Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I was supposed to post this a day or two ago, but I had to make some adjustments. Anyways, here's the first chapter of a two-part BatCat Christmas holidays story! Second chapter will be up on New Year's! In this chapter, we see things from Bruce's POV. It was really hard to do that so I hope I did him justice!

Rated M only for a couple of suggestive things. No actual action described. Nothing like "Payback Time", for those who know :)

Home

~Two years ago, late at night, on Christmas Eve~

The clock moved, making room for me to pass through the secret opening. I turned and sent one last look to the stairs leading to the cave. I could hear the bats screeching at the far deep of the underground maze I'd come to call my base of operations. All computers and systems were turned off and the security alarm was waiting for any intruders to trigger it. I had made sure everything was done. Just like I'd been doing every single night for years.

As usual, I was home early that night. Gordon had once again said that the Christmas ghost had the streets so quiet and that was why my presence wasn't needed on Christmas Eve. Despite my knowledge of various spiritual and magical powers and entities, I had difficulty believing that that night's serene atmosphere was attributed to some sort of holiday spirit. But criminals were always a cowardly and superstitious lot. It didn't matter what I thought. If they believed in Christmas ghosts and that somehow kept them from breaking the law even for one night, I was more than willing to cherish the tranquility that allowed my city to celebrate the holidays in peace.

With a satisfied nod and hopeful that the night would remain peaceful, I stepped into the hall as the opening shut behind me. Alfred was not around. That wasn't concerning. Not that night.

I made my way to the living room, the ghost of a smile on my lips as I sniffed the delicious smell in the air. Every year, the night before Christmas, Alfred would greet me with one of my favourite books, a warm robe and a plate of freshly baked cookies, sitting by my father's armchair near the fireplace. One could say that was my idea of Christmas holidaying.

Crossing the threshold of the living room entrance, I opened my mouth to greet my loyal butler, but my smile faded at the sight in front of me. A book was on the coffee table, next to the telephone and a plate full of biscuits. My robe was neatly folded and placed on the arm of the chair and the flames in the fireplace were blazing as they provided the room with heat.

But there was no sign of Alfred.

With a suspicious eyebrow raised, I approached the chair as my eyes scanned the room, briefly landing on the enormous Christmas tree that stood proudly in between the floor-to-ceiling balcony doors and the fireplace.

The whole family had gathered a week or so ago to help Alfred with the decorations. I was busy. That hadn't stopped Dick from coming down to the cave to say it was rude of me not to join the rest of them. I had sent him away and gotten back to work. That, until guilt finally took over and I joined them at the very end, only to plug in the Christmas lights that enlightened the room.

The cheers and smiles plastered on everyone's face had felt more good than I had let on.

Reaching down, I picked up a cookie and brought it to my lips, taking a bite. My eyes fluttered in pleasure as I chewed. I wasn't a food junkie, but these cookies were more than capable of turning me into one. Alfred only made them once a year on Christmas Eve, following my mother's tradition. I still remembered sitting on a kitchen stool, watching her and Alfred bake to the sound of her favourite Christmas songs. I would ask why she only made them once a year since we all enjoyed them so much. Her reply would always be the same.

"Appreciate the rare things, Bruce."

After another bite, I placed the other half of the cookie on the plate and narrowed my eyes at my surroundings. I was more curious than worried about Alfred's absence. He had last spoken to me about half an hour ago while I was on my way back. He was his usual composed, smart-mouthed self and there had been nothing in his tone indicating that something was wrong. Not even a sign of tiredness that would suggest he'd just gone to bed earlier than usual.

Determined to get an explanation, I made a move to reach for the telephone to ring him when a shuffle of feet reached my ears.

"Looking for Alfred?"

I spun around, my eyes zooming in on the slender figure emerging from the dark corner of the spacious room.

"Selina."

"Bruce."

With a clenched jaw, I kept my expression neutral, not wishing to give her the satisfaction of catching me off guard.

