DISCLAIMER: I do not own Bruce Wayne, Batman, Dick Grayson, Robin, Alfred, Gotham City, etc. They all belong to DC comics.

A/N: Sorry for the wait, lot's been going on. Okay, now this is my first time writing with the Bat-canons besides of course Bruce's little part in the prologue, but this is bigger than the prologue, so yeah. Comments are always welcomed, but remember this is my first time. Also, sorry the chapter's so short! RER (read, enjoy, review)

Also, I apologize if there are any typos. I don't have an editor, so yeah. If there are typos, they will be fixed when I catch them.

CHAPTER ONE

Nine years ago...

CORNELIA CARLILE IS SEATED on a cushioned chair in the living room of her apartment. Her hands are resting on her stomach. She is only thirty-one, but in the dim, golden lighting of the room, she looks old and frail. Her long, dark brown hair is tangled and in a mess. She has a black eye and an old, fading bruise on her cheek. She is in a state that Bruce Wayne has never seen her in before. She looks lost even though he has finally found her and returned her home.

"God, Bruce, don't look at me like that."

He notices that her voice is low and hoarse. He wonders if she will ever be the same. She is a strong woman, a former cop, and even a former lover of his. She knows his secrets and he knows hers. He even shares a secret with her.

"Damn it, Bruce. I'm fine."

"We both know what Starvin did to you," he finally says, eyes narrowing on her, but still holding a small tinge of worry. "I doubt your fine, especially since Starvin is still on the streets."

Icy blue eyes meet his. "The cops won't do anything. They are too afraid of starting a war. You shouldn't do anything either. We don't want Starvin out for Batman's head on a silver platter."

Bruce frowns. "You and I both know I can easily get him in jail."

"You and I both know that that will put Dustin in danger." There is a hint of fear in her voice. "He's barely nine, Bruce. He isn't like Richard. He isn't ready to lead a life like yours. That's why I'm the one raising him, remember?"

"If you keep holding his hand," Bruce protests, "How can you expect him to ever be ready?"

Cornelia furrows her brows; an act that most think is intimidating, but not Bruce. She doesn't intimidate him, especially in her current state. All she does is worry him. Since the day he met her, a young reckless cop, who he had sworn would someday get herself killed. She hasn't changed one bit save her job. She is now working for the FBI, rather than the local Gotham Police Department.

"I chose to be the one to raise him before I found out your secret," her words would have been snapped out, but she is growing tired and feels sick. She sighs. "That doesn't matter now, does it? He's safe at the manor... Bruce?"

The desperate and hopeless look on her faces makes his heart clench. He has never seen her like this before and it slightly concerns him. She no longer seems like the Cornelia he knows. "Yes?"

"Keep him at the manor please," she wraps her arms around her stomach, eyes falling to her lap. "I don't want him to see me like this. Plus, I'm sure he likes it with you. Who wouldn't? You're a great father to Richard. I'm sure you'll be a great father to Dustin."

"Neither of the boys even knows, Cornelia."

"They don't have to," her icy eyes once again fall on him, "Bruce, I'm... I'm pregnant."

A scowl paints itself onto his face, but is isn't directed at her. Though neither of them have romantic feelings toward each other anymore, she is still his friend and he would be damned if he lets Charles Starvin get away with what he has done. He plans on catching Starvin and his gang, the Bloods, if it is the last thing he ever does. He wants to see them in jail, locked behind bars.

"Bruce?"

He looks at her, his expression softening ever-so-slightly. She isn't ready to tell Dustin what has happened. The boy isn't dumb and refuses to believe that his mother is simply on a mission for the FBI. He isn't sure what he could possibly tell the nine year old child that belongs to both him and Cornelia.

"I won't tell him," he promises, though he wishes he could tell the boy. She smiles and closes her eyes. It isn't long before her tired and worn-out mind drifts to sleep. Gently, he picks her up and carries her to her room. He makes sure to call Leslie and only leaves once she is there to make sure Cornelia is okay.

