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When Selina was done talking to Batman, you returned from the bathroom, took the contacts back and pocketed them. Selina's face was hard to read.

"How do you know about this 'bat signal?'"

You didn't know how to respond for a second. "He showed me."

"When."

"...After I got done scouting the recycling plant."

Selina let out a sigh and rolled her eyes. "Why didn't you tell me? Are you hiding things from me?"

"What? No! Selina, I didn't mean to—"

"To what? Make me worry? Not tell me the truth?"

"Okay," you started. "I'm sorry I haven't told you everything and for making you worry. To be honest, I was worried that you would have been mad about Batman. You don't really seem to like him."

"There's hardly anything about him to like," she huffed as a small smile crept onto her face. "Anyways, I know you didn't really want to go, but now I guess you have to take me."

"Why?"

"He wouldn't tell me exactly where to meet him. All he said was, 'The bat signal' and that you knew how to get there."

"I was barely there, he just told me to drop him off at the building it was in."

"Well, that's more knowledge than me, so I guess you're coming."

It scared you a little to see him. Batman almost died saving you. Nervously, you both got dressed in your suits again and shared a motorcycle to make it easier. Finding the elevator took longer than you thought, but seeing Batman's silhouette along the tower's edge was a pretty good indication that you were in the right spot.

"Cat burglars pulling another score?" He was a little guarded.

"What?" Selina asked as you both pulled off your bike helmets. You stayed quiet and settled yourself a ways away from Batman. This was Selina's situation; she was the one that wanted Batman's help.

The man lowered his voice and looked at you with a surprising softness. "Wasn't sure I'd see you again." You gave him an uneasy smile.

"I, uh, wasn't sure you were alive," you admitted. "I was worried about you...Scared, even." Batman's chest felt warm; 'you worried about him?'

Selina was pacing back and forth, frustrated. "How could they do that to her? That piece of shit cop, Kenzie. Her body was in his car. I'm gonna find him and I'm gonna make him pay. You gonna help me?"

"Help you?"

"Yeah. I thought you were 'Vengeance.'"

"There's no need."

"What?" Selina looked pissed. "What do you mean there's no need for vengeance? He killed—"

"—Because she's not dead," Batman revealed. You and Selina were stunned. "My sensors picked up a faint pulse on her. When I chased after Penguin, I had a... police friend tail Kenzie's car. She's in emergency care, somewhere safe and hidden."

You couldn't believe it. She was okay! Thankfully, Selina voiced your thoughts aloud. "Why didn't you tell us?" Teary-eyed, she tried calming herself down.

"You didn't think I tried? You're not exactly the easiest to get in contact with." You approached Batman and reached for his hand, but something within Batman quickly snapped and he snatched his hand away; his whole demeanor changed. It was as if he remembered something he was upset about. There was a beat of silence as Batman turned to you and got directly in your face, invading your space. "...was it worth it?"

"Excuse me?"

"Compromising yourself for money?" You didn't know how to respond, but how dare he judge you for your actions. You needed that money and it sure as hell was gonna come from Oz one way or another. Selina joined you in glaring at him. "What'd you have to do to set up that score? How close did you have to get to Penguin? To Falcone—"

"You don't know what the hell you're talking about," Selina barged, but Batman ignored her. He was slowly taking steps toward you, making you back away cautiously.

"—there is some kind of relationship, right? Back in the club. Why would his behavior be like that to you? Why else would he bring you along to Mitchell's funeral?" He was getting angry, and your anger morphed into fear. He stopped walking when your heels grazed the edge of the building—you had to hold onto his shoulder to keep from falling back but his composure didn't change. "Did you do something for Falcone to owe you?" He was intimidating; he was scaring you.

Selina had enough. "He owes me!"

"Owes you?" Batman backed away from you and approached Selina. You shakily released a breath of air that you didn't know you were holding.

"Yeah, and a lot more!"

"Oh really," he smirked. "Why's that?"

"You know what? I can't even talk to you." Selina turned for the elevator but Batman grabbed her arm.

"No! I want to know why a guy like Falcone would owe you anything—"

Selina shouted, "Because he's my father!" You took your place beside Selina, making sure to avoid Batman. Selina calmed down. "My mother worked at the 44 Below...just like Anni," she met your eyes. "...and just like her. She used to take me there when I was a little girl."

