Dick had been home from the hospital a couple of days now, he was still suffering some effects of the fear toxin, but now they had manifested themselves more as nightmares and were not as intense as before and he came down from them easier, but they were still traumatic. The medication seemed to be helping, Dick didn't know what to know what it would be like without it.

Tonight Dick woke up from a nightmare and he didn't wake up screaming. That was a plus, but now he didn't want to go back to bed. He laid in his bed with his hands under his heads under his head looking up at the ceiling.

He heard his door open, Alfred came and checked on him every few hours. "Hey Alfie," Dick called over.

"Master Richard are you awake?" Alfred asked already knowing the answer.

"Yes, Alfie…I don't want to go back to sleep…"

Alfred crossed into the room, Thomas and Bruce were still out paroling the city, and while they did the butler kept a watchful eye on the young ward of Wayne manor.

Dick sat up and looked at Alfred with a sad look in his eyes, "I just want them to stop, I'm sick of them. I want to be back to helping Thomas and Bruce…it's not fair…"

"Master Thomas doesn't want—"

"Anything to trigger me, I know." Dick cut the old butler off and pulled his knees to his chest and hugged them.

Alfred knew that Thomas had become very over protective over Dick's safety. The butler knew it was only going to get worse after what happened. He also knew Thomas didn't do it intentionally, but it was still hard to see the young boy being left out. Alfred smiled, an idea came to him. "Come now Master Richard, chop chop I have an idea," the butler clapped his hands.

"What are we doing?" Dick asked as he lowered himself into his wheelchair.

"Bake cookies," Alfred gave the boy a mischievous smile

"Cookies? at ten at night. In our pajamas?"

Alfred gave a small shrug as he walked along side Dick, "I may be old, but I still know how to have fun."

Dick laughed, "what kind of cookies?"

"What kind do you like?"

"Peanut butter," Dick said.

"Then that is where we shall start," Alfred gently touched Dick's shoulder. "I've missed my little sous chef."

The pair entered the kitchen. Alfred opened the door to the pantry and took out two aprons, he had to get a second one for Dick after he discovered could be quite the messy cook.

Dick took his place at the table, while Alfred went to a cabinet to pull out his recipe box. "I am going to start gathering the ingredients we need, could you look for the recipe?" He gave the boy the box.

This particular recipe box was all desserts and baked goods. He looked at the diver tabs looked for the one labeled cookies. "Alfie there's no cookie section."

"Check the biscuit section. This particular recipe box belonged to my mother, back when I lived in England."

Dick looked and found it. He pulled out the recipe. "Wow three dozen cookies!"

"How about we do half the recipe," Alfred smiled deciding to use this as a teaching moment as well. He brought the canister of flour to the kitchen table, then went to get the eggs and butter from the refrigerator while Dick went into the pantry to retrieve the sugars, salt, peanut butter, baking soda and baking powder

Dick helped measure all the flour, salt, and baking power powder into a bowl, while Alfred added the sugars, butter and peanut butter into the bowl of the stand mixer that was on the countertop.

"I can't see," Dick complained coming over with the bowl of dry ingredients in his lap. He put the bowl on the counter.

Alfred looked down at the boy, this was supposed to be cathartic for him, but he couldn't reach the counter. Alfred looked over at the breakfast bar with the tall chairs, they hardly used since it was too tall for Dick to use himself, but it would be perfect. "I've got an idea." he moved the tall stool over. "Up you go," Alfred lifted the boy up and set him down on the stool. "Just be careful, there is no back to this chair."

"What's next?" Dick asked.

"Add in the eggs, but I want you to crack them into this smaller bowl first." Alfred placed a bowl in front of Dick with two eggs.

Dick attempted to carefully crack the egg into the bowl, but her got some of the shell into the bowl and then he used a finger to fish out the shell. Once the shell was successfully removed Alfred incorporated each egg into the mixture in the bowl.

"Now we add the flour mixture," Alfred informed the boy.

