I grabbed my tablet and ran out of the cave entrance and into the house by jumping up to the balcony outside my room. I paced for several minutes before I took off the suit and put its ball form back in my bag. I could feel the core at the edge of my perception urging itself to be let out. I still felt like me though, no urges to randomly stomp on people's throats. I put my underclothes on again. Thanking the powers that be that I hadn't incinerated another set. They weren't cheap. I pulled on an old work t-shirt and a pair of well-worn yoga pants. I just needed to be comfortable today. I picked up my purse, which was more of a bag and put my tablet in it along with the jewelry. Bruce was already there he had his shoes on. I put on my runners. He looked me up and down.

"Sorry Amber, I think I understand why you didn't want to do that."

"I don't know why but when I'm like that I'll give into my most violent urges. No matter how much my normal self is repulsed by it. I literally just saw them as insects to be crushed. Like an ant."

He nodded.

"We'll find something to contain it for you. I'm sure we can between your computer, Mother, myself and J'onn. But a deal is a deal, let's go dress shopping."

"Thank you."

"I know I'm a poor replacement for your sister, but it is what it is."

He offered his arm, and I took it. Gotham has its share of high society shops. We went inside the most likely to be able to make my dream a reality. Bruce received a phone call and went outside to take it, leaving me alone in the store. A sales associate walked up to me. She looked like she was in her twenties. I pushed my sunglasses up onto the top of my head and opened my mouth to speak but she interrupted me.

"I think you have the wrong shop. Walmart is ten blocks east."

I admit I wanted to punch her. I really hated snotty people.

"Are you sure? Grandpa says this is where everyone going to the Gotham City Museum charity Gala got their dresses."

"Look, I don't have time to help you live out your little girl fantasies. Leave or I'll call the police."

I turned around and heard a voice from behind me.

"I'm so sorry Ma'am! Courtney is new she does not understand. Our clientele."

Courtney made a face at the older woman.

"She's a kid. She's wasting our time."

"So, what if she is? A customer is a customer. Go look at today's newspaper Courtney and let me help this young lady. Now."

Courtney grumbled and walked away.

"I'm sorry about that Ms. Wayne."

"It's Morris, but it's okay I'm not sure you're going to have what I'm looking for."

I took some small pleasure as Courtney looked at the newspaper then me, and then Bruce when he came back inside.

"Sorry Amber."

He looked at the older sales associate who had taken over.

"I promised Amber a fitted dress for the Gala tonight, I know its short notice, but can you help us out?"

"Oh, that is short notice, I assume there was a wardrobe issue?"

He shook his head and motioned to the sales desk.

"Amber, show her what you're trying to match."

"I'm not sure grandpa, they were kind of rude when I came in. Treated me like I shouldn't be here, and I think maybe that means I shouldn't."

He looked slightly angry.

"Does your staff usually treat customers like they shouldn't be here?"

"OH no, no, no, Mr. Wayne. It was a misunderstanding. I assure you. I apologize on behalf of the entire staff here."

"Still Grandpa it seems wrong be giving them money if they can't be respectful to everyone"

I could see the older woman sweating and Courtney was nowhere to be seen.

"While I agree, I think this is the only place we're going to find with enough seamstresses available to get your dress ready for tonight."

"Okay, but we should tell your friends about this place."

He nodded.

"I'm sure we can turn this visit around, this way please!"

We went to the counter and by this time Courtney had reappeared. She was keeping a discrete distance. Once we reached the desk, I pulled out the jewelry case placed it on the counter and opened it.

"These were a gift from my other grandfather, he's passed away and I would really like a dress that will show them off."

Courtney's eyes went wide, and the older sales associate was fanning herself.

"Red diamonds, so gorgeous. I'm sure we can find something. For red I would suggest, White, tan or gold, and of course black."

"Black sounds good. The dress I have is red."

"You yes, black, every girl needs a black dress in the closet. Now I happen to have a few, you should at least try a gold one."

They actually had quite a few dresses near my size, mostly because I was big for a twelve-year-old. I found one that was black and would take a very minimum of fitting. I put it on and put the jewelry on and walked out of the dressing room. It went just below my knees and was classical looking with lace forming the bulk of the and just up to the top of my chest, and then a shear fabric over my shoulders. It didn't make me look like I was ten going on thirty, but it also didn't look like I was ten. It was conservative but attractive. Bruce blinked a few times when he saw me. I still had my hair up in the bun I had put it in this morning. The older lady, whose name was Sally, if you're wondering. Photographic memory yay. Was gushing. Courtney appeared beside me with a pair of silvery wedges. I guess she had overheard me saying I hated heels. She put them down and I slipped my feet into them and I looked in the mirror. Even as much as I felt like an ungainly adolescent on the cusp of being a teenager I had to admit I looked good.

"Oh, once you get your hair done, you're going to steal the show Amber."

Sally was looking me up and down. Bruce motioned for me to go get changed. I went and pulled off the dress and shoes and jewelry and put it in the case and my purse. I brought the dress out and the shoes.

"They say it will be an hour, I'll have Geoffry come back and pick it up."

He offered his arm.

"Shall we get back to the manor?"

I nodded and he escorted me out of the building and to the car. He was quite the striking looking gentleman for a seventy something year old man. He also didn't look so stressed as he had since I've been there.

