Bold- when Dick and Ann are speaking in their first language (sometimes)

Dick stood in front of the full length mirror tugging at the tie around his neck feeling uncomfortable in the suit that Alfred had laid out for him. The charity ball was something he wished he didn't have to do instead wanting to put on his cape and run through the night to prove himself ready without trying to sneak off. But no he was going to be forced to go by Bruce because it was required that he and Ann be in attendance with him. Especially since as he keeps reminding them, they weren't ready yet to be on the streets alone as Robin and Wren. Though Ann was grounded at the moment anyway because of what she had done the other night even if it was to save that kid, Jason.

"Hey Dick." came a voice close to his ear making him jump.

Laughter filled the air as Dick turned to find said sister holding onto her side doubled over as he said, "Don't do that!"

"Sorry couldn't resist." she told him him straightening.

She wore a knee length sky blue dress with a white collar and lace on the hem of the sleeves and skirt with black flats. Dick couldn't even tell that she had bandages wrapped around her before he looked at himself in the mirror again and groaned.

"I know how you feel big brother." Ann said softly pulling at the sleeves. "This dress is itchy."

Dick nodded scratching at his neck, "You ok?"

"I'm fine just a little tired."

"Right."

They fell into a comfortable silence as Ann jumped onto his bed taking a seat while he continued to stare into the mirror.

"Hear anything about that kid?" he asked after a few minutes somewhat surprised that Alfred hadn't come to get them yet.

"No, Bruce hasn't said anything and he's locked me out of the Cave for who knows how long." Ann responded falling back onto the bed with a groan. "Can't do anything."

"I wrote to mom and dad last night."

He barely caught the fact that he'd fallen back into his first language until he had finished talking looking back at his sister who stared at the ceiling. But this was comforting in a way being able to speak the language in which he had grown up with.

"Same here. "Ann responded quietly. "I wish they were still here."

"I know Annie so do I." Dick told her looking down at his feet.

They were silent again unable to think of anything to say when there was a knock at the partially open door.

Alfred stepped through the door with a small smirk, "Masters Richard and Marianne, Master Bruce is waiting for you downstairs."

"Thanks Alfie." Dick said with a smile. "Come on Annie."

Ann groaned as she sat up slowly, "I'm comin', I'm comin."

The twins headed down the hall following Alfred down to the front doors and into the car where they found Bruce. He was dressed just as Dick was but with a bow tie instead of an actual tie around his neck and gold cuffs. His blue eyes watched them before he glanced at his watch casually like they were late or going to be late. Alfred got in behind the wheel as usual as they began the journey to the hotel where the benefit was being held.

Ann swallowed thickly as Alfred drove them through Gotham getting closer to the event and all the people that would be there. Large crowds of people frightened her, even though she had performed in front of thousands, being surrounded instead of flying. Looking over to her brother she saw that he looked completely fine with the situation even if at times he shook his head like he was trying to deny something or pull at his tie. The fear was overwhelming as Alfred pulled up in front of the hotel and she could feel her heart in trying to break through her chest.

"You alright Annie?" Dick whispered as they slid out of the car. "And don't lie."

"I'm fine." Ann answered chewing her lip. "Really."

"Right."

"You're the one acting as though he has something to hide."

Dick shook his head quickly as they fell silent under Bruce's watchful eye then followed the man into the building trying to ignore the flashing of the paparazzi's cameras. Once inside the twins found themselves surrounded by Bruce's admirers and women who for whatever reason seemed to size them up like they were competition or something.

"Bruce, it was so generous of you to take those two kids in." a dark haired woman told Bruce and to Ann her voice seemed to purr.

"Selina." Bruce greeted the woman. "Dick and Ann needed a home."

"And you provided them with one."

Ann glanced over to Dick when Selina turned her green eyes on them and they realized that her eyes seemed more like a cat's in color. Dick meanwhile was watching everyone else in the large banquet hall although they all seemed to be big money types who really wanted nothing to do with them.

"I don't like this." Ann whispered to him. "It's like everyone is watching us."

"That's cause they are." Dick responded quietly glancing over those closest to them.

Everyone seemed to be glancing at them out of the corner of their eyes except for two people who made their way toward Bruce. The older man had dirty blonde hair with a matching beard and the noticeable green tie drew attention in the otherwise black tie event. Both twins were also drawn to the man's young companion with his red hair and blue eyes that seemed to take in everything around him. He also wore a red tie that stood out against his black shirt as he walked slightly behind the man who stopped before Bruce smiling.

"Oliver Queen." Bruce said with a slight smirk. "How did you get away from your 'busy' schedule to come to Gotham?"

"Bruce." Oliver greeted shaking the other man's hand. "You know me business can wait sometimes."

The young man, teenager or preteen Dick thought, shook his head slightly crossing his arms over his chest catching Bruce's attention.

"I don't think you've introduced me to your young companion, Oliver." Bruce said eyes narrowing slightly.

