A Marriage of Convenience, Part One

[Sweetdreams]

Ok, guys this part is not very good. I was in a huge rush in writing it because I am taking college credit in a summer program before my senior year of high school. So, I am short on time. Please excuse my hastiness in the beginning of the story. I promise to wirte better when my course load lessens. So, now it is someone else's turn to write. Good luck.

Gotham Gazette

Billionarie Playboy Unmasked

Bruce Wayne, now known as Batman, has once again evaded the authorities. He was last seen on pier 13. The police were authorized yesterday to catch him dead or alive. Commissioner Gordon admits his capture will be unlikely. The most suprising fact of this story is his abandonment of his colleagues.
Richard John Grayson was arrested last night on several charges. The prosecutor is offering a plea bargain in exchange for any information. The prosecutor is reluctant to ask for the maximum sentence due to the fact of his "questionable" childhood. If he follows through, he will only be sentenced to a maximum of three years. Timothy Drake has also been apprhended, but will not be charged at all due to his age and influence. Right now, he is being detained at the local juvenile center for questioning. The identity of Batgirl is still unknown. And is unlikely it will be found. There are no ties found yet between her and her colleagues.
The whole city is reeling form this shock.

Police station

Jim Gordon sighed and put his head into his hands.

"Daddy, are you ok?."

Jim looked up at his young daughter. "Barbara, what are you doing here? I told you to stay home."

Barbara pulled up a chair and took her father's hand and looked into his eyes. "I have to see him."

Jim shooked his head and squeezed her hand. "No, it is too dangerous. What if someone sees you and gets suspicious. I can't let that happen. I will not lose my daughter."

Barbara got up and walked up to the window. "I am the only one he has left. I can't let him die, I have to convince him into taking the plea bargain. No one will blame for what has happened if he tells the truth. And, I don't want him to think he is going through this alone." She turned back to her father and gave him a pleading look.

Jim sighed and got up. "If it means he means that much to you...............".

Barbara nodded and hugged him. "Don't worry, I will be careful about what I say to him," she whispered.

Jim lead her down to the holding cell. After a few words with an officer, Jim walked back to her. "They'll bring him in a few minutes. '

Barbara hugged her father. "Thank you, Daddy."

Jim shooked his head and gave her one last look before he went back upstairs.

She sat down on a chair.

Clank! The prison door banged open. A officer roughly shoved Dick into the room. "15 minutes, and that is all you get." The officer slammed the door.

They just looked at each other for a minute.

Dick walked over and sat down across from her.

She took in a shaky breath. "How are you doing?".

Dick looked at her amusely and stood up. "You don't think I don't know what you are trying to do. Forget it! I will not betray him." He started to walk back to the door. Barbara jumped up and grabbed his arm.

"Why? You don't owe him nothing. Look where he has left you! He has left you here to die! You have no obligation to protect him. This is no time for loyalty, you will DIE!"

Dick jumped away form her touch as if he was burned. "So, let me die. I have nothing left, nothing to live for. It will be a blessing. Look at the good I have done. And this is how they repay me. Everything I have done, I have done in vain. It is not worth living."

Barbara's eyes filled up with tears. "But what about Tim? He needs you now more than ever. He is only thirteen years old. Do you want him to spend the next 5 years going to one foster after another. This is not about HIM or you or me, this is about Tim. For his sake........Please." She brushed away her tears and looked up at him with pleading eyes..

Dick looked away from her and stared at the floor quietly. The officer banged on the door. "2 minutes left, birdie boy." Images of Tim being beaten and ridiculed and sent from one home to another passes through his mind.

Barbara walked over to Dick and took his hand and looked up into his eyes. "I still love you, Dick. There is nothing left to keep us apart. This may be our last chance to get the life we really want and deserve. This could be a new beginning for us and for Tim. We are adults now. When you get out of prison, we can petition to receive custody for Tim. The jury will probably be won over by your childhood. At most, you will receive a one year sentence. Please, Dick for us. Look at what is going on, no one deserves this. Look at what all these years with Bruce has done to you. You are in jail and might receive the death penalty . And, where is he? He has left you here to die and pay for his sins. He should be here and not you. Please Dick, this may be your only chance to save your life and salvage a part of you past." She lifted her hand up to his face.

Dick looked away from her for a minute and looked around at the cell. Is this how he really wants the spend the rest of his life? Or does he want to spend the rest of his life with a beautiful woman and an adorable 13 year old who does not desrve what he has been going through the past year?

He nodded. "I will take the plea. I'll do it for Tim and for us." Barbara smiled. She lifted her face up to his and kissed him softly.

"Ahem."

They broke apart to see the officer shooting them dirty looks. He grabbed Dick's arm and dragged him away. "Back to your cell, lover boy."

When the officer came back to let Barbara out, he gave her a warning look. "If I were you, I would stay from away from him."

AT the juvenile center.

Tim was being bombarded with questions and feeling abandoned. They had already made him cry four times.
" Where is he, boy? We will find him eventually. And then he and your brother will die," Mr. Potter snapped. When Tim didn't answer. He got up and threw a chair into the wall. Tim winced and continued staring at his feet, letting his tears fall freely. He felt someone put a hand on his shoulder. A blond lady smiled at him. She turned to Mr. Potter."That is enough. He has been through enough. If you want to talk to him, you will have to call his lawyer.

Mr. Potter stood up and glared at her. "What do you mean lawyer. Mr. Wayne's accounts have all been frozen. He cannot afford a lawyer."

The lady helped Tim up. "Mr. Clark Kent is paying the bill out of the goodness of his heart. He has also offered to take the boy into his home for the next few weeks until the trial. It has all been approved. So, if don't mind, I will take him to get his rest.
The lady then pulled Tim down the hallway."

When they reached the car, she dropped his arm and began to look for her keys. "Now, don't worry sweetie you are safe now. We will take good care of you." When she turned back, he was gone.
tbc
Now that's it for me for now. Someone else can write the flashback, where Tim went, the interrogrations and court proceedings, media etc.
Good luck to the next writer

[Sweetdreams]

Now that I have read this over again, I really don't like the way I went about it. Please will someone fix a lot of it up for me. You can add and take out whatever you want. Thank you.

Sincerely, CAthy

[Coran]

(Well, let's just see what we can do with a second chapter...)

Tim's eyes were emotionless as he stared down at all of Gotham City from where he stood atop the Gotham Clock Tower. A huge man-hunt was currently underway for both him and Bruce, but they would never find them. Bruce was just too good, and he had passed on many of his skills to his youngest protege.

Tim shook his head slowly as memories raced through his mind. Gotham had held so many good times... bad times... sad times... and happy times, but now that had all come to an end. Bruce was gone, and who knew where in the world he was. Probably trying to figure out some way to prove that he really wasn't Batman... even though he was.

Tim glanced down at the knapsack that currently rested at his feet. Thankfully the batcave had never been found, so he had been able to recover some very important equipment. Including the access codes to certain accounts that were held under assumed names. Now only one question resided... where could he go?

