Watchtower – After the award ceremony in Rome

"He just No?" asked an obviously annoyed WonderWoman

"Yeah, thats what he said" responded John Stewart crossing his arms as he looked over at Diana

"An you just accepted that?" chirped in Shayera

"Look, the man said he had other commitments to attend to alright. If you want more information ask him yourselves"

"Other commitments? I'll say rumour has it that Bats is currently dating triplets from this years Maxim calender shoot. The lucky devil" just then flash noticed the glares that he was receiving from Diana and Shayera "What?! He is Bruce Wayne after all its what he does, do not get mad at me ladies"

"Everyone relax, so Batman didn't come you all know how he is by now. We have worked with the guy for years an not once has he shown up to any of the charity events, mall openings or award ceremonies so why should this time be any different?" responded Superman trying to bring peace to the situation

"Your right, besides could imagine Batman getting his photo taken by the paparazzi?" asked Shayera

"His Bat-glare would be set to kill!" mentioned Wally, as he and the rest of the league present had burst into laughter.

Gotham City

Tim Drake, adoptive son of Bruce Wayne had recently just received an award from his school for outstanding contribution to academia. Which he thought was a nice way to saying, thanks for keeping your grades up and participating in a few sporting events which helps make the school look good.

After the ceremony he had hoped to make a quick exit and return back to the manor, he thought that if he was lucky enough he could still get some leftovers from dinner and go on patrol with Bruce. No such luck this time as he was engaged in a conversation, well lecturing from his form tutor on the importance of studying the real thing he found annoying was that she referred to him as Timothy, when he heard someone calling his actual name.

"Tim!"

Tim looked around the large expansive hall which was full of guests, parents, teachers and fellow students before noticing the unmistakable appearance of the Dark Knight himself.

"Excuse me Mrs Major, but I see my Dad over there" without another word he had left to make his way over to Bruce. He had to remember to thank him for the rescue but wondered why he was here, normally Bruce would have been too busy on patrol in Gotham or some other league business to attend such events.

"Bruce what are you doing here, I thought you would be busy with that long term investment you have"

"Normally, I would have been however Alfred told me you were receiving an award today so I made an executive decision an delegated that responsibility" at this Bruce smiles, placing his hand on Tims shoulder "Well lets see it"

"See what?"

"The prize, its not everyday you get an award"

"Its not a big deal"

"Well hows about we get out of here, maybe go back to the manor an invite some of your real friends over?"

"Yeah that would be great, can we get some pizzas as well?"

"Sure thing, Tim"

The two of them leave the school without arousing any suspicion, meeting Alfred outside in the limo. They then proceeded to drive to the Manor, ordering Pizza along the way while also calling the team in to help celebrate.

"What made you decide to delegate?"

"Simple, I realised that I was not being a good enough father or mentor to you and other an realised that need to change. I also realised that with in a team I am part of something greater than myself and knew that I could count on them, so I called up Barbera an told asked her if he minded taking a more active role in things. And I then called the others an advised them I was taking the night off from patrolling an to co-ordinate with Oracle"

"Ok the second part I get, but the first part... come on... did you hit head a little too hard the last time you used that teleporter?" asked Tim as began to laugh

"Alright wise guy" responded Bruce as he too joined in the laughter

"I heard there was an award ceremony in Rome for Superman, an the rest of the league was invited, how come you didn't go?" asked Tim regaining his composure

"I didn't go because I had to be here, not as Batman and not Bruce Wayne but as Bruce, even if it was to save you from one of your teachers" responded Bruce as the laughing continued.

The Bat Cave

Moments later the due came down the winding staircase behind the grandfather clock located in Wayne Manor which leads down to the Batcave. There they find Barbara Gordon AKA Oracle at the main computer with her headset on co-coordinating the activities of the team and filling in reports.

"So who exactly did you recruit for this?"

"Well if you must know..." before Bruce could finish he heard the sound of motorcycles approaching from the cave tunnel "Looks like they are here now"

From the entrance of the cave came what can only be described as the superhero equivalent of a superhero biker gang. With Nightwing emerging first, followed by Huntress, then Batwoman and finally Batgirl.

They each parked their bikes at the assigned areas, well everyone except Batwoman who preferred to keep her equipment safe in her bunker. They each removed their helmets and masks showing the smiling faces of friends.

Oracle finished her reports an then swiftly came over to the group to join the celebration of Tims award an updating both Bruce and Tim on the events of the evening which proved to be fairly uneventful. Only a few muggings, 1 bank robbery and a few attempted sexual assaults none of the cities more notorious criminals decided to come out an play. However it was times like this that the team knew to enjoy these small pleasures because a storm was always on the horizon.