Nota Bene: This story is not canon. I don't follow the comics and only know the various stories from the movies and growing up with Batman cartoons, supplemented with internet research. As with my previous stories, this started with a dream and is combined with ramblings of my own mind. In this case, it is a little personal fantasy, too. Batman. Mmm. Hot.
Reviews, as always, are greatly appreciated.
Batman: Revelations
Chapter Five
When he got back to the cave after leaving her apartment, he looked up the address in the system. That penthouse downtown was paid off and under the name Selina Kyle. A little bit of digging, and he uncovered a series of Gotham savings accounts, some under her true name, others in alias, usually held in total around a steady 1 million. Offshore accounts held another million — presumably for a rainy day.
Selina Kyle. He knew her name, but who was she?
Further research revealed that she ran a small, private museum. That certainly explained a lot. She had access to extensive resources on museum acquisitions and what artifacts and treasures were where. She'd know exactly what was out there and what would fetch money on the black market. It was like insider trading for theft.
There was little on Selina Kyle's history available in public records. She had been in and out of orphanages and homes as a child. She usually ran away, and was picked up a few weeks or months later back on the street. Known to have a temper and to pick fights. She had a juvie record for pickpocketing, petty theft, and breaking and entering. Then when she aged out of the system at 18, she virtually disappeared until she reemerged several years ago as the curator of the museum.
What was she like without the suit, he wondered. He had to meet her; if they shared half the connection as Bruce and Selina as they did as Batman and Catwoman…. He felt his heart races at the very thought.
It was time for billionaire Bruce Wayne to pay a visit to this museum.
The next day, Bruce dressed in his favorite suit and headed into the city, driving his Aston. This was going to be an interesting day, he thought to himself. The anticipation was killing him. What of Catwoman would he see in Selina? Would she like Bruce as much as she liked Batman?
Bruce shook his head, amused at his own thoughts. She had reduced the Dark Knight into a giddy schoolboy.
Selina Kyle was not prepared for the first visitor of the day to arrive right at opening. The museum staff was small, staffed with a few full-time docents supplemented by volunteers and student interns. Her lead docent was out with the flu this morning, and the rest of the full-time staff wouldn't arrive until two. She usually worked in the administrative offices in the back, coming out occasionally to chat with the staff and greet visitors, but did not normally spend her day amongst the patrons. She had some volunteers to handle tours and the less complicated inquiries, but felt more comfortable today ensuring someone who knew the ins and outs of the museum was ready in the front.
The sudden change in her schedule, combined with her late night the previous evening and her pit-stop to the post office to mail Charlie a small package with a Batman action figure, had left her slightly frazzled.
Despite being slightly off her game, the handsome man who walked in mere minutes after she unlocked the doors immediately caught her attention. She could practically feel the energy pouring off of him.
His black three-piece suit was modern and fitted, the slim fit accentuating an impressive physique. The grey shirt was unbuttoned at the throat and showed just a hint of the bronzed skin beneath. His face was all hard planes with a square jaw. Classically handsome. His jet-black hair was tousled in that sexy just rolled out of bed style. But it was when he removed his sunglasses that her heart skipped a beat. Ice blue eyes met hers.
Me-ow, Selina thought to herself.
"Good morning, Miss…" he glanced at the badge around her neck. "Kyle. Are you offering tours today?" He smiled broadly at her. I found you, he though to himself.
"Um. Yes. Oh, of course. What time would you like? The first one is at 10:30 and they are offered on the hour after that." Selina stammered a bit.
He shifted his weight to the side, and crossed one leg over the other, slipping one hand into his pants pocket. "Well, that depends. Which tour are you leading?" He smiled again and she swore she blushed.
She felt an instant attraction to him, the intensity of which left her off balance. She cursed her reaction. Catwoman was sleek and sexy, confident. As soon as he arrived, Selina Kyle was acting like a teenager with a crush.
"Oh, pardon my manners. My name is Bruce," he said, reaching out.
When he took her hand and, instead of shaking it, brought it to his lips, Selina practically purred. "I know who you are, Mr. Wayne."
He froze, just for a second before breaking into a grin. Mr. Wayne. She knew he was Bruce Wayne. That's what she had meant.
Selina noted how pleased he seemed that she knew who he was. How could she not? He was a staple of the Gotham tabloids. The Prince of Gotham, billionaire Bruce Wayne. A business genius who had tripled his family's substantial fortune since taking the helm of Wayne Enterprises. Emotionally stunted playboy who appeared to be incapable of a romantic relationship that lasted for longer than one evening.
"Well, then, Miss Kyle. When is the tour?" Her hand was still in his. Her skin tingled from his touch.
"I. Uh. We're short staffed at the moment." She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and cleared her mind. When she spoke again, her voice was smooth, channeling the confidence of her alter-ego. "I can't leave the desk for tours until two. One of my volunteers could certainly show you around, if you'd like."
Bruce smiled inwardly, recognizing that sultry purr of hers.
"Oh, two o'clock is perfect, Miss Kyle. I'll be back then." He regretfully dropped her hand, replaced the sunglasses, and left.
As she watched Bruce walk away, Selina kicked herself. Why she hadn't worn her new dress today? The ones that those black stilettos went so well with. Instead, she was dressed practically for a day in the front of the house, in slacks and a button down shirt with red flats. At least she had left her hair down this morning, she mused.
Bruce Wayne. The Bruce Wayne. He was even better looking in person, and certainly more charming. But something unnerved her about him. She had no explanation for why he affected her so much. She certainly appreciated a handsome face, but it was unlike her to let an expensive suit and a pair of blue eyes get to her.
