Well as promised here is the next chapter. I probably would've posted this yesterday, but I had to volunteer at a Halloween festival. Uh, word of advice to my fellow readers, do not work at the gold fish stand. It can be fun, but THE LINE NEVER STOPS! I mean everyone wanted a gold fish. Plus I was kinda in charge. There was an adult there for at least thirty minutes, but she left me with the rest of the fifth graders working at the stand. Luckily my Girl Scout experiences have taught me leadership skills to withstand the challenge. Ugh, if only they had more space at the rubber ducks. Oh well, at least I got a piece of pumpkin pie and three hours of community service out of it.

Well anyway, enough of my rambling. Here's the new chapter.

Party Crashers

Abby woke up in her room with the covers over her on her bed. She felt her body ache as she sat up on her bed.

"I see you're finally up, Miss Wayne."

Alfred made his way into the room with a tray full of food.

"What happened?" she asked.

"It seems that your dark friend took the liberty of taking you home," he gestured to the open balcony doors.

Alfred set down the tray on her nightstand.

Abby took the cinnamon roll from the tray. "Thanks. I'm in trouble, aren't I?"

"Well…I wouldn't say that yet. Your father thought since today was a special occasion, he'll let you off with a warning."

She sighed in relief.

"But he might change his mind tomorrow," Alfred quickly added. "Just remember that."

"I don't think I can forget," she took a bite of her cinnamon roll.

Alfred half-smiled. "Anyway, I suggest you get ready. Your father is expecting you downstairs."

"Alright, I'll do that Alfred. Thanks, again."

He nodded before leaving. As Abby took off the covers, she noticed a brace on her injured ankle. Another kind gesture from Gotham's Dark Knight. Luckily this time she could walk somewhat normal on her ankle, but she still limped a little. She slipped on a strapless knee length dark navy blue dress that had white designs of laces curling around her dress. Since she was wearing the brace, she only put one black flat. Abby then undid her messy French braid and brushed her hair. She fixed into a low pony tail, putting it on the side of her shoulder. Finally, she put blush on her face to cover up the bruise. Once she was satisfied, she made her way downstairs.

Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she got closer to the main room. She had just heard them sing "Happy Birthday" to Bruce when she got close to the doorway. She only hoped that her friends would be there to make her feel a little more comfortable. Here we go, she thought as she entered the main room.

Abby wasn't sure if the media's flashing cameras or people's staring faces at her were worse, but right now she felt like a freak show. Everyone stared at her the minute she walked into the room. She heard various whispers within the rich community of people. Abby could've sworn she had never seen so many nicely dress people in her life.

"It's Abigail Wayne, the Princess of Gotham," one of them finally said.

She smiled meekly and said, "Hi everyone."

One of the men walked up to her. "Hello, Miss Wayne. It's nice to finally meet Bruce's daughter in person."

Abby shook his hand and smiled. "Likewise."

"There you are, Abby."

Bruce came up from behind her.

"I see you've met one of the board members for Wayne Enterprises, John Walker, right?"

"Yes, Sir. You're daughter seems like quite the young lady."

"Thank you, Mr. Walker. Now if you don't mind I'd like to have a private word with her."

"Very well."

Abby spoke as soon as Mr. Walker left. "Thanks Bruce. You have no idea how nervous I am."

"I can imagine," he said. "This is your first party."

"Not my first party, but this is my first fancy party."

"Well you're not doing half bad on your attire. I barely even recognized you when walked in."

She smiled. "Thanks. This is one of the only times that I dress up like up a girl."

He chuckled. "I can tell. Anyway, I have something to give you."

Abby was shocked. "That's funny I thought today was your birthday. Besides mine just passed this summer."

"I know, but I meant to give this to you on your eighth birthday."

"It's a little late."

"I know, just turn around."

Although suspicious, Abby turned around. She saw a small golden locket touch her chest that had her name neatly engraved on it. When he finished putting the necklace on, she turned around.

"It's pretty," she said.

"Open it."

She opened it. A picture of her seven year old self, Bruce, and Rachel were inside. On the other side of the locket an inscription said: I will always love you, no matter what. Remember that. Love Daddy. Abby was speechless. After all of those years she thought Bruce didn't love her. But in truth he really did.

