Pain was the first real thing she felt when Sam awoke. She felt the cool concrete disappear from beneath her, so cold, and suddenly she was being lifted up. The smell of garbage and filth surrounding her gave her a headache. The pain in her side radiated more than the one from her head, feeling the hole being pushed on, as if an outside pressure was being applied to it. Her eyes refused to open, wanting to conserve as much energy as possible. She also felt a sensation she was far too familiar with, the feeling of someone not long of this world, fighting as their soul was swept up in the inevitable current of the Styx. However, there was something different about this. She just couldn't put her finger on it.

"Damn it, Sam. You are not leaving me!" A voice said, it was warm and familiar to her. She wanted to stay in this warmth forever, a home welcomed to her whenever she wanted. Her body was not wanting to respond to it, no matter how much she command it to, it refused to move. Why? This was her home, was it not?

"Sam? Sam! Stay with me!" The voice shouted. She could feel more from it, more of love and acceptance, as if the pain was being ignored and was paying attention to the voice. She could stay in the voice forever. She could forget everything and just stay here, bask in the light the voice brought. She could forget this horrible night and awful memories. Leave everything behind, bathe in the warmth the voice brought her. But, she heard another voice bite back at her, one she knew, but did not like at all.

Wake up!

It was screaming at her, growling and barking profusely, giving light to what she had forgotten why she was in pain. Her thoughts once clouded in bliss, torn apart by cruel and recent truths. She had found Jason. Jason is the Arkham Knight. She had gotten him away from his men and Batman. They talked and before she could do anything else, felt a quick, but painful object pierce her body, entering and leaving as fast as it came. She then remembered, she fell after being wounded, but beyond that, she did not know.

She did not remember creating a safe place to land, she did not feel any other part of her body hurting accept the hole that was now in her side. But, she did feel something else. She felt arms around her, hands pressing down on the wound, applying pressure to it. She was confused at first, she did not know who was near her now, but she could guess it was Jason, given that he was the only person near by at the time and would try and save her. No random thug would try and save her. They would have choked her and searched her body for money.

She tried again to stir, give any sign that she was alive so that he would stop applying pressure. He was the last person she wanted to save her right now. She must have done something right, hearing him shout at her more.

"Sam? Sam! I'm here! It's okay! Just stay with me!" Jason said. Why was he trying to save her? Didn't he hate her? He wasn't the same Jason she wanted, wanting of darkness and destruction, so why was he trying to save her? She was so confused. She needed to get away, get away from him so that she could figure things out again.

She needed more energy, enough to give her the strength to get away from him. She felt her need to be away from him dwindling with every minute she was being held in his arms. She just wanted her Jason back, see him smiling in his goofy way and give them just the time they wanted. But, he was gone, and he wasn't coming back. She cemented her resolve and allowed her soul to pour what little energy she had focusing it all around her, feeling it burst as if a grenade had gone off. She felt the same arms propping her up leave her side and a grunt escaping his lips as he land a few feet away from her.

Her eyes opening quickly, her sight still blurred by her pain, but she ignored it and let her body focus on the world around her, feeling her way through the alley she had landed in, ignoring Jason's plea for her to stop, hobbling through the trash and multiple particles of broken objects, plastic and glass a like. She nearly fell as her foot was caught on something metallic and rough as it dug in to her ankle.

"Sam, stop!" Jason said. She didn't want to be near him anymore. He had done this to her, he had taken the one thing she wanted to keep in all of the world. Her faith in him was gone, she should have known better. She could hear him running after her, fear rising fast she made a quick decision, one she may regret later, but she needed to get away from him.

She let the Beast out to play.

The feeling of pain dissolved, giving essence of power and energy as her body gave way to the fur and claws that pushed past her boundaries of controlling. She did not wait for him to reach her as she felt her feet push hard underneath her, picking up speed as it ran as fast as it could. No destination in mind, it quickly was met with a chain fence, blocking entrance to the streets it wished to go to.

A low growl emanated from her chest, clawing the fence down, ignoring any screams that came from any thugs near by, may of who tried opening fire on her, only to have them stopped and land at her feet. She ignored them all. The feeling of wanting to be far from where Jason was, stronger than its need to attack what was attacking her. She could still hear him yelling to her, his voice distorted by the stupid mask he had now put back on. She looked around vigorously, wanting to find anything that could give her safety.

She picked up a small scent, one she knew all too well, but she knew she would be safe there. Her sights fell upon the Wayne Tower, a standing beacon of hope for her as she could feel a familiar energy pacing in the building at the top. A friend of Bruce was a friend of hers.