"Can I do it!?" Dick asked pick up the bowl.

"A cup at a time, and on a—"

It was too late, Dick had used the mechanism that changed speed and dialed it all the way up sending flour into the air and all over the child and the surrounding area.

Alfred sighed and turned the stand mixer off, "low speed," he finished looked at the boy with a glare. Dick broke into a smile and started laughing, "what am I going to do with you Master Richard?" The butler went to brush some flour from the boy's dark hair. "Now let's try this again, slowly this time."

"Sorry Alfie," the boy was trying to have a serious expression, but a smile kept crossing his lips.

It was three in the morning when Batman and Robin finished patrol. Bruce stepped out from behind the grandfather clock, stretched and yawned.

"Smells like Alfred was busy," Thomas said as he opened the door to his study, when he did he could hear laughter. "Sounds like he was not the only one." Thomas left the room, Bruce followed behind his father. When the pair arrived in the kitchen they found Alfred and Dick at the kitchen table surrounded by what could easily been several dozen cookies all various flavors, the boy's hair was lightly dusted with flour and he had a smudge of chocolate on his face.

"That's a lot of cookies…" Bruce looked around the kitchen.

"My, My looks like you two have been busy," Thomas smiled, he crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame.

"Want a cookie?" Dick asked he put a tray on his lap and made his way to Thomas and Bruce.

"No, thank you," Bruce yawned again.

"I'll take one," Thomas picked up a cookie that had a little bit of everything in it.

"You are sure Bruce?" Dick asked going back to the table to get another container of cookies and then back over to the teen.

That was when Bruce looked over at the plate and saw a cookie with cranberries and white chocolate. "Well maybe one," he slowly reached his hand over.

Dick rolled forward rushing past Bruce, "nope you said no!" he started to laugh.

"Hey! but you offered!" Bruce huffed.

"And you said no!" Dick smiled wider and he tried to get away from Bruce.

"Get back here!" Bruce called chasing after Dick was was now rushing past Thomas with the container of cookies on his lap.

"Should have said yes!" Dick called over his shoulder.

"But those are my favorite! You knew I'd want some! When I get you I'm locking your wheels!"

"I'll roll over your toes!" Dick replied.

Alfred shook his head, "Boys," he picked up his cup tea and took a sip from the cup.

"It is good to see them acting that way," Thomas commented picking up another cookie.

"Indeed," Alfred agreed.

Thomas and Alfred watched as Bruce caught Dick, the younger boy tried to conceal the cookies, but that proved to be a moot task as Bruce pulled them away from him and held them out of the boy's reach.

"Hey! No fair!" Dick complained.

"No fair? You're the one who ran off with them."

"Not true. I rolled off." Dick tried to keep a straight face, but in the end he cracked a smile.

Bruce sighed, "fine you rolled off with them." he reached into the container and took out a cookie.

"What are we going to do with them?" Alfred asked.

Thomas smiled, "Adopt Dick."

"Sounds like a brilliant idea. I shall make a special meal."

Dinner was a delicious a dish rosemary and roasted garlic chicken with a side of asparagus seasoned simply with lemon and salt and pepper, freshly made Italian bread, and garden. For dessert a lemon mousse cake.

Once dinner was complete Thomas looked to his left where the younger of the two boys sat. "Dick, I have a question for you," Thomas looked the boy in the eyes.

"Yes?" Dick tilted his head a little the billionaire sounded so formal.

"I want you to answer this truthfully and think it over. I'm not expecting an answer right away."

"Okay..." Dick looked at Thomas confused.

"As you know our nightly activities are not safe. And you know that I care about you and want to make sure you are safe. I would never do anything to intentionally offend you."

"Thomas what are you talking about?" Dick asked as he rolled backwards, and pivoted his chair to he could get close to his guardian.

The older man smiled and placed his hand onto of the boy's "Dick, I want to adopt you."

"Adopt me?" The boy pointed to himself with his free hand shocked.

