Dick and Babs, A New Chapter In Life Part 2
Three days have passed since Dick had his startling revelation. The phone call to Jessie Quick had been a productive one. Everything was falling into place but steps needed to be taken in Nightwing's mission before things could proceed.
Dick smiled at the beauty of Titans Tower as he approached Titans Island on the T-Barge. The island has had its share of abuse but it always bounced back better than before. Dick remembered the good times that were spent on this island at a tower from a different time, when he was a different man. He was a confident man in those days. He was the great leader of the Titans. The Titans Hunt had done its share of damage to his psyche, followed by his inferiority complex he had for Batman. Actually becoming Batman for a time and facing some of his demons and his silly fear of Two- Face, not to mention striking out on his own to clean up Bludhaven and once again stepping into the leadership role of the Titans, he has gained back some of his lost confidence. True every time he was near Bruce he felt like a kid again, but Bruce could never do a quadruple somersault. Dick grinned at that thought.
Years ago in the Batcave, Dick was actually trying to teach Bruce to do the quadruple somersault. It was something Batman had tried to accomplish for years but he never seemed to get it quite right. "Holy bruises, Batman. You busted your ass again!" Dick remembered saying. "Jeez, did I actually talk like that all the time? Babs is right, I was a dork," Dick thought to himself. He let out a small laugh as he continued the memory.
"Master Robin, that language is quite inappropriate for someone of your stature," Alfred said with a stone face. He may have had the staunch look of dignity but Dick could tell from his eyes that Alfred was quite amused at Bruce's plight as well as Dick's comment. Bruce however, was not amused. A grunt, a scowl and 'the look' was all that was needed for the second half of that well oiled machine known as the Dynamic Duo to know his life was going to be hell during his next training session. And of course. it was.
Laughing at a simpler time he had reached the tower. He stood there in awe of its size and beauty only to be interrupted by the beeping of his communicator.
"Nightwing here."
"Hey there kiddo, how's it going?" Oracle asked.
"Baaaabs. I'm not a kid anymore. I thought I proved that to you the other night," Dick replied.
With a giggle, Barbara responded, "That you did, I don't call you twenty something wonder for nothing. I just wanted to let you know that everything you requested is in place. Are you sure you know what you are doing?"
"Of course. Roland's days are numbered. It is time for Blockbuster to go down."
Nightwing walked into the conference room at Titans Tower. Seated at the table were Arsenal, Jessie Quick, Donna Troy, Tempest, Batman, and Garfield Logan who finally dropped the ridiculous name Beast Boy and has recently gone back to the codename of Changeling. "Thank you all for coming at such short notice and finding something for the ones who do not know my identity to do."
"What is this all about?" Donna asked.
"I have a mission for the Titans."
Oracle sat at her computer. Typing vigorously, she finally managed to crack the Titans database and tap into the security system. She now had access to the impromptu meeting that Dick had called of his friends. Her eyes widened as she looked at the people at the table to find Batman at a Titans meeting. "This should be interesting," she thought to herself.
"As you know, for some time I have been waging a lone crusade to clean up Bludhaven. I have forbidden any of you to work in my city. If you are willing, that is about to change."
"Dick you don't even have to ask. As I told you before during the Anthony Scarapelli case years ago we will follow you," Donna stated.
"As I recall, Donna you elected to follow me conditionally on that case, but I do appreciate the sentiment and if I had been in your position back then, I would have reacted the same way. Anyway, as you all know Bludhaven is a pit of violence, greed, and corruption reaching from the underbelly of scum all the way to the highest offices. One man controls the majority of evil in the 'Haven. His name is Roland Desmond. He likes to call himself Blockbuster and the Titans are going to dethrone him from his seat of power." Walking over to the computer, Dick punched a few buttons and brought up the necessary files that Oracle had sent to the Titans' computer. The conference table shifted and computer screens came up out of the bottom in front of each person sitting. "Here is what we are going to do."
Barbara was studying Dick's behavior with the Titans. This was the first time she spied on a meeting of the Titans and was quite impressed with Nightwing. He radiated confidence, which commanded unconditional loyalty among the group. Barbara had never really seen this side to Dick. Even with Batman present, he was almost a different person. She always knew that Dick had a serious side and was an exceptional leader, but to actually witness it firsthand made her realize just how good Nightwing really was.
