Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with Batman or DC. Any OC's I give freely to the Fanfic world.
OK now that I have my disclaimer out of the way let me welcome you to my second Fan Fic Story.
This is rated M for Mature. Comic book violence/language/probably small amounts of lime & and just anything else that may cause it to be rated M.
This is based on the animated series of Batman and Robin. To make this brief, Robin finds himself on his own again and trying to deal with all the pressures of both the super hero life and college life. He struggles to find a balance. Follow him through his adventure.
A few Side notes: #1. Barbara Gordon in this Fic is not yet Batwoman. Please keep that in mind.
#2. I just ask to refrain from flaming. I love good and bad reviews!
A special thanks goes out to "The Gnostic" Thanks for all your help man. For a great Teen Titan Fic check this writer out.
Coming of Age
A full moon shined over Gotham yet the city still carried a darkness it could never shake. A dark figure swung from roof top to roof top, scanning the city below. All was normal this night. The figure stopped atop a roof looking downwards at the building parallel. It appeared to be flashlights dancing from one side of the room to the other. The dark figure thought this was worth investigating. A grappling hooked shot up at the top ledge of the Goth-Tech building. The dark figure quickly found a vent to slip into.
"Come on man, hurry the hell up, grab the fucking chip and lets get out of here! I don't like this one bit.
"All right All right! Damn just give me a few more minutes. You know what can happen if we damage this" Two frantic Goth-Tech employees were working their own version of overtime.
"Just think we're going to be rich! This chip holds the key to our financial freedom. Every tech corp in Gotham will want to get theirs greedy hands on this nifty little sucker. Come on man, ain't you done yet?"
The dark figure emerged from the shadows of the computer lab. "Looks like your done now"
"Oh Shit it's the bat!" is all the now scared employee could yelp out before Batman grabbed the front of his shirt and tossed the employee to his right against some high tech computer. The employee working on removing the chip from the main tower of the computer quickly stopped what he was doing and pulled his handgun out.
"Don't come any closer or I'll shoot" the quivering employee barely managed to scream that last command.
Batman smiled in his mind because he knew his bat suit would stop any type of bullet that was fired at him. "Just put the gun down and we can make this easy for both of us" Batman made a steady approach toward the employee with the gun, the other employee that was just moments ago tossed aside made is way on to Batman's back by jumping on it as if he was wanting a piggy back ride. Batman quickly reacted by taking both hands and grabbing the employee by the shoulders and tossing him over his head and directly into his coworker and then both of them stumbled back into the giant main tower. The chip was now partially dislodged and the impact of the employee's must have caused some of the circuits to short because the tower began to light up. Batman knew this could not be good. He snatched up the now unconscious employee's under his arms and made for the nearest exit. But it was too late, the main tower exploded and the electrical currents flowed throughout the room causing all other computers to short circuit and explode. It was a chain reaction. The entire room filled with an electrical blanket that covered the entire lab. Finally after many seconds of the blanket descending, all the energy in room was pulled inwards to the center causing a huge explosion at its climax. The lab was destroyed, Batman had to dive and take cover under the nearest desk.
X X X X
Dick's head popped up from his pillow. He looked at his alarmclock. "What the...!. I know I set that damn thing" Dick scrambled out of his bed, threw on some dirty clothes laying on the floor from three nights ago and ran for his motorcycle. In his frenzy to make it to the door he was stopped by Alfred in the hallway.
"Morning Master Dick, I see you neglected your alarm clock again."
"I swear Al I set that thing. I think its broke. Sorry for the small talk Al but I'm running super late for school, see ya later!"
"Oh and sir, did Master Wayne inform you of any 'good friends' he was possibly visiting after his shift as Batman last night?"
Dick was halfway down the hall and stopped in his tracks, he looked back at Alfred "He didn't say anything to me. But that's not unusual he never involves me when it comes to his lady friends. Why did he not come home last night?"
"I am afraid not sir, he never checked in and his transmitter is not sending any signal. I have all ready called his office and he has not been there since yesterday."
Panic seem to creep into Dick. "That's not like Bruce. I think something may be wrong Al"
"My thoughts exactly sir."
"Right well I really have to get to school big day today. I have a pop quiz in my trig class. Hopefully we are just being paranoid and he'll come waltzing in sometime today." Dick ran down the hall and out the door, hoping he covered his panic well enough.
"Oh I hope your right Master Dick, I hope your right." Alfred whispered to himself.
X X X X
Batman awoke feeling a bit disoriented, not remembering where he was. He propped himself up, placed a hand on his head and used the other hand to hold the top part of his body up. "Where am I? Why do I have this throbbing headache?" he shook his head trying to reorient himself. Once he cleared his head he took a good look around the room and it was all coming back to him. The two thieves, the explosion. Now with the sunlight shining through the window he was painfully obvious the damage that was inflicted on computer lab.
