Disclaimer: I do not and will never own any characters and objects in this story.
Author's note: Okay, I edited the prologue a wee bit 'cause of some minor mistakes. E-mail me for whatever reason (pinkmoose51 [yahoo]). Next chaps might take a while. Enjoy!
Other notes: As you can see, "Love Makes the World Go Round" is kinda like a theme. This story mainly talks about different types of the meaning love, the truth that many people think what it really means. Some DON'T respect it at all, some cherish it, and many want to know the feeling to be loved. Some people can just turn things into a crisis without it... as if the world has stopped.
"Love Makes the World Go Round"
Chapter One:
The black figure glided from building to building. Arms spread apart demonstrating wing-like objects under the arms. A red and green form came whizzing by him as they both landed on top of one of Gotham's skyscrapers.
Nightwing walked to the ledge of the building and stared at the city he once again called home. He'd been back for about three months now and he wasn't sure if everything came back to place, but he was sure the city was still the same. By day, crime would just start, and nights would always be filled with more transgression. Innocent people and families would witness chaos.
On the matter of family, Bruce had given him a small lecture. Something about being back home or his new identity? He didn't remember. What he did remember is that Bruce was happy. Happy that his son was back home.
And Barbara. He didn't know what to say to her. And she didn't know what to say to him. They were just strained. After talking to Bruce, he headed straight to her new apartment and saw her surprised look when she opened the door. Just a surprised look. Then the word 'hi,' was the first thing that came out of his mouth. 'That's it?!' is what she said. Her voice angry and distraught. They had a little fight, then got started on that hypocrite subject. Then each found their own faults, but neither revealed them. And as of now, still hidden in the back of their mind, wished they could of.
They had lunch once. But not really. It was 'lunch' as in a "bat-clan discussion gathering" type of thing. So, no. Both Dick and Barbara act as if they've moved on. But moved on to what? Weren't they the best of friends before they even started dating? Practically ignoring each other is moving on? But Dick had something more than he's letting on.
"Have you talked to her lately?"
Nightwing turned and stared at his "little brother", knowing the term her meant Barbara. Why was he asking this? Tim knew that they've been talking lately, even though their friendship was on the rough side. "Yeah, why?"
"Good. Cause you see I need help on talking to this girl at my school and she hates me and I really like her and she knows it and she's ignoring me even more and I need some pointers on how to talk her into liking me so I'm asking you to help me," he managed to say this in one breath.
Nightwing paused, then said, "You want me to help you about girls?! Awww. the little Wobin is growing up!"
Robin crossed him arms, "Oh, never mind!"
"No," Nightwing put his palm up, being more serious, " you can talk to me anytime, just not now, okay?"
"Okay."
"Wait," Nightwing lifted his head to Robin, "you want advice on how to get a girl who doesn't like you to like you and maybe because you think Babs doesn't like me and you wanna know how to talk to that girl 'cause I've been talking to Babs?!"
"Uh, something like that," Robin turned away then changed the subject, "It's a lot past midnight, and the city's still quiet," he said as he balanced on the frame of the building.
Nightwing noticed he obviously didn't want to talk about it anymore. "As if you want something bad to happen."
"I just thought the night could be more exciting." Just then an alarm sounded off from a building just two blocks over.
"And your wish is granted, kid."
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On her Batcycle, she sped towards downtown. Only a mile and a half from her apartment, she stopped. She heard a scream from a nearby house ahead of her. She got off the bike and ran towards the house. The door was broken open. A house invasion.
Batgirl immediately went inside. The house was dark, the only light came from the street lights outside from the window. Pieces of a broken vase cracked beneath her boots. She noticed in the dark room that the shelves had been empty.
She walked towards the sound of mumbling in one of the rooms. All the lights were burnt out except for a dim light at the end of the hallway.
"Shut up or I'll kill you now!" came a man's voice.
She reached the room and looked in the crack of the door. There was a tall man, he had no hat that revealed his blonde hair. He was wearing black sweat pants, gloves and a black turtle neck that he unrolled so he could cover half his face. He had a two inch blade on his hand who he pointed at an elderly woman and two little kids huddled up in the corner.
"Leave them alone." She stepped into the room.
"Huh. One of the bats." He then turned the knife at her.
'He'll be easy,' she thought. She analyzed him up and down and noticed a large bag filled with burgled items next to him. The kids and their grandmother were only feet away from the man, shaking in fear.
Batgirl made the first move, she walked across the room. Just what she wanted, the man followed to her direction, away from the door so the elderly woman and the kids could get out of the room. She signaled them to move, then they rushed out.
"Alright, little girl, you want to play?"
"Playing with knives is a hazard."
He started to sprint at her. Batgirl easily grabbed his wrist and pointed the knife at the ceiling. With the other hand, she grabbed his shoulder and flipped him to the ground and knocked him out.
