Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Sorry once again this chapter took me so long. It's been a busy few months. Thanks everyone for favoring the story and writing reviews. Also happy 2016! It's going to be a good year. Here is the next chapter. Hope you guys like it!


I closed my eyes again, sliding down the wall. I just felt like I was getting a grip on my life again and then this happened.

"What does it say?" Sam asked walking in.

"Pregnant….I'm…"I felt my breath hike up. "I'm pregnant."

"Don't freak out. We can figure this out." She said, sitting next to me.

"How? This is a mess. I don't want to get back together with him because I'm pregnant but I also don't want to be a single mom."

"You don't have to keep it."

"I know but this is not a random fling, it's Bruce." I winced at his name. "It's his child. Oh my god…I'm having his child." Tears were running down my face. "I'm so sick of being sad and crying and all this shit. How did my life get this messed up?"

Sam grabbed a box of tissues, handing it to me. "Everything happens for a reason. We just don't know the reason in this moment. In a few years, you're going to look back at this and it's going to seem like a short rocky phase. This is just a bump in the road before things fall back into place and they're going to be even more amazing than before, you'll see. No matter what decision you'll make, it's going to be ok."

I nodded. "And now I have to tell him. I don't even know if I can do it."

"You have time for the decision. Don't rush anything."

"I had a hard enough time thinking about how to tell him that I'm still not sure about us being together and now this…? How do I bring that up in a conversation?"

"You just say it and don't overthink it."

"I feel like I'm drowning and I can't keep myself afloat."I shook my head, wiping tears from my face.


He knew he was drowning himself in work without Alfred having to say it. But the old butler insisted of reminding him.

"You can't drown your sorrow and pain by putting on the mask, Master Wayne." He said.

Bruce didn't say anything, putting on his white dress shirt again.

"Know your limits Master Wayne." Alfred said.

He hardly felt the bruises and cuts on his body anymore. They were a dull pain.

"Batman has no limits." He responded.

"Well, you do sir."

"Can't afford to know 'em."

"I think you know them very well, sir. You simply choose to ignore them."

"What would you have me do? I know something is going on in Gotham. We've been monitoring all these scum bags for weeks. That's not a coincidence. Something is still going on in this city."

"Maybe so. But the reason you're going out every night, fighting harder than the night before… I'm afraid it's not because of Gotham's crime rate."

He didn't respond, knowing that Alfred was right.


I sat at the kitchen table with Sam. She had made breakfast but most smells that I used to love now made me nauseous. I was sitting there, staring at the three items on the table that now seemed to be my life: a key to my new apartment in Gotham, a contract to work as a freelancer at the Gothamite blog and a sonogram.

I had gone to a doctor to confirm that I really was pregnant.

"Congratulations," the female doctor had told me with a smile on her face as she pointed to the tiny dot on the screen.

I just stared at it in complete bewilderment, not comprehending that what I was looking at was Bruce's and my child. I had been hoping the pregnancy tests were wrong.

"Looks like you're about 3 weeks along. I know it's hard to see, at this point it really is just a small cell formation. I'll give you a second."

She left me alone in the room, in my paper hospital gown, sitting on the edge of the chair. A small dot. That's all it was right now.

"Have you heard a single word I just said?" Sam asked me putting her coffee cup down in frustration.

"Sorry. Yes, you said that the guy at work is a complete jerk."

She sighed. "It's going to be fine. You know that right?"

"Yeah. Enough about me. Continue with your story."


"Human trafficking?" Gordon asked confused, looking at the documents he had brought him.

"It's been going on for months." He responded in a rough voice, feeling the cold Gotham air brush against him even in the Kevlar suit.

"Well, you gave me enough to bring these guys in. Thanks." Gordon said.

He just nodded.

Gordon took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes. "I can't shake the feeling that there is something else going on. Something bigger."

"You're not alone."

"Good. Everyone here calls me paranoid. Glad to hear there's someone with the same gut feeling."

"Have you heard anything?"

"No, I'm basing this purely on a hunch. How about you?"

"I gave you everything I know but for some reason it doesn't add up to me. The Chinese are smuggling weapons for big banks and then the Russian mob is involved in human trafficking. But they have nothing to do with one another?"

"You think they're connected?"

"I think that someone wants to keep us pre-occupied so we're not looking at what they're doing."

"A distraction."

"Precisely. I just haven't figured out who is behind it."


The second I got off the airplane the cool Gotham air greeted me and I was not sure if I was ready for this yet.

I had missed this city, but all the pain and chaos of the last few weeks…it had not been wiped away yet. I got in a cab to my new apartment that I had rented through an agency. It wasn't much but for now it would do.
I walked into the empty room, Gotham's city lights sparkling at me, and right then I knew I had to talk to him now. I couldn't prolong this anymore.

I freshened up and grabbed a cab.

"Where to?" The cab driver asked with a heavy accent.

"Wayne Manor."

He looked at me puzzled for a second before starting the journey.

As we were driving the long way to Manor, I was still not sure what I was going to say. I still didn't know what I wanted. All this time and I was as lost as I was when I left Gotham.

We pulled up into the driveway and now my nerves were hitting me. I hadn't seen him in so long, I wasn't even sure if I could handle it. I had missed him so much.

Even the sound of the tires on the gravely rocks made my heart beat loudly. Oh god…what was I doing? What was I going to say?

I paid the cab driver and stepped out the car. As the cab was driving off, I stared at the giant door as if it was the gateway to either heaven or hell. He was both to me.

Just ring the doorbell Catherine. I stood there almost in shock. Maybe he is not here. Just say hi to Alfred and leave. That is not too scary. It's Alfred.

I placed a finger on the doorbell, counting to three in my head.

One, two, three…

The sound of the doorbell sent me into even more of a nervous state. What are you going to say? Why are you here? Hi, by the way I'm pregnant with your child.

I heard steps on the marble floor. Alfred opened the door and the old butler's face lighted up when he saw me.

"Miss Hunter." He said smiling from ear to ear. "It is so very good to see you."

"Thank you Alfred. It's good to see you as well." I said, hugging him.

"Please come in." He said, holding the door open for me. I stepped in and the smell of the place, the decorations… It was a sensory overload. It had been my home for a short time and I even had thought it would be my home for forever.

"Let me get Master Wayne. I'm sure he is very excited to see you."

I smiled and nodded. When he left I took off my trench coat, folding it over my arm. I straightened my tight, navy woolen dress, looking at my brown boots. As if what I was wearing made any difference right now. My mouth felt dry. I hope I'm not throwing up. My morning sickness had gotten a little bit better.

"Catherine." He said softly and his voice almost instantly brought tears to my eyes.

I swallowed hard and placed a smile on my face before I turned around to face him.

He must have just showered. His hair wet, wearing a black t-shirt and black sweatpants, a towel still in his hands. He looked tired, dark circles underneath his eyes. His hazel eyes seemed duller and that flicker of pain seemed to now be a blaze.

I don't know how he did it, but he looked incredibly good. He is the father of my child. I still could not believe it. He is also Batman at night.

He just stood there, his eyes in pain. I realized I still hadn't said anything. He just stared at me, his forehead in wrinkles, a soft smile on his lips.
I should say something. Where do I start? What am I saying?

"You look beautiful." He said, a sad, soft smile on his lips, still not moving.

I bit my lips together nervously, looking at the ground. "Thanks." I said sheepishly.

For crying out loud start talking Cat! But I couldn't. I was searching for ways how to start this convoluted conversation and I was just clueless. Frozen I stood there, staring at the marble floor, as if that would bring answers.

He cleared his throat. "This is it, isn't it?" He asked in a quiet voice.

I looked at him again, his eyes looked shattered and broken. He seemed close to tears.

"I…" He cleared his throat again. "I've been waiting for this moment. I knew it was going to happen."

What is he talking about?

"When I didn't hear from you for all these weeks…. I knew it was going to happen. And I don't blame you. You deserve someone way better than me. I was foolish. Let's face it, I was an idiot. All these weeks, what you said to me, it ran in my head on a loop. It tormented me, but it made one thing clear: I was so terrified of losing you and by me trying to avoid that from happening, I made it happen. So I know why you're here."

