Frederick-Catwoman

In Batman Returns, we see an entirely new female lead introduced into the story. Selena Kyle/Catwoman is a complex character with many different sides to her personality, as well as her own motives, and her own strength. Vickie Vale from the last Batman movie pales in comparison. Vickie, the previous female lead, may have been beautiful and lusted after, but she was the princess, the damsel in distress. Catwoman is the opposite. She detests women who put themselves in distress, and finds them week. When it comes to Batman, Catwoman doesn't just let him do what he wants like Vickie Vale, Catwoman is a challenge.         

Selena Kyle started out as a secretary to the corrupt power plant CEO Shrek. She was smart and devoted, a good employee, but Shrek never appreciated her. When she discovered his plans he threw her out of a window, but that cats saved her. Following this scene, it repeats the scene where she comes home, this time cut and clothes torn. She walks in and says "Honey I'm home. Oh wait I forgot I'm not married." but this time, everything she says she says like she couldn't care less. Then she cracks. Selena goes wild, she throws all of her things on the ground, she smashes mirrors, puts stuffed animals in the garbage disposal, and changes her "hello there" sign to say "hell here". This scene shows Selena's transformation from Selena to Catwoman, and no more misses nice kitty. 

Bruce Wayne (as batman) and Selena Kyle first meet at the first lighting of the tree. He saves her, but she's still just Selena. She's awkward and he's not interested. It's only after she dies and he meets her as Bruce Wayne that there is any connection. Immediately Bruce is attracted to Selena's wild and strong nature. He tries to pick her up at his meeting with Shrek but she turns him down. Bruce Wayne finds her power alluring, and he sees her as a strong, powerful and interesting woman. It's the typical can't have it so he wants it deal. Selena doesn't throw herself at Bruce. He's the one who wants. her. When he finally gets her to have dinner with him... well... then she throws herself at him, but he's not complaining. The scene where they kiss on the couch shows how they can never be together, because 

Bruce has a scar from Catwoman scratching him and Selena has a burn from her fight with Batman. 

The other side of their relationship, Catwoman and Batman, is much more dangerous. There is still an obvious sexual tension between the two, Catwoman licks Batman, which is a blatant example of this. The lust between them is matched by the violence. Catwoman and Batman have different goals and wants. Batman wants justice, and wants to protect Gotham. Catwoman wants revenge on Shrek, and other villainous men.  They're different goals mean that they can't both be this powerful and work together peacefully in Gotham. This tension is harmful to Batman, because now he has to deal with another more ambiguous force, not quite evil and not quite good. He doesn't know how to handle her, and always falls for her woman-tricks, and it's detrimental him.