Disclaimer: I own nothing. I get paid in happiness
"What's the empty space for?" She asked, unable to contain her curiosity.
"Martial arts training," Bruce replied. "Interested in learning?" He added with a grin.
Danny looked up at him with an eager look. "When can we start?"
"Now if you like."
"I'll go get changed." Danny said and rushed out of the gym and up to her bedroom to change.
Bruce smiled as he watched her leave. Alfred walked in. "Did the punching bag say something interesting, Master Bruce?"
Bruce laughed. "No, Danny just left. I'm going to teach her what I know about martial arts."
"Are you sure that's wise?"
"Danny's been through hell. She needs to be able to protect herself. Even Batman can't protect her all the time."
Jonathan Crane sat in the dark of the apartment he had just rented. He had broken out of Arkham Asylum just hours before. His little sister had a big surprise coming her way. And the Bat Man, well, Jonathan couldn't wait to extract his revenge. But he would wait. He would wait until the very best moment. Then he would bring Gotham's hero to his knees. Once he had Batman, Scarecrow would take great pleasure in killing him slowly and painfully.
"You failed, Batman." Scarecrow said with a laugh. "But I won't fail. I'll kill, but not before you watch all those you love suffer and die."
"Careful, stretch your hand more towards the ceiling, and straighten your back." Bruce said. He had decided to start with simple balancing exercises. So far, Danny was doing remarkably well. "Where did you learn how to balance so well?"
"My mother, she taught ballet classes. She made me practice everyday." Danny replied with a smile.
"So what else did your mom teach you?" Bruce asked.
"She taught me how to make the world's best lasagna, and how to play the piano."
"Sounds like a nice lady." Bruce commented.
"She was, she didn't deserve to die… She and my father were killed in a car accident when I was only eleven. Jack took care of me after that." Danny replied softly.
"Danny, I've been meaning to ask you, how old are you?"
She glanced over her shoulder at him; it wasn't a question she had been expecting. She decided the truth was the best option; besides, Bruce would see right through a lie anyway. "I'll be twenty-three." She said quietly.
Bruce knew she was young, but he hadn't thought she was that young. Frankly, he was stunned. She carried herself with such grace, he would have thought she was at least twenty-six.
Later that evening, Bruce stood in the living room. The 11:00 news was on. The top story was the escape of Dr. Jonathan Crane, also known as "Scarecrow." Bruce watched as they played a video clip from the police interrogation of Dr. Crane. He seemed completely out of his mind. "He's faking it." Danny said softly.
Bruce turned. He hadn't noticed her come in. "What do you mean?"
"He's mimicking the effects that he knows the toxin causes, but he's not affected by it at all. He's been immune to the stuff for years."
Author's Note: I know, it's the chapter you've all been waiting for, enter the Scarecrow! Life as Danny and Bruce know it is about to turn upside down!