Title: Dark Reflection

Author: Charlene Edwards

Rating: R Disclaimer: DC owns the characters ... which is just not fair lol

Synopsis: Something smells rotten in Gotham and it's up to Nightwing to get to the bottom of it ... no matter who it hurts.

Thanks go out to Patty for the beta, she's the best. This one's been in the planning stages for a long time and the bunny finally decided to stop nibbling and start taking chunks of skin sooooooooo Here we go with the posting. I hope you all enjoy the ride. It might get a little bumpy ;-) Char

DARK REFLECTION: Part 1a:

Oracle dispatched Nightwing to answer a silent alarm at Gotham City's Star Labs. Quietly, he entered the building. It didn't take him long to find the ten or so criminals who were diligently working to disconnect and dismantle some equipment from a piece of machinery he didn't recognize.

He threw out his special mini Batarangs skillfully talking out some of the criminals. Swinging down, he went into action. In a series of kicks, parries and punches, he littered the lab floor with the unconscious thieves. Nightwing smiled. Then, he heard a crackle behind him. Turning, he saw one of the mini Batarangs had sliced into the machine. "At least they have insurance," he said aloud as the machinery erupted in a blinding light.

BLACKNESS

Sprawled across the lab floor, Nightwing woke slowly. He had no clue how long he had been unconscious. Pushing himself up on his knees, Nightwing looked around the room. What he saw made him doubt his vision. He shook his head, but the scene before him stayed the same. Instead of criminals littering the floor, it was Star Lab guards. At least, that is what their uniforms said. None of the thieves were in sight. The explosion must have brought the guards, and then the thieves must have attacked the guards while he was unconscious.

Quickly, he moved to check the guards. With a sad sigh, he realized none of them had a pulse. They were all dead. A wave of nausea hit him and Nightwing fell to his knees again.

"Oh what the hell?"

"Nightwing report."

The sound of Batman's voice brought Nightwing to immediate attention. Shaking off his ill feelings, he responded, "Nightwing here."

"Where are you?"

"Star Labs. There was an explosion. The guards are dead and --"

"Leave. Now. You were supposed to be at the Thorn building twenty minutes ago."

Nightwing rolled his eyes. He hated it when Batman ordered him around. Multiple murders had occurred here, WHILE he was here and unconscious. He needed to stay and investigate. Yet, Batman seemed adamant that he join him on the Thorn building. Maybe it was something important. He couldn't remember. Actually, he didn't remember he was suppose to meet Batman.

He heard sirens in the distance growing closer and closer. He could leave this to the GCPD he supposed, they could handle this. "And if not, I can always come back later." As he started to leave, he looked back at the bodies and shook his head. Something didn't seem ... right. Shrugging it off to his possible concussion, he left the building for his rendezvous with Batman.

He landed on the roof of the Thorn building slightly louder than he had anticipated. Batman grunted, but said nothing, as he continued to stare across the street. Nightwing could tell Batman wasn't happy with him. Batman didn't have to say a word. "Well, you survive an explosion at Star Labs and see how loud you are," he grumbled as he went to stand beside Batman. "What's so important that you --"

"Robin," Batman responded flatly as he pointed to the building across the street.

Nightwing adjusted the lenses in his mask so that he could see into an apartment in the building across the way. He saw Robin, seemingly stalking an elderly man. "Who's that?"

Batman glanced at Nightwing. "Explosion. Were you injured?"

"Unconscious for a while. Don't know how long."

"You may have a concussion."

"Maybe. I'll be okay though," Nightwing responded as he watched Batman turn his attention back to Robin. Nightwing turned to watch. He saw Robin who had the man backed against the wall with nowhere to go. Jumping up, Robin's boot slammed into the man's skull crushing it. Nightwing gripped the ledge of the building. NO. Robin ... Tim .. he couldn't have just ...

"Damn, did I miss it?" a voice called from behind him. A voice Dick knew should NOT be behind him on this rooftop. Slowly he turned around to see Batgirl -- Barbara not Cassandra. She walked over, no, sauntered over, placing her slender arms around his neck. "Hiya hunk wonder," she started as she kissed him. "Did I miss the little birdie make his first solo kill?"

"Yes," Batman replied flatly.

Nightwing felt sick. Something was wrong. Had to be wrong. He was still unconscious, that was it. It had to be. Please God! Tim couldn't have ... Bruce wouldn't have let him ... and Babs ... please God.

"Damn, you know how a good kill makes me horny," this Batgirl whispered in Nightwing's ear.

He grabbed the ledge of the building and retched over it. Her hands were around him, comforting him. They felt like Babs's hands, the way she moved, it was like HIS Barbara, but ...

"What's wrong with you?" Batgirl asked Nightwing.

"Concussion," Batman responded as he turned around to greet Robin who landed on the roof. "You talk to much during a kill, just like Nightwing," Batman stated coolly.

"Good Job Robin. Clean kill Robin" Robin mocked while he walked over to Nightwing and Batgirl. "Yo 'Wingster, did ya see it?" the boy asked excitedly. "I did the move exactly like you showed me. Killed that guy with one kick. It was AWESOME!" Nightwing felt light headed. He dropped to his knees. Robin was immediately beside him. "Bro? Bro, what's wrong?"

Nightwing looked Robin in the face. It seemed like Tim. The concern in his voice. But how could ... "I'm sick. I'm really sick."

"Batgirl, take him home. I'll have Leslie meet you at your apartment. Robin, we're going to discuss your performance when we get home."

"But," Robin started. Nightwing looked up as Robin snapped his mouth shut. Robin knew better than to argue, he also knew better than to kill. Nightwing's world lurched again, and his stomach rolled when Robin helped Nightwing stand up. Batgirl put her arms around Nightwing's waist, allowing his weight rest against her. "I'll come see ya tomorrow Bro. See if you're okay."

Nightwing nodded as Batgirl started leading him away. His mind couldn't comprehend what was happening. This wasn't real, it couldn't be. Babs wasn't Batgirl -- not any longer -- even before Joker took her legs. And Tim wouldn't kill, he couldn't. And Bruce --- God that sounded like Bruce, even the way he wasn't satisfied with Robin's performance. BUT that wasn't just a performance or a move that was ... MURDER. God how could Tim have murdered that man? Tim?

She led him to the Nightbird and absentmindedly, he got in the car. Batgirl quickly got behind the wheel of the car and sped off into the Gotham night.

"How'd you get injured?" she asked him.

"There was ... an explosion," he replied as he watched the city speeding by him. It looked the same, yet nothing was familiar.

"You'll be okay Short-Pants, after Leslie gets a look at you." He turned at stared at the woman driving the car. She called him "Short-Pants". She looked like Babs, she sounded like Babs, but ... "You'll be fine hon, and then we'll celebrate the kid's coming out." He watched as she moved her right hand to his leg, rubbing his upper thigh.

His vision was blurry. His head was heavy. He leaned his head against the cool windowpane and closed his eyes. He knew he had a concussion and with a concussion he shouldn't go to sleep, but he could close his eyes. Just for a minute. Maybe ... it would be all over when he woke up.

TO BE CONTINUED . . .