I feel like poop, you guys :S
I really wanted to get something out for you all this weekend, though, so I decided to cut chapter 7 in half and go ahead and publish this much. It's kind of boring, I'm sorry, but I really wanted you all to have something :S

CHAPTER 7- Part 1

My eyes widened and a bright smile stretched across my face. Home! The word rang happily in my mind.

"Really?" I questioned Nightwing, taking another step into the room. This seemed too good to be true, and I had to make sure I heard Selina right. Nightwing hesitated a moment before nodding his head. My heart leapt with excitement and my smile stretched even wider.

"Then what are we waiting for? I'm ready, let's go!" I exclaimed. Nightwing frowned, shifting uncomfortably.

"It's not that simple." He said with a sigh. My heart dropped. My smile faltering slightly, I gave a nervous laugh in an attempt to hide my rising anxiety.

"W-What do you mean?" I asked. Nightwing scratched the back of his head,

"Well, there's just… Something we have to do first." He said.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Nightwing eyed the girl cautiously. She looked so fragile, like a porcelain doll. He was afraid if he said one wrong word she would shatter. Her eyes were the color of the sea, calm before the storm, and they regarded him cautiously, untrusting. Dick watched as she pushed back a golden curl that had come loose from her ponytail, and pursed her lips.

"And this 'thing' is?" she asked him suspiciously. He took a step towards her as he spoke,

"Two-Face attempted to steal something from Wayne Enterprises earlier today. He didn't succeed, but there's no doubt he'll try to steal it again. I need your help to find him so I can put a stop to whatever he's planning." He stated. Allie frowned at him, her brows furrowing in confusion.

"Can't Batman do that?" she asked tiredly. Nightwing's jaw tightened at his former-mentor's name.

"No." he said it more harshly than he had intended and Allie jumped, startled. Selina gave him a questioning look, but said nothing as she continued to stroke Isis. Allie glared at him as she crossed her arms stubbornly across her chest,

"Then forget it. I've had enough of that maniac." She retorted, waving a dismissive hand in the air. "He's already threatened me more than once- in the same day- and I'd rather not find out if he actually meant the things he said. I'll just find some other way to get home, thank you." She snapped, plopping down on the couch next to Selina. She earned an annoyed look from Isis, but the feline closed its eyes and resumed purring as Selina ran her fingers down its spine. Dick sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Why was she being so difficult?

"Listen, Allie," he started, "all I need is to know where Harvey is hiding. I'm not going to make you do anything you don't want to. As soon as I find him, I promise, I'll get you home safe-and-sound." He said softly, trying to make sure she knew he meant it. Obviously the message sank in, because her expression softened and she bit her lip in thought. She was silent for a while, and Dick thought she was still going to deny him any help, but then,

"Okay." Her voice was barely a whisper. Dick released a breath and the corners of his lips twitched up in a smile. "Does it… I mean… Do we have to go tonight?" Allie added quickly. Dick stared at her, not understanding. A minute ago she had been ready to leave, in a hurry to get home. Where had that enthusiasm gone?

"Why not?" Nightwing questioned. Allie rubbed an arm, staring at the ground.

"I'm exhausted from running around all day. I just want to get some sleep before I do anything else." She said softly. Dick could tell she was lying, but he didn't press it.

"Okay." He nodded in agreement.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

I nodded numbly, letting Nightwing know I'd heard him. I really didn't want to go at all, to be honest. I was terrified of having to be anywhere near Two-Face again, especially after what I'd overheard earlier. However, I also didn't want to get home and have to worry about Harvey possibly finding out where I lived. At least if I helped Nightwing I'd feel safer knowing that the rogue was behind bars.

"There's a spare bedroom down the hall. You can sleep there." Selina said softly. I nodded again and stood up slowly, my muscles screaming in protest. All I wanted to do was rest. I should really start exercising more…

I headed down the hall towards the spare bedroom. I could hear Nightwing and Selina start up a conversation behind me, but I was too tired to care. Once I was inside the room, I closed the door and flung myself on the bed.

The smell of lilac assaulted my nose and I buried my head deep into the plush-pillow below me. Wow, Selina had really good taste. Sighing contentedly, I wrapped slipped under the covers and allowed myself to relax. I wanted to sleep, really, I felt absolutely exhausted. But I just couldn't seem to make myself do it. There was a gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach, and it crept all the way up to the back of my head.

What if Two-Face manages to get a hold of me when Nightwing confronts him? What if we run in to Killer Croc on our way to find Harvey? My arms throbbed at the thought, and I moaned in frustration. I tossed and turned for about thirty minutes, just wishing I could go to sleep, when one question struck me to the core.

What if they find out where I live?

My eyes snapped open and I sat up quickly. Thoughts of my parents lying lifeless on the living room floor brought tears to my eyes. I slipped out from under the covers and opened the bedroom door. It was dead silent in Selina's apartment now. Nightwing must have left and Selina must have gone to bed. I tiptoed quietly down the hall and into the living room, doing my best not to wake Selina. It was dark in the room, the moon giving off just enough light to see the outlines of furniture.

I squinted in the darkness, scanning the room carefully, and spotted a telephone sitting on an end table beside the couch. I crept over to the phone and slowly lifted it off the hook. A soft snore made me jump, and my eyes snapped over to the couch. Nightwing was fast asleep, one arm stretched over his eyes and the other dangling off the side of the couch. I bit the inside of my cheek and cautiously picked the base of the phone off of the table. I crouched down behind the couch and punched in a few numbers. I waited impatiently for someone to answer. Please… Please, pick up… I pleaded.

"Hello?" my mother's voice sent a wave of relief rushing through me.

"Mom?" my voice cracked as I spoke into the phone. I covered the end of the phone and cleared my throat, which had suddenly become very dry. I didn't want my mom to panic any more than she probably was.

"Allie? Oh, thank God! Sweetie, are you okay? Where are you?" my mother rambled into the phone. I smiled, biting my lip to keep from crying. I could picture exactly how my mother looked right now. Her white-blonde hair was probably in a messy bun instead of the tight ponytail she usually kept it in. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot, and she was more than likely wearing sweats. It was how she looked every time something happened that upset her. She did the same thing when our old cat, Missy, died.

I frowned when I heard noises in the background. I could hear someone with a thick, New Jersey accent barking orders, an occasional siren, and someone repeatedly saying, "Almost done, Mr. Valentine" or, "Just a few more questions, Mr. Valentine." The police were there?

"I'm fine mom. I'm coming home soon, don't worry." I assured her. There was movement out of the corner of my eye, and I snapped my head up. A gloved arm flopped over the back of the couch, and a snore sounded from the other side. I stared at the arm with baited breath. I really hope he isn't awake. I waited to see if he stirred again, but he remained still.

"Mom, like I said, I'll be home soon. I have some… help. There's just something I have to do first. I love you." I whispered hurriedly. I hung up the phone, ignoring my mother's protests. I continued to stare at Nightwing's arm before I got up enough courage to set the phone back on the table, and scurry back to my room.

As I crawled back into bed, relief settled in and the gnawing in my stomach and head stopped. I suddenly realized just how tired I really was as my eyes drooped shut of their own accord. Yawning, I allowed my eyes to close, and fell asleep.