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 Eighteen
Later At the Loft…
Selina sat on her couch staring at the cat statue, her prize. Her face was not bright and happy as it had been the night she took it. No instead she looked tired and forlorn. She had been up all night thinking ever since she saw Bruce and Julie together last night. Dark circles were under her eyes and when she looked at the grin on the cats face now it seemed like silent laughter.
Selina sighed realizing she knew what she had to do. Though it would hurt she had to let Bruce Wayne go because she knew now he truly was in love with Julie and she had no right to invade in their life. Selina looked to her phone ready to call the airport, but she stopped and looked back at the statue. The only way to assure that there were no loose ends was to take the statue back. She got up off the couch and moved into her room. Seeing that it was not yet dawn she pulled out her cat costume and prepared to close out the part of her life that existed in Gotham city.
Across Town…
Robin stared at the raging blaze that had hours earlier been a warehouse.
"They're safe," the Wraith whispered.
"I thought you were going home."
"I lied."
"You're sure they're safe?"
"Yes."
"Then I suggest we go home."
" Agreed."
"Thank you…"
"No need," she whispered before she vanished again.
Back at the Loft…
Selina crept back into the apartment and changed quickly. Packing her things she called the airport and booked a flight back to Europe. She then wrote a note for Zanah and left with the intent to never return to Gotham city again. A few minutes later Zanah walked into the loft and immediately noticed the cat statue was missing. She stood puzzled looking about trying to figure out what was going on. Almost in response Isis jumped up on the table and meowed softly. Zanah moved to shew the cat off the table and took notice of an envelope, which it sat on. The cat moved jumping down. Zanah opened it. She unfolded the piece of paper and read it allowed.
Dear Zanah,
I am returning to Europe this morning on flight One-Eleven. I can no longer in good conscious remain in Gotham. I am sorry to leave without speaking to you, but I knew you wanted to stay. The loft is paid for and there is an account at the bank with your name on it. Good luck to you and I hope you understand.
Your friend,
Selina
Zanah crumpled up the piece of paper changed her clothes and grabbed her keys, before turning to leave. "Damn it Selina," she snapped as she walked out the door and got back onto her motorcycle and sped off. As she road on she realized only one person could convince Selina to stay. She turned her bike towards Wayne Manor and hoped Mr. Wayne would help her.
At Wayne Manor…
Bruce sat on his couch in the study when the doorbell rang. He got up puzzled. It was three in the morning who would be at the door at this hour. He opened the door and was faced with Zanah.
"Zanah…" he began.
"Look I'm sorry for the hour, but I didn't have any choice. I need your help," she said quickly.
"What's wrong?" he asked seeing she was clearly upset.
"Its Selina…" she began.
"What about Selina?" he asked now also clearly worried as he recalled the state she had been in when she left.
"She's leaving and I think you're the only one who can stop her."
"Leaving?" he asked confused.
"Yes."
Bruce grabbed his keys seeing the motorcycle. "Put your bike in the garage we'll take my car," he said. "Knowing Selina we haven't got much time," he added.
Zanah did as told, but the whole time she couldn't believe how quickly he responded. She was in shock. After what had happened last time she had figured it would have taken longer to convince him to go with her. By the time she had her motorcycle parked Bruce Wayne was waiting with the car running. "How did you know she was leaving?" He questioned.
"She left me a note."
"Did she say why?"
"No. Do you know why she would leave?"
"I have a pretty good guess it's because of me," he said as they pulled out of the circle drive and started off for the airport.
At the Airport…
Selina sat silently in a lounge chair in front of United gate 15a waiting to board flight one-eleven. She shifted in her seat nervously. She hated flying but she knew she had to leave. Bruce and Julie really were in love and she'd missed out on her chance with him.
"United flight one-eleven to Europe is now boarding at gate 15a," said a voice over the intercom. Selina shouldered her purse and stood up, moving into line to wait to get on the plane.
Else Where in the Airport…
"That's her flight," said Zanah moving down toward the gate followed by Bruce. "We're not going to make it," she said in frustration.
"We'll make it," he assured her.
At the Gate…
Selina came to the front of the line. She handed over her ticket and started down the walkway. She stopped for a moment and looked back at Gotham for one last time. Her lungs tightened as well as her throat and the muscles in her neck. Her eyes widened with fear. She didn't want to face him now.
"Selina wait," Bruce yelled spotting her. Selina stood still as the announcer repeated.
"United flight one-eleven to Europe is now boarding at gate 15a."
Selina waited as he asked wanting a reason to stay there in Gotham. She didn't want to have to leave again.
"Selina don't go. It's not necessary," he said.
"Yes it is Bruce. You love Julie I can see the now, and I had no right to walk back into your life and expect it to have not changed."
