Another chapter. Like promised, this one has a little more action. Things are starting to happen... Can you guess where this is going?

Anyway, I revised this one, but since I'm a little busy in the last few days, it might have a few mistakes...sorry about that, and, please, let me know if there's anything. I hope you are enjoying this story, I'm sure enjoying writting it.

Tx for reading, and a special thanks forpeople who reviewed this. Its trully inspiring.

Good reading.

She hadn't noticed him, or at least pretended she hadn't. Bruce got closer, approaching from behind. The sight of her sinuous back, of her slim and elegant neck, and her scent, sweet scent, all that brought him memories of many nights from the past… Nights of action over the roof tops, following her, chasing her, watching and… being watched.

He had known Selina for some time now, first as Catwoman, the criminal, later as Selina Kyle, the fascinating woman. They had history. A long relationship, not always friendly, but always tense. When she was the robber, their game was violent and subtle. Later, when she decided to leave the criminal life, they went into a different game. Bruce had considered many times what was his role in her life; if he was considered when she decided that life in crime was not for her anymore. He knew Batman would always mean trouble for a criminal, but even for her? In the past, he was the one who seemed to have trouble when it came to deliver her to the police… Somehow, she always managed to escape… or did he let her?

"Selina", he called.

She turned. Slowly and graciously, like a… cat. Looking at him with sparkling green eyes, always vivid and truly smart.

"Bruce Wayne…" Her voice seemed to provoke a shiver that ran up his back. Not a shiver of fear or from a cold sensation, but one caused by memories of her touch… a touch that would make his heart jump, his body burn. "I was wondering when you would put an end into this game…"

"What game?"

"Our 'cat and mouse' game…" She smiled, just a half-smile, actually; but what could be malicious turned out to be just… charming.

"I wasn't playing games." He answered, as serious as he could. He didn't want to sound frivolous, and knew he had no time to lose. "I need to talk to you."

"Hm… Why do I have the feeling this will not end with you buying me a drink…?"

"Here is not the best place to talk, though." He grabbed her arm with one hand, his finger closing around her skin in a tight grip.

"Excuse me…!" She abruptly pulled off of his grasp. "Are you trying to claim property, or something?"

Wayne sighed. He knew how much Selina hated any kind of possessive gesture, but he was in such a rush… He now knew they had to leave the party; if he was right, Batman would soon be needed, and Selina… Selina just had to get out. For some reason, he had an insistent feeling that Selina was in dangerous… that they all were. He didn't know why, but, this one time, the skeptic detective was going to trust his instincts.

"We should go…", he lowered his tone, trying to avoid the attention of people around them, "… I'll explain outside."

"Really? What about your girlfriend…?" Her voice was full of resentment. "Talia, isn't that her name? Won't she mind…? Shouldn't you ask her permission before leave?"

"It's not like that! You, of all people, should know I'll never forgive her for what happened…"

"Any problems here, Miss Kyle?"

Jack Terrence was no more than a couple feet away, staring with what he thought was a bold expression. Jack never imagined he would have the opportunity of impress Selina Kyle, but fate had given him a chance; yes, it was true that Mr. Wayne was the owner of the newspaper where he worked; yes, also true that Mr. Wayne was a lot taller and bigger than him; but that only made his gesture more heroic, Jack thought. After all, ever since Mr. Wayne just pretended he didn't know him, well, either he was going to lose his job anyway, or Mr. Wayne just didn't have a clue of whom were the people working for him. Whatever the case, he might lose his place as reporter – Jack was wondering if he really should be a journalist, anyway -, but never the chance of help a lady like Miss Kyle, and tell Mr. Wayne a few things he should hear…

"We are only talking, Jack." Bruce said that as calmly as possible, in an audible and polite tone. He had noticed Terrence's looks towards Selina all night, and he admitted it had been unreasonable of him to rush the situation by grabbing her arm; he should know better. Therefore, he understood the boy was simply trying to be a gentleman, helping a lady in need… Jack Terrence, after all, had no idea that Selina could crack bones with her kicks and had the skills of a gymnastic. Bruce had to admire Jack's attitude, especially when he considered the kid would even risk his job to help Selina. He had some guts, and Wayne couldn't avoid feeling some sympathy. "Nothing to worry about, I assure you."

