"Okay, let's run through this again," Tim sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "We know they have massive amounts of brain degradation when fully Infected, but Scarecrow's Fear Toxin made them afraid."

"So not permanent damage," TJ offered. "Reversible."

"We've been over this a hundred times," Barbara complained, rubbing her eyes.

"But how can we reactivate other parts of the brain?" Tim muttered to himself. "The blood's too slow."

"Well Crane did it, knowingly or not, with his toxin. Whatever that new crap he made was. It wasn't just Fear Toxin, there was Joker Gas in it, too," Barbara looked up at TJ, who was leaning against her desk twirling a pencil in his fingers.

"Right. It's like the feeling of intense terror reanimated dead- or dormant- synapses in the brain," he thought aloud, shaking his head. "But that doesn't make any sense! How!?"

"And even if we could figure it out, the blood's too slow," Tim added. "There wouldn't be enough oxygen to the brain to keep a fully functioning brain alive. So we have to cure the blood and the brain."

"Well," Steph grinned from the doorway, "sounds like you guys have a bunch of problems."

"We um… hi, Spoiler," Tim glanced at her and smiled a little, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, I know I said I'd see you on this break round- is it your break already?" he turned to glance at the clock on his computer. "How long have we been up?" he looked between TJ and Barbara.

"Relax, drama queen," she laughed. "I switched shifts around and got break early. Sunrise was about twenty minutes ago, but I brought snacks." She tossed a couple bags of chips on his desk.

"Thanks," he mumbled, picking up a bag. "How was Patrol?"

"Fine, but I think Nightwing got his ass chewed for something." She pulled open a bag of cheetos.

"Yikes. No idea what for?" Barbara asked, leaning back in her chair. Steph shrugged, popping a cheeto into her mouth.

"Something about slacking off on Arkham Patrol I think. He was late making a shift change." Barbara winced.

"Yikes. If Batman finds out why, he's in deep shit. If it's what I think it is," she sighed, shrugging. Tim looked between them.

"Wait, I don't want to know. Please don't say."

"What's wrong with you, Red Robin?" Barbara looked at him quizzically, smirking.

"I just don't want to find out. I want to focus on my work, without all of this gossipy stuff," he sighed. Tim straightened up, stretching his sore back. Steph smacked his chest.

"Well if you don't want to know, cover your ears, but this I gotta hear."

"Fine," he stuck his tongue out at her, smiling a bit as he caught her hand and pulled her in front of him, wrapping his arms around her waist. Steph rolled her eyes, but her smile was hidden by the bandana around her face.

"Well apparently, Nightwing's been kind of infatuated with a certain someone who lives in Arkham City," Barbara hedged, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Anything to do with whatever happened at the bridge the other night?" TJ asked. They all looked at him, and he looked up from the bag of Doritos he was digging into. "What? I have a brother on the force, and he said something went down with the Joker and a few officers didn't make it back alive."

"Yeah. Word from his mouth is that he's been seeing Harley Quinn," Barbara said quietly, glancing around the room at the other scientists, paying no attention to them. Tim groaned as Steph burst into laughter.

"See, this is why I didn't want to know…"

"He is not!" She continued to laugh. "Batman is going to kill him."

"If he finds out. Which I trust none of us will rat on him, unless it's for his own safety. That being said, I'm considering ratting on him." Barbara said quietly, smirking.

"Oh my God," Steph shook her head, "what is he thinking? That is such a bad idea."

"It's Nightwing," Tim muttered. "He's not thinking with the head on his shoulders."

"Come on, Red Robin, he's not that bad and you know it. I just don't know why. Why would he go to her?" Barbara shook her head.

"You mean 'why not you?'" Steph grinned. Barbara blushed and looked down.

"No, I just mean- well it's not like- it does make a girl feel pretty shitty," she sighed, rubbing her hands on her jeans with a shy glance at TJ. "I mean two days before he started his… I don't know- his rendezvous with the Joker's girl, he told me he loved me. Apparently when I didn't respond in kind, he just moved on. Just like that. With someone far more dangerous and- I'm right here, all the time, and he goes out of his way to go see her? He goes so far as to disobey Batman, shirk his duties, sneak around… when I'm willing to be right here for him? How is that supposed to make me feel?" Barbara looked down. TJ and Tim stared at her, a bit stunned, the awkward silence hanging between the four of them. She chuckled a bit. "Sorry, guys. I don't know what that was," Barbara laughed, tugging at her Batgirl cowl over her face.