"Roy Harper is his name." Oliver answered scratching his beard. "I took him in two weeks ago much like how you took in Richard and Marianne over there."

"I see. It's nice to meet you Roy."

"Same to you, Mr. Wayne." Roy said politely shaking Bruce's hand. "I've heard a lot about you, sir."

"I'm sure you have."

Bruce narrowed his eyes at Oliver who gave him an innocent look while the twins smiled watching Roy curiously. Even though he was older he was the only other kid in the whole building surrounded by people who for the most part acted like they were enjoying themselves.

"Roy, these are my wards Ann and Dick Grayson." Bruce introduced them. "Maybe you could keep them company until the banquet is over."

"Do I have a choice?" Roy asked looking toward Oliver.

"No not really." Oliver answered him with a grin. "Just keep the kids company while us adults talk."

"Who's the adult?"

Ann and Dick snickered at the joke following after Roy away from Bruce and Oliver who frowned after a moment at the boy. They were silent as they found a somewhat quiet corner of the banquet hall and just watched those around them.

"Hey Roy?" Dick asked breaking their silence.

"Yeah kid?" Roy responded glancing over at the boy.

"What's it like living with Oliver Queen?"

Roy grinned slightly, "What's it like living with Bruce Wayne?"

"Different." Ann whispered voice nearly lost among the sounds of the ball.

"Yeah, going from one life to another is pretty hard especially when some people don't exactly want you around."

The twins shared a look thinking back to how they were treated before being with Bruce to now with everyone looking at them. They could see the truth in Roy's words even though they were much younger they were experienced in the world this life brought with it. Although there was one aspect to their new life that Roy wouldn't be able to understand or even believe if they were able to reveal it. The silence returned as they stood there watching the events of the ball play out in front of them trying to just keep to themselves.

Dick found himself shaking his head trying to stay awake after what felt like hours of nothing except being bored. Roy and Ann were still silent as they continued to watch people and try to stay awake wondering when this would all be over so they could leave.

"Is it over yet?" Dick yawned.

"Not yet kid."Roy answered without looking at him. "Maybe another three hours or so."

Dick groaned as Ann giggled, hand held over her side without really thinking about it while Roy continued to watch the crowd. From this position they could barely see Bruce or Oliver since they were surrounded by other partygoers mostly women. As time passed though the twins shared a lookfeeling uneasy when they noticed something that seemed off with a small group off in another corner.

"Hey Roy, does that seem normal to you?" Dick asked pointing to the group as one ducked behind a table like he had dropped something.

Roy looked over and shrugged, "People do strange things"

"Right."

"Come on kids. Let's grab some snacks."

"Alfred and Bruce don't really let us snack." Ann told him as they began to move.

Roy grinned at that, "They'll never know. It'll be our little secret."

The twins smiled at Roy surprised that he was so willing to just be around them and talk with them even though there was a huge age gap between them. Each of them were smiling as they took some sort of sweet from a tray then maneuvered through the crowd once more when everything fell apart. There was a sound of several pops and people screaming, Roy grabbed them by the arms and pulled them behind a table near the wall as the gunmen walked toward the crowd shooting at the ceiling.

"What's going on?" Ann asked quietly as Roy looked around the table.

"Some goons thinking of making some easy cash." Roy answered quietly. "Just stay out of sight and we should be alright."

Dick was shaking beside his sister who was also trembling sightly more out of wanting to do something than in fear like all the other people in the room besides probably Bruce. He wanted so bad to be able to change into his Robin suit and take these guys down when he was suddenly grabbed.

"Hey Boss check it." one of the gunmen called. "Found them kids you was told about."

"All three?" one asked waving his gun around.

"Yeah even the street kid from Star or was it Starling?"

"Doesn't matter." another guy answered. "Grab'em and go before the cops get here."

"On it Boss."

Ann, Dick and Roy all struggled against those holding them as people watched from the sidelines cowering on their knees. The little girl cried out as the man holding her jostled her ribs which made the boys freeze along with most of the people close by.

"Anyone moves without my say so gets to let everyone see the inside of one of these kids' heads." the lead guy shouted with a grin then to his men in a quieter voice. "The big man can deal with one less kid."

"Let's get some cash and go then." one of the men whined. "Feeling kinda ansty here."

"Boss man gave us thirty minutes once we got the kids." a man said quietly.

"Alrighty folks here's what ya gonna do." the boss of the group told everyone. "Yer gonna give us all yer valuables then we're gonna walk outta here. Do as told and these kiddies here won't get hurt."

All while the guy was talking Roy, Dick and Ann were carried off toward the nearest door unable to do anything. Dick caught Bruce's eye as they were taken trying to not show any fear of the unknown as Bruce stared back at him with narrowed blue eyes. And as he lost sight of his guardian the boy could only hope that the man would come for them soon. The three started fighting once more when something hit Dick over the head and his world exploded before darkness took him.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter.

Yes I brought Roy in earlier then I thought but I wanted to start off the relationship between the three now.

More to come so please leave a review on what you think of the story so far.