Two weeks had passed since Martha's arrival. Bruce was down in the bat cave, patching up his side.
"Need some help with that sir?" Alfred questioned, as he came down the main steps, with a pot of hot tea.
"I think I got it," Bruce said, lifting his arm and looking down at his side.
"I believe there is more along your back." Alfred pointed out with a swab of anesthetic.
Bruce winced at the burn, and gripped at the edge of his seat.
"Any new developments sir?"
"Only a bank heist, and a run it with Selina Kyle."
"No sir. With our present situation. Your daughter."
He was still struck with this statement. 'His daughter…' "No matter how many times I think it over in my head, I just can't see a solution to this."
"Shall we send her away then, sir?"
Bruce bit at his lower lip with this. It would be an easy solution, but it didn't feel right. "I just don't know Alfred. Having someone close to me is risky."
"Forgive me for saying this sir, but having nothing to lose is not a healthy way to live." Alfred collected the discarded bandages, and placed them on the tray.
Bruce knelt forward, and rubbed at his brow. "I feel like Andi might take her back if I send her away."
Alfred dipped his head at this, confirming that it would be best for Martha to stay. "Perhaps that his what she planned all along sir."
Bruce shook his head at this. Leaning back in his chair, he looked up at the cavernous ceiling. It made perfect sense for Andi to come in and collect Martha if he sent her away. Thinking like this now, he realized that he couldn't keep Martha a secret. No… In order for her to be safe, she would have to be out in the public eye. It was a risky move, but it may just work for keeping her safe, as well as drawing Andi out.
"Alfred."
"Yes sir?"
"In the morning call Summer Gleeson. Tell her she can have that exclusive interview." Bruce called over to him as he stood. "I'll be meeting with my lawyer before work."
"Very well sir."
Bruce closed out the files on his computer, and went up the stairway. Closing the grandfather clock door behind him, he slipped through the library, and made a beeline for the main staircase. Once inside the ballroom, he found the grand fireplace ablaze. A quick glint of light shined from the edge of the couch. Looking closer he discovered it was Martha. She was asleep on the couch, with her hand gripped around her mother's locket. The last two weeks had been pretty slow. Conversations were awkward, and he could tell she was starting to get frustrated about being cooped up in the house all the time. It was a strange relationship, and it wasn't going to get any better with secrecy.
Walking over to her he debated whether he should let her stay there for the night, or take her to her room. Setting his mind to all the changes that were ahead. He decided that he should take her to her room. They all needed to move forward now, and try to find their place. It wasn't going to happen right away, but he hoped that eventually they could come close to having a father daughter relationship.
Marti squirmed in his arms. Rousing from her sleep, she opened her eyes. She was moving up the stairs. Looking up she could see the underside of Bruce's chin. Quickly she closed her eyes, and relaxed her muscles. She didn't want him to know she was awake.
Once he reached her room, he tucked her into bed, then turned out every light except a small lamp next to the door. Once he closed the door, she turned to her side. The dim lamp light illuminated her icy blue eyes. These last two weeks had been strange for her. She had spent her whole life wanting a father. She would watch children her age with their parents, and be envious of them. With every birthday wish she asked to have one. A tear streamed down the side of her face with this. 'Maybe because I wished for it so much that mommy disappeared?' She grasped her mother's open locket in her hands. She looked down at the photo, now crying more than before. "Where are you mommy?"