Chapter Twelve: Poisoned Part 2

"Jeez Batman! I was just shopping!" Poison Ivy complained from her spot on the floor.

"Tell me about the party." He demanded.

"W-what party?" She stuttered. "Are you talking about what that weird kid said? Don't listen to him he's just-"

"Tell me about the party!" He demanded a little more loudly.

"Oh alright." She sighed. "The Joker is hosting a small get together tonight. In honor of his newest...em- family member." She rolled her eyes. "It's not really important, and I wasn't going to go. The League of Smiles are probably going to be the only ones there to be completely honest. They absolutely adore Joker, you know. God, they're so annoying. Anyways, what I'm saying is who cares Joker! No one. That's who. That's like hosting a funeral for one of your henchmen. And that never happens so-"

"Shut up, Ivy."

"Batman!" She scolded. "Where are your manners?" She quickly undid her restraints. "Well, if that's how you're going to act then I'm leaving." Before he could act she had thrown up a cloud of pollen. "Later, handsome." She taunted before she disappeared. Batman didn't bother to go after her. He needed time to mull over this new information.

"Hey B!" Dick came back giving up on trying to stall the feds. "Woah, where's Ivy? Batman?"

"We're leaving." Batman turned on his heels and stormed out with his cape blowing behind him.

"God, he's so melodramatic sometimes!" Dick sighed and slowly followed him out.

-ooo-

"This is a stealth mission, am I clear?" Batman was pacing in front of the two boys side by side.

"Aye aye, Captain." Nightwing said enthusiastically.

"Yes, father." Damian sighed already annoyed by his older brother. "But I have a question: why are we taking the monkey again?"

"Because this monkey has saved your butt too many time to count." Dick exclaimed giving Damian a noogie.

"Father!" He protested struggling to get away.

"Enough." Batman said. Nightwing released the young Robin laughing when he tried to smooth down his hair. "We need all the help we can get tonight. He's going to be our inside eyes and ears and we'll be acting as his backup in case he's discovered. the most dangerous of people are going to be there tonight so do not even think of engaging them. Remember stealth."

"You've said that five times now." Damian muttered crossing his arms.

"You think Red Hoods gonna be there?" Nightwing chirped.

Batman sighed but chose to ignore the question. "Now, Ivy knows we're going to be there, so they're going to be on high alert."

"I don't think she told anyone." Nightwing offered not phased at all by the obvious subject change.

"And why wouldn't she, Grayson?" Damian crossed his arms.

"Because, She has her own agenda. There's only one person who she would have told, and that's her bff Harley Quinn. Ivy's crazy, but she's not stupid. I don't think she told anyone."

"That is the most ignorant thing I've ever heard come out of your mouth. And that's really saying something."

"Demon spawn." Dick muttered.

"Intolerable buffoon." Damian hissed.

"That is enough you two." Batman pinched the bridge of his nose. "Let's go." ]

"Yeah!" Dick whooped and jumped onto his motorcycle revving the engine to life. Batman just stalked to his car and Damian snootily followed stiffly sitting in the passenger seat.

They drove their vehicles to the safe house closest to the mansion and then went on foot. They were traveling silently across the rooftops separately to not bring attention to themselves when Dick whispered into his com, "Batman, Red Hood is here."

Batman, of course, ordered they convene at once - Nightwing bringing Red Hood. Batman and Robin were silently waiting in the shadows of the rooftop when two more shadows joined them.

"Go home, Red Hood.", he demanded crossly.

"B!" Nightwing interjected.

"He's unreliable." Batman said stubbornly.

"Well I think he can help." Nightwing said before Jason could talk. "He can come inside with me. Well both dress as catering and-"

"Absolutely not. He had his chance to help."

"You messed up the program, not me." Jason said ready to just go in by himself.

"And." Nightwing said trying to keep the peace. "Damian helped you fix it. He's better at all that technology stuff anyways."

"I said no. He's a danger to the mission, and a danger to the group. Leave Red Hood."

"See ya. I don't need your permission to do anything. Or did you forget what happened last time you were in my territory?" Jason warned.

"Batman, please let him come. It's not his fault there wasn't anything in the warehouse." Damian said quietly stealing everyone's attention. "And don't think that, if we had gotten there sooner, we would have found something because we wouldn't have. Whoever took Red isn't someone who would leave a trail." Damian swallowed feeling self conscious under their stares. "It's been a week and this is the only lead we have. That's why we're here, isn't it? To find out what we can? Jason knows his way around here. You said that we need all the help we can get." He finished and they sat in silence.

Dick, finally realizing his mouth was hanging open quickly closed his jaw swallowing back tears. He looked around at everyone. He loves Tim with all his heart and staring around at these shadows he knows that they do too. They all miss him just as much as he does.

"For Tim." He whispered. And put his hand out.

"For Drake." Robin whispered begrudgingly putting his hand over Nightwing's. Jason just put his hand on top sighing. He knew they weren't going anywhere until he did it. They all stared at Batman.

"Come on, B." Nightwing encouraged.

"Do not make me regret this." He grumbled. He disappeared heading towards the large building just a few blocks away.