Ready or not, here I come. You can't hide. Gonna find you and take it slowly. Ready or not, here I come. You can't hide. Gonna find you, and make you want me

All the way here, that refrain looped in his brain. The snippet was from a song that used to clog the airways all the time. The more the earworm pinged, the more determined Bruce was to see this interference through. She'd see this as his butting in; he was sure she would. But he had to know how she was. Missing her terribly was his relentless taskmaster. Selina never got in touch, telling him where she was. There was a solid reason for that. She didn't want him to know. Didn't want him coming after her. Their paths had crossed. She stay, or, he go with her. They had joined forces for a time. That time had passed. Moving on was for the best.

Selina Kyle told herself that, and lots more.

But, he had arrived, ignoring what he supposed was the 'so not like him' thing to do. So, this was Bludhaven with its bright lights, but not as big a city as Gotham. Crime-ridden too, sadly, with its own insidious brand of vile underworld poisoning whatever it touched.

How could Selina not know? If he wanted to find her, he could. He had the means and methods, which provided what he now possessed. Knowledge of her whereabouts. Where she lived, and a bonus that incited his curiosity. She was earning a living. He knew where. Her bent toward cat burglary had subsided, which pleased him.

It was nearly showtime, half-past ten this moonlit night. Although, the moon competed with the city's artificial illumination. He secured his motorcycle in a park-and-lock a block from Club Rijk Kostelijk, the ritzy, five-star supper club where she worked. No, more accurately, where she performed. She was full of surprises, as he'd come to respect. She was billed as a singer. He champed at the bit, tingling to hear her. Of course, disguised as he was, no one would ever guess he was Gotham's prince of the city. Not with his synthe-prosthetics and makeup distorting the recognizable contours of his handsome face. Lenses made his eyes hazel. A balding wig covered his abundant hair. His fake dark beard looked real. His bespoke, 3-piece suit was a hallmark of impeccable taste.

"This way, sir…"

He followed the shapely blond hostess, feeling excitement and expectation pulse through him. He ordered nothing alcoholic when a waiter appeared. "I'll have club soda with a lime twist."

"Very good, sir. You'll have it immediately."

Bruce iron-controlled his nerves, which strove to override his will. The lanky male waiter appeared again, bearing his sparkling, 'safe' drink. "Thank you." His own voice sounded unlike its usual rumbly whisper. There was anticipation and subtle overtones of eagerness in it. Bruce clutched the chilled glass, brought it to his lips. In mid-sip, he saw the stage go dark. Gulping heavily when he beheld the spotlight encompass the vision wearing a long-length, strapless black patent leather cocktail dress, he smiled broadly.

Selina, the regal vixen ruled, looking sexier than ever. That pink wig gleamed even pinker in the spotlight. She was the only person in the packed room as far as he was concerned. Her ownership of his eyes, wasn't enough. From the moment she parted her glossy lips, and those transcendent notes came forth, Selina owned his ears as well. His mind, his heart, and places farther south.

Putting the torch in torch song, she rendered those final, impassioned lyrics…"Give me, give me, give me, give me what I cry for. You know ya got the brand of kisses that I'd die for. You know you made me love you…" While taking her slight bow, every man, and several women were up on their feet, applauding like there was no tomorrow.

Speculating, Bruce waited. Would she sing another? Another tune that would mainline his heart? He received his answer in less than a minute.

Selina swiftly broke into I'll Stand By You. "Oh, why you look so sad? Tears are in your eyes. Come on and come to me now. Don't be ashamed to cry. Let me see you through. 'Cause I've seen the dark side too...when the night falls on you...don't know what to do...nothin' you confess could make me love you less. I'll stand by you. I'll stand by you. Won't let nobody hurt you... I'll stand by you...

"Hey, what you got to hide? I get angry too. Well I'm a lot like you... When you're standing at the crossroads Don't know which path to choose...let me come along...even if you're wrong. I'll stand by you. I'll stand by you. Won't let nobody hurt you... I'll stand by you...

