YES! I am still here! Yeah it's been forever and a day, but the past six months have been... interesting (details later). Haven't stopped writing (heavens, I finished writing the Terra arc a while ago) but I've been branching out fandom-wise. So I've got some comedic romance going on in Skip beat and father/son drama/tragic soul in tales of Symphonia (I love Kratos!) This ends the Psych arc here I guess so enjoy!

Dick - 17

A Right Fit

Dr. Amelia Pendergast normally wasn't that easily intimidated, but standing inside Wayne Manor and all its money – er, grandeur – she couldn't help but be nervous. It'd been about three months since she made the Waynes' acquaintance, and it was because of her few hours with the eldest child that she was sent across the country. Who knew he'd have such a hard time finding a psychiatrist who could work with him?

The thirty-two year old woman took a deep breath as the elderly butler directed her through the building. She could vaguely hear children laughing in the background, and she was very glad one voice was among them. That was a vast improvement from the first time she met the young man.

"If you would wait in here Dr. Pendergast." The butler bowed slightly as he gently directed her into a very official looking study, complete with rotary phone. Had to be an antique. Settling into a seat that could have been made in the twenties, she thanked the man and let him fetch his employer from somewhere else in the building.

As soon as the door was open, she wandered out of her seat and explored the room in awe. She always loved museums, and this place was a walk into the past! Oh how lucky that boy had to be to grow up there…

Fingering the fireplace, her eyes landed on the many pictures sitting on the mantle. Six pictures surrounded a crowning glory in the center. One was very old and another quite old, but each featured a child surrounded by people who loved them at one point in their lives. One person from each picture was in the center portrait, except the youngest. It must have been a celebratory picture of his arrival, completing the family of orphans.

Smiling sadly, Amelia remembered all the research she did on the Waynes and the Graysons after her interviews with their joining factor. A family of orphans. Rumor had it that two weren't, but their parents weren't the loving type. Looking at the picture for the girl, she wasn't with any blood relatives, but the people who found her and took her away from the predicament she was in. They clearly cared enough about her to ensure she was left with someone who would love her. These were some very fortunate orphans to find each other.

"Cassandra couldn't talk when she first came here."

Dr. Pendergast jumped at the interruption, jerking her head back to the door. There stood the imposing Bruce Wayne, in his gigantic, rich glory. She was easily cast in his shadow, barely the same height as Richard was when he arrived at the precinct. Now she was looking at him one on one with no backup. She could only pray he was as down to earth and kind as she saw him with the lad all those months ago. "What?"

"Her biological father taught her how to read bodies and not how to talk or read." Wayne stepped to her side, pointing to each of his children in their photographs. "Timothy was the one who found his father's body, and would not accept that his 'daddy' was dead. He replaced him with me in his memories. Jason lived on the streets for a year after his step-mother died from a cancer drug overdose. He didn't trust anyone for a long time, and even now he won't talk about what happened. After watching his parents die, Dick was taken to juvenile hall. I still don't know how he ended up there.

"Each of us are traumatized in one way or another, and events since haven't helped. We do our best to help each other heal, but clearly, the law doesn't think that's enough." He looked her in the eye, intimidating her whether he liked it or not. "You'll just be dealing with Dick, but you must know that he overcame the death of his parents, and even overcame several kidnappings and beatings at the hands of criminals. He has helped I and his siblings overcome their traumas, and learn to enjoy life again.

"He is one of the brightest lights in this house. Don't let it go out."

Hearing the gravity in his voice, Amelia got a sense that something went wrong with the previous psychologist. She wasn't told anything about her, other than she needed to replace her. The intimidating nature of the man was no longer scary, but understandably protective. Whatever it was that happened must have really rattled them pretty badly.

"I don't intend for that to ever happen." The psychiatrist eased into a relaxed stance, understanding just a little more than she did five minutes ago. "Has he done anything to make you think that light's started to disappear? Any change on habits or unusual new tendencies you've noticed since his return?"

Mr. Wayne stopped for a moment, his features softening before answering and slowly walking towards the study door. She followed as he spoke. "There have been a few things, but most to be expected considering what he went through. Mostly, he panics in certain situations, and…" A small smile appeared on his lips at a thought crossed his mind. "Well, you'll see soon. Alfred just finished a batch of cookies."

