Six:The Flames Join the Night
Midnight won't be the same
When I close my eyes
We're dancin' right into the flame
(Dancing Right Into the Flames- Mr. Big)
When Jason awoke, the sky was light out but still grey. He rolled over to find the bed held only him now. Frowning he sat up. Cass was gone.
He grumbled hurling himself out of the bed. His mind reeled over the last night and their steamy session. Sure he had figured switching routes to go with Cass would mean he could watch her more, but he had far from expected last night to go that way.
He also took a glance to see his shirt was missing. he sighed as he threw on his still damp clothes and slipped his helmet under his arm taking leave.
Dick was finally off. Swinging his arms he easily moved down the street, careful to flip his badge away. He swung into a small bakery and smiled charmingly at the elderly clerk. The woman beamed back, 'What would you be having sonny?' she asked.
After buying some turnovers he stopped by a man on the road selling roses singularly. He purchased one and continued on his way, whistling as he went. Finally reaching his destination he rang the buzzer. The familiar voice answered and soon he was outside Barbara's apartment.
When she answered he held out the rose, 'Milady.' he said. Barbara giggled and rolled back in, Dick following her.
'I brought breakfast too.' he said and she grinned, 'Great!'
He noticed a door shut, 'Cass back? he asked as they delved into the pastries.
'Yeah she came in pretty sour too. Something about the storm and camping out with Hood and then she shut herself in her room.' Barbara said.
Dick raised an eyebrow and Barbara explained how Tim had warned her of the tip off and he and Cass went to check it out.
'So they ran into Jason and...Scar something?' Dick asked. Barbara rolled her eyes, 'Scarlet. Dick. And I guess so.'
She set her plate down, 'That was amazing! Thank you.' she said happily. Dick grinned sloppily finishing his own.
'Well today I wanted to make sure was perfect.' Dick said. Barbara raised an eyebrow and his grin widened. He then slipped out another pastry box.
'Seconds? Gee I don't know Dick, I'm pretty full as it is.'
'Trust me, you'll want this one.' Dick pressed, Barbara took the box and slipped it open. She gasped at what was inside.
'Oh Dick!'
Johnathan entered his apartment wearily, Hatter stumbling behind him. Really by this point he was used to the Joker already being there.
'And where were you?' Joker asked, 'Dad's not very pleased.'
'Collecting this fool.' Crane hissed. Hatter just merely laid on his bed.
Joker opened his mouth but Crane beat him to it, he pulled out a hand gun of his own and pointed it point blank between Joker's eyes.
'Listen here you fuck face. I just had to get Hatter who managed to get himself to clinic because your plan on testing it on him, failed. '
'We were interrupted.' Joker corrected, his voice cool now.
'You were careless. Do you know what could have happened had Batman shown up and taken the device.' with his other hand Crane tossed the now broken device at Joker's feet.
'Hatter's out for a while now.' Johnathan said calmly, 'so it's compromise time. I have the toxin that you need. But we're out of devices. You get the devices and When the time is right, I will let you have the toxin.'
'Fine party pooper.' Joker said pouting. But his eyes sparked dangerously. He stood and headed for the door, making sure to pat Hatter roughly on the sore spot of his neck. Hatter squeaked in pain.
'Don't worry about it.' Joker said, 'I'm already working on getting more, just make sure your party favour is ready.' and with that he was gone. Johnathan lowered his gun breathing heavily.
Hatter merely rolled over grumbling about idiotic clowns. Johnathan gave a tired smile.
The bat cave was buzzing as patrol was soon to begin. Oracle rolled in with Nightwing following. Red Robin , Batman and Robin were already there.
'I received some information that Joker's planning on securing another one of those devices.' Tim said. Oracle positioned herself at the computer, Cass also soon joined them.
'Full on attack.' Bruce said, 'We're all going in. It's at the military base so we'll have outside perimeter of Robin, Red Robin and Black Bat. Nightwing and myself will infiltrate and when we signal, Red Robin will join.'
Damian grumbled but Cass just put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
'And I'll be following you guys in.' Oracle said. Tim was the first to notice.
'What's that on your hand O?' he demanded. a simple cut diamond ring sparkled around a finger. Oracle blushed and glanced at Nightwing.
'Oh you know, the usual, I gave her a ring and asked her to marry me.' Nightwing said casually.
