A bad dream causes Dick to face his problem alone. Bruce and Dick finally release their lust and Damian catches Dick red handed.

Dick was sitting at the Batcomputer in utter defeat, there was little to no information on Wayne Industries and what was involved in the business. He knew he should have paid more attention to Bruce when he'd prattle on about his day at work but it was just so dull and usually sent the acrobat to sleep. Now here Dick was almost wanting to bang his head against the wall at his immaturity. He could always ask the man himself but the suspicious questions would start and Dick wasn't ready for them. Dick shut off the computer in disappointment and headed back upstairs before Alfred began to wonder where he was. The past week Dick had been on lock down, Alfred had been keeping a constricting eye on him not letting him out his sights for even a second. It was only when Alfred was asleep was Dick able to move freely, heading to the Batcave when everyone was on patrol attempting to hopefully uncover some kind of floor plan to Wayne Industries. With absolutely no luck, Dick flung himself back against the chair in annoyance. A sudden imaginary light bulb appeared above Dick's head and the acrobat let a small smile of success grace his features.

Dick crept silently down the hall heading for Bruce's office, cringing at the creaking sound the door omitted, Dick sat in Bruce's chair noting how comfortable it was. Reading the paperwork already on the man's desk he glanced to the side to find a black file marked to his luck 'Wayne Industries Vault'. Flicking through the file he noticed the pattern and realised why The Joker had specifically chosen those particular hostages. Fingerprint, retina scan, ring imprint. Voice recognition? His voice? Dick doubted it. He had nothing to do with Bruce's business. Perhaps it was Bruce himself. Dick swallowed lightly running a finger over the vault plans and bit his lip. If The Joker got his hands on this Gotham would be no more. Not wanting to think of it Dick shuffled the papers together and replaced them with their file and headed back to bed, head filled with doubt.

Dick slipped inside his room and noticed the bag sitting by his bed eyeing it with a sudden interest. The Joker had shoved it at him before his release and promised that he'd killed everything he loved if he lost it. Dick hadn't opened it yet unsure of what he might discover. He had a good idea what was inside and he finally grew up enough courage to look inside, hitching a breath his unzipped the duffle and let out a small sickened gag. Sitting lifeless was the hand that belonged to director of Wayne Industries, the executive's eye was submerged in a small glass bottle full of solution and the ring, thankfully, was fingerless and the ear was nowhere in sight, assuming the clown had taken it as some sort of sick memento. His eye caught some sort of tape recorder removing it from the bag Dick found a note stuck to it, ripping it off he turned it over and scoffed.

For your dreamboats voice

- J

Dick replaced the machine with disgust throwing the bag away. How did The Joker know how to get into Wayne Industries Vault anyway? He clearly knew what was in there and seemed confident that Dick was so desperate that he would sacrifice everything for Bruce's life. He slumped on his bed and continued to convince himself he was doing it for his family and not himself. Dick should just come clean and tell them everything. They were the Batfamily for Christ's sake. But he couldn't. He couldn't tell them that The Joker used Dick's own feelings to get what he wanted. That the crazy man controlled his actions with the one thing that made Dick happiest in the world. His family. The acrobat groaned loudly, he had to tell them. Tomorrow. He'd reveal everything to them tomorrow.

Richard woke that morning to an empty house not even Alfred was pottering around. Confused Dick headed out of his room calling the butler's name. Not finding him in the kitchen or Bruce's study he marched down to the Batcave hoping to find the older man there. To his darkest horrors, he found Damian laying in a pool of blood. Dick raced to the boy's side and cradled Damian's head in his arms, the boys Robin uniform was drenched in blood and the acrobat hesitantly called his name.

"This is your fault, Grayson." Damian managed to breath out, a small splatter of blood escaped his mouth.

"Dami." Dick shook his head as the boy went limp, his furrowed expression finally unwrinkling showing the age of the small boy before him. Dick had to glance away letting a tear escape him. Richard suddenly let out a sickened gasp, Tim was leaning up against the wall curled in on himself, head tilted down as if he was asleep. A large blood splatter splayed behind him and Dick's heart clenched in horror. Dick had to turn around but knew he had made a mistake. His whole body shook as his eyes landed on the man he had been searching for. Alfred was pale as a ghost spread out on the floor, his old frail body lying in the pool of his own blood. Dick stood, hands quaking in distress backing away until his heel hit something. Holding his breath Dick's eyes glanced behind him and he let out a choked gasp. A bullet hole was gaping through the Red helmet that Jason wore, blood still trickling down onto the ground. Dick turned to the Batcomputer and caught the sight of a familiar gloved arm and walked over. Hesitantly he turned the chair and he let out a panic-stricken sob. Batman was slumped over blood covered his features and Dick plastered his hand against his mouth as a saddened howl wracked through him. Etched deep into the man's chest was the letter 'J' and tucked inside the man's severely damaged suit was a playing card.

