Chapter 4: I get an escort home

I couldn't figure out what I did to make the Commissioner want to personally take me home. Sure I wasn't an upstanding citizen, but I'd never done anything bad enough to get police attention. Well, except vandalize the locker room, but the school didn't have any definitive proof it was me so I just got suspended for that. Benefits of having a Dad who taught me police tricks.

We sat in an uncomfortable silence as the Commissioner typed something on her laptop. Then she started driving without saying a word.

"Um...Commissioner Gordon?"

"Yes, I do know where you live. The name Grayson is always followed by Wayne around here." She answered my unasked question.

Well, okay then. We fell into silence again as I fought the urge to blurt out any questions. This woman intimidated me, which not many people can do. I guess she would have to be intimidating to command Gotham's police force.

"Its okay to ask me questions Jamie. I know you probably have some." She gave me a side glance. I let out a breath I was inadvertently holding.

"Okay. For starters, why did you specifically want to take me home? I'm pretty sure Dana and me would have made it back just fine."

"You're father doesn't talk about his past does he?" She asked me. How did she know anything about Dad? The way he made it seem was that the whole time he lived in Gotham, he was miserable and lonely.

"No. I know the very basics. He used to be in a circus until his parents died, then he was adopted by Bruce. And once he could, he moved out and to New York. Then he had a one night stand that lead to me. And I assume there was a fight with Bruce at some point because they barely talk to each other." I summed up. The only thing I knew in detail was about the Flying Graysons and his time in the circus. I knew more about my dead grandparents than my living one.

"Your father was always a bit protective. And a charmer. I'm not surprised he eventually had a kid. Or that he doesn't talk about his past. Its hard for a girl to resist his charm."

"And you know that because?" I asked.

"He really never told you? Hmm. Well he and I dated when we were in college. Just puppy love. Then he left and I stayed so he ended it. Somethings happened and we just lost touch. Haven't talked to him in years."

Hold up. My father was actually in a committed relationship? That was a strange thought. The only committed relationship I'd ever seen him in was to his job. All he's ever had in my lifetime is random one night stands. I used to wake up early before the women would leave to see if I looked like any of them. I always thought that I could find my mom that way. Not that I had much to go on. I looked like Dad for the most part except for my skin tone and eyes. My skin is darker than his in what I can only guess is from Latina decent. That gives away what ethnicity my mom is. Well that and Dad said her name was Valentina, which is my middle name. My eyes are an insane bright blue, which could be from Dad I guess, but his are more dark blue. So as a kid I always looked for a dark skin, bright blue eyed woman. I never saw one. I did see a lot of redheads though. A lot of redheads.

"And so you're taking me home because you want an update on your ex?" I questioned.

"No. I couldn't help but be curious about you. You are most definitely Dick's child." She smiled at me. I could help but return it. Being compared to my dad was a compliment in the best way. I wish I was more like him.

"But I'm also interested in what your grandfather has been up to lately. Does he go out a lot at night?" The Commissioner asked.

"To be honest, I'm not sure. His assistant Terry would know more than me. Bruce leaves me alone for the most part. I rarely see him." I admit.

"Do you know how long Terry has been working for him?" What was this, an interrogation?

"Not long I think. Not really sure. If Bruce is under investigation or something, I'm not going to talk until I have a lawyer." I stated. I knew my rights and the legal limits of the police.

"Its nothing like that. Bruce was is old friend. I was just wondering." That made some sense if her and Dad dated. At least someone around here cared enough for the old man, besides Terry anyway.

"Attention all units! The stolen Golem has been spotted. And a sighting of the vigilante, Batman" The police scanner reported. The Commissioner sighed and looked at me.

"Do you think you can make it home from here?" She asked. I looked out the window and recognized the neighborhood about 2 miles from the Manor. Not likely to get robbed here. I still wouldn't tell Dad though. He be livid if he found out I was out alone.

"Yeah. And if I somehow can't, I have a phone." I said, getting out of the car.

"Here," She said handing me back my bolas and a piece of paper. "I'm not worried about you. Your father clearly taught you well." And with that she drove back towards the city. At least someone knew I could handle myself. Take that Dad.

I looked at the paper she had given me. It had her name and phone number along with a Call any time you want to talk. I know how hard it is to be the only girl in the house written on it. I put both in my purse and started my walk towards the manor. About five minutes in my phone rang. It was Anni calling for our nightly chat. I didn't realize how late it was.

"Hey Anni." I greeted.

"Hi Jay!" She replied in her usual cheerfulness. "What are you up to?"

"Not much. Just walking home."

"Walking? Didn't you say that Bruce lives like 5 miles from the nearest house?" She asked in surprise. I laughed.

"No, its more like one mile to the next house. And I didn't walk the whole way. I had a ride." I defended.

"Was it that cutie you told me about? Terry?" I swear she was as bad as Ko sometimes when it came to guys.

"No, and he isn't that cute."

"Whatever. The picture you texted me proves otherwise. But why are you walking?"

I enlightened her on the events of the night, including meeting Dad's ex-girlfriend.

"Wow. All that robotics studying paid off huh?" She said when I finished.

"I guess so. But I'm still confused as to why the commissioner was so interested in Bruce."

"Maybe she thinks he's Batman?" Anni suggested. I gave another laugh. She could always brighten my day.

