"Do you remember what it was like to wear the cowl?"
"Of course I do…the pressure…"
Nighwing leans back against the wall, the cold brick sends a current through his body.
"Is that why you called me here Talia? To reminisce…" he says.
"No my dear, I just want you to...remember" she says.
He glances down not wanting to make eye contact with the beautiful brunette standing in front of him. Her presence is like his. Dominating the space, the pressure almost unbearable. Talia demands to be heard. The cold fades and his cheeks flush as her hand cups his cheek. She turns his head so his eyes meet her own.
"Forget for a moment about the pressure. Think about the power you had. Unimaginable power, you were feared and loved with a passion one can't imagine. You had the power to change the course of events, set things right in the world. But more importantly you had respect."
"I have that now…" he says, his eyes betraying his words.
"Oh my dear little Nightwing. Who respects you? Does he? Does he respect any of you? You, the girl, the one he let die." She said.
"He didn't let Jason die…the joker was" he tries to continue
"Do you really think that psychopath put one over on our dear Batman? Truth is that particular Robin had outlived his usefulness. He was becoming nothing but trouble. No my love, Bruce was none too pleased when my father brought him back."
"Lies…" Nightwing again speaks with fading confidence.
"Look inside yourself. I think you'll find truth in what I say. Listen, time is short."
"So get to the point. What do you want?"
"Want? Why I want nothing. Other than for you to get the respect you deserve." She leans in close, her breath on his ear sending a shiver down his spine. She cups her hand on the back of his neck, her lithe body brushing against him. "You're better than him, in ways I know…" she presses her thigh between his legs, Nightwing draws in a sharp breath. "and in ways I can only imagine. Stop letting him push you around. You became this, you became Nightwing to prove you're capable of being on your own. So stand on your own two feet. Become the man you were meant to be. Become…The Batman." She finishes and spins from Nightwing, he lets the breath he was holding go watching as she reaches the edge of the building. She looks over her shoulder.
"I'll be in touch my love" she says before blowing him a kiss and tipping forward over the edge of the building. Nightwing rushes forward alarmed, he looks over the ledge at the busy street below. She's gone just as he knew she would be. He drops down his back to the ledge letting the sounds of Gotham city wash over him. Talia certainly left him with a something to think about.