Part 2

Chapter 2

8:23 PM November 24th 2010, Batcave

I rub my sore shoulders while watching my computer screen. Today I was thrown into a wall during a fight. My armor prevented any injury, but my back has been pretty stiff since.

"Here, let me help" Selina's voice purrs into my ear. Two hands begin to massage my shoulders. I lean back into my chair making it easier for her to reach, thankful for the relief.

"Rough day?" Selina asks.

I nod, "Urien held up a clothing store in Ohio. He had hostages, so Clark and I showed up to help."

"Where in Ohio? Columbus?"

"No, Millersburg" I correct.

"Never heard of it."

"Neither did I until today."

"Did you catch him?" Selina asks.

I frown, "No. He and his henchmen put up quite a fight. It took Superman, Superboy and I rescue all the hostages. By then Urien and all his men had gotten away."

"Isn't this like the third small town he has shown up in?"

"Fourth" I groan as Selina begins working on a knot. "I don't get it. It's like he chooses the most random towns in the US, then decides to upset random small business owners. He doesn't take much of a profit, trashes the place, then leaves."

"Probably just enjoys the thrill. Did you say Superboy was there?" Selina asks confused.

"Yes. Clark seems to have finally gotten his act together and started training the boy."

"That's good" I can hear Selina smile. "What brought that on?"

I tense up, "Dick leaving."

Selina stops rubbing my shoulders. "Oh" she says dejectedly.

A pregnant quiet fills the room. Selina sits in a chair next to me, looking gloomy. We both listen to the computer buzz, running J'onns program through Gotham Academy's security videos. Selina watches the screen then asks hopefully

"Anything new come up?"

"No" I sigh.

We have been going over the school's tapes for days with little success. There was one tape where Jasmine and Joey showed up and had lunch with Dick. Nothing really happened, the three just ate in a more secluded part of the outdoor lunch area and talked. That occurred at the beginning of the school year. It isn't much, but it did bring Joey back into the picture.

Before I found that clip, it was assumed that Joey dropped out of the picture since Barbara said she had only seen him last year. Joey hasn't shown up anywhere with Dick and Jasmine so far at their trip stops. The Watchtower's computer has caught the two on a few cameras around the country, but only in smaller towns for a few minutes. Usually it is a grocery store or a thrift shop. They are either buying food or selling random electronics. A couple times Jasmine has also popped up in a car garage to sell them parts. It is strange, but I guess it explains how they have money.

"It is Dick's birthday next week" Selina whispers next to me. I look over to see her eyes reddening, tears threatening to fall. "I had gotten him that skateboard he pointed out the last time the three of us went to dinner downtown. The clear one with the cityscape painted on it."

"He would have loved it" I say, recalling how excited Dick had been when he spotted the board in a shop window. My chest tightens thinking about next week. It hasn't slipped my mind that Dick's birthday is coming up. I had actually bought him a present too, hoping that he would be back in time for me to give it to him. It is a Wayne family tradition to receive a watch on your fourteenth birthday, the age a child usually enters high school. Dick of course has been in high school for a while, but I still wanted to continue the tradition. The watch I bought has a simple black band, but an impressive face. A decorative elephant is the background on the face, not a childish elephant but it did have a joyful hint to it. Dick has always loved the animal, he still has his old stuffed elephant Peanut, so I though he would like the watch. I take in a deep breath, wondering if I will ever be able to give him the present.

Selina sniffles next to me. It is rare that I see her get this upset. I pull Selina's chair over and put my arm around her, she lays her head on my chest. We stay in this position for what feels like hours, but I know is only a few minutes.

The past couple weeks have been difficult at the manor. Alfred, Selina and I have struggled dealing with Dick's disappearance. None of us talk about it unless something big happens. I have kept myself busy with Batman and investigating, not giving myself the time to think about my grief.

