Work Text:
The Batcave sprawled in silence, save for the flicker of monitors. Jackie sat hunched at the computer, the glow of the screens painting her face in cold blue light. Spread across the monitors were photographs of Gotham’s most important buildings each defaced by the same mocking symbol. Green question marks spray painted as a taunt on the walls of City Hall, the church, even her own tower’s polished facade. Each one daring her to make sense of it.
Jackie leaned closer, scrolling through data overlays, cross referencing maps, and old GCPD case files. Her eyes stung from hours of staring at the screen.
“It’s not random, it’s never random.” She murmured to herself, trying to figure out what the graffiti meant but the lines blurred the longer she fought sleep. The question marks bent into other shapes. A whip arching in the dark, claws catching in the moonlight, a smile sharp enough to cut. Natalie. Always Natalie. She’d been gone for months and still Jackie swore she felt her in every shadow.
A clatter of footsteps behind her snapped her out of her trance, Akilah’s voice followed.
“You look like death.” She came down the last few steps of the Batcave setting a steaming mug by Jackie’s elbow.
“When are you planning to take a break Jackie?” Akilah questioned, noticing the dark circles under Jackie’s eyes. “When I solve this,” Jackie kept her eyes locked on the screen in front of her.
“So…never. Got it.” Akilah sighed then slid a thick ivory envelope across the desk right in front of the papers Jackie was trying to read.
“What’s this?” Jackie merely glanced down at the envelope with a scoff. She wasn’t going to let anything distract her.
”An invitation. Gotham’s golden girl has been invited to an exclusive gala out of town. I highly advise you to attend.” Akilah explained which finally got Jackie to spare a glance at the envelope. The golden embroidery on the letter didn’t impress Jackie. It was like every invitation she had received before. She flipped it open anyway, her eyes scanning the fine print.
“Plus one required…” She read out loud her mouth twisted into a scowl.
”Exactly. Which means you have to actually find human connection instead of staring at a computer screen all day.” Akilah crossed her arms across her chest with a smug look on her face. She knew she had Jackie backed into a corner with no escape.
“Come on Jackie, you need a break. The infamous Jackie Taylor hasn’t made a public appearance in weeks, the papers are starting to speculate.” Akilah brought up valid points but Jackie was as stubborn as ever.
“Not happening. I’ll just take you.” Jackie tossed the envelope on the desk without giving it a second thought before her eyes were glued to the screen of the computer again.
“I can't, I'm busy that night. Sorry.” Akilah slid the envelope back towards Jackie trying to convince her with a half-hearted lie.
“You’re the heart and soul of Gotham. There has to be someone out there who’d die to be your plus one even for one night.” Akilah’s words finally made Jackie look at her. Her words finally started to sink in. Maybe Jackie did need a break. She was absolutely losing her mind over this case to the point where she saw green question marks every time she closed her eyes. The problem was the only person she wanted to be her plus one hasn’t been seen around Gotham in months. Before she could get too lost in her own thoughts, the Batcomputer shrieked to life. Alarms blared crimson across the screens, words pulsing across them.
MUSEUM BREACH DETECTED.
Jackie was already on her feet, cowl in hand, mood snapping from exhaustion to focus in a heartbeat. She moved to grab the rest of her suit with a precision born out of habit.
“Right. Who needs sleep when crime waits for no one?” Akilah called after her exasperated but not surprised at how quick Jackie was to jump into action. Jackie didn’t answer. The whip of her cape as she put it on swallowed the cave, and then she was gone into the night looking for another distraction from her thoughts.
———————————————————————————
The Gotham museum loomed against the night sky, all marble columns and glass skylights lit up like a beacon in the dark. But inside the alarms were already screaming, red lights pulsing across empty hallways lined with priceless art.
Jackie dropped silently from a high window, cape cutting through the smoke of the security system. She landed in a crouch, scanning the galleries using her Detective Vision. Broken glass glittered across the floor. Motion sensors flickered already being disabled. Whoever was here knew exactly what they were doing. She moved through the darkened wing, muscles tense, eyes sharp. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted a shadow shifting near the centerpiece of the gallery. The painting. An oil masterpiece worth millions, bathed in a spotlight that now seemed to spotlight the thief herself.
Natalie Scatorccio.
