"Good morning Princess!" Officer Grayson smiled locking his apartment door before happily jogging reaching Alita's side in seconds, carrying his hat under his arm. Alita looked up with a tired expression from yet another nightmare consumed her dreams again last night. Waking up at two thirty am only to stare at her own empty prescription sleeping pills bottle. She's dead tired not in any mood for any teasing or finding energy to do basically anything today.

"Morning Officer Grayson."

Dick frowned not replying back while staring at his neighbour's tired face and deep frown.

"You okay? What happened to the energetic girl I met yesterday, is she gone or something?"

Alita sighed shoulders dropped, "Sorry rough night. I ran out of my sleeping pills last night so I am not in the best state now."

Dick raised an eyebrow, "You take sleeping pills? Are you suffering from insomnia or something?"

"I've suffered chronic long-term nightmares for years. Sleeping pills are the only way I can gain a reasonable amount of sleep each night without getting drunk every single night. I don't like getting smashed of my face anyway." Alita walked down a flight of stairs not bothering to take an elevator like any other normal people, she's afraid of heights and being stuck in a metal box makes it even worse. When she was a child the elevator back home broke down causing her to freak out crying into her brother's arms. Alita doesn't trust elevators ever since.

Dick opened the glass door in the lobby allowing her to exit first before stepping out too. The traffic in Bludhaven never ends as the sound of beeping horns alone can cause one hell of a head ache.

"Oh I understand now why I hear movement during early morning hours after coming home late. Have you considered seeing a therapist or a dream expert about these nightmares? There's been a lot of discoveries about what's causing nightmares now a days." He struggled to smile as her eyes seem dimmer then normal and those dark rings under her eyes look heavier.

Alita shook her head. "No. I am not going to see anyone about my accruing nightmares, not again. I don't feel comfortable allowing someone sticking wires on me. Sleeping pills are enough."

"I 'am having a feeling these more to that statement then your letting on. Come on Alita what's really wrong?" Dick gently asked even place a comforting hand over her shoulder. His blue eyes glistened with open concern even understanding.

"When I was thirteen, my father had enough hearing my screams every single night as did my step mother and her young children. They ended up sending me to some electro shock therapy clinic. They strapped me down on a metal table before...sorry I can't say. It's something I' am still trying to get over." Alita shivered remembering that horrible experience still even feeling the electric bolts sent through her skull to her brain. That was the most painful thing she's ever felt ever and she's sure as hell not going back to receive that same treatment again.

Dick gasped expression twisted into one of horror not expecting to hear that. Why would her father and step mother send a thirteen year old to get electro shock treatment ever? That's the most cruelest thing any parent could do to their own child.

"Your serious? Your folks actually sent you to a electro shock clinic just so they can sleep at night. They could have sent you to see a dream specialist at least! Well that's not gonna happen on my watch. I'll ask the boys down town if any other them can recommend a dream specialist. Hell even I'll take you there to make sure they don't even bring that up." Dick felt utterly disgusted with Mr and Mrs Janson now, what barbaric people. In his eyes they're the most horrible people alive today.

Alita blinked up surprised at his face. "Please don't go out of your way to help me."

Dick smiled in complete honesty. "I mean every word. You can't live off of sleeping pills forever, it's not natural or good for your health."

Alita stood walking turning around to face the Officer frowning.

Truthfully she's been hoping that one night these nightmares will stop and she can finally sleep like a normal person. Then again his the first person she's ever told before and his adamant to help, almost determined.

"I can't afford a specialist."

"I can pay for it then."

What? Is he offering to pay for an expensive dream specialist just to help her? No she cannot allow nor let him open up his wallet.

"No. I can't accept your money, it's not right." Alita ignored his grinning face and raised eyebrow in a challenging expression.

"You cannot afford a specialist and I have more money in my bank and inheritances given to me from my adopted father. Honestly if I truly desired to actually move into an expensive penthouse and own it. Let me help out or I will go over your pretty little head." Dick smiled throwing an arm over her shoulder as they walk across the street.

Her eyes narrowed not wanting to still let him pay even if his gloating about racking in so much money. Honestly those specialists cost more money.

They cost her entire year's worth of pay even more so.

"I say no."

"I say yes. Well that's enough fighting for one morning. I have to head off to work now, need a lift?" Dick pulled out his cruiser's keys pressing the open button.

Alita stood alone arms crossed un-impressed.

"No thanks."

"You sure? After what happened yesterday?" Dick raised an eyebrow leaning on his driver's side door arms crossed on the car's hood. Police hat perched on top of his head.