Bruce finally spoke. "I'm sorry if I hurt you in anyway by leaving Abby. I was young and I needed a reality check. The place where I went gave me just the thing. I understand if you never forgive me…I probably would've done the same thing if my dad had disappeared for years without telling me. Just know that I love you. No matter how much you might irritate me or throw insults at me, I will still love you."

Abby couldn't believe it. He knew that she hated his guts, but he still pursued to earn back her affection. Bruce was defiantly not what she had presumed him to be. He wasn't the same man that left her seven years ago…he was more than that.

"Bruce I—"

Abby was cut off by a familiar voice.

"There you are, girl!"

Sasha along with Heather and Aaron appeared right beside them. Unlike the rest of the guests at the party they didn't have anything glamorous, but it still looked pretty good. Sasha wore a dark purple spaghetti strap dress that went down to the edge of her knees and a pair of black low-high heels. Heather's black and white strapless dress reached just over her knees. Aaron on the other hand wore a black semi-neat tux with a black tie around his neck.

"We've been looking for you everywhere."

"Sorry, I kinda dozed off too late," said Abby.

"Kinda?" said Sasha, incredulously. "You're two hours late."

"Again sorry. Plus I kinda sprained my ankle when I was rushing to get ready."

That story would have to do for now. She would tell them eventually once they were alone.

"Oh are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm better now."

Abby looked at Bruce and her friends before realizing their unfamiliarity.

"Oh, Bruce these are my friends, Sasha, Heather, and you already know Aaron."

Bruce nodded. "It's nice to meet you girls and nice to see you too, Aaron."

"You too, Mr. Wayne," said Aaron.

"Anyway I gotta talk to Mr. Fox about something; in the meantime you kids have fun."

Heather nearly squealed when he left. "Oh my gosh we have just met Gotham's bachelor."

"Yeah, that's news to me," she said sarcastically.

"Sorry, I'm excited for just being here. I didn't even know what to get your dad for his birthday."

"Don't mind Heather," Sasha cut in, "she's was nearly having an anxiety attack on the way here."

"Wow, you look great Abby," Aaron beamed.

"You don't look too bad yourself," said Abby.

"Thanks, I just used Jared's old tux that he used for a play."

"Yeah, well I just used a dress that I abandoned a few months ago after my mom bought it for eighth grade graduation."

"Well you look beautiful in it."

Abby turned red. Sasha and Heather coughed for attention.

"Oh yeah," said Aaron, "you guys look great too."

"Thank you, Aaron," said Sasha, satisfied.

"Now if you don't mind, I'm gonna go see if I have a chance that boy over there," Heather put on her seductive face.

She left leaving Sasha disappointed. "Great, why does she have to spot all of the cute guys before me?" She looked over and her eyes got big. "Oh never mind, hot guy at ten o'clock! See you two."

Sasha left before either of them could respond.

"I guess, it's just you and me now," Aaron smiled.

"Yep, just you and me. So are you having fun?"

"Fun-ish, this seems more like a business party than a birthday party."

She shrugged. "What ya gonna do? It's mostly my dad's coworkers that are here. Do you wanna walk around?"

"Sure."

They walked around the main room talking about what had gone about at school since her absence. Apparently Renee had been trying to convince everyone that Abby was a complete coward. Abby snorted at the thought. Renee could be so pathetic.

"Yeah, and you'll never guess what Heather did yesterday," Aaron continued.

"What?"

"She bought homecoming tickets for all of us. Whether we have a date or not."

"Classic Heather," she sighed.

"No kidding. But anyway do you have anyone in mind you'd like to go with since you're forced to make the commitment to go?"

Abby stopped on her tracks and looked at him curiously. "You know Aaron you are one of the most confusing boys that I have ever met. First you tell me that you like me, then you avoid me…then after we've made up we start almost kissing. And now you're asking me who I'm gonna go to homecoming with?"

He paused. "As you can tell, I really do not know how to approach this."

"I'll say…but neither do I. I'm not even sure if we should be doing this, it could wreck our friendship."

He took her hand. "Maybe, but you will always still be my friend in the end. No matter if we become a couple or break up, we'll make it through it. I know it."

