DISCLAIMER-I don't own the Teen Titans. And I hereby apologize in advance to people with the names Bruce, Lex and Bill

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A few years earlier…

Robin walked slowly back to his room. His body was bruised and battered.

That night he and Batman had had an encounter with the Joker. At the worst possible moment, Robin had tripped on one of the villain's toys and had fallen of a building. Batman had been able to save him, but the mistake had allowed the villain to escape.

Behind him, Robin felt footsteps echoing his own. It was Batman- or rather, it was Bruce. The Dark Knight had already taken off his uniform and was now dressed in a suit. In a few hours, Bruce Wayne would hold press conferences, open a museum, and be a judge at the Miss Gotham pageant.

"The study, as soon as you change," Bruce said as he passed. Oddly even though it was an order, it sounded like a request. That was the magic of Bruce Wayne, the charming negotiator. It was quite different from the scowling silence of Batman.

It's so weird, like he's two totally different people, thought Robin.

Robin's feet dragged as he entered his room. He knew he was going to be reprimanded. He merely wished it would be Batman giving the lecture. Batman was noble and cool. When Bruce talked, Robin felt as if he was getting a commercial.

After a quick shower, Robin entered the study and sat in a chair across from Bruce. A moment of silence.

"I messed up," said Robin, studying his hands.

"I know."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it," Bruce waved his hand, "Of course you messed up. We're a team. Batman and Robin. You're the sidekick, I'm the hero. You screw things up, I fix them. It makes me look good. Anyways, that's not what I want to talk to you about. Robin's doing just fine. It's Richard I'm worried about."

"Huh?" Robin's forehead crunched, "What could be wrong with Richard? He's fine. Heck, I haven't been Richard in over a month."

"That's the problem" Bruce's eyes narrowed, "Richard doesn't exist. You've become so obsessed with your secret identity you forgot the public identity."

"That's not true!" Robin jumped from the chair. He wants me to go to school!

"Robin, I saw you coming out of the shower yesterday with your mask on. Alfred says you sleep in your uniform. God, that's creepy." Bruce shuddered.

Robin stood tall in defiance. "Well, what am I supposed to do? Jet ski? Party with ridiculously rich idiots like you do?"

Bruce paused, carefully choosing his words. "Robin, I understand that the fabulously wealthy can be somewhat… dull. Especially in contrast to our night jobs. However, that's how the double identity works. We put on the masks, we fight crime. At dawn, we come home and take the masks off. Could you imagine if people put two and two together, if criminals realized Richard Grayson was Robin?"

"That wouldn't be good," Robin admitted and slowly sat back down.

"Damn right! The Joker or someone would drop a nuke on Wayne Manor," Bruce grabbed a magazine and threw it at Robin, "And right now the all the gossip columns and celebrity talk shows are asking 'Where's Bruce Wayne's heir? Where's Richard Grayson?' They ask that question enough and suddenly someone realizes that the young Billionaire-to-be and a new crime fighter in town have similar features and are exactly the same height. And we're screwed. The only reason the secret of Batman has been successful is that I've carefully cultivated my public persona-"

"As a sleazy rich guy."

"It's sexy, Robin, SEXY," Bruce clarified, "That's what People magazine called me in that little article where I was, as I recall Sexiest Man Alive, four times now. Not to mention 'The most Explosive Financial Mind in a decade,' according to Forbes."

"The Onion said you were 3rd person most in need of a swift kick to the nuts."

"Really, who had numbers 1 and 2?"

"Bono was 1, and Jared, the Subway commercial guy was number 2."

"Damn! Bono, I mean well, that's obvious. But getting beat by the Subway guy? I'll have to try harder," Bruce fell silent. "But we're off topic. The point is, you need to stop being Robin and start being Richard."

"You want me to go to school don't you!" Robin was out of his chair again. "Well, that's not fair! I've been doing just fine with my correspondence work. You can't let me be Robin just on weekends, I won't do it!"

