Thanks everyone for reading! Hope you enjoy this chapter.

I woke up, his arms still tightly around me, resting my head against his stone hard chest. I turned to look at him. He was awake and smiled at me.
"What time is it?"
He checked his watch, which probably was worth more than my apartment. It was a very tasteful, dark silver wristband with a navy blue cover.
"7:15. I'm late."

"Late? For what?"

"Work."

"It's Saturday."

"I told you my job sucks. I have a potential international business deal. The markets never sleep unfortunately."

Who was I to talk? My hours were insane and nothing was holy to news. Weekends, holidays…you name it.
I nodded and was about to get up, when he drew me towards him again.

"Five more minutes." He said, his arms wrapping around me, his lips brushing against my cheek.
It felt so familiar. As if we've been doing this for years. Some 12 hours ago I was about to throw him out of my apartment and now…

I tried to get up but his strong arms held me in place. What was up with his strength? This was starting to freak me out. It was like he did not even notice that I put my whole body weight into getting up.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"It's been five minutes. I don't want to make you late."

He sighed. "Fine…" His strong grip loosened and I got up and started getting dressed.
"Stop staring." I said, noticing his glance out of the corner of my eye.

He laughed. "Guilty as charged. You're hard not to stare at."

He was straightening his tie in the mirror.

What was I doing? What did I want? Was I interested in a relationship with him? With Bruce Wayne? The thought made me shake my head at myself.

Fixing his cuff links he looked at me closely.
"You're ok kiddo?" He asked.

"Yes. Fine. International business meeting…" I quickly switched subjects, smiling at him. "You let me know if anything news worthy happens, correct."

"Ha! So this is what this all about for you." He came towards me, pulled me towards him until his face was inches away from mine. "You're just using me for my connections."

"A girl's gotta eat." I said teasingly.
He laughed looking straight into my eyes again. The way he looked at me gave me goose bumps.
"God I wish I didn't have to leave." His hot breath hitting my lips, he kissed me passionately again, his arms flexing around me, holding me even tighter.

"Have a great day." He let go off me and headed out the door.


When he left her apartment he felt like a breath of fresh air. He hadn't felt this way in a long time. There was a lightness to his step that he forgot he even had. Usually there was only darkness. Now there was a glimmer of hope. Light at the end of the tunnel. Hope for a life after Batman.

As he was dreaming of a future with her, reality caught up with him. There was little chance of a normal relationship at this point.
He couldn't even tell her the truth about Rachel, making up a fake name -Andrea- and story. He knew he had to share something real about him with her to give this a shot. His pain was real, even though it didn't match the story.

Everyone knew Batman tried in vain to save Rachel. If she knew what Rachel meant to him, she might be able to put two and two together. The connection to Batman was too close.
So more lies… He hated lying to her but what was his option at this point?
Alfred had him convinced to give this a shot, but he was still worried that his connection with her might put her in danger. He wanted to believe Alfred that this was the right thing to do because all he wanted was to be with her.


I was back at work myself. On a Saturday. I had a hunch to follow the money trail. It would probably lead nowhere but I had to look into it. I was researching banks and their CEOs. Who could it be? But there was nothing. Nothing that stood out. Frustrated I closed my laptop and took another sip of my coffee while glancing at the TV I had on mute. I grabbed the remote and turned the TV up.

"The international business conference is being hosted in Gotham next week…"

A picture of an asian business man flickered over the TV. Of course! International! Why didn't I think about this earlier? The money had to be kept off-shore or at least protected by a bank that operates outside of Gotham.
Grabbing my phone I dialed Zack's number. We went on only two dates but I kept him close since he was my contact for anything financial.

"That's a surprise," Zack answered his phone.

"Hey Zack."

"Miss Catherine Hunter. To what do I owe the honor?"

"Can you run me through some financial stuff."

He laughed. "Some financial stuff. I probably can. What is it?"

"Meet me for coffee in 5?"

"Fine… I have a meeting at 2…so I don't have long."

"Great! You're the best."

"What's your financial dilemma?" Zack asked while studying my body a little too closely for my comfort.

"International banking laws." I responded while sitting down.

He raised his eyebrows, his blonde hair hitting him almost in the eyes as he was doing it. "Go on."
I took out my notepad.

"Say I was doing illegal things on the side…"

"Should I be worried."

I smiled. "And say I wanted to keep my money in a bank…"

"Why would you want to do that?"
"Because Batman can take my money if it's not secure."

"ok… Even then, there would be no bank that would just take your money. It's probably in unmarked bills. Banks don't take unmarked bills. There would be no way."

