Hey guys! Sorry this is a little late, but technically it's still Tuesday, so yeah. Just a quick warning, this chapter is a little dark with a bit of blood and mention of rape. It doesn't go into to detail, but I would just like to put the warning out there. Thanks so much for all your reviews, and I would love to hear more. Enjoy!

Returning home three hours later, I notice a note resting on the metal counter top. I glance over it as I begin to remove my mask, but stop before I can undo the buckle. "Ras reported how you did. I'm proud of you sweetheart. Get to bed, I'll be back tomorrow afternoon." I scoff as tears of relief begin to sting my eyes. "Either he's lying and testing me, or this is the truth." I don't wait to weigh the options. Instead I leave my mask in place and remove part of my armor. My feet sprint to the infirmary as my hand snatches up a long bladed knife and plunges it into my hip. A cry rips through my throat, but the time wasted on gently removing the tracker would hinder my plans. Dropping the bloodied tracker on the counter I run out of the house and flee through the streets of Gotham until I come upon the apartment I'm searching for.

As I slip in through her bedroom window, voices ring out down the hall. "No Jade, you don't understand."

"No, you don't understand mom. Because of what's happened, she's dead. Shadow is going to die."

My brow scrunches. Paula's defending me again. I sigh quietly and walk out of the room and down the hall. With arms raised I surrender to whatever they have planned for me. "Shadow." Paula spits out harshly. I stare at her and step back slightly, not fully knowing this side of the kind woman I grew to know. "Get out of my home!" She shouts while wheeling toward me.

Jade holds on to her chair. "Mom, stop. You don't understand."

"I understand completely!" Paula thrusts an accusing finger my way. "She almost killed my daughter!" Glaring at me she threatens. "If I was still Huntress, I swear I would shoot you in the eye. You're just like your father!"

My hand grabs onto my right hip as I back away and into a wall. Her words wound deeper than the crossbow she threatens me with. "Paula, I'm sorry." I shake my head. "I never meant for any of this to happen."

"But it did happen Shadow! Artemis is in the infirmary because of you!"

Jade steps between us then. "Mom, you don't understand."

"Stop telling me I don't understand Jade. I understand completely. I understand that because of her my daughter almost died!"

"She's alright then?" I look to Jade for an answer. "Artemis is okay?"

She nods and rests a hand on my shoulder. "Artemis is fine, Shadow. Don't worry."

"Don't worry?" Paula shouts once more. "She slit her throat Jade. Artemis could have bled out before they reached the Watch Tower!"

"Mom, stop!" Jade shouts throwing the older woman a glare. "Shadow was under orders. She couldn't just-"

"I don't care what her orders were! Your father gave Artemis plenty of orders that she decided not to follow."

"Detroit, eight years ago, right before she switched sides." I mumble with my head bowed.

They both look at me. "What?" Jade questions.

Glancing up at them I speak more clearly. "Sportsmaster ordered Artemis to turn on me or else he would kill her. I had a mission in Detroit at the time, taking out a politician and framing a local gang. Artemis told me about it before hand and I agreed to go through with it in order to save her."

"What happened?" Paula whispers.

"She shot me in the leg and dumped me in the territory of that same gang. I had to fight my way out in order to survive. Most of them wanted to claim victory over killing the world's greatest assassin and mount my head for their own gain. I ended up with a broken leg, clavicle, six ribs, a collapsed lung, and internal bleeding caused by half a dozen bullet wounds." I pause, wincing as my body recalls the pain. "We had an understanding, a pact, that we would do whatever possible to protect the other at all costs. And tonight Artemis held up her part of the agreement." I stare at Paula. "I'm sorry for the pain I've caused and the intrusion. I only came here tonight to see if she was alright. Now that I have that, I need to get back home before he discovers I'm gone and punishes me."

Neither Paula nor Jade make a move to stop me as I leave. The run home is quiet. The unrest within my mind spirals out of control as I fight my inner demons. Is all this really worth it? I shake the thoughts from my head as I prepare for the day ahead.


Walking out of the room and down the hall, Dick trails behind me. "Well that went well." He smirks as he wraps his arm around my shoulders.

