Thanks go out to my betas Patty, Em, Tammy and Beth. You girls are the greatest. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Char :-)

COURT MARTIAL: Part 30:

They said that hell was hot. They were wrong. Hell was cold ... ice ... numbing cold. Dick shivered. It was so bone chillingly cold. He pulled his parka around him to try and ward off the ice-filled winds that howled unmercifully around him sending shards of sharp ice pinpricking into his exposed skin. Dick stopped his trek through the knee high snow, looked up at the two moons of the Andrarri system, and sighed. He had been cold before, but the cold on earth was nothing compared to the bone-chilling, frigidness of this place. He wanted to go home.

Electricity coursed through his body from the electric prod that a guard shoved roughly in his back. Dick cried out in pain, yet he knew the unresponsive guard did not care. The guards were part of the Andrarri System Police. Robotic just so they would not care. No sympathy for the inmates. Dick had met members of the Andrarri System Police years ago when he was the teen wonder known as Robin. He was leading the Titans then, but that was a lifetime ago. Today, he was just another inmate, albeit the only human one, on this prison planet made of ice.

The guard grabbed his arms, tightly twisting them behind his back. He winced in pain as he felt the clasp of the metal cut into his wrists. His arms were jerked as the restraints were fastened to an ice covered pole that stood eight feet over the knee deep snow. There the guards left him in punishment for some unknown violation ... or maybe this was just part of his punishment like the rest of it.

His arms were already sore from the hours he had spent using his pick axe hitting the hard icy surface after whatever mineral it was they mined. Each strike of the axe sent ice chip fragments flying back towards him. Despite the exhaustive schedule, he didn't mind the physical labor that came with this place, it kept him warm.

Dick knew that had to meet his quota if he wanted to eat. And he wanted to eat. It had been two days since he had last eaten. Being smaller than the other prisoners put him at a disadvantage in meeting the large quota each inmate was demanded to deliver in their sixteen hour days. Dick was not sure that it was sixteen hours, he wasn't sure what an hour was here, but it seemed that way. Regardless, he knew he worked far more than he rested and sleep was almost non-existent. He was tired. He just needed to eat to keep up his strength. Getting any weaker meant working slower; working slower meant not meeting his quota; not meeting his quota meant he didn't get food. It was a vicious cycle even for the non-human prisoners.

And he wouldn't meet his quota today, not chained to this icy pole. He wouldn't work and, therefore, he wouldn't eat. Again. Was this part of his sentence? Was it his sentence? It must be. Maybe this was what was called for in retribution for his sins. Dick's memories surged to the forefront of his mind as he watched the guards walk away leaving him in the snow of this God-forsaken place. Memories he had tried to forget. He could not forget. A silent tear froze on its way down his cheek as he whispered, "I want to go home."

"I want to go home," Dick said again as his mind jerked to consciousness. He looked around and sighed at the small comfort the familiar gray cell gave him. As he tried to quiet his fast beating heart, he drew his legs up and wrapped the thin blanket around himself. He was still here. Still on the Watch Tower. His fate had not been sealed ... not yet ... but soon. Dick's mind raced as thoughts of the Tribunal pressed down upon him. They held his fate, his life, in their hands. In the quiet solitude of his cell, he silently thought again, "I want to go home."


"The defense calls Nightwing to the stand," Barbara stated. The even keel of her voice belied the nervous tremors that reverberated through her body.

Dick stood and headed for the witness stand. His eyes locked on the Tribunal as he walked. He took in each face and then he mounted the slightly raised platform to take his seat. Dick's breath caught in his throat as he turned and looked out at the audience. Members of the Justice League, Justice Society, Outsiders and Titans all filled the Hall of Justice. He had known, of course, that they were there. Had been there since the beginning. He had seen them all walking in and out of the large circular room. It was different though, watching them watching him. Before they had stared at his back. But now ... they were watching ... waiting for his performance. This one was different than the performances he played under the big top. This was not an act. Dick had to impart the truth ... whatever that turned out to be.

The corners of his mouth twitched slightly upward. They were waiting for his performance. Well, they would not be disappointed. Not the spectators to this modern day Collesium's gladiator games. Dick had been a performer all his life. "Give the crowd what they want, Dicky," his mother's voice rang through his head. Her voice had always calmed his pre-show jitters and today they did the same thing. Feeling a sense of calm envelope him, Dick sat in the chair and slipped his wrist through the golden lasso's loop.

Barbara smiled at him. "Please state your code name?"

