Author's Note: hello again! I have to admit updates will probably be less frequent from now on, but ill try to please you! Reviews would be greatly appreciated since they really fuel me to write more. Anyway, here we go!

Disclaimer; I don't own DC.

Reunion

Chapter 8: Dirt

Dick rubbed his eyes, sleep threatening to take control of his mind. It had been hours and he still couldn't pinpoint a location. Suddenly the programme on his computer flashed up a banner;

'Warning: Communicator Malfunction.'

"NO!" Dick slammed his hand down on the keyboard, startling a sleeping Tim awake.

"Did you find him?" Tim's words were slurred but full of hope.

"The comms failed. Shit." Tim's eyes widened as Dick rarely swore. "There had to be some kind of electromagnetic interference. If the comm had broken, it's location chip would still be active."

"Or he turned it off."

Dick raised an eyebrow. "Why would he do that, Tim?"

Tim shrugged, clearly exhausted with all the worry playing on his mind.

"I need to tell the League he can't be located." It was a stealth mission so no other equipment on him would give his location.

"We could go to Brazil, help with the search."

"No. You have school. The League and I can handle this."

That struck a nerve with Tim.

"Then why did you even call me here if you're not gonna let me help?!"

Dick ignored Tim's plea. This was a League issue. Just as Dick was about to call the League, the computer started to spring to life, displaying (coincidently) an incoming transmission from the League.

"Nightwing," Superman sounded relieved. That was a good sign. "The guardian of Eros has informed us of Batman's safety and location."

Tim's glee was clearly evident as he stifled a cheer. Dick puffed out a breath of air in relief. Taking on the stern guy role took a lot out of him.

"His communicator is down due to energy interference at the heart of the cave. In fact, he's stumbled upon an energy source that could be ground-breaking. He's on his way to Hong Kong to conduct research as we speak."

Wait... what. Why hadn't Bruce come home first? He never left them for such a long time...

"Be relieved Nightwing! He's safe. He's going to be in contact in the next few weeks after he's fixed the comm."

What about calling his cell phone? As this thought played on his mind, Tim's cell rang out, displaying an incoming message.

"Its Bruce! He says he can't call because Lex Corp has tapped into his calls recently and he doesn't want them getting any clue to his whereabouts because they might steal his research."

There was a mumble from Superman, something about Luthor being a thief.

"But it has this month's code word on the end, so it must be him!" Tim's happiness was infectious, but Dick still felt a little cautious that Bruce hadn't returned home before going to Asia.

"He'll be in contact soon, Dick." Superman reassured, picking up that the former Boy Wonder was still a little anxious.

"Thanks Clark. Stay in touch."

"Will do." The line cut out.

Dick turned to a grinning Tim, who was quickly typing a reply to Bruce. The blue screen illuminated his face, making him look a little manic. Runs in the family Dick thought to himself.

"What did you reply?"

Tim held up his phone to Dick's eye level, looking a little smug that it had been him Bruce messaged.

' Ok! :D Dick and I are so glad you're safe. Call us soon! I miss you, Dad.'

Dick's eyes widened at the last part.

"You called him Dad?!"

"Well yeah... that's what he is to me. Anyway, I've got school tomorrow. Night Dick."

"Night." Dick was caught up in a flood of emotion. Had he ever called Bruce 'Dad'?

Jason vommited the results of Petail's cooking all over the floor of the Jet. He mumbled an apology to Bruce, but stopped mid sentance to run to the Jet's Bathroom. Bruce scowled forwards, feeling entirely ill himself.

Once they had formulated a plan, Jason and Bruce collected their belongings and readied their departure.

"I'm going to teleport you out the cave." Petail spoke clearly to the two young men, determined looks on their handsome faces. "During this, Mayua will tell your colleges the formulated story of your whereabouts. Get in the Jet, and leave. Quickly."

They both nodded, understanding how crucial it was they got away fast, before the League left the cave.

"Umm I haven't done this in a while..." Petail admitted. "Since you'll be transported without me...through the ground at ...quite the distance, you may experience...motion sickness."

Jason paled, remembering how ill he felt when Petail first brought him to the Heart of Eros.

She walked forwards to Jason. God she was beautiful. Jason just wished she could join them. Petail handed the Ruby over to Jason. He was transfixed by the shimmering colours being expelled from the stone. This could sure pay off some debts...

"Keep it safe, Red Hood." Petail had whispered in his ear, sending tingling sensations all down his spine.

Suddenly, the ground sucked the two men downwards at high speed, enveloping them in dirt. They were being dragged underground out of the cave. There was no oxygen and mud filled their mouths. As soon as it had started, it stopped. They were stood in front of Batman's jet in the moonlit rainforest. As much as the sky was pretty and air was welcomed, Jason had more important things to concentrate on. Like puking up the content of his stomach. Apparently Bruce had a similar issue, as he also vomited dirt up onto the leafy terrain.

Whilst hugging the toilet in the Jet, on route to Gotham, the only thing Jason could really think about was Petail. Slightly green tinted in the face Jason murmured bitterly;

"She had to be a God Damn Earth nymph."