From My Hands

Ok. For starters. This happens like 2 days after last chapter. Next, as warning...I didn't like the way this chapter came out. I just couldn't get it to flow. and I'm not used to making batman as "bruce" around people who don't already know his secret... I found it VERY hard! and lastly... reviews? ANYONE? I'd like some sort of feed back! Please?

Chapter- 5

Never before had the dirt that was ever present under her nails been so fascinating. Her coarse hair pricked at her eyes were it hung and shadowed her face, but she didn't move. Hunched over in an uncomfortable chair, scratchy blanket thrown over he shoulder, she refused to look up, just listening to the clatter of the police station. Off to her left was the entrance where they brought people in, for questioning, to put them in hold, she didn't know, all she knew was most were noisy as the police dragged them along the corridor. A seas of desk in front of her, typing, talking, phones ringing annoyingly. The swish and slams of various sized file cabinets, a glub of a water cooler every now and then. Eventually it all faded into background noise.

It was all surreal. Since that night. The last thing she remembered was tall, looming black, glowing white eyes. She'd woken in the hospital after that, tossed back in to be reexamined and recover from the effects of the drug. They'd linked her with the "unidentified" girl that had escaped the hospital before her warehouse adventure. She'd not given her name, mainly because she was unconscious and the minute she'd woken up she booked it out of there, stealing clothes from other rooms that she'd crept into to get out of sight. This time, she'd been so drugged up and hazed, she'd told them everything they'd asked.

So now, here she sat, in the police station, ignoring every question she was asked, fixated on her hands. She wouldn't say a word now that she could control herself. How could she? who would believe her story? She couldn't believe it! They'd brought her to various rooms, had her talk to different psychiatrists. They hoped for inside information on what had happened that night. Her father had been identified, though how they'd managed it through the mess that was his face she couldn't tell. She still saw it, still it brought no emotion. she wasn't sad, she just felt nothing, empty. She'd heard them whispering, talking about what they should do with her. No parents, no family, nothing to go home to. She'd heard a few pitying her, saying they felt sorry for her.

Her eyes caught her hospital bracelet that'd yet to be cut off. White and blue striped. The blue... When left alone, with enough relevant silence, her minds eye wander back to the freezer. Those eyes, deep and crystalline blue. Robin. The hero that had saved her from those dealers. The Boy who helped her escape a frozen death-trap. He was the pampered, spoil adoptee of Wayne. Her fathers words still rang in her ear. His hatred for them. she'd never questioned it, just allowed his hate. Began to allow it become her hate. The hate that kept her warm when she crawled under newspapers at night, kept her full when it'd been days since her last meal. Now it was quickly becoming a fear, an all consuming fear.

No one knew the Bats secret. at least no one that was still alive and talking about it. There was so much press about her, about the drugs, about the warehouse. There was no way he'd not be able to figure out who and where she was. How do you ask for witness protection against the Batman?

Something tickled the inside of her nose. A strong scent wafted from the front right. It was somewhat fresh, showered, spritz with perfume. It was completely dolled up but underneath it all she could smell something, something raw, something you didn't smell everyday..

"Hey!" It was a cheery female voice, soft. She dropped down, crouching to look under the unruly hair shadowing her face. Red hair, painted dark lips, sharp powder blue eyes. There was a soft smile on her face as she tilted her head at her, glancing up under her curtain of hair. Clasped between her hands was a white mug nestled on her knees. The aroma was strong, maybe cause it was so close, maybe the little cocoon caused by her fallen hair trapped it but it was super sweet "I thought maybe you'd like a little treat." She said sweetly, offering the mug of hot chocolate to the girl. Shaking hands took it loosely, keeping it on her knees like the other woman had. She didn't drink from it but she tried to let the warmth radiate from her hands, hoping to fill the emptiness inside her.

