Set after Dick and Damian know that Bruce is alive, and lost in time. But he hasn't returned yet.

"Honestly, Grayson. Can't you do anything right?"

"I'd like to see you try it, Mr. No-one-can-do-anything-right-but-me."

"…"

"Exactly."

Batman and Robin stood atop the gargoyles of Wayne Tower, looking down on the city. Batman had just let a thief get away without his stolen goods.

"Why did you let that vermin get away anyway?"

"He's not vermin Damian, he's a human being just like you – "

"He is nothing like me."

"You'd be surprised, Damian, to see how similar people actually are."

"You're not going to sing out some sermon on that six degrees of separation garbage, are you?"

"Uh, no. But you know what? Why don't you head back to the Bunker, I'm getting a real headache."

"Really, Grayson, you are a weakling."

But Batman was already gone. Damian was standing alone. Hm. That, did not go well. Then, back to the bunker? Heh.

He looked around, and saw a light in the Clocktower. Maybe its time I pay a visit to that Gordon female.

A few minutes later, he was standing inside the building. The lights and computers were on, but the place was deserted. This is the woman that my father and Grayson put so much trust in? I just waltz in and not a single alarm tripped?

"You know, the only reason you're standing there on two feet is because I disabled the alarms from the kitchen."

Damian turned to face the redhead in the wheelchair at the door. Somehow, Barbara reminded him of a nurse that was assigned to him as a child. Her voice… her hair… her eyes. He knew this was a terrible weakness, but it was the only love that he received as a child. Deep, deep down in his heart (that he claims doesn't exist) he cherished each and every one of his maids' care.

"How did you know I was coming?"

"I established a different type of sensor after, uh, Bruce…. Kind of… set off one of the floor traps when he came here," It had been quite funny to Barbara when she had found the Batman hanging upside down from her ceiling at one in the morning a few weeks before he…. disappeared. But the only reason he had fallen into the trap was because he was injured, and since he hadn't set off any others, he assumed there was nothing left. Of course, he wasn't the first one to get caught in it. Dick and Tim would always be found floating around in some trap here, both extremely disgruntled. But after Bruce, she set up a sensor that would alert her before setting off, " knew it was you."

"But Grayson once mentioned that you always let him and Drake get stuck in your traps set up for intruders. I was… prepared for the challenge."

Barbara laughed. "Maybe another time, little D. I've upped the precautions on Dick's advice." More like constant nagging, but whatever.

"Hm."

"Chocolate milk?"

"You get chocolate in the form of milk?"

"Uh, powder. Dissolved in milk."

"… I knew that."

"Of course," she said, smiling.

Damian brooded on the ledge behind Barbara while she worked at her computers. He heard her talking to Grayson after a while.

"You and Grayson are close…"

"Was that a question or a statement, little D?"

"I – When did you two meet? How did you come about being Batgirl?"

"It's a long story."

"And it's a long night."

Barbara smiled, facing her screens. A year ago that boy would have been holding a knife at my throat for that kind of reply. And now, he says it's a long night. Gosh, Dick. You really do bring out the best in people.

"Well, you know how Dick became Robin, right – "

"Actually… He has never chosen to share that story with me."

"Or, you never asked."

"Hm."

Barbara turned her wheelchair away from the computer, facing Damian, "Tell me, Damian. After one year of working with Dick Grayson, what do you know about him?"

"Well, he's pathetic. Too compassionate. Unable to carry out plans to their goal – which is a talent he shares with that Drake – and he talks too much!"

There was a short silence in the room.

"Do you really believe that?"

"… No. That was… my first opinion of him. He's got a temper. His compassion is a strength, not a weakness. Drake, is pathetic. But Grayson… is a good leader. He was a circus child? I heard Alfred talking about something like that to him."

Barbara smiled. "He was born in the circus, yes, to one of the most respected and widely known acrobats in the world… "

And so, Barbara told him the story of Richard Grayson. From the sketchy details she knew of his early days in the Manor, till present day. Damian listened quietly, asking an occasional question, but otherwise remaining silent, holding his forgotten cup of now cold chocolate milk.

"… And after what happened, he moved back to Gotham, and… you know the rest."

"Yes, I'm more or less a part of it."

"Mm."

"But you've described him as a very different person - "

- Babs. – Dick's voice blared from the computer. Damian and Barbara jumped at the sudden loud interruption. Damian dropped his cup, but managed to catch it just before it hit the floor. About half of the milk spilt onto the ground.

"-tt-," Damian grumbled.

Barbara eyed the mess, "I'd appreciate help with the clean-up."

Damian shot up haughtily, "You expect me to – of… of course," he mumbled as he glanced at the wheelchair. He ran out of the room.

Turning towards the intercom, "Hey, former boy wonder. What's up?"

-Is Damian there?- Dick was unable to hide the incredulity in his voice.

"What can I say? I guess habits of the mentors rub off on their students," Babs was unable to keep the smirk out of her voice.

-Bleh. Tell him to come back to the bunker, will you? It's almost 6 AM. –

"Aye Captain Batman. Expect a lot of questions from him. "

- What? Why? What did you tell him? –

"Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies."

-Baaabs- Dick whined through the comm, -That's not fair-

"Bye bye, boy whiner."

Definitely another chapter coming!