For a moment, Jackie froze. Months of silence, months of wondering if she was gone for good and here she was. Alive and right back to doing what she did best. Nat seemed to notice her presence even with her back turned.
“I was hoping you would show up. Did you miss me that badly?” She turned halfway, her claws extending from the black gloves she was wearing. Jackie vaulted off the balcony in answer, boots cracking against the marble as she charged. Nat rolled gracefully aside, springing up in a fluid spin that lashed her whip across Jackie’s path. Jackie caught it on her gauntlet, yanking it hard only for the swift cat to flip with the pull, her boot colliding with Jackie’s chest in a sharp kick. She skidded back, cape whipping around her.
Natalie landed in a crouch, head tilting to the side curiously as she studied her.
“You’re rusty. Haven’t been sleeping, Bats?”
Jackie’s jaw set, not letting Nat’s snarky remarks get in her head. She lunged again, sweeping low. Nat vaulted over her shoulder, claws grazing fabric as she passed. Jackie pivoted fast, catching her mid-air and slamming her against a column. For a heartbeat, they were close enough that Jackie could feel Natalie’s breath ghost her cheek.
“Did someone hire you to do this? I don’t understand. You disappear for months and then just show up out of the blue and for what? Because someone asked you to? Do you need money that bad?” Jackie held the cat-likethief against the column demanding answers. She wondered if Nat even remembered the night they shared many months ago, the conversation they had, the vulnerable moment where Jackie took off her mask, the kiss that they shared. It’s like they were back to square one.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Natalie twisted, driving an elbow into Jackie’s ribs. She grunted her grip faltering which allowed the thief to slip free with catlike grace. She cartwheeled over a shattered display case flicking her whip out to catch Jackie’s ankle. Jackie hit the ground hard knocking the wind out of her lungs, glass crunching beneath her.
She lifted her head with the strength she had left just to see Nat prowling closer, whip in hand, eyes glinting.
”What’s the matter? Losing your edge? Don’t tell me you’re going easy on me.” Jackie reached for the whip around her ankle yanking hard, pulling Natalie off balance in one motion. Before Jackie could even blink, Nat was back on her feet, her back against a nearby pedestal. The painting loomed in the background long forgotten. Jackie’s pulse hammered in her ears but not from the fight. She staggered to her feet clutching her ribs where she was kicked.
“Be my date.” The words slipped from her mouth before she could stop herself.
Nat blinked, stunned into stillness before bursting out into a fit of laughter that made Jackie regret opening her mouth.
”Wow. Did I really hit you that hard? Are you losing it, Bats?” She lifted the goggles from her eyes almost as if she was making sure that this was really happening. Jackie staggered forward limping towards the thief grabbing her arm.
”There’s a gala I need to attend, I need a plus one.” Jackie’s grip stayed firm. Her eyes didn’t waver. “Look whoever is paying you to do this I’ll double it if you’ll be my date. You know I have the money.”
“Oh you're serious about this.” Natalie tilted her head, amusement curling into something sharper. “You must be desperate. But fine. I’ll play along. I’ll pretend to be your girlfriend or whatever for this gala. Only for the cash.” Slowly, she smirked her claws trailing up Jackie’s arm before she slipped free from her grasp. ”I’ll send you my address so you can pick me up.” She leaned in close her hands lifting up Jackie’s cowl to look her in the eyes. “It’ll be interesting seeing you out of that suit, Bats.” She planted a soft kiss on Jackie’s cheek before backing away slowly finding a nearby window to escape. With that, she vanished into the shadows leaving Jackie behind to pull her cowl back down to cover the pink hue spreading across her cheeks.
———————————————————————————
Jackie stood in front of a tall mirror, tugging at the hem of the evening gown she picked out. The dress was sleek, minimal, the kind that revealed more than Jackie would normally allow. This was how the public perceived her. Some rich girl who was always expected to show up to the most high class events. Just because she had the power, the wealth that attracted people.
Akilah walked in from behind carrying an array of different accessories that she set down in front of Jackie.
“You know, I’m glad you’re getting out for once but I’m not sure if choosing Nat as your date was the best choice.” Akilah clearly still had some skepticism about the thief.
Jackie glanced up to meet Akilah’s gaze through the mirror.
“You told me to find a date and I did. I don’t see the problem.” Jackie muttered with an annoyed tone to her voice as she reached for one of the gold necklaces to pair with her dress.
