Chapter 7 Hacking, Clues, and Eavesdropping

Dick was sitting in the chair in front of the Batcomputer, waiting for Bruce to get back before going to bed. It had been two month since his accident, and he was almost fully healed. The only thing that still hurt sometimes was his ribs, but only when he moved too fast or in the wrong way. Bruce continued training Dick, but only hacking and detective skills. Bruce was surprised and proud when Dick was apt for both. Alfred could hardly tell which of the two was happier when Dick hacked his first website the month before. Bruce even began teaching Dick to fight again. Dick was quick on the uptake. Bruce said this had to do with all his years training as an acrobat. He also told Dick that he would need to add his own style to fighting.

Dick was currently trying to hack into Gotham University's system. He had almost got through when he heard the Batmobile entering the cave. Dick's head whipped around and watched the vehicle park. He glanced back at the computer and grinned when he saw that his last trick had worked. Bruce jumped out of the car and walked toward the Batcomputer.

"Hey! Bruce! I hacked Gotham University's system!" Dick cried, happily. He was excepting Bruce to say some kind of praise, and was disappointed when he did not remark on it.

"Go to bed, Dick," Bruce commanded, taking his cowl off.

"Bruce? Did you hear what I said? I hacked into Gotham University," Dick asked, uneasily. His blue eyes focused on Bruce with uncertainly.

"Yes, I did. Now go to bed," Bruce answered, with a finality that signaled the conversation was closed.

Dick looked at the ground as he slide out of the chair and walked slowly to the stairs. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he turned around to look at Bruce. He was shocked when Bruce was sitting at the Batcomputer with his head in his hands.

"Bruce?" Dick called, uncertainly.

"Please, Dickie," Bruce requested, softly.

"Good night," Dick whispered, before continuing up the stairs.

Half and an hour later Alfred entered the Batcave.

"Master Bruce? What in the world did you do that made Master Dick so upset?"

Bruce ignored the question and continued typing on the Batcomputer.

Alfred sighed.

"I found a lead on Tony Zucco," Bruce announced.

"What is the clue?" Alfred asked, worriedly.

"There was a break-in tonight at a local jewelry store. One of the thugs was an old friend of Zucco's. After some interrogation, he told me that Zucco was staying at a cousin's, Larry Cole. I came back here to see Dick. I...I just needed to know he was safe," Bruce sighed.

Alfred smiled at him.

Bruce looked at him, raising an eyebrow, "What?"

"You've obviously grown to care for the young lad a lot more than you originally thought you would," Alfred answered.

Bruce smiled slightly, "And that is why I need to go chase this lead."

Bruce got up and pulled his cowl on. He walked to the Batmobile and drove away quickly.

Alfred stood watching proudly.

After Alfred had left Dick's room to go to the Batcave, Dick quietly got out of bed. Something important was going on and he wanted to know what it was. He opened his bedroom door, wincing when it squeaked. He looked around and seeing no one ran stealthy toward the study. Dick put his ear to the door and waited. He heard Alfred's footsteps cross the floor and into the hidden entrance to the Batcave. Once he was sure Alfred was gone he opened the door and dashed to the grandfather clock. Smirking, Dick opened the door and headed down the steps. When he was halfway down the stairs he stopped and sat down against the wall to listen.

Dick heard Bruce say, "Lead on Tony Zucco."

His blue eyes widen. How could Bruce not tell him he found a lead to Zucco?! Dick thought, his hands clutching into fist. He was so angry he missed part of the conversation. Dick shook his head and forced himself to keep listening. The only way he could get revenge on Zucco was if he paid attention.

"An old friend of Zucco's. After some interrogation, he told me that Zucco was staying at a cousin's, Larry Cole. I came back here to see Dick. I...I just needed to know he was safe."

