Disclaimer: Still don't own them.
Sorry about the long wait, had to wait for the inspiration to hit. I'm being very bad, I should be doing uni work but oh well. I'd rather face annoyed teachers than annoyed readers, you guys are deadlier!

Chapter 3

"Is he all right?" Dick slumped onto his couch even as Tim asked.

"Not by a long shot."

"How much did you tell him?"

"He thinks Bruce should drop the airhead playboy act." Tim laughed.

"I'd love to see Bruce's face if he said that to his face!" Dick grinned.

"I'll bring the camera. He knows I'm Nightwing and a cop."

"So did he guess Batman?" Tim knew as well as Dick that Bruce would not be happy if he had.

"I'd say he figured it out but decided not to say anything."

"Smart guy."

"Yeah. You better head home." Dick gave Tim's arm a brotherly squeeze.

"Okay, I can take a hint. See you later." Tim slipped out the window and was gone. Dick waited until he heard the shower start before heading for his communication gear.

"You there oracle?"

"Hey Dick, what do you need?"

"Nothing. Just letting you know I have a houseguest for a while who knows about me. Also, Nightwing's taking a holiday."

"Because of your guest?" He could hear the curiosity in her voice.

"Yeah, remember two years ago?"

"He's your guest?"

"Yes, he's had a rough time lately. He just lost a friend and needs help. He scared me last night Babs, if we hadn't found him I really think we'd be getting a reported suicide today."

"Good thing you found him then. You don't think he'll react violently?"

"No, he already would have since I did drug him last night. He's more a danger to himself at the moment. I have to help him Babs. Can you tell Bruce?"

"All right, but you owe me."

"Thanks. I better go, the shower just shut off." Dick waited for Xander to come out.
"Feel better?" Xander shrugged.
"Take a seat." Dick patted the couch beside him and Xander slowly sat.

"What happens now?" Xander kept his eyes on the floor.

"Do you have any belongings with you?"

"No."

"Then it looks like we'll need to do some shopping at least. Need some more food too with two of us here now." Xander finally looked up, shocked.

"What?"

"It's simple, you're staying here for as long as you need too. I'm not taking no for an answer Xan. You need a friend right now and I plan to be it."

"But."

"No buts Xander." Dick placed a hand on his shoulder in support.
"I know what its like to lose people. I won't push you to talk but I will be here for you if you want to. The spare room is yours now."

"Gonna cuff me to the bed if I try to leave?"

"If I have too. Come on, we have a lot of shopping to do."

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"Rupert Giles."

"Hello Mr. Giles, I thought you would like to know where Xander Harris is."

"Is he all right? I swear if you've hurt him…" Dick gulped silently; Mr. Giles could give Batman a run for his money in the scariness department when one of his own was in danger.

"I haven't done anything to him sir. He's simply using my guest room for a while. A mutual friend of ours found him on a rooftop last night. He was worried about him so he brought him to me for help." Dick relaxed slightly as he heard Mr. Giles sigh tiredly.

"How is he?"

"He' a mess but he seems better today than last night."

"Who are you and where are you?"

"Sorry, but no."

"Please, we're all worried about him. He needs to be with friends right now. You don't know what he's dealing with."

"I know about his real job sir and I have dealt with losing people close to me before. He came here for a reason Mr. Giles. Look, I'll try to get him to cal you but no promises. I swear, he'll come to no harm with me."

"Hello? Hello?" Giles swore and hung up. As much as he might like to deny it, Xander was the closest thing he had to a son and he desperately wanted to see him for himself, to know that he truly was all right.

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"How's Giles?" Dick froze for a second before sighing.

"Worried about you. How'd you?"

"I heard you."

"From here." Xander nodded form where he was sprawled on his bed, ignoring Dick's disbelieving look.

"There's a reason for the whole HyenaBoy thing you know. Back in high school primal spirits, hyenas to be exact, possessed a bunch of us. I was pack leader so I got the strongest one, Giles thought they got it all out but he was wrong. Some stuff happened in Africa so now I have the senses back but without the attitude problem or enhanced strength. I've noticed I heal a little faster than the norm but not by much."

"That's how you always find me."

"Yep. Your fancy ropes make a distinctive noise plus not many people use the rooftops as a highway so your scent lingers longer. It gives me a bit of an edge since no one expects it from someone who reads as 100 human." Xander shrugged and fell silent. Dick sat on the bed beside him and they simply spent some time together in companionable silence.

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Dick was out of bed before he'd even realised what was going on. It took him seconds to be in Xander's room and at his side. He carefully held the other man down to stop his thrashing.

"Xander, wake up. It's okay, you're safe." He held on tight as Xander continued to fight but at least he'd stoped screaming.
"Shh, its all right." Dick continued to talk as Xander gradually began to calm. He stayed until he was sure Xander was past his nightmare. Instead of going back to bed he dragged his sleeping bag in and made himself comfortable on the floor at the foot of Xander's bed in case he was needed again.

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Dick groaned and rubbed his eyes, trying to wake up fully. The enticing smells coming from his kitchen convinced him to crawl out of his sleeping bag and he staggered into the other room, still more than half asleep. He'd had to help Xander a further three times during the night and he was tired from the interrupted sleep.

"Morning." He managed a smile in return to Xander's greeting and gratefully inhaled the coffee he was handed.
"Hope you don't mind but I made us breakfast."

"Thanks, I'm not exactly known for my cooking."

"Neither am I but I can make a decent breakfast. Um, about last night…"

"Forget it. That's what friends are for."

"Yeah, well thanks anyway. The floor couldn't have been very comfortable."

"Trust me, I've slept on a lot worse."

"Me too, but still…"

"Xander its fine. How about we eat before all this gets cold?" Xander smiled slightly and nodded. Soon the only sounds were those of two people eating and thoroughly enjoying their meal.

TBC…