Disclaimer: I don't own Batman nor I ever will. I wish I did. But I own my characters Tessa, George and Clea.

Chapter 21

Tessa

"Do you want to talk about it?" Bruce asked me as he gave me a mug that was filled with tea.

"Depends on what it is," I replied.

"I should've been there," he said.

"There wasn't anything you could've done," I said, burying my feet in my blanket.

It was only a few hours since we got back from the narrows and I stayed in the shower for a good twenty minutes cleaning myself before I got out. I've since changed into black sweatpants and a long grey shirt that was probably a size or two big on me.

After calling my parents to explain what happened, they were of course freaked and then they told me some things that

"I should've protected you," he said.

"I know, I know. Also, I think you should know about my past if you even call it that," I said.

"Sure just take your time with it," Bruce said, assuring.

I took a sip of my coffee before I launched into my story.

"Crane is my cousin. He was a few years older than me and we got along pretty well. From what my parents told me when I got older, his parents weren't on good terms. My uncle was my mom's brother and when my uncle got married, the marriage was fine until after they had Jonathan. When he was five, his parents died in a car accident. He was obviously devastated as we all were well I was only three then so I kind of got what was going on," I said.

"Were you two close?"

"We were when I got a little older. He came to live with us and I thought he seemed fine after what happened. Sure it took time but he was back to himself," I replied.

"So what happened?" he asked.

"One day when I was five when we were at a playground, I noticed that he was sad. I tried to get him to play with the other kids but it looked like he was planning something. I couldn't pinpoint what it was. Then after that, he started to change," I said.

I made myself pause, collecting my thoughts before I continued.

"He did things that I didn't understand. I thought maybe it was his way of the grieving process at the time since you know how people grieve differently but this was far from it. Sometimes whenever we were left alone, he did things to me."

"Did he ever…."

"Molested me? No. He made bruises and my parents thought that I was rough playing a few times whenever we played together but then it got worse," I said.

"I'm so sorry Tess," Bruce said.

"It's in the past, what was weird is that I pictured him in those flashbacks and when I told my mom, she said that I had repressed those memories in a way that I would forget and just went on like it never happened and Crane never existed," I replied.

"Have you seen him since that day?"

"The last time I saw him was after I'd gotten back from summer camp that year. It was two weeks before I started school and that visit didn't really go so well. He swore then he would find me and well look what happened," I said.

"But he's gone. He's locked away and I'll make sure of it," he said.

I could only give him a half smile as we continued to sit in the living room by the fire. I somehow snuggled up next to him but I wasn't sure if he didn't mind that I did it. I felt reassured when his arm went around my shoulders and we sat in content for the rest of the night; even with Trixie starting to come around to Bruce which I was surprised but not surprised.

"So let me get this straight, you and Bruce kissed each other and then you kissed Batman too?" Clea asked me as we were driving to work the next day.

"Pretty much," I replied.

"Damn girl," she commented. "How did that go with Bruce?"

"He doesn't know because I didn't bother to tell him," I replied.

"What?!"

I rolled my eyes at her reaction. I do love the girl but sometimes she can be a bit overdramatic, who hasn't?

"Look with Batman, it was a spur of the moment I guess. Besides I didn't know what was going to happen to either of us so it was safe to be sorry," I explained. "And with Bruce, I don't know it felt right but at the wrong moment yesterday."

"Did you guys at least talk about it?" she asked.

"A little but not really. Yesterday was too much of an eventful day. I mean, I know we'll talk about it at some point but I want things to settle down you know?"

"Yeah I get that," she said. "Oh my god you know what I just thought of?"

"Knowing you I'm afraid to know," I replied dryly which I got a dirty look from Clea.

"Very funny. Imagine if Bruce and Batman were the same person?"

"What?"

"I mean come on, it's just a crazy idea. But it would be so funny if that happened. I wouldn't even know what to do if that happened," Clea said.

"Me either," I said.

We finally got to work. I did have some nervousness on the way there since yesterday I almost died. My boss wanted me to take a few days to myself, but I was adamant on going back. I need to keep my mind off of what happened.

We walked in the back area through the kitchen where the chefs were too focused on making dishes for the customers outside. We got ready and I just stood by my locker.

"You need a minute?" Clea asked.

"Yeah just give me a sec okay?"

"Sure," she replied before she left the break room.

I took a deep couple of breaths. I grabbed my check pad and pen as I looked over my work clothes once more before I made my way to clock in for my shift.

When I got on the floor, I saw some people staring at me and a few were whispering and looking towards me.

I couldn't wait for my day to be over.

"Trixie," I called out. "Here kitty yummy time."

I walked down the hallway looking for the cat after I made her food. It was really strange since she's usually around when I was done making it.

"Oh Trix," I called out. "

I turned the corner and continued to look around.

"Where is that stupid cat?"

I walked down the hall when I past the door that had the library in it and out of the corner of my cat, the cat was sitting on the piano.

"Trixie!" I hissed. "Why are you in here?"

Trixie just continued to look at me as if she was saying, 'damn you caught me.'

"Come on we can't be in here," I said, snapping my fingers for her to come.

She stood up, stretching her body out before climbing down; hitting a few keys on the piano before opening up a secret door on the wall.

As Trixie casually strolled out of the room, I stood there; mouth dropped to the floor. I remember Bruce and Alfred saying that this room was off limits. Could this be the reason why?

Taking a chance, I walked over towards the open door and I pulled it open more only to see the hallway so dark. No light switch around nothing. I reached into my pocket and grabbed my phone. I shined the light in the hallway as I walked.

Why would Bruce have something like this in his house? It could be some panic room that he kept hidden for a while but why would he feel the need to hide it? Especially if Alfred knew?

I walked deeper and deeper until I saw nothing. Suddenly, I felt the floor beneath me move upward. I almost lost my balance as I felt myself levitate. When it stopped moving, I was met with the inside of a cave and I saw big monitors in front of me with a desk and a keyboard on the side desk.

This isn't a panic room.

I saw the devil himself sitting right in front of me with his back turned working on something.

"Alfred, good you're here. I was hoping to let you know that I'm going to be stuck here for a while so l need you to let Tess know I'm running late," he said.

"Why don't you tell her that yourself?" I asked.

I saw him stop moving. He slowly turned around and saw me in a shocked expression.

"Bruce, what is all of this?" I asked.

"Tess, there's something I've been meaning to tell you…"

I couldn't hear what he was saying as he came towards me. I remember seeing that sketch and the bruise that was on his face. I also remembered the night he came into my apartment. How could he have known that way before we've gotten to know one another? Then there was the time Batman came there too before Bruce did.

Unless…no it couldn't be, could it?

"Just tell me," I said.

Bruce stared at me before he said the words. "Tessa, I'm Batman."

A/n: Dun, dun, dunnnn.

Well I hope you guys liked it. I did have this planned out for quite a while now. I hope this met your expectations.

Also to note I won't be updating this story for a while due to the end of the semester *gag* and I do want to work on my other stories since I've been neglecting them for a while now so I do want to work on them. This will be finished don't worry!

The side story will be making its debut soon. I hope to post that once I'm done with one of my other stories as well.

Leave me some love! Thanks so much for sticking around! I couldn't have done this without your patience and support!

To my American readers, I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving while I somewhat did enjoy mine, the going to work part no so much. Also I wish a Happy Hanukkah to my readers who do celebrate the holiday.

See you guys on the flip side!

Spike