I love writing this character and I also love practicing new things, so please comment and tell me what you liked or didn't like. constructive criticism is wonder. Thank you! Enjoy!

L.L.A.P

~Laces

Chpt.1

A shiver ran through Ruari's spine as she stared at the grave. It was unusually cold for October and not to mention wet. If there was one thing Ruari hated more than cold weather, it was cold rain. However, nothing could stop her from attending the small funeral.

She knelt at the stone, alone since most of the other funeral attendants had left, and placed a red rose down in front of it. Etched into the marble stone was the name Samantha Meyers.

The large smile that was usually plastered on Ruari's face left no trace. Instead there was a deep frown and her eyebrows were furrowed.

"I thought we were safe." Ruari whispered. "That we were free. That all my shit was left behind us." Ruari shook her head, tears streaking her face. "If it weren't for me, you'd still be alive. Baby… I love you. I will always love you."

"Coming to her funeral was predictable. Bad move. Stupid, even." Ruari turned around to see one of the men responsible for Sam's death. He had a gun aimed at her. "Get up. Our boss wants to have a chat with you."

"I'll be contacting your boss under my own terms." Ruari stated, glaring at the man.

"Ha, I don't think so." The man reached his hand out and grabbed Ruari by the shoulder while he barked out a laugh.

In a matter of seconds, Ruari had freed herself, pocket knife in hand and several of the man's fingers on the ground.

"Love you babe, but I gotta run." Ruari said to the headstone and with that, she sprinted away.

Had she expected one of the men to find her? Yes. She actually depended on it. She had to ditch her car awhile back, and goons of mob bosses always seemed to have good taste in rides.

"A Porsche? For me? Aw, he was too kind." Ruari smirked a bit as she jumped into the driving seat. It didn't take much time for her to hotwire the car and the man had fainted from the sight of his own blood and missing fingers, so Ruari knew that she had time.

With a rev of the engine, Ruari sped off.

I can't do this alone. Ruari thought. No matter how much I want to, I'm gonna need some help lying low for a while. And I know just who to go to.

~*~*~*~In Gotham~*~*~*~

"You're such a light-weight Dickie Bird." Jason laughed as he chugged at his mug of beer.

"Am not!" Dick pouted, wavering a bit in the way he sat. The two were at a pub in Gotham. They had been on friendly terms for a while. Sure, they still had the occasional spat, but it was better than constantly fighting each other on the rooftops.

"You're such a liar. I'm cutting you off before you get so drunk I'll need to carry your pretty ass outta here." Jason smirked.

"Fine." Dick grumbled, staring at the empty glass in front of him. Jason sighed and called for the bartender, asking for a glass of water.

Next time I'll reconsider taking Dick out drinking. He can't hold his liquor for shit. Jason thought.

In the room over the karaoke blared loudly and Jason smirked at the girl singing. Maybe he could score her number. However, while he was being occupied by eyeing the girl, Dick seemed to be eyeing the karaoke machine.

After the song was over, Dick was next to sing and Jason pinched the bridge of his nose anticipating the future headache he was going to receive. He had heard Dick sing. It was far from pleasant.

Dick staggered on stage.

"I come home in the morning light

My mother says when you gonna live your life right

Oh mother dear we're not the fortunate ones

And girls they want to have fun

Oh girls just want to have fun"

Jason was pretty sure his "older brother" would have been booted off stage if it weren't for Dick ripping off his shirt causing the scream of girls to drown out his terrible singing.

Dick could make it as a stripper. I'll give him that. Jason thought.

By the end of the song, Jason got out of his seat, paid for their drinks, then dragged Dick off the stage.

"Jay, you can't take me away! I'm a Flying Grayson! I was born to perform!" he exclaimed, slurring some words.

"Then perform with something your good at. Be a pole dancer or something. Anything's better than listening to you sing. Now let's head to my safe house. You can crash there." Jason stated.

Dick pouted, but didn't say anything as they continued forward in the city streets. Jason saw his breath and shook his head.

It's so cold for October. He thought as a small shiver crept up his spine.

By the time they reached Jason's safe house, Dick was dead on his feet. Jason pushed him onto the couch, pulled of Dick's shoes, then draped a blanket over him.

"Sleep tight Dickie Bird." Jason smirked.

~*~*~*~Elsewhere~*~*~*~

"Damn gas guzzling Porsche." Rauri grumbled as she sat in a train. It had enough gas to get her to a train station and that was about it.

She had to get to Gotham and find Dick or Jason. When they last visited, Dick said that he was moving back to Gotham. That left her with the task of finding two men who were very good at not being found in one city.

Relax Ruari. You got this. You've been in worse situations before and you survived. Don't get shaken up because Sam's gone. You can mourn later. Right now you have to get to safety. Ruari thought.

She looked outside the window of the train and sighed heavily at how cold it looked outside.

I hope I'll be able to find Dick and Jason soon. She thought.

"Excuse me, is this seat taken?" Ruari looked up and saw a man in a suit and tie carrying a briefcase. She subtly doubled checked her pocket knife, but smiled at the man, shaking her head.

"No, sir. It's empty."

"May I sit here?"

"Uh, sure." the man was being polite. If it were one of the mob boss' men then he would have just plopped himself next to her without a word. However, she could never be too sure. She did grow up around the mob without really knowing it, but she remembered how certain family friends spoke and acted.

Ruari's eyes went to examining the man. He looked strong. Underneath the suit was some muscle. She also noticed some scarring on his knuckles and he wore well applied make up to cover up some injuries on his face. On his wrist, he wore a fancy watch. The watch was what threw her off.

If he was a working for a mob boss, he would not have a fancy watch. They'd spend the money on prostitutes, and drugs, but a watch? And yes, it was nice but it wasn't as gaudy as the usual goons liked. Not to mention that it was old. Almost like a relative passed it down.

No, this man looked like the real deal business man.

He must've gotten into an accident since he's trying to cover whatever bruising he got on his face.

"Can I help you?" the man inquired. It wasn't said harshly, only inquisitively. He must have notice how she was staring at him.

"Oh… sorry. You just look really familiar is all." Ruari lied, trying to think of a plausible excuse for staring.

The man smiled a small smile at her. One of those 'I know something you don't know' type of smiles.

"I get that a lot." He said, then looked out the window. Ruari didn't want the silence again. Conversation was distracting. The more to distract her from Sam's death the better.

"So… Sir, why are you heading to Gotham? Got family there?" Ruari inquired.

"Well, my sons live there and so do I." the man informed. Ruari smiled at him and said,

"Oh, so are you getting back from a business trip?"

"Yes, but I can only take so much of Metropolis." The man grunted, frowning for a moment, but then he smiled at Ruari, exuding charm. "Why are you headed to Gotham? Do you also live there?" Ruari was about to say yes, but faltered. She didn't have a home really. Shaking her head, Ruari tried to push that thought out of her head.

"No. I'm looking for my two friends. See, I kinda got into some trouble and I need people I can trust to help. So… that's pretty much my best option." She shrugged. "Oh, sorry I haven't introduced myself. My name's Ruari Eve Whelan. What's yours?" Ruari questioned, extending her small hand for him to shake. The man continued to grin as he reached out and shook her hand firmly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Whelan. My name is Bruce. Bruce Wayne."