I had not expected to hear him say any of this. He thought I was ending it. Now I really needed to speak.

I took a sharp inhale. "That's not why I am here."

His eyes shot up at me.

I cleared my throat. "I'm not quite sure why I am here. But I think we should talk."

He looked at me for a second as if he was calculating whether or not I was telling the truth.

"You wanna sit down?" He asked.

I nodded and he turned sideways, waiting for me to follow him to the living room. I slowly walked toward him, each step of my high-heels on the floor echoing through the hallway.

I was walking next to him, he smelled freshly showered with a hint of his cologne. What am I doing?

We finally reached the couch. I slowly sat down.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" He asked.

"No, I'm good."

He nodded and sat down across from me. His head lowered, he ran a hand over his face.

I took a deep breath. "Ok, here it goes."

He looked up at me.

"First of all, I'm sorry. This has not been fair to you."

"Catherine, you have absolutely nothing to be sorry for…"

"I do, I should have talked to you earlier. I wanted time to think and it turns out after all this time, I'm still lost. That's my problem. I just don't know what to do. I'm so very torn about everything."

He nodded, his jawline hard, wrinkles on his forehead. Just now I noticed the massive wound on his arm.

"What is that from?" I asked, pointing at the wound.

"It's just from a biking accident…" He shook his head. "Sorry, old habit. It's from last night. Looks worse than it is. Guy had a knife I didn't see."

"So, you were fighting a guy and he had a knife…?"

He took a deep breath, clearly not used to talk about that side of him. "I was fighting several guys. I think I counted twelve."

"Twelve?" I yelped.

He nodded.

"Who were they?"

"Chinese mafia's scum. They're not the problem."

"What is the problem?"

"There is a human trafficking ring. I've been trying to figure out who is behind it."

I nodded. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Are we done with the lies?"

"Absolutely. No more lies."

I nodded. "So, how do you know how to fight twelve guys at once."

"I was trained when I was traveling. Learning how to fight is one thing, but learning how to train your mind is another."

"So who thought you?"

"His name was Rhas'al Ghul. He was the leader of the 'League of Shadows'"

"League of what now?"

"It's a group of psychopaths."

"Then why did you train with them?"

"I didn't know it at the time."

I had so many questions. Suddenly I wanted to know everything. I needed to know if he could tell me everything now or if I still felt that distance between us that I had detected from day one.

"Show me." I said.

"Show you what?" He asked.

"All of it."

He shifted nervously in his seat. "What…what do you mean?"

"I mean show me how you prepare at night or whatever. Are you listening to police scanners? Walk me through a regular night."

"Ok…" He scratched his chin. "Um…I guess it depends."

"Step one, how do you open that secret door to the cave or whatever it is you call it?"

"It's the piano."

I stood up and walked toward it. "Any key on the piano?"

"No." He said and stood up, walking up behind me, bringing one arm next to me, almost touching me. "It's this combination." He pressed three sets of keys and then the bookshelf moved aside.

I walked into the elevator, images of last time when I had been in it came back to me.
He seemed incredibly uncomfortable showing this to me. That was the point. If he is too uncomfortable to be who he really is around me then what kind of relationship would we have?

The elevator slowly went down and I could hear the waterfall gushing and bats flying around us.

"Why bats?" I asked.

"Bats frighten me." He responded softly. "I decided it was time my enemies shared my dread."

The elevator arrived at the bottom and he opened the door.

"So, it depends on what is happening that night." He said, his hand on his neck.

I slowly walked around, looking at the computer screens.

"What do these all do?"

"A lot of different things. I'm connected to all security cameras in the city, I have all police chatter on here and I have all databases on here. FBI, CIA, Interpol…" He pressed a few keys and research he had done on several of mob guys popped up on the screens.

"What have you checked on me?" I asked.

He cleared his throat loudly.

"No more lies." I reminded him.

He nodded, looking to the ground. "It was always to guarantee your safety. I have tracked your cellphone before."

"That I know."

"No. I mean I used it as a listening device."

"What do you mean?"

"I needed to know what you knew about me so when you went and had lunch with this banker guy, who told you everything about the Bank of China, I used your cellphone to listen in on that conversation."

I just looked at him in shock.

"I swear I never went through your text messages or anything. I only used it to protect you or I guess in this case me. It was wrong."

"You don't say. So what? Do you know everything I ever told Sam? Or any of my other friends?"

He shook his head. "It's not like that. I've only used it when I needed to know you were safe."
"Anything else?"

"Your necklace." He said, pointing at my favorite necklace I was wearing. "It's a replica. I put a tracer in it. That's how I was able to find you when you were in the hands of the Joker."

That moment when I thought I was about to die on live television rushed back into my head.

"I don't think I have ever thanked you for saving my life. Twice. And for saving Sam."

"And you will never have to."

"No I do. As angry and disappointed it makes me that you tracked my every move…it doesn't outweigh the relief I felt when I saw Batm…when I saw you in that room. I was sure I was going to die. Or when I fell down the skyscraper… What you do is amazing but I just can't wrap my head around how you could keep this from me."

He nodded, biting his lips together.

"Any other way you're spying on me?" I asked.

He shook his head.

"Ok, then what's next? You find out where the bad guys are, where is…the…suit I guess." This felt so strange.

Reluctantly he walked over a little bridge and I followed slowly. He placed his thumb on a reader and out of the ground, the suit appeared in a plastic casing.

"That's it." He said.

Just seeing the suit again made this very real again. He was really Batman.

"Who made it?"

"Lucius."

I looked at him surprised.

"A whole section of Wayne Enterprises is off the books. He builds anything I want for me." He explained.

"That's why nobody was able to figure it out through paper trails."

He nodded.

I carefully ran my hand across the bat symbol on the chest of the suit.

"What's that button you pressed on your cowl last time?"

"It's fingerprint activated. Even if I was unconscious or dead, it guarantees that nobody could find out my identity."

The way he spoke about his own death so casually gave me goosebumps. "Don't say that." I said.

"Say what?"

"How you talk about your own death in such a laissez faire way… Please don't do that."

"Ok." He said, looking closely at me.

"How do you fly?"

"It's the cape. When you put a current through it, it turns into a glider."

Every question I threw at him he answered. That distance was gone. He was bearing it all for the first time.

"Why the voice?" I continued.

"It just happened that way. I feel different when I'm in the mask. More animal than man I suppose. I needed to change my voice so people didn't know it was me. It's a mixture of necessity and chance."

I looked around me, leaning my head back to face the ceiling. Hundreds of bats were staring at me.

"Why are you afraid of bats?"

"I'm not anymore. I faced my fears, made them my own. When I was a young boy, I fell down a dry well. It was painful, I couldn't move my leg. Everything around me was dark and then I heard something and suddenly there were bats flying all around me."

"Then what happened?"

"My dad came down the dry well with a rope and got me out. I was terrified and he said: 'why do we fall Bruce? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up again.'"

I smiled at him. "Your parents seemed wonderful."

"They were. I wish you could have met them." He said, sadness wiping over his already pain-stricken face.

I walked slowly up to him, his eyes following every step I took carefully.
I put my arms around him, resting my face against his chest. Surprised, he slowly wrapped his arms around me, placing a kiss on the top of my head. We just stood there for a second like this, not saying anything.

"I just…" I finally said just above a whisper. "I just don't know yet if I can do this."

He still held me closely in his embrace. "I know."

"What if I can't?"

"Then I'm sure you will find someone else who will make you happier than I ever could. That's all I want for you."

I hadn't even told him I'm pregnant yet. How was I going to bring that up?

"Bruce?" I slowly removed myself from the embrace.

He looked at me concerned.

"There's something else I need to tell you."

"Ok." He said in anticipation.

I took a deep breath. "I'm…" I could feel tears well up. Just say it. "I'm…"
pregnant! Just say it. I'm pregnant. How hard it is to say that one word?

