Ack! Don't pass out from the shock everyone, but here's part 4!
Sorry it took so long. I could offer you any number of excuses, the
dog ate my computer (the modern day version of a classic), Real Life
was giving me Hell (does it ever NOT give anyone Hell??!) etc., but I
decided you all really didn't care one way or the other just as long
as I got the story out. I apologize if any of this doesn't make
sense, I'll revise later if need be. I just wanted to get this out
before I felt the need to rewrite. Thanks for all the feedback
everyone. If you like this new chapter, thank Patty. Without her
reminders I might never have gotten this out. :) If you don't like
it, point the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune this way. One
more big thank you goes out to Syl for letting me use one of her
original characters. If you don't know who by the end of this
chapter, I'll point it out the beginning of the next so I don't spoil
anything. I asked for permission to use the character way back in
October. Hope I didn't need to get a renewal for the new year! :)
On with the story before I chicken out.
See Part 0 for disclaimers and other such boring minutiae.
****************************************************************
Dick sat in the back of the car and gazed out the window as they drove along. He half-listened to Bruce and Alfred discussing household matters as they drove to pick Jason up from school. The last member of the party, Tim, sat on Bruce's lap looking out the window on his side. As usual a thumb was firmly implanted in his mouth as he watched. As they drove into the heart of Gotham, Dick noticed more and more kids on the sidewalk walking. He assumed school must have already let out and everyone was on their way home. As they pulled up to a long three story brick building, Dick caught sight of Jason waiting on the sidewalk outside what Dick guessed was the school. Jason was looking in the other direction and as Dick watched he turned nervously and looked back at the school. Finally he turned and looked the direction their car was coming from and before he recognized the car Dick would have sworn Jason looked a little frightened. The car pulled to the curb across the street from Jason and Bruce got out to go across the street and get him. Dick watched from the window and as they came near, he could make out some of their conversation through the door Bruce had left slightly ajar.
"Not that I was scared Dad, but you and Alfred are almost never late. I wasn't scared or anything, though." Jason's words came out in a rush tripping over themselves and he help onto Bruce's hand tightly.
"I'm sorry son. We left on time, but there was an accident on the bridge and we had to take an alternate route to get here. It made us a little late. " Bruce apologized looking down seriously at his boy.
"Its okay Daddy. I understand. It wasn't like I was scared or anything. Just wondering where you were." Jason seemed to be calming down a little.
"I know you weren't scared, Jason. We talked about this. If Alfred or I say where going to be somewhere to meet you, we'll always show up. Just sometimes we might be a little late. You never have to worry about that," Bruce said in a reassuring voice.
Jason ducked his head a little and whispered something Dick couldn't make out. By that time they had reached the curb the car was parked next to and Alfred got out to open the door for them both. Dick only half heard the happy greeting Jason gave Alfred. Most of his attention was focused on Tim who had gotten off the back seat where Bruce had placed him and was crouching by the door, a big grin on his face.
As he entered turned to enter the car, Jason probably barely had time to hear Dick's startled, "Tim??" as the little boy launched himself at his brother. Jason and Tim fell to the grass outside the car, Jason with a surprised yelp and Tim with his usual huge grin. Jason quickly recovered, however, and began rolling around on the grass with Tim. "Thought you'd get the jump on me, huh pipsqueak?! I'll show you!"
Alfred held the door as Bruce unconcernedly stepped over the wrestling boys on the grass and entered the car, sitting next to Dick.
"So Dick," Bruce started making conversation ignoring the wrestling boys, "This will be your new school. What do you think about attending school here?"
Dick tore his eyes away from the other two boys. "Well Mr. Wayne, uh I mean Bruce, it's hard to tell from the outside. There seems to be an awful lot of kids that go here, though."
"It is a fairly large school, but that's only because they take children in grades K-12, so really you've got both a high school and an elementary school here. It's a good school, though and they make sure no one gets lost in the cracks. Besides," Bruce lowered his voice glancing briefly at the two tussling boys to make sure they were still fully engaged in their play, "It has the facilities to help with special needs children as well. Tim will start here next year and I made sure the staff was fully qualified to handle his needs. Anyway, we'll come back towards the end of the week, so you can have the official tour and talk with the headmaster about your placement."
At the word placement, Dick got a little worried. He thought it was time to come clean with Mr. Wayne.
"Ummm…Mr. Wayne, about that. You see I thought the social workers would have told you. I've never really gone to school before." Dick ducked his head and felt he had to quickly explain his last comment. "Its not like I don't know math, and English and history and stuff, but mom and dad and I were always traveling with the circus and I never got the chance to go to school. They taught me themselves." Dick finished lamely. He grew sad thinking about the time after practice each day that his mom and dad had set aside for his studies. They all sat down together and read and talked together about what they had learned. Dick felt a sharp pain where he thought his heart ought to be thinking about his parents. His eyes itched and he fought hard to keep the tears back.
