The Present. Gotham Docks.
It was nine thirty at night. A few people were boarding a ship: a woman with her backpack, two girls clutching to each other's arms, their long hair blowing in the wind, a man carrying a baby, and a lonely hunched old man with a suit case. These people were leaving Gotham and didn't want anyone to know about it. A few yards away a figure looked on. Then came the whoosh of a cape.
"Why didn't you tell me, Selina?"
"When I tried, you said later. Besides, how would you have liked me to have told you? Better yet, when? When did you want me to tell you? When you were back from returning the Joker to Arkham? When you left police headquarters after talking to he new commissioner or--"
"Preferably before now," Batman said coldly.
"You already knew anyway," Catwoman hissed.
"That's besides the point."
"No, it's not...How did you know?" she asked.
"What?"
"How did you know?"
Silence.
"Did you run any tests on her you son of a--"
"No!" he growled.
They were both quiet.
"Then?" she asked turning to look at him.
After a while, he spoke, "The timing was suspicious, so I looked at the paperwork on file in the hospital," he paused, "She's A+. Sam's O-. He couldn't be her father," he took another long pause, "Why does he think..."
"Because I wanted him to," she spit out.
"How?"
"How do you think?"
He looked at her, wishing she wasn't wearing goggles so he could look in her eyes.
"Why?"
"Bruce, c'mon. You know why. I wanted someone who had no ties to y--" she sighed. She opened her mouth to speak, but didn't say anything. She looked down at the ground, she could see the bottom of his cape dancing slowly with the wind.
After a while, she tried again, "Sam is a good person. If he thinks she's his daughter he'll do all he can to protect her." she turned away, her back facing him, and looked towards the water. "It's not bad enough she's Catwoman's daughter," she paused and took a deep breath, "if it ever got out that she's Catwoman and Batman's daughter..." she stopped, she felt him getting closer. His breath caressed her cheek and his arms slid around her. She closed her eyes and enjoyed his embrace for a moment, then she tried pulled away, but he held on tightly. She leaned her head back and let it rest on his chest.
"She deserves a chance to be a normal kid...I never had that...You never had that...I thought she should at least have the chance at a regular childhood. One without death...and pain...or loneliness...I know it's never a guarantee, I know it can happen to anyone, but..."
"I know," he whispered.
They were both quiet, looking at the ocean, looking at the ship preparing to sail away.
"Those days we spent together," he began, "We were careful. Yet, here she is. She was meant to be here. It was the right time. The right night."
"Mmm...the right night...the right knight," she smiled. "It was the right knight...it was you, Bruce. You opened yourself up, we both did, even if it was only for a few days. You opened your heart, you let me in. She was possible because of you...you and me. We were able to get past everything. And just lo--" She turned around suddenly and looked at him, "I should have told you before Bruce. I'm sorry I didn't," she whispered. "You deserved to know. You deserved to be there when your daughter was born..." she couldn't continue.
"I would not have been much help," is all he managed to say.
...
After Helena was born, Bruce had seen her three times. Each time Selina made him hold her.
The first two times, I went as Batman. I know Selina wanted to tell me then, but I didn't want to hear it. I was not ready. I took "presents." A paid college education and a little bear. What was I supposed to take? I wasn't even supposed to know she was...my daughter. I changed the subject, I made Selina talk about other things. I was about to leave, but Selina called me back.
"Wait," she said, "you have to carry her." I tried to make excuses. I was wearing the cape and cowl. I was dirty. She was so tiny. I'd never carried a newborn before. But Selina wouldn't listen, she made me take everything off, except my pants.
"You see how I'm holding her--bend your arms--that's how you'll hold her," Selina told me as she handed Helena to me. I held my breath as I realized I was holding my...my daughter. She was sleeping. She looked so peaceful, like an angel. I looked up at Selina, who was smiling. I don't know how long I stayed there, just looking at her sleep, but then out of the corner of my eye I saw the signal lighting up the sky. "I have to go," I said as I handed her back. I got dressed and left.
