Hey y'all! I'm sorry I didn't give an authors note last time, I was insanely tired when I finally managed to post that chapter. I actually wasn't planning on posting again so soon, as I'm insanely busy right now, but when inspiration strikes, you write lol.
So, full disclaimer here: I was planning on separating this series into different books, but since the first movie isn't super long and is mostly a foundation for Kristina and her relationships with the characters we know and love, I have decided that the first two movies will simply be combined into one book. I'll include some extra chapters after the end of Batman Begins that helps build Kris's relationships with those around her, and the chapters will start to give hints to who her biological father is ;) (since I know that someone is going to ask, no, it's not Bruce)
Anyway, I really hope you enjoy this chapter, on with the story!
It had been two days since Alfred and Kris had retrieved Bruce from the Narrows. For a short period, he seemed to get worse, and Kris found herself terri- mildly concerned- that he would not survive. But then Lucius managed to create this cure of some sort through Bruce's blood. She wasn't sure how it worked exactly, but Lucius had allowed her to watch as he worked with it under a microscope. It was really cool, and when she'd told Lucius how much she enjoyed science at school, he'd offered her a chance to come by Wayne Enterprises every once in a while and get a chance to look around at all the projects. It would've sounded lame to any other kid, but to Kris, it sounded like Disney World.
She'd spent the nights on the couch next to Bruce's bed, and would usually read or do puzzles by him, too. After Lucius had worked his magic under the microscope, the injected something into Bruce's arm with a needle, telling her it was a cure for what Bruce had been drugged with. Lucius didn't seem to have a name for it, and Alfred would always shoo her away whenever she asked about the side effects or what exactly the drug did. But, when she'd eavesdropped on the two men just outside the kitchen last night, she heard Lucius explaining something about 'hallucinations' and 'worst fears' and 'adrenaline'.
Finally, the third day came. Kris was outside, kicking her new soccer ball around the grass. Alfred had told her they could look into ordering a goal, (like, an actual goal, with its own net and everything) but until then, she'd taken some old cones she found near the garage and set them up, practicing the drills John had shown her.
It was then she heard Alfred's voice calling her name. She looked up to see the butler standing at the door, his face holding concern, but relief.
"I believe someone would like to see you, Miss Kristina!"
Abandoning her ball, Kris took off towards the butler. He told her Bruce was talking to a friend of his that was a lawyer in the front part of the manor, and she didn't bother to stick around for anything after. Her black sneakers slapped against the wooden floors as she practically flew through the maze of hallways, having memorized the way out after that little accident of ending up in the garage. As she got closer, she heard two voices, one of them Bruce and the second a was a woman she didn't recognize.
"I just wanted to drop off you present."
"Bruce!" Kris cried, and slammed into the man's midsection as both adults turned to her. The billionaire playboy let out a loud oof! as her head and bony shoulders slammed into his stomach, her arms winding around his hips. Despite being twelve, Kris's head barely came up to his ribs. "I'm so glad you're here." She told him honestly, not paying attention to the woman who was watching in part confusion, part amusement. As the younger girl pulled away, the woman's eyes widened as she saw her face.
"I'm glad to see you, too, Kristina." Bruce told her honestly, putting a hand on her shoulder and turning her so she could see the woman. "Rachel Dawes, I would like you to meet Kristina Smith."
The woman, who Kris noticed was actually really pretty, smiled at the young girl, sticking out her hand. "It's so nice to meet you, Kristina, Bruce has told me so much about you." She greeted sincerely, and Kris hesitantly stuck her hand out to shake it. Seeming to sense the child's discomfort, Bruce spoke up.
"So, why won't you be able to make it to the party?" He asked, and Rachel cast a nervous glance in Kris's direction.
Oh, great, the twelve-year-old thought. She knew that look; adults always got that look on their face whenever they started talking about things that she wasn't allowed to hear. Just as she suspected, Bruce looked down at her and nodded over to Alfred, who was behind them and helping with the preparations for Bruce's party that night. "Kris, why don't you go see if Alfred needs help?" He suggested gently, and Kris looked up with a pout. However, it dropped when she saw the stern look on her foster father's face, and turned, defeated, to trudge back to Alfred.
She couldn't hear much as she walked away, pretending to get sidetracked with some flowers as the two spoke. When Rachel answered a phone call, though, her loud tone of voice caught the girl's attention.
"What? Who authorized that?" She paused as the other person spoke, and her face dropped into one of anger. "Get Crane down there right now, and do not take no for an answer; call Dr. Leeman and tell him we'll need our own assessment on the judges desk by morning!"
At the mention of her friend, Kris darted back to the adults as Rachel hung up her phone. "What's wrong?" Bruce asked softly, and Rachel sighed, neither of them seeming to notice Kris approaching.
