chapter 6

Bruce woke up with an aching head and didn't know why. He groaned, rolling onto his side. His eyes widened drastically when he saw that Selina Kyle was lying in his bed beside him, the blankets pulled up to her naked shoulders. The previous night came back to him abruptly, making his head spin. Celebrating Selina's miraculous return, the two had bunkered down in the manor, drinking scotch and telling stories about what all they had missed in each other's lives. Selina had ended up crawling over him, pushing his chest up against the couch and kissed him roughly. One thing had led to another, he supposed, and here they were.

Why did he feel so guilty?

Bruce sighed, crawling out of the bed and walking to the bathroom. He took in his naked form with a lowered brow. Why do I feel like I've done something wrong? Had he? That was an obvious no. Him and Barbara were just a casual fuck, they weren't committed, obviously. And she was still with Dick, so why did Bruce care? This was Selina. They had history. They'd been on and off for the past two years, though the relationship was mainly forged on physical attraction and the taunting and teasing they'd done before their identities had been revealed. As Batman and Catwoman, the two enemies had found a deep attraction for one another growing the more they fought and once they discovered who the other was, that attraction carried over even further. Selina was gorgeous, smart, exciting… He cared for her. But after the months of separation, he wasn't sure that what happened last night was anymore than a drunken mistake.

Anyone who said you could have casual sex without things getting complicated was dead wrong. He wondered if things were so complicated in Barbara's head because of the past week. Bruce shook his head, splashed some water on his face and glared at his reflection for a moment longer before leaving the bathroom and getting dressed quietly, so not to wake the sleeping Selina. Once he'd left the bedroom, a little bit of the tension he felt ebbed now that he was alone. When he reached the kitchen he grabbed the TV remote and flicked on the news, watching it out of the corner of his eye as he started getting his own breakfast together. It was still dark outside, maybe six in the morning and Alfred was still asleep. He wasn't going to wake him up, and making his own eggs wasn't that much of a chore. While he cracked the egg shells over a pan and started to whisk them, he watched the morning GCN report. The local reporter, Vicki Vale, started to talk. "- just last night. The emphamis super criminal, Jonathan Crane, who is referred to as the Scarecrow is now on the loose. While no sightings of him have been reported since the break out at Arkham Asylum, various crimes are being tagged to the Scarecrow, even without proof, and just out of suspicion."

"Fuck!" Bruce growled, his spatula slamming temperamentally onto the frying pan. Egg yolk flew out across the stove and he hissed. "Dammit, Arkham, can't keep anybody inside for more than a few weeks." He flipped the stove off and sprinted towards the Cave. As he dressed, he dialed in Dick's number into the computer. On the second ring, his partner answered, his voice thick with sleep.

"Mm?" He asked.

"Dick, get dressed. Dr. Crane escaped from Arkham. I'll meet you at the MCU."

"This is definitely the effects of fear toxin," Robin said as he knelt above the second dead body that afternoon. The victim was curled in a painful way in the corner of an alley, scratched of blood from where he'd crawled at the brick walls. The skin of his eyelids and down his cheeks looked the same and his eyes were gruesomely destroyed, his fingers still wedged deeply inside his eye socket. He must have died as he was gouging them out of his head. Bruce sighed and leaned forward, kneeling on the ground and closing the man's eyelids in as much respect as he could deliver.

"Crane's crossing the line this time," Batman hissed. "This is stronger than it ever had been. I've never seen his victims react this way. He's been cooking up something new."

"Where do you think he's gone?" Dick asked.

Batman didn't respond for a minute, keeping his head down as he thought. The Scarecrow was being careful this time, and although they had evidence of the path he'd taken from Arkham, he was leaving no hints other than bodies. If this was his last victim then they were at a dead end. "I got here as soon as I could," A new voice said from behind them, coupled by the sound of footsteps landing on the cement. The two men turned around to see Barbara dressed up in her Batgirl costume, winding her grapple back up. "What'd you find?"

"More of the same," Robin said with a grimace. "Are you okay?" Barbara paused but then nodded at her boyfriend, touching his arm gently. Her eyes flickered over to Bruce as he stood and the two shared a look.

"I'm fine. What about you all? How many other bodies did you find?" Barbara walked forward with purpose and the two stepped back, letting her examine the crime scene herself. She gnawed on her lip when she saw the bloody damage the man had done as he clawed his eyes from his head. She wondered just what the toxin had made him see that drove him to this point.

"Just one," Bruce responded. "Your dad gave us another anonymous tip. Apparently there was a body found downtown earlier, and although a crime scene has already been set up, he wants us to go check it out and see if it's from Scarecrow, too."

"Where is it?" Barbara asked, straightening back up.

Robin spoke up again. "It's in Park Row. Near Crime Alley. Surprising, I know," Dick added bitterly. Bruce scowled at mention of the location. "Me and Babs can check it out if you don't want to, Bruce," He told him, lowering his voice.

