Be Undeterred

Week 1

"Alright you sorry sacks of baloney! You all have either willingly or not joined eighteen weeks of absolute hell. My name is Captain Shang Li. You will address me as Captain or sir or you will not address me at all. Do you understand?"

"SIR YES SIR!"

"You, pretty boy!" he gestured, "state your name and age."

"Sir, I am Richard Grayson, sir. I am nineteen years old, sir!"

"Well well. Young Dickie boy Grayson. Daddy Wayne finally kicked you out for some discipline, did he? What? He get tired of you partying? Banging women left and right every weekend? Bet you did some nasty drugs didn't you?"

"Sir no sir! I'm here of my own accord sir! I'm actually in a committed relationship sir!"

"Bullshit! I know your type! You think you've got the world in your palm just cuz daddy's got money. I'm going to humble you, Grayson. You're the saddest piece of shit I've ever met. You can bet before we're through, Mister, I'll make a man out of you. Drop and give me twenty!"

"Sir, yes, sir!"

Immediately, Dick began his push-ups as Captain Li walked away.

"Now then, as I was saying. I am here to turn you men and women into the finest officers the state has ever seen. It's a tough world out there and we need you cadets to be swift like a coursing river. To have the force of a great typhoon. To-"

"Sir, finished sir!" Dick announced as he finished his push-ups.

"What the shit?" Captain Li exclaimed, "There's no way you finished twenty push-ups that quickly. Do it again. This time I'm watching!"

"Sir yes sir!"

Week 3

"Left right left right left right, move your asses, cadets! I've seen grandpas run faster than you lot! C'mon on now! Up the hill"

The sun was just coming up as the sweaty and tired group of police cadets were completing the last leg of an early eight-mile run. As they reached the summit of the hill, Captain Li ordered the team to pause at a flag post.

"See that flag up there? First person to retrieve that flag and bring it to me gets to ride back to base with my wife Lieutenant Fa in the golf cart. Go on! Get it!"

A bunch of sweaty bodies huddled around the flag post desperately trying to climb up the slippery pole. Cadets were pushing and climbing on top of each other. One cadet looked like he had a shot as he inched closer and closer to the midpoint.

"Come on Ryerstad! Put some muscle in it! That flag has flown up there for over forty years. No one has ever gotten it down!"

Cadet Ryerstad eventually lost his grip and fell unceremoniously to the ground.

"Well that's it. Time to get going lads!"

The group started to jog again save for one lone cadet.

"Grayson! Get your ass in gear. Let's go!"

Dick ignored the shouts of the captain and stepped closer to the flagpole. Looking down, he pulled a pin and a bolt from the base. The pole fell forward onto the ground with a loud CLANG. Walking up to the tip of the pole, Dick untied the American flag, folded it up, and handed it to Captain Shang.

"Thank you, sir," he said as he climbed into the golfcart with Lieutenant Fa, "Ma'am"

Looking back, the lieutenant smirked and winked at her husband as she drove off back to base. Everyone else just stared speechless at the scene.

"I guess he's not as dumb as he looks."

Week 5

"Ay man why we gotta do this nasty ass job. Cleaning literal shit in these toilets!"

"We got the bad end of the chore wheel. It is what it is, Mushu."

"Shut up Grayson! You of all people should understand my plight. I was top of the top, man. I was a literal God in college football. They called me the Dragon of the West! I was the best running back in the game!"

"Hey man I hear ya. But this is what we signed up for in this academy."

"Man this shit right here, literal shit, is beneath me. This dishonors me man. Dishonor on me. Dishonor on you, Mr. Prince of Gotham, dishonor on my family, dishonor on my cow, YOUR COW!"

"…..I don't own a cow?"

"Man, you know what I mean."

"Dude, at least they gave us new toothbrushes instead of our own to clean these floors."

"Wait, you're not using your toothbrush?"

"No? Why?"

"OH C'MON MAN!"

Week 9

*THUD*

"Huh? Dick? Baby? Are you ok?" Zatanna hurriedly rushed over to her boyfriend who collapsed at the front door.

"Hi, honey. I'm home! And I'm ok."

"Uhhh, Dick, you're on the floor."

"Yes. And I'm ok. On the floor."

"C'mere baby, let's get you cleaned up and then we can relax a little."

With some effort, Zatanna dragged Dick into the bathroom and dumped him into the tub. She filled it with water and dropped in a scented bath bomb creating giant foamy bubbles. She joined him situating herself behind him and had him relax into her chest as she scrubbed his hair.

"Ughhh and I thought training with Batman was brutal."

"Hehe, you're halfway there. You'll make it."

She wrapped her arms around his chest as he leaned back into her. He closed his eyes and actually drifted off for a second as she lazily drew patterns on his chest.

"Mmmhmm. I missed you."

"Hehe, I missed you too, Dick," she answered kissing his cheek.

"The captain I've got is brutal. I feel like he's working me twice as hard as the other cadets. I'm sore like everywhere."

"Yea, I can feel it. You're really tense," she commented further massaging his torso.