Bruce smirked. "Well, of course not. You're done with school."

"Huh?"

"Robin, remember that 400 page paper you wrote last week? That's called a dissertation. You've tested out of everything through undergraduate level, and completed all the post-grad work. Officially, you're Dr. Richard Grayson, PhD in Comparative Lit."

"You mean most middle school students don't have to write book reports?"

Bruce laughed. "Well, yes. But those book reports are usually only 2 pages. Don't worry about getting bored though. I'm thinking of enrolling you in med school."

Robin was perplexed. "But why rush my education?"

"So you can focus on being Robin of course. Most of the world will think your time is being spent in study, with private tutors. We'll leak your test results over a couple of years. That way, people will think you're studying while you're fighting crime."

"Whew. Glad to know that's taken care of." Robin stood and began to leave the room.

"We're not done. There's a concert in Japan. The Fuji Rock Festival. You're going." Bruce slid a plane ticket across the table.

"Why?"

"If you show up at odd places, people won't be suspicious at Richard's long absences. They'll just think you're traveling. Also comes in handy if Batman or Robin get stuck somewhere. Just pull off the mask, and no one wonders why Bruce Wayne is in Chechnya. He's always in exotic places."

"Oh," Robin relaxed, "When?"

"Alfred will take you to the airport in five minutes."

"But I have to pack!" Robin yelled.

"Robin is prepared. Richard is a billionaire. He doesn't need to worry because he's got money." Bruce stood and walked to the door.

"But-"

"Trust me. It's part of being rich. We'll work on it when you get back." He put an arm around Robin's shoulder and led him to the limo.

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Robin, or rather Richard, jumped out of the taxi and walked up the stairs to the mansion. Bruce stood by the door.

"Welcome back!"

"Thanks. Here's your souvenir." Richard handed him an antique sword, autographed by the J-metal group Mad Capsul Market.

"Why… thank you," Bruce stared at it. They walked inside. "So, how much did you spend?"

"Five thousand," Richard said timidly.

Bruce paused. "You spent $5,000 in four days…"

"Yeah. The cheapest hotel room I could find was through the roof, and I could only get a first class ticket on the way back-"

SMASH!

Richard's eyes opened wide as Bruce threw his souvenir against the wall. It crashed into a Ming vase.

"What the hell is wrong with you!" Bruce shouted.

Richard watched as Bruce paced angrily in front of him.

"You spent $5,000! Do I look like a middle-class Saturn driving suburbanite to you? Hell no! $5,000. My toilet paper cost more than that!" yelled Bruce.

Richard's eye's widened. "You… think I should have spent more money?"

"Robin, you're not some college student backpacking through Europe for the summer. You're richer than Satan! Act like it. Don't fly commercial- charter a private jet. Can't find a hotel room? Buy the hotel! Did you even hire a limo to chauffer you around?"

"I took the train mostly," he admitted.

Bruce seemed to growl in frustration. "Robin, it's great that your careful about such things, but Richard can't afford to be. If you want to fit into this world, you have to be more careless, more frivolous."

"But it's so wasteful!"

Bruce plopped into an antique chair and took a deep breath. "Look at it this way. Focus your energies, all your preparation, on crime fighting. When you're Richard, the socialite, just don't think."

"Like you, Bruce?"

"I'm serious," Bruce glared, "Worry about the Riddler and the Penguin and Dr. Freeze. Not money. Otherwise you'll get too stressed out. Consider Richard as a break, when you shut down your mind and just do things. It really helps, I swear."

Richard considered. "Well, ok. That does make sense."

"Of course it does. Now for Richard's next task," Bruce reached into his pocket and pulled out a palm size computer. "Bruce Wayne has decided his heir needs to be comfortable with large sums of money. I'm giving you a hundred million dollars."

Robin gulped. "What do you want me to do with it?"

