Hello again to all my readers out there.The few that you are. LOL.

First the disclaimer. I do not own anything. Nothing to do with DC. If I mention that exists in reality I do not own that either. Don't they get it? I don't own crap!

Now onto this chapter. Let me apologize for the long delay. I blame the recent discover of Xbox Live/Hockey 2006 its addicting man. And I blame all the new TV premiers for may very long delay in postings.

Anyway no warnings for this chapter. Just please enjoy!

Dick lay fast asleep, Selina cuddled next to him. Her arm wrapped across his bare chest. Both exhausted from their escapades at the club. A black cat lay curled up at the foot of the bed. A silence that seem to mask the room was suddenly broken by the sound of music. Selina lifted her head that previously rested on Dicks shoulder and opened her curious blue eyes. She finally was able to sumize where the music was coming from. "Dick, wake up, your phone is ringing." He wasn't responding so she decided to shake him. "Just answer your damn phone." Dick dropped his hand to the floor and blindly felt around. He felt through his clothes that were disheveled in a pile next to bed where he finally was able to find his phone. He flipped it open and barely made an audible hello. Many more moments of silence ensued. Suddenly he flipped the phone shut and popped out of bed and rushed to get dressed. Selina knew something was wrong. "So are you going to tell me why the sudden exit?"

Not really thinking about what he was about to say Dick just blurted out what was on his mind. "Barbara!" He now had Selina's full attention whether he ment to or not. She sat up resting her back against the headboard. She tossed her blond her back with the snap of her head. "What about her?" She was more cold than concerned.

He now realized how stupid he was for just blurting out his ex's name. He sat down on the edge of the bed and Selina moved closer to him. "Look I didn't mean to just say her name like that. That was her dad, she is in the hospital. He said she's been raped. He called me because I don't think he knows we are broken up. I really should go though." Selina didn't say a word. She took his hand and turned it palm side up and gently kissed it. "Thanks you're the greatest!" The door shut behind him and Selina laid back in her bed.

He stood in the elevator, watching the baron walls around him. It was late and it seemed liked he was the only one in the entire place. The light would flicker every couple of floors. The higher it went the more nervous Dick became. Many questions bounced around his mind. He wondered if Barbara would even want him there. He wondered how he would feel when he saw her. The elevator door finally opened on the 14th floor. He stepped into the hall which was only partly lit during the overnight hours. He knew to turn left down the hall because of the sign on the wall. He remembered the receptionist saying it was room 1457. His heart beat increased the closer he got to the room. 1438, then 1449 and then finally he stood in front of room 1457. His heartbeat was off to races now. He stood there a few moments to calm his thoughts. His hand shook as he opened to turn the handle. The door creaked a bit as it slowly opened and as he entered the room he took only a couple of steps in. He took in the scene. Commissioner Gordon was sitting in a chair off to the side of the hospital bed where he saw Barbara sleeping. He could see from across the room how bruised and bloodied she was. He looked back at the man sitting in the chair. He never thought he would see a man like Commissioner Gordon cry. But there he sat with hands holding up his sobbing face. Dick stood there shaken by the whole scene. After what seemed like many minutes but was only a few seconds Commissioner Gordon cleared his throat and took notice of the young man standing in the doorway. "Ah Dick I am glad you could be here. Barbara always speaks very highly of you. I am glad you are here. I am just saddened that we see each other again under these circumstances." Dick was taken back by the Commissioners comments. He wondered if he knew they were no longer going out. Without consciously thinking of it, he found himself approachingher bedside. He looked down at the woman he once loved. He just stared down at her broken body. He could see just how deep and brutal the bruises were. Dried tears were flaking down her cheek. He just looked at her, not knowing what to say.