He frowned, his eyes narrowing in on me.

What would his reaction be? Would he be overwhelmed? Would he be excited? Then what would his expectation be? Once I tell him I surely have to keep it otherwise I would break his heart. Who was I kidding, I was going to keep it anyway. But would he expect me to be together with him again? To make it work? If not, what was the alternative? Or would we get together again just because I was pregnant? That was awful as well.

I still hadn't said anything.

"Ok, here is the deal… I'm…"
What is the matter with you? Why can't you say it?

"You're what?" He asked, carefully looking at me as if I was a puzzle he couldn't figure out.

"I'm…I'm sorry."

"For what?"

Yeah, what the hell am I sorry for? Why would I say that? I was clearly not ready to tell him I was pregnant but now I had made him suspicious. I needed to throw him off, make sure he wasn't suspecting anything. What could I tell him? What was convincing.
He kept looking at me puzzled.
Think! What could I be sorry for? What could I have done that could upset him so I would need to apologize?

"Cat?" He asked, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"I'm sorry for being so indecisive and for not talking to you sooner."

He shook his head. "Stop apologizing. I put you in an impossible position. I'm the one who needs to apologize."

Was this really a better alternative than telling him I was pregnant with his child? It clearly wasn't but I was unable to bring the word over my lips.

Suddenly an emotional wave hit me and I wasn't sure if it was everything just crushing down on me or if it was the hormones. Silent tears were running down my face.

Without hesitation he pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly.

"I'm so lost." I said. "I just don't know what to do."

"That's ok. Take all the time you need. Whatever decision you make I will follow."

"I got an apartment in the city. I just need to live on my own for a little bit."

"I understand."

We just stood there for a few seconds again. I couldn't tell if this was a new beginning for us or if this was the talk before the end.

I listened to his heartbeat and felt myself calm down again. Was I able to be without him? Was I able to be with him?

"I should probably go." I said as I finally broke the hug.

He nodded. We started walking to the elevator. He pressed a button and the suit disappeared to wherever it came from.

We stepped inside the elevator and he closed the door of it and we started moving up, the wind from the fast movement blasting through my hair. I stared into his eyes and before I knew what I was doing I kissed him. He was surprised at first but then he pulled me toward him, holding me tightly, his lips burning on mine with urgency. His tongue met mine.

Suddenly, we arrived at the top. We broke the kiss. He still had one hand on my face, the other arm wrapped around my waist. He was staring at me, his breath heavy.

I had missed him so much.

"You can't believe how much self-control it took me not to kiss you this entire time." He said still short of breath.

Smiling at him, I could feel the adrenaline still pumping in me.

Then I realized that I still had not told him about the pregnancy. He noticed the change in my demeanor and kissed me on the forehead.

"There is no pressure." He said as he slowly let go of me. "I want you to make the right decision for you."

I nodded.

He slowly walked me to the exit.

"Alfred is going to drive you home and don't protest, he insisted." He said.

I smiled.

"Do you still want me to keep my distance?" He asked. "Because I will if that's what you want."

I hadn't really thought about how this might work.

"I'm…I don't really know."

"Would it be ok if I texted you?"

I nodded again.

He leaned in to kiss me but stopped just a few inches away from my lips, waiting for permission. I moved my lips to meet his. He kissed me gently, his hand stroking through my hair.

He broke the kiss, keeping his face inches away from me.

"I think your ride is here." He said looking into my eyes.

I nodded and took my coat.

"Here, let me." He said helping me into it.

"Thanks."

He smiled at me softly. "Good night love." He said.

"Good night." I said and left, walking toward Alfred in the Bentley.

Alfred held the door open for me, nodding at me with a smile.
I sat down and looked back at the house where Bruce was still standing in the entrance, watching me.
I gave a quick wave and he did the same and with that Alfred started the engine and we started driving.

"You will have to give me your new address miss." He said.

"What? With all the fancy tools from Fox I assumed you guys would know by now."

He grinned at me through the mirror.

"It's 28th and 2nd." I said. "How have you been Alfred?"

"Oh just fine Miss."

I detected a sadness in his voice.

"You don't sound fine."

"Certainly nothing I need to burden you with."

"No, please tell me."

"I have just been worried about Master Wayne. Some nights I wonder if he plans to come back."

"What do you mean?"

"He doesn't fear death. Not his own at least. He has been able to transform his inner darkness into a force…a force for good. But sometimes I think he wants to fail."


Wearing black sweatpants, he was drying his hair in the bedroom. The emptiness of the room swallowing him whole. He had to keep his head in the game though. He still wasn't able to figure out what the Chinese mafia was up to.

"Master Wayne?" The voice of the old butler interrupted his train of thought.

"Yes Alfred." He turned around, facing Alfred who was smiling at him. "What?" He asked suspicious.

"There's someone at the door for you sir."

It couldn't be.
He just stared at Alfred, unsure of whether he should believe it.

"Go on." Alfred said. "You don't want to make her wait too long. Oh and maybe put some clothes on first, sir." He said gesturing to his naked upper body.

Bruce rolled his eyes at the butler as he quickly grabbed a shirt and threw it on. As he was walking down the hallway, he felt his mouth was dry. For weeks now he had been waiting to at least hear from her. Now she was here. Was she here to officially tell him what he already knew? Was she here to tell him that it was over? His heart sunk. He wasn't ready for that. He had been trying to prepare himself for that possibility for weeks now. But for some reason, it seemed impossible to prepare for.

And then he saw her. She was staring at a painting, her coat wrapped over her arms. The woolen dress hugging her body. All he wanted was to run up to her and wrap her in his arms. But she would probably not want that. That's not why she's here.

"Catherine." He said and she turned around at the mention of her name.

She looked beautiful. Her skin slightly tanned. Their separation certainly looked a lot better on her than on him, that was for sure. He felt like he had aged a lot.
She was just standing there, not saying a word.

"You look beautiful." He added and immediately regretted saying it. She bit her lips nervously, staring on the ground. He made her uncomfortable. He had to tell her that he knew why she was here - rip off the band-aid.

But then she said something he hadn't expected: "That's not why I'm here."
It wasn't? There was still a chance?

Showing her what he did as Batman was nerve wrecking. Aside form Fox, Alfred and Rachel, he had never told anyone. She wanted to know everything and he swore to himself he wouldn't lie to her anymore.
Suddenly she walked up to him and hugged him. Surprised he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly, never wanting to let her go.


The apartment wasn't great. It made me miss my old apartment. It was small and the neighborhood wasn't great. I had to make adjustments for my new, much smaller income.

My first day at the Gothamite was interesting. I walked in, feeling immediately overdressed. It looked like I had walked into Facebook's or Google's headquarters. The room was open with funky art and graffiti everywhere. People were sitting on couches or long tables. Everyone equipped with their Apple computers.

I stood there like someone who was completely out of order for a second before the woman in the glass office noticed me and walked towards me.

"Catherine," she said with a smile on her face. "Welcome to the Gothamite." She extended her hand and shook mine.

"Thanks Andrea."

She had short dark hair and was wearing glasses with black rims. The red lipstick highlighting her features.

"So, let me give you a tour. As you've probably already noticed, it's a little different than the traditional stations or papers. We do things a little differently around here." She said as we were through the large newsroom. "We don't have the room divided up into different departments. You can sit wherever, work with whoever you want to. We believe in fluid teamwork. This is the brainstorm room." She gestured toward a room with a giant white board. "This is were we have our morning meetings. We have the luxury to do a lot more stories than traditional outlets can because we don't have any owners we have to worry about. We're not owned by a big company. It makes things a lot easier."

At the end of the tour we got back to her office. She closed the door behind her and gestured for me to take a seat.

"I'll be honest, I got a lot of blow-back from the team for hiring you."

"Oh?"

"Many question how effective you can be as an investigative journalist now that everyone knows you as Bruce Wayne's fiancé...or former fiancé."

I nodded uncomfortably.

