A/N: First off I'd like to give a shout out to KCool2003 and his story Faith Wayne for giving me the idea for this story. In his story Faith is a bad ass slayer in her mid-twenties dating Xan when she finds out Bruce Wayne is her dad. I got the "what if" idea from this, what if BW discovered Faith was his daughter when she was still a teenager? When this story starts Faith has already killed Alan Finch but has not gone toooo crazy. Yet. How will Bruce coming into the picture change her life? By quite a lot that's for sure.

A note about age, in this fic Faith is still 16 at this point in S3 BtvS. She's a few months away from turning 17.

As far as Batman, I'm not going to be following any particular storyline from the comics per se. So if you're looking for that I doubt you're going to find it.

Wasn't really sure if I should rate this T or M. There won't be excessive violence or explicit sexual content in this fic but Faith has a serious potty mouth sometimes and there will be adult situations. For not I'm just going to go with the T rating.

Make sure to Review, remember Reviews are Crack for Authors.

00000

"Got it up and running Nightwing. I think I finally got all the bugs out of the system," said Oracle.

Dick Grayson, also known as Nightwing sat at his sophisticated computer terminal speaking with Oracle. "You sure you got it this time Barb? The previous two versions had hundreds of bugs in both the software and hardware. Not really sure you could have fixed it up this fast," he said teasing his former girlfriend. Things had not worked out between them but they still felt comfortable enough to tease each other from time to time.

"You think I'd be handing over this baby if it wasn't perfect? I'd never hear the end of all the grief you'd give me about that."

Over the past six months Barbara Gordon, also known by Oracle, has been working on and off on a new program that would help the members of the Bat Clan in their detective work. She has been trying to link and access every DNA database in the country. The idea was to get DNA profiles on as many people as possible so IDing someone with just some DNA evidence will easier. This includes hospitals, research labs, and all but the most secure private companies that keep such records, plus it goes without saying they wanted access to all the DNA profiles of every law enforcement agency in the country. Years ago the policy of storing the DNA profile of convicted criminals became standard for most large law enforcement organizations across the country. To pool all that knowledge into one continually-updating database had been quite the challenge. It had taken many long and frustrating hours but for the computer genius of the Bat Clan but it had only been a matter of time before she succeeded.

Nightwing was silent for a few moments, looking over the program Oracle had sent over on his computer but he found his mind drifting as it often did when he talked to Barbara. They had broken up over a year ago but Dick could freely admit he still missed her. Their breakup as he saw it was just another in a long line of sacrifices you had to make to be part of the Bat Clan. He wasn't bitter, but still mourns that it came to that.

"Dick? You there?" came Barbara's voice.

"Yeah, just looking over what you sent me," covered Nightwing. "I'm not sure if I want to kiss you or hurt you for getting this thing done so fast." Just because they'd broke up didn't mean he couldn't flirt a little right?

Barbara gave a genuine laugh over the comm. "Yeah, I bet. You're going to be running every cold case with DNA evidence you can get your hands on through that piece of beauty. I think you might be running down leads on old cases for a couple of hundred years if you plan running all of them down."

"I don't think I'll be running down any leads unless the case is especially significant or catches my attention. What I'll do is pass on any matches we get on to the police. Should be enough to reopen old cases and hopefully get some bad guys off the streets."

"Let's hope. I haven't given it a name. Can you think of anything?"

"What's wrong with National DNA Database?"

"It's got no flair. Don't worry, you'll think of something."

Nightwing smirked. How did he get saddled with coming up with a new name for the new program? "I'll give it some deep thought," he said.

"You better. Well have fun with your new toy. Let me know if you have any problems."

"I will. Talk to you soon Oracle. Nightwing out."

After a twitch of regret at their conversation ending Nightwing set to work. If there was one thing no one counted on when getting into the superhero gig was the long hours of sometimes monotonous work. The Bludhaven protector dutifully sat compiling all the information of unsolved local crimes where there had been DNA evidence of unidentified persons from the past few years.

It took a few hours and when it was complete he set the machine to run. The display read approximately ten minutes to complete.

Sitting back thinking about his new toy it occurred to him that it may have other uses than just making crime fighting easier. The program could be used to look for long lost family or figure out if you had any family relations. Or if you had any family relations in the circles of criminals and research subjects in any case. On a whim Nightwing pulled up his own DNA profile and ran it through the system comparing it to other DNA looking for any familial relation.