"Shame leave is only for the weekend. I'd rather just stay here with you."

"Hehe. Only nine more weeks, Cadet Grayson. Then you'll be a fully uniformed officer."

"Ugh, nine weeks can't move fast enough."

"Be strong, baby. Besides, did you know…I love a man in uniform," she whispered biting his ear a little.

"Zee, as sexy as you are right now, I'm spent. Is it cool if we just chill on the couch and watch the LSU game?"

"Oh? So you have time for football, but no time for sex with your beautiful, thicc girlfriend? You've seen this ass, haven't you?"

"Uhh that's not what I meant! Honest!...but at the same time, Leonard Fournette ran for over 200 yards last week. He's a leading Heisman candidate!"

"Hmmph, why don't you go ask him if he'd suck your - "

"Ok ok!" he panicked turning around to look at her mischievous face, "I'm sorry hon…..hey! You're just teasing!"

"Hehe of course, baby," she smirked kissing his cheek, "I know how tired you must be. I've got you. Nimue even sent up some crawfish etouffee for us. Let's just freshen up and relax tonight. I'll take good care of you! I promise."

"God, you're so perfect."

"And don't you forget it!"

Week 12

"Grayson! You motherfucker! You cheated! I know you did!"

"Lighten up, Tad! No one likes a sore loser."

"No! Nobody beats Tad Ryerstad! I want a rematch. No one moves that fast on an obstacle course!"

"You do realize that I was a professional acrobat, right?"

"Fuck you! Obstacle course! Ten minutes!"

"As in beat you by ten minutes, or in ten minutes?"

"I'm going to deck you so hard. Fine, punk! Loser has to do the winner's chores for the next week!"

"Hey man, we don't have to put bets on this."

"Scared, Grayson? That it?"

"I'm just giving you an out. That's all."

"You piece of shit! Alright! Two weeks of chores!"

"Don't say I didn't warn ya."

Fifteen minutes later, Dick and Tad stood at the starting line of the academy obstacle course. The whole kerfuffle became widely known among the cadets and staff. Most of the school were in attendance including Captain Li and Lieutenant Fa.

"Alright! Place your bets place your bets!" shouted Mushu, "Grayson vs Ryerstad! Will the local tough guy and bully from Bludhaven come out on top or will the pretty Prince of Gotham humble the big lug? Place your bets!"

"I'm coming for you next punk!" Ryerstad shouted.

"You could try but Imma outrun yo ass!" Mushu retorted.

People piled all their money onto Grayson. One or two cadets bet on Ryerstad, but it was clear, everyone favored Dick. Even Lieutenant Fa and Captain Li put money down on a Grayson victory.

"On your mark!" Captain Li began as Dick and Tad got down in a sprinter stance, "Get set! Go!"

*BANG*

At the sound of the pistol, Dick and Tad ran full speed onto the dirt path. They reached the tires and were neck and neck as they lifted their legs high and into the tire holes. However, after that, it was over. Tad had the size and strength over Dick, but Dick's speed and agility gave him an insurmountable advantage. On the straightaway, Dick literally left Tad in the dust. He dove under the wires and quickly crawled to the next point. Once he got up, he expertly vaulted the brick wall and continued to the next stop while Tad just barely started crawling under the wires. Dick proceeded to climb the pirates rope nets and gracefully swing across the monkey bars. By the time Dick dove into the pool and swam towards the finish line, Tad collapsed on the dirt track and passed out from exhaustion.

"And in a landslide victory, Dick Grayson sets a new course record at three minutes and twenty-nine seconds!" Mushi announced as Dick crossed the finish line.

A couple of cadets grumbled as they clearly lost money betting on Tad. Everyone else gathered around Dick to congratulate him. After celebrating, Dick approached Tad and offered him a hand.

"Hey, man. It was a good race. No need for doing my chores. We good?"

"….fuck you." Tad replied swatting Dick's hand away.

Week 16

"Hey, Tad. Can we talk?"

"What do you want, Grayson?"

"Look uh this isn't easy for me, but I need your help?"

"Oh? Well that's rich. You? Needing my help? Forget that! I ain't helping you for shit."

"Look man, I don't know what you got against me alright? I've done nothing to you."

"You don't get it do you? I'm here because I worked my ass off all my life. My mom died and my drunk ass father did nothing but beat my ass every night. I grew up tough on the streets fending for myself. What happened to you? You're just a bored rich kid who felt like joining the police force. Hell you left MIT for this. You're just looking for your next thrill."

"Look, man. It's not like that. I lost my parents, too."

"So what? You got adopted by Bruce fucking Wayne. You're probably rolling in money."

"That's not it. Look, all my life I've really wanted to help people. Bruce tries to make a difference by donating his money and that's great and all, but I want something hands on. I want to be able to look at the people I've helped. I want to be able to see and make sure my efforts make a difference. That's why I'm here working towards being a police officer. I'm sure you've got your reasons too. We're both here trying to achieve the same goals. So how about we pull each other up instead of pulling each other down."

"Hmph."

