Chapter 1

Meeting Him

I sat stirring in the backseat, nervously peering through the rain splattered glass, at the rolling hills of the Palisades. The Palisades were located just outside of the city, where all the richest families live in large homes, away from the crime stricken limits of Gotham. Apparently, from what I've recently learned, my biological father resides within the Palisades, in a gloriously, rebuilt manor home.

"His mansion is just about ten minutes away; don't worry Melina, he's a good man, your dad, no matter what the tabloids speak of him. Your mother and him were as a matter of fact, very close friends." My aunt, Mariane spoke softly, steering through the light afternoon traffic easily. I settled my head back, and sighed.

"This is just such a shock for me, you know... the whole, finding out Bruce Wayne is my biological father thing."

Mariane nodded in sympathy, taking a slight glance at me with a soft smile, her red dyed hair dancing in a slight wave around her head.

"Why wouldn't she tell me? I always thought it was some douchebag she hooked up with in highschool. For all we know, I could have ended up in who knows where, looking for some stranger who isn't even blood related."

"Calm down, Melina... you are not going anywhere but Bruce Wayne's home, soon to be yours. You're not travelling across the country, you are still technically home. And, If you need anything, you know, you can always call me, or Todd."

I smiled at my aunt sincerely, and went back to staring out the window, the rain now poured heavily in sheets, creating a ghostly glow to the rolling hills and the distant homes. It reminded me almost of a dream. It was angelic.

"Look up ahead," Mariane broke me from my trance, and I peered in front of us. A stunning manor sat atop a subtle hill, surrounded by a gate that lined the vast perimeter. It was probably the largest manor in the Palisades.

"Is this the biggest one of all?" I asked, my face awe-struck, but still calm. Mariane nodded.

We drove up to a gate, where it slowly opened, and Mariane accelerated up the drive towards the large front doors, where a tall man stood, with hair white as snow, and an umbrella over his head. He was also dressed quite formally, with a light looking raincoat thrown over his shoulders. There was also a warm upturned smile on his lips. That must be Alfred, Bruce's butler. I thought, not stopping the grin that came upon on my lips. My grin was now even quipped with teeth. It was definitely hard not to stop smiling at Alfred.

The car slid to a sudden stop, and Alfred came around the car, towards Mariane's side, opening the door, and hovering the umbrella over her head. He had the hood of his jacket up over his head now, protecting it from the rain that did not seem to stop pouring.

I pushed the passenger door open, letting the rain fall over me as I stepped out. It was refreshing having the rain splash my cheeks.

Then suddenly, the rain stopped pouring. Reopening my eyes, I came to realize Alfred brought the umbrella over my head.

"Miss Melina, you are ought to get a cold! Come inside now." Alfred gently steered me up to the safety of the manor, his hand firmly on my back. Inside, Mariane stood smiling, and turned herself fully towards Alfred, her arms crossed lightly.

"Is Bruce home yet?" She asked him politely, her eyes flickering down towards me for a split second. Alfred shook his head stiffly, swallowing before continuing.

"Master Bruce was called in for a meeting about an hour ago, he should be arriving prior five o'clock," He then looked at me, and smiled. "Now, while we wait, why not a cup of tea and a treat?"

My eyes brightened, and I nodded.

"Sure, why not!"

Wayne Manor was beautiful. Alfred showed us to a few rooms while walking towards the kitchen. A beautiful ballroom, dining area, a sitting room, a bathroom made especially for guests, and he showed us a few other rooms, some being unfinished, and unfurnished. There were also many hallways, and small corridors, branching off to different sections of the mansion. It disoriented me, but I didn't show any of that on my face.

We entered the kitchen, and Alfred showed us to the kitchen table, set with vintage chairs, extremely comfortable to sit in, and a beautiful hanging Chandalier over top, which was made from gold, and tiny bits of glass. I glanced around the room curiously, while Mariane and Alfred had an idle chat. This was Alfred turned to look at me, smiling while at it.

"Miss Dawes had been good to keep you out of public eye. I was surprised to see you only once in media, but I had never suspected you're relation."

"I spent a good deal with my grandparents, and Mariane with her husband just outside the city, in the suburbs. I also attended a suburban highschool. Mom said it'd be better for me to stay away from publicity."

"Good for your mother to have kept you from the crime ridden streets. You must have had a splendid childhood, ah, and I perceive you to now be seventeen?"

