Batman Return of the Dark Nights

Written by: Panthera

Disclaimer: The characters within this story belong to DC Comics and Warner Brothers I have just borrowed them for a while. No harm is meant I will return them unharmed when I'm finished the only character contained within that is not DC is that of Zanah she is an original character created by me and my friend.  Now, on with the story.

Chapter Three

Mean while at the Gotham Police Department…

Commissioner Gordon and Sgt. Bullock were discussing the crisis situation that Gotham city was now in the middle of.

Jim Gordon stared out the window of his office down at the city, his home. "Would you look at Bullock it's turning into a war zone out there…All because my fried is gone."

"Jim it's only been four days, he's probably just laying low. He's alive I know he is."

"I don't think so Bullock. I know him he would never let the city fall like this… This city is his whole life."

"Commish he could have made it and he maybe recovering from injuries."

"I'd like to believe that Bullock…"

"He's made it through worse Jim, besides shouldn't you be focusing on security for the Charity Ball."

"You're right we'll just have to stay focused on what needs to be done now." It's all we can do.

Back at Wayne Manor…

Alfred sat in the kitchen talking to Zanah.

"So Alfred what is there to do around this place?"

"Well Miss Zanah there's the library, the entertainment room, or if you like I could show you around."

"I think I'd like to be shown around Alfred."

"Okay we'll start outside," said Alfred as he led her out of the mansion into the gardens.

Once they were outside Dick Grayson came back downstairs to talk to Bruce.

"What's the matter can't sleep?" Bruce asked.

"No, I can't Bruce last night was terrible. The city it's dieing without Batman. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up on my own. They're not afraid of me and because they think that your gone they feel invincible."

"I know Dick."

"Do you have any suggestions on how to deal with the current situation?"

"Not really."

"Do you know how long you will be down?"

"A few more days at least… I hope to be back up after the Charity Ball."

"Bruce, I don't know if the city will last that long. It's like a war zone out there. I hope that you're not still thinking of retiring, that you've put such thoughts out of your head."

 "Dick…"

"Bruce, are you retiring?"

"Yes, I think so."

"What about the city?"

"I gave my life to this city. Now, I'm going to put the past where it belongs. After we go to the Charity Ball I'm finished with all this."

"Bruce, please you know how much I hate these get together's. I'm the biker type leather jackets are my style. I hate those stupid black ties…I won't do it Bruce it's going to be a dead man's party."

"Dick you're going."

"Bruce please, give me one good reason why I should go."

  "Dick Julie and I are engaged and we're going to make it official at the Charity Ball, that's why I want you there."

"Bruce I understand, but please nobody at these things is ever single. I wouldn't hate them so much if I had someone my own age along."

"Why not find a date?"

"Bruce…"

"If I have to go then so do you, so figure something out," Bruce said before moving into the study. Dick stands silent not knowing what to do.

Outside…

Alfred was showing Zanah around the grounds.

"So Alfred, what can you tell me about my hosts. They don't seem like the kind of guys that hang out with the rich and famous of Gotham. Dick told me how he came to be here, but what I don't understand is why Mr. Wayne took him in."

"Master Bruce understood how Master Dick felt when his parents were killed."

"I don't understand."

"Like Master Dick Mr. Wayne's lost his parents…they were murdered right in front of him."

"They're both orphans?"

"Yes."

"So, Mr. Wayne took him in because he knew and understood Dick's pain."

"Yes, now come we should get inside before they worry about us."

"Okay, besides I should get going."

"No Zanah, I think you'll be staying here for quite sometime."

"Why do you say that?"

"I've lived in this house my whole life Miss Zanah and those who enter this house always come for a reason, even if they don't know it themselves."

"I don't understand."

"This house calls out to people. Perhaps it has called you."

"I'm nobody Alfred, trust me after today you'll never see me again."

"What ever you say Miss." Alfred said in reply as he opened the door.

Zanah stepped inside wondering what Alfred had meant. She sighed and pushed it aside as she moved into the main hall. She was faced immediately by Dick Grayson.

"I'll get my stuff and be out of here in a few minutes," she said.

"Do you have any idea where you'll go?" He asked.

"No."

"Well, if you ever need a place to stay you're more than welcome here," Dick said absently.

"Thank you… Dick are you okay?"

"Hu…"

"Is something wrong? You seem upset or distracted."

