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Dick knew when he was being spoon fed clues. That he was being manipulated to be here.

Things were lining up too coincidentally.

Two separate leads that were moving parallel towards the same thing were concerning. Two people wanted his attention. And the two people didn't want the other knowing what they were up to.

It led him to Metropolis. It led him to crouching just out of view.

He knew Luthor was expecting him. Luthor wanted something, and whenever Luthor wanted something Dick wanted to make sure he didn't get it.

Of course Luthor knew that too so Dick tried not to get too wrapped up in that. He just needed to be careful and make smart decisions. Luthor was smart and he knew how to out-think people, including him. Dick didn't really need to out-think Luthor he just needed to do things Luthor wouldn't anticipate.

There was a difference. Dick was sure of it. It's either that or he's gone crazy.

He was waiting.

Waiting was a learned skill. Dick wasn't always patient, but this required patience.

He'd been simultaneously receiving messages from Talia Al Ghul. She'd been requesting his assistance and wanted Batman far away from it.

Talia didn't exactly like him. She saw Dick as possible competition for Bruce's attention or maybe just a roadblock in whatever her and her father were planning. But she was asking for his help. He can't think this isn't for nothing.

It didn't feel like a trap. Even when it should, even when every other instinct told him that it would be one, something in him told him that it wasn't.

Maybe it was because Luthor was also interested in whatever Talia was wanting to protect. Her family wasn't in the Light. They were no longer entitled to the same protections offered by Vandal Savage and his lackeys.

Maybe it was something dangerous to them.

Dick knew one thing. He wouldn't be able to decide the best course of action until he figured out how Luthor fit in.

He moved to break into Lexcorp. It was too easy, it only solidified that Luthor was expecting him.

He had a fleeting thought that maybe he should've warned someone what he was doing in case this whole thing went sour on him.

A secretary stepped out of Luthor's office, giving Dick just enough time to slip in before the door closed. Luckily (maybe not luckily, Dick couldn't decide) Luthor, for whatever reason, was keeping his office relatively dark. Allowing Dick to blend in and wait a moment longer.

Luthor was hunched over his desk, signing document after document. Mercy stood next to him. Waiting. She was always waiting.

Dick really didn't feel like dealing with her.

As if to add to the uneasy feeling Luthor straightened, stacking the papers neatly. "Mercy, could I have you step out for a moment."

She very obviously didn't want to but after a moment walked calmly out of the office, closing the door behind her.

"You're here earlier than I expected." Luthor called out standing up from his desk.

"Sometimes I get curious." Nightwing didn't step fully into view. Just enough for Luthor to know he was there.

"I believed Ms. Al Ghul has been reaching out to you has she not?" Luthor feigned nonchalant. He was bad at it.

"Are you wanting me to ignore her?"

"Quite the opposite." He rounded the desk walking over to some side table and poured himself a drink. "But I think you should know what's all there."

"Something you don't want the League getting I presume."

"More like someone." Luthor faced him for the first time that night. "She's asking you to get her son to safety."

Nightwing wasn't exactly surprised. Shadows' stability wasn't great anymore, not since Ra's Al Ghul stepped away and let Deathstroke take over. She was likely wanting to protect the lineage, he suspected the reasons that she didn't want Batman involved yet but he couldn't be certain and he knew for a fact that wasn't a cage he wanted to rattle.

"I think your priorities should be elsewhere." Luthor told him.

"And where's that?"

Luthor smiled lightly. Like he was remembering a funny joke. It made Nightwing's skin crawl. "You know Ra's has always had a fascination with trophies. Similar to the Dark Knight, I believe. Keeping mementoes from important moments in his career."

Nightwing didn't respond. He wasn't sure where Luthor was going. Ra's Al Ghul hadn't really done anything since the transition of power. He'd been quiet.

"Have you wondered where he got some of his assassins?" Luthor asked him.

"All that's left are the loyalists. The people who truly believe in his cause."

Luthor nodded. "That's true, he only has a few left. I was referring to one assassin in particular. I believe he was an old friend of yours."

Nightwing couldn't think of anyone he'd known that had turned towards Shadows. He knew a few who walked away but not to, never to.

Luthor very clearly was implying Nightwing knew this person, not Dick Grayson. It was an important distinction.

"I can't be certain." Luthor continues. "Ra's had never explicitly stated if he'd been successful or not. I have reason to believe he was."

He walked back to his desk, pulling one picture off and then handing it to Nightwing.

"If you're going." Luthor stepped away, turning to look out one of his many windows. "You should know you have the option to save him as well."

Nightwing examined the picture. He'd seen this assassin before. When Geo-Force had stupidly gotten himself captured by Ra's Al Ghul this assassin had been one of the people they'd fought.

That he'd fought.

Something was off. Why would Luthor think Dick would care about this one assassin specifically? What was there to gain if Dick did convince him to come with?

He was gone before Luthor turned around. Not that he expected Luthor to have any more information to provide.

Dick examined the photo thoroughly late into the night (or early in the morning depending on your life choices.). He laid in bed studying the photo.

The quality wasn't great. The assassin was in motion, likely a sparring session based on the context clues. He was young but not as young as Tim or Stephanie, more like Garfield.

He felt familiar.

Luthor thought he was. Luthor wanted Dick to know about this assassin specifically. Why? There were too many whys.

Dick let his head thud back against the headboard. He was missing something, something huge, something important.

He glanced to the top of his dresser. He kept a few pictures on top of it. One in particular caught his attention. It was of him and Jason, after Jason had practically begged they go to this one hole in the wall place with, what Jason always argued, had the best chili dogs.

Dick remembers that day fondly, the food had sucked, but what had made it special was Jason and how excited he'd been to spend time with Dick at one of his favorite places.

He sat in the memory for a moment longer. It always made him sad when he thought back to it.

Dick sighed before examining the picture again.

He thought this kid would likely be close to Jason's age today.

He even kinda looked like Jason, if he wore Shadows' gear. A thought formed in Dick's head. He felt his heart pick up speed. He shot out of bed, snatching the picture off his dresser to compare.

This added up a little too well.

Dick knew the Lazarus pit could heal mortal wounds but it couldn't bring back the dead. It was rumored to be able to, and Ra's had never actually been successful, but…

What if he'd tried again? What if he'd tried with Jason and had been successful?

Had Ra's been hiding Jason this whole time? Brainwashing him into thinking none of them cared, manipulating them into thinking he was still dead.

The lead had come from Luthor though. Luthor did lie, he couldn't trust it.

But Dick couldn't forgive himself if this was true. If his little brother, his Little Wing, was stuck all alone.

Bruce couldn't be involved. Not ideal but Dick could make that work, but he couldn't do this alone.

Talia had requested his help.

If Luthor was right, which was possible, she was wanting to protect her son. Dick was more than willing to protect a child. No matter their background. It would be a major bonus if Jason could also be saved in the process.

Dick had always felt to some extent the whole thing had been his fault.

This could be retribution. He might not have been able to prevent his death but Dick will be damned if he doesn't try to save Jason now.

I think a Damian centric story is in order...