Of Broken Wings

"You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair." - Chinese Proverb

-SPN/BM-

"Nooooooo!" tore from his chest, up his throat and out his mouth. In a single moment his world shattered. This couldn't be happening. It couldn't be real. His heart screamed.

The horrific scene below was worse than any nightmare. So much worse. Life as he knew it was suddenly and painfully stolen from him. His family was irrevocably destroyed.

How? How did everything go so horribly wrong? His mind demanded, needed answers. The collective gasp of the audience sundered the air then was quickly replaced by screaming. Panic and chaos erupted throughout the audience. But none of that mattered to him.

The whimpers and cries hovering anxiously below him stole the last of his attention. Their parents were lost forever, but he could still salvage his heart by saving just one. "It's ok, Dean. I've got you, Mihai," Dick firmly spoke to his brother as their eyes locked. Their hands still clasped with Dick lying on the platform, arm extended to keep hold of his brother. A brother he almost lost in the same tragedy that took their parents.

If they weren't already preparing to hand Dean off back to Dick, then there would have been three broken bodies below. Dick's heart clenched at the mere thought and he squeezed his eyes shut banishing the images from his mind.

"Prala." His younger brother called softly, desperately. Fear clung to the tiny boy like a heavy cloak. Sweat from exertion and terror built up and their hands slipped. The dangling figure screamed.

Sharp, blue eyes sprang open, hoping the vision in his head wasn't about to come true. He couldn't let that happen. "I've got you, Dean, I swear. Don't let go." Swinging his other arm over the ledge, Dick instructed. "I need you to grab my hand. Then I can pull you up."

"I can't." The young boy's voice wavered. Tears traced Dean's smooth face, who looked up to his big brother filled with equal portions of terror and hope.

"Yes you can, Dean. Mom and Dad showed you how to swing your body. You can do it. And as soon as I have your other hand I'll be able to pull you up. Come on, Dean." Dick coached his brother, barely managing to control his own worries and emotions. But he had to be strong for Dean. His brother needed him. "Mihai, please."

Seeing the strength in his brother's eyes, Dean muttered an "I'll try."

"Good boy. Now come on." Dick encouraged. He allowed the small smile to form as he watched his brother build momentum to swing his hand up. "That's it. You can do it."

With a grunt of effort, Dean managed to clasp Dick's other hand. "I did it!"

"Yeah, you did. Great job, Mihai. Now hold on, I'm bringing you up." Dick put all his might into lifting the young body of his brother onto the platform. Together the pair collapsed back against the pole. Relief washed over Dick, knowing his brother was safe.

Dean fell into his older brother's arms and held on tight. Tears flowed freely now. Through hiccupping sobs, he asked, "Daj? Dat?"

"They're gone, Dean, they're gone." Dick's gentle confession crumbled the last of the flood gates. Despair and reality crashed over the huddled pair in relentless waves. Time drifted away on an ocean of sorrow.

-SPN/BM-

The world passed in a whirlwind. One moment they were crying at the top of the trapeze, the next they are sitting along the ring wrapped in a blanket with people talking all around them. In the haze of uncertainty, Dick couldn't make out words, just vaguely heard the voices surrounding them.

The police had arrived and were asking questions. Pop Haly was shouting at them and the police seemed both annoyed and sorry for their loss and that they were all on the same side to figure out why this tragedy occurred. Other performers and friends in the Circus were gathering around. It was only when Katyrina, the woman who lead the horse act, came in with a crying baby that the world began to move again.

The instant the baby's cries could be heard, Dean jumped up and ran to the babe's side, demanding to hold the child. Dick was barely a step behind his brother and watched as Dean frantically reached for their newborn brother. But Katyrina ignored the boy, hoping to garner some knowledge of what was going on with the police. Her dismissal sent Dean into a full on panic. "Sammy! Gimme Sammy!"

After the fire incident a month ago, Dick knew there was only one thing that could calm his brother now. Reaching up, he pulled Sam from Katyrina's arms. Startled, she was about to argue, but Dick shot her a glare that snapped her mouth shut. Cradling the boy, he knelt down next to his brother and handed Sam over to Dean.

For a four year old, Dean was both very strong and very gentle for his age. With thoughtful reverence, he collected the babe in his small arms and moved back to their spot along the ringside and focused on his baby brother. Sam seemed to still instantly in Dean's arms. Dick watched the scene sadly. His heart ached for their parents to miraculously appear, wrap them in their arms and tell them everything will be all right, just like the night of the fire. Deep down, he knew they weren't coming this time.

