Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Chris Nolan, Batman,or the DC Comics world. All chracters, plots and story lines used that belong to them...well belongs to them. I just own my plot and my interpretation of known characters

Chapter 2

The country side stretched as far as his eyes could see. Blending blues, grays, whites into a song of the mountains majestic, snow-capped and regal; linked together in unison cutting through the air like a jagged crescendo. The air was crisp, yet the midday sun slightly warmed his face. All playing their part in the symphony of Earth, Sky, and Man. All connected. All one.

He spent so much time being the legend, the Ra's Al Ghul, that he often forgot he was a man once: who felt and loved. He always found his way to this place when he wanted to remember. With deep caverns and protruding ridges; one slip would mean being claimed by the mountains forever. A memory. Not meant for legends. They live on forever, but at that moment he couldn't help but feel small, less immortal, more human… more Henri sitting in their presence.

"She would have loved to see this." Ra's said to no one in particular. They had planned on seeing so many places together before she was taken…

"Soon we will run." he told Melisande, I just need to gather a few more provisions and we will run away together. Start a new life. A family."

Henri Ducard held his wife from behind; relishing in every intricate curve of her well toned body. She smelled of lavender. Her skin was so soft. He had only once enjoyed her fully under the shield of darkness. They had not known each other in that way since for fear of being caught. He felt her body relax into him. He wanted her. His excitement was firm against the slight curvature in her lower back. It was dangerous to continue on this way. Their meetings were to be brief usually long enough to steal a quick kiss, but he hadn't seen her in four days. He had to feel her. Remind him that she was real and she was his.

He brushed he hair all to one side and began placing soft brief kisses along the small of her neck. The stubble of his facial hair tickled her. Melisande let out a playful giggle. The swift shifting of her body against him only strengthened his erection.

To where would we run, my love. France? Russia? Canada?" she asked playfully.

"If my lady wishes it so" Ra's exclaimed, before scooping her up into his arms and spinning her around.

"I care not." she responded. "My only wish is to be with you without having to kiss in shadows always living in fear."Melisande looked down suddenly very serious worry etched through her brow.

Henri cupped her face in his hands forcing her green eyes to look at him. He inhaled slightly as their eyes met. Even after all this time he never got used to them. They always pierced him as if they saw right to his soul. She was so beautiful.

"I love you, I promise we will be free to love each other openly and soon, my love. I can't keep going days without touching you. It gets so hard having to watch you from a distance."Henri replied; playfully thrusting towards her. She moved swiftly away from him in agitation.

"Henri, I am serious, my father, if he…"

"I am close to your father. I will know if he suspects us and we'll be gone before any of them realize we are missing. Ok?" he searched her face feigning his be look of confidence.

Melisande nods still unsure.

"There is nothing to fear my love, we will be careful."

He had been wrong. It plagued him and up here, amongst the Himalayan giants, he felt smaller…vulnerable.

Ra's Al Ghul had it all. Henri Ducard lost everything dear to him. All due to her. The demise of Henri Ducard, upon losing Melisande, had simultaneously become Ra's al Ghul's driving force and the sole purpose for creating the league of shadows. He had to avenge their love at the expense of others. Sometimes vengeance was necessary to achieve harmony. Someone had to stop the injustice infecting the world. Ra's al Ghul was immortal. He would always be there exacting justice. He did not stop with mercelinde father, nor with Rome and it would not end with Gotham.

"That festering cesspool of corruption."Ra's spat in disgust. "Perhaps it is time to move things along." He planned to unleash an economic depression on

Gotham and watch the city deteriorate from the outside in. The people would cleanse themselves.

Ra's stood there for a second taking one last look over the landscape; the mountains suddenly shrinking in comparison to him. The idea. The immortal.

"Until next time Henri Ducard" Ra's spoke into the air. He turned back towards the temple. Phase two was about to begin.

"Happy birthday, Gotham's Princess, every one sang in unison. "Happy birthday to you."

Gotham's Princess was turning 5, and it was the party of the year. Everybody who was anybody was there. Cassandra could care less about the well wishes, the pony, the 30 clowns or the magician. The 6 foot cottage Thomas specifically had made for her tea parties, the equally high pile of presents and cards waiting to be opened nor the delicious 9 tiered two flavored cake; each layer alternating white cake and chocolate cake.

Cassandra was off to the side looking at a doll. Long blonde hair a pretty pink sequin dress, blushed cheeks and a painted on smile. The doll didn't do anything special. This doll had none of the newest technology that dolls had these days. Nor did this doll have a crying, peeing, or speaking feature. Just a doll. The kind that was carried everywhere even if it was just to the breakfast table. The kind that attends every tea party and has a cozy spot in the bed next to her girl. The very girl holding her right then. Cassandra had had plenty of dolls, many just like the one she was looking at, but they were not this doll. She wanted it.

"Cassandra, darling, it's time to cut your cake." Thomas said interrupting her thoughts.

"Daddy, I want her doll will you buy it for me?" Cassandra asked in her sweetest voice.

Thomas waved the question off knowing the quicker he ended the conversation, the better the afternoon would continue to go for everyone.

