First hello to all my followers, you have no idea how flattering it is to see the author alert notices in my e-mail. I want to take the time to thank every single one of you for reading my story here. Also before I forget this has nothing to do with my other story. I know I talked about keeping them in roughly the same universe type thing but like I said I'll let you know if I continue that one at all. Anyway I hope you guys enjoy!

p.s. This is the prologue, it's the build up to the actual story itself. The rest of it will be all about how our favorite little bird and our favorite speedster meet.

pp.s. I know that Batman doesn't seem the type for pet names but I absolutely adore when he calls him little bird and acts all affectionate because he does so very rarely. I was reading a comic last night where he was super affectionate so I'm sticking with it. It's not too bad, I'm pretty happy with how he's turing out.

The team was on a simple mission. A simple mission that had gone horribly wrong.

Robin and Kid Flash had managed to get hurt; of course it would be them.

Batman bolted into the medical wing at Mount Justice and found what he'd feared, Robin was in critical condition. Kid Flash was in much better condition, he was still unconscious but Flash would be happy to hear he was stable. Batman's worries were for his little bird. He gently brushed his fingers through his boy's hair and checked his vitals. The doctor was rushing around unnoticed by the mentor. His only care was on the pale boy in front of him fighting for his life.

He left the room leaving the staff to do their best and stormed over to the rest of the team sitting impatiently in Kid Flash's room. "What happened?" He demanded.

Artemis, ever the unafraid, stepped forward glaring, "We were doing the recon like you ordered when those knuckle heads saw that they had kids with them and rushed in without any warning or plan to save them. The kids are fine but these two weren't so lucky." She snapped and glared back at the unconscious Kid Flash lying in his hospital bed.

Receiving all the information he needed he swept back out of the room and sat waiting to hear about Robin's condition. Superman came to keep him company, 'oh goody.' He thought rolling his eyes secretly grateful for the companionship.

"How is he doing?"

"They're still working on him."

"He's a strong kid."

Bruce nodded removing his cowl; Clark would let him know if anyone was coming.

"Bruce I know you're worried, I'm worried too but he'll pull through he always does."

"I know. But one of these days we aren't going to be so lucky, I just don't want that day to be today."

Clark put his hand on his friends shoulder, "It won't be."

"Do me a favour..."

"Remove my hand?"

"Yes, but could you also check on Dick for me? Tell me what to doctors are saying if they think I can't hear?"

"Are you sure?"

Bruce nodded. Clark stared intently at the wall looking through it. The doctors didn't seem worried of course he couldn't see the expressions on their faces to make that assumption but he could hear them talking and it seemed like they had stopped rushing around as much. They were having a casual conversation about the boy's condition that was either extremely good news or extremely bad news. On further investigation it seemed to be good news, his blood pressure was returning to normal and he was breathing on his own again.

Clark's smile was a good sign, "He seems to be stabilizing. The doctor is coming."

Bruce nodded and pulled the cowl over his head again, the doctor came out shortly after to confirm Dick would be fine. They needed him to stay overnight for observations but knowing Batman liked to keep himself and his partner very secretive and separate he mentioned it would be alright to move the boy in the morning back to the cave. Again Bruce nodded and moved past the doctor to sit with Dick.

He was so tiny and frail laying there in that bed that Bruce was suddenly hit with the reminder at how young his little bird really was. How could he do this to him time and time again? Of course he'd had this argument with himself anytime Dick got hurt and he always convinced himself Robin was no more but then Dick would get better and convince Bruce that it was his choice. He'd much rather Dick be out there with his help or with the team than on his own because Bruce had forbade it. It was all so confusing and hurt his heart if he thought about it too long, this conversation would have to wait until Dick was at least conscious.

The next morning came uneventful. He could tell from all the yelling and banging that Wally had regained consciousness and the team, more likely Artemis, were chewing him out for the dangerous stunt the boys had pulled.

Bruce stayed very uncomfortably in the room with Dick and had made it very clear to the rest of the team that he and Dick were not to be disturbed. They had so far been respectful of his wishes.

