Slade was going over the final details of the plan to improve for their next contract while his son was on his holographic glove, doing something he did not know and did not even want to know.

Knowing his son it was likely that he was hacking some federal agency and solving their cases for them. So he was a little surprised when he heard the acrobat's voice calling to him.

"Slade?"

The more experienced mercenary merely grunted without turning to look at him, a sign that he was hearing him.

"Lex Luthor is one of the smartest people on the planet, right?"

Correction: probably Dick was hacking LexCorp's servers. Why he was doing it Slade did not know and doubted he wanted to know.

"Yes. Why do you ask?" asked Slade distractedly while continuing to make some slight changes in their plan to follow that evening.

"Then how on earth did he still not find out Superman's civilian identity when his disguise consists of stupid glasses?"

Slade froze briefly before letting out a long sigh and wearily pinching the bridge of his nose. He placed the various papers on the desk and finally turned to stare at his son with an arched eyebrow. "Are you telling me you've discovered Superman's identity?"

"It's not like it took much to find out." chuckled the acrobat and the man silently agreed.

Slade crossed his arms. "Then tell me his name and I'll tell you if you're right."

"Clark Kent, reporter for the Daily Planet in Metropolis. He is engaged to Lois Lane, a world-renowned journalist who also works at the Daily Planet. His parents are Jonathan and Martha Kent and they own a farm in Smalville where Clark spent his childhood.

"His Kryptonian name is Kal-El and he comes from a now-destroyed planet, Krypton. It seems that his birth parents placed him safely in a spacecraft that then crashed on Earth near Smalville where Martha and Jonathan welcomed him as their own son."

Slade stared at him for a couple of seconds. "Do I also have to ask how you got the latest information? Because I'm sure you can't find it just by typing it into Google."

Dick chuckled and sent him a mysterious smile. "A magician never reveals his secrets."

The man grunted. "I'm not surprised you found out Superman's identity and his information but well done anyway." Dick smiled. "Why your interest in discovering the civilian identity of your favorite hero?"

"Because I am curious about who is hiding behind their masks and uniforms."

The former military man nodded before realizing something. "Did you tell them?"

Dick gave him a strange look as if he had asked a stupid question. "I want to find out the identities of the Justice League myself, duh."

The super soldier stared at him with an unimpressed look. "Duh." repeated Slade impassively, making his son laugh. "Superman was your first?"

"Yes." Dick jokingly clicked his tongue. "Curious to know who my favorite hero actually was."

"Disappointed to find out he's actually a farmer?" his father teased him.

"Not really because he worked with animals and I can personally testify that it's cool."

"Of course."

Dick stretched out his arms causing some joints to crack. "I plan to find out Batman's identity last because I have a strong feeling it will take me days to find out. After all, his identity is literally the greatest mystery in the world."

"Wise choice."

"I have discovered the identities of all the Green Lanterns on Earth."

"Go ahead."

"The main Green Lantern as well as one of the founding members of the Justice League is Hal Jordan, an airplane pilot for Ferris Aircraft which is owned by his girlfriend, Carol Ferris. Then we have John Stewart, a U.S. Navy veteran, and Guy Gardner who, unlike the others, is more arrogant and snooty."

"What, you also know their protection sector?"

"2814."

"...I knew I shouldn't have asked."

"Aquaman is Arthur Curry and he rules Atlantis together with his wife and queen Mera."

"Lucky him."

"I know, right?"

"Flash is Barry Allen and is a member of the Central City Police Department's forensic team. He is married to Iris West, a well-known journalist. He got his powers in the lab from chemicals because of an incident involving a lightning strike that is thought to belong directly to the Speed Force."

"Jesus, how the hell did you learn about the Speed Force?"

"..."

"Why are your cheeks a deep tomato red?"

"N-not true!"

"Kiddo, just because I have one less eye doesn't mean I'm blind. And let me remind you that I have enhanced vision thanks to the super serum."