She did not look back as the beast leapt from her spot and from building to building, gaining momentum as she could see the building in range for one long jump, soaring in the sky as she felt the ache of her body return as the beast began to retreat back to her soul, spotting a ledge just outside of his office as she ungracefully fell on to the glass door and her body collapsing on to the floor. She made it to a safe place. One, she knew Jason would not follow her to, unless he wanted to die so badly. She was sure he didn't want to, but the memory of his voice echoed in her mind. The sound of worry and despair was evident, but she couldn't believe it. Only one person in this city had the correct tools to take her out, enough to rid her powerless and nearly kill her. No doubt it was one of men that took the shot, wanting to protect and or save their boss from the Monster. She had no doubt it must have been part of Jason's plan, keep her talking until his men were in range to fire on her.

She would not be fooled a second time. She tried to regain her composure, finding it difficult with the bullet wound growing worse and worse. She looked over to the closed shutters covering the windows she was hoping would open for her, but she should have known that they wouldn't just do it for her. She needed Mr. Fox to open them and he should be in the office if not in the building.

She placed her fingers on the small earpiece, remembering that it was muted for her conversation with Jason, she started pressing three different button placements, up up left down and the middle gave her access to Fox's communicator. She just needed to wait for the conformation tone to let her know that it was connected, relieved when she heard the annoying jingle when it had gone through.

"Mr. Wayne. I wasn't expecting you to contact me till the upgrade for your car was ready." Mr. Fox said. Sam grasped her side as she steadily pushed herself up against the rail, looking up at the night sky, drench in a cloud of rain and thunder. She still smiled through the pain. She should have known that Mr. Fox wouldn't recognize her call, but she loved his complete honesty in his voice when he talks to Batman.

"Mr. Fox. It's me. Sam. Can you open the shutters? I need your help." Sam said. She could hear the shock in his voice when he answered her. She laughed to herself when she could hear him hurry to the window.

"Miss McGommery. My apologies. I have forgotten you were still in the city. Of course, right away." Mr. Fox said. Sam listened to the sounds of the locks unlatching from their hooks and hearing the small siren letting her know the security system was still in place. As the shutter rose, Sam felt more and more of her strength leave her. Her legs turning to jello as she tried to move herself to the windows, feeling herself fall to platform, feeling the wet cold metal floor cause more pain to her side.

"Miss McGommery!" Mr. Fox yelled. She was sure the sight before him was not something he expected, finding her on the floor, bleeding to death.

Sam tried again to regain her strength, pushing her mush like legs underneath her, only to fall back to her side once again. She cursed at herself silently, feeling like nothing but a burden at this point. She felt hands grab on to her side, assisting her to her feet, she smiled as she saw that Mr. Fox was the one assisting her.

Well that was obvious. He's the only one here! Sam said to herself. She feared she was losing perspective on what was going on around her, the hole in her side was not helping her, but it was one of the things that was affecting her more. Which in turn, made her question something. If the bullet they fired was a regular bullet, why was she thinking so strangely?

She had barely processed what she was thinking before Mr. Fox placed her on one of the few chairs in the office. She looked around to see that even in the dark times she had gone through, being brain washed by Joker, being rescued from him, training with Bruce, and spending time with Jason that the one thing that always stayed constant was Mr. Fox helping out whenever he could.

"My word, Miss McGommery! What happened?" Mr. Fox asked. His voice drawing her back to reality. Blood loss was not the best thing right now. She need the wound to heal.

"One of the Arkham Knights men caught me off guard. Got a shot in when I was restraining him. Can you help me stitch it up?" Sam asked. She could see the look of shock on his face when he could see the wound completely.

It had festered and withered quickly, the blood clotting and pouring around her side like a tree in a river, diverting the flow of the water over twigs and rocks. She needed to heal quickly by the look on his face and she was going to need time, which was one thing she didn't have right now.

All of it was too much. Barbara being dead, finding Jason alive and well, but being behind this horrible night, her own life draining away. This was becoming so much more of a challenge than she thought this night would be. Her vision was beginning to blur, seeing only a few shapes and shadows now. Her mind was becoming numb and cold, as if ignoring the pain that was being caused to her.

She could hear Mr. Fox talking, but couldn't make out what he was saying. He could be telling her he would do the best he could to save her, but she couldn't hear. Her own was giving way to the silence that had befallen upon her and she wanted it to last forever. She was in sweet bliss, feeling nothing but her own mind sailing off to the darkness that surrounded her. She couldn't hear Joker anymore, a sweet blessing she thought would never be given to her.

Until something small and sharp entered her left shoulder, then something with a small twinge of a burning sensation brought her back to her senses, the world around her was still dark, but it took better shape than it did before. She was in Bruce's office. She had been shot by the Arkham Knights men, by Jasons men, she retreated to Wayne Tower for safe haven. She had forgotten why she was here for a minute.

"Sorry if this hurts, Miss McGommery, but I needed you to stay awake here. If you lose any more blood, you will go into shock." Mr. Fox said. Sam merely smiled at him and nodded slightly. She had remembered that Mr. Fox was the one she called to help her. She didn't want Bruce to know that she was injured, at least not yet anyway.

