This chapter is for my loyal reviewer Chibi Lauryn. I hope this story is up to your liking. I would also like to say flames are very welcome. They keep me warn as I write more and I even roast marshmallows on them some times.

Chapter 11: The Battle Before the Big Game

Dick yawned for the thousandth time as he sat in his Geometry class. He and Roy had been looking after Ellie for two weeks now and he was already exhausted. Roy had moved in and they were taking turns getting up at night with her. School had become harder now that they had Ellie.

"Dick," Gar said shaking his shoulder as his head drooped.

"Huh what?" he asked sitting up.

"That was the bell," Gar said.

"Oh," Dick said his cheeks flushing red. He gathered his hits and stood up. He joined Gar, Wally, Garth and Roy as they left the class room.

"Sorry I'm just tired," Dick said.

"Yeah Ellie is keeping us up," Roy said.

"Us?" Dick asked, "You check on her give her what she needs and fall asleep instantly while I lay awake for an hour," Dick said.

"Dick clam down," Roy said, "It's not like I do it on purpose but I can just get back to sleep easily," he said.

"Sorry," Dick said, "I'm just a little on edge," He said as they walked to their next class. He and Roy bid the other three goodbye and headed to their English class together. They joined Kori and Rachel. Dick fell into his eat and laid his head down on the desk in front of him.

"Tired?" Rachel asked. Dick lifted his hand and waved at her.

"That means yes," Roy said.

"That bad?" Kori asked.

"I'm just glad it's Friday, because after tonight's game Ellie is all mine," Roy said. Dick sat up and looked up at Roy shocked.

"Roy you don't have to do that," Dick said.

"I know but you deserve a break," Roy said. Dick only smiled and hugged Roy. Roy did not know how much that meant to him. He just hoped Roy wouldn't take it back.

"Thank you," he said.

"Hey, you deserve some sleep," Roy said, "I'm sorry I've been busy with Football," he said as the final bell rang meaning class had started. He reached over and gave Dick's hand a squeeze.

Roy yawned as he drove home from his game. He was tired and wanted to get home and sleep. He knew that wasn't going to happen. He had a promise to keep. Dick deserved a break and some sleep. Ellie was a handful like he had expected. He didn't know how he was balancing school, football, and her, but he was.

He approached Wayne manor and pulled into the garage. He parked his car next to Dick's and got out. He locked his car and headed inside. He passed through the dining room where Alfred was cleaning.

"Hey Al," he said.

"Oh, master Roy," Alfred said, "how was your game?" he asked.

"We won," Roy said, "so we move on to the next round and if we win next week we move on to state," he said.

"Well, I wish you and your team good luck," Alfred said.

"Thanks where's Dick and Ellie?" Roy asked.

"I think he has her up in your room with him," Alfred said. Roy nodded and made his way up to his and Dick's room.

He cringed at the thought of the argument Bruce and Dick had had when discussing his room arrangement. Bruce had insisted on giving them separate room. He wanted Ellie next to Dick, and Roy the one next to that. Dick fought it would just be easier if he and Roy shared his room. His biggest mistake was telling Bruce they had already slept in it. Roy who had been down the hall with Ellie cringed as they yelled. They fought for what felt like hours, but in the end Dick had gotten his way by stating that they weren't going to be able to do anything since Ellie would be taking up a lot of their time.

Roy made his way down the hall to their room. He opened the door and saw Dick laying on the bed with Ellie. He was laying on his side watching Ellie sleep. Roy stood there and smiled to himself. He wondered how he he gotten so lucky to be with someone as amazing as Dick.

He walked over to the bed. "Hey," he said softly. Dick looked up from Ellie and smiled.

"Hey," he said, "How was your game? Rae told me you personally took a beating and that you were amazing," he said.

"Did she tell you we're moving on and we might just make it all the way to state," Roy asked as he sat down behind Dick.

"No," Dick said sitting up. He gave Roy a small peck in the lips before picking Ellie up.

"How was El?" he asked as carefully he took the baby from Dick. He did not want to wake her up. She moved a little but did not wake up.

"She's actually been sleeping for almost an hour now," he said.

"I'm gonna go put her in her crib and we can talk some more," Roy said. Dick nodded and Roy left to put Ellie down. He loved Ellie, but he needed to talk to Dick. If his team made it to state it was a two night trip. He did not want to leave him alone with Ellie for two nights. There is no way he'd sleep or do well in school.

He set Ellie down and looked at the small sleeping baby. She had changed his and Dick's lives so much. She had turly surprised everyone, but she had wormed her way into their hearts. She was just so lovable.

Roy walked back in to his and Dick's room. Dick was sitting on his bed waiting for him. "So if we do make it to state it's a two night trip," Roy said.

"Two nights?" Dick asked.

