Night Wing's POV
The alley was dark, save for one dingy lamppost. Its glare cut through the gloom, but didn't give me enough light to see my enemies. I slowly pulled out a birdirang.
"Roy?" I called into the dusk. There was no answer.
I was suddenly aware of shuffling footsteps behind me. I spun around and stood in a ready position. A guy about my height walked toward me, his face concealed by a red-and-white jacket. He pulled down the hood to reveal ginger hair and I instantly relaxed.
"Dick," he said quietly, nodding once. Rats scurried around the trash cans that circled us.
"Why did you call me here?"
He sighed and jerked his head toward the street. We started walking down Crown street, passing closed shops and boarded-up storefronts. This was one of the worst parts of town.
"I heard about you and… what was her name again?"
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Clara."
"Right." He exhaled slowly. "Why'd you do that, man?"
I stared at him. "What do you mean?"
He ran a hand through his hair. "Artemis is worried about you. Why would you dump Clara on her ass like that? She didn't do anything to you."
I froze. Was I allowed to tell him? Then again, Bruce would never have to know. "Batman," I said quietly.
He swore. "When's he gonna keep his fucking nose out of your business?"
"It's not really a big deal-"
"Yes, it is!" He stopped and closed a hand over my shoulder. "You gotta find a way to get her back, Dick. Before it's too late."
He turned around and walked back to the telephone booth, leaving me on an empty street with an empty heart.
Clara's POV
After another hour of talking to Artemis, I went to my room, hoping to catch some sleep before 8:00 am. After pulling some pyjamas on, I laid down on my bed. Sleep never came. I tossed and turned for what seemed like hours, remembering how Dick's arms had made me feel stable. How they'd made me feel safe.
That's when I remembered I was wearing one of his shirts. I pulled it off and ran to the closet, grabbing more t-shirts and sweaters that I had taken from him over the last three weeks. I took them to the bathroom, where I dumped them in the dry tub. I lit a match and watched as the clothes, and the memories, burned away. He was gone. He wasn't coming back.
I started shaking. I collapsed on the floor, but my training wouldn't let me cry. All I could allow myself was melancholia until I eventually fell asleep.
Night Wing's POV
After Roy left, I went back to the Cave, wandering to my room. I would have to ask Artemis about what he was talking about later. First, I needed sleep.
I pulled my shirt off and fell into the bed. I absentmindedly rubbed my chest, remembering how Clara's head had felt against it. I ignored that thought and put my head against the pillow, but there was no way I was sleeping tonight. I couldn't stop thinking about her, wrapped between my arms and dozing peacefully. Her warm breath filling the space between us. Her knotted hair…
I pulled the pillow around my ears, hoping to block out the memories. The more I tried, the harder it was to ignore them. I rolled back over and stared holes into the ceiling, trying to think about anything but her.
Clara's POV
I woke up with a sore back and a sore mind. I felt the cool tiles of the bathroom floor against my cheek and remembered where I was. I groggily pulled myself up and looked into the bathtub to see a pile of ashes sitting there. I turned on the tap and watched them drain into nothingness.
I remembered that I hadn't taken a shower in a while. Today was as good a day as any.
As the warm rivulets ran down my arms, I thought about what I could do today without having to see… him. Thankfully, Batman's voice blared across the PA system, as it often did. Did he install speakers even in the bathroom? It made me think of what else might be installed in here.
"All members, report to the mission briefing area in ten minutes," he said. I hurried to finish my shower, then pulled on my suit. As I fastened the purple jewel around my throat, I remembered Dick's face when he had first seen me wearing this. I almost smiled.
I ran a brush through my damp hair that hung down my back before leaving the room. Hopefully, this mission would be able to entertain my thoughts from wandering back to Dick.
When I arrived at the mission briefing area, Batman began speaking. He pulled up a holographic panel of a dark-haired man with a sharp nose. "This is William Baxter," he began. "He is a drug dealer that operates out of Gotham. Our… sources on the inside have confirmed that he will be attending a party tonight at this location." He pulled up coordinates.
I snuck a glance at Dick. He was staring at me. When I met his gaze, he widened his eyes and looked away quickly. Why was he looking at me?
Batman's voice drew my attention back to him. He pulled up another panel. The man on this one was blond, with piercing blue eyes. "This is Daniel Turner, also a drug dealer. William's biggest competitor."
He paused. "We believe that Baxter may attempt to… eliminate Turner. You won't let that happen."
"Why do we need to keep Turner alive?" asked Dick.
"He will lead us to his clients and to his suppliers, and we can shut this whole operation down. You have until tonight to look... suitable enough for an evening as fancy as this."
Artemis glanced at M'gann and me. I grinned.
"You are dismissed," said Batman. Everybody moved to join into groups and get ready for the party. I couldn't help but notice that Dick walked back to his room alone.
"Hey," Artemis said sharply, "stop thinking about him."
I looked down. I didn't know that she had been watching me.
"This night is about you," she said, shaking my shoulders. "Now c'mon, let's go into the city. They're sure to have some dress shops open." She grinned at me, then took my hand, leading me and M'gann to the zeta tubes. This was going to be interesting.