"But here's the thing," she said leaning back in her leather chair. "I don't care what people think and neither should you. I just ask you to be upfront about major developments in your private life. Normally I wouldn't ask that of anyone but with your level of recognition..."

"I get it." I nodded.

"Good." She said getting up and handing me an iPhone and a laptop. "Here you go, this is yours for the time being. I'll expect a great story every day. Don't make me regret the decision to hire you."

"You won't."


I came back home around 10 p.m., falling on my bed. The team seemed fun but also a bit snobbish. I could tell many of them felt I wasn't a real journalist because of my relationships it's Bruce and because I was a TV reporter. Print journalists always looked down on TV reporters.

My phone beeped and with a sigh, I got back up, checking who texted me.

"How was your first day at work?" It was Bruce.

I stared at the message for a few seconds, butterflies forming in my stomach but I had still not forgiven him. Should I respond?

I took a deep breath, as if I was mustering the strength to respond.

"It went well. Feel a little out of place though."

I hit send and saw him typing on the other end immediately.

"I'm sure that feeling will go away."

"Probably."

"Want to go out for dinner tomorrow night after work?"

I swallowed hard, feeling my adrenaline go up instantly. I was excited and nervous at the same time. A date. Was I ready for that? Was that what I wanted?

I called Bruce.

"Hi." He responded and hearing his voice sent immediate butterflies through my system.

"Dinner would be good. Where were you thinking?"

"How about Eleven Madison Park?"

It was one of Gotham's most expensive restaurants.

"Only if you're paying." I joked.

He laughed. "If you insist."

I knew he owned the restaurant and was wondering if that was one reason why he picked it.

"I've never been to Eleven." I said.

"I just thought it would give us the best privacy. I can just book the whole thing so we have no paparazzi or people taking picture."

I appreciated that. Us going on a date again was a big step but I really didn't want it to be plastered all over the papers.

If they saw us together, the papers would say we're back together and whatever else they could come up with. I didn't need that additional pressure.

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea." I responded.

"There is no pressure. It's just dinner."

I snickered. "It's never just dinner with someone like Bruce Wayne."

"Touché. I'm trying to make it as normal as possible."

"By booking the entire restaurant for ourselves..."

He laughed. "It's the best I can do. That's as normal as it gets."

"What's the dress code?"

He laughed again. "Black tie of course."

"Of course. Well, I better see you in a tux tomorrow then."

"Yes ma'am."

"Ok, I gotta go." I said as the cab was pulling up to Binky's.

"Can't wait to see you tomorrow."

I was more split. I was excited to see him but also scared of how I might feel when I saw him. What if I really couldn't get over the betrayal?

"Me too." I finally responded.

"Good night, love." He said.

"Good night."


I had started to pull files on the guys I knew were in the Chinese mafia. Something felt incredibly wrong in this city but I wasn't sure if that feeling was brought on by my hormones. My morning sickness had eased a bit. In addition I felt more exhausted than normal.

"I hope you keep your end of the bargain. Otherwise I'm going to be completely overdressed in a tux tonight." Bruce texted me.

I chuckled. He was really doing this. "Oh don't worry. Planing on arriving in ball gown."

"Good, otherwise you'll pay for dinner."

Sitting at my desk, I laughed at the message. The hipster-looking guy next to me with a full beard, wearing a flannel shirt and glasses, looked up from his computer to me for a second before returning to writing.

I had successfully convinced Bruce that I just take a cab instead of Alfred picking me up.

"I guess it makes it easier to avoid press rumors that way." He said.

I looked for a dress in my boxes. Bruce had sent my clothes to my new address. It was a strange feeling to move officially out of Wayne Manor but for now, it was the best thing.

Finally I found the dress I'd been looking for. It was rose, formfitting and had a layer of paillettes over it, catching and reflecting the light perfectly.

All dressed up and suddenly nervous, I hailed a cab. As we were driving I was wondering if I would get sick at some point? Then he would know I'm pregnant! I should tell him immediately. At the same time I wanted to see where our relationship was going without the added complication of my pregnancy.

I got out of the cab and a guy with a hat and white gloves was standing by the door.

"Good evening Miss Hunter." He said as he opened the door for me.

So much for 'normal'.

I walked up the stairs where two more men were guarding the door, opening it as I arrived.

As I stepped in the massive room, I tried to take it all in. The ceiling were giant glass windows, giving way to the stars. A tree was in the middle of the room, covered in lights. Marble floor stretching out in front of me.

Then I saw him, he was standing next to a table, his hands in the pockets of his perfectly tailored tux.

"You're right," I said as I walked towards him. "Totally normal."

He laughed, taking a few steps, shortening the distance between us until he was a few inches from my face. He placed his hand elegantly on my lower back, guiding me towards him.

"Hi." He said just above a whisper, staring directly in my eyes.

"Hi." I managed to respond, already completely under his spell.

He smiled at me, brushing a hair strand behind my ear. He looked at me for a few seconds before kissing me softly. When his lips met mine, his arm around me pressed me closer to him.

He slowly let me go, moving the chair for me. I took a seat.

"Nice and low key." I said and he laughed.

"It beats the alternative of having pictures of us circulating everywhere."

That it did.
Our waiter walked up to us. "Good evening Miss Hunter, Mr Wayne. What a pleasure to be your server today. Can I get you started with a drink?"

Bruce looked me, waiting to order. In that moment it hit me - if I ordered water he might get suspicious. I stared at him for way too long, trying to make up my mind.

"What's your white wine recommendation?" I finally managed to say.

He gave an eloquent response of different wines and I picked one. Now I just couldn't drink it… I wasn't sure if that was less suspicious than not ordering it.

"I'm glad to finally take you on a first date." Bruce said as the waiter was gone.

"First date? I hope you're not suffering from amnesia." I said jokingly. "Are you forgetting our time in the storage room?"

He laughed. "How could I? I just wish I could have taken you on a real date. But I was too…" He took a deep breath, his smile made room for concerned wrinkles. "…too scared. Of many things. I know Rachel's death was not my fault but not a day goes by where I don't blame myself for it."

I nodded not sure what to respond to this. I hadn't expected him to talk about her. It was the first time he did. Maybe this was a sign of the new Bruce - one that could talk openly to me. No more secrets.

Now, I was the one with the secret. I felt bad but I wanted to give this time before dropping that bomb. Not that long, maybe after this date. It was hard to lie to him.

"Was it hard for you to lie to me?" I suddenly asked.

His eyes shot up at me in surprise. "Yes." He said matter-of-factly. "I was just so convinced it was the best thing for you that not even Alfred could convince me otherwise. And believe me, he tried. I was just too scared."

I nodded, staring on the table.

"Hey," he said, taking my hand from across the table. "Let tonight not be defined by the past. Let's just be two people in a restaurant."

I smiled softly and nodded. Not sure if I could just forget the lies and the betrayal but I guess I was here to find out, so I should at least try.

The first course had been served and it was of course delicious.

"So…how many courses are we having?" I asked confused by all the silverware.

He smiled. "Five."

"Could you not have tried to make this at least a little bit more casual?"

He chuckled, taking a sip of his drink. "I don't do casual very well."
"You don't say."

"You'd be surprised to learn that I was living in poverty for years and did just fine."

"In poverty?"

"I wanted to learn to think like a criminal. So I traveled the world, joining different criminal organizations, spending time in one of the worst Chinese prisons."

I was completely surprised by this. For some reason, it hurt to know he had kept all of this from me and there were so many things about him I still had to learn. This is what I needed to find out - if I could get past the betrayal and be ok learning who Bruce truly was now.

"So, it's either a Chinese prison or a five meal course?" I joked, trying to lighten the mood again.

He laughed. "Like I said, I don't do normal very well. I'm a man of extremes."

When he went to the restroom I saw my moment of opportunity, waving the waiter over.

"This sounds silly but can you exchange my wine for something that looks like wine? Grape juice?"

"Certainly ma'am." He said, taking the glass from me.

"And please no word to Bruce about this."

"Of course not."