"Yeah, and I'm Robin. Bruce is spry for his age, but not that spry" I laughed.

I heard a sound above me and looked up to see none other than the Batman himself flying overhead. He slowed and landed in front of me. I stood frozen as Anni repeated something.

"Um, Anni, I'm gonna call you back." I said and hung up without waiting for a response. Batman and I stared at each other.

I'll admit, I was a bit skeptical that Batman even existed. I know there was proof of him from when Dad was a kid. He was part of the Justice League at one point. That was twenty years ago though. He hadn't been seen in a long time, and most people started to believe he was a myth. Which was stupid because he clearly existed back then. Then a few months ago the news started reporting sighting of Batman. Dad laughed at the idea and said it was some crazy trying to play hero. Which made sense considering there were gangs all over the country who worshiped the Joker. So I just took it all as a hoax. I was clearly wrong.

"Um can I help you?" I finally said.

"I'm just wondering why Jamie Grayson is out alone at night." That didn't sound ominous at all.

"How do you know my name?"

"The news announced when you came to town. Granddaughter of Bruce Wayne with a record is good news apparently. And your hair is kind of memorable." He explained. Made sense. I had gotten purple highlights in my hair about a year before. It stood out against the black.

"So why are you out at night?" He asked again.

"I'm walking home. My ride had to drop me off here. Why do you care? I haven't done anything." I tell him.

"I never said you did. But its not safe for anyone to be out alone at night in Gotham. Let alone the granddaughter of a billionaire." His voice. It sounded familiar.

I looked at the trees surrounding us. We were on the road that lead up to the manor. I had pasted the closest house half a mile ago. This was it until the gates to the property.

"Yes, because the forest animals are going to demand a ransom." I said sarcastically. "I'm more than capable of getting home by myself. Why are you even this far out of town? Gotham's criminals are that way." I said pointing back towards the city.

"Well I, um, you see, there was an attack and I was chasing someone I thought was behind it. Turn out it wasn't them, and then I spotted you." He explained, a little flustered. I had flustered the fearsome Batman. Not many people can say that.

"Well thanks, but I'm fine. Good luck finding your attacker." I waved and started walking again. All I wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep until noon. It had been a long day. Thank god tomorrow was Saturday.

"Wait, I can give you a lift." He said, his glider wings already set.

"No thanks. I've already walked a mile and a half without you, the last half mile is nothing. You can walk with me if your that concerned." I kept walking. He sighed and caught up to me.

"So what number are you?" I asked.

"What?"

"What number Batman are you. Batman first appeared like 50 years ago. You don't expect me to believe you're the original Bat. Your definitely not as scary as they say. Plus you sound young." It was going to bother me until I figured out why his voice sounded familiar.

"You are as smart as they say. I'm the 3rd Batman." He told me.

"Who says I'm smart? I don't know anyone around here. No could actually know that besides people at school."

"You'd be surprised what the media can dig up in this town. And you being Bruce Wayne's granddaughter makes you interesting to them. Especially since all of Wayne's wards grew up and moved out. They haven't had much to follow on him."

"Glad to know people think I'm interesting. Even though I don't do anything. People will get bored of me really fast. The most exciting thing that's happened since I've moved here is me taking down a drug dealer." I said, kicking a pebble.

"You took down a drug dealer? When?" He seemed very surprised.

"Tonight. Why does that surprise you? Think I can't handle myself?" I asked, glaring at him.

"No, its just that criminals here are a lot tougher than other places. I'm impressed."

Okay, even if I didn't believe he was real before tonight, it was pretty shway to have Batman compliment me.

We fell into comfortable silence, since personal questions were kinda ruled out for him and Gotham's gossip news apparently already revealed most of my life to the city.

I thought about questions I could ask him. It wasn't everyday one had a chance to ask a superhero questions. Especially not one as elusive as Batman.

"How did you become Batman?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"What do you mean?"

"How did you get to be Batman. Since you're not the original, are you like his grandson or something?"

"Or something." He said. Way to be vague Batman.

"Do you work on a team, like the Justice League? I know one of you used to before it kind of disbanded."

"I have a partner I guess."

"Like Robin or Batgirl?" I asked. I didn't remember hearing about Batman having a partner recently.

"Not really. More like a mentor. He helps me out."

"Its the first Batman isn't it?" He looked at me.

"You really are smarter than they give you credit for."

"Well the behavioral record tends to outshine the academic one. No one cares how smart you are if your a troublemaker."

"Don't I know it," He mumbled.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. Look we're here."

We had reached the gates and I typed in the access code to unlock it.

"Well thanks for keeping me company. Goodnight Batman. Have fun doing whatever."

"I always do. Bye Jamie. See you around." And then he flew off back towards Gotham.

Had I really just met Batman? And why did he seem so familiar?

So Jamie finally met Batman! Yay! Maybe she'll figure it out like Max did in the show, or piece it together like Dana did in the comics?

Just a FYI: I messed up on what grade they're in and Terry's age. They're actually juniors (11th grade, or 6th years) and Terry is 16. Sorry for the mistake.

Fun Fact: I was going to have Babs as Jamie's mom, (Because I'm a Dick/Babs shipper) but then plot wouldn't make as much sense, so i changed her mom to be a mysterious Latina woman.