"Nightwing."

"How long have you been Nightwing?"

"Six years," he replied.

"Before you were Nightwing, did you operate under another code name?"

Dick smiled at her before he made eye contact with Batman sitting slightly behind her. Blue eyes locked, and through the connection he felt the familiar electricity and intensity of his mentor's gaze. Like his mother's words, he drew the familiar comfort and strength from the look that guided him through many nights. "I did. Robin. I was the first Robin, Batman's first partner."

"For how long?"

"Eight years," he replied as a multitude of memories descended upon him. His first flight through Gotham with Batman at his side. The playful, punning, partner of the Batman. Squire to the Dark Knight. It was the best childhood anyone could have ever had.

Barbara brought him back to the present with her next question. "I don't want to belabor your distinguished record."

"Then don't," John Stewart said standing and crossing his arms. "The prosecution will stipulate to Nightwing's past record."

"I appreciate the prosecution's stipulation, however, I would like to try my case my own way."

"Look, we all know who he was and what he's done in the past." John leaned forward, uncrossing his arms and leaning on the table on splayed fingers. "The past isn't on trial here, his actions that night are," Green Lantern countered.

Oracle grimaced. "Nightwing IS on trial here. Who he is, what he's done and what he's alleged to have done. It's all on trial because HE'S on trial. And let's NOT make any mistakes here either, Nightwing's on trial for his life. Call it a prison if you want to, but sending him to another planet in another galaxy ... his life would be over. Let's stop kidding ourselves and sterilizing what we're doing here."

Lantern tossed his head back, his eyes rolling. "No one is sterilizing anything and we all realize what is at stake. But his life would hardly be over as say Blockbuster's is."

Barbara turned her focus on the prosecutor. "Really? How long would a human survive on your prison planet, John?"

"This is a life term ... not death by blowing his head off with a .22 at close range," Green Lantern shot back.

"Life ... however short it may be ... and he didn't shoot Blockbuster," she retorted angrily.

"ENOUGH!" Captain Marvel yelled. He waited for all eyes to face him. Pointing and shaking his finger, he continued. "I've warned you already. I will not tolerate this bickering. Now unless the two of you want to spend some time in the secure area contemplating how to be civil, I suggest you stop it now."

"Yes sir," Barbara said. Her heart was pounding. Every inch of her wanted to throttle someone. A few someones. But she would hold herself in check. She had to, Dick was depending upon her.

"Sorry," John said as he sat down.

"Oracle, if you would please continue. However, as you said, you don't need to belabor your points. We're all aware of who Nightwing is and all the good that he's done. Green Lantern also has a point that the main question here is what happened the night Roland Desmond died. So, if you would please continue."

"Thank you, your Honor," Barbara said before turning her attention back to Dick. She noticed he sat with his head slightly bent, looking down. "Nightwing," she paused and waited for him to make eye contact with her before continuing, "Can you tell us what superhero organizations you are or have been a member of and your current status with each?"

Dick turned his gaze from Barbara to Wally who sat at counsel table. Wally, the Flash, one of his best friends. "I was a founding member of the Titans, along with Flash, Arsenal, Tempest and Troia under our original names. I was thirteen." He looked at Roy and Garth and drew strength from their support. Titans together. The years faded and the camaraderie of those early days rushed forward to greet him. The ease of strong friendships, and unwavering support buoyed him. "I've been an active member of the Titans in every incarnation but the current team, which I have worked with as a reserve member. No matter what other teams I may join, I'll always be a Titan. I've been working as a current member of the second incarnation of the Outsiders and have served as field leader with Arsenal for a while. And I'm a reserve member of the Justice League. I've served as an active member of the Justice League on a number of occasions and was team leader on one occasion."

"Thank you, Nightwing," Barbara said. She turned and picked up her pad. Using the movement, she glanced at the prosecution's table. Green Lantern was tapping his fingers slowly on the tabletop beside a stack of books. The motion distracted slightly from his rapt stare at Nightwing. Blue Beetle was frowning and shifted uncomfortable. As she turned back, she caught Jean whisper something to John Stewart. Barbara refocused on Dick and nodded as she spoke, "You were present during Tarantula's testimony, weren't you?"

"Yes," Dick replied.

"You remember her testimony about a conversation that the two of you had prior to trying to obtain a recording of Blockbuster?"

"I do."

"Tell the court about that conversation."