When Bruce returned I took a sip of my grape juice.

"How's your Pinot Grigio?" He asked.

"Amazing." I wasn't good at lying and was hoping he wasn't noticing it.

"So," I asked, putting my glass down. "What does Bruce Wayne do on a first date?"

He smiled. "You know, it's been a while since I've been on one."

"What? Womanizer Bruce Wayne?"

"None of those count as first dates. They're…a publicity stunt."

"How about Rachel?"

He cleared his throat. The mention of her name clearly still affecting him. "We grew up together. We sorta fell into dating at some point and then fell out of it. What about you?" He suddenly asked. "Any moves on a first date?"

I smiled. "No. I'm move-less." I said, moving my hair to one said of my neck, immediately feeling his eyes follow my move. "I'll be right back." Excusing myself to the restroom.

As I started walking I said without turning around: "And now you're staring at me."

He laughed. "Guilty as charged. So you do have moves."

I turned around, walking backwards, smiling at him. "Maybe a few." I said shrugging my shoulder innocently as I walked into the restroom.

I still smiled when I stepped in front of the mirror, washing my hands. Suddenly I felt nauseous. Oh no! I felt the color drain from my face. Not now! I braced my hands against the cold, marble counter, trying to breath normally. I grabbed a towel and ran cold water over it before placing it on my neck. I sat down on the floor for a moment, trying to focus on not throwing up. You can't be in here for too long, otherwise it will look suspicious. Hiding a pregnancy wasn't as easy as I had thought. Finally I felt normal again.

When I walked back to the table he got up and took my hand. "I wanna show you something."

We walked up some stairs and walked out on a balcony, overlooking the city.

"Wow, this is amazing." I said, looking at the breath-taking look.

"Isn't it?"

I leaned against the railing, taking in the view, when I felt his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him. I tensed up immediately, not used to his touch anymore and unsure if this was something I wanted or not.
His arms locked around me tightly, he pressed his lips softly against my neck, then he took a deep breath. I slowly relaxed into his embrace. We stood there for a few seconds like that. Neither one of us saying a word.
He slowly moved me around, kissing me. I instinctively placed my hands on his chest, melting against his body. His lips covering mine, his hand on my neck, pulling me closer to him. For a moment, I forgot everything. All the lies, the pregnancy. For a moment, everything seemed simple.

His tongue parted my lips. I wanted to kiss him forever. Was that the answer to the question? Was I ready to be in a relationship with him again?

He broke the kiss, his eyes still fixed on my lips for a few seconds before he looked into my eyes again, his hand running through my hair. He smiled softly at me. He didn't say anything, as if he didn't want to spoil the moment.
Should I tell him about the pregnancy now? No. I wanted another date before that to see if we were really good to get back together. Then I could tell him.

I was still leaning against him, my hands on his crisp shirt, my eyes still captured by his.

In that moment his phone rang, he took a big sigh and apologized as he answered.

"What is it Alfred?" He asked. "Now?" He sighed. "Ok, I'll be there in a few."

He hung up. "I'm so sorry but I have to go."

"Everything ok?" I asked.

"I've been tracking this guy for weeks now and he's finally arriving in Gotham tonight."

"What guy?"

"Chinese mafia."

"Is it Wong? Or Seung?"

He looked at me surprised. "You've done your homework."

"Of course I have."

"It's their boss."

"What? A high-ranking Chinese mobster is coming to Gotham? I knew it!" I said a little too excited. "Something bigger is going down, isn't there?"

"I'm not sure but Cat, you can't report about any of this."

"Why not?"

"Because I am about to pay him a visit and if you're the only one who knows what Batman is doing...it's pretty obvious you're tied in some way to Batman."

"So? I'm not going to reveal who you really are."

"No." He said, grabbing me firmly by my arms. "Cat, I'm hiding my identity so no one knows you're connected to Batman. Please, swear to me you're not going to write about it."

"Fine." I sighed. "I can talk to to Gordon though."

He frowned at me. "I guess. Be careful though. He doesn't know who I am."

"I know."

He nodded, releasing me slowly. "I guess I better go. I'm so sorry to cut this short. What are your plans tomorrow evening?"

I shrugged. "Nothing."

"Ok, I'll text you tomorrow." He said as he placed a brief kiss on my lips.

He was about to leave when I pulled him back, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him again.

I'll let him go. "Be careful." I whispered.

He smiled in response and nodded before buttoning up his blazer and walking out the door.

I looked at the skyline again, scared for my city. A storm was coming, I could feel it.


When I grabbed a cab I asked the driver to drop me at the GPD instead. Way overdressed in my beautiful gown, I marched up the stairs, asking for Gordon.

"I'm on my way home Miss Hunter." He sighed as I walked into his office.

"I'll be brief." I said as I sat down. "I'll tell you what I know and you'll tell me what you know."

"Excuse me?"

"Look, we both know something is going on in this city. We both have a friend in a bat costume. We both care about this city. In order to stop whatever is about to go down here we better share our notes."

He frowned. "I can't share information about ongoing inves..."

"If you dare use that investigation crap on me tonight I swear..."

"Just tell me what you know already."

"A high-ranking Chinese mobster is on his way to Gotham."

"And Batman told you that?"

"Yes. He is about to introduce himself...if you get my drift. Anyway, that's what he knows. Here's what I know. Two of the mobsters have done dealings with bankers in the city."

"Who?"

"This is when you start sharing your notes, commissioner." I said as I leaned back in the chair.

He sighed again, taking off his glasses. "This is all off the record of course."

"Of course."

"There's a human trafficking ring we're following. We're about to bust them but we still need guys we can pin it to."


I hadn't even walked into my apartment yet when I saw an article pop up on my iPhone.

"Spotted: Bruce Wayne's ex-fiancee Catherine Hunter is back in town! She was seen in a gorgeous Monique Lhuillier dress. Hot date Catherine? Friends of the former TV reporter say things between her and multibillionaire Benjamin Sullivan have heated up. "They instantly clicked," one friend of Hunter's said. "

A picture of me and Benjamin, talking on top of the L.A. skyscraper was attached.

How in the world did they get that?

"Or is Miss Hunter back to mend things with Gotham's eccentric billionaire? Maybe one billionaire isn't enough for Miss Hunter anymore?"

I rolled my eyes at the article as I walked into my apartment.


He watched them for a while as they were gathering in the shadow of the darkness. Little did they know the cloak of darkness would not provide them with safety. Not as long as he had air left in his lungs.

They were talking in Chinese and though rusty, his Chinese was still good enough to understand what they were talking about.

"I have a shipment coming in tomorrow," one of the men said.

"Make sure there is no disruption," another one said.

"What about the man in the mask?"

The leader laughed. "Are you superstitious? You have more chances of winning the lottery than running into him."

"I guess it's your lucky day then," he responded in a raspy voice out of the shadows.

The men immediately pulled their guns, searching where he was hiding. In one fast movement he dropped down, knocking out one guy and kicking the gun out of another's hand.

It felt like a trance when he was fighting, his movements happening so quickly, there was no time to think about them. He anticipated the moves from his opponents, out-smarting them. It was about discipline and concentration as well as trusting your gut instinct.

As all of them were laying on the ground, he looked at the last one standing - the leader.

"What you want?" He asked in an accent.

"Who are you supplying? Who are you working for?"

"Work for? No, no. I'm the boss."

He grabbed him by the throat. "Do I look like you can lie to me?"

"Ok, ok. I'm not sure. He's never said name. Just said what to do and when."

"How are you getting in contact with him?"

"He contact me. I don't have way of contacting him."

"Why would you do business with someone you know nothing about?"

"He pay lot of money."

"How much?"

"Over a billion dollars."

A billion? There were only a handful of people who had that kind of cash in Gotham and he was one of them.

After he dropped the mobsters off like a present at the GPD, he went back home.

He just got out of the tumbler, taking off his mask when Alfred walked up to him.

"Good evening sir. How was your date with Miss Hunter?"

He laughed. "That's what you're going to ask me right now?" He asked, shaking his head.

