. Pulling her onto his lap and cradling her in his arms while her fingers ran through his soft hair. He wanted to tell her he loved her. That his feelings for her had never changed. That they had only grown and gotten more powerful. He sat there, contemplating, his expression seemed far off in thought.

She grabbed his hands and tugged on them a bit, "You were saying something to me… back on the roof…" his focus returned to her, "That's right, I listen too." she joked, "What is it? You've listened to me enough, it's your turn. You go."

She presented him with an opening.

He smiled at her, leaning forward a bit more, "I just wanted to ask if the benefit was casual dress."

He didn't take it.

She could read him. That wasn't what he wanted to say. She decided when he was ready, he would, "Uh, no." she told him, "unfortunately it's fancy-shmancy with a bunch of Gotham's richest socialites. Honestly, it's probably going to suck." she laughed, "If you're there, it'll keep me sane. See? I've got you fooled. Acting like I'm some selfless person. Pssh." she waved her hand sarcastically.

His white teeth shined in a grin, "Hey, anything for the kids, am I right?" he said with a raise of an eyebrow.

She busted out laughing, "Of course." she lightly clapped him on the shoulder, "You'll fit right in."

Author's Notes: I'm really enjoying getting back into this. It gives me a chance to explore other possibilities, not to mention I have always loved Chelsea and Wally's relationship. Batman's rogue gallery is the best and being able to write for ones I haven't before is a great time. Thank you for reading!