"Gar, I asked you here today for two reasons. I need your connections with Dayton to purchase outstanding shares of this company here, " Dick said highlighting some of Desmond's holdings. "I also am going to need your shape changing abilities to get into some tight places."
Studying the computer screen, Gar smiled, "You got it, fearless leader. I guess I'm back in the big league for a while. To tell you the truth, Bette and my cousin are really getting on my nerves. It will be good to get away."
"Good. Jessie, I need Quickstart to buy controlling interest in these smaller holding companies. Grayson Industries and Wayne Enterprises have set up a shell corporation known as Oracle Investments which is going to take on Desmond directly for control of his "legitimate" businesses in Bludhaven. I know this is asking a lot from your companies. I can tell you that once it is said and done and Blockbuster goes down, we will have the opportunity to turn things around in Bludhaven and do some good. Your companies should then be able to show a profit from this little venture."
"Question," Roy Harper stated, "I see you asked the rich guys here for a reason. What do you need from me, Wonderchick and GillHead?"
"I am glad you asked," Nightwing replied. It has been made aware to me recently that drugs and weapons are being smuggled in through the harbor in a big way. I need you three to shut it down."
"Guns and drugs, eh? Two things I am quite familiar with, " Roy replied. "I am most definitely in on this one Wingster, sounds like my kind of party."
"Great, as if the water in New York weren't bad enough.." Garth stated bluntly. "Don't worry, I'm in."
"Me too. I have to say Dick, I am happy you are including us on this. I have always felt we could help you make a difference there," Donna said with a smile.
"Thanks, Donna. Bludhaven has been my own battle, but for personal reasons I cannot discuss, I need to really get rolling on this. Besides, it will save more lives, the faster this gets taken care of, and I should never have let my pride get in the way of doing the right thing. If ever there were a city that needed a superhero team, it is Bludhaven."
"What personal reasons does he have? He hasn't told me about this," Barbara thought to herself. "He is up to something. He can't hide it from me for long." She continued to watch the man she loved, who had seemed to grow as a person in her eyes for the past few minutes. She was burning with curiosity at his last words.
"Oracle has set up a few well placed programs in Desmond's computer systems. As we start to buy up his companies he will be forced to dip into some of his special funds. When he goes for the money, Oracle's program will "appropriate" the money and spread it amongst a long list of charities under numerous aliases. We will be hitting him where it hurts."
"Yeah! We'll have him by the balls," Roy said.
"Roy Harper, watch your mouth, Donna said with a scowl. "Honey, don't you think that is a little unethical for us?"
"Donna, we are talking about a guy who turns people's head around backwards for the pure fun of it and has never made an honest buck in his life. We are not keeping his money. The biggest charities he will graciously donate to will be drug awareness programs and youth centers that focus on getting kids out of the gangs and off the streets," Dick answered. With a nod toward Batman, "There will also be major contributions towards gun control."
Not having said a word and hardly moving since his arrival at the tower, Batman gave the half smile that only Dick could recognize.
"Roy, one more thing. I need your connections to the government. Checkmate, the CBI, the DEA, all of them. The Bludhaven police force is corrupt from the top down and they need to be removed when Blockbuster goes down. If King Faraday gives you any trouble, remind him he owes me a favor. In the past few months, I have used my identity as Officer Grayson to compile a lot of information and acquire a cabinet full of files he might find interesting. That's it guys. I will contact you next week when this project is ready to start. Jessie, Gar I need to see you both privately if you don't mind. As the three left the room, Oracle punched a few keys to follow.
"Gar, did Jessie tell you about what I needed? I know it is a lot to ask of you, but this is really important to me personally," Dick said taking off his mask and gloves as they walked down the hall.
Oracle smiled as she waited for Garfield's reply. "Now I am going to find out what you are up to Boy Wonder."
"Yeah Dick, she told me and it is no problem. You can have access to Da.."
