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Chapter Text

Gotham

Year 2010

July 4^th/5^th

Jason is 10

Cass is 9

Tim is 7

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

Debris still smoked around them and the dust made it hard to breath. Not to mention the bruised ribs he probably had. But Robin wouldn’t sit down and cry. Not when he and his friends had just defied the League’s and Batman’s orders and freed a very potentially dangerous Superman clone.

Since Batman had told him last month on patrol what would happen today Robin had been more excited and hyperactive than usual. The first step to being a leaguer, he had been told. Something to prove to the public that they were the next generation of heroes, who the league trusted to fight alongside them. And though Robin hadn’t been as betrayed as Kaldur and Wally by the revelation of the watchtower (which Robin himself had helped create.) But like his friends Roy’s words had struck him. When Batman had left them without letting them help the league, Robin couldn’t help but fell betrayed.

Now as his friends stood up around him Robin remembered the small moment this afternoon Batman had let Bruce’s pride shine through and smiled down at him. But the broken promise of respect was still there. Robin could beat more than half the league but because he was a kid he wasn’t allowed to help him. Not anymore. He looked at Batman and unleashed one of his most powerful weapons. The pleading and disappointed face. “Batman, we’re ready to use what you taught us or why teach us at all?”

He smirked when he saw Batman’s angry scowl because a contemplative frown. Then Superboy’s words made it worse, or possibly better. The unknown teenager scared the league especially with the prospect he could make the teens leave with him like Roy just had. “Why let them tell us what to do? It’s simple. Get on board or get out of the way.”

There was a heavy moment of silence. Robin looked at Batman pleading again. The white masked lenses widened. Batman huffed. “Give me three days.”

Grins grew on the face of all the boys. Except Superboy only allowed a smirk. Wally turned noticing. “Hey, Supey! Ever had a sleep over?”

The leaguers had mostly left and soon Flash, Wally and Superboy followed Kaldur and Aquaman to the zeta tubes. Batman looked at Robin, still standing in the midst of the crater at Cadmus. “We’re going home. Then Alfred is going to check you over and you’re going to bed. No talking to any of your siblings if they’re awake. And no phone priveleges to talk to Barbara.”

Robin pouted. “Fine, how far are the zetas? I think I bruised my ribs.”

Batman sighed and called over John Stewart who was cleaning up the rest of the debris with a few other Leaguers who were still there. When they were home Alfred didn’t ask any questions and Bruce’s warning glance sent Tim and Jason’s peering glances back behind their doors. Dick was bandaged and put to bed by Alfred as Bruce stayed in the cave.

“May I ask what happened?” Alfred laid some food in front of Bruce who now was sitting going through the files from Cadmus in just his sweatpants.

“Speedy quit and let the other two teens know about the watchtower in the process. Then we were summoned for a mission leaving the kids behind. They decided to prove themselves by investigating a lab called Cadmus and there they found a clone of Superman.”

“A clone?” Alfred repeated sitting down.

“A teenage one. At least biologically. These are the files Dick managed to get but in their escape they destroyed the facility the lead scientist turned into something monster-like and the boys almost died.”

Alfred’s eyes widened. “Master Dick was fine except for some bruises and injured ribs. He’ll be fine soon enough. The others I’m sure were even better off. What did the rest of the League think of all this?”

“Upset. Several lives were endangered. Property was destroyed and all because they went against our orders. And of course we were worried for the kids. Almost the whole League came when they heard Robin was missing along with Aqualad and Kid Flash. I had to keep Barry from calling Iris several times. Clark though…. He left the kid with us. He’s staying with Kid Flash for now.”

Alfred was shocked. He raised an eyebrow. “He didn’t say anything to the boy? Didn’t Master Clark want children? He’s made that known a few times especially since the boys and Cassandra started to live here.”

Bruce sighed. Clark wanted kids, but with Lois who Bruce knew he was thinking of marrying soon. But that would also be nearly impossible with his kryptonian biology. Conner being his only chance might have scared Clark as much as any other reason that Bruce was listing to Alfred. “We’re not sure if Superboy is a danger yet. He was made to be a weapon. There might be protocols in his brain even he’s not aware of. Clark’s scared that somebody got to his DNA that easily.”

“So what will happen to him?” Alfred asked. “I could…”

“I think I have enough kids Alfred,” Bruce said sternly. They were starting to run out of permanent rooms in the manner already. “Superboy will stay where he is for now. The boys told us they’ll keep going on missions. They think they’re ready. They can’t join the League but I told them I’d have an answer for them in three days. Maybe then we’ll have figured out Superboy’s situation.”

“And I expect until then Master Dick is under punishment?”

“No patrol, no going out. I’ll give him back his phone in a day or two. Mostly he’ll be receiving the silent treatment. I think that’ll be the worst thing for him.”

“Yet you won’t be able to keep the other children from demanding the whole story of last night. He’ll be the center of attention then.”

“Only then,” Bruce pointed out. “No patrol for Robin or going out. And I’m sure you grounded him from the trapeze for the next few days as well.”

Alfred nodded and Bruce got up wishing him goodnight before checking on Tim, Jason, and Cass to make sure they were asleep and climbed into bed himself with his thoughts on his oldest son and the fear that he might run like Roy prompting the others to all follow.

-------------------------------------------------------------

“You found a what?” Jason demanded as the kids sat together around a plate of Alfred’s cookies the next afternoon a little after Dick had woken up. Bruce had refused to answer any of their questions and Tim had been unable to access any files. No one was answering Jason when he reached out and Barbara was on a trip with her father at the moment unable to even help them hack in. This was their first chance to hear about any of it.

“A clone of Superman,” Tim repeated in awe. “That’s… What kind of science does that take? Human cloning hasn’t been proven possible yet.”

“Now it has,” Dick told them leaving no room for argument. “So we broke him out, or he helped us break out before they tried to clone us. Then we got out of Cadmus.”

“Good thing there were no clones,” Jason groaned. “Could you imagine more Dickheads in the batcave?”

“I wouldn’t like too,” Alfred said pulling more cookies out of the oven. “I have enough trouble cleaning up after one and all his siblings.”

Dick ignored that as Cass pointed to his ribs questioningly. Dick usually understood her best though the others were getting there fast, especially now that she knew some sign language. He winced. “Yeah, so we got out. Thanks to Supey or to my mad hacking skills.”

Tim laughed and Barbara who was on a video call from Jason’s tablet snorted. Dick sent her a playful glance as he ruffled Tim’s hair tickling him a bit. She ignored it as Dick continued.

“Then Dr. Desmond, the scientist in charge drank a formula which turned him into a giant beast. We’re calling him Blockbuster that’s the name of the formula according to the files,” he rambled. “Together we collapsed the building on him with Superboy’s strength, Aqualad’s water bearers, my explosives and Wally’s most annoying distractions.”

“Dead?” Cass signed with eyes wide. She hated death after seeing and being forced to kill until six months ago. All of her life.

“No,” Dick soothed. “The League came then and took him away.”

“And that’s when Golden Boy got grounded,” Jason declared standing up with a grin. “Great story.”

Dick pulled him back down. “Not what happened. The League told us we wouldn’t be doing anything like that again so we told them to get on board or get out of our way.”

Jason fell back cackling with laughter. Barbara was looking at him amused and exasperated all at once. Cassandra looked somewhere in between following Babs and Tim’s bright eyes which were looking at Dick in awe. He bit his lip. “What does that mean>”

“The League lets us do actual missions.” Dick’s eyes were shining with defiant hope. “Dad can be as mad as he wants as long as he keeps to the deal and thinks about it fairly. Maybe with some missions Uncle Clark will actually look and talk to Superboy!”

“Uncle Clark’s not talking to Superboy? He’s his kid!” Jason’s face grew dark as he fumed. He looked at Dick snarling. ‘You have to talk to your kid.”

Dick nodded looking at Bruce’s office hoping for a talk or something from Bruce as Tim piped up. “So we won’t talk to Uncle Clark! Right Cass?”

Cass nodded smirking. She like all the kids loved Clark and the other leaguers having adopted them as her family as well. But Tim was right. She signed to Dick. “Uncle Clark. Mean.”

Jason’s grin grew wide and evil. “I’ll tell Alfred and Dad. Uncle Clark is black listed. No one is going to talk to him for anything but League business.”

“He won’t be allowed here either,” Dick nodded sternly turning quickly to Bruce’s study and sighing. His eyes furrowed as he frowned. “He won’t be happy. No one likes being ignored.”

“Golden boy’s not Dad’s favorite anymore, is he? Guess he got punished for once instead of me. And grounded too. How does that feel Dickie?”

Alfred looked down at him with a frown. “Apologize Master Jason or you shall be punished too. Master Bruce has no favorites among you children and no one shall even think of saying so. Miss Cassandra, it’s time for lessons. Master Tim why don’t you help her set up and choose a book?”

Both of them nodded getting up. From the tablet Bab’s voice wished her good luck reminding her to go slow before telling them she had to go because her dad was coming back. She told Dick she’d hear what happened when she got back. Jason grabbed his tablet closing it as Tim dragged Cass out by the hand to the library. Dick knew she would be putting on headphones and listening to a book while reading it. The exercise was one they were using to teach her language suggested by Barbara’s research. It seemed to be helping along with the flash cards.

Alfred watched them go nodding pleased before turning to the older two boys. “Master Jason, you will come with me to the kitchen. We’ll discuss the last book you read while you help me.”

Jason perked up following Alfred out of the dining room. His and Alfred’s book club was something special for only him. Nothing Dick had ever done before him or Tim had succeeded at first. Dicked watched him leaved and sighed as he was left alone.

Chapter Text

Gotham

Year 2010

July 7th

Jason is 10

Cass is 9

Tim is 7

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

It had been two and a half days. Dick was sitting at the table in the manor when Alfred came in with lunch. The others had been sent off for the day. Cass was with Barbara who had just returned, working on her speech cards. Tim had gone to the zoo with his friend Harper and her brother Cullen both scholarship kids at school. Dick had no actual idea were Jason was.

He’d only seen Bruce who was down at the Batcave, still not talking to him. Dick was getting sick of it. Bruce had promised three days. He turned to Alfred as he set lunch in front of him. “When’s he going to decide? Bruce has been down in the bat cave forever. I can’t tell if he’s working on sanctioning the team, or squashing it.”

“I believe Master Dick that he asked for three days…”

Dick scoffed. “Demanded is more like it. And it’s been two and a half!”

“When Master Bruce says three… He means three.”

Dick groaned hitting his forehead on the table. Alfred raised an eyebrow at him looking at the food. Dick sighed. “Fine, but he at least needs to find Superboy a home. Wally said that he slept in a closet! Because it felt more like his pod! Wally, Uncle Barry and Aunt Iris can’t handle that.”

“Master Dick, the West-Allen family volunteered. And I know Master Bruce is working on it too. He’s already worked on getting Superboy some of his own stuff.”

“Yeah,” Dick sighed. “Wally told me about the Bat credit card. Seems Bruce can pay more attention to my friends than to me.”

“That isn’t true Master Dick,” Alfred said. “Master Bruce is just doing what you asked. That’s paying attention, isn’t it? Now he still has half a day. He will tell you tonight. So now eat or I won’t even allow you to hear of it.”

Dick groaned again stuffing a spoonful off food in his mouth. A little less than twelve hours. That’s all he had to wait. Just twelve hours. He could do that. Just six hours.

Meanwhile down in the Batcave Bruce was still going through the Cadmus information. It was a little past one and Alfred should be bringing down his lunch soon. He might take a break and go pick up Cass from the Gordon’s to take her out. He didn’t get to spend a lot of one on one time with his adoptive daughter. Just as he got up to do just that his Comm rang.

“Batman,” Superman said. “We’re on our way to the Central City Mall. Two super-strength teenagers conducting a robbery and wrecking it. The person on monitor duty couldn’t give us enough information.”

Bruce looked at the computer and pulled up footage from security cameras in Central City’s mall. He looked at the two teens, a boy and a girl the latter of which threw a mall officer over the balcony right before he was caught before a boy with mouth covered leaping through the air. Another boy zoomed with lightning trialing behind him. Then the fight commenced as Bruce watched. “Who’s with you Clark? I’m guessing Flash, this is in Central City, right?”

“Yeah,” Flash said through the comm. “I’m here.”

“Well then you might want to make sure your nephew and his friend have this handled. They’ve just crashed through the wall,” Bruce said before he heard Flash curse and zoom off. “You can tell them I’ve made a decision.”

Seconds later the footage showed the Terror Twins jumping out after the boys and then looking up in surprise behind them. Superboy stood up with Wally next to him. Bruce used Barry’s comm to get the conversation.

“Uh, wow… Guess we scared ‘em off,” Wally was saying.

“Should we go after them?” Superboy asked.

“No, you shouldn’t. And no you didn’t,” Flash said harshly as the boys turned. Superman took one look at his clone and flew off. Bruce growled when he saw the look in the teens eyes as Clark flew away. They’d be having a talk soon. Meanwhile Flash was scolding his nephew.

“Three days, you couldn’t stay out of trouble for three days.”

“Hey, that’s not…”

Flash stopped Wally. “I’m calling Iris. You’ll go home and stay there. Both of you will be in bed early tonight. Right after dinner. First thing in the morning you’ll get your answer. Batman’s made his decision.”

Bruce shut off the footage, making to erase any trace of it and got up. He ignored Dick’s glance as he passed the boy when he told Alfred he was getting Cass for lunch. And when they returned Bruce didn’t say anything except telling Alfred he’d be gone for a bit and going down to the cave. Dick was left staring until Cass pulled at his hand and pointed to a book with a smile signing and asking for him to perform her voices. Dick sighed looking at the clock. Ten or so more hours.

At the watchtower the board of League members sat with Batman at the front. He looked around them at the faces of his teammates. Superman, Wonder Woman, the Hawks, Martian Manhunter, Hal Jordan, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Aquaman, Flash and Red Tornado all sitting around the table. The rest of the members, the ones who usually attended these meetings, like Captain Marvel, Captain Adam or Zatara were busy.

“I’ve made my decision,” Batman announced. “Tomorrow morning we’ll bring the boys to Happy Harbor. That is where they will base their team.”

“The cave?” Hal asked. “It was infiltrated ages ago!”

“Which is why no one will suspect us using it now,” Batman pointed out. “I’ll need the night to get the cave running and the help of some volunteers.”

“Wait,” Superman asked. “Just like that… we’re giving them a team?”

“I’m sure you all heard what happened in Central City today,” Flash said. “You should realize this Superman but Batman is right. These kids will be a team with or without us. I’d just rather it was with us so we could protect them.”

Batman nodded. “I’ll be assigning their missions. Black Canary, you have experience training children. I know you to be the best out of the League for this job, at least from what Robin and the others have told me.”

Black Canary blushed at the praise. “Your kids are just good at training. I’m not sure how well it will go with the rest of this team. They all have different strengths and powers unlike your kids who have none at all. It’ll be harder to teach.”

“You will still be doing it, yes?” Martian Manhunter asked.

Black Canary nodded.

Aquaman raised an eyebrow. “Are you rethinking now J’onn?”

The Martian sighed. “I believe she needs this. She stowed away with me to work on earth as a hero. I can take care of her power training, but this is the way for her to receive the experience. So if you shall allow it I would like M’Gann to join the team. Are the rooms at the cave still open?”

“They will be,” Batman replied. “Superboy needs a place to live. M’gann is welcome to live there too. Which means we’ll also need a den mother to live with them and supervise the kids. They can’t live alone. Any volunteers?”

The room went quiet. Then Red Tornado raised a mechanic hand. “I would like to try it. I have no life outside of being a hero unlike most of those here. I need no sleep or food. It would be efficient to have me at the cave.”

“Good,” Superman said.

“This team will do covert ops the League can’t do,” Batman said. “They’ll be private, unseen and unknown giving us an advantage. Training them to work together now will do more for them too. These kids are the next generation of our heroes. I’ll see those with partners at the cave at 8:00 ET time tomorrow.”

The Leaguers all got up and left. Green Arrow was still growling to Black Canary about Roy and the team happening without him as they were heading to the Zeta tube. Aquaman was still in deep conversation with Martian Manhunter. Superman was about to fly away when Batman grabbed his arm. “Sit.”

Wonder Woman walked over too. She sat down slamming her fists on the table. “I cannot allow this team Batman. They are still children. None of them should be having a place in this fight for a long time. I have not argued how you parent your own children, indeed, Dick has proved himself to be fine even with you as a father and I’m sure the others will too. But the rest of these are not yours and none of them should be doing this.”

“Diana they’ll be the League one day. They’re teenagers already. If he hadn’t quit and showed a little more patience we might’ve been offering Roy a spot here soon enough,” Superman said.

“You,” Diana spat. “Do not get to speak. You spread all your love on Bruce’s kids, on the others, on any child you can help or see on the street. But right now there is a boy without a home who shares your DNA.”

“He’s not my son,” Superman said stubbornly.

“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t need you,” Batman said. “But I won’t be backing down on this team. The kids will be doing it anyway, Robin needs to learn to work with others besides his family if he wants to be part of the League one day. This is an opportunity for all of them and for us.

He sighed looking at two of his closest friends. “I’ve made the mistake of believing Robin is still a child. One who still needs me to be there to help him on his every step. He’s getting ready to live his life without me even if I’m not. I might be using this as a chance to hold onto him a little longer but at least I’m there for him to support him even when he doesn’t need me. I hope you can do that to Clark.”

“Bruce…” Superman huffed.

“Diana is right. These kids shouldn’t be fighting,” Batman continued. “But they will. I’m just trying to protect them a little longer but I have to realize they’re becoming adults too. I won’t make the same mistake that happened with Roy. Not with my son, or any of those kids.”

Diana opened her mouth and then closed it as Batman got up and went to the Zeta tube putting in a number that hadn’t been used in years as he went to Happy Harbor to meet the few leaguers who had volunteered to help.

Meanwhile Dick was waiting in the BatCave waiting out the time with training. He was helping Tim, teaching him some acrobatics, or critiquing them as he lightly sparred with Cass. It was just past 11 now. Alfred came downstairs and looked at Dick disapprovingly. “I have said you need a few days to heal up those ribs. Sparring will not help with that. And because there is no patrol tonight it is time for the little ones to head to bed. Master Jason is already upstairs doing the chores I’ve given him as punishment for fighting today. He’ll join you both soon. Now upstairs.”

Tim groaned and went upstairs. Cass gave Dick a hug signed good night and then followed with Alfred behind her. Dick collapsed in Bruce’s chair by the monitor and sighed. Within a few minutes he was asleep.

_____________________________

“Dick, Dick!”

Dick was shaken awake to see Bruce standing there in his batsuit with the cowl off. He scowled and met Bruce’s eyes. “So we’re talking now?”

“I told you three days. You had your punishment and we’ve both had time to think about what happened. I promised I’d give you an answer, so yes we’re talking now.”

Dick looked at his watch. A half hour past midnight. Around the time Cadmus had exploded and they’d been found by the League. He looked at Bruce and rubbed the back of his head. “Sorry, I mean… not just for being a jerk just now… but also because of everything. I was just mad. Almost half my life I’ve been training to be a hero, to be part of the League. Then you won’t let me fight with you.”

“We made a mistake,” Bruce agreed. “None of you are ready to be part of the League. Not just yet. You can barely work as a team together.”

“So it’s a no then?” Dick asked angrily.

“I didn’t say that. You just need to work at it. Tomorrow, Happy Harbor. You might not be part of our League, but you’ll get to have one of your own.”

“The cave?” Dick asked with wide eyes. “We’re using the cave. Brilliant! No one will think about us being there. And it was the League’s original headquarters, guess it makes sense it’ll be ours too.”

Bruce laughed. “I’m proud of you chum. Even if you broke rules and didn’t follow orders. You and your friends found something to fight for. And even if you aren’t part of the League yet, you will be one day.”

“I know, thanks.”

“There will be rules though. Especially for you. You were the first child hero, the best trained too and the one who knows most of the League’s secrets. We’ll have to be extra careful. We’ll talk about it in the morning on the way.”

Dick nodded. He got up and started up the stairs. Then he turned to Bruce. “We won’t let you down, I promise.”

Bruce smiled in response and as Dick headed up stairs he watched then looked at a picture of him and Robin, the first sighting of them both which was framed next to the monitors. “I never think you will.”

Chapter Text

The next day Dick dressed in regular civilian clothes and large sunglasses to protect his identity showed up at the cave. The others were there already in civilian identity talking. Their mentors were behind them all dressed in Uniform like Batman. Wally looked up at Robin and waved but when Batman turned on him stopped.

Robin went to join his friends already thinking about Batman’s rules. He couldn’t let them know his identity, that was expected. He couldn’t give away League secrets or missions that he knew about. He couldn’t let them know the fact he trained with the League or how close he was with them. Nor about how good he really was, Robin should be underestimated to use to his advantage. He couldn’t let them know about his siblings just yet either. Their hero appearances were all just myths. Robin was the only one who had been seen in broad daylight. But if that was what it took to be part of a team then he would do it. At least he had Wally who knew mostly everything.

Batman stood in front of them, with the rest of the mentors standing behind him. He turned to the boys who suddenly all stood straight looking at him, waiting. Batman looked at them. “This cave was the original secret sanctuary of the Justice League. We’re calling it into service again. Since you four are determined to stay together and fight the good fight, you’ll do it on League terms.”

Robin heard Superboy growl but he knew that Batman was complimenting them and showing his faith on them. He smiled grinning wider as KF started to nudge him.

Batman continued. “Red Tornado volunteered to live here and be your supervisor. Black Canary’s in charge of training. I will deploy you on missions.”

That’s where Robin had to challenge him. He knew his mentor was over protective. That he would try and keep Robin safe. “Real Missions?”

“Yes, but covert.” Batman was smirking and Robin could tell he was promising not to be over protective by the way his eyes met Robin’s own. Robin grinned wider.

“The League will still handle the obvious stuff. There’s a reason we have these big targets on our chests,” Flash said. Wally rolled his eyes at his Uncle’s cheesy dad jokes as Dick chuckled. Uncle Barry never changed and though he was protective as Wally he wasn’t as big a freak about it as Bruce.

“But Cadmus proves the bad guys are getting smarter. Batman needs a team that can operate on the sly,” Aquaman said.

“The five of you will be that team,” Batman continued.

“Cool!” Robin cheered. Missions outside of Gotham were something he wasn’t able to do. Even if covert with his siblings, Bruce and Babs were a familiar routine by now. Then he stopped. Bruce hadn’t said anything about that one part. “Wait, five?”

The Zeta beam whirred and the boys turned. Floating forward was a green girl, wearing a blue skirt and matching cape with a red x over her chest. She was standing with Martian manhunter and Robin immediately knew she was a martian too. He turned to Batman questioningly.

“This is the Martian Manhunter’s niece Miss Martian.”

Robin nodded smiling at her. J’onn had told him he had a lot of nieces of nephews when Robin had once complained about too many kids in the batcave. That immediately left his mind when he had to roll his eyes at Wally zooming forward after Miss Martian waved hi.

“Liking this gig more every minute. Welcome aboard! Kid Flash. That’s Robin, Aqualad – it’s cool if you forget their names.”

“I’m honored to be included,” she said sweetly. Robin smiled as he came to introduce himself with Aqualad. He could already tell she was bubbly and liked to have fun. And he could already see the attraction forming between her and Superboy as she changed her shirt to match his own. Then Aqualad clapped him on the shoulder. “Today is the day.”

Robin grinned as Wally slung an arm around him. “We’ve got it dude! We have our team!”

“So when do we start?” Robin asked turning to Batman.

“We have nothing for you yet. Miss Martian and Superboy will be living here. The rest of you will be called back when it’s time though you have access to come here whenever you want.”

“Our own headquarters, our own team!” Kid Flash crowed. “This is amazing.”

“Save the cheering for later,” Flash advised him. “We’re helping Superboy move in. J’onn, do you need any help?”

“We shall be fine,” he said. He nodded to Batman and the martian girl waved goodbye as he ushered her back through the Zeta tube.

Wally grinned. “C’mon Supey. Let’s get you settled in.”

He ran through the Zeta with Flash right behind him and then Superboy sighed. He looked at Batman. “Thanks.”

Batman nodded.

Then Superboy paused and opened his mouth. “He’s not coming, is he?”

“No,” Batman said softly. “He’s not.”

Superboy nodded then stomped off into the Zeta beam. The rest watched him go. Aqualad looked at Batman. “Thank you for allowing this team. We will prove that we are worthy of it.”

“We have no doubt of that Kaldurahm,” Aquaman said gave Batman a glance. “Come, we have things to attend to in Atlantis.”

“I hope I will see you again soon Robin to have our first real mission as a team,” Aqualad said before leaving with Aquaman.

Robin looked at Batman who nodded at him. The Leaguers had flown off to finish making the adjustments to the mountain and they were left alone. Robin grinned and hugged him. “Thanks Dad.”

“You were ready for it,” Batman said. “What do you think?”

“About what? This whole thing is amazing. Did you know about J’onn’s niece?” Robin demanded.

“Yes,” Batman said. “He thought about taking her to the Hall of Justice. We decided only the public partners that have had experience should come. Your defenses were up?”

“You don’t trust her?” Robin asked. Then he double thought that. Batman didn’t have a reason too. He sighed. “Yeah, I always keep them up.”

“Good. Those things we talked about, they need to stay hidden.” He was walking to the zeta tube now. Robin bounced behind him nodding.

Then he looked at Batman. “Wait, I can tell the others, right? I don’t have to keep this hidden from them.”

Batman turned and grinned as the Zeta beam whirred and he disappeared. Then Robin ran after him rolling his eyes. Bruce just had to make everything dramatic. When he got to the other side Bruce was already in his suit ready for work. Dick pulled off his glasses and followed him upstairs. “So work now?”

“Lucius has been waiting,” Bruce agreed as they walked into the kitchen.

Jason had been teasing Tim who was reading a book. Cass was eating her food and looked up first. Alfred was washing the dishes from Dick and Bruce’s earlier breakfast and nodded at them. Jason dropped his fork and stopped mid-sentence talking to Tim. Tim smiled brightly. “Hi! We went to sleep and you still weren’t back. Did you give Dick his team? Is that where you were?”

Dick nodded ruffling Tim’s hair. “Yeah. I got a team Timmy. And a secret headquarters too.”

“Really?” Jason asked. “You guys were allowed in the watchtower? Isn’t that what Roy’s hissy fit was about?”

Cass shook her head at him. Then she turned to Dick gesturing for him to continue. Tim nodded. “Yeah, where is it?”

“Mt. Justice.”

“The League’s old headquarters?” Jason asked. “Wasn’t that discovered years ago by Joker?”

“Yeah, so they think the League won’t ever return,” Dick told him. “That’s where Superboy and Miss Martian will be living.”

Cass’s mouth opened and then she smiled. There was a girl on the team! Jason was looking at him open mouth as Tim’s eyebrows ruffled. “Who’s Miss Martian? She’s not in any of Dad’s files.”

“Because she’s new,” Dick grinned. “Martian Manhunter’s niece. You know he has tons of them. Martian families are huge. But she seemed pretty cool. First thing Wally did before even introducing himself was hit on her.”

“Why would Wally hit her?” asked Tim his eyebrow had started to furrow again and now his nose was wrinkling too. He liked Wally. He was good at science and played lots of games with them and watched movies and didn’t think Tim was too little to do stuff.

Cass scowled too. “M-E-A-N. Wally. No. Hit.”

“Not like that stupid,” Jason mocked. “He thought she was pretty and started to flirt.”

Tim made an oh shape with his mouth though Cass still looked confused. Dick laughed. “It’s all right Cass. You don’t need to understand that.”

“Ever,” Bruce mumbled. Dick laughed harder as Alfred rolled his eyes. Bruce gave them both annoyed looks. Dick’s response was to stick out his tongue and Bruce sighed. “I have to go now.”

“Work?” Tim asked.

“A meeting with Lucius,” Bruce agreed giving Cass a kiss goodbye on her hair and ruffling Tim’s hair.

Jason’s eyes brightened and he smiled mischievously. “New toys?”

“Nothing like that champ,” Bruce told him. “At least not for you.”

“Buzzkill. Why have any of that stuff if we can’t use it?” huffed Jason crossing his arms. Bruce chuckled at Jason and his usual manner ruffling his hair too.

He turned to Dick and the others. “I’ll see you all later. Grounding is over for you Dick. Patrol tonight. And I will see if Lucius has any ‘toys’ Jay. But don’t keep your fingers crossed.”

“Bye Bruce,” Dick waved.

“Later Dad.”

Bruce left as Alfred picked up the dishes and started to clean up. Jason looked at Dick. “So you have a team, any missions?”

“None,” Dick said. “Bruce doesn’t have any for us yet. But I think he’s already scheduled our first training day with Black Canary and Red Tornado is our den mother, which is pretty cool. And I’ve already got something on all my teammates if all the missions we’re running will be covert ops.”

“If he needs a covert Ops team he should just ask us,” Jason grumbled.

“Covert ops means secret and unseen, right?” Tim asked.

“Yeah. But most of the team has no experience with covert ops. I’m sure Miss Martian will be great at it though,” Dick said.

“No one could beat Cass though,” Tim boasted proudly. “She’s the best at hide and seek. I bet she could beat Miss Martian.”

Cass smiled thanking him then pointed to Dick communicating she thought he was really good at it too. Jason squawked. “Hey! What about me?”

She shook her head holding a finger to her lips then covering her ears giving Jason a look that even he understood. He didn’t protest that. Cass couldn’t really be argued with. Then Tim turned to Dick. “Will we ever get to meet your team? Besides Wally. I want to meet Superboy and Miss Martian and Aqualad. We could come to Mt. Justice. They can’t go to the watchtower like us, can they?”

“No,” agreed Dick. “But I don’t think Bruce wants them to know about you guys. Not even Batgirl. I’m sure you’ll get to meet them one day though but I’m not allowed to tell them a lot of things.”

“Why do you get a team and we don’t though?” Jason asked complaining.

“Because there are actually other heroes my age,” Dick pointed out. Jason growled something incomprehensible.

“Are you going to be at meetings and missions all the time now?” Tim asked. “Will you or Dad be like Uncle Clark with Superboy? He’s too busy for him.”

Dick collected his younger brother in a hug. “I’ll always have time for family, even if I’m part of a team.”

Tim nodded eyes brightening. Cass was bringing a coloring book over with markers and crayons then plopped it in front of Jason pointing to a page before starting on it. Tim looked up at Dick then. “Do you want to see my new experiment?”

Dick opened his mouth when his cell phone rang. It was Barbara. “So…. You’ve got a team. Still have time for other friends?”

Dick rolled his eyes. “You’re already outside, aren’t you? Of course I have time for you. I need to tell you everything.”

“Go ahead pixie boots,” Barbara said taking a seat next to him. She peeked into Cass’s coloring book. “Nice picture. Is the purple princess yours Jason?”

“Hardy har har Barbie,” Jason said. “C’mon Timbo. Let’s let the big kids talk. Want to help me with a little project?”

Dick rolled his eyes as his brothers ran off and Cass running after them as Barbara looked at him and demanded him to spill. Dick grinned. He was happy he had a new team but he had the best one right here.

Chapter Text

Gotham

Year 2010

July 17th

Jason is 10

Cass is 9

Tim is 7

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

A week and a half passed. Dick hadn’t been at the cave again since that first day though two or three days in he’d met with Aqualad and Kid Flash again. The rest of his days had been spent at home or training in the BatCave. He’d gone to work with Bruce a few times too and done things with Barbara and Wally. The latter hadn’t talked to him for a few days after he’d revealed he’d known about the watchtower. Then his phone had rung a few seconds ago with Wally’s name.

“Hey.”

“Hi Dick…look… I’m sorry I’ve been such a jerk. I know how Bats is with all these things. I mean he probably gave you at least ten rules when he agreed to the team. I shouldn’t have gotten mad.”

“Yeah he did. And you had the right to be upset,” Dick sighed. “I wanted to tell you. I just… you know Bruce…”

“Yeah,” Wally answered. “I do. I’m guessing all the others have been up there too? To train?”

“Jason has. But not Tim and Cass. B is planning on taking them soon. Tim’s birthday is later this week. Neither of them has met the whole League yet.”

“I’m still jealous, I mean.. I get where Roy was coming from.”

“It’s okay Wally. Have you heard from him? Roy I mean…”

“No,” Wally said. Dick could tell he was disappointed. “I was going to call a meeting of the Club Redhead but I thought Aqualad should be there and I know Bruce doesn’t want BG doing things with us just yet.”

“I haven’t heard from him either. But I can find out where he is. Call Aqualad. We’re going to convince Roy to join the team. I mean… he’s always been with us. He can’t just quit on it now.”

Dick heard Wally sigh as he replied. “I don’t know man. I mean, he’s practically our older brother and everything but he’s eighteen now. He was getting sick of Ollie and his rules. We have to try though. Meet at the Star Zeta tubes soon.”

Dick nodded setting his phone down. He looked at the time soon. Bruce would be home soon to patrol. The others were in the cave, Cass in her outfit and Tim on the computer as Jason trained. Dick got into his Robin suit and put on his mask. “Timmy, pull up Roy’s location. Would you?”

“Okay,” Tim asked as he did it. “Why?”

“Wally, Kaldur and I are going to try and get him to join the team. I need you guys to cover for me while I go too,” Dick said as he looked at the location. Roy was just starting patrol on the streets of Star it seemed like. It was 7 there, even though it was just past ten in Gotham. He headed to the Zeta tubes.

“No way,” Jason said. “You can’t just break the rules again and expect us to cover for you with the old man.”

“Please Jay?” Dick pleaded. “It’s Roy. We’re worried.”

“Then let me come too. I mean your friends are annoying, especially Wally, but they let me hang with you and you could have chosen worse. Let me suit up and I’ll come.”

“Then Bruce will kill both of us,” Dick shook his head. “Stay here and cover for me. Please. I’ll make sure Roy knows you care.”

“Not too much,” Jason told him after a moment.

Dick turned back to the zeta tube starting to put in a location when Tim shouted. “Wait! If you want to find Roy easily there seems like there’s something going down at the Harbor around 11 at their time. Wait a few hours and plan with your friends.”

Dick nodded. “Sounds good. Thanks Baby bird.”

He headed through the zeta tube determined. Wally and Roy had been the first people besides the League to know he was Robin. They’d grown up playing together at Mt. Justice and later at each other’s houses then helping each other with their Mentors on missions. Dick had missed having an older brother figure after his family died and he lost his cousin Johnny. Roy had filled that spot while Wally had become like a slightly older twin he could get in trouble with.

Now Roy had decided he didn’t need them or was better. He couldn’t be Ollie’s partner or part of their family. Dick could understand where he was coming from but at the same time he was mad. He wouldn’t abandon his younger siblings no matter how upset he was at Bruce. Roy wanted independence and respect but this might not be the way to get it. He hadn’t said anything to anyone. Dick knew he was okay, he’d seen Roy reading the texts in their Team Red group chain but he hadn’t said anything. It made him worried.

He and Wally would do it. They’d convince Roy to come back. Ollie was still the man who raised him, Dinah was still worried like a mother should be, he and Wally needed Roy. He was their family. Family wasn’t allowed to get away like that. They were brothers. And they used to tell each other everything, he couldn’t let that change.

Cass watched the Zeta beam glow as her oldest brother left and glared at the two others. Roy was cool and was Dick’s friend. But Bruce would be mad. She didn’t like when Bruce got mad. Just then the clock opened upstairs and Bruce came down to see the Zeta-beam power down. He looked around.

“Where’s Dick?”

“He’s working on a case. Said he needed to go now if he wanted to get anything and he couldn’t wait for you. I’m sure you’ll bump into him on patrol,” Jason said smoothly.

Bruce raised an eyebrow in doubt. He pressed his comm link. “Robin?”

There was no answer and Jason rolled his eyes. Stupid Dickhead. Cass climbed up on the T. Rex to watch as Bruce turned to Tim. “Do you want to tell me where your brother is?”

“He’s gone,” Tim said.

“Where?” Bruce asked. “You’ll be eight in a few days Tim. Don’t lie to me, I expect you to do the mature thing.”

Jason huffed then. The dumb replacement was going to get them all in trouble now. He couldn’t stand letting Bruce down. Dick should have known better than to tell Tim these things.

Tim’s eyes widened. “But Dick asked me to help him..”

“I just want to make sure he’s safe,” Bruce assured him as he came out in his batsuit lowering his gaze on Tim. “Help me with that Tim. Or I’ll have to put you to bed before you can help me or anyone else on comms tonight. I’ll have to let Jason do that. ”

Tim pouted. He loved running things from the computer because he wasn’t allowed in the field yet. It was his job. He trembled as he spoke the words gushing out as if he thought saying them faster would make Dick or Bruce less upset. “He went to find Roy with Aqualad and Kid Flash! They want to have him join the team. They’re going to go help him on a bust at 11 in Star. He said not to wait up for him and cover for him. I’m sorry!”

Bruce sighed. “It’s okay Tim. I’ll talk to Dick when he gets home. Keep an eye on his tracker and vitals and let me know. Bedtime in an hour and a half. For you too Jason. Cass will be home by then too unless something keeps us out on patrol. Now come, Batgirl is waiting.”

Cass hopped from her spot on the dinosaur using moves Dick had taught her to flip her way into her seat in the batmobile. Bruce got in besides her as Jason resumed his training and Tim his work on the computer. He wouldn’t punish Dick this time. He’d promised he’d trust their team and he knew what Roy meant to his oldest son. Ollie had made some mistakes and Roy was trying to be free of him and sort out his own issues.

The teenager wouldn’t join their team. Not while he was trying to prove himself as his own hero without his mentor or the League. And Bruce couldn’t coddle Dick if he wanted his son to trust him. He had to let him make his own choices, or at least some of them now.

Bruce turned to Cass as he rode out onto the streets of Gotham. She looked up at him sensing he was about to say something. He looked down at her seriously. “Do me a favor. Don’t grow up to fast on me.”

Cass looked confused but nodded. Bruce shook his head. She’d already grown since he took her in half a year ago. He’d found the information to figure out she’d turned nine right after she moved in. Tim would be eight in a few days, nearly a year and a half after he first moved in with Bruce. Jason had been with him for two and a half, almost three years now. He’d be eleven in a just over a month. Barbara wasn’t his own but she felt like it having been helping as Batgirl for just over the time Jason moved in with them. She and Dick would be starting high school this year. If he felt like this he wondered how Alfred felt watching him?

Chapter Text

Gotham

Year 2010

July 19^th

Jason is 10

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

The living room was crowded with things as Alfred cleaned up. Tim’s party had been a success, at least with the friends he had from school, which weren’t many. Harper Row and her younger brother Cullen, who was Cass’s age were both scholarship kids. Of a similar background to Jason both were smart and Harper enjoyed gadgetry which had her and Tim building all day.

Dick had asked Wally to come over too, Tim loved the older redhead and discussing science with him. He loved the gift Wally brought on behalf of his Aunt and Uncle as well, another science kit. Barbara had come with her dad who had since left along with the other guests. Now it was just Jason, Barbara, Wally and Dick sitting on the floor.

“Another meeting of Team Red, are we still calling it that though?” Wally asked as he looked around him.

“Why wouldn’t we be?” asked Barbara.

“Because we have more people with black hair then red now,” Wally said glumly. “Since Roy left. He couldn’t be here for Timmy’s first meeting. This means you’re part of the underage superhero community now. Even if some of the other superhero kids don’t know it.”

“I still really want to meet them,” sighed Tim but then he smiled up at Wally. “I think you and still call it Team Red though. Jason is Red Hood, right? And I’ve come up with my name.”

“You have?” Both his brothers were looking at him surprised waiting to hear from him. Barbara and Wally also looked at him curiously.

“I gave Alfred the outfit design I wanted too,” nodded Tim. “Even though I won’t be doing patrols yet and only training. Bruce still thinks I’m not ready.”

“I’m still barely allowed to patrol more than once every month or when Bruce really needs me,” Jason said. “He said he’ll let me help soon though. I’m getting better. And you are too. So what’s that name?”

“I have to ask if it’s okay with you and Dick first,” Tim said looking down tentatively. “I want to be called Red Robin. Does that work?”

Both his older brothers exchanged glances then grinned. Dick hugged him. “I love it. Robin’s still mine. It was my mom’s name for me. But this is great. Something from me and Jay.”

“I like it,” Jason agreed. “See Wally? Now you have enough Red members.”

“Maybe we should invite Megan too,” Wally said. “She has red hair.”

Dick gave him a meaningful look. “Not today Wally. It’s still Tim’s birthday. We have a lot more happening. The team Red meeting is just the first thing on the list.”

Barbara nodded. “I wish I could come with you to the watchtower but Dad is actually home tonight. I can stay to see your new suit at least.”

“At least you’ve seen the watchtower,” Wally moaned. “I still can’t believe you guys knew it existed. Stupid bats and knowing everything.”

For that he earned for glares. Tim looked at him. “Cass and I haven’t been there yet. I haven’t met a lot of the Leaguers. Only Uncle Clark, Uncle Barry, Uncle Ollie, Aunt Diana, Aunt Dinah and Uncle Hal. Batman said Aquaman was too busy in Atlantis to come to last years Christmas party and the Hawks were off world with Martian Manhunter and the other Green Lantern. And a lot of the other Leaguers don’t know who Dad really is.”

Wally ruffled his hair. “Yeah. I’ve got it Tim. None of our team knows who Rob here really is either.”

Dick rolled his eyes. Wally couldn’t just stop bringing it up.

Wally turned to him. “You’re still coming tomorrow, right? We’re having a team hangout/bonding session. Dinah recommended it. Said we could use get to knowing each other before we faced something together again. We need more trust. We didn’t do to well with Mr. Twister yesterday.”

“Yeah,” Dick sighed. “See you then Wally.”

“Have fun on your first day in space Tim!” Wally said waving as he headed out. Lightning flashed through the air as he left leaving the four batkids alone. They got up and joined Alfred in the kitchen. Cass was sitting their too working on a piece of cake. She got up and grinned hugging Tim and offering him another piece.

He shook his head. “I’m too nervous. It’s going to be your first time meeting most of the League too. Aren’t you?”

Cass didn’t reply. She took Barbara’s hand and pointed to the door to Bruce’s office leading her there. The boys walked after, Dick and Jason both with arms around Tim’s shoulder as they walked down. Soon they were all in their costumes, except Barbara, waiting for Tim to come out.

In a black mask like Robin’s Tim exited. He wore a mostly black suit with a cape that came down and fastened under a symbol of a bird’s head slightly shaped like an R on the center of his chest. Under it his chest and abdomen were red as were sides of his arms. The sides of his body and underarms were black. So were his pants and his utility belt. It had gold and yellow detailing like the symbol on his chest though.

“Looks amazing Tim,” Robin told him grinning. “Like a real Robin.”

“Red Robin,” the younger boy pouted. “And that was the idea, wasn’t it?”

Batman placed his hand on Red Robin’s shoulder. “You look like a hero he meant. I’m proud of you Tim, you’ve been training so hard and gotten farther than we ever thought you could. Soon enough you’ll be ready to come out on patrol with us. And you’re already doing better than most adults would on solving cases and on the computers.”

Tim positively beamed at the compliment. “Thanks Dad! I mean Batman… Do we get to go now?”

“Get ready Baby bird,” Red Hood told him pulling up the hood over the back of his head. His mask was over his eyes and Cass stood next to him. “You get to go to the Watchtower. Most people don’t even know it exists.”

Barbara shook her head laughing. “Just don’t take any pictures or show them to Wally. Have fun. I’ve got to get going before Dad comes back looking.”

Red Robin turned to face his siblings and father and nodded. “I’m ready.”

“Go ahead,” Batman said to Robin. He went through the Zeta-beam announcing his name. Red Hood followed as it announced Guest. Then Batman put in numbers for his two youngest following them.

On the watchtower Superman landed next to Wonder Woman who was sitting with the rest of the main Leaguers, the ones who knew about the batkids at least. Aquaman raised an eyebrow at both of them. “Did Batman tell you why we’re here? It can’t be about the team.”

“No,” Superman said frowning. “He said he was bringing Robin again.”

“We can’t let Roy too?” Green Arrow muttered. “I mean I have nothing against the birds and bats but I think we should let him up here.”

“No,” Wonder Woman shook her head. “You ex-partner is too brash. Batman at least makes sure his protégées know what they’re doing and how to keep a secret. This is part of their training and Roy did not need this like they did. If he joins the League now he may come. He’s an adult.”

Black Canary nodded. “I hate to agree. I love Roy like my son but he’s not ready to be here. Even Batman’s younger kids show more responsibility and readiness to be here then him. Red Hood’s about as brash as Roy but even he thinks and prioritizes like Batman.”

“Those children are the only exception,” agreed Aquaman. “For now. Someday I would like to bring Kaldurahm here. But this place would not be possible without Robin.”

Martian Manhunter hummed. “M’gann has told me about their experience as a team yesterday. She has good impressions of all of them. Though they were a bit upset first, from a conversation with Speedy. She says she would like to be as good as Robin. He is as talented as many leaguers.”

Just then the Zeta-tube announced Robin. He walked out before it announced Red Hood too. All the Leaguers turned to them. Hawk Woman raised an eyebrow. “So Batman was not just bringing Robin. Are you both training with us today?”

“Actually-“ Red Hood started.

“-Guest: Black Bat. Guest: Red Robin. Batman 02.”

A little girl with hair just shorter than her shoulder in all black with a gold batsymbol on her chest and a cowl exited. Then followed a little boy in a red and black outfit with Batman both behind them. He had a hand on both their shoulders. The league all stared at him.

“Is that—” started Superman.

“It’s Red Robin,” the little boy said. “And we’re not talking to you until you talk to Superboy.”

Robin laughed as Superboy gaped like a fish. Aquaman looked at Batman curiously. “These are your two youngest?”

“You aren’t letting them start yet,” asked Flash surprised. “I mean Red Robin’s just seven.”

“He’s eight,” corrected Robin.

“Right,” Flash agreed. “Sorry I missed the party.”

“No patrol for him,” Batman agreed. “Just training. Red Hood is still on restricted too. As for Black Bat, she’s a better fighter than majority of the League of Assasins. I’ve given you her file.”

All of the Leaguers winced remembering the file about David Cain and the things he’d made his daughter do. Cass just looked at them. Like Tim she had met a lot of the leaguers before, at least the ones who were at Dick’s thirteenth birthday party last march. Both she and Tim were to busy staring out the windows into space now.

Batman continued. “Like the others they need to train if they want to do anything. I have no doubt about Black Bats ability, this is less about training for her as it is with familiarizing her with new enviroments and people to work on communication. I couldn’t leave her while I gave Red Robin this opportunity.”

Black Bat turned to the Leaguers. Hawkwoman grinned at her. “Come little warrior. I would like to see this skill Batman is so proud of.”

Cass smiled and walked over to Hawkwoman holding her hand as she led her off to fight. Batman nodded with a slight smirk. “Red Hood, go work with Martian Manhunter on mind guards. You need that more than any physical training right now.”

“Cool,” Red Hood grinned. “Wait, does that mean I can’t fight with Wonder Woman like I planned?”

“No,” Batman said strictly. Jason huffed following Martian Manhunter away. Wonder Woman raised an eyebrow at him as Batman shook his head and several other leaguers shook with mirth.

Hal Jordan laughed. “I really love that kid.”

“You’re not allowed to be around him,” Batman said. “He doesn’t need any more bad influences.”

“Hey!”

Batman looked around the Leaguers. “Red Robin, how do you want to start?”

“He can start with me if he wants,” Black Canary offered. “Is that okay?”

Red Robin grinned jumping over to her. “Yeah. I mean I don’t think I could fight Superman yet. Unless I had kryptonite. And we’re not talking to him anyway. And I promised Wally I’d tell him when I fight Flash. He wants to help me win.”

Flash coughed at that as Green Arrow laughed.

“Ja-,” Red Robin paused. “I mean Red Hood said not to fight with Green Arrow. He’s to easy to beat.”

“Hey!”

“Go with Black Canary,” Batman nodded. “Robin..”

“Actually Batman I think I’m going to talk with Superman,” Robin said with a meaningful look.

Batman’s smirk grew. He watched Red Robin start with Black Canary who was obviously going gentle but the kid was holding his own for now. Red Hood was growling that he needed another chance to Martian Manhunter. Hawk Woman was already getting off the floor grinning as Black Bat skipped back over to him.

She looked at the other Leaguers questioningly. Green Arrow and Green Lantern backed away as Batman rolled his eyes. Aquaman raised his eyebrows impressed as Hawkwoman came back over rubbing her arm. “She’s good.”

“They all are,” Batman said. “Diana do you mind?”

For once Diana didn’t protest Batman’s children training and fighting. Instead she nodded reaching for his hand and giving it a squeeze and an approving smile. She then took Cass’s hand. Batman looked at her with an eyebrow raised as she walked off with his daughter talking about weapons. Then he smirked and went to go watch as Robin continued to yell at a througly abashed and stubborn Superman. He had spoken true about his kids before and he was proud.

Chapter Text

Gotham

Year 2010

July 20th

Jason is 10

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

Dick ran into the dining room as everyone was starting dinner. Bruce raised an eyebrow asking where he had been and Dick grinned looking around. “Sorry, I was at Mt. Justice. We’re having a camp out. I mean… Can I go?”

“Go ahead,” Bruce sighed as Dick pumped his fist and cheered. “We’ll just go on patrol without Robin tonight.”

Dick gave him a strange look then turned to Jason. “Yeah.. about that…”

A few minutes later Dick was standing alone with Bruce. He had a packed bag next to him and sunglasses on his forehead. Bruce leaned forward. “Now what is this about.”

“It’s an idea,” Dick said. “Not one I’ve just thought of. I mean, it’s important to me. But I’m going to be with the team most the time now. Robin can’t just disappear from Gotham’s streets. So I was thinking for the nights I’m not here Jason could take over.”

“He’s not ready,” Bruce shook his head.

“You’re kidding right?” Dick asked flabbergasted. “You saw him when we trained at the watchtower yesterday. He took down Green Arrow and Green Lantern easily. Uncle Barry had a hard time with him too and Martian Manhunter said his mind guard is better than it’s ever been. He’s good Bruce.”

Bruce sighed and stayed silent for a few moments. “You’re sure about this? I know what Robin means to you. If you’re with the team Robin doesn’t have to be out otherwise. That’s not so important.”

Dick laughed. “Nah. Robin’s become a lot more than me now. It’s a symbol. Gotham loves Robin and they need to see him there. One of my older suits will fit him. You know Alfred keeps them saved.”

Bruce looked at him for a second and then nodded. “Fine. Let’s ask him …”

A few minutes later both of them were in the cave. Batman looked at Cass and Tim and shook his head at them. “No patrol for you two tonight. Get to bed. Jason?”

“Am I in trouble?” Jason asked. “I thought you didn’t know about…”

He paused seeing Bruce didn’t know about any of that and shut his mouth. Dick laughed. “No, not in trouble Jaybird. I was thinking, how would you like to be Robin tonight?”

“What?” Jason asked doing a double take. He pointed at Dick then himself. “But you’re Robin. I’m Red Hood remember?”

“I know that. But I’m not going to be around to patrol sometimes now that I have a team and Robin can’t just disappear from Gotham. I told Bruce, it’s kind of more than me now. Robin needs to be there and you’re ready for it. How does that sound?”

Jason just gaped at him. Then he grinned. “Yeah! You really mean it? I can be Robin?”

“The outfit and everything,” Dick told him as Jason hugged him. Dick stepped back surprised, Jason never hugged anyone by choice. At least not often. He hugged Jason back. “So you ready?”

In response Jason ran off and grabbed the outfit Alfred had just left out. He returned a minute later in green pants and a red, yellow and black cape. Dick’s outfit until last year. He crossed his arms and grinned. “How do I look?”

Dick pretended to think. “I mean… I pulled it off a lot better. But you can do it.”

Jason tackled him. Dick grabbed his head under his arm and held it giving Jason a noogie as Jason tried to push him off and flip him off. Dick laughed flipping back until he was by the Zeta tube. He saluted to Jason. “Do good and have fun. I’m already late. I have to make sure Wally doesn’t make too much of a fool of himself in front of Miss M.”

Batman smirked as the zeta beam activated and opened the door to the batmobile. He turned to Jason who was growling at the Zeta. “Are you ready Robin?”

____________________________________-

Two days later Dick pulled off his sunglasses as he walked into the Batcave from the zeta tube. Their mission to Santa Prisca had been both a huge wreck and a success. He still wasn’t sure about how to feel with what happened while choosing a team leader. Batman was at the chair working on the Batcomputer when he walked over.

“You really had the whole team going,” Dick told him. “I mean they were terrified of you.”

“You weren’t?” Bruce asked.

“I’ve never been scared of you. I am a bit upset about the detailed reports from everyone. It’s not like you’ll actually be able to learn anything from Wally’s or Conner’s. At least I’m used to it, and the evaluations.”

“They need to learn now or they’ll be as useless with that as the league. Do you want to tell me why you couldn’t work together like you have previously on unsanctioned missions?”

“We were trying to choose the leader. I thought I could prove myself, but Kaldur was right. When I’m working with you, Cass, Barbara, Jason and even some leaguers I know how you’ll act. I know how it will work. But with the team… especially with Connor and M’gann I can’t do any of that. I just wanted to lead a team like you.”

Bruce nodded at him. “I understand Dick. As for leading the team, I wasn’t really ready for it much at the start either. I’ve only learnt how to use teamwork because I worked with you. Before that I wasn’t the best at this either. And soon you will be to. Aqualad was right, you will lead the team someday. It’s what we’ve all been training you to do since day one.”

“You really think so?” asked Dick.

“I know it,” Bruce assured him. “For now you’ll start as I did with Clark. He was the leader, or something similar. I was the strategist. I showed them what they could do better, pointed out the teams flaws, made everything work better.”

“So you want me to do that?” Dick asked.

“I think you know your team. You can monitor better than I ever can and I trust you to be right about it. With time you’ll be ready to lead missions then the entire team. You already lead your siblings well enough.”

Dick grinned at the compliment giving him a hug. “Thanks dad, I can’t wait to tell Jason! He’s been waiting to fight Bane! And I have to text Barbara too.”

“Go to sleep,” Bruce told him with an amused smile as Dick ran upstairs. He closed the several evalutions he had been working on but his mouse hovered a little as he looked over the last one once again. In Romanian he added one sentence. ‘Proud of you, little bird.”