After tying him up she walked out the room. She found the woman and the two kids sitting on a futon.
The old woman was breathing hard. She looked up at the young, masked girl who had just saved them, "I called the police already."
"Good," she stepped close to them and looked at them with a concerned look, "Are all of you alright?"
The kids, at about four and six years of age, nodded, their eyes looking tired. The woman just sat.
"Do you know that man?" Batgirl's face suddenly turned into a surprised look when the elderly woman nodded.
"Who?"
"He's, uh, my nephew. He... he wanted to..." she looked at her grandchildren knowing the word kill wouldn't be such a good idea, "my inheritance to the family is high and he wanted it and also wanted my valuables."
Before she could say anything, sirens start to wail at a distance.
The woman then put her head up and Batgirl was gone.
Batgirl got back on her bike and sped off. A beeping sound came out from her belt and she clicked a button.
"Batgirl?" came Robin's voice.
"Where are you at?"
"The City Mall."
"I'm on the way."
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"Robin!" Nightwing pointed to a man approaching behind his protégé.
Robin then ducked and Nightwing got a good swing at him.
"You take those two and I'll take the ones that ran off."
"Ok," Robin headed to the two who started to grab more loot.
Nightwing ran after the other five to the large hallway of the mall. He saw a them heading over to a barber shop and he beat them to it. He jumped and landed in front of them.
Gasps can be heard and Nightwing just gave a small smile and made another jump on the air, knocking two out. A big guy came charging at his left.
The man dove towards him and Nightwing stepped aside and watched the big man slide on the ground. The man got up and tuned around to see a fist dash to his face.
"Three down, two to go," Nightwing scanned the hallway searching for the other two. The barber shop was at his left, and... movement at his right. There he saw something move behind a counterfeit plant. He walked towards it. Someone suddenly jumped out and pushed Nightwing to the ground.
Outside, Batgirl had just arrived. She took her grappling hook and fired it to the rooftop of the mall. As she headed up, she came face to face with the window of the barber shop. She thought she saw something stirring inside.
Nightwing kicked his attacker away from him and the man stumbled and managed to get back up. The dark shadow balled his fists and hit him square on the face, 'one more'. Nightwing then sensed that someone was behind him. When he tuned around, a man, already tied and gagged up, fell in front of him, a razor falling next.
"You better watch your back more, he was about to slice you into pieces." Batgirl stepped into the hallway.
"I knew he was there." Nightwing started to tie up the rest.
"What ever happened to all the 'thank yous'?" she tried to smile but failed.
He raised his voice a little, "Why should I thank YOU when you did something I could of done?"
She was surprised, he hadn't raised his voice at her before, and this was about the third time ever since he came back, and it hurt her so much. "You know, you have too much pride for yourself. Whenev---"
"I have too much PRIDE? I told you, I had him. I could of kicked his butt."
"I...I...I! That's all you ever talk about," 'ever since you came back,' she thought. "That's arrogance to me!"
"The only arrogance and pride I take is confidence in what I do!"
She couldn't think of anything else to say but in the back of her mind, she wanted to apologize, but with his attitude like this she didn't.
Dick wanted to do the same. But instead, they just stood feet away from each other, their face so impractical.
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"How long have you been here, honey?" Jim Gordon walked down the steps and noticed the fiery-red hair leaning on the couch.
"Oh, about an hour," she smiled and got up to kiss her dad on the cheek.
"An hour? I can't believe I didn't hear you come in."
"That's okay. You need a lot of sleep anyway, old man!"
"Hey, I'm not that old," he smiled down at his daughter. "So what brings you to yer ol' man, Barbara?"
"Well, I was thinking of having brunch with you. I bought some food from a new restaurant near my apartment."
"Sounds good."
They headed to the kitchen and sat on the breakfast table and started to eat.
"Do mind staying here tonight?" Jim broke the silence.
"No, why?" she asked, biting a piece of her broccoli.
"I need someone to help me pack."
She swallowed, "Pack for what?" she asked totally confused.
"I'm going to Boston for about two and a half to three weeks. I was invited to a special case there, an important one and I couldn't refuse."
"Oh that's no problem, Dad."
"No problem to you that is."
"Huh?"
"Batman's been gone for a little while now and I don't know when he'll be back. I just hope Nightwing, Robin and Batgirl could take care of themselves."
'Oh we will.' She thought.
"I know Bullock has a hard time with them at times, but I put him in charge of the you-know-what signal."
Barbara just nodded while chewing her salad.
"One more thing."
"Yeah, Dad?"
"There's going to be a new artifact from Greece and on it's way to Gotham Museum. Its first appearance will be held Wednesday night and you need to fill in for me. No speeches, no nothing, just be there."
"No problem."
tbc