Bruce’s POV

This whole week has just been so stressful. Dick has been making mistakes that I would’ve expected him to make when he first started, not four years later. I had a stern talking with him about it, but he’d also been acting out as Dick Grayson. He got into a fight with one of the kids in school and I’d just found out this morning that he got a “D” in history. I’m gonna have a talk with him about that when he comes down to eat.

We got a break from being Batman and Robin last night and I think that helped more than anything. It let me think about the past week, and now that I think about it, all his mistakes were my fault.

I made him check on Commissioner Gordon which almost got both of them killed, which in turn could’ve got the whole police station blown up, I asked him a question about something Dick did and not Robin and he almost answered it which would’ve revealed our identities, and when we were talking to the warden of Arkham, I told him to go back to the Batmobile, not knowing that one of the prisoners had escaped. That was horrible; all the prisoners were almost set free just so he wouldn’t get hurt.

Maybe I should go apologize to him. I’ve been yelling at him for my mistakes, and I do seem to recall him saying that fight happened because one of the boys said something mean about me. He was defending me. And that “D,” he’d asked me dozens of times for help, but everytime I was busy with work and then I forgot about it later, although he could’ve asked Alfred. No, he asked me and I blew him off.

As soon as he comes down for…

“Sir, you’re going to be late for your meeting if you don’t leave soon.”

My meeting? But that isn’t ‘til noon. Dick hasn’t come down yet, has he?

“Alfred, has Dick left for school yet?” I didn’t hear him leave. Maybe I was to busy reading my paper to hear the door open and close.

“I haven’t seen him since last night, Sir, before he went out.”

“Out?” I didn’t hear him say he was going out.

“Yes, Sir, around seven I do believe.”

Seven. I know I was up until midnight last night. He didn’t come in, unless he came in after midnight. He has to still be asleep. Oh please dear God, let him be in his room. Please.

“Dick. Dick!” I was pounding on this door, so he’s either ignoring me or… Gone! He’s not in here. Maybe he’s in the closet hiding from me. Oh please Dick, be in there. Nothing. Where could he be?

“Alfred!” Maybe he heard where Dick was heading. Where is… oh yeah, the kitchen. Alfred was always in the kitchen after a meal.

“Alfred, did you…” What? Why would the phone be ringing? The meeting doesn’t start ‘til noon, unless… No. Oh please God no. Don’t let that be…

“Hello.” Who is it Alfred? “Hold on just one moment. Sir, it’s Commissioner Gordon, he… are you alright, Sir?”

My face had to be pale cause I could feel the blood drain from my face. There’s only two reasons why Commissioner Gordon would be calling Bruce Wayne, a charity event or…

“Yes, Commissioner?” Please don’t say it. Please don’t say it.

“Mr. Wayne,” oh that’s never good, “I have a note here,” a note! No, no, NO! “It says that a man by the name of Gunman has Dick Grayson. He’s asking for a quarter of a million dollars if you want him back alive.” A quarter of a million? I’ll give up everything to make sure he comes back alive! “It also says that you are to drop it off at the old abandoned theater in downtown Gotham, and if he sees any kind of hero or sidekick, he’ll shoot Dick immediately.”

I know my face must have lost more color than it already had cause Alfred was looking at me concerned and coming toward me. “Does it say what time, Commissioner?” How long do I have to get the money?

“It says here to meet him there at three.” Three. Ok, that’s plenty of time to get the money and… “Bruce, are you going to be ok?”

“I’ll be fine, Jim. I just want my son back safe.”

“Understandable. If it was Barbra that was kidnapped, I’d want the same thing.” I swear I could hear a smile in that voice. And you know what, somehow I felt calmer after hearing that.

“Thank you for letting me know.” I swear I could tell he nodded before he hung up.

“Sir, is everything alright?” Alfred. I forgot he was watching and listening to the conversation. He must be worried sick with the look on his face.

“Dick’s been kidnapped. He’s being held captive by someone called Gunman. I’m supposed to take a quarter million dollars to the old abandoned theater downtown at three.”

“Is the Batman going to save the day, Sir?” Good old Alfred. He sounded and looked calmer with that question.

“I’m afraid not, Alfred. The note the Commissioner has says that if Gunman sees any hero or sidekick, he’ll kill Dick.” That wasn’t the answer he was hoping for cause his face got that look of worry back. I have to get that money together. That’s the only way I’m gonna save Dick this time.