Nightwing shifted in his chair so he could face the Tribunal members better. "Honestly, I had forgotten about that conversation until yesterday when Tarantula brought it up. I'd love to say that it never happened, but I can't. I didn't realize I had said that I wanted Blockbuster dead." Dick took a deep breath; his gaze strayed toward the prosecution table and lingered for a moment before he continued. "I did, want him dead that is, but that's not what we do. Not what I do. I told her that too." Dick stumbled over his words for a second. "I tried to anyway. I tried to make her understand."

"Nightwing, what specifically, did you tell Catalina Flores on that night?" Barbara asked. She watched how he steepled his hands before he talked. It was a mannerism he had inherited from Batman. She smiled because she knew that Nightwing was not even aware that he had picked up the habit. Leaning slightly forward, she listened intently to his answer.

"When Tarantula said Don't worry. You don't gotta do nothing Papi. Just leave it to me. I'm gonna make him go away, I told her I wish what you're saying made less sense. I wish I could look you in the eye right now and tell you that my way always works."

"Your way being what?"

"Not killing the people we fight. Stopping them with minimal damage to people and property, including the people we are fighting. Batman taught me that." He shifted in his chair to face his judges. "More than that, it's what I chose. And what I have chosen over and over again."

Barbara nodded. "I see, go on."

"I told her that those deaths, all the people at the circus, and in that building They're on my head. I should have prevented them ... I should have ... I honestly don't know what I should have done. I don't know how I could have prevented that. I don't know how I could have stopped him. I still don't know. Don't know how I could've stopped him from doing the things he did. How I could have saved those people." Dick stopped. His breathing was rapid, his chest hurt. Nightwing admitting his utter and complete failure in front of the entire community of heroes. It hurt him. Closing his eyes, he called upon the meditative techniques he had learned over the years training at Batman's knee. He needed to slow his heart rate, calm himself, find his center. Go on ... he had to go on. "I was desperate to find an answer, find the way to stop Blockbuster. I told her that. I told her that I -- I have to find the answer. There has to be a right way to do this. I have to find the right way."

"That's exactly what you said to her?"

"Yes," Dick replied. He looked up and out at the audience. He felt relief as he saw more understanding than condemnation looking back at him from the audience.

"What did you and Tarantula then proceed to do?"

"We went to Blockbuster's location. I was wearing a wire and Catalina was supposed to man the recording device that I gave her. I engaged Blockbuster in an altercation in order to get his confession to everything he was guilty of and get it recorded."

"I see. And did you?"

"Yes," Dick replied.

Barbara sat back in her chair, she seemed comfortable, like she was about to watch a favorite movie. Her practiced demeanor was a cover for her churning emotions. "Now, could you and or Tarantula have killed Roland Desmond at the time you were recording this confession."

"Objection!" John rose to his feet. "Your honors, this requires speculation. Nightwing has no idea if they could have killed him at that moment when he was prepared for them."Barbara bit back her sharp retort and ground out. "I'll rephrase ... were you capable of killing him then if you had wanted to?"

"Well, yes, if that's what we had intended," Dick answered her, his voice a little lower.

"But all the two of you did was work together to get the confession recorded," Barbara pressed forward attempting to draw Dick back out. "I see. Now, what did the two of you do then?"

Dick sighed and shifted in the chair. He took a breath and steadied himself with a glance into Barbara's strong gaze." Tarantula's brother was the D.A. in Bludhaven. We thought if we took our evidence to him, Mateo could use it to secure indictments against Desmond and bring him to justice."

"Let me make sure I have this straight. You and Tarantula, after securing Blockbuster's confession to his many crimes, took that confession to the representative of law and order in Bludhaven, Mateo Flores. Only he was working for Blockbuster, is that right?"

John interrupted again, "Objection. Your honor the defense is attempting to testify and draw conclusions for the witness."Barbara's lips drew thin and she quickly interjected back to keep up the pace of the testimony, "I'll rephrase your honors. Nightwing, what happened when you took the recording of Roland Desmond's confession to Mateo Flores?"

"He destroyed the disc."

Barbara gently prompted, "Do you know why?"Dick nodded his head and then stopped himself, "I mean yes. I know why he did it. He was on Desmond's payroll. I knew there were some people in the District Attorney's office that were friendly to Desmond, but I didn't think it was the DA." "What happened then?""I just kind of zoned out." Dick shook his head and looked down. "I felt like an idiot. I should have made a backup. It was a rookie mistake. I just wasn't thinking right. then when he destroyed the disc, I was numb." Dick ignored the incredulous eye roll from Green Lantern at the prosecutions table and continued, " I really don't remember a lot of what was happening in the apartment right then. Catalina and Mateo were arguing."

