Chapter 7: Not by Blood

Damian's POV

As I entered my classroom, I became enraged. Colin was being teased by a few students. Stepping in front of my only companion in this wretched prison, I dared them to say another word. They quickly retreated. Probably because they had heard rumors of what Todd had done previously when someone had tried to hurt Drake. Since then, Drake and I were rarely jeered at by anyone.

"Colin, are you alright? Why were they troubling you?"

He looked ready to cry. "They were making fun of me because I… I don't have a family."

********Break********

Colin's words seemed to bother me the rest of the day. I had a sickening feeling inside of me. I felt guilty? Since Father had not returned home from work I decided to talk to Grayson.

He was lying on his bed trying to study for his next college exam. I approached his bedside.

"Grayson, I need to discuss something with you."

He shut his books and stored his notes. He beckoned me towards his bed and I clambered up onto it.

"What's up Dami?"

"I… I have this… feeling."

He looked concerned. "Dami is anything wrong?"

"No… yes… perhaps."

"Why don't you tell me what happened."

I filled him in on how the events had progressed.

He smiled sadly, "Damian you're feeling guilty because Colin doesn't have a family and you do."

"How do I make it go away?"

"You could try to make it better. Mention it to Bruce when he gets home."

"I suppose so."

********Break********

Dick's POV

It was almost 6:30; the normal time for Bruce to get home from work. I walked into the garage to meet him. I made it in time to see his new Maserati pull into its spot.

"Bruce, I need to talk to you. It's important."

"What is it? Is something wrong?" he asked while looking concerned.

"Well it's actually about Damian." I quickly filled him in on what had happened.

He stood silent for a minute.

"What are you going to tell Dami?"

He smiled and laid a hand on my shoulder. That was a good enough answer for me.

********Break********

Damian's POV

"Colin, remember you are to be on your best behavior tonight."

He was excited. It seemed that he couldn't stand still. He bounced around and his face refused to stop smiling.

"I will! I promise!" he excitedly replied.

Father was throwing a party tonight and he had let me invite Colin. A business associate of Fathers was attending the party. A Mr. Warren Grey and his wife Daphne and his daughter Sara were attending. Apparently they had been looking into adopting a child.

"Come Colin. The party has begun and … will you stop bouncing about!"

He stopped immediately. "Sorry Damian."

We walked downstairs and into the ballroom. I could see Todd trying to hide himself in the corner with a bottle of wine and Pennyworth heading directly over to him. Drake was talking to some blonde girl, who didn't want to seem to stop smiling. Father was talking to the Greys. Grayson was beside Father.

Colin and I slowly made our way over to them. It was somewhat ironic; The Greys all had red hair and freckles. If I didn't know any better, Colin could have easily been a part of their family biologically.

Father placed his hand on my shoulder and said, "This is my son, Damian." He then gestured to Colin. "And this is Colin Wilkes."

********Break********

I stood with my back against the wall while watching Colin. He and that girl, Sara, were laughing. I presumed things were going well. I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder. It was Father.

He looked down at me and smiled. "Damian, I'm proud of you. You did a good thing."

I shrugged. "I only did it, so Colin wouldn't be a bother to me. Besides, it's not like it's his real family."

Father looked sternly at me. "Damian, you don't have to be related by blood to be a family."

********Break********

As I walked into school the next Monday, I was greeted by Colin bouncing up and down and shoving a parchment in my face.

"Damian! Look! Look!" he cried enthusiastically.

"Colin, stop bouncing! I can't read it if it's in my face!"

He stopped hopping up and down, but still kept his enthusiastic smile. I looked at what he had shoved at me. Adoption papers. The next instant Colin wrapped his arms around me and squeezed tightly.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" he cried.

"Colin, release me!"

"Damian, if it weren't for you I wouldn't have gotten a new family! You're the best friend I've ever had!" he then pulled me into another embrace.

Why do people always feel the need for physical contact? Couldn't a simple hand shake be enough?

"You're welcome Colin…. That meant you should let go!"

********Break********

When the bell rang, I made my way towards Father's old Hummer that he had given Todd to ruin. I caught sight of Colin holding hands with his 'new sister.' I smiled thinking that perhaps Father was right; you don't have to be blood to be a family."