Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot

Everything seemed to be spinning. The room was closing in as his heart clenched. He was fairly certain that someone was calling his name, but the ringing in his ears would not stop. Sweat beaded on his forehead as the words kept repeating. Those dreaded words, over and over again.

Your father's been taken. Your father's been taken. Your father's been taken.

How could this happen? It just wasn't possible. His adoptive father, his mentor, his partner, the goddamn Batman. How could he be missing? Every scenario ran through his head. Who could have pulled this off, why they would pull something so absolutely stupid, what they could possibly gain from kidnapping the—

"Richard? Son, are you all right?"

No, he needed to remember that it was not Batman who had been kidnapped. It was Bruce.

And somehow, that was worse.

So much worse.

"I understand this must be terrible for you, Richard, and you must be terribly distraught about the whole situation…"

He tuned the Commissioner out as his thoughts took over again. Bruce would not be able to get himself free because Bruce Wayne was a playboy multi-billionaire and could not fight with the best and barely break a sweat. Bruce Wayne could not take vicious attacks to his person and act as if nothing happened. Bruce Wayne did not have weapons all over his person in order to keep himself safe. Bruce Wayne could not hack major computers in a matter of seconds without being detected. Then again….that had always been Robin's forte more so than Batman's. Even so, Bruce Wayne was not Batman.

That was why Robin now sat limply on his bed talking to Commissioner Gordon about his 'father's' disappearance.

Because Bruce Wayne, according to common knowledge, was helpless.

"Commissioner," the man cut off whatever he had been saying. "Did you say there was no ransom? But hasn't he been gone for three days?"

"None, but we're waiting to see if they make demands soon."

That's what he'd been afraid of. What if the men that took Bruce didn't want any money? What if they had more nefarious plans in mind? What if Bruce was already—

No. Bad thoughts. He needed to be more optimistic about this. His mentor was too stubborn to die. Bruce wasn't dead. He couldn't be.

Dick didn't know what he'd do if he was.

"I'm coming back."

"What? Son, no, I know you're very busy with your studies abroad. You know your dad wouldn't want you to risk you're schooling for him."

That's right. He was supposed to be at some prestigious boarding school. "Mr. Gordon, I will be perfectly fine taking a leave to come home and lead the search for the man who raised me. Bruce needs someone to come back and watch over the company while he's away anyhow. Please don't fight me on this. I need to—" feel useful. To feel like I'm doing something. "I need to speak to Alfred, but I will be back in Gotham tomorrow."

There was a moment of silence. Robin knew the Commissioner had read into his hesitation. Jim was perceptive like that.

"Fine. I'll be there to greet you at the airport personally. We'll try to avoid the press as much as possible. I know how much you hate the tabloids."

Robin smirked, despite the circumstances. Jim really did know him so well. Bruce had once mentioned that he was pretty sure the man knew both of their secret identities. But he wasn't worried. The Commissioner was the last honest cop in Gotham, after all. He'd saved Batman's life as much as the Dark Knight had saved his. He'd rightly earned the bat family's respect.

"Thank you, Commissioner. Let me get my things sorted out so I can be back in the city as soon as possible. I want to make sure Gotham doesn't fall apart now that their 'White Knight' is gone."

"I understand. Take care, Richard and call if you need anything."

"I will."

"Oh, and Richard?"

"Yes, Mr. Gordon?"

"Barbara misses you. She won't say it, but I know she'll want to help you however she can once you're back."

"I-" I miss her too. I'm sorry for leaving. I'm sorry for not properly telling her good-bye. I'm sorry I made her cry.

Silence again. Robin mulled over the thought in his head. It had hurt to leave her more than anyone else. Jim didn't miss a beat, though.

"I'll tell her you're coming back, then. Goodbye, son."

Robin smiled. The Commissioner had a way of knowing what you wanted to say without making you have to say it. It was no wonder he was so trusted and loved by the citizens of Gotham.

"Goodbye, sir."

Robin sighed into the empty room, running a hand through his spiked, black hair. He hadn't visited his alter ego in years. After the Titans had been established he saw no need to keep up his double life. So, Richard Greyson was shipped off to boarding school in Thailand and Robin was just...well, Robin, 24/7 for the last three and a half years. Yet, after all this time, all the missions and pizza nights he could count, only one of his teammates had ever known his real name.

They'd never discussed it, but he knew that she'd figured it out after the incident with the powder. Yet, he was okay with it. Raven held on to other's secrets because she would expect them to do the same if it were her.

This also meant he couldn't tell them why he was leaving. They'd be suspicious and then the snooping would begin. That was the last thing he needed, Beast Boy looking through his personal life. No, he'd have to make up a good reason for Robin to be going off on a solo mission so that Dick could fly home and find his adoptive father.

Robin wrung his hands together in frustration. This would take some thought.

But first, he had a phone call to make.

First chapter of my newest baby! I'm hoping this will hold my wonderful readers over until I'm done with the next chapter of Long Lost Friend.

Review, please!

Love,

UA