Identity **ON HOLD**

Chapter 10

Richard's/Robin's POV

"Anything that means I have to wear a dress is not something I want to be doing!" Artemis exclaimed from the balcony of my warehouse where I lived and trained.  

"It is only for one night.  Besides, halfway through you will have a villain to fight," Barbara said as she walked down the stairs that led from the balcony to the main floor in a dazzling black dress.  Artemis followed in an equally stunning red dress.

"Red X's appearance tonight will blow the crowd away," I joked.

"Haha, Dick.  It isn't even an actual bomb.  It's a flash bomb," Barbara said.  

"Details don't matter, Babs," I said putting on a button up shirt over my Red X suit.

"Have you decided what you want to steal yet from Wayne Manor?  You can kind of steal anything since, you know, Batman is kind of Bruce Wayne," Artemis pointed out.  Now that she was in on my secret little group, she got to know all of the juicy information.

"I don't know.  Probably some computer thing from his office.  I have been stealing computer chips from all of the other places," I pointed out.

"And do you ever plan on returning that information?" Artemis questioned. 

"Yes.  After I download all of the information into an external hard drive, yes," I smirked.

"Classic Grayson," Barbara chuckled. 

I checked the watch on my wrist and saying, "Come on.  We have to be there in ten minutes."

I pressed a button on the wall that opened a panel in the floor that held a staircase.

"You have so many secret passages in this place," Artemis  commented.

"I got bored a lot when I was younger," I said with another smirk.  The three of us walked down the somewhat short staircase that led into a giant garage filled with vehicles from motorcycles to sport cars.

"How do you get all of these stuff if you live alone?" Artemis asked.

"I do work for private companies.  I get money and resources, they get help with problems that arise," Dick explained.  "Now, let's get to this party."

<~>

The three of us walked up the grand steps of Wayne Manor. 

"What excuse did you tell the team that you didn't arrive with them?" Barbara asked Artemis.

"Told them a friend had already invited me to go," Artemis explained.

"Glorious.  Hear are your ear pieces.  Keep in contact throughout the night," Dick said as he passed around the small earpieces.  

"Thank god the team works on a mind link," Artemis said as she placed the piece in her ear.

"Let's just try to do our best duty as thieves tonight," I said a few seconds before the door was opened by Alfred Pennyworth. 

He welcomed us and ushered us into the huge party.  Automatically, I could pick out every member of the team, Bruce, Dinah, and Oliver in the crowd.  

"We'll see you later, Artemis," Barbara said as she dragged me away to socialize.

We headed farther into the middle of the crowd.  Barbara saw some of her friends from school as we walked by and we were soon separated.  I ran my fingers through my slicked back hair and made my way over to the refreshments table.  Grabbing a glass of ginger ale, I surveyed the room.

Bruce had allowed me to place any equipment I needed throughout the large ballroom earlier this week, ensuring the plan would go according.  Any time now, I could spring into action.

I continued to stand by the refreshment table.  Sipping on my drink, I watched as Barbara and Artemis socialized, Barbara with friends from school and Artemis with Wally.  Every so often, I would check the time, planning the perfect time to strike.

<~>

Talia's POV

I stepped onto the steps of the glorious Wayne Manor.  I approached the door, which were soon opened by the British butler known as Alfred Pennyworth.  His nose twitched as soon as he saw me standing there.

"Mistress Talia, to what do we own this pleasure?" Alfred asked in his posh British accent.  

"I need to talk to Bruce," I replied, getting right to business.

"I do not know if Master Bruce will appreciate your presence at the moment.  As you can see, he is hosting a charity event," he said.

"It is very serious, what I need to say," I said to Alfred, my arms crossed.

He gave me one look, and seeing the defiant look on my face, stepped away from the doorway.  "Have a nice night," he said to me as I passed him, my green dress swishing along.

"Thank you, Alfred," I smiled.

I walked into the huge hall filled with people. There were men and women there with ages varying from adolescent to retired.  I scanned the room until my eyes rested on a man standing on the staircase in the back, chatting with some older men.

Bruce Wayne.