"It’s the top of the hour now and the temperature is 84 degrees. We have a minor traffic upset on the boulevard..." Dick clicked off the news update and tossed the clicker at the nearest wall. 84 degrees? He paced back and forth like a caged animal in front of his hotel window. Palm trees swayed and the sunshine glared down on the tons of motorist in the crowed strip below. How do I get myself into these things? He asked himself for the hundredth time that morning. Thinking back he realized it had been unavoidable but that did little to make him fell better.

The Titans had decided to have Christmas with the Titans L.A. team. Since the two groups very rarely got the chance to be together. He had missed his old friends that had split and come to L.A. and he had enjoyed meeting the new members as well. Gar Logan was the head of Titans L.A. and Dick got a kick out of seeing him with that kind of responsibility. The two groups fit together like they had never been apart and the get together seemed to be doing wonders for moral, for everyone except him. Dick was utterly miserable. Stepping out onto the balcony, the warm breeze swirled his midnight black hair as if playing with it. Dick absent-mindedly pushed a lock of curls out of his eyes. The strip below was crammed packed with Christmas shoppers rushing about their business. Christmas? At 84 degrees? Impossible! Hearing his friends come into the room he took a deep breath and held it.

"Hey guys, how did the Christmas shopping go?" Dick tried to sound enthusiastic, if for no other reason than to keep from hurting their feelings.

"Dick what are you doing? You still aren’t even dressed yet! We have lunch reservations in less than half an hour. Honestly Dick what’s wrong with you?" Donna Troy seemed more than a little annoyed. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she had been trying since early that morning to get Dick up and at ‘em. Now here it was early afternoon and he still showed no signs of joining in with the others.

"Oh let him go like that Donna. I bet we get the best table and the best service in the place." Argent teased Dick with a huge smile to Donna who returned it, knowing instantly what her younger teammate had meant. Dick stood there, his hair tousled, his shirt unbuttoned, and he had just a hint of whiskers that made him look impressively handsome. His unyielding jeans left little to the imagination and the Titan females stood assessing him admiringly.

"Oh cut that out!" Dick protested blushing like an awkward teenager instead of the confident adult he had become. Dick wasted no time buttoning his shirt and wrestling on his shoes. He would just have to tell them all at lunch.

"You gonna eat those fries man?" Wally West asked even as he was reaching into Dick’s plate and pulling out a hand full of fries. Thanks to Dick’s hem hauling they had missed their reservations and were now taking up several picnic tables outside the local hamburger joint. Jingle Bell Rock played over the outdoor speakers, making what Dick had to tell his friends that much harder.

"Guys, I’ve had a lot of fun the last couple of days..." There must have been something in his voice betraying him for all his teammates stopped and looked intently at him. He wished he didn’t feel so guilty.

"I’m glad we all got together." Dick waited for them to chime in their agreements and once they did he saw his chance and took it.

"I’m not going to be able to stay for Christmas though." The silence of his friends, who were normally all talking at once, spoke volumes. He saw the disappointment in their faces and felt a lump in his throat. It was impossible to be in two places at once. He was going to have to hurt someone, either the Titans or Batman. He didn’t feel great about either possibility.

"Going home to Daddy Bat?" Roy Harper denoted with a sarcastic tone.

"Something like that."

Dick didn’t know what to do. When he had agreed to go to L.A. for Christmas he had had every intention of staying throughout the holidays. As they grew closer however, he longed for the only home he had ever known. Longed for home and family. For Bruce. He knew they wouldn’t understand that’s why he had put off telling them. He had dreaded seeing their faces, looking hurt and almost betrayed. He put his burger down; suddenly he didn’t feel like eating.

"I’m going to leave as soon as we get back to the hotel, since tomorrow’s Christmas Eve I’m going to have a hard time getting a plane. I’ve been on the phone with them most of the morning trying to work something out."

"So. You never planned to stay huh?" Wally asked almost accusingly. He too had stopped eating. It seemed loss of appetite was going around.

"Oh come on, don’t be like that. You know I love you guys. It’s just..."

"It’s just you would rather be with him." Donna finished for Dick. Her words rang through the air, hanging there like an ominous cloud.

"I’m all he has."

"Really? What about Robin? And Batgirl? And that Oracle person? And that guy, what’s his name? Az something or another. Then there’s Alfred and that Dr. Lady. Of course if you are all he has, then you MUST go." Donna got up and tossed the rest of her lunch in the garbage. Walking without looking back to the car.