"Selina…"
"Bruce you shouldn't be here you should be with your fiancée. I'm sorry I came back. I knew I shouldn't have. I got what I came for decided I didn't want it so now I'm leaving," she said.
"Selina I'm not going to let you just disappear again. You were gone for five years. Not even a postcard. I thought you were dead for sure. I'm not going to stand by and let that happen again. You were right Selina I'm still in love with you… I was angry, too angry to see beyond that. My anger nearly got you killed earlier. I won't let it run you off again," he said gently,
"What about Julie?" She asked.
"Once again all passengers for flight One-eleven to Europe your plane is now boarding," said the announcer.
"She left. She called the engagement off Selina," he replied.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause all this trouble," she said.
"Don't be, it's not your fault. It had nothing to do with you. She told me she couldn't live in my world, that she didn't belong there, and if she hadn't called it off I would have," He said.
"Why?" Selina asked turning to face him.
"Last call for all passengers for flight one-eleven to Europe," said the announcer.
"Because I could never have been happy with her now that I you're alive. You were right I didn't just forget about you. I wanted to, but I couldn't. We are the same Selina. You were right I've always loved you. Don't leave not because of me. There is no need to," he whispered.
Selina walked back to him now she could stay. She wrapped her arms around his neck tears streaming down her cheeks. "Oh Bruce, I missed you," she whispered.
"I know," he said gently as he led her away from the gate for the plane and back towards Zanah.
"I'm glad to see you stuck around," said Zanah.
"So am I," she replied. "Thank you Zanah," she added.
"You're welcome, but you do realize if you'd left I would have followed you back and killed you," said Zanah.
"Oh really," said Selina.
"Yes. You don't just run out on me," said Zanah.
"I'll try to remember that," said Selina as they stepped into the cool night air. Zanah climbed into a cab leaving quietly.
"I'll give Selina a ride home," said Bruce, but this was not necessary Zanah was already gone. Selina climbed into his car and they were soon on their way back to the loft as well. Bruce walked Selina up to her door and was faced with Zanah.
"Good night Bruce," Selina said. She moved into her house and sat down on the couch.
"Thank you Mr. Wayne I misjudged you," said Zanah. "She really does love you. I didn't understand why until tonight. I'm sorry for what I said before."
"Don't be you were right. The way I was acting I'm surprised Selina didn't leave sooner," said Bruce.
"I'm surprised she left at all. Selina doesn't strike me as the type to give up."
"Did she give up? Perhaps she knew us better than we know ourselves. Maybe she knew you would go to me for help and knew in turn I wouldn't let her leave again," said Bruce.
"Okay, that's possible, but what about returning the statue. Selina never gives up a prize," said Zanah.
"She returned it? " Bruce asked with surprise.
"Yes she did," Zanah said.
"Bruce if you want to talk come in please. I won't have you standing outside," said Selina.
Zanah opened the door and let Mr. Wayne in. he took a seat next to Selina. She was about to ask Zanah if she would leave when her cell phone rang.
"Be careful," Selina warned.
"I will," replied Zanah stepping out the door before answering the phone.
"Where have you been?" Bruce asked.
"In Europe. I never wrote because I figured you wouldn't read the letter, or maybe I thought you wouldn't write back I don't know. I just felt it foolish to hold onto a life I figured I had killed that night. I thought you'd want nothing to do with me after I killed Shrek," she whispered.
"No Selina, I loved you. I don't know why you killed Shrek that night. I can't pretend to understand it, but I could never hate you for it," he said gently.
"He killed me… I still remember all the details that lead up to it… I was preparing for the meeting with you and found out that his power plant was going to be taking power from Gotham. He threatened to kill me and then relaxed my nerves… and then he pushed me out the window. I fell; it felt like I fell forever. I hit the pavement and then it happened when I woke up I was Cat woman. I don't know how it happened it just did," Selina whispered.
"Selina it's okay I understand…"
" I know you understand, but what I don't understand is your younger partner. I didn't think you'd bring anyone else into your world."
"Robin's story is similar to my own," Bruce explained.
"I respect your vagueness in the matter seeing as it's not your place to explain his reasons, but Bruce all of us are in danger as long as Daggett's free. We've got to do something," said Selina.
"I know and Selina thank you for the warning before. I'm just sorry I didn't listen," he said standing up.
"It's all right. I should have been a little more subtle about revealing it. I mean I crashed your engagement party and yelled at you. Not exactly a good way to approach you. I of all people should know that," Selina said realizing he was leaving.
"Selina be careful Daggett's dangerous. I don't want to lose you," said Bruce.
"I will," she whispered wrapping her arms around him to give him a hug. Bruce lifted her chin kissed her for a moment before he left.
"Good night Selina," he whispered as he moved out the door.
"Night Bruce," she said and she closed the door to the loft. She moved across the room and lay down on her bed. She soon fell asleep.