"It's Falcone, Dr. Crane moved him to Arkham on suicide watch." The brunette said irritably, her voice holding a note of disbelief. Kris perked up. It was Jonathan!
"You know Jonathan?" She asked excitedly, wanting to see if Rachel could deliver the message of her adoption. Bruce and Rachel both turned to her as she spoke, their expressions dropping. She really couldn't tell what their faces said, but Rachel reacted first.
"Kris, how do you know Dr. Crane?"
"I met him a few years ago; he visits me every week now. He knows how much I love books and puzzles, so he brings me some whenever we see each other. And he says I'm the smartest child he's ever met." She said proudly, puffing out her chest a little. The older woman's eyes flickered over to Bruce in concern, but the billionaire was staring at his new ward in shock. Not appearing to notice the two adult's slight horror, she narrowed her eyes in confusion. "Isn't Falcone that mob boss?"
"You know Falcone, too?" Bruce asked in shock, and Kris rolled her eyes; adults could be so dumb.
"No, Bruce, but a lot of the boys that leave the group home usually go work for him. They tell their little brothers and sisters about it whenever they come back to visit."
Shaking her head slightly, Rachel looked back up at Bruce. "Ok, look, I've really got to get down to Arkham right now. It was a pleasure to meet you, Kristina." She told the younger girl warmly, then turned back to Bruce. "And happy birthday, Bruce." Then, she was gone, walking down the steps back towards her car.
Kris looked back up at Bruce, who started ripping away at the wrapping paper of a small box she hadn't noticed he was holding. Standing on her toes, she peeked into the box to see that he was reading a small card that said, Finders, keepers. Inside the box was a small, metal arrowhead.
"She's kinda bossy." Kris commented. Then she smiled at Bruce. "I like her."
As she spoke, her foster father looked down at her with another expression she'd never seen before and didn't really recognize. Smiling softly, he placed a hand on her head, ruffling her hair slightly. She snorted, shoving his hand away jokingly. As she did, though, Bruce's face got that look again; the one she always knew meant he had a plan that probably wasn't entirely thought through but he was going to do it anyway. What was that word she'd read about last week? It started with…oh that's right.
Impulsive.
Bruce was really impulsive.
"Kris, stay here with Alfred and get ready for the party." He told her firmly as she walked quickly next to him, almost jogging to keep up with his long strides as Alfred followed them. He smiled down at her. "Tonight is the night I introduce you to the press."
A nervous flutter went through Kris's stomach. Did that mean there would be camera's? The twelve-year-old hated having her picture taken, she always looked weird.
"Where are you going?" She asked, confused, as the trio continued on towards Bruce's study. She now knew that it led to the Bat Cave, (a name she was very proud of) and he had now doubled down on his rule of not allowing her in there unsupervised; the vigilante knew she'd poke around for days until she found the way down to the cave.
"Rachel is in danger, I have to go save her, Kris." He did his best to keep his explanation vague; he'd be telling his foster daughter about her family ties when she was older and more capable of understanding. Right now simply wasn't that time.
"No, she's not! She's with Jonathan, and he never let anything happen to me." She protested, but both adults didn't seem to acknowledge what she said, much to her annoyance.
"Master Wayne, your guests will be arriving soon!" Alfred chimed in, sounding miffed. Bruce turned around, handing him the gift Rachel had given him.
"Keep them busy; tell them that joke you know." He winked at his butler and slapped him on the arm before continuing off to the study. As he left, Kris looked up at the butler in confusion.
"What joke?"
Kristina wouldn't say she hated dresses, but she sure didn't like them.
They were hard to run around in, and you couldn't dribble a ball between your feet before your legs started to get tangled in your skirt. That being said, Alfred actually did a really good job of picking out her dress.
It was navy blue, sleeveless and lace. It went just above her knees, which she thought was great, cause she actually hated floor length. The skirt and fabric under the blue lace was white, which normally didn't look very good with her pale skin, but for whatever reason, looked great on her this time. Alfred had also brought in a nice lady with bright bred lipstick to put her hair up in a complicated braid/half-bun, curling the rest of her hair and leaving it down her back. Finally, she slipped on some white flats and gave a twirl in front of her bedroom mirror.
Kris couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so…pretty. She was always wearing hand-me-downs or donated clothes, which meant lots of ripped jeans, faded t-shirts and hoodies. People did donate dresses, but they always looked really old and ugly, and were in pretty bad condition. So, she'd left them for the other girls. And though she wouldn't really admit it to anyone, she kind of liked getting dressed up like this.
A soft knock at the door made her jump, and she turned to see Alfred standing in her doorway, smiling proudly. "Why, Miss Kristina, you look stunning."