"Not here. In the gym," Nightwing said as he tossed his gloves with his communicator and his mask on the bench outside the gymnasium. They walked into the gym and the door closed behind them. Tapping a few buttons he said, "Now we can talk."
Pounding on her keyboard, Barbara let out a scream. "Ahhhhh!!!! You think you are so smart, Dick. Dammit!" With that, she threw her Nightwing plush doll across the room.
An hour later, Dick stepped out of Titans Tower. A short trip on the T- Barge and a ride in the Nightbird and he would be home.
"Did Logan and Quick have what you needed?" the voice like gravel called out.
"I am glad you stuck around. Thanks for coming to this meeting by the way. I appreciate your support. Yes, they have what I needed. I take it you know what I am doing."
"Yes. If this works.."
"If this works, our lives will be changed forever. By the way, Bruce can I borrow some money?"
"That was a dirty trick you played on me Dick," Barbara stated with agitation clear in her voice. "You want to tell me what is going on?"
"All in due time," he answered. With his silly grin that melted Barbara's heart he quickly changed the subject. "I can think of better things we can do with our time Babs."
Oracle was offline for the rest of the night and the lights to Barbara Gordon's apartment were off.
A month had passed since the private meeting at Titans Tower. Garfield had successfully used his Stepfather's former company to buy up several of Blockbuster's companies. Quckstart had also been making great progress on its end. Oracle Investments was putting up one hell of a proxy fight for control of the legitimate businesses. Arsenal, Troia, and Tempest had put a huge dent in the drug trafficking at the harbor. Changeling and Argent were making progress in their help to Nightwing on the day-to-day crime. Jessie was using her vast speed to spy on the dirty cops in order to add to Nightwing's already large database to hand over to King Faraday. Nightwing was sure Faraday had agreed to his plans so he could take credit for the whole operation, like usual. Dick's personal agenda was making progress too. The day after his meeting with the Titans, he had successfully broken into the Thompkins Clinic without alerting Oracle, to obtain the information he needed. Barbara hounded Dick constantly trying to pry his secret from his lips. Some of her techniques had been quite persuasive but she soon discovered that once Dick Grayson's mind was made up he could be as stubborn if not more so than she.
Blockbuster's rage however had grown considerably. He was losing control of his main companies as well as some of the holding companies that housed most of his minor ones. He was going broke, fast. His money was disappearing suddenly from his accounts without a trace. Good money had gone to waste on arms and drugs that never reached his possession. "NIGHTWING!!!!!" he screamed as he tossed his 60 inch tv through his living room wall. "If I ever get my hands on that son of a bitch, I am going to turn his head around twice, rip his arms off and shove them down his sanctimonious throat! Then I am going to find his precious Oracle once and for all and do away with her. YOU!" he screamed at his underling. "Tell me you have done as I commanded."
"Yes sir. I have put out the inquiries as you requested. Deathstroke turned you down. It seems he has a great respect for Nightwing. Apparently, his son served in the Titans with him. I do have good news, however. Your operatives managed to reach out to R'as Al Ghul. The one who made it back alive reported that he will send 50 soldiers to your cause. He also had a message. He said to tell the Detective that his aid in this affair was just the beginning. His apprentice is but the first.
"Excellent. Hired thugs. Much better than the second rate so called supervillains that I have previously held in my employ. Those fools are fortunate I spared their lives before they left my city. What about Shrike?"
"He is aware of your plan and is awaiting you to break him out of prison. He is quite anxious to repay Nightwing."
"Very good. I will let you live. You may go."
"Thank you sir," the servant said. Wiping sweat from his brow, he made a hasty exit.
"Nightwing. You are a deadman," Blockbuster said to himself as he let out a laugh that filled his mansion.
"Babs, how about dinner tonight at your place. I have something to talk to you about," Dick said into his computer.
"Are you going to finally let me know what you are up to?" she asked.
"My dear, this will be a night you will never forget."
"You're on. Meet me tonight at 7:00."
"Beautiful lady, I will be there with bells on, and Babs no Oracle tonight, please," he said with his best puppy dog look.
"Sigh, you know I can never say no to that. Deal. Dinner without Oracle or Nightwing," she said. They both closed the connection.