"Awkward," Steph assured her. "That was awkward." She grinned.

"Yeah," she chuckled a bit, her cheeks pink. "Sorry, guys…"

"Well it was already more information than I wanted to know," Tim laughed, his arms tightening around Stephanie's waist a bit as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

"What was?" Impulse asked from Tim's elbow as the computer brought up the alert that the Flash had used his code to get into the lab. "I wanna know," he said from beside Barbara.

"No," Steph whined. "It's break day."

"Sorry kid," Barry laughed as he grabbed a bag of chips. "It's not like we meant to ruin your day."

"Hey, Impulse! Long time no see," Tim laughed, stepping away from Stephanie to give him a hug. "Glad to see you're not undead."

"Ditto." Bart grinned. "Nice to see you to," he said from behind Steph who rolled her eyes. "And who's this?" he asked when he appeared at TJ's side; TJ jumped.

"There's a smaller more talkative one," he muttered.

"TJ. The lab guy that broke the centrifuge," Barbara smiled.

"Hey!" Bart cried. "That was you?"

"Jeez, does everyone have to know?" TJ shot a glance at Barbara, and she shrugged.

"I'm glad I know," Steph laughed.

"I'll let Batman know you're here," Tim told Barry. "It's his day off as well, so I don't think Catwoman's going to be very happy," he warned.

"Yikes, she might come down here with him," Barbara winced. "That'll be an interesting one." Tim pressed his comm.

"Batman…" He waited for a response.

"Yes, Red Robin, go ahead. I assume the Flash is here?" he said calmly. Selina sat up from where she straddled Bruce's waist, half dressed with her hair a disheveled mess.

'No,' she mouthed the word pleadingly, shaking her head.

"Yes sir," Tim replied. "Both him and Impulse."

Bruce pursed his lips, watching Selina. "I'll be right down," he finally decided. Her face twisted in anger, and she got off of him, walking away from the bed to the closet. "Selina," he sighed, sitting up.

"What?" She called nonchalantly. She didn't sound angry, but he could hear her whipping her clothes off of the hangers.

"You know I would stay here if I could." He began pulling his suit back on.

"Oh I know. But something always has to get in the way," she snapped, yanking her boots on. Bruce pulled his cowl on and walked over to the closet. He caught Selina around the waist and spun her around to face him.

"I will make this as short as I possibly can," he assured her.

"I know you will," she pushed his hands away, "I'm coming with you." Selina pulled her cowl over her head, buckling it under her chin. "I'm going to give that speedster a piece of my mind."

"Selina," Bruce grabbed her chin and made her look at him, "this isn't his fault."

"No, it's your fault," she snapped. "It's the damn apocalypse and Batman can't even take a few hours off. Ya spend twenty minutes with me, and uh oh! Time to go back to work," she slapped his hand away from her face.

"You know I don't want to go back to work. You know I want to stay here with you." He watched her carefully.

"Sure you do, Bruce. Now let's go." She crossed her arms angrily. Her cheeks were flushed and she looked dangerously close to an outburst.

He gave her a long look before nodding slowly. "All right. Let's go." She gestured for him to lead the way out the door and then followed him to the elevator. They got in and Selina smacked the button for the labs, standing in tense silence. "How have your sessions with Jason been going?" he asked.

"They've been fine. Don't think that I didn't catch your roundabout way of telling me to calm down," she snapped, her arms tense over her chest.

"Has he been a decent teacher, or did you want me to find someone else?" Bruce glanced at her.

"Jason's just fine. If you'd stop undermining his confidence, that is. You never give him any breathing room or any sign that you're proud of him." Selina tugged angrily at the black hair curling out from under her cowl.

"I have complete confidence in him." He watched the elevator doors. "That's why I asked him to help you, and why I trust him to keep track of Poison Ivy when she decides to visit Gotham." He stepped through the doors and turned to see if she'd follow. Selina stared at him.

Ivy? She's ok? She's alive? Selina couldn't help but be happy for a moment, but then her anger took over again. "Ivy is alive?! Why didn't you tell me?!" She marched past him towards the lab doors.

"I didn't know if it'd matter to you," he defended. "And you were stressed enough as it was; it didn't seem important."

"She's my friend! It wouldn't make me more stressed, it'd make me less so! I don't have any friends, Bruce, I have you and that stupid cat that follows me around on my city patrols-" Selina stopped and took a deep breath. "And even you're only here in body. Don't pretend your head isn't out in the streets when you're with me," she said calmly, walking into the labs on her heeled boots, her hips swaying infuriatingly as she did. "Hey speedster, thanks for interrupting my designated twenty-four hours with my husband. But I suppose you know how that feels," she leaned down against the desk beside Barbara.