"You know, I still haven't given you a full answer on how I feel about you."

"I know I just can't help it. So do you have an answer?"

"Yeah, actually I've been having some thoughts lately."

Aaron raised an eyebrow at her. "What thoughts exactly?"

"I don't know," she smirked at him. "They're confusing and yet they make sense at the same time."

"That is weird."

"Yeah, but it's got me thinking how good we are as friends. Like if we could be more than friends."

"I would like that," he gave a small smile.

They were about to draw closer to each other, but an unwanted voice came up from behind.

"Well, if it isn't the Cowardly Princess and her peasant," the voice said.

They separated from each other, looking resentfully at the other direction. Renee stood there along with her clones, sneering at them. She wore a long golden dress and pounds of make up on her face.

"I always knew you two would get together. I just never mentioned it."

"What do you want Kendal?" Abby shot coldly.

"I just came to say hello and wish your dad a Happy Birthday. My dad is close to Wayne Enterprises so that's what got me into this party. You know you never told me that Bruce Wayne was your father."

"It was never your business."

She seemed unfazed by the comment. "Yeah, anyway I had to do research to rat you out. I mean I already knew, but I had to figure it out on my own. It wasn't that hard considering your last name is Wayne. So how does it feel being the daughter of a man that cares more about his paycheck than he does about you? I don't know about you but he doesn't seem like father material to me."

Abby fumed. Bruce wasn't like that at all. She knew in her heart that he wasn't.

"Why do you just get a life, Renee?" snarled Aaron.

"How about you get your parents get a bigger paycheck?"

"At least I don't have a big mouth and an ego to match."

Renee narrowed her eyes at him.

"Both of you stop!" Abby looked to Renee. "This is between you and me. Listen to me and listen good. My dad is one of the most persistent people that I have ever met. He knew that I was angry at him, yet still acted like life was great. He knows so much more than what I suspected. Sure he left me for seven years, but he had good reasons in going. Ever since he's come back, he's seems to have changed—he wants to become a better dad," Abby paused before continuing, "But he doesn't know that…he always has been a great dad. He's given up so much just to raise me and I think I love him for it. And if he doesn't know it I should really tell him."

Renee looked at her incredulously. "If that was supposed to be an insult, it wasn't that very good according to your standards."

"It was supposed to be an insult at first, but then I had an epiphany. To think you would be the one to help me have it. I never thought I'd say this but thanks Renee."

Abby took Aaron's hand and began to leave Renee and her friends dumbstruck.

"Wait I'm still confused," Renee stopped them. "How did I help you again?"

She turned around. "You just gave me inspiration."

"I guess I do that sometimes," Renee smiled smugly. "But no matter what you do you will always be a loser that her father does not appreciate."

Abby didn't say anything to the comment. Instead she went over to one of the caterers with the tray full of ice cream sundaes.

"Can I borrow this please?"

The caterer nodded, handing his tray to her.

"Thanks."

Renee must've known what was coming because when Abby came back with the tray she began to back away. Without any warning, Abby threw the tray to Renee's dress. It landed on her face, smearing the rest of her body. She didn't scream, but she glared at her with vigilance. During this time both Abby and Aaron were holding back a laugh.

Her friends tried to clean her up as she spoke again. "Wayne, expect this as the beginning of your downfall."

"I'm counting on it," Abby smirked. "Let's go Aaron. I gotta go talk to my dad."

They walked away, snickering along the way.

"That felt so good man," said Abby.

"No kidding," Aaron agreed. "It actually felt better than when you punched her."

"Oh I could relive that moment again and again and not feel one surge of guilt."

Abby spotted her father talking to Lucius. She needed to tell him. He was still under the impression that she would never forgive him. It would be best for the both of them if she just got it out and in the open.

"I'm going," she stated. "He needs to know the truth."

"Alright, I'll be here if you need me. Good luck."

"Thanks I'm gonna need it."

Abby headed over to Bruce as soon as he separated from Lucius. She took a deep breath before speaking to him.

"Bruce."

Bruce smiled at her. "Hey Abby, are you having fun?"

"Yeah. Look I need to talk to you…in private."

