A/N : For you visual readers I see Cassandra being played as Emma Watson (with less bushy hair then in the harry potter movies).

Part One: Batman Begins

Chapter One: Family Reunion

Cassandra- originally born Cassandra Delaine was born when her mother and father were sixteen. The father was kept in the dark of her birth by her young well meaning mother who knew that she'd likely never see the young man again. The family she was born to was wealthy and well off due to her parents investments. Diana Delaine kept the child who was brought up by her parents. The young girl had the best tutors and any toy she could ever ask for, she was a smart, generally happy bubbly little girl until an accident that took both her grandparent and mother.

It had only been a year that Bruce Wayne had gone missing and a still grieving Alfred received a call he never would have imagined.

An orphan, with details of her birth listed Bruce Wayne as the father and her only living relative. She was in a Gotham orphanage, and had been for months when Alfred received the call. He ordered a test based off the DNA available from Martha and Thomas Wayne. The test was positive. Alfred began working with lawyers at once to gain custody of the girl, acting in the stead of Bruce Wayne. It took him many months but finally the old man was able to take the then eight year old girl by her hand and bring her home. Her time at the orphanage and the tragedy of her family had quieted the girl considerably. Alfred did not know her as a bubbly child, instead like Bruce Wayne, she seemed to carry within her a streak of anger, the kind of desperate anger that grief brought. When she began to love Alfred she started having nightmares of his death, she clung to him desperately on those nights, begging him not to leave her as a child would.

The little one carved out a special place in his heart. Slowly as she grew, she softened, the grief and rage lessening in her in a way it hadn't with her father. She excelled at school and began taking an interest in Wayne enterprise. She never believed she would ever meet her father, but sustained warmth for him in her heart from the stories she'd beg Alfred to tell as well as the idea she might make him proud by integrating herself at Wayne Enterprise. She had kept many of her classmates at a distance, the time at the orphanage as brief as it may have been affected her deeply.

She had not been accepted well in the orphanage, in fact she had been bullied for being born with a silver spoon but their despair and circumstances clung to her. The girls in the richer social circle had never tasted that despair and hopelessness and it colored her ability to bond to any of them. She had however struck up a friendship with one boy from the orphanage which she kept alive, the boy was someone who had shielded her from the bully's during her time there and taught her the ropes. She never forgot although her wealth and title of Gotham's 'Heiress' set them at odds at times, she fought to keep in contact.

When Cassandra Wayne was twelve her father was officially ruled as dead which were the beginnings of William Earle's bid to take the company public. While Cassandra was still young she strongly opposed this but was unable to do much of anything, and could merely voice her opinion which slowed the process down some but would not stop it. It didn't help that William Earle was condescending and made her doubt her own opinions on the matter.

Cassandra was thirteen and encroaching on her fourteenth birthday when Alfred received the call which he had stopped hoping for a long time ago. Bruce Wayne's warm and familiar voice carried itself through the line to the old man's ears causing tears to prickle his eyes and a great smile to break out on his face.

"Alfred, good to know you haven't changed the phone number." A slightly amused but weary sounding Bruce Wayne said.

"My god!" The old man uttered at first, stunned into a moment of silence as tears stung his eyes.

"It's a happy surprise I hope." He could hear Bruce's smile and his own smile broke out, still hardly able to believe his ears.

"Bloody right it's a happy surprise Master Wayne. Bloody right it is." Bruce could hear the love in his voice and felt regret that he caused the man that raised him sorrow.

"Think you could swing by and pick me up?" Alfred's hands trembled as he scrambled to grab a pen and paper. When he had righted himself he answered.

"Right, whats your address?"

"46.2830° N, 86.6700° E ." Alfred recognized vaguely that Bruce was giving him coordinates somewhere in Asia. The young man had travelled far. Not in the local gutter at least, Alfred thought with some amusement.

"I trust the jets still in working order?"

"It is indeed Master Wayne."

"I'll see you soon then."

"Very good sir." The line went dead and happiness and relief washed through Alfred as tears leaked from his eyes.

"Alfred what's wrong?" a familiar voice chimed in concern. Alfred opened his eyes, unable to keep what was sure to be the ridiculous smile from his face.

"Your father is coming home Cassandra." His words at first did not sink in, they rang through her ears and then into her bones.

