Hello, Now we start! Just kidding. This story is already on a roll! Thanks so much for all your support and I hope I don't disappoint!

The ages of the boys is definitely non- cannon, they are all two years younger then the one before them. It's easier that way.

Dick: 16

Jason:14

Tim:12

Damian:10

Ok!

Plus, Like I promised, Barbara is in this! I hope I do her justice! Because I love Babs.

P.S. This story starts after a time skip. So the boys are all used to each other and stuff. Ok! Two or four years. Whatever.

Note: Motivation is Your Superpower!

The headlines were big, and bold, and ugly.

Commissioner Gordon. Shot through spine in city hall raid. In comma. Doctors hold out little hope. . .

That's what they had to say about it.

Bruce Wayne's already prominent frown deepened even more. That's what they had to say about the poor man. It hit Bruce particularly hard since he had been there as Batman, and couldn't save his old friend. His heart ached, which made him all the more stiff looking on the outside.

Now he was on his way to the Gordons resident, he hoped to atone for his lack of ability by taking in the mans daughter until he was recovered, and Bruce had already decided the man would recover.

"Master Bruce, we have arrived." A clipped accented voice informed him from the front seat.

"Thank you Alfred, I won't be a minute." He got out deftly and walked straight for the door. It was for the best. She was all alone, and was suffering trauma. True, she had been left in the care of her aunt of some kind, and if she didn't want to come, he wouldn't mind. He just wanted to try, to feel like he could make up for his mistake. To make it up to Gordon for failing him that night.

The man grimly knocked on the door.

A minute passed. He waited still. He straightened his tie, fixed his jacket, stepped in place a little. He knocked again.

Finally he caught the sound of light footsteps. The door unlocked and a pretty red head with bright blue eyes appeared. She looked tired, Bruce could see the fatigue of sleepless nights on her face and body. Her hair was messy and her clothes less than cared for.

"Yes?" Her eyes widened in realization, "Oh! Mr. Wayne? I- um, what are you doing here?" She sounded like him being there was unfathomable.

"Miss. Gordon. I have come on behalf of . . . your father. Jim was a close friend of mine and I want to make up for not being there when he needed it. I want to ask you to stay at my manor while your father recovers, I have also heard you've got a scholarship to Gotham Academy, my home is closer and I will provide you with room and food and transportation without pay."

There. He said it. If she wanted to say no, that was her choice. But he did his peace. He did. But he still felt extremely guilty for some reason.

Barbara stared.

"You . . . want me to come live with you? But isn't that like . . . weird? Won't the press say something about it? I mean, thanks and all but . . .why?" She looked utterly confused.

The older man sighed, "I explained." This was wearing on the polite mask he had on, "I want to repay your father. Now do you accept or not." He didn't mean it to come out so forced but it had.

She stared at him some more, clearly not sure if she should believe him or not, "Dad never mentioned you."

She was smart. Usually his very presence would keep people from looking into the holes of his cover stories. Maybe he should just leave.

"Very well then. I hope you stay well." He turned to leave as unawekwardly as possible.

"Wait. Mr. Wayne, your offer makes sense. I 'll go. Besides, I want to be as close to dad as possible and you seem like the best person to help me do that. I'll be out in a sec." She rushed back inside, slamming the door behind her.

Bruce blinked at the feeble door. What had made her change her mind? Being Batman, he started analyzing what it could have been.

She came back five minutes later, hat and coat on, a suitcase in her hands, slightly breathless, "Ok. Let's get out of here before she notices." She grabbed his arm and dragged him towards his black Mercedes.

She slid into the seat like she owned it and slammed the door, "Hi there Mr. Driver, I don't suppose you could step on it?" She leaned forward to speak to Alfred.

The elderly gentleman raised a prim eyebrow at her, "I could. If it was necessary." He pulled out and started regularly.

Barbara sighed and leaned back heavily, "Thanks Mr. Wayne. You have no idea how suffocating it was in there."

Bruce caught himself from looking confused, "Might I ask why?" Now he was worried about what else he'd missed.

She pushed her fiery bangs out of her porcelain face, "My aunt Gertrude. She's a real downer, I was nearly bored out of my skull, and she doesn't help me get my mind off of dad. She just reminds me. Constantly, and I haven't been able to study, or sleep, or even breath. So, Thanks." She looked at him earnestly.