Voices came from across the lab. Batman picked himself up and made his way toward the voices. After getting halfway across the room he soon realized it was a Detective questioning the manager that arrived to find this disaster. Batman made his way up to the two men. Excuse me Detective, I think you should be checking the computers badge usage logs. This was an inside job." The Detective continued to ask questions to the manager as if Batman wasn't even there. "What is your name Detective? I am speaking to you!" Batman now growled. Still not even a flinch from the two men. Batman then grabbed the detective's shoulder in attempt to get his attention in a more direct way. Only his hand sailed right through the detectives shoulder. Batman gained his balance and was dumbfounded. "How can this be? Hello? Can anyone is this room hear me?" all the people in room just went about their business. Not taking any notice to the caped crusader. Realizing now that now one could see or hear him he decided he was longer any use here. He headed to the Batmobile. Frustration now was setting in. Batman attempted to open the door to the vehicle and was unsuccessful. Again his flailing arm sailed right through. He couldn't grab on to the steering wheel or even start the it. He then thought to himself that's its amazing he isn't just falling through the ground at this point.
X X X X
Later that afternoon Robin and Alfred were working hard in the batcave. "So far Al I was able to locate the last known position of Batman. We received his signal from the Goth-Tech corporation late last night. Also ----"
Alfred politely interrupted Robin. "Sir, may I suggest increasing the volume on the monitor behind you."
This is Katie Kendall with channel 6 news reporting to you live from outside Gotham's second leading technology corporation. We have learned that late last night one of their computer labs exploded. The cause of the explosion is uncertain at this time. Gotham police informed channel 6 that they believe it to be an electrical malfunction, however they are still investigating. There are no reported causalities. No Goth-Tech or police officials would neither confirm or deny if this explosion was an accident. Reporting live from Goth-Tech I'm Katie Kendall.
Thanks Katie. And later on the news, is cereal causing your children to become ill, we'll show you study you don't want to miss...
"Well, Al that was my ALSO. I was about to let you know that the police report does state an explosion did occur last night at Goth-Tech but what the news did not report is that the police feel the explosion was no accident. Goth-tech was working a new experimental technology. Unfortunately the report did not go into the what this technology is.'
"But sir, what do you suppose happened to Master Bruce?"
Robin's tone became very dejected, a feeling of uncertainty was creeping into him. " I don't know Al, I don't know."
X X X X
Night had fallen over Gotham. Robin stood atop the Goth-Tech building. Questions clutters his mind. Mainly questions about himself. He had not questioned himself in many months. Not since Barbara was kidnapped by the Joker. That was also the last time Robin was flying solo. "I'm not ready for this Batman. I couldn't save Barbara by myself then, how in the hell do you expect me to find you now! How do I know you're even alive. I just feel really alone now." Those last two thoughts hit Robin hard.
Despite Robins inner struggle with his own abilities he knew he had achieve what he set out to do. Find out what happened to his mentor, to Batman. He began a slow decent into the shattered window in Goth-Tech. His feet touched the ground and he took a few steps forward then stopped. His head dropped into his hand with despair. The lab was completely destroyed, there was not one object in the room that was left intact. Robin began his search for any clues that would lead to what happened and why Batman is no where to be found.
"Just give me something. This is fucking reticules. Over thirty freekin minutes of searching this lab up and down and I can't find a god damn thing." Robin's frustration was clearly over taking him now. "No point in wasting another thirty minutes finding god knows what! Might as well go find some petty crime to stop. Seems that's all I'm good at, petty fucking police work." Robin leaped out of the window and down on his motorcycle.
The buildings were a blur on each side of Robin as he sped through Gotham on his motorcycle. His frustration was now turning into anger. His thoughts were consuming him.
"Why did I choose this life? How did I get here? Come on Dick you're better than this. It's not his fault. I can't blame him. He didn't force you to put on this costume and fight crime. We are like kin. So similar of a childhood...but I'm not him. I am not the crime fighter he his. Then why the hell do I feel this need to live his life, why do I blame him."
X X X X
Dick was sitting in his Biology class, his head slipping off his hand that propped his head up. He would give the periodic head jerk when he caught himself dosing off. Barbara was sitting next to him. She looked to her side and gave a quite chuckle when she would catch his had jerking back. She knew the professor's lecture on the human immune system was boring but to fall asleep was a bit much.
"The smallest of the FORMED elements of the blood are known as platelets." The professor was also taking notice of Dicks naps. "When a wound occurs in humans, the platelets in the blood activate a substance which starts the clotting process, who can tell me what the substance is that starts the clotting? Anyone?" The professor wasn't planning to call on anyone other then Dick. "Mr. Grayson, care to answer please?" Dick appeared to be too busy sleeping to notice he was being called upon. "Ms. Gordon could you please wake your friend Mr. Grayson?" Barbara gave him an elbow to his side, his head gave that knee jerk reaction as if it was falling forward to quickly to stop but yet your reflexes force you to try and stop the motion. Dick looked up and scanned the room, cleared his eyes.
"Uh...oh its called THROMBIN"
"Well, Mr. Grayson glad to you were actually paying attention, please try to keep your eyes open during my class because one of these days you may not know the answer. "Luckily at that moment the bell sounded and saved Dick from any further embarrassment. He quickly made his way out of the class and started to maneuver his way down the hall.