Slowly he made his way back to Dean's side, grabbed the blanket and covered his brothers. At least they still had each other. And that's when the words currently being shouted finally began to register.

"You can't take them! They belong here!" Pop Haly argued.

Shaking his head, the officer countered, "You already said the boys don't have any other family here."

"WE are their family. We've seen those boys be born and grow. We can take care of them fine right here."

"We're sorry, Mr. Haly, but the law states if no other living relatives are able to claim the boys, then they become wards of the state. Now, do you know of any kin that might be able to take them?"

"Their grandparents are in Europe, we haven't been in contact for years. But I know John and Mary, they would have wanted the boys to stay here with us. I'm sure it's in their will."

"Which you said was destroyed in a fire last month. You have no proof that the boys were to be put in your custody."

"No," Pop's voice cracked. "I don't have any proof. But these boys, they're like my own grandsons. Don't take them away from me." With a last desperate pitch, he added, "My heart couldn't take any more losses right now. Please."

Sighing deeply, the officer tried to put it as gently as he could. "I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do. This is the law and I can't bend it. The boys will be taken to a home where they can hopefully find a new family."

"No!" Dick screamed, capturing everyone's attention, including Dean's. "You're not taking us anywhere. We're staying here!"

The policeman's shoulders slumped at the declaration. He wiped a hand over his face then pinched the bridge of his nose, knowing a full on headache was about to form. These types of cases were never easy. He took a step toward the boys but stopped instantly when Dick took a protective stance in front of his brothers. "Listen, son."

"I'm not your son!"

Holding out placating hands, the man continued, "Listen, kid. I don't want to take you away…"

"Then don't."

"But I don't got a choice. The law says you can only stay with family."

"This is our family!"

"Blood family, kid. They have to be named as your legal guardians, and no one can prove that. I'm sorry, but you can't stay."

"We're not leaving."

"The boys want to stay, that must count for something," Pop interceded.

"It's not my choice. They've got no family here, no home. They have to go."

"This is our home. This is our family." Dick restated with conviction. "We're staying here."

"Sorry, kid. It's not in the cards, at least not tonight anyway." The officer looked back to Pop offering. "Look, you want to get custody of these boys, go to the courts in the morning, plead your case. You might get lucky. But be prepared that you might not win. The circus life ain't exactly considered a stable environment to raise kids in. Now if you can have someone collect their things, we'll be leaving shortly."

"I said, we're not leaving."

Rapidly, losing patience, the officer approached the boys. "Yes, you are. Now get in the car."

"Dean, run, now!" Dick called over his shoulder. To his satisfaction Dean readily complied, taking off in the opposite direction with Sammy still in his arms. When the policeman went to follow, Dick stepped in his path. "You leave my brothers alone!" Then he kicked the older man in the chin hard and took off after his siblings.

"You little…" The officer lunged for Dick but missed. He reached for his walkie talkie instead and ordered, "Get the kids, they're trying to run."

Dean and Sam were almost out of the tent and Dick was only a few paces behind. Then a figure blocked the doorway and snagged his brothers. "No! Dean!" Dean's shouts and Sam's cries mingled, spurring their older brother on. Someone tackled Dick from behind driving him to the ground. "No. Leave them alone."

"Stop fighting us kid, we're trying to help."

"Let the boy go!" A new deep voice commanded.

At the same time, another voice called out, "What's going on here?"

"Captain, the kids were trying to get away." The one officer on top of Dick answered.

"And this is how you handle the situation, terrorize the kids further?"

The deep voice spoke again slowly, yet with a dark edge that brooked no room for argument. "I said let the boy go."

Suddenly, the weight was gone and Dick sprang to his feet and closed the distance between himself and his still struggling brother. "Them too," the voice ordered and Dean was let go. Instantly Dick was there calming his brother down as he turned to observe the strange turn of events.

"Mr. Wayne, this isn't your concern." The Captain cautiously interjected.

"You're wrong, Jim, this is my concern. I'm responsible for these boys. They wouldn't be here if it weren't for me."

"That's not true Bruce. This could just be some freak accident." The two men had come to a stop within arm's reach of the boys. The police Captain leaned in closer to the well dressed man called Wayne. "This isn't the alley."

"This isn't an accident, Jim and you know it," Bruce hissed. "They wouldn't risk their family like this."

