DISCLAIMER: All recognizable characters belong to DC Comics.

CHAPTER TWO: Inception

A helicopter…?

Not a van, not an armoured truck, but a bloody helicopter!

The aircraft was waiting for Sportsmaster and his captive in the parking lot. Dick was surprised he hadn't heard the machine's approach, but he had no time to dwell on the matter as he was lifted inside and the door slid shut behind them.

The mercenary and his men were taking no chances with him. While one goon climbed into the pilot's chair, Dick was dumped onto the floor in the back and with a nudge to his ribs Sportsmaster flipped him onto his stomach and stepped heavily on his lower back. Unable to do more than struggle futilely, in a matter of seconds the same piano wire they'd used on his wrists was wound around his ankles.

It was only when the machine lurched to the side, as his knees were forced to bed upward and another length of wiring as stretched between his wrists and ankles, that he realized they were airborne.

"Stealth? Seriously?" Dick twisted his head to glare at Sportsmaster, who now sat comfortably in a plush seat situated behind the pilot. "I'm flattered but a little overkill for a kid, don't you think?"

The man actually chuckled. "You are much more than a 'kid', Robin."

"Why do you keep calling me that?" He didn't know why he was pretending to the contrary, it was obvious the mercenary knew exactly who he was. "If you're going to kidnap someone, you should really get the names straight."

"Deny it all you like, boy," Sportsmaster motioned to the remaining thug and he moved to the second seat in the cockpit, leaving abducted and abductor alone. "I have spent many weeks investigating both you and Gotham City's Boy Wonder. I found the coincidences many, and in truth it was quite simple once I thought about it."

"You actually think I'm Robin?"

"There was the agility and acrobatic ability of Robin," the man continued as though he hadn't been interrupted, "several videos capturing some spectacular aerial manoeuvres; every movement a testament to an unlikely training. Question was what? Perhaps it was a specialized, intense gymnastic regime? But your obvious youth, and gender, eliminated any of the known gymnastic protégés within Gotham, as well as the across the country."

"I'm a brain, not an athlete," Dick grumbled, really not liking where he was going with his commentary.

"I was actually at a stand still in my investigation, your tracks were covered quite brilliantly actually, but then I saw this."

It was then that Dick noticed the miniature remote in Sportsmaster's gloved hand and that it was now pointed at a small screen on the back wall of the aircraft. A video started playing, grainy and unmistakably captured at night and from a distance, but even so it was possible to make out the image of Batman and Robin fighting with several men on the roof of one of the many high-rises in the city.

Only a few seconds into the video and Dick remembered the incident. It was from last year, the last time Ra's al Ghul had come to Gotham City with the intent of recruiting – or killing – Batman. A lead weight twisted his stomach as he knew what was coming next. He wasn't surprised when the Robin on the screen was suddenly picked up by one of the larger assassins and thrown from the roof.

As the Boy Wonder tumbled, he twisted and spun, contorting his body. His utility belt had been taken from him at some point in the fight and, with only a birdarang in hand, he was helpless to stop his plunge to certain death. Until he noticed the rapid approach of a window washing scaffolding and once again twisted in the air until he was falling head first in a dive. The angle of his body brought him closer to the cables holding the scaffold aloft, and once he was within reach he had lunged out his hand. While his fingers wrapped around the cable, the birdarang in the other sliced through the thick cable. It jerked violently - and Dick could well remember the pain as his shoulder had been dislocated – but it was able to change his trajectory enough that when he released the cord he was now falling feet first and toward the swinging scaffold. His uninjured hand grabbed the railing and used his momentum to swing upward and twist in the air to land on his feet on part of the scaffold still connected to the second cable.

The screen blacked off and Sportsmaster started speaking again. "I was stunned the first time I watched that, I will admit. One would have thought it impossible for a falling body to move in such a fashion, so controlled and able to prevent what should have been imminent death. And yet, it was vaguely familiar. No gymnast I know of could have performed such a daring act. There was only one place on earth I had ever seen anything remotely similar."

He leaned forward, elbows on his knees as he stared down his helpless captive. "Haley's Circus use to come through Gotham several times a year. The biggest draw was the family of acrobats, the Flying Graysons. A mother, father and son trio that would perform death defying acts on the trapeze without any nets or safety gear, twice nightly and three matinees on the weekends. Watching them in the air was like watching them tease death."

The pain lanced through Dick's heart and he turned his head away from the penetrating gaze of the mercenary. Even four years later the loss of his parents tore his soul to pieces.

Inhaling deeply through his nose, refusing to let the memories or the man's words release the tears forming beneath his lids, Dick let the anger at Tony Zucco surge to the surface finally turned his head back to glare at Sportsmaster. "So, what, you think just because I belonged to a circus once upon a time that means I put on tights and swing around the city with the big bad bat?"

