This story was inspired by two requests. Princess of Flames informed me that it was Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Awareness Month. She requested that I write something in honour of that. As we're aware Selina didn't have the best childhood in the East End of Gotham. I allude to some of that in my story 'Nightmare'. I also had a request – I apologize I can't find you in my messages – for the story on how Selina got shot. As it happens, they go together. I hope I do them justice for you.

THE BATCAVE

"I don't want him in involved in this. What's happening to these women, these children, he doesn't need to be touched by that!" The voice carried easily from one end of the Batcave to where Dick sat huddled in his cape on the stairs leading up to Wayne Manor. "Keep him out of it!"

There was a rumbled answer with the words indistinguishable. The other voice lowered and the boy couldn't hear any more of the conversation. Alfred descended the stairs behind him and sat down, offering him the plate of cookies. Dick simply shook his in refusal. Alfred followed Dick's gaze across to the far side of the Cave where Selina and Bruce stood arguing.

"Why is she mad at me?" Dick's voice was miserable.

"Oh, Master Dick, Miss Selina isn't mad at you." Alfred tried to reassure him. At that moment, Selina slid her cowl back on, mounted her bike, and roared out of the Cave. Bruce watched her go and then turned to walk to Dick and Alfred.

Dick looked up at Bruce when he stopped in front of them and asked his question in the same miserable voice. "Why is she mad at me?"

"She isn't mad at you, Dick." Bruce rubbed the back of his neck. "It's the case. She just doesn't want you near it."

"Doesn't she think I can do my job?" The boy pouted.

"It isn't that. She knows you can do your job." Bruce paused. "Sometimes adults get twisted up about stuff. Maybe this time Selina shouldn't be on the case. Or at least she needs to take a step back. She's in a lot of pain. Do you understand?" Dick nodded slowly. "Good. Go take your shower and get ready for bed."

SELINA KYLE'S PENTHOUSE

Robin slipped easily into Selina's the way he had been taught. He'd gone to bed after his shower and pretended to be asleep when Alfred, then Bruce, checked on him. It had been excruciating waiting until he had felt enough time had passed he could safely slip back down into the Cave and change back into his uniform.

"What are you doing here, little bird?" Selina's voice drifted out of the darkness. She hadn't called him kitten and that could be a bad sign.

"I, I wanted to see you." He whispered. He located her sitting on the couch, Isis on her lap. He moved forward slowly towards her.

"So you slipped out after hours into the city? Without permission?" She caught the slight tensing of his shoulders. "The Big Bad Bat isn't going to be happy. Neither is Agent A."

"I know." Dick swallowed hard. "This is more important."

"Why's that?" Selina inquired.

"You're mad at me."

"Oh, baby, I'm not mad at you." Selina sighed. "It's complicated."

"Because you're in pain." Dick wedged himself into the small space between Selina and the arm of the couch. "Maybe I can help."

Selina looked down at the innocent face that had never had any reason not to trust the adults who were supposed to love him to not betray him. He snuggled in closer to her side. "Yes, little bird, maybe you can. Are you staying?"

"I brought my pajamas." He grinned up at her.

"Smart kitten." She chuckled.

She got him settled into her bed, curled up with Isis. He dropped promptly off to sleep. After a few moments of watching him, she pulled out her cell and called Bruce's. It stayed at his bedside she knew and he would answer the ringtone he had programmed for her.

"Selina?" The voice on the other end wasn't groggy at all.

"Hi." Her own voice was soft. "I have something that belongs to you."

"What?"

"Your little bird flew the coop." There was a slight chuckle in her voice. "He wanted to make me feel better. He even brought his pajamas so he could spend the night."

"He brought his pajamas." The sentence was spoken slowly. "I'll be damned. He's quite the kid."

"He really is. Thanks for sharing him." Selina paused. "Bruce." She bit her lip. "I'm sorry. This case….it's really hitting home."

"I know. You're not alone you know." Bruce's tone brightened. "As for the other, he's apparently not giving me much choice."

"No, apparently not." She smiled at the sleeping boy. "He's fine here. Asleep before his head hit the pillow."

Dick awoke curled around Isis. He and the cat both stretched. He grinned at Isis. "I guess we should go find Selina and see if we can get some breakfast." He climbed out of the big bed with the cat following him.

As he neared the kitchen he heard Selina talking to someone. He paused uncertainly.

"It isn't the same for me as it is for you and Dick." She was saying. "If someone offered you one of your parents back you would never be able to choose. I would have traded my father's life for my mother's in a heartbeat."

What could be so bad about Selina's father that she would want him dead? He was starting to understand that what was driving Selina on this case wasn't the same need to help the missing women and children that he and Bruce had. Dick felt a little sick to his stomach.

"He's gone and he can't hurt you anymore." Dick heard Bruce's voice.

"I know that. There's just so many like him out there, too many. We have to find them, Bruce, soon. Not all of them will be strong enough to recover." Isis chose that moment to announce their presence. "Isis." Selina cleared her throat. "Dick? Are you up? Bruce decided to join us for breakfast. I'm making waffles."

Dick made his way cautiously into the kitchen. Selina was smiling at him brightly but it didn't reach her eyes. He could see the strain. Bruce gestured at him with his coffee cup and frowned.

"Sneaking out of the house at all hours is not the way to keep Alfred happy. I'm not pleased either." Dick looked at the floor and fiddled with the hem of his pajama top. Bruce frowned even deeper internally. He was wearing his Superman pajamas. Was he never going to outgrow the infernal things? Or did Alfred keep buying him new ones? He'd blame it on Selina given her warped sense of humour if she didn't have such a contentious relationship with Clark.

"I'm sorry." The boy looked up at Bruce suddenly defiant. "You would have said no and Selina needed me."

Selina crossed the kitchen and rested her palm on the boy's cheek. "Brave little kitten." She murmured. "From now on you stay snug in your bed unless you have permission. It can be dangerous even for Robin to be out alone at night. Understood?" Dick nodded. "Good. Let's breakfast together almost like we're normal people and then you can face Alfred's wrath."