A/N: Hey, there changed the title of the fic because it works. second changed it to a M rating because there is content in this chapter that is of the hem* lemon flavor and curse words. and the subject matter of this fic is ANGST. anyway, read on.

NightFall

Dick stared at the small black velvet box in his hand. Opening it, a beautifully cut diamond ring caught the glint of the living room light. He shut it and tossed it on the table, he leaned forward running both hands through his hair.

Dishes were left in the sink as he stood up, his balance unsteady as made his way to the counter picking up the empty bottles of beer. It was cheap but it was what he could afford. He placed the bottles in an empty box half hidden between the fridge and the pantry door.

A knock sounded at the door, he dipped his head back telling himself to leave it, but when a second knock came he knew he had no choice. He walked over to the door glancing at his watch to see it was ten-thirty at night.

He opened it to find Tim standing there hands stuffed in his front jean pockets. "Hey...sorry to come unannounced." Dick found that hard to be true, but he didn't have the energy to hash it out.

Tim smiled. "Mind if I come in?"

Dick stepped aside. Then made his way to his living room and sat on a faded couch. Tim shut the door behind him taking in the apartment.

"Wow...I think the roaches are crying this place is that bad."

Dick didn't answer, causing Tim to think back to the night of patrolling. "Listen, about patrol. I'm sorry."

Dick glanced up at his younger brother. "It was four days ago."

Tim rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, but, I just wanted to let you know. I shouldn't have snapped at you."

Dick shrugged getting up he walked over to the fridge and pulled out a beer. Popping the cap open before he brought the drink to his lips.

Tim didn't miss the slight shake of Dick's hand as he ran the back of it to wipe away the traces of his drink from his mouth.

"Like I said. Listen, Tim. I know I wasn't helping any. Your response was reactive, no need to apologize for it. Let it go."

Tim was silent for a moment before he spoke his concern. "Hey, you don't look all that hot. Come back to the manor. Alfred makes a great Shepard's pie."

Dick felt his stomach protest at the mention of food. "Thanks, but I'm good."

Tim didn't believe it for a moment, but he knew Dick could impressively build up walls around him. That even Bruce knew he couldn't break through if he tried.

"...Damien, is truly amazing when he puts his mind to sparring. Got me pretty good the other day." Tim stated in attempt to make the mood light.

"He was trained by the league of assassins; he better be able to handle himself." Dick answered wincing as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

Tim stepped forward. "Come home. Dick get some rest. Jason believe it or not actually is worried about you in his own way."

Dick shook his head. "Making a small thing into a huge problem is not worth going home for. I'm fine."

"You don't look fine. When was the last time you slept?"

Dick couldn't help but scoff at the question. "Try I don't know, when I was seven."

"I'm not joking around here." Tim stated firmly.

"And neither am I." Dick shot back honing his eyes on Tim's. "I'm a big boy. I can manage."

Was that ever a lie.

He had to get Tim out of the house. He walked over to the other vigilante. "I'd like you to leave, get that sleep you tell me I need."

Tim looked over Dick. "...Ok."

Dick gave a quick smile. "Everything is fine. Give Alfred my best."

Tim couldn't ignore the fact he was feeling slightly rushed toward the door. He opened the door. "Don't hes...what's that?"

'shit.' Dick thought as he realized where Tim's eye line had drifted to. "Nothing."

Tim brushed passed Dick to walk over to the table. His brow furrowed as he realized the small box, he picked it up. Turning to Dick.

Dick gave an impassive stare. Then diverted his eyes away taking another swig of his drink. Tim looked back down at the box in his hand.

"Dick, this is a ring box."

"Very perceptive Tim." Dick said sarcastically.

"Dick, I didn't know you were going to ask Barbara to marry you." Tim smile widened. "I know you will make her world shine."

Images flashed through Dicks mind of he and Barbara but then transformed into a uglier truth.

"Barbara and I are no longer together."

Silence hung between them as Tim stared in disbelief his smile vanishing. "Since when?"

Dick sighed. "Is this an interrogation? It's over. End of story."

Tim discarded the box back on the table walking over to his brother, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Dick, I am so sorry."

Dick pulled away. "Tim. go."

Tim lowered his hand. "Yeah...Take care of yourself."

Dick didn't say a word as Tim left. He walked over to the couch the feeling of despair crawled it's way to the surface. He let out a breath dipping his head back, how long has it been? He couldn't get passed it.

The foundation he had built was crumbling underneath him. He just needed something to shut off his brain take away the sadness and disgust...the guilt. He set his beer on the coffee table and dug his phone out of his pocket.

He scrolled through his contact list and fell on an old connection. He hovered his thumb over the name, running his hand over his face he tossed the phone on the table.

'What was he doing?'

He reached over and picked up his beer,pausing he looked back at the phone.

'Screw it.'

He picked the phone up and pressed the name in his contact list. He waited as he heard the ring. Then a voice.

"Dick?"

"Hey."

a moment of silence followed.

'You still there?"

Dick adjusted his position. "Yeah... I was wondering if you were around."

"It's late."

"I won't waste your time. Meet at the usual place?"

"..."

"You know longer after worry about my job."

"I did see that you were fired. How are you handling that?"

"Not well. Can I meet you or not?"

"Yeah, you know the drill."

"Usual time and place."

At that the call ended. Dick rose from the couch stuffing his phone back in the pocket he picked up his jacket and car keys by the door and exited the apartment.

))))))))

Jason held his gun in front of the criminals face. "You should know it isn't the best choice to make me mad."

"S-sorry." the man choked out knowing his comrades were rendered useless along the bank vault floor.

