In memory of my lost friend, AvaVermillion.

Prologue - Last I saw you

Her laugh was the last thing Robin heard before the explosion went off. She was insane, and he was used to that. But there were moments he got to see her, the real her. Only for a fleeting moment. And here he was, standing in front of the ruins of a building SHE blew up, something he was hoping she was just bluffing. Then it happened. One shot from behind, one small slip of the finger on the trigger and that's it. While others escort the survivors to safety before help arrives. On his knees, Robin continues to stare into the fire. He felt numb. Aqualad and Wally were the first to notice and look at one another before silently approaching him. The rest soon followed after they knew everyone was safe. He wasn't a hugger, he never was, but the moment Batgirl touched his shoulder he punched the ground.

He did not want to cry. Not in front of his allies, his friends. He could only wish he got to tell her when he still had the time, to convince her to leave her father and join them. He knew there was good in her. He just wished he convinced her sooner.

Four Years Later
Gotham City - March 2014

To say I was happy to get out of the classroom was an understatement. Graduating from high school? Now THAT'S something worth celebrating. Gotham North High may not have been the best four years of my young, teenage life but at least it's something. "So, where are you hanging out tomorrow?" Tara asks after we get our drinks. I shrug and sat on the bench. "I don't know... probably heading back to Bludhaven." Tara Markov may be six years younger than me, but she's the only person in my neighborhood that doesn't talk about thieving, sex, or any of that stupid stuff teenagers do.

"Are you serious?" she lets out an exasperated groan. "You've been going there since FOREVER. Isn't it about time you call it quits?"

I shake my head. "I can't Terr. I need answers and... I feel like there's something there waiting for me. I just don't know what it is yet."

To say I'm being difficult is... something. My memories before high school is a complete blank to me. I don't have any memories of what life was like before any of that. I wish I can say that it's concerning, but surprisingly, I have no problem with it. It's just there's this sick feeling I've been getting that I need to find someone. Someone important. "Oh look!" Tara suddenly shouts and points past my head. I slightly turn in my seat to see the news come up on the huge plaza-tv. It was of the team of teenage superheroes that work with the Justice League. Apparently, they've been acting as a separate league for those below the age of 19. Almost like a training camp for young heroes or proteges in preparation for when they do get in the League. Hero business is not something to take light of.

"Isn't he dreamy...?" Tara sighs and leans forward with her chin resting on her hands. I roll my eyes and go back to drinking, already knowing who it is exactly she was drooling at. Nightwing. She never really noticed him as Robin until he grew older, and buffer. It was annoying at first, then I got used to it. At least she's not stalking the young man, that's where I'll start being concerned. "Who's your fav Lena?" she asks a few minutes later.

I roll my eyes. "For the nth time, no one. I only crush on people that I know is within reach. Superheroes? The only time you'll ever see one in person is if they're saving your sorry ass or are in your city saving people from the bad guys."

"Aw c'mon!" she pouts. "You're telling me you don't find any of them attractive? No one at all?"

"Men in tights and hides their secret identity? Pffft! Fat chance!" I scoff.

She continues to pout at me as I casually finish my drink while avoiding eye contact. I sigh when I notice Terra trying to maintain eye contact. "Look Tara," I start, making the girl stop and listen intently to what I have to say. "I admit, some are good looking, but you have to be realistic. Even if you do meet someone like Nightwing, what chances do you think you'll have in having a decent relationship with the guy? You'll either be in danger 24/7 if someone found out you were in an intimate relationship with him. Then they'd take advantage of it." Terra stares down at her lap, sinking in every word.

"And not only that, you won't be able to meet him as often as you want because of his busy schedule. I'm sure he has a life outside of being a superhero. Something I know he has trouble balancing out sometimes. Last I checked, he probably has school to deal with."

"Right... wait, how do you know that?"

That got me as well. How did I know that? For all we know, he could be homeschooled or a dropout. There's no way I should know he's a year older than me. Wait, what? "Um... I have to go home now," Terra said after lamely looking down at her watch. "See ya tomorrow." I nod and wave before she gets out of her seat and walks off. There's another thing about me which acts as my reason for trying not to be so interested in heroes as much as possible. I... somehow know certain things that others shouldn't. It just randomly pops up whenever they're brought up. What scares me is what were to happen if I suddenly blurt out their secret identity. That's a big IF on my part. There's certain info that I'm able to keep to myself before I spew it out for my friends to hear.

That's why I need to go down to Bludhaven. Something tells me that I'll find my answers there.

Bludhaven - March 2014 20:14 pm

'This is the last time' he told himself, but no matter what he does to forget, he automatically returns to the suburbs after a mission. After dropping his mantle as Robin and becoming Nightwing, he had tried numerous times to forget. And as usual, Nightwing failed miserably. He'd always return to the exact spot, the place where he first met her on the night he was finally allowed to do solo patrols of Gotham. He loved being with the team, but there were times he found it suffocating to be around them at the time. Most especially the couples. There weren't many. It's just that seeing those like M'gann and Lagoon Boy having their 'moments' is a bit... much. Moments like that made him think back to what might have been. "Forget it Dick... she's never coming back," he sighs, running his hand through his head out of frustration.

The dockside warehouse was meant to be empty that night. What he didn't know what that there was another who made their own nightly trips.

This was getting me nowhere. I've been here millions of times and nothing has changed. The docks were as creepy and empty as always. Something to expect since it's night, but you'd think after four years there'd be at least SOME sort of change. And of course, I arrive to see it's still full of nothing but shipping containers, some empty and some full of whatever junk people need to send. I doubt they're that important. If they were then they'd use a giant plane to send it overseas. Or get some superheroes to keep an eye on it.