Tears slowly began to well up in Tim's eyes as he remembered that all of this was his fault. He had made the fatal error that had unmasked them... he had been the one to collapse in that desparate fight, and of course Bruce had had to be a hero, coming back to save him... only to be unmasked right in front of security cameras. The criminals had gotten away, and now authorities were looking at every case Batman had been involved in. It appeared that people like the Joker, the Riddler, Two-Face, and Poison Ivy might all have to be released because of this horrible "miscarriage of justice" as the reporters were saying.

Tim turned and pulled the knapsack up on his back and suddenly he found himself remembering the lines to a poem he had been forced to read in school... it had seemed idiotic at the time but now it seemed to fit his life perfectly. In a quiet sing-song chant he began to murmur the lines to himself.

"We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.

Why should the world be overwise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us when,
We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world think otherwise,
We wear the mask!"

Tim sighed as he turned and trotted over to the stairs leading down. It was time to visit other cities and maybe learn something about himself... and hopefully learn the secret he longed to know. How to fix this problem he had started!

***********************************************

Dick lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling in shock. Tim had dissapeared so they had come to ask him where Tim could be hiding. There was nowhere he could think of, and the interogators had left, yelling threat after threat at him.

"Why should I go through with the deal now?" He silently asked himself. "Yes I love Babs, but am I really willing to just give up my father like that? Tim has decided to make it on his own so why shouldn't we do the same?"

Dick gave a sigh of frustration as he slammed his fist against the wall. He winced as he felt one of his knuckles crack, and then he looked down at his scraped and bleeding hand. A slighe smile came over his face as he acknowledged the pain. "There's at least one thing I can still count on." He though to himself.

***********************************************

Bruce sat silently with his head in his hands. "It all fell apart Alfred... my whole world came crashing down and there wasn't a d*mn think I could do about!" He growled out through gritted teeth.

Alfred stood silently, looking at the man he had practically raised. "I've never seen him look so defeated before." Alfred thought to himself, "It's as though all the fight has just seeped out of his system."

"I'm sure you'll find a way to fix this problem Master Bruce." Alfred said with a confidence he didn't feel. "You always seem to find a way."

Bruce looked up at Alfred with eyes that broadcast total helplessness and hopelessness, "I don't have the first idea on what to do Alfred... the only other time I've ever felt this way is when my parents died."

Alfred looked at Bruce, speechless for the moment.

***********************************************

To Be Continued

(I appologize that I didn't really answer any questions yet, but I don't see why the questions should be answered so early in the story... mystery does add so much to a story. Now let's see what the next person can do with the story.)
("We Wear The Mask" is a poem written by Paul Dunbar. All credit for this literary work goes to him.)

[Sweetdreams]

Bruce sighed. "Did you tell her?".

Alfred nodded. "Yes, Master Bruce. Everything will be taken care of. If you don't mind me saying so, sir but it is time for you to go."

Bruce turned toward the plane. "Take care of them, my dear old friend. I will be back to rescue them.'

He entered the pane without ever looking back at the life he once possessed.
*************************************************
An officer lead Dick down into a private room.

"Sit down, Mr. Grayson. we have a lot to discuss about.", Mr. Potter said, while giving DIck a fake smile. Dick sat down across from him.

"We are here only to uncover the truth. Anything you say to us will not be used against your father. It only will be used in your case. Do you undersatnd?".

Dick nodded. "I don't believe a word that comes out his flithy mouth," He thought.

"Now, what is your legal name?".

"Richard John Grayson."

"Your age?"

"22."

"How old were you when Mr. Wayne took you in?".

"9".

"Did he treat you well?"

"Yes."

"Whose choice was it for you to become Robin?"

Dick remained silent.

Mr. Potter looked at the officer. The officer motioned to the commssioner who was in the room.

"Richard, would you tell me waht college you attended?".

"Gotham State University."

"Did Bruce attend your graduation?"

"No."

"Why?"

"He was busy."

"As Batman."

"No, at work."

"But wasn't Lucuis Fox at your graduation?".

"Yes."

"Who else was at your graduation?

"Alfred and my ... friend."

"Why did you leave Gothma, Mr. Grayson?"

"Bruce and I had an argument."

"About Batman?".

No answer.

Mr. Potter looked again at the officer. The officer nodded.

"If it was just an argument, why did you leave? Couldn't you just have moved out the house?

No answer.

"Mr. Grayson, I believe at that time you had a ....... girlfriend."

At that, the commissioner's and Dick's head both went up.

"Yes."

"Why didn't you stay for her? It had really horrible must have happened to make you leave her without even a goodbye."

No answer.

"I believe you two were speaking about marriage. Correct?"

"Yes. But what does this have anything to do with the fact that you believe I am Nightwing? Leave her out of this," Dick said gripping the edge of the table.

Mr. Potter turned to Gordon. "I believe it was your daughter he was seeing. Correct? You know it would be a such a pity if she was accused of being tied in with this matter."

Dick grabbed Mr. Potter by the shirt and threw him against the wall. "Don't you dare threathen her!" Gordon and the officer pulled them apart.

Gordon pulled Dick back to the chair. "Take it easy, Dick. Don't worry he is only bluffing. He has no way to connect her with this. He is only trying to get you riled up."

Gordon turned to Potter. "That is enough for today. You will be able to speak with him later." He nodded at the officer to take Dick away.

Mr. Potter straightened his clothing. "It seems like we finally found a weakness. The boy will give me what I need in time. I am sorry about using your daughter. Threats on his life wasn't working. I had to use threats about someone else's life to get to him. The Drake has disappeared, so we couldn't use him. And, since there wasn't anyone else he was close to at the time he has disappeared..... I had to use her." He tunred to leave.

Gordon grabbed him by the shirt and lifted him up from the ground. "If i ever hear you threatening my daughter again. You will be sorry." With that he dropped Mr. Potter on the floor and strode out the room.

******************************

Smoke drifted up to the abyss. A hand aimlessly dropped five folders into the flames.

"What do you think you are doing?".

Barbara whirled around to see a woman leaning against a cave wall.

The woman smiled wrly at her. "You think that if you can erase all his past, he will finally forget about me? I don't think so. He would never forget me. And it is my turn to be there for him. So, I will appreciate it if you would just leave."

Barbara stared at the woman in disbelief. "Excue me? What are you talking about?"

The woman smiled and walked over to the case which held the Batman suit. She traced it with her fingers. "Give it up sweetheart. I know what you are trying to do. Anyway, you are a little too young for him. Stay within your league."

A look of understanding washed over Barbara's face. She started to laugh.

The woman stared at her as if she has grown three heads in the past minute. "I don't see what is so funny. Would you mind letting me on your little joke?"

Barbara looked up with her. Her smile fell. "It's unbelievable. No matter what happens, he always seems to have an admiring gaggle of women following him." Barbara walked back to the computer and picked up as many files as she could hold and threw them into the fire. "Well, I am sorry to disappoint you, but I am no competition to you. But, if you want, I can list all the women that are a threat to you."

