Okay, this is a little bit of progression since sacrifice. It's just a taste of what I have planned between the story's end and the epilogue (yes, I'm gonna fill in that gap). Still working on the extended version but it is being worked on. More details at the bottom. FYI, even though Bruce used his jet as calateral earlier, he stayed behind while sending Alfred, Jason, Tim, and Cass back to Gotham so they could return to school. Another name drop here too, and he's kinda OOC, but his is him dealing with Dick, a kid, over the League. Just so you know. And I'm not a lawyer, officer, or anything to do with the law, so please don't bite off my head. I learned all I could from TV shows. X[

Dick-17 Damian-3

Sacrificial Hearing

Dick fiddled with his cufflinks and tie constantly as he anxiously waited to meet with the judge. Bruce and Damian were next to him, similarly dressed for success, but so were three officers. Their lawyer was inside. Stan Lease seemed confident about this meeting, having already talked to the DA numerous times in the past two weeks. They all had. Right then Jack Barns was finishing the deal brokering with the judge, bringing all the evidence to him and explaining everything they worked out. All they needed was approval.

Considering how many crimes Dick committed while in Slade's hands though, he wasn't very confident. The teen was scared, more scared and nervous than he'd been in a long time. Or at least in a different way. Living in terror for your life and your family's if you didn't do what a bad man said is one kind of fear. This was a fear for the future, of the unknown. If things didn't go well that day, he'd be condemned to a criminal record and could be taken away from Bruce. Juvenile hall, then maybe a proper correctional facility, the horrors of those places and having to go there haunted his mind. Weeks ago he said he was ready to go to jail if it satisfied the system, but that was if murder was on the table. He hadn't killed anyone.

A reassuring hand fell on his shoulder, making him look at Bruce for a moment. He gave him his best reassuring smile while juggling Damian in his other arm. The three year old wouldn't hold still. "It's going to be alright. You'll see."

Swallowing, Dick nodded. Seeing he was still uncomfortable, the man passed his baby to him. Damian being on his brother's lap brought a small smile to his face. The toddler was hard to resist, and when he started talking about batkitty, cuteness could not be denied. "Batkitty woves jewwo! We have jewwo now! Daddy want jewwo! Dick want jewwo! jewwo!"

"What flavor?"

The kid thought about it for a moment then smiled. "PINK!"

That gained a snort from two of the officers nearby and a chuckle from his dad. Dick smirked fondly. "Pink is strawberry in Jell-O land. Can you say strawberry?"

"Strawberry!"

"It's 'L's he's having trouble with," Bruce reminded him, smirking slightly, "but he'll grow out of it. Someone has surprisingly good diction."

"That he does." Dick smiled broadly at the little boy and started rubbing noses with him. This sent the kid into a giggle fit, easing the knots in the young man's stomach a bit.

"Mr. Wayne, Mr. Grayson?" An officer who was in the judge's chambers leaned out, waving them in. "Judge Harris will see you now."

And once again the stomach turned. His grip on his brother tightened a bit, holding him close to his chest as they went into the room that'd decide his fate. Bruce and Stan exchanged nods upon entry while Barns offered seats to them before Harris' desk. The DA stood next to the aging judge as the two sat before him, his face still and resigned. This wasn't a hearing or a trial for them to prove anything, it was merely a deal. Everything was being handled with Dick out of court.

His breath quickened a bit as he looked around. He spotted an unknown man in one corner of the room, just sitting in a chair. Bruce spotted him as well and nodded, as if he knew him. Well it was possible. There were huge chunks of Bruce's life he didn't know about. Still, a new person in on this unnerved him. Just how many people were going to be involved?

"Richard Grayson," Judge Harris started, retaining his attention quickly. Dick held onto Damian possessively, nodding to the man in acknowledgement. He didn't trust his voice. "You understand what this meeting is about, correct?"

"Yes sir," he murmured.

