A new chapter, and big thanks to swiftbolt99 for helping me out a little with ideas for this chapter because this one was a little tricky.
Chapter 4: On a mission
Selina still has her pouty face on after her previous comment about how this 'copy Bruce' ruined her big announcement so Alfred turns the sound of the TV off and says with tight whisper; "Well, you better tell us everything you know before this kid ruins more!"
The young street girl starts to tell how she overheard a conversation between this boy and some unknown people with disguised voices. How they ordered this kid to announce to the world who he really is in order to get closer to his brother, Bruce Wayne.
"Well, if he shows up at the manor I will definitely ask him to do a DNA test," Bruce snorts as he stands up from behind the table and brings his mug and plate to the sink.
Alfred looks momentarily at Selina who rolls her eyes for Bruce's stupidity. Then the butler looks back over to his young master who's now pre-cleaning the dish. Since he had been away on the streets with Selina the butler hardly had done the dishes because Bruce all the sudden started doing that, when he was not busy with research in the cave.
"Given what Miss Kyle overheard last night, this boy is a serious threat to you, Master Bruce. I'm not really sure why you just can't see it."
"Still, Alfred, I need to know whether he is or isn't my brother," Bruce replies as he dries his hands on a dishcloth.
Selina rolls her eyes again and spits; "What does it matter if he's your brother or not?! He's working with people who want to take your company and put your head on their trophy wall or wherever they like to put their accomplishments."
"Yeah, I know that," Bruce spits back, offended. "But I need to get closer to him to find out for who he's working!"
"Great," Alfred mutters under his breath as he realizes Bruce is still determined to bring himself into danger. There is only one solution for this; "Master Bruce, the last time I threatened you to do this and said I wouldn't do it but, I think this is the perfect moment to change my mind again. I will send you out of town as quickly as possible!"
Alfred heads to the door as announcement the conversation is over but the young billionaire opens his mouth to object. The thing is, Selina is faster and shoots Alfred's plan down. "Yeah, nice idea, Jeeves. Sending Bruce away would only make this 'copy Bruce,' or whatever his name is, corporate coup or whatever you want to call it, easier than pick-pocketing!"
Alfred halts his stride in the doorway and turns around facing the young girl while asking; "well, what do you suggest, you cheeky minx?"
Suddenly the phone in the hallway rings and Bruce sprints off to answer it. He knows his butler won't because he's too occupied with his debate with Selina who now leaps off the kitchen table and says, importantly; "In fact, I was thinking to do this my way! You keep Bruce here while I sharpen my claws and force this little brat to spill every drop of this secret organisation he's working for."
"Or, we call Jim Gordon and-"Alfred grumbles as counter-idea but Selina cuts him off; "Yeah, that worked so well last time, didn't it? Or do I have to remind you that it was me and my bright idea that got Bruce's cute butt out of the asylum? If it was for Jim, he and Bruce would have gone sky-high at the same time this nutty professor exploded the entire building to get rid of all the evidence!"
Alfred opens his mouth to say something but suddenly Bruce returns in the kitchen and steps between them, shouting; "Enough!" Selina and Alfred both break their eyes from one and another to stare at Bruce, agape. Bruce, finally sensing he's got their fully attention; "Now, this is what we will do. I just agreed to meet him in public during a media event."
"WHAT?!" Selina and Alfred both shout in sync, both equally stunned.
"Thomas Wayne Jr. just called and told me how he hands out food to the homeless kids. He wanted to meet me and talk about it during a media event," Bruce explains. Then, noticing his butler and only friend is about to object to that plan, Bruce quickly adds; "I agreed, whether you two like it or not. You two can be present to observe and provide backup if needed."
"Yeah, well, no matter how much I like to agree to your master plan, Bruce," Selina says, sarcastically as she steps toward her friend. "I think there is a minor flaw you left out here. It's easy for your butler to blend in but this kid saw me, remember?"
