Author's Note: A couple of people (Vylette and Star of Airdrie to name you two although there are a few others) have wanted different segments of Chapter 13 in Masks in Dick's POV, so I've done half a chapter to cover them all. I've done up to when they arrived at the riot. That pretty much covers all the requests.

Oh, guys, if this actually arrives in your email as an alert, 'Amusement' was uploaded a few days ago and wasn't alerted. So go back a chapter. If this doesn't come up as an alert, I'll be very cross.

Corresponds with parts of Chapter 13 in Masks.

She's so warm, her mouth was so soft, I missed that mouth. I could feel her tears against my cheek and I hated that I made her cry so much. I kept my hands near her face, wiping away any tears that dampened her cheeks from beneath her closed eyes, hoping to coax her into stopping. But I couldn't stop kissing her either.

Probably not a good idea in front of Batman. I was in enough trouble already, that was brewing under the cool exterior, I was pretty sure of that. Better get my kisses in now, and maybe just slip away. Babs was still prissy at Batman, I'm sure she could continue for a while and he wouldn't notice Starfire and me just bolting for it.

Except the fates were against us as the computer blared. Damn thing. I should've left it off. I sighed as I pulled away but duty calls.

A riot. Tonight of all nights and it's a riot.

I sighed again and rolled my eyes as I worked with Batman to determine the best course of action. He was flicking from camera to camera and I knew what he was looking for. But I couldn't see any major villains on the cameras I was looking at either.

I could feel Jason and Babs return, the cloud of smoke that followed Jason, plus I could almost feel his angry gaze searing the back of my head.

Batman kept coming back to one end of the street and I could tell that it was causing problems for him. Most likely he'd hit the riot from the other end, it was closest to us, but if we didn't contain the rioters to that street, it'd spill out onto others as they fled and then we'd be in real trouble. It's not like I could help, I was in the wrong costume. I mean, I could take the alleyways, provide distractions, he was sure to have a backup belt I could snitch some supplies from here.

Then Batman turned and looked at Starfire and I knew that look. He wanted to use her too, test her out for himself and see how she'd react to a situation like that. He looked at me, then pointed to the end of the street that had been causing him trouble.

Okay. So Starfire was to be the fence to Batman's charging bull. Fine. She could do that. Easy.

"Right," Batman said. "Batgirl, you're with me. Robin, you're going with Red X. Take your cues from him."

I snorted. Right. Sure. Jason's going to love that.

"Red X is a criminal—" Jason began, outraged.

"Therefore his involvement in this will be surreptitious. A skill you should appreciate. Jason, you have all the knowledge, you've shown me that or I wouldn't have allowed you to don the uniform. You just need to apply yourself." Batman looked at me. "Bulletproof?"

"No." And that worried me. It was okay when we were just running around town stealing and only had Robin to deal with, but a riot? There was sure to be guns.

"Suit in the cupboard."

I turned to Batman and lifted an eyebrow. Really? He just so happened to have a spare bulletproof corset here of all places. Was I to find a packet of condoms in there too? How many times did Catwoman come here if she'd just happened to leave one of her corsets?

"Don't get smart with me," Batman muttered.

Still smirking I crossed to the cupboard. Ahh, spare belt. Good. Steal some of that. Oh, look, condoms. Wow, Bruce, always prepared. Where are the earpieces? Why'd he hid them? Probably to keep sticky fingers away. "Earpiece?"

"Second shelf," Batman answered.

"Ahh." Hidden underneath the corset. Nice place for it.

Batman said, "Channel three."

I changed the channel on my earpiece, then changed the one I grabbed for Starfire before I closed the cupboard and went to Starfire. I ran my eyes over her. Yeah, the corset should fit, she was slightly less bustier than Catwoman, but that'd just give her more protection. Still, it would leave a lot of her uncovered, risky but it was worth it. "Take the corset off."

Starfire gave me a shocked look and stepped backward. "What?"

"Put this on instead. It's bullet proof."

"What?" she squeaked.

Oh, she goes all timid now. I gave her a reassuring smile. "You get to fly with the Bat family."

She went pale. Kind of shell shocked. I wasn't sure why, but it didn't look like she could move.

"Be quick," Batman said.