"Say the banker was also a bad guy. He makes bank letting the bad guys stash their cash in his bank. How could he get away with this?"
Zack shrugged. "He couldn't."

"What if…he stored his cash at an international bank. There wouldn't be any trace would there be?"

"I guess not… Cat…what the hell is going on?"

"What is the most lenient international banking market?" I ignored his question.

"Well… There are a few. Switzerland, Luxembourg, China…"

"How could you proof the connection between a bank here and in say China?"

"I have no idea. I'm not a detective Cat."

"right… Would there be any paper trail?"

"Not very likely if they try to keep everything off the books."

"Who is the number one bank in China right now?"

"Bank of China." He sighed.

I scribbled the name down on my notepad. "The international business conference… Would the CEO of the Bank of China be here for that?"

"Yes, he's already here."

"He is?"

"Yes, I figured you knew. He's meeting with Wayne Enterprise today about a business deal."

Motherfucker!

"You don't say."

"It's kept on the down low but the markets are going crazy already. This could be great for Wayne's stock price."

I leaned back in my chair shaking my head in disbelief.

"Are you alright Cat?"

"I'm great. Thanks for the coffee."

Why was I not surprised that Wayne did not tell me about this meeting. This was the definition of news worthy…

How was I going to get to Mr Xang? I just wanted to see the look on his face when I asked the question. That's all I needed. I attached a small camera to my jacket. How was I going to get in, let alone talk to Xang?

I arrived at Wayne Enterprise. The building was massive, a giant black marble counter in the entrance surrounded by white marble and glass. A blonde receptionist welcomed me.

"Welcome to Wayne Enterprise. How can I help you?"

What in the world was my strategy here? She probably knew who I was or would get suspicious if I used another name.
"Hi, I'm Catherine Hunter from WCX8…"

"Oh of course! I've seen you on TV. You look so much smaller in real life."
"Yeah I get that a lot. My heels are my best friend… Anyway I'm here to interview Mr Xang and I'm late… Could you let me up?"

"I can't without proper authorization Miss Hunter."

"I understand."

"I could call and check?"

"Sure."

This wasn't working.
"Hi, I have a reporter here. Can she come up on 3 to do an interview with Mr Xang? Uh, huh…"

"Don't bother."

I said while turning around.

"But Miss Hunter…"

"I just realized the interview is tomorrow. I'm so forgetful."

The third floor. How could I get up on three? I walked around the building and saw a fire escape. This was getting incredibly ridiculous but I had a hunch… I couldn't stop. This outfit was definitely not meant for climbing but I did it anyway. The door was indeed open. I entered a long, sleek looking hallway. I was praying to all the gods that I was not going to run into Wayne. Just when I thought that I heard his voice echoing through the hallway. Quickly I hid behind a door. He was walking towards me and he wasn't alone. I heard multiple footsteps.

"Mr Xang it was a pleasure meeting you."

"The pleasure was mine Mr Wayne. I hope we can build a strong friendship between China's Bank and Wayne Enterprise."

"I have my people contact your people."

The two parted. Slowly I leaned forwards. Wayne was headed back to his office, while the others were headed for the elevator. This was my chance. Swiftly I moved towards the elevators, hoping Wayne wouldn't turn around. I stood next to what looked like an army of asian men in expensive suits. The elevator moved up, floor by floor and I was hoping Wayne was not coming back.

Finally the doors opened and I slipped into the elevator with them. Now that I was here, I realized I'd rather follow them to see where they are headed than confront Xang.

They were getting out in the parking garage. I walked by them and checked which car they were getting into. A black suburban. I walked quickly and jumped into my car, which was parked outside. I was waiting for them to leave and followed them. They might just be going back to the hotel… What was I expecting them to do?


Wayne left the building, still in thoughts about what to do about Xang. He had to brought down, but he was so slick. How could he get him? As he was walking out, he overheard the receptionist babble on about something insignificant to a guy from security.

"Good night Mr Wayne," she said while interrupting her story.

"Good night." He said while looking on his phone.

"Anyway, can you believe it? I met THE Catherine Hunter?"

Wayne stopped in his track.
"I mean she is so much tinier than on TV. I thought she'd be tall…"
Wayne turned around. "Did you say Catherine Hunter was here?"

The blonde receptionist looked at him wide-eyed. "Yes."

"When?"

"Um… Like an hour ago? Or maybe less than that. Let's see…"
"What did she want?"

"She, she said something about an interview with Mr Xang but then she said she got the dates wrong and left."

He couldn't believe this. Or maybe he shouldn't be surprised.
"Whenever Miss Hunter is in the building, you let me know immediately."
"Yes, sir." She looked at him nervously.
Now he had to find her and find her fast.