"...to the club?" Batman's demeanor had changed; he was softer.

"Yeah," she continued. "I hid out in the dressing room while she worked. Used to see him there. He scared the shit outta me," she whispered the last part. "I could never understand why he looked at me the way he did. Then one night, my mother told me who he was..." The man glanced at you before studying Selina. "When I was seven, my mother was murdered...strangled. They never found out who—probably some creep from the club. Anyway, social services came to take me away and he didn't say a thing. Couldn't even look at me." She looked away briefly before meeting Batman's eyes. "He owes me that money."

Taking Selina's hand into yours, you squeezed it affectionately. She squeezed back.

Batman was silent for a while, studying the both of you. "...I'm sorry. For what I said."

"Ah, it's alright," she said. "You assume the worst in people—-but it's not me you need to apologize to." She squeezed your hand again before dropping it and taking a step back. You avoided Batman's gaze.

"I'm... sorry. For everything." Your eyes flickered to his before looking away again. "I keep assuming that—"

"''s alright," you interrupted. You didn't want to have this conversation. Not in front of Selina. "It's like you both said, you 'assume.'" You took a step closer to the man, not daring to go any closer after earlier. Batman closed the distance for you. "Who are you under there?" Your hand ventured to his mask, just barely hovering over his face. His hand took yours and pressed it against his cheek.

"Who am I?" His lip twitched up briefly, ghosting a smile. "I don't even know your name."

"I guess we both have some secrets," you chuckled. "You hideously scarred behind that mask?"

"'I guess we both have some secrets,'" he echoed softly. He smiled at you before you smiled back. Selina rejoined the conversation and your hand dropped.

"If we don't stand up for people like Anni, no one will. All anyone cares about in this place are those... white, privileged assholes—the mayor, the commissioner, the D.A.—and now Thomas and Bruce Wayne. Far as I'm concerned, that psycho's right to go after those creeps. I think you'd be on his side."

Batman's tone changed. Solemnly, he asked, "What do you mean, 'Thomas and Bruce Wayne?'"

"What, you live in a cave?"

"The Riddler's latest," you informed. "It's all about the Waynes."

"Listen," Selina interjected. "If I can find that dick bag Kenzie, will you help me? Please?"

Batman made no moves. Sliding your hands up his armor chest, you looked at him through your lashes. "Come on, Vengeance...please," you whispered.

The man seemed to have an internal struggle and lost whatever battle he was waging. "...Just don't make any moves without me, understand? This is all more dangerous than you know—"

Your hands slid from his chest to his face, bringing him down to meet you for a long kiss. He closed his eyes and subconsciously deepened it, moving his hand to grip your waist. His lips moved to follow yours as you broke it and backed away, but he caught himself. "Don't worry, baby," you grabbed Selina's hand and made your way into the elevator. "We can handle ourselves."

He stayed staring at the elevator for a very long time after you left.

The ride down the elevator was silent as you spent the ride reflecting over what happened the past few minutes. "I don't know how, but you have that man wrapped around your finger," Selina mused. It was an intriguing thought, but something else was bugging you...

How does he know that Falcone brought you to the mayor's funeral?

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Bruce Wayne was a complete wreck after watching the Riddler's latest announcement. His father was a murderer? Why would Thomas Wayne ever go to Falcone? It didn't make any sense; Bruce decided to go straight to the source.

The ride to the club didn't help soothe him, if anything it made him feel worse. He felt—and looked—absolutely pathetic. He was soaking wet from the rain.

"Do you know who I am?" Bruce asked one of the twin bodyguards at the door.

"You're Bruce Wayne," he said in disbelief.

"I wanna see Carmine Falcone."

The door shut on his face and stayed closed for a while. Bruce had a slight shake to him; he didn't know if it was from the cold or his unstable emotions.

The door opened to reveal both twins. "See?" The other twin scoffed, but he seemed impressed. The pair guided Bruce to the elevator that would take him to where Falcone currently was.

When the elevator opened up, soft jazz music could be heard while the sound of billiard balls clattering together over a game of pool. The lights were dim, giving the illusion of a relaxing ambience. He picked up on some of the conversation as he made his way into the room.