Moments passed by hearing nothing but Mr. Fox trying to stitch up her wound and her eyes fluttering about, trying to stay awake as long as she possibly could, though her mind and body wanted nothing more but to just let go. She kept feeling the twinge of the needle enter and leave her body, hearing the beast within her howl and snort uncontrollably, as if fighting for her own will to live and be again. Even hearing Joker incoherently talk in her ear was becoming nothing but just noise.

"Come on, Sammy! You die now, you'll never get to see how this all ends! Batman will be gone! I promise you that, Sam! If I can't take you, then Batman will be the next best thing!" Joker said. He kept saying this over and over and over again. Sam just wanted him to stop. She wanted all of the pain and the struggling to stop for once. Let her be once in a while, without having to fight to live for once.

She felt the stinging of another needle being poked into her arm bring her back to attention of what was around her, seeing that Mr. Fox had given her something, but she was unsure what. She looked out the large windows, the rain hitting and splashing against the glass. She couldn't hear the drops anymore. She couldn't hear the small hint of shuffling on the floor by Mr. Fox trying to help her as best he could. His voice, what sounded muffled, was so low to her, she near leaned herself up to hear him better.

"I managed to stop the bleeding, though the stitching is rather sloppy. I need to grab more bandages for you, then I'm sure it will start healing. I will be right back, Miss McGommery." Mr. Fox said. Sam just smiled at him, nodding again, watching him in a blur move away from her and towards the door.

As soon as he was gone, Sam tried to gather as much energy as she could to try and heal her wound. Trying to concentrate on the very site of the pain, focusing on all the nerves and veins severed from the bullet, the strain of the muscle taking its toll. She could feel her energy flow slowly through to it, but she could sense something was not right. As if the energy was being blocked somehow. Sam shook her head, urging that her body remain awake for as long as possible. She looked down at her side and knew instantly why she couldn't heal it.

The bullet was made from the same material as the cuffs. The minerals in the rocks must have purified and packed into the bullet. That's why she couldn't heal the wound even if it was sewn up. The very essence of the rock was blocking her powers. She wasn't going to make it. Sam slouched back against the chair, rocking her heavy head side to side, closing her eyes as she was not going to make it through this. She inhaled slowly, feeling her side ache more from the very exercise of breathing was doing to her. She didn't want to leave just yet. She needed to help Bruce with the city, she needed to find Jason and make him answer for his crimes. She had so much more she had to do before she could leave.

She could feel the beast within her growl, still not wanting to give up just yet. She felt its rage and its desperation course through her, pushing her own feelings of death to the side. It would not accept this no matter what was to happen. She felt her control, weakening from the wound, slip to the beast once again. Sharp tinge of blood like claws began to stretch out from her fingers. She couldn't feel the beast transform before, it felt like something natural, as if the change was a part of her and she could feel safe with it. But this time, she felt everything. The tearing of her fingers, the ripping of her skin as the beast forced the claws through. Her bones cracked and broke at the pressure of the new paw forming from within her. She tried to resist the change, wanting to be herself at least before she died, but the monster was too strong.

She nearly screamed when her eyes began to cloud over of a blood red hue, leaving nothing but a faded look on the world. Small tingles of fur growing on her back brushed against the leather chair, sensing the change becoming worse. The feeling of rage and aggression taking over as groaned at the sharp canines pushing through her gums. Stinging her lips as they nearly pierced them, drawing more blood from her mouth, causing her screams to turn to a gurgle as the blood ran down her throat, choking her. She wanted this to stop. She didn't want anyone to see her like this. No one needed to see her like this.

Jason was going to see her like this.

The thought of his horrid face resting on hers, his form moving away quickly to get away from her, cursing at her the whole time. The very thought of Bruce calling her a monster brought her shrivelled will to the light. She would not let it end this way. She tried to relax herself, giving the beast something else to focus on. She wanted to end things on her own terms. If she was going to die, then she would give everything to make sure it was she that would die, not live as a monster. The calming feeling was working, plus her will taking over the beast that had tried so hard to break free was quieting down more and pulling its assault on her back into the imaginary hole that resides within her. She pushed the pain away for the moment and let her own mind work through it. Shutting Joker away as well, she gather what little energy she had and made a small orb in her hand. Just as she was about to summon one of her hounds to her side, she heard heavy footsteps heading towards her.

The steps were methodical, strategic. Like this person was trying to be something he wasn't, and it was a challenge to do so. The small correction they made to change it was obvious. She could sense them reaching the door, only to stop answer the receptionist outside, that she could feel their energy. It was twisted and churned into something horrible and left a bad taste in her mouth. Her stomach turned when she could hear their voice.

"Don't worry. It'll be over soon." Sam shivered where she kneeled, it was almost perfect. As if the very impression gave way that they were who they said they were. She couldn't believe it.

