Nightwing's Nightingale

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters just the plot

Pairing: Richard Dick Grayson/Nightwing Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn

Chapter 4

Harley woke up to the sun peaking through the curtains of the room. She blinked a couple times to clear her vision and looked around the room. Richard wasn't there.

'I wonder where he is...For that matter, where am I?' she thought as she tried to sit up, but gasped when a sharp pain shot up her lower back and legs. She laid back down panting slightly. The pain wasn't as bad as last night, which means the gas must have worn off. She wanted to cry for how badly the Joker had hurt her, physically and emotionally. She sat there, focusing on not moving and breathing, anger filling her mind. The one person she thought she could trust did this to her. The one person she loved. How dare he betray her? She tried to move her legs to help herself sit up, but cried out slightly when pain kicked in.

'You never loved me...did you Joker?' she thought to herself. Richard walked in the room, noticing she was awake and struggling. He quickly made is way to her side.

"Don't move. Let me help you," he assured her as he lifted her with ease and sat her up against the head of the bed after putting pillows behind her. He pulled the covers back so that he could examine her legs, Harley did too. Her thighs were black and blue from when the Joker hit her or grabbed way too hard, not to mention swollen. She just wanted to crawl into a hole, embarassed and ashamed.

"I can't believe I trusted him. I can't believe he did this to me," Harley growled through clenched teeth. Richard looked up at her; she was looking off in the distance with a look he noticed all too well. Intense anger. Revenge-thirsty. He reached out and touched her hand.

"Look at me," Harley looked at him, a fire in her eyes. "He will be brought to justice. Trust me. The Joker is a mad man, but stooping to his level won't make you feel any better." She was beginning to think that justice wasn't enough. Dick started propping her legs up with extra pillows. Harley took this time to examine his appearance. This was her first time seeing him clearly without his mask and all. His straight dark hair fell in front of his face. His eyes were a bright blue. Looking down from his face, she noticed that he was fit with broad shoulders. His arms were nicely toned, the perfect amount of muscle. He was wearing a nicely fitting grey shirt with some nice blue jeans; he was quite handsome.

"I-I didn't mention this last night, but Joker poisoned me with some of the nerve gas he stole from that facility," Harley whispered.

"He stole nerve gas? From the facility? He used it on you? What kind of heartless bastard-" Harley nearly shuddered at the memory of last night.

"I'm sure that he has more of it. My guess, it's going to be a bit of a surprise gift for Batman. A wif of that stuff, and a punch will feel like it came from chunky brick instead of a fist." Richard went into what seemed like a deep thought. "Thanks for watching over me last night and I'm sorry for being a burden," Harley said breaking the silence. Richard shook his head.

"You're not being a burden, Harley. What happened to you was not your fault," Richard smiled. Harley nodded, returning the smile. Richard stood.

"I suggest that you stay off of your feet today. I have to go to, but Alfred will be here to watch over you. Alfred is great. You'll love him. He should be bringing you some breakfast soon," Richard stated. "He'll clean you up and tend to your wounds again. Hopefully by the end of this week or the next, you will be completely healed."

"Okay..." Harley whispered. Richard nodded and turned to walk out the door. "Wait!" Richard stopped and looked back at her. "If you hear anything on the Joker, do you mind telling me? After all, I know him a lot better than any goon or cop. I can help. Besides, I owe you for this. Think of it as a give and take."

"Of course," Dick smiled at her. "That's very thoughtful of you Harley. It would help a lot." Harley smiled and nodded.

"My pleasure," Harley said joyfully. Alfred walked in with a covered tray and teapot.

"Morning, Mrs. Quinzel. I do hope that you like pancakes and eggs," Alfred said with a smile on his face.

"I love them," Harley answered giggling.

"Well I'll see you later Harley, Alfred." Richard waved before leaving. Harley waved and Alfred nodded.

"I'm guessing it's just you and me now?" Harley asked as Alfred set up her breakfast.

"That's correct," Alfred smiled.

"What are we gonna do all day?"

"Do you like checkers?" Alfred asked as he placed a cup of tea on her tray. Harley grinned.

xxxxxx

Richard made his way down the stairs. Once at the bottom, he saw Bruce walking towards the door.

"Bruce! Wait up a sec!" Richard called out. Bruce paused and turned around slowly, no doubt, still a bit upset about last night. "We have to find out what's up with the Joker quickly and cautiously at that. Harley just told me that he used some nerve gas on her from that facility he robbed. It irritates the nerves and makes pain and injury much worse. She thinks he may be saving it for us, more likely, you."

"Are you sure about this? Trusting her, I mean, it could be all a large scheme."

Richard gave Bruce an understanding look. He stepped towards Bruce and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"I know that you don't trust her, but maybe we should listen to her. I mean this is the Joker we're talking about. We need all the help we can get, and she seems to know the Joker a little better than everyone."

"Well...you do have a point...What if this is just a plot? What if it's a trap?"

"I don't know..." Richard looked up the stairs towards the room that Harley was in. Would she really go through that much pain and suffering to be in the mist of her enemies? Just to please the Joker? He didn't think so, but he couldn't cast away the possibility. "She told me to tell her whatever we found out about the Joker. She said she would help."

"She has yet to prove that."

"So you'll give her the chance?" Bruce paused and looked up towards the room Harley was staying in.

"I guess...but if she gives me one reason to doubt her. One reason-"

"I got it," Richard nodded. "It will work out. I'm sure of it. I think she's done with him; he went too far this time." Bruce nodded.

"Maybe I'll talk to her a little later," Bruce stated. "Does she know who I am?"

"She knows me and Alfred, but doesn't know you. You don't have to expose yourself." Bruce nodded.

"Need a ride to the station?" Bruce asked as he started towards the door again.

"Yeah, thanks." Richard smiled and headed out with him.

xxxxxx

AN-Sorry for the delay. School has really been eating up my time. Hopefully the next chapter will be up sooner. Please comment! I love to hear your thoughts! :D Love Always!