A/N:
Hey, guys, sorry it's been way longer than I expected for this one! Due to the longer wait and this chapter being way, way longer than I anticipated, I decided to split it up again. I'm posting this one now because I didn't want to make ya'll wait any longer but warning: THIS CHAPTER ENDS IN A MAJOR CLIFFHANGER
Again, the warning is
THIS CHAPTER ENDS IN A MAJOR CLIFFHANGER!
If cliffhangers aren't your thing, that's totally fine but maybe consider waiting until the next chapter comes out (the last one in this Year 8 arc). The next chapter also has a cliffhanger; but, it's in my opinion a lot less mean than this one. The next chapter will be coming out in two weeks-actually, two weeks this time. I planned my schedule around it.
If you'd like to read the chapter without cliffhanger or waiting, stop at the beginning of the last scene which begins "A few hours later, after a meeting that both began and ended with the sort of cold tension..."
ooooooo
Sometimes it rains in between snow.
Dick pauses at the window.
On the manor lawns, rain pelts down on ice frozen beneath. In a way, it's more dangerous than either the ice or snow separately. Both alone are predictable; but, now, at that precarious point between freezing and melting is when it gets deadly. That's when they get black ice-hidden on rooftops and streets where one misplaced step could send everything falling.
Dick turns away and continues down to the cave.
And finds himself not at all surprised to hear fast typing even this early in the morning.
"You know sleep actually isn't a lifestyle choice."
Tim jumps at the computer and Dick narrows his eyes, taking in the smudge of dirt still on his brother's cheek.
"Did you even try to go to bed after patrol?" Dick sighs. "Actually, don't answer that. Tim, please, unless it is actually life or death in the next few hours, it can wait. Even then, I'd be tempted to re-assign it to Jason. It's more liability than benefit when you're too tired to see straight."
"I can see fine." Tim grumbles-unbelievably, too, as he has to blink a few times before focusing on the tablet.
"Tim."
"It's important!" Tim turns up to him. "Okay, I'll admit I stayed up after patrol to see if I could find anything on Blockbuster-"
"And," Dick asks because even sleep deprived, Tim is a genius and Dick will never be one to underestimate his research skills.
"Nothing." Tim huffs. "Okay, well not nothing-nothing, I guess. But, all the stuff we already knew from Deathstroke's file. Blockbuster-also known as Roland Desmond, mobster with a specialty in illegal shipping between Gotham and Bludhaven. His brother, Mark Desmond used to be a chemist, specifically focused on chemical augmentation to form metahumans. It was suspected he experimented on both himself and his brother before Mark Desmond died unexpectedly in a gang scrimmage. Roland's only other known family is his mother, who died last year of a heart attack." A sigh. "And that's it-looks like he shut down all his operations a few months ago and took himself to ground. Jason's still trying to ferret out his last known associates."
"Right." Dick crosses his arms. "So, I'm unsure how all this leads to you staying up all night for the second night in a row-sleep hallucinations aren't all they're cracked up to be, Timmy. Trust me."
Tim smiles sheepishly. "...alright, I kinda got sidetracked on looking up something else, too."
"Which is?"
The levity on Tim's face shifts to alertness immediately. His back straightens, hands going to his tablet. "Okay, so, I know you told me it was nothing, but, listen: you remember how I said Catalina Flores kept giving me a weird feeling-"
Dick sighs. "Tim-"
"Wait," Tim cuts him off, "she said she was taking a break from the FBI; but, it's more than that. She was purposefully put on leave for multiple counts of excessive force and harassment. Apparently, she had a habit of following suspects that caught her interest and integrating herself into their daily lives. It was….well, it honestly, looks like her department kind of ignored the allegations until her former partner accused her of workplace misconduct and recreational drug use. He said she-"
"Tim," Dick lays a hand on his shoulder, "good work. It sounds like you went deep on this. But, I gotta ask: is there any evidence she's connected to Blockbuster?"
Tim drew up short. "...not that I could find."
"Any evidence she's involved in any kind of criminal element," Dick asks. "Anything at all to suggest she's anything other than an ordinary civilian and an FBI agent on leave?"
"No," Tim admits.
"Okay," Dick sits on the desk across from him, "I know you're worried, especially after the shooting at Gotham U. I am, too. But, right now, I think we need all the resources we have focusing on Blockbuster or trying to make sure the other Gotham rogues don't take advantage if they suspect we're down. So, want to tell me why you're focusing in on Catalina?"
The expression Tim makes is complicated. "Dick, she was flirting with you?"
"Yeah," Dick asks, wondering where Tim's going.
"She likes you," Tim presses like that's the imperative point here.
"Tim, I can handle a little flirting without getting swept away here," Dick promises. "Trust me."
"She's different," Tim insists. "There's something….I don't know. Dick, I just feel like when she's around, somethings going to happen-something you'd regret."
And that actually hurts, a twinge in Dick's chest he didn't see coming.
"You really think I'd cheat on Kory?"
Dick honestly thought his little brother had more faith in him than that.
Tim stops, turning to him in surprised confusion as if he can't understand how Dick came to that conclusion.
"No...That's not…" Tim frowns. "Dick, that's not really the point I'm trying to make here."
Dick breathes. "Then, what do you mean, Tim?"
"I don't….I don't know." Tim wipes at the bags under his eyes. "It's just a feeling."
Dick shakes his head, leaning forward to run a hand through Tim's hair, feeling a little bit better when Tim leans into it...though, granted, that's probably partly the exhaustion. "Tim, get some sleep. Whatever you're worried about, I'm betting it's going to be a lot easier to think through when you're not running off actual fumes and caffeine."
"Yeah…" Tim yawns, "...yeah, maybe."
Dick stands to drag him up, guiding him over until he makes it to the cave stairs. "And if it helps, I can't think of any reason I'll ever see Catalina Flores again. Alright?"
Tim gives him a small frown. "It's fine, Dick, you're right. I think I'm just feeling more paranoid right now."
"Eh, paranoia's a bat-kid right of passage," Dick grins. "Just don't let it drive you crazy, alright?"
Tim rolls his eyes. "Like we're not already."
Dick watches as Tim finally heads upstairs-only partly to make sure he doesn't pass out on his feet halfway up. They have actually caught him asleep on the stairs before. Then, Dick moves to the computer, plugging in his comm device to the main frame and programming it into the network to boost the signal.
He holds his breath as he hits the connect button.