I shove him and smile back. "Yeah, I'm guessing we'll get an A."

"No doubt about it." Our presentation had gone well. With all the practice we had done these past two weeks it was exactly what we expected. As we walk down the hall a few of the students from our class glare at us. Dick smiles sheepishly and slouches. "I guess no one's really happy that we set the bar so high."

I snort. "You were the one who wanted to sign up for the first slot." I glance around and receive the same response from some of our fellow classmates. "Maybe we should have signed up for going last."

Dick shrugs. "By the time we got to the signup sheet the last slot was already taken. So they have no one to blame but themselves." He smiles and glances down at me. "Want to grab some coffee?" He asks brightly.

I shake my head. "I have a final for my next class."

His raises an eyebrow. "A final already?"

"My professors going out of the country next week, so she's giving it to us now." I reply coolly.

He smirks crookedly. "Hey if you didn't want to grab coffee with me you could have just said so."

I shove him, pulling his arm away from my shoulders. "I'm serious. I have a biology final."

"Uh huh, sure." He continues to joke and shakes his head. "Hey, speaking of dates, and before I forget, what are you doing Christmas Eve?"

I stop in my tacks. "Wait, speaking of dates? We weren't speaking of dates at all."

He shrugs. "Isn't getting coffee just you a date?"

I make a face. "We get coffee together every day."

He shrugs. "Well maybe I would pay for your coffee this time."

"But you always insist on paying for my coffee, rich boy."

He places a hand over his heart as if I've wounded him. "Can I help it if my dad's a billionaire?"

I shrug. "I wasn't complaining." He goes to open his mouth to provide another comeback but comes up short. "Anyway, what's Christmas Eve?" I ask, interrupting his concentrated train of thought.

Before he can answer his phone rings. After glancing at the caller ID he scrambles to answer. "Jay, you okay?" A muffled answer comes from the other line. I busy myself, attempting not to ease drop. "Alright I'll be home shortly." He shoots me an apologetic smile. "No, it's fine don't worry. I'll be home soon, okay?" Dick nods in response. "Alright, I love you Jaybird." Hanging up he turns back to me. "Sorry Kate, I have to head home. Jay needs me."

"Jay?"

He shifts uncomfortably and rubs the back of his neck nervously. "Yeah, Jason is my younger brother, older than Tim."

I know the situation completely, but not questioning him would come off as strange. I pause for a moment while looking at him in question. "I thought that Jason…" I clear my throat. "I mean, you bought flowers for his grave, I thought."

He nods. "We thought he died over four years ago." He shrugs. "But apparently he didn't."

"Okay, so where was he?"

He sighs. "Apparently he was being held captive." Dick shrugs once more. "He doesn't really like to talk about it."

I nod. "That's understandable."

"Yeah, well I better get going, sorry." He shouts over his shoulder.

"Wait, Dick!" I shout down the hall toward him. "What about Christmas Eve?"

He turns while still walking briskly toward the exit. "Come over for dinner after your final and I'll let you know." I shake my head and roll my eyes at the cocky grin he throws my way.


Walking up the front steps to the Manor, Alfred is there to greet me before I can even knock on the door. "It's good to see you again, Miss Kate."

I smile brightly. Something about the older man always brings cheer. "Hi Alfred, how's your day going?"

He gives a warm smile as he takes my coat. "Very well, thank you Miss Kate. The young masters are currently in the kitchen, stealing cookies most likely."

I chuckle quietly. "I can't say I blame them, Alfred. You are the best baker I know."

He sighs slightly and walks down the hall with me. "Well, I've had my fair share of practice over the years."

Walking into the kitchen I'm welcomed by smiles and a choruses of hellos. A sudden happiness rests over me as I take a seat at the breakfast bar next to Dick and accept a cookie from the plate he offers. I glance at the new addition as I swallow the savory sweetness and glance back at Dick. He smiles widely and introduces me. "Kate, this is our brother Jason. We usually call him Jay. Jay, this is my friend Kate."

I smile as he looks over at me. Once our eyes meet, the happiness that I once felt disappears. There's recognition in his gaze. I force my expression to remain unchanged, but inwardly I experience a mass panic. He knows. He saw me without my mask that night. He knows! His eyes narrow slightly as he looks back to his older brother. "Have you brought her around before, Dick?"

