CH:9- He Does Not See Me

Lyrics By Sarah Brightman

WhenNyssa walked into the lighted ballroom, the dancing had already begun. She hadn't meant to be late, but the zipper on her ball gown had gotten stuck and it had taken forever to fix it. Several of her fellow students were already whirling to a lively waltz as she made her way through the tables, shifting her shoulders uncomfortably in her dress.Nyssa didn't really care for parties or fancy clothes; she preferred the casual fatigues that they wore everyday for training.

All the same, though, she was here and she would do her best to enjoy herself. Standing at the edge of the dance floor she took in the dozens of happy people smiling and swaying to the music. There was one person in particular that she was looking for. She had followed him around thetemple just longing to be near himas she haddone time to time back in the mountains.She had no idea if he had ever noticed her outside of thetemple. He wasa student of her father,but for her, she was seemed above him for her years of training and fighting, and certainly he knew who she was. But whenever he saw her he thought her she was something that is not to be touched at any cost.

The thing that drew her to him was the air of mystery that surrounded him. And there was no question that he was handsome, withdark hair and those sorroful brown eyes thatone look could simply make her melt inhis chocolate depths.Even behind the maskof a rich manthere was something unmistakably regal aboutBruce Wayne.Nyssa's searching eyes found him finally. He was dancing with a tall, slender dark-haired girlthat she immediately recognized as hertwin sister Talia.Bruce and his partner drew nearer and nearer to her, andNyssa couldn't take her eyes off of them. They danced past her,Bruce never glancing up. Nyssa's eyes continued to follow him silently.

When he passes me by, he's a ray of light
Like the first drop of sun from the sky.
And I know he's a king, who deserves a queen.
But I'm not a queen.
And he doesn't see me.

She watched him releaseher sisterhe'd been dancing with, only to be quickly approached by yet another beauty. AsNyssa watchedBruce lead this new girl onto the floor, she wondered if she would ever have the courage to say more than a few words to him. She always felt so clumsy and awkward around him.Bruce moved fluidly and deftly in time to the music.

'Just to be near him,'Nyssa thought, 'is all I would ever ask for.'

When he dances, he moves me to a smile
and I see everything near him shine.
There's a grace in his way that I can't contain
I haven't that grace
Oh I haven't that grace.

The second waltz ended andBruce bowed to the girl before walking away. He made his way to a group of friends near the refreshment tables, moving nearer and nearer to whereNyssa stood. She heard his silky voice utter a few words to his companions as he stopped not five feet away from her, letting his friends move on ahead of him. He seemed to be regarding the golden light of the hall, the ribbons and decorations, all the musicians and suits.

Nyssa watched him out of the corner of her eye. He was beautiful. No other word could come to mind. She held her breath, looking down at the dress she was wearing. The silk was already wrinkled from her tugging on it, and she hadn't been able to do anything with her hair. Standing next to him, she had never felt so unattractive. Yet he was so close. This was the perfect opportunity to say something to him, but she was frozen. She wanted to run from the room.

And the closer he gets I can't help but hide
So ashamed of my body and voice
There are boundaries we pass in spite of the war
But our own we can't seem to cross.

He was still there, she noted. He'd been standing there for quite some time, andNyssa felt that it was now or never. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves, smoothed her wrinkled dress and began to walk towards him.

There are things we can change
If we just choose to fight.
But the walls of injustice are high.

She was just about to say "Hello," when a blur of purple rushed in front of her. She watched silently as a beautifulblond headed girl askedBruce to dance not two steps away from her. He accepted politely and escorted her to the floor as Nyssa looked on; again he had been so close to her, and again she had missed her chance.

When he passes me by he's a ray of light
Like the first drop of sun from the sky.
And I know he's a king who deserves a queen.
Someone other than me.
So different from me.

Nyssa felt a tear work its way down her cheek. She glanced one last time at his graceful, dancing figure, and left the room. 'Why would he want someone like me when he has his choice of the prettiest girls in the school?' she thought.

He doesn't see me...

When the music stopped,Bruce bowed to the red haired girl and walked back across the floor. He'd been standing nearNyssa for the longest time trying to find the nerve to ask her to dance with him. She was different from the other women he knew. He admired her competence andfighting skills, but there was something else.

He respected her, he realized, and there were precious few people in this world that earned his respect. She was genuine and not vain, though she was very attractive. He knew she admired him, but unbeknownst to her, he admired her as well.Bruce scanned the room for Nyssa and sadly realized that she was nowhere to be found. Hoping that she would return he headed back to the party. He had seen her - he had...