"Well, I'm sure your date with Gotham's scum was rather productive."

He sighed, taking off the gloves and sitting down at the computer. "It was great."

"Are you going to see her again?"

"Are we in high school or something?" He asked irritated.

"If I didn't have to draw the information out of you I wouldn't have to ask you silly questions, sir."

He rolled his eyes. "I hope so. We sort of agreed to get dinner tomorrow again."

"Good." Alfred smiled at him. "See, that wasn't so hard."


Bruce and Gordon gave me enough heads-up that I was the one who broke the story about a high-ranking Chinese mobster in custody.
Gordon gave me an exclusive interview - life was good.

Everyone at work was very impressed.

"So, how did you get that exclusive?" My colleague Marc asked.

I shrugged and smiled. "Beginners luck?"

Bruce had texted me during the day and we agreed to dinner at Wayne Manor. It was easier than trying to hide a date in public and I wasn't ready for publicity yet.

I knew two things - tonight would decide if I could be with him again and second: I had to tell him about the pregnancy tonight.

The nervous wreck that I was, I sat freshly showered in my towel in front of the closet, at loss what to wear. As if what I wore determined how tonight would go. It didn't and I knew that but it was one of the few things I was able to control.

After way too long, I settled for a skin-tight black dress. Simple. We were just going to be at his house, though a mansion, it was still just his house.

Even on the cab-drive over, I was way too nervous. I was nervous about how tonight would go, if I could trust him again and how he'd react to the pregnancy. Just thinking about it made my head spin.

Alfred opened the door and looked once again beyond happy to see me.

"Good evening miss."

"Hi Alfred." I said as I walked in and he took my coat from me.

"Master Wayne is in the living room."

"Thanks Alfred." I nodded, slowly walking down the long hallway.

When I stepped into the living room, he was sitting on the couch. Wearing jeans and a black shirt and no shoes, reading the paper.

The second he noticed me he jumped up, smiling at me.

"Hi." He said as he walked over to me.

"Hi." I responded, feeling nervous like a teenager again.

He pulled me towards him and kissed me. "How was your day at work?" He asked once he let go of me.

"Good. I think they respect me a little more after I pulled that story."

He laughed. "I'm sure. As they should." He gestured toward the couch and I took a seat.

"How did it go…last night…" It felt awkward talking about his 'job'.

He shrugged. "Easy. Mobsters are simple. I know what they're after. The Joker was different. He just wanted chaos. That was his agenda."

"I know. He's not after money. Sometimes I wonder how long he'll stay in prison."

His eyes snapped up at me. "Don't worry about that."

"Oh I don't for my own sake. He doesn't want to kill me. At least not anymore. I'm "too much fun" as he would say. I'm more worried what he would do to this city if he ever got out."

"I will not let that happen."

I smiled at him, instinctively putting my hand on his cheek. "I know."

"Good." He said as he took my hand in his. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

I took a deep breath. I had to tell him about the pregnancy now. "Bruce, I'm just going to say it now…"

In that moment Alfred knocked on the door.

"Sir may I serve dinner." Alfred asked.

"Yes, thank you Alfred." Bruce responded.

I got up, thinking we were going to the dining area, but he pulled me back down on the couch.

"You asked for a normal date, here's me trying." He said as he turned on the TV and clicked on Netflix.

"Netflix and chill?" I asked under laughter.

"I hear that's what the kids do these days." He responded as he pulled me into his arms.

I laughed. "I didn't even know you had a Netflix account."

"Are you kidding? Huge Game of Thrones fan right here." He said pointing at himself.

I laughed again, snuggling up against him again.

"So, what do you feel like watching?" He asked, moving through the options.

I sat back up again. "I just really got to get this off my chest first though. I'm…"

"Dinner is…served I suppose." Alfred said as he walked in with a pizza box.

"Oh my god! You ordered pizza?" I asked surprised.

"I certainly did." Alfred said, visibly uncomfortable with it.

"Has anyone in this house ever ordered pizza?" I asked, taking a slice from the box.

"No, that'd be a first." Bruce said, taking a slice himself. "Alfred has made pizza before."

"I can just imagine the delivery boy's response when his boss told him to deliver a pizza to Wayne Manor."

"I tipped well." Bruce assured me.

Alfred left as we continued laughing on the couch.

"What about a this movie?" I asked. pointing at one of the options.

"Sure." He said as he pulled me closer to him again.

After we settled on something to watch, I mastered the strength to finally tell him truth.

"Bruce?" I cleared my throat, playing nervously with his hand. "There's really no easy way to say this…"

I heard a knock at the door again.

"Is there anything else I can do before I say good night, sir?" Alfred asked.

Maybe this was just a sign that I wasn't supposed to tell him.

"No, thank you Alfred. Have a good night."

"Good night sir. Good to see you here Miss Hunter."

"Good night Alfred." I said, smiling at the old butler.

"Sorry, you were saying? What's not easy to say?"

"That you have a terrible taste in movies." I quickly said, panicking about telling him again.

He laughed and faked being upset. "Fine, you choose a movie then."

I smiled, feeling bad about not being able to get those words over my lips.

We finished the movie, laying on the couch arm in arm.

"Pretty good." He said as he reached for the remote with one arm, holding me tightly with the other.

Before he even could hit pause on the remote, I turned to face him, kissing him.

He quickly dropped the remote and as the credits rolled, our kiss intensified. He pulled me closer to him, his hand holding the back of my head.

He rolled over me, his hand gliding up my leg. I ran my hand through his hair, feeling my body automatically arch against his.

The kiss quickly became more heated. Feeling the stark material of his jeans against my skin, I wrapped my legs around him, pressing him closer to me.

His lips moved to my neck and then he sat up, taking off his shirt, his eyes fixed on mine. His body was covered in bruises, cuts and scars.
I sat up, slowly running my hand over one bad looking cut that seemed rather new. He watched me closely. It was like we were both acknowledging in that moment that I knew his true identity, that I knew where these cuts really came from.

A new start. No more secrets.
He moved my face slowly to face his, looking at me intently for a second before kissing me again passionately, taking off my dress and moving over me again.
For some reason our bodies just clicked, moving against each other with familiarity.
As his hand moved down on me, my hands held on to his back. I broke the kiss, taking a sharp inhale when I felt him inside me.

His head next to mine, I ran my hand through his hair, feeling his hot breath hit my skin. It had only been a month since we had sex last, but for some reason it felt like a lifetime.


I was putting on clothes again and he had his jeans back on. He walked over to me, kissing me again and then smiling at me.

Before I could say anything, he lifted me into his arms.

"What are you doing?" I asked surprised.

"Carrying you upstairs." He said, smiling like a little boy.

Now I knew why he was so strong. For a second I imagined him in his armor. It was like him and Batman were two different people and in some ways they were. When he put on the mask, he was more monster than man. There was little of the sensitive, caring side left when he transformed into Batman.

The man in the mask - he had almost all but vanished right now. I didn't see him in Bruce's eyes. All the anger. It seemed all but gone.

I woke up, feeling so relaxed and at home in his arms. He was still asleep. I quietly got up, putting on one of his shirts and walking downstairs.

I could hear Alfred in the kitchen.

"Morning Alfred." I said walking in.

"Good morning miss. So, Master Wayne tells me you have a secret recipe for pancakes?" He said with a smile.

"Ha! Are you asking me to share my recipe with you?" I asked, crossing my arms, leaning against the counter.

"Oh I would never do that." He smirked at me.

I rolled up my sleeves. "Hand me the flour."


He woke up and immediately felt disappointed when he saw her side of the bed empty.

He sat up, running his hands through his hair. Maybe he had been too late in telling her the truth? Maybe too much had been broken between them.

He checked his phone but she hadn't texted him. It felt like the emptiness was surrounding him instantly.

Reluctantly, he got up, putting on clothes before walking towards the kitchen.
He heard laughter vibrating through the hallway. She was still here!

