A/N: So this chapter may seem filler, but it really isn't. I took a slightly different approach when writing this one, and I haven't reread it too many time before uploading, so make sure you tell me what you think! Stepping out of my comfort zone here people! Okay... go

Bruce Wayne woke up with a mind-splitting headache. It took him a while to sit up, and he thought it might have been from the weight in his head until he remembered last night. Looking down at his abdomen he saw the hastily sewn stitches that he had given himself to stop the bleeding from the Joker's shoe knife. The blade had somehow found a small chink in his armor that he would have to ask Lucius about later. Groaning, he got up and hobbled over to the bathroom to take some painkillers to subdue the aching throughout his whole midsection.

After he took a shower and put on some clean clothes, the painkillers had finally begun to take action and rinse his body of the soreness for the time being. He turned on the TV to the news, and saw that the clock in the bottom corner read 5:24 PM. "Damn," he thought, "I must be getting old." He chuckled to himself. He sat down on the bed to put on his socks and shoes when the sound of a breaking news report caught his attention. He looked up from his half-socked foot to see the clean-cut reporter on the screen looking somber.

"It seems as though after crashing Bruce Wayne's fundraising party last night," the man was saying in an official voice, "the man now known to Gotham as 'The Joker' decided to cause terror elsewhere in the city, after he was unable to kill Harvey Dent. Judge's Mark and Kathy Surrillo's car has been found, but only the remains." A video of the cops investigating what looked like a car that had exploded played across the screen, and the man continued talking over it. "Only what remains of two bodies have been recovered from the scene, and the two Judges are confirmed to be dead. The street was covered in partially burnt 'Joker' cards, confirming the killer." The reporter went on to explain how the Judges had been trying the mobs that had just been taken down by Harvey, but Bruce's mind wandered back to last night. He had just seen the two of them at his party, and didn't know how they had gotten out without being seen by the Joker. They must have gone down the stairs, or something of the like. He looked back at the screen.

"-Police have begun the search for their daughter, seventeen year old Lily Surrillo. She was not found in the burnt car with her parents, and witnesses say that she was seen in the captivity of The Joker himself when he fled the scene. The only evidence they have of her whereabouts were found in the video we have been demanded to show you. The contents of this next clip are severely disturbing, and we recommend that those who do not like the sight of blood, and all children, to leave the room at this time." The video began to play, and what Bruce saw began to tear at his heart. There was Lily, sitting on the floor of a dirty grey room, hair disheveled and tears running down her face. The video began to play out like the fake batman one from yesterday; he began asking her questions and she would weakly answer. Until he asked about her parents. She got a bit fiery, and Bruce knew what he Joker did when he was beginning to lose his grip on his victim's emotions; he would take her down a notch, painfully.

The video shook until it looked like the camera was on the ground, pointing at the side of all of Lily's upper body. As The Joker carved her up, Bruce let his mind wander to their encounter last night to keep it off what was happening on the screen.

Through the glass door Bruce could see that everyone was dressed in dark party dresses or suits. He entered and gave his speech about Harvey, which contrary to what Rachel thought afterwards, was sincere. He meant every word, and believed he may actually be able to hang up the suit if Harvey was out there cleaning up Gotham. As he reentered the party after his chat with Rachel, his eye caught a glimpse of rose pink off in the corner, standing out among the other guests' attire. It was a young girl, maybe in her teens, looking into her glass, which she was currently swirling around just to see the ice get caught in the whirlpool of expensive punch. She seemed bored, so Bruce took the opportunity to talk to the curious looking, out-of-place girl.

"Enjoying yourself?" He asked, causing her to jump slightly. She looked up, her eyes inquisitive.

"At the moment, not particularly," she said slowly, trying to sound nice. She must have known who he was, and didn't want to sound rude. He chuckled, and she looked at him like he had three heads.

"Amused, Mr. Wane?" She asked airily. "I'm sorry if you expected all of your guests to be having a grand time, but I don't think that I'm the gala type."

