Bruce ran into the orphanage and startled the young lady at the desk when he slammed his hands down on the desk. "Ah! Uh, hello?"

"I'm looking for Charlene," Bruce said.

"Uh, ok, hold on," the young girl said then got up and walked out of the room.

Bruce walked over to a picture of what looked to be like the entire group of kids at the orphanage, including Dick. Dick was smiling, but Bruce could tell that he was miserable. "Hold on, Dick, you're almost back home," he whispered.

"He's over there," the young girl said.

Bruce turned around and smiled. Charlene recognized him immediately. "Mr. Wayne, good to see you again," she said smiling as she walked up to him and shook his hand.

"Good to see you, too."

"Come, let's go to my office." Bruce nodded and followed her. Once the door was closed, they both took a seat at her desk. "So, what can I do for you?" she asked still smiling.

"Well, I was wondering if there was any way I could readopt Dick." Charlene's smile faded, but didn't interrupt. "You see, I made a terrible mistake," Bruce continued, his smile now gone. "Dick is the most important person in my life. I was being stupid and selfish when I brought him here. Please, is there any way for me to get him back?"

Charlene sighed. "Mr. Wayne, I would love to help you. Finding loving homes for our kids is our goal here, but I'm sorry, I can't help you."

Bruce looked at her shocked and a bit worried. "Why not?"

Charlene leaned forward. "A few days after you brought him here, a couple came in looking for an older boy, around Dick's age, to take in as a foster child. When they saw their choices, it didn't take them too long to decide."

Bruce closed his eyes crushed. "So he's gone."

"I'm afraid so, yes. I'm really sorry."

Bruce sat there for another few seconds then got up and looked at her. "Thank you for your time." He then walked out of the office and back out to his car. Tears were forming in his eyes, but he held them back. 'I was too late.'

YJYJYJYJYJYJYJYJYJYJ

Alfred was dusting around the study when Bruce walked in. "Master Bruce, what are you doing home?" Alfred asked, but then saw the tear stains on Bruce's face and he knew something was wrong. "Sir, what happened?" he asked as he sat the duster down.

Bruce sat down in the armchair in front of the fire place and stared at the picture of John and Mary. "I failed them, Alfred. I failed them, and I failed Dick." He then looked down at the ground.

Alfred placed a hand on Bruce's shoulder, but Bruce didn't move. "I know, Sir, but there's nothing you can do about it now."

Bruce finally looked up at Alfred. "Why didn't you tell me he got adopted?"

"I didn't know until after I went down to the orphanage this morning," Alfred replied sadly. He then walked over to the duster again and continued dusting. "You do realize that this never would've happened if you listened to me in the first place," he said with a bit of a bite, not even looking at Bruce.

Bruce actually sunk a little lower in the chair. "Yes, I know I messed up, and now I have to pay for it." It was quiet for a while; the only noise was the crackling of the fire and the sweeping of the duster. "Alfred, what did you mean when you said something wasn't right?"

Alfred stopped dusting, looked down and closed his eyes, then turned and looked back to Bruce sadly. "I don't know for sure, but every time Master Dick called, he always sounded scared or in a hurry like he couldn't be on very long."

Bruce sat up straighter. "So you're saying it sounds like the loving family Charlene thought they were isn't so loving after all?"

"Like I said, I don't know for sure, but yes."

Bruce got up, a new found determination in his face, and walked to the phone. Alfred just watched him leave then went back to his dusting, smiling. "Welcome back, Master Bruce."

Bruce picked up the phone and called the orphanage. "Charlene please," he told the young girl he assumed he met earlier.

"This is Charlene."

"Charlene, this is Bruce Wayne."

"Oh, Mr. Wayne. Listen, I'm sorry about earlier. I wish there was something I could do for you."

"There is."

"There is?" she asked confused.

"Yes. Could you give me the name and number of the family that took him in?"

Of course, hold on just a sec." He heard what sounded like typing and then she continued. "Their names are Steve and Sarah Savage, and their number is 815-6677."

"Thank you."

"No problem. Have a good day."

"You too. Good bye." Bruce didn't even wait to hear if she said good bye back, he just hung up the phone and ran to the study to get down to the Batcave.

"My word!" Alfred gasped as Bruce nearly barreled into him as he came in the room.

"Sorry, Alfred," Bruce said, not even looking back.

"Is everything alright?" Alfred asked as he got on the elevator behind Bruce.

"I got the name of the couple that took in Dick."

"Alright?" Alfred asked still not sure why Bruce was rushing to get down to the cave. As soon as the elevator doors opened, Bruce ran to the computer and a smile formed on Alfred's face. He finally realized what Bruce was doing. "You're going to check to see if there are any reasons for Master Dick to be scared when he calls."

"Exactly." Bruce pulled up two files, one of a man with dark hair and brown eyes, and the other of a woman with blonde hair, that looked like a boy's hair cut, and green eyes.

"Steve and Sarah Savage?" Alfred asked after reading the names on the files.

Bruce ignored him and used the computer to call the number. It rang a couple times before someone finally picked up.

"Hello?" Steve asked in a rude voice.

"Mr. Savage?"

"Yeah?"

"My name is Bruce Wayne."

"What do you want?" Steve asked still being very rude.

"Well, I was wondering if I could speak to Dick."

"Why?"

"Well, you see, he's been calling my house, trying to get a hold of me, for the past three weeks, and I'm just returning his calls."

The line went silent for a second then Bruce heard a quiet yell from the line. "Sarah, bring the brat in here a minute!"

Alfred and Bruce both looked at each other, Alfred surprised, and Bruce angry.

"What's going on?" Sarah asked. In the background, Bruce and Alfred could hear what sounded like Dick grunting, trying to get out of a grip.

"Did you call Wayne?!"

"I... I just wanted to talk to him," Dick replied, fear very clear in his voice.

Bruce hit a button on the computer, but stayed quiet. "I thought I told you never to use the phone without my permission!" Bruce then heard a small pop sound and he clenched his fist when he heard a slight yelp. "I'll deal with you later." The line went silent again for another few seconds then Steve's voice came through loud and clear. "I'm sorry, Mr. Wayne, he won't be bothering you again."

"Please, it's no bother. I would like to talk to him," Bruce said, acting as if he didn't hear the conversation that just went on.

"Sorry, ain't gonna happen. He's busy packin' stuff up right now."

"Packing? Are you going somewhere?"

"Well if you must know, we're moving to North Carolina. We're sick of this city and all the crap here."

"When are you leaving?"

"Listen, it's none of your business," Steve replied getting angry again. "Now don't be calling again." And with that, the line went dead.

Bruce pushed another button on the computer. "What a rude man," Alfred said in disgust. "No wonder Master Dick has been calling here."

"He's been calling for help, and I've been ignoring him because I was pitying myself," Bruce said then slammed his fists down on the keyboard. He then continued to look at the files of Steve and Sarah. "I have to find a way to get him away from them."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Another chapter down and... more to go. Let me know what you think of the story so far in the comments below.

Thanks for reading :D