The Office

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Dick stirred in the chair that he was directed to sit in within the Principals office. Dick was unsure of what the principal would even want to tell him. Dick was a good kid, all A's,  had never gotten into a fight- well, he had, but he was always the victim. So Dick just didn't understand why he was here instead of his Algebra class.

Then finally, after what seemed like hours, the principal entered the small office.

With Mrs. Oaks.

Dick mentally groaned as he realized what was happening.

"Richard, I guess you're wondering why we called you in today." The principal began.

"I'm pretty sure I know why." Dick said while glaring daggers at Mrs. Oaks. He had lost all respect for this woman the second she started bashing on Bruce.

"We received notice that you have had a lot of injuries over this past year." Dick just shrugged and refused to take his eyes off of his biology teacher.

"Yeah, but why would that get me called in here?" Dick decided to act oblivious because the very idea of Bruce abusing him was crazy.  If they would have claimed self-infliction, he honestly wouldn't have worried as much. At least it would only be him in trouble, and not anyone else.

"You know that if you have any problems you can speak to the counselor, right?" This only caused Dick to let out a sigh.

"Yes, I know, but I don't need to because I don't have any problems. I'm perfectly fine at school, and at home. Well, maybe not at school. You know, since teachers keep blaming my injuries on others, but its fine. Can I go now?" Dick didn't even focus on the fact that he was being disrespectful. At this point he didn't care what he did. He had to prove that Bruce was innocent and not capable of abuse, without revealing his identity as Robin, of course.

"Look Dick, you can tell us anything. We just want to keep you safe." Mrs. Oaks spoke this time. She actually sounded sincere.

"Thank you and all, but there is nothing to be told."

"We've just noticed that you have had a lot of injuries and your excuses are... well, exactly that, excuses. We believe that Bruce Wayne, your caretaker, may have something to do with them."

"You believe that the man who has done nothing but help me, the man who took me in after my parents died-,"The man who helped me bring my parents murderer to justice, the man who helps me calm down after a nightmare, who has taught me so much,"- would hurt me?" The teens voice was filled with emotion and pain. Bruce was pretty much all he had left after his parents. Yet, something was already threatening to take him away.

"I'm sorry. You may head back to class now. I'll write you a pass." The principal briefly stated. He got up, whispered something into Mrs. Oaks ear, and grabbed a pass. The two adults seemed to want to say more, but remained quiet anyways.

"Okay." Dick slowly got up from his chair, grabbing his crutches.

Dick snatched the pass from their hands and headed towards his next class. A few moments after he stepped out of the office, a voice spoke through the intercom," Will Barbara Gordon please head to the principals office?" Why did they want Barbara? Were they going to accuse her dad of abuse too? Ugh..

Dick looked up and soon saw Barbara heading his way. She appeared to be nervous and as if she was thinking.

"Did you tell them something about me?" Barbara instantly spoke up.

"No," Dick said trying to put his hands up in defense (which was hard because of the crutches)," I wasn't even in trouble."

"Then I better not go in there and have a whole lecture having to do with something you told them about me." Barbara ranted while leaving. Dick ignored Barbra and continued to think contemplate what he had just been told. He should tell Bruce this, right? Unless it wasn't even that big of a deal... Mayne it would blow over, it's not like they had any actual evidence or something g suggesting Bruce did hurt him...

---

Barbara entered the office highly nervous. She didn't think she had done anything bad.... Right? Well other than skipping classes, a few tardies, and pushing a kid against a locker, but she didn't do anything else! She had only pushed the kid because he was making fun of Dick. Saying rude things like about his parents and the fact that he came from a circus.

"Hello Barbara." The principal smiled. Barbara did her best to force a smile as well. It would help her look innocent.

"Ok, whatever I did wrong, I didn't mean to do it." Barbara spoke quickly while fiddling with her fingers.

"You're not in trouble. I wanted to ask you some questions." Do I really have to answer them?

"What type of questions?"

"Do you know a student by the name Richard Grayson? He also goes by Dick. I heard you hang out with him a lot." He asked her.

"Of course this has to do with him! What did he tell you?!" Barbara yelled out loud, somewhat only meaning to say that in her mind.

The principal raised an eyebrow,"Excuse me?"

"I mean, yes." She cleared her throat. So, Dick didn't tell them anything about her...

What did they want to know about him?

Didn't Dick say he wasn't in trouble?

"Have you taken a notice to his continuous injuries?"

"Oh... um, yes?" She answered again. She was still confused why they were asking. Sure, he got hurt a lot, but he was also very clumsy.

"Have you even hung out with him and noticed his father, Bruce Wayne." Why are you asking about Bruce?

"Yes, I've been to his house plenty of times."

"Have you noticed any signs of... Abuse?" He then asked carefully. Barbra sat there unsure what to say. They wanted her to say whether Bruce was abusing Dick or not. She had never thought of it, but- Would Bruce do that? Was he capable of that?

She sighed knowing that she had to answer truthfully. No matter how much she wanted to defend Dick, she knew that if she was caught lying, she would get in big trouble. Plus, Bruce wasn't even capable of something like that. This would probably blow over... And if he was... then Barbara would only be doing Dick a favor. She couldn't imagine if she stayed quiet and allowed him to get hurt.

"Okay... well... O-Once Bruce was really, really mad- like pissed at a employee at his company, and... the next day Dick came to school covered with scratches and cuts. It was nothing serious, but he wasn't like this the day before." She spoke slowly, finding it hard to speak. The principals eyes were wide in shock for a second before they returned to normal.

"Is that all?"

"Yes..." Guilt was consuming her. It felt so wrong.

"You may now head back to class." He said handing her a pass. She grabbed it and quickly left. She couldn't believe she just ratted out Bruce! He could be innocent and she just gave them evidence! She knows how much Dick cares about him, but the abuse just seemed to fit so perfectly. Barbara just didn't want to see Dick hurt again... She just didn't know how she was going to tell him. Lunch was coming up soon, and she knew that she couldn't and shouldn't hide it from him. She just wasn't sure how he was going to take it.

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