Immediately after Selina and Harley had left, I took off the clothes that would eventually be my disguise. Was I admitting to myself that I would actually join them by calling it my disguise? I guess I was, and oddly, I didn't feel any sense of wrong with that decision. Throwing on a pair of sweats and a top that said 'Please cancel my subscription to your issues', picked up a book from my shelf (Dante's Inferno) and began to read.

I must've fallen asleep at some point because the next thing I knew, I'd woken up from a really weird dream. Thankfully no nightmares, but still. Dreaming about I gigantic bird pecking at your window and yelling at you to wake up, was classified as weird.

Sitting up with a yawn and a stretch, I glanced at my clock to find that it was 10:30. I didn't recall what time I'd fallen asleep, but I figured that Selina, Edward, and Jon left a long while ago. Noticing a folded piece of paper next to my alarm clock, I picked it up and unfolded it.

We're setting off on our mission now, won't probably be back until early next morning, probably 3 or 4. Don't stay up and don't do anything stupid.

- Edward

I scowled after I read the note. Obviously, he had to come into my room to drop it off, just how long did he stay in here watching me sleep? Creep. Maybe he was the source of my weird dream.

I heard the consistent tapping like in my dream on my window.

...or maybe not.

What was it? Getting out of bed and placing my book on top of the note, I tiptoed over to the window and peered out. I jerked back in surprise when a masked face popped up right in front of me. Upon closer inspection, I saw that the face was attached to a neck, which in turn was attached to a body clad in a black and blue spandex leotard; something I really didn't need to see.

"Ridley." A voice hissed as I turned from the window.

I froze and turned back around, actually kind of recognizing who it was; Richard. Of course, he was under his other alias, Nightwing, but it was still him.

Richard? I signed, although it was really just the letter R.

"Open the window?" He asked, motioning towards the lock which was on the inside.

I nodded and tried to open the window. It was stuck so I had to forcefully push it, unfortunately, it opened outward instead of inward, and Richard almost lost his balance. I managed to grab his arm and pull him inside with some difficulty.

"Thanks." He whispered.

No problem. I sighed. What are you doing here?

"I could ask you the same thing!" Richard said. "We got word from the G.C.P.D. that you somehow managed to escape. Why not come and did us?" He gave me a hurt look.

I was going to but... My hands faltered. Why had I not done that? I still didn't exactly know. I don't know. I signed finally. It's complicated.

"Complicated!?" Richard whisper yelled. "What part of this is complicated!?"

I don't know! I'm learning things. Things about my past; what happened before. I need to know.

"Bruce would've told you." Richard pointed out. "All you had to do was ask."

No, he wouldn't have. I shook my head. You know that.

"I would've helped you," Richard said softly. "You know that Ridley. I would've reasoned with Bruce until he told you."

I know, I signed. But... I spread my hands.

"Ridley." Richard pleaded. "Please come back with me. Bruce hasn't been the same. He's got an even shorter temper and is making Alfred and I's lives more difficult. We all need you."

Do you? I asked. Really? You've never seemed to really need me until now.

Richard flinched. Only then did I realize how cold I had been.

"They've changed you," Richard said, his voice turning bitter.

Maybe this is how I've always been. I responded. You never really knew me, heck, even I never really knew who I really was.

"And I suppose the Rouges told you?" Richard bit back.

Well, no. I admitted. But I have some leads.

"Oh, so you have some leads," Richard said sarcastically.

It's better than nothing! I signed, getting angry.

"You're using sign language again," Richard noted, changing the subject.

Yeah, Edward retaught me-

"Edward!?" Richard yelled, completely abandoning his mask of calm. "And I suppose that you call the other Rouges by their first names?"

Only Selina and Jon. Wrong thing to say. Richards' face turned to one of pure rage. I shrunk back, not having seen him like this before.

Richard took a deep breath and tried to steady his nerves. "I'm sorry for yelling at you." He said. "I'm just surprised."

It's understandable. I signed. No worries.

"But I am worrying," Richard said. "I worry, Bruce worries. We all worry about you Ridley. When we heard that you'd been kidnapped..." He trailed off.

How did Bruce react?

