Chapter 8
I'm updating early this week because I will most likely be unable to update while on vacation.
Please enjoy!
Dick tried not to groan as he got out of the bat-mobile. They had just finished a humiliating rescue mission. Well, for Dick it was humiliating.
Not only had he been locked out of the fight, Megan had discovered his plan. Over a year of planning and hiding, taking blame, separating himself slowly from the team, gone in just a minute of mental battle. And now Kaldur was unable to give Nightwing the inside details.
Damn… life is out to get me…. Dick thought.
What was worse is there was a reporter that had been kidnapped and rescued. That reporter had used the ten minutes of being locked in the bio-ship to ask Nightwing every question ever asked about the Justice League. Nightwing had easily ignored him, but it was still annoying. Then, when everyone had gotten back in, the same reporter had begun to interview the team. Nightwing might have given a bat-glare to the man, which might explain the puddle that had to be cleaned on the ship, but really, who asks Superboy if he and his 'father' are on good terms?
Dick punched the brick wall right nest to him. He knew he couldn't avoid Megan forever, but maybe tonight…
"Dick, punching walls is a sign of frustration and anger management issues." Barbra said, standing close to Dick.
"Why did I agree to stay the night here? I should have just dropped you guys off. In fact, see you guys later, I'm headed to Bludhaven. " Dick turned towards the garage just to see Alfred walking out with the steering wheel of Dick's red Porsche in his hands.
"You didn't." Dick said. Alfred smiled.
"I decided to polish your car, and also Damian and Cassandra had a few tweaks to add. It will be done… by tomorrow!" Alfred walked into the house leaving a fuming Dick Grayson and laughing Barbra Gordon on the back porch.
"Relax Dick!" Barbra laughed. Dick growled and stalked inside. Barbra frowned; Dick usually liked a good prank. Before she could question him, Alfred announced dinner. Dick walked in, but was once again stopped by Alfred.
"No uniforms at dinner." The aging butler said calmly. Barbra and the other couldn't help by be continually impressed by the guts the old butler had. This man could stand up to and angry Batman, and win.
Dick threw his arms up in frustration and stalked to his old room grumbling in Romanian. Alfred sighed.
"I hate to do this…" Barbra followed the butler into the kitchen. "Barbra, would you mind setting the table with Cassandra?" Alfred asked. Barbra said no and helped her close friend. Alfred set the food on the table and looked at the girls, and the other males in the house guiltily.
"Please forgive such drastic measures." Alfred said as he put some drops of what looked like water on Dick's food.
"Does Dick not like spicy food?" Helena asked, smelling the spicy chili pepper from the thick curry in front of everyone. Alfred just gave a small smile and left the room. Stephanie and Barbra traded looks. Dick came in a moment later with his dark jeans undone and his white shirt thrown over his shoulder.
"You guys should really stop going through and 'organizing' my stuff. I couldn't find pants!" Dick said.
"Richard, please button your pants." Stephanie said. Dick rolled his bright eyes and did so.
"You totally love it." Dick snickered to himself. Stephanie, who was closest to Dick, whacked his head.
"Richard, please remember that a shirt is required at meal time." Alfred said coming back in. Dick sighed and slipped his shirt on. Doing this pulled some skin tight over his muscles and a thin line of question marks and 'J's were briefly visible before the shirt covered everything. Everyone stared at their curry. Everyone present understood Dick had been risking his life the longest, but they sometimes forgot about the close calls, the mistakes, and the sacrifices.
Dick sat in his usual place just on the right to the head of the table. He sniffed the curry.
"Is this red curry? Dang Alfred, you haven't made this in years!" Dick seemed a little happier at the prospect of food. Just then Kate walked in, this time in a tight black dress.
"Good evening, oh, I thought this was a formal dinner!" Kate said. Truthfully, only Dick was dressed casually.
"Crap! I guess I should go change." Dick said standing.
"It doesn't matter!" Damian growled. His vocal growl was followed by his stomach's growl. Dick smirked and helped Kate into a chair. He then went a sat down himself. Alfred quickly said a prayer then the family of misfits began to eat.
"Alfred, your curry is better than the Indian guy my dad hired!" Tim complemented. Dick gave a smile of agreement.
"So, Dick, why did you need to go to Bludhaven?" Damian asked. Dick focused his almost unnatural eyes on his little brother.
"I had a few lose ends of a recent case to take care of." Dick said.
"Would that case have something to do with the bruise on your forehead you've been covering up? Would it also explain your concussion?" Damian asked. Dick rolled his eyes as the whole table focused on him.
"Maybe."
"What about that cut on your lip?" Damian asked. The whole table was surprised as Dick actually blushed.
"Not something I want to talk about." Dick said, just as he took another bite of curry.
This cut on his lip had something to do with a certain ex-professor getting drunk just after Dick had moved in. That professor had liked the 'French Tradition' a little too much. Dick was glad that the same professor had passed out soon after…
The table looked at Dick as he spooned in some more curry.