It only took the powerful computer a few moments to compare his DNA against the tens of millions in the database. The result came back as zero matches for familial relations. Even though it was a bit silly Nightwing couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. He didn't exactly want a criminal as a family member but being orphaned as a boy Dick had always hoped he had some sort of family out there. Well if he did have some long lost (criminal or otherwise) family they weren't in the new National DNA Database.

Curious now and with nothing to do for the next few minutes he inputs the DNA profiles of a the rest of the Bat Clan to satisfy his curiosity.

Tim Drake first. After a few moments it shows no matches. So no long lost family for his fellow orphan either. Well not exactly unexpected.

The Barabara. There is one hit, her Father's DNA is on record as part of Gotham PD's finest. No delinquent unknown in that family tree to be found in the database.

Then Bruce. Nightwing uncharacteristically snorts to himself at how ridiculous this is before he hits the search button. The eldest former Robin closes his eyes for a moment, thinking about how he was going to sort and prioritize the new information on the cold cases once the search finished. When he opens his eyes and looks at the screen again his eyebrows rise in surprise.

Bruce Wayne: Familial Matches Found – 1

Nightwing was shocked. He knew his mentor was an orphan like most of the Bat Clan were with Alfred being the only family their mentor had left. Or at least that's what Nightwing had always thought. That's what Dick Grayson had been told at a young age. Did Bruce really have a relative the he knew nothing about? He found it hard to believe the World's Greatest Detective didn't know he had some blood relations left alive. Still it was possible.

Nightwing was itching to click on the screen and bring up the results of who this 'familiar relation' of Bruce's was but his curious Detective's mind made him hold out and see if he could puzzle it out.

One of two possibilities: Either Bruce knew about having some family or he didn't.

If he did, who could it be? Most likely something sordid. Perhaps an illegitimate cousin or heaven forbid a half sibling his father had conceived in an affair. Dick didn't know much about Bruce's parents so he couldn't just discount the possibility. Perhaps Bruce had decided to keep their relationship a secret for the other's protection or they did not get along.

If he didn't know about it? Same scenario probably. Someone in the Wayne family line sowing wild oats before they had all died over time culminating with the death of Bruce's parents. In a family as prestigious as the Wayne's there really was no other explanation as to how a member of their illustrious family could be overlooked.

Nightwing smiled. It wasn't every day you got to get one over on the Batman. When he brought it up to his mentor he would either have to fess up to a secret or be shocked by the knowledge that someone out there still has Wayne blood in them. Dick felt glad for his mentor. Even if they turned out to be a criminal, when was the last time any of them gained any family?

This would also be the subject of endless teasing from the Bat Clan to the Bat (as far as anyone could get away with teasing him in any case).

Nightwing clicked on the results to bring up the information on Bruce's mysterious family member.

When he saw the results the crime fighter was so shocked any two bit thug could have walked up to him and knifed him in the back without him noticing it.

Bruce Wayne: Familial Matches Found -1

-Faith Lehane-

Relationship: Daughter

00000

Batman crouched in the shadows on the roof of a warehouse overlooking the pier. For weeks he had been trying to shut down a major human trafficking ring that had set up shop in Gotham bringing in girls from China. The Triads were making an effort to set up shop in several major US cities, including his. Most criminal organizations in the country had learned years ago that trying to set up large scale operations in Gotham was a fool's errand. Apparently his reputation didn't scare criminals as far away as China. The Dark Knight was currently in the process of changing that.

There were about ten men hanging around the dock. From what intelligence he had gathered they were awaiting a large 'shipment' of girls. This was the very last of their operation now left in Gotham. The men looked skittish and scared. They knew what had been happening to the rest of their operations in the city. They were right to be wary, the Batman thought.

When a container ship began to pull into dock the men began to move. A couple of large vans with blacked out windows came around. When he got visual confirmation of the girls he would sweep down and finally put the final nail in their operations.

"Batman, this is Nightwing. Free for a minute?" chirped on his communicator.

Batman did not expect to be getting a call from Nightwing. Him and his former ward had a good working relationship but a sometimes rocky personal one. If Dick was calling him during 'working hours' then it must be something serious that was business related.

"Make it quick. I only have a minute or two before I need to make a move," Batman replied into his communicator.

Nightwing didn't bother to ask what he making a move on. "Remember the National DNA Database Oracle has been working on? She completed the project. I was running down some cold cases when something interesting came up."

Batman frowned. Nightwing was usually very good at getting right to the point and the younger crime fighter knew not to mince words or go into any kind of unnecessary explanation in the field. He was stalling for some reason, there was something he didn't want to say.

There was movement down on the container ship. It looked like the men were moving to open some of the storage containers.

