Chapter 24

An officer closes their medical box and stands to put it away, having tended the young teens' wounds. Once they're out of earshot, the two are alone, sitting in chairs near the entrance.

"Dick…?" Barbara asks, once they're completely alone.

"Babs?" Dick asks back.

"Why… Why did you have one of Robin's birdarangs?"

"I think you know the answer to that…" Dick says. "I… Don't really have the energy to come up with an excuse either…"

"You're… Robin…?" She asks softly. Dick nods a little, wincing a bit as the bandaging rubs on his injury. "Why didn't you tell me…?"

"Batman's orders… but… Now my Team knows who I am, it's only right that you should too. I don't want to lie to you anymore either…" He states, looking at her. He smiles a little.

"Who's all in this Team of yours…?" She asks, wondering mostly if she knows any of them.

"I can't answer that. Not that I don't trust you, but, it's not my place to tell." Dick explains. She nods, understanding.

"Robin saved me so many times… And yet I didn't know it was you…" Barbara states. "God, I'm an idiot…"

"No, you're not. I took so many precautions when I was around you. You know me best, things even Wally doesn't know about me." Dick says. "And… I'm sorry I don't return the feelings you have for me… But I do really care about you."

"How did you know…?" She asks softly.

"You're my best friend, and I'm a detective." He mentions, smiling a little more playfully. She smiles back a little, sighing. She looks toward the ground.

"Thank you for telling me the truth… And… I'm happy for you and Wally by the way. I love you, and I want you to be happy." She says softly.

"I love you too, Babs." Dick says back. It's a while before Bruce and Jim arrive at the police station to pick up their kids. The moment Dick sees them though, he taps Barbara to get her attention.

"Dad!" Barbara calls out, getting up and running to him. Dick stands and runs over as well. Jim kneels, arms open, grabbing her up.

"There's my little girl… I was so worried!" Jim says. Bruce pauses a moment, assessing him, then quickly pulls him into a tight hug.

"Thank God you're safe…" Bruce says. "You're both safe…" Dick buries his face into Bruce, playing up the frightened child act. An officer approaches them.

"So, these two came running into our station, told us where to find the kidnappers. They're in custody now, we're working on them." The officer reports. Jim sets Barbara down, looking at the officer.

"I want details." Jim states. The officer leads Jim away. Bruce lets Dick go and looks at them both.

"Is Alfred ok…?" Dick asks, brows knit in worry.

"He's conscious, has a pretty bad concussion, a number of lacerations and a few cracked bones in his neck, he'll have to be in a neck brace for a while, a broken nose, broken left leg, but he's alive. He's been asking for you." Bruce explains. Dick looks down, closing his eyes. Barbara places a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. Dick opens his eyes, looking at her, smiling a little, appreciating her comfort. "How did you two escape?" Bruce asks. Dick turns and looks up at Bruce.

"A man named Slade. He said he was hired to find us." Dick explains. Bruce's brows knit in concern this time.

"Did he say anything else to you?" Bruce asks. Dick looks down a bit once again.

"He… Offered to train me… And I said yes." Dick answers after a moment.

"Stupidly…" Barbara mutters, crossing her arms. Dick sighs, turning his head.

"Dick…" Bruce says quietly. He looks back at Bruce.

"I kind of just want to see what happens, what he'd teach me exactly." Dick explains.

"Curiosity killed the cat…" Barbara mutters. Bruce sighs, bending to one knee so he's more level with the young teen.

"Just promise you'll be careful." Bruce says. Dick nods. "And don't become a bat-themed vigilante behind my back, ok?" Bruce smiles playfully, trying to bring some levity.

"Aww, why not? I could be a real good Batboy." Dick says, smiling just as playfully. Barbara shakes her head, rolling her eyes.

"You'd be better as Robin with those legs." Barbara teases.

"Oh God, no…" Dick says. Both giggle.

"Well, we should head to the hospital, see Alfred before visiting hours are over." Bruce says. He looks to Barbara. "Tell your father, ok?" Barbara nods and the two leave. They get into Bruce's car. Dick looks out the window immediately as Bruce starts driving. "Are you sure you're alright?" Dick nods.

"I'm just tired…" Dick admits. "I… Want my life to go back to normal…" He lifts his right hand, looking at it being in a cast, there's drawings on it from his friends and some classmates. "Ever since the Court of Owls found me, it's felt like my life's been turned upside-down."