"Alfred," Dick called. The butler stepped into the dining room.
"Yes?"
"Wasn't the last time you made curry to cover up the taste of a sedatative you forced on Bruce to make him finally sleep after two or so days of non-stop work?" Dick accusing glare received no answer. The table was once again silent. Dick put down his spoon and tried to stand, but just staggered.
"Dick!" Tim, who sat next to Dick, jumped up and supported the unstable fighter.
"Alfred! You said never again!" Dick yelled as he succumbed to the drug and collapsed into the butler's arms.
"Alfred!" Stephanie yelled. Alfred sighed and passed around a note. As the bats read the note, they began to laugh. The note said:
Alfred,
If Dick starts to over-work himself, use the curry trick. He might be a little mad, but he'll understand. Make sure at least three people complain about how much he is working before you try it though.
Also, make sure to bake cookies for when Dick wakes up, they might be a good peace offering.
Bruce
Everyone followed Tim and Alfred as they carried Dick into the master bedroom. They had chosen this room because it was the closest to the stairs, and all the other rooms were occupied.
"Why not put him in his room?" Cassandra asked. Damian explained.
"Cause, stupid." Cassandra just shrugged and sat on the edge of the bed as Alfred tucked Dick under the covers.
Alfred sighed.
"I hate to do this, last time he was much more compliant." Alfred turned and left the room.
"I distinctly remember Bruce saying he hoped Dick wouldn't be like him when he grew up." Kate said. She stroked Dick's face in a motherly fashion. Damian yawned and plopped on the bed next to Dick.
'Damian!" Tim yelled as he fell over on the other side of Dick.
"Bed's to far away." Damian said as he 'fell asleep'. Tim shrugged and didn't move from his spot. Barbra pulled out her trusty camera and snapped a picture. She sent the picture to Silena, Stephanie, Cassandra, Alfred, and Kate. She smiled and grinned as she also sent one to Bruce. When he came back, he might enjoy the cute picture.
At nine am the next morning, Barbra went in to wake the boys. She was greeted by Dick on his side with one arm over Damian. Tim had his back to Damian's. Barbra smiled at the image, until she noticed that Tim's original spot had been taken. The figure was taller than Dick, and had a tan overcoat on. The man wore a black-ops suit underneath the overcoat. There was a red face mask sticking out of one of the pockets.
"J-ja-jason!" Barbra squeaked. Damian and Tim jerked up as well as the fourth body. Dick's body twitched, but the heavy dose kept him pretty well under. The fourth figure was Jason, but had a distinct white strip in his bangs.
"Hey Babs!" the figure said. Damian kept his cool and said:
"You've been in a revival pit."
"Yup, hell of a way to wake up." Damian and Jason immediately liked each other.
"How?" Tim said.
"I just said resurrection pit."
"Anyway, don't tell Dicky I was here. He might get more upset than he is if Alfred duped him again." Jason laughed and went to the window.
"See y'all later!" the familiar figure fell out the window and disappeared into the shadows of the rainy day.
Dick woke up about half and hour later to find his bed cold, and lonesome. He shrugged it off since he was used to waking up all alone in Bludhaven.
He saw clothes had been laid out for him and he changed, He had on a button up black shirt with a shiny black vine design on the lower right corner, white jeans, and black shoes. He smiled as he changed into the expensive clothes. He came down the steps two at a time trying to get his cuffs.
"Need help?" Barbra stepped out of the living room and just went up to Dick and got the cuffs.
"Thanks!" Dick smiled.
"Feel better?"
"Yeah, I'm hoping Alfred will forgive me and make me pancakes."
"You are so immature!" Barbra laughed as she reached up to ruffle Dick's hair. She had to step close and she then realized a huge truth.
Dick was taller than her now! She just stood there with her hand in Dick's hair, looking slightly up into his dark blue eyes. He didn't move, and neither did she.
"Babs?" Dick spoke cautiously. She shook herself out of her trance and smack Dick's back so he headed towards the kitchen.
It is only and inch… more like half and inch! She turned and caught both Robin's looking at her. Barbra blushed and hurried to the Hall of Justice, the new temporary headquarters. Dick had called a meeting and it was in two hours.
Four hours later, the main people leading the YJ team all came out of a room glum. Nightwing was nursing his head, and swallowing the pills Barbra handed him.
"Thanks."
"Whatever."
"Hey, I'm thinking about maybe asking Zatanna out again."
"What?"
"Not like anything big, just for a date to talk about old times. Want to come?"
"No thanks." Barbra left and Nightwing shrugged. He felt more guilt as he trudged to the zeta beams. He appeared in Bludhaven before anyone could stop him.
Now, time to get to work! He wouldn't sleep for the next 75 hours.
Well? I hope this is an enjoyable story! I'll be bringing back some old chapters for the next chapter. Also, Dick will be talked about, but hardly present. I'm trying to fill up space as I wait for the next episode.
Love,
Burning Bright
