Hunter's Night
By Serena
A/N: So fantastic to hear from all of you, as always! :) For those just joining, welcome, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story! :) If you have questions about the Hunter's Moon Universe, please don't hesitate to message me! :) I do respond to all messages I receive, both on here and on my Facebook page.
This chapter was EXTREMELY difficult to write. You'll see why. Try to prepare yourselves.
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The nightmare. That's what I would call this night. The nightmare. In a way worse than the Gotham War, or just as horrible. Immediately after after witnessing the death of the Graysons, the entire circus tent plunged into absolute chaos. Screaming, crying, people trying to leave, shelter their children from the gruesome sight of the couple lying on the ground. I'd tried to turn Cass's head away... but she'd already seen death, and refused to look away. But she wasn't looking at the couple - she was watching the young boy staring down at his parents.
In the chaos, Bruce tore out of the tent after a man hauled the Grayson boy away. We both knew it was no accident.
"Come on, sweetie," I said to Cass, and picked her up, rushing her out of the tent. "We have to get you home."
No, she signed frantically. I want to stay with you - I want to help.
"Not tonight, hon." It only took me a few minutes to fly her home. I burst through the back kitchen door, startling my mother and Alfred, who stared at us in shock.
"Diana? What's going on?" Mom demanded, alarmed.
"I have to go," I said, setting Cass down. "There's been an incident at the circus - Bruce is still down there. I have to help him. I'll be back." I leaned down, hugged Cass tightly. "I'll be back soon, hon." I kissed her quickly and started for the door.
"No, wait!" Mom demanded. "What situation?"
"Two acrobats were murdered," I said. "They had a son. He saw the whole thing. I have to go help Bruce - see if there's something I can do."
Mom nodded, held Cass tightly. But Cass wasn't frightened, she wasn't anxious. Just before I headed out the door, I saw her face. Hard. Determined. In one eerie moment, she looked just like her mother. I'd have to talk with Bruce again... She was getting antsy. I was growing afraid that one day she'd just follow us out there on her own. That steely look in her eyes told me she might try very soon. She couldn't help it. She'd been born that way. It was in her genes. Her parents were the greatest assassins in the world.
But I had to focus. That poor boy...
I called Bruce over comlink, who told me he'd take the boy directly to Jim. I decided to call ahead, let Jim know the situation, if he didn't already, and flew towards the station, connecting to Jim's private number. However, when the phone wasn't answered for several rings, I began to grow slightly anxious. It could've been Jim had turned off his phone for Daddy-Daughter night... but it wasn't likely. Jim was a cautious man; he wouldn't turn off his connection in case an emergency arose.
Finally, the other line picked up. "Diana," Jim answered in a voice I almost didn't recogonize.
"Jim?" I said, frowning. "I'm sorry to be calling you tonight, but -"
"She's been shot," Jim rasped.
I froze. "What?"
"Barb... she's... been shot... I'm at the hospital now - she's being taken into surgery... Oh, God... Oh, God... please let her be all right," he prayed in a raspy, agonized voice, mumbling into the phone.
Oh, Hera. Oh, hell. No. Not Barb.
"Shot..." I couldn't breathe.
"I didn't see the perp... I got a glimpse of the car..." His voice was cracking. "But I couldn't leave her... She was lying there... Oh, God... God... please..."
"I'm on my way," I uttered instantly. "I'll be right there, Jim. Just hang on. I'll be right there."
No sooner had I left the police station than I flew directly over to the hospital. Changing in one step in an alley next to the hospital, I hurried into the hospital, rushed through the halls and into the waiting room, where I found Jim sitting, hunched over in one of the chairs. His face was pale, haggard. I had never seen him like this before... it made my chest hurt. Everything hurt; I hurt for him, for Barbara.
"Jim," I uttered, striding towards him.
He looked up, and slowly got to his feet, taking a step towards me. I didn't hesitate - I moved forward and hugged him tightly. He froze, startled by my action; but a second later, he returned the embrace. I felt his hands grip my back tightly. His entire body was shaking. He pulled away finally, and cleared his throat, looking away. He rubbed his chin, returning to his chair.
"Do you know anything?" I asked, taking a seat beside him.
"I don't know," muttered Jim. "I just don't know. I called Barbara... She didn't pick up."
"Bruce was going to come," I told him quietly. "But there was a situation. He wanted to be here, though."
Jim rubbed his eyes. "Thanks. I don't know how long it's going to take. You don't have to stay here. I know you have your own family... your own daughter to worry about."
I slipped my fingers through his, squeezed his hand lightly. "She's fine. She's at home with her grandparents. I'm not leaving, Jim."
