Batman: Hero of Gotham

58- Betrayed

Bruce tracked down where Selina was heading and he blocked her path on a highly unused highway. She was riding on a motorcycle. She was wearing the same old red jacket she always wears. When she saw Bruce come into view, she cursed. "Damn it." She parked her vehicle in front of Bruce's car. Bruce stood there with his arms crossed. "Hey, Bruce. I wasn't expecting you. Thought I'd make it outside the city's limits, at least."

"If you wanted to see me, you could have just called." Bruce responded. 

Selina took off her helmet. "The chase is so much more fun. I know you're not here for me. Are you?" Selina took out the stolen item she had with her. "I don't blame you for wanting it back. I'm surprised you had a toy like this. No doubt Batman would use it for the good of Gotham, but the less noble options are so much more exciting. Why should I give it back? So much potential. Just imagine what I'd be able to dig my claws in."

"A thief of your class doesn't need a device like that. It'd only be a crutch."

"Says the man whose belt is an armory. Catch." Selina threw the device to Bruce. Bruce caught it. "I know you're just playing into my pride. But, you're right. I don't need a crutch. Don't pretend you're not impressed. As long cons go, this one was a beauty. Getting into Wayne Tech's lab took a lot more than cracking a safe. I had to get close to people. Your friend, Harvey. Poor guy just wanted to fall in love so bad. After that, it didn't take very long to get my introduction to his BFF; the great Bruce Wayne. Imagine my surprise when the rich playboy turned out to be Batman, scourge of Gotham. I was always going to steal from you. Didn't know you'd be this interesting."

"You talk a big game but I don't buy it for a second. You're not that shallow."

"You really think you know me that well?"

"I know that whatever this started as, that's not all it means to you now."

"The only thing it means is that I'm very good at my job. I'm getting out of here while the getting's good. Gotham's a house on fire, and I'm not gonna burn with it. If you're smart, you'd get out of here too. This city hates you -- hates your entire family. Just leave it all behind. Do something more meaningful with those skills of yours. You don't need the money. Think of the fun."

"Gotham needs me. I won't abandon this city, no matter how they feel about me."

"After the way they've treated you, you've got one hell of a thick skin. You're gonna need it. It'll be good to put some distance between us. After all, look at what happened to Harvey. It'd only be a matter of time before I crossed one of your lines. Isn't that right? My copy of the boy scout handbook is out of date. I'm bound to break some rule."

"Selina, I would never hurt you."

"Bruce, that's really sweet. But it brings us to the root of our problem, doesn't it? You're upset that I'm leaving. What'd you think? That one night of sex meant we were going steady? Is that what you really thought?"

"Well, maybe it meant nothing to you, but what happened between us meant something to me."

"Aw, Bruce. Didn't know you were the sensitive type."

"Just stop the show, Selina. Stop pretending nothing matters."

"Look, Bruce. I'll admit that what you and I had, it wasn't terrible. But you were just another job. A more intriguing job than I was expecting, but still a job. That job's done. I'm done with you. It's not complicated. I'm not a good person. I'm certainly no hero, and I don't want to be. I'm a thief. That's all I am. I've told you that from the start. I've never pretended to be anything else."

"Stop. That's not true. I know there's more to you than that. You're just afraid to admit it."

"You'd like it if that were true, wouldn't you? Why would you even think that? I've made my feelings pretty clear. Why aren't you listening?"

"You fought by my side. Together, we've saved a lot of lives. We're a good team, Selina."

"You had to know that wouldn't last. But it was nice...while it did. You know...after I found out you were Batman, I thought nothing else could surprise me. But, you just keep on surprising me." Selina got closer to Bruce. Bruce pulled her against him and the two shared one last kiss.

"Something to remember me by."

"I won't need any help remembering you." Selina walked over to her motorcycle. "Well, it's been fun." She put on her helmet and climbed on her bike. 

"See you around?"

"Maybe. Wait and see." Selina drove off, leaving Gotham for good. Bruce hoped it wasn't the last time he'd see her. He hoped.