"Sorry," I said and passed her the earpiece. I tried not to be over eager as I reached for her corset. "Put that in. Replacement gloves too." I worked quickly. I had to, or the temptation just to stare would be too great. The clips were different than clips from here, slightly harder to unlock but then the outfit was Tamaranian.

Starfire watched me, her eyebrows creased together and I wondered why she didn't help. Not that I minded. Finally the corset was off and I had to clear my throat. The shirt had ridden up a bit and didn't quite meet the pants so her stomach was exposed, it made me miss her normal outfit and how much skin I could usually see. Not to mention how tight and curved the leather was against her skin. I could see the shape of her bra beneath. See her breasts rise as she breathed.

She placed her arms through the sleeves of the Kevlar corset and I closed it up over her chest, doing up the clasps and making sure everything was in place and she was protected.

Okay. I admit it. I deliberately positioned my body so Batman, Babs and Jason couldn't see what I was up to. I couldn't help touching her breasts as I positioned the corset. I wanted her to be comfortable, and sometimes Kevlar just isn't unless you're positioned just right. I knew all about positioning, body armour can be a pain. So, that's my excuse. It's not like she stopped my fingers brushing against her like that. She relaxed a bit too, getting this small smile on her face. Damn, she so soft.

I picked up her mask, wrinkling my nose in frustration, but I really couldn't see anything else we could do about that. I didn't want people to know Starfire was in town, and the orange skin, no matter how beautiful, it was a giveaway. "Not really suitable."

"It'll do," Batman said. "She looks mildly batlike, it's a good fit. Batgirl, let's go. Red X, Robin, catch us up."

I dragged her over to the screens as Starfire pulled on her mask. I quickly brought up a street map so she could see the layout of Gotham. "We're here," I said, pointing at the screen. "The riots, here. We can't see any major players, which is why we decided on this strategy. Besides, I need to show Jason a thing or two about stealth."

"Oh, fuck you, Dick," Jason snapped.

Starfire ignored him although I scowled in his direction.

"Okay," she said.

"All we want you to do is walk down the street, strut your stuff, take out any that come for you. You hear gunfire, get out of there. No matter what."

"Strut?" she asked, sounding confused.

"Closet walk," I told her. Damn, if she did that I'd be falling over myself just to get a look at her too, not to mention all the guys that didn't know what lay beneath that mask and leather. "Just knock any that come for you unconscious, they'll start to panic once they see Batman anyway, you're blocking off their escape. Don't fly, don't use starbolts. If you get more than you can handle, head for an alleyway. Jason and I will take them out."

She was timid and a little scared. "Are you certain? Gotham is not under my protection, you do not need to include me."

If she was really uncomfortable with this, I couldn't make her do it. Wouldn't make her. "Batman said it was okay, but if you really want to sit out, you can."

"I am simply aware that no hero operates within Gotham without his expressed permission."

"I'm pretty sure you have it, Star. C'mon, it'll be fun," I coaxed.

Starfire swallowed nervously, but she nodded.

"She'll be great," Jason leered.

"Don't make me hurt you," I snarled, reaching up to jerk my mask over my face again. "Let's go."

Starfire lifted off the ground as I locked up the safe house. She waited until that was done then extended a hand toward me, and one toward Jason. I took it easily, but Jason hesitated.

"Why the hell didn't you tell me, dude?" Jason snapped as Starfire flew us there.

"Ask Batman." No really. This isn't my doing. Ask our father.

"Oh, don't give me that shit. You smug bastard, you fucking toyed with me when I asked you about Red X."

"I couldn't," I told him. "Besides, you were supposed to put together the damn clues, I dropped enough. C'mon, Jase, it's Batman. Did you really think you were just going to walk into the suit and not be tested?"

"I would have thought my fucking brother would have the balls to stand up to him and tell him to fuck off."

Oh fuck you, Jason. "I spent months saying that. Then you practically begged me to come back so you could have the suit. I did it for you, fuckhead. You wanted this. I told him it was a stupid idea, but when does he listen to us? Besides, isn't it better to be tested by someone not out to kill you?"

"You're still a prick." Jason looked up at Starfire. "And you lied about getting pussy, bro. No wonder you were so perky."