“Jackie, you picked a criminal of all things. One that, may I remind you, knows your secret identity and could spill it at any moment.” Akilah let out a frustrated sigh not knowing why exactly Jackie was choosing such a dangerous thing to chase.
“She wouldn’t do that, not when I know who she is too. Besides it was a spur of the moment kinda thing. I just panicked.” Jackie busted out the half assed excuses to reassure her friend that everything was fine and she totally planned on doing this. She could trust Nat because she trusted her.
“Batman doesn’t panic, Jackie, you need to control your feelings.” Akilah responded bluntly. Before Jackie could even respond, the honking of the limo outside put an end to the conversation. Jackie exhaled, squared her shoulders, and grabbed her coat. Akilah’s words rang through her mind as she opened the door to the limo and got inside. Batman may not panic but Jackie Taylor sure did.
The limo purred to a stop outside Natalie’s hideout. It seemed like a normal looking apartment building. A reminder that Nat was more than just a thief. When the door swung open her date emerged like the night itself dressed her. Jackie found herself frozen in her seat. For months she imagined spending time with Nat again but nothing as intimate like this. Even if it was just an act for one night. The door opened and Natalie slid into the limo with grace sitting closely beside Jackie.
“Wow Taylor, nice seeing you without the cape for once.” She smirked, her eyes sweeping over Jackie deliberately.
“You clean up well too. Although I kinda miss the ears.” Jackie swallowed, forcing her voice steady, suddenly very aware of every inch between them.
“So what’s the deal? You drag me from my work to offer me a better job which is playing your girlfriend at some fancy gala? What for?” Natalie lounged back, utterly relaxed while Jackie sat with the posture of someone being interrogated.
“To keep up appearances. The whole city thinks I’m some kind of rich playgirl with new candy on my arm every time I step outside.” Jackie answered with a shrug not even believing the answer she gave herself.
”Why was I the first person you thought of? Surely you must have a whole contact list of girls who could play this part.” Nat seemed to catch onto Jackie’s bluff as she leaned in closer, seeing if she could get the other to be truthful for once.
The limo slowed as it pulled to a stop leaving the question hanging in the air between them. Outside, camera flashes popped up like gunfire. There were a few reporters here to cover the gala. Natalie’s grin widened as she caught Jackie’s nervous glance. She reached over, lacing their fingers together with a squeeze that was equal parts grounding and taunting.
”Showtime Taylor.” She whispered before the doors of the limo opened. They stepped out hand in hand. The camera flashes seemed to go off every second at the sight of Jackie Taylor with some mysterious girl holding her hand.
“Miss Taylor! Who’s your date tonight?” One reporter asked while shoving a microphone in Jackie’s face.
“Is Gotham’s golden girl officially off the market?” The reporter continued asking questions. Jackie could easily ignore how persistent the press were but Natalie saw this as an opportunity. She slid an arm around Jackie’s waist, pulling her in close as if they’d done this a hundred times.
“It’s true. I am her better half.” She beamed at the cameras, her voice a silky purr. Jackie’s heart stuttered, but she kept the look on her face carved in stone as the crowd around them seemed to roar with more questions.
“No more questions at this time, thank you.” Jackie kept the tone in her voice polite as she pushed through the crowd of reporters, holding onto Nat tightly as they entered the gala.
The grand ballroom glittered like a jewel box, chandeliers spilling golden light across marble floors, strings swelling from a live quartet. Gotham’s elite swirled through the room, champagne glasses in hand, laughter echoing under the music.
Jackie and Natalie entered side by side, and heads turned instantly. The socialites of Gotham were a very tight circle. Everyone knew everyone, to see a new face especially on Jackie Taylor's arm was a surprise. Sure to start whispers among them. Nat didn't notice she just leaned against Jackie’s arm with practiced ease, smiling like she belonged here more than anyone else.
The reporters weren’t far behind, snapping photos as the two crossed the floor. Whispers followed them, a ripple of intrigue running through the crowd.
“They can’t take their eyes off you. Bet they’re wondering how Gotham’s golden girl ended up with me.” Nat leaned in close, side eyeing the reporters as they continued to snap pictures.
“There's nothing wrong with you Nat.” Jackie turned her head to look at her wondering why she thought of herself as lowlife scum.
