For the next few days, everyone was running around while Helena just sat with Sammy by her side. I miss my mom. Why did she have to die? I wish I had someone I could talk to. But I don't ever want to get close to anyone again. I wonder what is going to happen to me now? I know Laura has a busy life. No room for a kid. I haven't seen Barbara forever. Wonder if she even knows? Bet she does and she just doesn't want to be around me. Well who cares about her! I certainly don't. I am glad she is not here. At least I have Sammy here. He is my only friend.

Sammy sat up and placed his big black head on her shoulder, feeling her pain. "Soon kitten, soon. You will find comfort."

Laura was talking on the phone when she saw Sammy place his head on Helena's shoulder. I wonder what is going on between them? "No, no, no, I said black not brown." Laura yelled at the funeral director.

Laura tapped the counter with her long black nails impatiently. I never should have gone with this funeral home. I will be lucky if they get Selina's body to the right funeral! She had been on the phone for the last two hours trying to get things worked out.

"Red roses not yellow, black casket not brown, short outdoor ceremony not indoor and for the last time her dress is black not pink!" Laura slammed down the phone when things were finally straightened out. The funeral was set for the next day. Barbara wouldn't be able to go and Laura still had to go over to Selina's house to sort through her things.

The doorbell rang and Laura heard Alfred open the door. Helena's dress for the funeral had been delivered. Laura decided to buy a new one for her instead of getting one from Helena's house. Alfred placed the dress in the closet ready to be worn.

The phone rang and Laura picked it up. It was Selina's lawyer.

"Hello Dr. Harris. I wanted to let you know we finally have everything in order. The judge signed the papers today and Barbara Gordon is now Helena's legal guardian. It will take about a day for the papers to be processed and another day for them to be sent by messenger to Miss Barbara."

"Oh thanks for telling me." At least one thing is going right around here. I will wait till after the funeral to tell Helena. She has enough to deal with right now.

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Helena slowly slipped on the black dress for her mother's funeral. She realized how real this was. Laura had arranged for an open casket and after today she would never see her mother again.

Laura slipped on Sammy's leash and red coat that said he was tame. "I hate this coat. You can't see my shinny coat and it itches." Sammy pouted.

"You want to come right. If you don't wear this we will get into trouble."

"So what's your point?"

Laura rolled her eyes. "Helena, are you ready? We have to leave soon."

Helena didn't answer. She sighed and walked out of the bedroom. Laura had picked a beautiful dress for her. It was all black, and fell right above her ankles. It had a slit running up the back, stopping a little above her knees. The top showed of her figure nicely. It had a straight cut neck and thin straps going over the shoulders. She had a black jacket that went over the dress. It was long sleeved, but the jacket was short and cut so it would hang open.

"Oh Helena you look nice. Are you ready to go?" Laura received no answer as usual. She ushered Helena out the door with Sammy at her heel. Alfred waited outside in the Wayne's limo. He held the door open for the girls to get in, then drove to the funeral home.

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The Ceremony was short and sweet, just what Laura wanted. Laura spotted some flowers from Bruce. While she greeted friends, Helena walked towards the open casket.

Helena leaned over to look at her mother. She looks so pale, so dead. Helena leaned over and touched her face. She is so cold. Helena backed away as some men shut the lid and began to move the casket. It was lifted into the hearse. And they headed toward the cemetery. Helena, Laura, Sammy, and Alfred followed in the limo.

Helena held her head up high as the casket was lowered into the ground. She held back her tears not wanting anyone to see her cry. She was then led to the limo for the ride back to Laura's. At home she and Sammy retreated to the bedroom and stayed there till the next morning.

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Laura decided it was time to tell Helena about Barbara. The papers had been delivered so everything was arranged. When Helena woke up the next morning, Laura sat on the couch with her. Sammy was close by. Helena stared into space not caring what Laura had to say.

