This was a scene I thought may be important to the next arch. That or actually writing the paper in question. Either way, I think it's important for the future. May have one scene like this for other Batkids as well, but as Dick's the only one in the comics thus far who's actually finished school, I can't be sure. =P

Dick-16

Career Counseling

"You wanted to see me Mrs. Burk?" Dick popped his head into the office, looking for the guidance counselor. He wasn't in trouble this time, every senior was getting called in to talk to her.

"Yes," a lady in her early forties answered, smiling at him, "please come in… Richard." She glanced at her paperwork to make sure she had his name right. The teen grinned and came in, excited to talk to her about this. He didn't get to talk to anyone at home about it seriously. He flopped into the chair without a moment's delay, eager for her to start.

She brushed through his paperwork for a moment, settling on a career options page the teen had filled out. "Well, as you probably know, I called you here to talk about your future. Says here you intend to become a police officer after high school. Is that correct?"

"Yep!" It had been his dream for years. Well, right next to another one that wouldn't be coming true any time soon.

"And it also says here you're going to be graduating a year early." Mrs. Burk looked him straight in the eye as his smile wilted for a moment. Yeah, he was sixteen. That seemed to be a running problem these days. "You do know they won't let teenagers into the police academy, right?"

"Yeah…" The acrobat looked away. There's reality for you.

"So what are you planning on doing until your eighteenth birthday? College?"

He blinked at her. Well, this was a first. She really did take him seriously, despite his age. "Well… Haven't really thought about it. All I've been able to think about is how to get away with joining the academy."

"You should consider it, especially if you want to be a detective, like this 'Batman' you talked about in your report here." She showed him the paper he wrote at the beginning of the year in his English class. Everyone was required to write it for the councilors. The assignment: After graduation, what is your career of choice and why? Please explain your reasoning in 500 to 600 words. "Criminology programs can really give you an edge in the detective exams. And some departments don't allow entrance unless you have a degree of some sort."

"Huh…" Dick looked to the side, thinking about it. Until then, he hadn't seriously thought about college. Sure Bruce would want him to go, but not going would be sticking it to him. College was his choice after all. But if he went, his dream of being a cop would be assured. "Didn't know that."

"Haven't you talked to an officer about it?"

"Not really." He fidgeted in his chair. "Haven't talked to anyone but Babs about it."

"Babs?" The lady raised an eyebrow. "Your girlfriend?"

"Kinda." Officially the two broke up because of her dad and Bruce's intervention. Age again. Unofficially though… They still texted, emailed and had secret dates, they just covered their tracks a lot better. "She also wants to be a cop. Her dad though is really against it so she's going into computer sciences and finding a way around him."

"Why would she have to—"

"Her dad's a cop." He looked away, not wanting to say he was the commissioner too. Time to move away from Barbara. "I know one or two others, but mostly forensics. I know that requires a lot of school and I'm not really interested in being in one that long. Don't think I can handle it."

"Your scores say otherwise." She looked through his transcripts. "Straight A's, some are minus and others plus. Mostly in less curricular fields. You study I take it?"

"Well if you work hard for something you're sure to get it." Of course he studied. It was one way to avoid people and get out of school faster. Bruce didn't complain as much about his behavior if his grades were good. Or maybe not. He never let himself drop lower than a B in any class.

"Same with your dream job." Mrs. Burk gave him a knowing smile. "If you want to be a police detective one day, you're going to have to work hard for it. I highly recommend college in your case. You haven't really taken any classes here that'll help you in the detective's exam."

"Really?" Dick looked over his transcripts upside down. He didn't really see any problem with his electives. Mostly sports and other fun classes his friends were taking. School electives were supposed to be fun.

"Uh huh. If you took Psychology or Criminal Justice, it would have given you a leg up. Looks like to me you mostly took basic requirements then had fun." She looked up to him, raising an eyebrow. "When did you start thinking about your future career goals Richard?"

"Uhm…" The acrobat really didn't have a date. Truth be told, he only put down 'policeman' on the survey because 'vigilante' wasn't allowed. Ever since he first saw Batman in action he wanted to be like him. He still wanted to be like him. When Bruce wasn't being a stubborn closed minded mule that is. The guy was amazing! And yet even he was determined to keep him out of his destined path. 'Police Officer' appeared on his future career choice papers ever since. "I guess since I was eleven, but I didn't take it seriously."

