Zx: He won't be Robin right away.
Shadow Joestar: One day, one day.
Here are a few reviews answered by Ghost:
To everyone: Thank you for reviewing and we're glad that you're enjoying it so far.
Co-Writter: GhostKaiser23
Disclaimer: We do not own Batman
Author's Notes:
Yo guys, here's a whole new chapter! Hope you like it!
Batman: A Different Path
Chapter 7: Adopting the Truth
It was a few weeks later, the Wayne Household was becoming happier because Dick was having a great time with Bruce and Pamela. He was currently with Pamela watching TV "You know, this has been nice. Just sitting here watching TV with you Dick." Pamela commented nicely
"Thank you Mo... Miss Isley." Dick said, catching himself and looking back at the TV
'Mo? Did...Did he almost call me "Mum"?' Pamela thought in a happy shock
'Why did I say that?' Dick thought, angry at himself
"Dick...Did you just-?" Pamela asked kindly but Dick got up giving an excuse
"E-Excuse me, I need to go to the toilet." Dick interrupted as he got up and ran away
"Dick..." Pamela frowned lightly 'Should I call Bruce?' She wondered
*With Bruce*
"And then I said; 'you wanna charge me extra? Shove it up your ass'!" Harleen Quinzel said, her Brooklyn accent thicker than when she was at work
"Oh my goodness." Bruce laughed holding his head in his hand in disbelief. The two were in a simple cafe in a calmer part of Gotham "It's nice to get out of the office for a while." Harleen smiled, holding a raisin swirl in her hand
"Glad I could help." He smiled
"So, how's little Dick doing?" Harleen asked kindly, she had been talking with them for a while and they got to talking about family
"He's doing great." He nodded with a smile
"That's great. And how have you been with him around?" Harleen asked
"... he feels like my son." Bruce smiled softly
"Really...?" Harleen beamed happily upon hearing that.
"Yea. He's a great kid." Bruce nodded "Enough about my affairs; how have you been Harleen?" Bruce asked
"... fine." She smiled, hesitating a bit
Bruce picked up on the hesitation, he had a worrying feeling. But he couldn't let on about the future information. "Just fine?" he asked casually
"Well... I might have met someone." Harley admitted to Bruce, who had quickly became her best friend
"Really? Well, who is this person?" Bruce asked through his social mask, but hidden within...He was holding back the fear and worry for Harleen.
"His name... is Jack. He's so kind and caring." Harleen half lied, chuckling softly as she blushed
"Really?" Bruce asked, taking a sip from his drink "Anything descriptive?"
"Well... he's very sweet." She shrugged
"Hmm...I'd like to meet him." Bruce spoke casually taking another drink
"Maybe one day. He works weird hours." She lied, shrugging
"Until then, then." Bruce answered
Harleen nodded with a guilty smile
*With Victor Fries*
"Morning Victor, how's it going?" a scientist spoke to his colleague.
"I am getting close. I hope." He sighed
"Hey, we have the time and resources. We'll get there." the scientist responded with hope. Victor nodded sadly
"Lunch time, everyone." a guard spoke to the scientists
"Coming Victor?" the scientist asked expecting him to say "no" but asking to be nice
"Yes, yes I'm coming." Victor nodded placing down a test-tube. The man gasped at that, looking at Victor in shock "I've been told...I wasn't helping anyone running myself ragged." Victor answered walking out of the room
*time skip, with Barbara*
Barbara was currently cutting out newspaper clippings with her father, all of them were headlines about this new "Batgirl". And her father was getting concerned for Barbara's safety with another masked vigilante running around but he didn't suspect her "I don't know what this city's becoming Barb...If there's ONE masked vigilante running around, there's a copycat trying to prove their mettle..." Jim sighed heavily
"Maybe she just wants to help? Batman can't be everywhere." Barbara shrugged
"Maybe...But this "Batgirl" just looks like a kid...What do you think their parents are gonna think?" Jim sighed, gluing in the page. Barbara held back a flinch at that "What do you think?" He asked his daughter
"I think the Batman is lucky to have her help." Barbara shrugged, staking her own opinion on what she was doing
"So why is it they aren't together in fighting?" He wondered holding his tobacco pipe in his mouth
"... he can't be everywhere at once? I don't know dad." Barbara frowned, unable to really argue