The screen goes fuzzy and grey and...
"Dick?"
Dick's knees go weak and the relief that hits him feels staggering.
"Hey." Dick smiles softly as Kory's face resolves on the screen. "Hey, beautiful….Honey, you would not believe the week I've had at the office."
Kory's face is the warmest sight in the universe, even halfway across the galaxy.
"That bad," Kory asks gently.
"Oh, another maniac's trying to kill us," Dick says, tone aiming for blase and sounding too strained by a mile, "you know the Gotham specialty."
Kory hums. "I have news, too; but….I believe I would rather hear yours first."
Dick lets out a breath. "Well, the short version, a metahuman mobster found out my identity, left a dead body in my bed, blew up my school, shot at me, tried to kill my friend, oh, and I'm shutting myself in Gotham until further notice."
Kory blinked.
"But, Donna's move went well," Dick tacks on. "Plus, Lian's really getting the hang of fingerpainting-Will sent pictures."
"Mel klexh," Kory says, tone serious.
"I know." Dick scrubs a hand through his hair. "Kory, I think he's going after the people I care about. And that could be anyone. Wayne Enterprises is already increasing security in all the branches but...fuck, I'm supposed to take my place on the Board next month. That's basically asking for an opening-if Blockbuster doesn't attack before then. Wayne Enterprises. The manor. Babs. Tim and Jason. And Haly's circus is still in town."
He sinks deeper into the chair.
"Kory," he says helplessly, "there's too many open targets and I don't know how to protect them all."
"Oh, Dick," Kory's face blurs on the screen before refocusing, "please do not say you are taking this weight all on alone."
Dick loves her. He honestly has no idea the person he'd still be without Kory by his side.
"I'm not," he promises. "You know Babs and my brothers wouldn't let me take on all of it."
Kory tilts her head, red hair falling over her shoulder and there is nothing Dick wants more than to have her here to hold closer.
"That does not mean you are not letting it weigh all on you," Kory says because she knows him, too.
"...that's a lot harder to pull off," he admits.
"Dick," Kory says.
"I know, Kory, I'll try." Dick smiles at her. "Anyway, we probably don't have long before the transmission cuts out again. There's an electron cloud passing through Cannis Major so who knows next time the comms will work and, honestly, I'd rather hear your voice than mine." He smiles. "What's your news?"
Kory sighs but let's him change the subject.
"The negotiations for voiding Komand'r's previous regulations and restoring Ryand'r to full authority have finally been agreed to," Kory says.
Dick stops. "Kory…."
"They are getting my ship ready now." Her smile goes soft. "I am coming home."
Dick leans his head to the comm, a breathless laugh bubbling up with it.
And he knows that space travel isn't instantaneous. That even with Tamaran's advanced technology, the journey to earth will take at least a few months. But, that's a later thought. Right now, there's only one thing that matters.
"Welcome home, Kory," he whispers. "I missed you."
Kory's grin matches his. "And I you, mel klexh. I love-"
The screen goes grey, sound falling to static, and briefly Dick sees a flash on screen to notify him that the signal's been lost. Dick tries not to let it bother him.
He leans his head back to the comm.
"I love you, too, Kory. Always."
ooooooo
He catches Jason in the kitchen-sitting on the counter and still in Wonder Woman pajamas pants and a tank because at least one of his brothers is semi-decent about trying to sleep.
Then, he smells the food. "Jay….what is that?"
Jason gives him a shiteating grin. "Beignets, baked eggs with a green onion pesto, and French pressed coffee. Why? Oh, did you want some, Dick? Too bad, cause I only made enough for one."
Dick's life is unfair.
He's suspected before; but, he now knows it beyond a shadow of a doubt because, for some reason, the only one of them that Alfred's cooking lessons actually stuck on was Jason.
Dick meets his brother's eyes. "I've bled for you."
"Blood's cheap, breakfast is forever," Jason replies smugly. "How's the cereal?"
Dick grumbles under his breath, sitting at the table.
"By the way," Dick says, "do me a favor and don't bother Tim for the next five hours. He's supposed to be sleeping."
Jason frowns. "It's eight. We got back from patrol at two-what's wrong with Sleeping Beauty?"
"Didn't ever go to bed. Apparently, he got dragged in by a side project."
"Fucker."
Dick rolls his eyes. "Jay."
"Dumbass."
"Thanks, that's much better."
"You can make sure he gets the sleep tonight, though." Jason chews on his eggs, shifting on the counter. "We're swapping the assignments, remember? Babs is covering me to go undercover."
Dick straightens. "Right, Robbie's getting a little cousin. You're starting in the harbors, aren't you?"
Jason nods. "Figure I'd try to track down what's been happening with Desmond's old associates, see if any of them hear anything still."
"That's close," Dick warns. "If Desmond knows my identity, he knows yours, too. There's a high chance he could've given both of ours out to his associates. Maybe we should start with-"
"Dick," Jason interrupts him, looking at him seriously, "relax, I know how to do undercover work. No one will have any idea it's me anyway. We need the information."
"Not if it's not worth the risk," Dick says gently.
Jason opens his mouth to argue before shutting it, turning his fork idly on his plate and looking like he's thinking through what he wants to say next.
There's a pang in Dick's chest.
That's funny, when did Jason start to do that? Dick loves him-and partly because of this-but in Dick's mind, where Tim leans for silent observations and Barbara goes methodical, Jason's always been the one most quick to blunt reactions...even ones he regretted later.
It keeps happening; but, every time it feels so new. When did his little brother start growing up?
Finally, Jason ends on two words.
They're well picked, too, Because when he says them like that, Dick really only has one answer.
"Trust me," Jason requests.
Dick smiles. "Okay. Good luck, Jay."
Jason breathes out and shoots Dick a cocky little grin-alright, at least Jason hasn't changed that much. "Cool. Good choice by the way; my next move was bribery."
Dick raised a brow. "Whatcha offering?"
Jason raises his plate. "Leftovers are in the fridge."
"I love you."
"Gross."
ooooooo
As it turns out, none of them go on patrol that night.
Haly's Circus burns down in flames.
ooooooo
"Dick…"
"I know, Babs." His hands are shaking.
"The Wayne security force got everyone out in time," Barbara murmurs still, arm around his shoulders and holding him together. "Everyone got out-both the people and the animals. It's alright. They're safe. Everything's going to be alright."
Dick tries to breathe and the motion feels stuttering.