Bruce strikes his chin and says, thoughtfully; "I think I have a solution for that."
The young billionaire sprints back out the room to set the next plan in motion. Selina sighs exasperated and glances at Alfred before walking out; "Am I the only one who sees that this "double Bruce" is using "original Bruce's" inadvertent help to boost up his own false public image?"
"Yes, well, Miss Kyle, it's either that or this "double Bruce" is trying to use this media event for Master Bruce's downfall," Alfred grumbles as he follows the street teen out into the hallway to find Master Bruce and see what he's up to.
Selina chuckles and says to that; "Maybe we should compare our notes of the vibes we pick up on this "double Bruce" when "original Bruce" isn't around. After that we can make proper plans on how to knock sense into "original Bruce's" thick skull."
"Or how to get rid of this "double Bruce" asap!" Alfred smirks.
Selina suddenly turns around to that and says as she claws her fingers; "Permission to claw his eyes out?!"
"If that makes him leave with Master Bruce still in one piece, permission granted!" They both turn around with a frown as they see Bruce running down the stairs, carrying a pile of clothes. A few minutes later Selina finds herself with Bruce in front of a large mirror.
Angrily she stares at her own reflection wearing a black hoodie and hat with the team logo of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Selina scowls displeased into the mirror at Bruce and grumbles; "Really? This is your plan?"
Bruce smiles sheepishly and even Alfred has troubles to hide a laugh. "Sorry Selina, this is the only disguise I have. Anyway, after the media event, we will meet back here in the study to go over whatever vibes we picked up from him and our next plans of actions."
"Yeah, you already know what kind of vibes I picked up from him, don't you?" Selina snarls angrily as she glances one more time at her reflection in the mirror. "I mean, if it wasn't for George to come home in time, I don't know what he would have done!"
Bruce opens his mouth to say something but Selina cuts him off; "You know what, never mind! I'll be seeing you and your dutiful butler by your side at the media event." And with that said, the young girl heads out on the mission.
Selina stands in a big crowd of onlookers who are pushing and shoving the person in front of them to catch a glimpse of Bruce Wayne and his twin brother's meeting. Selina mutters under her breath because she happens to stand behind a very tall person that's blocking most of her view on her friend.
Bruce glances at the crowd momentarily to see if Selina is where she promised she would be. Alfred clears his throat shortly as signal to Bruce to put his focus on his own task and not on Selina's. The young billionaire quickly jerks his head away from the crowd and walks up to the young boy that comes up to meet him. It's like he's staring in a mirror.
"I'm so happy you agreed to this meeting, Bruce Wayne." The boy holds his hand out to Bruce who stares at it shortly and then shakes it, firmly.
"Yes, well, it's not every day you hear you have a twin brother," Bruce replies with a fake smile and then points at Alfred who never left his side; "I want you to meet my guardian, Alfred Pennyworth."
As "double Bruce" and Alfred shake hands, Selina still tries to propel herself forward through the crowd until she's standing securely hidden in the crowd, still, while having her gaze onto Bruce and this "double Bruce".
The news cameras keep poking and the news reporter asks something what Bruce replies with; "It feels weird to have a brother all the sudden but I want to welcome him to Gotham City and I want to applaud him on his amazing effort to assist the less fortunate citizens of this city. I really wish there were more model citizens like him!"
The onlookers as well as the reports give "double Bruce" a big random applause who smiles shyly and says; "Thank you so much, Bruce. I do the best I can because it hurts my heart to see that there are children of my age who are hungry and go into crime to survive," Thomas Jr. says and even his voice breaks a little.
Selina almost gags to that and wonders how it seems so easy for Bruce not to gag as well. That boy surely did some training on appearance the past few months. She was surprised to see Bruce act so cold when they tricked Silver but that he also could keep smiling and pretending he bought everything double Bruce told him.
Double Bruce, aka Thomas Jr. keeps telling more and more about his adventures on the streets and handing out food to the sick children and homeless children, Selina had to fight the urge to jump out the crowd and scratch that little two face idiot's eyes out.
