Chapter 4: Emily -The Bat CaveDick are you going to be down here all night?

Unless I find something then yeah, he replied gruffly staring at the screen as his fingers flew across the keyboard. Its Thanksgiving can you give it a rest for just one day? Tim begged, he hated seeing him like this he knew Dick was exhausted neither him nor Bruce had found any new information that was of any use in finding Damian and they werent slowing down. How can I celebrate while he is missing? It just wouldnt be right without everyone, I cant. IM STILL HERE!!! Tim roared Ive been working my ass off trying to help find Damian but you dont want to face the reality that there might not be anything to find! Tim- No let me finish! He was reckless and he made a mistake do I think he deserves to die? HELL NO, but its been a month and we reached out to everyone we know and have found nothing. Bruce said Paradox had a teleportation device that could take him anywhere after it blew it could have sent him anywhere. To another planet, maybe even another time not only that, but wherever he is he is stuck with a dangerous criminal that not even the league has been able to catch and even if by some mischance he actually survived traveling through whatever wormhole Paradox created and landed somewhere inhabitable he is tough but he is still just a kid! You guys are gonna go insane if you keep on this way. I am done, I am sorry but I cant watch you destroy yourselves. He stormed from the cave leaving Dick alone. Dick stared at the spot where the boy had previously stood blaming himself, he knew that Tim was right. He hadnt been on patrol since he had found out Damian was missing and Bruce spent every waking moment tracking down physicists from around the globe. Despite this knowledge he couldnt stop simply because even though the chance was slim, there was still hope. I am so sorry Tim I will make it up to you I promise, but I have to keep trying.

-Sullivan ResidenceDami wake up. Hey come on its time to get ready. She shook him gently until a pair of fiercely angry cerulean eyes glared back at her causing making her take a step back. He rolled over with a grunt ordering her to leave. Jazmine returned downstairs rather dejected,He doesnt want to get up. Pfft you just werent doing it right, come on Emily lets go wake the sweet prince. Smiling wickedly the sisters made their way to Damians room, Jazmine followed behind wringing her hands. Maybe we should let him sleep. No way Mom will be here soon and if we have to suffer through the stupid family photo shoot so does he and if he doesnt like it, well hes just gonna have to suck it up. Wakey-Wakey Dami! They shouted mockingly bouncing on the bed around him while clanging pots and pans. The boy growled ferociously burying his head beneath his pillow, Quick get the vacuum, I got the stereo. As the noise level increased to intolerable levels and he realized they had no intention of leaving he shot up glowering heatedly at the two girls hopping around him. He pulled the eldest by her ankles sending her falling headfirst to the floor. Emily burst into laughter but was cut off by Damian who stood to face her and proceeded to fling her across the room. GET OUT!!! FINE! They snapped exiting the room, he laid down once more falling back to sleep. He didnt hear the hushed footsteps as they entered the room and was unaware of their presence until the rush of cold washed over him as they emptied the bucket. He leapt from the bed and tumbled over his cast as he landed on the ground hearing laughter behind him. Fuming he spun around and they scurried down the hall. He barreled down the stairs after them; soaking wet he felt the loss of traction beneath his feet against the smooth planks as he toppled down the steps hitting the floor with a thud. He heard several voices shouting over him as he lay on the ground, he propped himself up on his elbows as Nikki reached out to help him up.

Do I even want to know what you were doing? She asked eyeing them curiously. Probably not, He replied and the rest nodded in agreement. The woman simply shook her head and suggested they not inform Rachel of this little incident and helped Damian back to his room. Hurry and get dressed. Why? When Ray gets home were all taking pictures and then we are gonna eat. Eat? Its not even noon and you want to have Thanksgiving dinner? We cook early to eat early I dont like waiting for my food. -tt- I can tell. Excuse me? She eyed him sternly, It sounds like you dont want to get fed. He stood silent as she stared him down, he began weighing his options. I am.sorry? Smart boy now get your ass dressed. With that she left the room and he let out a breath of relief. Note: never anger the one charged with meal preparation or will be left to starve. -Later that evening-Damian POVWhile sifting through drawers for more comfortable attire I had time to contemplate the events from this morning. After Rachel had returned home I failed miserably at avoiding being a part of the family portrait although annoyed I was amused by the youngest Sullivans discomfort at being forced to wear a ridiculously frilled dress. The Jazmine girl was apparently good for something. As for the food that was handled by Nikki despite my feelings towards the woman I cannot deny her cooking ability; she mentioned she was a chef so I suppose that is a given. I have learned much in my short time here and dealing with them has become much easier or I was becoming more tolerant, at this point I am unsure. After changing I viewed myself in the mirror and spotted something protruding from behind it.

