A/N: 1966 Batman series: This is based on something I noticed during the season 3 episode 'Surf's up! Joker's Under'. I noticed how Barbara and Dick once changed into Batgirl and Robin, stopped and stared at each other for a moment before Joining Batman in the fight.

You know those two had to have figured out that they were Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson. So this is where this story comes into play. It's my reasoning for why Dick Grayson aka Robin didn't ever tell Batman who Batgirl was. And how Batman would react once told about the secret.

Dick Grayson sat in the living room of Wayne manor reading silently while Bruce entertained a guest. Dick tried not to show it, but he was bothered by events of the past couple of weeks; after Batman had him portray his civilian self at the beach as a normal teenager and then was told to go change into Robin.

Shaking his head he tried to get the thoughts of Batgirl out of his head, he knew now who she was: Barbara Gordon.

He put two and two together after he had passed her as she went into the single stall bathroom next to the men's room. He had tried to open the doors of discussion with Batman about her but to no avail and he wondered if this is how Alfred felt keeping their secret.

Bruce noticed his ward was distracted and was staring at the same page for several minutes. Moments later he showed his guest to the door before returning only to find Dick in the same spot and on the same page.

"Dick?" No answer.

"Richard Grayson." This got his ward's attention as he jumped slightly and looked up at him.

Trying to catch his breath after being startled he replied. "Yes, Bruce?"

Sitting down in a chair across from Dick he asked. "Are you alright? You seem distracted for some reason?"

Not daring to look Bruce in the eye he said softly. "Yes, I'm fine."

Leaning forward Bruce noticed that his ward was still on the same page. "Then why haven't you turned the page yet? You're not a slow reader."

Dick wanted so badly to tell Bruce what he knew, but something that his guardian had pounded into his head about secret identities remaining just that, kept surfacing.

Alfred had been watching the scene for a few moments and noticed Dick's discomfort and cleared his throat.

"Master Dick, would you mind coming with me for a moment please, I wish to discuss something with you privately."

Bruce frowned but didn't question it as Dick shot up off the chair and followed Alfred without glancing back. Shaking his head he picked up his novel he had been reading and waited for his ward to return.

He felt like Dick was not being open with him, he normally would be talking his head off and within the last couple of weeks, the boy had been quiet for the most part. The only time he was outspoken was when they were in the city fighting crime. Looking up at the ceiling he thought about recent events and tried to figure out for himself why Dick was acting so strange. What with the boy now being 16 he was wondering if maybe Dick was hitting the notorious stubborn phase of life. But without having any experience in caring for a teenager he couldn't be for sure on the matter.

000

Once in the study, Alfred closed the doors he turned to Dick who was looking out the window now.

"Master Dick?"

Turning to the kind butler Dick answered. "Yes, Alfred?"

Alfred walked over to the desk behind Dick and replied.

"Dick, what is bothering you so much that you won't discuss it with Master Bruce. You are always so open and honest with him."

Putting his hands behind his back he turned back to the trusted butler and told him softly. "Because I know something he doesn't and it's slowly driving me crazy."

Giving him a curious look Alfred asked him politely. "And what might that be young sir?"

Lowering his head Dick leaned on the desk and looked at the red phone for a moment before his blue eyes met Alfred's.

"I found out who Batgirl is..."

Alfred tried to keep his composure at the shock of it all. "So that is what has been going on. So how did you find out? And when?"

Pushing his self off the desk he walked around the room in frustration. "A couple weeks ago... Batman told me to go change into Robin... when I passed her I... I didn't put two and two together at first... not until I had changed and so did she apparently."

Alfred could tell that Dick wanted to reveal her name but was afraid to.

"Can you tell me her name?"

This time, Dick froze in his place, he turned to look at Alfred again and saw nothing but understanding there. He walked around and sat on Bruce's desk chair. Picking up a pen he twirled it in his fingers absently as he told Alfred who was waiting patiently for a response.

"Bruce has always told me that a crime fighter is always about secret identities, that we should maintain it at any cost. And never try and discover the secret behind the mask. I didn't mean to go behind his back... it was an accident... we startled each other... I'm pretty sure she knows I'm Robin, but she hasn't told anyone that I know of. She just gives me knowing looks when we are out fighting crime together. And I am sure she can read it on my face as well. I haven't mentioned it to her."