The woman grabbed Barbara by the shirt and threw her aganist the wall. "Look little girl, I am not in the mood to deal with you. If you have no intentions for him, what are you doing here?"

Barbara ripped away from her. "I am doing what I was told to do. Alfred came to see me and told me to quote "Clean up the mess left behind". aND THAT IS WHAT i AM DOING. Who are you anyway?".

"My name is Andrea. Bruce and I go way back." She surveyed the cave. The computer, the car, plane, etc were a crumbled pile of ash and burned metal. Everything was unrecognizable.
"I am guessing you are Batgirl. I beleive that you will get away with this. i don't think the police will even bother looking for you. And do you know why? Because you are a girl. They won't want to admit a woman outsmarted them."

"So, what are you doing here? I am sorry to disappoint you, but no one knows where Bruce is. Not even Dick or Alfred", Barbara said brushing a piece of hair form her face. She opened the case and gathered up all the spare suits and threw them into the flames.

Andrea lifted a eyebrow. "I came to help him and be there for him. He was there to comfort me. Now, it is my turn. Who is Dick?".

Barbara lifted up some explosives from the table and strated to place them around the cave. "Dick used to be Bruce's ward. He was the orignal Robin."

Andrea nodded and smiled slightly. "So, you are trying to protect your boyfriend, not Bruce."

Barbara lead Andrea up the stairs. "No, we are just friends. She pushed the button. Soon, the walls were shaking. The impact knocked both women off their feet.

They looked down into the stairway, rocks were blocking the way down to the cave. "Now no one will ever know the truth of what he struggled through., Andrea siad sadly.

"Yeah, poor Bruce. He is the only one who ever suffers. "Barbara said sneering.

Andrea slapped her across the face.

"you should have seen his face when that little boy was unmasked. It just about broke my heart."

Barbara stared at her in horror. She stepped back form her. "You did this? You unmasked them, why? For what reasons?

Andrea smiled and took ou a gun. "Well, I was only helping my dear freind, Gertie, and she was helping me. Batman was the only one standing in our way to happiness. You should understand that more than anyone. After all without Batman, you could have already being married to that man you love. You see I needed to get Bruce to need me."

Barbara continued to step back. "You will never get away with this."

"Yes, I will. At first, I was going to kill you because I thought you were an obstcale for Bruce's affectations. But, now you know too much.' He will be mine.

A shadow appeared behind Barbara and put a rag to her mouth. She collasped onto the floor.

tbc

[Sweetdreams]

By the way, didn't someone have a name for this story? I think it was Panther. SOmething about A marriage. Do we take that title? Because i am out of ideas.

Sincerely, Cathy

[Panther]

I suggested "A Marriage of Convenience" and I'd be very flattered if it was used. Excellant job with the begining Sweetdreams, and your part rocked Coran - I hope some other writers pick up the ball. I'll think about what I may contribute later. This is fast evolving into quite the dark tale and I highly doubt anyone's about to wake up. I don't have much computer time this summer but I hope next time I'm online I see more of this wickedly good story.

Good luck eveybody!

[Batgirl]

Dick looked about his cell and sighed. It was three stories up and barred. What he wouldn't give for an explosive at the moment... He wrapped his hands around the door bars and sighed. Peachy...

BOOM!!!!!

The cell filled with smoke and Dick bagan to cough. "What the..."

"Come on let's go! What are you waiting for???" He felt two small hands grab him and drap him to the hole in the wall. Dick looked down, not quite believeing his eyes.

"TIM?!?!"

"The one and only..." Tim smiled up at him, proudly pointing to the belt. Dick patted the boy's head. Tim handed him a grapple gun.

"Good boy... Now let's fly" Dick and Tim shot off their grapples and flew into the night.

* * *

"What do you mean he escaped?" Jim screamed into the phone. "And where's my daughter???"

Jim looked out the window, fuming. So help me if you took her Dick I'll- "What? The boy? Well I don't care what you think! Find them!"

Jim slammed the phone down and sighed. He looked out the window, rubbing his temples with one hand. This was great. Just great.

* * *

Barbara felt herself come to in a small area. She contained the urge to scream as she realized she was in a trunk. She heard voices.

"We'll drop her in the River. It'll be days before they find her"

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" A man's voice replied.

"Dr. Strange, please... You see worried"

"Andrea, this is no laughing matter... He has managed to evade me before... And with the boys missing-"

"WHAT?"

"The boys, they're gone" The brakes slammed down and Barbara hit the back of the seats. the car was at a dead stop. She was already free of her hand restrains. "It happened earlier..."

"If they find Bruce before I do..." Barbara took a deep breath and looked around. A small handle was glowing. She grinned. Thank God for safety features. She crawled forward carefully. "Well, they won't"

As Barbara reached for the handle the car began to move. She panicked and grabbed it. The trunk opened.

"What the-" The car suddenly halted again. Barbara cried out as her head slammed against the trunk, however she stayed conscoius.

"The girl! She can't escape!" Strange cried out. Barbara forced herself to leap out of the car and run at full speed. She could hear the doors slam. Great, she was being followed... Barbara ducked into an alley way, and looked around. They would expect her to go up... Barbara ducked into an open doorway.

Andrea and Dr. Strange arrived in the alley way and looked around. Andrea started up the fire escape. "She's gone up! Let's go!"

With in minutes the two were gone.

* * *

Barbara ducked out the back door of the abandoned warehouse, hiding in the shadows until she was sure she was safe. She began to wander he streets, not familiar with the side of town she was on. Blood still flowed from her wound from the trunk, making her dizzy. After several minutes, she crawled into another doorway and collasped.

* * *

Andrea slammed her door angerily, Hugo not making a sound.
"If this falls through, you will die"

"How was I to know the rental had a safelty handle in the trunk?! I mean, obviously someone wisened up... It's not my fault..." Hugo sulked as the car started along the roads again. "Besides, if it weren't for me, your plan to unmask Bruce would never have worked... I was the one to lure then there- I was the one to feed the security signal to the into the local statins so that the evening news was interupted.... And I was the one to get Bruce to remove his cowl on television! I must say, with the voice distorter, and the knife to that boy's throat it was beautiful... It couldn't have worked out better"

"Well it's not going to work out if that girl lets them know" Andrea retorted hotly. The car drove into the better side of town and stopped outside a fancy hotel. "But for now let's get some rest"

* * *

Tim followed Dick warily through the streets. They were in the rough side of town, and even a thug was now bad news. Tim looked at his brother. "Are you sure we'll be safe?"

"Bruce told me the cabin was abandoned and in the forest preserve in Gotham Park. It was on high ridges, Gotham Heights... We were the only two that knew about it... And if Bruce comes back- which he will- then that's the first place he'll look" Dick smiled at the boy. Tim shot him an angery look.

"And why didn't I know about this?"

"You never asked" Dick replied easily. Several hours on the street and he was back to normal. Tim smiled and sshook his head. Suddenly the smile faded and he looked concerned.