"Awe, you are crying truly adorable. Now tell me how do you want to die. Chest, Head, or abdomen?"

The criminal's eyes widened. "Please,please! Don't kill me please!"

"Have I ever killed anyone?...Sure, but not without reason."

"Red Hood, stop playing with your catch."

Jason turned to see Damien. "Robin, don't you have demons to vanquish with your super-friends?"

"I tracked you by the body count thought a good number would be seven, not fourteen."

Red Hood swung his foot against the criminal head knocking him out. He sheathed his gun. "Seriously, Batman sent his dog to sniffer track me? Cute."

"No he didn't I came to talk to you about Nightwing."

Jason paused for a moment before left the vault. "What about him?"

"He's been off."

Jason made his way through the bank and out the back door. "Since when did you care about what the Golden child does?"

Robin crossed his arms. "He's not my favorite person, but I don't wish him any wrong and nor do you."

Jason released his grapple and zipped up to the next building, Robin right behind him. "So, what do you want me to do about it?"

"Father wouldn't ask you to do it, but Tim and I need to handle Gotham while he is out of town on league business."

"So, you want me to gallivant to Bludhaven to check in on him."

"If it isn't too much out of your blood pillaging schedule." Damien stated dryly.

Jason mind flicked back to his last encounter with his foster brother and realized Robin did have a point.

"Fine. I'll do it, but you all just need to chill. He's a big boy he can handle himself."

))))))))))))))

Dick felt the euphoria kick in and not letting go. He was tossed against the wall as he felt her lips against his. This was strictly physical need. His desperation was evident in every movement, this woman was not a rookie as she ran her hands down his chest then continued down to his belt tugging him forward.

"As, much as ally way sex is my thing, maybe you could take me to your place." she suggested kissing his neck. Rubbing her hand against him. "Then I can show you what I can really do."

Dick kissed her hard letting her hand linger there a moment more before he took her by the hand and lead her to the car.

"Ooh, nicer than most I get into."

Dick slipped into the drivers seat. It wasn't the wisest choice as his concentration was slipping, but by the time he tuck the keys in the door knob he couldn't care less. He stumbled into his apartment, as he picked up the woman allowing her to wrap her legs around his waist. Holding her there as she removed his shirt, she helped her then resumed kissing her.

He kicked off his shoes. Making his way to his bedroom the only source of light from the kitchen and the moon coming from his bedroom window. Locked in a fiery kiss he parted. Panting; looking at the brunette for a few seconds before he threw her on the bed landing over top of her kissing her fervently along her jaw and down her neck and then back up to kiss her hard.

"S-stop stop." she said tapping him on the shoulder.

Dick raised his head to look at her; both breathless. "What is it?"

She gave a smile. "You need to slow down, you're going so fast I can't even think straight."

Dick blue eyes locked on the hazel staring back at him. "...I like fast."

She pulled away from under him. "Then let me show you how to enjoy slow."

Dick found himself laying on the bottom as she straddled his legs to loosen his belt and pulled the zipper down on his jeans. He opened his mouth to speak but it ended up being caught in his throat as she rubbed him, her ministrations began to drive him crazy as she took her time. He titled his head back letting out a quick gasp as he felt himself aroused. The drugs in his body began to take effect as his mind clouded lost in the sensations that overwhelmed his body.

He took control once more, once more on top. He thrust in to her. Both letting out a gasp, he panted against her skin. His eyes closed he thought this would work but soon images took over, of blood, and death, he gritted his teeth and began to move, she met each of his thrusts, both close. She held on to him entangling her hands in his raven hair as he quickened.

'So close.'

"Wow."

Dick's eyes snapped open both him and her gasped out in surprised. Dick separated from his lover. She clung the blankets to her body while Dick stared at the figure in the corner.

"Oh, I'm sorry did I interrupt something?"

The woman looked at Dick. "Do you know him?"

Dick gathered himself together. "He's my brother."

"So, I take it Barbara doesn't know about. 'This'"

The woman looked between the two. "Who's Barbara?"

"Nobody."Dick firmly said.

Jason became stern, but was also, surprised at the denial. "Dick."

Jason leaned against the wall arms crossed eying the woman on the bed. "Hey, sweet cheeks mind leaving?"

She blinked still in shock. Jason was not impressed. "In this century would be good."

She took the hint she went to get out when Dick grabbed her gently by the arm.

"How much do I owe you?" he softly asked.

She cupped the side of his cheek. "First time is free."

Dick closed his eyes as she softly kissed him. Glancing over at Jason and immediately regretted it as she felt the hatred coming from him.

Dick got up from the bed and walked over to turn on the light. He walked over to his dresser and pulled out a t-shirt.

"Why, are you here, Jason?"

"Apparently our family has this crazy idea that you need help."

Dick sighed. Shutting the drawer. "What I do with my life is none of their damn business."

"True." Jason walked towards Dick. "I know you are a big boy, but when your life starts interfering with mine, then it my business."

Dick avoided eye contact causing Jason to furrow his brow. "Hey, what's going on with you?"

"Nothing." Dick said.

Jason grabbed him by the arm forcing Dick to look at him, but was met with a disapproving glare as Dick pushed him out of the way.

"Get out Jason."

Jason stood there. "Tim said-"

"I don't care what Tim or any of you say or think! Get the HELL out of my house!" Dick fumed. "NOW! Before I make you."

Jason remained quiet, then did what was asked. He halted in the door way. "Whatever you think you're trying to prove. It's not working."

Dick remained where he stood for a moment before he made his way to the bed and collapsed against it.

'Nothing...I just want nothing.'