Thankfully the cowl made the shock hidden for Bruce.
'I suppose we can celebrate after we take the Joker down.' he said.
Oracle nodded, beaming at them all, 'Let's do this.' she said. Her fingers slid across the keyboard as the batmobile revved up behind her.
'Good luck.' she called to them. Both Red Robin and Nightwing were stationed on their bikes, Black Bat seated behind Red Robin on his. Soon they were gone.
Once they were close enough they disembarked and moved into their teams. Red Robin lead the way continually glancing at his phone. Finally after one last glance he held a small smile and pocketed it.
'What are you doing other then being distracted?' Robin demanded in hushed tones. Red Robin merely shrugged and they took positions forming a sort of triangle around the building.
'Right.' Came in Nightwing's voice, he had sounded uneasy since the moment they left, 'we're inside. There seems to be four guys on the left side and no sign yet of the Joker inside.'
'Wait!'
Inside the base, they found not the Joker, but three heavily armed thugs and Harley Quinn. Her hammer gleamed and she smiled behind her domino mask at them, leering.
'Let's play whack-a-bat!' She laughed. She lunged at Batman who dodged and flung batarangs, slicing her ankles. She stumbled but kept her momentum ow swinging at Nightwing. Meanwhile the thugs all pulled out guns and fired at the same time.
'Nightwing-' Red Robin shouted into his comm, but by that point they were found, he heard around the corner Robin grunting as he fended off a pair of thugs with chains swinging. Black Bat meanwhile had her side cleared right away as she only had one guard by a back door, she leaped to the roof and flung shruikens at the ones attacking Robin. Red Robin bent himself into a pose attacking two more coming his way with his staff.
'There's too many!' he heard Nightwing shout. Suddenly there were several bangs and the thugs attacking Red Robin fell.
'Took you long enough.' he panted, red Hood and Scarlet now joined them. Cass hit the dirt and kicked the door nearest open with such vigour it bent.
'Someone's testy.' Scarlet said and they stormed in. There were now fifteen thugs and Harley inside. Harley was cartwheeling to a nearby office.
'You guys take out the bozos.' Hood yelled as he ran after her. He easily met her at the door and with his shoulder, checked her into the floor.
'My shoe.' She cried tearing off her broken heel. Hood merely raised his gun.
'Don't move.' He growled. She grinned and slipped her other shoe off, pulling out a switch blade and flinging it at him. Hardly time to react it sliced wrist holding his gun. She flipped upwards and landed onto his shoulders, and they stumbled backwards. The moment he hit the ground she slipped out another knife and got him right in the forearm.
'Hood!' Nightwing shouted, being nearest he shot his grapple as she ran, tripping her as she went.
'Contain her!' Batman barked. Nightwing advanced but suddenly a smoke bomb was thrown. There was a loud cackle and Joker slid into view.
Jason grabbed his fallen gun and aimed.
'No!' Batman yelled, he fired by the Joker easily dodged it, he skidded to a halt in front of Harley and pulled out small detonator.
'While we were having fun I planted a small bomb, nothing big, just for some colour yah know!' Joker said cackling afterwards.
Nightwing helped Hood up as the last few thugs scattered.
'Now be a good boy and let mummy take her toy.' Joker said. After a pause Harley hurried to the room, she took her hammer and broke it open. Only moments later she had what they needed, two new black boxes.
'Right, say good night!' Joker said giving a theatrical wave as they ran, his hand still on the red button.
'I don't think so.' Scarlet said, she suddenly thrusted her body forward swinging throwing a knife. it slid neatly into Harley's hand. The moment it did it gave a shock of electricity and Harley screamed dropping one of the boxes.
'Stupid!' Joker screeched dragging her, as he did he hit the red button he held.
'Move!' Bruce shouted, somewhere to the side a beeping started. As they ran through the building, it grew louder.
The moment they made it out the building blew up. The bomb was only big enough to take out the one area of the building but still a fair bit of damage.
Panting, Batman called O to send the police.
'Military forces are en route already. Had to jam them up to delay them for you.' She came through with static, 'Better hurry home.'
'Nice work on the knife.' Red Robin said as they reached their vehicles. He was slightly limping and Robin had an injured arm but other then them and Hood they were unscathed.
