Chapter 19 my most ardent apologies for the delay

Please R&R

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Hope gazed folornly out of her window at the diamond filled night sky Dad was going to take me stargazing next She thought bitterly When I find that bitch I'm gonna. . . . I'm gonna. . . She broke down into frustrated tears.
"Miss Drayman?" A deep throaty voice made her jump "Who's there?"

Batman walked out of the shadows into the starlight "Batman? What do you want?"
"I need your help" Hope stared at him, Gotham's vigilante, the Dark Knight himself needed her help "Why? Why me?" Batman sighed and looked wistfully out of the window, at least Hope thought he did, it was hard to see his eyes "I can't do this forever, but Gotham needs a protector when I'm gone, someone trustworthy who'll inspire good not madness like I have" He looks sad Thought Hope "Who are you. . . really?"
"Will you help?" Hope thought carefully If I help I can get the Ace and stop her from hurting anyone ever again "Okay I'll help"

Hope held her breath while Batman slowly removed his mask.

"No way! Bruce Wayne. . . you're Batman" He nodded trying not to laugh at her astonished face "Does Alfred know?"
"Yes, in fact you were his idea" She looked at him curiously.
"His idea?" Bruce sat on the window seat beside her.
"I told him I needed help and he found you. . . don't ask me how he often knows more than he seems to"
Hope jumped to her feet "So all this time you've been protecting Gotham?" He nodded but a shadow passed over his face before being replaced by a brilliant smile "Enough of the past, would you like to see the Batcave?" She nodded enthusiasticly and followed him down a corridor, turning a few cartwheels in excitment
"Very good, how long have you been performing?"
"Ten years, I've won the Nationals twice and came third in this years inter-colledge championships, I haven't had much time to practise since my Grandma went into hospital" Her smile faded, she fell silent and bit her lip to stop the tears escaping.

"Here we are" They'd stopped infront of a stone alcove which held an expensive looking vase decorated with swifts "The ninth brick to the left, push it" The brick sprang back at Hope's touch, initiating a door mechanism.
"Welcome, Miss Drayman" Alfred was on the other side of the door, he bowed gesturing for them to enter "Master Wayne, Mr Fox called and said to notify you that the Batmobile is fully repaired, and the required modifications have been made" It was Bruce's turn to look puzzled, Alfred explained "It now has two seats"

This flew over Hope's head as she gazed in awe around the Batcave "This is . . . just incredible" She peered closely at the array of weapons and gadgets displayed on tables and walls "It's like something out of a movie" The cave's vast vaulted ceiling echoed with their footsteps as Alfred led them around the cave "And her we have Sir's costumes both old and more recent" Many batsuits and batmasks adorned the walls in separate glass cases, Alfred whispered in her ear "Sir is quite attached to these, he as much of a sentamentalist as i am" Hope giggled then asked, pointing at a black armoured suit decorated with golden threads of colour twisting around the arms, legs and mask "Whose is this?"
"That is your suit, I hope it is to your liking"
"Oh I love it" She walked around it "It's even got golden wings on the the back. . . can I try it on?"
Bruce Wayne shook his head "Not yet, you need training first" Hope scowled I thought you needed help" Bruce put his mask back on "I do, but what help would you be if you don't know what to do? Stay here Alfred will get you started on your training"And with that Batman drove into the night.
"Stupid Batman" Hope muttered "Just wait till I show you"

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Annie stared blankly at the chattering soap opera characters wishing that her life was that simple. Tia had noticed her best friend's changing behaviour.
"Are you alright Annie? Is everthing ok with James?"
"Yea I'm fine, just tired"
Tired of not knowing what to do, who to trust, who to hate, who to love. It would be easier just to die!
She felt a bitter laugh choke her I couldn't kill someone who would kill me how could I kill myself! So weak!

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Please R&R sorry for the long updating delays