Gotham Academy

Gotham City, USA

January 12, 2017

The next day, Barabra and Dick stepped onto school grounds, hand in hand. They still got some stares but most people ignored them as they had before. Dick and Barabra walked into the library and put their stuff down since they still had about 30 minutes before classes started.

Barabra's phone vibrated on the table, showing that she had a message from Artemis. Barabra showed Dick, "She asked where we were at?" Dick shrugged, "Tell her we are in the library. I don't think Bette is here yet."

Barabra nodded, before sending the text and sliding her phone back into the side of her backpack. Barabra and Dick took a seat across from each other at the table.

Baraba pulled out a book while Dick laid his head on the table, taking Barabra's hand in his and slowly rubbing his fingers over her knuckles. Barbara could feel the rough calluses on Dick's fingers from his night work.

Their comfortable silence was broken by Artemis throwing her bag on the table and pulling the chair back. Dick lifted his head off the table while Barabra closed her book.

"Rough break?" Barabra asked. "You have no idea, it was super busy plus I've been helping one of my friends find her boyfriend." Barabra and Dick shared a look. "Find her boyfriend?" Dick asked

Artemis nodded, "She had been trying to find him so she spend time with him but he like, disappeared off the face of the Earth. Last time she saw him was on New Years and he hasn't been around again."

Barabra beat Dick to the punch, "What's your friend's name?" Artemis pulled her laptop out of her bag and was in the process of setting it, "Zatanna, she's like head over heels for this boy. I think it's cute, they make a good couple."

Dick's face paled and he instantly felt nauseous, he was suspicious that Artemis was referring to Zatanna but hearing it out loud was another thing. Barabra's eyes widen ever so slightly after hearing what Artemis said.

Dick sat up, "If the boy disappeared, then why are you trying so hard to find him? Maybe he's not interested or he's taken by someone else." Artemis glared at Dick, "I mean you were the same way with Barbara before you two started dating. Why can't she go after him either?"

Barbara quickly interjected, "He was respectful about it though. He didn't push me to give him an answer when I wasn't ready." Artemis shrugged, "Barbara, you should help us find him. I'm gonna ask Bette too when she gets here."

Dick instantly looked at Barabra, waiting for her answer. Barabra opened her book again, "I don't know, let's see what Bette says."

The three sat in a tense silence when Bette finally showed up, 10 minutes before the bell was going to ring. Bette shook snow off her jacket and hung it on the open chair. "Is it snowing?" Artemis asked, shocked by her jacket. "A little bit, not too bad though", Bette said as she sat down.

Artemis didn't hold out very long before asking Bette, "Would you consider helping me with something?" Bette was looking through her bag, "That depends, with what?"

Artemis sat back in her chair, "I have a friend who is looking for a boy who literally disappeared off the face of the Earth." Bette's eyes widened, "Is he okay? Did you report it?"

"He's fine, I promise. Just like he hasn't been back around since New Years. He's not like missing missing." Bette placed a hand over her heart, "Oh my god, you almost gave me a heart attack. I thought he was missing, as in like someone took him."

Artemis laughed, "No, No, nothing like that. But if you would be willing to help us, it would be greatly appreciated." Bette took a drink from her water bottle, "I don't know, maybe, how am I supposed to help if I don't know who he is?"

Artemis shrugged, "Zatanna is supposed to meet me here after school on friday. We can catch you up on the situation." Bette nodded, and stood up, "I'm gonna go to the bathroom before classes start." Artemis got up with her, "I'll go with you."

As the pair left the table, Dick grabbed his phone out from his bag and sent a quick message to Bruce. "What are you doing and what are we going to do about Friday?" Barbara asked. Dick let out a frustrated sigh, "I'm gonna call Wally but I sent a message to Bruce."

Barbara nodded as Dick got up from the table. He kissed her knuckles as he lifted his phone up to his ear. It took about 4 rings before Wally picked up. "Dude, I have class in like 5 minutes." Dick sighed, "I know but did you know Artemis and Zatanna are meeting each other here on friday to look for the boy wonder?"

Silence greeted Dick for a few moments, "She's meeting Zatanna there, in Gotham?" "Yes, do you not know what your girlfriend's plans are?" Dick asked. Wally snorted, "We might be dating but we aren't attached at the hip. I haven't really heard from her since Saturday."

