Summary: After Lauren’s family was killed by the Joker
she tries to hide from the police to avoid abusive foster parents or group
homes. But when batman finds her she is adopted by Bruce Wayne who feels duty
to the young girl. Lauren is a little too observant and quickly figures out
just who Bruce Wayne is. Now Lauren is trying to find her voice again in a
world gone mad, learn her part in Bruce’s charade, and preferably not get
killed by a crazed clown. Post Batman Begins, Pre- and during the Dark Knight. First
of a series.

Disclaimer: I do not own Batman.

A.N.: this is completely un-Beta’ed, sorry. I really
meant to write this yesterday, but I got a little tied up. For the purpose of solidarity
I cut the Batman: Gotham Knight portion out of this chapter and then entire
next chapter will be dedicated to a Batman mission and the repercussions there
off.  I will be posting the next chapter this Wednesday even if I have to stay
up until 2 in the morning.

Thoughts

∞time or place change∞

Sign language (not direct translation)

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Written stuff

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Gotham’s Saddest
Daughter

Chapter 9

Not So Smart

Rachael stood in the doorway and watched Lauren putting books
on her shelf. Slowly, she stepped into room, trying not to send the girl
running again. Lauren glanced over at her but didn’t say anything. “Hey.”

No response.

“So…are these all your books?”

This time Lauren nodded.

“Wow, some of these look really hard. I’m impressed.”

Lauren shrugged.

“Have you read them all?”

Lauren shook her head.

Rachael nodded and sat down beside the younger girl. “You
know, Bruce is one of my oldest friends.” Lauren whipped around and started at
her. “I also know Lieutenant Gordon. He says that you trust Bruce. Is that
true?” Rachael wasn’t sure why that was important, but somehow it was.

Lauren’s pale eyes studied her, looking for something in her
face. Inside Rachael squirmed at little at the inspection. She was only seven,
but Rachael had a feeling Lauren saw a lot more then most people. Those seeing
eyes met Rachael’s own and held them. Completely non-descript, Rachael
found herself thinking as she looked into the flat, gray disks, and yet,
scary as hell.

Finally, Lauren nodded. To bad, Rachael had forgotten what
she had asked.

∞With Bruce∞

Bruce walked into the penthouse to be greeted by Alfred
carrying a tea tray. “Master Wayne, you’re just in time.”

“In time for what?” he asked falling into step beside the
older man.

“Miss Dawes arrived a moment ago-“

“Rachael’s here?” Bruce cut him off a surge of happiness shooting
through him.

“Yes, she is here about Lauren. She is with her right now.”
Alfred’s words deflated his happy bubble a bit.

Of course, she came to talk to me about that. He already
knew it was only a matter of time until she stopped by to yell at him about
being irresponsible. But still…he smiled anyway as he entered Lauren’s room.

“Rachael.”

“Bruce.” She looked up at him from where she was sitting beside
Lauren who was hugging her Hatter doll to her chest and flipping through a
book. He looked back at Rachael and met her dark eyes. “We need to talk,” her
voice held a warning tone to it that he knew better to ignore.

With a nod, he turned and walked back out of the room,
leaving Alfred with Lauren.

“I can’t believe you,” Rachael launched into full lecture
mode the moment the door closed. “How could you even think to try and take her
in?”

“I had no choice, Rachael. I made a promise to her as Batman-“

“As Batman!” Rachael gritted her teeth and checked to make
sure neither Lauren nor Alfred were poking their heads around any corners. “And
tell me Bruce, exactly what are you going to do about Batman now? I think she
is going to figure out that you are always gone at night.”

“She already knows.”

“You told her.”

“Actually, she figured it out,” the thought struck Bruce
again. He still hadn’t asked her how she had managed to know.

“She figured it out?” disbelief colored her voice.

“Yes. Please, Rachael. I need you with me on this,” Bruce
stepped closer to her. “I’m the only one Lauren trusts right now. I have to
take care of her.”

“And what about your mask?” The question he didn’t know the
answer to hung in the air a moment.

“I’m not sure yet…But she’s smart; she’ll understand.” I
hope.