"Tonight is going to be perfect," Dick said with a grin.
Dressed in his finest Armane suit and holding a present for Barbara, Dick knocked on the door to Barbara's apartment. She answered the door and was wearing a nice black dress. "Well, don't you look handsome tonight, Mr. Grayson," she said.
"You look beautiful Babs,"
"Aw, you're so sweet. What's in the bag, Boy Wonder?"
" A surprise for after dinner."
"Ooh, I can't wait."
Dinner started without incident. They talked and laughed and genuinely lost themselves in each other. The evening was as perfect as Dick had hoped... until he spilled his drink on his suit jacket.
"Crap!" he exclaimed.
"You better go to the bathroom and wash that out. I will be here pining for your return," Barbara said.
As soon as Dick left for the bathroom, Barbara wheeled across the room. She picked up the bag with her present and peered inside with a devilish smile. Seeing what was inside, her smile turned into a face of red-hot rage.
"Hey, Babs I got it out," Dick said walking out holding his jacket. When he saw Barbara sitting there holding his bag with the look she had on her face, he froze.
"What in the HELL is this!?!?!?" she demanded.
"Um, honey.. it is a pair of running shoes."
:"I KNOW THAT !! WHAT IS IT FOR?"
"Babs, please calm down and let me explain."
"Calm down? CALM DOWN??? SCREW YOU, DICK! How could you do this to me?"
"This is not going in the order I planned. Listen, I found a way that offers a good chance that you can walk again."
Tears started down her face as her rage grew. "HOW DARE YOU! YOU SON OF A BITCH."
"Babs, you don't mean that," Dick said quite confused. He thought he was doing a good thing. "Please hear me out."
"Don't Babs me. Don't ever call me that again. EVER! Do you hear me? EVER!!!!! This is too cruel to even fathom. What's the matter Dick, THE GIMP not good enough for you? I can't believe you would dangle something like this in front of me. You are cruel and heartless, AHH! DAMN YOU, DICK. I hate you for this. I HATE YOU!!" Tears were flowing freely during her hysterical exchange with a stunned Dick Grayson.
"Babs. Barbara, I have NEVER EVER thought of you as a gimp. I love you with all of my heart." Dick told her. As he pulled the small box from his pocket, he opened it to reveal his mother's engagement ring. "I came here tonight to ask you to marry me. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I DON'T care about the chair."
"Then why would you be trying so hard to get me out of this damn chair then? EXPLAIN THAT TO ME DAMMIT."
"Because I love you. I have watched this eat away at you. I have watched you use it as an excuse to keep us apart. Even now when we have grown so close, I could still feel you pushing me away. I couldn't stand to lose you and I know that eventually I would have. You would have put that chair between us."
"GET OUT!! I don't ever want to see you AGAIN!" Barbara screamed.
"No, I am not leaving, Barbara," Dick replied. He was now crying as freely as she was.
Softly she spoke barely above a whisper, "I can't believe you would do this to me. I can't. I can't. You of all people. I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU!"
"I am trying to help you."
"I knew this was a mistake, Dick. We don't belong together. I-I loved you but it was a mistake. It would never work. I am just not capable of having a relationship. Not now, NOT EVER!"
"Yeah, that's it. Run and HIDE. Hide behind your chair. Run away from me. Push me away again. This is WHY I found a way to help you get out of that damn chair. It wasn't the use of your legs I was trying to help you with, Barbara. It wasn't your legs that that Grinning Bastard took from you. It was your soul. Confining you to that wheelchair gave him your soul. You are forever in his power because you won't get past this. You won't let yourself be happy again because of HIM!"
"Get out. Get out and don't ever come back. Just leave me ALONE! GO! GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE, DAMN YOU!"
"Fine, I'm leaving. I am granting your wish," Dick said as he put his mother's engagement ring on her table. "This is my mother's engagement ring. I wanted to give it to you. I have known since the day I met you that this ring was only meant for you. I didn't even consider giving it to Kory. Well, you can keep it Babs. It will never be worn by anyone but you. I love you so much.. Goodbye Barbara Gordon."
"Just go, Dick. Just go," she whispered as he turned and walked out the door.