"You can stop flexing your jaw muscles, handsome. We all know you didn't see me coming." She smirked. "And Alfred just gave us a little privacy after setting up your party." She mocked, nodding at the coffee table. "Am I invited?"

"Would it make a difference if I said no?" I narrowed my eyes at her, trying to understand what game she was playing.

"I don't think so." she replied cockily as she swayed her way to me, the sound of her heels muffled by the thick carpet covering the wooden floor.

I tried to, but it was hard looking away from a woman so sensual and captivating as Selina. My eyes discreetly scanned her body, clad in a black, long-sleeved dress that stopped mid-thigh and hugged her curves in all the right places. Her shoulders were bare, owing to the off-shoulder neckline of her dress, and her long legs were tucked in knee-high boots that matched the colour of her dark red lipstick.

She looked phenomenal.

"I feel underdressed." I remarked, feeling a bit more relaxed since Alfred's absence was explained and Selina's presence started overtaking my senses.

She came to a stop as she stood in front of me, her smoky eyes looking me over in a far less subtle way then mine had.

I was underdressed. Barefoot and wearing nothing but a pair of black sweatpants that hung low on my hips, I looked a far cry from Selina's stunning appearance.

The heated look in her eyes told me she didn't mind. At all.

A painted nail reached out and traced the waistband of my pants before slowly making its way up to my chest. Shivers ran up and down my spine - and below - at her tantalizing touch, and I huffed in annoyance at the effect she had on me. Needing to gain some control, I grabbed her wrist and ceased her movements before she could continue her exploration of my torso. She simply flashed me a grin before leaning in, bringing her lips close to my ear. Her breath was hot against my skin and it took everything in me not to push her away.

"If you'd like, I can get undressed and we can call it even." She purred and a smirk momentarily reached my lips as I stepped back. I turned around and hastily rearranged my pants in an attempt to get decent. There was only so much control one could have over their body's reactions to stimulus. And Selina surely knew how to exploit that lack of control.

I wouldn't do her the favour.

I grabbed the robe from the armchair and slipped it on, tying it around my waist before taking a seat. After crossing my legs and stuffing the rest of the half-eaten cookie in my mouth, I grabbed the plate and turned to face Selina.

"Cookie?" I offered, earning an amused chuckle, that had me raising a questioning eyebrow.

"Alfred already offered some. Thank you, though." She declined and headed over to the fireplace. My eyes followed her as she walked. She had her arms wrapped around herself and her step lacked the confidence I had seen only moments ago. It was almost as if she was... shy.

I decided not to act on it. If something was wrong, she'd tell me. I picked up the book Alfred had chosen for me.

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol

I smiled at Alfred's sense of humour and for a brief moment, I wondered if Selina was my ghost of Christmas Present.

I should hang out less with Gordon.

I opened the book with the extreme care that first editions demanded. I continued flipping through the pages as the minutes went by, but my eyes barely paid attention to the words filling the pages before me. My focus was elsewhere.

Selina was still in the same spot without making a sound, her back turned to me, giving me a nice view of the flawless skin peeking through the low cut of her dress – a view that I might have appreciated, had I not been concerned about her out-of-character behaviour.

My lips shaped in a worried fine line, I carefully placed the book on the table beside me and stood up. I walked up to her from behind, standing only inches away. My hand, as if having a mind of its own, rested on her hip and squeezed gently in a comforting gesture.

I wasn't exactly sure why I was trying to comfort her.

She took in a sharp breath, tensing under my touch, a reaction rather strange for an experienced cat burglar who knew all about stealth and composure. My presence shouldn't have caught her off guard like that. That only fueled my suspicion that something was off about her.

"Selina?" I asked, my voice low, maybe even hesitant. "What's wrong?"

"Why does something have to be wrong?" she fired back, her head turning to the side as she cast me a look over her bare shoulder.

"You show up in my house - unannounced - and apart from your eye-stripping little show, you've barely said a word, which is rather uncharacteristic of you." I explained as I placed my other hand on the other side of her waist, turning her to face me.