Chapter Text

Gotham

Year 2010

August 3^rd

7:30 EDT

Jason is 10

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

Bruce sighed as he came back in from another meeting. He hated coming to Metropolis to meet with Luthor about anything. Each time he turned him down. Especially since a lot of Luthor’s recent offers weren’t even about anything he had a right to decide. Drake Industries might be in his hands until Tim was old enough but he wouldn’t do a thing, especially make a deal with Luthor. Tim already was starting to understand about running a company. He’d sat in on enough of Bruce’s meetings. He missed his kids here and couldn’t wait to return home later to them.

Then there was a crashing sound. Bruce stopped his pacing in front of the office window to watch a bus dangling dangerously at the edge of the bridge. He walked over to the bust on his desk flipping it over to push a button and see a hidden Batman suit. Then a streak of red flew past his window as Superman flew to the bridge. In front of him a black haired boy in a black shirt and jeans leaped from the top of a building towards the bridge.

With a pair of binoculars Bruce watched Superman fly past the bus getting the bridge stable. Superboy landed hard on the bridge making it crack a little more as he got a car away from the edge. The bus tipped closer over the edge and Superboy grabs the back end trying to pull it up. Then suddenly it flew above him as Superman flies up holding it from under. Bruce sighed putting down the binoculars. Superboy had just been trying to help, even if he went through with it in the wrong way he just needed someone to show him how to use the experience.

Then his comm buzzed.

“Yes?”

“Batman, it’s Green Arrow. Black Canary and I are fighting a killer robot that can use all the League’s powers. We need everyone’s help.”

“I’m on my way. Have you called everyone else?”

“Just finished with Superman.”

Bruce watched him streak passed and pulled out the suit. As he pushed his comm again.

“I already got the alert Bruce.”

“I know Clark, but we need to talk.”

This couldn’t go on. Dick’s talk hadn’t worked, neither had his children blacklisting Clark or anything else. He would get through to the Kryptonian. Superboy couldn’t continue without a mentor and a real home. Then he followed the Man of Steel to the Zeta tubes to help the rest of the League.

________________________________

            “What happened? This wasn’t from your meeting with Luthor.” Robin asked as he walked out from getting ready to leave to the cave to see Bruce sitting on the chair in front of the Batcomputer with bandages all around his ribcage. It had been a little over four and a half hours since he’d seen Superman and Superboy in Metropolis.

            “League mission. An android, a dangerous one, I’m arranging the transport of it’s parts to different STAR labs facilities. I’m just here for a few minutes. I have to get back to Metropolis.”

            Robin groaned. Then he looked at Batman pointedly realizing something. “You used the Zeta?”

            “And I will again,” Bruce told him. “After I finish this. Though I’ll be back tonight. Especially because I found the identity of our vigilante.”

            Robin leaned forward interested. The last three days reports of a female vigilante, a blonde teenager, had appeared in Gotham. The thing is she was dressed in green and used arrows. They’d managed to get pictures and footage. She was good, but she was also masked. “So who is she?”

            “Artemis Crock. She’s fifteen and she’s no amateur,” Bruce said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if her father has been training her for years.”

            “Her father?” Robin asked surprised. He was suddenly thinking of Cassie who was playing with Harper Row and Tim upstairs.

            “Lawrence Crock. Sportsmaster. Her mother was Paula Nyugen, Huntress. And if my information is correct her sister has been working for the League of Assassins,” Bruce told him.

            Robin’s eyes widened as his face steeled. “Her mom was just released from Blackgate, right? Her dad is definitely still active. If she continues we’ll help her.”

            “I’ll talk to Oliver about it. You have training now,” Bruce told him. “And I need to get back and finish making sure this happens so I can talk to Clark.”

            “Finally!” Robin cheered. “I’ll see you later Bruce.”

Batman sighed closing the files pulling on his shirt, suit and tie then going back to Metropolis. Robin would be seeing him sooner than he thought if the League agreed with his plans. He’d send it over comms now to be final.

Litchfield County

August 3^rd

20:08 EDT

Robin and the team stood ready on their motorcycles. Batman stood nearby with the rest of the leaguers ready to send four decoy trucks and several real ones to different cities. Batman saw Robin’s eyes following him as he walked over to Superman with an approving nod. Then he turned to follow Superboy and the trucks leaving Batman with the League.

“We need to talk.”

“What?” Superman asked as he looked over his shoulder to see Batman. He turned around.

“Bibbo’s Diner,” Bruce said. “I’ll get you some of your apple pie.”

“Fine,” Superman sighed as he took off looking down at Batman. “After your meeting with Perry I’m guessing.”

Batman smirked. There were perks to owning the Daily Planet. He walked over to Green Arrow then. “I need to talk to you too.”

“Is this about Roy, because that’s not the same situation as Superboy.”

“No,” Batman shook his head. “Roy’s the issue in that situation. Superman is the issue with Superboy. You can keep trying your best to get him back. All of us will. But I have something else to ask you for help with. A chance to make up for the mistakes you made with Roy. To help someone else do better.”

“What do you mean?”

“Come by tomorrow night,” Batman told him as he left.

Outside Gotham City

Robin held onto his comm switching the channel as he drove after Superboy towards Gotham. He pressed it thinking that thinks couldn’t be worse and at least praying that someone would answer.

“What’s up Robin?” Batgirl’s voice answered.

“The team is coming towards Gotham. The parts to an android that beat the earlier have been stolen while we were guarding them.”

Wally approached just then in full uniform.

“One second,” Robin told Batgirl.

“So you changed too?” Wally asked looking at him. “I feel naked in civvies. You still tracking the parts?”

“They were heading through Gotham, but they veered.” Robin looked at his glove to read they were 26.5 miles away. “Wait! Dude, they’re at my school!”

“The Academy?” Batgirl asked. “Black Bat, Red Hood and I are nearby.”

“No. Batman will kill us if you’re discovered.”

“Is that BG?” Wally asked. “Yeah. Tell her and the others we got this handled. We can celebrate together at the cave with Alfred’s cookies after we win.”

Robin rolled his eyes as he repeated that. Then added something else. “Red Robin are you there too?”

“Yeah. With Agent A.”

“Keep a full eye on the situation for me. I’ll be listening and you can call Wally too. Batgirl, Black Bat, Red Hood?”

“We’re heading back, but I really want to help fight this robot,” Jason’s voice complained.

“No Master Jason. Or Master Bruce will have all of your heads. Robin tell Mr. West that there will be enough cookies ready for him afterwards,” Alfred’s voice came through. “He can have Master Bruce’s he’s out with Master Clark for dinner. Both of them will probably be having dessert.”

“Thanks. Sorry to cut your patrol short guys,” Robin said before turning his comms back to the teams channel. He looked at Wally. “Agent A says we have cookies.”

“Yes!” Wally cheered as he sped up. Robin took off after him.

Sadly Wally did not get his cookies. They were called back to the cave for a debfriefing with Green Arrow, Black Canary, Red Tornado, Martian Manhunter and Batman. The latter was looking at them all.

“Complications come with the job. Your ability to handle them has impressed the League,” he told them.

Superboy looked at him disbelieving. “THe whole League?”

“Given time, yes. Kryptonians, as you know, have very hard heads.” Batman could see Robin rolling his eyes at that statement. They’d have to talk about what happened with Clark and what to do next. It might be time to bring in Lois and the Kents. Nothing could help convince him more than his fiancée and parents. “Of course, there’s no shame in asking for help. That’s why the League exists. Because there’s some problems even we can’t handle individually.”

“Please. If we needed help, we’d never even get the chance to ask .” Robin pulled out the arrow he’d found at the gym. It was different than Green Arrows usual ones but it wasn’t hard to believe that Batman had someone following the team in Gotham. Batman had followed him all throughout his first patrol, and through Barbara’s, Cass’s and Jason’s. He was sure he’d do the same for Tim. If he was in Gotham on a mission he’d know that Bruce was tracking him. If he wasn’t with the team he might’ve understood. But Bruce was just supposed to let him be now.

“Look familiar? You were following us. Babysitting! You still don’t trust us.”

Batman took the arrow passing it to Green Arrow who pulled an arrow from his quiver for comparison. This was another thing they’d need to talk about, to both Oliver and Dick. He understood Dick’s complaints and that could be addressed another time. But this arrow meant he and Oliver would have to talk sooner than he thought. Especially if she’d discovered the team.

“We didn’t follow you.”

“And that’s not your arrow…” Robin’s eyes widened meeting Batman’s. This was from Gotham, from their case and their new vigilante.

Wally however knew none of that and took another path. “Speedy!”

“He has our backs,” Aqualad smiled as Kid Flash took the arrow and declared it a souvenir. Green Arrow exchanged a look with Batman while Superboy walked over to Black Canary. Robin watched them with a grin before following Batman through the Zeta Tube.

“I do trust you you know,” Batman told him as soon as they were back in the Batcave.

“I mean, I had a reason to doubt. You’ve followed me on patrol before,” Dick said pulling off his mask. “And don’t think I don’t know about all the trackers you have on us.”

Bruce rolled his eyes. “You guys did good. You did good, getting Batgirl, Black Bat and Red Hood out of the way before the others realized they were there. Artemis could have seen them when she was there too if you hadn’t.”

“I figured this was hers. Roy’s always used yellow or red fletched arrows. I’m guessing we’ll have another girl on the team soon. Though I’m not sure how happy Wally will be with this one.”

“We need to make sure of a few things first,” Bruce reminded him.

“You’re scared that she’s actually working for her dad or sister,” Robin shook his head. “I mean sure. But no, not really. I think she’s like Cass, she’s wanted to escape what her family forced on her and when she had the chance she took it.”

Bruce was thinking fast. If they accepted her they’d have to have eyes on her at all times. A scholarship might do the trick, then Dick and Barbara could watch her when she wasn’t with the team. But Artemis and her father reminded him of a different issue. “Superboy. He didn’t handle the mission well today.”

“He’s learning,” Dick said after a moment. “I’m sure Black Canary will fill you in later. I’m guessing you didn’t get through to Clark.”

“I tried. He’s adamant he’s not Superboy’s father.”

“He’s still his family,” Dick said. “He doesn’t need to be Superboy’s dad. He just needs to be there for him. Everyone needs someone to help them. I just got lucky, so did Jason and Tim.”

“I’m the lucky one,” Bruce told him with an arm around Dick’s shoulder. “Fine. We’ll get Clark to agree to it another way. He might not be ready for a son. I was sure I needed to help you before I took you in. But Superboy is old enough to be something else.”

“We can introduce him to Ma and Pa,” Dick suggested. “He could be like Clark’s a lot younger brother or cousin. I think Clark’s just scared. He only wants a son after he and Lois get married, which they still haven’t chosen a date for by the way. We can try dropping hints but he’ll have to figure this out on his own.”

Bruce nodded as they walked up the stairs. “I hope you know what I said before was true. You can always ask the League for help. I know you won’t need it often but it’s there. We’re already relying yours and the teams help.”

“I know,” Dick agreed. “We’re good Bruce. Now can I go to sleep?”

Bruce shook his head amused. “Go ahead. I haven’t said hi to the others yet since I’ve been back from Metropolis. Alfred will be waiting with food for me I expect too.”

“Isn’t he always?” Dick asked. Bruce watched him ago and the thought he’d said before repeated in his mind. That he was sure about. He was the lucky one now, that he’d had a father when his parents had dies. One who supported him in everything and was still there for him everyday. He was lucky to help these kids that needed him. Clark, so much like him, adopted parents and a child reaching out for his help, needed to learn that too.

Chapter Text

Gotham

Year 2010

August 8^th

Jason is 10

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

Dick came down stairs dressed in a shirt and swim shorts carrying a bag of things. Tim looked at him with wide eyes. “Are we going swimming? Or to the beach?”

“I’m actually meeting up with the team, except for Wally. He starts school today,” Dick replied. “But we’ll go later this summer.”

“There’s not a lot of summer left,” Alfred reminded him. “But I’m sure we will all find time to go together. Do you have sunscreen Master Dick?”

“Yes Alfred.”

“Remember the team will have to be ready. We finally talked to Artemis last night,” Bruce reminded him.

“Artemis Crock?” Jason perked up.

“You know her?” Dick asked.

“Yeah. Used to live near her in Crime Alley. She babysat me sometimes,” Jason told him. “I love old crockpot. Don’t tell me she’s joining the team?”

Dick was wondering if any of his other siblings knew his teammate. Like Cass, David Cain had most definitely worked with Lawrence Crock. But Cass hadn’t interacted with any other people besides her father and the people she killed. She definitely hadn’t met Crock’s younger daughter.

“Under the guise of being Green Arrow’s niece,” Bruce said. “But that doesn’t mean you’ll have any interaction with her.”

“Why does Dick get to have all the fun?” Jason complained.

“Can we do something fun today too?” Tim agreed.

Cass nodded.

Dick shook his head. “You’ll have fun without me. And I’ll be back soon, unless we get a mission.”

“Not that I know of,” Bruce told him. Dick left grinning and Bruce turned to his other kids. “I might be able to take off work. So what do you want to do?”

“The museum!” yelled Tim.

“That’s lame. Can we try painballing? Or Laser tag?”

“No Jason. And apologize to Tim,” Bruce said sternly.

“Sorry Tim.”

“It’s okay. Can we do the science center?”

“A sports game!”

“Do you have any ideas Cass?”

Cass thought for a moment. >

She turned to Bruce meekly then started to sign. “Zoo?”

“The zoo is a great idea,” Bruce told her. “What do you think Alfred?”

“I think it’s very healthy of you to do something together besides going about the streets fighting supervillians late at night or dragging the children along to charity galas. Though next time we should one when Master Dick is here too, but for now I’ll prepare the lunches.”

Bruce and the children were in the car a half hour later. All of them wore hats and Bruce wore sunglasses as well. People started to act like paparazzi and ask for autographs and pictures. But it was nice for once to be out of the suit (business and bat) and just going out with his kids. Alfred sprayed all the children with sunscreen and told Bruce to take care of them. Jason ran towards the car hopping into the front seat calling shotgun happy to have it for once because Dick wasn’t there. Tim and Cass sat next to each other in the back.

When they pulled up to the zoo Tim had already been talking for a long time about all the animals they would see occasionally pausing to ask Cass questions and listen to her answers in sign. Jason had to be held back with looks from Bruce to stop him from making comments. They paid for tickets and walked in.

“Which animals first?” asked Bruce.

“The snakes,” Jason told him. “At the reptile house. I want to try and do that Harry Potter thing and set an Anaconda on Tim.”

“You can’t do that,” Tim told him though he sounded nervous.

“No he can’t and he won’t,” Bruce agreed.

“Can we go see the birds then? In the aviary?” suggested Tim. “Or the monkeys.”

“The lions,” Jason smirked. “Or maybe crocodiles. Think Killer Croc ever visit the zoo?”

“I don’t think so Jason. Though I’ve been here enough times to stop other rogues. We all need to agree on one thing to see on, my only request is no Hyenas.”

All of them shivered thinking of the Joker and his pets. Then a small hand slipped into Bruce’s and Cass pulled on it. He looked down at her to see her pointing at a sign. “The otters?”

She nodded. He smiled. “Tim, Jason, how does that sound?”

Neither of them were usually able to say no to Cass and they didn’t argue now. Cass’s smile grew as she pulled Bruce down the path with a skip. Tim gripped his other hand and Jason walked nearby.

For the next three hours Bruce was pulled around by his children to the different animals. Cass would stare amazed at each of them as Tim would read the signs, make observations and quote things he read about them. Jason would obviously tease him and try to scare him by telling him those things. He’d press his face against glass barriers and make faces at the animals. He’d even climbed up on the barriers a few times and Bruce had to scold him each time for fear he’d fall in.

They’d stopped for their lunch packed by Alfred but Bruce had treated them all with ice cream too. Chocolate for Cass and himself. Tim got vanilla and Jason got some crazy flavor Bruce didn’t even know.

They stood looking over the leopards with all three kids licking the ice cream. Cass was wearing feline face paint and Tim had been transformed into a monkey. Jason refused to have any saying he was too old for it but Cass had managed to get Bruce to get some tiger stripes on his face with one look. Dick had taught her to use that early on. Bruce still had trouble resisting either of them. Cass was staring at a snow leopard while Jason and Tim argued.

“Pretty,” she signed.

“They are pretty, aren’t they?”

Cass looked at a woman standing next to her. Bruce did too. “You understand her sign?”

“I have some training with sign,” the woman answered. Bruce looked at her. She had short black hair in a pixie cut and large green eyes. Her smile was mischievous and she looked familiar. “I’m Selina. What’s your name tiger?”

Bruce suddenly felt self conscious of the face paint Cass had forced on him. He was just happy it hid the slight blush. “Bruce and this is Cass. The two squabbling over there are Jason and Tim.”

He suddenly realizing who she was. Selina Kyle was the notorious cat theif, Catwoman. She was also someone Batman regularly flirted with. Selina nodded. “I recognized you Mr. Wayne though I won’t give you away. Don’t you have another one?”

“He’s with his friends,” Bruce replied thankful she wouldn’t say anything. Though something told him to get faraway from Selina Kyle something else wouldn’t let him. “He’s a teenager now he’s usually pretty busy.”

Selina nodded pleasantly. She looked back at Cass. “Big cats like these are my favorite. Especially the pretty ones. Some of these leopards have nice blue eyes and sometimes the panthers have green.”

Bruce noticed her looking at him. But Silena was continuing to Cass. “Which animal was your favorite?”

“Panda. It is cute. Tim said they are from China. Like me,” Cass signed back.

“China, huh?” Silena asked.

“Actually we don’t know where Cass is from. Her biological father, David Cain, worked around the world and took her with her. But the jobs he did weren’t suitable from kids. Her mom might be Chinese American or something else but that’s our best guess.”

Silena’s eyes widened. She obviously recognized the name David Cain. "All your kids are adopted, aren't they?"

"They're still my kids though-" Bruce started before he heard Jason and Tim talking behind him.

"Ew! Bruce is flirting," Jason said sticking out his tongue.

"What?" 

"He has a new girlfriend!" Jason said.

"Jason," Bruce said warningly. He turned to Silena. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't be tiger," she told him. She looked at Jason and Tim. "I'm Silena."

Jason's eyes widened in recognition. "Dad, she's-"

Bruce gave him another warning glance. “Like I was saying they’re my kids, no matter how much trouble they may give me.”

Jason made a grumbling noise. Silena smiled. “I’d better go. Maybe I’ll see you around?”

Bruce smiled in return. As Silena left Jason turned on him. “Really Dad?”

“It won’t happen again,” Bruce told him.

Jason rolled his eyes. “Dick and Barbara have told me about what happens when you see her on patrol even if I haven’t run into her yet.”

Bruce ignored him. Cass was showing Tim the balloon animal she’d gotten and he asked them where they wanted to go next.

“Elephants!” Tim said. “We need to visit them for Dick.”

Bruce smiled and followed his kids down the path to the safari area when there was a sudden flash. Bruce turned to see several men standing with cameras. He groaned. “Someone must have posted a picture online of us. We’ll have to go home.”

“Mr. Wayne! Over here.”

“Can you answer some questions.”

“Pose with the kids!”

Jason raised his hand in a rude gesture and the cameras flashed some more. Bruce made him stop it and put his arms around the kids pushing through the men. They’d managed to get a good four and a half hours at the zoo. They had been lucky but covering up Jason’s reaction to the paparazzi would be annoying. He managed to get them into the car and drive out using some shortcuts he knew.

Alfred greeted them at home. “I heard you ran into some people at the zoo.”

“I’m going to call PR and take care of the gesture Jason gave them. I’ll be gone for a few hours. No patrol for any of you tonight, not as a punishment but because I want you all to get some rest.”

“You want to find Catwoman,” Jason told him.

Bruce ignored him. “I’m going to the office Alfred. I’ll leave to patrol from there.”

_____________________

Bruce was sitting at his computer in the office. It was a little past eight and he’d managed to assuage the disaster of the paparazzi a little bit. Now he was finishing up some office work. Then an alert opened up on his computer.

WAYNETECH Penssylvania: Overide activated. RG04

Bruce’s eyes widened as he pulled up the images. The team was on the mission to help Dr. Serling Roquette. He’d gone to the mountain for a few minutes before when he was alerted of the situation and to introduce Artemis Crock to the team. He’d come back three hours ago as soon as they had finished. If Robin was at WayneTech that meant the fog was there, if he was using his override it had to be urgent.

Bruce knew they had people still in the building. There was a 24-hour work force, Dick knew that. They had no way to evacuate the building before the fog decimated it. He saw Robin sliding under a gate then get up and run. Lights went black in the cafeteria as Robin ran in pulling out the cable from his hologlove.

The woman seemed to be asking him what was going on. Robin was muttering and tapping away at the holo. The virus was downloading Bruce could tell. In a second the Fog exploded. Robin cheered and headed out a broken window. Bruce shut off the surveillance. They’d managed to stop the fog.

But there might be a cost. Certain people each had a specific override to Wayne facilities. Himself, Alfred, Lucius, Jason, Tim, Barbara and Dick. No one knew about the ones belonging to anyone besides Dick and the adults. But this also meant that Robin using Richard Grayson’s access code could lead to him being exposed. That meant their whole family being exposed.

When Dick got home Bruce was waiting. “You stopped the Fog.”

“And kept Dr. Roquette safe,” Dick agreed. “Just in time too. They almost accessed a-“

“Waynetech facility,” Bruce said. “I know. I got the Override alert.”

“You’re mad,” Dick said sitting down.

“Why did you use it?”

“I tried to download the virus before the Fog was released on the building. But Superboy jumped out and the process was stopped. I had to go in the building to stop to fog and the guard tried to stop me which was his job. I had to use the override to get in and get to a computer. They might have accessed the League.”

“I haven’t checked, did you scrub and evidence of the override code being used?” Bruce said. “If someone had realized you could have exposed your identity and everyone elses.”

“I was saving the world!” Dick protested. “I couldn’t think about that. Only making sure the Fog didn’t collapse the building or get to the league’s systems. Then our identities could’ve gotten out anyway along with everyone elses.”

“You need to be more careful.”

“If there are lives at stakes I don’t care about my identity being revealed. I know how you fell about that. You use secret IDs to protect us. But I don’t think I could sacrifice so many people to make sure my families IDs aren’t outed.”

Bruce sighed. “It worked this time. You said you erased the traces of the overrides being used. That will work. But please be as careful as you can Dick. I’m not arguing that our secret IDs are more important than other peoples lives but it needs to be thought through. How did Artemis work with the team?”

“It was a bit weird,” Dick said. “I mean her and Wally fought the whole time and she made some comments to Superboy like she was flirting. But she fought well and helped but couldn’t catch Chesire.”

“Chesire, she’s League of Assasins,” Bruce said.

“Only for the past few years,” Dick agreed. “Her voice and some other things made me sure she couldn’t be older than 22 or so. My feeling is nineteen or so. Which might be why Artemis let her go.”

“Her sister,” Bruce grunted. “We’ll keep an eye on it. She won’t help the League of Assasins but if fighting her family is an issue we’ll need to do something. Now go to bed Dick. We’ll talk again later.”

Chapter Text

Gotham

Year 2010

August 19^th

Jason is 11

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

Robin had been all suited up to join the rest of the team at Mt. Justice when Batman stopped him. “You’re not going with the team.”

“What why not?”

“I need you to help me tonight,” Batman answered. “And I’m sure the rest of them can handle finding Kent Nelson.”

Dick paused. “The old Dr. Fate? He disappeared over a month ago.”

“He’s disappeared for mystical many times before. Never for this long though,” Batman answered. “That’s why the team is going to go look for him.”

“Why can’t I go?” Even though he asked he thought he knew the answer. And Bruce wasn’t going to be honest about it. This was one of the few secrets even Dick hadn’t managed to learn from him.

“Because you’re helping me with patrol tonight,” Batman answered. “Just the original dynamic duo.”

Robin rolled his eyes. “You never use that term. Did Jason call you guys that like ten times a minute while I let him go on patrol with you as Robin on his birthday a few days ago?”

Batman grunted in agreement. “You ready for patrol?”

Robin nodded putting on his mask.

Then something ran on the computer. Batman’s lenses widened. “Not patrol then. We’re going to Cape Canaveral. Hal says Ra’as and the League of Assasins are trying to interrupt a Ferris Air launch.”

Robin grinned madly.

Twenty minutes later he and Batman were fighting assassins in front of a rocket getting ready to launch. He knocked down one and Batman another two but more still came. Ra’as and Talia were out of reach near the Launchpad.

“I need to get to that Rocket.”

“Roger that!” Robin leaped forward kicking one assassin in the face and flipping out of another’s reach. He stomped down on a third’s head sending him crashing into the one before and sending them both down. “I’ll run interference. Happy hunting.”

He turned to face the remaining assassins. Five of them. He swept one’s legs out from underneath and leaped on another’s shoulders flipping him backwards onto the previous one knocking them both out. A birdarang with knockout gas took out two more and the last was as easy as a kick and a punch.

Then he turned to see Batman facing Ubu, the largest member of the League. Ubu had Batman held up against the truck by the neck. “Hold tight Batman! Got your back!”

Robin crawled under the truck grabbing a hose and wrapped it around Ubu’s leg. Then he went to the front of the truck putting a lock on the gas pedal. “Now Batman.”

He leapt out rolling on the ground as Batman kicked Ubu in the face while he went flying after the truck. “I love my job.”

Batman climbed up towards the ramparts of the rocket when a bullet flew over his shoulder hitting the metal pole in front of him. “Hello Talia.”

“That was simply to prove I’m serious.”

“Uh oh,” Robin said watching as he climbed up after them.

“You can’t stop me, Talia.”

“I must beloved.”

“Robin to Batman, you seeing this?” Robin asked holding his comm.

Alfred’s voice answered. “Unfortunately yes, I have a front row seat.”

Talia continued. “It’s not that I approve of all this . But I cannont risk a confrontation between the only two men I love in this world.”

Bruce shot his grappling gun up looking at Ra’as. “Then you’ll have to shoot me.”

He went flying up to the ttop of the rocket pulling it open. There was a diamond lens for the weapon that the League of Assassins wanted to use. “Destroying it won’t be easy.”

“Neither easy nor necessary Detective.”

“Ra’s Al Ghul.”

“Such contempt. And yet I’ve always admired you… believed you the only man worthy of my legacy. To be my heir, the Warith Al’Ghul. Why are our encounters always so… adversarial?”

“Something to do with your disdain for human life,” Batman said.

“Granted the human race is destroying this planet. You tolerate it, I cannot.” He continued on his rant for a few more minutes with is plan of destroying any highly populated area and leaving the rural ones. As he did so Robin climbed into the rocket taking out a laser tool to take out the diamond lens. He worked quietly listening to Batman and Ra’as talk.

“I’ll even spare Gotham… since you’ve developed such an unhealthy attachment to the place and the orphans you call family there. They’re not even your true blood. But I will spare them, Cassandra will do quite well as The One Who Is All. I have a thought or two for Richard and Timothy. The street brat will be harder to place. But you can have them and be with Talia again, complete a true family. All this is possible if only you’d join me.”

“Pass.”

“There’s just no pleasing you. This remote will launch the rocket now. You see detective, I’ve failed in the past by underestimating you. Not this time.”

Robin could hear the grin in Batman’s voice. “This time I’m not the one who you underestimated.”

Robin cackled popping out of the top of the rocket. “Gotcher nose…cone lens!”

“No…”

“Why do bad guys always say no? They see me standing here with the thing and still they say no. You’re in denial, Ra’s. Ever thought of trying Re-nial instead?” Robin asked throwing the diamond lens over the side. Ra’as yelled jumping after it and Robin reached out after him. “Wait! I didn’t mean for…”

Ra’as splatted at Talia’s feet. Ubu quickly pulled him up so that they could take him into the Lazarus pit. He disappeared into a helicopter with Talia which then took off. Robin and Batman stood watching knowing it was hardly worthwhile to stop them.

“Master Bruce, Master Dick. I have an emergency alert from Red Tornado.” Batman and Robin exchanged glances as they looked at each other hearing of Kent Nelson’s death and climbing away to get down before the launch happened in the next twenty minutes. As they rode back on the Batplane Robin met Batman’s eyes.

“Was it just me or was Ra’as being a little nicer to you than usual?”

“Ra’as is never nice,” Batman told him.

“He offered a place for me, Jason and Tim. It was usually only Cass he offers to let live. And then he went on and on about true family, like he knows what that means.”

“It was just another effort to get me to help him,” Batman replied. Robin looked away not seeming so sure.

Ra’as Al Ghul had just died because of him and though he’d saved the world with Batman again it felt wrong. This all did. Something about what Ra’as had been saying had just felt wrong. As how had Talia refererred to Batman as one of the only two men in the world she loved. But there was no time to talk about that now. Not while they had to worry about what had happened with the team while looking for Dr. Fate.

Wally didn’t answer his calls the next morning. Or the whole day after. But at Kent Nelson’s funeral two days later. All of the JSA and League were there. Many people Robin was familiar with and would have been happy to talk to at a different time but this was different. After everyone walked away Batman told him he had to talk to Artemis about a solo mission. Robin found Wally.

“You okay man?”

“I think. The whole mission messed with my mind. You know how I feel about magic,” Wally answered.

“Yeah and you know I don’t agree. It’s probably because of all my Romani traditions and the circus. But even Batman can realize magic exists. That isn’t the point though. I heard you were inside the Helmet.”

“Yeah,” Wally said. “Must have rewritten my brainwaves or something with neural transmitters. It was like having a mass hallucination. Especially like all the weird things he said.”

“Like what?” asked Robin.

But Wally was looking at Artemis, Green Arrow and Batman. “What’s going on with Artemis?”

“Oh, Bats said he had a small solo mission for her,” Robin said curiously. He looked at Wally who was wearing an expression he’d never seen on him before. He shook his head with a small grin, despite the circumstances. Oh Wally was in so much trouble. He looked back at Nelson’s grave. “You know I only met him once? Then Batman wouldn’t let me again.”

“Do you know why?”

Robin shook his head looking at Batman who was talking with Green Arrow and the Flash.

“Did Wally tell you about his experience inside the helmet?”

“Barely,” Flash said. “He keeps insisting with his beliefs in science instead of magic. But apparently he did promise Fate he’d find another person to be his host before he let Wally go.”

Batman stiffened. “Where is the helmet now?”

“At Mt. Justice,” Flash replied. “Wally took it as a souvenir.”

“Is something wrong Bruce?” Green Arrow asked.

“There’s a reason Robin wasn’t allowed on the mission yesterday. I haven’t allowed him near Fate since the first time he met Kent Nelson and the rest of the JSA,” Batman replied. “I haven’t told him the reason either.”

“What is it?” asked Flash.

“Fate is the helmet itself, a powerful entity by the name of Nabu. It chooses a host with a lot of potential mystical energy. The helmet reacted to Dick.”

“Dick?” Green Arrow asked surprised. “The kids not magical.”

“He doesn’t have the power on his own. He could have channeled it through Fate. He doesn’t have as much trouble believing in magic as a lot of others. It’s a large part of his culture, it’s how he grew up and what happened around him in the circus. Nelson was looking for a new host, he had been for a long time. He offered to train Dick.”

“So you wouldn’t let him anywhere near the kid or vice versa,” Green Arrow realized.

“And I’m not letting him near that helmet now. Maybe Wally told him what happened and he’ll be scared enough of it. But I think I might have to tell him anyway,” Bruce sighed. “This never gets any easier.”

“Parenting?” Flash said. “No it doesn’t. And I’ve only had Wally.”

Green Arrow looked towards Artemis who was talking with M’gann. “I just hope I do better with her than I did by Roy. How you manage four of them I don’t know.”

Bruce rolled his eyes in answer but Barry looked amused. “He has Batgirl too, remember? And Red Hood is just as much trouble as Roy or any of the other kids from what Wally tells me.”

“Your kid overexagerrates,” Batman said. “Robin, time to go.”

“Later dude,” he told Wally.

Together he and Batman walked away further into the graveyard and towards the Batmobile before Batman turned to talk to him. “There was a reason I didn’t allow you near Kent Nelson.”

Robin spun surprised. “What? I mean the guy id dead. It can’t be important anymore.”

Batman looked at him seriously drawing back the cowl. “I know you aren’t like Wally. You believe in magic. Then you have to know that that helmet is the most dangerous magic I know about, especially to you.”

“Why?”

Bruce started to explain leaving Dick shocked and surprised. He looked at Bruce seriously. “I’ll make sure never to put it on. There will be someone else to host it. And there’s no reason for me to be in Wally’s souvenir room anyway. I wouldn’t leave you and everyone else for that power. Fate can find someone else.”

Chapter Text

Gotham

Year 2010

August 26^th

Jason is 11

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

Bruce had been called to work earlier than usual that morning. A unidentified package had arrived for him. The kids, having nothing to do, had all insisted on being brought along. Bruce had arrived at work with Dick, Cass, Jason, Tim and Barbara in tow. The latter had been at their house already for breakfast.

They stood at his side in are of the towering metal cylinder as Lucius stood by it with security guards. Lucius looked at Bruce amused. “The whole gang, huh?”

“We were bored,” Jason said. “What’s in the thing?”

“Not sure. This arrived addressed to Bruce this morning. No return address.”

Dick and Barbara exchanged glances but the younger three didn’t notice. Bruce stroked his chin and looked at Lucius. “Has it been scanned?”

“Of course. But it appears to be… mud. Nothing toxic, explosive or radioactive. Just mud…. Or perhaps clay.”

Then the jar started to shake. Cass pulled Tim back and Barbara rolled out of the way to protect them as it exploded. Bruce had his arms on Jason and Dick’s shoulders blocking the thing as a giant monster creature of clay exploded from the jar. Bruce nodded at the kids as a giant stream of clay exploded from both the things arms sticking the guards to the wall.

Inside the building in the secret bunker under they all got into their costumes. Batman turned to the kids. “Don’t be seen but wait around the building.”

“What? Why can’t we fight?” Red Hood whined.

“You can,” Batman said. “But you can’t be seen.”

Back in the lobby Lucius was backing away as the creature advanced on him. He looked around. “Bruce we need to get you and the children out of here! Bruce?”

There was no answer. But Batman and Robin came flying down only to be met by clay and smashed into the floor. They were outside now and the thing was advancing on cars groaning. Robin thought he was asking what had happened to him. It’s arm turned hard into a hammer as he pounded down on the front of the car. Batman was still down. Robin flipped onto the front of the car. “Hey!”

The thing tried to whack him but he was ready this time. He flipped out of the way taking off into a run. “You want me come and get me.”

The thing roared.

Robin pressed his comm. “I’m coming into the alley between the building. I’m about the corner behind it.”

“Good, cause I’m ready,” Red Hood answered.

“We are,” Batgirl corrected.

“Just be careful to stay out of it’s arms ways. You’ll get stuck. It’s made of clay.” He looked back to see it right behind him. Shooting his grappling hood he swung into the next corner. The thing turned too, roaring harder. Robin was backed against the wall. Then on the other side of the creature appeared Red Hood, Black Bat, Red Robin, and Batgirl.

Red Hood’s lenses widened along with Red Robin’s but Black Bat’s narrowed. Robin knew she was looking for weak points but this wasn’t like most of the things she had faced. It wasn’t like a human. He slid under the things legs as it tried to reach for him. Now they had it cornered. “Batman, we have it surrounded with no way to go. What do we do?”

Batman appeared behind them. With one look Robin knew what to do. Soon the others had followed and all of them were dodging the things arms as they held the tasers in their utility belts. Red Hood and Red Robin were caught by one of the arms and stuck to the walls.

“C’mon!” Red Hood cried out. “I guess it’s just too scared to face me the fair way.”

“Stop,” Red Robin yelled at him as he managed to wiggle out of the clay. He cut Red Hood out too. “Let’s go help. Ready?”

Red Hood spat out some mud. “So ready.”

Meanwhile Batgirl and Black Bat were working together. Black Bat was confused that she couldn’t see it’s weak points but Batgirl said something and she nodded. Both pulled out a wire running along the sides of the creature with a little help from the walls. The wire ran through the things legs and it screamed as it fell off them. But a minute later it was reformed.

“Uh oh,” Batgirl said.

“Now,” Batman ordered. With Red Robin, Red Hood and Robin at his sides and Black Bat on the other side he pulled out the tasers. They all shot at the monster which roared flailing. Black Bat and Batgirl scrambled onto the roof to get out the way from it’s arms. Robin frowned. “Really though he’d be a little less sheveled at this point.”

“Now isn’t the time for new words bird brain!” Red Hood yelled. The clay thing roared coming forward and punching the ground in front of him. Distracted Red Hood was stuck in the clay, so was Red Robin who had tried to jump but wasn’t able to jump high enough yet.

Robin and Batman flew over the things back where two more streams of clay erupted. Both were hit against the wall as the thing started to yell again. “Howww? Howww did thisssss haaapppen?”

It melted into the sewer and Black Bat and Batgirl jumped down in front of Batman and Robin. Batgirl helped Robin up and Black Bat looked at Batman curiously. He gave her a grunt and a nod assuring her he was fine. Red Hood looked at the rest of them. “What the hell was that thing?”

“Language,” Batman chided.

“I don’t know,” Batgirl said. “But I got a sample.”

Batman took the vial from her and put it in his utility belt. The other kids gathered some of the clay from around them too. Extra samples never hurt. Then Batman opened the entrance back to the bunker. “We’re going back to the cave.”

“What? Why?”

“We can help,” Red Robin agreed.

Black Bat nodded.

“You’ll help by cleaning yourselves up and getting help from Agent A,” Batman told them as he led them into the bunker and the Batmobile. “Once we drop you off Robin and I are leaving.”

“Why does Robin get to go then?”

“Because I’m dropping him off to rendezvous with the team.”

“Where?” Robin asked as he started the Batmobile’s systems. “We don’t know where that thing is.”

“The sewers,” Red Hood said dryly.

Robin gave him a look over the back of his seat in the front telling him to shut up.

“I actually think I know where it is,” Red Robin said meekly from where he was in between Batgirl, Black Bat and Red Hood. “I put a tracker in his clay. If he doesn’t shed it or something you might be able to find him. The signal might be a little messed up underground too.”

“Good job Baby bird,” Robin smiled at him.

“I still don’t get why we’re not doing this and the team is,” Red Hood said. “No metas in Gotham, remember?”

“Because I need to go back to work after I drop off Robin,” Batman replied. “And I refuse to let you fight that without me.”

“We’ll do what we can from the cave then,” Batgirl sighed. “Tim, want to help me analyze the samples? After we clean up of course.”

Tim brightened immediately. Batman nodded his thanks and turned to Jason as he pulled into the Batcave. “No sneaking out to help. I want you to work with Cass on her learning. Maybe then she can help you with training.”

Jason unbuckled with a grimace as he pulled off his mask. He stomped out slamming the door behind him. Cass and Tim got out of the other side. Then Barbara looked at Robin and Batman. “I’ll let you know when we know something.”

They watched her disappear towards the caves showers and changing rooms near the others after depositing the samples near the crime lab area. Robin and Batman drove away seconds later. They stopped back by Wayne Tech in the bunker under the building. “We’re not meeting with the team?”

“Not until you triangulate the symbol and I have work to do. Tell me when you’ve finished,” Batman said. He pulled off the costume and wiped the clay off his face changing back into his suit to finish the Wayne Foundation work for the day. Specifically making sure the scholarships to Gotham Academy went out. It was already passed one in the afternoon. Hours had gone by but this was necessary.

Back at the manor Barbara and Tim now in clean clothes were looking over the samples on a microscope with a laser. Jason sat with Cass on the floor. “It’s just not fair.”

“Jay we’re trying to work,” Barbara chided. “And you’re supposed to be working with Cass.”

“I am, or I was. She’s on the audiotape now. How about you and me go find that thing Barbie and the replacement can still do whatever it is he’s doing or help Cass.”

“Master Jason, what did we say about calling Master Tim that?” Alfred said as he hung up their newly cleaned costumes and climbed back upstairs.

“Not to,” Jason said unapologetically.

“And it doesn’t matter,” Barbara continued. “Because I’m going to continue my work here.”

“I just don’t get it,” Jason said. “If we couldn’t beat this thing and we had Bruce what chance do they have?”

“I don’t believe they’ll be fighting it. Just tracking it and finding it. Plus this is part of their job as a team. I don’t think they’ll be in Gotham much besides this. Bruce probably just doesn’t want us to get hurt until he knows how to take care of this thing,” Barbara reminded him.

“Well he’s stupid if he thinks Dick’s team won’t fight but just track the thing. Have you met Wally? And from what we’ve heard about Superboy that’s not happening.”

“Wally can hold himself back and if he doesn’t then Robin will. Aqualad is also very calm and level headed. He’ll stop them if Superboy and Wally do something stupid.”

Jason opened his mouth but was interrupted. “Barbara?”

“Yeah Timmy?”

“We should send a sample and ask for a check on magic,” he told her.

Barbara nodded turning back to Jason. “Do you and Cass mind working upstairs? We need to call Zatara.”

Jason grumbled as he tapped Cass’s shoulder. She pulled off her headphones and listened as he told her what was happening.

By the time Robin had found the signal and the creature it was already around eight. He commed Batman who came back down to the bunker and pulled on his still muddy costume. “Get in the Batmobile. What were Barbara and Tim able to find. They sent a sample to Zatara like you apparently told them but it’s not magical though they said there are traces of those elements. It’s some kind of morphic field.”

Batman nodded. “I’ll start looking at the disruption frequency then. You and the team aren’t to engage until I do.”

Robin nodded listening as he repeated the same instructions to the team. He jumped out of the Batmobile with a salute. Batman pulled away and the BioShip arrived seconds later as the team except Artemis climbed out. Robin remembered then that she was still here, nearby in her apartment or staying with Ollie and Dinah tonight preparing for her own mission tomorrow, undercover as a prisoner using her background to their advantage. He was the only one who knew that though. The rest of the team had clue, about that or about what they were getting into.

Chapter Text

Gotham

Year 2010

August 27^th

Jason is 11

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

Robin knew this wasn’t going to be good. Once they were inside the sewers the tracking went wrong. They only found the creature just after four in the morning. When they’d immediately been found by that thing and gotten clobbered with no warning or anything and left on the side of the sewers it had been bad. M’gann had called the bioship to them.

They pulled on clean costumes, all except Superboy who didn’t have an extra stored. Standing in the main area now they were talking. Wally was complaining. Again. Robin really didn’t see why he and Jason hated each other when they were so much alike sometimes. “Man, I need a shower, I mean what’s the point of putting on a clean costume when I’m not… fresh.”

Robin held back a laugh at M’gann’s answer. “Oh, Wally. You’re always fresh.”

“At least you have a clean costume,” Superboy grunted.

“An old back-up! No stealth mode! It stinks!”

Robin smirked at that. Who needed stealth mode? Not like it did much. He looked at Wally. “Actually I think the stink is you, freshness. But what about the creature? Batman wanted us to track it.”

He’d lost the tracker and the signal in the fight. Now they were back at the beginning and he knew Barbara and Tim hadn’t been able to do anymore on it. Hopefully Bruce was working on a real solution now.

Why settle for that? Okay, sure, it got the drop on us. But now we know it’s tricks!”

Robin’s eyes widened. He’d fought this thing three times already. That wasn’t the solution. They needed to wait for Batman and follow his order until then. “I say that we splitup! Then whoever finds old ‘Clayface’ radios the team. But we have to—“

“Converge and kick some clay-butt!” Superboy growled. Robin frowned. That wasn’t what he was going to say. He was going to suggest they stay hidden and observe just let the team know about the location. M’gann turned to Aqualad and asked what he thought. Aqualad agreed.

In the Batcave it was just before six AM. None of the kids were awake yet and Alfred was bringing Bruce another cup of coffee. “Have you found a solution for Master Dick and friends yet?”

“No. Barbara and Tim were right about the morphic field. Zatara told them it wasn’t magic but the morphic field is how it keeps it’s cohesion. I need to find the right frequency to disrupt it. Until then Aqualad will keep the team out of trouble. And I know Dick will do just as well. He knows to be careful fighting this thing.” Bruce turned back to his work having no way of knowing that the team was in fact going in and splitting up.

Robin knew this was going to be a bad idea he was sure of that as he walked into the sewers. The idea was reaffirmed when he ran into two Wally’s. This really wasn’t good.

Something beeped. Bruce pulled on his cowl adjusting his taser to the frequency which had just worked on several samples. Robin was unconscious. The team had run into trouble and Aqualad hadn’t stopped them. He drove as fast as he could to the other side of the Batmobile. And got to the top of a building flying through the warehouse roof before the creature could bring it’s hand down like a hammer on Aqualad. Two small bombs exploded as they fell on the creatures chest. It turned to slam down near Batman who dodged and pulled out the taser. The creature shook and collapsed leaving him with four unconscious teens, an exhausted Aqualad a mass of clay.

Slowly he turned to look at Aqualad. “Help me wake them. Then I’m taking you back to the Mountain.”

Slowly they were all revived. Robin opened his mouth to say something when he saw Batman but Batman turned away. He walked through the zeta tube and the kids followed. He looked at them all. “I need to talk to Aqualad. The rest of you hit the showers and head home.”

“Head home? I am home!” Superboy gestured to the cave and stomped off. The others followed him to the showers.

Robin stayed looking at Batman. Batman looked at him for a second. “Just Aqualad.”

Robin looked at Kaldur who looked back at him. He lowered his eyes and stomped off leaving Batman and Aqualad alone. Batman didn’t seem to notice because he was focused on Kaldur.

“I am sorry you had to intervene. I know the team performed poorly.”

“The team performed adequately. The problem was you. You’re their leader, and you head wasn’t in the game.”

“No you are-“ Aqualad started to interrupt but sighed. “Correct. Of late, I am not even convinced I belong on the surface world. For so many years it filled my every though. But now that I am here my dreams are all of Atlantis.”

Batman looked at him seriously. He was dreading having this problem with Dick, he already had. This team was his responsibility, much like his own children and he needed to advise them as was necessary. “Atlantis or someone you left behind? You can split your time between the surface and the sea. But not your mind. Either you’re here 100% or you need to walk away. Make a decisions Kaldur and make it soon.”

Batman left and went back home sighing. He needed to wake the kids now, meaning Jason and make sure Dick got a few hours of sleep when he returned. He just hoped Aqualad made the right decision, though he would hate to lose the boy on the team.

For a few hours the house was absolutely quiet. Bruce was able to finish arranging things and cleaning up the incident yesterday in work. He knew Dick had arrived not soon after him and had fallen straight to sleep. He went to talk to Alfred when the front door opened.

“Oh, hi Bruce.”

Bruce turned to see Barbara. “Are you here to train? Did Cass need some more help?”

“No, none of that. Dick called me,” Barbara said suddenly before her face grew dark. “Later.”

She ran up the stairs and into Dick’s room where he was sitting on the bed looking at pictures. The one he was opened on was an especially cute pictures from a few months ago. He was in a Superman tank top and sweat pants and she could see his muscled arms. Tucked under one arm was his stuffed elephant Zitka. His other arm was around Jason’s shoulder. Jason had his batbear and was in a Green Lantern shirt with bat patterened pajama shorts. Cass and Tim were in front of them both, one in Wonder Woman holding a batdog the other in a Robin shirt with flash pants. Though there were blue beetle stickers too. The picture couldn’t have been from too long ago. Barbara’s best guess was right after they welcomed Cass to the family.

“Just Aqualad,” Dick muttered in a strangled voice. She was surprised to see tears on his cheeks.

“Dick?”

“Oh, hey Babs.”

“What’s wrong? Did you and the team get that thing?”

Dick shook his head. “We’re calling it Clayface. Wally proposed splitting up after it got to us once and Superboy and the others agreed. Then so did Aqualad. I was outvoted while I tried to remind them of Batman’s orders. He can become people too, he became two versions of KF and surrounded me. He probably did something similar to the others. Bruce had to come save us.”

Barbara frowned. Dick barely called Bruce by his first name anymore. Not very often at least. “Why are you calling him that?”

“Calling who what?”

“You know what I’m talking about.”

“Because I can’t call him my dad,” Dick said angrily. “Can I? Not like the others can!”

“Of course you can.”

“No,” Dick said. “I can’t. Not when he doesn’t think of me as a son. Let’s face it, I’m not as important to Bruce as anyone else.”

Barbara looked at him in shock then she looked at him with a strange expression. “Don’t you dare say that! Bruce loves you so much more that I’ve thought possible for the Batman. Dad says you changed his life. You’re the reason all the others are here, the reason I’m here too. So don’t you dare say that. Bruce loves you and I won’t except any answer for why you think this because there’s no good one.”

“Really?” Dick asked. “What about telling me I can’t stay? He wants to only talk to Aqualad. Or what about not saying I love you more than a few times, like when I’ve been kidnapped or nearly died? Or that I’m just his ward? I can legally be taken away from him by the state at any time, you know that right? He’s not my parent, at least not really.”

“Dick….”

“We took this picture after Cass was adopted,” Dick said. “Because he made sure to do that right away. The same with Tim and Jason. But he’s never once mentioned it to me. Tell me now that Bruce loves me, because he doesn’t.”

Barbara reached out to put her arm around his shoulder seeing he was crying now. He shoved it off and walked out of his room storming downstairs into the gym and where she knew the trapeze was. That’s where he always went to think, and to feel close to his first family. She tried opening the door but it was locked. “Dick! Dick! Open up!”

Dick climbed up to the trapeze and grabbed it letting the tears fly away behind him as he swung through the air, blocking out Barbara’s pleads and all the heartache. She collapsed against the door.

“What’s going on?” Jason asked her minutes later as she came into the kitchen as sat down. “I heard you yelling Dick’s name. And not for the reason I ever thought you’d be.”

Barbara glared at him. She didn’t appreciate that joke. “I was trying to get him to open the door to the gym. I waited outside for a half hour.”

“So he’s brooding,” Jason noted. “Why would golden boy ever need to brood? He got his mission and his team and everything he wants.”

“Dick’s not like that Jason.”

Cass pulled a cookie and handed half to Barbara making some quick signs. “Scared and hurt.”

“What’s he scared about?” Tim asked curiously. “Dick isn’t scared of anything, like Bruce. Or at least not most things. Only stuff like bad guys and fear gas.”

“He’s scared of something else. The team had to be rescued by Bruce and then he wouldn’t let Dick talk with him and Aqualad. He’s upset. Really upset. He thinks Bruce doesn’t trust him or care about him.”

“What?” Jason squawked. “But Dickie Bird is the favorite! He’s the original! THe golden boy, the League’s protégée!”

“But he’s not Bruce’s son.”

“But he’s my brother! And he’s our dad! Dick always says that,” Tim said worriedly.

“Not officially though. You guys are all adopted, all of you. Cassandara Cain-Wayne, Jason Todd-Wayne, Timothy Drake-Wayne. He’s just Dick Grayson.”

“That’s ridiculous! Just because it’s not official doesn’t mean he’s not part of our family!” Jason scoffed.

“I know that and Dick does too. He just need a reminder.”

“Let’s go in and show him then!”

“The doors locked,” Tim reminded him. “And it’s unpickable.”

Cass shook her head sadly agreeing they couldn’t get in.

“We’ll just wait for him then,” Barbara said. “I’ll stay until then.”

“Help him,” Cass told Barbara.

“She’s right,” Tim said. “We need to do something to cheer him up when he’s ready.”

“Not tonight,” Alfred said coming in. “It’s time for bed and baths for Cassandra and Tim.”

“Don’t worry,” Barbara told them. “We’ll take care of him. C’mon Jay.”

She and Jason went back to the gym where the door was wide open. There was a new dent in the wall and no sign of Dick. Barbara looked at Jason. “Where is he?”

Jason looked around and nudged Barbara. She turned to see something through the window. Dick was catching a basketball surprised that was thrown at him by Bruce. His face was stretching into a grin.

Barbara smiled. “I guess that’s taken care of. I can go home now before Dad kills me.”

Jason nodded still watching. He knew this whole thing had been ridiculous. Bruce loved Dick and all of them. Dick saw him from outside smiling and gestured for him to come out. Jason walked out.

“Come on. It’s hand-eye coordination, training!”

Jason grinned. “Thin you could beat us old man?”

“I know it,” Bruce told them grabbing the ball as the two boys ran after him.

Moments later Tim, Cassandra and Alfred came out. “I thought bed time could wait for a while.”

“Help us beat Dad!” Dick shouted to them.

Bruce shook his head. “Are all of my kids teaming up against me now?”

“Training,” Dick said. “Right?”

Bruce laughed as he took the shot and Tim caught it. He looked around surprised and threw it to Cass. She caught it deftly and dodged capture from Bruce in a massive bear hug letting Dick shoot the basket with a flying leap. He fist pumped scoring and catching the ball. Bruce tried to catch it but Jason took off. He grabbed his son instead and soon Dick was in the other arm. Then Cass and Tim jumped on his back sending him back on the ground. He was under all four of his kids laughing as he put his arms around them. Dick laughed everything forgotten. This was his family.

Chapter Text

Gotham

Year 2010

September 22^nd

Jason is 11

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

Cass watched wide eyed as her brothers raced around the house. All of them were trying to find their books, their ties, uniforms and other supplies. Alfred was lying out breakfast in between the intervals of him being called for help. He was trying to stop Dick from ruining his uniform by sliding down the stairs right now and wrinkling it. Bruce was sighing as he dragged Tim away from a project and kept him from reaching his own coffee while he took a large sip himself.

Jason was a task the two of them had to take together. Alfred gave Bruce the tie and jacket as he wrestled Jason into it. Soon enough all three boys were at the breakfast table where Jason was pulling at his tie as he ate his toast, Dick was wriggling around getting cereal and milk dripping down his tie and Tim was still asking to try some coffee as he ate his food. Cass hoped school didn’t make her that crazy. Bruce said she was going so fast she might be able to start next year if she wanted.

“Master Jason, please stop tugging at your tie.” Alfred was setting down more toast and giving Bruce more coffee as he started on his own tea.

“Ugh,” Jason groaned rolling his eyes.

Bruce looked at him pointedly and he stopped. He looked at Alfred for a moment. “Thank you Alfred. Dick, your hair.”

Dick sighed and Alfred handed him a tube of gel. “I hate doing this.”

“Secret ID.”

“It’s still a pain,” Dick grabbed the tube and started to gel his hair back in the mirror hallway.

“This is why I wear a hood,” Jason stuck out his tongue at Dick.

“Your also not under the camera’s views at all times,” Bruce told him. “Dick’s oldest. The magazines have had the best chance with him on photos, I’ve learnt more after all the pictures they’ve gotten of him. You three have much less to be worried about. Robin’s also on the news all the time. Unlike Black Bat, Red Hood and Red Robin for now.”

“Why do you have to make everything boring?” Jason complained as his food was taken away. He looked across to his sister. “You’re lucky Cass. You don’t have to endure the torture that is Gotham Academy. Every one there sucks. It’s the worst. And I haven’t learnt anything.”