When Bruce spoke again jolting Dick out of his memories and pain, he noticed the gentle tone the man used. "Its okay, Dick. I understand. It's okay to miss them."
He felt a hand on his shoulder. It was large and gripped his shoulder with a little pressure. Dick was amazed and a little annoyed by the feeling of safety it gave him. He hadn't felt safe since before his parents had died. Quickly he regained control of himself as best as he could.
"I'm sorry no one told you sooner about my not going to school. I'll start where ever they want to put me though."
Even though Dick had changed the subject, the hand remained on his shoulder as Bruce Wayne scrutinized him for a moment. Seeming to reach a decision about something, Bruce patted the shoulder he had been holding and went with the change in subject.
"That's okay Dick. The social workers were able to find detailed information about your education in the records your parents kept. It seems they documented just about everything when it came to you, your health, or your education. Based on those records, you're going to be placed with your age group in 9th grade next week. I assured the headmaster that Alfred and I could help you wit any catch-up you needed. Congratulations, Dick. This time next week you'll be a freshman."
Bruce had a big smile on his face and a twinkle of amusement in his eye at the last piece of information. Dick absorbed the news and gave a little smile himself. His attention suddenly turned to the lump of ten- year-old child that had been plopped next to him by a slightly put out Alfred.
"Really Master Jason! I wish you wouldn't constantly insist on rough housing in your good school clothes! You might start tapping even Master Bruce's considerable resources with all the new uniforms you require. Jason crossed his arms and pouted on the seat.
"Well he started it!"
"Yes I am quite aware who started this little pugilistic bout." Alfred looked pointedly at the grinning boy yet dirt covered and grass stained boy he held in his arms.
"Huh? What's that mean?!"
Bruce pulled the boy close to him giving him a half hug, laughing a little at he comical expression on Jason's face.
"Pugilism is another word for boxing Jason. Alfred was referring to the way you and Tim turn everything into the Friday Night Fight."
"Oh! I get it! Why didn't he just say that? Anyway Alfred, its not Timmy's fault. Don't get mad at him. We were just playing and we didn't mean to get dirty or rip nothing."
"Indeed." Alfred tried to keep the stern look, but couldn't as the little boy in his arms leaned over and gave him a big hug then promptly stuck a dirt flavored thumb in his mouth.
"I think I shall take this little rapscallion into the front with me if no one has any objections."
Hearing nothing otherwise, Alfred shut the door and began walking around to the front of the huge car with Tim in his arms. Dick could hear Alfred talking tot eh little boy, but could not make out the words. He turned back and looked at the new arrival to find Jason glaring back at him.
"What's he doing here?" Jason demanded. Dick felt a little self- conscious at the boy's hostility.
Bruce sighed and scolded Jason. "We've talked and talked about this, Jason. Dick is here to stay and you might as well get used to it. It would be a lot easier on both of you if you could actually try to be nice to him." Realizing he wasn't getting through to the boy, Bruce decided to change tactics. Jason was always easier to talk to when there wasn't an audience. "We'll talk more about this after dinner. Why don't you tell us how your day was?"
At the question Jason broke his glare at Dick and turned excitedly to tell his foster father about his day.
Later that night after dinner, Dick walked upstairs to his room. Bruce and Jason had gone off to the man's study to have the earlier promised talk. All through dinner Jason had continued to shoot glares at Dick across the table making him very uncomfortable. Tim had disappeared after dinner and Dick decided to help Alfred with the dishes despite the older man's insistence it wasn't necessary. Dick liked Alfred and like spending time with him. His talk with Alfred made him forget the issues he had with Jason.
Having finished the dishes, Alfred set of in search of Tim to give him his nightly bath. Dick felt a little tired, but decided to put away the things he had brought with him. His clothes and possessions still sat in the suitcases he had arrived at Wayne Manor with. Dick figured by finding a place for his things, he'd feel a little more settled. He walked into his room and stopped dead in his tracks. Sitting on the floor in a mess of Dick's belongings, belongings he was sure had been packed away a few hours ago, was Tim. Dick's clothes and books were spread all over the floor, Tim sitting on some of them. Even the photo of his parents was lying haphazardly by the bed. Dick was furious as he looked around at the state of his belongings, the only things he had left from his life with his parents. He turned to face the smiling little boy sitting in the middle of the mess and stopped feeling his anger and embarrassment build as he noticed the small stuffed elephant Tim was holding in his arms.
"Eleanor."
TBC
Sigh. I promise there's action in this story somewhere. Maybe even a plotline somewhere. I just had to introduce a few things here and there before I got to the meat of the story. Its out there just be patient.