"You think I was undressing you with my eyes?" she smiled seductively. "You'd already done half the work for me. I merely enjoyed the fruits of your labour." She unfolded her hands and traced them up my forearms, past my biceps, before finally wrapping around my neck. I ignored her comment, knowing all too well that she was only trying to prove my assumptions about her troubled state wrong, and tugged her a little closer.

"Cat..." I looked into her eyes intently. They always shined, like the diamonds she had a penchant for, but tonight, a sadness reflected from them.

I felt an unsettling need to make that sadness disappear.

Talk to me.

"I honestly don't know what to tell you, Bruce." She dropped her gaze to the floor and let out an awkward chuckle. "Holly was babbling on and on about spending the holidays with some friends she made the other day. She invited me to come, but... I just didn't feel like it."

"Why not?" I tilted my head to the side curiously. She looked up at me.

"Because holidays are supposed to be spent somewhere you feel like home, no? And that wouldn't feel like it..." She dropped her head again.

I didn't reply. Tightening my grip around her, I took my time letting her unspoken words sink in.

"...but this feels like home."

Selina and I were never the kind of people who expressed their feelings, especially with words. We were always so good at not addressing our chemistry, we put the greatest hypocrites to shame. With her sassy, witty attitude and my cold, brooding demeanour, our meetings were always left undiscussed and each went their own way without so much as a glance behind. That was our routine, our game. We knew the rules. We knew what we were doing.

That was us. On and off. For years.

That was also bullshit. Make-believe.

We liked to pretend we never glanced back. We liked to pretend it was only physical. We liked to pretend it was just fun.

We liked to pretend it was enough.

And right when we started believing our own lies, there came moments – moments like that – when it all became too much. When all we wanted was to let go. To take it all out. To scream.

To feel.

But words weren't really our thing, that much was true about us. Besides, verba volant. Spoken words fly away.

No, words weren't us. We were people who cut to the chase. Actions cut to the chase.

And perhaps it was about time we cut to the chase about us.

Unwrapping one hand from around her waist, I brought it under her chin and slowly raised her face to meet mine. Her lips were parted, and there was raw honesty and need in the way she stared at me.

I knew it from the moment I first laid eyes on her, but it was at that very moment when I finally admitted it to myself.

She was, without a trace of doubt, the most special and rarest woman I had ever met.

"Appreciate the rare things, Bruce."

I smiled inwardly at my mother's voice echoing in my head. Perhaps there was a Christmas spirit after all.

My hand slid its way across Selina's jaw and nestled at the back of her head, my fingers lacing through her short hair. I found myself leaning in, my eyes fixated on her inviting mouth. I looked back in her eyes a few centimetres before our lips touched. She had hers closed in anticipation.

"Welcome home." I whispered, my tone a mix of playful and serious, and the corners of her mouth tugged in a smile that I barely got to see before I took her lips in a searing kiss.

We didn't know what the future would bring and at that moment, we didn't care.

All that mattered was that that was us.

The real us.

That was home.

~The following morning, on Christmas Day~

My eyes fluttered before opening, taking a moment to adjust to the light. I turned to the window, the sunbeams illuminating the room. Blinking, I tried to stretch my arms, but failed as one arm was held down. I took a deep breath and sighed in contentment as memories of the previous night flooded my brain.

Selina.

A kiss.

Then more. Much more.

I bent my neck and took her in as she slept beside me. She was lying prone, her face turned towards me and tucked in the crook of my arm. She had a sheet tangled around her body and her arms folded beneath her chest. Lips slightly open, long eyelashes brushing against her cheekbones and hair in a mess, I couldn't help but smile slightly.

I'd seen her in tight leather suits. I'd seen her in evening gowns. I'd seen her in casual clothes. I'd even seen her in pyjamas. And yet, it was at this very moment, as she slept naked in my bed, that I thought she looked the most beautiful I had ever seen her.

