Title: One And Only: XIV

Author: D C Luder

Summary: Set four years after the conclusion of Life Is Good. The Family moves on and… apart?

Rating: PG 13 for language

Infringements: All recognizable characters belong to DC Comics, not DC Luder.

Author's Note: It is highly advisable that you read Time Will Tell and Life Is Good or you may be a tad bit lost. I am writing this due to the numerous requests for a sequel. That and I am absolutely obsessed with the concept of the Bat and Cat living happily ever after.

A/N 2: Thanks everyone for reading, and an even bigger thanks to Chris for keeping me focused and entertained.

A/N 3: Who kisses and tells? Oh, Batgirl and Robin do ;) Brief references made to Robin: Year One

V

"I am freezing," Trey muttered without moving his lips. Which was a good idea because getting caught chatting while the Governor was giving a speech on national television was not too smooth of a move.

He sat to my right, barely able to contain his shivering. When we had first arrived, he told me he was actually wearing a full set of long johns underneath his dress clothes. He seemed a bit nervous and even voiced his fear that he was going to trip on his own feet when they called his name.

And shortly after that, I asked to see his new badge.

As a result of how he handled himself in the shootout, Brass had finally moved him up to D-I. Whether or not he stayed in Homicide or answered his calling for better things in life was unknown to both of us. I hadn't seen him since that day, although he had called and left a dozen messages on my machine and I was pretty sure had come to my place and knocked on my door at least three times. He had taken a week off of work, according to one of his messages, but was making sure my desk stayed clear of donut boxes until I got back.

I had taken my forced time off as self-assigned exile. Not that my place was clean to begin with, I watched it deteriorate as I left empty takeout cartons where they fell and dirty clothes in various piles. At one point, I had mused that Alfred would stroke out if he saw how far my housekeeping skills had faltered. It didn't take long though before my mind was too preoccupied to think of Alfred's pallor turning white at my dirty apartment. Where bouts of nightmares replaced happier images…

I spent most of my time sleeping. Watching soap operas in the afternoon, primetime sitcoms at night and then sleeping through the gap in between. I ate when I found the energy to order food and walk to the door to pay the deliveryman. I drank water out of a gallon jug and tried to remember to at least brush my teeth on a somewhat regular basis. All the while trying to figure out how in the hell I could have shot that man…

Thirty-nine officers that had taken action during the shootout on February 28th were seated on the stage that was set up in front of the County Courthouse steps. In addition, the city commissioner, mayor as well as the DA were there, and of course the Governor. He stood at the microphone-clad podium, talking about bravery and loyalty and other nonsense. All I knew was that I was freezing my ass off.

I reasoned that the audience must have been warmer, as they huddled closely, moved from one foot to another and wrapped their scarves tighter about their necks. The flashes from the cameras had grown to be annoying but I had not brought my sunglasses. Because there sure wasn't any sun. I had searched the faces of the crowd, hoping to find a familiar one and was starting to get discouraged. Barbara had promised to come but she didn't know about the others.

The officers and audience alike had bore witness as every officer received a letter of commendation from the commissioner and shook hands with the Governor. Far too many limped up or bore slings that were startling white against their dress uniforms. One officer was not in attendance, as he was still on bed rest following the removal of his spleen from complications of his injuries.

"Oh, here it comes…" said a nameless young officer to my left as he elbowed me slightly.

The Governor's bold voice bore down on the massive audience that had collected in front of us, "Ladies and gentleman, it is not only an honor, but a great personal pleasure to present the Medal of Valor to two heroic men, who in the face of mortal danger, stepped forward and took action in order to save the people of Bludhaven. Detective First Class, Trey Armand Richardson."

Trey stood as the audience applauded loudly. He walked smoothly to the podium, without tripping, as the Governor continued, "Detective Richardson was responsible for bringing down the surviving suspect, using superior marksmanship amidst the most dangerous gun fight this city has ever seen. On behalf of a grateful city," he paused as he placed the medal over Trey's bowed head, "I present to you the Medal of Valor."

As the audience clapped louder, I looked out and caught a glance of red. I smiled to see Barbara's face under a red hat as she moved up to the front of the group. Behind her, I saw Cassandra and Tim, waving slightly and smiling when I winked back. Alfred and Leslie stood to their left both looking like the proud grandparents they were. As Trey sat down, I heard "And now, Detective Second Class, Richard John Grayson."