The older man gave her a controlled smile, "My pleasure. It's the least I could do."

Now he got it. She was suffering emotionally. That was a relief. For a minute there he thought she was abused. Ok, this was fine. He'd take her in for a few weeks, or months. Jim would be all right soon he knew, and he could ease the guilt.

Yup. Sounded like a plan.

His family home loomed before them.

"Woah. Bats?"

Bruce's eyes flickered toward the trees she was looking at, "Ah yes, They . . . they're very persistent. Can't seem to get ride of them." He covered instantly.

The girl analyzed him. Bruce didn't like it. He was the one who was supposed to analyze her. He didn't like the turned tables.

"Ok then." She left it at that.

Maybe this wasn't such a good plan after all.

Three weeks.

Barbara had been at Wayne manor for three weeks. She was getting along pretty well with it. She learned the way around incredibly fast. Alfred found she had a wonderfully powerful memory. She had grown quick friends with the British butler. Bruce Wayne was a different story. He wasn't around, like, barely ever. She'd wondered all the time where he went all night, and she'd asked more than once.

Alfred always said 'Master Bruce had a very strong dedication to a night job he does'.

Like that wasn't suspicious. She knew something was up with the man. The first clue was that she never heard of her father being friends with Bruce Wayne outside of occasional crimes involving him. She never thought they kept contact, and nobody could be that grateful.

The second tip off to the mans strangeness, were the constant bats. Bat sounds, bat nests, bat dropping. Normally, people wouldn't notice, but she noticed everything.

The third tip off:

The cave she was currently standing in.

Her heart stabbed in her chest. She could hardly breath. Her eyes widened so much they burned. Bruce Wayne . . . was Batman.

This was only the biggest secret in all of Gotham. Bruce freakin Wayne was the Goddamn Batman!

Her breaths came out short and fast as she descended the stairs. Her vision filling with high tech computers, machines, vehicles, and weird jumbo sized penny, cards, and a dinosaur? What was up with this guy? This place was a mixture of a child like touch, technology based, and creepy, all in one.

"You shouldn't be here."

She whirled around with a gasp, clutching her chest as if to keep her heart from exploding out of her rib cage.

There he was. Cape and Cowl. The entire shebang. Man, he was even more terrifying up close.

"B-Batman? M-Mr. Wayne?" She stuttered, the shock still not settling in.

He let out a heavy sigh, "I told him this would happen." He pulled off his cowl to reveal the piercing ice blue eyes he had, "I knew you were too smart to let things go over." He seemed disappointed in himself for some reason.

"Um . . . I won't tell anyone but, um- can I ask . . . why?" She offered carefully, her eyes glued to him as if to search for an answer on his face.

He turned his back to her, brooding, "Because of a trauma years ago. One you probably already know about."

She did. Everyone who knew Bruce Wayne knew about the poor billionaire kid orphaned at eight. So this is what really happened to him. Interesting. He risks life and limb every night to do more for Gotham, and puts money and effort in the day to do more for Gotham.

To protect and help those who couldn't help themselves. That . . .was kind of like her dad.

"So that's why you felt guilty about Dad. You were Batman, you were there and you couldn't-"

He turned on her, his deadpanned look scared her, "That's right I couldn't. That's why I brought you here. But I'm starting to think that was a bad call after all."

She hugged herself, offended, "I told you, I wouldn't say anything. I," She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the pain of her fathers condition to go away, "I want to help." She insisted suddenly, her eyes opened and set in determination.

"No."

She gasped as he pushed her into a box, pressed a button and sent her right back up to the manor.

She stumbled out and ended up nearly colliding with a less than pleased looking Alfred. She looked up from where she had landed on her hands and knees.

"I don't care what he says." She stood up, a fierce look on her face," My dad was nearly killed. I'm going to help. And he can't stop me." She balled her fists, daring the British man to disagree with her.

He just let out a small sigh and took her by the elbow, "Come Miss. Gordon, dinner is waiting."

So he chose to brush her off. She didn't care. She'd made up her mind. She was going to do something about Gotham's filth.

Even if she had no idea how yet.

