WOW it's been a long time! ^^; so there's something that could go anywhere! Seriously, this conversation and event can go anywhere in the series (no, I haven't given up on it! I'm just... seriously distracted. That's what happens when you have a life with 2 jobs, moving, trying to get someone to buy your contract, holidays, church things, and a Pokedex to fill [sun rocks! and I did fill it!]). I am trying to work in a million things at once but RL gets in the way. Plus new computer and this is the first thing I thought to write on it.

Anywho, have fun! And here's to a hopefully better 2017! '16 was nuts. XP

The Old New Year Tradition

"You really should go."

Bruce raised an eyebrow at his eldest son. Go where? He was in the middle of looking over League base plans and really shouldn't be disturbed. After all, they had a New Years charity party to go to that night. "Excuse me?"

"Babs told me all about it." Dick swung his feet beneath him, sitting on an unused table nearby. It used to hold evidence on recent cases, but now it became a seat for his son whenever he wanted it. "About your old tradition with Commissioner Gordon."

"Tradition?" What was he talking about? He tried to figure out what he was saying, digging through his memories of Jim, but they didn't really have any traditions.

"You know, having coffee with him on New Years." The teen tried to pass it off as nothing much, but he was clearly interested. "Babs told me he waits over at that old coffee house every year around 1am, just to see if you'll show. I think he misses you."

Bruce stopped still in his movements, remembering now that promise. In Batman's few years of service, he created a kinship with then Captain Gordon. To ensure Jim didn't worry on New Years if he survived what ever crisis occurred that time, they agreed to meet for coffee at 1am.

They only met three times, but was that grounds for a tradition? Jim knew Batman was retired, never to fight on the front lines again. Bruce didn't leave Gotham defenseless, but there was no need to assure him the vigilante survived anymore. So why was Jim still going there? Was he really going to that coffee house every year, or was that something Barbara came up with to convince herself her dad was out for a good reason?

Either way, it was too convenient to be told this now. Through Dick and Barbara no less. Was this a trap? A way for Jim or someone else to know who Batman really was? Bruce went back to his work. "I'll see him at the party tonight. Batman said goodbye a long time ago."

"Bruce -"

"This is how it has to be Dick." He returned to the wish lists the Leaguers gave him that week. Giving Flash a second pantry separate from the others really seemed like a good idea. "In order for Batman to stay retired and unconnected to Bruce Wayne, he has to cut all ties, even with those he likes."

"Still sucks." Dick sighed to himself and leapt off the table. "Fine. I hope you feel bad leaving that old man in the cold like that each year since you retired. No one likes to be left hanging like that by a friend."

With that, he left the man alone with his plans and his thoughts weighing him down.

Dammit. Why did Dick have to make so much sense?

Jim Gordon absolutely hated wearing tuxedos. He preferred cheap suits and patched up uniforms, both with a healthy layer of kevlar. Good cause or no, he was elated when the ball dropped onto Superman's hands, preventing another attack from a local lunatic on the general population, and the next year started. It was a crazy year for everyone, and he didn't want another like it.

As was his tradition the past few years or so, Jim called home to make sure Barbara locked up at home before going to his favorite coffee house for a last minute cup, hoping to see a glimpse of an old friend. Though he knew, oh so well, that Batman was done and likely never coming again, he still liked the coffee and the owner, so he kept coming. Vigilante or no, going was his tradition alone. It reminded him of why he fought for so long if nothing else, and gave him a moment to just sit and think of nothing but the future. He needed this.

Coming in, he heard the bell ring and watched as several sobering men limped out of the building and into the cold. A large one bumped into him momentarily before making a gruff apology and slipping out, but that was nothing new. Each year he came at closing and always saw these men leaving like this. This was Gotham at New Years.

"I'm really surprised at your dedication Commissioner," the owner murmured as he closed up the front of the shop. "Every year without fail you're here, and your friend never shows."

"You have good coffee Joe." Jim slipped his hands back into his coat, smirking to himself. "Can't I just come for that?"

"This is Gotham," the large man stated. "No one goes out this late for just coffee."

The owner said something else after that, but Jim didn't hear it. Slightly startled, he pulled out an envelope from his pocket he did not remember putting in there. It jingled slightly as he took it out, but in a familiar way rather than a dangerous one. Looking at the outside now, his instant stomach knot from the unknown in his pocket, melted away.

A black bat sticker resided on the outside of it, telling him clearly who it was who bumped into him a few minutes ago.

Jim smirked to himself as he slid into the usual booth and opened the envelope. He suppressed a chuckle as the exact amount came out of it for the coffee he was ordering that night, leaving behind a single piece of paper. He placed the money on the table, just where his old friend would have sat and started reading the note, typed up and printed on likely the most generic of supplies.

Enjoy the coffee. I'd join you but there are people who need me to stay home now. Can't risk them for anything, even a friend and ally. Just know I'm alive and the Justice League are in Gotham because I convinced them to keep an eye on things.

Best of luck in the coming years Jim.

Another bat insignia played the part of signature at the bottom of the page. It wasn't much of a note but it was enough. Smirking to himself, the old cop put the note away and ordered his usual cup. He never did beat the man to the check.

A/N: Caught the reference? I was referring to an episode of BTAS, without watching the show in so long. SO this was more of a Gordon story than anything else. Hope you liked it.

Still working on a million others so I guess I should just ask. Should I just put out the Terra stories I have done (seriously, they're done) or still fill in the gap between them? I am working on a lot of different series before putting them out, plus a handful that I have a few chapters out on already. So since that's done but not out, but lacking in context, should I put it out? They're just the eps from Teen Titans warped for this world. Nothing much.

I'll leave this to you. SOrry it's taken forever to get to this one. I'll try to be good and type more, but there's no guarantee. I will be the greatest Pokemon master in the world! 8D Laters.