Christmas was around the corner, and Seaside Elementary was in the spirit. Drawings of stockings, Christmas trees, elves, and many Santa Clauses had been churned out by the art classes. The older kids wrote poems, parodies of 'Twas the Night before Christmas', while the little students wrote letters to Santa.

The fourth grade class was in the limbo. They were too young to be part of the Christmas pageant where the fifth and sixth graders did a manger scene, but most of the students considered themselves too old to write letter to Santa. Except one.

It was his first Christmas, so he was excited to write his letter. His Bubby said he would help him send it when he got to the cave. So, while the other students in his class broodily jotted down a toy or two while the teacher let them watch a Muppet Christmas Carol, Dick had his pencil to paper and even looked up. He knew exactly what he was going to ask for.

'Dear Santa,'

'Hi, how has your year been? Are the reindeer's okay? Please tell Rudolph that he shouldn't be sad that he got picked on. I got picked on too, and now I'm happy! This is going to be the first Christmas I can celebrate, since Master Slade didn't like it, so I'm really excited! Daddy took me to see you at the mall, that line was really long! Mommy and I went caroling, and Toby and I built a bunch of snowmen! Skylar built a snow woman. I don't really have a lot I want to ask for though. Uncle Ollie and Daddy and Uncle Bruce got me lots of toys when they rescued me, so I really don't need a lot of toys. I'm sorry if you already have any gifts to give me—but can you do something else? There's a bunch of kids right now who have to leave where they live. Santa, can you give all my gifts to the refugees? If so, give them a bunch of good stuff! They need a reason to smile!'

He paused, tapping his eraser against his chin, before scratching out another message.

'Actually, there is one thing I want. I really want a puppy. Toby has a big puppy, he says that he got Jaxon from a shelter place that helped puppies who had mean owners and helped them get better and then found happy homes for them. If I could get a puppy, I'd want a dog from someplace like that. I want to help someone like me.'

'Now, I know what my brothers and sisters want. They're too old to write letters. Roy said that his letter would wind up getting there late, since all the little kid's letters get to go to the North Pole first. But Roy really wants that new X-34 compound bow we saw in a sports store. And Megan really, really wants a box set of "Hello, Megan". Kaldur should get a box set of the Hobbit movies. Artemis needs a new laptop since the mean bullies broke hers. Wally wants those new running shoes, they're blue and have bright red laces I think. Connor, really, really wants Uncle Clark to pay him some attention. I know what it feels like to be ignored, and Uncle Clark won't listen to Daddy or even Uncle Bruce! Maybe he would listen to you though? But if he doesn't, Connor also wants a new set of football cleats. These ones have big fancy ziggity-zags all over them.'

Dickie looked at the clock, he had ten minutes. His eyes rested n Kelly's mousy brown hair. It was braided back today, she waved slightly as she turned around, a blush burning against his cheeks as he smiled back.

"Dude, you sooo have a crush on her." Austin elbowed him in the side, whispering in Dick's ear. Dickie pushed Austin off, scowling as Austin ruffled his teal hair.

"Knock it off Austin." He whispered, Toby pocking him in the armpit.

"You do though!" He whisper shouted to the teal haired boy sitting on Dick's left. "He told me."

Austin laughed, Dick kicking Toby in the shin.

'Toby really should get a pile of coal, but he's my best friend—so you can give him his presents. Austin, well—Austin needs a new pair of basketball shoes. Kelly wants an Indiana Jones hat and a bull whip. I don't think her parents let her but that in her letter, but I'll ask for her.'

'Thank you Santa, my Mommy makes the best cookies—but if you have any peanut allergies tell me. Her cookies have peanut butter in them. Remember to wear a coat! Merry Christmas!'

He paused, both of his friends reading over his shoulder.

"So? Sign it." Austin nudged.

"How?"

"What'd mean how?" Toby shrugged. "With your name."

"But do I sign it Grayson, or Jordan?"

This stumped both boys. Dick always signed Jordan on his school papers. Because he was in the system as Jordan, but was he is Santa's system as Jordan? What if Santa couldn't find him if he signed the wrong name? Then all those kids couldn't get gifts and his brothers and sisters wouldn't either!

"I got it!" The teacher sent Austin a look, and he whispered the next phrase. "Use both! Grayson-Jordan! Like I'm Lake-Andrews, since my mom didn't want to take my step-dad's name."

"Good idea, Lake. It's a first." Toby laughed as Dick signed his name. Dick Grayson-Jordan.

Breakline

"Wally!" Dick thrust the paper into the ginger's hand, before grabbing his free one. "Come on, we gotta send it!"

"Woah kid, calm down." Wally was dragged through the cave, to find a stamp and an envelope. Both which Kaldur supplied.

