Author's Note: Secrets are important. Sometimes they are created out of guilt, neccessity or a combination of both. However great a burden one must carry, it is always best a burden shared. Bruce Wayne is about to realize this with Dick Grayson and begin a partnership that will shake Gotham to its very foundations. It all begins here with the birth of the dynamic duo.
Meeting in Darkness
I have exchanged words with a close associate of Zucco tonight. His name is Eddie Skeevers and I have squeezed him until all possible information regarding Zucco's whereabouts has popped out. He is lying low as assumed, but he IS still in Gotham. By this juncture I have liaised with Gordon on forensics recovered at the crime scene. The boy was right to be suspicious; analysis proves tampering. The trapeze rope was not cut as initially thought but simply coated in trace amounts of sulphuric acid. It is strangely gratifying to know the physics behind what Zucco no doubt believed to be a fool-proof plan. I am certain revealing such information would NOT be a comfort to the boy.
Although my increased presence as Bruce Wayne has had a marked effect on him – he is far brighter and more positive in his new guardian's company – I still sense an anger that is not appropriate to the situation. It is not the anger of guilt or anguish, but of violence. The boy wants revenge. I am no longer certain for how long I can keep him from pursuing a dark path. It is entirely possible my desire to protect him from the torment that has consumed my life is hindering his progress. I want him to move on with his life, but perhaps he will be unable to do that without special guidance, the kind only I have experience of. Would it be better for him to know me for who I am inside as well as who I appear to be? Should I...should I tell him why I cast such a long shadow in a city with enough darkness as it is? Should I tell him I'm the Batman? Perhaps it would be beneficial. I will consider...carefully.
It is close to midnight as I return to the cave. The house is quiet. Alfred has retired for the night. I know Dick will not be in his room. For the past few nights, the boy has been found on the rooftops, staring at the city skyline. I am certain he broods and wonders at where the man responsible for destroying his life has fled to. I am still in costume as I scale the side of the house. My approach is silent, even as I stand only feet away from the boy's form.
"You went to the circus tonight." I say in a harsh growl to make him jump. His eyes widen in obvious shock as he looks at me. "Don't try to deny it." I add to ramp up the tension. Dick finds his feet incredibly quick for someone who has never met my alter ego. He shrugs his shoulders.
"I was looking for proof. My parents were not careless. What happened to them was not an accident." I hear the anger boiling in his voice already; yes, he has thought for many hours on this subject.
"I know. The police know too. We are keeping it away from the media." My revelation stuns him. He frowns, as if not understanding the reasons why, only to nod moments later.
"Have you found the guy responsible yet?" He asks, seeming to already consider me his ally. I am reluctant to disclose certain truths regarding Zucco's identity and whereabouts; I do not want the boy looking on his own.
"I have an idea." It is vague, but somehow comes off as sounding resolute in my growl. The boy stands up.
"I want to help." There is nothing but total commitment in his response. He is not only willing to do anything to aid in Zucco's capture but is also prepared to do anything too. I am slightly in awe of such unwavering dedication to something he has no clue about. The boy is brave, more than brave, and maybe even fearless. Here and now, there is a tough and life-changing judgement to be made with regards to Dick's role in my world. I have to be prepared to accept unimaginable consequences and repercussions arising from the choice of one path, the most dangerous eventuality for the boy I have explored. Is the dark path I walk truly fit for company? Should I allow another, of similar misfortune and tragedy, to walk this twisted nightmare by my side? If I go into this, I cannot harbour any reservations. Like Dick, I must be willing and prepared for anything that may occur; even the boy's death.
I make my choice.
"You will. Come with me now, Dick Grayson."
The boy follows my lead without another word. He does not ask where we are going or what I plan to do with him. Perhaps the importance of such things has lost meaning for the boy or perhaps he is more perceptive than I accredit him for. We climb down the house and enter through the service entrance. As we enter the shadow-shrouded blackness of the library, Dick finally speaks.
"I'm afraid." I stop and turn to see him standing still in the middle of the room. No, of course the boy is not without fear; what child has no fear of the unknown? I walk until we are face-to-face with one another.
"I know. I was afraid too. That will change." Before I can realize the significance of such a gesture, my hand is on the boy's shoulder. Now, more than ever before, I feel the connection between us. Somehow I know he feels it too. Moments later we are treading down a winding staircase carved out of rock and descending downwards. Every step onwards makes turning back more impossible, more unthinkable. I can no longer remember a way out of what I am about to do. For the boy, life as he knew it, with its certainty and predictable pattern of events, is over. Normality and all the safety it contains is stretching off into the far distance as we reach the cave floor. Dick must now realize the gravity of this world I am letting him become a part of. He must understand its rules and he must begin to learn far quicker than he ever has before in order to survive its trials.
We halt in the fluorescent light now flooding the cave, revealing its innumerable treasures and secrets. I now have no recourse. He is staying...for good. He spends nearly ten minutes staring at what meets his eyes and absorbs all the sights he can. Then he looks at me, his gaze fixed on mine.
"Bruce?" He speaks in utter exasperation. It is clear such a revelation is something of a surprise. I pull back my mask and let him see the undeniable truth of the matter. He responds by shaking his head slowly. "You said at the cemetery. You told me you wanted to give me a happy childhood." Contradiction? Happy is a relative concept. Happiness means different things to different people. Who is to say his childhood wouldn't be better if this opportunity were not on the table? I do not sugar-coat the hard facts.
"You have made it clear that cannot happen without closure. You want to bring your parents' killers to justice? You want to see them suffer? Fine. I will give you closure. But I cannot let you go out there untrained. You must learn all that I have to teach and then apply yourself with everything you possess. There will be tests you must pass. There will be challenges you must overcome. Then, and only then, will you have your justice. These are my conditions. Are you willing to accept them?" I say without irony or contempt. This offer is genuine. Dick knows this. I can tell just from his eyes, he understands what he is about to undertake. He nods.
"Yes, Boss. Let's do this."