"I'm okay Zanah…Bruce just told me I have to go to the Charity Ball in three days and I don't have a date."

"I could go with you." Zanah offered.

"Are you sure you want to do that? I mean these affairs can be incredibly boring." Dick said.

"You've helped me out I owe you a favor so consider this my thanks."

"Okay then it's a date…Do you have a dress?"

"No, I…"

"Don't worry about it we'll buy you a dress."

"That's not necessary…"

"Zanah you've saved my life the least I can do is buy you a dress for the party and something to wear."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay, let's go then," she said with a smile.

Dick grabbed a set of keys and they moved out of the house. Zanah stood on the front steps and waited as Dick pulled out a black 69 Mustang. Zanah got in a little overwhelmed and they were on their way.

Dick and Zanah moved though the mall neither really quite comfortable with the crowds. She spent the next several hours trying on clothes jeans, tank tops, t-shirts, pants, and shoes. The last stop they made was to a store for an evening gown. Zanah eyed a short red dress contemplating it as her choice when Dick spoke.

"You have to get a black dress for the night."

"Why?"

"It's a black tie event that means a black gown is best."

"Oh, thanks I wouldn't want to stick out and embaress myself."

"Don't mention it I remember my first ball really boring. I'll try to get us out of there early."

Zhana moved over to another rack out a view and looked over the gowns. She picked out one easily tried it on and set it down to pay for it.  

Later that evening they returned to the manor. Zanah takes her new things upstairs to her room well aware she'll have to stay until the day of the party. As she put her stuff away Alfred's words from earlier echoed in her mind. Those who enter this house come here for a reason even if they don't know it themselves…This house calls out to people perhaps it called you…I think you will be staying here for quite some time…What did he mean this house calls people? Zanah wondered before laying down to rest.

Dick moved into his room and quickly fell asleep. He woke a little before three a.m. unable to sleep any longer. He moved down the hall to the bathroom, to get cleaned up.

Outside…

A shadowy figure crept across the grounds in front of Wayne Manor and quickly came to the building. She opened a window and entered the large house with ease. She moved about the large house silently in search of Mr. Wayne, but she found no sign of him. After searching the first floor she moved up the steps to his room, but it to was empty, and looked as if it had been that way for several days. Her heart sank, was it true? Was he dead?

She wondered as she stepped back out into the hall. Catwoman sighed; I'm not going to find out like this, she told herself as she moved on down the hall.

She was just about to the window when she heard a door open up from behind. She turned to see who was there and was faced with a dark haired, dark eyed young man. He stared at her bewildered. His face was covered with shaving cream, his toothbrush was in his mouth and a towel was about his waist. He looked ridiculous and she struggled to hide a grin as she moved back to where he stood.

"Oh my, do all of Bruce's friends look as handsome as you do?" Catwoman asked sarcastically. She ran a claw down his face and chest. The claw snagged his towel and it fell to the floor, but he is so confused by her he is unaware of it. He stood silent completely entranced by her. "Give my regards to Bruce, or should I say Batman." She purred. Catwoman turns to leave, but before doing so she glances down. She then looks up at the confused and stunned Dick Grayson and smirks. She then skipped down the hall and disappeared.

Dick stood bewildered trying to figure out what she found so funny. After a moment he looked down and realized his towel was on the floor. He picked it up quickly and replaced it about his waist. He then looked at himself in the mirror and shook his head. Man I look stupid. Dick sighed and returned to brushing his teeth. He stopped again the toothbrush hanging from his mouth as he wondered, who was she, and How does she know Bruce Wayne is Batman?

He was still in deep thought when Zanah emerged from her room and spotted him. "Are you okay?" She asked.

"Yes." Was what he tried to say but his response was slurred due to the toothbrush still hanging from his mouth.

"Why are you shaving at 3 am?"

"Nefer mine," he replied before closing the bathroom door.

Men… And they say women are confusing? Zanah shook her head and started back towards her room. She paused on the way as she felt a chill. She looked back at the window and found it was open. Hmm…that's odd. Why is the window open? She moved over to the window closed and locked it. As she did she could almost swear she was being watched by the darkness outside. Zanah sighed knowing that was ridiculous no one could possibly be out there. "Good night Dick I'm going back to bed. I'll see you in the morning." She said before going back into her room.

Catwoman watched as the house fell still and then she left realizing she wouldn't be able to locate Bruce Wayne, at least not tonight.

