Author's note: Howdy people! This is my first fanfiction. Inspiration for this story originated from a Gotham fanfic one-shot "That Night Again" by Jak Pickens. I vow to not plagiarized only to renew a good story that did not get the honor of being continued.

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the tv series or the characters.

If you are reading this after January 31, 2021, I made some editing corrections. Mainly spelling and grammar. If you have not read this before the 31st, that's okay. You're reading the perfect version.

Even Heaven Has Demons

A Second Chance

This could not be happening.

The sirens echoed throughout the night. To any regular person on a typical day, that say would create fear or worry. Dread if there was more than one blaring. Still true but it was as ordinary as the call of birds. After a lifetime, it practically was a sort of white noise. Now, the native ambiance of Gotham is multiplied like never before across the blackened city. And everyone knows what sirens mean. Especially at this magnitude.

Bruce ran down the streets. The cold air stung his lungs. He couldn't keep his hands under control from their shaking. His feet must've fallen off from the running. Never before had he seen his home been in so much mayhem. Criminals running wild, innocents hunted down and trying to escape. With the power blown out and the bridges gone, the whole island of Gotham was cut off from the world. And it was all that pale-faced bastard's fault.

Characteristically, Bruce's first instinct was to the people. His natural impulse was to protect. He needed to save as many lives as possible. But it was different. Times were changing. All his focus. All the power of his self-disciplined, long study-hours brain was only on one person.

Selina!

It was his fault she got shot. It was his fault that she could possibly die. Oh, God no! He couldn't let that happen. He has been screwing up his relationship with her for far too long. If she… if what he fears happens, he will never forgive himself.

Damn Jeremiah. Damn his brother. Damn the entire Valeska family! He only hurt her to get to Bruce. That "one bad day" theory. Well, he wasn't completely wrong. After what he had done, what he had to do, Bruce was seeing the truth.

He and Alfred arrived back at Gotham General Hospital. He saw ambulances were being loaded with patients. To his bewilderment, he caught sight of her. Selina was being wheeled out on a gurney and being loaded into an ambulance.

"Selina!" he called out despite knowing her induced state of slumber.

One of the doctors approached them telling them that the bullet may have pierced her spinal cord. The hairs on the back of Bruce's neck stood on end. His knowledge of spinal injuries either meant paralysis or death. That she was still breathing after being shot and that the doctors were still taking care of her meant that she's still alive. But what if they couldn't repair her in time? What if they run out of time before they could operate?

The doctor informed him and Alfred that they're taking her to the next boat and offered for him and Alfred to ride in the ambulance with her. There was no need to discuss, but something caught his attention.

Gotham City's iconic skyline was brought to life by the moon. Without the lights shining from the windows, the towers gained the presence of a haunting beast. Things have never been this bad in Gotham. Hell, he thought nothing this bad ever happened in history. He saw something a lot darker brewing admits that blackness. The little, suspicious voice in the back of his head alerted him of something… worst? How could that be if…?

Whatever.

After quickly analyzing the facts, Bruce knew what was most important at the time being. His true calling.

"To be fair… the day's not over yet."

BANG!

Selina was drowning. Images flashed. That white face laughing at her as sheering pain ripping through her. Her pulse was pounding hard enough to burst. A different face of dark hair and gray eyes emerged from the fog. Comfort and longing squeezed her racing heart.

"It's going to be okay," Bruce said holding her hand.

"Are you going to leave me?" she whimpered.

"No, I'm not."

"Promise?" Her plead made it hurt more.

"…I promise."

His last words to her, she grasped. The last time she saw him.

Bruce….

She had to get out of this. She had to see him! Her lazy eyes caught glimmers of light. Light meant consciousness. Light meant freedom. She reached for it. Everything was slow. The world weighed her down. She had to get out.

At last, Selina opened her heavy lids. The world took forever to look normal. A beeping noise rang in her ears on a loop. Her head subconsciously tilted to the side. There in the corner, a dark figure sat. A faint wave of a spiced cologne and fine clothing tickled her nose. It was familiar. Memories of a palace of exquisite décor and good food. No, she a palace. A mansion…. A Manor.

Bruce!

Just as her groggy vision returned, she picked up some more gray in the figure.

"Selina," the gruff British voice of Alfred said.

"Al…?" Selina asked drowsily. She rubbed the excessed sleep from her eyes. She looked around the room regaining her bearings. It was a hospital room to her dismay. God, she hated hospitals. Especially the time she woke up in one with practically a whole forest in her room. Finally recovering her wits, she noted that Alfred was there with her, but no Bruce.

