Ah, now that was greatness. Oh, excellent, excellent! What a... satisfying feeling that leaves. Ending right there, just ending, but beginning something wonderful. Not a Gotham Noir I notice, but that means little. You are truly an astonishing author. You're talent makes me smile perpetually. Seriously, I'm grinning rather stupidly at my computer as I type. It's rather ridiculous, but has good reason.

Funny, how Bruce doesn't like Dick's occupation. I kind of like that. It's somewhat... well, humourous. And that smile at the end - oh, wonderful. Magical, actually. Really special.

What can I say that I haven't already said? Not much, I'm sure. There's little to do when one faces such a talent like yours. How many times can someone acknowledge it before it becomes redundant? I suppose it depends on the level of creativity of the one complimenting. Hah, I believe that I am going to be facing redundancy quite soon. Now that must mean something.

Good feelings spring from the words you write. Your outlook is especially enthralling and elegant (ah, alliteration). With all that is in this world, hope and happiness are so terribly lacking, stories like yours are desperately needed. They are inspiring and lovely. Ah, I sound so repetitive to myself. Shame.

I certainly hope that you don't give up on that sequel (although I'm sure you won't). I'll keep watching.

Peace,
MG*

Ack! I love it! I've had a Dick/Barbara thing beginning to swim around in my head, but I have to admit I hadn't gotten nearly so far as the wedding. And this dialogue between Bruce and Jim was just perfect. I love both of those characters so much, and actually getting to read a conversation between the two of them about the difficulties of children, double lives, and not necessarily wanting your kids to have the same life you've had (all ideas which fascinate me), was simply splendiferous!

Very sweet. I liked that you were able to do this scene without either man actually admitting to the fact that Jim knows. I think the ambiguity made it more interesting--you kept waiting for Jim to drop the bombshell but, like so many other points in his relationship with the Bat, he doesn't. And he doesn't have to.

Very cute, in an awesome way. You've captured Bruce, Jim, and the sort of relationship they would have after all these years perfectly. But it wasn't soppy or overemotional in the least...you went just far enough to make it unmistakably touching. Brilliant work. You've more than earned the admiration of THIS crazy DC comic geek-girl.
p.s. Thanks for reviewing... you gave me a lot of great food for thought and I'll be sure to go over it all in the author's note for my next chapter.

As usual, beautiful and touching.

Beautiful,

Cute. :) Short and sweet.
The beginning references to the media...::grin:: "They couldn't even be snide about it..." I can just imagine one of the reporters whining in the background(er, more than one).
LOL. Jim hears Bruce coming, but at least he doesn't have that drunken smile on his face. I love it when Bruce is Bruce; not quite Batman and certainly not the puppet playboy. Just...himself.
"Who would have thought they'd end up together?" Do I detect sarcasm? Or was he just throwing Jim off the trail? He'd certainly have gotten a different response if he mentioned that they'd been a couple as Batgirl and Robin, Nightwing and Oracle long before Dick and Babs.
"I guess that's the advantage of being a detective." If I had been drinking something, I would've choked. Right there. LOL.
Jim's wisdom and observation skills really shone out during his conversation about Dick and Babs and "double lives". And the part when he looked up at the sky and said softly "Just one..." That was really a sweet moment. And he was standing right next to that "one"! The irony...
Lovable! ~Michelle

This is a very elegant piece, and I enjoyed the relaxed writing. It set the mood very well, and made the story a wonderful read.
"You didn't do too bad by that boy of yours either. You might not like him being a policeman, but I think it says a lot for him. When you consider how he grew up - there was absolutely no need for him to choose a profession that put him in harm's way, yet he did. And I'll tell you one thing - it does old officers like me good to know there's young men like him coming up behind us. Men who know what 'to protect and to serve' truly means. I can't think of anyone who understands that better than Dick."
Favorite line, right there. As a Nightwing girl, I love any NW flattery, but you managed to sum up everything that makes Dick (and it's doublely potent since this actually applies to Dick Grayson, not his alter ego) such a dynamic and good character.
And as a fence-sitting shipper for Dick/Babs, a special pat on the back for writing a piece that subtly showcases their relationship.

Well done, as always. While a part of me wishes that you would flesh this story out, give us more, I'm highly satisfied with what's written. As others have said, excellent portrayal of the dance around the truth by Bruce and Jim. I like not knowing.

Keep writing.

I liked it - you kind of got the feeling that Jim knew everything. I don't know if that was intentional, but it was the perfect degree of subtlety, and it worked wonderfully. I refuse to buy the "Batman Beyond" timeline, and one of the reasons is that Dick and Barbara didn't end up together.

I liked it - you kind of got the feeling that Jim knew everything. I don't know if that was intentional, but it was the perfect degree of subtlety, and it worked wonderfully. I refuse to buy the "Batman Beyond" timeline, and one of the reasons is that Dick and Barbara didn't end up together.

Hey, you and I have the same name! (Maybe.) I like this a lot. It can be read either way--maybe he knows, maybe he doesn't. It doesn't come right out and say one way or the other. I wish we could see something like this in the comics.

Another great one. This story is deep and thought-provoking. I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy!

Very enjoyable. I liked it.

An elegant dance around the possible truth between Bruce and Gordon. I'm a sucker for stories like this too. Very nice!