A/N: Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter up. I've had a three day migraine which completely slows the editing process and makes me a cranky so and so. Thanks to all the epic peeps who commented on the last chapter, sending good karma and virtual cookies your way. :)

oOo

"I'm bored!" Wally complained loudly.

"Shhhhhh!" hissed Artemis in annoyance, her eyes riveted to the TV screen.

Wally rolled his eyes as some blond male-model type flexed his muscles. Why were they even watching this crap anyway?

"There has to be something better on," he muttered, reaching for the remote.

"Don't even think about it!" Artemis smacked his hand.

"Oh come on! You can't tell me you're actually enjoying this?"

"Would I be watching it if I wasn't?"

"With you, who can tell?"

She narrowed her eyes at him.

The man on screen began to wring his hands and music boomed for dramatic emphasis. Wally gnashed his teeth. He hated soap operas. But it was when the blond Adonis started to sob that he finally snapped. "That's it! We're changing channels!"

He snatched the remote off the coffee table and quickly switched to a sports channel. A football game appeared on screen. "Ahhhh, much better."

"Change it back!" demanded Artemis furiously, grabbing at the remote.

He leaned away from her, holding the remote in the air. "No way! No one else wants to watch that crap!"

"Oh and football is a fair compromise?" she snapped, wrestling with Wally on the couch as they fought for control of the remote.

"Beats soap-opera central!"

"According to you!"

"According to anyone who's normal!"

"Normal doesn't apply to you, Baywatch!"

"Maybe we should watch something that everyone will enjoy?" the calm voice of Kaldur interrupted their bickering.

They stopped mid-wrestle to look at the older teenager sitting quietly on the other couch. Superboy sat beside him, arms crossed and face twisted in a scowl. Even M'gann was watching them with raised eyebrows from where she lay on the floor, her head propped on her hands.

Wally sighed. "Fine. Just so long as it's not some pretty boy crying!"

Artemis seized the remote. "And no football!"

Wally squinted at her. "You know, you actually like football. You just don't want to watch it because I do."

"Like that makes any sense," she retorted, flicking through the channels.

"Hey, you're the one who–wait! Stop!"

"What?"

"Go back!" he said urgently, his eyes on the TV screen.

"We're not putting on football!"

"It's not football!" He grabbed the remote and flicked back through the channels.

She punched him in the arm. "You're such a control freak!"

He ignored her as he found the news channel he was looking for; the one Artemis had landed on briefly while flicking through the channels, the one with Dick Grayson's picture on the screen.

"...no word yet on a possible ransom demand," the announcer was saying. The picture changed to a group of rioters setting fire to a parked car. "In other news, Bialyan freedom fighters have..."

No! What happened? Wally thought, frantically flipping through other news channels to find out more. A picture of Dick appeared on the Channel Five News and he stopped.

"Wally, what's wrong?" M'gann asked.

"Shhhhh!" he flapped his hands at her, listening to the newscaster.

"Gotham City was shocked last night by the violent kidnapping of Dick Grayson, ward of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Mr. Wayne and his ward were attacked outside Wayne Enterprises by a group of unknown men who abducted the boy and beat Mr. Wayne. Gotham City Police Department are refusing to comment on whether or not a ransom demand has yet been made. In local news…"

Wally stared, stunned, at the screen. His heart was racing. Dick had been kidnapped?! Why had no one told him?!

"Wally!" Artemis poked him hard and he looked at her. Her irritation with him had disappeared and she was now staring at him in concern. "Are you okay?"

Wally didn't answer. He was most definitely not okay. His best friend had been kidnapped and he had to find out about it on a news report?!

"Wally, what's going on? Do you know that boy?" M'gann asked.

They were all watching him expectantly, waiting for an explanation…but he couldn't give them one. Sometimes, it really sucked being the only one on the team who knew Robin's real identity.

He was saved from having to answer by Superman's voice sounding over the comm. link. "Team, report for mission debrief."

They looked at one another, surprise evident on everyone's face except Wally's.

"Where's Batman?" M'gann wanted to know.

Artemis shrugged and Kaldur shook his head, frowning. Wally remained silent, his heart still racing. He wondered if Superman had any word on Dick. He'd better have, otherwise to hell with the mission, Wally was going to Gotham!

