"Hush little baby don't you cry, daddy's gonna' sing you a lullaby.
Everything's gonna be all right, the Lord's gonna' answer your prayer
tonight." –Toby Mac 'Irene'
Chapter Four:
By: The BatThing
Robin glanced about the room in fascination.
"This is where you'll sleep for now," came a sturdy voice behind him. "I hope it's to your liking, I know it might not be all that appealing to a teenage boy but... it's the best I have."
Robin gave a partial nod and hesitated a moment before entering his new bedroom. It was small compared to his old one now in ruins at Wayne manor, but nevertheless, it would satisfy his needs. And it was better than what most had.
"Um, well." Gordon seemed slightly worried. "I'll show you around the house then?"
"Whatever."
The two made their way down the small hallway and the elder gave a presentation of the house. He explained that if they boy were at any time hungry that he could help himself, and then pointed out the bathroom, and the finally brought Robin into the laundry room.
"You can do your laundry in here, you do know how to wash clothes, do you not?"
Robin blinked, glancing down at his feet.
"Oh, wait, you don't have any laundry do you?"
"Um, not necessarily. I have a few, um, things I could wash from my costume and well." He didn't continue.
Gordon didn't say anything for a few moments, and then gradually answered. "I think I have an idea. Wait here a moment while I go next door."
Robin watched him hurry away and attempted to stifle a yawn, which in return brought tears of drowsiness to his eyes. He was drained, and so weary he thought, for sure, he could fall asleep standing up. It had been one of those weeks, and now, the nearby couch almost mocked him.
"Thank you Mrs. Webb, it is much appreciated!" Gordon lifted the box labeled: 'Tommy's Cloths' into his arms and nodded easily.
"I always love donating to those in need," the woman replied almost in a gossiping manner. "I never even considered donating to the police station. You be sure that those children who suffered from that bomb get those clothes on their back."
"Oh I will ma'am, trust me. Thank you once more."
"Tommy would be pleased to know that his clothes are being use for such a nice thing. You see, I would have donated long ago but I can't really get out of the house due to my old bones. I get so tired so easily, and no one really comes over to talk to me other than Odis once a week with the groceries." The woman used her hands to talk more than she needed to.
"Heh, well I best get along home, I left the food on the stove."
"Oh, yes, of course. Goodnight then Jim, and any time you need something again, you just come right over and ask for it. You know that I am more than happy to give away things like that to help those in need."
Gordon nodded and hurried out of the house, making his way across the street to his small, cramped home. He felt a small stab of guilt for the woman across the way, but he didn't dwell on the matter.
"Robin? I managed to find you some clothes, I don't know if they will all fit you perfectly, but you could at least give them a try." He entered into the laundry room and lowered the box, glancing around. The boy wasn't in sight. "Robin?"
'Great,' Gordon thought. 'He ran off at his first chance.'
He made his way into the living room and a small smile touched his lips. There, on the couch, curled into a tight, unsecured ball, slept Robin, the Boy Wonder.
Something pulled at Gordon's already weak heart as he though of his daughter. The man pulled an afghan from the rocker a few feet away and lightly spread it over the boy.
"Goodnight son," the man whispered as he flicked of the lamp brightening the room. Then there was a small hush of silence, and Gordon made his way to his room.
"BRUCE!" Robin gasped, sucking in air, filling his lungs. It had been a ghastly dream, and he quivered thinking about the reality of it. He glanced around the room, taking it in slowly, and remembering where he was. Lifting the blanket that was covering him, the boy slowly rose to his feet and glanced halfheartedly out the nearby window.
He was somewhat surprised to discover a small ray of sun sleeping peacefully. How long had he slept, and why had Gordon let him do so? Robin instantly went for his mask, recalling Gordon. He found it securely in place.
"Oh, you are up."
Robin whirled around to find Jim holding a glass of milk, leaning against the doorframe that led from the kitchen to the living room.
"I'll bet you are hungry, huh? I'll make some eggs, do you like eggs?" Gordon turned and walked back into the kitchen, expecting the Boy Wonder to follow.
And he did, very obediently. He entered the kitchen and looked around in silence.
"I was hoping you would get up before I headed off to work. I wanted to tell you that I got some clothes from my neighbor next door that might fit you. You'll probably want to take a shower, so feel free, and after you can try some on. How do you like your eggs?"
"Anything is fine," Robin muttered under his breath.
"All right then, I'll make us both scrambled. You can get the milk from the 'fridge, I put it up. Help yourself."
"Water is fine."
"All right, you know where to find it." Gordon stirred the contents in the pan and smiled at the boy, though the smile was obviously false. "So, you slept well last night, I considered waking you, but though for the better. The city would be fine for one night, you know?"
Robin was silent as he filled his glass with tap water from the sink. He watched it fill and decided not to voice his frustration at not being woken.
