A/N: This is my first try at a Batman fanfic, so I'm not really sure how this'll turnout. Please review and tell me what you think!

Chapter 1 - Introductions

Hi, my name is Elizabeth Collins (friends call me Lizzie, occasionally Liz), and as much as I hate to admit it, I am completely and utterly lost, wandering aimlessly in a dark city I don't know at night where my chances of being mugged, raped, or killed is over 90 percent. Right now, I'm walking down a supposedly empty street (supposedly because it's so dark, I just can't tell.) My blue eyes that never want to stay the same shade pierced the darkness, wary of anything, or anyone for that matter, that could be lurking there.

A sudden movement from the alley I was just passing by made me jump in surprise and yelp, but when I whirled around to face a possible attacker I let out a sigh of relief when I saw it was just a small black and white cat padding over to me. I knelt down and reached my hand out, palm up, calling out to it, “Here kitty kitty.”

It began to purr like a motor and rubbed its head against my hand. All of a sudden it stopped and raised its hackles while letting out a furious hiss. I was startled at first, but then I realized the cat's sudden hostility wasn't directed at me, but at someone behind me. In the shadow caused by the street lamp across the street behind me, there was a tall, dark masculine figure looming over my crouched shadow.

So, you're probably wondering how I ended up lost and in this predicament. Well, it all started a few hours a go at this stupid party...

-Three hours ago-

“Elizabeth, my dear! How good to see you!”

The cheerful voice brought me out of my thoughts, I composed my face, making it pleasant and happy complete with a fake grin, and turned away from the ceiling to floor window I was staring out of moments ago. The woman that now stood before me is Mrs. Jones, she's short, about a head shorter than me, and also she's one of those naturally happy 24/7 kinda people. Her silver-gray hair was wrapped in a bun and she was wearing an expensive-looking, golden colored gown. Her jewelry looked just as expensive, maybe more. Draped around her neck was a necklace with enough diamonds to blind someone if the light reflected off of it just right, her earrings were just as sparkly.

“Oh, Mrs. Jones, nice to see you, too!” I greeted her with false enthusiasm to match my fake smile.

She smiled broadly, oblivious to my act. We chatted for a few minutes, but it was mostly a one-sided conversation, I did input a couple of comments, but she might as well have been talking to a brick wall. To my relief, she spotted some other person to bother and bustled over to them after a quick good-bye directed at me.

I turned back to the window. The Jones' mansion is located right outside of Gotham City, and from here I had a great view of it. I just moved here a week or so ago. You're probably thinking: Why move to Gotham City of all places? It's because my little brother lives here. He's been having problems, so I came here to keep an eye on him. I guess you could say it's my responsibility as his older sister. Brian, my brother, has been arrested – twice. First for possession of illegal drugs, but he got out of that one easily, the police are very corrupt in this city... Second, stealing a car, also easily evaded jail there, too. He made the mistake of telling me about this and now I'm here, keeping him out of trouble.

Me and Brian were both born in Gotham City, Brian never moved away, but I did. I couldn't stand all the problems with this city, so I moved to New York and got a job as a journalist for a local magazine. But obviously, I gave up that job and came here. It wasn't that hard moving here though – I mean emotionally – because I had just gotten my heart broken.

Anyway.

My family is very wealthy. My father owns a big business that really rakes the money in. I grew up very comfortably, but as I got older I realized I didn't want to turn out like all these rich, high-class, people, so when I got my own apartment, instead of my father paying for it, I got a job and payed rent. My father wasn't a very good man, he was cold and cruel, especially when it came to work. He entered a loveless marriage with my mother and had 2 children, me and Brian. My father wasn't home much, but when he was he ignored us completely, like we weren't there. I loved my mother though, she was a caring and kind person, which always made me wonder why she married a man like my father. One day, when I was 17, my mother went out on a drive to calm her nerves after getting into a fight with my father and got into a fatal car wreck.

When she died, my brother and I were devastated, it made it worse when, at the funeral, my father got a business call and actually skipped the rest of it to go to work. My mom left all her wealth (which was millions) to me and Brian, much to the displeasure of my father. I got very angry at my father, I blamed him for my mother's death, the hatred for him bubbled up inside me, threatening to make me explode. That's when I moved to New York and met this wonderful guy named Jack when I was 24, I fell for him and we were together for a year, planning to get married. But then I found out one day that he was cheating on me. So I was pretty happy to have and excuse to get away when my brother called. And now I'm here.

