Thanks go out to Patty for the wonderful beta job. I hope you all enjoy this. Sorry so long between parts. I knew where I was going with this and had most of this written for a while but one scene was causing problems for me. I finally worked it out in my head last week and here's the finished results. Char :-)

Fathers and Sons: Part 2:

Dick's jaw flexed, his fingers tapped on the leather arms of the large chair he sat in. His eyes would move from Bruce who sat in a similar chair beside him back across the large cherry desk to Rae Green, Bruce's chief legal counsel. His mind was trying to take in what she had told them. "Are you saying there's nothing we can do?"

"Not exactly Dick. I just said it's going to be difficult. Mrs. Martin followed the legal procedure. We can still allege fraud in that she should have known how to contact you and didn't use it, but that's going to be discretionary because a fraud claim is supposed to be made within one year of the judgment."

Bruce moved his hand over to Dick's covering it and trying to calm his son. "What about grandparents rights? I've read about cases where grandparents have gotten visitation rights."

"There are cases where that happens," Rae started. "However, not where a termination of parental rights has occurred. Grandparents derive their rights from the parents. The termination of Dick's rights terminated all rights on his side. There's the additional problem of Mr. Martin. He was married to Lori when the child was born. That makes him the legal father and gives him rights regardless of the biology of the situation. Lori's termination was just icing on the cake to prevent Dick from ever being able to question paternity."

Bruce shook his head. "Unacceptable. I won't believe that there's nothing we can do. If this is the law, can we change it?"

"The law can always change Bruce. Whether it would help you retroactively, I don't know. But you know as well as I do that will take time. Probably years."

"Years that I'll be missing out of my son's life," Dick said as he rose from his chair and moved to the window. He stared out at the city. He watched as the steel and glass skyscrapers reflected the suns rays in a beautiful display of light. Dick shook his head. "She's holding all the cards. How'd I ever get myself into this?"

He felt the squeeze of a hand on his shoulder. "This isn't over Dick. We won't give up this easily," Bruce said. He turned back to Rae. "File whatever papers you have to, let them know we're going to try." Turning back to Dick, Bruce continued, "I can pay lawyers longer than she can. You will get to see your son."

Dick sat in his car outside the white frame house on the cul de sac. He wasn't sure how long he had sat there. He had waited, hoping for some glimpse of his child, but to no avail. Taking a deep breath, he got out of his car and headed across the small lawn and up the three steps onto the porch. Exhaling, he rang the doorbell, and waited.

Lori opened the door and rolled her eyes. "What do you want?"

"How's Johnny?" Dick asked as he nervously placed his hands in the pocket of his Gotham Knights jacket.

"He's a sick little boy," she answered sadly. "The chemo treatments this past month have taken a toll on him. He's very weak."

Dick looked down at his shoes and the wooden porch. "Can I see him?"

"Why?"

"Why?" Dick asked as he looked up, a cold flame in his eyes. "That's my son. I want to see him. That's why."

Lori looked up shaking her head. "You just do not get this. You are NOT his father. You were a sperm donor nothing more. That doesn't make you his father. Dan, MY husband, is that child's father."

"Lori I," Dick started to respond but stopped as he saw the small child crack open the door.

"Daddy?"

Dick kneeled so that he was face to face with Johnny. He couldn't help but notice how pale the child was, how he had lost his thick black hair. "Hi Johnny."

Johnny moved out onto the porch and wrapped one arm around Lori's leg. "Hi," he said shyly. Then looking up at Lori he continued, "I thought I heard Daddy."

Lori smiled at her son and picked him up. "No sweetie, Mommie just mentioned daddy's name to Mr. Grayson."

"Oh," the small child said as he snuggled into her neck.

Dick longingly looked at Johnny in Lori's arms. His heart ached from realizing that when Johnny said daddy he wasn't speaking to him. Tentatively, Dick reached out and rubbed the child's arm. "Are you feeling bad buddy?"

