I grew up with Batman: The Animated Series, yet oddly enough this is my first attempt at writing any kind of Batman story. Obviously there's a very good reason why this site is called "Fanfiction Net " That means that the characters don't belong to me. I'm just having some fun, so please don't sue.

This is a terrible idea, a mistake, Alfred thought to himself as he watched Masters Bruce and Dick finish suiting up. Endangering his own life was one thing, but this? What in heaven's name was I thinking when I agreed to this?

Of course, back when Bruce first explained his plan he had repeatedly reassured both Alfred and Lesile Thompkins several times that he would not simply send Dick out into the streets without any sort of training. It would take at least five years before Dick would be ready to fight. This served two purposes at once: First, that Dick would be able to handle himself in a fight; and two, by the time Dick was ready the novelty of Bruce Wayne having a young ward will have worn off. No one would make the connection between Batman acquiring a new kid partner and the former.

All that was beside the point and Bruce knew it. The real issue was that he was bringing a child into this life, that he was--- Alfred stopped himself from finishing that thought. 'Corruption' was a very ugly word, and he did not want to think of Bruce in that manner.

Was Alfred any better though, for allowing this to happen? Perhaps he would have been better off had he gotten Bruce the psychological care he needed long ago. But it was too late for that now.

The arrival of young Dick Grayson five years ago had almost seemed like a second chance. A chance to do it right this time. Apparently Bruce had had the same idea. Except his interpretation of what was right meant 'Catching the killer.' Dick would have the option that Bruce had not.

Alfred for his part had hoped that Dick's arrival would mean that Bruce would finally give up his crusade. A foolish wish, as it had turned out. But still...

"I can't go out there every night if there's somebody waiting for me at home," Bruce had said once, when he had started having second thoughts about continuing with 'the plan.' He had been talking about marriage, but was this any different? Dick already had one set of parents murdered in front of him, what would losing another father figure do to him?

Alfred had lost count of the number of times Bruce had come home, with injuries so severe that the temptation to break his vow of silence was almost overwhelming. The only thing that stopped Alfred was the knowledge that revealing the truth of Batman's identity would kill Bruce far more quickly than any super villain could.

Though to give Bruce credit where it was due, he had been mananging to return home in one piece far more often these past few years. Perhaps he was mindful of the need to stay alive for Dick's sake.

But now Dick was going to be out on the streets with Bruce. What if, God forbid, anything happened to him? How would Bruce live with himself?

How would Alfred, for letting it happen?

Of course, police officers put their lives on the line everyday. But police officers aren't fifteen years old either. Alfred was just going to have to trust Bruce to keep close watch over him. If Bruce remained aware of Dick's safety, then he would remain aware of his own.

Perhaps that had been the reason that Alfred had agreed to this. It did little to soothe his conscience.

The end.