He didn't reply, but his hand tightened on mine for a moment.
"She was so tiny when she was born," Jim said after several quiet minutes. "She was only six pounds. She had a shock of red hair..." He smiled faintly. "She was so small. I was afraid to even hold her. I thought she would break."
I smiled, remaining quiet.
"She was always a smart girl," he continued distantly. "So bright. I think she has a photographic memory. She was always at the top of her class. In kindergarten, she told the teacher she was bored, told her to give her harder problems. She wanted to solve things, to figure things out. She's so good with computers, too."
A pause.
"I can't lose her," he said bleakly. "She's my baby girl. I can't lose her."
I said nothing. I could only sit there, support him as a friend - only one of the only true friends he had.
And together we sat in the room, grieving.
It was four hours before the doctor came out. The doctor's solemn face didn't bode well; we both knew something was horribly wrong. Jim and I quickly rose to our feet; and Jim tensed beside me, waiting for the bad news likely to come.
"Commissioner?" said the doctor gravely. "I need to speak with you."
Jim nodded tersely. "Is she all right?"
The doctor's gaze shifted to me. "Perhaps in private..."
"She can stay," said Jim sharply. "How is my daughter?"
The doctor's lips thinned. "We've removed the bullet," he said. "She's in stable condition, so she'll make it through."
Jim relaxed slightly, but only slightly. "There's a 'but' in there somewhere, Doctor," he said. "What is it?"
The doctor hesitated. "This isn't easy to say, Commissioner..."
"Give it straight to me, Doctor," said Jim hollowly. "Don't sugarcoat it."
The doctor sighed, took off his glasses. "Right. I'll be honest with you, Commissioner. The bullet shattered your daughter's vertebrae. It's highly unlikely she'll ever walk again."
Jim's face turned white. "No chance at all?" he whispered.
The doctor shook his head. "No. I'm sorry. We did everything we could."
Jim's face crumpled. He collapsed into a chair, his entire body wracked with sobs. "My baby girl... my little girl..."
I felt tears streaming down my face, watching as Jim Gordon wept for his daughter.
Dick Grayson
Numb, but feeling strangely protected in the shadow of the Batman, Dick followed the Dark Knight into the police station, arms folded over his chest. Ignoring the murmurs, he stayed close by Batman's side as they made their way through the station and came up to an office door. The name on the door read "Lieutenant Victor Sage." Batman simply opened the door and walked right in. Dick hurried beside him.
Inside, sitting at a desk, was a red-haired man with a scarred, hard face and sharp green eyes, furiously typing on his computer. As they entered, Dick heard him muttering something about a connection between the crop circles and girl scouts... Weird. There were papers strewn about everywhere, random articles. And on the left wall was a world map, littered with red string connected with pins.
"Sage," barked Batman. "We need to talk."
The Lieutenant looked up with suspicious, harsh eyes. He rose to his feet, cast a glance to Dick. "Good to see he's all right." His voice was low, rough, and strangely unsettling. He nodded shortly to Dick. "I'm Lieutenant Victor Sage," he said. "And you must be Richard Grayson."
Dick nodded slowly.
"Have a seat, Mr. Grayson," Sage said, motioning to one of the chairs in front of his desk.
Dick hesitated, but when Batman nodded, he took a seat. Batman remained standing just next to him.
"The men you encountered at the circus have been apprehended," Sage said. "They'll be brought in for questioning. But being Maroni's men, they'll lawyer up and won't say a word."
"They work for Boss Zucco, an underhand of Maroni," snarled Batman. "Zucco was trying to get protection money out of the Graysons, but they didn't cooperate. I'll get Zucco's men to talk."
Dick supposed he should've been intimidated by Batman's threatening voice, as most people would, but he only felt satisfaction.
"Last I heard, you spooked Maroni," said Sage sharply. "And word on the street is you and your partner left him with a shattered collarbone and a broken leg."
Batman said nothing.
"Boss Zucco," said Sage, "is a sly man. It'll be hard to find evidence. Young Mr. Grayson here is the only witness we have to prove that Zucco was actually there."
"I'll find Zucco," said Batman.
A flash of indignation jolted through Dick. No. That's for me. I want to be the one to take down Zucco. He killed MY parents. I want to be the one. He's mine.
"I said it would be hard to find evidence," said Sage smoothly. "Not impossible. There are connections, even those that most people would fail to find. We'll put Zucco away, Mr. Grayson."
No. He's mine. Dick fought back another wave of anger.
"What's the next step for Dick?" demanded Batman.
Sage leaned forward in his chair. "Well... seeing as how Mr. Grayson has no other family or legal guardians... he'll be put in a foster home."
