Disclaimer: I don't own "Batman Begins"

I felt myself slowly drifting out of sleep, and took in my surroundings. It seemed as if the sedative I was given made me sleep forhours on end instead of the time it really was. Making a small moan from my lips, I realized I was lying on comfortably on something soft and cushioned. When I opened my eyes, I saw Alfred standing by the couch I was lying on in the parlor.

"Feeling better, Miss Sarah?" he asked in his kind, grandfather like voice

I sat up, looking around, and wondering only one thing.

"Alfred," I started. "How did I get here?"

It was a stupid question, really. I already knew how I came to be at the Wayne Manor. But Alfred had a small twinkle in his eye.

"It would seem you had a guardian angel in the form of a shadow watching over you," he smiled sweetly.

I stopped, and looked at Alfred...Oh my gosh, they knew about Batman and I. Groaning, I put my head in my hands. I knew this would happen. I just knew it.

"Am I in trouble?" I asked

"Well..."Alfred started. "Master Wayne would like to talk to you about it. But I suppose you're not in trouble,"

"You're not gonna tell my uncle, are you? 'Cause if he finds out--"

"Miss Sarah, you have nothing to worry about. Now, why don't you tell me how this all started?"

Sitting up, I began to tell Alfred my whole story in a short version. From my rescue, to the car chase, and to the mysterious cave, I explained everything. Although, I didn't tell him about what I was sworn into secrecy by the Batman. The last thing I wanted was for people I loved to get hurt. There was some other things that I didn't say to him either like what happened to Rachel, how Batman sounded familiar, the batarang, my barbwire accident, and the night I yelled at Flass. But he nodded in understanding, saying with is face that I should take my time, telling my to go on when I hesitated, and patted my shoulder when we were done.

"It's just a blessing," he said. "To know that you feel safe around this man when others feel a threat,"

I shrugged.

"If he was a threat," I started. "He would've killed me. I mean, he may seem dangerous and everything, but...I feel like--I feel like I've known him. For a very long time,"

There was silence between us, but it was a comfortable one. Alfred actually understood what I had to do in order to find the identity of my parents murderer, but there was a small hint of disappointment in his voice when he spoke to me. I had to admit, I kind of deserved it. Suddenly, the grandfather clock struck 8, and I jumped in surprise.

"Oh dear,"Alfred said. "You better hurry. The guests will be expecting you and Master Bruce soon,"

"Did Ally drop off my dress?" I asked as I walked out of the parlor.

"Yes. I took the liberty of putting it in your room. It's on your bed. Hurry,"

I hurried as fast as I could upstairs to get ready to present myself to the Fancy World of Gotham...As the Princess of Gotham.

A while later, Alfred found his master coming in through the secret entrance in the parlor. He stood at attention, but his face was in clear disappointment. He had been watching the news, and frankly the developing story did not please him well. Bruce was already halfway dressed. The only things he needed were his top button collar, tie, suspenders, and dinner jacket. Alfred helped him as he spoke.

"When you told me your grand plan for saving Gotham," he started. "The only thing that stopped me from calling the men in white coats was when you said that it wasn't about thrill seeking,"

"It's not," Bruce replied as he buttoned his top button.

"What would you call that?"

Alfred pointed at the TV, and Bruce looked at it. It was showing footage of the batmobile/police car chase that had happened earlier that night. He looked away.

"Good television," he said dryly.

"It's a miracle no one was killed!" Alfred was furious

"I didn't have time to observe the rules of the road Alfred," Bruce explained as he straightened his suspenders.

"You're getting lost inside this monster of yours," Alfred mummbled, helping his master with his dinner jacket.

"I'm using this monster to help other people just like my father did,"

"For Thomas Wayne, helping others wasn't about proving anything to anyone. Including himself,"

Bruce shook his head. Alfred didn't understand. Stopping a moment, he looked at his butler, guardian, and friend with a stern look.