Jack Terrence didn't look convinced, and took a step closer to Selina. Bruce took a deep breath, and tried to show amusement – and was not surprised to see that Selina was actually looking pretty amused herself, with an almost imperceptible smile on her dark red lips.

"Are you okay, Miss Kyle?" And the kid lowered his voice: "If he is bothering you…"

She laughed, just a brief and pleasant sound:

"You're really sweet, Jack…" Her hand reached to Terrence's face, the gloved fingers caressing his skin, and he immediately blushed under her touch. "But I can take care of myself, thank you." The hand came down from his face, and it was placed on her waist.

"Are… are you sure…?" Jack's glance went from Selina to Wayne, and back to the gorgeous woman.

"Positive." She blinked an eye. "Mr. Wayne can be a little rough, but he means well…"

Jack Terrence was looking fairly disappointed. He felt Bruce Wayne's heavy hand on his shoulder:

"You were just trying to help, I understand…" He made his best to show the boy nothing but a reassuring and youthful smile. It would never be Wayne's style to pick a fight, anyway; as the billionaire playboy, better act as a pacifist… He turned to Selina: "Shall we, my dear?"

He was desperately hoping she could read his signs, the way he slightly moved his eyebrows…

"Yes", she said, for Wayne's relief, "I think I'll take this ride."

"Splendid."

Jack, however, wouldn't let go of her so fast:

"You… you don't have to go, Miss Kyle… I… I can give you a ride…"

"Can you?" She thought it was unusual to see Bruce Wayne, the man behind the Batman, go pale; so unusual that actually scared her. Something dangerous was going on, it seemed. "A ride to Gotham?"

"Oh!" Jack blushed again. "Oh… I didn't realize…"

"It's alright." Bruce tapped the kid's back, grateful that Selina was so good with excuses. "Now, we really should be going…"

It was Selina who rested her arm on his, and he could feel the warmth of her body… if only he wasn't in the middle of something. He looked around, searching the crowd for Lois. Two seconds was all the time he needed to see she wasn't there.

"I'm sorry, Clark…", was his thought, as he turned on the COM link again. He hoped Lois was alright, but something was telling him that she might be in trouble already. A feeling that became a certain when his communicator brought him no sound but static.

Just a few seconds after Bruce Wayne deactivated his COM link, Superman was telling his wife all about it.

"What? He turned you off?" Lois was almost screaming.

Clark imagined if Bruce would condemn him later for talking too much:

"Yeah, well… He wanted some privacy."

She silenced for an instant, but he could listen as she walked among people.

"Lois, you are not going there, are you?"

"You bet I am!"

"Come on… If you do that, he will give me the look…!"

"The look…? Oh, Clark, please! It's just a look!"

Superman sighed: "No, no, it's not just a look! It's a mean look!"

Lois didn't know. She had never seen it. She couldn't imagine how much Bruce could be picky about the small things… or about those things most people thought to be small, but Bruce would always go on and on about how every little thing was important… And then, the look. The cold, severe look. A glance that would make anyone feel ashamed, stupid, incompetent. It would always make you feel… small.

"Whatever…" Now he could listen as she was biting her nails. "I can't see them anyway…"

"Better if we just let them have their conversation." He could see, with his x-ray vision, that Selina and Bruce were talking. Everything looked fine… for now. "I would feel more comfortable if you could just go home… You have been in this party for a couple hours, now, and I dare say there isn't much more you could do…"

"I knew this was coming…"

"This could be really dangerous, Lois. I can't do much from up here, and Bruce already has too many women to worry about… obviously."

"Don't you think I can take care of myself?"

Tricky question, he knew. There was no good answer to it.

"Well…"

A scream cut the air.

"Well… what?" Lois insisted.

Superman flew higher, as the screaming continued. It was coming from the park.

"Clark? Clark, are you flying?" She knew him too well to not know what was going on. "Problems?"

