Alfred paced the halls of Wayne Manor endlessly; countless times he had made the trek from the study to the bat-cave and back again each time turning up nothing. That was precisely what bothered him nothing was out of place. Every bat-suit was accounted for as well as every suit that Bruce owned. Nothing was missing. As his pacing continued he tried to think back to the last time he had seen Master Bruce.

Nothing came to him as he walked in front of the fireplace. Stopping in front of it he hung his head down, "I've let you down sir. I haven't kept him safe." Daring to glance up he saw the picture of Bruce's parents that hung over the large fireplace. "I am terribly sorry sir" As his head once again lowered to look at the floor the phone began to ring. Hoping against hope that it was a call to tell him where the millionaire playboy had gotten off to he hurried to answer it. Reaching the phone he picked up the receiver.

"Hello," His voice crisp and clear as always never displaying the fear or apprehension he felt. A voice all too familiar was on the other end for which he was relieved. "Master Grayson how good to hear from you," for the first time in four days Alfred smiled.

"What's going on Alfred?" Dick Grayson asked with the no nonsense tone that had started to creep into his voice ever since he and Bruce had done the stake out of the industrial espionage. The case that had finally brought his parent's killer to justice, a case that Wayne had tried to keep him out of. To say a strain may be in the relationship was to turn a blind eye to what was going on.

"Why whatever do you mean Master Grayson?" Better to not let him know of the problem straight off if he didn't know all ready. It would be more dangerous to have him go off half cocked then to not have him at all.

"Where's Bruce Alfred. I've been watching the news which is saying Batman has failed to show four nights in a row now. It's not like him."

Alfred was at a loss for words. What had happened to Dick and Bruce was very unfortunate. Losing their parents at such young ages yet both had been surrounded by people who loved them. So then how had they turned into men driven by their fear and anger that others would not have to share their fate. What part had he played in making them the men they were today?

"Alfred I know you're there quit stalling." Dick was becoming impatient. All ready he had a feeling Alfred didn't know what was going on or where Bruce was but that wouldn't stop him from going out alone; some one had to put a stop to what was going on and he would do it alone as Robin if he had to. "Bruce is missing isn't he."

The conviction the old butler heard in the young mans voice was reaffirming. Whatever role he had played in the rearing of this young man he would gladly play again given the chance. "Yes Dick, Bruce is missing and I have not the faintest idea why or where he has gone." Better to be short and brief on the phone for he knew that's all Dick would need.

"Meet me in the cave Alfred." Was the reply before the click of the receiver.

Word from the Author:

So here is chapter one. It's short I know but hey I'm trying to keep it in the outline of an episode with commercials. Prolog then theme song, the set up then another commercial, the action taken commercial, and finally the conclusion. I only picture this being maybe three or four chapters long. Depending on how it goes and what people think will tell me if I should give writing a longer Batman story a chance. Anyway I hope you enjoyed this little entry into the story. Next chapter will be longer I promise. More or less this chapter was to give you an idea who the hero was going to be ;)