GSOG Chapter 35
"Ok, no question held, go for it." Dick states.
"Where were you born?" M'gann asks, mostly just out of curiosity.
"A difficult one right off the bat, of course…" He mumbles. "I was born on the train going through Canada. We were in Manitoba headed to Ontario."
"You're Canadian?" Artemis asks.
"Eh, just where I was born." He shrugs his shoulders. Wally snorts. "What?"
"Nothing." He responds, smiling like a doofus. Dick rolls his eyes, shaking his head, but he smiles softly, loving him too much to be annoyed.
"I'm half Romani, parts Italian and English, with some splashes of different European countries in there, probably a little Russian in there too. Heck, I might even have some Scandinavian in there. I'm a mutt." He explains, smirking. "But 100% me, that's what I think matters."
"I agree with that." Wally comments. Wally grabs his hand and pulls him down so he's on his lap, wrapping his arms around his waist. Dick feels like his heart skipped a beat when he does this, with a momentary feeling of panic.
"Whoa, hey, are you ok?" Raquel asks.
"H-huh…?" Dick stutters out.
"You went really pale." She comments, he's still very pale.
"It's fine… I'm fine…" He takes a slow breath. "It's just Wally, it's Wally… It's not her…" He starts breathing a bit heavier. Wally lets him go and moves him so he's on the couch, makes him turn so they're face to face.
"Babe, easy. Breathe." Wally says. "I'm sorry, I didn't know that would trigger you."
"I-Is fine… Not your fault…" Dick mumbles.
"Trigger what?" Conner asks. Artemis narrows her eyes, clenching her fists. Zatanna places a hand on her shoulder.
"What is going on?" Rocket asks. M'gann flies over to the kitchen and grabs a cup, fills it with water and brings it over. Wally takes it and helps him drink it.
"Easy…" He says softly, stroking the side of Dick's head. He pulls the cup away. "Do you want me to tell them, or do you want to? We don't even have to say anything."
"I-I…" He tries to talk, but his voice is too shaky. M'gann places a hand on his back, causing him to startle and move away. She retracts her hand, confused and concerned.
"Sorry, I…" She trails off. "Was just trying to help…" Wally stands up, grabbing Dick's biceps. Dick's breathing is irregular and shaky, eyes wide, pupils are starting to dilate.
"Look at me, ok? Look at me." Wally orders. Dick looks at him. "You feel me, right? My hands, my hands on your arms, your clothes on your shoulders, not your school uniform." Dick nods a bit.
"Yea… Yea, I know… I-I…" Dick trails off, he bows his head, closing his eyes. "I want it to stop…" A soft sob escapes. Wally pulls him into a tight hug. He runs a hand through his hair.
"I know you do… But it's not your fault, any of it. But please…" He pauses, pulling away from him. "Talk to Canary, she's licensed to help people through things like this."
"I know…" He lowers his head again. "I know… I just… It's hard… Because, the more I talk about it, the more real it feels and I don't want it to be real… I want to just pretend it never happened…"
"Dick." Artemis states. They all look at her. "I don't entirely know what it's like going through what all you have, but I have been through that specifically. It was one of the few times my dad actually behaved like a dad…" She trails off, crossing her arms. "So, I get it, to an extent, I get it. I was just a little girl and I thought it was going to be the end of me. And in it way, it was. I wasn't the same after that. I won't claim I'm stronger now because of it, I'm not going to tell you it happened for a reason either. There's no damn reason why that should have happened to either of us. But, we do have a good family here, helping us through it, and everything else." Dick walks up to her, pausing a moment, looking at her hand, the bruise is still there from when she punched Catalina. Dick looks up at her and then hugs her. She hugs him back.
"You didn't deserve what happened to you… I'm sorry it did…" Dick says. "And thank you, for looking out for me…"
"Of course." She says, her voice is soft, she places a hand on his head. "We're family." They let go of each other. Dick looks up at her and smiles a little, then he turns to look at the others, then he looks at Wally. Wally understands that look, walking over to him and taking his hand.
"You don't have to talk about it if you're not ready. I'm sure they'll understand." Wally states.
"Well, I did say I'd answer any question." He comments, smiling a little awkwardly. "I um… I… The other day… you see…" Kaldur had stepped over and places a hand on his shoulder.
"You do not have to answer, my friend. Allow yourself to recover, then you may tell us when you are ready." He says. Dick nods a bit, agreeing.
"We totally get it." Raquel says. "Something bad happened, it hurt you, we're here for you." She smiles wide. "I may not have been here long, but y'all have grown on me, that's for sure."
