Enemy of my Enemy

"I see our assets are pretty vulnerable in this town. We back majority of the facilities, banks, museums et al. and many are open targets for the criminals in this town. Take the break in at the museum last night for example," as Bruce Wayne mentioned the recent attack, Daggett's head snapped to attention, clearly surprised of the CEO's knowledge of it.


The meeting ran long, discussing ways to amp up security using new inventions from applied sciences and the assistance of outside companies, who of course provided aide in exchange for something beneficial for themselves. Bruce was getting tired and hungry, but luckily the meeting didn't go past 12:30, as he had promised brunch to his guests, new and old.


As soon as it ended, Roland Daggett made his way to Bruce, his "associate" following close behind.


"That's a neat blow you got there, Mr. Wayne. I can hardly imagine how you could possibly have landed one," Daggett said sarcastically referencing the slightly visible wound on Bruce's face.


Wayne made no hesitation in replying and plastered a smirk on his face,


"It shouldn't be that hard," Bruce said cheekily. "Not all girls play nice, now do they?"


Behind him, Lucius Fox couldn't help but laugh as he joined the three.


"I'll keep in mind to ask mine to have their nails short." Daggett said.


"You'll have to excuse us, but Mr. Wayne has promised his aunt to brunch, and it seems to me it's getting late." Lucius asked leave for the both of them and they turned to leave, but Bruce stopped and turned back.


"By the way, congratulations on your new cat. I thought you as more of a big dog type of guy." The CEO picked off a grey hair from the old man's coat collar, then left the two behind with their stunned expressions as Fox gave him a questioning look.


After a long ride of silence in the elevator, Fox finally snapped.


"There isn't any other cat for today, is there?" he asked his boss, referencing to the one cat talked about in the morning at home.


The elevator stopped on the floor below and a new intern joined them on the way down.


"The one and only. He had short grey hairs on the collar of his jet black jacket. Isis has the coat, as do older women, but I'm sure Mr. Daggett isn't into THAT old aged women," Bruce said, winking at the young brunet across from him, who blushed and hid behind the stack of folders in her hands. Lucius only rolled his eyes as he stepped out of the elevator, being later joined by his boss, who left after he had kissed the girl on his cheek and given her a couple thousand dollars to spend on her now day off.


"What?" Bruce shrugged his shoulders as he took the keys of his Bentley from the valet.


"It was my moral obligation!" he laughed as he sat behind the steering wheel.


Mr. Fox sat silently in the passenger's seat and looked at his young boss, impressed by the usually dark billionaire's jovial mood. Clearly mornings had a good impact on him, along with other things. He wondered what-or who- had brought about the happy change.


"So, where do we go for brunch?"


The black Bentley sped out of the lot of Wayne headquarters as Roland Daggett stood at the entrance, looking on with a mean look on his face.


But hopefully today would be a good day.


The limousine stopped under the Porte Cochere of the 4.5 star Café Panache in upper Gotham city. The owner himself ecstatically greeted and escorted Bruce Wayne's party to their especially reserved breakfast gazebo. Its pillars were made of concrete with intricate carvings, each opening covered with thin off white drapes that let in just enough sunlight and the autumn breeze. The chef welcomed them with his best collection of white wine and offered them his top of the line dishes for brunch.


Leslie ordered her "usual" Blini and caviar with oranges on the side, Alfred some lemon ricotta poppy seed pancakes, and Lucius Florentine waffles. Selina, still in a sulky mood and her first time, let Bruce pick for her, who thoughtfully ordered her light strawberry and cream crepes. The brunch went full of laughter and light business discussions, and Lee and Lucius left soon after. Alfred made his way to the kitchen and cellar, leaving Selina and Bruce alone to walk in the garden.


"How did the meeting with Daggett go?"


"With Daggett? Selina it was a board meeting. You certainly have a developing interest in Daggett. Dare I ask why?"


"What's hiding from you? The bad company I mentioned from last night, they were from Daggett's other business. That's where I saw Isis last."


"Roland Daggett took in your cat? A cat? I took him for a dog person. BIG dog," Bruce said, motioning with his hands the size of the dog.


Selina stopped mid walk, facing Bruce as he stopped with. Her brows knotted for a second, but she quickly eased them and flashed him a gentle smile.


"Thank you for the brunch, Bruce,"she said as she hugged him.


Bruce clenched his fist after hugging her goodbye, not allowing himself to break character further.


"Take the Limo, Alfred will take me home."


"Thanks." She said over her shoulder. Turning her head around, she had a determined and angry look on her face as her hands skimmed over the silky grey hair she had pulled off of Bruce's coat.


Tonight Catwoman knew which road to take, but the Batman would never be ready for the way their paths would cross.

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