"Way to go WING NUT," Arsenal chided. The rest followed Donna without looking to Dick. Dick knew it was a good thing that they had turned away. That way they couldn’t see the tears that welled up in his saddened blue eyes. He sat there alone, thinking about what Donna had said. Was it true? Did Bruce really not need him to come home this year? Would Bruce care one way or another? Dick went to the car with his head hanging low as if he hadn’t a friend in the world. He wondered if that were the case as they all rode in silence back to the hotel.

"So what are you still doing here?" An annoyed Donna Troy asked. After the return to the hotel everyone had left Dick standing alone in the hall. He had gone back to his room, the silence almost deafening him. Several phone calls to the airport had revealed no possible planes out either commercial or private. Even adding Bruce Wayne’s name did nothing to change the fact. This town wasn’t impressed with the billionaire status of Dick’s foster father. L.A. was packed full of people trying to board planes. His name was merely added to the rest of poor souls hoping that someone cancelled at the last minute. Deep inside he knew that wasn’t going to happen.

Dick’s heart sunk as he dared a glance at Donna. He knew she was especially vulnerable around the holidays since she had lost her son. He wanted to be there for her but he needed to be there for the Batman too. Who was he kidding he mused. He needed to be there for himself. Batman might not even notice if the holiday went by without him but he would. Home and family meant the world to the young Titan leader. Taking a deep breath he took Donna’s hand and pulled her down onto the bed to sit beside him.

"D, listen to me please. I love you; I really hope you know that. I’m sorry if I’ve handled this badly. It’s just.."

"It’s just you’re homesick." Donna gave Dick's hand a gentle squeeze. She never had been able to stay angry with him for very long.

"I guess being homesick is kind of dumb at my age huh?" Dick absentmindedly bite his lower lip. Donna smiled as she saw the same look on Dick’s face that he had when he was a kid and it was time for the holidays. How, she wondered had she ever allowed herself to believe that Dick would be anywhere else but Gotham for Christmas?

"Have a good trip Alfred." Bruce’s voice trailed off as he waved to the older man now boarding flight 1003 heading for London. Bruce had insisted that Alfred go home for the holidays. He had told his surrogate father that he would join him later. They both knew however that he wouldn’t. Bruce had been in a foul mood every since Dick had informed Alfred that he would be spending the Christmas holidays and maybe on through the New Year in Los Angeles with the Titans. Dick hadn’t even bothered to tell him personally and had left without so much as a good bye. ‘So much for Christmas cheer’ Bruce sulked.

"Okay Dude. You’re all packed." Wally West tried to sound more upbeat than he felt. He hadn’t been surprised by Dick’s change of heart but he couldn’t deny the fact that he was going to miss his best friend. Wally hadn’t been able to spend much time with Dick since Wally’s marriage to Linda. That compounded with the fact that Wally had found it necessary to quit the Titans team, lead to the fact that he had no quality time with his bud in several months now.

"Thanks Wally but I guess I’ll just have to unpack it. There are NO flights out of here if you don’t already have reservations. Which of course I don’t, I’m such an idiot."

Wally watched as Dick threw and busted yet another television clicker.

"Man you’re hell on those things." Came the light, teasing voice of Roy Harper as he walked in unannounced as usual.

"No flights out." Wally offered as an explanation.

"Guess we’ll drive it then." Roy’s nonchalant attitude gained him a look of appreciation from one of his oldest and best friends. Dick was constantly amazed at the way his friends were always there for him.

"Thought of that Roy but I’d never make it on time. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve."

"Well we better get moving then. We’ll head out towards Gotham, calling every airport along the way. Surely SOMEBODY will have a flight. Or if you want, The Flash here can carry you."

"I thought of that but Wally really doesn’t need to be on that foot more than absolutely necessary. I still can’t believe he can take on the lowest of low criminals and escape unharmed only to sprang his ankle falling down a flight of steps!"

Dick and Roy laughed as they teased, watching with satisfaction, as The Flash turned red with embarrassment.

"That’s what you get for showing off for Linda." Roy chided.

"I was not! I was.."

"You were what Wally?" Dick grinned.

"Oh like you guys never showed off for a girl!" Wally huffed.

"Sure we have but we’ve never almost broken our foot off in the process. Tell us Wallace, just how did you manage to do that?"

Wally picked up the phone book and threw it at Dick earning him a genuine laugh from his best friend. He smiled at that and decided Roy was right. They had to get moving. The only way Dick was going to enjoy Christmas was if he were home.

"Get your stuff Bat Brat, because you're Gotham City bound!"