"Come now, sweetheart you have plenty of dolls…"

"But, I want that one" she insisted, her voice raising an octave; a very apparent pout forming on her features.

Thomas knew diverting her attention would be the only way to avoid the rising storm approaching fast. He quickly squats down to her eye level and starts softly

We will see what you have received in all those hundreds," He tickles her. Cassandra held her pout steady holding back her laugh. "Thousands" He continued tickling her, a smile broke through this time of presents all for my sweet princess. Thomas always had a way with Cassandra. Who knows, you might have a doll just like it in one of them, but right now, we can't keep our guest waiting for their cake, my love. He picked Cassandra up and she did not fight it. She clutched Thomas's neck tightly. A temporary cessation.

"I still want that doll"

It was Bells' liked Cassandra's middle name Isabelle better than her first so he chose to call her Bells as a nickname.

Bruce had been playing with Rachel. He tended to shy away from big crowds. Today was perfect because all the attention was on Bells anyway. It wasn't just that day either. Bells seemed to draw people to her. People wanted to do stuff for her. Bruce himself fell victim to her sometimes giving her his dessert even though he was sure he wanted it. His toys became her toys easily when she had an interest in them. It didn't happen often,but when it did Bruce like everyone else was more than willing to appease her.

Bruce had slightly heard Bells going on about a doll she wanted. It wasn't unusual for her she wanted everything all the time. Not saying that Bruce didn't have his times of complete selfishness; like this very instance. Rachel found something and was playfully taunting Bruce.

"Rachel, Let me see" Bruce begged gasping between breaths.

Nuh uh, I found it, it's mine" she sprinted around the corner in the direction of the garden

"Yeah, but on my property." Bruce screamed back still in pursuit of Rachel. He didn't see his father approaching; just as he was about to round the corner himself. "Hey Kiddo!" Thomas said smiling. Bruce stopped running.

"Bruce, we are moving the party inside for hors'devours before dinner is served. We haven't seen much of you today are you coming in?

"I'm playing with Rachel dad, I have to go." Bruce stated impatiently starting to run again.

"Alright kiddo, dinner is in an hour." Thomas said yelling after him, "and Bruce keep an eye on your sister and her little friends playing in the Garden. Don't let them near the greenhouse it is dangerous.

"Okay!" Bruce yelled over his shoulder off again after Rachel.

Thomas smiled; shaking his head as he turned and walked towards the manor.

Bruce arrived near the Garden, he saw Bells and the other playing something that looked like ring around the rosie.

"Rachel?" Bruce screamed; unsure of which direction to continue.

"Finders keepers, Bruce" Rachel said taunting him. She was in the greenhouse. He ran in aand was hit by an overwhelming heat. He scanned the room over once, and saw her shoe poking out from behind a workbench.

"Rachel, Let me see" Bruce said impatiently slightly out of breath. She opened her hands revealing an old arrowhead. It was the coolest thing Bruce had ever seen and he wanted it.

"Cool" Bruce exclaimed.

"Told you it was." Rachel gloated; proud of her find however letting her guard down for a moment. Bruce grabbed the relic and ran away laughing.

"Hey, no fair Bruce that was mine." Rachel called starting to chasing him. He had almost made it out of the greenhouse when he heard the screams. The little girls were screaming towards a young girl slowly walking towards the drop off located at the left most boundry of Wayne Manor. It was a long fall into an icy sea ridden with jagged rocks.

"Bells"

He quickly scanned for his sister only to find her safely standing off behind the group of girls looking in the direction of the girl eerily calm.

She was not stopping. She was about 30 feet from the edge. Bruce realized he had to do something. He didn't have time to run for help and nobody could hear them. The house was too far away. Bruce had to act.

Bruce yelled, " Hey Stop. What's wrong with you?" Taking off from the door in the direction of the cliff. The ground gave away underneath him. Darkness…

Cassandra oriented her eyes in Bruce's direction upon hearing him shout out. She saw him start running then disappear into the ground.

As soon as Cassandra took her eyes off of the girl, the rigidity of the girl's body melted away, and she slumped to ground unconscious.

Rachel arrived at the well. "Bruce, are you ok? There was no reply. I'm going to get help. She took off towards the house screaming for help.

Cassandra ran towards the place she saw Bruce fall. He was shifting trying to sit up. Then it happened. Bats everywhere. It seemed like forever until they had all cleared. Bruce was left shaking on the ground. She sat down beside the well singing a sweet song to show her brother he was not alone.

A few moments passed and Rachel returned with Alfred, Thomas, and the rest of the party guest curious as to what was interrupting their good time.

Upon seeing the child collapsed on the ground the adults began to panic. The girl's dad rushed and scooped her up; cradling her to his body. Other parents grabbed their children by the hands and headed towards the house preparing to leave. The party was over.

Thomas got into his repelling equipment and noticed Cassandra watching; worry on her face.

"Cassandra go find you mother. I must go down and take care of your brother." Thomas commanded.

He got in position and Alfred began lowering him into the well.

