Chapter 19

"Sure this is the right place Nightwing?"

"Well, this is where Athena told us to go KF."

"Isn't this the same place Joker kept Athena?" Batgirl asked.

"Not sure why he isn't relocating," Kid Flash said.

"There could be lots of reasons," Batman said. "Nightwing, you and I will go in. Kid Flash, run around the perimeter and report back."

"So why couldn't Athena come?" Nightwing asked. "You did tell me not to let her tag along."

"Athena is at home resting. Her identity could've been revealed when the Joker mentioned Jason. She needs time to recover."

I'm the only one who knows! Nightwing thought. "Batman you have to know something. The Joker-"

"No one around the perimeter," Kid Flash interrupted.

"Alright. Nightwing, let's go." Batman and Nightwing took out their grappling guns and shot upward. The ends of the cable stuck to the roof and they climbed up.

"Why couldn't we just go through the front door?" Nightwing asked. "That's what I did last time."

"This time might be different," Batman replied. "You have to be careful."

"I'm not a kid anymore Batman. You don't have to worry."

"I have every right to be worried about you kids. Now shut up and climb."

They reached the top and entered through the roof door. Batman took point and led the way down the winding staircase. They were soon dumped out onto the second floor.

"Which room did you find Piper in?"

"Fourth one from the left side of the stairs."

"You take that side then. I'll take this side."

Nightwing retraced his steps and found himself in a state of déjà vu. He stayed close to the shadows. "Tim," he whispered again and again. "You better be here Tim."

"Psst!" Batman's voice echoed. He pointed to the door he was standing in front of. Nightwing nodded and made his way over. Batman pushed the door open and there was Tim, sitting in the middle of the room with his hands tied behind his back. There were no visible injuries on Tim's body, but his eyes were full of fear and shock.

Nightwing and Batman ran to his side. Batman untied him. Tim rubbed his wrists and rested his elbows on his knees. Nightwing reached over and put his hand on the back of Tim's neck.

"We need to go."

"Where's Joker?" Batman asked.

"I…I don't know," Tim said. "He disappeared just before you got here."

"Bruce, we don't have time to go after him. Tim needs help."

"I'm not hurt. In any way. I'm just…scared."

"It's ok Tim," Nightwing said. "We're here and you're going to get out with us. Ok?"

Tim nodded. Batman and Nightwing helped him to his feet. Batman paused. "Wait. Did he unmask you?"

Tim shook his head. "No. I wasn't wearing my mask. Me and Piper were in her room and she went downstairs and then the Joker broke through the window and-"

"Tim, it's ok now," Nightwing said. "Let's go home."

Nightwing helped Tim out of the room and made their way back to the winding stairs. Batman kept looking behind them, looking for Joker. Nightwing grasped his shoulder. "Batman, Joker isn't our priority right now. Tim is."

Batman hesitated. He nodded. "Right. To the roof."

They climbed the stairs and found themselves back on the roof. The grappling hooks were still in place. After Batman checked to make sure they were secured, they climbed down. On the way down, Tim lost his footing. Nightwing reached out to catch him, but Tim was too far away. Before he hit the ground, there was a blur of yellow and red and Tim had disappeared.

"Are you alright?" Kid Flash asked.

Tim nodded slowly. "I, I think so."

Nightwing climbed a little farther down the wall then jumped off and ran to Tim. "Tim are you ok? You scared me!"

"Me and Pip seem to do that a lot huh?"

"More than I care for. Come on, we need to go."

"No," Batman said. "Not until I find Joker."

"This isn't the time for revenge Batman," Nightwing said. "You can avenge Jason some other time, but right now, Tim needs to get as far away from the place as possible. Can't you see he's traumatized by something? Don't you care?"

"Of course I care, but I need to-"

"Batman! The Joker isn't a priority right now." Nightwing turned to Tim. "Come on Tim, we need to get you home." He turned to Kid Flash. "KF, take Tim and run him back to the manor. Piper will be having a fit right now."

"Right," Kid Flash said. "Let's go Tim. Hop on."

Tim jumped on Kid's back and he took off. Nightwing then radioed Batgirl. "Ok Batgirl. Thanks for coming along. Head back to the Cave."

"Roger that Nightwing." There was static then the com shut off.

Nightwing turned to Batman. He narrowed his eyes then walked to his bike.

"Dick wait." Nightwing stopped and Batman walked to him. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. It's just…Jason…"

"I know Jason's death still haunts you. It still hurts Piper and it still upsets me and Tim. She was in tears this morning. But you taught me not to focus my life on revenge. You trained me as Robin so I wouldn't turn out like you. I thought you'd grown out of revenge. But seeking it now would be pointless. Tim and Piper need you right now. You have to be the father they need."

Batman shook his head. "I can't. You have to be the brother they need. I'm not the father they want."

"You were when we were little and you still are." Nightwing turned and walked away to his bike. He got on and rode off, leaving Batman alone in thought.