Chapter 1

10-year-old Piper Baker burst from her home. She ran and ran, tears streaming down her face. Behind her, she could hear her father yelling at her, but she ignored him.

She wasn't going home. Not this time.

Piper stopped to catch her breath. She slumped down against a wall and held her knees. She sobbed uncontrollably for minutes. During that time, she remembered everything that had happened in the last two years.

Piper's mom was gone. She wasn't dead. She just got up and left, leaving Piper alone with her father, or so her dad told her. Piper's dad was verbally and physically abusive. He attacked her constantly with words and hands, and Piper had finally had enough. She would stay out on the street for as long as she had to, until someone found her.

Five days later, Bruce Wayne and his ward Dick Grayson took a shortcut home from the Wayne Tech building in central Gotham city. As they walked to the train station, something caught Dick's eye.

"Bruce, look." He pointed to a small girl reaching up into the pocket of a wealthy man. The girl had long, messy brown hair. Her brown eyes were red and puffy, like she'd been crying nonstop for hours. Her clothes and skin were stained with mud. She pulled out the man's wallet and tucked in under her shirt. The man didn't notice. From the way she looked, it was obvious she'd been out on the street for a while. The girl looked around to make sure no one had seen her, and then ran off into a nearby alley.

"Come on," Bruce said to Dick. They both ran after her.

In the alley, Piper sat behind a garbage bin, counting the money in the man's wallet. There must've been more than a hundred dollars in there! A smile spread across Piper's face. She could go home. A bribe with this much money would keep her dad away from her at least for a while. All she wanted was food and somewhere soft to sleep.

"Hello," a soft voice said. Piper jumped and looked up into the face of Bruce Wayne. She quickly shoved the wallet up her shirt.

Bruce smiled at her. "It's ok, we're not going to hurt you. What are you doing here by yourself?"

Piper stayed silent, looking in between Bruce and Dick. Bruce was tall and well-built. His dark brown hair was neatly combed back. His brown eyes were warm as hot chocolate. Dick was slightly taller than Piper. His messy black hair fell over his deep blue eyes. Something about them, Dick especially, seemed kind and willing to help her. But Piper couldn't form the words.

"Can you talk?" Bruce asked.

Piper nodded.

"Do you want to talk?"

Piper shook her head. Suddenly, her stomach made a loud grumbling sound. Bruce let out a small laugh.

"Are you hungry?"

She nodded again.

"Why don't you join us for dinner at Wayne Manor tonight Miss?"

She looked at Dick. He winked at her. She looked back at Bruce and nodded.

"Well then it's settled. Oh and one more thing. Follow me."

Bruce led her out of the alley. The man whose wallet was stolen still stood on the curb, waiting for his ride. Bruce led Piper up to him.

"Excuse me sir," Bruce said, "but I think this belongs to you."

The man looked at Bruce in confusion. Bruce looked down at Piper.

"Well, come on. Give the nice man his wallet back."

"My what?" the man shoved his hands into his pockets, looking for his wallet. Piper sighed and pulled the wallet out from under her shirt. She handed it back to the man.

"Well I never!" the man was furious. "You should be arrested for your crime!"

Bruce chuckled. "Now, now that's not necessary. My daughter here was just playing a little game."

Piper looked up at Bruce in shock at the sound of the word "daughter." Bruce Wayne was protecting her? Why?

"Well, you should teach your children better games Mr. Wayne," the man said. "I'll forget this happened if you keep a better watch on your children." The man nodded toward Dick. "Mr. Grayson."

Dick nodded back politely.

"You have a deal sir," Bruce replied. "Come on kids, let's go home."

Bruce walked away followed by Piper and Dick. The three boarded a train headed for north Gotham. Once they got off on at the train station, they walked toward Wayne Manor. Piper trailed behind Dick and Bruce.

"Your daughter?" Dick whispered to Bruce.

"I had to get her out of trouble somehow. Dick, I'm worried about this girl. Did you see the bruises on her arms and face? She didn't get those from falling down. Some hit her. Repeatedly."

"Why are you bringing her to the manor?"

"Maybe she'll tell us what happened after a nice meal. But you have to be willing to help."

Dick looked back at Piper. Her head hung low and she was dragging her feet along the ground. His heart sunk. Whatever life this girl had, it wasn't a happy one. And Dick knew all about unhappy childhoods.

"I'll do whatever I can to help Bruce."

"Thank you Dick."

They walked the rest of the way in silence. Piper looked up at the giant house. It was an old brick mansion, with windows twice the size of the front door, which was huge. The front lawn was green and clean cut, different from the dead, yellow grass outside her house in east Gotham. Trees scattered the lawn, providing shade from the hot July sun. When they reached the door, Bruce took out a key and opened it, then stepped aside and let Dick and Piper in first. Inside was even more impressive than the outside. The front hallway emptied out into an open area in the center of the house. Off to her left, Piper could see the living room, a friendly looking place with gold colored sofas. Through the giant French doors, Piper saw a veranda with white wicker chairs overlooking the back lawn. In front of her stood the carpeted staircase with the mahogany railing that led to the second floor. To her right, she could see the dining room and another room that was closed off by its door. Alfred, the butler walked to them. He looked down at Piper.

"Master Bruce, who is your new friend?"

"This young lady will be joining us for dinner this evening."

"I'll set an extra place at the table sir." Alfred walked back toward the dining room. Bruce led Dick and Piper to the living room.

"Make yourself at home."

Dick plopped down on one of the couches and Piper did the same.

"Interesting," Bruce mumbled. He sat down in one of the chairs across from Piper. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs.

"Can you at least tell me your name?"

Piper looked at Dick nervously. She turned back to Bruce. "Baker," she whispered.

"Is that your last name?"

She nodded.

"Do you want to tell me why you were out on the street by yourself?"

Piper looked down at her feet. Her stomach growled again.

Bruce stood up. "Maybe we can talk after dinner. Come along you two. Dinner time."

They walked into the dining room. On the table were three plates with chicken breasts, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Bruce and Dick sat down and started eating. Piper stood by her chair, looking down at the plate of food Alfred left for her.

Dick smiled at her. "Dig in."

Piper jumped into her chair, and without her silverware, began stuffing her food into her mouth. She looked up at Bruce and Dick. Dick was holding back a laugh while Bruce was smiling at her.

"Silverware Miss Baker."

Piper wiped her hands off on her shirt and picked up her fork. She hesitated picking up the knife. She delicately lifted it up and ran her fingers over it. As Alfred walked into the room, the door slammed behind him. Suddenly the knife flew from Piper's hand, caught Alfred's jacket and pinned him to the wall.

The chapters in this story are a little long but I hope you all enjoy this story as well.

Also, the character was created before my account. I just really like that name :)

Please review!