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Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephesians 6:10

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Little Blue Eyes

Chapter 3 : Breakfast Blues

Gotham City; the same day

The knock came early in the morning. Uriah dragged himself from the bed of one of the older girls; trudging down the steps in a woman-beater stained with perspiration and greasy jeans. He opened the door and peered into the sunlight.

"What is it?" He growled.

A man, who resembled Elvis Presley, stepped into the doorway. "I came for some remedies;" He chuckled. "Younger if you get my drift."

Uriah nodded. "Sure thing. I have the perfect girl for you," He led the man inside and up the steps. Telling the man to wait a minute, he stormed into Fina's closet-like room. "Get dressed!" He howled. "Someone's come to see you-" He stopped mid-sentance.

The bed was frumpled and empty. The clothes were gone and so was her backpack and the picture on the wall. Everything was gone. And so was she.

"SERAFINA!" He boomed. "I'll kill her," He muttered. Grabbing a red and black checkered button down, he threw it on and pushed passed the man. "Sorry, but you'll have to come back later." Uriah stormed out the door.

He'd find her this time.

And then he'd kill her.

Penthouse; 8:00 a.m.

The door rapped slightly and Alfred rushed to get it. Fina had sat on the couch most of the time. She stared out the large window-walls. Bruce watched her from the small kitchen area and furrowed his brow. Such a small child to be troubled. She was so wounded. Bruce's heart broke when she sniffled and whiped at her eyes.

"Breakfast is here," Alfred called. "Coming, son?" He teased. Bruce smiled slightly and pushed himself from the counter. Fina looked their way and then back out the window. Bruce looked over the food.

How was he supposed to feed her if she didn't come?

He looked for Alfred for help. "Uh...what do I give her?"

"This," Alfred handed him a small glass of milk. "And whatever she likes." He shrugged. He prepared Bruce's coffee the proper way and Bruce raised his eyes. He had no idea how to do this. This is what wive's and mother's were for...wasn't it?

God help me. "Hey," He walked across the penthouse and crouched before her. "You want some breakfast?"

She looked down, looking outrageously adorable yet sad at the same time. Fina remembered what Daddy had told her 'You eat anything other than what your sister gives you, and I'll bloody your lip!' Fear gripped her tightly. "No;" She added quietly.

"No?" Bruce mimicked. He thought fast. She was so thin and pale; he knew she didn't eat enough. But how would he get her to eat? "Tell you what, Fina, if you don't eat...uh...niether will I." He stood and decided to try and make her smile. Then she'd be happy and eat something, he finalized.

"You won't?"

He shook his head once firmly. "Nope," He crossed his arms and spread his legs a shoulder's length apart. "Not one bite."

"But I-I'm not hungry," She said shakily. Fina seemed to shrink back into the sofa. What was a guy to do?

"Ms Fina," Alfred called across the penthouse, "if you try and eat something, maybe later we can go for a walk?" He added, pouring some milk into a bowl. "Just you and I?"

For some strange reason, Fina seemed to relax when Alfred talked to her. Bruce rationalized that it was because she was abused by younger men such as himself. How was she supposed to trust him; when every other man in her life had hurt her? Bruce didn't know how long she'd be staying, only that he didn't want her to be afraid.

"Okay," She added, slipping from the couch and walking towards him. Bruce followed her from behind, noting that she carried a brown stuffed-animal, which resembled a dog. He had one eye and half a stitched mouth. It took everything within him not to slam his fist into the wall.

"Here, sit," Alfred cooed softly. She obeyed, and Fina looked down at the scrambled eggs with a sausage and milk glass. For some reason, she looked so strange; almost afraid to eat.

Suddenly, the girl began to breath shallowly. Her face paled and her eyes widend. In one swift movement, the girl ran from the table and for the bed. Bruce straightened and both he and Alfred watched her. She scrambled under it. They both heard sniffled and whimpers.

"My," Alfred whispered.