"I am a lot tougher then I actually look Officer Grayson. Next time I'll go monkey ape shit on their asses. Also I have bricks in my bag now." Playfully patting her bag lovingly.

Dick laughed slapping the car's hood, face bright red during his fit.

It's such a typical old woman thing to do, put bricks into their handbag and then viciously smack the guy down to submission. Sighing he pulled out a small silver canister spray throwing it to her. Alita caught it one-handed looking at it.

"Pepper spray?"

"Yeah pepper spray. Before smacking your mugger out with that brick bag spray it in his eyes. That stuff burns. Well see you later Princess!" Hopping into his car, turning the engine on before pulling away. Alita waved as he beep beeped her before disappearing around a corner. Looking down at the pepper spray canister Alita tucked it away safely. Secretly dying to use this on a bad guy before smacking him around like a little bitch. Finding a local bus stop waiting for the bus.

'Ugh after work I'll buy more sleeping pills.' Alita pouted staring ahead blankly, stupid car had to break down. It will be a couple of days until the mechanic would ring up saying everything's ready and she can pick up that stupid pile of junk. Her brother bought a 1998 Toyota Camry for a going away gift, asshole she's not dumb. That car's his first owned car so his pawned it away.

Fuck it she'll buy a second-hand bike and ride to work, a sweet looking blue bike.

"Alita."

Blinking she looked up confused, did someone call out her name just now? Looking around Bludhaven's busy road for that person. No one's looking at her nor even caring.

"Alita."

Standing up her eyes narrowed across the road. Standing there was a man wearing a cloak hood up only showing his long braided beard and blazing demonic red eyes glowing. In front of his body dangling on an old paint chipped beaded necklace with a glowing crystal vile. What terrified her the most was that a person walked straight through him and he still stood there staring. Just as she was ready to scream profanities at him a yellow bus pulled up doors wide open.

"All aboard!"

The driver peered down at the young woman trying to look through the bus.

"You alright there Miss?"

Alita snapped back into reality. Hands shoved into her coats pockets strolling in and pressed her go card to the small machine paying her bus fair.

"Yeah just day dreaming."

"I get that a lot aswell. Reality sucks." He smiled in good nature as she sat behind his seat window side.

"Got that right." She looked out the window still seeing him there staring. Slyly smirking Alita boldly flipped him off flashing her ringed middle finger eyes crossed. The bus rolled away. Oh when she tells Officer Grayson this his either gonna laugh or scold up one hell of a lecture.

Well worth it anyway.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Work totally sucked.

That's all she could say about her day working today. First off before she could even clock on the only male cleaner in Blue Orchid Hotel started flirting with her again even tried boldly getting a feel of her butt. Donnie Keller's a twenty-six year old pervert living with his parent's still, he claims they needed him.

Yeah right asshole's too lazy to move out of home or even attempt to find a cheap apartment. In high school Donnie was a star football quarter back but flunked all his tests so he couldn't gain a scholarship for university.

None of the other female cleaners could stand his flirtatious antics and perverted comments.

So since Alita's the youngest girl there he tries to seduce her every single day and management claim his a good boy. Totally dismissing any bad behavior or complaints about his inappropriate approach towards female employees. Asshole's been harassing her all day since they're teamed up to clean up guest rooms all morning and afternoon.

BANG!

Alita slammed her locker closed with too much force.

Slugging on her coat while sitting on a wooden bench.

"Hey Alita it's Friday night got any plans for tonight?" Another cleaner asked lacing up her boots a few feet away. Sasha Cain's twenty-eight years old and still looked early teens. She has glowing dark chocolate coloured skin but it doesn't match up to her shining personality and kick ass baking skills. Each year if there's a girl's birthday she personally makes a cake from scratch. Her husband is a lucky guy also his a sweetheart.

"No." Alita shrugged spraying herself with a bottle of half empty perfume masking the cleaning chemical smell and horrible bleach.

"Your should come out with us tonight for girl's night." Tanya Swanson smiled walking out of the girl's locker room wearing a towel and wearing flip-flops. Her long soaking wet blonde hair complimented her glowing peachy skin tone and big bust size. Long smooth legs that are well toned after years of tai justu classes.

"Alita honey you should enjoy life. Go find a man and at least try not being a wet blanket. Come have a few vodka shots with us." Sasha smiled at her young friend pulling down her loose french bun into long waves.

"Can't go out tonight."

"Naawww why not?" Tanya pouted getting dressed in front of the other girl's not caring if they see her naked.

