Tale of Two Gothams

Ch. 8: Going Home?

Bruce carried Dick back to his room and sat him on his bed. "But I thought you wanted me to help you figure out how the Portal Gun works?" Dick said not very happy that Bruce took him away from the computer.

"I'll figure something out, but I have a feeling that this is where the Dick Grayson from my dimension is," Bruce said.

"Why?"

"Because, if the Bruce Wayne in your dimension abuses you, then this is the only place you feel safe, right?"

Dick looked away. "Yeah," he said as he crossed his arms the best he could with a broken arm.

"Ok. So, if we want you two to switch again, you..."

"I'm not going back!" Dick yelled as he tried to stand up, but only managed to fall to the ground hurting his leg.

Bruce hurried up and helped him up. "The Dick from this dimension is supposed to be getting your Alfred to help you get away from him."

"Yeah right. That old fart won't do anything to help me except be the good little butler he is and serve," Dick said angrily as Bruce helped him back on the bed.

"Dick has a way of convincing people to help him," Bruce said.

Dick looked up to him hopeful. "You really think he can convince Al to help him?"

Bruce smiled. "If I know Dick, he's already freed of him."

"Then how do I get back?"

"Well, Dr. Folder said that if you two are in the same spot at the same time, you guys should pull each other back into your own dimensions."

"Really?" Dick looked at him impressed. "I didn't know it was that simple."

"Well, he also said something about the chemicals in the gun too."

"Oh, so when I got the chemicals on my hand while I was messing with my Portal Gun..."

"Dick from this dimension got hit with the blast from the Portal Gun here."

Dick looked down in thought. "I didn't know it worked like that."

"I don't think it was supposed to."

Dick looked back up, a thought in his mind. "Wait a minute. Why can't we just use the Portal Gun from this dimension? I mean it works, right?"

Bruce smiled. "That's a good idea, but we'd have to borrow it and use it here at the house."

"Or we can use it there and just open a portal to get to that dimension. I'm sure there's a way to trace the properties of that dimension so that we can find the proper frequency."

Bruce stared at him impressed. This Dick knew a thing or two about science. "How do you know all this stuff?"

Dick smiled. "Well, when you don't have a dad that will teach you how to fight, you kinda have to find another hobby."

Bruce chuckled. "Come on, let's get down to the cave so we can get dressed and head out."

For once in his life, Dick felt happy. He was about to help the double of his worst nightmare find a way to get himself and the other Dick back to their proper dimensions.

BBBBBBBBBBB

Dick sat sadly on the hospital bed just staring at the far wall. Alfred sat in a chair next to him just watching him. "Master Dick, please don't be angry. We're only thinking of your best interest."

Dick looked over to Alfred. "My best interest? If you would've left me there, I could've gone home. How is taking me away from the one chance I had left to seeing my Bruce again?"

After they left the manor, Gordon had the place sealed off. He and a team of cops were searching the entire house and cave, for what, Dick had no clue.

"Please, I'm sure we can find a way for you to get back. What about that Dr. Folder you were telling the Commissioner about?"

"I don't know. Bruce found him and dealt with all that." He looked over to the window and a tear escaped his eye. "I'll never see him again, will I?"

Alfred placed a hand on Dick's good leg. "Don't lose hope. I'm sure if he's anything like Master Bruce was back in the day, he's stubborn enough that you can count on him coming for you."

Dick looked back at him and smile. "Thanks."

"Get some rest now. The Commissioner said he would be by in the morning to check on you."

Dick nodded then closed his eyes. He couldn't stop thinking about Bruce and how he may never see him again. 'Please, Bruce, come and find me.'

BBBBBBBBBBBBB

The next morning, Dick woke up to the sun shining in through his window. He saw Alfred asleep in the chair next to his bed, so he decided to turn on the TV to pass the time until Gordon got there. He flipped through a few channels until he saw the symbol for Batman on one of the news channels.

"Early this morning, Police Commissioner James Gordon called up this studio to reveal some very interesting information with us." A picture of Bruce was on the screen. "Billionaire Bruce Wayne has been running around in Gotham as none other than the dark knight himself." A video played of several cops forcing Bruce into a cell while Bruce thrashed and yelled. "This isn't just some prank that Mr. Wayne decided to pull on us. The Commissioner told us that he had evidence that he would share with us later to confirm that all of this is real, but why is Bruce being forced into a cell? Last night, Mr. Wayne's own faithful butler, Alfred Pennyworth, call the Commissioner and told him that Bruce was abusing the young Dick Grayson," a picture of Dick popped up, "that he took in almost two years ago after his parents fell to their deaths. Dick is now in the Gotham General Hospital recovering from a major beating that he received days ago. We'll have more on this story later today. Stay tuned."

The TV went black. Dick looked over and saw Alfred staring sadly at the now black screen. "I'm sorry, Alfred."

Alfred smiled at the boy. "Don't be. Things will be better now."

"But what will you do now?"

"Well, with the money he's going to receive, I wouldn't be surprised if he retires," Gordon said as he walked in.

Alfred looked at him surprised. "Me?"

"Well, you and Dick. I have a feeling Bruce won't be getting out of jail any time soon, and after the people hear he abused Dick, I'm sure no one will post bail for him. We've decided to split up Bruce's money, property, and things between the two of you, and once Dick is old enough, he'll take over Wayne Industries. Until then, Lucius will run it."

"I was always afraid it would come to this one day. Facing all those mad men and psychos night after night... I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner."

"I'm glad that my Bruce isn't like that," Dick said.

Gordon smiled. "Yeah, and I'm sure the scientist here will do everything they can to get you back where you belong. In fact..." Gordon was interrupted by a call. "Yes... What?... Are you sure?... Alright, I'll be right there." He then hung up and turned to Dick and Alfred. "I left some cops to watch the house over night, and they just said that Batman showed up looking for you." Dick smiled and hope filled his entire face. "They're holding him there until I can... What do you think you're doing?" he asked when he saw Dick pull back the covers and swing his legs over the bed.

"I'm going home."

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