digi-gal-rox: hey guys! just another Working Together, installment. This story takes place some months after the first event regarding Bruce/Batman being turned into a creature. Just to let some ppl know, you don't really have to know what happens in Part 1, to know what's going on in this story, but there will be some reference with flash backs, that are not brought up in the first story regarding the whole Bruce disappearance. I hope that makes sense. Anyways hope you like it! R&R!

Chapter 1

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls! Welcome to the grandest show on earth!" the ring master bellowed. The crowed cheered. He loooked down bewildered. The big top was dark, the only source of light was shining down on the ring master. "If I could now direct you to the first ring; the one and only dark knight revealed at last!" the ring on the ring masters right, light up. And there stood Batman, his mask gone.
"Bruce!" he shouted, but no one heard him.
"In the second ring; the clown prince of crime as he cripples and maims!" the ring on his left went on, and there stood the Joker holding a gun at Batgirl. He could see fear in her eyes. Close by, a wheel chair sat. "And now if I could direct you to above the centre ring, give a warm welcome to the Halys' Circus' own: The Amazing Flying Graysons'!" The man watched in horror as John and Mary Grayson fell, hitting the ground with a heavy force. "Come on kid," the ring master grinned insanely. The man, now a boy looked at what he was wearing his old suit.
BREEE
Bats appeared, flying towards him. The crowded cheered even louder.
"Hey!" the boy exclaimed.
"The show must go on!"
BREEE
The bats flew at him, scratching and biting, till he fell off.
"No!"
BREEE

"No!" he woke up with a jerk. It was a nightmare. Just a nightmare. Right? Paniting heavily, he turned to face the ceiling. BREEE. He eyed the phone warily. Groaning, he grabbed the phone. "Hello?"
"Dick?" he sighed, it was Barbara.
"What is it?" he asked.
"It's Bruce." she said, quietly. He stiffened. This was the last name he expected to here.
"What about him?" he asked dryly.
"He's wanted for murder." she whispered, she sounded almost afraid. Dick froze. Bruce Wayne. A murderer?
"What happened?" he asked, seriously.
"We don't know." Barbara admitted, "We were all on patrol. I received the call from dad. He said that they received a call from Wayne Manor, from a woman, crying for help."
"I don't believe it," Dick rubbed his temples.
"Alfred's stuggling," she went on. Her voice cracked. "Tim needs you."
"Don't worry Babs." he said quietly, "I'll try and get there as fast as I can."

Bruce Wayne. A murderer. He couldn't believe it. He didn't want to believe it. He stood quietly at the bed room entrance of the missing man. How could this have happened? How could he do such an evil act? Bruce Wayne wasn't capable of this, right? He knew that Bruce blamed himself for his parents death. He's eyes fell. This wasn't Bruce. He couldn't... he wouldn't do such a thing. He was a good man.
"Alfred?" a timid teenager appeared behind him. The elderly English gentleman smiled tightly.
"What is it, Master Timothy?"
"Dick's here."

"Do...-do you think he really did murder her?" she asked.
"No," he shook his head, "I know Bruce." He stole a quick glance at her. She was coping. She was struggling. "Hey," he said gently, "We'll get through this."
"Dad won't allow me to see him." she turned to face him fully. "He won't allow us to help."
"As officers.' he said, "But as-"
"I tried going as Batgirl. He kicked me out." her voice cracked. He hugged her tightly.
"We'll figure a way in," he said softly. She sat there, crying. And he cried too.

"What should we do?" she asked quietly.
"I'm not sure," he admitted.
"Should we help?" the scarlet speeder asked, uncertainly.
"This is their fight. Let them handle it." the alien said quietly.
"But-"
"He's right, Diana." Superman murmured. "They have to handle this on their own."
"He's not a murderer." Diana said firmly.
"We don't know if he is or not." John Stewart murmured.
"The people who know him best is his family." The Flash jumpped in.
"Let them handle it." J'onn J'onzz repeated.
"Bruce is our friend!" Diana cried out, "We have to help!"

Tim Drake couldn't get it. How could Dick Grayson be so calm? He was raised by Bruce, he once lived with Bruce. How could he be so damn calm?
"He wouldn't want us to freak," Dick said, reading Tim's thought.
"How'd you-"
"It's one of the few things I learnt, during my world trip."
"Aren't you scared?" the teenager asked.
"I'm always scared," he admitted, "I'm scared that the Commissioner will find out the truth about Babs. I'm scared that she might die because of my enemies. I scared that you all may get hurt."
"Dick..."
"We'll find the real killer. We'll prove Bruce's innocents." Dick promised. Barbara came into the room. Both boys turned around.
"Barb?" Tim said uncertainly.
"They want to help."