He was jerked out of his thoughts by the sound of the team responding to Superman's command. Wally trailed after them, his thoughts troubled.

He was joined by Artemis who lagged behind to talk with him. "What's up with you?" she demanded. "Why are you so bothered by the kidnapping of some rich kid in Gotham?"

"He is not just–" Wally caught himself. "I don't...he's not...its...I just don't like kidnappers, alright!"

Artemis looked at him like he was insane.

"Just drop it, okay?" he muttered.

She was still looking at him strangely as they trooped into mission control to find Superman and Flash deep in conversation with Red Tornado. Wally knew at once by their serious expressions that they were talking about the kidnapping. He tried to catch his uncle's eye but Flash ignored him.

"You have an assignment for us, Superman?" Kaldur enquired.

"Yes." The man of steel raised an image of a large building on the holographic computer. "This is Branthrope Incorporated, located in Gotham City. It's a chemical research facility that Batman suspects of having ties to some dangerous mercenaries; they may be developing a chemical weapon for them. Your job is to stake out the facility and discover what you can about the company's dealings, especially the company director, Branston Daniels."

"Gotham City?" Artemis sounded unhappy. "Isn't Batman a little weird about other crime fighters invading his turf?"

Superman didn't look at them. "You are being assigned to this at Batman's request."

"Why isn't Batman handling this himself?" Superboy wanted to know.

"Batman is occupied elsewhere."

"What about Robin?" asked Kaldur. "This sounds like a mission where we could really use his hacking skills."

None of the adults were looking at them now. "Robin is busy with Batman," Superman answered.

Yeah, he's busy alright, Wally thought angrily, busy being kidnapped!

He was furious with his uncle for not telling him about this. And he had a feeling that there was more to this assignment than they were letting on; it was too much of a coincidence that they were being given a mission in Gotham just after Dick had been kidnapped. "Any particular reason Batman suspects this company of building a chemical weapon?"

The team looked around in surprise. No one ever questioned Batman's suspicions. He was Batman; if he had his suspicions that was reason enough.

His uncle gave him a sharp look. "He didn't say."

"Right."

Superman frowned at him before addressing the team. "This is a covert, recon mission only. Under no circumstances are you to reveal your presence. I can't go into the details, but there could be some serious consequences if you're seen. Please remember that and contact the League if anything of importance comes up." The holographic image disappeared. "Any questions?"

The only response was silence.

"Good. Suit up and be ready to leave ASAP."

Superman and Red Tornado retreated to another part of the cave while Flash remained behind and fixed his eyes on his nephew. "Uh, Wally, can I have a quick word?"

"About?" The speedster was scowling at his uncle with his arms crossed. Tension hung in the air and the team glanced uncertainly between Wally and Flash.

"He'll be along in a minute," Flash told them. "Just some family stuff." He waited until the teenagers were out of the room before turning to Wally. "I take it you've heard?"

"Yeah, on the freaking news!" Wally exploded. "What the hell?! How could you not tell me about this?! He's my best friend!"

"Shhhh!" Flash gestured at him to be quiet. "I only just found out about it. The kidnapping happened late yesterday evening and the only person Bruce called was Clark."

"Has there been any word?" he asked anxiously.

"The ransom call was made this morning, eighty million dollars. Bruce has forty-eight hours to get the money together."

"Eighty million?! Are they for real?" To Wally, it was an astronomical sum. "What about Dick? Did Bruce talk to him? Is he alright?"

"Bruce spoke with him."

Something in the way his uncle answered him made Wally narrow his eyes. "But is he alright?"

Flash couldn't look at him. "Bruce thinks they might be drugging him."

"And?" Wally knew his uncle; Barry was as lousy at hiding things as he was.

"They may have hurt him as an incentive to make sure Bruce pays the ransom."

"May have?! What do you mean may have?!"

"I don't know. Bruce heard Dick cry out and then the call ended."

"I don't believe this!" Wally grabbed fistfuls of hair in a panicked gesture. "Have the League found out anything about the kidnappers?"

"They're not looking, they–"

"Not looking?!" Wally interrupted furiously, his voice getting louder. "What do you mean they're not looking? This is Dick we're talking about!"

