Talia's POV

"Well, if it isn't the man of the hour."

I stood as Bruce turned to me to acknowledge my statement.  His welcoming smile turned into a set line as his features turned deadly.  "What are you doing here?" Bruce asked me.

"For information," I replied.  Bruce looked around before grabbing my arm and stealthily sneaking me out of the main room of the party.  

"You shouldn't have come here," Bruce said as we entered into the study, automatically going to the grandfather's clock.  

"Well, I thought the only way you would talk with me is if I showed up when everyone else did.  And without the presence of my father," I said.  I followed Bruce into a high tech elevator that had revealed itself behind the clock.  The door shut quietly, as was the ride down.  We entered into the ginormous space known as the infamous Batcave.

"What did you want to talk about, Talia?" Bruce asked with annoyance as he sat down in his chair that sat in front of the computer.

"As I said, I need information," I repeated to Bruce.

"And what makes you think that I would give you any?" he asked.

"Because he is a common enemy," I replied smoothly.

"An enemy?"

"I am sure you have heard of the new thief that has been stealing from very well-guarded places," I said.

"Red X is something the League is handling and a person I will not give you information about," Bruce said with a hard look to me.

"Bruce, my father wants this thief captured and taken into custody as quickly as possible," I said, lying.

"And why would your father want to see Red X in custody?" Bruce asked with a genuinely confused face.  He always looks cute when he is confused.  

Before I went on, I knew what I said next had to be believable.  I had already started into a lie, and I could not escape it now.  "My father feels that this thief has no boundary for whether or not he steals from the good, the bad, or the neutral.  My father wants none of his assets in danger."

Bruce, thankfully, seemed to believe me, as he simply nodded in reply.  "I will still not give you information."

I sighed in exasperation at the stubbornness of Bruce.  That man was as thick as a wall.  

"Bruce Wayne, would you just think about what you are saying for a few seconds?  My father, a very rich and powerful man in this world with many connections, is wishing is assist the Justice League with a case that the League of Assassins if also concerned about.  Why not accept the help and get rid of a threat to both sides, as he obviously is," I said.

"Talia, I am not at liberty to give out any information concerning a current League case."

I glared at Bruce with a look that could kill any normal man.  But, Bruce was no normal man.  He was Batman, for God's sake!  And, he was as stubborn as my father.  No wonder my father wanted Bruce as his heir so badly.

But, I could tell Bruce knew more than he was letting on.  I had to get information about this young thief.  There was no telling his value to the League.  

"Bruce," I said, stepping forward so I was standing beside Bruce.  I put my hand on his shoulder, speaking softly.  "You know that this child is more difficult than the other heroes might think.  They don't have the experiences that we do.  We survive this world with no powers.  And with no powers, we can see how much this thief, who does have powers, can be a danger to both of our operations.  Just hear me out."

Bruce simply looked forward, paying no attention to me.  After a few seconds, he broke his trance, checked his watch on his wrist, and looked to me.  "This is something the League can handle."

I tried not to let any frustration show on the outside.  But, on the inside, I was fuming.  The man, Bruce Wayne or not, was ticking me off!  Yes, I was lying to him, but the idiot couldn't accept some bloody help from people who would be more than willing to help Batman!  Our League was not the villains that Batman fought everyday, but we were rather the neutral, planning out our actions based on what would be best for humanity.  

Bruce checked his watch once again, making me suspicious.  "What do you have planned, Bruce?" I asked.

"I have nothing planned, Talia, but rather what someone else does," Bruce stated. 

Gears started to turn in my head as I realized what this meant.  "You suspect Red X will show up at the party?"

"I do not suspect, I know," Bruce said in his slightly cocky tone.

"And what do you plan to do to the child?" I asked.

"I plan to try to take him down."

"Did you bring any backup?" I asked.

Bruce looked at me in slight surprise at my question.  "Backup?  Of course!"

"I am just saying, Bruce.  No one yet knows the full extent of this child's powers.  I hope Robin is not your only backup, but I don't he is since you don't even know who he is," I said to Bruce with a raised eyebrow.  

"Robin isn't here tonight," Bruce said simply.

"Hmm."

"You are starting to sound like everyone in the Justice League," Bruce sighed.

"Well, you have worked with Robin for five years, and you don't even know when his birthday is. Many would call that unreliable, Bruce," I pointed out.

"Robin has done nothing to prove he is disloyal, and until he does, I will trust him with my life," Bruce said with a defending tone.  

"Bruce, my father doesn't even think Robin will stay loyal to you in the end.  And that is saying quite a lot," I supplied.

"I don't need the approval of Ra's Al Ghul to have a protege," Bruce said with a hint of a snarl.

"I am not saying you need his approval.  I am saying there is something to listen to in the words of a man his age with his experiences," I said back calmly.

"Ra's does not know Robin."

"Well, neither do you, don't you?"

"That is different."

"It is not different."

"I have fought beside the kid for five years!  He has had my back when I need him to, and I have his.  I have asked him to follow orders from the League, and he follows through.  I have asked him to protect Gotham City to the best of his ability, and he has done so.  I don't doubt one hair on that kid's head isn't loyal to the cause."

"And what exactly is the cause, Bruce?  Is the cause to save the streets of Gotham?  To avenge your parents?  To save world?  What exactly do you think he is loyal to?"

Bruce looked me straight in the eyes, a hard look gleaming across his eyes.  "Talia, I trust the kid, and I ask you to do the same."

I met Bruce's look.  As I stared into his eyes, more gears started to click in my head.  Asking Robin to follow orders from the League?  Bruce has told me quite a bit about his relationship with Robin, and his relationships with others.  And one thing I know, Robin never had contact with the League on account of them not trusting the boy.  Robin wouldn't have had any orders from the League.  He wouldn't, unless. . .

"Robin is Red X?"

Bruce looked away from our locked gaze.  "Yes."

"And why is he going around as a thief for the Justice League?" I asked.

"The proteges," Bruce answered.  "We are preparing them for war."

"War with the Light?"

"Yes."

"And so you send in your protege, who they don't know, but by now must have met him a couple of times?" I asked with disbelief.

"We sent in someone who the team does not trust, but is learning to trust, to become the perfect opponent for the team to fight," Bruce explained. 

"So somehow you gave Robin powers and sent him out to play with people's emotions?" I asked.  As I said it, I inwardly cringed at how much that sounded like me.  I was, after all, sent out by my father to play with people's emotions.

"Robin designed a suit that would enable him powers when he wore it.  Robin was already skilled at his agility and stealth, so he was the perfect candidate."

"Designing a suit that gives him superpowers?  You had better hope the world doesn't hear about that, Bruce.  I knew Robin was a child genius, but something like what he has made could make the world a dangerous place.  Well, even more so than now."

"The situation is under control, Talia."

Before I could reply to the billionaire dimwit, the Batcave lit up with red sirens that blared through the air.  

"And that is Red X making his guest appearance, I suppose?"