Disclaimer: Not mine.

A/n: I'll warn you now, I haven't really watched the show but I do read the comic books. This piece isn't set during any particular period and takes place over a number of years. In addition, it's somewhat AU. It will make more sense if you've read The Killing Joke, written by the brilliant Alan Moore.

I'm also aware that I have another unfinished Batman story, but both my muse and my beta seem to have abandoned me. Speaking of which, I am looking for a beta, Email me if you're interested.

Prologue

The hit man put two bullets in the woman's skull. He turned to leave, but a baby's screaming stopped him.

The Red Hood had said nothing about a kid. Killing the wife was one thing, but a kid… He should just leave now, he knew. The cops would show up soon and take care of the screaming brat.

The other man in the apartment turned to him. "We've got to shut the brat up. He'll wake the neighbors…"

"It's just a kid…" He thought about it for a minute. Maybe they could use this. The boss said that the guy, Jack Napier, was being taught a lesson in obedience.

What better way to keep him in line then with his brat. "I've got a better idea." At least, he told himself that was why he let him live.

The man found the source of the screams and lifted the kid out his crib.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Leverage." His partner nodded and the pair slipped out into the night.

Years Later

Felix Alexander scowled at his reflection. His thick reddish mop was refusing to behave itself, again, and he had no time to fix it. His glasses were covered in fingerprints, hiding his dark green eyes from the world.

Oh well, he thought, "the I just rolled out of bed look" was in style anyway. It was too bad about his clothes, but between the classes and his internship, he'd had no time to change.

Not wanted to go to this thing, anyway. Felix had no interest in joining the family business. He knew his father would probably knock him on his ass again when got a good look at him, but he really didn't care.

He was well aware of what the 'business' really was. His father, (he still would think of the man as dad ) was not very impressed by his attitude. Young Felix had earned himself a slap and promise to 'teach him how things got done in this town'.

So now he was being dragged to the meetings. And it was seriously starting to screw up his band, his homework, and the hard won internship at WayneTech.

He was engineer, an inventor and rock star. Not a mob boss.

They were family and all, but the things they did to others… it just wasn't right. Felix shuddered. Maybe the Batman's approach wasn't so bad after all.

A/N: Worth continuing? Click the little button and tell me what you think. But I won't beg… Okay, I will beg. I like feedback, helps me write faster and better. (like coffee only better.)