"Hey! Someone's in trouble" Dick looked to wear he was pointing.
He shifted uncomfortably. A woman was laying on the ground, her face hidden.

"I don't know Tim... It could be dangerous..." For the first time Dick didn't feel like helping any one. After all, they had turned their backs on he and his family. Why shouldn't he do the same?

"Well, I'm not going to let an innocent bystander die because there's cops on my tail" Tim snapped, sensing his brothers reason for hesitation. Tim went over to the woman warily. Dick bit his tongue and followed. "Hey, thsi isn't a bystander... it's-"

"BARBARA!" Dick cried out in shock. He checked her pulse, thankful that she had one and picked her up. The bleeding had stopped, and it didn't look serious, but the wound needed to be cleaned. "Come on Tim. We need to get to the cabin now..."

[Coran]

Tim stood back against the wall, his eyes filled with concern as he watched Dick tend to the unconscious Barbara. The concern and love shone out from Dick like sunbeams and Tim had to smile slightly at it. Then his thoughts trailed back to that fatal night, not that long ago.

"It's my fault." He thought bitterly to himself as he watched the other too. "I was the one who messed up and was captured so that the others were unmasked also. If it weren't for me, they would all still have happy lives."

Tim's heart and mind were heading down a fatal road that would change him. Already the changes were taking place in small ways, but nothing that most would notice. The naive young boy was being replaced by the wiser teenager... the more cautious teenager.

"It's all my fault."

***

Dick finished gently cleaning the blood from Barbara's hair and face, and then he carefully bandaged it.

"I've seen her injured before," he thought to himself, "but this time it's different... This time Barbara is hurt instead of Batgirl. Could someone have learned her identity?"

***

Tim watched the two for several more moments and then silently slipped out of the cabin. Right before he stepped out of the door he carefully placed a handwritten note on a desk that sat nearby, then he was gone. Tim moved swiftly through the woods towards the train station, his eyes cold. "If I've learned anything from Bruce and Dick's past it's that some things have to be learned alone." Tim murmured softly to himself.

***

"Hey Tim, could you get me some more water?" Dick asked quietly without lifting his gaze from Barbara's still form. Several moments of silence passed before he lifted his eyes.

"Tim? Tim?"

Swiftly Dick moved through the small cabin, searching thoroughly, and then his eyes locked on the note. Slowly he picked it up and read it.

"Dick,
Bruce traveled to learn about himself, you traveled to learn about yourself, and I guess it's not my turn. If it hadn't been for my acting like such an idiot none of this would have happened. Keep Barbara safe and wait for Bruce. I will come back, but I don't know when.

Tim"

***

Tim fought back the tears as he stared out the window of the train as it slowly glided out of the Gotham Train Yard and began it's long treck towards Central City. "Goodbye Gotham." He mouthed silently, blinking his eyes slowly as though to save this last picture in his mind. For a moment he sat there, his eyes closed, and then he quickly shook his head and swiped a hand across his face. "Crying won't help anything!" He muttered to himself fiercly while simultaneously fighting back the homesickness that was already overwhelming him. "It's better this way." He whispered softly.

***

To Be Continued

[Batgirl]

(If this got posted double I'm sorry, but my computer is acting weird and aol still hates me)

Dick swore out loud several times, slamming his fist through the table. The unsteady wooden piece collasped. Dick looked at it and sighed. "Great... First Bruce, now Tim..."

He snapped to attention when he heard movement in the next room. He turned to see Barbara sitting up, rubbing her eyes. She moaned softly. Dick smiled, suddenly all his worries and cares leaving him. Inside he felt all warm and mushy. He hated to admit it, but Barbara was his one weakness- even in college. He could get beyond angry at her, but she always had the same effect. One smile could melt his walls in a snap. He went to the door of the room and leaned against the solid door frame. For being abandon, the cabin was well built and still in good shape. Dick had often wondered if it had been built by Bruce.

"Where am I?" Barbara asked quietly. There was no fire for fear of the smoke attracting unwanted guests, and there was little light for the same reason.

"Safe- and right now that's all that matters" A voice answered gently from the shadows. Barbara looked towards it, trembling, her eyes narrowed.

"Who are you?" She demanded.

"Just an old friend..." Dick came into the light and Barbara drew in a breath. For a moment, Dick was worried about her reaction... Would she want to turn him in? She began to cry. Dick frowned. He hated it when she cried. He went to her side, and taking a seat he wrapped his arms around her. "Hey, it's going to be all right..."

"No, it's..." Barbara laughed softly. "I'm just so glad you're all right... I heard you escaped- where's Tim?"

"He left Barbara. I'm not sure where, but he needs to be alone right now. And whether or not I like that choice, we both have to respect his wishes. But he'll come back... They'll both come back. And then this mess will be straightened out" Dick said quietly. He decided to change the subject quickly. "What happened to you? Why were you on the bad side of town?"

"I was destroying the files in the Batcave. It's gone Dick- everything is gone..." Barbara's eyes were suddenly sad and distant. Dick felt a pit form in his stomach. The words hit him like a ton of bricks. He briefly wondered if and how they would conduct "business" if they ever were able to return. Barbar continued on. "When this woman showed up... This was her idea. She had a thing for Bruce and has known him a long time. They used a chemical to knock me out and I woke up in the trunk. Her name was Andrea. She didn't tell me her last name. She said she was only helping her friend Gertie... Darn gossip column, she sure got one heck of a story huh... Any way, she's teamed up with Dr. Strange-"

"Hugo Strange?! That guy knew..." Dick put two and two together on how the note addressed to Batman, an arrived at Wayne Manor. Alfred had been kidnpped and the three had gone to rescue him. They arrived, but their oponent also wore a mask. The fight had been fierce, and Tim had been taken hostage by the man. He demanded they remove their cowl and mask or the boy died. They had complied. Somehow the security camera had fallen into the wrong hands and the news station had picked it up. The broadcast went on air. Then all of this started. Within hours the Police were searching for them. Bruce and Alfred disappeared. Tim had gone with him back to the house- where Jim and his men were waiting... That had been about a week ago now. "He delivered the tape to the news..."

"No- you see the image was broadcast live during the ten o'clock news" Barbara corrected him. Dick looked at her in shock. "It was a set up- the camera was rigged so that it would hook up to the local stations... They were talking about it in the car. They wanted to drop me in the river but I was able to get free... So. Now what?"

Dick didn't answer at first. His eyes were distant, and his head was down. Inside he was seething. Bruce had told him about Andrea once- when he had first told Bruce of his intention to marry Barbara. He couldn't recall much, other then she wound up being the mysterious Phantasm- more trouble then help. She wanted Bruce for herself, and it looked like she wasn't going to let anyone or anything get in the way... Dick looked up at Barbara, his eyes set with determination. "We're going to get our lives back. That's what..."