"..."

"I note with pleasure that you also discovered Wonder Woman's identity."

"Y-yes."

"...Well?"

"Huh? Oh, r-right. Diana Prince, princess of Themyscira, an island where only women live and she was born and raised there. The island is protected by an almost insurmountable magical barrier. There reside the Amazons, exclusively female warriors trained from birth who repudiate men, considered by them to be the source of evil or something. She is the daughter of Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons and Themyscira, and Zeus, so she is a demigoddess.

"Like Diana Prince she is an important UN ambassador and the biggest promoter of rights for women and she is constantly fighting for women to have an equal role with men within society."

"I can't help but notice that you have done a lot of research on her."

"..."

"Your blush is in stark contrast to your pale skin. Although it should be impossible since you are literally a zombie."

"..."

"Should I start worrying that you might have a fever even though it is impossible for you?"

"Fuck you."

"That's the kiddo I know. Tell me, did you just have a crush on Wonder Woman?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"I'll take that as a yes."

"Tell anyone and I'll disembowel you. Literally."

"My lips are sealed."

"I hope so for you."

"Martian Manhunter is J'onn J'onzz and is the last surviving Martian. He has created another identity for himself: John Jones, a skilled detective and Denver police officer who has solved many cases, including the most complex ones."

"How on earth do you get everything about everyone?"

"If you want I can also tell you what the Martians ate on their planet."

"I'm not interested."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

"Your loss."

"Green Arrow is Oliver Queen, billionaire and owner of Queen Industries in Star City. His girlfriend is Dinah Lance aka Black Canary."

"Let me guess: You found out his identity because of that ridiculous blond goatee?"

"Yes."

"That idiot."

"Shazam is Billy Batson and he obtained his powers from a Wizard from whom he received the wisdom of Solomon, the physical strength of Hercules, the endurance of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury. Although in his adult form he is a full-fledged adult Billy Batson is actually a child who has the ability to summon lightning that as soon as it strikes him turns him into Shazam and this process can also happen for the opposite way."

"Congratulations, you figured out that Shazam is a child even before the Justice League, Batman excluded."

"Thank you!"

"Hawkman is Carter Hall while Hawkgirl, his former girlfriend, is Shayera Hol. Both are Thanagarians and come from the planet Thanagar where they were trained as fierce warriors from birth. Their armor as well as their wings are coated with the metal Nth which gives them superhuman abilities. Moreover, they are immortal since every time they die they are reincarnated, retaining their memories, because of an ancient curse."

"Don't ask me how I got the Nth metal from which our armors are partially forged. It's a long story."

"Either I will discover it myself or you will tell it to me yourself."

"Challenge accepted."

Slade was not very impressed that his son in about two days had discovered the identities of the entire Justice League, Batman excluded.

By now he would have expected anything from Dick, even becoming the ruler of the universe. So if that day actually comes Slade would not be very surprised.

Perhaps.

Be that as it may, more days passed in which the kiddo continually researched Batman in an attempt to discover his identity. It was obvious that as the days went by Dick was becoming more and more frustrated and this amused a lot Slade who could not help but provoke him a little or tease him.

"Are you sure you don't want a little advice?"

"Ask me one more time and I'll make Aunt Harley's hyenas enjoy your guts."

Slade emitted a chuckle, amused by his son's originality and ignoring that he had just called Harley fucking Quinn aunt.

Some time earlier there had been a meeting among some Gotham crazies to which for some reason Deathstroke was invited. That meeting was held in Bludhaven, Gotham's sister city, and that was the only reason Slade reluctantly agreed to attend: he certainly would not have attended if it had been held in the city of the Court.

That and it certainly did not help his son's puppy-dog eyes.

Fortunately, the Joker was not there.

In this way Deathstroke witnessed Renegade's official introduction to some of Gotham's villains. Renegade quickly managed to gain respect even from such elements as Bane, Killer Croc and Mr. Freeze.

