Bruce Wayne was a play boy, Dick had known this when he had first moved in with the man and had resigned himself to putting up with the many women his adopted father brought into the house and took to parties. Other than Diana and Selena he hadn't ever really paid them any attention, just smiled and played the part of the grateful orphan that he was. Which is why he wasn't surprised to see the new red head waiting in the foyer looking elegant in her long sparkly dress that at first glance looked silver but when the light hit it right you could just see a underlying green tone. He wasn't surprised to see Bruce wrap an arm around her waist and kiss her cheek, this was the same show his adopted father did too many women; most of them were so wrapped up with the billionaire that they generally paid young Dick no attention. But this woman was different, as soon as Dick reached the bottom of the stairs her eyes were upon him and she stared at him, taking him in as though she was memorising every detail about him. This was a surprise to Dick, it made him uncomfortable.

"Rose, this is my son, Dick. Dick, this is, Rose."

"Hi" their eyes locked and Dick couldn't help but see fierceness in her dark green eyes. He turned, breaking eye contact.

"It's lovely to meet you, Dick."

"Likewise," he deadpanned before turning to Bruce, "When will you be back?"

Bruce shrugged, "At some point this evening" he said, "You've got that school project to keep you busy haven't you." He looked at Dick with an underlying sternness; Dick knew what he was getting at, he didn't want him sneaking out and going on patrol as Robin. Dick nodded and gave a small sigh; the 15 year old couldn't wait until the day he would be able to go out on patrol on his own without his team or Batman. As much as he enjoyed both the thought of calling his own shots was something to look forward too.

"Alright, we're off. Alfred shouldn't be too long after dropping us off." Again, Dick nodded and started to make his way back up the stairs.

"See you soon, Dick." The voice had belonged to Rose; Dick didn't turn around but instead went up the stairs faster; something about her voice set him on edge, like an ominous promise.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Dick was sat at the breakfast table the next morning, staring down at his cereal and twirling it around the bowl with his spoon. Bruce had not come back last night, he hadn't even called.

"I'm sure; Master Bruce is quite alright, Master Dick. He used to do this many a time a few years ago."

But this unsettled Dick even more; Bruce had stopped a lot of his play boy ways after taking in the young acrobat. Did he miss it? Did he resent taking him in and stopping the lifestyle he loved?

The front door banged shut; Dick snapped his head up to look at the kitchen door.

"Alfred?" came a voice from the hall.

"In here, Master Bruce."

After brief silence the kitchen door came open and there was Bruce looking rather bedraggled.

"Where were you?" asked Dick, his nose curing up in disgust as he saw the small red bruises on his father's neck; the idea of him being with that woman unnerved him in a way he couldn't describe.

"Out with Rose, she took me to see her apartment."

"Bet that's not all she showed you" muttered Dick into his cereal. Bruce heard but chose to ignore the comment.

"Breakfast, Master Bruce?" Alfred asked trying to dissolve the tension before it manifested.

"Yes, please, Alfred." He sat down opposite Dick and looked the boy over, "Did you finish your homework last night?"

"Yes"

Bruce sighed, rubbing his hand through his hair, "what's wrong, Dick? You seem very off with me."

Dick shrugged and kept swirling the contents of his bowl.

"Come on, if something's wrong you can tell me."

Dick hesitated but finally put his spoon down, "I don't like her."

"Who?"

"Rose."

Alfred kept to his work but kept one ear on the conversation between his two charges. Dick had never before made a comment about a women Bruce had brought back to the house or taken to an event. He was curious as to how the older of the two would take the comment.

"What's wrong with her?"

"I don't know. I just don't like her."

The older man raised an eyebrow, "That's not a proper reason."

Alfred walked over, placing a black coffee and bowl of muesli in front of his Master; still silent but ready to diffuse the situation if it turned.

"You're not going to see her, again are you?"

"I might."

Dick's face dropped, his blue eyes filled with disappointment; since when did his adopted father see a woman (other than Selina) more than once?

"Please, Bruce. I don't like her" Dick pleaded but Bruce waved him off.

"Unless you give me a proper reason, I will continue to see her." He finished his breakfast, left his chair and made for the door, ruffling Dick's hair as he passed him. "Give it time; I'm sure you will learn to like her."

A/N Hello there. I'm sorry to all those you follow my stories, that I haven't updated anything in months. I've recently moved, and it's taken a while to get settled so my stories have been put on the back burner. But here is a brand-new story that has been rattling round in my mind for a little while. Chapter two is already in progress, so I hope it won't be long until it is up for you to read. If you are new to my stories, welcome! And I hope you enjoy them. Please review, I love to hear from you! Karin xxx