The phone rang, and Bruce groaned as he picked it up, speaking with a slightly annoyed tone that hinted that his workload did not need an increase right now. "Wayne." He greeted woodenly.

"What the HELL, Bruce?!" The voice of his eldest exploded in his ear.

"Explain." He said nonchalantly. Dick rarely threw fits, if at all, and the man was curious as to what had set the boy off.

"No! YOU explain! Why the hell wasn't I told about Tim?!"

Ah, this made sense. Dick was fiercely protective of the young Robin, even going so far as to nearly killing several villains for hurting the boy. Two-Face and the Joker were often faced with Nightwing's wrath after particular patrols, and the older bird even stepped into Arkham to mess with the tormentors on occasion. He would never actually kill them of course, but a vengeful Nightwing was never pleasant.

"Do you have ANY idea how frustrating it is to be told by Hood that yet another Robin was beaten by the Joker?! That he's teetering?! Why. The hell. Wasn't I told by you personally?"

Bruce felt terrible "Dick I-"

"You what, Bruce?! You thought that I wouldn't come running from here all the way to the mansion?!"

"Well honestly, no." came the sheepish response. "I didn't think you would. I know Nightwing's busy with a case there, and you do hate it when I interrupt so-"

"This is Tim, Bruce!" His son's voice had evidences of the famous Growl in it, "I would go to the farthest reaches of friggin' SPACE if he needed me. "

"It's under control." He tried to be reassuring. "I didn't want you worrying. He's going to be fine."

"He's my little brother!" Another explosion "I should've been there the moment he was brought in!"

Bruce was silent then. He knew that the young man he called his son was close to tears. Dick treated the young Robin like the little brother he never had. When the boy needed him, he would drop everything and come to his aid. Dick's anger now was partly because of Bruce, but partly aimed at himself as well.

"As soon as he was brought in, Bruce."

"Dick I-"

"No. I am coming home. Tim needs me too much for me to delay."

Bruce heard the click of the other line, then sighed.

"Alfred...Prepare Dick's room would you?"