Willow

Duchess Missing!

...Last seen attending the Metropolis Opera with Lex Luther, Duchess Verity has been reported missing since last Saturday evening. Her younger brother has filed a missing person's report with local authorities...

Going back and forth between Gotham and Markovia proved to be impossible in the middle of the American holiday season. Especially with winter looming on the horizon. The weather in Gotham was already unpredictable at best. There were days in early November where it snowed in the morning, the sun shined brightly all afternoon, and then heavy rain fell at night.

Making traveling anywhere by aircraft rather difficult.

But with each delay and cancellation, she found herself relieved to spend less time with her overbearing aunt and uncle and more time with Vincent and Silver.

And, occasionally, with Bruce.

He apologized profusely for leaving her at the circus - sending enormous flower arrangements and heartfelt cards she suspected he didn't write and little trinkets meant to remind her of him - and even a new stuffed elephant to replace the one she gave to Dick. A pink one.

She finally agreed to see him again, if only to stop the onslaught of gifts and flowers. And it was rather sweet that he remembered her favorite color.

For their second date, he invited her to Wayne Manor where he set up an indoor picnic on the floor of the study. A warm fire going in the hearth and the curtains tied open to watch the snowfall.

Apparently, Bruce was a licensed foster parent and took Dick in as his ward. He was a sweet boy. Or, at least he was when Verity was around. She was delighted to see him again, ruffling his hair and kissing his cheek when he opened the door for her and all but bounced down the hall to show her to the study.

But according to Bruce, he already ran away twice and constantly tried to sneak out. It seemed to Verity he carried the same air of sadness Vincent had. But he called her 'nice lady' and filled her in on all of Zitka's adventures with great enthusiasm.

"Is she your girlfriend?" Dick burst into the study - having just passed Verity in the hall on her way to the bathroom. He definitely had not been eavesdropping.

"What? No! Wait - yes!" Bruce sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "It's complicated."

"I don't think I wanna grow up if everything is so complicated all the time."

"A wise decision, Master Dick." Alfred swept into the study, grabbed Dick by the hand, and pulled him away, "Let's leave them to their complicated grown up things, shall we?"

"Is that a eu-feminism?"

Alfred bit back a snort and changed the subject, "Why don't we see if Ace wants to play in the snow?"

Bruce flopped down on the pillows he'd laid out on the floor. He should be focusing on his evening with Verity. But he was worried about his foster son.

He had absolutely no idea how to care for a nine year old acrobat. He'd already caught him swinging from the chandelier. And he didn't really want to have a heart attack before thirty.

He yelled - regretting it immediately.

Dick cried.

Which he had no idea how to handle. He'd never been good with crying.

Bruce converted a few rooms into a gymnasium the next day.

"Is something on your mind?" Verity asked, her gentle voice pulling him out of his thought spiral.

Bruce sat up and ran a hand over his face. He didn't even hear her come back into the room so much as he felt it. She had a wonderfully calming presence.