"That’s alright Tim, I understand. Of course, we’ll celebrate when you get back from Europe. Don’t worry you’re presents will still be here." Bruce tried to sound indifferent to his young partner but he had the feeling that he wasn’t succeeding.

"I’ll be fine Tim. Really. I’ve got a load of work to catch up on anyway. Call me when you get back."

Bruce hung up the phone and went straight for the solitude of the cave. He refused to let Bruce Wayne feel sorry for himself. The Batman had too much to do. Criminals didn’t take holidays off and neither did the Batman. Still he couldn’t help but glance at a picture Alfred had taken a few years ago of Dick, Tim and Barbara in front of the Christmas tree. With a resounding sigh, Bruce moved the hands on the old grandfather clock that lead to the secret entrance of the Batcave.

"You guys are the greatest!" Dick beamed at his friends as they gathered around the rental car to wish him well. He could tell they were no longer angry with him. That meant the world as far as he was concerned. Hugging each one, he refused Wally and Roy’s offer to drive him towards Gotham. He would not be a party to them missing out on any part of Christmas on his behalf. Wally had a new bride to think of and Roy had a little daughter who needed her daddy. They had all gotten together whispering in a corner, left and then reappeared with a rental car. How they had gotten it on such short notice he had no clue. He was just glad they had.

"Call when you get there Dick." Donna chimed.

"Dick hon, what’s wrong?" Donna’s big blue eyes searched his face.

"Nothing D. I’m just really going to miss you guys."

"Aww cut out the mushy stuff. Times a wasting. If you’re gonna catch up with D.B. you had better be hitting the happy trails." Roy threw Dick’s bags in the trunk along with the various Christmas presents he had bought for his family. Dick had managed to finish all of his shopping for everyone except Bruce. He was always impossible to buy for.

Dick grinned at the use of Bruce’s nickname. The Titans had long ago taken to calling Batman D.B. as a reference to The Batman and Nightwing. D.B. of course stood for Daddy Bat.

"I like mushy stuff." Dick teased as he playful ruffled Roy’s hair.

"Uncle Dick, I’m going to have my picture made with Santa!"

Dick grinned as he looked down on the angelic face of young Lian Harper, Roy’s daughter. It had always thrilled him that Roy had taught her to call him Uncle.

"That’s great baby! You be sure to save one for your Uncle Dick okay?" Dick ruffled the little girl’s hair just as he had her father’s moments before.

"Have you ever had your picture made with Santa?"

"No honey, I don’t think I have."

"It’s going to be daddy’s Christmas present. He says a picture of me is the best present in the whole world!"

"I think he’s right about that sweetie."

"Maybe you could get one of you and Santa for your daddy." The genuine grin that crossed Dick’s face pleased Roy. He loved seeing the interaction between his daughter and her ‘Uncle’. Roy had no doubt that Dick would make an excellent father someday.

"I might just do that Lian. If you think he would like it."

"Uh huh, my daddy says that all daddy’s have to have a picture of their Crum snatcher with Santa Clause." Dick laughed at her matter of fact mannerisms. Lian was only preschool age and already had the world by the tail.

"Speaking of presents, I left your present in your room baby. You can’t open it till Christmas day though okay?"

Lian jumped up into his arms and he easily caught her.

"How long is that Uncle Dick?"

"Less than two days away sweetheart."

"Oracle come in." Batman’s grim voice sounded even worse than usual.

"Oracle here Batman. What can I do for you?" Batman noted that she sounded tired. It didn’t surprise him. She probably had been losing sleep. Christmas Eve was coming up fast. The Joker had killed her stepmother, Sarah, on Christmas Eve. She wouldn’t be getting any rest throughout the holidays. Of that he was sure.

"I just wanted to check in Barbara. How are you holding up?"

Barbara Gordon ran her fingers through her fiery hair, lying to him would be pointless he knew her to well.

"Dad has had a lot of sleepless nights lately. I’ve been trying to help him through it. He alternates between grieving for her and then remembering that the Joker crippled me and feeling the guilt of not being able to save either one of us. Sometimes I think he won’t be able to come back from all of this. I pray he will though. God, I pray he will."

Batman could hear the tears in her voice although he doubted they were running down her face. Barbara had been his former partner as Batgirl, before the Joker’s bullet ended her career. He had seen her go through so much. Barbara was a rarity. She was as tough as they come and also as gentle. How she could be both was no doubt one of many things that attracted his son to her with such complete loyalty.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"No but thank you. He, we, just have to get through this one day at a time."