When I removed it I found it was a photo of smallest Sullivan much younger and laughing in the arms of older man with similar features, the same dark mahogany locks, and lightly tanned skin. I assume this is her father which is interesting considering the apparent absence of a male figure in the household and no mention has ever been give of any father to the Sullivan children nor are there any other pictures like this around the home. I wonder if he has passed? Tucking the picture away I went back to rejoin the rematch of Monopoly against the Sullivan girl after two hours the whiny eldest demanded an intermission. I rushed to catch the girl before she climbed the steps, Hey you! What? Who is this? I demanded showing her the photograph. Give that back, its mine. She seethed grabbing for the picture which I held out of her reach. Who is the man? Give it back NOW!!! She shrieked pulling on my shirt struggling to reach it; I could hear her sisters coming to see what the commotion was about. Just answer-I was cut short as her fist connected with my jaw, knocked off balance I fell. My face stung, but I barely noticed as I was completely taken aback by her reaction she was shaking and her cheeks were flushed as she glowered down at me. She reached once more for the picture clasped in my hand, but was rammed by Kristen, What the hell is wrong with you? You cant just punch people in the face! Fuck off whore!!! She yelled shoving her back against the wall knocking down several frames. You little bitch!! Kristen roared tackling the girl to the ground striking her repeatedly. I sat dumbfounded at the situation unfolding before me but even more so by the fight that the Sullivan girl was putting up against her older and larger sister. As she struck back at her sister Kristen restrained her arms, but the young girl simply head butted her in the face almost instantaneously blood gushed from the older girls nose and as she tried to clear her face the young girl rolled on top of her. Jazmine desperately tried pulling them apart, but the weak girl was knocked to the ground just then the adults who must have been outside rushed in and tore the girls apart.

Thats ENOUGH! Rachel shouted holding Emily tightly as she struggled to break free. SHE STARTED IT! AND ILL FINISH IT YOU LITTLE BRAT! KRISTEN I SAID ENOUGH! Damian are you okay? Yes, Im fine. I replied pushing myself to my feet. WHO GIVES A SHIT IF HES OKAY, WHO THE HELL CARES! Emily calm down! WHY SHOULD I!!! I HATE HIM ALL HES DONE SINCE HES BEEN HERE IS TAKE EVERYTHING OF MINE! I DONT EVEN HAVE A ROOM ANYMORE! WHY COULDNT YOU JUST LET HIM GO TO SOME FOSTER HOME OR SOMETHING WITH ALL THE REST OF THE KIDS NOBODY FUCKING WANTS? I felt the anger surge through me and a pounding started in my head, but before I opened my mouth to respond Kristen was screaming. YOURE A SPOILED BRAT YOU JUST CANT HANDLE THE FACT THAT YOU ARENT THE BEST AT EVERYTHING ANYMORE! SHUT UP!!! NO IF YOU HATE IT HERE SO MUCH QUIT YOURE BITCHING AND LEAVE! NO ONE WANTS YOU HERE! Emily broke free of her mothers grasp and bolted out the door and Rachel dashed after her. Nikki released Kristen gawking at the girl, Why would you say that? What? Its true. She sneered wiping the blood from her face. You dont talk to your sisters like that! Roll your eyes at me again and I will knock you the hell out little girl! Kristen tensed realizing her mistake she could handle her sister, but definitely not this woman angry or not she wasnt that stupid. Rachel burst back into the house grabbing her keys, I lost her. Nikki take your car and check on the west side Ill go east in case she gets on any buses, Jaz circle around the neighborhood in case she stays local, Kris- Dont even ask, look at what she did to me! She can do whatever the hell she wants leave me out of it. Turning on her heel she stormed to her bedroom.