Several minutes later Bruce came up out of the cave into the study and moved into his room. He quickly fell asleep.

*                                                      *                           *

Somewhere across town the next day on a movie set

A man sat in a large trailer staring in the mirror at his reflection. He looked over at several old movie posters. It's been years since I stared in a major picture…I haven't had a decent part since the accident. He turned away from the poster frustrated and looked back at the mirror his handsome face changed and disfigured a large scar cut across his face ruining the young face he had once had.

My face has been like this ever since the accident. Ever since that stage light crashed and the glass cut me.

His thoughts were interrupted as a knock sounded followed by a voice. "You're on in five minutes Mr. Hagen."

"I'll be right out." Matt Hagen shouted in reply.

He then opened a drawer on his desk and pulled out a small white jar. He opened it up and wiped the peach cream on his face. With his hands he moved his skin around until it matched the poster. He then looked down at the jar and noted it was empty. He picked up the phone and called the supplier.

Across town in a large office a man answers the phone…

"Hello."

"Hello Mr. Daggett this is Matt Hagen."

"Mr. Hagen what can I do for you?"

"I need some more of the cream."

"How much?"

"Another case."

"That will be $1000."

"I don't have the money now Mr. Daggett, but I thought maybe I could pay you once the movies done."

"I can't do that Hagen."

Back in the trailer…

"Daggett please, I promise you I will pay you. I'll give you anything just let me have that stuff."

"You have nothing left," Daggett said before hanging up the phone.

Hagen sighed hung up the phone and left the trailer.

Elsewhere Selina Kyle woke to a cat meowing…

She climbed out of bed got dressed fed the cat opened the window and left the loft. She stopped at a small diner for breakfast trying to figure out what to do next. She picked up a paper and took a seat in one of the booths toward the back. She was in the middle of reading the latest news on Batman when two men stepped in and took the booth behind her. Selina sat and watched the newcomers with curiosity wondering what they were doing there. The way they were dressed and the brief cases they carried were very out of place for the small run down diner.

"So, have the arrangements been made to deliver the package to Mr. Wayne and Commissioner Gordon."

"Yes, you can assure The Boss that his present will be delivered safely on the night of the Charity Ball."

"And then the matter will be handled?"

"The gift is to die for." Said the man closest to her he then picked up the other man's brief case and left.

Selina's eyes widened with shock unable to believe what she had just overheard. What she had just seen was a pay off to assassinate Bruce Wayne and the Commissioner.

"I have to warn him. No body is going to kill him not while I'm around." Selina thought to herself as she paid her bill and left.

Meanwhile at Wayne Manor a little later…

Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson came downstairs. Alfred met them. "Good morning sirs and how did you sleep?"

"I slept okay Alfred once I did go to bed." Bruce replied.

"And you Master Dick?"

"I slept a little."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"I've got to go into work today Alfred before people start to wonder what's happened to me, I'll be back later." Bruce said before he left.

Dick looked at Alfred and said, "Can you check on Zanah while I grab something to eat."

"Of course Sir." Alfred replied and he moved upstairs as Dick moved into the Kitchen.

Upstairs Zanah was staring at the window from the night before puzzled upon looking at it now she could clearly see a small scratch. She was still staring at the window when Alfred found her.

"Miss Zanah what are you doing?"

"Alfred I was just looking at the window. Last night it was open. Did you know there was a scratch on it?"

"No, I didn't…you said the window was open?"

"Yes."

"I never leave it open what kind of scratch?"

"I don't know exactly it looks like it was cut by something sharp."

"I wouldn't worry about it, nothing serious just a little unusual. If this was any place else I'd suspect someone tried to break in."

"I'm sure you're right it's nothing to worry about. I'll take care of it later, Let's go downstairs and get something to eat." The two of them moved downstairs as Dick came out of the kitchen headed for the door helmet in hand.

"Where are you going?" Zanah asked with curiosity.

"No where in particular," he replied.

"Well, can you drop me off in town?" Zanah asked.

"Sure."

"Thanks."

"No problem," Dick said and then they left.

At Wayne Enterprises later that day…

A dark haired woman walked up to the desk of Mr. Wayne's secretary. "Is he in today?"

"Yes miss. Do you have an appointment?" The secretary asked.

"No, but it's a matter of life and death."

"Have a seat Miss and I'll see if he can talk to you."

