Will the real Selina Kyle please stand up? Chapter 4 : Alfred Pennyworth

As Bruce Wayne rested in his bedroom, recovering from his most recent injuries from his nightly activities as the Dark Knight, Alfred Pennyworth worked quickly to prepare him a light meal. The distinguished British gentleman had been through this routine more times than he could count. Bruce would push himself to his limits and beyond in his quest to rid Gotham of all crime. Near death experiences were common for him. As were injuries that would put anyone else out of commission. But not Bruce Wayne. He was not about to let something as trivial as physical pain stop him from coming down with fiery vengeance on those who terrorised the city.

Needless to say, Alfred worried about him. Though he rarely ever verbalized these concerns, he had often feared that when he left this world, there would be no one to care for Bruce, to dress his wounds and calm him heart. More importantly, Bruce would lose himself completely in his quest. Dick Grayson loved him, but he could only help him to a certain extent. He needed a partner, someone who understood his pain and could remind him he mustn't let his quest stop him from living life. In this regard, the only ray of hope that Alfred could see was Selina Kyle.

He had noted an uncharacteristic enthusiasm in Master Bruce, the first time he had gone on a date with Misa Kyle, after she won him in a date auction. Bruce had never needed to pursue a woman. Any time he stepped out, several women, beautiful, desirable women would throw themselves at him. He'd put on the playboy billionaire persona, flirt with them, perhaps take them to his bed, but that was it. None if them challenged him in any way, and therefore failed to hold his interest.

Then came Selina Kyle, a gale force that seemed to have swept Bruce Wayne off his feet. She did not beg for his attention. She did not seek his approval. She did not flatter him in order to curry favours. Selina was Bruce's equal. This is probably what made him chase after her.

Alfred's thoughts were interrupted when Selina entered the kitchen. She was obviously tired after the events of the previous night. She had also been awake all night long after returning to the manor, never leaving Bruce's side even when Dick and Tim insisted that she get some sleep. But her weariness failed to mar her beauty and poise.

"He's awake." She told Alfred with a small smile "Is lunch ready yet? I want to see if I can get him to eat."

"But of course Miss" he replied as he began setting things up on a trolley, "I suppose you'll be having your meal in the Master bedroom?"

"Yes, Alfred. He should probably just eat in bed right now." Selina told him, helping him lay out the cutlery.

As expected, Master Bruce insisted on going down to the cave and analysing the evidence they had collected. He was about to go on and on about how he needed to get to work..... when Miss Kyle silenced him with a single "Bruce!", and a stern look.

He tried to protest further, but she was not having it. She made it clear that he was going to sit down and eat and that Dick was already working on the case. For now, Batman needed to rest.
She ended her scolding with "You're not some invulnerable, unbreakable thing! You're human and you need to take care of yourself like one, you ridiculous man!".

Rather than annoyance, this only drew a small smile from Bruce. He sat down quietly and Alfred began serving them their lunch. If the older man had to bet, he would say that Master Bruce rather enjoyed being scolded by Miss Kyle. Her anger at him when he put himself in danger was just another expression of her love.

Alfred could remember the first time he met Selina. He was certain that this was a remarkable woman when she had visited their home for dinner that night. The buttler was putting the finishing touches on to their dinner when he had heard the sound of laughter. Genuine laughter, the kind that was generated by real happiness or amusement. How long it had been since this wonderful sound had echoed in the halls of the Wayne Manor. More specifically, how long it had been since he heard this kind of laughter from Master Bruce. He seemed to genuinely cherish Miss Kyle's company. She brought out a side of him that he had tried so desperately to repress. The side of him that was human, and wanted love and companionship. With every interaction that Alfred witnessed between them, he became more and more convinced that he had never seen Bruce as happy as he was in her presence.

Bruce's dilemma when he found out that the woman he was falling in love with was the notorious criminal Catwoman, was difficult witness. Alfred feared that his heart would break beyond repair. And for some time, it did. And Bruce seemed to have withdrawn into his shell again. Alfred worried that he may never recover from this emotional blow and may swear off relationships for good. He wondered if Selina Kyle felt the same way Bruce did. He found out soon enough when she stepped in to help him when Joker and his minions started a massacre in the middle of the city. Not only had Catwoman helped stop the madness, she had saved Batman's life. She tackled him away from an explosive that Joker had thrown at him. Bruce was unharmed but Selina suffered severe burns to her sides.

For the first time, Alfred sensed real fear in Bruce's voice when he brought her into the cave that night. Together they took care of her, after making sure that her injuries were not fatal. Bruce kept checking on her all night, in spite of her being sound asleep. His love for her and his guilt would not let him rest. The next morning, Selina disappeared without a trace. She didn't even let them thank her for risking her own life to save Bruce.

