In the first 16 hours of Richard leaving, Bruce had been unconcerned. Thinking Richard just needed to blow off steam. Believing he knew where Dick was and properly just visiting Clark. That quickly vanished when he located the GPS coordinates from the tracking box normally attached to Dick's bike and discovered it was actually coming from a rusty old pick up. Under further investigation Bruce discovered that the owner of the truck was the local priest's visiting brother.

Bruce rapidly started working to pin point where Dick was, retreating into the Batcave for several hours and trying to think of places Dick might go. However once the 36 hour mark had gone by since Dick's leaving Bruce was forced to contact the police and alert them to Dick's disappearance.

This had side tracked Bruce from his working as he needed to fill in the police and Commissioner Gordon on the previous hours before Dick's running away. Once Bruce was finally left alone he was able to locate a traffic camera that picked up Dick's bike. It seemed Dick hadn't been too concerned about road safety and Commissioner Gordon had questioned why Dick even knew how to ride a motorbike. Luckily Dick's background at the circus explained a lot of Dick's unorthadoxed skills and talents.

Batman had given Gordon all the information he had gathered, raising an eyebrow at why Batman was so interested. To this Batman simply vanished leaving a curious Commissioner alone on a rooftop.

As it had hit day four, Superman had paid a visiting explaining his concern for Dick's well being, partially after the conversation they had. However once Bruce had told Superman the truth in why Dick had left, the Man of Steel actually rose his voice for the first time at the Dark Knight of Gotham.

"So let me get this straight. After surviving a bullet to the heart and being the only one that held his ground against the assassin Deathstroke and still completing the mission objective. You fired Dick from being Robin?" Superman's voice rose slightly through out. He couldn't understand the dark knight's reasoning.

Bruce was tired, unshaven and ragged. He hadn't slept for four days and was sick with worry; and guilt was slowly leaking into the mixture. "Yes" was all he replied not having the energy to explain his logic to the boy scout.

"Bruce you do realise you took the only thing he cared about and confirmed all the fears he had been having?"

This peeked Bruce's interest a bit. Bruce knew Dick had been having doubts due to overhearing his team but how did Clark know? Bruce rose an eyebrow at Clark indicating his curiosity. Clark had been around Bruce long enough to interpret what these subtle gestures meant since Bruce wasn't the most expressive person.

"I saw Dick the other day and we talked as I could see he was upset." Clark filled in the details and Bruce nodded.

They both sat in silence for a moment. They were currently in Bruce's study in the Manor. The God send that was Alfred Pennyworth had somehow persuaded Bruce to retire above ground for a little while to get food, drink and sunlight to waken him up since he refused to go to sleep.

Still confused by Bruce's actions Clark decided to resume talking in the hope it might just annoy the Dark Knight enough into talking, "I just don't understand Bruce. Dick may have been injured a bit recently but that just means he had room for improvement. Heck we all do. In the fact Dick has more experience, skill and wisdom then most people in the Justice League. He has proven how good he is and I don't understand how you could turn your back on him. Not to mention Robin is basically Dick's shrine to remember his parents and why he does this…"

At the mention at Dick's parents Bruce snapped. It was the exact argument that Dick had made the previous night and it somehow triggered the flood gate Bruce kept closed on his emotions to open up.

"I know that Clark!" Bruce yelled angrily trying to get Clark to shut up so he could have some silence and peace of mind. But the events of the last few days, actually the last few months, that Bruce had kept bottled up suddenly exploded inside of him and he felt he needed to release this energy quickly.

Bruce grabbed a vase that sat at the side of the room and hurled it at the opposite wall. He watched it smashed, but it did little to cool the rage inside of him now. His fears, guilt, conflicts all springing to the surface. He spun around and kicked the table where the vase had rested, sending it splitting to the floor.

Bruce suddenly remembered he had company and decided to try to meditate slightly before he destroyed any more of his furnishings. However he still needed to relent some of these emotions, so for the first time ever, he actually opted to speak them to another human being.

"I know all of this. I didn't fire him because he was unworthy or a liability. I fired him for my own selfish reasons."

Clark surprised by Bruce's confession, waited a moment to see if Bruce would carry on. When he did not Clark tried to encourage Bruce into continuing. "What do you mean Bruce?"

Bruce released a long breath, trying to find the right words. When he spoke again he spoke quietly. "Dick almost died. I… I couldn't lose him. And then when I heard he had the encounter with Deathstroke… I… I was…. scared. I fired Robin because I couldn't lose Dick. Dick is the best part of me and I made a promise to his parents to keep him safe and alive. I can't lose Dick otherwise… I'm all alone".

Clark was left dumbfounded. He had been friends with Bruce for many years and even then the word 'friend' was used lightly. But he had never heard Bruce seem so fragile or exposed. Clark did the only thing he knew he could. He stood up and walked over to Bruce and put a hand on his shoulder, "Tell him that when you get him back", Clark said softly.

Suddenly the vulnerable man Clark had seen reverted back into its original self. Finding some sort of new purpose to find Dick had revived Brice's energy. "I just need to find him" and with that Bruce vanished into the caves below.

Clark not wanting to leave yet went to the kitchen where Alfred was serving pumpkin pie. Clark would never tell his ma this, but Alfred's was the best. And Alfred already had a plate ready with a glass of milk on the side.

"Good Morning Mr Kent". Alfred spoke but it seemed more reserved then usual. It was easy to tell Alfred was worried about Dick; but Clark still replied, "Good Morning Alfred. Thanks for the pie".

Alfred only nodded back and went to cleaning up the dishes while Superman gobbled down the pie. Once Clark was satisfied every crumb had been eaten off his plate he took his plate over and helped Alfred clean up. Martha Kent had raised a polite and helpful boy after all.

They continued on in silence with Clark washing and Alfred drying and putting away. After a while though Clark broke the silence, "How are you doing Alfred?"

Alfred still moving fluidly around the kitchen, knowing it like the back of his hand, and replied "If I am to be honest Mr Kent. I am worried for Master Richard but more so for Master Bruce".

This left Clark a bit puzzled. Alfred reading his expression sighed and finally stopped moving around. "Of course I am worried for Master Richard. He is upset and heartbroken and out there somewhere thinking he has no home. Master Bruce recognises this and if we never find Master Richard, Master Bruce will forever hold himself accountable for it".

Clark finished cleaning up the last plate and placed it on the drying rack, absorbing what Alfred had said. He couldn't help but agree. Dick was resourceful and knew how to look after himself. But Bruce had always been a bit of an emotional mess masked with shadow and violence. Clark didn't know how Bruce would cope if Dick didn't return.

"Dick changed Bruce a lot more then Bruce changed Dick huh?" Clark spoke this thought while looking out of the window that resided above the sink. Alfred joined Clark and nodded. Both sending a little prayer for Dick's safe return.