He leans into Barbara's arm and closes his eyes, both of them hidden away in the back of the town car.
"They were attacked because of me."
"They're safe because of you, too," Babs reminds him gently. "You're the one who sent the security forces to monitor them."
"Because I knew they'd be a target. Because of me."
"Dick," Barbara pulls him up and waits until he meets his eyes. "Don't play that game right now. It doesn't help anyone. The only ones to blame are fucking Blockbuster and Spyral that sold out your ID. Got it? I know it hurts, I know you're scared; but, feeling guilty for the things you'd never choose doesn't help anyone. You didn't choose this."
"...I know."
Barbara continues to watch him.
Dick winces. "Alright, I do know but we both know it's not that easy. Just give me until we get to the apartments to feel like shit and then, I'll work on the pulling myself together part."
Babs' lip quirks up. "Deal, just try to keep the brooding to a minimum. Okay, Boy Wonder? And only until we see your family."
Family.
Dick closes his eyes again
Dick's families have never been made just by blood.
Alfred pulls the car up outside the sidewalk and Dick gets ready.
"I'll wait here." Barbara grabs his hand and squeezes. "It's going to be alright, Dick."
Dick steps out of the car.
The sound of running feet hit him before his vision even focuses on the blur getting closer.
With a former trapeze performer's instinct, Dick catches her anyway as Raya wraps her arms around him tight enough to crack ribs.
She's crying.
"Hey," Dick holds her up and smells smoke in her hair, "hey, Raya, what's wrong?" He grimaces. "Or well-"
"Dick," Raya pulls back just enough to scrub away tears, "no one knew what was happening. It was just a few seconds and everything was on fire. We couldn't save anything. We barely made it out ourselves. And they said...the police said-"
"Ray honey," Raymond comes up behind her, putting a hand on her shoulders and easing her down, "let the man breathe for a second, alright?"
Raya nods shakily, turning her face into Raymond's chest as he hugs her.
Raymond turns to Dick. "Well, Grayson, seems like you got the interest of a real maniac."
Dick winces. "I'm sorry. The security was supposed to be just a precaution, I never thought-"
"Don't you dare!" Raya spins to stab a finger in his chest. "Don't you dare start trying to apologize to us, Dick Grayson! That is not at all what he meant."
"She's right." Raymond nods. "The tents and rigging can be rebuilt-might take awhile, I'll admit; but, Haly's is going to be just fine." He levels Dick with a look. "What we're more worried about is you. The police said that you're being targeted by this nutjob. They said he attacked your school, that fancy manor you got…." He sighs. "Dick, when you asked us if we'd mind a little extra security, we thought you meant a stalker or something? Not someone trying to kill you. I….,"
Raymond shakes his head. "I don't even know what to say to that. How come you never told us?
Dick stays quiet; he doesn't know what to say either.
At a point, there's so much Dick's gotten used to not saying to them, that it didn't even occur to him to do it.
"Come with us," Raya interrupts his thoughts. "Pop Haly's already talking about getting us back on the Europe circuit once we get our rigs back up. Come with us and get the fuck out of whatever's going on here."
"Raya." Dick holds up his hands. "I can't. My brothers-"
"So?" Raya's laugh is manic and scared. "So what? Bring them with you. Both them boys look old enough to haul some boxes and sweep the tents. Who even cares what they do? The point is you'll all be alive!"
Dick's throat feels tight. "I can't leave Gotham."
"Why?" Raya launches up, grabbing his collar and pulling him down. "Why can't you, Dick? Fuck Gotham! Seriously, Dick, just fuck this place! I hate it! I wish we never came here in the first place, all those years ago! It took Aunt Mary from us, Uncle John, it took you, and now you're going to stay here and die in it!? Why? Why, Dick?!"
Dick thinks of jumping off his first skyscraper, thinks of swinging through crates at the warehouse district, and the way early, early in the morning the sun shining through the clouds looks purple. Dick thinks of bats.
Gotham is a dark place.
It always has been.
It's dark and it's filthy and it amuses itself by grinding down people because it likes the taste of desperation.
Gotham is a city of broken things.
And Dick's heard that and heard that, been warned and warned until he's sick of it-from the Titans, from Donna, from Will, from Mera, from the well-intentioned cops, from Slade, from radio hosts and philanthropists, from Selina….even from Bruce back the first time he'd put on a mask.
Everyone thinks just because Dick smiles and jokes and laughs that he doesn't see it. They think if he's not just as dark and suffering as the things he fights, then they'll destroy him. They think if he isn't somehow like Gotham, then he'll never be able to fight it back.
Maybe they'll be right eventually.
They'll always be wrong about one part, though: Dick does understand.
Dick grew up in this city as its darkest parts tried to kill him. He knows exactly what it is.
And if he's just as dark as any of it, then how is that anything new?
People forget that broken things can be fixed into something better.
He closes his hands around Raya's. "Because Gotham's my home, too."
Dick's families have never been made just by blood. Sometimes it was concrete and iron as well.
Raya's hand falls from his collar and her face twists, giving him a look that's raw in its hurt before turning into something too complex for even Dick to start twisting apart.
"You really have changed, Grayson," she says.
Dick doesn't try to deny it.
"I'm sorry," he says and means it as much as he doesn't.
Raya doesn't look at him, turning her face back into Raymond's arms as he holds her back.
"Pop Haly wants to talk to you," Raymond tells him. "Second door on the left."
Dick nods at him, taking the excuse offered and finally trudging into the apartment building.
He knocks at the second room.
Pop Haly opens it, for once looking every second of his sixty-seven years.
He smiles anyway when he sees him. "Dick. I knew I'd see you sooner or later." He opens the door wider. "Come on, get in here. I need to talk to you."
Impersonal furniture is scattered along the room with a few soot-stained files and Dick can't help but think that compared to the normal jumbled mess that made Haly's office, it makes the drab apartment room seem even colder.
"I'm sorry about the circus," Dick says softly, taking the chair at the other side of the coffee table.
Pop sighs. "I am, too, lad. We got the most important ones out, thank God; but, there were a lot of memories burnt in those old trailers." He rubs the back of his neck. "Not to mention how long it will take before we can build up the rigs we need to get on the road again. We're planning to leave as quick as we can. I don't….I don't think any of us want to stay in this town longer than we have to."