"Well...Maybe it's good he's got help. I dunno...Maybe I'm just getting too old..." Jim spoke
"Maybe." Barbara giggled
"You DO know it's Father's Day coming up; RIGHT?" Jim spoke with a raised eyebrow and a smile
"Is it?" She joked with a gentle smile
"I'm THIS close to grounding you, young lady." Jim warned
"Got to get to school, sorry Daddy." She smiled, kissing his cheek and grabbing her bag before running out
"Clever girl..." Jim chuckled
*At Wayne Manor*
It had been a week since Dick's slip up and he has not been in a room with Pamela for more than a minute "What's wrong with Dick? He's been acting weird all week." Bruce asked
"He...well he almost said something that's done this. Nothing rude, but...it shook him up." Pamela responded
"What happened?" He asked
"He...he almost called me "Mum"." Pamela answered
"Really?" He asked
"Yeah...but he stopped midway and ran off. I don't know if he's embarrassed or upset..." Pamela explained
"Most likely both." He nodded
"...Should we go talk to him? I mean I don't want to disrespect his privacy or anything." Pamela asked
"Let me." he smiled, kissing her quickly before giving her a better second kiss
"We need to fix that." Pamela spoke as Bruce went off to their young ward 'Not that I don't like two kisses.' she thought with a slight chuckle
Bruce sighed as he walked up the stairs of his large home. He headed to Dick's room; he had a feeling he was in there. That he was avoiding the pair of them, because of the accident. "Dick?" He asked, knocking on the door
"C-Come in..." Dick spoke weakly in the room
Bruce sighed softly, opening the door and entering. He found Dick currently huddled up reading. Well, it LOOKED like he was reading. He just didn't want to look at Bruce for his worry "Are you okay?" Bruce asked, sitting behind Dick and rubbing his back
"Yes. Yeah I'm fine..." Dick buried his face into his book, unable to look at Bruce
"You don't need to lie. Pamela told me what happened." Bruce sighed
"She did? Oh...!" Dick went to cover his face deeper, but couldn't. Physics wouldn't have allowed it.
"Dick. You can talk to me." he sighed
"I...I feel ashamed...And happy...Confused..." Dick answered
"I understand." Bruce nodded
"Do you? I feel like I'm betraying my parents." Dick answered
"As I felt when Alfred raised me." Bruce nodded
"You...you did?" Dick asked
"Exactly. You've nothing to feel bad about." Bruce reassured him. Dick just jumped up and hugged Bruce, crying in personal confusion "It's okay...It's alright..." Bruce smiled reciprocating the hug and rubbed the young boy's head
"I... I feel like I'm betraying them." He cried
"Oh Dick...its okay to feel like this. You're not betraying anyone." Bruce answered
Dick just sniffed, hugging him tighter "C-Can...Can I apologise...to Pamela?" Dick sniffed
"She doesn't want you to." He smiled at her, making it clear that Pamela liked him calling her that
"Can I see her though?" Dick asked
"Of course." Bruce nodded, whipping the tears from Dick's face with a spare handkerchief before they headed down
Pamela was waiting in the living room, she was looking at one of the plants that she had grown in the garden. 'I hope Dick is alright to talk to us...' she thought sadly
"Pamela?" Bruce called lightly as he and Dick walked towards her
"Oh, are you okay Dick?" Pamela asked kindly. Dick nodded and hugged her "Oh. Oh Dick..." Pamela hugged him back
"I'm sorry." He whispered lightly, but she heard him
"It's okay." She soothed as she rubbed his back
"I'm sorry...I shouldn't have been evading you." Dick sniffed
"It's fine." She smiled "It's okay."
"I was just worried...and ashamed." Dick added
"I know." Pamela soothed, kissing his head "Bruce and I have been wanting to tell you something for a while."
"What is it?" Dick asked looking up at her.
"We want to adopt you, if you want." She smiled
"A-Adopt me?" Dick asked in amazement
"Of course." Bruce nodded. Dick looked to the floor, tears welling in his eyes...and he gave two short quick nods "You okay?" Bruce asked
"Y-Yes." Dick nodded again.
"Yes?" Pamela asked
"Yes...I do want you to...adopt me." Dick answered. Pamela smiled and nodded, hugging him
"Looks like we're a family now." Bruce smiled
Dick nodded, holding back tears
*With Harleen*
The blonde sighed as she took a sip of coffee in the doctor's room. She was relaxing, as she was reviewing The Joker's profile.
