Sorry for the wait between chapters... I've entered a couple art contests recently and had to meet those deadlines. So without further ado:


Chapter 6 – Second First Date

Several miles outside Gotham's city limits, the county fairgrounds usually sat in quiet contrast to the city's chaos. But once a year, their fields and stalls bustled with activity, replete with livestock, blue ribbons fluttering in the breeze, and plaid around every corner. As Selina walked tentatively across muddy gravel in some of the stiffest boots she'd ever worn, she marveled at the sights – and smells – of this quaint oasis.

Perhaps quaintest part of all was the figure accompanying her. Bold, masculine plaid draped across Bruce's broad shoulders, accentuating his frame in magnificent ways. It was a delightful departure from the plain business attire in which he always presented himself in public. Tucked into a distractingly tight pair of Wranglers, this outfit constantly vied for Selina's attention as they strolled the grounds. She nearly missed the newborn lamb enclosure because of it – and that would have been a true tragedy.

Bruce gazed impassively at the lambs, but Selina thought she perceived the slightest gleam in his eye. He was enjoying this, as much as Bruce Wayne allowed himself to enjoy such things.

"I've never seen them up close like this," Selina said in enchanted awe. "They're adorable."

"Mm-hmm," nodded Bruce. "Very sweet."

"I had no idea there were so many animals at these things. I thought it was mostly pie and quilt contests," she laughed lightly.

"Come on, you forgot the giant vegetable contest too?"

Selina did a double-take. Was that actually a smirk on his face? Bruce Wayne, revealing a tiny parcel of humor? I guess there are more surprises on today's schedule than just prize livestock.

She managed an uncertain smile. "Yeah, what kind of idiot forgets that, right?" Slowly moving through the narrow barn aisles, she stuffed her hands in her jean pockets. "I take it you've been to one of these before?"

"Not since I was seven or eight," he confessed. "Wayne Foods oversees several ranches and farms, but I haven't visited that many. Gotham… keeps me pretty busy most days."

That statement seemed excessively enigmatic, Selina thought. But she let it go. "So what made you choose this for us today?"

Bruce raised a bemused eyebrow. "It was my butler's idea."

"Really? Does he always give you date recommendations?" Selina chuckled.

"Sometimes," Bruce pursed his lips, considering whether to expound or not. "Lately, he's been trying all sorts of things to get me out of my comfort zone, as he puts it."

Catching the emotional weight of that sentence, Selina paused. This was no longer a source of amusement for her – this was Bruce opening up, and she wasn't about to squander such a rare opportunity.

"You two must be close," she treaded gently.

"Very."

"How long has he worked for you?"

Bruce's eyes grew wistful. "My entire life. Alfred was with my parents up until they…" he swallowed hard, clenching his jaw. May as well get this out of the way early on, he decided. "They died when I was eight."

"Oh," Selina's voice was small. "I'm so sorry, Bruce." She'd known his parents were deceased, but not the tender young age at which it happened.

"Thank you. Most people around Gotham know, but that doesn't make it easier to talk about," he courteously held a fence gate open for her.

It was her turn to swallow uncomfortably. "I understand. Perfectly, actually. My parents died when I was a teenager."

Bruce's hand wouldn't release its grip on the gate bar. His casual, easy movement through the stalls was suddenly halted. He stared at her, hard, gauging whether this was the truth or another lie. He couldn't imagine anyone fabricating a sympathetic life story just to gain his trust (other than the psychopathic villains he battled on a regular basis). As he scanned Selina's face, he found no trace of deceit. To his supreme relief, it seemed she was being genuine.

"I'm sorry too," he lowered his voice. How ironic to be revealing their heaviest burdens here, just a few feet away from hay and manure, rather than the French restaurant they visited just last week.

"Looks like we have something pretty big in common," she remarked.

Though hundreds of farm-clad patrons walked the fairgrounds, Bruce and Selina were virtually oblivious to all of them. There, at the corner of the sheep and goat barn, they simply stared at each other for what seemed an eternity. Finally it was Bruce who spoke again.

"I swear, you seem so familiar," he insisted. "In the back of my mind, it's driving me crazy. You really do remind me of someone."

Selina shook her head, equally perplexed. "Like I said before, same here."

"I wonder if this déjà-vu feeling will ever go away."

"Me too. But, speaking of déjà-vu, am I wrong thinking this is… kind of like a 'second' first date?" she squinted up at him.

A fair question. They needed to address the whole "starting over" concept sooner or later. "I'm fine with that," he granted.

"Good," she smiled, leading him down a winding dirt path. "Look, I just want to apologize for last time. I really was only joking…"

Bruce held up a forgiving hand. "Don't mention it. I wasn't the most gracious host that evening either."

"It's a blank slate then!" declared Selina brightly before pointing to some apple cannons up ahead. "Look! You can shoot fruit at pumpkins! Come on, let's go!"