This was the event referred to in 'The Interview' that Selina refused to speak to Lois about at their first meeting.

This story takes place approximately after Dick has been at Gotham Academy for six months.

As usual, I own nothing but my own ideas.

GOTHAM

GOTHAM ACADEMY

AFTERNOON

Selina was ushered into the Headmaster's office at Gotham Academy. She'd been surprised to get the call from the school requesting her presence. She'd had no idea Bruce had put her on the contact list with the school. She'd been even more surprised that it was because Dick was in trouble, somehow Dick being in trouble at school seemed impossible.

A quick scan of the office revealed multiple people besides the Headmaster. Edmund Terwilligar, pompous man who always seemed be undressing Selina with his eyes, and his wife Margaret with their son. Theresa Juliani was seated with her son next to them. Selina's eyebrows shot up when she caught sight of Dick trying to make himself as small as possible in the corner of the room.

His clothes were dirty; his shirt pulled out of his pants and torn. There was a tear in his pants. Selina dropped to her knees in front of him heedless of her expensive business suit.

"Are you hurt?" Selina ran her hands over Dick checking him thoroughly for injuries. Dick hissed as she passed his arms but skilled fingers determined it was likely nothing more than bruises.

"That vicious little monster isn't who you should be worried about." The words came from Edmund Terwilligar.

Dick watched in wonder as Selina switched off the instantaneous reaction that was Catwoman. Selina Kyle businesswoman could be scary on her own though. Building the Foundation to its success hadn't been fun and games. She'd learned hard and fast to play with the big boys.

She straightened and turned, putting herself between Dick and the rest of the room.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Emerald eyes pinned him.

"He attacked my angel and Anthony for no reason." Margaret Terwilligar hissed at Selina. The emerald eyes shifted to the woman who swallowed hard and paled.

"Those two boys are twice the size of Dick and don't have a mark on them." Selina's voice was cold. "Whereas Dick's uniform is torn and he has bruises. Explain to me how that works."

"Just because he was foolish enough to attack two boys larger than him who were able to subdue him after some effort doesn't change the facts." Theresa Juliani's response was delivered calmly. Selina eyed her speculatively. At least she seemed to have a reasonable head on her shoulders even if she was wrong.

Selina's gaze swept the room again and included the Headmaster. "You expect me to believe that a boy who was taught from the time he was a small child to assess risk would attack two boys twice his size? That a boy who was tested by this school with its high standards and not only allowed to enter but enter into a year ahead of where he should be would put himself into a situation he couldn't possibly hope to succeed?"

The Headmaster sighed. "Perhaps it would be better to wait for Mr. Wayne. Dick will need to be suspended at least and this will go on his permanent record."

Selina resisted the urge to snarl and threw Terwilligar's words back at them. "Mr. Wayne isn't the one you have to worry about."

"He's just a dirty gypsy charity case. He deserves more than we gave him. Wayne's going to get tired of him just like he's going to get tired of you." The words were spewed out viciously by the Terwilligar boy. The adults in the room, except for his father and Selina, gasped and stared at him. Behind Selina, Dick flinched and grabbed her hand.

"This changes things." The Headmaster said slowly.

Theresa grabbed her son's shoulder. "Did you beat him up? Because he's Gyp- Romany?" She glanced at Selina. "Is that the right term?" Selina nodded. Theresa shook her son slightly. "Well?" Her son slumped and nodded.

"Yes, this does change things." Selina aimed her look at the Headmaster. "The suspension and mark on the permanent record will now have to go to these two boys and not Dick."

Both Terwilligars were shouting and it took several minutes for the Headmaster to calm them.

"I truly don't think it's necessary to do either of those things to these boys." The Headmaster cast a pleading glance at Selina. "Surely you understand Ms. Kyle that nothing can be gained by punishing two boys with exemplary records."

"What I understand is that just a moment you were willing to deliver that punishment to Dick who also has an exemplary record." Her unwavering stare caused the Headmaster to squirm. "Now that we've discovered that two exemplary students attacked a younger boy half their size you want to just let it go. I have to wonder why that is? Do you have something against his heritage as well?"

