Chapter 11

The teenagers couldn't believe it. Not only did they find out the Batman's identity, they found out he is Bruce Wayne: Billionaire, playboy, philanthropist, and Nicole's dad's boss. The girls were shocked to say the least. After the billionaire/ vigilante caught them in the Batcave, he and the girls went upstairs back to Wayne Manor, much to a surprised Alfred, who was then entering the room to tell the girl's supper was ready when he saw the entrance to the cave open.

"Oh dear. I am sorry Master Bruce; I didn't know the girls would have figured out how to open the entrance."

"It's fine. Could we have some time alone, Alfred?"

"Of course sir." With that, Alfred left the room.

"You two can sit down." Bruce said to Mara and Nicole, who did exactly that. The Dark Knight, now dressed as Bruce Wayne, sat down on a separate chair and sighed. He knew it would probably be easier that the girls knew he was Batman, so he wouldn't have to hide, but also it was hard at the same time, because the more people who knew the playboy's alter ego, the more dangerous things would be for those people. Especially for kids.

"So……" Nicole started to say. "You're really Batman."

Bruce nodded. "Yes, I am."

"Wow this is totally frickin awesome." Mara said.

"What do we need to talk about?"

Bruce replied, " We need to talk about this whole situation. About the Joker and my identity."

"We won't tell anyone about your identity. We promise. Right Nicole?"

"Duhh. Why would we tell? Being a part of the few who know who Batman is, is way too cool."

"Yes, but I want you two to know that knowing my identity is dangerous, because a lot of my enemies would do almost anything to learn it. Even hurt innocents."

"Well we kind of figured that. That always is a part of the package, but we can handle that. But what do you need to talk about the Joker for?" Mara asked.

Bruce sighed. "You two both know why the Joker is after you, right?"

Nicole replied, "Yeah, he is ticked that us kids helped put him back in Arkham and made him look like a fool, so he wants to kill us."

"Well you are right about he is mad about you two putting him in Arkham, but I don't think he will kill you."

"What?" both the girls asked/exclaimed.

"The Joker wouldn't try this hard to get you if he was just going to kill you two. I think he has something else just as bad planned for you."

Mara looked confused. "Like what, exactly?"

Bruce looked down. He didn't want to tell the girls this, but Nicole and Mara deserved to know what that psychopath wanted to do to them. No matter what though, Bruce was not going to let it happen.

"Well, I believe he wants to….." he could barely get the word out. "..torture you into insanity. To show he can drive two innocent minds that defeated him into madness. For a big joke of revenge.

Both the teens were at a loss of words. Even though Nicole knew the Harlequin of Hate was going to do something like this (said in chapter 5) , she still couldn't believe it.

"WHAT!!!!" Mara exclaimed. "Torture us? That is too sick! Why would he…..how…….UGHHHHH!"

"Calm down, Mara! He doesn't even know where we are. And besides, we have Batman protecting us."

Mara sighed. "Yeah, I know. It's just really…..scary to think about someone who wants to turn us into little insane freaks for a sick joke."

"I will not let that mad man get to you. I promise you both." Bruce said.

"Okay." Both the girls mumbled.

"All right then." Bruce then smiled trying to cheer the girls up. "How about we go eat dinner now? Alfred makes excellent pasta."

"Okay."

"Sure."

The three then went into the dining room, where the long table had three plates of fancy looking pasta at one end of it. "Everything alright now, Master Bruce?"

"Everything is fine now Alfred." Bruce replied while he and the girls sat down.

"Very well sir." Alfred then went off back into the kitchen.

"Can we ask you some questions?" Nicole asked as they all started to eat their very delicious looking pasta.

Bruce thought for a minute. He was going to say no, but the girls looked at him with pleading eyes, basically begging him to answer their deepest questions. I guess I might as well answer some. How come I can put fear into the eyes of criminals, beat psychopaths and save the city constantly, but I can't deny two 14 year olds' requests? He asked himself in his mind. Bruce chuckled internally. Maybe I am getting soft.

"Ok, you can ask me some questions, but only a few."

"Sweet! So where is Robin?"

"College." Bruce replied

"Do you know Batgirl?" Mara asked.

"She is not really affiliated with me, nor do I know who she is (which is a total lie, which you find out in the episode, Old Wounds), but I appreciate what she tries to help do.

