Bruce having to be questioned about his parents murder years later. Joe Chill is still in prison by then but there's a "break" in the case and as the only witness, Bruce gets a call to come into the precinct. Bruce really doesn’t want to go but he feels that he has to set an example to the rest of the Bats. He doesn’t tell them before hand, planning to mention it casually on patrol or over dinner so they can’t fuss over him. But Bruce ends up getting cold feet over it. He’s looking over the diary of the week, trying to fit in a business call to Dubai and his PA reminds him of the interview is on a certain date, so they shouldn’t clash but he gives him the go ahead to cancel it. Bruce ends up standing on the steps of the precinct, having driven himself but he just can’t face stepping through the door. He’s stood on the roof so many times and slipped in through its windows, he just doesn’t understand why he can’t just… Bruce ends up back in his car, driving back to the Manor. Bruce hurts his ankle on patrol and Alfred does the usual guilting for him to rest up and Bruce actually agrees, joking that he’s getting on in years and shouldn’t be straining himself.
Eventually Alfred catches on and asks him what is going on, but of course Alfred knows, Bruce has been through this before - he faked fainting fights, fevers, injuries and even stressed himself into a burst appendix because the GCPD wanted his statement throughout the years. Bruce was eight when it happened so at first there was a kindly lady with a box of stuffed bears and a smile too jovial for the situation on hand. There were always faces popping up from the walls of cubicles, mutters from behind mirrors and always that look, that fucking look of “there goes the Wayne boy, he saw he mom and dad shot in the street, poor lamb”. Then there were cops who he was sure were selling details to the Gazette. Bruce admits that yes, he’s a coward and of course, he will face the music and let Gordon take his statement but Alfred is adamant that it isn’t happening. Joe Chill is in prison, there are no other links, it is not pressing and no, Bruce is not letting Martha or Thomas down. Is this agony not testimony to his love for them? Alfred ends up going to - storming - the precinct and giving Gordon a piece of his mind but it is out of his hands, the case does have a lead and yes, it may amount to nothing and Gordon understands how hard this must be for Bruce but the dectective on the case will subpoena Bruce if need be. Alfred doesn’t leave with a victory but he does leave with a compromise.
Dick shows up to the Manor fresh from Bludhaven and Bruce is surprised because Dick never called ahead, was something wrong? Either with Nightwing or the Titans or the police force? And Dick explains that he spoke to Gordon and managed to gain temporary privileges in Gotham since the link apparently has a Bludhaven element. He can take Bruce’s statement here, in the safety of the Manor with Alfred beside him. Bruce is hesitant because ugh, he feels like such a child and Dick is having to come back to take care of him when he knows it should be the other way around. But Bruce recognises that this is his best option and he agrees to it. Bruce Wayne’ testimony is taken over recording by Dectective Grayson, special liasion from Bludhaven Police Department, in the comfort of his own home, telling his son that fateful story, with Alfred at his side, Jason sat on the floor with his back against Bruce’s knees reading his book and even Ace dozing in the corner. It doesn’t make it easier to speak about that night. But he’s not alone.