Harris nodded, readjusted his moon shaped glasses and looked over his notes as he spoke. "According to the reports, you've plead guilty to nineteen accounts of theft, four accounts of destruction to public property, thirty-seven accounts of assault, twenty-eight accounts of trespassing, and breaking and entering, and being an accomplice to multiple murders. Correct?"

Damian looked up to his brother quizzically, especially as he started to tremble. Hearing how everything he did those four months could be summed up like this was terrifying. From this rap sheet, he wouldn't be surprised if they locked away the key after throwing him in jail. But he had to face this. "Yes sir."

"All of this was done under the direction of one Slade Wilson, alias Deathstroke the Terminator. Correct?"

"Yes."

"This is the same Slade Wilson who kidnapped you last December from Gotham city after implanting your adoptive siblings with nanoscopic probes set to kill them if you didn't do as you were told, correct?"

Again he nodded. "Yes sir."

"The Teen Titans were also infected with these probes," Harris continued. "So you had twelve lives in your hands, eight of which you never met previously. Correct?"

"Yes." He couldn't tell the man he already met Roy aka Speedy before then, but one thing he'd gotten could at with Slade was lying to save other people's lives.

The judge nodded, and brought out another sheet of paper. "According to this, at the border massacre on the first of March, you stopped the bleeding and performed CPR on one officer and told him to 'play dead' until the semi-truck drove away if he valued his life. You also told him to contact the Justice League, not the police, and tell them what happened."

Blinking a little too fast from surprise, Dick nodded again. He hadn't heard what happened to that man. Not until then at least. It didn't seem to be new to Bruce though. Why hadn't he told him? "Yes, that was me."

"You should know Steven James was in a coma after that and woke up last week, ready to do exactly what you said. He's expected to make a full recovery." Dick's stomach twisting lessened but didn't leave quite yet. At least he did some good on that trip. "Asked about you too, though not by name. Saved his life I imagine."

The judge eyed him for a minute in silence, making everyone nervous to a degree. Damian was the only one getting bored, trying to shift out of his brother's arms if he could. He wanted to play. Bruce kept silent like Stan told him to earlier, but gave him a small supportive smile anyway. After a minute, Harris sighed.

"You do realize that even with you admitting your guilt and being under coercion, you will still have to take some blame for your actions. Most of these crimes were performed after your seventeenth birthday. Had it been your eighteenth, circumstances would be much different. But being seventeen, you still can't be treated like a child."

"But-"

"I know you we under coercion," the judge continued, cutting off everyone, "and you're taking responsibility for your actions, but the law is the law. A degree of punishment is required.

"Due to your cooperation in this case, and the fact you have helped in taking down one of Interpol's most wanted, the sentence will be light." He looked over to Bruce, acknowledging him fully for the first time. "Fines will be paid for property damages and financial losses, correct?"

"Medical bills, reconstruction, everything that's required," Bruce answered. At least one part of this nightmare could be squared away with money. "The lost property though..."

"Other than the thermal blaster, everything's been recovered and returned to their respective owners," DA Barns stated coolly. "Largely because of Richard's assistance."

"Yes, this handles a good deal of the problem." Harris looked back to Dick, eyeing him thoughtfully. "You're a lucky man to have such a good benefactor. But there are still a few things you must agree to before I can say you're off the hook."

Dick gulped, knowing it was time for the ax to drop. Time to pay his dues.

"First of all, until you are eighteen years old, you'll be under house arrest." This made the teen's jaw drop. House arrest? He was getting off with house arrest? "An ankle monitor will be on you at all times. It will allow you to return to school next term and finish your classes when they start again. It will be the only location you will be allowed to visit while wearing the monitor, besides one other.

"You are required to have weekly psychiatric sessions until the monitor is removed."

"What?!" The young man nearly leapt to his feet in outrage at this one. He expected something like incarceration or community service and fines, but a psychiatrist?!