To be continued....
Three days have passed since Dick had his startling revelation. The phone call to Jessie Quick had been a productive one. Everything was falling into place but steps needed to be taken in Nightwing's mission before things could proceed.
Dick smiled at the beauty of Titans Tower as he approached Titans Island on the T-Barge. The island has had its share of abuse but it always bounced back better than before. Dick remembered the good times that were spent on this island at a tower from a different time, when he was a different man. He was a confident man in those days. He was the great leader of the Titans. The Titans Hunt had done its share of damage to his psyche, followed by his inferiority complex he had for Batman. Actually becoming Batman for a time and facing some of his demons and his silly fear of Two- Face, not to mention striking out on his own to clean up Bludhaven and once again stepping into the leadership role of the Titans, he has gained back some of his lost confidence. True every time he was near Bruce he felt like a kid again, but Bruce could never do a quadruple somersault. Dick grinned at that thought.
Years ago in the Batcave, Dick was actually trying to teach Bruce to do the quadruple somersault. It was something Batman had tried to accomplish for years but he never seemed to get it quite right. "Holy bruises, Batman. You busted your ass again!" Dick remembered saying. "Jeez, did I actually talk like that all the time? Babs is right, I was a dork," Dick thought to himself. He let out a small laugh as he continued the memory.
"Master Robin, that language is quite inappropriate for someone of your stature," Alfred said with a stone face. He may have had the staunch look of dignity but Dick could tell from his eyes that Alfred was quite amused at Bruce's plight as well as Dick's comment. Bruce however, was not amused. A grunt, a scowl and 'the look' was all that was needed for the second half of that well oiled machine known as the Dynamic Duo to know his life was going to be hell during his next training session. And of course. it was.
Laughing at a simpler time he had reached the tower. He stood there in awe of its size and beauty only to be interrupted by the beeping of his communicator.
"Nightwing here."
"Hey there kiddo, how's it going?" Oracle asked.
"Baaaabs. I'm not a kid anymore. I thought I proved that to you the other night," Dick replied.
With a giggle, Barbara responded, "That you did, I don't call you twenty something wonder for nothing. I just wanted to let you know that everything you requested is in place. Are you sure you know what you are doing?"
"Of course. Roland's days are numbered. It is time for Blockbuster to go down."
Nightwing walked into the conference room at Titans Tower. Seated at the table were Arsenal, Jessie Quick, Donna Troy, Tempest, Batman, and Garfield Logan who finally dropped the ridiculous name Beast Boy and has recently gone back to the codename of Changeling. "Thank you all for coming at such short notice and finding something for the ones who do not know my identity to do."
"What is this all about?" Donna asked.
"I have a mission for the Titans."
Oracle sat at her computer. Typing vigorously, she finally managed to crack the Titans database and tap into the security system. She now had access to the impromptu meeting that Dick had called of his friends. Her eyes widened as she looked at the people at the table to find Batman at a Titans meeting. "This should be interesting," she thought to herself.
"As you know, for some time I have been waging a lone crusade to clean up Bludhaven. I have forbidden any of you to work in my city. If you are willing, that is about to change."
"Dick you don't even have to ask. As I told you before during the Anthony Scarapelli case years ago we will follow you," Donna stated.
"As I recall, Donna you elected to follow me conditionally on that case, but I do appreciate the sentiment and if I had been in your position back then, I would have reacted the same way. Anyway, as you all know Bludhaven is a pit of violence, greed, and corruption reaching from the underbelly of scum all the way to the highest offices. One man controls the majority of evil in the 'Haven. His name is Roland Desmond. He likes to call himself Blockbuster and the Titans are going to dethrone him from his seat of power." Walking over to the computer, Dick punched a few buttons and brought up the necessary files that Oracle had sent to the Titans' computer. The conference table shifted and computer screens came up out of the bottom in front of each person sitting. "Here is what we are going to do."
Barbara was studying Dick's behavior with the Titans. This was the first time she spied on a meeting of the Titans and was quite impressed with Nightwing. He radiated confidence, which commanded unconditional loyalty among the group. Barbara had never really seen this side to Dick. Even with Batman present, he was almost a different person. She always knew that Dick had a serious side and was an exceptional leader, but to actually witness it firsthand made her realize just how good Nightwing really was.