"Would you and your father like to come out to the Manor for Christmas?"

"Thank you Bruce but I don’t think so this year. It’s just too soon, you know?"

"I understand. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do."

"Thanks." Came the soft muffled reply. Batman shot his grappling gun into the night. He had the sudden urge to find the criminal element of Gotham City fast and take out some frustration on them.

The rental car crept along the freeway and the traffic refused to dissipate despite the grumbling of one very homesick Gothamite. This wasn’t going to work he realized as he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. Reaching for his cell phone, Dick tried to reach the Gotham Airport. Once he was connected he asked again about the weather conditions. As it had been the last three times he had called, he was told the airport was still closed due to severe weather. That blew any chance of him getting the WayneTech jet to fly out and pick him up. With a heavy heart Dick dialed home dreading telling Bruce that he wasn’t going to make it. Although he couldn’t shake the thought that Bruce wouldn’t care one way or another.

"Hello."

The informality surprised Dick. Bruce never answered the phone.

"Hi Bruce."

After a long silence Bruce finally forced out a reply.

"How’s L.A.?"

"I’m not going to make it home for Christmas." Dick said in a rush. Not realizing that it had sounded like he didn’t want to.

"Yes Alfred informed me. Dick I’ve got to go I have a call on the other line." A moment later an annoying dial tone filtered through Dick’s ear.

"Gee I miss you to Bruce." Dick threw the phone out the window, refusing to admit to himself just how much that call had stung.

Bruce Wayne picked up the cream colored Victorian phone and unceremoniously flung it across the room. Without Alfred being there to scold him, Bruce was free to let his temper reign. He looked again at the unwrapped presents and stocking stuffers for Dick that lay on his desk. Without warning he tossed the heavy oak desk as if it were made of plastic. The green lamp shattered and the noise brought him momentary satisfaction. The satisfaction turned to dread when he realized he would have to explain the destruction to Alfred upon his return or, better yet, find a lamp that looked just like it very quickly.

"Well I can’t blame the kid for wanting to be with his friends. I probably would want to too, if I had any that is." Bruce mumbled as he retrieved his car keys from underneath the upside down desk. The thought of a long drive promised to calm his holiday nerves.

The long drive did little to alleviated Dick’s uneasiness. Replaying the phone call over and over in his mind, he began to realize how it must have sounded on Bruce’s end. Not to even factor in the fact that he had never told Bruce personally that he wouldn’t be home this year. ‘No wonder Bruce is ticked’ Dick mused.

Driving along I-80 Dick stopped at a quick get it and go mart. He needed to stretch his legs, get a drink and fill up on some gas. More importantly he needed to retry that call to Bruce. Maybe if he explained to Bruce he could get his surrogate father to meet him somewhere at the half waypoint. He was sure if they could connect they could think of something. The Utah air was crisp and cold. The wind bit his face as he pumped the gas and tried to rehearse what he was going to say. Thankful to reach the comfort of the heated convenience store, he began instantly looking for a phone, not noticing the two men that had made their way up to the cash register.

The phone rang repeatedly until the answering machine finally picked up. Dick almost hung up but decided talking to the machine might be easier.

"Bruce, I was trying to tell you before that I’m on my way home. I couldn’t get a flight so I’m driving it. I’m in Utah right now. I’ll call you at the next stop."

Dick grabbed a cola and a bag of chips and headed for the counter. His years of training warned him of danger way before he actually registered it. Something about the clerks face told him there was trouble. Using the store’s mirror he caught sight of the two men, one on each side of him, coming up behind him in an effort to surprise him. Dick threw the cola at one as the chips bounced off the nose of the other. As shots rang out Dick screamed at the clerk to take cover. Grabbing a cigarette display, Dick steadied himself as he threw both feet into the air at the same time. Both robbers were caught off guard but the flying kick only hit the one wearing the cola. Meanwhile the chips bandit was assaulting Dick with flying ice cream bars.

"You’ve got to be kidding me." Dick quipped as he caught an ice cream sandwich in mid air. Transferring it quickly to his left hand, he crumpled it up and shoved it in the face of the cola bandit.

"Let me guess you guys have never done this before right?" The face of the ice-creamed crook was smashed into the counter top as Dick playfully jabbed at the other man. He was actually enjoying the fight. A much needed release for his frustrations. With his buddy out cold, the other man ran out of the store. Dick started after him only to have his leg grabbed. While fending him off, Dick could only watch as his car drove away with the robber seated comfortably behind the wheel.