Dick nods. "I don't think you should stay here. If you need any help-"
"Insurance just about covers it," Pop waves him off. "Matter of fact, they're being practically generous about it, almost like some high paid lawyers already gave them a call." His face softens. "I do appreciate the apartment, though, Dick. It don't know what I'd do if after all this, we couldn't spend tonight here together."
"It's just one of the Wayne properties," Dick says. "I'm sorry it's not much."
Pop chuckles to himself. "Never were good at accepting thank you's, were you, lad?"
Dick winces. "...I talked to Raya."
"And I take it she gave you the spiel already," Pop says. "She's right, of course; you're always welcome to come with us-you and your family."
He swallows. "I can't."
"I know." Pop smiles. "I knew you wouldn't even if you could. I saw it the night you came to see the show, you and your brothers all sitting around the fire. Haly's isn't the only place you belong anymore, is it?"
"No," he admits. "I've got people who still need me here."
"And is here where you want to be," Pop says, eyes pinning him down.
"It's home," Dick answers instead. He takes a breath. "Raymond said you wanted to talk to me."
"I do." Pop nods. "I've got a question, one I've been wondering about for awhile, actually."
"What is it?"
"See way back, after your parents were killed and the detectives were still trying to find who caused it, everything was a right mess." Pop Haly's face turned somber. "I know you remember this part. Those first few nights, they wouldn't even let you stay with us-with all the people you'd ever known-because they were still investigating whether anyone here was involved and that stuck up social worker you got thought a circus wasn't the place for a grieving child."
Dick does remember. His memory of those first few days is blunted and dull-trying to think through a fog of anger and numb grief before Bruce found him jumping off rooftops and reigned him into something less feral. But before that, he does remember arguments over the top of his head, words like suitable environment and nuclear families, followed by a group home that Dick took all of five hours to break out of.
Pop continues. "Then after, when they finally caught that son of a bitch and Bruce Wayne himself asked to take you in, promised that he'd take care of you, told us that he'd still make sure you could visit wherever we went in the world, well…" Pop Haly looks down. "I don't know how well you could see it then but our circus wasn't as well off as we are today, Dick-there's a reason low level thugs like that thought they could extort us. We could hardly afford a lawyer, much less one that could bribe a Gotham jury into granting custody of a traumatized child to a traveling circus without any blood relation. When Bruce Wayne asked us-actually asked-and you seemed...well, not happy but at least better, we thought it was the best choice we had."
Pop Haly leaned back. "I don't live in Gotham, Dick, would never want to live any one place if I'm being honest; but, I know how to read the news. We all did when it came to you and I...I read even more than that. I wanted to know what kind of place we were leaving you with, what kind of person." Pop gives a wry smile. "And, trust me, you have no idea how many times I came close to staging a kidnapping when Wayne's tabloid exploits got a little too extreme."
Dick smiles, surprising himself. "The papers always exaggerated. Bruce was never that bad, I promise."
"That's what it sounded like when you'd call us, too," Pop admits. "And you….Dick, you started to seem happy again and that's what meant the world. You've always been meant to be a light, lad." Pop shakes his head. "But, I read other news of the city, too. Watched the video clips. All the crime, the prison escapes, and just the-the darkness that this place seems to build. And I worried." He looks up. "And I also thought, because something about those news clips felt familiar. Something I couldn't quite place….Then, the Invasion happened and you stopped coming to visit and I had a whole bunch of other things to start worrying about. I'm sorry to say; but, I forget why those clips had been bothering me. Lately, though, I've been wondering again."
Dick's face is too still to even turn into a proper mask of confusion. He'd always been so bad at lying to Pop Haly.
"Familiar?" he manages.
"Familiar," Pop Haly repeats. He meets Dick's eyes. "And I think I realized why-but that answer is terrifying because that means I left you in a place that wasn't at all the place I thought it was. That was dangerous and would force you to make choices I'd never, ever want you to make. That John and Mary wouldn't. And….also, an answer that fit."
Pop Haly closes his eyes, grief passing over his face.
"And you were happy, Dick," he whispers. "And you were doing better and I don't think that meant what I thought it did, then; but, I do think I know you well enough that I know it was true."
"And you're an adult now. Now, I can't do anything." Pop Haly breathes and opens his eyes. "So, there's one question I wanted to ask and I have to ask you: Dick, back then, should I have taken you with us?"
Dick thinks of high tents and sweating under stage lights, thinks of falling and knowing hands would catch him, and the way the sound of rain hit on trailer roofs. And he doesn't think of bats.
He thinks of his past.
"No," Dick promises. "You made the right choice"
ooooooo
Once the news gets word of the Haly attack and pieces it together with the shooting at Gotham University and Mickey O'Brien's body planted at the Wayne New Year Eve gala, every journalist in Gotham is able to smell out that they all revolve around a single target.
In short, the gate outside the manor becomes a madhouse and-even with both Wayne security and the Gotham PD securing the perimeter-Dick and his brothers are going to have to resort to vigilante-level infiltration tactics even to run to the store.
Not that they're allowed to do that anyway, according to practically everyone.
With a media-frenzy at the loose, the Wayne Board is, to put it mildly, absolutely frenzied about saving public image and projecting a scene of a nice, stable young Wayne heir before Dick takes his seat on the Board next month.
It doesn't matter that Dick's seat is only one of seven-the Wayne family is still the primary shareholders and, above that, the face that everyone remembers.
It's Bruce family's company. It's Wayne Enterprise. And on a practical sense, it's one of the major donors of why any of the vigilante teams are able to operate. So, yeah, Dick will do what he needs to do to calm things down.
He just wishes that the Board didn't decide that would be another Wayne gala for next week.
In a way, it makes sense. Another gala that goes off without a hitch to replace the image of the New Years Eve one and ensure a reputation that Wayne Enterprises is back on track-not that they were ever off track to begin with, of course.
Privately, Dick wonders when any event in Gotham has ever gone off without a hitch?
It's fine, though, Dick can make it through a gala. Better yet, he can make his own plans.
Because Dick is tired of sitting back and waiting to see which of his family is going to be attacked next. He's tired of being on the defensive.
If Roland Desmond wants to attack him, then a gala is a big red target that's painted with Dick's homeground advantage-and this time he knows it's coming.
And Dick's going to have help, too.
He finds Selina and sets up a meeting.
...or, more accurately, a negotiation of terms.
ooooooo
Jason fidgets and tries to pretend he's not slightly red. "When are they going to be here?"