He had already found it. Near the lake, a woman was being attacked. He could see a man taking her handbag, while the other… the other was beating her. "Cowards", he thought with despise. "I'll take care of it in a second, dear", he told Lois.

"But, Clark, do you think it's a good idea? I mean… shouldn't we say something to Bruce?"

"You do that." He flew at all speed.

"Clark? Clark?" She remained silent for a few seconds, just to realize her COM link was getting nothing. It was not that Clark wasn't responding, but more like the thing had just… broken. Bruce's gadget is suddenly not working? "Oh, that's so wrong…!"

Lois searched the salon almost desperately, knowing things already were going bad. She had to talk to Bruce… he would know what to do.

"Where are you?"

She saw him as he and Selina were talking… and Jack Terrence was there too. "Terrence? What the hell is he doing…?"

And then, she felt the needle.

He didn't slow down. Just the speed of his flying passage made the guy who was over the lady be thrown three feet away. The other dropped the bag.

Superman smiled to himself.

He landed, putting himself between them and woman. They could be carrying guns, so he wanted to be sure the woman wouldn't be hurt. Hands on his waist, he said:

"Don't worry, madam. I'll take care of…"

He didn't finish the sentence; he was disturbed to see that both thieves were… smiling?

And then, the noise. A terrible noise. His skull trembled, the pain, a crescent pain coming from his ears, and tympanums, and into his head… A supersonic sound, but so loud and close! He put both hands over his ears, and concentrated… he could diminish his hearing abilities, it was just a matter of concentration… "Come on, Clark!" Slowly, slowly the noise was getting less horrible. His tempers were pulsing, and he knew all he would be able to hear, for a while, would be a loud and buzzing sound. But at least the pain wasn't as dreadful…

He felt something penetrating his flesh, a slight pain in his back, near his neck. Yes, something had hurt him… something had cut through his skin.

And only one thing could do that.

Superman turned immediately, and with one hand tried to reach whatever had pierced him, but his arm didn't move properly. He could already feel a numbness that was spreading from the wound, and a feeling of urgency would tell him to fly away… except he couldn't.

"Fast, isn't it?" The woman he tried to save was talking to him. He couldn't really hear her, but read her lips. She looked calm, kind of happy, even. He could see a small dart pistol on her hand, and Superman now realized why they had used the supersonic… it gave her all the time she needed to aim and shot, while he couldn't hear the gun or the projectile… That took from him any chance he had of avoiding the shot. "Smart", he thought. Bruce was right, no amateurs tonight.

She was on her feet already, and got rid of the coat she was wearing. Under that, a red outfit, and a long reddish brown hair…

"L… la… dy… Shi…" Superman felt like he had no control of his jaw, and his tong was lying useless in his mouth.

"Yes, I'm Shiva." She smiled, almost an understandable and complacent smile. "Our plan worked, I see…" Walking a few steps forward, she used her right hand to hold Superman's face. Her hand, he noticed, was cold and had a strong grip.

"What…", it was all he could force himself to say.

Her knee quickly rose to his chin, and he actually felt the pain.

"I'm not a talker, Superman. As you can see." A punch came down, one that threw him into the ground, where he landed flat over his stomach. He could feel grass and dirt making way into his mouth, and blood, hot, red blood coming down his forehead. There was pain, there was the numbness, and the fact his muscles were not responding… he was, to say the least, confused.

Hands grabbed his cape, the two fake buglers were pulling him… and he was on his feet again, facing Lady Shiva another time.

"This will take longer than I thought", she said, "but I have time… all the time in the world to defeat the Superman."

"Mr. Wayne", it was one of Talia's bodyguards, who had stepped in front of them when they were not more than fifteen feet from the exit door, "Miss Head sent me to take you to her."

An ambush. Bruce knew it was an ambush. A trap. He could read it in the man's eyes, hear it in his voice. So obvious, and yet… there was not much he could do about it.

This was Bruce Wayne, not Batman.

Selina took his hand, and he could feel her fingers between his… She knew it too. She could sense it too. Her green eyes were sparkling, and he knew she was now struggling to remain calm, struggling the desire of maybe cut this guy with her Catwoman's claw... Yes, but she had a similar problem. Selina Kyle was also a secret identity, the public face of the Catwoman. Like him, she couldn't afford to be in the spotlight, at least not in any way that would make people remember a certain ex-thief from Gotham...