"We are glad to have you as part of the team, Raquel." Kaldur states.
"Are you going to be ok, Dick?" M'gann asks.
"Yea, I'll be fine." He climbs over the couch and sits down. Wally joins him. "So, what other questions you got?"
"I got one." Raquel states. "When's your birthday?"
"December 1st." He answers.
"When's Bruce's birthday?" M'gann asks.
"Classified."
"When's Alfred's birthday?" Artemis asks.
"August 16th."
"Why do you live with Bruce Wayne?" Conner asks.
"He took me in after what happened to my parents because he knew what it was like to suddenly lose your family so young." Dick answers, his voice a bit quiet when he does.
"Can… you tell us how they died?" Artemis finally asks what she's wanted to ask.
"I'm honestly surprised you haven't looked it up yet." Dick states, glancing behind him to look at her, then turns to the others. "They were murdered…" The air in the room was so thick it could be cut with a spoon. "The trapeze was sabotaged and the cords snapped. It sounded like a gunshot…" Wally places a hand on his shoulder. Everyone moves so they stand in front of Dick and Wally now.
"Who did it?" Artemis asks.
"A mob boss, Tony Zucco. He wanted to make Haly pay because he refused to give into his little protection racquet. He stated he would protect the circus for a fee, but Haly declined. Zucco warned that something might just happen to our little circus… And it did… I witnessed their little conversation, I knew it was Zucco who did it, but I didn't say anything. I should have… Maybe… they'd still be alive…" Wally wraps an arm around him, hugging him from the side.
"You know you can't blame yourself, for that. Zucco is to blame, you know that." Wally remarks.
"I do know that… I… just… I miss them sometimes… I'll always miss them… but… I do have a new family now, and I won't lose it… I refuse to lose it…" Dick mutters. M'gann and Artemis step forward, they both embrace their teammates. The others quickly join in on the group hug, even Conner was persuaded. Team hug! Dick smiles happily through the tears that had fallen. He hates what happened to his family, but at least he's not alone anymore.
"We love you, Dickie." M'gann says happily.
"What she said." Zatanna states.
"I love you guys too. None of you are allowed to die, ok? Dying is illegal now." Dick states confidently.
"Punishable by death." Wally comments.
"You're lucky I can't hit you…" He mumbles. They all separate now. Dick looks at everybody. "Any more questions?"
"What's your favorite food?"
"Pineapple pizza, flakes cereal… chicken parmee-san."
"Why do you say it like that?" Wally asks. "You never tell me."
"That's how I pronounced it when I first learned of it. And I know it annoys you." Dick teases, smirking.
"You're lucky you're cute." His boyfriend states.
"Or what?" Dick questions back, grinning wider. It makes Wally blush and turn his head. Dick giggles a bit, smiling proudly. He loves making Wally fluster.
Some time passes, all seems calm for the time being. Nothing has come of that whole Charles Lloyd thing, yet, but Bruce is waiting, he's ready. As for the trial against Miss Flores, the charges have gone through and her trial date is set. It's another month out, but at least it's something, and she's in a women's prison while she waits, seeing as she's legally an adult.
It's now February, Dick hasn't really returned to school, after what happened, he can't really bring himself to, but thanks to Barbara, he's kept up on his schoolwork and homework. Most of the time, he's either home, with Wally, or at the Cave. There haven't been any missions lately either, not that he'd be allowed to go given his arm is still broken.
Finally, though, Dick goes out, spending time with friends from school, mostly Barbara, Bette, and Artemis. Zatanna comes along just to hang out and meet her girlfriend's friends, they're all at the mall.
"So… Question. How did you guys meet?" Bette asks.
"Halloween party a mutual friend had." Zatanna answers, smiling widely.
"That's exciting! What'd you two go as?"
"I was a vampire." Artemis answers.
"A witch. I cast my spell." Zatanna teases, winking at Artemis. She smiles softly and glances to the side. Dick and Barbara are looking at outfits.
"I mean, what do you get the guy who can get whatever he wants whenever?" Dick asks, looking at Barbara for a moment, then back at the suit jackets.
"You could always make something. That'd mean more to him I think." She comments. Dick nods in agreement.
"Yea, I know, but I don't really have any ideas of what to make, especially when my arm won't be out of this cast for another two weeks, which happens to be the day."
"What day?" Zatanna asks.
"It's classified." He states.
