Chapter 1: The Whole Truth

After the fiasco at Arkham Asylum and the whole being held hostage thing, Bruce came to me and told me he had something we needed to talk about. My pulse quickened rapidly for a moment as my mind rushed to assumptions before I nodded mutely. Gordon then had a little heart to heart with Bruce; I couldn't help but help out and told him to get his estranged girlfriend chocolates. Chocolate always makes it less likely for a girl to claw your eyes out after you behave like an idiot. I couldn't help but roll my eyes when Bruce told Alfred that he discovered a secret council who runs Gotham; and it was them who engineered this whole Arkham madness. I don't think Wayne will ever be happy until he works his way to the top of the food chain. Alfred looked exasperated as usual at Bruce's determination to uncover the council; me on the other hand I just smiled and chuckle to myself as Alfred acknowledges Bruce's new goal. It makes me happy to know Bruce has a mission. It may not be healthy but after what went down between him and Malone, I worried he would go nuts without something to strive for. Hugo Strange was the next hurdle for him to climb. And considering that madman is now in the company of Gotham's most crooked men in blue, I'd say Bruce has surmounted that hurdle.

"Selina, would you come back to Wayne Manor with us" said Bruce calmly as he watched Gordon's retreating form. "We need to talk about some things."

"OK" I tell him cheerfully. In all honesty I'm still a little on edge from spending the last few hours in the company of a madman and his monsters. And Bridgit's change still gnaws at me whenever my mind wanders. Bruce turns to me and nods and he steps to the car door and opens it for me. I smirk at the thought of Alfred's gentleman's lessons not going to waste as I slide myself into the back of the comfortable town car and put my feet up on the leather. Bruce steps neatly into the seat next to me and closes the door. I feel that same rapidness in my pulse as I stare at his profile while he looks out the window observing the police milling about. I feel a tingle of warmth travel up from belly to my face as I once again repress the compulsion that draws me to the boy billionaire. My focus snaps back as I hear the car door slam shut as Alfred starts the engine.

"Where to Master B" says Alfred over his shoulder as he looks at us in the rear-view mirror.

"Home Alfred" says Bruce.

"And where shall I be dropping off Miss Kyle then eh?" he asks meeting my gaze in the mirror. A handful of snarky sarcastic retorts fill my mind at the Englishman's insinuation I was not welcome at Wayne Manor.

"She will be coming with us Alfred" says Bruce in his most authoritative voice cutting me off before I can speak. Bruce turns and his eyes meet with mine. "If that's still OK Selina?"

"Sure, why not" I reply flippantly. "Always lot to steal at your place" I say smiling tauntingly at Alfred. Sadly Alfred doesn't take the bait and puts the car into gear and takes off. On the drive back to the Manor, Bruce asks me all about what happened while I was held in Indian Hill. He fills every moment with his usual incessant questions, refusing to take a breath for even a moment. As we pull up the long driveway to the Manor, I finally finish explaining how I kept Bridgit from burning me alive. The look on his face mirrors my own when I think of what my once childhood friend had been turned into by Hugo Strange. On one hand it twists me up and I feel sad for Bridgit, and on the other I feel my anger pulsing through me; the desire for retribution. I may have spent the better part of the last few hours playing the dutiful servant to Bridgit's Goddess Firefly persona, but that was just survival. If I had options I would have helped. I would have fought. I would have tried to avenge what Strange turned my friend into.

"We'll be in my father's study Alfred" says Bruce calmly as he gets out of the car and holds the door for me. Our little trio walks in silence through the threshold and into Wayne Manor. Navigating the halls and corridors of the centuries old building we end up in the study. My mind flashes through the memory of the time I broke in through the window and saw Bruce sleeping. It's been a long time since then, and Bruce isn't the kid I used to call him. He's taller and slowly getting wiser and stronger. I remember when we met I was taller than him, but now he stands a full head taller than me. I'm eleven months older than him and he's already taller than me. I don't think I will grow much anymore. I can't imagine how he will tower over me when we are adults. The image of Bruce towering over me sends a light shiver down my spine as I picture us embracing with my head tucked under his chin. Bruce and Alfred are moving about the rooms turning on lamps and opening curtains to let in the morning light we are owed soon.

