YAY! More resolution! Now i know Dick finally called Bruce 'Dad' in the last chapter, but I believe he only calls him that under extreme circumstances. It's not going to become a habit. =P Also, I found a way to tie something back into the story and put it here that I said I wouldn't. That's why it's a little later than expected getting today's chapie up. Hope you like it!

Dick-16/17 Jason-13 Cass-11/12 Tim-9 Damian-3

Sacrifice

21 –Dangerous Ends

Dick was truly grateful for Alfred's help in the shower. He really wasn't up for any of it, and having the old man there to help meant a lot to him. He hadn't told anyone quite yet what had happened to him all those months, and the man hadn't ask. He just stayed with him. No questions.

He and Bruce must have talked to the others about it too, telling his siblings not to ask any question. Even while they thrust present upon present at him (he missed Christmas and his birthday), then told him everything that had happened to them since that horrible day, they didn't ask him about anything. And he was grateful they didn't. Even he wasn't ready to face it, not yet. He just wanted to be with his family.

"Hey, I think we missed one." Jason picked out an envelope that had slid down from the pile of packages earlier mid story and handed it to Dick. He was telling him about his visit to Ray Palmer that led to them being deprobed and it was rather interesting. Occasionally one of the others joined in, telling their point of view, bit Jason did a pretty good job describing everything. The envelope was a strange interruption. "I think it's from Dad. He's been carrying it in his coat pocket since Christmas."

Reaching around Damian in his lap, he took the envelope and slid it open. Tim leaned in to see what was inside, nearly pinning his arm in place. His eyes widened, his jaw dropping as he took the papers out. His brothers attached to him looked at it in confusion, asking what everyone wondered. "What is it?"

"A ticket." It was more than that actually. In his hands was a week-long round trip first class ticket to Paris, a VIP ticket to Haly Circus while on its European tour, their itinerary, several cashier checks for different European countries, bus and train schedules, maps, and a list of addresses for hotels Wayne Enterprises owned on the other side of the Atlantic. It was a trip in a box. One ticket.

Bruce was going to let him go on an unsupervised trip to see his first family.

Dick's mind flashed back to that night when he last saw him. Bruce was so nervous… he was planning on giving him that envelope that night. They weren't just going to work out their issues, he was going to let him have some time to try being on his own. This gift was a sign of trust. A smile grew on his lips and he laughed weakly. "So I could see Pop Haly over in Europe."

"That's so cool!" His siblings came a little closer to check it out. They were only scraps of paper, but they meant more than their actual value, to all of them. Bruce letting one of them far out of his sight like that was unheard of. "Is it still any good?"

"Pretty sure Haly's done there for the season. They'll have moved back to North America by now." He looked around, expecting some commentary from the giver by now but hearing none. Alfred was working in the kitchen, preparing their next meal and ignoring their conversation in general, but… "Hey, where's Bruce?"

Jason and Tim looked around curiously. They hadn't noticed when he slipped out either. Cass shrugged in a nearby chair. "He left about an hour ago to talk to Alfred after his phone rang. No… hour and a half ago."

"Okay…" The acrobat looked over to his younger brothers, not really wanting to move away from them, but needing to thank their father properly. "Hey, can I get up for a bit?"

"You're not leaving right?" Tim pouted slightly, holding onto his arm a little tighter. Damian just looked at him curiously. The entire time he was gone, they told the toddler he was on a trip and would be back soon. For the most part, he was blissfully unaware of what had occurred, just knew Dick was going to be gone for a while. Tim seemed to be by far more shaken about his disappearance than anyone, except maybe Bruce.

"Not if I can help it." He gave the kid an encouraging smile and was rewarded with the use of his arm again. Damian slipped off his lap without any argument and the teen was able to walk around again. "Be back in a minute."

"You better," the genius pouted. "I still haven't showed you what Cass taught me."

"I'm looking forward to it." He grinned at his brother encouragingly, giving off more confidence than he had. He always did before, but this time he was hoping somehow that confidence would become real if he faked it enough. Quickly Dick joined Alfred in the kitchen, spotting the cookies cooling on the counter top for a moment. It was too tempting to swipe one right then, but he wanted to remain in Alfred's good graces. Who knew how he'd see him if he kept stealing? "Hey Alfie? Where's Bruce?"

"I believe he stepped out." The butler didn't look up from preparing the vegetables for their stew.

"Stepped out?" He set the envelope and its contents aside on the counter, concerned. Long ago he learned the man started talking vaguely whenever he was keeping something quiet. He did that a lot before he learned Bruce's big secret. "Where did he step out to?"