"Yes, do you?" This was from Theresa Juliani who rose and moved forward to stand next to Selina. "We send our son here because we believe this to be the best school in Gotham. Now I have to wonder if this school fosters bigotry."

"Mrs. Juliani." The Headmaster mumbled.

"Theresa, you can't be serious." Edward snapped at her. "You want our boys punished because of that little brat? At best he's a pet that Wayne picked up and he'll get bored of him soon enough. You think siding with him over your own child will mean anything to Wayne?"

Dick's grip on Selina's hand tightened and he pressed closer against her. If she had her whip with her she would be hard pressed not to use it on Terwilligar.

"This isn't about choosing sides. This is about doing the right thing. Do you want your boy growing up thinking it's okay to put other people down, or worse, because of who they are? That's not what I want for my boy." Theresa turned back to the Headmaster ignoring the glares from both Terwilligars. "There is really only one choice for you here. The boys have to receive the same punishment you planned for Dick. I know that my husband and I, as well as Mister Wayne, have a large amount of influence with not only the board but other parents here. Parents of various heritages who won't want to hear that incidents like this could happen and nothing would be done to protect their children."

Both Terwilligars exploded again and had to be calmed down. In the end it was decided that both boys would receive three days suspension from school and a permanent mark on their record. The Terwilligars stormed out of the office taking their son with them.

"Steven, please wait for me in the car." Theresa Juliani handed her car keys to her son who nodded and left the office without making eye contact with anyone. "Miss Kyle, if I could speak with you?"

"Yes, of course." Selina squeezed Dick's hand and smiled down at him. "Do you have a change of clothes here?"

"Alfred has me keep some in case Bruce picks me up and I need something besides this." The little boy whispered.

"Okay, how about you go get changed and I'll meet you out front? You okay with that?" She smiled encouragingly. He nodded and left the office.

Selina walked out of the office, through the reception area, and into the main foyer followed by Theresa. She stopped and turned to the other woman.

"What can I do for you Mrs. Juliani?"

"Theresa, please." The other woman smiled slightly. She looked briefly down the hall in the direction Dick would have headed. "He's lucky to have you. I know he hasn't been with Bruce long and you being the girlfriend – I am so sorry Miss Kyle. I did not mean that the way it sounded. This is not the best day today."

"No, it really isn't. Call me Selina. I know what a lot of people think about our relationship. People can think whatever they think." Selina responded.

"Yes, they can. When I married Marco people thought I did it for his money. My husband is short, pudgy, balding, and unattractive. He was when I married him." Selina stared at the slim, beautiful woman next to her. "Ah, I see you've realized just who my husband is. He doesn't like to socialize much. I love my husband dearly. I didn't marry him for his money. I've seen how Bruce looks at you when he thinks no one's looking. I've also seen him with Dick. I also know, as a parent, that you don't put just anyone down to be called in for these kinds of school meetings. Neither one of you is replaceable."

Selina contemplated that for a minute. She was definitely going to have to talk to Bruce about watching the looks when he thought no one was looking. When exactly did Bruce of all people ever think no one was looking? Unless he was doing that on purpose for some reason?

"Anyway, what I wanted to say is that Steven's behaviour is completely unacceptable. It isn't how we're raising our son. Marco and I will decide what other punishment Steven will get at home." Theresa paused. "I'm very sorry that this happened, Selina. Truly."

"Thank you Theresa." Selina smiled. "I appreciate your help in there as well. It would have been a lot harder without it."

"Something tells me you could have handled it. There might have just been more bloodshed." Theresa laughed and started to walk away. "Call me. We'll get coffee."

"Sure." Selina answered. She heard footsteps approaching and turned to see Dick. She dropped down to her knees and he rushed into her arms. Her boy, her kitten, safe now. She pulled back and looked at him. "We have to go to my office. I have an interview then we'll get you home and spend the afternoon together. Okay?" Dick nodded. "Great. Let's go."