It's All Relative

Chapter 4: Nightwing, Batgirl and the Second Robin

By Teal373

Memories of a life long since gone hung open in Dick Grayson's consciousness as he packed his bags. He wasn't sure how long he would be staying, but he needed to be prepared.

He stopped to gaze at the picture frames on his dresser. One was of him and his parents in their Flying Grayson costumes. One was a picture of him with Tim in front the grandfather clock in the den. The last frame was a picture of him and Barbara at the last society ball they had attended together.

Dick closed his eyes and swallowed the lump in his throat. After he had left Gotham, it had taken him a long time to build a new life. He had dated, and had even been married for a short time, but he couldn't find solace for the gaping wound in his heart. Nothing made the pain go away and now he was going back to the one place he never thought he could: Gotham.

He knew he owed Bruce more than just running out him and never looking back, but it was too hard. Just when his life had come together and everything had made sense, it all crashed down again.

But now, he had a chance and make it up to both Bruce and Tim. He should have been able to see past his own grief and help Tim, but he allowed him to slip away as well. Tim had once been a brother to him. None of it should have gone this far… but Barbara was a glue that had held them together.

Pursing his lips together, he closed the bag he had been packing. He would go and face his demons. He would go and do what he should have done a long time ago.

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"Barbara? What do you want?"

"Hello, Dick. I was wondering if I could talk to you for a moment?"

"Why? Did Bruce send you to check up on me?"

"No. Bruce is actually out of town so…"

"So you thought you could come sneak over here while he is away?"

"No! I came over here to talk to you about a case! I've never worked on a case this big on my own and since our paths keep crossing on it, I thought it might be nice to work together!"

"Sorry, but I work alone… and I don't think Bruce would like it very much if he knew you were here."

"What are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about. You couldn't wait to push me right out of the picture so you could have Bruce to yourself. You've always had some kind of… thing for him."

"Is that what you think! You know, I came over here because I needed your help and because I… I thought we could… never mind. I don't know who you are anymore. Forget it. I'll just go and do what you did – throw everything away."

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Terry continued to stand soundlessly in the cave, the repair to the bat suit long forgotten, as Bruce continued his tale.

"Barbara and I continued working together, but it wasn't the same. She was invaluable to me, but the wounds were slow to heal. Dick traveled for a while, going to Romania to learn more about his heritage, but he eventually came back… and became Nightwing, like I mentioned earlier. Barbara tried to reconnect with him, but he was still so angry."

Bruce paused to let out a tight sigh. "I wanted to help them. I only destroyed them."

Terry wanted to tell him not to beat himself up so much, but the words didn't come out.

"Dick eventually started to come around," Bruce continued, "He was so much more impulsive and less emotionally controlled than Barbara and I were. He could be quick to jump to conclusions, take things personally, hold grudges and get riled up. However, he was always there when it counted. He began to join us more on cases."

Something about this story was starting to bother Terry, but he wasn't sure what it was. He had remained silent through most of Bruce's words. It was rare for Bruce to be so open and he did want to learn more about his past. However, something began to churn over in his stomach. Something about all of this was hitting too close for him, but he couldn't make the pieces fit together.

If Bruce noted the effect of his story on Terry, he didn't show it. "While Dick began to come back more and more, Barbara began growing colder towards him. She was still hurt. I tried to talk to her, but I… I didn't really know what to do. My partner was upset with the son I was trying to reconnect with. I refereed between them as best as I could. And then Tim showed up…"

"Tim?" Terry didn't remember that name coming up earlier.

Bruce gestured towards the other suit in the case, the one meant for a small boy.

"Wait a minute," Terry was confused, "Isn't that Dick's first suit? As Robin?"

"I don't know where Dick's first suit is. It was a modification to his original Flying Grayson's uniform. I think he still has it – for sentimental purposes. This Robin costume is Tim's. Alfred made it against my wishes."

"Alfred?" Terry felt a sudden pity for the man before him. He had once been surrounded by people he had cared for. Now, he was alone and sorry for his previous actions. He wasn't as bitter as Terry had once believed.

"Yes. Alfred was my… he was a second father to me…"

"How did Tim become the second Robin?" Terry didn't want to talk about second fathers and he didn't think Bruce did, either.

"Batgirl and I saved him one night after his father was murdered. We brought him back to the cave for treatment. He awoke sooner than we anticipated and found his way upstairs. After he learned the truth, he asked to stay – he had nowhere to go. I thought I could take him in and avoid the mistakes I had made with Dick. Tim may have been more adventurous and mischievous than Dick was, but he was easier to deal with. We had more of an understanding. And he worked well with Barbara. They became very close. He also became a wedge between Dick and Barbara."

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"Thanks for your help, Nightwing. You can go back to your lone wolf routine now. We can take it from here."

"We?"

"Yes, Robin and I."

"Robin?"

"Yes, our new partner. He's been tailing me as my back up. I didn't think it would be a good idea if you two met face to face."

"Wait a minute! There can't be a Robin. I'm…"

"You quit! Remember!... Now, if you'll excuse me…"

"Batgirl! Wait!"

"I'm busy, Nightwing. Just leave."

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Terry walked over to stand beside Bruce. "I don't understand. How was Tim a wedge between Dick and Barbara."

There was a far away look in Bruce's eye. "Barbara was very protective of Tim. Tim had a hard life growing up in the Gotham slums. He had never known his mother and Barbara seemed to fill that role for him. The three of us began to settle into a little routine. Barbara spent more time at the manor, helping Tim with his studies and training. It drove Dick crazy. He felt we had moved on without him. He wanted to make amends with Barbara, but she only saw him as a threat to Tim. She thought he was upset that there was a new Robin, so she picked fights with Dick whenever she could to keep his focus off Tim. But Dick was persistent."

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"Dick? What are you doing here?"

"I came to take you out for Valentine's Day. I… I thought we could talk and work some things out…"

"First of all, you had made it very clear to me several times that you don't want to work things out. Second, I already have a date. So, if you'll excuse me…"

"What! With who?"

"With someone that won't run away because things got too hard!"

"Barbara, please…"

"Please just leave."

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"Dick kept trying and Barbara kept pushing him away, but he figured he could wear her down. He may have been threatened by Tim at first, but they grew to be something of brothers. I just stayed out of it all and concentrated more on my work with the Justice League. I had crossed paths with them many times, but they were always wary of my methods. They finally extended me an invitation. It was a way for me to contribute to a greater good and to have partners without sacrificing my own family. I began trying to work on getting Dick, Barbara and Tim on a path to a more normal life. Then, I began having problems…"

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"Bruce? Is something wrong?"

"No, Barbara. I've just been having some problems with this case."

"Is it anything I can help you with?"

"No. The problem isn't with the case itself, but with the Justice League."

"Really? I thought you were on good terms with the League."

"Normally, I am. Even Superman and I have put our differences aside. I am primarily receiving opposition from Wonder Woman. I admit that my methods aren't always orthodox, but she seems to be trying to build up some sort of case against me. She contradicts me and argues with me every chance she can as well as disproving any evidence I bring forward…"

"Maybe she's upset because you dumped her after she helped you stop the demon gods."

"What happened between the Princess and I was for the best. She thought I could offer her something I couldn't. Besides, I was just a distraction for her from Superman."

"I think you were more than just a distraction and I think you like her, too."

"That's enough, Barbara."

"Your kids would be really tall."

"That's enough!"