A/N: Hello everyone! So this a new story I have been writing in my spare time (the time where I sit in bed and stare at my phone writing this). I hope you enjoy this chapter, please review it's always very encouraging for me to see nice words.

26 and in the shape of his life, a daughter at home, and a promising career in Gotham's police department. In perspective everything in his life seemed perfect; he had everything he had ever hoped of and more. Yet staring down the barrel of a sniper from outside Wayne Manor with Bruce Wayne in his sights Dick Grayson wondered how he got there. Then he remembered it all began with Slade Wilson whom he had met as a child. Dick had a thrilling and bright life in Jump City after leaving Gotham. Living with the Titans and their tower in the bay was the dream of every teen in the city. Dick had felt blessed to live there away from Batman's watchful eye. It took a year before Jump City's dark underbelly revealed itself to him, and like a moth to a flame Dick was eventually led into its darkness.

The darkness itself manifested in the form of Slade Wilson, a violent and dangerous man who was possibly more dangerous than the villains in Gotham. You see the villains in Gotham; they were propelled by greed and madness, all except the great wild card, The Joker, who lived simply for chaos and chaos alone. Slade Wilson he was different, he had money, he had as much power as he wanted, and he was no Joker, he did not thrive on chaos. Slade wanted two things more than anything, control of all that he saw, and someone to inherit it. At least that is what Dick had thought. Slade attempted to strong arm Dick, or Robin as he had been called, to become his apprentice by risking with the lives of his friends.

Dick resisted greatly but despite this he felt like he had failed his friends and consequently proven how right Batman had been. That friends were a weakness, and should be avoided at all cost. It had sounded hilarious at the time considering how many allies Batman had within the field but now Dick understood why Batman had been so controlling. It bothered Dick more than anything to admit that Batman was right. Though while Dick felt he had failed in the eyes of his mentor, he passed in the eyes of Slade.

They met several times along the way, during Robin's time with the Titans. 4 times they had locked heads with each other and 4 times they both walked away with their prides intact. It wasn't until Slade was thought to be gone for good that the true battle began.

It started one day when a call came over on the Tower Mainframe leaving the team speechless as Starfire retrieved Robin from his room. Without a word the Titans left the room as Robin entered to see Batman holding Slade's insignia in his hand. Robin felt confusion and worry as he stepped before the monitor.

"Were you ever going to tell me?" He asked calmly which worried Robin greatly.

"I don't know what you want me to say."

"I want to know how you came into contact with Slade Wilson?"

"That's not any of your business."

"Don't pull that shit with me right now!" Batman yelled sending everyone back.

"Guys, leave." Robin said with his face cold. None resisted that offer but all waited with their ears to the door of the main room.

"What happened?"

"Tony Zucco is dead."

In that moment time seemed to stop for Robin. His knees began to buckle and he grabbed the counter in front of him to keep him steady.

"What?" Was all Robin could get out in a murmur.

"His body was found today off the coast. It was torn and beaten by the rocks and most likely eaten by fish. He was unrecognizable but Gordan assured me the dentals match. The only thing I found on him was Slade's insignia."

Robin moved to sit down on the couch. He was in shock and didn't know how to handle it. He didn't know if he should be happy or sad or angry. In that moment a jumble of emotions ran through his body.

"I'll ask you again. How do you know Slade Wilson?"

Robin simply stared at the ground his eyes fixated in the ground beneath his feet. He heard Batman's voice but it was like a buzz. Robin simply couldn't comprehend what was being said.

Reaching up he pressed a button that shut the monitor down cutting Batman off mid sentence. Silence flooded the room but Robin could hear the blood pumping through his veins.

Then suddenly the door flew open and Starfire seemed to fall into the room looking confused and concerned. She saw him staring at the floor and quickly gathered herself.

"Robin, may I ask what is going on?" She asked walking towards him with open arms.

"He's dead." Robin said softly.

"Who is dead?"

"The man who killed my parents."

"Is that not joyous news? Rightful retribution for a horrible deed?" Starfire asked.

"No, it's not."

"May I ask why?"

Starfire noticed a tear drop fall on the floor. Then suddenly a large thud as his hand hit the table in front of him.

"Because I didn't kill him myself!"

Robin got up swiftly and left the room. He walked past the Titans who stood against the door trying to listen. All looked away like deer caught in the headlights. As the titans reentered the room they saw Starfire holding something in her hands. It only took them a few seconds to realize it was Robins mask. They stared at it confused, almost worried because they hadn't noticed that he wasn't wearing his mask...

