FIC: Bats, Cats, and Luthors (3/6)
Title: Bats, Cats, and Luthors (3/6)
Pairing: Brex/BatCat
Rating: (eventually) NC-17
Summary: Batman happens upon a cat burgler in his city who is much more than she seems. Can Batman handle the Catwoman?
AU, Adventure, Romance, Warning: ( skip or highlight) eventually attempted rape, incest
Part One ♥ Part Two
Part Three
PLEASE DO NOT ALTER OR REPOST.
Thankfully, it was dark by the time Lionel Luthor arrived at Wayne Manor, so when Catwoman began scaling up the side of the building in a blindspot of the security cameras, she had much less chance of being caught. His daylight persona had begun working for Bruce Wayne, cautiously, but now Lionel had come to Gotham, and Catwoman found out that the old man was going to visit his new friend. So he climbed the wall and slipped in through a third floor window. He had to hear this conversation, and if Bruce was working with Lionel Luthor... Catwoman just might be heart-broken.
Bruce, in a black turtleneck sweater, dark grey pants and black leather shoes, raked his hair back with his fingers and entered the sitting room, where Alfred had left Luthor, with large steps. He had no inclination to smile, and he did not make a move to shake the man's hand. "Mr. Luthor. What can I do for you?" he asked hurriedly so the man would realize that showing up unannounced was not something that Bruce welcomed. In fact, the man had been left waiting for almost one hour.
Catwoman slunk down the hall and hid behind a bookcase to listen. He peered out just a little to see Lionel shifting irritably in his seat before standing and putting his hands in his pocket.
"I understand that you're a busy man, Mr. Wayne. You've grown so much," Lionel drawled. "I've come, however, because it has come to my attention that you are employing my son. What prompted that decision?"
Bruce blinked a couple of times, then frowned dumbly. "I don't recall having to run my decisions by you, Mr. Luthor."
Lionel resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the juvenile answer. "I don't believe I implied that you did. Regardless, I think I do have a right to be curious about my own son."
"All right." Bruce slipped his hands in his pant pockets as well. "Lex is a brilliant student. I want him in my staff as soon as he graduates. Before he graduates, actually."
"Hm. The fact of the matter is that I plan to have Lex on my staff when he is through with school," Lionel replied. "You see, I would never tell him this; Lex needs a healthy sense of perspective, but he is quite brilliant, much more brilliant than I expected to get out of any of my own line. He's destined for greatness, and he's mine, Wayne. Give him up now, and there will be nothing to worry about."
Bruce arched his eyebrows. "And if I don't?"
Lionel rubbed his hand over his beard. "LuthorCorp didn't get to where it is by accepting no for an answer. I rarely ask this politely. Wayne Industries is in good standing, but you aren't invulnerable, Bruce."
Bruce's expression hardened and he tilted his chin up slightly. "You forget your place, Lionel. I know where you come from, and how long it took you to get there. I know your methods, and it's thanks to your son that I don't put you where you belong." He leaned forward. "You don't want to fight me."
"My place? How typical of you, Wayne. I assure you someone from my background is not particularly threatened by a child who occasionally dresses up to play at business," Lionel said in a breezey tone. "No, I don't want to fight you. You'd hardly be a challenge."
Bruce slowly grinned, not a pleasant grin at all. He just loved being underestimated. "Lex is no longer yours, if he ever was. And you can't have him."
"Oh, Bruce. You don't realize that he's always been mine. No matter how much he protests, he will always be the child that I shaped. That's something he will never be able to escape from. If you keep him on your staff, he will betray you. It's his nature. He's a Luthor, above all else," Lionel replied, with a smug twist of his lips. "Already he's plotting to use his position to his advantage. It's his training. It's survival. I might as well leave him there, so that when he eventually makes his move, I can tap his position in your company for a takeover."
"Lex is his own person, and you should have realized that as his father but, frankly, I'm not surprised you didn't, if all you see when you look at him is a means to get what you want." Bruce held Lionel's stare. "That you've come to 'politely ask me' to let him go tells me more than you can imagine. You have much less control over him than you would like to. And if you're right and he betrays me..." Bruce shrugged once. "If you think that you or anyone else can take over Wayne Industries... I want to see you try."
"Well, Bruce, since you asked so nicely." Lionel turned to head to the door of the sitting room. "Everyone has their weakness; everyone has their price. Creating a coup is easier than you'd think, especially against the overconfident and inexperienced."
Bruce laughed softly. "I don't run the company, Lionel. My CEO is neither overconfident nor inexperienced. I'm afraid you've been barking up the wrong tree."
Lionel merely laughed in return. "I know the way out, Bruce. I hope that you have a good evening of debauchery."
"Alfred will accompany you just the same." Bruce kept his grin on until the detestable man and Alfred were well out of sight. He then scowled and held his hands in tight fists at his sides. The gall of that man! Bruce wanted LuthorCorp gone. Gone!
Behind the bookshelf, Catwoman crouched with a worried frown on his face. He hoped that seed of doubt didn't do any damage in Bruce and his relationship. He looked out, watching Bruce's back and feeling the blow of his father's words. What if Lionel were right? What if Lex would naturally destroy what he had in some sort of Luthorian biological imperative? He hoped not. That was why he was here in Gotham, after all, but still, he sometimes doubted his ability to change.
After a couple of deep breaths, Bruce straightened and tilted his way to the right and to the left, cracking his neck both times. Fits of rage weren't something he did. He walked to the closest telephone and dialed Lucius' number. "Lucius. Just wanted to give you a heads up. Lionel Luthor is going to come after us. He wants his son back. I said no." Bruce chuckled after a short pause. "Yes, I did tell him it was Lex's decision to make, but he didn't sound very conviced. And he vowed to execute a takeover on us." Bruce nodded. "I know. Yes. Good night, Lucius." He hung up the phone and took a deep breath. That was bound to happen; he wouldn't have wanted to let Lex go, either.
Catwoman gathered his senses and began slinking toward the window. Once Bruce had left the room, he could slip out the window, with his friend none-the-wiser.
Bruce caught a movement out of the corner of his eye and snapped his head that way. "You might as well come out," he said in a firm voice, but not quite Batman's.
Catwoman froze, wondering if he remained perfectly still Bruce would think he'd imagined the movement. How had he caught that?
Bruce took a heavy breath and crossed the room, then spied behind the bookshelf. "Well. Hello, there." He smiled pleasantly, but inside, his mind raced. How had she gotten in without setting off alarms? Had she found out about the Cave?
Catwoman blinked up at him with wide eyes. "Meow."
"Indeed." Bruce held out a hand to her. "Come on out," he said softly. "Don't scratch Bruce, now."
Catwoman rose slowly, refusing to take his hand, but he did give Bruce an obvious once over with his eyes and curved his lips ever so slightly. "No claws. Not yet, anyway," Catwoman said in a smooth, delicate tone.
Bruce raised his hands defensively. "Let's keep it that way, hm?" He took a step back to give her some room, but kept close enough to catch her if she tried to escape. "So tell me... What's a kitty-cat like you doing in my house, hiding behind furniture? Have you come to rob me?"
"Rob you?" Catwoman looked back and forth, eyeing some of his nice collections. "I might consider it. However, you had a meeting just now with a very dangerous man. I wanted to know what he was up to."
"Ah." She did have quite the obsession with Luthor. Bruce pouted dramatically. "And here I thought you might have been interested in me..."
Catwoman put a hand on his hip, swaying it out seductively. "Hmm. Well, I was interested in how you're react to him."
"Oh, that's better." Bruce backed up to the loveseat behind him and sat down. "How did I do?" He patted the cushion next to his.
"Well," he replied, strolling up to him at a lazy pace. "You didn't do badly. Challenging him probably wasn't a good idea. He's been getting a foothold in the city over the past couple of months. I don't think his threats are completely without backing. He has something already. Maybe you should have handed the brat over to him."
Bruce pursed his lips through his grin. He leaned back and rested both arms spread out along the back of the loveseat. "The brat is my friend. He has free will, and I don't own him. But if I can help it, Luthor won't control him again. And besides, Luthor's been trying to get a foothold. He'll fail."
"Oh?" Catwoman dropped into the loveseat beside Bruce and lounged back, crossing her legs at the knee. "Well, I hope the littlest Luthor is worth it. I've been trying to keep Big Daddy from infesting this town."
"Have you?" Bruce feigned surprise. "I thought you were a thief. At least that's what they say at the parties I attend."
"I wouldn't necessarily believe the gossip of the rich and feckless, Mr. Wayne." He reached over and ran his fingers gently over Bruce's shoulders.
"I'll try not to." Bruce glanced at her hand on him and back up at her. "Can I get you something, Catwoman? A drink perhaps?"
"I don't think I need a drink," Catwoman replied. He wet his lips and leaned over Bruce.
"Not even some warm milk?" Bruce slowly moved his hands to cup her hips. He had to stop her, had to stop her now.
"Hmm," he purred. "Maybe I would like something warm." He let the distance close between their faces and met Bruce's lips firmly. Oh, so nice.
Bruce's eyes fell halfway closed before he so much as realized it. This was wrong in so many levels he would have a hard time counting them all. Still, he pressed back against her red-painted lips and his hands held her slightly tighter. Her hips were lean, and his thumbs felt over her hipbones.
Catwoman moaned softly and licked the inside of his lips. His tongue moved inside Bruce's mouth. He moved over to straddle Bruce's lap.
Bruce hugged the small of her back, pulling her close as he leaned back and surrendered his mouth to her. He was a despicable liar, and she was much too young, but she had him wrapped around one sharp little claw. If he was going to hell, and he was, he would give her what she wanted for as long as he could.
Catwoman ground his hips against Bruce, kissing him so hungrily, almost needily. He hadn't let himself think of how attracted he was to Bruce, but when he was Catwoman, he couldn't help himself. She brought out the sexuality he tried so hard to push away when it was inconvenient.
Alfred walked into the room to inform Bruce that Lionel Luthor had departed. His eyes widened, and his brow rose. "Ahem!"