"Yeah we arrive the day before and get some rest and play the next day and go back to the hotel for the night and leave by six AM and get back here at six PM," Roy said.

"I can handle Ellie," Dick said.

"I don't want to leave you for two nights on your own with her," Roy said, "You can barely sleep as it is when I'm here," he said placing his hand on Dick's cheek.

"I'll be fine," Dick said grabbing Roy's hand and bribing it to his lips.

"Are you sure because I could stay the team doesn't really need me," Roy said.

"Roy your one of the captains and the best quarter back the team has," Dick said letting go of Roy's hand. "I will admit it'll be hard but I'll manage somehow," he said. He leaned in pressed his lips to Roy's, and as if on cue Ellie started crying. Roy groaned and stood up.

"She does that on purpose," he said.

"She just knows we're supposed to be paying attention to her," Dick laughed as be joined Roy.

"I got it," Roy said. He walked over to Ellie's room with Dick behind him. He walked over to Ellie and picked her up. He walked over to the changing table and changed her diaper. She continued to cry though.

"Maybe she's hungry," Dick suggested. He moved to grab her, but Roy slapped his hands away.

"I got this," he said said. He picked up Ellie and brought her over to her crib and grabbed a bottle and the baby formula and made her a bottle.

"Roy," Dick said.

"I can do this Dick," Roy said turning around. He walked over to Dick and quickly pressed his lips to Dick's. "Now go lay down and rest," he said.

"I was going to tell you I was going to lay down," Dick said.

"Oh," Roy said. He turned to look at Dick, and nodded. Dick smiled and left the room. Roy finished making Ellie's bottle. He walked over to Ellie and picked her up.

"Hungry?" he asked as he sat down in the rocking chair across the room. He settled into the chair and started feeding Ellie. He sighed and thought about the last two weeks. Ellie had changed things so much. Roy had learned how to care for her and she had changed his sleekly patterns. Him and Dick were closer now.

Dick laid down on his bed. Roy had kept his promise. He had hinestly thought Roy would pass out after his game, like he always did. He was surprised when he had taken her and changed her. Be had been espicakky surprised when he offered to stay home instead if going to state. He knew going to state was what he had worked for. He knew How much Roy loved football. Roy had gotten a lot of offers from colleges for football scholarships.

He yawned as he stretched out on his bed. Roy was right he needed to sleep. He relaxed and closed his eyes. He just hoped Roy would join him soon. He slept better when he knew Roy was beside him. He was half asleep when Roy joined him. He rolled over and looked at Roy. "Hey," he mumbled.

"Go to sleep Dick," Roy said as he laid down next to him. He pulled Dick closer so his head rested on Roy's chest. This was different than how they normally laud but Dick didn't care. He smiled as Roy put his arms and him. He closed his eyes once more and drifted to sleep.

Rachel yawned as she sat up. It was Saturday and Jericho was doing home. He and his girlfriend were taking the rest of the semester off. Arella had told Jericho about John and Mary's accident and he decided to come home early.

"Rachel?" Arella's voice said as her bed room door slowly opened.

"I'm up," Rachel said.

"Gar's here," Arella said, "He's waiting down stairs," she said.

"I'll be down in a few," Rachel said waving Arella off.

"Kay," Arella said, "Oh, and your brother should be home a little after noon," She said. Rachel nodded and she got out of her bed. Arella left closing the door behind her. Rachel walked over to her closet and grabbed a change of clothes and headed down the hall to the bathroom. She changed, brushed her teeth, and put her hair in a low ponytail after a quick brush. She looked herself over once before leaving the bathroom and making her way down stairs to the living room. She saw Gar sitting on the couch talking to Arella.

"Gar," she said walking over to him.

"Hey Rae," Gar said.

"Not to be rude but why are you here?" Rachel asked, "You're never up before noon on Saturdays," She said as she walked over to Gar and sat down next to him.

"Well I have something I need to tell you," Gar said.

"What?" Rachel asked curiously.

"Do you remember my sister Lilly?" Gar asked.

"Yeah we're still friends," Rachel said, "we chat all the time," she said.

"Well she's getting married and she wants to know if you'll be her maid of honor," Gar said, "She would've asked you herself but doing it online just doesn't seem right and she won't be home for another month," be added. Rachel sat there shocked.

"Of course," she said.

"What is then?" Rachel asked.

"Her fiancé is someone she met in grad school just a year younger than her," Gar said.

"Where is this going?" Rachel asked confused.

"Rae who do you know that goes to Stanford for his PhD?" Arella asked.

"Oh my god it's Tim," Rachel said her hands flying to her mouth.

"Yeah he didn't realize I was Lilly's brother since she's a Dayton and I'm a Logan," Gar said.

"Why didn't he tell me that he was seeing someone," Rachel said excitedly.