Then Thomas Jr. asks Bruce if he wants to join him on his next food hand out but Bruce says politely; "Thanks for the offer but maybe next time. It's just that I have an urgent meeting to attend with some shareholders but I will definitely stay in touch."
Thomas Jr. nods understandably and shakes Bruce's and Alfred's hand once more before they head to the car. Selina creeps back into the crowd and then disappears into a nearby alleyway, unaware someone had been watching the entire media event from a rooftop across the road.
"So, where is Bruce hanging out?" Selina stomps through the patio doors inside and finds Alfred dusting the study. She had been running the entire way to the manor and now flops exhausted onto the couch and pulls her feet up onto the coffee table.
Alfred scowls as he stares at her feet but instead of demanding her to take them off he replies; "Master Bruce is taking a shower. I'm sure he will be here soon."
"That's great because I can't stay long. My next plan is to keep an eye on this "double Bruce" while he hands out food." Selina looks around the room and notices the big mirror in the corner which reminds her to take off her disguise. She drops the hoodie and the hat onto the floor, promptly.
"Yes, well, we better wait on what Master Bruce thinks of that," Alfred grumbles as he picks up the clothing's and starts folding them.
Selina moves her feet off the table and jumps up and says as she walks at the door; "Yeah, let's do that. My guess is that Bruce will volunteer himself for that job." The young girl disappears into the hallway and the butler quickly rushes after her to make sure she won't disturb Bruce during his shower. Instead of walking up the stairs she heads into the kitchen.
"I mean, you have to admit Bruce is eager to put himself into danger these days." Selina pokes her head into the fridge.
Alfred rolls his eyes and wraps his arm around her waist to drag her away. Then, he directs her to the table and says; "If Master Bruce decides to venture out on the streets again, I'll be sure to lock every door and window to keep him inside.
"Yeah, because that worked so well with Silver, didn't it?" Selina says with a smug on her face as she sits down onto the kitchen table. "I mean, if I didn't hide behind the curtains to stop him-
Alfred sighs exasperated as he places the kitchen knife back on the bench as snarls; "Yeah, next time if you and Master Bruce plan to trick someone, do notify me so I won't waltz into someone's apartment and fight off a crazy whip-happy woman!"
"I wish I was there to see it," Selina replies with a cheeky grin and then stabs with her knife into an apple from the fruit bowl on the kitchen table before slicing pieces off to eat it. "I have a better idea to keep Bruce inside.
"Oh yeah, and what's that?" Alfred asks with an exasperated sigh and continues slicing lettuce for the sandwiches.
Selina chews on a slice of apple in the corner of her mouth as she replies; "We can give Bruce some homework to do in his bat-cave."
Alfred turns his face at the grinning girl on the table. "His what?"
"Bat-cave! I mean, it's full of bats, didn't you notice that? That's why I call it a bat-cave."
Alfred returns his eyes with an eye roll back to the quick dinner he was preparing, and Bruce returns from his shower at the same time. His face starts to gloat when he sees Selina already arrived. Selina smiles back. Then Bruce clears his throat awkwardly and beckons Selina to follow him.
Selina frowns and leaps off the table, following Bruce into the study where Bruce finally turns around to face her. The young billionaire swallows and lowers his voice to a whisper as he asks; "Selina, I've been thinking to come with you, back to the streets."
The young girl frowns, flops onto the couch were she starts eyeing Bruce up and down as she chews on the inside of her mouth. She knew Bruce would come with something like that. She just said it to Alfred minutes ago. Alfred would go bonkers if he'd find out she agreed to it. Not that she didn't want him to come.
But then again, if she'd agreed one day Bruce would make up his mind again. He'd did it last time by being all vague and left her heartbroken. That night in her hideout, when she was looking at Bruce's little patch work on her jacket sleeve, she promised herself she wouldn't let any boy make her feel like that ever again.