Bruce froze in place. He was a dead man. Catwoman stopped and looked up at Alfred. He felt a bit ashamed, but the Catwoman part of him simply rubbed his leg against Bruce. "Hey, there. Want to bring us some whipped cream?"
"Will the child be staying for dinner, sir?" Alfred asked stiffly.
Bruce thinned his lips. He was going to hear that one for the rest of his days. With a sigh, he gave her hips a gentle squeeze and pulled her up to her feet with him. "No, Alfred. She was just leaving." He looked down at her. "Unless I can give you a ride?"
Catwoman pushed her lower lip out a little and frowned. "No. I got myself here. I can get myself out."
Bruce wanted her to stop pouting, wanted to kiss away that pout, but he nodded and turned to the door, his right hand around her arm. "I'll walk you out."
Alfred glared at Bruce even knowing that he would be ignored for the moment.
Catwoman rolled his eyes and padded toward the door, ignoring Alfred. Normally he liked Alfred, but he didn't appreciate the interruption.
"I'd really rather know you made it home safely," Bruce told her as they walked along the hall that led to the front door. He always wanted to know that, but it had yet to happen.
"Do you really think a kitty cat needs a puppy dog?" Catwoman looked straight ahead and shrugged. "I'll be fine. Luthor doesn't even know I'm here."
Bruce let his hand travel down her arm and the middle of her back. He hooked his fingers around her waist and pulled her to him, cupping her face with his free hand. "He's not the only villain out there."
Catwoman made an approving sound at his forward move and smirked up at him. "And would I be one of those villains out there? You might want to put some protection on your valuables."
"Take anything," he told her seriously.
"There's only one thing I want here." Catwoman walked his index and middle finger up Bruce's chest. God, I'm a slut lately, he thought to himself.
"Stop," he warned, but dipped his head and kissed her again. Just one more.
"Mm." Catwoman rubbed against him. It was like he was in heat, or something. "I'll see you later, I suppose. Don't let anyone else get their dirty paws in your pockets,hm?"
"Are you a jealous one?" he asked with a small smile.
"Oh yeah. Real jealous. It's in my nature." Catwoman leaned his head against Bruce's shoulder.
Bruce cupped the back of her neck. "I have something for you."
Catwoman laughed softly. "Do you? Wanna give it to me?"
"Yes, I do." Bruce opened the front door for her. If Alfred didn't see her leave, he would never rest. "Go up to my balcony in two minutes."
Catwoman grinned at Bruce and bounced once before he turned and jogged out the door. This was all too much fun.
When Alfred spotted Bruce, he said quite clearly, "Seventeen."
Bruce closed the door and turned to head for his room. He gave Alfred a passing glance. "She kissed me," he replied.
"Ah, I see. Was she wearing some sort of pheromone perfume that prevented you from stopping yourself?" Alfred returned. "I couldn't help but notice somehow your hands were on her. Did she put them there?"
Bruce stopped walking and faced Alfred. "Fine. I kissed back. I touched her. I like her. She's seventeen. What do you want me to do, Alfred?"
Alfred sighed. "I want you to be careful. She's clearly troubled, Master Bruce. You can see that, can't you?"
"Yes, as opposed to me, the very picture of perfect mental health," Bruce shot back. He took a step closer to Alfred. "At least I understand her. I get it. And it's either her or Lex, who's scared to take off his shoes in front of me, let alone..." Bruce shook his head. "You're always telling me to try dating someone, aren't you?"
"Do you think you can get her to trust you enough for a date? She comes on to Batman; she comes on to you. You said yourself she turns on the sex appeal the moment she's in trouble," Alfred replied gently.
Bruce's eyes lowered. That much was true. He nodded. "You're right, as usual." God only knew who else she played with like that.
Alfred's face saddened. "I am sorry, Master Bruce. Just... please don't lose your senses around her. With women it is always better to proceed with caution. I know that your better judgment will tell you what is best to do."
Bruce met Alfred's eyes. "You give me too much credit, Alfred." He spun on his heels and headed upstairs.
He headed upstairs to his bedroom, moved the large painting that hid his parents' safe, and opened it. After pocketing an item he retrieved in there, Bruce walked to the balcony doors and opened them.
Catwoman was already there, lounging on the railing and looking up at him expectantly. "That was a bit longer than two minutes," he pointed out, but with a smile.
"Yes." Bruce stepped outside and closed the doors behind him. He was no longer smiling and stood facing her. "I have a question for you."
"Ask away," Catwoman replied breezily.
"Why did you kiss me?"
Catwoman sat up, holding onto the rail firmly. "Because you're an attractive man, Bruce Wayne. Because I wanted to," he replied.
Bruce remained serious. "Good answer." He touched her wrist lightly.
"Why are you asking?" Catwoman asked, tilting his head to the side.
"Because I wondered if you go around kissing other men, or was that a first?" He reached into his pocket, pulled out a diamond and emerald bracelet and clasped it around her slim wrist. "Not that I believe you get caught often."
"Is it any of your business who I kiss or don't kiss?" Catwoman asked, pinching his lips in a sour expression, "Why are you giving me jewelry if you think I'm such a slut?"
"I never said I think you're a slut, and it's absolutely none of my business who you kiss or don't kiss." Bruce took her hand and bent down to give it a kiss. "But perhaps of the two of us you're not the only one who's jealous."
"I use sex as a weapon, sometimes; I don't deny it. But I don't kiss just anyone," Catwoman informed Bruce, watching him bent over his hand.
Bruce knew this was all he would get. He nodded. "Fair enough."
Catwoman drew one leg up and hooked the heel of his boot on the rail. "Where did this bracelet come from?"
"It was my mother's. Use it to help in your fight against Luthor. I realize that not everyone is born to a wealthy family." Bruce ran his hand gently up her arm.
"Your... No, Bruce!" Catwoman argued. "You can't give me your mother's things. You don't even know me."
"I can. I just did." Bruce gave her arm a little squeeze. "I may not know you but I knew my mother. She would have wanted me to help you. You're brave and strong, and I like you."
"You're a very sweet man, Bruce." Catwoman looked at the bracelet again and sighed. He slipped off the railing to wrap his arms around Bruce. He did not rub against him or pur or even curl his leg around Bruce's. "Thanks for the support."
"Don't mention it." Bruce rested his hands on her waist. Hopefully she would not have to steal from anyone soon.
Catwoman hooked her chin on Bruce's shoulder and sighed again. "I... should get going."
"If you must." Bruce wrapped his arms slowly around her shoulders.
"So you hold me tighter?" Catwoman chuckled and ran her fingers through his hair, careful not to scratch him.
"I'm sure you can get away if you want to." Bruce finally smiled softly.
"Probably." Catwoman moved his hand down Bruce's back, letting him feel his claws just a bit. "I think your daddy would probably not want to find us together again today."
"Alfred can be quite overprotective," Bruce agreed, leaning back enough to cup her chin with his right hand, and looking down at her. "But I'm not the only one he's trying to protect."
Catwoman raised a brow. "What? Wait, are you saying he wants to protect me? The naughty kitty cat?"
Bruce smiled softly again. "He's worried you're too young for me."
"Too young?" Catwoman rolled her eyes. "Oh, Bruce, I've been old longer than you can imagine. He doesn't need to worry about me. Not with you, anyway."
Bruce arched his eyebrows. "No? I'm harmless?" That elicited a wide grin from him.
"Compared to the other men in my life? Yes," Catwoman replied.
"Hm. I might have to bump up my level of danger." Bruce grabbed her by the armpits, carried her to the railing and sat her on it.
"Mmm. My, how strong you are," Catwoman teased.
Bruce chuckled and rested his hands on the railing, at her sides. He paused and just watched her for a moment. "I like your mouth."
"That's good. Since it's all you can see." Catwoman chuckled.
"Which is a terrible shame," he said in a whisper.
"C'mon, Bruce. You don't really want to see what's behind this mask. Trust me," Catwoman looked down at the ground.
He touched her chin again, gently tilted it up and faced her goggles. He could see her eyes in there, just not very clearly. "I really do. But I'll let you decide when."
"Very gentlemanly of you. I like a gentleman," Catwoman confided.
"Yes. That's me." Bruce leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.
"Mm." Catwoman bent over him, cupping the sides of his face with her hands, and kissed back eagerly. He was still unhappy about their interruption earlier.
Bruce's hands ran down her shoulders and back as they kissed. He did love her mouth, warm and soft, and so very wet.
"You make it hard on a kitty," Catwoman panted, looking into his eyes, which were beautiful, dark and intense.
"And you make me greedy," he replied, sucking on her bottom lip.
Catwoman ran his hands up Bruce's sides, feeling the muscles under his sweater carefully. He remembered how Bruce always seemed to have bruises.
With a sigh, Bruce pulled back, letting go of her lip with a loud suck. He should have stopped long before this.
Catwoman felt a bit of disappointment, but he knew that he had to either stop or start to strip. He stood on the railing. "I'll see you around, my gentleman."
"Don't be a stranger," he told her, stepping back. "Be careful, kitty-cat."
"It's okay." Catwoman grinned widely. "Didn't you know I have nine lives?" He leapt off the balcony.
Bruce rushed to the ledge to watch her fall and catch herself at the last second, all grace and dark silence. He looked away to let her disappear the same way she had snuck in, and headed for the Cave. He was going to have to review the placement of the motion sensors around the Manor.
***Days Later***
"Dr. Langstrom!" Batman called, crouching down to avoid getting hit by one of the Manbat's leathery wings again. "Kirk! I know you're in there! I need you to drink the antidote your wife gave me, so you can become yourself again!"
Manbat paused and tilted his head to the side.
Batman took cautious steps towards the creature that had once been a brilliant scientist. "That's right. Francine, do you remember her? She's waiting for you at home."
Manbat inhaled, flashed his pointy, sharp teeth, and launched himself towards Batman again. His claws gripped Batman's arms and the two fell on the roof of the building, rolling around for control. In a couple of days, Manbat had already attacked several people and the longer Langstrom stayed in bat form, the harder it would be for him to return to his human self.
