Chapter Four

Previously

"Yours is on the left." She said abruptly. She input a code an d the door swung open. The room only had a nightstand, one dim lantern, and a incredibly massive bed. Dick stopped his whistling and grinned.

"At least you Al Ghul's know how to sleep." he said as walked in and set his drink down. He removed the top half of his costume and stretched out a bit. He turned and saw Talia watching him and he couldn't help but laugh a bit. Wally always said he was a dog.

"Not really a boy, eh?" He grinned a little bit more. Talia matched his grin with a sultry look of her own. she walked slowly towards him, emphasizing each step with a small swing of her hips until she stood right in front of Dick. She took the hand not holding the drink and ran it up his chest, tracing small circles. She leaned closer.

"No not a boy..." She whispered and then planted her hand firmly on Dick's chest and brought her foot around, tripping him as she pushed him so he hit the ground unprepared. Dick cursed as Talia walked towards the door chuckling. She turned at the door and grinned at Dick.

"A child...but one with a man's body." She said and closed his door. Dick stared at the door for a few seconds with only one thought

"Bloody hell."

Present

Dick awoke from his sleep suddenly, jumping up and breathing heavy. For the first time since his freaking pre-teen years he had a nightmare. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed as he calmed down, his breathing returning to normal. The dream had consisted of Ra's guiding Dick down a path and at the end Dick could see two doors. Ra's was talking the whole time but Dick only caught pieces as a sound from behind them was overpowering everything else. When Dick turned to see, He saw a multitude of tiny shapes running to catch up to the two of them but one shape in particular stood out, how could it not with the billowing cape almost covering the night and the sound of wings rustling. Bat wings. Bruce. Dick had known it was him and upon awaking Dick had an uneasy sense that Bruce on his way back. But that would be impossible, with the trail going on, Dick still had time to break free from Ra's and fix what ever damage was caused. He had to. Bruce would never forgive him otherwise. Dick rolled out of bed and found his uniform missing. In it's place was a black leather jumpsuit like the one Talia had been wearing complete with a utility belt and scaled down combat boots. There was no mask but Dick had been expecting that in all honesty. He got dressed, trying to ignore the fact that somehow Ra's had this thing perfectly fitted to Dick, and walked out the door where Talia was waiting.

"At least you wake up at a somewhat reasonable time. Let's go child." She said quickly and turned on her heel. Dick frowned and caught up.

"Child? Really? I do have a name you know." Dick said annoyed. Talia rolled her eyes as they arrived at the elevator.

"Not to me. You may have fathers respect but you have yet to earn mine yet child." She said the last word with definite extra mocking. Dick just shook his head and Talia in put some numbers into the elevator, setting it in motion. The two were quiet as the elevator moved up until Dick broke the silence.

"So where exactly are we going?" Dick asked. Talia didn't even spare him a glance as she answered.

"To test you." she said as the elevator doors opened. A small hallway opened up into what looked like a updated dojo of sorts. With the floor being padded and every melee weapon imaginable lining the walls. There was a single chair set up where Ra's was sitting, though he stood up when the two entered. Talia brushed past with a quick curtesy of sorts and Dick was ready to flat out ignore him but Ra's stopped him.

"This test is not my doing but my daughter's. These men are all hers and share the same disdain for your skills that she does. Show them you not some poor shadow of the Dectevtive." Ra's said as he sat back down in his chair. There were five men, all looked like they could deal some serious damage in a fight but Dick wasn't worried. In fact he was happy. He got to hit something. Dick stepped into the makeshift arena and took a deep breath closing his eyes. Dick knew the attack was coming before he even heard the man move. Dick dropped forward, crouching his legs slightly, as the man's swing flew threw empty air. then Dick simply straightened his legs. With an extreme amount of force. The man went flying out of the matted area and skidded for a few feet before coming to a stop completely dazed. Dick stood up and Ra's laughed. Dick's eyes were still closed. Dick opened his eyes to see the the other four encircling him. Now though there was much more caution as the disdain Ra's had mentioned seemed to be replaced by a healthy respect for the unknown. Dick glanced at Talia and managed to see a glimpse of surprise on her face. Then Dick was moving. He poured all his frustration over this whole damn situation, over failing his team, over failing bruce, into his body and let it energize him. He flew at the first man and grabbed his head, using it to soften his landing and knocking the man unconscious. Dick moved to the side slightly dodging a vicious kick directed at him then grabbing the offending leg and bringing his elbow down on the knee which elicited a very loud crack. Dick pushed the ruined leg up, causing the man to yell in pain, and moved onto his next opponent who had taken a more defensive approach. He then feinted a jab with his right hand then delivered a powerful kick to the man's chest causing him to stumble back and catch his breath. Closing the distance quickly Dick's foot connected with the man's face and sent him tumbling to the ground. Dick rounded on the last man and had to stop mid-swing. The man was on his knees, hands up in submission. The whole fight had taken six seconds. Dick reigned himself back in and stood up straight, he saw Ra's smiling contently. Talia on the other hand was a different matter as the fury was evident on her face. Dick then looked over at the man who was still bowing.

