Robin slowly opened his eyes only to close them once again as bright fluorescent lights stung his eyes. After waiting for them to dilate, he observed his surroundings. He found himself in a infirmary room. He was wearing no shirt, revealing his many scars, and a bandage wrapped around his torso, where the blade had been plunged.

He then noticed the one handcuff keeping him bound to the bed he was on. Seriously...?
His utility belt and most of his weapons had been taken and placed on the other side of the room, which was out of his reach. Though at least Batman had decided to keep Robins mask on.

"You're awake." Robin jumped, wincing as he leaned on his wounds.

"Where am I?"

"The mountain." He walked up to Robin and then undid the handcuff, freeing Robins hand.

"Why are you helping me? When I got shot, you saved me. Now you're helping me again."

"My job is to help people. No matter who they are, or what they do."

Robin tensed slightly at his words. He knew...

Batman let out a quiet sigh,"Why are the Court of Owls after you?"

Robin dropped his head. He was tired of lying. Tired of running. He felt drained,"I ran from them. I refused to kill, and knew the only way I could ever be free was to run. Though they see that as an act of betrayal. So, either I run, or I die."

"How long were you with the Court."

"Four years...."

"Where are your parents?"

Robin gulped,"Gotham Cemetery."

Batman froze,"I'm sorry." When he first met the boy, he only saw him as a careless criminal, but his impression of the boy now had changed so much. Robin was caring. He was willing to put his life on the line to save others. He was currently doing that. A personality like that was someone Batman could easily work with.

Robin said nothing. He was exhausted and his body felt numb.

"Why run now?"

"The Court believed that I had reached my full potential and that I had enough skill to easily murder someone. They had given me a name. It was just a matter of knowing when and where."

"Who were you supposed to kill?"

"A man named Bruce Wayne." The name sounded familiar when he had first been told it, but he couldn't figure out why.

Batman tensed this time.

"What?"

"Bruce Wayne lives in Gotham. He is a highly known billionaire." Perhaps that's why.

Robin freaked,"I promise I didn't know he lived here! I'm not after him. Trust me, it's a coincidence! I'll leave if you want me to! J-just- I don't mean harm to him or anyone."

Batmans eyes widened as he saw how panicked the boy grew. He placed a calm hand on his shoulder,"It's okay. I don't suspect you of anything, but I need you to tell me everything, and I mean your past and all."

Dick nodded, releasing a shaky sigh. He really wasn't 100% supportive of telling Batman this, but he needed help from someone.

"I was nine when my parents were murdered. My whole family actually- my mom, dad, aunt, uncle, cousins. All murdered right in front of me... I was supposed to be sent to an orphanage, but they were all full, so I was sent to a Juvenile Detention Center instead. It was awful there. I hated every second of it... Which was probably why I didn't suspect a thing when my Uncle just came along and snatched me away. No paper work or anything. I should've asked questions, but I didn't. I was just so happy to be out of that place. God, I should have said something."

Dick put his head in his hands.

"I need you to continue."

Dick pulled himself together,"He took me to a small apartment building. I spent about a week there, but my Uncle was gone for more than half of the time. He always would leave, but I never dared to ask why. He had taken me in, I should have been grateful... Then one day, he tells me that he's going to take me somewhere. Somewhere where I'll train and learn many new things. He said that if I went I would make him proud, so of course I decided to go. He was my uncle. Even if I hadn't heard much of him growing up, I trusted him enough. He was family... Afterwards, he took me to the Court of Owls. Explained the purpose of my training and the purpose of the Court of Owls itself. I completely detested the idea of taking a life from someone else. It seemed so wrong, but my Uncle believed it was just a phase and that it would pass. And after weeks of it not passing, he decided to keep me locked up. Prevent me from having any contact with the outside world. He didn't want anything to influence me to the good side since I already was against killing. So, when that didn't work, he resorted to torture... And when you're a nine year old boy, there's only so much that you can handle... I decided to train everyday with him. Just like he wanted. If I ever let on that I didn't want to train or that I still was against killing, he would just torture me again."