Slowly walking into the kitchen, he saw her making pancakes and Alfred sitting at the table eating. Both were laughing. Leaning against the doorframe, he watched them with a smile on his lips.

"That's what I said." She said, still laughing as she put another pancake on Alfred's plate.

"Any left for me?" He asked and both looked at him.

She smiled and then nodded. "Plenty. Take a seat."

He walked towards her, leaning in to kiss her. Her lips touched his.

"Good morning." He said, looking into her eyes.

"Morning." She responded.

He took a seat next to Alfred. "Are you taking notes Alfred?"

"Maybe you could learn to cook for yourself every once in a while?"

"That's a no then."

She laughed as she put a plate in front of him.

He took a bite of the pancake. "This is incredible by the way." He said.

"Thanks." She smiled. "It's really simple."

He smiled at her, feeling incredibly happy to have her here again. He hoped this meant she wanted to get back together again.


He was smiling at me like a little boy on Christmas. I knew what he was thinking and I wasn't sure yet if I wanted to get back together again. I wasn't sure if I was ready.

Suddenly the smell of the oil in the frying pan made me nauseous again. I took a deep breath, concentrating on not throwing up.

When I put the dishes in the sink, Alfred jumped up.

"Oh don't worry about the dishes Miss."

"I don't mind, Alfred."

"I insist." He said, taking the plates out of my hands with a smile.

"Thanks."

"No thank you for the delicious pancakes. Master Wayne didn't exaggerate when he told me about them."

"Told you." Bruce said.

Alfred rolled his eyes.

"Well, I should get ready for work." I said and Bruce got up immediately.

He took my hand and we walked upstairs. He looked in thoughts again, wrinkles forming on his forehead.
When we reached his bedroom, I grabbed my dress and got out of his shirt. He just stood there, looking to the ground, still deep in thought.
When I had my dress on again I smiled at him awkwardly.
He returned the smile, walking up to me and tugging my hair behind my ear.

"I had fun last night." He said softly.

I nodded. "Me too."

He was studying my expression closely. I knew I had to tell him soon. This was getting ridiculous.

"Let's have dinner tonight and talk." I said.

His expression shifted, looking more nervous and concerned.

He nodded. "Sure."

"I'll text you." I said.

He nodded again, a soft smile wiping over his face.

I leaned in to kiss him, he wrapped his arms around me instinctively. I felt so at home in his arms - protected from anything around me.


"A Shelly on the phone for you." The guy at work said, transferring the call to me.

"Hi Shelly." I responded once I picked up the phone.

"Hey, so I found what you were looking for."

"Go on."

Shelly worked at the FBI and was my source for background information.

"Not on the phone." She said.

"Meet at the regular spot in 10?"

"See you there."

I sat down at the table in the old diner, ordering two strong coffees for us, wondering nervously what she found.

Shelly walked in. A tall woman in her 30s with chin-long blonde hair tied into a ponytail. She was wearing a dark blue pant suit.

"Good to see you Hunter." She said with a wry smile on her lips.

We had met in college and always stayed in contact since.

"You as well Bogen."

The waitress brought us the coffees.

Shelly sighed. "Tell me there's booze in this."

I smiled. "I wish."

"Before we get into the details, can I get a scoop on the whole handsome billionaire situation?"

I awkwardly laughed, wrapping my hands around the coffee cup. "We're sort of dating again."

"Thank God. When I saw you guys broke up I was devastated. What the hell happened."

I bit my lips together. "I just felt like we rushed things. Things weren't quite right at that time." What kind of a weird answer was that?

Shelly nodded, clearly knowing I wasn't telling the truth. "Anyway." She said, grabbing a folder out of her purse and passed it underneath the table.

I took it and put it immediately in my purse.

Her eyes looked serious and concerned suddenly. "We've been on this guy for a while." She said in a quiet voice. "He's the real deal. Has ties to all mafia rings across the world. Wears a mask. He scares the shit out of me Cat."

"And you think he's on his way here?"

"Not sure what his agenda is. Whatever it is, it ain't good. What's your connection to the guy in the bat costume?"

"You know about that?"

She smiled. "Come on, we know everything."

"Fair enough. I know him…sort of well I guess." If only she knew 'well' meant I slept with the guy and was carrying his child…

"Well, then can you get this to him? I really think he should be on it and my higher ups don't think highly of him."

"You do?"

"Hell yes! He's a badass and while nobody has been able to clean up Gotham, he has done so single-handedly."

I nodded. "I see what I can do."

She checked her expensive-looking watch and took another sip of her coffee. "Good to see you." She said as she got up and left.


I went home to look through the folder at home. I had never heard of this guy but everything in this file sounded terrifying. He was involved in some of the worst crimes across the globe. The latest incident, he was expected to seal a deal to move enriched uranium from Africa. I cold shudder went down my spine just thinking about this guy coming to Gotham.

Not thinking about it much longer, I took the folder and headed out the door. Shelly said this needed the Batman and luckily for me, I knew where to find him. It was a weird feeling going up to Bruce, asking him about something I would have normally asked Batman for.

The cab pulled into the underground parking garage at Wayne Enterprises. I didn't anyone to see me.
I walked in and the receptionist's eyes immediately followed me.

"Good morning Miss Hunter." She said, smiling at me. "Mr Wayne is in a meeting but I'm sure we can get you in." She said and gestured for someone to escort me.

"Thanks." I responded.

A security walked with me, pressing the elevator button for me. He didn't say anything.
The doors opened and we walked down the hallway.

"Mr Wayne is in a meeting." He repeated. "Wait here please, ma'am." He said and gestured towards a seat in the hallway.

"Sure." I said, taking a seat.

Through the large glass windows I could already see Bruce, sitting in the meeting, looking more than bored. He faked interest and did so convincingly. But he couldn't fool me. He was leaning back in the leather chair, looking though papers in front of him, his forehead in wrinkles.
The security guy walked up to him and leaned in and whispered something in his ear. Bruce listened intently, nodded and got up, buttoning his blazer as he walked out of the meeting.

He opened the door and smiled as he saw me. "Thanks for saving me." He said.
I smiled. "You're welcome."

He kissed me. "Wanna grab lunch?" He asked.

"I'm actually here for business."

"Oh?"

I cleared my throat. "Not Enterprises kinda business, if you catch my drift."

His expression grew a shade colder. He nodded. "Let's talk in my office."

He closed the door, standing in the middle of the room, feeling more distant instantly. He was still not comfortable mixing his private life with Batman, I could tell.

"What have you got?" He asked.

"This." I said, handing him the folder. "Are you aware of this guy?"

He opened the folder and looked through it. He walked to the window, facing away from me as he intently read through every paper.
After a few minutes of complete silence he closed the folder and handed it back to me.

"Yes, I've heard of him. Wasn't aware the FBI was looking at him that closely." He said in a cold voice, his eyes not meeting mine.

"My source said this was a case for…for…you."

His eyes shot up at me. "I'll look into it."

"Thanks." I said awkwardly, putting the files back into my bag. "Do you need copies."

He shook his head. "I have access to their server."

"Ah yes. Of course."

We just stood there in uncomfortable silence.

"I'll let you get back to your meeting."

He nodded, not saying anything.

I walked towards the door.

"Are we still good for dinner tonight?" I asked before I left.

He had one hand in his pocket, the other wiping over his mouth. "Yeah." He responded.

"Ok, see you tonight." I said as I walked out.

I made my way out of Enterprises as fast as possible. It wasn't a good sign that he turned ice-cold when I brought up Batman. Was he not able to combine me and his alternative personality? If not, we weren't going to be able to have a normal relationship.

I tried to forget about it for now and concentrate on the man with the uranium. I needed to find out as much about him as possible.


The door behind her shut and he sunk on his chair, feeling defeated. The second she brought up Batman, he felt an emotional wall go up and he had no way to stop it. He had practiced it for so long, now it was hard to interact with her normally when the topic came up.
He took a deep breath before he got up again, calling Alfred.

"I'm on my way and I need you to find as much as you can on our friend with the uranium."

