Disclaimer – I don't own Batman Beyond or Young Justice. (I changed this to a crossover due to the fact even though this is also going very AU for YJ, it still ties in.)

In this AU the Joker movie and Waller's experiment don't exist, and the reasons for the bat family breaking up differs. Terry is still related to Bruce but in a different manner. (It's a secret.) There are also a few timeline changes, which includes when Bruce retired, but also a lessoning of the age gap between Terry and the rest of the bat family, and when Bruce retired. The AU borrows here and there from the different continuities. Bruce is cold, but a different type of cold.

In the final pre-planning Beyond the Night, I debated whether to write the story from Terry's timeframe with flashbacks to the past events or to break the story up into two parts. I decided on the latter and then debated whether to write at the same time, to do the now first or the past first. I finally decided upon the past, particularly since I'm going to use a writing technique I've only used with my Best/Worst Christmas Pageant fics. Warren McGinnis plays a role in this, though there is no character tag for him. Mary also plays a role, hence her character tag will eventually be used, but she does not use the name Mary in this. While this may not seem to tie into BB, this is an AU origin story for Terry.

Another secret. Lots of secrets. I'm not saying exactly what they are, as the secrets are supposed to be something discovered over the progression of the story. (I will be dropping clues.) How I'll use the various continuities to shape the series is a secret. However, here is a bit of info I should reveal before the first chapter. The incident with the second Robin left Grayson with PTSD, something only a few knows about, Starfire is one of the ones he hasn't told despite the fact they're dating for some time now. Also, the Nelson Nash in this is the father of the Nelson Nash from BB.

Beyond the Night: Beyond the Cave
Day in Hell

My name is Warren McGinnis. I'm a resident of Gotham, or at least I was born and raised there. I am, starting this fall, going to be a resident of Hudson University in New York City. I like Gotham well enough, what with Batman and the other local heroes constantly fighting crime as if they were heroes from a real comic book. However, the gossip regarding Wayne and his kids is annoying, and I'm tired of hearing about those spoiled brats.

The latest is Timothy Drake. Like Bruce Wayne, he comes from money. He didn't need Wayne to take him in, as he had his own family fortune. According to the gossip, he's quite the spoiled brat, but truth be told nobody really knows anything about him beside that as he's one of those kids who, despite being of money never got himself noticed. Then again, he's still in his early teen years. It's later on that rich kids tend to get their negative reputation.

The second kid on the other hand, well, Jason Todd ran away from the Wayne manor after only living there for a year. The papers say he was an ungrateful juvenile delinquent who didn't appreciate the fact Bruce Wayne was taking him in. In the long run, Wayne is better off that one didn't last, I've heard some adults say because his juvenile record is pretty bad. And if the first one was anything to go by, Wayne wouldn't have done much good.

The oldest of Wayne's so called kids is Richard Grayson, aptly called "Dick" by everyone who knows him. He's my age, and known to those in my year as a major playboy, no thanks to Wayne's own playboy living style. He's never once had a steady girlfriend, and it is a surprise that Wayne is not having to deal with his teen ward being a teen dad, if not multiple times over. Chances are, if I'd gone to Gotham University, I would have run into him. I, a nerdy comic book guy doesn't get along well with jock types. I hope my dorm mate isn't a spoiled rich kid, let alone a jock. I was bullied enough as it was in school by those types.

~B~

The rubber band snapped against the flesh of his wrist, making a satisfactory snapping sound.

Another snap as the pair of blue eyes scanned the small apartment for anything which might prove incriminating. The eighteen-year-old took a deep breath, noting there'd never been much of this apartment. Missing was the childhood memories stored away in his childhood room at Wayne manor, not collecting dust simply because of Alfred's fastidious manner. The constant fight to get out from under Bruce's wing only intensified after the incident with the second robin.

"So… I'm not going to the university in Metropolis after all. The school doesn't have my degree plan."

"So you're going to be going to the university here in Gotham?"

"No, Bruce. I'm going to be going to Hudson University in New York."

Dick sighed, giving the abysmal, non-descript apartment another look over, remembering how Bruce hadn't been pleased with the particular choice due to the small size, but cheapness. There were many things his mentor didn't understand. Calloused fingers reached out for the rubber band, pulling it back for another resounding snap. "He means well. He really does."

"Master Richard, are you sure that you want to tell Master Bruce at the last minute?"

"If I tell him any sooner about what I plan on to do, he'll do everything he can to stop me. I mean, I've got plans. So, I can't tell anyone, lest he finds out. I know you'll keep my secret."

