Asuka02RedEva

Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans or Batman or any of the characters used in this story.

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After Barbara's departure Richard made his way through the guests. Unfortunately, doing so was a slow process with all the women and their comments about how he had grown, how handsome he had become, and how their daughters were his age…

He had come across Commissioner Gordon, yeah that had been kind of awkward. One of those, smile and nod and pray that he doesn't mention how you broke his daughter's heart. Commissioner Gordon had been great though, commenting on how when he was older he would be a great asset to the force, since he took down the robber in the alley single handedly.

Now the only man left to find was Bruce, even Alfred had become lost in the crowd. He felt a tap on his shoulder and smiled before turning around, "Bruce, you know…" he stopped mid sentence to find Mr. Wilson.

He rubbed the back of his head, "I'm sorry Mr. Wilson, I thought that you were my father Bruce."

"Oh, I'm afraid not young Mr. Grayson. However, I am glad that I found you."

"Oh?" questioned Richard placing his hands in his pockets, "Well, what can I do for you sir?"

"You see my boy," began Mr. Wilson, placing an arm around Richard's shoulders, "I'm afraid that I'm merely too curious for my own good, but you see I find it amazing how a circus performer could settle down and into the life of a prestigious billionaire like Bruce Wayne's."

Richard felt a twinge of annoyance, "I'm afraid that I don't see what you're driving at."

"Well my boy, what I mean to say is how was it that you were able to give up the life of a performer—you were so gifted and all—forget about your parents and—

Richard cut him off, removing Mr. Wilson's arm from around his shoulders, "Sir, I assure you that I have never forgotten about my parents."

"Of course, you haven't, I mean…such a tragedy how could you?" Mr. Wilson apologized, "I just meant that you never performed again, and I remember when you and your family came to Gotham to give us all a show all those years ago—The Flying Graysons. Why the talent you possessed; did you know that only a handful of talented individuals can do a quadruple flip," he explained with a smile playing on his lips.

Richard took a drink from a nearby waitress' tray and put a cash tip down where the glass had once been. She smiled at him and continued on her rounds. "Are you a fan of the circus Mr. Wilson?" he questioned, taking a sip from the glass.

"On the contrary," he began, "I am a fan of those who are gifted, those who possess the ability for great things."

"Sorry to disappoint you sir, but I am afraid that I am not one of those individuals—gifted that is," he replied tipping his glass up once more and taking a drink.

"So you mean to tell me that a boy with your skills never put them to good use?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Sorry, just your run of the mill everyday normal teenager."

Mr. Wilson grabbed Richard's shoulder and pulled him forward, both now leaned in toward one another, "I saw you that night in the alley…"

"What are you getting at Mr. Wilson?" Richard eyed him after nearly spilling his drink.

"Just the fact that no average teenager could have countered the attacks as you did…"

"I took a self defense course. I assure you, it's no big deal."

"Oh, but the skills that you administered were remarkable…you know, I've only met one other person who possessed the same."

"Perhaps you could introduce me to them sometime."

"Perhaps I could," Mr. Wilson straightened up and patted Richard's shoulders, "Yes, indeed perhaps that could be arranged. Well then, the hour is late. I would like for you and Bruce to join me when the circus comes to town next week. Please have your father contact me to set up a time."

Richard straightened and adjusted his collar and bow tie, "The circus? Mr. Wilson I—

"We'll be in touch," he was already heading toward the exit and waved his hand.

He sweatdropped, as he watched Mr. Wilson make his departure, 'Why did it have to be the circus? I haven't been to a circus since my parents deaths,' he felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach and felt a hand rest on his shoulder.

"Hey kid," Bruce began and then caught a glimpse at Richard's facial expression, "You alright? You look sick."

"I'm alright Bruce. Just had an interesting conversation with Mr. Wilson is all."

"Oh? And what was said that could have made you look so ill?"

"About the circus…I guess he was there the day The Flying Grayson's gave their final performance and he wants us to go with him next week when the circus comes to town."

Bruce rubbed his forehead, "I'm sorry he brought that up Dick, he's always been a little eccentric is all and there's something about rare finds as he calls them that intrigues him. We don't have to go."

"No. I'll go, Bruce. It's just…the circus…of all places? I mean, I know I should just move on, put the past behind me but…" he hung his head, his back to his mentor.

"Dick, no one is asking you to forget about your parents. God knows, I can never forget mine, I think about them every day. I can't even go to the theater without passing that alley…"

"I'm just messed up Bruce. I mean, there's a lot that you don't know and I don't even know how to explain any of it to you."

