A/N: This is an alternate version of the original "Silent Retribution". Chapters 1 and 2 are basically the same as the first half of the original. Conall O'Reilly is - obviously - Irish, although I don't "write" him that way. There are reminder words sprinkled throughout the story. Also, I have nothing against "the media". It's just a cliche that fit the story. ;)

As usual, Batman and Robin are loosely 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. 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 Police Headquarters, affording him an impeccable view of the roof where the Bat-signal was located. Every time he saw that bright beam in the night 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 wasn't 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 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, his tone also outlined with frustration.

Batman sighed as he stated, "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 nearly rolled his eyes at the look of chagrin on his partner's face.

"Now you have to wait here for Alfred," the man remarked. "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.

"I should have tried it on yesterday," 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….

The images of a small, mangled body presented themselves in his head, but Conall knew he could never go that far. Beat the kid up a little, probably, but he would most likely stop at the first major injury – a broken bone, a very bloody wound, knocking the boy unconscious. He sometimes wished he was past feeling, that torturing a kid nearly to death wouldn't bother him. But it did, so he wouldn't. Couldn't.

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 materialized 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. Well, not completely new. He just needed to add some things.

He watched as Batman disappeared back into the shadows and the Bat-signal was turned off. Another idea jumped into his head.

Batman…Gotham City…protecting people…hero….

Conall 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," the Caped Crusader commented. "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 as he sighed again.

"Get some sleep," Batman replied. "Alfred can help you tomorrow."

He turned and strode back to the Batmobile. Just before climbing in he turned to Robin and stated, "You're not missing much; it's just a small-time mob ring."

Then he was gone.

The next afternoon:

Conall looked down at the envelope in his hand. It was addressed to Mindy Landis at "The Catch" – a tabloid magazine that he had been reading recently. Mindy's articles always contained scathing reviews of the actions of different famous people: the wealthy elite, politicians, celebrities and, Conall hoped, the Caped Crusaders – more specifically Robin. He had never seen one about the heroes but there was always a first time for everything. Maybe she would do something with the "information" he was about to give her. It wasn't much but hopefully it was enough to initiate an investigation. He opened the envelope and took out the letter to double-check everything one last time:

Dear Ms. Landis,

I am an avid reader of your articles. You impress me with your knowledge of people and the things they are capable of. I have some interesting news for you about someone famous. His name is Robin and he is Batman's sidekick. I haven't seen any articles about them from you, but I've only been here a few months. Here's what I know: Robin killed Faolan O'Reilly to keep him quiet; the man knew too much. This young "hero" has a dark secret. I don't know all the details yet but I am working diligently to figure it out. Robin must also have something on Bruce Wayne and is blackmailing him to stick to his "I was kidnapped" story. O'Reilly is being portrayed as the villain – "The Darkling" – while the real villain is still alive and continuing in his evil ways. I am asking for your help; you have the resources to dig into Robin's background. What is he hiding? Maybe you can write something that will encourage the people of this city to demand that Robin give them the details surrounding these circumstances…? The citizens of Gotham deserve to know the truth about this young man they call a "hero". Thank you. - A seeker of truth

The next morning:

Alfred looked concerned when he brought in the morning paper. "Master Bruce, I think we should keep this away from Master Dick for the time being."

"What's wrong, Alfred?" Bruce saw the worried look on his butler's face and frowned.

"You know the tabloid magazine that is always included in the Sunday paper?" Alfred inquired. "Look at the front cover and then flip to page three."

Bruce retrieved the magazine, entitled "The Catch", from the middle of the paper and was shocked at what he saw: a picture of a coffin, with the name 'The Darkling' clearly printed on the side. Right beside it was a smiling Robin, arms folded across his chest and pride on his face. As Alfred had suggested, Bruce flipped to page three and was shocked again:

A Bird in the Hand

By: Mindy Landis

Robin, the young hero of Gotham City, has not been seen in two months. Commissioner Gordon refuses to comment and Batman ignores any questions about his sidekick. Are they trying to protect Robin because he is injured or is he ashamed to show his face? Does Batman's partner have a dark secret? Is 'The Darkling' – Faolan O'Reilly – actually the victim, not the villain? What really happened the night he died? What is the so-called "Boy Wonder" trying to hide and why? Bruce Wayne is tight-lipped about his alleged "kidnapping" and we are unable to hear Mr. O'Reilly's side of the story. Will Robin ever decide to tell us his version of the events or does he think his cover-up lies will be too unbelievable for the people of our fair city to accept? My source needs your help, citizens of Gotham. Demand justice for The Darkling and help us discover the truth about the incident that severely injured Robin and killed Mr. O'Reilly. Our motto is "We find the truth" and, this time, we need your help! Contact Mindy Landis with any information you have. Until next time readers….

Bruce threw the magazine on the floor, furious at the author, the magazine and whoever her "source" was. Who would accuse Robin of something like that? Robin was his partner and everyone in Gotham held them both in high regard.