"Okay, let's go in the parlor."

They started to exit the main room, but a blonde woman pulled them aside.

"Bruce," she said, "there's somebody here you simply must meet."

Bruce tried to dismiss it, but she seemed persistent. Abby became frustrated with woman. She only needed a stinking five seconds with him!

"Now am I pronouncing this right? Mr. Ra's al Ghul?"

Abby watched her father's expression change from trying to ignore the woman to full awareness to the bald stubby man she was introducing. Abby too did become aware of this man. She had heard Crane say it when he was being interrogated by Batman. If Crane mentioned him, he must've been bad. For some strange reason Bruce grabbed onto her hand in a protective way.

Bruce narrowed his eyes. "You're not Ra's al Ghul….I watched him die."

Abby snapped her head to Bruce. "You did what now?"

"But," said an English voice behind them. "Is Ra's al Ghul immortal?"

They slowly turned around as the woman was led away by the bald man. A middle-aged man with a skinny mustache and a goatee appeared in front of them, slowly making his way towards them.

"Or are his methods supernatural?"

Bruce stared at him for a long time before responding. "Or cheap parlor tricks to conceal your true identity…Ra's?"

"Wait, you know this guy?" Abby asked Bruce incredulously.

Ra's answered for Bruce. "Yes, your father and I know each other very well," he faced Bruce, "Surely a man who spends his nights scrambling over the rooftops wouldn't begrudge me with dual identities. Even your own daughter doesn't seem to have any knowledge of what you are doing."

Scrambling over rooftops? What the heck was this guy talking about?

"Yeah Bruce what are you doing?" she shot at him.

"Not now, Abby," Bruce whispered to her and said to Ra's, "I saved your life."

"I warned you about compassion, Bruce."

Bruce took one glance at Abby and looked around the rest of the room before answering, "Your quarrel is with me. You let these people go."

"You are welcome to explain the situation to them."

"Yeah and try explaining this to me because quite frankly I'm very confused," said Abby bitterly.

Letting go of her hand, Bruce faced the crowd.

"Everyone. Everybody?" Bruce projected his voice as he took a glass of champagne. "I, uh, wanna thank you all for coming here tonight and drinking all of my booze."

Everyone laughed except Ra's and Abby. She noticed he was now slurring almost every word he was saying. But he wasn't drunk. When Abby pulled him aside and tried to talk to him before, his breath didn't smell and he was speaking very clearly. Why would he fake being drunk in front of all of these important figures?

Bruce laughed too, but returned to his straight face. "No really. There's a thing about being a Wayne that…you're never short of a few freeloaders, like yourselves, to fill up your mansion with. So here's to you people. Thank you."

A man stepped out of the crowd.

"That's enough Bruce," he said quietly.

Bruce took sip of his champagne and slurred, "I'm not finished. To all you—all you phonies, all you two-faced friends, you sick sycophantic suck-ups, who smile through your teeth at me, please leave me in peace. Please go. Stop smiling. It's not a joke. The party's over. Get out."

Both of Abby's eyes and mouth were wide open. That seemed to be something she would say herself to these people. Rachel was definitely right about Abby having Bruce's personality. But why would Bruce go through all of this trouble just to make people leave.

Abby went up to Bruce as people began to head for the door. "Bruce, what's going on?"

"I can't explain now," he hissed in non-slurring voice. "You need to go with these people."

"Not until figure out what's going on here."

Bruce seemed to have ignored her. "Take your friends and get out."

"But Bruce—"

"That's an order, Abigail. Don't disobey me this time," he shot sternly.

Abby bit her lip as she went along with the rest of the crowd. She didn't feel right leaving him here. Something was wrong. She could sense it. Abby soon caught up with Aaron, Sasha, and Heather as they exited the front door.

"What the heck is going on with your dad?" asked Aaron.

"I don't know," she answered in a weak voice. "But something is wrong."

When they got outside, Abby peered at the corner of her eye and saw two big men closing and locking the door behind them.

Thanks for reading! I know a lot of you are asking when Abby is going to find out that Bruce is Batman, but don't worry she will. Just not in the way you think.

Happy Halloween!

~Emyrox567