"He has acknowledged your superiority." Ra's said as he stood and made his way to the man.

"And he has learned not to question me. May the lesson serve him well in the afterlife." Ra's said with a sad smile. Dick went to protest but a dagger was already protruding from the man's chest, the only indication Ra's had moved was the movement of the cloth making up his shirt. Talia looked as shocked as Dick before several emotions flashed through her eyes, anger, fear, sadness, and acceptance. Ra's turned to his daughter and met her eyes.

"Dispose of the rest Ali." Ra's said to a man who had entered but his eyes never left Talia's who held that look of acceptance. Dick stepped between them.

"Ra's no one has to die. Let the men live." Dick pleaded. Ra's looked away from his daughter and regarded Dick coolly.

"Seven men must die Grayson. Would you have these four men live instead of four other lives?" Ra's asked. Dick met Ra's eyes and Ra's must have seen something he liked because of the brief flash of approval on his face.

"No one else dies." Dick stated in a tone that brooked no argument, a steel in his voice that only came from mentoring under the caped crusader. Ra's nodded slightly.

"Very well Grayson, I will spare these four men and even forgive the two more who were to be killed in your name. But only if you are willing to kill one person yourself. I care not who but you will owe me a death Grayson and the deed must be done by your hand alone. Do I have your word?" Ra's asked. Dick swore mentally but then thought about it. The kill would be on his terms and his timetable. So it just would't happen.

"Fine." Dick said through gritted teeth. Ra's looked at Dick critically, nodded, and turned on his heel, leaving Talia and Dick alone with the four unconscious men. Talia made her way to the one Ra's had put a knife into and knelt down next to him. She said some words that sounded Arabic but also something Dick couldn't recognize as she closed his eyes. She held the dead man's hand for a moment before she stood and looked at Dick. Her face for once was not hostile and Dick saw real sadness in her face.

"Thank you for saving them." She said quietly to which Dick just nodded.

"They didn't deserve to die. And no one will die because of me." Dick said fiercely. Talia gave him a odd look before she spoke.

"I…I didn't see him in you before but now…after this…you are the detective's son through and through. He would have done the same in your position." Talia said as she sat down on the mat, leaning against the wall. She stared at the dead man as she continued.

"You gave your word to my father. One doesn't break their word to the demon's head. He will see your promise fulfilled." Talia said in a quiet voice. Dick was about to argue but then he thought better of it. Instead he slid down next to her.

"Who was he?" Dick asked and Talia stiffened slightly. After a few seconds she relaxed again and spoke.

"He was my mentor. They all were, which is the only reason they were't expressly loyal to my father. For the longest time the only glimpses I would see of my father were distant and fleeting, never acting like the father I wanted. These men stepped in to that role, each in their own way. Kale was the kindest. He never raised his voice and never got angry. He was still a capable killer of course." Talia added the last part as if it was an afterthought. Dick considered her words and looked at the dead man in front of him.

"I am sorry I couldn't save him." Dick said and Talia turned towards him and cocked her head.

"His death is not your fault. Regardless of what my father says these men were marked for death long before your chess game. All for the crime of caring." She ended with a sneer. Dick just looked at the dead man for a few minutes until Talia rose and offered her hand. Dick looked up and took it, registering the surprising amount of strength in her grip. Talia met his eyes and had to catch herself. She saw the strength of the man before her in his eyes, the blue looking alluring black. Mentally smacking herself she spoke.

"I owe you now nameless." Talia said. Dick gave her a small smile.

"You don't owe me anything. So now I'm nameless?" Dick asked in a amused tone. She could see him trying to be upbeat despite what was happening. This was where he differed from his mentor she realized. The Batman was always focused on the mission devoting his entire being to the cause of justice. Dick had that same drive he just didn't let it consume him, he managed to keep his sense of humor in the face of all the horror he had seen since becoming Robin. And he was now using that sense of humor to try to help her forget what she had just lost, leaving Talia strangely…touched. She gave him a matching smile and walked towards the doors.

"You certainly are no child but you have not earned the respect needed for a name." She said cheekily as she opened the door to the hallway.

"Now come. Father has some trainers ready for you." Talia said as Dick trailed behind her.

A/N

This chapters a little shorter then I wanted but things are going to start picking up in the next few chapters and I can't wait to write it! :D Thanks for the support and review so I know what to improve!