"Do I ever," Barry laughed.

"So she's mad at you." Steph pointed at Bruce and grinned. He pinched the bridge of his nose angrily and Selina watched him.

"Spoiler, sweetie you have no idea. So get to work, damn it, get this show on the road," she urged, picking up a pen off of Barbara's desk.

"We've exchanged all updated information," Tim explained, "but the Central City lab has made about as much progress as us."

"So, no progress," Selina mumbled.

"We've been focusing on the different levels of resistance to the Infection," Barry added, "but so far," he shook his head, "nothing."

"We can build resistance- not in vaccine form yet- but we still can't build, make, find, synthesize, grow immunity." Tim rubbed the back of his neck. "We've even tried cross referencing known immunities, relying heavily on those with the most humanlike physique."

"Namely Superman, Martian Manhunter because of his shapeshifting abilities, and Impulse and myself," Barry said.

"So you've all gotten nowhere," Selina sighed. "Well that's real damn reassuring."

"Ouch," Barbara laughed. "Take it down a notch."

"I'll be fine as soon as I can get out of here," she mumbled, shooting a glare at Bruce.

"What's the update on the Fear Toxin?" he asked.

"Definitely administered post Infection," Tim told him. "It's a different strand than we saw Scarecrow using before the initial Infection took place."

"So he's experimenting," Bruce said. He nodded once. "Keep me updated." He turned to Barry. "Flash, it was good to see you."

"Oh you too, Batman. And Hal says hello. Er- Green Lantern. You guys still use secret identities, right?" he grinned. "Green Lantern says hi," he winked.

"Very smooth," Steph complimented him.

"Tell Green Lantern I hope he's staying out of trouble," Bruce said.

"Can do. And if I see Supes on my way home, I'll tell him you say the same," Barry grinned. Selina smiled a little, watching them. Bruce nodded.

"And don't forget to take that one with you." He nodded toward where Impulse was steadily working his way through his third bag of chips.

"What, no sleepover?" Red Robin laughed, clapping Impulse on the back. "See you next time, buddy."

"You two feel free to rest here and eat- well, not as much as you like, but eat something before you go," Selina said quietly.

"See you in another couple of weeks," Bruce told him before heading out of the lab. Selina stood and followed him.

"Did you see that lovely demonstration of how well I can control myself?" she muttered irritably as she got onto the elevator, not looking at him.

"I know you can control yourself." He stepped on the elevator behind her and pressed the button for their floor. "I also know that most of the time you don't want to."

"Because I don't want to be a faceless iceman like you," she looked away from him, her arms crossed. Bruce looked over at her.

"It's not that I'm emotionless," he said quietly.

"Keep telling yourself that, Spock," she muttered. He nodded, waiting in silence for the elevator to reach their floor. "How can you do that," she glared at him, stepping closer to him to look at his face. His eyes were hidden behind the lenses of his mask. "I mean it's obvious you're indifferent to everything, but do you have to just..." She looked away. "The emotionless facade hurts, Bruce. I know you care. But it's pretty cold from the outside looking in. Especially since I can't see in."

"But this emotionless facade is who I am," he reminded her. "You can be mad at me, but I can't change. I do care about you and worry about you. All the time. When I'm out there, all I'm thinking about is being back here; not the other way around. I'm sorry if I don't make that clear." The elevator stopped and the doors opened, but he waited on Selina.

"Just go. I want to clear my head," she whispered sadly, still staring at the floor. Her arms were wrapped around her waist insecurely. He looked at her for a long moment before stepping off of the elevator. When the doors closed Selina sank to the floor sadly. "I didn't mean it, you idiot," she started to cry, pressing her comm. "Jay, sweetie, help me..." She sniffed.

"Whoa, hey Selina." Jason paused by the side of the truck he'd been checking. They were halfway through a supply run, and he wanted to make sure they were getting what they needed. "What's up?" He signaled for Batwoman to take over.

"I don't know, I just..." She pulled her knees to her chest and rested her head on them. Batwoman glanced at Jason curiously.

"Just take a second to breathe and tell me what happened." Jason stepped away from the truck.

"I don't know what happened," she cried. "I just... Bruce just made me so mad and now I just want to..." She rubbed her eyes, and then cried harder when she saw the eyeliner smudged on her gloves.

