Catwoman/ Selena POV

I frowned "never." I snarled and whirled around my tail twitching back and forth in irritation. "He's not going to claim them or me."

Batman sighed in relief until he watched her sneak down towards the cage. "Selina."

He called to me but it was too late as soon as I stepped onto the floor lights flooded the room. "Well, well, well. What have we here? It seems I caught a cat burglar in my home." Macain said with a eerie smile.

"Calm your jets, I'm not here to steal from you. I just wanted to see these beautiful creatures before you murder them." I replied my emerald green eyes flashing angrily.

Macain looked at me with a hint of hurt in his eyes. "Despite what you might think I am not a heartless monster that people make me out to be."

I frowned beneath my mask "but the headline..."I replied hesitantly.

"Was wrong. These are beautiful creatures and deserve to be shielded from the cruelty of the outside world."

"Cruelty?" I replied my gaze softening. Macain sighed as he replied "I take no pride in seeing creatures mistreated. These creatures have a hard enough life without my having to add to their pain."

"If I didn't know any better I'd actually believe that you care about these animals." I replied in semi surprise.

"Of course I care about them. They are like my children. I would never want to see any harm come to them." Macain replies.

"Children?" At this, I couldn't help but scoff. "How can you call them your children? They are in a cage."

"My dear lady, that is only because the laws of this city requires it. Besides it's not a cage, it's called an enclosure and this is only their nighttime one. I assure you their daytime enclosure is ten times this size."

"Then why the headline?" I asked in genuine confusion.

"Why else? I needed something you couldn't resist in order for me to get you to come out of the shadows and it worked." Macain's eyes sparkled in amusement and he smiled sending shivers down my spine. "You see, you my dear are the ultimate prize."

"I am not some prize that can be won." I growled my emerald eyes flashing in anger again.

"I'm sorry. That is not what I meant when I said that." Macian replied looking somewhat nervous.

"Then what exactly did you mean??" I demanded angrily.

"What I meant my dear, is that you my are as beautiful, if not more so then these lovely creatures. Any man would be rich indeed to be dating and or to have you as a wife. Tell me have you ever considered the prospect of marriage?"

"Your barking up the wrong tree. I am not interested in ever being tamed. I wouldn't date you if you were the last man on Earth." I replied with a scoff.

Macain sighed in disappointment. "I had hoped that you would at least give the idea some consideration." A few seconds later Macain's gaze grew dark and he snarled "however, if that's the way you feel concerning me, then we have nothing more to discuss."

"Since you no longer wish to be sociable, I shall call the authorities and have you arrested for trespassing and attempted robbery. You won't be given parole this time. You will be sent to Arkham for life."

"I know." I state with a slight sigh trying desperately to hide the look of sadness and fear in my eyes. Despite my efforts I couldn't stop tears from sliding down my cheeks. As I turned my head away from Macain's penetrating gaze.

At this, Macain's gaze softened and he sighed as he placed the phone back on its receiver. Afterward he gently lifted my chin so that I was facing him once more. He gently wiped the tears from my eyes and cheeks. "I have no desire to see such a beautiful creature as yourself caged."

"I am a reasonable man. I can give you anything and everything your heart desires, if you only give me the chance. I offer you this rose Princess, I'd give you my heart but I'm afraid that you've already stolen it. This rose holds my promise that my heart, soul and love belong to you. My precious dark Princess of the night. You are free to go."

"And what is the cost of this freedom?" I ask warily.

At this, Macain chuckled "must everything have a price?"

"With you there always is one. So tell me, what will my freedom cost me?"

"A date. Perhaps someday, you can learn to love me as you love these cats."

"You talk of love and yet, here you are forcing me to agree to date you in exchange for my freedom. Your a monster. I'd say that you were an animal but that would be an insult to animals." I reply bitterly.

"I admit, I will go to extreme measures to achieve what I desire. Believe me, it was not my original plan to blackmail you into agreeing to go on a date with me. You have enchanted me. It's not fair, for the spell that you have cast over me is far too strong for me to fight. All I want is for us to sit and dine together. To get the chance to get to know you. Is that such a crime?"

"She's not interested Macain." Batman said crashing through the skylight and blocking Macain's way to me.

"Batman? What are you doing here? Your not wanted or needed here. Why don't you run along. Go rescue a stray puppy or a cat in a tree or something."

"Let her go Macain." Batman warned his tone dangerously low.

"You think I am keeping Mrs Kyle here against her will?" Macain replied in amusement. My eyes went wide in surprise and Macain chuckled in amusement. "Don't be so surprised my dear, I study my prey for quite sometime before I set my traps. I need an answer Mrs. Kyle. Time is precious and it shouldn't be spent wasted on indecision."

I sighed in defeat lowering my head tears forming in my eyes. Macain's gaze grew soft as he lifted my head staring into my emerald eyes before wiping the tears away once more. "I promise that I will never do anything to harm you."

"Won't you please give me the chance to prove to you, that I'm not just some rich snob? I've wanted to ask you out for sometime now. I just didn't have the courage to do so. Please forgive me, and give me a chance. One chance that's all I ask."

As I gazed into Macain's eyes I was surprised by what I saw. His gaze was full of longing and compassion. I closed my eyes and then sighed. I knew that what I said next would break Batman's heart. "I agree to your terms Macain. In exchange for your not calling the police, I will go on a date with you. Provided it's only one and nothing more then that."

"Excellent. I was hoping you that you'd see things my way." Macain said with a smile.

"Not so fast. I want to make one thing perfectly clear, I am only agreeing to go on one date
with you. I am not agreeing to being your girlfriend or to marry you. I am sure that you have heard the song You don't own me?"

At this, Macain frowned slightly "yes I've heard it. Can't say that it's one of my favorites, but I have heard it."

"I stand by the lyrics of that song. You can't tell me what to wear, or what to do. You can't tell me that I can't date other men. If I feel that you are starting to treat me like a trophy or are being overly possessive the date will be over. Do you agree with my terms?"

At this, Macain's gaze darkened and he let out a frustrated growl. "Fine. However, I won't tolerate you flirting with other guys while on our date. I shall have my limo pick you up tomorrow night at precisely 5:30."

"We will have a dinner reservation at one of Gotham's most prestigious restaurants for 6:00. Please dress appropriately. I shall bid you goodnight until tomorrow. Feel free to gaze at my children for as long as you desire. I will not be pressing charges so long as you keep your end of the deal."

I watched the tiger mixed breed for a little over an hour and then sighed. It was getting late and I had to rise early. I was supposed to meet with Bruce Wayne for breakfast. As much as I wished that I could be with him forever, I had a feeling that it wasn't in the cards. Although Macain has agreed that it was only to be one date I knew that he'd change his mind.

It was clear that he desired her and when he wanted something he always got what he wanted. I knew Macain wouldn't settle for just one date. Soon he would insist that I break things off with Bruce and date him exclusively. Considering Bruce was the father of my unborn child, this was not going to be an easy task.