Dick's heart sank, and he felt even colder now. His hands tightened on his arms. "I'm still in the room," he muttered.
"If Zucco's thugs went after him at the circus, they'll certainly find him in a state-run system," said Batman coldly.
Sage's eyes narrowed. "And you have a better idea?"
There was a tense pause. Batman stared hard at Sage, who seemed to be holding back his temper. After a moment, Sage said slowly, "Maybe there is another option. This stays in this room." He picked up the phone and dialed a number.
Dick waited tensely, wondering what exactly was going on. There had seemed to be some kind of wordless communication, almost an argument, between Sage and Batman. But what would be the result, Dick didn't know. He could only sit there, cold, in a daze, still wondering if he would wake up at some point.
"This is Detective Sage," said Sage after a moment. "I'm looking for Alkyone Prince." Another pause. "This is Detective Sage, Miss Prince. We have a delicate situation on our hands. I'm sure you've heard of the murders tonight at Haly's Circus. Yes. That's what I'm calling about. Their son, Richard Grayson, is still being targeted by the mob. He's a key witness in their deaths. He needs a place to stay, and I thought you might be able to take him in for a while."
Dick sat up a little straighter in his chair, frowned, and glanced up at Batman. Did Batman know this Alkyone Prince? Whoever that was...
"Right. He'll be there soon. Goodnight." Detective Sage hung up the phone, glanced at Dick first, then Batman. "She said they'll take him." There was a strange ironic note in the detective's voice. "I'll drive him over."
"No," said Batman shortly. "I'll take him."
Sage rose to his feet. "He'll need to be questioned," he said. "At some point, we'll need a statement. He's the only one who can prove Zucco and his thugs were there and that they threatened the Graysons. Otherwise it'll be nothing more than an accidental snapped wire, a tragic accident."
"It wasn't an accident!" Dick burst out furiously, glaring up at him.
Sage stared him down. "I know, son. That's why we need to keep you safe."
Dick felt Batman's hand touch his shoulder.
"Let's go," said Batman quietly.
Dick got to his feet and, after shooting a dark look to Sage, followed Batman out of the office. Noticing how the station fell to quiet murmurs when Batman emerged, striding purposefully out of the station, Dick realized just how much Batman was a legend in Gotham. A lot of people didn't think he was even real, or they just thought he was a crazy guy in a bat costume. But Dick saw the expressions on the officer's faces. Most of them - not all - were awe, even respect.
"I don't like that guy," muttered Dick, glancing back at Sage's office.
"Who does," said Batman, his tone a bit dry.
As they neared the exit, Officer Lawrence approached them somewhat hesitantly, holding a thick, somewhat ratty sweater in his hands. "Sir," he said, and Batman paused. Lawrence then placed the thick sweater over Dick's shoulders. Dick, whose eyes had been to the floor, looked up, startled. Lawrence shot him a faint smile. "I have a brother around your age. Don't worry about giving it back."
"Thanks," said Dick.
Lawrence nodded to the Batman. "Sir. If you need anything, let me know," he added in a lower voice.
Batman nodded in return; and they left the police station. Once they were back in Batman's tank of a vehicle, Dick glanced at the silent, somber Dark Knight, apprehensive.
"Where am I going?" he asked. "Who's Alkyone Prince?"
Batman was silent for a moment. "Someone you can trust. It's a safe house, of sorts. You'll be out of harm's way there. The mob won't have any idea where you are. It'll give us time to track Zucco and his men down and take them into custody."
"How do you know she can be trusted?" Dick asked.
"Trust me," said Batman. "She can."
That was good enough for Dick.
The remainder of the drive was quiet; Batman was brooding, grim, and Dick was exhausted, lost in his own thoughts, staring distantly out the window. Dead. His parents were dead. They were never coming back. He'd never see them again. Never talk to them again. He was alone. He hardly realized they were heading outside the city until he noticed the lack of lights.
"Where are we?" he asked, more to himself.
And then, they pulled up a long, stone driveway... and Dick's jaw dropped. They were pulling up to a mansion. It was an actual mansion, ablaze with warm lights. Dick cast an incredulous glance at Batman before returning his astonished gaze to the mansion. It was a castle, practically. Did it ever actually end?
"This is... the house?" Dick managed to get out.
Batman stopped the vehicle in front of the house and jumped out. Pulling the sweater tightly around himself in the chilly night air, Dick hopped out after him, trailing close behind him up to the front doors. Batman knocked three times and waited. Dick waited anxiously, hearing as footsteps came up to the door, and tensed as one of the doors opened to reveal a woman. She was bald, had scars all over her head and neck, and had strangely sad eyes. Surprisingly, she didn't look surprised to see Batman at all. But she only barely glanced at him, her gaze fell straight to Dick.
