Hey guys! Well I'm back. Sorry it took so long, things have been rather hectic. Just to warn you, I won't be updating weekly like I did with "A Life in Shadow." Sorry but I really just don't have that kind of time. Hope you enjoy!

It's been three weeks. Three weeks since I saw him and he wasn't there. Three weeks since Dick returned to patrolling Blüdhaven. Bruce still requires that he stay at the manor of course. The father in him still isn't comfortable with letting the boy out of his sight for more than a few hours. Dick doesn't mind of course. He's rather fond of the extra attention and physical contact. A hug from Bruce was never unheard of, but now they happen much more frequently to his oldest son's delight. Though the hourly radio check-ins while he's patrolling are beginning to vex him slightly. The past three weeks he's been gone for six hours every night, and for the past three weeks it's been six hours of nightmares and jolting awake by the sound of my screams. Bruce is typically the one to wake me up. He and the others usually get back an hour or two before Dick. Thankfully the older man keeps my nightly frights from the younger's attention. Jason has commented a few times. Mostly the next morning after he's been the one to shake me back to consciousness, but neither of them press me much for answers and subjects.

Lying in the oversized bed I stare up at the ceiling, arms draped above my head on the pillow. The decoration of the plaster drawing my attention as my eyes trace the elaborate swirls of cream and white. My attention flicks over to the window as a calming rain continues to beat against the paneled glass. Closing my eyes I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Just go to sleep already. I complain to myself, annoyed by my lack of rest. Usually after waking once, or not falling into sleep at all, the night drags on as my mind refuses to let sleep take it into custody. Too much can happen in my mind. Too much has happened already, and in a dream where fantasy becomes reality, terror and paranoia become truth. Where he still finds me and I follow his every command. Where the team is betrayed countless times. Where dozens of glazed eyes stare off into nothingness. And Dick and Bruce reject me before they too are murdered by the monster I've once more become.

With a heavy sigh I shove away the covers and quietly pad my way down two flights of stairs and into the Batcave. The chill of the stone floor against my bare feet sends goose bumps down my arms, causing me to pull the sleeves of my shirt down toward my wrists. A shiver runs over me as I rest against the large chair in front of the computer. They're not home yet. I think as I rest against the still cool material. My eyes glance toward the clock as my eyelids begin to droop while attempting to check their position on the computer. Before my eyes can completely close the Batmobile pulls into the drive. I hear the compression release as the doors open and smile to myself. "Back already?" I call behind me. Standing and making my way toward the platform, I finally look to the man walking toward me. "Must have been a quiet ni…" My voice trails off. My feet freeze in place. The man stands there and stares at me. His wicked smile growing as the amusement in his eye brightens. My tongue begins to move once more as I mutter the only word my mind can process. "Daddy?" Tears begin to collect as I back away from him.

Concern flashes across his face as he moves closer to me. "Kate?" He asks unsure and reaches out a hand.

He never calls me Kate. My hand grips the hair atop my head, pulling strands out with every finger twitch. "The chip, is it still there? I see… I just…" My eyes fall to the floor as tears drip down to my toes.

His hand brings my chin up, forcing me to look at him. "The chips gone sweetheart." His thumb strokes my cheek gently. "And so are they."

My eyes grow wide as I stumble to take a step back. "What did you do?"

He clicks his tongue and shakes his head while he attempts to enclose the growing distance between us. "Don't worry sweetheart. I'm here. You're safe." He adds with a dark chuckle.

I sprint toward the zeta beam only to be cornered by him once more. Out of desperation I begin to plea for someone to save me. "Alfred, Bruce." I whisper. Deathstroke moves closer. "Bruce!" My voice shrieks.

Deathstroke shakes his head, smirking at how pathetic I am. "Oh he won't hear you sweetheart." I'm close to hyperventilating. His deep chuckle sends a shiver down my spine. "He's gone sweetheart, dead in an alley. Just like the rest of your family." His face is inches from mine. "And now you're mine."

"No, no! They're not dead. They're not!" I shout in disbelief. My body's frozen before him. Tears begin to stream down my face as he repeats my name, taunting me. "No, Bruce. Bruce help! BRUCE!"

A grin covers his face. "No one's going to save you now sweetheart." The blade of his sword pierces the flesh of my stomach. Shock overpowers the pain. I can't breathe as I feel his breath on my neck as he whispers in my ear. "How does it feel sweetheart?" He asks before giving another deep chuckle and forces the knife deeper into my abdomen. "Now you really are like me." As he twists the blade, pain erupts and a scream tears through my throat. He pulls back. "You're mine, and this time you're not getting away."

A heavy hand clamps onto my shoulder making my body jolt and eyes spring open. Looking over my left shoulder I see eyes filled with concern. "You alright Kate?"

I stand quickly, making his hand drop from my shoulder. "Yeah, I'm fine. Couldn't sleep, is all." Bruce stares at me with disbelief but doesn't press the subject. He's realized over these past few weeks how much more I tend to distant myself when something's wrong, compared to his sons. "Slow night?" I ask, quickly changing the subject after glancing at the time on the computer screen.

He nods shortly. "Dick should be back shortly. He reported the same on his end. Said he just wanted to check something out first."