"Helena, I want you to listen to me. You may have noticed that Barbara hasn't been around, or that she wasn't at the funeral." Laura looked for a response but received none.

"Helena, Barbara is in the hospital. She was shoot the same night your mother was stabbed." Laura heard Helena take a deep breath.

"Barbara will never walk again Helena. She will never be able to have children. It was your mothers wish that Barbara be the one to take care of you if anything happened to her. Barbara made a very hard decision and signed the papers to be your guardian even though she is paralyzed. I hope you can accept all this. Barbara has a very long, hard ride ahead of her. She will need your support. I will stay and care for you until she is able to take on your care. She is in ICU right now and you can't see her because you are too young, but I promise you the minute she is moved you will see her." She waited for a response from Helena but still received none. I wish she would talk to me. Oh, how I wish she would let me take her in my arms and hold her.

Laura patted Helena's knee and walked to the kitchen. Sammy sat on the couch and stared of into space with Helena.

"How did she take the news?" Alfred asked as he cooked dinner.

"Well she didn't say anything so I don't know. I need to go into the office. Would you mind staying a few hours after dinner?" Laura needed some think time.

"Of course, Miss Laura. She is no problem and I like taking care of her."

Laura nodded and sat the table.

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After Laura left Helena retreated to the bedroom. She laid in the bed thinking over what Laura had said. Soon Alfred stuck his head in to check on her. She pretended to be asleep. When he shut the door she made a decision. I need to see Barbara.

She jumped up and slipped the window open. Sammy grabbed her coat and tried to pull her in. "No, Sammy I have to go. Now, be good."

She quickly slipped out of the window and crawled down the drainpipe, which ended 5 feet from the ground. Her eyes changed and she jumped the last distance. She quickly ran the distance to the hospital careful to stay in the shadows.

Since the doors were locked she looked for an open window. She spotted one on the second floor near a tree. She climbed the tree and went in the window. An old woman slept with a needle in her arm. Helena crept past the sleeping woman and into the hall. She worked her way to the elevator and hit the button for the ICU.

Helena pressed herself against the wall and when the doors opened she quickly slipped out. Her body crouched down in the darkness and looked at he nurses station. A nurse started walking towards her. Helena decided to make a distraction. She placed her leg out and watched the nurse trip over her leg. The other nurses at the station noticed her fall and went to help her.

Helena moved quickly and swiftly on soft feet. She looked through the windows of the rooms looking for Barbara's figure. Her senses picked up Barbara and she followed them. Helena quickly opened the door and crouched into the darkness of the room and looked at her.

Barbara heard the door open and close quickly to her room. "Who is there?"

Barbara received no response but could feel someone looking at her. She sat up and looked around the room. She could see a pair of eyes looking at her through the darkness. She looked deep into the eyes and saw pain. She saw hurt, anger, and pain so deep it made her want to cry. The eyes came closer and Barbara recognized Helena's outline.

"Helena?" She stepped closer to the bed. Still looking into Barbara's eyes.

Barbara used her arms to push herself over to the far side of the small bed. She reached down and moved her legs over.

"Come here, Helena." Barbara motioned for her to crawl up on the bed next to her.

Helena slowly walked up to the bed and stopped right next to it.

"It is ok. Come up here. You wont hurt me." Barbara said what Helena needed to hear.

Helena slid into the small bed and rested her head on Barbara's shoulder. Barbara pulled the blanket over both of them and wrapped her arms around the broken child. Helena buried her head and began to cry. Barbara held her and stroked her hair. Once she stopped crying she fell asleep and slept well for the first time since the accident.

Tears slid down Barbara's cheek as she realized how hurt Helena was. She held Helena close to her. I will do all I can to help you. Things will get easier Helena, I promise. They will never be the same, but I will do all I can for you. That, young Helena, is a promise. Barbara rested her head on Helena's and fell asleep. Barbara and Helena's heartbeat and breathing slowed down to match each other's. The pair slept soundly till morning.