Disclaimer:I do not own any of the Batman Begins/Dark Knight characters. All other characters are mine.
The mansion was larger and grander than seemingly possible.
It was a marble monstrosity, with a black twisted gate and more fountains than one man needed.
Cat couldn't help but gawk as she made her way up the white staircase and through the double doors, blinking in the sudden rush of light exploding from overhead chandeliers and reflecting off the polished floorboards.
Bruce Wayne, billionaire, playboy, voted Gotham's most eligible bachelor four years running, was hosting a charity fundraiser to boost his ego.
At first Cat had denied her best friend when she asked her to go, there wasn't an easy way for her to abandoned work for an entire night. However, the promise of tasting expensive champagne and meeting this unbelievable man was too tempting to pass up.
A melodic sound of the small orchestra began to fill her ears as Cat neared the guest hall.
The party was occupied by men in suits, clinging to the arms of women draped in diamonds and cocktail dresses.
A sudden sense of inadequacy hit Cat full-force, as she was only wearing a backless, black skater dress, with a halter neckline and a simple silver pendent around her neck. Her brown hair was loosely tousled and daringly-dark lipstick exaggerated her self-consciousness.
She gratefully accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, and devoured this nervously as she surveyed the room.
Lines of the charity's representatives stood near the exits, collecting bank account details and promises of payment from stingy guests.
Cat, seeing this as an opportunity to fit in, peeled a few substantial notes from her purse and handed them to an elderly lady with a permanent scowl, she accepted the money and curtly nodded at the under-dressed girl who arrived alone.
Couples and small groups flocked together making idle chatter, leaving Cat standing alone near a grand fireplace, wishing she hadn't come.
"Thank you for your contribution."
The sentence was directed at her, the first time all night, and Cat took a moment to realise.
"Oh." She finally turned to reply to the man addressing her.
He lounged coolly behind her, a hand in his pocket, a glass half-heartedly held. "I saw the donation you made, I just wanted you to know that it's appreciated."
The stranger had dark, slicked back hair, equally dark eyes, and fairly broad shoulders. He was undeniably handsome, but from his drawling tone and cocky air, Cat knew exactly who he was.
"Thank you, Mr Wayne."
He tipped his glass in her direction, she drank to avoid the fact that she was extremely intimidated by his presence.
"Don't take this the wrong way," He carefully removed the empty, sparkling flute glass from her fingers and replaced it with a full one from a nearby table. "I haven't seen you at one of these before."
"I...well," embarrassment flushed from her cheeks.
"I'm not exactly…on the guest list."
He didn't grow angry, as Cat expected him to, instead he smiled knowingly and took another drink.
"My boyfriend was," she piped up suddenly, still expecting to dodge accusations. "He works with your company, or he did…I'm not really sure anymore."
Bruce Wayne raised his eyebrows in surprise and turned to the crowd.
"And is your boyfriend here tonight?"
"No, we broke up a few years ago."
"That's a shame." Bruce was flashing a contradictory smile, Cat returned it weakly.
"I'm Caterina Morgan." She extended a hand awkwardly, not sure if shaking hands was the proper way to introduce yourself at fundraisers, it seemed professional enough. Bruce hid a smile, took her hand and easily placed a kiss upon it.
"It's very nice to meet you."
This act surprised her, and looking around, Cat couldn't see anyone else meeting in this manner, there was an awful lot of handshaking, however.
The evening dwindled into night.
Cat had spent some time talking with Bruce, before he excused himself and made conversation with much older and more important people.
Eventually, clocks around the house began to toll midnight, and one by one, glittering guests filed out of the hall into the clear summer night. Bruce stood near the exit, shaking hands and thanking guests, a winning smile pasted over his face.
Cat finished her glass, one too many, and put it on a nearby shelf.
She was suddenly fascinated with how it caught the light of the overhead chandeliers, and proceeded to spin it between her fingers.
"I'm glad you came tonight."
The glass almost fell from her fingers as once again, Bruce managed to surprise her from behind, his footsteps were almost inaudible.
"It was a lovely party." Cat tried not to slur, somehow, she played it off.
It did suddenly occur to her that the hall was completely empty now, even the elderly man who had been tirelessly serving drinks was no longer occupying the giant room.
Wayne smiled softly, before brushing his fingers against her own.
"There's something about…." He trailed off, the way his gaze was so centred on her left her with a shiver. "It's your eyes, I don't know, I can't name it…"
The champagne had given Cat the courage, or foolishness, she needed to tangle her fingers in his and whisper an invitation in his ear.
It almost missed her attention how comfortable the bed was.