(Untitled)

[gothamsgoodcop]

Jim and Jimmy Gordon sit in the lobby of the mansion, Jim on the couch and Jimmy sprawled on the floor. Most boys his age would probably balk at their father keeping such a close eye on them, but Jimmy is lying close to his father's feet, occasionally shooting a discrete glance his way before returning to drawing in the blank notebook he found.

Comments

[andwhydowefall]

And Thomas will be walking into the lobby, and pauses, smiling a little at the scene. "Hello."

[gothamsgoodcop]

Jimmy's head pops up nervously, but Thomas Wayne is entirely unthreatening and he promptly flops back to drawing. Jim returns the smile and offers a friendly wave, already saying, "Hello," back before the man's appearance really sinks in and he doubletakes. Because having heard that a man's here who's been dead twenty years is one thing, actually running into him is another.

[andwhydowefall]

Thomas notices the reaction and smiles a bit sheepishly. "I'm guessing you're from... later. Like Bruce is."

[gothamsgoodcop]

He nods. "Yeah. The same time as he is, actually, or close enough." He stands and offers Thomas a hand. "Commissioner Jim Gordon, it's an honor to meet you." Jimmy looks up again curiously from where he's shading in the sky of his drawing with a pencil.

[andwhydowefall]

Thomas will promptly shake his hand. "Thomas Wayne. It's good to meet you." He looks down at Jimmy with a smile. "Hi, there."

[gothamsgoodcop]

"Hi." Jimmy gives him a little wave before shyly ducking his head again to return to his drawing.

Jim sits down again, reaching to ruffle his son's hair. "I must say, it was quite a surprise to hear that you were here."

[andwhydowefall]

"Yes, I'd guess that much. It's been more than a bit surprising from this side, too."

[gothamsgoodcop]

"I'm sure." And what exactly does one say to a man who's been dead twenty years that you didn't actually know? 'Hi, I was one of the cops on duty when you got killed?' "This is my son Jimmy, by the way."

[andwhydowefall]

Thomas nods, smiling a little. "About Bruce's age, I'm guessing? ... Well. Bruce's age before I got here."

[gothamsgoodcop]

"A little older, I think," Jim says, recalling.

"I'm ten," Jimmy clarifies, still bowed over the drawing as he fills in the large bat silhouette in the searchlight.

[andwhydowefall]

Thomas nods. "Bruce is--was eight. Ten... well, I missed ten."

[gothamsgoodcop]

He nods. "I'm sure he's glad to have you back, though." That's one thing he's never going to forget, looking into the eyes of a boy who just saw his parents murdered.

[andwhydowefall]

"He is." See a brief smile. "I wish the circumstances weren't what they were, but... if they had to be, I'm glad I have this."

[gothamsgoodcop]

"I'm sure. I can't imagine..." He stops, because yes he can, after faking his own death. "I know it's strange to turn around and suddenly find him an adult, I had my daughter grow up on me like that. She's three years younger than Jimmy, and somehow here she's eighteen."

[andwhydowefall]

Another small smile. "Well, we have something in common, then. Strange, isn't it?"

[gothamsgoodcop]

"Incredibly strange."

"She's taller than me," grumbles Jimmy from the floor. "She's not supposed to be taller than me."