CHAPTER 1

"Commissioner Gordon will be greatly missed."

It was a partly cloudy day on Main Street, Gotham. The mayor was finishing up his farewell speech, but Barbara barely heard him. She clutched her black purse with a killer grip, looking down at the ground. Tears were frozen on her face, unable to move, and yet she couldn't swipe them away.

Agent McCallister turned his head toward her for a moment, then back to the mayor and his speech. On her other side of her, Captain White also listened.

Barbara was amazed at how many people had showed up to the memorial service. So many citizens came to pay their final respects.

The mayor droned on as a solemn procession of uniformed police officers escorted a rider-less horse. They then stood in attention.

Across the stage, a well-recognized citizen, the billionaire Bruce Wayne, looked solemnly at the Mayor as he spoke. Next to him, a boy Barbara assumed to be close to her age was staring at his hands. He looked up, and gave her a shy grin. Embarrassed, Barbara quickly looked down.

Memories of the past night flooded her thoughts.

--

"Dead? How? When?"

"Terrorists, the mob – pick one. We're not sure yet."

Barbara was too stunned to do anything but feel helpless. "Where was he?"
"He was meeting with the District Attorney over lunch, concerned about crime activities. They weren't certain about what to do with the rising organized crime in Gotham. The FBI Special Agent is charge was also at the table. The three enemies at one table was too much temptation. They took down the entire building, which makes us lean towards terrorists. We recovered the bodies of the DA and the SAIC, but your father's body was not found. The building was completely destroyed and was burned. Witnesses at the scene saw no one escape."

--

No one escaped. No one escaped. No one escaped. The words echoed over and over in her mind.

"He was a great man. Not only as our leader in this city, but as a father. He leaves behind a young daughter."



She could feel her heat rising as everyone's eyes turned to her. When she looked up, she saw Bruce Wayne. In his eyes, she did not see pity. He was serious, and warm. And yet she felt pitiful.

Who did this? Who did this to me? Barbara was angry that she was in this situation. Dad, how could you leave me here like this? I'm so alone.

There wasn't even a body to bury. At least with a body, there was closure, not like this. There was no reassurance that her father was really gone.

He can't be dead. Maybe he'll come back. I'll find him someday.

Who am I kidding? I'm not a kid anymore. I can't believe I lost total control of my life.

Who did this? Who did this to us, Dad?

"Miss Gordon, it's time to go to the reception area." It was Captain White, softly nudging her. She looked at him and nodded. I don't want to do this! I just want to go home and wish this never happened.

The agent and Captain escorted her over the podium the mayor was at a few minutes ago.

"Oh how awful!"

"I'm so sorry."

"You poor thing!"

All of the people coming up to her were a blur. None of them gave her any comfort; it only made her feel worst.

And then she saw him.

He came up with Bruce Wayne; the boy that had smiled shyly at her during the mayor's speech.

"Captain White." Wayne gave the captain and the agent firm handshakes. He then went up to Barbara, placing his hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry. He was a good man, your father, and a good friend." After she gave no response, he nodded, and walked away.

It was then that the boy came up. He only nodded at Captain White and Agent McCallister, and seemed to go straight up to Barbara. It was then that his eyes locked with hers.

His eyes were soft, and kind. She wanted to look away, but she didn't. His eyes, which were green, had a sparkle in them that drew her in.

This seemingly shy boy had grown intense with eye contact and said, "I know what you're feeling, Barbara, and I'm sorry."



For the first time today, she wanted to say something, but couldn't. Words wouldn't come, but she desperately didn't want him to go. He leaned closer and whispered in her ear,

"I'm sorry." And he placed his hand on the small of her back.

She found this quite odd, but strangely comforting. He looked once more in her eyes, and then walked away.

And she had never felt so alone.

She now just wanted to escape.

She looked out at the crowd of people, and knew it would be hours before she could really grieve. No one escaped…

Suddenly, glass shattered in every building around them.

Main Street began to shudder.

People began to run in every direction. It happened so fast, Barbara thought it was a dream.

Out of nowhere, Captain White threw his arms around her in protection as a shower of glass hit the stage. And the next thing she knew, she was moving.

--

Bruce Wayne touched his watch with his right hand. "Alfred, checkpoint A. Two minutes."

"Right away, Sir."

Dick Grayson looked up at Bruce with direction. "Well?"

"Is it secure?" Wayne asked.

"Absolutely." Dick answered.

"Watch the girl." Then he ran off into the crowd.

--

Barbara had a weird feeling that she was being carried away. She noticed the direction they were headed: the Gotham Subway.

"Where are we going?" What's going on?

There was a moment when his grip on her shoulders relaxed, but Captain White said nothing.



When she looked up, it wasn't Captain White.

Barbara began to panic. Everyone's screaming all around me! What good will it do?

--

Dick watched as Captain White took Barbara into the Subway, and quickly followed. People were everywhere; it was a struggle to follow them. When he finally made it to the subway, he nearly tripped over a body.

It was a man, lying prone in the middle of the landing. He knew he'd better pull him out of there, or he could be trampled to death. He grabbed the man under the arms and pulled him to the wall. It was then that he noticed the uniform.

It was Captain John White, with his hat missing, and a big, nasty bump on the back of his head. He moaned in pain.

Dick instantly looked up, to see what had become of Barbara, but she was gone.

This chapter was re-submitted with all the grammar and spelling mistakes fixed. :)

Sorry to leave you in suspense. I do that quite often, don't I?

Next chapter coming soon; it is currently being written. Please review, and thank you for reading!

Oracle