"Mhmm," Johnny mumbled as he shook his head. "Been sick."

"I know you have," Dick replied. "But you're going to get well."

"Haf ta haf an op'ration," Johnny said.

"I heard," Dick said moving in closer. He wanted to take Johnny in his arms. To hold him tight and tell him everything would be all right. And he wanted to believe that himself.

Lori looked at Dick and sighed. "I need to put him down so he can sleep. Why don't you come in and we'll finish this up after he's asleep." She turned and walked into the house and headed up the stairs.

Dick followed her in, closing the door behind them. He moved into the living room and paced around the room. He stopped near the fireplace and picked up a framed photograph of Lori and Johnny, he looked like he was six months old. Dick sat in the green plaid chair near the fireplace with the frame in hand and sighed. So many what ifs, so many could have beens ...

"He's already asleep," Lori said as she walked into the room. "He's so weak."

Dick watched as she moved into the room to sit on the sofa. She looked tired, worn out. The worrying was getting to her, he could see it in her eyes. "He's going to be alright. This operation ... it will work. I'm going later today to donate the last of the marrow they need."

"I can't believe that next week ... he's so small."

"He will be alright Lori. I just ... I feel it."

"Why are you here Dick?" Lori asked looking up at him.

Dick moved up in the chair sitting the picture frame on the coffee table. He rested his elbows on his knees. "Lori, when this is all over ... when Johnny's well ... I want to see him. I want to be part of his life. I -- "

"I I I. Dick you have a one track mind. What you want, what you need. This is not about you."

Closing his eyes, he ran his hand through his thick black hair. "Lori that's not what ... look I'm not talking about just giving me what I want. I'm willing to work with you. I know the relationship Johnny has with Dan. I'm willing to do this so I don't interfere with that. We don't have to tell him I'm his father. Not now, he's too young he wouldn't understand. We just ... I could be his friend. I could see him maybe once a month and then when he's older, when he can understand ... well then we could explain. And I'll pay you child support. I understand my obligations. I'll pay you ten thousand a month -- "

"No," Lori said shaking her head.

"IF ten thousand's not enough I can pay you more, twenty, thirty, just tell me what it will take for you to let me see my son."


"It's a simple word. Two letters. N. O. Or do you choose to ignore it just like everything else in your life that doesn't involve her." Lori cocked her head. "Or are you still with her? Or was she a fling like me?"


Dick looked confused. "With ... who? What are you talking about?


"Barbara ... red head ... the picture in your wallet. The one you ran off too leaving me alone every time she called. I noticed you never put my picture there, but her's you kept."

"MY wallet? How do you know what pictures are in my wallet?"

"WERE in your wallet. I don't know what pictures are in there now, I can only guess. But the simple answer is when you fell asleep I looked! It wasn't a very good boost to my ego. You were sleeping with me but had another woman's picture there."

Dick looked down, "You didn't have any right to do that. That was an invasion of my privacy and -- "

"You were sleeping with me. I had a right to know something about you. You NEVER volunteered anything!"

Dick looked up at her, saw the rage in her eyes, "I'm sorry."

"You should be," she retorted raising from the sofa, and crossing her arms over her chest.

"So you're punishing me by keeping my child from me?" Dick asked standing as well.

"No. He's not your's. You're not raising him. He's mine."

"I AM HIS FATHER!" Dick yelled, surprised at the fact that he had raised his voice so quickly. He knew it was his gypsy temper. Bruce was always lecturing him about it.

"Only genetically. In every real way, you aren't and couldn't be. I got over you and need nothing from you. I don't want to deal with you. Let me talk to your father. I contacted him because I needed you to save his life. That is the ONLY reason you even know he exists. I do not want you in Johnny's life."

"Listen Lori, that may have been what you wanted, but the genie's out of the bottle now. I DO know about Johnny and I will be in his life."