"Not.." Dick kicked the remaining criminal.
"my" Dick punched him hard in the nose.
"car!" Dick lifted him up and hung him by his collar on a nail beside the lighted beer display.

"Leslie."

Dr. Leslie Thompkins turned to see the sad face of the man she considered her son.

"Bruce! How are you dear?"

"All’s well. Thought I would take you out to dinner if you have time."

"Oh I wish I could Bruce. It being the holidays I’m very short handed here at the clinic. Cassandra has volunteered to help me. She’s a wonderful girl." Leslie smiled at Cassie, the newest Batgirl. The teenager girl had taken to Leslie and was often found right by her side.

"I guess that means you won’t be coming out to the Manor for Christmas then?"

"I’m afraid not dear. The flu epidemic has me swamped. I am covered for New Years though. You can take me out and we can paint the town red." She smiled at him, having no idea how much her dismissal of Christmas had hurt him.

"Alright then, New Year’s it is. Buy a special dress." Bruce put on his best faux smile and left quickly before she could see through it.

"I can’t believe you don’t have any rental cars available. Could you check again? I’ll pay premium price. I have to get to Gotham! You MUST have something!" Dick’s temper was frayed. His raised voice brought a lifted eyebrow from the police officer in charge of the robbery scene at the store.

"Officer Grayson maybe I can help."

Dick hung up the phone and listened eagerly to the Sergeant, grinning as he told him his plan.

"I’m sorry Mr. Wayne. We don’t have any more of the green desk lamps available. Maybe after the first of the new year."

Bruce turned away with a muffled growl. A gold necklace gleamed and caught his eye, the words, #1 son, written in diamond cut. Despite his anger at Dick he found himself buying it.

"Would you like this gift wrapped Mr. Wayne?"

"Yes. Do you have any paper with snowmen on it? He loves snow."

The clerk smiled as she wrapped.

"He must be very special to you Mr. Wayne." She commented.

"The most special thing in my life." Bruce whispered.

Dick was driven via police car to the local airport. There the good hearted Sergeant had arranged for the police helicopter to fly him as far as Nebraska.

After Dick landed he was driven to the nearby mall, which contained a rental agency.

"Sorry. We don’t have anything due back until after Christmas."

Dick wasn’t in the mood to argue anymore. He had reached the ‘what more can go wrong’ stage.

Walking the mall he searched for something, anything that he thought Bruce would like. After forty-five minutes, just as the mall was about to close, he settled on something.

"Can you squeeze one more in please?" Dick gave the lady behind the counter the most pitiful look he could muster.

"I guess one more wouldn’t hurt." She smiled.

"Where is your child?"

"My WHAT?"

"Your child. Don’t you want a picture of your child with Santa?"

Dick blushed as he realized her confusion.

"Uh..no. Actually, I want my picture with Santa."

The woman looked at him strangely. He could feel her eyes checking him out to see if he posed some kind of threat.

"Well, that’s different." She mumbled.

"It’s ah..for my dad."

"Sure. Of course it is."

She was still looking at him as if he had two heads. He sighed and wondered how he had let Lian talk him into this.

"For just $14.95 more you can have this beautiful metal frame. It is available for personalization at no extra cost."

"Okay. I want it personalized. Can you put To The World’s greatest Dad on it?"

"I think I can manage that. Climb on Santa’s lap and please don’t put all your weight on him. We can’t have Santa with a broken leg for Christmas now can we?" Her sarcastic tone was grating on his nerves but Dick complied, eager to get it over with.

Leaving the mall Dick marveled at how his luck had changed for the better. He had seen a Semi truck in the parking lot and had arranged for a ride for as far as Illinois. He fell asleep shortly after. He was deep into dreamland when a pillow was put over his face. The lack of air panicked him and he awoke with a start. Grabbing the hands of his attacker, Dick wrestled with him until they both fell from the truck onto the pavement. Trying to get his attacker off him, he failed to see the second man coming at him with a gun.

"Benny, get off him, I’ve got it."

The man on top of Dick released him and before Dick could move a shot rang out and his world went dark.

Bruce returned home to an empty house. He checked his messages first. Hoping but not expecting Dick to call back. He smiled when he heard Dick’s voice on the machine.

"Bruce, I was trying to tell you before that I’m on my way home. I couldn’t get a flight so I’m driving it. I’m in Utah right now. I’ll call you at the next stop."