"Take a moment to calm down. What made you mad?" He flicked the comm off for a second as Selina tried to get control. "Batwoman," he called. "Check on the officers. I don't want to lose any more men." He turned the comm back on.

"He... He had to go to the labs because Barry showed up. And it was our break, and he had to go… I was so mean to him, Jay. I was so rude and terrible and hurtful..." She took a deep breath. "And he's so calm and... I love the whole stoic Batman thing. But- but- would it kill him to raise his voice every once in a while? To- to- to get upset when we fight? To smile at me?"

"You know that's not how he is," Jason sighed. "I think it would kill him to smile." He rubbed a hand across his mouth. "Listen. That partying playboy he was in public, that was his mask. The stoic vigilante who will dedicate hours to protecting a city who will never fully understand... that's the real him. Him spending hours worrying and not saying anything is how he shows he cares. I know it sucks, but that's how he is."

"I know!" She shouted angrily, and then covered her mouth, afraid of her own outburst. "...I don't want him to be anything but himself. He doesn't love me like he loves you boys... He won't... He's just emotionless. He'll yell at you. He'll laugh at Dick. He smiles at Cassandra..." Selina stared at the ceiling. "Fuck it. I'm going to go work off some steam." She stood, pounding the elevator button so hard it stuck.

"Selina," he groaned. "You're too emotional. You need to calm down. He does love you differently, but think about it. The more withdrawn he is, the more concerned he is. The reason he seems more emotionless with you is because he loves you the most. The rest of us can see it."

"Well right now, calming down is going to require me to destroy a punching bag while imagining it's my husband. Kay? If he doesn't want to spend time with me, then screw him. Which I won't. Because he doesn't want to see me." She rubbed her temples.

"Of course he wants to see you. All that he looks forward to is his break days." Kate got his attention and nodded to him to let him know everything was proceeding properly.

"Stop messing with my head!" Selina snapped, but she felt guilty. She knew she was being unreasonable. And despite how terrible she felt, she missed him.

"I'm not messing with your head!" Jason cried in defense. "You're the one letting emotion cloud your judgment. We've talked about this."

"I'm thinking perfectly clear," she laughed, and then got off the elevator, walking towards the bedroom. She took her comm out, tossing it on the table. "Bruce! Get out here!" She barked. Bruce immediately opened the door, stepping out. He'd changed into a tight black tank top and gray sweatpants. Selina marched up to him and slapped him across the face, angry tears streaming over her cheeks. "If I have to spell it out for you-" she sniffed, and then bit down on her tongue- "When I said go away, I wanted you to stay. I want your goddamn help. I can't be left alone because as soon as I was by myself in that elevator, I wanted to-" she cut herself off, rubbing her wrist anxiously. "I hate you for leaving me there. I hate you- but I don't hate you." Selina looked down. "Never mind." He lifted her chin up.

"I wouldn't have left you there if..." He trailed off and studied her carefully. "Are you okay?"

"No." She pulled her face away from his hand. He watched her for a long moment, opening and closing his mouth.

"What can I do?"

"I want to say smile at me. I want to say for once in your life, tell me what you're thinking. But there's only one thing that I want more than that, and I'm trying to figure out how to say it and still sound like a lady," Selina sighed. She sounded playful, but he could still hear the masked sadness. She just wanted to feel better. The more she thought about how she'd acted, the more embarrassed, hurt, upset, and angry with herself she became.

"What do you want?" he asked quietly. Selina laughed, but had to rub her eyes when tears caught on her lashes.

"Just... Screw me until we fall asleep and can forget about all of this?" She looked up, her voice cracking. Bruce pulled her into his arms, kissing the top of her head as angry tears spilled over her cheeks.

"Are you sure you can forget about this? It seems like it's been bothering you for a while."

"Everything bothers me, but... I miss the days when I helped. When I held you together as much as you did me. I just want to forget," she whimpered, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in it.

"You do help." He pulled her hood off, running his hand through her hair. "I get to come home to you."

"I'm so sorry," she nuzzled his cheek, still sniffing her tears back a bit, but she seemed calmer.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," he whispered, kissing her forehead.

Then why do I feel so guilty?

Selina's arms tightened around his neck and she lifted herself up on her toes as she stepped closer to him. Looking up, she gently took his comm out of his ear and called Jason.

"Thank you," she said quietly to him before putting the communicator down on the table.

"You're welcome," Jason said to the dead comm before looking around at the convoy. "All right, let's get this wrapped up," he called.

