"Priority alert. Analysis complete on recent criminal activity patterns. Anomaly detected. Recommend immediate review."
His jaw tightened slightly. An anomaly. That wasn't good.
"Everything okay?" Selina asked.
"Yeah. Just, something I need to deal with later. Nothing urgent."
He put the phone away and focused back on Selina. "Come on. I owe you at least another hour of my complete attention."
They danced through three more songs. Bruce made a genuine effort to be present, to engage, to let the wall come down just a little. It felt strange and uncomfortable, but also, surprisingly good.
When they finally took a break, Derek approached with obvious intent to ask Selina for a dance. Bruce intercepted him smoothly.
"Hey Derek. Selina and I were just heading outside for some air. Maybe catch you later?"
Derek's face fell but he nodded and moved away. Selina raised an eyebrow.
"Protecting me from unwanted attention?"
"I thought you didn't like him."
"I don't. But I can handle my own rejections."
"I know you can. Consider it me being territorial for one night."
Selina looked surprised, then pleased. "Territorial. I can work with that too."
They stepped outside into the cool night air. Other students clustered around in small groups, talking and laughing. Bruce and Selina found a quieter spot near the building's edge.
"Thank you for tonight," Selina said. "For actually showing up mentally, I mean. I know it took effort."
"It was worth it. You were right. I needed this. A reminder that normal life exists outside of, everything else."
"Everything else being your mysterious projects?"
"Something like that."
Selina moved closer. "You know, you're not as mysterious as you think. I've figured some things out."
Bruce's pulse quickened slightly. "Oh?"
"You're planning something big. Something that's going to change things. I don't know what exactly, but I can see it in how you move, how you think, how you're always three steps ahead of everyone else." She looked up at him. "Just promise me it's not something that's going to get you killed. Because I've gotten kind of attached to having you around."
Bruce looked into her green eyes and saw genuine concern. Genuine affection. She didn't know about Batman, but she knew enough to be worried.
'Was she this intelligent in the originals?'
'Still, this doesn't feel bad...'
"I promise I'll be careful," he said while thinking, 'I'm Batman after all.'
"And I'm glad you're around too." He added.
The moment stretched between them. Selina moved even closer, her intention clear.
Bruce's phone vibrated again. Insistently this time.
He closed his eyes briefly. "I'm sorry. I really need to check this."
"Of course you do." Selina stepped back, frustration and disappointment crossing her face. "You know what, Bruce? I tried. I really did. But I can't compete with whatever obsession has taken over your life. So when you finally finish whatever it is you're doing, if you still want to actually have a relationship with a real person, let me know."
She walked back inside before he could respond.
Though he felt like saying something, he had other priorities.
Bruce pulled out his phone. The message from NEXUS was flagged urgent.
"Anomaly confirmed. New player in Gotham with capabilities inconsistent with normal criminal activity. Recommend immediate return to base for full briefing."
Bruce looked back at the building where Selina had disappeared. He wanted to go after her, to explain, to, something.
But the mission couldn't wait.
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