The rubber band snapped against his wrist again, the eighteen-year-old not liking how his mind kept trying to fight back the urge to punch something. The band was meant to counter the anxiety attacks which occurred when not out as Nightwing and he was in his civilian form, with no control, but not doing anything. Another snap occurred, as he reminded himself not to think about Jason or the memories from that night. It was just easier being Nightwing than it was Dick Grayson. His fingers reached in for the velvety box in his pocket, wondering if he could muster up the courage.

It felt like he was forgetting something, when a loud booming sound rattled through the room, the sound of the front door smashing in, and onto the ground making him jump nearly out of his skin. "Dick! You're such a Dick!"

"Kory?" The young man's fingers tightened around the box, his Adam's apple bobbing down as his bright blue eyes blinked at the alien female flying in front of him, the door sizzling from the powers used upon its frame. Hopefully, nobody was home to see Starfire having flown in.

"How dare you?"

His blue eyes closed, realizing suddenly how tired he was, having dealt with his newest sibling. Bruce's words rang through his head. "Grayson! Tying him up is not a solution!" Not that he'd done that since the first few weeks of the newest sibling showing up.

Dick swallowed. "So, what exactly did I do this time?"

"When were you going to tell me that you weren't going to Metropolis University!"

That, right there, was definitely something he'd forgotten. "How…"

"What do you mean how? That's my question for you! How did you think I wouldn't find out? Superman helped me to get into the university you know!"

His fingers tightened around the velvet box, knowing full well the moment was ruined. Absentmindedly, he pulled the box out so he could snap the rubber band as one of the worst situations possible unfolded in front of his eyes. "Kory…"

"Don't Kory me! What! Is us finally openly dating a problem!"

Dick's eyes blinked, his mouth forming a circle. The rubber band flicked again, this time snapping, but also stinging as his mouth pushed together. "Damn. That's another thing I forgot. To tell Bruce about that particular plan, so he wouldn't think it was Kory's idea. Well, it was hers, but not the other part. She doesn't know about that."

"It is?" Starfire folded her arms, only for him to shake his head, tucking the arm holding the box behind his back, suddenly hoping she'd not seen it. "It's not. Then what…" Her green, glowing eyes widened, and she choked out as tears welled in her eyes. "No. Don't tell me! You've been seeing other girls! You did that because we've not had sex, so you went…"

"Kory!" Imagining having sex with his girlfriend once they were finally married at this point in time was a very bad idea, particularly as a slight, and hopefully, invisible heat spread to the tips of his ears. "I've not…" His phone went off, sounding like a cat, indicating a phone call from his newest sibling. "Hold on. I have to take this Kory."

He reached for the phone, not noticing that he'd set down the box on the counter.

"Richard! You dick head!"

"Da…"

"Donna Troy!"

"Wait…" Dick felt his eye twitch, wishing his newest sibling hadn't decided at that point in time to call. "How did you get Donna from that!"

"You're moving away you dick head!"

"You were hesitating, you jerk!"

"You didn't tell me, you jerk!"

"That's who you've been seeing behind my back? Her?"

"I've got news for you, dick head! I'm the number one…"

Dick hung up the phone, his lips pushing together. "It's not what you think Kory."

"Isn't that what the guy always say when they've planned on breaking up with… their girlfriends?" Kory's eyes blinked, her head turning to look at the item on the counter. The eighteen-year-old choked, realizing his mistake. "Wait a second. Please tell me that's not what I think it is?"

"It is."

"You got her pregnant, and you're going to propose to her?" His girlfriend folded her arms.

"Damn it! I was planning on proposing to you!"

"If you were planning on proposing to me, why are you going to Hudson?"

"Because Metropolis University doesn't have the degree plan I want to pursue!" A silence fell over the room, and he found himself worrying his lip, his fingers tapping the counter. "This isn't the way I wanted to propose."

"We're through."

Dick's eyes widened, his head jerking up to look her in the eye. His mouth opened, his fingers reaching up for the absent rubber band. "Why? Why are we breaking up?"

Starfire landed on the ground, before carefully walking over and wrapping her arms around his neck, gently hugging him. "We don't communicate. I found out you were going to Hudson because I was worried. I'd not seen you in a long time. You didn't even invite me to your high school graduation like you promised, or prom. Raven promised she'd find a spell so it would have been like, she said, Cinderella."

He felt numb. That was the time his newest sibling had shown up, and things became crazy.

"When I called, Alfred didn't answer. It was this weird, ten-year-old kid with a really foul mouth. He cursed me out when I said I was your girlfriend, and blamed me for you not going to Gotham University."

"Fuck… Damien. I'm going to kill the kid."

"Who is he?" Starfire pulled away, only for Dick to look at the ground, looking at the floor he'd spent the night before personally cleaning.