I lifted my head from the pillow and craned my neck to look at the clock on the nightstand by her side of the bed. 8:23 am. The others would arrive in about an hour. Time to get up.

Tentatively, I lifted my free hand and brought it to her face, tucking part of her fringe behind her ear. She stirred and pressed her lips together, but didn't wake up. My fingers followed a trail from her ear down to the small of her back. Satisfaction filled me at the goose bumps my touch left in its wake, and I turned my body to the side, giving her my full attention.

"Selina." I whispered. No response. "Cat, wake up." I shook her gently. Her eyelids flickered before slowly opening, and I found myself smiling once again.

Smiling seemed to be a frequent occurrence since last night. Intriguing.

"What happened?" she asked sleepily and rolled on her side, stretching her arms above her head. The sheet slipped off her body and I lifted a suggestive eyebrow as my hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against me.

"It seems to me that someone overstayed their welcome." I teased and I rolled us so that I was on top of her. Her long legs instantly wrapped around my waist and she smiled up at me sexily.

"Not my fault you treat your guests in such pleasant ways." She shot back while her fingers brushed up and down my ribs.

"Only my uninvited guests." I chuckled as I buried my face in the crook of her neck, nuzzling. "Merry Christmas, Miss Kyle." She sighed in satisfaction as I kissed my way across her jaw before finding her lips.

"Merry Christmas to you too, Mister Wayne." She gave my bottom lip a playful bite, earning a growl from me.

Why did this feel so normal?

I wanted to stay and replay the events of last night, but it was time to get up and I had to sort out my wayward thoughts. Reluctantly, I raised on my hands and stared down at her.

"I'm going to take a shower..." My voice trailed off and I inhaled sharply when she squeezed her legs, pulling me really close.

Stop distracting me.

"Am I invited to join, Bat?" She lifted a seductive eyebrow. She woke up in the mood. I woke up in the mood. All night together and it still wasn't enough.

I needed some space to think.

"I think last night proved that you don't need any invitations." I moved my hips forward and she laughed, excitement flashing in her eyes at the friction. I rolled on my side and stood up before she got to reply, my stare travelling across the room. Scattered clothes were forming a line from the door to the end of the bed, a spare blanket was spread out in front of the fireplace that was filled with burnt out wood, and the empty plate of cookies lay on the floor next to the blanket.

It was indeed a great night.

And for some reason, I wanted more.

I walked towards the en suite bathroom, not bothering to slip my boxers on. I could feel Selina's eyes glued on me and I shot her a sideways glance.

"You coming?"

"I think I'll make the best of this bed for as long as I can." She spread her hands, running them up and down the mattress. "This damn thing is bigger than mine and Holly's beds put together..." She muttered and I chuckled as I stepped into the bathroom, leaving the door open behind me, just in case.

I turned the shower on and let the water run a few seconds before stepping in. Liquid warmth cascaded over me and I set my mind's wheels in motion.

Selina's appearance last night had stirred something inside of me. If I was honest with myself, it always did, but that time felt...different. Something had shifted between us. Something we had yet to acknowledge.

How typical of us.

But last night had only made me realize how sick I was of all that beating around the bush.

I knew what I was. I couldn't be the normal, dating type one saw in movies. I wasn't a hopeless romantic but I wasn't oblivious to the concept of love. I knew how to please a woman in all ways imaginable. I knew how to make her feel worshipped and protected. Safe.

But could I really keep her safe?

I couldn't think of a woman that had been involved with me and hadn't gotten mixed up in a dangerous situation. Granted, Selina knew how to take care of herself, but even that wasn't enough sometimes. I'd lost counting of how many times my enemies would use her – or her appeal to me – as a leverage to get away with a crime. I didn't want to think what would happen if we became... official.

And yet, a part of me found itself wanting to take the risk and give us a chance. Selina had long ago managed to touch a part of me that was locked away the moment my parents were murdered. She had found her way into my heart, provoking feelings I'd never experienced before. And no matter how reluctant I was to label those feelings, deep down I knew they wouldn't go away as easily as I hoped they would when I first acknowledged them all those years ago.