Sorry it took so long. I could offer you any number of excuses, the
dog ate my computer (the modern day version of a classic), Real Life
was giving me Hell (does it ever NOT give anyone Hell??!) etc., but I
decided you all really didn't care one way or the other just as long
as I got the story out. I apologize if any of this doesn't make
sense, I'll revise later if need be. I just wanted to get this out
before I felt the need to rewrite. Thanks for all the feedback
everyone. If you like this new chapter, thank Patty. Without her
reminders I might never have gotten this out. :) If you don't like
it, point the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune this way. One
more big thank you goes out to Syl for letting me use one of her
original characters. If you don't know who by the end of this
chapter, I'll point it out the beginning of the next so I don't spoil
anything. I asked for permission to use the character way back in
October. Hope I didn't need to get a renewal for the new year! :)
On with the story before I chicken out.
See Part 0 for disclaimers and other such boring minutiae.
****************************************************************
Dick sat in the back of the car and gazed out the window as they drove along. He half-listened to Bruce and Alfred discussing household matters as they drove to pick Jason up from school. The last member of the party, Tim, sat on Bruce's lap looking out the window on his side. As usual a thumb was firmly implanted in his mouth as he watched. As they drove into the heart of Gotham, Dick noticed more and more kids on the sidewalk walking. He assumed school must have already let out and everyone was on their way home. As they pulled up to a long three story brick building, Dick caught sight of Jason waiting on the sidewalk outside what Dick guessed was the school. Jason was looking in the other direction and as Dick watched he turned nervously and looked back at the school. Finally he turned and looked the direction their car was coming from and before he recognized the car Dick would have sworn Jason looked a little frightened. The car pulled to the curb across the street from Jason and Bruce got out to go across the street and get him. Dick watched from the window and as they came near, he could make out some of their conversation through the door Bruce had left slightly ajar.
"Not that I was scared Dad, but you and Alfred are almost never late. I wasn't scared or anything, though." Jason's words came out in a rush tripping over themselves and he help onto Bruce's hand tightly.
"I'm sorry son. We left on time, but there was an accident on the bridge and we had to take an alternate route to get here. It made us a little late. " Bruce apologized looking down seriously at his boy.
"Its okay Daddy. I understand. It wasn't like I was scared or anything. Just wondering where you were." Jason seemed to be calming down a little.
"I know you weren't scared, Jason. We talked about this. If Alfred or I say where going to be somewhere to meet you, we'll always show up. Just sometimes we might be a little late. You never have to worry about that," Bruce said in a reassuring voice.
Jason ducked his head a little and whispered something Dick couldn't make out. By that time they had reached the curb the car was parked next to and Alfred got out to open the door for them both. Dick only half heard the happy greeting Jason gave Alfred. Most of his attention was focused on Tim who had gotten off the back seat where Bruce had placed him and was crouching by the door, a big grin on his face.
As he entered turned to enter the car, Jason probably barely had time to hear Dick's startled, "Tim??" as the little boy launched himself at his brother. Jason and Tim fell to the grass outside the car, Jason with a surprised yelp and Tim with his usual huge grin. Jason quickly recovered, however, and began rolling around on the grass with Tim. "Thought you'd get the jump on me, huh pipsqueak?! I'll show you!"
Alfred held the door as Bruce unconcernedly stepped over the wrestling boys on the grass and entered the car, sitting next to Dick.
"So Dick," Bruce started making conversation ignoring the wrestling boys, "This will be your new school. What do you think about attending school here?"
Dick tore his eyes away from the other two boys. "Well Mr. Wayne, uh I mean Bruce, it's hard to tell from the outside. There seems to be an awful lot of kids that go here, though."
"It is a fairly large school, but that's only because they take children in grades K-12, so really you've got both a high school and an elementary school here. It's a good school, though and they make sure no one gets lost in the cracks. Besides," Bruce lowered his voice glancing briefly at the two tussling boys to make sure they were still fully engaged in their play, "It has the facilities to help with special needs children as well. Tim will start here next year and I made sure the staff was fully qualified to handle his needs. Anyway, we'll come back towards the end of the week, so you can have the official tour and talk with the headmaster about your placement."
At the word placement, Dick got a little worried. He thought it was time to come clean with Mr. Wayne.
"Ummm…Mr. Wayne, about that. You see I thought the social workers would have told you. I've never really gone to school before." Dick ducked his head and felt he had to quickly explain his last comment. "Its not like I don't know math, and English and history and stuff, but mom and dad and I were always traveling with the circus and I never got the chance to go to school. They taught me themselves." Dick finished lamely. He grew sad thinking about the time after practice each day that his mom and dad had set aside for his studies. They all sat down together and read and talked together about what they had learned. Dick felt a sharp pain where he thought his heart ought to be thinking about his parents. His eyes itched and he fought hard to keep the tears back.
