Sorry for the late update, I was busy with working on another story. So, here we go!

I think the reaction I created is pretty realistic, if I do say so myself.

Disclaimer: No matter how much I want to… I will never own YJ, Batman or Robin or DC Nation. A monkey would have a better chance of owning it. Me? No. Anyway, yeah, disclaimed.

Also, I forgot to add the sayings last chapter; oops.

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.
- Albert Einstein

Chapter 10:

Dick stumbled back, thinking that somehow his eyes had deceived him.

But, alas, it was true, the Batman stood there, looking like he was inspecting something on the Batmobile. Frozen in his place, the small six year old boy didn't know what to do. Move, make himself known by the bat? He didn't want to get in trouble, or make Batman angry.

He quickly turned on his heels and ran toward a steel beam. His feet barely touched the ground, for the acrobat was as light as air on his feet. He sunk into the shadows and watched as the Batman came up from the pole. It seemed to have some sort of device that moved upward according to the handlers wishes.

Batman was pulled upward and landed into a crouching position as he let go and jumped down. Dick sunk as far as he could into the shadow he was in, his muscles were tight and tense as he watched with wide, fearful eyes. Batman moved toward the large computer and sat down in very comfy looking chair. The bat began typing furiously and multiple pictures popped up. Dick tried to get a good lock at them but was to far away to do anything else other then watching flashes of color on the floor.

He knew he had to get out of there, and that needed to be done fast. He'd heard stories of The Batman, seen him on the TV occasionally too. But mostly just stories; how people would be hung upside down on lampposts, babbling about nothing. He'd seen him throw a punch on TV that could knock a man into a wall, effectively cracking the wall too.

He didn't want to know what the bat would do to trespassers.

He stepped forward quietly, making little to no sound. Batman didn't change his position, typing away with no hesitation. Dick let out a breath and continued tip-toeing toward the elevator that he had taken down with. His movements were silent and he kept to the shadows, he barely let out and breathes of air, thinking that the slightest sound would set him off.

A shadow appeared over him.

Dick stopped, his eyes widening in fear. Slowly, he turned around on his heels and tilted his head upward to see a living shadow. It's white eyes were narrowed and glared at him without any waver in them. They seemed cold, dark yet light and created fear. Images of his parents flashed in his eyes and tears came to his eyes. He stumbled back and fell back on the floor with a thud and the sound of panging metal.

Batman reached forward, his arm shooting out and grabbing Dick's. The boy let out a strangled cry and tried to fight the man before him, but the grip was much to strong. Tears flooded his vision and everything became a blur.

"Please, let me go!" he protested, pulling with all the strength he could muster. He hoped begging would have some effect on the looming presence of the man before him. Surprisingly, the bats grip loosened and Dick pulled away, falling once more onto the hard, metal floor. When his wet, big blue eyes met those emotionless white ones, a new round of tears burst forth from his eyes and he tried to get away.

"Master Richard!" a familiar voice said, there was a sound of metal crashing on metal and glass breaking and then stomping footsteps. Dick was scooped up into Alfred's arms within a few seconds, the man kneeling down on the ground and pulling him into a hug.

"Sir, you're scaring him."

Batman's white eyes widened and the man moved back a few steps, moving into light, dim light, but light nonetheless. The cowl was, obviously, over his head and the black spandex cape was pulled over his shoulders, completely and effectively covering him. The shadows seemed to pull together and gravitate toward him. He watched as the butler comforted the boy, telling him everything would be alright and that there was nothing to be afraid of. Batman couldn't believe what he'd just done.

He hadn't realized that he was in his Batman costume until Dick turned around with the absolute most fearful and frightened eyes one could see. He hadn't realized what he'd done until it was to late and he'd already grasped Dick's arm. "Please, let me go!" Dick had begged and only then had Bruce realized what he'd done. He watched as Dick sobbed into the older British man's chest, letting all that bottled up fear flow out uncontrollably.

He moved forward and ignored Alfred's protests and kneeled down, holding out his arms. His features softened beneath the cowl as he stared at the boy.

Dick looked toward him, his eyes bloodshot. Bruce could see the child was nearly crumbling and it was all his fault. Of course it was, fate hates him and he it so life would just be a butt and make life hard and painful and difficult for him.

"Dick…" he stumbled, hoping the boy would recognize his voice. Obviously it didn't work, as a flicker of confusion flashed across his face and his muscles tensed, his arms gripping Alfred's arms with all he had. Deciding to go with a different approach, Bruce, not Batman's, hand moved up toward his cowl and he slowly slid it off.

Dick's eyes widened and the confusion disappeared from his face, being replaced by disbelief and utter shock. He stared at Bruce and slowly made his way into his arms, but he didn't bury his face into Bruce's chest, instead, he looked a bit angry.