"Don't have time right now Nightwing. Make your point in twenty seconds or call back later," said Batman, not bothering to hide his annoyance at being interrupted by what amounted to a babble for Nightwing.

"Right. Ever hear of Faith Lehane?" asked Nightwing.

Batman closed his eyes in thought for just a second. He had superb memory and encyclopedic knowledge of all things criminal, but the name didn't ring any bells.

"No. Is she important for some reason?"

There was a notable hesitation from Nightwing before he answered. "Probably. I'll catch a flight out to Gotham in the morning. There's something we need to discuss."

Batman's frown deepened. Nightwing was acting cagy at best, like he was nervous about something. Being nervous is not something he had picked up on from his former ward in years. Also Dick hated to leave Bludhaven unless there was a very compelling reason to do so. There was some important bit of news Nightwing was keeping close to the vest.

The Batman was going to call him out on it when he saw the first of the girls being pushed out of the containers on the ship and made to start walking towards the vans. Finding out what was going on with Dick would have to wait.

"Need to go. Batman out," he said before cutting off the transmission.

Gotham's most famous citizen jumped from the roof of the warehouse to land on the first of the Triad gang members.

00000

The last time Dick Grayson was this nervous standing outside the front doors of Wyane manor was the very first time he'd come here as a boy. He had been in awe and shaking like a leaf then. Now he wasn't in awe like he had been all those years ago but felt like he was shaking like a leaf just a bit on the inside.

For people with no families family was probably the most sensitive topic you could talk about. Any person who'd lost their family would tell you that. He had no idea how Bruce was going to take the news that he probably had a daughter, a daughter he had not known about for the last sixteen years.

Worse, after figuring out that Faith Lehane was probably Bruce's daughter Dick had dropped everything and started digging into her background. It painted an ugly picture, one that had left Dick angry and a little sick. If he had that reaction he couldn't imagine what Bruce's might be.

The front door opened and Alfred was standing there. "Master Dick, it is so good to see you," the butler said with a genuine smile.

Dick returned a smile in kind. "You too Alfred. How have things been?"

Alfred turned and led them inside the house. "Oh you know the usual Master Dick. Mostly normal types of problems lately, nothing of any large scale."

Dick nodded, knowing Alfred was answering his unspoken question about Bruce's other life.

"And how have you been Master Dick?" asked Alfred.

Nightwing hesitated. "Mostly fine. Work's been fairly quiet for the last few months. But Alfred I'm not here about work. I've stumbled on to some big news that concerns Bruce. Really big. As far as I can tell it seems almost a hundred percent chance that I'm right. I was hoping I could talk to you about it and ask your advice on how to go about this."

Alfred stopped and turned to look at him, curiosity and worry clear on his face. "I don't remember ever seeing you afraid to speak your mind in front of Master Bruce. What is the matter?"

"Do you know if Bruce was in Boston sixteen years ago? Maybe around March or May?" asked Dick.

Alfred took a few moments, looking pensive. "Yes, as I recall that was shortly before he began his active night life. I believe he went there for a conference on bringing law enforcement into a new era for about a week. As I recall he was quite disappointed in it overall."

Dick sighed. The timetable was right, the DNA matched. His 95 percent probability just jumped to 99.5. But it didn't really matter what he thought or had found out. As soon as he told Bruce the oldest recruit of the Bat Clan was sure he would insist on doing a whole investigation over himself.

Knowing how many enemies Batman and Bruce Wayne had they always had to consider the possibility that this was some elaborate trick or trap. A clone, fake records, something. But the detective in Dick found that unlikely. He had stumbled onto this by pure random chance and it was extremely unlikely that someone looking to ingratiate themselves into Bruce Wayne's life would pick a background as spotted as Faith Lehane's. If anything it might tempt most parental figures to run in the other direction.

"Alfred," began Dick, "I don't know the right way to say this so I'm just going to come out and say it. I think Bruce had relations with a woman named Laura Lehane in Boston sixteen years ago. They conceived a child and Laura gave birth to a girl nine months later. She's hard to track but I think the girl's made her way to California."

Alfred's eyes widened in shock. "My word," was all he said, for once in his life too surprised to say anything articulate.

Nightwing nodded, agreeing with the sentiment. "As far as I can tell it's all legitimate. When she was a kid she was taken to Boston Memorial for some injuries. Her mother signed a release form that allowed the hospital to use some blood samples for genetic testing. When Barbara finally finished the National DNA database I input all our DNA profiles to look for any match just for fun. Imagine my surprise when there was a match to Bruce indicating a father child relationship."