"Gar, I asked you here today for two reasons. I need your connections with Dayton to purchase outstanding shares of this company here, " Dick said highlighting some of Desmond's holdings. "I also am going to need your shape changing abilities to get into some tight places."
Studying the computer screen, Gar smiled, "You got it, fearless leader. I guess I'm back in the big league for a while. To tell you the truth, Bette and my cousin are really getting on my nerves. It will be good to get away."
"Good. Jessie, I need Quickstart to buy controlling interest in these smaller holding companies. Grayson Industries and Wayne Enterprises have set up a shell corporation known as Oracle Investments which is going to take on Desmond directly for control of his "legitimate" businesses in Bludhaven. I know this is asking a lot from your companies. I can tell you that once it is said and done and Blockbuster goes down, we will have the opportunity to turn things around in Bludhaven and do some good. Your companies should then be able to show a profit from this little venture."
"Question," Roy Harper stated, "I see you asked the rich guys here for a reason. What do you need from me, Wonderchick and GillHead?"
"I am glad you asked," Nightwing replied. It has been made aware to me recently that drugs and weapons are being smuggled in through the harbor in a big way. I need you three to shut it down."
"Guns and drugs, eh? Two things I am quite familiar with, " Roy replied. "I am most definitely in on this one Wingster, sounds like my kind of party."
"Great, as if the water in New York weren't bad enough.." Garth stated bluntly. "Don't worry, I'm in."
"Me too. I have to say Dick, I am happy you are including us on this. I have always felt we could help you make a difference there," Donna said with a smile.
"Thanks, Donna. Bludhaven has been my own battle, but for personal reasons I cannot discuss, I need to really get rolling on this. Besides, it will save more lives, the faster this gets taken care of, and I should never have let my pride get in the way of doing the right thing. If ever there were a city that needed a superhero team, it is Bludhaven."
"What personal reasons does he have? He hasn't told me about this," Barbara thought to herself. "He is up to something. He can't hide it from me for long." She continued to watch the man she loved, who had seemed to grow as a person in her eyes for the past few minutes. She was burning with curiosity at his last words.
"Oracle has set up a few well placed programs in Desmond's computer systems. As we start to buy up his companies he will be forced to dip into some of his special funds. When he goes for the money, Oracle's program will "appropriate" the money and spread it amongst a long list of charities under numerous aliases. We will be hitting him where it hurts."
"Yeah! We'll have him by the balls," Roy said.
"Roy Harper, watch your mouth, Donna said with a scowl. "Honey, don't you think that is a little unethical for us?"
"Donna, we are talking about a guy who turns people's head around backwards for the pure fun of it and has never made an honest buck in his life. We are not keeping his money. The biggest charities he will graciously donate to will be drug awareness programs and youth centers that focus on getting kids out of the gangs and off the streets," Dick answered. With a nod toward Batman, "There will also be major contributions towards gun control."
Not having said a word and hardly moving since his arrival at the tower, Batman gave the half smile that only Dick could recognize.
"Roy, one more thing. I need your connections to the government. Checkmate, the CBI, the DEA, all of them. The Bludhaven police force is corrupt from the top down and they need to be removed when Blockbuster goes down. If King Faraday gives you any trouble, remind him he owes me a favor. In the past few months, I have used my identity as Officer Grayson to compile a lot of information and acquire a cabinet full of files he might find interesting. That's it guys. I will contact you next week when this project is ready to start. Jessie, Gar I need to see you both privately if you don't mind. As the three left the room, Oracle punched a few keys to follow.
"Gar, did Jessie tell you about what I needed? I know it is a lot to ask of you, but this is really important to me personally," Dick said taking off his mask and gloves as they walked down the hall.
Oracle smiled as she waited for Garfield's reply. "Now I am going to find out what you are up to Boy Wonder."
"Yeah Dick, she told me and it is no problem. You can have access to Da.."
