Author's Note: I do not own DC or any of its characters. No copyright infringement is intended. The following story is for entertainment purposes ONLY. This is a work of fiction. This story is still IN PROGRESS. I want to know if I should even continue writing this or not.

Summary: "In all honesty if it were up to me I wouldn't retire at all. But there comes a time in every man's life when he has to stop doing what he loves. We all do. That day just came sooner for me than others." Commissioner Gordon retires. Who will replace him? Will his new replacement be accepting or skeptical of Batman and his vigilante methods? IN-PROGRESS

CHAPTER 1: BEST WISHES AND CHARDONNAY

Bruce is dressed in a tuxedo. He admires his appearance in a mirror that hangs on a wall in the foyer while fidgeting with his bowtie. It's not a clip-on, and he's worried that it isn't on straight. He spots Alfred standing just behind him in the reflection of the mirror. Alfred notices Bruce struggling with his bowtie, and offers his assistant. "Here. Sir allow me." Bruce faces Alfred; putting aside his foolish pride, and allows the butler to help him. Alfred unties the bowtie altogether then proceeds to retie it. Once he's finished he adjusts Bruce's collar. "You look rather dashing if I do say so myself," comments the butler. The billionaire smiles at his reflection, and thanks Alfred. "Thank you, but I didn't ask." Alfred replies, "You're quite welcome sir. May I ask what the occasion is?" Bruce hands Alfred the formal invitation he received earlier that day in the mail.

GCPD COMMISSIONER JAMES GORDON

REQUESTS THE HONOR
OF YOUR COMPANY

IN CELEBRATION OF
HIS RETIREMENT FROM
30 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE
HARD WORK AND DEDICATION
TO THE POLICE FORCE

CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT GOTHAM CITY PLAZA TOWERS

*BLACK TIE EVENT

"Ah, so I see." Alfred hands the invitation back to Bruce who places it in his suit coat pocket for safe keeping. "I had a speech prepared," says Bruce putting on his jacket. "Is that so? Would you care to recite it?" asks Alfred. "I decided against it. It wasn't befitting. He helped me more as Batman than as Bruce Wayne." Dick comes down stairs inquiring about dinner. "Hey, Alfred I was thinking tonight we could have…" he paused once he saw Bruce dressed up. "Have what?" asked Alfred. "I was gonna say pizza," replied Dick who turns to address Bruce. "Are you going somewhere?" Bruce checks his pockets to be sure he has everything. "We are going somewhere," he replied correcting his protege. Dick appeared puzzled by his mentors response. "Please tell me when you say 'we' you mean you and Alfred." He turned to look in the butler's direction, who was smiling while holding up a garment bag, and could tell that's not what Bruce meant.

"Oh no," said Dick as Alfred handed the garment bag off to him. He unzipped it noting there was a suit his size inside. "It's tailored. You couldn't have known I was coming," protests Dick. "Yes. We owe him. It's the least we could do after all that he's done for us," says Bruce. "Alfred could you bring the car around please?" Dick argues, "The way I see it we don't owe him anything. Besides I'm not going." Bruce glares in Dick's direction staring him down. "You're going and that's final!" His tone softens as he adds the next part, "If not for Jim then go for Barbara's sake." Bruce hesitates while heading out the door awaiting his response. "Barbara will be there?" asks Dick. He contemplates Bruce's comment for a moment before making his decision. "I'll be ready in five." Bruce smiles mischievously knowing that was enough incentive to make Dick want to come along. Alfred stood by the limo in shock at the sight of Dick dressed and ready to go, but he gladly held the door open for him to get in just the same.

He pulled the limo up to the curb in front of the entrance of Gotham City Plaza Towers to let Bruce and Dick out. Alfred offered them a hand with the door. "Enjoy your evening Master Grayson." Dick smiled at him. "Thank you Alfred. I will," he replied heading up the steps to go inside. Bruce didn't need any assistance getting out of the limo. Alfred took the opportunity to ask him then, "What on earth did you say to get him to agree to come?" Bruce smiled at him knowingly. "I should have known," said Alfred. Once inside Bruce and Dick had their coats checked then entered the party. There was quite a turn out for Commissioner Gordon's retirement; practically the entire police force was there including Harvey Bullock, Renee Montoya, and a cop Bruce and Dick had never seen before. Even the Mayor himself, Hamilton Hill, was in attendance. "Wow a buffet table, an open bar, and a jazz band. All of this for a retirement party?" asked Dick with a raised eyebrow. Bruce swiped a glass of champagne off of a tray as one of the waiters passed by. He handed it to Dick. "Here, enjoy yourself. I'm going to go mingle and circulate." Dick sighed as he was left standing there alone. He decided to take a seat at the open bar while scouting the crowd for Barbara.

