Christmas in Gotham

He couldn't remember when the forest at night had stopped being frightening. He wasn't a city kid raised in the concert jungle, he'd never lived anywhere before he met Bruce.

The night spooks went away years ago, replaced by the comforting veil of the night. The distracting colors of the day muted to simpler black and white with a scattering of grays.

His knee just missed kissing the road as he leaned into the series of hair pins that made up the last few miles of the private road. They'd seldom traveled this road in his years with Bruce. The more private road was the one more traveled.

He caught glimpses of home through the trees. When had 'Dracula's Castle' become home? He'd never had a home before.

There were butterflies in his stomach as he looked at the manor house. It stood upon the hill, dominating the scene in an almost menacing, definitely GOTHIC way. Not the least bit friendly to the lone figure on the motorcycle at the mouth of the long drive. He had to shake off an eerie feeling, it was almost as if the manor knew that his coming would cause serious changes and it wasn't happy about it. He moved toward the house he might inherit someday and his only family, the family he'd been arguing with for three years, and only just recently come to terms with.

Before he could touch the door it was open from within, "Master Dick, you should have let us know when you were coming home?"

"I didn't know I was coming until I got here," Dick responded in a matter of fact tone of voice.

Regarding the young man whom he'd known for about a life time, "It's a good thing I set an extra place and readied your room, isn't it." Alfred Pennyworth said with just a bit of smug tone in his voice.

Dick shook his head trying not to smile."I always suspected you where either omniscient or clairvoyant?"

"I'm only clairvoyant when it comes to two people," Alfred said with humor in his voice, "Need I explain."

The twinkle in the elder man's eyes wasn't lost on Dick Grayson as he followed Alfred threw the familiar passage way into the Grand Hall. There stood a twenty-foot high Douglas Fir bedecked with an abundance of doodads to rival the Presidential Christmas Tree. "I see you cut back on the decorations this year, and the tree a bit smaller."

"Since the master isn't entertaining this year, he decides we didn't need to make much a fuss. If I might ask, Master Dick would you like to rest a while before dining with Master Bruce?"

Dick suddenly felt as nervous as when he first appeared in his family's circus act. "Where is Bruce?"

Alfred shook his head, sadly. "My word, Master Dick, you should not stay away so long. You know how reflective he gets that this time of year," he replied, his tone that of a Professor chiding his prize student.

Dick snapped his fingers as realization dawned. "The library. Of course! Thanks Alfred." The older man nodded and turned to leave. "As for dinner and resting," Dick continued, "We'll see if I'm still welcome after our talk."

Dick embraced Alfred for a moment. He knew displays of affection made the old butler feel awkward, but it was the holidays and Alfred was the closest thing to a grandfather he'd ever had. In return Alfred took his coat and with a sly smile went on his way. Dick wondered if Alfred knew sly grins had turned into some proud smile years ago.

He took his time walking to the Library, remembering times past in this mausoleum that was his home growing up. And it was a home, somehow it had passed from just the place he lived to the only real home he remembered. But his last argument with Bruce had caused him to leave.

A sudden blast of air interrupted Grayson's thoughts; so did the voice.

"Are you coming in or staying out here all night?"

/Calm, Grayson; calm/ "Nice to see you, too, Bruce," he replied, fighting to keep his tone civil. "If I'm not welcome . . . "

Bruce Wayne sighed, rubbing at his eyes to remove the exhaustion. Leaning against the library doors, he shrugged. "The choice is yours," he retorted, the indifference in the tone unmistakable.

"One...two...three...four...five....."

By the time Grayson entered the library, he had reached thirty.

Next?