Bruce gave Dick a sigh as the boy entered the manor, covered in dirt. Dick lowered his head and trudged towards him, already expected a scolding and a demand for an explanation.

"I thought we were past this phase, Dick," the man said tiredly. "I thought you trusted me, and I could trust you."

Dick's throat bobbed as he swallowed. He said nothing.

"Tell me what happened," Bruce ordered. His voice wasn't angry, but he sounded disappointed. That was the worst.

Dick took off his book bag and began, "I was in school and I found an envelope in my desk. I opened it and I thought- well, it said it was from Tony Zucco. He wanted to meet up at... at crime Alley. Alone." Bruce's brows furrowed, but before he could speak Dick quickly continued. "I didn't want to just leave without letting you know I was fine, but if I told you, you wouldn't let me go. So.. so I texted you and then left."

Dick paused to allow Bruce to ask any questions. He just said, "go on."

So he did. He told him about everything. Well, almost everything. He explained how he took a taxi to get to there, and how Zucco greeted him, but he wasn't actually Zucco, and instead was a stretchy woman who tried to kill him. Dick left out details, like how Ivy's plant knocked out a bulky grown man, and how the gang claimed him as their boss. He simply said that he tried to run away from Madame Rouge, but was found and compromised.

It was harder than expected to reveal that Oswald had saved him. Dick thought that the words would fly right out of his mouth, because he was proud of Oswald for being brave and selfless, even if it was only for a moment. Even if it meant nothing to him. He was proud of himself for being part of the reason Oswald was gradually changing. At least, it seemed that way.

But then he also had to admit defeat. All that training... it wasn't enough. Not if he couldn't win a fight against an enemy. One of many that he'd face when he'd become Robin. He wasn't enough. Hadn't Bruce said that Dick would take a test of some type to see if he was truly ready to take in the role of Robin? Bruce would only let him take it if he thought Dick was ready, and after this event, Dick doubted that the man would think so.

Bruce watched Dick get lost in his thoughts. He had sensed his restlessness for days, maybe weeks now. The child wanted so dearly to catch Zucco, and today had just happened to seem like the day it would happen. Instead it was just another trick, and finding the murderer of his parents began to seem like a childish and wishful dream.

Bruce wanted to ask who this woman was, why she wanted Dick dead, and where did she run off too. But he knew that Dick didn't know either, and instead he asked, "Did Penguin see you fighting?"

Dick shook his head. "No, he just arrived when Madame Rouge was over me."

Then he asked the question that Dick had been dreading. "How did he know where you were?"

The dirt-covered boy recited the lie that he and Oswald came up him. It wasn't a big deal. Just a white lie, right? But he knew that the white lies became bigger lies, and then he was just straight up keeping secrets from just about everyone.

Bruce nodded and put a hand on Dick's shoulders. "Dick, I don't blame you for what you did, but it just isn't acceptable. You said it yourself that you could've died if Oswald hadn't come to your aid." Dick bit his lip. "But maybe it's my fault as well. I think it's about time we let Robin fly. What do you think?"

Dick's eyes lit up. "R-really?"

Bruce kept his face firm. "Yes. We'll go on patrol and see how you do. Just so you can get the gist of what being a hero is like. But that doesn't mean that you can get away with things like this in the future, alright?"

The boy nodded with a growing grin. Then his face fell and a questioning frown replaced the previous facial expression. "But.. but what about the test?"

Bruce shook his head vaguely, more to himself than Dick. "This was practically a test on it's own. You held off the enemy for as long as you could, and you got away safety in the end. I never expected you to be able to fend off a pro villain, and during the real deal, it'll always be Batman and Robin, not just Robin. Besides, I know you can't stand waiting any longer."

Dick almost exhaled out loud from relief of hearing that he hadn't disappointed Bruce. At least not because of his fighting capabilities. His smile returned.

Bruce relaxed and allowed a smirk to make its way across his face. "Well, you better go upstairs and take a shower. Afterwards, you can start brainstorming suit designs."

Dick complied excitedly and ran up the stairs, leaving a track of dirt behind him.

"Oh," Bruce uttered as he looked at the drawing in his hands. "It's good, really, it is.. but... it's a bit colorful."

It was true. The suit was red, green, and yellow. Bruce didn't expect the boy to go all black like him, but he didn't expect the color scheme to resemble a traffic light.

"It's the colors that my family wore," Dick explained. If he was going to wear something for the whole city to see, especially Tony, then he wanted to be looking like a Grayson. He would wear it with honor and pride.

Plus, it looked cool.

Bruce thought it out. The boy would be more easily seen, but that could work out for their benefit actually. Dick was small, and he didn't need to be loosing the boy in the shadows. Anyways, he'd have Dick change his outfit to something a little less conspicuous when he was more experienced. He'd let the boy have his fun for now.

"Alright. But I say no to the shorts," Bruce inputted.

Dick pouted. "What? Why?"

Several reasons. Some of which he'd rather not say. "You could scrape your legs more easily," is what he went with. ("And because the majority of the readers don't like it," he added as he looked directly through the fourth wall.)

Dick hadn't considered that. "Oh. Well, okay then. So pants it is?"