"You… you could have saved them!" he shouted, a sudden burst of anger blowing out uncontrollably. "You were there… why… why didn't you… you save them." Dick collapsed onto his knees, tears flowing from his eyes as he broke lose from a hold he had grabbed onto. A hold that had kept him partially together once his parents had died. A hold that was now free of any burden. He didn't understand it. If Bruce had been there and if Bruce was Batman, why didn't he save them; why didn't he save the parents he loved so dearly. Still love so dearly. Dick had been taxed, in a way so much unlike any other, and they had taken the ultimate payment.

"Dick," Bruce whispered, grabbing the boy by the wrists and making him look at the older man. "If I could have saved them, I would have I can assure you of that. But I couldn't have and I wished I did, Dick. I really wished I did."

His words had double meanings.

And Alfred wished he could have saved them too.

][][][

"I think we should go over there and kick some butt and take some names," Shayera said, frowning and twisting her mace in her hands; all the while looking at each founder.

Diana frowned and sat up, giving the Thanagarian an incredulous look. "Uh, no offence Shayera, but no. It's Batman's house and there's only two… no, sorry, three people living there at the moment. No many butts to kick or names to take."

Shayera huffed in annoyance and sat over with her arms crossed her chin resting on them. Diana and Clark gave her both exasperated looks and turned to face each other. Barry seemed to be uninterested in the whole conversation and was playing with something under the table. Martian Manhunter remained emotionless as he stared off into space and John was busy staring at whatever Barry was doing under the table.

"Waaait a sec!" Barry exclaimed, causing both John and J'onn to jump and stare at him. "Why did you say three? It's only good 'ole bats and Jeeves, isn't it? Or am I missing something?"

"Haven't you been reading the paper for, oh, I don't know, the last year?" Diana asked, infuriated with the red clad speedster. Barry frowned and opened his mouth but then closed it again and frowned some more. Not figuring out an answer to the accusation, he leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and turned out to face the open space.

"Well, I think we know the answer to that question," Shayera moaned, her head falling into he crossed arms on the table with a thump.

"Enough," J'onn said, "if you have not heard, Bruce Wayne adopted a ward; Richard Grayson. He did not tell us at first but both Superman and Wonder Woman found out. Correct?" He turned to face said heroes, who nodded as they stared at the Martian with wary eyes. Diana nodded but then turned back to face Flash.

"Yes, basically what J'onn said. We, Clark and I, have been worried about the fact that he's been neglecting League issues for the boy. I mean, don't get me started, that boy is a ball of utter adorableness, but the League is still important too-" her talk was interrupted by a buzzing sound. Diana frowned and pressed a button on the table, turning to face as a screen popped up with Batman on it. He looked wary, tired and seemed disappointed about something. He kept glancing upward like something would fall on him and crush him.

"Bruce?" Diana asked, surprised. Everyone turned to face the screen now and Batman snorted, as if to say 'Duh. Who else?'

"Diana… do you think you could come here for a bit… in your civilian clothes? Please."

Diana's eyes widened in mock concern. "Oh, you said 'please'. What happened, the world ending?"

Bruce glared at her and slipped off the cowl. He gave a deep sigh and ran a hand through his hair. Everyone stared at the Dark Knight in shock, having never seen him so… broken… no, not broken, lost seemed like a better world. Bruce seemed at a loss for something to do, he didn't know what to do. They could see anger, anger in himself, and doubt in his eyes.

"Bruce," Diana said, her voice conveying worry, "what's wrong?"

"It's Dick. He… he found the Batcave-" he didn't pause for the gasps, "-and I found him. Sacred the living daylights out of him when he saw me. I… I didn't mean too. But he looks so lost now and when I took of the cowl… Princess, he screamed at me… asked me why I didn't save them. I just… need you here. He's ignoring me, he's mad at me. Come here, heck, all of you can come, I don't care. Just talk to him." The transmission ended and the holographic blue screen disappeared, leaving the view of space once more for the League founders to see.

Diana jumped up, looking fretful and worried. "I'll go. Dick… oh Hera, I hope Bruce is okay too."

Shayera nodded. "Yeah, he seemed pretty freaked out about having scared the kid."

Clark chuckled and turned to face the other alien, "Don't call him the kid, Bruce freaks out and don't tell me that he won't know you said it. He's Batman, he'll always know." Shayera shrugged in response and frowned as she watched Diana leave in a hurry. The princess of Themyscria rushed from the room with a frown on her face, the Amazon gripped her lasso with a tight grip as if she was afraid that someone would pop out and attack her.

She ran to the Zeta-beam transporters, rushing past other heroes. If Bruce was that worried about it, than she should be there.

Recognize: Wonder Woman 03

The darkness of the Batcave greeted her, screeches of real bats filled her hearing and dim light filled her vision. Suppressing shivers, she moved forward, ringing her hands together as she moved to the computer. Batman, or Bruce, as the cowl was down, as standing by it, staring at the ground in thought.

"Bruce," she whispered, moving forward and putting a comforting hand on his broad shoulder. He shrugged her off, turning away and crossing her arms. She opened her mouth the speak but was cut off when he began speaking. His voice was empty and hollow… it reminded her of almost how he used to talk. She always imagined that was how he was after the incident. Hollow, alone, empty… a shell of Bruce Wayne.