“You know that isn’t true Master Jason,” Alfred said to him. Meanwhile Tim hugged Cass goodbye followed by Dick doing the same as Tim hugged Bruce. Then Bruce patted Jason and Dick on the backs wishing them good luck. Then the three boys followed Alfred into the car to pick up Barbara. Bruce sighed not sure he was happy or sad the boys were at school again. The house would be a lot less crowded and noisy at least. He finished his coffee and turned to Cass.

“Well that leaves us. Would you like to come with me to work today?” Cass’s smile made Bruce give a rare smile himself. He nodded as he got up. “Go get some books, toys and your headphones. All the books are downloaded?”

She nodded as she ran off coming back downstairs with a bag a few minutes later. Bruce took a breath. Hopefully he’d be able to keep the peace and quiet for a little bit. Arkham was closed up. Joker actually being subdued for once. His monitors hadn’t picked anything up and all the Team had coming was training later.

Before first class Dick stood with Barbara in the courtyard looking around. There were new faces as always, freshman, transfers like the one pulling down her skirt a few feet away. Barbara followed his gaze. “You wouldn’t.”

He pulled out his phone and smirked. “Be right back.”

He arrived next to her right after Bette putting an arm around her and grinning as he took a picture. “We’ll laugh about this someday.”

She blinked the flash out of his eyes as he got back to Barbara. She looked at him then Artemis pointedly. “Dick, what was that about?”

“Nothing. Just being friendly to the new girl.”

She rolled her eyes and he knew she took his double meaning. The bell rang then and they ran off to class with sighs. It would never get much better here. The scholarship student and charity case. Freaks. At least there was a new freak here now, one they could troll to their hearts content, that was as long as Batman didn’t find out.

Sophmore year was much the same as Freshmen. Both did their work and talked with old ‘friends,’ though neither talked to Bette. She was upset at Dick right now for “reasons.” That was probably for the best considering she was showing Artemis around right now. They’d eaten lunch in their usual spot, did their work together in between classes as they compared schedules before finishing for the rest of the day. Alfred picked them up, dropping Barbara off as Tim continued to talk excitedly about his day at school and Jason made fun of each comment. Dick just looked at his watch.

They’d eaten dinner while Bruce asked about all of their days at school, then as a treat all of them were allowed an the first hour of patrol before Robin headed his separate ways to the zeta tube to see Artemis entering. The zeta tube was an out of order police box, a joke Alfred had come up with, Bruce hadn’t argued. Alfred still loved his british television and all of the Bats did too. Dick and Wally could spend hours discussing Dr. Who and theoretics behind time travel. Now though Robin’s attention was on Artemis as he dropped down beside her suprising her.

“Artemis?” he asked her putting on a not-so-casual voice.

“Robin! I-uh-I—”

“How random that you’re in gotham city,” he said stepping closer. “Instead of Star City where your Uncle Green Arrow lives.”

“I’m here to see my cousin,” Artemis answered. “She was in the state spelling bee, here in Gotham City.”

Robin was laughing inside but kept a straight face. Artemis was the ‘cousin’ that lived in Gotham city. Though he wasn’t sure she was as good as spelling as she was boasting. He grinned wider deciding to test her.

“C-o-o-l. Did she w-i-n?”

Artemis was catching on to the tone he was using now. She narrowed her eyes and he chuckled a little. “N-O.”

“D-R-A-G.”

He was so upset no one was here to see this. Artemis had had enough now, he could continue trolling her later at school or in the cave. He couldn’t let her know he knew or blow any of his cover. So when she said they should just go to the cave he conceded taking a little bow and gesturing for her to go inside. “Ladies first.”

“Your town. You go.”

He shrugged knowing how well this was her town too. He entered the zeta beam as the usual tingling sensation and burst of light overtook him. Next he knew he was in the cave, shot of fire being lobbed at him in a smoky room. This wasn’t training. This was being compromised. An attack. He heard Artemis’s name announced as she appeared then and he flipped backwards pushing her out of the way and yelling for her to get down. Another flip and he was crouched next to her. He threw two birdarangs as another burst of fire came at them.

Both of them jumped out of the way in opposite directions. Artemis started loading arrows and Robin pulled out more birdarangs both of them aiming blindly in the smoke. More fire. They dodged different directions again.

Artemis shot one arrow after the other. “Who are we fighting?”

“I don’t know but we’re sitting ducks by these tubes. Head for the exit.” Years of experience kicked in as he ran and Artemis followed. Then a wave of fire followed by water came at them. “Or not.”

Both of them were swept away by the water and smacked against the wall. Robin took a deep breath as he stood up and shook some of the water off. Another ball of fire came at them then and he took off running again hoping Artemis would follow.

She did. Grabbing the bow from the floor and shooting to where the balls of fire were coming from. She dodged them one after the other then ran when a tornado of fire erupted following Robin into the gym as he tried to reach Aqualad. Then the door burst open the tornado of fire following them in. They raced into the locker rooms, then the showers.

Robin made a desperate attempt hoping Bruce, Alfred, Barbara, Jason, Tim, anyone was listening. “Robin to Batcave. Override RG4. Team Calling Justice League.”

He used all the codes that had been drilled into his mind since the age of seven and a half as he started to turn on the water and Artemis followed hoping to stop the fire. “Code red.”

There was no answer. Their comms must have been blocked. Robin and Artemis were alone and who knows where the rest of the team were. He just had to hope.

“Comms must be blocked. At least the waters helping.” Then the showers burst and both of them were swimming around helplessly. He took a deep breath, why did he keep jinxing himself. “Or not.”

Think. Outside was an inferno twister, here they were being drowned. He swam forward and put a birdarang on the wall arming it and swimming backwards, pushing Artemis back. The wall burst and the water flooded out with Artemis and Robin with it. They took off running again.

It was a game of hide and seek. They needed to stay ahead, stay smart, not be caught. He wasn’t scared of much but now he was scared of being found. As they ran toward the kitchen he turned to her. “We need to get lost.”

“The air vents.”

“Good. Go!”

He doesn’t even realize he’s thinking now. He just does. It’s years of experience as he goes to the control panel and Artemis hops onto the oven and pulls off the vent’s opening. This was his life and this was how he had survived for years and years. Thinking. Doing. He was Robin. The Boy Wonder.

“What are you—”

“Downloading the cave blueprints. Could come in…Go. Go!” His voice turned into a whisper as he leapt after Artemis climbing into the air vents. His hair was in his eyes dripping still. He looked at the cave specs through the drops. “Go left.”

As they turned another jet of fire erupted. He took a deep breath. “Too close. Take the first right. There should be a vent cover right in front of you.”

He stayed calm. He was in control, no matter how scared he was. It was his job as Batman’s partner, as Robin and as an older brother. It was his job as the first kid hero, the next in line for team leader, the person Artemis was depending on. There was one thing he’d sworn to always do in his life if he could. To catch people if they were falling. To help them. He’d always be there to catch people in need.

As his thought raced Artemis pulled the vent cover off and slid down. He followed into the boiler room/bunker and pulled up the specs on his holo-glove again. “This way.”

He led her down the stairs and towards the boilers when a blazing fire erupted with a women’s sillohuette in the middle. They both stared for a moment in shock then ran again as fire covered the ceiling and the boilers around the room started to beep. Pipes exploded and gas burst everywhere.

“That’s not good.” He led Artemis running. They took cover just before another fireball hit. Behind another boiler he showed Artemis the specs. “I know that other access tunnel is here somewhere.”

“You mean this one?”

He’d use to know these tunnels like the back of his own hand. They were his favorite hiding spots for games with Wally and Roy before the mountain had first been compromised. Those vents were familiar. Safe. Like he’d always thought the mountain had been. It wasn’t now. Artemis jumped into the access tunnel and he followed again, though not before placing a birdarang on the boiler he was standing by giving it a detonation time.

Both of them fell onto the floor of the vents under the mountain. He stopped for a second with a thought. “Hold on.”

He pried open one of the wiring panels and plugged his glove in. “Locking out cave’s motion and heat sensors to prevent the enemy from tracking us.”

“And I ask again. Who is the enemy?”

Robin could only smirk at her. She was scared, upset, unexperienced. She hadn’t been trained like him, not by the Batman. She was under pressure and unsure of her place on the team and now she was in danger of death, this time not just from her father.

“Let’s find out.” Clicking away at his keyboard he pulled up the different cameras around the cave. “Downloading cave security footage. There.”

Together they watched the footage of Aqualad talking to their other teammates in the cave as Wally worked on Superboy’s bike. Robin felt something pull at the back of his mind at Aqualad’s tone as he asked a suspicious question but he could save that for later. Now there were more important things at hand.

When Aqualad asked the same question about Artemis maintaining her loyalties Robin felt her stiffen. Her eyes were narrowed. But he had to smirk as Wally defended her, though he insulted her at the same time. Way to stay in denial dude.

Then the camera footage blasted out. He wanted to yell and cry and just take a breath but he didn’t have the time too. Artemis was already turning to him. “What happened?”

“Explosion took out the camera. I’ll find another angle.” His fingers moved fast pulling up the different footage as it all played at once on his glove. He watched his teammates get attacked by water over and over again. Then all the cameras stopped. “They’re dead. All four are dead.”

Artemis looked at him nervously holding back a gasp. He was quick to assure her. “The cameras. I meant the cameras. I’m sure the others are okay. Just give me a second to find the fastest route to the hangar.”

Stay calm. He had to stay calm. Artemis was panicking, thinking things he’d thought plenty of times, that was until Batman had showed him what he could do. She collapsed against the wall. “Yeah. They’re fine. They’ve all got superpowers. They can handle anything.”

Robin didn’t answer, hoping his friends powers were keeping them alive and lead Artemis to the vents above the library. They jumped down into the room. “There’s a secret passage behind one of these book cases.”

“Seriously, cliché much?”

He had to laugh then besides the direness of the situation. Nothing was more cliché than the grandfather clock, cave full of bats with dinosaur robots and other stuff. “You should see the Batcave.”

Together they walked through the library carefully. Then something slid open and he turned. Artemis snapped open her bow and he pulled out more birdarangs. They turned warily running and hiding behind one of the bookcases. Waiting and listening as something clunked.

“Artemis. Robin.”

“It’s Red Tornado,” Artemis cried in relief going out to greet him.

Robin tried to pull her back knowing to always be more wary. But he followed her to grab her instead. “Yes on the Red. No on the Tornado.”

He jumped as the robot grabbed for her pushing her down and rolling under a table which was then crushed as they crawled away from it. They were met by another robot, in the shape of a woman who shot fire at them. Robin leapt over a bookcase jumping onto the next as Artemis followed. “What are they?”

More fire exploded around them setting off the sprinklers. Robin leapt onto the ground again as Artemis shot at the robots. By her reaction the robots managed to block it. Then there was a crash followed by a series of thuds. Artemis leapt down beside him as he pulled the book down and opened the passageway right before the bookshelf fell on them.

They raced into the tunnel him before her as she yelled. “Did you know Tornado had siblings?”

“No.”

“So now what? Red Tornado is one of the power houses of the league. How are we supposed to take down two of him?”

Robin looked at her. He wanted to reassure her by telling her he’d taken down the majority of the league, but he couldn’t. He pulled her around the corner and gave her a look. “They do seem pretty user unfriendly.”

“Don’t joke. They-“

She was interrupted and not by him saying that the best way to relieve stress was to joke. The voice of the male robot came over the cave’s intercoms. “Attention Robin. Attention Artemis. You have exactly ten minutes to surrender or the lives of your teammates will be extinguished.”

They both exchanged glances.

“Nine minutes and forty five seconds.”

They ran through the tunnels. Robin stopped as he heard the voice again. “Eight minutes.”

“We can access the hangar through here.” Just as he finished speaking water came rushing at them. “Or not.”

“Will you please stop saying that?” Artemis shrieked as they broke into a run again. They were over taken by the wave and swam around in the water.

Robin pulled out his re-breather and shared it with Artemis. Just as she took a breath she was pulled backwards by the male robot. Her arrows flew out of her quiver and the re-breather out of her mouth. Robin swam forward as she pounded at the robot. He stabbed an arrow through it’s head and swam away pulling Artemis with him.

He shot a grappling line still holding onto her leaving a series of birdarangs behind as he did. They exploded by the robot and he and Artemis managed to get to the hanger and to air taking gasping breaths.

“Look out!” Wally’s voice warned them just in time to dodge a fireball. THe female robot was flying over them. They swam under water to Wally and Superboy who were trapped in something as the water rose.

“You guys okay?” Robin said as he surfaced.

“Forget us. Help M’gann!”

“Aqualad. Is she—”

Robin couldn’t help but think how nice it was for Superboy and Artemis to forget Aqualad was also dying of the heat. Kaldur was strong and calm as he answered, as a leader should be. “She’s unconscious. I fear she… we cannot survive much longer.”

The girl robot flew in an inferno towards them blasting fireballs at Robin and Artemis who surfaced by the hangar stairs only to be confronted by the male robot with it’s eye short circuiting. Artemis pulled out her bow. The female robot landed at the top of the steps and Artemis turned to him scared. “I’m almost out of arrows.”

“Distract her. Now!”

A smoke bomb arrow was shot. But the robot came right through it. Robin threw birdarangs at the other robot and one landed right by Wally. The infuriated robot raised his hands and water came streaming towards Robin who dove out of the way with Artemis just as water met fire.

They swam into a another vent and up gasping for breath. His cape was gone now. It had been a drag in the water. Both caught their breaths as another announcement was made.

“Six minutes.”

“What do we do now?”

“We save them. That’s how it works,” Robin answered her determinedly. He didn’t want to think of the other option.

“Maybe that’s how it’s supposed to work but those robots already took out our four superpowered friends.”

“You seem distraught.”

“Distraught? M’gann’s dying! We have no powers and I’m down to my last arrow. Of course I’m distraught!”

Robin had enough. He had been calm and collected through this whole thing. Though this was as close to death as he came when facing Gotham’s rogues. There was a large chance he wasn’t making it out of there. He knew that was a possibility most of his life. He’d had a will prepared for the last two years with goodbye letters for everyone that he updated when he felt it necessary. He knew what he’d gotten into, in through death and out through death. But Artemis didn’t seem to have realized.

“Well get traught or get dead!”

“How can you be so calm?” she asked sheathing her last arrow as he started crawling down the vent.

“Practice. I’ve been doing this since I was nine.” Seven or so actually. She didn’t need to know that. Only the public version. And he needed to stay calm so she did.

“What good is that now? What chance do we have against unrelenting machines?”

How could he have been so stupid. Of course. It had been there all along. “Ugh. Duh! They’re machines. And one electromagnetic pulse will shut down any machine within range.”

“Great. Except you better have one EMP emitter in your utility belt. Because I know I don’t have one in my quiver.”

He didn’t. It wasn’t something he carried around at all times. He needed to talk to Bruce about that. And probably work on that for Artemis too. When they got through this. “Fresh out. But I’m betting we can make one.”

He pressed his comm. “What do you say KF? Doable?”

“Totally doable.”

“Five minutes.”

“You know. If you had more time.”

Chapter Text

Robin pushed open a panel and crawled through. Listening to KF’s directions as he stood up and looked around. Artemis was right behind him. Wally’s voice came over the comms and Birdarang he had left. “Medlab. X-ray machine. You’ll find a small vacuum tube called a vercator. Converts high energy pulses. Change the units microwave conversions from x-rays to EMPs with a cascading energy vector directed outward.”

Robin followed his instructions using his hologlove on the machinery. He pulled out the tube. “A ripple affect. Like dropping a stone in a pond.”

He loved talking with Wally for this reason. Their brains worked on the same wavelength. They could talk science or anything together. Wally answered as Robin pulled up more on his glove. “A stone with ten to the twelfth power wattage. Yeah.”

“So I’ll need to hook it up to the cave’s main generator.”

“Which is where?”

As she asked Robin took a breath. He knew what he was doing now. He just hoped he made it. In his head as they made their way back to the hangar he said silent goodbyes to his family and team. To all his friends and the in between. He looked back at Artemis who he was sure could be a really great friend if they had the chance. Then he trudged onward.

“Four minutes.”

Robin opened a panel and jumped down as Artemis followed. They looked to the two robots standing guard over their teammates. He held his hand to his comm. “Okay. Make with the distraction.”

Down below he heard Wally start yelling and almost wanted to roll his eyes. Really? That was his best? “Hey, red tomato. Who’s your girlfriend? Red onion?”

Connor joined with his terrible taunts. “Yeah. By the way, worst death trap ever. We can escape anytime we want.”

“I can vibrate my molecules out of here before your binary brains can count to two.”

As Wally spoke Artemis and Robin ran across the hangar entrance before hiding again. He turned to Artemis hopefully. This was it. “Cover me.”

He placed a line on the top of the mountain grabbing the EMP and swinging down to the generator as Connor’s voice echoed below. “And you can’t drown a kryptonian dumbbots. We don’t breathe air!”

Robin plugged in the EMP. “Rerouting power now.”

As he did so Wally laughed. “And Miss Martian? I can’t believe your buying her act.”

Connor finished. “Do you know how hot it gets in the caves of Mars?”

Robin looked at his glove and bit back the urge to curse. “It’s not working.”

Connor was still talking. “The cage is just making her homesick.”

“Duh!” Wally laughed.

Robin looked at the specs again realizing the solution. Too bad he was out of birdarangs or anything that could help. “THe circuits incompleted. I need something conductible. A piece of metal—”

“Robin look out!” Artemis’s voice came as he searched his utility belt.

He was knocked back against the generator by a crashing wave and lost all stream of thought except one. Hold breath. Then his head hit the metal and his mouth burst open and everything went black.

The next he heard was the tornadoes announcing there was one minute left. They had dropped him from their pipe of water and he lay silent and unmoving holding back the wretching coughs that shook his body. Play dead. Play silent and still. You’re not a threat so you’re much more of a threat.

He didn’t need to worry though. Artemis came in saying she was surrendering and he almost got up and yelled but that would ruin any chance of survival. Instead he heard her hit metal and felt the EMP blast. Then when Artemis laid her fingers on his throat and a hand on his head checking his pulse he coughed and the water spurted out of his mouth.

“He’s breathing too!” she yelled in delight.

He turned to her weakly not wanting to admit he’d had to stop holding his breath after a few minutes. Instead he looked at her and smirked. “Way to get traught.”

She fell back and sighed in relief. Soon enough he was able to get up, she did too and though M’gann still needed to lean on Kaldur they were all able to make their way over to Wally and Connor. Artemis had found something to cut them out but it wasn’t working because the EMP had shorted it out too.

Robin was talking to his teammates. “Figured my only shot was to ‘surrender’ pretend to drown before I actually did. Blacked out though.”

He could hold his breath for longer than he’d been in that water. He’d hit his head and been unable to take any breath at all before he went under. If he had he could have lasted for nearly six or seven minutes. After years of training with Aquaman and Batman he could hold his breath easily, when he was aware of it.

Then after some small talk and bickering Red Tornado had arrived saying he’d realized that cave communications were down and couldn’t get through the zeta tubes. He’d had to go to Providence, Rhode Island first to reach here. Then the machine Artemis was holding went on as Sphere nudged Superboy.

Wally exchanged looks with Robin. They both looked towards all three reds shouting. “The pulse has worn off!”

Red Tornado’s eyes turned red as his siblings stood up. He started to make a twister in the middle of the room and Robin was clutching his throat again trying to understand what was happening. This was RT. He was a leaguer! Then he blacked out again gasping for breath and unable to wake up.

____________________________

Bruce was concerned. Dick hadn’t come back yet. It was reaching twelve and by then at least he usually checked in or said he was staying at the cave for the night. He’d just returned the other kids to the Batcave and was about to go out again but stopped for a moment reaching for his comm. “Batman to Robin. Batman to Robin.”

There was no answer. He tried something else. “Batman to Aqualad? Batman to Kid Flash. Batman to team? Batman to Mount Justice. Mount Justice? Batman to Red Tornado. Red Tornado.”

Still no answer. He was getting upset now and even more nervous. “Batman to Watchtower.”

“Watchtower: Martian Manhunter to Batman.”

“Have you heard from Mt. Justice tonight?”

There was a moment of silence. “Red Tornado was here filling in on monitor duty before leaving. I took over for him. I shall check in on goings on at the mountain.”

Batman was even worse now. He was going through his belt, checking Robin’s tracker and fidgeting with a batarang as he waited near the zeta tube. Martian Manhunter’s voice crackled over the comm. “Cave communications seem to be down. As do the Zeta tubes. Red Tornado’s codes were in Providence. He must have gone to check on the team.”

“J’onn…. Red Tornado… I’ll be in Providence soon.”

“I shall contact the rest of the mentors and meet you there,” Martian Manhunter’s voice went away with a crackle.

Batman put in the coordinates to Providence and went through taking a moment to leave a note for Alfred who would be back down to run comms soon after making sure all the children were asleep. As soon as he arrived through the Zeta tube a wind knocked him over. Flash was standing there.

“They’re not answering.”

“We don’t know what happened to them,” Batman said. “Robin’s tracker is offline too and there’s no answer from Red Tornado.”

The zeta tube went off again as Superman arrived with Captain Atom. “What’s happening?”

“The team’s comms are down and Red Tornado isn’t answering either. Robin’s gone silent and none of our other modes of communications are on,” Batman said.

“And I don’t think it’s just Batparanoia this time,” Flash agreed as Aquaman and Martian Manhunter came through. “Wally’s not answering either. We were supposed to go out for food after he was with the team.”

“Red Tornado left very suddenly,” Martian Manhunter agreed. “It is worth investigating. Especially if the team was in danger.”

“Why was Tornado on monitor duty?” Superman demanded. “He’s not supposed to be on it since he became the team’s den Mother.”

Green Arrow and Black Canary arrived just then. Her hair was a bit ruffled and his costume was messed up. Batman turned on him. “Weren’t you supposed to be on monitor duty tonight?”

“Yes, I asked Red to fill in as a favor. What’s up?”

As it was explained Green Arrow paled. “We need to get to the mountain. It was her first day of school today. She wasn’t looking forward to it but it made her mom happy. And Artemis is a good kid doing that. I’m not screwing up with her. Not like I did with—”

“You didn’t screw him up,” Flash insisted. “The kid just needs time. He’ll come back eventually. Now let’s all focus at the current situation though. Mind if I run you Dinah?”

“I’m with Atom then,” Arrow said as he gave Flash a warning look. Atom took off with Arrow in tow as Aquaman dove back into the water to meet them in Happy Harbor.

Superman looked at Batman. “Ready?”

“Take me to my son.”

They arrived at the mountain just a few minutes later. The doors wouldn’t open no matter the codes they used. It took the combined forces of all the Leaguers there to get through. They looked around as they walked in near the zeta-tubes. Broken arrows and torched bird-a-rangs were scattered in drying pools of water.

Batman analyzed them both for a second. “They were attacked. Artemis and Robin must have been the last to arrive here. They were the last to end school.”

“Where are they then?” Black Canary asked as Green Arrow held an arrow gingerly and looking around for a sign of his new protégée.

“Robin’s tracker is still offline. All the motion and heat sensors are off. It will take me a few minutes to turn them back on,” Batman grimaced more than usual and as unusual as it was he looked to the others pleadingly.

“I cannot reach M’gann either,” J’onn said grimly. “Though I could try to locate her.”

Before he finished Flash had dashed off. Then his voice came over the comms. “They’re all in the hangar. Come. Now.”

Everyone was running to the hangar without another word. Though Batman noted all the opened air ducts and water and scorch marks. The vents were Dick’s strategic retreat whenever possible. He’d tried to hide, to make a plan. Bruce hoped it worked.

The others joined Flash in the hangar and Green Arrow whistled. “This must’ve been one fight.”

Then he noticed what Flash was looking at. The team were sprawled out in various positions on the floor. Wally and Connor were encased in a strange metallic gray gluish substance and Artemis was passed out on her side. M’gann was right near Kaldur and Robin close to Artemis yet farthest from them all.

Batman immediately went over to his protégée. He jumped down into the Hangar and growled as he noticed Robin’s soaked uniform and the missing cape. He wrapped Robin in his own cape trying to share the body warmth as he checked his pulse and breathing. It was strangled and off. He administered CPR once. “Atom! Oxygen!”

A few moments later the boy wonder was in an oxygen mask but the others were waking up. Flash was supporting his nephew who looked at him surprised. “Uncal Barry?”

“It’s me kid.”

Nearby M’gann and J’onn seemed to be having a telepathic communication. Superboy was cut out by Black Canary who helped him and asked how he was doing trying to help him but also gave the boy space. Green Arrow and Superman were trying and failing to wake Artemis up. Aqualad was standing now drenched in water and looking better than the rest now.

Batman turned to him. “You’re team leader. Report. What happened? Why is Robin oxygen deprived and Artemis still unconscious?”

“Robin probably still wasn’t completely recovered from drowning when Red Tornado stole our breath. Literally,” Wally said. “Do we have food?”

“What?” Barry yelled looking at him. “What’re you talking about?”

“We’ll get you some food Wally. Then you can all tell us everything,” Black Canary soothed.

Batman turned back to the team. “What happened?”

“We were attacked and captured, therefore not present for most of it,” Aqualad answered. “Artemis and Robin may be better suited to answer.”

“Tell us what you know then,” Captain Atom told the team.

“We were here working on Connor’s bike and talking when some robots appeared. Kaldur and I were trapped by one in a cage of fire and Wally and Connor in that stuff. I don’t remember much after that,” M’gann told them.

“That is fine. Just rest M’gann. You need to regain your strength.”

“They almost killed her!” Connor yelped at where M’gann was standing near Martian Manhunter.

“I’m fine now Connor. You and Wally almost drowned,” she said.

“We didn’t though. Not like Robin,” Wally said looking at Batman. “How is he?”

“He’ll live. The whole story though. No—” Batman was cut off by Robin’s coughing. He helped Robin sit off and take off the mask where he coughed again.

“Baman?”

“Yes.”

“You get Tornado?”

“Tornado?” Batman asked.

Robin sat up still in Batman’s cape standing up a bit wobbly. “Yeah. He’s got some nerve. I thought going back to school was torture enough.”

Batman sighed in relief. That was a genuine joke, not a defensive one. Dick would be fine. He looked over the rest of the team. Superman was still near Artemis attempting to waker her up. “Artemis? Artemis! Can you hear me?”

“Ugh!”

“She’s alright.”

Superman helped her up. Miss Martina was still on the floor where her Uncle was looking after her. Aquaman had his hands on his protégées shoulders and they were talking seriously. Captain Atom was trying to get Superboy out with Black Canary’s help and Flash was doing the same to Wally nearby. Green Arrow walked over letting Artemis lean on him instead of Superman.

Superman looked at her. Robin still wasn’t able to talk. “What happened here?”

“What happened? The reds happened! Tornado and his…. Wait! Where are they?”

Robin stood up shakily rasping. “Gone. All three of them. Gone.”

Batman caught him as he fell and tucked him back into his cape looking around at the team. “What happened? Now!”

In the next few minutes with broken pieces and small comments from the team the story was assembled. Robin explained what he could. Batman looked at him whenever he opened his mouth. Together in only the way they could both of them spoke.

‘Stop trying to speak.’

‘I’m fine.’

‘You were almost killed from lack of oxygen. Twice. Within an hour.’

‘Fine now though.’

‘Not until I say you are. You need to be checked over.’

‘I need to catch the Reds!’

‘You’re not moving. I’ve already alerted Alfred.’

‘No school at least?’

‘We’ll see what’s happening then.’

By the time the story was finished Green Arrow was about to go over Red Tornado and Batman was close behind but Black Canary and Flash managed to talk them down. They invested themselves in making sure their protégées were okay. Superman and Captain Atom organized other leaguers coming to help repair the mountain.

A little past 1:30 in the morning satisfied Robin was well Batman let Robin walk to his room, or at least walk with support as he was commanded to go to his room to rest. The other teens were also sent to bed as their mentors talked. Batman lingered in Robin’s room for a little bit closing the door and pulling off the cowl.

“Dad?”

“I almost lost you tonight Dickie.”

“I’m not a little kid anymore. Not Dickie.”

Bruce sighed. His son had demanded they stop calling him that last year. He’d never stop. “You’re always the same kid to me chum. And I’d never let that kid get hurt or die, you almost did.”

“I stayed traught. Did my job. Didn’t get dead.”

“You very nearly did.”

“Nearly, B. Nearly. I’m breathing fine now. Can do all sorts of tricks and everything. Like I said, I do my job. I’m supposed to be an example and I’m supposed to be ready to lead this team one day,” Dick argued. “So I need to stay traught and help save them. That’s what you do when the League’s in danger.”

“You’re not leader yet.”

“I’m still part of the team. Look at Artemis! She saved all of us,” he protested then looked at Bruce earnestly. “You can trust her by the way. She’s not going to help her dad. Not out of free will.”

“You’re sure?”

“She saved my life. And this whole teams. She could have abandoned us. The specs I gave her access too could have led her out of the mountain. She stayed and helped us. We watched during school too. She just wants to be good, make her mom proud and that means not following her footsteps, or her dad’s and sister’s.”

Bruce nodded. The fact that Dick was so willing to trust her after Red Tornado had just portrayed her showed a lot. The teenager’s instincts were almost always right about people and he’d take the kid’s words. “We’ll trust her. Though I still want you to keep an eye on her. Now go to sleep. I’m going to talk to Alfred and the other Leaguers after. I’ll wake you in a few hours.”

Dick cursed then. “It’s the 23^rd! Babs is fifteen! I was supposed to text her at midnight!”

“She’ll understand. Go to sleep. And don’t try looking for your glove or phone,” Bruce said as Dick started to search. Dick slumped over and turned over on the pillow as Bruce tucked the blanket around him. He pulled the cowl back on and opened the door.

“Noapte bună Tati. (Goodnight Dad)”

“Goodnight chum.”

Chapter Text

Gotham

Year 2010

September 25th

Jason is 11

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

Within the past month Dick had: gone to a foreign country and forgotten the past six months, since the time right before they’d adopted Cassie, stopped the kidnapping of the Kobra’s twin brother and then had to team up with Wally, Artemis and their mentors to stop the cult and Kobra from making himself a giant snake monster, watched hockey with Artemis and Wally when Kaldur was running the Belle Reve mission, been drowned by the Reds, traveled to India and fought creatures with Kobra Venom among other things, all before preparing for school.

He should’ve been starting high school this year, but instead he and Barbara were sophmores. Artemis, was a junior. Dick sighed from his seat in front of the monitor with Artemis’s file. Bruce had given her the scholarship not only because he thought it would be good for her and the team, but also so Dick and Barbara could watch her.

Lawrence Crock was on the loose and from recent information it seemed like her sister Jade was too. Artemis could be coerced, asked to join them in their mercenary game with assassins. Dick was supposed to watch for signs when she wasn’t aware he was there, acting differently than she did with the team.

Dick had faith in Artemis though. He trusted her, she’d proven herself in Bialya when left alone with Wally. She had no recollection of him but she hadn’t hurt him, even when she thought her father would be watching. Dick had recovered the footage, though Wally didn’t know. It was his job as analyst and strategist to know everything about the teams missions.

Then she’d done it, she’d stayed traught and saved them. She was part of their team, she belonged in his family now, he was sure of that, just like Roy and Wally. She’d done plenty of things for the team before and after, though she might kill Dick the one day she realized what he did their first day at school.

“Master Dick!” Alfred scolded when he came down. “You should be in your tux. The gala starts in an hour and you need to arrive on time.”

Dick groaned. The annual gala for Gotham Academy and it’s scholarship students, past and future, was the worst thing he did at the beginning of every school year, the first weekend of the year. He hated every gala but this one was worse than most. He trudged up the stairs under Alfred’s watchful gaze and cleaned up. He joined Bruce in his room where he was helping Jason and Tim do their ties. Jason smacked his hand away.

“I can do it myself.”

Dick looked in the mirror as he did his own tie. “You sure Jason?”

“I’ve seen it done enough times.”

Jason fumbled with his tie and Bruce shook his head with laughter as he sent Tim to go get Cass. “Let me do it for now champ. Next gala I’ll show you how to do it all on your own like I have Dick.”

Jason groaned but conceded as Bruce finished tying his tie. They met Tim and Cass out in the hallway. The boy like his father and brothers was wearing a blue tie. Alfred had said it was the one shade of blue that brought out all their eyes. Cass was wearing a black flouncy dress with a bow and lining on the bottom that matched their ties. She smiled up at Bruce. She hated galas like the others, though this was only her third, but she did like the dresses she got to wear.

“Let’s get this over with,” Jason groaned going down the stairs to the limousine. Dick put his arm around Tim and followed as Cass reached up for Bruce’s hand. Together he went down with his daughter getting into the car Alfred pulled around.

When they reached the Gala Bruce had already stopped Jason and Dick from fighting and fixed them both up. He’d lectured all the children on his expectations for them during the gala and endured a lecture from Alfred himself. Then together looking perfectly composed they walked into the Gala.

Artemis watched Bruce Wayne enter with the four kids she was pretty sure he’d adopted. She pulled down on the black dress she was wearing uncomfortably. Luckily her mother said she didn’t need to here for more than an hour and a half. She didn’t know anyone or want anything to do with most of these people.

As Wayne entered with the kids everyone watched, talking silenced a bit and all eyes were on them. Then a business man started to talk with Wayne and the party started up again. Artemis’s attention was pulled away as someone hugged her.

Bette Kane came up dressed in a slimming red dress with her hair curling behind her ears the rest in an updo. Artemis smiled back at her though she was feeling even more underdressed than before next to one of the most elite girls in Gotham.

“Hi Bette.”

“Artemis! You look awesome. It’s so great you’re here! Last time I was at this ball I had to third wheel my friends the whole time. But now at least it won’t be as bad with you here.”

“Are you kidding? I’ve been here for ten minutes and it’s worse than anything I’ve ever been too! And this dress, compared to yours? Really Bette? I’m just happy to have a friend who can show me the steps here. And I mean you’ve got to have load more friends than me.”

“Here, no. Just Barbara and Dick. And they have their own thing going on ha;f the time, not even sure what. It’s not just their sexual tension,” Bette smirked.

“Barbara and Dick?”

Dick looked around from where he stood next to Bruce and his siblings knowing someone was looking at him. He turned and saw Artemis talking with Bette who was turning back to Artemis though the latter girl was still staring at him. Dick smirked ignoring the tempting urge to snap a picture of Artemis in that dress and send it to Wally. Maybe that would that the De out of Denial.

He was interrupted by the person talking to Bruce leaving and a new couple approaching. The Powers, a couple that owned several successful hotels around the city. Mr. Powers reached out to shake Bruce’s hand and Mrs. Powers looked at the kids for a bit. Dick shivered as her eyes lingered on him then Tim for a few moments longer than everyone else. Her eyes kept returning to him before she looked at Bruce with a blinding smile.

“And these are the children right? All so grown up. Aren’t you?”

Jason opened his mouth to make a comment but Cass smiled at her silencing him affectively. Pretending to be a sweet little girl shut the socialites up sometimes but not often. Bruce put on his Brucie smile and nodded. “All four of them. It’s hard to believe sometimes. It’s been almost seven years since Richard first came to live with me.”

“Yes,” Mrs. Powers said surveilling Dick again. “I know.”

Dick exchanged glances with Jason and felt Bruce look at him also. The socialites usually brushed him off after their cooing over how grown up he was. Bruce had gone through the same thing at their age, though much like Tim the socialites didn’t right him off as much. They all hated the Galas, or mostly. They were a necessary evil so they all found ways to deal. This part though, the socialites and their fake interest in the kids. That was the worst.

Yet somehow Mrs. Powers interest didn’t seem so fake. She left with her husband a moment later though to be replaced by some women. They all giggled as Brucie smiled at them.

Then one looked down at the kids. “Oh how sweet. I love your dress sweetheart.”

Cass nodded smiling and the woman frowned. Another one looked at Bruce. “Where’s this one from again? She’s so exotic looking.”

“She’s not a pet,” Jason growled. Dick reached for his arm trying to hold him back. Tim glowered at the woman and Cass looked a bit confused for a moment as her brother gripped her hand. She held onto Bruce’s jacket and he looked down at her. For a minute all of the kids could see the anger flickering behind Bruce’s eyes.

Bruce turned back from the woman. “No. Cassandra is Chinese-American. And she would like to thank you. She speaks in sign language though we’re working with her.”

“Oh.” The woman turned walking away after thanking Bruce and saying a few more things. “Two really such exotic children. I mean the eldest, he’s a gypsy right? And such beautiful eyes!”

Another woman nodded tittering. “I hope he’s well behaved though. The other’s from crime alley right? Together with the gypsy they can’t be such a good influence on the youngest. He’s the Drake’s kid.”

“Such a pity. Bruce could have settled down and had a nice family. The Drake kid could have stayed. His parent’s business will be his somedays. So sad of all the kids that Bruce took in only one has good breeding.”

“My last name isn’t Drake,” Tim mumbled so only his siblings heard him. “Bruce adopted me. I’m Drake-Wayne now.”

“And I’m Todd-Wayne,” Jason agreed. “We don’t need to listen to those horrible woman. They’re all bit—”

Dick interrupted him. “I’m going to find Barbara. Is that okay Dad?”

Bruce nodded understandingly haven’t had heard most of his kids conversation. Dick grinned. “Good. At least that torture is over.”

“Right,” Jason said as Dick left. “Come on Tim!”

Cass gripped her father’s hand as Tim was dragged away by Jason and Dick disappeared into the crowd. Another couple came over and Bruce put on another blinding smile.

“Thank god you’re finally here,” Barbara yelped when she saw Dick hugging him. He looked at her grinning as she let go and stepped back. This past year he’d started to notice how awesome Barbara looked at these events and this was his favorite of the dresses she had to wear to all the galas she went to with her father. It was green bringing out her eyes. His eyes were drawn to the black strappy heels and he stiffened for a moment looking up and shaking his head.

“As miserable here as ever then, right? Not the best way to spend the weekend after your birthday.” Dick’s teasing only made her roll her eyes though she had smiled. He hadn’t been able to spend the day of her birthday with her, the second day of school, because he had been in India. After he had been dealing with the possibility of there being a mole and everything else going on. She’d read all his mission reports.

Though she had seen him when she had been at the manor that night for dinner though and her and Dick had separated from the others on patrol where he gave her his gift. She smiled a little at the memory. Then she remembered what they had been talking about.

“At least it’s mostly the scholarship kids at this ball, and their sponsors,” She paused. “I saw her.”

Dick stiffened. “She came then? Probably trying to avoid everyone. She doesn’t want to have to do with anything.”

“She’s eyeing you,” Barbara noted. “Glaring more like it.”

“She’s recognized me,” Dick grinned and laughed as Artemis glared harder from near the buffet table.

“She what?” Barbara whispered harshly.

“Not like that. From that picture I took with her the first day of school,” Dick told her.

Barbara nodded then grinned. “I should probably introduce myself too. C’mon!”

Dick laughed. Now this was how you made Galas fun. They found Artemis talking with Bette who smiled and waved them over when she saw them. Barbara put on a smile as Dick grinned mischeviously. Artemis narrowed her eyes when she saw him.

“Bette! So happy to see you,” Barbara said smiling. “I love your dress.”

“You too,” Bette smiled. “That color looks amazing on you. You haven’t met Artemis yet, have you?”

“No,” Barbara smiled. “Artemis? Like the Archer?”

Dick held back a snicker as Artemis blanched. “What?”

“The Greek goddess of the moon and archers,” Barbara explained with a straight face. “Among other things. It’s a cool name. Barbara, well it’s just old fashioned and annoying.”

“Don’t complain Babs,” Dick smiled charmingly. “You, Artemis and Bette are lucky. Old fashioned is being named Richard and called Dick.”

Artemis snorted as the other two girls giggled. Dick held out his hand. “Dick Grayson. Nice to meet you. It’s good to have someone new to hang out with at these things.”

Artemis looked confused. Bette took it on her to explain. “Galas, balls, whatever you want to call them. Dick is Bruce Wayne’s ward. He and his siblings get dragged to all of these things because of him.”

“And we get stuffed into these monkey suits and have to put up with all the annoying women flirting with Bruce and pretending to care about us too,” Dick agreed. “This is one of the better Galas. It’s the scholarship ball, you would know.”

Artemis crossed her arms. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Dick didn’t mean it like that. I’m a scholarship student too. Though I do have to go to most of these galas too because of my dad.”

“You dad?”

“Commissioner Gordon,” Bette answered. “And though Dick is Bruce’s ward people put him on the same level as the scholarship kids too. Even my family thinks so.”

“Let’s not pretend,” Dick rolled his eyes. “Your family hates Bruce. Well everyone except Kate. She’s cool.”

“Aunt Kate is the best,” Bette agreed. “But she’s still in the middle East for now. So the Kane’s will still keep hating on the Waynes. Especially you Dick.”

She said that last part jokingly but Dick laughed forcibly. “Right, because Bruce’s Grandma Kane loves that he adopted a bunch of kids of low class. The only one she likes is Tim.”

“Yeah. We know our relatives are power hungry,” Bette said. “But we’re boring Artemis!”

“Sorry,” Dick smiled.

“What are you apologizing for?” Artemis asked. “This conversation or something else?”

“That picture you mean,” Dick pulled out his phone waving it and smiled at her. “Sorry. I saw Bette making a new friend and wanted to annoy her. Seems like I succeeded in annoying you too.”

Bette scoffed rolling her eyes. Barbara elbowed Dick who rubbed his arms and glared at her playfully. Artemis watched, for a rich kid he didn’t seem so bad. And Commisioner Gordon was great from what Robin had said. She bet he would think his daughter was just as nice. Barbara looked at her with a smile. “So Artemis, tell us about yourself. Where are you from? What are your hobbies? Your old school, what was it like? That kind of stuff.”

Artemis blanched again and Barbara exchanged looks with Dick. Bruce was looking over at him and Dick smirked as he saw Bruce sigh giving up from chastising Dick about their identities when Cass pulled him out onto the dance floor. He saw Jason and Tim in the corner whispering and eating food.

Dick smiled at the sight. Jason’s protectiveness took over when people started to harass Tim wondering about Drake Enterprises or make comments to Cass. Then he’d occupy them. Most the time Dick and Barbara would join him but just this once they were doing something a little more important.

Artemis had stopped stuttering and was talking to Barbara. The two were getting along great though Babs still threw in small things that tripped Artemis up every once in a while with Dick’s help.

As for Bruce he’d stopped worrying about Dick giving up his identity accidently when Cass pulled him to dance. She’d started to learn watching videos. It was something that took the agility and grace she used for fighting but there was no violence in it. These few galas Bruce had enjoyed dancing with his daughter more than anything else.

For two songs they danced. Cass smiling wide as she twirled around the dance floor. The in a pause between the songs Bruce saw Dick gesturing for him to come over. Since his first charity ball whenever Dick wanted something he’d gesture for Bruce to come over. Much subtler than some of his other children’s tactics.

Bruce walked away from the dance floor and Cass let go to go run over to Jason and Tim pulling Jason to dance with her. He walked over to Dick with his Brucie façade still on.

“Artemis this is my well…. This is B,” Dick said smiling. He didn’t usually call Bruce dad in public. Since he wasn’t adopted and could be taken away by the state he felt it was a more private thing. He used the word more sparingly than Jason and Tim. “And this is Artemis Crock.”

“Yes, Artemis,” Bruce said slowly as if remembering. He held out a hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Are you enjoying the gala?”

“Um… yes?”

“She is now that we’re here,” Bette told him.

“Ahh, Bette. How are you? You parents are here too?”

“Just them,” Bette assured him. “Uncle Phillip and Uncle Solomon didn’t come.”

Bruce nodded. “Well I’m glad you’re all here enjoying yourselves. Hopefully this will be a last bit of fun before school starts getting harder.”

Dick snickered and Bruce looked at him confused before he felt something hit his shoulder. He saw a crumpled napkin hit the floor and sighed. Like Dick gestured for his attention at galas Jason threw things. Another thing hit his shoulder. Bruce sighed and turned from the four teens. “One second.”

“Wait, Bruce!” Dick held out the napkin uncrumpling it and Bruce looked at the note scribbled inside. It was Tim’s handwriting telling him to come over. He saw Cass’s name but couldn’t read much more. He looked at the two of him were Tim was writing frantically again as Jason stared at him.

Bruce looked at Dick. “I’m going to take care of your siblings. Cass is…”

Dick laughed. And Bruce huffed leaving coming over to where Jason was crumpling up Dick’s note and gearing to throw it looking up surprised when Bruce was standing right in front of him.

“Jason,” Bruce growled.

“Finally old man! Cass is gone again.”

“I’ll find her, but you will stop throwing things to get my attention. And no notes either Tim. If you want to talk to me you come and get me or be more subtle about it like Dick.”

“Right,” Jason grumbled as Bruce turned. “Be more like the golden boy.”

“Come on Jason!” Tim pulled on Jason’s arm. “Dick and Barbara aren’t with Bette and Artemis anymore. And I have to tell Babs about my project!”

Bruce was looking around for Cass. Something must of upset her. She hid when that happened and she couldn’t find him first. She seemed sure he would always find her. Though he wasn’t to annoyed with the excuse to get away from all the woman chasing Brucie.

As he searched for Cass he saw Artemis leaving with a relieved look on her face. Barbara was with his three sons nearby in a corner. Then he saw a flash of black under the white tablecloth nearby them.

Bruce looked around until no one was watching and ducked under the tablecloth with Cass. “Cass..”

“Hiding,” she signed.

“What happened?”

“More mean woman. Mean to me. Mean to Dick, Jason and Tim. You were gone.”

“I was with Dick and Barbara. I know the women are mean but they always are, what else did they do?”

“No dance. Not allowed.”

Bruce growled. This was a gala held by him. His daughter would dance all she wanted and no women would be able to say anything about it. “You can dance all you want Cass. And I still need to have a last dance. I’d prefer it be with you.”

Cass smiled and hugged him. Bruce grabbed her hand and ducked out from under the table. Cass came out with him and he dusted out her dress. She looked up at him smiling.

“Now Cassandra, may I have this dance?”

Chapter Text

Gotham

Year 2010

October 2nd

Jason is 11

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

Below Wayne Manor Jason and Tim were starting a new simulation spar as Bruce watched from his chair. Next to him was Cass lying on her stomach practicing reading on some evidence files looking up every so often to watch her brothers fight. Tim was practicing with a bo staff, a weapon that Bruce thought he worked well with. Jason was still using his fists and size, rather large for an eleven year old boy, to do what he needed to do.

Then the batcomputer lit up. Bruce paused. “Stop. Simulation.”

He turned to the screen to see Clark. “Look at your cameras in downtown metropolis. If this continues I’ll need all the help I can get.”

Bruce nodded as he heard Clark take off and the video shut off and he pulled up a new one. Large weed like plants were bursting out of Metropolis’s streets and wrapping themselves around buildings, smashing people and causing lots of destruction and mayhem. Superman used his laser vision to cut one in half and saved the people falling. John Stewart showed up and helped with his ring a moment later and the plants retreated.

“Giant plants?” Jason asked. “Poison Ivy?”

“No. She can’t do something that big,” Tim shook his head. “At least not usually.”

“Something or someone must be giving her a boost of power,” agreed Bruce.

“But why Metropolis and not Gotham?” Jason said. “I mean Ivy doesn’t have a grudge against the big guy in blue, does she?”

“Not that I know of. That must be whoever she’s working with,” Bruce nodded. “But something about those plants seems familiar.”

“The Kobra venom from Dick’s mission files.” Barbara dropped her bag. “Sorry I’m late for training.”

“Green Lantern,” Bruce said into his comm ignoring her. “Run an analysis with your ring for Kobra Venom and send me the results.”

Barbara turned to the boys and Cass. “Ivy?”

“With Kobra Venom.”

“They’re working together,” Jason said grimly.

“It’s Kobra Venom, a variant for plants,” Bruce said walking into the locker room of the cave. “I’m going to Mount Justice. I want to hear what the team thinks. This has to do with their missions. I want all of you ready. Just in case.”

“All of us?” Jason asked excitedly.

“Yes. Though you might need to stay here and help Alfred run communications Tim.”

Tim nodded seriously as Bruce disappeared through the zeta tube. They all exchanged glances then grabbed their suits disappearing into the locker rooms. Footsteps sounded on the stairs as Alfred came down with a tray of food. “Sandwhichs? Oh. I suppose there’s a mission.”

“A possible one,” Barbara said coming out.

“Not just possible anymore,” Tim said as he sat at the computer. “Look! The plants are everywhere!”

“There’s no way Ivy’s that strong, even with Kobra Venom in her plants. She can’t be in at least five cities!”

“As you said, she isn’t working alone,” Alfred commented as the screen went to static.

Barbara took a seat at the computer. “Someone’s cutting into all satellite signals.”

The Jokers face popped up through the static and all the kids recoiled. Alfred put a reassuring hand on Jason and Tim’s shoulders and watched the video as Barbara typed furiously trying to track it.

“Who?” Cass signed pointing at the screen. “Joker. Ivy.”

“Count Vertigo, he’s one of Green Arrow’s villians. Diplomatic immunity. He’s part of the ruling family of Vlatlava . Wotan and Black Adam.”

“Serious magic and power,” Jason agreed as Tim named the villians.

“And Atomic Skull and Ultra Humanite. Heavy fighters and some more serious power,” Barbara agreed. “The Injustice League. They’ve possibly been behind everything. But…”

“It doesn’t make sense,” Tim bit his lip.

“Why?” Jason asked confused. “A league of bad guys. Makes perfect sense to me.”

“Ivy’s the only real scientist. None of them would be able to do the other things like start Kobra Venom and hire the other villians. Most villians are reluctant to even work with Joker.” Barbara spun to turn to Alfred. “We need to go and help. Behind the scenes though. Tim, stay here and try to get in touch with Batman.”

“Already here. Captain Marvel and Zatara will be arriving in the city soon to help. But we’ll need all hands on deck. You three help civilians. Tim, start working on a weed killer for cobra venom, we’ll need it for the batplane.”

Barbara got on her motorcycle Cass behind her and Jason in a side car and they sped off. Tim started to work furiously as Alfred turned to Bruce. “What about this Injustice League?”

“This has been the team’s mission from the start,” Bruce said. “They need to be the ones to finish it.”

Alfred nodded though he seemed to be in protest and walked away as Tim ran up shoving a vial into Bruce’s hands. “Here!”

“Run comms with Alfred. Make sure the others stay out of sight,” Bruce said running down the hall into the Batplane’s hangar.

Red Hood watched from beside a gargoyle as Batman dropped weed killer on some plants and Captain Marvel pulled them out and flew them away. Then Zatara cast a spell but all that happened was the pods exploded Joker venom in gas and some firemen stumbled out of the cloud laughing until they were dead with smiles on their faces.

“There’s joker venom in the vines,” he said into the comms.

“Keep your antidotes’s handy,” ordered Batgirl as she pulled some civilians away from a vine that was smashing into a building. Black Bat wrapped her grappling hook around it and swung up placing exploding batarang’s on the plant and jumping off as it flailed and shrunk.

The three kids jumped away as it hit the ground looking around to help out. For a few hours they saved all the civilians they could making sure to keep out of the cameras and not be seen by too many. Then as the sky darkened their comms rung. Tim’s voice came throught. “Split up. We need people everywhere. Alfred has sent out the call to more heroes, Guy Gardner has already shown up in Star City and Plastic man has been sighted in Gotham. But we need you guys with the civilians.”

“Got it,” Barbara said. From their perch atop Wayne Tower they could see everything, like Batman flying over and Zatara spell casting. Zatara’s latest spell upset the plants and they flailed rising up and hitting the Batplane.

Black Bat gasped as a cloud of fire exploded. Red Hood scanned the sky pointing. “He’s there! Gliding!”

“Yeah, but that man isn’t,” Batgirl shot her grappling hook going to catch a man who was falling from being hit into the air but the angry plant. She was too late and he fell to the ground only to be bounced off a trampoline shaped Plastic Man. She sighed in relief before disappearing back into the shadows. She could only hope Robin and his team put a stop to this soon.

Her wish was granted when a few minutes later all the plants flailed and collapsed. She heard Robin’s voice through the Justice League comm channel. “Timber.”

“Help anyone who still needs help,” Batman’s voice ordered through the private channel for the Bats. “We’re going to make sure the team is alright.”

Batgirl nodded though she was smiling. Behind her Red Hood was cheering and pumping his fist as he danced around with Black Bat. Robin had done it. Now they just needed to clean up.

In the Lousiana Bayou Robin twitched as he was hit by Wotan’s lightning and the same happened to his team mates around him. He saw Aqualad intercept it and tell Miss Martian is was time for plan B. Above the bioship flew and opened dropping a bag. Robin gasped as the lightning stopped and Aqualad turned into Dr. Fate putting Wotan in chains.

“Wotan. You are mine.”

“Wonder Boy. You are mine,” Joker mimicked as Robin stood up. He pulled out a knife then another then sliced. Robin leapt backwards, harder when you were walking through swamp water. He flipped again as Joker swiped where he had been seconds before with a knife. “Always wanted to carve this bird.”

Joker ran forward again and Robin had no choice but to leap again slightly slipping in the swampy water. Behind him Kid Flash and Artemis took out Poison Ivy and Count Vertigo saving Miss Martian in the process. He saw them talking for a second but saved the gloating and teasing for when he wasn’t fighting a deranged clown. Then both of them went down with Wolf from Ultra Humanite’s hit.

Robin dodged Joker’s hit again only to see a batarang knock the knives out of his hands and the League descending from the sky. Batman was flying on Green Lantern’s platform and landed in front of him and the Injustice League.

He’d seen Dr. Fate as they were flying in and his eyes had frantically searched to assure him it wasn’t Robin under the helmet. He’d seen the boy wonder fighting the Joker and though he knew he was capable of winning he took Joker out himself. For now his panic was assuaged. Robin was safe. He turned to the Injustice League. “It’s over.”

They put their hands up and Count Vertigo smirked. “There will be another day.”

“Another day? Another day?” Joker yelled. “There won’t be another day! Not for any of us.”

He wiggled his fingers and plants rose. Batman realized what was happening too late as the Joker Venom exploded in gas. He yelled. “Joker Venom spores! Don’t breath!”

He punched a still laughing Joker in the face and went for his gas mask seeing Robin doing the same. Then above him a golden light glowed as Dr. Fate flew in and all the gas disappeared.

“Fear not! Fate has intervened!”

Soon the villians were handcuffed and Fate had landed. Kid Flash was pacing shaking the arm that wasn’t in a sling. “What were you thinking? How could you let him put on the helmet? Nabu will never release him now. Kaldur will be trapped inside Dr. Fate forever.”

