Mass Communication [Selina]

[Deleted]

[Bullock:11:43] Hey, I'm back    
[Bullock:11:45] And I found this... 



[Bullock:11:45] They won't let me sit down.  They're mad at me.  All three of them.
[Bullock:11:46]  I'm kind of offended now.  
[Bullock:11:46]  Anyway, I'm back for good this time.  Thank you for putting up with them for a year!  And sorry for texting so late.  

Harvey turned and locked his door.  He tossed his phone on the couch and then began to set down his duffel bag and his backpack.  He wore a pair of black sneakers, a medium weight, black warm up suit with dark teal piping at the seams and a black t-shirt under the jacket of the suit.  The cats remained on the chair he had wanted to sit in.  They watched him as he walked into his kitchen to stare into the fridge.  There was nothing in it except sodas and beer.  Those he had left two months ago when he was in town for a day and a half.

He sighed when his jet lagged and underfed-for-the-last-72-hours stomach growled at him with vigor.  He was a little more than exhausted.  He shut the door and started back into the living room as if the most brilliant thing had struck his brain.  He picked up his land line, yes he still had one, he insisted on it, and began dialing a number.

"Harvey?  Zat chou?"

"It is."

"Hey, long time!  The usual?"

"Yes, and can I ask Murray a favor when he delivers?"

"Murray just walked in!  Here lemme put 'im on!"

The scuffle and conversation of someone handing a phone to someone else and telling them who it was Harvey smiled at.

"HEY!  HARV!  What's up man?"

"Murray, I just landed about half an hour ago, I am beat down.  You mind runnin' by Gene-O's and picking me up some, eh, comforts?"

"Yeah, Harv!  I got you.  I know you're good for it."

"Thank you, I'll take care of you when you get here."

"Alright, see you in a few."

"In a bit, Mur."

Harvey finally gave up on the chair and laid on the couch, reached his arm to the coffee table, and turned the tv on.  The cats continued to defiantly stare at him, mad at him for being away for so long.

[Selina Kyle - Catwoman]

She had been parked before her computer, trying to puzzle out something that had been bothering her. Her phone chimed at her, and she thankfully stood up to go and retrieve it. Whoever it was, she was mighty thankful to them. She'd nearly been waiting all night for some sort of notification to get up from that damn screen. Blinking as she scanned the texts, she had to burst out laughing, then quickly both saving the photo, and forwarding it to her email as well. It was such a gem.

And of course, it was natural to her what was going on. Once Jasper realized there were other cats out there...he was hooked on visiting. And while he went out at times when she did, they always came together before the sun came up. Not this time.

[Selina:11:47] That is one ugly ass chair, you know. I know someone that can get it reupholstered.
[Selina:11:48]I thought he was over there! I just checked around 3. You know you have nothing in the fridge?
[Selina:11:49] Sometimes you have to explain to your boys what the hell is going on. Jasper no doubt has been filling their heads with stories about me. You know how cats are. And welcome back! You know I'm a night owl anyway.

Without another response she quickly shed the silky black robe she had been in and pulled on the first thing she could grab. Which was her pair of running leggings. Tossing a hooded sweatshirt on over that, she grabbed her keys and pocketed her cellphone after responding, being alert if he responded. She knew just the thing to move the cats off that damn ugly chair, and it was more than just treats. Which she did grab, of course.

It wasn't a long walk from her place to his. She'd timed it once or twice and it was an easy breeze of a walk. He thankfully was only up three floors of stairs, and had a decent view of the park, too. And if there was anything she could do to help a neighbor, she'd do it. Even more inclined when it involved felines.

Without even a knock at the door, she gently turned the handle, aware that he didn't always lock it. This time it was, and with a practiced hand she slid her key into the door and was inside his place in the span of a whisper. The cats of course noticed; their ears shifting, as like knew like. Another quick lock of the door behind her caused ears to shift again.  Whistling quietly, she had the attention of the three boys, even as Jasper blinked slowly at her. He was content. Harv's two boys, well, they were still pissed.

Clicking her tongue as she stood at the edge of the couch, she nodded her head thoughtfully.

"Well, you're damn right they're mad at you. Usually that, and this gets them moving. You better make your peace with them if you ever want to sit on that chair again." She laughed, throwing him a small bag of treats, and reaching over him to place the bottle down on this coffee table. And for once, she refrained from commenting on just how rough he looked.