"IF I decide that you can have some very limited contact with MY child, and that is an IF Dick, let me tell you it will be under my guidance at my choosing, when I think it is best. On a limited schedule that I arrange with your father because I am not dealing with you."

Dick looked at her dumbfounded. "Are you saying you think I need supervised visits with my son? Do you think I would hurt him or something. Lori you know me better than that --"

"No *DICK* that's the point. I don't know your flakey ass at all. I know he's mine and not yours. I never wanted you to be around him ... so it'll cost a lot for me to change my mind. Honestly, I don't know that your father has enough money to make me to change my mind and think it's in my child's best interest to see you."

"Lori," Dick growled. "I'm not flakey. I'm responsible and --" His cell phone started ringing. Dick pulled the cell phone from his jacket. "Hello? ... Hey Babs ... no this isn't a good time, let me call you back." Hanging up, Dick looked back at Lori.

Lori was grinding her jaw. "Get out!"

"What?" Dick asked confused as he put the cell phone back in his jacket pocket. "Lori, we haven't finished talking about Johnny."

"Yes we have. That's over. Johnny is my son, not your's. Get. Out. You just proved what I was saying. Your priorites are not on my son. You can't even turn off your frigging cell phone for this. Obviously waiting for her call. That's how much you wanted to work this out!"

"Lori, whatever problem you have with me about Babs ... you need to get over it. I'm with Babs you're with Dan. That's NOT the issue!"

"I don't want you, you self important idiot. I wanted your complete attention to what was going on here ... I don't trust you to pay attention to my son. You're proving over and over again why you can't be in his life."

Dick closed his eyes to keep from rolling them. "My lawyers are drawing up a petition to set aside the termination. I'd like for us to work this out on our --"

"So?" Lori interjected. "Both of us know that won't work."

"Can't we work something out. Wouldn't it be better for Johnny than a big court battle?"

"There won't be a battle. The law is on my side ... and in the mean time, any contact you have is in my discretion. If you push me, I'll take my son and leave. We're under no obligation to stay in Gotham."

Dick sighed. That was not what he wanted. Johnny didn't need to be uprooted from the only home he knew. "Lori look ... don't ... don't do something drastic. I'm going to go, for now, but I would like to talk to you about this again."

"No. I'm not talking to you again. Bruce Wayne is who I'll talk to. But let me tell you something you asshole ... you aren't going to be flighty when you see him IF you see him and you aren't going to be around her."

"WHAT?" Dick asked dumfounded. "There's no reason why Babs and I shouldn't be able to see my son."

"If you are around her, you don't pay attention to anything else. I can't have that around Johnny. He's number one. He has to be. I can't have you forget he's in the room and ignore him because of her. I won't --"

"That is not true Lori! You're not being fair at all. You don't even know Barbara."

"Bullshit! It's more than fair. You weren't even with that bitch and all she had to do was call ... and you forgot I was in the room."

"DON'T CALL HER THAT!" Dick yelled crossing the room, his anger flaring.

Lori through her hands up. "Defending her over your son. Figures. I'll speak to Bruce. Now get the hell out."

"I'm not defending her over Johnny. I'm defending her from you. You're being irrational. Who I'm in love with has nothing to do with my son or what kind of father I'll be."

"Wrong. It has everything to do with it. I. Can't. Trust. YOU! Never could! Never will!" Lori screamed whirling around to face the fireplace.

Dick's eyes harden. "Maybe it wasn't Babs that took me away from you Lori. Maybe it was your total case of bitch! I'll be back." Dick turned to leave and walked right into Dan who had entered the room unnoticed by either of them during their argument. Dick's mouth dropped.

Lori turned. "Dan ... honey ... you're home ... early."

Dick uncomfortably cleared his throat. "I ... Uh ... I was just ... leaving. I ... I'll," he tried to move around Dan to make his way to the door. He could feel the heat in his face as he flushed with embarrassment.