"Oh, that's not the only reason." The masked man leaned back in his seat shrugged. "But it led to a number of curious findings. The adoption of billionaire Bruce Wayne, the sudden appearance of Batman's crimson and gold sidekick, the subsequent death of the man responsible for the Grayson's murders-"

"I didn't kill him!" Robin shouted before he realized the words had left his mouth. It was a sore spot for the boy hero. He and Batman had engineered Zucco's arrest, but while awaiting the trial the mob boss was executed in a holding cell. Dick had felt closure with the man's death, but the darkest part of his heart was furious he wasn't the one to do it.

Seeing the satisfaction in Sportsmaster's eyes, Robin groaned as he realized he had just confirmed the mercenary's findings. The teen turned away from the gloating villain.

"I found myself wondering what possesses a father to allow his son to participate in such an extra curricular activity. But after having encountered you on Santa Prisca, and studying you as I have, I realized you would never have given him a choice. Still, you are an enigma, boy."

The captive Robin sighed. "No, that would be the Riddler."

Sportsmaster knew Dick Grayson and Robin were one and the same; there was no longer any point in denying it. That meant whoever hired the mercenary also held that information. Robin knew what that meant for him, bit what about Batman?

Or more importantly, what did that mean for Bruce Wayne?

*LINCHPIN*

Most of the students had been picked up by their parents by the time the EMT let the police approach her. Artemis had tried to tell them she was fine – really, a kick to the stomach was the least of what that man had ever done to her - but adults never listen to kids about that kind of stuff. Even after being given the all clear, she was kept on the gurney inside the ambulance while she was interviewed

After retelling her version of events to a half dozen different cops, agents, and investigators, and in the middle of number seven, she heard furious shouting coming from the steps of the Academy. The dark haired, impeccably dressed man was right in the face of the Headmaster.

"He was supposed to be safe!" The man – Artemis recognized him as Bruce Wayne now – was waving his arms around as he yelled. "I pay thousands and donate even more to ensure that these kids, especially my son, are kept safe! Not only was one girl hurt, but you're telling me they you just let them waltz out of here with my son?"

The overweight detective interviewing her noticed her distraction and stepped in front of her, his great mass blocking the irate father from her vision. "Miss Crock, we're just about done here. I promise this is the last time."

"Right," Artemis sighed. Dick's desperate words to her echoed in her head and she desperately wanted to speak with Mr Wayne before he left. "What was the question again?"

"Why did you step in front of the gunmen? School procedures are for students to not engage-"

"Look," she snarled in frustration, "they were kidnapping a student, a kid I know and I was not raised to just cower off to the side like some little girl!"

"But you are a little girl," the detective said condescendingly. "What could you have done?"

"What I did! I tried to stop them, I slowed them down!"

"But it wasn't your responsibility."

"Well someone had to do something," Artemis snapped. "Its not like school security is up to snuff if three thugs can just walk in off the street and kidnap one of Gotham's richest kid! If they weren't protecting their own asses behind safety glass and locked doors then maybe we wouldn't be having this discussion. Again!"

"And if they had killed you or the kid-"

"Richard," the girl snarled. "His name is Richard Grayson. And so what if they had killed me. At least I did something! It's no wonder this city needs people like Batman and Robin to save the day. The police in this town are a joke!"

"Now listen here-"

"You're excused, Detective Bullock."

Commissioner Jim Gordon stepped around the bulk of the man, staring down the Detective until Bullock growled and walked away.

The grey haired, older man smiled at Artemis and held his hand out to her. "Thank you for your patience, Miss Crock. There's a car waiting to take you home. We've already informed your mother you're on your way."

She accepted the offered hand and climbed out of the ambulance. "Thank you, sir. Do you," Artemis paused, chewing on her lower lips as she quickly took in the remaining crowd of people. Bruce Wayne wasn't there. She sighed, dejected. "Do you know if anyone told Mr Wayne what I - I mean, what Dick told me to tell his dad?"

The commissioner seemed to understand and smiled kindly. "He's been told. Now, let's get you home."

She just nodded and let herself be led toward the black town car waiting.

Her mind raced through different scenarios, wondering what she could have done differently. Despite being smarted than anyone she'd ever met, Dick Grayson was still just a kid. Two years younger than her, he was going to be terrified. She knew she would be in his situation. Hell, she was from just the couple of minutes she had faced Sportsmaster in the hall. And she knew who he was! Of course that just made him all the scarier.

But Dick surprised her. Most kid would have just gone along with their kidnappers. But he didn't. He fought with them, tried to help her even when his predicament was so much worse. And then just before he was taken, the way he changed. It was eerie how familiar it was.

The look in his eyes, she had seen it before. And that tone of voice. Green arrow had the look and the tone. So did Superman, Batman, hell even Kaldur when he got his head on a mission was known to be that intense. But there's no way that Dick Grayson… He wasn't… Artemis couldn't think of anyone part of the League would have anything to do with a spoiled rich kid!