"Hm." She eyed him for a moment, then shrugged. "I don't think it's too late to change next semester's electives to those two if you're serious about it. It'd'll give you an idea of what you'll have to take in the future should you enter the academy."

"Then I won't be able to take Shop II or Dance!" he objected. As much as he wanted to be a cop, hanging out with friends or checking out girls was higher on his priority list.

The lady rolled her eyes as if saying 'teenagers'. "It is your choice, but if you're really serious about becoming an officer later, I'd highly recommend them."

Dick bit the inside of his mouth, thinking. Friends and girls, or snagging as close of a job to his ideal as he could? He'd really have to think hard on this one. "I'll think about it."

"Don't wait too long to respond," she warned. "The cutoff date for next semester's classes is the end of this month. I'd also recommend looking in to colleges, for in the meantime."

"But I…" He really wasn't sure if he could take anymore school. Sitting in classes all day long? BORING!

"I know you don't really care about it," she repeated, "you've made that clear, but you really need to think about it. Personally, if I were in your shoes, I'd recommend a local one to get the basics out of the way before transferring to one with a good criminology program. This will get you ahead of the others if you're serious about going down this career path. It will also determine whether or not you're committed to it."

"Of course I'm committed to it!" He nearly leapt from his seat. He was told talking to this lady about his future would be fun! So far he only felt uncomfortable and now offended.

"Really?" She gave him the 'I doubt it' look he received from Alfred every time he said he got permission to do something he really didn't. "Because your electives and answers just now tell me otherwise."

Dick started to scowl at her, almost hearing Bruce's berating voice whenever he started lecturing him about being 'too young' for something. But what she said next made him look away. "I'm not telling you how to live your life Richard. I'm just pointing out how you've lived it. And it doesn't look like you're committed to this quite yet. It's not uncommon for students gifted like you, who've skipped grades and are graduating earlier than others, to have trouble deciding goals. I've known people who are in college and still can't get a fix on what they want to do with their lives. I'm just saying, if you're serious about this career path, you're going to have to do more than just talk. You have to take action and endure the parts you hate in order to succeed. Do you think I liked taking all those math classes in college? There's a reason I'm a guidance counselor and not a math teacher."

This earned her a quick laugh. Okay, he hadn't really taken the idea seriously. Hadn't even told Bruce about it. Or Alfred. He may have talked to Jason and Tim about it once, but only as a joke. He'd done nothing to expose his possible plan. And maybe that was why it wasn't happening quite yet. Kinda made sense.

"Now, I'm going to ask you, seriously. Are you certain this is what you want to do? Do you really want to become a police officer? You're plenty qualified and capable of doing other jobs, and I'm certain your parents could help you get whatever position you wanted in their company."

'She has no idea who I really am!' The realization was almost funny to him. She didn't know about Bruce. She didn't know his parents were dead. And Mrs. Burk really didn't know that Dick wanted to be a corporate shark as much as he wanted to get hit by a truck. It was almost refreshing that someone didn't care and therefore had no prejudices.

He smirked to himself before answering. "Being in Bruce's company is the last thing I want. I want to be a cop. I want to save lives and bring criminals to justice. Batman did that for me," he pointed to his paper, something she still had in plain view. "The least I can do is pay it forward and do the same for others. I think I'd make a good cop, if given the chance. A great detective even. I really want to do this."

This satisfied the woman before him. "Alright then. My recommendations still stand. At least try going to college until you're old enough to go to the police academy, and take a few criminology courses while you're there. So long as you're committed, I think you'll do fine.

"I just have a few questions for myself though." She raised his paper up, a little unsure now what to say. "In your paper, you said you want to be an officer because of Batman. Personally I don't know who that is," Dick's lips twitched in response, "but I do know who Superman is. How is it you're a Superman fan but have Batman here as your hero and inspiration?"

The acrobat grinned fondly. Yeah, that could be confusing. "When I was a kid and first heard about Superman, he became my unreachable idol. Really, so many powers, helps people in the most unbelievable ways, a friend to all, who isn't a fan?

"But when my parents died," the lady blinked hearing this, surprised, "Batman came into my life and made sure they received justice. I saw him in action, and he's a guy like anyone else. Just has a lot of training and some really nifty gadgets. He made sure no one hurt me and those who tried were sent to the hospital. He was there and he understood what I went through. I could see myself in him, see what I could become. I saw what anyone could become, without powers. He… was amazing."

