Author's Note; Last Chapter! And squee! I get to use a Sugar Ray song!

When it's over
That's the time I fall in love again
And when it's over
That's the time you're in my heart again
And when you go go go go
I know
And it never ends
It never ends

When It's Over - Sugar Ray

Selina looked at Batman and back at Ubasti, "You're asking so much..." she said softly, "I've already asked for so much..." she added in a much lower tone. She knew Batman would agree to the price, but the price was her own independence. Her price was to once more, let Batman save her.

Something quelled in her, she would find a way to return the favor, she would not let this be a debt, not again. And it was only thing she could tell herself as she closed her eyes and bit her lip.

"Yes." It was a small whisper, but it was done.

Ubasti glanced at Wonder Woman and Faraday, "This is a private matter, leave with the other. I have no more use of you three."

Wonder Woman took a step forward, and Faraday tried to pull her back, "You can't just dismiss us!" Diana cried, "We are not some--"

Ubasti brought her hand to her lips and blew; a blue dust sprang from the breeze to encircle Diana, Faraday, and Blake. When the dust settled, they were gone.

The goddess gave a sigh of relief when they left. "This is a private matter." Ubasti said again. Ubasti looked at Batman, "You may ask her the price she paid." she said calmly.

He touched Selina's shoulder and she flinched. "Don't," she said softly.

He nodded and let his hand drop.

Selina nervously licked her lips, "The price..." it was hard to say out loud, but she tried, "The price is my independence," she said in a rush, "I agreed that you would save me, again. That you would pay my price."

Batman exhaled. He put a hand on Selina's shoulder and looked at the Goddess, "Alright," his voice was stone, "What do you want?"

The goddess smiled, "As you've heard, I am a varied goddess. I have the faces of love, war, death, and more, written across me." she looked at him, "Others have asked for your dignity, but I am not so... uncreative." Ubasti smiled. "I can see you, through the mask. I see your pain, your family, and a part of you that even you are too afraid to look at." She glanced at Selina and gently pushed her away and stood directly in-front of Batman and looked up at him, "I want you to open it. Here. Now." she glanced at Selina and smiled, "In front of her."

At first, Batman didn't know what she meant, until she gestured towards Selina. It came shattering down on his shoulders, making his eyes widen, "Now?" he asked in a strange sense of disbelief.

Ubasti smiled, "Not, perhaps, who you are under that mask... It would make an endearing touch, though." Ubasti laughed, "No, I want you to tell her what she is to you."

"About time!" Selina almost shouted, "It only took an ancient Egyptian goddess to do it, too."

Batman glanced at Selina, "You aren't helping."

Selina smirked, "Anytime, Romeo."

He sighed and looked at Ubasti, "I don't know." Ubasti said nothing, but continued to look at him, "I care for her." he finally offered.

"I can see that," Ubasti remarked, "You wouldn't be here if you didn't. What sets her apart? You'd give your life, yes. You would do that for anyone, it's who you are. But do you trust her? Do you..." she trailed, obvious to where she was leading.

He looked at Selina and thought about it. Did he trust her? He had betrayed his trust many times... but he kept coming back. He had betrayed her trust in return, but she always came back. Is that was trust was? How do you define trust? Did he trust her with his life? He had done so on many occasions. She had trusted him, trusted him now. Trust was defined in the dictionary as someone you had hope in, someone you relied on to support you. Someone you had faith in.

Did he hope for Selina? Yes, he knew that. He knew she was a decent person and would show that. She had, while he had been away. She had shown that she wasn't just a thief, but someone who defended those who could not help themselves.

Did he rely on her? At times, he had. Since their first encounter with Red Claw, he relied on her for escape. With their first meeting with Blake, he relied on her to help him out. Even with Daggett, whether he asked or not, she had risked her life to save him.

Did have have faith in her? Would he be here if he didn't?

"Yes," he said softly, "I trust Selina, I trust her with my life."

Selina was stunned into silence. She had never expected to ever hear those words come out of Batman's mouth.

"I'm glad you realize that." Ubasti said softly. "But that wasn't all I was asking."

Selina stepped forward, "It's enough."

Ubasti nodded, "Perhaps it is, for now." She put her hand to her lips, "Go home, and take these artifacts with you. Make sure they are safe, and undisturbed." A blue mist enveloped them both, and Ubasti was gone.

Selina woke up at home, the sheets from the bed feeling silken and luxurious to her skin. It was the first time in weeks that something felt so wonderful against her skin. She flopped back in the bed, amazed at how tired she was, as if she hadn't gotten a decent night's sleep in... well, weeks.

She snuggled back into bed, dimly aware of all the events that had happened today, seeming like a very long dream.

There was a knock on her door, and she remembered she was in Bruce's mansion.

"Mmm, come in!" she snuggled back into the bed and sighed contentedly. She felt a hand on her shoulder and for a moment, she let herself believe it was Batman sitting on the bed beside her.

"Selina," His voice was almost raspy enough to let her believe it.

She turned over and saw Bruce, "Hey there, handsome."

"I've been worried."

"You had every right to be. I'm sorry I left so suddenly. But it was worth it."

He smiled, but not in his eyes, "Was it?"

"I'm whole." she said simply. She reached up for him, and he leaned down, kissing her lips and loosing himself for a moment. But he pulled away, thinking too much on what just happened with Ubasti, "Selina--"

"Bruce," she stated, not quite looking at him, "I need--"

"Let me finish." Bruce rubbed the back of his head, "I want to tell you..." He sighed and leaned back, "These past few days... It's been nice coming home to someone."

"That's sweet of you to say."

He looked away, "I want you to stay. I know... I know there's something between you and Batman and I wanted to tell you that--"

Selina put a finger to his lips, "I know. And now it's my turn." She sat up and took his hands, "I do care for Batman a great deal, and I know now that he cares for me, too." she licked her lips, "But I want to try, to put an effort towards this." she shook her head, "I've been chasing Batman for years, it's public knowledge. But I want to stop, I want someone to come home to, too."

Bruce smirked and put a hand on Selina's cheek. She touched it.

"Batman has never been there for me when you have. He knew I was innocent when I tried to save Isis from Daggett, and he left me to the police; you were the one who posted my bail. You helped save me from Red Claw's henchmen on our first date, and you were the one who visited me in the hospital. I doubt Batman would have done all that for me."

Bruce smirked, "Really?"

"Mmm." she agreed, "Really."

He leaned forward and kissed Selina again, savoring the flavor of her on his lips, he pulled back, "Selina," he whispered softly, "I think... I think I'm falling in love with you."

She gently kissed his lips, "Thank you Bruce, from the bottom of my heart."

And it only took how long for him to admit that? 3 full-length stories... 21 chapters... to do that? I think I fit a realistic frame :)

AND IT'S NOT EVEN BATMAN! IT'S BRUCE! WHEN THE HECK WILL HE EVER TELL HER HE'S BRUCE?!?!

Meh, it'll give me something to work on... :)

Trivia note: Yeah, he was about to tell her :)