The oldest pauses and looks at the younger in question before shaking his head. "We just met at the beginning of this semester."

Jason nods and gazes back at me. "You just look really familiar."

I shrug nonchalantly. "Maybe I just have one of those faces." He was frantic. I tell myself. He won't make the connection.

Before he can respond, Bruce enters and snatches up a sweet. "Congratulations on the presentation Kate. Dick said it went well."

I nod. "I think so. Everything went pretty smoothly."

He smiles proudly. "I'm not surprised. The two of you worked hard on that project." He clears his throat. "So have you decided what you're wearing to the gala yet?"

I raise an eyebrow in his direction. "The what?"

He makes a face and looks to his older son. "I assume you haven't asked her yet then?"

Dick frowns at his father. "No."

Bruce shrugs. "Well now might be a good time to do so."

I look to Dick. "Is that what's on Christmas Eve?"

The young man rubs the back of his neck as a blush creeps up toward his face. "Uh, yeah…" He glances to the sets of eyes amongst us as he heaves a large sigh and grabs my hand. "Come here." Dragging me into another room and promptly closing the door he looks back at me. "Well, that wasn't how I wanted to bring up the subject." He clenches his fists nervously and shoves them in his pockets.

I smile, finding his current situation rather entertaining. "So what did you want to ask me?"

He clears his throat and pulls at his collar before returning his hand to his pocket. "Well, for the third time now, do you have any plans for Christmas Eve?"

I chuckle slightly. "Nope, why?"

"Well, Bruce always holds the Wayne Christmas Gala on Christmas Eve." He pauses, rocking back and forth on his feet.

I shake my head and smile. "So?"

He chuckles at his own awkwardness. "So, I was wondering if you wanted to go with me."

I smirk. "Go as in." I ask the open question.

"As my date." He finished quietly.

I raise my eyebrows at him. "Was that really that hard?"

He shrugs. "It wasn't exactly bearable."

I roll my eyes at him. "I would like that."

"Well that was painfully awkward."

Dick glances over at the cracked door and scowls. "Really Jay? You couldn't give me two minutes?"

I cross my arms. "That was way longer than two minutes."

Jason walks in followed by the rest of the family. "Besides, this room has the best TV." He plops down on the couch.

"And all the game systems." Tim adds picking up a controller and handing one to Damian.

I smirk and sit down on the love seat, patting the cushion beside me to invite Dick to join. He obliges. "So, what exactly is the dress code?" I question as Damian directs various threats towards Tim.

Dick cringes noticeably. "Black tie, unfortunately."

I nod and lean back against his shoulder. "Which means I need to go shopping."

"I'm sure you're more than welcome to tag along with Selina this weekend." Bruce states, eyeing me over his newspaper. "And don't worry about paying for it. I'll take care of everything."

I stare at him with slight shock. "Are you sure?"

He nods. "Of course."

"Thank you." He smiles in return. I turn to Dick and whisper rather loudly. "Who's Selina?"

Dick chuckles as Bruce drops his newspaper. "One of Bruce's ex's."

"Not an ex anymore." The older man mumbles, collecting scattered pages. I laugh in response and relax at the family's antics. Enjoying every moment.


Walking into our small apartment kitchen I snatch up a protein bar and sit up on the counter. Deathstroke walks up from downstairs and smiles at my antics. "Sweetheart, would you mind helping me?" I smile slightly and shake my head.

Leading me into the infirmary my brow draws downward. "Is everything alright daddy?" He nods, sits down in one of the chairs, and begins to remove his uniform. It's then that I notice the blood dripping from his right hand and onto the floor. "What caliber?"

He lets out a deep breath as he peels the soaked Kevlar from his right shoulder. "Only a nine millimeter. Nothing too serious." I nod and sit on his knee as I remove the bullet and tend to the wound. He grimaces slightly as I dig through the healing tissue. "How did the presentation go?" He asks, taking his mind off the tingling pain.

A smile brightens my face. These moments are few and in between, but when they occur I'm always grateful. "It went really well actually. I'm sure we'll get an A."

