00: Unexpected Amusement
01:38 September 6th
Chicago, Illinois
Nightwing was on his own - now that the Justice League was back to its old self and the other teams were doing their thing. Moving to another city to patrol was the best idea - a little vacation mixed with work. He'd gone around the world, but nothing on his own. It was always for the team, or Batman.
Just turning twenty-one, he was his own man now. Sitting on the roof of a tall apartment complex, Nightwing could see all below him. It was a dark, clear night, with stars twinkling. He was rocking his same old suit - blue and black. He couldn't get rid of it - not when it worked so well. The past week had been filed with a few robberies, a few muggings, and even two low-level villains. Tonight it was oddly quiet.
He narrowed his eyes and scanned the view of the street below. It was still busy with traffic and people, mostly those who enjoyed the clubs and bars that filled the tourist area. With a sound of irritation and boredom, Nightwing decided to try a different area of the city. He made his way silently through the city, staying in the shadows. Fifteen minutes later, he heard a woman cry out, and then curse. He followed the noise, toward an alley outside a club that seemed to be closing. There was a few people outside, telling others they would see them tomorrow night.
The people didn't seem to notice the shuffling in the alley. Nightwing walked in, shoulders back, as he saw a woman in her mid-20s with blue hair pulled back glaring at a man in a mask with a gun pointed in her face. The woman was wearing faded jeans and a t-shirt with the club's name on it. Nightwing reached for his batons, but froze when the woman acted.
She let out a grunt as she kneed him in the groin. The attacker's gun flew across the alley, skidding to a halt feet away. The attacker growled, and then the woman swung and punch him in the face. "Have some manners, jackass," she growled down at the groaning man.
Nightwing blinked. The woman was short, just over 5 feet, and seemed innocent and mild - then she had acted and the tiger came out. Finally, she looked up as she held her cellphone in her hand. The two stared at one another, the man still on the ground groaning.
"Oh. Hello," she said, sounding a little embarrassed. "I… guess I beat you to the punch, didn't I?" She shrugged sheepishly.
"Just a bit," he answered, using a voice lower than his normal one. "You should call the police." He put away his weapons and came toward her. She didn't flinch, just raised her eyebrows, as he bent down and turned the man over onto his stomach. The man didn't fight as Nightwing used cable ties to bind his hands behind his back. He stood, and the woman turned off the phone.
"They'll be here soon. I suppose you should be gone by then. They'll think you're with him."
"Usually do," he replied with a small smile. The woman stared at him as sirens appeared on the street. People were gathering around, wondering what was happening. Nightwing pulled back into the shadows.
"Who are you? In case I need you again." Her tone was flirty
"Call me Nightwing." He disappeared from view with an amused smile.
