Title: Short Walk
Rating: I'm going to go ahead and make this PG-13 now, so I don't have to go and change it later.
Disclaimer: All Batman-related characters belong to DC, the lucky dogs.
Where are al my lovely reviewers? Okay, so I have one reviewer...
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Chapter 2: The Next Years
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The next several years seemed to pass in a blur. Without the secret of Robin between them anymore, Tim and Jack were able to grow closer to one another. Tim also started focusing on his schoolwork more, pulling A's out of B's and C's. His teachers were surprised and pleased at his improvements, and weren't afraid to say so, to him or his father.
Tim also kept up his part-time job in construction, building his muscles from well-developed to almost massive. By the time he graduated high school, he had gone up two shirt sizes. He also continued, with Jack's permission, to train in whatever martial art he could find. A quick study, he masters loved him, often devoting special time to him over their other, less enthusiastic trainees.
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One day, a few days after his graduation, Tim sat down to talk with Jack.
"Hey, Dad, you know how I've got all that training in criminal justice and stuff from my old 'extracuricular activites?'"
"Yes," Jack replied, unsure of what this was leading to.
"Well," Tim said, "I'd like your permission to go into law enforcement."
Jack considered. His son was technically an adult now, who could make any decision he wanted. Yet he was still asking his father for permission to do this. He didn't know what to say. So he said, "Yes. You have my permission."
Tim enrolled in a good academy, and graduated near the top of his class. He got a job in the Gotham PD, an irony which was not lost on him or his father.
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It had to happen eventually.
Two years after he had joined the GPD, Commisioner Harvey told Tim to come with him to the roof. Tim followed, knowing what was about to happen.
Sure enough, Commisioner Harvey activated the Bat Signal. The two waited for what seemed like forever, though it was only about ten minutes before Tim heard the telltale thump that announced the Batman's arrival. He pretended to be surprised when the familiar voice spoke behind him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Jon. Who's the kid?"
Commisioner Harvey sighed, and said, "Will you quit doing that! Anyway, the 'kid' is one of my best men. He's been tagged by the FBI, but we need to clear his slate first. I thought maybe you could help."
Tim finally turned, and saw the slight intake of breath as Richard Grayson, the Batman, saw his face for the first time in three years.
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Dick had taken over the mantle of the Bat after a would-be assassin had shot the civilian Bruce Wayne twice in the chest. Wayne survived, but was confied to a wheelchair. Dick served as his legs, and after a year, was given full responsibility as the Batman, while Wayne finally retired from "the Life" and got around to marrying Selina Kyle, the former Catwoman.
Tim had missed the wedding, for obvious reasons.
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The Commisioner went back down, telling Batman and Tim that they could "work out the specifics" by themselves.
An awkward silence fell between the two men.
"So..." Tim finally said. "How is everyone, Dick?"
"Fine. They're fine." Dick looked at the ground, then back at Tim.
"Bruce and Selina missed you at the wedding last year."
"Sorry. I was... busy on a case," Tim said.
Dick knew that was only part of the reason, but didn't press further.
They talked for a few minutes about what Tim needed help with, then said their goodbyes. Dick swung off into the night.
Tim stood on the roof for a few more minutes, quelling the feelings that had come over him for meeting the man he had once considered a brother for the first time in three years. Then he slowly made his way back downstairs.
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"Drake, where ya been!"
"I was... upstairs, thinking. What's wrong?"
"We got the call a few minutes ago. Tim. It's your dad. He's in the hospital.
"He's had a heart attack."
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TO BE CONTINUED...
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From the Author: Oh, no! Will Jack survive this time? What about Batman? And what's this about the FBI? Stayed tuned for all your answers.
