AN: It's been over a year since I updated this story but I finally manage to get a chapter done. I'm a bit rusty so please bare with me. Dick might be a little ooc..but think you will still enjoy.

Arkham Asylum

"Stay here Dick"

Dick sat and watched as Batman leapt out of the Batmobile and started walking down the worn path that lead towards the dark gloomy asylum building. Dick waited several minutes before leapting out and following briskly behind him.

"I'm serious Nightwing"

"So am I"

The two heroes continued walking and then entered the main lobby, heading directly towards the most heavily secured and guarded wing of the building. The ward where the most dangerous criminals were kept.

"This place hasn't changed a bit..you'd think could brighten the place up a bit" Dick commented dryly gazing around the bleak faded white walls and gave a sheepish grin at the unamused gaze the Dark Knight gave him.

"Okay shutting up now"

Dick's mood slowly darken as they approached the Joker's private cell. The door slowly slid open and the two warily entered the room the door shutting behind them.

"Well,well well! Look what the Bat dragged in! Ooh what a surprise! A visit from my favorite Bat on Christmas Eve. I must have been a good boy to deserve such a treat!" The Joker exclaimed and gave a wicked laugh. Dick felt an unusually rush of anger through his body. He clenched his fists. Was this how Batman felt? Dick gave the man kudos for his self control.

"You're anything but good" Dick snapped leaning down on the table his demeanor changing to his mentors. He gazed at the pasty white face, ruby lipped, and green hair villain who returned the gaze another wicked smile formed on his face as the eyes filled with madness looked him over.

"Bird Boy is that you? My my someone has grown into his big boy pants. Looking good there kiddo. Did you enjoy your presents from Uncle Jay?"

Without thought or hesitation Dick reached over grabbing the Joker and pulled him close. "I would love to shove that crowbar up your ass. You brutally murdered him" Dick gripped the Joker's jumpsuit as the Joker gave him a devilish grin. "Better him then you am I right?" *The Joker laughed and received a sharp forceful blow to the jaw* Oh Bird Boy you aren't no fun anymore."Mm but you are following in the old man's footsteps. Daddy Bats must be oh so proud" A firm grip was felt on Dick's shoulder pulling him away as the younger hero delivered several forceful blows to the Joker's jaw.

"Nightwing enough!" Dick let Batman pull him away releasing his hold on the clown. "Go wait outside. Now" Batman's tone rang dangerously firm and serious. Nightwing nodded and turned walking out of the room hearing Joker:

"Gotta hand it to you Batsy you raised the little birdie well!"

Dick stood out in the hallway and gave a shaky laugh feeling sick to his stomach. Where had that come from? He was better then that, had more self control then that. Five years…it all wanted to come out. He swore not to become like Batman but yet he had come close feeling like he was. Leaning against the wall he took several deep breathes and slowly relaxed. Why hadn't Bruce stopped him? Maybe he had but Dick was blocking him out.

Awhile later, the Dark Knight strode out of the cell with no trace of emotion on his face. The two began to walk silently down the hallway that lead back to the lobby.

"He got to you" Batman spoke first." That is why I did not want you to come with me"

Dick nodded uncertain what to say.

"You could have lost control. You almost did."

"I know..I couldn't stop myself. I don't know how you do it " Dick said as Batman nodded. "When it comes to the Joker it's never easy"


"So how did it go?" Wally inquired immediately once Dick had joined the team back at Mount Justice. The party had ended and Dick gazed at his friends who all expressed concern. "It went as well as expected guys. As far as I know Joker seems to not be up to anything."

"Which means he is up to something" Conner remarked crossing his arms. The others nodded their assent and Barbara placed her hand on Dick's arm. "We will need to be on our toes and to expect anything tonight"

"Which is why it would be best for you all to stay here" Batman spoke as he and the rest of the Justice League entered the lounge.

"I don't like that idea" Roy muttered under his breath.

"It's for your safety" Oliver responded hearing his former protégé.

"I agree. Our home is your home" M'gann spoke with a sincere smile.

Nightwing shook his head. "I'm not hiding. I need to return to Bludhaven"

"For what reason?" the Dark Knight questioned gazing intently at Dick. Dick squared his shoulders knowing leaving was going to be difficult.

"You know why"

"Bludhaven can wait. "

Dick shook his head. "I can take care of myself. I'm not a boy anymore. Bludhaven needs me"

The rest of the team and League stood awkwardly to the side all wanting to leave the two alone. But the Dark Knight blocked the doorway that led out of the lounge.

"You are staying here. That's final" Batman said sternly as he nodded to the League who looked relieved and quickly followed him out.

Wally glanced and nudged his best friend grinning. *You're not staying are you?" "You know me too well KF" Dick replied returning the grin then walked over to Barbara.

"Be careful" the heroine said giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"When am I not?" Dick replied teasingly with a smile.

Barbara rolled her eyes and then kissed him softly on the lips He returned the kiss hearing the snickers and "Aws".

"I'll be back in a few hours"

Bludhaven

The streets of Bludhaven were unusually deserted tonight. No noisy gangs or notorious villains were causing hell at this time of night. The streetlights lit the darken roads and lights sparkled across the city.

Nightwing stood on top of a flat roof building that overlooked the city. For Christmas Eve, it was a nice peaceful change for the civilians but Nightwing knew better. He sensed something would happen tonight. When and where was the question. He resumed his usual routine gracefully leaping and somersaulting through the air and over buildings. An hour passed without incident before an abrupt female scream echoed throughout the area. Nightwing fired a grapple hook and swung to the ground, appearing in the alleyway from which the scream came from. At the end of the alley there was a feminine figure in a cloak laid sprawled on the ground shaking* "Ma'am are you alright? What happened?" Nightwing crouched down beside the figure who slowly sat up and began to giggle.

"Oh I'm okie dokie sweetums. It's you who you should worry about". The figure lowered her hood and grinned up at him*

"Harley" Nightwing acknowledged Joker's loyal so called "girlfriend".

"Ta one and only " Harley replied with a crazed giggle. Dick then felt several pairs of hands grabbing him from behind with an iron grip. Dick struggled and delivered a head butt to the guy that held his arms back then delivered a roundhouse kick to the other guy sending him flying into the wall.

"Mista Jay is looking forward to seeing you again" Harley grinned and swung her large mallet at the hero.

"Tell him I can't make it" Nightwing replied and evaded the mallet. Harley swung her mallet once more as two more men attempted to grab him. Dick swiftly leapt watching as Harley's mallet connected to the two males, sending them crumpling to the ground. Another pair of thugs grabbed him and Nightwing swiftly elbowed one in the gut and escaped the men's grasp and knocked them out with several punches.

"How many thugs does she have? I lost count.."

Thankfully that was the last of them and Nightwing focused on Harley.

"You're not in Gotham now Harley. Turn yourself in" Nightwing spoke and strode towards her.

"I don't wanna. And the fun is just beginning" Harley replied sticking out her tongue and suddenly a thick green smoke surrounded the hero.

"For now, it's night night time birdie boy"

Nightwing started to feel extremely dizzy and felt his body turning numb. He attempted to run for it but he found himself falling to his hands and knees instead, struggling not to lose consciousness. He felt a hand tangled in his thick unkept hair and his head yanked back to see Harley's grinning face and felt the darkness consume him.


AN: Again a little rusty but will get back into the swing of things. Thanks for reading.