Becoming Batman

Forgive Me

I yawned as I rubbed my eyes. My room was lit up by the morning sun, and I got up out of bed so I could get to work. Oh no... the charity ball! I just remembered that I was supposed to attend a charity ball in honor of Bruce Wayne, and it was tonight! I groan and get in a suit walking downstairs to eat breakfast.

"Master Dick you look very formal today, which means that you finally remembered the charity ball." Alfred said with a laugh and I rolled my eyes.

"Yes Alfred, I forgot about the charity ball but I remember now so everything is fine." I said sitting down and eating a price of toast. Alfred smiled as Jason walked into the room along with Starfire, both were in pajamas.

"Wow Dick, I've never seen in a suit this early!" Jason scoffed and I shrugged." What, is there some ball or something that the famous Richard Grayson is supposed to attended?" He asked sarcastically and I looked down at the table.

"Its a charity ball in Bruce's honor." I said quietly and Starfire put a hand on my shoulder." And yes, Richard Grayson is expected to make an appearance, deal with it!" I said jokingly. Jason rolled his eyes as he sat down and started to engulf his food. Starfire sat down next to me and started to quietly eat her food. I smiled and ate more toast when the news came on the tv. I looked over as I heard my name....

This just in, it turn out that we have found the will of billionaire play boy, Bruce Wayne. In his will he states who he left his fortune and Wayne Enterprises to, Richard Grayson.

I choke on the toast and star at the tv." Dude! Bruce just gave you his company!?" Jason said and I just kept starring.

"I don't know what to say.... why would he leave me in charge of his company, I'm not even American!?" I said, recalling my Romanian heritage.

"You aren't American!?" Jason asked sounding shocked. Crap, I forgot that Jason didn't know.... I smiled and he shook his head dumbfounded.

"If you are not the American, then what may I ask are you?" Starfire asked and I smiled and stood up from the table looking at the time.

"That, my friend, is a story for another time." I said walking out the door and to the limo." Coming Alfred?" I asked and the British butler smiled and followed me to the limo." You guys stay here and hang out, I have to maintain my alter-ego but for you two... your an alien and your technically dead so see ya!" I said slamming the door.

"Shall we go to the ball now master Richard?" Alfred asked and I nodded." Very well! Will you be able to handle it?" He asked me and I shrugged.

"I'm not a kid, I'll be fine." I said and I heard Alfred laugh." What's so funny?" I asked and he smiled.

"Master Richard may I remind you that you are only 17? You just turned 17 so you are technically still a kid." Alfred said and I rolled my eyes. First birthday without Bruce since he adopted me... I starred out the window and took a deep breath when we arrived at the town hall.

I stepped out and was immediately crowded by reporters, whom I smiled and waved at. I made my way into the building and took my seat." Wow, you've grown kid." I turned to see Commissioner Gordon taking a seat next to me and I smiled.

"I'm defiantly taller than I used to be!" I said smiling and Gordon chuckled.

"I'm sorry for your loss Dick, Bruce Wayne was a good man. Although at first I didn't think he would be the fatherly type, I'm sure that he was an amazing father." Gordon said shaking my hand and I smiled.

"Believe me he was..." I said and before I knew it, I was dragged into the stage so I could give a speech." Um, you'll have to forgive me I'm not good at speeches." I said and I cleared my throat." Someone once asked me what Bruce Wayne was like, and was he a good father. I will tell you that Bruce Wayne wasn't my real father but he sure acted like he was, he was kind and caring. He could really relate to me and my losses. When I lost my parents I thought I would never be happy again, I was wrong. When Bruce adopted me I thought, oh it's probably just a charity case but it was so much more... he loved me as if I was his own son, and in time, I loved him as a father. Bruce Wayne was my father and I was his son, losing him, is like losing my mom and dad all over again but this time... I'm not sure if the pain will go away. Thank you..." I said stepping off the stage and wiping the fresh tears from my eyes. Commissioner Gordon shook my hand and pat me on the back before he left and many other people shook my hand and said they were sorry for my loss but it wasn't their fault; it was mine.

"Lets go home Alfred..." of said as I got into the limo. Alfred handed me a box of tissues and I thanked him for it, I sighed as we drove away from town hall and towards Wayne Manor.

"Your speech was extremely moving master Richard, I had tears in my eyes." Alfred said and I nodded looking out the window. I bit my lip as more tears flooded my eyes, I sniffed but it caught theme attention of Alfred." Master Richard, will you be alright?" Alfred asked me and I nodded taking in a breath. I closed my eyes to keep the tears from coming but they just came out faster...

"Alfred stop the car!" I said and once the limo stopped I stepped out and tried to calm down but it didn't work. I dropped to my knees and placed my hands on the ground letting the tears flow. Alfred rushed to my side and tried to calm me down but I just cried more." It's my fault Alfred! I should have been the one... it should be my memorial! Bruce should be here right now but he's not, and it's my fault!" I cried out, tears streaming down my face.

"Master Richard! Stop blaming yourself for the accident that took place months ago, master Bruce was a good man who cared for you more than anything in the world. What do you think he would say now!?" Alfred asked me patting my back. I sniffed and took a breath.

"He would tell me to suck it up cause birds don't cry, people make mistakes but so does everything else." I said standing up and Alfred smiled." Lets go home. I said and Alfred nodded. We both got back into the car and drove back to Wayne Manor.

When we got back I walked through the door with my head down, I didn't want them to see my red eyes." Friend you are back!" I heard Starfire say and she hugged me but pulled away when I didn't hug back." Are you the ok?" She asked and I nodded keeping my head down. Starfire grabbed my chin and gently pushed my head up so she could see my eyes." Oh Dick..." she said then she gave me a hug in which I returned.

"Dick, it's ok to cry." I looked up to see Jason standing there holding a tissue box. I smile and walk past him towards the Batcave, I open the entrance and walk down.

I stop when I get to the costume cases. I have a decision to make, will I be the Batman, or will I be Nightwing? The decision is mine, but what will I choose....