"He's…" Words weren't coming like he wanted them to. "He's my newest sibling and the newest Robin. Specifically, he's Bruce's real kid."

"You two don't get along? I thought you got along with both of your other siblings, including that one that ran away. What's his name?"

"Jason…" Dick couldn't look her in the eye, but her hands on his shoulders stayed off the panic attack.

"I thought you liked being an older brother?" Her question received no answer. "I'm leaving now. I'll put the door back, or try to. I'm sorry."

"Wait…"

"It's final."

"Not that. I got the fact we're through. I just wanted to say sorry for messing up, and hurting you." He watched her mouth push together, her arms going behind her back.

"I wish for once you'd think of yourself, but that you're not alone Dick." Starfire gently touched her fingers to her lips, before moving them to touch his. "The best of luck."

He simply stood there, numb, as he watched her put the door back up. Then, he sunk against the counter.

~B~

The silence slowly sunk away, and the only thing which brought him out of his dark mood, as well as his head buried in his arms, was the sound of his phone going off. Lifting his head, Dick realized he'd been crying, but still lifted the phone up to his ear.

"Grayson, why did you hang up on Damien? He threw an even bigger fit than usual."

His throat tightened, his eyes narrowing. "Seriously? I don't need a lecture from you right now Bruce."

"Wait. Has he been crying?" Tim's voice piped up from the other side of the line.

"Bruce…" Dick's bright blue eyes widened.

"Does this mean I was able to guilt trip him into staying?" Damien seemed quite happy at that point, and would likely deny what he just said later. More importantly…

"Do you seriously have this phone call on the speaker in the bat cave!"

"Yeah. He was crying. You know…" Tim piped up. "Going away to college isn't something to become emotional and a crybaby about."

"Cry, baby? Richard's a cry baby? What's a cry baby?"

"Seriously you guys! My girlfriend just broke up with me. I don't need…"

"Wow! And weren't you going to propose to Kory today?"

"Grayson!" Bruce's voice boomed over the phone, making Dick hold the phone away. Last names were only used when someone was in trouble, but in Damien's case, it was always the full name.

"Wait. What did Richard do this time?"

"He didn't tell Bruce that he was going to propose to Kory. That's what."

"Is this an appropriate time for that song? You know, the Kory and Richard sitting in a tree…"

"You little dicks! Why is it you two are getting along? Just to torment me?"

"I don't have a little dick! I've got a big one. In fact, I bet it's bigger than…"

"Damian Wayne!"

Dick pinched his nose, closing his eyes. "Please tell me he didn't just say what I think he did."

"Sorry, Dick. You're no longer on speaker phone."

"You're a jerk for having me on the speaker phone in the first place Bruce! I'm eighteen, and an adult now!"

"An adult? Dick, you just got you heart broken by…"

"I don't need a lecture about a woman from you of all people! Put Alfred on the phone so I can ask him for advice."

"No. You're going to tell me what happened."

"Bruce… this is mortifying enough as it is."

"Grayson…"

Taking a deep breath, he started at the beginning, finishing with. "The door's back on the apartment, but it likely still needs to be replaced."

"I thought so."

Dick swallowed, not liking the idea of another one of Bruce's "I told you so" lectures. "What…"

"Maybe you should hold off for a year? Or go to…"

"Bruce! Seriously! I'm going to be fine. Didn't I just tell you I'm not a little kid anymore?"

"Grayson…"

"If you don't have anything constructive to say, I am going to hang up. And yes, I'm going to Hudson. I've got a dorm set up and ready for me, and my things are already packed. I just need to make arrangements with the landlord for this place to pay for the door, and then I'll be off."

"I'll handle the door incident. Just promise me that you'll see her within a couple of days. You know who I mean."

"Before my weekly required meeting? Are you serious?"

"She's the psychiatrist for the Justice League Dick. You know why they required it as well, but why I'm insisting. Please. For my peace of mind. Actually, if you don't, I will personally haul your ass back to Gotham and ground you. Better me than Superman?"

"You suck Bruce, but fine. I really, really hate you. And no, I'd rather deal with Superman right now!"

"Sure. This isn't the first time you've said either of those things."

~B~

The phone went off as he took the train from Gotham to New York, already not liking the delays in getting to Hudson University, knowing full well check in for the dorms closed at five. He slipped his headphones into his ear, attempting to listen to the music on his phone, putting the music on shuffle. He couldn't remember the last time he'd listened to the music, wondering if the Justice League shrink would chew him out for one of the things she'd told him to do if he'd ever felt anxious in his civilian form.