Suddenly the red phone lit up, Dick told Alfred. "I got it this time."

Once Dick found out that Catwoman was back on the loose he stood up and walked out of the study and directly to Bruce. Looking around for his aunt first, he then told him.

"Catwoman's back. Commissioner Gordon needs us to come in."

Bruce was on his feet without question. He now knew where his ward had gone to talk to Alfred.

000

Hours later Batman, Robin, and Batgirl were parting ways after sending Catwoman once again up the river, this time, Batman didn't miss the look passed between the two younger members of the trio.

He drove with Robin back to the Batcave and noticed how quiet Robin was, this time, it was worse than it has been recently.

"Robin? Is everything alright between you and Batgirl?"

Sinking lower into his seat as Batman turned off on the country road that would take them back the Batcave.

"Yea we are swell."

Batman wasn't buying it and replied. "You both were acting strange tonight. You couldn't even look at each other without giving each other a certain look. Did something happen between you two?"

Looking at the dashboard of the Bat Mobile Robin didn't reply. He looked around startled when the car came to a stop just half a mile before the secret entrance.

"Talk to me old chum, what has been bothering you?"

Robin was grateful that his mask was somewhat shielding his eyes from Batman or he would have seen the torment he was in.

"I'm fine Batman, honest I am."

They sat in silence and listened to the quiet of the night, after several moments Batman asked.

"Is what's bothering you..." Batman was cut off by Robin speaking up.

"No, if you're going to ask if I am in danger or Batgirl then the answer is no, we are both safe you can trust me on that."

Batman was suspicious of why his partner fired back so quickly. "Robin..."

"Can we go home now? I have a test in school tomorrow and I want to study a little more for it before bed."

Robin turned in his seat and looked Batman in the eyes, granted it was dark but he knew Batman would understand.

Knowing he wasn't going to find out alongside a dark road Batman restarted the car silently and drove them back to the Bat-cave. Once there Robin wasted no time in jumping out of the car and running for the Bat-pole.

Alfred was standing by the computers when he saw Robin race by him, looking over at Batman he asked. "Is everything alright sir?"

Batman watched as Robin's yellow cape disappear from view before answering.

"I really don't know. I get the feeling he's hiding something from me. And it has to do with Batgirl. Did he say anything to you?"

Alfred folded his hands together and told him politely. "Sir, it is not polite to expose a private conversation that was meant to be just that. If Master Dick wished for you to know the extent of our conversation then he would have discussed it with you prior to now."

Feeling defeated Batman nodded once and said. "Agreed. Well, it's been a long afternoon, good night Alfred."

Smiling warmly at his 'son' he replied. "Good night sir."

Batman made his way to the pole and started the ascent up to change clothes. Once in his study, he was startled when he found Dick standing at the darkened window looking out at the stars. Bruce felt he had grilled the boy enough for one day so he simply said.

"How's that studying for the test tomorrow going?"

Dick was caught off guard and jumped slightly, turning around he told him softly. "Sorry, I got distracted."

Quickly retreating out of the study Dick got his book bag from the living room and took it upstairs without another word. Now Bruce knew for sure something was wrong, but like he had told Alfred, it had been a long afternoon.

000

Hours had flown by, now it was the dead of the night and Dick Grayson laid in bed wide awake. He had lied to Bruce about having a test the next day, he just didn't want to get grilled again about Batgirl. He had rarely lied to Bruce and when he did he felt like he did now, guilty. Keeping secrets had not been something that he did often to Bruce, but when he did most of the time he could manage it. But not this time, this was too much for someone so young to bear.

Getting up he put on a robe and walked out of his room, the manor was dark as he made his way to the study. Closing the door behind him he walked over to the desk and picked up the phone, he knew if Bruce caught him he would probably be in trouble or just get a good talking too.

He looked at Bruce's organizer and found the phone number he needed by using the moon for light. He didn't want Aunt Harriet or Alfred to walk in on him. Dialing the number he waited for the person to answer knowing they would be asleep.

It took a few moments before a tired "Hello?" came over the line.

"Barbara? It's Dick Grayson."