"Certainly sir."

When he got to the batcave, Alfred greeted him with an array of images and pages of information.

"He has good connections." Alfred said as he took a seat. "Mobsters around the world have been dealing with him. So far, he managed to stay on the low."

"Are the rumors of him coming to Gotham true?"

"Hard to say, sir. The FBI and CIA are worried because he has dealt with many mobsters tied to Gotham. They believe he wants to make a stand here, showing them that he is in charge."

"Time to take a closer look. Where is he at now?"

"His last logged location was in South Africa. He's supporting Boko Haram with weapons there."

"Why?"

"Not sure, sir."

"Keep digging. Someone at the FBI apparently thinks the agency is not handling it all that well."


I called all my sources that might have an insight into the mysterious guy but none of them had heard of him.

"Another dead homeless," Marc sighed over his computer. "It's the third this week."

"I know, it's awful." I said.

"It's also strange if you ask me."

"You think someone is killing them?"

"I don't know. Something weird is going on."

I was glad I wasn't the only one with that feeling.

I got a call from Bruce. I stood up, walking outside.

"Hey." He said.

"Hey. Found anything?"

"Yeah, I talk to you about it over dinner."

"Ok."

"Listen, I'm sorry about earlier. It's all still new to me. I'm not good…at sharing that side of me. I'm trying."

"It's ok."

"No it's not. I acted weird and I'm sorry. It's a reflex."

"Don't worry about it."

"Where do you want to have dinner?"

"I don't know. You pick a restaurant."

"Restaurant? As in a public place? You know what that means to the press."

"Fully aware." I responded. I didn't care anymore what they wrote.

"Ok, what time?"

"I'll see you there at 8?"

"Sound good."


It was 7:30 and he was opening the drawer to get a tie. As he was searching for one, he suddenly found the ring box. He'd forgotten he had hidden it there. He slowly wrapped the soft material of the box in his hand and opened it. The diamond ring sparkling at him.

He was hoping it wasn't too late, that he had still a chance to have a future with her and that he hadn't destroyed too much between them.

"Ready Master Wayne?" Alfred interrupted his train of thought.

He snapped the box shut and put it back in the drawer. "Yeah." He responded, hoping the ring would soon be out of his drawer and on her finger again.


Once again I had spent way too much time deciding what to wear and now I was running late. I was brushing over the white, form fitting chiffon dress when my phone rang.

"Hey Sam!" I said as I looked for matching shoes in my closet.

"I haven't heard from you in like a million years. How dare you not update me?"

"I'm so sorry. I meant to. Everything is going pretty well." I said, finally finding the silver high heels I was looking for.

"Have you told him yet?"

I cleared my throat.

"Catherine Victoria Hunter!" She exclaimed.

"I know, I know… I am telling him tonight. I promise I was just waiting to see how we're working out again. I don't want to get back together because…because of that…"

She sighed. "Ok, so tonight?"

"Yes, I swear." I said grabbing my coat, heading out the door.

"How are things between you guys?"

"Good. Great actually. I feel like we're way more honest and open. No more lies, you know?"

"Except for the fact that you haven't told him that you're pregnant yet."

"Emphasis is on yet. I just needed two dates without that whole complication. I'm telling him tonight and I'm also going to tell him that I want to be back together with him."

"Really?" Sam asked surprised.

"Yeah I was worried that I can't trust him anymore but now I feel I can again. I want to move back in. I want to give this another go. I love him."

"Good for you. I know what he did was awful, but I can't stop liking the guy."

I laughed. "You and me both."

She chuckled. "Well…I don't like him like that."

I giggled as I waived over a cab. "Listen, I'm on my way to see Bruce now. I'll call you tomorrow."

"Sounds good. Have fun."

I got in the cab, gave the guy the address and we started driving. I grabbed my lipgloss reapplying it, thinking about how and when I would tell him.

I should tell him first that I want to get back together. Then, I just say it.

I was practicing in my head: "Bruce, I'm pregnant."

Do I need to say it's his? That was obvious, wasn't it? Or should I say: "Bruce, you're going to be a dad."

Should I smile when I say it? Was it going to be good news for him?
My mouth was dry, my heart rate increasing.
Or should I have more of a longer intro into it so it doesn't come out of nowhere. "Remember that night in L.A.? Turns out I'm pregnant."

I was suddenly incredibly nervous.

I could also say: "I've been trying to tell you for a while now and I'm just going to say it now. I'm pregnant."

How would he react? In my mind I saw him either smiling, hugging me and being incredibly happy or in shock, his face frozen, his mouth open, not saying anything.

Nervously I bit my lips, biting off whatever lipgloss I had just applied.

Stop overthinking it!

I tried to think about something else, looking out the window as Gotham's lights were rushing by us. Why were we going over the bridge? That was the opposite way. Was this guy lost?

"Excuse me sir?" I asked, leaning forward.

No response.
Great, now I was going to be really late. I knocked against the plastic divider, trying to get his attention.

"Excuse me? Sir? Hello? We're going in the wrong direction."

Suddenly I had a bad feeling about this. Something was very wrong.

"Hey!" I yelled, banging my hand against the divider but nothing.

My hands shaking, I grabbed my phone but I had no connection. Was this planned? What was going on? I felt myself freaking out.

"Let me out right now!" I demanded, my voice shaking.

In that moment I heard a hissing noise and saw a gas of some sort spread in the back of the car.
I stopped breathing, trying to open the door but it was locked. I laid on the seats, using my feet to try to push the window out but it didn't move. Although I wasn't inhaling it actively, the amount I was absorbing through my skin and eyes was enough for me to start feeling dizzy. Before I knew it, everything turned black.


He was waiting in the restaurant, sitting at a table by himself, wondering what this evening would bring. Would she want to move forward or pull back? Would they be together again or would she tell him that for now, she can't trust him enough?

The other night she kept saying there was something she needed to say. What if it was her ending it? What if she just couldn't get those words over her lips just yet but it was ultimately what she wanted?

"Can I get you anything else to drink Mr Wayne?" The waiter asked.

"No thank you." He replied absently smiling.

Leaning back in his chair, he played with the water glass in one hand.

Time passed by slowly. He kept checking his watch. At first she was ten minutes late, then 15, then 20. Certainly nothing unusual. She probably took forever deciding what to wear. He smiled at the thought of her in her towel in front of her closet. It happened every time when they went out.

He checked his watch again. 30 minutes late. He decided to give her a call. It went straight to voicemail. Maybe she's in the subway and has no connection?

The waiter came by offering him the menu but he declined every time.

The way the waiter asked him seemed like he pitied him. He didn't blame him. Watching a guy by himself waiting for his date… It looked like he had been stood up. What if he had? What if this was her way of ending it?
That wasn't like her though.
He checked his watch again. 45 minutes. He grabbed his phone and called Alfred.

"Can you track her cell phone?" He said quickly, starting to feel worried.

"Certainly sir, just give me one moment." He heard the butler walk to the computer. "I take it she hasn't shown up."

"No and she's not answering her phone either."

"It seems someone is blocking her signal, sir."

He felt ice cold adrenaline rush through his system. He jumped up and threw a hundred dollar bill on the table for their trouble, quickly making his way out of the restaurant.

"I'm on my way back."

"Certainly sir, I'll get everything ready."

He was still hoping there was a simple explanation and she was fine but his gut feeling told him otherwise.


I woke up in what looked like a cellar, water dripping from the ceiling. My head hurt, my mouth felt like full of cotton.

I slowly sat up on the hard and cold stone floor.

"Good morning." Someone said behind me and I quickly stood up and turned around.
The guy in army clothing was not much taller than me, his skin pale.

"Where am I?" I asked, pressing myself against the wall, as far away from the guy as possible.

"Home for now." He said in what sounded like an Eastern European accent.

"Who are you? What do you want from me?"

"Me? I'm nobody." He shrugged. "I don't want anything from you. Person I work for…different story."

"Who do you work for?"

An evil grin spread across his face. "The mercenary. The masked man."

Bane.