Alfred had asked her if she wanted to come. She considered it, her heart hadn't stopped racing since Alfred told her the news. On one hand she desperately wanted to meet him, on the other hand fear enveloped her. 'what if he doesn't like me.' He didn't even know she existed, what if he took it badly? She couldn't bear the thought of seeing disappointment cross his face when she met him. The small spark of doubt and fear flared in a matter of moments becoming a wildfire of certain disappointment. In the end it made her decision for her. As Alfred prepared her stricken expression and silence told him about every fear that had crossed her mind without her uttering a word.

"I'm not coming." She said in quiet halting voice as Alfred pulled his gloves on.

"Don't you worry one bit Miss Wayne." Alfred fruitlessly attempted to comfort her, putting a warm hand on her shoulder. "He may be shocked, but he's a good man and he'll warm to the idea." Alfred continued honestly. Cassandra wasn't easily comforted, her stomach turning nervously but she nodded none the less.

Alfred left her after planting a soft kiss on her forehead, leaving Cassandra in the great stillness of Wayne Manor to brood.

Alfred had summoned their fastest jet available to him. He slid into the leather seat with a recent newspaper as a form of entertainment as he flew. The headline read 'Wayne Enterprise going Public' and Alfred chuckled. Bruce wouldn't like that a bit. Alfred had quite a bit of news to break to him and he mused at where he should start. He had a few hours to think about just that.

When he landed his legs ached as he stood giving away his age. It didn't hinder the smile from forming as Bruce Wayne approached him from the tarmac, filthy and in ragged clothing.

"Master Wayne you've been gone a long time."

"Yes I have."

"You look very fashionable. Apart from the mud." Alfred couldn't resist the tease as Bruce climbed the ramp. Bruce smirked as he brought himself on board. Alfred watching as Bruce's eyes trailed over the luxurious insides of the jet. They situated themselves, Bruce appearing thoughtful as he stared out of the small plane window. Alfred had a thought suddenly, remembering his old fantasy of seeing his young master with a woman, someone he was starting a family with, having a life with. Looking at him now it appears that was but a dream. He wondered at Bruce's intentions, his plans then, and so he asked.

"Are you coming back to Gotham for long sir?"

"For as long as it takes, I want to show the people of Gotham that their city doesn't belong to the criminals and corrupt." Surprise washed through Alfred and he was struck by how much Bruce reminded him of his father Thomas.

"During the depression your father nearly bankrupt Wayne enterprise combating poverty. He believed his example could inspire the wealthy of Gotham into saving the city." He told him in a 'matter of factly' tone, watching Bruce's intense expression as he absorbed his words.

"Did it?" He asked.

"In a way their murder shocked the wealthy and powerful into action." Alfred continued sadly and Bruce shook his head, expression bitter.

"People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy. I can't do that as Bruce Wayne, as a man I'm flesh and blood I can ignored, I can be destroyed, but as a symbol… as a symbol I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting..." Bruce drifted as if fixated on a distant thought as Alfred watched him carefully, absorbing his words.

"What Symbol?"

"Something… Elemental… Something terrifying."

"I assume that as your taking on the underworld this... Symbol is a persona to protect those you care about from reprisals..?"

"You're thinking about Rachel?"

"Actually sir I was thinking about myself… Although there is someone else who may need to be figured into your plans." Bruce's brow quirked in interest as Alfreds tone dropped to become more serious.

"Do you remember a girl you once went to school with? Diana Delaine?" Bruce's confusion only deepened. An image of the girl popped into his head, beautiful, chestnut brown haired with deep brown. She had been his first girlfriend and erm, first in other things.

"Yes." He drawled, perplexed at the direction the conversation had taken. "What about her." Alfred continued in his clipped British voice, a story beginning to unravel.

"A year after you left, I received a call from the Delaine family lawyer. He was handling the estate of the Delaine's among other things. They had died you see, both her parents and Diana."

"That's terrible." He said, saddened slightly but still unsure at where Alfred was getting to. Alfred held his gaze as he continued.

"Diana Delaine left something to you in her last living will and testament."

"What could she have possibly left me?" His confusion only deepened.

"Your Daughter." Alfred finally said watching as Bruce's eyes widened

"My- what? Alfred are you-."

"I was shocked too, as you can imagine." He gave a chuckled shaking his head. "The girl was staying in an orphanage in Gotham; I went through all the necessary avenues. We had a panel done against your parents DNA, as you weren't available."