Alfred appears to be handling the situation well externally, but I know he is having difficulty with all of his daily tasks. Every meal he still sets a place for Dick and cooks too much food. I have also seen him spend quite a bit of time in the boy's room, staring at Dick's possessions and straightening out items on the shelves.

Selina has also thrown herself into investigating the mob Zucco used to belong to. She hasn't had much success since the lower level mobsters don't have any information. Selina also doesn't have any good connections with the mob like she does with Gotham's villains, making it even more difficult for her.

"I want him back Bruce" Selina whimpers, a tear falling down her cheek. "I thought that we would have found him by now."

"So did I" I say, taking in a deep breath. "I haven't been able think of anything but finding him."

"You know the last time I saw Dick he called me mom."

"I do know. He has thought of you that way since he was little."

I feel Selina smile into my chest. This is the first time we have talked about this stuff. Dick's disappearance and his and Selina's relationship. Before we had a silent mutual understanding, but this is the first time we have sat down and discussed it.

"I'm glad he had you" I tell Selina. "Even when you and I were fighting, I was always glad you and him were close."

I feel another tear run down Selina's cheek and only my shirt. "We'll find him right?"

"I won't stop until we do" I state. Selina looks up and gives me a kiss. The kiss lasts for a while, until Selina breaks it off smirking. "Remember how he hated it when we did that? He used to squirm and whine when he was younger."

I chuckle, "Even at the age of thirteen he would make faces." I give her another kiss.

We both laugh for a minute. Then suddenly Selina's face grows serious and she stares at me.

"Bruce" she starts. "Do you remember the first time we brought Dick to an event? The benefit for the children's hospital."

I frown, recalling the disastrous evening, "Yes, why."

"Remember when we kissed in the limo beforehand and Dick compared us to some maintenance worker in the circus. Wasn't his name Joey?"

I sit up straight, remembering the story Dick had told us years ago. "Yes, and he had a younger sister named Jasmine."

11:29 AM November 25th 2010, Wayne Manor

Since Dick left, I've been slacking on some of my Wayne Enterprises work. Lucius has been on my back the past week about some paperwork I've been ignoring lately. Normally I would be on top of it, but recently I haven't been able to concentrate on anything other than finding Dick. Today though, Lucius had called Alfred who forced me into my office to finish up the paperwork. At least I don't have to leave the manor, so after I'm done I can go back down to the batcave.

Besides, this gets my mind off of the call I've been expecting from Pop Haly. I have tried getting ahold of him many times, but so far I have been unsuccessful. The circus is currently touring Europe, so it is unlikely that Haly will have any idea where Dick is now. But hopefully he can confirm if the Jasmine and Joey from the circus is or is not the same as the Jasmine traveling with Dick. I am already ninety percent sure she is, remembering the black haired girl who pulled Dick out of the tent when his parents fell. If that was Jasmine, that would also explain what Zucco meant when he said I've seen her before but was focused on someone else. The someone else being Dick.

I've also still been trying to get ahold of Dick's uncle, but he is still on vacation. It doesn't necessarily surprise me too much. I haven't met the man personally. But remembering talking to my lawyer during the adoption and speaking to the man's current doctor gave me an idea of what the man is like. Marcus Grayson seems to be a flake.

My phone goes off, but it isn't a call. Instead it is an alert telling me Jasmine has been spotted, but no Richard. They are currently visiting a gas station in Conway Kentucky. I curse. Ever since J'onn installed his program, the League has been keeping a lookout to see if Dick or Jasmine ever pop up somewhere we can intercept them. But the two teens are smart. They only visit small towns and are only there for a few minutes. Nobody is able to reach their location quick enough, trust me we've all tried.

So far there has been no real pattern to the two's travels either. They are staying near the east and are traveling south, but that is the only constant. Otherwise Dick and Jasmine appear all over the place. One day they will be in New York, the next day Indiana. After that they went to Pennsylvania, North Carolina and now Kentucky. That is just in the past week. I'm shocked by the speed they two are traveling at in their cars. That's another thing, they get a new car almost every time we can see it on camera. So the League and I can't even rely on that as a constant.