Batman looked around at Robin thankfully and felt Green Arrow’s hand on his arm. He pushed it off feeling relief Robin was there and a slight regret for not feeling worse about Kaldur. The Atlantian had proved a good leader and hero, Batman had started to like him as well as the rest of the team, but at the same time he was only thankful it wasn’t Robin wearing the Helmet.

Then Fate pulled off the helmet turning back into Aqualad. Kid Flash approached him. “Nabu let you go?”

“He almost did not. But your friend Kent was most helpful. He says hello.”

Kid Flash grinned but Batman stiffened wanting to get Robin as far away from the helmet as possible. It didn’t have a host anymore. He decided to focus on something else. “We’re done here. The super villain secret society has been neutralized. As for your performance….

He paused looking around at all of the team before ending with his gaze on Robin. “It was satisfactory.”

Back at the Batcave still grinning he looked at Bruce. “Satisfactory B? That’s the best you have for us? C’mon Dad!”

“Your team did well Dick. As for the giant plants, don’t think I didn’t recognize the signs of destruction on them or hear your little comment when they came down.”

Dick blushed. “Thanks. But we all would’ve died if it wasn’t for Kaldur and Fate.”

“You understand how dangerous that helmet is, right?”

“We all do. And Wally and Kaldur both put it on when there was no other choice.”

“I just need you to promise me chum,” Bruce looked at him. “Please.”

“Yeah,” Dick said confused. “I promise. Wh—”

His question was interrupted as Tim hugged him. “You did it!”

“Fighting the Injustice League and saving most of the world? A days work for the golden boy.” Jason’s tone wasn’t teasing though. He was grinning as well.

“Yeah? Well I bet you guys did some pretty awesome stuff as well. Saved people from this disaster. Heavy on the dis.”

Cass nodded and Jason shrugged trying to be nonchalant. “Yeah. Though it wasn’t as bad as your made up words.”

Barbara rolled her eyes. “So, the Injustice League, tell us about it?”

“You don’t have to go home?”

“My dad knows I was here and the roads are semi wrecked. I’m sleeping over,” she explained.

“Great!” Dick grinned. “PJs and Hot chocolate.”

“You all need a real dinner as well. Master Dick can tell his story then. After straight to bed,” Alfred said. “You’ve all had a rather long and exciting day.”

Bruce watched the five kids scamper upstairs and walked after them. He listened to Dick tell what had happened over dinner and listened to the others talk about fighting the plants here in Gotham. And for a while his worry went away, they were all safe and sitting here. He sighed and walked back into the office and paced looking at the rest of the League’s reports to hear the kids laughter echoing in his ears.

An hour later Alfred came in with a cup of coffee. “The children are all upstairs in their beds. Miss Barbara has taken her usual room.”

Bruce looked up and sighed. “Thanks Alfred. I think there’s no need for patrol tonight either. It’s too late. I’ll be going to sleep soon as well.”

Alfred nodded and left the room. Bruce took a sip of his coffee and looked at the files in front of him again. A minute later he put them down. He walked upstairs and opened the first door. Cass’s. Her light was off, though her Ballerina nightlight illuminated the other posters of people dancing Ballet. She was tucked under her yellow and blue blankets with her even breath making them rise up and down.

He closed the door and opened the one to the guest room around the hall corner that Barbara usually used. She was covered in purple blankets and her red hair was pulled back in a pony tail. Her back was to him but he smiled as he walked out. She was as much a part of the family as the others, even though she didn’t live here and wasn’t officialy part of the family though he had his suspicions she might be someday.

Next was Jason’s room across the hall. It was a mess, with several books stacked by his bed and another laid out across his stomach. His messy hair was stretched across the pillow. Bruce pulled the book off his bed and pulled a bookmark from the mug nearby to put in it. He stepped on something that made a sound as he walked out but Jason was such a deep sleeper it didn’t matter.

Tim, however, moved in his bed when Bruce opened the door. He pulled the green sheets over him as he did. Bruce smirked at all the messy notebooks and crumpled papers. Tim wanted to be a detective, and he was already mostly there.

That left the last room Dick’s. Bruce opened the door, rolled his eyes at the Superman sweatpants as soon as he saw Dick in them. The huge bed and blue covers were mostly filled by the spread eagled Dick. He always slept in different positions, Bruce was never sure how he’d find Dick asleep. His room was decorated with different posters, a flying Grayson one, a Justice League one and other pictures on his nightstand.

He was safe. He was here.

Chapter Text

Hall of Justice

Year 2010

October 16th

Jason is 11

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

“Artemis is down,” Martian Manhunter said as his eyes glowed in the center of the circle of children all lying on beds.

“She should be waking up then,” Captain Marvel commented worriedly.

“Give it a few minutes.”

“No. She will not wake,” J’onn argued to Red Tornado’s comment. “M’gann has wrestled the simulation out of my control. Seeing her friend die must have traumatized her too deeply and she has forgotten it was not real. The others feel the same. When they fall they will not wake. Not until M’gann realizes this is all in her mind.”

“Can you fix it?” Batman said urgently.

“I will try and enter the simulation now,” J’onn agreed as he got on the last empty bed. “Wish me luck.”

----------------------------------------------------------

“They’re really gone,” Robin said looking up at the crumbled statues around him of the League, the world’s defenders and his family. He hadn’t believed it until now. Hadn’t let it get to him, or even react to it as he watched Batman shot out of the sky. His father was gone along with Uncle Clark and then all the rest of his Aunts and Uncles who’d gone as the first line in space.

There was still hope while Barry sped around but then he’d disappeared in a flash with Iris’s’ screams stopped not long after. Dick knew if Bruce and Alfred weren’t able they were lined up as his siblings next guardians. The same thing with Dinah and Ollie. But all of them were gone in a single day.

At least Alfred was probably still around. He would take care of them. He wouldn’t let any of them outside. The others were probably safe for now, he would check soon, he would call. He just hoped they hadn’t heard about Bruce yet. They’d all lost too much.

But maybe that was why he was able to keep going as Wally screamed for revenge and M’gann cried her heart out on her Uncle’s statue. He knew what loss was like. He knew he needed to keep moving, keep going, defend the world first and grieve later. That’s what Bruce would do.

Then suddenly M’gann shot up. With a large blast of her mind she pulled her Uncle’s fallen statue revealing the Martian manhunter sitting rubbing his head. She cried his name and tried to race forward.

“Uncle J’onn!”

Robin echoed the same words in his mind. One of them was still there. He hadn’t left all of them yet. Then Aqualad’s words to M’gann as he leapt in front of her reminded him that he couldn’t let his emotions blind him.

“M’gann! Check his mind. Make sure he is whom he appears to be.”

“It’s him. He’s real. And he’s alive!”

She wasn’t wary at all though Robin’s guard was back up. Apparently the other’s were too. Something was strange here. It wasn’t right. Conner was the first to voice it. “But we saw you get disintegrated. You and Superman. And everyone. ”

“Yes. I remember,” J’onn said rubbing his head as M’gann helped him up. “But I cannot remember how I survived. Or how I arrived here. ”

‘Yep,’ Robin decided as his detective senses tingled. Something was definitely up. He observed as M’gann theorized though his optimism wouldn’t let him completely give up. Maybe she was right. He voiced that opinion that the martian’s brain was scrambled. He wasn’t confident but the convinced act would pass for now.

He would try not to raise his hopes, even as Wally dragged him outside to observe the beams and their signals theorizing that everyone had been transported as prisoners of war. But he knew better even if he wanted to join M’gann and Wally in their hopes. Alfred and Bruce always said not to put all your eggs in one basket.

----------------------------------------------------------

“Aqualad is down as well,” Batman said grimly. Robin was still there. His bird would step up as team leader in a situation Batman never wanted him to be in. But the teenager had no clue this wasn’t real and Batman all but wished this training idea hadn’t been either.

----------------------------------------------------------

As they arrived back at the cave he was feeling less ready, but still more determined when he realized Aqualad wasn’t there. J’onn was too confused to make any big decisions. M’gann was too naïve, Wally too headstrong and emotional and Sueprboy too ready to jump in. He needed to step up, something he didn’t think would happen for several more years. But he’d been trained for this since he was seven. With one more deep breath he started to give the orders for a mission he realized his friend might not return from.

He’d be like Batman. He’d give the mission and give them one of the reasons for it, even if he suspected the one the others wanted to believe in would lead them nowhere. But taking out the mothership would probably stop them, let the rest of the world survive, let his siblings and family survive. If Superboy was the one cost then it might be necessary, no matter how much he hated it. He’d do it himself if he could, but he also needed to get back to the rest of the people who needed him.

A time frame was laid out. Plans were made as well as strategies. They couldn’t give up now. Neither could of the rest of the world. But Robin had too much to do and couldn’t broadcast the signal in different languages by himself. He’d gone in silence for too long to.

“Robin to batcave.”

“Master Dick,” came Alfred’s very relieved voice. “Thank god you are alright.”

“For now,” he agreed then took a deep breath. “The others? Have they seen what happened? Are they out there?”

“Miss Gordon was sent her by her father. She tried to go back out but he would not have anyone fighting out there. He said he believed Batman wouldn’t want it. The others have seen. They are afraid and in shock but shall be happy to know you are safe.”

“I’m happy you’re all safe too,” Robin said with a deep breath. “I’ll try to stay safe Alfred but we’re the only ones left. I need to go out there. I’m the only one left to lead the team. Roy, Zatanna, some friends of Kaldur and one other teen hero we found are here to pick up if we fall. I need you to keep the others from doing the safe, until there’s no choice. Keep them safe.”

“I will Master Dick. Keep yourself safe as well,” Alfred said.

“I’ll try. Can I talk to Barbara?”

“Dick! Thank god you’re all right,” Barbara’s voice came over teary. She sounded sadder then he’d ever heard. “After what happened to Bruce…”

“I know. But we’re not out of this yet.”

“I tried to come help. Dad sent me to the manor. The rest of Gotham has retreated to a bunker. We’ll join soon and bring our supplies. Until then the Rogues have decided they want to live and put up a fight.”

“It’s happened before,” Robin told her. “Now we need to tell the rest of the world to do the same.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’re sending out a message. The ones that are left, Wally, M’gann, Conner and me. I need you to broadcast it. I’m sending you something else too. Watch it with the others in case I don’t come back.”

“Dick…”

“Stay away and stay safe. They need you. I’ll try to come home but I’m depending on you. We need this to work and I can’t focus if you’re out there to,” Dick said. “I can’t lose anyone else.”

“You won’t,” Barbara replied though she didn’t sound like she believed it. Then with a deep breath and through the tears Dick could hear falling as she cried she tried a shaky smile. “Now get back to work wonder boy. We have a world to save.”

“Babs… I…”

“Robin,” Wally came racing in then paused apologetically seeing he was on comms. “It’s time.”

“Goodbye Babs.”

A few hours later Robin stood from a vantage point he’d known from trips with Clark to Smallville. Trips he’d never have again. Ma and Pa’s farm was under the mothership right now, destroyed. Like the rest of it. It was his duty to let nothing else happen.

M’gann seemed to sense his confliction as she walked up. He put down the binoculars. “Stay close to J’onn. He’s still..”

Robin shook his hand to signal the martian was a bit shaky. M’gann nodded seriously and with one deep breath Robin stepped into the boots he’d never actually thought he’d need to fill.

As he’d taken off on Wally’s back it felt like all the games they used to play racing around cackling at the same time it felt like nothing else before. Especially once M’gann collapsed again confirming he’d just sent Conner to his death. And J’onn stated what he’d known but hadn’t wanted to say all along. They were all gone.

Wally was holding on to J’onn desperately saying that he knew Artemis was alive. Robin grabbed him turning him to face him. He’d wanted Wally to confront his feelings, but not like this. Never like this. “Stop it KF! I’ve been scanning for League and team signals since we got inside. They’re not here. Artemis is gone.”

He watched Wally’s face fall with betrayal and pain as he continued revealing what he’d planned since Aqualad’s fall. “But our mission still holds purpose to destroy this mothership.”

M’gann got up and he turned around ready to lead them into a final battle. They’d run in, him and Wally heading for the core before it’s energy dragged him in Wally grabbing his hand and meeting his eyes signaling no matter what they were still the best of friends, in this together.

They fell together too, though Robin managed to catch an edge with his grappling hook. Now Wally hang on to him as M’gann lowered them down and he dropped in the explosives.

“You knew. You knew from the beginning why we were really here,” Wally voiced realizing this might be his last chance.

Robin wanted to respond but there was no time. They were on a mission. He needed to concentrate. Everything else had to be put aside. “Four minutes. Let’s go.”

Together they’d run out only to see all the doors shut making them sealed in. The alien robots had approached and started shooting just as they’d hid around a corner. Robin looked at his watch and took a breath.. “Sixteen seconds and counting.”

But the others still had a chance. “Manhunter. Take Miss Martian and go.”

“No, we won’t leave you.”

“That’s an order,” Robin said with a tone of finality he’d never known he could use. He gave he one last lie, one last push to make sure she was safe. Like Bruce would. The others always got out first. Whatever it took to carry on. Truth and lies were all it was. “We’ll follow as soon as we blow those doors.”

This was it. He met Wally’s eyes apologetically. His best friend nodded as the last ten seconds counted down and M’gann disappeared with Manhunter. This was it. They were in it together no matter what. He drew his birdarangs ready for a last five second fight.

----------------------------------------------------------

“That was Superboy,” Red Tornado said after another few minutes. Another few seconds and Kid Flash and Robin reacted similiarly.

“No. Not Wally too,” Captain Marvel said rushing over to the side of the redhead he idolized.

“J’onn will complete the mission,” Batman said with a confidence he didn’t have. “They’ll all wake soon.”

“What will they be thinking when they do?” Red Tornado let the question hang in the air..

Chapter Text

Batman almost sighed with relief along with the other mentors as Martian Manhunter sat up and rubbed his head. Conner had been next, rubbing Wolf for comfort in his confusion. Captain Marvel supported Wally as he stumbled off the table and Red Tornado helped Artemis sit up.

Aqualad had gotten up himself as Batman helped J’onn stand straight. He looked over to Robin, the last to sit up as even M’gann had snapped up faster than he with panicked breath. “You’re all alive!”

The thirteen year old was now sitting up and sweating heavily. Batman sent him a worried glance before looking at J’onn. “What happened in there?”

“The exercise, it all went wrong.”

Robin looked at his mentor confused and almost panicked. It couldn’t have been fear gas. They wouldn’t have used that term. What training was this? “Exercise?”

“Try to remember. What you experienced was a training exercise. Manhunter psychically linked the six of you within an artificial reality. You all knew this going in. What you didn’t know was that it was a train for failure exercise. No matter what he team accomplished the scenario was designed to grow worse.”

“Still, you were aware nothing was real including the deaths of the entire Justice League,” Batman said planting his gaze on Robin as the boy’s eyes flashed with realization a little of the guilt falling away. He hadn’t been upset for a reason. He’d known it was fake.

J’onn continued. “That is why you hardly grieved even when Wolf was disintegrated before your eyes. But all that changed when Artemis died.”

Batman watched the children’s reactions carefully as J’onn continued his explanation. It was clear they were all traumatised. They were reacting in different ways but it was still clear they had been scarred. Even Artemis who hadn’t even been aware of the simulation when M’gann took control looked haunted, let alone Robin who wouldn’t meet his eyes.

He also couldn’t help but notice Wally’s eyes flickering over to Artemis several times. That might at least stop some of his teenage ward’s complaining about oblivious best friends.

Most worrying was M’gann. As J’onn explained he realized his assessment of the Martian girl hadn’t been through enough. She was probably the most powerful telepath alive, he realized as J’onn collapsed again just with enough time for Batman and Red Tornado to catch him.

“As bad as all that?”

“Perhaps worse.”

He barely paid attention the rest of the conversation to focused on the crying Martian girl in Captain Marvel’s arms and the rest of the teams traumatized looks. He looked back at Red Tornado and J’onn.

“We should get them home. They need to process before anything. Call their mentors. Black Canary for Superboy. She should be available for the next few days too. They need her for counseling.”

“I have sent out a signal,” Red Tornado said.

As proof Flash appeared through the Zeta tube seconds later to see his nephew hanging with his head low. He turned to the other adults angrily. “What happened?”

After a quick explanation the Flash walked over to Wally. “C’mon kid. Let’s get you home. You can have all the ice cream you want tonight and I’m sure Iris has something special ready for dinner.”

Wally nodded softly getting up before looking back at Robin with a frown and a look to talk later and an even quicker look at Artemis before quickly turning away. “Yeah. That sounds good.”

The next to appear were Green Arrow and Black Canary. Martian Manhunter explained again. Black Canary made an attempt to go closer to Conner but he shook his head as he stroked Wolf. She’d leave the clone for now then as she learned more about what happened.

Green Arrow talked softly to Artemis before nodding back at Black Canary. “I’m taking her back home and telling her mom about what happened.”

Artemis had looked at M’gann and took a step forward before retreating. “Okay. Let’s go.”

Aquaman had arrived in the meantime and gotten an explanation from Black Canary. “A swim will do you well Kaldur. We will talk as we travel from Poseidonis to Shayeris.”

“Yes my king. I agree.”

Batman turned to Red Tornado, Martian Manhunter and Black Canary. “You’ve got them?”

“Go home,” Dinah told him.

“Robin.”

“Yeah,” Robin said pushing himself up. “Let’s go.”

------------------------------------------

“Yes!” cheered Jason. “They’re finally back!”

He ran up to meet his older brother and father only to see the expressions on both of their faces. “Whoa, who died?”

“Not now Jason.”

“Seriously,” Jason insisted. “What happened?”

“Dick, go change and shower. I’ll be in your room in a few minutes. Alfred, do you think—“

“I shall have some tea and some of Master Dick’s other favorites ready momentarily, “ the butler said disappearing up the stairs after the eerily silent oldest child.

“What’s wrong?” Tim asked quietly.

“Dick is scared. He feels upset. Like he hurt someone,” Cass signed. “I don’t like it.”

“I don’t either,” Bruce agreed. “This wasn’t supposed to happen but a training simulation went wrong. None of you are to ask him about it. If he wants to talk he will but what happened would scar anyone, even the toughest leaguers. It was a train for a fail situation but Miss Martian took control subconsciously and all their awareness of it being fake disappeared.”

“He thought he saw you die,” Jason realized.

“He thought he saw the league, team and most of the world die. And he led them through a good part of it,” Bruce said. “Aqualad was the second to go.”

“He did good at that though,” Tim insisted. “Dick is a good leader! He’s the best older brother. He knows how to do it.”

“Not through something like that,” Bruce told them. He crouched to get on his children’s level. “I don’t even know what really happened in most of that simulation. I just know your brother needs time. I’m asking you to give it to him. You know him. Read him. If he asks you to leave him alone you will.”

All three children nodded readily as Bruce stood up. “Good. Now I’m going to change and talk to Dick. There’s no patrol tonight. Barbara will take care of it. Tim, Jason I want you both to make sure homework is finished. The same with your assignments for today Cass. Then you can do what you’d like. Quietly.”

The children scattered and were gone as Bruce came back out minutes later in sweats to head upstairs straight to his eldest son’s room. Alfred was coming out with an empty tray as he entered.

“Hey chum.”

Dick looked up from the cookies and hot chocolate that were before him. He didn’t really meet Bruce’s eyes. Bruce took a seat next to him. “I’m not going to ask if you’re okay. Your team went through a lot today. I’m just going to tell you I’m here to talk when you’re ready.”

“Thanks,” Dick said running his thumb along the rim of his mug.

“You all watched as you lost everything. You don’t have to be okay. It’s alright to cry.”

“I’m not going to cry Bruce. I’ve lost everything before, I’ve watched it happen to you and everyone anytime I go under fear gas.”

“But this felt more real,” Bruce stated calmly.

“Not really. Even this time I knew that something was wrong. I felt it. The second J’onn arrived I realized. It’s not the same feeling as fear gas. That makes it all feel blurry, you’re frozen then, unable to do anything.” Dick looked up and took a deep breath. “Here it felt so real. But something was wrong. I didn’t feel upset. Not like I should.”

“Dick..”

“I didn’t mourn you Bruce. Maybe I was in shock or didn’t believe it. But I focused on the mission. So much I lied to my already grieving friends. I knew what I was doing Bruce. I went into it and I sacrificed them all. How are they ever going to forgive me?”

“If they’re your friends they will. The League has gotten mad at me many times for the calls I’ve made. Most the time they work out. But there will be times that it won’t. You just need to have faith that it’ll work. Your team will have to trust you, they’ll have to trust you made the decision for the best. “

Dick nodded. “I don’t know how it all felt so real but so fake. You all died in front of my eyes Bruce and I didn’t do a thing about it.”

“You got up and continued. You put everything else in front of you. You know people react in many ways. You don’t need to feel upset about that. You put the world first. Your team will forgive that and eventually so will you.”

Dick nodded and faked a yawn not meeting Bruce’s eyes again. “I think I need some rest.”

“Good night Dick. Just remember, I’m here if you need me,” Bruce said as he left shutting off the light. Dick sighed and turned over. No nightmares plagued him. Not like his friends. Instead the guilt ate away at him.

The difference was noticeable. He pushed around his cereal the next morning instead of eating it. Jason exchanged a worried look with Tim as Bruce watched with a frown. Cass’s eyebrows furrowed. The way she read bodies knew she knew how to read emotions much better than most others. But she didn’t know how to help.

It was five days before Bruce decided something needed to be done. Dick was back to acting normally at home. Mostly that was. With his siblings everything seemed fine but he had distanced himself from Bruce making him wonder what exactly had happened in that simulation.

With another look over recent footage showing the team barely talking even when they spent several afternoons in the cave Bruce made a decision and called Black Canary. She was a licensed therapist though she didn’t practice outside the League and hero world. She’d helped with Dick before. She could help the whole team now.

On the day that he had arranged for them to start meeting with her Bruce arrived in the cave a half an hour later than Robin to see Red Tornado, Captain Marvel and Martian Manhunter observing the security footage of the team.

“How are they?”

“I am still shaken by what you and I wrought. One can only imagine how these youths fare.”

“I know our virtual reality training simulation went badly. But I’d hoped the team would have rallied by now.”

“Trauma tends to linger, as I know you know, my friend,” J’onn said. Batman grumbled leveling a glare at the martian. The martian didn’t always have the best people skills but saying that hadn’t been the best thought. Trauma lingered but people moved on. Why hadn’t the kids?

He sighed and decided to move on. “Black Canary?”

“She has her work cut out for her.”

Batman turned to look once more of the footage of the team and couldn’t help but hum in agreement. He interacted with all of these children more than most the League. He knew how to handle children better than most at this point having several himself now. And he’d like to say he knew the team pretty well too.

In fact reading the reports and talking with Black Canary later nothing surprised him. Wally was one of the easiest to figure out though he’d let Dinah talk it through with the boy. The speedster was in shock and denial. He’d forgiven Dick for the call he’d made. His own death hadn’t been what affected him. Rather it was Artemis’s and the false hope he’d given himself after that she was still there. Bruce was just thankful he didn’t have to deal with feelings and romance with Dick yet. He didn’t pity Barry once Wally realized what everyone else knew.

Kaldur was also easy to figure out. He’d had several one on one talks with the Atlantian as team leader. But being a leader and leaving your team on a mission like the one they had just thought they had experienced was not easy. It wasn’t an easy burden to lead a team. He’d thought to save the others and sacrifice himself but it wasn’t the way to end the battle and therefore he thought himself guilty for putting the others through the fight without a leader, for leaving it on the youngest’s shoulders to make the calls he couldn’t.

He hadn’t gotten a good read on Artemis yet but from what Oliver said the girl was afraid to ask and therefore open up. She shielded herself from emotion and sharing with her friends. She was scared of their judgment.

M’gann was easy to figure out. She was scared of herself. She was feeling guilty and she couldn’t help but feel everyone else’s pain. But she was too scared to do anything or even say anything even knowing the others didn’t blame her. Batman didn’t know what exactly it was the girl was hiding but he didn’t think she was a real threat, even with all her power.

Superboy had been one of the simplest reads. He had anger issues, that was more than clear. He’d been to happy to go forward and help the world. He hadn’t seemed traumatised by what happened but rather something else. Just afraid of what he’d actually felt, and therefore guilt. The teen just didn’t know how to express that except through anger. When he’d left on his sphere and dropped his comm Batman had known what he needed to do with a sigh.

What the clone needed was someone who understood. He needed someone to listen, to help with his anger, and what he needed most of all was to feel needed, wanted. He’d take him in himself but Cass was still adjusting. He had no room for another teen with such issues right now, no matter how much he wanted to help.

For now he’d let Black Canary take care of it. He’d let her do her role as the team’s mother for all of them. Except for Robin. He’d just been confused as to what to do for his oldest child and when Black Canary sat down with him after he hadn’t found it any more clear.

“Dick was one of the easiest to talk to,” she’d said. “Maybe because he knows me and has done this before. He opened up easily enough.”

“What can I do to help him?”

“From what he said you’ve already talked to him,” Dinah said with a raised eyebrow.

“He told me he was scared for not feeling when we died and for what the team would think of his choices.”

“He might have been but right now I think he’s a bit more scared of what he thinks of those choices. Dick was forced into the shoes of leader, a place he’s been preparing to take for a long time. I think being there might have scared him.”

“Dick’s wanted to lead the team for a long time,” Bruce said confused.

“I can’t tell you everything. He expressedly asked that I didn’t. But just make sure he isn’t pressured to fill anyone’s shoes or do anything. There’s a lot of expectations on him. There always have been. I think he’s finally realizing he doesn’t have to live up to them, or even try to if he doesn’t want too.”

“You think I’ve been putting to much pressure on him?”

“I think you should make sure you let him know that you want him to be him. That you trust him to make those choices, even if he isn’t ready to be leader you trust him to take a lead in his own life.”

“I will.”

---------------------------------

Dick had gone home long before Bruce after Superboy returned with his new improved super cycle. His mentor had stayed to figure that out and talk with the others there and he’d returned home. The others were in the cave when he did, Barbara was already dressed for patrol and within minutes he had been too, ready to join her.

It was a quiet night. He’d sat with her on the ledge of one of their favorite building looking over the city when he had a big sigh. “Babs?”

“Yeah?” she asked surprised. Dick had been unusually quiet this week. She’d known what happened. Bruce had informed her after she’d done patrol herself that first night after the failed exercise and the two days after when Dick hadn’t come had told her more. He’d barely talked to her at school either.

And then suddenly there was a flood of words. Dick was taking everything off his chest and asking her to listen, to tell him what to do. She’d always tried to be there for her friend and most the time she could sympathize but now she had almost no clue what to do. But Dick needed her and so she’d do what she could.

---------------------------------

Robin had arrived back and peeled the mask off his face to see Bruce working at the computer. He felt considerably better since talking to Barbara. He always did. He should have tried it since the beginning.

Bruce seemed to notice that he was feeling better too. He’d stopped typing and closed the files to turn and face Dick. “How was patrol?”

“Quiet. Babs and I sat at our spot for a bit to watch.”

“Good. I’m glad you’re feeling better,” Bruce said picking up on things in the special way no one else could. “But we still need to talk.”

“I’m fine now.”

“You said that before. And from what Canary said none of you or your teammates are exactly fine.”

“I’m better,” Dick amended.

“We still need to talk.”

“She didn’t tell you anything, did she?” asked Dick frantically.

“Not specifics. But she told me I should talk to you and made me realize a few things. I messed up with you the other night. I might have been messing up for a while.”

“What are you talking about?” Dick scowled. “You’re the best. I couldn’t ask for a better Dad.”

“I’m glad you think that. I can still mess up though. I need you to know I’m not perfect. I never have been.”

“Trust me. I know B,” Dick said with an eyeroll.

“Good. Because that means you don’t have to try and be perfect either. You don’t have to try and be like me or anyone else but yourself. I don’t want you to feel like you have to do anything to make me happy except be happy yourself. You don’t even have to be Robin if you don’t want too.”

“What? Of course I want to be Robin,” Dick protested.

“If that makes you happy then you can be Robin as long as you want. But being Robin has meant there’s a lot of expectations for you. So does being Dick Grayson. And I’m realizing I might have made you feel like you needed to meet them, no matter how much you hate them.”

“I don’t…..”

“You don’t have to be a hero, join the league or run the team to make me proud. Nor do you have to get the top grades and become one of the leading members in Wayne Enterprises. I just want you to do what makes you happy. That’s what will make me proud.”

“Even if I joined the League of Assasins?”

“That might not make me proud. But I’d still love you.”

“I wouldn’t. And I do want to be a hero and I still want to join the league and be a leader. I just know I’m not ready to yet, and that when I do it I’ll be doing it my way, not yours,” Dick said the last part and winced.

“I wouldn’t have you do it any other way.”

“Good. Because I especially won’t be joining Wayne Enterprises. Could you imagine me walking around in a suit all day going to board meetings? I have no clue how you do it.”

“I honestly don’t either.”

Dick smiled at that before becoming serious again. “I don’t know what Black Canary said but she was right. You both were. I needed to hear that.”

Bruce sighed in relief but Dick was still talking.

“I’ve wanted to be like you for a long time Bruce but I don’t think I can. I’ll still do all the hero stuff and that but I won’t be sacrificing my team or lying to them. Not if I don’t have too. I trust them.”

“You should. And you never had to try and be like me chum. All I want is for you to be you and to be happy.”

Dick nodded before hugging Bruce. “Dad?”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks.”

Chapter Text

Wayne Manor

Gotham

Year 2010

October 31st

Jason is 11

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

“You’re sure you don’t want to come to Happy Harbor tonight?” Wally asked. Dick was talking with him over a video conference and could see the older boy dressed as a werewolf.

“Nah. I already said I wasn’t. Plus we’re going trick or treating. Bruce made sure that Arkham has closed doors right now.”

Wally looked skeptical at that. “You’re sure?”

“It’s Cass’s first time trick or treating. And I promised. Babs is coming too.”

“Fine. I hope there’s candy at this dance then. I mean we’re a bit too old for trick or treating but I miss the snacks.”

‘You’re not running over here and getting mine.”

Wally groaned. “Fine.”

“Tell M’gann I’m sorry I can’t come. And thank Supey again for the shirt.”

Wally looked down at Dick and snorted. “What? Bruce wouldn’t let you dress up as Superman again?”

Dick glared. He’d done it when he was nine and maybe another year. Bruce wouldn’t let him be Batman but had regretted that decision when Dick had gone as Superman instead. Hopefully he wouldn’t be too upset that Dick had borrowed Superboy’s shirt. It was an easy costume and he hadn’t had a lot of time with everything the team was doing and making sure all the villians were away in Arkham before Halloween.

“Shut it. I thought about going as Harry Potter or something but this was easier.”

“Why Harry Potter? Is Babs going as Ginny?”

Dick glared again. “No. Don’t you have to get to the cave?”

“Right. I have my own redhead to get too!”

Dick rolled his eyes not believing that Wally still hadn’t managed to catch on. “Talk to you later then.”

He looked in the mirror again and mussed up his hair hoping it made him look a little more like Superboy. He usually didn’t wear his hair messy in public but no one would think to look for Robin wearing a superboy shirt.

Downstairs the house was decorated and Alfred was setting up the bowls of candy by the door for trick or treating. Full-sized. Dick knew it would be heavily guarded so he couldn’t snatch any. Jason was getting a disappointed look right now for trying.

His younger brother was dressed up as Zuko from Avatar the Last Airbender. His eye looked very realistically burned thanks to Alfred and the way Jason was yelling right now Dick could almost believe he was the character.

“You’ll get candy when you go tick or treating.”

“Yeah. But we’re the only house that gives full size bars.”

“If there’s any when your return you may have some then.”

Jason seemed to be skeptical of this but was distracted when Clark and Bruce walked out of the office. Clark paused for a moment upon seeing Dick then sighed. “Oh. It’s just you Dick.”

“Yeah. Connor let me borrow one of his shirts.”

“Didn’t want to be Superman again?”

Bruce glared at Clark upon that question and Dick did too. “No.”

Clark winced. The family had been unusually rude to him since the discovery of Superboy though they were at least talking to him now. “I just came to check and see how the pumpkins turned out.”

Every year the Waynes got pumpkins from the Kent farm. Clark delivered them and Dick had carved one every year he lived in the manor. It got more messy since he had siblings. Jason had started to throw the guts at Tim and when Dick had told him to stop he’d also gotten some thrown at him. There had been an all out pumpkin gut fight in the end with all of them covered in the gunk in the end. Alfred hadn’t been too happy cleaning that up.

The pumpkins were a huge part of the decorations they’d put up over the last few days. There were fake spiderwebs and skeletons on the lawn as well as some graves. Dick and Jason had taken some of the bat poop and put them their to make it especially real, not that Alfred or Bruce knew. They had caught them trying to take some of the bats outside. That hadn’t worked out.

Cass came over then and pulled Clark over to see her pumpkin. She’d gone for a simple scary face. “It’s looks nice. Almost as good as you.”

Cass beamed at Clark’s compliment and twirled in her ballerina dress. She’d been wanting to learn for a while since Barbara had told her about dancing. The other girl had danced before she’d gotten more into gymnastics and martial arts. Bruce was smiling down at her too and he knew Cass would get her wish for dancing lessons soon enough.

“What did you carve Jason?”

“A skeleton.”

“I did a bat! And a cat!” Tim said excitedly as he came in with Ace. The dog was dressed as the Starship enterprise. Tim himself was Spock.

“I see. It looks good.”

“You kids should head out,” Bruce interrupted. “Barbara should be here soon. Shouldn’t she?”

“Actually I’m not Barbara.” The voice came from behind Bruce where the red hood stood in a red coat and a red fedora. “And no one actually knows where I am.”

Dick snorted. Where in the world was Carmen Sandiego? It wasn’t that funny but Babs looked good.

“Come. One picture with all of you before you leave.”

“But the candy—”

“We should go.”

“Do we have to?”

“One picture,” Alfred said again. He was wearing bunny ears under Cass and Tim’s insistence he wear a costume. Bruce had gotten out of it saying he’d wear the bat suit later. He had a meeting with Robin at Mt. Justice.

The kids shuffled over for a picture, Dick and Jason shoving each other and complaining as they did. When they left it was still early, before six and therefore still light outside. But in Gotham trick or treating in the dark was just asking for it.

Wayne Manor was a bit far from most of the city but there other rich houses nearby and a nicer area of the city. They stayed there for the few hours they were trick or treating walking from building to building and filling their bags and buckets with candy eating some now. Who knew how much Alfred would let them have?

Jason kept running ahead or sneaking off behind in an attempt to scare them. He also saw a house that had been egged and toilet papered and insisted they do it to the manor.

“Do you want to have to clean it all? And the entire batcave for several weeks?” Dick asked him.

Jason hadn’t asked again. Though he’d kept trying to scare everyone. Dick decided they were done for the night when Jason finally succeeded in making Tim cry. Though before Alfred had arrived Cass had managed to disappear and reappear with a mask behind Jason. Dick had no clue where she’d gotten it but seeing Jason scared out of his mind like that had been hilarious.

On their way home Barbara had been dropped off back at her apartment for the night. Her father was at work and Dick wasn’t surprised to see Batgirl leaping across a roof as they drove away. Someone needed to patrol on Halloween.

“How was your trick or treating?” When they’d all assured him they had a good time Alfred nodded. “Very well. If you’d all hand up your bags. I believe you’ve all eaten enough candy tonight. You may have the rest at a later time.”

“But—“

“I want to eat it now.”

“Please.”

“You may have a chocolate bar each from the ones at the manor. The full-size ones. But you will get sick eating this all tonight.”

That stopped the protest but by the look on Jason’s place he was obviously plotting. Dick nudged him.

“What?”

“Wait for me,” he mouthed.

“Fine.”

Bruce was already waiting for them when they got back, or more accurately waiting for Dick. “They’re waiting.”

“Already?”

“Let’s go. The rest of you go to bed.”

“But it’s Halloween,” Tim said.

“Movies,” Jason pleaded. Cass looked between them and pulled out her puppy dog eyes as well.

“Fine. Until we get back.”

“Yes!”

“Let’s watch Charlie Brown!”

“Nah. Friday the 13^th. Or Halloween. Something like that.”

“You won’t be watching anything like that.”

“How about A Nightmare before Christmas?” Dick suggested before Jason could protest. “And Charlie Brown. Cass needs to see it. It’s a classic.”

“But we get to watch both,” Jason said.

“You can watch both,” Bruce agreed. “Go get into PJs. Alfred will give you the candy you were promised too.”

The three kids ran upstairs. Dick grabbed a large Hershey’s cookies and Cream bar and followed Bruce down to the batcave where they quickly changed and zetaed to Mt. Justice. He made sure to bring Connor’s shirt with him as well.

Together they walked into the room they used for sessions with Black Canary. Robin took a seat though everyone else stood. He wanted to laugh at them for always being so tense. Red Tornado even had his arms crossed.

“I’ll cut to it. Do we believe there’s a mole within the team?”

At Batman’s question Aqualad stepped forward. Robin craned his neck and looked behind him as the team leader spoke. “I am convinced there is none. When Sportsmaster claimed he had an inside source he was merely sowing dissent.” “His intel could easily have come by comparing notes with the other villians working for the injustice league.” Robin put his arms behind his head as he crossed his leg with a grin. “And think about it, if anyone on the team was working with those creepoids…

“He or she would have betrayed us during our fight against them,” Aqualad finished for him.

Roy scowled. “I’m not convinced. Sure, you two and Kid Flash are above suspicion but I know Artemis isn’t shooting straight.”

Robin snickered a little at the unintentional pun but Roy was still talking.

“For starters, she’s not Green Arrow’s niece.”

Aqualad leaned forward surprised. “What?”

“Well, yeah,” Robin said looking up at him and sitting forward. “In fact she’s related to—“

“Enough,” Batman said. He had walked forward and now had a hand on Robin’s shoulder. “Artemis’s relations may indeed make her suspect but she’s still entitled to a secret identity. I’m more concerned about Superboy. We still know very little about what Cadmus programmed into their weapon. Connor could be the mole and not even know it.”

“And what about Miss Martian? She is Manhunter’s niece. But he told Black Canary he has a few hundred nieces and nephews. And the first time he met M’gann was five months ago when she stowed away on his last trip from Mars to Earth.”

Robin couldn’t help but be thankful when Aqualad stopped Roy who had seemed to be more aggressive with each statement.

“This changes nothing.” He crossed his arms and looked straight at Roy. “I have fought side by side with these people. None are traitors.”

Robin slumped and sighed. Kaldur was right. Though M’gann was definitely still hiding something she wasn’t going to betray them. Artemis was too open and emotional, though she still had her secrets she hid them for a reason, a good one. Connor also wouldn’t betray them though Bruce was right about programming from Cadmus. That was the only concern he still had. Right now he was more upset about the way Roy was acting. At least Kaldur was defending them. Even though he now knew that Artemis was hiding something as well. But he seemed to believe if Batman and the League knew and still trusted her there was no issue with it.

Batman shared a few more words with Red Tornado before walking over to Robin. “You ready?”

Robin looked over at Roy one more time and frowned. “Yeah. Just one more thing.”

He grabbed the shirt on another chair and passed it to Kaldur. “Put this back in Connor’s room or something. Tell him I said thanks again. There’s a note too to tell him so don’t lose it.”

Kaldur nodded. Robin followed Batman back out and through the Zeta tubes back home. It was time to join his siblings and put a heist into action.

______________________________

Dick groaned on his stomach. Maybe they shouldn’t have taken all the candy. Cass had taken a few pieces from her and fallen asleep as she watched her brothers have a contest eating as much chocolate as they could. Jason and Tim both had stains on their faces and the youngest was asleep. Jason was curled up and holding with his stomach. “More?”

“Are you insane?” Dick asked him groaning as he tried to sit up. “We still need to get rid of the evidence.”

“Oh man. Dad’s gonna kill us.”

“Dad? What about Alfred?”

Chapter Text

Wayne Manor

Gotham

Year 2010

November 5^th

Jason is 11

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

Bruce Wayne didn’t know the meaning of a relaxing weekend. It was something his older children liked to groan about but if he was anything it was efficient (he’d been raised by Alfred after all.) Time away from school and work never meant free time. Most children came home on Friday and relaxed, but for the children in Wayne Manor it was a different story.

Most the time, unless there were special circumstances, Friday night was the one time they were all allowed to stay up for patrol. That was after they’d finished homework that afternoon. In the past months Dick had nearly always disappeared to Mt. Justice on Saturday. The times that Bruce wasn’t also gone with the League or busy with other Batman stuff were special training days. New techniques were taught, old ones were drilled, and as always there was sparring.

All the work didn’t mean that the kids hated the weekends. In fact, they loved them. Their dad was often busy and so it was the time they were all able to be together as a family. Bruce often tried to take them on trips and made training exercises out of outings to parks, museums and going around Gotham.

Right now he was counting down the hours till he could be at home with his kids. He’d finished work at Wayne Enterprises late today. So late that he’d missed dinner and had to come straight to the mountain where he met Robin. It was finally completely repaired from the previous few incidents. Today was restocking, training and some meetings with the mentors. Zatara had come too and the hope was to convince him to let Zatanna join the team.

He’d brought up the question as they unloaded the bioship. Zatara had only met his eyes and sighed. “I do not know. Zatanna’s so….my only child. I wish I could get used to the idea that she’s, uh, growing up.”

His own eyes looked toward Dick. When he’d first adopted the boy Zatara had been some of the biggest help. He’d mentored Bruce years previously in his travels. He’d been raising his own daughter single handedly for years and when Alfred couldn’t help or even Jim Gordon then Zatara was the next he called.

It was hard to think that the children were already teenagers. Zatara’s words ran over in his mind several times as he thought about it. The magician was right that them growing up was hard. And it must have been even harder for him. Bruce hadn’t raised any of his kids or even met them before the age of around six. To have the baby who was in your arms be standing as an adult must be even harder to process. He also still had three other children who had yet to become teenagers.

He was about to open his mouth with the answer he’d formulated when there was a flash of light. The children had disappeared. Zatara yelled his daughter’s name as Batman kept himself from screaming himself.

His communicator beeped and he almost ignored it as his mind raced as to where all the missing children could be. With a hand to his ear he ignored Zatara’s panicked looks and rambling spells to hear Alfred’s own worried voice.

“Master Bruce!”

“Agent A. What’s wrong?”

“The children! They were all here in the cave and they’ve disappeared! All of them.”

“The same thing’s happened at the mountain,” Bruce said clenching his fists. “The whole team disappeared.”

“Dear lord.”

“Don’t worry Alfred. We’ll get them back.”

“I shall start on my own investigation,” Alfred said quickly and hung up.

Bruce looked over to see Zatara meeting his eyes worriedly. “There are traces of magic where’ve they disappeared. It was not only the team?”

“Agent A said all of them disappeared from the cave.”

“We’ll find them my friend,” Zatara said determinedly as Red Tornado returned to the room. “All of our children. These villians should know better than to use them against us.”

Around the room screens, reports and footage jumped to life as Red Tornado seemed to clear his throat. Both of the other men’s eyes flickered across the screen as the robot spoke. “It is not only children from the hero community. Any human under eighteen has disappeared.”

Zatara’s green eyes flickered and Bruce had to restrain himself from throwing a punch too. It wasn’t Red Tornado’s fault he was a robot and there fore devoid of any emotional programming and worry in his voice. He couldn’t be a parent and couldn’t feel the things they were feeling when they wanted to find their children. He met Zatara’s eye with understanding. “Get to work. The sooner we know what’s happening the sooner we get them back.”

______________________________________________________________________

Being a superhero for a good part of his life meant Robin didn’t panic at strange situations like most people. Still, it was fairly terrifying when three adults dissolved right in front of your eyes. Immediatley he’d felt the whole team stiffen up and put themselves on guard.

Kaldur’s eyes swept the room and with a water bearer gripped in one hand he called to M’gann. “Do you sense anyone in the cave? Robin, check the footage and sensors.”

His fingers swept through the codes quickly and he barely heard M’gann confirm they were alone as he added his own useless information. Kaldur looked around again and they all put themselves a little more on guard. All of them but Wally who yelped. “It’s got to be an attack on the League.”

“That is the most plausible idea,” agreed Kaldur as his lips thinned into what they all recognized as his thinking face. “But—”

Robin didn’t hear the rest of the conversation. He walked out of the main bay to connect to the computer node in the lounge. As his wrist computer popped up and started to glow he was interrupted by a ring from the extra communicator in his pocket with channels the team had no access too. 

Pushing it into his ear he answered the ringing communicator.

“Robin?” Jason’s voice came over the communicator.

“What’s wrong?” Robin asked suddenly even tenser then before. It might just be Jason calling to complain they weren’t home yet.

Tim’s wailing in the background dissuaded that notion. “Agent A disappeared!”

“He just dissolved,” Jason agreed. “Like in a poof he was gone. Here one second, gone the next.”

“It’s happened here too,” Robin said in an oddly even tone. “The team will take care of it. Just wait where you are for now. It’s probably an attack on the League and their allies. If they know about Agent A then it’s even worse. ”

“Why are you talking with codenames? The channels secure. Did you answer in front of the team?” Jason yelped. Then he adopted an evil tone. “Dad’s gonna be pissed.”

“No. I’m in the mountain. I should be on guard no matter what,” Robin sighed and quickly changing the topic. “You were ready for tonight?”

They were all good enough at picking up the messages that weren’t there to understand the words between the lines of this conversation. It was what the other Leaguer’s called batspeak. Tim answered in the affirmative.

“Then just wait. It’ll be fixed soon,” he promised. “Jason, you’re in charge. Tim and Cass, stop him from doing anything stupid. Jason, listen to them. I need to you to work together. Start thinking about who could have done this. And stay in the cave.”

 With the final warning he hung up. He returned to the team and met their confused eyes.

“Where were you?” Artemis demanded.

He shrugged with a small smirk, “A call. It’s not just the League but some of their allies too.”

“On a comm?” Zatanna asked incredulously.

“I adapted this one to get my phone calls too,” Robin explained. Just then the comm rang again. He pushed it back into his ear and answered.

“Where’s Batman?” Barbara’s voice demanded. “He’s not answering his comm.”

 “He’s disappeared. So did Zatara and Red Tornado,” Robin replied ignoring the slightly panicked and questioning looks. Wally’s eyes widened comically as he realized who Robin might be talking too.

“And I’m guessing Agent A?” Barbara asked.

“How’d you know?”

Barbara let out a small string of curses, which made him almost pull out the comm in shock. “Seriously, what’s up?”

“Dad just disappeared too. We were having a movie night before he had to return for another shift and I was going to leave for patrol. He disappeared from the couch,” Barbara said looking at the broken hot chocolate mug on the floor in front of her.

“I want to say it’s just the adults in law enforcement, all the League’s allies, but that’s unlikely. Go meet the others. Leave right now.”

“Zetas?”

“It’ll be fastest,” Robin answered. “I’ll be in touch soon.”

There was a click as Barbara hung up. Kaldur frowned. “Who was that? You would not usually answer something in the middle of an emergency.”

“It was just a friend from Gotham. She’s panicking because her dad disappeared,” Robin explained. He looked toward Kaldur. “It does confirm one thing though. This isn’t just the League’s problem. Adults are disappearing. My guess is all over the world.”

Everyone paled and looked at him wide eyed, except Kaldur. The Atlantians eyes were narrowed and he looked around them before his eyes met Robin’s again. “See what you can find. Zatanna help him. Kid Flash and I will suit up.”

“What about me?” Artemis demanded with hands on her hips. She hated to be left out of missions.

“If Robin’s suspicion is correct you might be more useful in your civilian ID at the moment.”

Artemis frowned but didn’t argue.

Wally had already raced back in full costume. The screens in front of Robin and Zatanna were glowing and the words appearing and moving away rapidly as Robin read.

“There’s no news from official channels. Teens are posting on social media though. This is just Happy Harbor and the east coast,” Robin said pointing at the words in front of him.

“Continue searching. I want you and Zatanna to run Comms and find the cause. Expand your search around the world and find out if there are any adults left,” Kaldur commanded. Robin nodded and sent a look to Zatanna who started to work on the screens in front of her. He then turned to M’gann and Conner. “Both of you start patrolling Happy Harbor. Set up a shelter in the High School. Call your friends. Get them and the other older teens to help. Artemis and Wally do the same with your friends.”

“What do you want us to do after?” Wally asked.

“You will retrieve kids and bring them to shelter. Robin, send Wally to wherever he’s most needed. For now start with Connor and M’gann in Happy Harbor.”

“So what about me?” Artemis demanded.

“You need to help run the shelter,” Kaldur said.

“But I don’t know anything about watching kids!” Artemis protested. She looked around frantically. “What about Zatanna?”

“Only child, remember?” she laughed. “And I’ve never babysat either.”

“You’ll do fine Artemis,” M’gann encouraged. “I watched a lot of my little siblings and cousins all the time on Mars.”

“So you do it!”

“She is more effective flying around cloaked,” Kaldur interrupted. “It’s only until we find out the cause of this. Then you will be needed with the team.”

“Fine,” she huffed walking toward the bioship with M’gann and Connor.  

Robin smirked. “It’s okay Artemis. Being angry and scared will just make them more upset. It’s really not as hard as you’d think.”

“You would know,” Wally quipped.

“What does that mean?” Zatanna asked.

“Nothing,” both replied. Wally rushed out a second later as Robin turned his glare onto him. His wrist computer was still up. Around him he started to pull up the other displays so he and Zatanna could run the comms.

“You start monitoring the media. I know how to look at the traffic cams and find the hot spots. So I’ll do that.”

Zatanna nodded quickly getting to work. He pulled up a map from all over the world, tracking Wally and the other’s movements. “Supey, use your thermal vision to start finding any place where there might have been a fire left on and just a kid home alone. M’gann, keep everyone safe and send people towards a place to gather. Wally, I’d start looking at cars if I were you. If everyone else could do that as they move from place to place that would be great.”

There was a quick affirmative over the comms. Zatanna made a few noises. “Uh, Robin. It looks like your theory was right.”

“I’ll start to try and contact anyone else I can. We’ll need all the help I can get.”

He made a show of trying to open a comm-line to the Watchtower, then the Batcave and other adult heroes. Meanwhile, he was able to quickly open up another decrypted channel to send a message to Barbara.

 ‘You with the others?’

‘They’re out here with me, or were. I’m going to check on the school and see if people are showing up there.’

‘You left them alone?’

‘It’s Friday. You know the rules. They can be out. And if there’s no adults its not like J or 2Face are gonna show up.’

‘Fine. But go back and be with them if you can.’

‘Hope you don’t mind Hood stealing your bike for the night.’

‘Ugh. Just make sure he doesn’t wreck it.’

‘Get back to work. Let me know if you need something here.’

‘Nah, you’ll have it taken care of.’

 Zatanna walked over to ask him a question and he quickly got rid of the messages before she saw. Both of them were working hard with puzzled expressions for the next few minutes. He’d shown her how to send a message out every computer and tv to tell them to set up a refuge center in their towns. Wally had been running from place to place to check that it was happening smoothly.

“Think I got the last of the kids in houses in Happy Harbor,”Connor’s voice crackled.

“Well, we’ve set up a refugee at the High School gym,” Wally explained. “Any luck with—”

“No. Can’t reach the Batcave, the Hall of Justice or the Watch—or any adult hero. Even Red Arrow.”

He knew Wally would catch the usage of the world adult in that sentence. Meaning that his own siblings and the other kid heroes he knew about had been notified and sent out to help. Not that most of the others would catch it. The most likely too was Kaldur, he’d seemed to think there was somethings Robin was hiding besides his name at time and had almost caught his and Wally’s discussions several times but he would be too busy now to investigate.

“Looks like we’re on our own. Kid Flash out.”

Zatanna continued to update him on the situation, of all the kids around the world posting online about adults disappearing. She was clearly nervous and scared, something he’d had plenty of experience with. But now he needed her to focus and help them, if this was magic she might be the only one who could help. He pulled up a video of her dad using a locator spell and asked if she could do it.

The question just made her seem even more nervous with a stuttered excuse of how it took training and that she just wasn’t ready. With a deep breath Dick looked at her like he would one of his younger siblings when they needed a pep talk. Not that he wanted to think of her that way. She was cute, but in a much different way. He’d avoided telling Barbara much about her and held up the hope that maybe if the girl he was dating wasn’t another bat, though not his first choice, Bruce might let them go out. He bit his lip again and sighed.

“I know it’s hard. But try to stay whelmed. We’ll find your dad, Batman, all of them. That’s what we do.”

She gave him a sweet look and he groaned. This wasn’t the time. And he wasn’t sure, was she just being sweet like always or was it more? It wasn’t like he could ask any of the usual people he went to for advice on this, Bruce, Barbara, Wally, Roy, Kaldur, all off limits. He sighed and got back to work when suddenly he got another idea.

“Hey, Kaldur, Wally, you think both of you could get back here? I think us those of us that already have some starpower should use it.”

____________________________________________________

Jason had dropped stopped several more gang members from hurting kids in the narrows when he heard a familiar voice as he dropped the kids off in one of the safe dens he knew. All the kids were crowded around the TV, looking up at it in awe with hopeful faces, or as hopeful as faces could get in Gotham.

“We are using Justice League technology to cast and stream to every TV, Radio, Computer  and Smartphone on the planet,”  came his brothers voice from the fuzzy broadcast.

“We know you must be scared and angry. We know with your parents missing there must be a temptation to run wild but please, stay calm.”

Luckily no one heard Red Hood snorting in amusement as they all tried to hide their own as well. Maybe that might work in other places, but this was Gotham, not that Kid Flash would know. He’d have to talk to Dickhead about that later, Jason noted as the speech continued.

“We will find a way to bring the adults back, but for now, the oldest among you must step up.”

As Aqualad finished talking Jason observed his older brother give a secret grin and stand a little straighter looking right at the camera. Somehow he knew that his brothers and sister would see this. “Take care of your younger siblings. Take care of kids who have no one. Protect them.”

“It’s up to you,” Aqualad’s voice finished. “Please, help in anyway you can.”

As it finished Red Hood  ran out of the shelter and right into Black Bat, who was signing Dick’s name.

“Yeah, I saw.”

“Are you guys talking about the broadcast?” crackled Red Robin’s voice.

“I think it’s his mission of the day to let the whole world know about us. The Old Man’s gonna be really mad when he gets back,” Red Hood smirked, trying not to feel a little guilty as his sister frowned at him.

“You know,” came their older brother’s voice, “I’m still on this channel. I can hear all of this. And I have Babs to back me up.”