The first song roared on, and Dick's eye twitched as Taylor Swift's song, "We Are Never Getting Back Together" blared forth, making him hit the pause button in annoyance. "Kory."

"Taylor Swift is so awesome."

"I'm honestly not fond of her music. It's to, I don't know, peppy." There had been a pause before a complete freak out occurred as his phone was snatched from his hands. "Kory! What are you doing with my phone!"

"I'm creating a playlist that combines each of our favorites together. Isn't that something a boyfriend and girlfriend are supposed to do?"

"I guess…" He wondered how Kory reacted to some of the music he liked listening to, as much of the lyrics were dark in nature, and not the upbeat music with fluffy feelings she seemed to really like. The songs he liked honestly represented himself and the dark funks he could at times get into and included songs such as "Weathered" by Creed and "Fear Of The Dark Lyrics" by Iron Maiden, among others. Dick leaned back into the seat, sinking down slightly, gagging slightly. "How can a fucking song about breaking up be so damn cheerful."

The crowd around him was a blur, the faces unrecognizable, the smell of sweat hitting his nostrils. He flicked through the phone, his lips pushed together as he scanned the list. Some of his music choices had an upbeat tone – no Taylor Swift – that was all Kory, but there was a distinct difference between their likes and dislikes in music. He continued to thumb through, frustrated at the long list which included her songs.

"Hey, Grayson! You say you have a steady girlfriend and aren't a player, but have no pictures of her on your phone."

Pictures of a girlfriend with strange colored skin and glowing eyes was problematic for a phone meant for use in his civilian identity. The whole secret identity issues were still something Starfire still didn't actually understand quite well, as everyone was aware of who she was. "Shut up Nash."

"Yeah, well think about getting one of those hot girls you date to actually take a picture with you rather than using that fake playlist you created."

Dick took a deep breath, the rubber band still not replaced. "You both graduated and aren't going to the same university, as such, you don't have to deal with that jackass anymore."

Despite this, he thumbed over to the delete button, hesitating for a few seconds, possibly a few minutes before pushing the delete button. The train from Gotham to New York finally stopped, and he stood up, pausing upon seeing an elderly woman struggle with her own luggage. His dark mood fled, and he stepped over, reaching up to grab the luggage from above. "Mam. Mind if I carry your luggage a bit for you?"

"My. Polite young men like yourself are rare. My son and his family will be picking me up." They stepped off the train, his bag and hers in one hand, while his arm supported her steps instead of her cane. She frowned. "They're not here yet."

"I'll wait with you, at least for a bit." In the back of his mind, he wondered if this would make him late for check-in, but brushed aside the thoughts. Alfred and Bruce would never accept not doing what was right in this case even more than he could. A smile flickered across his face as he sat down on the wooden bench with her, looking at the beautiful artwork adorning the station, his eyes drifting around.

The old woman patted his muscled arm. "Yup. Definitely a major difference from those in your generation."

Dick's eyes drifted down, noticing two girls who were either high school or college age gossiping loudly over a magazine. He felt the corner of his mouth twitch, noticing the cover story gossip involved whether Nightwing and Starfire would finally get married, but also rumor regarding Dick Grayson's latest set of girlfriends and the latest cat fight between the two, but whether he would be attending Gotham or Metropolis university, no mention of Hudson as one of his choices. "Why do they like the idea of us superheroes going steady, but not our real selves?"

"Say, how is your day going?"

"Um…" Grayson's bright blue eyes blinked, hoping the old woman hadn't noticed the cover of the magazine. He swallowed, wondering if he'd need to wear some kind of celebrity disguise to avoid attention here in New York. "I'm supposed to be starting at Hudson this week, but I also got dumped by my girlfriend."

"Oh. How long had you been dating sweat heart?"

"Since I was twelve, thirteen. I was going to propose to her, but that went horribly wrong."

Another pat came on his arm. "First loves don't always work out you know. I mean, how many girls can claim that Bruce Wayne was one of their first loves, who didn't end up with him."

"Um…"

"Take advice from this old woman. You are a wonderful young man. Eventually, you will find the right young lady who is the right choice for you. Don't change yourself and who you are just to be with a girl."

"That's wonderful advice, but I really did think she was the one." Dick took a deep breath, noting the time on the clock, wondering again if he would make it before five. One of the girls looked up from the magazine and pointed, a giggle escaping her lips. Her friend looked up and also giggled, causing a mild groan to escape from his chest, his feet resting on the marbled floor of the train station. He watched as both got up, and walked over.

The second giggled. "You're Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne's kid, aren't you." He swallowed, wondering how his luck could keep getting worse and worse as the day progressed. "You are!"