Barbra watched her with hidden concern. The girl hadn't reacted to anybody. All the pity from everyone hadn't earned them any points with her. Just by looking at her she could tell this kid had been through hell, not just the last few days but her whole life. She could only imagine what had led up to this. "My names Barbara." She said extending her hand towards the smaller one. She got a look from the girl, barely peeking through chocolaty hair with emerald eyes. She never took her hand. Barbara tried to give her a reassuring smile as she placed a hand on the girls knee. "It's okay. Maybe you got some questions for me?" The girl watched her with a steady gaze, never faulting, face a blank mask. "Well I'd like to know more about you, if you'd let me." Barbara stood, moving to sit next to her on the chair. She kept her hand on the girls knee, trying to keep contact with her in an effort of comfort. "Would you like to tell me something about yourself? How bout a favorite color?" For long moments she didn't move. she kept her gaze to the linoleum covered floor. The certain of hair kept her eyes concealed but she knew her focus. When she finally did incline her head to glance at her, she could see the red in her eyes, the defeat she tried to mask in her eyes, notice the wall just beginning to chip. She also knew it wasn't something that was going to happen in front of her. This girl was stubborn. "How bout I go get us something to snack on, huh?" She patted her knee and stood.

As she walked she thought. There was little news on this girl. She'd com in to "Visit" her dad. She'd offered to try and "connect" with the girl. Playing the 'girl talk' card on him. Of course she acted like she knew nothing of the girl except for the fact that it was a tough case for him. Bruce had called her of course. It wasn't an easy situation to deal with, everything could be completely unraveled if she talked. Luckily for them all, she knew they hadn't. No way daddy would keep the fact he knew about the bat from her. In fact, the girl seemed to be refusing to talk about ANYTHING.

"She say anything to you?" Said man stood in front of her. She looked up, giving him a sad smile. as she turned, glancing back at the girl who had gone back to staring holes in the floor.

"Nothing daddy." Her father sighed, running his hand through his hair.

"We've got nothing. She was the only one who could tell us what happened down there and no one can get her to talk." She sat there in silence, trying to comfort her father. He shouldn't be getting so stressed. Off from the side a man in uniform approached him, whispering something in his ear. Her father turned to the man and gave him a affirmative. "I'll be there in a moment" Turning he placed his hands on his daughters shoulders. "sorry hon. I've got to go."

"Of course daddy." He leaned in, kissing her forehead. "I'll see you later" She called as he pulled away, heading for the investigation rooms. She already knew where he was headed and why though she feigned ignorance on it. Her eyes narrowed as she watched her father leave, following his plan perfectly. She really was torn. This girls fate was up in the air and she couldn't tell which way was better for her to come down...

James Gordon opened the door to one of the investigation rooms, catching the attention of the suited figure standing by the opposite wall. "Sorry to keep you waiting Mr, Wayne"

Said man turned, a large smile on his face. "Nonsense Jim! I'm gad you've found time to talk to me at all!" When the commissioner gestured for him to take a seat at the table he did so.

"How can I help you?" James said, leaning back into his chair.

"It's going to sound odd, but I'm here at the request of Tim." Bruce never let up on his act. "There's been a lot of news about that big disaster out in the warehouses lately. When the names were released, he knew one. The girl you found, Danielle, was one of his friends before I took him in."

James nodded. He'd remembered when Wayne had adopted the boy. Horrible back story for the poor kid. It was all over the news as well. Someone of Waynes status adopted a kid from the slums. The press had a field day.

"He's been begging me to help out. That's what I've come to offer. I want to help this girl any way I can." He paused. "I've heard her father was killed. Does she have any other family?"

Gordon groaned internally. Debating with himself. He didn't know if he should tell Bruce what he wanted. Turning back to check the door was closed he took a chance. "Two sisters. They were reported as runaways. The oldest, Fenella Fischer first. 10 months ago. Kerra next, 6 months ago. Police have searched. They fell off the map." Both men held silence for a moment, knowing what this probably meant for the young women. "She's headed for a group home..."

"I'd like to open my home to her." Gordon looked at the man. "I'm sure they'll find me a suitable foster parent. If I can save another child from the streets..." The commissioners eyes widened. "Tim would love to have his friend back."

Barbara was sat next to Danielle when Gordon approached, hand on her shoulder. She'd found a few things to eat but the girl hadn't touched any but a prepackaged set of crackers and peanut butter sandwiches from one of the vending machines. Most of them were still left. The girl ate like a bird. She'd opened up a bit once she'd brought the cracker sandwiches over. She'd straightened and wasn't actively hiding her face in her hair anymore. She smiled at her father, seeing him approach in a much better mood than he'd left.

"Danielle. I've found you a home. You'll be staying with very good man until we find your sisters." She looked up at him, wide eyed, innocent... or as innocent as a child raised on the streets could be. Barbara squeezed her shoulder comfortingly. "I'd like you top meet Bruce Wayne."