“Don't kid yourself Taylor. We both know what I really am.” Natalie’s words lingered in the air, warm, teasing, dangerous. Jackie didn’t answer, but the corner of her mouth betrayed the faintest twitch, almost a smile. She scanned the crowd instead, old money, new scandals, the same hungry faces in prettier clothes.
Before Jackie could retort, a voice cut through the noise, clear, commanding, tinged with warmth.
Taissa Turner.
“Jackie Taylor. Just the woman I wanted to see.” She crossed the ballroom with easy charisma, her campaign smile perfectly in place. The hopeful mayoral candidate, She had the kind of presence that could silence a room. She extended her hand to Jackie first, reporters already angling for the shot.
Jackie clasped her hand, firm, but her jaw tightened. Cameras flashed, and the crowd edged in subtly, sensing tension wrapped in politeness.
“Your influence means the world to Gotham.” Taissa continued. “When people see you, they see hope. And I need hope behind me if I’m going to clean up this city.”
Her gaze flicked to Natalie, curiosity sharpening.
“And who’s this?”
Natalie’s smile widened, always making sure to put on a show for the cameras. She slid closer to Jackie, her hand splaying across Jackie’s waist.
“I’m her girlfriend. Just call me Nat.”
A hush rippled through the nearby guests, that half-laugh, half-gasp that always follows something bold. The cameras loved it. Taissa blinked, then chuckled, recovering quickly but not without a flicker of surprise.
“Well, Jackie Taylor, the most eligible woman in Gotham…taken off the market. Didn’t think I’d see the day.” Taissa said smoothly.
Natalie raised her glass in a mock toast.
“Surprises keep Gotham interesting.”
Jackie stayed silent, her composure fraying under the weight of both Natalie’s touch and Taissa’s scrutiny. Her pulse ticked beneath her skin. She could feel every camera lens trained on them.
Taissa’s smile didn’t waver, but her tone lowered as she leaned closer to Jackie.
“Think about it, Jackie. Gotham needs a strong hand to guide it. Your support could make all the difference.”
Natalie’s eyes glittered, catching the shift in tone. She could sense Jackie's unease. “Careful, Miss Turner. Don’t go stealing my girlfriend’s attention, that’s my job.”
The tension broke with a ripple of laughter from the crowd nearby. But Jackie felt the weight of Taissa’s words sink deep, even as Natalie clung tighter, playing her part a little too convincingly.
Taissa lingered a moment longer than necessary, her hand brushing Jackie’s arm as she excused herself. The contact left a faint trace of perfume and power in her wake. Jackie exhaled slowly, gaze following Taissa through the crowd as she worked the room, every step purposeful.
“Friendly.” Natalie murmured beside her, swirling the champagne in her glass.
“You’ve got fans everywhere.”
Jackie’s lips pressed into a thin line. “She’s not a fan.”
Natalie tilted her head, studying her. “You sure about that?”
Jackie didn’t respond. The quartet shifted songs, something slow, something that invited bodies to move closer. Couples drifted toward the floor. Natalie glanced at the dancers, then back at Jackie. Jackie swallowed hard. She knew Nat was up to something.
“Come on.” Nat said softly, setting down her glass and reaching for Jackie's hand. “You look like you could use a distraction.”
Jackie hesitated, but Natalie was already tugging her forward, out of the cluster of gossiping elites and into the swirl of movement under the chandeliers.
The moment they stepped into the light, the world narrowed. Natalie’s hand found its place against Jackie’s shoulder, the other still linked with hers. Jackie could practically hear the rhythm of her heartbeat echoing in her ears.
“You’re tense.” Natalie teased quietly. “Relax. They’re all staring anyway, might as well give them something to talk about.”
Jackie’s mouth twitched, halfway between annoyance and amusement. But she didn’t pull away. Instead, she matched Natalie’s steps, deliberate, careful, as the orchestra carried them through the room.
The quartet struck up a waltz, violins sweeping across the ballroom. Couples drifted to the floor, gowns and tuxedos swirling under golden light.
Jackie made for the edge of the room, eager to disappear into the shadows, but Natalie caught her arm. Her nails grazed bare skin, a light, deliberate touch that stopped Jackie in her tracks.
Natalie smirked. “Don’t even think about hiding, Bats. Everyone here already thinks we’re the couple of the night. Time to sell it.”