Dick rolls his eyes, hiding a grin. "We've still got fifteen minutes and Selina's always a little late."
"Oh." Jason says and then fidgets again, pulling at his collar.
"Loser," Tim mutters, still looking half-awake and yawning.
Jason glares. "I don't want to hear that from you, nerd."
"You remember only Babs and Dick are going to be in the meeting, right?" Tim smirks back. "We're just going to be monitoring from the cave."
"And I'm sure you know all about watching from behind a camera, little-"
"Seriously, still trying that one? Old!"
"Creeper."
"Least I don't freak out just because-"
"It's Catwoman, Timbo." Jason folds his arms. "Excuse me for having a little respect for a childhood hero coming to my house."
Dick glances down at his watch, deciding to end this. "I don't know why you're that surprised. Selina used to come over here a lot."
"She did?" Tim tilts her head. "I know Catwoman helped out on a few major things; but...I didn't know Catwoman and Batman worked together that much."
"Eh, I wouldn't say worked," Dick adds casually. "But, yeah, she was here a lot of nights."
He waits for that to sink in.
Jason gets it first, hands going over his eyes. "Oh, gross-wait, wait! Catwoman and Batman-"
Tim's eyes go wide. "WHAT?!"
Dick smiles. "Selina was always my favorite of Bruce's girlfriends. She really is the best."
"Ugh!" Jason is still scrubbing his eyes, probably in an attempt to scrub his mind, too. "UGH, why would you tell me that?! Bruce is practically like-I don't even know, mentor adjacent or mentor-once-removed, something, the point is it's weird! Why, Dick, why?!"
And that's one childhood crush thoroughly….well, crushed.
Dick doesn't' ask to be this good as his job; but, sometimes being an older brother is so rewarding.
"Master Dick," Alfred opens the door, "we have a visitor for you."
"Please take him." Jason shoves him forward.
Dick meanwhile tilts his head. "She's early?"
"Our visitor is not Miss Kyle, I'm afraid." And now he notices how Alfred's brow is drawn.
"Who is it," Tim asks.
Alfred speaks, "It's-"
"Dick," a voice says, sounding impatient already, and the door swings further to show Catalina Flores standing in the hall.
Beside him, Dick sees Tim go stiff.
Alfred frowns. "Miss Flores, I believe I asked you to wait by the entrance."
Catalina flashes her FBI badge lazily. "And I told you, I'm expected and besides this is urgent." Her eyes catch Dick's. "I need to talk to you."
Tim's voice is icy. "About what."
Catalina barely glances at him, lip curling up slightly. "Cute, but this is adult stuff, hun. Dick, we need to talk alone."
And now Jason's crossing his arms, too, shifting slightly so he stands in front of Tim. "Lady, who even are you?" He makes a show of squinting. "Have we met?"
Catalina is clearly not smiling now.
She's annoyed.
Tim sees it, too, and jumps in. "Oh, you probably forget, Jay? She's that FBI officer that snuck in the hospital-you know the one who's not working this case."
"Right." Jason nods. "Thanks, Tim, you know I forget the unimportant shit."
Catalina is full on glaring and Dick sighs, stepping in before the situation can escalate any further.
"Alright, Catalina, we can talk," Dick agrees. "But, only for a few minutes. I'm waiting on someone."
None of the room's occupants look particularly happy with that; but, they also don't look like they're about to start a fight in the dining room so there's that.
Dick motions to the adjoining sitting room and Catalina follows, apparently ignoring both Jason and Tim's glares as she goes.
When they get to the room, Dick turns. "So, what's that urgent?"
"What's that urgent," Catalina echoes incredulously. "Seriously, Dick, you really can't think of a single thing that might be pissing me off?"
Honestly, Dick's just trying to get this talk over and done with as quickly as possible so he can get to his actual meeting negotiating a coup for a massive secret intelligence agency that's sold his identity to a maniac.
He holds up his hands in apology. "No, I really don't know; but, if you tell me, I'll do what I can to try to help."
Catalina's anger fades like dark clouds rising. "Oh. Well, it's really not your fault, is it, Dick? I know you would've told me if other people weren't keeping you busy." She frowns up at him. "And I'm so sorry, Dick, you must be so scared with everything else going on. You don't need to worry; I'll handle this for you."
"Catalina," Dick stresses again, "what's wrong?"
Catalina huffs. "What's wrong is your circus was attacked, you were attacked. Again. And I had to find out from the fucking news!"
Dick blinks.
"What," he asks.
An eye roll. "I know, right? You'd think at least my dumb brother would know to keep me updated; but, no, what good's him being an Assistant DA if he doesn't even know how to use it?" She sighs. "Like I said, though, sorry about earlier. None of this is your fault, really. You've just been busy because of everyone else."
"Catalina….," Dick trails off.
Ah, okay, so Tim had a point. Dick's still not sure how exactly; but it looks like he has been leading on Catalina somehow because she definitely does have the wrong idea.
And Dick needs to fix it.
"Catalina," he starts again as gently as he can, "it's really kind of you to worry about me. It's nice to think to check in-but a call really would've been better." He pauses. "Look, I think you're a nice woman and that we could be good friends one day. But, right now, I don't want you to get too involved worrying about me. You don't need to. I've got Gotham PD investigating the case, Wayne Security is protecting me, and I've got my family here to look out for me. I'll be fine; but, please don't feel it's your responsibility to look after me."
Catalina's frowning as he finishes, looking almost confused.
Dick sighs. "And I'm sorry, I really do have to meet with someone now. I guess I'll see you...well, actually, I know you don't like parties. Maybe I'll see you at Gotham PD's next event, okay?"
Dick steps away and Catalina's hand shoots out, catching his arm.
"Wait." Her look goes cold. "So, that's really all you're going to say, you're just leaving."
"That's all I have to say," Dick says, voice going firm as he slips Catalina's hand off his sleeve.
Catalina's glare darkens.
"Dick."
Dick looks up and smiles at his savoir. "Hey, Barbara."
Barbara shoots him a quick smile, slipping her arm through his and letting him guide himself away. "You were going to be late, figured I'd come to find you."
"This is who you're meeting," Catalina cuts in.
Barbara doesn't even blink at the implication, turning her stare on Catalina.
"Yes," she says simply. "And you shouldn't be here. Why did security let you in?"
Catalina bristles. "I'm an FBI agent."
"Not on this case, they shouldn't have let you in." Barbara says more to herself than anything, she nods at Dick. "Want me to check if Dad has time to brief them on better safety protocols?"