"No." The thought of heading down Crime Alley was repulsive, but he'd done it before and he'd do it again. He'd rather go investigate a new murder there than know that Barbara and Dick were working together, alone, while he sat and wondered what exactly was going wrong in his life. He cringed again, but at a different direction of thought. When he looked back up at Batgirl he realized she was watching him with a lowered brow and concern etched into her face. He shook his head subtly, letting her know that everything was fine even though he knew it wasn't. He couldn't stop thinking about the previous night. Would Selina be there when he got back or would she be off wreaking more havoc in Gotham? He didn't know which one he preferred. "I'll be fine. We should go. I'll tell Alfred to call in an anonymous tip. Let's get going." Dick nodded and shot his grapple up at the closest roof. Barbara and Bruce quickly followed suit but while Dick flew towards the top, the two Bats looked at each other in silence.

"What's wrong?" Barbara whispered to him.

"Trapped in my own home, I suppose," He told her.

"Nothing's the matter?"

He gave her a lopsided smile. "I'll be alright." She opened her mouth to speak but Bruce had already released his hold on the grapple and was swinging up towards the building. He heard Batgirl sigh below him and she was quickly following him in pursuit. It didn't take long for them to get to Park Row. As they dropped to the ground, Robin and Batgirl walked forward, searching the area, but Bruce's attentions were focused somewhere else entirely. There were black streaks lining the wall beside the nearest dumpster, and then the window ledge above that and then the roof… Bruce's gloved fingers slid across the scraped cement and he frowned to himself. Selina. Her apartment was right near her… The thought had completely slipped his mind. These looked much newer than the old faint whip streaks that lined these walls. Today, probably.

"Bruce?" Dick called from the street. Bruce looked up in surprise. He'd completely forgotten where he was. "Are you coming?"

"Go on ahead, I'm going to check something out." He shot his grapple towards the rooftop and slid up, leaving Barbara and Dick to look at each other in question.

Barbara frowned and touched Dick's shoulder sweetly. "I'm going to go check on him. Go search for the body. I'll be back."

"Alright," He said with a frown back at her, his hand coming up to her face and his thumb stroking her lip smoothly. "Make sure he's okay."

Batgirl nodded sweetly and then disappeared into the alley, following Bruce purposefully. When she reached the rooftop, she sighed. "Bruce!" He froze on the roof edge and looked over his shoulder.

"What?"

"Where are you going?" She approached him slowly, her fingers trailing across his shoudlers and over his cape. He breathed loudly for a moment.

"Just need to see something, Babs." Barbara nodded and then looked out over the area, her eyes grazing the surroundings. She froze when she saw the familiar building in front of them. A block of ice seemed to collect in her stomach and she froze, suddenly feeling very sick as she realized something she didn't want to realize.

She swallowed before saying anything. "She's back in town. Isn't she?" She said quietly. Bruce nodded once. "You've talked to her?" Batgirl didn't understand the nausea she was suddenly feeling. For all she knew, him and Selina weren't together anymore. Besides, even if they were again, she was with Dick, so did she even have a right to be upset? Of course she didn't. That didn't change that she was, though.

"She came over last night. I saw the whip markings, and decided to see if she was home. What she was up to. I don't know why she's back in Gotham and I don't trust her reasons," He told her. Barbara heard nothing more than the first sentence and then dropped her hand from his shoulder. He turned to look at her with concern. "Babs?" He asked quietly, dropping the growl that he used when in costume.

"Huh?" She asked.

"What's wrong?" He asked, stepping forward. His hand wrapped around her waist to pull her into him by the small of her back.

"Nothing," She told him, shaking her head.

"Promise me," He breathed. He was unable to stop himself from leaning forward and pressing his lips to hers, sucking her bottom lip into his and nibbling it. She exhaled against him and then pulled away, blinking once, twice and then looking away uncomfortably.

"We've got work to do. Go check on Selina. I'll go meet up with Robin," She told him, her fingers grazing his arm. Bruce frowned but nodded, letting her leave without another word.

Oh, dear! Barbara knows! What will happen now?! I'm excited to write chapter seven. I'm loving this story so much and you guys are amazing support!

Responses to reviews! Favorite time of the day for me!

Guest (1): Woah, man, Harrison Ford is... Mmm. Love me some Han Solo. I love Bale, too, more than words can say and boy do I love writing him, but in my head... The only person that I really, truly want is Mr. J. Which means I'll live the rest of my life in sadness and alone, but who cares, right? I have fan fiction and that is all anyone really needs. Thank you so much for saying this is the best fanfic ever. I love writing it more than I can express! I can't wait to get more into jealous Babs!

Batgirl: I seriously loved your comment so much! It makes me feel like fucking E.L James knowing that this got anyone that isn't myself off. After all, that's what smut is for! I hope so much that I don't ever disappoint you with my writing. I feel the exact same way about her being with Dick but not wanting him with Cats. That's one of the big things I want to focus on!