Commissioner Gordon broke the silence. "She is a strong girl my Barbara. I just can't even imagine. After the whole incident she mustered all her strength and found help. They found her on the hood of a taxi cab not to far from where it all happened. The driver said he saw her stagger out of a side road and thought she was a drunk. I just don't get it. The detective on the scene said she got side tracked and wasn't paying attention to where she was at. How could that be, she was just a few blocks away from campus." Dick could really feel the anger swell from the Commissioner. He looked down again at Barbara. Again noticing just how bad she looked. Her normal shimmering red hair was looking quite plain and was clumped up by the dry blood scattered throughout her hair. Under the bruises and dried tears Dick could see just how helpless she really looked. She didn't look like the girl that Dick envisioned in his mind. The girl who betrayed him by taking the comfort of another man. When he looked at her he could no longer hold the anger he once reserved just for her. He could no longer see her as some slut. Guilt was now what he felt. He was able to put it all together. He knew why she wasn't paying attention. In his mind he replayed the earlier scene outside the cafe. The scene the Commissioner described was only a few blocks away. He just kept thinking how could he have just stood there as Selina went on the attack. He didn't say a word. The Commissioner was sitting in the chair trying to hold back his tears. Dick couldn't bare to look at the man.

"Richard, why..." her soft voice paused. Her eyes slowing opening and trying to focus on him. He expected her to look angry, angry at him. But they were not, they were beautiful green eyes that were filled with relief and hinted at hope. "I can't believe you are here."

He just stared down at her for the next few moments. His eyes began to water. "I'm sorry Barbara. I'm Sorry." He just stood there not knowing what else to say. He felt responsible for her being here. Commissioner Gordon now joined him at his side.

"Come my boy, there was nothing you could have done. It's not your fault. It is the filth that plagues this city. There is only so much my police force and Batman and Robin can do. Unfortunately there are always going to be bad people out there." He patted Dick on the shoulder and glanced down at the daughter he loved so dearly. "Well, I'll give you two some time to talk. I'm going to lobby in an attempt to find some fresh coffee. Want me to bring you back some, Dick?

The guilt filled young man lookedup, barely making eye contact with the man. He could not help but think what the Commissioner would think of him if he knew the full story, about how he let Barbara walk away in a state of disarray. Finally he managed to get some words out. "Oh no, I am fine thanks."

"Well, I don't blame you. There's probably nothing fresh brewing this late anyway."

The door shut behind the town ex lovers. He now had two people he cared for in a hospital type setting. She looked up at him with her emerald green eyes. His thoughts about the past were getting fuzzy. "Richard" Her voice was calming, he thought it was how he remembered it. "You didn't have to come down here. I mean...I'm kind of embarrassed." There was no tension or anger or bitterness in her tone. Nor did he want to react in any of those ways toward her. He broke eye contact with her, feeling too ashamed to look at her. Instead he focused on her arm that rested above the sheets at her side. That only made him feel worse. He could see the bruises that circled her wrist. He knew that was where someone must have had a pretty tight grip. He shuttered at the mere thought. He moved his gaze to his feet. There was no reminder of the pain and hurt he felt he caused her. He knew she deserved better than this.

"Babs I am so sorry. How could I let this happen? If I would have just intervened when you and Sel---. When you two were arguing. If I would have done something."

She raised her hand from atop the sheets and rested it on the bed handle, next to Dicks. "It's not your fault Richard. I don't blame you. Daddy's right, it's the underbelly of the city that have caused this. No matter what happened prior to that, I should have been paying attention." They both let a few seconds of silence pass. She could see the anguish on his face. She could see his struggle. "Hey you...look at me?" He was caught off guard by her request. Why wasn't she mad at him? If there was any time he would willingly except criticism and a good lashing, this was it. He lifted his head and again couldn't help but look into her emerald green eyes.

"If there is anything I can do, just say the word." He stood waiting for a response, waiting at her mercy.

"Do you love her?"

The question put Dick on the offense. He was not expecting this. "What does that matter right now?"

She asked him again but this time with a little more bite.

"NO! I don't know. Look Babs you know how hard it was for me to admit I love you. So I don't think I can say that is true for her now. I mean I do care for her but..." He noticed the tears that were starting to fill her eyes. "Can we just talk about something else, please?"

She slowly moved her hand to her face and wiped away the tears. "You love me?"