"Do you know what they were saying to each other?"

Dick shook his head. "No. It was all a little hazy. I remember that Catalina left and Mateo started yelling at me to go after her."

"Hazy. What do you mean by that?"

"I was still kinda ... in shock I guess ... I wasn't really thinking clearly."

"Objection." Stewart stood again. "I realize that the witness has had recent intensive exposure to medical materials in preparation for his testimony. But no matter how much he has studied up on it since the incident, he is still not a medical expert.""Oh for the love of -- Your honors, the witness is speaking to his state of mind that night. He should be able to address that!" Barbara countered."Well that is the real question of all of this isn't it? Can he address his state of mind honestly or is he doing something else?" Lantern volleyed back.

"What!" Barbara's wheelchair whirled around, the hard edge of her voice cutting with precision. "What unfounded allegation are you attempting now?As John's mouth opened, Captain Marvel brought a fist down on the table. "ENOUGH! AGAIN!" He pointed at Stewart. "Your objection is overruled and you will be allowed to present your cross when the defense is done." Marvel shook his finger at Stewart, "However, one more attempt to bait the defense counselor will be met with harsh consequences. Do you understand?"John nodded and sat, "I apologize your honor."Barbara felt no elation at the chastising of Green Lantern. He had accomplishing his goal. Barbara's eye caught Jean and Barbara tried not to react, but she recognized that look. Their jabs were distracting the tribunal and introducing doubt. Barbara centered herself and focused back on Dick. She needed him focused on the current skirmish, not the looming battle. "Nightwing, what happened next?" "I ... I just stood there and then I saw it ... a Nightwing signal in the sky. I really was shocked then. There's never been a Nightwing signal, but I knew someone was trying to get reach with me and it had to be important for them to go to all the trouble. So I left Flores's apartment and headed for the source of the signal."

"What did you find?"

"Amy ... my former captain from the Bludhaven Police Department, Amy Rorhbach. Amy wanted to ... warn me ... about Blockbuster and ... Amy tried to give me my badge and gun. To get me to return to the force. She said that was the only way she could protect me. And that ... legally ... as a police officer I could ... get Desmond." Dick looked down. Amy's support had meant so much to him that night. It still did.

"What did she mean?"

"Just what she told you when she testified. She was trying to give me a legal out. A way to kill Blockbuster and make it look clean."

"Did you accept this offer?"

"No," Dick said quietly.

"Why not?" Barbara asked. She sat back waiting for his answer.

"I couldn't just go and murder him! I don't do that!" Dick replied, his voice slightly elevated.

"Objection your honor." Stewart rose again. "Assumes facts not in evidence. By previous witnesses' testimony, he has killed before."Before Barbara could respond, Wally had risen. "Your honor, isn't the witness allowed to testify or like give his opinion on what he would or wouldn't do? Isn't that kinda the point of being there?"Seeing the vein throb in the side of Marvel's forehead and knowing the young hero was straining to keep his emotions in check, the Atlantian king stepped up to the plate. Aquaman nodded, "Yes."Ollie leaned forwarded and interjected, "Besides murder and killing are not the same thing."John added quickly, "However, some of the previous testimony was not clear on if it was a killing or cold blooded murder. I mean there's the Joker --"Aquaman, turned his gaze on to Stewart. "I understand the point you're attempting to make. However as Captain Marvel has pointed out, this is getting us nowhere fast and you have a cross to do this. The witness is allowed to testify. Your objection is overruled."Barbara had clasped her hands tightly in her lap to keep them from balling into frustrated little knots aching to punch the lights out of John Stewart. She invoked her best bat training and continued with a strong steady voice. She had to keep Dick focused. "What did you do?"

Dick's hands blanched white as the crushed inward on the arms of the chair. He was looking down, but she knew he was trying to keep himself from erupting. Winning the battle for the moment, he looked up, "I went to the Haven Hotel to talk to Maxine Michaels.""Why?""She had figured out my identity by putting the attacks together with me and went to Amy to warn me. I was angry and wanted to talk to her. At first, I thought that she was the one who told Blockbuster my identity. I told her that the thirty-five people who died in my apartment building were on her head." Dick's lips twitched slightly before he continued. "Maxine Michaels wasn't having any of it. Told me it was bull. She wasn't responsible, she had only realized my identity a few hours earlier. Blockbuster knew before that. And that ... was my fault." Dick stopped drumming his fingers to run his hand through his thick black hair. He stopped at the nape of his neck and rubbed the knots he felt. His tension was rising because he knew what was coming. "She was right. All those people, at the circus and in my building, it was my fault. All their deaths are on my head. It's my fault those innocent people died."