"You heard the big man!" Kate barked behind him, making him jump. She grinned. "Come on, let's keep going. I want to get back in time to take a nap." Jason nodded. They'd left a little before sunrise and had been lucky enough to find a stop close to the city. The supply runs had been forced to move further and further away from Gotham, causing the trips to take longer with more Infected sightings and attacks.

"Let's load up and keep moving inland," Jason told Kate.

"Alright people let's move! Everyone back on the trucks," she called to the officers. They were parked in a deserted Walmart parking lot, a few cars scattered around, left where they'd been abandoned. Kate glanced at Jason. "You ok? You seem out of it."

"It's..." He shook his head. "Do I seem like the kind of person you want to get relationship advice from?"

"Hey, I don't want advice," she held up her hands.

"Good. You'd be the only one." He scratched at the chin of his Red Hood helmet as he watched their group load up.

"Who did?" She asked conversationally, swinging herself up into the cab of the truck. He got into the passenger seat beside her.

"Selina. Bruce asked me to help Selina. And Dick."

"Ha! From you? Don't make me laugh," she started the truck, pressing her comm. "Everyone loaded?"

"Exactly. I'm the last person you want advice from." He glanced back at the convoy behind them. "How do we stand?"

"We're good," an officer waved his hand.

"Aight, let's make like a cow," Kate grinned, pulling her truck forward.

"Wait. What?" Jason stared at her.

"Make like a cow," she glanced at him with a smile. "Mooooove out," Kate laughed. Jason burst into laughter.

"You just made my day," he told her.

"Good," she punched his arm, still smiling. "So what about you? How are the ladies?"

"Dead," he said drily. "Or a complete pain in my ass."

"I think you're thinking of dudes," she said confusedly, and then laughed again.

"No, I don't think either of us are thinking of dudes," he returned with a smirk.

"Who's a pain in your ass?" Kate smiled a little, turning off the highway towards a small town that they hadn't visited yet. Jason shook his head.

"No one in particular."

"Mmm, I'm not buying it," she muttered as the little town came into view.

"I don't need you to." He shrugged. "You're very bossy."

"Well technically I am your boss," she shrugged as well, imitating him.

"Oh yeah, pull that card. You can't see it, but I rolled my eyes at you."

"Yeah, what's up with that? I don't see the need for secret identities anymore," she commented. She herself didn't wear a mask, her red hair braided over her shoulder. "I mean, we're living in Wayne Tower. Is everyone convinced he's dead, or are they all just that stupid? I mean, how obvious could it be that the guy running the town is… well, the same guy that always ran it," she chuckled.

"People don't want to think about it. They want to feel safe." He checked over the list to see what they still needed to find. "They've lost so many themselves, why would they question some random elite being dead?"

"That's a good point," she shrugged. "Let's get the shit and get out of here," she parked the truck near what looked like the only store in the entire town. The front windows were smashed out, and it already looked ransacked. Jason pressed his comm as he got out of the truck.

"Everyone split up and search the town. Look for any convenience stores or other viable options, but keep your comms open and be careful."

"Right. Careful," Kate smiled, shrugging her shotgun onto her shoulder. "Let's you and me scope out this place, kay?"

"Ladies first." He mock bowed.

"Then go right ahead, sweetheart," she laughed, but stepped over the threshold of the broken glass window.

"So how've you been?" Jason asked conversationally as he followed her in. "I think this is the most I've heard you talk in months."

"Mmm, weird right? Hard when I'm not an official part of the Batfamily," she joked, her feet crunching in the broken glass.

"Oh boo." He started checking the shelves. "You've got a bat on your chest, you're one of us. Actually, you might be more of a bat than me."

"Aw, you're so cute. It was a joke, Short Round," she glanced at him. "This place is clean. I mean-"

"-hands up, weapons down," someone said loudly. "I've got guns on you."

Somewhere in the town, gunfire echoed in a building. Kate glanced at Jason, slowly lowering herself and her gun to the ground.

"You too, big guy," another voice said.

"We're taking heavy fire in the Beta squad- what are our orders-"

Kate exhaled slowly through her nose.

"We're not here to hurt you."

"Weapons down, damn it! Or I'll cap your ass, you son of a bitch!" The voice barked. Jason obediently tossed his gun on the ground and put his hands on his head with a resigned sigh.

"Do not engage," he commed their group. "We're not here to hurt these people."