"It's Rachel, Alfred," he said firmly. "She was dying. And Sarah was in a situation she couldn't get out of alone. Rachel's downstairs sedated. I need you to take her home,"

"Well," Alfred sid as his master started to leave, and tie his black tie. "We both care for Rachel and Sarah, sir. But what you're doing has to be beyond that. It can't be personal, or you're just a vigilante,"

"Is Fox still here?"

"Yes sir,"

"We need to send these people away now. Tell Sarah to stay in her room, and not come out unti lI come get her. I'll explain--"

"Those are Bruce Wayne's guests out there sir!" Alfred interuppted. "You have a name to maintain,"

"I don't care about my name,"

"It's not just your name, sir...It's your father's name,"

Bruce stopped in the middle of the hallway, and looked at his butler, still tying his bow tie.

"And it's all that's left of him," Alfred was on the brink of tears. "...Don't destroy it,"

And so Alfred walked away, getting ready to do his masters orders. Bruce sighed. It's true. His name was all that was left of his father. And his mother. And he wanted to honor them both. As Bruce Wayne and Batman. But Bruce Wayne had to come first. Smoothing his hair back, he put on a fake smile as he entered the ballroom, hearing his guests sing in honor of this joyous occasion.

Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday Dear Bruce. Happy Birthday to You.

The whole party applauded as Bruce was handed a glass of champagne and greeyed by WIlliam Earle, Wayne Enterprises' CEO.

"Mr. Earle," Bruce shook his hand with a smile.

"Happy Birthday Bruce," Mr Earle said kindly.

"How'd the, uh, stock offering go?"

"Price's soared,"

"Who's buying?"

"All kinds of funds and brokerages. It's a bit technical. The key thing is...our company's future is secure,"

Bruce smiled, and raised his glass in a bit of triumph.

"Great," he said softly.

As soon as Bruce left Mr. Earle, he had found the Farris family by the refreshments. Mrs. Farris was dressed in a spring greem gown while her husband was in a fine suit. Ally and Nathan looked like spitting images of their parents. Ally was in a short sleeved silk blue dress that sparlked at the neck. The only person who did not enjoy wearing nice clothes, however, was Nathan. He kept scratching his neck underneath his collar as he reached for some chocolate eclairs befo his mother scolded at him. Mr. Farris shook Bruce's hand

"Thank you for inviting us Bruce," he said kindly.

"Thank you for coming," Bruce smiled. "And thank you for watching Sarah while I was away. I hope she wasn't any trouble,"

"Oh, not at all," Mrs. Farris said. "She's a very polite young lady,"

"Where is she?" asked an eager Ally.

"She's upstairs in her room" Bruce answered. "She'll be down soon,"

Ally was always, as you probably know by now, an impatient little girl. Waiting for her friend to come down soon, wasn't soon enough for her. So she hurried quietly upstairs to look for her friend.

"Those two had so much fun," Mrs. Farris referred to Ally and Sarah. "They did all sorts of things togethor: Roller blading, dancing around to music--"

"She taught me how to swim," Nathan interuppted.

"Nathan..."

Bruce smiled

"Did you have fun?" he asked.

"Yeah," Nathan nodded. "See what happened was, I fell in the pool on the deep end and I couldn't get up to the surface, and then Sarah jumped in and rescued me. And she got into a big fight wither her uncle, but it was totally awesome!"

By this time, Bruce's smile had faded and looked up at the Farris parents.

"What happened?" he asked.

"We don't know how it happened at first," Mr. Farris shrugged. "Edgar came by with his son the day you left for that business trip. I thought he was there to talk about some things between our companies stocks. But when he tried to change the subject on your goddaughter, we heard a splash outside. Ally was screaming for us and we went out of the pool, and Sarah was getting Nathan out. Then Edgar started contradicting her about her and her parents, and things got a bit heated. He grabbed her and threw her in the pool. I had him moved from the premisis, Bruce. We didn't allow him to see or speak to her,"

Bruce nodded in understanding.

"How'd Sarah take it?" he asked.

"...Well," Mrs. Farris spoke. "She wasn't crying or anything. Most kids would after what I saw. But, she just went on as if the whole thing never happened,"

"That's because she knows what will happen if she brings it up," said a chilling voice.

