Matches POV

I had to get the little brat alone. I had to know what she remembered. I needed to make absolutely certain that she couldn't identify me as the Waynes murderer. "Hello Bella."

"Hi." Bella's voice came out in a little squeak.

"Can we talk?"

"Ummm." I noticed that she shifted nervously before replying "Otay."

"Alone?" I reply and she looked at me in concern.

"Me don't know if me should."

"Look, I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to talk to you for a minute."

"Otay." She replied quietly.

"Tell me kid, what do you remember about Thomas and Martha Wayne?"

"They was me mommy and daddy, but they went bye bye." Bella replied quietly.

"Ahh so your memory is coming back."

"Kinda. Me still habe twouble (trouble) wifh (with) things."

"Tell me what do you remember about the night that the Waynes died?"

"Huh?"

"What do you remember about the night that they went bye bye?"

"Oh. Me no memba (remember) much. A man came out of the shadows and he made them go bye bye. Me no undastand (understand) why though. They gabe (gave) the man what he wanted. Why he make them go bye bye?" She asked looking  up at me tearfully.

"I don't know kid. Do you remember what the man looked like?"

"His eyes was like yous.(yours) And he had shiny shoes like those. Him sound like you a little. That's all that me memba (remember.)"

"So tell me, now that you remember who you are, do you plan on returning to the Wayne home?"

"Nu. Me nu wanna."

Bella POV

I had decided that I wanted to stay with Mista mawoni (Maroni). Bruce shouldn't have to share his family fortune and home with me. It wasn't fair. After all, I was a Wayne by last name only. Maybe Mista Mawoni could help me learn who my weal (real) mommy and daddy was and why they not want me.

Did me have siblings? Owa (or) was me a only child? The other problem that I was facing was what to call Mista (Mr.) Mawoni. (Maroni) I wasn't sure that I should continue to call him daddy.

Today Mista Mawoni is taking me to a meeting at the restaurant. I tried not to pay attention to the meeting but I heard something that caught my attention. "We should keep an eye on that Wayne kid. He's getting too nosy for his own good. Maybe we should send someone to finish the job Mario Pepper started." The man said with a laugh.

"Nu!"

"Excuse me?"

"Me said Nu. Nu one is to huwt Bwuce Wayne."

"Just who do you think you are kid?" One of daddy's men demanded smacking Me across the face.

Sal POV

After being smacked, Bella looked up at me I could tell that she was silently pleading for me to speak up. However, instead I pretended to not notice what had happened. She had gotten herself into this mess by listening to our privet conversation so now she would have to get herself out of it. Upon seeing the look of hurt cross her face I immediately regretted having chosen to ignore the situation.

"You lied. You pwomise not to let nu one huwt me. You lied." Bella states with a frown challenging me to deny her accusation. However,
what she said was true. I had promised not to let anyone hurt her and yet, I had sat by and said nothing as Frankie slapped her and called her cruel names. I had to admit that he was beginning to try my patience.

"Oh do stop your whimpering you ungrateful, spoiled brat." Frankie snapped his fingers and some of the men came and grabbed Bella and then tossed her out of the restaurant. "Can you believe that kid? After everything that you've done for her? Oh well. E'la vita." Frankie says with a shrug.

"Excuse me sir, I don't mean to pry...". Pablo says respectfully.

"Mind your own business bus boy!" Frankie hisses at him.

I hold up my hand and my men freeze in place. "I want to hear what he has to say."

"Forgive me for saying this as I mean absolutely no disrespect, but how could you let Frankie get away with treating your daughter with such disrespect Mr. Satoni Sir?"

"Because the little guttersnipe crossed a line." Frankie replies.

"Sir, not to criticize you but You did nothing as Frankie hit her and called her names and ultimately threw her out of your restaurant. He also threatened to shoot her if she ever comes back." Pablo aka Oswald replies.

I frowned glaring over at Frankie "you did what?"

"I.. I did no such thing. Boss, you want me to take this boy and teach him a lesson about sticking his nose where it doesn't belong?" Frankie asks clearly irritated that this young man had the gall to speak his mind.

"No. In fact, he has made a valid point. I've made a grave mistake. One I need to rectify immediately before it's too late." I reply rising from my seat and rushing out the door. "Where has she gone? She couldn't have gotten that far in only a few minutes.." It's then that I notice the tire marks on the road and I swear under my breath.