He smiles proudly. "That's my girl." His hand forms a fist as I disinfect the wound. I do my best not to flinch at his reaction. "Did you go out with Richard after?"

I nod. "He invited me to the Manor for dinner after my one final. Sorry, I should have told you."

"It's alright sweetheart."

Beginning to stitch, my hand starts to shake. "Daddy?" With his eyes closed he hums in response. "Richard invited me to the Wayne Christmas Gala as his date. Is it alright if I go?"

He stares at me for a moment. "I don't see why not. It would help you complete your mission in the end." I nod and begin to wrap his shoulder in gauze. "Do you need money for a dress?"

I shake my head. "Bruce said he would take care of it. Besides, I think it would be questionable if I had the money to pay for that type of gown."

"Good thinking sweetheart." He rubs my arm affectionately and grows more serious before changing the subject. "You have an assignment."

I nod, stand, and begin to suit up. "What's this one?" I call to the next room.

Pulling on a fresh shirt he walks over to me. "Neil Hartmann, thief and assassin for higher, nothing you can't handle sweetheart."

I nod, continuing to strap on my sets of throwing knives. "Where's he located?"

"Boston, highly populated area. Hartmann's known to be employed by Vertigo." With mouth set in a thin line, he approaches me. "It's of top priority that you remain unnoticed. No one can know that the Light plots against its own members. Eliminate anyone who sees you and clean up after yourself."

I give a quick nod. "Yes daddy."


I crouch, perched on the edge of the towering gothic church, blending in amongst the gargoyles. Hartmann parks on the busy back street and walks up the stoop to his apartment complex. Moments later, a light appears in an upper level apartment. I leap off the ledge and grapple toward my targets location. Entering through the window, rustling sounds from down the hall. I draw my swords and glance around the corner toward the noise. As he exits the room and closes the door with the utmost of care he pauses, noticing a change in his surroundings. Before he can fully draw his gun I imbed a knife in his wrist. He grabs his arm and cries out in pain and surprise. That's when I strike. There's no fight, hardly a struggle. Within seconds he's on the floor, fearful eyes staring off into the distance, attempting to cling onto the last moments of life. I kneel down and remove the blade protruding from his left arm. It's then that I hear the door creak open and a small gasp sound. It's of top priority that you remain unnoticed. Glancing up at my next target I release the bloodied blade and watch in horror as it sinks into the child's throat. Her cry of pain is silenced by the metal lodged in her vocal cords. She falls, allowing her blood to mix with her father's still pouring out onto the floor.

I stare for a moment, letting out a strangled cry. I approach the body slowly. My fingers rest underneath the left side of her jaw, telling me what I already know. My eyes flood as I pick her up in my arms. "No, oh god no." I whisper. The weakness in my voice is evident. I have to get out of here. I remain on my knees, grasping on to the child. Move! I order myself. Pulling out my knife I avert my eyes and leave as quickly as possible. The crisp night air seeps through my suit, slowly freezing my body to the core, as though I've become a corpse as well.

As I drop to the floor of the weapons room via boomtube, I undress quickly. My hands shake as I attempt to undo the laces on my boots. Frozen tears still cling to my face. My breathing comes out in labored puffs as I attempt to keep myself from crying out. I killed her. I killed a child without so much as a thought. What am I?

"Sweetheart?" I jump at the voice. His brow draws down in concern as he approaches me and takes my quivering hands in his own. "What happened?" He questions gently.

"Hartmann's dead." His confusion remains until I add. "And so's his daughter."

He closes his eyes and exhales a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I see." I nod and tightly wrap my arms around myself. He pulls me forward and hold me close while shushing me softly. "It's okay sweetheart. You're alright. You did what had to be done." I want to shove him away and scream. She didn't have to die! I killed an innocent child! But I remain still, allowing him to comfort me, even though I don't deserve it.