They sounded just like Bruce Wayne. He couldn't be here, could he? He wouldn't go through the main entrance, not in his Bat suit. He had no time or reason to go through the main entrance. He would come the same way she did. Something wasn't right here. She needed to figure out what was going on.

Just before they stepped through the door, she quickly spread her energy around her and concentrated on giving her body the camouflage she needed. Making herself invisible, she watched as this pretender walk straight into her father's office, not glancing at anything but head straight for the computer. What did this person want? They weren't going for his liquor cabinet or his safes lining the room, they went straight for the desk. When they turned to access the desk, she could get a good look at them.

They looked just like Bruce Wayne. Identical to him, except for the small scar lining their neck, she was sure that it was him. She noticed that his left hand was slightly scarred, marks of killer, uneven scratches that were a complete sign that he had taken his victims unwillingly.

She needed no other evidence of who this man was, before pressing her finger to the outside of her comm, flicking the small switch that sat against the outside of her ear, sending a silent alarm to her father and her exact location. She noticed that this man before her was trying to access the computer, the system rejecting him quickly when she knew the next step in accessing the files on his computer was a retinal scan.

The somewhat loud alarm rejecting him caused him quite a surprise, stepping away from the computer slightly. Sam was just about to shove herself up, let what little energy she had left to take out this fake, but she heard the turn of the office door, revealing Mr. Fox, holding a small clip board and a small assortment of bandages on top of it.

"Mr. Wayne. Thank goodness you got my message, I managed to stop the bleeding, but the damage..." Mr. Fox said, trailing off as he came around the desk to see the man before him. Sam didn't have the strength to protect Mr. Fox and take down this man at the same time. Not without the beast threatening to come out again. She needed to be done fast, but she needed Mr. Fox out of danger first. She should have moved before Mr. Fox made his way to his side. She knew he would notice something off if he really knew Bruce Wayne.

Just before Sam could push herself up to stand, the man had slammed Mr. Fox's head on the desk, used his retina to unlock the computer and gained access to the files he wanted. She couldn't do anything. She was still not strong enough to stand just yet. She only hoped that Batman had gotten the distress call she sent and get here soon. She nearly ducked when the man pulled out a gun and fired it at the door that the secretary just so happen to open and miss her, or he intentionally missed to keep her out.

This was going bad. Whatever he wanted; he had gotten. Seeing that he had grabbed a now sore Fox to his feet and aimed the gun square at his head. She noticed he was looking up at the camera placed in the ceiling. How did he know it was there? Who was this man? He seemed to know her father very well, knowing his passcode, where the cameras were, even having the balls to call out to who she assumed was to get Batman's attention.

Sam pushed her body away from the chair, crawling around on all fours for the moment, feeling her body cry out in pain before she made her way to the bookshelf to the left of him. Whatever he was, he couldn't sense her like Batman could. She could use it to her advantage and try and take him out without firing off a shot at Mr. Fox.

"So, I finally have your attention." The fake Wayne said. Sam could see the strain he was putting on the poor man. With him talking the way he was, Batman must have gotten here already. Must have gone through the main entrance to not give anything away.

"Come and join us. If you try anything stupid, Wayne Enterprises will be looking for a new CEO." The fake Wayne threatened. Sam could feel what little energy she had left almost flee her as she slowly, painfully moved her body closer to the two, trying very hard not to whine or whimper from the stabbing pain in her side.

She didn't have much time. She hoped Batman would hurry this along, give her the ample opening she needed to get Mr. Fox out of danger and take out the intruder. She held her breath, feeling her feet go numb and freeze into place. They were no longer responding to what she wanted. Her body was shutting down. Batman needed to hurry.

She placed her on to her side, taking a few silent breaths when she heard the office door open once more. She was relieved and pained to see Batman walk through. She had hoped that he would hurry before she could no longer move to help, but she needed an opening.

"Let him go!" Batman said. She could feel the smoldering anger emanating from his voice. She could sense his worries for Mr. Fox and his concern when he couldn't see Sam, but knew she was in the room.

"We're just negotiating, aren't we, Mister Fox?" The man said. Sam could see him fidget slightly, as if the very presence of Batman rattled him. She needed her body to ready for what was to come. She was grateful to Batman. When entered the room, he knew that she needed energy, allowing his emotions to manifest more than usual to help her get what little strength she needed back. She felt the sensation in her feet once again and she wasn't going to waste it.

"I have a job for you, Batman. Bring me Bruce Wayne or I bring down this tower." The man said. Sam couldn't believe what she was hearing. He wanted Bruce Wayne? Why? This made no sense.

"Why Wayne? The two of you were friends." Batman said. What? This look alike was friends with Bruce? Her father? But, his only friend was Thomas Elliot. It clicked.

It's the Identity Thief. Thomas Elliot. She should have known. He went missing before Arkham City shut down, staying in the shadows until it was time to strike. He picked the wrong night to attack. She was around now. She can take him out with Batman this time.