Her heart stopped. The crackers she'd been picking at suddenly clogged her throat and she couldn't swallow around them. She became paralyzed, couldn't move as the man walked forward from around the corner, suit pressed and crisp. He had a large smile, a sparkle of mirth in his eyes as he walked up to her. He stopped in front of her, leaning down to her eye level and extending his hand to her.

"Nice to meet you." His voice was higher than she'd thought Batmans would be. "I'm Bruce." She looked him in the eyes, unblinking. "Tim can't wait to see you. He's really missed you."

Tim..Robin... And he... was Batman... She swallowed hard.

"Why don't we head home? He's waiting for us." Barbara shifted next to her, pressing on her lower back and urging her off the chair to stand. She moved, fearing to go against him. When he straightened he put a hand on her shoulder. She looked to her shoulder, then back up at him. She'd never felt so small, so vulnerable.

The next couple minutes were blurry to her. She couldn't bring her mind to focus. There was conversation between the older white haired man and hidden bat. A few papers were signed, and the police asked if he'd need an escort to get to the car. Before she knew it she was being led out the back entrance of the police station. The entire time she wanted to shout out, wanted to beg them not to let him take her, but she couldn't find her voice. When the door opened to the back of the station she could hear the press screaming on the other side of the building. They'd followed her each step. They were there when she'd been led out of the hospital to the police car, same as when she'd been led from the car to the station.

There was a limo with tinted windows. He guided her there by her shoulder, holding open the door as he ushered her into the back seat. Once he was in, the door closed, her heart sunk to the bottom of her stomach. He turned to her, the innocent, goofy grinned he'd worn through the whole process was gone. His eyes hardened as he turned to her, mouth setting in a line. She tried to shrink away from him, he didn't look like a murderer but there was this look i his eyes, a seriousness that made her uneasy. Her voice came back as she started to plead.

"I didn't tell anyone!" She blurted. "I didn't tell them who you were. I swear!"

"I know you didn't." His voice was deeper than it'd been when he'd talked to the commissioner. It was calm, even, darker. He was intimidating, but for a moment his eyes softened at her reaction.

"Then why? I promise I won't tell anyone! What do you want to take from me?" Tears pricked at the corner of her eyes as she began to breath harder, beginning to panic.

"We're going to take you home!" A young males voice drew both their attention to the front of the car where the divider between driver and passenger was already half lowered. Behind it was one grinning Tim drake, poking his head through the divider. The shock brought her down, the panic fleeing her. She stared open mouthed at the young boy as he gave her a smile that reached his eyes, winking at her.

"I told you to stay home Tim." again, an even, eerily calm voice.

"Sorry sir" Came a British accent from beside Tim in the front. From the corner of the divider she could see just a hint of gray hair. "He stowed away in the trunk and hopped in the front with me while you were in the station."

Bruce opened his mouth to say something but Tim cut him off before he could say anything. "Of course! It'd be cruel to leave her alone with you! I mean come on! If I were her I wouldn't wanna be left alone with you!"

Tims presence softened the atmosphere. It allowed her to think more clearly about the situation. "What do you want with me...?"

Tims cheery attitude came down at her still broken tone. "Just what we said. We're gunna take care of you for a while. We got plenty of room back at the manor."

"What about..." All the men in the car understood what she was trying to say. Tim looked to Bruce. Bruce looked at her. He wasn't used to trying to be comforting and intimidating at the same time. This girl had been through hell, she was scared, alone. He didn't need to make it worse.

"I hope you understand, it is extremely important that it goes no further." She caught his eyes, watching him. Like this, she seemed so much younger than she was. "We're not holding you captive." He stated, wanting to make it clear. "We had to protect our secret, we have to make sure you understand what it could mean if it were to get out. It would be dangerous not only for us but for you as well. Do you understand? You can never tell another living soul."

She nodded. She felt so out of place. Leather seats, a man sitting next to her in a suit. There was the weight of the world on her shoulders by this secret. She wanted to crawl into a hole somewhere. "What are you going to do...?"

With ease Tim lept through the opening of the divider, landing in a perfect sitting position in the seat below it as he flipped. "We're all going to go home!"

Chapter 6 is in progress right now... Reviews make it faster...