I stand there, in front of the mirror, just staring into the eyes of a complete stranger. The crisp colored orbs have darkened over these past few years. They used to be so bright and full of hope. So youthful and free, but now darkness has moved in and corrupted every speck of joy that once filled the windows to my soul. The skin beneath them has darkened and sunken in slightly, matching the divots underneath my cheek bones. Gazing at the girl within the mirror I don't discover any part of myself. She's not me. "You're a monster." I whisper. My voice is harsh and cracks with emotion. The thickness of my throat brings on fresh tears that sting my darkened eyes. I blink them back. You don't deserve to cry. I think harshly. You can't. What you did is unforgivable. Crying brings relief, and you don't deserve any. Seeing the fear and sorrow clinging to my features I turn away and begin to pace the floor. My fingers drag through my hair and clench it roughly. My breathing picks up as I search the room for an escape. To stop thinking. To make it all just stop. The walls begin to feel as though they're moving in on me. I'm suffocating. I can't take this anymore.

Grabbing my jacket I slip it on and make my way toward the front door. "What are you doing out of bed?" I jump slightly as I see him stand from the kitchen table. Blue prints to some major company are spread around him, but are quickly forgotten once he spies me. He smiles softly and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "What's wrong sweetheart?"

I shake my head. "Nothing daddy. I just need some air."

He glances over at the clock. "It's late. You should just get back to bed."

"I can't sleep." I pause and glance toward the door. "Please? I just need to take a walk and I'll be fine."

He stares at me for a long minute, but nods. "Alright sweetheart." Pulling me forward he wraps his arms around my shaking form and for a moment I feel safe. My fingers clench on to the front of his shirt as I inhale the scent of gunpowder and Kevlar mixed with his cologne. I close my eyes and rest against him, thinking of how he used to comfort me after a difficult mission. How he would rock me and kiss my forehead, telling me that he would always be there. That little girl will never get to hug her daddy again. I take in a deep shaky breath. "Don't leave me daddy. You can't leave."

His grip tightens around me as he kisses my forehead. He shushes me softly. "Sweetheart, it's okay. I'm not going anywhere. I promise. You'll always be my baby girl." Pulling away he looks down at me and lightly strokes my cheek. "Where are you going?"

I shrug. "I'm not sure. I just need some air."

He nods and kisses my forehead once more. "Be safe sweetheart."

I nod. "I will." Walking to the front door I turn before exiting. "I'm not sure what time I'll be back."

"Take your time sweetheart. Just be safe."

I nod quickly and make my escape. The cool crisp air hits me as I burst through the front door. My feet click against the cracked macadam, echoing off the empty street stores and leading me forward as my mind takes a backseat. I don't know where I'm going. All I'm certain of is that I need to get away from him. Away from the man that made me into what I am today. A well-oiled machine that will take the life of a child without even processing the pain and regret caused by the aftermath in order to ensure the success of a mission. A soldier. Thrusting my fists in my pockets I give a heavy sigh as the weighted emotions begin to contract my lungs. Breathing becomes difficult as flashes of the desolate sight appear before my mind's eye. What have I become? I never asked for this. I never wanted this. That was the whole reason for running. That year had expressed the most freedom I had ever experienced. I want it back. I don't want to do this anymore. The thought of being handed another blind mission terrifies me. I want my life back. With the freedom came fear and anxiety of him finding me, but it was more of a life than I had ever known. I left that behind to save Dick. But was it really worth it? Is ending hundreds of lives better than condemning one to the fate I've endured? Maybe it would be best if I just left again. Deathstroke would follow for at least three months. That would give the League enough time to create a plan to take him down. Nightwing would agree to confine Deathstroke to a cell for the rest of his life. If not listing him for death row. I begin to trail through possibilities. I could lead him away from the cities and have the League ambush him where he'd have little cover. Hope begins to rise in my chest before reality strikes. He would just escape. And then he would train another apprentice to find me and bring me in. Deathstroke had sent Dick after me as his final test before becoming his full apprentice. And I almost killed him. Seeing someone else suffer the same pain and confusion that I endured for so many years is what caused me to return. Return and become the monster that killed poor Lydia.

My hand reaches out and grips the cool, damp stone. Oh God, I killed her. I killed a little girl. The though repeats over and over in my head until I notice the stream of tears cascading down my face. I clamp a hand over my mouth and hunch over as sobs of despair rack my body. I can't do this anymore. Desperation clings to my soul. I can't!

"Aw, come on now honey, don't cry."