"Least it gives me time to practice!" I sigh happily and start stretching.

And by practice, I mean doing some parkour. My body may be a bit bulky for something like that, but that doesn't mean I've found other ways to make myself light on my feet. And that sadly means one itty bitty thing... stripping. Not entirely! Just my top and my pants. Sports bras and leggings are both a joy to wear and a curse. I don't have many bras and I HATE pants, so I wear shorts over my leggings. Makes things a bit easier when stripping to lighter clothing. 'Great... now you're starting to sound like an exhibitionist...' I mentally groan with a slap to the forehead. After stretching every necessary muscle, I start with a light jog as a start then break into a full run. I kick myself off the ground and move forward, landing on my hand's for a second before pushing myself off the ground.

My backflips may not be on the professional level, it's just the feeling I get each time I do them is why I still do them. Which is why I want to improve as much as possible. I land on my feet and dash for the nearest container. A little climbing never hurt anyone. And a little bit of flipping between each of the beams. As dangerous as it was to carelessly leap and swing to each and every beam then using hanging lights to briefly rest before resuming my aerobic 'exercise'. There's a lot that I need to be careful with in a remote place like this, especially in Gotham. Then again there should be guards that should be guarding this place and keeping idiots teens like me from doing stupid shit. Thrill seekers would kill to have the perfect spot to practice their skills. And I don't blame them.

The adrenaline rush is too good to have someone arrive and force you to stop. There's no way in hell I want this to end. The timing of my breathing with my movements was key to not slipping up. Each time I push the air out through my stomach, it felt like I could twist and bend better. Breathing in only adds a little bit of weight for when I need to shift my body and land. I could go to the gym. But where's the fun in that? Plus I'd rather not show off the amount of skin I'm showing right now.

'Nightwing! Where the hell are you!?' Kid Flash yells after the boy answers the phone. He rarely turns him intercom on, and only those close enough that knew him personally knew the only way to reach him was via phone. And Kid Flash was right. Nightwing sighs then press the phone back against his ear after moving away to avoid becoming deaf on one ear.

"Patrolling Gotham, that's all. Robin said that he and Batman are currently busy with a big case so I need to be here in case anything happens."

'Really dude? THAT excuse again? I've known you loooong enough to know why you're really in Gotham.'

Nightwing knew he couldn't talk his way out of this one. His silence alone was enough for the other to know that he was right, and he sometimes hated that he was.

'Dick-' For him to start using names told Nightwing that this was serious and personal. 'I know you're still grieving. I understand, but it's been four years. Four years since you last saw her and two after you gave up being called Robin, but this has to stop.'

Dick leaned against the wall, sinking in every word Wally was saying. For being best friends for as long as they have, they've always had each other's backs. In and out of the Team.

'She's gone, man. Look, when I saw Artemis die before my eyes I thought it was the end of the world. I didn't care what would happen to me. All I could think about was her and only her, so when I found out it wasn't real I was beyond relieved.'

"You do know telling me something that I myself saw isn't helping, right?" Dick said, obviously not liking where the conversation was going.

'That's not- The POINT is, I barely had time to grieve and think over my feelings when it happened. You've had plenty of time. I know I was lucky and you weren't. It hurts like hell... I get it. And although I have no idea what you said in that psycho-'

"Wally...!" the boy slightly raises his voice.

Wally coughs after realizing he went a bit too far. 'Sorry. What I'm trying to say is that kicking yourself for what happened isn't going to help. You're just going to hurt yourself in the process.'

"I know man I just... Ugh..." he groans and lightly hits the back of his head against the wall behind him. He felt frustrated at others for their continual concerns over his mental health, but he was also frustrated with himself because he knows they have every right to be.

'Hey you helped me out when it happened, so let me do the same.'

"A bit late, don't you think?" Dick grins, earning a nervous laugh from the other.

'Yeah well... you're not really the easiest to approach these days. You give anyone the legendary 'bat glare' each time someone brings her up.'

"I'm not that bad."

'Dude, I was there when Batman himself tried to talk to you about it. I almost wanted to run the moment you flash him the look. And you know I would have been out there in a heartbeat if anything happened between you two!'

"Gee thanks for the vote of confidence."

'That's what best friends are for! Only participating in fights only they know can be won.'

It felt nice to have talks like this once and a while. Despite all that's happened the years after the tragic incident, Dick couldn't help but feel grateful. Sure he wished he could have done something to save his parents, but then he wouldn't have been adopted by Bruce and become Robin. Not only that he found the greatest friends the world could offer. Knowing it was time to go, Dick said with much sincerity in his voice, "Thanks, man... I appreciate it."

'I know. If you don't want Black Canary to perform a psychological test on you, you can always talk to us.'

Them referring to the Team. It's impossible to talk to anyone in the League without word getting to Batman. He wouldn't even be surprised if the man knew of his nightly trips at this point. He was about to hang up when he heard a noise. This causes his to stand straight. 'Is something wrong?' Wally asks, obviously having heard the noise. "Not sure... Gonna see if there are any rats in the area. Nightwing out," he said before Wally could protest and shuts off his phone. And here he thought he was never going to experience some action in this place. Who he met wasn't exactly what he would expect.

To Be Continued

Hey y'all. I never thought I'd be working on a fanfic ever again, but here I am. Now this isn't my first rodeo, it's just I never found the driveto do anything with this account until now. Avery helped me out a lot on this. With her own experience and adapting to a new style of writing she's learned in a writing semiar she attended recently, she gave me some good tips. Now I made this really short since I have no idea if this will get any attention. If you have anything to say, leave a review. I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks and... see ya, I guess?