My brow scrunches slightly. "Kind of odd don't you think?"

He shrugs. "I suppose. To be honest, I think it's odder that you've decided not to join us every night." Before I can respond he adds. "It's not like you don't come down here while we're gone to train." He gives a short snort. "Rather difficult training too."

I sigh and drag a hand through my hair. "I can't Bruce."

"And yet you still haven't explained why."

My right hand grabs onto my left forearm as I look away from him. "What if I lose control?"

"You're not under his control anymore Kate. You won't make that mistake." I don't believe him. "And if you do, we'll be there."

I give a heavy sigh. "It's not only that."

A pause stretches out between us. "Then explain what else it is." He tells me gently.

I stare at him straight. "Shadows made too many enemies. Most of which would want to kill me if they ever got the chance, and now that Deathstrokes gone they'll be less afraid to take that chance."

"We can protect you."

"Why take that risk?"

"I understand, but you could do so much more if you patrolled Gotham with us, or even Blüdhaven. Anything to get you out of this house." He drags a hand down his face. "You haven't been out to see Artemis, or the team much. I know this is a big place but you need to get away from it more than you have been." After seeing my somber expression he adds in a lighter tone. "Don't worry, Alfred can do without your help every once in a while."

I smirk slightly at that. Over the weeks I've been cleaning and cooking against the old butler's wishes and complaints. "I'll get out more. I'll go visit the team again tomorrow. I promise." Looking to the floor I hesitate before continuing. "But I also promise that I'll never patrol Gotham, Blüdhaven, or any other city on a regular basis."

He's shocked slightly by the comment. "And why's that?"

I look up into his determined face. "Regularly being Shadow in any city's too dangerous. I'm the world's greatest assassin. Not only will the people be terrified of me…"

"Most of the general public doesn't even know who Shadow is."

"They have an idea." I cut back in. "And it's not that actually." I pause. "There'll be people who'll want to prove themselves. Assassins and killers wanting to take me down to prove they're the best, not to mention past enemies, the League of Shadows, and the Light wanting to come after me with revenge." I stare at him for a moment allowing this to sink in. "Who do you think they'll go after if I dedicate my life to protect a certain city?" I bite my lip thinking of the possibilities. "Not just you and Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damian, but the people of Gotham. They'll kill innocents to get me to come out and face them." My head shakes back and forth as I imagine dozens or hundreds of innocent people being put in danger or killed because I decided to make a hero of myself. "I can't bring any more pain to innocent people."

He gives a few small nods. "Then what about the team?"

My brow scrunches. "What?"

"Join the team."

"The League would never allow it."

"The League will, when I tell them you're joining."

I scoff. "Yeah right, some of them still hate me. Those who don't, still don't trust me."

"I'll speak with them about the possibility, and if not then you'll fill in for Barbara here in the cave and assist us when backup is needed since she's taking care of her own city."

I sigh heavily. "There's no saying no is there?"

He shakes his head with a smug smile. "Not a chance."

Crossing my arms I take a step forward and look up at him. "Why are you pushing this?"

He sighs and takes a moment. "You haven't been yourself lately Kate. With good reason." He adds. "I know you've been through a lot." He places a hand on my shoulder. "You're finally free from him, but now that he's gone it feels as though we're losing you. That when he died a part of you did as well."

"Bruce I killed my own father. I became the monster he always wanted me to be." I hold his stare, though I want to look anywhere but his pitying eyes. "How am I supposed to act?"

His hand moves from my shoulder to cup my face. "You're supposed to believe that you're safe, that you're free, not jumping at every shadow or creek in the floor boards. It's been over a month. You need to heal, not have me shake you awake from nightmares whenever you do actually get some rest."

Taking in a deep breath I let it out slowly and push away from his grasp. "Sorry." I look down at my bare feet. "I know how long it's been. I should be over it by now."

"Not over it, just better. He can't hurt you anymore Kate. He's gone."

I look back up at him. "But you don't know that. You don't know that he's dead."

He sighs and once more grasps my shoulder. "He's gone Kate. No one could have survived that, not even Deathstroke."

I shake my head. "I'll start getting better when you show me his dead body. Until then, as far as I'm concerned, he's still out there, just waiting." I push past him and make my way toward the staircase leading back into the manor. Before my foot rests on the first step I pause and look back. "Hey Bruce." He looks to me with kind eyes. My mouth opens for a few seconds before the question presents itself. "The… the chip is gone though, right? I'm not… I'm okay now?"

His brow draws downward. "Of course Kate. Why wouldn't you be?"

I shrug. "Just a nightmare." I sigh wanting to stop there. Just tell him. I push myself to open up. "He… he killed you, all of you. It just seemed so real that I thought the chip was making me see him again, but this time it was just a dream."

He shakes his head. "The devise your father implanted is gone Kate. We took care of that."

I nod. "I know. It's just… what if there's more. What if when I came back to save Dick, he did more than just implant a chip in my head that makes me see him when it's not reprogramed every month." I shrug. "I don't know. I guess I'm just scared." I look back up at him. "But… you're sure that you didn't miss anything?"

