A/N: I just wanted to put a quick reminder from my summary that this story does involve spanking of a minor. So please if you don't like this, or this offends you simply don't read.

I also realized I forgot my disclaimer last chapter. So I simply do not own any of the many versions, comics, movies, or shows of Batman. But here is chapter 2.

Chapter 2: Quiet Exploration

I woke up feeling unusually energetic and excited. It was the most light-hearted I could ever remember feeling. I pulled on my old clothes that had been washed and laid out for me last night. I of course had woken in the middle of the night when the bedroom door had been opened and my clothes had been set down. Even though I was feeling remotely safe it still didn't change old habits of being on guard as I slept. My purple hoodie and grey sweat pants; I had owned these clothes for a long time and they still hung baggy on me. I was starting to wonder if I would ever grow.

"Ah, Ms Jayden," the butler said poking his head into the room. "It's good to see you're awake. Breakfast is ready and on the table."

I actually smiled slightly in response. I just couldn't contain myself. I was here living in Batman's home. Batman, who was Bruce Wayne, who also happened to be rich. I couldn't believe something like this could happen to me.

I yawned soundlessly and followed Alfred to the kitchen. On the table was a very large assortment of food, including scrambled eggs, some bacon, toast, fried potatoes, and fresh fruit. I knew there was no way I was going to eat even a quarter of it.

I sat down and slowly nibbled on some of the food. After I had my fill, I wordlessly got up from the table, ignored the annoyed look from Alfred, and headed to my room. I mostly wanted to be alone for a while. A lot of things were changing, and it was a lot to take in at once.

I spent the entire morning in my room by myself. It was how I was used to living, and I felt comfortable just sitting on my bed and looking out my large bedroom window. A small part of my mind was still telling me to never trust anyone, and to flee while I could. But the more rational part of me was listing too many reasons to stay and trust Bruce. I was glad to have the time alone, and nobody bothered me until noon.

Bruce tapped on my door a few minutes after twelve. When I didn't make a noise he opened the door. "I just woke up, and Alfred has informed me you've been in here all day. Would you like to come join us for lunch?"

I silently shook my head. After the large dinner last night, and then the huge breakfast I wasn't feeling very hungry at all. I wondered how late he must go to bed each night after prowling the streets to get up as late as noon each day.

"Suit yourself," he said quietly. "But I do expect you to come out at six for dinner."

I nodded my acknowledgement, then looked away.

"I also expect you to start giving verbal answers," he continued sternly. "You are going to need to gain some manners while you stay here."

I looked back into Bruce's face and narrowed my eyes slightly to show my annoyance at this statement.

The glare Bruce returned was much stronger. "I also have had Alfred order you some clothes I expect you to try on to make sure they fit." There was a long silence in which we both continued to glare. "Is that understood?" Bruce said in a firm Batman voice.

My stomach clenched slightly, but my voice was perfectly emotionless. "Yes," I said quietly after a long pause.

"I will see you in six hours, if not sooner," Bruce said firmly. He left the room, leaving me to my thoughts again.

As the days went on, I began to get curious about Bruce's other side. I wanted to know more about Batman, since he was right under my nose. I also wanted to know more about the whereabouts of my parents. My curiosity always got the better of me.

Since Bruce spent most of the night being awake, and Alfred spent much of that time helping him, I tended to be the first person up. I liked the early mornings, and enjoyed the sight and feeling of the sun raising. It was nice to have that time to myself. One very early morning I had to quickly hide as a bleary eyed Bruce walked past me and went to bed.

I began spending all my time each morning searching for what I knew was referred to as the batcave. I had picked up enough clues listening to Bruce talk with Alfred to have an idea of where to look. Eventually my exploring and observing led me to the large ordinary looking clock that had a tiny hidden lever to open a hidden doorway to a dark cave.

It was amazing and thrilling. A faint glow gave me all the light I needed to see Batman's costume, a large computer, an orange and red suit, and several weapons. I played with some of the weapons, learning how to use them, but was careful to place everything exact and leave no traces. Then I explored the computer and figure out how it worked a little. But I didn't dig deep, because I wanted to be cautious.