"There are many matters of business Master Bruce must handle before we return to Gotham." Alfred set aside a pile of carrots to start on the celery.

"Like what exactly?" The butler looked at him at last, raising an inquiring eyebrow. Suddenly flashes of everything he'd done the past month, everything from the thefts to property damages to fighting the Titans and evading the cops. His ears turned red and he looked away awkwardly. Of course there'd be things he'd have to take care of first. More than likely Alfred would have to charter a plane and take his siblings back to Gotham soon so they wouldn't miss too many school days. He and Bruce would probably have to go through a lot of hurdles to settle everything without making a scandal out if it. He'd be in San Francisco for a while. "Right…"

"I would not worry too much about the details Master Richard." The old mad started chopping another celery stick as he talked. "I assure you, Master Bruce will handle everything."

"I know…" A stray thought went into his head hearing that. Bruce did tend to get pretty hands on with everything that threatened his and his sibling's lives. And Alfred still hadn't told him exactly where his employer was. "Alfred, where did he go?"

"It's of no matter—"

"Where did he go?" When the man wouldn't answer his question directly, he knew something was up. He almost distracted him, but Dick was the king of distractions. Came with living half his life in the circus. The old man still wouldn't answer his question, taking the silent route. Dick's eyes widened dangerously. "You let him go to the police department…"

"As I've said before," the man gave him a long look, placing the knife away from him, "there are certain matters he must take care of himself."

"He's going to be there." Dick watched the man for a moment. Alfred didn't even flinch. "You knew."

"In his household, we make our business to know certain things."

"And you let him go?!" The unwavering gaze of the butler only confirmed his thoughts. "Only because you couldn't… Alfred, do you realize what will happen if he succeeds?"

"Master Bruce has always been hard headed I'm afraid. You know this just as well as I."

"I can't believe this…" Quickly he turned on his heel and went back to his room, running his hands through his hair. He looked at a clock along the way and knew he didn't have much time. He wasn't not going to let it happen.

"Dick?" Jason had followed him after he passed by them without an explanation. He wasn't smiling, laughing, or even trying to fake it. Dick's mouth was a grim straight line and his eyes glaring in frustration. Now he was tying on his shoes, putting back on his watch, and grabbing a jacket. "What are you doing?"

"Stopping Bruce from making a horrible mistake." He whisked past his brother, pulling on the jacket as fast as he could. "Got a spare keycard? Might need it later."

"What?" The younger teen followed after him, a spike of fear entering his chest.

"Never mind. I can jimmy the lock later if I need to." He headed towards the door leaving the penthouse they recently acquired, focusing on something he couldn't see. "Be back soon, I hope."

"Just where do you think you're going young man?" Alfred came out of the kitchen, eyes growing in alarm. The others were leaving their comfortable seats to see what the commotion was about, their breaths halting as Dick headed towards the door.

"Where do you think?" He cast the man a slight glare. "To get Bruce back."

"I don't think so Ri—"

"I'm staying on the grid," Dick insisted, waving his returned watch/tracer on his wrist in front of him. "Besides, you've got four others to watch. Can't keep them safe and me here now can you?"

Knowing he won, the teen darted out the door, past the two shocked policemen standing by. Another teen ran past them as well before they could even respond, going after the first. "Wait up!"

"Richard! Jason!" Alfred's shouts after them fell on deaf ears, but the officers on duty were quickly realizing what happened, and that they were now in real trouble.

Dick quickly figured the stairwell and the elevators would be out of the question because of everything that had happened, so he went for the fire escape. That part of San Fran had much shorter and older buildings, so the penthouse was only on the tenth floor and an iron outer staircase not too far off. He slid down most the rails before leaping to a light pole and sliding down it. Jason followed suit, always five steps behind. "Dick! Hold up!"

"Should have stayed behind…" his big brother murmured as he darted between alleyways and towards a particular destination. Only one month running around this town and he knew it almost as well as Gotham. He knew exactly where he was and where he was headed. Jason didn't. The two of them ran for three blocks straight before the former street rat was out of breath.

"Dick! Ser… seriously… wai… wait for… for me… Dick…" Exhausted, the younger teen was ready to collapse. Dick was always faster than him, but not by this much. They ran through alleys, streets, parks, crowds and a market. It was a miracle he hadn't lost him yet. And yet… "Dick… don't…"

"Hang on." Suddenly Jason felt his wrist being pulled, helping him run further. He saw his brother holding onto him, grim and determined but not leaving him behind. He slowed down a bit, but not my much. Dick was just in a hurry, not trying to run away and he certainly wouldn't abandon him. Seeing him there, still there, warmed him.