"That brats family destroyed me. And now, I will destroy him." Thomas said. By the way she heard it, Bruce and his family was nothing but kind to him. Why?

"The Waynes stood by you." Batman said. She could feel her body scream out completely in agony. It wanted this just to end, but she needed to hear this.

"Ah yes! The great surgeon Thomas Wayne. To think he was once my idol. Until he ruined everything." Thomas said. Ruined everything? What more could he have done?

"He did everything he could to save your parents after the crash. I'm sorry you lost your father, but he saved your mother's life-" Thomas had cut off Batman before he could even finish. She felt the overpowering desire of greed and selfishness radiate from him. Sam had moved a bit closer when the venom spewed from his lips.

"He denied me what was rightfully mine!" Thomas spat at Batman. What was his? He had a family, a good home, no worries on paying bills or having to worry about college. Why was he so fixated on this one thing? What would he have to gain from his parent's death?

It hit her quick. He was responsible for the crash!

"The car crash wasn't an accident. It was you. You caused it!" Batman said. Sam was right. Thomas caused his parents crash hoping to kill both of his parents, but Bruce's father saved his mother and it pissed him off.

Thomas snickered a bit, as if he was proud of what he had done. Sam felt her anger rise up in her stomach, giving a new of energy to push her a bit closer to him, placing herself just behind him. She kept herself low to the ground and waited for Batman to make a move.

"I only want what I deserve! Bruce Wayne had his riches handed to him on a plate. He never had to fight for anything in his life!" Thomas said. Sam watched as Batman took a few steps closer, giving her a few steps to the right free to do what she could to help. She focused her energy into a small red orb, keeping the light low as to not draw any attention.

"Now bring me Wayne or I'll destroy this tower and everything he stands for." Thomas said. Clicking the hammer on the gun back, effortlessly giving Sam a bitter taste in her mouth. She needed to wait a bit longer, give him time to come up with something.

The sound of small clamps unhooking alerted her to what he was thinking. He was going to reveal himself! He was going to show Thomas his true identity! She couldn't believe this! She couldn't do anything. She was to weak, too feeble to stop him. She had enough energy to help him take him down. But, that was it. She couldn't do anymore. She kept still, regretting that she didn't have enough strength to keep him from doing this, but she had no choice.

As if in slow motion, she watched in regret as her father removed his cowl, showing no signs of hesitation or remorse for what he was about to do. Her heart began to beat faster, hurting her in the process. She had ignored the pain up until now, but it was as if now it choose to remember the pain and misery. She needed to keep herself together. Just for a little bit longer.

As the cowl came off, she could see determination in Bruce's eye's and it terrified her. He was ready to take a bullet for Mr. Fox if it meant saving his life. She was happy she met him and got to be around him when she could. She could do him this one last thing before she left.

"Take your best shot, Tommy." Bruce said. Sam smiled brightly. She was proud to be a part of his family, if only for short time. She nearly laughed when Thomas took a few steps back from his former friend.

"Bruce?! That's impossible!" Thomas exclaimed. She started to hear ramble on now. Mentioning that he should have known all along. That it all made sense now to him. But, in his incoherent speech, Sam noticed he started to become on edge, his fingers twitch on the trigger, earing the clanking of the different parts hit against his sweaty palms as he was fumbling to find his words again. His body was shaking slightly, seeing that his nerve for shooting Mr. Fox was becoming less important.

Sam waited, watching as Thomas warned Bruce to stay back or he would shoot. Waiting for the very moment to give him the chance to take him down.

A second went by, he moved his gun off Mr. Fox and aimed it at Bruce. At that moment Sam struck, the orb flying and snapping Thomas's gun hand back. A harsh crack was heard and his arm bent the wrong way. He howled and Sam quickly spent the rest of her energy on another orb, hurling the imposter off his feet and into the table, which splintered under the force. A bottle of some expensive looking whiskey smashed on Thomas's face, tearing apart his stolen flesh.

"My Face!" Thomas exclaimed. He tried to pull himself to his feet but was stopped by her father. She smiled as he was quickly and brutally grabbed by the throat and slammed into the ground, where once the desk had sat.

Well, it did look tacky. Sam thought. Her body giving way to her pain she had pushed back for too long.

Sam fell back, not being able to contain her resolve of her newfound energy anymore.

She could no longer feel her arms or her legs anymore, her fingers and twitch slightly from the pain but was quickly gone when she felt her energy around her dwindle to nothing. Her body was no longer invisible to them anymore and she was mortified that her father had to see her like this.

Battered and bloody, weak and defenceless as the stitches on her side were loose and gave way to the blood pouring out once more. Her head remained on the cold stone floor, finding some solace that the floor would not be stained by her blood if anything were to come up. She felt a quick pounding of feet rush to her side and the gentle touch of a silky fabric grazed her body. Her eyes refused to open to see who it was, though she already knew who it was.