Cassandra began walking toward the manor then suddenly remembered what she had been doing before Bruce's fall. She scanned the ground until something caught her eye. Several bright gleams of pink from the sun light reflecting off of sequin. She ran over towards the gleam and picked the object up. She smiled, picking grass out of its blond she whispered to herself:

"Finders Keepers"

It had been weeks since the party. The cast would come off today, and in celebration the Waynes were going to the

opera; Arrigo Boito's Mefistofele. Thomas had already promised Cassandra they would go for her birthday, but it had been

postponed due to Bruce's injury. She was devastated they couldn't go, but was more concerned about Bruce. She was

even helpful at times keeping him company singing to him and playing with him while he was bed ridden. He really had

great kids. He had been hesitant, about adopting. Martha, however, was set on it. It all changed when he saw her for the

first time. The caseworker placed her in his arms, their eyes met, and he was smitten. So small and beautiful. His little

girl. She could be a handful at times, more or less willful. She reminded him alot of his mother. He laughed at the

thought. Deep down she had the biggest heart. He was proud to be a father. Tonight he would take Cassandra to her first

opera. Tonight he would celebrate his family.

"Can we go" Bruce asked his father quietly looking uncomfortable.

Thomas didn't ask any questions and with a silent understanding; he swiftly complied. They gathered their things to go. Martha reached for Cassandra's hand, who had been enjoying herself even to the point of trying to sing along at times and they stood to leave Cassandra pouting slightly disappointed she had to leave early.

"What's wrong, Bruce?" Martha asked and they walked through the door.

Bruce was about to answer, but Thomas interrupted him taking the blame for their early departure.

"I just needed some fresh air." He stated. "A little bit of opera goes a long way, right Bruce?"

Bruce's face read agreement and relief.

"Daddy, can we go get ice cream." Cassandra asked sweetly

"Honey, I think Bruce wants to go home and rest after all he only got his cast off today. It's getting late. We should probably go home." Thomas replied.

"But I want to go get ice cream. Please daddy? Cassandra begged a little more agitated.

"Cassandra, honey, daddy said no, and that is final." Thomas replied a little more matter of factly.

Thomas had never been so direct with Cassandra. He rarely said no to her; but with the economic depression worsening, it just wasn't safe to be out too late. The crime rate was rising in Gotham. Food was becoming more and more scarce for the poor. It was not safe especially with the last name Wayne in Gotham after dark.

Cassandra became angry. Her dad had told her no. She had to leave the opera early. The very opera she had been waiting on and excited to see for weeks, and now she couldn't even get ice cream. She had never been so mad at her dad. She looked in his direction and thought to herself. "I really want ice cream."

Thomas went rigid. It only lasted for a second, but that was too long in this case. A costly distraction. Nobody saw the mugger walk up to the family.

"Wallets, jewelry, fast" the mugger demanded. Bruce pushed Cassandra behind him.

"That's fine, just take it easy." Thomas stated cautiously. He reached in his suit pocket and removed his wallet. He went to hand it to the mugger, but it fell to the ground.

"It's fine. It's fine now, just take it and go." Thomas requested.

"I said jewelry too." the mugger urged impatiently.

A lot of things went wrong at once. Thomas stepped in front of Martha, startling the mugger and the gun went off. Cassandra grabbed her ears, and fell to ground singing to herself rocking back anf forth. Martha was screaming hysterically. Bruce got down covering Cassandra trying to keep her hidden from the mugger. Martha reached down to check on mugger reached in trying to rip off her necklace. It broke and the gun fired a second shot. The mugger fled. The screams had stopped. Thomas barely alive tried to comfort Bruce, then gave his dying request. The alley grew quiet. The only thing that could be heard were the vague sounds of feet retreating growing fainter the farther they ran away, and the soft melodic sound of a little girl singing a lullaby.

The next few days were a blur for both of them. The police station, the ride home without their parents, nightmares,

condolences, people, the funeral, the burial, headstones…flowers. The days meshed into each other and life for Bruce and

Cassandra had changed forever. Bruce thought back to his dad's final words. Take care of Cassandra. She will need you.

Bruce had done just that since that night. Every nightmare Bruce was there to comfort her. He tried to protect her from

the constant reminders that they were now orphans, but even he could do so much. Bruce noticed she could be found

most days kneeling directly between both their graves staring at the tomb stones for hours singing the lullaby their mom

sang to her every night before bed as if she was waiting for something. She would leave more saddened than the time

before as the days continually passed. Alfred reassured him it was a part of her grieving process. So, Bruce let her go

every day and never bothered her. Today was no different than yesterday. Bruce looked out his window and sure enough

there was his sister in her spot kneeling and singing; willing Thomas and Martha Wayne to wake up.

A/N: so that was chapter 2. Yes, more back story. It is all vital to understanding her in the next few will be having a few identity issues. I am estimating that there might atleast be prelude to bane some in the next chapter and full on bane in the fourth, but as i stated before i don't know where i'm going with this, so i just let the writing take over. Hope you enjoy and please review. I'd love any advice or suggestions. Until the next time chapter.