"Not here. In the gym," Nightwing said as he tossed his gloves with his communicator and his mask on the bench outside the gymnasium. They walked into the gym and the door closed behind them. Tapping a few buttons he said, "Now we can talk."
Pounding on her keyboard, Barbara let out a scream. "Ahhhhh!!!! You think you are so smart, Dick. Dammit!" With that, she threw her Nightwing plush doll across the room.
An hour later, Dick stepped out of Titans Tower. A short trip on the T- Barge and a ride in the Nightbird and he would be home.
"Did Logan and Quick have what you needed?" the voice like gravel called out.
"I am glad you stuck around. Thanks for coming to this meeting by the way. I appreciate your support. Yes, they have what I needed. I take it you know what I am doing."
"Yes. If this works.."
"If this works, our lives will be changed forever. By the way, Bruce can I borrow some money?"
"That was a dirty trick you played on me Dick," Barbara stated with agitation clear in her voice. "You want to tell me what is going on?"
"All in due time," he answered. With his silly grin that melted Barbara's heart he quickly changed the subject. "I can think of better things we can do with our time Babs."
Oracle was offline for the rest of the night and the lights to Barbara Gordon's apartment were off.
A month had passed since the private meeting at Titans Tower. Garfield had successfully used his Stepfather's former company to buy up several of Blockbuster's companies. Quckstart had also been making great progress on its end. Oracle Investments was putting up one hell of a proxy fight for control of the legitimate businesses. Arsenal, Troia, and Tempest had put a huge dent in the drug trafficking at the harbor. Changeling and Argent were making progress in their help to Nightwing on the day-to-day crime. Jessie was using her vast speed to spy on the dirty cops in order to add to Nightwing's already large database to hand over to King Faraday. Nightwing was sure Faraday had agreed to his plans so he could take credit for the whole operation, like usual. Dick's personal agenda was making progress too. The day after his meeting with the Titans, he had successfully broken into the Thompkins Clinic without alerting Oracle, to obtain the information he needed. Barbara hounded Dick constantly trying to pry his secret from his lips. Some of her techniques had been quite persuasive but she soon discovered that once Dick Grayson's mind was made up he could be as stubborn if not more so than she.
Blockbuster's rage however had grown considerably. He was losing control of his main companies as well as some of the holding companies that housed most of his minor ones. He was going broke, fast. His money was disappearing suddenly from his accounts without a trace. Good money had gone to waste on arms and drugs that never reached his possession. "NIGHTWING!!!!!" he screamed as he tossed his 60 inch tv through his living room wall. "If I ever get my hands on that son of a bitch, I am going to turn his head around twice, rip his arms off and shove them down his sanctimonious throat! Then I am going to find his precious Oracle once and for all and do away with her. YOU!" he screamed at his underling. "Tell me you have done as I commanded."
"Yes sir. I have put out the inquiries as you requested. Deathstroke turned you down. It seems he has a great respect for Nightwing. Apparently, his son served in the Titans with him. I do have good news, however. Your operatives managed to reach out to R'as Al Ghul. The one who made it back alive reported that he will send 50 soldiers to your cause. He also had a message. He said to tell the Detective that his aid in this affair was just the beginning. His apprentice is but the first.
"Excellent. Hired thugs. Much better than the second rate so called supervillains that I have previously held in my employ. Those fools are fortunate I spared their lives before they left my city. What about Shrike?"
"He is aware of your plan and is awaiting you to break him out of prison. He is quite anxious to repay Nightwing."
"Very good. I will let you live. You may go."
"Thank you sir," the servant said. Wiping sweat from his brow, he made a hasty exit.
"Nightwing. You are a deadman," Blockbuster said to himself as he let out a laugh that filled his mansion.
"Babs, how about dinner tonight at your place. I have something to talk to you about," Dick said into his computer.
"Are you going to finally let me know what you are up to?" she asked.
"My dear, this will be a night you will never forget."
"You're on. Meet me tonight at 7:00."
"Beautiful lady, I will be there with bells on, and Babs no Oracle tonight, please," he said with his best puppy dog look.
"Sigh, you know I can never say no to that. Deal. Dinner without Oracle or Nightwing," she said. They both closed the connection.
"Tonight is going to be perfect," Dick said with a grin.