"And?" Bruce said with a hint of impatience.

"It came up positive. You have a daughter Master Wayne. By the name of Cassandra, she is fourteen this year and she is very eagerly awaiting your arrival." Alfred fell silent allowing Bruce to process the information. After a moment he cracked a smile.

"Anything else I should know about?" he was only half joking. Not imaging there was much else that Alfred could say that would shock him.

"You were pronounced dead."

"You had me pronounced dead?" Bruce said, clearly shocked.

"Actually it was Mister Earle in a bid to take the company public. He wanted to liquidate your majority shareholding. Those shares are worth quite a bit of money."

"Well it's a good thing I left everything to you then."

"Quite so sir, you can borrow the rolls if you like. Just bring it back with a full tank." The old man said with a wink as he sunk further into his seat, Bruce chuckled, amused but appeared to brood. Alfred couldn't blame him, there was a lot to digest. After a long interlude of comfortable silence between the two men Alfred spoke again.

"So I assume your extended vacation was really spent training with the aims of creating this persona?" Alfred asked, curious. Bruce nodded and spoke in a low voice.

"I traveled, I wanted to learn about criminals, I thought by becoming one I might." Alfred raised his brow, impressed as Bruce continued. "I was forced to steal to eat… I lost many illusions I had surrounding the true nature of criminals." Alfred nodded, beginning to understand a little more the journey his young master had undertaken.

"And you feel this has prepared you to deal with the worst of Gotham?" Alfred pressed, unable to keep the skepticism from his voice. Bruce gave a small laugh and shook his head.
"Not quite. During my 'vacation' I was arrested and brought to a prison camp…During my stay I was approached by a man named Henry Ducard. He knew my name, he invited me to join what he called the League of Shadows, to train me to fight injustice.

"So your apart of a League now?"

"Not exactly… In the end I found out that the leagues true function was to topple empires they believed were overly corrupt. They considered Gotham to be one of those cities. I chose to leave." Alfred had enough sense to know that this league probably didn't simply let him 'leave' but he sensed that Bruce was wearied by the conversation so he dropped the subject. Bruce stared out the small window for awhile and Alfred began to doze when Bruce's voice called him back to attention.

"What's she like?" he asked sending Alfred a furtive glance. He blinked and stifled a yawn and was secretly pleased he asked.

"She's a thoughtful young woman, she reminds me of Miss Wayne at times." Alfred said with a soft smile referring to Bruce's mother Martha Wayne. "She's driven to be a part of Wayne Enterprise; she was quite displeased when Earle began his campaign to take the company public. In fact her determination slowed down the progress, it took Mr. Earle nearly two years to get this far." Bruce could see there was a streak of pride and tenderness Alfred held for the girl and couldn't help but smile himself. "She's well known for hosting a fundraiser every year on her birthday for the support of multiple Wayne foundation charities." Bruce understood what Alfred meant by her reminding him of his mother. Martha Wayne was notorious for filling her time with all sorts of charities.

"What does she… expect of me?"

"Well I think right now Master Wayne, she's expecting the worst, that you'll reject her completely."

"I won't do that..." Bruce said, but looking conflicted. "I'm not sure if- if I know how to be a father Alfred… where do I even begin?"

"I think a simple hello is a good place to start."

Cassandra was burning up with fear and wearing the carpet out with her pacing. She'd tried to read and failed. Had a bath, changed her outfit a million times. What if I look to prissy? What if I look to serious? It seemed no matter what she did she would be in a torment. She combed her hair into several different styles before growing bored and throwing it into a ponytail. Her mind was going a mile a minute and she desperately tried to resist chewing her nails and failed. She finally settled on trying and writing down her charity plans for her birthday party… only she couldn't focus on a single thought. She collapsed onto her large plush four poster bed with a scream and burrowed her head into her pillow. Her eyes which were squeezed tight shut, suddenly popped open with a thought. Immediately she rose and grabbed her cell phone off her bedside table. She had a million phone numbers on the list of her contacts, most of them being her charity contacts. She scrolled through them all with one person in mind that might at least help her feel a little better. With a tap of her thumb 'Gotham orphanage' was being dialed and she fidgeted with her blankets as she waited.

"Hello Gotham orphanage Carol Durmstrong speaking."