Dick Grayson was not amused. Not at all. He glared at the three trouble makers sprawled before him. He was so not amused. And Auntie Mave wouldn't be either when she found out.

"You guys had to do this in the kitchen?" He asked, his hand sweeping out towards the destroyed area.

There were pots and pans flipped everywhere. Sword marks all over the table and walls. The fridge was turned on its side, contents spilled out and broken, and he was pretty sure that was a hole in the window.

Jason, Tim and Damian stared up at him, as if they couldn't understand what he was upset about.

"Um, you said to get out of the dojo. So we did. What'd you expect when we're training with swords? Besides, we didn't kill any of Maven's throw pillows this time." Jason was the first to answer, defend, and point out.

Tim snickered, "Yah, not like last time."

Damian adjusted himself and picked up his sword, "Their right Grayson, if anyone's to blame, it's you. That's what you get for being selfish." He seemed pretty sure that it was all Dicks fault.

The older boy let out a frustrated groaned, "God! I'm barely sixteen and I already feel old cuz of you guys!"

Jason smirked, "Huh, I thought I saw a grey hair the other day Dickie." He laughed when Dick swung at him and missed.

"Shut up! Jeez this is nuts. Ok, let's clean this up before they come home. Or else."

All three stopped, they looked at him, waiting for the or else part.

Dick scowled, "Or else I release the most embarrassing photos Selina has ever taken of you guys at school."

That got them to help real quick.

It's amazing what the right motivation could do.

Twenty minutes later and the place was nearly perfect. All Dick had to do was explain the broken window. That wasn't too bad.

"I'm bored."

Wuh-oh. Jason was bored. That wasn't good. When Jason got bored . . .a lot of crazy crap starts happening. Dick needed a way to defuse this, fast. Aha!

"Let's go pick Selina and Auntie Mave up!" He announced.

"Yah, That's a great idea, I want to take a look at those new shelter plans again." Tim jumped up and snatched his notebook, excitement clear on his face.

Jason groaned, "That's great for geek over there, but what am I supposed to do?"

"Charlotte is probably at the front desk today." Dick offered, knowing Jason loved any chance he got to heckle the poor blond woman. Just because he was a little jerk like that.

Yup, that got him. He was up on his feet and pulling his jacket on in seconds.

Damian rolled his eyes, for a ten year old, he had really big attitude.

"Come on Dami, you have to come too. You know Auntie Mave will throw a fit if I leave you alone again." Dick reasoned with the younger boy.

"Fine, just so you won't whine later."

"Leave the sword."

"Tt."

"Come on slow pokes! I'm not getting any younger over here!" Jason yelled already running down the hall, Tim right behind him.

Dick sighed. At least Jason wouldn't be bored anymore.

"Hi Charlotte!" Dick smiled brightly as he walked in, his troupe of delinquent brothers tagging behind him.

The busty blond woman gave him her best smile back, her left eye twitched, "Oh, hello boys. Come to see Selina again?"

"Yup." Dick nodded, "That's ok right?"

"She was on a call earlier. You can go up and check." She offered, handing him a door key card.

"Thanks, hey you guys wanna-" Dick turned to see the boys had already scattered.

Tim had found Jeff, the companies architect designer. Damian found the shelf of Japanese art, and Jason was already leaning on the desk, attempting to flirt with Charlotte.

Dick rolled his eyes, "I'll be right back."

"You won't be missed!" Jason called after him, "So Lotte, I'm much taller than last time, have you noticed? Wanna go out with me now?"

The acrobat didn't here the poor woman's response as the elevator doors blocked the scene. Dick snorted to himself. He had to admit, no matter how annoying his brothers could get, there was never a dull moment.

He actually had a hard time remembering what it was like before they had bombarded into his life. Even the memories with him and his parents got the boys twisted into them somehow.

He shook his head, no, those were some weird dreams he had once in a while. The elevator dinged and stopped on his floor. He walked out and headed directly towards Selina's spacious office.

A loud voice behind the slightly opened door stopped him.

It was Selina.

She sounded angry and worried.

"What? What do you mean they out bidded me? It was a set deal!"

