Chapter 28

"That's for Jason and mom." A wave of dizziness came over Piper. She held her wounded side and staggered. She reached out and put her hand on the wall. Piper regained her balance and looked around her. The Joker's henchmen lay on the floor unconscious. Bruce and Tim were in the process of tying them up. Piper took a deep breath and stepped forward. Her whole right side exploded in pain. She tried to ignore it as she made her way over to Dick.

She dropped down on her knees next to him and gently turned him onto his back. At first, she couldn't tell if he was breathing. She had a five second heart attack and Piper put her hand under Dick's nose. He was still breathing. She took his hand.

"Dick? Dick, can you hear me?"

Bruce and Tim came over to them. Tim kneeled on the other side and Bruce was next to Piper. Besides a few scratches and red patches that would become bruises, Tim looked alright. They all looked at each other and nodded, then they all took off their masks. Piper reached down and took off Dick's. His eyes were open, but the light that once shown in his blue eyes was fading.

"We have to get him out," Bruce said. "He needs to get medical help immediately. Tim, contact Kid Flash and give him our coordinates."

They heard a small laugh and looked down at Dick. He had a smile on his face. "So you're not tired of me just yet," he said in between deep breaths.

Piper squeezed his hand. "I told you."

Tim radioed Kid Flash. He told KF their whereabouts and KF said he would get there as fast as he could. Piper and Bruce tried to keep Dick talking.

"You're a crazy kid you know that?" Bruce said.

"I had a rough idea. Bruce, I'm sorry I was so cross with you earlier. You had the chance to get Joker and I made you give it up." Dick smiled at him. "You'll get him next time."

Piper looked at Bruce then down at Dick. "There isn't going to be a next time. Joker's dead."

"What?" Bruce looked up and saw Joker's body lying across the floor, the knife still in his chest and a grin on his face. "Piper? You killed him?"

Piper looked at Dick. "Yes Bruce. I killed him. I broke your code and I'm sorry. I just…" She reached up and held her side. Blood spilled over her fingers. "I had a hunch Jason would've wanted him to be the last person Joker ever hurt. I couldn't fulfill that promise I made him five years ago, so I…I did things my way. And after what he did to Dick…I figured he'd be better off dead."

"Pip-" Dick was interrupted by Kid Flash, who had finally arrived.

"Oh crud." Wally saw Dick lying on the ground and looked from Piper to Bruce to Tim. "To the Cave?"

Bruce nodded.

"As fast as I can go?"

He nodded again.

"Right." Wally reached down and helped them pick Dick up. They put him on Wally's back. "Hang on buddy." And he took off.

Piper slumped onto Bruce. He caught her and embraced her. Piper ignored the pain and hugged him back. She began to sob.

"I'm sorry Piper. Dick and I should've told you the truth years ago."

"You knew? You knew Joker was my dad?"

"We worked so hard to keep him away from you that we hoped you'd never figure it out. We thought it would be better for you." He grasped her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "But you have to promise me this now Piper. You will never kill again. Do you understand?"

Piper wiped her eyes and nodded. "I truly am sorry Bruce."

Tim came up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. He then looked at Bruce. "What are we going to do? We can't just leave them like this." He motioned toward the Joker and the tied up henchmen.

"Gotham city police are on their way. Put your masks back on. We're going home." Bruce put his arm around Piper and helped her out with Tim following close behind.

No matter how hard Piper would try, tonight would always haunt her.

Red Hood stood on the roof, right where Robin had stood the week before. From his perch, he had the perfect vantage point of the battle. He had originally come to help, but arrived only to see Joker sink into Athena's knife. Scanning the area, Red Hood saw Batman and Robin taking down the Joker's men. He saw Nightwing on the ground clutching his chest.

Red Hood wanted to go in. He wanted to help and get Nightwing somewhere safe. He wanted to comfort Athena. He wanted to be there for her, to repay her for all the times she was there for him. But his feet wouldn't move.

The mysterious man watched the others remove their masks. There was no shock. He knew who they were. He watched Kid Flash go in and then come out with Nightwing on his back. Red Hood turned back to Batman, Robin, and Athena. Batman was trying to comfort her, who was obviously distraught by the fact she killed Joker.

Jason took off his mask and smiled down at his big sister. She couldn't see him-she didn't even know he was alive-but he didn't mind. His sister still had his back, even after he had died. She fought for him and won.

"Thank you Pip." Jason wiped his eyes then put his mask back on. He disappeared into the shadows. One day, he thought, I will go home. I promise Pip.