Trey touched my shoulder, "You're next."

I stood, smoothed out my coat and walked up, doing my best to block out the clapping as I searched the faces of my family… Where were they? Again, I looked down the row that had formed in the front: Barbara, Tim, Cass, Leslie, Alfred… Did they not come?

"As the commanding officer for a majority of the event, the first to call it into dispatch, and to have personally pursued the second suspect, using the final resort of an officer in apprehension…" the words faded when I saw Bruce's face as he stood with an arm wrapped around his wife's shoulders. Mattie was standing next to him, the biggest smile in the world on her face. If only she knew why I was up there…

I did my best to contain my smile as I stood stoically next to the Governor at the podium. As I bowed my head slightly and was decorated for my actions, I looked over at Bruce out of the corner of my eye. I still could not believe he came to Bludhaven to apologize. I had joked with Babs that it had been the best birthday gift he had ever given me, but had then added that it wouldn't have hurt any if he had added a Jaguar into the mix.

Since I was still on leave, I had decided to move in with her for the time being. Part of it was that I wanted to get out of the city for a while, in order to figure my life out. A bigger part was that I missed her. Following the ceremony, we had planned on heading to my place to pack up a few things, and even though I had warned her about the conditions, she said she could handle it.

Right…

The commissioner finished the ceremony with a brief speech and the announcement of some fund they had started for those wishing to make donations to injured officers. No doubt a fat check from Wayne Corp was on the way. He then closed, thanking those who had attended in light of the "un-Spring weather." Brilliant…

As we filed off the stage down a set of narrow steps, most of the officers gathered towards the courthouse, smoking, laughing at each others' dress uniforms and bitching about the weather. As much as I would have loved to join them, I had my own group to seek out.

"Oh, Dick, look at you, dear," I heard Leslie long before I saw her. She was taking quick steps towards me, making her way through the congealed crowd. I hadn't seen her since Christmas, which was far too long. The second she was in an arm's reach, she wrapped her slender arms around my neck and pulled me down into one of her never-ending hugs.

"Thanks for coming."

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world, Dick," she smiled as she pulled away slightly. As she looked up at me, I noticed her eyes were a bit glassier than usual, but as bright and clear as always.

Alfred, who had paused to her side, looked over my uniform, "Dashing to the last, Master Dick."

"Yeah, you looked good, except that booger that's frozen to your nose," Tim said stoically as he approached me, Cass right at his side. Over the last three years, I had watched them not only grow older but closer as well, one small baby step at a time. Maybe by the time they were thirty they would have things figured out. Then again who was I to say anything?

"Thanks pal," I smirked before reaching out and smacking the back of his head. I laughed when he blocked it smoothly and jabbed me in the armpit. I couldn't wait to pin his ass into the mats…

Before I could retaliate, I heard the soft angelic giggle that only a giddy six-year-old could make. I knelt, despite the snow on the ground and prepared myself for her charge, "Dick! I saw you, I saw you, Dick!"

"I would hope so, kiddo," I managed as she collided with me, arms quickly snaring my neck. When I stood, I lifted her up and managed to pull one of her arms away from my throat.

"There were a lot of people watching you… Were you scared?"

"Nah, I knew you were out here. And besides," I pulled my sleeve back, revealing my bracelet, "I have this."

Mattie grinned and hugged me tighter.

"Where's the parental units?" I asked.

Tim looked over his shoulder, "They were right behind us…" he looked over at Cass and as she shrugged, "Hunh, maybe they went back to the car."

Mattie said, "They did. Dad forgot something."

"Oh, what did he forget?"

She shrugged, "I dunno."

Still carrying my little sister, I followed the group away from the courthouse and the stage towards the small community parking lot where Tim had pointed out his, Barbara's and Bruce's cars. I spotted Bruce leaning against the Beemer while Selina stood next to him, a hand on his shoulder, talking to him. He nodded and looked down at her briefly before leaning over and kissing her cheek. Ever the romantic, I paused and whistled at them loudly, causing both of them to jump and our small group to erupt into laughter.

Ah, it was good to be back…

V

"We should have called a haz mat crew," I sighed, furiously rubbing hand sanitizer lotion all over my arms, face and exposed skin.

Dick sighed as he took the driver's seat of the Hummer, "It wasn't that bad…" I shot him an icy glare, "Ok, it was that bad," he added.