Dressed in his finest Armane suit and holding a present for Barbara, Dick knocked on the door to Barbara's apartment. She answered the door and was wearing a nice black dress. "Well, don't you look handsome tonight, Mr. Grayson," she said.
"You look beautiful Babs,"
"Aw, you're so sweet. What's in the bag, Boy Wonder?"
" A surprise for after dinner."
"Ooh, I can't wait."
Dinner started without incident. They talked and laughed and genuinely lost themselves in each other. The evening was as perfect as Dick had hoped... until he spilled his drink on his suit jacket.
"Crap!" he exclaimed.
"You better go to the bathroom and wash that out. I will be here pining for your return," Barbara said.
As soon as Dick left for the bathroom, Barbara wheeled across the room. She picked up the bag with her present and peered inside with a devilish smile. Seeing what was inside, her smile turned into a face of red-hot rage.
"Hey, Babs I got it out," Dick said walking out holding his jacket. When he saw Barbara sitting there holding his bag with the look she had on her face, he froze.
"What in the HELL is this!?!?!?" she demanded.
"Um, honey.. it is a pair of running shoes."
:"I KNOW THAT !! WHAT IS IT FOR?"
"Babs, please calm down and let me explain."
"Calm down? CALM DOWN??? SCREW YOU, DICK! How could you do this to me?"
"This is not going in the order I planned. Listen, I found a way that offers a good chance that you can walk again."
Tears started down her face as her rage grew. "HOW DARE YOU! YOU SON OF A BITCH."
"Babs, you don't mean that," Dick said quite confused. He thought he was doing a good thing. "Please hear me out."
"Don't Babs me. Don't ever call me that again. EVER! Do you hear me? EVER!!!!! This is too cruel to even fathom. What's the matter Dick, THE GIMP not good enough for you? I can't believe you would dangle something like this in front of me. You are cruel and heartless, AHH! DAMN YOU, DICK. I hate you for this. I HATE YOU!!" Tears were flowing freely during her hysterical exchange with a stunned Dick Grayson.
"Babs. Barbara, I have NEVER EVER thought of you as a gimp. I love you with all of my heart." Dick told her. As he pulled the small box from his pocket, he opened it to reveal his mother's engagement ring. "I came here tonight to ask you to marry me. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I DON'T care about the chair."
"Then why would you be trying so hard to get me out of this damn chair then? EXPLAIN THAT TO ME DAMMIT."
"Because I love you. I have watched this eat away at you. I have watched you use it as an excuse to keep us apart. Even now when we have grown so close, I could still feel you pushing me away. I couldn't stand to lose you and I know that eventually I would have. You would have put that chair between us."
"GET OUT!! I don't ever want to see you AGAIN!" Barbara screamed.
"No, I am not leaving, Barbara," Dick replied. He was now crying as freely as she was.
Softly she spoke barely above a whisper, "I can't believe you would do this to me. I can't. I can't. You of all people. I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU!"
"I am trying to help you."
"I knew this was a mistake, Dick. We don't belong together. I-I loved you but it was a mistake. It would never work. I am just not capable of having a relationship. Not now, NOT EVER!"
"Yeah, that's it. Run and HIDE. Hide behind your chair. Run away from me. Push me away again. This is WHY I found a way to help you get out of that damn chair. It wasn't the use of your legs I was trying to help you with, Barbara. It wasn't your legs that that Grinning Bastard took from you. It was your soul. Confining you to that wheelchair gave him your soul. You are forever in his power because you won't get past this. You won't let yourself be happy again because of HIM!"
"Get out. Get out and don't ever come back. Just leave me ALONE! GO! GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE, DAMN YOU!"
"Fine, I'm leaving. I am granting your wish," Dick said as he put his mother's engagement ring on her table. "This is my mother's engagement ring. I wanted to give it to you. I have known since the day I met you that this ring was only meant for you. I didn't even consider giving it to Kory. Well, you can keep it Babs. It will never be worn by anyone but you. I love you so much.. Goodbye Barbara Gordon."
"Just go, Dick. Just go," she whispered as he turned and walked out the door.
To be continued....