"What's going on here?" Dan asked as he turned from Dick, to Lori, and back again.

"I ... Lori and I were talking and ... well ... old argument popped up and I ... I better go. I'm sorry, I ... I didn't come here to start a fight. I'm sorry," Dick sasid looking down and trying again to make his way to the door.

"No. Stay for a moment," Dan replied. Dan turned to his wife. "Lori is there a problem here?" Both Dan and Dick watched as Lori who shook her head. Dan nodded. "Mr. Grayson, may I walk you out to your car. I'd like a word with you."

"Dan ..." Lori began.

Dan shook his head. "It's okay Lori, really. I'll be back in a moment sweetie."

Dick ran his hand through his hair, sighed and nodded moving outside. He quickly made his way down the stairs and turned back to Dan when his feet hit the walk. Dick remembered his own reaction when Lori had attacked Barbara ... "I'm sorry about what you heard --"

"I would ask that you don't use that language toward my wife ... ever."

Dick nodded and looked down. He felt as if he was being chastised by Alfred. "I'm sorry it ... I was angry and it happened and it shouldn't have and won't happen again."

"Thank you," Dan replied. He looked down before speaking. "Have you ever loved something so much that it hurts?"

"Yeah ... "

"I love Johnny with all my heart and soul. I would do or say anything for him. Die, steal, and lie for him. I wake up in the morning and thank God for him, for my little boy. He is so precious to me. Nothing in this world is as important to me as Johnny is."

Dick looked at Dan. He saw the sincerity mixed with pain on the sandy haired young man's face. "I know. I can tell you love him."

"He's my son.....I know it when I hold him in my arms. When I pray with him and for him at night. I'm his father. It doesn't matter that he's not my blood, he is my son." Dick stared at Dan, realizing exactly what Dan had heard. "I knew before this of course."

"Knew?" Dick asked, uncertain about where this was headed. His stomach felt like he was doing flips, like the first time that he somersaulted from his mother to his father's strong waiting hands.

"I can't have children. Never will be able to. When Lori told me she was pregnant with my child, I hoped for a miracle. But I knew, he wasn't mine and ... I didn't give a shit. That's the other part." Dan shrugged and grinned a lopside grin. "It didn't matter to me."

Dick's mouth had dropped open as he just stood there. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he looked at Dan and sighed. "I ... I'm not trying to take him away from you. I wouldn't do that. If you're worried that's what I'm doing, don't ... I just want to see him, spend some time with him. Be his -- "

Dan started shaking his head. "Be his what? His friend? His new uncle? His what? I know what you want and I don't blame you. I can't hate you or be angry at you. But if you come into his life ... he won't think he's my son anymore. He'll know about his mom. Everything he knows and love will be a lie to him ... all that he holds close to his heart, will be ripped away. I'm asking you ... no I'm begging you ... don't do that to him. Don't do that to Johnny. Please."

Dick looked at Dan, watched the man's face, and understood his feelings. "I ... I ... I'm really sorry Dan I ... I have to go," he replied with a sigh.

"Dick ... Did you ever love someone so much that it hurt and you knew ... knew that they weren't a good person all the time, that they were ... not the nicest but you didn't care because she is the person you adore. You worship the ground she walks on."

Dick turned back around to Dan. "I know the type of love you're talking about."

Dan nodded and looked up at his house waving at Johnny who was looking at the window. "I would do anything for her and to protect her. Just like John. They are my whole reason to exist." Dick smiled at the child in the window who waved back at Dan before moving into the room. "Just remember ... it's not just about you and your wants. There's a family here that you could destroy. I know Johnny deserves to know you ... but I'm begging you to realize the he has a family here that can't match your wealth and your resources ... but ... we're still his family. You'll destroy Lori and me in his eyes if you do this."

"Do what?"

"Force the issue. I wouldn't blame you for doing so, but I'm begging you not too."