"Why did you choose bats as a symbol?"

"Because bats are frightening creatures, and I wanted to strike fear into the hearts of criminals."

"Do we call you Mr. Wayne or Mr. Bruce or what?"

"You two can call me Bruce."

"Ok, one last question." Mara said.

"Alright."

"…….Can you teach us karate?"

"No." Bruce smiled.

"Why not?" asked Nicole.

"Because after that whole sled down the stairs incident, you two knowing martial arts might be a little too dangerous for the sake of the mansion, and everyone in it."

"Oh, heh heh. You uh, know about that?"

"I have cameras in the mansion."

"Dang. That would be kinda cool if it wasn't being used to possibly get us in trouble." Said Mara.

Bruce Wayne chuckled. These kids were funny. A little weird, but funny. As soon as everyone was finished, Bruce said, "Time to get ready for bed."

"But it is only 9:30!" exclaimed Mara.

"It isn't good to stay up very late."

"But you do it every night Batman." Nicole smirked.

"Not the point. Besides, you two have homework to do tomorrow, don't you?" Bruce said with a small grin on his face.

"Awww man!" they both groaned.

"Now get ready. I'll be up in a minute."

The fourteen year olds then got up from the table and went up the stairs. They got their pajamas on, brushed their teeth, blah blah, and went into Mara's room. Nicole was wearing a light blue shirt and blue and green plaid pajama bottoms. Mara was wearing a black tank top and black pajama bottoms.

"It will be really weird to sleep in a mansion." Said Nicole.

"Yeah it will be. Oh yeah, I got to feed Chelsea!"

"What?"

Mara then pulled out a cage from under her bed, with a tan hamster in it. She put a little food bowl in there, filled it up from a bag in her backpack, and put it in the cage.

"You have a hamster?"

"Yeah, I got her last week. I named her after Chelsea because she gave me the idea to get a hamster."

"And you are telling me this now because………."

"I forgot to tell you."

"Ok then."

Bruce then walked in the door. "Ready for bed girls?"

"Yeah." They still thought it was stupid to go to bed this early, but they were getting kind of tired from everything that was going on today.

"Good…………why is there a hamster on the floor?"

"Cause she is my pet. I would've left her at home, but my parents would probably forget about feeding her and stuff." Mara replied.

"Oh….kay. Well let's get into bed now."

"It's still early." Nicole whined.

"It's almost 10 thirty."

"Wow time goes by fast."

"Yes it does, now quit stalling guys and get to bed."

Mara climbed into her bed while Nicole went in her room next door.

" 'Night, Mara."

"Night, Nicole. 'Night Bruce."

"Good night Mara." Bruce said as he turned off the lights and went into Nicole's room. Nicole got into her bed and Bruce sat on her bed.

"You're going to go look for Joker now?"

"Yes. I will find him before he hurts you and Mara."

"I know. But how long do you think we will stay here until it is safe to go home?"

"I am not sure. As soon as the Joker is captured and locked back into Arkham."

"I am sorry about your parents."

Bruce looked shocked, taken by surprise at the girl's mentioning of his deceased family.

"That's why you are Batman, right? To avenge your parents?"

Bruce didn't really know what to say. "Well yes……and no. I am who I am because I want to make sure no one goes through the pain of losing a loved one like I lost my parents, and to rid Gotham of crime."

"That sounds kind of like a burden."

"It is not for fun, Nicole. It is my responsibility, and it always will be, no matter what."

"I think I get that. That is really cool of you."

"Thanks. Now you should be getting to bed."

"All right." Nicole said while laying down in her covers and closing her eyes.

Bruce headed to the door and turned off the lights.

"Good night, Nicole."

"'Night Bruce."

With that, the billionaire closed the door gently and walked away towards the stairs to head into the Batcave, hoping to continue his search for the Clown Prince of Crime. He was also thinking of those two young girls, a little weird, but they were great kids. But his face instantly turned angry at the thought of the Joker trying to turn them into……monsters.

Bruce went in the cave and changed into his Batman costume. He went into his Batmobile and drove out the exit, headed towards Gotham City.

Joker I will find you, and you will have to get past my dead body to get near those girls.

I know i put sentimental stuff in there. I am usually not into that stuff but i guess every good story has to have them, not to sound cocky or anything XD. R&R for comments, concerns etc please.