Bruce kept a sharp eye on his son, watching from a distance. There were certain buzzwords that made Bruce's heart jump in his chest. His paranoia that one of the alters would come out was overwhelming in it's intensity. He'd never been wrong when it came to his instincts.

His streak would prove unbroken.

A sports commercial came on TV, and Dick stopped talking mid sentence. His eyes shut and when they opened his posture was different. He wordlessly got off the couch and walked with the swagger that could only belong to Richie. He strutted down the hall and locked the room door. He changed into a pair of ripped blue jeans, a white V-Neck T-shirt, and his customary leather jacket. After fixing his hair to look like he liked it, he put on a pair of black sunglasses. The chains on his jacket rattled as he adjusted the collar. He left the room and was headed to the garage.

Batman followed him closely as he slipped a piece of gum into his mouth.

"Richie." He said, quietly. Richie turned around.

"What do you want, batboy?" He replied with a thick New York accent.

"I don't want you taking Dick's body anywhere."

"Why?"

"I don't want him out of here."

"Too bad. Go cry to someone else." He said, flippantly. He climbed onto the motorcycle and opened the garage. He revved the engine and when the garage was open enough, the tires squealed as he sped out.

Batman didn't rush out as most would have expected. He walked calmly to the batmobile and switched on the screen. It quickly honed in on Robin's location. Bruce's features twitched into a small smile. He had never ever lost track of Dick completely, despite the distance between them.

Richie sped through Jump City, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He loved making trouble and mischief- it was his purpose and design. He stopped at the local deli and ordered a sub. After finishing the sandwich he decided to drive to the outskirts of the city. When he arrived at the edge, he was unsurprised to see the batmobile waiting. He pulled over and pulled the helmet off.

"Batman in broad daylight. Dear lord what has happened to make this atrocity possible." Richie's words were drenched in sarcasm.

"I told you I wasn't letting Dick out of my sight." Came the gruff reply.

"Always a man of his word."

"That's more than you'll ever be."

"Always the charmer huh, Batman."

"Did you expect anything less?"

"Nope. Maybe that's ironic part."

"Are you letting Dick back anytime soon?"

"That depends."

"On?"

"On what you're willing to give to get him back." Under the cowl, Batman raised an eyebrow.

"What do you want?"

"Me? You're really asking me what I want? What I want can't be had so easily. I want power. I want influence. I want control. But I'll never have that because I'm not a goody two-shoes like Dickie. So Batman, what are you willing to give me in exchange for your son?" The last sentence was coated in darkness.

"I'll pay you."

"How much?"

"How much do you want?"

"$500.00 Minimum."

"Deal. If you come back with me."

"Have it your way, Batman."

The two made it back to the tower in tact. Bruce gave him the money in the privacy of Dick's room. Richie chuckled as he counted his money.

"Pleasure doing business with you."

He tucked the money away in a secret compartment under the bed before he kept his end of the bargain. Dick was completely still before his body relaxed. His eyes opened, and Bruce knew his son was himself again. What Bruce didn't know, was that Dick had watched everything from the inside. He stepped forward and hugged his Father.

"Thank you." Came the quiet whisper.

No more words were needed.