She was glad her hearing was still intact, hearing Mr. Fox state he was going to place Thomas in the holding cells down below, hearing Bruce scream her name, asking her to open her eyes.

"Sam? Sam?! Keep your eyes open!" Bruce said. Sam smiled, happy to hear that he was wanting her to live after all. Maybe it was her mind going numb to the world around her or she simply did not want to care anymore. Her thoughts were nothing but a white haze as she felt her soul slip from this world, slowly.

Sam felt the emotion running through him, the normally stoic Batman, even under the mask of Bruce Wayne he tried to keep his emotions to his chest. Now though, he was like a firework, it would have been beautiful if there wasn't so much sadness. Sure she had seen him emotional, but never so much, even with Jason, he forced himself to focus on finding the Joker, on ending him, he managed to repress the emotions, but now. Now she could see it, feel it, the anger, the fear, but brightest of all, the love... He did love her.

At that moment, bereft of a mask, he was Bruce Wayne, and he loved his daughter. Sam weakly groped around in front of her, where the mask dropped, and lifted it, though he may wear the mask of Bruce Wayne, he was, in heart Batman.

"Dad…." Sam said, weakly handing him the mask. She felt his hands grasp the back of her shoulders, lifting her small frame up so she could sit and see him clearly. Enough to see a scared look on his face. She tried to reassure him by smiling more for him.

"Luscious, get the elevator ready. I need to get her to the theatre as soon as possible." Bruce said. She could see the sweated look of panic flush across Mr. Fox's face. He ran for the door, opening it wide, not giving any concern if the secretary would see her or not. She felt Bruce wrap his other arm underneath her legs, giving a small grunt, he lifted her into his arms, bringing her closer to his body, as if he could give her strength through his suit. She felt his grip on her tighten though, shaking almost as if he was trying to control something deep inside him.

She was going to miss him. She never had a great role model to fill the hole her father blew in her heart, but she wished that she really was his kid. Just like how she wished she could have been there to save Jason from his cruel fate. She needed to tell him before she left him. He needed to know.

"Dad...I need..." Sam said, barely a whimper escaped her mouth before she tasted her blood pooling in her mouth. The taste of rock and iron engulfed her tongue, frying her taste buds of anything else she could even dream of tasting.

"Try not to talk, Sam. Save your strength." Bruce said. She noticed his cowl was back on and his facial expressions were once again hidden from her gaze. His emotions once more behind the mask. She wished she could read him better. Know when he was truly happy and not putting on a show for the others. She saw a lot of herself in him. The power and control he possessed diminished her own, but she always thought the way they felt for people was always the same. Caring, thoughtful, always wanting to save as many as they could. If she only had minutes left and she couldn't spend them with her Jason, she could at least spend the rest telling him the truth.

"No... Dad, I need to...tell you something." Sam choked out. Blood was not what she wanted to come out of her mouth, not like this. She noticed that they had already passed they secretary desk and were already in the elevator. She felt the sudden sensation of falling to the earth. She couldn't process that she had been carried into the elevator. He didn't look down at her. Not once. Was he too scared to look at her? Did he not want to see her like this? Why wouldn't he look at her?

"You can tell me when you are better." Bruce said. She shook her head against his chest. He needed to hear her, not remain silent till the end. She could tell his breathing was becoming fast, irregular as he stood in the elevator, feeling his anxiety rise. She was right about one thing. Bruce was losing it. A flicker of...some emotion span through him for a second, but it went too fast for her blood-loss-addled mind to comprehend.

"Dad, please." Sam begged. Before she felt him step off the elevator, he looked down at her. His eyes said everything. Fear. He was afraid. He was absolutely terrified at what he was seeing. She smiled a little, knowing that the crusted blood caked on her face was not a pleasant sight, but she was glad that he looked at her when she asked him to.

"I wont let you die, Sam. We need to get you to the theatre." Bruce said. Sam shook her head again. He wasn't going to be able to stop this. Nothing was. Her time was up and she had only seconds left. Her last thought was for him to have something that wouldn't leave any hurt or leave a bad spot with each other. She needed him to know that she was glad that he rescued her that night. From all the hate, manipulation, and corruption that was forced upon her.

He was her savoir in the end. He was always going to be her savior.

She forced her arm to move, raising her hand, shaking slightly from the pain she felt but she didn't care anymore. She gently placed her hand on the side of his cowl, feeling the tough metal being scrapped against her hurt fingers. Tears began to well up in the corner of her eyes, hearing the Bat mobile rev its engine in the distance. She had a good life in the end.

"I'm glad you rescued me that night. I am who I am, because of you." Sam said softly, caressing his cheek as she could feel the last of her soul leave her body.