"Tell you what. If you help me with my thing, I'll help you study for the written exam?"

"Pft. What makes you think I need help with the written exam?"

"Tad, I don't mean to be overstepping but I know."

"Know what?"

"That you've got test anxiety, specifically for written tests."

"Fuck you! Who told you!"

"No one! Honest! I just sorta figured it out. You sit in front of me, and I can see you sweating and shaking whenever we do quizzes. You're always the last one to finish. I just want to help. I know some neat relaxation strategies that'll help calm you down."

"You'd do that for me?"

"Heck yea man! We're in this together. So, how about it?"

"Alright, I guess. What do you need?"

"I uh I'm not great with guns."

"Really?"

"Yea. Bruce's parents were killed by a gun during a mugging. He's really sensitive about that stuff. I've never really learned how to be a marksman like that since they also make me a little nervous. Would you mind giving me some pointers?"

"Actually, yea Grayson. I can help you out."

Week 18-Graduation

"Officer Richard John Grayson, 48th Precinct, Bludhaven"

Loud cheers and whistles could be heard as Dick walked across the stage in his officer dress blues. Hat in hand, he bowed down towards Captain Li and received his graduation medal. Shaking Dick's hand, Captain Li pulled him close to whisper in his ear

"Kid, you've got the strength of a raging fire, but you're mysterious as the dark side of the moon. You're special but a little weird. Either way, I'm proud of you. Go out and make a difference."

"Thank you, sir!"

At the end of the ceremony, Dick got up from his assigned seat and was immediately tackled to the ground. His assailant peppered him with kisses leaving lipstick marks all over his cheeks and forehead.

"Mwah mwah mwah, I'm so proud of you baby! Mwah mwah, Officer Dick Grayson, the sexiest officer in all of Bludhaven!"

"Haha thanks, Zee. I appreciate the love."

The two got up as Alfred cleaned Dick's face with a handkerchief.

"We are all so very proud of you, Master Dick. A police officer in the family. Someone on the lighter side of the law as one would say."

"Thanks, Alfred. I'm glad you all could be here."

"You kidding, Dick?" exclaimed Barb, "We wouldn't miss this for the world! We're so happy for you! Besides, I bet my dad could pull a few strings for you."

"Haha thanks Barb, but I think I can make it on my own steam."

"Indeed, this is just the first step in your momentous journey. We will all watch your career with great interest," Kaldur added

"Little prankster's now gonna crack down on pranksters and delinquents. Can't say I saw this one coming haha"

"Hardy har Arty. Or should I say soon-to-be Professor Arty?"

"Hey! That's still a long ways away. A masters takes time too y'know!"

"Forget that! Dude! Come work with me in Central City. Ya boi's working on being CSI. We could work hand in hand together!"

"Sorry Wall. I love ya, but I wanna work on Bludhaven. I need to root out the bad from the inside."

"A noble endeavor indeed. It won't be easy, Dick, but you will have our support every step of the way," Diana congratulated.

"We're with you one hundred percent, Dick. I can't wait to see you grow."

"Thanks Bruce."

"Alright alright enough with the niceties!" exclaimed Wally, "Let's party!"

"Hey Grayson!" a voiced called from afar.

Dick recognized Tad of all people approaching him with a smile of all things.

"I just wanna say…..you're alright man" he said extending his hand

"Thanks, Tad," Dick replied shaking his hand

"Good luck at the 48th. You're gonna come out to be the best of us. I'm sure of it."

"You too, Tad. You've got a good heart. You'll be running the 79th in no time."

"I'll see you on the other side?"

"Count on it."

Officer Dick Grayson Week 1

Dick walked into the 48th precinct fully uniformed in blue. With his hat by his side and a lunch baggie prepared by Zee in hand, he knocked on the captain's door.

"Hello? Ma'am?"

"Yes! Grayson, is it? Our new cadet! How are ya!"

"I'm doing well Ma'am. Reporting for duty!"

"Well, aren't you punctual. Captain Madeline Wuntch. Pleasure to meet ya."

"Likewise, Captain."

"Y'know. I read ya file. Went to MIT for a bit, huh? Y'know, I'm also a Boston girl myself. Boy, do I miss the lobster rolls and clam chowda."

"I sometimes do as well. I've learned to make them though. I've got an ok recipe down."

"Good to hear. Anyway, Officer Leland over there will show you to your desk. Welcome to the 48th, Grayson," she said shaking his hand.

As soon as Dick left her office, she shut her door and dialed an unknown number on her phone.

"Yes sir, it's Wuntch. We've got a shiny. He's a little too shiny. Not sure if he'll abide by the rules. I vote we waste him. Huh? Alright I'll give him a trial period. Yes sir. Of course sir. All I'm saying is, if he tries to play hero, he ain't coming back with a pulse. Whatever you say…Mr. Desmond."

AN: Sorry if this feels like filler. I was hoping for sorta a transitional chapter as we move along in towards the big debut. Hope it was ok. I promise more Chalant stuff as we move forward! Let me know what you think!