I came back the next night. Selina was surprised to see me although she tried to deny it. Again, she said I should carry Helena. This time I didn't make excuses, I simply took everything off, leaving only my pants on. Selina gave her to me. "You can sit down if you like," she suggested and I did.
Helena was sleeping again. Selina asked if it would be alright if she took a quick shower, I said,"No. What if she cries?" Selina said, "She'll only wake up if she's hungry. Here's her bottle just in case. Ten minutes and I'll be out." and she disappeared before I could argue. I could do this, I thought. I won't move and she'll remain comfortable.
I looked at her little hands. I gently touched one little hand, which made her jump and grab on to my finger. Her whole little hand held on to less than half my index finger. At that moment, I was truly happy, but then I thought of my parents. Tears filled my eyes. They would never carry their granddaughter. They would never hold her little hand. My shaking woke up her up. She was now crying, as well. I didn't even hear when Selina had finished, but suddenly she took her from me and started to feed her. 'Thank you for watching her, Bruce.' she said. I was fully clothed by then. I nodded and left through the window.
I didn't come back the following night or the next. It was two weeks before I could see them again. I called and invited Selina and Helena to the manor. I don't know how Alfred knew, or if he knew, but he seemed to know. He was as nervous as I was, but we both tried to hide it. Selina arrived and Alfred showed her to my study. We exchanged small talk and then I asked if I could hold her. After handing her to me, Selina turned to talk to Alfred. I got Helena and sat down on my chair...my father's chair. Here was my...daughter, in my father's house, my home. It was the most joyous and heart-breaking moment of my life.
You will never meet my parents, I thought as I looked at her, your grandparents...because...someone...took them away. I never want you to go through that...but...just by being your...father...I'm...putting you in danger, but... I don't...don't have to. They would understand. I'm sure they would understand if I...broke my promise...I could...stop...being B--
And suddenly, as though I had been speaking out loud, I felt Alfred and Selina's eyes on me and I knew I would fall apart if I looked up at either one of them, so I looked down at the beautiful tiny person in my arms. She opened her eyes slightly, blinking many times until her eyes were fully open.
"'She is quite beautiful, if I may say so," Alfred said, "with lovely blue eyes."
I turned to look at Selina and it was one of the few times I'd seen her blush. I think she was as happy as I was then.
...
But now, Catwoman was hurting, and Batman didn't know how to help her. He could see her struggling with herself, thinking of other possibilities...pondering what-ifs? He held her tighter. He inhaled her sweet scent and he thought back to the days they spent together. He had loved her, he still did. But now, he couldn't now, but back then...back then he had let himself love her. He had kissed her, made love to her. Once he kissed her all over...she liked it. She giggled and moaned lightly. She had returned the favor and...kissed him...all over...slowly...lovingly. Even now, he could feel her soft lips on his body. She was truly a remarkable woman.
She had been his, completely his. And he had given himself fully to her as well. He didn't want to leave her, but he had to. If he didn't leave then, he was afraid he never would. Towards the end, he was so comfortable with her. At first, he felt lost, but she guided him through it. She had helped him so many times, even saved his life. Now, it was his turn, he had to find a way.
"Selina, look at me," he waited until she did, "You did what you thought was right. Just like you're doing now. Helena is the only one the matters now," he paused, "You know she's our daughter and I know she's our daughter...no one else needs to know."
She smiled, taking comfort in his words, "our daughter...no one else needs to know." She looked into his eyes, and for once, wished she had never known the mask. He looked into hers and had the same exact same thought, a life with Selina and Helena, no masks. Would that ever be possible? Both became lost in their thoughts, holding onto each other harder than they ever had.
Together, Batman and Catwoman looked at the ship. It had begun its long voyage. Eventually, it would reach an undisclosed port somewhere on the other side of the Atlantic. It carried their daughter. It would take Helena far away from them. With her was the man who thought was her father. He was taking her away...someplace safe.
THE END
"The Right Knight" belongs to roguecatwoman.