"I am not being 'tight-lipped' about the incident," he growled, "I'm just tired of answering the same questions over and over! I have answered every single question ANY reporter has EVER asked me about that day and night!" Bruce was shouting by the time he finished his sentence.

"Master Bruce, please, keep your voice…" Alfred began but he was too late.

"Bruce, what's wrong?!"

Dick ran down the stairs and burst into the dining room. He stopped short when he saw the look on Bruce's face.

"Is everything okay?" he asked as he bent down to pick up a magazine that was on the floor.

"Dick, don't, let me…"

Bruce attempted to distract him but Dick had already seen the beginning of the article. His face became pale as he read it and his entire body was trembling by the time he was done.

"What, I mean, why?" he whispered in disbelief. "I…I…Bruce what do we do?"

The teen's voice was shaking as he stumbled over to the nearest chair and dropped onto it, still staring at the article in his hands.

Bruce's fury grew as he saw the look of devastation on his ward's face. "We will go down and talk to her, as Batman and Robin. We will demand a retraction. We will…"

"No, we can't," Dick interrupted loudly. "Batman wasn't there; she won't believe anything you say. I have to do it." His voice returned to a whisper as he asked, "What do I say? It was an accident but I did kind of aim for him at the end. I shouldn't have done that, I should have just, I don't know, tried to save myself without landing on him, I guess?"

"Dick, you would be dead right now if you had done anything different," Bruce growled as he glared at the table, trying to remain calm for the sake of his partner.

"Yes, but The Darkling would be alive and in the State Pen and you wouldn't have to deal with this," Dick stated sadly.

"I would much rather deal with this than have to deal with your death!" Bruce yelled in frustration.

Dick stood up, a look of determination carved onto his face. "I'll go and tell her what really happened; the whole story. I can, um, Bruce, where are you going?"

Bruce was already up and walking toward his study. "I'm going with you Dick; you aren't going to do this alone. She'll tear you apart."

"Batman wasn't there!" Dick exclaimed.

Bruce stopped and pivoted to face Dick. "Then I'll go as Bruce Wayne, who was there."

A seventh-floor apartment by Police Headquarters:

Conall O'Reilly smiled when he read Mindy's article. Everything was going perfectly; Mindy had kick-started his plan to traumatize the "Boy Wonder" by asking the entire population to fight against him. Robin, after reading the article, would begin to panic. People who panic make mistakes, especially foolish sidekicks who know nothing about the real world.

He'll go talk to her; I know he will. Nobody would let this kind of accusation go without disputing it. And, this time, Batman won't be able to help.

Conall walked over to his kitchen counter, picked up the phone and called Mindy.

"Mindy Landis, The Catch," she answered professionally.

"Hi, I'm the source that sent you the letter about Robin. I want to see how he reacts to this situation, in person. Can you set up a meetin' with him and let me know the time and place? I want to meet him; I want to see his face when he tries to lie about the incident."

"Well, first tell me your name. I think you and I should meet before I set up a meeting with Robin. I want to squeeze the truth out of him and, in order to do that, I need to know everything you know. We need to talk," Mindy replied, surprised that her source was calling so soon after publication.

"I donna' want to talk to you, I want to talk to him!" the man exclaimed, his tone angry and impatient.

"And I don't want to be surprised by anything he might say to cover up what happened!" she retorted. "I will not let you come to any meeting with Robin unless I have received all the information you have about that night!"

"Fine," he ground out, frustrated that she was going to get in the way of his revenge. "I'll meet you at the Italian restaurant by Police Headquarters. Five thirty?"

"I'll be there," Mindy replied, surprised again.

Most contacts don't agree to meet right away. This should be interesting.

"I'll summon him, sir," Alfred spoke into the Batphone. He put the receiver down and went back to the kitchen. "It's the Batphone, Master Bruce."

"Thank you, Alfred," Bruce motioned for Dick to follow as he walked into the study. "Yes, Commissioner."

"Batman," the commissioner's voice was concerned, "have you by any chance seen the paper this morning?"

"Yes, Commissioner and that article is a disgrace! Both you and Bruce Wayne have been answering questions about that incident for two months!" Bruce struggled to control the anger building inside him.

"That's true Batman but…do you think Robin could come out and answer some questions? We could hold a press conference and clear everything up. The article by Miss Landis would surely be discredited after Robin tells his side of the story."

Bruce paused; did he really want Robin to have to go through that? "Maybe a written statement would be better, Commissioner. He is only a teenager, after all. I really don't want to throw him to the wolves that are the Gotham City media."

Beside him, Dick shook his head and mouthed, "I can do it!" Bruce frowned in disagreement and Dick let it go.

"Well, okay, Batman, I understand. Do you think he can come to Headquarters tomorrow morning to do that?"

"Yes, he'll be there. Thank you, Commissioner," Bruce replied as he hung up the Batphone.

"So, do I tell them that I aimed for him?" Dick looked sick as he contemplated the consequences of that action.