"He just purposed last night when he got back," Gar said, "Lilly said his parents accident really opened his eyes," he said.

"Oh," Rachel said.

"Yeah, it was sort of a spur of the moment thing," Gar said.

"Oh Rae, Dick called and he told me about Tim and him and Roy are gonna come over later so Jericho can meet his newest cousin," Arella said.

"When?" Rachel asked.

"Before noon so we can get some time with her too,"Arella said. Rachel nodded and stood up. "Come on Gar I have to go call Kori," Rachel said grabbing Gar's hand and pulling him to his feet. Gar nodded and allowed Rachel to pull him from the room. She dragged him up to her room and she let go of him and grabbed her cell phone from her bedside table.

Roy ran about Ellie's room trying to make sure he and Dick had everything for their visit to Rachel's. They were taking Ellie to meet Rachel's brother, Jericho. He had been away for college, but was coming home for a while.

If that news was big enough Tim had called saying he was engaged to Lilly Dayton, one of Gar's sisters. They congratulated him and said they'd be there for him.

"Come on Roy," Dick said, "we have everything but El," He said.

"Are you sure I don't want to forget anything," Roy said.

"We haven't forgotten anything," Dick said. Roy nodded and turned to Dick.

"I'm sorry," he said looking up at Dick. Dick smiled and leander down and pressed his lips to Roy's in a slow sweet kiss.

"We're just going over to Rachel's it not that far from here," Dick said, "It walking distance," he said.

"I know," Roy said, "This is the first time we're taking her somewhere though," He said.

"Just chill she'll be fine," Dick said, "I'm actually worried about you right now," he said grinning as he dropped the diaper bag he was holding. He placed his hands on both sides of Roy's head and kissed him again.

"Dick," Roy said against his lips.

"You're kind of killing the mood," Dick said as he pulled back.

"Sorry but we have to go," Roy said, "You told your aunt before noon and it's almost quarter to," he said pointing to his watch. Dick sighed annoyed.

"We no time for us anymore," Dick said.

"We are raising a kid," Roy said, "no one said it was gonna be easy," he said grinning as he walked past Dick and over to Ellie's crib. He picked her up and dressed her in a pink shirt and small jean shorts over her diaper.

"I'll get her coat and hat," Dick said as Roy put her socks and shoes on.

A few minutes later they walked out the door and to Roy's car. They got everything situated and got in themselves.

"Wow, this is the first time we're takin her from the house," Dick said. It just hit him. They were taking Ellie away from home, even if it were only a few blocks away.

"I know," Roy said grabbing his hand and giving it a squeeze. Roy started the car and pulled out of the garage and out of the drive way. A few minutes later they were knocking on Rachel's door. The door opened. A you man about twenty, with blonde hair and green eyes answered the door.

"Jericho," Dick said smiling.

"Hey Dick we arrived a little ahead of schedule," Jericho said.

"And we're a little behind," Roy said. He was holding Ellie's car seat. Jericho spotted it and stepped aside.

"Hey Roy," Jericho said.

"Jer wanna meet your newest cousin?" Dick asked as they walked down the hall to the living room.

"Yeah," Jericho said, "and I'm sorry about your parents," he said.

"Thanks," Dick said as he sat down on the couch. Roy set Ellie down on the floor and took her out of her car seat and handed her to Dick.

"I don't understand how your mom didn't know," Jericho said as he walked over to Dick. He sat down beside Dick and looked at Ellie.

"I don't know," Dick said, "what I do know is she is special," he said.

"Yeah you can't helpline love her," Roy said.

"I hardly know her and I love her," Jericho said, "I can tell she's gonna be spoiled when she's older," he said.

"Definitely," Dick said.

"Jericho who was at the door?" Arella asked as she walked into the room. "Oh, Dick, Roy," she said.

"Hey," Dick said, "Ellie's here," he said. Arella smiled and walked over to Dick. Roy moved so Arella could sit next to Dick.

"She is just so adorable," Arella said.

"You wanna hold her?" Dick asked.

"Sure," Arella said smiling at Dick. Dick carefully handed the infant over to Arella and stood up.

"So Jer, where is this girlfriend of yours," Dick asked, "Rae told me you were bringing her here," he said as he stretched.

"Well don't you look well rested,"Rachel said as she walked down the hall with Gar behind her.

"That's because I actually got some sleep last night," Dick said.

"How?" Arella asked, "she isn't sleeping through the night yet is she?" she asked.

"Oh god no," Dick said.

"I am taking care of El this weekend so Dick can actually sleep," Roy said.

"And how is that working out for you?" Gar asked. Rachel sat down in the armchair next to the couch and Gar sat on the arm next to her.

"So far so good," Roy said.

"You're not tired?" Rachel asked disbelievingly.

"Oh I'm tired," Roy said, "I'm just better at hiding it than Dick," he said.

