A/N - I know it's late...but better than never. To say that I was having a writers block is an understatement. I hope that you all enjoy this and I hope that my updates will be more often.


"Photographers at one o'clock," she told him bitterly, as she turned back to the table in front of them. "The first time in a long time that we're all out together and they're here."

"I'm not surprised," Bruce said, standing up from the table and walked around to the otherside to help himself to more food. Alfred assisted and held open the cooler. "They probably got wind of Clara being in Wayne Tower and followed us."

"If anything, they're simply wanting to catch a snapshot of the Wayne family enjoying themselves," Alfred added as he sat across from her. "No harm done."

Emily sighed and put a smile back on her face. "You're probably right. I'm going to have to get used to keeping a closer eye on Clara when we're out now."

She looked out at the playground as she spoke and glanced around the slides. Her eyes scanned each climbing structure for the little girl in the private school uniform. She had stuck out like a sore thumb being the only child wearing blue and white tartan skirt with a white top. But now, she couldn't see her anywhere.

"Bruce," she began. Her tone of voice when she said his name was enough for him to turn to her. "I can't see Clara."


Bruce felt his heart leap into his throat when he heard Emily voice those words. He was certain his blood pressure just rose a few good notches. As trained as he was to bring down criminals on the street, his fear for the wellbeing of his child seemed to trump it. He turned to look at the play structure behind them to find that he couldn't see Clara either. He knew that Clara would never run off. The girl had a tendency to stick nearby where she could see them for her own comfort.

"She's probably on the other side. I'm going to go check by the the end of the slides," Emily said, putting a smile on her face as she stood up from the table. "That girl is probably making a pile from the wood chips on the ground. She's going to be filthy."

Bruce coulld hear the concern in her voice as she attempted to downplay the fears that were wreaking havoc in her mind.

"I'll come with you," Bruce said as he turned and walked beside Emily, leaving Alfred at their table.

Neither spoke as they approached the playground. They didn't have to. As they would and have done many times in the night, they separated and circled around the playground. Bruce's eyes scanned the highest reaches of the climber. He paused and smiled politely to the children who darted past him as they ran around in a game of tag. It wasn't unti he caught sight of Emily on the far side of the climber and see her shake her head that he was really concerned.

Bruce ran his han through his hair and turned, scanning throughout the rest of the park and looking past the people walking along the pathways until he caught a glimpse of a small group of children. He had to squint to see if Clara was in that bunch. The children were surrounding a pair of dogs on a leach while the owner crouched down beside his pets to their level and seemed to be talking to a dark haired girl and shaking her hand, whom Bruce was certain was Clara upon seeing the familiar tartan skirt.

It can't be her, Bruce thought. She'd never talk to someone she didn't know.

"Clara!" he called out, with his hands cupped aroudn his mouth.

The girl turned, startled at hearing her name being called loudly.

Rather than shout again, Bruce gestured with his arm for her over to come to him. He watched as she quickly turned back to the man beside her to say a few words, before running back towards Bruce.

The dog owner, a man with a ballcap stood up from where he was crouching and waved at Bruce before excusing himself from the children that had gather around his dogs. Bruce watched as the man pulled th leashes and continued on his way along the path.

Bruce sighed in relief as his fears were subsiding as he watched Clara run back towards him. Those fears were being replaced with anger and Clara noticed it on his face as she approached him. The smile on her face quickly faded.

Bruce didn't say a word when she came up to him. He simply took took ahold of her hand, turned and walked back towards the picnic table. Clara kept her head down as they walked and tears came to her eyes.

"Alfred, we're going home," Bruce said curtly as they approached the table.

"I assumed so, sir. I've already begun to pack things up," Alfred stated, glancing at Clara as he put some items into the cooler. He hadn't seen her face but the sniffing that she was doing was pulling on his heartstrings. But he wasn't the parent in this matter.

"Clara, where were you?" Emily asked, a little miffed as she walked up to the table.

