Batman and Robin strode in to the Commissioner's office with their heads held high. The Commissioner smiles and congratulated the dynamic duo on their efforts, the Joker was now back in the penitentiary where he belonged. The Commissioner's smile soon faded and his face turned serious.
"Umm… Batman may I have a word with you" He turned to Robin "In private, if I may?"
Batman looked at the commissioner with a confused look but he obliged and told Robin to go down to the Batmobile and wait there. Robin reluctantly walked out of the office, wondering why the Commissioner wanted to talk to just Batman.
The Commissioner sighed and put his head in his hands "Oh Batman, this is not something I wish I had to tell you"
Batman tilted his head to the side in confusion and concern "What's wrong, Commissioner?"
Gordon raised his head and revealed a sorrowful look on his face "Chief O'Hara has confided in me, something he should have said long ago and I am dreadfully sorry that I have to tell you but I feel like it is my duty"
Batman remained silent in anticipation of what the Commissioner was going to reveal.
"Batman, I'm afraid Chief O'Hara knows who you and Robin are under those mask"
Stunned, Batman stared in disbelief as Gordon continued "It appears that last year, the Chief caught a glimpse of Robin's face without his mask on and they both agreed to stay quiet about it. He didn't say who you were to me, though. On behalf of Chief O'Hara, I am deeply sorry. We still need you Batman, Gotham needs you"
Batman cleared his throat "Thank you… Commissioner… I will need to speak to Chief O'Hara in due time but I must see to Robin first" And with that, Batman marched out of the office, anger boiling inside of him. Gordon rubbed his forehead and silently prayed that everything would work itself out in the end.
He reached the Batmobile and wasted no time in getting it started and driving home. Robin, obviously, wanted to know what the Commissioner said but Batman scowled at him and gritted his teeth, not wanting to yell at the boy in public. He raced home to the batcave. One there, Batman leapt out and so did Robin. Batman turned to face his ward for the first time since leaving Police HQ.
"I am so disappointed in you, Robin" His tone was deep and firm.
Robin, confused asked "Wh-What have I done, Batman?"
"More like what you didn't do!" Batman raised his voice. "You kept a secret from me for all these month"
It clicked; Robin knew what Batman meant. His heart raced as he tried to find the words to say.
"How could you, Robin" Batman slammed his fist down on a table "I understand how hard it must have been to keep your identity a secret without a mask but I asked you if anyone had discovered your identity and you lied to me, Robin. You lied to my face!" Batman roared.
Robin had never seen Batman so angry "I'm so sorry, Batman. I really, really am" He stammered.
Batman didn't answer right away. He turned and headed for the Bat poles "Go to your room, this isn't over" He growled.
Robin made his way over to the Bat poles and they both shot up, back to the study.
Once there, Dick now raised his voice "Look, I'm sorry. If I could go back and change the moment that Chief O'Hara found out or the moment I lied to you, I would. What do you want me to do?"
Bruce glared at his ward for raising his voice "Richard Grayson, enough. Go to your room."
Dick was taken aback, Bruce rarely called him by his full name "Bruce, please." He pleaded.
Bruce turned away and pointed at the door "Room. Now, Richard"
Dick swallowed a lump in his throat and ran out of the room, nearly knocking over Alfred.
"Goodness me, master Dick. Where are you going in such a hurry" He asked but with no reply from Dick. He walked into the study "I heard raised voices, is everything alright, sir?"
"No, it isn't Alfred" Bruce sighed and told Alfred everything.
"My word… what are you going to do?" Alfred wondered.
Bruce shook his head "That is a good question."
Alfred left Bruce in the study with his thoughts and decided to check up on Dick. Alfred headed up to Dick's room and put his ear up to the door to listen for any noise. He couldn't hear anything so he knocked and slowly opened the door. He was greeted with an empty room and a gentle breeze coming in from the open window. Alfred walked in and looked around, then out the window but there was no sign of Dick. He shook his head and quickly headed back down to the study. Bruce was pacing back and forth in deep thought when Alfred hurried in. He stopped his pacing and looked at Alfred.
"I took the liberty of checking up on master Dick but he is no where to be found. His bedroom window was wide open. Looks like he has disappeared, sir" Alfred stated hastily.
Bruce mentally cursed "He couldn't have gone far" He marched out of the room and got into one of his cars and drove into Gotham City. He didn't spot Dick on the road on the way. He drove around the city for a while, hoping to find his ward but no such luck. After a long while of searching, Bruce headed home.
Meanwhile, Dick was wondering about the backstreets of Gotham city with his head down, kicking an empty can. He wished he could turn back time and make things right. Bruce would never forgive him. He couldn't wonder around the city all evening but he felt like he couldn't return to the place he called home. He walked towards the entrance/exit of an alleyway he was in and there was Chief O'Hara, on his evening patrols. Dick looked up from the can he was kicking and looked directly into the eyes of the Chief. They both looked at each other for a few seconds before the Chief spoke up.
"Dick, I am terribly sorry but I feel like it was the right thing to do. It's quite a secret to keep and I don't know how you manage to keep it from everyone." He admitted.
"Dick sighed and approached the Chief "It's ok Chief O'Hara. I just don't know what's going to happen now."
"You should get home and hopefully resolve all this and I'll see you or rather, Robin out on patrol again soon" the Chief smiled and continued on his way.
Dick knew the Chief was right and he headed for home. It took him nearly an hour to walk home but he got there just as the sun was beginning to set. Alfred was the one who greeted him at the door and told him Bruce was in the study, worried about where he had gone. It was time to face the music.
Dick slowly opened the study door with a pitiful look on his face. Bruce got up from his chair and walked over to Dick "Running away from your problems is not the right way to go about things" he told his ward.
Dick walked past Bruce and sat down "I know… what's going to happen now, Bruce?"
Bruce went to sit back down too "It is still only Chief O'Hara that knows. I will have to have a stern word with him about keeping this a secret. As for you, you know why being Batman is important to me and why I became Batman. It is something I'm not going to give up easily. We're both going to continue being Batman and Robin respectively but first you are grounded and will not be allowed to go out as Robin for at least 2 weeks."
Dick nodded silently and felt very sorry for himself.
Bruce continued "After 2 weeks, you'll be doing a lot of training and reading in the Batcave. I need to gain your trust back, Dick. Being a crimefighter is serious and dangerous business but I see potential in you. Gotham city needs us both."
"Gosh Bruce, I'll do anything to make you trust me again and I know it's all very serious and dangerous business. I'll work harder I promise" Dick said sorrowfully.
Bruce nodded "You can also help me develop a Bat-nesia spray of some kind just in case" he chuckled.
Dick chucked too "That would come in handy, Bruce."
They both got up and headed out to the dinning room as they could smell their dinner cooking. Things were going to be alright in stately Wayne Manor.
Yay I know it's been a while but that was the final chapter. Thanks for your patience