Dick couldn't help but stare. Sure, he'd seen photos, even a few videos, of the young Bruce Wayne. But in person? Well, he always imagined his father was . . . taller.

"So you refuse to tell me your names, and you refuse to state your business here," Bruce unnecessarily recapped. He was curiously observing the group; the three youngest Robins had fully awakened, but were smart enough to keep their mouths shut. They had enough lectures from Barry about screwing with time. Hell—just being here could change everything. One wrong move, and Bruce could not become the Batman. One wrong move, and hundreds—if not millions—of people could die. One wrong move, and they wouldn't know Bruce Wayne at all.

"Look, kid, I know it's not a lot to go on." Dick took a deep breath. He hoped Bruce wasn't as stubborn as his adult self. "You can walk away. Just—"

Bruce crossed his arms and donned that stubborn look he held decades later. "Don't call me that."

"What?"

"I'm not a child. Don't call me 'Kid.'"

Jason, for the first time since their time jump, chose that exact moment to open his big fat mouth. "Well, you are one, aren't you?"

"Isn't he?" Bruce questioned, eyes narrowing on Damian. The boy he had no clue was his son. The current Robin grimaced behind his mask with annoyance. Dick glanced between the two and felt the breath being knocked out of him; Alfred always said Damian looked like Bruce at that age. Standing yards apart and the same age, they could've passed as twins. Only one was furious and hot-headed, the other a constant calm.

Dick shook himself, literally as well as physically. His left leg was sore from hitting the ground, and he lightly tested it. Their best bet at remaining unseen was going by rooftop. His leg had to be able to hold up the strain of jumping across the clearings between ledges. Giving his brothers a once-over, he saw they were in no better shape. Something—shrapnel, broken glass perhaps—had cut through Jason's gloved hand and straight through to his palm, which was bleeding quite steadily, no matter how much pressure he put on the wound. Tim was favoring his left side and, upon closer inspection, Damian's cringe seemed more from pain than anger. Most likely a concussion.

Short to say, they were in no shape to keep themselves on the run for— For how long? What happened next? Where would they go? They frickin' jumped through time because of some—

Some unhinged scientist. If they could find that guy, whoever he was. . . . It was a long shot, but it was their best option.

Bruce, his tiny stature and crossed arms and defiant glare, remained planted between the four boys and the only way out of the dead-end alleyway, unless they went up. "I suppose we can make a deal."

Tim beat Dick to the million-dollar question. "What deal?" he spluttered.

Damn, Dick thought upon seeing Bruce's reaction. He's even got that "I know something and you don't, aren't I smart?" look. "We both need something from the other. Perhaps a trade in professions?"

"Cut to the chase," Jason growled.

Oh, look. He's got that "Jason, stop being ignorant" look, too. "You need a safe place from the police, and I need help on . . . something very dear to me. There's plenty of room at my home, and it's the least suspecting place in Gotham."

Bruce extended another formal hand, this time to shake for a deal, not a greeting. A hand shake that was for something impossible. They couldn't go with Bruce. If he knew who they were—who he was in their time—their names—anything—their future could be catastrophic. But, getting caught by the police? Trying to explain this to the suits?

Bruce noticed Dick's hesitance, then added, "Most likely the GCPD will be here soon. You did create quite a show, whatever you did."

Damn. With a growl, Dick took his young father's hand and shook. If Bruce were here now, he would probably slap me.


Within minutes of Bruce's phonecall—Was that really what phones looked like when Bruce was a kid? Wow.—a sleek limousine pulled up to the curb. Their time spent before the car's arrival was nothing more than silence. Awkward silence, yes, but silence nonetheless.

Bruce immediately headed to the car when it appeared. Dick spun to his brothers, making the most of their first time alone. "No one say anything," he hissed, his voice barely above a whisper. Jason and Damian pouted at the fact that Nightwing was now calling the shots, but they couldn't argue with his order. It was easier to explain nothing than explain a big mess of half-lies. Silence would become their best friend.

There was only one person in mind when Dick thought of who could hop out of the car and come to Bruce's side, but it still came as a shock to see the butler. He was mostly the same, maybe a few less wrinkles and a bit more gray in his hair than white.

"Master Bruce!" Alfred cried. His voice was the perfect mix of relief, concern, and exasperation. "What've I told you about being on these streets alone? And—and who the bloody hell are they?"

Bruce's face remained stoic as he calmly replied, "I'll explain everything later, Alfred. These people are my guests, and we need to head home immediately." Alfred's eyes traveled back and forth between his young master and the four crime fighters. Jason still donned his mask, Damian had a cape, Tim practically had wings, and they were all wearing spandex. It was understandable, the look they recieved from Alfred. The man sighed finally, muttering as he walked back to the driver's side of the limo.

Bruce closed the gap between himself and the car. He turned as he opened the backseat door, looking at the four strangers who made no move to join. "Aren't you coming?"


The entire ride to the manor? Silence.

The boys could feel Bruce's eyes and Alfred's ears trained on them, but they made no move speak. In fact, each of them found it easier to stare out the window.

"So," Alfred began non-subtly. His words sounded like gunshots piercing the silence. "Eh, what rings you all to Gotham?"

"Business," Dick answered curtly before any of his brothers had the chance to. Bruce's eyed remained fixed on Dick. Or maybe it was the mask that drew his attention. Dick watched Bruce in his peripheral vision as he pretended to stare at some trees. Eventually the eyes of the young boy moved to the next masked crusader.

"You're hurt." Bruce's voice caught everyone's attention. Alfred glanced back in the rear view mirror. The statement was directed to Jason, who was trying his best to keep the blood flow stemmed, one hand clenched tightly in the other. A few drops of blood fell onto the carpet. Well, at least it's black.

"'S nuthin'." Jason muttered from under his hood. Dick realized with a twinge of panic that if they didn't patch the injury up soon, Jason would lose too much blood. He couldn't tell for sure, but he imagined Jason's pale, clamy face as he fought the pain. The rest of the ride Dick watched Jason carefully, unsure whether he was staring out the widow or passed out.

"I trust you are men of your word." Dick was caught once more by Bruce's formality, and he turned to face his father. I'm not a child. He sure wasn't. "So I hope you'll hold up your end of the bargain."

"Once my brothers are taken care of," Dick said calmly. From the window, Dick glanced out and saw his—their—home. Wayne Manor was similar in certain aspects to the one they knew. It had certain features that caught Dick off guard, features changed by time. The bricks' color wasn't as faded; some of the structure was different (most likely they were remodeled as years of Batman's crime fighting brought the fight close to home); some of the trees Alfred had planted were not there. Now that they had arrived, here came the tricky part. Maybe Bruce wanted them to stop a drug lord, or catch some common street thug. Something easy. "What do you want us to do?"

The certainty in Bruce's eyes never wavered as they locked onto Dick's. "I want you to catch my parents' killer."


DUN DUN DUUUNN!

A/N #1: Thanks so much you guys! I love the feedback I've been getting! (I'm still a little dumbfounded no one's written a Gotham/Batman crossover, and I'm proud to be the first!) I have big plans for this story, so stay tuned!

A/N #2: I have quite some knowledge of Batman and its characters and stories, but everyone makes mistakes. Tell me if I made an error, a character's too OOC, if you have any suggestions, etc. Constructive criticism is very much appreciated!

A/N #3: There will be TONS of Gotham characters later on. Fish Mooney, Penguin, Ed just to name a few. Let me know if there's any others you want me to include! You might be seeing Jim and Harvey next chapter. . . .

See ya next Saturday! Stay awesome!

~palmtreedragons