I straighten immediately and spy four men closing in on my unsuspecting form. The one to my left gives a chuckle. "Maybe we could brighten your day a little."

I glare at them and swallow my emotion. "If you don't get away from me, I'll kill you." I warn through gritted teeth. I know I wanted to leave that life, but their assertive statures begin to make my blood boil.

One with a crooked nose whistles. "Looks like this one likes to play boys."

My teeth grind as my fists clench, making my nails create four crescent moons in each of my palms. "Get away from me." Jogged by a flash of an old memory, my voice quivers slightly.

"Come on baby, we're not all bad." The one to my right approaches and reaches out his hand to rest it on my shoulder. Grabbing his wrist I twist his arm until I hear a pop. I'm rewarded with a holler of pain. I smirk at my pray and pull his arm further, continuing the dislocation and stretching the skin and muscles surrounding the joint. Once released, he scatters.

Before I can properly react two more pin me to the wall. I'm surprised by their strength. Twisting and turning, I can't slip out of their hold. My breathing increases as I clamp my eyes shut, attempting to keep the memory from coming, but my struggles are in vain. Two men held me up against the wall of a back ally as another's hands trailed down my quivering form. I was young and didn't know how to fully respond. As fingers grasp me now my mind overloads with fear, reliving that night. I freeze. The training doesn't kick in. All I can bring myself to do is scream. "No! Please, no!"

A cry rips through my throat as he leans forward and whispers in my ear, but before he can finish his sentence I hear something wiz through the air and collide with the back of his skull. His limp body slumps to the ground as the others drop me and spread out, awaiting the next attack. On instinct I scramble to the side and flatten my body against a dumpster. Hugging my body, I watch Nightwing spring from the shadows and pummel the two remaining men. I hardly notice him finish and tie the three together. By the time he crouches before me, my arms are clamped around my middle as I rock back and forth. He reaches forward to pull my arms away, but I flinch backward. "Hey, relax. It's alright. I'm not going to hurt you." Backing up slightly he keeps his hands where I can see them. "You're holding your stomach. Are you okay? Did they cut you?" I manage to glance at him and shake my head. He nods. "Alright, can you at least tell me your name? Can I call someone to come and get you?"

I can't bring myself to answer. The memory just keeps replaying in my mind, over and over again. I hug my knees closer to my chest and rest my forehead on them as sobs wrack my body. I feel a gloved hand rub my arm, doing its best to provide comfort. Eventually I can stand to take a deep enough breath to answer him. "Kate, my names Kate."

He nods and smiles softly as I glance up at him. "Okay Kate, is there someone you can call to get you home safe?" I shake my head. His brow furrows. "What about a parent? Your dad?"

I shake my head vigorously. "No, I can't call him. I can't go back home yet."

His confusion deepens. "What do you mean?"

"I can't go back home yet." I shout.

"Alright, okay." He shushes me. "Is there anywhere else you can go? Anyone you can call?"

I look at him in realization. "Dick."

"What?" The slits of his mask widen.

"My friend Dick. He's the only other person I would call."

His mouth hangs open slightly as he falls silent. The pause continues for a moment until he regains his composure and nods. "Okay, hang on a minute." He touches the com in his ear. "Nightwing to Hood." He continues after he hears a response. "Can you swing by Blüdhaven for a bit? I have to take care of a few criminals." He nods. "Thanks, Nightwing out."

I stare at him blankly. "We're in Blüdhaven?"

He nods. "Yeah, where were you walking from?"

I shrug. "I started on the south side of Gotham."

He stares at me for a moment. "I'm surprised you only ran into trouble now."

My brow scrunches. "Wait, why?"

"Kate, you're in central Blüdhaven. What time did you leave home?"

I think for a moment and give a shrug. "Around ten."

"Well, it's almost two now."

I stare at him blankly, allowing his statement to sink in. "Oh, I guess I should just go home then."

He shakes his head. "I don't want you walking alone."

I snort as a slight relief flows over me, sensing my natural humor beginning to return. "It's too late. I don't want to bother him." Especially since you still have patrol for another two hours or so.

His mouth hardens into a straight line. "Just call him." Another figure drops down behind him, making me jump slightly. "About time you got here."