Moreover, the kiddo with his charm captured the sympathies of some, mainly Harley Quinn, Catwoman and Poison Ivy. The Gotham Sirens immediately became other honorary aunts of Dick and added to his list of phone contacts that was growing too fast for Slade's taste.

They also expressed (unnecessary) concerns about Dick's condition and whether Deathstroke was treating him well and man, that was a bit offensive. Of course, Slade was a big bastard but he too had a moral line not to cross, especially when it concerns children.

Dick reassured them by telling them that Slade was the best father he could ever have -and surely the super-soldier was not moved- and it calmed their worries a bit, although they still had not become Slade's number one fan.

So yes: this was the short version of the story of how Catwoman, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy became Dick's aunts.

Slade by then was not even surprised and just sighed like the tired dad he actually was.

Returning to the original question...

"If you want a little advice-"

Slade laughed when Dick lunged at him with a knife in his hand.

When Slade heard the ticking of the keyboard stop abruptly he knew something had happened. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Dick staring at the glowing screen with a carefully blank, impassive stare and Slade did not know whether it was good or bad.

Probably the latter.

Dick turned and his gaze landed directly on Slade who raised an eyebrow. "Can I help you, kiddo?"

Then suddenly Dick burst out laughing, puzzling the super soldier by the very rapid change of mood. "You're a bastard, Slade!" laughed Dick.

Slade slowly blinked his eye. "Um, thanks." he replied confusedly, ignoring the fact that surely that was the least scurrilous and hostile insult anyone had ever thrown at him.

"You could have told me sooner, damn it!" Dick chuckled, wiping away an imaginary tear.

Slade narrowed his gaze suspiciously. "Tell you what?" he asked cautiously.

"That Batman is Bruce Wayne!"

Slade opened his eye wide, actually surprised that his son was able to solve the world's greatest mystery on his own, before a proud look came over his face. "Congratulations Dick. You just solved the world's greatest mystery all by yourself and it only took you about a week. I'm proud of you."

Dick's face brightened considerably and he gave a quick bone-splitting hug to his father. "Thank you!"

"I'm curious how you found out."

Dick nodded with an excited smile on his face. "Well, Batman is known to possess extremely advanced technology and a lot of cool gadgets like the Batmobile, batarangs-"

Slade stared blankly at his son. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Well, he is Batman so his vehicle is the Batmobile. He possesses bat-shaped weapons, so batarangs and so on." explained Dick in a tone of voice so condescending that it sounded like he was explaining it to a six-year-old rather than a man capable of using 90 percent of his brain.

Slade stared at him impassively. "Go ahead, Dick."

Dick rolled his eyes but continued to bounce in place, clearly excited. "I was saying that Batman has to be a very rich man who can easily afford all his gadgets. So who better to afford them all than Bruce Wayne?"

"It's common knowledge that Wayne is just a billionaire playboy who dates the first woman that comes his way." Slade retorted, crossing his arms.

"I too thought the same thing so I initially dismissed the idea." nodded the acrobat. "But then I thought his behavior as 'Brucie' was just an act to hide his identity as Batman because, come on, who would ever think that the feared Dark Knight of Gotham was actually a billionaire playboy? Nobody! And in my opinion, it's a perfect way to hide it."

"You thought that."

"That's because I've been working on his identity for about a week. Also I did some research on him and remembered that he also lost his parents at a young age." a flash of sadness and pain crossed his eyes but disappeared even before Slade could comment about it. "And that would be the perfect reason why he became Batman: to bring vengeance and justice for his parents. And I also found out that Bruce Wayne disappeared for whole years without any sightings and I believe that's the period when he started training."

"You have no proof though."

"I don't." confirmed the Talon. "But why would Ra's want to have an heir from Bruce of all people? So I'll bet all the money I made from the contracts that not only he was aware of Batman's identity but had also trained him and maybe even wanted him as his heir but of course Bruce refused his offer."

"Anything else?"

