It seemed like forever that Haven was sitting in that same spot, tears just dripping from her eyes. Her father had just... left. Told her she shouldn't worry about things and left. He didn't apologize for not telling her and keeping the information, he didn't offer an explanation. Nothing. And how in the world was she supposed to not worry about something like her father being Batman?! There was no way that worry could be chased away.

From somewhere in the house, she heard raised voices. Alfred and her father, probably something about Haven's knowledge or her father's lack of when it came to his daughter...

"Haven?" a soft, male voice asked, as a small knock sounded against her door. It had to be Jace, her new teacher.. Haven took a deep breath, quickly wiping her eyes before putting on a small smile.

"Come in," she called just loud enough for him to hear. The door creaked open and Jace peeked in shyly.

"Uh, um.. Hi, Haven," he stuttered, "I just wanted to, uh, say that, um, I... I'm really sorry about, uh, everything." Haven smiled at Jace, who really was sorry even though he was still acting. He had never lost somebody close to him- as the only one he was really close to was his mother- but he could only imagine having to say goodbye for her forever. Of course, he would probably be more afraid for her safety than upset at her departure..

"Oh, it's fine," Haven whispered, motioning for him to come in. Jace did, leaving the door open behind him, "It isn't your fault, it's just.. Well, in this house, I don't see much of my dad, and he was kind of like that figure in my life. Mr. Verking played the role as father, Alfred played as grandfather, and my dad... He was more like an older brother than anything. Sometimes there, sometimes not; sometimes we talked, sometimes we didn't.. The only times we really spend more than a few minutes together is holidays and birthdays. That's it."

Jace frowned. It seemed like he spent more time with his dad than she did with hers... and his dad threatened to kill him half the time.

"I mean, it didn't use to be like this," Haven continued, her voice growing weaker with each word, "When I was little, dad used to come in my room and talk to me.. It wasn't much, but it was something- a guaranteed ten minutes I had with him. I'm lucky if I get that much time within a week. And he.. he used to eat meals with me and Alfred. I just... he doesn't get it. I know he's busy... And I get that Alfred basically raised him, but that was because his parents both died and they couldn't do it! My mom is gone- I don't know if she is alive or not or anything about her! I don't even know her name! All I have is here, and my dad, and Alfred. I don't have friends. I haven't even met anyone besides the people who have come into this house and my own dad... he... he doesn't even have enough time to talk to me anymore.. he can't even take a moment to explain all that!" She pointed at the wall, at the mural she had made. Jace raised his eyebrows. So, she knew... And right now, she was tearing at the seams. Tears were streaking her face.

"I'm.. I'm really-" Jace started but stopped as Haven got up from the bed and stamped over to the cork board covered in all the pictures.

"Why can't he even take a minute!" she screamed, slamming her fist into the corkboard before she began ripping the articles off it, "Why can't he just take a few minutes for me!" Jace's eyes widened. He rushed over and grabbed Haven, trying to drag her away from the board that looked as if it took a long time to fill.

"Haven!" Jace called, breaking from the act and becoming his normal harsh self, "Haven! Calm down!"

"He doesn't care!" Haven screeched, fighting against Jace as she slapped the board off the wall, "He doesn't care about his own daughter!" That's when the fighting stopped and Haven collapsed, sobbing, into Jace's arms.

"What is going on in-" Jace heard Alfred say as he came into the room, but then he stopped. "Oh dear.." He rushed over and took Haven into his own hold. "Oh, my dear," Alfred cooed, scooping Haven up into his hold. He was, apparently, quite strong for an old man, "Calm down now, Haven. It's alright. How about some hot tea? Or hot chocolate?" Alfred laid Haven down on her bed where she continued to cry.

"I'll just.. I, I should go," Jace mumbled, going back to his pretended demeanor. He turned toward the door to see Mr. Wayne, looking very much pained as he stared at his daughter.

"He doesn't care about me, Alfred," Haven sobbed into her pillow, completely oblivious to her father's presence.

"Oh, Miss Haven," Alfred mumbled as Jace moved to the door, his head down, "Master Bruce does care. I promise you." Mr. Wayne closed his eyes tight before shaking his head and walking away. Jace closed the door behind himself, and then looked down the hall to watch Mr. Wayne who had turned to the wall. He was shaking, looking as if he was crying. He then banged his fists against the wall, angrily, causing two dents to appear where his fists had been. Jace allowed himself to jump before turning to scurry the other way down the hall towards his room, thinking over the job his father had given him...

"I just want you to get her to trust you," the Joker told Jace as he got ready, going over his story in his mind once more. Jace looked at his father, arcing his eyebrows.

"That's all?" Jace asked, knowing something was up. There had to be a catch.

"For now," his father had shrugged, "Just get her on your side, Jace. Gain her trust. Heck, get her to fall for you if you can! Just don't get too attached." Jace nodded simply before leaving his room and going to see his mom one last time before he left the house for who knew how long.

Jace found Harley in the kitchen, amazingly sober. It had been a while since he had seen her sober. She was cooking something- eggs, probably, as that was about all she knew how to cook.

"Hey, puddin!" Harley had said in her Brooklyn accented voice, as she turned to smile at her son. Jace smiled lightly back at her, even though her appearance made it hard. She had bags under her eyes and bruises on her uncovered arms. A new bruise was actually sprouting on her cheek.

"I'm going soon, ma," Jace said lightly, worried for mother's safety once he left.

"Oh I know," Harley told him happily, her smile growing a little. She came forward and hugged Jace close, her chin just reaching his shoulder. "Jace," Harley whispered, her voice barely even audible where Jace was, "I don't want you to come home... I want you to stick to your story and stay with the Wayne's. You will be safe there, and I want you safe. I know your father has some plan... but, once you get to that house, you will be safe. Don't come home." Harley then moved away, and smiled brightly at Jace before turning to face the stove. "I hope you have a good time, puddin!" she said happily.

Jace was confused, but he nodded all the same.

"See you, ma," Jace mumbled, then he turned and left the house through the kitchen's back door. It was getting dark, and he needed to get to Wayne Manor...

As he opened his door, Jace wondered just who to follow. His mother wanted him to stay, to ignore his father and stay safe. But, his father had his mother. If he didn't do what he said, there was always a possibility he could use Harley against him... No, Jace didn't know what to do. Not yet. For now, he would stick to his act, play the weak victim, and gain Haven's trust. From there, things would just have to fall into place.