Bruce gently lay down Percy on the brown leather couch, and lay him on his back so he and Alfred could get a good look at his forehead. There was blood on the side of his head in the centre of a large bruise. 

However, the worst thing was the hand shaped bruises around his small neck, making him want to punch a hole through something.

" He'll be fine sir. He just needs a nice long sleep to get over the head wound," Alfred assured, as he wiped the dried blood away from Percy's scalp.

" He needs more than a long sleep, Alfred, he needs a home for him and his brothers. The child needs a proper life," Bruce growled in anger, running a hand through his hair.

" You know sir, the only reason you are acting this way, is because you can't help every person. Batman can't stop child homelessness. I believe the best you can do is get the villains off the streets these boys run," Alfred grounded out simply.

Bruce couldn't fault the man's logic. In the few days he'd known Percy, he'd felt a connection with the boy. He had liked the enthusiasm the boy had despite his situation. When others said opposites attract, they were right, Percy was the stark opposite of Bruce, and yet it brought life in to their house. And Bruce always had a soft spot for children whose parents had died or left them like his had. He understood the pain Percy must feel inside.

He sat in the armchair and watched Alfred apply medical tape and gauze to the head wound and then sit back in satisfaction.

" He should awaken shortly, I think you'll need to give a very good explanation to him as to what in the world happened to him today," Alfred stated casually as he walked off to clean the glass.

What was Bruce supposed to tell him? The child already distrusted adults, how was he going to react upon waking up?

" Gabe, get away from mum, don't kill her," Percy mumbled quietly.

Bruce's trained eyes saw that Percy was still sleep, obviously having a dream.

" No, no, no, get away from me! Get away!" Percy cried out, thrashing his head to the side.

With a small gasp he rocketed off the couch and stood, shaking like a leaf. His eyes were wide with fear and he stared around the room.

" Percy, calm down, you're safe now," Bruce cautioned, standing from his seat. 

Percy stared at him with wide eyes before slowly calming down at the sight of him, his frantic breathing quieting down till he was perched on the edge of the couch, tense to run if frightened again. 

" Sorry, mr Wayne, I-I thought I dreamt that I got pushed off the roof and I kind of panicked," Percy apologized sheepishly, running a hand through his raven hair.

Bruce knew that wasn't all he'd dreamed, and besides, he really had been thrown off the roof. 

" It's alright, lad, you and Alfred are both safe. The Riddler is off to Arkham again and all will be okay," Bruce soothed gently, taking his seat again.

Percy nodded friendly and grasped at his forehead with. wince, realizing how much his head hurt. However, he chose to ignore it and stared over at the clock on the wall. It was currently five o'clock in the afternoon, and Percy's heart thudded hard in his chest. His brothers would be frantic! They would have no idea why he wasn't home, and they needed him to bring them home food and supplies. They probably thought something had happened to him.

" I-I need to get going, sir, if I may," Percy quickly stated, standing up off of his precarious perch.

Bruce stood with him, and his face showed doubt.

" Your brothers worried about you?" Bruce inquired, an eyebrow raised.

" Yeah, my step dad will be needing me at home," Percy murmured quietly.

Bruce saw straight through the lie, he knew that Percy had no step father at least not anymore. He needed to get hoe to his brothers for a different reason, they'd probably be worried sick about him. However, Bruce wasn't about to let the boy wander around downtown Gotham with a head wound and still shocked over the events of the day. He wasn't blind, he could see Percy's small shivers as he thought about what had transpired before his rescue.

" At least let me drive you home, that way I won't be worrying about you," Bruce sighed gently.

Percy nodded, accepting the offer immediately, and obviously not wanting to alone either. He found his satchel by the door and jumped in to the expensive car next to Bruce. The man smiled gently at the boy, before they slowly made their way out of the manor gates. 

" You went through a big scare today, I'm sorry, they went after you and Alfred to get to me. I want you to know that if you still want it, the job is complete yours," Bruce apologized as he drove through the Gotham streets. 

Percy stared at him with his bright, sea green eyes. Disbelief was clear on his face, and a bright smile lit up his features. 

" Thank you mr Wayne, thanks so much! I'd love the job!" Percy chirped excitedly, forgetting the frightening day for the time being.

" Well its all yours. I do believe it will allow you to find food for your brothers  more easily," Bruce murmured, hoping the words would get the desired effect.

" Oh it will! My brothers and I will have food and........." Percy started chirping happily, before realizing what he'd said.

He broke off what he'd been about to say and shrunk back in his seat. Now Mr Wayne would know they scrounged in garbage, now he'd know they barely ever had any food to feed the younger boys in their gang. Was he mad? Disappointed? He'd tricked Percy in to revealing his situation!

" Yes, Percy, Batman told me of your situation, he's a good friend of mine. He told me how you look after your five brothers, how you're all homeless, how you need to provide for them. And my opinion on you hasn't changed, you're a good gardener, and this job is still yours. However, why didn't you tell me of your situation?" Bruce grunted.

Percy's cheeks were red with embarrassment, and he didn't look at Bruce as he replied.

" It isn't exactly a conversation starter. I don't advertise myself as a homeless boy's gang leader. I didn't think you'd hire me if you knew," Percy murmured awkwardly, before lapsing in to an uncomfortable silence.

Bruce parked his car beside the run down building the boys sheltered in. He watched as Percy grabbed his satchel before speaking.

" I would not have judged you for your situation. Sleep well tonight, and take the day off tomorrow. You've earned it," Bruce stated in a strange sort of farewell.

Percy nodded, and smiled slightly before fading in to the darkness, and only reappearing briefly when he scaled the fire escape.