"I… You should have seen his face Diana," he started but then turned to her, shaking his head, "No, actually, I hope you'll never have to see it. Diana, I scared him. I completely forgot that… at the moment, I was Batman. His eyes, Diana, they were so frightened. He cried… begged me to let go."

As she listened to this, she turned away from Bruce. Not because she was ashamed or mad at him, because she could face him. She knew he felt guilty to no end and now, after this, before this, she hadn't known how much he actually card for the kid… no, not the kid, for Dick. Diana new that he cared, obviously, as he spent more time at home than before. Before he had wanted to get away from home and now it seemed as if he didn't want to see the Watchtower.

"He stared up at me… he tried to get away. Diana… he was afraid of me. He began crying, scrambling to get away. I didn't realize it… until… until Alfred came. I could have saved them Diana but I didn't. I just stood there and watched like everyone else. But… but I'm not everyone else, Diana. I could have save them… he asked me when I pulled down the cowl. Why didn't I save them? Afraid of me…" his fist snapped out and punched the wall, leaving a small crack. "His face…," he whispered the last part, almost falling onto his knees; his legs were shaking and he mumbled something under his breath.

Diana stood there with slight awkwardness, letting a tension develop in the room. She stood there nervously and rubbed her arm, staring at the ground.

"Bruce?" she spoke up, her head lifting suddenly.

He didn't move, didn't make a sound, no notion to show that he heard her, yet she went on with no thought of turning back.

"He'll be fine. You did it before and you can do it again."

][][][

"Alfred… why didn't he save them?"

The butler looked down, his faded blue eyes conveying pity and sadness toward the boy. Dick was wrapped up in a wool blanket and he clutched it like his life depended on it. Peanut was wrapped up with him and tears ran down his face. It was all to familiar. That night… almost a year ago… he was sitting on a cold night, grey skies and flashing lights. He'd been lied too… fooled. But, he was only six… or seven now.

But… Bruce, the man he had come so close to seeing as a father figure, was Batman… and didn't even tell him. But, the thing that kept nagging his mind was why he didn't save them? His parents. He was there, one of the greatest superheroes of all time and he didn't save them. He could have, and Dick knew that, but he didn't. Why not?

Did he want them to die? Could he trust Bruce, no, Mr. Wayne now? No. No he couldn't.

"He wanted to Master Richard, he truly wanted to," Alfred said, setting a cup of hot-chocolate on the side table by the seat. They were situated back in that small library with the grandfather clock.

Dick frowned and turned away, glancing at the hot-chocolate and his grip tightening around Peanut. He looked away and out the window, his daze examining the moon with a meticulous eye. He thought about his mamă and what she would do. But he couldn't, he had only known her for six years of his life… but it felt so much longer. It felt like everyone memory was happy and those happy moments seemed to go on forever.

"Condu-mă familia mea," he muttered, knowing Alfred couldn't hear what he said. Lead me my family.

He needed someone to lead him.

"Bruce, if you want me to go and talk to him-" Diana started, watching as Bruce paced the Batcave floor.

"No… Princess, I'm sorry for calling for you here. I'll do it… Alfred's with Dick. I understand if he's not going want to see me… but… it had to be me."

Diana smiled, mission accomplished, and nodded toward him. She shifted her weight to her right leg and glanced toward the Zeta-beam. Bruce stopped to stare at her, waiting for her to exit the cave. Making no move, he walked over to her. Her attention snapped back to him and she grinned sheepishly.

"Sorry," Diana muttered and stepped in. Bruce could swear she winked at him just before disappearing in a flash of golden light. He sighed and walked toward another exit. He was taken up to his room, thinking of all the scenario's and conversations that could go on when he went to talk to Dick. He wasn't… afraid; nervous would have been a better word to describe the emotion he was feeling at the moment.

Now changed and ready to confront him, he moved down to where he suspected Dick and Alfred to be. He heard nothing but the sipping of hot chocolate (screw March) caught his attention. Moving forward he was greeted with a scene that he felt broke his heart. Dick was curled up in the chair, pulling a wool blanket close to his chin. Bruce saw a lump in which he figured was Peanut the elephant.

"Dick," he muttered, loud enough for both he an Alfred to hear.

The butler turned around and took a step back, giving a small bow. Dick turned around and his eyes widened when he saw Bruce. The boy leaned away slightly and turned away, staring at the picture of his parents.

"Bruce?" Dick spoke, his voice a soft whisper.

"Yes?"

"Do I… have to go back to the center?"

Bruce stared at him with wide eyes but the ebony haired child did not see it. He continued staring at the picture, tears coming to his eyes as he thought about the smile that was on his mothers face in the picture. Why would Dick think that? Bruce could never put him in the center, nor any other kid. Except, of course, those who he caught robbing and stealing.

"No."

"Good… because I don't want to go back."

Review?

Things are going to start picking up from here too. Yay!

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.
- Dr. Seuss