Chapter 1
"Tim where are you?" the young man asked as he walked the halls of Wayne Manor. Bruce Wayne, otherwise known as Batman, had to go on a very important business trip for Wayne Industries. He also took Alfred with him, so Bruce instilled the job of watching over Wayne Manor, and Tim Drake AKA Robin, while they were gone to Dick Grayson, also known as Nightwing. At first Dick didn't mind, since he hadn't seen his little brother in awhile, but he was starting to get very annoyed. Tim was running away from Dick and hiding, deliberately trying to get on the former boy wonder's nerves. And he was doing a damn good job at it too.
"Where are you, you little twerp?" Little did Dick realize, the boy he was looking for was hiding on the rafters, spying on him and smiling at his attempts to find him. Geez Dick and they say you are as good a detective as Bruce, Tim thought to himself.
As soon as Dick passed down a hallway, Tim used this chance and jumped from the rafter. "Yaaaagggghhhhhhhh!" he yelled.
As if it was nothing, Dick stepped to the right and let Tim fall to his face. Tim groaned as he pushed himself off the floor. Ok did not expect that.
"Nice try kid, but I was totally aware of your presence the whole time." Dick said smugly.
"Yeah right. You only dodged because I yelled."
"And why did you yell?"
"Cause it was fun and I wanted to." Tim said crossing his arms.
"Sure…..you just don't want to admit I am a better fighter than you." Dick smirked.
Tim stifled his laughter. "Yeah…..heh heh…..ok sure whatever you say…ha heh."
Dick was about to remark, but suddenly the phone rang. Dick ran into the kitchen and picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Uh, hi is Dick Grayson there?" an unknown voice answered on the telephone.
"This is he, now who am I talking to exactly?"
"Dickie! It's me, Charlie. We were in the circus together, remember?"
"Charlie…..Charlie! How did you find me?"
"I looked in the phone book and tried your place, but you didn't answer. So I called Wayne Manor since it was where you used to live and stuff. I wanted to talk to my old pal."
"Man it is great to hear from you."
"Who is it Dick?" Tim asked as he entered the kitchen.
"An old friend from the circus. Now shush! So Charlie how are things?"
"Not too bad. I left the circus two years ago. I'm now into engineering, you know since I used to help with the rigging of the trapeze act and the clown cars. I also got a fiancé."
"You're getting married? To who…..and is she cute?"
"Her name is Liz, and she is a secretary. And beauty doesn't matter when you're in love….ok yeah she is very hot."
"All right, score Char!" Dick both smiled and laughed.
"What?" Tim whined.
"Shush!"
"Heh heh, yeah. But Liz is great. She just makes big deals about everything, like my birthday on Saturday."
"Saturday is your birthday? What are you guys doing?"
"Well probably nothing. Business is really slow for both of us so we don't have that much money to celebrate. So we are just going to have a nice dinner at home. You wanna join us?"
"Charlie it's your BIRTHDAY, we have to do something fun." Dick said.
"I want to, but there is really nothing we can afford right now."
"Let me think of what we can do." Dick started thinking of ideas when he spotted the pool in the backyard. That's it!
"Char I think I know exactly what we can do for your birthday…how about you guys come over here and we can have a pool party?"
"A pool party? That sounds great, but I mean is it all right with Mr. Wayne and stuff?"
"Bruce is away on business, so me and my little bro have the mansion to ourselves. I insist you come, Charlie."
"Well, okay, if you think it is alright, I will. It shouldn't be a problem with our work schedule. Do you mind of some of our family comes, too?"
"Not at all. So come over here Saturday, alright?"
"Okay. I got to tell Liz so I will talk to you later.
"Alright bye." Dick said while hanging up. He looked at Tim who was smiling hugely.
"A pool party? SWEET! This will be so awesome." Tim exclaimed happily.
"Yeah it would if you were going, but you're not."
"WHAT? Why?"
"No little kids around." Dick smirked.
"Please Dick let me go, I will be good. Promise."
"No."
"Come on! PLLLLEEEAAASSSEEE?"
"No"
"If you don't I will just call Bruce and tell him you are having a pool party without his permission."
"You wouldn't dare." Dick glared.
"Try me" Tim said while crossing his arms and smiling smugly.
"Fine you can go." Dick sighed with annoyance.
"Yes!"
"On one condition."
"Ok…..what is the condition?" Tim stopped his internal celebration and asked.
"We are going to have a bet, alright."
"A bet? For what?"
"Well remember how we were arguing over who is a better fighter?"
"Yeah…." Tim eyed him suspiciously.
"How about we see who is a better fighter? When we go out on patrol tonight, we will see who can stop more bad guys. Whoever loses, at the pool party they have to….wear a speedo"
"WHAT?"
"You heard me; a speedo. The loser has to wear it." Dick smiled mischievously.
"That is so perverted Dick."
"So is that a "no", cause the pool party for Charlie is going to be so much fun…"
"Alright I'll do it." Tim said irritated.
Dick chuckled while he put out his hand. "So it's a deal?" Tim wondered for a minute. If he did it, it could end up being totally embarrassing. But if he doesn't, he'll miss out on an awesome pool party. And Dick would call him a wimp like forever. Tim grabbed Dick's hand and shook it.
"Deal."
