A/N: First of all, I would like to thank everyone for all the plot suggestions for my next story (I'm talking to you carl, Batman dude and mystery guests!). I have some things bouncing around in my brain now so...thanks! :) FYI: this was written before I even asked for suggestions!

This is a sequel to my story "The Final Flight" and you should definitely read that one before starting this one. One of my original characters is Irish but I didn't "write" his accent. There are several small reminders throughout. I had to give the plot some time to develop so the first couple of chapters are just that: plot development. So, if you get bored, just slog through it and don't give up! ;)

As usual, Batman and Robin are based off the 1960s TV show but go back and forth between genres and are sometimes completely out of any characterization. I write it the way it enters my head, which is not always "historically" accurate. Italics usually represent thoughts to oneself but are sometimes used to add emphasis. I love reviews and constructive criticism is always welcome. Thanks for reading! :)

Chapter 1:

Two months; it had been two long months since Conall O'Reilly had returned to Gotham City after burying his only brother in the family plot in Galway, Ireland. Two months with no sign of Robin, at all, anywhere! He had seen the Bat-signal several times but the only one who ever responded was Batman. Conall's seventh-floor apartment was directly across from the police station, affording him an impeccable view of the roof where the Bat-signal was located. Every time he saw that light in the sky he stood at his window, watching the shadows carefully. But Robin was never there.

Maybe Batman's partner wasn't going to recover from the injuries he had sustained while killing Conall's younger brother, Faolan. He hoped that wouldn't be the case; it was his job to avenge his brother's wrongful death and he wanted Robin to be fully recovered when he took his revenge.

The newspapers had called his brother "The Darkling" and portrayed him as a horrible villain. Faolan wasn't capable of doing the things they said he did. Complete injustice; that's what it was. His brother wasn't here to defend himself and Robin had Batman and the entire police force on his side. The public adored their young hero and Conall was furious whenever he heard someone talking about how Robin had "saved the day" when he rescued some guy named Bruce from that "awful villain, The Darkling". Robin was the true villain in the situation and Conall was here to make sure the kid knew it. Robin was going to pay a heavy price for his grave misdeed.

"Robin, the Bat-signal is on and the commissioner is waiting for us; let's go!" Batman was frustrated with his partner, who was attempting to re-adjust his Robin suit.

"I'm sorry, but it doesn't fit very well anymore!" Robin replied.

Batman sighed, "I told you this yesterday: the muscle mass in your torso has increased and your uniform won't fit like it did before. I also remember telling you to try it on! Alfred could have easily fixed this if you had obeyed me and you wouldn't be so uncomfortable. You have two choices – sit and wait for Alfred to come back and adjust it or be uncomfortable. Decide now!"

"You are NOT going without me again. I'm tired of sitting at home while you go out and have all the fun. I decide to be uncomfortable," Robin declared as he folded his arms across his chest, causing a loud tearing sound that came from beneath his cape.

Batman rolled his eyes as he stated, "No, now you have to wait here for Alfred; I'll get the information from the commissioner and come back for you."

"But I chose to…" Robin's sentence trailed off as the Batmobile suddenly roared away. Annoyed, he tore off the top half of his Robin suit and sat down to wait for Alfred. "He was right, of course, again," he muttered.

The Bat-signal was on again; Conall stood at the window in his dark apartment, waiting for Batman to arrive. Would it actually be the "Dynamic Duo" this time? He had his answer as Commissioner Gordon turned to talk to a figure that had just emerged from the shadows on the roof – a single figure. Angrily turning away from the window, Conall picked up a vase of flowers he kept on the sill and threw it across the room, watching as it shattered and wishing it was Robin's body. The things he wanted to do to that kid….

Conall started pacing around his apartment, muttering to himself, unsure of what he was actually going to do when he finally had the boy. He paused by the window as an idea presented itself in his mind: "Physical and emotional trauma! But…how do I play with his emotions? What makes him tick?" Now he was glad Robin hadn't come tonight; he was going to have to go back to the drawing board to work out a new plan.

He watched as Batman disappeared back into the shadows and the Bat-signal was turned off. Batman…Gotham City…protecting people…hero… He smiled as sat down at his table and started typing on his recently purchased computer. His first search: the laws of Gotham City. He scanned through them, found the one he wanted and began memorizing it line by line. If this was going to work, he had to know what he was talking about.

Come on, Alfred, hurry up! Alfred had gone to pick up Aunt Harriet, who had been invited to a social dinner. The event was, of course, being held all the way on the other side of the city. Robin knew that Batman would just leave him here if he wasn't ready. He searched the Batcave with his eyes; maybe there was something he could use, just for tonight. Maybe Batman would let him go bare-chested, just for tonight. Like that's ever going to happen. He dropped his head in defeat as he heard the Batmobile approaching. He might as well go change; he wouldn't be able to go out…again. It was his own fault, though, so he had to accept the consequences. He sighed loudly as Batman opened the driver's side door and stepped out of the car.

"Alfred's not back yet, is he? Well, I told…"

"I KNOW!" Robin shouted. Immediately calming down he said, "Sorry, I just really wanted to go out tonight. It's been two months since the circus and six loooong weeks since the incident with Joker! I've been looking forward to this all week but now," he gestured toward his torn uniform, "well, you know." He sighed again.

"Get some sleep and ask Alfred to help you as soon as you see him," Batman replied. "I'll talk to you tomorrow." He turned and strode back to the Batmobile. Just before climbing in he turned to Robin and stated, "You aren't missing much; it's just a small-time mob ring." Then he was gone.