We had spent the entire day been cleaning out his apartment, making it livable and finding the necessities he would need to stay with me in Gotham for the time being. As an end result, we had packed up my car as well as Tim's Honda. He and Cass had bailed out an hour before we had, while I had been sorting recyclables in the kitchen. Wimps.

We had been fairly successful in finding his home. Dick, who despised basic house chores, was vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, packing and making more trips to the basement dumpster more than he had in his entire life. I had caught him trying to pay Alfred to stay and I had to resist whipping out my hidden Escrima stick and beating him with it.

Exhausted, filthy and wanting nothing more than a hot bath, we packed up what was left and headed for Gotham. Not ten minutes after we had left Bludhaven, he reached over for my hand and squeezed it gently, "I love… this car."

I laughed quietly before letting his hand go, "So what do you want for dinner?"

He shrugged before yawning, "Too sleepy to eat."

"That's a first. It's only six-thirty."

"Well, I'm used to sitting on my ass all day, not running up and down the stairs lugging boxes of trash around." We were quiet for another ten minutes before Dick said, "So… What's with Cass and Tim?"

I shrugged, "Not sure. They've been playing off of each other for a while now… Who knows if they'll ever do anything about it."

"Well, there is that bizarre fate that has Batgirls and Robins falling in love…"

After I rolled my eyes at him, I commented, "Sure thing. You know you're lucky I took your scrawny butt back."

"Really? My butt is scrawny?"

"All that sitting," I joked.

When we arrived at the Clocktower, I spotted Tim's car out front but no sight of Bruce's. He had mentioned that he would help move things if necessary, but I knew that was more Selina's doing than him volunteering. We may have become a closer family over the years but he was still uncomfortable being too friendly. Might expose his soft underbelly.

Dick pulled into the underground garage and parked near the elevator. After helping me get situated in my chair, I went to unlock the elevator car as he began to unload his things. As the doors opened, I called out, there's a dolly in that utility closet on the right."

"Kay," he answered, "Why don't you go up and see about maybe ordering dinner, I can unload this."

"By yourself?"

He peered out at me from behind the Hummer, "Uh, send down Timmy, he's a strong young lad."

When I reached my apartment, I was amazed to see that the boxes and suitcases that Tim had brought up had actually been neatly stacked in the foyer instead of being tossed around haphazardly. I called out Cass's name and heard her voice, "In here."

I found her and Tim in her room staring at piles of clothes that were spread out on her bed. They were doing their first undercover op that night and were more concerned about the clothes than the actual work. I was actually glad to see that Bruce had given them more input and involvement on this case. Not only did it give them a challenge, it was keeping them out of my hair for the most part.

"Tim, Dick's downstairs, he wants you to help him unload the car."

He nodded and then looked at Cass quickly before saying, "Back in a few."

She watched him leave before returning to the clothes. After picking up a black leather coat and holding it up against her torso, she turned to me and asked, "What do you think?"

"Tres chic."

Cass set the coat down and rummaged through a pike of blouses, "We figured it was good to have a few outfits. Change them every couple of clubs."

I nodded and approached her bed. I picked up a slate blue silk tank top and shimmied it under the soft lighting of her room, "Nice."

We managed to put our minds together to pick out a few outfits that were stylish but not too horrible. She insisted on including a short jean skirt that was barely as big as a handkerchief. We had never truly been on the level when it came to her clothes. Our styles and upbringings had been so completely different that I doubted we ever would, either.

"Barbara, can I ask you something?"

I nodded as I eyed a pair of tall leather boots with five inches heels.

"When you… Who was… Your…?" she paused a let out a long breath.

When I looked up at her, I saw that her eyes were unusually jumpy. There were very few things that made her nervous, and I knew one thing that certainly did: Timothy Drake. To put her at ease, I had told her on several occasions how Dick and I had been when we first toyed with the idea of the relationship. In doing so I had hoped to spurn her interest and to take the first step in seeking out Tim.

Perhaps it had worked…

"You can tell me anything, Cass. You know that."

When she had regained her composure, she said, "I kissed Tim."

I did my best not to let my smile get out of hand as I said, "When was this?"

She sat on the edge of the bed and answered, "The other night. It wasn't…" she shrugged, "It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be."

"It never is, Cass," I moved closer and put my hand on her knee.

