Chapter 18
Twenty minutes before reaching their destination, Bruce opened his eyes.
Selina was curled up in the seat across from him, dozing lightly. She knew. She knew who he was.
"Bruce."
The way she'd said his name had sent cold waves of electricity through his body, a mix of excitement and terror. How? How did she figure it out? Like all things Selina, he was certain he couldn't begin to guess.
It was dangerous for an adversary to know his secret identity. She could expose him to rouges far more deadly than she - and once it was known that Bruce Wayne was Batman, it wouldn't take much to connect Dick, Tim, and even Barbara to their various alter egos.
Foolish as it was, he didn't believe she'd give up his identity. How reckless to believe she was trustworthy with no evidence. He couldn't believe she'd ever sell him out. He didn't want to believe.
His name on her lips had rubbed him raw and left him as sensitive as an exposed nerve. It also excited him, left his body prone and ready like before a battle or sex. He liked her. A lot. He liked her cunning mind and her willingness to do what it took to get the job done. He liked her humor, her intelligence, and the saucy sexuality that she wore with no shame or self-consciousness. Yes, she was beautiful and he wanted to take her to bed - but along with all of that he actually liked her. Selina hit every one of his buttons and made his heart pound. Now that she knew who he was, maybe...
He was being foolish. There was nothing else outside of Justice. He wasn't allowed to hope for more.
"Selina," he said, more gruffly than he'd intended, his hand lightly shaking her shoulder. "It's time."
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Mount Kazbek, the third highest mountain in the Caucasus mountains, loomed above the dark countryside.
"On three!" Batman cried above the roar of wind whipping through the rapidly-moving aircraft. "One, two-"
Catwoman grinned and leapt from the plane.
"Three," he mumbled, jumping into the cold night air.
Once they were clear, Jordan accelerated and flew the Javelin out of sight in mere seconds. They fell through the silent night, nothing but stars and the moon lighting the mountains.
Cold wind poured past her face as she closed her eyes, allowing whatever she was feeling rush through her, accelerate through her body, and leave her breathless. Over the last few days, she found herself liking Batman. Or Bruce. Whatever. She liked him. Wanting him was one thing, that could be chalked up to lust. But liking him? Liking the way he smirked instead of smiled, liking the gentle tone in his voice when he teased her, liking his wit, his intelligence? That was more than lust, more than sex, more than desire. It was dangerous. It scared her. And Selina Kyle didn't scare easily.
Was there something more for them than the easy partnership they'd developed over the past few days? Could there be more?
She opened her eyes. There couldn't be more for them. Eventually this mission would be over and she'd have to move on to the next score, the next shiny item in need of a new home. He would continue in his self-imposed solitary quest for justice. They'd never be on that rooftop again, panting in the rain, half-crazed with desire and need. Their moment had passed. It was for the best. It meant she was right to leave Gotham. And when all this was over, it would make it that much easier for her to steal the real ruby like she'd originally planned.
He gave her the thumbs up and they pulled their rip cords in tandem, their parachutes blending in to the night sky as they drifted. Landing in a small clearing, they gathered their chutes and ran for cover. The rocky ground hadn't been covered in snow yet, they wouldn't have to worry about their footprints until they got higher up the mountain.
"You ok?" he asked quietly when they were safely under the trees.
"Better than last time," she quipped, flashing a million dollar smile his way. She'd deal with her feelings later, she'd berate herself for feeling anything in the first place. She'd do it somewhere far away from him. Right now they had a job to do.
"Five hours until dawn. Let's move." They shouldered their packs and began the long climb up the mountain.
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They walked in silence for hours, the natural sounds of the mountain their soundtrack. There was no stopping for rest, no talking, just a single-minded plod forward. They communicated through hand signals and slight turns of the head. They hadn't discussed this system before jumping from the plane, they just did it. It came naturally. They were on the same page without even trying. Once again the ease with which they worked fascinated him.
The night sky was taking on the telltale purplish tint of dawn as they reached the lip of a large gorge. Standing on that gorge as dawn began painting the sky was like standing on the edge of the world.
According to his gauntlet computer, they were 750 feet above their target - the legendary Betlemi Cave. Legend said the cave was home to everything from ancient gods to biblical relics. Some even said the cave housed a spring that gave any who bathed in its waters eternal life. If his hunch was correct, Ra's would be in or near the cave. Hopefully so would the biotoxin.
The plan was to come at the cave from the top, giving them ground advantage and a place to survey the scene. Dropping to their bellies, they crawled like soldiers toward the edge of the cliff. Once there, she pointed across the gorge.
The facade of a massive castle had been engraved into the rock face, complete with walkways, columns and window-like openings. The grand carving showcased ancient Western techniques with traditional Eastern aesthetics, a true monument to the ancient trade route that wound through these mountains. A dozen men clad in black keikogis and matching face masks patrolled the rocks and guarded the main entrance, assault weapons in their hands. This was going to be harder than he thought.
"We need to find somewhere to set up surveillance," he whispered in her ear. She tensed, almost as if she suppressed a shiver. He looked around on their side of the gorge. The cliff face was peppered with caves and indents. He saw one that was half hidden behind a straggly tree stubbornly growing out of the sheer rock. Dawn was quickly approaching. They'd have to get into the smaller cave before the sun came up or they'd be spotted. He gestured toward the cave with his chin and she nodded, dropping her pack to the ground to search for the rope.
They tied themselves together at the waist, allowing for plenty of room between them for movement. Concerned that the sound of his grapple would alert Ra's men to their presence, he swung a clawed climbing anchor in several tight circles before letting it fly. It latched securely into the rock face. He gave it a few tugs before pulling himself toward the cave. Pebbles clattered down the side of the mountain as he dislodged them with his boots. He glanced at Catwoman - she was braced and gripping the rope in case he slipped. After pulling himself into the cave, she followed; more agile and quicker in her climb than he could ever hope to be.
The cave was wider at the bottom than the top, much like a beaker. The wider bottom allowed room to sit and lie relatively comfortably. Lying on their bellies, their shoulders gently touching, they watched the castle.
"We'll move at dusk. Until then, surveillance. You should get some rest."
"What about you?" she asked, speaking for the first time since they started their climb.
"I'm fine." He was lying.
"We'll do shifts. You take the first watch, I'll take the second," she said, stifling a yawn. She positioned her pack under her head. "Wake me if anything happens."
He didn't realize she'd fallen asleep so quickly until she curled against him, shivering slightly even through the thick parka Alfred had thoughtfully provided before they left Gotham. Also clad in a parka, he'd kept his cape in his pack. He pulled it out and spread it over her slumbering form. He brushed her cheek lightly with his index finger before turning back to the castle, his eyes pressed against his binoculars.