Batman and Catwoman would have many more encounters, some a bit combative, some rather...... intimate. Whatever the nature of their interactions may be, it was clear that no woman affected him the way that she did. And though he did deny it at the time, he always had the time of his life chasing her on rooftops.

And then came the day the Bat was broken. Bane had defeated Batman, in a manner that was far from honourable. Bruce's back was broken and he would be incapacitated for the foreseeable future and it seemed he may never be the same man he was before.
Alfred tried to stay strong. But he could not watch Bruce's excruciating physical therapy without wondering if he was strong enough to see Bruce go through such agony. As he stood alone at the balcony and allowed tears to roll down his cheeks, he felt a soft hand on his shoulder. He turned around to find Selina there, her eyes just as moist as his own. He quickly wiped off his tears, but Selina knew how much he was hurting. "I'm so sorry Alfred." She spoke gently as she put her arms around him. The two of them held and consoled each other. Brought together by their love for the same man, Selina and Alfred became each other's rock. Bruce didn't even find out till years later, but Alfred had kept Selina well informed about Bruce's recovery and his training. Selina had been a patient listener on those rare occasions when Alfred dropped his guard and confided in her about how terrified he was for Bruce, and that his never ending battle against crime might end with his death. She often snuck into the manor just to get a glimpse of Bruce, to make sure that he would be ok. Alfred knew about her secret visits, but never brought them up. He was just grateful for the woman who loved Bruce so much, even though they were no longer together.

The Bat and the Cat would not be apart for long. After Bruce recovered completely, their common goal of protecting the vulnerable, and mutual disgust for their oppressors brought them together again. Alfred, as well as Dick Grayson encouraged Bruce to tell Selina how he felt about her. To rekindle the fire that had brought such light into his life. And in time, Bruce did. They did not become a committed couple right away. They were both independent spirits who had separate lives. Two powerful personalities who needed to retain their individuality. What they did manage to do was finding a middle ground between their worlds and joining forces to ensure that no innocent child would have to suffer the way that they had. That was the foundation of their love.

Alfred, in his capacity, made sure to have Miss Kyle at the manor as often as possible. Dick too helped greatly in this regard, by making sure that Selina knew she was a part of this family too. Soon, she became just that. She was like a mother figure to Bruce's children and Alfred's ally in keeping him sane. So many times they had teamed up to tell Bruce he was delusional if he thought he could punch criminals while he had broken bones. Their combined wit and sarcasm formed a deadly force to which even Batman would have to bow.

Alfred also shared with Selina the memories of seeing him play with his parents and how much they loved him. He told her all about what a happy and sweet child Bruce was. One day, they were discussing a project Selina was funding that would educate teenage delinquents in the East End and help them turn their lives around. As Selina spoke passionately about this programme that was obviously close to her heart, Alfred could not help but smile.
"Miss Kyle, you remind me so much of the late Mrs Wayne." He admitted.

This caught Selina off guard.
"I... I do?"

"Yes" Alfred confirmed, "just like you she too was one to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. I think you and she would have been very good friends."

At this, Selina's eyes turned sad.

"Alfred..." she asked tentatively "do you think Bruce's parents would have liked me? Would they have accepted me?"

The wise old butler could see that Selina felt she was perhaps not good enough to have recieved the approval of Bruce's parents. That she was somehow lacking. He would not allow her to harbour such ridiculous notions.

"Of course they would have." He assured her firmly. "At first, they may have been a bit concerned about your propensity to whip a dozen men if they get in your way, " he said, causing Selina to smile, "but once they got to know you, they would have seen your heart. They would have seen how happy you make Bruce and they would have welcomed you with open arms."

"You really think so?" Selina asked

"I'm sure of it. In fact, you and Mrs Wayne would have made a formidable team, when working for the good of the people and when ensuring Master Bruce took care of himself"

Selina's sadness was replaced with a genuine smile.

Alfred was just cleaning up in the kitchen, thinking about this very conversation, when he heard Bruce and Selina come downstairs. She was trying to convince him to watch a movie. He was protesting half heartedly, telling her he needed to look into some documents from his office. All the while following right behind her into the home theatre. Alfred began to make them some popcorn as he was sure Master Bruce would not refuse Miss Kyle.

Today, Selina Kyle was Bruce Wayne's partner in every sense of the term. She was his ally in protecting Gotham and his chief advisor when working for the well being of the city's poor. She had redesigned the security for the Wayne Manor and for Wayne enterprises and made it such that even she could not break it. And of course she was the love of his life. The woman who brought him immeasurable happiness and made sure to remind him that he didn't have to let his grief consume him. The fears Alfred had felt so often about Bruce's future had now disappeared completely. He knew that when his time came, he could leave this world without worry, knowing that his son was in very good hands.

[The image I've used is a still from the movie The Long Halloween]