Where was he?

"Where's Bruce?" she asked the man by her side worried.

Her attention wandered around the foreign place again. Not paying much consideration to any of the flower bouquets scattered about the room. Bruce promised he'd stay with her. She pleaded to the ceiling to not let Bruce betray her again. To not let what happened with her mother, or him snapping at her at the emergency room when she went to check on him. She didn't want to be furious at him anymore. Life had taken too much from her. Bruce Wayne was the only thing that kept returning to her without an alternative motive. He was the only one who saw her as more than the petty thief she was. He had repeatedly told her that he cared for her. Was that stupid billionaire prick lying to her? Did he…?"

"Easy, Ms. Kyle. Master Bruce just took a trip to the loo," the butler said. Slowing her rapid current of thought.

All the bad suppositions melted away before they got worse.

"He'll be back in—oh."

Alfred's affirmation was suspended by the opening door.

There he was. Bruce stood in the doorway. He had never looked so good, she thought.

"Selina…" he spoke her name as if it was a prayer. The way he has always spoken it. His hyper-focused gaze pierced through her. A hardly noticeable but present grin tugged at his lips. She felt like she was on a cloud. He didn't break his promise. He didn't leave her!

"Right well…" they both were reminded of Alfred's presence. He got up from his seat and moved to the door. "I'll leave you two, to it." He walked past Bruce and closed the door behind him. Leaving them alone.

They didn't know how it happened until they were in each others' arms. Selina buried her face in his chest as he cradled her head. The cotton of his sweater, so soft against her cheek. His scent melted all of her anxieties. There was nothing wrong in the world anymore. Nothing bad. Nothing to hurt her. There was only him and her.

Years went by. That's what it felt like. Neither she nor Bruce wanted to let go. They finally had a moment all to themselves. No other agendas. No awkwardness. No psychopaths.

Selina felt a smart tug on her abdomen. The spot, she remembered, where she was shot. The bliss shattered from the detection. A sudden series of questions erupted in her mind. And one really big important one.

"J-Jeremiah?!" she hysterically detached from Bruce. "What happened to him? Where is he? Where're we?—"

"Selina—"

"What'd the doctors say? Is there any serious damage?—"

"Selina—"

"Are you okay?! Did he hurt you—"

"Cat!" Bruce grasped her upper arms. She silenced her rambling. She took some deep breaths to calm herself. Once she was at ease, Bruce continued in the most soothing voice he could muster: "Jeremiah is dead."

Selina's breath caught. Dead? Jeremiah Valeska was dead? She knew she should be pleased by that. The sick lunatic tortured Bruce and tried to kill her. She should be celebrating. The world is free from that piece of inhuman garbage, and not to mention the entire Valeska line is no more. However, she couldn't help this gnawing twinge in her chest that something is off.

"What happened?" she asked.

A looked past over his face. Over the years, he got better at controlling and hiding his emotions. Yet, something slipped from his hold. Not much could do that. Whatever it was, it must've been genuinely serious. "It's a long story," he answered.

Another moment of silence before she broke it. "Where are we?"

"We're in Metropolis."

"Metropolis?"

"Yeah. After Jeremiah shot you, Gotham erupted into chaos… and he destroyed the bridges. Boats were sent to evacuate as many people as possible. The doctors thought the bullet may have hit your spine…"

Selina took a sharp inhale.

"But they were wrong," he quickly retorted. His tone regained its original coolness. "They were only being cautious and the surgery was a success. You'll probably need some physical therapy, but you won't be paralyzed."

His smile brought warmth to her. She looked down at her legs. She pushed the blanket down. Kicking the blanket didn't work. Her legs didn't obey her. She touched them and… sweet relief, she still had feeling in them. Bruce's hand was then found fondling her shin. There was more feeling. A very satisfying burning in the best of ways and sent a shiver up her spine. Good.

"Like I said," the young man spoke, "with enough therapy, you'll make a full recovery."

Her focus moved onto her big toe, she sent a psychic demand to it. She, who grew up climbing buildings, jumping on rooftops, and walking on the edge of an abyss every day, found moving a toe was like lifting a car. Nevertheless, she felt it. She saw the little appendage move. She smiled with a breathy laugh. It was one step closer. Another step after Bruce decided to play with the little piggie. Earning a giggle from her.

"I must have nine lives," she joked.

