Chapter 25: Calm Before the Storm

AN: Sorry this took so long! . The last few days have been crazy busy :( thanks for all of the favs, alerts, and reviews! Also, thanks for not maiming me for taking so long for taking sooo long last time! Lol

Dick looks up as two figures drop down next to him. Stephanie and Cassandra quickly rush to Tim and Jason's aid. "What happened?" Batgirl asks worriedly as she checks Tim's condition.

"Joker." Dick growls venomously. "Let's get them back to the cave. I don't know what that bastard hit them with." The women nod in agreement. Stephanie slings Tim's arm around her shoulder and hauls him up. She glances over to Cassie and her eyes widen, seeing BlackBat fling Jason over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"Um. BlackBat…that's not how you carry people…" Cassie glances over at her boredly, and gestures to Jason aggressively. "I know you don't like him…and he's a douche…" Steph pauses. "You know what? Nevermind." They hear a grappling hook shoot off, and the two heroines' heads snap over to the source of the sound to see Dick already heading back to the manor. They sigh, heading off after him.

As soon as they arrive at the manor, the heroes gently lay the unconscious birds down on gurneys in the infirmary. Alfred and Leslie quickly assess them, and take blood samples to see what they were infected with. Dick clenches a fist, watching them work on his fallen brothers. Stephanie glances over at him sadly, and ushers him out of the room. Dick removes his cowl, while Stephanie and Cassie follow suit.

"What happened?" Stephanie asks worriedly. "How the hell did Joker take all three of them out like that?"

"I don't know! We split up to patrol the city. Next thing I know; they're dropping like flies! He had Killer Croc and Harley working for him. Who knows who else was in on it!" Dick rages, ripping his gloves off and throwing them across the room. Cassandra frowns, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Her eyes narrow, seeing the blood slowly dripping from the gash in his arm. She yanks him over to a free gurney and shoves him down on it. "I'm fine, Cass!" BlackBat shakes her head, pulling out the first aid kit.

"Hurt." She states quietly, starting to cleanse the wound. Dick sighs heavily, letting her work. He knew there was no way that he could get out of it. Stephanie sits down on the gurney next to him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"They'll be alright…don't blame yourself for this either. I know how you get." Dick looks away defiantly. She glares up at him slightly and pulls back. Stephanie turns his head to face her irritatedly. "Dick. There's nothing you could have done."

"Splitting up was my idea. If we would have stuck together, none of this would have happened!"

"The four of you staying together is stupid in Gotham. You knew they could all handle themselves and trusted them. They appreciate that. Why do you think they like patrolling with you rather than Bruce? Because you have faith in them. Don't start babying them now, or else they'll lose all respect they have for you." He frowns, looking down.

"I could have lost them…"

"Again, that's not your fault. There's no way that you could have known what Joker was planning." She smirks. "You'll get your revenge. I can promise you that. Babs is already working to track down his location." He nods slowly, wincing slightly when Cassandra starts to stitch up his wound.

"What would I do without you girls?" Stephanie grins mischievously.

"Oh, crash and burn." The three look over as Alfred emerges from the infirmary.

"We sent the blood samples to Lucius for further analysis. So far, we have found traces of Scarecrow's Fear Toxin along with an unknown chemical." Dick's eyes narrow dangerously.

"Scarecrow's involved as well?"

"It appears so, Sir. However, don't do anything rash until we have more information." Dick sighs heavily, running his free hand through his hair.

"How are they doing?"

"They are stable. Only minor injuries. Though, they have not yet regained consciousness." The Bat nods slowly.

"Where's Bruce?"

"He is on his way back now. He had to take care of some business in Metropolis."

"Thanks, Alfie." Alfred nods.

"Of course, Master Dick. I shall prepare an early breakfast for everyone." Dick smiles warmly as the butler heads up the hidden staircase. Cassandra finishes stitching him up and starts to bandage his arm as Dick sighs impatiently. She shoots him a dark glare, and he pales slightly, looking away. Stephanie giggles at their antics. After he was all bandaged up, he sighs with relief, smiling gratefully over at Cassandra.

"Thank you." She nods, before pointing to the infirmary. He gets the message, hopping off the gurney. Dick then heads into the infirmary to check on his younger brothers. He checks on Damian first. The Bat pulls up a chair and sits down next to the youngest bird's bed. Damian appeared to be the most injured out of the birds. His head was bandaged, and both arms were bandaged all the way down to his knuckles. Dick frowns, brushing Damian's raven bangs out of his eyes. Damian whimpers in his sleep, undoubtedly from a nightmare from the Fear Toxin. Dick takes his hand and squeezes it reassuringly. Tears start to trail down Damian's cheeks as a heartbroken whimper escapes his lips yet again. His eyes suddenly snap open as he screams in anguish. Dick quickly pulls him into a comforting hug.

"Shh…Dami…it's alright…" Damian looks up at him wearily before burying his face into Dick's chest to try to hide his tears. He clutches onto the front of Dick's costume as he trembles. The Bat strokes the shaken bird's hair soothingly, trying to calm him down. "I won't let that bastard hurt you again."

"D-Don't leave." Damian whispers softly. "Please. Don't leave me. You promised…" Dick's heart breaks as the young bird lets out another whimper before going limp once again.

"Dick." He jumps from Barbara's voice ringing through his comm link.

"Tell me you have good news." He mutters as he gently lies Damian's sleeping form back down on the bed.

"I have Joker's location. But he's with Scarecrow and Bane."

"Send me their location."

"Dick…you can't do this by yourself."

"Then it's a good thing Steph and Cassie are here, now isn't it?" Barbara sighs.

"Alright. As long as you take them with you for backup. I don't want you going there by yourself."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Babs." He grins, hearing her growl in warning. "Fine, fine. I'm taking them. Now, where are they?"

"The abandoned hospital in South Gotham."

"Perfect. Thanks for the help!" Dick taps his ear, disconnecting the comm link. Stephanie and Cassandra walk into the infirmary, munching on a freshly baked cookie. Cassandra holds out one to Dick, who beams, taking it gratefully. "Good news, ladies! We get to kick more ass tonight. Babs found Joker. He's working with Scarecrow and Bane."

"Perhaps you should rest for tonight, Master Dick." Alfred states, walking into the room as well. "You have all had a very long evening."

"No can do, Alfie. I have a lead, and I'm sure as hell not going to let Joker slip away from me again." With that, Dick flips his cowl back on and heads for the Batmobile. Stephanie and Cassandra share a worried look before following after the Bat.

FN: Couldn't resist having the cute Dami/ Dick fluff X3 And hopefully I got Steph and Cass right! I've never written them before .