I've already gotten an apartment, completely paid for due to the fact I have millions of dollars still from my mom. I live in a nice, big apartment near my brother who lives in an apartment just as nice a few blocks away. Tonight, my father dragged me and my brother with him to this party, wanting us to meet people.

Suddenly, movement outside the window caught my attention. I looked closer trying to see what it was and I realized it wasn't outside the window, but in the reflection. A man was standing behind me. From the reflection, I could see he was tall, dark-haired, very handsome and wearing a very nice (very expensive) suit.

“Need something?” I asked not bothering to turn around.

“Well, no not really...” He came and stood next to me glancing at me with a smirk before looking out the window.

I looked over at him, my eyebrows raised, “What do you want then?”

He turned and smiled a crooked smile. I tried hard not to stare, he was much more handsome then I thought, the reflection simply did not do him justice, “I just came over to introduce myself, I heard you just moved here.”

“Yeah and they're already talking about me.” I laughed to myself and turned to face him.

He laughed, too and held out his hand to shake, “Bruce Wayne.”

Ah, Bruce Wayne. Gotham's Prince. I knew him, mostly from newspapers and tabloids though, he was a very popular guy. Gotham City's most eligible bachelor, and a billionaire. He disappeared about 10 years ago and was pronounced dead until he reappeared around a year ago.

“Elizabeth Collins.” I shook his hand, it was calloused and a little rough, which surprised me, most high-class men don't have the hands of a hard-worker, “And I was actually born here.”

“Really? Why did you move away... though I can't really blame you,” he said glancing around the room.

I smiled at that last part, “Long story.”

He opened his mouth to say something, but a woman's voice interrupted him, “Bruce!”

We both looked simultaneously at the source of the voice. It was a tall, skinny blond, possibly his date.

“Sorry gotta go,” Bruce apologized, “Another time?”

“Sure.” I smiled at him and he walked off throwing his fabulous smile over his shoulder as he went.

I sighed wistfully staring after him. Tearing my gaze away, I looked around the room. People were either dancing with the music or mingling with other people with their fake smiles, like mine earlier. It was pretty dull, the only truly interesting person here was Bruce who was now talking to another couple, his arm draped around the blond model. I bet he had a different one for each party he goes to. But I had a feeling this image of a rich playboy was just a facade, for what reason he was using it, I have no idea.

I went to find Brian to tell him I was leaving. It's late and I'm really tired. I found him chatting with another young man, they were laughing, probably making jokes. I tapped on his shoulder from behind.

“Brian, I'm going home, OK?” I said as he turned around. Brian is a few inches taller than me and has the same hair color, dark brown. Though his eyes are an emerald color, inherited from our father, while I have our mom's blue eyes. He's also almost built like me, but masculine, I have a slim figure that guys seem to love.

“Alright Lizzie,” he said using my nickname like he always does, “need a ride home?”

I shook my head, “No, it's okay, I'll take a cab.”

We said our good-byes and I left, grabbing my coat on my way out.

When I was what I thought was a few blocks away from my building, I told the cab driver to stop, I felt like some fresh air. I paid him the fee and climbed out of the cab, pulling on my jacket as I did, feeling the cold air.

I started walking and after the cab drove off the street was deserted, most people are asleep at this time of night, or at that party I just came from. I took a few turns, thinking I was going the right way. Oh, how wrong I was.

So now I'm here, crouching on the ground in a dark alley with a man standing behind me, scared out of my mind. The adrenaline started pumping in my veins, my heart clearly heard pounding in my ears, I wouldn't be surprised if the man heard it.

Before I could make a move, he grabbed me by the hair, making me scream loudly in pain, and pulled me to my feet. He then pushed me against a wall, a knife appeared in his hand, snatched from his pocket, and held it against my throat.

“Hand over your purse, girly,” he said in a rough voice. He was way taller than me, with huge muscles and some pretty freaky tattoos.

I spit in his face. I couldn't help it! His face was just too close for comfort. He let out a disgusted sound and loosened his grip. I immediately saw the opportunity and took it. I kneed him between his legs making him double over in pain. I started to run, but he grabbed my arm tightly (definitely gonna be a bruise there tomorrow.) I struggled against his grip, trying to get away, but I wasn't strong enough. He pushed me against the wall again, and then smacked me. I fell to the ground and hit my head on the hard concrete. My vision started going black, the man kicked me a few times, but then abruptly stopped. The last thing I saw before my consciousness slipped was a...

Giant bat? No, that couldn't be right.

A/N: Reviewing would be nice! Thanks for reading ;)