Newest chapter is here guys!

Happy Thanksgiving guys!

Dick never really knew the difference between happiness and joy. To him, the boundary wasn't there. So when he walked into that large gym with the trapeze in the middle, he felt an unmeasured amount of joy flood his body. He hugged Bruce for a quick second, his light, feather-like feet gliding over the smooth mats toward the large metal contraption. His eyes, big and blue, widened as they took in the amount of fun that he would have practicing. His lightening tan skin looked pale in the fluorescent light, but as he reached up at the metal bars this didn't bother him.

He climbed up higher and higher, his grin never leaving his face. He heard a warning from Bruce to "be careful" come from down below, but the warning didn't fully reached him. As he strung the familiar pieces, his fingers flew and tightened knots and made sure everything was in place. The bar, which was latched onto the metal pole, daunted him with it's cold metal and for a split second he felt a certain fear grip his stomach. A quick image flashed through his mind, causing a shiver to crawl slowly down his spine.

He ignored the feeling, suddenly, and grabbed the metal bar. As his fingers, long and nimble, touched the cold metal, the rush of air breathed in his face. He felt suddenly free, again. He turned toward the ledge, his eyes staring straight ahead, refusing to even glance downward. He knew what would happen if he did, and he didn't want too.

"Are you alright, Dick?" Bruce called up, his voice echoing around the large chamber.

Dick whimpered, the sound barely even being heard by himself. He opened his mouth to speak, the sound coming out was relatively close to a "yes" and Bruce seemed to find this acceptable, not even really telling the difference between that and if his surrogate son had actually spoken.

He closed his eyes, breathing evenly and openly. They finally snapped open, just as he decided that he was going down. 1... he began to count, 2... almost there, he thought, 3...

And then he fell.

And he fell, no, he flew with such an elegant grace that gravity had no call on him. He body curved gradually as he got closer to the ground, as close as on could get, and the way his eyes were open, made you think he was seeing something different. They weren't horrified, like he was seeing his mother reaching for him as she fell, but more melancholy. They were melancholic in a way that you could imagine that he was flying, alone, through some dreary night sky where his open eye his let loose tear drops that fell like rain, leaving patches of azure flowers where they fell. You could see him with his arms spread wide as he moved openly, the forces calling on him to return. You could see him leaving them all behind.

He began to ascend back toward the other platform, his legs swinging forth so that his feet could land properly on the platform. His hair, ruffled from the wind, fell back in his face as he landed, grabbing onto a bar so he couldn't fell backward. He figured that would be bad.

"You having fun?" Bruce replied, his voice more softer than before.

"Yes," Dick called down, his voice coarse. "Very much. Thank you, Bruce."

He began to climb down and hearing Bruce say "you're welcome" made him feel giddy inside, as if he were the only person that Bruce said "you are welcome" too. He knew that he loved Bruce very much, but he just wasn't ready to call him "Dad". It didn't feel right. It felt too early. But, after everything that he had done for him, calling him "Bruce" just seemed disrespectful. It seemed wrong, like calling his birth father John instead of dad.

Dick walked over, his hands tight, calluses' beginning to form from the absence of chalk. Bruce smiled down at him, his brown hazel eyes looking for something. Dick wasn't sure what, but he smiled his biggest most pleased smile and he could see that whatever Bruce had been looking for had been found.

"Not that I'm not excited, really, why did you get it for me?"

"Well," Bruce hesitated, as if unsure even of his own answer. "I thought that you needed it. And I hope, really, that it won't just be a reminder. Alright?"

Dick adamantly nodded his head, his blue eyes now wide and a grin plastered on his pale face. He grabbed Bruce's hand and pivoted on his heels, tugging for the older man to come. Bruce, at first, didn't let himself be pulled, his eyebrows slowly moving up at Dick pulled harder and harder. Eventually, he gave in; a sudden whim to let his surrogate son take him overwhelmed him.

"Whoa there," he cried out playfully, causing Dick to giggle. "Slow down, chum."

"Chum?" Dick inquired, stopping and glancing upward.

Bruce looked amused, his expression taking the one it often did when he was amused after he confused somebody. "Chum, my…own father used to call me chum."