Maven was in there, looking less than neat, "I mentioned as much. They didn't care. They only wanted the money. Selina, this is the third deal bought out from under you this month." She presented a chart to the raven haired woman, "Our business is slowing. And that shelter project still hasn't broken ground. The banks are threatening to pull out."

Selina let out a frustrated sigh and placed her head in her hands, " In other words, we need money, fast. God. I wouldn't care if I was alone. But it's the boys, I can't let this fall out or those social workers on my back will take them away faster than I can blink."

Dicks eyes widened when he heard that. He knew social worker were still looking into Selina's 'capabilities' as a legal guardian but . . . he never thought there was a chance she might lose them.

"I can't let that happen Maven. I promised them, I promised those boys that they would be all right." She continued, emptions seeping into her voice, "Catwoman can't help right now either. Not if I want to keep suspicion off of me. Last time I ran into you know who he promised he'd find out who Catwoman was and take her in. I'm boxed in."

Maven shook her head, "We'll figure something out. We will. Just have to think a little harder. It'll be ok Selina. It has to be."

Dick swallowed thickly as he watched Auntie comfort his mother figure. He walked back to the elevator numbly. His mind whirling around. He felt his heart clench and his stomach churn.

She could lose them.

They'd be take away from her. Shoved in some uncaring Foster system that would break them. He would be ok, two years until he was legal. But Jason? Timmy, and Dami?

Oh gosh, Jason would run away. They'd never see him again. Tim would probably end up in a mental institute from snapping of mental trauma and Damian . . . his real mother might come and get him.

Dick's heart broke a little. He couldn't let that happen. He wouldn't. The boy stumbled into the main lobby. Jason was still flirting with Charlotte. Damian was sitting in a chair by himself, looking through a magazine with a bored look on his face. Timmy was on the shiny floor, rolls of blue prints spread around him as he chattered on with Jeff.

They looked happy. They were happy. Dick knew they were, his heart hurt again because they didn't know what was happening, what could happen.

His thought took a sudden 360, No. No, I'm not going to let that happen. Selina needs help, she needs Catwoman, but she can't be her right now.

He caught a reflection of himself in the metal doors of the elevator.

Than maybe someone else has to take the stage for a while.

Purple hoodie? Check. Purple tights? Check. Yellow insignia and accessories? Double check.

She'd even nabbed a couple of Baterangs from his arsenal and spray painted them yellow too. She smirked at herself in the mirror and pulled on a mask with customary bat ears she'd managed to find at a costume shop. There we go. Look out Gotham! Batgirl's coming for you.

"Woah! Ouch!" Batgirl groaned from her landing spot on the hard roof. She was out looking for Batman and trying to get the hang of swinging through the building tops.

Needless to say, landing was a lot harder than she thought. She was having more trouble than she'd like to admit. So she wasn't a natural. So what, that wasn't going to stop her from doing what she wanted to.

A loud yelp caught her attention. The young red head crawled to the corner of the roof she'd assaulted with her butt and peered over the edge.

There he was! The great and jerky Batman in the flesh! Yes! Luck was on her side today. Now, if only she could figure out a way to convince him to let her help. She watched and studied his movements, she analyzed the momentum he used for transitions to the next position. He was good. Really good. If she could just get him to teach her, that would be great.

But the guy barely even looked at her since she found out his big secret. Even Alfred noticed the excessive coldness in his 'masters' behavior towards her. Barbara bit her lip and narrowed her crystal blues. A mugger was coming behind him with a drawn gun. He was in the middle of four other guys, it didn't look like a hard fight for him. She decided to help anyway.

Besides, Dad had taught her basic disarming techniques in case she was ever mugged.

She jumped without a thought and landed squarely on the mugger. He let out a sharp, surprised scream, as she whirled a leg and kicked him across the face, she grabbed his wrist and elbow and flipped him right at his accomplices, knocking two out.

Batman's eyes narrowed at her as he took the other two out without looking.

Show off.

"Um. Hi Batman I'm-"

"Going home." He snapped gruffly.

Barbara blinked, "Yah, no. Actually I came all the way out here to help you out! Besides, you don't even know where I live." She countered, hands on her hips.

Batman wasn't amused. He was peeved, she could tell. He walked towards her, looming dangerously, "Take off that ridicules get up and go back to the manor Barbara." He grit out.

