Emotion was something I never could grasp; Especially when that emotion was love. I didn't get it and I didn't much care about it either, until I met him. I knew things were going to end wrong since the beginning but somehow I was bewitched. I just had to give in even though I knew there would be serious say taking a risk for love is the way to go, that it is all worth it. But they never said how much would be worth it, and that was my mistake; I was stupid enough to risk it all. Now I detest myself for falling into deep. I don't hate him at all, in fact- the part of me that never learned- is still in love with him. Things change, people change and I felt like I was suffocating with his obsession to kill the killer of his parents. I love him but a part me was unsure if he ever loved me.

Only one person knew about our marriage and that was Alfred. And as of now he would be the only one to know about our divorce. I waited for Bruce in the study. He actually thought I was going to Los Angeles for a few days for an interview at an architectural firm, but he had no idea I had come here. Before we left Princeton, we agreed that he would meet me in Los Angeles, but something changed within me that could not bare to be in this marriage any longer.

I turned to see the clock as it ticked away; he would arrive any minute now. Alfred had advised that this was probably not the best time to ask for a divorce because today was the hearing of the killer of his parents and that it would send him more over the edge. But I could not wait a second longer, I was suffocating with his desire to seek justice for himself, and after all there was another woman seemed to be on his mind these days. I sure as hell did not plan to be second in his life.

I sat and waited to get Bruce's attention, like I always did. The sooner I would get a chance to talk to him the better, before Rachel arrives. I don't want to have this conversation with her in the house. Not only did his obsession bother me, it terrified me to think what Bruce would be capable of out of his anger. It certainly wouldn't be any good. And his affection for Rachel was still there and I can't stand it any longer. Jealousy was one of my unattractive traits. It was a trait Bruce was well aware of, however we have faults and he somewhat shrugged it off. My history is dark as his, perhaps even darker but remembering it and drowning in remorse was not the answer. I wanted to rid myself of all the hate, anger, and obsession for revenge.

My eyes wandered to the tall windows of the study, by an overwhelming curiosity I stood to look out into the light and grounds. I pulled the velvet curtain back and noticed Rachel stepping out of the car and heading straight for the steps that led to the front door. I leaned my head against the cold frame of the window and tried to hold the tears that threatened to fall. She was here and it would make things difficult for me and easy for him. I sighed and thought that Alfred was right. Unconsciously I flung my arm and knocked over a crystal vase. The crash was louder than I had hoped as the many pieces scattered on the marble floor. The noise was sure to attract attention. My next instinct was to grab the divorce papers and leave.

Just before I turned the knob, Bruce opened the door. I couldn't tell whether he was upset or surprised to see me. "Evangeline, what are you doing here?" I slid the papers behind my back as his eyes looked into mine.

I had to tell him why I was here, it would be the only way to get it over with faster. "I came here to tell you something. And I am afraid that it cannot wait."

I could tell that he noticed me slip something behind my back. "What do you have behind your back?"

"Papers." I had not planned on being nervous or terrified.

"What kind of papers? Is it really important to do this now? Couldn't it have waited until I came to you?" Bruce seemed very impatient as he bombarded me with questions.

This was a stab. "Because it couldn't wait. Look, I didn't want it to come to this but God knows how hard I tried."

He seemed very perplexed as to what I was talking about. "I don't understand what you are talking about. And I don't have time for this, Rachel is here and the hearing is in an hour. We will do this when I meet you in Los Angeles." Bruce turned his back on me and headed for the door.

"This is what I am talking about! I simply cannot do this anymore! You just toss me away like I am some old toy. Sometimes I question whether you love me. Your obsession is eating away at you that you have become even more bitter that love is out of the question for you. And if you do have an ounce of love in you, its all for Rachel and what am I left with? Nothing. You can't even look at me or even touch me." With a wave of anger that washed over me, I slammed the divorce papers on the desk. "I think its best we end this marriage now so we won't cause anymore damage to each other."

"Why do you question my love for you? I don't think its fair for you to be pointing fingers Evangeline. How can I let you in when you are putting up your wall of ice. Your questioning is cold and unfair."

"And you pushing me aside isn't? I think we got married too soon, without even knowing what we were getting into."

"I think your right and your doubts about me are proving you right." His brown eyes almost became black. "You knew about how much guilt I still had in me and yet you can't seem to understand that I need to make sure my parents have justice. As to Rachel, she has been the only one, besides Alfred, to understand my urge to get justice for my parents. To make Chill pay for what he has done."

My chest was burning with the anger. I wanted to scream and break something. "And you say I point fingers! Look what you are doing now. How could I understand you if you have not given me the chance to because you keep pushing me away!"

Bruce didn't say anymore because he knew I was speaking the truth. Apart of him loved Rachel, even though he didn't say it out loud and he was determined to seek revenge. He seemed so lost because he only saw revenge at the moment. I hated doing this but it was the only way I could. The clock continued to tick away as we remained staring at each other.

But the silence of our remains had to be broken.

"I guess that you don't love me."

"I am not quite sure what to say right now. All I can say is that my signature is already on those papers. Once you sign them, all you have to do is send them to the lawyer's office and he will take of the rest."

I turned and headed out the door without even looking back at him.

As I pushed back everything that happened with Bruce the last time I saw him, a prisoner was brought before me.

"In order for you to join you must show us your commitment to justice and punishing those who deserve it." Ducard said as he handed me the sword.

As I took it from him, I remembered the day my step mother murdered my father. I was eight years old when she drowned him right in front of me. To this day I remembered the day of her trial, when she cried in agony to the jury that she did it in self defense because he had raped her numerous times and beaten her to a pulp. My father, Derrick Vesper, never would have done something like that. But a powerful man like my father had many enemies. As an honest business man but with a side business that he had to take up because of my Uncle in order to save his life, he never got the justice he deserved. His reputation was tarnished and the woman he loved betrayed him. There was nothing left of him after he died. He died known as a horrible man with no scruples.

After all that happened when my father was murdered and what happened between Bruce and I, made it easier for me to not have any emotion whatsoever. Being cold and cruel was the only way one would be protected.

I raised the sword above my head as I looked into the eyes of the criminal I was about to behead and I felt no ounce of pity as I looked into the eyes of a murderer. I pictured the eyes of my step- mother as that gave me the courage to lower my sword and chop his head off.

Ra's Al Ghul smirked with satisfaction. "Congratulations on being the first woman in our league."

Ducard placed his hand on my shoulder. "Welcome to the league of Shadows, Miss Vesper.