Dick closed his eyes and sighed then turned and opened his car door. Propping on the door he looked Dan square in the face. "I don't want to do that Dan. I'm not a bad guy, no matter what Lori might want you to think. I don't know what I'm going to do yet. I haven't even processed all this information. I NEVER knew about Johnny until now. None of this was my choice."

"I don't think you're a bad person Dick. That's why I'm appealing to you. Lori," Dan grinned ruefully. "I know what she is, and love her anyway."

Dick nodded. "The doctor called and they're drawing the marrow for the transplant tomorrow. I don't know ... I can't tell you what I'm going to do Dan ... but I promise I won't do anything until after Johnny's operation. You have enough to worry about without having to worry about me."

Dan smiled a sad smile and looked down. "Dick ... thank you for doing this. For everything. Bless you for this."

"I ... I guess I'll see you next week at the hospital. You ... you don't mind if I'm there for the operation?"

"Of course I don't," Dan replied. He waved as Dick shut the door and drove off. Then, sighing, he turned and walked into white frame house.

Bruce walked down the stone steps leading down into the cave. The sounds of his footsteps echoed throughout the cavernous space. He stopped near the bottom step and looked out toward the practice area. His gaze was captured by Dick Grayson in the practice area. Dick was dressed only in shorts. He watched as his son executed one flawless move after another, going from trapeze to trapeze to bar somersaulting through the air until he caught a loose hanging line which snaked down from the ceiling. Dick grabbed the line and used his momentum to swing out. He jumped and flipped until he landed feet first on the practice mat.

"Feel better?" Bruce asked.

"Not really,' Dick replied as he grabbed a towel and walked over to the counter. He grabbed a bottle of water and rubbed the cold bottle across his forehead before opening it, and gulping down the cool liquid inside. "Not sure what's going to make me feel better."

Bruce nodded as he moved closer and sat on a stool by the counter. "I spoke with Leslie. She said you were going to the hospital tomorrow for the last of the marrow donation."

"Yeah," Dick said as he took the towel and wiped sweat from his neck and chest. He lifted the water bottle to his mouth and finished it.

"I'll go with you."

Dick sat the now empty water bottle on the counter and sighed. "You don't have to do that."

"I'm aware of that. I want to do it. Maybe, we can go to lunch afterwards."

"Don't you have to ... you know ... work?"

Bruce's eyes twinkled. "I know the boss, he'll give me the day off."

Dick laughed. "Really? Mr. Fox is getting slack."

Bruce grabbed Dick's towel and thwaped Dick on the head with it. "Brat. I can still ground you."

"Nuh-uh"

"Oh yes I can."

"Nuh-uh," Dick laughed.

"Don't press your luck or I'll prove it," Bruce winked.

"I won't because you will." Dick propped his elbows on the counter and sighed. "I don't know what to do. Everything in me says that's my child and to fight for him."

"I sense a but coming," Bruce added as he intently watched his son. He could read the confusion and pain in his boy and wanted nothing more than to take that from him.

"BUT Dan is a really good guy. He loves Johnny. I don't know if I can add anything to Johnny's life or if ... if my insertion of myself into his life will destroy his world. I don't know what to do," Dick looked plaintively at Bruce. "Can you tell me?"

Bruce watched his son and his pleading eyes and sighed. "No. If I could, I would, but this is a decision you'll have to make. I'll back you and whatever decision you do make one hundred percent son. Whatever you choose to do, I'll help you with everything I have."

Dick looked at the black laminate counter top and rolled the empty bottle around with his fingers. "Thanks. I needed to hear that."

"Why don't you sit down?" Bruce said as Dick paced around the small hospital waiting room.

"Too much energy," Dick replied.

"That's always been the case with you. Sit down anyway."

Dick turned toward his adoptive father shaking his head. "You know too much about me."

"Comes with the territory chum. Now sit down. You've been pacing since we got here and I would prefer not to have to buy the hospital new carpeting."