Something that is starting to concern me, is the absence of Dick in the recent security videos. Over the past few days, Jasmine has appeared four times without Dick. The second time she walked into a grocery store with a blonde-haired man in his early twenties. When I first saw the footage, I thought it may have been Joey with dyed hair, but zooming in I saw the man didn't look anything like Joey. Jasmine and the unknown man picked up a few items, until Jasmine suddenly freaked out for no reason. She threw her purple jacket at the man's face and ushered him out the door. Jasmine then grabbed their items, paid for them, and left. To say it was strange would be an understatement. Since then there hasn't been another sighting of the blonde or Dick. Watching the new video, Jasmine just bought Dick's favorite chips and cereal. So that at least tells me there is still a good chance Dick is still with her but is staying in the car while Jasmine is in the stores.

The video is interrupted by a call. My heart rate quickens when I see it is Pop Haly's number.

"Hello" I answer.

"Mr. Wayne, this is Pop Haly."

"I know, thank you for getting back to me."

"No problem, sorry it took a while. What can I help you with?" the circus owner asks cheerfully.

"Do Jasmine and Joey Kelly still work for your circus?"

There is a long pause. "I don't recognize those names" I can tell the man is lying.

"Are you sure" I say, a bit aggressively. "Because Dick told me about a Joey who worked at your circus with his sister Jasmine."

Haly sighs, "Look Mr. Wayne. Those two haven't worked for me in a long time, I can't give you much information."

"Anything you can tell me about them will help. Especially if it is about Jasmine."

"What is this about Mr. Wayne?"

I ignore his question. "When did they begin working for you?"

Haly hesitates before answering "November of 2002."

"So three months before I took Dick in" I state. "How close were they to Dick?"

"Why do you want to know!" the man snaps. His voice one of anger and…fear?

I waver on what to say next. Haly obviously is hiding something and doesn't seem like he is willing to let anything slip. When I spoke to the man at the circus all those years ago, he seemed to truly care about Dick. Maybe enough to tell me the truth about Jasmine and Joey.

"Jasmine kidnapped Dick."

A pause, "Did she kidnap him or did Dick go willingly?" Haly's voice is full of doubt at my words.

I falter. "How did you know that?" I say suspicion dripping from my voice.

"Because I know Jasmine and Joey would never hurt Dick."

"I want to know why she would take him in the first place. The note Dick left said he left for my safety; what the hell is that about!" I fume.

"You said Jasmine took Dick, is Joey with them?" the man asks.

"No."

"Oh dear" Haly mumbles to himself. "Trust me Mr. Wayne, you don't want to know."

"Believe me I do!" I practically yell into the phone.

"No you don't. Look…If Dick is with Jasmine that means he is fine. She has been on the road most of her life, she can take care of him. Once you get to know Jasmine she…"

"I don't care what you think of her Haly! That girl took my son away from me!"

"I can't tell you what you want to know Mr. Wayne" Haly says nervously. "I myself don't know everything about the girl's history and identity. But what I do know I promised Jasmine and Joey I would never tell another person."

"You know…you are the second person to tell me that."

"Doesn't that say anything to you?" Haly pleads. "Trust me Mr. Wayne, you don't want to go digging into this. I wish I didn't know the little bit I do. Take my advice, leave this matter be. I know you were close to Richard but you have to let him go. Don't try to find him."

"How could you say that! He's my son!"

"And you must let him go. For your own sake, don't look into this. There is a reason Richard left with Jasmine, to keep you safe. Going after him would put you in great danger like it did the Graysons."

"I don't care what happens to me as long as Richard is safe" I declare. "If this girl, this Jasmine, puts him in danger or hurts him in any way…"

Haly cuts me off "None of this is her fault."

"Explain to me how that is true, because I'm finding it very hard to believe" I growl.

