How Could I?

Chapter 1

Here's the next story in my trilogy. If you're new here then you might want to read Can I? before you read this or you're going to be soooo confused.

Enjoy

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Bruce sat at his desk in the mansion just staring at the picture of him and Dick. It had been a month since he left Dick at the orphanage, and ever since, he was regretting every minute of it. He didn't want to give Dick up, but he was so convinced that it would be for the better if Dick lived with a different family.

Alfred walked in carrying a cup of coffee. He and Bruce hadn't been talking that much since Dick left, so when he got to Bruce's desk, he just glared at him. "Here's your coffee, Master Bruce."

"Thank you, Alfred," he tried to say, but Alfred was already back out the door. Bruce sighed then got up and went down to the Batcave. He hoped that he could find something to get his mind off of the whole situation.

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Alfred walked back into the living room and saw some things that needed dusting, so he grabbed a duster and got to work. Just before he finished dusting the first item, the phone went off. He sat the duster down and walked calmly to the phone. "Wayne residence."

"Alfred?"

"Master Dick," Alfred smiled, "so good to hear from you again."

"Yeah, it's good to hear your voice again, too. Is Bruce around?" Dick asked. He sounded like he was scared or in a hurry, Alfred couldn't really tell which.

"I'll have to see. Hold on a moment."

"Ok."

Alfred sat the phone down on the table then headed for the study. When he walked in, he saw that Bruce was gone, so he walked over to the clock and tried the Batcave. As he walked off the elevator, he saw that the computer was on, but saw no Bruce. He walked over to the computer and called Bruce.

"What do you want?" Bruce asked none too nicely.

"Sir, you have a call."

"Tell them I'll call them back."

"But, Sir, it's..."

"Alfred, I'm busy," Bruce said before he cut off the call.

Alfred slammed his fist down on the keyboard. "Blast!" He then glared at the screen like everything was its fault. "Master Bruce, just because you made the mistake of getting rid of your son, it does not give you the right to go ignoring everyone you come in contact with!" He then sighed and walked back to the elevator so he could get back to Dick's phone call.

He slowly put the phone back to his ear. "Master Dick?"

"I'm still here. Where's Bruce?"

"I'm afraid Master Bruce is busy at the moment. He'll have to call you back. Could I..."

"Kid, what did I tell you about making unexpected calls?" Another male voice range out over the line.

"Who on earth was that?" Alfred asked both confused and a bit worried.

"Sorry, Alfred, I got to go."

"Master Dick?" Alfred tried, but the line was already dead. He walked over to the tall windows, looked out at the night sky, and sighed. "Master Dick, what's going on?"

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Bruce walked into the dining room the next morning, sat down and picked up the paper to read it like always, and waited for his breakfast.