"Could you follow me, sir? Please…?" The man proceeded, waving his hand to sign a direction.

"Actually, I should walk Miss Kyle to her car. I'll be with you in a second." He pretended to cough, and slid the small smoke bomb he had hidden in his sleeve to his hand. It was true that he couldn't use it in the main salon, but if he was taken to another room…

The bodyguard laughed, a sound that was more like a grunt than an actual laugh.

"Smooth, Mr. Wayne… really smooth!" The man got closer, an expression on his face that was a strange mix of pleasure and fury.

"I'm sorry…" Bruce gave the man his best acting of the confused and idiotic Wayne, but, in a way, he was confused, and more than just surprised. Slowly, he took his hand from Selina's, hoping she would know that this was a sign that she should be prepared to anything.

"I'm talking about your hand trick, Mr. Wayne! With the smoke bomb…?"

"He saw!' Bruce considered that maybe he had been a little clumsy, but how could the man know it was a smoke bomb?

"What? I don't…" He moved slightly to his left; if he could stay between Selina and the man, she could attempt to escape…

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Mr. Wayne…" The bodyguard nodded his head. "Look behind, please."

Turning to look over his shoulder, he had an unpleasant view of the situation: another man, also one of Talia's bodyguards, was three feet behind them. This man was holding a coat – a woman's coat – that concealed his hands. However, Bruce recognized something he had seen too many times… the discernable shape of a gun.

"How did they pass security…?"

"Plastic gun, Mr. Wayne. Unfortunately, your security had only metal detectors…" The man standing in front of them scratched his chin, and a smile of mockery could be easily recognized.

"Or maybe he is lying… and there's no gun." Two men; one in front, the other behind. He could take the guy in front. The guy behind was too far away… but, if they moved fast, the man wouldn't be able to aim. And then, jump on the guy with the gun; with some luck, Selina could help immobilize him. Yes, it would be hard to explain how, all of the suddenly, Bruce Wayne turned out to be a martial arts expert, but this was getting too dangerous to care only about…

"I hope you are not considering an offense, Mr. Wayne." The bodyguard had a concerned expression. "You would only be acting against Miss Kyle here."

"Please…" Selina glanced at the man with deep despise.

"Doubt as much as you want, thief!" Bruce realized he could read a genuine anger when the man spoke to Selina. "I couldn't care less about you. It would be a true pleasure see you laying in a pool of your own blood…", he turned to Bruce, "but Mr. Wayne will not let this happen, will you, Mr. Wayne?"

"He knows!" This man knew who Selina was. And if he knew that…

"I'll put this way, Mr. Wayne: we are not considering hurt you. So, if you try anything, be aware we will not follow you, we will not even try to find you." Again he glanced at Selina with what could only be described as disgust. "We will hurt her. No, no, not kill her. Not so fast. We'll take our time with her, exploring every inch of her body…"

"You can try, you son of…"

"Selina!" Bruce interrupted her before she could end her sentence. All his years as Batman had taught him a number of things, and one was that he could tell when a person was serious about a threat. He heard the man speaking and, oh, he was really serious about it. Not only this bodyguard would hurt her, but he would enjoy it. Bruce could read the hate and violence in his eyes. And he could see how the man truly looked at Selina as no more than an animal.

"I see you got my point, Mr. Wayne." Again the man waved his hand, showing a direction. "Now, shall we?"

Bruce took Selina's hand, and they walked side by side, with both bodyguards behind them. He glanced at her, her beautiful profile, the woman he felt so attracted to… Now her eyes carried a cold anger, her lips were pressed as she was trying to keep in control of herself. Bruce knew her, he knew what she usually did when pressured: she attacked. He knew she was probably thinking about her next move, trying to figure a way out.

With all his strength he hoped she could wait. Hoped she could trust him. Hoped she could just play along… he would find a way, he would, but she had to be patient. She shouldn't try something… crazy.

Selina. Even now, all he could think about was her.