With this obviously satisfying answer, Dick continued to pull, the grin on his face far larger than any before.

"Come on! You have to try now!" Dick yelled, manually urging Bruce's hand on the ladder that went all the way up. He tugged harder, squeezing his eyes shut. "Please!"

"Dick, I'm in a suit."

"And?"

"I don't think Alfred would be too pleased with me if it got ripped."

"…Oh."

][][][ July 5th, 2006

Dick was excited, today they were going out. It would be his first patrol, his first time out with Batman. He'd been in Gotham numerous times, but only because of school and he'd taken the same route every time. Now, he thought. He'd be seeing it from above. From where the birds saw it. He felt giddy inside. He pulled on his costume, snapping the belt together. At the moment, he just wore green gloves and green sleeves, Bruce would add the good computer-gloves later. He had green spandex pants on, and a pair of pixie like boots. They'd have to get rid of those, he thought as he crinkled his nose. He felt like Tinker Bell. He snapped the black cape on, which was a golden color on the inside. Glancing down at the yellow "R" in the black circle on his chest made him feel…right.

And then, came the domino mask. He stared at it for a few long moments, holding it in his green-gloved hands. The white lenses would hide his eyes from the enemy, and he gingerly touched them. They were hard, but the mask would react to how he moved his eyes, as Bruce told him. If he narrowed his eyes, the white would narrow too. He hadn't worn it, and was worried on whether or not it would hurt, like how he imagine those contact lenses people wore if they were too lazy to put on glasses.

Bruce, or Batman, had said that they should only come across the common thug. Bank robber, or car thief. They were often large, dumb and sometimes carried a knife and/or a gun. Ski masks were often worn as well. Batman said that Dick should easily take them out and that should he react the same way he did when Bruce had pretended to come at him with the rubber knife to practice evasive maneuvers. He said that he had to dodge and jab, most of them simply used their weight to fight. And the ones who did know how to fight would be taken on by Batman. He wanted "Robin" to go slow, not that Robin liked it; then again, he couldn't exactly argue. Batman would put off Robin's first night out till next month.

At first, Robin had been worried about the big baddies. The insane guys you heard about on the news. Joker, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, Penguin, Clay face and Riddler; but Batman said not to worry. They were locked up in Arkham Asylum. Robin had then wondered aloud why Bruce just didn't donate money to the City to create better rooms, better and tighter room, for the inmates to stay in so they couldn't get out. Bruce, not Batman, said that if he did people would be questioning it for months, what would Bruce Wayne's motive be? And if Batman donated the money, or gave the money, then people would figure out he was rich and then they could narrow down the list of people too a bare minimum, especially if they figured it was someone in Gotham City.

He slipped the mask on.

It didn't hurt, but it still felt weird. Like he was covering himself up, hiding himself. It felt wrong, especially when his parents had taught him to show people that it was him. He sighed sadly but then grinned at he precariously threw the cape over his shoulders. He walked over to the Batcomputer, where Batman was sitting in the chair.

"I'm ready," he inclined, leaning over on his toes to look at the computer. Bruce exited out at that moment, standing up and pulling the cowl over his head. His face hardened, his mouth falling into a thin line on his face.

"Good, get in the car."

Robin nodded, bounding up toward the car with a large grin on his face. He knew that Batman usually kept a refined, impassive, blunt face and posture and that he would too. But he couldn't wait to fall straight from a building, feeling the rush that would boil up in your blood. It reminded him of the trapeze, he just couldn't look down.

Batman walked over, sliding into the drivers seat with a glance toward his partner.

Partner, it fit.

"You ready, partner?"

Robin grinned up at his partner, nodding his head. Batman turned the Batmobile on, the engine beginning to churn and purr. He shifted the car into gear and they sped off down the hallway. They didn't know that Alfred was standing at the elevator, watching Bruce Wayne break his own promise to himself.

][][][ July 5th, 2006 10:16 P.M

Despite it being in the summertime, the wind was cool. On the highest building in Gotham, the Wayne Enterprises building, the wind whipped around the duo, pulling at their capes. Robin, who was grinning despite the cold, was crouched down on the edge of the building, his gloved hands gripping the ledge tightly. Batman was watching him, his eyes flickering to the city and then back to his partner, making sure he didn't fall from a strong gust of wind.

