Nine months later

The final bell rung, signaling the end of the school day, which was a big relief for Dick. He had finished his school work during free period and couldn't wait to be able to go out on patrol tonight. He had finally convinced Bruce that he was well enough to start patrolling again. He had gone periodically for the past three months and was just itching for a distraction. He had been having nightmares every night for the past nine months and he found that if he exhausted himself enough from patrol and studying for finals, he would be too tired to dream. He had to be careful with that though or Bruce just might start suspecting something's up. But then again, he probably already knew, being the world's greatest detective and all.

"Hey, Dick, wait up!" Dick felt a smile form on his face. God bless Barbara, she's one of the few people who could get him to smile now a days along with Wally and his team.

"Hey," He said as he hugged her.

"How are you feeling?" She asked. She had asked this every single day since he had told her what had happened. She had been very sympathetic and always wanted to know that he was doing better than the day before.

"On the road to recovery, and yourself?"

"Better that I know you're doing well. So, B-man letting you go on p-a-t-r-o-l tonight?" She asked. Oh yeah, Barbara knows about Dick being partner to the Dark Knight. She had found out last summer after seeing Robin pull a stunt only the Flying Grayson's were known for. To say that she had been pissed for being left out of the loop was an understatement. She didn't talk to him for three weeks and still brings it up every now and then.

"Yeah, I'm sick of being on bed rest."

"Well, Dick I can understand where he is coming from. After-"

"I don't want to talk about it, ok?!" Dick snapped. Barbara took a small step back. Dick sighed and closed his eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap. It's just, after everyone asking me to talk about it and that stupid counselor asking me stupid questions, I would rather just forget about it and move on." Dick said walking toward the pick lane.

Barbara ran after him. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be nosy. It's just that I get were Bruce is coming from. He just wants to make sure that you're ok."

"Yeah, I know. I just feel like I'm suffocating, you know. It feels good to have a little normalcy back."

"Dick, you are far from normal." Barbara said with a smirk.

Dick smiled and playfully pushed her.

BREAKLINE!

Dick sat at the breakfast bar, going over his history notes for a test tomorrow as Alfred moved around the kitchen preparing dinner for his two charges. It was a relatively peaceful setting when the doorbell rang. Both perked up. "I got it Alfred." Dick said moving to jump off the chair.

"Nonsense Master Richard." Alfred said whipping his hand on his apron. "Watch dinner for me."

Dick raised an eyebrow. "You really want me to watch dinner, after what happened last time?" He asked skeptically.

"Perhaps your right, sir." Alfred said moving back to the food.

"Of course," Dick said with a smirk as he moved toward the foyer. He opened the door but no one was there. Dick heard a small cry and he looked down. Inside a cardboard box, wrapped in a powder blue blanket with a note sitting on top, was a baby. "What in the world?" Dick mumbled as he reached down and picked up the baby.

"What are you doing out here little guy?" he said to the baby who slept on. He looked around to see if he could see anyone but there was nothing. He went back in the manor and shut the door.

"Let's see why you're here, shall we? Probably one of Bruce's old girlfriends hoping to get child support or.." he said to the slumbering baby. His voice trailed off as he read through the letter and his eyes grew wider with each word. A cold wave washed through him and he nearly dropped the baby.

"Master Richard, who was at the door?" Alfred asked his voice steadily getting louder. "Did you not invite them in?"

He rounded the corner and saw Dick holding a little baby in one arm and a letter in the other. "My goodness, where did he come from?" He asked moving in front of him.

Dick slowly handed him the letter and he quickly read it. "Oh my word," he whispered. His gazed drifted back up to Dick, who was staring wide-eyed at the tiny babe. "Master Bruce," Alfred called.

"What?" Bruce said as he reached the bottom of the staircase, still tightening his tie. He stopped short when he saw the little blue bundle nestled in Dick's arms. "What is going on?"

Alfred said nothing, handing him the letter. Bruce skimmed through it and his expression morphed into one of shock. He looked up at Dick and then at the baby. It couldn't be possible.

Dick,

I am so sorry for what I did to you. It was wrong and I can understand if you can never forgive me. But even if you hate me for the rest of your life, I will always love you. I also understand that I have no right to ask for anything but I have no other choice. I wanted him to know his father.

This is Jackson and he is your son.

Zatanna

REVIEW!