She stared at him.

He glared back.

Nobody moved. The air was thick as they continued their silent stare off. The thugs groaned a little but otherwise stayed out. The wind blew Batgirls hair and Batman's cape, producing a more ominous feel.

"You have me mistaken for someone else." She finally countered and turned away, crossing her arms stiffly. No way he could tell already!

"Tell me another one."

"Ugh! No fair! Your such a know it all. Jeez." She gave in instantly and gave him a fiercely angry look.

Batman didn't cave an inch, "Go. Home. This is dangerous work, you could get hurt. Then what do I tell your father?"

Her temper erupted without her consent, "Like hell!"

He stopped in his steps. He didn't turn around.

"Don't you get it! I'm doing this for my father! He spent his entire life giving and fighting for this crapped up city! Every day he went out was dangerous! Every night he got a call of a robbery or hostage situation or whatever I sat home! Worried, terrified he wouldn't come back. And you know what he always told me? Sometime you have to risk a few things for things to get better for someone else!" She was shrieking at him now. When her father was shot, she hadn't had time to let it process, to mourn like a normal teenager. It had finally boiled over now.

"He knew what dangers his job had, what might happen if he messed something up. But it didn't stop him. No way, and I'm not going to let you stop me either." She balled her fists, "I'm going to do this Batman, with or without your consent." She turned away now, hugging herself tightly, hating the tears that threatened her pride.

The air was cold. The silence was colder.

"You're sure about this?"

She gasped and turned towards him, eyes wide, "Yah. I've never been surer of anything in my life. I need to do this Batman. So Dad doesn't wake up in a Gotham worse off than when he'd last seen it."

The man let out a minuscule huff, "Fine. I guess I'll have to train you to make sure you don't kill yourself. But I warn you, if we do this. You follow my rules. No. Exceptions. Got it."

She nodded hard, Yes! Yah, I got it!" At least until she learned everything, then she would bend that rules a little.

"Right. Left. Dodge. Sweep!-" Bruce sat in his high backed leather chair, barking commands at the lithe red head bouncing around in his bat cave. He was training her in basic combat first. More complicated things would come later. He still wasn't sure about this. He didn't think he could handle the guilt if something happened to Gordons daughter.

He watched.

She dodged, gave a surprising leap and kicked the robots head clear off.

Hmm, fast learner. Maybe she could handle something a little more complicated.

"Alfred, take the bot to level ten."

"Yes sir."

"Come on Brucie! That all you got!" She smirked, retying her messy hair up as another robot advanced.

Bruce saw the fire in this girl. She was fierce, abnormally smart, and fast. She just might have what it took to keep up with him.

"Hey!" Barbara let out a surprised yelp as this robot, it was faster, surprised her and grabbed her by the leg, tossing her across the floor like a rag doll.

Alfred shut the machine down as Bruce walked toward the fallen female.

She was breathing hard, and sweating as she tried to lift herself up on her elbows. Bruce smirked, 'You want to keep up with me?"

She nodded through gasps for air.

"Then get up. Now you'll really learn."

She stared at him as he beckoned her forward, "Hand to hand? With you?" She asked, surprised

He nodded firmly, "Hand to hand. With me."

A grin nearly split her face as she jumped up and prepared to get her butt handed to her.

Maybe she had what it took to keep up with him after all.

"Hey! Where'd my doughnut go?" A confused pudgy officer stared at the empty spot, where his beloved pastry was sitting mere moments ago.

Dick pressed himself against a brick wall, trying to keep his breath even. He'd stolen the doughnut. He had actually taken the doughnut right under the cops nose! And hadn't got caught!

A strange sense of pride trickled through him. Huh, maybe he could do this after all! He was out, in the middle of the night, in a costume he'd made for himself out of his fathers old circus clothes and a few accessories from a costume shop.

He had finally gone out, and now he was practicing on little things. Like doughnuts and keys and wallets and stuff. So far he hadn't been caught. Maybe he could do this. Anything to keep Selina out of debt and his family together.

He laughed to himself and placed the sweet dough between his perfect teeth. His body all abuzz with excitement as he climbed up the fire escape.