When Bruce spoke again jolting Dick out of his memories and pain, he noticed the gentle tone the man used. "Its okay, Dick. I understand. It's okay to miss them."
He felt a hand on his shoulder. It was large and gripped his shoulder with a little pressure. Dick was amazed and a little annoyed by the feeling of safety it gave him. He hadn't felt safe since before his parents had died. Quickly he regained control of himself as best as he could.
"I'm sorry no one told you sooner about my not going to school. I'll start where ever they want to put me though."
Even though Dick had changed the subject, the hand remained on his shoulder as Bruce Wayne scrutinized him for a moment. Seeming to reach a decision about something, Bruce patted the shoulder he had been holding and went with the change in subject.
"That's okay Dick. The social workers were able to find detailed information about your education in the records your parents kept. It seems they documented just about everything when it came to you, your health, or your education. Based on those records, you're going to be placed with your age group in 9th grade next week. I assured the headmaster that Alfred and I could help you wit any catch-up you needed. Congratulations, Dick. This time next week you'll be a freshman."
Bruce had a big smile on his face and a twinkle of amusement in his eye at the last piece of information. Dick absorbed the news and gave a little smile himself. His attention suddenly turned to the lump of ten- year-old child that had been plopped next to him by a slightly put out Alfred.
"Really Master Jason! I wish you wouldn't constantly insist on rough housing in your good school clothes! You might start tapping even Master Bruce's considerable resources with all the new uniforms you require. Jason crossed his arms and pouted on the seat.
"Well he started it!"
"Yes I am quite aware who started this little pugilistic bout." Alfred looked pointedly at the grinning boy yet dirt covered and grass stained boy he held in his arms.
"Huh? What's that mean?!"
Bruce pulled the boy close to him giving him a half hug, laughing a little at he comical expression on Jason's face.
"Pugilism is another word for boxing Jason. Alfred was referring to the way you and Tim turn everything into the Friday Night Fight."
"Oh! I get it! Why didn't he just say that? Anyway Alfred, its not Timmy's fault. Don't get mad at him. We were just playing and we didn't mean to get dirty or rip nothing."
"Indeed." Alfred tried to keep the stern look, but couldn't as the little boy in his arms leaned over and gave him a big hug then promptly stuck a dirt flavored thumb in his mouth.
"I think I shall take this little rapscallion into the front with me if no one has any objections."
Hearing nothing otherwise, Alfred shut the door and began walking around to the front of the huge car with Tim in his arms. Dick could hear Alfred talking tot eh little boy, but could not make out the words. He turned back and looked at the new arrival to find Jason glaring back at him.
"What's he doing here?" Jason demanded. Dick felt a little self- conscious at the boy's hostility.
Bruce sighed and scolded Jason. "We've talked and talked about this, Jason. Dick is here to stay and you might as well get used to it. It would be a lot easier on both of you if you could actually try to be nice to him." Realizing he wasn't getting through to the boy, Bruce decided to change tactics. Jason was always easier to talk to when there wasn't an audience. "We'll talk more about this after dinner. Why don't you tell us how your day was?"
At the question Jason broke his glare at Dick and turned excitedly to tell his foster father about his day.
Later that night after dinner, Dick walked upstairs to his room. Bruce and Jason had gone off to the man's study to have the earlier promised talk. All through dinner Jason had continued to shoot glares at Dick across the table making him very uncomfortable. Tim had disappeared after dinner and Dick decided to help Alfred with the dishes despite the older man's insistence it wasn't necessary. Dick liked Alfred and like spending time with him. His talk with Alfred made him forget the issues he had with Jason.
Having finished the dishes, Alfred set of in search of Tim to give him his nightly bath. Dick felt a little tired, but decided to put away the things he had brought with him. His clothes and possessions still sat in the suitcases he had arrived at Wayne Manor with. Dick figured by finding a place for his things, he'd feel a little more settled. He walked into his room and stopped dead in his tracks. Sitting on the floor in a mess of Dick's belongings, belongings he was sure had been packed away a few hours ago, was Tim. Dick's clothes and books were spread all over the floor, Tim sitting on some of them. Even the photo of his parents was lying haphazardly by the bed. Dick was furious as he looked around at the state of his belongings, the only things he had left from his life with his parents. He turned to face the smiling little boy sitting in the middle of the mess and stopped feeling his anger and embarrassment build as he noticed the small stuffed elephant Tim was holding in his arms.
"Eleanor."
TBC
Sigh. I promise there's action in this story somewhere. Maybe even a plotline somewhere. I just had to introduce a few things here and there before I got to the meat of the story. Its out there just be patient.