A few hours later Starfire disappeared into the dark room that Robin had been hiding it. The Titans waited patiently for hours on end and soon it became too late and they all retired to their rooms. Upon morning's break they saw that Robin and Starfire had not left the room and were nowhere else in the tower. Raven eventually went into Robin's room to find out what was going on. All she found was emptiness and a note. Returning to her friends she shared the note which was written in Starfire's hand.

"Friends,

Friend Robin is going through very hard time due to his past and a connection to Slade. Robin attempted to leave in the night without warning. I am now going with him home, so he can handle business with the man of bats. We will be back in one week's time and I will call the tower as soon as we arrive in the city of Gotham. I promise I will bring him back unharmed and mentally intact.

Your friend, Starfire"

The three stood there unsure of what to do. Raven was a little upset that Robin was unwilling to share with them what troubles him. They all worried about what Slade had to do with all of this.

"Should we go after them?" Cyborg said a little flabbergasted.

"No, we should let Robin settle his own problems."

"But Robin needs us!" Beast Boy said his voice hitting new heights in his worry.

"He has Starfire, and she knows how to handle him. Besides, he's going home. He'll find whatever help he needs there."

"I don't know, Robin left Gotham for a reason."

"We have to trust that he knows what he is doing. He is our leader after all."

The three stood there in silence and in agreement then dispersed across the Tower to do different things but they all thought about Robin and were worried about how Starfire would handle such a dark city like Gotham.

When the plane touched down on the lanes Robin felt his stomach drop. He stared out the window and as he stared he saw a reflection of himself in it. He wondered how long it had been since he had last been in his civilian identity. In the reflection he also saw Starfire reading a book that Raven had leant her. She had woken up from their late night trip only a half hour before they arrived. It didn't take long to get off of the plane and to their luggage. Robin did not bring much since many of his possessions were in Gotham already. He mostly helped Starfire carry the two luggage bags she had brought along. Robin had told her that they would only be gone for a week but it seemed she had packed for much longer. In reality Robin had no idea how long they would be there, Starfire seemed to sense that. While they were in Gotham Robin had instructed her to call him by his first name, something she was greatly unused to and in exchange he would call her Kori Anders, since her name un-translated was Koriand'r.

"Alfred should be waiting for us with the car outside." Dick said pulling the purple piece of luggage at his side as they walked out towards arrivals. A

"I am most excited to meet this Alfred."

"I'm sure he'll be happy to see you too. This is the first time I've ever brought a girl home."

Kori laughed as she carried her luggage by the handle easily. Dick wondered what Kori had packed because the luggage felt like bricks.

"Master Richard!"

Suddenly Alfred appeared out of nowhere enveloping Dick in a bone breaking hug that seemed to rival Kori's. Dick was shocked by the gesture since it was so far from Alfred's usual etiquette. Almost instantly Alfred regained his composure.

"Hello Miss Anders I am very grateful to finally meet you." He said holding a hand out to shake but Kori enveloped him in her own bone breaking hug.

As soon as he was released he let out a hardy laugh. He seemed quite impressed with her strength.

"I quite like her Master Richard, very much. She is a shining star in the bleak city. Come along now we must be going. Master Bruce will be home soon from a board meeting and I suggest we be there before he arrives."

There was no argument with that point so they packed up the town car quickly and started to drive off. As they sat in the back Dick held Kori's hand, rubbing his thumb against the inside of her palm.

Every once in a while he would notice Alfred sneaking a peek back at them in the mirror. Dick almost felt like telling Alfred to watch the road but didn't since it had been so long.

"I miss having the patter of children running around the manor. After you left everything became quiet and sullen. It truly does start to make you miss things... Like the simplicity of weddings. They're such complex yet simple affairs."

Richard raised an eyebrow knowing Alfred was hinting at something. Luckily Kori didn't seem to notice.

"I'm getting older every year, 68 in a couple of months. I long to see the day wedding bells ring and children run wild around the manor once again. You master Richard you have some of the best years in front of you while I have little left. I sincerely hope that my wishes will come in the passing years, correct Master Richard?"

"Yeah Alfred." Dick rolled his eyes but couldn't hold back a smile while thinking of Kori in a wedding dress.

"Mr. Alfred, have you been Dick's k'norfka for many years?" Kori asked curiously.

Dick felt a weird sensation when Kori called him Dick. It felt uncomfortable but incredibly personal.

"K'norfka is Tameranian for caretaker."