The young girl turned to Emily.

"Talking with a man on the walking path," Bruce replied harshly for her.

Emily was visibly shocked as she turned back to Clara.

"Clara, you know that you're not supposed to talk to strangers," Emily said, with more than a hint of exasperation and disappointment.

"I know," the girl finally said.

"Then, what were you thinking?"

"Everyone was looking at his dogs. And he said that he knew you," Clara explained as she looked back to Bruce, her voice choking back a sob. "He said that his dogs had puppies and if it was okay with you, I could have one. Can I?"

Bruce could hear the desperation in her voice as she spoke.

"Absolutely not," Bruce growled. He pulled out his keyfob and aimed it at the Audi in the parking lot not too far from where they sat. The car's lights flashed as the doors unlocked and the alarm was disarmed.

"Get in the car. We're going home."

The sob that she was holding suddenly erupted as she sulked her way to the Audi. Bruce watched his daughter walk sadly to the car and climb into the back seat before he let out a sigh.

"You certainly were more calm about this than I thought you would be," Emily commented, as she picked up the table cloth and shook it out before quickly folding it.

Bruce scoffed.

"I think that girl just added more gray hair to my head," he said as he picked up the cooler and followed Alfred towards the car.


He hated kids...and dogs.

Why did I have to be the one to go to the damn park and drag the two mutts along with me? I'm better than this. I could have spent my morning easing the pockets of some of Gotham's staunchiest players in the park. But no!

The man knew why. He was promised a payout in the thousands, just for simply talking with the kid and giving her that old bracelet. It would take him days of pickpocketing to get that cash. He sat down on a park bench and tucked the leashes under him before reaching into his pocket to pull out his cell phone. He waited for someone to answer.

"It's done," he stated. "Wayne's kid has it."

"Good," came the reply, the 'D' being emphasized.

"So, when do I pick up my payment?"

"Uh, soon."

The man wasn't too impressed. He shifted on the bench and leaned forward.

"Look man, the deal was, I do this job and I get paid."

"Fine. Meet me at the corner of West Avenue and Yorkshire at six tonight. I'll have your payment."

"All 8 grand of it," he stated.

"All 8 grand."

The man turned off his cell phone and pocketed it before grabbing the leashes from under him.

"Come on, you mutts," he said, tugging on their leashes as he made his way down the vacant walkway.


The ride home in the Audi was silent except for the occasional sniff from the backseat passenger. Clara gently touched the metal bracelet in her hand and folded her hands when Emily would look at her.

Bruce had dropped Emily off at the clinic. She had simply turned in her seat and put her hand on Clara's knee, causing the young girl to look up at her.

"We'll talk about this when I get home in a few hours," Emily had told her.

She then turned to Bruce and kissed him on his lips before whispering softly to him, "go easy on her."

So now, they rode in silence back to Wayne Manor. Clara momentarily looked up at the rear-view mirror and saw her father's eyes as he co ncentrated on the traffic around them. The exhaustion that had been kept at bay for hours was creaping over him and he had to open the window to allow the cooler air into the car in order to keep his concentration. Clara finally looked away when she realized that he wasn't going to make eye contact with her. She went back to looking ou the window as they pulled into the Palisades towards Wayne Manor.

No sooner had they stopped the car, both Bruce and Clara climbed out and headed straight for the front door. Alfred, who had arrived before them was waiting at the door. Clara ran past him, and stomped her way up the stairs. It was obvious that Bruce had said something in the form of sending her to her room. Alfred turned to Bruce was he walked through the door and smiled politely at the younger man. He could see the exhaustion in his eyes.

"I'm going to lay down," Bruce said to Alfred as he pinched the bridge of his nose while he walked towards the stairs that his daughter had just stomped up. "I need to catch up on some sleep."

"Of course," Alfred said beside him. "I'll keep an eye on Clara. She has her piano recital tonight. Shall I wake you in time for it?"

