Disclaimer: I don't own the characters! DC does! Happy reading folks, please let me know what you think.

9/?


The day had been beautiful. The sun had been shining, the leaves were turning gorgeous shades of yellow and read, and it was just warm enough that you didn't need a jacket. And the night, though a bit chilly, was beautiful too. But Dick Grayson wasn't thinking about any of those things.

His mind was at his apartment with his wife, not with him, under an oak in Bruce's front yard. The fact that he was here, and not with Barbara wasn't surprising. Not to him at least.

Since his release from the hospital, McCall was no where to be seen. It was almost like he had fallen off the face of the earth. And with him missing, they had been increasingly frustrated. Dick and Barbara especially.

Over the past week, Connor was called to help the Green Lantern, which was really, really, uber important, according to Kyle, who promised to bring him back when they were done. The next day, Roy had to go and relieve the sitter he had for Lian, promising to be back as soon as he found another. Tim and Cass were looking for the Scarecrow, who had decided it was time to escape and give the local heroes grief. Leaving a lot of ground to cover for just Bruce, but he was the one who refused to call in anyone else. But one fact that everyone was thankful for, there had not been anymore victims.

"I told you to stay at home"

Nightwing nearly jumped at the raspy voice behind him. "Did you really think that I would just sit at home while you were off searching for McCall by yourself?" the younger vigilante asked, if he hadn't been wearing a mask, he would have raised an eyebrow.

Batman bit back a sigh. "I expected you to follow orders" he replied evenly. "This is too personal for you"

The younger man laughed, but it contained no humor.

"It's personal for you too." Nightwing reminded him. "Unless you've forgotten, this man has attacked your daughter-in-law twice, the police Commissioner, who you consider a friend, and your son."

"You're still recovering"

That earned him a look. "Do I need to point out all the times that you were out when you were still recovering?"

If the words had affected him, Batman didn't show it. "Any leads?"

"Not yet. I was fixing to go street-side and see if the ladies have heard anything."

"No need. I've already got someone covering that"

As if on cue, a red haired woman made her way to a group of prostitutes. Nightwing squinted his eyes at the red head.

"Is that…"

"Yes."

"Wig?"

"I don't know"

"You don't know?"

Batman ignored him, and answered someone over the comm. "Affirmative." He turned to the younger man. "Let's move"


"Well Mister Dark Knight" a sultry voice drawled over his comm. "That, was another dead end"

"I didn't know that you gave up after a dead end" Batman said with a smirk.

"Wipe that smirk of your face" he immediately sobered. When had he become this predictable? "I never said I was giving up. I'm going to go a few blocks over and talk to the girls over there"

"Copy that. Make contact when you arrive"

"Alright, until then, tall dark and gloomy"

Batman shook his head ruefully. Women.


"Oracle to Nightwing."

"Hello there, Your 'All-seeingness'" Nightwing chirped.

A beat. "All-seeingness?"

"Eh, sounded better in my head."

Batman shook his head, listening to his son and daughter-in-law.

"I'm sure"

"What can I do for you?"

"It's more of what I can do for you." She replied softly. "I want to apologize for earlier"

"Yeah, me too. I shouldn't have brought that up again"

"I shouldn't have slapped you."

"In all fairness, I asked for it."

"Di-"

"You know. My face still hurts." his voice contained no anger, just teasing.

"Well then. I'll just have to kiss it and make it better"

Batman raised an eyebrow at his son and daughter-in-law's conversation, and quickly switched the channel. He had a feeling that he didn't want to know where that conversation was heading.

"Report" a moment or two passed without answer. "Where are you? Report" he repeated. Not getting a response, he quickly flipped back to Nightwing and Oracle's channel, and ordered her to trace his temporary partner's last location, then ordered the younger man to meet up with him at the alleyway where she had last checked in.

On the filthy floor of the alley, sat he comm that she had been using earlier. A feeling of dread immediately clutched his gut. "Selina..."


A/N: What is this? An actual update!? Can it be!? *grins evilly* No more cliffies hopefully. And maybe it won't take so darn long for me to update.


To be continued...

"Every now and then I have the feeling I've totally lost my mind. It's a great feeling." -Dick Grayson/Nightwing