The younger hero approaches us. My eyes flicker to the red helmet and leather jacket. Overall, he looks rather restricted. The helmet must create some sort of blind spot. I'm sure Bruce has already expressed his disapproval. "I hit some trouble on my way over here." He tilts his head to the side to glance around Nightwing.

"You okay?" The older asks.

"It's handled."

Nightwing glances over his shoulder. "In other words, you shot them." He states with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

The young man shrugs. "I have my ways, you have yours." It's then that he notices me and removes his helmet. He eyes my clenched, quivering hands. "She okay?"

Nightwing and I both nod. "She's going to call a friend to come and get her. I need you to stay with her while I go after the one that got away." He places a hand on my shoulder to draw my attention. "This is Red Hood. He'll stay with you until your friend gets here." I nod, showing that I understand. He stands and makes to leave, but turns back to me. "Can you tell me anything about him?"

I stare at him and rattle off a few facts. "About six foot, medium build, brunette, facial hair, he had jeans and a dark jacket on." I glance to the side. "He probably took cover quickly because of his injury."

"Injury?" Red Hood questions.

I nod and look up at the younger hero. "I pulled his right shoulder out of socket. After what I did, the only way to repair the joint is through surgery, so he might not be too difficult to find."

Both of them stare at me in disbelief before Nightwing clears his throat. "Okay, I'll be on the lookout for that."

As he leaves, Red Hood takes a seat beside me and rests his head back against the wall. "You might want to give that friend of yours a call." He mumbles, not even looking over at me.

I nod and dial Dick's number. He answers before the first ring can finish. "Hello?" He asks, groggily.

I keep myself from scoffing. "Dick?" Jason looks at me quickly and smirks.

"Kate?"

I swallow thickly, keeping most of the emotion at bay. "Yeah, it's me."

"Are you okay? What's wrong?"

Wow he's actually pulling this off quite well. "Um, I'm in Blüdhaven. There were a few guys that… um." I break off as fresh tears begin to collect. "Can you come get me? I know it's late. I'm sorry, but I don't really have anyone else." I explain quickly.

"Yeah, of course Kate. I'm jumping in the car right now. Where are you?" He asks hurriedly.

I look around and shake my head. "I-I don't know."

Red Hood holds out his hand for my phone. As he rattle off directions I rest my chin back on my knees and stare intently at my shoes. I try to keep my breathing steady as flashbacks continue to plague my mind. Tears drip from my chin once more. "Kate?" I glance up at Red Hood as he holds my phone out toward me. He looks to the end of the ally. "I think your rides here."

My head snaps up as I see Dick getting out of his car. I scramble up, mutter a quick thanks to the young hero, and sprint toward open arms. He holds me tightly and kisses the crown of my head as I cling to him and burry myself in his grasp. He shushes me gently. "It's okay Kate. I've got you. You're safe."

The ride back is quiet. Unlocking the front door to his apartment, he steps aside for me to enter first. I walk into the living room and turn back toward him, watching as he locks the door. When he spies me eyeing him he smiles sadly and comes toward me. "What happened?"

I look to the floor. "I froze."

He puts his hand under my chin and guides my eyes back to his own. "Are you hurt? Are you okay?"

I shake my head. "I should have fought back. I could have fought back. But they just grabbed me and it was like it was all happening again." Tears begin to cloud my vision. "I just froze."

He gathers me in his arms and guides my head the crook of his neck as he storks my hair. "It's okay Kate. Everything's okay. You're safe here. I've got you." My fingers wrap into his white undershirt and clench the thin fabric tightly. We remain like this for a few more moments until he speaks. "Do you want to stay in the guest room tonight?"

I burrow deeper into his embrace. "Could you stay with me?"

He nods. "Let's get to bed." After receiving no response, he scoops me up into his arms and walks back the hall to the guest room where he sits on the bed, leaning against the headboard, and pulls the covers up over us. I snake my arms around his middle and hold on tightly to my lifeline. My lungs take in a shaky breath as he continues to drag his fingers through my hair and calms me down with reassuring words. Tears continue to drip from my face onto his shirt, but in all honesty I don't think he minds.