Bruce is incognito, wearing a sweatshirt, a heavier jacket, and dark chinos and boots. He tucks his helmet under his arm as he enters the condo, your clothes slung on his back in a carrier bag. Even though it's been less than twelve hours since you have seen him, you want to run to him. You slip off the chair and walk over instead, letting Kate and Selina say hello first. "About time you visited my apartment." Kate jokes as she takes his helmet, putting it on the counter. "I'm sorry," Bruce apologizes, his voice soft. "Don't apologize. Do better." Kate replies, her jokes brightening the mood. Selina gives an acknowledging nod to Bruce, and he does the same. The awkwardness between them chokes the room. You push past it, wrapping your arms around his waist. His heart is loud against your pressed ear. He pats your back gently, the corners of his lips turning upward. "You're here early," Selina interrupts. The hug goes on too long for her liking. "I needed to bring (Y/N) some clothes and updates so we can plan accordingly."

She rolls her eyes, sitting on the plush couch. You step back, interlacing your fingers with Bruce's as you sit on the opposite couch. Kate sits in the matching chair, grimacing. "I have another living room that isn't all white if you guys want to sit there." She motions mostly at Bruce and his motorcycle gear. "This is fine," Bruce replies flatly. "I don't have stains on me, so you do not need to worry." Her worried expression doesn't go away as she goes to a closet and brings out a college-themed blanket. "Sit on this then." He flares his nostrils but obliges, standing and spreading the blanket out on the couch before sitting again.

"I found a potential lead for everyone." He pulls out a beat-up journal from the bag. "I know Oz took over Falcone's drops business. It's a big hole to fill. I've been tracking that for a year. However, I was trying to find the link between Thomas and Scarecrow and possibly the Penguin. Scarecrow looks like the middle for these two." He points at his squiggles and lines. "He makes those gasses, right? Thomas used it as a cover to gain more time to get Harvey out of the hospital and distract you when he infiltrated my Tower. I don't know if Scarecrow is working directly with the Penguin because I can never see them together or in the same area except last night, but they were separate correct?" He asks you, his tone so matter-of-fact. His mind must be zooming with so many possibilities as you nod. "I don't think they knew each other would be there."

"Or didn't tell you." Bruce adds as he points at his chart. Gas + Drops are in big letters. "Penguin is using the Scarecrow for the drops to make a stronger drug for more dependencies, but I think there's a disconnect between them if they are working together." "Disconnect?" Selina asks, leaning in. "Scarecrow is escalating with his gas compositions. I stopped by the forensics with Gordon after you left. There are traces of chloropicrin and methyl isocyanate. We already know he's trying to kill people, so we're not surprised but more relieved we found it before it was released." You don't know what those words mean, but they sound dangerous. "We're trying to get a hold on these new drops coming out of the Iceberg Lounge, but it's very hard. So if you can get that tonight, that would be helpful so we can match samples since I don't have evidence of Scarecrow and Oz yet."

Selina rubs her temples, "So they're working on new drops or something to increase their need, and Scarecrow or whatever wants to kill everyone in the process? What does that have to do with me?" "Did you take anything of Oz's when trying to take Falcone's possessions?" Bruce asks, his voice serious. "I don't think so." They lock into another staring contest. "Don't lie, Selina." "I'm not!" She replies, crossing her arms.

"Selina," Kate says, her brow lowering. Fun Kate disappears for now. You hope whatever she stole, she can return. She grimaces, looking everywhere but you all. "I may have taken the deeds to the club." "Selina." Bruce's voice raises. "They aren't in Oz's name! They are under Maroni's! I thought it was something Falcone forgot to change until I realized it was." Bruce's cheeks twinge red with anger. "You have to return it." Selina shakes her head. "Technically, the club belongs to me. I'm Falcone's daughter." "Do you have the paperwork to prove it?" "Do I need that? It's just a paper. Besides, he will ask for the money back, not just the deed." Bruce stands, pacing. "I'm trying to help you, Selina, but you make it very difficult."

"Well, sorry, I can't be perfect like your girlfriend."

You frown, anger pangs in your chest. Bruce opens his mouth to respond, but she cuts him off. "Listen. I am here because I want to help, and you said you would help me. Penguin wants the deed back, fine. I'll give him just that. If he asks for the money, the answer is a flat no. I'll kill him first--"

"No murder." Bruce growls, stopping in his tracks. "You'll be just as bad as your father."

Selina tilts her head back, surprised by his aggression. "Just like Falcone... That's why you're just like yours. Pathetic. A coward. You're just lucky you're alive!" Your eyes widen and prick with tears. "I am trying to help you, Selina. You have to be fucking honest for once in your life. I am putting not only myself but Kate and (Y/N) on the line for you. I don't know what more you want, but you have to work with me." She scoffs, shaking her head. "Fine. I'll give the deed but figure out if it's something more. Oz likes tit for tat and has a big head now that Falcone and Maroni are gone, thanks to the lovely GCPD." She sucks her teeth, standing. "I have to use the bathroom."

The room is still tense as she leaves. Bruce still stands, his fist tight. You don't know what to say to soothe tension as you shoot a look at Kate. She also stares at Bruce, sympathy written all over her face. She understands his pain more than you can. He deeply inhales through his nose and exhales through his mouth, his fist loosening. He deflates on his spot on the couch, looking over at you both. "I'll talk to Selina. You two are my main priorities for this mission. Kate, you are in charge when you are in there." Kate laughs victoriously at the newly appointed title. You doubt he would have put you in charge anyway. "You both will need your eyes and ears open. We're going in with no expectations. The Penguin can go along with you or reject you. I don't know." He explains, resting his hand on your thigh. "I believe he will let you in because you're both women, but tell you information for Selina?" He shakes his head. "Look elsewhere."