“Really?” Jason said starting to let out an impressive stream of curse words. “Aren’t you still at the cave?”

“In my room that not even a kryptonian can hear into now. We’re getting ready to go. Zatanna’s gonna try locating the source.”

“You’re going to bring Dad back?” Tim’s voice pleaded.

“We’re going to try. Okay? I’m your older brother and like I said. That means I have to look after you all. I’m turning this Comm down but you can reach me with the emergency signal if you need to. Now get back to work.”

Black Bat looked at him and with a bounce in her step grappled away, Red Hood sighed and quickly followed. He was the older brother too. She might be a better fighter than him but he was going to look after her right now. And the Replacement when they caught up with him.

__________________________________________

After helping dispatch the League and pulling in all the help he could get all Bruce wanted to do was find a place to be alone. He’d managed to go into Dick’s room at the mountain for a few minutes but it was bare of most personal things, except a picture of him, Roy, Wally and Kaldur on the first time anyone had seen all the sidekicks together, and another of him and Batman. Mostly it was empty, so there would be no trace or hint of who the boy under the mask was.

Yet, looking around Bruce could feel the traces of his oldest son. He remembered the days they’d come here when the League used this place as headquarters like yesterday. Sometime he’d lie Dick down for a nap in here or for an early night as he had a meeting. This had been his room but he’d never really slept in it. Only his son.

How he missed him. All of his kids. He sighed. He even missed Barbara and the team, probably almost as their parents did. He’d gone to help stop a riot at Star Labs with Gordon. After the Commisioner had approached him and asked how close the League was to solving all of this. He wanted to get back to the night he had planned with his daughter, not that there was much left of it. Bruce had wanted to say something about how he knew Barbara could take care of herself, but he was unable too.

His kids needed him to get back to them. What would they be doing? He’d disappeared from the cave with Zatara leaving Dick to take care of a world crumbling without adults. He was the best equipped out of the team, but he would also be worrying about his younger siblings, as Bruce was worrying about his children now. Dick could take care of them. He knew that, but he still needed to take care of Dick. He wasn’t ready for his son to grow up that much. All he wanted was all his children back safe in his arms.

Somehow he found the strength to get up, finding Zatara in Kid Flash’s souvenir room, staring at the helmet of fate. He approached silently, but as always Zatara knew he was there. “So, how desperate are we?”

“I informed the watchtower you located the focal point at Roanoake. But the rest of the League is averted to deploy the chaos. Tornado, you and I are on our own.”

“I would do anything to get my daughter back.”

There was another second of empty silence. “Yes. But we both know there are many ways for her to lose her.”

Zatara met his eyes and looked back at the helmet knowing exactly what the man next to him was thinking. The helmet was here with them but also with the children. They weren’t feeling that desperate yet, but were their kids? Dick or Zatanna putting it on would mean losing them forever. Nabu wasn’t likely to let anyone else go like he had Kaldur or Wally. And the both of the wearing that helmet would tear them away from their children as well, just as much as this magical rift was doing at the moment.

“So, not that desperate. Not yet. The Entire league is unavailable?”

“Except perhaps for Captain Marvel, he’s missing.”

Zatara didn’t question the way Batman almost seemed to be hopeful with that statement. The League needed all hands on deck, but Batman was known for planning ahead and being on top of the situation. He likely knew something no one else did. Maybe something about Captain Marvel that could help bring their children back.

 Batman and Zatara were talking and waiting for Zatara when Captain Marvel arrived. Batman’s mouth twitched as the hero did a double take in confusion.

“Alright guys, I’m here to… You’re back! Is it over? Where’s the team?”

Zatara scowled furiously making Marvel put them down from the uncomfortable bone crushing hug he pulled them into. If Batman didn’t know what he did he would be planning his revenge on the other leaguer later. But for now he interrupted Zatara mid complaint.

“Haven’t you heard? Every child in the world has—”

“Zatara, wait.  Captain, where have you been?”

Bruce could only smirk and feel his chest lighten up as Marvel confirmed his theory and what he’d known for as long as the other hero had been around. “On a world without Grown ups! Holy Moly! There are two worlds!”

“Two dimensions. One for adults-”

“-And one for kids.”

“And you can travel between them?”Zatara questioned.

“I think I can. I know I can,” the hero cried out confidently. “Shazam!”

Bruce and Zatara were left looking at an empty spot. The magician’s eyes widened in shock but he just sighed when he saw his companion had no reaction. “You knew?”

“I had a theory.”

“So you knew.”

“That Captain Marvel isn’t what he seems? That’s obvious to anyone who really takes the time to observe.”

“But how?”

“Later. Focus on getting back the kids.”

Captain Marvel reappeared again suddenly in a flash of lightning. “They’re all in the cave. Planning. Took a little convinicing.”

“I can’t imagine most of the team would want to listen to a ten year old,” Batman commented.

“That’s what Robin said too!” Captain Marvel exclaimed in excitement.

Inwardly he felt a breath of hope rush over him at the assurance that Robin, that all of his kids, ten and younger were alive and well. “We need you to carry messages back and forth. We need to be able to know what we’re going against and who’s helping us.”

_______________________________

Barbara almost laughed with the relief she felt when she got Dick’s message on her phone. The adults were alive. Seperated on a dimensional plane but alive. She finished putting the food on a plate and was walking back to the room with the kids when Tim suddenly appeared next to her in civilian clothes.

“What are you doing here?”

“You saw? He heard from Dad!”

“I know.”

“Do you know how?”

“I’m sure they’ll tell us later. Now we both need to get to work. Robin and our Dad’s wouldn’t want us to stop. Remember, make sure Jay doesn’t get into too much trouble.”

“He won’t listen!”

“Try. And you always have Cass.”

A grin spread across Tim’s face as he disappeared and Barabara went back to everyone else.

________________________________

The moment they arrived he wasn’t very happy. He hated facing magic users, even though it was a part of the job. And there wasn’t just one of them but four, which meant the children were facing the fifth, and possibly the most dangerous, Klarion.

For a moment he’d thought they’d almost won, that they’d managed to beat them. The spell Zatara had cast seemed to drain the magicians and the world flickered but only for a moment. Immediatley he jumped back into the fight with Tornado, but could still Zatara talking to Marvel out of the corner of his eye, with the boy disappearing a moment later. His eyes narrowed and he reinforced himself with the determination to get back to his kids before anything bad could happen. He had warned Robin about the Helmet, but to save the world, to save his friends, his son was the type of person who would easily sacrifice himself like that.

________________________________

Robin heard Aqualad, then Kid Flash yell Zatanna’s name. He groaned pulling himself up just in time to see the girl don the helmet of fate. That had been his next thought, he knew how dangerous it was. He knew how much Bruce had told him to stay away, but now he wouldn’t have to. There was no way Nabu would let Zatanna go. Robin channeled the grief and guilt jumping back into the fight, and hopefully finding a way into his father’s arms.

________________________________

It was when he saw Captain Marvel reappear next to Zatara that he knew. One of the children had put on the helmet. An image of Fate flickering over them a moment later confirmed that, though it was impossible to see who wore the helmet. Marvel dove towards the floor and immediately he understood the plan. Batman did his best to help Tornado and Zatara distract the magic users as Marvel tunneled from under them to the source of the spell.

He reappeared with the stone in his hand, throwing it to Zatara who cast a spell. Suddenly Klarion was with the other magician’s, chained in one of Fate’s Ankh’s, though he quickly disappeared with his cat, who had been attacking Superboy. Batman looked around taking an account of the other kids, sighing at relief but feeling for his friend when it was Zatanna in the helmet and not his son. Robin was relocating his shoulder and groaning.

“Did we win?”

“At a cost.”

The scene continued to unfold in front of them. It was painful to watch Zatara bargain for his daughter’s freedom in exchange for his own. The girl’s relief had been palpable when she took off the helmet to hug him, but his face had been grieved. When one of Batman’s, Bruce’s, oldest friends turned to him, he knew what Zatara would be asking.

“Take care of my girl.”

“You have my word.”

Robin seemed to realize what was happening and ran over to the girl’s side, holding her back as she pleaded for her father to stop. But it was too late, he had put on the helmet, leaving a shell-shocked daughter collapsing to her knees. Wordlessly Robin sought out Batman’s eyes communicating what he felt. The father did his best to assure his son with a look but there was nothing he could do.

Chapter Text

Wayne Manor

Gotham

Year 2010

November 6^th

Jason is 11

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

When suddenly all of the phones in the room went off everyone’s faces lit up. Parents were talking to their children, reassuring each other they were safe and okay. Barbara had opened her phone the moment it rang, not daring to hope it could be her father.

“Barbara?”

“Daddy?”

“Where are you?”

“At the gym. We set up a refuge center here for everyone. Do you think you can find a way so all the parents in Gotham know? Most of the children under ten are here.”

“I’ll come get you soon. I know this isn’t how you wanted to spend the night.”

“It’s fine. We’ll watch our movie another time. I’m just glad you’re back.”

“I’m so proud of you for doing all this. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

Kids were coming up and pulling on her arm and skirt. Some parents had already started to arrive, giving their phones to kids to let them call their own parents. Barbara sat down with the younger kids in front of her and got them to quiet down. “Now. One at a time. Raise your hand if you know your mommy or daddy’s phone number.”

Later on, as her father finally arrived, she smiled inwardly and remembered she’d have to make sure to thank Dick and Wally later. And to get the full story. For now she’d breathe in the scent of her father’s cologne and cigar, the smell of safe and home. Feeling his moustache and beard scratch her skin as he kissed her head. Knowing her father was back, and he was here to take care of her as he always promised he’d be.

_____________________________________________

When adults started to suddenly pop up in the streets again the Bats retreated into the shadows. On a nearby roof the three kids met up. Red Hood was the one to break the silence.

“Think it was the team?”

“Or the League, if it was in the adult dimension,” Red Robin theorized. “Probably both.”

“So then Dad’s back!”

“Alfred.” Cass signed the letter A, and the sign for caregiver, which they used as the name sign for Alfred, that or the word Grandpa.

“Race you home?”

“You’re the one who got Robin’s bike. You take it back. We’ll zeta.”

“Meet you there,” Red Hood said jumping off the roof. The sound of the bike was heard a second later. Black Bat disappeared next leaving Red Robin to try and catch up.

________________________________

Bruce sighed as he sat in his room in the watchtower. The team and Zatanna had been brought back to the cave. Each of the mentors had rushed over to check on the children. Arrow and Canary worrying over Artemis and Superboy, the latter of which was blushing. The first of which was annoyed but pleased with the attention from her mentor. He then escorted her back to her mother in Gotham while and an emergency meeting had been called to discuss what they should do with Zatanna next. While Black Canary debriefed with Superboy.

M’gann had flown into her Uncle’s arms as soon as he came in. Knowing how much seeing all the reunions would hurt the girl Batman had given Robin a curt nod and he’d escorted Zatanna towards another room. Flash arrived seconds later pulling his nephew into a tight hug.

“Thank goodness. Iris and I had been going insane.”

“Like I wasn’t either? But it’s okay. I’m fine.”

Both of them went into speed talk. Barry was obviously making sure his nephew was okay and still hadn’t completely let go, grasping his shoulder. He’d been informed of the League meeting then run off to take Wally home. Now assured the kids were alright and would be okay without them the League members disappeared to the watchtower. As they waited for everyone else Batman retreated to his room.  

“Batman to Batcave.”

“Master Bruce! I was just about to call.”

“The children. They’re back?”

“You’ve fixed it?”

“You mean they aren’t back?” Bruce demanded.

“Stay calm. I’m sure the children are just doing what they were trained to do. Helping the citizens of Gotham in time of need.”

“Make you proud, Old Man?” Red Hood’s voice came over the comms.

“Jason,” Bruce almost gasped in relief.

“Yeah. I’m driving the bike back home. Double R and B are zetaing. Are you coming back?”

“Not until tomorrow. Robin and I…. Something happened that we’re both needed to handle here.”

Jason’s voice went quiet. After a pause it came back up. “Missed you, Dad.”

Bruce sighed as the comm hung up and looked at the picture in his room of his family, a training day in the watchtower, all of them wearing smile’s and even the corner of his mouth had been twitching due too. The glimmer was still visible in Jason’s eye as he stood straighter with pride after finally beating Black Canary in a fight and getting to train with both Wonder Woman and his father. It was Tim and Cass’s first time there that night. Both had eyes filled with wonder and matching grins filled Barbara and Dick’s faces.  Bruce been looking forward to a night with his kids. That wasn’t what he’d gotten.

____________________________________

In the cave Robin sat waiting. M’gann and Artemis were with Zatanna comforting her. Artemis had returned after quickly going to reassure her mother and let her know what was happening. She’d returned quickly with things for Zatanna and now all the girls were in M’gann’s room together.

Connor was with wolf in the other room. He was watching the static on the TV and for once Robin felt like joining him. But he also wanted to be with Zatanna, to comfort her. She hadn’t lost her parents in the same way as him. She’d never known her mother. Her father was still alive. She was lucky that way. Or maybe he was the lucky one, at least knowing his parents were gone for good but not having the pain of seeing them and not getting any recognition from them.

It was when Batman reappeared with Black Canary, Green Arrow, Martian Manhunter and Red Tornado that he moved from next to Connor. “Batman?”

“Zatanna will live in the Cave.”

“Our—”

“In Mt. Justice. There is room here and she’ll be able to Zeta to school. She’ll be with friends and have people to look out for her. It’s the best place for her right now. Other’s wouldn’t be able to understand what she’s going through.”

“But we do!”

“That’s enough Robin. We’ll be going home for a few hours while Black Canary talks to Zatanna. Then we’ll help her move her stuff and go through Zatara’s things, to take care of the things he asked me to.”

Robin sighed hearing the pain in his father’s voice knowing he was hurting as well. He gave a nod of goodbye to Connor and scratched Wolf one last time. Then he followed his father back through the tube.

____________________________

“Master Tim! Miss Cass!” Alfred yelled in relief embracing them as they appeared. Both children ran happily into Alfred’s arms giving him a tight hug. He allowed himself a moment before readapting to propriety. “Change. I’ve prepared dinner, or I suppose as it is reaching morning hours it is now breakfast.”

“Is Dad back?” Tim asked excitedly as he sat down at the table. Alfred brought the food forward and started to serve the kids.

 Jason took a seat next to Cass. “Dad said he and Dick need to stay where they are right now. Something happened.”

All the children turned to look at Alfred who sighed. “It is the nature of the job your father and the other heroes have taken on themselves. You are children and don’t understand the consequences as well. I’m sure Miss Zatanna didn’t when she put on the helmet. Her father bargained so Nabu would let her take it off. He will now be Dr. Fate but will not allowed to be his daughter’s father, just so she could live her life.’

Alfred rubbed his face wearily and took a deep breath. “Master Bruce is trying to make sure she is taken care of and your brother is there to support his friend. Both of them will return tomorrow. For now you will all eat and go to your beds. You did a good job tonight, making sure all the children of Gotham were safe, and I’m sure you must all be very tired.”

There was no complaint as Alfred’s gaze rested upon each child. He was a little less guarded than usual, showing his affection with a pat of Jason’s shoulder and a kiss on Cass’s hair. He wiped some food off Tim’s face with a sad smile as he returned to the kitchen. At least his children were safe now.

____________________________________

The children slept late on Saturday. None of them saw their father and brother return at nine the next morning. Alfred had been given a large hug by Dick, fed him and Bruce (though both were picking at their food) then sent them off to bed. Dick obeyed, going straight away. He laid in bed thinking for a few hours, unsure how he felt about everything that had just happened. It was around two hours later that sleep finally came over him.

Meanwhile, Bruce had refused to go upstairs. He’d sat down in his office chair and sighed. Unlocking a secret drawer in his desk he took out papers to look at. There were copies framed around the office, but these were the original. The adoption certificates of Jason, Tim and Cass. There was still none for Dick. Nights like these made him think of asking the boy again. He considered him his son, all he needed to do was make it official.

Even further in another drawer were journals of his journey and training. He found pictures of him and Zatara. Baby Zatanna was held in his arms in one as Zatara and his wife laughed at the startled billionaires face. Another child without any parents. Sometimes he thought it was worse when the parents were alive, yet unable or unwilling to care for the children. At least he’d known his parents loved him. Not all of his kids had been so lucky previously. Now that had been changed.

Alfred walked in with a stern look on his face after an hour. “Master Bruce. You really should get some rest.”

“I just needed time to think.”

Alfred looked at the picture that Bruce was holding. His mouth thinned and he pursed his lips after another moment. “I presume that something happened to Mr. Zatara then.”

“He isn’t dead.”

“But—”

“He’s now the host of the helmet of fate. I was so concerned about Dick wearing it. Won’t have to worry about that anymore. Yet it doesn’t make me feel any better.”

“He put it on?”

“Zatanna did. He made a deal with Fate so she’d be let go.”

“As any decent parent would.”

Bruce sighed. “Now Zatanna will be living in the mountain. We will be helping move her later today.”

“Which means you’d better get some rest. The children will want to see you before you leave as well. They deserve an explanation.”

“And they’ll get it,” Bruce said while he pushed himself up. He put away the pictures and files looking at each for a moment as he did. He walked forward then paused. “Alfred?”

“Yes, Master Bruce?”

“I don’t say this enough, but thank you. For me, for everything with the kids.”

Alfred blinked a few times then gave a small smile. “Get some rest Master Bruce.”

Chapter Text

“Dad! You’re back!” Jason yelped as he came downstairs for breakfast. Cass and Tim must have heard him because they came racing down the stairs moments later. The snow from the day before still hadn’t melted meaning another snow day for the kids.

Bruce smiled at his son. “Settle down a little, champ.”

“Where were you?” Tim asked.

“You haven’t been here since two nights ago.”

Cass nodded in agreement with both of her brothers as she took a seat. She looked around for another minute with a frown then signed. “Did Dick get back too?”

“Why don’t you ask him?” Bruce smirked.

Three children turned around instantly to see their older brother yawning then with a grin jumping over the back of his chair and sitting down. He grabbed a box of cereal and dumped most of it into his bowl.

“In moderation Master Dick,” Alfred chided as he put some more toast in front of Jason.

“Where were you guys?” Jason asked again. “You didn’t come back after Wally’s birthday party.”

Dick grinned. “Well, that’s because it was stopped in the middle.”

“Another mission?” Tim asked looking between his brother and father excitedly and bouncing in his seat. “What was it?”

“Not just any mission,” Dick’s smile got wider and wider. Bruce rolled his eyes but smiled as well when the kids all looked at Dick with rapt attention. “It was the first League and Team team up!”

“You got to team up with the League?” Jason asked in an awed voice.

“You’ve all technically teamed up with the League,” Bruce reminded him with a sigh. “And I’m reminding you, Alfred and I will be away this weekend in Qurac. You all need to be packed and ready for a briefing.”

“Not until we hear about the mission.”

“In the middle of Wally’s party we had to stop to get into our polar gear. There were four aircrafts causing the giant Super storm over the US. We split up into team, ours was me, Dad, Aqualad, Aquaman and Flash.”

“No Wally?” Tim asked confused.

“Nah. He had his own mission.”

“According to his mission brief the ice machines were just a distraction to stop him, his mission to be precise.”

“Delivering a heart?” Dick frowned.

“For a heart transplant?” Tim asked. “Queen Perdita’s?”

“Wait, the heart Wally was delivering was for a little girl. What are you talking about Tim?”

Tim gave Dick an annoyed look, as if he was asking really with his eyes. “Queen Perdita of Vlatlava. She’s ten and needed a heart transplant. It was on the news all day yesterday. Kid Flash delivered the heart and she was reported dead. Then an hour or two later that was said to be a mistake. I guess that was a reason for that.”

“Vlatlava,” Jason frowned. “Like Count Vertigo, Vlatlava?”

Bruce nodded with a proud look. “Count Vertigo is Queen Perdita’s next in line. Delaying the heart transplant would kill her and free up the throne for him,” agreed Bruce.

“So he got the ice villains to create the storm.” Tim started to theorize, the gears in his head visibly theorizing. “So then it was impossible to fly it. I guess that’s why Wally had to run it. Vertigo must have tried to stop him another way. So they pretended the Queen was dead so he would confess and stop. That lost him his diplomatic immunity.”

“Mostly right,” Bruce agreed. “One thing that I haven’t solved yet. The Ice villains apparently haven’t left Belle Reve since they got there. The information is open to all of you. Maybe you’ll see something I haven’t over the weekend.”

“Wait, so that’s what Wally was doing?” Dick said still gaping.

“You can still tell us about the mission,” Tim tried hesitantly.

“But I’m going to the cave after to chew out Wally for not telling me either. Don’t tell me, he was like knighted or something too?”

Bruce didn’t say anything.

“Come on!” Dick groaned.

Jason threw a piece of food at him and glared. Cass elbowed him and smiled sweetly at Dick. “Mission. Tell us.”

“Okay. So it was B and I, Flash, Aqualad and Aquaman…”

____________________________________________

Later that day….

Barbara had arrived a half hour earlier with her overnight bag. The rest of the kids had already been assembled in the Cave. All of them wore work-out clothes and sweatshirts with their belts strapped across their bodies. Bruce looked across from side to side at each kid.

“Again. Why are you going to the watchtower?”

“To train,” Jason groaned. “We know, Dad.”

“This afternoon starts with each of you doing at least one session with a leaguer in the gym. Each of the Leaguers know exactly what they are suppose to be helping each of you with. You will stay in the rooms assigned to you.”

“Like always,” Dick piped up sarcastically. “Anything else?”

“Languages?”

“Kryptonian with Uncle Clark,” Dick stated.

“Greek with Diana,” Babs added.

“More Arabic for me.”

“And Martian for me,” Dick said ticking them off on his fingers.

“You all have sessions with Black Canary as well,” Bruce told them. “Non-negotiable. Barbara, I want you to be there for some of Cassandra’s. Canary has noted how well you do with the social work. Dick, you also will have an extra session with Clark.”

Dick turned to Bruce confused. “What for?”

“You’ll see. All of you will be taking piloting lessons with Green Lantern and working with Red Tornado on the Watchtower systems. I will be back late Sunday night.”

“Are we done now?”

“Yes,” Bruce said pinching his brow. He pulled down his cowl with a Batman scowl. “We’re done.”

“You’re all packed?” Alfred asked again. “And you have checked with your father a last time, correct Miss Barbara?”

There were nods and grumbles as they confirmed Alfred’s questions. Several of them hugged him goodbye. Then Bruce gave them another look, prompting them all to pick up their things and head to the Zeta-tubes.

______________________________________________________________

“Designation: B01: Robin,” the Zeta whirred as Robin arrived in his civvies with his mask on as well. Around the watchtower activity stopped as everyone turned to watch the procession of Bats arrive.

“Designation: R04: Red Robin.” Tim arrived next. Besides Robin all of the other kids had a special R-series designation set aside for them, standing for Robin. Most of them would have it changed once they officially debuted into the team or league getting a B series number or another.

“Designation: R05: Black Bat.”

“Designation: R02: Batgirl.”

Barbara and Cass came in right after the other. The younger girl gave a charming smile and waved melting the hearts of several of the leaguers watching.

“Designation: R03: Red Hood.”

“Designation: 02: Batman.”

Last arrived Jason, in his usual red hoodie and Batman right after them with a hand on his younger two son’s shoulders. He turned his gaze to the Leaguers assembled. Mostly the original leaguers with a few other of the most trusted ones.

Superman flew forward. “Batman.”

“Superman.”

“You know we’ll look after them.”

Batman grunted, holding back a comment about the Kryptonian’s bullheadedness about his own son/clone. “They can look after themselves.”

“Go B,” Robin said. “You have to get back if you want to get to Qurac in time.”

Batman’s gaze turned to him.

“We’re a bit too old for this,” Red Hood groaned. “Go!”

Batman growled. “Jas—”

He was interrupted by Cass attacking his legs with a hug. He turned down to her and a smile spread across his face as he leaned down to wrap his arms around her. Before he could, Tim jumped forward to hug him as well.

Robin grew a devilish grin. “Group hug!”

“What? No!” yelled his younger brother as he was pulled in by the back of his hood.

Batman quietly hugged each of his kids back, placing a kiss on Cass’s forehead, and gave a nod to Batgirl. Then he turned his glare to the League, as if daring them to say anything for hugging his kids like this while in costume. Robin gave him another nod, communicating something in the batspeak no one else understood.  

Batman turned his glare to the league once again and growled. “I’ll be in touch.”

Designation: 02-Batman.

There was a quiet for a moment after Batman left. Then the kids all grew identical grins. It was times like this people found it hard to believe they weren’t actually biologically related.

“I call Hawkwoman!” Red Hood yelled first.

Shayera immediately looked confused, offended and flattered all at once.

“Then I’m taking the little Red!” Barry yelped racing forward. “We have an experiment we’ve been waiting to try.”

Green Arrow looked scared. “No!”

Green Lantern nodded. “No one wants some sort of explosion. Plus, Bats has the place covered in cameras. He said the kids do physical training first. He’ll know if it doesn’t happen.”

“We can experiment later, Uncle Barry,” Red Robin suggested. He looked around meekly. “Captain Atom, Robin told me about the training exercise you ran for the team. I’d really appreciate if I could train with you and learn more about your powers.”

“Red Tornado?” Batgirl asked. “I want more experience with fighting non-organic beings. Do you think you have some time before you need to return to Mt. Justice?”

“Miss Martian has taken Zatanna to the movies in an attempt to cheer her up. Superboy should be fine in the mountain for the length of a training session.”

“Black Bat?” she asked checking with the other girl.

She nodded to Superman with a grin.

“Me?”

She nodded. Her siblings exchanged glances.

“Go ahead Uncle Clark,” Robin prompted. “Cass hasn’t gotten to train with you as often as we have. She could use the opportunity.”

“Oh,” Hal rubbed his hands together. “I’m so watching this.”

“You and I, Auntie Di?” Robin asked in Greek.

“You are rusty.”

“I was hoping we could practice. The rest need to start learning as well.”

“I’m assuming you’re training with Diana then,” Flash asked.

Both of them gave him a look as if to ask he was serious.

“Come on!” Red Hood said excitedly to Shayera. “I want to learn how to beat people up violently.”

“Jay!” Batgirl and Robin scolded him at once.

“It’s true.”

“It’s fine. I’ll make sure to restrain myself in front of him,” Shayera promised.

Jason looked up at her in awe. “Awesome.”

“Tornado, can we start? I’d like to get a few matches in before you have to go back to the mountain.”

Tim was already walking off with Atom asking him questions excitedly. By the time the League looked back the rest of the kids had disappeared. There were sighs but after years with the Bat and his kids they were used to it.  Those that had agreed to train with them quickly went off in search of them.

In the training area each of the kids had split up with their sparring partners. The area was big enough for all of them to use at once, being that the room was made for the League to use to train.

Hawkwoman and Red Hood had started their fight first. Shayera immediately took to the air. Sensing her attack Red Hood rolled to the side and crouched. He grabbed several batarangs and threw them at the open wings. Shayera winced then spun back around charging at him with her mace. Red Hood managed to block but was still pushed back.

Shayera swung at him again. He took the chance to duck between her legs. As she spun to look for him he tripped her. She fell backward onto her butt and smirked as she spread her wings again. She leapt up ready to attack. Red Hood managed to evade her mace but not the kick she performed after.

He got up quickly, ducking under her wings to punch and kick with all of his strength. With another flap of the wings he was pushed away. He stood back up looking around with two batarangs in hand. As she moved to attack again, he threw one past her distracting her as it nicked her wing then used all the force, he had to kick her back to the floor, pinning one of her feathers there with the second batarang.

“You’ve been improving.”

“I’ve been watching tapes of some of fights,” Red Hood said evading two more punches and swinging around back of her to aim a back kick to her knee pushing her down to the floor. He jumped on her back. In an attempt to get him off she spread her wings again, going back towards the wall slamming him back into it. Still he didn’t let go.

“You won’t outlast me for long.”

“I can try.”

Realizing it might take too long for him to let go. She took off, turning suddenly in flight and throwing Red Hood off. Never as good at acrobatics as his older brother he took more time to right himself. Hawkgirl  was already coming at him and pushed him back down to sit on him.

“Are you done?”

“I’m done.” Jason got up and stretched with a groan. “That was awesome. I need to learn some more of those moves. Can I use your mace?”

Nearby Batgirl was in the middle of her fight with Red Tornado. All the Bats memorized and analyzed battle techniques in seconds but Barbara usually took it to an extra level. She knew she could use the easy way out and set an EMP or use magnetic or electrified batarangs.

Red Tornado was already spinning on a whirlwind, already strong enough to blow her back a little. She ran towards him and he sent a small tornado that spun her back across the room. As it did she grabbed a batarang and threw it. It got caught in another twister which Tornado spun around advancing towards her. He caught batgirl and spun her backwards catching her by the arm and holding her up as he did.

She managed to catch her breath, grabbing another batarang and shoving it in a small niche in between his shoulders. Somewhere that could stop him but wouldn’t harm his system’s. Tornado looked at it annoyed and stopped to pluck it out allowing Batgirl to swing over his arm and onto his back grabbing the batarang and trying to shove it in further.

Instead she was thrown back off, but Batgirl managed to flip before she could hit the floor, cartwheeling out of the way of the next whirlwind. Another was sent towards her and sensing an opportunity she allowed it to catch her letting it propel her towards him enough to kick him backwards. It surprised him enough that his winds stopped and he powered down for a second.

When he stood back up he turned to her curiously. “That was interesting. I don’t believe anyone has ever tried to use my own tornadoes against me.”

“I wanted to figure something out without the EMPs or electric batarangs.” She started to question Tornado more on his systems and what he thought of her techniques.

In another part of the gym Red Robin was looking at the charging Captain Atom warily. He tried and remembered everything he’d read in the League and Batcave files about Atom. He could absorb energy and send it back out in blasts. He had flight and was invulnerable. There was also the fact he had super senses and strength.

“Are you sure about this?”

“Very,” Red Robin nodded. “I won’t get better if I don’t try.”

Captain Atom nodded and reached out with a tentative blast. Red Robin managed to dodge it. Atom advanced. Both of his fists glowed with power. Red Robin stood his ground. He jumped over the first punch, catching Atom’s arm and swinging over it to kick him.

“Nice move.”

“Thanks. Robin taught me it. This was the first time I got to use it.”

Atom flew forward again. This time Robin was unable to miss the punch and was thrown back to be picked up by his cape and caught in Atom’s grasp. First he tried to escape, struggling and squirming.

“That won’t work.”

“I know.”

Atom looked down to see the boy was no longer attached to the cape. He was toying with something from his belt. His fists charged up to send another blast. Just then Red Robin stopped toying and pressed a button on the thing in his hand.

Lights started to flash and there was a high sound. Atom bent over and held his ears. His blast went off, far from where it was aimed, leaving a scorch on the wall.

“What was that?”

“One of my radios and emergency signals. It just took a little toying.”

“Smart. Using my strengths—”

“And making them your weaknesses,” agreed Red Robin as he avoided another blast and punch. There was another minute or two before Atom tired him out.

“Nice job,” he said helping the kid up.

“Thanks. I know you probably have other stuff to do, but I’d still like to hear more about stuff like you showed Robin and the team.”

“As long as you show me how you did that thing, so I’m not caught off guard again.”

Superman’s fight with Cass hadn’t gone long. She was still upset with him for how he was treating Superboy. The kryptonite was shut away but that didn’t mean there were other ways she could take him down. Superman, on the other hand, thought it was best to go easy on Black Bat.

He regretted that several minutes later when he was face planting on the floor to the cheers of everyone in the watchtower. Black Bat smirked triumphantly and wiped her hands, something she had learned from Jason. She signed “For Superboy.”

No one would confirm it, but the cheers got louder.

Meanwhile, Robin and Wonder Woman had fallen into a familiar rhythm. Attack. Parry. Dodge. Attack. Etc. Once they felt they had gotten into a good rhythm, Diana reached for her lasso making the first move.

Robin flipped out of the way and threw two birdarangs at her. They were quickly blocked using her bulletproof bracelets. She jumped towards Robin who flipped backwards the leapt over her so she had to turn around. Her face was met by a swift kick. There was a swift punch in return, which he ducked, jumping and aiming with another high kick, which Diana ducked this time.

She wrapped her lass under his leg as he landed, tripping him. Robin, being the acrobat he was, quickly recovered by cartwheeling over. He planted his hands and propelled both legs into a kick, hitting Diana’s stomach and sending her back.

“Your time with the team has taught you much,” she said in Greek as she stood up.

“Let’s see how much,” Robin grinned.

“Do you understand what they’re saying?” Captain Marvel asked as he watched.

“Yeah. Greek is one of the languages we’re all working on.”

“One?”

“It’s part of the job,” shrugged Red Hood. He’d grown up in the streets of Gotham and had been exposed to a mix of Spanish, Italian and Russian. Of course, curse words were the first things he’d learnt in all of those languages. He also knew a few in Gaelic. When he’d moved in with Bruce and Dick he’d learnt to speak the languages fluently, especially because Dick still felt more comfortable with them and not English. Bruce had taught him Arabic first, because of the League of Assasins and the League of Shadows.

At the same time, Alfred and Dick had taught him French and German, helping him learn more of the ones he already knew. Russian was hardest for him, though his older brother spoke it as easily as his birth language, in fact it was one of the languages he’d spoken with his family. Jason wasn’t the best at Languages. English was his thing, something he’d always be able to laud over Dick. Still, he’d learnt fairly fast, as all of them had.

Cass understood several languages but still spoke none. She was learning to read all of them as well. She was able to read now, though couldn’t say a thing. Growing up, Tim had been taught Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Japanese, Hebrew, Arabic, and French. His parents thought it would help him in business when he got older and as both were archaeologist enthusiasts they had an interest in some of those languages. He’d picked up Russian and German when Dick had started to babysit him. Now he and Jason were learning more, this week they were tasked with Kryptonian and Greek.

Barbara had learnt languages before she’d started training with Bruce. With her memory she could easily pick them up. She used them to help her father when he allowed it. Then when she met Dick it allowed her to make her new friend feel more comfortable by learning all the languages he spoke. He taught her what he knew and later on, the ones he was learning.

He’d always have a better accent than her, but both picked up languages with the same amazing speed. Between the two of them they spoke Romani, Romanian, English, Spanish, Japanese, German, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, French, Swahili, ASL, Farsi, Arabic, Hebrew, and now learning Kryptonian, Greek, Martian and Vietnamese. The last few were an attempt to connect with his teammates.

Now, Robin and Wonder Woman were conversing in Greek as they fought. After recovering from the kick aimed at her she’d flown forward and punched Robin sending him flying back. He rolled to change the impact of his landing. He jumped forward to kick her again and she caught his legs, spinning him backward and throwing him. He landed in a handstand and flipped back to her, launching backwards from the floor to kick her in the face then landing again over her shoulder.

Growling Diana went straight into the air, charging down like a heat seeking missile with a punch ready for Robin. He rolled out of the way right on time. There was a dent in the floor when Wonder Woman stood up. Robin had already managed to push himself up. Diana was crouching, moving back in lunge like movements as she blocked kick after kick from Robin.

She managed to get a last punch in, which sent Robin into the air. He flipped and turned, positioning herself so he would land with his hands on her shoulders, bringing her down. He grabbed her lasso and she grabbed the other end, lashing out with a kick meant to trip him. Again, he just did a handspring in avoidance. Diana barely noticed he was still hanging onto the end of the lasso. Each of their moves tangled her more and more into the web.

At the end Robin nimbly maneuvered out and left her alone in the trap. She grabbed the lasso letting it unravel and looked at him with a grin.

“That is the first time you have beaten me in combat.”

“Trust me, I know,” Robin panted. “Wow.”

“You beat Auntie Di,” Red Hood cheered.

“That’s like impossible.”

“B’s gonna be so mad that he wasn’t here,” Batgirl added.

“Eh, he’ll watch it on the security cams.”

“Στα ελληνικα(In Greek),” Diana scolded. “You are supposed to be practicing.”

“I don’t know what that means, but I think you kids deserve something fun after those matches,” Barry said. “And there’s no Alfred or Bruce to say no to a little treat.”

 “Ice cream?” Casss signed.

“You bet!”

Cass smiled widely and pulled Barry away. Everyone smiled at the cuteness, not noticing exactly what was happening. He picked her up and slunger her on his back. She pointed and making a gesture for him to go. He sped off, leaving her siblings behind with the rest of the League.

“What just happened?” asked the 2^ndGreen Lantern, John Stewart.

“Ice cream is Cass’s favorite,” Batgirl explained. “And she doesn’t get it often. She’s actually the only one who gets Alfred to give it to us.”

“Well, Barry was right. You guys do deserve a treat,” Superman grinned down at them. “Then you all better get settled in.”

“You know we usually stay up a lot later than this,” Red Hood reminded him.

“Different rules here.”

“Yeah, right,” scoffed Jason peeling off his mask.

“Jay!”

“It’s the watchtower! It’s only the League and us. No one’s gonna know.”

“Dad is,” Tim said helpfully.

“Don’t worry,” Barbara said taking off her own mask. “I’ll take care of the footage. Go ahead guys.”

“You’re the best Barbie!”

“Do you guys want Ice cream or not?” Flash said as he ran back in with Cass who’s face was covered in chocolate.

Chapter Text

The kids were woken up bright and early the next morning. A whistling and cheerful Superman had knocked on their doors. The kids appeared in the cafeteria in uniform not long after, several more noticeably grumpy and tired than others. Cass was as chipper as always. However, next to her Tim looked like he was in danger of falling back asleep, his face going right into the pancakes that had been put in front of him.

Jason had gotten some toast, regular and then French. Dick was poring more and more cereal into his bowl until it was overflowing. Barbara just rolled her eyes and took a sip of her tea.

“So what’s your plans for today?” Superman asked sitting down.

“Black Canary’s here all day, correct?” Barbara asked.

“Yes. I’ll be taking Red Tornado’s place at the mountain tomorrow, though,” Dinah said as she sat on a bench next to Ollie. She’d stayed in the watchtower overnight with him. “I know you are all supposed to do some sort of session with me.”

“Yeah. And B wants BG to get more social training so she’ll be joining you for part of Black Bat’s.”

Barbara looked annoyed at Robin’s statement. “I can talk for myself thank you very much. As for the sessions we should probably start right we eat. Black Bat and I should probably go last. Red Robin, are you okay with going first?”

“What?” Tim asked sleepily.

“I just don’t think it’s a good idea for him to be doing anything else until he wakes up a little bit. Especially working with chemicals and other science.”

“I’m fine with that,” Canary agreed “Maybe we can talk about why your so tired?”

“That’s just Tim,” Jason said waving his hand and crunching on another piece of toast. “Can I fly with Hal first?”

“When he gets here,” Ollie yawned. “It’s not even 8AM yet in Coast or Star. One part about all of this hero stuff I could do without.”

“We’ll figure out something else for you to do,” Superman promised. “So far only Red Robin has an actual plan.”

The Batkids exchanged glances. As soon as breakfast was over all went their own ways to start that days training and missions. Tim went with Dinah to a session as planned. She was determined to talk to him about his sleeping habits, due to patrolling, his old photography and stalking and in general.

Jason went to work with Ollie with his weapons skills, especially his marksmanship. He would wait for Wonder Woman and Aquaman to learn some of the others, like swords, hooks and shields.

Cass had done some stretches and a little exercise before Barry decided to try and encourage her with the promise of more chocolate to do her word cards and some other school work. He’d winked at Dick and Barbara as he settled down with Cass on a bench.

Satisfied the younger kids were all okay and doing what they were supposed to, Robin and Batgirl disappeared. They spoke in a fast past changing between Russian, Vietnamese (which Dick was learning but Barbara was already almost fluent in), French and Greek. They made their way to the watchtower’s main computer systems to do a routine check. Bruce had been trusting more and more of the technology to them. Barbara was quickly proving even better than he was. Together with Robin she fell into the world of computer code, exchanging witty jokes and banter as they did.

“You’re getting good at all of this,” Oliver commented to Jason as he made another bull’s eye. “I know all you kids do fine with your Batarangs but arrows are a bit different.”

“I mean the Circus boy had to show off some of his tricks. I think I’m better than him at knife throwing, even if he won’t admit it. I want to get better with every weapon but the Bat is a bit too strict and Barbie and Dickhead won’t help me there.”

“Why don’t we stick with the stuff Batman allows for now?” Superman offered from where he was nearby.

“Like kryptonite?” Jason joked.

“He allows that?” Green Arrow asked looking back and forth between the kryptonian and pre-teen.

“He’s been a bit more lenient with it since Robin joined a team,” Jason said with a small smirk knowing both men got the message. He walked over the array of weapons and weighed the bola and two eskrima stick in his hands. “Do we have enough time to try both?”

Sadly, Canary came out with Tim before he could try with the bola. Jason looked at it longingly but sighed. He’d do it later. Tim looked a little more awake, especially once Dick reappeared and told him to find Barbara to help her with the computer coding and technical pieces of the watchtower.

He took a seat with Barry and Cass. “Hey, Uncle Barry.”

“What’s up Robin?”

“Just wanted to check in on Cass.”

“Yeah, she’s doing a lot better at identifying all the words and letters and reading. She’ll be as good a detective as the rest of you in no time. We even read one or two of Iris’s new articles. Especially the one about Wally.”

“Don’t remind me,” Dick groaned.

“It’s probably a good thing he didn’t tell you. It means he learnt something from the whole experience.”

Cass looked at Dick and in a moment he nodded.

Barry looked between the two of them confused. “What just happened?”

“Cass is gonna help me train a little more.”

“I guess I’ll get a snack until Timmy is ready to have a little fun with experiments.”

Dick groaned as Barry disappeared. “And you think Wally’s as bad as it gets. Then you realize he’s not the only one with a speedster’s appetite and bad jokes.”

Cass rolled her eyes and her hands flew in a flurry of signs. “Your jokes are bad too.”

“Hey!”

The entire day continued with the kids switching between each Leaguer getting a little time to bond with them and each other. Hal had arrived an hour or so later, just as Dick and Cass finished sparring. Since Jason was still with Dinah in his session Robin took the opportunity to take the first flying lesson. He’d been flying more and more since joining the team, needing to fly the bioship for M’gann at times.

Jason was standing with crossed arms and a steady glare when Robin arrived back with Green Lantern in the Hangar. He looked between the two and growled at his older brother. “Wasn’t I supposed to go first?”

“You were still with Dinah!”

“You could have came and got me.”

“No,” Robin said with an eye roll. “Dad said we all need complete sessions and that means not stopping in the middle to do something else.”

“Let’s see you complete a session. You can barely sit still for over an hour,” Red Hood challenged.

Green Lantern looked between the two. Everyone knew what kind of challenge that must be. It was well known how active and energetic Robin was. As a child he was always doing some time of gymnastics routine. He’d gotten better at handling it as he’d gotten older. However, the entire League still knew Red Hood was calling his older brother out.

“Let’s see you go five minutes without shooting your mouth off.”

Jason clenched his fist and growled. Hal’s eyes widened and he grabbed Jason by his jacket. He looked sternly at Robin. “We’re gonna start our flying lesson now. See you later Robin.”

Robin made a note to himself to ask the other Lantern, John Stewart and Captain Atom, the military experts, to hold off Jason’s other training. It was no secret Red Hood loved explosives, not getting to work with them on this trip might just be a good enough punishment.

Batgirl could see he was brooding as he reentered the main room on the watchtower. She’d heard the raised voices and had a feeling as to what had happened. “Go on Boy Wonder. It’s your turn with Canary.”

While he had been flying Barbara had gotten started on her solo session with Canary. That had gone quickly seeing as she was a little less emotionally traumatized than the other kids. Canary had tried addressing her about talking to her father about her nightly activities, but Barbara had managed to evade the topic.

Robin sighed and stomped off to the room that he knew Canary was in where he loudly jumped into the seat and moved around for a few moments to get himself situated.

Canary looked at him carefully. “Are you okay, Robin?”

“That’s what I’m here to talk about, isn’t it?”

“What happened?”

“Just Jason being difficult.”

Canary nodded. “Dick, let’s talk honestly. We’ve talked at the mountain about everything that’s happened with the team. But we also really need to discuss the other changes that have happened in your life. We never had a chance to discuss that over the past few years.”

Dick studied her for a moment. “If you’re talking about B adopting several other kids then we’re good. They’re a pain at times but who isn’t? I mean that’s what siblings are for. And the more of them there are the less grumpy Bruce is.”

“True,” Dinah chuckled. “Alright. Then can we talk about your friends? Obviously everything has been working with the team.”

“Besides the mole and the fact half of them still have secrets, then yeah,” Robin nodded. “The Team’s the best. I love working in Gotham with my family but I love being on the team too.”

“And you don’t have issues with any of them?”

“Besides that thing with wanting to be leader in the beginning? Nah. You know what happened there. The only other issues are Supey’s anger and Wally’s flirting but nothing we can do about any of that.”

“And what about in Gotham?” Canary asked smiling. “Artemis told me she’s become friends with you, Barbara and Bette. What’s happening there? It’s not hard for you considering she’s on the team? And what about that fact there’s only girls in your group of friends?”

“That’s what Wally’s for,” Dick said nonchalantly. “And Roy. I mean if he was still around more often. We still hang out but…”

“I know,” Dinah said understandingly. “What about Artemis?”

“She’s awesome. Babs and Bette love her and school’s gotten a lot more exciting since she showed up. And once she and Wally get over themselves we’ll all be hanging out a lot more often.”

Dinah rolled her eyes but smirked. Then she looked Robin right in the eyes. “What about you? Do you have any interest in dating?”

“What? I mean…”

“Nothing leaves here. You know that, Dick.”

Dick looked up at the women who was like his aunt, one of the closest things to a mother he’d had since his own. He sighed. “I’ve thought about it. Last time I did anything resembling that might be a relationship B got pissed. We had a huge fight. Just because I was ten and gave my best friend a valentine.”

“I’m guessing you don’t mean Wally. What did Barbara think about that?”

“It was years ago,” Dick shrugged. “It’s in the past. But B is definitely against me dating. Especially within the super community. I mean I think he is. I think I’ll try again and see what happens.”

“With Barbara?”

Dick looked at her startled and nearly jumped out of his seat. “What? No! I never said anything about Barbara.”

“So who are you thinking about?”

“Zatanna. I mean not now after what just happened with her dad. But she’s really cool and we get along great.  B likes her too so I think it won’t be so much of a problem.”

“What about with your identity? Will Bruce let you tell her if you start dating? How will that affect your relationship? Does it already strain anything within the team?”

Dick sighed. This was going to be a much longer session than he thought. Jason might just have been right. He squirmed a little more in his chair and took another deep breath.  

Boom!

Tim looked eagerly over at Barry who raised his goggles. “Did I do it right?”

“Amazing.”

“I like when you and Wally let me experiment with you.  It’s not as fun as working with tech but it’s still really cool.”

“Then let me show you the next thing we’ll try,” Barry started.  Cass who had been watching in the corner creeped out. She walked out and right into Diana who looked down at her.

“Hello, little one.”

Cass smiled up at her. She signed something and Diana nodded. “As long as you let me enjoy a spar with you as well.”

Cass grinned wider as she listened to Diana’s story start. Each of the Leaguers had time to interact with one of the Batkids. When Dick had finished Cass had gone to sit with Canary. She was by herself for an hour before Barbara rejoined them so they could work on speech therapy together. Dinah was teaching the teenager more and more about taking care of mental health and relationships.

Jason had gotten to fly with Hal and with Dinah’s poking and questions about dating Dick had forgotten all about asking John and Atom to stop their training. Red Hood defused a bomb in record time and reassembled several other explosives. He was quickly becoming a weapons and mechanics expert, not that Bruce was especially happy with his interest in some of those things.

Tim had spent some time doing all of those things as well. He finally got to take a better look at Red Tornado’s systems which had him up well into the next night (not that there was night in space). He also got to train a little with the bo-staff with Black Canary. She had taught Dick to work with the eskrima sticks that were becoming his favorites but the bo staff was her specialty.

Barbara and Dick had been taken by Clark where they had their own session. The three only spoke in Kryptonian but Clark wanted to talk about their leadership skills. Both had shown more and more ability to lead teams in the past few months, though Dick’s experience with the team had shown he wasn’t ready. Though both teenagers were still unhappy with him for Superboy they were happy for his advice. Clark was still part of the family, and would be welcome again once he got some things through his head.

Cass had enjoyed getting some time with the women leaguers. Barbara and Leslie were the only women who she saw regularly and her Aunts were her role models. She and Barbara had gotten to spend some time, just girls, with the other women leaguers. None were particularly girly but hanging out in PJs and eating junk food was always fun.   

A favorite moment of all the kids that weekend was on Saturday afternoon. Captain Marvel had shown up at the watchtower as the Bats were eating their lunch. Their heads had all snapped up when the Zeta tube had announced Captain Marvel. He’d immediately seen them and flew over with a grin. “Wow! Robin! Who’s this?”

“Now that everyone knows your secret Batman said you could hear part of ours. These are my siblings, Red Hood, Black Bat, Red Robin, and my best friend, Batgirl.”

“What about Wally?”

“One of my best friends,” Robin corrected.

“Well then, I’m Captain Marvel. It’s nice to meet all of you. I didn’t know there were so many bats. Why aren’t any of you on the team?”

“Dad won’t let us.”

“Wait, Batman’s your dad?”

“Adopted,” Red Robin explained. Captain Marvel nodded thinking of his own home with his uncle.

“Still, it’d be cool if other people could know there were more kid heroes,” Captain Marvel continued.

“Like you?” Red Hood grinned slyly.

“SHAZAM!” In Captain Marvel’s place now stood Billy Batson. He scooted onto the bench. “Yeah. Billy Batson.”

“How come you get to be on the justice league and you’re just a kid?” Red Hood asked.

“Cause they didn’t know, I guess.”

“Dad did,” Red Robin spoke up. “He knows everything.”

Beside him Black Bat nodded.

“That’s true,” Billy agreed. He looked back and forth between all of the kids. “So you’re all siblings? And Batman’s your adopted dad? What’s the story?”

“Robin’s technically just his ward but he’s pretty much the same as everyone else. I’m just a close family friend,” explained Batgirl. “I was Robin’s best friend outside of hero stuff and started on my own before I figured him out.”

“That’s so cool,” Billy said wide eyed. He looked back at the other kids. “What about you guys?”

“Black Bat’s pretty new. She joined us almost a year ago. Red Robin a year or so before that but we knew him before he came to live with us. Batman adopted me when I was like eight,” Red Hood said. “That was around three years ago.”

“So you’re the same age as me?”

“Nah. You’re between me and Black Bat. And Red Robin’s even younger.”

“Not that young,” Red Robin protested.

“I’m so happy there’s other hero kids my age,” Billy bounced up and down. “What are you guys doing today? Can I hang out with you?”

Billy became quick friends with Red Hood, Red Robin and Black Bat. He still looked up to Robin in idolization and watched everything Batgirl did with wide eyes. The older two had done a lot more training, helping the league with their responsibilities, allowing the younger three to enjoy themselves with their new friend.

While the girls had their fun with the women leaguers Billy had gotten permission from his Uncle Dudley and stayed overnight at the watchtower. He was still there when it was time for the Batkids to go.

On Sunday afternoon Bruce had arrived back from Qurac. He’d been there to help the president Hajarvti, with the border violence near Bialya. Even for Bruce the weekend had been tiring. Not to mention the time adjustment. He was almost ready to collapse when he arrived at the watchtower to get the kids.

The first person he saw was Barry in the main watchtower room. He was talking to one of the boys. Batman walked over and noticed as he got closer the boy wasn’t wearing his mask.  He frowned and looked between the kid and Barry. “Why aren’t you wearing your mask?”

“Because I never wear a mask,” the kid said confused.

“You know the rules.”

“What are you talking about?”

“That’s it—” As Batman spoke he was interrupted by running footsteps and the approach of the other leaguers.

“Dad!”

His kids tackled him hugging him from all directions. He did a double take as he hugged all of them back looking back at the other boy. Barry was laughing silently. “You okay there, Bats?”

“That’s not my kid.”

“I’m not so sure. If you wanted another kid I think he’d say yes if you asked. He’d be happy to be your son. Wouldn’t you Billy?”

Billy looked back and forth between the two leaguers. “I’m kind of happy with Uncle Dudley.”

“But it’s perfect. You’re Billy Batson! And you’d fit right in,” Hal said getting where Barry was going with his joke. He looked back at Batman. “Huh, Bats? What do you think?”

Behind him Red Hood positioned himself so Batman could see him and started to imitate Green Lantern as he continued. “Really, you have so many kids already. What’s one more?”

“We’re good.”

“Well then, how was your visit to Qurac? Did Harjavti say anything about that mission I ran when they worked with Ferris Air recently? It was amazing. Great area to fly.”

Red Hood stood cockily gesturing wildly like Hal to everyone’s amusement. He smirked and looked directly at his dad who started to laugh with everyone to their surprise. His kids even looked at him in surprise. Red Hood just grinned wider. He’d recognized the way his father was acting immediately. It was clear nothing had gone well in Qurac.

Batman coughed and looked around at everyone daring them to say something. “Pack up. I expect reports from all the Leaguers individually. Are you all ready?”

“Yep.”

Red Hood walked forward proudly toward the zeta tube with a skip in his step. He’d managed to make his father laugh like not even Robin. He gave a rogueish smile once again to the league with a finger salute before heading to the zeta.

“Thanks!” Red Robin waved with his sister as they followed their father. Both grabbed their father’s arms as they walked away. Robin and Batgirl nodded at the Leaguers at well and moments later the entire family had disappeared.

Chapter Text

 After his last trip, while the kids were at the watchtower, the political climate in Qurac had gotten worse, leading to another intervention from Bruce Wayne and the assistance of the team in secret. Alfred was already preparing for Thanksgiving when Bruce and Dick arrived home. Even before, he walked through the front door Bruce could feel something was wrong with his oldest son. The concern had been weighing on him long before he assigned them the mission. Leadership wasn’t easy, but if anyone was made for it, then it was Dick.

His son’s excitement for future leadership had dulled after the failure of the team’s first official mission when they had gone in with no decided leader. Aqualad had done well steering the team in the right directions on most their missions. However, as they had already learnt was that Kaldur could not be much of a leader in the dessert. That left Robin to lead this mission.

More than anyone Robin was trained for all of this. He knew all of the political impact Qurac’s surrender would make. He knew the laws and what he could and couldn’t do without the UN’s permission. Still, in their line of work, even with all the preparation he’d had, missions were unpredictable. It was that along with the burden of leadership, that had Bruce so worried.