Bella POV

"What you gonna do to me?" I asked trembling as Maroni's men caught up with me and grabbed me tossing me in the car.

"We are just going to go for a little drive kid. Nothing to worry about."

Upon seeing those piecing blue eyes, I began to whimper and tried to exit the car. "It's useless to try and escape." We drive for a ways until we are near the water. Then the men grab me and shove me towards the dock pushing me towards the water.

"Please, don't huwt me! Me sowwy fowa what me said. Please bwing me back to daddy Sal."

"Sorry kid. It's time you learned the truth. As Frankie said, this world is a cruel and wicked place. In fact, the world is dark and selfish and cruel if it finds even a ray of sunshine it destroys it. Especially here in Gotham. Since Frankie said that the Boss never wants to see you again. I am  more then happy to grant his request."

"Please, let go, you huwting me."

"You really shouldn't have said what you did to the boss."

"Please, Me can't swim!"

"Don't worry, it's almost over. You will sink into the deep... Blue, and cool, and kind then you'll drift off to sleep...Let the past unwind...
You'll leave all the hurt behind..."

"Trust me kid, this is for the best. Maroni isn't one to care about anyone. Especially not some spoiled rich bratty kid like you. But if you'd prefer, I could make you go bye bye the old fashioned way." The man replies pointing a gun at me.

Instantly, I begin to whimper and tremble. It was just like the night that the Wayne's had gone bye bye. These men was going to shoot me and toss my body in the water and no one would care .

I closed my eyes as I heard the sound of a gun shot and I thought this was it, I am going to be with mommy and daddy Wayne and Alfred and Bruce won't know what happened to me.
However, when I opened my eyes I saw the bodies of the men laying on the ground and a thin man smiling at me as he lowered his gun. "She's alright boss. We got here just in time."

Mario Calvi/ Falcone POV

I watched as some men shoved a small girl forward. "It's too bad you had to go and anger the boss. I really liked you kid but now we've got not choice. We have to kill you." The man said holding a gun to her head.

A voice inside my head told me to mind my own business and under normal circumstances I would have, however, this man was about to murder an innocent child. I wasn't about to let that happen. Not without a fight anyway. "Hay! Leave the kid alone!"

I soon found myself in a fist fight with the man. Being a doctor I knew exactly where to hit a person to cause the most pain without causing damage. Soon the fight was over. "Hello Little one, my name is Mario Calvi what's yours?"

"Woseabella.  Me fweinds and family call me Bella." Bella looks as me quizzically and then says hesitantly, "you look like Mista Falcone. Is he you daddy?"

"Yes. Now, tell me little one, why were you out here with these men?"

At this, the small girl's eyes fill with tears. "Me made Mista (Mr.) Mawoni (Maroni) angwy (angry) wifth (with) me. Me listened to the conbasation they was habing and me wasn't supposed too. Him pwomise nu one would huwt me but he let dat Meanie named Fwankie hit me. Me got mad and called him a liaya. (Liar).

"One of him Men asked daddy me mean Mista Mawoni if he was gonna let me get away wifth talking to him like that. He said no. Fwankie said me was an ungwateful bwat and to neba go back owa he make me wegwet it. He'd make me go bye bye."

"Mista Mawoni nu lobe me nu mowa and it's all me fault." The small girl replies beginning to sob. I fight back a growl.

"I want you to listen to me very carefully, You did nothing wrong."

"But..." Bella replies in confusion.

"You had every right to be upset with Maroni for not defending you. I have to admit, that I'm quite disappointed in him. What kind of father treats their little girl like this? Come, let go pay my father a visit. You've had a long day and you could use a good nights sleep. You can stay with my father until this Maroni person comes to his senses and if he doesn't, well...." I pause before saying "then I'll speak to my father about raising you as my own. Would you like that?"

Bella thinks about it for a moment then replies "otay." With that, Bella takes my hand. As she does, I notice that her eyes are starting to droop. She's getting sleepy but she doesn't want to admit it. So I lean down and pick her up. She immediately snuggles into my arms.

"Rest now little one, I will wake you when we arrive home."

As I watch her drift off to sleep I frown and let out an annoyed sigh. How could anyone want to hurt this sweet little girl? What on Earth was this Maroni guy thinking?

