I've had quite a few people ask me if Damian is going to make an appearance. Although not a main part of the story, he will most likely show up near the end!

.

Rising Star – Chapter 4

.

xxxxxxxx

.

"Master Bruce, if I may say so, that was extremely tactless." Alfred frowned in clear disapproval as Dick stormed out of the cave.

"I didn't mean to hurt his feelings, Alfred," Bruce replied. "But a child is going to seriously complicate things."

"Indeed," Alfred said dryly. "Much like Master Dick complicated things when you took him in? I seem to recall we managed rather well."

Bruce turned, pacing the length of the cave, as he always did when agitated. "That was different, Alfred. He was eight, still a child, but far less dependent than a tiny baby. He could at least be left for more than thirty seconds. And there were two of us."

"Regardless of the ages involved, we were still faced with an unexpected addition to the family and the effect that had on all of our lives. Yet I do not think that any of us have ever questioned it – it was the right and proper thing to do and in the end, brought us all a great deal of happiness." The stoic expression Alfred usually wore was briefly replaced by a frown. "Though in recent years you seem to have forgotten that."

"Alfred... I know I am often critical, but it is only because I know he can be the best. He knows I love him."

"Are you so sure, Master Bruce? Things have been strained for so long now. And, if I may say so, should being the best not also extend to fatherhood?" Alfred spoke evenly, but one eyebrow was raised in a way that warned Bruce to tread carefully.

"I... very well. I'll talk to him," he sighed.

"Indeed you will, Sir. And when doing so, it would to be wise to remember that the child in question is your first grandchild."

xxxxxxxxx

Dick was in one of the small sitting rooms, crouched on the floor trying to get an uncooperative Mar'i into a clean outfit. He was exhausted from the events of the last day and a half and Bruce's less than positive reaction had come at a bad time, so he tensed when he heard soft footsteps behind him.

"I'm just changing her before we go." His voice was tense and he didn't move or look around.

"Dick..." He watched the young man, his son, awkwardly caring for the daughter he'd never expected. Despite his frustration, he wasn't anything but gentle with the child, easing each tiny limb into the outfit until she was finally dressed and he could scoop her up and hold her close. The beginnings of a smile tugged at his lips – it seemed he was a natural father. "Dick, I'm sorry."

"No." Dick stood, Mar'i held against his chest. "No. I've had enough shocks lately, Bruce. You don't get to try and top it."

Bruce had the grace to look embarrassed. "I didn't mean to... look... I may, possibly, have over-reacted down there."

"May have?!" Dick looked at Bruce, incredulous.

"Okay, okay. I did over-react. But this is – unprecedented. At least in this family."

"It's not exactly how I planned on starting a family either," Dick replied. "I had this bizarre fantasy of being married, with a house and garden and everything. But... she's here. And it's new and terrifying and unknown and wonderful. She's only been mine for a day, Bruce. But I'm her father. And I love her."

He nodded, letting himself smile. "I understand, Dick, I do. You were older, yet I felt that way when you came into my life. I'm just worried with everything else you've taken on." He tried not to look uncomfortable. "Still, I know you'll do an outstanding job, even if we don't find Starfire."

Hesitantly, he took a step closer. "I um, thought I'd be a bit older before I became a grandfather though..." He ran his hand through his hair. He was well practised in expecting the unexpected, however those situations were generally more along the lines of new meta criminals, or the Joker escaping. This was entirely new and, he had to admit, probably stranger because it was slightly more normal than the rest of his life.

He was quiet for a long moment, bringing an awkward silence to the room as he considered the situation and the best way to show Dick that he did care.

"Dick, I... can I hold her?"

If he hadn't been cradling his daughter, Dick Grayson would have fainted from shock.

xxxxxxxxx

"So, could have been worse then?" Barbara smiled.

"Could have gone better too." Sitting in front of his computer, he wished he was talking to her in person, rather than from behind screens. "I'm glad he backed down but... he didn't need to react that way in the first place. I didn't plan this."

"It's Bruce," she reminded him gently. "Over-reacting is what he does. Though thank you for the picture of him holding her. I haven't laughed so hard in weeks!"

"Oh you're welcome... how could I not? I think that's the first time I've seen him look nervous!" He smiled, but he was still worried. It wasn't just that his feelings had been hurt by the initial reaction. He also had vivid memories of being told not to trust Superman, or any non-humans. And now he had a half-human child. Would that influence Bruce's feeling towards her? Had it already? Perhaps he should just ask, but the last thing he wanted was another fight. Maybe he'd just wait and watch.

"Dick? You in there?"

He jumped as Barbara grew tired of waiting and jolted him from his thoughts. "Yes, sorry. Um, did you get anyone to cover?" He said quickly, unwilling to discuss his thoughts just then.

"Yes. Helena arrived this afternoon. Don't worry, I've told her that she's not to kill anyone."

Dick groaned. "Couldn't you have got, oh I don't know, anyone else? Or are you enjoying bringing all my ex-girlfriends into this?" Not that the Huntress had really been a girlfriend, more an ill-advised fling. But that wasn't the point.

"Don't be ungrateful, Dick," Barbara chastised him. "It was hard enough to find anyone willing to to come to Blüdhaven of all places. Luckily for you, she's between jobs right now."

"You didn't tell her why, did you? I'd never hear the end of it..." Just the thought of the Huntress with that information made him feel a little queasy.

"No, of course not, only that you were – unavailable for a while." Oracle smiled, eyes sparkling with mirth. "Would I do that to you?"

"Yes," he replied without hesitation and smiled when she laughed.

"Well, your secret is safe for now okay?" She smirked. "As long as you're nice to me. Like on Friday..."

"Friday?" he frowned, confused. If he was honest with himself, he'd forgotten what day it was today. The past two days had been an insane whirlwind and he was completely caught up in it. It was a good thing he wasn't currently working either of his jobs. He wouldn't be safe.

"Our dinner date, don't tell me you've forgotten?" She chuckled, looking at him expectantly.

He went red. He really was out of it if he'd forgotten a date with Babs. That was unheard of. "Oh... damn... I hate to admit it, but I had..." He bit his lip, trying to chose his words carefully. "Babs, look, I want to see you, but I don't feel comfortable using a sitter yet and..." he stopped abruptly as the menu for the local Chinese restaurant popped up on his screen. "Oh."

"Give me a little credit, Dad Wonder," she said with a hint of reproachfulness and a resigned smile. "I'll pick it up on my way in. You're buying though."

"Thanks Babs..." he smiled, looking abashed. "I should have known better. Guess my head is still a bit messed up." He rubbed the back of his neck, debating with himself before continuing. "I was worried you'd just cancel with how... complicated... things are now. Not that I'm saying you're shallow, just that it'll be hard and I..."

"Dick. Stop talking. Now." She leaned in closer to glare at him. "I'm not saying the complications haven't crossed my mind, but our whole lives are complicated. We'll cope. We always do."

He smiled and sat back. "You're the best, Babs."

She grinned. "I know."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx