This chapter is censored. Find the unedited version on AO3

~*A gruesome scene just outside the rail house of Gotham Station. A dispute between criminal organizations is suspected to be the root cause of a shoot out that erupted three nights ago resulting in the loss of over two dozen lives. One of the bodies has finally been revealed to be Dragos Ibanescu, alleged ringleader behind the horrific extortion and abduction of Olivia Wayne, only daughter of billionaire Bruce Wayne.*~

~*While there were no eye witness, many reported hearing gunfire coming from just beyond*~

~*Ibanescu has been linked to several cases of human-trafficking and it is assumed he was intending to leave with a railcar full of victims.*~

~*Some suspect this was vigilante justice but the condition of Ibanescu's body seemed almost personal.*~

~*Rumors Wayne had Ibanescu ki*~

~*Prosecution of the men directly involved in the girls abduction has been postponed upon the discovery of Ibanescu's body*~

~*Falcone, a prominent businesswoman who is often under suspicion of racketeering among other crimes was asked for comment and had this to say. "There's no telling who wanted Ibanescu gone. It was not a secret he had many enemies both big and small. We should be concerned with keeping the streets safe from"*~

"Master Bruce, mistress Olivia has returned from her trip," Alfred announced through their intercom system. "She also wishes to discuss the matter of her attending the academy once more."

Bruce paused the video he was watching. "I'll be up shortly." The scene before him was a video feed some eleven or so years ago of a small Olivia climbing on the kitchen counter and Damian standing on it rummaging through the cupboards titled "Cookie heist." He would let the video play out. Olivia is clumsy unlike Damian who seems extra attentive once they are both on the counter. He prevents her from falling as they search, then make away with a jar of cookies. The last frame is Damian looking directly into the camera with a finger over his mouth.

Upstairs Olivia was in the kitchen reaching into that same jar. There were additional knicks and scratches but it was whole and full of a healthier batch. The lid was replaced and the girl looked determined! "I have the angle I am going to take and it should work this time," she explained to Alfred. He seemed doubtful as Bruce was quite solid in his decision.

Olivia had a mouth full of cookie while she paced around just beyond the kitchen island. After a hard swallow she began. "He's worried that I will become overwhelmed and find myself a danger to anyone around me. I have greatly improved and shown I can handle myself under pressure. I could have ruined that whole mission to save Victor but I didn't and I showed restraint!"

More of the cookie was devoured and she pressed on. "I already have a friend attending and I am incredibly sociable. Making new friends or at least not enemies is easy. Damian will also be there! I can find him anywhere so we can look out for each other." Alfred nodded along while setting up for tea.

"Last, I need experience in non-meta-human spaces. The school was great but it doesn't reflect the real world."

"And of your training, mistress Olivia?" Alfred inquired. "The facilities we have here are not suited for someone growing in power as you are each day."

"Learning how not to overload those systems can be my training!"

"And if mister Zsasz is brought up?"

"I… I don't know. If Victor is the only factor that keeps him from saying yes, that's not fair. I didn't plan on meeting someone like him and I like him. I'll be 18 soon. That'll change things right?" Before Alfred could reply Olivia looked to the doorway. "Hi dad!"

Bruce hugged Olivia then moved to the kitchen bar to sit giving his undivided attention. Her arguments were proposed. It was a soft maybe. Better than the no's she received but not the yes desired. There is still time. Her last ditch effort was wearing him down by asking every chance until the cut off date. Damian and Tim feel this is not the best idea. They've been wrong before.

There were plans made for her birthday all of which involved staying in. A quiet dinner with just the few family members that lived in town and movies. A few gifts were sent related to her hobbies and one from Aunt Kate that she expressed should be opened in private. Bruce's examination came back that the box was lined in a way he could not discover what was inside.

Before any of the festivities she took the present from Barbara and Dick out for a spin around her usual park. A new pair of skates with an inverse of the family colors; bright yellow and trimmed with black. She'll be more diligent in keeping her skates clean. Outside the park were news vans setting up. There was a carnival in town for the summer but not in this park. She paid them no mind and they ignored her while she went through her route. That changed after she prepared for Damian to pick her up. As she breached the iron gates intending to cross to the coffee shop a group of journalists swarmed her.

"Miss Wayne, Gotham Globe. How do you feel about Dragos Ibanescu's murder?" A microphone was shoved up to her face followed by another. Olivia's eyes were wide and she tried to back away.

"Miss Wayne, care to comment on how you ended up in that situation?" More questions. More faces. More voices yelling for her attention. "The court date for your kidnappers has been pushed back. Does that frustrate you?" Her heart was pounding in her ears. That's right, she was a legal adult now. They no longer needed her guardian's permission to speak with her.