Rachel was fuming but there wasnt time for her to waste arguing with her daughter so she turned to me, Damian watch her please. I nodded; then the house was quiet. I locked the door still reeling from what had happened I listlessly fixed the disarrayed furniture and picked up the bits of broken glass strewn across the floor. In the living room the game was still just as we had left it and I stood staring knowing that I was the to blame. I found myself Kristens door first tapping then pounding when I received no response. I entered cautiously scanning the room, the light was on but I didnt see her as I scanned the room. There were clothes sprawled over every inch of the floor as well as wrappers from discarded candy and days old leftovers were scattered across her desk I grimaced at the filth and peered out the open window. She was gone. You had one job Damian, one job. -Main StreetI had been searching for nearly an hour with no results I was not in possession of a cell phone so I had no idea if both girls had already been found so I made my way down the street deciding to search for a little while longer before heading back. I had been studying maps of the city in my downtime so I had no worries about losing my way, but I had no idea where Kristen may have gone I didnt know her usual hangouts and knew none of her friends. The roar of a city bus engine caught my attention as it passed and thats when I saw her sitting in the far back staring listless out the window, Emily, she hadnt noticed me but I memorized the busses number and destination and raced to the nearest stop. I followed as she sauntered down the city street unaware of my presence as I neared her I gently nudged her in the back with my crutch. Swiftly turning readying to strike as she faced me I was silently thankful I had kept my distance. She relaxed when she saw it was me, but she was still hostile. What are you doing here?

Your mother asked me to watch Kristen, She eyed me inquisitively. She escaped out her window I went searching for her and found you instead. Typical. She continued on ahead and I moved to walk beside her. I do not wish to replace you nor do I want to remain here. He stated emphatically, she stopped and turned. I know, I was just angry; you had my picture and I panicked. Why? If my mom knew I had it shed have thrown it away. She dislikes him? She hates my dad and she wont even tell me why she burned all the pictures of him I was only able to save the one. I sighed heavily as I pulled the crumpled picture from my pocket and handed it to the girl. I didnt knowI apologize. She gazed at him in stunned disbelief,Did you just say you were sorry? Yes and I will not do it again. She chuckled and took a seat on a bench staring fondly at the photograph. I am sorry too I shouldnt have said those things or hit you, its just I work really hard to be the best, but it just comes so easy for you I just felt so Inadequate? Heh yeah, Trust me I know the feeling, She stared at me incredulous, What? I have well I guess you can call them siblings they are adopted. What are they like? I paused for a moment wondering how to describe my brothers, Well there is Grayson he is the eldest he is also my fathers favorite and is well liked among his peers. We work well together although he is somewhat annoying with his exuberant nature. In the beginning I hated him I thought he was worthless, but he has earned my respect and I have earned his. She smiled, Seems like a good guy, do you miss him?

Miss? Grayson? Absolutely not! I could feel the temperature rising in my face to even think it was humiliating. You said siblings what are the others like? -tt- Next I suppose is Todd he is hardly worth mentioning. He ran off a long time ago I never really knew him, all he does is cause trouble for my father. Wow I guess every family has one. What do you mean? Kris is the same. Is she really that bad? You havent known her for that long but she is always taking off, getting into some kind of trouble, stressing my mom out, and making her look bad whenever she doesnt get her way. She probably took off to go get drunk its what she does. Shes not very sanitary either. She burst in to laughter, I take it you saw her room, its disgusting she lives like a pig! Do you hate her? She was surprised by the inquiry, her brow furrowed as she mulled it over. Not all the time if that makes any sense. I mean she wasnt always like this once upon a time she was a great older sister arguably the best, but What? She changed. I dont know why but its not like it used to be. We were quiet for a long time neither one of us knowing how to break the silence so I figured I would continue where I left off. Lastly, there is Drake he is pompous ignorant, and is constantly trying to prove me unworthy of all that I am entitled to. All he does is insult and belittle me telling me I am to cruel to belong to our family. I despise him. My face grew hot again with anger and embarrassment I hadnt meant to go that far but I couldnt stop myself. I stared silently at the passing cars. Hm, he sounds like a grade A douche bag. She replied with broad grin.

I laughed it felt good to talk to someone objective and not be judged negatively without consideration. You know I dont think I have ever heard you talk this much. You are not as horrible as I thought you were. Neither are you. Then how about a truce? Truce? Despondent she gazed at the road ahead. Yeah well if we are being honest I have more than enough enemies. Agreed. From this point on we are allied, but there is one condition. What? You will no longer call me Dami, my name is Damian. Fine, as long as you call me Emily. I smirked and she returned a toothy grin. Fair enough, Emily. Disclaimer: I do not own Damian Wayne he is the property of DC, I do however own the OC's used in this story as well as the plot.