He spots Bullock seated at the other end of the bar, and takes it upon himself to move closer. Bullock plopped down on the stool beside him. "Bullock. You clean up nice," compliments Dick. "Here, want one?" asked Harvey offering him a shrimp. Dick watched as Bullock licked his fingers clean of cocktail sauce, but some had managed to dribble onto his shirt. "No thanks. I'm fine," replied Dick. Bullock continued eating, "Suit yourself." Dick cozied up to him while inquiring about the cop he didn't recognize. "Hey, whose the new guy?" Bullock turned around to see who Dick was referring to. "Who, him? He's a rookie." Dick did a double take as he spots Montoya in the crowd on the dance floor. He nearly chokes on his drink. Bullock pats him on the back to prevent him from doing so. "You okay?" Dick coughs a couple of times before being able to respond, "Yeah. Fine. Is that Montoya? I thought she resigned from the force?" Bullock uses a napkin to wipe the cocktail sauce from the corners of his mouth. He informs him, "Yeah. She did, but she knew Gordon wasn't to blame. It wasn't his fault her sexuality was exposed. He was all right with it." Dick looks at Bullock questioningly, "Sexuality?" Bullock points a woman out to him in the crowd, "See her? The woman she's dancing with is Daria Hernandez. Montoya's partner. She's a pastry chef. She's the one who made the cake."

The band dies down as the song comes to an end. When the crowd parts on the dance floor Dick is able to see Barbara standing off to the side. Little does he know she isn't alone; she's talking with someone who is hidden just out of Dick's view behind a pillar. Bruce asks her, "Have you told him yet?" Barbara looks over at Dick then back at Bruce. "No. Not yet." She tries to leave, but Bruce moves putting up his arm blocking her path. "Would you let me go?" she asks. Only then can Dick see that Bruce is there too. He can't hear them from this distance so he tries to read their lips, but it's no use he can't make out what they're saying. "You have to tell him," says Bruce. Barbara gets defensive. "Why? Why now? Why tonight? Can't I just wait to tell him?" Bruce's look changes from stern to empathetic. He tells her earnestly, "This is a delicate situation. He isn't like me. Dick doesn't handle this sort of thing very well." Barbara searches Bruce's face, which remained stoic, but when she looked him in the eyes they said it all. As much as it pained her to admit it, "You're right. I'll tell him tonight."

Dick spruced up his appearance a bit as he spots Barbara making her way across the room towards him. She looked breathtaking in an elegant floor-length dress that hung onto her every curve accentuating her breasts and bum. Her flowing red-hair was worn down swept off to one side that was being held up by a large butterfly barrette. The band strikes up again after he hops off of his stool meeting up with her half way on the dance floor. Barbara tells him she needs to talk with him. He decides to ask her to dance. "May I have this dance?" She looks at his hand tentatively before deciding to take it. Dick places his other hand on Barbara's upper back as they begin to dance. The band plays the song "Put Your Head On My Shoulder", and Barbara can't help herself from doing just that as she reminisces. Memories flood her head of all of the times they spent together both in and out of costume. Of every kiss, of every touch, of every moment. The song comes to an end as does the dance, and they almost make it through without speaking to one another. Dick ruins their comfortable mutual silence by commenting to her. "You look beautiful Babs." She almost bursts into tears at the mention of her nickname. He doesn't know it nor did he mean to, but he just managed to complicate matters even worse. "I… I'm sorry I just can't," says Barbara as she practically runs off of the dance floor. Dick calls after her. "Barbara wait…" Bruce walks up to him having watched the two from afar the whole time. He comments, "I trust you took it well." Dick looks at him puzzled. "What?"

The lights come down as a spotlight comes on when Mayor Hamilton Hill takes to the stage. He stands behind the podium readjusting the microphone before he speaks into it. "How about a round of applause for the band?" The crowd claps and cheers. "Now the reason we're all here! To celebrate a man who has dedicated thirty years of his life protecting this fine city. A man whose passion kept him committed to ridding the dark and corrupting streets of crime." Dick turns to look at Bruce, "Is the Mayor thanking the Commissioner or you?" Bruce chuckles. The mayor continues with his speech, "A man whose hard work and dedication to this police force is finally coming to an end. It is my pleasure to introduce to you all the man of the hour…" Bruce interjects, "Actually I'd like to say something." He makes his way to the stage. "What are you doing?" asks Gordon. Mayor Hamilton Hill steps off to the side as Bruce joins him. Bruce places both hands on either sides of the podium before talking. The microphone has horrible feedback as he begins to speak into it causing everyone to cover their ears from the shrill sound. "Sorry about that folks," says Bruce.