The butler made his way into the drawing room without a word and took a seat. Dick followed him in silence and sat down on a chair next to him.

"What is the young lady's name?" Alfred finally asked.

"Faith. Faith Lehane."

"Faith," said Alfred, shaking his head in wonderment and disbelief. "If this checks out you know this will change everything around here Master Dick," said Alfred, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Don't I know it," said Dick with a small lopsided grin of his own, "I just wonder how Bruce is going to take all this."

00000

Bruce was in his gym with his arms spread to his sides on gymnastics rings. The legendary vigilante used many methods to keep himself in top physical form. One of the more effective methods was spending some time on the gymnastic rings. He found he liked challenge of using his whole upper body and the focus required to keep himself balanced.

After several minutes of holding his arms straight out to his sides his arms began to fatigue, so he slowly spun himself forward. He let his head fall towards the ground and extended his legs upwards. The crime fighter was hanging upside down with his arms supporting him when Alfred and Dick entered the room. He didn't greet them as he was too concentrated on his current exercise.

"Master Bruce, Master Dick and I need to speak to you. I'm afraid it's a rather important matter," said Alfred politely looking at the upside down Bruce like it was nothing unusual.

Bruce was in the middle of a challenging workout. He didn't need to be disturbed right now. "Whatever it is Alfred I'm sure it can wait a few minutes," Bruce said. Speaking caused his arms to wobble a little and he had to redouble his concentration to keep his arms from shaking.

"It's a crucial matter Master Bruce. You'll want to hear what we have to say as soon as possible, I assure you," replied Alfred.

Bruce would have sighed if it didn't interfere with the controlled breathing that was helping him hold this exercise. "Fine. Just tell me then," ground out Bruce, knowing that the rare times his butler became insistent there was no dissuading him.

The butler hesitated, then something like a mischievous look spread across his face. "Master Dick believes he has discovered you have a family member previously unknown to you. A daughter to be precise."

As soon as what his butler said registered in his mind, all his efforts at concentrating fell away. He lost his balance and his body swung down from it's upside down position without him willing it to. He let go of the rings and only his years of ingrained reflexes allowed him to more or less land on his feet.

Dick has to control the urge to laugh as just for a second Bruce had a deer in the headlights look on his face that he had never seen on his mentor before. After the second passed the mask of composure once again settled across his features and he stood to his full height.

Bruce looked from Alfred to Dick trying to see if they had both gone insane and were trying to play a joke on him. They both had amused looks on their faces they were tying poorly to hide but Bruce felt that was just from his startled reaction at the… claim that was being made.

The billionaire's eyes narrowed on Dick and the younger man banished his amused look and looked at Bruce with a serious expression.

"What's this about Dick?" said Bruce, his voice very tight and controlled.

The younger man got straight to the point. "I found out about your possible connection to this girl through your DNA profiles. Bruce do you remember a Laura Lehane from Boston sixteen years ago? Alfred said you were there for a week for a conference."

Bruce thought back and found he had very clear memories of that week in Boston. The conference that had been touted as a big deal and the next big thing in law enforcement turned out to be a complete joke filled with wishful thinking. After the second day he decided he was going to fly back the next day and that night went out to explore the city.

He ended up at a bar that was supposed to be one of the oldest bars in all of the northeast having a quiet drink when Laura found him. Bruce could tell she had no idea who he was when she came over to talk to him. The woman was gorgeous, a little more than average height with thick black hair and gentle curves. Something about her just screamed 'bad news' and Bruce could admit that quality attracted him if any of his subsequent relationships were anything to go by. That she was obviously very interested in him while having no idea that he was the Bruce Wayne also drew him to the woman.

There was an undeniable powerful attraction between them. They had ended up locked in his hotel room for five days, only occasionally leaving to have dinner or drinks. He even took her shopping once. Those five days had been a surreal experience. He never learned her last name and she never learned his. After that he had flown back to Gotham and he had never seen her again.

Was it possible she had gotten pregnant? The unfortunate answer was yes. She had told him she on was birth control and he had never given it another thought. Sudden fear gripped him. That was sixteen years ago. Was it possible he had had a daughter for sixteen years and never known about it?

Bruce tore out of the gym, not even noticing when he bumped his shoulder into Dick and his indignant cry of "Hey!". The billionaire headed for the cave determined to get answers. Dick thought he had found something. Bruce would find the truth, whatever the truth might be.

