Hey Everyone first chapter - was wondering what you think? Reviews are very, very, welcome!

One

*December*

"Bruce!"

Bruce Wayne broke into an enigmatic smile at the sight of his beloved goddaughter running towards him, high heels clattering as she leapt into his arms and hugged him tightly. He laughed and held her close, kissing the top of her head before setting her down as Tim Drake stood on the side line.

"Hello Holly," he greeted fondly. "Just like your mother."

"Ghosts never die but remain on...," she smiled, gesturing as her two friends walked over. "This is Staci and Kelsey – Kelsey's my training manager… and this is Staci my PR." The blonde waved while the brunette continued to speak into her microphone. "How's Alfred?"

"Preparing for your arrival." He promised, slinging his arm around her in little seen affection. She glanced up at him and offered a bright smile. "He's excited to see you!"

"And B- hey who's this?" she offered a smile to the young man whom offered an equal one of luminosity back. "New ward?"

"This is Tim and yes he is…" he ruffled his hair and offered a nod to the young boy wonder. "This is my goddaughter, Holly Deman…"

"Olympic gold gymnast who got perfect scores across the board! I know," he said eagerly. "Yeah I know, sexiest-"

"And did I mention my goddaughter and shareholder," Bruce warned, as they walked across the airport. "Lucius is asking would Wednesday suit you for appointment?"

"As long as its after ten o'clock… and I believe I have an appointment before." She murmured, Bruce squeezing her shoulder gently shaking his head at Tim's obvious question.

He glanced down at the girl and smiled softly remembering her mother…

The gunshots rattled through the apartment as Batman landed, hearing his friends tortured wail and he witnessed Sylvia falling.. falling never ending… Lauren was running to the door to shut it – but it was beyond that and they knew it…. She turned and he saw the recognition. Lauren was like that… could see things others couldn't… bang…bang… his arms fitted around the little girls middle and pulled her off as she screamed for her mummy… and he saw Lauren blow a kiss as the door broke down and he leapt from the balcony.

"God bless."

Three sunflowers were placed on each grave as the young brit stood back from the graves and closed her eyes, looking older than her twenty one years denoted. She glanced across at Bruce who offered a small nod of his head in acknowledgement. She sighed again and walked down from the three tombstones. She made a motion for her two friends to follow while Bruce did his own farewells and explanations to Tim and a redhead that had appeared from somewhere.

"Are you alright?" Staci asked quietly.

"Of course not," Holly replied, cautiously so as not for Bruce to hear. "Did you get the lab set up?"

"In Denhams'?! No problem… just a new wing that's so packed under every other wing not even Batman could find it," replied Staci. "And the motorbike was transported safely."

"Good. Kelsey I want you to learn the city. Take trips around it by every means of transport. I mean it… avoid the Bat group… we don't need them to spoil our mission." She ordered as they came to some benches. "Find out about the legitimate business deals of Thorne Staci. I want to meet him face-to-face."

"I'll see if he has any functions on…"

"Holly?!" called Bruce.

"See you later." She walked slowly up to the waiting Bruce, Tim and redhead who was already looking her up and down as if she didn't belong. Well she'd been here a lot longer… and if she wanted to mark her territory she could always pee on Bruces' leg. "Yes Bruce?"

"I'd like you to meet Commissioner Gordons daughter Barbara, she's a friend of the family," he said, looking between the two as they shared gazes. "Barbara this is my goddaughter, Hol-"

"Holly Denham. I've read about you in magazines…" Barbara said, in a voice that conveyed she felt higher in position than Holly who scowled. "Olympic gym-"

"Gold gymnast for Great Britain." She corrected. "And I do believe you almost made the American team?" she put emphasis on the 'almost' smirking at the woman's expression before making up quickly. "But then again selection committees are always fools…" that earned her a half smile. "Bruce… shall we be going."

"Wayne Manor awaits you." He promised with a small smile, as she clambered into the car.

The windows of Wayne Manor glowed brightly, illuminating the cold night with small patches of cheer. Snow was piled up around the eaves and the gate, but the long driveway was covered in dull slush after being driven through many times.

Holly found as her and Alfred stood in the kitchen, the latter suggesting varying places for the young woman to stay, although she sensed his disappointment as she picked at his fruit scones, with usual precision.

"If you want I'll stay until I find the apartment Alfred… it's not I don't want stay-"

"Heaven forbid… another room to clean…" Alfred said lightly. "Another one of you messing up my nice clean rooms…"

"Speaking of which where is Dick?" she asked, frowning as she swung her legs on the sideboard. "In his last phone call…"

"He's been delayed, don't worry." He patted her shoulder gently. "He'll be here soon enough."

She sighed and nodded. On visits to Bruces she always enjoyed playing here with Dick – the two essentially growing up together and keeping each other company during the summer holidays. These moments were precious and always well remembered. She sighed and continued to pick at her snack.

The next few nights she'd have to lay low… while her friends did the grunt work… but she knew soon that the silverbird would make an appearance and it was bound to shake the city to its core… sentimentality was not needed in this aspect.

Later that night in The Batcave, Bruce Wayne sat staring at a computer screen at the young blonde that had him and Tim had spotted. The Judgement. Vigilante. Also running partner to the Silverbird… something he was concerned with.

Whatever had brought the Silverbird to the city had coincided with his goddaughters visit… the merger between the two businesses was a big step… perhaps she knew something he didn't… no… no one knew not as much as him on Holly. God knows he'd protected her since childhood, stood at every ceremony… been there… he closed his eyes.

Silverbird would soon appear… and would soon meet the Dark Knight who'd turn her from the city.