"I don't want to replace your father, I know I could never do that. I just want to know that if something were to happen to me that not only Bruce was cared for but you as well. Dick, I love you like a son." Thomas squeezed the boy's hand.

Dick didn't know what to say. He looked to Alfred (who was standing in the doorway) and then to Bruce and back to Thomas.

"We want you to be a permanent part of our family," Bruce added, letting the younger boy know he agreed with his father's sentiment.

Dick blinked and tears slipped down his cheeks.

Thomas stood up and hugged the boy. "There's no pressure, I will still keep you on as my ward, if you say no."

"So I'll be a Wayne?"

"Only if you want to. I would never stop you from being a Grayson. Take your time Dick, I know this is a big decision."

Dick took a deep breath. "I know my parents are never coming back, and that I have no blood relatives." He took another deep breath, with tears still in his eyes he looked Thomas in the eyes "I couldn't ask for a better second dad," Dick smiled.

"You're saying yes?" Bruce smiled.

"But one thing." Dick's words were quiet.

"Of course, what is it?" Thomas nodded.

"I want both names."

"Richard John Grayson-Wayne," Thomas smiled saying the boy's full name, "has a nice ring to it." Thomas was elated, he didn't expect Dick to want to make the Wayne name part of his.

"What happens next?" Bruce asked as he walked around and ruffled Dick's hair causing the younger boy to scrunch up his nose.

"First I petition to adopt. Bruce, you will remember this from before Dick came to live with us, but Dick's social worker, Vivian Roos, and maybe another social worker will come and do a home study. Make sure our home is safe and this is especially important in your situation Dick." he looked to the younger boy who nodded. "After the home study then they will start to look at me. They already have, but they will again, this time looking into my finances even though I denied getting state aid for your care. They will conduct interviews will anyone who lives in this house, that will include Alfred. Once that process is complete if they like what they have seen the case will be presented to a judge and we will be given a court date. That will be when the judge will decide if I can adopt you. He said yes, then we get an amended birth certificate with me listed as your father, but by no means will I ask you to call me dad, Thomas is till fine."

"So it's not one hundred percent?" Dick asked on the brink of tears.

"I'm sorry Dick it's not, but very rarely has a judge denied the adoption of a child who has—is already in the care of person or persons asking. I'm not trying to scare you, bud, I just want you to know the truth."

"Don't I get a say?"

"They will speak with you yes," Thomas nodded.

"And I can tell them that you've been there for me? And taken care of me?"

"Don't worry Dick, no matter what you will always be part of this family."

Dick and Bruce were getting ready to go out. Dick was not going to lie, he was scared to go out after what happened with the fear toxin. It took a lot of convincing to get him to go out, but in the end Thomas helped convince to to go out, saying it would be good for him, especially since going he would be going out as Nightwing with Robin, Superboy, and Flash. To be safe the young boy was going to clear mask that would prevent from inhaling any toxins.

Dick was lacing his boots when Jon and Barry came into the Batcave "ready to go?" Jon asked landing next to Dick.

"Ive got cookies over there," Dick pointed next to his work station.

"Don't say no!" Bruce said coming out of the changing area without his mask on.

"I'd never say no to a cookie," Barry said picking up a handful.

"Hey not eat all of them!" Jon raced over.

"Don't worry we have plenty." Bruce commented

"Hey! That's not a goal to eat them all!" Dick complained as he fitted his mask to his face and rolling closer to Barry. "How are we doing this anyway? I don't want to be a nascence if we run into trouble. What are we doing? Why do you want me to go out with you?"

"Don't worry you will like this, oh here is the mask," Bruce handed Dick the mask.

"Thanks." Dick took it and fit it to his face.

"Come on let's go!" Jon complained flying into the air and then swooped down to pick Dick up. "Wanna fly with me?"

"Yeah! Better than riding with Bruce he—"

"Time to go!" Bruce said interrupting the younger boy as he got onto his Robin Cycle.