Starfire frowned and looked down. "What were you doing with Catwoman?"

Jason laughed.

I had to groan. I hated that word and now he'd given it to Starfire. And nowI'd have to explain it. Asshole. "Now look what you've done. Take it out on me, don't include Star." Looking up at Starfire I told her, "I'll tell you later."

"She doesn't know what pussy means?"

"English is not her first language."

"English would be my five hundred and thirty seventh language," Starfire said. Wow. Really? That's a hell of a lot of languages.

"I can show her if you like," Jason sneered.

Not a chance in hell. "Fuck off."

"Hey, are you going to tell her about the strip joint we went to—"

AH! FUCK! I kicked at Jason and he just laughed at me. The fuckhead, he so did not bring that up just then!

"I assume that is something else you will be explaining to me later," Starfire said, sounding a trifle annoyed.

I snarled at Jason, "You are such an asshole."

Jason seemed content to explain it to Starfire. "It's a place where we go to—"

I kicked Jason again. "I won't have you corrupting her," I snapped. "And for the record, I didn't even go in."

"Liar," Jason taunted. "You had a lap dance from a very saucy redhead."

Oh, god. Don't remind me. I could remember that place so well, even though I tried to scrub the images from my mind.

Flashing lights. Pounding music. Scantily clad women dancing in cages. A stage with several poles embedded in them. There was a girl up there, gyrating around the pole as she tossed her clothes into the crowd of panting males. Barely covered female waitresses carrying drinks. Men getting lap dances in darkened corners. Some of them were doing other activities behind curtains. Ick. Seriously. I hadn't thought Jason'd forced me into a brothel, but what other kind of disreputable places would allow two underage people to buy their way in.

We'd slipped into a booth and I desperately tried to keep my eyes on the table, but there was just so much bare breast around, it was hard not to get an eyeful. Jason had been lapping it up. I paid the waitress for our sodas, desperately trying to keep my eyes on her face and not on those barely contained breasts. She smirked at me and I sulked in the booth, completely embarrassed.

Jason watched and panted at the girls, crowing, whistling and calling at them as he threw his money around. Several of them gravitated toward him, like honeybees. Most of them were dark haired, or blonde, but there was this one with long flowing red hair and this purple little halter top and lace panties, damn, she made me think of Starfire.

Damn it, thinking of Starfire in a place like this, it made my chest hurt and my throat close up.

Jason must have seen me looking because he gave the red head a wad of cash. "A hundred dollars if you give my brother a lap dance." She grinned at me, jumped up from where she'd been jiggling on Jason's lap and straddled me.

Oh. Fuck. Not good, not good. No! Stop fucking wriggling on me! "Another hundred to leave me alone," I snapped as I placed my hands against her stomach and pushed her away. She pouted at me, but she couldn't be too upset, she'd just earned herself two hundred dollars for doing jack. I gave her the money and shooed her.

"Dude, are you like gay or something?" Jason said, looking disappointed.

"Yes," I deadpanned. "I'm gay. Can we go now?"

He smirked. "So, which is it? The big metal one? The fish? Oh! You have a thing for the masks! It's Wally, right? Or Roy?"

I closed my eyes. "You're such a fuckhead."

"Until you tell me which one you're pining for, I'm going to keep at it."

I opened my eyes and glared at him. Jason made kissy faces at me.

Jason tucked a fifty into the bra of one of the girls hanging off him. "It's the little green dude, isn't it? Unrequited love? I hear he's with that bird chick." At least he was remembering to keep their hero names out of it.

"He is."

Jason rubbed his hands over one of the dancer's ass as he placed money in her thong. "Hey, is that alien chick seeing anyone? Could you hook me up with her?"

"No," I growled. Last thing I wanted was Jason with his hands on my girl in any sense. "Fuck off."

Jason stared at me, then a slow smile grew on his face. "It's her, isn't it? You fell for the leggy Amazon."

I huffed, folded my hands on my chest and looked away. "Yes. I fell for the leggy Amazon. Who's going to tear me a new one for going into a place like this. Just hurry up and get your rocks off so we can go."

Jason just laughed.

Pain lanced through my wrist as Starfire tightened her grip, bringing me jolting back to the present.