00000

When Bruce had stormed out of the gym and down into the cave Dick tried to follow him intending to fill him in on what he had already found out. Alfred stopped him, telling him that Master Bruce needed time alone and that he needed to do this himself. Trusting that nobody knew Bruce better than Alfred Dick reluctantly agreed and went to find something useful to do.

Alfred went back to tending to his duties but his mind stayed on Master Bruce and what he must be going through. The butler had known Bruce his whole life and knew how devastated he had been when he had lost the last of his family, his parents. Alfred did his best and he liked to think that he had been of some comfort to the boy but the loss of his family had been an irreplaceable loss. That loss had helped to shape and define the man he would become.

It would be difficult for Master Bruce to find out he had, albeit unknowingly, neglected his own flesh and blood for sixteen years. Master Dick was no fool and barring some of the truly bizarre things the Justice League sometimes got themselves into Alfred felt sure the girl's legitimacy and parentage would be confirmed. Alfred only hoped that Master Bruce would be able to forgive himself and that he be able to play some part in the girl's life. The butler had no doubt to Master Bruce would do everything in his power to make amends and do right by the girl in every way he could.

Alfred continued his duties throughout the day and after five hours decided he had given his lifelong charge enough time to find and confirm facts and sulk about it. The elderly butler headed down into the cave to look in on Master Bruce.

The butler found Bruce where he expected him to be, sitting in his chair in front of the massive computer terminal that was one of Batman's primary tools. He had his elbows on the arms of the chair and his head buried in one hand. As the butler came around and could see the computer terminal he saw the picture of a young woman.

It was a bad photograph, which is a given since it was a mug shot from when she was arrested. The date stamp on the photograph put it at two years ago. Despite the bad lighting, disheveled hair and dirty clothes in the photograph Alfred thought she was a beautiful young lady. She had a lovely face, full lips surprisingly expressive eyes. The face she was making in the photograph though was suspicious and resentful.

"Is that the young lady in question Master Bruce?" asked Alfred gently, though the answer was fairly obvious.

"Faith," replied Bruce. His voice sounded strange and strained.

"I hope she's not in any serious trouble," said Alfred, concern touching his voice.

"She's been in trouble her whole life," said Bruce in the same strange voice.

The butler kept silent as he sensed Master Bruce needed to speak.

After a minute of silence Bruce spoke, "She's had a hard life Alfred. The evidence I've found indicates she's suffered physical and emotional abuse and a high degree of neglect throughout her childhood. There are some things that suggest she may have been the victim of sexual abuse as a child too. As far as I can tell when her mother died almost three years ago she lived on the streets for almost six months. When she was arrested for destruction of property and drunk and disorderly she was put into the system and someone adopted her soon after. As far as I can tell her adopted guardian was good to her. But after a year and a half her guardian was brutally murdered and Faith just disappeared. She pops up on the grid here and there. I think she hitchhiked and somehow made her way from Boston to California. She's somewhere in California now Alfred. I don't know where."

Alfred let all of that sink in. To think that a Wayne had been forced to live such a life, it was horrid and unthinkable. However Alfred put his own negative reaction to the news aside and tried to offer comfort. "You didn't know Master Bruce. There is no way you could have known," said Alfred knowing it was true but also knowing it would do little to put Master Bruce's mind at ease.

Bruce did not reply, and he had not moved from his previous position. Alfred stood there in silence giving Bruce time knowing that this was a delicate situation. When he felt the silence had gone on long enough Alfred spoke.

"Are you certain Master Bruce? That she is indeed your daughter?"

Bruce finally lifted his head from his hand and looked up. He didn't look at Alfred but looked at the computer monitor, studying the two year old mug shot of Faith.

"I would need to get a sample and do a DNA test myself to be a hundred percent sure. But I think that's just a formality at this point. All the evidence is staring me straight in the face. I have a daughter. A daughter I haven't known about for sixteen years," said Bruce in a voice that was pained, so uncharacteristic of his except for those who knew him best. It was similar to how he had spoken then Jason Todd was killed or when Barbara was shot and paralyzed.

"Master Bruce, no one expects this kind of thing to happen," the butler said softly, "We may never know why life turns the way it does. All we can do now is move forward and be there for Miss Faith. If I may be so bold, please do not allow regret to consume you. That will not help her and I suspect she may be in need of a great deal of help and guidance."

At hearing these words, Bruce seems to gather himself and sit up straighter. Though there is still grief and guilt in his eyes the focus and intensity of the Batman settling over him like a cloak.

"What do you plan on doing Master Bruce?" asks the butler.

Bruce stood up, focus and determination rolling off of him in waves.

"Simple Alfred. I'm going to find her. And I'm bringing her home."