𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒊𝒇𝒕 𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒅 (Batfam FanFic)

40. Phase Echo

The afternoon sun was high, casting long golden lines across the grand halls of Wayne Manor. Lucy wandered absentmindedly through the house, her body aching slightly from her most recent physical therapy session. She'd taken to walking more now that she was finally getting the hang of things again, albeit still with some strain. Her pace slowed as she heard footsteps ahead.

Bruce.

He had just rounded the corner from the library, his usual suit jacket folded neatly over his arm, shirt sleeves rolled to the elbow. Their eyes met, and for a moment, neither spoke.

"Lucy," he said with a soft nod. "How are you feeling?"

"Getting stronger," she replied, a little unsure of what to say. Bruce Wayne had always been something of a storm cloud—calculated, quiet, and often intimidating. But in this moment, there was something softer there. Something almost... fatherly.

"I was just heading down to the cave," he added after a moment. "I thought maybe you'd like to join me. There are some things I think we should talk about."

Lucy blinked. "Uh, yeah. Sure."

Bruce turned and led her to the grandfather clock. With a few deft motions, he unlocked the hidden entrance, and together they descended into the dimly lit Batcave. The cold hum of the tech below buzzed faintly in her ears. She hadn't been here since before her injury, and the sights still stunned her.

They stopped near the massive computer console, and Bruce leaned lightly against a worktable.

"I owe you an apology," he began, his voice low but sincere. "For the way I've handled things. I've been distant. Blunt. Crude, even. And that's not how I want you to remember your time here."

Lucy opened her mouth to reply, but Bruce raised a hand.

"I'm not done," he added with the faintest smirk. "I've always tried to be a better father to the boys. But every time I gave them an inch too much freedom, something went wrong. Jason... was the hardest. And I guess... I've been operating from fear ever since. I couldn't bear another situation like his."

Lucy's chest ached—not from pain, but from understanding.

"I get it, Bruce," she said softly. "You're not heartless. You're just scared of getting hurt again. Or hurting someone else."

He nodded slowly.

"But I haven't forgotten my promise to you," he added, eyes leveling with hers. "About finding a way to get you home. I'm still working on it. There's... been progress, but it's complicated. Interdimensional travel always is. But we'll figure it out. I swear it."

Lucy smiled, not with hope for home, but gratitude for being seen.

~~~

The next morning during physical therapy, Barbara was assisting Lucy with her stretches when Dick entered the training room. He approached slowly, smiling politely.

"Mind if I borrow Lucy for a minute?"

Barbara gave Lucy a questioning look, and at her nod, left them alone.

Dick kept his voice low, folding his arms.

"So, weird question," he said with casual indifference. "I noticed some activity on my private files. Old backups. Surveillance records. Stuff most people don't even know exists. It wasn't me, and only a few people have access. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"

Lucy blinked, playing dumb.

"Nope. Haven't touched anything that's not mine."

He nodded slowly, like he didn't believe a word of it, but decided not to press further.