This story is about going to get a lot more plot heavy, I've laid out the entire first act, hopefully it doesn't suck.

Chapter Eleven - Dysfunctional Relationships

Dick awoke to one of the best sights that he's yet to see in his young life - Raven with her thin, slender arms wrapped around his waist. He couldn't keep a smile from forming across his face as she began to wake up, pressing her face further into his bare shaved chest. "Well good morning sunshine." he said with a grin.

"Go away," she grumbled.

"Actions speak louder than words." he said with that cocky little smirk of his, referring to how very close he was to her.

Raven looked up at him and narrowed her eyes into a deathly glare, "How about I send you out this window. What would my actions say then?" she threatened.

Dick chuckled and leaned down to give her a quick kiss, "You're cute when you give me death threats."

Raven sighed, "Richard Grayson, you have no idea how lucky you."

He smiled softly, "Actually, I do."

Before Raven could even finish her eye roll, the door to the room aggressively swung open. Dick turned to the door, hiding Raven with his body from whoever had intruded on their privacy, "Whoa - Occupied." Dick exclaimed, looking at the figure in the doorway.

"You overslept, get dressed, Barbra and Jim are coming over for breakfast." the voice was deep and gruff, it belonged to a tall figure, clean shaven with dark black hair that was neatly combed over. He had blue eyes, but there was a certain darkness inside them - not like Dick's. He wore a white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up just past his elbows, along with a red tie and black dress pants. His eyes drifted to Raven, but there was no reaction visible on his face, "Get dressed. They'll be here in a half hour."

With that, he closed the door and he was gone. Raven blinked, she didn't have to be told to know who that was - the Batman.

Dick chuckled and shook his head, "Good to see you too." he threw the off of him and stood, stretching out his limbs. Raven enjoyed the view. He turned back to look at her, "My eyes are up here, little lady."

Raven looked up at him, trying to hide her grin, "I know exactly where everything is, Grayson, and I'll look wherever I want."

Dick chuckled, then bit his lip nervously.

"Dick Grayson," she narrowed her eyes.

He chuckled slowly, "Please."

"There is no way in Hell that I'm wearing a dress."

A smug grin was stretched across Dick's face as the two of them walked down the stairs. Raven wore a dark purple dress with a short skirt and no sleeves and Dick's jacket to compensate. She intensified her death glare at him, "Not. A. Word."

"I appreciate this," he said with a smile. She damned him in her head, he looked too good in his button up blue shirt, leaving a few buttons undone to show off his neckline, and his tight black pants.

"Not. A. Word." she repeated in a growl

Dick pressed his lips together and nodded as he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek as the two of them entered the kitchen. Alfred was setting the table in the dinning room while Bruce was standing by the kitchen window, watching the morning snow fall. "You're early." Bruce spoke, his back still to them, "Surprising."

"I've been told I'm full of them."

Bruce gave a half chuckle as he turned around to face the pair, "Is this her?"

Dick nodded, "Rae this is Bruce Wayne."

The man had an essence about him - an aura. Maybe it's because she knew he really was, but that didn't make it any less potent. Bruce narrowed his eyes just a bit - studying her, she felt vulnerable - naked. Bruce's eyes went back to their normal size, "Do you prefer Rachel or Raven?"

"Either is fine."

"Hmph." Bruce crossed his arms, if that was a test - Raven felt like she failed. "I've read up on your file. Your abilities - meta-human or magic?"

Dick frowned, "She didn't come here for a cross examination, Bruce."

Raven shook her head at him, "It's fine." she turned back to Bruce, to the Batman, "Magic."

Bruce nodded, "Inherited or learned?"

The Batman and Raven were locked in an intense staring match, "Inherited. I'm half-demon."

"Demon?" Bruce smirked with a nod "Impressive."

"I know."

Dick looked between the two - that had gone a hundred times better than he'd imagined. Bruce broke the eye contact and turned to his son, "The GCPD's Christmas Galla is tonight, it's being held at Wayne Tower. I assume I can count you to be there," his eyes flicker over to Raven, "And a plus one, of course."

Dick didn't see much of a choice - there never really was with Bruce. He nodded, "I need to talk to you about something."

Bruce nodded, "After breakfast."

Dick sighed and nodded in agreement. As Bruce left the room, Dick turned his eyes to Raven with a forced smile, "You handled him well."

"He's... intimidating."

Dick chuckled, "That's what he does." he smiled a bit, "Don't worry - he likes you."

"He does?" she a rose a brow.

Dick nodded, "Trust me - you'd know if he didn't."