"Thank you."

The secretary picked up the phone and pressed a button-marked intercom. "Mr. Wayne, there is a woman her to see you."

"I don't have any appointments today."

"Yes sir I know, but she says it's a matter of life and death…"

"Send her in."

"He'll see you." Said the secretary.

Selina got up from her seat and walked into the office.

"Thank you for agreeing to see me Mr. Wayne. I know you're a busy man and I appreciate your being willing to set aside your time."

"How can I help you Miss?"

"No, I don't need your help… I came to warn you yours and Commissioner Gordon's lives are in danger."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, someone in Gotham has hired a goon squad to kill you both at the charity ball."

"And you know this how?"

"I was at a restaurant today and overheard two men talking and saw them exchanging brief cases."

"That seems awfully far fetched Miss…I'm sorry what did you say your name was?"

"I didn't… Look, I'm just a friend and I know it sounds crazy, but I'm telling you I know what I heard and saw. Your life is in danger."

"Well, even if you are right, let me assure you security will be tight."

"Yes, but if these people are good they'll get past security. Just something to think about… Be careful Mr. Wayne."

"Thank you for your concern Miss."

"Good day Mr. Wayne and I hope you'll heed my warning."

Bruce sighed, he didn't know why but he had a feeling he knew that woman. He left his office and went home.

Selina stopped in at a local shop and picked up a black gown already deciding to go to the Charity Ball and keep an eye on Mr. Wayne and the Commissioner. She then went home.

That night back at Wayne Manor…

Bruce, Dick and Zanah sat eating dinner.

Zanah looked at Dick and asked. "So Dick do you always shave at three in the morning."

"No, not usually."

"So, it was just a one time deal?"

"Yes."

"Were you okay you seemed shaken."

"I was fine, just confused. Bruce had a visitor last night."

"Really who?"

"A woman dressed in a skin tight cat suit and carrying a whip."

Bruce looked up from his plate at Dick his eyes wide but he said nothing.

"Who was she Bruce? You're not seeing someone besides Julie are you?"

"No, she's just an old trouble maker who's come back and is trying to dig her claws into my life again." Bruce replied.

"Well, she certainly was looking for you, and she was not at all shy about stating it."

"What does that mean?" Zanah asked.

"Nothing, she just had no respect for personal space."

Bruce stood up and left. Catwoman, it can't be she's dead…it has to be. But why would she come back now after all this time? It makes no sense… Selina are you really back? He wondered as he moved into his room.

Back downstairs…

Dick and Zanah were discussing what to do for the evening.

"We could go for a walk," Zanah offered.

"No, I'd rather stay in. We could play a game," said Dick.

"What kind of games do you have?"

"Pool, cards, that kind of stuff."

"Games that are best played by three or more. No thanks. What else could we do?"

"We could watch a movie."

"That sounds good."

They moved into the entertainment room and after a mild debate Dick put a movie in the VCR and then started some popcorn when he came back he sat down and put the popcorn down between them. The two were watching the movie quietly for a while then suddenly they reached for the popcorn at the same time rather than deal with an ocward moment Zanah threw the popcorn at him and laughed.

"You're not getting away with that," he whispered and he threw a handful of popcorn at her. Without a moments warning the two were caught in full-scale popcorn fight. The fight ended as quickly as it started and then they sat and talked about the movie and movies in general, before heading upstairs to bed.

Down the hall Bruce lay awake. He had been staring up at the ceiling ever since he came up stairs. His mind was full of questions as Dick's comment from the table echoed around in his head.

'A woman in a skin tight cat suit carrying a bull whip' Dick had said. Catwoman…No it can't be she's been dead for five years… It's not possible… But it has to be…Catwoman… Selina is alive. If she is why did she wait so long to contact me? Why now, and what's the urgency? Why has she come back?

Bruce sat up, as his mind was again flooded with memories from the past.

He saw her again for the first time saving her from the Penguin's goons as Batman then meeting her at Shreck's office the next day as Bruce Wayne, her first appearance as Catwoman and then meeting her again on the street the day of the tree lighting ceremony. The Conversation of that day filled his head again. Until now most of the images he'd been faced with over the years had been brief but now they surged forth in a flood.

Bruce opened his eyes trying to banish the memories to the back of his mind but they would not be silence they came anyway. He saw her staring in the window of a department store. Her back was to him and she was talking to herself. Her tight blond curly hair moved gently in the breeze and brushed against the collar of her fur-trimmed coat.