"I know. So much has happened in these past weeks… But, we're strong enough to move past it. You're strong enough." Bruce states. Dick nods in agreement, looking back outside, letting his arm lower back down. They reach the hospital and are allowed to go see Alfred for a bit, brought to his room. Bruce knocks a bit on the door before they head in. Alfred is lying in bed, the tv is off, he had been staring out the window in worry, but looked over when the door opened. Dick bolts to his side instantly.

"I'm so glad you're ok…" Dick says softly.

"I should be the one saying that to you." Alfred states, bringing a hand up carefully to the bandaging on the side of Dick's head. "You're hurt…"

"You're worse." Dick remarks.

"Yes, well… Nothing some rest won't fix. I will be back to work once I'm well enough." Alfred assures.

"Take all the time you need, please… We only have one Alfie…" Dick reminds.

"Indeed…" Alfred agrees, brushing Dick's hair back affectionately. Bruce places a hand gently on Alfred's shoulder.

"I will pay all medical bills, you were injured on the job after all." Bruce mentions.

"You needn't worry, sir." Alfred states.

"Not often you say something stupid." Bruce teases, smirking a bit, then it softens. "I'll always worry about the man who raised me." Alfred smiles softly, bringing a hand up, setting it atop Bruce's. Dick sits on the side of the bed. They stay a little while, then are ushered out by nurses wanting the patient to rest. Bruce and Dick head home.

"Hey um… So… Barbara knows I'm Robin now." Dick admits. Bruce sighs.

"Well, it was inevitable. You two are very close." Bruce states, though Dick can tell he's not happy about it.

"I had to use one of my birdarangs to pin the kidnapper, then we ran, jumped the roof. I fought to protect her, I didn't care in that moment whether she would figure out who I am, all I cared about was getting her to safety." Dick says. "I explained to the officers though that the birdarang came from Robin, so I could protect myself since he was worried about me."

"Interesting cover." Bruce mentions, means it's a little unorthodox but could be believable. Considering all he's been through.

"I didn't get it back though… Might wanna tell Robin." Dick smiles a bit playfully.

"Well, Robin knows those things can take time to manufacture and needs to stop giving them out like they're candy." Bruce mentions, meaning Dick needs to stop wasting them because the components for them are often tricky to acquire, money is no object, but without Bruce's support to Batman, things for Batman are bound to get expensive.

"Well, I don't share my candy, sooo." Dick teases. Bruce curls his lips a bit, stifling a laugh. He loves his kid…

They arrive home, Dick and Bruce enter through the front door of the manor. The lights above are off, but in the light from the lamps outside, they can see a form on the stairs. The form perks up when the doors open.

"Dick!" Melinda shouts. She gets up and runs over, hugging her baby brother. "Oh my god, you're ok!" He hugs her back. "I was worried!" Bruce turns on the light so they can better see each other. "Oh, your head… Did I hurt you at all?"

"No, I'm fine." Dick says, smiling up at her, then it falls a bit. "I'm sorry I worried you."

"It's not your fault those a-holes kidnapped you." She mentions. She runs her hands through his hair. "I'm glad to see you home."

"I'm glad to be home." He sort of repeats.

"You must be hungry! I can cook you something." She offers.

"You can cook?" He asks, brows knitting. Bruce smiles at the two as they interact, then heads to his office. He shuts the door, leaning against it and pinching the bridge of his nose, absolutely stressed. Deathstroke got his way… But at least he knows the man's name. Part of it, Slade. How popular of a name is Slade? He walks to his computer, sitting down to do research. Slade… There's a band called Slade, but otherwise, nothing really about anything else. So… He digs a little deeper. The man is an assassin, very often assassins are military and/or combat trained. The man is likely between the ages of thirty to sixty, the gruffness of his voice indicates older, someone with quite a bit of experience… Behaved like he was talking to someone younger and naïve. A thirty-two year old is still rather new to the world, even with one having seen horrors as Bruce had seen. It stands to reason that this Slade is older than him, but he can't let that go to chance. He checks all military records for anyone named Slade. He finds one… Slade Joseph Wilson.