Dick felt a small hand tugging on his sleeve. Looking down he saw the raw emotions in his brother's green eyes and read the message there. Nodding, he turned back to the men, "This wasn't an accident." Two sets of eyes instantly peered down at him. "My brother, he…. We saw a man by the rigging before the show. I think he did something."

"Do you know what this man looks like?" Jim Gordon asked. Dick shook his head no while Dean slowly nodded. Exchanging a worried glance with Bruce, Jim cleared his throat. "If that's the case, then this is a homicide now and these boys are witnesses."

"What does that mean?" Both Dick and Bruce spoke at the same time.

"It means that the boys will be taken into protective custody until we can ID the perpetrator , arrest him and convict him of murder."

"We're not leaving," Dick said again.

"I'm afraid you don't have a choice son." When Dick went to protest, Gordon threw up a placating hand and then knelt down to be eye level with the boys. "You're brother saw the guy who hurt your parents. And we don't know if he's going to come back, especially if he finds out the boy saw him. He might want to hurt you or your brothers next."

"But he doesn't know Dean saw him. Just don't say anything and he won't know."

"It's not that easy son. He could come back because he wanted to hurt your family, or the circus, or for a number of other reasons."

"I think I know who it was!" Pop joined the conversation coming from the huddle of people on the other side of the ring. "A man came when we were setting up looking for money. Said something bad would happen if he didn't get paid. I threw him out. I didn't think… Didn't know…." Pop's breath caught in his chest, tears welled in his eyes.

"Take it easy, Mr. Haly. There's no way you could have predicted this."

Swallowing down his bubbling emotions, Haly looked Gordon in the eyes. "I'm a witness too then. You can take me somewhere safe, but let me take care of the boys, please."

"I wish I could. I do. But there are rules I have to follow. I can station a Police team here for your protection but the rules are different in this situation. And the person you suspect may not be the same person Dean saw. And until we know for sure, we have to treat the boy's testimony more carefully as his suspect is more likely the one we're looking for. I'm sorry but they will have to go."

"But why?" Dick demanded. "Why can't we stay with people we know and trust? They love us and they will protect us."

Sighing, Gordon replied, "I wish it were that simple, kid. But with no next of kin and no will, you become wards of Gotham."

"What about me, Jim?"

Turning to regard his old friend, Gordon queried, "What about you, Bruce?"

"Couldn't they stay with me? I think I can relate with them better than anyone here. And the manor would be a safe place for them until the murderer can be found."

"That's very generous of you, Mr. Wayne, but unfortunately wouldn't be acceptable. At least not right away."

"What can I do?"

At this, Gordon glanced between Pop Haly and Bruce Wayne. "Anyone wishing to obtain guardianship over these boys would have to appeal to the courts and provide supporting assurances that they will be well cared for and brought up in a suitable environment."

A heavy silence fell over the group. Haly glanced at his surrogate grandchildren worriedly. He would go to the courts, he had to try at least, but he could already sense defeat. Not only was a travelling Circus not considered a 'stable' environment to raise kids, but he was almost certain that Dick would continue in the family tradition. He was the youngest professional aerialist in the world, as well as one of the few who could perform a quadruple flip. He had a natural talent for flying and he knew Dick wouldn't just give that up. And without his parents to back him, it would be considered too dangerous an environment for the boy to grow up in.

However, Dean had only just begun his training and now Haly feared that the boy could be traumatized by this tragedy. And poor little Sammy, only seven months old and he would never really know his parents. The whole situation just tore his heart apart. If he didn't win guardianship, would he ever see his 'grandchildren' again?

And if not him, then who would care for the boys? Would they be broken up? Would they find a good home? Would they remember where they came from? So many questions and only time would provide answers. Further, the well dressed man standing next to the Police Captain had vied for his boys. Who did this Bruce Wayne think he was?

Suddenly, the name and face registered with the older man. Gasping in surprise, he muttered, "B-bruce Wayne? As in Millionaire Bruce Wayne? The Bruce Wayne who arranged and helped fund our performance here?"

The corner of the man's mouth quirked up briefly. "Yes, I'm Bruce Wayne. And it's Billionaire actually. No offense intended," he quickly added.

"None taken," Haly whispered. The shock of realization slowly faded to be replaced by awe and confusion. "You want to look after my grandsons?"

"Mr. Haly, I meant what I said before. I know exactly how these boys are feeling right now. I want to help. I know how scary and confusing their world is right now. And if I can ease just a hint of their pain, then it would all be worth it. Besides, I feel a sense of responsibility for these boys because of my involvement with this event. It's my duty to look out for them."