Dick sat beside Bruce on the pale blue leather sofa. He leaned his head back and placed his balled fists on top of his eyes. "I just don't ... a month ago I didn't ... how can I be afraid of losing something that I've never had?"

"You didn't have to know about Johnny to make him your son. The connection is instantaneous, as soon as you saw him there was no stopping the feelings you have. I know ... happened to me the first time I saw you that night at the circus."

A smile formed on Dick's face. "I'm glad it did."

Bruce patted Dick's leg. "He'll be fine. Leslie's inside supervising the operation and I brought in the best specialists in the world."

"Did I tell you he has a pony? They keep him stabled at the Perez Park and Stables on the west side of Gotham," Dick said. He wasn't sure why. He had a need to talk about his son, except Lori had kept so much hidden. He didn't know all the things his child liked, his favorite TV shows or meals, all the things a father should know about his son.

Bruce nodded. "I know the place. Some friends have had their polo pony's there. Maybe," Bruce started tentatively, "when Johnny's better we can take him to a polo game. I think he'd like it."

"Yeah, he could watch his goofy grandpa fall off his horse during a game," Dick chuckled.

"Brat!" Bruce gave him a mock glare. "Actually, that's Clark's M.O., not mine, to act like a klutz."

"Yeah that's right, you act like an airhead."

"You DO want me to ground you , don't you?"

"Coffee anyone?"

Dick and Bruce looked up and watched as Barbara Gordon and Tim Drake entered the room, cups of steaming hospital vending machine coffee in their hands. Dick stood up and stretched his arms out to his sides and up above his head. "Yeah. Keep me awake. All this sitting is getting to me."

Bruce took the cup Tim offered him and mumbled, "What sitting? You're bouncing off the walls."

Dick took the Styrofoam cup from Barbara and kissed her on the check. "Thanks babe."

"Anytime hunk wonder," she replied. "Any word yet?"

Bruce shook his head, "No. Not yet."

Tim moved to stand beside the man he considered his brother. "Well, that's probably good ya'know. Probably means nothing's wrong."

"Probably," Dick said softly as he stared out the window at the parking deck below.

"Dick," Dan's voice called from the door. Dick turned to see the sandy haired young man standing in the doorway. "Dr. Marsden said Johnny's out of surgery. They're taking him to recovery right now."

Dick felt a lump in his throat. It was hard to breathe or speak. He found his voice and hoarsely asked, "Is he okay?"

"So far so good," Dan said with a friendly smile. "Lori and I are going to recovery now, we'll let you know how he is."

Dick paced back and forth in front of the green recovery room door. He would occasionally stop and peer in the small rectangular window in the door. "I can't see anything," he sighed as he shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Someone will let you know something soon," Barbara said as she held her hand out beckoning him to come to her.

Dick walked over and took her hand. "I hope so. I should be in there Babs."

"I know, but that would only confuse Johnny. You've seen him what ... a handful of times? He wouldn't understand why you were in the recovery room. And I don't think you're ready to explain it to him."

"I don't know what I'm ready for," Dick replied as he kneeled in front of her. "Thanks ... for being here."

She took her slender hand and caressed his face, cupping his cheek in her hand. "I wouldn't be any other place my love."

"OhMyGod! Why don't the two of you just go somewhere and get a room! Why'd you even come here if you were going to bring her!" Lori all but shouted. Her face was contorted in anger.

Turning to face her, Dick stood. "Lori ... do not start!" Taking a deep breath, he looked at her. "How's our son?"

"MY son Dick. Johnny is MY son, he's not yours."

"Could you be any more selfish," Barbara started.

"Excuse me? Are YOU talking to me?" Lori said as she glared at Barbara.

"Well I'm not talking to Dick," Barbara countered. "That little boy is a part of both of you. You're here in this hospital thanks to Dick and Bruce. I would think you'd be a little more grateful and gracious and at least speak civilly to the father of your child. Whether you like it or not, Dick is that little boy's father."

