1985

Robin wasn't allowed to his mother's funeral. Instead their next door neighbor Mrs. Eastman looked after him that snowy afternoon she was buried. Jeffery Blake came home in his suit and loosed tie, his eyes bloodshot and raw from crying, and still in a horrible stunned trance ever since he received the phone call telling him about the accident.

He collected Robin when he was all ready asleep and carried him to their small apartment and laid him down in his room. Tucking him up, and making sure his stuffed dog was with him, he stared down at his son and honestly didn't know what to do.

He worked in construction and there were rumors that a lot of the jobs were getting cut back. Looking down at his sleeping son, he really didn't know how he was going to take care of everything alone. Sighing, he brushed back his son's bangs

He would find a way to supportive and take care of him. Even if he died trying...

Present Day

Blake counted in his head. He was doing push-ups and was currently working his way up to his 134th one. Feeling cold salty sweat roll down his face, he braced himself before lifting himself up. His muscles screamed in protest, but he leveled himself out before lowering and collapsing.

Laying his bare chest against the cold damp platform. Blake lifted himself up before putting his hands on his hips. He would be meeting with Lucas soon, and see exactly how far he was going to take this.

Strolling over to the equipment he had been looking over, the echoing sound of footsteps caused him to grab his pistol laying beside his gatherings and spin around, arched and positioned like he had been taught at the academy.

Alfred, Bruce Wayne's butler stood there, simply dressed with his hands clasped together. Feeling his heart pound in his chest, Blake relaxed his finger off the trigger and slowly lowered it, relieved and slightly annoyed. It had been a solid three weeks since he had first coming down there, and hadn't had much human contact either. Alfred warmly smiled and stepped forward.

"Excuse me Master Blake...but weren't you supposed to hand in all firearms when you turned in your badge?"

Blake shot Alfred a look before putting the pistol in the back of his shirt and shaking his head.

"I didn't turn it in, I threw it in the river...besides I've had my own person collection."

"Ah, I've heard that once or twice before."

Blake leaned against the table and crossed his arms.

"Excuse me for asking...but what are you doing here?"

Alfred looked around the large dark cave and a faint flicker of sadness showed through his eyes as he turned towards him.

"I have grown very familiar to this place, and I served Master Wayne for many years here. I have taken the time to find my own personal peace and I truly believe what he would have wanted was for me to help you in any way I can. I may be old Master Blake, but I would still like to believe I'm clever."

Blake smirked shaking his head.

"How much do you know?"

"Enough...and enough to know what I can and can't do. Are you meeting Mr. Fox soon?"

"How did you..."

"Like I said I know enough. There is much work to be done, but I have a feeling you're one of these rare souls that has the heart for such tragic work...this is a very important legacy, and I shall try my hardest as I did with Master Wayne."

Blake stared at the old man's face before shaking his head.

"Well...if you're truly serious, let's cut all this Master Blake stuff off."

"Of course, what shall I call you?"

"Joh...Robin."

Alfred raised an eyebrow.

"Robin sir?"

Blake slowly smiled before crossing his arms.

"Yeah...Robin."

Four Years Ago

It had been a very long night.

Blake walked into his dark apartment before turning and locking the door along with the dead bolt. Throwing down his gym bag, he walked into the living room and glanced out the window at the dim lights of the skyline from the city that the view looked out towards. Shuffling, he made his way down the hall and opened his bedroom door.

Lucy was curled up on their full sized bed, an outline of her body underneath the sheets he could vaguely make out in the darkness of the room. Pulling off his jacket, he tossed it on one of the chairs near the dresser and unhooked his gun-belt. Glancing over, he watched Lucy sleep before unshacking his belt and placing it on top of his dresser along with his radio and badge. Pulling his shirt off, he began to undo his pants before completely undressing down to his boxers and kicked his clothes in pile before hurling to bed. Usually he would jump in the shower after working such a long shift, but tonight he was exhausted.

Pulling back the dark silk sheet, he slipped in beside his wife and instantly his muscles sighed with relief by laying against his soft mattress. Laying back, he softly sighed before rolling over and slipping one of his hands over Lucy's side. Kissing her bare shoulder, he snuggled in close and listened to the faint sound of her breathing. Smiling, he settled in before Lucy shifted in her sleep and muttered something. Turning, she moaned before facing him. Her eyes opened faintly and she weakly smiled.

"Hey..."

"Hey..."

He said before covering his mouth with hers. The two smiled through the kiss before Blake pressed his forehead against hers.

"What time is it?"

"Late, sorry babe I had you waiting...had more paperwork than I thought.'

"It's okay..."

Lucy muttered before laying her head against his chest and closing her eyes. Reaching over behind him, Blake grabbed his alarm clock and set it. Turning back, he gathered his wife in his arms and closed his own eyes. Listening to her breathing along with the ticking of the clock, he settled back and began to drift off to a comforting darkness of sleep.

On the nightstand was a framed photograph of the two from the summer before when they were on vacation mountain climbing. Both were standing side by side smiling at the camera. This photo held a great memory for Blake. He remembered how easy he took to climbing and swinging from the lines without any nervousness or fear.

Blake remembered how Lucy teased him and said it was fitting his name was Robin, he sure knew how to fly like one.

Present Day

The meeting with Lucas Fox went better than expected. Alfred, Blake, and Fox all stood together, trying to make sense of what they had left and how exactly they would go about this. Blake listened and watched in wonder at all the projects and equipment Fox had been working on. Standing, he rubbed his chin and felt a sudden overwhelming feeling of fear and excitement. This wasn't just any responsibly...this was people's life's.

Turning, Lucas smirked.

"You sure you're ready for all of this son?"

Blake's eyes scanned all the weapons and equitment before slowly nodding.

"Yeah I think so. I'm not Batman, and I never will be...but I have to give it a try."

"Well my young friend...any ideas of what we should call you?"

Turning, Blake smirked.

"My name...Robin."

"Robin?"

"Yeah, Robin."

Lucas exchanged an amusing glance with Alfred.

"Well Robin, let's start off with getting you a suit you can be safe in...and most important, a mask."

Smirking, Robin followed.