"Hi Carol, its Cassandra Wayne calling."

"Oh Cassandra!" she gushed, enthused. Cassandra knew most of the Gotham Orphanage staff by name and through hosting her fundraisers for the orphanage most of the staff were quite fond of her. "Are you calling about this year's fundraiser?" She asked, sounding hopeful. Cassandra hadn't specifically chosen which charity to host for at her birthday this year yet.

"No, actually I was hoping to talk to one of the boys there. Robin Blake?" He preferred to be called John but the orphanage went strictly by first name.

"I'll see if I can find him for you." Carol didn't sound surprised by her request, mostly because Cassandra was a frequent caller. John was her best friend ever since she had met him at the orphanage when she was a girl. He kept her from getting too full of herself at least. There was silence on the line and Cassandra was dreading him being out or not answering. What would she do with her self then? To her relief a male voice sounded through the phone.

"Cassy, that you?" His very warm masculine voice instantly made her feel a little better.

"Got any other girls that would be calling you?" she teased and she imagined John grinning lamely on the line.

"So what's up?" john was always good at picking up distress in her voice, or when in person in her mannerisms and expressions. Relieved to finally have someone to talk to she let it all out.

"Alfred got a call from my dad today."

"Your dad?" John said shocked and although she couldn't see him he quickly glanced out of the office he was standing in and shut the door to offer them some more privacy. "Bruce Wayne called you?"

"Not me, he doesn't even know I exist remember?" She said and he could hear the tension in her voice.

"So… is he coming back? Do you even know where he went?" he pressed, hoping that his questions would sufficiently distract her.

"Apparently somewhere in Asia or something. Alfred went to get him with one of the jets."

"So… this is a good thing right? I mean you've always talked about wanting to meet your dad."

"Yeah… I dunno, I'm scared John. What if… what if he doesn't like me?"

"Then he's an idiot. Seriously, you have nothing to worry about Cas." He could tell from her silence she wasn't convinced so he tried again, knowing she'd called him for comfort. "Really what's the worst that can happen?"

"He sends me to Europe to school because he hates me." Cassandra immediately blurted and John gave a short amused laugh.

"Come on really? Okay whats the best?" That was harder for Cassandra and she scrunched up her brow in thought.

"He's really proud of me and wants to hang out with me?" She said finally lamely, afraid to even voice her secret fantasy aloud to her best friend.

"Its going to be fine. Besides, if it isn't you can always opt out of the fancy Europe school and come back to the orphanage." He teased and she managed a little laugh. Suddenly a noise seemed to echo through the house all the way to Cassandra's room. She tensed, as taut as a bowstring, eliciting a small gasp.

"What is it?" John asked as Cassandra sat up wide eyed and listening.

"OH. MY. GOD! I THINK HES HERE." She hissed and john couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head. "Just wait…" she said growing quiet. With the phone pressed to her ears she poked her head out the door and then quietly and cautiously began making her way towards the great stairs. Her ears perked and listening the whole way. Like a mouse she froze as soon as she heard distinct voices.

"Hey you still there?" John asked, reminding her of his presence.

"W-what do I do?" she suddenly demanded.

"Go say hello?" John suggested lamely. Cassandra took a deep breath in and out attempting to calm herself.

"Okay, just go say hello. I can do that… no expectations right?"

"You can do it." He said firmly, confidently. She wished she could be that confident.

"Bye John…and thanks." She practically whispered.

"Yeah, call me a and tell me what happens." He said and the line went dead leaving Cassandra with the sound of her own hitched breathing. Summoning her fleeting courage she straightened up and headed for the stairwell before she was tempted to slink away into the corners of the manor like a coward. She focused on each step as she descended, her hand latched on the grand banister. After a twist Alfred was in sight with… her father? A man bundled in tattered ragged clothing stood with Alfred speaking in low tones. Alfred saw her first and turned to face her, calling out a greeting.

"Miss Wayne, you'll be pleased to meet master Bruce Wayne." He said by way of introduction as Cassandra closed the space between them. She found herself staring, she couldn't help it, he was absolutely filthy but it was the same face she'd seen in pictures. His expression was much softer and more natural than any picture she'd ever seen though. In most of those pictures his eyes stared into with an unmistakable intensity. She felt the intensity, but it was softened by an uncertain smile and what seemed like kindness.