Rachael nodded her head. “Okay. But I want in the loop on
this one,” she pointed her finger at Bruce. “She is a little girl who lost her
family, and right now you are the one who can understand what she is going
through. But she’s a little girl,” she put emphasis on this. “and I am not
leaving her alone with you and Alfred.”

“You don’t think we can take care of her because she’s a
girl?” Bruce chuckled at little at the small flush on Rachael’s cheeks.

“It’s not that. It’s just…a girl needs a strong female
around…to guide her.” Rachael stumbled over the words.

“She’s growing on you.” Bruce taunted. “Do you want to be
her mother figure, Rachael?” His smile grew wider as he thought back to the way
she had reacted to the boy during the Narrows’ incident.

“You are putting words in my mouth,” she shot back without
her usual sharpness.

“Fine. I promise; I will call you at the first sign of a
period.”

“Bruce!”

∞With Lauren∞

Lauren tried to make herself unnoticeable while Bruce was in
room, hoping he would give Miss Rachael his full attention and he did.
Secretly, Lauren smiled to herself, feeling proud that her old act was working.
At least, it was for the most part. Alfred had been looking at her strangely since
Bruce had left the room with Miss Rachael.

“Miss Lauren,” he called her away from Jessica and her demon
cat, Worm.* “What do you like in your tea?”

Lauren let her book fall to the floor as she stood and
walked to where Alfred had sat the tea tray. A small smile lit her face at the
tea set, as she pointed to the sugar and milk.

“Very good. We’ll make a proper tea drinker of you yet,”
Alfred smiled as he placed a lump of sugar in the cup and poured a small bit of
milk over it before adding the hot tea.

Lauren took a tentative sip of her tea as Alfred continued
to study her.

“You know, Master Bruce cares for you.” Alfred said in his
usual way. “I’m not entirely sure of the nature of it yet, but if you continue
acting like a claim every time he’s in the room. He is going to start worrying,
and that would be a poor way to repay him.”

Lauren looked deep into her tea cup. How does he do that?
Guiltily she glanced up at him. He didn’t understand. She couldn’t take Bruce
away from Miss Rachael. Bruce was her friend. He wouldn’t notice. He would get
used to it and be happy anyway.

 Just then the topic of the conversation returned to the
room. “Rachael had to get back to the DA’s office,” he offered at Alfred’s
look. “I see you’ve been busy.” He motioned towards the bookcase. “Do you like
it?” he asked as he took one of the seats that sat around the coffee table the
tea was sitting on.

Lauren nodded with a smile.

“How did things go with Miss Dawes.” Alfred asked as he
handed Bruce his own tea.

“About as good as can be expected.”

Lauren felt the numb cool to a painful cold at that, knowing
it was her fault Miss Rachael was mad at Bruce.

“I think she has decided to be the female role model for
Lauren.” Bruce shot her a happy smile.

Now Lauren was confused. Why would Miss Rachael what to be
anything to her. All she wanted was Bruce. Bruce was her friend and Lauren was
taking up his time…

Alfred grinned at that, “I rather guessed she would, to be
honest. Miss Dawes has always had a soft spot for children, much like yourself.”

Lauren finished her tea and watched the remains in the bottom
of her cup. It was starting to sound like she didn’t know much at all. But that
couldn’t be right.

∞Rooftop, MCU, 11:30 p.m., Gordon’s POV∞

Gordon stood beside the flood light with a cup of coffee in
hand. They had received a tip on Crane’s whereabouts from dealer they had
arrested earlier that day. All of their suspicions had been correct. Crane was
still using the old tube system and the sewers as his headquarters, and now
they knew where.

“Lieutenant.”

 Gordon turned at the voice. “We found Crane.”

“Where?” interest peaked the gravely voice.

“He’s set up shop in the tunnels near the West Lower Gotham ghost
station.”

“You haven’t brought him in?”

“I figured you would want in on this.” The suited man nodded
his head stiffly.

“I’ll go in. Have your men close by.”

Gordon nodded back as he turned towards the door that would
led him back down to the squad room. “We’ll meet you there.”

After Note: * Jessica and her demon cat, Worm, are from
the book “The Witches of Worm” by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. I will be including
these notes every time I mention a book from now on.