Disclaimer: I don't own them. I'm just visiting.

Author's note: This is a sequel to my previous story Trial by Fire. It might be a good idea to read that one first. After I'd posted the last chapter of Trial by Fire, I realized I hadn't quite finished.

Living Through the Nightmares

Sequel to Trial by Fire

By Ecri

Silent, dangerous, and dark, the streets of Gotham had a reputation for menace and malice. Recently, however, the streets seemed, if not bright, then at least less dangerous. The criminal element still had a strong presence, but it had been curbed by an outside influence.

Batman cruised the streets not even noticing the sweeping architecture adorned with dark, gargoyle-like figures that had become a trademark tourist attraction for Gotham. It wasnt architecture that interested Gotham's Caped Crusader. It was the things that hid in the cracks and crevices of that architecture.

For weeks now, Batman and his crimefighting comrade, Robin, had been cleaning the streets of the city with, some might say, a vengeance. Most of the petty criminals had been rounded up and locked away. The Dynamic Duo had begun a clean sweep of Gotham when they'd heard about The Riddler.

While being transferred from the courthouse to Arkham Asylum, Riddler had managed to escape, killing two guards in the process. Batman, Robin, and indeed all of Gotham had expected a wave of confounding crimes, but the Riddler had remained frustratingly silent.

Batman and Robin channeled their frustration into their work, giving Gotham a more peaceful few weeks than ever before.

Batman slipped the Batmobile into park, and waited for Robin to park and dismount the Redbird. Robin was already speaking as he walked towards his partner. "I still don't see how Riddler escaped in the first place. I mean they knew he was dangerous. Wouldn't they have been prepared for any tricks?"

"He's a genius, Robin. He outsmarted them."

"But he hasn't made a move." The Duo moved swiftly towards their rendezvous point. The signal was still burning bright in the sky. The Commissioner had information for them.

"He will."

"You say that like you know for certain."

"I do." Batman could feel the need for answers emanating from his protégé. "He can't help himself. He's a criminal genius, who happens to be criminally insane. He will fall back on crime. It's his nature."

Robin considered this as Batman threw one of his little toys towards the roof of the building they'd approached and flew upwards at the press of a button. The younger man smiled. "Amateurs and their gadgets." He shook his head as he took hold of the fire escape and swung himself up, flipping, leaping, and flying towards the roof with every aerialist trick he knew.

Reaching the roof, Robin found Batman waiting for him. Together they moved towards the Commissioner.

Gordon saw the movement of shadow, and whirled around to face it. A sigh of relief was his immediate response when he realized who was there. "Thank goodness."

"Commissioner, you have news?"

"The Aces and the Lords are stepping up their activity. My men tell me they seem to be amassing for an all out gang war."

"Is this a turf war?" Robin felt a certain sympathy for the gang members having pondered the possibility that, had it not been for Bruce Wayne, he could easily have ended up alone on the streets after his family died. If he had, it was likely he'd have ended up in a gang. He wasn't too proud to admit that he had been seething with anger and thoughts of revenge at the unfair turn his life had taken. A gang would have fed that anger and would have provided a release, however temporary.

Gordon nodded. "The Aces are trying to force the Lords to relocate to another city."

"We'll do what we can, Commissioner." Batman turned back the way they'd come, ushering Robin along with him.

The Police Commissioner was relieved to have Batman on the case. Things went much more smoothly when he was.

**

Dick Grayson saw his parents flying. Seasoned aerialists who had worked together long enough to anticipate their partners every move, The Flying Graysons had often been accused of possessing some form of telepathic communication. Whenever this was suggested, they would laugh it off. Dick watched now from the platform as his parents practiced for the evening's performance. He nodded to Chris and the two perfectly timed their leaps to the trapeze.

Soon, the foursome soared through the air, leaping towards and catching one another with ease and grace. Dick did a complex turn that ended in his dismount and he landed with practiced ease on the platform from which he'd first begun the practice session. Only upon his turning to watch his family dismount, did he realize all was not well. Chris was slightly off as he reached for his father's wrists. His father tried to correct the position so he could catch his son, but their collision caused both to lose their balance. His mother threw herself from the far platform towards an approaching trapeze, hoping to reach her son and husband. Too late, she mistimed her jump, and joined her family tumbling heels over head to the ground below.

Dick frantically called out to his family, realizing the net with which they usually practiced was not in place. He tried to do something, but found he could not move. Looking down at himself, he saw his arms and legs were tied. He was in his Robin Suit. Confused, he looked down again to see his family bruised and broken on the ground below.

"No!" Dick bellowed in his dream, only to wake to the sight of a frantic Alfred sitting next to him and shaking his shoulders.

"It's a dream. Wake up! It's all right."

Dick shook sleep off quickly, but the fear and horror of what he'd seen would not be so easily discarded. "Al?" He asked, frantic.

"Yes, Master Dick, it's all right. I'm here." Alfred soothed the boy only too easily guessing what his dream may have entailed. He'd been roused from sleep by a troubled youth who'd lost his family more times than he cared to remember. But he remembered each and every time most vividly.

Dick blinked a few times, working to calm his racing heart. "Mymy familyI saw" he stopped, not wanting to bring back memories of the dream.

"You saw themfrom that night?" Alfred tried to be calm, but his heart ached for the young man, as it still ached for Bruce.

"No." The boy shook his head, still confused and frightened. "The result was the same, but I saw them fall from the trapezes during a practice. They made mistakes they never would have in real life."

Alfred nodded. "It's all right. It was just a dream. Nightmares take on a life of their own, playing on old fears we may have forgotten about. I know what you've been through, but it's all right now."

Dick nodded. He was glad to be here with Bruce and Alfred, but he still wished desperately for his family. Of course, if they hadn't died he wouldn't have any reason to know Bruce and Alfred. It wasn't a fair trade, yet he loved what he was doing. He loved the sense of purpose, but he wanted his family back. He wanted what he had lost. It was the fact that he was becoming comfortable in this new life, a life without his family that both puzzled him and, at times, made him angry at himself and ashamed that he could move on and keep living.

"Al, do you think it's" He paused doubting his ability to be communicate clearly when he felt like this

Alfred smiled, encouragingly, gently. "Do I think what?"

Dick looked at Alfred, tears standing in his eyes, and Alfred was convinced that Dick was keeping them from falling through sheer will power.

"Do you think it's okay with my family thatI mean, I like this life, too. You mean the world to me, Al. Bruce, and the crime fighting thingI like it, but II miss them so muchit hurts. Do you thinkthey'd be upset" Dick stopped himself unable to continue.

Alfred looked Dick squarely in the eye, his face dropping any hint of a smile, but managing to look caring rather than stern. "Listen to me, Richard Grayson. Your family loved you. They cared about you. They would be pleased that you've found a direction in lifea way to carry on. It's all right to enjoy your life. It's not disrespectful to their memory or whatever other silly notion you've got in your head. It's an honor to them that you live your life."

Dick considered his friend's words, nodding slowly, while still sorting through his feelings. "You sound like you've been through this kind of thing before."

Alfred smiled again. "I have had some experience.

"Thanks, Al."

"You are welcome." He smiled fondly at the boy, and, though Dick protested, Alfred sat with his second son until he fell asleep.

TBC