"We really appriciate the offer, Superman." Nightwing said quietly, "but this is our fight."
"The real killer could be anyone. Could be someone you haven't met." Diana said roughly, "We're helping."
"Look," Robin jumpped in, "If we needed your help, we would've called."
"Come on, man.' The Flash said quietly, "He's our friend to... that just sounded weird." Batgirl giggled, before receiving a glare from Nightwing.
"Look, if anything comes up, we'll call you, alright?" she reasoned.
"I'm not risking it." Superman responded, seriously, "I'm sending League members to help, even if you won't allow us to help." Nightwing narrowed he's eyes.
"Dick," Batgirl said quietly, "Maybe we could use their-"
"No."
"We want to prove he's innocence, as much as you do, Nightwing." John murmured. "He's a valued member of the Justice League."
"What would the world think if they see the League helping?" he challenged, "They'll think that he has something to do with the League."
"He does."
"Which no one knows about. Not even Wayne Enterprices know about their company funding the tower!"
"He has a point." The Flash said. Diana narrowed her eyes.
"I don't care. I'm helping." she said firmly.

"So, the League's helping them?" Commissioner James Gordon asked, tightly as Detective Harbey Bullock and Renee Montoya entered his office.
"You don't believe he's a murderer do you, Commish?" Bullock asked uncertainly.
"I don't know." the greying man admitted, "But we have to protect the public, even if he is or isn't capable of such an act."
"The remaining knights are going to act against us." Montoya said quietly.
"They'll do their job. We'll do ours." James said, eyeing his daughter and the Bludhaven officer enter the building.

"I'm telling you, nothing new has happened." Barbara repeated, accessing the Gotham criminal files, data base.
"Doesn't hurt to try and find who's changed." Dick said seriously, leaning towards the screen. "Do you think Clayface is behind it?"
"No." she shook her head, "I was dealing with him when it happened." Dick frowned.
"I'm fresh out of ideas."
"What are you doing here?"
"Daddy!" Barbara exclaimed, turning around.
"I thought I told you to stay at home."
"Uh..."
"We want to help." Dick supplied. 'Kinda true'
"It's too personal for you, Grayson." James frowned.
"But-" Barbara started.
"Go home." James repeated. Barbara was about to protest when Dick placed his hand on her shoulders. She looked at him furiously, he shook his head slightly.
"Fine," she muttered.

"I don't want to believe it," reporter, Vicky Vale breathed, accepting the drink from Alfred.
"Frankly no one here does," the butler responded quietly. Tim nodded vigorously.
"But if he didn't do it, who did?" she asked.
"That's what we're trying to find out." Dick said entering the room.
"Huh?"
"Uh... he means as officer's." Barbara said quickly, scowling at Dick who simply shrugged. "But daddy dearest won't accept our help."
"Which is why we're holding our own investigation." Dick responded.
"Who do you think could've done this?" Tim wondered.
"Vicky... do you know anyone who has a grudge against Bruce?" Barbara asked, gently.
"No name comes to mind," she admitted helplessly. Dick sat down on the sofa close by, a frown on his face.
"Same goes here."
"Than we have to do this old school." Barbara sighed, "Alfred, we need all the old articles on Bruce."
"Right away," Alfred nodded, leaving the room.

"It's a bummer things didn't work out with Vicky," Tim quipped, "She's nice."
"Not now Tim." Dick muttered through gritted teeth.
"What exactly happened between the two?"
"Not now Tim," Dick repeated.
"Why did they break up anyway?"
"Tim!" Dick barked, causing the teen to jump.
"Tim," Barbara said gently, "We're under a lot of stress, as you already can see. Why not check the computer, huh?" Tim nodded solemly before making his way to the batcomputer. Dick rubbed his temples, tiredly."You need you rest, Dick."
"I'm fine," he sighed, looking at her earnestly. "I just hope he's doing fine."
"We have to see him!" Tim cried out. Barbara looked to the side.
"Even if I'm able to convince dad, Bruce won't accept our help."
"So long as the allow Alfred to see him, he's our only gate to communicate with Bruce." Dick muttered, picking up another file on the large metalic table.
"Vicky's doing her own research," Barbara sighed, "It won't be any help though."
"The only name that keeps popping in my head is Clayface. He's the only one that's able to-"
"What about... Ra's?" Barbara suggested quietly. Dick's eyes shot up.
"Maybe." he murmured. "Tim!"
"Yeah?" the teenager suddenly appeared at his side, hopefully.
"Barb and I are going to visit an old friend. Stay here and keep an eye on the League."
"Sure will." Tim saluted.

digi-gal-rox: that's it for now! nxt chapter will be up soon, i hope. other wise, after exams.