Batman grunted as Manbat sat on him, gripped his head and hit it against the concrete. His cowl provided good protection but not that good, and Batman saw stars.
Catwoman landed on the roof behind them. He'd spotted them fighting on the rooftops and drawn near in curiousity. To his dismay, Batman didn't subdue the creature as quickly as he did almost anyone else, so Catwoman had decided to get involved. That... thing was too busy with Batman to notice Catwoman's arrival. He looked around quickly and scaled the rise of a small shelter on the roof that covered the stairs and launched himself onto the back of the man-bat. His claws dug into its back deeply, and he held on with all he was worth.
Manbat let out a high-pitched howl and arched back, then immediately got to his feet and began trying to claw Catwoman off his back.
"No!" Batman growled, jumping to his feet and punching Manbat repeatedly on the torso, trying desperately to attract the creature's attention again. "Catwoman, leave!"
"Like hell I will!" Catwoman yelled, dodging a claw swiping at his face. He wrapped his legs around it, squeezing as tightly as he could. "How do we stop this thing?"
"I need him to drink an antidote!" Batman raised his right hand and hit Manbat on the head repeatedly.
Manbat finally stumbled back, but still fought and tried shaking Catwoman off. It shrieked loudly and tried to bite Batman.
"Don't you dare!" Catwoman growled. He let his claws go and wrapped an arm around the bat's neck, trying to hold its jaw still with his other hand. "It's time to take your medicine, ugly."
Manbat choked in surprise, then turned his head to bite Catwoman. Batman took the opportunity to pop the lid of the antidote open with his left thumb, and shoved the contents of the plastic tube down the giant bat's mouth.
Manbat gurgled, shrieked and jerked, but finally took a breath, stumbled, and dropped to his knees.
Catwoman let go and jumped back, crouching and touchng the cold rooftop with one hand as he looked on warily. "Are you okay, Batman? Did he get you?"
Batman walked around Manbat as he shook on the ground, and went to her. He grabbed her elbow and pulled her up against his chest. "Are you hurt?"
"I don't think so," Catwoman replied. He looked up at Batman and pursed his lips. "Take it easy, Batsy. I'm not hurt."
"You shouldn't have done that," he said in a raspy voice, his lips a thin line. "He could have really hurt you."
"He was slamming your head into the concrete. I don't think you need any more knocks to the head," Catwoman replied sassily. "Though maybe one more might get some sense into you."
He just watched her for a moment. She looked fine. "I could have handled him," he told her briskly, giving her arm a squeeze, but not too hard. "Thank you. But don't ever do that again."
"Oh, of course not. Next time I'll just let the great big man take care of it," Catwoman said sarcastically. She looked over to the creature. Something was happening to it. "What... what's going on with that thing?"
Batman did not look away from her. He had not seen her in a few days. "He's turning back into the human he is. I have to take him to Arkham, where his wife and specialists are waiting. His wife told me he was trying to give himself bat sonars because he's going deaf. It didn't go very well."
"Huh. I think I'd take deafness over batness. No offense." Catwoman rubbed her arm and looked at Batman again.
"None taken." Batman could hear Langstrom emerging behind him, groaning painfully. "Are you coming with me?"
"Well, I could come with to keep an eye on you," Catwoman answered. "In case he reverts or something. After you drop him off, we could get some coffee," he joked.
"Coffee," Batman repeated, letting her go at last and turning to Langstrom, who lay shaking naked on the ground. He got on his left knee, turned the man on his back and pulled out a large piece of thin black fabric out of his belt. He wrapped the scientist with it and picked him up in his arms. "Not milk?"
"Ha ha," Catwoman replied with a twitch of his lips. "They put milk in most coffees these days anyway."
"I'll buy you some coffee," Batman said seriously. He walked to the edge of the building and hit the button that would bring the Batmobile to the street below.
Catwoman walked up to him and put his hand on his hip. "I was kidding, Batman. Don't feel obligated to entertain this kitty."
"I'd like to keep you out of trouble," he told her, flung the unconscious Langstrom over his left shoulder, and jumped off the building.
Catwoman lept after him. Once they were both on the ground, she straightened herself up and petted the Batmobile. "Missed the car. How've you been?"
"Well enough. Busy. You?" Batman opened the Batmobile, shoved Langstrom in the back and got in the driver's seat.
Catwoman got in the passenger seat. "Good. Nicer to be gettting a ride when I don't have bullets in me."
"How's your boyfriend?" Batman asked as he drove towards Arkham.
"How in the world did you hear about that?" Catwoman asked, propping a boot on his dashboard.
"I hear about everything."
"So you're like Santa Claus."
"Only darker," he agreed dryly.
"I look forward to rubbing your bowl full of jelly after you're done with all the cookies. But that's all I'm going to be rubbing, Batsy." Catwoman patted his thigh.
"It's serious, then?" Batman glanced at her.
Catwoman leaned his chin on his hand. "Serious? That's a good question. I don't think he knows me as well as he thinks he does." He frowned pensively. "If I had my way, though, I'd be curled up on his bed every night."
"Isn't Wayne a little too..." Batman drove through the open Arkham gates. They had been waiting for him. "...useless for you?"
"He has pretensions of being useful, I think. More than he lets on. I have to say my preference is for a man of action, but he's... problematically charming," Catwoman admitted. "What's wrong, Batsy? Jealous?"
"I don't want you to have your little kitty heart broken by the city's playboy," he said dryly. "He's been pretty quiet lately, but is given to ridiculous acts of display. Like when he took the entire Victoria's Secret model staff on a ski trip." Batman opened the vehicle and looked at her again. "Who does that?"
Catwoman was quiet for a moment. "Well. If he does something like that, he won't see me again."
"I wish I could say he won't." Batman got Langstrom out of the car and handed him over to the awaiting orderlies. Mrs. Langstrom thanked him profusively, which Batman tried to ignore. The truth was that Bruce's eccentric trips were great covers for the places Batman needed to 'visit' but if Catwoman was expecting him to stay faithful... He returned to the Batmobile and drove out of Arkham.
Catwoman thought about the matter as he watched Batman disposing of the poor man-bat. Once he'd returned, he said quietly, "I suppose I'll have to talk to him about it. If he's free to see other people, I am as well. We're both jealous people, however. I don't know what's going to happen, Batman. I really don't."
"Neither do I, kitty." Batman could feel a headache coming on. "Neither do I. Where to?"
"Anywhere. I'll probably drop by Wayne manor later. Can you think of anywhere that serves coffee, where they won't kick us out for our outfits?"
"I know a place with a wide drive-through," he suggested, glad to know she would be stopping by the manor later on.
"That might be our best bet." Catwoman grinned at the thought of how the employee at the drive through would react.
***
A few hours later, Catwoman climbed up the side of Wayne manor and found a window to slip through. He had let Batman drop him off, and then returned to his apartment to brush his teeth and freshen up a little before traveling to Wayne manor. He'd gotten a Vespa to get around the city, so he'd left it by the gate and gone in search of his playboy boyfriend. It didn't take Catwoman long to find Bruce. He was in the library, stretched out on the leather sofa facing the fireplace. Catwoman smiled and approached him from behind. "Evening, Bruce. Miss me?"
Bruce opened his eyes and smiled brightly at her. "Hello, darling. I did." He opened his arms for her and hoped she didn't touch the back of his head. It was killing him.
Catwoman walked around the sofa and crawled into Bruce's embrace. This was a good place to be. He should try it some time as Lex Luthor. "What have you been up to since last we met?"
"Not much. Trying to avoid work, but they keep wanting me at board meetings." Bruce caressed her cheek. "Anything exciting going on with my kitty-cat?"
"I went out for coffee with the Bat. I think the girl at the drive through was going to die," Catwoman replied, then chuckled at the memory. "Oh, and I jumped on a real giant bat, trying to keep it from killing Batman."
"Oh, you have been busy." Bruce gave her lips a light kiss. He would have really preferred that she hadn't jumped Manbat. It could have killed her. Bruce knew she could handle herself, but he still worried. "Batman, hm? Should I be worried?"
"It was coffee, nothing else," Catwoman promised.
"And then you came here." Bruce kissed her cheek.
"Well, first I brushed by teeth. No need to have you kiss someone with tuna breath." Catwoman grinned and wrapped her arm around him.
"Hm. Yes, that would be horrible." Bruce ran his hand down the side of her neck; he would love to see more of her, to be able to touch her skin.
"Bruce, I want to ask you something."
"Go ahead, kitty-cat." He took her hand in his and studied the claws at the end of her fingers.
"I'm not normally into labels, but I would like an idea as to what you expect from me. Especially if you're going to take the Victoria's Secret girls to Aspen on occasion," Catwoman said, keeping her tone a little flippant.
"Oh. That." Bruce chuckled. "That's just me doing what't expected of me. Would that bother you?"
Catwoman gave him a wry smile. "Why yes. Just a bit."
"Hm. And if I don't take women along on my trips?" Bruce asked. Alfred would have to get more creative with his alibis.
"That would be a lot better, yes. If you're serious about this, that is." Catwoman bent her head and began to kiss Bruce's neck.
"Hmmm..." Bruce let his eyes fall closed. "I'll behave."
"Then so will I, and we'll see what happens." Catwoman tightened her arms around him and sucked gently on his neck, then the corner of his jaw.
Are you-" Bruce grabbed her hips as his lips parted. "Oh."
"Am I what, sexy?" Catwoman asked, wrapping his leg around Bruce's hip. He took Bruce's earlobe into his mouth and nibbled on it.
Bruce let out a single chuckle. "I already know you are. Will you ever be able to trust me?" He asked softly, holding her to him.
"Are you going to be able to trust me? You can't even see my face," Catwoman pointed out. "I could be anyone. I could be someone you hate."
"That would make me a terrible judge of character." Bruce chased her lips with his and gave her a hard kiss before drawing back. "You're in my house, laying over me. I trust you."
Catwoman slipped her hand down to Bruce's ass and squeezed. "You're amazing."
"Hardly, darling." He ran his right hand up her side and wrapped his fingers around the handle of her whip. "Do the weapons stay on?"