I visited the batcave a couple more times in the following months. I was always very careful, and never left signs of my visits. But somehow Bruce knew, showing he was indeed Batman with extraordinary skills of observation.

"I don't know how you're doing it so perfectly and secretly, but I know you are sneaking around where you shouldn't," he growled one afternoon during an otherwise quiet lunch. "This is your warning to stay away from Batman."

"I'm not," I said shortly, letting out a false but convincing innocence while perfectly hiding my true guilt. I normally would not have spoken my denial, but I figured being verbal would help get him to leave me alone. I knew being silent would only get another reprimand.

"You are a good liar too. That's going to get you in trouble one day," he said coolly.

I didn't let my nervousness show. Somehow this man and especially his other self could make me more afraid than my abusive parents ever did. But there was no way he could prove anything. I was too experienced at staying hidden. I also was getting addicted to the slight fear I felt when I explored. It was exciting, and I looked forward to the feeling.

Then the day came where I really decided to see how skilled I was, and get a step further in learning about Batman. I chose my timing carefully to wake up after only a couple hours sleep. I knew it would be the time Bruce went on his night patrol. I crept to the cave and get inside the batmobile with the key I had discovered only worked if I wore Batman's glove. I hid quietly and patiently below the seat and waited.

It wasn't long before the dark large figure jumped inside and the vehicle sped away. I barely breathed and didn't move at all while he drove. I wished I could see out the window to see how fast we were going, but I knew it was faster than I had ever moved in my life.

The motion stopped suddenly, and I was soon alone again. I cautiously peered out the tinted window to see we were at some fancy museum. In my research on the computer I had known there was a suspected plan here for my parents to use the artifacts as weapons with their newest invention. I knew this was going to be quick, since my parent's plan was only half complete.

As I had guessed, police soon were leaving the building empty handed, and a disgruntled Batman returned in the driver's seat. In just a couple minutes we were back in the cave, and I was alone once again. I watched Batman take off his costume, and in the dark through the dark windows I could make out Bruce climb the stairs and return to the mansion.

I waited a full five minutes before beginning my creeping back into the house. Step by step I made my approach to the stairs. It wasn't until I was just a couple feet from the first step that I noticed a presence behind me.

I gasped and spun around to find a fully costumed Batman glaring at me. I cursed myself for letting my fear show for a split second, and regained my hidden emotions and composure quickly. I was sure with how observant he was that he had noticed my small display of fear. This man with that costume, with those eyes, the presence he gave off, and his cape wrapped around him was quite intimidating. I didn't even ask how he outsmarted me or had known I was here. I knew I was good, but Batman had made sure to show me he was still better.

"What did I tell you about prying into my business," Batman growled in his low voice.

I was scared, but now I made sure to hide it perfectly, and instead formed my face into a scowl. I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of an answer.

"I don't know what else to do with you. The lack of respect, the poor manors, and the forced blank stare." Batman removed his costume (for the second time), and soon Bruce was leading me to the mansion by the hand. "It is now more than time I follow through with my warnings," he growled as he dragged me up the stairs.

My heart was pounding. I didn't know what to think, and had no idea what he was planning. What I did know, was I was definitely in trouble. My only weapon against him was to continue to show no emotions. I knew that drove him crazy, and if I didn't show I was afraid or upset by whatever punishment he was going to give than that would be one point for me.

Bruce led me into my bedroom and pushed me so I was sitting on the bed. "How dare you sneak into the batcave, and even more you've played with my weapons and went searching through my computer," he growled. "And now you came with me tonight!" This was the most angry I'd ever heard Bruce, and it was taking all my effort to not show my fear. He continues in a much calmer and deadly quiet voice, "You have now crossed the line. I will not allow you to make these foolish decisions and put yourself in danger."

"I just was curious about what you do each night, and I wanted to know about my parents," I said quietly and emotionlessly. I worked to keep my eyes blank and unfocused. I hoped speaking would decrease his anger. I was apprehensive to face whatever punishment he was going to give me at that moment.

