Why We're Here

Little Bird

Barbara and I sat on the couch watching the news. It had been difficult moving her from the wheelchair to the couch, but we managed. I came out with nothing worse than a bruise on my wrist. It was worth it to get her out of that uncomfortable metal contraption for a bit.
"I bet you five dollars they mention Batman," I commented, taking a bite of my cupcake.
Barbara grinned, "That's a sucker bet."
I laughed. The news flicked to the latest Gotham reporter, a pretty woman by the name of Janice Lang. She smiled brightly, "In other news, Batman and Robin saved a train from the dastardly Harley Quinn today. They defused the bomb just in time, and sent Harley Quinn back to Arkham."
I nearly choked on my cupcake. The image on the screen changed to an aerial view of Batman and Robin on top of the train. Oddly, it actually was Batman and Robin. This wasn't any old footage either, Batman was wearing his new suit.
"You see that too, right?" I asked, staring at the screen.
Barbara nodded, "That is definitely not Dick."
"You don't think."
"It seems like it."
Dick was a rare case. He had figured out Batman's identity, and made himself into Robin. None of us ever expected Batman to get a new Robin, we always thought that Dick was it. Honestly, I didn't expect Bruce to even want a new Robin. He didn't want Dick in the first place, but it worked out for the better.
"I can't believe this," I muttered, "I thought Dick was it!"
"So did I, I guess Bruce decided otherwise."
"Dick is going to be pissed!" I exclaimed.
Barbara glanced at me, "I think he'll be fine, you're just overreacting."
"Really? I'm overreacting?"
"Yes."
I glared at her. Barbara simply stared back, the same smug grin on her face that she always had when she knew she was right. I rolled my eyes, "Alright Miss Know-It-All, I'm going to call Dick."
"He's not going to be upset."
I didn't reply. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I went out onto the terrace. It was a beautiful day in Gotham City, for once it wasn't raining. There wasn't a single cloud in the sky, which was odd for Gotham.
I had four people on my speed dial: Bruce, Alfred, Barbara, and Dick. All I had to do was hit one button and Dick was already being called.
"What?" he asked.
I lifted an eyebrow, "Somebody sounds grumpy."
"I was sleeping," Dick replied.
"You sleep?"
Dick sighed, "Ha ha, very funny, what do you want?"
"Have you talked to Bruce lately?" I asked.
"No?" Dick replied, "Why, should I?"
I glanced back inside where Barbara was watching a replay of the news, "Yeah, I think maybe you ought too."
"Why?"
"Well," I rubbed the back of my neck, "We're watching the news, and they said Batman and Robin saved a train from Harley Quinn."
Dick was silent for a moment, "Wait, what?"
"My reaction exactly."
Both of us were silent for a moment. I think we were all trying to soak up the news. It was Dick who finally spoke, "He took a new Robin."
"Apparently," I replied, "He's not replacing you, you know that, right?"
Dick hesitated, "Yeah, of course. Still, I think I'd like to meet this new Robin, you in?"
"Babs and I both."
"You're closer, I'll meet you at your place in an hour."
"See you then."
I hung up and stared off over Gotham. Dick had to understand Bruce wasn't replacing him. Dick quit, Bruce simply had to find the next candidate. Though, none of us expected Robin to last past Dick. Batman works alone, Robin, Batgirl, and Blitz were forced exceptions. Never did I ever think he would take on a new Robin.
***
The Manor was several miles away. Lucky, the train would take us up to two blocks away. Dick, Barbara, and I got off there, with Dick pushing Barbara. Every so often, I would catch the two of them glancing at each other, but quickly looking away. A sly smile would cross my lips.
We made it to The Manor as the clouds began to cover the sky. Of course, it was Gotham, there was no way it couldn't rain for an entire day. There had to be at least a tiny sprinkle.
"It would be nice to go an entire day dry," I stated, holding out my hand as rain drops began to fall.
Dick grinned, "You have to go to Metropolis for that."
"I'm not sure if it ever rains there," Barbara muttered.
I laughed. We made it to the front door of The Manor where Dick rang the doorbell. Of course, we all knew other ways to get in. Each one of us knew the code to get into the secret cave entrance, and where the secret entrance was. That was for business, this was simply a family visit.
Alfred answered. When he saw us, a small smile crossed his lips, "Master Dick, Miss Lucille, Miss Barbara, welcome back."
He stepped aside to let us in. As we passed, Dick and I each gave him a hug. Alfred accepted it, even hugging us back. When we stepped into The Manor, I took a deep breath.
It had been nearly a full year since I'd left, technically nine months, but close enough. Being back here was like returning home after a long business trip. Even so, something felt off. It was less welcoming, and it was never fully welcoming in the first place.
"I suppose you are here to see Master Bruce," Alfred asked.
Dick nodded, "Yeah, is he here?"
"Where he always is."
The Batcave. The man might as well not have such a big house, since he spends all his time underground. Dick began to push Barbara towards the entrance while I followed behind.
Sure enough, Bruce was there, sitting in front of the computer as usual. Behind him, the new Robin was working a bag. He had a lot of aggression, I could see that in the way he fought. Something about him seemed familiar.
"Bruce," Dick called.
Bruce glanced up, "I've been expecting you."
"That doesn't surprise me."
Dick wheeled Barbara down the ramp to where she was right next to Bruce. The new Robin paused in his fighting to stare at us, "Who're these jokers?"
"Dick Grayson," Dick grinned, "This is my sister, Lucille Brimsey, and our good friend Barbara Gordon. And you are?"
The boy looked at Dick up and down, "You're the old Robin, aren't you?"
"The first."
Both boys glared at each other. Barbara and I exchanged looks, fully knowing what was going on. It was a test of masculinity, as it always seemed to be with men. I stepped between their glares and asked, "And you're name is?"
"Jason," the boy replied, "Jason Todd."
Bruce stood from the chair. I gazed at Jason, realization dawned on me. He was the boy I rescued in the alley the other day. By the way he looked at me, he realized it too. The only difference was that he dyed his hair.
"I thought you weren't going to take in another Robin," Barbara stated, glancing at Bruce.
Bruce shook his head, "I wasn't, but then I found Jason. He shows promise, strength."
Jason had gone back to beating the target, meaning he didn't hear a word any of us said. Dick was glaring at him, but something in his eyes was slowly softening.
"How'd you find him?" Dick asked.
"Two weeks ago I found him trying to steal the tires off The Batmobile."
I snorted, "So your solution is to adopt him?"
"My solution," Bruce glared at me, "Is to give him an opportunity to do better. With a bit of training, he could become something better than a common thief."
I glanced at Dick. He seemed to be taking this rather well. I expected him to feel replaced or hurt, but instead, he was smiling brightly.
"I can help train him," Dick stated.
Bruce shook his head, "I will handle it."
"Come on," Dick crossed his arms, "You might be able to teach him how to be a vigilante, but I can teach him how to be Robin. You have to let me help."
The two men had a stare down. Ultimately, Bruce sighed, "Perhaps you're right, he may need a different point of view than just mine."
Dick grinned. He went to go talk to Jason. I watched them go before turning my attention back to Bruce.
"Are you going to take him as your ward like you did Dick and Lucy?" Barbara asked.
Bruce gazed off towards the two Robins, "Maybe, if he's up for it. He's different than Dick."
"No two people can be the same," Barbara stated, "He'll be good, I can tell."
I glanced at Dick and Jason. Dick smiled warmly at the boy, but he turned a cold shoulder. Jason had an abrasive personality, I could see that already. He was no Dick Grayson, but he was something. Maybe it was something Gotham needed.
Maybe it was something Bruce needed.