Dick smiles, breathing out. "Couldn't hurt."
"Are you really ignoring me," Catalina says and it's more of a hiss.
Dick winces, already ready to step in and try to head off another fight.
But, there's a difference between the Robins and Batgirl. Tim and Jason begin fights with provocation, taunting the opponent until they're angry enough to be illogical-it's definitely one tactic and Dick doesn't kid himself on who they picked it up from, for better or worse.
Barbara's never bothered. She doesn't start fights, she ends them.
"No." Barbara looks at Catalina straight on. "I'm not ignoring you. Leave. Either on your own or because the security I called gets here first-your choice. And do not come back."
Catalina's jaw drops, eyes flying wildly to Dick.
"I think it's best right now if you go, Catalina," Dick says.
Catalina stares at him, jaw clicking back in a snarl as she turns on her foot and marches to the door.
Dick leans in to whisper to Barbara. "Thanks for the save."
"Looked like you needed one," Barbara says back, nodding up to the room's camera.
"How long were you watching?"
"Pretty much the whole time-Tim texted me and asked."
"Yeah," Dick admits. "He's been worried about her."
"Well, she is very annoying and quite possibly with a few stalker tendencies," Barbara mutters. She sighs, giving him a small smile. "I think we've handled worse, though."
"That's what I told him." Dick grimaces. "Really thought I was handling that one well, too, until the end. What do you think?"
"I think…," Barbara shakes her head, "that you're far too nice, Dick Grayson."
Dick frowns. "And that's bad?"
"Maybe sometimes." Barbara elbows him. "But, I'd rather you didn't change it. Come on, we've got a meeting."
"Don't worry." Dick grins. "Selina's always late."
ooooooo
"Sorry, we're late." Selina smiles, kissing his temple as she slips in flawlessly at the other side of the table, the gauze around her leg hidden carefully.
"How dare you," Dick says with a straight face. "The nerve."
Selina's lips twitch up. "Dastardly, I know."
"Criminal, some would say," Dick returns.
Both Helena and Barbara roll their eyes in unison.
Selina leans in unbothered, "Well, you know what they say, kitten, the early bird may get the worm, but the early cat-"
"Please no." Helena sighs. "I can tell where you two are heading and I refuse to start a meeting like this with puns."
Selina winks at him. "Later then, I'm still introducing Helena to the understated joys of wordplay."
"How's your leg," Dick asks, noticing the way Helena's back subtly straightens.
He was right-Helena's the loyal type. Good to know before planning an arrangement.
Of course, considering the other members in the room, Dick's sure he and Barbara are being assessed right back.
"Oh, nothing to complain about." Selina waves a hand. "The real trouble was the news. There's certain contacts I've been meaning to catch up that are so much harder to coax out when my face gets splashed on the frontpage."
Dick nods, eyes flickering to the last of the room occupants. "And him?"
In the corner, the man glares at him from underneath a pale yellow scarf and turban he's still using to shadow most of his face from view. Even with the Spyral implants still in place. Interesting. Dick wonders if it's the man's lack of trust in his own agency's equipment or just that old spy habits die hard.
Probably both-in his experience, spies and vigilantes are paranoid like that.
"My partner, codename Tiger," Helena answers for him. "And Spyral's top ranked operative, Agent 1. With him on our side, we have a good chance of not only taking down Spyral's leadership; but, also coming out with the parts we need still functional."
"If there are parts we need." Dick smiles at the man. "So, Tiger, got a name?"
"Not that you need to know," the man speaks and bluntly.
"Wow, I can already tell this is going to be fun." Dick winks at him. "I'm going to call you Tony, then. You know like the cereal mascot! It's fun! Besides, nicknames are a great bonding experience."
Tiger scowls, turning down to his partner. "He's an idiot, Helena. Forget this, we can go with our other choices."
"You don't have other choices." Barbara mildly starts. "Despite what I'm sure you want us to believe with that little show and dance there. We did our homework and you're right, Spyral's one of the most extensive spy networks on the planet that's not already attached to the name Luthor. Try to go outside to another agency and Spyral will find you before you even make contact. Try to work it out from inside and you're one betrayal away from implosion. That leaves us or Luthor and if you go with Luthor, that's really just changing one master for another."
Dick continues to smile. "To put it plainly, you need us."
"But, why do we need you," Barbara finishes.
The silence is frigid, laying heavily across the table.
Selina tilts back her head and laughs. "Oh, I just knew I was going to enjoy being home! I missed the entertainment value." She smiles at Barbara. "And I love to get to know the new players. You're vicious, dear."
"Not yet," Barbara says evenly.
Selina grins. "Luckily for me, I have no side in this. I'm just here to see everyone get along."
Both Helena and Dick look at her disbelieving and it's the first time Dick's been able to look at Helena and feel the common ground under their feet.
Selina always keeps a few cards tucked away.
Helena and Dick both look at each other, taking measure.
Almost like a game-who's going to break it first.
Dick's said it before. He gets tired of games. He wonders what Helena will do when he stops playing. "Fine, I'll start. Spyral's a proven threat to the Titans. We're taking it down either way and you already know we have the strength to take it down by force if necessary. But, that's going to be messy. That risks Spyral possibly leaking my own team's identity and putting us in even more of a mess that's much harder to get out of. Added all to that, if we're being completely honest, only a few members of the team are really suited to the kind of long term covert work we'd need to take down a spy organization carefully." He taps a finger on the table. "The Titans taking down Spyral alone is an option-but, it's not my favorite."
He leans back, watching both Helena and Tiger. "So, let's move on to your plan: using some of the Titans's force and all of our backing to help you two take over Spyral's leadership. Potentially less messy, but not definitely which means it's still a risk to my team." He sighs. "But, also a benefit because if this all works out like you say, the Titans could have a major spy organization working for us."
"With," Helena corrects.
Dick raises a brow.
"Spyral will remain independent," Helena says. "That's a condition."
"Do you have that bargaining power," Barbara asks.
"I don't care if I do." Helena stays firm. "Bargaining power is all about what you will and will not agree to. I will not agree to letting Spyral be monitored over by the Titans. It defeats the entire purpose of having a separate, independent intelligence agency. I won't agree to that so I guess that means I have that power."
"What's the benefit," Dick questions.
