Dick POV
SEVERAL WEEKS OF PARTNERSHIP LATER
Have I ever mentioned that I hate nights like these? No? Well now I have. Gotham is nothing pretty and at night it really shows its true colors. During the day people are convinced that it's a wonderful enchanted city, but in all honesty it is nothing but rubbish. It is the scum bucket capital of the world. I look down near the docks and watch as the man who destroyed everything in my life goes on without a care. He murdered my parents and paralyzed Babs. He should pay for it. He deserves to pay for it…but Bruce wouldn't agree. That's the difference between Bruce and myself; if I could I would go beyond his sacred line.
From what I can tell the men, The Joker's men, are loading crates into the back of a van. Only God knows what could be in those. Kittens stuffed with cyanide, Jack in the Boxes that will rip your face off when it pops open…only God knows what that monster could be up to this time.
Bloop. Bloop Bloop.
I press the soft spot of my cowl that is set up to receive manual radio transmission and allow Oracle to proceed with her findings.
"Hey, I've intercepted the men's radio frequencies. The guy in the red jacket informed us that the Joker would be there any minute. They seem to be in a hurry. It sounds like they are moving to a new hideout. It'd probably be a good idea to follow them." I sigh slightly at the sound of her voice and move from my crouched position on the building top above the men.
"I imagine so. Too bad. I was actually looking for a bit of a fight tonight." I growl. I don't think it's anything on Bruce's but I think I put up a good imitation.
"Yeah, sorry to burst your testosterone mojo, but don't kill anyone. He's around the corner. Follow the van." I glance over the edge of the building and see the van move around the corner into the alley. From there the purple pin-strip menace makes his exit from the back door and climbs into the van.
"I sometimes hate my job. Do you ever get that feeling too?" I sigh and take a running leap across the gap between my building and the next. I land with my heavy boots making a solid "crunch" and I'm sure I land on a bird or some other poor soul. My next few steps are to merely remove the goop from my shoe. "Do you have any ideas as to where they are headed?"
Her voice chimes in and it almost startles me out of my skin. I'm definitely not used to that. "They said 150th and Vine Avenue and I'd sure like to think that my job is pretty okay." She's as optimistic as ever. That's my Babs. I smile at an old memory that pops into my head suddenly. Batman doesn't smile. Remember that Dick. I force the corners of my stubble-coated lips down and move quickly. I have to keep up here.
"Babs…Do you remember the night we had to go against Clayface by ourselves? This building just reminded me…" I try to desperately lighten the mood of my night. I have no idea how Bruce was able to be so dark for such a long period of time. I usually get home and just want to smile at anything.
Water splashes up from the ground as I land in a puddle. It splatters across my legs with a sudden chill that creeps its way up my spine. I hate the cold winter nights of Gotham. "Yeah, I remember that." She giggles softly and it nearly makes me grin again.
I take a sudden leap off of the building as my path comes to a halt. I grapple for the closest thing to me, which just so happens to be a fire escape. Grabbing the rusty bar, I can feel my wrists crack and pop with the force of the landing. I grunt and yank myself onto the stairs and work my way up. "…Shit…I hate those things."
"Hate what, are you alright?" For a moment there she actually sounds concerned. I miss my Barbara. The only reason I continue parading around like this is so I can see her every night. Well, hear her at least. She's doing well believe it or not. She moved in with her father not too long ago and Bruce said she's been doing significantly better. I'm glad honestly; at least she can be okay…
"It was just a fire escape. Nothing but a hurt wrist. I'm sure I'll live." I stop moving and crouch again as the van pulls to a stop just off of Vine Avenue. The Joker jumps out and saunters into the building while the rest of the men transport the crates inside. "I guess we found it. Can you see this Oracle?"
"Yes, I see it. The Joker is also on the phone. He's talking to a man named Darwin Knight. I'm looking him up now… He seems to sell property illegally to villains around Gotham. We should set up a meeting. I have a current phone number here. 475-602-3048."
"Now isn't that your job Babs?" I can't help but tease her. I love it when she gets all flustered at me. She's too cute when she's flustered.
"Uh, well, no stop that! Fine…I'll call and set up and appointment." She clicks offline and I have nothing better to do than sit there on a ledge of the building in the rain and wait for her to come back online.
Bloop. Bloop Bloop.
"You have a meeting in 15 minutes in Meadow Wind Park." I sneeze roughly before I can reply to her. Stupid Gotham winters…I'm going to be sick. Just watch.
"Sorry… Ya, I'll be there. Thanks"
"No problem at all." She signs off again and I'm off. This is going to be a long night.