Chapter 24
She was still naked when he exited the bathroom. She was on her belly, her upper body propped up by her elbows and her long legs bent at the knees, feet crossed in the air. She stared out the window, the first purple rays of dawn falling across her cheeks. His breath caught in his throat as he watched her. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. He memorized the curves of her body, praying to a god he didn't believe in that when his time came this is one of the moments that flashed before his eyes.
Kneeling naked on the bed, he kneaded her ass in his hands and pressed his lips to the small of her back before lying beside her.
"Hello lover," she said, rolling onto her side to face him.
"Hi," he answered before kissing her again. They gazed at each other for a moment, caught in the afterglow of their lovemaking.
"I trust our mutual friend received my gift?"
"He did," he said. "I hear you're back in Gotham for good."
"Rumors," she said playfully, rolling away from him to look out the window again. He spooned into her, his chest against her back, and propped himself up on his elbow.
"Purchasing the penthouse of a renovated brownstone - tallest one in the area, complete with a private roof deck and a skylight - says differently."
"I was thinking of taking up gardening. Besides, my cat needs sunlight to bask in." Breathing deeply, she committed his manly musk to memory.
"You didn't go after the Queen's Ruby," he said softly, his lips curling upward at the corners.
"It was played out," she said, waving it away. In reality, she didn't want to steal it. Not after everything they'd been through. She left it alone as a testament to their adventure.
"You going straight?" he asked. He couldn't keep the hopeful note out of his voice. She chuckled and he felt it through her back.
"I don't know. Stranger things have happened."
"With Robin spending more time with the Titans, it wouldn't hurt to have a local ally to call on."
"Are you suggesting I take up heroing full time?"
"You could have your own section of the city. Close to home if you'd like."
"Catwoman: Defender of the East End?" she joked, smiling before turning to face him again. "I don't know if that's for me. I like my life the way it is. Don't you?" The question hung between them. He knew what she was asking.
"I think we're both...solitary individuals," he said. He took her hand in his. "I'm no good at relationships, Selina."
"I'm positive I'm no better." The lay together in silence for several seconds, both weighing their options. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Just because we think we'll fuck this up doesn't mean we shouldn't try."
"What do you suggest?" he asked.
"Take it one day at a time?"
Both were scared, both unsure. But there was something there. There had always been something there. They owed it to each other and themselves to see if there was something more than mutual respect, amazing teamwork, and great sex.
Being together didn't mean giving up who or what they were. When they were together, they were whole people. They gave the other what they lacked. They complimented one another. They fit. And they knew it.
"I can do that," he whispered, cupping her face and kissing her softly, the kiss full of hope and promise. They lay together in the comfort of their post-coital haze, their fingers intertwined, as dawn once again broke over Gotham City.