"I let B know about her plans for Friday but I don't know what to do about it besides just not come to school Friday." Dick said. "Dude, what are you going to do about training today? Canary set training up at 5 today and I don't think she'll let you miss another one."

Dick swore, "I'll have to ask B about that one." Wally sighed, "I gotta go Dickie, but let me know what happens." Dick nodded, "I will." Dick ended the call and returned back to the library. Bette and Artemis were back at the table and the trio were engaged in a conversation.

Dick sat back down and slipped his phone back into his backpack before turning back to the three girls. "Who were you talking to?" Artemis asked. Dick sighed, "Why does it matter?" Artemis shrugged, "Don't need to be a dick about it."

Dick's temper shot through the roof. He stood up and swung his backpack over his shoulder before making a beeline out of the library. In his hasty exit, he heard Barbara ask, "Was that necessary?"

Dick made his way to his classroom and sat down. There were a few other students in the classroom but everyone else was still mingling in the hallway. Dick checked his phone and saw messages from Bruce.

Dick: Artemis is meeting Zatanna here in Gotham on Friday

Bruce: What time on friday?

Bruce: And did she say who is bringing Zatanna over?

Dick: No but they are planning on meeting Friday

Bruce: I"ll be over after my first meeting

Dick: Okay *thumbs up*

As Dick sent his last message, the bell started ringing. Dick placed his phone back into his backpack and pulled out his notebook. Dick gave Bruce about 2 hours before he was able to come over and they could talk.

His first two classes passed slowly, they were nothing more than review since they were just getting back from break. In the middle of his third period, the intercom came to life, asking Richard Grayson to report to the office.

Dick picked up his stuff and caught multiple stares from other students. As he made his way to the office, he ran into Barbara and Bette. "Are you going home Dick?" Bette asked. Dick shook his head, "No, I just need to get something from Bruce."

Dick continued his way to the office after biding the girls a goodbye. As he entered the office, he saw Bruce sitting on one of the chairs, casually chatting with a few of the staff members. Being the vigilante he is, Bruce heard his soft footsteps as Dick approached.

Bruce stood and greeted Dick with a smile. Dick could see through his mask and saw worry and stress about the current situation they were in. Bruce turned towards the secretary and asked if there was a classroom or office they could talk in privately.

The secretary obliged instantly, falling victim to the playboy charm. She led them to the vacant principal's office and closed the door behind them. Bruce ran his hand over his hair as he leaned against the desk.

"Okay, so what is going on now?" Bruce said. Dick laid his backpack down on the chair, "Artemis is meeting Zatanna here on friday, they were planning on trying to find me, here in Gotham."

Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose, "Does she know your identity?" Dick shook his head, "Not that I can tell right now but I don't know how far they are willing to go to find out."

Bruce ran a hand over his face, "I'll talk to Canary and Allen later today, see if they can find out anything from Zatanna or if anything has been heard around the cave."

Dick nodded, "I called Wally to see if he knew but he said that he hasn't heard from Artemis since Saturday. I don't know if Artemis was at the cave Saturday or not." Bruce nodded, "I never expect this to blow up into what it's becoming."

Dick began to fidget and crack his fingers. Bruce looked over at Dick, "You know we will keep you safe right? Even if that means pulling you from the team or pulling Zatanna and Artemis."

Dick nodded, "Um Wally told me Canary set up training tonight." Bruce nodded, "I'll talk to her about it. If she wants you to be there, I'll be there with you." Dick looked down at his feet. He couldn't believe the situation that they were in.

Bruce moved and kneeled in front of Dick. He lifted Dicks chin and made him look at him, "Look Dickie, I don't know why this is happening but trust us to take care of it." Dick began to tear up, "I just thought Artemis was my friend, I didn't do anything to her."

Bruce pulled Dick into a hug, "We got this Dickie, I promise." Dick wrapped his arms around Bruce and clung to him for dear life. The warning bell began to ring as Bruce and Dick separated. "Do you want to go home? I can take you out for the day." Bruce asked.

Dick shook his head, "No, that would look more suspicious." Bruce nodded and squeezed Dick's shoulder, "If you need anything, let me know. I don't have any more meetings today so I'll just be at the office.

Dick nodded as they exited the office, "I'll see you after school."

Author's note: I swear sometimes I don't know what to write in these AN sometimes lol but apologies for any mistakes and please R&R and to anyone who might read this, Have a good day, you're doing amazing, and I am proud of you!