"Yes, Alfred," Bruce replied and then paused before speaking. "What time is it for again?"

"Seven o'clock, sir."

"Then I'll see you at six," Bruce said as Alfred nodded and stopped in the hall while Bruce continued to his room. Alfred turned and headed back down the stairs.

Bruce cotinued down the hallway and paused at Clara's closed door. For as much as he wanted to discuss what happened at the park with Clara, he knew that it probably wouldn't be a good idea at the moment. He knew how he could get when he was tired and grumpy. Emily was always better at keeping her emotions in check when it came to dealing with Clara. Bruce and Clara were just too much alike when it came to personalities and Emily could easily diffuse Bruce's anger and bring a smile to Clara's face within moments.

With a sigh, he continued down the hallway and closed the door to his room.


Emily was surprised when she walked into her room later that day to find Bruce already awake. She had just returned home from work and was told by Alfred that Bruce wanted to be woken for six o'clock. Before walking into the room, she had prepared herself for a long, grueling ordeal in trying to pursuade the man to wake up. It wasn't very often that he woould wake before he intended to and if he did, something was wrong.

"You're up," Emily commented, causing Bruce to turn to her as he pulled his black t-shirt over his head.

"Gordon just called. I have to meet him downtown in little over an hour."

Emily looked down at her watch, and then at the digital clock on the nightstand, ensuring that the time was right.

"Clara's recital is in an hour," she reminded him.

"I know," Bruce told her. "And I'll be there. I promised Clara I'd be there and I'm keeping my word this time. I'll meet Gordon and then make it out to the concert halll."

"You'll miss a part of it," Emily stated, crossing her arms.

"I called her teacher to check when Clara is playing," Bruce said. "She isn't on until the halfway point so I'll have enough time to get back."

Bruce could see the concern on Emily's face. He walked over to her and ran his hands down her arms.

"I'll be there," he assured her.

"Did Gordon at least say what this is about?"

Bruce shook his head and shrugged. "He texted and wanted to meet. Said it was important."

Emily nodded before looking back up at Bruce's eyes. "Then you'd better make it back as soon as you can or I'll beat the crap out of you."

A smile grew on Bruce's lips and he wiggled his eyebrows. "Oh really? I'd love to see that."

Emily chuckled. "Oh, you know that I can." She leaned in and whispered. "I know your weakness."

"Mom?" a small voice asked from the door.

Emily turned and Bruce could see Clara standing in the doorway to their bedroom, her hair curled on her shoulders and wearing a black dress. In that moment, she appeared to be older than seven years old. Bruce could see how she reflected so much of Emily. She'd look so much like her Mother when she's older.

"Clara, that dress looks wonderful on you," Emily said, waving Clara closer to her to get a better look. She could see her daughter glance at Bruce and by her awkward nature towards her Father, it was obvious that Bruce hadn't spoken to her since that morning. "What do you think, Bruce?"

Bruce smiled and glanced to Emiy befoe turning his attention to Clara.

"I think you look beautiful," he said, walking over to her. "Just like your Mother."

Bruce caught Emily's playful eye once more as she grabbed her dress from where it hung by the door before she disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Bruce alone with Clara. Bruce sat down on the edge of the bed so tha the was at her level.

"You scared me today," he told Clara. "I thought something had happened to you. You are so special to me and I would't want you to get hurt."

Clara nodded silently.

"I'm sorry," she said, softly as Bruce smiled.

He looked at her dress and put a finger to his lips. "You're missing something."

Clara looked down as though it was written plainly on her. "What?"

Bruce stood up and went to the closet and pulled out a box. Clara followed and sat down on the bed, watching her Father.

"I picked this up for you on my last business trip to Metropolis and I was going to save it for your birthday, but this is a special day," he said, pulling the short gold necklace from the box.

Clara's eyes widened and the smile grew on her face as Bruce held it out towards her. The small gold looped heart landed on her palm.