'Selina…'

'Oh, hi Bruce, you scared me or rather I scared myself.'

'I don't see how… Are you okay? You look like you have the holiday blues or something.'

'No, I'm fine just tired I guess.'

They stood there for a moment silently and the TV set in behind them went on about the tree lighting ceremony.

'Are you going to that?' He had asked her.

'Are you kidding I wouldn't be caught dead there are you?'

'Me no, I'm going to watch it at home though.'

'It's going to be a hot time on the cold town tonight.'

'You've got kind of a dark side don't you?'

'No darker than yours Bruce.' She said as they started walking down the street. They walked past several newsstands 'it's unbelievable what they say in the press today… I read somewhere that they think Catwoman weigh 150 pounds. Unbelievable… How do these vultures sleep at night?'

'Bat man Blows It… that's not even accurate he's saved this city millions of dollars in damages alone at least… Selina would you join me for an early dinner and we can watch the ceremony together…let's say five or six…'

'Okay, Five.'

'Five, see you then.'

Bruce blinked and shook his head needing to be free of the past. He got up and moved down stairs into the Bat cave. He sat down in front of the computer and called up the file of Catwoman. He stared at her picture blankly for several minutes and did nothing. Oh God, I loved you Selina. I want to believe you're alive. I want to think you've come back, but I know that's crazy. I saw Shreck he was dead no one could have lived through that. He told himself as he turned away from the screen. He then looked up at the bats and asked "Why now?" He turned closed out the file as Alfred came down into the cave.  

"Master Bruce, it's awfully late is something wrong?"

"No old friend I'm fine," he whispered.

"It's Miss Kyle isn't it? You're confused sir."

"I don't know Alfred, I just can't sleep."

"Why not go out for a drive sir, clear your head?"

"I think I will Alfred, thank you."

"Good night sir."

Good night Alfred," Bruce said and he moved upstairs. He left the house and drove around. When he came to a stop he found he was in the old Gotham Square. What am I doing here? Selina is dead. Bruce told himself and he drove home. He then went to bed.

*                                                 *                                      *

The next day at Selina's loft. Selina woke to the soft meow of a small cat and a second rubbing it's head against her hand as a third stretched out its muscles on her chest.

"Good morning, are you poor babies hungry? Okay I'm up, lets get you fed." Selina climbed out of her bed and moved into the Kitchen where she fed the cats and then she moved back to the bedroom where she made quick work of getting dressed. Well, Bruce wouldn't listen, so I'll try talking to Gordon today. Selina thought to herself as she left the loft.

Across Town at the Police Station…

A couple of young officers were discussing current events when the phone rang in Commissioner Gordon's office. Jim Gordon was in the middle of trying to figure out how to save his dying city when his phone rang. He picked up the receiver and stood silent expecting more bad news from the city. "Hello," he said after a moment.

"Hello is this Commissioner Gordon?" A woman's voice asked.

"Yes. How can I help you Miss?"

"Commissioner someone is planning to kill you and Mr. Wayne at the Charity Ball."

"And you know this how?"

"I over heard them."

"Look miss I've got enough problems right now to deal with. I don't need prank calls as well." He said as he hung up the phone. He then glanced over at the invitation to the Charity Ball on his desk and sighed. Should I be going to this ball when the cities in so much turmoil? Gordon wondered as she looked down at his city. I never realized how dependent the city had become on Batman. Look at it, it's dieing without him. Can we do anything to save it?

Meanwhile at Wayne Manor…

Bruce Wayne climbed into his car and left for work as the gate closes behind him a dark haired woman slips trough unnoticed. She walked up to the house and rang the bell.

"May I help you Miss?" Alfred asked after opening the door.

"I'd like to speak with Dick Grayson," she replied mater-o-factly.

 "Please come in and have a seat I'll get the young master for you." Said Alfred. He led her into the study and then left her to wait.

Alfred moved down the hall to the kitchen where Dick and Zanah were eating. "Master Dick you have a visitor." Alfred said.

Dick looked at Alfred confused. He never had company to the house.

"She is in the study sir."

Dick got up and moved down the hall Zanah close behind. He moves into the study and is faced with a dark haired older woman. "How can I help you Miss?" Dick asked puzzled.