"I…" she mumbled while her grip on her bag tightened. A microphone was pushed closer and her eyes lit up. "Please don't stand so close." She had to hold in her powers and also keep from draining their equipment.

"The attorneys of the accused speak of pressing charges for injuries their clients sustained. Your acts could be seen as setting back meta-humans around the world."

"I don't…think."

"Miss, if you could speak up."

Olivia cleared her throat but did not raise her voice. "I don't have to speak up, you all need to be quieter." She seemed to shrink and tried to search through the crowd for a way out but running was not the best option. "You are all entirely too loud and… and I don't think I should speak on an ongoing case." There was someone she knew out there but all the electrical noise and stress kept her from figuring out who.

As she made her attempt to flee towards the familiar the crowd shifted to follow. "Does your father forbid you from dating?" "Do you think Bruce Wayne will kick you out now that you're an adult?" Olivia frowned. It wasn't the response they were expecting. Instead of looking enraged she seemed like a puppy told they were bad.

"That's a very mean thing to say. Say what you want about me but do not bad mouth my family." Looking up she spotted a black, full mask motorcycle helmet fixated on her. "Excuse me." She moves around the group, still being pelted with questions. They were starting to blend into a garbled mess.

A hand reaches out to try to stop her from fleeing and it is quickly smacked away. Victor stands between the offending journalists and Olivia, face continuing to be obscured by the helmet. "Hands to yourself. Let's go, Miss Wayne." Olivia took his hand, fingers laced with a black glove as they parted the crowd towards his bike.

Damian arrived in time to see the crowd closing in while the couple settled on Victor's bike. Wordlessly he rolled up next to them, blocking the view of his sister to pass her the spare helmet. It didn't matter who she rode with. They were leaving. Victor treated the many microphones to a roaring engine then pulled away with Olivia hugging around his midsection and Damian close behind.

The trio wove through traffic to make their escape and Olivia never felt so relieved but also proud of herself yet again. She kept her cool, so to speak, controlled her powers and gave no answers. They didn't deserve them. As they stopped at a traffic light Damian looked at them. He arrived on time but neither of them could have predicted how full force the media would fall on her. Damian studied Victor, gave a nod then readied to pull away. "See you at home. Don't be late, birthday girl," he said over their engines and the two bikes would part ways.

Victor made way to his apartment. Whenever possible he strokes a hand along her hands. She's calm and that's all that matters to him. It's a trek from the largest park in the city to his place and they ride in silence. Olivia stares at the heavy steel door of his garage rising up before them. Once inside the rest of the world was shut out.

Olivia pulled her helmet off and exhaled. "How'd you know it was me?" Victor asked once free of his own helmet.

"Oh um… Not sure if I can tell you the exact thing I'm doing but I just can," she half explained.

He didn't expect an answer. Before stepping away from the bike he pulled her over to kiss her. There was ozone and a tingle against his skin. "Full of surprises, Sunshine."

Olivia's eyes were lit up as she smiled. "Not surprises, just veiled secrets." On they went to the living space upstairs. "Is this whole building yours?"

"Uh, yes and no. A friend is letting me stay so long as I find work." He saw her frown and he squeezed her hand. "Not that kind of friend and don't worry too much about the work I'm doing now."

"Is that okay? I mean are you-"

Victor lifted her bridal style and carried her to the counter of his open kitchen. "Don't worry," he repeated. With her sat on the counter he moved to stand between her legs. "So birthday girl, huh?"

"I wasn't sure if I should tell you since it was so close and everything crazy happening."

"I found out on my own. I have my ways." He let out a grunt as she pinched his arm. "Oh, hey. Your best friend told me! She was mildly threatening when she gave me the details. Said not to get you the same thing."

Melissa cannot be trusted to keep her mouth shut but she was a solid best friend. "You didn't have to get me anything," she began to explain, gasping as he removed a jewelry case from his pocket and revealed a silver bracelet with an octopus charm. "Oh it's cute!"

"I figured you'd like it." Victor went about putting the bracelet on for her as she swung her feet. "I couldn't find a marshmallow but maybe one day I will." Her cheeks were puffed up but deflated upon being kissed again. "How long do I have you."

"With the ride back, two hours, give or take."

His eyes were on her lips and he pulled her closer to the edge of the counter. "I certainly feel like taking right now." Olivia rolled out of the straps of her backpack then brought her supple hands up to cup his cheeks and met him in another kiss. Her heart fluttered and as she upped the intensity of their kiss he responded in kind. For a few wonderful and also tortuous moments Victor fell into a rhythm that had him pulling her closer, squeezing her thighs and letting his mouth wander along her neck.