He was again taken back by her response. "Babs, you know I love you."

Without hesitation she sniped back. "No, Richard I don't. You never told me before now."

Realizing how right she was he had no logical answer. "I'm sorry." He turned from the bed and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" She asked making it obvious she did not want him to leave. He stood at the door and turned to face her.

"Please Babs know this. I will do anything for you. Please know that. But please just don't ask me to choose right now. Not under these circumstances. Look I have to go, I'm sorry but I am not walking out on you, ok?" She looked at him with a smile, letting him know she understood. He returned the smile and shut the door behind him.

X X X X

Drool seeped from the corner of the his mouth, staining his pillow. After an extremely long night Dick was finally able to get some sleep in his own bed. The early morning passed and still he slept. Then the after noon and then the evening. Midnight was fast approaching and his eyes opened andthey blinked a few times to gain focus which was then followed by a yawn. He squinted over at his clock. The digital numbers were blurred through he sleepstill in his eyes but he was able to decern it was close to midnight.

After a long healthy shower, Dick threw on a pair of shorts and T-shirt, stopping briefly in the kitchen for a late night stop before heading to Batcave to check up on news and emails. The large chair in front of the Batcom swiveled around and Bruce sat there looking most alive. "Ah Dick, just the man I wanted to see." Bruce was in an abnormally good mood. Dick wasn't use to that type of demeanor from his friend but just being happy that he was alive and here now, he went with it.

"Hey Bruce, glad to see you up and about!" Dick took a seat at a much smaller version of the Batcom that was stationed directly across from Bruce. He swiveled his chair to face the lively man that sat before him. "So what's up?"

"Well, from what Alfred tells me you have done a pretty good job in my absence and after looking through he daily logs it appears you have."

Dick's face turned red. He couldn't remember the last time Bruce out and out gave him a compliment like that. "I would say that I had some ups and downs, well mostly downs." He added that last part remembering his ongoing pursuit of the Joker.

"Yes, I see the Joker has been causing some minor issues for you? Any idea what he's up to this time?"

Dick finished swallowing some chips he was chewing. "Not really, as you know from the file he is quite interested in that stealth technology that you stumbled upon. I just haven't been able to pin anything to him yet. I do know that whatever it sure has pissed off Catwoman."

Bruce's demeanor changed quickly to his normal cold business like way. He swiveled his chair back to face the Batcom. "Don't trust her! It seems too convenient that she leads you right to the Jokers hideout."

Dick jumped to the offensive. "Come on Bruce, don't you think I know all of this. That's what's so fuc--- I mean that's what's baffling. Those two aren't known to team up, she usually works alone."

Still not facing Dick, Bruce continued to scroll through files in front of him on the batcom. "Yes which means he has to be holding something over her head." He pauses and turns to face Dick. "Or he has something she wants."

"That's it!" Dicks eyes popped wide open. "I used the batcube in the secondary hideout, the one she led me too and..."

"The one she led you to? You mean she led you to him twice? Why isn't that in the report?" Bruce still seemed cold.

"Yea, it just happened I haven't had time yet. I was out on patrol and she sideswiped me. Anyway to make a long story short, its money. He was paying her to find something and she never found whatever it was. And she used me as a diversion for her escape."

Bruce leaned forward in his chair. His tone softened. "She always does seem to plan her outs very well." He leaned back in his chair. Dick could see he was contemplating something so Dick just turned back to face his com-station. Many more minutes of silence occurred. Dick was checking his email and Bruce continued to scroll through old files. Then finally the silence was broken. "So when were you going to tell me?"

Dick knew what Bruce ment but still attempted to play dumb hoping that Bruce would drop the subject. "Tell you about what?"

A heavy fisted pounded down into the arm rest on Bruce's chair. "Damit Dick you know exactly what I ask about! Selina!"

There was no way around it now. He knew this moment would come. He just wasn't prepared for it to happen just yet. He panicked and did not know what to say, so he blurted out his first thought. "Alfred said he wasn't going to tell you, how could he lie to me!"

