Disclaimer: Batman, Nightwing, etc are property of DC Comics.
This kind of (but not really) goes along with my "Richard Be Thy Name" series. It is a crossover involving the worlds of Batman and Highlander.
Dick stood still as Captain Moseby read through the report. His expression was stalwart and calm but his insides were burning.
"Well Grayson" Moseby finally said. "It looks like everything is in order, the case is clear cut defense in the line of duty."
Dick nodded barely, his thoughts almost incoherent at this point.
"Are you okay son? It's always hard to have to aim and shoot knowing that one of you isn't going to make it. Take a couple days off. You're free to see the psychologist and get your head together before coming back to shift."
"I don't need any time." Dick said defiantly. In his hands he held his gun and badge and then placed them quietly on the desk.
"Grayson." Captain Moseby sighed. "This is nothing to quit over. You may be a rookie but you're one of the best I got here. A year or two and you'll be doing my job."
"This was wrong. He was just a kid."
"A kid with a semi automatic weapon."
"A kid." Dick repeated before walking out of the captain's office and to the locker room. He changed into his street clothes quickly, leaving his uniform crumpled in the now empty locker. He stared at the locker with his nameplate on the door. He was so enraged that he could do this to another person, that he had taken a life. He kicked at the thin metallic door and hit it hard until it was one big dent, the name unrecognizable. He stood there, his head resting against the frame, gasping for breath. And at that moment everything became clear to him and he headed off without another word.
Dick became a cop so he could make Bludhaven a safe place much like his mentor in Gotham. He passed through the academy with flying colors, passing up many chances and invitations to join Special Forces. He even excelled at the gun range, being handed a small handgun with his badge. But even though he carried the gun on duty and he knew how to aim and fire, he had never in his life intended to use it.
It was a textbook robbery, a convenience store on the west side. Dick and his partner, Amy, were sent to deal with it. Amy reasoned with the assailant, a fifteen year old with a gun, while Dick found a way in through the back. He didn't expect there to be so many hostages nor did he expect the kid with the gun to be so eager to shoot. The kid turned at the wrong second and saw Dick coming from behind, his gun aimed quickly at him. Dick's gun was pulled as well and the stand off lasted for what seemed hours before the kid flinched and Dick fired. All it took was one shot through the heart. Dick would never forget the moment for the rest of his life; the way the kid's eyes glazed over and the life oozed out of him. He just kneeled there in total shock while those around him practically cheered for their savior.
Dick Grayson had nowhere to go. He couldn't go home for the fear of being tracked down by his fellow police officers or worse off, Oracle, and he couldn't go to Gotham because he did not want to face HIM. Dick was utterly ashamed for his actions. He couldn't conceive of what Batman would think of him after he found out. He didn't even want to imagine. He just wanted to disappear. So without extra money, clothes, or vehicle he walked to the highway going out of town and hitched a ride west, as far away from his life as possible.
This kind of (but not really) goes along with my "Richard Be Thy Name" series. It is a crossover involving the worlds of Batman and Highlander.
Dick stood still as Captain Moseby read through the report. His expression was stalwart and calm but his insides were burning.
"Well Grayson" Moseby finally said. "It looks like everything is in order, the case is clear cut defense in the line of duty."
Dick nodded barely, his thoughts almost incoherent at this point.
"Are you okay son? It's always hard to have to aim and shoot knowing that one of you isn't going to make it. Take a couple days off. You're free to see the psychologist and get your head together before coming back to shift."
"I don't need any time." Dick said defiantly. In his hands he held his gun and badge and then placed them quietly on the desk.
"Grayson." Captain Moseby sighed. "This is nothing to quit over. You may be a rookie but you're one of the best I got here. A year or two and you'll be doing my job."
"This was wrong. He was just a kid."
"A kid with a semi automatic weapon."
"A kid." Dick repeated before walking out of the captain's office and to the locker room. He changed into his street clothes quickly, leaving his uniform crumpled in the now empty locker. He stared at the locker with his nameplate on the door. He was so enraged that he could do this to another person, that he had taken a life. He kicked at the thin metallic door and hit it hard until it was one big dent, the name unrecognizable. He stood there, his head resting against the frame, gasping for breath. And at that moment everything became clear to him and he headed off without another word.
Dick became a cop so he could make Bludhaven a safe place much like his mentor in Gotham. He passed through the academy with flying colors, passing up many chances and invitations to join Special Forces. He even excelled at the gun range, being handed a small handgun with his badge. But even though he carried the gun on duty and he knew how to aim and fire, he had never in his life intended to use it.
It was a textbook robbery, a convenience store on the west side. Dick and his partner, Amy, were sent to deal with it. Amy reasoned with the assailant, a fifteen year old with a gun, while Dick found a way in through the back. He didn't expect there to be so many hostages nor did he expect the kid with the gun to be so eager to shoot. The kid turned at the wrong second and saw Dick coming from behind, his gun aimed quickly at him. Dick's gun was pulled as well and the stand off lasted for what seemed hours before the kid flinched and Dick fired. All it took was one shot through the heart. Dick would never forget the moment for the rest of his life; the way the kid's eyes glazed over and the life oozed out of him. He just kneeled there in total shock while those around him practically cheered for their savior.
Dick Grayson had nowhere to go. He couldn't go home for the fear of being tracked down by his fellow police officers or worse off, Oracle, and he couldn't go to Gotham because he did not want to face HIM. Dick was utterly ashamed for his actions. He couldn't conceive of what Batman would think of him after he found out. He didn't even want to imagine. He just wanted to disappear. So without extra money, clothes, or vehicle he walked to the highway going out of town and hitched a ride west, as far away from his life as possible.