"When I'm jumping around the city, yes. They can come off, though." Catwoman put her hand on her whip and unattached it. "Hm. I should have used this on the man-bat-thing."
Instead, she had jumped on it without a thought. Impulsive and hellbent on helping Batman. Bruce looked up at her. "How about the gloves?"
"They come off." Catwoman looked at one gloved, hoping there wasnt enough light in here for Bruce to think that Catwoman's hands were a bit masculine. He pulled off one glove, then the other, then set them aside and caressed Bruce's chin gently.
Bruce ran his fingers against the palm of her free hand and entwined their fingers together. Her hands were smaller than his but strong and calloused, as he would have expected from a gymnist such as she was. He raised his head and kissed her.
Emboldened, Catwoman kissed back fiercely, wrapping her hands around the back of his neck.
"Hm!" A few inches higher and Bruce might throw her on the ground as a reaction to the pain, so he grabbed her other hand as well, and held them over his head. He couldn't get over that mouth of hers, so demanding.
Catwoman wondered what Bruce was doing, but he didn't want to stop kissing him. so he squeezed Bruce's hands and slipped his tongue into Bruce's mouth, tasting him slowly.
"Mmm..." Bruce licked along her tongue and tilted his head just so he could deepen the kiss as much as possible. He would take her to his bed now if he could.
Catwoman shuddered, melting into him. He ground his hips against Bruce, wishing he could peel his costume off and make the man scream.
Bruce rolled his hips up once, moving with her. Making out like this, fully clothed, wasn't his favorite activity, but he could understand her hesitation at taking off her costume better than anyone. He groaned and sat up a little.
"Mmm... Bruce..." Catwoman gasped, pulling back. He could hear steps coming toward them in the hallway. "Alfred." He jumped back and head toward the draperies to hide.
"Ahh, Master Bruce. I've brought you some ice for your head," Alfred announced as he entered the room.
Bruce placed his feet on the floor and rested his head on his hands, then looked up. "Thank you, Alfred. Did Lex call about lunch tomorrow?" He hoped that Alfred would not mention Batman; he would have to cut him off if that happened.
"No, he hasn't called this evening," Alfred replied apologetically. "Perhaps he's been out. I'm certain he will call, however."
"Ever the optimist," Bruce joked. He took the ice pack from Alfred and placed it on his head, not quite at the back.
"The boy is very fond of you. I can't imagine why," Alfred joked. "I can give you some painkillers as well, if you like. Are you sure you did not acrue any scratches this evening?"
"I'll have you know I'm a perfectly pleasant person to those few deserving ones," Bruce said, standing up and walking to his desk. "No, just the fall. Thank you, Alfred, is there anything more?"
"Fall?" Alfred repeated. He frowned and looked over at the fire for a moment. "No, nothing more, Master Bruce." His eyes caught sight of a heel below the drapery. "Might I bring something for your friend? A saucer of cream, perhaps?"
Bruce twisted his lips not to chuckle. "I'm sure we can find the kitchen if the need arises. Good night, Alfred."
Catwoman sighed and stepped out of the drapes. "Yes, good night, Alfred." He waved and walked up to Bruce. "What happened to your head?"
"You weren't the only one with a bat problem today," he told her, trying to keep his lies to a minimum, which was quite ridiculous given to the nature of his nightly activities. "They come in the house sometimes if a window is left open." That was also true, but tasted like a lie in his mouth.
Catwoman gave him a sad look and wrapped his arms around Bruce. "Poor baby."
"I'm fine," he assured her, dropping the ice pack on the desk and hugging her as well.
Alfred watched them for a moment, then gave a nod and departed.
Bruce cupped her cheek tenderly. "I thought he wouldn't see you this time," he said with a chuckle.
"I was hoping," Catwoman replied. He petted the sides of Bruce's hair gently. "It's probably good we got interupted, though."
"Yes, I know." He dipped his head and kissed her lips twice. "I can't seem to stop with you. Nor do I want to."
"Me either, but getting the gloves off was as much of a step as I can take right now." Catwoman rubbed Bruce's back.
"I understand," he muttered. He did. "Will you be going home?"
"I think I should. Or I'll end up with kittens," Catwoman joked.
Bruce smiled widely. "Plenty of room in this house. And I'll buy them all the balls of yarn they'll need."
Catwoman shook in laughter, leaning into Bruce. "But how ever would my suit fit? Leather doesn't stretch!"
"Well, I'm hoping we'll have taken it off by then." He laughed as well.
Catwoman turned away and pushed up his goggles to wipe his eyes. "Oh. Yarn. Handsome and funny. Did I ever have a chance?"
"Maybe as much chance as I had," Bruce said softly. He struggled not to turn her around and meet her eyes.
"I don't think I've figured out what you like about me. You found me spying on you one day." He put the goggles back into place. "Then I hopped in your lap."
Bruce took one of her hands in his. "I feel like I know you. I admire your determination, we have a common foe, and you hopped in my lap. Reasons enough?"
"Hm. I guess we'll see if those are reasons enough to keep you," Catwoman replied, squeezing his hand. "I need to get my whip."
"Allow me." Bruce walked to the sofa, picked up the whip and held it out for her, as well as her gloves.
"Thank you." Catwoman took them, reattached the whip, and began to pull on his gloves. "When can I drop in on you again? Or should it be a surprise? I'll leave you and your little Luthor alone tomorrow."
"His name's Lex, darling," Bruce commented, trying to keep the protective tone out of his voice. "He may be a Luthor in name, but he's just against his father as we both are. You can come by any time."
Catwoman looked up curiously. "So I don't need to worry about Victoria's Secret models. What about 'Lex'? Should I worry about him?"
Bruce took a breath. "You might have, were he interested. As it is, I'm all yours." He sobered up. "But I don't want to see anything happen to him."
"I'm not going to hurt him," Catwoman whispered honestly. "Alright. I think I'll let you visit him." He walked over to Bruce and gave him another kiss. "I'll miss you. But it's been a long night."
"I'll wait for another visit." Bruce touched her chin tenderly. "Good night, kitty-cat."
Catwoman looked him in the eyes and smiled. "Meow."
He shook his head slowly. What a handful. "Be careful," he said, not worrying that he always said it. He meant it.
Catwoman nuzzled his forehead, then headed for the window. He didn't have to slip out the window, but he liked to do it. Maybe it would make him seem more mysterious to Bruce.
Thirty minutes later, Catwoman returned home, gave Isis a pet and her chow, and undressed. Lex pulled out his phone and dialed Bruce's number.
Bruce was in the Cave, going over Manbat's serum formula. What a horrid concotion that was. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and smiled. "Hey, there. Late night?"
"Yeah, I was stuck in a study group. Am I too late to get in for lunch tomorrow?" Lex asked, grinning as he fell onto his bed. God, he was so tired.
"Not at all. Alfred has been looking forward to feeding you some more." Bruce sealed the sample and stored it safely.
"Well, you can tell Alfred that I'm looking forward to it as well. How's your day been?"
"Ah, you know. There's always something..." 'Bats, cats,' Bruce thought, sitting back in his chair. "You sound tired."
"I'm exhausted. I'm taking a lot of classes. It wears one out," Lex replied. He wanted to tell Bruce that he missed him already. "I look forward to your company tomorrow."
"So do I, Lex." Bruce glanced down at his shoes. "Alfred wants to know if you've eaten." Alfred was nowhere in sight.
"It's... been awhile. No, I guess I didn't eat dinner." Lex stood up. "I managed to feed the cat, though." He chuckled. "Hang on, I can put on something while we talk."
Bruce coughed when Lex mentioned having a cat; recurring subjects! "Do that, or he might go there and bring you something!"
"I'm sure I have something in the fridge other than tuna," Lex joked. He opened the door and looked around. "Oh, I have leftover Chinese. Fabulous." He grabbed the carton of vegetable lo-mein and popped it in the microwave.
"Should I let you go eat?" Bruce asked, standing and stretching his back. He might take those painkillers from Alfred after all.
"I... guess. I'll talk to you tomorrow, after all."
"Around 11. Will you need a ride?"
"No, I'll come from class. I got a Vespa," Lex explained. The microwave dinged, and Lex grabbed a fork and a diet soda from the refridgerator. "Come to me, lo-mein."
"Well, that sounds..." Bruce blinked up at the ceiling. "I'm not sure what the word is. I can't quite picture you on a Vespa. What color?"
"Blue. With a bit more red in it." Lex chuckled and brought his food over to the battered chair he had in front of the television and turned on the news.
"I hope you have a matching helmet," Bruce said, chuckling as well.
"Oh, I do. It doesn't even mess up my hair... Batman made it on the news tonight," Lex informed him, then blew on his dinner.
"Did he? What's the lunatic been up to?" Bruce sat back up, shut off the main computer, and stood with a light groan.
"Dealing with some guy who turned himself into a bat. Ironic, no? You okay?" Lex asked with concern. He wanted to go back over there and give him a massage. Maybe only Catwoman could get away with that.
"Yeah, kinda. I fell and hit my back and head. Old man," Bruce joked, shutting off most of the lights in the Cave and heading up to the house.
"I'm sorry," Lex said seriously. He paused. "I could give you a rub when I come over for lunch tomorow."
"You do that, too? You truly are a man of many talents, Lex." Bruce walked to the kitchen to grab himself a bottle of water.
"You have no idea, Bruce Wayne," Lex replied, smirking a little. Isis hopped into his lap and started purring loudly. "Aw. No, you wouldn't like it, Miss Kitty."
"Hm. I'm glad you have your cat to keep you warm. I'm thinking of getting one, myself." Bruce grinned as he headed upstairs to his bedroom.
"Despite popular opinion that they're too independant and fickle, they really can be quite loving." Lex petted Isis' soft, gray back.
"I'm hoping so." Bruce began to strip for a shower. "But I'm keeping you from eating."
"Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow. Take it easy, Bruce," Lex advised.
"You too, Lex." Bruce hung up and placed his phone on the sink counter. A couple of sleepless nights and a blow to the head, and he was ready to crash. At least he could sleep in until Lex arrived tomorrow.