"Dick," Barbara started softly.

He shook his head. "Don't. I know, it's his fault too. Blockbuster had them killed but ... Ms. Michaels was right when she said that I was the one running around with a life-threatening secret." Dick's chest heaved.

"What happened to Ms. Michaels, Nightwing?" Barbara asked. She saw his movements, knew he was tired and nervous, but she knew he was ready to do this. She envied him his courage. She always had. She also knew he needed to stand alone, if she was too close she would distract him. While he spoke, she moved back to behind the table, giving him one area to focus on. In this small section of the room, there was family, friends, and someone who loved him unconditionally. With one glance, he could see what was really important and draw strength.

"We were talking and then ... there was a crack from the bullet that shattered the glass and ... she was dead. Blood spurted and spilled everywhere. He ... Blockbuster ... shot her." Dick turned to glare at Green Lantern. "Blockbuster put a bullet in her brain. He blew her brains out. Maxine Michaels was just a reporter, she wasn't one of us. She didn't ask to be put in harm's way, but she was caught up in Blockbuster's private war against me. One more casualty amongst the many. Then he came in after me."

Barbara leaned forward, elbows on the table, cupping her chin in her hands. "Nightwing, tell us what happened?"

Taking a deep breath, he leaned back into the chair. "Blockbuster came in. He was actually doing his own dirty work. I said what did you do? and he replied that he was just tying up loose ends and then he said that this gives me a perfect opportunity to talk to me about my future, and he said that my future was going to look a lot like this."

"This?"

"Dead people around me. He said I'll take out the people you care about -- hell, even strangers you stand next to on the street -- you won't be able to shake someone's hand without marking them for death! Then he asked me Do you like being alone Dick? He was taunting me, saying that I wouldn't be able to save them. He told me that he would make sure that I couldn't save any of them." John stood, but Jean pulled him back down and shook her head. "Desmond blamed me for his mother's death and he said he was going to make me relive, over and over, my failure to save his mother." Dick looked at Barbara, a lump in his throat, "He said that it had become my failure to save my relationship." Dick's eyes moved to his father sitting stoically behind Barbara, "My failure to save my circus," he turned to Wally, "my failure to save the residents of my building."

Looking down, Dick noticed the slight tremble in his hand. He balled his fist, hoping no one else saw it. "Then ... Tarantula was there. She told me to get out of the way."

"What were you doing, Nightwing?" Barbara queried.

"What?" he asked with a start.

"What were you doing?"

"I ... I was ... I had ... Blockbuster and I were fighting when she came in and I was holding on to Rolly with my, " Dick looked down thinking back, "Right ... with my right hand and I had my left hand pulled back ready to ... ready to hit him. And I ... I was just standing there."

"Just standing there."

"Yes."

"What did you do?"

"I ... do ... I ... let go and I moved and ... " Dick's voice dropped to barely above a whisper, "she shot him." Nightwing bowed his head and squeezed his eyes shut, but he couldn't stop one trickle of water escaping his eyes to silently course its way down his cheek.

Barbara watched him, her heart breaking, but she had to press on. He had to explain ... to himself as much as to everyone else. "What were you thinking?"

"Thinking?" he asked back, not looking up. "Thinking ... I was ... I just wanted it to stop. I just wanted ... stop was what I was thinking ... STOP!"

"Who did you want to stop, Dick?" she pressed further.

"I ... just stop ... I just wanted to stop."

"I'm confused. Did you want Tarantula to stop? Blockbuster?"

"Yes ... I ... yes I wanted them to stop but it was more, don't you understand?" he asked, his eyes pleading for her to understand him. "Stop!"

"Stop what?" Barbara pressed, her voice louder, startingly so.

"Being!" he shouted back. "I just wanted to stop ... being! If it wasn't for me, if I wasn't around, people wouldn't be dying! I just wanted to stop. I just wanted to not be anymore." Nightwing sat back, one hand running through his hair, his breathing was faster than normal. He closed his eyes. They had to understand. Softly, he continued. "I just wanted it all to stop ... the pain, the carnage, the ... death."