After taking a bite at her lower lip, she continued, "We were sitting in the kitchen, he brought pizza… Just talking about the case… The undercover… I stood and… Just kissed him. It was just like on The OC…"

I smirked, thinking about her fascination with the California based hit show. She loved watching the changes of moods and body language on all of the characters as the plots twisted and turned for the worse. "What did he do?"

She rolled her eyes, "Sat on the stool. I thought I scared him… But then, I left to get suited up… He came into my room after a while…"

"And?" I asked.

Another shrug, "We were just kidding around… I thought he was trying to brush it off, you know… But then he kissed me… And… It's weird because it… How we are… Hasn't felt different… Like I thought it would."

"What does it feel like?"

"It feels… Right. Was that how it was, with you and him?" she tilted her head to the door.

After a sigh, I said, "Sort of. It was more like he was annoying the hell out of me so I shut him up with a kiss."

"Did it work?"

I laughed, "He didn't talk to me for a week."

V

"How long are you planning on staying?" I asked as Dick unloaded the third hang-up bag from the back of Barbara's car.

We were in the basement of the Clocktower, nearly finished unpacking his suitcases and various other belongings. I was absolutely starving, and when my stomach snarled, Dick had smiled and had said that dinner was on him.

"Well," he closed the trunk, "Not really sure. I had a chat with my supervisor before the ceremony this morning… He said I was free to come back whenever I was ready… but not to feel rushed."

I nodded, "Right. Wish I could take school off…"

"What's your major this month?" I glared at him and he chuckled, "Sorry, man."

"No, it's just… It's frustrating, you know, sitting through stupid classes that don't have a prayer of challenging me when I could…"

"Be someplace other than GSU. Trust me, Hudson wasn't much better."

"It's not like I don't want to be here, in Gotham… I guess I just, I don't know. I have no clue what I want out of life. I should be graduating in May but I'm behind from switching majors. My father's ready to wring my neck for that alone. And then this case… And Cass…"

His brow rose slightly, "Cass? What about her?"

I had yet to tell anyone about what had taken place between Cass and I, not sure how public to make our awkward relationship let alone that I wasn't even quite sure about things myself. As I hefted a tote bag up off of the ground, I figured Dick was about as safe as anyone to tell.

"I kissed Cass."

Dick paused before asking, "Slip her tongue?" I looked over at him and nodded. He nodded as well, "Cool."

As we made our final trip upstairs in the elevator, I felt remarkably at ease standing beside him. We had already scheduled a "meeting" to beat each other up for the next week and I couldn't wait to try out a few things on him. He had been the first to admit how out of shape he was and that he was already thinking on a regimen to get back up to speed. I had noticed, but felt it wasn't my place to say. I also wanted to ask when was the last time he had suited up but that also wasn't for me to ask…

As we stepped into the foyer, we heard Cass's voice, "Well excuse me for not thinking Old Navy is the ultimate shopping experience."

We walked into the den to see Barbara and Cass in the midst of what I guess would be arguing. I was about to ask what was going on when my jaw dropped and refused to move.

Cass was dressed in a jean skirt that barely covered the essentials. Her long, toned legs ended in a pair of knee high leather boots that must have been painted on. For a top, sort of, she wore a long-sleeved chiffon top made of a shimmering blue material that came up and tied behind her neck. With a low cut exposing her shoulders and collarbone and an exposed midriff, it was a task to pay attention to their words.

"Well, I'm surprised your Batgirl suit doesn't resemble Huntress' in all its revealing glory," Barbara stated far too eloquently.

Cass retorted, "At least I don't assign number codes to my clothes so I can calculate how to coordinate my outfits."

Barbara scowled in return "It's a good thing you're going undercover to a place where the girls all listen to Britney Spears and Christina Agueilera… you're lack of taste will fit right in."

Dick and I looked at each other briefly before Cass shot back, "Well if we ever have to infiltrate the Amish, I'll know where to get some outfits."

"Are you suggesting my fashion sense reflects the eighteenth century?"

"If the dull sensible shoe fits…"

Dick stepped forward suddenly, "All right, what's going on here?"

Babs glanced at him before pointing sternly at Cass, "She's supposed to fit in with girls that go to clubs, not girls that stand on corners."

Cass took a sudden step forward and I instinctively moved to Dick's side to add another barrier between Cass and Barbara. After another look over her new outfit, of which I didn't see much wrong with, I glanced over at Dick to see what his next move was.

He spoke softly to Barbara, "Well, Babs, the girls dress a little different now a days, a little mor-."