The pair walked over to the dining room where Alfred was finishing up preparing the table. Alfred glanced up and smiled at the teens, "See? Nothing to worry about." the old man chuckled with delight, "He's always had a soft spot for you, Master Dick."

Dick snorted, "One day me and you are gonna get together and compare definitions, Al."

"Good to see you Jim." They heard Bruce say from the other room. Alfred stayed behind to finish while the two of them went to investigate. Bruce stood with Jim Gordon, shaking his hand near the entrance. Jim was gruff looking man - broad shoulders, a bit shorter than Bruce, short hair parted down the middle that was more grey than brown and a thick mustache to go along with it. His eyes, brown, but it wasn't the color that was noticeable - the slightly vacant look in them, this man had been through Hell and lived to tell the tale.

"And you too Mr. Wayne." he nodded.

Bruce smiled, "Please - Mr. Wayne was my father. Call me Bruce."

Raven studied Dick's father closely, it was incredible - whoever was talking to the Commissioner was not the same man that she'd just met. Interesting. It's almost like Bruce Wayne is the mask and the Batman is who he really is.

Jim's eyes moved over to Dick and a smile quickly grew on his face, walking over to him. Dick smiled back and met the Commissioner in a handshake that quickly turned into a small hug, "Good to see you, son."

Dick, still smiling, nodded, "You too. It's been too long."

Jim nodded, "Much too long. How's college treating you?"

Dick shrugged, "It has its ups and downs."

Raven looked between the two men, Dick and Bruce. Their entire lives are a lie, only the ones closest to them knew the truth. She wondered what kind of a toll that must have on a person

Dick rose his brow, looking behind Jim, "Is Barbra with you?"

Jim looked behind him and mumbled, "She was right behind me." he turned back to Dick, "Must be nervous. The two of you haven't seen each other since-"

"Since I graduated."

Jim nodded, "Yes that's right." he caught a glimpse of Raven out of the corner of his eye, he turned to her, "This must be your friend. From college right?"

Dick nodded, "Yes sir - Rachel this Commissioner Gordon. Commissioner, this is Rachel Roth."

He rolled his eyes, "Just Jim is fine. Nice to meet you."

Raven just nodded as the door opened once again. A girl in a wheelchair rolled through the door, she looked around Dick's age, maybe a little older. She had pretty blue eyes, light and happy as soon as they met Dick's. She had fiery red hair tied up in a ponytail and a beautiful smile with perfect teeth. Raven suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

Dick left her side as he walked over to the girl and bent down to give her a hug, "Wow." Dick muttered, but she still heard it, "It's been a long time Babs."

Barbra smiled as the two of them parted, "It's been too long, Grayson."

Now Raven knew what it felt like when Starfire's hair caught on fire. Rage. Without warning, the back of the TV in the living room blew out. The house suddenly became very quiet. Bruce's eyes flickered over to Raven. He knew? How'd he know? Because he's the Batman, that's why. Bruce chuckled, looking back at the Commissioner, "That's the last time I try to fix wiring on my own."

Jim chuckled, "Anything else prone to explode while we're here?"

Bruce grinned, "Let's hope not." His eyes flickering back to Raven's for only a moment, but she got the message.

Alfred walked out of the kitchen, "Breakfast is ready. Whenever you are ready, you may be seated." Alfred announced to no one and everyone.

Dick smiled and Barbra, "Eat and talk at the same time?"

She nodded, smiling up at him "Two of my favorite things to do."

Bruce, Dick, Raven, Barbra, and Commissioner Gordon all sat around the dining table as Alfred brought out plates for everyone. It was more of a feast than just a simple meal - two sunnyside eggs, three well done breakfast sausages, a slightly toasted english muffin with a collection of jellies for everyone to choose, a heaping side of bacon, and a tall glass of orange juice.

Jim chuckled, looking up the butler as he set the plate down in front of him, "You're an angel, Alfred." he bit off a piece of bacon, "An angel that's trying to fatten me up."

Alfred gave a kind smile to the commissioner, "I could make you salad, if you prefer."

Jim smirked, "Not a chance."

Alfred nodded with a smile, "Very well, sir." he finished setting down the rest of the plates, finishing with Dick, who was sat in between Barbra and Raven. The butler looked over at Bruce, "Will that be all, Master Bruce?"

Dick looked up at him, "Why don't you eat with us, Al?"

"I'm afraid I can't," Alfred turned to Bruce, "I have some work that needs finishing downstairs." he hinted.

Bruce's lips morphed from his smile into a straight line, Bruce gave him a knowing nod. You wouldn't have been able to notice it unless you were paying attention.

