The pull grew stronger, more perceptible. Selina did not want to leave this paradise. She did not want leave Bruce or her mother or this house or her life here, even if she knew deep down that none of it really belonged to her. She fought it, like she'd always done. Scrubbing herself in the shower with burning hot water helped temporarily. Cuddling with her mom on the sofa helped too, but the pull always came back stronger than before. She couldn't ignore it any longer.

As she tried nonchalantly to watch for Bruce out the window, her mom walked into the room. She'd been working on grading papers in her office and Selina didn't want to disturb her. However, she realized with the tugging on her body getting almost to a breaking point, this could conceivably be the last time she saw her mother. Selina's breath caught in her throat and she leapt out of the chair to embrace Maria in a tight hug.

"Oof! Surprise hug twice in one week. Not that I'm complaining!" Maria laughed as she wrapped her arms around her daughter.

"I just want you to know that I love you and always will."

"I love you too, sweetie, but you're going to be back at some point, right? I mean, I'm not planning on waiting up tonight but you're not moving out yet. You're just going to The Pier. I'm still surprised that's where you and Bruce are going. Isn't that a little childish?" Maria patted Selina's back then drew back.

"It'll be fun."

"I loved taking you there as a kid, but then you became a snarky teenage and told me it was dumb." Maria rolled her eyes.

Selina opened her mouth to respond but the sound of an engine roared up to their house. She peeked through the curtain and saw Bruce climbing off a slick motorcycle. He dressed much more casually than she'd seen him before. Nirvana t-shirt and tight-fitting jeans that left nothing to the imagination. It made her mouth water.

Swallowing, she opened the door for him. "No limo?" she teased.

He grinned. "Thought you might want to get the rides started early."

She giggled, then turned back to her mom. One last embrace. "Good-bye, Mama." Selina blinked back tears.

"Have a good time, baby," Maria answered, not realizing the significance of this farewell. She waved to Bruce. "Say hi to your mom for me."

"Will do, Ms. Kyle."

Outside, she slipped on a black helmet that matched his and climbed on behind him. As she wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her body into his back, she could feel his hard muscles rippling. Whenever she'd been this close to Vengeance, his armor had prevented her from making contact with his actual body. And what a body it was! Her heart rate spiked, not sure if it was from this closeness to him or the speed he drove them to The Pier.

They had an amazing time at The Pier. They rode every ride they could, both of them adrenaline junkies. They ate funnel cake and ice cream. She watched him use his Vengeance skills to win her a giant stuffed unicorn, which they determined would never fit on the back of his bike. They gave it away to a very excited little girl, much to the chagrin of her father.

They ended up in the Tunnel of Love. He had his arm wrapped around her while she snuggled into him. Absentmindedly, she rubbed at her stomach.

"Too much funnel cake?" Bruce asked.

Selina sighed. "It's the pull back to my own reality. It's gotten really strong. I don't think I have much time left."

He frowned for a moment but then seemed to force it away. "What will you do when you go back?"

"Keep fighting for Gotham."

"Will you tell him what you know? Vengeance?"

Selina studied his face. She'd never be able to look at Vengeance again without seeing this face. "I have to. I can't pretend I don't know who he is. It'll freak him out at first but he'll get over it. Maybe he'll let me get past his armor a little more."

Bruce huffed. "Damn, I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm jealous of him."

Selina bit her lip as a wave of desire flooded through her. "I'm still here with you, not him." She tilted her face up towards his.

He took the bait. His lips met hers in a way that spoke of passion and need. She kissed him back with abandon, losing herself. She'd completely forgotten where she was until the bored voice of a teenager penetrated through the haze of hormones engulfing them.

"Please exit to your left."

They broke apart reluctantly. Bruce grasped her hand, pulling her out of the boat. He didn't have to say a word as he led her off The Pier and back to his motorcycle. The sun had set and stars twinkled in the sky. Her heart pounded in rhythm with his as he drove them to the tower.

They made out in the private elevator on the way up. When it reached the top floor, he guided her out without stopping his assault on her mouth. They crossed a short hallway into a gigantic bedroom.

Selina broke away from him when she glanced at the window. "Holy shit! This is the best view I've ever seen! And I've been in some posh places." She gazed down in wonder at Gotham spread before her, its lights shining in the darkness.

Bruce came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her middle. "Sometimes I look out there and think about the people in all those little lights. What are they doing? Are they with their families? Are they okay? Do they need help?"

"You really do love this city. Probably do in all realities." She leaned back into him.

Instead of answering, he kissed her neck. First his lips, then his tongue, then his teeth. She moaned and her head rolled back on his shoulder. One of his hands cupped her breast over her shirt while the other unbuttoned her jeans. She could feel him growing hard against her.

Selina's core throbbed with want. Finally, as he teased her, she couldn't stand it anymore. She needed more from him. She spun around, throwing off her shirt, kicking off her shoes and peeling off her pants until she stood before him in her bra and panties.

He swallowed thickly as his pupils dilated at the sight of her so exposed. With Vengeance-like speed, he stripped down to just his black boxer briefs. Then he had her in his arms and on the large bed behind them.

Things moved very fast as their built-up passion for each other drove them on. She'd been carrying a torch for him for so long, even before she knew his identity.

He leaned over her, his hands moving over body, deftly removing the last scraps of clothing off her. Selina continued to attack his mouth with her tongue and teeth, dragging her nails down his back.

His hand reached down, brushing along the curls of her center. She spread her legs, granting him access. The throbbing intensified and she desperately needed him to touch her. He willing complied, stroking along her inner folds. His fingertips hit the center of all nerve sensations.

Selina gasped, her body jerking.

Bruce chuckled with satisfaction. He continued his stroking, focusing right on that spot.

The tension built up inside her. Her eyes closed, lips parted as he worked. She was close. Then her eyes flew open. No, this wasn't how she wanted it.

She grabbed his wrist, stopping his motions.

"Fuck me, Vengeance."

For a moment, he looked down at her with hooded eyes. The superhero name had slipped out of her unbidden. It would be a real shame if it offended him.

Then a wicked smile spread across his face. Damn if it didn't look like it turned him on! Bruce shifted his weight, settling between her legs. He produced a condom as if from nowhere and quickly slipped it on. Gripping himself at his base, he pushed inside of her.

She reveled in the feel of him filling her. Their bodies fit together perfectly. She pulled his face down to kiss him hard. Then his hips began to move in that ancient rhythm, slow at first but then gaining speed. Her hips rose to match his as he thrust in and out of her. Sweat covered their hot skin.

The tension built up once again inside her. Higher and higher until she could barely breath. As his thrusts grew frantic, her body exploded in ecstasy. She cried out over and over as waves of pleasure enveloped her. Part of her brain registered him achieving his own climax as he moaned her name into her neck, but the rest of her was lost in sensation.

They came down together, catching their breaths. Bruce rolled over but dragged Selina on top of him. She sprawled across his chest, chin on his sternum. Bruce ran his fingernails across her back in a lazy pattern.

"Stay," he commanded her.

"Make me," she challenged him, wishing with all her heart he could. But the pull grew stronger still.

Knowing their time was limited, they held each other tight.