"Now now Tanya don't start on Alita. You forget easily that she's living alone paying bills, pay rent and buy her own food. It's not like us with men who can give us money for girl's night out. Alita's alone supporting herself." Sasha scolded wiggling an orange finger nail at the pouting blonde in a motherly tone.

"I can pay for her drinks! C'mon girl come chill out with your friends tonight. Ohhh." Tanya paused buttoning up her blouse shirt looking at Alita with a smug smile, oh damn not good.

"Are you seeing a man tonight Alita? Is that why you're not coming tonight?" Tanya slid across the wooden bench until reaching her black-haired friend's side smiling slyly daring her to protest against it.

Alita paled snapping out a harsh. "No!"

Sasha closed her locker hands pressed against her hips leaning down with an eyebrow raised.

"No? I heard what happened yesterday when I had to take Shawn to the doctors. Are you seeing that officer? I heard from Tanya that he was rather dashing in his uniform."

Tanya licked her lips winking playfully at Alita's disturbed face.

"He was yummy looking. Honey if I wasn't taken then you wouldn't have a chance with him. Ohhh Sasha he had the most amazing blue eyes ever."

Now this is getting creepy fast.

Alita poked a black finger nail at Tanya's arm. "You've got some serious problems girl. No I am not seeing Officer Grayson."

"Officer Grayson? Ohhh la la."

Sasha sighed sitting on Alita's other side wrapping an arm around her in a sweet one-armed embrace. Alita laid her head against Sasha's shoulder feeling relaxed.

"Now there's nothing wrong with liking a man my dear. Believe it or not my darling Shawn works as a police officer in Bludhaven's police station and he works with Officer Grayson on cases. Shawn says that he is a good honest guy who tries to help others before thinking of himself. Honey I know how hard it is to date an officer in this town. I just want you to be happy instead of being alone." Sasha kissed Alita's temple softly.

"I am not seeing him. Besides this stays between us girls and no one else. I admit that he is good looking even slightly annoying on a reasonable level but I am not his type. I am twenty years old working as a cleaner, his an officer. " Alita stood up shaking Sasha's arm off looking at the small mirror hanging on her locker. Staring blankly at her appearance.

Tanya sighed brushing her long tangled hair. "Great this shit again. Always doubting herself about being good enough for a man, girl please."

Sasha stood up placing both hands onto the shorter female's shoulders.

"Do you know what I see?"

"A skinny short little nobody. My hair has bad split ends, my skin is dry, hands are not soft anymore and I am getting fat."

"Your not fat!" Both Sasha and Tanya shouted.

"I blame my cereal addiction on that part."

Knock! Knock!

"Alita are you in there?" Mr Boss's voice asked behind the closed-door sounding nervous.

"Yeah she's in here Boss." Tanya quickly pulled on her jeans buttoning it up and zipping the zipper up.

"It's safe you can come in now." Sasha walked back to her locker opening it and pulling out her purse and sunglasses. Mr Boss walked in wearing a dark forest green suit looking relived as his female employees were decent and avoided himself a law suit. His grey eyes landed on the female his searching for looking board.

"Ah Miss Janson there you are."

"Here I am."

Tanya snorted softly.

Mr Boss coughed into his hand. "Well the Officer from yesterday is at the front desk asking for you."

Alita raised a thinly plucked eyebrow. Dick's here to see her? Well that's not gonna end well since both other women shot teasing winks or kissy noises. Well shit.

"Officer Grayson's here? Am I in trouble or anything along those lines that involves me giving a damn?" Alita blew a strand of hair away from her eyes, looking more board than before. He can wait until she's good and ready.

Mr Boss sighed. "What should I tell him then?"

"I am taking a long hot shower." She snickered softly remembering how she made his life hell last night.

"Very well. I shall tell Officer Grayson your having a long hot shower. Is there a hidden meaning behind that?"

Alita snorted smirking wickedly. "Yeah but not the perverted way those two ding dongs behind you are thinking."

Mr Boss walked away muttering how strange the youth now are and he couldn't understand anything properly anymore. Alita stood up tossing her bag over a shoulder before walking towards the emergency exist.

"Alita?"

"See you guys on Monday." Waving she snuck out trying to avoid Officer Grayon. Lightly running down the concert hallways until reaching the last exit door leading to an alley way behind the hotel. Reaching a corner she sneakily peeked around the alley's corner, no officer in blue. Smirking playfully she snuck away walking to the chemist. Just as Alita thought she was home free two pairs of strong arms wrapped themselves around her waist.