But it didn't answer his internal questions. "Dick… why… why are we running?"

"Because we've gotta stop Bruce from making a horrible mistake." His eyes narrowed in memory.

Jason glared at him slightly. "Being… cryp… tic… isn't helping…"

"He's going after Slade." Dick gritted his teeth at the thought. This was not a good idea. On Bruce's part.

"Is… is that… really so… so bad?" The kid didn't see the problem in their dad going after the man who hurt them all so much. They finally reached a corner and a red light, forcing them to stop for a moment. The crowd waiting for the change helped.

The older boy let go of his wrist and turned on him. "Don't you get it?! Don't you see what will happen if he does?! Haven't you figured it out?! The reason why he didn't kill Joker?!"

Hearing that man's name made Jason's blood freeze. It certainly made his breathing stop for a moment. Joker did such terrible things… to him… to his biological mother… to all of Gotham… and he was still alive. He had often wondered why. He tried to glare at Dick who ignored his exhausted gaze and kept talking, vehemently trying to make a point. "Because he was… in jail?"

"Hell no! That'd never stop him." Dick ran a hand through his hair. "It's because I stopped him."

"What?" His blood ran cold. He what? Stopped their dad from killing that madman?

"Think about it for a minute!" The older teen explained his actions on that street corner best he could, getting a few curious looks from some pedestrians. "What will happen once Bruce kills? Everything's over, for all of us! Bruce will go to jail, Damian will be given back to Talia by default, Cass might be able to avoid her parents or the Shadows for a while but they'll find her one day, and if we're lucky, you, me and Tim would end up in the system. Alfred won't get custody for any of us, and that makes us all free game. Some business tycoon, Luthor most likely, will buy up Wayne Enterprises and take Tim for Drake Industries! And then there's everyone else Bruce is responsible for. What happens to them?!"

As he said all this, it slowly sunk into Jason's head. He was right. The law didn't work in favor of people who killed unless in self-defense. The League would be in shambles, and in turn so would the Titans. Their family would be destroyed, their entire world. But one more killer would be gone…

"Even if by some grand miracle he escaped the legal ramifications," Dick continued, "he wouldn't be the same! He'll have broken his own greatest rule in half. If Bruce goes after Slade, no matter the circumstances, he'll no longer be our dad! Do you want that to happen?! Do you want to lose everything just for revenge?! It's not worth it! None of it is worth it!"

He looked around when he saw traffic moving again and grabbed the younger teen's wrist, running again. He continued to explain, not giving Jason a chance to try and convince him otherwise. "You didn't see Bruce when you were hurt, when you were catatonic. Can you even remember what was going on around you back then?"

"Not really…" his brother admitted, thoughts buzzing through his head while he focused on breathing and moving forward.

"It was bad." The acrobat glared forward, turning a final corner. They were just half a block away from the station. "He wasn't focused. He only paid attention to you and Damian, and even then I was taking care of him during most of it. Lucius took care of Wayne Enterprises and I helped out our aunts and uncles. Bruce was slipping everywhere, couldn't control his thoughts or emotions, and kept making bad calls. It wasn't until after he realized revenge got him nowhere that things started going back to normal.

"Course that was after he beat the living snot out of the guy. I had to tackle Bruce before he would stop and listen." They stormed up the precinct's steps and through the door. "Got a good kick in myself. Barely stopped him in time. Watches and keys over security!"

Dick released Jason's wrist and whipped off his watch, tossing it over the metal detectors and catching it on the other side as he ran through. The officer on duty did a double take as both boys ran past him, barely escaping the alarms with their tossing trick and completely ignoring protocol. "Hey wait!"

"Sorry! Emergency!" The two of them made it to the reception desk in seconds, closely followed by a couple officers spotting them. Teenagers running into their building was anything but good. When Dick flipped over the desk and dropped down to their water bottle stash, they really didn't know what to make of him. Jason was panting hard, barely stopping at the desk. He barely realized one of those waters his brother was snatching was flying at him in time to catch it. "Keep moving and drink that down. You'll only hurt yourself if you stop now. Now where is he?"

Dick looked over the receptionist's shoulder, looking over the screen quickly. Nothing useful there. Other officers were shouting at them, getting out their handcuffs to arrest two invading teens obviously up to no good. The poor college girl at the computer just gaped at him. "Ahhmmm… who?"