The Farris's looked up and Bruce turned around to finds Edgar Mason in his bext tuxedo.

"Nice party, Mr. Wayne," he said, taking a glass of champagne from a passing caterer. "It looks like the Princess is all set,"

The Farris's, being a careful couple, moved their son away from the scene, and talked with the other guests. Bruce glared at Edgar, who was taking a sip of champagne with a wicked smile.

"It was you, wasn't it?" he asked. "You told the media to call Sarah the Princess of Gotham,"

Even though Bruce didn't have any proof earlier, the only proof he had was the cold, thin smile on Edgar's face.

'You should thank me for that," he said. "Everyone in the city knows who she is now. She's famous,"

"She's only a child Edgar," Bruce gritted his teeth. "Having her go through all this after her parents death, your sister and brother in law, it's cruel,"

"Life is cruel Mr. Wayne. You just have to block the hits it sends,"

"...Just like you tried to run her over at the Farris's?"

"...A mere accident. The girl wasn't looking where she was going. But all is well. She's not hurt...Who told you of this?"

"One of the Farris children informed me of what happened,"

"Well, the little princess won't be socializing with them anymore,"

"Sarah can play with Ally and Nathan anytime she likes. You are not her godfather,"

"Oh?...But I am her uncle. And her guardian if anything goes wrong,"

Bruce was puzzled and frustrated at the same time. From inside his coat pocket, Edgar took out a slip of paper.

"This is a warrent," he handed it to Bruce. "Authorizing me to take the girl if she possess any undisciplined behavior or if you show any conduct that wouldn't fit the role of guardian,"

Bruce read the paper carefully. True enough, it was there. All of it. The judges signature, the date the warrent was issed, everything. Sighing, Bruce almost let the paper fall from his hands. He looked up at Edgar.

"Don't expect anything tonight Edgar," he said before walking away.

I was nervous. I was absolutley, positively, 100 percent nervous. Pacing down the hall with my dress flowing gently, I fiddled with my hands. I could hear the guests mingling in the ballroom, accompanied by classical violin music. My shiny black low healed shoes clicked quietly on the marble floor. My hair was perfectly straight, going just below my shoulders. Looking in the mirror beside where I stood, I mareveled at myself quietly. In less than three weeks, I had turned from a pauper to a princess. I hardly looked like myself...I looked like the little girl in Bruce's photographs. My mother...I just stood there, until I heard Ally come toward me.

"There you are!" she exclaimed. "Come on! Everyone's waiting to see you,"

All grabbed my arm, and tried to move me toward the stairs. I just gently shook it off, and hugged myself.

"What's the matter?" Ally asked. "You nervous?"

I nodded.

"What if they don't like me?' I asked softly.

"They will like you," Ally reassured. "As long as you follow these rules. 1: Don't tell anyone about your past; 2: Everyone will do everything you do from now on; 3: Haley Kingston is here too. And she's got everyone against the whole Batman thing,"

"How?"

Ally shrugged.

"I don't know," she admitted. "They just think he's a psychotic freak in a mask. Look, I know you probably think he's cool and all, but you can't let anyone know. It'll destroy everything you've worked for the past few days...You ready?"

I let out a breath and nodded. Following Ally to the French double doors leading to the staircase that would take me down to the ballroom, I took meditating breaths. This was it. This was the night that would change my life forever.

(A/N: I don't own "Breathe" by Michelle Branch)

I've been driving for an hour Just talking to the rain. You say I've been driving you crazy and its keeping you away

Ally looked at me with a smile. Nathan would be downstairs waiting for me, so he could be my escort. I was still nervous, but I knew it would get better--or possibly worse--when I would start walking down the stairs.

So just give me one good reason. Tell me why I should stay. Cause I don't wanna waste another minute in saying things we never meant to say.

"Good luck," Ally smiled before running off to use a different entrance.

I was gonna need that luck tonight. Who knows what this party may bring?...Maybe if I just sneak to another entrance, the crowd won't notice me...No. I can't do that. This was Bruce's party. I couldn't let him down.

