"So you're saying that you've adopted an orphaned kid whose parents have been brutally killed by one of the Joker's wild massacre?" asked a slightly perplexed Bruce.

"I believe so, Sir," came the reply as Alfred peered at the small child hiding behind his legs.

The girl couldn't be older than nine and yet, she was exposed to something so frightful. The girl saw her parents getting murdered. She was there. The Joker forced her to be there. To watch her parents' horrific demise. She wanted to look away, she really did, but the Joker had ordered his goons so that the girl wasn't able to look away or even shut her eyes. But even if she was able to not see it, the screams she heard would haunt her forever.

Bruce caught the fearful look in the small girl's big innocent blue eyes. It sent a tug to his heartstrings. Empathy filled his heart. The girl looked broken. Almost beyond repair. He knows what it feels like to lose someone he holds close to heart. He lost his parents at a young age, he lost his second oldest because he wasn't fast enough, and last, he lost his youngest similar to how he lost his second oldest.

It broke him almost beyond repair. He was irrational and unwise then. It was fortunate of him that both his sons came back to life. To this day on he is still grateful to have his family whole again, even if he couldn't bring back his parents he is content. Bruce almost felt his heart hammering with rage. Almost. He remembered the words he would repetitively say to Damian in his early days as Robin.

"Justice, not vengeance."

Bruce sighed deeply. No, he didn't sigh because Alfred was adopting a child. He sighed because he was slightly worried of what his sons will do to the new addition to the family.

Dick would definitely accept her with open arms, but the problem was, Dick might be a little too cheerful for a girl who's just been through a traumatic event. Even though he did face a similar event as a child.

Jason was not even an option then. Of course, what the two faced was similar. The girl watched her parents' demise by the Joker and Jason's demise was caused by the Joker. But still, Jason's appearance isn't one to actually be called "friendly".

Tim would also frighten the girl. I mean, the boy looks like he hasn't slept for years and he always carries a mug of coffee everywhere. Definitely not something a girl that just saw her parents' death to face.

And last, Damian. Bruce didn't even want to think or consider him as an option. I mean, knowing the kid he would do almost anything to get rid of the girl.

Bruce then swallowed his doubts and gave Alfred a stern nod, "It's settled then, she's going to live with us."

Alfred respectfully bowed to him and replied, "I am glad with your choice, Master Bruce."

After Alfred had stood up straight once again, Bruce kneeled down on one knee. Matching the small girl's height. She stared at him quite frightened. Bruce offered her a gentle smile.

"It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you," Bruce reassured her, "I'm only here to help you."

In the plain eyes of normal people, those words would seem to have no effect. But to the eyes of a keen Bat, those words were able to bring slight comfort towards her as her once tensed shoulders relaxed a tad bit. Bruce smiled at the improvement. He reached out slowly and ruffled the girl's hair affectionately. At first, the girl seemed to tense at the interaction, but adjusted to it and her shoulders slumped in what seemed like relaxation. Bruce stood up straight once again.

"Alfred, would you kindly escort our young guest to her quarters please," Bruce requested, although it was actually unnecessary he still did it.

"Of course, Sir," with that, Alfred gently put his palm on the blonde girl's back and guided her to her designated quarters.

Bruce sat down once again. He rubbed his temples for a moment.

'What will happen when the boys meet her? I'll just have to face it.' he thought to himself. Then continued his previous unfinished paperwork.