Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters except for Ophelia.

Authors Note: The only thing different in this chapter 10 then the one before is the page break things. Thanks to KofBlades that pointed it out! I swear I already did them but I don't know what happened. Mental Note: Always click on document preview thing first.

The Black Butterfly

Chapter 10

Coversations.

They say communication is the key to happiness. If its the key then wheres the door? The one thing I regret was not talking to my father as a child. He knew more about the world then anyone else would ever know.

I tried to leave the girl out of my mind but it was to hard. I was pretty sure it was the same girl that was trying to contact Richard. He said something about a mirror. What does that mean? I always knew Richard would leave one day. Batman knew it. Batgirl knew it. Everyone except Richard knew it. I just never really thought about it. Is it happening know? If its his destiny, whats mine?

Richard walked onto the porch, hand on his forehead.

I glanced up at him from my deck chair, "Richard? Are you okay?"

A weak smile appeared across his face and he sat down, "Is hasn't been this sunny in a while," He stated.

I frowned, "Richard?" I asked.

He sighed, "I keep having these dreams. There's a mirror, then there's a girl. Her eyes are closed and she's muttering something. Then she opens her eyes and I wake up,"

I bit my lip, "Is she pretty?" I asked.

Richard looked alarmed for a moment then he raised an eyebrow, "What?" He asked.

My face burned red and I turned away, "Uh, nothing," I replied.

"Richard?" I asked.

"Yes," He replied slowly.

"What do you think is going to happen when were older?" I asked.

He stared off into the distance, "I don't know Phee. Maybe we'll leave, maybe we'll stay."

"Babs won't," I told him.

"Babs won't what?" He asked.

"Babs won't leave."

"What about you?" He asked quietly.

I turned around and blinked, "I don't know. I guess we'll just wait and see." I closed my eyes for a moment. Trying to forsee the future.

Nothing happened.

"Richard?" I asked.

"Yes," He replied.

"Just promise me one thing,"

"Promise you what?"

"That no matter what we'll always be friends,"

Richard looked at me and smiled, "Wouldn't dream of anything else,"

"Richard," I said.

"Yes," He replied, "I promise."

...
...

I knocked on the door.

"Yes?" The stern voice asked.

"It's me," I replied.

"Come in,"

I opened the door and wandered into the room. It smelt strongly of lavenders.

"Your mother's favourite,"

I smiled.

"Is everything all right?"

I frowned.

The man stood up and made a gesture with his hand. I followed and sat down.

"I know why you don't want me to fight,"

The man bit his lip.

"He killed her. He killed her and you don't want me to end up that way."

The man sat down.

"I can't promise you anything. Just like you can't. We don't know what's going to happen in the future. Nobody does. I understand how you feel, I just wish you'd understand how I feel."

The man blinked.

"I do,"

I looked up at him strangely, "You do?" I asked.

"Your right. I am scared. Scared of the future, scared of what's to come. Nothing's over till it's over and it's not over yet. You were right, we need you. But I'm also right, I can't train you. Your powers, their something different. I don't know how they work only you do. I know Richard's helping you. You don't need to hide it. Just promise me one thing."

I nodded.

"Promise me that if your ever in trouble you will call me,"

"I promise,"

The man rummaged through his shelves then held out his hand.

"A communicator. I don't understand."

The man walked over to where I was sitting and gently put the small device into my hand.

"Whenever you need help." He said.

I smiled and pulled him into a hug, "Thanks dad," I said.

My father smiled, "Anytime,"

...
...

"The weather's been unusal lately," Alfred pointed out.

I put down the potato and looked through the window. Raindrops fell down heavily as the trees swayed.

"But it was so sunny this morning," I told him.

He handed me another spud and I quickly peeled it.

"Alfred, how come you know so much about me?" I asked.

The elderly man chuckled as tomato juice sprayed onto his clothes.

"I knew your mother very well. I was very interested in her culture and she shared alot of her experiances with me,"

I put another spud into the bowl and looked up at Alfred, "Tell me please,"

"Well, the Tamaranian culture is very hard to explain. Like us they have lots of holidays, some are much different then ours and I believe there was even Pudding for all feelings which reminds me of the chocolate pudding your mother once fed me,"

I looked up at him.

"Well she told me it was Chocolate. It looked like chocolate except for the brown was a much lighter then normal. I wasn't going to be rude which I soon found out was my flaw."

I giggled as he chucked me another spud.

"Your mother was quite used to the earth culture though. Her father would take her on trips as soon as she turned twelve. They made quite the tourists that pair. Your grandmother on the other hand was an advisor to the Grand Rulers. They never spent that much time together."

"Grand Rulers?" I asked.

"Yes, a King and a Queen. Very nice people apparantly."

"What else,"

"Well she warned me about Transformation. She said when you were fifteen years old it would happen to you. She was very nervous about that. She didn't know what happened to half Tamaranians. So I read up on it after she passed away."

"Passed away?" I asked, "Alfred, she was murdered,"

Alfred sighed, "Yes, it was a very horrible thing indeed,"

"Tell me please Alfred,"

The man looked at me quite alarmed, "No Miss Wayne." He said sternly.

"Alfred, I have a right to know," I said.

"I do not think it is my place to tell you," He said.

"But all dad's ever told me was that a man named Slade killed her. I don't know the rest,"

"Your dad told you that it was Slade?" Alfred asked surprised.

My face turned red, "Not exactly, I heard him muttering it in his sleep,"

Alfred sighed, "Your father is extraordinary Ophelia. Nobody knows what he's been through,'

"Then tell me," I pleaded.

The elderly man sighed again, "Sit down Ophelia,"

I did as I was told and sat down. The rain pattered against the walls of the house and I felt almost afraid.

Almost...