He had been up here on the roof of police headquarters for several minutes looking up at the sky, waiting. Commissioner Gordon looked up at the signal float up there searching for any sign of the two of them. Ever since the kid took over and he started using those new "flying" capes of theirs he knew this was how they made their entrances. He still missed his friend but at least he left the city in good hands this time. To his left he saw Batman come in and land on the roof. With a small nod of his cowl covered head in greeting as he stood Gordon walked over. "We got word that Brutale was able to break out of Blackgate prison during a prisoner transfer. He was able to make his way to the mainland before the guards noticed it was him."

"I was already made aware of it Commissioner," he said in a voice that came close to mimicking his mentor's. "Red Robin and Robin are tracking him down now. They're going to try and get him before he can get his hands on some sort of blade."

"You sure you can trust those two together?", Gordon asked. "Last I heard they were trying to tear each other apart by Crime Alley." Gordon was positive the kid just grimaced a bit under that mask.

"I made them work it out, they know not to act so… immature when there's a nut job on the loose."

"Then what are you doing here? No offence, but you Bats aren't exactly known for making social calls when there's a 'nut job on the loose'."

Tightening the cape around him a bit he said, "I figured somebody better be around here in case we get a repeat of those two." Gordon wasn't sure what to make of that comment. Even the original wasn't that cryptic when he spoke. And why did it look like he was looking behind him?

"Hello Jim."

Gordon froze. There was no mistaking that voice. Finding that his heart was still beating in his chest he slowly turned around. He felt like his heart was going to stop beating for sure when he saw another Batman standing here, and it was him. The costume he was wearing was different but Gordon knew it was him. His voice failed him for a moment. He wanted to say how. He wanted to get on his knees and thank the lord for bringing him back. When he finally found his voice all he could get out was a slightly angry, "Where the hell have you been?"

The kid started to get between them but Batman gave him a quick look that made him stop. Looking at Gordon he said, "It's complicated."

"Complicated?", Gordon nearly exploded. "Everybody thought you've been dead for a year and it's complicated? Everything thing we've seen and been up against and you say it's complicated?" Gordon walked away, feeling Batman watch him the entire time. "I shouldn't be surprised, seeing how many times you capes have come back." He chuckled a bit after he realized something he said, "After everything we've been through and seen it must be a dozy for you to say it's complicated."

"Help Robin and Red Robin locate Brutale," he said to the kid. "We'll be fine. I'll be along in case you need help."

The kid looked at the two of them before stepping closer to his mentor and softly said, "You sure."

"He hadn't made a move to punch me yet," Batman said with a hint of a smile. "And for somebody like Brutale every set of eyes help."

"If you say so," the Kid said. Walking past him with a simple, "Commissioner," he headed to the side of a building and launched a line before swinging away.

"I'm almost not sure it's you now," Gordon told him. "I don't hear you joke much when there a criminal on the loose."

"He basically told me the same thing." He walked over to Gordon and the two of them sized each other up. Gordon wasn't sure but did Batman look hesitant? Did he have doubts on what sort of greeting he was going to get since they were alone now too? "It's good to see you're still on the job Jim. I read some of the news reports after I was gone."

"Yeah things went to hell fast," Gordon told him. "The kid tried to keep things together but without a Batman to scare them the criminals pretty much thought they had free reign of the place. So, you actually "worked" for Bruce Wayne all this time huh?"

For some reason Gordon thought he looked amused at that statement. "He backed me in my mission. I convinced him to keep it quiet for this long for his own protection. You know the low lives that inhabit this city. I wouldn't put it past any of them to try to get to him to get to me."

"On either side of the law," Gordon added. Batman just grunted in response. "The kid has been doing a good job in your absence. It took me a while to realize it was him though. Part of me was afraid it was going to be another crazy like the one who took over for you the last time you disappeared on us."

"A mistake on my part," he admitted. "I was injured and knew I needed somebody to patrol the city while wearing the suit while I healed up." He lowered his head a bit as he continued, "I knew he would have took up the suit if I had asked him. But I also knew he would have gone after the man who hurt me. Part of me knew he would be able to handle him but I… I made a stupid mistake."

"You made a Fatherly one," Gordon said. "Trust me I made enough of them with Barbara."

He didn't respond right away. Eventually he said, "Sorry I missed our year end ritual."

Gordon chuckled, "You better be careful or people are going to start thinking you're human after all." As usual Batman didn't return the chuckle, yup it was him alright. "I went to the diner at the end of the year anyway, just for one last goodbye. Or that's what I told myself. The kid should up in your place. He said it probably wouldn't be the same but he knew how important it was to you too. I appreciated the gesture, but he was right it wasn't the same." Surprisingly Batman nodded in response. "So will the two of you be taking shifts now? I can't wait to see Bullock's reaction to two Batmen running around out there. Or whatever the plural to Batman is."

"Not exactly," he answered. "While I was… indisposed I saw a bigger part of the picture I didn't see previously. I'm going to be leaving soon to recruit others to wear the symbol. But I'm not leaving Gotham unprotected."

"The kid," Gordon said for him in understanding. "I wish it was you but he's still a good choice."

"I know," Batman said with what sounded to Gordon like pride. "I've made some mistakes with him over the years, but I'm proud of the man he's become."

"Hopefully you told him… that…," and that's when Gordon realized he was all alone on the roof. "God I hate it when you do that. But I'll be lying if I said I didn't miss it." Walking over to the floodlight he turned it off. Looking over the city skyline he saw what looked like a giant bat swing away from the building. Now all was right in the world, as screwed up as it was.