"Sorry I'm not good at hiding things like you," Dick said, "When I'm tired I tend to think of nothing else but sleep," he said.

"It's ok I've had lots of practice though," Roy said, "Coach Karr makes us do laps if we yawn so naturally I learned to hide them," he said.

"Karr is still coaching?" Jericho asked.

"Yeah this is his last year though," Roy said, "If we go to state which I think we will," Roy said.

"Yes and if you I won't be able to go cheer you on because someone has to watch Ellie," Dick said walking over to Roy.

"I told you I could stay with you," Roy said.

"You haven't even made it yet and we're already fighting over what to do," Dick said laughing.

"You know Dick if Roy makes it to state and you want to go I could watch Ellie for you," Arella said.

"You mean it?" Dick asked turning to Arella.

"Yes I do," Arella said.

"If the team makes it," Dick said. He smiled. He did not want to leave Ellie with Bruce because he did not know how to care for a baby and Alfred did enough for them by watching her during the day while they were at school. He had not thought to ask Arella. She had raised two kids on her own and done a great job. Rachel and Jericho were both great people.

"If you ever need anything don't be afraid to ask I did rasie two kids on my own," Arella said.

"I know and you did a pretty good job with Rae," Dick said, "I don't know so much about Jer," he said grinning as he moved closer to Roy.

"Oh Dick your so funny I forgot to laugh," Jericho said standing up.

"I was kidding," Dick said as he clung to Roy. "please don't hurt me," he said trying not to laugh.

"Relax I'm going to hurt you," Jericho said laughing. "I was going to go get Toni so you can meet her," he said as he left the room.

Garth yawned as he and Wally watched Roy get tackled again.

"That looked like it hurt," Donna said.

"He's gonna be feeling that tomorrow," Kori said.

"So who's winning?" Dick asked as he sat down next to Rachel.

"We are,"Rachel said.

"What are you doing here?" Kori asked shocked.

"Yeah aren't you supposed to be watching Ellie?" Donna asked.

"I asked my aunt and she said yes," Dick said.

"You're not taking advantage of my mom are you?" Rachel asked.

"No I just really wanted to come see Roy and Al watched Ellie all day already," Dick said.

"Ok, ok I get it," Rachel cut him off. Dick turned to look down at the field in time to see Roy take another dive.

"If Roy doesn't get it together soon we may lose," Garth said.

"Yeah," Wally agreed.

"The only other time he played this bad was that time when he broke up with Spencer O'Connor," Donna said.

"Dick you two aren't fighting are you?" Garth asked.

"No I wished him luck before he left," Dick said.

"He's been off his game for the last two weeks," Wally said.

"Since I've stopped coming to the games," Dick said. He looked down to the field as Coach Karr called Roy off the field and put Victor in as quarterback. Dick watched Roy take his helmet off and sit down. He hung his head and shook it as he talked to Coach Karr. The horn sounded signaling the second quarter ended. The team stood up and headed to the locker room.

"Dick you have to do something," Garth said.

"I agree this game is important," Rachel said.

"We have to win this one to go to state," Gar said.

"I know that," Dick said. He bit his lip as he tried to think of something to do. "I got it," he said. He jumped up and ran from the stands.

Roy sat there as coach Karr gave the team a pep talk. It was no use for him. He had been having an off game. It had been the same for the last two weeks. It wasn't because he was tired it was because Dick wasn't here. As silly as it sounded he really wanted Dick to be here.

"Harper," coach Karr said.

"Yes coach," Roy said looking up at him.

"Come out when your head is on straight," he said.

"Yes sir," Roy said hanging his head.

"Alright guys let's go," Victor said.

"I'll be out in a few," Roy called as the team left. Roy sat there in silence. He hated this just because he knew Dick wasn't there he wasn't playing as good as he knew he could.

The door opened and someone walked into the room.

"I said I'll be out in a few," he said.

"I know Vic told me," a familiar voice said. Roy looked up at Dick. "Coach Karr said do what ever I had to dobro get you to play right," Dick said grinning. He walked over to Roy and stood in front of him. Roy smiled as he stood up. He looked up at Dick. Dick smirked and leaned in and kissed him. Roy pulled Dick closer and kissed him.

"I've been having an off night," Roy said.

"I know I'm here to make you play better," Dick said.

"How do you purpose we do that?" Roy asked as he started kissing Dick's neck.

Dick returned to the stand after the team started playing again. He sat down next to Rachel again.

"Where did you go?" she asked.

"I think that hickey speaks for itself," Wally said pointing to Dick's neck. Dick blushed.

"I had to do something to get his head back in the game," Dick said.

"What are the odds that we find a matching one on Roy tomorrow," Garth asked Wally.

"I say pretty high," Wally said.

"Oh shut up," Dick said.