Who's that boy? Definitive answer coming next chapter :)


Chapter 11 – A Stroll in the Park

Several days passed; Selina filled nearly every minute with wild imaginings. Or to be more precise, a single scenario that she favored above all others, and developed into quite the fantasy.

The sudden, mysterious appearance of that boy, of whom Bruce had never said a single word...

Bruce's intense need to conceal him, possessed by some protective instinct...

the boy's apparent age, compared to Bruce's age…

Selina came to what she believed was the only reasonable, logical conclusion: that boy was Bruce's son.

Maybe Batman's emergence ten years ago had served more than one purpose. Besides dodging just one emotional issue, maybe he'd aimed to sidestep another one: parenthood.

Sitting by her third-floor apartment window, Selina gripped her coffee mug and narrowed her eyes. The echo of Bruce's words from last week stung her mind:

"Here we are on our 'first' date, and we already know each other's biggest secret!"

"I want to understand you. For us to understand each other. If we can do that, respect won't be far behind."

So much for knowing and understanding each other completely. She had to admit, that'd been some great acting on his part. He truly sounded sincere.

Her text ringtone sounded just then, but she didn't move a muscle. She knew who it was without looking. Across the room, Holly looked up from a magazine she was browsing.

"Aren't you going to check that?" she inquired.

"Fine," sighed Selina, turning on the screen. "Oh look. It's Mr. 'Let's get to know each other better.'"

"So when's your next date?"

Selina pursed her lips. "Tomorrow, if he has his way."

"What's the matter?" Holly set down the magazine.

Giving her roommate a measured look, Selina hesitated. She'd kept her misgivings to herself all week. Normally, she'd have brought Holly in on the situation long ago, but something felt different this time. Whatever these secrets of Bruce were, they weren't Selina's to share. Their unspoken code of honor extended farther than she realized.

"Nothing. I just have a lot of questions for him, and we keep getting interrupted," Selina replied.

"Just gotta keep trying. Sooner or later, you're bound to get somewhere," Holly encouraged.

Let's hope so, thought Selina as she sent a trite "ok" back to Bruce.


The last pleasant weekend of fall found them at an arts festival north of town, sipping warm cider and browsing a wide variety of vendors. Selina wondered if Bruce intentionally engineered this date; the crowds and commotion were major impediments to deep conversation. How convenient for him, she mused, growing weary of artistic critiques and other mundane talk.

Eventually, she told herself, they'd have to sit down. Neither of their metabolisms would permit them to skip lunch.

At last they spotted some food trucks parked near the band shell. Quaint folk music drifted toward them as they chose a picnic bench. This would do nicely. No bumbling, clueless tourists pressing into them anymore.

"How's your sandwich?" Bruce asked politely after a few bites.

"Good," answered Selina without skipping a beat. "How's that boy at your house?"

Bruce locked his expression in place. "He's fine."

"How'd he hurt his arm?"

"You know how kids are," quipped Bruce. "Always bruising or breaking something."

"Uh-huh. Is he staying with you until it heals?"

"Something like that."

"And you won't tell me anything more."

"I want to," he said unconvincingly. "But I can't."

"Will you ever be able to?"

"Maybe," he hedged. "Hopefully."

Folding her arms, Selina's appetite had all but disappeared. "All right. I have just one yes-or-no question. If you can answer that, I promise to leave this alone for however long you want. Deal?"

Bruce lifted his eyebrows inquisitively, but did not deny her request. That was as much consent as she'd ever get.

"Is he your son?"

A strange expression tugged at his face. It tinted his voice when he spoke. "No."

There was honesty behind that single small word, but something else too. Selina squinted at him, trying to gauge what it was. Leave it to Bruce to complicate what should have been a straightforward answer.

"Okay. Thank you," she said cautiously. At least he'd answered. It was quite generous of him, considering the wall he'd built around this topic. Now she had to honor that wall for an indefinite time. That should be fun.

She managed a few more bites of her sandwich, then rose to visit the restroom. Looking unsteadily at herself in the bathroom mirror, she felt an ache in her stomach. Could she really do this… pursue a relationship with someone withholding significant things from her? Let alone someone with such similar baggage to her own?

The glitz and glamour of all things Wayne had blinded her until now. But if she ignored those alluring charms, what was she really left with? Someone just as dysfunctional as herself. Maybe even more so.

Still, maybe she just needed to give it more time. Their dating history hadn't given them much traction so far. To call it off now would be premature and rash, she decided as she walked back to the sunlit courtyard. Each step she took toward their bench strengthened her resolve.

That was, until she caught sight of Bruce and froze.

There was now a red-headed woman standing by their table. While Bruce regarded her sheepishly, she appeared to be verbally berating him. The altercation was loud enough to turn a few heads at nearby tables.

Slowly drawing closer, Selina braced herself for what she'd be stepping into.

"…and I took you at your word, Bruce!" the woman spat.

"For the hundredth time, I apologize, Barbara," Bruce turned his palms up in supplication.

"Do you have any idea what I went through?" she demanded.

"Your father told me. I am very, very sorry."

"You should be. I have half a mind to hire a lawyer!"

"Please Barbara, let's try to be civil–"

"Ahem," Selina made her presence known. Two wide sets of eyes turned toward her.

"And who's this?" Barbara raised an imperious eyebrow. "Another pretty little thing who believes all your lies?"

"Barbara!" Bruce protested.

"I can speak for myself," Selina replied coolly. She'd seen enough. This, whatever it was, was too much – the final straw. Bruce Wayne had entirely too much baggage for Selina's taste. "And you… Barbara, is it? You know what, Barbara? You can have him all to yourself."

Turning on her heel with unapologetic conviction, Selina nearly sprinted away, losing herself in the crowd before Bruce could track her.