AN- I know they're short but I AM getting them out quickly…

Chapter 32

He couldn't help it. He was sure his face had openly displayed his shock. He wouldn't admit it but horror may have had a part. 15 Weeks. She'd been pregnant this whole time..

He caught her eyes narrowing at him, a slight curl of lips before she spun to leave the room. His head dropped out as he lurched forward to follow, calling after her to wait. Turning the corner himself he was met with her back. She had stopped but only to stand in front of Tim. The younger male looked shell shocked, wide eyed, mouth flapping slightly in it's gape as he looked to her.

After several moments she pushed past Tim, continuing on down the hall. He was left with a compromised Tim. Gently he called to the boy. "Tim?" It was clear he'd heard enough of their conversation. Even if they'd never voiced it, their chemistry was undeniable, nearly painful to watch. "Hey, Timmy" He called again when he didn't receive a response. The boy seemed to come to his senses.

"y-yeah.. I just uh. I've got something I need to get to."

Dick just watched his little brother retreat further into the manor. Shaking his head he headed back into the room. He needed answers. Rubbing his neck he chanced a glance at Bruce. There was that slight twitch to his eye. Annoyance at a loss of control from his control freak of a father. This day couldn't get much worse. But then he always loved tempting the fates…

"Who?" He whispered out towards the ground. He waited a heartbeat before looking up. His jaw tightened at the blank look that met him. "Who's the father Bruce…?" He repeated sternly.

Bruces head tilted slightly, eyes shifting in a way that told Dick his suspicions were right before sitting on the corner of his desk. Dick nodded, more for himself than anyone else. He was a mess himself. Immediately he knew that if Jason wasn't already gone he'd kill him himself. Only a second after that thought settled he became nauseous at the idea, that he would go there so quickly against his brother. And Dani... Dani was going to be a mother… But she was just a kid. He turned, unable to stay right now but he paused when Bruce called out, voice surprisingly soft and..concerned?

"What are you doing to do Dick?"

Dick stood in the door frame, back to him. He cycled through his thoughts. What WAS he going to do? He truly didn't have an answer. He walked from the room in silence.

XXXXXXX

He found Danielle in the kitchen. Alfred had fixed her something. From the looks of it the butler had already been filled in on her 'condition' based on the plate of crackers and likely ginger ale basedon the color and bubbles in her glass. Both looked up at his approach, though Alfred was much softer. Danielle glared at him, watching every step he took like a cornered prey from behind the island she sat at.

Years of practice kept his charming, carefree smile in place as he approached, taking a seat opposite the teen. "Hey Al! You think I could have a minute with Dani?" Danielles eyes never wavered, half eaten cracker forgotten on the edge of the plate. Alfred however raised an eyebrow at him. Dick couldn't help the chuckle. "No fighting, I promise." The elderly man switched to Dani but she paid him no attention. After several tense moments without consent or argue from her he seemed to relent.

"Very well." He commented as he walked calmly from the kitchen.

Dick waited till he was clear, watching his retreating back. All the while he could feel her eyes burning into his skin. He turned back, gathering his thoughts for a moment. Idly he reached for a cracker from her plate for something to do with his hands if nothing else. He played with it between his fingers for a moment. "So," He started, breaking the heavy silence. "I'm guessing you're choosing to keep the baby."

He had to fight every instilled instinct in his body when her hands flew up from behind the counter, a sharp and honed kitchen knife held in her right hand, dangerously close to his throat. Every nerve had yelled to knock her hand to the side, sweep her down to the floor, eliminate the threat… Dani…

But she was hardly a threat right now. Her glass had been tossed to the side in her haste, amber liquid spilling across the counter. He could see the tremble in her wrist, the panic in her eyes that she tried to hide. He knew that sort of panic. It set in when you were at the lowest of low. When you're no longer fighting for Gotham or justice but fighting for your very own life There's a reason they added the white out lenses.

Smile gone, he righted the glass before reaching for the roll of paper towels to swipe up the mess spreading across the counter. She kept the knife out in clear warning. Somewhere in the back of his mind was a twitch of annoyance. He looked up, leaving the soiled towel on the counter. "You really still think I'd do something to harm you." His annoyance had come through in his tone, he knew it and he couldn't help it. "You think I'd attack you? Attack you child?!" With a quick movement he took hold of her wrist, twisting just enough to disarm her with a yelp of surprise. She attempted to pull back, he countered, pulling her forward to lean over the counter, giving her a disadvantage. "Do you really think so little of me?!" The corners of his eyes were starting to burn. She began tugging harder, looking as though any moment she'd sacrifice her arm for freedom.

With little effort he jumped the island to her side, wrist still in his hand. He pulled her shorter frame against him through her thrashing, pressing her tight. Distantly he became aware of a voice talking. It took far to long for him to understand it was his own voice muttering into her hair as he pressed her head into his chest. "It's okay.. It's all going to be alright. I promise" He hushed her, holding her through her thrashing until the fight finally left. He tried to gather her in his arms when her legs started to give out from under her, reminded clearly of the time she was small enough for him to scoop up without thought. As he weight became more and more and his own body seemed to betray him he instead choose to lower them to the kitchen floor. He didn't say anything when he began to feel moisture cutting through his shirt. As bad as his heart ached he refused to let out the sobs he himself wanted to let go. Instead he gathered her tighter, continuing his murmurs and hushes there on the floor.