He grinned at Gotham under him. Big, dangerous, gut sucking Gotham. He wanted to conquer it. Swallowing down the powdery treat he dusted himself off and took out his whip. It was one of Selina's old ones. With a quick push he ran towards the edge of the roof and jumped.

He flew. It felt amazing! He let gravity try to play its familiar pull on him. No net, no wires to catch. Just him, the empty air, and gravity. He flicked the whip, it caught a nearby pole, and he swung over hundreds of people and cars below.

The lights and shadows blurred as he swung and flew with snaps of the whip and twists of his body. He missed this so much. The thrills lit his body up, he loved them.

He always loved the thrills of falling and flying that rushed through him. He understood very well why Selina did this sometimes for no reason. It was an addiction. And he loved it.

His new night life was going extremely well. He'd been at it for a week now. Nobody had noticed yet, so he figured it was ok if he didn't say anything. He was getting good though. By now he found he could snatch something from people just by walking by them and they'd never notice. He had a gift. Maybe it wasn't the best gift to have but it had to be done. Besides he was really loving his night life now.

Unfortunately his day life was suffering a little because of it.

"Mr. Grayson!"

"Unh, the answer is red!" he bolted upright with a snort and yelled out, his voice heavy with sleep.

Everyone snickered, except for the unamused teacher glaring at him.

He yawned and rubbed his eye, "Isn't it?"

"No Mr. Grayson, it is not. Perhaps you should figure out the answer after class. In detention." The older man said with a strained voice.

Dick sighed and dropped his head on his desk, whispers about his weird recent behavior reached his ears. His face colored slightly. Oh gosh, now what was he supposed to tell Selina?

"Detention? For sleeping in class?" Selina looked at the tired looking boy, slouching in front of her.

They were in the living room, he'd come home late and she'd wondered why. Only to find out it had been detention. But, why was he so tired to fall asleep in class? Come to think of it, Dick had been acting a little strangely lately. She'd just been too busy to call him on it.

"Well?"

He sighed, "It's no big deal. I just didn't sleep well last night and Mr. Mory's class is so boring, you can't really blame me." He explained smoothly.

Jason walked past and smirked, "Detention? Wow, the great Dickie Grayson's gone delinquent! I salute you sir. Maybe your not as lame as I thought."

"Jason. Homework. Now." Selina snapped, pointing to his room.

The younger boy snickered and waggled his fingers at the sullen older boy before disappearing into his room.

Selina let out a sigh and massaged her temples, "Ok. Ok, that's fine. But if you continue to have a hard time let me now ok, I want to-" The phone's ring cut her off.

She frowned at it and picked it up, "Give me a minute Dick." She went into the kitchen.

Dick slowly tip toed to listen behind the wall.

"No. No, I already told you, I can make the deadline. Just wait all right. Yes, I still need the project to break ground but at least I'll pay you before the month is out."

Dick frowned, another money hugger demanding she pay up faster than she could. He hated this.

"I'll get the money to you just wait!" She hung up the phone angrily and threw it on the table. The raven haired woman looked lost in her moment of privacy. Dicks heart hurt at her face. He'd never seen Selina look so worried. She always acted like such a fierce, strong, carefree kind of person.

He didn't like to see her so tied down. Cats shouldn't ever be tied down.

He set his mouth in a straight line and crawled to his room, his mind made up.

He'd pull a real heist for her. No matter what.

Um . . . so yah, I have a confession, figuring out how to make the boys decide to become criminals was harder than I thought... I just couldn't seem to just throw hem in it without a legitimate reason . . so I finally settled on it, I think.

Anyway, Thanks so much you guys!

WolfGirl: Oh Bruce/Batman will interact with them all, that I promise. I'm gonna have fun with that!

Xx-Skylar-Blue-xX : Steph and Cass . . . though I love them both, they didn't fit into the plot of this story. . . maybe a brief cameo for Steph, maybe. But yah, that's it. Sorry! I hope you still read this though!

Lionel Nixon: Thanks! I'm glad you do, because, believe it or not, I work hard to make every moment, even seemingly unimportant ones, count. I'm glad you enjoy them.

Weird Inhuman: Yah, Dickie and Dami interactions are fun, I'm going to have a bunch of interactions between all of them though! So it goes full circle.