"I'm here to warn you someone is after Mr. Wayne and the Commissioner Gordon."

"Oh."

"They intend to kill them at the charity ball tomorrow night."

 "I wouldn't worry Miss security is always tight no one gets in these things with out an invitation…" Dick began.

"I'm sure that's true but I wanted to give you fair warning keep an eye on your friend Mr. Grayson and be careful. If they're after him it won't take them long to come after you also."

"I will Miss," Dick said humoring her.

Selina sighed in frustration and left walking past Zanah on her way out. Zanah looked at the other woman puzzled but said nothing. Once outside Selina got in her car. I guess I'll have to go to the party now, no body is listening to me so I'll have to deal with this on my own. She thought to herself as she drove off.

That night at Wayne Manor…

Bruce, Dick and Zanah all sat in the lounge. Bruce looks at his watch and sees it's nearly time for him to go. "Well, I'm off I'll see you to later. Try not to make a mess Alfred said there was popcorn everywhere in the entertainment room." Bruce said.

"We're really sorry…" Dick began.

"No need to apologize, just don't leave it for Alfred to deal with, he has enough work to do."

"We won't…"

"Good… I'll be out with Julie if anyone calls for me."

"Bruce speaking of calls. A woman dropped by earlier said that yours and the Commissioner's lives were in danger."

"She told you too."

"You know her?"

"No, or at least I don't think so, but she showed up at my office yesterday. I wouldn't worry," he said and then he left.

"Are you worried?" Zanah asked.

"No, she's probably just a nut," Dick replied.

"And if she isn't?"

"He'll be fine, security is too tight for anyone uninvited to get in… So, what shall we do this evening?"

"A subject change." Zanah said surprised.

"Yes, no scene worrying about it now."

"I suppose you're right."

"So what should we do?"

"I don't know really."

"Well, if you don't mind I'd like to get out of here for the night."

"That's fine," Zanah said. They both stepped outside and after a couple minutes they were racing down the streets of Gotham city on his motorcycle.

Meanwhile at a Small Apartment Across Town…

Bruce Wayne sat eating dinner with Julie Madison.

"Bruce are you okay?" Julie asked.

"Yes. Why do you ask?"

"Well, you seem distracted." Julie replied her brown eyes full of concern.

"To be honest a couple odd things have happened recently."

"Such as?"

"A woman has shown up twice now she claims someone is planning to kill me and Gordon at the ball tomorrow night."

"Bruce are you okay?"

"I'm fine, it's nothing. I'm sure she's just a nut."

"If that's not it then what's bothering you?"

"I bumped into someone from my past the other day."

"Who?"

"An old friend."

"Why should that be bothering you?"

"I thought this friend was dead."

"Oh, I see that would explain it… So this friend does he have a name?"

"Her name was Miss Kyle."

"Her name… Who was Miss Kyle?"

"She was someone I worked with."

"And she just dropped by… for what?"

"To check up on me I guess. I wasn't there Dick told me she had stopped in."

"Check up on you why?"

"I don't know maybe that woman talked to her also. She's contacted me and Dick so maybe she contacted Miss Kyle also."

"Why would she contact Miss Kyle and not me? Who was Miss Kyle to you that this woman would contact her."

"Selina was a woman I dated briefly."

"How did she die?"

"The Penguin killed her and her boss."

"Oh, I'm sorry Bruce."

"No need," he said distantly.

"Bruce did you love her?"

"I don't know Julie, I suppose I did."

"You did Bruce I can tell, but what I don't know is do you still love her?"

"No. Of course not, Julie I love you."

"Bruce I want to believe you…but you've been so distracted tonight."

"I've got a lot on my mind right now Julie and I'm tired I haven't been sleeping well with all that's been happening lately. It 's hard for me to see this city in such chaos."

"I can understand that Bruce why don't you go home and get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Are you sure Julie?"

"Yes, it would be best if you were well rested for tomorrow night," she whispered.

"Thank you Julie, I'll see you tomorrow night," Bruce said as he stood up.

"Get some rest and try not to worry," Julie said and she kissed him goodbye.

Bruce left the whole time he was thinking about how much he could have upset Julie. His thought soon drifted back to Selina. Is she really back… she can't be she's dead. I know what happened to her.

Julie watched as Bruce drove away. He is still in love with her isn't he? She asked herself before turning away from the window and cleaning up the table.