Barbara woke up more as she asked with concern lacing her voice. "Is everything OK? You do realize it's 2 in the morning?"

Looking over at the clock on the desk he told her softly. "I know, look, this is bugging me. I haven't kept anything from Batman the entire time I have lived here. This is killing me, he knows something is wrong. This evening I lied to him just to keep him from finding out your secret."

Barbara smiled on her end knowing the younger boy would indeed have a problem with keeping her secret.

"I guess if we truly are a team we need to be open and honest with each other. I will come over in the morning and we can tell him together."

Dick thought about it and realized that tomorrow was Wednesday, a school day. Sighing he said softly. "I will be at school."

Barbara forgot how much younger Dick was and told him. "Tell you what, will it ease your mind if I just give you permission to tell him? And by the way I know that Batman is Bruce Wayne, I don't think that Dick Grayson would be able to keep that big of a secret from him if he was anyone else."

Dick frowned and asked. "How did you..."

"Oh please Dick, it's not that hard to put together. I have seen how Bruce always looks at you as Dick and how Batman is so protective of Robin. It wasn't that hard, I am actually surprised more people don't know. Tell him in the morning, you will feel better, you were off your game yesterday. I thought for sure the three of us were going to get captured again. Something has to give and if telling Bruce the truth is what needs to happen then so be it."

Dick let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding, he felt relief and said softly. "Thank you, Barbara. Talk to you later. And sorry about the late night phone call."

He heard her giggle on the other end and then said quickly. "It's alright, I knew you couldn't keep it up forever and I prepared myself for a late night phone call from you."

Grinning at that Dick told her. "Sounds fair, good-night. I will let you know how he takes the news."

"Sounds good."

Feeling relief flood over him he walked out of the study and closed the door silently, treading up the stairs to his room he nearly bumped into a figure walking in the hallway.

"What the? Dick? What are you doing up?" Bruce asked quietly not to alert Aunt Harriet or Alfred to the two being awake.

Dick took a few steps back and replied. "I could ask you the same thing."

Bruce sent the teenager a warning glare before motioning in near darkness for the boy to follow him. They walked over to Bruce's room and shut the door. Flipping on the light Bruce turned to his young ward who was trying to adjust to the bright light.

Dick adjusted to the light quickly before he looked up at him, they were silent for the longest time before Bruce broke the silence.

"So why are you up?"

Dick looked down at his slippers and spoke softly. "I-I was in the study..."

Raising an eyebrow Bruce asked. "At 2 in the morning?"

Swallowing hard Dick took the plunge. "Batgirl is Barbara Gordon."

Bruce was taken back by the outburst from the shorter figure. "And you know this how?"

Dick tried to remain silent but Bruce put a hand under his chin to make him look into his eyes. "Dick, how do you know who Batgirl is?"

Dick tore his eyes away from Bruce and walked to the window seat on the other side of the room. Fingering the loose string on the seat cushion he spoke softly.

"Do you remember a couple weeks ago when you entered the Wayne Foundation Surf? You went as Batman and I was Dick Grayson?"

Bruce pulled over a chair and sat near his ward. "Yes, but what does that have to do with how you know about Batgirl?"

Looking over at Bruce for a second he looked out the window, he saw Bruce in the reflection and continued.

"Well... when you told me to go change to Robin I raced to the private bathroom... I passed Barbara going into the Woman's as I went into the Men's next door to her. Other then the fight I didn't hear anything else, like the Woman's bathroom door open or close again. When I stepped out I saw Batgirl come out at the same time. We noticed each other but didn't say anything just gave knowing looks. Before she disappeared I spoke to her briefly and she called me Dick Grayson."

Bruce nodded his head in understanding. "I see. I do recall now that you spoke to her for a second just before Joker was carted off and she vanished again."

Dick nodded and then spoke again, this time making direct eye contact. "I made a comment about her identity and you told me that a super hero's identity is their busyness, we should not pursue it."

Dick went silent again and looked away. Bruce leaned forward and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Is that why you have been acting strange the past couple weeks? Because you were afraid to tell me?"

Nodding Dick added in. "I didn't want you mad at me for disobeying you again. You always silenced me and told me not to mention or ask who Batgirl was."