Now Bruce was getting even more infuriated. "It wasn't Alfred. He is always true to his word and you'll be wise to never question that again!" It was painfully obvious that Bruce lost all patience. "You know when you are invisible, it's amazing how much one finds out."

Dick was shocked. He was now on full guard. "Damn, how long have you been here? I don't know exactly what you have seen but I like her Bruce and from the way I see it, she likes me. And besides things are going good. I don't need your cynicism right now."

"Oh yea things are going good for you is that it? So good in fact that the Joker has been under your nose the entire time I was gone and he is still on the loose. So good infact that in matter of one month you break up with Barbara and now your seeing Selina who is what ten years older than you? Yes, Dick it sounds like you are doing well."

Dick could see just how animated Bruce was but he couldn't back down now. "That's a bunch of shit and you know it. This is so typical of you Bruce. Just because you can't balance love and war doesn't mean I can't give it a God Damn try!"

Since continued yelling would not solve anything, Bruce was quick to change his demeanor. He took a deep breathe and regained his composure. "I just thought you and Barbara were doing good?" He sounded sincere and almost heart broken to hear that they weren't.

Dick could see that Bruce was no longer irate so he decided to tone his attitude down as well. "Well, it was." The spite was tailing off. "I tried to balance things with her. It just didn't work. I mean it's not like any of this was planned. I just always had to leave at the wrong times and well we were on a break and it all went down hill from there."

Bruce rolled his chair closer to the young distraught man. "Look Dick I am not going to lie to you. I strongly disapprove of your relationship with Selina." Dick started to rebut but Bruce raised his hand to keep him quiet. "I'm not finished. But there are certain things about her that you don't know."

"Look I know she is a bit eccentric. I know she has many different sides and moods but that's what I like about her. That's why it's working with her. Aside from Robin I can show her my whole complete self and not hold back."

Bruce pushed his chair back. "Look I am glad you feel that way with someone. And I m glad to hear you haven't gone overboard on this love trip." Dick just rolled his eyes at that comment. "But just be careful. I'm not sure you have seen every side of Selina Kyle."

Puzzled by the warning but very happy that Bruce was accepting the whole issue Dick just nodded in agreement.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I think it's time for Batman to make an appearance in Gotham tonight. Nice cover story by the way. Thanks."

Dick rushed over to the vault holding his outfit. "Alright, sounds fun, I'm coming with you."

"Listen Dick you've done alot around here of late. I want you to take the night off, enjoy the night." Dick gave his mentor a look of confusion. "Live like a real college student for once. Go on, you've earned it. Besides there are a few things I have to take care of on my own tonight."

Now scratching his head, Dick just stared at him. "Er..umm..Thanks Bruce". They exchanged a firm hand shake.

Dick headed off up the stairs to the mansion. Alfred practically appeared out of nowhere and approached Bruce. " I trust everything went well, sir?"

"Ah Alfred just the man I wanted to see. Pull all my files on Selina Kyle. I want you to cross reference all activity with her personal and business accounts. I need to find motive. And yes things went better than excepted."

"I will get on that right away sir. But I take it then you didn't tell him the truth?"

Bruce looked at his long time friend. His eyes fell to the floor. "No, Alfred I couldn't tell him. Not yet. She is up to something and I plan on finding out what it is."

"You know sir I just worry. Rememberthe secret goes bothways."

Bruce laid his hand on his friends shoulder. "I know Alfred. Which is why I am even more concerned."