"Thank you, for caring about what happens to them."

Gordon, while understanding his old friend, still could not change the boys' fate for this night. "While your sentiments are noble, Mr. Wayne, as stated before, you will need to submit a plea to the court for custody. It's time for the boys to go."

All of the anger drained out of Dick so that he was left with a sinking hole in his gut. After all that has happened, everything they lost. Even after trying to run away and asking to stay, they would be forced to leave their home. Desperation kicked in. Without knowing what else to do, Dick got up and fell at the Captain's feet, tears in his eyes, "Please, sir. This is our home, our family. Don't send us away."

Dean had crawled over with their infant brother still in his arms and gripped the back of his older brother's costume. His open fright and despair adding to the already heart breaking scene. Gordon found it hard to breathe for a moment. Slowly, he knelt down to look directly into the sad faces of these boys. With a tenderness that his position should have stomped out of him years ago, the Police Captain dashed the last of their hopes. "I really am sorry. But until we can truly evaluate the situation and a legal guardian can be named, you will have to go." He glanced up and noticed two of the performers had joined the group with bags over their shoulders. He regarded the cop who had initially chased the boys with a stern expression. "Contact Social Services to get the boys placed for the night. Make sure they get there safe and sound."

"Yes, captain," acknowledged the lieutenant.

Dick's head had fallen at Gordon's words. It was over. He slumped forward, hands gripping the soft dirt in the ring, shoulders bowed and a steady stream of tears fell. He could feel the world crushing in on him, and no one would save him. He wanted the pit in his stomach to open up and swallow him whole so he didn't have to feel this torment any more. But he was denied even that empty solace.

"Prala," came the softest voice he ever heard. As sweet and gentle as their mother. As hushed and urgent as their father. And yet innocent and filled with love, like the breath of an angel. "Prala," the voice said again.

Gradually opening his eyes, he found the source as none other than his brother Dean. Those soul deep eyes staring up at him for a sign. Practically begging him to make things right. And there was nothing he could do. He was powerless. Unable to banish his younger brother's fears, Dick turned and swept Dean and little Sammy up in his arms. Holding on to both as if his life depended on it. They sat like that for long minutes while the world slipped away into white noise.

When a comforting hand touched his shoulder, bringing him back to awareness, Dick recognized the captain quickly. "It's time." Gordon gestured to his lieutenant to guide them out. With no more will to fight, the now eldest Grayson got shakily to his feet before helping his brother up. Together the trio followed the cop out to a waiting car that would take them from their home.

Pop maneuvered himself to the boys, unable to just watch them leave without doing anything. He pulled the boys to him in a tight embrace. His own emotions dripping down his face. After a minute, he pulled back to look the older boys in the eyes. Gently he bade them, "Phrala, zahn le Devlesa tai sastimasa."

Dick and Dean both nodded. Then the eldest Grayson wrapped his brothers with his arm. Slowly, they walked away from the only family and home they knew. It was only them now. And Dick vowed to protect his brothers and make sure they stayed together. It was too bad that even that vow he wouldn't be able to keep.

- SPN – BM – SPN – BM –

Author's Notes: I do not know much about the Romani culture. I only have glimpses based on what I have found during research on the Internet. So please forgive any misuse of words or misrepresentation of culture. If you can offer some insight I would be greatly appreciative.

Translations:
Mihai – Romani version of Michael
Prala – Brother
Daj/Dat – Mother/Father
Phrala, zahn le Devlesa tai sastimasa – Brothers, go with God and in good health.

Well, this is obviously a crossover between Supernatural and Batman. A while ago I realized that John and Mary were the names of the Winchester Boy's AND Dick Grayson's parents and I thought it would be really interesting if in fact, they were the same John and Mary. I sat there and worked through a number of issues on how to make this all work and have a pretty good idea for how this universe progresses. And for those Jensen fans that got Red Hood simply for his voice, you could even find a vague way that Red Hood would fit into this universe too.

I started working on a draft of this story well over a year ago but only recently re-read it. I had originally intended for this to be a full fledged story with multiple chapters but started to see this as a great way to step into Elseworld. Who knows if there is enough interest, maybe I will go back and finish out the complete origin story. However, I thought I might just jump around and take snapshots here and there of the boys' lives and how they differ from the worlds we know.

Either way, I hope you enjoyed the twist on our boys. Feel free to drop me a review or PM. I would love to hear from you. Thank you for reading, reviewing, fave-ing and alerting, to anyone who happened to find this.

Much love to you all,

~Ari :D