"Alfred, would you leave us to talk for a bit" says Bruce evenly.

"Are you quite sure you wouldn't like me around Master Wayne..." begins Alfred attempting to placate Bruce.

"I'm sure Alfred" says Bruce interrupting his Butler. I stand about fiddling with ornaments on the bookcase as the pair have their conversation heavy handed with subtext.

"Very well Master Bruce" says Alfred as he turns on the spot and begins to leave. "Just don't do anything foolish" he continues halting mid-step before carrying on out the door. "And keep the door open!" he calls from down the hall. That last request makes me giggle lightly as Bruce looks at me confused. He's standing behind the comfy leather couch and his eyes are searching mine for clues to explain what I find funny.

"What's funny?" he asks.

"He doesn't want us to... get up to mischief" I answer deliberately loading my words with implication.

"What sort of mischief would... Oh..." he says as understanding dawns on his face and it flushes red. I do love it when he is all innocent and awkward. "Um... I guess we should have that talk." Again at his words my pulse races for a moment and my stomach tightens. I wish I could condition out those responses the same way I do with my climbing. But sadly Bruce seems to unknowingly have direct access to the triggers that make me feel like an ordinary teenage girl.

"Yeah, guess so" I say as I leap over the top of coffee table and land neatly sitting on the couch he's standing behind. I look up and see his upside down face and smile at him. "So what's the big deal".

"Let me show you" he says almost excitedly as he rushes over to the desk and retrieves a small remote looking thing. I follow him with my eyes as he approaches me smiling one of his elated broad grins he reserves for when we used to do something crazy like jump between buildings. "Watch" he says as he clicks a button on the remote and looks expectantly at the fireplace. I look on amazed as loud classical music begins echoing about the room and the fireplace rumbles slowly backwards revealing a recess in the wall.

"Damn Bruce what the hell is that" I ask him as I leap to my feet and inspect the fireplace closer. As I approach I see a tunnel off to the side of the now recessed fireplace leading down into darkness.

"It was my father's" he says proudly. "Let me show you" he continues taking my hand and leading me into the tunnel.

"This better not be one of those freaky sex dungeons" I tell him jokingly as he leads me down the dark tunnel and down some stone stairs.

"It's not" he says with a laugh. "Promise."

"Wait how do you get freaky sex dungeon reference but not keep the door open?" I ask giggling as he leads me down further. I feel the warmth of his hand in my own through the gloves and I idly wish I took off my gloves before we entered the Manor.

"Context" he replies simply. "I did not expect Alfred to make a insinuation about us, but a sex dungeon is rather obvious" he explains.

"Mhm" I say lightly, implying otherwise. Bruce just looks over his shoulder and shakes his head at me. As we come to the end of the stairs I see a metal door frame built into the stone lined with scorch marks. I raise my eyebrow at Bruce as I look closely at the scorch marks. "What happened here then?" I ask.

"Door had a coded lock... so I had to improvise" he answered defensively. "Didn't find out til after that the code was BRUCE" he mutters.

"Aw, don't feel bad. All great detectives have to start somewhere" I tell him, my voice filled with humor as I mock him.

"I went through birthdays in different combinations, I tried important dates, I tried the licence plate of fathers favorite Rolls Royce" he says indignantly as he hurriedly explains. "How was I to know my father's idea of a secure code is was one a five year old could crack".

"OK, OK Bruce" I tell him. "I was just joking". Man sometimes Bruce could be weirdly sensitive about some things. It's a good thing the months we spent together hanging and 'training' I learned how to sooth his wounded pride. "Still you built a bomb!" I say giving his hand a squeeze. "That must have been cool".