"BOO!"

"Oh crap!"

Dick laughed as she screamed jumping into the air.

"Dick!"

"That's my name Princess. Why are you running around from me? Here I was awaiting to drive you home and your ditching me." He pouted childishly wrapping an arm across her shoulders.

Alita grinned feeling proud.

Dick nudged her arm. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"Forget it. So are you hungry Princess? I know a great restaurant that has lobsters and sea foods for good prices." Dick winked trying to act charming to his new lady friend neighbor. Truthfully he doesn't feel like eating another microwave dinner tonight and tomorrow Alfred's coming with frozen home-made meals. Dick cannot cook to save his own life. He and Bruce actually set the microwave in Wayne Manor on fire after attempting to make popcorn. Both men cannot enter Alfred's kitchen without getting the stink eye.

Alita also didn't feel like cooking dinner that night.

"Are you asking me out?"

"Well yeah. I want to know you better since we live beside each other and we always run into another. It has to be fate."

"I don't believe in fate. Besides I can't eat sea food, I am allergic."

"Well that's not good then. Sea foods out." Dick pressed a finger under his chin still having an arm over Alita's shoulders. They crossed the road together jogging across quickly. People walked passed them talking on their mobiles or chatting amounts family, friends or lovers. Dick ponded over where they can have a nice dinner tonight, somewhere a guy can impress a stubborn hard head woman.

"I am feeling hungry for a whopper cheese burger with large onion rings and a vanilla thick shake. C'mon Officer we're having Burger King." Alita grabbed his arm pulling him desperately towards a Burger King.

"Burger King? I thought you wanted dinner somewhere nice?" Dick gasped wide-eyed.

"I am not those chicks who order salads. I like take out anyway, scratch that I love take out." Alita giggled walking to the short line staring at the menu board hungrily. Dick smirked pulling out his wallet to pay.

So this girl loves take out food than salads or glasses of cold water, his kinda girl.

"I like a girl who's not peckish about what she eats. I fancy an ultimate double whopper, large onion rings, a large coke and ice cream."

"Ohhh ice cream." She loves ice cream.

Dick quickly jumped in ordering their food from the counter girl before Alita could object and he got a mad discount on their meals.

"Hey!"

"What?"

"I can pay for myself Officer Grayson. I am not a charity case." Alita's on of those girl's who hates people buying stuff for her and not accepting money back.

Dick refused accepting her half only carrying their tray to an empty booth and started eating fresh hot onion rings. She slid in front of him taking her own meal glaring sternly as he slid her money back. That went on for five straight minutes until she snatched his wallet innocent sitting beside him and shove twenty dollars into it before smirking.

Munching away on his burger he narrowed his eyes. Damn woman.

His past girlfriends loved it when he spoiled them even pay for a meal, not this one.

"Stubborn woman."

Taking a large un-lady like bite from her whopper cheese she smirked.

Dick raised an eyebrow. "Hungry Princess?"

Swallowed mashed up food she replied back casually,

"Starving."

Ten minutes later they both finished eating. Dick stood up carrying their rubbish binning it and offered an arm to his 'date'.

Alita accepted allowing him to lead them outside at Bludhaven's dark twilight covered sky. Maybe it's not so bad having a new friend.

Dick's Apartment

"Pick a movie Princess."

Dick walked out of his bedroom rolling up his blue collared button down shirt to his elbows. After arriving back to the apartment building they quickly went to their own apartments to get changed. He wore his blue shirt, black sweat pants and black socks.

Alita sat on his couch looking around before staring at his DVD collection. Everything here is so expensive including a 110 inch flat screen television set, DVD player, a old video player and a broadband box. Two large bookcases full of random DVDs and old videos.

"Any movie?"

Dick leaped over the leather couch sitting beside his guest.

"Yeah."

Alita stood walking to the large admirable collection arms crossed.

Before even walking into his apartment she quickly got changed into warmer clothes due to the rain making it colder than usual. Wearing a dark ash grey tights, a light grey long-sleeved shirt, a black thick cotton shawl and ugg-boots.

Black hair let down in gentle waves reaching collar bone length.

Dick flickered through his I- phone six checking FaceBook replying back to his brothers messages.

Alita looked over her shoulder arms crossed to keep warm.

"No war movies?"

He paused not expecting to hear such a statement, war movies. Blue eyes looked up meeting slightly disappointed apple green eyes.

"War?"

"Yeah and you also don't have any John Wayne movies or westerns. How can you live with yourself?"

