Safe (BatBoys)

Custody Battle

Bruce's pov:

Mr. and Mrs. Sanchez sit in front of me with angry scowls on their faces. If I can handle several mass murderers and a handful of psychopaths, I can handle 2 protective parents.

"Mr. Wayne, I would appreciate an explanation on how the life of my daughter was put in danger." Mrs. Sanchez states. It's not a question.

"It is my understanding that Jason decided to take Cora and Damian for a trip into town to celebrate the first week of school. Cora is the only one who knows exactly what happened, but from what I can piece together, she was first captured by Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy." I start. Mr. Sanchez furrows his brow.

"First captured? She was abducted more than once?" He asks with a barely contained temper.

"Yes. She was first abducted for money and, we made a verbal contract that Cora would begin seeing Dr. Harleen Quinzel. Before the handoff finished, Cora was abducted again without ransom." I explain as plainly as possible.

"Who is Dr. Quinzel? Why would Cora need a doctor?" Mrs. Sanchez asks. 

"Dr. Quinzel was a renowned psychiatrist, known for her excellent work with the patients at Arkham asylum," I explain. I'm going to leave out the part about her being a supervillain for right now.

"Are you saying my daughter is crazy?" Mr. Sanchez challenges. 

"Not at all. That was one of the demands made by Harley Quinn. Cora tends to have an, adverse, effect on a lot of people. It seems that extends to some Villains as well." I state with a light tone in my voice. 3 years of business etiquette are serving me well today.

"Oh lovely, a psychopath thinks our daughter is crazy. She doesn't need therapy, what she needs is to get away from all of this." Mrs. Sanchez says, drinking deeply from her wine glass. Zeus, help me.

"No one believes Cora is crazy. Therapy is useful to anyone, although the type may differ from person to person. Harley has expressed her genuine interest in Cora, going as far as to help get her back to us when she was captured for the second time." I explain gently. 

"Who was she even abducted by the second time? How do we know this Harley girl isn't working with them?" Mr. Sanchez asks, his temper has ebbed for now.

"She was abducted by the Joker. Harley and the Joker have a history that is both bad and worse. They were not working together." I state. He takes a long swig of his bourbon. I'm glad you don't need to be sober to use a Zeta Tube.

"We're taking her back with us in the morning." Mrs. Sanchez states back. Her voice sounds far away.

"With all due respect. Cora came to live with us for a reason, I warned you of the dangers and both you and Cora agreed it was worth the risk. I highly suggest you talk to Cora herself and respect whatever decision she makes." I say firmly. Mr. Sanchez scoffs.

"Oh please, she is a scared child. She doesn't know what she wants, or what she needs. We've already talked and she was completely disrespectful. An influence of this household no doubt." He says in a way I do not tolerate.

"Mr. Sanchez, are you insulating that you know what your daughter needs and wants after not having spent more than a consecutive week with her for more than 2 years? While she has been living with me she has made friends, been nothing but polite, received care from several sources and has been getting top grades for the entire week of her first school experience. She is smart, capable, and she is still within her right mind." I say darkly. 

That girl may not be my blood but she has loved my family with a fierce determination. Jason has been coming over more often and staying longer. Richard has been bonding with all of them just as he'd wanted. Timothy has been more social and even more expressive. Damian is slowly starting to let his walls down around the rest of us.