A small whimper forced its way out of Dick's mouth. Bruce was instantly at his side holding his hand and reaching for the glass of water he'd set aside the night before.

Blue eyes slowly opened and searched the room landing on Bruce, "Hey..." He croaked out.

"Hey." Bruce said moving the cup closer to Dick's mouth. He took the straw into his mouth and drank from the cup greedily. "How are you feeling?"

"Terrible. When can we go home?" He asked. Bruce took a second to look him over making sure he'd be well enough to move.

"Well you were shot and hit repeatedly with a blunt object. The bullet hit an artery Dick, we almost lost you." He put his hand on Dick's forehead, the doctor said his body was going through some mild shock and that he'd probably have a fever.

"I'm fine." He said starting to sound drowsy.

"I know Dick; let's get you home so Alfred can take care of you." Dick nodded and let Bruce remove the IV from his arm and the other wires attaching him to the machines around them. He helped Dick back into his Robin costume and pulled the boy into a hug, "I'm glad you're safe little bird." He whispered into his ear.

"Me too." He whispered back laying his head on Bruce's shoulder. He chuckled to himself and held the boy against him placing his hands under his legs to support him against his chest. He carried him into Wally's room so they could briefly say goodbye.

"Don't wake him." Batman warned.

Robin's team looked him over briefly and wished him well, even though he wasn't conscious to hear them.

"Why can't he stay here?" Artemis demanded.

"Because I said so."

"That doesn't answer anything. We want to be able to visit him!" She snarled.

"No."

"But we're his friends!"

"He'll be back when he's well. Quiet yourself or I will leave this second."

"With all due respect Batman Artemis has a point, we are only worried for our friend." Aqualad said stepping between them.

"Robin will be back when he is well. Say your farewells now and we will be on our way." Each member of the team took their time to come forward and whisper reassurance into their friend's ear and either pat him on the shoulder or ruffle his hair.

Wally couldn't leave his bed so Bruce shifted closer to the bed, "We're his friends Batman, you should let him let us in a little."

"You know where to find him Wally if you find yourself missing him that much, don't bring the others though. He trusted you and it's not your place to break that trust."

Wally nodded rubbing his friends back. He'd known Robin since before they were Robin and Kid Flash of course they knew each other's identities, but the rest of the team wasn't aware of that until Batman mentioned it. Making them aware was Batman's form of punishment for pushing the subject. "See ya buddy." He mumbled watching Batman carry Robin's sleeping form out of the room. No doubt they were heading back so the infamous Agent A could take care of him.

Wally met the outraged looks of his friends, "He trusted you with his identity but he didn't trust us?" Conner snarled.

Wally put his hands up in defence, "It isn't exactly like that man. We've known each other for years."

"You're the most immature of us all!" Artemis snarled.

"Seriously guys stop for a second. We've known each other since before we were Robin and Kid Flash. I've known since before we met any of you."

"Why couldn't he tell us then?" Conner snapped. Between Artemis and Conner Wally was getting nervous, they were losing their shit and it was only a matter of time before one of them started lashing out.

"Why don't you tell us?"

"Because it's not my secret to tell Artemis." He understood why they were mad but what he didn't understand is why this was somehow his fault and why they weren't listening to reason.

"Stop it!" Aqualad snapped ending the potential fight. "Wally is right; Robin's identity is not his secret to share. Batman has given him orders not to tell us his identity, we can't change that Wally knew who Robin was long before this team was ever formed and any of us even met."

"Thanks Kaldur-"

"But, you didn't have to keep that you knew a secret from us." Aqualad said interrupting him.

"I didn't want to rub it in..." Wally mumbled, "Or have this argument..."

The argument seemed to end for the night and his friends seemed to see the exhaustion setting in because they bid him goodnight and left him alone with his thoughts.

He tried to stay awake but to be honest it was the most boring thing he'd ever had to endure. The last thing he thought about was how young he was when his uncle had adopted him and told him he'd be meeting a new friend.

Alright the real story begins now. I'll update soon, probably tomorrow. I like to update as soon as possible because I hate when other authors don't update hahaha anyway you guys enjoy the rest when it comes ;)