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"I must say, that was one of the better breakfasts I've had, Selina." Dick said. "Thank you. I'd still like to know..."

"What I'm doing here? That's simple. I live here now. Bruce was kind enough to arrange my bond. The least I could do was cook breakfast." I replied with a smile. I topped off Alfred's teacup, then my own. I untied my apron, folding it as I leaned back against the counter. Placing it on the counter, I picked up my teacup, and looked at Dick over it.

"Oh." Dick didn't say anything else. He got up and silently carried the coffeepot over to Bruce, who steadied the mug with both hands while Dick poured. He didn't seem to find this unusual, and topped off his own mug in his left hand while Bruce played with the sugar for his coffee.

"Actually, I was hoping that I could get some help moving in today." I said as I started to wash and dry the pans. Alfred moved to get up, but I glared him back down. He settled back with a smile, as I continued, "Bruce was nice enough to let me stay in one of the guest suites, but I need my own stuff. You know how it is."

"I shall be most happy to prepare a suite in the east wing for you, Miss Kyle." Alfred said. "I can do this whilst you borrow a van to assist your move."

"Thank you, Alfred!" I smiled. "I was hoping that Bruce could help..."

"Sounds like fun!" Bruce said. "Dick?"

"Always willing to help out a friend." Dick said with a wary air.

"Great!" I said with a smile.

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Dick drove the van down the alleyway I indicated. He stopped, and asked, "Why are we here?"

"I'd like to pick up my motorcycle, if that's ok. Then I'll show you where my apartment is." I replied as I opened the door.

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I pulled up on my motorcycle and waved to Mrs. Beerman, who was watching some of the neighborhood kids play in the snowdrifts. I saw Dick back the van into a guest space. He got out with Bruce, and came over to join us as we chatted.

"Mrs. Beerman, these are my friends Bruce and Dick. They came over to help me move." I said.

"Oh, no, Selina! You're moving? Why?" she asked.

"Well, Bruce and I have been seeing each other off and on for a while, and he's asked me to move in with him. Dick is his son." I explained.

She looked Bruce up and down, and said, "I hope he has a good job. He certainly looks nice enough. He looks familiar somehow."

I quickly said, "He's into investments. He's been in Gossip Gertie's column in the paper once or twice. That's probably where you've seen him."

She nodded, dismissing Bruce, and looked at Dick, who was wearing a Bludhaven Police sweatshirt. She said, "Well, young man, if you're a police officer, you've probably worked with Selina before. I've always thought that was too dangerous a job for a young woman."

I sighed and rolled my eyes, and Bruce grinned. Dick smiled, and said, "Well, ma'am, we have a lot of fine ladies on the force, both here and across the river in Bludhaven. Selina is one of the best. I just wish she didn't work a night shift. She's a fun person to be with. I'm hoping she has a younger sister." He grinned as I swatted his arm.

"Well, all I know is that having you around since you moved in a few years ago has dropped the crime in our neighborhood. You're so good with the kids, too. My only real complaint has been all those cats that have showed up. I wish you wouldn't feed them."

"Well, they have to eat, and they've taken care of the pest problems, haven't they? Besides, I'm not the only one who feeds them. Mrs. Yee does, too." I replied.

"I know." She sighed, and said, "Give me a call if you need a hand, Selina."

I patted her shoulder, and escorted Bruce and Dick inside.

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"Y'know, this is a nice apartment." Dick said. "It surprises me."

"Why?" I asked as I closed the door. "Did you think the arch-criminal Catwoman cowered in a warehouse on the docks while she plotted her dastardly crimes?" I snorted. "Get real."

"Well... no, but... What was that about you being a cop?"

"Never said I was." I grinned, and continued, "I said I worked with law enforcement, which I do, in a way. They made the assumption that I was a cop, especially since there's a cop that works the night shift here in Gotham that looks a lot like me."

"Lieutenant Montoya." Dick said. "She does bear a resemblance to you. Still, you're taller, with longer hair and different coloring." He smiled, and said, "You should have been a lawyer, Selina."

I winced, and said, "Shuffle papers all day? No, thanks. In any case, Officer Grayson, not only will you not find any evidence relating to any crime I may or may not have committed, but you're also out of your jurisdiction. I certainly can't be accused of violating my bond, as I have you present, with another witness." I smiled, and added, "Want a drink before we start?"

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"Well, the bedroom and bath are done. You've got quite a few clothes, Selina." Bruce said as he collapsed into a chair.

"A girl has to look her best. Besides, I want to know about this job you've found for me. I'll probably need to do some shopping for it." I told him. "Want some lunch? I've got some potato salad and fried chicken to finish up."

"Sounds good." Dick answered. "How much of this furniture goes?"

"It's a furnished apartment, so that stays. The kitchen, linens, and assorted knick-knacks are all that's left. After lunch, if Dick will do those, while Bruce loads the van, and I'll take care of the landlord." I grinned at Dick's expression. "I mean, close out my account with him."