"It really should be pretty obvious. The big guy meeting a really evil bad guy who loves orange a little too much." He looked over the other screens nearby her, especially at security cameras. A commotion was starting right outside a particular interrogation room. "Never mind. Found him. Jay, behind you. And don't hurt them. You don't need a juvie record."

"Too late." Quickly the trouble maker darted around the desk to a gate separating the cops from the reception hall. Someone was just getting out and Dick managed to throw a second bottle in between the gate and doorjamb, keeping it open. Soon both of them were through and the thing closed, electronically locking and stopping the cops from tailing them further. At least that set.

Dick gave his brother a slight glare as he passed the second bottle to him to drink. He was 'fine' and didn't need it. "Do I really want to know what you did?"

"Maybe later. It really wasn't that bad." That small break gave him a second wind, but he wasn't quite able to drink and run at the same time yet. "How I met Dad was worse."

The older boy couldn't help but roll his eyes at the comment. Well if Jason didn't get in worse trouble than stealing tires off the Lincoln, then he was alright. "We'll have to jump a few floors. When we get there, you handle the crowd. I'll stop Bruce. The guy's only making more trouble for us…"

"Still think we…" The two of them ran up the staircase, jumping steps and swinging around for two floors to gain time, "should just let him be for a bit…"

"I don't know how long he's been locked up with him. Here!" Dick nearly kicked the door open, running straight to the crowd next to an interrogation room. He recognized about half the legal personnel there, officers included, and the battering ram they were getting out. "Crap. Jaybird! You take the low road, I'll take the high road!"

"You crazy circus brat!" Jason hollered at him as he jumped from a desk to a sprinkler pipe and into the weak paneled ceiling above them.

"Go get them street rat! Show 'em what Gotham's like!"

Quickly the boy crawled among the wires and stray pipes between the fake ceiling and the next floor, making his way to the interrogation room. It wasn't a lot of space, but most air vents weren't large enough for a human being to pass through at any age. Soon he could hear both Slade's cool, calculating voice along with Bruce's barely contained anger filled one. His old master was taunting the man, and it was working. He moved faster.

It was strange the cops never thought of using the crawl space between floors for infiltration like this. They could have stopped Bruce from the beginning if they had. It wasn't long before the voices were clear as crystal. And judging by his protector's voice, it wouldn't be long before he started throwing punches. Quickly he shoved a panel aside and dropped into the room, ironically right on top of the table separating the hero and villain. Both men jerked back in surprise at his appearance, giving Dick a chance to turn a glare at Bruce and step away from Slade's handcuffed limbs attached to the table.

"Well well! Speak of the devil." The assassin grinned slightly. "Glad you could join us apprentice."

"What did I just say?" Bruce took a step forward, ready to pounce on the man, and would have if Dick wasn't blocking his way, staring him down.

"Don't even think about it Bruce," he started, straining to ignore the man behind him. "He's not worth it."

"Dick," the man started, glaring slightly at him, "stand aside."

"No." Inside the teen was shaking. Standing so close to his long time tormentor… Defying his savior… Knowing he was stopping someone from receiving vengeance… Being in the same room as two very dangerous men with horrible tempers… He had every reason in the world to be terrified. But he also knew this was right. And standing up for what was right, no matter what, was part of being a hero.

"Dick…"

"I can't step aside. Bruce, don't do this. Don't stoop to his level. You know better than I do what revenge does to people. You know exactly where this will lead." He waved over to the scumbag behind him. "You're only playing into his hands. Bruce you're better than him, better than this! You lay one hand on him and he'll take legal action. It'll be used against you and he'll win. He knows how to use the system as well as you do; I've heard him talk about it once. Don't let him win!"

"Win?" Slade taunted them in his seat, sending chills down the young man's spine. "My boy, I am under lock and key. How can I possibly win now?"

"You weren't there watching his probes eat away at them." Bruce shook in rage at the memory of it all, trying desperately to ignore the maniac's words. Watching his children in that much pain… Damian not breathing… Hearing Leslie's report…

"No I wasn't." A flash of pain flew across Dick's face. "I was the one who caused it. Knowing that hurts more than the things he did to me."

The man hesitated for a moment at the thought of what could have happened to him, what had happened. A growl grew in his voice, his eyes narrowed dangerously, not glaring at his son, but at the man on the other side of him. "He has to pay for what he's done."