"Now a days?" Barbara interrupted. She quickly spun around and headed for the kitchen, growling to herself incoherently. Cass stomped off as well, leaving Dick and I standing alone in the living room.

"Smooth move," I commented.

He sighed, "Yeah. I guess I'll be sleeping on the couch…" he said as he collapsed onto the sofa. After I sat next to him, he began laughing quietly to himself. When I asked what was so funny, he explained, "I should have let them keep fighting… That was hot."

Thinking on how Bruce would have never found a fight between Batgirl and Oracle as being remotely hot, I smirked, "Glad to have you back, man."

V

Saturday morning. I could have slept in until noon if I had wanted to, but I was up at six-thirty, craving a nice cup of coffee.

I spent most of the morning pretending to be productive. I talked to Barbara over breakfast, read newspapers that I hadn't gotten to that week and had even showered and shaved. But by ten in the morning the house was clean I was out of things to do around the house and felt adventurous. After filling up on gas at the station a block from my front door, I hit the road for a morning of nothing. For years, every morning before driving into headquarters, Sarah and I would get our morning coffees there… A long time ago.

As if on autopilot, I found myself cruising away from the city and towards the more rural boroughs. Namely Bristol. Bruce always offered brunches at the Manor, and yet I always seemed to decline them. We had spent more and more time apart recently, not really avoiding one another but simply not having time. Even at night, by the time he toured the city, I was on my way home to bed. As he drove back to the Cave, my alarm clock was buzzing and I was getting up for my morning walk.

So very different.

So very much the same.

Perhaps a good omelet would be nice…

Even though I had been told countless times that it was unnecessary, I walked to the front door of Wayne Manor and rang the bell after parking to the side of the house. The door pulled back a minute later to reveal Selina, dressed casually but doing nothing to hide her stunning form, "Jim," she beamed, "Come on in."

As I passed by and removed my coat, I thought back on how when I had first heard Selina's name it had been in such a negative context. And yet, despite all that she had done, she was not made up of what criminals were. She had done her deeds in light of injustices, not solely based on her personal greed. Perhaps that was what had made her and Bruce so perfect for one another…

"Thought I'd take you up on that rain check for brunch," I said, "Hope I'm not intruding."

"Never. Mattie and I were actually just working on something to eat. Alfred's in town running some errands."

I followed her to the kitchen in near silence before asking, "Is Bruce around?"

"Downstairs," she said, her tone shifting slightly. "He's been down there for a while, not sure what he's up to…" If there had been any concern in her, she was hiding it well. We walked into the kitchen to the soft wafting odors of fresh blueberry muffins and bacon. Mattie was sitting on a stool at the island counter, smiling to herself as she looked down at a newspaper. I spotted a few familiar faces on it before realizing it was the comics page.

"Hey, Mattie, look who's here," her mother announced.

She looked up after a second and smiled, "Uncle Jim."

"Hi there. What are you reading?" I asked as I approached her.

She pointed to one of the comics, "Garfield. He's so funny… Mom says that cats really don't eat lasagna." She looked up at me with a strikingly familiar pair of icy blue eyes, as if for confirmation.

I shrugged, "Well, I've never met a cat who ate pasta."

As she giggled and returned to reading, I stepped towards Selina who was retrieving a carafe of orange juice from the refrigerator. When she saw me, we locked eyes briefly before I asked, "Selina, I was wondering if… Maybe I could talk with Bruce…"

"Alone," she said. After I managed to nod she said, "Sure, follow me. Mattie, I'll be right back, try and finish the comics so we can make some pancakes."

"Can we make waffles?" she asked, her lower lip in full pout.

"We'll see." We stepped back into the hallway and moved towards the rear of the house. Bruce had taken me down a similar path five years earlier. It had been the first and last time he head ever lead me into his lair. When we paused at the grandfather clock, Selina reached and changed the hands. As I listened the locks disengage, I glanced over at an oil portrait that hung over the fireplace. It was then that I realized that every time he entered the Batcave, he had to do so under the watchful eyes of his parents…

As the door shifted, she stepped back, "He should be at the computer… Do you want me to?"

I shook my head, "I think I can manage. Thanks." I walked through and looked back at her as she guided the clock back into position. When the locks clanked, I let out a shaky breath, "Here we go…"

I took the granite steps as quietly as possible, surprised how much my soles scraping on stone was insignificant in the cavern. Water running somewhere. The shriek of bats. The clatter of typing. At the bottom of the stairs, I noticed that most of the overhead lights were off and that a majority of the illumination in the Cave came from a massive display screen. Its light reflected off of various glass enclosed items, two of which I recognized to be the final resting places of two very important costumes.