Falcone POV

To say I was shocked to see Mario was an understatement. He was supposed to remain in the country safe from whomever was killing off members of our family. Even more shocking was to see Mario carrying young miss Wayne in his arms. I frowned. I thought that Sal had requested permission to raise her as his own? Why then, was she with my son? "Mario, what's going on? How did you get that split lip? And what are you doing with Maroni's little girl?"

"I wish I had him here. I'd give Maroni a piece of my mind to feast upon and hope he'd have a good appetite for it. To allow harm of any kind to come to this sweet little girl.... I shudder to think what might have happened if I hadn't passed by when I did. This fat lip is a result of my rescuing her from certain death.."

"Something about this situation doesn't seem right. I know for a fact, that Maroni loves Bella more then life itself. He deserves a chance to explain himself before any decisions concerning Bella are made."

"Why don't the two of you remain here with me until we can sort this whole thing out."

"Sort what out? I have no intention of returning this sweet innocent little child to a man who would allow anyone to hurt her. It wouldn't be right."

"You can't keep her Mario she belongs with her family."

"What family? You can't possibly mean this Maroni guy?"

"No. I mean her real family. Bella is the adopted daughter of Thomas and Martha Wayne."

"The Waynes? Were'nt they gunned down in the streets a few weeks ago?"

"Yes and Bella witnessed the event. However, upon learning that she was adopted She ran away from home and was injured. The doctor who examined her said that she had a severe case of amnesia which she probably wouldn't recover from. Maroni asked permission to raise her as his own and I agreed. Now, why she was out on that pier with those men is beyond me however, we must give Maroni the benefit of the doubt. She will remain with me until we can all come to a mutual agreement."

"Fine, call this Maroni guy."

"It's late. Why don't you get some rest and we can settle this in the morning."

"No. We settle this now. This Maroni fellow doesn't deserve to raise this sweet little girl."

"I suppose you feel as if you do?"

"Yes."

I sighed but reluctantly dialed the number to Maroni's restaurant. "Get me Sal on the phone."

"May I ask who's calling?"

"Who I am is no concern of yours. All you need know is that I need to speak with your Don immediately. This  is a matter of utmost importance."

"Yeah well, I'm sorry but he's not here at the moment."

I knew he was lying as I could hear Sal in the background asking "who's on the phone Frankie?"

"He refused to say but he says he must speak to you immediately."

"Fine. Maroni here. What can I do for you?"

"Maroni."

"Don Falcone. To what do I owe the honor is this call?"

"An acquaintance of mine found some of your men about to kill your daughter this evening. He managed to rescue her before any permanent damage was done."

"I see."

"He feels that you don't deserve to be raising her and has requested permission to adopt her. What say you to this request?"

I can hear Sal sigh. He pauses before replying "It breaks my heart to say this but, our world is no place for an innocent child like Roseabella. Can you guarantee that Bella will be safe with this man?"

"Yes. I trust him with my life."

"Then as much as it pains me to say this let him raise her. I have far too many enemies who would love to use Bella as leverage to blackmail me. I can't have such a weakness."

The next morning, Mario took Bella to the court to fill out the proper paperwork to legally adopt Bella as his daughter. I couldn't be prouder of him. He had to get back to his duties at the hospital so he asked that Bella remain with me while he worked his shifts. I was more then happy to do so. A few days later, several members of the family wish to have a meeting. Against my better judgement I took Bella along.

"Mista Falcone, can me habe me baba?."

"Bella, sweetheart, now that Mario has officially adopted you, I'm your grandfather. You can call me Grandpa I don't mind."

"Me nu knuw, ebewyone who says we is famiwly eventually decided dey nu want anyfhring to do wifth me. Fiwst Bwuce and den Mista Mawoni. Me nu wanna get huwt again." Bella replies fighting back tears as her lower lip begins to tremble.

I sigh and shake my head in disappointment. Sal had really screwed up this time. "Maroni really hurt you didn't he?"

"How him huwt me? Him nu hit me...." Bella replies a look if complete confusion on her sweet little face.

"There are a lot of ways to hurt someone other then physically Bella. Words can hurt just as bad as being hit by someone. In fact, sometimes words can cause far more damage and more pain then a simple slap or punch could ever do."

"Mista Mawoni nu lobe me nu mowa."

"Oh Bella, sweetheart, that's not true. Maroni loves you with all his heart. He was livid when he learned what those men were going to do to you. They paid dearly for their act of betrayal. However, after what happened it made Sal realize that your safety was all that truly mattered. On that, We are very much in agreement."