Kris's cheeks felt hot, and she ducked her head. "Thanks, Alfred." The older man led her down the hallway and the stairs towards the ballroom, where she could hear lots of chattering adults, all holding glasses of champagne. She'd seen Ms. Oscar drink it, once.
"Master Bruce just called ahead, there has been an accident-"
"Is he ok?" Kris stopped dead, looking up the old man in alarm. Alfred nodded reassuringly.
"He's fine, don't you worry, miss. However, that means he won't be able to introduce you like he wanted to right at the beginning of the party. I have to over see the wait staff, will you be alright by yourself?"
She wanted to say no and beg to stay up in her room with her books until Bruce got back; the thought of facing so many strangers made her stomach tie in knots. But she hesitated; if her new foster dad could dress up as a bat with a cape and still manage to catch the bad guy every night, she could handle a small party with a bunch of stuck up, rich people. Sticking her chin out and pulling her shoulders back, she nodded.
"Don't worry, Alfred, I'm brave. I can do it."
The old man smiled at her, a flash of recognition and nostalgia in his eyes, before he ushered her into the ballroom.
The party was filled with people, none of whom she knew or had ever seen before in her life. You'd think somebody would've raised a question about a twelve-year-old, (that still kind of looked closer to nine, if everyone was being honest) wandering around a party full of adults by herself, but everyone just kind of assumed she was someone's child and her nanny wasn't around.
It was almost two hours into the party, and Kris was bored out of her mind. She'd mostly been walking around and stuffing herself with the mini sandwiches, which were delicious, but there was no one to talk to. No other kids seemed to be there, (shocking) and so she sort of wandered, shying away from weird old ladies and creepy old men that always seemed to be crooning at her and reaching out to stroke her head like a dog.
Finally, she found herself in the hallway, heading towards the library. She figured she could hide away in the little seat by the window until she heard Bruce come up from the Bat Cave. Slipping her flats off, she padded quietly down the wooded floors, the soft sound of feet hitting the ground the only thing that filled the air besides the classical music and loud talking that was behind her.
"Sneaking off, are we, little one?"
Kris jumped nearly six feet away, whirling around. Her fingers curled tightly over her flats in panic as she faced the speaker, heart still pounding in surprise.
A man, dressed all in black. He was tall, much taller than Bruce or Alfred. His black suit, shirt, and tie contrasted with his olive skin and pale mustache. It looked kind of funny, like the cats she sometimes saw with similar ones, straight at the top and then drooping over the corners of the mouth. Nevertheless, his brown eyes gleamed as he walked towards her, a black gloved hand holding a cane. He didn't appear to be limping, though, so she wasn't sure why he was using it.
"Um…" she bit her lip, looking around. The man chuckled lightly.
"Oh, no need to explain yourself to me, young one. I have a daughter myself." The man's eyes softened. "You actually remind me of her, she was never particularly fond of large gatherings, either."
As he mentioned his own child, Kris relaxed slightly, but still felt tense as the man stopped a few feet away from her. He seemed to sense this, and shook his head softly. "There's no need to fear me, Kristina. Dr. Crane has told me a great deal about you."
"You know Jonathan?" Kris felt her tense muscles unwind, unintentionally taking a step towards the stranger. He smiled wider.
"I do; we've known each other for quite some time now, and he seems highly impressed by your intellect. He tells me there's not a single puzzle he's given you that you weren't able to solve."
At the praise from one of the few trusted adults in her life, Kris straightened. This man knew Jonathan, and Jonathan would never put her in harms way. "I really like puzzles; not sudoku, but I like reading a lot."
"I am fond of the written word myself." The man agreed, the two of them beginning to walk down the hall. "And I must agree with you, though numbers are important, they are quite headache inducing at times."
"How do you know Jonathan?" Kris switched the subject, realizing that Jonathan had never actually mentioned any of his 'friends' to her. Now that she thought about it, she'd never thought about anybody else that her friend may have known except for her. He'd never talked about his family before, so she'd assumed he was in the same boat as her: alone.
"We were business partners for a very long time. I also knew Bruce, he's a very old friend."
"You know Bruce, too?" She asked, confused. Why had neither man mentioned this stranger to her?
"We have not spoke in quite a while, but I actually was his teacher."
"What did you teach him?"
"Many things, little one, many things." The stranger suddenly stopped walking, and crouched down, closer to her height.
"I actually believe the birthday man himself is arriving soon, would you like to accompany me back to the ballroom? He's told me all about his big announcement tonight." He smiled warmly at the end of his sentence, but something in his eyes seemed…different than what his face was saying.
Kris, however, smiled back and nodded. If he knew Jonathan and Bruce, that meant he could be trusted. The two were some of the few adults she actually trusted herself.
"Wait, what's your name?"
"It's Ra's, my child. Ra's Al Ghul."
DUN DUN DUUUUUNNNNNN