He knew the problems in Qurac had been solved. The mission seemed to be a success but he was too skilled at reading people to be fooled. Checking the footage in the cave when the team arrived back, just to see how everything had gone, Bruce knew he had been right. The issues before the mission with Ms. Martian’s behavior and shape shifting hadn’t been solved. Though that was clearly not the only issue. For such a powerful telepath/empath Ms. Martian didn’t have a good handle on the way she projected her emotions.

With Robin it was different. If he hadn’t raised the boy and taught him everything he knew it wouldn’t have been apparent. When he came off the bioship the usually straight and proud shoulders had a small slump to them. He knew what leadership meant now, and how he had to feel responsibility for his entire team. He already knew how to guide them. That much was proved by the stunt the team pulled by having M’gann pretend to be Queen Bee to surrender. That was Dick’s idea for sure. Normally he would be cocky, proud of the mission he’d lead, but not right now. Something had happened and Bruce didn’t know what. After all, no one else had noticed, but the image was at the forefront of his mind as he walked through the front door.

“Welcome back, Master Bruce.”

“Thank you Alfred,” Bruce sighed. “The kids?”

“Master Tim is playing with Harper and Cullen Row. The elder two are occupied in the house, though I believe Master Dick is resting after his mission. I actually must get back to the kitchen to help Miss Cass with our Thanksgiving meal. She’s been helping me read out the recipes, and even copying some over.”

Bruce smiled happy his daughter had been progressing so well. “Go ahead Alfred. I’ll be there soon to say hi.”

As Alfred hurried back to the kitchen, Bruce wandered up the stairs towards Jason’s room. Inside, Jason was sprawled across the bed, his nose buried inside a book. He was so engrossed, he hadn’t noticed his father entering the room. Bruce had to put his hand over the book, snatching it for a moment and placing a bookmark in carefully before taking a seat on the bed.

“Dad!” Jason groaned. Bruce raised an eyebrow as if to question the complaint. With a sigh, Jason gave in. “Welcome back. Can I have my book back now?”

“Go ahead. I just expect you to put it down for a bit later so you can tell me a little about the past few days.”

“If you leave me alone I can finish it already!”

Bruce shook his head in amusement as the side of his mouth twitched before going to search for Dick. He saw the shaggy head of wet hair leaned over as the boy had put himself into the splits.

“Stretching?”

“Did you just get back too?” Dick asked looking up for a second before reaching over for one of his legs.

Bruce joined him on the floor, though not in the splits. Alfred already had enough trouble with the cleaning of his suits. “The team get back okay?”

“Yeah. None of us were hurt.”

His eyes had not met Bruce’s, and he’d leaned further into his stretch, leaving something unsaid in the statement. Bruce gave him a quick search with his eyes. Once satisfied that Dick had been truthful with that statement he pressed forward to the issue at hand.

“A civilian?”

“Even younger than Tim.”

Bruce inhaled. It was always something they had had to deal with in their jobs. Yet, having a civilian injured during the first mission you’d ever led would put a burden on Dick’s shoulders. Another reminder about what exactly having leadership meant.

“Tell me.”

Dick pulled out of his stretch into sitting with his legs crossed. He looked at Bruce and sighed. “I didn’t want to get involved. We were flying to Qurac and we saw Bialyan soldiers on the border. They were trampling a ranch. I told the team it wasn’t our issue but…”

Bruce nodded. They all had the urge to help. Dick probably had understood how helping the owners of the ranch would bring them under the soldiers attention, but the need to assist had gotten in the way. “Continue.”

“We stopped the soldiers and saved the animals, mom and her kid. Turns out the mom is a former Tv star, a show called Hello Megan!”

“So you know?”

“I had a feeling it wasn’t her true form. It wasn’t until Garfield, the kid, pointed out how much Miss M looked like his mom when she acted on TV. She told us after we figured it out, showed us that she was bald and a little less human looking. I still think she’s hiding something.”

“We’re already aware of Miss Martian’s issues with her image. It’s something we all have an eye on. Let me know if you see more,” Bruce ordered Dick who nodded solemnely. “But you’ve pushed us off topic. Avoiding it doesn’t help. You know that.”

“It’s different when it’s my fault.”

“Helping people doesn’t make it your fault.”

“I ordered the kid to stay put! I knew the drone strike was happening. But he’s not like Tim or Cass. He’s a civilian. He was trying to save their animals. The explosion…”

“How bad?”

“Shock and burns. Not horrible. He needed a transfusion but none of us had the right blood type and nearest hospital was too far away.”

“Did you send Wally then? He has experience with jobs like that.”

“I was thinking of it, but Megan suggested she do it.”

Bruce frowned. He couldn’t imagine how the mother felt. He had nothing against the martians, but one giving his son a blood transfusion was something else. “She can change on a molecular level already?”

“It worked, so I guess. Either way, we figured out Psimon was with Harjavti so that’s that. It’s not just image that Miss M needs to take care of. I know we hurt bad guys, but putting them into coma’s?”

“I’ll talk to J’onn. At least Psimon will stay away.” Bruce sighed, but didn’t show Dick what he was actually thinking. The way the girl was growing more and more powerful was dangerous. Heroes needed to have a code and she wasn’t keeping to it. He needed to talk to J’onn about it, at length. At the moment more worrying was Dick. “The boy?”

“He was alright. Healed and just woken up when we left. I’ve lost civilians before but…”

Bruce put a hand on his shoulder. “I understand. No matter how hard it is every time, this time you were leading the mission.” “

I’m not ready to be a leader, Bruce. Not like this.”

“I disagree,” Bruce said waiting until Dick met his eyes before he continued. “The fact you know that responsibility is on you is what makes you a good leader. You know your team well. I’ve always known you would be great. And as you started to act as leader with your siblings, more and more I knew you were ready. The team and this mission just proved it. We plan but there’s nothing we can do to stop every bad thing from happening.”

“But Garfield…” Dick protested.

“Is fine. You knew what you were doing. I’m proud of you.”

Dick’s fists clenched. He slapped the ground. “But I messed up! I messed up badly.”

“So does everyone when they’re learning. Even I’ve messed up before.”

Dick stared at him for a moment. “Did you just admit you’ve made mistakes?”

“Don’t go telling everyone,” Bruce warned him. “But after so long working alone, learning to work with the League was hard. No one would ever just follow my orders…. Not like I wanted. I had to learn even if I was leading I was still part of the team.” Bruce grabbed the hand Dick had just slapped the floor with and pulled it between his own. “It to

ok most of the other Leaguers getting trapped and captured before I learnt that. And then Diana had to slap me into shape when I tried to blame myself for not warning them or doing something to stop it from happening.”

Dick moved closer to his father and leaned his head on Bruce’s shoulder as he snickered. “Good ol’ Auntie D.”

Bruce huffed almost wishing he hadn’t said a thing about it. “But what I’m trying to say is that we all make mistakes. But we try, and that’s the important thing. You know as well as I do not everyone can be saved. Just remember that you managed to do that today, the kid is safe and the mission was successful.”

He pulled Dick closer and sat with his son for a while, letting him know he wasn’t alone, that he had someone to rely on, and that no matter what insecurities he was drowning in, there would always be someone there to pull him back up.

_________________________________

The next day was used for both of them to rest up after their travel to the middle east. Alfred continued to cook with help from the kids, preparing for the annual Thanksgiving meal. It was always the biggest event of the year for him, beside Christmas. No matter how British he might be, Alfred was always ready for a chance to celebrate his family. Especially a holiday, where Bruce didn’t just think about what he lost, but to be thankful for what he had, a family he created.

As one of the prominent, and famous families in Gotham and even the world, the Waynes usually had to be participate publicly in many different events. There was one year there was a Thanksgiving Parade which Bruce had been in, but on all other occasions it was a holiday for them alone. For their family.

This year, as usual, the Gordons would come for dinner. Commisioner Gordon and Barbara usually brought a few side dishes. Their mashed potatoes, though no one ever said it aloud, were much better than Alfred’s. It was one of the few dishes he didn’t do as well as others, which no one understood considering it was much simpler than roasting a Turkey. The Gordons were almost as much a part of their family as everyone else, and the Commisioner never had much time to cook anything but the simplest things. It worked out well for all of them.

The morning of Thanksgiving, Bruce was long gone before any of the kids woke. There was a League Meeting today, not just for the founders, but the entire League. They had started early to make sure every Leaguer would be back home for Thanksgiving dinner. He just hoped Clark remembered the pies that he’d promised the kids from his mother.

Watching the sun rise over earth’s horizon from Space in the morning was always an otherworldly experience, even when otherworldly was part of a person’s everyday vocabulary. For a few moments, he, Clark and Diana stood in silence just watching. Above all, the three of them had a responsibility to the League as it’s leaders. The other heroes looked to them as examples, and each word they said in this meeting would impact the League’s future. In this case, as a strategist, and as someone who knew everything about everyone, the League would especially looking to Batman for his vote.

It was Aquaman who introduced the agenda, with Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman driving in it’s importance as they began. It took much longer than he would have liked for everyone to be seated. After all, they all had assigned seats. Once everyone was seated he looked at Clark to start.

“Right, so, we’re here to discuss expanding the League. There have been more heroes showing up lately, many who are worthy of joining us. If we do expand, who do we want?”

“The last time we added members was almost two years ago now,” Batman reminded them. “Captain Marvel and Red Tornado were voted in then. It’s worked out well, but there is a lot weighing on what we decide today.”

It was J’onn who volunteered to speak first. As he stood he pointed out how expanding the League could cause their enemies to retaliate by forming and expanding their own teams, like the Justice League. Superman reminded him he didn’t have to vote yes on anyone, or on expanding at all and went on to nominate Icon. “Why? Cause you suspect he’s another kryptonian, like you did with Captain Marvel?”

“You thought I was kryptonian, cool!”

Batman wanted to shake his head, to remind Billy not to exaggerate the fact he was still a child. After all, if they wanted to remove him from the League, today would be the day to do it. Luckily, Diana moved away from the topic by saying she agreed with Icon’s nomination, as long as they thought about his protegee Rocket as well. “Athena knows the League could use more female members.”

“Agreed.”

“Hear! Hear!”

They discussed Icon, Rocket and their powers for a bit. What the pros and cons of adding them to the team would be, before asking for more nominations. Red Tornado and John Stewart stood up.
“We would like to bring the Atom to attention.”

“Seriously, the Atom, how useful could he be at that size?” Captain Marvel asked with a skeptical eyeroll.

Bruce wanted to reprimand him like one of his own children for bringing attention on himself again. “It’s the size that makes him useful.”

The Flash, Barry, grinned. “Absolutely. But we could always use more raw power, and Earth has a third Green Lantern. Guy Gardner.”

There were immediately two resounding ‘No’s from the Lanterns currently at the table. Which knowing Gardner, Bruce had to agree with. He wasn’t much more mature than his eleven year old son, and that wasn’t something they needed. Flash tried to protest but was shut down again by both Hal and John.

The next possible member brought up, for the ‘raw power’ Barry thought they could use more of, was Blue Devil. After discussing him for a moment, Green Arrow stood up.

“If we’re considering Blue Devil, then I nominate Red Arrow.” He waited a moment while Roy’s hologram appeared before them. “Roy has more experience and he’s no kid anymore. He’s eighteen. A legal adult.”

The argument carried on as Batman expected after that, with Aquaman, who had the most respectful partner, pointing out how troublesome the teen was. On that he agreed. After all, he was the reason the team had decided to go to Cadmus. The debate lasted around ten minutes. Black Canary had to stop Green Arrow from getting into a further argument as he defended Roy.

Meanwhile on Earth, Alfred had woken each of the kids. He’d put their clothes for later out then headed back to the kitchen, where one by one the kids arrived to help, or more accurately make a mess. Half an hour into the cooking, Dick’s phone rang.

“Hey, Wally.”

“Dude! You should stop by and hang.”

“In Central?”

“The Mountain!”

“Why are you even there? Don’t you have Flash Family Thanksgiving, I though Iris and Joan are making a giant meal for the three of you.”

“They are, but I wasn’t going to pass up the chance to sample Megalicious’s cooking, and Z’s too!”

Dick winced inwardly, remembering this would be her first holiday without her father. On the outside he chuckled. “Nah. I’m cooking here, or at least trying to help Agent A. Why would I pass that up?”

“True,” Wally’s voice came.

“Just remember not to eat all the food they’re making! Save some for Connor too,” Dick said before he hung up. He was more than happy to return to his and Cass’s attempt to decorate the pumpkin pie in some way. Still, some of his thoughts were with his teammates who wouldn’t have any family to celebrate with. He would make sure to save some more of the pie Uncle Clark promised for Connor, and bring some other leftovers for everyone else.

“Hey, Dickiebird! You and Cassie coming?” Jason asked running into the kitchen. He was dressed in his fall coat as was Tim who arrived a moment later.

“Yeah. Just let us finish with this and change.”

“Hurry up!”

When Dick and Cass finished they ran to join their other two brothers. Alfred was left to clean up after them with a smile. Jason, above all, had a heart for helping and caring for others who grew up like him. He volunteered often at the soup kitchens, or at least when allowed at his tender age. He would usually drag along one or two of his siblings to help. The children would be there for a few hours, allowing Alfred to finish his cooking in peace.

At the watchtower Bruce was also thinking about his children, as someone suggested Aqualad, Kid Flash and Robin be nominated to the League. This time it was Superman who protested.

“No. Red Arrow may be eighteen but the rest of the team is too young. We’re not inducting children into the league.”

Nearby Captain Marvel was shifting anxiously and Batman knew the moment had come, if not now then very soon.

“That seems myopic. I have been one with Kid Flash and Aqualad,” Fate spoke up for the first time. “Both are ready.”

With a subtle grin Black Canary put forward the hologram of Zatanna. “What of Zatanna?”

“Absolutely not!” Fate growled. Around the table the Leaguers allowed hope to bloom in their chests. Batman knew then that the overprotective father was still in there, as Wonder Woman made a comment that agreed.

Then, again, Captain Marvel did the opposite of what he should of and stood up. “Why is Dr. Fate a member? You coerced Zatara into giving his life to you, or else lose his daughter instead. Not cool.”

Red Tornado looked toward Fate, human emotions starting to come to life in his glowing eyes. “Should such behavior be condoned?”

“Zatara desires Dr. Fate to remain in the League,” Fate announced. Batman, as much as he disliked Fate, especially with him around his children, agreed. Fate’s power was needed, whether they like it or not, as Dr. Fate continued to point out to Green Arrow’s protest.

“Zatara’s faith in Nabu is measured. He desires the League to keep close watch upon us,” Fate said. No one had any argument with that, and Fate continued with the fact they needed him to combat other magic users.

It was the next nomination that finally brought Captain Marvel under the scrutinization of all. When he started laughing at the suggestion of Plastic Man, all faces in the room turned to look at him. It was the Flash who broached the topic with a sigh. “Maybe it’s time we all talked about the elephant in the room. Should Captain Marvel stay a member, now that really know he’s only ten years old?”

“He does possess an adult body and the wisdom of Solomon,” pointed out Red Tornado.

“Wisdom does not equal maturity,” Aquaman disagreed.

“Hey! I’m right here!” Captain Marvel protested.

In the voice she used to speak with children, Black Canary leaned forward. “Then, Billy, maybe you should leave while we hash this out.”

It was the use of that voice that made sure Batman didn’t let this go on much longer. “No. Captain Marvel is a member and is entitled to participate, until or unless he’s voted out.”

“It’s not just his age,” Wonder Woman argued. “It’s the fact he lied about it.”

“I didn’t lie, exactly. I just left out the part about being a kid.”

“A lie of omission is still a lie. You kept an important secret from us, no one in the League knew the truth.”

Bruce rolled his eyes. They all probably had some suspicion but it was time to confirm it. “I did.”

“I shouldn’t be surprised, since you indocrinated Robin into crime fighting at the ripe old age of nine.”

And here it was again, that old argument all of them liked to bring up from time to time, especially when they were under societal pressure for involving children. He made sure to stare into her eyes as he answered. “Robin needed to help bring the men who murdered his family to justice?”

“Robin’s family was murdered?” he heard Captain Marvel gasp.

“So he could turn out like you?” Wonder Woman accused.

“So that he wouldn’t.”

Superman put a hand on his shoulder then. “Look, we’ve all discussed Robin and the kids fighting many times. It’s been decided and won’t change. That’s not what we’re here to talk about. We made the team because the kids are not ready to join the League.”

“Not until they’re at least eighteen,” agreed Flash.

“Like Roy!”

Everyone ignored Green Arrow’s statement as Martian Manhunter stood up. “You seem to have reached consensus that eighteen years is a suitable minimum age for joining the League. Yet, what of Miss Martian? Though she is a biological adolescent by human standards, she was born fourty eight earth years ago.”

“So what is the deciding factor? Chronology, or biology?” Red Tornado asked. “Take Superboy.”

As varied as the superhero community was, a topic like this was long coming. All of their attention was captured as Black Canary continued on the Superboy tangent. “Exactly, he’s less than a year old, does he have to wait seventeen years more to stand beside us?”

The entire room turned towards Superman who looked away. Another elephant in the room that needed to be breached.

“There are a lot of things in debate here,” Batman spoke up. “Before this there has never been a reason to think about someone under eighteen joining the League. Yet, Wonder Woman proposed Rocket, who must be around sixteen, and not much older than most members of the Team. Yet you were ready to have her join the League.”

“I was suggesting we add more female members to the League,” Wonder Woman said harshly.

“Which I would like too,” Black Canary agreed. “But we weren’t about to debate adding Black Bat to the League, even though she could easily beat most of us in a fight.”

“No,” Batman growled. “You won’t.”

“She’s not even ten. Not old enough to join,” Superman nodded.

“So then Captain Marvel is?” argued John Stewart.

“Captain Marvel has been a valuable member of the League,” Batman said. “Even at his young age. And imagine how it would look to the public if he suddenly left the League. Would we stop him from being a hero on his own? Would we put him with the Team? A full grown adult fighting with them?”

“But he’s not a full grown adult.” Black Canary crossed her arms and met his eyes.

“Batman does have a point,” Superman decided.

“I always have a point,” Batman said. “I’ll say what I think right now. The best deciding factor seems to be biological age. Though Robin has the most experience, I would not let him fight in the League. That doesn’t mean even is eighteen they should join the League. Aquaman is right about Roy.”

“Roy is eighteen! He’s ready!” Green Arrow shouted.

“Not at all. He’s proven himself unable to work with others and listen to teammates. All factors need to be taken into account. Which is why I don’t think Roy should join the League, or any of the Team. Captain Marvel, however should stay in the League.”

“Thank you Batman,” Superman said standing up. He could see that it could get even worse momentarily if Wonder Woman decided to argue in front of everyone. Both she and Batman got up to stand beside him.

“No other ideas?” After a momentary pause he continued. “Then here are our candidates for new or continued membership.”

Batman looked at all of them reminding them of his opinions. “We’ve debated origin, gender, size, experience, age, temperament and background. But what is the fundamental criterium for membership?”

Wonder Woman glared at him and turned back to the Leaguers. “When all is said and done, the question must be, whom do we trust? Trust to fight beside us, trust to have our backs, trust to uphold the high standards and ideals of the Justice League.”

“Time to vote.”

It took around twenty minutes for all the Leaguers to cast their votes and to ratify the results. The meeting was dismissed and the Leaguers wished each other Happy Thanksgiving and left one by one. Batman watched this all happen, taking a few greeting and giving a few nods in return.

The one hero he stopped was Captain Marvel. He grabbed the heroes arm, forcing him to look the man in the eye. “Um…Batman?”

“Billy, for now you’re staying in the League. But we’ll need to talk sometimes about what that means, either with me, Superman or Black Canary. We’re trusting you with this responsibility for now, but we need you to prove you’re ready for it. Understood?”

“Yeah. Have a happy Thanksgiving Batman!”

“Go home, Billy,” Batman said sending him off. Moments later, all that was left was the Leaguers who had been there the earliest: Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman. “Diana, Bruce, I understand both of your opinions, but we need to be more united in front of the League.”

“They know we have strong opinions, why not let them see us voice them?” Diana questioned. “I don’t have to agree with what you men think all the time.”

“You don’t,” Bruce agreed. “But you will stop questioning how I raise my children and what I allow them to do. Both of you, until you become parents, or decide to act like one, then you can share what you think about that.”

Superman not wanting to talk about Conner again, fled to go get the apple pie he’d promised and to leave the conversation. Diana huffed.“Bruce…”

“Diana, my children love you as part of our family, and you might be one of the closest things they have to a mother, but you aren’t their parent.”

“Very well. But that does not mean I would approve of any of them joining the League.”

“Neither do I,” Bruce agreed. “At least not until they are much older. For now I want to let them be children, not normal children, they haven’t been normal children for a very long time, but still children.”

Diana nodded. “Send your family a happy Thanksgiving, Bruce.”

“Enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner Diana.”

“Here’s an extra pie for you Di,” Clark said flying up right as she was about to go through the Zeta tube.

“Thank you, Clark. Enjoy your Thanksgiving.”

Clark gave her a hug and watched as she left. Then he hovered and landed next to Bruce. “Did you two figure it out?”

“It’s not just Diana and I that need to work things out.”

Clark narrowed his eyes again. “Here’s the pie. Have a good Thanksgiving, Bruce.”

“You too, Clark,” Bruce answered brusquely before leaving to join his family’s preparations.

Alfred’s years of practice had everything perfectly timed, down to a tee, even with all the craziness that tended to happen. Everything would be ready when he wanted it too, not before or after. The table had been set, and decorations put up by an excited Cass, Tim, and Dick. Jason didn’t wait for his siblings to finish to watch the football game with Bruce. Or wait for permission to try a sip of the beer.

Then a little before five, Alfred paused the game, promising it was recorded and continued by sending them all upstairs to get ready. It had become a tradition to take a picture of the kids, once just Dick and Barbara, then the additions of Jason, Tim and now for the first time Cass.

The little girl was fidgeting nervously as she looked at the picture of years past. She pulled down on her the mustard yellow corduroy overall dress, which she wore over a black shirt. With her other hand she reached up and traced the outline of her family in last years picture. Her hand flew back suddenly as she jumped into a defensive pose at the sound of a door slamming and shouting echoing from upstairs.

“Why do we do this anyway? This thing’s the itchiest sweater I’ve ever worn. Why can’t we just wear t-shirts like normal people?” Jason complained.

“T-shirts sound good!” Dick piped up.

“Young masters, you will come down here in your sweaters and take part in the picture as always,” Alfred ordered from the foot of the stairs. He narrowed his eyes at Dick who had been heading toward the stair-rail. “You will also take care not to wrinkle and keep your appearance nice. No sliding down.”

“Hah,” Jason said as he shoved past Dick with tongue out. Dick raced to get down before him.

“And no stomping down the stairs either!”Alfred called but it was too late. He turned with a sigh to head back to the kitchen.

Cass looked at her brothers who now sat on the couch, catching up on the game. Unlike them, she didn’t mind dressing up for events. She liked the pretty clothes, and colors. Not just black. That was something she never had before her family.

What made her nervous was the picture. It meant she was part of the family. After almost a year, did she belong? Was she really one of them? She looked back at the pictures going back every year since Dick had first come to live with Bruce. Every year and Bruce had never given up on him or the others. Their family was permanent. (She liked that word, Barbara had taught it to her.) And once she was in the picture she would be permanent too.

She stayed looking at the pictures for a while longer, until Bruce came downstairs to wipe away those fears. Even though he didn’t know what she was thinking, it was his hand on her shoulder, and the smile on his face that told her. More than the words about how pretty she looked or the compliments on her dress. Sometimes, Cass wished everyone could speak the way she did, and learn the truth of bodies and thoughts.

Bruce steered her towards the door as Alfred opened it, just around six o’clock, as every year, to welcome in the Gordons. After hugs, welcomes and the exchange of dishes (which Alfred hurried to the kitchen), they walked towards the main dining room.

“Thank you for having us again this year, Bruce.”

“Really, Jim? You know there’s no need to thank me. I haven’t done anything. It was all Alfred and the kids.”

Alfred returned just then. “Don’t thank me either. Thanksgiving is for family, and you and Miss Barbara are as good as that.”

“Thank you Alfred,” Commisioner Gordon said sincerely.

Alfred nodded, then went to get the camera, leaving Bruce to put up with complaints as he told the kids to get ready for the picture.

“I still don’t see why we can’t wear t-shirts,” Jason protested. “Or even have to take this picture at all.”

“The sweater is kind of itchy,” Tim agreed.

“I have plenty of pictures of all of you in normal clothes, I would like a nice one and that’s why we do this. Then I don’t have to force you to do it before a Gala, which we know is torture enough.”

“Then you understand,” Dick said clapping his hands together. “This is torture. We should just start eating.”

“Picture first. Cass is ready, can’t the rest of you be like her?” Bruce pleaded.

Barbara raised an eyebrow. “C’mon, guys. It’s not that bad. Let’s get it over with.”

The kids lined up, Barbara, Dick and Jason in the back and Tim and Cass in front. Dick’s arm was thrown around Jason’s shoulder, and Barbara had one in front of her on one of Cass’s arms, as the other was being held by Tim.

It was a pleasing affect, with the background of decorations, sweaters and fall colors. Alfred had decided to dress the children in classic Thankgiving tones this year. Cass in her mustard yellow dress, black tights, undershirt and shoes, Tim in an orange, yellow and red checkered sweater, Jason wore a plain red sweater and Dick wore a creamy color with a brown pattern. It looked nice next to Barbara’s soft fit-and-flare, brown dress and denim jacket, with red hair she was careful about what colors she wore, and this suited her well.

“At least we have a nice picture this year,” Babs whispered not quite so quietly. “Remember last year?”

“How could any of us forget,” Bruce groaned.

“You’re reminding me. The GCPD is still doing the paper work,” Gordon huffed.

Alfred caught the picture then, of the kids laughing as Jason recounted his favorite part of Calendar Man and Penguin’s team up last year to make sure no one had any Thanksgiving turkey. They’d freed all the birds from farms all around the east coast and there was a huge shortage.

Bruce finished explaining to a confused Cass while the rest of the kids kept laughing to a bemused Gordon’s slight dismay. Then Alfred returned after putting the camera away to announce dinner was served. From then on it was the same as every year, the kids talked about their own things, occasionally listening to the talks about Wayne Enterprises and the GCPD. Jason and Dick argued over whether white or dark meat was better while Alfred carved the Turkey and continued kicking each other under the table as if that would prove anything. That ended when Tim got caught between them and kicked back with a force stronger than either of them expected, causing yelps and a look from Bruce. The night ended with all of them stuffed, even Jason who ate the most for someone of their size. The kids cuddled onto the couch to watch more Thanksgiving and Christmas TV while the adults watched with some hot and not kid friendly cider.

“Thank you again for being a part of my family, Jim.”

“Thank you, Bruce,” Jim agreed holding up his mug.

Clink

Chapter Text

Bruce and all the kids were surrounding a single note sitting in front of them on one of the work tables. It was the third such thing they’d found in almost as many weeks. They’d been graffitied on roofs and delivered to the GCPD. And in their experience, only a few villains ever gave voluntary hints to what was happening. They’d just caught Riddler last month and he was still in Arkham, and no one had heard from Cluemaster in over a year and a half.  Either there was someone new or something they hadn’t figured out.

“It could be Cluemaster though,” Jason pointed out. “He’s not in jail anymore.”

“But this isn’t in his style. He and Riddler leave different types of clues, and though this is closer to Cluemaster’s it’s still not as advanced.”

Bruce turned away to sit at the computer. “Both of you are right.”

With a few taps, he pulled up pictures of similar notes and clues on the screen displaying them to the kids. Then he pulled up a picture of the more recent ones to put side by side. “What do you see?”

“It’s definitely a different person.”

“A copycat,” Dick reasoned.

“Cat?” Cass signed.

“Someone who copies someone else,” Dick explained.

“The syntax is different,” Tim hummed. “And the writing, it’s weird. Not like something we’d usually see.”

They all agreed something didn’t feel right. After a little longer contemplating the note Bruce stopped the theories to point out the most important part of the messages. “We know somethings happening.”

“And a where.”

“Barbara, you, Cass and Dick can monitor the situation. I want constant surveillance there for the next few weeks. I’ll take Tim on patrol with me to help look for more of these ‘clues.’”

Jason frowned but didn’t protest. He’d been grounded for sneaking out on his own for a different mission in Crime Alley against some new gangs rising up. He’d done pretty well before Bruce had discovered he was sneaking out and then finished the mission himself. Though Jason still had a big head about all the things he’d uncovered and what Bruce would do. Now though, he would be punished with the part of casework he hated most, sitting in the cave and staring at things until he figured something out.

The others suited up to head out on patrol and the allotted destinations. Dick and Barbara went straight to the warehouse, near the place in Crime Alley Jason had just been sneaking out too. Cass took a little time looking around before joining them. Meanwhile, Bruce and Tim patrolled the city as usual. Nothing was out of the ordinary, at least not for Gotham.

Still, Tim’s brain was working hard as he thought about the things he’d seen. The way the clues were written, Cluemaster may not be leaving clues personally but it was definitely tied to him. There was something else too it though…. it reminded him more of something he’d see in school, not a plan by a villain mastermind. Until he was sure, he wouldn’t say a thing. That was good detective work, getting proof and making sure the puzzle was put together before you acted.

He started with camera footage. Cluemaster was already in their system, with all his information including names of family, friends and previous addresses. From there it was easy to set up a way to track all of them. He did it on the computer he’d put together with Barbara, not ready to show Bruce just yet. Especially once he started to figure out what was happening.

He left after school, going with Harper and Cullen, presumably for a sleepover. He toted his bag into their small apartment and stayed for a few hours, enjoying his time with his friends. The entire time, even while he was watching movies and eating pizza, he was going over the plan in his head.

Right before the sibling’s mother came to usher them to bed, Tim pretended to have been called home on his cell. After assuring them Alfred was already downstairs he left the apartment and walked up the stairs instead towards the roof. Finding a discreet spot with no CCTV nearby he changed into his uniform and took off to track his target.

He found her a block away from her home, dressed in the purple sweatsuit and old burglar mask he’d seen her in on his surveillance several times. As she went from place to place, fire escape, to roof to stairwells, he followed her. They were closer to downtown when she stopped, climbing down from the roof of the movie theater to the overhead displaying the movies playing at the moment.

There was the sound of a spray paint can shaking then a hand leaning over to graffiti the sign below. She painted over the sign for the movie, Black Swan in a rusty orange like that of Cluemaster’s costume. ‘Tchaikovsky didn’t make every ballet on this ETA.’

As soon as she was done she took off again. Tim mapped her trajectory in his mind and chose a rooftop to wait as she moved from one place to another. He sat in the shadows, trying to be like Batman, hiding in the corners of the roof’s wall. It took nearly fifteen minutes for her to arrive, traveling in the inefficient way she was. The second the heavy fall of the pad’s of her feet happened, and she started to run across the roof, he was out, barring her with the bow staff he took from home.

She fell back, eyes widening. “Who are you?”

“The question is, Stephanie, who are you?”

She stood up and huffed pulling back her hood and mask. “That’s just creepy. And weird. How do you know who I am?”

“Clues.”

“Mine?”

“Not the ones you left intentionally.”

“What?” she asked confused.

“On purpose.”

Her eyes narrowed again. “Who are you? And why are you here?”

“I’ll tell you once you tell me why you’re leaving clues.”

She sat down cross-legged on the floor, hesitantly he joined her while she put her face in her hands and sighed. “I mean, really? If this was like a movie you would have figured that out too. You should have anyway. You know who I am and that’s the hard part.”

“Not really,” he shrugged, collapsing the bow-staff and lying it into his lap. “I knew about your dad and how he left clues. And the clues you left are close but not close enough, they’re just a little different, probably because you’re younger and a woman.”

“Hey!”

“Not a bad thing,” he assured her. “It’s just the way our speech develops. So then it was detective work finding the people closest to your dad and I saw you on the cameras.”

“Cameras?”

He pointed to several of the surrounding buildings and blocks. “They’re everywhere. And Batman plants even more extra ones. I don’t even know where those all are.”

“Who are you?” She demanded again. “You’re a kid, but you’re not Robin. A copycat?”

“Are you copying your dad?”

“What? No!” Stephanie declared offended. “I’m stopping him. I’m Spoiler, and I’m going to spoil all his plans.”

Red Robin laughed. “Spoiler?”

“I have a costume and everything. Even if it’s not as good as yours.”

“It’s not a costume. It’s a uniform. And that’s a purple pair of sweatpants and a uniform,” he pointed to her legs as one of his mask lenses widened as if he was quirking his eyebrow.

“It’s eggplant, not purple. And it’s still a good disguise! Dad doesn’t know a thing.”

“Does anyone?” Red Robin asked curiously with a tilt of the head.

“You.”

“What about your mom?”

“She’s always sad, or on drugs. Or at work. That’s where she gets the drugs.”

“From the hospital.” Red Robin put it together as he remembered Crystal Brown’s profession as a nurse. “So she doesn’t know?”

“Not about me. She knows Dad is a bad guy. I mean he just got back to Gotham a few months ago, and that was after breaking out of Belle Reve. And it’s not like he tries to keep it secret. He leaves clues!”

“But not anymore.”

“Yeah. So I’m doing it for him. He has meetings right in front of me. I mean, he promised when he got back, he said he’d be good this time.”

Tim sighed and thought about everyone he knew whose parents were like that, horrible and promising to be better only to revert back to old habits. That’s were a lot of heroes came from after all, like Dick’s teammate Artemis, and Jason.

“Then he joined a gang or something and they’re planning something big. And one of the reasons Mom is so sad is because of him, so I thought if I stopped him, maybe…. Well…”

“So you’ve been sneaking out while he’s with his gang and she’s at work or drugged up,” Red Robin reasoned. He looked closely at her for a minute and sighed. “I know you want to help, but Batman’s not going to like this.”

“Why? I’m helping him!” Steph shouted and frowned at him challengingly. “And why do you care? Won’t he be mad about you?”

For a moment he didn’t answer, unmoving as she tried to intimidate him with her stare. He considered whether or not to tell her anything and how mad Batman would be if he found out. But then she was trustworthy. She wasn’t great at lying or sneaking about, but she was good and trying to help. And she needed help too. “Probably. He’s my dad and I’m not supposed to be here either.”

Stephanie’s jaw dropped. It was a few minutes before she repeated his statement. “He’s your dad?”

“Yes. And he will be mad that you’re out here right now.”

Both kids turned from where they sat to see Robin standing over them frowning. Red Robin turned a little pink, looking away. On the opposite hand, Stephanie couldn’t seem to look anywhere but right at him, eyes getting wider than before.

“Red Robin, your friend’s mom called to check you got back. Should’ve thought of that. Still took a while to find you,” Robin smirked. “But congrats. You’ve snuck out from BMan for the first time. Join the club.”

Stephanie threw her head back and laughed. Red Robin turned red and glared at his brother. “I’m working on a case.”

“Seems like you’re visiting your girlfriend,” Robin teased. “Everyone’s gonna be so happy to hear about this.”

“She’s not my girlfriend.”

“I barely know him!”

“She should be. She thought I was funny.”

“That’s really all it takes for him to like someone,” Red Robin rolled his eyes. “Not that he doesn’t like everyone.”

“Now you sound like Hood. Either way, Batman is still looking. So you better be ready to explain this to him.”

Red Robin groaned and Stephanie lit up. “Batman? Coming here?”

“Yes. So you better go home,” Robin said pointedly.

“No way! The whole reason I’m here is to help. You need me.”

Robin chuckled again. “Wow. You got yourself your own Batgirl.”

“Thanks! Hey, are you and Batgirl dating?” Stephanie asked.

Now it was Robin’s turn to become red as he shook his head and denied that profusely. When he recollected himself with a frown he looked between the two younger kids. “I’m comming Bats now. Don’t move.”

Both of them watched him walking to the other end of the roof as he called Batman and explained the situation. Stephanie was following his every move as Red Robin watched hers. Finally, she noticed him staring. “Maybe you do want to date me.”

“No! I’m just trying to figure you out.”

“I guess to work with Batman you really have to like puzzles.”

He met her eyes. “I mean, yeah, kind of. But it’s more than that. And some of us like that part more than others. I’m not as good at fighting yet, but I found you.”

“How many of you are there? If Batman’s your Dad, is Robin’s your brother, and Batgirl your sister? It makes sense cause he’s not dating her.”

He paused for a moment before explaining he had two brothers and a sister, though Batgirl was very much like a sister as well. Stephanie listened to it all entranced. Until Robin walked back over and interrupted them again. Both kids stood up to look at him.

“Seriously, Baby Bird, not that I’m not proud of you for sneaking out—”

Stephanie snickered.

“Because you’ve completed a traditional rite done by your brothers, but that also means there’s the bad part coming.”

“I’m in trouble,” Red Robin groaned.

“A lot of it,” agreed Batman as he landed next to Robin. He looked at the scene before him and the little girl next to his youngest son. “Now, explain. Who is she and why did you sneak out?”

“I’m Spoiler,” Stephanie grinned sticking her hand out.

“Stephanie Brown.”

“Hey! Secret identity.”

“I don’t want to get in more trouble. And it’s part of the case,” Red Robin said to reason with her.

“Cluemaster’s daughter.”

Both the older heroes looked again between the two kids starting to put it together in their minds. Batman frowned harshly when Robin finally asked why Stephanie was dressed like that a few minutes later.

“You were leaving the clues.”

“Duh! I’m spoiling his plans. That’s where the name comes from.”

“So you know his plans.”

It wasn’t a question. Stephanie nodded pulling a little notebook from one of her pockets and flipping it open to give to Batman. Then she looked at Robin and Red Robin stubbornly. “I’m helping, see? I mean you needed me or you wouldn’t know anything.”

“Your father tells you this stuff?” Robin said taking a peek at the notebook. “We saw the latest clue.”

“One of the bars on 7^th and Heath Street. The night of the Nutcracker premiere. You put Tchaikovsky’s name over the Black Swan. A movie about ballet. Tchaikovsky wrote famous ballets but the most well known are Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and Nutcracker. It’s nearing the Holidays when Nutcracker is usually performed. And ETA can indicate a time and the original story was written by an E.T.A. Hoffman. Impressive.”

“We had a book about ballet lying around. I read it when Mom forgot to pick me up again. From there and gymnastics.”

Batman looked at her carefully, then Red Robin. “Tell me everything.”

The two kids took a while explaining Stephanie’s life at home, especially once her father returned, and why she decided to act. Then Red Robin took off explaining proudly how he figured it all out pretending he didn’t see the full-blown grin on Robin’s face and the twitch in the corner of Batman’s mouth. Once they finished there was quiet for a few moments. Batman looked at Robin who shrugged, before turning back to the two younger kids.

“Go home.”

“What?”

“We’ll be watching. If he acts before we’ll know. But we need to get them in the act to do something. For now, go on like everything’s normal. We’ll get your father.”

“But he’s a bad guy!” Red Robin protested.

“B’s right. We need proof. And we’ll keep an eye on Stephanie-”

“Spoiler,” she corrected.

“-Spoiler. If something’s really wrong then hang your sweatshirt by the window. Got it?”

Stephanie nodded profusely. Then frowned again. “You really can’t do anything before then?”

“It’s just a week,” Batman told her. “You and your mother will be fine. No more clues or anything.”

“But I helped!”

“And now we have the information. But it’s too dangerous. Robin, take her home. Red Robin and I will be going back now to talk about his punishment.”

Both kids looked at each other sadly as Red Robin went into the Batmobile with his dad and Steph got onto Robin’s back. A check to make sure she was secure and she was gone, grappling away with Robin. Tim stared as the Batmobile started and raced away, leaving him looking behind the entire time.  

Chapter Text

Bruce was going over the plans for taking down Cluemaster and the gang with his partners again. He needed to make sure all of them were prepared so there was no chance of this going wrong. It was going well, though there were noticeably fewer interjections than usual. Tim would usually make suggestions when it came to mission planning, but he’d been oddly quiet.

Easily following Bruce’s line of thoughts and sight, Dick turned to his younger brother. “You’ve been doing the surveillance. Anything new?”

Tim didn’t answer.

Dick sighed and looked at his father, who didn’t say a thing, continuing with the planning. They went on for an hour, before preparing for patrol. Dick walked over to where Bruce was adding and adjusting the pieces of his belt. “Hey, B?”

“Yes?”

“Have Jason go out with you as Robin tonight. I’m gonna stay back with the other two. I’m sure Cassie can help me find a way to cheer him up.”

“It’s only another few days.”

“A few days in a situation like that makes all the difference,” Dick reminded Bruce. He pulled the belt away from Bruce causing the older man to look him in the eyes.

“We can’t do anything until then.”

“Think about it while you’re out on patrol. I know if you left me much longer… Well… and probably the same with Jason and Cass. You helped us. She needs our help too. Tim sees that.”

“And we’ll do something about it. I have plans, but not until—”

“Until after, yeah, yeah. Just think about it.” Dick waved him off and headed over to where Cass was showing Tim something. Probably an attempt to cheer him up. Bruce’s gaze lingered there for a moment before he turned swiftly to get into the batmobile.

______________

Two nights before the heist, had Cluemaster, or Arthur Brown, pacing around the apartment. He’d been back for a few months and it had taken lots of preparation and hard work to change from leaving clues and working solo to keeping everything on the down-low and working with several gangs. So far it was paying off.  That was until the pesky clues started to show up.

He had worked out every detail, looked over every piece at least ten times, triple checked the credentials and found details on everyone he worked with. The plan was airtight, nothing could get through the seems. Yet, somehow something was.

He’d interrogated every person in the crew, changed the time, warehouse and several other elements of the plan. Yet each time a new clue appeared. `He continued pacing as he thought, ignoring the door opening and closing and the sounds of his wife’s and daughter’s voices. It had been a few hours before something got through to him and that was Crystal tapping at his shoulder several times.

“I’m leaving for my shift. You have to take Stephanie to gymnastics in a half hour. I have a shift and I’m late!” she said, obviously frazzled.

“I’ll take her, happy?” he yelled suddenly making her flinch. She recovered quickly, grabbing her bag and slamming the door behind her. He was left alone again, continuing to brood for another fifteen minutes before going to check on his daughter in her room.

“Stephy?” he said pushing open the door. She was laid across the floor, which was scattered with papers. If she was older, and the papers had been homework, this might not have been unusual, but one caught Arthur’s eye. He reached to snatch it from the floor, at the same time that she reached to pull it from his reach. It tore in half as they pulled, but half the paper was enough to recognize what Stephanie had been looking at.

Arthur’s face contorted as Stephanie stood hurriedly. He crumpled the paper in his hand and snarled. “Explain. Now.”

“Easy. Your plans are ruined,” Stephanie said with her arms crossed.

He grabbed one of her wrists and pushed her back onto the floor using the time to grab the other papers and take a quick look.

Stephanie scrambled back as she saw the realization appear on his face. She raised her arms in defense.

“It was you.”

“Duh.”

Arthur screamed with rage throwing the papers again and marching towards the door. He took one look at his daughter on the floor before his face turned to stone. His words lingered as the door shut behind him and a chain was heard clinking as it was put on the knob. “I’ll take care of you later.”

___________________

Tim was doing what he had been for every day in the past week. Monitoring the situation with Stephanie and Cluemaster. Tapping into CCV cameras was easy. He watched for a few hours every night and had alerts set to notify him if anything happened. It was nearing ten, Jason was upstairs working on a report, and Cass was probably getting ready for bed. Alfred’s footsteps were echoing as he came down the stairs to get Tim for bed as well.

It was over an hour or so later that Tim was finally starting to nod off. Of all the children, even with their nightmares, erratic schedules and hard work, Tim had the most trouble with sleep. It took over two hours for him to fall into a deep sleep. One of the reasons that the alert was able to wake him easily.

Tim shot up in bed, taking a second to get oriented before grabbing his tablet and pulling up the alert. Immediately a scene showed up on the CCTV, Stephanie’s window and a sweatshirt hung up in plain view inside it. Tim scrambled to his feet and ran to Bruce’s room.

Surely enough, Bruce was there in his pajamas on his phone, probably just back from patrol. He turned to see Tim and could tell at once this wasn’t one of the usual nightmares. “Get Dick, then stay on Comms. We’ll check with Stephanie first to see what’s wrong.”

Tim took off faster than Bruce realized he could move. In less than ten minutes Batman and Robin were off in the Batmobile to meet Batgirl at Cluemaster’s apartment. Tim turned on all the screens to CCTV to follow their progress keeping one on Stephanie’s window. On another, he looked back over the footage trying to figure out what had happened.

“Crystal Brown left the house at around six-thirty. According to the hospital, she has a ten-hour shift right now. From what I can see and hear in the house there was yelling. Mostly Cluemaster.”

“He’s not here. We’re heading into her room,” Robin reported.

“She’s not there,” Tim told them looking at the footage. “Her dad came in and then left. She took off her sweatshirt then but didn’t hang it over her chair till he comes back in. She went with him at that time.”

“Probably not by will,” Batgirl guessed. “Either way, she helped us again. There were notes in her room, stuffed into the jacket’s pocket. He’s moving tonight instead of later.”

“And Stephanie?”

“We’ll find her,” came Batman’s gruff voice. “I didn’t make a move when you told me too. Start working on a backstory for her, so we can get her out of there and into a better home. Stay on monitors and comms as well.”

Tim gave a quick response and got back to work while keeping watch at everything unfolding in front of him. They no longer knew where Cluemaster was moving from, as he definitely changed his plans from the bar Steph had clued them into. However, they still knew what his end goal was. A priceless nutcracker was on loan as a prop for the ballet, and along with the ticket box cash, it would fetch a hefty sum.

Batman and Robin immediately jumped in to stop the gang and Cluemaster, while sending Batgirl to search for Stephanie, hopefully nearby. Batman grabbed one of the fifteen men in a chokehold, knocking him out and hammer punched another in the stomach, throwing the first aside and tripping up two more. They were easily taken care of with knockout pellets.

Meanwhile, Robin had managed to take two more men out by distracting them and binding them up with some rope. He headed after some of the other gang members that had run off. Batman swiveled onto Arthur Brown grabbing his face and squeezing.

“Maybe this isn’t a bad thing,” he laughed. “If my girl helps you, it’ll get me closer to figuring you out!”

Batman growled. “Stephanie will no longer have any association with you when this is over. Where did you take her?”

“So, she didn’t know about our second base?” Arthur’s grin grew. “Good luck finding her then. This time you’re not getting a clue.”

Too late for that, smirked Batman as he cuffed Arthur to the other men they’d caught. There were already sirens from the GCPD arriving. Batman gave Robin a nod and both disappeared with the job here done.

 “There’s a sports store near here, luxury and collectible I believe,” Batman said. “Start searching and we’ll meet you there.”

Barbara took off from the restaurant she’d been looking at to do as Batman asked. She quickly analyzed the scene in front of her, starting to look for back room doors and storage areas. 

“Any luck with Stephanie?”

Barbara replied in the negative as she searched the third room without any results. Robin started in another room she hadn’t checked yet, as did Batman. It took ten minutes of searching the huge building before Robin found something. There was a loose tile, and basement stairs in one of the back offices.

They heard Stephanie struggling in a hidden floor of offices and meeting rooms filled with blueprints, schedules, and plans. “Robin, Batgirl, take care of the evidence. I’ll help her.”

“But—”

“That’s an order.”

Stephanie was in one of the last rooms on the floor, tied in a chair. She saw Batman and raised her eyebrow. “Is it just you?”

“Sorry to disappoint you.”

“My dad, he….”

Batman cut the rope around her and helped her up giving her an energy bar and blanket for shock, though there didn’t seem to be any signs of it. “The signal worked. We caught him and some of the gang members.”

Stephanie sighed as she unwrapped the piece of food, but paused for a second to look back at Batman who walked behind her. “Some? You didn’t catch all of them.”

“You were more of a priority.”

“Sure,” Stephanie said sarcastically. Batman frowned in response. She followed him out of the room and looked at him carefully. “What now?”

Batman didn’t answer, he just kept walking. Robin and Batgirl were waiting for them on the main floor and the public part of the store. Robin gave Stephanie a salute. “Nice to see you again.”

“This is her? Double R has good taste,” Batgirl mock whispered to her partner. “We need more people like her.”

“You’re just excited to have a mini-me,” Robin teased.

“You have two,” Batgirl reminded him.

“Then you can count one.”

“No, she’s her own thing.”

“But helping Robin and getting in trouble with Batman? Totally a you thing,” Robin grinned totally ignoring Stephanie’s confused looks and Batman’s eyeroll.

“I thought you said it was just you?” Stephanie asked.

“No, it isn’t. Most nights it’s the three of us. Don’t worry, Red Robin wanted to come along,” Robin assured her. “He’s been worried about you. He says hi by the way.”

Stephanie laughed a little. “Tell him thanks. I guess I did need his help.”

“Either way, it’s nice to meet you,” Batgirl said offering her hand. Stephanie took it with a smile.

“Thanks. I just wanted to help,” Stephanie responded. Batman watched this entire exchange quietly. He waited for Stephanie to finish talking before giving his orders.

“Batgirl, take her home on your way back.”

“Home?” All three kids yelped.  

“Home.”

“Why?” Robin argued. “I thought the whole point of this was to make sure she was safe after all of this! We waited for long enough.”

“Please,” Stephanie asked. “If I go home…”

“It will only be for an hour at the most,” Batman assured them. “I’m going to talk to Gordon right now and tell him to make sure you get put in a safe home with some type of witness protection.”

“Why can’t we just take her with us then?” Robin asked only to be ignored.

“You’ll be out of your house by the end of the night Stephanie. Just go with Batgirl.”

Stephanie didn’t move. “And my mom?”

“She hasn’t been proven capable of taking care of you. You’ll be taken away from her for a short time and she’ll probably be under watch.”

Stephanie nodded. Robin gave her a comforting smile and put a hand on her shoulder. “Hey, I know this is all really fast and really scary, but we’ll take care of you. Batgirl’s my best friend. You can trust her to make sure you get home and we’ll all make sure you get the safe place you deserve.”

Stephanie returned the smile with some watery eyes. “Thanks.”

Batgirl held her hand out again, and both of them watched the Dynamic duo disappear into the darkness towards the GCPD.

____________

Batman and Robin arrived at the GCPD not long after. Gordon was waiting for them with a bunch of his best detectives. There was a moment of silence as they looked at each other.

“Cluemaster. I have the both of you to thank for that, don’t I?” Gordon asked.

“The evidence has already been sent to the GCPD,” Batman responded. “Robin will fill in your detectives. I need to talk to you.”

Gordon nodded to his detectives and walked over to the side of the roof with Batman. “My detectives will need to hear all of this anyway.”

“Yes, but. I would like to talk to you about it first. And get your opinion.”

Gordon paused in surprise, Batman had often listened when he gave advice, but never outright asked for it. He stood silently for a minute before asking. “What is it about this case then? We’ve been documenting the clues.”

“Which weren’t left by Cluemaster,” Batman said. “Which is why I need you to place his daughter in some type of witness protection.”

“His daughter? So she left the clues. They seemed different.  How old is she?” Gordon asked in concern. 

“Seven.”

Gordon cursed under his breath, then looked at Batman.  “Her mother?”

“If Stephanie knew about Brown’s business, it’s likely she did as well. I’d have an investigation opened into how fit she is to raise a child.”

Gordon’s face turned even grimmer. “I’ll make sure it happens right away.”

“Until then the girl still needs to be moved to a safe house. Like with the Cain girl.”

Gordon nodded. “Understood. That was a brave thing to do. To give away her father’s entire plan.”

Batman nodded. “Just get her out of there. Tonight.  She’s home alone. Crystal Brown is at the hospital on a  shift. Send some officers to get her as well.”

Gordon nodded, putting his hand on the radio clipped to his lapel to give the order. When he looked back up Batman was gone, Robin had disappeared as well. Gordon sighed before heading downstairs. He would be going to get the girl himself.

__________

Stephanie was alone, which wasn’t unusual. But she couldn’t go to sleep. Not after tonight. Just in case. Some of the gang members had escaped. They could come after her. And her mom, she would be getting back in a few hours. Would she know? Would she be mad at Stephanie? She wasn’t supposed to be in this place, in this situation, not anymore. Batman had said. He’d promised.

But he also was shoving her off. At least Batgirl, Robin and Red Robin were on her side. The older girl had asked her a lot of questions on their way back to Stephanie’s apartment. She’d wanted to know how Stephanie had figured out everything her father was planning, and how she’d managed to get out and leave the clues. Somehow hearing Batgirl’s unspoken praise made her feel better about the whole thing.

She thought about it again, pulling her arms around her, and her purple hood over her head. Purple was happy. Batgirl was happy. Stephanie wanted to be happy. And then, Stephanie cried. She cried and cried for as long as the tears would come, wanting to drown it all out, to purge herself of the sadness, to be happy.

She didn’t hear the knock on the door, or its opening, or the footsteps. But the hand on the shoulder surprised her enough that she jumped back, pulling her face up and assuming a defensive position.

“Hey, it’s okay. Stephanie, right?” said the man kneeling in front of her. He wore a long trench coat, a brown and tan striped tie. His hair was graying in both his red mustache and darker colored hair. He noticed her hesitancy and careful observance and held out a hand. “I’m here to help you. My name is Jim Gordon.”

“The Police guy?” Stephanie asked warily.

“Yeah. Batman, he’s a friend of mine, at least I’d like to think so—" Stephanie giggled and he smiled. “He told me what you did.”

“So I’m in trouble.”

Gordon shook his head.  He sat down next to her so they were face to face. He put his still waiting hand on her shoulder. “No. You’re not. It’s your father who’s in trouble. And we don’t want you to get mixed up in it any further. That’s why I’m here.”

Stephanie looked at him. “So what’s going to happen?”

“You need to come with me to the GCPD so we can figure that out. We’ll need to ask you some questions so we can make sure everything is taken care of. Do you think you can do that?”

Stephanie nodded before standing shakily. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“Good. Then let’s go.”

Chapter Text

Tim was waiting expectantly for them in the cave when they got back. He waited for both of them to get out of the Batmobile before donning a disappointed look. “Where is she?”

“Stephanie went home.”

“You said you were getting her out of there,” Tim pointed out, crossing his arms. “She can’t just go back there. She doesn’t like it.”

  Dick peeled off his mask and vaulted onto the hood of the batmobile. His face mimicked Tim’s disappointment. He gave a heavy sigh before turning to Bruce. “Tim’s right. I wasn’t going to argue more in front of her after she went through tonight.  But I don’t understand how this is different from Cass coming to live with us. The manor is huge. There’s definitely room.”

“There is, but Alfred and I are not ready to take in any more kids.”

“But she needs us,” Tim argued.