I bent my neck backwards, facing the ceiling and felt each drop land on my skin.

I wanted her.

I wanted her to be constant part of my life.

But I didn't know.

I didn't know if I could protect her.

I didn't know how I could make her happy.

I didn't know how to fight those feelings much longer.

And I didn't know where she stood regarding all this. But I had a strong feeling she was on the same page.

I ran my hands through my hair, deciding that we would talk about it once and for all after Christmas dinner.

As if on cue, I heard the shower door slide open and seconds later, her arms wrapped around my waist. I looked down at her, blinking as the water fell above us rapidly.

"Made the best of the bed already?" I mocked and she smirked as she slipped out of my arms, walked past me and grabbed the body wash.

"Thought I'd make the best of other perks this castle has before leaving." She dropped some soap on her palms and started rubbing her arms. My gaze dropped to the floor and I felt my brow crease in question.

Leave?

Not willing to show her my disappointment in her plans, I turned and grabbed the bottle of body wash, pouring some in my hand before rubbing it on my skin.

Why leave?

"It's not a castle." I muttered, distracted by my thoughts. I heard her chuckle and comment on how it wasn't a hut either, but I barely paid attention to her words. I was slightly agitated and I couldn't hide it.

"What do you mean, leave?" I couldn't help but ask as I mindlessly rubbed the soap across my torso, staring at the shower floor intently.

"What could I possibly mean, Bat?" she laughed and from the sound waves of her voice I could tell she had turned to face me. "Don't you have like a dinner or something with your partners in crime-fighting?"

"Yes, I do." I replied, perhaps more abruptly than I should have. "I don't see how that means you have to leave."

"It's Christmas, Bat, not April's Fools. Quit joking." She laughed. I kept my eyes glued on the floor, sighing loudly, frustration starting to boil inside of me.

I thought last night would be a turning point for us. I thought she came looking for that something more we never dared to give ourselves. I thought-

"Bruce?" she placed a hesitant hand on my bicep and squeezed, effectively forcing me to look at her. "What's wrong?" she chuckled as she stared at me incredulously, as if she didn't understand, but her eyes could never lie to me. She knew.

But perhaps she wasn't ready?

Hell, was I ready?

What a mess.

I had cracked the most unsolvable of cases, yet that felt like one of the most difficult and confusing situations I ever had to deal with.

"Nothing is wrong. I'm just tired." I pulled my arm out of her grip, trying to ignore the disappointment that momentarily flashed in her eyes at my rudeness. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her place her hands on her hips, a chastening look on her face.

"You're also a pathetic liar. What's the problem? That I said I'd leave? Last I checked, I don't belong in your little group of vigilantes. And even if it wasn't for that dinner, isn't that always the deal with us? One leaving?" she rambled and soon I had had enough.

"What if I wanted you to belong? What if I wanted us to stop leaving?" I raised my voice as I walked her backwards against the wall, away from the falling water. Her eyes widened in shock at my outburst and a pang of guilt overtook me.

A voice in my head told me that I shouldn't lose control. That I shouldn't be so passionate about whatever this was. I was well acquainted with that voice. The voice of reason. The voice that always prompted me to lock all my feelings away for mine and others' protection. The voice I had let dictate my personal life.

I felt a burning need to tune out that voice.

I did without a second thought.

Exhaling slowly in an attempt to calm down, I placed my hands on the tiled wall behind her, leaning until our foreheads almost touched. "I'm tired of trying not to feel..." I whispered and her face fell.

"Bruce, I..." she paused, as if having second thoughts about speaking her mind. I stared at her, silently urging her to let me in. With a deep breath, she continued. "I know, okay? I know." She emphasized, taking my face in her hands. "But I'm scared, Bruce. I'm scared it won't work out." she shook her head and shrugged her shoulders in defeat.