"Well, mostly Alfred built it, I mostly has to sit and learn" he said sounding almost disappointed. "Apparently I would 'blow myself to kingdom come'" he continued affecting a mock cockney accent to imitate his butler.

"That is a horrible impression" I say giggling despite myself. After a moment we break down and have a laugh at either his terrible impression or at Alfred's expense; I don't really know which. See, not so hard to soothe his wounded pride; with everyone else I know I would consider it a manipulation to cheer him up this way. But when we spent the winter in the Gotham Narrows, during a particularly cold snowfall he talked about how every social interaction is a manipulation on some level. I am a little ashamed to remember that the topic came about because I was trying to convince him run downstairs into the cold to get some firewood by pouting and acting all doe-eyed. After he dutifully went to get the wood he sat down and we talked. He explained how he knew that I was trying to manipulate him into getting the wood, but he didn't care. He said 'it's normal, for everyone'. That was the day he gave me carte blanche to manipulate him as I see fit without feeling guilty; saying it would never bother him because he trust me more than anyone else. At the time I honestly didn't know what to say. I know now I should have kissed him senseless or something, but at the time the conversation was very heavy and I felt my normal impulse to change topic.

"C'mon" says Bruce as his laughter dies and he drags me through the bombed door. As we enter a room that looks more like a cave than anything else I see the walls line with computer equipment. Along one bench is some tools and bits and pieces and in the middle of the room is an old looking desk with a computer terminal sitting on top.

"Damn, what is all this?" I ask him as I let go of his hand and slowly move about the room examining everything in sight.

"My father..." he begins "...he was looking into some of the bad things Wayne Enterprises was doing. He was looking into things like what Hugo Strange was doing and..." Bruce pauses for a moment and takes a breath as he looks directly at me. "...and that is what I think caused the death of him and my mother". I just stare at him awkwardly as his eyes do his 'thousand-yard-stare' as he looks unfocused across the room. I want to say something sweet, or comforting. But the words won't form in my head. Instead I take three quick steps across the room and pull him into a tight hug. At first Bruce feels wooden but eventually his arms wrap gently around me and we hold each other. I feel the warmth of his body pressed tight against my own and I can hear his heartbeat thrumming loudly and quickly against my ear.

"I don't know what to say Bruce" I mumble quietly into his chest. I can feel his cheek resting softly on the top of my head. I have to bend my knees slightly to be at this perfect hugging height; I won't have to one day, but for now this will work.

"I wanted to tell you then. When we came back from the Narrows" he whispers sadly into my ear. "But Alfred said it would put you in danger... and... all I could think of was my mother getting shot because of what my father was looking into".

"You should have told me anyway" I tell him pulling my head back to look him in the eye. "I thought you trusted me".

"I do trust you Selina. I just didn't want to put you in danger" he says sadly. The defeated look in his eyes causes me to cast aside all the recrimination and anger that was boiling in my chest. "I'm sorry" he says softly. "After you went missing in Arkham... I kept thinking of my mother... and what my father's investigating lead to".

"Bruce I chose to go into that madhouse" I tell him. "Nobody can make me go anywhere I don't want".

"I know... really I do" he says as he awkwardly lets his hands fall to his side and steps back. "It's just... I used your friend Bridgit to make you want to go into Arkham and... that's not how I want to be".

"I don't get what you're on about Bruce" I say exasperated.

"I'm not my father" he says defiantly as he looks at me. "He kept those he loved in the dark, and my mother paid the price. It was a good cause, but I am not going down the same road!" he says as his eyes practically burn with passion. "I had time to think while you were in Arkham... and I came up with a plan".

"Oh not another of your plans please Bruce" I groan as I remember the last dozen times one of his plans ended badly.

"Just hear me out" he says as he steps up to me. "I told you I trust you, and I do. So I will tell you everything I know about my parent's murder... about Arkham... about Bridgit and those like her..." he tells me his voice becoming more confident with each syllable. "And you can choose if you want to help me... not because I dangled a friend in front of you or because I offered you something". I just smile at him.