I was right, Xang just went back to the hotel. This was a dead end. What was I even doing here? What did I think would happen?

In that moment I saw Xang exit the building again with one of his men. Bingo. I started the car. I've never even followed anyone. What in the world was wrong with me?

We were driving for a while and I tired to keep distance between us so it wouldn't be obvious I was following him.

We were getting into the shadier parts of town. I was right! My hunch was correct.
The car stopped a few houses down the road. I decided to drive past him to make it look less suspicious. I parked around the corner and quickly looked around the corner to see where he was going. The big asian man he was with knocked on the door. Slowly I was walking closer. Not sure what to do when I was there.
"What are you doing here?" A dark, raspy voice asked and scared the living hell out of me. I jumped, looking around but not seeing anyone. After a few seconds I saw him, crouching on a fire escape. Batman. He looked terrifying, his eyes black. His jaw line hard.

"I'm…. I'm working on a story."
"This is not a story. This is a crime scene." His voice was vibrating through my bones.
"So you know?"

"Of course I know. I've been keeping taps on him. These guys are trained killers. You can't just walk in there and say hi."
I felt silly. Of course I couldn't. I looked down the road where the two men had long disappeared.

With one quick jump the Batman was standing next to me, towering over me like a dark shadow.

"What did you expect to learn from them?"

"I don't know." I lowered my head.

In one quick movement he snatched the camera from my jacket. How did he even see that.

"Sorry… Can't let you keep that." He said while smashing it in his hands.
"Do you have a ride?"

I nodded and turned to my side… "It's right over…" And as quickly he had emerged he had disappeared again. I walked back to my car still shaken by the gravely voice and mysterious appearance of the Batman. I'd seen him on TV, but seeing him in reality was a whole new thing.
I didn't get much, but he did confirm my theory. Now I just needed the evidence to support the story.


Wayne was working in the storage unit for hours, when the voice from Alfred interrupted his train of thought.

"If I didn't know all of your bank account details backwards, I'd think you're a homeless person."

Wayne looked down on himself. His dark grey t-shirt was sweaty and torn at a few places.

"It's not how you look, it's how you feel. And I just feel like a million bucks." He said sarcastically while looking at security footage from Wayne Enterprise on his screen.

Alfred followed his gaze and saw a picture of the inquisitive reporter.
"Ah! Miss Hunter came to visit you." He said with a sarcastic smile on his face.
"She knows about Xang."

"I'm not surprised. Like I said, she has the smarts you're lacking sir."

"She followed him! She could have gotten killed."
The butler listened to the concern in Wayne's voice.

"But she didn't."

"I don't understand why in the world she would be so stupid."

"That's right. Luckily you wouldn't know anything about putting yourself in ridiculous danger."
Why was he arguing with him over this? "I am trained! I know how to fight! I am better and stronger than any of them."

"That may be so. But like you, she is following her heart."

"Look into Zack Sniderman for me." He said while looking onto another screen.

"Who is…?" Alfred was staring at security footage of a coffee store.
"Cat knows him… She talked to him minutes before she went to Enterprise. I need to know who he is."
"Are you interested in his character or his love life?"

He was biting his lips into a tight line. "Who Miss Hunter spends her time with is none of my business."

"So just spying on him for sole professional reasons then?"
Wayne looked up to the old butler in frustration.
"How did you get the footage anyway?"
"I tracked her cell phone back. Calls she made. Texts she sent."

"Again for sole professional reasons." Alfred said grinning.
"I need her to be safe. That might not be the most professional reason, but that's all I got." He said while getting up.
"And where are you going, sir?"

"To talk to her."

"Could I suggest something, sir?"

Wayne turned and looked at him in expectation.
"A shower. And maybe a tie, since you're there for pure professional reasons."
Alfred was enjoying this way too much for Wayne's taste.


I was sitting at my laptop not sure what to do next. I had called Gotham PD but of course was not getting anywhere. They pretended they'd never heard anything like it before.

I needed something to proof this. I couldn't go on nothing.
My door bell rang.
"Ms Hunter?" The security guy from downstairs asked me on the other end of the phone. "A Mr Wayne is here to see you."

He found out…

Wayne was standing in front of my door and looked as handsome as ever. He was wearing a navy blue cashmere sweater, his hands in his pockets, not saying anything but looking at me intensely.

I let him in. He walked to the window, standing there for a second still not saying anything.

"So… You're at my business and you don't say hi…."

"I figured you'd be busy."
"But you figured I wasn't too busy for you to trick my receptionist into God knows what and then climb up the fire escape and hide in an elevator with one of the most powerful business men on the planet?"