"Thank you, Grandpa."

"You're very welcome. I don't often get to buy dresses for people. I think I missed out not being around for Emma and shopping for hers."

"I think she missed out too."

He nodded and watched the streets of Gotham pass.

"You need to let it all go Amber. Your family, it wasn't your fault. I know what it's like to carry that guilt. My parents were murdered in front of me. I replayed that in my mind over and over again and I blamed myself for decades. I eventually realized after some long, long therapy sessions, that it wasn't my fault they died. I was a child there was nothing I could do to prevent it. You were born a metahuman, that isn't your fault. So, your abilities activating with devastating effect. Its not your fault one of your parents was a Kryptonian in hiding."

I looked at the driver and back at Bruce eyes wide.

"Geoffry is well aware of my affiliations and who your grandfather really was. We can speak freely here."

"It feels like it's my fault. Every fiber of my being says it was."

He nodded.

"I felt the same way, and I dealt with it by dressing up as a bat and beating up criminals. Didn't solve anything for me. It was part of my healing process, but it wasn't the main part of it. I let Dick Grayson, and Terry use Batman to work through their issues. But they're going to need more help then it can give them. But they need to want the help. Do you want the help?"

"I don't want to keep reliving it over and over again if that's what you're asking."

"I don't think that's going away Amber. But maybe you can find someone who can help you look at it from a different perspective."

The car pulled up inside estate and I pondered Bruce's words as I walked up the steps. I looked back over the estate and went inside. We had a light lunch/supper and once my dress arrived Kelly, Sarah and I were treated to a full manicure and pedicure. Hair styling and professional make up artists. Kelly has bought Sarah a tiara. I put my red diamond jewelry on last and looked at myself in the mirror, I turned and twisted. When I walked out in my wedges Kelly gasped and put her hand on her chest. Terry was tugging at his caller and facing away from me talking to Bruce who was in a tuxedo.

"Come on Bruce, you're not going to make me escort that kid, are you? Can't you do it?"

"I'm afraid not I'm spoken for"

Bruce offered his arm to Sarah who wrapped her fingers around it. She looked adorable she had a golden dress with a silver tiara. She didn't have any make up on. She'd wanted it but I said no, she was too young. I barely felt old enough. I'm sure Emma would have approved. Bruce's smiled at me and taped Terry on the shoulder he spun around and nearly fell down the stairs when he saw me.

"You clean up nice at least."

I glared at Terry. I leaned close and whispered.

"You are sure brave considering I'm an overly emotional twelve-year-old who can snap your arm like a twig with the least bit of pressure."

He tugged at the collar of his tuxedo and swallowed hard.

"Amber, I know we got off on the wrong foot, and we have a difference of opinion. But I would be honored to be your escort to the Gala this evening."

He offered his arm I looked at it and pondered breaking it for a brief instant then I wrapped my arm in his and he escorted me down the stairs. He has the poise and grace of a ballet dancer. I wondered what his real story was. Wedges are the best by the way, I had no trouble navigating the stairs in them, unlike my heels. We rode to the Gala and Sarah sat on my lap and kept playing with my necklace. We arrived to a bunch of photographers snapping photos. I was rather uncomfortable to be standing beside Terry while they snapped them. We actually had to stand there and let them take the pictures. I felt like a peacock. As we entered the front doors and Bruce and his family were announced I felt like everyone was looking at me. Of course, I also felt a lot like I think Cinderella felt like, that I could fly. I mean I can fly, but…you know what I mean. I saw April and Jacob soon after entering. I had no idea they would be there. It seems like everyone was out tonight. Maybe a show of defiance? I looked up at Terry.

"Thank you for the escort, Terry, I appreciate it, I'm going to go see my friends now."

He nodded and released from his social anchor he went off and started talking up a waitress. I shook my head and snuck up on April and tapped her on the shoulder. She spun around and her eyes went wide. She hugged me then pushed me back to look at me.

"Oh…my….god. You look amazing. Like a princess…no…no not regal enough, an Empress. Are those rubies, that is huge."

I shook my head.

"Garnets?"

I shook my head again.

"What are they then?"

"Red diamonds."

"Those are diamonds wow I didn't know they came in red."

I leaned in and whispered to her.

"They are priceless family heirlooms."

She touched the centerpiece diamond on my necklace. Jacob was talking to Glen and Alexander Luthor. They hadn't noticed me yet. April tugged me over to Glen and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and looked like he was about to say something impolite to April when he saw me and dropped his plate of food. Alexander turned and looked at the ruckus.

"Glen, be more careful."

Alexander noticed me then smiled.

"Well I suppose I can see how it happened now. You are looking radiant young Ms. Morris. Are those red diamonds?"

"Yes, they are, sir."

"Exquisite. They suite you. Rare gems, for a rare young woman."

Jacob looked me up and down.

"Wait, you're a girl?"

"Yes, I have been accused of that in the past."

We fought to keep straight faces before we both burst out laughing. I won by the way and even if I didn't, it's my story, I won. I suppose you are expecting a daring robbery, that's how these Gala's work in Gotham right? Well I'm sorry to disappoint you, it was a rather boring night. I ended up dancing a few times with a few boys my age and ended the night with Sarah falling asleep on my lap.