Barbara nodded. "Did you kill Roland Desmond?"

Dick looked at her, ignoring the rest of the room around him. "No."

"Did you conspire with Catalina Flores to murder Roland Desmond?"

"No. I did not."

"Are you responsible for Roland Desmond's death?"

Dick looked out, not really seeing anyone. He saw Tarantula holding the gun. He saw Blockbuster's head exploding with the violent force of the bullet forcing its way in and then out of his skull. He saw the blood splattering over him and onto his hands. Was he responsible? "Of course I was."

This statement was met by complete silence in the great Hall of Justice. Barbara looked at Wally who stared back at her with anxiety worn on his face. That was not the answer they had expected. Unbridled panic was descending upon the defense team, exacerbated by the satisfied expressions of the prosecution, when a black gloved hand pressed down on Barbara's shoulder. "How?" he hissed. "Ask him how?"

How? Barbara jerked her head back to look at Dick. His forlorn frame was bent over as he stared at his hands. "Nightwing, how were you responsible for Blockbuster's death?"

Dick looked up from his bloodstained hands with a start. "How? I didn't save him just like I didn't save Maxine Michaels! Just like I didn't save the thirty-five people who died in my apartment building. Just like I didn't save the twenty people at my circus from dying. Just like I caused the judge's death ... I. Am. Responsible."

"The judge who died when you were nine?" Barbara asked. She knew that incident still haunted Dick. She had held him when he would wake from the nightmares. "You know you're not respons--"

"Do I? Do I know that I'm not responsible? No, Barbara I don't. I screw up, people die. I make the wrong choice, hell, any choice, and people die. I caused a pile up on a highway and an old woman died and I didn't even know about it, but it's my fault. And because I didn't save her people died in a fire at my circus because its mine. People died in my apartment building because it was mine."

"Maxine Michaels was your responsibility how?" Barbara asked.

"Because I couldn't save her. I couldn't stop Blockbuster. I hadn't stopped him and I should've been able to."

"Just like you should have been able to stop Tarantula?" she shot at him.

"Yes!" Dick stated with a raised voice. His hand pounding the arm of his chair.

"But you couldn't stop Blockbuster?"

"No!"

"Just like you couldn't stop Tarantula?"

"Yes, but I should've been able to. I should've been able to stop them both. To stop the killing. I should've ..."

"But you could not, correct?"

"I could not," Dick replied, his voice barely audible.

­­­­­­­­­­­­


Zatanna walked down the blue-grey corridor heading for her teammate's private apartment. She hadn't spoken to him during this debacle and she felt remiss about that. Truth be told, she had stayed away from the Watchtower during Dick's incarceration and trial not wanting to witness the pain this event was causing so many. Yet, Bruce was a friend ... a very old and dear friend, and Zatanna could stay away no longer.

Hesitating only a moment, her finger triggered the chime announcing her presence. She drummed her fingers into her palm as she waited for the door to slide open. She was surprised when the door opened. "Alfred!"

"Miss Zatanna, how nice to see you again." the clipped British accent sounded in her ear. "Master Bruce is having lunch with Master Dick, but do come in, won't you? May I get you some refreshments?"

"No, thanks." She smiled and moved into the apartment. Her breath caught in her throat as she surveyed the multitude of plain brown boxes littering the room. "What's going on?"

Alfred moved back to his task. "I'm packing, my dear," he stated filling the box with items from the computer desk. "I do believe that Master Bruce has acquired more belongings in these quarters in the past month than he has in the years he's been a member of the Justice League." With a quizzical look, he held aloft a lipstick and looked at the name. "Cherry Blossoms." Alfred shook his head slightly. "Not Master Bruce's," he said as he dropped the lipstick into one of the boxes.

"I heard she was staying here with him. Batman and Catwoman. Not exactly the type of girl I thought he'd end up with."

Alfred looked at the young magician. "At one time I thought it might be you, my dear."

Zatanna shook her head. "We were never that serious. I thought perhaps Wonder Woman --" Zatanna trailed off as she walked around looking in the boxes. "He's not coming back is he?"

"To the Watchtower? No, I'm afraid not." Alfred said wrapping the few breakables in old editions of the Gotham Gazette he had brought with him from the Manor. "Too much has happened. Too many things have been said and done ... Master Bruce was never the most forgiving of souls to start with."

Zatanna sighed and sat on the black leather sofa. "Especially not where his son is concerned."

"He has always been protective of Master Dick. Overly so at times." He crossed the room and started taking books from the bookcase lined wall.