"And when, when the night falls on you, baby, you're feelin' all alone...you won't be on your own...I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you...won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you...Take me in, into your darkest hour...and I'll never desert you...I'll stand by you..."

When she finished her tender rendition, she forged right on, not waiting for applause.

"Sweet love, yeah. I didn't mean it when I said I didn't love you so. I should've held on tight, I never should have let you go. I didn't know nothing—I was stupid. I was foolish. I was lying to myself…"

Unable to breathe, Bruce choked on his own breath. He knew this song too; it was a real heart-wringer. Selina poured everything she had into the final, telling refrain…"When you left I lost a part of me. It's still so hard to believe. Come back, baby, please 'cause we belong together. Who am I gonna lean on when times get rough? Who's gonna talk to me on the phone till the sun comes up? Who's gonna take your place? There ain't nobody better—oh, baby, baby, we belong together!"

Hold-outs who hadn't taken to their feet the first time were on them now. The crowd went wild. Bruce made the most noise both times. With tears stinging his eyes, he downed the rest of his harmless drink, raced to pay his tab, and fled.

/''\ /''\

On the street where Selina lived, Bruce, comfortably snug in Batman armor, waited. There were majestic elm trees on her block. One particularly broad-trunked tree shielded his bike from view. He liked that she lived in a cozy-looking bungalow with crisp shutters and a little enclosed porch. He'd taken the liberty of 'casing' her place before her arrival. Bars were on all six of the narrow windows. How many cats did she have now? They heard him moving in and out of shadows, and meowed their acknowledgment of his clandestine presence.

"I'm just another of her strays too," Bruce murmured, "but I've come home."

That she lived on the outskirts of Bludhaven, and not in the city itself, comforted him. She didn't just say she could take care of herself; she did so, hammer and tongs. Intelligent, talented, and everything I want. Even so, Bruce couldn't help worrying about the defunct crime boss' daughter. He'd been the biggest boss, who'd owned every inch of Gotham. Except Selina; he'd never owned her.

Speaking of worrying…where was she? He'd forced himself not to follow her. In hindsight, why hadn't he? Was she dating some guy, who worked at the club too? Jealous? Had some loser jumped her? Ignoring the nagging of a particularly pesky inner voice, he came from around her house to catch her pulling into her porte cochere driveway. If she had been jumped, the loser would be sorry.

As she went to unlock her front door, Bruce rapped on the porch's screen door. Not turning around, Selina chuckled. "You took your sweet time to holla at your girl. I thought you'd forgotten about me." She took her time facing around. "Miss me?" Bruce reached for her hand. Selina met his half way. "I'll take this," she said and jiggled their hand holding, "as a 'yes.'"

Still not speaking, he squeezed her hand.

"Cat got your tongue?" Selina tugged on his hand. "Inside. Let's go."

She didn't have to invite him twice. When she illuminated the inset lights in the textured ceiling, Bruce said, "I wasn't sure you wanted me to visit."

"How'd you find me?"

He gave her a look brimming with 'obvious.'

"Silly question." She removed her gray safari jacket with snaps. There was no need for being smug when her luminous eyes lacked mockery. "I've missed you too."

Becoming bold, Bruce drew her to him, cupped her dainty face in his trembly hands. Again, she met him half-way, weighting his gloved wrists with her hands, and poured the same emotion she'd poured into her singing into their kiss. Against his lips, she purred, "That's better. I worry about you too, y'know."

"Selina…" His heart beat mimicked the dynamism of pistons.

"Venge—"

"There's something I need to show you."

"One step at a time, big boy," the crooner teased, pressing her forehead into his.

