I thought about running from the house again, but there were two problems with that. I still didn't know where the front door was in this giant maze, that and I had a good chance of running into the old hag. Personally, one against three wouldn't seem that bad, but with Bruce standing not to far from me made it seem more like 1 against 100. I took a breath and felt my eyes set on Bruce. He was still standing in the same place which he came in. Disappointment was still written on his face.

I thought about saying something but I figured whatever I said would just sound dumb. I mean what was there to say? Of course there was sorry, but really that wasn't likely. Not for me. When I looked up again I felt a little guilty. I knew I had to say something, if not anything.

"I know I was wrong ok?" I felt myself saying. I watched as Bruce arched an eyebrow.

I blew out a breath. This was pointless. Bruce was just a hard-ass, and his 'mentor' was a stiff prick. This house was full of stupid people who over use their authority. Just like prison.

"Please, just say something and stop staring at me." I said slumping in my chair. This was fucked up. He tortured me on purposed.

"You may explain to me what happened." I felt a little better at that. I got the man beast to speak.

"You mean Alfred didn't tell you?"

"He did." Bruce said looking bored already.

"Then why would you-"

"I want to hear your side of the story." Bruce said looking directly at me. I thought it over and the recalled what had happened earlier.

"Robin was-"

"Dick." I shot a look at Bruce. "It's his name." I help back my laughter, who would want that as a name?

"Alright, Dick got on my nerves." The words felt lame against my ears.

"So you decided it would be wise to insult him." Bruce questioned.

"No. That's not even what happened; he told me. . . that you took in some loser kid." I felt myself getting lost towards the end. So what if it was true? What if there was no reason for me being here?

"He said that? And how did you respond?"

"I just told him. . . Bruce I didn't mean to you have to understand, I just didn't think."

"And how will you solve that problem."

"I don't know." I mumbled.

"Maybe I should help you think?" I understood what he was talking about, and no, I wasn't going to get another spanking. Not tonight.

"No, I. . . what do you want from me Bruce?!" I felt tears coming from my eyes. "You and your stupid Butler are the strictest people alive!" I took in a breath of air. "I know I wasn't supposed to snap at the kid, I just didn't think and then your 'butler' comes in and just starts yelling at me!" I felt my chest heaving. I didn't understand this mess. Bruce was probably just toying with my emotions again.

"James, calm down. I know that Dick played a part in this as well." He took in a breath. "And I know Alfred can be a little. . . harsh at times, but he is not that bad once you get to know him." I started drying the tears off my face. He would never change.

"It's just not fair."

"Nothing is fair James. I know that you aren't used to being with people, and that this is hard for you." He paused becoming more serous. "That's why I haven't taken you over my knee yet." That's not fair! I'm 15! This is stupid 15 year old do not get, smackings. I felt my eyes moisten again.

"You disappointed me." Bruce's voice drain in. That's when I lost it. I knew I was a disappointment. There was no reason to rub it in! "James?" I continued to cry anyways not paying attention to what Bruce had to say.

"James, its ok, I am not mad at you anymore." His voice was soft, soft as I had ever heard it before. When I felt his arms wrap around me, I flinched. I started to shake not knowing what was what anymore, Bruce was never nice. He never would be. Yet the arms felt warm and I felt myself fall into his chest. After awhile I settled down. Really, I was too old for this. I turned my head to the side I could hear his strong heartbeat in my ear.

"I'm sorry." I heard his heartbeat stop for a moment and his breathing cease as well. I was about to look up to see if maybe my one apology I ever made had killed him.

"I understand, and you are forgiven." He was still kneeling against the floor next to my chair as he pulled away from me, taking back the old Bruce stance.

"You will however apologize to Dick, and Alfred." You should have stopped at Alfred Bruce, because I don't think I can even look at your old man.

"I will." I promised, I will apologize to Dick, Alfred can suck air. "Bruce?" Bruce had his arms at his sides now more welcoming then when he first came in.

"I. . . I know I did something wrong. And I know that I will think next time, I will." I watched his face closely. "But please give me a second chance to show that I'm not that bad. . . I will try to be n-nice to Dick."

"What are you saying?" Bruce asked.

"Please don't. . . spank me." I said almost chocking on the bitter words. I watched as his forehead creased. His brain thinking, hard.

"James. . ."

"Bruce! Please, I mean it I will think next time, I will try harder, and I will apologize to Dick." His face creased again. You are so going to have wrinkles.

"And Alfred?" His eyebrows went up. Alfred?! No!

"Yes." What wait?

"Very well." I watched carefully as he rose and crossed his arms again. "You better because if you don't you will be very sorry."

I nodded as he motioned for me to follow. I walked up the stairs to where Dick's room was. I already had a bad feeling about this. I looked at Bruce who nodded for me to go ahead, and so I knocked. After a moment the door opened and Dick was standing two inches below me.

"What do you want?" I could tell from his tone that he didn't know that Bruce was standing nearby.

"I just came, to say. . . that I'm s-sorry." His face scrunched up as if in discuss.

"Look, James is it? Fine as I was saying, I felt bad for getting you in trouble today but I don't care if you're older than me by three years, I don't like you. I do not accept your apology." I didn't know he slammed the door in my face until after I felt the blood running down from my nose. Bruce was at my side within seconds, helping me with my bloody nose.

"Dick!" Bruce yelled. "I will be back to deal with you! Do you understand me?" I heard Dick on the other side of the door-locking it. Brice then ushered me into the bathroom where he helped clean up my nose.

"He broke it." Bruce told me.

"I figured." I said as Bruce starting out my nose. It was painful but eventually Bruce had it back in place before placing a white band-aid across it.

"Bruce?"

"Yes?"

"Um, don't get mad at Dick. I would have slammed the door in my face too." I said looked down. Bruce grabbed my chin and made me look up at him.

"I told him before you woke up this morning that he was to behave and if he chose not to; I would spank him there and then, with or without an audience. I even gave him the chose to go to his room at lunch but he decided to test me."

"I know, but he just doesn't like me. It's ok." I defended him.

"No, it's not ok, you do not deserve this. Now I am going to go have a word with Dick, you may go find Alfred." I nodded my head and he began to walk out from the room.

"Bruce?" I called.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Thanks." He nodded his head before leaving to have a 'word' with Dick. I slumped against the closed toilet. I guess I had to find Alfred now.

It didn't take long for me to map out the house, I found out where the front door was and where the other rooms where.

I had gone into another hall way where it was mostly empty, I walked past three closed door spaced out in the hallway. I would have to ask what was in those rooms later. I almost jumped out of my clothes when I heard footsteps behind me.

"James?"

A/N: Thank you for the reviews. They were very helpful. I will also tried to make James age more clear. I thought I put it in, but I guess I was wrong, sorry about that. I plan on making James and Bruce get along better, I'm just finding a way to make that all happen. :)

(Thank you, Latin Girl Writter for Robin's real name.)