Instead of answering me he crosses the room quickly and wraps his arms around my now quivering form, pulling me close and pressing a kiss to the crown of my head. "You're fine Kate. I promise."

We remain like this while the zeta beam announces Nightwing's appearance. "Everything okay?" He cautiously questions.

We pull away and look to the slightly tattered hero. "Yeah, everything's…" That's when my eyes travel to his torso and the blood oozing between closed fingers. My eyes grow wide.

Bruce and I race to Dick's side as he begins to sway. Bruce steadies his son and practically carries him to the med bay. "What happened?" He asks sternly, beginning to cut away the Kevlar covering the wound.

The younger grits his teeth. "Gun shot. Sniper." He chokes out through the pain. "Saw the laser on my chest. Did my best to jump out of the way."

"Who?"

"Not sure." He answers his father. "Was looking into some club. Got a tip that there was more to it than meets the eye."

"What?"

"Not sure." His eyes squeeze shut. "Didn't get that far."

"You could have called for backup."

Dick snorts and rolls his eyes. "And miss the father daughter moment? Not a chance." I shake my head at his insistence of humor at this moment. "Besides, didn't think it was that bad. I was totally fine before you two made a big deal of it and made me think about the pain."

"Who gave you the tip?" Bruce asks while removing the bullet. Dick lets out a rather loud groan and tightens his grip on the table. "Kate, hold him down." I comply. The younger continues to release screams through gritted teeth as the plyers resist the space provided by the clamp.

"What's wrong with Dickie?" Jason shouts as he runs into the sanitized area.

"Jason, grab a TXA injection." Bruce orders.

As he bring the syringe toward me, my hands begin to shake. Bruce notices and nods to the two younger boys standing in the doorway. "Tim, give Dick the injection. Jason, get Kate cleaned up."

They both nod as Jason gently grips my arms and pulls me away from Dick's side who looks up at me in pain, silently asking me to stay, but I allow Jason to pull me away from him and out of the room. I wash up in the next room over and remain silent as I watch Dick's blood swirl down the drain. "You alright?" Jason asks quietly.

Glancing up I notice the tiredness in his eyes, the stubble growing along his jaw. "Yeah, I'm fine."

He scoffs slightly. "That's not how I saw it."

I look at him. "Bruce is making me join the team." I blurt out, abruptly changing the subject.

He's silent for a moment. "You sure you're ready for that?" I look to the floor slightly deflated. "I'm not trying to shut you down Kate." He assures me. "It's just, you choke after seeing a needle." He places a hand on my arm. "I don't want PTSD to keep you from staying safe in the field."

"I know, and I agree with you." I heave a sigh. "I don't know if…"

Alfred comes out to interrupt. "Miss Kate, Master Jason, if you two would join us I believe Master Dick would like to relay some information."

Jason nods. "Of course Alfred." I follow behind to find Dick patched up and connect to an IV. A pained smile is plastered to his sweat covered face.

Grasping on to his hand I push some of the hair out of his eyes. "Sorry."

His smile brightens. "Don't worry about it babe. You okay?" He asks concerned.

I snort. "I think I'm the one who should be asking you that."

Bruce clears his throat. "Dick."

He nods. "Right, the tip was mostly anonymous. Heard some randoms talking about the club earlier in my patrol. Something just seemed off, so I decided to check it out." He grits his teeth for a moment, as his hand tightens around mine, and releases a deep breath before continuing. "Didn't think much of it. It's a new night club, opened two weeks ago. Doesn't look threatening whatsoever." He chuckles slightly. "I mean they swing dance there. No alcohol, open to sixteen and up. Not the typical place to hold black market business or anything. Anyway, before I can even make it onto the roof I spy the laser pointer of a rifle hovering on my chest."

"So is it actually the club, or just a coincidence of a hired hitman?" I question.

He shrugs slightly. "Not entirely sure. Didn't really hang around to ask. Didn't even see where the shot came from."

Tim snorts. "Sounds like someone's losing his touch."

The older rolls his eyes and laughs quietly. "Shut up Tim."

Before the younger can rebuttal, Damian interrupts the exchange. "Father." Bruce looks to his youngest. "Perhaps the team should infiltrate this club sometime over this week."

Bruce nods. "I'll look into it and take the mission to the team this weekend. If there is a threat, I don't want them going in unprepared." He glances over at me. "Start increasing your training."

I raise an eyebrow. "You're serious?"

"It's best for you to start getting back into the swing of things."

I snort. "Was that supposed to be a pun?"

He ignores me and runs his fingers through his oldest's hair. "You going to be okay Dickie?"

The young man smiles brightly. "I'm fine dad, don't worry."

Bruce nods. "Alright, boys get some rest." He orders while leading them out of the room.

Dick looks at me. "You sure you're alright?" I nod silently. "You look tired."

I give a small smile. "So do you."

His eyes squint as he chuckles. Scooching over, he makes room for me. "Then let's get some sleep." I comply and curl up next to him, doing my best to avoid causing him anymore discomfort. His arm wraps around me tightly as he kisses my forehead. "Night Kate."

"Night." I whisper allowing the rhythmic beat of his heat lull me to sleep.