“She needs a home. We just aren’t the best people to give that to her.”

There was a moment of silence before his oldest son spoke again. “Maybe, but is anyone else equipped to deal with her situation? She’s a child vigilante as some people would put it. Her father is a criminal, but one that dresses up and carries out elaborate plans. It’s not exactly something most people who are considered normal want to take on.”

“And I promised I’d see her again,” Tim said meekly. “She’s my friend.”

Bruce sighed. “I’m sorry Tim, but I’m not sure we can take the risk. If she comes to live with us Cluemaster could figure out our identities. It’s just not safe.”

“But we can tell Stephanie! She won’t tell him. She can still help us,” Tim said stubbornly. 

“Yeah. Find her somewhere else to live. That way our identities aren’t so much at risk. And you can make sure she’s able to see Tim. It’s only fair.”

Bruce sighed again, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Life isn’t fair, you both know that. I told you. It’s too dangerous.”

“You didn’t think about it last time. Try to this time.”

“Fine. I’ll try, and if she ends up somewhere that’s not so much of a risk, you can reveal your identities to her.”

“Really?” Tim cried.

“Yes!” Dick said pumping his fist. “Now  come on Timmy. Maybe if we get some sleep we’ll have enough energy tomorrow to try and convince him again to actually let her come live here.”

____________

Stephanie spent the night at the police station. Gordon had put her in a large room next to his office after explaining when he needed to sleep between shifts and couldn’t go home for the night, sometimes he stayed there. There was a cot, and a mattress was blown up.

“My daughter, Barbara is on her way. Some officers are picking her up. I’m not sure how long this is going to take and she’s on break from school, but I don’t want her to be home alone for so long. Are you okay with that?”

“I guess,” Stephanie answered again.

Gordon smiled. “Good. Barbara’s a nice girl. She’s in high school but her best friend has siblings your age. She spends a lot of time with them, so don’t worry about annoying her.”

Stephanie nodded and pulled her jacket closer around herself as she sat back down and Gordon left. She stared at the wall wondering what exactly would happen to her now. She lied down on the cot as she started to cry again.

The next thing Stephanie remembered was yelling. She was used to her mother’s yelling waking her up but not the place she was in. It was strange and empty. It took her a few minutes to remember where she was. Stephanie stepped towards the door. “Mom?”

Her mother was yelling in protest. Stephanie opened the door and walked out to see what was happening. Her mother was yelling as several police officers tried to restrain her. Commissioner Gordon was standing in front of her trying to explain something.

“Stephanie!” Her mother said. “Come here and tell them that I have nothing to do with all of this. They’re going to take you away from me.”

“Mom, I…” Stephanie started. 

Gordon turned around in surprise. “Weren’t you asleep? I’m sorry about this. Barbara, go back to the room with Stephanie. Mrs. Brown, I promise if everything in this investigation comes back fine, you and your daughter can go back home. You just need to answer our questions.”

A girl with hair the same color as Gordon’s walked over and grabbed her shoulder steering her away. “C’mon.”

Stephanie let herself be taken in a dreamlike state as she was still half asleep. The door shut behind them and the older girl sat beside her on the bed. “I’m Barbara by the way.”

The older girl looked familiar to her for some reason, but Stephanie wasn’t sure why. Maybe she just looked like her dad. Barbara continued. “It’s been a crazy night, huh? I spend the night here every so often when Dad doesn’t want me home alone. When I got here you were sleeping. We didn’t want to wake you. Guess your mom takes care of that.”

“What’s gonna happen to her?” Stephanie asked.

“It depends. They’re gonna run an investigation. Your mom probably won’t go to jail, but if they think she’s not a good person to look after you, then you’ll be taken to a new home.”

“Like an orphanage?”

“Probably a foster home. Or in your case, a safe house of some sort.  I have a friend who’s a foster kid, and he has a bunch of adopted siblings. One of them, well her dad was a…. Just not a good guy.”

Stephanie stayed silent for a moment. She could feel Barbara watching her as if monitoring a situation. “I guess I’m okay with that. Will I ever see my mom though?”

Barbara sighed. “Maybe. As I said, it depends. Let's just say I understand parents like that, people who leave you alone to fend for yourself.”

“But your Dad is awesome,” Stephanie told her surprised.

“Yeah, but my mom wasn’t so much.”

“She wasn’t some criminal or supervillain?”

Barbara laughed bitterly. “Not that I know of. She was good until I was like six.  I had a little brother. Three years younger than me. I loved him, we all did. But he was strange, even as a three-year-old. He died doing something… I don’t really want to talk about that. My mom left after that. She moved back to Chicago. I get one card a year. Nothing else.”

Stephanie watched Barbara now before making a bold declaration. “That sucks.”

“Yeah. It does, doesn’t it?” Barbara turned to Stephanie with a smirk. “Now do you wanna sleep or watch something funny. I caught something funny when I hacked into the CCTV cameras the other day.”

Stephanie brightened and nodded, watching Barbara’s every move as if she hung the sun. Jim found them both in the morning under the blanket on the cot, Barbara’s laptop was still open. Stephanie’s head had fallen into Barbara’s lap and his daughter’s head was resting on the younger girl’s back. Jim smiled, happy to take in this one moment before breaking the peace. 

He picked up the laptop and closed it carefully before softly shaking both girls awake. Stephanie was disoriented for a moment but soon was sullen and looking at him questioningly. 

“Did you two sleep well?”

“Don’t stall,” Stephanie said stubbornly. “What happened with my mom? What’s gonna happen with me?”

“That’s not exactly an easy question to answer,” Jim spoke sadly as he sat on her other side. 

“I’m gonna need to know eventually,” Stephanie pointed out as she raised a sharp eyebrow.

“Barbara, mind going to gather your stuff while I talk to Stephanie?”

“Sure, Dad.”

Barbara got up and left. Gordon waited until the door closed behind her to turn back to Stephanie. “You’re a smart kid. You know what’s going on and you were a huge help to all of us here in the GCPD. It’s just sad that you had to end up in a situation like this.”

Stephanie frowned. “So, my mom?”

“She can’t take care of you anymore. She’s not going to jail, but you’re not going to be living with her either. We’ll find you a better place to live. Somewhere you can be safe and happy.”

Stephanie stayed quiet and wiped away a tear. “Will I ever get to see her?”

“Yes, there’s a procedure but you won’t be separated forever. You might be able to go back to her one day.”

Stephanie straightened up a bit and looked Gordon straight in the eye as she blinked back the remaining tears. “Okay. So, then what happens now?”

___________________________

The answer turned out to be simple. Remembering Batman’s suggestion, Gordon took Stephanie and Barbara to Wayne Manor for the day. Neither should be in the way at the police station and it would be safe for Stephanie there under Bruce’s security measures. The remaining gang members would be unable to get to her. Meanwhile, Gordon would be working with Social Services and CPS to find a better home for Stephanie and to work out the rest of the Browns’ situation. 

The man stood with the two girls at the doorway of Wayne Manor. Stephanie was staring up at the house in awe as they waited for the door to open. It was opened by Alfred, who smiled gently. “Mr. Gordon and Miss Gordon, and this must be Miss Brown.”

“Stephanie,” she corrected. “Are you a butler? Like in cartoons? Is Mr. Wayne that rich that he has a butler?”

“Stephanie,” Gordon started. “It’s—”

“Yes, that is one of my roles,” Alfred nodded. “And as such I will be leading you to Mr. Wayne’s office.”

“Where’s Dick?” Barbara asked. 

Stephanie frowned. “What does that mean?”

“He’s in the study as well. They’re all waiting there for you,” Alfred told her, not bothering to answer Stephanie’s question. “This way.”

Alfred led them down the halls. Every so often Stephanie would ask some questions of Barbara but mostly she stared quietly at her surroundings for the minute or two it took to get to the fancy door they now stood in front of. Alfred stood back as he pushed it open. 

Stephanie peered in hesitantly as she followed the Gordons in. Hanging straight ahead was a portrait of the people who stood directly below it. Commissioner Gordon was shaking hands with a man that must have been Bruce Wayne. The man smiled down at her. “And this must be Stephanie.”

She nodded.

“It’s pretty hard, but try and stay whelmed,” said a boy nearby. Barbara elbowed him and he yowled, pushing her in retaliation.

Bruce shook his head. “I’m not sure how much you know but Commissioner Gordon is an old friend of mine. I was happy to help when he called. These are my kids, the one who just spoke is Dick. Then there’s Jason, Tim, and Cass.”

Jason nodded as his name was called. Tim waved shyly as Cass smiled brightly at her. Bruce went on to tell her that Dick and Barbara were best friends and the younger two kids were closer to her age. Stephanie easily figured this was the friend Barbara had mentioned the night before. The three boys looked similar enough that she wouldn’t have known they weren’t siblings without the knowledge, the girl either had a different mother or was adopted as well. Stephanie was pretty sure it was the latter.

“I heard a little about what happened,” Bruce continued.

Commissioner Gordon chuckled. “Bruce is a special circumstance. We brought you here because it’s one of the safest places in Gotham. He’s also had situations like this before.”

“Cassie,” Bruce explained. “Her dad was also what people call a supervillain. He was training her to help him. I adopted her almost a year ago, but before that, she never got the chance to learn to read, write or speak. She’s learning now but the rest of the kids can translate sign language if you need.”

The two girls looked at each other for a moment in silence. Cass blinked and smiled again and Stephanie smiled reluctantly as well. Commissioner Gordon knelt down next to her. “I want to be sure, you don’t have to stay here for the day but it’s a lot better than sitting and doing nothing at the station. Barbara will be here with you and Mr. Wayne or Alfred can reach me easily.”

“Yeah,” Stephanie nodded. “I think it’ll be fine.”

“Great,” Dick said with a clap. “Now we commence the tour.”

The kids filed out leaving just the two youngest. Stephanie looked at Tim nervously, he reached out his hand. “C’mon. I’ll make sure you don’t get lost.”

The adults watched this with shared looks. When the kids were all gone, Jim Gordon and Bruce sat at the seats across from each other at the desk. There was quiet for another moment before Bruce looked at Jim with a serious expression. “You don’t have to tell me, but ….”

Jim sighed. “If you’re going to ask what’s going to happen to her, I don’t know myself. I need to go work that out now. All I know is her mother might not be going to jail, but she can’t take care of that girl.”

“So foster care.”

“Likely,” Gordon agreed.

Bruce hummed as he thought for a moment. “I’m sure you remember what happened with Dick. We’ve been trying for improvements since but Gotham’s system isn’t the best.”

“What other choice is there?”

“I would take her if I could. Cass just isn’t adjusted enough yet. She needs all the attention Alfred and I can give her. But she needs a good home, a place she’ll be safe. Especially after all the stuff she got mixed up in.”

“I’ll try my best to find one,” Jim promised. “That girl deserves it.”

Bruce shook his head. “Jim. Think about it for a minute.”

Jim’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion then shot up in surprise as his eyes widened the moment he fully took in what Bruce was inferring. He took a moment to recollect himself before speaking. “You mean I take her in? Where would you get that idea?”

Bruce shrugged. “She needs a place that’s safe and that she’s cared for. I’ve seen how well Barbara has turned out. You’re a great father, even as busy as you are with your job. That girl is a special circumstance and she obviously can’t just go to a normal foster home.”

“But I’m barely ever around,” Jim reminded him.

“Neither am I,” Bruce sighed. “And I understand how that can dissuade you from the idea. I thought about that a lot when I took in Tim. His parents were never around and he was mostly raised by a housekeeper. I worried if I took him in he’d feel neglected again. Then I saw how Dick interacted with him. It was and is one of the best things I’ve ever seen. I knew it then that even when I wasn’t there Tim would never feel neglected as long as my other boys were around. 

“I still think about that a lot. It’s not fair for them to go on all the time without me when I’ve promised to be the best parent I can. I make time at least once a week. Make sure to give them each attention when they need it… And you already do all that for Barbara.”

Jim nodded. “I’ll think about it. After all, you’re right. The girl is something special. Barbara and her seem to get along well too. I’m just not sure if it’s really the best idea.”

Bruce stood and walked Jim to the door. “Don’t worry about it. I’m here to answer any questions if you need me too, or help out in any way as well.”

Jim shook his hand firmly before walking out towards his car. He sat down and took a deep breath as he turned on the engine and his thoughts roared along with it. 

______________________________

The tour took a while. Each of the siblings spoke over each other with fun facts and stories. Whenever Cass wanted to add something she’d tap someone’s shoulder and her hands would move in a flurry of signs. Stephanie got more bewildered and amazed as each minute passed. Like Barbara, both Dick and Tim were familiar to her. It might have been because all of them were relatively famous due to their parents, but she didn’t think that was it. 

Either way, Stephanie was forgetting why she was there at the moment as Dick showed off on the trapeze and promised to teach her some tricks, or when Jason proudly showed off his very organized bookshelf and which he had read. Cass had pulled her along excitedly at times when she had something to show off. Barbara seemed just as home here as she had in the police station, making Stephanie wonder what she was like in her own home. 

After nearly an hour and a half, Tim bounced up and down as he looked to Dick in excitement. “Can we show her now? Can we?”

“Might as well,” Dick shrugged. “Cass, can you make sure Dad knows?”

He turned around but she was already gone. Tim grinned widely as he turned to Stephanie. “This way.”

She was led back to Bruce’s study. “Isn’t this where we started?”

“Yeah, but you still haven’t seen everything,” Jason laughed. “Trust me. Sometimes I’m not even sure I have.”

“What does that mean?”

“Just that this place has a lot of secrets,” Barbara explained. “Like that.”

She was pointing at the grandfather clock against the wall where Dick was turning the hands. Steph gasped as it swung open to reveal a cool and dimly lit stairwell. “Secret passageways? Awesome.”

“It’s a bit more than that,” Barbara said mysteriously leaving Stephanie with no option but to follow her and the Wayne kids down the stairs. She looked around curiously as they descended further and further. She wondered how far down it went. 

Her question was answered as the stairs opened up onto a metal platform. It was overlooking several other platforms jutting out of the sides of the cave. There were at least three levels and the bottom opened right onto a pool. There were bridges and staircases crisscrossing the place and attaching everything. Straight ahead of her sat several vehicles and a road leading out of another cave entrance. Stephanie was stuck looking between that and the T. Rex across from her that’s mouth was about on an even level with her face.

While Stephanie was looking at all of this, she didn’t notice everyone else watching her and her expression carefully. Nor the other person walking towards them from the other side of the cave. 

“That’s a T. Rex,” she said finally, still staring ahead.

“Why is that always the first thing everyone notices?” wondered Dick.

“Are you saying that it wasn’t the first thing you noticed?”

“Nah, not really,” Dick shrugged. “I was more focused on other things.” 

“Quiet, both of you. She’s still processing,” Barbara scolded them before turning to Stephanie. “You good?”

Stephanie nodded. “I knew I recognized you from somewhere. You’re Batgirl! And he’s Robin! So Tim’s gotta be Red Robin! And that means that Mr. Wayne is…” Then she noticed Bruce standing in front of them and trailed off.

“So you did decide to tell her.”

Jason motioned for a time out “Can we go back for a second, why doesn’t she know who I am?”

“Red Hood isn’t exactly public yet,” Dick reminded him. He turned to Stephanie. “That’s Jason’s alter ego. Cass goes by Black Bat.” 

Stephanie gaped for another moment. “Is that why I’m here? So you can tell me all this? Does Commissioner Gordon know?”

Bruce shook his head. “They were able to convince me you deserved to know after everything. I planted the idea in Gordon’s mind last night after we caught your father. But that’s not the reason you’re here. Gordon would have likely brought you here at one point anyway.

“But you do need to understand how important it is to keep this all silent now that you know. If this gets out it will ruin all of our lives, and most of the Justice League's as a consequence. You’re being trusted with something not many know about. Understood?”

“Yes, sir!” Stephanie saluted making the other kids laugh. 

Bruce sighed. “Don’t call me sir. Having Alfred address me that way is enough.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Stephanie said saluting again. The kids were sent further into fits of laughter. Bruce watched in a begrudging acceptance as they laughed. It took nearly five minutes for them to stop. 

When they did, Jason looked up at him with a smirk. “I like her. We can keep her, right?”

“We’re not keeping Stephanie.”

“Why not? Isn’t that the whole deal? You adopt kids and they become your sidekicks.”

“She has a point there,” Dick said smirking at Bruce. “I think Jason is right. We should keep her.”

“I don’t have to explain my decision but Stephanie will not be staying with us. I promised I’d help find her a home and I will, but that is it.” Bruce turned and walked back up the stairs leaving all the kids a lot more somber than they had been five minutes before.

“I don’t think he likes me.”

“Nah, that’s just how Bruce says he likes you,” Dick told her. “Don’t pay attention to that. We can convince him.”

“Really?” asked Stephanie.

“Yeah. Jason and I got him to let me train as Red Robin. And Dick and Barbara got him to let them help him out.  You’ll be with us as Spoiler and Stephanie soon enough.”

Stephanie grinned. “Thanks, but when I’m not Spoiler you can call me Steph.”

“Well then Steph, we should probably start figuring out an outfit a little better than a purple hoodie. That’s the first step, that and the name,” Barbara said.

“It’s eggplant, not purple.”

“Sure.”

The kids continued to debate as they gave Steph a tour of the several levels of the Batcave. Steph remained persistent while they designed a costume for her as well. 

AN: Post from tumblr inspired the yes sir and yes ma’am thing. Batfam-nalu-olicity was the person who posted it I believe. So credit goes there.

Chapter Text

Bruce was surprised when Alfred came to his study with Gordon following him. It was much earlier than he had expected Gordon to come. Once Alfred had brought refreshments and both men had taken a seat, Bruce voiced his question.

“Well, I was thinking about what you said,” Jim began.

“And?”

“I want to speak to Barbara first. Making this decision will affect her too,” Jim sighed. “But ever since you put the idea in my head I know if I don’t do it I’ll be thinking over that decision for the rest of my life.”

Bruce nodded. “I’ll find the kids then. I assume you want somewhere private to talk with Barbara?”

“That would be great.”

Bruce had Alfred show him to an empty and barely used parlor. Then both left to go try and find the kids (not that they didn’t know exactly where they were). Ten minutes later Barbara appeared in the room.

“Dad? Why are you back so early? Did you finish working with the case already?”

Jim motioned for her to come and sit next to him. “I think I might have found a solution, but I’d like your opinion on it as well.”

“Really?” Barbara asked as she looked at him in confused hesitation. Her father almost never asked her for help with any of his cases, though she’d always asked if she could. She studied her father’s face for a moment. “What is it?”

Jim grabbed her hands and took another deep breath before making sure that this is what he wanted, and what he thought would be best for them all. “What would you think for Stephanie coming to stay with us?”

Barbara gaped at him for a few minutes trying to take the whole thing in, before smiling widely. “Like to live with us? Like fostering? Or adopting?”

“It wouldn’t be adopting. Stephanie’s case is a difficult one. We’d be fostering her and some kind of witness protection all at once. It’d be hard to find a good place that can do both those things where she could be happy. I think if we took her in it could be different. Would you be okay with that?”

Barbara raised her eyebrow. “Are you kidding me? That’d be awesome. She’s such a great kid and I’ve always wanted a sister. Have you asked her yet?  Can I help? When can she move in?”

Gordon smiled softly and held up a hand. “Wait a second. I wish it was that easy. There’s a few steps. Social services, the fostering system and the rest of the police department need to work something out if we don’t want trouble.”

“Yeah, but with Mr. Wayne helping you out and pulling a few strings that’s easy,” Barbara shrugged.

Gordon shook his head. “I know you’re already comfortable with the idea, but I’m not sure about it yet. Not completely.”

Barbara’s grin turned into a frown. “Then why’d you ask me? And what’s wrong with the plan? It seems awesome to me.”

Jim sighed, removing his glasses, and rubbed his face with his hand. He looked seriously at Barbara showing the burden on his shoulders that she knew he always hid from her as much as possible.

“I wish sweetie, but the part I’m unsure about is me. Does Stephanie really need another parent who’s never around? You’ve had to grow up way too fast and most days it seems you’re the one taking care of me. I don’t want to put that girl through that. I already feel guilty enough doing it to you.”

Gordon looked down, but Barbara’s eyes did not move an inch. She kept looking directly her father, studying him and trying to figure out what to say. For all of her excellent detective work,  she’d never known he felt like this. She thought his stress all came from the job and the other things that happened to their family in the past.

The fact she had been the main worry all this time was startling. After all, she did everything she could to make sure he never had to worry about her. It seemed that had backfired. And yet, things would be just as difficult for him if she did nothing. He was right in some way, she parented him just as much as he looked after her.

She was also way more independent than most of her friends. Yet, she knew deep down that was something that came with being in a home with a single parent. Not to mention it came with living in Gotham. If you wanted to survive here you had to learn to manage on your own. It was just nice to know that she didn’t always have too. And if she could convince her father, Stephanie wouldn’t have to either.

“Dad….. I didn’t know.”

“I didn’t want you too. But you’re so grown up, it’s only fair that you get to know these things. You deserve the chance to have a childhood, to enjoy your teenage years.”

“And I am… I have a great life. Yes, you’re not always around, but you try to be and that’s what matters. Yes, you’re busy with work, but that’s part of having a job. And I might be growing up but that’s also because I’m getting older, not to mention we live in Gotham.

“It’s something that comes with the circumstances of our lives. It’s unavoidable, but that’s not to say you’re not a great dad. We have dinner and movie night at least once a week, not to mention you make time for me when you have to be at the station as well. You’ve come to majority of my gymnastics meets and are there for anything I need. Plus, we always have help from Alfred and Mr. Wayne. And Stephanie will have me as well.”

“I don’t want you to have to suddenly be responsible for a little girl on top of everything,” Jim reasoned with her. 

“That’s part of being a big sister, isn’t it? Either way, you’ll be there a lot more than her parents ever were. Plus, you’re already thinking in a way that shows you care about her too.”

Jim laughed. “Remind me, is one of the fifteen clubs you’re in the debate team?”

Barbara grinned. “Nah. Not for me. Tried it, but didn’t like it. And I’m not in that many clubs.”

Jim ruffled her hair and leaned over to hug her. “Thank you, honey.”

“Just telling the truth. Are you gonna ask Stephanie now?”

Jim nodded. “Yes, I will. Go get her, but don’t say anything. And I know you want to be here for this, but I think I should ask Stephanie this by myself.”

“Are you sure?”

He nodded again and got up, Barbara followed his lead as he continued to the door, opening it for her with a shared look. After one last grin his daughter ran off.

It took a few minutes before she arrived in what the kids called the ‘main kitchen’ aka what Alfred used on a daily basis. There was a nice table there and stools near the island they like to sit on. She could smell cookies baking. That must have been what the others were doing while she talked to her dad.

Sure enough, every one was eating the leftover chocolate chips. Cass was looking at the oven, as if her stare could make her cookie’s bake faster. She looked up  for one second to acknowledge Barbara, but then returned to her quarry. The little girl’s shift of focus got everyone else’s attention.

Dick asked first. “So, what was that all about?”

“Dad got back early. He wanted to ask me something quickly.”

“It wasn’t so quick,” Jason commented. “We had enough time to bake cookies.”

“Well, now you know what the Flash feels like while he’s rushing around while everyone else moves at normal speed,” Barbara shrugged.

“Anyway, what did he want to talk about?” Dick pressed on. “Your dad doesn’t usually just come back from work just to ask you something.”

Barbara didn’t reply, instead taking a seat on one of the stools by the counter. She watched as Alfred took the cookies from the oven to cool on the counter and batted off the hands that were reaching for a taste.

“So are you and Stephanie leaving soon?” Tim asked. Today had been one of the best play dates he’d ever had. Possibly because he couldn’t tell Harper and Cullen about his other life, but it was nice to finally have someone to share it with.

“Nah. Dad did want to ask her something now though,” Barbara said.

“Me?” Steph asked looking up from where she and Cass were sitting at the table.  Cass was teaching her some simple signs as they waited to get some cookies from under Alfred’s watchful eyes.

“Yeah. Someone want to take her to the parlor he’s in?”

Cass nodded and got up signing for Steph to follow. Steph signed a clumsy response before going with her. Dick watched them leave and waited for a moment before turning back to his best friend to whisper to her. Jason noticed but shrugged deciding to converse with Tim instead.

“Are you going to tell me what that was about now?”

Barbara didn’t move. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Your dad coming back from work early? And to talk with you? And then with Steph? He didn’t find out about everything… Did he?” Dick asked nervously.

She shook her head. “No. Just wanted an opinion on what’s going to happen next.”

Dick stayed silent for a second then nodded. “Makes sense. I knew Bruce was making a few suggestions. He said we couldn’t take Stephanie in. Maybe he talked to your dad about someone who could?”

“Close. I’ll tell you later. Just not yet,” Barbara promised.

_________________________________________

Stephanie followed Cass down the twists and turns of the hallways of the manor. She wasn’t sure how any one figured out where to go in this place. Instead she walked after Cass in the eerie silence. The other girl turned to look behind her from time to time with a bright smile. It made this musty unused part of the manor feel a bit more like the other rooms she’d been in, like the kitchen, full of warmth and good memories, instead of stiff and formal.

The room that they ended up in seemed to be one of the most formal. Jim Gordon looked just as uncomfortable sitting alone in their as she felt. He looked up as she entered, snuffing out the cigarette he’d been smoking and giving her a smile. He looked to Cass, who still stood by the door. “Thank you, Cassandra. You can go back and after we talk Stephanie and I will join the rest of you soon. I hear there are cookies baking?”

Cass nodded and smiled again before disappearing before either of the other occupants in the room could blink. Stephanie looked tentatively at Gordon who was standing and tapping his finger on his cigar nervously. “You wanted to see me?”

“Yes, I did,” Jim smiled down at the little girl, feeling like it was more of a grimace. He quickly tried to fix it. “Should we sit down?”

Stephanie took a seat near him and looked up at him again. “I’m not in trouble? Did you guys find something? Are you sending me to jail like my dad? Barbara said people go to jail even when they don’t do something bad.”

Gordon interrupted her. “Of course, they don’t. And you’re not going to jail. You haven’t done something meriting that.”

“So you won’t send me to jail? Even if you can’t get me a good place to live? Cause that’s what happened with Dick,” Stephanie said. “He told me about it. I’d rather do what Jason did and live on the streets. He said he’d teach me all kinds of cool things.”

Gordon sighed already feeling the future headaches that would cause him. “No. You aren’t going to jail. And the laws have changed since Bruce took in Dick, largely because of what happened to that poor boy. Children who need homes in Gotham are put in places that are good for them, at least that’s what we try to do. And it’s what we’re doing for you as well.”

Stephanie froze. It took her a minute before she spoke. “You found me a place to live?”

“We’re going to try it. We’ll see what they allow, and how much you like it.”

“So if I don’t like it, I can leave?” Stephanie asked. “Because even if you don’t let I’ll run away.”

“I have no doubt that you would. But if you don’t like it we’ll figure something else out.”

Stephanie nodded. She took another minute of silence. Then she looked at him warily. “So where is this place?”

“Here, in Gotham. Nicer than where you lived with your parents, but less nice than this.” Stephanie snorted at that statement. Encouraged, Gordon continued. “It’s a single parent home. And I know that you’ve had that, and it wasn’t always great. The father tries to be home as much as possible, but he has a job that keeps him busy.”

“What kind of job?”

“He’s a cop.”

“Oh. Do you know him?” Stephanie looked for more hints in Gordon’s face. “Are there any other kids? And he’s a good dad, right? Not like mine.”

“Not at all,” Gordon soothed her. “And I do know him. He has a daughter, older than you, but she’ll be able to stay with you when her father isn’t around. Even then there are plenty of others who will be there for you.”

“Like you?” She turned the blue eyes up at him hopefully.

“I was thinking, more like Bruce and Alfred.”

“Oh.”

The little girl was looking down at her hands in her lap trying to hide her disappointment. Jim reached to grab both her little hands in one of his own, using the other to turn her face back towards him. “Stephanie, look at me.”

The periwinkle eyes were slightly teary as she did. He squeezed her hands in a comforting manner. “Do you feel that?”

“You squeezing my hand?”

“Yes. Because that means I’m there. And I’ll try and stay there. You’ll see me. Even when I’m busy with work. After all, I’m a cop, but I’m also a father. And no matter what I’ll try to stay with my girls.”

Stephanie sniffled and then stiffened as her eyes widened. There was a small breath. “You? You want me to come and live with you?”

Gordon nodded, squeezing her hand again. “Yes. With Barbara and I. And like I said, it’s your choice. I work a lot, so I’m not always around, but I hope I can be a better parent, the one you deserve.

“You’re a special kid, what you did was one of the bravest things I’ve seen, and this is Gotham. I’ve seen a lot, but not many kids as tough, determined and still as sweet as you. You deserve a great home, and I hope I can give you that. We’ll have to wait for approval from CPS and other legal issues, but we don’t think it will be much trouble. All that we really need is for you to decide.”

Stephanie’s answer was a tight hug around his waist, nestling her head against his shoulder. Jim hugged her back, eyes squinting as he looked out at the setting sun on the manor’s great lawn, and he knew one thing. He was not going to let this girl go.

Chapter Text

Bruges

Year 2010

December 22^nd

Jason is 11

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Stephanie is 7

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

The entire moment had been terrifyingly familiar. It was something he’d experienced over and over again in his dreams since the night he’d last performed in this same circus. He wondered if this is what his mother had saw what she had fallen, or what she was thinking? How could he have let this happen?

There were no cut lines. Just a perfect performance. He knew he could do it easily. If there was one thing Robin could do, it was put on a show. That’s why he’d decided he needed to be the one to lead this unsanctioned mission. He’d told Bruce that they were having a sleepover for a few days in the cave.

There he’d summoned some of the others. He’d had to train them a little. Artemis and Roy didn’t shoot for showmanship, Conner threw too high, and M’gann didn’t know how to copy his act perfectly. Which is probably why she failed to catch him. That was the danger of working with amateurs, he thought at her wide eyes, what would his parents think?

“Don’t blow our cover!” he shouted over the mind link.

“But saving your life’s okay?” Conner sassed back.

As he’d twisted he saw his chance. He would not go the same way as the other Graysons. They would continue to fly. He gave Conner a nod and the boy threw a barrel up which Dick rode till he could grab M’gann’s hands. Again, she timed it wrong. Then a second later his hands were grasped in hers.

“What did I just say?” Dick scolded.

“The crowd couldn’t see me using telekenises from below. Besides, I’ve been using it all night. I’m not exactly the acrobat you are.”

He thought what Batman would say at something like that. There was no telling what people could observe. They’d learnt that lesson with Tim. He’d been careful tonight to wear different colors, style his hair differently, plus he put on a mask. It made him feel safer, like he was Robin instead of a Flying Grayson. Not that Robin was a safe thing itself.

“Yeah, neither am I right now. I think I’ve caught that 24 hour bug that’s been going around the circus. But the show must go on.”

Haley’s was his family as much as the League. He had to help them somehow. That’s why he’d done this. And helping meant being part of show, doing his part while he investigated.

It was similar to how it had been when he’d lived there. Some of the old faces were gone. There were some new ones, but some were familiar as well. Then there was the chores, the show and schedule. He wasn’t a kid anymore, so it was a bit different. After all, when he was sick before he wouldn’t have been able to perform.

 His mother had made him stay in bed. People would take turns watching him between their acts, telling him stories and giving him treats. He wanted so much to go over and hug some of those people right now, Haley, Jill, Nadia, Marco and all the others.

“Didn’t think we’d make it through.” Megan had confided to him but then her eyes turned worried as she looked at his face.

“Neither did I. Help me backstage.” He felt ill, not just because of the fall, or the place, but he was weak. He wanted Alfred’s soup or movie nights with his siblings but he had to help his other family.

He passed “The Dragon,” with one of the Roustabouts, Ray. He knew Mihram well. He’d learnt some of that stage makeup from him, as well as how to safely do fire breathing. Inside, another newer act, a pair of brothers were arguing with Haley for giving the “Dangers” the top spot in the performance.

He scowled at being called a sham. These people were circus. They should know that family isn’t just blood. Who cares if they looked alike? Haley sent the two acrobats away as another man approached him.

The man stood in a threatening position over Haley. Suddenly Dick was back in Gotham, watching Zucco threaten Haley as he tried to get payment for protection. With the voices reminding him it wasn’t real, Dick was able to refocus after a few deep breaths.

The man, obviously an authority was investigating just like they were. Likely an Interpol agent. Haley brushed him off, making Dick wince, as he was once again reminded about what happened with Zucco.

The man then turned to them and asked about their act. He seemed to think they were unlikely suspects and told them to be careful anyway. “Haley’s going down for this.”

Dick clenched his fist and stormed back to their train car. “Team, get ready. We’re going to head out right after show clean up.”

“We have to stay for clean up?” asked Artemis. “Seriously?”

“They’ll notice if we’re gone. The thief won’t be missing then either, trust me. It’s too noticeable.”

“Not really. Everyone’s been sick. Remember?” Conner told him.

“Doesn’t mean they’re not all helping,” Robin turned back and got his stuff out. “Just be ready.”

The team turned out to be just as ready to intercept the thief as they had been for the performance. First, they weren’t convinced they needed to be there at all if Interpol was investigating.  Robin had to repeat his lie about Batman assigning them this job as they went in. It went wrong soon after that.

The team hadn’t been on guard. Neither had he. It seemed the thief was acrobatic, then suddenly there was fire breathing. Connor had gone out of control. He looked like the first time they’d met him for a moment, ready to crush them all. It was only after some scolding and M’gann’s vulnerability that got him to stop.

Then there was Roy, who was disjointed and didn’t trust any of them. Roy had been growing more and more distant lately, but Robin hadn’t been on a mission with him for a while. He had always been rash, but not almost as much as Superboy. Robin did have to thank him for warning them about the explosives.

That night in their parked train car, and the following day hadn’t been much better for him either. He might have felt a little better, but the tension had only increased. Especially after the team saw Haley being interrogated by the Interpol agent again, and then lying as he vowed that all the performers had been in bed.

 “Well, we sure weren’t.”

“And if he’s lying about us—”

“So, two thieves, right? The fire breather and one of the acrobats. Just in identical clothes!” Artemis reasoned.

Dick shook his head. He couldn’t believe that of Mihram. “Here’s the Madrid security footage. And now, Paris.”

Everyone watched as he pulled up the footage and displayed it from the hidden glove he’d brought out. There was a distinct shape and form to each of the scenes, all different. It just didn’t make sense.

 “So, the strong man and the clown too. If the entire circus is involved Haley himself may be the master mind.”

Robin fumed as he met Roy’s eyes. Roy knew his backstory. He knew what this place meant to him. He should know better. “You don’t know that.”

Dick stormed through the snow beside the train as the hands unloaded the trucks. He watched each of the cars, all familiar from the tours of Eurasia he’d taken for the first six years of his life. There were posters of all the acts, Mihram’s ‘Dragon’,  Waldo the Clown, Sam’s ‘Mister Muscles’, Wilhelm’s animals, the Vestris and of course, the Flying Graysons.

Suddenly, the leotard felt wrong. It hadn’t been sewn by his mother, but himself. It wasn’t the right red, blue and yellow, or even the green ones they used at times. It didn’t have wings or a G for their last name. It wasn’t his. Just another mask.

He reached toward the poster when his Comm buzzed. Inwardly, he cursed, knowing he’d be in trouble if he was found out. “Uh, yeah.”

“Dude, where are you?” Wally’s voice came over.

Dick almost sighed in relief. It would be easier to hide this from Wally than anyone else. “Condfidential mission, from Batman.”

“Wow! You know what I’m doing?” Wally’s voice answered with thick sarcasm. “”Making a baloney sandwich, kinda like you just did. BS, I’m at the mountain. I talked to Tornado. You guys are not on a mission. Not on an official one, anyway. Now what’s going on?”

Dick sighed this time. Maybe it wasn’t as easy as he’d thought it would be. Maybe he was too close to this to plan it properly. “A friend, Jack Haley.”

“The Circus guy? From your old Flying Graysons days?” Wally asked carefully. Dick could hear him chewing as he talked though. Somehow he felt the need to laugh as he stood in the snow, looking at the posters.

“Yeah. He’s implicated in this global crime spree. Someone in the show’s dirty, but I need to prove old Uncle Jack’s clean or he might lose the circus!” Dick’s voice cracked, but he couldn’t find it in himself to be embarrassed. If felt nice to get this off his chest. To say why this whole thing had been driven insane.

“Then why not bring me along? I know your back story, I know what the circus means to you. What’s the plan? I could run over right now to help. I know you must have M’gann and Supey there.”

“Artemis too. Roy elbowed his way in too. He wants to watch for the mole.”

“Not because of you? Dude, he should know better. The Circus.  It’s where you grew up, it’s where you lost your—“

“Don’t.”

“Okay, so Roy is acting like he doesn’t care. I guess that’s a lot like him these days, but what about me? Or Barbara? Or any of your siblings?”

“Barbara is still getting her new foster sister settled in. And it’s a few days before Christmas. This was my family, not my sibling’s. And I can’t get them mixed up in this. I can’t mix the past and now like that. What if something happened?”

“Then me. Why can’t I come join you right now? You know I would.”

“I left you behind because you know my backstory. I didn’t want my best pal questioning my objectivity.”

“Dude, that’s what a best pal’s for.”

Dick sighed. “You’re right.  If something like this happens again, I’ll bring you along. I guess I thought it wouldn’t matter with Roy being here, and it’s Europe, not Gotham, and it’s been years.”

“It doesn’t work like that.”

“Yeah. I know. Thanks. It’s helped.”

“Just keep in touch, okay?”

“Yeah. Okay.”

Dick turned and stared at the posters for another moment and wiped away the tears. He could excuse the redness as the sickness and the cold. He put his Robin mask back in place with the Dan Danger one and went back in to his team.

He’d managed another show and packing up for Geneva. M’gann had been hit with the sickness as they rode along in the train. Still, her complaints about getting a human sickness made him think.  Not only about the fact Wally or Jason wasn’t there to get his joke, but about the case. It was entirely possible and likely, but there was something suspicious about this illness happening while all of these heists were going on.

Of course, all it took was a little detective work to figure out that Ray must have had something to do with it.  Haley confirmed he’d. only worked for him during this tour, and therefore the crime sprees. And the team started to search, especially once they heard he was also in bed sick.

“I guess he wasn’t that sick.”

Ray was not in his room or his bed.

“Does this circus have an elephant I don’t know about?” Roy asked. He looked at Dick for a moment that back to the crate fast.

“Not on foreign tours,” Dick tried not to let the sadness about that fact leak into his voice. He could use a cuddle with Zitka right about now.

“Empty. No, wait. Ash.”

“The warehouse fire in Bruges!”

“Uh, guys? I found Ray.”

The Ray that Artemis had found turned out to be a mask. And then, of course they had to find out he’d had M’gann’s shape shifting powers and had taken down Pop Haley. Of course Superboy had taken it to the next level faster than they needed, again. He was disguised as Waldo, but Dick quickly realized who he was.

The fight commenced on top of the train. Both archers were taken out fast, M’gann was almost useless, and Superboy was almost helpless against the telepathic powers the villain had taken. He used it to take off with the case.

Robin narrowed his eyes and saw a glimmer in the man’s pocket. That was the key to proving Haley innocent. He jumped, landing on the case, then onto Parasite, who smacked him back with Kryptonian power back onto the train. He rolled off the train, almost falling to his death again if not for M’gann grabbing him fast.

As they sat back in their train car, now in uniform, Robin had barely recovered. He still had to support M’gann, and Roy was still suspicious of everyone. Then of course, Connor had charged and given Parasite the powers he needed to get away. Powers Connor only had the potential for but hadn’t been able to use before. But Robin wasn’t the first sidekick for nothing.

“It wasn’t a complete debacle. I picked Parasite’s pocket and I got this flash drive. Looks like Parasite’s working for Intergang.”

And of course, he was working for them to generate a black hole. They had to get to Geneva, and faster than the Circus train could take them. He looked toward the team. “We need to hurry.”

“You and I need to hurry,” Roy said stubbornly. “Without powers the others would us back.”

Artemis scowled and unfolded a new crossbow. “Hey you’re not the only one with a back up.”

“My powers are back.”

“How?”

And of course, M’gann didn’t want to be left behind. But now he had a kryptonian acting with pure anger, a suspicious archer who wouldn’t work with the team, and a powerless martian who was likely a liability. Thank goodness for Artemis, who he knew could work well under pressure and in a team. The Reds had shown them both that.

“How are we even going to fight him? He has a lot more power than all of us.”

“By being smart,” Robin said. That plan went down the drain quickly with Connor.  Somehow he’d completely recharged, according to Parasite even faster than Superman. Robin didn’t have the time to dwell on that. He needed to shut off the generator.

Luckily, the others waited. Robin looked at them. “Any ideas? Weaknesses?”

“If one of you can trap him we can light up that gas. He has my powers—” M’gann started.

“So he has your weaknesses,” Robin grinned. “Now, I’m whelmed.”

 Now satisfied the circus was safe, Dick knew it was time for them to return. It wasn’t fair to keep the team or himself away for Christmas. He headed to Haley’s train car and got ready to let him know they’d be heading off.

He kicked his foot awkwardly as he stood in front of the man who’d helped raise him. “So, the show will go on.”

Haley gave him the same kind smile he’d always known. “And I have a feeling I have you Dangers to thank.”

Dick, or Dan, tried to look surprised. Oh well, it wasn’t a big deal for them to be seen here. There were fake IDs and the League could have easily taken an interest in this sceneario. As long as the rest of his ID was safe he was fine. “Don’t know what you mean.”

Haley shook his head. “Of course not, but I’m guessing you’ll be leaving now.”

“Time to move on,” he said.  He wondered how exactly old people like Alfred and Haley could read his face and know everything when he was able to fool most of the League easily.

“Well,  Dick,  I’ll miss you.”

He cursed inwardly as he tried to look innocent, it was much harder to hide this time. “It’s Dan! Dan Danger!”

Haley reached and grabbed his shoulder’s looking into his eyes. Dick regretted not wearing contacts again. It was his eyes, they were distinctive, and Haley was smart. He knew Dick well enough to put it together. He leaned down to meet his level.

“Son, you’ve grown, but some things never change. Like the sight of a Grayson on the trapeze. You can’t fake that. Can’t hide it.” Bruce was going to kill him. He should have known better. Especially after Tim.  But Dick beamed anyway. Haley grinned down at him. “So do this old ring master one last favor? I’m sure you have to be heading back to Gotham, we’ve got to stop soon for Christmas too. But we’ve got one last show.”

“Yeah. Of course. But how did you know?”

“Like I said, Grayson on a trapeze or doing flips. I had to keep tabs on you. I owed it to John, Rick, Karla, Mary and even little Johnnie. I’ve seen you enough to know that Bruce has taken good care of you, but I still worried. And you haven’t hid yourself too well here. I’m sure the others figured out it was you as well, though maybe not Robin. Even if we do all remember your mother calling you that name.”

Dick blushed. “Yeah. I’ll leave a note. Tell them I said hi, and a happy holdiays?”  

“Good. Now sit down and tell your Uncle Haley more about this group of friends here. Robin’s friends I’m guessing?”

 “Yeah. My team.” Dick grinned and sat down with his Pop. He had a lot of stories to catch him up on.

Chapter Text

Somewhere in Europe

Year 2011

December 25th

Jason is 11

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Stephanie is 7

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

Haley had kept Dick a little longer after the other had left. When Dick got ready to turn to the Bioship Haley stopped him.

“Dickie, I can’t just let you go like that right before Christmas.”

Dick grinned. “You didn’t have to.”

“Take it,” Haley said handing him a closed box. “It’s some stuff we kept that belonged to your family. I just couldn’t find the right time to give it to you.”

Dick sniffed and hugged him. “Thanks, Pop. Have a Merry Christmas.

Happy Harbor

Mt. Justice

It was earlier in America than in Europe, but Christmas eve was still nearly over when they returned to the cave. Of course, Wally was still there waiting and he put up a front of complaining about not going on a mission, meanwhile smiling sneakily towards Robin.

“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” Artemis asked. “It’s Christmas in less than twenty four hours.”

“Got to see why no one told me about this fun trip before hand.”

“If you call getting your powers stolen and having to perform in a circus every night fun,” Connor grunted.

“Whatever. Just wanted to say Merry Christmas to all of you too.”

Artemis smiled. “Thanks.”

“Merry Christmas, Wally,” agreed M’gann kissing his cheek so he turned red.

“C’mon Supey, it’s your first Christmas. You must be excited.”

Connor sighed. “I’m more tired right now. Can we go to bed and be excited in the morning?”

“See! That’s the spirit!” Robin cheered.

“I guess I’m going then,” said Artemis. She picked up her stuff and left with another hug from M’gann and more holiday greetings from everyone else. Roy nodded and left soon after. Connor and M’gann disappeared deeper into the cave leaving just Wally and Robin.

“Dude, what happened? You have to tell me everything.”

“Not here. Superboy---”

“Is definitely busy with M’gann now, or already sleeping. He can sleep like a rock even with his super hearing. So, what happened?”

“Turns out it was Parasite working for Intergang. Stopped him from making a black hole, but he was using all the circus performer’s skills.”

“And then he got all of yours.” Wally flopped onto the couch. “Dude, that’s tough. But you fixed it.  Enough about the team. Tell me about Haley’s!”

“Well, firstly he figured me out.”

“What?”

“Same way as Tim. Plus my eyes I think.”

“What’s Batman going to say?”

“I don’t really care,” Dick said shrugging. “I saw him and a lot of the others again. Even if they didn’t all know it was me. And I got to perform.”

Wally looked at him seriously. “Are you okay?”

“Not really. I almost fell, I was feeling sick cause Parasite drained me. Not to mention the entire team was being annoying. Then it almost happened again on the train.”

“Like Bucky Barnes?”

“Yeah. Like that,” Dick sighed. “I mean I can’t do anything if I stay afraid of falling. I’ve got to move on. It was kind of nice to perform with the team and teach them about Circus life. And to see everyone. Haley even gave me a gift.”

 “Oh. Wow. That’s awesome,” Wally said as he looked through the box he grabbed. Then he grinned mischeviously at Dick. “Now my turn.”

“Let me get mine for you to.”

Both boys raced off, of course Wally returned first but Dick only took a minute. Robin grinned holding out the package wrapped in superhero paper. “I couldn’t find a superman wrap. I tried.”

“It’s better that way,” Wally said. “Now you know the guy can be a jerk. Let me see!”

Wally tore open the wrap to reveal several video games like Call of Duty, Assasins Creed, God of War and a new chemistry book. “Sweet! We’re gonna have to play all of these over break.”

Robin grinned in response. Wally shoved a package into his hands, this covered with birds. Robin’s grin grew wider as he unwrapped it. Inside was a cup, lid and straw. It read, Batman drinks with just ice. Robin looked at it from Wally who looked at him grinning expectedly.

“Dude,” Robin said in between cackles. “This is one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten.”

“Really? Better than that trapeze set? Or Ace? The signal watch? What about that really cool thing Barbara made you a few years ago?”

“I said one of the best. It’s about even,” Robin hugged his friend. “Thanks. I mean it. After everything, well… I’m just happy that you’ll be there no matter what.”

“Like I said, what are best pals for?”

Outskirts of Gotham

Wayne Manor

Dick had fallen asleep fast as soon as he’d gotten back. Bruce had of course come to talk with him about what Interpol had said after being in touch with the League.

“But don’t worry about it. You led a mission with a difficult team and worked around all the obstacles you were given. I know how hard that must have been, especially when you were there. I hope some of it was good.”

“Yeah.”

Dick had sat and told him everything. He was soon forced into bed as he would surely be woken bright and early the next morning by his siblings. Which of course, he was. All of them in their PJs, slippers and robes, running down the stairs, or in Dick’s case, sliding down the rail toward the Family Den, the one they used and had decorated earlier that week. Presents had appeared ‘magically’ in the night (Alfred’s work of course.)

Cass looked at the space in awe. Dick smiled down at her and urged her forward toward the tree. Alfred was soon there with hot chocolate for all of them as they looked in the stockings, (the Leaguers usually gave Bruce treats to put there.)

Jason was stuffing Ace into an elf hat he’d found and tried to declare they should also have a batday for Ace on Christmas. After all, that was when they’d gotten him. The dog, now getting aged, was happy to follow Jason, or lick Cass’s cheek for a shining smile as she sipped her hot chocolate as she inspected each ornament.

Each Christmas since he lived here the Manor had gotten more lively and cheerful. In addition to the Grayson’s old ornaments, the ones the Wayne’s had always had, the Drake’s had been added and homemade ones chosen by each of the kids.

Bruce came down after in a pair of sweatpants and a black shirt. “None of you are to old for all of this yet? I thought you might want to sleep in.”

“Not for Cass’s first Christmas,” Dick grinned. “And I know you’re not such a Scrooge.”

Bruce chuckled and ruffled his hair as Cass pulled him forward to inspect the baubles on the tree with her.

He looked dutifully at what at been in the stockings as well before emptying his own and pretending to be surprised by it. Alfred had been filling them with the same peppermint bark pieces and little knick knacks as long as he remembered. Toys as a child, now a special cigar, a new beautiful pen or cuff links.

He’d tried to incorporate all of his children’s traditions into his own. So of course, now Dick got his circus tradition of caramel corn in his. Jason and Cass didn’t have much, but the former had plenty of ideas for what he wanted at Christmas to make it perfect. He got extra chocolate in his stocking, and so did Cass. Tim had been all too happy to share some smaller traditions. His family’s Christmas had been a lot like the Wayne’s once upon a time.

Now Bruce was able to watch this entire scene happily as he sipped his coffee. He waited until the kids asked before they opened presents. Alfred was ready with a list for thank you notes, a trash bag for the wrapping and a camera for pictures.

“Can we save ours for last?” Tim asked looking at the pile.

“Why don’t we open the ones Clark gave all of you before we choose what else to open?” Bruce asked. “I know there’s a pie in the kitchen that he delivered for Alfred and I. We can eat as we open his gifts.”

Ma Kent’s apple pie was added to the hot drinks on the floor as they kneeled near the tree. They’d already received new knitted clothes from the women in Kansas. Cass opened up some packets of animal silly bands and tried them on with her own silly grin. Tim got a book on the work a reporter and cameraman did in the newspaper, looking through it greedily. Jason was confused when he found a ball in his box. “A ball?”

“There’s a note.”

“It’s a strength ball,” Bruce read. “For exercise training, it talks. There’s instructions there, but it’s for hand strength.”

“Cool,” Jason grinned as he tried it out. He held it away from his siblings who each wanted their own look at the device.

Dick was reading through his own gift, a collection of the kryptonian stories that Clark had written down after all these years. On the floor next to him was a new Superman shirt (somewhat of a joke between them.) Once the pictures had been taken, the presents inspected and wrapping paper cleaned up they all moved on to the next gifts.

“Let’s just do the ones the Gordons gave us so I can tell Babs what everyone thinks,” Dick suggested as he reached for his own.

He grinned as he opened a cereal bowl with an attached straw. Jason groaned on seeing it, but was distracted by Alfred placing his own gift in his lap. He opened a new leather bookmark and red hoodie. Tim was trying to explain his new Sodoku to Cass who looked confused. She liked her own pink ribbon and leotard much better. Barbara was always happy to talk to her about ballet, having done it herself once upon a time.

Tim reached for another present, probably Dick’s if the wrapping paper was any sign. Jason stopped him shoving a different present into his lap. “Nah. Golden boy always goes first. Mine next.”

He handed out the presents to all but Cass. “I think you have to wait Tim and I did this one together for you. But the rest of you can open yours.”

“Thanks,” Tim smiled as he opened the moleskin notebook. Star wars themed he realized as he looked closer.

Bruce was rolling his eyes at the T-shirt he’d been given. Jason had obviously had it customized as it read sir, which was crossed out to then read boss, then crossed out to read Mr. Wayne, which was then crossed out so the word was Dad.

“You sure this isn’t your own hoodie?” Dick said as he held up his own gift.

“No, it’s for when you do missions in civvies. You always wear that same green thing. This has some extra pockets and stuff.”

Dick opened it to see where he could strap his belt, or store extra materials, as well as embed his own comms. “Wow. This is actually really cool. Thanks, Jaybird.”

“Yes, you put a lot of thought into these gifts,” Alfred agreed looking at the turntable and records he’d been given. “It’s much appreciated.”

“Now Cass. Mine and Tim’s are both in this,” he said handing her a small bag.

Tim nodded. “Yeah. It was expensive, but this way both of us could get you something personal.”

Cass’s eyes widened as she opened the bag to find a little box with a bracelet inside. Hanging from the bracelet were two charms, one a pair of ballet slippers, the other an ‘I love you’ in sign language. Cass looked between the two of her brothers and grinned jumping to give Tim and then Jason a hug.

“Wow, way to up the ante on us,” Dick whistled seeing the bracelet. “How did you guys even have the money for that?”

“Savings,” Jason answered simply.

Tim had done just as well as Jason for the rest of his gifts. Alfred smiled at the book on the meaning of flower’s he’d gotten (Not that he didn’t already know the meaning of them all.)  Jason got a new toy that sensed where his hand was and flew on top, making it a fun game as the siblings ran around tripping over the gifts on the floor trying to keep it in the air, and away from a barking Ace.

The rest of Tim’s gifts were made in joint with his sister. She’d practiced her new handwriting and creative skills on the scrapbook of Batman and Robin they’d given Dick.

Tim was about to hand their gift to Bruce when Cass stopped him, signing she wanted to wait till the end. Bruce raised his eyebrows but smiled as Cass gave out the rest of her presents to the rest of the family (besides him.)

Tim got his own sweet gift in return from Cass. The entire family was smiling or laughing as Ace decided to inspect the new robot puppy, it was the most interesting thing now that Jason’s flying toy was gone.

Alfred smiled at the recipe book and the rest of the family was looking at Cass gratefully as Alfred read through the recipe’s. Each had been collected from the families they’d had before, or if not the families, the cultures, There were notes on everyone’s favorites in Cass’s scrawl.

“Miss Cassandra, thank you,” he hugged her closely. “This is one of the most touching gifts I’ve ever been given, as it was not just for me, but my entire family. I can’t think how long this must of taken you.”

Cass blushed and hugged him back before turning to give Jason a journal of his own titled “My Life So Far.” Each page had different prompts or things to say what to write about. There was a nice pen next to it as well. Jason ruffled Cass’s hair as a thanks.

Dick grinned at his own opportunity to give gifts. First came Alfred’s.

“I know you won’t use a cutting board for cookies, but I put the recipe there all the same,” Dick said as he it was unwrapped. The personalized cutting board had the family favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe engraved on it.