"Bruce?" Dick whispered, moving his hand forward caressing the man's jaw. "Please no, B-Bruce."

A noise had Dick recoiling automatically switching to a defensive position. His features hardened as the Joker appeared a few feet away, smiling like a Cheshire Cat. His arms were wide open and he was chuckling evilly at the uneasy acrobat.

"Look at what you've done." The clown spun around in glee. "This is what happens when you snitch."

"You did this?"

"No, you did." The Joker cackled, his face suddenly turned serious, his eyes widened and his body convulsed. Dick attempted to move but found himself unable, panic began to set in and watched in hopelessness as the Joker pulled out a machete and ran at him in hysterical laughter and a chilling grin.

Dick screamed, bolting up, sweat pouring off him as he threw the restraining sheets off his body.

"Grayson!" Dick jumped in fright at finding Damian a breadth from him and fell out of bed. Damian crawled and gazed down at him with a smirk. "It was a nightmare."

Richard abruptly threw himself at the boy and held him tight. Damian began to resist pushing on the man's chest.

"Grayson, what on earth do you think you're doing?"

"Shhh. Just enjoy it." Dick smiled as the boy slowed his resist and huffed in irritation. "Where are Tim and Jason?"

"I don't know, doing some fool errand probably."

"So they're alive?"

"Yes, of course." Damian rose a brow in confusion. "What's going on with you?"

"Nothing, nothing." Dick huffed in laughter. "I'm just glad you here."

"Well not for long, school is calling." Damian sighed. "I hate father sometimes."

"Where is Bruce?"

"Study." Damian managed to slip away from Dick's hold and watched the man carefully. "Pennyworth should be in the kitchen, perhaps you should ask for him to make you some tea. You seem a bit uneasy."

Dick smiled at the butler's mention and nodded waving at the boy as he disappeared from sight. The acrobat glanced to the side noticing the black duffle bag and sighed. He had to this alone. He wasn't going to risk it, The Joker seemed to know everything he did despite removing the tracker device from his body. If he wasn't safe, Bruce sure as hell wasn't. A flash on Bruce's marked body came as quickly as it went and Dick rubbed his eyes attempting to rid his thoughts of the horrible vision. Not bothering to shove a shirt on Dick lazily headed to Bruce's study, knocking lightly he waited for the rough low voice to beckon him in and pushed the door ajar, slipping through the gap. Sitting with purpose in his office chair Bruce glanced up to find Dick, not only shirtless showing the slow fading bruises but smiling almost joyfully at him.

"Dick, can I help you?"

"No." Dick strolled over, leaning against the desk watching those blue serious orbs as they showed very little emotion. Those eyes that could challenge even the devils. The eyes that were lifeless not moments ago. Dick scolded himself internally and furrowed his brow.

"Are you okay?" Bruce noticed the change on Dick's features and stood up standing in front the acrobat. He lightly touched the man's arm and spoke. "What's going on?"

"I had a nightmare, that's all." Dick shrugged. "I know it's not real."

"What happened?"

"You died. Everyone was dead." Dick clutched at himself, smiling weakly. Bruce gently placed his fingers on the man's chin and tilted it upwards, eyes connecting, one hundred percent concentration on each other.

"I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

Dick huffed, smirking a little. "Not for a lack of trying."

Bruce let out a huff chuckle, a small smile spread over the man's face. Their relationship had always been a strange one. Always straining for something neither of them knew. A force that seemed to bring the two together. Dick noticed Bruce flicking his eyes over his body and the acrobat couldn't help but warm to the man's roaming stares. Bruce wasn't sure what came over him, probably the countless nights on patrol the urges and the muscled body in front him but when he leant forward and took the acrobats lips with his own he felt a rare sweep of loving feeling race through his body and forcefully pushed Dick onto his desk, ignoring the business papers as they fluttered to the floor.

When Bruce woke next he was, of course, naked and sweaty. Beside him sleeping peacefully was Dick, handsome as ever. His body was still a little bruised from his ordeal but that didn't seem to have stopped him. Bruce recalled the events that just followed and realised what he had done. What they had done. Dick was his son, adoptive son and he had just violated him on several different surfaces. The dirty part of Bruce loved every part of it, Dick's expressions, roaming hands, his frenzied voice. He knew Dick enjoyed it too, Bruce had wondered if perhaps Dick had been waiting for this for some time. Bruce watched in awe as the acrobat flittered his eyes open letting a great big grin spread of his features.

"Hi."