Bruce blushed under his mask as his entire body warmed. "You should know. Letting you know has been on my mind, and I won't be at peace until you do—because—"

"Because we're in whatever this is together." Solidly on his wavelength, Selina said, "Because you know me. It's only fair I know you. The real you under all this." She knocked on his mask three times. "Hideously scarred or not, unveil. I'm ready. I can take it. Are you really ready?" Bruce nuzzle-kissed her supple cheek and nodded. Crisply, she threw in, "May I?" Already, she had her hands positioned to do the honors. After Bruce nodded again, she carefully removed the vizard, and when she saw who he was, Selina let the mask tumble as she trembled in his powerful arms.

She hissed his name—"Bruce Freakin' W-Wayne! You've gotta be kiddin' me! How crazy is this?"

He gently reminded her, "This white privileged assho-"

She rushed his hand to his mouth, shaking her head. Her firm touch was exhilarating. Bruce's head swam for a moment, all caught up in her.

"I take that back. If I'd known it was you under that mask, I would've left you out. Your dad too. I'm sorry. I dug deeper. Not taking the Riddler's indictments at face value. The psycho's so-called expose is skewed. Your dad battled to make a difference. Like you."

"I'm not easily offended, Sel." Bruce softly continued, "And, he wasn't perfect. Neither am I. He made mistakes. I make them too." Like letting you go... As much as he wanted to tell her that, he kept it to himself.

She laughed with her mouth wide open. "We're all in that club, hon." The black greasepaint staining the skin beneath his mesmeric grayish blue eyes made him even more handsome. She studied him hard with gentle eyes. "This is one brain-buster of a surprise!" She glided her sensuous fingers along the side of his head. I could've stayed with him...why didn't I?

"Did you suspect?" Bruce said, wondering why he asked that.

"Not a clue. I thought maybe you were some do-gooder guy from out of town. Way out, like from Metropolis." He lowered his face, but Selina set her index finger beneath his chin to raise it.

"Disappointed?" he mumbled.

"With you, Army Of One? Nah. Why should I be.?"

"Because I wasn't honest with you."

"Honesty in this topsy-turvy-scurvy life isn't always forthcoming. Thank you for the revelation. I call that honesty in action."

She's thanking me. Not berating me...or, kicking the living crap out of me. "I'm not through."

Puzzled, and looking it, Selina asked, "Not through with what?"

"You," he pointedly replied. He made a determined effort not to mumble his chaotic feelings. He said what was in his heart in a gush. "I'm in love with you, Selina. I wanted to tell you before we parted. I regret I didn't."

"I know. I wanted to tell you I feel the same about you. I wanted to hear you say it first. I needed to hear you say it just the way you did. I'm obsessive like that. And, like you. Single-minded."

"Purposeful." Bruce lightly brushed the pad of his thumb against her lower lip.

"Okay," she conceded, hugging him fiercely in the most feline way. "I know what I want too. You and me rolling together with how we feel."

When he said nothing, Selina kissed him the way she had the first time on the rooftop. She seized him full force, her raw emotion overwhelming. Reluctantly breaking off, she whispered, "You've got my back. I've got yours."

"Hmmm." Words weren't necessary. He enjoyed the non-necessity for speaking any.

"What do you want to do?" Selina asked as the urge to cradle him grew stronger.

"This feels good." He gave her a slow, lopsided grin.

"You bet it does, honey," she agreed. But she had gone too long not working alongside him. "I've got an idea. But...only if you want to."

"What do you have in mind?" Bruce said, tightening the embrace he had her in.

Slowly, she wormed her way free and retrieved his mask, handing it to him. "You're gonna need it." She ran to her bedroom, leaving Bruce dumbfounded. Should he follow? Before he made a move, Selina called, "I'll be right out. It'll only take me a sec to change."

A vision of her in a black, lacy negligee filled his head. He hadn't come here for a tryst, but he couldn't stop thinking about her having her way with him. Before shame colored his thoughts for turning what he felt for her into something purely carnal, Bruce put his mask back on. "I'd deeply enjoy taking you out to dinner. May I?"

"I'd love that fine, uh... What do I call you now?"

"Bruce. You call me Bruce. Please. We're a couple. Right?"

