Who: Dick Grayson and Greer Nelson Where: Bludhaven, NJ When: Early 2008 What: An officer is killed in the line of duty, Dick pays his respects.
Funerals were some of (if not the) worst memories in Dick's admittedly short life. The first time he'd ever attended one was his own parents where a complete stranger had been the only comforting figure to emerge. From there it had continued as partners and adopted brothers met similar fates at the hands of criminal scum. The pain he felt at those times had been immeasurable. But to lose the person that someone chose to spend the rest of their life with? That was a fate Dick tried his hardest not to imagine as he moved down the aisle. Yet, he couldn't. Images of Kori and Barbara kept floating to the surface and he forced those thoughts away.
As he looked around Dick took note that most of the people in attendance were Nelson's former brothers in arms. Bludhaven PD was in excess and yet Dick did not feel reassured. As Bludhaven's only vigilante, he knew first hand how corrupt the department was. And if the rumors were true, Bill Nelson was an honest cop who had been dealt a losing hand by his fellow officers. Tension gathered in his shoulders and Dick steadied himself as he moved toward the casket.
A part of him observed things as an objective outsider, noting the physical details from generic statistics of the man to the brush work of the mortician concealing injuries. A pedestal was nearby for those to pray and offer reflection upon the deceased. Dick frowned for a moment and then moved to his knees. His hands folded before him and he stared at Bill through half closed lids. Though he had only just applied to the police academy, he knew one thing was certain: He would find this man's killers. So in his admittedly short "prayer," Dick swore an oath (something he hadn't done since he was twleve) that he would bring those responsible to legitimate justice.
Grayson returned to his feet and observed those in attendance once more. This time he felt his eyes drawn to the one person he'd been trying to avoid: the wife of the deceased. Straighten his tie he made his way over. "Mrs. Nelson?" Dick addressed her once the other had finished talking and he waited to be acknowledged.