Part 5:
3 years later, a 19 year old Dick Grayson sat on his sofa in his Bludhaven apartment watching the news. He had it turned to a Gotham channel, feeling nostalgic for the city he had grown up in. It was then that he heard of the tragedy.
"It has been confirmed," the news woman said, "that the second adopted son of Bruce Wayne has been killed."
Dick swore his heart stopped beating.
"The 16 year old was kidnapped by the Joker while on an overseas trip, and was beaten before the warehouse he was being held in blew up. Bruce Wayne, who had been unable to get there in time, is heartbroken over this tragic loss. Our condolences to the family."
Dick switched off the TV. It couldn't be true. Jason couldn't be dead. Not him. Not Dick's little brother. He had to see for himself. He had been away for too long.
…:-:...
There was a loud knocking on her apartment door that woke Barbara up. She checked the time wearily. Who would it be at 04:20 in the morning?
Putting on a top and slippers, she lumbered to and opened the door. She nearly had the fright of her life when a 19 year old Dick Grayson stood worriedly on her doorstep.
"Babs," he said urgently, "Please tell me it isn't true, that Jason isn't…"
"Oh, Dick," Babs cried, all signs of tiredness fading instantly, "I'm sorry, but…"
Dick, realizing what that meant, grasped her tightly in his arms as the both of them cried, cried for the loss of their little brother.
…:-:...
The next morning, Dick awoke bleary-eyed on Barbara's sofa. It took him a moment to realise where he was and why, and, as soon as he did, a huge wave of sadness overcame him.
He got up, changed into a clean set of clothes from the suitcase he had brought with him, and went to check on Barbara.
Seeing that she was still asleep, he decided to let her be as she needed the rest.
Leaving a note beside her bed, he left the apartment quietly, locking the door behind him.
…:-:...
Climbing back into his car, he drove in the direction of the apartment he had last visited three years previously.
Deciding that, while he was there, he might as well make his presence in Gotham a surprise, he left his things in the car and scaled the side of the building once again, climbing over the balcony to enter the apartment.
Selina, this time, was not seated on the sofa, but rather preparing herself some breakfast in the kitchen. She got quite a shock when Dick suddenly appeared in the doorway, probably because she didn't recognise him at first.
Seeing him there again, she was stunned at how much he really did look like Bruce; with the same raven hair and bright blue eyes.
"Dick," she said, walking immediately forwards and embracing her son in a hug, "What are you doing here? When did you get back?"
"I got here last night," he replied, "drove from Bludhaven immediately after I heard about Jason. Spent the night on Babs' sofa, and here we are now."
"He was only 16," Selina uttered, quietly, "far too young to die."
"We all know what we're getting into when we start," Dick agreed, "We just don't really believe it's going to happen."
…:-:...
Dick and Selina spent a good portion of that morning catching up, Dick explaining about his job as a Bludhaven police detective. She listened with interest, but they both knew that it was just an excuse not to talk about Jason.
Soon, Dick said that he needed to leave, knowing that if he was going to talk to Bruce again, it would be better if it was sooner rather than later.
…:-:...
It felt strange, Dick thought, driving up to the familiar iron gates after three years.
He drove up the drive, got out of the car, and stood for a moment before the large mahogany doors, taking a second to guard his loins before knocking.
The doors were opened almost immediately by Alfred, who took one look at the man on the doorstep and gave him a small smile.
"Master Dick," he said, "Welcome back."