Half a day later, anticipating Bruce's return, Selina watched the clock closely. At 1:45, she slipped to the ladies room and freshened her makeup and attempted to tame her raven waves. She spritzed herself with just a bit more perfume, and returned to her desk. She was surprised when door opened precisely at two. Punctual, she thought. So unlike a playboy.
When she stood to greet him, he flashed that grin once again. Damn him. He had to know what that did to women.
In his hand were two large coffees. "I always need a pick-me-up right around this time of day," he explained, "and thought you might want one, too."
Selina looked at the cup being held out to her and took it, flattered he had thought of her. "Thank you, Mr. Wayne."
"Please, call me Bruce."
"Thank you, Bruce." She brought it to her lips and sighed. Quad shot, hazelnut latte. She usually stuck to drip coffee and cream, but that was her go-to when she allowed herself a treat.
"Steve, from the shop across the street says hello. He tells me this is your favorite." She had been going to Steve's shop for years. He roasted his own beans and his coffee tasted like heaven. With her late nights, she drank a lot of coffee, and was one of Steve's most loyal customers.
"Caffeine...You know the way to a woman's heart." Bruce certainly hoped so.
"Ok, Mr. Wayne." He raised an eyebrow at her. "Bruce. Are you ready for the tour?"
Bruce had a wonderful time. Selina was smart and funny. He knew from his interactions with her alter-ego that she would be. And she was incredibly beautiful. Dark locks framed those green eyes which had held so much emotion just a few nights before. That athletic body he had spent so much time admiring was evident despite the conservative clothing. He yearned to feel her against him without his suit's armor between them, his fingers itched to touch her anywhere, everywhere.
She had an easy way with people. During the tour, he watched her interact with several other patrons, explaining the exhibits on Gotham's history. She told him where various pieces came from, and pointed out her personal favorites, including a painting of a family from 1799 that had survived in someone's barn outside the city until being discovered a few years ago and anonymously donated. Her staff had lovingly restored it and there had been an big party for the unveiling. Unlike many paintings of the day, they were smiling and looked truly happy, she said.
Her favorite painting pleased him. That anonymous donor had been him. The family in the painting, the Cabot clan, was an old line on his mother's side.
Off and on, he tried to flirt. Over the years, he had perfected the art, and women ate it up. But at every turn, she called him on his bullshit. Pithy one-liners kept him in check. How very like the Catwoman he knew.
The only time he got an unguarded reaction from her was when he asked genuine questions, or when he touched her. When he placed his hand at the small of her back, she had shivered. It pleased him immensely that Bruce Wayne appeared to have the same effect on Selina Kyle that Batman had on Catwoman.
Normally, a tour lasted about an hour. It was a small museum, and did not have large holdings. But with him asking questions and seeming so interested, Selina just couldn't help herself. This was her city. She loved it, and enjoyed sharing its history with its people. As the most famous man in Gotham, he really should know more about it.
Sure, he had flirted, but she had tried to keep it professional. She was not one of his empty-headed bimbos, nor would she ever be. But she was charmed when he stopped trying to flirt and actually started to get into the exhibits. When she got those glimpses in to the man behind the image, she liked him. He really was intelligent, his questions were on point and comments insightful. And when he stood so close to her, she couldn't think.
When the closing announcement came over the PA system, she was surprised and a little embarrassed. "Bruce, I am so sorry to have taken up so much of your time." It amused him that she was once again flustered. "You must need to run."
The truth was, he had skipped two meetings to stay with her, but it hadn't been enough. He hated to leave.
"Yes, unfortunately, I do have an appointment to get to." Nightfall was coming soon, and he had a bit of work to finish up before he started his night job.
She extended her hand and shook his firmly. "It's been a pleasure, Bruce. I hope you learned something today."
Oh, if only she knew. Today had been all about recon, and he was pleased with the results. He had learned that she was as amazing as Selina as she was as Catwoman. This would not be their last meeting.
He once again kissed her hand, but this time, he turned her hand over and kissed the palm. Heat shot from her stomach straight between her thighs.
As he left, he turned back and smiled at her. "Until we will meet again, Miss Kyle."
An hour later, Bruce sat at Bat-wave computer preparing for the night ahead and contemplating his day. He was dressed in all the but the cape and cowl of the suit, listening to the police scanners, and watching reports come in through his access to GCPD's system.
Again, no sign of lifted jewels, artifacts, or even Gotham's elite missing money. He did, however, learn that Victor Burke, a councilman well known to be in the pocket of the Lordes crime family, had reported a break-in. His personal safe had been cracked and 20 grand stolen. Bruce wondered what charity would be receiving a donation tomorrow morning.
In recent weeks, Batman had watched her heists change. She no longer lifted pretty, shiny treasures, but targeted crime families, corrupt politicians, and greedy businessmen. And the following day, some Gotham charitable organization always received an envelop of cash. The YMCA, the homeless shelter, an equine therapy center for kids. He thought it a bit prosaic, but she had turned into Robin Hood.
She was still a criminal. He knew that, just as much as he knew she would probably never give it up. She had money, had for quite some time, based on his investigation into her. Now, he suspected it was simply the thrill, the adrenaline. He understood that she had a need to test herself, her skills, to keep that edge. He had that same drive himself.
But something had changed her. Had it been the kid? No, it had been just before that. What, then?
And to him, she was no longer just a cat burglar who had an indescribable affect on him. She was not just the woman who made him burn, the one he couldn't keep himself away from. She was a flesh and blood person with a life beyond the costume.
He rose and placed the cowl over his head and attached his cape, walking toward the Batmobile, ready to start his patrols. He had gotten wind of a big shipment of drugs arriving down at the docks from one of his informants. It would be a long night, but he would go seek her out later, if he could.
Bruce didn't know exactly what he was going to do about her. But he knew he needed to figure it out, and soon.