"That's right. Get on your knees. The both of you," the man said, finally coming out from behind the counter where he'd been hidden with his gun through the shelf. He looked messy and tired, but his eyes were sharp. "What the hell are you doing here?" he snapped, his gun still trained on Jason.

"I'd ask you the same question, but you're the one holding the gun." He shrugged as he got down on his knees. "We're gathering food to take back to the city," he finally answered.

"Not any of this food, friend," another said, clearly a twin, as he stepped out as well. Kate glanced at Jason.

"Okay, we'll move on to somewhere else," Jason said simply. "Do you mind not shooting any of my men out there? And maybe putting the gun down? No one is resisting."

"We don't know that," the first glanced at his brother. "We've come up against some hostile people. And you don't look like the type to be very friendly," the second man lowered his gun a bit.

"Daddy?" A timid voice came from the back room, and the first man glanced over his shoulder.

"Go back to the camp, June," he commanded, lowering his gun. "We'll be back when we send these people on their way." Jason looked back where the voice had come from.

"Where did you guys travel from?"

"We didn't travel from nowhere," the first man snapped. "We live here, we protect our town. Now get your guns and your men and get out."

Kate stood slowly and picked up her shotgun, putting it back over her shoulder. "C'mon, Jay," she said quietly and pressed her comm. "Everyone back to the trucks, it's time to go. This place is taken." Jason picked up his gun, reholstering it as he stood.

"And are all of you all right?" he asked. "Supply wise. After a year, you've got to be running low."

"We're fine," the second man assured him with a small smile. "There's a river just outside of town that we get water from, filter it out and such, and we hunt. Grow food, too." A little boy poked his head around the door to the back room.

"Okay," Jason nodded, "I'll let the people in charge know to leave this place alone."

"Thank you," the first man said. Kate had retreated to the truck already, and Jason could hear the engine start.

"You know where to find us if you ever need anything," he added before following Kate out the door. "Everyone alive and ready to go?" he asked as he climbed into the truck. There were various affirmations from the back, and Kate smirked at him.

"Call it in, tell the higher ups what's up," she sighed, starting the engine and pulling away from the building. "I'll never get a nap at this rate…"

"Sorry to ruin your plans." Jason switched his comm feed. "Hey Nightwing, stop slacking off."

"I'm actually kind of busy," he retorted, rolling his eyes.

"I seen you!" the old woman shouted again, pointing a bony finger at her neighbor. "I seen you taking food and bringing it home!"

"You're old and senile, you crazy old bag!" her neighbor cried, throwing his hands up.

"Robin, can you- deal with this," Nightwing sighed, stepping away as he pressed his comm again. "Alright, Red Hood, go."

"Just thought we'd dump the information on someone else's shoulders so we can get back in time for Kate to take her nap, but there's a small town here that people are still living in. I don't know how many, but our supply raids need to stay out of their territory."

"Alright, make sure to add it to the list when you get back," Dick pinched the bridge of his nose as the old woman began shouting at Robin behind him. "Hope you're having more fun than I am."

"Definitely. I got held at gunpoint; my day is made," he replied sarcastically.

"Well that's what you get for going in without consent," Dick smirked.

"Ha," Jason laughed. "You may have consent but at the same time, it's forbidden." Dick groaned and rolled his eyes.

"Get back to work, Red Hood," he muttered, and then walked back towards the old woman.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but this is a dispute for the police, and if they so choose, they can take it higher. An officer will be here shortly," he grabbed Robin's arm and they made a hasty retreat. Dick pressed his comm to call it in.

"Dispatch; we have a domestic dispute going on on Hughes Street, if you'd send someone to settle it?"

"Sure, Nightwing. What was it this time?"

"Just an elderly woman making accusations. The man was telling the truth, there's not much ground in it. We only need someone to calm her down."

"I'll send a couple of officers," she answered. "And I do have something for you, if you'd like- There are some new refugees up here in Midtown, if you want to come check them out. A family with two kids; the mom is sick, so they're all in quarantine until you guys OK them."

"Yeah, I'll…" Nightwing sighed, and then grinned at Robin. Robin shook his head angrily. "I'll send Robin," he replied, switching his comm back to the Batfamily feed.

"No." Robin glared at him.

"Well I'm in charge of you and those are your orders," Nightwing shrugged.

"I would be much better equipped to continue patrol while you go," he argued.

"Oh really? Well dad left me in charge, so scoot," he grinned.

"But if I recall, you seem to enjoy abandoning your patrol post," Robin countered, smirking.