* * *

Alfred put down his cup of tea and sighed. Leslie smiled at him. "I know this situation has been awful hard on you Alfred, but you should try to rest. You've been working so hard... It's simply not healthy"

"Dr. Thompkins, I sincerely admire your bravery, but I must be going. I will rest, I assure you, but if I am found her then it could reflect badly on your own standing. As it is, you knowing Bruce has cast several unwanted eyes on you... Thank you for the tea"
Alfred picked up his coat and walked to the door.

"Alfred, if you need a place to stay, my door is always open" Leslie replied quietly. Alfred turned to face her and a look passed between the two. Both were worried. He smiled.

"I too must go into hiding... You know the place... Have a pleasent night Dr. Thompkins...." Alfred opened the door.

"You know Alfred, you said I was brave for helping you- but I am no where near as brave as you... Good night Alfred" Alfred stood at the door a moment, smiled to himself then left. He had a cabin to get to.

* * *
A bus pulled into the Smallville station and stopped. Various passengers made their way to the front of the bus and exited. One was dressed in a long, beaten up trench coat and wearing a hat, so that most of his face was hidden. Most people on the bus thought he was a detective. No one knew how right they were. In his pocket was a place ticket from Metropolis. As he stepped onto the pavement he looked around. The people quickly dispersed and he was alone. A young blonde woman, probably around the age of 16, spotted him from a near by bench and went up to him, smiling.

"Welcome to Smallville Mr. Wayne" She said in a low voice, her blue eyes gleaming. "I'm Kara Kent... You'll be staying with us"

Bruce looked at the girl and forced a smile. "Pleased to meet you Ms. Kent. Lead the way"

TBC

[Sweetdreams]

Kara led Bruce into his room. "Thank you, Miss Kent."

She nodded, "Dinner is at six. I hope you will join us." She smiled warmly at him and left the room.

Bruce sighed and sat down at the edge of the bed. He has never felt this hopless before. He let down his family, just as he had let sown his parents.

Someone put a hand on his shoulder. Bruce looked up, his eyes widened in surprise.

"Andrea?"

The woman sat down next to him and hugged him. "It's ok. Everything will be okay now. I will take care of you."


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The newswoman smiled at the camera.

" A massive manhunt is still underway for the wherabouts of Bruce Wayne, Richard Grayson, and Timothy Drake. Mr. Wayne hasn't been seen since the fateful night in which his secret identity as Batman was revealed. Last night, Mr. Grayson with the help of Mr. Drake escaped from police custody. The police refuse to comment on how they escape and why wasn't it prevented. If you have any information on this case, please notify the police at 1-800-9549.
Back to you , ALan.

Camera turned to Alan. "Thank you Connie. Now, this brings us up to another topic. As everyone knows, Batman has placed many dangerous criminals back into the system over a 20 year span. These dangerous individulas are now suing and petitioning to be set free. They claim that they were assualted and forced into giving up their constitutional rights...

Click. The Tv screen went blank.

Dick sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "This is just getting better by the second."

Barbara rested on her cheek on his shoulder. "It'll get better."

Dick stood up abruptly. "How? From my perspective it is only getting worse. Didn't you hear? Everything we have ever done is being unraveled. They all will be out within a week. God help Gothman now." He sat back down on the couch dejectly.

Barbara remained quiet. Her heart was breaking to see him like that. She has never seen him so... vulnerable and dejected, well not since the night he left.....".

She looked out the window. "I should probably start going home now. Daddy is probably worried sick by now." She started to get up, but Dick suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her back down.

"You can't leave, it is too dangerous. What if Andrea finds you? ", Dick asked worried.

Barbara sighed and turned back to the window. "I never thought of that. "But, I should at least let my father know that I am ok. She reached inside her purse and pulled out a cell phone. "Do you think the police can trace it back to here?

Dick nodded and stood up. "Look, we might as well make ourselves comfortable. God knows how long it will be until Bruce gets back. And it is probably best if we stick together."

Barbara stood up and smoothed out some wrinkles out of her skirt. "Um, do you know where the bathroom is? I think I will take a bath before I go to sleep."

Dick motioned her to the hallway. "Your bedroom is the last door on the right, the bathroom is connected to there. All the necessary items are there for you to use. Except ... for clothes. If you want you can borrow one of my shirts to sleep in?"

"Thank you.", Barbara said kissing Dick softly on the cheek as she walked passed him.

Dick turned to watch her leave the room. "Babs?".

She turned around to look at him. "If someone finds us, I kidnapped you. Ok?".

Barbara shooked her head. "We will talk about this later." She stepped into her room and closed the door.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Tim was walking down the street sadly. He never felt this lonely before. He missed his family, his room, and Alfred's cookies. Just thinking of those cookies made his stomach grumbled.

A shadow passed over him. He looked up to see...

[Sweetdreams]

By the way, ow do i change the post's title to A MArriage of Convenience?

[The Guitar Slayer]

I took care of it, don't worry. I think I'll join in later when the inspiration hits me. Nice job so far, folks.

[Coran]

The Green Lanter soaring by overhead. Tim smiled ever so slightly then looked back down at the ground with a sigh as he continued walking along. "What should I do now?" He asked himself softly. Dick, Barbara, and Bruce were all safe as far as he knew. Then it popped into his head... he needed to make sure that Commissioner Gordan knew that Barbara was safe. Tim thought about it for several moments and then strolled until he reached a nearby bus station. "Perfect." He muttered softly. Quickly he walked up to a nearby phone booth and then dialed in a number he had memorized as a child.

"Gotham Police Department. How may I direct your call?"

"Commissioner Gordan please. I'm a friend of his daughter Barbara." Tim responded quietly.

"One moment please."

"Gordan here." The Commissioner voice answered moments later.

"Hello Commissioner... it's Tim Drake."

"Drake! Where are you? Where is my daughter?"

"I can't tell you that." Tim said miserably. "I just wanted to let you know that Barbara's fine. She had a run in with some street thugs or something, but she's fine now."

"D*mn it Drake, tell me where my daughter is!"

"Bye." Tim said before quickly hanging up the phone.

Swiftly Tim turned and ran into the bus station, buying a one way ticket to Los Angeles. After grabbing a bunch of snacks and three bottles of water from a nearby vending machine he got onto his bus but moments before the bus would leave he stepped off and snuck onto a bus headed for New York. "Can't make it too easy for someone to find me." He muttered softly.

***

Dick Grayson stretched out on his bed, staring at the ceiling above. It was hard not to think about Barbara sleeping not far away... in one of his ships no less, but he couldn't think about it. It was just too tempting!

Dick sighed and quickly stood up, walking over to the nearby window in his sweat pants, barefoot with no shirt. Quietly he gazed out at the moonlit woods around him. "So this is what Gotham gives to those who help them... why the h*ll did we give so much to this city? After we avenged our parents why didn't we just stop there?"

Dick sighed and leaned against the window pane, staring downward. The situation looked hopeless. Tim was gone... Bruce was gone... Alfred was gone. When any of them would come back was unknown, but with a massive manhunt going on in Gotham, it would be basically impossible for him to leave. And Barbara would never be able to leave her father anyway. "Why does life have to be so hard?!" He growled to himself as he looked back up at the moon that bathed the world in it's gentle light.

