A few minutes earlier
Dick's head was swimming. He didn't want to sort through his feelings; they were self-explanatory. Anger, grief, confusion. They were all there, for obvious reasons. He didn't need to take an inventory.
He was in such a state of mind that he didn't notice Raya until she was right in front of him, shouting his name. "Richard Grayson, talk to me!"
"Hi, Raya." He tried to say it in a lighthearted way, but it came out flat and weak.
When she threw her arms around him and started to sob, he almost wanted to break down and cry again. He didn't even care that he was in front of Raya. But he wasn't going to. His energy was needed elsewhere.
As her tears slowed down, Raya was trying to talk to him. "I'm—so—so—sorry. I just c—can't believe what hap—ppened." She pulled away. "Are you okay?"
"Honestly, Raya? I don't know."
"Come back to our trailer," she said, taking his arm with one hand and wiping her eyes with the other. "I don't know if you want to talk about it, or… or anything. But mum says that you can stay with us while the circus moves. Until you're up high enough and the circus pays you enough to afford your own place." He could tell by her face that this was no easy decision—life at Haly's was frugal. Madame Vestri made enough to support herself and Raya, but adding him—even with any wages that he might have earned—would have made life hard.
"I want you to tell your mom that I'm honored, grateful, and humbled," said Dick. Unable to maintain eye contact, he forced out, "but I can't. I talked to one of CC Haly's assistants. With my parents out of the show and me only half-trained, they don't want me anymore. They fired me. I can't go with the circus."
"What?!" Dick had never seen Raya look so angry. "I'm gonna go right down there and pound Haly's ugly head into the—" she broke off. "That doesn't mean that you can't come with us! You can still live in our trailer—"
"And do what? Leech money? The manager guy also mentioned a legal thing. You'd need to legally adopt me, which your mom couldn't do because her yearly wage isn't high enough and she hasn't gotten her US citizenship yet."
"You can't go into Gotham foster care, Dick. You just can't."
"I won't. Bruce Wayne was in the audience, and for some reason, he's taken an interest in me. I'm going to his house right now."
Raya looked over his shoulder, but Dick didn't turn around. "So that's the deal? You're allowed to go with some starch-briefed billionaire dude who doesn't give a damn about you, but not with the people who have been with you since you could barely walk?"
"Raya, I didn't ask for this to happen—"
"But you agreed to it?"
"Raya—"
"Did you?!"
"Of course I did! It was the only option left, and he said that he'd help me figure out who killed my mom and dad!"
For once, she looked shaken. "Killed them? But they said it was an accident."
"That's what it's supposed to look like, but I know better, Raya. It wasn't an accident."
She shook her head. "You're chasing ghosts, Dick. Have fun at the big shot's mansion."
She tried to leave, but Dick grabbed her by the shoulder. "Raya, listen to me. This is exactly the last thing that I want to happen. It's happening, and I can't control it."
For once, her face softens. "I'm sorry, Dick. I am so, so sorry about your parents. But I know you. If you really wanted to stay here, with us—you'd find a way."
She looked like she was expecting an answer, but he was unable to think of one. By the time anything occurred to him, Raya had long since disappeared into the shadows.
Present
Once we pull up to the mansion, I lead the way up to the door. I look down at the kid next to me, but he's staring at the steps despondently, bag in hand. I'm about to unlock the door when it swings open to reveal Alfred.
"Ah, Master Bruce. Glad to have you back."
"Thanks, Alfred," is all I can say back as I bring Dick inside. "This is Dick Grayson. The one who's going to be staying with us for a while. Dick, this is my butler Alfred."
"A pleasure, young Master Grayson." Alfred bends over and offers his hand to the boy. At first I think that he's not going to take it, but Dick finally looks up. He gives a weak smile and shakes Alfred's hand.
"That's cool," he says. "I've never had a butler before."
"I'm sure that you'll find it most helpful," says Alfred. "Now, would you like the grand tour of the place, or would you like to be shown straight to your room?"
"How about we go straight to his room," I cut in, "and Alfred, could you bring him something to drink?"
"Right away, sir."
Dick seems to be warming up to the place. He's looking around as I lead him up the stairs, not saying anything, but not looking resentful either. I push open the door to the room that I had Alfred prepare, and take him inside. It's not too big, but big enough. Four poster bed, large arching windows looking over the sloping grounds behind the manor. Rug, desk, bookshelf. Standards.
As he looks around, I say, "I think you'll be comfortable here. You're free to explore the manor, providing that you don't go into my room or Alfred's without permission. Bathroom is at the end of the hall. I'll see what we can do about school for you—"
He looks up, but doesn't say anything.
"—and if you need anything, let Alfred know."
He throws his bag down onto the bed, but turns back to me, the glint in his eyes saying that he's not to be distracted from his real purpose. "So when are we going to start figuring out who killed my parents?"
"Soon. Trust me. But don't let your emotions get in the way. That's what happened to me. And if it makes you feel any better—" I look over my shoulder, knowing that Alfred won't like what I'm about to say, "—I've got a bunch of contacts all over town. One of them knows the Batman."
That actually stops him cold. "You think—you think that the Batman will help?"
"Batman stands for justice, kid, and he specializes in cases that the police can't crack. I'll see if I can get a message to him. And one last thing." I pull the creased poem out of my pocket and hand it to him. "Never let go of your most important piece of evidence."
And with that, I leave.
Once I'm in the hall, I nearly run into Alfred. He's carrying two mugs, and looks surprised to see me. "Leaving so soon, sir?"
"Yes," I say. "Why?"
"Well, it seems that you two have quite a bit to talk about. There's nothing else you wish to tell him about your parents, or their deaths, or...anything, sir?"
"No, Alfred." I look down at his tray and notice the second cup. "You can have that." As I walk away, I can hear him going into the room and starting up a conversation.
Being a father himself, I trust him to be able to take better care of Dick than I can. And besides… I have places to be.
Turning a corner and pushing open a wall panel, I step into the concealed lift and descend into the Batcave.
(Batman/related characters are owned by DC comics)