"Stay seated Mr. Grayson." The firm tone in the man's voice reminded him who was in charge this time. Bruce placed a hand on his eldest's shoulder to keep him still, just as pleased as he was about this assessment.

"A shrink?! You want me to see a shrink?!"

"Considering you've been a captive of an assassin, being trained to follow his footsteps, I believe a trip to the psychiatrist is a good idea. No doubt you'll be needing help coping with what happened to you these past few months."

"Do you have any idea what shrinks are like in Gotham? You'll be sending me to Arkham!"

"Judge Harris," Bruce implored, stopping the others from taking back their initial plea bargain, "you said he had to visit a psychiatrist every week until he turns eighteen, correct?"

"Yes..." The man's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Then can the courts assign us one who has nothing to do with the criminal elements?" He eyed his son while vocalizing their main reason for objecting. "I believe Dick's worried he'll be treated as a criminal instead of someone who's been through a traumatic experience."

"You know that last shrink I was sent to was bogus," Dick insisted, grumbling as he slumped back into his chair. He did not do well with shrinks. "Didn't care what state I was in so long as he got paid."

The men of law around them blinked in confusion before he explained. "After my parents died, I was sent to a court appointed shrink for a bit. Guy just wanted to drug me and send me on my way. Evil little..." He wanted to say more but on look at the kid who escaped his lap and he shut up. "Let's just say I had a better recovery being around Bruce than that guy."

Judge Harris nodded, though it was clear he didn't quite understand everything, he had an idea. "I have an associate in Gotham who will recommend one, and I'll specifically tell him it's for trauma, not criminal intent. Either way, you must spend one hour a week with the psychiatrist or you will be placed in Juvenile hall and constrained to group therapy sessions. You will be reporting to a federal marshal every week, and he will be monitoring your progress closely."

Dick put his face in his hands, rubbing his eyes. Damian had clambered down after his surprised movements earlier and now was looking at his brother curiously. Lucky kid didn't have any trauma or problems. Why couldn't he be a kid again?

"Am I understood?" The judge's voice brought him back, making him look at him once again.

"Yeah. I understand." He had to pay his dues, even if it meant unnecessary psychiatric treatment. Really, Leslie, Alfred, and Bruce would have been enough for him. That and the sure knowledge Slade was behind bars and his siblings were safe. "You want to be sure I won't be a threat because of everything that happened to me."

"It's to make sure there are no repercussions, for you or anyone around you."

"I've heard of Stockholm Syndrome," he murmured. "You don't have to explain it. I just don't like shrinks."

This won a chuckle from the man in the corner. He clearly agreed. Who was that guy anyway? Judge Harris nodded, though clearly didn't like his attitude. "You don't have to like them, just listen to one until next year.

"Furthermore," Harris took out a file on his desk and passed it over to Bruce to look over it, "you are on permanent retainer for any case against Slade Wilson. This will be the only contact you will ever have with the man again. Should you contact him outside of the courtroom, you will be placed back into police custody until a proper evaluation of your mental faculties can be completed."

"In other words he can't go looking for him." Bruce looked over the paperwork he was handed carefully as he spoke.

"And neither can you." Both of them looked at the judge in surprise. "The restraining order keeps you away from him as well Mr. Wayne. I've been informed of your... protective nature. Though I can't blame you for wanting to enact vengeance, if any member of your family comes in contact with Slade Wilson outside a courtroom, you will be detained and fined."

"What if Slade comes after me again?" Dick had to ask. He knew how good the assassin was, his skills and techniques were on par with Batman.

The man in the corner smirked while the judge frowned. "Don't you have faith in the justice system?"

"With normal criminals yes. But with madmen and super criminals the League fights?" He shook his head. "There's been too many breakouts and geniuses playing the system back home for me to think he'll stay behind bars forever. I'll stay away from him, but will he stay away from me?"