Pairing: Brex/BatCat
Rating: (eventually) NC-17
Summary: Batman happens upon a cat burgler in his city who is much more than she seems. Can Batman handle the Catwoman?
AU, Adventure, Romance, Warning: ( skip or highlight) eventually attempted rape, incest
Part One ♥ Part Two
Part Three
PLEASE DO NOT ALTER OR REPOST.
Thankfully, it was dark by the time Lionel Luthor arrived at Wayne Manor, so when Catwoman began scaling up the side of the building in a blindspot of the security cameras, she had much less chance of being caught. His daylight persona had begun working for Bruce Wayne, cautiously, but now Lionel had come to Gotham, and Catwoman found out that the old man was going to visit his new friend. So he climbed the wall and slipped in through a third floor window. He had to hear this conversation, and if Bruce was working with Lionel Luthor... Catwoman just might be heart-broken.
Bruce, in a black turtleneck sweater, dark grey pants and black leather shoes, raked his hair back with his fingers and entered the sitting room, where Alfred had left Luthor, with large steps. He had no inclination to smile, and he did not make a move to shake the man's hand. "Mr. Luthor. What can I do for you?" he asked hurriedly so the man would realize that showing up unannounced was not something that Bruce welcomed. In fact, the man had been left waiting for almost one hour.
Catwoman slunk down the hall and hid behind a bookcase to listen. He peered out just a little to see Lionel shifting irritably in his seat before standing and putting his hands in his pocket.
"I understand that you're a busy man, Mr. Wayne. You've grown so much," Lionel drawled. "I've come, however, because it has come to my attention that you are employing my son. What prompted that decision?"
Bruce blinked a couple of times, then frowned dumbly. "I don't recall having to run my decisions by you, Mr. Luthor."
Lionel resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the juvenile answer. "I don't believe I implied that you did. Regardless, I think I do have a right to be curious about my own son."
"All right." Bruce slipped his hands in his pant pockets as well. "Lex is a brilliant student. I want him in my staff as soon as he graduates. Before he graduates, actually."
"Hm. The fact of the matter is that I plan to have Lex on my staff when he is through with school," Lionel replied. "You see, I would never tell him this; Lex needs a healthy sense of perspective, but he is quite brilliant, much more brilliant than I expected to get out of any of my own line. He's destined for greatness, and he's mine, Wayne. Give him up now, and there will be nothing to worry about."
Bruce arched his eyebrows. "And if I don't?"
Lionel rubbed his hand over his beard. "LuthorCorp didn't get to where it is by accepting no for an answer. I rarely ask this politely. Wayne Industries is in good standing, but you aren't invulnerable, Bruce."
Bruce's expression hardened and he tilted his chin up slightly. "You forget your place, Lionel. I know where you come from, and how long it took you to get there. I know your methods, and it's thanks to your son that I don't put you where you belong." He leaned forward. "You don't want to fight me."
"My place? How typical of you, Wayne. I assure you someone from my background is not particularly threatened by a child who occasionally dresses up to play at business," Lionel said in a breezey tone. "No, I don't want to fight you. You'd hardly be a challenge."
Bruce slowly grinned, not a pleasant grin at all. He just loved being underestimated. "Lex is no longer yours, if he ever was. And you can't have him."
"Oh, Bruce. You don't realize that he's always been mine. No matter how much he protests, he will always be the child that I shaped. That's something he will never be able to escape from. If you keep him on your staff, he will betray you. It's his nature. He's a Luthor, above all else," Lionel replied, with a smug twist of his lips. "Already he's plotting to use his position to his advantage. It's his training. It's survival. I might as well leave him there, so that when he eventually makes his move, I can tap his position in your company for a takeover."
"Lex is his own person, and you should have realized that as his father but, frankly, I'm not surprised you didn't, if all you see when you look at him is a means to get what you want." Bruce held Lionel's stare. "That you've come to 'politely ask me' to let him go tells me more than you can imagine. You have much less control over him than you would like to. And if you're right and he betrays me..." Bruce shrugged once. "If you think that you or anyone else can take over Wayne Industries... I want to see you try."
"Well, Bruce, since you asked so nicely." Lionel turned to head to the door of the sitting room. "Everyone has their weakness; everyone has their price. Creating a coup is easier than you'd think, especially against the overconfident and inexperienced."
Bruce laughed softly. "I don't run the company, Lionel. My CEO is neither overconfident nor inexperienced. I'm afraid you've been barking up the wrong tree."
Lionel merely laughed in return. "I know the way out, Bruce. I hope that you have a good evening of debauchery."
"Alfred will accompany you just the same." Bruce kept his grin on until the detestable man and Alfred were well out of sight. He then scowled and held his hands in tight fists at his sides. The gall of that man! Bruce wanted LuthorCorp gone. Gone!
Behind the bookshelf, Catwoman crouched with a worried frown on his face. He hoped that seed of doubt didn't do any damage in Bruce and his relationship. He looked out, watching Bruce's back and feeling the blow of his father's words. What if Lionel were right? What if Lex would naturally destroy what he had in some sort of Luthorian biological imperative? He hoped not. That was why he was here in Gotham, after all, but still, he sometimes doubted his ability to change.
After a couple of deep breaths, Bruce straightened and tilted his way to the right and to the left, cracking his neck both times. Fits of rage weren't something he did. He walked to the closest telephone and dialed Lucius' number. "Lucius. Just wanted to give you a heads up. Lionel Luthor is going to come after us. He wants his son back. I said no." Bruce chuckled after a short pause. "Yes, I did tell him it was Lex's decision to make, but he didn't sound very conviced. And he vowed to execute a takeover on us." Bruce nodded. "I know. Yes. Good night, Lucius." He hung up the phone and took a deep breath. That was bound to happen; he wouldn't have wanted to let Lex go, either.
Catwoman gathered his senses and began slinking toward the window. Once Bruce had left the room, he could slip out the window, with his friend none-the-wiser.
Bruce caught a movement out of the corner of his eye and snapped his head that way. "You might as well come out," he said in a firm voice, but not quite Batman's.
Catwoman froze, wondering if he remained perfectly still Bruce would think he'd imagined the movement. How had he caught that?
Bruce took a heavy breath and crossed the room, then spied behind the bookshelf. "Well. Hello, there." He smiled pleasantly, but inside, his mind raced. How had she gotten in without setting off alarms? Had she found out about the Cave?
Catwoman blinked up at him with wide eyes. "Meow."
"Indeed." Bruce held out a hand to her. "Come on out," he said softly. "Don't scratch Bruce, now."
Catwoman rose slowly, refusing to take his hand, but he did give Bruce an obvious once over with his eyes and curved his lips ever so slightly. "No claws. Not yet, anyway," Catwoman said in a smooth, delicate tone.
Bruce raised his hands defensively. "Let's keep it that way, hm?" He took a step back to give her some room, but kept close enough to catch her if she tried to escape. "So tell me... What's a kitty-cat like you doing in my house, hiding behind furniture? Have you come to rob me?"
"Rob you?" Catwoman looked back and forth, eyeing some of his nice collections. "I might consider it. However, you had a meeting just now with a very dangerous man. I wanted to know what he was up to."
"Ah." She did have quite the obsession with Luthor. Bruce pouted dramatically. "And here I thought you might have been interested in me..."
Catwoman put a hand on his hip, swaying it out seductively. "Hmm. Well, I was interested in how you're react to him."
"Oh, that's better." Bruce backed up to the loveseat behind him and sat down. "How did I do?" He patted the cushion next to his.
"Well," he replied, strolling up to him at a lazy pace. "You didn't do badly. Challenging him probably wasn't a good idea. He's been getting a foothold in the city over the past couple of months. I don't think his threats are completely without backing. He has something already. Maybe you should have handed the brat over to him."
Bruce pursed his lips through his grin. He leaned back and rested both arms spread out along the back of the loveseat. "The brat is my friend. He has free will, and I don't own him. But if I can help it, Luthor won't control him again. And besides, Luthor's been trying to get a foothold. He'll fail."
"Oh?" Catwoman dropped into the loveseat beside Bruce and lounged back, crossing her legs at the knee. "Well, I hope the littlest Luthor is worth it. I've been trying to keep Big Daddy from infesting this town."
"Have you?" Bruce feigned surprise. "I thought you were a thief. At least that's what they say at the parties I attend."
"I wouldn't necessarily believe the gossip of the rich and feckless, Mr. Wayne." He reached over and ran his fingers gently over Bruce's shoulders.
"I'll try not to." Bruce glanced at her hand on him and back up at her. "Can I get you something, Catwoman? A drink perhaps?"
"I don't think I need a drink," Catwoman replied. He wet his lips and leaned over Bruce.
"Not even some warm milk?" Bruce slowly moved his hands to cup her hips. He had to stop her, had to stop her now.
"Hmm," he purred. "Maybe I would like something warm." He let the distance close between their faces and met Bruce's lips firmly. Oh, so nice.
Bruce's eyes fell halfway closed before he so much as realized it. This was wrong in so many levels he would have a hard time counting them all. Still, he pressed back against her red-painted lips and his hands held her slightly tighter. Her hips were lean, and his thumbs felt over her hipbones.
Catwoman moaned softly and licked the inside of his lips. His tongue moved inside Bruce's mouth. He moved over to straddle Bruce's lap.
Bruce hugged the small of her back, pulling her close as he leaned back and surrendered his mouth to her. He was a despicable liar, and she was much too young, but she had him wrapped around one sharp little claw. If he was going to hell, and he was, he would give her what she wanted for as long as he could.
Catwoman ground his hips against Bruce, kissing him so hungrily, almost needily. He hadn't let himself think of how attracted he was to Bruce, but when he was Catwoman, he couldn't help himself. She brought out the sexuality he tried so hard to push away when it was inconvenient.
Alfred walked into the room to inform Bruce that Lionel Luthor had departed. His eyes widened, and his brow rose. "Ahem!"