Zatanna watched him for a moment as she absorbed the words he said. She had known Bruce a long time, knew him when Dick first moved into the manor. Zatanna Zatara knew that little boy had meant the world to the young man she knew. Bruce would have moved heaven and earth to keep him safe. The fact that the little boy was now a young man would not change Bruce's feelings or desire to protect him. Zatanna couldn't help but understand. "Skoob evom otni eht sexob." She smiled as Alfred stepped back and they watched the books fly effortlessly into the brown packing boxes. "Want some more help?"


Green Lantern advanced around the counsel table towards the witness chair. "Now Nightwing, let's talk about the night that you and Tarantula killed Blockbuster."

"Objection!" Barbara's fist pounded the table.

"Sustained," Captain Marvel ruled. "Lantern, don't make me warn you again."

Lantern bowed his head and with a contriteness that did not quite sound genuine replied, "I'm sorry."

Nightwing's jaw flexed as he stared at his adversary. His hands lay palm flat on the arms of his chair. His eyes narrowed in anticipation of the coming battle. The best defense is a good offense they say. "What do you want to know?"

John Stewart's head shot up at the unexpected question. Or was it a challenge? "You and Tarantula discussed killing Blockbuster, didn't you?"

"Discussed it?" Nightwing asked, cocking his head to the side. "No."

"You told her that you wanted to kill Blockbuster, did you not?"

"I told her ... yes, I guess I said that but --"

"Yes, you said you wanted to kill him. That you had thought about it all week, correct?"

"Yes. But that's as far --" Nightwing stopped again as Green Lantern interrupted.

"Thank you. Simply answer the questions, please."

Barbara placed her legal pad on the table with a loud thud. "Objection! Nightwing is allowed to explain his answer."

"The question did not call for an explanation, just a yes or no," Lantern responded, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Life is more than yes or no," Barbara retorted angrily. "Some questions have answers that have to be explained."

"Yeah, the jerk knows that," Flash whispered leaning back in his chair. His arms were crossed across his crimson clad chest.

Barbara's lips twitched upward at her co-counsel but she kept her eyes straight ahead waiting for the Tribunal's ruling on her objection. She noted that Captain Marvel was pinching the bridge of his nose. Tension. The Hall was full of it.

"Just ... Green Lantern, you ask your questions." Captain Marvel turned to the defendant. "Nightwing, you answer the question asked, if you can. If you need to explain to answer, then do so. If you don't, your attorney can follow up with you on redirect. Understand?"

Nightwing nodded and looked back at his inquisitor. "Yes, I told Tarantula that I wanted to kill Blockbuster and had thought about it all week prior to saying there was another way."

Green Lantern smiled and moved forward a step. "Was that the only time you verbalized a desire to kill Blockbuster?"

Taking a deep breath, Nightwing locked eyes with Green Lantern. "No, it wasn't."

"Tell us when and how you had verbalized this desire to kill Blockbuster?"

Nightwing turned to the Tribunal. He found solace in the sympathetic face of Green Arrow. Facing his judges, he answered. "When Blockbuster killed Maxine Michaels, he came into her room at the Haven Hotel. He shot her, right in front of me, and strolled in. Ms. Michaels' blood was all over me and I was pretty ticked off. I told him She's dead. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you."

Lantern nodded. "What did Roland Desmond say to you then?"

"He said There isn't one, Nightwing. Not one."

"I see," Stewart added. "You never found a reason to not kill him either, did you?"

"I didn't kill him."

"You didn't stop Tarantula from killing him."

"Was that a question?" Nightwing asked. Steepling his fingers, he continued, "If it was, the answer is I did not because I ..." his voice was soft as he conyinued, "I ... could not."

"You did not because you walked away, isn't that right?"

"I guess I moved. I don't really know. I wasn't thinking. It was like I was there but I wasn't. I was watching everything, myself included, but I couldn't do anything. I was frozen."

"Frozen? Did Dr. Midnight tell you that?"

"Yes, he said that. But -- "

"So what did you do while Blockbuster died in front of you?"

"I ... I ... STOPPED!" Nightwing replied angrily. "I've said that already. Don't you understand?"

"Yes I do. I understand perfectly. You seem to have a lack of understanding of personal responsibility for your actions or your lack thereof. You could have saved him and chose not to. You killed him as surely as if you had pulled that trigger yourself."