"For me, plenty; but, I'm guessing you mean your Titans." Helena holds up her fingers. "There's two: diversification and deniability. Diversification's a no brainer. Back before the Invasion, sure, the League may have been the one up front; but, there were plenty other superhero teams, background organizations, support bases acting from the sidelines. Your Young Justice being one of them. Most of them were wiped out either literally or without their former support. Now? There's hardly any-some local mainly rookie heroes vaguely associated with the Titans, the new Titans Dark, Spyral, and various intelligence corporations mainly fueled by some wannabe kingpin. You don't need branches under you, you need allies. And I'm betting you know that, too." She taps her cheek. "Multiple hands can do more and that doesn't work if the Titan's overwatch just ties both our hands behind our back."
Dick considers. She's right and he does know it. It's why Zatanna left last year to grow Titans Dark; why Kory's negotiations took longer as she tried to find Earth allies in the further galaxies. The past two years have meant practically playing into the Light's hands both times as they tried to sweep in below them and establish the Earth's intergalactic reputation as a force too dangerous to mess with. One day that plan could fail and the only way they could counteract it is if the Titan's also had an intelligence agency at home and allies that could cut off the Light before they got to act.
Helena did not need to know that yet.
"And deniability," Dick asks.
"The Titans is a public organization," Helena continues. "It has to be. The only reason the world governments let any of you guys function with the level of freedom you have is because what you do is up front and center plus-to their eyes, at least-by the book. Spyral works in the shadows."
And despite it all, Dick almost gives a real smile.
This is the part that Slade and some of the newer vigilantes never seem to get. The trust that the public give the Titans isn't a given, it's a balance. One that's very easily tipped over and the consequences of that would be devastating. The people can look at the screen, see brightly colored teens slapping cuffs on villains, and call them heroes. The government can pin medals on their chest and thank them for their service. And the police can rest easy as long as the job ends with freely obtained evidence and a suspect safe and tied securely right outside the precinct.
There's a line.
And it's not only there for morality.
The people don't clap when the "heroes" hit harder. The government starts watching closely if any fight comes back with death tolls-on either side. Police may work with a crime fighter; but, only if they can tell them from the criminal.
"You're right," Dick agrees. "But, the Titans do have a condition as well. Independent or not, we won't condone assassinations."
Helena assesses, leaning back. "...that going to be your bargaining price to keep Spyral independent?"
"No, that's going to be my deal breaker," Dick corrects. "But, sure, you can think of it that way, too if you'd like. Spyral's autonomy and an ongoing mutual alliance with the Titans-including information requests and calls to aid-in return for a full and immediate suspension of any and all assassination operations from the point that you take control."
"Fine." Helena raises a brow. "That's all? You'll really agree to help us that quick?"
Dick laughs. "Nah, we've still got tons of details to work out. Actually, the autonomy issue helps me, too. I'm busy enough already." His smile sharpens. "No, assuming we agree to help each other out on taking down Spyral, then-by my count-we've got three issues."
He rolls his neck. "One and most urgently: I know who Spyral sold my ID to. Roland Desmond." He glances at Selina. "Heard of him?"
"Heard, yes." Selina frowns. "But met, no, I've got some contacts that may know a few good places to hide."
"If you can find it, I'll need it," Dick says, turning back to Helena and Tiger. "This is my actual first condition. A maniac is hunting down my friends and family and it's because your organization sold out my name. I need to clean up this mess here before I can even think about leaving Gotham to see how we're going to take down Spyral. And, for that, I need information."
Helena and Tiger exchange a look.
"And if we get it for you," Tiger asks.
"Then, we can handle it from there," Barbara says. "From there, it becomes Gotham business-our business."
"Call it our alliance's first act of goodwill," Dick agrees. "Once Desmond's handled, we start working on Spyral."
"What's the other two problems," Tiger asks pointedly.
"Issues, I'm sure I said issues not problems, Tony," Dick says before sighing. "The second issue is the same as before: manpower. The Titans have the force, but not what we need for subtlety. And the public's going to notice if any of us go missing for a long stretch without any excuse-which I'm guessing means Spyral's going to be suspicious, too." He shrugs. "Bluntly, we need an in. If we can find a member or two that can fully infiltrate Spyral and get Spyral's trust, then they can help you two smuggle the information we need out so the Titans can plan a full scale mission to take the rest down in one strike."
"Which only comes after you take down Desmond," Helena says.
"What can I say-I'm busy," Dick says flatly. "I'm not going to lie, finding someone who can do all that-more that Spyral will actually believe-is tricky. It might take time and time's something we don't have if they're selling more identities."
"Maybe, maybe not," Tiger mutters.
"Meaning," Barbara asks.
Tiger's eyes are sharp. "Meaning that Spyral sold his identity so it could be some kind of success story that would drum up attention for later buys. If the thing with Desmond goes wrong, especially if it goes very wrong, then they don't have their promotion. They might wait until some of the heat dies down. They can afford it."
Barbara nods. "So, we're back to issue one: handling Desmond and doing it in a way impactful enough that Spyral stalls its plans to sell."
"What's the third issue, then," Helena asks, eyes pointed to Dick. "If both the first two means waiting until you can take down Desmond, then all that's left is the final issue."
"Oh."
Dick looks at Barbara to try to pick up her read.
Her face remains stoic.
Dick nods in agreement, looking back to Helena. "Well, the third issue actually is a problem. Especially for an alliance."
He spreads his hands.
"We don't trust each other, Helena," he says to both her and Tiger. "And that I'm not sure how we're going to change anytime fast; but, I suppose we might as well try."
ooooooo
A few hours later, after a meeting that both began and ended with the sort of cold tension Dick usually associates with running into Jay Garrick, Dick props his head on his elbow.
"Why are we here, Babs?"
Around them, only a few people are milling around the little hole in the wall coffee joint they used to come to study at when they wanted a break. Both of them are closed in at the out of the way booth to the side, a big coat and a hat that Barbara threw at him stuffed around his head.
"Because you're starting to look frayed around the edges and this place makes great donuts." Barbara pushes a plate his way. "See the stress, ply with you with sweets-I figured you'd recognize it by now. It's the patented Donna Troy method."
"Wrong," Dick smiles, "Donna's method involves trashy reality shows or fist fights. This is her method for Garth or Will."
