In a cemetery in Gotham City, Dick Grayson visits his parents burial site.......

Sometimes I wonder dad, just what you would think of all this. If only you could see me now. I spend my days studying hard, and my nights....... well let's just say I think I managed to find the one thing in this world that would give you a massive coronary worrying about me. Not to mention mom. I know I was always an independent kid. You can't possibly grow up in a circus and not learn how to take care of yourself. Danger has always been an old companion of mine, I felt it surround me like a cloak as I did triple somersaults in front of a cheering circus crowd.

But this.......

This is a whole new level of danger.

It'll be dark in a few hours dad, and I'll be putting on the uniform. The yellow cape and the black mask. The "R" symbol proudly displayed over my heart. I'm not just Dick Grayson anymore dad. I'm Robin.... The Boy Wonder. I'm Batman's junior partner and I'm learning so much. I'm learning about ballistics and forensics, science and martial arts, but mostly I'm learning a lot about myself. For a long time after you died that cloak of danger I mentioned was like a death shroud. For the first time since I could remember I didn't feel comfortable with it, I felt as if death was stalking me now and all I could do was hide in my room, praying it would go away. I woke up soaking with sweat every night, dreaming that death was coming after me. I was afraid to be alone and I was afraid to be in a crowd, I was afraid to go outdoors and I was afraid to stay inside. My whole world was fear. Fear and remorse. I was afraid of death, but more importantly I was afraid of life. Life without you and mom. A life spent alone and unloved.

Bruce and Alfred changed all that dad. They gave me a purpose and they showed me a way to beat the fear. If death is indeed coming for me, then I will fight it every step of the way. Bruce taught me how to fight back, how to make myself into the kind of person who never has this type of thing happen to them again. I don't know how to thank them for that except to never give up. I know you would be proud of that, I know mom would too. Bruce isn't like any kind of father figure I have ever envisioned. Neither is Alfred. It's funny though how when you put the two together they function as sort of a single father figure to me. Bruce is my mentor, and Al is...... Al. They could never replace you of course, but they have my best interests at heart and they worry about me. Bruce especially worries even though he never says anything, I can just tell. Sometimes it's frustrating but secretly, I like it. I missed having a family that worried about me when I left the circus. Now I have some measure of that feeling back and I'm not afraid anymore.

I think you would have liked them both dad. Bruce and Alfred are good men and you have a lot in common. You're all strong and honest and talented. Actually, in a certain light, Bruce even looks a bit like you. He's good on the trapeze too although he's not nearly as good as you. Nonetheless I think you'd be impressed how this pampered billionaire does somersaults without a net. I wouldn't have thought it possible of him when I first layed eyes on him. That's not the real Bruce Wayne I later learned, the real Bruce Wayne is one talented, hardworking, and dedicated man. For those reasons alone I think you two would get along.

And then there's Alfred. Alfred I mother hen to us both. He can be very stern when he wants to be, but he also has a very wicked and understated sense of humour. He can make a joke with me and it takes me until an hour later to realize he said something even remotely funny. Without a doubt he keeps both Bruce and I grounded. The newspapers say Batman and Robin run like a well oiled machine against crime. What they don't know is that neither of us could find our socks in that huge mansion without Alfred.

Anyway it's getting late and the cemetery closes soon, Alfred and Bruce are waiting for me in the car. We have a busy night ahead here in Gotham with the new gangs showing up in town. Don't worry about me though and tell mom not to worry either. I have great people looking out for me now. They never let me do anything unless I am totally ready to do it. You don't have to worry dad, I won't ever forget you, but I do have to continue on without you. At least without your physical presence in my life. You will always be in my heart. I just thought I should tell you about Bruce and Alfred because I owe them so much. I don't fear death any more thanks to them, and most importantly, I don't fear life. Give my love to mom.

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