"Yeah, and eighteen in a couple of months." I smiled, lifting the delicate teacup to my lips, taking a sip of the hot tea. I was a little nervous that my fingers would suddenly break the smooth glass, but I held it, hopeful enough.

The hot liquid ran down my throat, relieving the dryness that was there, and restoring moisture.

Just as I was about to set the cup down, a rich voice, which I recognized from watching and listening to tv broke me from my trance.

"Hey Mariane, good to see you again." His voice was like liquid silk, but also held affirmity.

I looked up abruptly, feeling the cup hastily slip from my hands. It bumped my leg and spilled out onto the tiled floor, while the teacup itself exploded into a mess of broken shards. I gasped, pushing back the chair to view the mess I created, while feeling the need to burst into tears.

"I am so, so sorry!" I yelled, pushing back my long hair with my hand, a trait that I seemed to come from Bruce Wayne, as he had done exactly the same. Alfred noticed that as well, and chuckled softly.

"My dear, it's alright, accidents do happen," He noted, taking a broom from the pantry in the far corner and a metal dust pan.

"I think it's my job to apologize, I should have atleast announced my arrival." Bruce added, looking straight at me, his eyes burning into mine, as if he was searching me from deep within. I looked away quickly, and towards Alfred. It surprised me just how unexpected Bruce's arrival was. Something about him was mysterious, and his expression was so unreadable, it shook me.

Mariane timidly stood up and rounded the table to help Alfred clean the broken glass. I tried to help, but Alfred shooed me away, insisting me to talk to Bruce. You're father.

"Melina, you look so much like your mother." Bruce said softly, as I stood awkwardly in front of him, my lower back cutting into the kitchen counter.

"I honestly never thought so. I always thought that I was different than her." I bit my lip nervously, looking down at his extremely expensive Italian hand-made shoes before I looked back up at him. "My mom was always so cooped with her work, she was stubborn. I told my mom that maybe she should give it a break, but she would only shake her head, say her goodbyes, and leave for the city."

Bruce listened intently, his eyes full of deep sincerity.

"Anyways, she would always insist I stay with Gran, and sometimes even Mariane... I would, sometimes for a few months. I never knew of my mom's life in the city, she never told me... I think it was for my safety, but it honestly bothered me. The only part of her life I knew, that was from the city, was Harvey Dent... he would come by sometimes. He was a nice guy."

I saw Bruce clench his jaw stiffly, and he set his keys and blackberry down at a small coffee table.

"She cared of her work and family being of opposite ends of the table." Bruce spoke, walking around the the counters, grabbing himself a cup of hot brewing coffee. "It was much for your safety, and I'm very glad she held you away from the public." He glanced at her with a tight lipped smile, but hard eyes, as if relishing a memory that seemed to bother him.

"Yes, and I loved having you around a lot. You really kept the kids company." Mariane piped in, dumping contents of broken glass into the garbage can with a stainless steel body.

Mariane's phone suddenly rung out, breaking the quiet.

"Todd, What's up?" She said. "Alright, i'll be there in twenty." Quickly, she shut her motorolla and looked up.

"Okay, I'd better get back, Todd's needing some assistance with a few things in the house. We also need to get all of your luggage from the trunk of my car."

It was nine o'clock in the evening, and I had already gotten settled into my bedroom, it was sort of down the hall from Bruce's bedroom. Alfred showed me to it, and insisted he help with all my luggage, but of course, I did all I could to take as much as possible.

The room was large, quipped with a walk-in closet, and a fairly spacious bathroom.

One queen sized bed sitting square centre against the wall, framed with a post around the perimeter of the bed, hung with curtains tied up into a delicate hung bow. Beside the bed sat an end table, with a small clock, and a box of kleenex. There was also a door leading out to a balcony, which faced the city in the distance, and the beautiful gardens, with many oak trees.

I had managed to take a small break from packing, and just stand outside, letting the light fall wind blow my hair back behind me. I closed my eyes, and let a few tears brush across my cheeks. Even if I had gone through fours years of therapy, after the tragedy that led to my mother's death, the pain was still there, deep within. My chest heaved, and I let out a quiet sob, dropping my head down which allowed the tears to come crashing down below me. You have your father... My subconcious whispered. I sniffed back tears, and lifted my head, wiping away tears with the back of my hand before I stepped back into my room, closing the balcony door behind me slowly.

I did not notice the figure standing slightly in the shadow of the doorway, until I looked up, and I gasped, nearly having myself a heartattack.