And I, take in just a little bit. I, hold my breath and count to ten. I, I've been waiting for a chance to let you in.

I entwined my fingers tightly around the smooth silver door knobs. Taking a deep breath, I opened them slowly. The entrancing ballroom was filled with people in glittering gowns, and fine suits. Violinists played in a corner, focused on their music. But it seemde that when I stepped out and walked down the red velvet staircase, everyone stopped and applauded for me.

If I just breathe, let it fill the space between. I'll know everything is all right. Breathe, every little piece of me. You'll see, everything is all right if I just breathe.

I couldn't believe it. They were actually glad that I was there. I smiled as best as I could. My heart skipped a beat, and butterflies filled my stomach rapidly. Scanning the crowd for Bruce, I tried to find him. But the room was so fast, and there were far too many people. I reached the end of the staircase, where Nathan took my hand and led me away, while sneaking a bite of a small fancy cake.

"You look pretty," he said with a mouthful.

"Take that as a compliment," Ally advised as she caught up with is. "He usually doesn't say that about girls. When Mom asked him if she looked like she was seventeen again when we were getting ready, he said that she looked like she was 62,"

I laughed a bit at that. Truth be told, I was a little bit jealous of Ally because she can still talk about her parents, when I can't anymore. I looked through the crowd for Bruce. Ally said he was probably greeting some more guests. Pretty soon, Nathan got sick of eating all the sweets, and Ally left me to take him to Mr. and Mrs. Farris. Looking around, I spotted a couple of girls talking to Haley Kingston. She looked more of a princess in her pink silk spaghetti strapped dress that I did in my black one with white designing on the bottom. But I didn't care. Putting on a smile, I walked up to her.

"Hi Haley," I said.

Haley took one look at me. In an instant, her bright face turned into a disgusted sneer.

"Live the fairytale while you can, princess," she spat. "But everyone here knows that I'm the popular one,"

"...Haley all I did was just say 'hello' to you," I said politely. "If I did anything to offend you..." I sighed. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Get lost. No one wants you here,"

I took a step back, and nodded. Feeling a bit sick to the stomach, I quietly slipped away from the party, and out back where the garden was. I forgot that I wasn't allowed in there, but my thoughts were elsewhere. Hugging myself, I was quiet until I reached the gardens entrance. A gasp escaped from my lips, and I was trapped in a spell. The garden was lit with Christmas lights on the hedges. They imitated stars that had fallen from the night sky and onto the rose bushes, which were blooming deep red. Lillies danced lightly with the "stars" dancing on it's snow white petals. Baby's breath touched my nose when I reached to smell it. My eyes closed as I was sent to what seemed like heaven. My Secret Garden had come to life. But when I opened my eyes, I saw that I wasn't alone. A few yards away from, there was Bruce with his back turned to me, hands in his pocket. My voice broke him out of his deep thoughts.

"Bruce!" I shouted running toward him

Bruce turned around, and smiled as I jumped into his arms, and wrapped a tight hug around him. Until now, I never realized how much I missed him. Quiet tears fell on his shoulder as he rubbed my back in comfort.

"I missed you so much," My voice was muffled against his shoulder.

"I know," Bruce said softly as he set me on my feet.

He took a step back, and took a good look at me in my dress. I was wondering what he was doing, until he gave me a light smile.

"If you showed your uncle this, he'd be scared to death," he said. "You look like your mother,"

I smiled a bit. I already knew that. People have been telling me that for a while, including myself. Figuring we could go a few minutes without the luxury of champagne and violin music, Bruce and I took a walk around outside in the star lit grounds.

"Like what I did to the garden?" has asked.

"It looks amazing," I marveled at the rose bushes

"Yeah. I had a couple of gardeners work on it all day...well, it was more like 30. Give or take,"

"Thank you Bruce," I giggled a bit. "It looks unbelievable...So, I can come back here to read books?"

