Batman: Hero of Gotham

43- The Cat And The Bat

"Thank you, thank you." Conrad thanked Catwoman and Batman as they plopped him down in an alley. 

"Don't think you won't be punished. The cops will arrest you soon." Batman said. 

"I don't care. I just want to stay alive." Conrad replied. Batman and Catwoman walked away, Batman still beaten to hell. 

The two eventually got to Selina's apartment at 11:58 PM. Selina kicked opened the door and placed Batman on her couch. Batman took off his cowl and threw it to the ground. Catwoman helped take off Bruce's chestplate. Bruce lay shirtless, his injuries visible. "Stay here, okay? Just don't move." Selina said, taking off her goggles. She got up to get some medicine and bandages.

"I'm fine. I need to get back out there." Bruce argued.

"That might work on your butler, but I'm not buying that crap. Stay there." Selina said. She came back with bandages and water. "Shit. You're lucky you were wearing that suit. You know that was stupid, right? "

"What?" Bruce asked.

"Showing up at that train depot...taking on their leader alone. Repeat after me, Bruce...'I am not invincible and painkillers do not solve problems.' You weren't going to take them down on your own."

"It's not that bad. I've been through worse."

"Funny. Any worse and you'd be sent home in a body bag." Selina had her hand on Bruce's wounds to put pressure on them. Bruce put his hand on hers. She smiled, pleasantly. She removed her hand. "I don't think you're getting very far with a shoulder like this."

"Great." Bruce groaned.

"You can stay here until morning. Feel like I owe you anyway...that's twice now. You just keep adding things to my list, don't you? I told you I don't like owing people. Probably best to lie low for now anyway. I don't want the Children of Arkham finding this place." She paused. "I had it handled, you know. With their leader. I had a plan. Really didn't need you swooping in and messing it up."

"I wasn't there to save you. I thought you'd gone back on their side."

"You thought you were gonna take me out, did you?"

"If I had to."

"Good luck. That was gonna be my ticket out of here. One last job to get the goons off my back. So much for that. Thanks again, Bats."

"I'm sorry I messed things up for you back there."

"I know. I'm used to it anyway. There's no such thing as a fresh start." Then, a meow came from behind Selina who was kneeling beside Bruce. It was Selina's cat. "Look who's back." The cat purred and rubbed against Selina. 

"Hey little one." Bruce greeted the cat. The cat hissed at Bruce.

"I don't think she likes you."

"Yeah, well you've got most of Gotham behind you on that."

"Not most. Maybe half. Just trying to be optimistic." The cat meowed harshly at Bruce. "Cut it out." Selina shooed the cat away. Selina got up. "This really hasn't been your week, has it?"

"You think?" Bruce laughed. Selina handed Bruce a drink. "I lost my company, my reputation, and I find out my father was--"

"Just like everyone else. They've all got something to hide, Bruce. Every last one of them. Even the so-called 'good guys'."

"So what is it you're hiding, Selina?"

"All kinds of things." Selina smirked. "Come on, Bruce. Even you have your secrets. Those things you hide from the world."

"The difference is, my secret doesn't hurt anybody."

"Then you're better than most. You're a good man, Bruce." Selina sipped from her drink. "But good men don't lie with thieves. I know what I am. No noble intentions. Just the thrill of breaking what they say can't be broken. Knowing there's no safe I can't crack. No fortress I can't infiltrate."

"That's not all you are. I think that's just what you want people to believe."

"You put a lot of faith in someone who doesn't deserve it. I've stolen from corrupt jerks like Hill, but I've taken plenty from good people too. And for what? Some shiny new toys and an apartment on the edge of town? The high is nice but it wears off. Then you look around and see...nothing. So you get back out there. Trying to chase that feeling down."

"You're not alone, okay? I'm here for you."

Selina moved in closer to Bruce on the couch. "Thanks, Bats." Bruce put his arm around her. He kissed her forehead as she got comfortable with him. "I was hoping for something more than that." Then, they were kissing. As their lips collided, Bruce felt a tinge of happiness. He was escaping from all the pain he had endured throughout the week. Selina was making him feel satisfactory. He moved his hand down to her bottom and squeezed for her pleasure. She sat on his lap. "I'll make it up to you." She said, realizing she was going to have to do all the work. "Are you gonna undo this for me?" She flicked her zipper on her suit. The zipper was waiting for Bruce. He couldn't resist.

"Let me help you." Bruce unzipped her suit, revealing her bra. The two continued kissing. Batman picked her up and kept smooching her while walking towards a bedroom for them to enter. He kicked open the door and closed it behind him all while holding and kissing Selina. The two fell on the bed. Bruce put all his worries aside and focused on Selina. He was madly in love with her. The two slept together that night, both shutting out everything.