"Cookies?"

"Apparently the lifeblood of the house. This way if you will."

Dr. Pendergast followed obediently, trying to take in her surroundings and his demeanor at the same time. The place was impressive, just like its owner, but there were subtle signs of that old money grandeur being altered by children everywhere. A rug had signs of being cleaned after some kind of food accident, along with old crayon marks on the wall (also cleaned up). Some corners needed mending after being struck, and there was a stray toy and picture book every once in a while. It made it look lived in; a museum became a home.

Soon enough she could hear several feet running through the halls, followed by shouts. They just entered the kitchen where the butler she met earlier was setting cookies on racks to cool before putting the next batch in. There was one rack on the small round table in there, where Mr. Wayne pulled out a seat for her to sit in. Amelia smiled kindly, remembering her manners as she took it, waiting to see the man's reasons for leading her there. "So when will we be starting our sessions?"

"The courts want them to start this week," Mr. Wayne stated as he sat down himself, slightly annoyed at something else, likely the courts. "I'm more concerned about where. Dick didn't do well in an office setting alone."

"Feels trapped and isolated?" He nodded and so did she. "Most people in captivity react this way. I've seen several children who've suffered abuse react the same way, and I've found that leaving the door open helps a lot. So long as they understand that they can leave at any time, they are quite agreeable."

The man winced. "Having the door open won't help. From what I've gathered, Dick was out in the open a lot, but couldn't leave due to consequences. And with the court order, having the door open in an office may remind him too much of that."

"Ah. Makes sense." Sighing slightly, she looked around the room. This place, even for a kitchen, was huge. "Is there a room I can use here he'd be comfortable in? Not in the living quarters mind you… Are they called living quarters?"

Wayne was about to answer when a pack of hungry kids raced inside, straight to the table they were sitting at. "Sneak attack!"

"Hardly a sneak attack if you shout it Dick."

"Wanna bet?" Without warning or permission, the teenager in question pretty much collided with his father's back and reached over his shoulder for a cookie cooling before him. He grinned at the man gleefully, the kind of smile that had you checking your coat after the person was gone. All the other children smoothly darted around the kitchen and table, trying not to make contact with the adults. "Hey Bruce! How's it hangin'?"

"Depends on what you're doing." This man clearly wasn't a fool, eyeing the boy very carefully as he leaned over him, almost hugging him, while stuffing a cookie in his mouth.

"Oh *crunch* this and that. Oh hey there." Dick looked up at Amelia for the first time, realizing she was there. He didn't straighten off of the man though, just smiled in surprise. "Dr. Pendergast! Didn't realize you were in town."

"Hmm… only for a while." She watched the lad hanging over the giant's shoulder like it was normal for him. Last she saw him, Dick just quietly stayed near his protector, politely. Now he was overly familiar with him, like a toddler.

"How long's a while?" Inquisitive mind. He knew something was up, and Mr. Wayne was satisfied that he knew. Interesting pair.

"Depends. How long until that ankle monitor is removed?"

A smile grew on both hers and the teen's lips. "Seriously? You're gonna be my shrink now?"

"I prefer the name psychologist." She wasn't the same as others in her profession, and she did not like the rep many of them had in this region. That only made the kid's face glow even more.

"Sweet! When are-"

"We're working out the particulars right now," Mr. Wayne interjected before things could get sidetracked. Dick shrugged, taking the silent signal. "I'll call for you when it's your turn. For now, try to keep Damian out of trouble."

"Hey, I wasn't the one telling him to eat dirt." Hands up and backing away, the sneaky teen grinned cheekily as he bound away with his siblings who were ending their siege on the kitchen. His dad was barely to his feet after hearing that when they were out the door, avoiding the wrath of their butler.

Frustrated, both men returned to their previous posts. It only made Amelia Pendergast giggle. Kids will be kids, no matter where they are raised. Exasperated, Mr. Wayne shook his head before going on. "I really wonder where they get these ideas…"

"Are you kidding?" She chuckled even more. "My older sisters convinced me when I was little that dirt tasted like chocolate. And I did the same to my baby brother. It's a kid thing. And science has said that kids who play in, and even eat small amounts of dirt, have less allergies than those growing up in a hygienic bubble. So don't worry about it."

