Warning ⚠️ this chapter mentions self harming and cutting as well as attempted suicide.

"Gotham spirals ever downward. Mayor James under attack. Vows swift action. Points finger at police department's sluggish response. Etc." Commissioner says irritatedly.

"It's just ink." Harvey replies as he lays a paper down on his desk.

"Did you give them this?" She demands turning to Harvey.

"Me?"

"You've done it before." The Commissioner replies.

"On my own case? Never. It would be a very stupid thing to do." Harvey replies turning to look at me.

"Jim?" Essen's demands her arms across her chest.

"I didn't call it in." I reply.

"Another mystery." Essen's replies in irritation.

"We have a thin lead on the case if you'd like to hear it ma'am." I reply rising from my seat. There's only three companies in Gotham that stock this ATP. You need a special license to buy it. Chances are one of them is crooked."

"We are looking to lean hard on all three like they are crooked. See which one pops." Harvey explains. Essen's nods in approval. After she walks away I start to dial a number.

"That was sneaky good. I almost couldn't tell that you were lying." Harvey says to me.

"I wasn't lying." I reply. "Good morning Judge Baker. Thank you sir. Yes, all three. Wellzine, Dracotech and Quillan Pharma."

"If you didn't call the papers did your girl?"

"Yes. I didn't know that she was going to call them."

Quilln POV

"You guys have screwed me. Against my better judgement I sell you the juice. I let you guys use my storage space because, no problem you said. Now look. Heat. White hot heat."

"No problems my friend. We are here to take the merch away. You'll be clean as a whistle." The tall man replies.

"Merch. They are children dam it. They are human beings. Didn't I tell you to check on them ten minutes ago? I want another five large."

"We had a deal already." The lady replies.

"I've got to stand up for what is right here."

"Be fair sir. We don't have that kind of cash on hand." The lady replies.

"That's your problem. I can wait." I reply.

"I thought you said you were worried about the heat." The tall thin man replies.

"If heat arrives in the meantime, I can get rid of the evidence very quickly." I reply.

"We have an obligation to deliver. The Doll Maker doesn't tolerate failure. We need those children." The tall thin woman hisses at me.

"Well that's also your problem." I reply turning to leave. My buddy laughs and she stabs him in the leg in reply. "Hay no. This is totally inappropriate. We were having a business discussion here." I reply.

"You weren't being fair." The tall man replies.

"Oh gosh. Cops." The lady says shaking her head her co-worker doing the same.

Jim POV

"Seriously, you need to learn to control your woman."

"I kind of like her the way she is." I reply. As we enter the store a woman rushes forward. "Hello, may I help you?"

"Yeah Detectives Gorden and Bullock we are here to speak to whomever is in charge."

"Yes of course. Oh Mr. Quillen. Detectives here to speak with you."

"Oh?" A sweaty man replies looking extremely nervous as if he had something to hide. "Detectives wow. What's up? Nothing serious I hope?"

"Cut the crap! We have a warrant to search the premises we know what you are doing."

"Then you know some boring stuff then. I mean what are you talking about?"

"Your peddling ATP to those kids snatchers."

"Oh gosh no. I mean we used to carry ATP but not since the Arkham Asylum closed. I heard that the Wayne foundation is planning on re-opening the old place again. But now that the Wayne's are dead I guess everything's up in the air. What a world eh? Nobody's safe."

A second later, the facility is plunged into darkness and Quillen lets out a girly scream and we soon find ourselves in a shooting between some unknown people. Unfortunately, they are able to get away.

Upon re-entering the building I hear Quillan speaking to his associate. "Where the hell were you? Get rid of them and hose down the room."
At this, I cock my gun and point it directly at his forehead. After which I follow his partner who is aiming his gun at a group of homeless children. "Freeze". When he doesn't I shoot him.

Falcone POV

After giving it a fair amount of thought I decided that it was best that Bella be returned to Wayne manor. I knew that this would upset her and Mario wouldn't be happy about it either but it had to be done. It was for her own good. "Bella sweetheart, we need to talk."

"Wes Gwampa?"

"I think that it's best if you return to Wayne manor."

"But why?"

"I have it on good authority that both Young Mr Wayne and his butler are extremely worried about you."