Bruce froze in place. He was a dead man. Catwoman stopped and looked up at Alfred. He felt a bit ashamed, but the Catwoman part of him simply rubbed his leg against Bruce. "Hey, there. Want to bring us some whipped cream?"
"Will the child be staying for dinner, sir?" Alfred asked stiffly.
Bruce thinned his lips. He was going to hear that one for the rest of his days. With a sigh, he gave her hips a gentle squeeze and pulled her up to her feet with him. "No, Alfred. She was just leaving." He looked down at her. "Unless I can give you a ride?"
Catwoman pushed her lower lip out a little and frowned. "No. I got myself here. I can get myself out."
Bruce wanted her to stop pouting, wanted to kiss away that pout, but he nodded and turned to the door, his right hand around her arm. "I'll walk you out."
Alfred glared at Bruce even knowing that he would be ignored for the moment.
Catwoman rolled his eyes and padded toward the door, ignoring Alfred. Normally he liked Alfred, but he didn't appreciate the interruption.
"I'd really rather know you made it home safely," Bruce told her as they walked along the hall that led to the front door. He always wanted to know that, but it had yet to happen.
"Do you really think a kitty cat needs a puppy dog?" Catwoman looked straight ahead and shrugged. "I'll be fine. Luthor doesn't even know I'm here."
Bruce let his hand travel down her arm and the middle of her back. He hooked his fingers around her waist and pulled her to him, cupping her face with his free hand. "He's not the only villain out there."
Catwoman made an approving sound at his forward move and smirked up at him. "And would I be one of those villains out there? You might want to put some protection on your valuables."
"Take anything," he told her seriously.
"There's only one thing I want here." Catwoman walked his index and middle finger up Bruce's chest. God, I'm a slut lately, he thought to himself.
"Stop," he warned, but dipped his head and kissed her again. Just one more.
"Mm." Catwoman rubbed against him. It was like he was in heat, or something. "I'll see you later, I suppose. Don't let anyone else get their dirty paws in your pockets,hm?"
"Are you a jealous one?" he asked with a small smile.
"Oh yeah. Real jealous. It's in my nature." Catwoman leaned his head against Bruce's shoulder.
Bruce cupped the back of her neck. "I have something for you."
Catwoman laughed softly. "Do you? Wanna give it to me?"
"Yes, I do." Bruce opened the front door for her. If Alfred didn't see her leave, he would never rest. "Go up to my balcony in two minutes."
Catwoman grinned at Bruce and bounced once before he turned and jogged out the door. This was all too much fun.
When Alfred spotted Bruce, he said quite clearly, "Seventeen."
Bruce closed the door and turned to head for his room. He gave Alfred a passing glance. "She kissed me," he replied.
"Ah, I see. Was she wearing some sort of pheromone perfume that prevented you from stopping yourself?" Alfred returned. "I couldn't help but notice somehow your hands were on her. Did she put them there?"
Bruce stopped walking and faced Alfred. "Fine. I kissed back. I touched her. I like her. She's seventeen. What do you want me to do, Alfred?"
Alfred sighed. "I want you to be careful. She's clearly troubled, Master Bruce. You can see that, can't you?"
"Yes, as opposed to me, the very picture of perfect mental health," Bruce shot back. He took a step closer to Alfred. "At least I understand her. I get it. And it's either her or Lex, who's scared to take off his shoes in front of me, let alone..." Bruce shook his head. "You're always telling me to try dating someone, aren't you?"
"Do you think you can get her to trust you enough for a date? She comes on to Batman; she comes on to you. You said yourself she turns on the sex appeal the moment she's in trouble," Alfred replied gently.
Bruce's eyes lowered. That much was true. He nodded. "You're right, as usual." God only knew who else she played with like that.
Alfred's face saddened. "I am sorry, Master Bruce. Just... please don't lose your senses around her. With women it is always better to proceed with caution. I know that your better judgment will tell you what is best to do."
Bruce met Alfred's eyes. "You give me too much credit, Alfred." He spun on his heels and headed upstairs.
He headed upstairs to his bedroom, moved the large painting that hid his parents' safe, and opened it. After pocketing an item he retrieved in there, Bruce walked to the balcony doors and opened them.
Catwoman was already there, lounging on the railing and looking up at him expectantly. "That was a bit longer than two minutes," he pointed out, but with a smile.
"Yes." Bruce stepped outside and closed the doors behind him. He was no longer smiling and stood facing her. "I have a question for you."
"Ask away," Catwoman replied breezily.
"Why did you kiss me?"
Catwoman sat up, holding onto the rail firmly. "Because you're an attractive man, Bruce Wayne. Because I wanted to," he replied.
Bruce remained serious. "Good answer." He touched her wrist lightly.
"Why are you asking?" Catwoman asked, tilting his head to the side.
"Because I wondered if you go around kissing other men, or was that a first?" He reached into his pocket, pulled out a diamond and emerald bracelet and clasped it around her slim wrist. "Not that I believe you get caught often."
"Is it any of your business who I kiss or don't kiss?" Catwoman asked, pinching his lips in a sour expression, "Why are you giving me jewelry if you think I'm such a slut?"
"I never said I think you're a slut, and it's absolutely none of my business who you kiss or don't kiss." Bruce took her hand and bent down to give it a kiss. "But perhaps of the two of us you're not the only one who's jealous."
"I use sex as a weapon, sometimes; I don't deny it. But I don't kiss just anyone," Catwoman informed Bruce, watching him bent over his hand.
Bruce knew this was all he would get. He nodded. "Fair enough."
Catwoman drew one leg up and hooked the heel of his boot on the rail. "Where did this bracelet come from?"
"It was my mother's. Use it to help in your fight against Luthor. I realize that not everyone is born to a wealthy family." Bruce ran his hand gently up her arm.
"Your... No, Bruce!" Catwoman argued. "You can't give me your mother's things. You don't even know me."
"I can. I just did." Bruce gave her arm a little squeeze. "I may not know you but I knew my mother. She would have wanted me to help you. You're brave and strong, and I like you."
"You're a very sweet man, Bruce." Catwoman looked at the bracelet again and sighed. He slipped off the railing to wrap his arms around Bruce. He did not rub against him or pur or even curl his leg around Bruce's. "Thanks for the support."
"Don't mention it." Bruce rested his hands on her waist. Hopefully she would not have to steal from anyone soon.
Catwoman hooked her chin on Bruce's shoulder and sighed again. "I... should get going."
"If you must." Bruce wrapped his arms slowly around her shoulders.
"So you hold me tighter?" Catwoman chuckled and ran her fingers through his hair, careful not to scratch him.
"I'm sure you can get away if you want to." Bruce finally smiled softly.
"Probably." Catwoman moved his hand down Bruce's back, letting him feel his claws just a bit. "I think your daddy would probably not want to find us together again today."
"Alfred can be quite overprotective," Bruce agreed, leaning back enough to cup her chin with his right hand, and looking down at her. "But I'm not the only one he's trying to protect."
Catwoman raised a brow. "What? Wait, are you saying he wants to protect me? The naughty kitty cat?"
Bruce smiled softly again. "He's worried you're too young for me."
"Too young?" Catwoman rolled her eyes. "Oh, Bruce, I've been old longer than you can imagine. He doesn't need to worry about me. Not with you, anyway."
Bruce arched his eyebrows. "No? I'm harmless?" That elicited a wide grin from him.
"Compared to the other men in my life? Yes," Catwoman replied.
"Hm. I might have to bump up my level of danger." Bruce grabbed her by the armpits, carried her to the railing and sat her on it.
"Mmm. My, how strong you are," Catwoman teased.
Bruce chuckled and rested his hands on the railing, at her sides. He paused and just watched her for a moment. "I like your mouth."
"That's good. Since it's all you can see." Catwoman chuckled.
"Which is a terrible shame," he said in a whisper.
"C'mon, Bruce. You don't really want to see what's behind this mask. Trust me," Catwoman looked down at the ground.
He touched her chin again, gently tilted it up and faced her goggles. He could see her eyes in there, just not very clearly. "I really do. But I'll let you decide when."
"Very gentlemanly of you. I like a gentleman," Catwoman confided.
"Yes. That's me." Bruce leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.
"Mm." Catwoman bent over him, cupping the sides of his face with her hands, and kissed back eagerly. He was still unhappy about their interruption earlier.
Bruce's hands ran down her shoulders and back as they kissed. He did love her mouth, warm and soft, and so very wet.
"You make it hard on a kitty," Catwoman panted, looking into his eyes, which were beautiful, dark and intense.
"And you make me greedy," he replied, sucking on her bottom lip.
Catwoman ran his hands up Bruce's sides, feeling the muscles under his sweater carefully. He remembered how Bruce always seemed to have bruises.
With a sigh, Bruce pulled back, letting go of her lip with a loud suck. He should have stopped long before this.
Catwoman felt a bit of disappointment, but he knew that he had to either stop or start to strip. He stood on the railing. "I'll see you around, my gentleman."
"Don't be a stranger," he told her, stepping back. "Be careful, kitty-cat."
"It's okay." Catwoman grinned widely. "Didn't you know I have nine lives?" He leapt off the balcony.
Bruce rushed to the ledge to watch her fall and catch herself at the last second, all grace and dark silence. He looked away to let her disappear the same way she had snuck in, and headed for the Cave. He was going to have to review the placement of the motion sensors around the Manor.
***Days Later***
"Dr. Langstrom!" Batman called, crouching down to avoid getting hit by one of the Manbat's leathery wings again. "Kirk! I know you're in there! I need you to drink the antidote your wife gave me, so you can become yourself again!"
Manbat paused and tilted his head to the side.
Batman took cautious steps towards the creature that had once been a brilliant scientist. "That's right. Francine, do you remember her? She's waiting for you at home."
Manbat inhaled, flashed his pointy, sharp teeth, and launched himself towards Batman again. His claws gripped Batman's arms and the two fell on the roof of the building, rolling around for control. In a couple of days, Manbat had already attacked several people and the longer Langstrom stayed in bat form, the harder it would be for him to return to his human self.
Batman grunted as Manbat sat on him, gripped his head and hit it against the concrete. His cowl provided good protection but not that good, and Batman saw stars.