“You are right. It is one of my most used recipes, and therefore one of my favorites.”

“I got Bruce’s from the same place,” he said as Bruce frowned looking at his package warily. “It’s for the cave. I know you wouldn’t use them up here.”

There were coasters that read ‘Drinks are on me,’ and a spoon reading ‘Cereal killer’, post-its in the shape of toast or ‘toast it’ notes. There was also a mug printed “Give me Space” covered in galaxies. Bruce actually snorted upon reading the last one. “Thank you, chum. I’ll admit, some of these are funny.”

Dick fist pumped before moving on to his siblings. First came a hammock, as Jason had expressed interest about what it must be like to sleep on one when Dick was talking in Circus life. Jason immediately started to talk about finding a place to hang in, while Dick moved on to the next sibling.

Tim got some construction toys and models. Everyone laughed at the one based on the BatPlane. It was based on the fast moving images people saw on the news, and therefore not very accurate. Still Tim smiled at his brother carefully. “Thanks Dick.”

“You’re welcome, baby bird.” He grinned then turned to Cass turning serious. He looked between the rest of his family as he took out the gift to give to her. Then he grinned and put it back behind his back. “This can wait for last. I’ll give it to you after Bruce and Alfred give out their gifts.”

Cass frowned and looked at him curiously. “Nuh uh. I said it’s for last.  Yours for Bruce is last too, it’s the special-est gifts that need to be given last.”

Bruce reached out to her. “Don’t worry. How about Alfred and I give you your gift first?”

Cass smiled and looked as he handed her a small package. Inside were two slips of paper. She frowned looking at it.

“It’s for the ballet,” Alfred explained. “Master Bruce got tickets for a box.”

Bruce nodded. “This way I can go with you, and if I can’t you’ll go with Alfred. He always enjoys a good rendition of Swan Lake or Giselle.”

Cass grinned and hugged both of them looking at the tickets as the other gifts were passed out. Tim got a new chess set, the pawns were the League’s partners (Robin, Kid Flash, Red Arrow, Ms. Martian, Superboy, Zatanna, Artemis and etc.) Behind each of them was a different leaguer, usually their partners. king and queen were Superman and Wonder Woman (the pawn in front of her was Zatanna.) Of course, Batman was one of the knights. The other was Aquaman. Green Arrow and Flash took the place of the Bishops. With Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern in the place of the rooks. The other side was each of the heroes villains.

“We got a few more made. The Hawks, Fate, Captain Marvel, Red Tornado and Black Canary for example. So you can put the pieces were you want and play them as which ever pieces you please.”

Jason got several new books from Barnes and Nobles hardcovered classics collection which he looked at excitedly before stacking them to take up to his room. Dick’s passage was as small as Cass’s. He opened it and was confused when he saw goggles.

“You’ll need them.”

Dick grinned excitedly as he twitched, jumping in his seat. “What for?”

“I’m taking you skydiving. As Dick Grayson. And higher than a height we’d use missions. Maybe I’ll get you a few lessons as well,” Bruce said.

“Sweet!”

Bruce and Alfred exchanged gifts from each other. Alfred got some new handcrafted gardening tools and Bruce a new picture frame with a family picture already inside. Meanwhile Dick nodded to his brothers. Jason and Tim had run to go get something and returned quickly. He grabbed Cass’s gift again once they did.

“So this has become a tradition. I gave something like this to Jason and Tim during their first Christmas here. It’s something that you’ll have to know we’re always with you,” Dick explained as he handed it to her. “My parents gave me Zitka, and I still have her. So I thought… Well, why don’t you guys just show her?”

Cass suddenly realized the significance of toys she had seen often. Stuffed animals that sat by all of her brother’s beds. The circus elephant on Dick’s blue sheets, and the bear on Jason’s with a mock bat suit, even sometimes in a Robin or Red Hood outfit, Tim’s raccoon, which already seemed to be wearing a domino mask without the outfits as well. She opened hers in trepidation to see a gray bunny rabbit.

Inside the bag were also some outfits for the bunny, in each of her sibling’s costumes or a leotard and slippers. Cass looked at the bunny in disbelief hugging it close as the grey fur and whiry whiskers caught a few tears.

“An official welcome to the family, Cass,” Dick said as he caught his little sister into a hug.

Across town another little girl was having a similar moment. Stephanie had only been living with the Gordon’s for a few weeks. She’d slept in the guest room, and then with Barbara for the past few days, as the guest room was otherwise needed.

It was nice to stay up with her new foster sister, long into the night without a worry for her father and his gang. Though she worried for Gordon when he wasn’t around. Last night Barbara and her had distracted themselves by opening their gifts from the Wayne’s a bit early.

Barbara explained how the Wayne’s always gave at least two types of gifts. “There’s usually something personal, and something work related.”

She handed Steph a box first. “I asked Bruce to get another whipped up.  We all have them. It’s a phone and special encrypted line, you’ll also get a comm when you finally get to patrol.”

Bab grinned when she showed Steph her own Bat gift had consisted of a note saying she’d get a new vehicle and more driving lessons now that she was fifteen. Stephanie was a little jealous at that, and the pile of presents clearly for Barbara behind her.

“Some are for you,” Barbara promised. “And you’ll get just as many next year.”

The girls giggled happily comparing the necklaces they were given, though Barbara’s seemed to be specifically from Dick while Stephanie’s came from the entire family. The little girl seemed to find this amusing and spent a while questioning Barbara about her relationship.

“For the last time, Batgirl and Robin are not a thing,” Barbara said toying with the necklace that said Babs in her hand. She blushed as she remembered how Dick had come up with the name, and how it had spread.

Barbara also got a book filled with notes from Jason for their ‘book club’ with Alfred. There was a new USB wrapped in a scarf, one made by Cass and the other by Tim. Both were made with a little help.

Stephanie squealed as she opened the last package. Doc Martens in purple sparkly sequins that looked like they were pulled off a fish. She tried them on and grinned. “I love them!”

“Shh! We’re supposed to be asleep.”

“Oh, right.” Stephanie tried before squealing again. “But they’re so pretty!”

The girls had dissolved into laughter again chattering until they fell asleep.

Then this morning Barbara made hot chocolate that was even better than Alfred’s, though she wouldn’t say how (probably the extra marshmallows). Gordon came out in his bathrobe and hugged them both good morning, smelling of coffee, nice cigars and his own cologne. Their breakfast tasted a little burnt, but was covered in syrup and other treats. A special waffle treat for Christmas morning.

            Next of course was gifts. Barbara got the usual money, clothes and a new phone from her father. Stephanie didn’t see any other gifts under the tree and tried hard not to express her disappointment.

            “We couldn’t fit yours under the tree,” Gordon said settling a hand on her shoulder. “It’s in the guest room.”

Stephanie followed him with a wary curiosity as they went to the room. Gordon continued speaking. “Barbara helped me with choosing everything. And we…”

Stephanie opened the door and gasped. The walls had been painted a pale perinwinkle, but the bed was covered in a duvet with flowers in her favorite eggplant color. There was nice white drapes, a beanbag and empty closet waiting for her. Sitting on the bed was a piece of paper. She picked it up confused.

“That’s what makes this official,” Gordon smiled softly. “You’re staying with us as long as you can. That’s why you get your new room.”

Barbara spent a few minutes pointing everything out to her. The locker for little trinkets, also purple, the fuzzy rug which was a creamy color, and the star shaped lights hanging across the wall. There was room to hang anything she wanted and customize the room more.

Stephanie stayed uncharacteristically quiet the entire time. Barbara beamed down at her as she finished. “So?”

“It’s perfect. It’s the nicest gift I’ve ever gotten,” Stephanie said, then repeated, “It’s perfect.”

“Really?” Gordon asked hopefully. In response Stephanie turned and grabbed him around the waist for a tight hug as she nodded against his stomach.

“I love it. I could totally have sleep overs here, and put up a cool Black Canary poster over there.  Then I’d do my work near the beanbag after I come home from school,” Stephanie rambled. Gordon didn’t hear a thing after that as he noticed for the first time, Stephanie had called this place home.

Bruce was feeling the same thing as he looked at his oldest son hug his youngest daughter, then the other boys checking to see if she was okay. She took a few minutes but then smiled and signed something quickly to Tim. Bruce looked on happily as he knew as it was finally it was time to get his gift from the two youngest.

Tim spoke as he unwrapped it. “It’s a photo album. I got some of the pictures from other albums and thing, some are mine. Cass wrote her own captions on each picture too.”

Bruce looked through the album, smiling softly. Dick, Clark and himself at Bibbo’s in Metropolis, the thanksgiving pictures taken over the years, a few taken from watchtower recordings. Cass had scribbled, (This is when Dick beat Aunt Diana in a spar). Gala pictures as well. All of them scrawled out in the trapeze net, Dick showing a younger Jason and Tim how to use the trapeze, and him then practicing on the barre with Cass. (Dick does the stretches better, she wrote.)

Once very cute picture had the kids this year in their Halloween costumes, Superboy, Zuko, a ballerina, Carmen Sandiego and Spock trick or treating and then, all but Barbara curled up on the couch with Ace dressed at the Enterprise. Cass had wrote, “I liked the music. Dick said the movie wasn’t scary, but I liked Charlie Brown better.”

Everyone crowded around to look and pointed out pictures, laughing at the captions or weird faces any of them had made. Bruce let them pull it aside, and didn’t get a better chance to look until after they’d eaten their meal and most of them had fallen asleep after a Christmas movie. He’d gone upstairs to his room to find another gift on his dresser. There were mini stuffed animals, like each of the kid’s own. He could tell that Dick had made them, but they were much smaller, and not the same animals as the ones the kids had. He smiled inspecting each one, the monkey dressed as Robin, the black lab dressed like Red Hood, a snow leopard that looked like Black Bat, a fox dressed as Batgirl, a little mouse Red Robin, and a Sea Otter in the spoiler suit they’d just designed. He smiled softly tucking them away safely so that they had the protection they deserved.

Later that night, as he finally looked at the album again, Cass sat down next to him lying on his side. She signed at him quickly. “Want to see my favorite?”

“Which is that?”

She opened to one of him letting her dress him up as she giggled. Bruce huffed. “That one? Why?”

Cass looked at him and did something unsual, opened her mouth as she slowly spoke her first word as a simple answer. “Dad.”

Chapter Text

Batcave

Year 2011

December 30th

Jason is 11

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Stephanie is 7

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

“Turn it up! I can’t hear what Superman’s saying.”

“It’s just Uncle Clark’s usual BS about truth, justice and the American way, timbo. Calm down,” Jason said with a shove.

“Master Jason!”

“Sorry Timmy.”

Tim looked at him warily, then shrugged before sitting himself on the arm of the monitor chair.  Stephanie had squeezed herself in beside Barbara in the chair itself, leaving plenty of room. After all, the thing had been made for a man of Bruce’s size.

“So, Superman is reporter Clark Kent. No wonder Lois Lane works with him so much.” Stephanie squirmed in the chair and squinted to try and look closer. “You guys really know all of these people?”

“Most of them,” Barbara said putting a hand on Stephanie’s shoulder and pulling her back down.  “Well, Jason and I do. I don’t think Cass and Tim have met everyone yet.”

“John Stewart is always on a mission when we come. And I don’t think Hawkman likes kids.”

“Master Carter likes you just fine, Master Tim. It is your older brother he is wary of.”

“Dick?”

“No, dumbo. Me,” Jason said leaning back into the seat as he crossed his arms. It was a struggle keeping his balance on the chair’s arm as he did so, but Dick made it look easy, so he had to be able to do it too.

“Wait, what happened with you and Hawkman?”

“Shh! I can’t hear!” Stephanie turned from one side to the other to glare at both of them.

“They’re adding a lot of people to the League this year. Dick says Plastic Man is hilarious. I think they met at Wally’s once.”

“That’s Kid Flash, right?” Stephanie said bouncing up and down. “So, Dick’s met all the new people too?”

“We’ve all met Fate when he was Zatara, and we all know Roy. Dick’s just probably meeting everyone else as Robin now,” Barbara explained as Superman handed out each membership card. She shook her head watching Roy walk up for his. “Roy’s actually in the League now. I can’t believe it.” 

“I don’t. get why they still won’t let any of us join,” Jason said. “I mean, Billy’s even younger than me and he’s in the League.”

Steph turned to look up at him. “Who?”

“Turns out that Captain Marvel is ten, he becomes an adult with some magic word or something. So unfair, not like he has as much training as any of us.  Neither does Roy!”

Alfred put down the tray of celebratory cookies. “Master Jason, you know the League accepts only people over 18. Billy Batson is on probation according to Master Bruce. And Master Roy is now a full-grown adult, he has been a hero for nearly five years, the League was happy to accept him now that the time has come as it may for each of you one day.”

“Fine. I get it,” Jason replied shortly turning back to the screen. But he didn’t, it just didn’t make sense. Roy had been acting like a jerk since the whole mess in July. July 4^th had changed everything, for all of them, Dick, Barbara, Wally, the entire group. The team. All the sidekicks and partners. Roy had been the oldest, the one they looked up too, even if Dick was the most experienced. Roy was supposed to be the big brother, to encourage and protect them. That was what he used to do.

Now he just acted like they didn’t exist, at least not Jason. It was the worst. That used to be the best thing about Roy, even though all the others were younger than him, he gave them his time and attention. There was no more Redhead Club, no more of any of that.

Last year, Roy and Wally had been there as all the Batkids watched the induction on the monitor. All of them talking about the day they’d join the League themselves. Now, it was actually happening, and Jason wasn’t sure if his older friend actually deserves it.

Maybe the guy was right. It wasn’t fair that he and his brothers, sisters, Barbara and now even Stephanie got to know all the League’s secrets. The watchtower for example, he’d watched the induction there with Dick once, the year Red Tornado joined. And he remembered how his brother said he wished his friends could be there, that they could be welcoming their new family member together.

But now Roy joining the League didn’t feel like him joining their family. It felt like him leaving it. That was what the secrets did. All of them sitting here were secrets, hidden from the world as heroes. They deserved to be part of the league and team just as much as anyone else. But the world only knew and loved Robin. Dick had changed everything, and now so had Roy. Children heroes and now a team of teens.

His brother wasn’t just a part of their family’s team anymore, and neither was Roy. Apparently, growing up wasn’t everything people said it was. There were still good parts, solo patrols, more freedom, even the chance to be Robin on some nights. But apparently, growing up also meant growing apart and Jason hated it.

Hall of Justice

Washington D.C

Inside the Hall, Robin was watching the monitor as Roy achieved what they’d all said they wanted, joining the League. At least now he was part of his own team, and they even had their own member inducted today in the form of Icon’s apprentice Rocket. (Not sidekick, never a sidekick.) The poor girl had stumbled into a mess, as evidenced by Wally’s comment about Billy. Wally excepted Dick’s adoption of team as family a little too easily, trusting Rocket with that secret before there was even proof, she could be trusted.

It was the secrets again, the rules and expectation, the ones keeping them from being outside with the League, the ones keeping Batgirl, Red Hood and all the others from standing beside him right now. This year had given him a chance to see what others did, see how much they didn’t know and just how much he was different because of his experiences since that night in the Circus.

No one else here was able to understand the people and things around them like him, the words, speeches, actions and little movements like Zatanna looking away as the camera focused on Doctor Fate. She might have it harder than him, with no Bruce to take her in, and a father who was right in front of her but didn’t even acknowledge her. Robin stepped forward to put a hand on her shoulder, the physical contact reminding her that someone was there and seeing her in that moment.

Rocket gave a whole speech about the invisibility that came with being a kid, a teen when Icon was handed his card. It was lucky his sunglasses covered the way he rolled his eyes as Wally made a sage nod as he munched on an apple. Kaldur looked to the girl with a smile.

“Welcome to our world.”

“Well, I suppose there’s an upside, too.”

  They did not need more drama on the team right now. Even Kaldur seemed to be losing his modicum of sense.

He was distracted from this line of thought by Roy being zoomed in upon, as Green Arrow handed him his card. Wally cheered and the three of them, the ones who had been there that day exchanged looks.

“Way to go, Roy!”

“At last he has his wish.

“The first of us to make it. No one will call him a sidekick anymore.”

“Wait, since when is being a sidekick a bad thing? You sidekicks were my inspiration.”

And maybe the new girl had a point. Because Roy might have been the first to make it, but Robin was the first. None of them would be standing here without him. He’d had to prove himself, over and over before Batman acknowleged him as his partner. That’s what he was, even if the world just assumed, and the rest of the teen heroes were never equals, but apprentices, students. Robin was more, and now they all were. They’d proven that several times over during the past six months.

And the beep from his watch meant they’d need to prove it again today. It also meant a whole lot more drama, secrets and revelations. Jade Nyugen, Jade Crock, whatever you wanted to call her had just been ID’d, That meant a family reunion and fight, and when one secret came out, others usually followed.  

“Guys, heads up. We have a lead on that case. I’ve just got an alert that Chesire has been identified.”

“Dude,” Wally groaned. “Did you just make that pun?”

Robin rolled his eyes but snickered. “I’ll have to remember that one. Wasn’t even on purpose.”

Kaldur stepped between them. He looked at the rest of the team. “Enough. Everyone, we leave in five minutes. M’Gann, prepare the bioship.”

“Got it!” The martian’s voice still had a smile with it as she floated off to find the ship where it had been cloaked in the Hall’s garage.

“Wait, we’re leaving? What about Icon? And the League?” Rocket asked as they separated.

“You’re part of the team now. Unsactioned missions are kind of are thing.” Wally wrapped an arm around her as he zoomed back in. Raquel gave him a look of disgust and shrugged his arm off.

“Yeah. Okay. Not like Icon needs me here now. But seriously, will someone tell me what the hell is happening with this team?”

In fifteen minutes, they were off. He had a feeling they didn’t need to be so timely, which was good because it took over an hour to fly to their destination. Most of that time was taken by introducing themselves to Raquel, again, and explaining everything, leading to where they were now.

There was no way he was the only one pegging the anxiety in Artemis’s voice as they entered the mountain range. Everyone would probably just attribute it to her failure on the last mission and previous experiences with Cheshire, but Robin knew that tone. High-strung and secretive, protective and worried, scared and angry, all at once. Something only siblings made you feel.

“I mean, are you absolutely positive?”

“See for yourself,” Robin said pulling up the footage while studying her out of the corner of his eye. If this got bad, her anxiety and family troubles could put the whole team into even more danger. Analyzing and strategizing was his job, even if it meant unwraveling all of his friends’ secrets and strifes. And he was done with all these secrets. Once his friends revealed theirs, he’d start working on giving up his own. By then, trusting his team would never be in question again. He was sure of it.

“This is the security footage from the Ashfield Regional Airport. Facial recognition confirms that’s Jade Nguyen. But you’ve seen her without her mask. What do you think?”

That was easy, Artemis was terrified of her secret and her sister at the moment. But she seemed resigned to there being a revelation of all of that now as she confirmed her sister’s identity as Cheshire. It was the way Wally was looking, betrayed and suspicious that made Robin nervous.

“Agreed, but focus on what she carries.”  At least Kaldur had regained his objectivity. He was focused on the mission and the details. “Is that the case you saw in New Orleans? The one that got away?”

“Okay, I’m guessing from the mugshot that this Cheshire’s the bad guy. But what’s so important about that case?”

“Isn’t that the case,” Robin chuckled to himself. At least the rest of them were just as clueless as her here. Still, their garbled story and recapping of events hadn’t been super clear. That’s why he always liked to use a visual presentation when he could to. A few taps of his gloves brought up a new map and pictures.

“Remember the Injustice League?”

“And their giant evil plants? Uh, yeah.”

That day was especially memorable for several reasons. For his siblings and their big chance at heroics, for Icon at finally getting enough recognition to be placed in the League, and for the Team, for putting everything together. Or so it had seemed.

“The team and the league put them in prison, but their allies still scheme and whatever is in that containment case seems important to their plans.”

Allies, yeah right. It seemed the Injustice League were the allies or more likely minions here, or at least now it did. He was starting to be fairly sure.

“We had a chance to grab it New Orleans but someone screwed up.”

It was lucky M’gann interrupted with an update when Wally said that, because the guy was just digging the hole he was in deeper and deeper. Feeling betrayed was understandable, but they couldn’t let their hormonal drama mess with the rest of the team. If this didn’t end this week, Robin was pulling an intervention and literally slapping sense into his best friend.

Artemis had flinched at the statement, but now was even worse. Her shocked gasp, and the way she turned her head away almost shattered things as much as the crash in front of them. “Looks like there was no survivors.”

And he couldn’t comfort her without giving what he knew away. Robin shook his head.  Wally spoke up. “Split up and take a look around?”

“Yes,” Aqualad agreed. “That sounds like the best course of action.”

Did none of his friends notice anything? If they hadn’t been suspicious with the whole Artemis thing, why not the crash sight? And when they did question it was all the wrong things.

The plane hadn’t crashed. The angles were off just a bit, the way things were thrown around meant something had interfered. This wasn’t just bad flying from being under the radar. He managed to find a piece of the plane’s flight computer mostly intact, but it had been erased. The question was to reveal the play or wait for them to do it? He kind of wanted to see how long it would take the team to figure anything out.

Kaldur was way too focused on the case and their ‘unfinished business.’ Rocket and Wally were more focused on questions involving their own interference from his hacking. Surprisingly, it was Connor who figured it out. The quiet ones were always the most observant.

“Where are all the bodies?” the angry teen yelped throwing a piece of the wing away.

A flash of movement caught Robin’s eye. Of course, the quiet ones were also the most dangerous too. Cheshire stood on a ledge above them. “Here’s one. And it is stunning.”

Artemis seemed to let go of a breath she was holding, only to gasp again at the next sound. Robin groaned inwardly. He’d had enough of stupid clues and riddles this December with the Sportsmaster mess. He did not want to deal with Nygma now.

“I am flora, not fauna. I am foliage not trees. What am I?”

Seeing the thugs, Riddler and other two bad guys above him with a shield generator made him rethink this whole mission. “Hey, c’mon. You can get this.” Even if Ed was annoying, he was one of the nicest to Robin and the other kids, at least in Gotham. During one of his better months, he’d left a riddle scavenger hunt for the new kid, when Jason had just started out. Of course, Batman had solved all of it and double checked the probability of it leading into a trap first. Like this one. “I am shrubbery, not grass. What am I? I…”

“Am..bush.” And it was definitely official, he should have said something.

Chapter Text

Smoky Mountains

Year 2011

December 30th

Jason is 11

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Stephanie is 7

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

Yep, Robin was definitely done for. He’d done nothing when he sensed a trap. How did Batman decide when to trigger traps or not? At least Robin knew how to listen to whatever evil rant a villain gave and wait for the right moment to disrupt it.

“This is the endgame. Ordered from above, and executed by their master strategist, moi.”

And of course, Kaldur knew just the right time too. “Miss Martian, is everyone linked?”

“Yes.”

“Go.”

Mammoth, Shimmer and the mercenaries jumped into the fray. Zatanna cast a spell. Suddenly they were in a blizzard. Maybe not the smartest move, considering the mercenaries were all in white, and it would be a lot harder to fight properly.

Higher, he needed to get higher. Robin managed to get balanced on one of the wing tips where it was sticking up front the ground. A better vantage point even with the snow. Then he could see where he was needed.

“Superboy, the pylons.”

“Working on it.”

Weird, Superboy didn’t just go for it, charging in like he usually did. He ducked behind another piece of the wreckage. On the far side, Artemis and Jade were racing toward each other. Robin doubted they would actually hurt each other seriously.

The issue was the apocalyptic weapons. Rocket and Miss Martian seemed to be able to get the ones at the higher vantage points. Kid Flash and Aqualad held the floor. But M’gann wasn’t used to having to look after another person in the sky. There was a flash of red as Rocket tumbled onto the top of the plane’s body and then into the ground.

That was his cue. From there it was just seconds of thought and instinct. Leap, roundhouse. Aqualad had Rocket covered. Miss Martian had both their backs. More red, growls above him. Mammoth. Heavy stomps, a crash, Superboy. Shield weakened, one pylon down.

And then both the heavy hitters were flying toward each other, across the crevice. “SB, you’re flying!”

Even though he’d noticed some kind of power up and that the clone was acting weird, that part was a surprise. Mammoth was flown upwards and hurled into the shield.

Focus. Get higher.

It was hard to focus when the clone was acting like a tank, like Superman under someone else’s control, or when he’d been infected with something. When Mammoth had crashed, Superboy plowed after him, full force with laser eyes, and then pummeling the giant into a wall.

There was another flash, this time white and green, as the ledge above weakened and avalanched. Artemis and Jade were on the ground, one had saved the other? He couldn’t tell which.

Didn’t matter. He was up top now. Smoke, snow, sleet and a few coughs got Shimmer distracted enough to be taken out with a bola. Shadows and smoke were where Batman trained him, but being Robin meant making it into a performance. Flashes of red and yellow as she was tied up and he came forward to knock her out.

Now it was Nygma’s turn. Before he could move, Zatanna had Riddler in a straitjacket. The dude was obviously off his meds again. Bel Reve, not Arkham, sure. But only when he had enough control of that OCD.

“Hey, Ed. Ready to get back to Gotham?” Robin couldn’t help but let the grin leak into his voice as he sat the man up. The snow stopped and he saw Zatanna and Rocket standing a few feet above him. “Hey! Think you can help clear the rest of this up?”

Another hour, and the ambush team was secured to be taken into custody. Meta containment units had come for Shimmer and Mammoth, and the feds had taken the mercenaries and Nygma.

“What about Cheshire, Jade, whoever she is?” Wally asked over the link as they helped load the prisoners into containment vehicles. He looked suspiciously at Artemis. “Did she get away? Again?”

“Because Connor caused an avalanche!”

“Stop yelling. Can we stop this whole mind thing? I’m getting a headache,” Rocket’s voice complained. She shook her head. “Weird.”

“Enough. We have retrieved the case, and captured several villains. I would say today has been a success. I wish you could all consider it the same,” Kaldur’s voice was laced with a sigh. “M’gann. Prepare the bioship for the flight back to the mountain.”

“Bet you League is already waiting for us.”

“Waiting? They’re already tracking us down. Second, they realize we disappeared without knowing where we are. I’m not risking Batman going—”

“We get it!” He really did not need the team hearing the term ‘Daddy-Bats’ right now.

__________________

The ride back was silent.  Only Rocket spoke once the entire time, looking awkward and uncomfortable with the entire situation. Everyone else seemed to be thinking, after all, there was a lot to think about. Supey’s new powers, Jade and Artemis, Wally’s denial, M’gann’s whole over the top deal… all of it. And they’d all seemed to have realized what he did now, after the actual ambush had happened.

No one addressed a word of it though. Instead, just staying somber and silent as they came out to face Canary and Tornado in the hangar.

“Mission room, now.”

They all dragged their feet as they walked. The others parted for him almost unconsciously as he moved to the front of their lineup. There was no telling how his mentor would react to all of this. Overprotectivness usually meant when the man didn’t know Robin was gone turned into a fight. There was also the control issues. So he was relieved when Batman immediately focused in on him and waited for all of them for a second without showing any major reaction besides checking his ward was unharmed.

“Tell me if this sounds familiar. You hacked League systems, disobeyed protocol, and endangered your lives.” As soon as he opened his mouth, Robin had to hold back a grin. The exasperated sigh leaking into his voice was something he’d heard many times before. Like that time, he and Roy pranked Luthor at the gala where they’d met in civies. But it wasn’t bad, more like B resigning himself to actually feeling pride, if that made sense.

He could feel the others stiffen behind him. Probably thinking this would go the same way as it had the first night of their team, at Cadmus.

“And your initiative resulted in the capture of three escaped felons proving Warden Strange runs Belle Reve as a cover for criminal activity. Well done.” His mouth twitched at the end, confirming he’d actually spoken those last words. A full-on smile. The team, shifted, moving around as they processed that statement. M’gann’s mouth was open in shock, but he was more focused on Zatanna’s twinkling eyes, sharing a look for the smallest second before their attention was called to the front again.

It showed how much they’d grown in the past six months that no one asked for any more praise, or acknowledgment for their actions. They understood a praise from Batman was rarer than finding a kryptonian.  No one demanded to come to the watchtower for the Induction party or protested having the case taken away after all their work.

Instead, the team looked at each other. Even a few weeks ago, they’d be hugging, cheering and celebrating such a success. Not now though, they just waited for the adults to leave. There were more important things at hand. As soon as the Zeta beam finished, Robin turned toward Aqualad. “You realize we were set up?”

“Yes. Cheshire and Riddler were tipped and ready for us.” Smart, Kaldur was surveying them all for reactions. Of course, none of them were good.

“Not the mole thing again.” Artemis’s complaint just made Wally glare harder. M’gann and Connor were looking at each other contemplatively. Zatanna did what he and Kaldur did, observe. And of course, Rocket was clueless.

“Mole thing? Again?”

Maybe their recap on the bioship hadn’t been so great after all. At least that ruled out one person besides himself as the mole. Kid Flash looked at Artemis again then explained. “We had intel that there was a traitor on the team.”

Connor stormed forward. “Namely, Artemis, M’gann or me.”

And it was true they were the most likely. Connor might not even know he was the mole. He’d almost completely ruled out Artemis at this point. The two aliens were the wildcards.

Kaldur immediately moved to intervene before there was more fighting amongst them, placing a comforting hand on Connor’s shoulder. “It is more complicated than that.” Connor shoved the hand away, and glared at Kaldur, turning to storm off.  “But your recent behavior does concern me.”

That was an understatement. They needed to find out if this was just anger and abandonment issues, or mind control and orders from Cadmus. Connor hadn’t acted like this in months, since at least the end of September. So what changed since then?

“Your attack on Mammoth nearly got Artemis killed.”

At least Robin wasn’t the one bringing the situation under the microscope. That was one thing he always hated to do, accuse others and make them upset with him, especially if he could be wrong. Kaldur was doing good, he’d make everyone reveal their secrets and then this would all be done.

They all flinched as Connor keeled over suddenly, holding his head. Super-hearing probably. He’d seen it happen to Superman, pitches only the kryptonians could hear, or Clark would suddenly fly off hearing an explosion about a mile away. He wasn’t the only one watching Superboy suspiciously. The entire team was. Kaldur stepped forward. “Superboy?”

“There’s something I need to do.” Robin frowned. Okay, so Superboy definitely knew something was up with his behavior too. Not mind control then. And from the way he was looking, it seemed a lot worse than his usual anger and daddy issues. He looked almost regretful. The clone wasn’t meeting their eyes as he spoke. “Something I need to tell you.”

This was it then. Time for the secrets to come rolling.

“Last month, on Thanksgiving, I went back to Cadmus and found a few things out,” Connor finally looked up. Robin instinctively reached toward his belt, where he kept things that could debilitate even a kryptonian. Just in case he’d been wrong and being aware of the whole mind control and Cadmus changed Connor’s allegiances.

“When I was cloned, only half the DNA was Superman’s. The other half was human. That’s why I don’t have, will never have full kryptonian powers.”

Robin felt himself relax as Connor explained. It definitely explained the anger, finding that out could worsen the issues with being like Superman Connor already had. It did bring up even more questions, like how he got his new powers. The clone obviously still had more to say, judging from how he was shifting around.

“You sure? ‘Cause you sure seemed to have them today,” humor in his voice, it always made the situation less tense, something he’d learned helped a lot with the strained confrontations he’d seen over the years as a hero. It was his job as Robin, while Batman usually handled affairs more seriously, giving a smile and instilling faith in others usually made them open up better.

It worked of course, Connor pulled up his sleeve, revealing a red patch and looking at them for their judgement as he explained. “I’ve been using these. Shields. They suppress my human DNA. I get the flight,  the heat vision, but I think I also get angry.” His entire demeanor yelled an apology and sense of regret. He was shifting on his feet, not meeting anyone’s eyes and rubbing both his arms. “Well, angrier. I’m sorry.”

So maybe it wasn’t all daddy issues. Robin’s fingers twitched, wanting to inspect the ‘shield’ himself to see what it was. Some form of kryptonite and chemicals? He could feel Aqualad tense near him as well, ready to accuse Connor of being the mole.

“Where did you get those?”

He doubted Connor was the mole. His entire apologetic speech didn’t seem to be an act, and it was unlikely confessing would throw off suspicion. He still was under scrutinization though, because those patches definitely weren’t good.

Connor looked down again. “From my human father, Lex Luthor.”

“Lex Luthor… is your dad?”

Okay, so he definitely wasn’t expecting that. Not good. Connor was designed as a weapon, and Lex seemed to be attempting to ingratiate his lost prize into fighting alongside him by acting like a good father. “He’s summoned me to Santa Prisca.”

Connor’s confession reminded him a lot of Stephanie’s though. The clone obviously wasn’t happy with either of his dad’s behavior. Was it bad that he wanted to laugh at the karma all these villain fathers were getting from their children?

There was movement to his right. Artemis, more daddy issues. Finally, he was done with all the drama that came with hiding her secret for so long and so unnecessarily.

“Ahh, listen. Superboy’s not the only one suffering from bad DNA.”He wanted to clap and smile proudly as she walked to the mission room’s computer and pulled up her family’s profiles. That took serious bravery, and strength. “My mother is Huntress, an ex-con. The rest of my family aren’t even ex. My dad’s Sportsmaster. And he’s sending my sister, Cheshire to fly me to Santa Prisca, too.”

Not suprising. She was like Cass in that respect, eternally angry at her father for trying to mold her into his weapon. It seemed Wally was realizing that too, looking at Robin, then back at Artemis. Now it was getting good.

“That’s why—”

“Yeah. I was so desperate to make sure none of you found out.”

“I knew.”

Artemis was practically gaping at him. He couldn’t wait until he got to reveal the rest of his secrets, pictures from school included.

Thank god the mask hid the number of eye rolls he’d made today, because he was starting to feel like Jason. How were they surprised, he was Batman’s apprentice, he was supposed to know everything! “Hey, I’m a detective.  But it never mattered. You aren’t your family. Their actions shouldn’t effect our judgement of you. If anything, you’ve found a new family. You’re one of us.”

He crossed his arms, relieved as she gave a soft smile when he finished his speech. Wally had already zoomed across the room, to stand beside her, putting a hand on her shoulder and sharing a soft look. Gross.

He wanted to whack the speedster again, for not apologizing and being so stupid when asking a threatening rhetorical question. “So, uh, who’s next?”

Robin could potetniallyy step forward now, reveal his own family, the fact he had a sister who had a background possibly worse than Artemis’s and his best friend’s family was fostering another girl even more similar. He could talk about knowing everything about the League, and all of them.

But, they still hadn’t found the mole. So that only left one. It was time to see if M’gann was brave enough to come forward and tell everyone the truth about whatever it was she was hiding before it caused more issues.

Luckily,  she did step up, or speak up, even if it was barely above a whisper. The entire team wore identical looks of shock. Wally even stepped back and threw his hands up. “I swear I was kidding.”

 They should be more careful, M’gann was likely the most dangerous one here, and her sweetness and excitement didn’t mean that was any less true. At least she was confessing now, he’d been trying to figure her out for ages.

“Queen Bee’s been blackmailing me. She wants me in Santa Prisca,  too.”

This should be interesting.

“Blackmailing, how?”

“She knows my true martian form.”

The girl’s voice was heavy. She seemed to be having even more of an issue than Artemis.  Okay, seriously, what was she hiding? He’d had a feeling since Bialya, but what was it? “Bald M’gann? Who cares if—”

“No.”

Another heavy sigh. So humor and deflection hadn’t worked. The girl uncrossed her arm, and immediately he recognized she was shifting, transforming into something big.

It wasn’t what he had expected, at all. He knew she had image issues, she was unused to Earth, but there was more. He knew it! Batman had hinted something after they had talked about the Bialya mission. Robin should have looked into that further.

Now he was seeing everything he’d been missing. White, ripped skin and exposed muscles, absolutely no hair. A monster with clars, sharp teeth and pinched eyes. It kind of looked like J’onn’s true form, the one he never used because his more extraterrestrial appearance startled people. M’gann’s was even worse. The entire room was filled with gasping, the team stepping back to make room for the beast.

She kind of looked like a pterodactyl, flaps under the exposed muscles on her arm, bones and scales, ridges along the center of her body. The difference was, she talked. Not through her mouth. The mind link. “I realized you would never accept me, if you saw what I really am.”

“M’gann, did we truly seem so shallow?”

Kaldur had just as much of a point as she did.  The team might not care now, but at first they might have. And the rest of the world would certainly talk. It made sense M’gann adopted the form of a popular tv persona, what she envisioned her self as.

“I couldn’t take a chance. Being a white martian among the green on Mars, I endured constant rejection. I couldn’t face that from—”  The martian was hugging herself close, trying to give herself comfort. It wasn’t hard to imagine what she was feeling. It was racism, again. He’d been put in Juvie for almost three months because of people’s prejudices. He saw the looks their family got every time they went out. The blue eyed, black haired boys, even if one was slightly darker and romani, and the Asian girl. It was a plague that was apparently universal.

 They all definitely needed more sessions with Canary, not just about their own issues. Learning how to handle racism, abusive situations, and other social issues were going to become a priority.

He typed that down, as Superboy walked over to hold M’gann’s hand. He couldn’t hear their conversation, probably a private mind link, but Connor would give her what she needed. Beside him, Artemis was still standing suspiciously close to Wally. Rocket had stuck close to Kaldur since her introduction this morning, and he was used to the two aliens acting lovey dovey.

Maybe he could make a move with Zatanna when this was over. She seemed open to it, sticking by him and laughing at his jokes or exchanging snarky comments. This wasn’t the time, though. “Sorry to interrupt this beautiful moment, but unless anyone else has secrets to reveal, I think we should make a plan.”

“You mean like your identity?” Artemis asked cocking her hip and resting her hand against it. “Or is someone else still hiding something. You seem to know all the secrets. Detective, right?”

Robin sighed. “C’mon Artemis. You know I want to tell you my name. I want to tell you everything I’ve been hiding from you. But I can’t, it puts too much at risk. So I can’t give everything away unless you want to get Batman angry. These secrets aren’t just mine. I can’t say anything. Yet.”

“Nothing, Rob? I can’t believe you’re still doing this. I thought we were over it.”

“Artemis’s secret wasn’t mine to tell,” Robin shot back at him. “You can’t blame me for how you acted towards her.”

“Seriously, though. What else are you hiding?”

He laughed, something that crackled in his throat almost cruel and mirthless. “I’m not going to deny it. I have secrets from the team.  I don’t know what you want, Wally!”

“To tell us these secrets before it tears us apart!”

Robin swirled around to glare at his best friend. “Like my secret identity? Because you already know that. You know about my past, you know everything about me dude. I haven’t hidden a single of my own secrets from you.”

“Enough. Robin does not need to sharehis identity or anything else that is not pertinent to the team.” Aqualad stepped in between the two and gave them both an icy look.  “You know more than you have led us to believe, what else can you tell us?”

Robin tapped at his wrist computer. He couldn’t believe this was happening. Did Batman ever have this many issues with the League and them trusting him? He was supposed to know everything. “I’m just doing my job. I’m a detective, the team analyst and strategist. That means knowing everything about the team to make sure we can do our job. We all have secrets, and I’ve had suspicions about all of them. I never really thought any of you were the mole though. Not willingly, or on purpose. Someone just could have said too much at the wrong place and time. Like when Wally spent to much time with the Rogues and we had the Captain Cold incident.”

“Hey!”

The entire team looked back and forth between them. “It’s my job, guys. I don’t like it, but I have to be suspicious of everyone. There’s times where I couldn’t even trust Batman. Wally, can tell you that.”

“Yeah,” the redhead said rubbing the back of his head. “That wasn’t good.”

“And I couldn’t have been the only one who realized Connor was acting weird. I thought it could be latent Cadmus programming, some type of mind control. We should definitely have that checked out as soon as possible. And I knew M’gann had image issues from the mission in Qurac, but I had a feeling she wasn’t saying everything either. You probably wouldn’t have been so ashamed of just being bald. And I’ve seen your uncle’s form plenty of times before.”

“You have?”

“Yeah. So, yeah. That’s what I knew. I didn’t have all the details, and if I did know anything that could help the team, I’d tell you right away. You just need to trust me, right?”

Artemis stepped forward. “Fine. I get it, I just want to know how long you knew about me.”

A few more taps of his wrist computer. Footage of Artemis’s patrols taken from the CCTV cameras in Gotham played on the screen. She took a step back and paled. “You saw that?”

“It’s my city too.”

“Wait, you’re from Gotham!” Wally asked looking back at forth again between Artemis and Robin. “Dude!”

“Not my secret. You were never discreet. We’d been monitoring you the entire time. Saving us from Amazo just made us act on it. Not the best way to stay under the League’s radar.”

“That was you?” Wally looked at her in surprise then turned back at Robin. “You knew it wasn’t Roy?”

“Detective work, bro. When has Roy ever used a green arrow by choice? And the fletching and make of the shaft were totally different.”

“That is not really new information,” Aqualad said with a hint of amusement. “And I am glad it led Artemis to join our team.”

She smiled thankfully at Kaldur then turned, narrow eyed at Robin. “I just can’t believe you knew the entire time.”

 Robin just shrugged. “One of my jobs for Batman is to keep an eye on other vigilantes that have emerged in Gotham. It’s a seedbed for them.”

He saw both Artemis’s and Wally’s eyes widen, and he cursed under his breath. He might’ve given away one of his greatest secrets. Of course, Wally already knew about his siblings, but Artemis didn’t. He’d just confirmed the rumors she must’ve been hearing for ages, the ones about the existence of Batgirl, Red Hood, Black Bat and any others. 

“Do you still operate in Gotham?” Kaldur asked as he watched the footage closely.

Artemis shook her head. “Not anymore, part of the deal was only working with the team or with Ollie in Star.”  

“You still go to Gotham Academy though, I’m sure you know the League set that up by now.”

“Dude!” Wally yelped.

“You little…” Artemis started.

There was another cackle as Robin raised his hands in surrender. “Really Artemis, you have to learn to school your reactions. Don’t be too pissed, but you weren’t really discreet. About anything.”

Wally’s knuckles turned white as he grabbed her shoulder to stop her from marching forward. Aqualad, still amused, put an arm out to bar Robin from doing anymore.   “That is enough. Now we most focus on the mission, and find out what is happening on Santa Prisca.”

Chapter Text

Mt. Justice

Year 2011

December 30th

Jason is 11

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Stephanie is 7

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

“If we should be talking about any Santa right not, it should be Klaus, not Prisca,” Wally declared. From where the four teammates stood in the mission room was an unobstructed view of the den. There, M’gann was taking a look at Connor’s mind, double checking for the remnants of Cadmus programming and anything leading him to be a traitor. It had been five minutes, but that amount of time was months to a speedster. “Weren’t we supposed to have a holiday party? And gifts?”

 “Artemis, have you confirmed your transportation to Santa Prisca?” Aqualad asked ignoring Wally.

“My dad didn’t really give me a choice in the matter. He never does.”

“Hey, remember, we’re here for you. We’re a family,” Robin said as he looked at a map of the Island. “And we’re taking him down.”

She turned to him, narrowing her eyes again. “What is the deal with you? I mean, how can you accept this so easily. My family is evil. I could be evil. And you’re pretending like I’m your family!”

“You are,” Robin said stubbornly. He looked around, seeing who was listening. Rocket was still getting a tour of the mountain from Zatanna. Connor and M’gann were still occupied with the mind link. That left him, Kaldur, Wally and Artemis. “Like I said, I can’t tell you everything, even if I want too. But for me, family has never just been about blood. It’s more than that.”

She turned to scoff at him. “So my League of Assassins and Shadows DNA doesn’t matter to you?”

“To any of us.” Kaldur put an assuring hand back on Artemis’s shoulder.

Robin nodded, giving a little smirk as he turned to her. “You really think you and  Connor are the only ones? Another person in my family, two actually, have parents like yours.”

“He’s right. I’ve met her, and she’s the sweetest kid, even if she was trained to be a killer. She could take you apart in two minutes, but she’d rather give you a hug,” Wally chuckled sharing a grin with Robin. “And she’s also really good at stealing cookies.”

“Kid Stomach is right.” Cass was sneakier than any of them. The only one able to get past Alfred, or more likely the only one he allowed to steal past him to get to her quarry. It was amazing to think that a year ago, she’d been on the streets, trying to get away from David Cain. Robin shook his head again with a laugh. “And even knowing that, she’s part of my family.”

Artemis frowned, looking between the two grinning boys. “Wait… is she one of the…”

“Yeah,” Robin agreed cutting her off before she could clue Kaldur in to the secret of Gotham’s pack of vigilantes. “I have a big family. My biological family has been gone for a long time. Even before that they taught me to accept anyone I loved into my home and family. I took that with me when Batman found me. I got a new family from that. The League practically raised me.”

“You live with Batman, then?” Kaldur’s eyebrows jumped a little as he tried to process the thought.

“Like I said, my family is big. The Batcave is always crowded.” Robin chuckled again seeing Artemis’s eyes widen at the almost straight-out admittance of his entire families existence.

Across from them, Kaldur narrowed his eyes, thinking. Batman and Robin was one thing, but to think that there might be more than them was a bit frightening. The two were already quite formidable. Though he said he did not begrudge his friend his secrets, he was still wary about all of it. He shook his head and sighed. “We must focus on what is it at hand, Santa Prisca.”

All four of them turned to look at where M’gann and Superboy sat unmoving. Wally was very obviously vibrating with unspent energy and impatience. Robin snickered as he suddenly stopped, when Artemis placed a hand on his knee. Kaldur met his youngest teammate’s eyes and felt the corner of his mouth twitch.

“Done!”

Their attention swiveled back to the two aliens coming to join them by the central mission computer. M’gann flew forward, her voice full of it’s usually bubbly cheer as she landed softly. Connor was smiling, the tension had dropped from his shoulders as he walked up behind her.

“You are free of Cadmus programming then?” Kaldur asked looking between them.

“You three freed him before they had time to implant more than the one command in his brain. Connor’s free of that now, no more mind control or cloning programming left.”

“Supey’s 100% himself, unique and free of expectations made by both of his jerkface dads,” Wally said clapping the clones back.

“Never thought I would be hearing Superman be referred to as someone’s dad,” Artemis muttered, not that it was any less believable than Batman having a brood of kids.

Kaldur walked forward to the computer base as he saw the other two girls arrive. Once the team was fully assembled, geared up and at attention, he pulled up the computer.

“Superboy may not be totally free of control. We know Queen Bee will be at this rendezvous. Artemis has told us to expect Sportsmaster and Cheshire as well.”

As he spoke, the profiles of each villain appeared around them, complete with their choice of weapons, usual tactics and every bit of information they had. Superboy stepped forward and punched something into the keyboard. Turning back, a familiar bald head appeared beside him, “Don’t forget Luthor.”

“And with Luthor comes Mercy, he never goes anywhere without her,” Robin pointed out. He peered at the computer and frowned. “Add Bane, there’s no way they’re operating without his knowledge. It’s his territory, and with the new mixes of kobra venom he could be more dangerous than ever.”

“What do you advise then?”

Robin opened his mouth to speak, but Artemis interrupted with a shake of her head. “We need them to think we’re on their side for long enough for everything to work.”

“I know who Luthor is, and I recognize the cat lady from earlier. I’m guessing Bane is from Gotham?” Rocket asked cocking her head to the side.

“Yeah. B is the ruler of Bialya, she has telepathic sway over anyone attracted to women. She’s dangerous to everyone, but the first move should probably be to have Artemis and M’gann take care of her.”

“Agreed,” Kaldur said looking at a holographic map of the island. “We shall wait for your signal to come in. I suggest we come with M’gann in the bioship. Artemis should go with Sportsmaster and ….”

“I’ll take Sphere, alone,” Connor stated. “Luthor expects me alone and angry, still vulnerable to my Cadmus programming. He won’t have time to plan something new once he realizes that everything is ruined.”

“For him. Everything is looking up for team…” Wally paused, “Did we never get a team name?”

“Do we need one?” Artemis asked with an eye-roll.

“We’re just the Team.” Robin looked up from where he was adjusting his utility belt, and fiddling with some supplies.

Artemis tested her bow across from him, strapped it across her back then moved onto inspecting everything in her quiver. “You can come up with stupid names later.”

Santa Prisca

6:10 PM

December 30^th

Everything had gone perfectly. Robin thought as he jumped into the fight. Sure, they forgot to account for Blockbuster, but they were heroes, one more brute wouldn’t be enough to make them stumble. That wasn’t Robin’s target though, he’d been itching for a fight this entire time. Even more, he’d been wanting a way to get to the bottom of this mystery.

 At first, Robin had watched closely from the trees as Luthor and Superboy talked, looking for some clues. The league of villains behind everything included the two standing in front of the clone, but anyone else could be on that list. Artemis, M’gann and Superboy had acted perfectly. Even when Luthor had thought he’d pegged Superboy for lying, the clone had been able to fool him into thinking the Cadmus command words still worked. The egotistical billionaire’s hubris kept working against him.

They’d been expecting the villains to try and take Superboy away for the so-called ‘adjustments.’ But that was the only thing they knew of the villains’ plans for sure. The three on the ground had to improvise, and Artemis had chosen exactly the right moment to make her move.

Robin grinned as he saw her pull out her bow and arrow. The girl who had hesitated and been scared stiff by the Tornadoes was gone. Her voice was completely confident as she snarked something to her dad then froze Blockbuster in expanding foam.

Now might’ve been a good time for the rest of them to come in, but he still stayed hidden in the shadows of the leaves. Once M’gann had confirmed Queen Bee was out and it was safe, Superboy approached Luthor. That was where it started to go wrong.

Too much time talking was never a good idea, especially when Superboy was made for action. He had no clue how Luthor was baiting him, as they stared at each other coldly and debated the creation of the clone. It gave Blockbuster enough time to get free of the foam he’d been imprisoned in.

Quickly, the behemoth charged at Superboy, revenge for earlier in the Smoky Mountains when their brawling had quickly avalanched out of hand. From his vantage point, Robin could see Blockbuster grinding Superboy’s head into the cliffside. He wasn’t able to stay focused on that for long, as Luthor looked toward Bane and said something.

Bane copied the signal, and immediately his Sicarios began blasting. Sphere started to combat the attack with its own laser powered guns. There was a cloud of dust, but Robin could still see the bodies moving and jumping to avoid the alien weapon.

While Miss Martian was able to distract the gunmen, on the other side of the field were the Crocks. Sportsmaster was whipping around a ball and chain, using it to deflect Artemis’s arrows. In the trees, slowly sinking into the best position to jump into the fight, Robin stood at the ready.  If there wasn’t a call for backup within the next ten seconds, he’d go in anyway. 

“Guys, reinforcement time.”

Robin’s knees locked, but before he could push off the branch and leap into the air, he was thrown off balance by the pink ray of light racing past him. The shooting stopped again as Rocket flew in, picked up a Sicario and dropped him into the trees. Kid Flash barreled into several others at top speed, leaving Bane with only one gunman.

Even from this distance, Robin could see the telltale fist-clench.  The bright neon color of the venom entering Bane’s system as he grew didn’t make it any less subtle. Now doubled in size, Bane roared.

Out of the corner of his eye, Robin saw Aqualad be blasted by Mercy’s disguised prosthetic arm canon. Queen Bee and Luthor had disappeared into the trees. The other sicarios seemed to have targeted Miss Martian, seeing her as the most dangerous as she ripped up a chunk of dirt telepathically and brought it forward. It exploded against the gunfire, throwing pieces of grass and mud everywhere.

The giant explosion was enough of a distraction. This part was familiar, something he did almost every night in Gotham. An armed birdarang, upper punch to one sicario’s jaw and fling the weapon into the next’s hand, causing him to drop his gun. Another punch and he was down.

Turning to the last of the gunmen, Robin heard Zatanna’s muttering. He hadn’t made a single move when the man was wrapped in a snake, then a rope and bound up on the floor. Robin grinned and readied a compliment on the move as he felt Zatanna land softly beside him.

He should have known better. There was a reason Batman was so strict about attachments and distractions in the field. Bane plowed into them, like the charging horse Robin had once seen at Haley’s, the villain left a cloud of dust behind them.

There was the distinct sound of a helicopter taking off amidst the crumbling of the cliffside where Blockbuster and Superboy manhandled each other, continuously pushing each other’s faces into the dust. Rocket charged after it, moving like the ion battery she was.

He couldn’t see what happened next, only heard the missiles firing and Aqualad’s order for Rocket not to follow. His attention was focused on Bane, though he did give one dangerous second to smile as she saw Kid Flash join Artemis against Sportsmaster.

Robin was up a second later, back handspringing away from where Zatanna still lay. Bane pushed himself up and forward, using one fist at a time to hammer wildly at Robin. That was one of the good parts of being so small, it made his acrobatics, jumping and dodging the unrestrained power behind Bane’s strikes so easy.

Bane was kicked backwards, Robin jumped as he gave a roundhouse kick hitting him right in the center of his chest. The move had been the wrong one to make, giving Bane enough of a hold to grab him and fling Robin into the side of another helicopter.

He heard Zatanna yell from behind Bane’s shoulder, where she was still on the ground. Puffs of smoke erupted around him, almost as if he’d thrown some smoke bombs. Instead of providing cover in darkness, the smoke changed, forming an exact replica of Robin. The duplicates gave him the cover that came with identifying a target in large groups of identical people.

He relished the look on Bane’s face as he charged forward, each of the illusions doing the same until there was a line of five or six Robins heading to the mountain of a man. “Gotta love..”

            “An army…”

“Of me.” It kind of reminded him of fighting alongside the other bats, back in Gotham. He’d charged into battle like this several times before, leading an army of bats. These anticipated his every move, thought and words as well. Of course, the other bats were all a bit too different to be an identical army like this. It wasn’t far off though.

 The illusions jumped onto Bane, who took his time batting each one into the ground. As he smirked and the last one vanished into smoke, Robin sprung over him, pulling out a birdarang to cut the tube feeding Bane’s bloodstream the venom. The man stood up and screamed in outrage, not moving fast enough to avoid the taser Robin hit him with next.

When he turned, it was to see that Aqualad and Rocket had commandeered some of the Apokalyptic weapons. Blockbuster and Sportsmaster were trapped in the slide of sludge that followed, leaving Cheshire to disappear. Robin grinned and walked with Zatanna to join the others.

Rocket was beaming, not with her pink light, but with adrenaline. “It is always like this.”

“Told you.”

“Hey, disaster averted. Feeling the aster,” Robin said turning his grin from Zatanna to the rest of the team. With two of the villains captured, they could get information to track down the others and the alliance behind all of this.

“Agreed. This has been a good day.”