"But me don't want to go back. Me want to stay wifth you and daddy Mawio. You pwomised..." Bella replies tearfully.

I sigh. "I know."

"You wobe (love) me. Don't you?" Bella asked tearfully.

"Of course I do, which is why I have to let you go."

"Me can't go back."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Bwuce hates me. Him nu want me awound nu mowa. Him says it's me fault that his mommy and daddy go bye bye. Him says that we isn't weally family. Me is just a bwat that his mommy and daddy felt sowwy fowa."

"What do you mean he says that your not a real Wayne?"

"Me heawd (heard) Alfwed (Alfred) say that the Waynes adopted me. Bwuce said that means that Me is not a twue (true) Wayne."

"The truth is Princess, that it doesn't matter if your not blood related to the Waynes. All that matters is how much you love them and how much you are loved by them. You are a true Wayne in your heart and that's all that matters. It's time you returned home. You will always be my little Princess and I will always be watching over you. Just from a distance ok?"

Bella's eyes fill with tears as she replies
"Why can't me stay wifth you and daddy?" Bella asks point towards a picture of Mario.

"The truth is, that Mario isn't ready for the responsibility of raising a child. One day when he is ready to settle down and have a family perhaps, but for right now it's not in his best interest."

"Is that why you is sending me back? You don't want to be my Gwampa cause you have you someday you habe weal gwandchildwen? You don't want owa (or) need me." Bella replies tearfully and I sigh. This was turning out to be harder then I thought.

"That's not true. I'm returning you home for your own safety. I will always care about you. You will always be my little Princess, I'm sure Maroni feels the same way."

"Me doubt that. He let his men take me away. They was gonna make me go bye bye. If he lobes (loves) me so much why he not twy (try) to get me back frwm (from) you?"

"Who said that he didn't? That's one of the reasons why I think it best that you return to a more safe environment. Sal is a very dangerous man. He doesn't take kindly to those he considers traitors. He hates me and he would do anything to hurt me, including hurting you."

"But if he wants me back..."

"I don't trust his motives or his reasons for wanting you returned to him. As you said, he wanted you dead. So why does want you back all of a sudden?"

Alfred POV

I watched in surprise as a limo pulled up to the house and Don Falcone a known mob boss exited it. What did he want? It was then that I noticed in his arms he carried a sobbing Bella. Immediately, I rushed to the door and opened it. "Don Falcone. To what do we owe this pleasure?"

"I am here to return something or rather someone very valuable that you seemed to have misplaced." Mr. Falcone replies.

"Would you like to come in?"

"I can't stay long. I just wanted to make sure Bella was returned home safely."

"Yes, well, thank you for that."

"She is a very precious little girl. Take good care of her."

"But of course. That is what I was assigned to do now wasn't it." I reply taking Bella from him. I notice that Bella has a blank expression on her face.

Falcone kisses Bella's forehead. "Pwease don't go." She begs looking up at him tearfully.

"I have to return home my dear and you must remain here. It's what best for everyone involved. Until we meet again. Parting is such sweet sorrow." With that, Don Falcone kissed Bella on the forehead once more and then turned and walked out of the house.

Pulling Bella to my chest I give her a huge hug. "I've been so bloody worried about you. Why did you run off like that?"

"Me nu a Wayne and Bwuce nu want me hewa. Him hates me. It's me fault his mommy and daddy went bye bye." Bella replies tearfully.

"Where did you get an idea like that?"

"Fowm Bwuce." Bella replies and I look at her in confusion.

"Oh. I see. I won't lie to you, Yes, the Wayne's adopted you when you were a baby, but that doesn't make you any less a Wayne."

"Who is me weal (real) mommy and daddy? Why didn't they want me?"

"That's a bit complicated. You see, Mr. Wayne hired a man to find him a child who needed a home. This man is the only person aware of the circumstances concerning your adoption."

"Can't you talk to him?"

I sighed "I suppose. But I don't think it's a wise choice. The Wayne's loved you as if you were their biological daughter and that all that really matters."

"Me guess." Bella replies with a sigh. "Alfwed? Why does No one cawe about me? Bwuce doesn't and not Mawoni and Mista Falcone and his son don't. Me isn't wanted by anyone cept you and ebewyone says dats only cause you is paid to caww about me not because you weally lobe me."

