Disclaimer: 20p and a fluffy sweet, everything else ain't mine.

Chapter 26: Facing Facts.

A week after she got back to Gotham the news Catherine was waiting for arrived.

"I do not believe that man, he is truly evil!"  Bruce screamed as he stormed through the house to his wife's office.

"Hi hon, good day at work?"  She asked as she carried on e-mailing the brewery.

"Do you ever listen?"  He asked with a shake of his head.

"Chocolate."  She replied with a smirk.  "So who's upset you now?"

"Your father."

"What's he done?"

"Managed to gain 25% of my stock, how can he do that?"  Bruce asked starting to pace.

"I gave it to him."  She replied not looking up from the screen.

"You did what?!"  He asked, unsure whether to be angry or sad.

"I gave it to him.  He threatened the brewery so I gave it to him."  She replied sending the e-mail and closing her laptop. 

Bruce's eyes turned to pure ice.  "Get out!"  He shouted.

"More than happy."  She replied.  "Send my stuff to England, I have some things to do, but I'll get it."  She lifted the computer into its carrying case and picked up her coat.

Bruce stood there shocked by her calmness, then he looked around and saw how empty her office was, she'd been back a week, and yet nothing except the computer had ever been unpacked.  She turned and smiled at him; taking his hand in hers she gave him a peck on the cheek.

"You deserve better than me."  She whispered, and was out the door before he knew what was happening.

He opened his hand and saw her wedding and engagement rings in it.  She was leaving him for good, suddenly he was scared, and he raced after her.

"Cat, Cat, wait, please."  He shouted as he followed her outside.  She was getting into her car.

"Bruce, go back in."  She said.

"But, I love you.  We can't throw it all away over your father."  He grabbed the door so she couldn't shut it.

"We can't continue a relationship because of him either."  She replied.

He looked at her in confusion.   "What, we've never done that?"

"That was the deal Bruce, marry him, get the shares, and keep the breweries safe."   She looked at him and sighed.  "I don't love you, let me go."

"But you married me."  He said, unsure what to do.  "Tell me you don't love me."

"I just did."

"You don't mean it."  He couldn't believe she was that calculating.

"You're right I don't, I love you.  Let me go for a drive, I'll clear my head, then we can talk."  She said.

"Okay."  He let go of the door, she pulled it shut and locked it.  Bruce looked confused, she put the car in gear and tore out of the drive before he could realise what was going on.  "Shut the gate Alfred."  He yelled, but it was too late, she'd already gone.

Bruce wandered inside the house, his wife had left him, and he had no idea what to do.  The phone rang.

"Master Bruce, it's for you."  The elderly butler told him.

"Not now."

"It's Mr. Lex Luthor."

"Give me the phone."  Bruce said instantly.  "Lex, she's left me make her come back."

"What do you mean she won't?"

"Give me a moment."  Bruce went down the hall to her office and returned seconds later with a large manila envelope.  "Yes, I'm opening it now."

"She may not love me, but she sure must hate him."  He said looking at the contents of the envelope.