"Wally, keep it down! That's exactly the point, its Dick we're talking about, not Robin! You know the League can't get involved in something like this."

"Why not?!"

"Kidnappings are not considered a League responsibility. We get involved in this and it could raise some very uncomfortable questions. And it only takes one wrong question for people to start looking a little too closely at the links between Batman and Bruce Wayne."

Wally could feel anger rankle at him. "Screw Batman and his secret identity! Why is it always about the mission with him! What about Dick? Isn't he important?"

"You think this is about the mission? Oh, Wally."

There was something in his uncle's tone that he didn't understand. "Then what is it about?"

Flash studied him carefully. "Wally, have you ever wondered why Batman and Robin's identities are so well-guarded, even amongst League members?"

"Yeah, because Batman doesn't trust anyone!"

"No– well, yes, Batman doesn't trust anyone. But that's not the only reason half the League don't know who Batman really is, or why he won't let Robin tell the rest of the team his real name."

Wally snorted. What other reason was there except for Bat paranoia?

Flash responded to his sceptical expression. "As a crime fighter the fewer people who know your real name, the less likely you are to be unmasked–"

"I know that! It still doesn't explain why Batman doesn't trust the League or the rest of the team, its not like they're going to tell anyone!"

"Maybe not on purpose but accidents happen, things slip out. And there are other ways of getting things out of people…Batman's just not willing to take that chance."

"Why not? The rest of the League are okay with it."

"And did you ever ask yourself why that is? Wally, who has the most to lose by having their identity revealed?"

The teenager stared at him blankly.

Flash sighed. "Think about it, Wally. Most of the League aren't even from earth, having their identities revealed isn't such a big deal to them; they don't have anything to lose here. And for those of us who do, we're just ordinary civilians who would probably find it a lot easier to disappear than one of the richest and most high-profile men in the world. How many people do you know who haven't heard of Bruce Wayne, or who wouldn't recognise him in a second?"

"None," Wally admitted.

"Exactly, none. All it would take is for one wrong person to discover the truth and there would be nowhere for Batman or Bruce to hide. And who do the criminal underworld consider to be Batman's biggest weakness?"

"Robin," Wally whispered, beginning to understand.

Flash nodded. "Could you imagine if they knew Robin's real identity? Dick Grayson, the most important person to both Batman and Bruce Wayne? Just think what the bounty on his head would be - he'd never be safe again! Wally, the biggest reason Batman insists on secrecy isn't for the mission, its for Dick."

Wally stared at his uncle, unable to believe he was hearing this. He knew Bruce cared about Dick; he just thought he cared about the mission more. "But isn't he afraid the kidnappers might kill Dick once they get the money? Why doesn't he have the League look for him?"

"The League are too well known, someone might see them and ask too many of the wrong questions; Bruce won't risk it. Wally, I know he might act like it but Batman isn't made of stone. You think he isn't doing anything to find Dick? Why else would the team suddenly have a mission in Gotham?"

"I knew that was too much of a coincidence! Does he think this Daniels' guy kidnapped Dick?"

"He suspects he may have hired mercenaries to do it. Wally, I'm telling you this because you need to keep your head in the game. I know you're worried about Dick, but you need to pull it together or the team are going to suspect that something is up."

Wally's heart sank; he sucked at hiding things. But his best friend was counting on him.

Sighing, he nodded.

Flash clapped a hand to his shoulder. "Atta boy."

oOo

A knock sounded at the study door. "Come in," Bruce called, without turning from where he was sitting in the chair behind his desk, staring out the window.

The door opened. "It's done," he heard Clark's voice. "The team deployed an hour ago."

Bruce nodded. He strongly suspected Daniels as having a role in Dick's kidnapping. Aside from the use of mercenaries, the ransom demand had been unusually high; enough so that Daniels could pay the mercenaries and still develop his weapon without financial backing from Wayne Enterprises.

But the weapon was a problem that Bruce – or Batman – could deal with later; right now his only concern was getting Dick back. He hoped the team would be able to find something on their reconnaissance mission at Branthrope that might lead them to Dick. He didn't want to wait another forty hours just to hear from the kidnappers, and then potentially several more just to get his son back. He wanted Dick home now.

Clark came around the desk and leaned against the edge, crossing his arms. "You should get some sleep, Bruce, you've been up all night."