"I can't tell you! Even knowing Jasmine exists puts you and me in danger. The less you know the better. I beg you Mr. Wayne, leave Jasmine and Richard alone. Stop looking for more information on them or their whereabouts. Allowing the two to disappear is what is best."

"So you're not going to tell me anything" I snarl. "My son goes missing and you refuse to give me the littlest bit of information."

Haly pauses and sighs "Jasmine's last name isn't Kelly, its Russello. That is all I can tell you. Goodbye Mr. Wayne."

The line goes dead.

4:41 December 1st 2010, Atlanta Georgia

Finally. She finally showed up near a Zeta tube.

Five minutes ago, I got a notification of Jasmine showing up at a restaurant in downtown Atlanta. She even sat down to have dinner. I'll be at her location in less than two minutes.

When I received the alert, I was in the batcave looking at some of Dick's old costumes. Selina, Alfred and I weren't really in a talking mood; it being Dick's birthday has us all a bit more depressed today. Selina sat down in Dick's room this morning and hasn't come out since. I don't even know what Alfred was up too all day, I never left the batcave.

Then I got the alert. Less than a second later, I was in the zeta tube heading to Georgia. Now I am outside the restaurant Dick and Jasmine are supposedly at.

Through the window, I see Jasmine sitting at a table observing the menu and chatting with a waitress who after writing something down walks away. I rush through the door, past the surprised hostess, and up to the table. Jasmine doesn't notice me walk up to her table until I clear my throat.

Jasmine looks up from her menu in confusion, then recognition flows through her face. Her eyes grow wide as she makes a move to stand.

"Don't even think about running" I growl. The girl slowly sits back down. Taking the seat across from her, I glare and ask "Where is Richard?"

Jasmine stares emotionlessly for a second before saying "Who?"

"Don't play dumb" I command. "You know exactly who I'm talking about, who I am and why I'm here."

"Bruce Wayne correct?" she states.

"Where is Dick" I repeat.

"Well that is a question I think is better suited for your doctor."

"Cut the crap and answer my question" I snarl.

Jasmine doesn't seem fazed by my aggression. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"I know you took him. I caught you two on my security cameras." She tenses and looks confused when I mention the security system. I continue, "Stop with the games and tell me where my son is."

"Is there a problem here?" a familiar voice asks behind me. I whip around and am disappointed when I see a blonde haired man behind me. The same man who was in the one video. He takes in a quick breath when I turn around and his eyes widen. "Bruce Wayne" the man says, his voice lower than before.

"Who are you?" I snap.

"I…um…James" the man stutters. He looks over my head at Jasmine then back at me. There is a bit of panic in his eyes that he is covering well; a normal person wouldn't have recognized it. "What are you doing here?"

"Your girlfriend here kidnapped my son."

James's eyes soften a bit. Jasmine tells me "I didn't kidnap anyone."

"Look, I know about you and your past. You and your brother ran away from the mob to join the circus. I don't know why you took such an interest in Dick. But just because you knew him when he was six doesn't mean you can brainwash him into following you."

"You know nothing about my past! And I have never brainwashed anyone" she hisses.

"Hey" James interjects. "Let's all calm down here. Mr. Wayne, this is all a big misunderstanding…"

I stand up to tower over the man. Luckily the table is more out of the way than the rest of the dining room, so we haven't attracted too much attention. "I haven't seen my son in a month because of this girl. Not knowing where or how he is. I have been looking incessantly for him over the last month, having to rely on gas station security tapes to know if he's alive. Now I finally find this girl and she is trying to play dumb. Trust me this is no misunderstanding."

James eyes are the size of watermelons, filled with guilt. "I'm sorry" he whimpers.

"Who the hell are you anyway" I snap. "What do you have to do with any of this?"

"I…I" he begins.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE HAVE A BIRTHDAY AT TABLE 5!" a waitress yells as she makes her way over to our area, carrying a cake. I recognize her as the waitress Jasmine was talking to before I came in. A couple other waiters are behind her, clapping and singing a tune. The waitress sets the cake on the table and cheers "Everyone its James's birthday today!"

