I looked up at the ceiling contemplating on what I had just done. I had beheaded a criminal and I had joined the league of Shadows. Never had I thought I would be capable of such a thing but I did it, I did what my step mother had down to my father, I had done what Chill did to Bruce's parents. I had become just like that and within the course of time I would be a lot worse. Honestly, I don't really care anymore. Over these past few years and months that I had recently come to Henri Ducard and Ra's Al Ghul I learned to be cold and show no emotion. Although, according to Bruce, I had been frigid before. That part of me didn't grow warm, in fact, I became more frigid. Maybe that was why Bruce seeked Rachel more than he did me. Maybe that is why he loved her more. Rachel had been there to comfort him, while I tried to make him forget about what happened to his parents so that he could move on with his life. Often times, I think he came to loathe me after I threw the divorce papers in his face.

Then again what does it matter? I may never see Bruce Wayne again in my life.

A soft knock at the door shifted my green eyes to the door. I carefully stood up from the enormous comfortable bed I was able to attain thanks to Ducard. I guess they had really high hopes upon my arrival and they were right. I dedicated myself to training hard and getting rid of all my anger, fear, and disappointment since day one. Before I opened the door, I tucked my silver chain- that held my wedding ring- into my chest. Where it was close to my heart. Although I hated Bruce for what happened the last time I saw him, apart of me loved him still and wanted to hang on to that ounce of love I still had left.

The knock grew impatient as I put on my sweater. "I'm coming!" I growled and the knock died down. When I opened the door I wasn't surprised to see one of Ducard's assistant's standing, surely with a message from him. He didn't lock eyes with me as he handed me a large black box. Once the box was in my hands, he turned away. I shut the door and walked over to the table to place the box down. My curiosity was growing rapidly as I tossed the lid on the floor. Inside the box was a note.

Miss Vesper,

First and foremost, Congratulations once again on your new position in the League of Shadows. I also have a new task for you. However, this is also a celebration in your honor and of your new beginning. I shall wait for you in the dining hall for dinner. I hope you find the gown to your liking.

Ducard

I crumpled the note in my hand and threw it across the room. New beginning was a very ridiculous way of putting it. I came here to forget about my past and all that has hurt me. I took out the gown and felt the black silk slip through my fingers. The heart shaped strapless dress reminded me of the dress I wore the day I secretly married Bruce Wayne, but this one was in black. This was my wedding gown of darkness.

As I made my way into the dining hall, I wondered what was going to be my next task. Ducard had said there would be a task waiting for me after I would be ascended in the League of Shadows but I didn't really care about it. And for the first time ever since I fled home, I was terrified of what was to come next. I certainly had no idea this was going to come so soon. I guess I was afraid of what the future would have in store for me.

The grand doors opened up to reveal Henri sitting at the head of the large table alone. He looked up as I entered the room, I felt him examining me from my head to my toes. One of the guards pulled out a chair for me, I hesitated as I looked into Henri's eyes which seemed dark with curiosity. I could he was curious as to what was going through my head. I felt like I was under a microscope.

"Good evening Miss Vesper." Henri beckoned for someone to pour my class with wine.

"Master Ducard." I smirked at him as dinner was served.

"How are you feeling about your accomplishments?" He took a sip of wine and eyed me as I placed the cloth napkin on my lap.

"Hmm...I feel exhilrated." I paused for a moment. "Yes, that is the proper term to put it."

He smirked in satisfaction with my answer. "Funny how destiny hand picks us for what we never pictured ourselves doing."

"True but then again we do things that lead us to our destiny." I scooped up a piece of shrimp with my chop sticks and placed it in my mouth. I didn't enjoy Henri Ducard's company very much, but I had to because he was my mentor who pulled me out of my slump. My slump of depression. Granted, I still was in it but it wasn't as bad as before. Was Bruce Wayne going to plague me for the rest of my life?

"Can't argue with that." He chuckled and for the rest of the dinner we ate in silence. I really had nothing to say to him. The only thing I had hoped he would bring up soon is this so called "task." I was rather nervous about it only because with Ducard it was unexpected.

I could not take it any longer, I just had to know what he was going to do with me. "Your note stated that you had a new task for me. May I ask what it is?"

Henri smirked again and leaned back on his chair. For the life of me he could not take his eyes off me the entire dinner. "Well, you shall be traveling to Gotham City. A few people and tasks need to be supervised. Simple task really."

My heart dropped to my stomach. No. I had runaway from Gotham, now they are sending me back to that hell hole! I let out a few quiet breaths to stop myself from bursting with rage. "What makes you say its so simple? No task from the League of Shadows is simple."

