Mimic

Legal Business

As I hid behind a corner of the wall, I couldn't think of a better way I could be using my spy skills. Dick was, of course, really into the whole spy thing, constantly telling me to remain whelmed even though he was the one who wanted to spy on Bruce in the first place. Well, he wanted to spy on who Bruce was talking to. Granted, I was also curious about who the man in the nice suit making conversation with Bruce was.

He seemed like the lawyer type, with his shiny shoes and official-looking briefcase. The man was young, probably new to the job. Filled with ambition. Impatiently running his hand through his light brown hair. Actually, the hair thing was his tick. He did it twelve times so far, which was an impressive amount if I do say so myself.

We couldn't hear the conversation, but we guessed by visuals. It wasn't exactly a cheerful talk. Bruce looked slightly annoyed, but he usually looks that way. I watched as Bruce called Alfred over, and whispered something in his ear. Alfred started walking over to the hallway Dick and I were in. Dick sent me a shrug and stayed where he was, not even trying to get away. I sighed and did the same. Alfred nearly walked past us.

"Master and Mistress," the butler scolded, "Were you eavesdropping?"

"Maybe," the Boy Wonder grinned, "So, what are they talking about?"

"You're about to find out," we were told, "Bruce has requested your company."

"Well, we shouldn't keep him waiting," I said, Dick and I starting to walk over to Bruce and the mystery man.

"Dick, Julia, this is-" Bruce started.

"Kurt Waldrop," the man interrupted, much to Bruce's annoyance. The man didn't seem to notice, however, and eagerly stuck out his hand. This was the whole ambition thing I was talking about earlier.

We politely shook his hand, Dick giving one of his charming smiles.

"Now, I will have to be talking with the both of you, but I'd like to talk with you first, Julia, if you don't mind."

I most certainly did mind.

"About what?" I asked, more as a statement, really.

"Your home situation," he said, ignoring my attitude. "Can we talk in the library?" he turned to Bruce, "I'm assuming you have a library? You're like, super rich and all."

"We do in fact have a library, Julia can take you," Bruce said briskly, no doubt wondering about that you're super rich comment.

I awkwardly led the man to our very nice library, where we each took a seat in chairs opposite to each other.

"So," he said after I'd gotten settled in, "Tell me about your parents."

I looked down at my hands, easing into my orphan act. "Shouldn't you know?" I said very quietly.

"The records are very... brief. I'd like your perspective on the matter," this Kurt Waldrop was very considerate, I'll give him that. His tone of voice was gentle, but not patronizing. 

I told him the same story I'd told the Team. I really hoped that my fake files would hold up. The last thing I needed was for everyone to know who I really was.

"I'm very sorry for your loss," he said, but then quickly moved on to asking me extremely nit-picking questions about the police case and what happened right after my fake parent's fake deaths. "Alright, and, what's your relation to the Waynes?"

"I'm friends with Dick," which was the only true thing I'd said that entire conversation.

"Do you think Mr. Wayne has been giving you proper care?"

"Most definitely."

"Are you aware that Mr. Wayne will have to adopt you by January first? You can't be a fifteen-year-old girl with no legal guardian."

"That- that shouldn't be a problem."

"Are you worried?" he smirked slightly. I take back everything nice I said about him.

"No. You?" I replied coolly.

"I have my eye on you," he told me, "Nothing about you adds up. How come no one heard of your parent's death until now?"

"You don't think I'm upset about how this has been swept under the rug?" I said, forcing myself to tear up. I figured crying would get this guy off my back, if nothing else. "I don't need this right now!" Dramatically, I got out of my chair and stormed out of the room. When I got back out to the main room, I sent a wink to Dick to let him know everything was okay, then fled up to my room.

I stayed in there for a while, waiting for someone to come and tell me that Waldrop had left. I was practicing my handstand when there was a knock on my door.

"Come in, Dick," I called, keeping my handstand.

"It's Bruce," the man said.

What's he doing here? I asked myself, although it was quite obvious. I don't want to talk to him.

I got out of my handstand and opened the door, letting him inside my room. Even though I'd been living in Wayne Manor for a month, my room looked almost exactly the same. I hadn't added posters or anything. Just clothes in the closet and a laptop on the desk.

"I'm assuming Waldrop told you about the deadline?" Bruce asked stiffly, still standing right beside the door. Maybe in case he had to run.

"January first," I replied. It seems everything has to happen by January first.

Bruce sighed, then said with surprising softness, "If you'd like, you can be my ward rather than my daughter. It's less... permanent. Less binding."

"Yes," I said quickly.

Nothing could be permanent. Nothing I've done so far is permanent. All these relationships will end in death. Then I'll go back to Father, which I guess is the one permanent in my life.

"Julia," Bruce said, bringing me out of my thoughts. His voice was different now, more... cynical, "I'd just like to remind you that I'm very protective of my family. And you can bet that I'll do my best to make sure you don't get hurt. But you can also bet that I won't hesitate to do anything to protect Dick and Alfred."

"Of course," I said stonily, trying to contain my shock at his blatant calling me out, "I would too."

He left the room without another word, leaving me to contemplate what I had just said.

I would too. It just came out, I didn't even think about it. And I knew in some twisted way, it was true. I'd take a bullet for Dick. I'd beat up anyone who hurt him. Kill them, even. Alfred, the kind man who made me breakfast every morning, I'd protect him. But at the same time, I knew I'd have to kill Dick.

With despair I thought, how am I supposed to kill the person I love the most?