Meli: Sexy librarian all the way! That's how Barbara deserves to be shown! I'm not bisexual but I for some reason absolutely love girl on girl smut and in my story the Exhibition have a little too much fun writing Barbara and Harley erotica. I think writing some hate-fuck between Selina and Babs would be terribly arousing and sexy, but my focal point will and forever stay Bruce/Barbara.

Harley: I love the idea of him coming into Gordon's house and fucking Barbara while Jim sleeps in the next room. I have plans for that to happen and can't wait! On the idea of having them on the same rooftop fighting together, as you can see I put a bit of that into action tonight, but I'd never actually thought of writing Ra's... I'd love to try, and since we all know that Crane and Ra's have history thanks to Batman Begins, I may have to explore that idea more! Thank you so much for the inspiration!

chokesfan: LOVE YOUR NAME FOREVER AND ALWAYS. Being called fairy smut godmother is seriously the most amazing compliment, I could've cried when I read that! I love you, thank you so much.

Guest (2): I also considered breaking it off for a couple chapters and I think that this chapter leaves off in a place that's perfect to go either way. I'm not completely sure what I want to do, but I guess we'll see in a few days! I'm so glad that other people have the same demented, depraved fantasies as me and that you're satisfied with my deliciously delirious smutty desires.

Gretchen: Believe me, I think I've had an unhealthy amount of my own from writing it! I love writing smut almost as much as I love reading it, or maybe more! I don't plan on this ending for quite some time, don't you worry. ;)

silver: That makes me so happy to hear that. I think that being involved with the story is the most important part of writing lemons. Otherwise it doesn't make you as horny!

Rehaniah: Waking Bruce up was very hard to avoid... Mm, some sleepy sex with the Bat would be absolutely wonderful and I definitely want to write it in sometime. I love your long reviews, please never stop, by the way! It's really great to hear that you have someone so special that makes you happy. I think it's the best thing when you find that one person, and who knows, maybe one day I will, too and won't cry myself to sleep wanting a psychotic clown more than a cute man with a good job. You never know. I've always thought that the Cat and the Bat relationship was great but also very difficult to maintain. They are so insanely different and I think it's mainly a physical thing saying that Bruce is so morally perfect and she's a cat burgular. I think at the end of The Dark Knight Rises they topped it off pretty well, though, since they both kind of... Retired?... From their lifestyles and were just together as Selina and Bruce and not Catwoman and Batman.

Ebony: That means the world to me. I'm constantly hating everything I write and hearing that anyone thinks I'm talented is the most amazing feeling. You rock my world. I love writing Barbara. I've actually started brainstorming a new story with her and Joker and might end up publishing it soon, but I have so much on my plate right now with stories. I love writing her in the Exhibition and Tension, so once these are finished I want to write her a lot more!

skyrab94: I'm so happy you started reading it again too! Knowing I've got someone hooked on my writing makes me thrill inside. I hope that I keep you just as hooked throughout the rest of the story!

Deadpool: Oh, you're such a charmer. ;) Sadly I have zero guts to let anyone know my sexual depravitiy when it isn't anonymous so I guess I'll be stuck with my left hand for a bit longer. But it's okay. I know what I'm doing. *elbow elbow* Bruce Wayne deserves the most stimulating life ever, so I hope I do him justice!

Shipper: As long as I have such amazing back up, there will be! I'm literally about to cry knowing that someone thinks this is anywhere as good as Guardians. That was one of the best movies I've ever seen! Ah, Groot... Too cute. Hey, I rhymed...

BATS ON BATS: Your username, all the way. I'm just as psyched as you to get the Selina/Barbara battle going!

Lucius: Anyone who thinks Barbara is beta is completely and utterly wrong. I can't wait to prove her wrong, even if she is just in my imagination! I love jealous/possessive themed fics as well, and if you've read any of my Harley/Joker smut you can probably already tell!

angiequest: ... I'm speechless. When you left this review I ran around to everyone I know and read it to them. I don't write professionally, and in fact, I'm a high school student who sits on her ass daydreaming about writing professionally. I can't believe you actually said that, I seriously could cry. You made my entire year. Thank you.

Guest (3): It's my ultimate dream to get rights from DC to publish something of my writing. I know that my writing is a bit more, uh, scandalous than it should be in the comic world, but since there's so many people who enjoy this type of writing then I think there should actually be more writing like this published and sold!

ChokesFan: I hope that since I can't provide you all with presents, then updates of this will at least be partially satiating for your dirty Christmas spirit. (There's a joke in there about the naughty list...)

1o1: You're already gorgeous and I don't even know you. Thank you so much! I've never written her before this fic so I'm super excited. I hope I don't fuck her up.

joel: You've made my night! I hope that it continues to please you! In three chapters a lot can change. I hope that everyone continues to love this story or at least tolerate it until I finish it. I write for you guys, after all. (and myself a little. ;) )

Until next time, guys! I love you and Happy Holidays!