Nodding in understanding again Bruce told the boy. "Dick, it wasn't your fault that you found out. I don't want you to ever think you can't come and talk to me. So is this why you were still up roaming the halls?"

Dick glanced over at Bruce before saying. "I called her. Barbara... I wanted her permission before saying anything to you about her."

"That's understandable, and a wise decision on your part. So does she know who I am too?"

"Yes, she figured if I was having such a hard time keeping her secret then chances are I would be a horrible lair to Bruce Wayne if I was Robin and he wasn't Batman. She said she thought it over and figured it out a few days later."

Bruce chuckled and folded his hands in his lap and leaned forward. "Dick, I am not angry with you. I am just disappointed that you felt you couldn't come to me. I understand your reasoning, but instead of tormenting yourself you should have gone to someone sooner."

Nodding his head Dick felt a large weight lift off of his shoulders, but a nagging thought occurred to him. "Do you think this is how Alfred feels keeping our secret?"

"I'm sure it is, but he's had much more practice than you have at keeping it. You see I wasn't much younger than you when I became Batman. He knew right away because I told him, I quit long enough to go to College but after that, I came back full force."

Dick looked out at the dark night and then back to his guardian. "Then you got me."

Bruce looked over at his bedside clock and noticed the time then turned to answer Dick. "Yes, and you know what. You're the best decision I ever made, I remember how depressed I was after my parents were murdered that I was hell bent on revenge. You can ask Alfred I was not as nice as I am now. You may think of me as a teacher or mentor but I was not as patient as I am now."

Dick knew most of what Bruce was telling him. "Do you ever regret taking me in?"

Bruce smiled kindly and stood up. "No, taking in an 11-year-old that needed a friend at the time was the best decision I ever made, and I do not regret a single moment of it."

Dick looked up at him for a moment then told him. "You're more than a friend to me, you're more like a father. Thank you for not being mad about Batgirl, and I'm sorry I kept the truth from you for so long. That was pretty dumb of me."

Bruce put a hand on his shoulder and told him softly. "Time is its own teacher, you had better get to bed. You do have school tomorrow."

Dick stood up and told him. "I think I can sleep now."

Walking the teen to the door Bruce told him. "I hope so. Good night son."

000

The following afternoon Dick was in the manor alone since Bruce had some work to get done at the office and his aunt went to the market with Alfred. The Bat-phone began flashing while he was in the study working on his homework.

He tentatively picked it up and said. "Yes, Commissioner?"

But the voice on the other end was not the Commissioner. "It's OK Robin, this is Batgirl, and no there is no emergency. How did it go with Batman this morning?"

Dick swallowed hard and told her. "Well... I bumped into him in the dark on my way back to my room... so he found out shortly after we talked. He wasn't mad, he was disappointed that I didn't tell him actually. But he wasn't angry with me at all. He said I made a wise choice to keep your secret, but next time just trust him a little more to tell him the truth."

Barbara smiled on her end and told him. "Good, I was hoping he would be OK with it. At least now there are no secrets between any of us. Well, I take that back, Alfred knows who I am too. He found out by sheer accident kind of like you did. But I swore him to secrecy."

Dick smiled hearing the front door open then shut. "I will tell him it's OK to speak freely about you now. We can honestly say the 'bat' is out of the bag."

Barbara laughed at the pun and told him. "OK, Boy Wonder!"

After a few more minutes they hung up the phone. Alfred saw Dick hang up the red phone and asked.

"Do I need to meet you in the Bat-cave?"

Shaking his head Dick replied. "No, it was Batgirl. And Bruce knows now too. So you don't have to pretend to not know who Barbara Gordon really is anymore."

Alfred frowned and asked. "What on Earth do you mean Master Dick?"

Giving a knowing look Dick told him. "She just told me you knew everything about her being Batgirl. So it's OK, and I understand about keeping secrets. Gee wiz how do you do it? I could barely last 2 weeks! And here you've done it for years!"

Hearing Harriett calling him Alfred smiled and told the young boy. "It takes practice my dear boy, lots, and lots of practice."

Dick shook his head and followed the butler to the foyer to help bring in the groceries, at least now there were no more secrets being kept between the terrific trio.