Hey guys, round two...or chapter one...I don't know. Either way, it's me again! Just to make things clear, this means that whatever's being said is silent. It's inside our darling characters head.When I get to the team in the next chapter, the psychic link will be handled this way as well. A lot of authors like to use the carrot tops but that just kind of throws me, so I'm going to try somthing a little different.

Shout out to: Jasmine Nightshade! The one and only person to review last chapter! Thank you dear, you're amazing! Sorry I confused you last chapter with the bold stuff, hopefully this clears it up, and thanks for telling me! I'll go back to the prologue and put a not in there too.

ENJOY!

Batman frowned.

This was the third time this week that someone else had beat them to the punch. And it was the fifth time this month. He looked around at the busted and broken interior of the warehouse.

Whoever did this was getting bolder.

"Man, these guys are totally not feeling the aster!" Robin laughed. He clipped a pair of bat cuffs around the wrists of the last prisoner and leaned him against the wall with his two cronies. Noting the now expected knife cuts that were the new vigilantes trademark, he pulled bandana's off the crooks and tied the wounds with them.

Jerking the crooked stocking cap off one's head, he winced. "Ouch! He'll feel that bruise in the morning!"

The boy wonder dropped the stocking cap back on the unconscious man's head and trotted over to his mentor. "Any clues to the guy who put these creeps out of commission? Cause he's starting to make us look like slackers!"

The dark knight held up a small clear plastic bag. In it were a few pale grey and brown hairs, four or five at most.

Robin shook his head. "Same as before?"

Batman nodded. "It looks that way. We won't know for sure until we get the computer to analyze it."

Robin heaved a sigh. "If this keeps up, we're gonna be out of a job!"

Batman turned and quietly stalked away. "Not on my watch…"

Dark blue grey eyes gazed quietly down at the dynamic duo from behind a mask as they disappeared into the dark streets of Gotham. A satisfied smile touched his lips. They had nothing. Just a few hairs.

Just like last time.

He was safe. It was always nerve wracking though, watching the Bat and Bird go over the scene with a fine toothed comb. Questioning the crooks he'd taken down before handing them over to the GCPD. Watching them try to find out who he was.

The Batman was thorough…

He winced, glancing down at his newly bandaged wrist. That would be annoying while it healed. The cut was in the flexible place on the back of his wrist, right where it bent. The bunching up and stretching out of the skin whenever he flexed his wrist irritated the wound.

This was going to drive him absolutely nuts while it healed!

I thought we already established that you're nuts…

A soft, nervous whimper drew his attention to one side before he could come up with a decent reply to his unruly mind's comment. His smile softened from amusement into fondness.

They had been up here for over an hour, watching the bat and bird's arrival and subsequent search for clues.

He gave a quiet chuckle, safe in the knowledge that his companion was the only one near enough to hear. He fondly stroked his friend's short hair, enjoying the soft texture of it and the affectionate look he was given in return.

"I know." He whispered. "I know how much you love heights! But this was a necessary evil, I promise." His companion glared at him, and he couldn't hold back a quiet laugh. "All right! All right! We're getting off the roof now!"

The glare lost none of its intensity, and he found himself having to fight hard to keep his laughter from growing too loud. "Ok! After we get down we'll find some food. Then we'll call it quits and go home for the night."

A disbelieving snort was his only answer.

"I promise!" He grinned and drew an X on his chest. "Cross my heart and hope to die."

If you keep up this vigilante nonsense, you will.

He heaved a sigh and stood, leading the way back to the stairs and down. "Thank you, oh bright ray of sunshine!" he muttered with a grin. "Any other nuggets of dubious wisdom you want me to know?"

Did I mention you're an idiot?

"Hey Alfred! All quiet on the Bat Cave front?" Robin called, jumping out of the Bat Mobile.

The elderly butler gave a small smile at Robin's reference to the book. "All quiet sir." He answered. Looking to the Batman he added. "Sir, the Martian Manhunter called. He says that the league will require your assistance for the matter of a few days, a week at the most he said. Will that be expedient?"

"Criminals don't pay attention to the deadlines Alfred. I doubt it will be just a week if the crooks have their say."

Bruce had climbed out of the Bat Mobile and now pushed back his cowl with a sigh. "Did J'onn happen to mention what sort of assistance they needed?"