"Ah, Doctor Quinnell." A dark, creepy voice said, nearly making her jump out of her skin
"Oh, Dr Strange. Taking your break now?" Harleen asked after a few coughs to calm herself down and regain her composure, acting professional
"Of course." He nodded, Doctor Strange being a creepy bold man in a labcoat and dark glasses
"So, what brings you down here? Usually you have your break in your office." Harleen inquired
"I have heard you have been working with the Joker." Strange replied
"Yes...Yes I have. I believe I can get through to him." Harleen answered
"... fascinating." he muttered, his glasses looking deep into Harleen's eyes reading her with her unable to do the same to him
"He is, I-I mean IT is...His mind is...Unique." Harleen answered. Strange raised an eyebrow at that, finding the conversation either odd or interesting with the blonde having no idea which it could be "Sorry, slip of the tongue." Harleen answered with an awkward laugh. Strange just laughed and walked away 'That was close...' Harleen sighed. She sighed, running her forehead 'I've still got five minutes...I can just head to the office and get ready for the next meeting.' Harleen thought
She nodded, walking off
*Time Skip*
The three denizens of the Wayne household were currently at the Gotham Adoption Agency, where they were legalising Dick's adoption into the family. Well they were signing the papers at this very second "And your signatures here." The adoption agent spoke pointing to another piece of paper. The two nodded, signing the last form "Congratulations to the three of you. You're now a family." the agent smiled
Dick smiled, hugging both of them "Thank you." Pamela spoke kindly to the agent, patting Dick's back lightly with Bruce patting his shoulder
"No problem. Just enjoy yourselves." The agent responded
Bruce nodded, the three leaving to flashing cameras catching them by surprise "I wanted to be in the limelight, but this isn't what I had in mind..." Dick quipped as he covered his eyes from the flashing cameras so he wouldn't be blinded
"... of course they found out." Bruce sighed
"Mr Wayne! Mr Wayne!" the reporters called out
"Is it true: You've adopted this young boy?" a voice spoke
"Are the rumours of you and Ms Isley finally confirmed?" another asked
"Are you marrying Ms Isley?" another asked
"Is it true that she can't conceive?" another added through the mass of questions
That last one made Pamela's eyes widen, her fist clenching in rage and the ground shake lightly as the plants inside became agitated "If you excuse us!" Bruce spoke forcefully
"Mr Wayne! Vicki Vale: Gotham Gazette, what's it like to be a father now?" Vicki Vale, Gotham's most respected News Reporter asked
"... Fantastic." He nodded with a smile
"Thank you Mr Wayne." Vicki smiled
"Now if you excuse us." Bruce spoke as he, Dick and Pamela pushed through the sea of reporters. He rubbed Dick's shoulder to calm him down
"Thanks...Dad." Dick spoke to his new father, almost whispering the words, making him smile
*time skip*
Bruce was, once again, in the BatCave in front of the BatComputer looking through records to try and fond the Falconine's. 'Where are you? You can't hide forever.' Bruce though but he stopped as he came across another article about Batgirl "Another Batgirl article? She's been attracting attention." Bruce spoke in concern for this individual's safety but also felt slightly angered. He sighed, deciding it was best to look up the files he was given "Let's see what you've been up to..." Bruce began to examine the files on this new bat-themed vigilante
He found three files that had the name Batgirl, but two where... locked?
This was something he found. Some files where locked or had parts of them locked. They were connected to a timer and no matter what he did he couldn't unlock them. So with no choice he opened the only free one, glad to see it was the one he needed
"Let's see what we've got here." He spoke to himself
*Upstairs*
Dick was currently reading some books, watching TV was good and all...but he was doing some homework. Well... a test really, a test for him to get Gotham Academy "Um...14 X 7 is...Oh..." Dick wracked his brain thinking of the answer. But let's face it, most people have trouble with their 7 times tables.
"What is ten times seven plus four times seven?" Pamela smiled
"Ten...Seven...Seventy...Twenty eight...Ninety eight." Dick answered and wrote down the answer with a smile "Thank you mum." Pamela smiled at that, loving the sound of that word being said to her
"Drink Ms Pamela, Master Richard?" Alfred spoke kindly
"Please Alfred." She nodded with a smile
"Thank you Alfred." Dick nodded "Milk please."
"Of course. And for you Ms Pamela?" Alfred turned to the lady of the house.