"No! I didn't! I didn't choose not to ... I couldn't I just ... couldn't. I understand my responsibilities. I understand that I failed utterly and completely, but it wasn't ... I didn't choose to."

"That's not true is it? You succeeded at your goal. Your stated goal?" Lantern pressed.

Nightwing looked confused. "Stated goal? what're you talking about?"

"You said he would pay," Green Lantern countered. Turning he marched back to his table and picked up his notes. He shuffled through the yellow lined pages until he found the one he wanted. "Didn't you say that you would handle Blockbuster?"

"Yes, I did ... meaning that we wouldn't kill him. I'd find another way," Nightwing responded.

"You asked Blockbuster to give you a reason not to kill him?"

"Yes, but --"

"And he couldn't give you a reason?"

"No, but --"

"You said you had to find a way to stop him. Well you did, didn't you? You let Tarantula do your dirty work while you stood by and watched. You watched her execute that man because that was what you wanted her to do, isn't that right?"

"No! That's not the way it was," Nightwing answered. He turned from Green Lantern to face Batman. "That wasn't how it was." His breathing calmed as he watched Batman nod at him. He believed him. He understood. He always had. Nightwing looked down and his gaze fell upon the golden thread weaved around his wrist. He closed his eyes as relief washes over him. The lasso of truth. He was telling the truth, he wasn't lying to himself. "I couldn't have saved him that night."

"Couldn't or wouldn't? Couldn't? Why? Because you were weak? Too self-centered? Too worried about your loss to care about someone in need?"

Nightwing shook his head. "Weak ... yeah I guess. Human maybe. So much had happened ... so much ... I stopped. I shut down. I couldn't have done anymore than a statue that night. I couldn't have saved a cat at that moment. Am I happy about that? No. Am I ashamed of that? Yes. Am I guilty? I don't know. That's for them," he pointed at the Tribunal, "to decide. All I know is that I have to live with the guilt and the responsibility of his death, and Maxine Michael's death, and all the people Blockbuster killed because of me. I have to live with that and I have to go on. If they say I'm legally guilty, then I guess I am. I won't like it, but I'll live with it."

CLAP CLAP CLAP

Green Lantern clapped his hands together a fourth time before stopping. "That was a moving performance. Did you practice that soliloquy?"

"Objection!" Barbara tried to interrupt."No!" Dick ignored Barbara's interrupted and focused on Stewart. His eyes a burning blue boring into Stewart."When you trained with Batman, the master of subterfuge, did he teach you the skills necessary to defeat the Lasso of Truth?""What? No -- I mean." Dick tried to stop Stewart as Barbara shouted again.

"Objection!""Is that how you're able to make such declaration? Is following Batman's rules on deception-"

"OBJECTION!" Barbara slammed her fist on the table. Flash grabbed the falling books and files, his speed keeping them from crashing to the floor, as Barbara charged on. "Argumentative and badgering!"

"Sus--" Captain Marvel started to say, but the words froze in his mouth.

Wonder Woman was up, on the table, ready to leap, when all eyes in the room turned toward the back of the Hall of Justice. Starfire floated before the door, green and orange energy pulsating from and around her outstretched hand. Her liquid green eyes narrowed in focus on Green Lantern. "Do not do it Starfire!" the Amazon shouted.

Nightwing stood. "Kory! No!" He saw she wasn't backing down. "Kory! Please! No. I don't want you to do this! How many times have I told you that we don't do this. Now stand down!"

The alien princess turned her gaze from her prey to her former lover. "Only for you," she replied before she turned to leave the Hall. Turning back to face Green Lantern. "On my planet, you would be a charred memory." The doors slid open and she flew through them.

Nightwing stood a moment watching her. He had always loved her passion, even when he had to calm the fires that raged within her. His eyes met Barbara's. He loved her as well, and needed her ... desperately. Her fires for him ran just as hot, maybe more so, yet she was more reserved ... most of the time. He quickly turned to the Tribunal. "I'm sorry."

Wonder Woman moved to retake her seat. "You have nothing to apologize for Nightwing. You cannot control your former teammates." She looked out into the audience, her eyes falling upon Garth and Roy. "The Titans, however, need to remember they are guests here and they can be banned from these proceedings."

Roy started to reply when Garth's hand grasped his arm, pinning him to his seat. "It shan't happen again," Garth assured.

"Unless they try to convict him," Roy grumbled under his breath.

Nightwing sat back down and turned back to Green Lantern. Lantern smirked at him. "You managed to stop Starfire."

TO BE CONTINUED ...