:)

More Bruce & Diana Next Chapter!

Also, the Introduction of a Very Special Character (*wink wink) ;)

Thank You So Much For Reading!

and Please Review!

I Love Constructive Criticism and Would Really Like to Know if Any of You Feel I am Becoming too OC in Writing These Characters.

*CrazyPhenom looking for you especially here, you have always given me some of the best honest feedback on writing in the past and I need more of it now please! (I've Never Written for Most of These Characters Before)

My Goal is to Always Maintain the Integrity of the DC Characters just in a New Setting and I Want to Know If/Where I am Falling Short.

Chapter 34: Alone

Wayne Castle, Kent England October 1844

—Selina Wayne,

Selina held the pearl necklace up to the light of the candle's wavering flame, the flickering light catching the diamonds and casting eerie shadows against the wall.

The room was pitch black except for the dim glow of this sole candle the struggled to stay alight.

Outside the window, a howling wind blew, but she didn't hear it, didn't let it break her concentration. Instead, she remained mesmerized by the shiny, glittering jewels that dangled from her claw, toying with the shadows and light.

She didn't know what time it was, couldn't say how many hours had passed, all she knew for certain was that she was alone.

Her thick brows knitted together.

Why would Bruce do this to her?

Had she been wrong about his love, did these trinkets and tricks really mean nothing…was his affection lost?

Why was she the one left behind?

To her shock Selina found herself feeling slightly nostalgic for her time at Uncle Francis's house.

She had been miserable at Queene's Abbey, but she'd never been alone.

Selina cast a glance at the bed. A tangle of sheets and pillows serving to remind her of the hours wasted trying to find some rest, but alas in vain.

She drew her free arm tighter around her knees, resting her chin on top. Her body had gone numb a while ago from sitting on the straight-backed wooden chair.

Good.

She wanted to be numb, wanted to forget that he had left, to freeze the ache in her chest, to feel nothing.

There would be no sleep for her tonight. The bed was too big, the pillows too soft, the night too quiet. It was driving her mad.

That big canopy bed with its purple curtains and gilded trim felt like a prison, a suffocating cavern waiting to swallow her up.

Her body screamed for sleep, to relax, to rest, but she couldn't…not yet.

Not until the pounding in her brain ceased and she forgot that he had been free to leave while she had no choice but to stay.

Then she would sleep.

She turned away from the bed, refocusing on the necklace, smiling as it's shimmering gems danced and distracted her eyes.

"Five days," she murmured, causing the wavering flame to duck and shudder. "You made your choice Bat."

Choice…yes, that was it…he had chosen to go…and had decided for her as well…Bruce held the control, not her…that was what she had learned over the past five days…

Five days left, first course of action sympathy.

She'd cried, she'd wailed, she'd sobbed until there were no tears left and all that would come out were hoarse shaking sobs clawing for breath. Pleading with him to stay.

But this accomplished nothing.

After an initial show of concern and condolences, but no promises to change his mind, Bruce declared her show of tears dramatic and childish and retreated to the quiet of his study to let her sulk it out.

Four days, nothing but fury.

Pure burning rage engulfed the house as she ranted and raved, pounding on his study door, ripping at the wood with her nails.

She'd cursed him, his family, their marriage, and his damn sense of duty, but alas to no avail.

He continued to ignore her from the quiet sanctuary of his office while she stormed through the house like a vengeful wraith.

Selina had poured out her anger upon him with all she possessed, and he had met it with stone-cold silence.

Three, the enticement of pleasure.

Bruce had awoken on the third day to find his wife the picture of attentive and loving.

Every ounce of care and desire was lavished upon him without restraint and the pair were inseparable until the sun rose again.

But even as they lay tangled together in the sheets as the sun's rays brought the dawn of a new day he didn't verbally relent.

If anything, this display of her intense feelings made him believe she had accepted his decision and their relationship had returned to its previous honeymoon state.

In a flash of cold fear dawned with that day that perhaps nothing, not even the lure of her bed would be enough to keep him by her side.

Two, blind denial.

She refused to see that she had lost, walking around the whole day as if nothing had happened or changed.

She was sweet, funny, charming, and generous, willfully ignoring the countdown that tolled in her ears as a far-off church called each passing hour, growing louder with each bell's roll.

He emerged from his solitude and spent the day basking in her company and admiring the time they had together.

One, silence.

He started packing, and the illusion cracked forever…it was only a matter of time before it smashed.

Intent on punishing him she had locked herself away in her room, refusing to come out, refusing to speak, she just sat there in the silence.

Bruce had thought he understood, had left her alone, thinking this was what she needed, or wanted.

He didn't see that all she wanted was him to come to her and speak.

She slept next to an empty pillow that night, husband in his bed and wife in hers.

It was so quiet.

Bruce understood silence as a haven, Selina knew it as a cry from prison.

The next morning, he had kissed her cheek farewell but again she had refused to speak, retreating back to her room instead of watching him walk out the door.

And then…

Alone, he had left and now she was all alone…