"Briscoe, do you know how much this sweater cost?"

"No, boss."

"$1,183. You know why communism failed, right?"

"No, boss."

"Austerity." The men laughed but there was a quiet, feminine giggle among them. Bruce saw you sitting on the side of the pool table, dolled up next to Falcone, holding a tray of drinks and cigars. He sloppily brushed the hair in front of his face to the side, trying to hastily improve his appearance. He didn't think you'd be here. Everyone in the room stared at the intruder, the soothing atmosphere diminishing slightly.

"Hey, Johnny Slick," Oswald greeted, trying to size him up. "What're you doin' here?"

"Give us a moment here, fellas," Carmine ordered. You looked at Falcone and Bruce, giving them both a smile.

"Come on," Oz said as he lent you a hand so you could slide off the table. "See ya, Champ." You brushed your hand against Bruce's shoulder as you walked past; his eyes followed you intently until you left the room.

"Have a seat," Carmine said. "I thought I might hear from you. This, uh, Riddler sonuvabitch is really stirring things up, huh?" He hit a billiard ball.

"Is it true?"

"What? That reporter business? What do you wanna know here, kid?"

"Did you kill him? For my father?"

"Look, your father was in trouble. This reporter had some dirt. Some very...personal stuff about your mother—her family history. He didn't want any of that coming out, not before the election. Your father tried to pay the guy, but he wasn't goin' for it. So he came to me," he admitted. "I never seen him like that. He said, 'Carmine, I want you to put the fear of God in this guy.' And when fear isn't enough..." Carmine trailed off.

Bruce had a strange look to him; he was very unnerved—disturbed—frightened? He didn't know, but there was a certain disconnect to him.

Carmine continued, "Your father wanted me to handle it, so I did. I handled it." Bruce couldn't get any words out, he felt something in his throat. "I know," Carmine said with faux sympathy. "You thought your father was a Boy Scout. But you'd be surprised what even a good man like him is capable of in the right situation. Do me a favor, don't lose any sleep over it. This reporter was on Maroni's payroll—he got what was comin' to him."

Bruce's throat bopped as he choked out, "Maroni?"

"Oh yeah, he could never stand that your father and I had history. And after what happened with that reporter, he was worried that your father would be in my pocket. Forever." Carmine stopped playing pool and approached Bruce. "He would have done anything to keep him from becoming mayor. You understand?"

Bruce lip twitched. "Are you saying...Salvator Maroni got my father killed?"

"Do I know it for a fact?" Falcone shrugged. "I'm just saying, it sure looked that way to me." He decided to egg Bruce on, truly loving how undone the man in front of him was becoming. "This is what you wanted, huh? This little conversation here? It's been a long time coming." Carmine rested a hand on his shoulder. Whether it was for comfort or mockery, Bruce didn't know. "I mean, you ain't a kid no more. Now come on." Carmine led Bruce to the elevator. "Unless you want anything else, I suggest you go home. Try not to let this get in your head." Bruce wordlessly followed his order.

When the elevator opened up, all the men that were previously with Falcone were waiting by the door. The guys all had snide faces and laughed as they brushed past him, going back onto the elevator to see Carmine. You were the only one that stayed behind. He stared at you, waiting.

"I'm..sorry," you told him. "I saw the news. I can't imagine how you feel." Bruce gave a slight nod, not exactly sure on how to respond. "I heard that the Riddler targeted you. Wayne tower was smoking for quite some time—you're lucky."

"Yeah," he said quietly. "Lucky." He looked at you as if he was a lost boy. Choking out a dry laugh, he said, "God, you must think I'm such a mess."

"Hey," you grabbed ahold of his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. "I don't know what Carmine said, but don't let him get inside your head. Trust me, I'd know." Bruce squeezed your hand back. "If you need anything, and I mean it, don't hesitate to reach out. I know we haven't known each other long—" Bruce's lips burned at the thought of your searing kiss, "—but I care about you." He tilted his head inquisitively, curious. "You remind me of someone I know," you admitted, your face feeling a little warm. You wrote your number on a notepad, like he did for you back at the church, and gave it to him.

"Thank you," he said after a while. You gave him a parting smile before you passed him, walking away from the elevator and into the club.

Bruce had much to do when he got back to Wayne Tower.

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