"That's also why someone like Talia had a child by Bruce Wayne of all people."

"Anything else?"

"Wayne is also the main funder of the Justice League."

"Anything else?"

"Bruce has a Batcave."

Slade mentally counted to ten before speaking. "Wayne has what?"

"A real cave. Full of trophies and other cool stuff. In which real bats live. So it's the Batcave. Underneath Wayne Manor."

Slade was surprised and a little horrified by this. Sure, he knew that surely Wayne had a secret base hidden somewhere in his manor but damned if he didn't know it was an actual cave!

He seriously began to think that Wayne was probably not completely sane but hey, who was he to judge whether the man liked living in a cave?

"And you know this how?" Slade asked because he was not aware of it either.

"Well, I premise that in the Batcave there is the Batcomputer, a much more technological, advanced, sophisticated and cool computer than yours-"

"Thank you." commented the mercenary impassively.

"-and I hacked it." Dick continued as if he had never been interrupted.

Slade stared at him blankly. "You hacked Batman's computer."

"Batcomputer." he corrected him.

"You hacked the Batcomputer." the super-soldier repeated impassively and his son simply nodded, as if he had not just confessed to something so fucking important. He rubbed his head wearily. "I have so many questions I wouldn't even know where to start."

"It was a little difficult at first but then once I figured out the defense mechanisms I was able to get around them all." the kiddo explained. "I hacked the Batcomputer without getting caught by the world's best detective!" Dick bragged.

Slade knew his son was an exceptional hacker but damn it not to that level!

"Once again I am proud of you. And this time I'm also very impressed."

"Thank you!"

"So, hypothetically speaking, would you be able to read all the files in the... Batcomputer?" Slade felt like an idiot calling it that but hey, if it made his kiddo happy.

Besides, the kiddo totally deserved it.

"Of course. And you don't even know what I found!"

"What did you find?"

"Batman made a series of contingency plans against the Justice League on how to defeat them or even kill them in case of mind control or any of them went to the dark side!"

"...Okay I have to sit down. Too much information at once." Slade sat down in a chair and stared at his son. "Are you kidding?"

Dick shook his head.

"Damn it, I knew the Bat was a paranoid asshole but not to the extent of making plans to kill his friends." there was a pause. "Hypothetically speaking, could you steal them without the Bat noticing?"

Dick stared at him like he was a fool and indeed Slade felt like a fool for asking that question after all the feats accomplished by the master of hacking. "Duh. Of course." a steely look crossed the Talon's face. "But you won't use them to kill any of the heroes."

"I know the heroes are off limits because you're ridiculously fond of them even though you don't know them personally." grunted Slade. "But if we have to face them in one of our contracts it would be helpful for us to make the best use of their weaknesses to defeat them."

"Then in that case it's okay." Dick shrugged his shoulders. "Tomorrow afternoon you will find in your office printed out all of Batman's contingency plans against the entire Justice League. And against the supervillains too." he quickly added the last part.

Screw it, Dick was saying it like it was a walk in the park.

And most likely it was to him.

"It's a deal. You're the best, kiddo."

"I know." Dick made a dramatic bow before straightening his back, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes that promised only trouble. "You know what else I've done?"

"Should I start being afraid?"

"I hacked the Watchtower!"

Slade blinked twice, the only sign of surprise and shock.

"By Watchtower do you mean the Justice League base located in space in Earth orbit?"

The only reason Slade knew about it was because of some rumors circulating in the criminal world that he had not cared too much about.

"Of course! After all, it had defense systems quite similar to those in the Batcave!"

Slade stood up abruptly and walked away at a brisk pace. "You know what? Screw it. This is too much even for me."

"Where are you going?" Dick yelled, bewildered by his sudden behavior.

"To take a fucking nap. My brain needs sleep."

Dick's typically eerie laughter accompanied Slade until he slammed the door of his room with more force than necessary.

For that day Slade was definitely done with his son's bullshit.