"Dick, you stick to the basics. You went to the circus grounds, I was hanging on a trapeze, you were able to get me back to the platform before the chains broke but then you fell. The Darkling was standing there not moving, you said he was looking at you in shock, and you landed on him. Lucky for you, unlucky for him. You would have liked to have seen him locked up instead. That's it; end of statement."

"But, what if they want details? I can't tell them anything without revealing my identity!" Dick exclaimed. "They'll ask for more information; I know they will!"

Bruce turned so he was directly facing Dick. Putting his hands on the distraught boy's shoulders he stated, "I will be there with you. I will take care of it. Trust me?"

Dick sighed, "Of course I trust you; I'm worried, though. What if people hate me now?"

"People know you, Robin, and nobody is going to start hating you. We will find this writer's 'source' and get to the bottom of it. Understand?"

Dick sighed again, "Yeah, thanks." He turned away and walked out of the study and up the stairs, his head hanging down. "I'll be down for lunch," he mumbled as he walked into his room and closed the door.

Alfred looked up from dusting the fireplace as Bruce walked into the living room. "Is Master Dick okay, Master Bruce?"

Bruce shook his head, "He's not going to be okay until this is all cleared up." He massaged his temples with his fingers and sat down on the couch. "Why would she attack a young man? He's not even sixteen yet! She's been after Bruce Wayne before and she's relentless. Dick won't have a moment of peace until this is over."

"I'm sorry, Master Bruce. On the bright side, you and I are the only ones that know who Master Robin is so she can't go poking into his background. There's nothing to find."

"That's true, Alfred. I'm going to go down to the Batcave and try to find some connection between The Darkling and Mindy Landis. But why would she wait two months…?" His thought trailed off as he stood up and walked back to the study. "I'll be up for lunch, Alfred," he called as he closed the door.

Five thirty-seven that night:

Mindy sat down on a bench in the lobby of the restaurant, shaking her head as she glanced down at her watch. Traffic had been horrible and she was late. Hopefully her source wasn't too concerned with punctuality because she needed this information; she had always wanted to go after Batman or Robin. Together they were too formidable to take on but she was lucky; the younger, more vulnerable half of the partnership had made the mistake without his partner even there. If Batman showed up when she called Robin out, she could discredit anything he had to say.

Conall sat down next to Mindy and whispered, "Should we go eat or talk right here?"

Mindy was startled and turned to face the strange man next to her. "Excuse me? Who are you?"

The man looked at the ground. "I am a seeker of truth and I want justice for Faolan O'Reilly. I want to meet Robin."

Mindy leaned over and murmured, "Tell me everything you know and I'll set up a meeting."

Conall sighed. This is going to be harder than I thought.

"Why would a man like Faolan O'Reilly kidnap Bruce Wayne? He had no motive; Wayne has never said anything about being kidnapped for money. He had no resources – I know for a fact that he had been in Gotham City for less than two weeks."

Mindy laughed, "You are new, aren't you? Bruce Wayne has always stated that The Darkling wanted to get rid of Batman. That was his motive: The Darkling wanted a straight up exchange – Bruce for Batman. Commissioner Gordon has spoken about this, also. Apparently, Batman was out of the country and Robin somehow got The…"

"Stop callin' him that!" the man yelled in frustration.

"Okay," Mindy continued calmly, "Robin somehow got O'Reilly to agree to free Bruce in a straight up exchange for himself."

"No, that can't be true. Why would Faolan want to get rid of Batman?"

"Well, I can't answer that," Mindy stated. "This is why I need all the information you can give me. I have wanted to go after Batman or Robin for so long. Robin will be easy to break; he's just a kid!"

Conall's expression darkened. "You're right: he will be easy to break, he is just a kid, take him down!" he semi-shouted the last three words.

"Keep your voice down! If that's all you can give me, well…it's not enough to include you in any future meetings I have with anyone involved. Actually, I've given you information since you obviously didn't know the complete story. We can talk again when you have real material for me, if that ever happens," Mindy shook her head as she stood up to leave.

"Wait, I know that it happened at the old circus grounds!" Conall was suddenly worried that his chance to catch Robin would be gone.

"Yes, I know that, too. In fact, anyone who reads the newspapers or watches the news knows that. Wow, you are some piece of work. I wrote my article based on your letter and the evidence you said you had of Robin's 'dark secret'. You don't really have any, do you?" Mindy sighed as she sat down again. "What do you want; why did you contact me if you don't know anything new?"

"I…I just…well, I knew Mr. O'Reilly back in Ireland. He was the kindest man I have ever met. He would stop and play with the little kids on his way home from work; he was always willin' to help paint a house, or clean a yard, or whatever other type of service there was to be done around his neighborhood. I just canna' believe that he would do anythin' like this; not the Faolan O'Reilly I knew. Robin must have done somethin'!"

The man was troubled and Mindy felt bad for him.

"Listen," she said, "I've organized a demonstration for tomorrow morning, in front of Police Headquarters. I haven't talked to Batman, Robin or Commissioner Gordon since my article was printed so I can't say that any of those three will show up. However, you might be interested in it." She stood up and walked away.