He was seated in the computer console's sole chair, dressed in a black sweater and dark jeans. I smiled to see he had sheepskin lined loafers on his feet and a steaming mug of coffee on the countertop. My smile quickly faded when I looked up at the screen.

A newspaper scanned and displayed on the broad screen. The date in the upper left corner was nearly eighteen years old. A bold headline read: Bat-Man Strikes Again! A blurry black and white photo depicted a dark shadow moving atop the roof of the First Bank of Gotham. After two years, he was still thought of as a myth, with only blurry photographs and no evidence to prove his existence aside from hearsay…

As I stepped up onto the platform that housed the computer console, I did my best to move in the stealthy fashion that he had so easily mastered. He didn't show any outward sign that he had recognized my presence, but that meant nothing. If there was one thing that I had learned in my years in Gotham was that Batman knew everything.

I sighed, thinking to myself that perhaps that I was about to disprove that theory.

The soft exhalation I made caused him to pause typing. His eyes shifted slightly, not focusing on the newspaper but on my reflection. I looked as well and realized how awkward it should be to see him like this… To tell him like this… So vulnerable…

"Back then, I always thought that we would turn this city around. Make it a safe place for the people who lived here… I even hoped that one day there wouldn't be a need for people like you and me… I also thought that if we were needed we would be able to do our jobs forever…"

He was frozen in his chair, eyes unwavering, and made no attempt to move or reply.

I put my hands on my pants pockets and looked at his reflection carefully, "This case, that you have Robin working on… Reminds me of that one that Dick solved when he was just starting out, with Mad Hatter… He saved all of those girls, risking his life without a second thought. At first, I thought it had been because he was foolish and young, but I knew different. It was because you taught him that the lives of innocents were more important than your own."

There was a long moment of silence before I could continue, "But this case is different… I don't see a happy ending with teary-eyed girls coming home to their parents..." I watched as his head lowered slightly, his eyes studying his feet. Perhaps he did know everything. Knew that this was coming for so long…

"I never want to face the dark truths, I guess," I said softly, "And neither did you. I want you to be the first to know… It has to be you because you've been there since the beginning, you're part of what made me stay… And you're the only one that I can trust enough… To take care of my city when I'm gone."

After looking at the computer screen once more, at the ancient history that neither one of us was willing to forget. For some reason, the certainty that I had felt while driving up to Wayne Manor had all but vanished. I felt my throat growing tighter as my chest seemed unwilling to cooperate. As I felt my eyes grow hot, I turned away and headed towards the staircase.

Just as I took the first step, I heard the soft padding of loafers on stone. As I reached the fifth step, he spoke softly, his voice suddenly younger than I had ever heard it, "Jim, I…"

I looked back, "It's for the best. I'll be staying on for another month…Hopefully this missing persons case is wrapped up by then," I smirked, "Hell, if your boy solves it faster it may not even be that long… I've got faith in him. He had a good teacher…"

The task of climbing the stairs seemed harder than it should have been. Especially when I realized he wasn't following me. Once in the Manor, I found Selina and Mattie eating in the kitchen nook. When she asked what she could fix for me, I shook my head, "Maybe some other time…"

On the drive back home, I ended up pulling off to a rest area, unable to see the road through glassy eyes.

V

"I'm sorry, for yesterday…" I said suddenly.

Barbara was in the kitchen, fixing the door hinge of the cupboard under the sink. When she turned, I did my best to look apologetic. Wide eyes, lower lip pinned between my incisors while I cocked a leg. In the last twenty-four hours we had barely talked one another and living in the same apartment had made for some substantial tension. I had spent the time beating the life out of the sand bags in the training room and working herself exhausted. She, on the other hand, had been doing her best to avoid me by baking, cleaning and fixing things that were in perfect order.

Barbara turned slightly in her chair, "Me, too. It was uncalled for-."

I interrupted, "No, I… You were right."

We nodded in unison as the doorbell rang. I smirked, "I'll get it."

I jogged to the front door and peered through peephole slightly to see him, dressed in a black suit with pale blue shirt and midnight blue tie. I rarely saw him dressed up and smiled to myself, thinking how different he looked when he wore that "other" suit.

