Disclaimer: I do not own any DC Characters including Batman, Superman or anyone else. They all belong to their respected authors. As for Haley Brown, He's my original Character.

Foreword from the Author: With the entire three comments, I'd say I'm doing better then expected. Now the last chapter a very somber mood ruining kind of chapter, but I'd like to lighten the mood. It's great for seeing feedback especially to Haley.

Hoody Boy: Elseworld Stories

The Adventures of Haley Brown

Part Four: Answering Machine

Uncle James opened the door as quietly as he could so he wouldn't wake anyone up. The light turned on and he faced Haley.

"Hey Uncle James…" Haley said from the kitchen chair.

"What're you doing up?" Uncle James asked.

"Still having a problem sleeping in a different bed, I'll get over it eventually." Haley responded drinking some ice tea, "Now what're you doing up so late?'

"Another late night at work." Uncle James shot back quickly as if defending something.

Haley recognized this in his voice and let go, his curiosity would get the better of him if he didn't, "You want some tea?" he said changing the subject.

"Yeah I could use something with some kick to it." He answered sitting down.

Haley poured him a glass and sat back in the chair, "Uncle James, something's been bothering me as of late…" Uncle James looked up at him from his glass with a raised eyebrow, "I'm wondering how you found me."

"Haley, I'm a cop, I've got the connections to find anyone, but you were sort of stumbled upon to be honest." He took a sip prepping for a long speech, "Pretty much there was a case little while back in Evan City, the suspect ran to Gotham to get away. Since your mother doesn't give us any information as to her, yours or your dad's whereabouts I decided to go to Evan City and see if I could help out the local PD in solving this case. It turns out that I caught your mom across the street doing god knows what. This sparked my curiosity to see what my little sister was up to. I followed her Home and that's when I saw you, you were on the roof looking bored, distraught and very lonely."

"Yeah I remember that now that I think back on it." Haley said narrowing his eyebrows, "And here I thought you were some weird stalker guy...odd coincidence."

"May I continue?" Haley motioned for him to so he wouldn't interrupt, "So I found your phone number but I got swamped with the case that I didn't get to call you till I was back in Gotham. You know the rest."

"Yes indeed." Haley said shifting to a more comfortable position, "I think I ought to hit the sack Uncle James, I'll probably catch you in the morning."

"You can call me Uncle Jim, Haley." He said smiling sipping that ice tea cup.

Haley went upstairs to his room and lay down on the bed, "I know a lot more then that…"

The sunlight was blazing when Haley woke up the next morning. He rolled off his bed and walked downstairs, this time no one was around; Babs included. The phone rang just as Haley was pouring himself Cereal.

He picked it up and put it to his ear, "Gordon residence, Haley Brown speaking."

"Where is the Commissioner…?" Came a dark voice.

"Tahiti, probably enjoying himself too, I'm their travel agent, you want me to book you a flight?" Haley joked.

"Excuse me?" The voice said surprised, "Their travel agent, you sound like you 17…!"

"Can I get your name, number, and address so I can hook you up with our super shopper savings card?" Haley went off randomly.

"Put the Commissioner on the phone NOW!" The voice demanded.

"Alright hang on a sec jerk wad…" Haley removed himself from the receiver for a second, "Mr. Gordon! Some Hooker on line three wants to speak to you. Says it's about her herpes!"

The voice yelled profanity that I'd rather not mention, Haley kept his mouth shut trying to keep a straight face, "He's busy at the moment, if you want to leave a message press one, if you want to leave your address press two."

Haley heard the beep of the number "Was that one or two?" He asked casually.

"Two, I'm at Girdwood and 43rd." The voice answered.

"Okay buh bye…" Haley hung up the phone, waited a second and then speed dialed the number for Uncle Jim's phone.

"Uh Uncle Jim, there's some dude at Girdwood and 43rd, made a death threat and such. Just thought I'd let you know." Haley said quickly and hung up.

He walked away from the phone with a grin on his face. You play it casual they'll never catch it. Besides, most of the criminal population is high school drop out or below. All though some of the smart bad guys seem to be around, it dominated by stupidity, a lot like management and such with real professions. Haley finished off his cereal and walked into the Family room of this quaint little apartment. He plopped down on the sofa and flipped on the TV.

"Bad new for Gothamites today as it seems the Joker has broken out of Arkham yet again…" The news caster said monotonously.

Haley laughed to himself, "The Joker… oh now come on, and here I thought dealing with a rich and power white kid was cliché." This city still amazed him.

Haley switched to a documentary on Kung Fu movies and watched the Dragon A.K.A. Bruce Lee beating down everyone. The phone rang again; luckily it was on the table just past his feet. He reached and grabbed it.

"Hello?" Haley said obnoxiously.

"Haley?" This voice was familiar…

"Who's this?"

"It's your dad…" He said with an odd tone.

"Oh hey Dad, sorry didn't recognize you, the TV was blaring." Haley answered muting the TV so he could listen.

"Haley…I'm very, very sorry about all this business with your mother and me." His tone wasn't too happy.

"It's cool… what's got you so bummed out man?" Haley asked.

"Haley, I'm afraid you're going to have to live with you Uncle James and Aunt Sara for a while. Your mother and I are not getting along very well and I'd rather you not come back till it's over with."

Oh this tone really began to suck, "Okay…I won't ask about Mom, but don't you care about me?"

"Yes, that's why I want you to stay with James and Sara till this whole thing blows over. I don't want you to see us fighting or anything. Keep yourself safe, I hear Gotham is a rough place; don't go down any dark alleys."

"No prob dad…" Haley answered in a bit of shock, "I'll uh see you later. Bye."

He hung up the phone, so much for things only getting better for him, "I hope Uncle Jim will understand…"

Haley couldn't bring himself to pick up the phone and tell him, he'd do better face to face where he could actually read and feel Uncle Jim's emotions a lot better. Barbra was the first to get home. She mussed up Haley hair but didn't get a turn around or even an acknowledgment out of Haley.

"You okay squirt?" She said setting down some books on the table, Haley didn't respond, "Haley?"

She walked over to him lying on the couch, his eyes were red and puffy a sign of crying. She shook him to snap him out of his daze. He blinked a second later and looked at her.

"Can we go see your dad? I need to talk with him right now." Haley asked.

"Why don't you call him?" Barbra said walking over to the phone.

"This news would be best delivered right to him." Haley said getting off the couch.

"Alright." Babs said grabbing her car keys off the hook.

Haley walked briskly through the police station and into the Commissioner's office. Uncle Jim looked up at him and smiled, it faded once he noted the red eyes.

"What's up?" Uncle Jim inquired.

"Uncle Jim, it seems my parents are going through a rough spot in their marriage…" Haley bit his lower lip and paused, "For that, Dad thought it would be best that I live with you till they can smooth this out…"

Tears began to roll down Haley's eyes. Uncle Jim hugged him a moment for comfort. Haley buried his face in Uncle Jim's shoulder, tears still free falling. Haley knew what this would lead to, Divorce, the one word that spells death for a Kid's ideal of a perfect family. Uncle Jim patted him on the back and comforted him; he knew this must've been hard.

Uncle Jim, Barbra and Haley all went home together; Sara made it home an hour later. Uncle Jim broke the news to her; she covered her mouth when she thought of Haley.

Haley sat on the roof with his feet dangling, his chin scrunched up. No matter what good thing happened to him, something bad of equal or greater value would bring him down regardless. He needed a focus point, and for one brief moment Haley thought of resurrecting Hoody Boy…