"Oh!" Alfred said much relieved by the explanation, "yes in a sense I helped raise Master Richard and I see him very much so as like my own grandson."

"Alfred you're making me blush." Dick said with a laugh as the pulled into the driveway of the manor.

Suddenly a growl ripped through the car and all eyes were instantly on Kori. Her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.

"Apologies I have not yet participated in the breaking of fast."

Alfred spoke as they got out of the car,

"Good thing we're home then. I'll make some food for you then we shall unpack your things. I have prepared the room right next to Richards for your stay."

"That is joyous news, thank you for your hospitality!" she exclaimed as she looked at the majesty of the manor in front of her. "Friend, I did not know you were of royalty also?"

"Also?" Alfred muttered his ears perking up.

"No Kori, Bruce is just a very wealthy man and this is his house. It's been passed on from generation to generation."

"So one day you will inherit this Manor?" Kori asked as they walked into the living room. She seemed quite impressed by everything despite the darkness of it all.

"No, I'm not a Wayne."

"Are you not the son of Mr. Wayne?" She asked confused.

"No, I was just his ward. He had guardianship over me till I turned 18. That's all."

Dick could feel Alfred's eyes on him and feel the frown upon his face.

"That is sad." Kori said.

"It is indeed..." Alfred muttered under his breath then cleared his throat and spoke loudly.

"Master Richard I suggest that you wait for your guardian in the study. Master Bruce should be home soon and I'm sure he would like to talk with his former ward."

Right there he knew that later he would be having a long conversation with Alfred later, one that he would not be able to escape from. He only wondered which would be worse, the conversation he was about to have with Bruce or the one with Alfred later...

Descending into the Batcave was quite an experience the first time Dick went down. After a couple of years now Dick felt that same experience. Entering through the clock Dick walked down the narrow passageway to an old elevator. Moving the crank to descend it began to drop at a breakfast speed that gave him butterflies in his stomach. He had become numb to it over his time there and completely forgotten it after his move to Jump. Stepping out he walked down what seemed like a large cave that only opened to a much larger one. The Batcave was 3 levels ascendable by stairs, another elevator, or grappling hook. The last was his preferred method as a child.

The 1st floor or the bottom floor served as the garage where the jet, car, and Robin's motorcycle sat where the tunnels ran out. The second floor was for operations, the Batcomputer sat there. It was the envy of all other Leaguers because the information stock piled over time by Batman was unparalleled to anything else. Also on that floor was a lab where Bruce first synthesized the Joker Antivenom largely with the help of Dr. Lucius Fox. Lastly on that floor were their uniforms. Every version future and past was in the display cases. Lastly the very top floor was for training. A gym of every type of equipment available and to sat it was large was an understatement. A couple of years ago Bruce put in uneven bars, a beam, and a vault in for Dick and he was glad to still see that it was there. The room was always his favorite because it had the most light which came from the glass ceiling where there would be an opening in the cave. All the while a waterfall roared in one corner of the room falling down past all 3 floors.

Dick decided to go to the 2nd floor since it was the one Bruce spent most of his time at. The floor was strangely empty but Dick knew well enough that Bruce could show up at any time.

Walking over to the Batcomputer Dick sat down in the chair and activated it. A little box for the password came up onto the screen. He typed in the old password doubtful that it was still valid. Red flashed on the screen and some letters came across the bottom of the box Changed 10/27/2010. Same day as today but four years ago Robin recognized it as the day he left Gotham for Jump. How ironic that he happened to return on the same day he left. Robin tried past passwords in hope but he failed every time. He looked at the date and wondered...

R.O.B.I.N

The screen flashed green and the desktop opened up. Instantly Dick went to the files containing data on various villains. He looked up Tony Zucco quickly. He had seen all of these files before just printed out. Everything seemed the same except a personal note was linked with the file.

"Remember that justice is in the hands of the law, not your own. That's what makes us heroes, not vigilantes."

Dick wondered why this was in the file but then it dawned on him. Many years ago when all Dick wanted was revenge Bruce told him that. At the time Bruce had been deep into the case trying to find any connections to Zucco who was hiding underground. The statement seemed to be more as a reminder for himself than for Dick. Curiosity and a new opportunity suddenly came to Dick's mind. Leaving the file, Dick searched the word Slade on the computer. A singular file popped up onto the screen but as soon as he clicked on the file another password came up. Knowing he didn't have much time before Bruce would show up Dick closed out of the computer and went to walk around the rogue's gallery. He often wondered why Bruce kept these things around. He guessed it served as a reminder for all the good he has done. While the gigantic penny and dinosaur were interesting they weren't why he went over there. In the back in dim lighting sat two cases side by side. One was Bruce's mother's pearl necklace still encrusted in blood. The other was the bar from the trapeze set. Bruce kept them as a reminder, of who they are, not just heroes but human beings. Then suddenly a deep voice from behind him,

"How long have you been home?"

