A New Find- Ch 2
Title: A New Find - Ch 2 - First Meetings
Characters: Batman and Catwoman in Nolanverse
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Previous: Chapter 1
“Was The Riddler too much for you this time, sir?”
The words out of Alfred’s mouth carried a sting his voice didn’t convey and Bruce knew no harm was meant by them.
“No, Alfred. It was the thief.”
“Ah, yes.”
Alfred made no snide comment about Bruce having let his first and only female adversary hand him his ass in a doggy bag.
“She was…” Bruce’s eye darted up at Alfred’s, unsure how to describe her. She was…
“Cunning?” Alfred stepped in quickly to help, “Slippery? Too much for you, sir?”
Bruce gave his butler a look, “Yes, Alfred, thank you.”
Alfred finished cleaning the scratch. It wasn’t as bad as Bruce had expected and he would probably be able to attend the board meeting in, he looked at the time, in three hours. He groaned inwardly. In the case that he did fall asleep in earnest this time, he was sure Lucius would bring him up to date. But currently, all he could think of was the thief.
“She was all of that, but…”
But what really bothered Bruce, what he didn’t want to say out loud because that might make it truer somehow, was that she wasn’t afraid of him. Scarecrow had been afraid of his strength. Joker had been afraid of his humanity. Riddler, as much of a show as he put on, was afraid his intellect surpassed that of the self-proclaimed genius. But she, Catwoman, she wasn’t afraid of him. Not at all, it seemed. She had smiled at him, watched him with the most startling eyes. He still wasn’t sure what color they were, perhaps blue, perhaps green, only that they were beautiful. Only that she looked to be beautiful under the mask and he couldn’t help wonder how her lips would feel...
“Is there something amusing about this, Master Wayne?”
Bruce broke out of his reverie, “What? No. Why?”
“You were smiling, sir.”
~0O0~
“Are you ready, Selina?”
Selina straightened her skirt. She took a deep breath and turned to her assistant, “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Good. They’re waiting for you.”
Selina followed into the elevator and looked at herself in the mirrored walls as they travelled upward. She unbuttoned the top two buttons of her blouse, but figured they wouldn’t take her seriously enough with so much cleavage visible. She buttoned both buttons up, but she thought she still didn’t look right, didn’t look approachable enough. She unbuttoned one and figured she looked professional, yet friendly.
Her black hair was pulled back into a bun and she smiled at herself. She took off her glasses and threw them in her small, black briefcase. Come on, Selina, you can do this, you can do this. It’s like any other job. Just pretend you’re wearing another mask if you have to…
The elevator doors opened and a kind looking man with an even kinder looking smile greeted her, “Ms. Kyle. How are you?”
“Mr. Fox. I’m well. How are you?”
“Good, thank you. Can’t wait to see what you have to show us.”
~0O0~
Bruce took his seat towards the end of the board table where he was close enough to hear anything that was said, but far enough away where they wouldn’t care if he was awake or asleep. He drank three coffees since leaving the Manor, but after having been awake for nearly three days straight, his eyes were threatening to close shut without a moment’s notice.
He saw Lucius walk in and behind him was the reason Bruce had even bothered to show up. The representative of Litter Industries, a company specializing in high tech fabrics and equipment, was there to tempt Wayne Enterprises to buy them out.
“This is Ms. Selina Kyle of Litter Industries,” Lucius announces to the room.
She stepped out from behind Lucius and Bruce couldn’t help but sit up straight. The tiredness that had been coursing through his body disappeared and his mind was on full alert.
“Good Morning, Gentlemen,” Selina smiled, placing her briefcase on the table. She smiled at everyone there, looking surprisingly radiant despite being so early in the morning, and Bruce knew he would have no difficulty staying awake now.
~0O0~
Bruce had pretended to fall asleep towards the end of Ms. Kyle’s presentation if only to keep from outright staring at her. She was gorgeous. Sexy while still being classy. Charming while making it clear she understood the ins and outs of the business. Bruce was sure even Lucius would agree that her plan would benefit both companies.
“So what did you think?” Lucius asked as he stepped back into the board room.
“I was about to ask you the same thing,” Bruce smirked.
Lucius seemed to be thinking the best way to phrase his thoughts, “Seems too good to be true.”
That caught Bruce off guard, “How so?”
“Did you take a look at their books?”
Bruce nodded, “I didn’t find anything wrong with them. They were clean.”
“They were,” Lucius agreed, “They were perfect, in fact.”
There was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” Lucius instructed.
And there she was, Ms. Kyle. She smiled and she walked into the room. Bruce smiled, too.
“I apologize, Mr. Fox. I forgot my briefcase.”
“Oh, yes, somehow I missed it, too. But since you are here, let me introduce you to our CEO, Bruce Wayne.”
She walked over and shook Bruce’s hand, “It’s a pleasure, Mr. Wayne. And may I say I’m flattered.”
Bruce had believed himself quite subtle his staring, but maybe not subtle enough. And though he was sure his reputation preceded him, he didn’t want her to think he was only thinking of her in that way. Even if perhaps he had, he begrudged himself.
“May I ask why?” he asked still holding her hand.
“I was warned you might sleep through my entire presentation, but I believe you made it nearly to the end.”
She laughed and Bruce heard Lucius chuckle next to him.
Bruce smiled, finally releasing her hand, “You were very engaging, Ms. Kyle. I had no choice but to pay attention.”
“Well, thank you.”
Neither Selina nor Bruce made any attempt to move and finally it was Lucius who cleared his throat.
“Thank you again for your time, Ms. Kyle. I can walk you out.”
“Oh,” she said when she became aware of Mr. Fox again, “Of course.”
“I’ll do it, Lucius.” Bruce insisted and surprised them both, “I was on my way out anyway.”
Lucius hid his surprise, nodded accordingly, and left the room through the other exit.
“Thank you, Mr. Wayne.”
“Please, call me Bruce.”
“In that case, call me Selina.”