"He will," the boy agreed, "but not this way. Let the law work Bruce. He doesn't have diplomatic immunity and there are plenty of charges and proof against him to put him away for good, if you behave. He won't win this way."

"He took you away from us!" That really tore at the man's insides, at all of them. The past four months were pure agony for them. "Do you have any idea what we went through with you gone?!"

"Do you know what I went through being stuck with him?! Being torn away from you?!" Bruce jerked back slightly, realizing part of his folly. Dick had suffered, probably more than anyone there had. But there he was, talking him down.

Bruce had to see reason. He had to clear his head and see this wasn't the answer. Pounding Joker and fighting Slade were entirely different things. Joker's just a violent crazy murderer in a strait jacket no one cared if he beat up near to death. Lots of people would have cheered him on or bought tickets if it weren't technically illegal (they did a really good job burying that story). Slade though… Dick doubted Bruce could beat him in a fair fight, in police custody or not. The only reason Dick won was because the Titans injured him earlier and the teenager was using the tighter space to his advantage, along with the flying debris. Plus Slade hadn't expected it; Dick held back when he fought previously, technique wise. Fighting him in broad daylight, in a police station's interrogation room would be suicide on so many levels.

"I've gone through hell Bruce! In so many ways! More than anything I'd like to see him get what's coming for him! He's hurt me, you, everyone! He's killed people all around the world! He's a monster that should be locked up in a deep pit and fed on by rats!" Dick shook at the memories, at all the things that happened to him, pained by it all. He really, really, hated this guy.

"But… More than him, more than anything, I don't want you taken away from us!" He looked pleadingly into his father's eyes, begging tears starting to form. "You try to take him down like this and that's exactly what will happen. Bruce, the past few months have been a nightmare, a cruel chess game he's played with our lives. This is his last ditch effort to win, you and your temper! Don't let him win. Walk away, and let the justice system do its job."

Bruce just looked at him for a long minute, veins pulsing on his face and neck. It really was a much harder choice for him than he let on. His thirst for vengeance was hardly ever quenched, only pushed aside for the greater good. And that 'greater good' was telling him to do it again.

The man behind him scoffed. "Really, how long do you thing those buffoons can hold me? It won't take more than a night to leave this place and—"

"Shut up right now or your brain will plaster these walls." Dick glared death upon the man over his shoulder, his foot itching to slam into his head at a moment's notice. "I've been ready to go to prison ever since you abducted me, and it shouldn't be a surprise I want you dead. Planned on killing you if I couldn't get my freedom another way. One way or another, I'm not letting you win."

Their eyes met for a minute, and the assassin knew he wasn't lying. If necessary, this circus boy would kill, if it meant saving someone else from the evil one. He had awoken someone potentially very dangerous. The only thing stopping him now was the large hand taking his own. Bruce would have grabbed his shoulder if he wasn't standing on the table still.

"And I won't let you become what he is." Dick looked back over to the man he trusted explicitly, his eyes relaxing a bit. The rage he had was fully reigned in once again. The Bat wasn't going to be making an appearance that day, and he certainly wasn't going to kill. "Now get down from there. Rule 9."

That last bit made the teen smirk a bit before hopping off. "Right…" Once his feet were on the ground, he 'accidentally' shoved the table backwards, right into Slade's bruised ribs. He gave a mock sorry look, shrugging a bit. "Sorry, not perfect."

"Some days I wonder…" Bruce gave him a playful sadistic look. Hearing Slade gasping for breath was music to their ears. "Have you considered a career in political negotiations? I think you'd do that much better than being a cop."

The acrobat jerked his eyes onto him with a snap. "Where'd you hear about that?!"

"Your counselor at school gave me the paper about a month after you disappeared. She felt it'd help prove you didn't run away to become a criminal. We're using it for your case as a character reference." The man looked over to the cringing criminal and smirked. "Lofty goals towards law and order, the exact opposite of what he expected isn't it?"

"You betcha." He looked over the door lock and glared at him for a moment. "Why did you jimmy the lock like this? It's going to be a royal pain when they realize how easy it is to fix from their side."

"It's just as effective and simple to take care of from either side," the CEO admitted. He cast Slade one last glare before fixing the lock and opening the door. "See you in court, Wilson."

"I look forward to it Wayne. Renegade." Slade's voice remained cool and full of guile, still sending chills down his victim's back. Fear remained.

Balling his fists, Dick looked back to him, glaring purest hate. "It's Richard or Dick. Or better yet, Robin. You were beaten by a little bird, Sadie."