"I thought this would be a fitting welcome home present." 

[Deleted]

Harvey caught the treats and started to sit up. He knew it was her, she was the only person that had his apartment key aside from him. He stood at sight of her and smiled tiredly, but warmly to her.

"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes, Miss Kyle?"

Harvey opened his arms to her after she placed the bottle on his coffee table.

"I know I'm never a hug guy, ever, but y'know, I been gone for so long, and you been such a doll in all this, I think ya earned it."

He wrapped his arms around her, closing his eyes for a moment so she wouldn't see. He sighed out of relief. He had needed human contact, he'd been without for so long he had to admit to himself he missed it, a lot. However he would never admit it aloud.

"Sorry if I stink. It's been a long few days."

After a moment he released her and stepped back and smiled to her again.

"You in a hurry? Can you sit for a minute?" he asked as he began to seek out his cats' attention and forgiveness with treats.

[Selina Kyle - Catwoman]

Ever since their cats, well, Jasper had decided to make friends, Selina had seen more of Detective Bullock over time. And when work took him...away, she waved him off as he asked if she could watch his boys. She did with glee, often finding Jasper and the other two in a pile of fluff.

Clicking her tongue as he caught the bag, she gently chastized him. "You need a shower and some good rest, Detective." As his arms opened, she stepped into them, knowing when a man needed more than just some kind words. Her ear rest against his chest, and his sigh flooded her ears. She knew that feeling. She'd felt it when her feet had finally been back on Gotham soil as well. No matter where you went, it was always nice to be back home.

"I still stand by what I say, and trust me, I've seen, and smelled worse." Once they parted she smiled brightly at him before making herself comfortable on the corner of the couch.

"I was plugging away at mindless crap for work. And I'm not too ready to head back to those spreadsheets."

[Deleted]

"You, on the other hand, smell fantastic!"

Harvey nodded in agreement. The boys still seemed mad at him, despite the treats.

"Yeah, maybe I should get a shower in here real quick. I got food on the way," Harvey pulled money out of his wallet, "you mind giving this to Murray when he makes it to the door, had him run by the store for me, too."

Harvey handed the money to her.

"You don't mind sticking around for a minute so I can get clean, eh?  Keep ya away from the mindless plugging?  I know it's late, but I'd really appreciate it.  I owe you a shit ton of favors, don't I?"

[Selina Kyle - Catwoman]

She laughed, waving her hand at him. "Do I look like I'm going anywhere? Go shower, I'll keep an ear out for the door." It wasn't like she'd camped out here a time or two and ordered in.

Taking the cash she tucked it beneath her thigh as one of the boys finally stretched and hopped down from the chair, pausing as if in thought to follow Harvey, or to jump up with her.

"Harvey, go. You know my hours are never nine to five anyway. And we can probably erase a bunch of those favors if you could get me down at the station range for an afternoon." Cocking her finger she took aim and 'shot' at him.

"Go before the food gets here! At least your whiskey will be ready!"

[Deleted]

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, Miss Kyle."

He disappeared after she urged him while he was getting glass of water. He downed it and tore his jacket off, tossing it onto a small shelf before opening the bathroom door.

About thirty minutes later a clean and steamy Harvey emerged, towel around his waist.

Thirty minutes later a towel clad Harvey snuck out of his bedroom to grab his duffel bag. His really comfy underwear was in that bag and he wasn't going to deny himself of it.

[Selina Kyle - Catwoman]

Shaking her head, she settles in for a bit. It's not long before Sprinkles is settled in the bend of her legs, eyes squished shut, and purring. Jasper meandered over and is in her 'lap', following suit. The third cat went to investigate just what Harvey is up to.

Waiting for the food isn't too hard, but she's curious as to what is taking so long. Wait. Didn't Harv say something about another pickup, too?

Curious.

She hears the water shut off, and peeks out of one eye to see Bullock creeping along for something.

[Deleted]

A knock came to the door, but Harvey had already skittered back to his bedroom. He would emerge, once again, in a pair of black shorts, a GCPD t-shirt, house shoes, and a house coat.

Murray, the man behind the door, in the meantime, had a pair of brown paper sacks full of things and a large pizza. He was skinny and lanky. He wore a standard delivery jacket and hat, jeans, sneakers. He wasn't particularly young or old, but he was experienced. He also looked pleasant in expression.