"I'll tell you later," Dick laughed as Barry, Jon, and himself followed Bruce out.

Jon was nervous carrying Dick for this long, and outside. Luckily this time the younger boy didn't squirm too much, he knew they were at a higher distance and not a few feet off the floor. Today was a special day. With everything that had gone on Dick had started to be come like a little brother to him too. There were not many people Jon could share his true identity with.

"What do you think?" Jon asked asked after they had been flying for several minutes.

"I'm feel like I'm really flying…" Dick carefully looked around. "It must be amazing to do this all the time. I know I call it flying when I am, was, on the trapeze, but this! This is really flying!"

"Shhh keep it down, were supposed be in stealth mode."

Dick only laughed. "You're just like Bruce. So paranoid. Were's your sense of adventure? You can fly! You have super powers take risks, sometimes you need to fall too."

"Oh! We're here!" Jon smiled getting ready to land. "One of us us still have to carry you. We didn't come up with a good idea for what to do when we got here."

"We just need to wait for Bruce," Barry said skidding to a stop.

Dick shrugged. "It's okay. I'm just happy to be out. What are we doing here anyway? Oh a tree! Can you put in the tree, you can sit with me if you want."

Jon looked over at the tree there was a branch that stuck straight out, it was about eight feet from the ground. Superboy sat him on the branch.

"Are you sure that's a smart idea?" Barry asked Jon.

"You wouldn't ask that question if I wasn't paralyzed," Dick spat at the teen. "I just want to be normal. You guys wanted to take me out here. You know I can't move around without my wheelchair. All I want to do is sit in a tree. You are all so paranoid, I just want to be me! I like being up high and flying. It make have taken time, but I've come to terms with what happened to me. You know how I got paralyzed? I fell fifty feet, the only reason I'm not dead is because my father gave his life to save mine, so if I went to sit in a tree, I think I know the risks of what would happen if I fell eight feet."

"Hey what's going on?" Bruce asked finally meeting up with them.

"I wanted to sit in a tree," Dick stated.

"One of the reasons I picked this spot, I know there was a nice tree for you to sit I know you said there is so much you have missed. I can't help with most of it, but Jon can." This was a complete lie. He knew better than to worry too much about Dick. "You can go back up in a moment, but right it will be easier to talk if we are all on the ground." Bruce then looked to the other two "he's stronger than you realize."

Soon they were all situated on the ground in a circle.

"We asked you here for a reason," Bruce said starting the convention.

"Brought me, I can't exactly come here on my own." Dick smiled.

Bruce rolled his eyes choosing to ignore the boys comment verbally, "we have a question for you Nightwing."

"Will you be a member of the Teen Titans?" Jon asked taking over the convention.

"What? Are you serious? I'm not even a teenager."

Barry shrugged, "our team our rules. We want you in the club kiddo."

"So do you accept?" Jon asked.

Dick was about ready to answer when his phone alarm went off. "The Bat symbol been lit,"

"I can take Dick back. I'd be back to help you in a flash."

"That pun isn't funny, and I can handle myself…well with Robin's help."

"Superboy, bring Dick over to my bike. Nightwing send Flash the coordinates, Flash follow them and scout it our for us."

Bruce pressed a button on his Robin Cycle and seat back rose form the back of the bike, a seatbelt was also now present. Jon also noticed the foot holds on the back of the bike where Dick's feet would go. This time carrying Dick he noticed the thigh holsters on each leg. Perhaps Bruce was right, there was more Dick than either Barry or him knew. As soon as he was set down onto the seat of the Robin Cycle Nightwing buckled himself in, while Robin secured the younger boy's feet into place. They hadn't had experienced setting Dick up in the Robin Cycle in the field, they always did it in the Batcave.

"Let's go," Robin said getting into the driver's seat.

Robin drove in between the criminals while Nightwing expertly his escrima stick giving each a wallop as he speed by.

Bruce quickly cut the wheel to the left, and Dick leaned to the right. Even with the safety restraints he still have to be careful, as they were the holding him in place.

