Getting to know you

The family's night

Bruce watched with a smile as Dick became friends once again with the redhead speedster. It was nice to see he knew someone, especially someone in the hero business. "Mr Wayne?" Bruce turned around. "Hello, Mr Wayne. I believe your know me. My name is Vickie Vale. I was wondering if you could do a report?"

"About what?" "What exactly made you choose Richard?" Bruce sighed. "I had planned to adopt him eight years ago, after he saw his parents die. When he was kidnapped, I didn't get that chance. Now that he's back, I want to give him the home that was taken from him."

"How did you discover him?" "Actually, he discovered me. He showed up injured, hurt after escaping from his abductors. We got him help, and asked if he wanted to stay, to which he answered yes. He had healed, and had been healed for about two weeks before the crash."

"Do you know what happened the night of the crash?" "We're still unclear on that. What we do know is that someone had planned it, and planned it well. We still don't know who, and we don't know why. Dick's hands did get injured, but they are healing well. Alfred believes we can start him back on the flute in a few days."

Vickie sighed. "Poor boy. How are his hands?" "Like I said, healing well. But they still pain him. He tries to avoid using his palms, and is relearning hand-eye-coordination. There will be no scars, and the doctors see no signs of any deformations. He will be fine."

Jason was having a boring time. He'd been watching the trio, but they'd disappeared. "Mind if I take a seat?" Jason looked up to see Tim. "No. You good?" "Yes and no. I keep hearing people talk about Dick, how Bruce made a bad choice in adopting him, and how much potential was gone because of his hands. They keep saying that Dick's descent was untrustworthy, and that Bruce shouldn't have even considered it."

Jason stared. "They said what?" "You heard me. I really hope Bruce doesn't make Dick go to public school. They'll kill him on the first day." "Like hell they will. If they touch a hair on his head, I swear I'll turn them black and blue, until they look like his suit." "I'm with you. How do you think he's doing?" "He met up with West and Harper. Apparently, he know Wally, from his circus years. It's good to know he's got someone else who can help show him the ropes."

Tim nodded. "I know this is kind of stupid, but what do you think of him so far?" "I love him. He's kind, which isn't something you see much anymore. He's always got that smile on his face, showing us he's ok. He's just sort of like a puppy, one who's always ready to cheer others up despite his own condition."

Jason caught sight of Dick again, who was still with the two redheads. He seemed giddy, giggling and holding Wally's pinkie. Tim followed Jason's gaze and sighed. "They make a cute couple." "I know they do. And I know West is a good person. I just don't want anyone hurting Dick. You know Wally has a knack of letting his mouth run faster than his brain."

Jason growled as a man walked up to Dick. He knew this man, everyone knew this man. He was known for giving death threats. Dick, however, didn't know that. "What's wrong?" "Markus is heading for Dick." Jason stood up. "But that usually only means a threat. Why are you so worried?" "He's gone through with a few threats before. I'm not letting him hurt Dick."

Dick smiled at Markus as he walked up, completely unaware of who he was. "Hello sir. Dick Grayson." Dick held his hand out. "I know who you are, you stupid gypsy." Dick paled. Once Jason saw that, it was over. He got up and started making his way to Dick, why didn't understand what he'd done.

"You think you're so special, being Bruce Wayne's new son, don't you?" He'd started shouting, attracting attention. "No! No, not at all." "You've got daylight, boy. Daylight, and then you ain't ever seeing him again." He'd gotten up in Dick's face, revealing the smell of alcohol on his breath.

"Sir, you need to leave." Jason growled, coming from behind Markus. Dick had shrunk back, leaning into Wally's side. He didn't get it. What had aggravated Markus so much? What it his Romanian descent?

"And what if I don't want to, you brat? You Wayne kids are spoiled, thinking you own the world." Markus turned on Jason. Dick's breathing was slowly picking up. "No, I'm telling you to leave because that's my brother, and I'm not letting you hurt him."

Wally could see the panic in Dick's eyes, part of it being his threat, the other half being Jason taking the fire. Wally grabbed his hand and squeezed it, giving him a concerned look. Bruce walked up, and Wally managed to pull Dick slightly away.

"You need to leave, Markus. This is not acceptable." "You better watch it, rich boy. He might be gone sooner than later." Markus stomped off, making Dick sigh in relief. Bruce walked over to Dick and pulled him into a hug.

"Are you alright?" "A little rattled, but yeah. I'll be fine." Wally gave Dick's hand a quick squeeze. "Who was that guy?" Wally asked. "His name is Markus Goina. He's the CEO of a large company, smaller then Lex Corp, but still very big. He's not well received, but if we didn't invite him, he'd be worse."

"Why did he threaten Dick?" Dick looked up at Bruce with pleading eyes. "The reason he's not well liked is because of the threats. If he finds something wrong in his eyes, he fixes it the way he knows how. He's gone through with a few threats before, although most just disappear into thin air."

Dick and Wally looked at each other, both with worry filled gazes. Bruce smiled. "And Wally? Nothing too fast yet. Start small." "Wait, you know?" "Yes. Don't hurt him, West." Wally nodded and pulled Dick closer. He would protect Dick, no matter what it did to him. That was a promise he made to himself, and one that would soon be broken.