As soon as the door opened, they were greeted by angry shouts and glares from the officers, and with a slight shriek from Jason getting yanked away from the door. "Paws off ya pig!"

"Wayne! What were you thinking going in there like that?!" Sargent Kendal exploded at his face. And was completely ignored. Bruce was instantly focused on his other son twisting his shirt out of a cadet's grip.

"Jason… What are you doing here?"

"He… kinda followed me." Their dad cast him a worried glare while ignoring the Sargent's shouting and shoving through the crowd to the younger boy while keeping a hand on his older one. Dick just gave him a sheepish grin, following obediently. "Told him he should have stayed with Alfred."

Kendal was really going at them, despite the man trying to keep his sons safe and in line. "Neither of you should have been in there! How did you—"

"The lock malfunctioned," Bruce stated flatly, moving on. "Dick found the problem and fixed it on the inside. Probably saved my life."

"He sure did." They all stopped and looked over to a man coming out of the observation room. He had one of those annoying, knowing smiles on his face, telling them they were seen earlier. "Though I am pretty curious how a seventeen year old managed to get into a room half a dozen policemen couldn't, without any property damage."

"He's talented that way," Jason jibed, finally getting away from the cop holding onto him.

"Who's this?" Dick looked over the guy for a minute, stepping closer to his protector.

"Jack Barns, Jump District Attorney." He offered his hand to him but he didn't take it. Instead he grabbed onto Bruce's arm, shaking slightly.

"Oh." Suddenly the acrobat collapsed, about ten feet away from the interrogation room's door. If he wasn't holding onto his father, he'd have fallen head first to the ground. Or he just felt he would.

"Dick!" Bruce and Jason were at his side in an instant, looking him over and trying to find a reason for this collapse.

"I'm fine… I'm fine…" Shaking and out of breath, he tried to focus on a spot on the floor. He just had to regain his balance. "Just… Just haven't had to… Face down a monster like that for a while."

"Are you alright?" Worry and panic filled his father's voice, holding onto his son for dear life.

"Just… need… to sit down." He gave the man a weak smile. "Ran all the way here."

"What?" It wasn't a happy 'what' either. Bruce looked at Jason nearby, alarm and a touch of anger in his voice. The thirteen year old cringed back slightly, nodding a bit. "You ran…"

"Well Alfred wasn't about to take us," Jason sputtered off quickly. They led the shaky acrobat to a nearby chair to let him rest. "Not with those guards outside the door and the others needing him."

"My idea," Dick said quickly, trying to get Jason of the hook. Just because he was having a mild panic attack coupled with suppressing the adrenalin side-effects for so long, didn't mean he wasn't paying attention. "I ran, he followed. You were here. Your fault."

"My fault…" He rolled his eyes, shaking his head as the DA came back into view. Barns looked over him for a moment before speaking.

"Mr. Grayson? I was wondering if you were up for an interview today." The man smiled kindly at them, trying to give them their space. He was another of those 'mean well but not that good with people' people. "Just a few short questions really. I'm certain you're anxious to return home, what with everything that's happened and how you stood up to that man. But if you can go through everything with me soon, then I'll do everything in my power to send you and your family home, okay?"

Dick tried his hardest to look at the lawyer, to focus, but his brain wasn't functioning all that well at the moment. His brain was buzzing with random thoughts about what he just did. Stood between Bruce and Slade, two of the most dangerous men in the world. Stopped a monster from being killed. Prevented a good man from becoming a murderer. Faced fears and doubts without wavering. He had a lot more courage than he believed. Anyone who did all that would have a hard time accepting it. Even harder considering his history with both of them.

And it was to keep one going that he was there. "If you need me to, I'll try. But only if Bruce and Jason are with me. No family, no testimony."

The DA smiled, nodding. "I think I can make that sacrifice."

A/N: XD if you were hoping for a showdown between Bruce and Slade, sorry to disappoint! They don't get to fight in this world for quite some time. He just can't beat anyone near to death in police custody. Batman could get away with it but not Bruce.

SO I've gone full circle with a lot of things. That envelope at the beginning, calling Slade 'Sadie', the whole thing about Dick's many names, all of this has been hit. Also put in that paper Dick wrote earlier in the series. There will be other things handled in the epilogue tomorrow but this covers a bit,

now, question! for the extended version, what questions need answering and what scenes do you want? What details need to be brought out? I forget them all sometimes... Please tell me. You now know most of this tale. Some scenes are already handled, others are not.

Well, tomorrow comes! ^^V