"Bwuce says day Me is a buwden to you and dat things would be betta if me had stayed away. He was happy when me was gone. Maybe things would be betta if me went to be wifth mommy and daddy Wayne. Den Bwuce could be happy again."

"Now you listen to me little Miss, there will be no more talk like that. Those voices in your head who are telling you that your not good enough, that no one would ever love you are lies. I don't want you believing them for a minute. As for Master Bruce, he lied. He was miserable while you were gone. He blamed himself for your running away. How about I sing you a few lullabies?

Instead of traditional lullabies, I sang a few Christian songs that deal with the topic of fear and beauty. Fear he is a liar by Zack Williams, Beautiful to me by Don Francisco, Beautiful for me by Nichole Nordman, and Candice Grover's I am beautiful and lastly Hilary Scott and family Beautiful messes. By the time I was done singing Bella let out a yawn and soon she was fast asleep.

I thought that was the end of it but later that day, I spot Bella trying to drink out of a bottle of bleach. "Bella no!" I unintentionally yell startling her causing her to drop the bottle. I frown as I spot cut marks on her arm. When did she start doing that and how the bloody hell did she get a razor or knife in the first place?

"Yo Gorden, Man's been waiting for you upstairs."

I glance up to see the Wayne's butler and sigh. "Mr. Pennyworth."

"Alfred please. It's bedlam isn't it? Rough job you've got."

"Best job in the world."

"I wonder if it might be convenient for you to visit us tomorrow?"

"Of course. Why is something wrong?"

"I don't know. I've never had a child before."

"Nor me until recently." I reply glancing over at Jayden and Sabrina who seemed to be talking to a child there age.

"Tea time then?"

"Tea time."

A little while later, at Wayne manor, Alfred is explaining the situation in more detail. "Neither one have been sleeping properly and when they do they have these nightmares. Now they are hurting themselves. Burning themselves. They are cutting. I've even caught Miss Bella trying to drinking bleach and other toxic chemicals."

"Are they getting professional help?"

"Oh, you mean a psychiatrist? No. No. They won't have them. No psychiatrists that's a rule."

"You make the rules Your their guardian aren't you?"

"Their father gave me very firm orders was he and the missis were to die. Now I will raise the boy and girl the way their father told me to raise them."

"Which is how?"

"Trust them to choose their own course. They are after all, Wayne's."

"Sounds like a recipe for disaster. What do you want me to do?"

"He wants you to talk some sense into me."

"Me too." Bella replies popping up next to Bruce.

"Haven't I told you to stop creeping up on people like that? It's bloody rude!"

"Alright then Bruce, Bella, talk to me."

"I'm perfectly fine. Alfred's a worrywort."

"Me is fine too." Bella replies with a frown.

"What did you do to your hands?"

"I burnt it."

"Me too." Bella replies with a shrug.

"Listen to me Bruce, Bella, You've been through a terrible experience. Talking to someone can be very helpful."

"You must have seen terrible things in the war does it help you to talk about what you saw?"

"Yes a little."

"Your not a very good liar."

"Bruce, Bella your hurting yourselves."

"I'm testing myself. Different but I appreciate your concern."

"Me too."

"No what your doing is being a copycat and you need to stop." Bella glares angrily at Bruce before rushing out of the room.

After Gorden leaves, I once again notice that Bella is missing. "Oh bloody hell. Not again." I groan. "Some one is going to have to nail that girl's fins to the floor." I mutter quoting Sebastian from the Little Mermaid.

Jim POV

Later, the Mayor is holding a press conference thanks to Barbera's phone call he's been getting nothing but complaints. "I want to thank you brave Gentleman from the bottom of
My heart. And I promise you kids, we will take care of you as if you are our own children. But here's the thing. The people who victimized these kids are still out there. And hundreds of vulnerable youngsters are still living rough on our streets. Alone, unprotected and lets face it, that's the real crime here. So what are we going to do to help these kids? Yesterday I made a phone call to child services and the GCPD to initiate a humane but tough love program. To get these kids off the streets and into the loving arms of juvenile services. I think that went well..."

