Dick had been living and working in Blüdhaven for a little under a year. Things were going pretty well considering the rampant corruption of local officials and the crime rates to rival even his hometown of Gotham. Dick was a very busy man. It had never been an easy job, but it was one that always brought him a sense of fulfillment. On his worst days, Dick cursed the man who introduced him to the lifestyle, but there were good days too. And when things were good, they were very good. Bruce had been like a father to him ever since his own parent's passing, and he was deeply thankful for their crooked paths crossing so many years ago. He hoped Bruce knew that, even if they didn't talk much anymore.

There wasn't a falling out or a fight. Dick just wanted a chance to prove, maybe to himself, that he could do it alone. Gotham would always be his home, but there were places that were worse off by far. Blüdhaven called to him. He could make a difference for this town. Of course, there were downsides to making the move out here. The small studio apartment that he now lived in was less than ideal. The locals weren't exactly friendly, and he missed his friends terribly. He missed the good old days. Dick and Bruce were both keenly aware of the changing roles within their dynamic duo. Dick couldn't be a sidekick forever. The change wrought more than just a physical distance between them. They hadn't spoken since the funeral, though Alfred could always be counted on to occasionally call, or send a birthday card.

Dick sometimes thought that the thing between Bruce and him would have been unavoidable, but Barbara was a different story. He talked to Barbara more often than an ex-boyfriend probably should, and even kept a picture of the two of them in his wallet. Though they were no longer dating, the two were still heavily involved. She was his first love, his best friend, his de facto therapist, and sole confidant. As Batgirl, she was known to occasionally visit and kick some major bad guy butt. Just before moving away Dick had asked her to keep an eye on the old man, but in recent months her reports consisted mostly of bad news.

Today's phone call was no different. "I just don't know what more I can do for him." She confessed. "He's withdrawn and unpredictable. He's actively avoiding me, and… Bruce just needs his son back."

"Babs," It was still hard for him to say it out loud, "Jason's dead. He's not coming back."

"I was talking about you, you idiot! I know you've got your whole one man show going on right now, but I'm really worried about the guy! Look, Nightwing doesn't have to come back to Gotham, but I think Dick should probably come home. At least for a visit."

She was right (as usual), but Dick still had his doubts. What if Bruce wanted nothing to do with him? What if the sudden return of his estranged son just made things worse? Barbara didn't say that Bruce wanted him to come home, she'd said he needed it. There was nothing else for it. He had to go back. "If I leave tomorrow I can spend the weekend at the manor, but I don't know what I can do for him."

"It's fine! You just have to be there." He could hear the relief in her voice, " I'll see you tomorrow."