"Oh. Oh…" She gets it, then smiles. Artemis looks at her, a raised eyebrow, only paying a quarter of attention to what Dick's doing, the other quarter is her conversation with Bette, the last half is watching out for trouble. "Well, what are things he really really likes?"
"Bruce Wayne? Nothing. Nothing he can't just go out and get." Dick states, getting a little flustered.
"Hmm… Well, is there anything he can't just get for some reason or another?" She asks. "I mean, there's gotta be something, right?" Dick looks up as an idea pops into his head and he grins.
"Yes! I thought of something! I need to make a call!" He says and steps out of the store to talk to someone in particular in private. He's just outside the store, and the girls are still shopping, but Artemis is watching his back, though is trying not to make it obvious. There's also Slade too, which she hasn't spotted, but can guess he's around. Dick takes out his new new cell phone and dials Alfed. Soon enough, Alfred answers.
"Yes, Master Dick? Is something the matter?" Alfred asks.
"No, I just got an idea for Bruce's birthday, but I wanted to run it by you first." Dick states.
Inside the store, Artemis notices a man walking out, heading toward Dick. She's tuned out of the conversation, watching the man carefully. He's an old, dapper fellow… Her eyes narrow.
"Artemis?" Zatanna asks, noticing her focus. She follows her gaze to the old man.
"So what do you think?" Dick asks.
"I believe we can work something out. I will discuss with Mistress Selina if that is alright."
"Yep! Totally fine." He agrees. They disconnect and Dick is about to go back into the store, but as he turns around, he sees the old man standing behind him. He flinches upon seeing him, stepping back, looking up at him.
"Hello, young man." He says. "Are you Richard Grayson?"
"No, I'm Jake Jones." Dick lies, stepping back a bit again. Artemis approaches, grabbing Dick's arm gently.
"Are you ok, Jake?" Artemis asks, playing along.
"Yea, fine. Just, talking to this uh gentleman here." He states, looking the old man up and down.
"I know who you are, I know that face. That is my little Marie."
"My mother's name is Lacey." Dick states. He starts to walk away from him, with Artemis by his side. The man turns and grabs Dick's arm.
"Enough games, Richard." The man says. Artemis lightly shoves the guy with her free hand, making him let Dick's arm go.
"He told you his name is Jake, now back off." Artemis warns. Zatanna comes over and hugs Dick tightly and protectively.
"Stay away from my twin brother you creep!" She snaps.
"Is this guy bothering you?" Another older man asks. Dick and Barbara recognize him instantly. Slade… "Want me to call the police?"
"That's my grandchild, they're-" Charles turns to Slade and sees the almost menacing stance he has, the air around him screams danger.
"I suggest you leave, before this gets ugly." Slade warns. Charles glares at him, adjusts his coat and marches off. Slade looks back at the teens. "Are you all ok?"
"Yea, we're fine. Thank you." Artemis says.
"Of course, miss. Take care, Dick." Slade states, nodding at him and turning, leaving.
"That was Slade." Dick answers the unspoken question. "And the other guy must be Charles…"
"What's their deal?" Bette asks.
"Charles is my grandfather… Not the one who kidnapped me, but the one on my mom's side." Dick explains. "Slade is someone being paid to watch my back in case the grandfather that did kidnap me comes back."
"Faces to names…" Bette comments.
"That was Slade…?" Zatanna asks. "He's more terrifying in person."
"I think now would be a good time to leave." Barbara says. Dick sighs.
"Can I never have one normal day out?" Dick asks to no one in particular.
"Well, you went on a date with Wally with no problems, but he doesn't exactly count as normal, does he?" Artemis asks.
"Definitely not." He agrees. They leave the store, having not bought anything. There's someone else who was watching, sheathing his knives and retreating.
"Watching the entire time, have you?" Slade asks, coming up beside him, facing the other way.
"Who was that man trying to grab my boy?" William questions. He stares around the corner, watching Dick and his friends walk. He's dressed in normal clothes, wearing make up and contacts to appear more human.
"Charles Lloyd, apparently your granddaughter in-law's father." Slade answers. "Now what are you doing here?"
"I heard Zucco's planning something, I wanted to keep an eye on him."
"To possibly save him from a problem you started?" William simply glares at Slade for his remark. "I'm watching his back, you have nothing to worry about."
"Yea? Then where is he?" William asks.
"He's death gripping the escalator rails as they're going down." Slade answers, not even turning to look. William sighs through his nose in annoyance. "Hey, you may be the most experienced between the two of us, but experience doesn't equal skill." With that, Slade starts to walk away. William just glares after him, burning an imaginary hole in the back of his head.
