FINALLY! This chapter took FOREVER because... well, I didn't really like some of it, so I had to change it, and then I wasn't sure what to write, and then when I finally did figure out what to write I wasn't sure if I liked THAT either... I'm still not sure if I like this or not, but it's probably the best I can do right now. I know most of the chapters haven't really gotten the story going very far, but hopefully this chapter will change that. It's finally kind-of over the beginning hump. Please enjoy and REVIEW!

~Ani

They drove for a considerable amount of time, all through which Bruce had observed Alaina nervously watching for cars coming toward them on the narrow two-way road, clutching the handle on the car door and shutting her eyes every time a car passed. He only barely understood why. The news he had watched the night of the call from Doctor Moreno had been scarce, briefly covering the deaths of his friends, and the small bit of information he'd managed to get from the hospital staff gave him reason to believe the crash had been head-on.

Other than the information he'd gathered from his own observations, he knew nothing else about the accident. He'd spoken with the doctor and discovered that Alaina was pretty much in the same predicament. She couldn't recall the initial accident or any of the details, but she had flashbacks every once in a while. It would terrify her and leave her trembling, but she wouldn't tell anyone what she saw.

As they pulled up to the long road leading to his estate, he once again looked into the rear-view mirror.

Alaina was staring out the window, unresponsively taking in the scenic trees and bushes lining the road. She was no longer crying, having dried her tears a few minutes after they had appeared. But as they approached the mansion, her eyes grew wide.

"Here we are, sir." Alfred announced as he drove the car through the entrance gate and parked in front of Wayne Manor. Bruce and Alaina opened their car doors and stepped out, Alaina shutting hers and standing still, staring at the enormous mansion. She wasn't sure what to make of the Gothic-looking architecture, the manor towering and only the tallest tree reaching the same height as the highest point on the roof. Bruce walked over to her and took her bag from her hand, carrying it in his own. He had a feeling that if he had offered to carry it she wouldn't have responded. She looked at him as he shouldered it and he gave her a small smile. She quickly looked away, returning her attention to the house. He tried making conversation.

"I know it's… well, huge." Bruce said. "But it's home. Would you like to see the inside?"

And to his small pleasure, he received the first sign of communication from her.

She nodded.

As they stepped through the massive front door, the grandeur of the mansion became clear to her. They first stepped into the parlor, with marble floors as far as she could see. The open space contained marble columns reaching all the way to the ceiling. Off to the right, a few tables and embroidered couches took up the middle space along with large resting chairs. China shelves and pictures lined the walls and a chandelier hung from the ceiling, lighting the enormity of the room. A vast rug lay to the left, where lounge chairs, another couch, and a coffee table sat together by a giant open window.

"Welcome home." Bruce said with a smile. He led her through and past the parlor, entering a hallway and another living room which held a massive rug, a long, winding couch, and a very large, very expensive-looking television. After introducing this as the living room, he showed her the rest of the enormous house. There were many other rooms and many halls, Bruce narrating the tour the entire time. There was the entertainment room, the dining room, the kitchen, the west wing, the east wing, and the library; the gym, drawing rooms, guest rooms, bedrooms, rooms that seemed to have no specific purpose, and many more that Alaina had lost track of or lost count. When they finally climbed up an immense staircase and Bruce showed her to her bedroom, she honestly didn't know what to expect.

"Here it is." He said, opening the double doors. The room was enormous, much bigger than her old room. The canopy bed was high and queen-sized with a light pink and white comforter, the window large, letting bright sunlight pour into the room. Light pink curtains blew against the white walls. Dressers and shelves lined the walls; full-length mirrors poised next to them. A small hallway led into a master bathroom with marble counter tops and a tiled bath and shower. Another hallway on the other side of the room led to a large walk-in closet, complete with shelves and mirrors.

Bruce stood nervously in the doorway as she explored her new living space. When she was finished, she turned back to him.

"I hope you like it."

She looked down sheepishly. But he understood. He started to back up, taking a few steps toward the door. "I'll let you settle in. You can come find me downstairs it you need anything." She didn't respond. She merely lifted her bag onto the bed. Bruce sighed. He stepped back into the room and walked up to her.

"Look…" He began. She gazed up at him. "I lost my parents when I was eight years old. I may know better than anyone what you're going through." Their eyes locked. He continued with a determined look on his face. "I can help you, but you have to let me."

She stared up at him for a moment, Bruce trying to read her eyes, but she broke her gaze and, without a word, zipped open her bag and began taking things out. He was a little disappointed with her response, but nodded. He turned and stepped out, shutting the doors behind him. Leaning against the wall, he sighed.

As he walked down the stairs, he hoped that with every small encouragement, she would start to heal.

Alaina sat alone on the floor, back against the bed, staring into the empty quiet of her new room with clenched fists.

She was disgusted with herself.

She hated herself for feeling what she had just felt.

When Bruce had opened the doors to her room, she had actually been excited.

Excited.

Her parents were dead, and she had actually let herself become excited over something as stupid as a new room. Angry, hot tears filled her eyes as she grabbed a pillow off of her bed and threw it across the room.

How could she let that happen when her parents weren't there to share her excitement?

She broke into an angry sob. It was not going to happen again.

Well, that's that. I'm sorry if the description of the mansion was a little vague or it seemed sloppy. That was one of the parts that was giving me trouble, but in the upcoming chapters it will hopefully become clearer. Thanks a lot for reading and don't forget to REVIEW! =)