Disclaimer: I tried to gain access to the Bat Family, but I could get through the Bat-computer firewall.
A/N Dick is twelve and is still the first Robin and has been since he was almost nine. Jason is a year older than Dick, making him thirteen.
Then There Were Two
Chapter 1: Redheaded Replacement
"Hey circus freak how does it feel being replaced by street trash?"
"Does like Brucie need a new boy toy, do you not like perform anymore?"
"Hopefully this means you're going back to where you belong. At least this kid's actually a Gothamite."
Trying to ignore the taunts and jibes from the gossip mill throughout the day I was able to put it together; Bruce was replacing me. It was some teenager Batman had come across a few nights ago. Bruce had told me about the adventure I missed, some redheaded punk tried to jack his tires in the bad part of Gotham. He didn't tell me he was planning on adopting him.
"Bruce how could you!?" I stormed into the Batcave throwing my backpack to the floor.
"Dick don't be petty, he needed help," Bruce didn't even look away from the computer screen.
"Bruce, he was stealing from Batman!" I shouted in frustration.
"Dick, he knows about my night job," Bruce explained glancing at me.
"Are you replacing me," I hated how insecure I sounded.
Turning to face me he grasped my shoulders, "I could never, but Jason needs me too. Just like you did, like you still do."
"I have to stay in one night to finish a paper and you bring home another kid," I say attempting to sound lighthearted, flinging myself into the other chair. I sat thinking while Bruce went back to work. The silence was broken sometime later by Bruce.
"I was going to talk to you about it tonight before Jason arrived tomorrow. How did you hear about it?" Bruce's curiosity got the better of him.
"Some kids at school knew about it," I tried to keep the bitterness out of my voice. I couldn't take his all-knowing gaze so I broke the awkward silence. "So tell me about him," not sure if I really wanted to know.
Turning back to the screen he began to read, "His name is Jason Peter Todd, age thirteen. Father Willis incarcerated, mother Catherine deceased. Red hair…"
Sighing in exasperation I interrupted him, "Bruce I could read the file. Tell me about my new...about Jason."
"He is brash. Strong but it lacks control. He is full of rage; angry at the world. But he has a hidden compassion for those around him. He has potential, but only if it is nurtured. "
"So he is like you. Great two Bruces to rule over me. Give me another Alfred any day, at least he doesn't brood," I mutter sarcastically. Bruce sent me his Bat Glare. "I'm only kidding," I lift my hands in surrender, grinning, "Mostly." We fall back into silence; this time it is a more comfortable one. Bruce goes back to his files and I retrieve my homework, to finish before patrol.
Once in bed I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about a redheaded punk stealing Bruce like he did the Batmobile's tires. The giant Wayne Manor suddenly seemed too small. The only other place I could go was juvie, like before, because I wasn't Bruce's son I was just his ward. Jason Todd was going to be his son- Jason Wayne.