"I'll get her." He walked over to the bed and slipped onto his stomach to come level with her. She looked up through her hair at him, tearstained. His heart twisted. "Fina? Are you okay?"

"I-I can't eat it!" She sobbed. "I can't eat it, Mr Wayne!"

He must've looked confused. "Why?"

"I'm not allowed to!"

Not allowed to eat? She was abused.

"Will you at least eat some?" Bruce said, raising the corner of his mouth. "It'll make you..." What did his Mom always say? "...big and strong." He concluded.

"I have to eat it all?" She said, shocked.

Bruce nodded. "Yea. Is that alot for you?"

"I-I..." She seemed to inch farther into the darkness. "y-you're not going to hurt me if I do?"

He chuckled. "No. I'd never hurt you, Fina. Never."

"Never?"

Bruce shook his head. "Never."

She crawled out from the bed and inched forward back towards the table.

An hour later

Once breakfast was done, Alfred had taken Fina into the bathroom and preceded in giving her a bath. She wouldn't let him near the door. It was rational, of course, but shouldn't she be used of it? She was, well, experienced wasn't she?

The thought terrified him.

Bruce couldn't think of anything else to do. He decided to head down to the temporary cave, where he could think and run some files on the computer. Telling Alfred his plan, he was about to leave when a wet and mis-matched clothed Fina ran out of the bathroom towards him.

"You're not leaving are you?" She asked. Bruce blinked down at her, unable to speak.

"Uh...only for awhile. I'll be back soon," He added. "You stay here with Alfred, okay? He's going to..."he thought a moment and smiled. "he's going to take you out to get some new clothes."

"He is?"

"I am?" Alfred came out, bearing her towel on his arm. Bruce nodded and walked towards him.

"Yea, Al, I'm going to dig up some information on this Uriah guy. I need to make some calls. Keep her here and get her something to do."

"What do you suggest, sir?"

Bruce made a face. "Get her a...get her a dollhouse. Or...an Ipod, or a private jet, I don't care! Just find something for her to do while I'm gone!" Frusterated, Bruce strode for the door.

"Mr Wayne?" Came the small voice.

Bruce sighed deeply and turned around. "Yes...Fina."

"Thank you for helping me," She smiled up at him. "No one's ever helped me before. Besides Tara."

Tara. A sister? Mother? A lead. He told himself. "Who's Tara?"

She skipped over to sofa and shrugged. "She's one of Daddy's Girls. She helps me some."

Tone changing completely, Bruce stepped back in the door. "Does she have a last name?"

"Yep. Tara Owens I think," Fina made a face. "I'm not sure."

He looked to Alfred. "Okay. Your welcome, Fina," He said straightening. With quick steps, Bruce walked briskly towards the elevator.

And then he was gone.

Wayne Enterprises Construction Site, noon

"Sergant. This is Batman."

"Batman?" Came the startled responce. "Aren't you supposed to be...nocturnal?"

Bruce smiled as he read over the screen. "About the girl. I have a lead."

"Great. What?"

"Tara Owens," He rasped. "she's a 16-year-old prostitute for Serafina's father. The girl said she was a help to her. I'm going to check it out."

"Okay, we'll keep her in mind. She might be some help later." He coughed over the line. "Stupid cigar smoke...anyway, how is she?"

"Fine," He added quickly. "She's fine. Anything on the Joker?"

"We're laying low," Gordon began. "We got some undercover thugs working right now. Nothing so far. Maybe some contact with Meroni; but that's not clarified."

"Keep me informed."

"Sure thing."

Click.

Bruce messaged his temples. He knew he had to find this Tara girl otherwise Fina would be completely on her own. And so would he. Bruce had no idea how to raise a child, moreover actually provide for her. Tara could help him. She could also help him lock up this Uriah character for good. Heaven knew he needed it. There was one thing to do:

Rescue Tara Owens.

So...any questions, contact me and let me know! Thanks for your help and if you have any suggestions let me know, ok? I think I need some help on the plot...you decide! Thanks again and God bless! :)