She hadn't killed Reginald Payne.

But, someone was trying to make it look that way.

Someone who had access to her DNA and the means to plant it on his body.

Someone who would benefit from her being incarcerated.

"Cynthia."

Cynthia looked up at Jim Gordon, who was watching her with worried eyes.

"Where were you last night?"

"I was at home."

"Anyone that can attest to that?"

"Alfred."

"Alfred is still recovering from a stab wound; he's on some pretty heavy medication. Bruce?"

"Bruce wasn't home."

And slowly the cogs began to turn.

It was quiet as Jim sighed, rubbing his face.

"Cynthia, I want to help you, but the DA will be here any minute and I need to know the truth; did you kill Payne?"

"No, I didn't."

Jim nodded slowly.

"I'll find you a lawyer."

.

"Miss Wayne, do you know the meaning of a plea deal?"

"Please don't patronize my client, Mr. Hardell."

Cynthia's lip twitched; she liked the lawyer Jim had brought for her.

"Not at all, Mr. Dent, I'm just making sure Miss Wayne understands what I'm about to propose to her."

"What are you about to propose?" Cynthia asked.

"If you plead guilty to the murder of Reginald Payne, instead of being sent to prison for, most likely, life, you'll spend the time it takes to get better in Arkham Asylum. Once you're declared fit to reenter society, you'd return."

"Absolutely not; these accusations being made against my client are slanderous," Dent started.

"May I speak with my lawyer alone?" Cynthia asked.

"Of course."

Hardell left and Cynthia turned to Dent.

"No way are you taking the deal; I'll get these charges thrown out, Miss Wayne, I promise."

"I'm going to take it."

Dent recoiled slightly.

"Miss Wayne, Arkham might seem like an easy way out, but it's not; Arkham is hell on earth."

"That's not why I want to take it," Cynthia said, Dent frowning.

"Did you do it?"

"No, I want to take it because I didn't."

Cynthia took a deep breath; Arkham. She could handle it, she knew she could.

But, Bruce couldn't.

.

"Cynthia, I got you Dent so you wouldn't have to be put away," Jim protested.

"Detective Gordon… Jim, I have my reasons for taking it, but right now I need you to listen to me. I didn't kill Payne, but someone is trying very hard to make it look that way."

"Who?"

"Wayne Enterprises."

Jim frowned.

"Think about it," Cynthia continued "I turn eighteen in a year and a half; if I'm in Arkham, I'll never get the company."

Jim sighed, rubbing his face.

"So, you want to let them win?"

"That's not why I'm telling you this," Cynthia said "I need you to watch over Bruce. With me out of the picture, he's the heir to Wayne Enterprises."

"… I promise," Jim said quietly.

.

"You can't, Cynthia."

Cynthia smiled slightly, putting her hands on her younger brother's shoulders and leaning so they were eye level.

"It's okay, Bruce."

"No, no it's not," Bruce said, beginning to cry "You can't go there, Cynthia; you don't deserve to be there. You didn't do anything wrong, I-."

Cynthia pulled Bruce into a tight hug as he began to cry in earnest.

"Shh, shh, breathe."

"I can't lose you too."

Cynthia shut her eyes tightly; Bruce's words cutting deep.

"You're not going to lose me; Arkham has visiting hours and I'll be out before you know it."

"But, what if something happens to you in there?"

"Nothing is going to happen to me, Bruce, I promise," Cynthia said "I'll stay safe and I'll come home. You just have to promise the same thing."

Bruce gave a tearful nod, Cynthia smiling a melancholy smile.

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault."

.

Once Bruce left, Alfred entered the room.

"Miss Cynthia, I beseech you to reconsider."

"Sorry, Alfred."

Alfred sighed heavily.

"I was supposed to protect you; I failed."

"It's not your fault, the whole worlds against you, Alfred," Cynthia comforted "Protect Bruce; I'll be okay."

"You remember what I've taught you?" Alfred asked.

"I can protect myself, Alfred; you made sure," Cynthia replied.

It was quiet for a moment as they looked at each other, before Cynthia ran forward and hugged Alfred tightly.

"Everything is going to be alright."

.

Cynthia waited in a room outside the court room she would take the plea deal in. She was alone, but there were guards outside the door.

Her attention was suddenly caught by a sound from the window.

"Cat."

Selina hopped inside, landing lightly.

"Hey," She said, seeming like she was forcing herself to be nonchalant "Word is you're going to Arkham."

"Sadly, that one's true."

Selina nodded slowly.

"You must really hate whoever actually did it."

"Circumstances arise and sometimes you have to do something bad; I'm willing to protect people who were only trying to protect themselves."

Selina looked down and swallowed hard.

"Once you're in there, don't make friends. And if anyone tries to hurt you; you go for the eyes."

Cynthia smiled at Selina.

"Thanks, Selina."

Selina went to leave before Cynthia called out after her.

"Selina… Keep an eye on Bruce for me?"

Selina nodded slowly.

"Sure thing, Cynthia."

And then she hopped out the window.

.

"This is not gonna end well for her."

Jim sent his partner a dirty look.

"I'm just being realistic," Harvey said "Sixteen, blonde, and double Ds."

"She's a kid," Jim hissed.

"Yeah, I know, and I'm not saying it's not wrong; I'm just being honest. She won't last a week in Arkham."

"Why would she take the plea deal if she's innocent?" Jim said.

"Because she's protecting someone else."

.

A few miles away from Gotham, a young man was collapsed on the ground.

"What's wrong with him?"

"He's having one of his fits," The middle age man replied, ignoring the screechy laughter that seemed to fill the entirety of Arkham and returning to his paper.

CYNTHIA WAYNE TO BE ADMITTED TO ARKHAM ASYLUM.