***

[Sweetdreams]

Poke. Poke. Barbara swatted the hand away and turned over.


"Psst. Wake up." Two more pokes.

Barbara realized this person wasn't going to give, and turned back over. Her eyes widened with surprise.

"Kara, what are you doing her?"

"I brought you a letter from Bruce. What are YOU doing here?".

"Long story."

"No, why are you not across the hall with tall, dark, and handsome?". Supergirl jabbed her again in the side.

Barbara rolled her eyes up to the ceiling. She held out her hand for the note.
Supergirl shooked her head. "It's for Dick.

"Then why didn't you wake him up?", Barbara asked climbing out of bed as she was putting her bathrobe on.

"He is already awake, but I didn't want to risk any confrontation. So... I came here.

Barbara lead Kara across the hall. She raised up her hand to knock. The door swung open before she could even touch the door. The Two women jumped back.

"Babs, what is .......". Dick stopped talking when he saw Supergirl.

"Who is she?".

Kara tapped her chin. "Let's see ... Super (she pointed to her chest) and Girl (she pointed to herself).

Dick did not look amused. His eyes were narrowed and look ready to attack if Kara made a sudden move. Kara looked annoyed and turned to Barbara. "Gee, is he always so serious?".

Barbara nodded. She took the note from Kara and handed it to Dick. "It's form Bruce."
Dick opened it cautiously. Then he began to read it out loud.

Dick, I am leaving you in charge of Timothy. Keep your eye on him at all times, and make sure he doesn't get into any more trouble. And whatever you do, keep Barbara out of this."

"Too late on both accounts", Dick muttered. He then continued reading.

I have found a secure location. I will find a way to crrect this situation. Andrea is helping me achieve this goal. I hope you are all doing well. Sincerely, Bruce.

"This is bad. We have to find him and tell him the truth about her.", Barbara said placing her hand on Dick's shoulder.

"The police are coming."

Barbara and Dick looked at Supergirl in alarm. "Are you sure?", Dick asked looking out the window.

Kara nodded, "with swat team and everything."

Dick turned to Barbara with his eyes filled with worry. "Go get dress."

2 minutes later, they were back in the room.

"Supergirl, I want you to tell the police that I kidnapped Barbara and you saved her."<Dick said preparing to leave. Brabara grabbed his arm. "No, I am coming with you."

"It is too dangerous. What if you get caught with me? What will people think?"

"If you leave me here, I will tell the police my identity. I should have been exposed too, it is not fair of me to get away scot free, and you to be punished."

"Too late for that."

They turned to Kara. "What do you mean?", Dick asked.

"The police received a tip on your whereabouts and her identity. They suspect she helped you escape from your cell. It seems like this cabin used to be a love nest for Bruce and Andrea."

tbc

[Coran]

Tim moved slowly through New York City, his eyes flicking here and there. Even in Gotham, he had enver felt this small and alone. "This going alone stuff deffinately isn't easy." He muttered to himself as he walked down the crowded sidewalk. When he reached a corner, he glanced down the side street and found himself looking down what appeared to be a deserted alley... well, almost deserted. Down at the end of the alley a young, scruffy looking man was pointing a knife at a very scared young lady.

"It's none of my business... I should stay out of it." He murmured as he yanked his eyes away, but moments later he found himself running towards the too. "Why do I have to go and be a hero every time?" He mentally asked himself.

***

"That's right lady, just do as I say and nobody gets hurt."

"Wha... what... what do you want?" The blonde-haired woman asked as she looked at the man in front of her. Moments before she had been yanked out of the stream of traffic and thrown into the alley. Then this man had forced her to the very back of it.

"First hand over all your valuables... then we'll see about maybe getting a glimpse of what your hiding under all those clothes!" The man said with a toothy grin.

Suddenly a teenage boy came hurtling out of nowhere, planting a perfect side kick directly into the small of the man's back. With a sharp cry of pain the man fell to the ground and then scrambled back up moments later. "Who the h*ll are you?!" He yelled out. "Some kind of karate kit or something?"

Tim smiled slightly at the comment, "Much worse... much worse."

"You're right kid, it will be much worse... much worse for you!" Swiftly the man lunged, slashing out with his knife at the insolent youth who just stood there waiting.

Tim quickly moved, stepping inside of the slash, and delivering four power punches, in quick succession to the man's stomach. Then as the man gasped for breath Tim spun, planting his heel into the man's groin.

With a groan of pain the man totally folded over, the knife clattering uselessly to the ground.

Tim made his last move of the fight, grabbing the man's head and bringing his knee up right into the man's nose.

An audible crack could be heard and then the attacker fell back on the ground screaming as he tries to staunch the blood that flowed freely from his broken nose.

Tim glanced at the woman who had stood silently watching the scene with horror apparent in her eyes.

"You OK?" Tim asked with audible concern.

"Yeah. I'm fine." The woman said softly before she slowly began to make her way back to the entrance. "Thank you... whoever you are."

"I'm R... just a friend." Tim said, mentally kicking himself for coming so close to saying Robin.

The woman failed to look back and easily slipped back into the stream of passerbys.

Tim sighed and grabbed his knapsack from near the entrance as he quietly headed for the outside world. "Time to find a resteraunt." He muttered softly.

***

"Looks like Drake took a bus to L.A. Should we alert the authorities there?" Bullock asked Mr. Potter who was currently headin the man hunt.

Mr. Potter nodded, a cruel smile on his face, "Yes... and tell the authorities they are authorized to use whatever force necessary to bring him in. I don't want any slip ups this time."

Bullock slowly walked out of the office and stared at the ceiling for a moment, "Why can't the commish be in charge of this one?"

***

"Swat team has green light. Tell them to start moving in. Actual raid is scheduled to commence in 10 minutes." Mr. Potter said into the phone.

"Yes sir. Beginning now." The other man replied.

Mr. Potter leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling above. "Life is so nice." He murmured to himself.

***

[Sweetdreams]

Alfred walked quickly through the forest. As he reached a clearing, he stopped shortly.

Police cars, Media vans, helicopters, and swat teams surrounded the premises. There was no escape.
Boom! Flash!

Alfred looked up at the sky. Huge dark clouds littered the sky. Rain began to fall, as the wind started to pick up. Hurricane Andrew has begun.

Alfred's line of vision soon was clouded by the torrent of rain and hail falling from the sky.

[witness]

:: Arkham Asylum ::


Almost all of the inmates were glued to the television. Reports of the Batman's and his comrades identities were now being shown all over the news. Everyone was speculating their whereabouts and what they would do next. The reporters were also wondering when they would be captured.

The inmates were a little surprised to see Dr. Jeramiah Arkham on the screen at the moment. Summer Gleason was now asking him questions. They listened closely to what happened next.