"Richard wait for me" Barbara yelled waving her hands over a crowded hallway. "Hey you, nice save back there. I thought for sure Professor Jacobs had you nailed. How'd you do that? I mean how did you know the answer? I could hear you snoring. There was no way you were awake."
"Oh it was nothing. You know I wasn't actually sleeping." Dick gave her a smirk that let her know he was bullshitting her but was not about to reveal how he knew.
"Sure, nothing the mysterious Richard Grayson tells me. Ok Ok I get the hint." Barbara sarcastically flirted back with Dick. Barbara stepped in front of Dick to stop him, the look on her face became more serious. "Look Richard we need to talk. Can you meet me for lunch after your Trig class?"
"Whoa...wait, what do we need to talk about?" Dick cupped her hands in his. "Is everything ok? I thought we..."
Barbara took her finger and placed it on his lips, shushing him. "Look, just please meet me for lunch. This is important to me." The last sentence she spoke softly in his ear, making it a point to exaggerate her breathing.
Dick immediately had goose bumps. "Well since you asked me that way, how can I say no"
"Great, I'll see you at lunch, the usual spot ok!" With that Barbara reached up gave him a short thank you kiss on the lips and then hustled off to her next class.
X X X X
Rizzinni's was packed today. The scent of burnt pepperoni filled the air. The same scent that reminded her of her first date with Richard. He arrived late which is something she now expects from him. Infact he was running late for their date this afternoon. While Barbara sat there waiting for Richard she couldn't help but think back to their past dates, more specially their first date. They had English 101 together. She knew who he was because of his adopted father. She didn't even think he noticed her. But he was so cute when he came up to her after English and in front of all her friends barely managed to get those words out. My how that all seemed so distant. Other thoughts crossed her mind but she tried to skip over them. Thoughts of how Richard skipped out early on their first two dates. She swore after that she would never talk to him again. But she realized that no matter how much she tried she could not resist his charm.
The door to the pizza shop opened, the bells informing the employee's when someone entered chimed. Dick stopped and scanned the restaurant. There she was sitting there, waiting for him. First thing he noticed was her vibrant red hair. Just the thought of the scent of her hair was enough to start making him wild. Dick slowly started to come back down to Earth. He made his way to their table.
"Hey sweetie, sorry for being late, you know..."
"No need for excuses Richard, you ran out of them a long time ago. Besides I'm use to it by now. So how was Trig class? I heard Professor Stone has been a real bitch of late, giving like two pop quizzes in one day. Now thet's just insane."
"Yea well bitch my be an understatement. Just today she gave another pop quiz and assigned like twenty-five chapters of reading. Now thet's insane. But anyway to change the subject, mind letting me in on what's so important you have to seduce me into going to lunch with you? I know its not the smell of burnt pepperoni."
Barbara reached across the table and held both of Richard's hands. She looked up at him with a very serious look.
"Oh God you're not pregnant are you!"
"Jeezus Richard no! I don't even want to think of that."
The color was now returning to Dicks face.
"No, I asked you here because I have some questions and some things I have to tell you." She began to blush and her palms were becoming sweaty. Dick was now eying her intently, do everything he could to hold back from making her speed up the moment. "Look this isn't very easy for me to admit or even to ask." Dick now clasped her hands even tighter, giving her a reassuring smile that what ever it was he was going to be there for her. "Ok...ok...I know you lead a very busy life and I... I know that you've given a lot of effort lately to make time for me. Which I truly appreciate. What I am trying to say is that when I am with you I tend to forget about all the little things in life which irritate me, which is sometimes you as well. Richard I like being with you"
Dick's face was perplexed, it was not exactly what he expected to hear. "Well, Babs I like you too" He stated back to her mocking an adult voice.
"No that's not what I meant. I mean I do like being with you, but its more than that. What I'm trying to say now for the third time is that's Richard Grayson I LOVE YOU!"
Relief, embarrassment and then anxiety in that order was all that Barbara was feeling in that moment. the anxiety over the response.
Dick's expression was one of shock. He sat there in silence for a few moments. He half way expected to hear her that those three words but until she actually said them he wasn't sure how he felt. The tune of the latest Coldplay song started to play on Dicks cell phone. It was a text message
BC ASAP frm A.- Which translate 'Batcave ASAP from Alfred'
"Richard? you haven't said anything to me!"
"Look Babs I have to go. Can we discuss this later?"
Barbara's face turned redder than the sun "Are you fucking serious? I just professed my love to you and poured my heart out and you ask if we can discuss this later! I am a fucking idiot. Why do I let you do this to me!"
"Dick swung his backpack on his shoulder and started for the door. "I'm sorry Barb something really important has come up and I have to go. I'll do anything to make this up to you later."
"If you walk out that door Richard Grayson there will no more later. This time I mean it."
Dick looked at her wanting to tell her why he was leaving. He knew she deserved the truth. But he knew he couldn't. "I'm sorry" and with those words Dick walked out the door.