"Whatever you want. Start a rock band. Gamble it away. Buy a castle in Scotland. I don't give a damn. And that's the lesson you need to learn."

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Bruce was in his study, rereading Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings when his computer began to beep. It was a stock alert.

Bruce read the message. Then reread it. Then-"Richard Robin Grayson! Get your tights in here!"

A few minutes later Robin strutted into the room, a broad smile on his face. "Yeah Bruce? What seems to be the problem?"

"You invested that money in the stock market!" Bruce pointed to the screen, "In LUTHOR CORP!"

"It was a sound financial decision. I now have $147,600,000. Give or take a few thousand."

"Robin," Bruce seethed, "Lex Luthor is our main competitor. A direct rival to most of our products. And, I might add, the super-villain arch-nemesis of Superman!"

"You said you didn't give a damn."

Bruce looked as if he would throw the computer through the glass window, but then smiled evilly. "Why yes Robin, you're right. And this will be good. Letting people know that Richard isn't a mere copy of Bruce. The gossip papers will smell a dispute between us, and that drama will be a wonderful diversion to the truth."

"I… I'm glad you approve," said Robin, growing worried.

"This shows you're progressing well. Making an identity for Richard. Now it's time for the next step." He paused dramatically-

"Romance."

"Bruce, I'm twelve years old-" Robin was scared. Very, very scared.

"That's right! You need to get used to girls before you become a teenager and have your hormones to worry about. Imagine, what would happen if you got a crush on a villain!"

"Like you and Catwoman?"

"Exactly!" A fist slammed on the table to underscore the principle. "Robin, being a hero means being stronger than others. Resisting the less noble urges of humanity. We stop thieves because we care about more than money. We stop villains because we care about more than power. And women…"

"So women are just another product? Just something else money can buy?"

Bruce smiled, but it was a gentle smile. "No Robin. But you have to admit that women have a certain power over us. And as superheroes, that is a weakness we cannot afford."

Robin let out a deep sigh. "Damn. You've got all the angles covered."

"Don't curse Robin. It doesn't go with the outfit. And of course I'm right. Now down to business. I've planned a series of dates with actresses and models close to your age."

"Great. But… I'm not exactly the most outgoing guy."

"Don't worry. I've taken care of it."

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"One last thing Robin-hold still," Bruce finished tying the tie, "It's the name."

He completed the task. The two were dressed in expensive suits.

"Robin? Yeah, I know, it's not as cool as Batman. I was thinking something darker. Something with 'Night' in it. Like 'Nightstalker,' you know?" said Robin.

"That's not what I meant. Robin works fine. We're a team-Batman and Robin-the names sound good together. And you can't have a darker name as long as you wear that outfit. I was referring to your other name," said Bruce. He turned and began to walk quickly down the hallway. Robin followed.

"Richard Grayson? But that's what my parents named me! What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing. And that's the problem."

"... you lost me," said Robin.

Bruce stopped in the center of the hallway.

"Consider this. A guy is named Bill. That's all you know about him. What impression do you have of him?"

"I don't know," said Robin.

"Oh please," Bruce threw up his hands, "You think he's white-trash, because why would anyone want to be called Bill when they could be Will, or William, or Liam? Let's try again... Ok, forget my name is Bruce for a minute. Suppose you walk into a bank. The clerk comes up. He's a well-dressed, good-looking guy. He says, 'Welcome to First National, my name is Bruce.' What do you think?"

Robin was silent for a minute. "Y.M.C.A." he responded.

"Right," continued Bruce, "Now you're at a store, and you look at the cashier's nametag and it says 'Lex.' You think?"

"Science Fiction freak."

"Exactly! Now do you understand?"

"No."