"I didn't think a young girl such as you to even be in attendance tonight," he said taken a little off guard by her confidence.

"I'll have you know, I'm seventeen, hardly a young girl."

"Well when you look at it from my perspective, you are definitely young," he said smartly.

"Fine, I'll give you that. How about we settle for young woman then, hm? How's that for your liking?" She looked at him, ready to gauge his reaction.

"Perfect." She smiled. This girl, erm, young woman, obviously didn't like to be underestimated.

"I didn't seem to catch your name," Bruce said, realizing he was being a little inconsiderate.

"Lily." She extended her small hand to him. "Lily Surrillo."

"Ah, so that's why you are here," he said, the pieces coming together. "Your parents are very important to Harvey, so it only seems fit for them to be at his charity ball."

"That you threw, may I add," she said, not missing a beat. "And yes, I suppose it would be strange for them to not be here, with all they have done for him. I guess I had to show my face once in a while, so I chose to grace your party with my presence." She bowed slightly in a comically dramatic way, waving her empty hand in small circles. He smiled at her strange personality.

"So, Mr. Wayne, is there anything you do other than entertain the wealthy and make billions?" She asked slyly.

"Well I do enjoy boating, I guess," he said, racking his brain trying to remember what he did before Batman.

"Now are you driving said boat or do you have someone do that for you?"

He chuckled. "I like to drive it myself. Gives me a certain rush," he said simply, thinking of when he drove the tumbler.

"I know the feeling." He looked at her surprised.

"Do you now?"

"Yeah. I have had a few brushes with criminals before. Nothing too big, just muggings and the like. There was a certain feeling of excitement when I could escape, and get back to my home without a scratch."

"I see. So you can handle yourself then."

"Oh yes. I took it upon myself to enroll in a few self-defense classes. I know what's out there Mr. Wayne. There is only so far a seventeen year old girl can walk on her own in these streets, and I am determined to walk farther than the average." She had a look of determination that impressed Bruce.

"Well Ms. Surrillo, I wouldn't want to meet you in a dark alleyway," he joked lightly, and she smiled. He was about to continue when his phone rang.

"Sorry, but I have to take this," he said, noting the caller I.D. "It was nice talking to you Ms. Surrillo. I hope to see you again sometime."

"It's alright. Maybe I can convince my parents to leave early." She curtsied, and as she looked back up he saw the smile of amusement across her face. She walked away slowly, a little inexperienced in her high heels. Smirking, he took the call and hurried off to find Harvey.

He had enjoyed talking to her, having a normal conversation for once. In no way was he attracted to her; that would be pedophilic. Besides, he had Rachel to wait for. No, their short lived relation seemed more like a fatherly friend. She was funny, yet polite, and it intrigued him. In fact, he hadn't remembered seeing her when the Joker had made his entrance. He had been relieved that she wasn't in any danger; he couldn't stand it when the youth of the world were threatened. Now, seeing her lying there, helpless with her body marred by the Joker seemed to be a personal blow to him, not Batman. The Joker was claiming her as his own property, and he couldn't take it. He barely caught what the Joker was saying at the end, about not killing her just yet. He didn't know if he should be relieved by that or feel even worse. Most likely the later.

Bruce knew he should have continued on when he saw the bat signal. Instead he had decided to continue home and stitch himself up. He would never forgive himself if she died. It was his fault, he probably could have stopped the kidnapping.

He began planning her rescue as he rushed to his computers to study the clip a little better. He wouldn't let her suffer, not anymore than she already had.

Alright, so I'm writing the next chapter and need to know:

a. The memories thing was cool, and I should do more of the flashbacky type stuff

b. Don't do flashbacks, stick to present time.

Just comment a or b in the revies box, and it will help me write the next chapter quicker! I'm knida stuck at a fork in the road and I need you opinions! (and if you have your own ideas, let me know!) A big thanks to anyone who has already reviewed! Your praise (and criticism) helps get this written faster!