Batman glared as he looked at Robins chest, now fully understanding where his many scars came from.

"Eventually, after years of training, they told me that I would have to kill someone. So, I did the only thing I thought I could do-- I ran. Which is exactly how I ended up here."

"When exactly did you run from them?"Batman asked, looking upset. Robin wasn't sure what to make of that emotion. Was Batman upset that he ran away? He wasn't going to take him back, right? He couldn't...

"The night before I met you."

"Had they ever approached you before tonight?"

Robin shook his head,"No, I didn't even know that they had found me, but then again, they are the Court. I should have hid better. I should have known."

"No."

Robin raised an eyebrow at how upset Batman had sounded.

"You don't deserve to be with the Court. You don't deserve any of this. You shouldn't have to hide at all."

Robin said nothing as he heard Batman speak. Now realizing that the upset look earlier had been directed toward the Court, not him.

"Robin, you can't run forever, and we can help you with escaping the Court of Owls. You just need to trust us." Batman put his hand up, next to his eyes.

Robins eyes widened as he realized what Batman was asking. He had to take his mask off,"Just... Yeah..... Later, I can't right now, and I just- I should get some rest."

Batman nodded as he walked out of the room. Dick knew that he was only delaying the inevitable. He would have to tell Batman his real name, but he wasn't even too sure why he didn't want to. He told Batman his life story, why couldn't he just tell him his name.

---

It was only about an hour later, and Dick still hadn't fallen asleep. He really wasn't tired, but he needed an excuse not to talk to Batman.

Robin jumped as the infirmary door opened. He expected to instantly see Batman, but he was met with the sight of Kid Flash."

"Hey." Kid Flash spoke quietly. The look of sorrow in his eyes.

"I take it that Batman told you everything." Kidflash nodded, and after a brief moment of silence Robin spoke up,"Why are you here?"

"Figured you might get lonely."

"Why do you care?"

Kid Flash shrugged,"Why not? You seem pretty cool, all considering. Plus, after all you've been through, the least I could do is just sit and talk."

Robin stared at Kid Flash examining him,"I thought you guys would hate me once you found out about my past. That, or you would kick me out or lock me up."

"Robin, I know we really don't know much about you, but we want to help. Or, at least, I want to help. You don't deserve to be with the Court of Owls. They had no right to keep you and do what they did."

Robin actually believed him. He could hear the truth in his voice. No one could fake emotions that well. Kid Flash sincerely wanted to help him.

Fortunately, this earned his trust.

"Dick." Robin spoke clearly. He wasn't sure why he said his name, but he now trusted Kid Flash enough to reveal himself.

"Wow okay, dude, fine, I won't help you." Kid Flash turned and began to walk away, obviously offended.

"No, that's my name, you idiot." Kid Flash turned, eyes wide.

"Oh- Y-you told me your real name? Why?"

Robin shrugged,"I trust you."

"Thanks, I mean, that must have been hard, the whole "trusting thing"."

Robin put his hand out in a kind gesture,"Richard John Grayson, but you can call me Dick."

Kid Flashs face held a large grin as he shook Dicks hand,"Wallace Rudolph West."

This time is was Robin who was shocked,"You told me your r-"

"I know. If you can trust me, then I can trust you."

"B-but... What if-"

"Do you want to reveal my name?"

"Well, no, but-"

Wally cut him off once again,"Then I don't care."

Robin sent him a small smile before he burst out laughing.

"What?" Kid Flash questioned.

"Rudolph?" Robin pointed as his nose, making a reference to the Christmas song.

"Shut up. You're the one who prefers to be called Dick."

"So not fair!" Dick yelled at Wally as they laughed at their names. And it was a true laugh, filled with joy and hope. Something Dick had not felt in a very long time.

Robin was grateful that Wally had come to him that day. He told Wally his name, and got his name in return. Even if their friendship hadn't exactly started out like most did, Dick was glad that he actually had a chance at escaping the Court now, and if all went as planned, he could actually get a life like he had always wanted.