"I think so." Essens replies. "A small toast your honor?"

"You read my mind."

"Mr. Mayor where are you sending all the children who get rounded up?"

"Foster homes for the cute undamaged ones upstate for the rest."

"Upstate?"

"The Alpaina youth corrections facility. A fine institute."

"Prison in other words."

"Forgive me your honor Detective Gorden is our house firebrand."

"No no no that's ok. Jim. May I call you Jim? Half the piety crime in this city is homeless kids. They need structure people who care for them. For the good of Gotham and the children. You see?"

"I see your using the child snatchers a pretext to lock up children without a trial."

"Thank you my friend. Valuable input. Most refreshing."

Salena POV

"Name?"

"Ma'am there's been a mistake I'm not meant to go upstate I need to talk to James Gorden. He's a cop."

"You will be allowed a phone call when up get up state. Name?"

"I need to talk to him now. He will thank you for it."

"Not happening. Name?" The Officer replies.

"Bite me pigorrina." I reply in irritation.

"Jane Doe." Frustratedly I get on the bus and plop myself down in a seat. I go to pull my necklace out from my pocket only to find it missing. I know that there's no way they will let me off the bus. I notice the kid next to me is sniffling. "Relax kid, Juvies not that bad. First week whatever you do don't make friends with anyone that's friendly. When you get into a fight, go for their eyes.

Sabrina POV

"Bella what are you doing here?" Jayden asks.

"Me am playing hide and seek. Shhh. Me don't want your dad to see me. That would wuin the game."

"Hay Jayden, that girl dropped her necklace we should go make sure she gets it back." Sabrina says holding up a silver necklace.

"That sounds like a fun adventure count me in." Bella replies. With that, we quickly sneak into the bus.

I tapped the girl's shoulder. "Yeah?"

"You dropped this." Sabrina said shifting nervously as she handed the girl her necklace.

"Thanks kids. The names Selena. Selena Kyle but my friends call me Kat."

"My name is Jayden and this is my sister Sabrina."

"No last name, that's cool." Selena

"And this is our friend Bella Wayne." Sabrina replies.

"I thought You looked familiar."

"What are you doing on this bus? Kids like you don't belong in Juvi. You wouldn't last a week."

"Oh we aren't homeless, our daddy is James
Gorden. We just wanted to make sure that you got your necklace back. It looked like it was important to you."

"It is thanks."

"Hello children. Ready for a grand adventure?" A woman asks cheerfully.

Upon hearing her voice the Kat jumps up from her seat and tried to exit the back of the bus. She seems terrified. "Somethings wrong." Bella whispers to us.

"Sit down young lady! I said sit down! Like now!" The woman demands brandishing a gun.

Kat does as she's told. "Next naughty child to stand up gets a black mark right here." The lady says pointing to her forehead.

Mayor POV

I angrily burst into the Commissioner's office. "One or two or three I could explain that but a whole bus load, a while bus load of the little B.****'s what am I supposed to say? Oops?! Just tell me it wasn't them, tell me it wasn't the the snarchers, I'm begging you!"

"The bus driver was a man the guard was a woman. It could be them."

"Your killing me. Your killing me!"

"We're working it your honor."

Sal Maroni POV

I was enjoying a nice meal when one of my men walked up to me a look of concern on his face. "Have you read the news?"

"Yes. Terrible absolutely terrible. Those poor children."

"Sir, according to my sources, Bella Wayne was last seen being put on the missing bus."

"What?! Get me Falcone on the phone now!"

"What is it Sal?"

"You know that I don't usually like to admit when I make a mistake but the biggest mistake I've ever made was letting Bella walk out my restaurant doors. I love Bella with all my heart. I will never forgive myself if anything were to ever happen to her. I know you feel the same since your son adopted her. Yes, I am aware that Mario Calvi is your son, but that's not important right now. According to my men, Bella was last seen being put on the missing bus. You know that the only reason the Mayor cares about the child snatchers is because he is worried about how all this bad Press will effect his position as Mayor. I think it's time we give him a better incentive to find them."

"On that we are agree. Meet me at the GCPD in five minutes."

Jim POV

"Jim, I'd like a word with you in my office, now." Our Boss demands.

