Disclaimer: Don't own anything except original characters. All material (c) to respective owners. I write these for fun and make no profit. They're just random plot bunnies that live within my strange mind.

A/N: I adore all my readers and thank you so much for fav-ing, and all your support. I have come to realize that I have a case of writers block. I've figured out what may be responsible for this and hope you will all understand and not be too upset with me. First thing is that real life has become overwhelming and I can't focus on my writing, I've also realized that I am not writing just to get something up and what I'm currently writing is awful. I need to take a break after posting my recent chapters for each story. I need to take some time to sort life, I will pick up a pen again, but right now if I want to accomplish anything I need to set things aside and try to find my inspiration again. Thank you for your patience and being wonderful people, I shall return to things soon-ish.

Chapter 4: Discussions & Catches

“Silly girl, you don’t know what you suggest.” He rationalized that the idea would work in his favor, his own mind working out more interesting ideas about a certain Catwoman that would most likely be present with her current boy toy. It would work in the support of his plan and he would definitely draw the needed attention. “What would Selina do when the Ringmaster runs off with her cousin? Too many people to show those pretty claws to.” She caught the calculating look in those green eyes again and wondered if her suggestion hadn’t settled well with him.

“I’m listening…what other ideas for this Victorian dark circus theme do you have?” he crossed his fingers leaning on them, his eyes focused on her strangely flushed face.

Grace had caught herself staring at him, staring at his ebony suit that made him almost appear dangerous in way, blood red stripes barely noticeable in the material. “Damn Selina…damn you cousin dear.” She focused again on her future boss, determined to remain in the mentality of her work.

“Hire some performers dressed in Victorian garb, only go with a darker theme. Rich blood reds, emerald greens, sapphires, very dark colors lingering close to black. Shock the crowd by making your costume a little flashier perhaps? Possibly making you into the ringmaster of the circus, since you are host of the party.” She noticed his eyes seemed to take on a life of their own; he seemed excited by her ideas. “He still seems off...probably won’t even be seen much during his party.” She couldn’t help the feeling that seemed to creep up on her.

She saw Max Kersh as a secluded individual, preferring to stay out of the public eye, reserved to dwell in shadows. Even if it did sound cliché, she got this whole phantom vibe from him; clearly he had spent a great deal of time alone, he always seemed cold, calculative, manipulative, haunted, and conceited. Almost like he mocked the world he lived in, the only time she seen any amusement was when he seemed to edge her into a match of wits, which she refused to comply to if she could help it.

Max liked where she was going, this would fit to his ideas very well. It was strange that she seemed so sure of herself and that her ideas would work so well with his. Maybe his nagging feelings that seemed to push through unwanted barriers weren’t a bad thing, manipulating was his easiest way of getting what he wanted. Grace wouldn’t take much to manipulate into his favor. “This may not be what I wanted originally, but it will help me learn more and get closer to my goal.” Usually this sort of idea would make him loathe himself, but she was oddly entertaining and that made it a bit easier on his pride and ego.

“I like those ideas…if you would not mind; maybe we could work on them together? You can share this office with me.” She did actually mind the sharing office thing, she minded dealing with him on such a close basis, but apparently this was now her job.

“I mind a whole lot…but cant’ argue.” She met those strangely amused eyes and couldn’t shake the feeling he knew exactly what was going through her head. “No problem Max…just please stop with the whole Gracie?” she scowled at the smile that crossed his lips; clearly he wasn’t letting up on her even if she worked for him.

“Now what did I state yesterday Gracie?” she grimaced miserably, why did she have to find a job working with him of all people? “I have some things to do, excuse me for a bit.” Before she could say more he disappeared into a small side office out of her view and she heard another door announcing she was more likely on her own.

Irritably she mocked him, before turning her attention to her portfolio. She pulled out her design sheets and started to work on a basic idea for decorations, themes, and designs. She had the feeling she would also be designing his costume, but decided to hold off on that in case she was being to presumptuous. “How can I like him at all?” her thoughts were pulling her attention from what she needed to focus on. She proceeded to sketch at invitation designs, ignoring the fact that her mind wouldn’t focus on the task at hand.

Max Kersh was more of a puzzle than anyone would understand, even she herself found him confounding. He was tolerable one minute and so conceited the next she wanted to pulverize him. Somehow though he always managed to get back on her good side, she got the feeling he enjoyed messing around with her testing just how far he could push her. She didn’t like this idea at all and stopped in her work contemplating this concept. She listed off traits in her head she despised within Max Kersh, which were conceited, arrogance, calculative stares, a strange almost manipulative side, and many more. None of her opinions were nice so why did she not mind him?

“Why does Selina always have to be right?” she grimaced when it slipped aloud instead of remaining in her head, that made it all the more real.

Shaking her head in a defeated sort of way she continued with her work. She would deal with things one at a time, she was overwhelmed with enough problems at this point and this wasn’t helping. She had learned a long time ago she always over analyzed things, it had been one of her greatest faults and now she was so deep in scrutinizing her life she felt like she was drowning. Grace had to face facts and fast before she did get into a mess, first thing she admitted to herself no matter how reluctantly was she did like Max, no matter the strange quirks or oddness, she did like him.

She also admitted she was disgusted with how Selina’s changes had made their relationship fall apart, she was happy Selina had someone, but it didn’t mean she was invisible. The only other good thing in this whole mess was she liked Alfred and Bruce, they were ok. Angrily she realized she was hurt by Selina, she was currently not only loathing herself for obvious things that seemed prominent in her life, but she disliked her cousin. She would rather not see her for a while and started to contemplate ideas of staying somewhere else in Gotham.