Barbara sticks her tongue out. "Well, I figured it was too early for our find-a-really-tall-skyscraper method; so, I improvised." She leans back. "Relax, Dick, I even cleared this one with Dad. Everything we know about Desmond points to the fact that he plans his attacks. Everything he hits has a set schedule to follow, something he could predict. Spontaneous donuts runs in out of the way cafes do not." A smile. "Put it that way, this place is practically safer than the manor. Plus, we both needed an excuse to get out and clear our heads."
Dick rubs a hand over his face. "What we need to do is try and figure out how we're going to find Desmond plus debrief with Jay and Tim about the meeting with Helena."
Barbara grabs a donut. "The first one we've been running into a wall on all week. At this point, we don't need to try harder to find Desmond, we need to try different. And for the other….well, honestly, Tim and Jason need a break, too. You said Tim was getting obsessive with his research tendencies again."
"Yeah-I think his insomnia might be coming back." Dick grimaces before reaching for a donut. "Okay, point taken. Break for a few hours-a change of scenery might help." He takes a bite and chews thoughtfully. "Alright….but I can't help this one. Not a debrief but what's your read on Helena and the new guy?"
Barbara shrugs. "You were right, neither of us trust each other yet. That's going to be a problem when we really start hammering down details; but, for now…." She considers. "General take: I kinda like her. She's a Gotham girl, that's obvious. She's flexible in her methods; but, seems like she's got a strong moral code under that-especially if she's willing to turn on her employers for it. She's loyal, you can see that from how she works with Tiger and Selina. She's also headstrong. This won't be like your alliance with Mera, Dick. I get the feeling that once Helena gets her feet under her with Spyral, she'll fight for every inch she can keep."
"Do you think that's going to be a problem," Dick asks.
"No," Barbara winks, "I just think it's going to make your life interesting."
Dick rolls his eyes. "And where would I be without an interesting life?"
"Tiger's pretty much the same-maybe more experienced; but, I get the feeling he trusts Helena to take the lead." She wipes away a stray sprinkle. "To tell you the truth, the one I really wasn't expecting was Selina."
"Selina?" Dick's eyebrows shoot up. "Seriously? I thought you'd seen her before, back when we were kids. At the galas and stuff."
"I saw her cover," Barbara corrects. "I don't know. I saw what she acted like there, then found out the Catwoman stuff, then….I guess I heard you mention her every now and then. I suppose I thought she'd be kind of...flawless? That isn't really the right word. Cold maybe. Distant."
Dick tries to picture that-a Selina that always acted like she was printed on a magazine. It almost fit. Dick himself has seen the woman in sweatpants and bandages; even then she looks like she could step right out on a runway. Selina was just like that.
Still, though, Selina hates cages. Left too long and she's always been more the type to shred magazines apart than stay still long enough to be pinned to one.
It's part of why Dick loves her.
"What do you think now," he asks.
"Human," Barbara says softly, "she's a lot more human than I expected."
"Careful with that," Dick teases. "It's still Selina, I'm sure there's something about this she's got dancing to her own plans."
"Maybe so." Barbara's thumb brushes along the plate's edges. "But, I think she just wants to come home."
Dick smiles.
Then, he remembers something. Something he'd already texted Donna about a few minutes after he heard; but, he hadn't gotten a chance to tell his brothers and Babs before the Haly's Circus attack.
"Kory's coming home," he tells her, the words quiet and sweet like a wish that if spoken too loud could shatter.
Barbara blinks, then catches his smile and her face softens.
"That's great, Dick," she reaches out to touch his hand. "When she gets back, you should-"
The front window of the store breaks
Barbara and Dick lock eyes.
"There's no way," Barbara whispers quickly, "This didn't follow any schedule."
Dick remains at ready.
"Stupid kids!" The cafe owner shouts, holding up a chunk of concrete among the shards of glass. "Where are you, bastards?! You owe me a new window!"
Both of them stay tense.
"Stay here," Barbara tells him. "I'll check it out. But if anyone sees you, we're only going to be in more trouble."
She stands.
"Babs." His hand shoots out to grab hers and she turns back for a second, red hair reflecting in the sudden light and opening her mouth to-
And that's when the gunshots start.
Everything starts moving in high motion. There's screaming-too much and too loud for Dick to tell who it's coming from and he throws himself over Barbara, both of them ducking back into the booth for cover.
"Dick," Barbara's breath is labored and panicked.
Dick's eyes fly around the restaurant, cataloging one-two-three-four gunshots. One in the cushioning on their booth, one dug into the floor, two in the walls. Speed, angle, timing-an assault rifle, same or similar to the one used at Gotham University.
Blockbuster.
And just like then, the shooting stops as soon as it starts. The restaurant's few workers are still shouting and pulling at each other like they're making sure they're all still there.
"Dick," Barbara says, weakly hitting his arm. "my leg….it's my leg…"
Dick looks down.
….and freezes.
There's a pool of blood growing below Barbara and growing too fast-it's too fast, why is it so fast?! There, the darkest spot, a gash on one thigh and then going through the other and…
"CALL AN AMBULANCE!" Dick shouts, already hitting the emergency signal on his comm with the other. "SOMEBODY CALL AN AMBULANCE!"
There's a bullet wound…
….and if it's not at Barbara's femoral artery, it's close.
Wounds to the femoral artery can bleed out within minutes.
Dick pulls out of his coat faster than he thought possible and presses it to the wound as tightly as he can with shaking hands
"Dick," Barbara says and her voice is getting fainter, her skin going ashy white, and her eyes moving rapidly.
"Hey," Dick whispers to her, leaning down so her eyes can focus, "hey, Babs, I'm right here. Okay? I'm right here, just focus on my voice, alright?"
Barbara's smile is barely there. "...not goin'...tha' easy...Dick."
Dick tries to smile back and he can't. He can hear sirens in the distance and feel blood sinking beneath his hands.
"You better not, Babs, don't leave. Please."
ooooooo
A/N:
...sorry for the cliffhanger (or you know, no cliffhanger if you went with the skip option. In that case, what cliffhanger?). Also sorry for the wait on this one. To explain, I had a plan and then I had exams/end of the semester and then holidays and then that plan did not happen at all. So, I am very sorry about the longer wait and change in plans; but, am very appreciative of all the support ya'll have given this story! Thank you!
Next chapter is coming in two weeks-and, yes, I promise I don't actually mean months this time. I'm putting it at two weeks so I can make sure I still stay up to date on my other two ongoing series and I can post some already written stuff I've been holding off on for Valentines Day.
Hope ya'll have a wonderful two weeks and happy early Valentine's Day!