"We've located the Shadow's next target: STAR Labs. We're too late. It's destroyed, totally destroyed. The fog decimated it! This is bad! STAR Labs is cutting edge science and now their secrets are in the hands of the enemy."*

No way! No! Way! It was so not possible!

Artemis and Robin may not have had much interaction outside Mount Justice but she'd recognize a team-mate in civvies, wouldn't she? Then again, Robin was the only one whose civilian identity was classified. None of the others knew anything about him. Not even Wally and Kaldur and the three of them had been friends for years!

Her police escort opened the sedan's back door and handed Artemis her backpack, allowing the girl to climb in.

"Miss Crock-"

While a startled squeak she jumped in the leather seat and backed up against the now closed door. In the glow from the overhead light she saw the man she had been eager to speak with sitting on the leather seat and watching her intently.

"M-Mr Wayne, Sir!" Holy crap was she nervous all of a sudden. She could stand in the same room and the most intimidation Heroes in the world and not bat an eye, and yet the way this man was looking at her was seriously unnerving.

"I wanted to speak with you, Miss Crock," he began almost hesitantly; which was weird him being who he was. "About what happened?"

"I, uh, though the police would have told you everything."

The father nodded. "Yes, Jim and I are well acquainted, but I would like to hear it directly from you. I would, of course, drive you home while we spoke. Is that's all right?"

"Uh, yeah. Sure, I guess."

"Alfred."

Hearing the engine purr to life alerted Artemis to the presence of the older man in the driver's seat. "Twenty minutes until arrival, sir.

The vehicle pulled out of the parking lot, near blinding flashes of light from media cameras muted by the dark tinting of the windows heralding their departure. Mr Wayne seemed unfazed by it all, and Artemis suddenly realized she wasn't riding with Bruce Wayne: Billionaire but Bruce Wayne: Scared-father-of-a-kidnapped-child. She could talk with him.

Feeling surer of herself, she settled back in the bench and angled her body so she was facing him. "What would you like to know, Mr Wayne?"

"Dick gave you the message," Bruce wasted no time getting to the heart of the matter.

"Yeah," she nodded. "He wanted me to tell you 'broken wing'."

"You're certain that's what he said?"

"Absolutely," She said. "It was strange, actually. I mean, I hadn't really talked to him much, but he was different."

"Scared?"

She shook her head, her gaze relaxing from the man's face to watch the blur of the city pass by the window behind him. "No. No, he wasn't scared. Which isn't right, now is it? He's a kid; he was being kidnapped; hurt-"

"Hurt?"

Artemis gulped as Mr Wayne's mostly relaxed posture tensed suddenly and a shadow seemed to fill his eyes. She was now very nervous again. "Um, yeah. I- I noticed they had his hands tied together with some kind of wire. I think it cut into his wrists during his struggles. There was some blood…"

Bruce Wayne clenched a fist so tight his knuckles were white in a matter of seconds and his hand had begun to shake with the muscle tension. She watched him closely, taking in ever aspect of his face and body language. Although outwardly there were no real changes, the tightening of the jaw muscles and the hardening of his stare the obvious ones, it was like Artemis was suddenly sitting with another person all together.

And it was all starting to make a strange sort of sense.

"Mr Wayne," she whispered, almost afraid to break the silence of the vehicle interior, "What does 'broken wing' mean?" When he didn't answer, didn't even acknowledge he had heard her, she opened a hidden pocket on her backpack and pulled out a green polyurethane mask.

The flash of color caught his attention. "What-"

"Hey driver," she said as she slipped the mask over her head and adjusted her long ponytail, "pull into the alley behind my apartment complex, will ya?"

"Certainly, Miss."

Artemis, protégé to Green Arrow, turned a hard stare to the man sitting beside her. "Mr Wayne," she took a deep breath and prayed to any god listening that she was right, "Batman, you are going to need help getting him back from - from my father. I suggest we start with the guys at Mount Justice."

A ripple of pride filled her chest at the stunned expression on Batman's face, giving her the courage to continue.

"What does 'broken wing' mean?"

She was momentarily afraid he wouldn't answer her, but the shock was quickly replaced with determination and the voice that answered was one she had head dozens of times in the last six months. "It's a code," Batman replied as he leaned forward and opened a hidden compartment in the floor by his feet. From inside the famous cowl was retrieved. "It means Robin's identity has been compromised." The mask was slipped over his head and with a touch to a camouflaged panel on the roof a partition fell between to two heroes, allowing them to don the rest of their costumes.

Artemis had been afraid of that. "Then it was Robin that was abducted by Sportsmaster, not Dick Grayson. That means that not only has Robin been exposed but-"

"So has Batman."

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* Quoted from Infiltrator, Episode 01x06