"Being a billionaire isn't just about having a lot of money. It's the total package, the image. Most important to this is the name. Billionaires have names that would sound dumb on normal people. Bill? Redneck. Bruce? Drag queen. Lex? Geek. But Bill Gates? Lex Luther? Bruce fucking Wayne? We make them cool Robin. We make them work because we have money and we can get away with it. A name is just another way for us to remind everyone else that we have boats and jets and supermodels. And if you're going to be my heir Robin, you need a name like that too. A billionaire name."

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."

"It would be, but we've got tons of money, so it rocks," Bruce resumed his quick walk.

"So, let me guess, I'm gonna be Rich. Richy Rich. Great."

"You'll see Robin," Bruce smiled and opened the door.

They walked into a room packed with people. Beautiful women in elegant dresses. Men with watches as expensive as houses. And an attractive, spotless group of caterers offering food and drink.

"Ok, Rob, see that group over there?"

The Boy Wonder felt his heart race. Near the west side of the room was a group of four women. Three were older, in their mid-twenties. The fourth however was a teenager. A gorgeous redhead.

"Bruce, I can't do this! She's three years older than me! She'll laugh at me!"

"You think she's attractive right?"

"Well, of course."

"Don't worry, you'll find money breaks all barriers," Bruce reassured.

"She's not shallow! She's involved in three charities!"

"Robin, I've started six charities. And that was just last week. Now relax."

Bruce and Robin walked up to the group.

Suddenly he saw the redheaded girl of his dreams walking over to him. He looked to Bruce for support, but saw his mentor had stopped to greet some other guests.

"Here, thanks," she said, handing him her Champagne glass. Then she turned to walk back to the group.

"Um, excuse me?" said Robin.

"Oh, right, sorry," she pulled out a five-dollar bill and put it in his hand.

"I'm not the hired help!"

"Oh. My bad. It's just that they don't usually let kids come to these parties," she then went back to her giggling friends.

You're just a kid too! Robin thought to himself. He stood in the middle of the floor, getting angry. He felt a hand on his back, pushing him toward the girls.

"Come on young Romeo, I'll show you how it's done," smirked Bruce.

"Excuse me ladies!"

The three older girls turned and shrieked. Bruce was greeted with hugs and kisses.

"So good to see you again girls. And Valerie, I see you brought your sister!" he turned to the redhead, "Courtney, isn't it?" he offered a hand.

Robin's dream girl Courtney blushed as she shook Bruce's hand.

"And Bruce darling, tell us who is this?" asked Valerie.

"How rude of me, girls allow me to introduce my heir- Dick Grayson!"

Robin swiftly punched Bruce in the back and glared at him. Dick? What the hell! I don't want to be called Dick! Son of a-

Dick Grayson felt an arm on his. He turned to see Courtney staring at him.

"Dick Grayson? You have, like a totally cool name!" she said.

"A protégé' Bruce?" smiled Valerie, "So he does everything just as good as you?"

"That's something you'll have to discover yourself," Bruce linked their arms, "Girls why don't we let the children go play while we... go play."

The girls giggled and Robin found himself alone with Courtney. She grabbed his arm and began to pull him outside.

"Come on Dick! Let's go to the balcony and get to know each other. Oh my gosh! Your bicep! It's like a rock!" Courtney gushed, "Are you like a superhero?"

Robin paused, momentarily confused. Then his lips curled and teeth flashed in what newspapers and gossip magazines would soon call 'The Million Dollar Smile.'

"Just regular old Dick Grayson, but," he leaned in for the kill, "I'll save you anytime babe."

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Notes:

1. I know Bruce is probably OOC. I just don't get shows where Batman and Bruce are exactly the same-both driven and dark and brooding. For the whole secret identity thing to work, they need to be different. I really liked how in Batman Begins, Bruce goes out of his way to make himself a careless playboy. That works.

2. My computer crashed, so I had to re-type this on my sister's comp. Not cool.

3. I'll prob write a third chap with more Rob and Rae, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what to do. I'll work on some other fics in the meantime.

Thanks for reviewing! It was an awesome feeling, getting my first review.