"Anyhow, you know where I work, and I thought that if you get lonely you could come and help us down there. We have a lot of stuff that could be done, and it's not against the Bat Law to work in the day light is it?" Gordon took two plates down from a nearby cabinet and threw a waiting look over his shoulder.
"I'll think about it."
"That's good enough for me. I just thought you might like to come down there with me."
Robin nodded, taking his seat once more and sipping at the water.
"Well, I leave in half an hour, so if you want to come I would suggest eating quickly, jumping in the shower, and changing." He set the plate of eggs before the boy and took the chair across the table and began to eat his own meal.
"I'll think about it."
"Commish'? May I ask why ya' have 'da boy wonder wit' ya'?" Bullock sneered at the boy with the mask. "And why is he dressed like," the man shook his head.
Robin was indeed dressed in different apparel for those who had only seen him in his costume. He wore baggy denims, a plain white undershirt, and tennis shoes. True, he still wore his mask and Gordon had bought him gloves.
"Robin will be helping me out around here," Gordon answered calmly. "Now where is Montoya?"
"Off getting some coffee."
"Well, ask her what she found on the Gauss murder, would you? I asked her to find out what she could." Gordon didn't know why he was explaining, but he was.
"Sure thing 'Commish."
Gordon nodded to Robin and the two continued down the hallway. The whole time Robin couldn't help but be slightly antsy. He walked a step behind the commissioner, even though there was more than enough room to walk beside him.
Every person they passed began to give strange looks and whisper under their breath to the person beside them, all asking the same obvious question: "Is that The Boy Wonder?!"
They finally made their way into Gordon's office, where the door was shut firmly behind them.
"So," Gordon began, blinking rapidly. "How would you like to team up with Montoya in a case?"
"What?"
"You heard me, how would you like to team up with Montoya for the Gauss Murder?"
"I'll do anything that Batman would do to help, and I know he wouldn't take fondly to working with other police officers."
"Naturally, but you are not the Batman, you're Robin."
"Same concept."
Gordon gave a bitter smile and shrugged. "So, what do you have to say? No?"
"What kind of work would I be doing?"
"That depends on what she needs done, how about this, you see how it goes and if you don't want to work with her, then you don't have too. What do you say to that?"
Robin shrugged, interested, but not showing it. "Sure, I guess."
"Wonderful, she will, I am sure, be happy to work with you. If there is one person she enjoys more than anyone in the Bat group it is you. But I bet you didn't know that. Ever since you saved her a little while ago she has a soft spot for you."
"Cool," Robin said in a way that said, 'It's not cool,' but really, to him, it was.
Everything's gonna be all right, the Lord's gonna' answer your prayer
tonight." –Toby Mac 'Irene'
Chapter Four:
By: The BatThing
Robin glanced about the room in fascination.
"This is where you'll sleep for now," came a sturdy voice behind him. "I hope it's to your liking, I know it might not be all that appealing to a teenage boy but... it's the best I have."
Robin gave a partial nod and hesitated a moment before entering his new bedroom. It was small compared to his old one now in ruins at Wayne manor, but nevertheless, it would satisfy his needs. And it was better than what most had.
"Um, well." Gordon seemed slightly worried. "I'll show you around the house then?"
"Whatever."
The two made their way down the small hallway and the elder gave a presentation of the house. He explained that if they boy were at any time hungry that he could help himself, and then pointed out the bathroom, and the finally brought Robin into the laundry room.
"You can do your laundry in here, you do know how to wash clothes, do you not?"
Robin blinked, glancing down at his feet.
"Oh, wait, you don't have any laundry do you?"
"Um, not necessarily. I have a few, um, things I could wash from my costume and well." He didn't continue.
Gordon didn't say anything for a few moments, and then gradually answered. "I think I have an idea. Wait here a moment while I go next door."
Robin watched him hurry away and attempted to stifle a yawn, which in return brought tears of drowsiness to his eyes. He was drained, and so weary he thought, for sure, he could fall asleep standing up. It had been one of those weeks, and now, the nearby couch almost mocked him.
"Thank you Mrs. Webb, it is much appreciated!" Gordon lifted the box labeled: 'Tommy's Cloths' into his arms and nodded easily.
"I always love donating to those in need," the woman replied almost in a gossiping manner. "I never even considered donating to the police station. You be sure that those children who suffered from that bomb get those clothes on their back."
"Oh I will ma'am, trust me. Thank you once more."
"Tommy would be pleased to know that his clothes are being use for such a nice thing. You see, I would have donated long ago but I can't really get out of the house due to my old bones. I get so tired so easily, and no one really comes over to talk to me other than Odis once a week with the groceries." The woman used her hands to talk more than she needed to.
"Heh, well I best get along home, I left the food on the stove."
"Oh, yes, of course. Goodnight then Jim, and any time you need something again, you just come right over and ask for it. You know that I am more than happy to give away things like that to help those in need."
Gordon nodded and hurried out of the house, making his way across the street to his small, cramped home. He felt a small stab of guilt for the woman across the way, but he didn't dwell on the matter.
