I'm trying to make Dick both wrought with survivors guilt and mourning, and still the same Dick Grayson. So, once again, give criticism and advice!

Chapter 5- The Eve of Thanksgiving

Swan Memorial Orphanage, North Gotham, Seven Oh-Nine AM; November 1989

Swan Memorial was a stark marble pillar in the gothic jungle of the city's skyline. Ten stories tall, it was no longer anything impressive, especially considering the place hadn't been power washed in over a year. It also gave a view of the park a few blocks over, Lemmars Park, the place where the Flying Graysons fell.

A door opened. The footsteps where light, that of a fellow child.

"Dick.. I knew you'd be up here. C'mon bro, they're serving breakfast."

Dick didn't move at the sound of Will's voice.

"C'mon. Look... I know about your parents, but you've gotten so much better. If you wanna talk, talk with everyone. We're leaving for school in 40 minutes. "

"Will.. I.. I think I've been lying."

"Lying? What do you mean?"

"I've been acting happy. I'm not happy."

Will sighed, "Dick, I'm sure you aren't. But are any of us? The orphanage is a shithouse. But we have eachother. We have you, and you have us. Now come on, it's only a half day today."

Dick hopped down, brushing off his grey pajamas. "I know, Will," he sighed and began to walk towards the stairwell door. "Will. You know the charity thing tonight?"

"Yeah, a bunch of rich guys'll be here to show off how much they love the people. Why?"

"Zucco'll be there. The one who had my parents killed." Dick paused, "one day, I'm gonna kill him."

Gotham North Middle School, North Gotham, Eleven Ten AM

Madison Steakbury was the prettiest girl in the sixth grade, and, in his endless ambition, Will's crush.

"I hope she doesn't eat too much over Thanksgiving break," said Will wistfully, with a stereotypical hand on his chin, balanced on his elbow's fulcrum.

"She'll certainly eat better the we ever get to," murmured Dick, eating his corn slop. The greatest debates of the Orphanage Hall was if orphanage food or school food was worse (ignoring any caters involved). Dick loved to argue, when it was called for, but, after everything from this past month, his mouthiness was far from the only thing that had changed. "So I'm assuming you aren't making a move today."

"Me? Move? No-ho, I never intended to make any move. I'll get over that though. I'm fine watching, for now. Either way, she'll be picked up right after lunch. No time."

Five Thirty PM, Outside Swan Orphanage

"This is Charlotte Rivers for Channel 2, Gotham's Eagle, reporting on The Thanksgiving Support an Orphanage event here at the Curt Swan Memorial Orphanage in Otisburg, North Gotham. At this one we have notable Gotham Upper Classmen and women, Linda Page, Mallory Moxon, Anthony Zucco, J.D. Davenport, and Bruce Wayne."

Dick and Will were fascinated, watching the new report both on TV and only a few stories below them, on the stained white steps of the orphanage. Dick's fascination was cut off when Rivers announced Zucco's name. Will stopped to, but didn't stop Dick from aggressively opening the hallway window and peering out.

'That's him,' thought Dick, 'Tony Zucco. Zucco.. I'm gonna kill you.'

Dick gritted his teeth, but before he could think further, he was pulled in by an orderly. "Okay there, kid. You know you aren't allowed to open windows," said the red-haired, unshaven, annoyed-looking orderly. "If you kids wanna watch, look at the TV or go downstairs."

Will sighed, "Well, get comfy. Or we could get some food. Or-"

Dick gently shoved Will. "C'mon, we're going down," he grumbled, and, without waiting for an answer, began marching downstairs.

"Wait, Dick, downstairs'll be crawling. Besides, what are you gonna do to Zucco? Double besides, there's no way you'll even be seen, and if you are, the reporters are guaranteed to pull you aside!"

"You're already following me. And even if you stop, I won't," He opened the door to the stairway, and continued his march down.

"So, Wayne, how is it here? As an orphan, of course." Asked Tony Zucco. Wayne and the short, overweight millionaire had just finished posing for some pictures.

Bruce 'hmm'd without much enthusiasm.

"Alright, alright," Zucco put is hairy hands back in his gloves, and then raised them in mock surrender, "If you don't wanna talk then I won't." He rubbed his balding head as he walked away.

"Well Bruce, I know you don't like organized crime lords- trust me, I should know- but that was.. different," said a soft feminine voice

Bruce turned. He couldn't pinpoint the voice, but he recognized the face. "Mallory. I was meaning to speak to you. I didn't know you'd be here until, well, since you've been here." Mallory was a childhood friend, and the daughter of Lew Moxon, a retired crime lord who had planned to kill the Waynes before Joe Chill beat him to the punch (or rather the shot), something Bruce stopped holding against Mallory a long time ago.

"Well, I didn't know you'd be here. Pleasant surprise, but I knew the schedule in advance, and you know-" Mallory paused, "Well, knew me well enough to know that my curiosity is gonna surpass my desire to make up. So," she put her hand on her dress' hip, "what's the deal?"

Bruce considered smiling, but opted not too. "This orphanage is home to Dick Grayson, the last on the Flying Graysons. That son of a bitch," Bruce pointed at Zucco, "is the man who killed them."

"Ah. I see now. But, of course, the whole media says it was an accident. I'm assuming you don't have proof for the police. Do you have any proof at all?" she looked at his furrowed brow, "Not to.. defend people like my dad."

Bruce sighed. "No, Mallory. I don't have proof. But what I do have is the Grayson boy's word."

"And you trust him?"

"I trust myself."

Mallory paused. She wasn't sure if this was Bruce's arrogance or if he just admitted how much he saw himself in the orphaned child. "So.."

"Repulsion, then understanding," said Bruce.

"What?" She responded

"Your emotions. To clarify, your assumption's right on spot. The boy is... like me. In a lot of ways."

"What do you mean? About all of that?"

Bruce smiled. "I'm not the same boy you knew before I.. left. Am I wrong though? About you, but feel free to speak your mind on the boy." Bruce was finding it hard to keep up is billionaire arrogance.

Mallory sighed. "Yes, you're right. So. The Grayson boy. Why do you feel like this?"

Bruce decided to drop his persona. "Because I lied to him. I told him everything would be alright. What's that supposed to mean? Every damn thing? Alright!?"

Mallory was surprised. "Yeah, that's what you're supposed to say!"

"Well, you've never lost someone. Not like that. Not your.." Bruce knew Mallory's family- her father- was a touchy subject. "Lew Moxon said that to me. I'm sure Zucco would too."

Mallory looked hurt. Good, Bruce thought, look what lies like that did to me. To this damn city. To her...

"So.." she asked, "What are you gonna do?"

"About Dick?" It was here where Bruce committed to the his plan, "I'm gonna adopt him."