After I opened the door, he nodded, "Cassandra."

"Hi," I said before moving aside. I expected Selina to follow him in, as they and Dick and Barbara were all going out to dinner. Instead the hallway was empty. He asked where Barbara was and I said, "Should be in the kitchen."

I followed him, keeping a good three yards between us. When he paused at the kitchen door, Barbara said, "Good evening Bruce."

He asked, "Need a hand?"

"No," she turned to face him, "Aren't you early?"

He glanced at his watch, one that most likely cost more than a mid-sized car, "Slightly. Traffic was better than I had expected."

"You're such a pessimist," Barbara commented, "Where's Selina?" the question I had wanted to ask…

"She's going to meet us there."

That raised a red flag, "Oh?"

As he looked around the kitchen, Bruce said, "She was running late at the Preserve."

"Ah… Well, I'll be ready in a bit. Dick's in the den I think."

He glanced to his right down a broad hallway, "Fine." As he looked back to Barbara's face, she hardened her gaze, pushing the subtle hint into overdrive. After a second he nodded, "Right, well, I'm going to go check in with him."

"Good idea," she muttered as I stepped into the kitchen.

Having showered and changed already into a clean blouse and calf-length skirt, all she had left was to "do" her hair and face. I sat on the stool at the counter, wondering what I was going to have for dinner as she left to get ready. By the time she had returned, I had narrowed it down to O'Reiley's corned beef sandwich or Portinelli's Shrimp Alfredo. We shared an awkward smile before making our way down the hallway.

We found Bruce and Dick in the den, surprisingly sitting on the same couch. She paused a little before the end of the hallway and motioned for me to do the same. Before I could ask why, she held a pointer finger to her lips. Like I was about to interrupt father-and-son time between the most dysfunctional father and son pairing on the planet.

I signed to her, 'What are they doing?'

She paused before replying, 'Having a heart to heart.'

My brow twitched, and I signed, 'They're not doing anything."

Barbara whispered, "What girls will say in many sentences, guys will convey in a grunt. Watch."

Bruce just grunted and she translated, "He's saying 'I'm sorry I was distant and cold'."

Dick sighed, "Ehhh."

"There, he's saying 'I accept your apology and hope this begins a new chapter of understanding'."

I smirked and watched as Bruce said, "Uh huh."

She stepped in, "Which means 'I am delighted you feel that way. Open communication is the cornerstone to parent/offspring relations'."

Dick coughed twice which she translated as, "You are correct in your assessing high value to the importance of open dialogue. Far too many families fall by the wayside due to silence."

I was doing my best to keep from laughing after Barbara translated Bruce's exhale and nod as, "We should also endeavor to spend quality time together in which we can discuss our current goals and compare recent experiences. Perhaps weekly dinners at the Manor would ideally suit this undertaking."

Dick replied with a soft "Hmmm," which obviously meant, "That sounds like an excellent plan. I will work it into my weekly calendar and look forward to it greatly. I believe we're both free on Friday evening."

To top it off, they gently punched each other in the shoulder, which was the equivalent of a hug. I finally let out a small laugh, causing Bruce and Dick to look at us suddenly. After I waved at them, I punched Barbara softly in the shoulder and walked back down the hallway. However, I was still in earshot as Dick approached Barbara and said, "We're having dinner on Friday night at the Manor, you know, if you want to come up."

I lost all control and giggled to myself and ended up pausing in the hallway, hoping to catch more of the randomness that was my family. When Dick asked what was so funny, I heard Barbara say, "Nothing. Now go get a tie on, you're not going to Espace dressed like that."

He asked, "What's wrong with this?"

"Aside from the fact that you look like you just got done with your graduation ceremony?" Ouch, low blow.

"That's not true," he growled, barely able to hide his smirk. He looked down at his navy button up shirt and dark slacks before looking back at Bruce's immaculate three-piece suit. A beat later and he was heading down the hall towards me and ducked into Barbara's room.

Alone, Bruce sat back down on the couch and I watched as Barbara moved closer to him, "So, who has the munchkin?"

"Alfred," he replied. I watched as he leaned back into the couch, resting his head as he closed his eyes. He hadn't looked tired when I had first seen him in the doorway, but he sure did then. Long nights of hunting down drug dealers was showing…

That or one of the other million reasons he had not to get a full night's sleep…

"Are we going to dinner or what?" Dick's voice sounded from down the room.

