Gotham. One week after the events with Light.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He'd stopped by to see Alfred, and dropped off some oatmeal raisin cookies Barbara made. He'd had to dodge some local paparazzi before he doubled back to his planned route. The Gotham media's been hounding the Wayne and Grayson homes looking to get news of the health of the Wayne family's newest heir since the epidemic broke, and it gets old fast.

He's got another small package to deliver, and it's with that in mind - and a host of other, more complex emotions tugging him every which way of late - that he finds himself at the door of Selina's apartment. The distinctive bike he rides is well hidden a few alleys back.

Ding, dong.

Hopefully she's home.

Comments

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

She is home.

Selina's been hanging out around her place over the past week a bit more. The cats missed her and she them. And she's not at all sure about this moving in thing. Not that she and Bruce have talked about it yet.

And... Well. She's been here. It felt safer.

The expression she's wearing as she opens the door is safely sassy, which for her is the general replacement for showing no emotion at all.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

Dick doesn't dress like a guy with money. He's wearing his usual attire of blue jeans, a darker blue shirt - the top button left open - and a leather biking jacket. He returns the smile with an element of that same guarded feel about it. A package is tucked under his arm.

Hey.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

"Hey."

She pauses for a few moments, ".... You want to come in?"

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He hangs back for a moment, as if he's second-guessing coming here. Then, he reaching for the package under his arm.

I can come back if it's a bad time.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

"No... It isn't a bad time."

Selina pauses, "I'm ... I'm still working somethings out."

Isis mews at Dick as Selina steps out of the door way.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

She's not alone in that. The ripples created by the events of one day have spread far beyond what either of them could have imagined.

But as long as the cat's fed, and has a lap to sit on, all's right with the world, he muses, as he steps inside slowly, closing the door behind him and taking a moment to scritch the black cat behind the ears before he straightens and hands her the small package. It's warm to the touch, still.

Babs made these... she figured you could use some comfort food.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

As he starts to straighten, the little black cat leaps up to his shoulders, balancing there with practiced ease. He stands up straight and she rubs her face against his chin.

Taking the package, she comments, "Someone missed you."

Looking at the foor she pauses, "You.. She did?"

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

Gypsy's going to hate me for a couple hours after I get home, he thinks, absently petting the cat with one hand.

It's good to be missed, I guess.

He looks at her.

Thankyou for watching over Mary.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Pong has scampered somewhere away and Miu is looking at him over the arm rest of the couch.

Selina takes the food toward the kitchen, starting to open up the package. "It was something I could do."

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He gently plucks Isis from his shoulder, depositing her back on the floor as he follows her into the kitchen.

Selina...

He's at a loss for words.

If there's anything I can do...

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Isis makes an indignant mewing sound at him as she heads off across the carpet. As she works on opening the package, the ring catches the light - so many facets, if there is any light, it catches it.

"She isn't angry?" As if Selina has given Barbara reason to trust her over the years. Selina doesn't get along with other women well.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

Confusion flickers behind blue eyes.

I -- no... why would she be?

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

"I stole her child from her."

Not permenantly but she knew what she was doing while she was doing it. She was willing to be the bad guy.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

...

Dick stares at her, somewhat dumbfounded, before he lifts a hand to rub at his temple.

...no, that's not... Selina, that's not what happened...

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

"No?"

Selina looks at the opened package of food, her thumb unconciously spinning the ring around her finger.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He looks to the ceiling, takes a deep breath. He looks back at her, his hands finding their way to his jeans pockets.

Selina... you took her where she could be taken care of, with our blessing. That's not kidnapping.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

There is a short laugh, "That was not a blessing. Not on Barbara's part. Not even on your part."

After a few moments, she steps back from the food, putting her hands at her waist. "It doesn't matter. I'm sorry."

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He frowns. He's not ready to drop this just yet.

No, it -does- matter. It matters to me. If Barbara truly didn't trust you to take care of her, nothing on this green earth would have persuaded her otherwise. And the same goes for me.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Selina remains silent.

She doesn't know what to say about that.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He exhales, and relaxes his stance just a little, tilting his head as he looks at her.

How long have I known you, Selina?

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

"Longer than I'd care to admit."

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He allows himself a smile.

You remember the first time I met you?

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

There is a small smile at that, as she looks down at the floor. Her eyes blink, rapidly, a few times.

"Of course."

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He remembers it well.

You're a creative liar when it comes to inanimate objects. But you're a lousy one when it comes to people. I didn't think you were a poor excuse for a human being back then, and I sure as hell don't believe that now. I don't believe a lousy human being offers to watch someone else's child knowing that she might die.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Some part of her bristles at that. She can lie to people. She can do it very, very well.

She just hates doing it.

Selina doesn't move.

Not, until, she whispers, "Bruce wants children."