"I love you, Dad." Sam said. Her eyes became to painful to stay open now, her arm too heavy to bear the weight. With every fibre in her being, she made herself smile before she could let her light diminish from this world. Her chest became heavy but empty at the same time, giving her the feeling of wind whisking her away. All of it had come to a full circle then. She was made a monster by her father and in the end, she proved to be more human before her death by the father she had come to love, with him holding her in his arms, crying softly.

No reports on where Sam was or the Dark Knight and Jason was becoming anxious. His men made a good shot, maybe even better than him, but he still killed them. They may have been protecting him, but the very woman he thought was gone from his grasps, as still there the whole time.

The bullet may have been made out of the ore they made the handcuffs out of, but he was sure that she would survive. She needed to. This night was going to end with Batman dead at his feet and Sam by his side. Now that he knew what had happened, he could convince her to come to his side. Give her anything she needs. He would be there, but not until tonight was over with.

He stared at the computer panels, seeing that none of his men had spotted Sam, no trace of blood or even claw marks in the streets. The only she could have gotten away was if she had let the beast take control. She was going to survive. She has to.

Hearing one of his men enter the room, he watched as Crane readied the Cloud Burst for the final step. Soon, it would all come full circle. He noticed one of his men place a communicator on the desk in front of him. He knew who it was from. He wanted nothing more than to end his partnership with the man, but he knew where Sam was no matter what.

But, when this was over, he could gain Sam's forgiveness, by leading her to her biological father and killing him.

He picked up the communicator, linking the signal from the device to his helmet. At first there was nothing but static, the sound of the craning, scratching at his ear drums. He nearly ended the call when the static cleared, giving voice to the man he hated just as much as Batman.

"Hello, Knight. You haven't returned any of messages. You do know that if I am found out, I will blab your secret to all of Gotham." The man said. Jason balled his fist tight. Nothing would make him happier than to see this man dead, but he could track Sam and he still needed that.

"My obligations to you ended when we put you in GCPD. You may hold one thing over my head, but I hold more over yours, you piece of trash." Jason said. In truth, he would rather let GCPD handle him than hear him speak one more time. The sound of his voice alone irritated him to no end.

"My, what a mouth you have right now. And to think I thought you would like to know about your precious flower." The man said. Jason clenched his teeth tightly. He skin crawled in disgust, feeling the hair on his arms stand tall under his armour.

"Just cut to the chase. Where is she?" Jason demanded. He waited a whole minute before hearing a small chuckle on the other line. Jason slammed his fist into the desk in front of him.

"Enough of your fucking games! Tell me where she is or I will put a bullet between your eyes." Jason said, venom oozing from his tongue. Maybe hearing of her biological father would make Sam happy. The bastard deserves it.

"Ahhhhhh, Knight. Always with the threats. If only you would follow through on them. Perhaps giving you the news would lift your spirits!" The man said. Jason was done.

"Speak now or I will end you." Jason said. He could hear the laugh once again. Jason nearly pulled out his gun and shoot one of his men. His anger was boiling over. He was about to hang up, until he finally heard what the man had to say.

"Congrats, Knight. The great and powerful Scarlet Monster is dead." The man said. Nothing else was said from the man. With a click, static replaced the channel of irritation.

Sam is dead. She's gone.

Jason was frozen in place, a few of his men watched him as he was just standing before the screen, he remained motionless at first, refusing to look at anyone, then seeing his fists begin to shake slowly at first. As if trying to contain something, but they did not know that deep down inside, a fire of absolute rage was burning inside. This night, all he had planned, was only worth it if Batman was dead at his feet and Sam by his side. They would have the city by the balls and could demand for anything from it.

But, that part had to end. All because of Batman.

He had to drag her into this, he rescued her from Joker. He didn't have to take her in. He didn't have to train her. He didn't have to make her his partner. He could have let her be a normal person, live in a big house and if she was treated like a normal person, she wouldn't be in the city, fighting in a war that he put her in. He looked over his shoulder, noticing that his men had their heads twisted and cocked to the side, giving off a sign of concern to their leader. He noticed Crane had not stopped his work on the machine, but he had slowed down a bit, showing a small sign of concern for him, but not enough to stop what he was doing.

She wasn't moving. She wasn't breathing. The smile on her face stayed in place, her body was shutting down and he could see through the suit readings that her heart stopped beating.

No!

He laid her flat against the concrete in the towers garage, starting chest compressions in an attempt to bring her back. He can't lose Sam as well. He had lost so much already.

Dick was not talking to him as much anymore, the Joker dying because he wasn't fast enough, losing Talia to the Joker, Barbara being captured by the Arkham Knight, Jim no longer wishing to work with him anymore, Crane taking over Gotham, and now the Arkham Knight has taken his little girl. He had already lost a son, he did not want to lose another member of his family.

She wasn't his biologically, but she was his. He saved her, gave her a home, trained her to be the best she could. He let her go with Diana to help train the powers he didn't understand. Her return, she was stronger, more dependable, in control of her powers. He was proud of the woman she had become.