When he gets back to the manor, he finds Dick trying to keep Dustin entertained. He almost smiles to himself, watching the boys in the living room. A board game is spread out across the floor, and the recently sixteen year old Dick Grayson is attempting to show nine year old Dustin Carlile how to play. The boys certainly look like they could be brothers, both with black hair and blue eyes. Those that don't know he had taken in Dick, often think he is the teenager's actual father. He wonders what the press would think if they saw him with Dustin, whom shares both his and Cornelia's genes.

Dick is the first to notice his presence, giving his guardian a grin. Dustin looks at Dick, blinks, and then follows his gaze. He is quickly on his feet and running to Bruce's side. With Dick, it would have been to welcome him home, but not with Dustin. Dustin only runs to him in order to look up at him with big, blue eyes, silently asking if there is any news on his mother's whereabouts. Bruce's eyes meet with Dick's and just with a look, he tells his ward all that he needs to know. He doesn't want to lie to Dustin, so instead he watches as Dick walks over and places his hands on Dustin's shoulders.

The boy's head lowers and his shoulders sag, but nothing more is said on the topic. A few hours later, Bruce and Dick are in the living room. The news is playing on the television, but neither of them is really paying attention.

"Master Bruce? Master Richard?" at the sound of Alfred's voice, they both turn their heads. Bruce folds the newspaper he had been reading and sets it on the arm of the couch. They look to see a black-haired boy clutching onto the butler's leg, somewhat hiding shyly behind him. "He refuses to go to sleep no matter what I say." The three of them exchange a look. This has been going on for almost two months, since the boy had been 'forced' to live with them.

"Hey, Dust," Dick calls, grabbing the boy's attention. "Want a bedtime story?"

Dustin frowns. "I'm too old for a bedtime story. I'm nine."

Bruce raises a somewhat bemused eyebrow. "Almost nine," he corrects as the boy pouts, "Your birthday's tomorrow."

Dustin scampers away from Alfred and plops in-between the heroes. He curls up in his spot, snuggling against Dick, who lightly chuckles. Alfred walks over and places a blanket on him as he yawns. Bruce watches as his eyes flutter close, hearing him mumble something that sounds like a goodnight to his mother. Guilt briefly flickers in his eyes. He smoothes a hand over the boy's face. He goes to get up, moving to grab the boy and carry him to bed, when a small voice calls his name.

"Bruce? Dick?"

"What is it, Dust?" Dick asks, looking down at the small body that is still snuggled against his side.

"Is Mamma dead?"

The question makes them look at each other. Even Alfred pauses from exiting the room to look back, a small look of pity and sadness on his face.

"No, kiddo," Bruce comforts him, giving the child a rare moment of affection from him. He lightly presses his face to Dustin's silky black hair, kissing his head. He wishes he could raise the boy at Wayne Manor, take care of him like he had with Dick. But Cornelia has full custody of their son. "She's alive, I promise."

"But...but Mamma hasn't come home in awhile," Dustin's voice cracks, "Sometimes you don't come home for awhile too. You and Dick. Alfred says your okay, but...but I don't wanna be left alone." Dustin's eyes flicker onto Alfred, who often has to take care of the house when not in the Batcave, helping Batman and Robin.

"We won't leave you alone," Dick promises, wrapping his arms around the boy he often tells Bruce is like a younger brother to him.

"Dick's right. Alfred, Dick, your mother, and I will always return to you." He knows it's a promise they cannot keep, but the child is drowsy and he doubts he will even remember the conversation when he wakes up. Dustin simply smiles before falling back asleep. Without a word, he scoops the fragile body into his arms and carries him to the guest room, where he has been sleeping. He places his biological son into a bed and tucks him in.

"I was around his age when I found out."

He grunts and turns to see Dick standing in the bedroom doorway. "Cornelia has made it clear that she doesn't want him involved in our...other lives."

Dick crosses his arms over his chest. "He'll find out eventually, Bruce. I guarantee it. He's a smart kid. And you're not the best at keeping secrets from his gene pool." He smirks as he knows that Bruce knows what he's talking about. Cornelia hadn't been told about Batman and Robin, she had found out.

"He won't find out," Bruce assures his ward, glancing back at Dustin's sleeping form. "It would put him in danger and none of us want that..."

FUN FACT: Originally, Dustin was going to be the son of Cornelia Carlile and Charles Starvin.