"Yes of course. What can I do for you?"

"I'm afraid that I have received some rather disturbing news. It seems that Sabrina and Jayden might have been taken by the child snatchers."

"What?! They aren't homeless not any more anyway. Why would the child snatchers take them?"

"I don't know Jim. I'm sorry. Do you want us inform your fiancé?" My boss asks.

"No. All that will do is cause her to panic. No, best to find out what happens first before I inform her. A few seconds later, I was at my desk. "Come on Harvey, let's go question that sniveling wimp Quillton. Oh and Harvey, feel free to use any methods necessary to get the information we desire. Even beating the crap out of him."

"Woah there buddy, why all the hostility all of a sudden?"

"The child snatchers have kidnapped my children."

"Oh man, that's just.... I'm sorry Jim.... Don't worry, we will find them."

"We had better or your going to have to dig me
a grave because Barbera will have my head. And I'll never forgive myself if anything to were to happen to them."

We were just about to go grill Quillton concerning the child snatchers identities and where they intended on sending the children when both Falcone and Maroni and some of their men entered the precinct. Immediately whispers filled the room. Something had to be really wrong for the two of them to be in each other's company. Especially considering the two usually can't stand each other.

"Senior Falcone, Mr. Maroni, to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?" The mayor asks nervously.

"You can't quit with the pleasantries Mayor. This isn't a social call." Maroni replies irritatedly.

"I am deeply concerned about these child snatchers. What are you doing to put a stop to them?" Falcone asks in an eerily calm voice.

"We... We've put measures in place....." The Mayor stutters.

"Well obviously considering a bus load of children have gone missing someone screwed up." Maroni replies irritatedly.

"Gorden, could Maroni and I speak with you for a minute in private? That is, if it's ok with you Commissioner?" Falcone asks politely.

"Oh great. Both Falcone and Maroni want to speak with you at the same time? You are so dead. I'd say it was nice knowing you but, you've been nothing but a pain in my butt." Harvey replies with a slight smile.

"So, what is the really about? I am sure a bus load of missing homeless kids isn't important enough for the great Falcone to intervene ..."

"It has come to my attention that Bella Wayne has gone missing. Our sources tell us that Bella, along with your two children, were snatched by the child snatchers and is currently aboard the missing bus." Falcone replies.

"What I want to know is how the hell this happened?! Bella has never been homeless and obviously neither are your children. So why would the snatcher's kidnap them?" Maroni demands.

"They made a mistake."

"Yeah well, it's going to be a deadly mistake, for them and even more so for the Mayor should anything happen to Bella or Your children." Maroni hissed.

As we walk out of the office the Mayor says "I hope Officer Gorden hasn't done anything to upset you? Because if He has I can assure you, He will be dealt with."

"There's no need. Maroni and I were just informing the Detective that this case has become personal for us."

"I see. May I ask why?" The Mayor asks nervously.

"Does there have to be a reason? I am giving you 24hrs to find the people responsible for these kidnappings and have these sweet innocent children returned safely or you won't like the consequences." Falcone replies.

"Personally I feel that 24hrs is being far too generous. If it were up to me, you'd have only till nightfall, to have those children retuned safe and sound. I know the only reason that your concerned is because your worried that this newest set of kidnappings will be damaging to your career but trust me, bad press will be the least of your worries if those children aren't recovered safe and sound. If you catch my drift." Maroni replies and the Mayor gulps.

"We shall double our efforts. Well, what are you waiting for? Don't you have a perp to question or something? Get to work!"'The Mayor demands.

Barbera POV

I hear a knock on my apartment door and look out the peep hole to see Montoya. I frown she just wouldn't take a hint. "I thought I told you never to show your face here again."

"Look, I'm sorry ok. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't extremely important."

"Ok. I'll bite, what's so important?"

"How much has Jim told you about the child snatchers?"

"Jim is a professional he doesn't like talking to me about work."

"Even if his case involves the safety of your children?"

"Are you threatening my children?" I reply with a snarl.

"No, of course not. The truth is, Your children were among the last group of children taken by the child snatchers."

"That's impossible. Jim wouldn't keep information like that from me. Get out Montoya, I am tired of your lies!"