"Dick Grayson is nothing more than a sperm donor who couldn't be bothered to stick around. All he had time for was running after you like a dog in heat."

"Donor ... well that implies that he knew he was giving it to you for a purpose. Of course, you had a purpose didn't you?" Barbara wheeled over directly in front of Lori. "He wasn't running after me. He might have been running away from you, lord knows I would have been if I was him."

"Doesn't look like you could run anywhere," Lori snapped back.

"Now wait a damn minute," Dick growled.

"Shut up," Lori spit, her eyes never leaving Barbara.


"Don't you tell him to shut up," Barbara countered.


"Lori, don't --" Dick began as he tried to move between the two women.

"Shut up," Barbara ordered as she pushed him back from in front of her.

"-- but," Dick started, his mouth hanging open as he watched the two women continue to banter.

"Just imagine it Lori. He wants me, even in this chair, and not you. Imagine that. What does that make you?"

"Ladies!" Leslie's firm tone sounded as she emerged from the recovery room. "What is going on out here? This is neither the time nor the place for this," she chided.

Barbara looked down feeling her face redden slightly from Leslie's scolding. She reached up and took Dick's hand in hers.

"How's Johnny?" Dick asked.

"They're moving him to his room now in the pediatric ICU. You'll be able to see him later." Leslie turned hard grey eyes toward Lori. "Mrs. Martin, you might want to go with the nurses."

Lori nodded and returned to the recovery room. She kept her eyes averted from both Dick and Barbara.

Leslie folded her arms across her chest and tapped her foot on the crisp white linoleum floor. "I understand that everyone's nerves are on edge and that this isn't the ideal situation, but this is a hospital, and I expect you all to remember that if you expect me to let you stay here. Are we understood?"

"Yes ma'am," Dick and Barbara both replied like little children caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

Leslie smiled at them and patted Dick on the arm. "I'll let you see him soon. I promise." She turned and walked back into the recovery room. The green door swinging shut behind her.

Barbara continued to look down. "I'm sorry Dick."

He took her hands in his. "It's okay. She makes me crazy too. Come on, let's find Bruce."

He watched Johnny's room from across the hall at the nurses station. He waited until he saw Dan and Lori leave the room following Leslie and the head surgeon. When they rounded the far corner, Dick made his way into his son's hospital room. What he saw caused his chest to tighten like a vice was squeezing his heart.

Johnny was laying on the bed, tubes running into both of his small chubby hands. Dick pulled up a chair and sat beside the bed. He took the small hand in his and gently rubbed it, careful not to disturb the IV catheters.

"This shouldn't have to be happening to you," Dick whispered. "You're so little, so innocent. I know you're sleeping and can't hear me, but ... I brought you this." Dick pulled a medallion from his jacket pocket and held it over his son. The small medal hung on a red satin ribbon. Gently, Dick tied this around his son's small neck. "My father gave this to me the day I was born as his father had him and so on back through the generations. It's the medal of Saint Marie de la Mer. She was the patron Saint of the Romany people ... our people Johnny. This," his fingers rubbed the small gold medallion, "this means you're my son. Always."

Johnny stirred slightly and cried. "Daddy ..."

"Shh, shh, you're all right Johnny. You're going to be fine now. I'm here."


"Want ... my ... daddy," the small child said, his eyes remaining shut. Tears fell from his eyes. Slowly, he opened his blue eyes to look at Dick. "I want ... my ... daddy. Daddy can ... make it ... bedder."

Dick took his tiny hand in his and rubbed the child's forehead with his other hand. "Johnny I ..."

"I want my daddy ... it hurts ...." Johnny cried.