Jackie’s mouth tightened. “Nat—”
Before she could argue, Nat pulled her toward the dance floor. Cameras clicked, attention shifting like a wave. Heads turned, conversations stilled. Jackie felt every eye on her, the weight of expectation pressing down like heat. Natalie, of course, thrived on it. She smiled like she owned the room, sliding into position with practiced grace.
Her hand settled at Jackie’s waist, warm, sure, unshakably steady. Jackie’s fingers hovered before resting on Nat’s shoulder, reluctant but inevitable. Her pulse thudded so loud she was sure the other could feel it.
Nat moved first, leading with liquid confidence. Her body guided Jackie’s like a tide pulling a ship from shore. For all her stiffness, Jackie found herself falling into rhythm. Step, turn, breathe. The crowd faded to a blur of motion and color until the only things that existed were the music, the heat between them, and the faint pulse she could feel beneath Natalie’s fingers.
“Relax. They all think you’re Gotham’s golden girl. Untouchable. If only they knew.” Nat leaned in, her voice meant for no one but Jackie.
Jackie’s hand tightened unconsciously at her waist. “Don't. Not here.”
“That the golden girl is also Gotham’s darkest knight. Dancing with a thief who should be in cuffs.” Natalie smiled, wicked and quiet. She knew she was getting under Jackie’s skin. It was so easy after all.
Jackie’s jaw flexed, the muscle ticking under her skin. She wanted to snap back, to cut through Nat’s teasing with cold distance, but her body wouldn’t cooperate. Natalie was too close, too certain. She had to remind herself to keep calm and to not panic. She trusted Nat…right?
“Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.” Natalie pressed closer, lips just shy of Jackie’s ear. If one thing between them was clear it's that they could keep each other's secrets.
Jackie’s grip shifted, and in one sharp motion she spun them, the movement smooth but full of barely contained energy. For a second, neither breathed.
Nat’s tone softened, teasing but threaded with something real. “You know, I could ruin you right now. Tell all these people who you really are. But…” Her fingers flexed at Jackie’s back, pulling her closer. “…I think I like having you all to myself.”
“I thought you were only doing this for the cash.” Jackie’s reply came out rough, almost swallowed by the music.
“Am I?” Nat brushed her cheek against Jackie’s temple as they turned.
For one breathless moment, Jackie couldn’t answer. The world felt too close, too bright, too still. The waltz swelled and fell, and she realized she could no longer tell whose heartbeat she was hearing hers or Natalie’s.
The final note hung in the air. Applause rippled through the ballroom, polite and distant. Still, neither of them moved. Jackie’s hand lingered at Natalie’s back. Nat’s gaze didn’t break from hers.
Then, slowly, almost reluctantly, they stepped apart. The music shifted to another song, and the spell of the moment snapped like a string pulled too tight.
Natalie’s lips curved into the faintest smile. “You really don’t dance, huh?”
Jackie exhaled, steadying herself. “Not like that.”
Natalie’s grin deepened, half-triumph, half-invitation. “Shame. You’re a natural when you stop fighting it.”
Jackie didn’t answer. She just reached for a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, pretending not to notice the way Natalie’s eyes followed her.
Across the room, people clapped and laughed, unaware of the quiet storm still pulsing between them.
The gala wound down in a haze of champagne and glittering laughter. Jackie and Nat made their way towards the exit, hand in hand making sure to show off for the cameras. They were the perfect picture of composure. Or at least that’s what it looked like from a distance. Up close Jackie’s shoulders were tense, while Nat’s smile had sharpened into something brittle.
The press had gathered at the base of the stairs, a wall of flashing bulbs and shouted questions. The second the doors opened and Jackie appeared with Natalie at her side, the frenzy erupted.
“Jackie! Who exactly is your mystery date tonight? Is this your first public romance?” The first reporter asked, shoving a camera in their faces.
“How did you two meet? Gotham wants to know!” Another reporter shouted in the chaos of questions.
“Why her Miss Taylor? You could have anyone in Gotham.” The last reporter’s question hit like a stone. Jackie felt Natalie’s hand stiffen in hers, her posture faltering for the briefest second. Her smirk wavered, eyes narrowing, though she kept her chin lifted defiantly.