"Okay, Bruuu-ce. Sweetheart."

"Where would you like to dine, Selina?"

"Ooh. Dine. Ooh-la-la." She reappeared, sauntering up to him decked out in her cat suit and mask. "Since you're in town, which is even worse than Gotham when it comes to random street crime, let's beat down trouble where we find it. For old times' sake. It'll be whola-fun." Her collection of stray cats bunted their feet and legs, as she took him by the hand. "Rain check on dinner, okay?"

"Whatever you want. So do I." He squeezed his newly minted girlfriend's hand, recalling how he'd seen her suit up through binoculars that first time, and he'd been thoroughly impressed with her acrobatic prowess. Her beauty awed him. He also made a mental note to upgrade her battle duds. Her gorgeous body needed armor, protecting it, and that flimsy ski mask was a joke. Nothing must mar her precious face. A mask as hard as his was, was in her future. Maybe some brass knuckles gloves too. And just like old times, his seeing her dressed in that skintight cat-wear brought a possessive smile to his face, and fiery gleams to his eyes. What an incredibly tiny waist she had. "This is your tour of duty. Where to first?"

A meeting of their minds moment passed between them. "You'll see. It'll make you feel right at home."

Knowing she was giving him kewpie doll smirks underneath her disguise, Bruce draped his arm around that teeny waist. "And after we have your idea of fun. We'll have mine."

"Which is?"

"You'll have to wait and see," Bruce said, hoping to whet her appetite. With arms locked, they headed out.

"Not even a little hint, baby?"

Chuckling, Bruce succinctly answered, "Nope," popping that 'p' so Selina would give him her best me-oww.

/''\/''\

Bruce told her he had to get back to Gotham. Meeting with auditors was a drag, but he would heed the need to take care of the business he'd inherited if he wanted it to stay solvent. Following their random acts of vigilantism, one especially had been a matter of life or death, Bruce whispered close to Selina's ear, which needed nuzzling, "You have the voice of an angel. Emphatically, when you sing."

The penetrating look on her face was a question.

"I was at the club. You're a showstopper."

Unwittingly, she'd allowed him to peek into her soul. "Y-you were?" Stunned, absorbing another unexpected revelation, she made another questioning face.

"Disguised. I was there for you, and nobody else." Still holding her tight, he assured, "I'm so proud of you."

"Club-crasher." Just as impulsively, she assured, "I'm proud of you too. You're, full of surprises, baby."

"Could I have a private performance? Say at our special place? Our usual time? High above Gotham. Tomorrow night?"

"Sure. I'll be there. I've got the night off." Urgently, she told Bruce, "Hey, if you're hungry, there's a fresh egg salad sandwich in the fridge. You can eat it now, or I'll wrap it up so you can take it on the road."

The only eggs he liked were scrambled. If she had said 'bacon, lettuce and tomato with mayo,' she would've sold it. Grateful, he replied, "No thanks. I'm good." He was running on high octane adrenaline anyway after the criminal loose ends they'd tied up. "I have surprises for you." He was getting better at being coy.

"What? More?" Selina exclaimed. The surprise of his being who he was, added to his showing up out of the blue like this, was over the top enough.

Bruce winked at her saucily before putting his helmet on. He lingered a bit longer before going to his motorcycle.

"What surprises?" she called after him. His signature silence prompted her mischievous smile. "You don't play fair, playboy..."

Playboy... He chuckled deep in his throat. That was a long time ago...

"Dinner at my place tomorrow night," he said. "It's high time Alfred meets you properly. And...I'll shower you with surprises, Sel. All that you richly deserve."

"Alfred?" She reached out to touch his departing form. "Who's Alfred?" Again, silence. "Do you own a dog?" she demanded, upping her volume.

After he rode off, disappearing from sight, Selina slowly shut her front door, already missing him all over again. She decided she liked calling him Playboy, instead of Venge. Leave it to him to have her wanting more.