The lights of the glittered through the light, misty fog that had settled over the city. Buildings flickered on and off and neon signs all the way from the pubs down by the docks shined brightly.

"It's amazing," Robin inclined bubbly, looking up at his mentor with a grin. "Better than I imagined!" He felt so free up there, his smile brighter than a shooting star. He grinned down at the people that scurried down below them. He could faintly see people and cars and streetlights and bikes. He fingered the edge of the building, his gloved hands gingerly touching the rough concrete that was lined with shining steel, which reflected the city's lights.

"What now?" he asked after a few moments had passed by, glancing back at his partner/mentor, his eyes contorting the mask so that Robin was looking at Batman with a questioning look.

Batman glanced at him and Robin could have sworn that he saw the faintest smile pass on his lips. Then he glanced away, taking a step toward the edge of the building. He looked down, crossing his arms. He stepped right up to the edge, where the end of his boots meet the dirty air that hung off the building at night. "Now? We fly." And then he slowly rocked forward, grabbing the edges of his cape. Robin watched as he lurched forward, falling into the open air, his eyes wide as they watched him shoot out the grappling gun and swing toward the top of a slightly lower building. And then Batman disappeared in the shadows. But Robin could see him, just a bit. He wondered why common thugs couldn't see him. But then again, they weren't trained to notice the little details. His stupid Eidetic* (as his mother had called it) memory helped with that.

He suddenly scurried back from the edge, his feet pushing back so he landed butt first on the cold concrete. He closed his eyes, trying to get rid of all those images that flashed before him. What if he messed up? What if he fell?

What if he let Bruce down?

He shivered, his eyes closed shut. Slowly, he felt himself moving forward. He wasn't sure how he knew where to stop, but when he did he could feel that open July air biting into his skin. He breathed it in, along with all the pollution, and lifted his arms. It felt so right, but so wrong right at the same time. He didn't peek, he didn't even open his eyes. But then he lurched forward, falling into open space.

For a few seconds he felt that adrenaline rush pierce his body, the wind brush and lift his ebony hair. And then… once four seconds had passed, his eyes snapped open and he shot out that grappling gun quicker than Indiana Jones snapping his whip. He shot it in the same place at Batman had, and he suddenly swung forward, moving in an entirely new direction. Newton's… third law of motion? Yes, he believed, and his memory never failed him. When he reached that building, he narrowly saw Batman's figure in the shadows. He retracted the grappling, using the extra momentum to fall forward into a roll. He came up, his cape shrouding him, in the shadows.

He looked at Batman, awaiting either his approval or his reprimand.

"Good job."

Robin smirked, standing up.

"Patrol now?"

"No," Batman replied, walking forward. "Police were just informed that there's been a robbery. Perfect, I want you to take them out."

Robin blanched, Batman was making it sound as if he were the only one to be fighting. "You'll be there right? I mean, we have no idea how many guys there are. And I need to some help…I think. Please!?"

"…I'll be there."

Robin grinned, the ends of his mouth pulling up in a smirk. Batman turned away, glancing to the side as Robin walked forward. He looked up and smiled brightly, his cheerful mood infecting Batman just a little so that a small smile grazed his lips in return. "Run and jump," Batman inclined, then he threw himself off the building. Robin followed closely behind, excitement running through his veins. They both shot the grappling guns with precision aiming, Robin only messing up a few times by missing his target and hitting something else.

They came across flashing police lights. People were surrounding the building, the police line was slowly pushing them back. Obviously the robbers were still inside, shouts, no matter how far they were, were emitting from the building. Gun shots ran out and for a few seconds it was quiet, the only sound being the police sirens. Batman and Robin dropped down in the shadows, both letting their capes shroud themselves. Robin felt nervous as the walked forward, never having been in this sort of situation. He decided to let Batman handle it.

"Batman!" Someone called out, tons of shouts ran out.

"I thought he was a myth!"

"Take a picture! Take a picture!"

"Who's the kid?"

Robin shrunk back even more, hiding himself slightly with Batman's cape.