"Not very well," Richard admitted. "He wanted to go right after the Rouges, without so much of a plan. Alfred managed to convince him to wait a bit and formulate some way to get you back. By then, however, the press was all over it. It wasn't wise for Bruce to do anything. He's waiting until everything dies down."

Dies down? Dies down?

"Ridley please," Richard said. "Understand how hard this is for Bruce. You get kidnapped and then one of the very things that he tried to keep away from you suddenly attacks. He's having a hard time making any moves was Bruce Wayne and as Batman."

Does he know you're here?

"No." Richard shook my head. "There was a bank robbery Downtown that he had to go and stop. So no, he has no idea I'm here. As far as he knows, I'm back at the manor organizing the weapons stock."

A bank robbery. Downtown. Oh no... That must've been the 'mission' that Edward and the others went on. I hoped that they wouldn't get caught and put in Arkham, but that just made me confused because wasn't I supposed to hope they would get put in Arkham?

"Ridley-"

I have a question. I interrupted. It's what you said about you needing me. Ed- I quickly changed my signs. Riddler told me that I was just a chess piece on the chessboard that is Gotham.

"I wouldn't trust anything he or the others say," Richard said darkly. "It's nothing but lies and half-truths."

But is it true? I pressed. Am I just a piece to be moved around and played when needed?

"It's more complicated than that," Richard said hesitantly. "You're really important. Capable of turning the tide in the struggle for power."

Just answer me! I signed, getting frustrated. I felt tears prick the back of my eyes. If I was- if I was just a pawn in a game to be played and discarded when necessary... I clenched my fists. I couldn't handle this much longer. I simply existed just to fill their needs, anyone's needs. Wielded and molded to serve whoever possessed me.

"To keep to the chess theme I guess," Richard said with a defeated sigh. "You're the White Queen. The most powerful piece on the board. Do you understand that? You're capable of being anything you want to be. Bruce knows that. Our enemies know that. Bruce and did our best to train you on how to survive these things, but in reality, your survival depends on yourself. Are you going to sink or swim?"

Neither. I going to make my own path, free of anyone's control.

I was tired of being treated like a pawn, or a so-called "White Queen". I needed to do what was right for me, and me alone. But that was going to be hard, especially since my mind didn't agree with my heart and vice versa. My mind rebelled against the thought of leaving Bruce and Richard, but I knew in my heart that being with Edward and the others I'd learn more about myself, and I'd get to have a sort of freedom that being with Bruce never allowed. Nobody was in charge of me, I was my own person. I was free to do whatever I wished to do. I realized that I was now an adult.

Pulling myself together, I squared my shoulders and met Richards gaze head-on. I was desperate for a change, I craved it. And here was the crossroads that would change my life inevitably. Was I certain that I'd reach a happy ending? No, far from it. But was I certain that I could live my life to the fullest and have no regrets? Possibly.

"Ridley," Richard said, seeing the look on my face,"I know you've already made a decision, but I'm going to ask this anyways. I'm asking. Will you come back with me?"

I'm sorry Richard. I signed slowly. I won't.

"Ridley."

We're done here. I signed. This conversation is over. The only thing I ask is that you don't tell Bruce about any of this. It's for his own good.

"Alright." Richard sighed. "I hate to say this, but next time we meet, and I know we will, you'll be my enemy. And next time, I won't hesitate to put you in Arkham."

I know. I said silently, turning away from him and closing my eyes. A single tear slipped out and rand down my cheek.

"One last thing before I go." He said, oblivious to what I was feeling. "I like your new haircut."

With that, he jumped out the window and disappeared into the night. I closed the window carefully, making sure it was shut all the way and closed the curtains. I was past the point of no return now. I wouldn't surrender in the slightest. Not to Bruce, not to Richard, not to Edward or any of the others. This life was mine and I intended to live it as I wanted to.

###

A/N: Greetings readers! How do you enjoy the story so far? We're finally done with the introduction! Now we move on to the more interesting stuff... Not saying that the past 18 chapters haven't been interesting! What do you think of Ridley's choice? Was it good or bad?

Look forward to the coming chapters after this! I'll really be exploring the feelings the characters have (Edward and Jon *wink*), and will also be introducing more characters!

Chao!