"Oh, you will get to see more about me, you will begin training every morning in the batcave. I will make sure you're too sore to get yourself into trouble from now on, and a little self defense wouldn't hurt either. If you are going to have a habit of putting yourself in danger you should at least have some ability to protect yourself."

That almost snapped me out of my careful mask, I had never thought I would ever get permission to go down there. Becoming stronger was something I very much wanted, and if anyone could make me stronger, Batman could.

Bruce sat next to me and looked directly into my eyes. I would have looked away if I had not still been so surprised to hear I would soon be training with him. He continued in a firm but gentle voice, "But that is not going to mean you can put yourself in danger. If you live in my home you will be more respectful, and you are going to be punished. We'll see if this opens up those bottled emotions."

Suddenly I found myself face down over his lap. I stoically squirmed and writhed silently against him. Bruce's arm was like an iron bar holding me still so I could barely move.

Without warning his hand slammed down on my bottom. I gasped quietly, and tried to stay calm. It really hurt, and I wasn't sure how long I could stay emotionally strong against this. The next swat hit and I took a deep breath, tears were threatening to show themselves and I couldn't let that sign of weakness present itself.

After four more swats I couldn't help it, I began to squirm and writhe more frantically against him, desperate to get away. My silent tears were dripping onto the carpet. "Bruce, please stop," I gasped, trying to keep my crying quiet. I hoped again that forcing myself to speak out loud would get him to stop.

"Good, I see I have broken through to you," he said quietly, not breaking his rhythm at all.

This wasn't like other painful experiences I had been through before. This was a true punishment, one I had earned, and one where I really cared about the disappointment I had caused. Each swat brought a new explosion of pain and fire from his overly strong arm. The worst part was there was nothing I could do about it, no way to defend myself, slow it down, make it less forceful or anything. I was forced to stay in the same position and take every hit, and it was getting over my pain threshold.

"Bruce, please stop," I begged again loudly this time, teetering on the edge of being incoherent from my crying. "I'll listen to you, I promise!" And then I couldn't hold it back any longer. I finally let myself fully cry from being so thoroughly powerless. Bruce finally stopped about a dozen swats after that.

It took me a minute to even realize he had finished, but I didn't care. This was the first time in years I had truly cried, and now that I had started I wanted to get all the bottled emotions out. Bruce lifted me up and cradled me on his lap. I curled into his strong chest and cried. I cried from the pain, but more so I cried from my previous cruel treatment and training, from my loneliness, and I cried from the emptiness I had felt for far too long. When I finally cried myself out I continued to hold onto Bruce as if my life depended on it. I was going to get every minute of his comfort I could get. I hadn't realized how hard it had been to remain rock solid on the outside for so many years until that moment.

We silently stayed this way for a long time. I was very thankful Bruce didn't make me move. After so many years of trying to be so strong, I needed to have this moment of weakness. "What was that? What did you just do to me," I mumbled quietly, letting the last of my silent tears run down my cheek.

"That was a spanking," Bruce said gently. I could feel his voice rumble in his chest against my ear. "I thought it would be the best way to get through to you."

"That was really horrible, don't do that to me again," I said softly.

"Don't do anything to earn another. If you put yourself in danger again, or deliberately disobey me, I will not hesitate to pull you over my knee and spank the stubbornness out of you. But you must also know, once you have been punished this way you are completely forgiven, you are no longer in trouble for what you have done."

I nodded slowly, letting the feeling of forgiveness wash through me. It was an unfamiliar feeling. "Are you really going to let me train with you?" I asked hopefully. I noticed how it was more effortless to speak now. It was a nice feeling. Letting out my emotions so thoroughly had really helped me with verbal communication for the moment.

"Yes, I think you need something else to do with your time. You are very skilled and extraordinarily intelligent. I would feel better if we work on those skills and perfect them since you don't seem to know how to stay out of trouble."

"Do you think I could help you one day?" I asked hopefully.

"No," he said flatly and firmly. "I've had a lot of kids help me, and while they have been a great help for the most part, it is sometimes too stressful for me. If something ever happened I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. I've been trying to watch over you and protect you for years; I don't want to lose you to one of my many enemies."

"I'll see if I can change your mind one day," I smirked.

Bruce's only response was a sigh.