"You were always a good survivor," he joined her good nature. His arm reached around her shoulders and rested his cheek on the crown of her head.

"So why are we in Metropolis?" she questioned.

"The city has the best hospital we could get to."

Thoughts of their friends struck Selina. What was happening to Barbara and Tabitha? Or Gordon and the rest of the GCPD? She had to know. "What's happening back in Gotham?"

His breathing drew out longer and slower. She dragged her knees up to hugged them, feeling smaller.

"The city was cut off from the mainland," Bruce explained. "It's a no man's land now. I don't know specifically, but Jim and the GCPD have been trying to shelter the refugees and to stop the criminals from taking territories and supplies. I've heard that Jim has been trying to contact the government to get more supplies for the people." He squeezed her shoulder more prominently. "Other than that, I don't know."

They both didn't look at each other. Hardly moved an inch.

"What about Barbara and Tabitha?" she asked. She honestly didn't know what to think of them. Those two psycho chicks have looked out for her. They've been like sisters to her. Although, sometimes she would wonder if they cared more for the business than her.

"I don't know?" Bruce broke the silence again. "They didn't come to see you back at Gotham General. They didn't even call." He noticed the blank look on her face. "But maybe they will." He tried to assure her, she knew that.

"Yeah, maybe," she said.

Ever since she first met Barbara Kean, her relationship with her has been rigid. She didn't have any problems with her. It was all Babs with her loose screws. She was as power-hungry as she was bloodthirsty. Tabitha has been, a tad more stable. Though… she was ruthless as hell. Even when it came to Butch. So why not would she…?

"Whatever," Selina continued. "Their loss." She looked back up at Bruce and grinned. "I'm glad you're here, B."

A rare heart swelling smile brightened Bruce's face. He looked like an angel. A warrior angel from a grand gothic cathedral. Because that's what he is. "I'm glad too," he said.

She cupped his cheek. Noticing the light stubble. "You need to shave," she teased, though she kind of like the rugged look on him. Shoving that meaningless thought aside, she reached behind his head and brought him down.

His lips have never felt bad and now was no exception. He threaded his fingers through her curls and got her bottom lip between his teeth. He'd never kissed her like that before and he took that as an opportunity to gain the upper hand. Soon their tongues discovered each other. He tasted like cheap coffee and what she could only identify as him. It was inebriating.

She has never admitted it before, but Bruce Wayne was Selina's first kiss. Her whole life, some boys in group homes and the streets tried to trap her in a corner to steal a kiss. Fortunately, she was small and quick. Even when she grew too big to evade them, she managed to fight them off. And the day she visited him after escaping those assassins, she decided to share her first kiss with Bruce. Even a quick chafe peck with a boy whose heart was just as valuable as his wealth would be better than any kind from some punk.

They separated when the need for air became mandatory, Bruce sank onto the edge of the bed with her. Selina wrapped her arms around his torso. A nurse came into the room but they didn't pay much attention to her. They only focused on them.

"So where do we go from here?" she asked.

He kissed the top of her head and nuzzled her head. "For now, recover," he replied. "After that… I don't know. We can't really go home."

Home…. "We could stay here," she suggested giving him a knowing look. "Got a second chance at life. No better way to start over than in a new city. And why not have it together."

Bruce grinned. He couldn't help but think about the fact that she wanted to start a new life, in a new city, with him. He hadn't screwed up this time. "A second chance," he accepted the beautiful offer.

They leaned back into another kiss. To seal their new begin—

"That is…"

An all too familiar voice echoed in the room. A haunting voice that struck phantom pains. Bruce staggered up and saw the nurse holding a gun to Selina's chest. But it was no nurse. Not even a woman. The ghostly face revealed. Scarlet lips into a wicked grin. Emotionless eyes impaling through Bruce. It couldn't be. This could not be happening!

Jeremiah finished his cold notion, "…if you genuinely did had a second chance."

BANG!

A/N: What happened?! Is Selina dead? Does she and Bruce get out of there alive? Was that actually Jeremiah…?

This is only the beginning. Stay tuned for the next chapter. Please hit the Favorite/Follow button, share with others, and review. I have a rough plot set up for this, but I'd be willing to hear out any ideas, but no promises on using them. Foreign ideas can help get the creative juices flowing.

I do not have a hard writing schedule and will not be updating it at any arranged time. I write, however, whenever, and whatever I feel like. Just smash that Follow button to be alerted.

I feel like this fandom is running on fumes. Let's keep it going as long as possible. What do y'all say?