Bruce arranged to have his calls forwarded to his cell phone. At the rate Dick was going he wasn’t going to make it home in time. Bruce grabbed Dick’s necklace and his stocking, which was full of circus peanuts and circus animal crackers. The rest of the presents were unwrapped and could wait until they celebrated with Alfred and Tim. If he pushed it he might be able to meet up with Dick. True they wouldn’t be at Wayne Manor for Christmas, but home is where the heart is, and Bruce’s heart was with Dick.

A sharp pain throbbed in Dick’s chest. He regained consciousness to find that he had been abandoned and left for dead on the roadside of I-80 somewhere between Iowa and Illinois. They had taken his coat, gloves, tennis shoes and wallet. Dick rubbed his chest pocket marveling at how close he had come to death. Pulling out his picture of Santa he could clearly see where the metal frame had stopped the bullet. His chest ached and he thought he might have a couple of cracked ribs. He put the picture back in his shirt pocket and pulled himself up. It was too cold to be standing still so he started the long walk toward Gotham. A gas station sign beamed in the distance and Dick made himself walk toward that sign. He couldn’t give up now, no matter how bad he felt.

"Excuse me, can I use your phone?" Dick’s hands where each under his arm pits in an effort to keep them warm. He could no longer feel his feet and his face was numb causing his words to slur.

"Payphones over there." Came the short huffed reply.

After the phone rang three times Dick heard it being transferred over to call forwarding.

"Hello."

"Bru..Bruce."

"Dick?"

"Please, don’t hang up on me. I know I screwed up. I’m sorry."

"Dick what’s wrong? I can barely understand you."

"I’ve uh.. had a little trouble along the way but I will be home Bruce, I promise."

Bruce could hear Dick gasping for breath. He was becoming more alarmed by the minute.

"What kind of trouble? Are you hurt? Where are you?"

When Bruce was greeted with silence he punched the gas in the car. Dick was hurt. He could hear it in his voice.

"SON! Where are you?"

"I’m not su..sure. I’m on I-80 somewhere between Iowa and Illinois. I’m at a convenience store."

"Okay can you make it to Illinois? I’m almost to Ohio. I can catch a flight there and meet you in Illinois."

"I’ll make it Bruce. Where do we meet? At O’Hare Airport?"

"Yes, at the gift shop. If I’m not there just wait for me. I’ll call you when I get there."

"You can’t. I don’t have my phone. I’ll find a way to call you."

"Okay, I’ll see you soon. Be careful son."

Dick hung up the phone and smiled. Maybe this was going to work out after all. Dick asked the cashier if he could give him a lift to Chicago when his shift was over. The man outright refused and plainly told Dick to leave. So it was back out into the cold. He crossed the medium over into the east going lanes and stuck out his thumb. It would be early light before someone stopped and by then Dick was in severe trouble from the cold.

"Please.. I have to make it to Chicago, to O’Hare Airport. I can pay you when we get there. Please." Dick’s frozen features and his sincere pleading blue eyes reached the elderly woman and she seemed to be able to tell that he was no threat to her.

"Climb in young man and get warm. I’ll have you to Chicago in no time."

Bruce paced back and forth in front of the gift shop at the airport. He had been there an hour and still no signs of his son. He paid no attention to the elderly woman that had come along side of him, watching him carefully.

"Are you the young man’s father?"

"Excuse me?"

"The handsome young man with black hair and blue eyes. Are you his father?"

Bruce felt a lump in his throat. Why wasn’t Dick here himself?

"Yes I am. Do you know where he is?"

"He’s in my car. He passed out I’m afraid. I picked him up hitchhiking along the interstate. No shoes, coat, gloves or anything. The poor child was near death when I got to him. He asked me to take him here. Said he had to met his dad and then he passed out."

Bruce took her keys as she explained what her car looked like and where it was parked. Bruce ran as fast as his athletic legs would carry him. He bumped into several people but never slowed down. He had to get to his son. He couldn’t believe that this time yesterday he had been furious with the boy. Now his anger was gone, replaced with fear.

"Dick!" Bruce gently shook him.

"Dick wake up!"

Dick groaned and tried sleepily to push Bruce away.

"Five more minutes Alfred. Please." He begged.

Bruce’s relived smile spread across his face.

"Come on kid, wake up and let me see how you are. You scared the dickens out of me!"

Dick suddenly became aware that it was Bruce’s voice he was hearing and that he wasn’t in a dream. He said nothing but instantly put his arms around Bruce’s neck and squeezed.

Bruce held him there affectionately; running his fingers through the boys messed up raven locks of hair.

"I..I got you a present."

"Ssh." Bruce whispered. "You’re the only present I need."

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