Bruce gently caressed the man's jaw and pecked Dick on the lips. Dick moaned slightly as Bruce pulled away falling back to stretch his healing body. Bruce watched the man in lustful hunger, all the self-control he had built up for the past four years or so faded almost immediately. Bruce covered Dick with his body and smirked down at him. Dick grinned before reality hit him like a brick wall. This was everything he wanted and more but The Joker's threat still hung heavy in the air. He only had a few days left before all hell broke loose. Maybe he could tell Bruce, he'd understand. The Joker's hysterical face flashed in Dick's mind and Dick had to close his eyes to remove the image from his brain. No, he couldn't tell him. It was just a dream but it felt so real. Dick knew what the clown was capable of and he wasn't willing to sacrifice his family. He couldn't live with himself if something happened to them. Tonight he'd execute what he'd been planning for just under a week. He had everything he needed. Glancing to the side where the recorder was placed the red dot blinking, telling Dick it was on. Bruce had voiced himself more than once earlier and Dick hoped it was enough. Dick hitched a breath as Bruce disappeared under the sheets removing all past and future thoughts. The dream now a distant memory the acrobat could enjoy the last day he'd be welcome in this house. Richard gasped as a finger probed inside and his head fuzzed over, all judgment disappearing as pleasure took over.

Dick woke twisting around to find an empty space next to him. He sighed and let his hands clutch at the sheets where Bruce had laid. It was cold, empty. Dick closed his eyes for a moment savouring in the memory of Bruce before everything went to shit. He untangled himself from Bruce's sheets and pulled his pants on before returning to his own room. Quickly changing into darker clothing Dick checked in on Alfred to find him snoozing peacefully. Whispering a heartfelt sorry Dick left the manor not daring to wake Alfred with his motorcycle he fled on foot. As he ran the acrobat began to doubt, doubting his skills when he shouldn't. He was Nightwing with or without the costume. Hitting the main road Dick looked up seeing Wayne Industries in the distance gulping in anticipation and shaking his hands, he took off.

Standing on top of Wayne Industries was always a feat with an amazing view that came with it. The view, however, wasn't something Dick was here for. Tying the rope tighter against his waist. Dick had taken a few things from the Batcave before he left and hoped Bruce wouldn't notice. Glancing over the side of the building Dick smiled, the height reminded him of the circus, he wasn't afraid of heights, he loved them. Casually dropping off the side of the building Dick stopped himself a few windows down, feet pressed firmly against the glass. He counted to ten before smashing the glass with a forceful kick. He was too far up for anyone to hear and knew going down would be easier than going up. Heading to the fire escape stairs Dick flipped and spun down them stopping at the door he needed. The acrobat plastered himself against the wall until he heard the guard walk past. Right on time, opening the door and slipping through he watched the guard turn the corner and Dick gained confidence as he ran in the opposite direction. Skidding to a stop Dick found the room he was searching for. To the left of the entrance was the vault. It was bigger than he expected and quite impressive. Not wanting to dawdle Dick walked over to the keypad, removing the duffle bag and began the progress to enter the vault. Going through the stages til it hit voice recognition Dick frantically rummage through the bag unable to find the recorder he had left on the dresser. A sudden realisation hit him and he saw sure he hadn't seen it when he left Bruce's room. Which meant Bruce knew. Which meant Batman would be here soon. After two minutes of inactivity, the alarm would go off and Dick had been inactive for a minute thirty. Rushing to grab his things the acrobat didn't notice the other presence in the room. Only acknowledging the person when something flew past his head glancing up to find a Batarang sticking into the wall. Dick took a breath and faced the boy spot on.

"Looking for this?"

"Robin." Dick furrowed his brow seeing the tape recorder in the boy's hand, waving it at him in mock.

"I can't let you do this Grayson."

"Give me the recorder Robin."

Damian merely shrugged throwing it to the acrobat who eyed the boy in suspicion to his easy surrender. He quickly clicked it open and sighed.

"Where's the tape?"

"I'm not as big a fool as you think I am."

"Where's the tape?" Dick asked again.

"I took it."

"FREEZE."

Dick and Robin turned to find two security guards pointing guns at the two of them. Despite having his Nightwing uniform locked away until he was fully recovered Dick had managed to find his secondary mask and had put it on in the case of a situation like this one.

"Hands in the air now!" One exclaimed, his gun shaking lightly in his hand. Robin smirked, rolling his eyes.

"Robin you need to leave," Dick commented, inching closer to the window.

"Stop moving! I'll- I'll shoot."

"Robin." Dick strained, "Move."

Damian was so unimpressed, the security his father hired was nothing more than a few police Academy kids. He was confused with Dick's change in attitude and furrowed his brow. Robin stood his ground, converting to a fighting stance and stared the two down.

Dick's eyes were wide with worry, what was Damian doing? He knew what the boy was thinking, he had thought the same when he was staking out. But these men were more than just police cadets, they were fearful yes, but they would fire on demand. Dick had seen that first hand and wondered why Bruce would hire such careless guards. The two guns were aimed at Robin now and Dick began to involuntarily move towards the boy. In a split second, Robin pounced towards them and Dick shouted an ear-splitting 'No' leaping towards the boy wonder. Two guns shots rang through the air and Damian froze turning to see Dick falling out the shattered window.