"Hey," he turned him so they were face to face, "look at me. You're fine Dick. You don't have to explain anything tonight. It's completely understandable that you wouldn't feel comfortable at the circus, I'll just explain to him..."

"It's ok, Bruce, honest. We've got to face our inner demons sometime."

"You sure, Dick?"

Richard sighed, "Oh, you know me…but what I really could use would be another drink right about now."

Bruce chucked, turning, "I'll call Slade tomorrow and set up a time."

The sound of shattered glass rang out through the great hall. Bruce turned around to find Richard standing there holding his hand, blood dripping onto the carpeted floor.

"Dick, are you alright?"

"What did you say?"

"I asked you if you were—

"Before that…"

"I said that I would call Slade tomorrow. Is there a problem?"

"You never told me his name was Slade…"

"I'm sure that I must have. Here, let me see your hand it looks like you cut it pretty badly."

"No, it's alright," he noticed the guests were starting to stare, "Please excuse my clumsiness, go on with your merriment, I'll go clean myself up," he excused himself and headed toward the stairs.

The waitress hurried after him and bowed apologetically, holding the tray in her hands, "I'm so sorry sir; I didn't mean to, I thought that you had the glass."

Richard shot her a smile, "It's alright, go back and enjoy the evening. It was my fault anyways."

"Thank you sir," she smiled at him before heading off, "Merry Christmas."

"To you as well."

-

All was well at Titans Tower…

Starfire was keeping them under house arrest—she had been reading Twas The Night Before Christmas—and had ordered that no one was to leave their rooms. If they did they would be sure to frighten the Santa Claus away. If Santa did not come then none of their wishes would come true.

So the Titans were to dream of dancing plums with sugar; Cyborg had bitched about wearing a cap and Beast Boy had to wear a gown because Raven wearing it would involve pain…and the theme is peace on earth and good will toward men…

-

Richard held his hand under cold water in the bathroom sink.

'Slade? Mr. Wilson's first name is Slade? Get these crazy thoughts out of your head Dick. I mean, it's a name. It's just his name…same name as that psychopath who terrorizes…no…past tense, terrorized Jump City. There's just no way…I mean, Slade Wilson, he couldn't possibly be…'

"Young master, may I come in?"

"Come on in Alfred," he called from the bathroom, turning off the facet and grabbing a towel to wrap his hand.

Alfred opened the door to Dick's bedroom and came in with a tray holding a tube of ointment, a jar of cotton balls, and—you guessed it—a pot of tea with two tea cups.

Dick came out of the bathroom, holding his hand, "Alfred, you didn't have to do this."

"Well sir, I missed out on changing your diapers so I will merely have to mend to a cut hand."

Dick smiled at Alfred and shook his head, having a seat on the bench in front of the window sill. He already knew not to argue with Alfred, no one could beat him and arguing was pointless.

"What's on your mind young master?"

"Mr. Wilson's name is Slade…"

"The name of your archrival from Jump City?" he questioned, doctoring Dick's hand.

"Yeah, one in the same. I just heard that name and the world stopped. All I could see was that psychopath and he was coming at me once more. I know, it's crazy Alfred. There's no way that Slade and Slade Wilson are one in the same," he gazed out the window across the back lawn where the moon was reflecting off of the unfrozen pond.

"You know master Dick, if you even have the slightest suspicion that this man was indeed—

"Alfred, the idea is completely ludicrous!" he exclaimed, "I mean, Slade tried to destroy me any way he could, you can't honestly think that Bruce's friend Slade Wilson could be the same man from Jump City. The same man who declared himself to be my new father and who beat me into submission?"

"No sir that does not sound very plausible. Master Bruce would not knowingly allow such a man to endanger the life of the boy he so dearly cares for…"

"Alfred, please, my stomach," he placed his free hand on his stomach and tried to look ill.

Alfred smiled, "Oh by all means sir, my apologies it won't happen again."

"Good because from now on I'm just like normal teenagers. No more talk about this Mr. Wilson nonsense," he moved his bandaged hand and smiled with approval.

Alfred picked up the pot of tea and poured them each a cup, "By the way sir, I folded your tights and put away your exploding discs."

Dick took the cup and sweatdropped, "We'll have to work on this normal teenager bit…"

-

It was as if eight tiny—well deformed—reindeer were flying through the night sky…

Oh wait! That would be Starfire tossing the trash, "On Mad Mod, On Cinderblock, On Plasmus and Control Freak, On Mumbo and Kitten—sorry Robby Poo's not here—On Red X and Blackfire—Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

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Holiday wishes to all. Please R/R.