"I have to admit I'm not as prepared as I'd like to be. You see I ⏤ I was working on my speech for tonight, which I hoped would be a particularly inspirational one in honor of The Commissioner. But I was called away, and well… to be honest I never got back to it. So, uh…" he trailed off looking out into the crowd. "If you'll just bare with me. I'd like to share with you the reason why." Barbara came up alongside Dick. "What is he doing?" she whispered. "Beats me," he replies. Bruce continued, "I want to tell you about two men. Each facing his own crisis. The first man you know rather well. The second is an individualist." Barbara grew nervous so she clung to Dick's arm. "Oh no," she whispered. "What?" asked Dick. "Of all nights not tonight," she replied. "Well, the first man thought he was facing a crisis, but what he was really doing was trying to impress someone. He was looking for recognition, encouragement, a pat on the back. Whenever that recognition seemed threatened he reacted rather carelessly. Blamed everyone for his problems but himself because he was thinking only of himself. But the second man was confronted by the greatest crisis mortal man can face. The loss of his life." Dick knew precisely what Bruce was talking about. He'd shared with him a while back that when his parents were killed in the alley he felt like a part of him died too.

"I think you'll all agree that the second man had every right to be selfish. But instead he choose to think not of himself but of others. When the first man saw the pain, suffering, and helplessness of other people he realized how petty and selfish he had…" Bruce's voice cracked as he began to choke up. "I ⏤ I had been." A look of shock washed over Gordon's face as he realized what Bruce was getting at. He raced up to the stage to try to stop him, but Barbara grabbed him by the arm preventing him. "Barbara? Let me go! I can't let him do this!" Gordon protested. She looked at him pleadingly. "Daddy… let him finish." Bruce managed not to cry. He composed himself. "You see the first man and the second man are one in the same. I am Bruce Wayne. I am also Batman." There was an uproar of whispers and confusion among the crowd in the room, then they erupted into laughter. One cop called out, "Yeah right!" Bullock was pissed. He had a hunch for years, but dismissed it because Gordon told him to let it go. "I knew it!" Everyone turned to look at Harvey's outburst. "Sit down!" yelled Gordon. Bruce redirected the crowds attention. "I know you didn't come hear to listen to me. It gives me great pleasure to introduce Commissioner James Gordon."

Gordon makes his way up the steps of the stage. Bruce extends a hand for him to shake, but Gordon pulls him into a hug. "If I do say so myself you're a tough act to follow." Bruce steps off stage and rejoins Dick in the crowd. Gordon looks behind his shoulder at the banner that says HAPPY RETIREMENT. "Thirty years. My has it really been that long?" The crowd laughs. "As I look around this room I am thankful to be surrounded by so many familiar faces. Some new. Some old." Gordon looks in Bruce's direction as he says that last part. Bruce raises his glasses to him and Gordon nods while smiling back at him. He gives a deep outward sigh before continuing. "In all honesty if it were up to me I wouldn't retire at all. But there comes a time in every man's life when he has to stop doing what he loves. We all do. That day just came sooner for me than others." Gordon places his hand over his chest proceeding to rub it. Dick whispers to Bruce, "What is he talking about? Is he trying to be cryptic?" Bruce replies, "No. Not intentionally. Jim retired because of his heart condition." Dick's face crumples, "Oh I didn't know. I'm sorry to hear that." Bruce isn't surprised, "Don't be. It was a matter of time. A lifetime of smoking will do that to you. He has since quit, but occasionally he relapsed in times of stress. Unfortunately in his case this time was the last time."

Bruce knew he was partly to blame for Gordon's retirement. If not for sneaking up behind him all of those times over the years in the shadows unannounced Gordon wouldn't have had that heart attack. "I'd like to thank the Mayor for helping arrange all of this, and Gotham City Plaza Towers for hosting the event," says Gordon. "Tonight is certainly a night of celebration. Speaking of celebrating, Barbara where are you? Would you mind joining me up on stage?" The spotlight travels across the room landing on her. Bruce tries to get Dick to step out suggesting that he go outside to get some fresh air. Dick dismisses his suggestions. "It was your idea for me to come along in the first place. The least I can do is see this through." The rookie cop Bullock pointed out to Dick earlier offers Barbara a hand as she makes her way on stage standing next to him. "Tonight we not only celebrate my retirement from the police force, but my daughter's engagement. Won't you all join me in raising your glasses to congratulating them. Barbara and Mark we wish you both the best!" Dick glares in Bruce's direction before angrily storming off barreling past several officers in the process.