Don't give up already.

I shifted my weight from one leg to another and crouched until we were on the same eye height. I opened my mouth to contradict her but she beat me to it.

"Don't try to contradict me, Bruce. This is uncharted territory an-"

"For both of us, Selina." I interrupted her. "I know over four hundred ways to incapacitate someone, yet I have no idea how to make this work." I pointed between us. "But... I know I want to try." I pulled away from the wall and turned my back to her.

I could feel it. The uneasiness settling in my stomach whenever I was about to open up to someone and let them get a glimpse of the most vulnerable part of me.

My heart.

"Ever since they died, I wake up every morning wondering whether they'd be proud." I confessed. Selina remained silent, giving me the space and time I needed to let it out. "Would they be proud of Batman? Of the people I've saved? Of the effort I've put in order to help this city?" I stepped under the water again. "I always try to convince myself that they would. But a part of me always insists that..." I paused as words failed me. A knot formed in my throat and I cleared it as I ran a hand through my wet hair. "A part of me always insists that they'd be disappointed. Disappointed that I neglect myself. That I don't... let people in." I turned and looked at her over my shoulder, meeting her wide, sad eyes. "Disappointed that I've denied myself a chance in happiness." I swallowed as she reached out and threaded her fingers through mine, a comforting gesture that was more appreciated than she could ever know. "I hate the idea of my parents not being happy with my choices. All I ever wanted was to... make them happy. I thought that the more I warred crime, the worthier my sacrifices would be and the more pleased they'd be." I looked down at Selina as she stepped into my line of view, her expression somewhat sad yet gentle. "But perhaps... perhaps that is not what would make them happy..." I didn't need to elaborate. She knew where I was coming from. The look in her eyes told me she got me and was on the same page even if she never admitted it out loud. I gave her half a smile as I pulled her to me, my body instantly reacting to the feel of her soft skin against my scarred one.

"Is the big, bad bat getting all soppy on me?" she joked while her hands rubbed against my collarbone and shoulders.

"Don't get used to it." I rolled my eyes and turned around but she tightened her grip on me, hindering my movements. I looked down at her in question. She dropped her gaze before looking up at me again, her lips pressed together tightly.

"I don't want to make dinner awkward for you or your family." She whispered and I could tell she was genuinely concerned. I didn't hide my smile.

"Is the infamous Catwoman getting all caring on me?" I teased her back and she huffed, feigning annoyance and fighting back a grin.

"I'm serious..." her smiled faded and our eyes locked. My expression softened and I cleared my throat, trying to find a way to express my feelings and thoughts.

"I want you there. I can't explain it. I just..." I glanced around, searching for the words. "I just do. But... if it's too much for you, I understand." I brushed my knuckles against her cheek soothingly.

Selina's eyes bored holes into mine while she contemplated her decision. I held my breath, stupidly thinking that my slightest movement could impact her decision negatively.

I really needed to get a hold of myself.

After what felt like hours, she stood on her toes, linking her arms around my neck, and I leaned in. Our lips brushed and I felt her smiling against me. "I'll stay." She breathed and I beamed. "Just keep your brat of a son away. For his own good." She muttered and I chuckled as our lips collided once again.

She wasn't going to leave.

She was going to stay with me.

And although we had trouble admitting it, deep down we both knew the truth.

That was where she belonged.

That was home.

Tada! Oh my God, I am so anxious to hear your opinion! Writing about Bruce trying to sort his feelings out is so hard. You get carried away and make him all soft and emotional because that's how we all get where feelings are concerned, but this is Batman, not just any other normal and emotionally functional person. Anyways, I hope I did a good job to keep him in character! Lemme know!

Next and final chapter on New Year's (Selina's POV)!

P.S.: To those keeping track of my other stories, I'm facing some difficulties with "Masks: Chapter 6" that I aspire to overcome soon, aaaand I might be working on a second chapter of "Payback Time" cause you all requested it and got me all hyped for it :)