"I am truly sorry about your children, but if you don't believe me, why don't you call him and check on your children? I bet you he will come up with some excuse as to why you shouldn't come down to the precinct. Go ahead, call him..."

"Fine. I'll call him but only to prove that your wrong."

Jim POV

A few minutes later, Harvey and I are in a cell with Quillton. Harvey is hitting him with a big book. "Look I told you everything that I know, I told you." Quillton whimpers.

"You see that man there?" Harvey asks pointing to me. I'm standing nearby with my arms crossed I could care less what he's doing to the guy. "He doesn't like it when I beat people but for you he's got no objection. Why is that?"

"Math. The lives of thirty three children verses one scumbag." I reply coldly.

"So I can beat you like a bongo drum and Saint Jim here won't intervene." Harvey replies.

"Give us something." I reply. Harvey goes to hit him with the book again and he pleads with us.

"Ok. Ok. The truck. When they came to pick up the last bunch of kids on the side of it there was a picture, like a logo. I didn't want to say before because it would give a bad impression. See it doesn't reflect really what you know."

"What was it?" I demanded not wanting to waste time with his blubbering.

"It was a blue plate and a sliver fork."

"A plate and a fork?"

"Yeah you know like?" Quinton replies making an eating motion.

"Like a catering company? Like food?" Harvey demands a look of disgust on his face.

"Like that I mean, you know... That doesn't mean.... You know...."

"Doesn't mean what?" I reply.

"Look. I don't know what they do to them." Harvey goes to hit him again and he screams.

"Hay. Hay. Alright. Draw the logo." I reply holding up a notebook. "Uncuff him."

Later, while I watch Quillton drawing the logo there was a knock on the door informing us that we have received a phone call.

Harvey POV

"Hello Detective Bullock here."

"Hi Detective, my name is Barbera Keen I was hoping to get ahold of Jim but I seem to be getting a busy signal at his desk."

"Would you like for me to take a message for you?"

"Yes. I just wanted to inform him that I'll be stopping by in about an hour to pick Jayden and Sabrina up to take them home for diner."

"An hour?" Bullock replies sounding a bit nervous.

"Yes."

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea. We are really tied up with this child snatchers case."

"Which is why I feel it is best for me to come pick them up. This way, Jim can focus on the task at hand and not worry about them."

"It's really not that big of a deal. In fact, Jayden and Sabrina are so quiet that it's almost as if they aren't even here." Harvey replies with a nervous laugh.

"Since Jim is busy, why don't you put Jayden and Sabrina on the phone. I'd like to speak with them to make sure they are alright."

"I can't."

"And why not?"

"We are playing a game of hide and seek. It's there turn to hide. If I put them on the phone then it will ruin the game."

"I've about had it with your excuses. Now tell me, what is really going on?"

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you."

"Why not?!"

"It's not my place to interfere in yours and Jim's relationship. I'm sure that he has a really good reason for not informing you of what's going on."

"Put him on the phone."

"Aw crap. Listen, unfortunately, Jim is in the middle of interrogating a suspect in the Child Snatcher's case. He can't be disturbed but I'll tell him that you called."

"He gave you the run around didn't he?" Montoya asks a slight smug look on her face.

"For your information, I spoke to his partner."

"Let me guess, he said Jim was preoccupied and he made up a bunch of wild excuses as to why you shouldn't go down to the precinct."

"I knew it. I tried to warn you that Jim wasn't a good guy...."

"Get out!"

"Barbara you shouldn't be alone at a time like this...." Montoya replies.

"GET OUT!" I scream throwing my scotch glass at her. Montoya gave me one last sympathetic glance before exiting the apartment.

Jim POV

I glance up at Essen's office in concern. "Alright, why the long face? who died?"

"No one yet, but I have a feeling that your going to wish you had."'

"Why? Who was that on the phone?"

"Your fiancé." Harvey replies looking extremely apologetic.

"Oh no. You didn't. Tell me you didn't."

"I didn't have too. She knew. I don't know how but she knew."

"Oh great, as if having Maroni and Falcone breathing down my neck wasn't bad enough now I'm going to have to deal with Barbara too? This day just keeps getting better and better." I reply sarcastically.