After filling out the address and licking the stamp the letter was sealed inside. Dick thanked them both cheerily.

"Thanks Bubby!" He tore off, alternating between singing 'Jingle Bells' and calling for Megan to mail the letter.

"Did you read it?" Kaldur asked.

"Yeah, sped read." Wally nodded. "It was really cute, asked for all his presents to be given to kids who didn't have homes. He even asked for the stuff we wanted!"

"What did he ask for though?" Connor inquired.

A smirk overtook Wally. "Come on, there's a no-kill shelter in Happy Harbor—right?"

The clone nodded. "Robert's Friends for Life."

"Sweet, come on. Let's get him a puppy."

Breakline

The tree was huge, thousands of lights covered it. Crystal balls hanging from the branches. Dick liked Christmas. Alfie seemed to never run out of hot chocolate, and Jason kept the Christmas music playlist very cool.

"Jingle Bells, Avengers smell—Hawkeye can't shoot straight! Iron suit can't do boot and Loki got away—"

"HEY!" Dick cried, chasing after Jason—with his shield of course. Jason cackling, clutching Dick's Captain America helmet as he ran. "Give me back my hat! Tony! Star-Lord took my hat!"

The adults watched in amusement as Wally then started chasing after Jason. Wayne Manor had become the hosting place for any holiday. Bruce had no say in it, Alfred declared it.

As Dickie became distracted with Jason and his antics, the talk turned toward presents. There was an overflow under the tree. Most for Dick. A new bike, skateboard, a bunch of CDs, new action figures, a basketball, a Lego Death Star, candy, board games and to top it off—Bruce had a German Shepard waiting in a spare room. Basically, it was a competition between Hal, Ollie and Bruce to see who could get him the best gift.

Hal had dropped out early, as soon as Ollie declared:

"Well, I got him an Apple Watch."

"Nope." The Lantern sunk into the couch, Carol patting his leg. "Best thing I got him was a new IPod."

"I got him a dog."

"Xbox."

"Holo-watch."

This banter continued for a while. Bruce letting Ollie humor himself, he won. There was a very special guest coming.

After the kids had been rounded up. AKA, Tim was dug out from inside the snowman Damian had trapped him in, Artemis and Megan were pulled away from a make-up conversation with Selina in her room, Connor and Wolf agreed to let Jason out of the tree they trapped him under, and Wally was pried away from the fridge.

Wrapping paper covered the floor. Ollie smirking every time Dick gave him a hug.

A tiny gasp filled the air, the adult looking after Dickie, wondering what he could've opened. But the team knew. Dickie turned around, a small black and white Husky sitting in his lap.

"Thank you!" He smiled, hugging the doggie. The pup barked at the guests, scrambling down off the child's lap and hobbling around. On three legs.

"So what's his name?" Hal asked, surprised. Now he would have two dogs!

Dick tapped his little chin in thought, before snapping his fingers. "Cowboy! See, he's got a bandanna."

As the little boy turned back to opening his gifts, and passing other people's gifts out, Terry discretely left. To go get the other dog Bruce figured.

So Dick was sitting amongst a pile of wrapping paper, a puppy tugging on a bow stuck to his shoe, and a huge dog resting its head in his lap. Ace and Cowboy.

As the night drew on, the adults were nursing mugs of coffee. While the teens chased a 'scepter' wielding Damian, who had drawn the shortest straw this time. Being Loki was dangerous, and tiring.

"Brother no!" A Terry wearing a blonde wig and holding a hammer cried as Damian fled up the stairs. "Come here Brother, let me love you!"

"You are no brother of mine!" He shouted, meaning at as Loki and literally. He fled through the bedroom hallways, the others splitting up to find him.

Soon, the real son of Batman had snuck away from them, creeping down the stairs.

"THERE HE IS!"

"GordonCold this Joker Venoming Riddler." He hissed, flying down the stairs as he heard the footsteps of many closing in on him.

Reaching the front hall, he cried out in relief.

"Thank the Gods!" He thrust the broom to the new guest's hand. Flopping to the floor. "Act like you've bested me in battle or something, I can't do this Riddler anymore." And he faked unconsciousness.

As the troupe of 'Avengers' and other Marvel heroes came to a halt in the front hall they gazed upon a dead Damian—and nine famous figures. One holding Damian's 'scepter'. Dick's eyes were widest of them all, he stuttered for a second. Uncle Bruce smiling at him.

"Merry Christmas Dickie." He said. Uncle Ollie muttering and scowling.

"Should'a thought if this myself." He kicked at the ground.

An elated cry lifted from the young boy. "I love Christmas!" He shouted as he hugged the legs of his idol.

AN) Ta-da! Anyone guess who those nine figures were? I'll probably put up a second part of Christmas if you want. Peace out!