Bruce gave a slight nod and observed the slightly dark circles under the boy's eyes. "I'll have the suit ready by tomorrow. You'd do well going to bed early; you'll need all the rest you can get."

Dick agreed. He had a big day tomorrow, because tomorrow was going to be the first day Robin revealed himself to Gotham.

And, man, was he sleepy.
- - - - - - - - -

Barbara punched her alarm clock silent.

She had hardly gotten any sleep last night. She felt stupid for thinking things like, what if she's just very sick? What if she got kidnapped? She does walk home from school... What if SHE GOT HIT BY A CAR?!

It wasn't too unreasonable to be worried. After all, Dick had been kidnapped at their own school. And her dad always taught her to be on her toes.

He, like most parents, were against it, but she grabbed her phone from the nightstand besides her and turned on her phone. The bright light hit her face and made her squint.

No notifications.

Barbara let out a sad breath. Where are you, Artemis?

- - - - - - - - -

"Homeschooled?!" Barbara shouted. "No no, there has to be a mistake. Maybe you misheard? I said Artemis C-"

"I heard you just fine, dear," the lady at the school front desk informed. "She left just the other day. I'm sorry to say it, but she won't be coming back."

Barbara just stared at the woman, her lips parted. Artemis... is being homeschooled? She was safe, it seemed, to her relief, but that meant she could easily text her. She never even said bye...

"Can I help you with anything else?" The woman questioned, looking uncomfortable with the prolonged gaze.

Barbara's eyes flickered towards the floor and she muttered, "no, thank you," and walked away.

Idk what happened but why didn't u tell me?
Did you know you would leave for homeschooling?
Please answer me... :,(
Please?
?!?!
I know you can read this, Arty.

If Artemis wouldn't reply from spam, then she'd better reply from guilt.

Surprisingly, it worked.

Babs, I'm sorry
I sorta knew, ok?
Just not when
It was sudden

Why didn't you even text me?

Idk
Because I didn't want to remember that I
won't see u ever again

What? No way!
U could always visit my house
My dad will let u!!

Artemis didn't reply.

Barbara groaned and buried her face in her hands.

"Hi, Babs," Dick greeted as he walked up to her from across the hallway. He quickly noticed her troubled demeanor. "Hey, what's wrong?"

The redhead lowered her hands and observed Dick's worried expression. He was always too concerned about others. He cared too much about their happiness, approval, and general well-being. She didn't want to bother him with her drama.

Though it did upset her that Dick wasn't even thinking about Artemis. He didn't even notice her absence yesterday!

"Are you even wondering what happened to Artemis?" She asked with a little more venom than intended.

Dick blinked. "She's not back?"

"No," Barbara spat. "Do you wanna know why?" Dang it, why was she being like this? It wasn't Dick's fault. He wasn't as close to Artemis as she was, and was a billionaire's son; he had other things to think about.

Dick shrank under her glare. "...why?"

"Because-" She took a sharp inhale "-because she left. She's homeschooling now."

The blue eyed boy's eyebrows rose. "Wait... really?"

Barbara turned her head away from him and sighed. "Yeah..."

Dick slumped against the wall and sat besides her on the cold hallway floor. The two just sat next to one another in silence. It was sorta nice actually.

It was a while until he spoke up again. "You know... I didn't like her at first. It was dumb; I was just jealous," he mentioned with an small, embarrassed smile.

Barbara cocked her head to the side. "Why would you be jealous?" Dick was the person people were jealous of; good looks, money, and a kind heart.

"She was just cool, you know? In a bunch of clubs, super sporty, and everyone liked her," he explained. He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head and darted his eyes to the wall across from them. "But mainly... because you liked her. A lot. More than you ever liked me. You started spending all your time with her, and... and... I just missed how it used to be the two of us. It's selfish, I know-"

"No, Dick, it's not. I.... You're right. I did spent a lot of time with her, and I ignored you for it. I felt so bad when I realized it, but I didn't mention it because I was ashamed," Barbara stated quietly. "I'm sorry. If it counts, I never liked her more than you. You'll always be my best friend."

She overlapped her hand over Dick's and squeezed it. Dick gaped at her before breaking into a heartfelt smile. He squeezed back.

Then Barbara's phone vibrated besides her.

My dad won't let me.
And I can't talk to you anymore.
It's to focus on my studies.
But tell Dick that I said sorry and goodbye.
And also
Don't tell ANYONE this
And I mean it. Srsly. I WILL know if you tell anyone other than Dick
But tell Dick to stop going after HIM
Or else he'll get hurt or worse
Bye, Babs. I'll miss you.

Barbara removed her hand from Dick's and reread the texts. Her eyes widened and her heart hammered against her chest. Who was "HIM"?

"Dick," she murmured anxiously and eyed him uneasily. The boy's peaceful smile vanished.

"What is it?" He asked. He tried looking at Barbara's screen, but she moved it away.

She moved closer to him and locked her gaze into his. "Artemis said," she drawled quietly, "'to stop going after him'. Who is she talking about?"

Dick must've realized who because he straightened a bit and appeared taken aback.