He pressed a finger to his bottom lip. So Aussie girl likes war and western movies, that's news to him. No girl likes that sort of geners and he has one of two romance movies lying around.

"I dunno."

Alita looked back scanning each movie title noticing there's more action movies, superhero movies, fantasy and family movies

"No Disney?"

Dick smiled getting up walking into his room and came back out carrying a large stack of Disney movies all in limited edition. Setting the stack down he said each name.

"Beauty and the Beast. Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Dumbo, Lion King, Dumbo, Peter Pan, Hercules, Mulan, Mary Poppins and Aladdin."

She continued off his list, "Bambi, Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Jungle Book one and two. Oliver and Company, Basil the Great Mouse Detective,Pinocchio, Fox and the Hound. rescuers down Under, Black Calderon, Robin Hood, Lady and the Tramp and Sword in the Stone. No Alice In Wonderland, I can live with that. Uggghhh I chose Robin Hood!" She passed over Robin Hood.

Dick blinked down at the movie shoved into his hands.

"No Princess movies?"

"No maybe later. It goes Robin Hood, Peter Pan one and two and you chose afterwards. Come on Robin Hood!" Alita smiled clapping her hands.

Dick placed the disk into the DVD player, grabbed the remote then sat back down. Arm thrown over his leather couch dangerously close to her shoulder. They watched the Disney classic enjoying it like grown up children. Laughing at Lord Hiss and Prince John getting robbed by Robin Hood and Little John.

Dick took a side ways glance feeling a strange emotion twist his stomach as she smiled lightly giggling. This woman has to be without any doubt the most different female his ever met.

He liked how she tries pushing his buttons, acting childish, stubborn and most of all loved the simpler things in life.

Alita giggled watching her favorite childhood movie not noticing an arm snake across her shoulders.

Four hours passed by and they were half way through their third movie when she noticed how late it was. Dick sat there arm over her eyes glued to the television screen looking peaceful.

Shaking his arm Alita waited until his eyes were on her.

"Hmm?"

"It's getting late. I should be heading home now."

Blinking he looked down at his wrist watch, 11 pm. Oh looks like he forgot about patrolling the city tonight.

"Oh well why don't you stay here tonight? I can sleep on the couch while you take the bed. We can have a Disney marathon tomorrow."

Alita's childish side took over immediately hearing a Disney marathon day.

"Okay but I need to get my sleeping pills. Warning of the wise Dick, I'll wake up in a few hours and be up for hours."

"I don't mind. Wake me up and we'll finish this movie off."

Standing up feeling sore after sitting down in one spot for a few hours. Alita grabbed her keys walking out to her own apartment. Dick sat alone waiting for his guest's arrival back.

Alita opened her apartment door flicking on the lights.

Suddenly a strong burst of cold air hit her head on, shivering she looked around.

The main window's wide open allowing cold air in. Dismissing it she walked over slamming down the window locking it aswell. Tucking her hair behind her tiny pierced eyes shivering slightly.

'Strange.'

Going through her paper bag pulling out the pill bottle un-opened, shaking it in one hand she walked out locking everything. Unaware of a dark blood red eyes glowing from her bedroom.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Author's Note

Second chapter's up already!

So if anyone of you have noticed that Alita's acting slightly different is because her personality is clearly starting to show. Most of it is exactly like mine. I hate it when people buy me things or shout me something to eat without accepting money back, I hate it.

I am trying to make things go slowly between Dick and Alita but old habits die hard especially like my other stories. I am trying to make it that his attracted to her but wanting to let things go slowly between them both. He is aware that Alita's attractive and different from other women that's been in his life. Alita's sort of clueless when it comes to men since she's never had a boyfriend before.

Her fear of being rejected or judged because of her nightmares, afraid they'll reject her.

I would also like it if you all can help me give this mysterious hooded man a proper name, something unique. His pretty taller than most men, his skin is light grey with rotting flesh, yellow sharp teeth and his beard reaches his knees. That's all I can give you all to work with, I am not sure what to name him. Some help would be really helpful.

Okay thanks for reading guys!

I don't own Batman or anything related to the Batman saga or Nightwing (Dick Grayson.) I do own Alita, Tanya, Sasha, Donnie, Mr Boss and this story plot. I am sorry for bad spelling, grammar errors and anything else that reaches your attention.

I would love some reviews to know what you all thing about this story and how it's going. If you all have any sort of ideas that can help out anyway possible, I'd love to hear it. Okay thank you guys! :)