Nightwing's Nightingale

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters just the plot

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

Chapter 7

Richard held Harley until she was sound asleep, tears still streamed down her face as if she was dreaming about what Barbara had said to her. He felt so angry. He was angry with the Joker. With Barbara. With himself. He wanted Joker's head bashed in and Barbara to apologize. He wished he would have stayed home so that Barbara wouldn't have talked to her. He wished that he could've found Joker before he did what he had done. He looked down at Harley and frowned. Something didn't feel right to him...what was happening? Why was he blaming himself for what he couldn't really control? Why all of a sudden was he becoming protective over Harley?...Harleen. He held his breath as lowered his head to hers. His breath came out shakily as his lips gently grazed the hair on her forehead.

"What am I doing?" Richard whispered to himself, not thinking about the possibility of waking Harley. He gently ran his thumb under her eyes, wiping her tears away. "I don't know how...I don't know why...but I will protect you. I won't let anyone hurt you again." He rested his lips on her forehead in a chaste kiss. He breathed in her scent and pulled away with a sharp breath, as if she were drawing the air from his chest. "I don't know what you're doing to me..." He gazed at her still face, watching her breathe. He caressed her wet cheek once more before gently moving her and getting off the bed. Before he left the room, he stole one last glance at her. He headed down to the batcave with a conflicted mind.

xxx

When she heard him leave, Harley opened her eyes looked towards the door. He had kissed her! Not on the lips, but still! Her mind was reeling and with nothing in particular. She couldn't think straight...why did he do that? Though as much as she was shocked...she was pleased. Sad. She was confused. Richard had been nothing, but nice to her. The only man in the world that truly cared for her, but what had she done to deserve that? Or was he scheming? Is he and Batman just using her? Is that why he saved her? No. That lady wouldn't have said the things that she did...or is she in on the secret.

"Stop..." Harley whimpered as she clasped her hands over her ears. All these questions...all these voices. They were too much. She scrunched up her face from the mental pain surging through her. She heard that lady's voice, her voice, she heard Richard's voice, and Joker's. The last one she wanted to hear. "Stop!" she screamed. It attracted Alfred's attention and he raced into the room.

"Harleen, are you alright?" Alfred asked when he was at her side. She looked up at him, tears forming in her eyes.

"I-I'm so confused," Harley stammered. She reached out and hugged Alfred, not even sure why she had. Alfred returned the hug and smiled sadly. He suspected that her confusion was from being away from the Joker for so long. Little did he know of the war going on in her head...a war about a simple kiss and what it meant.

xxx

Richard was suited up and ready as he took the elevator down to the batcave. He was distracted to say in the least. He couldn't get her sad, tear-stained face out of his head. He didn't want to go to that facility anymore. at least not tonight. He wanted to be by her side. He wanted to stop her tears. His eyes stayed cast downward at his feet when the elevator came to a stop. He did not look up till the door opened.

"Not now, Babs." He walked around her, hearing the huff of disbelief she released. She was suited up too, but she had a bone to pick with him.

"Not now? Are you serious?! I've been trying to contact you all day! I know you saw my messages," Barbara grabbed his shoulder and spun him around. "What is wrong with you?! Bringing her home- telling her who you really are?! Putting her in your roo-"

"Can you please just-Urgh! I need space, Barbara!" Richard turned away and started walking towards his motorcyle.

"Space?! You've had plenty of that all day!"

"I'm getting tired of people telling me that my decision was wrong. I don't care what you guys think," he snapped as he whipped around to face her. "Speaking of which...Why'd you say those things to her? Do you not know that she's going through enough already?"

"Why all of a sudden are you worried about her? She is a criminal-"

"She is a victim, Barbara! She was manipulated, beaten bloody, raped till she couldn't stand it! And you, with an attitude and lack of compassion, walked in there and told her she was a problem!" Richard voice was raised to the point where it echoed through the cave.

"Richard, I do feel bad for her. I really do, but having her here is dangerous!"

"Having her out there will get her killed. Which one is better, huh?"

"Enough you two," Bruce barked. Barbara and Richard just stared each other down with dark expressions. Both had strong opinions and good points...and a stubborn attitude. Bruce stepped in between them, pushing them apart. "You can settle this later, right now we have a job to do."

"Alright, fine. But make sure Boy Wonder's head isn't in the clouds. We dont want anymore bad ideas leading to a criminal in your home."

"That's it! I've had just about enough of this! I-"

"The both of you need to calm down! Barbara leave this alone for now. If you guys can't get along, I'll find other help!" Bruce barked. Richard walked away from them to get his bike.

"Yeah, whatever," he hissed as he mantled his vehicle. "I'll meet you guys there."

AN: Well here is the next chapter! I hope you guys like it, I think it was a bit sucky and short, but hey, what do you think? I would love to here from you guys! What do you think is going to happen next? Can Barbara and Richard settle their differences? What's going on with Harley and Richard? Spur of the moment or something more? What will they find at this facility? Reviews please! They inspire me. :) Love always!