"Daddy, it's so pretty," she said, exuberantly. "It looks like Mom's."

Bruce nodded, knowing that Clara had been eying Emily's necklace for the past year and purposely set out to find a matching one. He reached down and took it from her hand before unclasping it and wrapping it around her neck to attach it.

"It's too bad that your bracelet doesn't match it," Bruce said, pointing at the silver metal chain around Clara's wrist. "I don't think I've seen that one before."

Clara shrugged. "The man at the park found it and gave it to me."

"Really?"

Bruce reached forward to touch it and noted immidiately that it was simply costume jewelry that another child must have dropped in the grass before the man had picked it up. He sighed.

"I wont talk to anyone I don't know again."

Bruce smirked, just as Emily suddenly walked out of the bathroom, dressed and with her hair down. She worked a hair pin into her hair as she walked past Bruce and Clara to look in the mirror.

"Clara, get your shoes and coat on. Tell Alfred that we're going to leave shortly."

Clara nodded as she slid off the bed and then paused to look at Bruce. He was in blue jeans and t-shirt.

"Aren't you getting ready?"

Bruce smiled. "I'll meet you there. I have something I need to do first. I promised that I'd be there, right?"

Clara nodded, as Bruce tapped the tip of her nose with his finger and smirked.

"I'll be there."

With that, Clara smiled and left the room to find Alfred and get ready to leave. Bruce turned to Emily who stood in her lavender knee length dress in front of the mirror. He couldn't help but walk up behind her and wrap his arms around her waist as she fiddled with the hairpin.

"You're going to cause me to be late, Mr. Wayne," Emily scolded him playfully as she caught his eyes in the mirror's reflection.

Bruce took a deep breath, inhaling her scent that unmistakenly her own.

"You're beautiful," he whispered into her ear.

"And you're going to get us both into toruble if you keep this up," she quickly retorted with a chuckle as she put her arms down, now that she was satisfied with how she looked.

Emily turned around in Bruce's arms and put her hands on his cheeks before leaning in to kiss his lips.

"Don't be late," she warned him after breaking the kiss.


He tried to call him again once he got the results. It was no use - he'd be there within a few minutes. It would be heading out to the news outlets within the hour. Gordon knew how important this news was and knowing how it would affect not only Batman but Bruce Wayne made him feel sick to his stomach to have not spotted the mistake sooner.

"There you are!" Gordon gasped the moment Batman's feet hit the rooftop. Gordon quickly opened the file folder and pulled out the medical examiners photo of the charred remains of the Joker.

"It's not him. It wasn't the Joker."

It just spilled out of Gordon's mouth.

"We weren't sure until a half hour ago," he explained. "The DNA matched but dental records are for an Arkham inmate named Jacob Branston. Some dingbat in the ME's office must have screwed this up or it was an elaboate cover up. We're still trying to piece together who was responsible. But that's not all."

Batman pieced together what Gordon was telling him as he handed him anohter photo of a man, with horrible, oozing cut marks coming from the corners of his mouth.

"We picked up this DOA downtown a few hours ago," Gordon told him. "The killing matches the Joker's MO and he works for the medical examiners office. I don't think it's a coincidence. We have a BOLO out on the Joker now."

Gordon's radio began to squak from his hip, but Batman didn't pay any attention to what he was hearing. His mind was transfixed on the image in front of him as the horror of the situation became a reality.

Batman had seen this face before. His mind's eye travelled back to that afternoon to the man who waved back at him. The same man who had spoken with Clara; who had given her the cheap bracelet.

"There's a situation downtown," Gordon said, hurriedly heading towards the door leading towards the stairs. "Shots have been fired outside the concert hall downtown. Reports are coming in that they have had a visual on the Joker. I'll send some officers over to your place to keep an eye out."

"Don't bother," Batman growled, his anger building as he walked to the edge of the building. "I'll meet you at the concert hall. My family is there."