Catwoman landed on the roof behind them. He'd spotted them fighting on the rooftops and drawn near in curiousity. To his dismay, Batman didn't subdue the creature as quickly as he did almost anyone else, so Catwoman had decided to get involved. That... thing was too busy with Batman to notice Catwoman's arrival. He looked around quickly and scaled the rise of a small shelter on the roof that covered the stairs and launched himself onto the back of the man-bat. His claws dug into its back deeply, and he held on with all he was worth.
Manbat let out a high-pitched howl and arched back, then immediately got to his feet and began trying to claw Catwoman off his back.
"No!" Batman growled, jumping to his feet and punching Manbat repeatedly on the torso, trying desperately to attract the creature's attention again. "Catwoman, leave!"
"Like hell I will!" Catwoman yelled, dodging a claw swiping at his face. He wrapped his legs around it, squeezing as tightly as he could. "How do we stop this thing?"
"I need him to drink an antidote!" Batman raised his right hand and hit Manbat on the head repeatedly.
Manbat finally stumbled back, but still fought and tried shaking Catwoman off. It shrieked loudly and tried to bite Batman.
"Don't you dare!" Catwoman growled. He let his claws go and wrapped an arm around the bat's neck, trying to hold its jaw still with his other hand. "It's time to take your medicine, ugly."
Manbat choked in surprise, then turned his head to bite Catwoman. Batman took the opportunity to pop the lid of the antidote open with his left thumb, and shoved the contents of the plastic tube down the giant bat's mouth.
Manbat gurgled, shrieked and jerked, but finally took a breath, stumbled, and dropped to his knees.
Catwoman let go and jumped back, crouching and touchng the cold rooftop with one hand as he looked on warily. "Are you okay, Batman? Did he get you?"
Batman walked around Manbat as he shook on the ground, and went to her. He grabbed her elbow and pulled her up against his chest. "Are you hurt?"
"I don't think so," Catwoman replied. He looked up at Batman and pursed his lips. "Take it easy, Batsy. I'm not hurt."
"You shouldn't have done that," he said in a raspy voice, his lips a thin line. "He could have really hurt you."
"He was slamming your head into the concrete. I don't think you need any more knocks to the head," Catwoman replied sassily. "Though maybe one more might get some sense into you."
He just watched her for a moment. She looked fine. "I could have handled him," he told her briskly, giving her arm a squeeze, but not too hard. "Thank you. But don't ever do that again."
"Oh, of course not. Next time I'll just let the great big man take care of it," Catwoman said sarcastically. She looked over to the creature. Something was happening to it. "What... what's going on with that thing?"
Batman did not look away from her. He had not seen her in a few days. "He's turning back into the human he is. I have to take him to Arkham, where his wife and specialists are waiting. His wife told me he was trying to give himself bat sonars because he's going deaf. It didn't go very well."
"Huh. I think I'd take deafness over batness. No offense." Catwoman rubbed her arm and looked at Batman again.
"None taken." Batman could hear Langstrom emerging behind him, groaning painfully. "Are you coming with me?"
"Well, I could come with to keep an eye on you," Catwoman answered. "In case he reverts or something. After you drop him off, we could get some coffee," he joked.
"Coffee," Batman repeated, letting her go at last and turning to Langstrom, who lay shaking naked on the ground. He got on his left knee, turned the man on his back and pulled out a large piece of thin black fabric out of his belt. He wrapped the scientist with it and picked him up in his arms. "Not milk?"
"Ha ha," Catwoman replied with a twitch of his lips. "They put milk in most coffees these days anyway."
"I'll buy you some coffee," Batman said seriously. He walked to the edge of the building and hit the button that would bring the Batmobile to the street below.
Catwoman walked up to him and put his hand on his hip. "I was kidding, Batman. Don't feel obligated to entertain this kitty."
"I'd like to keep you out of trouble," he told her, flung the unconscious Langstrom over his left shoulder, and jumped off the building.
Catwoman lept after him. Once they were both on the ground, she straightened herself up and petted the Batmobile. "Missed the car. How've you been?"
"Well enough. Busy. You?" Batman opened the Batmobile, shoved Langstrom in the back and got in the driver's seat.
Catwoman got in the passenger seat. "Good. Nicer to be gettting a ride when I don't have bullets in me."
"How's your boyfriend?" Batman asked as he drove towards Arkham.
"How in the world did you hear about that?" Catwoman asked, propping a boot on his dashboard.
"I hear about everything."
"So you're like Santa Claus."
"Only darker," he agreed dryly.
"I look forward to rubbing your bowl full of jelly after you're done with all the cookies. But that's all I'm going to be rubbing, Batsy." Catwoman patted his thigh.
"It's serious, then?" Batman glanced at her.
Catwoman leaned his chin on his hand. "Serious? That's a good question. I don't think he knows me as well as he thinks he does." He frowned pensively. "If I had my way, though, I'd be curled up on his bed every night."
"Isn't Wayne a little too..." Batman drove through the open Arkham gates. They had been waiting for him. "...useless for you?"
"He has pretensions of being useful, I think. More than he lets on. I have to say my preference is for a man of action, but he's... problematically charming," Catwoman admitted. "What's wrong, Batsy? Jealous?"
"I don't want you to have your little kitty heart broken by the city's playboy," he said dryly. "He's been pretty quiet lately, but is given to ridiculous acts of display. Like when he took the entire Victoria's Secret model staff on a ski trip." Batman opened the vehicle and looked at her again. "Who does that?"
Catwoman was quiet for a moment. "Well. If he does something like that, he won't see me again."
"I wish I could say he won't." Batman got Langstrom out of the car and handed him over to the awaiting orderlies. Mrs. Langstrom thanked him profusively, which Batman tried to ignore. The truth was that Bruce's eccentric trips were great covers for the places Batman needed to 'visit' but if Catwoman was expecting him to stay faithful... He returned to the Batmobile and drove out of Arkham.
Catwoman thought about the matter as he watched Batman disposing of the poor man-bat. Once he'd returned, he said quietly, "I suppose I'll have to talk to him about it. If he's free to see other people, I am as well. We're both jealous people, however. I don't know what's going to happen, Batman. I really don't."
"Neither do I, kitty." Batman could feel a headache coming on. "Neither do I. Where to?"
"Anywhere. I'll probably drop by Wayne manor later. Can you think of anywhere that serves coffee, where they won't kick us out for our outfits?"
"I know a place with a wide drive-through," he suggested, glad to know she would be stopping by the manor later on.
"That might be our best bet." Catwoman grinned at the thought of how the employee at the drive through would react.
***
A few hours later, Catwoman climbed up the side of Wayne manor and found a window to slip through. He had let Batman drop him off, and then returned to his apartment to brush his teeth and freshen up a little before traveling to Wayne manor. He'd gotten a Vespa to get around the city, so he'd left it by the gate and gone in search of his playboy boyfriend. It didn't take Catwoman long to find Bruce. He was in the library, stretched out on the leather sofa facing the fireplace. Catwoman smiled and approached him from behind. "Evening, Bruce. Miss me?"
Bruce opened his eyes and smiled brightly at her. "Hello, darling. I did." He opened his arms for her and hoped she didn't touch the back of his head. It was killing him.
Catwoman walked around the sofa and crawled into Bruce's embrace. This was a good place to be. He should try it some time as Lex Luthor. "What have you been up to since last we met?"
"Not much. Trying to avoid work, but they keep wanting me at board meetings." Bruce caressed her cheek. "Anything exciting going on with my kitty-cat?"
"I went out for coffee with the Bat. I think the girl at the drive through was going to die," Catwoman replied, then chuckled at the memory. "Oh, and I jumped on a real giant bat, trying to keep it from killing Batman."
"Oh, you have been busy." Bruce gave her lips a light kiss. He would have really preferred that she hadn't jumped Manbat. It could have killed her. Bruce knew she could handle herself, but he still worried. "Batman, hm? Should I be worried?"
"It was coffee, nothing else," Catwoman promised.
"And then you came here." Bruce kissed her cheek.
"Well, first I brushed by teeth. No need to have you kiss someone with tuna breath." Catwoman grinned and wrapped her arm around him.
"Hm. Yes, that would be horrible." Bruce ran his hand down the side of her neck; he would love to see more of her, to be able to touch her skin.
"Bruce, I want to ask you something."
"Go ahead, kitty-cat." He took her hand in his and studied the claws at the end of her fingers.
"I'm not normally into labels, but I would like an idea as to what you expect from me. Especially if you're going to take the Victoria's Secret girls to Aspen on occasion," Catwoman said, keeping her tone a little flippant.
"Oh. That." Bruce chuckled. "That's just me doing what't expected of me. Would that bother you?"
Catwoman gave him a wry smile. "Why yes. Just a bit."
"Hm. And if I don't take women along on my trips?" Bruce asked. Alfred would have to get more creative with his alibis.
"That would be a lot better, yes. If you're serious about this, that is." Catwoman bent her head and began to kiss Bruce's neck.
"Hmmm..." Bruce let his eyes fall closed. "I'll behave."
"Then so will I, and we'll see what happens." Catwoman tightened her arms around him and sucked gently on his neck, then the corner of his jaw.
Are you-" Bruce grabbed her hips as his lips parted. "Oh."
"Am I what, sexy?" Catwoman asked, wrapping his leg around Bruce's hip. He took Bruce's earlobe into his mouth and nibbled on it.
Bruce let out a single chuckle. "I already know you are. Will you ever be able to trust me?" He asked softly, holding her to him.
"Are you going to be able to trust me? You can't even see my face," Catwoman pointed out. "I could be anyone. I could be someone you hate."
"That would make me a terrible judge of character." Bruce chased her lips with his and gave her a hard kiss before drawing back. "You're in my house, laying over me. I trust you."
Catwoman slipped her hand down to Bruce's ass and squeezed. "You're amazing."
"Hardly, darling." He ran his right hand up her side and wrapped his fingers around the handle of her whip. "Do the weapons stay on?"