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"Well, if you stay, I can tell that at least we'll eat well. You're almost as good a cook as Alfred is." Dick said. I smiled, and he leaned back in his chair and continued. "Now tell me. Something is up with you two. Bruce would not put the Catwoman up without a damn good reason. What is it?"

I sighed, and then said, "Well, Dick, the truth of the matter is..."

"Somehow, Selina and I have ... switched minds." Bruce finished.

"I see. Any possibility of switching back? Is it permanent?" Dick asked.

"We don't know yet." I answered. "Right now, we're just trying to adjust. It does seem to help that we have each other's memories, and some sort of limited telepathy. There does seem to be a range limit to that, though. I could detect Bruce at the gate when I drove in, but that was about it."

"About half a mile, then." Bruce added. "I tried a session on the parallel bars, and fell on my butt half a dozen times. I did okay on the rings, but that was only when I let my mind goes totally blank. I haven't dared go out at night with my reflexes like that."

"Hmm. I see why you offered Selina a job at WayneCorp, Bruce. You'll both need to be close to each other. However, I can see some problems."

I sipped at my tea, and said, "What?"

"For instance, Selina can't simply be handed a job by the CEO, Bruce Wayne. That would be very fishy. Your best bet would be to handle it through Lucius Fox. Same thing about a home address. Selina can't use Wayne Manor, no matter where she's actually living. The best thing would be to keep this apartment, but that's no longer an option. I'd suggest using one of our safe houses for her listed address. Same reason that she can't use a car that's registered to Wayne Manor." Dick said.

Bruce asked, "Won't that violate her bond?"

Dick shook his head. "No, it won't."

"Selina's got a few safe houses too, Dick." I said. "I can use one that's close to the manor, and drive in to work."

Dick shook his head. "Use the Metro. It's far more anonymous. There's that relatively new station in Parkhurst about fifteen miles from the manor. You want to look like a regular working mom. Use one of the older station wagons in the garage, park there, and ride the train in. The downtown station is only about six blocks from WayneCorp. Once we know where you'll be working, we can adjust."

I nodded, and looked at Bruce. "That sounds workable. What did you mean when you told Sheila 'an honest dollar'? I assume that I'll be working at WayneCorp with you? Some sort of executive position?"

"No!" Dick said. Bruce and I just looked at him, and he said, "That would really look suspicious. Were you thinking of that employee theft ring, Bruce, err, Selina?" I nodded, and he said, "Selina needs to be undercover. Bruce needs to introduce her to Lucius, privately, then back off. Let Lucius handle it from there. Even then, you're risking some curiosity with such high level attention. Let me think on that a bit."

I nodded, and looked at Bruce. "The last audit uncovered several people siphoning off cash and property from the WayneTech and WayneCorp accounts. We've handled them quietly, but they were only the tip of the iceberg, we think." I said.

"Okay, got it." Dick said. "Selina goes undercover as a pool secretary to uncover evidence we can use." He turned to me, and said, "Selina, you'll need to get some new clothes for your new job." He regarded my hair, and added, "A new hairstyle wouldn't hurt, either. I'll call Barbara and see if she'd like to go shopping with you on Sunday. I was going with her tomorrow, but this would look more natural." He grinned, and told me, "You know how you women love to shop!"

I swung at him playfully, and he grinned and ducked. Smiling, he asked, "One other thing. I'll need to tell Barbara the whole story. Including your nocturnal identities."

I inhaled, and looked at Bruce. Dick said, "I wouldn't worry about it too much. Barbara can keep a secret or two, and she's already figured Bruce and I out. No, I didn't tell her, and no, she hasn't told her father, either. Selina, though, she doesn't know." I slowly nodded, while Bruce said, "How did she know?"

Dick glanced at me, and I nodded. Dick said, simply, "Barbara was Batgirl."

"Batgirl?" Bruce said. "Batgirl's dead! The Joker killed her!"

Dick shook his head. "No. She's alive, but paralyzed from her hips down. She doesn't want to talk about that night. I've offered, but..."

I nodded. "Okay. How about Barbara and I go shopping, and Dick and Lucius meet us for lunch somewhere at the mall. Lucius can be finishing his Christmas shopping, and meet us 'by coincidence'. Dick will be able to provide the 'bona fides' for this crazy scheme."

"Works for me." Dick said. "I'll go over it with Barbara tonight. She can pick you up tomorrow morning about what, seven?"

Bruce stirred his coffee, then asked, "What do you mean by a 'pool secretary', Selina?"

"We have a staff of secretaries that float among the different divisions to cover for illnesses, hospitalization, maternity leave, and so forth. There are enough of them, and they get paid at a higher rate, that I don't think I should have any problems slipping into their ranks. Typically, they work in one location for a few months or so, then transfer to another place. I should be able to gather enough evidence for us without being exposed as working in security." I answered. "Let's get this job finished off, so we can get back to the Manor." I drained my tea and walked the cup over to the sink.

### Chapter 4: Of Friends and Neighbors

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