The restaurant applauses. I don't pay any of that any mind though. The pieces are starting to fit together in my mind. The man's familiar voice, his guilt ridden look when I was speaking, and now it's his birthday.

"Dick?" I ask stunned.

The man doesn't respond, he only stares at me with panic in his eyes. He opens his mouth to say something, when the fire sprinklers go off.

The restaurant explodes in noise as the guests yell from shock of the falling water. I look to the ceiling for one second from surprise. When I look back down, Dick is gone. I turn and see that Jasmine has also disappeared. A crowd is pushing their way through the restaurant's exit, trying to escape the water. I run to the crowd, desperately trying to spot Dick or Jasmine.

When I finally make it outside, there is no hope in finding where they went. The street is crowded with people, from the restaurant and not. Still I scan my surroundings, hoping to spot them. But they have disappeared.

I don't know how long I stand there.

I can't get myself to move. The restaurant has cleaned up and have started seating people again by the time I can think again.

Every emotion is running through my body right now. I'm shocked, confused, angry at myself for letting them get away, heartbroken, weak, but most of all useless. I can't even wrap my mind around what I just encountered.

How could Dick make himself look like that? Was that Dick? Yes. He had to be. Why else would he act that way? And his voice, his voice was Dick's. He even spoke like Dick did. But how is that possible? His face is completely different, it is longer and has different coloring. He also grew almost a foot taller.

My buzzing cell phone pulls me from my thoughts. In a daze I answer it

"Bruce Wayne."

"Mr. Wayne! This is Marcus Grayson, I've heard you have been trying to get a hold of me. What is this about?"

Still in a stupor, I answer "I have a few questions about your family."

"Not much to tell Mr. Wayne" Marcus chuckles. "There isn't much left."

"Do you have any children?"

"Not that I know of" the man jokes. "If I do, tell them to come over and visit anytime. Actually, when I said there wasn't much left, I was serious. I don't have any blood relation that is still alive."

"That can't be true" I say confused. "I adopted your nephew. Don't you remember?"

There is a pause. Then Marcus slowly begins to recall, "Oh yeah. Forgot about that kid."

"He's you nephew!" I exclaim.

"Look, after John joined the circus we lost touch. I haven't even met the kid since John and Mary adopted him."

My heart skips a beat. "Adopted?"

"Yeah, they sent me pictures. Dam he was a cute baby, wonder what he looks like now."

"I didn't know the Grayson's adopted Dick" I practically stutter.

"Not many people do" Marcus explains. "They got him from some rundown Austrian orphanage. John had written me a letter saying that the orphanage had him and his wife sign one sheet of paper. Then off they went."

I am frozen in place. The world seems to stop around me. I hear Marcus calling out to me over the phone, but I don't respond to him. My stomach is doing backflips, my head feels as if it will explode any second. I can't focus my eyes on anything for longer than two seconds. Reality feels like it is falling away.

My mind is racing, trying to process everything that has happened. Day turns into night, but I am still standing in the same place, phone held up to my ear.

Hours pass. Marcus had hung up long ago, leaving me listening to a dialtone. The crowd decreases, everyone going home due to the time growing later. Street lamps turn on, the restaurant closes. The workers give me strange looks as they pass, but I don't pay them any attention. At some point my mind went from a million thoughts per second, to off. It is completely blank.

I hear a swoosh sound behind me, but don't turn around. A hand rests itself on my shoulder.

"Bruce" Clark says. I don't respond. "How long have you been out here?" I just stare at the road.

Clark sighs, "C'mon lets go, Selina is worried sick about you." He pulls on my arm a bit, trying to get me to move.

"I saw him Clark" I state. The first words I have spoken in hours.

"Saw who? Dick? I know about the alert form earlier."

I look at Clark, staring him in the eyes so he knows I am completely serious when I say

"I don't know who he is."

So what do you all think? Send me some reviews on where you think this story is going!