"Titans, fall back to the Batcave," Batman's voice came over the comm link

Thomas was already waiting for them, in full Batman costume.

"Bruce Thomas Wayne, Richard John Grayson what the hell were you two thinking?" He snapped as soon as the pair pulled into the Cave.

"Your middle name for you father too?" Dick asked.

"You said we would take him out of the Cave to ask." Bruce chose to ignore Dick's comment.

"Yes, I did, but when was taking a paralyzed boy into the field become a smart idea? It is not like you two were alone and caught off guard. Barry or Jon could have very easily brought Dick back and gotten back the others if need be."

"I offered," Barry said getting a glare from Bruce.

"Someone was thinking," Thomas said going over to the bike to help Dick from it.

Dick took his seat belt off while Thomas removed the straps that held his feet in place. "Escrima sticks? Baterangs? You planned for him to fight?" Thomas asked sharply noticing the weapons as he picked the boy up to bring him to his wheelchair.

"You should have seen him! He's good," Jon smiled hoping to help a little. Barry scoffed a little he was at least hoping Jon would be on his side.

"We were just being prepared," Bruce said.

"Prepared to what reveal our secret? What would people say if they noticed Nightwing never walks any where? If Nightwing is on the bike while Robin is off and there is someone injured right next to him he can't help them."

"I never thought about that…" Dick said he felt frozen in place it was something so obvious

"I didn't either…" Bruce looked Dick who was nervously chewing on his lower lip.

Barry and Jon exchanged glances, they didn't think of this either. If they had they would have made sure Dick got home.

Thomas gave a weak smile. "It's bittersweet hearing you say that, you don't think about Dick as having a handicap, and that makes me proud of you. Although it is something we have to consider it is a way to link Batman to this family." Thomas made his way over to Nightwing who was now looking blankly down at his lap. "I would love to have you by my side out in the field, but having you on the back of the Robin Cycle while fighting makes me nervous. What about if on occasion I take you along in the Batmobile. That way you are concealed, especially after what happened with the Fear Toxin, I don't want to trigger another allergic reaction. I know it's not the same, but you would still be out with us, and I have you being my right hand." Thomas placed his hand on Dick's shoulder and squeezed.

"You would really take me out?"

"I cannot do it all the time, and you will need to follow the rules I have in place. They will be firm rules."

Dick smiled slightly, "sounds fair."

Thomas sitting at his desk looking over the paperwork he needed to fill out to formally adopt Dick. It got him thinking about any and all questions he would be asked, and he thought about Dick's education right now Alfred was teaching both Bruce and Dick. Would that be adequate enough? Perhaps he should send both boys to Gotham Academy for a formal education, Bruce was getting older and it might be more beneficial for him to attend an accredit high school prior to applying to a university, even with the academic skills and knowledge he possess. It would be good for both boys to socialize with children their own ages.

The two Waynes have been back in Gotham full time for nearly a year, and Bruce hadn't attended a formal school since he was eight. Dick on the other hand had never attended school in a classroom setting. It could do him some good to get out of the manor, Thomas was starting to realize that he was being overly protective of the young boy, and trying to keep him safe, but if his allergic reaction to Fear Toxin showed him anything no matter how much he tries to coddle the young boy he can't. Bruce, Barry and Jon also taught him showing that Dick can care for himself. Things were going to start to change.

To Thomas it was going to be for the better. It was the perfect time too. It was mid November, and the second semester of school would open in January. On top of that wall he was going to officially adopt Dick.

A/N: More changes taking place. I have gotten lots planned coming up. Including bringing in some other members of the Bat family (Thanks Aaron convincing me for this one) I am trying to make it different, and not just place Thomas in the role of Bruce that we know in canon. So we will see some.

As always I love all the faves, follows, reviews, so please keep them coming and make me smile. At the very least do it because my birthday is coming up (July 1)

Also check out my cover image! Thanks Cristina!