"Be judgy all you want, but you're not gonna guilt trip me," Nightwing raised an eyebrow. "Someday you'll find some girl to skip patrols for, too."

"Doubtful," he said drily. "Don't think I'll forget this," he warned, walking away.

"Or guy, whatever you're into!" Dick called after him. "I'm not judging!"

Damian silently fumed, but he continued walking with Titus trotting by his side.

When he reached their motorcycles, Damian climbed onto his and ushered Titus into the sidecar. The dog wagged his tail, situating himself in the seat. When Robin had asked Batman for the motorcycle, his brothers had laughed at him. They called it slow and outdated; he called it efficient and old-fashioned. Vintage. Bruce had owned the motorcycle when Dick was just eleven, and Damian still smiled at the idea of Dick riding in the sidecar. Damian had fixed up the bike himself, making it more energy efficient and more accessible for Titus.

He crossed the bridge into Midtown, and then continued on towards the only bridge out of the city. Word had spread that Gotham was a safe haven, and people flocked from miles around. Before they could enter the city, however, they had to spend a day or two in a secure facility just outside of it; if they were Infected and came in, it could destroy the entire system. Damian pulled his motorcycle to a stop and Titus leapt out. Their feet crunched in the gravel and dirt as they walked towards the front doors, where heavily armed policemen stood.

"I've come to clear the new refugees," he told them, and they obediently opened the doors; he stepped inside and people turned to look. The large room was filled with cots, a few scattered families huddled in groups, whispering as he walked by. The Batfamily themselves had become legends, just like the city. They'd been called everything from honest men to angels; from heroes to gods. Either way, people treated them like royalty, with respect and admiration.

Damian pushed the door open to the small quarantine area in the back of the building- it was once just offices, but now held plenty of high-tech medical equipment, and a doctor met him at the door.

"And how are they?" Damian asked, glancing over his shoulder. A woman lay on one of the cots, her husband beside her.

"She'll be fine, she just has the flu. All the same, we don't want to bring that into the city, either," the doctor shrugged. Damian nodded thoughtfully. Beside the man stood a small boy, maybe ten years old, and his older sister. He walked forward towards the family, and the father stood.

"Hello, Sir, and welcome to Gotham," Damian shook his hand, and the man smiled.

"Well, we're glad to have made it here," he said quietly, glancing down at his wife, and then back up. "Thank you, Robin. I can't say how… incredible it is to meet ya." Damian mentally catalogued the southern accent. The family had presumably traveled a long distance, which wasn't uncommon for people coming to Gotham.

"Of course, Mr…?"

"Shan. Eric Shan. This is my wife, Lucy, and these are our children, Jane and Kirk," Eric put his hands on his children's shoulders, and they smiled. Kirk hid behind his sister shyly, but Damian's eyes were fixed on Jane. She looked to be about fifteen years old, with insanely curly black hair and dark coffee colored skin. Her brown eyes were so dark they seemed black, rimmed in deep brown lashes that gave her face a sleepy, uninterested appearance, and despite her dirty clothes and her dingy surroundings, she held her shoulders straight, her nose up a bit as she sized Damian up.

"Of course," Damian breathed, shaking off his shock. His stomach felt odd, and he stepped back a bit. "You'll have some paperwork to fill out, and then I can get you into the city as soon as we have a home set up for you," he nodded.

"And what about my mom?" Jane asked. She was clearly watching him, but he couldn't tell what she was thinking.

"She can accompany you as soon as she gets a clean bill of health," he informed her, his brow furrowing. He was suddenly a bit worried about the fact that he hadn't showered in two days. "The rest of you can wait for her, or go ahead without her; she'll be escorted into the city by a policeman when she's recovered, if you choose the latter." She blinked slowly, cocking her head a bit as she looked at him before turning her back to her father.

"I'm staying with her," she told him.

"Jane," he sighed.

"I assure you, it's equally safe either way," Robin promised.

"Sweetie." Jane moved over by her mother. "Go with you father and brother. I'll be well in a jif." Her cheeks were colorless and her dark skin was clammy, but she smiled at her daughter.

"No," Jane said stubbornly. "Daddy can take Kirk, and we'll join them when you're better."

"Whichever you decide," Damian said quietly, fading back a bit. He walked back to the doctor. "Get them the paperwork, and get her well," he instructed, and the doctor nodded.

"All of the other families and assorted travelers have been cleared to head into the city." He glanced down at his list. "I'll let the bridge guards know how many are coming through."