Exerting a great deal of self restraint, Victor gently pulled away. Olivia was out of breath, her eyes lit up like storms and her skin practically glowing. She looked ready to eat him and he'd let her if they had time. "Gotta stop," he breathed.

"I don't want to," Olivia whispered before pulling him back in for another kiss.

He groaned then pulled back. "I can tell, but we don't have that kind of time."

She wouldn't pout to try and get her way. Pacing themselves may be for the best. Even so, she is young and impulsive. They can only get away with that excuse for so long. Why not take advantage. "What do we have time for?" Victor grinned before leaning in to kiss her again.

This is an edited and thus censored section of the chapter. find the unedited on AO3

Olivia was returned home just five minutes before the family party began. She came rushing into the mansion yelling her apologies and hurried to get ready. Her skates were put away for cleaning, she changed into her pajamas and she readied for that knowing brow raise from Damian that never came. He was better at playing cool than her. They all were.

Her cake was crafted to look like a giant stack of pancakes. It was so cute to her! There were not many gifts but that was how she preferred it. Jason being there was a gift enough from him. It wasn't often he endured family time. Tim got her a bolt of ornate fabric from when he had down time on a mission. Bruce got her a uniform to Gotham Academy. Before he could explain that it still needed to be fitted she was hugging him and rolling in joyful static.

"Thank you dad!" she squealed. "What are the conditions?" She knew who she was dealing with.

"Training twice a week. Keep your grades up. Curfew is 10." Upgraded to a whole hour. "And no overnight stays with your boyfriend." All the bat siblings stared at Bruce.

"Oh my god, I think he's dying," Tim said in awe.

"I haven't changed my mind about him. He hasn't been the cause of any trouble, just at the root. I saw how he let you handle the press on your own today."

Olivia bowed her head while hugging the uniform to her chest. "Yeah, that was pretty scary…"

"You did great and you'll only get better at handling them."

"Such a freaking daddy's girl," Damian teased. He received a small zap. The family gathered in the theater designed for lounging in piles and began the first movie. By the end of it, a dark comedy, Jason was on his way out. Things were getting loud in his neck of the woods and needed to be dealt with. Halfway through the second Damian suited up to answer a call. This was why movie nights started before the sun went down. It gave them time to be a normal family.

Tim was all that was left at the start of the third. He looked at the bracelet on his little sister's wrist and smiled. "He's changing," he mused. Olivia looked up a bit confused. "Zsasz is. Sorry! I mean Victor." Olivia giggled at the fumble and the air seemed more relaxed. "He's involved a lot less in things that get our attention."

"He mentioned a friend helping him."

"I…did not peg Zsasz for having friends. More like people he was least likely to stab." Olivia snickered and shook her head. Tim's face went red as his mind fired off about something. "He's clean by the way!" he blurted out and his sister looked at him confused. "Damian took a sample of his blood to get tested for everything! And uh, if you two ever… You know! That's one less thing to worry about." He smelled ozone coming from beside him.

"Why can't my family be normal?!" she groaned into a cushion.

"Yeah, my bad," he laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "The rest of us are just having a hard time accepting you've grown. Bruce most of all. He goes deep into dad mode over you. Give him time to catch up… And maybe me too?" he said with pleading eyes. "I actually got to be a big brother with you and Damian. Well, less so D. He was born a grumpy 85 year old man. But! I should get to beat up at least one of your boyfriends!" Olivia laughs before leaning on him for a hug. "Happy birthday, Liv."

"Thank you, TimTim."

Olivia turned in for the night after the third movie ended. Tim headed to the cave to assist Bruce in surveillance and she retired to her room. The uniform was hung up ready to be fitted to her for the coming school year. It wasn't just about being part of a family tradition. Gotham Academy opens doors her name alone cannot. Getting accepted into a fashion school was going to be a year long fight. There was one last present to open. The one from Aunt Kate. The box was designed in a way a small charge would open it. It was given the juice it needed, causing the lid to pop open. Olivia's hair erupted in sparks and she quickly closed the box!

She opened it to take a picture of the contents then shut it and shoved it deep under her bed. "..." Not hidden enough. She pulled it back out and rummaged for a spot in her largest closet. What kind of person sends something like that to their kinda niece?! Melissa might get a kick out of it and she sent the picture expecting to receive shrieking giggles from a call.

Her phone vibrates and as she comes to rest on her plush bed her face goes white. Victor replied with "You trying to make me jealous, Sunshine?" Olivia rolled over to shriek into her pillow then rolled back over to check her phone again. "It's okay. I'm bigger."