Which the Commissioner was not. After all, the only thing that Bruce Wayne was hiding was his hair dye, "Well thank you for the meal, Alfred. Will you be joining us at the Galla tonight?"

Alfred looked at the Commissioner his same smile that way a mainstay on his lips, "I'm afraid not. Someone has to keep watch over Master Ace." he explained. Even Alfred was living the lie that Bruce and Dick lived, they only really had each other. Well, Dick had Raven and the Titans and Bruce had Diana and the League, but Alfred? It seemed like everything outside of Bruce and Dick, was a lie.

"Ace?" Jim questioned, taking another bite of his second egg.

"Dick's dog." Barbra answered a little too quickly for Raven's liking.

Dick nodded, "Remember the last time we left him alone?"

Bruce nodded with a smile, "Busted right the old fence," he said with a chuckle.

Barbra nodded with a small laugh, "I thought Miss Goldstein was gonna sue you."

Dick snorted, "I thought she was gonna skin me alive."

Bruce, Dick, and Barbra all broke out into a fit of laughter. Raven studied them, she wasn't sure if it was part of the too? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way she felt very small and very out of place.

She leaned over to Dick, "I'm going to the bathroom."

He looked over at her, he looked concerned at the expression, "Something wrong?" he knew her too well, she silently damned him as she shook her head. He frowned, "Okay... do you know where the bathroom is?"

She nodded, it was a lie, but she didn't need to know where it was. She just needed to clear her head. She rose from the table, Barbra eyed her as she quickly walked away and up the stairs. She leaned over to Dick, "Is she okay?"

Dick frowned, "I'm not sure."

Raven's head raced at a thousand miles an hour as she walked down the long corridors of the Wayne Manor. She came to what looked like a balcony, she could use some fresh air. She pulled open the windowed door and pushed past the dark curtain to see Wonder Woman, wearing a shirt that was overly large and some black sweatpants.

"I'm... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you."

Diana looked over at her with a smile, "You didn't just thinking." She eyed the troubled young woman, "There's always room for two."

Raven looked down at the floor, "No, that's okay."

Diana gave her a disarming smile, "I insist."

Raven reluctantly nodded and walked over next to the Justice Leauger and leaned over the side with her, looking over at the acres and acres of land. She laced her hand's together - she didn't belong here. This was Bruce Wayne's home, this was Batman's home.

Diana was looking over at her, looking at Raven deep in thought, "Penny for your thoughts?"

Raven quickly looked over at her, she was an intimidating presence, just like Batman, he's probably the only man that could handle her and she's the only woman that could ever handle him. She realized she never answered Diana, she shook herself out of her thoughts, "Why aren't you down there with the rest of them?"

Diana smiled, "It's no secret to anyone that I'm Wonder Woman. The Commissioner is a smart man, it wouldn't take him long to piece everything together." she explained.

"How do you do it?" Raven questioned, "Be with the Batman, I mean?"

Diana chuckled heartily, "You aren't the first one to ask me that." she smiled, looking over the balcony, "Because I love him."

"Surely it's not that simple."

Diana chuckled, "You're young, you'll understand soon. I love who he is, who he really is - I love Bruce Wayne, I love Batman. Everyone views him as cold, heartless, so did I - for a time. He isn't, his heart is bigger than all of ours. He fired Dick because he feared for his life. He'd give his life for anyone, even if they don't deserve it."

Raven contemplated what Diana said. Like father like son.

"I've known Dick for a long time," Diana continued, "A year or so before he left Gotham - he's everything like Bruce, except Dick knows how to express himself. Especially with you."

Raven let a smile flicker on her face before hiding it back again, "Thank you."

"Anytime." she smiled, turning away to walk back inside, "Although I'll warn you." she began, "He's the closest thing to a son I've ever had. Hurt him and you'll know what the wrath of an Amazonian is." she walked back inside.

Raven widened her eyes and as she watched the woman that was closer to God than human.

Raven arrived back downstairs, the dining room was vacant except for Alfred, who was cleaning up the area and Diana who was helping him. Alfred smiled at her, "Welcome back, Miss Rachel."

Raven nodded, "Where'd everyone go?"

"I believe the Mister and Miss Gordon had to prepare for the Galla." Alfred explained.

"Bruce and Dick went down to the... downstairs." Diana added.

Raven rolled her eyes, she knew about the Batcave, but no point in letting them know that. "When will they be back?"

Alfred smiled, "I'm sure quite soon. I believe they said something about 'catching up'."

Happy Thanksgiving