Ok, I'm sorry to say that this is the penultimate chapter. That's right people, one more after this. It's so sad!
But then there's the sequel, so it's ok.
Slade's purpose in Gotham is revealed!
Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything.
A week went past, flying by in a blur of familiar people and places and laughter and fun. Bruce quietly observed his son during this time, and so witnessed every bit of the change that came over him. The shadows under his eyes faded, the slightly haunted look in his eyes was replaced by his old life and laughter. Even his stance seemed lighter, like a burden had been taken from his shoulders. He grew more carefree, laughing more and with less reason.
He started using 'aster' again.
If only a week in Gotham had this much of an effect on him, what would a month do? Would he be happier here or in Jump? Would he be safer?
The time that Bruce didn't spend with Dick was devoted to either WayneTech, sleeping, or researching Slade. Slade was, in a nutshell, a mystery, There was literally nothing about him. All he could find was a rumor that he had been behind the extremely temporary takeover of Jump City a few years ago. Other than that, there seemed to be nothing concrete. Every time he seemed to have a lead, to be getting close, it disappeared or he was misdirected. This investigation was going nowhere.
Finally, he found what seemed to be a solid lead. He followed it and ended up with a large password-locked set of files. When he attempted to hack it, he found that the security was much more complicated than it appeared. It proved almost impossible to hack. When he looked closer, he found that it was Dick's handiwork, which raised another question. Bruce had no access to any sort of Titans files, so why had his computer found this?
His question was answered by Dick himself, who had managed to sneak up behind him, silent.
"I put that there yesterday. I knew you were researching Slade and I knew you wouldn't find anything. Trust me, I was looking for years. Those files are my personal ones, with notes and pictures and info and everything. If you ever need to have access to them, Raven will tell you the password."
"Not you?" Bruce frowned.
"I may be otherwise occupied." Dick answered evasively. He turned to leave. "Just… do me a favor and stop pressing, ok? If you need to know, you'll know."
"Dick…" Bruce trailed off. "If it's just that you don't want me interfering, I promise I won't-"
Dick cut him off. "Bruce, have you considered that I honestly don't want to talk about it? That it may be a sensitive subject?" He took a deep breath. "I'm trying to take a vacation from all of this stuff, but it's proving impossible. I didn't want to think about Slade while I was here, but with you prying and him up to something, it just keeps coming up. You know one of the reasons I wanted to come back here? So I could get away from all this. Worked out great, didn't it?" He turned and stormed out of the cave. "Quit snooping." He called over his shoulder.
Bruce stood and stared after his son. He had a feeling that he had just crossed a line, but he had no clue what it was. One thing he was certain of was that Dick was hiding something. This whole thing with Slade seemed to be a lot more personal than Dick's other rivalries. Bruce could tell that something strange was going on. He turned to look at the file and a chill ran down his back. This seemed an awful lot like a contingency plan to him. After all, he was the one who had bought Dick and he knew him very well,
Leaving the password with someone else indicated that Dick didn't think that he would be there to tell Bruce himself, which could only mean bad things.
Standing in the Batcave, Bruce promised himself that he would do everything to protect his son from this man. He would not let him get near his little bird. So resolved, he turned and left the cave to get ready for work.
Of course, what he didn't know was that Slade had no intention to kill Dick, or even really harm him. Actually, Dick wasn't in any real danger, you know, other than kidnapping.
No, Dick wasn't in any real danger.
But he himself was.
Dick stormed out of the Batcave and started up his bike. Damn Bruce. He thought. Why can't he let sleeping dogs lie? Why did he have to start digging? As he drove. he tried to banish any though of Slade from his mind, although he was beginning to think it a lost cause. He really didn't want to think about him now. He had just been starting to relax, start feeling like himself again. Now he was back to Nightwing mode.
Maybe he would ask Zatanna to come over tonight. She always helped him relax and he could talk to her about anything. It would be nice to see her again as well. Their relationship was stronger than ever. Or maybe he would go hang out with Wally, or visit the Crocks. He wanted to enjoy the time he had left in his old life.
His drive was interrupted by his communicator (or course).
"He's on the move."
Oh. This was one of the guys he'd sent to spy on Slade once he'd figured out Slade's hideout.
"Thanks." He said into the comm. Where to?"
A pause.
"Uhh…" The man said. "Looks like Wayne Tower."
Dick stopped the bike so suddenly it almost flipped over.
Some wealthy bigwig. In Gotham. Starts with a B or D.
Beast Boy's words floated through his mind.
Wayne Tower
A wealthy bigwig, in Gotham, who worked in Wayne Tower. Started with a D… or a B.
Bruce.
Dick swore and turned the bike around with a screech.
Bruce was in trouble. Big trouble.
Dun dun duuuuhhhhhh
Who saw that coming? No, seriously, did anyone see that coming?
Next chap is the last!
Review!