He gave her a long look before shaking his head again, giving up. "Anyway, you saw one of the major changes in his personality just now." Seeing her confusion, he went on. "Dick has always been a tactile person, but he didn't lounge on someone or come up with every excuse to touch them like just then. Since his return, he has to either see one of us at all times, or be in contact with someone physically. He's hardly slept alone for the past two months. It's easy right now because of summer break, but he still has a semester of school left. He can't carry Damian into his classes with him, and their schedules will surely change their sleeping habits soon enough."

"So this is what you want me to help him with?"

"Among other things." Taking in a breath, he started another observation. "Dick's also been traumatized against water."

"What?"

"It had to do with how Wilson broke him down I believe." He rubbed his chin in thought. "I don't know all the particulars, and it hasn't stopped him from drinking it, but he can't take a shower without a panic attack. We have some ideas for helping him with this, but we'd like to run it by you. If you have a better idea-"

"Mr. Wayne," Amelia held up a hand to make him stop for a moment. Smiling in gratitude, she decided to give him the best praise she could. "I know whatever efforts you are making are helping Dick, much more than you realize. I have seen many parents who just shove their children on others and say to fix them. None of them cared as much as you clearly do. That effort is seen by your son, and that has helped him improve as much as he has already.

"Don't doubt yourself so much. You're already doing enough."

Hearing that, Mr. Wayne paused, possibly stunned. He looked down briefly, a little away, then coughed lightly. "Well… Yes… Thank you Dr. Pendergast.

"Now about our theory-"

And so it went on, with the billionaire talking about what was already done, what he had seen, and what he could do more to help, with many questions from her. Amelia smiled politely to hide her amusement and joy at the sight of a very concerned (though somewhat stoic) father doing his best to help those he loved most. The butler stayed nearby as much as he could, occasionally giving reminders and listening to every detail for later, but never in a way she could disapprove of. Watching the two of them, she could only guess who took care of the first orphan.

Inside she just smiled. Despite all the grandeur, these were just men doing the best they could to help those who were hurt. And even though they had no training in her field, they certainly were on the right track.

A/N: Honestly, I'm not a psychologist or psychiatrist so I can't make any real vouches with this. The bad reputation comes strictly with Gotham's Arkham crew so don't base everything I say as truth. Heavens, please don't. I'll be very disappointed in you if you do. Dr. Amelia(as in Pond) Pendergast is the same child psychologist from the Sacrifice arc, and though she is now officially in this world, I don't think there will be many instances where she will appear in the future. Just know that this matter is being taken care of, and it will be a joint effort between her, Bruce, Alfred, and Dick to get everything going smoothly again. His is also pre-Ace in case you were wondering.

As for my life... I think my hiatus started because of a change at work, then my roommate's family stayed over, and so I started hiding in video games. Got very addicted to it to the point that when the second disk was broken, I was an emotional wreck. then I got a new one and I was fine. Ironically enough, when the technology was put away instead of taken away, I was fine. After that, I got sucked up again in Manga (I am so far behind on so much!). Then I started writing fics on them. fancy that. Batman's been on back burner for a while, but not forgotten! I did finish a DNB arc on my compy (oh, also broke my screen. that was fun) and been touching up a few neglected fics I started on it as well. One long YJ one is over half written but haven't started the ending yet.

Anyway, the reason I've gone a little back to this is due to having moved states in the past couple weeks. Yeah, I traded a job I could do in my sleep, 6 miles of exercise daily, and weather that hardly changed, to no job, weather I can't predict, too close mountains, walking everywhere, but hey! Cheapest rent and closest roomates this side of not being in my parents' basement (they really have one too. My brother lives there). I'm living with my sisters now, and during the day when I'm out of bed, I'm freezing! So need a job...

Anywho, that's life. More DNB to come in the near future I hope. Still a work in progress. If all goes well, I can get another fic chapter done for one of my many stories by the end of the week. Who knows. Until then! ^^V