"Hello," she greeted warmly. "You must be Richard."
Dick nodded uncertainly.
She frowned, taking in his appearance. "You look cold, hon... come on in. Let's get you warm."
Batman glanced down at him, nodded for him to go inside. Dick hesitated, then went up and into the doorway, slightly relieved by the woman's warm and gentle smile. But as the door started to close, he turned sharply before Batman retreated.
"Wait!" Dick blurted out. Batman turned slightly. "Um... thank you."
Batman looked at him hard for a moment, and then turned, disappearing into the shadows. Dick strained to see him, but he was gone within seconds, as if he'd never been there. A second later, there was a roar of the engines, and then silence. Dick felt a strange pang of disappointment. He'd probably never see him again.
The woman waited until he stepped fully inside before closing the door. "I'm Alkyone," she said, her smile warm and sad. "But you can call me Aunt A if you want."
Dick nodded, not really feeling like talking.
"Would you like something to eat or drink?" she asked, starting down the hallway.
Dick looked around in mute amazement, then shook his head. "No, thank you," he said flatly. "I'm not really hungry."
"It's late - or early," Alkyone said quietly. "Want me to show you to your bedroom?"
A bedroom. His bedroom. Where the heck was he?
"No," he said after a minute. "I'm not really tired."
Alkyone gazed at him like she understood. "All right, honey. You want to watch a movie?" Alkyone asked, her smile still sad.
Dick shrugged. He wouldn't sleep. Nothing else to do.
They made their way through the seemingly endless hallways and rooms until they came to a great room with two-story windows, a large sectional couch, and a huge flatscreen TV. On the couch, curled up in the corner with a blanket and stuffed tiger, was a small girl. When she saw them, she sat up, staring at him with intent dark eyes. Dick followed Alkyone towards the couch and hesitated, unsure of whether he wanted to sit or just run away...
But the girl suddenly threw off the blanket, jumped off the couch, and ran right up to him. She grabbed his hand, wordless, and tugged him towards the couch. Uncertain, he let her lead him onto the couch, and sat where she patted her hand. He curled up into the oversized sweater and glanced at the girl, confused and a bit wary. She curled back up into her own blanket, and placed her stuffed animal in his lap. She didn't release his hand.
Alkyone had taken a seat on Dick's other side, and she regarded them with a soft smile. "Richard, this is Cass. Cass, this is Richard."
"Dick," Dick managed to get out.
"Dick," echoed Alkyone with a nod.
Whose house was this? As he glanced back and forth between Alkyone and Cass, feeling very surreal right now, another person entered the room. It was a tall man with short grey hair and a dark grey and silver goatee.
"Welcome, Master Grayson," said the man in a British accent. "I'm Alfred Pennyworth. If you'd like anything, let me know."
"Thanks," said Dick, barely audible.
The man nodded, his face drawn and strangely understanding, and then took Alkyone's hand. A look passed between them, and then Alfred disappeared through another doorway.
Was this real? Was any of this real? He felt like bursting into tears. He swallowed and found himself holding the girl's hand very tightly.
He didn't even know what movie they were watching... Oh, it was the Incredibles. One of his favorite movies. It took a while, but eventually he found himself relaxing slightly. These people weren't going to hurt him. He glanced over at the girl and realized she'd curled up into his side. And soon enough, he found himself leaning into Alkyone's side. His eyes began to close, and he sighed, really wondering if he'd wake up and find this was all a dream.
Despite himself, Dick eventually drifted off to an uneasy, weary sleep.
It was six-thirty in the morning by the time I returned home, exhausted, both mentally and emotionally. My chest was aching and heavy, and my eyes were still red. I had never been one to cry, being an Amazon - it wasn't really in us... But tonight had been an exception. I entered from the cave, went right up to the master bedroom, and found Bruce typing furiously on his laptop. When he saw me, he shut the laptop and started to rise. But I took a seat on the edge of the bed.
"Dick's asleep," said Bruce gravely.
I ran a hand through my long hair. "I'm going to have to wear my wig and glasses in the house," I said after a pause, grateful for the change of subject. "He'll recognize me."
Bruce nodded, sighing shortly. "We're going to have to figure out what to do about this. If he stays here... if we adopt him, he'll find out sooner or later. It's only a matter of time. He's smart, he'll probably figure it out eventually."
"He doesn't need to know right now," I argued. "We'll put him in more danger if he knows our identities."