He leans closer to you, your eyes meeting. "Do you have your contacts?" You nod quickly, remembering them on your nightstand. "Go get them. I have another pair for tonight. I have been working on them all night. You've had my contacts but infused with color to change your eye color to help with your disguise." "Ooh, do I get special gadgets?" Kate asks, sipping her coffee. "Your suit will be enough if necessary. You're already trained, Kate. I know you'll protect you both." You don't want to leave his touch, but know you need to help him. If he's right about Scarecrow and The Penguin, you don't know how many people are in danger.

Selina leaves the bathroom as you get to your door. Her glare is intense as you go into your room. You want to ask her what happened between her and Bruce to make them so irritable when they're around each other. Of course, Bruce wouldn't like that, but you want to know. You don't like when he's upset like this.

They sit in silence when you return. Kate is visibly uncomfortable as Bruce and Selina again lock in a staredown. "How are we going to work together?" You ask as you hand Bruce the case. Kate's eyebrows crinkle on her forehead as Selina breaks her contact with Bruce. "Easy. You and Kate will go to the Lounge, cozy up to the Penguin, see what he wants and then get the hell out." Bruce tsks, rolling his eyes. "It won't be that easy, Selina. If it were, you wouldn't need us." "I don't need anyone." Selina retorts, crossing her arms. "I just can't go in there right now with a target on my back." You sit next to Bruce as he puts your case in his jacket pocket. "Right." His phone vibrates against your thigh, and he checks his watch, grimacing. "May I change in your bedroom? I am being summoned by the Enterprises again." You nod, and Kate flashes a worried smile. "I wonder if they'll approve your new plan." He shrugs, standing. "I will be back at 8 to plan. I promise that."

You show him the way to your guest room, sitting on the bed when he closes the door. He exhales, putting the shared duffle bag on the floor. "I'm sorry for that," He says as he unzips his jacket. You wave away his apology. "You're fine. I figured you two would have a weird feeling between each other." He pauses as he kneels to unzip the bag. "Weird feeling?" He asks, pulling out a neatly folded suit bag. "I mean, you two are exes? Or former allies? I can't get a read on Selina to tell."

His lips tighten as he puts the bag down on the bed. "I won't allow whatever we had before to get in the way of our mission." His hand rests on your chin, your eyes meeting. "We are former allies. I don't think we were lovers. We kissed twice. Nothing more." Kissing makes your skin tingle, but you nod. "She might feel weird because I didn't tell her about me being Batman, but that's expected." He lets go of your face, pulling off his shirt. You drink him in as he turns his back towards you. "Why do you keep Batman secret?" You ask, lying on your side as he unzips his suit bag. "Easier that way. If people knew, they would constantly be hunting me. Bruce Wayne is important in his own right and has enemies because of his plan. Batman is an extension of it working in the ways Bruce Wayne cannot." He shrugs, "I do like them separate at least." He slips on his gray button-down. "What about when they collide like with me knowing?" He pauses while buttoning the top. "It makes me want to protect you even more because this knowledge is power." He looks at himself in the round mirror. "What about Selina?" He grimaces as he faces you.

"I only worry that if I wrong her, she may out me. I don't think she will, though. I don't think she cares like she puts on." He sits at the foot of the bed, pulling off his shoes. "What will happen at the meeting?" You ask, running your foot up and down his bicep and middle back as he unties his boots. "I suggested another fund for Gotham. We just extended the Foundation's range, but I want to do more. Mayor Reál and I have been working on it. It's a rebuilding fund. As expected, they aren't sure about it due to controversies with my father's previous fund. I made sure I didn't tell Rachel because I wanted to have you in charge of it."

You choke on your spit as you freeze. "M-me?" You sit up, smoothing out your hair and your thoughts.

"The process will be similar to the Foundation, but instead of nonprofits asking for money, it will be the city government. I don't trust them." He says as he stands, unzipping his pants. You're too frazzled to stare at his sculpted bottom in his boxer briefs, the slight outline of his penis as he turns around, grabbing his suit pants. "So you want me to do what I've been doing before but for the city?" He nods as he pulls the black pants up. "Yes. Because if I appointed just anyone, they'd be using the fund as they have been for 20 years. I can't sit by and let it continue. Reál agrees with me. I wish she could trust the team, but the greed in this city runs deep. I need my best in charge to assist with this task."

Your brows wrinkle with worry as you shake your head. "I don't know, my love. People were mad at the Foundations. They'll be furious at the new Rebuild plan." He nods briskly as he grabs a black tie. "Yes, and that's why I'm going to this meeting to formulate a plan for doing this." He carefully ties his tie in the mirror, his gaze intense. You climb out of bed, standing beside him. "The Riddler said, 'The sins of the father shall be visited upon the son.' I learned what he meant and tried my best to right them. Doing this is part of that path." You try to smooth out your frown as you watch him run his fingers through his hair. "I don't know what to say, Bruce." He straightens, his blue eyes meeting yours. "You don't have to do anything more than what you have been doing, (Y/N). You are perfect. So smart, so graceful. I could not have asked for a better partner than you." His touch sends shivers down your spine as he leans down, kissing your cheek. "I love you."

His watch beeps again as he grabs his suit jacket. "Don't let Selina and Kate get to you. I wouldn't trust anyone else with this as much as you." He leaves quickly, waving to the women on the couch and you stand dumbfounded in the bedroom, the weight of the world on your shoulders.