"Star, he's lying, he's just trying to get me in trouble," I snapped. "Jason, fucking stop it."

I wished I could see her face. I wanted to know what she was thinking, but mostly I wanted to pound Jason into a bloody pulp. Now Starfire'd be questioning every single thing I've done in Gotham. What she knew, what she didn't know. How the hell would she trust me? I'd been lying to her about Red X, what else was I lying about? Damn it all.

She sighed and lifted me up so I was level with her shoulder. Taking her hint, I scrambled up onto her back.

"Oooh, gonna ride her, are you?" Jason sneered.

"You can drop him if you like, Star."

"I am assuming he is not as well versed in the other Earthen Languages as you are?" Starfire asked in Russian. "Or shall I engage in lip contact with him to determine that for myself."

Oh. Great. She wanted answers right now. At least she'd picked a way we could talk without Jason listening. "No. No, he's not, and I would rather you didn't."

"Explain."

"Talking in other languages is cheating," Jason complained.

"Can't it wait until later?" I asked.

"I know what the 'lap dance' is and I believe I can determine the meaning of the 'strip joint'."

"Ah-ha!" Jason sang. "I know what you're talking about! Bro, you're in trouble."

Man, I was so dead. I sighed. Better face the music. "I did not get one, I promise. He dragged me there."

"Did you enjoy yourself?"

"Not particularly."

"In other words, you did go in." She sounded so mild, like she wasn't upset, just curious.

Fuck. Caught. If I hadn't been so flustered about it, I never would have been stupid and slipped up like that. "I…fuck. Jase, you're so dead."

Jason laughed at me.

"I am assuming you are embarrassed about this or worried about my reaction because you were not truthful?" she asked.

"Yes," I mumbled.

"Why?"

Maybe she really didn't understand. "Why? Because… a strip club is where guys go to watch girls take off their clothes in a provocative manner."

"In other words, a usual day on Tamaran."

Well… kind of… didn't she mind? Shouldn't she be angry with me? Babs had thrown a hissy fit when she'd found out we'd gone into a place like that and she wasn't even dating either of us."Um… I guess so. Most girls would be furious if their guys went there and you're already angry with me."

Starfire looked at me over her shoulder. "I am not most girls," she said in English.

I'm only just starting to see that. "I know."

She huffed. "We shall speak of this later."

We had a lot of things to discuss later it seemed. Well… good. I suppose. As long as I survived it. And as long as there was a lot of making out after that.

"What? You're not going to pitch him over the side?" Jason asked.

"Tamaranians do not view nakedness with the same ignominy as humans do."

Jason looked confused. Good. "Say what now?"

"She means we're ashamed of it," I said. "They're not. And epic fail at getting me in trouble with my girlfriend."

"Is that permission?" Jason smirked. "Can we hit the clubs after this?"

"No," I snapped.

"You're so prude, dude."

"And you're an ass."

"I think Red X would much prefer to see me naked than other girls," Starfire said.

Don't react, don't react. But wow. That actually sounded like an offer. Was she offering? Did she mean that? "Really?" I squeaked. Please tell me that was an actual offer.

"Which building should I land on?" she asked, her tone mild.

Oh, no, don't you try distracting me now. There was a promise of nakedness. I heard it! I leant in close to whisper in her ear. "Are you serious?"

"You will have to wait and see."

Okay. This riot needed to hurry up and be over already.

Author's Note: Fun fact for you! Kry used to work in a strip club (as a barmaid not a dancer. I had proper uniform, not a skimpy thing to wear). Male and female dancers, every Friday night, they used to come down from the Capital to dance. I grew up in a very... I believe the American word is 'hick' town, and worked in the bar with my brother (poor Kry brother, having his sister there when he's all drooling over the girls... poor Kry brother, having his sister there when she's drooling over the guys...). So anyway. You had a little more info on what happened in the club, a bit more Jason insight.

Honestly though, you go into those places, even if you're attached and you can't help but look. But as hubby says (who used to come and watch on Friday nights occassionally under the guise of protecting me from panty men)- it doesn't matter where you get your appetite, as long as you eat at home. If he wants to go to a strip club, he can. He has to take me (to learn moves of course). And funny enough, we're both fine with that.