"He's a smart kid. I think he can handle himself."
"He's twelve, Bruce."
"Cass isn't even eight."
"You can't compare her to him," I protested. "She's grown up a fighter, she's been trained since birth. Dick's just a circus kid... he's had no training whatsoever."
"He handled himself well that night," Bruce said. "He took down a thug about to shoot me. I didn't even see the man get up. But Dick knocked him out. He's got skill, Di." He rose to his feet, pulled off his shirt, and drew a T-shirt out from a drawer. "He's an acrobat. He's quick, agile. He knows how to anticipate."
I raised an eyebrow. "Cass is a trained killer, and we haven't even let her come out with us. You're thinking about taking Dick on?"
"You sound surprised."
"I am."
Bruce was silent for a moment. "I had Alfred growing up," he said more quietly. "And then I had you. Dick doesn't have anyone. He needs a mentor, a guardian. Someone to ensure he doesn't go off the deep end. If I hadn't had Alfred... I don't know what I would've done. Dick's raw, he's angry, he's in pain... he wants revenge."
"Can you blame him?"
"Of course not," replied Bruce tightly. "That's why he needs training. He needs someone to guide him through this."
I nodded slowly. "Yes, he does."
A long pause.
"Is Barbara all right?" he asked quietly.
"She'll pull through," I said after a moment. I looked away. "Her vertebrae was shattered. She'll never walk again."
Bruce was silent. I felt tears threatening my vision again and angrily wiped my eyes. Bruce leaned forward, enclosed me tightly in his arms, and just held me. My chest was tight, my heart was hurting. And my fists clenched in Bruce's shirt. Fury was slowly replacing the pain. Rage was overtaking the agony.
Whoever had decided to ruthlessly shoot a twelve-year old girl... wasn't human. That person was an animal, a rabid, sick animal. And there was only one thing to do with sick animals.
Put them down.
Dick Grayson
Dick didn't sleep very well. He had horrible dreams, and tossed and turned on the couch. When he awoke, Cass was still sleeping next to him, Alkyone was gone, and a bit of light was creeping up into the sky, but only just. It was still early. Knowing he wouldn't go back to sleep, he carefully slipped off the couch and made his way through the house. It wouldn't hurt to explore a little. The house was mostly quiet. It was a little creepy. However, as he continued down another hallway, he heard hushed voices.
Frowning, he followed the voices and crept up to an open doorway. Two people, a man and a woman, were sitting at the kitchen island, talking in hushed tones. The woman he didn't recognize... but the man...
He moved forward slightly, but the floorboard gave a loud creak. The two people turned their heads towards him. Dick grimaced; but it was too late now. He hovered in the doorway, sheepish, and was about to return to the couch and hope they just ignored him, when the woman smiled warmly.
"Hello," she said, her voice low, warm, and soothing. It was a kind, open voice, Dick thought. "I'm sorry if we woke you up."
Dick hesitated, glanced at the man. "Uh... no... you didn't... I mean, I was, um, already awake."
"Come on in, then, hon," urged the woman warmly. But he could see sadness in her face, in her eyes. It looked as though she'd been through a rough night, too. "I'm Diana, by the way. Are you hungry?" She slipped out of her chair. "We have lots of leftovers in the fridge."
Dick was about to say no, but his stomach growled. "Sure." He stepped down into the kitchen, still eyeing the man in disbelief, and hovered around the edge of the island.
"Take a seat," the man said, motioning to another empty bar stool at the island.
"Thanks." Dick cautiously climbed up onto the bar stool and sat there rather awkwardly, his gaze flickering between the woman named Diana and the man. "Um... what's going on?"
"What do you mean, hon?" Diana asked. She brought out tons of leftovers, set them on the island. She frowned, opened a box. "You like Chinese?"
Dick nodded eagerly. It was pricey, and the last time he'd had it was his birthday. As Diana turned and put the boxes in the microwave, he glanced at the man again. "I mean... aren't you..."
The man smiled faintly, held out a hand. "Bruce Wayne, yes. It's nice to meet you, Dick. Welcome to my home."
Thoughts?
I think you can understand why this chapter was hard to write.
Someone commented on Bruce's treatment of Dick in this story vs. the All-Star Batman and Robin version... Yes, I've made it obviously different. I couldn't believe Batman's characterization... what he did to Dick, put him through. If you haven't read All-Star Batman and Robin, here's what Bruce does: he gasses Dick, then slaps him, verbally abuses him, then leaves him in the cave and starves him, forcing Dick to eat rats. Basically, Batman's a raging psychopath.
So. Clearly, that wasn't going to happen here.
- Serena