Henri sighed and chuckled at how naive I sounded. "You, of course, will be going to Gotham under another alias. An apartment will be provided for you, along with all your necessties, but the only thing you will be providing for yourself is employment. So you won't arouse suspicion. I know you can find something decent Evangeline, I am not worried about that. The only thing I am worried about is how well you will provide us with information. But you're an intelligent young woman, I shouldn't doubt you."

"In other words I shall be your informant."

"Exactly." Henri was trying to read my expression but he couldn't because I showed no emotion. I couldn't let him see it.

"What exactly will I be supervising?" I couldn't help but be curious.

"A man named Jonathan Crane. He is providing us with a some substances we will use in the near future and I need to make sure everything turns out smoothly. When you arrive to Gotham, he will explain everything to you. Although, I have one thing to ask of you." He leaned forward and placed his hand on top of mine- which was cold.

I nodded briskly, feeling completely indifferent. My mind was still wrestling with the fact that I would have to go to Gotham. "Yes?"

"Don't make it obvious that you are our informant, just tell him...no, reassure him that you are there to provide him with anything he needs to pull off our request. If he gives you any trouble, you know what to do." Henri patted my hand as if he was petting his obedient cat.

"Of course." Now, I knew this was an illegal job and that threats or a few punishments would do.

"You shall have a guard to accompany you, if Crane or anyone else gets out of hand." His hand slithered up my bare arm. "We don't want anything to happen to you."

I smiled a little trying very hard to hide my disgust. No one has ever touched me like that. The last time I was touched it was by Bruce. "When do I start?"

"You leave tomorrow morning. Your partner will meet you in Gotham. And I shall be calling you when you arrive." Henri removed his hand from my skin and stood from the table. "Don't disappoint us Evangeline."

I took this as my cue to leave. Gladly I stood. "No, of course not." I left without looking back at him but I felt his smoldering stare burn into my back. I now belonged to the League, but mostly importantly I belonged to Henri Ducard.

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Gotham was rotting away...still. Quite frankly I was not surprised at all, I knew long ago it was a doomed city. And the people who tried to save it were only hopeless souls that were damned. When I stepped out of the jet my stomach was in knots because I came back to the one place I had vowed to put behind me. How did I allow myself to comeback to the place where he dwelled? No matter what I did, the shadow of Bruce Wayne still lingered and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it. I couldn't even fathom the thought of dating other people because in the end they wouldn't be Bruce. As much as I despised him, his handsome smoldering face never left my thoughts.

I am sure he has forgotten about me. No doubt in my mind he was with his childhood love.

I sighed as I saw a black Mercedes pull up. I guess this was my partner-or body guard as Henri had put it. But wouldn't it cause suspicion? Trying to blend in with Gothamites and have a body guard in tow. Hopefully Henri had a more discreet plan for this so called guard.

Before I reached the back door to the Mercedes, a tall man decked out in all black stepped out of the vehicle. He was everything an average woman would want but he would be out of their league. He was pale skinned and his blond hair was that of pure gold. His eyes held you with a compassionate gaze that the color of them matched his hair. He seemed so surreal. Why would a man as handsome as him work for the league of Shadows? Clearly he looked as if he can achieve better status than just a guard.

He smirked and extended his hand to me. "You must be Miss Vesper."

I nodded and took his hand into mine. Perfect fit. "And you are?"

"Ethan Crawford." He looked into my eyes as if trying to read me, but once again there was no emotion on my face. His voice was calm and smooth.

"Pleasure to meet you ." I removed my hand from his and got into the car. I really wasn't in the mood for chit chat or any of that "let's get to know each other" crap. All I wanted to do was hide out in the apartment until I received further instructions from Henri.

Ethan loaded my luggage in the trunk within five minutes and then took the drivers seat and sped off to my new home. As I looked out the window, I noticed from the corner of my eye he was stealing a few gazes at me from the mirror. What was he trying to find out? Clearly this was getting quite annoying but I didn't want to give it attention by pointing it out.

After an hour of silence he uttered the first words.

"I bought the newspaper on my way to pick you up, thought you would like to know what is currently going on in Gotham." He passed the newspaper to me never taking his golden eyes off the road.

"Thank you." I murmured and took the newspapers out of his hands. I really wasn't interested in it but I thought it would be smart to be informed. But my eyes shifted to the most terrifying headline.

"After six months of a rigorous search for the Prince of Gotham...he has now been declared dead."

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A/N: Helloo! I am so sorry I delayed this! I was really busy and my muse shifted somewhere else but I finally got it back for this story! Please review! Hope you enjoyed this...more to come :)