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Chapter 33 - Changes

Later that night, in the enveloping darkness of the Batcave, Dick delivered his report to Bruce. �Babs is working through the list J�onn gave her of the people Jessica Bradshaw bumped off. It�s a long list, Bruce. Some Wayne board members are on it.�

�Johansen and Mulvihill?� he asked. Dick nodded.

�And still no sign of Helena or the Prophet. I know Miss Misery didn�t directly take responsibility for them, but-�

�Thanks, Dick,� Bruce said softly, cutting him off. �Good work.�

Dick looked a little surprised at Bruce�s words. He could count on one hand the number of times Bruce had complimented him in the ten years he�d been his son. �Uh, thanks,� Dick said uncertainly, glancing towards the costume vault where Selina was changing.

�So, where�re we patrolling tonight?�

�You and Selina will focus on the East End for the next week, barring unforeseen activity in the rest of Gotham. She�s been needed there, particularly in the Bowery, and can no longer afford to stay away.�

�What about you?�

Bruce turned back to the giant Cray computer system, tapping some of the keys to bring up a large-scale map of Gotham. �I�m staying here,� he told Dick.

Dick was stunned into silence for a few seconds. �You�re actually going to listen to Leslie and wait for your arm to heal?�

Bruce nodded. Dick felt like cheering. �You tell Alfred?�

Bruce nodded again. Dick grinned. �Well, that�s terrific! You know how he gets when you�re working injured. Might actually be safe to stop by and visit for the next few days-�

�I�m off for five weeks,� Bruce told him. Dick�s grin slowly faded.

�Five weeks?� he repeated. �I thought, sure, a week, fine, but-�

Bruce craned his neck to look at Dick. �Should I resume regular patrols sooner?�

�No, of course not,� Dick said quickly. �Not until you�re all healed. But this isn�t like you. I thought-�

�Alfred stays awake every night I�m gone,� Bruce said softly, his face blue in the light of the Cray�s giant monitor. �And I don�t think Leslie�s had a full night�s sleep in ten years either. They worry.�

�Why the sudden concern for them?� Dick asked. �Or for the rest of us?�

Bruce simply shrugged. �It�s time I grew up, Dick.�

Dick opened his mouth to speak but was stopped by Selina�s sudden appearance. She was wearing her Catwoman costume, her mouth set in a hard line of determination. �Ready?� she asked Dick. He nodded.

Selina pulled at the tight material covering her chest, trying to tug it into a more comfortable position. �I don�t know about this��

�The Kevlar is necessary,� Bruce told her, rising. �You should have been wearing it years ago.� He touched her, stilling her fidgeting, and pulled once on the material over her ribs. The costume seemed to resume its normal shape. She felt his touch through the uncomfortably thick material and her eyes settled on his. Bruce was watching her, his expression one of slight amusement. She blinked. He was actually�flirting with her? As she tried on her very first bullet-proof vest?

�Weirdo,� she whispered under her breath, tipping her head back, watching him through her lashes to better gauge his reaction while concealing her own.

Bruce surprised her by wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her tight against him. He kissed her gently, his mouth barely brushing her own. Bruce released her just when things were starting to get interesting.

�Be safe,� he whispered, his voice rough. Bruce touched her cheek, then turned to Dick.

�Keep an open line to Oracle all night, no matter what. Batgirl�s patrolling west of the river. Good hunting.�

He exited the cave and both Dick and Selina watched him go with astonished expressions.

�Head injury?�

�Maybe, but I�m thinking Vulcan mind-meld.