Just as a side note, for chronological purposes, this story takes place after Frank Miller's Allstar Batman and Robin volume 1, which includes the orgins of Robin (Dick Grayson). The series has a darker feel than some other comics featuring the dark knight and i'm going to try to continue with the dark, moody type of story that Millar wrote.

For copyright Purposes I don't own any of the characters featured within, nor do i own any buissnesses, buildings or establishments contained in my story.

For Bruce Wayne sleep was impossible to find. He had spent nights sitting in the comforting glow of the Bat-computer, his eyes scanning the screens, searching the crime scene photographs for missed clues, like an unnoticed blood splatter or a sign of forced entry. Every night he came up with similar results. The door to the grisly scene had not been forced open, no windows had been smashed and there were certainly no holes in the walls. As for blood splashes there were none, bar the stream of rusty red blood that had dried on the victim's clothes and carpet. The victim had been killed quickly, with a single cut to the throat, and left to rot in her apartment. By the time police had arrived her cats had eaten half her face and her identity had to be distinguished via dental records. The Gotham police department ruled it off as a 'crime of passion' or a 'random act of violence'. Bruce didn't believe in such things as 'random acts', and this was too controlled to be 'random'. Gotham had a highly intelligent serial killer stalking its streets once more. The disturbing thing about this case was that nothing had been left to draw attention to the killer, no calling card left behind. No slip ups were made. Perhaps the killer had planned this for years, but Bruce doubted it. A killer has bizarre needs; need to end a life, a need to see pain and fear in victim's eyes. It was a power thing. Most killers had little control over there own lives, so it makes them feel superior to have control over someone else's. If only there was a hidden clue something that he had missed the first time, something that changed the way he looked at the scene, but-

'Master Bruce, I think that it's high time you retired for the evening… it's well into the morning, sir. You have been staring at a computer screen for hours…' Alfred paused 'you much remind me of my teenage niece' Bruce grunted in response.

'Where's Dick?' He growled 'The boy needs to look at this… see if he can make something out of it'

'You really want to expose him to such ghastly imagery, sir?' Alfred paused again, considering his statement 'Of course you do, your you. Master Grayson is sleeping in the lounge, atop a pile of criminal records. I believe he was on Vito Ginelli when he began to doze an hour or so ago.'

'You let him sleep!' Bruce shouted 'damn it Alfred, the boy lives on my schedule, not his own… boy needs to learn'

'The boy also needs to sleep, sir.

Now sir, I would kindly ask you to refrain from treating me like common dirt , and to release your me from your grip'

Bruce looked down, confused at first at Alfred's comment, and realised he was holding his dear friend and loyal servant by the collar. Immediately releasing his vice like grip from Alfred's collar, Bruce looked his companion in the eyes. Seeing nothing but compassion and caring stare back at him, turned away and began across the steel cat-walks that spanned the Bat-cave, toward an exit.

'Fine Let the boy sleep, but first thing tommorow I'm making him look over those photographs. we'll see if he can spot something I missed'

'And what of you master Bruce? Shall I make up your room?'

'No need Alfred, I'm going out. I'll be back by 6am. If the boy isn't awake by then, God help the both of you' Bruce shouted back, pulling up his cowl.

'Where is it that your going master Bruce?' Alfred called

'Hunting' Batman replied, dissapearing from veiw, into the shadows of the night.

Okay, so I know it wasn't very long or to be honest particularly entertaining, but im just getting started with it and its my first ever fan fiction. Any and all comments and reveiws are welcome Good or bad. I'll update the story as soon as possible. -PO