"I am standing at the gates of Arkham Asylum where most of the criminals that Batman apprehended are still being held. With me is Dr. Jeramiah Arkham, head of the asylum. Dr. Arkham, what do you have to say about this?" asked Summer.

"All I can say is that there will be room for Batman and his allies here. We will treat them as best as we can," replied the doctor.

"What about the inmates already inside? Will they be leaving due to the fact that they were all brought in by the Batman? Or will they stay because they are criminals?"

"I am pretty sure that the inmates will not be going anywhere. Even though they were apprehended by the Batman and his allies, they are still a threat to themselves and this city. They will stay here."

"One more question. What, if anything, are the inmates thinking? This being a great revelation to them as well as everyone else."

"Most of them have been considerably quiet. I'm pretty sure that they're not happy about it, but hopefully they will get over it in time."

"Thank you, Dr. Arkham. This has been..."


CRASH!!!!!!

Killer Croc had thrown his chair at the television. The other inmates laughed. Most of them were very unhappy indeed. It was Two-Face that brought them together.

"What do you want, Two-Face?" asked Scarface.

"I thought we could all sit down and talk this out," Two-Face replied.

"Why should we listen to you?" asked Killer Croc. He was still angry and was ready to tear everything apart.

"Calm down, Croc. I have a proposition. What if we could all walk out of here as free people?"

"Ha! You really are crazy!" said Scarecrow.

"Hear me out, everyone. I already know what you're thinking. You want to get out of this place and get revenge on Batman. I do too. I think that there's a better way, however."

"What are you getting at?" asked Bane.

"I say we sue this place for all it's worth."

Two-Face got questionable looks from most of the inmates. A couple of them, like the Riddler and the Mad Hatter, were beginning to understand his method. It was now that Riddler spoke.

"So what you're saying is that if we press charges against this place, we'll get out of here? It seems to be a good idea..." he said.

"Not just here, but against the city and Bruce Wayne as well!" said Two-Face.

"Not likely," said Poison Ivy. "You know good and well how long it could take for this to even go to court? Those vultures, no offense Harv,"

"None taken," said Two-Face.

"They could tie this up in the courts for months. Years even! Especially if they appeal for a new trial," she finished.

"Yes, but with my legal knowledge, I think that I could get us out of here within the month," replied Two-Face.

"I could get out of here tomorrow if I wanted to," said Killer Croc.

"That's just it. That's what the police and even Batman are expecting. They'll probably be watching this place more carefully now. If we fight them in the courtroom, there's a better chance that ALL of us will walk out of here free," replied Two-Face.

"So instead of us trying our seperate methods, you want us to combine our efforts into one. In hopes of us getting out of here more efficiently," thought Firefly out loud.

"Exactly. Who's with me?" asked Two-Face.

They all backed up Two-Face. What better way to get even with the city than to do it in the courts?

Another person, however, was not interested in going by the book at all. Hiding in some warehouse near the river, sat the Joker. He was watching the events unfold as well. As he heard the Batman's identity for the first time, he gripped the armrests of his chair tightly. The Joker was not a happy camper. Harley was feeding Bud and Lou when the Joker called for her.

"Yeah, Mr. J?"

"Come in here at watch this," he replied.

As she now heard, she got a little worried. She was wondering what was going on in her puddin's head. She slowly turned to him. There was no smile. There was only an angry look, as if it was now permenantly etched onto his face.

"Puddin?" she said weakly.

"Isn't it crazy? I mean it's ludicrous!!! For years now, we've just been playing the games of a rich spoiled little brat!!!!!!! He really does own this town! It's like he's the king and we're his unfortunate subjects! Well, this little jester is going to change all of that!"

"What are you going to do, Mr. J?" asked Harley.

"I'm going to do everything I can to make him pay. We'll see how well the king of Gotham City can handle himself when I take over. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!"



To Be Continued.....

[Batgirl]

Barbara looked out the window and gasped. "Dick!"

He came to the window and looked out. They were surrounded. Kara signaled then back into the room. Dick glared at her meancingly. "You did this"

"No. But if you say that Andrea chick is bad..." Kara let them finsih the thought. Dick's eyes widened. He understood.

"How do we save Babs reputation? I'm not letting her go down" Dick said quietly. Barbara scowled. Like heck he wasn't... Kara grinned.

"Well, you see... that's the real reason I was sent her... Batgirl is about to make a once in a lifetime performance that no one will forget" Kara giggled. Dick and Barbara both gave her an interesting look. She shook her head. "I'll explain later. But follow me. Bruce told me that there was a secret door... Not even Andrea knew about it!"

"Then let's go" Dick grabbed Barbara's arm and they followed Kara to the bathroom. Kara pulled up a block of tiles to reveal a door underneath. Dick looked at her in surprise. She grinned.

"This way come on!"

* * *

Outside the media waited. Mr. Potter arrived on the scene. Beside him Hugo Stange was rubbing his hands together. Potter looked at a near by officer.

"Begin the assualt"

"Yes sir" The forces closed in on the cabin.

* * *

Alfred trembled as he watched helplessly from the shadows. Things weren't looking good. Suddenly he realized that the Commissioner was watching him. He dropped back into the forest and ran. Jim looked around. No one else had seen the butler. Then he took off into the woods. It was going to be father against father- and he wouldn't have it any other way...

* * *

"EVERYONE FREEZE!" The leader of the swat team burst through the door. Men filed in, searching the cabin high and low. After several minutes, they all filed back out dejectedly. Potter ran to the leader. "There's no one there sir- like the owner of the park said... It's been abandoned for years..."

Potter's eyes narrowed and he clenched his fists. Once again the prey had eluded him. "Alright... Everyone go home..."

Suddenly, in one of the spotlights a tall figure stood. Everyone stopped and turned. A long shadow of a bat was cast. Photographers started snapping pictures like mad. At the same time Potter's phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey Mr. Potter... Long time no see"

"Grayson!"

"The one and only... I have someone here who wants to talk to you..." Dick replied coldly. Potter snarled.

"What are you talking about?"

"Mr. Potter!" A desperate voice came on the phone line. Potter's eyes widened as he looked at Batgirl and listened. "Please... He's got a gun... Do whatever he says..."

"Barbara calm down..." Suddenly Mr. Potter wasn't as arogant as he used to be. Jim was going to kill him.

"He's going to kill me please-"

"Shut up!" A loud crack was heard and Barbara cried out. Mr. Potter felt ill. "If you ever want to see Jim's pretty little girl again, you're going to do whatever I say. And believe me- it's a lot. Have a nice night"

"GRAYSON!!!" Click. Potter grabbed the phone and threw it down. Several members had tried going after Batgirl with no luck. No Grayson. No hot tip... And Barbara in danger. Jim was going to have his head.

* * *

Bullock looked up as the phone rang. He sighed irritably. "Renee, can you get that?"

Ring, ring, ring... "Renee!"

Ring, ring- "All right already!"

Bullock grabbed the phone. "Hello, GCPD, what can I do for you?"