"You're not doing something dangerous, are you? Dick, she said you'll get hurt or worse," she solemnly informed.

Her best friend bit his lip. "I'll be okay," he whispered.

Barbara slammed her hand against her thigh frustratedly. "You don't know that!" She craned her head an inch closer and muttered, "if you're looking for who I think you're looking for... don't do it. If he killed two people, he won't be afraid to kill another. Especially a witness. A smart and persistent one at that."

Dick shook his head and, just as equally low, said, "Tony's sloppy. He's been leaving clues and traces of stuff. I can't tell you how I know this, but trust me, he won't see me coming. I've been waiting a long time to get back at him, and I can't quit now."

Barbara looked at him like he had just grown an extra head. "Have you gone crazy? Do you hear yourself?" She ran a hand through her red locks. "Dick, my dad can find him for you. I'll ask him, okay? Just don't do anything crazy. Please. You've already had a near death experience."

Dick looked like he was considering her words. He pursed his lips and mumbled, "Yeah, okay."

Barbara let out a breathe she didn't know she had been holding. She gave a wavering smile. "Good. I'll tell him after school."

And she did.

As she waited Jim to search up the name Tony Zucco on the police data base, she thought about how Dick must be feeling. She never thought that he'd cared enough to literally go after the murderer himself. He must be so hopeful for her dad to catch and arrest him. She wouldn't let her dearest friend down.

At last, Jim said, "oh, there's already an investigation on him."

Barbara stammered. "H-huh? Since when?"

Her dad adjusted his glasses. "For a couple of months now actually."

"And yet no one has found him yet? Oh c'mon, dad, they're not even trying," she remarked as she rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

"I'm sure they're doing their best. Besides, he's not a priority. There's a lot of other- worse- criminals out there. He's also only a suspect, you know," he argued.

Barbara knitted her eyebrows. "He killed Dick's parents, and I know it! Dick wouldn't just accuse a random person of murder! That man needs to pay for what he did immediately! Who cares about the police? You can get him perfectly well on your own!"

"Watch your tone, Barb. And I understand that you're angry and passionate, but as I said earlier, I have worse criminals to worry about. Serial killers, Arkham escapees, traffickers," Jim Gordon lectured. He raised a brow. "Need I go on?"

Barbara huffed. "You're impossible."

The man didn't reply. He simply typed something into his computer and went back to his work.

"Dad, I told Dick that you would find him," she whined.

"Technically I am," he offered. "I'm in charge of the people who are investigating-

"That's not what I mean!" She groaned. "Gosh, I think I'd have more luck asking The-Freaking-Batman for help than you."

Her father glanced at her with an expression that read: that better be rhetorical.

"Am I wrong?" She pushed.

"Barbara, let the adults handle the dirty business. Go and finish your homework," he dismissed, exasperated.

Barbara's nostrils flared but she said nothing as she stormed away, biting her tongue. She slammed the door of her room, threw herself in her bed, and screamed into the pillow.

She hated the way he thought of her as nothing but a little girl. Yeah, she has a black belt in martial arts, but that wasn't enough for him to let her be alone of the streets for even a minute. Sure, she was the smartest kid in her class, but that wasn't good enough to outsmart a villain according to her dad, the great and wise commissioner.

Man, she should sneak out and turn in the bat signal. Ask Batman to find Tony, and boom. It'd be done. Batman wasn't a slacker, and he knew what he was doing unlike the fake and dirty cops that littered the GCPD. Dick deserved better.

Then she began to actually consider it. Should I ask Batman?

He'd listen to her, right? He spoke with her dad all the time, so if his daughter requested his assistance, he would turn her down, right?

Barbara rolled over so she could breathe and let out a soft chuckle. Her... contacting Batman? That's a good one. Despite being the commissioner's daughter, she'd never actually seen Batman in person before. Jim shielded her too much to ever allow that.

No, Batman would only remain another hero that she could fantasize meeting all she'd like, but she knew she'd never actually meet him.

Barbara sighed as she kicked her shoes off and took off her blazer. She got up from her bed to grab her laptop from her desk, got back on the bed, and opened the laptop. For a moment she simply stared at her reflection on the black screen.

Her life was so average... so boring. It had potential to be great. She could help her dad with his cases and mysteries. She could go out there and help him. But... that was dumb. She was a kid. And her dad would never allow it.

Dick probably felt that way. But he was still going to try to get Tony Zucco. Barbara didn't think for a second that Bruce knew about it.

So if he could, why couldn't she?

She turned on the laptop.

Tony's sloppy. He's been leaving clues and traces of stuff, is what Dick had said. Barbara knew how to find those traces. She'd always been good with technology, and her photographic memory always proved to be helpful.

Then it clicked. She'd find out where Tony was on her own through research. Any reasonable person would doubt her, but she knew where to look, whether it be online or offline. Once she found a lead, she'd tell a cop, or her dad, or heck, even Batman if she had to.

A part of her told her not to do that, and to catch Tony Zucco herself instead. She wanted to listen to that part, but she knew better. She knew that it was just a silly fantasy...

Pushing the thought of homework aside, Barbara's fingers fluttered over the keyboard as she began her newest mission.

For Dick, she thought.