Bruce apologized. "Sorry. Excuse me." He tried to catch up to Dick who made it as far as the lobby. Bruce called after him. "Wait!" Dick felt like a fool. "You knew. YOU KNEW she was getting engaged, and you didn't tell me!" Bruce could tell Dick was angry with him, but his temper was beginning to draw a crowd. He grabbed him by the arm pulling him off to the side so as not to be made into a spectacle. "Would you lower your voice. Making a scene in front of a room full of cops is not the smartest move." Dick released himself from Bruce's grip. He angrily paced back and forth while searching his mind for the right words to say to tell him off. "I know you're angry so you might as well…" began Bruce. He didn't even have time to finish his sentence as Dick swung a punch at him hitting him square in the jaw. He was use to taking punches as Batman, but as Bruce Wayne he was taken completely off guard. Two officers helped him up on his feet. One of the officers asked, "Everything okay between you two?" Bruce rubbed the side of his jaw where Dick punched him. "Yeah. Fine." The other officer laughed. "Hey, great speech. 'I'm Batman!' Ha, ha. If your Batman I'm the Queen of England."

Dick moseyed off back towards the party heading straight for the open bar. The bartender asked him what he would like to drink, and he began pounding chardonnay. Dick wondered how two people he cared the most about could hurt him as bad as they had. He didn't know who he was angrier at; them for deceiving him or himself for even agreeing to come in the first place. Six chardonnay's later Dick felt like he had enough liquid courage to confront Barbara. He jealously watched as she danced with her fiancé; twirling, dipping, and spinning her around. He couldn't take it. She walked off the dance floor toward the restroom so he decided to cut her off ducking behind a pillar. Barbara found herself being pulled from behind, and pinned up against the wall. Her Batgirl training kicked in as she was ready to defend herself against the possible assailant until she realized who it was. "Dick! What the hell?" She took in his sloppy appearance noting he was drunk. His speech was slurred as he began to speak, "Wh-why him?" She waved her hand in front of her face. "You wreak like alcohol. Go home and sleep it off." He prevented her from leaving. "No. I want to know."

Bruce re-entered the party. Gordon approached him asking, "Where've you been? You disappeared after we cut the cake." Bruce apologized, "I was detained." Gordon wondered, "Have you seen Barbara? She had been dancing with Mark, but now I don't see her." They both looked around. Bruce's trained eye spotted her across the room with Dick. "If I find her I'll let you know. Excuse me." Dick proceeded his drunken rant. Although Barbara could tell he was more heartbroken than angry. She cupped her hands on his face gazing lovingly into his blue eyes hoping he'd calm down. He didn't like being touched so he forced her hands off him. "No, don't ⏤ him seriously!" Barbara scoffed. "Why are you acting this way?" she asked. "Because I…still…love you," Dick admitted as he began sobbing. He dropped to his knees wrapping his arms around her resting his head on her abdomen. He looked pathetic as tears ran down his face onto the front of her dress. He composed himself long enough to look up and ask, "Do you still love me?" She was unable to meet his gaze or give a response. "Look at me Babs, tell me you're still not in love with me." Her chest heaved as her heart raced. She wanted to tell him 'No'. She wanted to say that she finally moved on, but she knew she'd be lying.

There is a part of her that would always love him. Barbara helped him to a standing position. "I…I'm with Mark now. I'm marrying him." Dick didn't accept her response. "You didn't answer my question." All of the sudden the lights went out causing a commotion of confusion and panic. Many wondered if there was a power outage. They all learned rather quickly that wasn't the case as the lights kicked back on and the sound of distinct maniacal laughter echoed through the speakers. A laugh that could only belong to one person…thy name is The Joker. "HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA! You didn't think you could throw a party and not invite me?" announced The Joker through the speakers. What Bruce hoped was merely theatrical haze began pouring from them flooding into the crowd. He and Gordon attempted to usher as many people outside as possible, but they realized that the doors and exits had been sealed off. "That son-of-a-bitch locked us in!" said Gordon.