"Good, I'll let the higher-ups know," Damian said, with a glance at Jane again.

"I didn't think you'd be the one to come out here. Actually, I don't know if I remember you ever being out here."

"Yes, I wasn't expecting to, either. But Nightwing was otherwise occupied, so here I am." He ran a hand through his hair. "Keep up the good work, doctor." As Robin walked away, he pressed his comm. "Damn you, Nightwing," he muttered.

"Ouch, language, Damian," Nightwing laughed. "I have another order for you."

Damian hesitated. "What is it?"

"Go join Blackbat in Arkham," he responded, and Robin groaned.

"Why!? And don't say 'because I said so.'"

"Well that, and she's all alone. I have city patrol handled, go help her."

"She has officers to help her, and then you'd be alone on your patrol," Robin reminded him.

"It's city, I can manage. But I'm so happy to hear you're concerned for me," Dick laughed.

"I'm scheduled to be on city patrol. If you want to change that, you know you'll have to update my father."

"Why do you guys always say that like he's the scary overlord? Well he is, but dang," he smiled. "I can do that."

"Selina's going to kill you," Damian taunted.

"Stop avoiding my orders and confirm," Dick warned.

"You just don't want to comm Batman." Damian smirked. "I'll confirm my orders once they've been approved from above."

"I'll get them approved, but don't forget, Damian; I'm in charge when Batman isn't," he muttered, switching the feed. "Bruce?" There was a long pause.

"This had better be really, really important," Selina warned over the comm.

"It's not, but it will take less than a minute," Dick promised, waiting for her to hand over the comm.

"Do you know all the things I could do in a minute?" she asked. "Besides, Bruce is a little tied up at the moment."

"Ok jeez… Fine. Ask him if it's alright if I send Damian to Uptown to help Cassandra. I'll be fine on my own."

"That's what this is about?" she demanded. "Sweetie, grow a pair because Bruce is using his." The line went dead.

"I told you," Dick snapped when he switched the line back. "You're an ass, Robin. Now get to your post."

"Fine, let Blackbat know I'm on my way."

"Blackbat," he commed over. "Robin is on his way to you."

"Why?" she asked. She was perched on top of a building as she watched the bridge guard change.

"Because I said so."

"Awesome. Robin, I was about to make another round along the wall. Do you want to make a sweep of Uptown?" She stood up, looking around her.

"Sure," he sighed, coming to a stop at the bridge. She watched him for a moment before turning away and firing her grappling gun.

"Don't sound so excited."

"Well I'd like to do my job," he retorted, patting his leg for Titus to follow.

"But do you have to do it with that attitude? Or did something happen." Cass walked calmly down the street.

"Well obviously Richard felt the need to send me away here, so something must have," he sighed.

"Unlikely." She watched a cat digging in a trash can. "He prefers to put himself in more danger than have others potentially be. He'd be less worried about himself alone on patrol than me."

"Characteristic of him," Damian responded. "Northeast quadrant is clear."

"So far nothing along the wall."

"Careful that you don't run into Harley Quinn," he snorted, smirking. Cass paused.

"Why? I could easily win over her."

"Oh, so you haven't heard the rumors. I'm not one for family gossip," he chuckled. "Though I did kind of start this one. Nightwing's been meeting her in secret for a while now. But you didn't hear it from me."

"So why would I watch out for her? If she likes Nightwing, I'm not her type."

"It was a joke," Damian assured her. "But if you do happen upon her, give her a punch from me," he sighed.

"She's with the Joker," Cass mused as she checked a camera along the wall. "How does that work out for Dick?"

"Oh it doesn't," he chuckled. Titus nosed his head under Damian's hand, and he stroked the dog's ears.

"Or you, right? You're on Arkham patrol with him. About annoyed with it yet?"

"Beyond so. I was incredibly angry at first. Threatening him, even... But… I want Nightwing to be happy," he admitted slowly. "It took me time to realize that. He's a major fucking idiot and he's going to get himself killed, but if it makes him happy in this godforsaken world, then why not? She hasn't killed him yet. I want Richard and Drake and… and even Todd… you too, Blackbat. After… well after all of this, I just long to see happy endings, like Richard does." Damian said. It was as if he hadn't thought about it before, but as he spoke, the words registered with him as well. Cassandra didn't speak, just listening to him talk, and Damian looked out over the water to the mainland. From here, he could see the bridge connecting them to the rest of the world, and beyond that, their abandoned home on the cliffs. He sighed. "I just hope for happy endings."