Past, Present, Future Chapter 5, a batman beyond fanfic

digi-gal-rox: chapter up! and a few more to go. happy readings!

CHAPTER 5

"Barbara!" turning around slightly, she was surprised to see John running up towards her.
"Mr. Grayson," she smiled politely, "How do you find Gotham so far?"
"Please, just call me John." the dark haired man smiled, "And it's going great."
"Is there something you need in particular?" she asked, raising an eye brow, as several cars whizzed by.
"Actually there is." he said awkwardly.
"O.K. Fire away, unless it's something to do with files from the police department, I can't help you there."
"No, nothing about that." he paused, "What can you tell me about the late Barbara Gordon?" she froze.
"Excuse me?"
"You are related to her... right?"
"She's dead, Mr. Grayson." she stated. "I never knew her. I only ever met her once." he stared at her hard.
"You're lying."
"Excuse me?"
"It's just that... I get this feeling that's telling me you're lying."

"He just came out straight forward and asked you?" Terry looked at her surprised. "Maybe this mission is more about Gordon than us."
"No," she shook her head, "They don't know who's behind the mask of Batman. They... he wants to know more." Terry paused, sipping his coffee slowly.
"Are you sure?"
"Or maybe it's about all of us." she decided. "The elder Mr. Grayson asked about my grandmother, as did the older Mr. Grayson. Now the younger. Than again, they also want to know who Batman is."
"Did Gordon leave anything to them in particular?"
"Not that I know of." she sighed, "There is a disk, however."
"A disk? Protected I suppose."
"No, I cracked it already." she responded airly, "It contained information about all the rogues from their time."
"That it?"
"There's a hidden message though, I haven't been able to crack it yet. I have a feeling that it's for the Grayson family." Terry starred at his cup.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah," she nodded. "She may've been tough, but there was always a soft side to her, according to mum." the man starred at her curiously before nodding.
"I'll meet him then. Maybe she wanted us to talk."
"I think she wanted us to be a family again."

"Are you hiding something from me, Kelly?" Kelly looked at her friend surprised.
"What are you talking about, John?"
"Are you hiding anything from me?" John repeated.
"God no! What gave you that impression?" the young man frowned slightly.
"Please don't lie to me, Kelly."
"I'm not, John. You're my best friend, why would I even lie to you?"
"I dunno. It's just that... I was told that Batman was looking for you." he frowned slightly, "Do you know what that is about?"
"Maybe he's playing you," she guessed. "I'm an officer, John. Maybe he's after something that I know."
"Maybe..."

"Throwing him off your trail," she mused, "That's something I don't see everyday, from you."
"Shut it," he muttered. She looked at him, before he too even cracked a smile. "Maybe from me, but not from Bruce." The young red-head chuckled, shaking her head slightly, as the elderly man loomed over Terry. "Sorry," he quickly added sheepishly.
"They're on their way." Bruce grunted.
"As in Nightwing or John?" Jason asked.
"Nightwing," the older man responded. The wrinkled man paused. "Maybe its time he met the family."
"I don't think so." Terry muttered. "Firstly, remember she operates down here, and secondly Mr. Drake will kill me, maybe you if the kid ever wore that suit you made for him."
"I didn't mean him. I meant Batman and Oracle." Bruce narrowed his eyes. "Afterall, Oracle did sometimes lend a hand out on the field."
"Once," Terry corrected. "But he can talk to her." Barbara nodded slightly.
"I prefer to remain unknown to the world, Mr. Wayne. My family has already lost enough. We don't need another life lost."
"Fine." glarring at Terry, he motioned him to suit up.

"You have some nerves blaming Officer Peters," Nightwing growled, facing the Batman. Batman couldn't help but chuckle.
"I had to through you off you trail somehow."
"The original Batman wouldn't-"
"I'm nothing like the original." Batman narrowed his eyes. "Unlike him, I'm not afraid of playing dirty. Ask that to the now, once again, dead Joker." he laughed. Nightwing muttered something, before folding his arms. "So where is she Nightwing?"
"But honestly, I didn't really through you off my back." he said, "She knows something, obviously." Nightwing looked at him. "It's the only way I can protect a valuable friend, Nightwing." Batman growled.
"You're... you're talking about the Oracle!" Nightwing cried out.
"And I'm betting that you want to meet her," Nightwing nodded, "That can't happen."
"She has answers I need."
"Answers? About Gordon? And what, the family as well?" Batman shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't let that happen,"
"Why not?" Nightwing demanded.
"Let's get one thing straight, I know more than you think, Nightwing. I know who you are, and what you do. Your friend has somehow discovered the identity of my friend Oracle, and plans of broadcasting the news. If that news ever leaks out, you have my word that the two of you will die at my hand. And by doing that, I am going against everything I fight for,"

"What aren't you telling me?!" John asked facing Kelly. Kelly looked away uneasily. "Kelly! Please don't lie to me!"
"I can't... not yet-"
"He'll kill you, Kelly! Please, just let me know! My grandfather-"
"Is the cause of all this," Kelly muttered. "He's the reason that Barbara Gordon's family...-"
"What about the family?" John demanded.
"Her granddaughter, is Oracle."

"He knows," Barbara informed. "He'll soon be here." Nodding slightly Terry starred at the box that sat in front of him. "What she wanted to happen is about to begin." Staring at the screen, she watched as John Grayson along with Kelly Peters made their way to the front entrance of Wayne Manor.
"Are you sure she wanted this?" Terry asked quietly. She shrugged.
"I'm not sure, but they would've found out sooner or later." she paused, "Everything happened for a reason. She died allowing me to carry this mantle as Oracle." Barbara murmured. "I think she wanted this to happen. For us to meet them as well." Terry stared at her, before smiling slightly.
"I'll call Jason."

digi-gal-rox: that's it for now! -V- Peace out!