His lips pushed together, as the first spoke up. "Would it be possible for the two of us to get a date with you?"

"That would be awesome, losing us…"

"Young ladies." The old woman, despite her small, frail frame clutched her fingers into Dick's arm tightly, startling him slightly. "You shouldn't believe everything you read in those gossip rags. Mr. Wayne has raised his ward to be a very polite young man. He was very helpful with my luggage, and is waiting for me for my family." The two girls startled, before taking off going farther down, but not before getting a few snapshots of his face. "Girl's these days."

"Th… thank you." He couldn't help but stammer out the words.

"Another piece of advice, as my family is here." At first, he thought this was a lie, but noticed a family approaching and waving. "Stand up for yourself more. You're a polite young man, but that doesn't mean you should take people spreading lies about you."

"Thanks again."

The family got closer, and the woman's son blinked. "Mom, who is…"

"This young man is my boyfriend, and before you ask, he's a wonderful young gentleman." The comment from the old woman made her son's jaw drop, his wife's eyes looking as if they would pop out of her head. The kids, however, started to giggle. Dick's own eyes blinked wondering if he would need to explain things to the man and his wife, and then he caught the wink from the old woman, and a grin spread across her face.

He stood up. "Thanks for letting me talk to you, mam. Have a nice time with your family."

"I plan on it, dearie. You have a good first day at college. I hope I didn't keep you too long."

"No." He found himself stepping away, now in a good mood, the break up briefly forgotten. He stepped out of the station, only to find his eyes dilating because of the flash of a camera.

~B~

Somehow, he managed to shake the paparazzi. He attempted to catch his breath, glad his circus training allowed him the ability to perform feats which, unlike other rich kids, allowed him to escape the attention of the paparazzi. One hand reached up to touch his chest, gripping his shirt tightly.

"Come on. You could normally perform that without being out of breath." Which meant being around the paparazzi had started up an episode. "Note to self. Carry extra rubber bands. Find out if the school has any gymnastics equipment to use as well." Dick took another deep breath, wondering why it was so much easier to be Nightwing than it was his real self, but whether or not any of the superheroes had such issues with their identities. "Another note to self. Ask Wally. Hopefully, you don't get a weird response to your question."

He glanced at his watch, catching his breath realizing how late it was getting, before tearing off, hoping he wouldn't be noticed let alone late for check-in. He slammed the door, making a few girls laugh at him. Reaching down, he opened the door and walked in to the table set up. His eyes dashed up to see that he still had five minutes, and let out a sigh of relief. "Made it."

"You sure did cutie."

Dick froze, his blue eyes looking at the edge of the table, before carefully looking up at the guy behind the table. "Um…"

"What's your name. Perhaps we could go out on a date?"

He felt his mouth twitch, wondering how his luck could get any worse. "Apologies, but I don't swing that way. And it's Dick Grayson."

"Oh." The guys face fell, the smile fading, for a minute making Dick think his rejection had let the guy down, but then. "Another frat boy."

"Could I perhaps just get signed in?"

"As soon as I run you through the rules, and sign here." The person tapped the board.

"You don't have to be so cold, you know."

"Look. I've got no problems with the fact you're not bi, but honestly, do you think I'd be fine with the way you treat girls? That…"

"Stand up for yourself more."

Dick opened his mouth to say something, but then glanced away. The guy. "See, not saying something means it's true."

"It doesn't. You don't know me. Just give me a rundown of the rules. I'm rather tired." He managed to drown out most of the rules, as he'd already read over them before coming before the guy handed him the rules. Finally, the room number came, and he escaped the attention of yet another person who misjudged him. He arrived at the dorm room, and took a deep breath, putting his key in the lock.

"The doors already unlocked." The muffled voice from the other side of the door made him jump, again wishing he had a rubber band to snap.

Carefully, he opened the door, noting the refrigerator already plugged in by the door. Then, he saw the bed he'd be using which was empty of anything but the sheets provided by the college in case he didn't bring any, although he had a set ready to go. Then the door opened further, to see the roommate he wasn't supposed to have stood with his back towards him, carefully trying to make his books on his desk be as straight as possible. On the shelf which stood over each bed was more books, including a fake set of books which was possibly for hiding comics.

In all possibilities, the guy might be to his liking if it weren't for a few problems. The guy continued to not notice him, paying far more attention to his OCD behavior of arranging this. "You're kind of late, considering I was here hours ago."

"Fuck. I wasn't supposed to have a roommate."

The auburn-haired teen who obviously wasn't Wally turned, frowning. Suddenly, his eyes widened in horror. "Fuck! You're Dick Grayson, Gotham's playboy!"