Harris gave him a doubtful look. "Really, I'm certain-"

"That's what I'm here for son." The man who stayed in the corner until then stood up and came forward, offering his hand. "King Faraday. Interpol." Dick took it, confused. This was Bruce's Interpol contact? "If Wilson ever contacts you, in any way, shape or form, you contact me immediately. You won't be held at fault and measures will be taken to handle the situation. Mr. Wayne already has my number, but before you get on the plane back to Gotham, I expect you to have all my contact information memorized.

"If he manages to grab you again, do everything in your power to contact the outside world. Your disappearance will immediately start a worldwide search should it happen again, spiraling outward from your last known location." Faraday's confidence was slightly infectious. Already Dick could feel a little better.

Slowly he nodded as he reviewed these conditions in his mind. If he went after Slade, he'd get in trouble. If Slade went after him, he'd be the one in trouble. And Interpol, the only organization he knew would book the guy for good, would be keeping an eye on things. Basically, the legal system was covering all their bases with his case should something happen again. House arrest with limited movements off the manor grounds and fines were in place to cover the crimes he committed. The shrink was to satisfy the humanitarians out there, and now that he thought about it, it was probably required for all victims of kidnapping, especially those taken for prolonged periods of time. Being on permanent retainer for any cases involving Slade was a small price to pay for getting such a light sentence for such a long rap-sheet.

"I'll be counting on you then. 'Cause I really don't want to go back to that." It was all Dick could think of to say after that. What else was there to say? Everything was decided. All he had to do was agree and sign the papers, right? The men around him smiled, glad he was so compliant and trusting them on this.

"Glad to hear it," Judge Harris started just as Faraday grinned and replied, "I won't let you down kid." The two of them looked at each other as their voices overlapped and the agent gave him an apologetic look. "Your honor."

A small smirk came to the older man's face. He shifted his eyes back on Dick and continued. "If you're in full agreement to these proceedings, just sign these papers and we can get to work."

He waved a hand over to the file Bruce was still looking over, and from his expression it looked like everything was in order. He understood lawyer jargon much better than he did, so when he nodded and passed over the paperwork, Dick just took a pen from off the judge's desk and signed his life away. "Let's get this over with."

Twenty minutes later everyone in the room had signed the papers and put them in a sealed envelope to be processed. By then Damian had explored the entire room and twice his family had to get him away from dangerous objects. As soon as Dick's part was done, Faraday started giving him all his contact information and drilling him on it to make sure it was memorized. Bruce was next, making quick work of it out of practice. Both their lawyer and the DA did their parts as well, had Faraday sign as witness, then handed it over to the judge to finish the deal. Envelope sealed, the man stood up so he could take it through the proper channels.

"Well then," Harris grinned, motioning to the others to stand so they could leave, "that takes care of that. Mr. Grayson, Mr. Wayne, I'd say it's been a pleasure, but under the circumstances, I wouldn't be surprised if you never want to enter this office again. As soon as the federal marshal assigned to your case is introduced to you and has the anklet in place, you'll be permitted to return to Gotham. Safe journeys, and I pray I never have to drag you two in here ever again."

"Judge Harris?" Dick looked at him imploringly, breaking away from everything Stan told him to do for the first time. He had a few minor questions. "Can I ask you something?"

The man raised an eyebrow and everyone else looked at him curiously. He looked to Bruce for a moment then back to the boy. "The deal's signed and-"

"It's not that," the teen stated, unsure for a moment. "It's about the future."

Donning came to both Bruce and Stan's eyes but confusion stayed on everyone else's. "Okay..."

Dick fidgeted looking down for a moment before starting. "Last year, I talked to my career counselor about... you know... what I want to be. What I can be. Does this..." He hesitated, fearful. He both did and didn't want to know. He had to know though, just in case he was partway through college and denied because of this. "Will this prevent me from any kind of employment?"

Using a five dollar word impressed the judge handling his case, but he chewed over the question carefully before answering. "Thankfully you're underage and this is being taken care of quietly. Your records will be sealed after you turn eighteen, and only if the restraining order is violated in the future will it have to be brought up. Provided you last this next year with the monitor on and don't violate any of the conditions," he reminded him quickly. "Unfortunately a few companies and organizations deny anyone with a criminal record, sealed or no, so I can't properly answer that one. Is there a particular field you're interested in?"

