This story takes place three weeks after 'The Babysitter's Club.'

Everything except original thoughts belong to DC.

GOTHAM

WAYNE MANOR

DAY

It was a beautiful Saturday morning when Damian slipped into the kitchen to find Selina finishing a light breakfast. Helena was gone to spend time with Grayson and Gordon at the park while his father had left to go the Wayne Enterprises to meet with Lucius Fox.

He stood just inside the door studying her as she sat sipping from her mug. It would be Pennyworth's secret recipe for hot chocolate since she was at home and not in either of her public personas – Selina Kyle, businesswoman and philanthropist or Selina Wayne, wife of billionaire Bruce Wayne. The woman was a chocolate fiend. The family joked that for the right amount of chocolate she would cheerfully give up the Justice League, Gotham, and the planet but never the family.

Looking at the quiet woman dressed in jeans and a t-shirt with her dark hair scooped in a ponytail no one would ever guess she was one of the most dangerous women on the planet either. That she dressed in Kevlar and armour to race across rooftops and fly through the night with her husband. That she had helped to save the world on more than one occasion as Catwoman.

No. Right now she looked to be what her favourite role, mother of six, was which was who Damian needed her to be at the moment.

Damian had thought about Colin's suggestion at some length. Bringing in a dog for Helena should fix the situation with Titus. His sister would embrace a new dog with no issues. She loved all animals. Titus would likely not feel the same. He was territorial and this was his home. There was no predicting how things would go.

"Are you going to stand there and watch me all morning, Sunduq?" Selina swiped at her tablet. "Or do you have something to say?"

"I wanted to speak to you about Helena." Damian moved to sit next to her. "Or rather a gift I wish to procure for her."

"This is a gift you aren't a 100% sure that your father will agree to so you think it would be wise to have me on your side." Selina's lips twitched upward as she looked at him.

"Not entirely…..untrue." Damian's lips twitched as well. "I do believe that I can get Father to agree. It would certainly be easier with you on my side. In this particular instance it is also an area in which you have more expertise." Damian drew in a breath. "I wish to get Helena her own dog."

Selina blinked at him several times and then started to laugh. Damian started to rise from his seat but she grabbed his arm shaking her head. He settled back into place. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. You're jealous. It's cute, Dami. Titus is spending a lot of time with Helena, isn't he?"

"It is not funny. He listens to her more than me." Damian scowled. "Besides, she handles Titus quite well. She could handle her own dog equally as well."

"Dami, she's home with him all day while you're in school. She's here with him while you're gone on missions. It's not surprising they formed a bond. A new dog may not change that very much. She'll just have two of them in her thrall."

"You are saying I neglect him." Damian looked away.

"No. I'm not." Selina's voice was gentle. "She's also got the touch, the way with animals. He's powerless to resist her."

"She gets that from you." Damian looked back at her.

"Maybe, maybe not, I'm not the only one in this house with it. Titus, Alfred, Batcow, do you think that all happened by accident?" Selina tapped Damian on the chest. "She gets half her blood from your side. You forget that, Sunduq, far too often."

Damian flushed and looked down. Selina glanced at her watch and stood, draining her cup of hot chocolate.

"Do you have time to go somewhere with me right now?" She asked.

"Right now?" Damian's head snapped up.

"No time like the present."

GOTHAM

TAILS OF HOPE SANCTUARY

MORNING

Tails of Hope Sanctuary was a large, spacious building on the outskirts of Gotham. It was run by the Kyle Foundation and was different from most shelters. The building itself was over 100,000 square feet of converted industrial space. It contained offices, medical space, meet and greet rooms for potential adopters, and storage space.

The dogs were not kept in kennels but had spacious runs that had a bed, blanket, and toys for when they were not taking advantage of the indoor playrooms or the large outdoor play areas. Most dogs stayed alone in their runs but bonded pairs could be kept together.

The cats had condos that contained comfy beds, litter boxes, and toys with windows overlooking the outdoor play areas. There were indoor play areas with climbing areas and access to outdoor catios.

Selina and Damian stood in front of one of the larger dog runs looking at a large German Shepherd.

"His name is Ace." Selina told Damian. "He's 18 months old. He was being trained as a military K9 and it was determined that he wasn't going to quite cut it long term. His trainer sent him to live here in Gotham. The woman who took him got sick but before she passed she made arrangements for us to take Ace."

"Not suitable for battle long term but he has training?" Damian watched the dog who was watching them with his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.

"Yes, I know all of his commands but he's a sweetheart. He won't be a problem." Two pairs of emerald eyes met. "It could also be to our advantage. I've been considering Ace for our family since he was first brought here."

"What stopped you?" Damian looked back at the dog. "Do not tell me you thought you could not convince Father."

A flicker of movement in the back of the run caught Damian's eye. A large cat sauntered out to sit next to Ace. He stared at Damian arrogantly.

"Ace comes as a package deal." Selina gestured at the cat. "This is Court. He's a Maine Coon. Most of them are highly affectionate. We were told that Court was badly abused for the first couple of years of his life. He and Ace are highly bonded. We have to keep them in the run together."

"So Court doesn't like people." Damian was admiring the cat. His head was massive with large tufted ears. A large ruff similar to a lion's sat around his shoulders and down his chest. His paws were large with tufts of fur between his toes. Silky tabby fur striped with black set off intelligent green eyes that watched Damian closely.

"Not exactly. Court loves women, adores children." Selina hesitated. "Court tolerates some men and actively dislikes, even hates, others."

Damian looked at Selina startled. She sighed.

"Now you understand my reluctance to bring them home. I believe that we might be their best chance though."

"He's going to hate Father." Damian declared solemnly.

EPILOGUE

WAYNE MANOR

BRUCE WAYNE'S MANOR

Clark entered Bruce's study and blinked at the large furry statue of a cat on the end of the antique desk. At least, he was sure it was a statue as he stared at it for several long seconds. Then the large head turned and green eyes stared steadily back at him.

"Don't make eye contact. He objects to that." Bruce spoke drily.

"Oh." Clark hurriedly dropped his eyes. He walked toward the desk. "You got a cat?"

"I think we're both aware that I 'have' as much Cat as I can possibly handle." Bruce smirked at Clark. "Court is Helena's. He came with her dog."

"He came with her dog? I'm not sure I want to know." Clark reached out to pet Court but pulled his hand back quickly as teeth parted in a silent snarl and claws flashed out. Court's claws wouldn't have broken Clark's impenetrable skin but likely would have shattered on impact taking several bones along with them.

"I should warn you he doesn't like most men either." Bruce reached over to scratch Court's massive head. The cat relaxed and pushed his skull into the large, massaging fingers.

Clark watched them both warily. "Ah, right."

Court is based on a Maine Coon that I had for a large part of my adult life. He had a massive personality, was Casanova in a fur coat, adored kids, and had a limited of number of men that he tolerated. There were a very select few men that he absolutely loved. He lived almost to his twenty-second birthday and didn't slow down until right at the end. Nothing, and no one, scared him. I got out of an abusive relationship with him by my side. I also got into the fabulous one I have now with him by my side.

We actually did joke that he would have loved Batman/Bruce Wayne because he could be just as contrary and stubborn as the Bat. The Boy Scout? Not so much.

I miss my boy terribly. I hope Helena has fun with her version.