Beau had been following and watching Harvey as he bathed and got dressed.

"Beau, you're a real creeper sometimes, ya gotta stop that."

Harvey stepped over to the bed next to the cat. Beau rubbed up against his hip and Harvey gave him a scratch.

"Yeah, that's what I thought. I missed you, too."

[Selina Kyle - Catwoman]

Puzzled by his appearance, she had been lost in thought, piled under cats when she heard the knock at the door. Gently encouraging both tabbies to get off her, she had to physically move Jasper as he just purred up a storm. They were little hellions, prone to keeping their owners occupied.

"Move, cat." Petting him she plucked the wad of cash Harvey had given her and walked over to answer the door. Unlocking it, she was sure the man standing there had not been expecting a woman.

"You're the delivery guy? How much do I owe you?" When he was expecting the tall detective, instead he was getting Selina, looking casual in hoodie and leggings.

[Deleted]

"Yeah, hi! I'm Murray, brought some stuff and a pizza, per Harv's request."

He stepped in to set the stuff down on Harvey's breakfast nook. He looked around, it looked the same to him. He looked back at Selina.

"Where's Harv?"

Murray wasn't suspicious, just surprised to see a woman.

"And you are?"

Harvey was trying to towel dry his hair a little more. He finally sighed, staring out at the city through one of his window. He heard the stir of Murray stepping inside and headed that way.

[Selina Kyle - Catwoman]

"Fantastic! He told me you'd be stopping by." Stepping back to let him in, she gently closed the door behind him as he came in and put down the bags.

"He just got out of the shower, did you want to talk with him?" If this wasn't curious, she didn't know what was. Maybe they were friends? Considering the times they'd crossed paths here and there, Selina knew very little about Harvey Bullock. Especially with him gone the past year.

"Selina. Neighbor, cat sitter, you know. You're a friend of Harvey's?"

[Deleted]

"Oh, well nice to meet you, Miss Selina."

Harvey stepped out of his bedroom, Beau at his heel.

"Murr! Thanks, man! I can see you've met my neighbor across the park, Miss Kyle."

Murray shook Harvey's hand and they pulled into one of those bro hugs.

"You look good! Lost a few pounds, eh?"

"A few."

"Well, hey we should catch up sometime but I got another delivery five blocks from here. Nice meeting you, Miss Selina. You guys have a nice night."

Murray was paid well with the money Harvey gave Selina to give to Murray. He looked pleasantly surprised by it. He waved them both a goodbye before stepping out and taking off.

Harvey turned to Selina and picked up that bottle off his coffee table.

"A little hair of the dog, Miss Kyle?"

[Selina Kyle - Catwoman]

Well, as congenial as the guy was, she trusted him. He seemed to be on good terms with Bullock at least. To the point of doing a bit of errand work as well.

"My pleasure, Murray." She added, stepping aside while the men chatted, and Selina occupied herself with crouching down to scratch Beau's head. The cats seemed to be settling in more, giving Harvey a glimmer of respect after his time gone. As she quietly made herself a fly on the wall, she looked up at the end of the conversation. That's what it was! He had trimmed up, not quite losing mass, but it had shifted to more muscle. He was still the solid man she'd known, well, known his cats more than the man behind them. Isn't that how it always was?

"Stay safe out there, Murray!" Making sure he took his payment, she locked the door after him. It was moments and she had her back against the door, watching him as he offered a drink.

"It is your welcome back present." She beamed back at him.

[Deleted]

"It's no fun enjoying alone, either! Besides, I owe you some time. You took those bozos for a whole year."

Beau and Sprinkles shot a look over to Harvey at the word bozos. They turned their heads back to the window a moment later, in unison.

Harvey went to his wet bar and poured them each two fingers of the dark amber she had brought him. He appreciated the color before handing her glass to her. He sat across from her in a much less offensive chair than the one the cats insisted on occupying.

"I hope I'm not biting into any plans you had. So many quick hellos and goodbyes, Miss Kyle, it's nice to actually share a drink with you, ma'am."

He raised his glass with a nod and smile as he leaned back into his chair to enjoy a sip of the drink. It was strong, but not unrefined. He could smell and taste its entire journey from sprouting from earth to his consumption. He used to not care as much about the subtleties in fermentation, but his time away forced him to examine it more closely, so to speak.

"How are you? How have things been? Who's dead and who's still kickin?"

C'est la Gotham.