"Look, I know I left you in the dark after last time but that was because I wanted to keep you save," Bruce says after a short pause of no reaction from his friend. He also saw in her eyes it was the reason of her silence. "But this time it will be different. It's easier for me to get access to this supposedly brother of mine if I see his real actions on the streets. I know he'd asked me to come with him, and I will, but I think his behaviour will be different when I'm around."
Selina sighs and sits back on the couch, spreading her arms sideways out onto the back of the couch, saying; "I'm glad you picked up the red flags. I was a little worried he sucked you in his nonsense stories."
Bruce sits down onto the coffee table, in front of Selina and frowns; "Of course I did. I'm not stupid, Selina. I learned my lesson after Silver."
"I didn't say you're stupid," Selina spits back, a little too angry. Bruce drops his eyes to the floor and Selina feels slight guilty about her reaction. She quickly sends a half-smile to her friend and says; "Look, I'm just relieved you did pick up those red flags as well. I mean, he did seem way too eager to put himself into the spotlight. He never let you do the talking."
Bruce looks up from the floor and meets Selina's eyes as he moves slightly toward her; "So, you are agreeing with me I have to get back to the streets so we can monitor his tracks?"
Selina opens her mouth to react but suddenly hears the slight movement in the hallway near the door. Obviously Alfred had left his cooking to eaves drop on them. It made her realize how much Bruce means to him and she also knows what the butler wants her to say, even though her heart tells her mouth to say something else.
"Look Bruce, I know where you getting at because nobody in Gotham goes around committing random acts of kindness just because. I mean, instead of going to a media outlet directly, he chose to call up you first which also makes me wonder why? But still, that doesn't mean you have to leave Wayne Manor and live with me on the streets again."
Bruce's eyes drop to the floor, sadly. He had been so sure she would agree for him to come with her. Now there weren't any secrets between them anymore he thought, well he thought it could be like before the secrets. Before everything went awkward again.
Alfred, still standing outside in the hallway realizes it might be a perfect moment to step in and knocks at the door frame before entering, announcing dinner is ready. Bruce immediately sprung up from the coffee table as if he's caught in a crime.
"Thanks, Alfred," Bruce says after swallowing awkwardly. Then he clears his throat and says much more mature again; "We will be eating in the study, if you don't mind."
Alfred cracks a half-smile and says; "Very well, Master Bruce. I will bring it in here then, shall I?" Alfred turns back through the door, regally and strolls to the kitchen to get the sandwiches.
A few hours later the both of them agree that it's better for Bruce to stay at Wayne Manor for the time being, but Selina had to promise him that she would step up her spying efforts and try to record all of "double Bruce's" conversations, public and in private.
Selina wasn't sure if she could get hold on conversations like that but she always loved a challenge, so she grins; "Sure, Bruce. But before I leave I want my jacket back because there is no way I'm going around the city dressed as a pirates fan, or any other sports fan for that matter."
Bruce chuckles and orders Alfred to get Selina's regular clothes from his bedroom.
So, what do you think so far? Let me know by reviews, I really like to read what you think of it. Also, I'm sorry for the little grammar or spelling mistakes, if you find any you can let me know through pm and I fix them:D
Also, I need some advice. Do you think it would be great for Bruce/Selina to have some romance mixed with their mission? And with romance I mean normal teen stuff so not rated M. I'm legal aged and it's a little freaky if I start writing M stuff between teens, if you get what I mean. Not that I judge other people who are mature and write stuff like that between teens, I just don't feel comfortable writing it XD Anyway, this chapter Bruce mentioned to get back to the streets with Selina, so my question is if you guys are interested reading stuff where Bruce is back on the streets with Selina?
Review your thoughts, favs/follows are welcome as well. If there is an error in characters behavior, please let me know. I really need help on keeping some characters in-character, or maybe not and I'm just insecure, idk.
I will try to send the next chapter sooner than I updated this one:D
