digi-gal-rox: yet another chapter up! R&R!

CHAPTER 4

Clark Kent sighed heavily, starring at the computer screen in front of him. In big bold letters, the title of the article read: 'MAY HE REST IN PEACE'. He snorted softly. He knew that even in death, the Bat wouldn't be able to rest in peace. He had fought so hard to protect his city, promising that children will no longer suffer the deaths of their parents. And he kept that promise. But now... Clark's thoughts trailed to two boys in particular. Tim Drake and Dick Grayson. Two boys that Bruce Wayne had raised, two boys that once fought by the Bats side. He couldn't help but wonder if they would ever put the costume on again, to once again fly in the sky.
"Hey, Smallville!" he looked up surprised.
"Lois!" he exclaimed.
"You seemed to be more surprised than usual, Smallville." Lois commented. "Is something up?"
"Just still have a lot on my mind since Bruce's funeral." Clark quickly responded. Lois's eyes fell.
"Burning his own house... that's... not really like him, is it?" she murmured.
"Is there something you're not telling me, Lois?" Clark asked, raising an eye-brow.
"What makes you think I'm hinding something from you?" she questioned. He smiled.
"Doesn't matter."

Dick sighed heavily, starring at the computer screen. On his right, more and more files piled up, ready to be signed. As names of employees of Wayne Tech. scrolled past, he wondered why these men in particular were eager to win the company over him. Obviously, with Bruce's 'death', and his inheritance of the business, killed their chances but it didn't stop them from sending e-mails and letters of threats to him and his family. Groaning, he leaned back on his chair, rubbing his temples.
"Mr. Grayson, Mr. Fox is here to see you."
"Send him in, Joan." Dick responded. Seconds later, the older man came in, looking somewhat stressed. "What is it, Lucius?" he asked, worriedly.
"Luthor is here again. It seems that he's not ready to give up quite yet." he muttered. Dick groaned.
"How were you and Bruce able to handle this!" he cried out. Lucius shrugged.
"Bruce always seemed to handle things cooly."
"He always does." Dick smiled softly, "Maybe that's why I hated him so much back than." Lucius also smiled, "Well, looks like we have no choice but to see him, don't we?" Lucius paused before nodding.
"This time, I hope he actually doesn't come back."
"You, me, both."

Barbara smiled, watching her daughter happily join the other children in tag. Sitting along side the other mothers, all they could talk about was their husband's faults, and they even married them in the first place. Shaking her head slightly, she forced a smile.
"What about Dick, darl."
"What about him, Jenny." Barbara looked at her friend.
"What doesn't he do?"
"He helps, even with his job, he still helps." Barbara stated.
"See here, girls. I wouldn't mind a man like him!" another friend exclaimed. Barbara chuckled.
"I think every little girl does, Kelly." Barbara sighed.
"But you just happened to win his heart." Kelly laughed. "But he has to have some kind of fault. Come on, spill!"
"Well..."

Sighing heavily, Barbara watched her husband carefully as he ate his food slowly. Mary was happily gulpping her entire plate down. Dick looked up, raising an eye-brow.
"Everything alright, Babs?"
"You've been different lately, Dick." Barbara said quietly. "What are you hiding from me?"
"Nothing."
"Please Dick. Don't lie to me. I mean, lately you've been working out... going out for morning runs... it's like you're training for a war or something." he looked away uneasily. "You've been like this since..." she trailed off.
"I'm not hiding anything from you, Babs." he repeated, firmly. She nodded slowly, still unsure.

The masked man smiled inwardly. Things were about to get interesting. There were already rumours last night that a masked hero was out and about. Whoever it was, it was also rumoured to be the Bats one time partner. Things were going to plan. Cracking his fingers, the masked man gave a big yawn, wondering he himself would have a run in with the returned hero. He smirked at the thought of the heroes return, and if the others would follow. And one by one he would take them all down. Destroying the family once and for all. But ofcourse in order to do so, he had to take them down one by one. Or even better. Who were the people behind the mask.

Without looking back, Dick Grayson snuck back into the hidden cave, breathing in the now familiar surroundings, that was now the cave that people had ever dreamed of seeing. Everything was just as it was from his previous night out. He had to make sure that Tim and Barbara weren't able to discover his secret outings. He may have made a promise not only to himself, but to his wife, but he felt as if it was his duty to do so. To go out there once again and fight. Putting on the costume, he walked out into the night.

"Barbara? It's me Tim. Turn on the TV. There's something you should see."
"What do you mean?" Barbara asked confused.
"Trust me, you don't want to hear this from me." reaching out for the remote, she did so. "Barbara? Are... are you still there?" Barbara's body however had remained frozen, starring at the late news in shock.
"He said there was a meeting..." her voice quivered. "That bastard. He promised. He promised..."
"I'm sorry Barb." Tim said quietly.

"Where were you?" Dick winced at his wife's stiff tone.
"I take it you saw the news."
"How could you do this, Dick?! To us!"
"Barbara, it's just a-"
"Don't act like nothing has happened Dick!" she glared at him angrily. "You promised that you wouldn't go out there again, you said that you weren't going to put your daughter in danger because of that life!" angrily she walked to their room, to continue her packing.
"Babs, don't do this." he begged. "I-" he stopped, noticing young Mary at the door, looking frightened. Zipping her bag, Barbara grabbed the young girl and walked out.
"Barbara!" Dick called after his wife desperately. Shoving her bag into the car, Dick noticed that Mary's bag was in there as well. The older woman placed her daughter into the car gently, before pulling the seatbelt over her. "Babs, don't do this." Barbara climbed into the car, ignoring her husband. "Barbara!"
"I won't be apart of this Dick. Not again." the only thing Dick could do was watch his family drive off into the night, leaving behind the life they had built together.

digi-gal-rox: that's it for now! remember to review! ;D