"No sir." Alfred answered. "However, he did mention that the various members of the league would be convening a mission briefing tomorrow afternoon at twelve thirty sharp. I have no doubt that all will be explained then and there."

He watched as Bruce walked past him and keyed into the Bat Computer. "Or, you can contact the league computer and find out for yourself."

Bruce gave a small wry smile. "Thank you Alfred. I think I'll do that. Is there anything else I should know?"

Alfred inclined his head slightly. "Yes sir. Dinner is ready and waiting. I shall put young Master Dick's supper out on the table upstairs and bring your supper down here directly. After which you will let it sit until it is cold. Just as you like it."

Bruce looked over from the computer, arching his eyebrow at the retreating form of his butler. After a moment he shrugged and returned his attention to the screen. Alfred was probably trying to be sarcastic, but chances were he would end up right.

He'd have to work on changing that.

Dick glanced up from his school books, watching as Bruce walked past the little kitchen table with a full plate and set of silverware in his hands.

His mentor crossed the room to the microwave and inserted his plate, careful to keep the silverware out.

"You let it get cold again didn't you?" Bruce gave him a look, then nodded. Dick burst into laughter. "When are you going to learn that Alfred is the one guy you can't beat? He knows you too well!"

"Why are you doing your homework in the kitchen?" Bruce answered, refusing to let his ward bait him.

Dick grinned and held up one of his books, knowing full well that Bruce was changing the subject. "Shakespeare unit in my Lit class. We're reading Macbeth. Alfred's read it before, several times, and there were a couple things I didn't quite understand."

The boy's smile suddenly faded a little. "Any luck on the Gotham night life's mystery guest?"

Bruce shook his head grimly. "The hairs were the exact same as the one's we found before. They're animal hairs. I've got the computer analyzing them to find out the specific breed. Finding similar hairs at all five locations is no coincidence."

Alfred quietly entered the room. He didn't seem in the least bit surprised to find both of his charges there. "Good evening sir. Come up at last to heat your supper?"

The ding of the micro wave saved Bruce the trouble of answering. He silently pulled his meal out of the machine and joined Dick at the table. Now that he'd actually gotten the older of his two charges to even look at the food Alfred probably wouldn't let him return to the Bat Cave until he'd eaten.

Dick grinned, studiously bending over his homework sheet and scribbling down the answers.

It was almost ludicrous, the fact that the elderly old butler could stand down a man in his prime with just an arch of his eyebrows! And not just any man, but the Batman!

And more often than not Alfred won!

Dick had tried to explain it to Wally once, but the speedster just hadn't been able to grasp how a man in his early seventies could best the Batman! He was absolutely certain that Dick was pulling his leg. But then he'd actually met Alfred.

The speedster had never questioned Dick's honesty on the matter again!

"So what is it the League wants from you?" Dick asked curiously, stuffing the completed homework sheet into his folder and flipping his book shut.

Bruce arched an eyebrow, but seeing as Dick had finished his homework, he answered. "Scarecrow has apparently been selling his services as a master of fear."

Dick snorted in amusement. "Cause no way would he sell the actual formula for his fear toxin!"

Bruce nodded. "If reports are to be believed, it appears that he's been contracted by someone in Metropolis. And he's having little to no resistance from the police. They have no experience with his fear gas and he's mowing them down. Superman is off world on another assignment, so it's the League's job to make sure that Metropolis is still there and sane when he gets back."

Dick frowned. "What about our little problem with the mystery vigilante?"

Bruce eyed him suspiciously. "That will have to be put on hold."

Dick grinned and shook his head stubbornly. "No it doesn't. I could keep looking into it while you're in Metropolis!" Seeing the objection on the tip of his mentors tongue he hurried on, lest his idea be shot down before he had a chance to explain it! "I know you don't like me hitting the streets on my own, but what if I took someone with me?"

Bruce folded his arms across his chest. "Alfred doesn't count."

"I wasn't thinking Alfred."

A thoughtful look crossed his mentors face. "The team then?" He nodded slowly when Dick confirmed his guess with a grin. After several long minutes he picked up his now empty plate and walked over to the sink. Depositing his dirty dishes, he then turned and left the room.

"I'll think about it." he said over his shoulder as he left.

A wry smile touched his lips when he heard Dick give a whoop of excitement once the boy thought he was out of hearing range.

Lol, foolish Bruce, thinking you can beat the Bat Butler!

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Until next time...