In his mind's eye he saw Bruce back in the uniform he wore when he first saw him in action. The man was amazing, a dream he could touch. He was real. He was everything to him, and Dick knew he'd always be there for him. No matter how pigheaded and overprotective the man was, Bruce would always be there for him when he needed him. He understood, he had compassion, and he still had a wicked temper that'd send criminal scum screaming.

"Superman is a dream, an impossible wish. Batman though, he was a reality I wanted to hold on to. But unfortunately vigilantes are illegal." He shrugged, smirking slightly. Sure he wanted to be one, and didn't care if they were, but Bruce would never allow it. He retired in order to prevent him from going out on rooftops as well. "Best I can do is become a cop, maybe head detective one day. If I can live up to his ideals, then I succeeded in being like Batman, and possibly the idea of Superman. Isn't that what we all reach for?"

Mrs. Burk watched him for a good minute before smiling at him. "I guess it is. Bet Superman would be proud if he heard you say something like that. Even this 'Batman', whoever he is."

"Haven't been in Gotham for very long have you." Dick grinned at her awkwardness.

"Two years next week."

"His last known case was when I was eight," he explained. 'My case' he mentally added. "Rumors of him have probably settled down. He's an urban legend now, but I know he's real. I still remember his voice and how heavy his cape was. And believe it or not, he was really nice to me. Underneath that scary exterior, he's probably a big softy."

"I bet he is." She carefully put each piece of paper back into its place, taking out a form to fill out about their talk. "Well, I think we're about done here Richard. Still recommend a change in next term's schedule—"

"I'll look into it," he started as he stood up. "Thanks for laying it out for me. I haven't been able to talk to people about this."

"You should probably try talking to… auhm…" She looked at him, a little lost on what to say next. She had caught on that he was an adoption or a ward or something similar.

"Bruce?" He looked away. "He… he's paranoid. Freaks when I even mention the word 'girlfriend'. Hasn't even brought up college really."

"Separation anxiety," the lady murmured, giving him an understanding look. "That's hard for any parent or guardian."

"No kidding. I'd think he'd have a heart attack if he heard I wanted to be a cop." Dick looked at the folder, thinking twice. "Um, can you promise me he'll never see my paper? I really don't want to give him any hints."

More like he didn't want him to know how much he admired the man. The guy could be such an idiot at times and right then he didn't want to reveal how much he cared for him. They should try and work things out without that paper making him anymore uncomfortable.

"Well since it doesn't give any hints of suicide or murder," Mrs. Burk joked, "I don't see any reason it should leave my files or your hands."

This made him breathe out in relief. "Thanks."

"No problem. Hope you make your decisions soon Richard. Like I said, end of the month's the deadline, then you need to think about the SATs and ACTs." She offered him her hand and he took it, giving her a firm shake. "Mr. Haine can write you a late note on your way out."

"Thanks again." Smiling, Dick left her to finish her job. Ten minutes in her office and he had a different view of the future. His friends there were right. She was good.

A/N: wish i had a guidance counselor like that. Then maybe I would have gotten farther in the school thing. Really should go back... Like Dick, I had no motivation. Dunno why he left college after one semester, but here Dick hasn't had a lifetime's worth of criminology training. so he's not going to stop part way through. My preference. *evil laugh* Oh, I took both Psych and Criminal Justice in my senior year of high school (still have CJ's notes) so I know Dick could do it, no problem. Some of the most interesting classes I ever took next to Stage Craft (highly recommend that one! so much fun!). And the path the lady suggested is pretty typical isn't it? Basics first, then specialize. Dunno if my info's right on police academies, but it sounds accurate enough.

As for the whole "Superman Fan, Batman Hero" bit, I thought it explained Dick's behavior rather well. As much as Dick is a fan of Supes, no one can really become him. Batman on the other hand has done everything he can as a mortal man to make things right. Bruce has done everything he can. In infinite crisis, Bruce said Supes was about setting an example while Bats was about doing everything he could. That's kinda why Bats is his hero/end goal while he's just in awe of superman. Does that make sense? hope so. That paper comes into play in the next major arch (still in the works and been so busy with build up i haven't really gotten far with it, physically).

wow... I really need to head to bed.