"You can come back in the garden now...Listen. I've got a surprise for you. Turn around and close your eyes,"

Normally, I didn't like surprises that much. But I obeyed him, and slowly turned around closing my eyes. For a moment, I didn't know what was going on as Bruce moved my hair to one side gently. Something was lightly draped around my neck, and something inside me was lifted up, like a spirit long lost. When Bruce placed his hands on my shoulders, I lifted my hand to my neck, as I opened my eyes. At a loss for words, I cannot describe to you what happened. I didn't believe it at frst, but my locket was fixed and around my neck. Opening it as fast as I could, my parents picture resided in their space. In an instant, all memories of them came flooding back to me. Their voices, what they looked like, everything. A smile played on my lips as I turned to face Bruce.

"How did you--" I started

"The night on your first day of school, when you snuck out," Bruce started as we walked around the garden. "I went out to look for you, and there you were, all curled up in a ball asleep against the well. After I wrapped my jacket around you, I saw that your hand had the broken pieces of your locket. I took you inside, and the next morning, I had it fixed,"

"...But..." I thought aloud. "I thought I dropped it in the well,"

Bruce shrugged.

"You must've been dreaming," he replied.

If it was a dream, then it felt all too real. A night filled silence was set between my godfather and I. Unlike the silence earlier with Alfred, this was very uncomfortable.

"Bruce," I said softly. "Can I talk to you about something?...About the Batman?"

"...I know you've been sneaking out a night," Bruce sounded stiff

I looked down a bit. I was afraid that he would be disappointed. But when he noticed the look on my face, he put a hand on my shoulder, and gave me a small smile.

"You don't have to explain to me," he said. "Our masked friend explained everything when he brought you home,'

My eyes went wide.

"You--" I stuttered a bit. "You saw him? Weren't you afraid?"

"Petrified," Bruce's smile widened. "But Sarah, you were hurt and I wanted to know how you got into that problem,"

"So...you're not mad?"

"I am a bit disappointed. You put yourself in danger, and you were prideful in not letting the police handle these things...But I can't say I blame you. You take after your mother,"

I was still looking down a bit. A lot of things about the Batman still bothered me. But only one problem stuck out.

"He said he didn't want to be my friend," I said as I went to pick a daisy.

Bruce looked at me from behind as I twirled the daisy with my thumb and index finger. I was feeling a bit depressed. One person who had influenced me so much didn't want to be my friend.

"Do you know why?" Bruce inquired.

I shurgged.

"I don't know," But somehow I did. "He said he didn't have the luxury for them,"

"...Sarah," Bruce turned me around as I started picking the petals. "Maybe he only told you that because he wants to keep you safe,"

"Maybe," I repeated. "But what if that's not it? What if it's something else? What if it's that he doesn't like me or anything?"

"Why do you think he's trying to keep you safe?"

I stopped picking the petals off the daisy as Bruce brushed a stray hair out of my face and tucked it behind my left ear. Taking my hand gently, he led me back inside the manor. All the guests didn't seem to notice that we both left for a while. But we both put on smiles, and greeted more guests together. Soon, we were both greeted by a man in his early 50's, I suppose, and Bruce acknowledged him.

"Mr. Earle," he shook his hand. "I hope you are enjoying yourself,"

"I am," Mr. Earle said. "Thank you Bruce. And am I to understand tha tthis is your goddaughter and supposed heir to the company of Wayne Enterprises?"

I hid behind Bruce a bit. I was king of shy, and this man was another citizen of the Fancy World of Gotham. An accquantince with him would either be to go into league with a god, or selling your sould. However, Bruce didn't notice my fear this time, and pulled me from behind him gently.

"Sarah," he said gently. "This is William Earle. He's the CEO of Wayne Enterprises,"

"Nice to meet you," I held out a shaky hand.

Earle didn't shake my hand. He merely looked at it. After a moment, I let my hand fall to my side, and moved closer to Bruce

"Yes Bruce," he studied me. "You were right. She's a good kid. Doesn't seem to be that social though. I'm sure nothing economic classes can't handle,"

I gulped silently. Clearly, this man judges people way quicker than I did. Thankfully, Bruce wasn't one of those people.