X X X X

The cool brisk quiet night on Diamond Row was disturbed by shattered glass and loud annoying store alarms. A slender black cat figure leapt from the broken window of one of the jewelry stores. She slipped into the nearest side alley and pounced up the fire escapes and made her way to the roof tops.Catwoman could make a clean getaway from atop the roofs. She leap like a cat from one building to the next. In her hand she carried a soft velvet bag that was now filled with many jewels and diamonds. After she put many rooftops behind her she stopped to admire her catch. The inner part of her hip started to vibrate. She gave a slight moan. "Oh, I like that." She waited a few more moments before answering her cell phone. She pulled it out and looked at the caller id. "Wow this is my night, first the jewels and now the man." She answered her phone. "Hey sport, isn't it kind of late?...Oh, right now? You haven't been drinking and now looking for a booty call have you?...Oh what ashame. I was hoping to take advantage of you again...Well I don't know Mr. Grayson I do have to work tomorrow. But you know I can't turn down an offer like that. Come on over. I'll be waiting...Seeya soon loverboy." She placed the phone back into her pocket, closed the bag of jewels and sprinted away. All she could think about was him. She wasn't expecting him to call tonight and certainly not this late. She now stood on the roof top of her building. She tossed the velvet bag down a ventilation shaft that led to a secret compartment in her apartment. She was about to make her way down the fire escape and into her place when she heard a voice that stopped her dead in her tracks.

"I see you haven't changed much since the last time we spoke." She stood still, not turning to see who it was. She didn't need to see him. Hearing his voice was enough.

"Nice to hear from you to Bruce. Or I guess I should say Batman while your dressed in those tights." She finally turned to face her old nemesis, her old lover. "And to what do I owe this displeasure?"

Batman took a few steps closer to Catwoman. "I think you know why I am here."

She took her hand off her hip and also took a few steps closer to him. "If this is about Dick, I really don't see how it's any of your business."

He took a couple more steps towards the feline and was now within arms reach of her. With blazing speed he reach out and down and snatched her wrist up into his grip and pulled her into him. "Oh Bruce, like old times eh? Well, I'm sorry but I'm spoken for now. What kind of girlfriend would I be to Dick if I let you play with me like this?"

"I am not here to play. I don't know what you're up to but assure you if afflict any pain to the boy you will pay. Regardless of what you may know, I promise you will soon find out if you really do have nine lives."

Catwoman violently pulled her wrist free of his grasp. "I would think you have more to worry about then who your partner is fucking?" She could tell that hit a nerve. "I take back what I said. It is good to see you Bruce. You seemed to disappear there for a while. Dick told me you were away on business but we both know that's not the truth."

She could really see just how much she was getting under his skin. One could hear his teeth grinding if you listened close enough. "You're going to tell me how and why know what you do."

"Or else what Bruce?

"Oh I think Dick might think differently of you if he knew the real you. It would be real easy for me to declassify that part of your file and let his curious young eyes come across it. There's nothing I want more than that, now that I think about it." Now the table was turning and Bruce could see he used the correct threat. He didn't want to believe that her bond with Dick was this strong but he underestimated her.

"Go ahead see if I care. He's just a good fuck to me. I can find another."

"Come on Selina I know your bluffing, just tell me what it is you know and leave you alone for now."

Knowing that her bluffed was called, she spilled the beans. "Well, I don't have much time. I'm expecting company soon. But if you must know. I watched the entire thing. I watched those two idiots break into Goth-tech and I watched it explode with you in it. That sick fuck Joker hired me to find the lab. We watched it all from the security camera's."

Batman studied her demeanor and could tell she was telling the truth. "Why did you go to work for him? It's not like you to work for someone like that mad man."

Catwoman stood tall, not wanting to fully admit she fucked up by taking a job from the Joker. "My Charity. It's close to going bankrupt. I needed the pull it out of the red. You know how much that charity means to me. He hired me to find the lab that harbored the stealth technology. I found the first two sites. And well after the explosion in the second lab, the one you were in. They moved the operation and I could not locate that one. I never did find the third location. But no matter the Joker jipped me on the money and he kept bragging about a plan B. What the fuck that is, I don't know. So don't ask.

Batman said nothing to her and walked to the edge of the rooftop. "Just don't hurt him. He really does like you." Without looking back, he fired his bat-grapple into the airand Catwoman could see the back of his cape whisk through the wind as he swung off into the darkness.

"I won't Bruce. I won't." She whispered to herself as she watched him exit.

Again sorry for the delay. The rough draft for Chapter 9 in almost done, which means I should have it posted soon.