Chapter Text
Gordon didn’t know what to expect when the call came over the radio. He had been a cop for a few years now, but the job seemed to only be harder to face as the days went on. A double homicide, crime alley with no suspect at the scene. With it being so close to Christmas, he couldn’t imagine what family was waiting for a phone call only to hear that a couple had died.
It was raining and the winter caused bitter winds to come through the city streets. Even in the darkness, as he came up on the scene, he could see a small figure sitting on the cement a few feet from the now-covered bodies and pools of blood.
Oh God. A child. They didn’t put that over the radios but there, right in front of him, was a child who couldn’t be older than 10. A young boy who was staring and shaking at the murder scene that no one seemed to have the common sense to shield him from. Gordon pushed his way through the CSI and detectives to kneel down beside the young boy and gently guide his face to meet his own.
“Hey there” He said gently. Bruce Wayne. Everyone knew the Waynes around here and Gordon knew enough to safely assume that Bruce didn’t have many family members, if any, left after tonight. One problem at a time. He quickly shrugged his jacket off his shoulders and wrapped it around the small child. “Let's get you out of here kiddo.” he offered, picking Bruce up and holding him close to shield him from the weather.
The entire drive to the department was silent, but Jim couldn’t bring himself to let the kid go. Especially since his little fists were gripping his blues so tightly. He rubbed his hand up and down his back ignoring the comments from his partner about what a shame it was. Tragedy. Don’t call it anything else.
“You’re gonna be ok Bruce.” he comforted as they walked into the squad room. Gordon may not be very good with kids but he didn’t mind holding a traumatized one in his lap for an hour as he tried not to completely fall apart.
“M-mama” the little boy whispered after a while and he felt his heart nearly stop. How could anyone be so cruel? He tightened his grip and pulled the coat more firmly around Bruce’s shoulders.
“I’ll find who did this Bruce. I promise.” He whispered back having nothing else to offer but that. Justice.
“Master Bruce!”
Both Gordon and Bruce looked up at the frantic call that came from a rather tall posh man running from the entrance of the station. It took all of a minute for Bruce to free himself from his grip entirely and run to the man. “Oh thank God. I’m so sorry Bruce. I’m right here” the man assured bouncing the now sobbing little boy with the care of a father. Gordon felt his heart calm knowing that Bruce wasn’t going to be completely alone.
He walked over and the other man finally met his eyes. “Oh, Hello. Alfred Pennyworth, Wayne family butler” he introduced in a rather prominent British action. “Also, I’m Bruce’s emergency Guardian. I’ll be filing as soon as possible so that he can stay at home. Are you the responding officer?” Alfred asked and Gordon nodded grimly.
“Yes, I’m sorry for your loss. Both of you” he confirmed. “I’m glad that he has someone else. I’m afraid we don’t have any information on the suspect at this time but I will be working diligently on the case until that changes.” Until I catch the son of a b*tch who left a 9-year-old to sit in a pool of his own parents’ blood.
“I greatly appreciate that and thank you for staying with him as well. I was told I should bring him by tomorrow morning for possible questioning?” Gordon took one look at the tears and stains gathering from the huddled form under his wet patrol jacket .
“No that won’t be necessary. I heard there was possible surveillance footage. If we need to ask questions I’ll come by the manor.” It wouldn’t be too much trouble to drive out there and he couldn’t imagine forcing the kid to sit any longer in the squad room. “You two are free to head home. We’ll handle it from here.”
Alfred smiled at him and pat Bruce’s back lightly. “Master Bruce, I do think Mr. Gordon may wish for his jacket back.” the butler whispered gently and Gordon quickly shook his head.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s just an overcoat, not even my official patrol jacket.” Which wasn’t a total lie. The department had given him the jacket since their official jackets had been stolen while in transit. Things that only happen in Gotham. “You just get on home Kiddo” He instructed gently ruffling Bruce’s hair. The kid turned to him then and Gordon gave a small smile.
“Thank you” he whispered before Alfred began to walk away.
This? This is the hardest part of the job. What kind of city leaves a child like this? Who would have the hope to even keep trying? Jim often found himself asking that very thing nearly every day. Today may have been enough to break the last straw, but then the little orphan said something else that he just barely heard.
“I wanna be a police officer Alfred”
Time to get to work.
Bruce stood up as straight as possible straightening his navy tie and hat as best he could. It wasn’t often that he got ready for the day without Alfred’s help. He looked in the mirror in their small locker room and ensured everything was on correctly.
He looked like a real cop.
He took a deep breath putting his hand over his chest pocket that held the family portrait he never left the house without. I hope you see me, mom and dad.
“Wayne!” his academy commander called, forcing him to straighten up. “Let’s go” he ordered.
He followed as instructed and was led into the large auditorium that held a small stage with a few officers on it. It was a relatively quick ceremony. One that ended with his official oath to the city and a quick photo op with the current chief of police. Bruce wouldn’t have admitted it to anyone else but he was also scanning the crowd for a familiar face and was heartbroken to see there wasn’t one.
Soon after they were introduced to their commanding officers who they would be assigned to during their rookie period. He took a deep breath and then looked up to find the person he had been looking for that whole time. Jim Gordon.
“Hope you’re ready for a year of H*ll kid.” The words may have been harsh but the hug his old friend was offering said something completely opposite. He gladly accepted. This man who had actually arrested Joe Chill. The man who came to walk him on his first day of school after his parents passed and had since attended every birthday and graduation he had. The man who made him want to be a cop.
I’ll save everyone I can.
No more orphans.