"Hello." Bruce started wincing a little at his awkwardness. Alfred restrained a chuckle at the young master taking his advice.

"Hi." Instinctively Cassandra's hand shot out for a hand shake. Training from every gala ball and her times spent shaking strangers hands in Wayne Tower. He looked at her hand appearing slightly bemused and took it. She mirrored his firm grip, giving a small shy smile.

"Its good to meet you." A formality? Cassandra wondered at the potential his words were sincere.

"I'm.. er." She stumbled over her words. "Happy to meet you as well." She settled on. In the awkward silence that followed Cassandra suddenly felt very out of place. Unbidden the thought rose the forefront of her mind your not meant to be here. She felt like an intruder, and although nothing in Bruce's manner should have led her to think he thought so she still felt the overwhelming urge to retreat. "I should uh go. I'm sure your very tired." She bit out lamely, stepping back a pace.

"Actually I'm famished, perhaps we could all have… dinner together?" She was surprised by Bruce's request, stunned really.

"Okay." She replied uncertainly, unable to keep the hope from her voice.

Alfred cooked them a vodka penne in what was considered the servants kitchen. It was a much quainter room than the grand cold elegance of the rest of the manor. This room had a cozy wooden table which fit them all comfortably, unlike the embarrassingly long table in the dining hall. It was all very surreal for Cassandra who at this time yesterday was eating alone in her bedroom over her chemistry and math homework bitterly wondering what the point of school was. She still questioned the point of school but none the less her life had suddenly been wrenched open. The man sitting beside her was nothing like she imagined. Alfred had told her he was head strong and too smart for his own good, she imagined him to be more arrogant she supposed. Going to school with the other rich trust fund brats had left an impression and she somehow imagined her father would be the same. Instead he came home after a seven year disappearance covered in rags and mud, coming from somewhere in Asia. Sometimes she wondered if the people she went to school with knew mud existed. She couldn't help but wonder where he had been the last seven years, but found it impolite to ask. Too personal, she thought. She couldn't help but wonder if he'd gone on some spiritual quest or something, but she'd gotten the feeling he was to directed. Intense. So maybe that didn't fit. Her thoughts took a darker turn, the feeling of being out of place welling up again. This is his home, your just a squatter. A cruel voice whispered in the back of her mind. Bruce had been very kind to her so far but that didn't mean that he wanted her living in his house. It was his home. So hesitantly licking her lips clean of the lovely cream sauce Alfred made so well Cassandra cleared her throat.

"Mister Wayne…" She began, her eyes fluttering to the table in shyness. "I know that you weren't expecting, well me. I just thought I should say that I know that this is your home and I would understand if you were to send me away." She trailed almost mumbling at the table cloth, but felt an odd relief voicing her worst fear even as her stomach knotted. She could feel Bruce's eyes on her. Alfred opened his mouth to speak but Bruce cut him off with a glance 'let me handle it' the gaze said and the old man relented.

"First of all, please call me Bruce Cassandra." The sharpness of his tone cause her fear to spike, and the use of her first name caused an odd thrill to peirce her, mingling with the worry knotting her gut. "Second, I think the manor is big enough for the both of us… that is unless you want to leave?" Bruce's quizzical question prompted her to glance up at him to see that his gaze was warm and kind. Comforting. Cassandra couldn't keep the smile from breaking out on her face as she quickly shook her head. "I suppose that settles it then. Alfred it looks like you'll have your hands full with two members of the Wayne family." Bruce said sending Alfred a warm smile across the table where the old man had a pleased sort of expression and a twinkle in his eye. Another thrill of happiness coursed through Cassandra at Bruce's words 'two members of the Wayne family.' She repeated, family, she never thought that was something that she'd have again. It seems like she wouldn't be going back to the orphanage after all.

"I couldn't be more pleased Master Wayne."

A/N- So I know this chapter is kind of awful, but I hope that barring the first burst of info you find the conversations and banter to be interesting and fitting and will be reading more. I'm writing this story on the fly so it will be a bit of a rough stone but I know exactly where its going which is why I'll give this warning. This story won't turn out the way your thinking but I hope you like where it takes you. Part One is Batman begins, but the story will mostly center in the Dark Knight Rises. John and Cassandra will be more central to this fic than many of the other characters. I don't want to give too much away but I hope you are surprised and intrigued where the story takes you. Please read and review!