"Yes, impatient one," she called back. Bruce stood and smoothed out his coat before offering Barbara to lead the way down the hall with a ladies' first gesture. She shook her head, "Seniority first."

"Don't even," he growled as he did his best to hide the half-smirk on his lips.

Like father, like son…

V

We were nearly home when I asked, "You all right?"

"Fine," Bruce muttered, eyes locked straight, staring out at the road in front of him, "Why do you ask?"

I sighed and fiddled with my bracelet, "Just wondering. You were awful quiet at dinner…"

He sighed softly and I noticed his shoulders relax a fraction, "Just tired is all."

Tired… Seemed to be his excuse for everything lately but I wasn't about to say that while he was behind the wheel of a car. Something had happened that morning when Jim had gone downstairs, because when Bruce came up, he was tenser than I had seen him in a long time. I wanted to ask if they had fought or something but then again, he didn't seem to be in the mood for expressing his emotions unless it was on a punch bag.

To test the waters, I waited a minute before reaching over and setting a hand on his knee. The muscle beneath tensed then relaxed as my nails toured the edges of his patella. I had done so early, at dinner and he had paused before crossing his legs and brushing my hand away.

Not in the mood.

Brooding I could handle, impoliteness was fine at times but this had just about gone as far as I could tolerate it. I pinched the kneecap slightly and watched him wince, finally paying full attention to me, "What was that for?" he asked. When I didn't answer, he looked over at me and realized that I had wanted his eyes on me. He paused, then looked back out to the empty road, muttering, "I'm listening."

"What happened this morning? With Jim."

He drew a long breath, doing his best to avoid answering by making himself appear to be in deep thought. Another pinch and his lip twitched downward briefly, "He wanted to talk."

"About…?" I asked, knowing damn well it wasn't to discuss the Gotham Knights upcoming season.

He slowed before taking the turn onto our private road, "Work." He glanced at me briefly before elaborating, "He's retiring in a month."

My eyes widened, having no idea that had been on the table. It quickly began to make sense, how Jim's visit had been ended so abruptly when he came from upstairs. Why Bruce had barely been able to hide his scowl from his daughter for the rest of the day.

"Bruce, I'm-."

"Don't worry about it," he cut in, his voice a fraction darker than usual. His shoulders had bunched again and the muscles of his thighs had gone taut.

"No, Bruce. I worry about it. I know how much he means to you."

When he looked over at me, his brows raised almost as much as his voice, "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Bruce, he's been here just as long as you have. I couldn't imagine how him stepping down would impact how you go about things from now on…"

"From now on?" he asked quietly.

I nodded and moved my hand to his arm, "Bruce, all I'm saying is that-."

"Is that because Jim is quitting that I should too? That we're both too old to handle this city? That it's only a matter of time before I have to hang up the cowl?" his voice rose with every question.

You don't yell at a cat and get away with it.

"All I'm saying Bruce is that you need to start thinking about the future, the immediate and the distant," I snapped back, taking my hand off of him and crossing it with my right one across my chest.

"You think I haven't thought about it?" he growled, "Every time my knees lock or that I get a headache or every time that I am exhausted halfway through patrols, that's all I can think about, Selina. You don't understand what it's like-."

"The hell I don't, Bruce. I've hung up my cowl and I seemed to survive just fine. And don't you dare say I wasn't as dependent on it as you."

"It's still different, it's not a matter of dependence, it's necessity… There is a need for a crime fighter, not a crimin-."

I turned in my seat suddenly and glared at him as we pulled to a stop in front of the Manor, "Don't you even dare… It doesn't matter, Bruce, it's the same exact lifestyle, the same risks, right down the middle. The only difference was that you did it for free and that I made a profit!"

Before he could make a remark, I got out and slammed the door shut. I took long, quick strides towards the house, doing my best to ignore the quick footfalls behind me. I reached the door, opened it and slammed that as well, right in his face. Without pausing to remove my coat, I continued through the foyer and towards the stairwell.

After I heard the door open and close softly, I heard his voice, "Selina, please…"

In one move, I stopped and spun to face him, "What?" I asked before climbing back down the steps and towards him. When I was mere inches away, I growled, "What could you possibly have left to say to me?"

As we locked our eyes, for the first time I saw the hurt in his eyes.

The worry in his face.

The sadness in his voice, "I'm sorry…"

V

Holy multiple updates in one month, Batman!