"Herbal tea." She nodded
"At once." Alfred nodded and left for the kitchen
"What number question is this one Dick?" Pamela asked kindly
"Um...I have thirty questions...that was...number thirteen." Dick answered
"Nearly half way." She nodded
"Why does school have to be hard?" Dick asked
"To make you ready for when you are older and have a job." She smiled
"I guess...Does advanced maths come in handy in later life?" Dick asked
"Only if you want to go into a scientist's or mathematician's line of work." Pamela answered honestly
"I don't!" He frowned
"Well, advanced maths may not play into what you want. But regular maths WILL help." Pamela responded. Dick nodded in defeat, sighing "Don't over worry about it Dick. You're going to do fine." Pamela comforted him
Dick smiled at that, nodding. He would make them proud, his old parents and his new family!
*With Barbara*
She was currently sleeping in her bed, for being exhausted from fighting thugs all last night. She was curled up in her bed, holding her covers close to her. Another reason was: she was healing up from a few bruises that she sustained from the excessive fights
She was hissing a few times in her sleep, when her quilt rubbed a bruise the wrong way or put its wait on it. A knock came from her door waking her up slightly "Barbara? You okay sweetie?" Her father's voice asked gently
"I'm okay Daddy." She whispered, sounding very tired… which she was
"Well, I'm going to work. Breakfast is on the counter." Jim answered
"Thanks." She muttered
"I love you." Jim answered
"Love you too..." Barbara answered. She yawned, rolling over again "Ow..." she winced as she felt a bruise being pressed upon
*With Harleen*
Harleen sighed happily as she left another appointment with the Joker, skipping a bit 'Today's gonna be a good day...I can feel it.' She smiled internally 'Mr J was so good to me! He nearly kissed me!'
"Morning Ms Quinzel. You seem chipper." an orderly spoke kindly
"I am Bob." She nodded with a smile
"Cuppa coffee?" Bob asked
"Please." She nodded
"Here're ya go." Bob handed her a hot cup of coffee.
She nodded with a smile, taking the cup of coffee and taking a sip "Thanks Bob. How's things?" Harleen asked
"Fine Dr Quinzel. Got money in my pocket and food on the table." Bob nodded. Harleen raised her eyebrow at that "My...My paycheck. I...I was on about my paycheck." Bob explained. Harleen shrugged, humming 'She's happy...Must've gotten some good news.' Bob thought as Harleen went off.
*time skip, that night*
Barbara was currently leaping around the rooftops of Gotham, still feeling a bit sore from the bruises, but she had her job to do. Well... her self-imposed job 'I hope this is a quiet night...I can't handle any more bruises.' She thought but as she thought that, jumping across a roof top, a figure landed on the roof she was aiming for
Meanwhile in Wayne Manor, Dick Grayson was walking around the large house late at night. He couldn't sleep so he decided to go for a walk 'Stupid not sleeping...' He thought to himself as he just wandered the house in his blue slippers and green pyjama top and bottoms. As he walked through the Manor he stopped when he noticed a Grandfather clock had stopped working "Huh? Did...Did Alfred forget to wind this?" Dick wondered as he opened the case hoping to fix it for him. But he was shocked when the whole clock opened revealing a staircase going down what looked like a cave "Oh boy..." He whispered to himself, he looked back and his behind surroundings to make sure that Alfred or Pamela wasn't following him. And then he took the first step down the steps into the cave.
Batgirl stumbled as she landed on the roof, nearly running into the figure "S-Sorry. Wait...Who're you?" Batgirl asked as the figure turned around
"Someone who's been tracking you." the figure answered
She took in the figures form and gasped "Y... your..."
Dick squinted his eyes as he walked down the steps, having trouble looking in the darkness "Oh...I wish I had a light." Dick whispered as he carefully put his feet on the steps, trying to make sure he didn't trip. As he said that his hand brushed something on the wall... and lights turned on "Oh...That's good...Whoa...!" Dick talked to himself then saw everything that was in the cave. He saw a giant penny, a dinosaur, a massive computer... and lots of bats. Lots and lots of bats "B... Bruce! Dad! He... he's..." Dick muttered
"... Batman." Dick and Barbara, unknowingly, spoke at the same time from two different points in the city with one realising his father's connection to the warrior of Gotham's night while the other was looking at the Dark Knight in a mix of amazement and fear