"I'm in Bruce" I tell him before I even recognize the words I spoke. Bruce stares at me with surprise as his mouth hangs open. I feel the same surprise at my declaration, but the more I think about it the more I know it to be correct. I will help him. Not because of some 'it's the right thing to do' cliché or because of Bridgit; but simply because I can't picture doing anything else. Three months without Bruce Wayne in my life and I was pointing shotguns at cops and nearly got killed in a gang shootout. I will always be a street kid at some level, but a common gangster I am not. I can't picture a time in my life I felt happier than the winter we spent running around on the rooftops of the Narrow's dodging bullets and ripping off sleazy crooks. And Bruce's little crusade will definitely have more of that in store for us. "I'll help... but not as hired hand or anything" I tell him with more certainty. "Full partners... we find the bad guys who turned my friend into a madwoman, and who caused your parents deaths. Together" I tell him.

"OK Selina. Together" he says as he extends his hand for a gentlemanly handshake. I grab his hand and pull him in for another tight hug.

"And no doing anything stupid without me!" I tell him half-joking.

"I never do anything stupid" he says indignantly as he pulls back slightly to look down at me.

"Sure you don't Brucie" I mock lightly as he puts on a sour look. His eyes bore into mine for several moments and I lose focus for a second.

"One condition thought" he says looking at me seriously. I roll my eyes obviously at him.

"If you want a kiss, you can just ask you know" I tease him as a light blush rolls up his neck and fills his cheeks.

"Not that..." he mumbles quietly, "I meant... full partners... for both of us".

"Huh?" I say.

"Full partners, meaning any problems you're having... you tell me and I try to help" he explains with a serious look. "And no doing anything stupid without me either!" he finishes. Even as he says the words I go still. I don't know what to say. He wants the 'full partners' deal to go both ways. We deal with his conspiracy pyramid he wants to climb, and also any mundane stuff I drag in. I don't understand why he would bother; it would only be a distraction. "Selina?" he says as my attention snaps back to him.

"Why worry about my problems" I whisper quietly as I stare blankly up at him.

"Because I want to and because I can" he says simply as though it were perfectly obvious. As his words echo lightly off the rock walls my mind clicks; I trust him. Not: I can control him so he won't betray or hurt me; but I honestly trust him. If he came to me and told me he needed help hiding dead bodies I would get my shovel. OK, actually I would steal a shovel, but that's not the point. All it took was one of Bruce's naive honest gestures for me to realize I have absolute trust in Bruce Wayne. I'm pretty sure absolute trust is faith, but I can't think too hard on that as Bruce is staring at me expectantly waiting for me to say something.

"OK... full partners... we look out for each other" I whisper slowly as I lower my head to his chest.

"You know it will be dangerous right?" he asks quietly. I recognize the out he is handing me for what it is, but I won't take it. I know it will be dangerous, but so is sleeping in my neighborhood. Hell, practically everything is dangerous in my neighborhood. Well, except the cops.

"I know it will" I say into his chest. "But I'm involved anyway... and I want to help... you".

"I'm glad" he says as he tightens his arms around me and leans gently back against the desk. I can hear his heart beating loudly in his chest. Its rhythm is steady now and I feel disappointed his heart-rate isn't higher considering he's got his arms around me; but I don't pay it any mind for now. I feel the tension of the day slowly melt out of my body as I lean all my weight onto him. "So, I guess I have a lot to catch you up on with the investigation" he says quietly.

"Later Bruce" I mumble into his chest. "Much later".

AN: Wrote this in an airport while a rerun of Gotham season one was playing. Will continue it next time a flight gets delayed... so probably soon.
IF anyone spots and canon missteps let me know, I'm going entirely from memory.

Retroactive Disclaimer: I don't own Gotham. No really I don't... why does nobody ever believe me? *grumble*