"It would be in everyone's best interest including your own if you return to Wayne manor." Bella shook her head no.

"I had a feeling that would be your reaction." Flacone replies with a sigh.  "I will do everything in my power to ensure that you remain safe. Come give your grandpa a hug before I leave.."

"You gonna leabe me?" Bella replies with a whimper.

"No little one I am not leaving you. It's just, that I have a very important meeting to go too."

"Me come too?"

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea. Your father wouldn't be happy with me if I weren't let anything happen to you."

"Pwease?"

"Alright, you can come but you must stay by my side at all times ok?"

"Otay." Once we reach our destination and Bella sees all the people she instantly gets nervous. She makes grabby motions wanting to be picked up but I can't do that or I'll look weak.

So instead I knelt down "I know that this might seem scary. But I need you to be a big a girl for me ok?"

Bella pouts and then sighs and nods. "Wes Gwampa." Bella says holding my hand as I walk over to the group of people who look extremely unhappy. Bella tugs at my sleeve.

"Yes little one?"

"They look angwy." (angry.) She says point towards the group and I nod.

"They are a little upset with me."

"Why?"

"It's complicated sweetheart."

"Oh." Bella replies still looking confused. I nod and then address the crowd. Bella hides behind me obviously very shy.

"I know your families are upset because someone been killing members of us off but rest assured I have my best people working on this."

"Come on boss, it's obvious that Maroni's behind this. We need to hurt him." One of the men complains. At this, I notice Bella frown and let out a low growl.

"Nu!" Bella says stepping out from behind me.

"What's with the kid? You look familiar. I recognize where I've seen you before, Your Maroni's little brat."

At this, Bella growls "me is nu a bwat!" She hisses at him. I try to hide my amusement at her frustration as it is really cute.

"You know kid, perhaps you can be of some use after all. Your being with us can be used to our advantage."

"I bet Maroni would do anything to ensure that your returned home safely. If he refuses to back down then he will never see his precious little girl again. We can send him a finger or some other body part so he realizes that we aren't bluffing." The man states and some of the others nod in agreement. Bella begins to whimper.

"Shut up kid." The man said slapping her across the face. I sigh. Pulling out my gun I aim it at the man who hit her and pulled the trigger.

Everyone stared at me in shock as I pick Bella up in my arms and attempt to calm her fears. "Shhh. It's alright little one. Nothings gonna harm you not while I'm around. Nothings gonna harm you no sir, not while I'm around. No one's gonna harm you no one's gonna dare. Others may desert you not to worry whistle I'll be there."

"Dats what Mista Mawoni said but him lied. Cides me not nu how to whistle." Bella replies with a slight frown.

"Oh. Is you gonna use me as lebewage Gampa?" Bella asks me with a slight pout.

"No Princess."

"Grandpa? Care to explain how and when that happened?" Fish asks with a frown.

"It's none of your concern. All you need know is that Bella is not to be harmed in anyway shape or form or you won't like the consequences. The answer to your suggestion is no Nikolai."

"If we don't push back he's going to think...."

"Nikolai. That fool will think what I want him to think." I reply causing Bella to giggle her eyes sparkling in amusement. "No push back, not yet." I reply.

"In my country we say even a fool may bite the king. If he has teeth." Niko replies

"Can the folklores Niko. We are not in your Godforsaken country. We are here in Gotham. Where we have plumbing, electricity and Don Falcone is the boss. He's playing that cluck Maroni, on a long line. Done!" Fish replies.

"Pwitty (pretty) lady is wight (right). Gampa know what he doing. Mista Mawoni (Maroni) is a Dumbdumb poopyhead." Bella replies with a smile winking at Fish who smiles back at her.

"Why so angry Fish? I speak my mind, is no crime. And I assure you in my country we have all modern conveniences. Only difference is ladies. Ladies are in kitchen or in bed. Depending on their talents." Nino replies.

"I bet your mother was a lousy cook." Fish replies.

"Don't speak of my mother."

"Or what? Are you going to hit a lady?" Fish demands getting right up in Niko's face.

At this, Bella shrinks back behind me and tugs on my sleeve. "Please make de  (the) pwetty (pretty) lady and de (the) man who make stupid comments stop fighting, it's scawy. (Scary.) Bella whimpers.

"That's enough. There will be no bad blood here."

"My apologies Don Falcone." Fish replies.

"We need each other, we are family." I reply.