He's able to get ahold of all information available from his military background, he was born in 1963, an image of him when he was inducted at eighteen. He has both eyes in that picture, black hair, blue eyes. As usual, he has the serious military face in the photo. Records show he took shrapnel to his right eye during the Iran-Iraq war in 1986 but continued his service until he retired when the war ended in 1988. It's clear the war stressed him out as he was already graying at twenty-five… Unless that's a genetic condition. Could be. Regardless, Bruce reads on. Slade earned a number of metals during the war, one obviously for having fought in that war, another for being in the Navy, one for bravery, etc. He seemed to have been a good man. What changed…?

As he digs, he finds out more… He got married, had kids… One of his children was killed horribly and that seemed to cause his spiral into madness, it lost him his wife as she left him and took their kids. Perhaps he went after the ones who killed his child? Reading further, it looks like after his child was murdered the convicted murderers died suddenly. Then Slade went completely off the map, no one, not even his now grown kids know where he is according to interviews and reports.

Bruce had scrolled past it, but he decides to get a better look at a yearbook photo of the kid who died, he clicks the name to learn more. Grant Wilson, with his father's original black hair and blue eyes, his eyes seem a little darker, but that's probably due to the boy's mother Adeline. He was small for fourteen years of age, but made up for it in mental capacity, he was a smart kid, getting straight A's, even skipped a couple of grades in school, was also on the school's gymnastics team, an absolute star. Obituaries describe him as a sweet, playful, calm child who did no wrong and would never hurt a fly. He didn't deserve the end he was given… Bruce feels an ache in his heart. If he didn't know better, he'd think he was reading Dick's obituary. The parallels between these boys… It gives him a heavy pit in his stomach… Is Slade… trying to replace his son with Dick?

In the kitchen, Melinda is preparing food, nothing crazy as Alfred doesn't appreciate someone else using his kitchen, but Dick also tries to help, aaaand accidentally caught the microwave on fire… Thankfully it was quick enough to put out as it didn't really ignite… Still, the smell of burnt plastic filled the air. Oh, he's so glad Alfred isn't here…

"Why don't you go sit down, sweetie." Melinda says, smiling sweetly. Dick nods a bit, walking to the chair and sits down.

"And that's why Bruce and I aren't allowed in the kitchen… That man burnt water!" Dick says.

"I don't know how that's possible and I don't know if I want to know." Melinda remarks.

"No, probably not…" Dick trails off, giggling a bit. He rests his head back a bit. "I wish I could text Wally or something… He's probably worried to hell about me."

"What happened to your phone?" Melinda asks.

"It disappeared after I was grabbed. I don't know if they took it or what, but I haven't been able to find it." Dick responds. "I do have an idea though." He gets up from the chair. "I'll be back!" He runs off, going to one of the secret passages to the Batcave. He takes his glove from his suit, putting it on. He types on it, waiting for a message back. He sits down, though his leg bounces impatiently. Then…

R: Hey, man!

K: Dude!

Was Wally's response.

K: I was so worried! Are you ok?!

R: Yeah, I was kidnapped again, by regular people this time though.

K: Don't be so nonchalant about it! You were kidnapped?! I know you're used to it, but damn!

R: I know, I know… I'm not hurt, much. I got banged up in the car crash, but that's about it.

Wally doesn't respond. Then… The Zeta-Tube lights up.

"Recognized, Kid Flash, B-0-3." It announces. Wally running to him and hugging him tight. He's been given permission to come to the Batcave via Zeta-tube…

"Dude! Car crash?!" Wally questions. He sees the bandaging on his head. He places a hand gently to it. "Damn…" he mumbles. He lowers his hand a bit, placing it on his cheek. "You're ok though… I'm so relieved you're ok… When you didn't answer me, I-I thought…" Dick places a hand on top of Wally's, leaning into his touch.

"Nothing to worry about anymore. I'm right here." He says. Wally pulls him into a tight hug, Dick obviously not hesitating to hug him back. "Mm, I missed your hugs…"

"I missed hugging you." Wally says, nuzzling into his soft hair, getting a slight whiff of his shampoo. "Heh, strawberries…" Dick looks a bit confused, but then laughs, loving the randomness that is his boyfriend.

"You're so weird." Dick teases.

"You knew what you were getting into when you agreed to date me." Wally reminds. He pulls away for a moment. "Speaking of dates, what do you say about going on one? My treat!" Dick smiles widely.