"Not very long, a half hour at best. Got in at 7." Dick was not surprised by Bruce's arrival and if anything a little unimpressed that Bruce did not take more care to try and sneak up on him.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there."

"It's not like I wanted you there."

"Doesn't mean I didn't want to be. Why are you here?"

"As if you don't know."

"Humor me."

"I'm here to spit on the grave of the man who killed my parents."

"Nothing good will come from going to his funeral."

"Don't tell me what to do Bruce."

"I know how you feel right now. It doesn't seem like it right now but this is for the best. Before that man killed my parents murderer I always felt a sort of pull to kill him myself. Once he was dead it was liberating. This is good for you."

"Don't tell me what is good for me Bruce!" Dick's blood began boiling. He walked away from Bruce and towards the weapons hanging on the wall and table in front of it.

"I think I have every right to say what is good for you. I am your guardian after all."

"I'm happy Zucco is dead but I'm not happy about who killed him. A stranger killed your parents murderer. Slade killed mine..."

"So you do know him." Bruce said plainly.

"I do."

"How?"

"It's a long story." Dick rubbed his palm in his eye he suddenly felt really tired.

"We have-" Suddenly Bruce went quiet, grabbed a batarang on the table and threw. Next thing Dick knew he heard a scream and a zap and the batarang fall to the floor. He turned to see a startled Kori standing with her hands in front of her.

"Kori?"

Bruce stood there half confused and half angry because he was confused. Dick was shocked by how startled Bruce was. Normally Bruce knew who was in the cave before they even knew they were in the cave themselves. For him to attack so blindly made Dick wonder what he was hiding.

"How did you get in here?!"

"Please do not attack me! Alfred simply allowed me in." Bruce looked at Dick enraged and Dick knew exactly what was going through his head.

"You told her who we are? You brought her here?!" He voice was at a low growl.

"Yes, I did."

"And why did you do that?" Dick knew he had to tread carefully buy part of him wanted a good fight with Bruce. He had wanted one for a long time.

"Because I love her."

A look came over Bruce's face Dick couldn't understand and Kori's face flushed red. Dick noticed her trying unsuccessfully to hold back a smile.

"Can you please leave us?" Bruce said through his teeth.

"Uh... Yes, Alfred just asked me to tell you lunch was ready."

Kori instantly flew off quicker than light out of the cave wanting to be rid of the tension.

"You love her?! You don't even know what love is?!" Bruce said trying not to yell.

"Yes I do! I have known Kori for many years and she has seen me through my best and worst times. I owe her my life many times over."

"What have a told you about relationships with other people! I have warned you over and over again not to get close to people! Now you let this girl get into your head! How do you know she won't spill our secret! She's not even human!"

"Clark isn't human and he knows. You are in love with Catwoman and she is a villain. At least the woman I love is a hero and a damn good one at that!"

"We already have too many weaknesses as it is, we can't afford one more!"

"No Bruce, you have too many weaknesses. My friends are my strength." Dick began to walk away as Bruce shouted at him. He ignored it all until he heard one thing:

"If your friends aren't a weakness then why were you Slade's apprentice?"

Dick stopped at the staircase Kori was once at. He froze solid his mind loading like a computer, spinning and spinning.

"How did you know that?"

"Security camera's from atop Wayne Enterprises branch in Jump. I know that you worked for Slade for a while and I determined it was some kind of blackmail because of what happened on the roof. Everything before or after that I have no clue.

"I was hoping you would come clean and explain what happened but you seem very reluctant to do so."

"Shove it Bruce. I don't need your lectures."

Dick then left. He left Bruce to sulk in his cave. He went upstairs grabbed some food and kissed Kori on the cheek as she spoke with Alfred. He apologized for what had happened and told her that he was going to bed. She simply nodded and mouthed okay. Dick then retreated upstairs to the sanctuary of his room. It had been a long time and he felt like reminiscing but he simply felt to exhausted and angry to do so. The moment he saw the bed Dick crashed down into the warm familiarity and didn't wake up till early next morning.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed my story and I would be very happy if you would leave a little review! Thanks!