Yay! We're getting into some story here! Hope you're all enjoying the read. Please review, it keeps me motivated lol.
JACKIE POV
It has been a few weeks since I moved in with Mr. Wayne. Aunt Jamima social worker thought I should keep a journal to straighten my thoughts, but I thought that was a dumb idea. My thoughts are actually pretty straight. Though, everything has been happening really fast. Mr. Wayne has been trying to keep me super busy to distract me from my dad I think. He also has me seeing a therapist. His youngest son, Tim says it is a standard operating procedure for Bruce to do that until his kids are settled. I mostly just go and talk about my life and what is happening and things that make me laugh. I am over the drugs. It was hard the first week or so, but now it is easier to deal with and I don't feel like I need it to sleep at night.
My Dad is not allowed to contact me and I'm not supposed to contact him. I have been told that it is time to start accepting that he is out of my life forever. I was really upset at first, but it's weird, I feel like part of the family here. I am going to a real school, some smoochy private place. It's the girl equivalent of where Tim goes. I wish it was co-ed. I miss talking to guys. All the girls are pretty catty, I pretty much blend into the background and try to stay quiet. I have met one girl who s really nice her name is Liza Moore. We have become pretty good friends. Her dad owns all the oil in Wyoming or something.
I don't think Tim likes me much. Maybe he feels replaced, that is what Alfred thinks, I'm not so naïve. He thinks I'm a monster because of my dad. I notice that reaction from a lot of people who have figured out who I am. A couple of girls at school figured it out and have made it their mission to make me miserable and show me how tough they are. Lets just say it would work out better for them if I actually cared what they thought.
I miss my Dad a lot, but I miss a life that doesn't and cannot exist anymore… I think I am starting to get that through my head. It took a week or two of crying myself to sleep, but I am starting to understand that he really was a bad man, he murdered hundreds of people and destroyed Gotham and the security of this city. Even though he was nice to me, that doesn't change what he did to others…. No matter how much it hurts, this is my home now.
We are trying to tackle me still calling Bruce Mr. Wayne. It's not that I'm uncomfortable with him, it just feels like, once I start being informal it will be real, and I don't know if I'm ready for reality to sink in yet.
BRUCE POV
I hate that I have to call, but I can't train her, I'm to busy… That's not true. I am a little hopeful that maybe this will bring Dick closer to the family again. He is my son after all, I hate that he gets so… distant.
I pick up the phone and dial his number, he answers on the fourth ring, "Hello"
"Hey Richard, it's Bruce." He doesn't sound super pleased to hear from me. We only really talk on missions at this point.
"I know, what do you want?"
I take a deep breath, There is no way he will agree to this, "I need to ask a favor."
He lets out a mirthless bark of laughter, "Why would I help you?"
"Well, it's a big favor, I adopted a girl, Jackie. Which I'm sure you know about. I need her trained, and you're the man for it." The phone is eerily silent for a few moments before his response.
"That doesn't sound like my problem, Bruce."
"Well, It's not a problem either way, I just know you'd be able to do a good job of it. I'm a bit... rough for a girl. You trained Barbara, you can do this." I knew Babs was a touchy subject, he did teach her everything she knows, but ever since the accident and them getting back together… asking him to teach the Joker's daughter may be the wrong approach.
"What, afraid she's going to grow up to hate you too?" Ouch.
I don't really know how to respond, but maybe I should appeal to his ego. He is a Wayne after all, in all but blood. "Well, you and I both know that is part of it. But also you have a more gentle touch."
I can hear Babs in the background, "I think you should do it, Dick. It would be good for you to have a partner, and it would be nice to have another girl around the house."
"Babs, this isn't any of your business..." I can feel her glare without even being there, Barbara Gordon is no one to tell that too.
"Well yes it is, she'd be staying with us. And I'd be helping of course. I'm part of this. Please."
"Babs I am not helping him." He pulls the phone away fromm his mouth, but I can still hear what Babs and him are saying.
"Yes you are, and if you wont I will."
"What? Babs! That's not fair!"
"It's not fair for you to say no just out of spite, you've been talking about a partner for months and now one is in your lap." There is another silence for a few ticks.
"You're my partner!" Dick always had a temper, the only person who I have ever seen be able to calm it down is Barbara.
"Don't yell at me and don't make me say it... Dick I'm in a wheel chair! I'm a good informant, I can't be out there getting criminals with you."
"But…" I can hear the defeat in his voice.
"Please dick, for my peace of mind. Meet her, at least meet her."
I take this opportunity to chime in, "We're having a party on Friday at Wayne manner, she'll be here, come and meet her." There is another silence.
"Fine." The phone goes dead and despite the way it ended I smile. Jackie will be a bat.