"When?" He asks.

"Friday? If you're feeling up to it." Wally suggests.

"I should be by then." Dick agrees, smiling up at Wally, getting lost in those emerald green eyes.

"Cool!" Wally remarks, looking back in his partner's stormy eyes. He can't help himself… closing the gap between them. They both practically melt into each other's arms, their cheeks turning a little rosy before they pull away.

"Any chance you could stay…?" Dick asks, sounding almost like a scared child for a moment.

"I wish I could… I have school tomorrow, but I'd gladly ditch to be by your side, babe…" Wally admits, wrapping an arm around his waist and pulling him closer. Dick nods in understanding.

"Right… I hate being a kid sometimes…" He says. "More I just hate school."

"Me too…" Wally says. He presses his forehead to Dick's for a moment. "Believe me, I wish we could just stay like this for the rest of forever." He pulls away. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me though, ok?" Dick nods, smiling softly at him. He watches him leave, heading back to the Zeta-tube.

"Kid Flash, B-0-3." The machine announces. Dick closes his eyes, feeling the longing in his heart for his best friend and soulmate's arms around him again… He places his fingers to his lips, remembering the feeling of them touching Wally's. It'll happen again, he has to believe that. He takes the glove back off and heads back up. He exits through an upstairs passage, so he can come downstairs and act as if he went up there to contact Wally. He steps into the kitchen just as Melinda is plating the food. She looks over at her younger brother.

"Any luck?" She asks.

"Yep. I remembered I have a smartwatch, I was able to message him." Dick explains, though it's a partial truth, he still hates lying at all… "He asked me on a date."

"Oh! Neat! What're you doing?" She asks.

"I don't know, but knowing him, it's going to involve food." He says, smiling happily. "He's silly, but he's awesome." The tone of Dick's voice, he's very much in that puppy-love phase, she can tell. She smiles and brings him a plate.

"I'm glad, and he seems to treat you well." She says as she hands the plate to him. "Go ahead and sit, I'll bring a plate to Bruce, ok?" Dick nods and walks to the dining table to eat. Melinda grabs one of the other plates and brings it to the study, knocking.

"Yes?" Bruce calls from inside. Melinda opens the door, she sees him at his desk, reading carefully on the computer.

"I made some dinner." She says. "Buttered noodles and cheese."

"Thanks, you can set it here, I'll eat in a moment." He says, his tone even and monotonous, he's focused, but stressed. She steps forward, setting the plate down.

"Is something bothering you?" She asks.

"A lot bothers me." He admits. "But I'd rather not bring down the mood. Everything's fine, rest assured in that." Melinda nods, satisfied with that answer and walks out. She goes back to the kitchen, grabbing her own plate and joining Dick at the table.

"So, can you tell me more about Wally?" She asks. "How'd you meet?"

"Oh, his uncle is an associate of Bruce's through work. He brought Wally along at one point and we got to meet each other. We hit it off and from then on, we were basically inseparable. He was one of my first real friends. Him and Barbara, and then there's uh… Roy." Dick explains. He wasn't sure what else to call him than Roy… He's always just been… Roy… And he didn't say what he'd rather be called, sooo…

"I don't think I met Roy yet." Melinda mentions. Dick shakes his head.

"He's kind of going through something right now. Doesn't really want to interact that much." Dick explains. "I've given him some space, but he knows I'm here if he needs me."

"You're a real sweetheart, you know that?" She asks. He shrugs a little

"It really just comes down to being a decent human being, despite everything that tried to make being one so hard… But… It's easier to be kind in life than to be angry and hateful." Dick explains. "Mom often said to be kind and kindness is more likely to be returned, be mean and meanness is all you'll get back."

"So she's the one you get brains from." She teases, sort of self-deprecating. Dick smirks.

"Pretty much!" He agrees, smiling widely, teasing her. She sticks her tongue out playfully, making him return the gesture before taking another bite of his pasta.

Ok! so, some of you may not know, I have a new story! Two in fact, a one-shot called First Kidnapping, which basically is Dick being kidnapped for the first time, then the other is called Darkness and Lightning, it's meant to be my spoopy Halloween story, cuz tis the season! anyway, hope you enjoyed! Bye!