“Why me? Maybe she has better taste than you think.” The crowd laughed, but the edge in Nat’s voice was real. Jackie’s jaw tightened. She could see the cracks slipping through Nat’s mask, the sting beneath her bravado. Natalie could play the thief, the tease, the shadow in the night. But being dragged into Jackie’s blinding spotlight? That was different. That hurt.
So Jackie did something she never did. She leaned in, brushing her lips against Nat’s temple as cameras flashed around them.
“She’s not like anyone else in this city. She’s truly one of a kind.” The words landed like a blow not just to the reporters, but to Nat herself. Her breath hitched, sharp before smothering it under a shaky smile.
The reporters surged forward again, shouting follow-up questions, but Jackie tightened her arm around Nat’s waist and guided her down the stairs with purposeful strides, shielding her from the crush of bodies and lights. The limo waited, the door opened like a salvation.
Inside, as the car door shut and the glass muted the chaos of reporters, Nat let out a long breath, leaning back into the seat. For once she didn’t have a quip ready. Just a sidelong glance at Jackie, sharp and searching. Jackie stayed silent, staring out the window, jaw clenched as if she hadn’t just bared something real to half of Gotham.
Finally Nat spoke, her tone deceptively light. “Wow, you really showed off for the cameras back there. I mean the whole ‘she’s not like anyone else’ thing? Bold move, Bats, almost romantic.”
Jackie turned toward her, eyes steady despite the tension coiling in her shoulders. The passing streetlights painted her face in fragments of gold and shadow.
“It wasn’t for them.” She admitted quietly not meeting the other girl’s eyes.
Nat’s smirk faltered. Her brows drew together as confusion replaced her teasing edge. “Then who was it for?” This whole thing was supposed to be an act. Jackie was paying her after all.
Jackie hesitated. Her throat worked, words dragging up from somewhere raw. “You. I can’t stop thinking about you, Nat. Even when you were gone. Especially then. Gotham just doesn’t feel right without you in it.” She spoke, her voice raw with emotion.
The silence that followed was sharp enough to hurt. The soft hum of the limo’s engine filled the space between them. Nat blinked at her, startled, her lips parting like she might speak but couldn’t find the words. For once, the thief who always had a quip sat there speechless.
”Jackie…you can’t say things like that.” She gave a shaky laugh, shaking her head as if to break the spell Jackie had put on her.
Jackie frowned and leaned forward slightly, her gaze unflinching. “Why not? It’s the truth. It’s how I feel.”
Nat looked away, her eyes flashing with something torn between anger and fear.
“Because you’re Batman. And I’m Catwoman. You hunt people like me almost every night. You think you can keep chasing me in the dark and then what? Hold my hand at some pretentious gala? Pretend we’re not on opposite sides of the city? I thought you had some sort of code or whatever.”
Jackie’s jaw tightened, her breath catching between anger and ache. “I don’t care about sides. “ Jackie kept her breath steady resisting the urge to reach out and touch Nat. “When I’m out there I see what this city does to people. You think I could ever put you in the same category as them?”
“You should.” Nat snapped, her voice cracking with frustration. The words hit hard, leaving only the low murmur of the engine between them.
”All I know is I can’t stop thinking about you. And I don’t want to.” Jackie’s reflection stared back at her from the tinted window, city lights streaking by like falling stars. Jackie’s tone was soft but certain.
Nat exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through her hair. She was trembling but she tried to hide it with a smirk that never quite landed.
“Careful Jackie. If you keep talking like that, I might believe you, that’s dangerous for both of us.” She leaned forward, hand caressing Jackie’s cheek softly.
The car slowed, tires whispering against the curb. Outside, Natalie’s building loomed in the dark. She reached for the handle, then stopped, glancing back at Jackie.
Her movements softened as she leaned closer, close enough for her breath to brush Jackie’s skin.
“You know where to find me, Bats.” Her lips pressed briefly against Jackie’s in a soft kiss that burned long after she pulled away. Then she was gone. Out of the limo and walking to the front door of her apartment.
Jackie stayed still, hand rising to touch the place where Nat’s lips had just been. The city moved past the windows, a blur of light and distance but she barely saw any of it.
She was Batman. Nat was Catwoman. She knew it couldn’t work and she should take Nat’s advice. Yet, all Jackie could think about was the catlike thief.