Max was hidden within his side office, he had intended on letting her think she was alone so he could better observe her weaknesses. Her focus on her cousin again made him curious with her exclamation, what had Selina been right about? Grace seemed so lost in her own mind he had to wonder if she even knew she was still hard at work, her hand easily sketching along without her input. He began to wonder if Grace herself wasn’t a little barmy herself due to her actions and constant talking to herself. He had noticed this trait at the cemetery the day he met her, but the more he observed her the more he saw that it was common for her to talk aloud to herself, gesture randomly and seem almost lost within her own mind.

Perhaps if he could get within her madness somehow he could understand what drove the woman, what could make her truly hate Selina. His own insanity was more than enough to keep track of, but for some reason he got the notion learning where hers stemmed from would help him remember the other person that had been involved in Michael’s death. That tidbit just out of his reach, just maybe she could help him crack his own walls and reveal that lost threat.

“Make her learn to care.” He seemed startled out of his own thoughts, where did that come from? That was the last thing he needed, or wanted to do. Caring was not something Max did, only his brother was something to care about; he was the one to help keep the insanity at bay. Michael was his grasp on reality, with it gone he seemed to be drifting farther into the mists and darkness of his own mind, own delusions. “Learn to care and then make her care.” His eyes focused sharply on the office he had retreated to.

The crème walls, light wood desk piled with various folders that had already been put to his attention and the charcoal carpet giving under his feet, this room had been a bit of a comfort for him during his necessary stays at the office. The room was now slowly swallowing him, why did these thoughts keep making themselves known, sharply stabbing into his concentration for revenge?

“When someone cares it is harder for them to let go. It is easier for them to hate.” Instead of the thought scaring him like the others, they slowly began to make sense. Hate would equal to revenge, but love could also be played into that aspect. It just would depend on how far one was willing to go to hate for that love. In his twisted mind it made perfect sense, so much though that it was no longer alarming.

Max’s curiosity about these ideas were slowly weaving an intricate and complicated plan into his head, it wouldn’t be simple but it may work if he was willing to allow his barriers down. If he was willing to do this for himself was the main question, Michael was part of it but did his own needs matter. “You need sanity…she seems to keep you level.” Another disturbing thought about Grace Sable to add to the list.

Grace could have sworn she was being watched, but instead of letting her paranoia get the better of her she pushed it aside. Max was not in the room so there was no reason to worry.

“I had a thought Gracie.” She let out a stifled yelp nearly scattering her already finished designs to the gray carpet below.

She wondered when Max had re-entered the room. “Don’t scare me like that Max.” she finally gathered her wits, or what was left of them and met those green eyes almost twinkling with amusement. “What kind of thought exactly?” she was wary, there was something different about the way he was acting and she wasn’t so sure she would like the outcome of this change. “I wonder if that thought hurt?” she stifled her giggle at the imagery the idea provided.

He easily lowered his hands to the table she was working at his brow quirked at the small smile lingering on her lips. “I need someone to be my escort at the masquerade…” he paused seeing her face considerably pale, before the slightest hints of a blush appeared around her cheeks. “…Since you will be the creative genius behind the event, would you care to be that escort?” the words felt foreign to him, he had never in his life asked any woman out, his brother had always been the one to deal with them.

Max much preferred solace, what dates he had managed made him considerably unhappy and he usually restrained an urge to literally strangle them in one form or another. “Good…slowly show a better side, allow her to help that madness remain within.” He felt like someone was coaching him, was his mind really that far gone after all this short time after his brother’s demise?

Grace felt her tongue roll up within her mouth was he asking her out or was this just business. She was so hoping for the latter, she did not want Selina to be right, she didn’t want romantic thoughts about Max Kersh, especially now.

“Is this a joke?” not what she had intended, but due to recent events it seemed feasible.

He had expected something a little less blunt, but he knew she wouldn’t be completely sure at first. “Gracie…do I look amused?” his eyes were almost glowing with an eerie sort of dare, she studied him carefully getting the impression ‘no’ would not be in her best interest. “One thing you should come to expect…I do not joke.” Again that weird warning tone had seeped into his voice; she felt the strangest urge to run.

“So I noticed…you hardly ever smile.” That was not supposed to leave her mouth, now he would know she had been watching him carefully. “I guess I would like to be your escort…but what is the catch this time?” he so far had not given her reason to doubt his intentions, but she was sure Max was not someone to completely trust.

“Why does she scrutinize me so?” another puzzle provided by the woman before him. “There isn’t a catch…but it would be pleasant if you would design the costumes you plan to put you and me into. It would be considerably strange for the host and his companion to look contrastingly different…you do agree?” she nodded giving him a look that stated ‘I’m not stupid’ which got an amused sort of smile on his face.

“I don’t think I like you much Max.” She returned her attention back to her work; she only had to deal with him for three more hours.

“You may learn to in time Gracie.” He noticed with delight her nearly snap her pencil before he again retreated to his office.

Selina had surrendered in her research, Bruce hadn’t provided anymore helpful information and she was rather tired with the day’s events. Inside her apartment she could hear Grace practically snarling or close to it and wondered what had gotten her cousin so upset. Wise to what would happen if she prodded to close to the issue she opened the apartment door and carefully put her keys on the side table, before walking into the main part of her home.