Tears welled in Dick's eyes. It wasn't him ... Johnny didn't want him, didn't need him ... he needed Dan. He needed his daddy. "I ... I'll get your daddy ... He'll come right in. You'll be fine, sweet boy." Dick's hand gently brushed the child's tiny forehead. Leaning over the boy, he kissed him then turned towards the door as tears rolled from his eyes. Opening the door, he saw Dan and Lori talking to the surgeon. "Dan ... Dan come here."

Dan looks up. "What? Is there a problem ... what?"

"Johnny's awake ... he wants you."

Dan rushed over and went into the room. The surgeon continued to speak to Lori who glared at Dick. Dick sighed and turned following Dan back into the room. He watched as this other man cradled and comforted his son. He saw how Johnny responded to Dan's gentle touch. He was home in those arms, safe and secure in those arms.

Slowly, Dick walked to the bed and took one of Johnny's hands in his own. "Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa, ves' tacha sedre," his hoarse voice whispered. Dan looked up at him, confusion on his face. Dick wiped his eyes and nodded. "Take care of ... your ... son Dan."

Dan nodded. "I will. I promise. ... Thank you Dick."

Dick walked out into the hall and leaned against the wall outside the door. His left hand covered his eyes, his other hand wrapped around himself, his body wracked with silent sobs. The pain was unlike any he had ever endured ... and he knew it would never truly go away.

Lori glared at him and marched over. "What are you doing in there? You're not supposed to be alone with him. I didn't say you could go in his room."

"Not now Lori," Dick's anguished voice sounded. He never lifted his head from his hand.

"Damn it! You know better! I'm getting a restraining order!" Lori hissed.

Dick closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his hand. "You don't need a restraining order."

"I do so because you can't learn your place."

Opening his eyes and looking in the opposite direction of Lori, Dick saw Bruce at the other end of the hall. He was standing under the portrait of his father, Doctor Thomas Wayne, reading the inscription on the plaque. "No you don't," Dick said. He turned to her with red rimmed eyes.

She started to berate him some more but stopped when she saw his face. How like Johnny he looked. How hurt. "You ... you've been ... crying." Her hand tentatively reached for his arm.

Dick moved back slightly. "You don't have to worry about me anymore. I won't ... won't interfere. Johnny ... he has a father ... he has the father he wants. I won't be ... You take care of my son."

Her anger returned and flared. "What kind of game is this?"

"Its not a game," Dick replied solemnly. "I won't be coming back. He has all the family he needs. He doesn't need me. There's no place for me. You've got a great family Lori. Don't mess it up. Johnny deserves the best."

"I know what you're up to and I'll go to Bruce to stop it."

"Up to? I'm not up to anything Lori," Dick said as his eyes turned back to Bruce. "I just realized that it takes more than biology to make a father. Something I, more than anyone else, should've known. I won't interfere in your lives again. But if Johnny needs me, or needs anything, well, you know where to call. Goodbye Lori."

Dick turned and walked away. He had to leave now, while he had the strength to do it ... to do what he knew was best for Johnny. "Lets go home," he said as he reached Bruce.

Bruce turned toward him, "Are you okay?"

"No. But I will be. Call Rae and tell her to stop ... stop everything."

"Are you sure," Bruce asked, his hand resting on Dick's shoulder. "I know I could reach arrangement with Lori."

Dick looked at Bruce and shook his head. "No ... I'm not needed. Johnny has a father. I know more than anyone that it takes more than blood to make a father ... Dad." Dick tried to smile at Bruce. His head told him he was doing what was best for his child, no matter how much it hurt his heart."

Bruce pulled his son into an uncharacteristic hug and rubbed his back. "He has two fathers whether he knows it or not."

Looking up into Bruce's eyes, Dick smiled sadly. "Two ... just like me."

Bruce smiled back at him and looked above him to see Alfred standing at the end of the hall. "Like father, like son. Let's go home."

THE END

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Dick's statement to Johnny Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa ves' tacha sedre is Romany for Go with God and in good health, my beloved child..