"Harvey, this is Jim. Meet me on the outskirts of Wayne Manor and bring Renee. Come alone. Understand? I repeat, come alone. Do not bring Mr. Potter. I may have found our little escape artist"

"Yes sir" Harvey hung up the phone. He grabbed his keys. And stuck his head into Montoya's office. "Renee!"

"Huh?" Renee looked up from her desk, just having gotten up from an unexpected nap. Bullock chuckled.

"Commish wants us. Alone. Let's go"

"Got it" Renee jumped up and the two headed towards their car.

* * *

Kara, Dick and Barbara emerged from a small tunnel on the outskirts of Gotham city- not too far from Wayne Manor. Kara laughed softly. "Man, I would have loved to see their faces when Batgirl showed up"

"Batgirl? But-"

"Hey kiddies" A cool voice said. Dick and Barbara looked to their left to see Batgirl- though her voice was unusually low and sultry. Suddenly Barbara grinned.

"Selina!"

"Of course... Who else would pull it off?"

"But why?" Barbara asked softly. Selina smiled and shrugged.

"Why not? I've wanted Batman for years... I think I've finally come around to his way of thinking- or should I say Bruce's?" Dick glared at Selina's last comment and she shrugged. "And you guys are okay too... now where's this adorable boy I heard about? Tim, isn't it? I heard he's absolutely charming"

"That's what we'd like to know..." Barbara commented dryly. Selina looked at her a moment.

"I'll ask later, but right now we should get out of the open..."

"Master Dick!" Dick looked to his right to see Alfred emerging from the woods several yards away. He grinned. Alfred looked worried.

"ALFRED!" Dick grinned. Maybe things were looking up... BAM! A single shot fired not far behind Alfred and Dick fell to the ground. A hot pain was in his chest, and he began to have trouble breathing. Barbara cried out and was kneeling at his side. Dick looked down. "What?..."

He fell to the ground unconscious, blood pouring from his wound. Barbara suddenly broke down crying. "NO! Please.... No...."

"He's been shot!" Selina looked up to see the Commissioner right behind Alfred, gun still raised. She gulped. Kara looked at her nervously. Alfred finished his race to his master's side and dropped to his knees, feeling as though he had failed Dick.

"No one move..." Jim said shaking. He came forward looking at Barbara. His hands trembled, making the gun unsteady. "Barbara get away from him..."

"YOU SHOT HIM!" Barbara looked up at her father accusingly, tears streaming down her face. Jim nodded. "Why? He didn't do anything wrong! He saved my life!"

Jim stared in horror, the gun clattering to the ground. He had heard the call on the evening news. But deep down inside he could never believe that Dick would ever harm his little girl. If anything it was Barbara's way of throwing Potter off their course. But he had been angry... Now his was going to pay for his rash judgment. Barbara began to cry.

"I'm Batgirl daddy... He wanted to protect me- they all did. I destroyed most of the evidence and the Batcave. There's nothing left... I have two disks hidden that contain all the information once stored on the Batcomputer. Last night I was taken hostage by Andrea Beaumont(sp?) and Dr. Hugo Strange... They're behind this! She wanted Bruce and the only way to get Bruce was to destroy Batman and all he held dear! She did this daddy! She did this!" Barbara began to sob again uncontrollably. "Dick just wanted to protect me..."

At that moment a police car came up the road it skidded to a halt not far from the small crowd. Alfred drew in an unsteady breath. Bullock and Renee emerged. Barbara continued to cry.

"Commish? What happened?" Bullock asked with wide eyes. Renee stared at the scene in shock, muttering a prayer.

"My God... What have I done..." Jim put his hands over his face.


TBC

[Coran]

Right at that moment, Tim felt anything but adorable. His eyes slipped back and forth, doing his best to pick out all the hidden dangers within the shadows of New York. He sighed quietly and continued walking, his head bent down with the knapsack over one shoulder. "Where should I go now?" He asked himself silently. "Where would I be accepted?"

Suddenly he found his thoughts ranging back to all that Bruce had taught him about Jujitsu... the way of the Ninja. Suddenly a slight smile spread on his face and he rushed over to a nearby phone booth, "There's is always one more option." He murmured softly.

***

Detectives Bullock and Montoya stood watching the scene, obviously confused by what was going on, but certain parts were beginning to dawn on them.

Alfred dropped to his knees beside Dick, his eyes broadcasting the deep concern he felt, though he refused to shed a tear at this time. "Oh Master Dick..." He murmured softly as he pushed his hand against the wound on Dick's chest that was bleeding profusely. "Kara... get the first aid kit out of the manor. Quickly!"

Kara nodded and in under a second was back with the kit. Alfred swiftly cut open Dick's shirt and began to work on the wound. With a quick snap of his head he indicated the broken hearted Barbara, "Kara, would you please take care of her... I need space!" Kara nodded again and gently lfited Barbara, leading her off a short distance away.

"Can I do anything?" Selina asked quietly as she watched the old butler continue working.

"Not now." Alfred answered shortly.

***

Tim slowly walked up to the dojo and stood for several moments staring at the front of the building. One of Bruce's old sensei's had moved to New York, and he now owned this dojo.

"I guess it's time to present myself." He murmured softly as he slowly walked up the steps. Tim's hand came up, movign through his hair with a rather nervous gesture. As his hand moved down to touch the handle of the door, the door swung open, revealing a darkened hallway.

"If I was afraid of the dark, I never would have become Robin." Tim thought grimly as he won the fight against the fear that tried to well up in him.

Tim walked down the hallway, turning to the right towards the only room that appeared to still have a light coming from it.

"Sensei?" He asked quietly as he slowly pushed open the door.

***

TBC

[Sweetdreams]

Bruce followed Andrea into the manison. Dust, cobwebs, and peeled paint littered the floor. Mice scurried by leaving crumbs of food in their wake.

"I am sorry about this place. No one has been here for almost twenty years. I thought this would be the best place for us to hide until this situation has cooled down." Andrea smiled at him and led him to the couch.

Bruce looked a little uncertained as he let Andrea pulled him down on the couch. "I am thankful for everything you have done, Andrea. But, I can't wait until this has all cooled down. I have to protect my family.

"I understand, I will go get us something to eat while you relax. Then we'll discuss what you can do to help them. Andrea gave hin a reassuring hug and left the room.

Bruce looked around the room and picked up the remote. He flipped it on.

"We have just been informed of.....

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Andrea walked into the kitchen and turned on the stove. The kitchen was immaculate. There was no dust or crumbs anywhere. She picked up the phone and dialed a very familar number.

"Hello?".

"Andrew, kill them and don't fail me, I am counting on you. As soon as we get them out of the way, we will be able to replace them as his family. You should have been his heir, not some circus boy. Soon your father will realize how much he needs us."

"Yes, mother. It will be my pleasure to kill the person who took my place as his first- born son.", Mr. Potter said.

Andrea smiled. "Thank you sweetheart. You have never failed me. You will be rewarded."


tbc