But, now she lay before him, frozen and lifeless. As he kept going, he ignored Luscious urging him to stop, he didn't. He needed her back. She was going to tell him something. It was something important she wanted to tell him. There was something more than her saying her farewell to him. How she was acting was as if she knew something so very important.

He just kept going, breaking her ribs as he forcibly pressed down on her chest, he watched to see if she was breathing on her own again, wanting to see any kind of sign or glimpse of her coming back to him.

"Mr. Wayne?" Luscious asked. He ignored him and just kept performing the same motions to save her life. Anything to bring her back.

"Mr. Wayne?!" Luscious asked again. He didn't waver or stop, hearing more of her bones crush at the added pressure he pushed to her chest. She was going to make it.

"Mr. Wayne!" Luscious screamed, grabbing Bruce away from the dead girl, noticing that her pale skin still covered in blood was now brimming with blackened bruises from his attempt to save her life.

"Please, sir. She is gone." Luscious said. Bruce looked him in the eyes, wanting to have something, anything that would give him a hint that maybe, he could have her back. He failed Barbara, letting her be captured and now the death of his only daughter. Two women he brought into this bloody war and have paid too much to keep the peace he was trying to achieve.

"She cant...not like this...never like this." Bruce said. He looked down at the young lady, her body beyond repair now. He needed to fix her.

"The movie theatre. We have a medical exam table at the theatre. We can convert it and use to heal Sam." Bruce said, shaking Luscious hands off his shoulders, bending over to gently pick up the broken girl in his arms. He slowly made his way to the Bat mobile and waited for the back to open up.

"Sir, you have to let her go." Luscious said. Bruce refused to acknowledge him, seeing the back open up. He placed her gently inside, delicately placing her arms over body and reaching for a blanket in the back storage, covering her body up so that could be somewhat covered from the outside world.

"I'm heading to the theatre. Let me know when you have the next upgrade available for the car." Bruce said. He didn't wait for his response or disapproval of his actions, he jumped into the driver seat and began setting the fastest route to the theatre.

He would not let this night take everything away from him. Before the night was over, he will end this. All of it. His thoughts interrupted by an incoming call by an emergency call from the movie theatre.

Had he lost Robin as well? He answered without thinking, surprised to see Henry on the other line, looking quite distressed and scared.

"Henry, what's wrong?" Batman asked. He could hear the muffle of men being hit in the background, but it seemed that Henry ignored it.

"Batman! You have to hurry! Harley Quinn has infiltrated the movie theatre! Her men are on their way!" Henry said. Batman tried to remain as calm as he could be, thinking about Sam covered in the back.

"Calm down. You just have to re establish the security protocols." Batman explained. He noticed something shift in the darkness behind Henry. Someone was behind him and Henry didn't know it.

"Okay! Tell me what to do-" Henry was quickly and without remorse, knocked down to the ground. He could hear him grunt in pain and then nothing. The figure emerged and there before him stood Harley Quinn.

"That's enough out of you! Oh Oh, hello B-man it's been a while." Harley Quinn said. She twirled one of her pig tails into her fingers, playing with the separate strands in different lengths, not giving a care in the world.

"Harley Quinn." Batman said. He should have known Harley would find the Jokers sooner or later, but he was hoping her grief and small amount of her brain capacity worn down by years of mayhem and murder keep her away. But, she had found them, gotten in somehow and was now setting the Jokers loose in the theatre. He needed to stop her before they would get out into the world.

He ended the call quickly and made a B-line for the movie theatre.

Jason could feel his fists ache from the continued pummelling he put into a random con, wandering the streets. He didn't care if he begged or pleaded for him to stop, he needed to release this anger building up inside of him.

Batman had caused more misery in his life than Joker had in a single hour. He had taken everything away from him, his trust, his dignity, and now he has taken the one woman he ever loved away from him.

This was all his fault!

This is your fault and you know it!

Batman is going to pay for what he had done to him.

Batman waited patiently as the last guard fell to his knees, successfully knocking out all of the henchmen guarding the doors to the theatre. He quickly made his way back to the Bat mobile and opened the back-hatch compartment where he left Sam to lay.

The Arkham Knight was to blame for this. His plans, his men, his anger towards him had gone too far. He had taken Barbara away from him, he had taken the city hostage, and now he had taken his only daughter away from him.

This was all his fault!

This is your fault and you know it!

The Arkham Knight will pay for what he had done to him.

This ends. Tonight.

That's the chapter and I hope you guys enjoyed it! Thank you Shamhlú for betaing and helping with this chapter and I hope to have the next chapter out very soon. I know you guys want me to start editing the Gaara meets a little Girl, but I have learned, but I would like to finish this story before going to the next one. So, please be patient and give each story a chance of attention. So, until then thank you for your support and time for reading.