He shook his head. "I can sleep when Dick is home safe."

"So you plan on staying awake for the next two days? You know, three days without sleep is too much even for you. And I don't see how you sitting here brooding is helping Dick."

He ignored him and Clark sighed. "You couldn't have done anything, Bruce."

"Yes I could. I'm Batman; I could have taken those men down in three minutes. But I didn't even try; I just let them take him."

"Questions would have been asked if you had taken down five armed mercenaries, six if you count the driver."

"But Dick would be here. He would be safe instead of God-knows-where with a bunch of dangerous men who have absolutely no qualms about hurting him!"

"And you think he'd be safe if you were exposed as Batman? Or him as Robin?"

Bruce scowled. He knew Clark was right, knew it even as he argued against his own inaction, but he still blamed himself. He was responsible for this. He clasped his hands in front of his mouth and stared out the window. "You know, I often wonder if I did the right thing by Dick when I took him in."

"Bruce, how can you say that? You gave him a home, became a father to him! Not to mention the future you can offer him. If you hadn't taken him in, he would have become a ward of the state. What future do you think he would have had then?"

"But he would have been safe," said Bruce softly. "By making him my ward, I've made Dick a target for every two-bit hood who thinks they can earn easy money by kidnapping him. I've put him in the path of men who think nothing of hurting or terrorising a thirteen-year-old boy just to make me pay up."

"And you think he would be better off without someone who cares about him? Somehow, I doubt Dick would agree."

Bruce's expression was troubled. "Except Dick doesn't realise just how much he matters to me, he thinks I put the mission above everything…even him."

Clark shook his head. "He doesn't think that, Bruce."

Bruce responded by swivelling his chair back around to face the desk and tapped out something on his computer. The screen flickered to life, revealing a still of Robin and Black Canary in a room at Mount Justice. He hit another button and the clip began to play.

Robin was hunched over, speaking in soft tones. "I always wanted…expected t-to grow up and…and become him. And the hero bit? I'm still all in. But that thing, inside of him...the thing t-that…that drives him to sacrifice everything for the sake of his mission…that's not me. I…I don't wanna be The Batman anymore."***

Bruce paused the clip and looked up at Clark who was staring dumbstruck at the computer. "Bruce, where...how did you get that? Those counselling sessions were supposed to be confidential! How could you invade his privacy like that!"

"I know I shouldn't have, but I was concerned. Dick seemed so shut down and I couldn't get him to talk to me. Now I understand why; he thinks the mission matters more to me than he does."

"He doesn't think that–"

"You heard him, Clark. He thinks I would sacrifice everything for the sake of the mission. But I wouldn't. Not him. I would never sacrifice him."

"I know that, Bruce," Clark said gently.

"But Dick doesn't! He was afraid to talk to me because he didn't want me to find out that he doesn't want to be Batman anymore. He thinks I've been grooming Robin to take my place when everything I've done has been to stop him turning out like me!" Bruce put a hand to his head. "Clark, I'm afraid that Dick thinks his only worth to me is as Robin, and I've failed him somewhere if he thinks that."

Clark put a hand on Bruce's shoulder. "Dick knows you care about him."

Bruce looked at him. "Are you sure about that? I've never given him any reason to believe otherwise. Almost everything we do together is structured around Batman and Robin. And even when it's not, I'm using it as a lesson! Take last night; I thought Dick could learn some fighting manoeuvres from the Ultimate Fight Night, but when he wanted to go for pizza afterwards I said no because Batman had somewhere to be!" He buried his face in his hands. "I even told him to pare down his fighting when we were attacked! What kind of a father tells his son not to defend himself so well?"

"One who would do anything to protect him," said Clark firmly. "You didn't want those men to suspect that Dick might be anything other than an ordinary teenager. Everything you do, you do to protect that boy! And I'm not going to listen to you doubt yourself any longer. Bruce, the training exercise with Manhunter has rattled Dick, but not so much that he would doubt how much you love him! And if you think Dick doesn't know that, then all you have to do is tell him when you get him back."

The billionaire's expression was haunted when he looked up. "But that's just it, Clark, there's something about these men that I don't trust...I'm afraid that I won't get Dick back."

A/N: *** Clip taken from the episode Disordered.