'Thanks,' Scarlet said surprised, 'I altered it so if you touch the blade only it would send out a shock wave.'
'You're injured.' Black Bat spoke suddenly towards Hood.
'So is Red and Demon here.' He said gruffly. Between the three however his jacket was seeping with blood. Black Bat stopped him and pulled out a white cloth and tied it around the wound.
'Thanks.' Hood said awkwardly. Scarlet was then by his side. Black Bat inclined her head and slung herself onto Nightwing's motorcycle.
Harley was limping herself as she followed the Joker down an alley near the hide out. Suddenly he spun around and struck her in the face.
'Puddin!' She yelped.
'You dropped it!' he snarled. His face contorted with rage. She fumbled with an apology and kicked her shin, she hit the dirt and gave a cry.
'Don't come back till you thought of what you did to mommy's plan.' he said and crushed her foot with his own boot. As she withered he kicked her in the face and stormed off down the alley.
She managed to pick herself up, cough up some blood and drag herself down the alley. She stopped with baited breath as light foot steps approached.
'Mistah J?' she breathed.
'Far from it.' the voice said. She groaned as the image of Nightwing swam before her hazy vision.
'Holy!' he said bending down, he helped her up and managed to get inside the nearby empty building. The boards covering the door was so rotten and old it was easy for him to get it.
He helped her on to a nearby bench, it was some sort of work shop at one point. Nightwing pulled out some bandages and a bottle of some sort of ointment.
'Not much my good kit is on my bike.' he said. She sat there with tears streaming down her eyes, her make up running along with blood down one side.
'You'll need to take off the mask.' he said softly, she tore it off much to his surprise and spoke finally.
'Don't matter. I'm a nobody now.' she said.
'You're not a nobody.' Nightwing said as he fixed her up, 'You're quite the gymnast.'
She tried raising an eyebrow but gave a wince.
'I would know, I used to be in the circus you know.' he said. He didn't know why he said it, but she gave a small giggle.
'You do enjoy doing some nice flips' she said. He smiled, 'Same to you.'
'I used to love the circus.' She said, 'Especially the elephants.'
'We had one of those.' he said. She brightened at that.
'You know.' Nightwing said carefully, 'There's a clinic close by, the doctor helps anybody.'
'I'm not a good person, I don't deserve help.' She said.
'Well considering only like a few hours ago we fought each other and now look, here I am, so obviously you're worth something.' he said.
'Where's the clinic?' she asked. He gave her the address as he finished. She stood, wobbly but much better now.
'Here.' he said handing her a travel pack of pain pills, 'They're safe.' he added.
Suddenly she pulled him close, dangerously close, he could feel he ragged breath against his face.
'Joker's got all kind of plans.' She whispered, 'Some like tonight and some others, all over the place ready to light up the sky.' She pulled him in and kissed him. He stumbled back in pure shock.
'Gotham will go boom taking Batman and Hood out.' she said and ran.
Nightwing stared in her wake. What the hell just happened?
He headed back to the manor to find Barbara waiting for him. He stripped of his costume and showered before speaking to her. Bruce had debriefed him and Dick wanted to see if Jason was okay, but of course the Hood had vanished with his side kick.
Once cleaned he brushed his teeth twice before stepping into his room. She was waiting for him.
'Tell me what happened.' was all she said. Dick gave a long sigh and kneeled in front of her. Barbara stared in awe as he laid his head in her lap, she ran her fingers through his damp raven hair. He took in her scent and finally felt at ease.
Jason laid on his bed, he heard Scarlet finish her shower and gave yawn. He sat up feeling the rush hit him. He glanced down at the bloody wrapped arm of his and untangled the make shift bandage. As if on cue he came out to find Sacha had their emergency kit laid out.
She helped clean his arm not saying a word.
'I'm surprised.' he said finally.
'About what?' she asked.
'That Tim readily accepted your information on tonight.'
'I didn't tell him it came from Les.' She said. Jason nodded wincing. She finished the new wrap and he gave a flex.
'Don't pull the stitches.' She said, going to grab the old cloth to toss it, he suddenly reached out and snagged it.
'What the hell?' she snarled. He ignored her exclaim, and unrolled it to reveal not a cloth but a shirt.
'Well I'll be damned.' he said staring at the now bloodied sight of the shirt he had lent Cass during the storm.