The Next Nightwing

Chapter Six

Dick could feel his anger rolling off him in waves as he walked up the driveway of Wayne Manor. He had been expecting the call off Bruce as soon as he had seen the news report about Batman. Without knocking he entered the manor, stalking down the hall towards the living room where he found both Bruce and his daughter sat on the comfortable chairs, Ace at Bruce's feet.

'What the hell happened?'

'Batman was needed.' Bruce said simply, not elaborating any further.

'I presume that it wasn't you in the suit.'

Bruce gave him a look that told him not to be stupid.

'Then who the hell was it?'

'A young man by the name of Terry McGinnis. His father was murdered trying to expose the production of nerve gas in Wayne Enterprises. Batman finished the job...with a little help.' He looked over to Amber. This seemed to be the first time Dick had registered Amber's presence. The girl glared up at him with a look that she might have inherited from Batman himself.

'You lied to me.' She said in a low menacing whisper.

'I didn't lie, I just didn't tell you what you didn't need to know.'

'You didn't think I deserved to know that my Grandfather was Batman?'

'It goes much deeper than that.' said Bruce softly. Dick glared at him, 'She has earned the right to know the truth, Dick.'

Amber crossed her arms as she waited for her father to respond. Finally, the aged Dick Grayson sighed.

'Our whole family was involved. Your Aunt Barbra, Uncle Tim, Jason. They all wore a mask for a time.'

'What about you?'

'Myself included.' 

Deciding he wasn't going to say anymore without a push she jumped straight to the point. 'I want to stay here in Gotham, go to school here and help Terry.'

'Absolutely not.'

'You misunderstand me, I wasn't asking your permission. You have lied to me my entire life, moving me around the country as if you are afraid of something. Well, I'm tired of moving and I am tired of lies. I am staying here.'

Dick stared at the seventeen-year-old before him. This wasn't the same girl he had left here a few weeks ago, the girl who had been meek, ready to do anything to make her father happy. This girl before him had a fearless strength about her, the way she held herself was strong and confident. Dick hated to admit it but he could see the strength of the Bat-clan in her eyes.

'You're not seriously encouraging this are you?' Dick said to Bruce.

'She proved herself more than capable.'

'But she could get hurt, or worse!'

Bruce stood, resting a hand on his son's shoulder. 'You know, I once said the very same thing about you. But you proved me wrong.'

Dick shook his head at him, 'but she...'

'Is your daughter. She has your strength, Dick.' They both looked over to the girl in question as she petted the large dog. 'And she has the stubbornness of her mother.' Dick couldn't argue with that, when Cassy had decided something there had been no changing her mind; Amber was just the same.

'I promised Cassy I would not drag her daughter into this darkness.'

'You're not, she is choosing this for herself. Besides, your talking about a girl who has lived in her own darkness nearly all her life, maybe this is the light she needs.'

'She's not taking on Robin.' he said, his will slowly breaking.

'She doesn't strike me as a Robin.' Bruce smiled and Dick finally sighed.

'Alright.'

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Terry stretched out on his bed, his muscles sore and stiff. It had been the early hours of the morning when he had finally climbed in through his window. Hours later he had heard his mother and brother stir and begin their day, neither of them knowing of the adventures he and Amber Hope Grayson had had the night before.

A soft knock came from behind his door as his mother entered.

'Terry, there is someone here to see you.' she said gently, a smile on her face; it was the first smile Terry had seen on her  since his father's death. Sure his parents had been divorced, but she had still loved him. Terry could see she had been in pain about the whole situation, he only hoped now that the men responsible were dead his family would be able to find peace. Quickly pulling on some fresh clothes and brushing his teeth, he left his room and made his way to the living room to hear his mother talking to someone.

'Is milk alright? We don't have any cream.'

'I prefer it, thank you.' Terry walked in to see Bruce Wayne sat on the couch. 'Ah, Terrance.' Walking further in, his Mom came and stood beside him.

'Terry you never told me you knew Bruce Wayne.'

'Why I owe the boy my life. He defended myself and my Granddaughter against a group of hooligans a few nights ago, we tried to repay him but he absolutely refused.'

Terry stared down at the old man. He wasn't sure how Amber would feel about this version of events, after all, it had been she who have saved him. But he went along with it, the old man seemed to be planning something.

'Mr Wayne wants to offer you a job.' said Mary proudly.

'A "go for" if you will, go for this, go for that. I find in my old age I am in need of assistance. And besides, my Grand daughter will be coming to stay with me and starting school here in Gotham. With her condition she will need a familiar guide to help her. I warn you, I am a hard task master.'

Terry grinned at him, seeing his underlying message.

'I think I can handle it.' He said. Bruce rose from his seat and extended his hand.

'Very well Mr McGinnis. Welcome to my world.'

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Batman flexed his fingers as he once again got used to the feel of the suit. Footfalls echoed throughout the cave and drew his attention to the staircase. A tall man was entering the cave, black hair with a few stray greys, piercing blue eyes and a well build body.

'Terry I presume.' said the man as he got down to ground level.

'Terry this is my son, Dick.' said Bruce from his seat at the computer.

Terry shook his hand, 'You must be Amber's dad.'

'Dick has agreed to train the both of you.'

'The both of us?' Terry asked confused, he hadn't seen Amber since he had arrived.

'You didn't think I would let you have all the fun without me.' Amber appeared from the darkness already suited up, but this time, her suit bore a blue bird over the chest, extending down the arms.

'Nice suit. So what are you calling yourself?'

'I was thinking Nightwing.'

'Nightwing?' said Terry, putting two and two together as he looked at famous Dick Grayson before him. Amber came to stand next to her dad, grinning.

'Yeh, it's a family name.'