"When I'm jumping around the city, yes. They can come off, though." Catwoman put her hand on her whip and unattached it. "Hm. I should have used this on the man-bat-thing."
Instead, she had jumped on it without a thought. Impulsive and hellbent on helping Batman. Bruce looked up at her. "How about the gloves?"
"They come off." Catwoman looked at one gloved, hoping there wasnt enough light in here for Bruce to think that Catwoman's hands were a bit masculine. He pulled off one glove, then the other, then set them aside and caressed Bruce's chin gently.
Bruce ran his fingers against the palm of her free hand and entwined their fingers together. Her hands were smaller than his but strong and calloused, as he would have expected from a gymnist such as she was. He raised his head and kissed her.
Emboldened, Catwoman kissed back fiercely, wrapping her hands around the back of his neck.
"Hm!" A few inches higher and Bruce might throw her on the ground as a reaction to the pain, so he grabbed her other hand as well, and held them over his head. He couldn't get over that mouth of hers, so demanding.
Catwoman wondered what Bruce was doing, but he didn't want to stop kissing him. so he squeezed Bruce's hands and slipped his tongue into Bruce's mouth, tasting him slowly.
"Mmm..." Bruce licked along her tongue and tilted his head just so he could deepen the kiss as much as possible. He would take her to his bed now if he could.
Catwoman shuddered, melting into him. He ground his hips against Bruce, wishing he could peel his costume off and make the man scream.
Bruce rolled his hips up once, moving with her. Making out like this, fully clothed, wasn't his favorite activity, but he could understand her hesitation at taking off her costume better than anyone. He groaned and sat up a little.
"Mmm... Bruce..." Catwoman gasped, pulling back. He could hear steps coming toward them in the hallway. "Alfred." He jumped back and head toward the draperies to hide.
"Ahh, Master Bruce. I've brought you some ice for your head," Alfred announced as he entered the room.
Bruce placed his feet on the floor and rested his head on his hands, then looked up. "Thank you, Alfred. Did Lex call about lunch tomorrow?" He hoped that Alfred would not mention Batman; he would have to cut him off if that happened.
"No, he hasn't called this evening," Alfred replied apologetically. "Perhaps he's been out. I'm certain he will call, however."
"Ever the optimist," Bruce joked. He took the ice pack from Alfred and placed it on his head, not quite at the back.
"The boy is very fond of you. I can't imagine why," Alfred joked. "I can give you some painkillers as well, if you like. Are you sure you did not acrue any scratches this evening?"
"I'll have you know I'm a perfectly pleasant person to those few deserving ones," Bruce said, standing up and walking to his desk. "No, just the fall. Thank you, Alfred, is there anything more?"
"Fall?" Alfred repeated. He frowned and looked over at the fire for a moment. "No, nothing more, Master Bruce." His eyes caught sight of a heel below the drapery. "Might I bring something for your friend? A saucer of cream, perhaps?"
Bruce twisted his lips not to chuckle. "I'm sure we can find the kitchen if the need arises. Good night, Alfred."
Catwoman sighed and stepped out of the drapes. "Yes, good night, Alfred." He waved and walked up to Bruce. "What happened to your head?"
"You weren't the only one with a bat problem today," he told her, trying to keep his lies to a minimum, which was quite ridiculous given to the nature of his nightly activities. "They come in the house sometimes if a window is left open." That was also true, but tasted like a lie in his mouth.
Catwoman gave him a sad look and wrapped his arms around Bruce. "Poor baby."
"I'm fine," he assured her, dropping the ice pack on the desk and hugging her as well.
Alfred watched them for a moment, then gave a nod and departed.
Bruce cupped her cheek tenderly. "I thought he wouldn't see you this time," he said with a chuckle.
"I was hoping," Catwoman replied. He petted the sides of Bruce's hair gently. "It's probably good we got interupted, though."
"Yes, I know." He dipped his head and kissed her lips twice. "I can't seem to stop with you. Nor do I want to."
"Me either, but getting the gloves off was as much of a step as I can take right now." Catwoman rubbed Bruce's back.
"I understand," he muttered. He did. "Will you be going home?"
"I think I should. Or I'll end up with kittens," Catwoman joked.
Bruce smiled widely. "Plenty of room in this house. And I'll buy them all the balls of yarn they'll need."
Catwoman shook in laughter, leaning into Bruce. "But how ever would my suit fit? Leather doesn't stretch!"
"Well, I'm hoping we'll have taken it off by then." He laughed as well.
Catwoman turned away and pushed up his goggles to wipe his eyes. "Oh. Yarn. Handsome and funny. Did I ever have a chance?"
"Maybe as much chance as I had," Bruce said softly. He struggled not to turn her around and meet her eyes.
"I don't think I've figured out what you like about me. You found me spying on you one day." He put the goggles back into place. "Then I hopped in your lap."
Bruce took one of her hands in his. "I feel like I know you. I admire your determination, we have a common foe, and you hopped in my lap. Reasons enough?"
"Hm. I guess we'll see if those are reasons enough to keep you," Catwoman replied, squeezing his hand. "I need to get my whip."
"Allow me." Bruce walked to the sofa, picked up the whip and held it out for her, as well as her gloves.
"Thank you." Catwoman took them, reattached the whip, and began to pull on his gloves. "When can I drop in on you again? Or should it be a surprise? I'll leave you and your little Luthor alone tomorrow."
"His name's Lex, darling," Bruce commented, trying to keep the protective tone out of his voice. "He may be a Luthor in name, but he's just against his father as we both are. You can come by any time."
Catwoman looked up curiously. "So I don't need to worry about Victoria's Secret models. What about 'Lex'? Should I worry about him?"
Bruce took a breath. "You might have, were he interested. As it is, I'm all yours." He sobered up. "But I don't want to see anything happen to him."
"I'm not going to hurt him," Catwoman whispered honestly. "Alright. I think I'll let you visit him." He walked over to Bruce and gave him another kiss. "I'll miss you. But it's been a long night."
"I'll wait for another visit." Bruce touched her chin tenderly. "Good night, kitty-cat."
Catwoman looked him in the eyes and smiled. "Meow."
He shook his head slowly. What a handful. "Be careful," he said, not worrying that he always said it. He meant it.
Catwoman nuzzled his forehead, then headed for the window. He didn't have to slip out the window, but he liked to do it. Maybe it would make him seem more mysterious to Bruce.
Thirty minutes later, Catwoman returned home, gave Isis a pet and her chow, and undressed. Lex pulled out his phone and dialed Bruce's number.
Bruce was in the Cave, going over Manbat's serum formula. What a horrid concotion that was. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and smiled. "Hey, there. Late night?"
"Yeah, I was stuck in a study group. Am I too late to get in for lunch tomorrow?" Lex asked, grinning as he fell onto his bed. God, he was so tired.
"Not at all. Alfred has been looking forward to feeding you some more." Bruce sealed the sample and stored it safely.
"Well, you can tell Alfred that I'm looking forward to it as well. How's your day been?"
"Ah, you know. There's always something..." 'Bats, cats,' Bruce thought, sitting back in his chair. "You sound tired."
"I'm exhausted. I'm taking a lot of classes. It wears one out," Lex replied. He wanted to tell Bruce that he missed him already. "I look forward to your company tomorrow."
"So do I, Lex." Bruce glanced down at his shoes. "Alfred wants to know if you've eaten." Alfred was nowhere in sight.
"It's... been awhile. No, I guess I didn't eat dinner." Lex stood up. "I managed to feed the cat, though." He chuckled. "Hang on, I can put on something while we talk."
Bruce coughed when Lex mentioned having a cat; recurring subjects! "Do that, or he might go there and bring you something!"
"I'm sure I have something in the fridge other than tuna," Lex joked. He opened the door and looked around. "Oh, I have leftover Chinese. Fabulous." He grabbed the carton of vegetable lo-mein and popped it in the microwave.
"Should I let you go eat?" Bruce asked, standing and stretching his back. He might take those painkillers from Alfred after all.
"I... guess. I'll talk to you tomorrow, after all."
"Around 11. Will you need a ride?"
"No, I'll come from class. I got a Vespa," Lex explained. The microwave dinged, and Lex grabbed a fork and a diet soda from the refridgerator. "Come to me, lo-mein."
"Well, that sounds..." Bruce blinked up at the ceiling. "I'm not sure what the word is. I can't quite picture you on a Vespa. What color?"
"Blue. With a bit more red in it." Lex chuckled and brought his food over to the battered chair he had in front of the television and turned on the news.
"I hope you have a matching helmet," Bruce said, chuckling as well.
"Oh, I do. It doesn't even mess up my hair... Batman made it on the news tonight," Lex informed him, then blew on his dinner.
"Did he? What's the lunatic been up to?" Bruce sat back up, shut off the main computer, and stood with a light groan.
"Dealing with some guy who turned himself into a bat. Ironic, no? You okay?" Lex asked with concern. He wanted to go back over there and give him a massage. Maybe only Catwoman could get away with that.
"Yeah, kinda. I fell and hit my back and head. Old man," Bruce joked, shutting off most of the lights in the Cave and heading up to the house.
"I'm sorry," Lex said seriously. He paused. "I could give you a rub when I come over for lunch tomorow."
"You do that, too? You truly are a man of many talents, Lex." Bruce walked to the kitchen to grab himself a bottle of water.
"You have no idea, Bruce Wayne," Lex replied, smirking a little. Isis hopped into his lap and started purring loudly. "Aw. No, you wouldn't like it, Miss Kitty."
"Hm. I'm glad you have your cat to keep you warm. I'm thinking of getting one, myself." Bruce grinned as he headed upstairs to his bedroom.
"Despite popular opinion that they're too independant and fickle, they really can be quite loving." Lex petted Isis' soft, gray back.
"I'm hoping so." Bruce began to strip for a shower. "But I'm keeping you from eating."
"Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow. Take it easy, Bruce," Lex advised.
"You too, Lex." Bruce hung up and placed his phone on the sink counter. A couple of sleepless nights and a blow to the head, and he was ready to crash. At least he could sleep in until Lex arrived tomorrow.