"How do you..?"
"We have security cameras." He smiled at me.

"Oops." I tried to be cute. He didn't look mad, more concerned.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm about to watch a movie…"
"Cat." He interrupted me his eyes filled with worry. Thank God he didn't know about the rest of my night. He'd be much more worried.

"I was working on a story. I'm sorry."
"A story involving following Xang? Doesn't sound very safe to me."
"Why? He's a respectable business man. You're about to strike a multi-billion deal with him."

His eyes narrowed in on mine. "How did you…?"
"I have my sources. Especially since I obviously can't trust you to give me information on this."

He smiled at me. "Fair enough. So what do you think you have on Xang?"

"Have on him? What do you mean? Is he shady?"

"You tell me."

This was like a battle of the minds. It was as if we both knew the same thing but waited for the other one to say it first.

"Nothing. I just wanted an interview."
"An interview by breaking into a building and following the person?"

"That is journalism Mr Wayne. Only the boring interview subjects actually agree to be interviewed."
"Ouch!"

"Nothing personal."
"I could have you arrested for trespassing, you know." He said smirking at me and walking slowly towards me.
"I could post a story about Wayne Enterprise doing business with a shady banker."

"Shady? What gives you that impression?"

"The fact that you're standing in my living room, worried about me interviewing him."

He was standing inches away from me, his eyes studying my face.
"I guess I'm just worried about you." He drew me closer, his lips touching mine.

"Promise me to be careful."

I nodded.

"What would keep you from working on this story?"

"Are you asking me to not do my job?" I asked flustered.

"No," he was shaking his head. "I'm asking you what you would need to stop getting yourself into trouble over it?"
"Evidence. Proof that he is doing what I think he's doing."

"Ok," Wayne sighed while checking his watch. "Come meet me at Wayne Enterprise in an hour. I can give you what you want."

"So… You DO know?" I asked confused.
He didn't say anything but smiled at me. "Don't be late." He pulled me towards him again in one swift movement, covering my lips with his mouth.


I arrived at Wayne Enterprise on time. I had changed into a black leather skirt, a white silk blouse and my Salvatore Ferragamo cashmere coat in light pink.

This time the blonde receptionist immediately called Wayne and this time, there was no delay in me getting to the third floor.

A young and eager assistant walked me down the hallway into a long room. There was a giant window front, overlooking Gotham, and one long glass desk.
Wayne was standing at the windows looking outside, his hands in his pockets as I entered.

"Mr Wayne, Miss Hunter is here for you. Do you need anything else?"
"That'd be all Jim." He said, still looking out the window.

I walked closer to him and he finally faced me with a gentle smile on his face.

"Hi gorgeous." He said.

"Hi. I'm kind of sad that I didn't get to climb the fire escape this time."

He laughed.

"Have you ever tried it?" I asked, taking advantage of his light mood.

"I have not."
"You're missing out." I continued. He laughed again and then concern wiped over his marble-like features.

"Alright…" He said while sighing. "Back to business." He turned to a folder on the desk. "This is it." He slid the folder towards me.

I grabbed it and started reading.

"It proofs that Xang has the mobs life savings in one bank account, which is tied to the bank the Joker robbed a while ago. I'm working with the cops on this so here is my one request on this."

I looked at him in anticipation.
"We're about to bust him… So I need you to hold off on the story until we do so."

"Got it."

"I have to have your word on this."

"Of course! I want to have the story… Not destroy it!"

"Good." He nodded while staring out the window again.
"I have a question… Why are you thinking about doing business with Xang when you already know all of this?"
"I'm not. I just wanted to get a closer look at his books."

"Clever." I smiled at him.

"I'm not just pretty looks." He said jokingly.

"So… But from what I know about international financing… Xang is in China. He's leaving tomorrow… How is the Gotham P-D arresting him overseas? They have no jurisdiction there."
"Not my deal. I was just helping them get information on Xang."

"The Batman could do it."

His jawline hardened. "Maybe. I don't know what they've got planned."

I didn't believe him.

"Thanks! This is…an amazing story. Can't wait to have the exclusive story on this. But you don't know when it will happen?"
He shook his head. Guess I have to talk to Gordon… He's not my biggest fan.

"That's a beautiful coat." Wayne said suddenly, walking towards me.

"Thanks. That was my birthday present to myself." I still couldn't believe I paid that much money for a coat.
His hand brushed over the soft cashmere of my coat, slowly opening it. His hands slipped underneath it, pulling me towards him, his lips melting on mine.

"I always wanted to use this desk for something else than boring business deals." He said as he was guiding me towards the glass desk.
"Couldn't someone walk in?"

He shook his head while his hand wandered down on me.