The lad's ears turned pink as he answered. "Police detective."

Donning came to the judge's face, then came a smile. "It shouldn't be a problem. Many officers have juvenile records, and their lives were turned around by the system. It's what makes them some of the best policemen in their district.

"And if your superiors do analyze your record, they'll find you were under coercion and cannot find fault with you when they see lives were on the line." Relief flooded the boy as he heard him speak, so glad Slade hadn't taken his future from him. The last warning though brought some disappointment in him. "It does vary from precinct to precinct, but you may be limited in how far you will get in rank, and what division you'll be sent to. Detectives though... I think that's based off of skills and education rather than records."

"So, I can become a cop?" He just needed a yes or no. "This... won't stop me?"

A soft chuckle came from the man's lips as he answered this time, coming out from around his desk. "No, it won't stop you. Might have prevented other government jobs, but a local policeman? You're in the clear."

A broad grin grew across Dick's face as the words rang through his heart. He still had his dream. Slade couldn't take that from him. Offering his hand, he met the judge's eyes evenly. "Thank you, for everything."

"Don't thank me." Harris looked over to the other men in the room after shaking the lad's hand. "Thank these men. Most days I just let the offender fry."

Seeing the teen's shocked face made the man chuckle again. He shook Bruce's hand next then directed everyone out. Damian was holding on to Dick and Bruce's hands as they walked away, opposite of the DA and Judge. Stan, their lawyer, was tailing after them to make sure they received duplicates of everything. Jump precinct officers guided them back to the suite they were using at the moment. No one could wait for the return flight to Gotham. The rest of their family was already there with Alfred to make sure they didn't miss too much school. The large suite was lonely without all of them.

Idly, Dick looked over to Bruce in the elevator and asked, "Do you think I got off easy?"

His father grunted. "Considering the circumstances, if they hadn't, I could have taken them to court and force all charges to be dropped. And I still wouldn't call that easy. We still don't know who your parole officer or psychiatrist is. I don't know many in those fields I'd trust. We're going to be playing this by ear for a while."

They eyed the officers around them for a moment, wishing it was just the three of them instead of the six. They'd be talking about something else if they weren't around. But as it was, until they were safely in Gotham, they were stuck with these guys.

"Daddy?" They both looked down at Damian between them, his innocent eyes looking pleadingly at them. "Up!"

Both broke into smiles at the tot, letting go of his hands so his dad could lift him onto his shoulders. Damian squealed in delight, liking being up high just like the rest of them. "Remember to watch your head."

"So high!"

Dick laughed fondly at the kid. Well, at least one of them was enjoying this trip.

A/N: So? Did I do a good job explaining Dick's legal situation? I'm taking a guess when it come to how the courts would handle him of course, completely based off of a variety of TV shows (ranging from JAG to NCIS to Numb3rs to Mentalist to Criminal minds ect) but I'm thinking it's slightly accurate. And I think I described everything he did in legal terms. Might be wrong, might not. Not entirely sure here.

Anywho, Faraday was the name drop, and I like that in YJ he's in Interpol, also as a name drop as he's not used ever again. So now he's Dick's Interpol protector, and he will be appearing again, way later in the future. =] I also put in that he hates shrinks (no offence to psychiatrists intended) due to Gotham's history with them, and that's one of my head cannons. Considering the Wayne's history with them, who can blame them!

Now that incident at the border, I mentioned it once in Sacrifice, and it will be put out in detail in the extended version (already written up). You'll have to wait probably 30-40 chapters for it though. I've got 24 chapts practically worked out, but they've barely entered mexico by then. Gearing the entire story to a different audience so part of the buildup is in it, plus quite a few extras. You'll love it.

Til then! ^^V