"Batman," Commissioner Gordon noted calmly, whipping around so that he was facing him, the bullhorn forgotten. He hadn't noticed Robin yet, and Robin desperately wanted to keep it that way. "We can't get inside. Two officers have already been shot, no casualties but they've been injured. There are hostages, and we needed you. Most of the officers are here. I figured you had a police scanner-"

"Enough." Robin jumped, Batman's voice was lower and gruff. He shivered, but slowly pushed it away. "We'll find a way in," he hesitated and then added, "My partner and I, that is."

Gordon's eyes went wide as he backpedaled. Slowly, he looked around Batman only to be greeted with a small boy, about seven or eight, in a costume with a domino mask. Most of the costume was shrouded by the black, spandex cape but he could see the boy wore spandex green gloves and green pixie boots and leggings. His red tunic was a cherry sort of red and a yellow circle held a black "R" in the middle. But…he was a child. Had Batman finally gone insane?

"Robin," Batman said suddenly, causing the small boy to look up. "Are you ready?"

The boy, Robin, nodded, shrugging the cape, which was golden on the inside, away. He was so brightly colored, while there stood Batman next to him in his black and grey costume. The only things that were the same were the impassive face, the yellow utility belt and the way they stood; strong and tall.

"Well," the Commissioner cleared his throat, "I'll keep my men from shooting in there-"

"Robin can carry himself," Batman interrupted, "I know this, or else I wouldn't have let him out here. He's ready."

Commissioner nodded, not wanting to fight his only way of getting the Back Robbers arrested and out of there.

Batman nodded and then gestured for Robin to follow him as he shot up the grappling. Robin hesitated, staring at the Commissioner. He grinned up at the man, giving a small wave, and then bounded up, shooting the grappling up. And then, he disappeared into the shadows, following his mentor.

][][][ Newspaper, 1 day later:

BATMAN HAS A HELPER?*

by James Newman

The famous crime-fighting hero, Batman of Gotham City, has a partner. The Bat himself has been reportedly known to say that he works alone, despite his connections to the Justice League. Before, the hero was commonly known as a myth that fellow Gothamites said to turn down the possibility that someone might help them. He was reported perhaps once a month by bystanders who looked up at the right time in the right place. The reports were scattered and the Police brushed them off as a group of people messing with them. That is, until the GCPD's own commissioner, James Gordon, saw him. The police, attempting to arrest this vigilante, saw him fleeing a crime scene that he was supposedly investigating. He disappeared when the police burst in the room, having set up this trap for a mob boss but instead finding the supposed hero. He then helped the police investigate a large Mob dealing with illegal imports, and then got them on his side. While, of course, many officers of the police distrust him, he still helps out. The question still remains, however, whether or not he is with us or against us.

But we know the Bat's story. Now we have a new hero to listen and watch. Batman's own partner, a boy, a child. He looks to be about seven or eight years old, with black hair. That's all we know. He wears a red costume and green gloves and boots, with his own cape and mask. They were reported being seen at the robbery last night down on Kings Boulevard. A name was said, only twice or three times. The name "Robin". Batman and Robin.

The Dynamic Duo.

But do we have anything to worry about? Sure. If Batman truly is this menace that Gothamites make him out to be, could he be perhaps this boy to take his place when someone finally rids themselves of the big bad Bat? Of course. Batman's new partner seems to be more…happier. Will this perhaps have an affect on the vigilante?

We might not ever know. But one thing we do know; the Batman, the Dark Knight, has had a change of heart.

The bank fight will be in the next chapter, don't worry!

Eidetic*: 1. able to recall with startling accuracy: able to recall or reproduce things previously seen, with startling accuracy, clarity, and vividness an eidetic memory

2. recalled with startling accuracy: recalled or reproduced with startling accuracy, clarity, and vividness eidetic images Basically, if you see it, and/or hear it, you will never, ever forget it. I felt that Robin would be one of those rare cases.

Newspaper*: I don't know how he got the police on his side, of how he first began. Well, I've seen the batman movies, but that doesn't exactly help. Either way, that was completely made up. please do not go and say that that's what happened. I'm going to watch Batman: Year One and then I might change it.

Hope you liked this chapter.