Dick was full of emotions. On one hand, he was furious at Bruce for not telling him this. On the other hand, he felt so loved and important to someone. Dick had known Bruce cared about him, but he had not felt that he was this important to him. It never occurred to him that Bruce loved him before now. He had not felt this important to anyone since his parents died. Dick kept just replaying what Bruce said over and over in his head. Despite being angry at him, a small smile appeared on the young child's face. When Alfred spoke again his smile grew slightly larger.

" You've obviously grown to care for the young lad a lot more than you originally thought you would."

"And that is why I need to go chase this lead."

Dick heard Bruce's footsteps heading toward the Batmobile. Dick knew this meant Alfred would return to his room for the night. He quickly and quietly ran up the stairs to hide under Bruce's desk in the study. Once he was hidden from Alfred's sight, he waited. Ten minutes later Alfred came back up the stairs. The second Alfred left the room, Dick ran down to the cave.

Dick immediately went to the Batcomputer and searched Larry Cole in the database. Dick skimmed the page for an address. The one he found was 235 Probst Lane. Dick looked up the location.

"It's right at the city limits," Dick muttered to himself. He jumped out of the chair, without bothering to close the web page.

Bruce would know what I did soon enough, Dick thought. He dashed to the other side of the cave. Alfred had a costume in the works laying on a table. It was almost finished. The only thing missing was some of the protective lining Bruce wanted around the material in the legs.

"It's not quite done, yet, but this will have to do," Dick murmured, grimly.

He also picked up a utility belt. It was the first thing that Bruce had made for him. When Bruce showed him where everything was and how to use it, he told him to never leave home without it. Dick clipped it on around his waist. He then grabbed the gloves and boots, and he quickly slid them on. Lastly, he put on a domino mask that made his eyes look completely white. He glanced at himself in the mirror and smirked before running to the Batcycle. Dick took a moment to wonder why Bruce put Bat in front of everything he used.

"It's a good thing some of the performers showed me how to use motorcycles without Mom and Dad knowing," Dick said to himself, getting on.

"Bruce will need to make me one of these a little smaller," Dick said, as he leaned forward to grab the handles. It was rather uncomfortable. In addition, the position slightly hurt his injured ribs, but Dick was determined to help Batman bring Tony Zucco to justice. He turned the computer on the Batcycle, and picked the address he wanted to go to. Once he had a map showing him the way he took off.

Dick rode as fast as he dared to Larry Cole's home. Within twenty minutes, he had arrived. Dick parked the Batcycle next to the Batmobile, in the nearby woods. Using the stealth skills Bruce had taught him, Dick crept towards the house. It had two stories and was made of brick. As Dick got closer he heard a gun on off.

"Bruce!" Dick cried, quietly, rushing forward. He then remembered one of the things Bruce told him. "No matter happens on the field keep a cool head and think the situation through. Don't make decisions on emotions. That is a sure way to get you and the people around you killed." Dick forced himself to stop and think. The best to get inside without someone noticing would be through an upstairs window. Luckily, there was a tree a few feet away from a window on the second story. Dick climbed the tree silently and then did a back-flip into the open window. "Batman probably opened it," Dick thought, as he landed on the floor. He scanned the room. Upon seeing no one, Dick exited the bedroom he was in and started for the stairs.

Dick paused at the bottom of the stairs to listen.

"Well, if it isn't the big bad Bat, laying on the floor, unable to move. What a shame?" Zucco said.

Dick growled, and he glared in the direction of the voice.

"So, Bats would you me to just kill you now, or let you bleed out on the floor?" Zucco asked.

"Go to hell," Batman replied, in a gravely voice.

Zucco laughed, "Definite even when facing certain death."

Dick turned the corner and saw Zucco point a gun at Batman. Dick took a Batarang from his pocket and threw it at the Zucco's hand. The gun flew across the room, and both men looked at Dick with surprise.

"Don't touch my dad!" Dick shouted, dangerously.

AN: Cliffhanger! So tell me what you think. Sorry about the wait, but I plan on having the next chapter up within the next week. Also, how many of you are excited about the new Batman movie: Son of Batman. I know I am! Anyways thanks for the follows, favorites, and reviews! All of you are amazing!