"Robin? I managed to find you some clothes, I don't know if they will all fit you perfectly, but you could at least give them a try." He entered into the laundry room and lowered the box, glancing around. The boy wasn't in sight. "Robin?"
'Great,' Gordon thought. 'He ran off at his first chance.'
He made his way into the living room and a small smile touched his lips. There, on the couch, curled into a tight, unsecured ball, slept Robin, the Boy Wonder.
Something pulled at Gordon's already weak heart as he though of his daughter. The man pulled an afghan from the rocker a few feet away and lightly spread it over the boy.
"Goodnight son," the man whispered as he flicked of the lamp brightening the room. Then there was a small hush of silence, and Gordon made his way to his room.
"BRUCE!" Robin gasped, sucking in air, filling his lungs. It had been a ghastly dream, and he quivered thinking about the reality of it. He glanced around the room, taking it in slowly, and remembering where he was. Lifting the blanket that was covering him, the boy slowly rose to his feet and glanced halfheartedly out the nearby window.
He was somewhat surprised to discover a small ray of sun sleeping peacefully. How long had he slept, and why had Gordon let him do so? Robin instantly went for his mask, recalling Gordon. He found it securely in place.
"Oh, you are up."
Robin whirled around to find Jim holding a glass of milk, leaning against the doorframe that led from the kitchen to the living room.
"I'll bet you are hungry, huh? I'll make some eggs, do you like eggs?" Gordon turned and walked back into the kitchen, expecting the Boy Wonder to follow.
And he did, very obediently. He entered the kitchen and looked around in silence.
"I was hoping you would get up before I headed off to work. I wanted to tell you that I got some clothes from my neighbor next door that might fit you. You'll probably want to take a shower, so feel free, and after you can try some on. How do you like your eggs?"
"Anything is fine," Robin muttered under his breath.
"All right then, I'll make us both scrambled. You can get the milk from the 'fridge, I put it up. Help yourself."
"Water is fine."
"All right, you know where to find it." Gordon stirred the contents in the pan and smiled at the boy, though the smile was obviously false. "So, you slept well last night, I considered waking you, but though for the better. The city would be fine for one night, you know?"
Robin was silent as he filled his glass with tap water from the sink. He watched it fill and decided not to voice his frustration at not being woken.
"Anyhow, you know where I work, and I thought that if you get lonely you could come and help us down there. We have a lot of stuff that could be done, and it's not against the Bat Law to work in the day light is it?" Gordon took two plates down from a nearby cabinet and threw a waiting look over his shoulder.
"I'll think about it."
"That's good enough for me. I just thought you might like to come down there with me."
Robin nodded, taking his seat once more and sipping at the water.
"Well, I leave in half an hour, so if you want to come I would suggest eating quickly, jumping in the shower, and changing." He set the plate of eggs before the boy and took the chair across the table and began to eat his own meal.
"I'll think about it."
"Commish'? May I ask why ya' have 'da boy wonder wit' ya'?" Bullock sneered at the boy with the mask. "And why is he dressed like," the man shook his head.
Robin was indeed dressed in different apparel for those who had only seen him in his costume. He wore baggy denims, a plain white undershirt, and tennis shoes. True, he still wore his mask and Gordon had bought him gloves.
"Robin will be helping me out around here," Gordon answered calmly. "Now where is Montoya?"
"Off getting some coffee."
"Well, ask her what she found on the Gauss murder, would you? I asked her to find out what she could." Gordon didn't know why he was explaining, but he was.
"Sure thing 'Commish."
Gordon nodded to Robin and the two continued down the hallway. The whole time Robin couldn't help but be slightly antsy. He walked a step behind the commissioner, even though there was more than enough room to walk beside him.
Every person they passed began to give strange looks and whisper under their breath to the person beside them, all asking the same obvious question: "Is that The Boy Wonder?!"
They finally made their way into Gordon's office, where the door was shut firmly behind them.
"So," Gordon began, blinking rapidly. "How would you like to team up with Montoya in a case?"
"What?"
"You heard me, how would you like to team up with Montoya for the Gauss Murder?"
"I'll do anything that Batman would do to help, and I know he wouldn't take fondly to working with other police officers."
"Naturally, but you are not the Batman, you're Robin."
"Same concept."
Gordon gave a bitter smile and shrugged. "So, what do you have to say? No?"
"What kind of work would I be doing?"
"That depends on what she needs done, how about this, you see how it goes and if you don't want to work with her, then you don't have too. What do you say to that?"
Robin shrugged, interested, but not showing it. "Sure, I guess."
"Wonderful, she will, I am sure, be happy to work with you. If there is one person she enjoys more than anyone in the Bat group it is you. But I bet you didn't know that. Ever since you saved her a little while ago she has a soft spot for you."
"Cool," Robin said in a way that said, 'It's not cool,' but really, to him, it was.