AN: Guess what? I still don't own anyone. On, and Italics are Robins thoughts, just in case you were confused. Though, that'd be difficult to know because no one has reviewd...

Robin raced into the office, panting and out of breath he reached Miss. Dune, the day secretary for the Trenton City Police Department. She looked up from a pile of papers perfectly organized in three neat little stacks. She smiled a sympathetic smile at Robin, meaning the Chief was not happy.

"How bad is it?" Robin asked with a hopeful voice.

"Well…he's flustered. Two officers were killed last night so he's been dealing with the press and family members all morning. He needed you to…" She was cut off however when Robin interrupted.

"Which officers…" Everyone knew everyone; he wanted to know who had sacrificed themselves for the greater good this time. This time. Sadly, Death was becoming an almost common occurrence among the force. It was as if someone was purposely going after cops.

"Jerry and Pete, they were supposed to be…" However, once again, she was interrupted by Robin.

"They were supposed to be patrolling 45th avenue and Park…Oh God, that was originally assigned to me! Chief took me off it because I told him Alec wasn't feeling good…That should be me dead. Not them. They've got family, Petes got a wife!" But before he could continue, Miss. Dune, tired of not having her say, decided she best stop him.

"And you have a young son to take care of; don't beat your self up about this Dick, it was fate, now go in and talk to Chief, I think he wants to see you." Though Robin wondered how much anything really had to do with fate, he continued threw the glass paneled door that led to the main office.

Chief Dartmore wasn't a small man, in personality or in size. His appetite was only matched by his anger but both could be subdued by a glazed donut. Though the man was quick with his tong and easily frustrated, he had a good heart, and was always willing to give you a second chance. It was the 11th chance that he had problems with.

Chief Dartmore's face was red as a cherry as he yelled into the phone.

"No! We will not be speaking to any reporters on the recent crimes against law enforcement workers! I already told you….No…no…Oh just go to hell!" He slammed the phone down and looked up at Robin.

"Oh, so you decided you'd join us today Dick? Your only…an hour an twenty minuets late. Congratulations, that's by far your best time. Do you know how many applied for this job? Many had better resumes then yours, your references we're a little shady too, but I looked past all that. I had a hunch, however, now I'm beginning to think my hunch was wrong." He took off his large glasses and rubbed his temple as though trying to ease the pain of a head ach.

"Look, I know I was late Chief, my alarm didn't go off, and then there was a phone call, I promise it won't happen again." He hated making these excuses. Hated acting like he needed others help, when in reality, he knew he did.

"Look Dick, sorry just doesn't cut it anymore. You've seen what's been happening around here lately, I need someone who's on their toes at all times. It could cost you your own life if you space off while on patrol. Or worse, you could cost a college their life if you're late getting to the scene." To Dartmore's credit, he looked sad with his choice, as if he wasn't loosing an employ, but a friend.

"Please! I won't screw this up again, really, I won't! I'll get a sitter, I'll leave early, I'll…" He couldn't afford to loose this job, he'd loose his apartment, he'd lose the ability to care for Alec, they'd take him away. Oh God, what have I done!

The Chief sighed, whether or not it was from the tiring morning or the pleading, Robin didn't know.

"I'm truly sorry about this Dick, but its for your own safety. For that boy of yours, he needs his dad to be alive, not shot by some scumbag. You can pick up your last pay check from Miss. Dune." The phone rang and Robin knew the conversation was over, he sighed as he stood and headed out of the office.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Robin didn't bother calling a cab, not that he could afford one, but rather, he contemplated his life as it fell apart around him. Sure, he could find another job, but not one that paid as well meaning he couldn't afford his apartment. And if he couldn't afford his apartment, he'd have to move, meaning he wouldn't have the services of Mrs. Kraft. Without Mrs. Kraft he'd have to find a baby sitter, something else he couldn't afford…

They'd take him in…He hated thinking like that. He hated asking others for help and he didn't think he could bare to give up the only thing worth living for. Even if he would be giving him to his friends. If their still my friends…How could I of treated them so badly?

But surely, they were good people; they'd always help someone in need. They wouldn't be happy with helping him, but he knew they couldn't possible turn down Alec…

No. He thought, he couldn't do that to them. He'd walked out, he'd lied, and he'd left her. He couldn't just knock on the door, introduce them to his son, and act like he deserved help. He didn't deserve anything after what he'd done.

He would make this work, he had too. He could get two jobs; he was use to not sleeping anyway. Just as long as he…

He was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a siren pass by. He began to run after it, following his instinct before he realized he was no longer responsible for the safety of the city. However, he now had an uneasy feeling about him, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to shake the dread.

Robin quickened his pace, his shoes made a thud as they hit the puddles from the night rain. Suddenly, he was overcome with a feeling that if he didn't get home soon, something terrible would happen.

Or maybe, it already had.

REVIEW! PLEASE? I'll give you a cookie. :)