"I meant to send that to Melissa!"

"So I should show Melissa what I was going to show you?"

"Don't you dare!"

"Adorable."

"I'm going to bed! Goodnight!"

Victor chuckled while typing on his phone then looked down to the man who's spine he was standing on. "You guys either need to stop following me or get better at it!" he explained then stepped off to let the man breathe. "Who is begging for my attention this time?"

The bruised man rolled onto his side. "The families want to extend an invitation to you," he groaned then managed to sit up. "They want to discuss the work you put in."

"Doesn't ring a bell." He was displeased. He's not getting involved in another 'meeting' if he can help it.

"There…there was a bounty on his head."

Victor slammed his foot against the man's shoulder and shoved him back into a wall. "I'm not all that concerned with getting paid. Tell them to send a text next time." A swift kick to the man's gut knocked him out and Victor finished ascending the fire-escape to a roof. It was time to pay the Penguin a visit.

Oswald Cobblepot was exhausted. On top of running his club, the protection racket and his seedier ventures he was made some kind of mediator for the families. Some days he felt he was still under Falcone's thumb. He needed a long soak in a hot bath and a stiff drink. Zsasz really knew how to flip a table on them.

As the older gentleman stepped out to his car he grumbled at the sight of Victor leaning against it waving. "Hey, Oz!" he said in a cheerful voice.

"Am I fucking cursed?" Oswald muttered to himself while approaching the vehicle. Victor was simply an obstacle that needed to be circumvented.

"Figured you'd be happy I didn't invade your office this time. There's nothing in there I need anymore."

"You got their message, so what are you harassin' me for?!"

"You know why. What do they want this time?"

"The reward money is just to bait you out." Victor gave him a flat expression. "'course you already know that. Everyone knows that whole shit show was out of revenge." He pointed a finger to silence Victor. "Quiet, I'm talkin' right now. Dragos' territory is up for grabs and they want you to take it with a seat at the table."

"The triads really making them that nervous, huh?" he scoffed.

"What do you fuckin' think?! Dragos was a wall between them and they want that back up. Having it be someone a little more savory is a bonus."

"Sounds like another leash and I'm getting real sick of people trying to tie me down. No dice. They can elevate someone else. I'm sure Iggy will be happy to strike out on his own."

"He's not ready and I've got bigger plans for him."

"But you think I am? I work alone. About the only time my headcount is greater than one is when you don't trust me to get the jobs done you hire me for and we both know how much I enjoy doing my job, Oz." He is not trying to be imposing, it simply cannot be helped. Oswald was a short man with high ambitions and it was easy for Victor to tower over him.

Oswald grumbled. "Where the fuck did I go wrong with you?"

"You found me. Any more questions?"

"Yeah, Dragos' safe was opened."

"If I could open safes do you think I'd ask you to get my paperwork back? Or even tell you about it?"

Oswald gave a grunt of a response. He had a point. "Keep an eye out for what was floatin' around in that safe. Could be useful," he pressed then moved to open his car door. Victor stepped out of the way and even shut the door for him. The luxury car pulled away and Ignatius Ogilvy stepped out of the shadows to press a gun to Victor's temple.

"Why they haven't iced you I will never understand," Ignatius growled. "Wild dogs should-!"

Victor quickly ducked past the gun, yanked on the extended arm and slammed his forehead into Iggy's nose! The man toppled back but kept a hold of his gun. Good for him. He can shoot himself. With the gun twisted in Ignatius' grip the barrel was pushed beneath his chin. "Do you know why they always call on me? No, do you know why Oswald calls on me? Because unlike you I can get shit done!" he explained and walked into the larger man until his back was pressed against the railing to the steps to the club. Ignatius tried to move his hand but the kid was strong. Stronger than anyone should be. "You really don't have the balls to get your hands dirty like I do and they need that!" The clip of the gun was removed and a bullet in the chamber shot past Iggy's face into the sky before Victor let go of the gun.

"Oz sees potential in you. I give him the courtesy of not cutting you down before you disappoint him." The smile Victor wore was unnervingly chipper. He gave a pat to Iggy's cheeks then was on his way, tossing the magazine over his head towards the shaken man. "Stay out of trouble! Or don't. No skin off my back." Once around the corner Victor was on his bike and heading off for the night. His message would reach the ears that need to hear it. Either from Oswald or that goon he stepped on. Nothing for him to worry about once it's out of his hands. His mind went back to that picture Olivia sent. The girl knows how to work him up, even by accident. Maybe that was the gift her best friend got her. Is that a common thing women do?