"She's smart," he implied. "And obedient. I'm sure she'll make a good executive one day,"

"But does she have the will to do it?" Earle inquired.

"I'mgonnagogetsomepunch," I said quickly.

I left Bruce and Earle to their conversation, and to the refreshments. To hear people talk about my planned out future...it was annoying, to be honest. When I got to the food, I poured myself a glass of punch. Before I could let it reach my lips, I spotted a boy in a suit, sitting in a corner chair, favoring his right arm. After squinting a bit, I realized it was my cousin Josh. Sighing, I walked over to him slowly, holding my punch glass between my hands.

"Hey Josh," I greeted softly.

"Hi," Josh didn't look at me.

"...Did you hurt your arm?"

Josh didn't say anything.

"If it's any consolation, I hurt my leg pretty badly earlier today,"

Still no answer.

"How did you hurt it?...Do you want me to get you some ice?"

"Why don't you just go away if you know what's good for you?" Josh blurted out.

I knew I had it coming, so I just left my cousin sitting all alone. Still, I was worried about his arm. As I thought, I brought the punch to my mouth. But before I could even drink the tiniest bit, Ally came out of nowhere, and grabbed my arm. Pulling me away, we walked at a fast pace to the other side of the ballroom.

"Don't go over there," Ally warned me. "Haley's got a gossip circle going on, and the topic is you,"

"Well--" I looked back. "What are they talking about?"

"Trust me. You don't want to know,"

But I did want to know what Haley was talking about. Loosening Ally's grip from my arm, I went over to Haley's little group, despite my friends protest. Haley and her friends were laughing with heads back, open mouths emitting giggles, and their blonde hair flipping about. When they spotted me, they stopped talking, and Haley sneered at me.

"Look everyone," she said as if everyone was listening to her. "It's the Princess of Gotham,"

I grinded me teeth at my given title, but I stood my ground.

"Haley," I started. "Were you talking about me just now?"

"Yeah," Haley said innocently. "It was nothing bad, really. Just the truth,"

"The truth?"

"You know...Those little things about you,"

"...You mean the way I look or something?"

"Yeah," Haley winced wih a smile. "That must've been one of natures little freak accidents. I'm sure your parents weren't as bad as you, but I mean, come on, have you looked in the mirror?"

"Why?" I asked darkly. "Does your mirror tell you that you're the fairest one of all, when really your subjects only grovel at you so you could spare them?"

There was silence between me, and what would soon be my arch-nemisis in school. I sighed.

"Haley, I'm not trying to fight you on anything. Why can't we be friends?" I asked. "I'm sure we have something in common,"

Haley's eyes narrowed at me.

"I have nothing in common with a Scum of the Narrows," she said

That name. The Scum of the Narrows. I hated it. That thing inside. The monster was snapping inside me. Snap, snap, snap.

"You may be in a nice dress, and be treated like royalty. But everyone knows you're not a princess. You're a freak,"

Snap! Snap! Snap!

"You will never be the Princess of Gotham..."

Snap!

"...You are the Scum of the Narrows..."

Snap!

"...And your parents..."

SNAP!

"...They couldn't bear to look at you or love you,"

...She did it. I don't believe it, but she actually did it. She made me angry. I don't remember what happened. The next thing I saw though, was my punch glass splashing all over her pink dress. She let out an ear-splitting scream, causing an attraction to the other guests. My heart was pounding, and I was in labored breath. Haley scowled at me.

"I am so--" I started.

"No!" Haley screeched. "Don't say you're sorry! You're not!"

Well, she's right about one thing. I actually wasn't sorry I ruined her dress.

"Look at what you did! This is a one of a kind dress! It's worth more than you're useless life,"

"Oh, get over it!" I snapped at her. "It's punch. Not blood!"

"Might as well be. You killed it you freak!"

"...You know what Haley, I just might grow out of being a freak. But you will never stop being a witch!"

And with that, I raced upstairs to me room. My anger had gotten the better of Haley...and I enjoyed pouring my punch on her dress

(A/N: Hope you guys liked it. Review please!)