It was a new day and Dick Grayson found himself standing within the dark and gloomy Batcave.

"What am I doing here?" Robin asked as he looked around. Batman had asked him to come here, but he hadn't given an explanation as to why.

Well, actually, it had gone a bit differently, Batman constantly asking Robin if his wounds were okay- much to Dicks annoyance. Yes, they did hurt to some extent, but he could still walk and (possibly) run. Eventually, Batman then gave in and told Robin to follow him, and that's how he ended up in the Batcave once again.

"I wanted to ask you something." Batman stated simply. Wow, pull me all the way over here just to ask a question, Dick thought.

"What?"

"...I wanted to know if you wanted to be my protege. I could train you and you would stay with me, and possibly even join the team." Robins eyes widened. Well, he wasn't expecting that. Batman didn't even know Robins real name and he was asking for a partnership. Was this guy crazy?

"Uh... But.... You..." He suddenly felt himself at a loss for words. Batman just asked Robin if he wanted to train and with and even live with him, meaning that Batman would be taking care of Robin. Sure, it seemed like a great offer, but all the disadvantages seemed to be sticking out and calling for attention.

"You can take your time to decide, but know that if you say yes, than that will mean revealing your identity."

"I want to," Robin blurted out before he could change his mind,"But, I shouldn't risk it. You doing this puts your life in danger, and I don't want you to get hurt for trying to help me. You'd be better off without me."

"You let me worry about that. If you want to be my partner, then you should, without worrying about the Court."

Dick hesitantly nodded somewhat accepting that he really shouldn't let the Court stop him from doing something. They didn't control him anymore. They never did. Yes, his Uncle was there, but he had no right to take Dick and raise him.

He then sighed as he realized that he now would have to take off his mask. So, looking down, he slowly and carefully peeled the thin mask off of his face, revealing his light blue eyes,"My name is Richard John Grayson, but I prefer the name Dick."

A look of shock passed Batmans face.

"What's wrong?" Dick asked sensing Batmans stress. Had he done something wrong?

Batman shook his head,"Nothing, but if we are going to have a working relationship, I need to you to also trust me." And before Dick could reply, Batman pulled off his cowl," My name is Bruce Wayne."

Dick almost immediately jumped back,"No, no, no, no! Y-You're the man I- I was supposed to k-k- How do you know that you can trust me? Why did you tell me your name? You knew and you still told me?"

Bruce out a reassuring hand on Dicks shoulder. This seemed to install calm him down,"It's obvious that you don't want to hurt anyone, Dick. You are a kind person who has no intention of becoming a killer."

Dick was about to argue with Bruce- that was so weird to say- before a voice interrupted them.

"Master Batman, I- Oh, I did not know we had a guest over. Would this be Master Robin?"

Master?

The sudden noise caused Dick to reach for his weapons. He turned only to see an old man with thin grey hair and a small grey mustache. He seemed to be dressed somewhat formerly and his posture was perfect.

Dick turned his head to Bruce, a look on his face reading can-I-trust-this-man?. Bruce have him a slight nod causing Dick to lower his hand from his utility belt.

Dick replied nervously,"Yes, that is me, but you can call me Richard, though I prefer Dick."

The elderly man smiled,"I am glad that you will be joining us Master Dick. It gets awfully quiet with just the two of us within the manor. Oh, I haven't even introduced myself. How unthoughtful of me. I am Alfred Pennyworth."

Dick grinned before raising an eyebrow,"Wait, weren't you the guy who shot me with a tranquilizer dart?"

"Yes, please forgive me. We were unsure of your intentions at the time."

Dick laughed,"All is forgiven, oh, and manor?" He turned to Bruce.

"I did tell you that Bruce Wayne is a billionaire."

"Seriously?" Robins whole life he hadn't exactly lived in places of high class. Growing up, he lived in a Circus trailer that was smaller than an average bedroom. Then, when he was at the Court, he probably had the smallest room since he was still in "training". Well, not probably, he did. His room smelled old and moldy when he first got it. There was no carpet, wallpaper or paint, or furniture. At first, the only thing in the room was rat poop.

"Yes, I am serious," Bruce then walked away for a brief moment, and then returned with a small bag Robin recognized,"These were your belongings in your... Room. I take it that you don't have much, so I will have Alfred go and buy you some new clothing. Oh, and one more thing." Bruce grabbed a small key from his utility belt and raised it to Robin.