"Why are you afraid of escalators?" Zatanna asks.
"My cousin told me a lot of stories of kids getting sucked into them when I was little, and I've had an irrational fear ever since." Dick answers, rubbing the back of his head.
"Well, at least you know it's an irrational fear." Artemis teases.
"At least I'll ride them." He says. "I just don't like them."
As the day goes on, the friends head off somewhere to eat, a fancy little diner that Dick's paying for everyone's meal, though Bette claims she can take hers, Dick insists he pays. What are 'cousins' for? After lunch, they go to another boutique. Artemis, Bette, and Barbara have to look for dresses for the upcoming dance, it's for Valentine's Day, though it'll be held on the 12th of February since the 14th is a Monday.
"Got a date yet?" Barbara asks Bette.
"No, probably just going with some friends. Dick?" Bette asks.
"I'm not going this year, I still just can't even look at the school without thinking about what happened." He answers. "I might see if Wally wants to do anything. It'll be our first Valentines Day together, so…"
"What's Wally like?"
"Obnoxious, how else could I get along with him?" Dick responds, smiling widely. Bette shakes her head.
"Sounds like a match made in Heaven." She teases. "I'm gonna try this on." She carries her chosen dress to the changing room. Artemis and Barbara follow her with dresses they want to try as well. Zatanna follows Artemis into hers to help her as she's not used to wearing dresses. Dick stands nearby, waiting. He has this feeling they're being watched, but he tries not to make it obvious he's onto them, he doesn't want to risk scaring the others. He then feels a hand come over his mouth, another around his waist and pull him into a nearby bathroom. His nose was pinched to keep him from alerting anyone. He does kick over a hanging rack though as he's carried in. He's set down, hearing the sound of the door clicking locked. He turns around, seeing William. His breath catches in his throat, eyes wide.
"Before you freak out, I need you to listen to me." William says.
"Why should I listen to a word you have to say?" Dick questions.
"It could be a matter of life or death. I'd rather you live." William states. "Now listen. There is serious trouble brewing, I'm the least of your worries." He bends so they're more eye level. "Dick, I implore you do not listen to Deathstroke."
"Why? Because he's going to help me become strong enough to fight you off?" He asks, crossing his arms. "I'm guessing you've heard of that already."
"Yes. In fact, he made a deal with me. He wants me to back off, let him train you and once he's confident you're strong enough, he was to let me have you, but I do not trust his words. I'll still honor his deal, I won't take you away right now, but I wouldn't trust him. I'm coming to you as family. At the end of the day, you're still my grandson, I still want you to be ok. I fear what he'll do to you if given the chance…" William explains. Dick blinks a couple of times, not entirely sure he's hearing everything right. His arms uncross, falling to his sides. William places a hand on Dick's shoulder, brows knit. "I will kill him if I have to. If he so much as does anything untoward, I will end him. So long as you're safe." His tone is firm. He places a hand on Dick's cheek. "You're my boy…" Dick's mouth gaps a bit, but he steps back from him, guarding himself. William sighs, standing straight. "I understand. After all, I've hurt you many times, and I'm not going to bother apologizing because I know you won't accept it, but at the very least…" He takes out one of his knives, holding the handle out to him. "Take one of my knives. You don't have to kill him, but I trust you will do whatever it takes to survive." Dick looks at the knife, hesitant to take it. But if William wanted to grab him again, he could just do that, so Dick carefully takes the knife, looking at it. "And another thing, Zucco is planning something." Hearing that name, Dick is at full attention, snapping his head up to look at him. "I don't know what yet, but being an owl on a tree branch, I hear a lot. Whatever I hear further, I will let you know in some way. Until then, watch your back. I'll be watching it too." Without another word, William turns and unlocks the door, stepping back and letting Dick leave. Dick looks at William, then the door, then William again. "Go on, I won't stop you. Please keep in mind what I said. Be safe, ok?" Dick finally responds, giving him a simple nod and leaves the bathroom. He sticks the knife into his pocket.
"Dick!" Barbara calls out, running to him, hugging him. "I was worried you got grabbed again!" Dick doesn't say anything, still just confused, unsure of what just happened. She steps back from him. "Dick? Are you ok? Are you hurt?" He shakes his head.
"I'll tell you later…" He says. He steps back to look at the dress she's wearing. The dress she's wearing is black on top, with a dark red plaid skirting that is rather flowy and would flail out if she spun. "I think that dress looks cute on you."
"Thanks." She says softly, though the concern in her tone is evident. What happened to him?