Robin backed away at first before noticing that he was gesturing towards the shock collar on his neck. Robin sent him a slight nod, and soon enough to collar was off.

He still found it strange that Batman was Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne was a billionaire who- He knew that name.... He had heard of Bruce Wayne....

"Bruce Wayne.... You were there the night of my parents death. I hadn't remembered until just right now. I was wondering why the name sounded so familiar. I had talked to you..." The memory of the night still made Robin want to curl up in a ball and cry, but he decided that right now wasn't a time for crying.

"I was there, and after the tragedy I even hoped to take you in and raise you, but you had been reported missing before I could."

Raise you.

Robin once again felt as if he couldn't speak. Batman, Bruce Wayne, had wanted to adopt him. He could have had a normal life. A good life, but his Uncle just had to step in and ruin everything.

"Now, I believe that is all that you need to know for the moment. So, Alfred, may you show Dick where he will be staying for the night."

"It would be my pleasure. Please follow Master Dick." Alfred turned and began to leave, Dick following behind, but Dick stopped abruptly," Bruce?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

---

"And now I would like to present one of the best group of acrobats in the world! The only group able to perfect the quadruple flip! The Flying Grayson's!" Haley's voice boomed over the cheers of the loud crowd.

A young Dick Grayson smiled and mimicked his parents actions by waving towards the cheering crowds. He had always loved performance nights. They were his favorite. People would cheer for him and his family just for doing something that they loved doing anyways.

His Aunt and Uncle were the first ones to jump off of the platform, then they were followed by Dicks cousin, and eventually his parents.

Dick wasn't allowed to perform during this part since he was too young, and would only perform with a net. He hated it, but no way he would disobey his parents.

So, he just gazed at his family members as they gracefully flipped through the air, seemingly without a care in the world.

A small thud was then heard. Dick searched for the source of the sound. He looked up only to see the bolts holding up the trapezes loosening. If his family kept using the trapeze, the bolts would fall and then...

"Mami! Tati!,"Dick yelled, fear coursing through him,"The screws! They loose!" He tried his best to scream, but he still wasn't the best at English and despite the situation, he knew how desperately his Mother wanted him to learn the language.

Yet, none of his relatives seemed to notice his cries or panic as they continue with the show. Then, what Dick had feared the most occurred. The bolts fell towards the ground sending the same fate to his parents, as well as the rest as his family.

"Dick!" He heard his mother yelled as she realized that she was falling. He tried to reach for her, but she was much to far. Even if he had grabbed her, she would probably pull him down with her.

CRACK

Dick shot up in his new bed gasping for air. He felt wet tears make their way down his face as he remembered the events of that night. He had lost everything. Everyone he ever cared for was gone... He had no one. He was alone.

Dick jerked his head up as the door was opened frantically by Bruce,"Are you okay? I heard screaming." Bruce then noticed the tears on Dicks face," Nightmares?"

Dick put his head down in shame,"I know, it's stupid. They were killed four years ago, yet I'm still having nightmares about it..."

"It's not stupid. It's normal. You lost your family in a very traumatic way. If anything, it would be strange if you didn't have nightmares."

"But I'm thirteen. I should have gotten over it by now!" More tears fell from Dicks eyes, but he quickly brushed them away with the back of his hand.

"Did the Court tell you that?"

Bruce got his answer when Dick didn't respond,"Dick, I know how hard this is. I lost my parents when I was young too, and I don't think I would have ever been able to move on if I hadn't had Alfred. It's hard. It's very hard to lose someone you love. I don't expect you or anyone to just 'get over it'."

Dick stayed silent before speaking barley above a whisper,"Does the pain ever go away?"

"I'd be lying if I said it did, but it gets easier to deal with. Especially, if you allow people to help you." Bruce consoled him.

Dick nodded,"I'm sorry for waking you, but thank you."

"You shouldn't be, and I believe that you've told me thank you enough times today."

"Well, I mean it. I'm supposed to be with the Court, locked up with absolutely no control. If you hadn't saved me, then I would be dead, or worse. And technically, it's a new day, so I've only told you it once." Dick smirked at his comment.

"Touché" Bruce sent him a smile back," Are you going to be okay?"

Dick nodded,"I'll be fine." And with that Bruce left leaving Dick with his thoughts.

ITS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

So, I've decided to update as a present to all of you! Thanks so much for reading my book(s)! All those votes and hilarious comments that y'all send will definitely make this day better. Once again, thank you!!!