-Nightwing-

A Saturday night in the city. Sounds fun right? Well, maybe for eligible bachelor Dick Grayson. But for Nightwing? It's not quite the same. I won't say it isn't exciting, and it's totally worth it in the end, but that doesn't mean it isn't painful sometimes. And tonight is definitely one of those times. My shoulder hurts, there's a cut across my back, I taste blood, and every time I step a sharp pain shoots through my left leg. You'd think I'd get used to stuff like this after a while. But just because it's expected doesn't mean I'm numb to it.

Eh, I'll walk it off.

My patrol had finally come to an end, and the only thing I needed to tackle now was my bed. I wasn't really in the mood for jumping across rooftops at the moment, so I stuck to the shadows in the alleyways as I made my way back home. It was surprisingly quiet, and I wasn't really expecting to see much action. Batman never trusted the quiet, but I was keen to let it be. However, the lack of noise gave an opening for my brain to make its own.

My trip back to Gotham and my encounter with Poison Ivy felt like months ago, but in reality, it hadn't even been a week. It probably wouldn't have still been on my mind if I hadn't been forced to keep it to myself. I wasn't sure how Bruce would react, and that was a gamble I didn't want to lose. I guess I could have told Alfred, but he'd probably have just told me to tell Bruce. I refuse to tell Tim anything anymore because then he'll tell Connor because he ALWAYS tells Connor and then I risk it getting back to Superman who will definitely tell Batman and then we're back to the gamble.

But that was it. That was the ONLY reason why I was still thinking about it. Nothing else….

Not buying it, huh? Yeah, neither am I.

Suddenly my ability to think was compromised, along with my ability to stand, as I was struck with something from behind. Whatever it was hit me on the side of the head, and it caught me off guard. I may have been banged up, but nobody knocks Nightwing down that easy. However, in losing my balance, I did manage to hit my head on something else. Something much harder. As my body clunked to the ground, the only thing I was really feeling was embarrassment. It didn't help that whoever had hit me was clearly getting a kick out of my pain.

I should have known from her laugh, but it didn't click until the red and black boots came into the picture. What the hell was this wacko doing in Blüdhaven? Had I not been on the ground at the moment, I would have made some witty comment about the Joker needing to keep her on a tighter leash or something. I was still reeling, and I knew if I tried to stand up I would only fall back down. Man, this is NOT what I need right now.

Harley said something I'm pretty sure was directed at me; I heard a definite "bird boy" in there somewhere, but that's about all I could make out. She readied her mallet again, and the last thought in my head was of Bruce, scolding me for being too careless. I was starting to get real sick (not to mention concerned) of hearing other people's voices in my head. Down came the mallet, and out went the lights.

-Poison Ivy-

I'd only been awake for a few hours when I heard a knock at my door. I was right in the middle of watering my darling Flytrap, and it tensed up greatly at the sound. I petted it's leaves and reassured it that everything was fine; if that plant get's upset I'll probably need to rebuild my greenhouse. But I wasn't worried either, the knock wasn't followed by "This is the GCPD! Open up!", so I figured it was probably that old couple that always think this is their grandsons house and ask if I'm his girlfriend.

Instead, I opened the door to find Harley. Usually if I find her on my doorstep, it's the middle of the night and she's bruised, bloody, and in tears. Instead, she had a big grin on her face and was almost dancing with excitement. I did notice a slight bruise under her right eye, and I couldn't stop the feeling of pity rising in my chest. I wasn't going to ask about it. I knew she'd tell me it was nothing. I'll never understand what the appeal is there.

"Hey Red! I've got big news!"

"Please don't tell me your pregnant."

She burst out laughing after that. She probably thought I was being sarcastic, and I wasn't sure if I was serious or not either. Everything's a joke with her.

"Not yet Red," I saw a flicker of hope in her eyes and I regretted saying anything. "Last night, I was over in Blüdhaven looking for new recruits for the Joker gang. But I found something even better….Nightbat!" She put her hands up in the air for dramatic effect, and I found myself struggling to keep the shock off my face.

"You mean Nightwing?"

"Whatevah. Anyways, me and some of the boys found him stumblin and fumblin through an alleyway, and we took him down easy. We got him all tied up back at the theater, and Mistah J's planning a big sendoff! Joker's finally getting B-man where it hurts. Ain't he a genius?" Harley looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to agree and share her enthusiasm. Under normal circumstances, I probably wouldn't be too excited. Joker tends to come up with these extravagant plans that end up failing, and I wouldn't consider him a friend of mine.

But these aren't normal circumstances. As ashamed as I was to admit it, I was stuck on the former boy wonder. Silly, I know. I mean, he couldn't have been more than thirteen the first time I saw him. But he's grown so much since then, taller, stronger, charming. I have never been love's fool. The literal fool standing before me is a perfect example of that. My first and only love is the flora of mother nature. So what's changed? How did that all go out the window in one night?

Harley's still staring. What was she rambling about?

"Well, that's very….impressive."

"I know right? And we want you to help! All you gotta do is distract B-man for us, and leave the rest to Mistah J."

"I don't think-"

"Please Red! It would mean a lot." She tried to give me puppy dog eyes, but it really wasn't working. There was no question about it. I was not going to involve myself in this. It was going to fail anyway. Even with my help, Batman would foil Joker's plans like he always did. Right?

"Sorry Harley, I'm busy tonight. I'm sure you can pull it off without me." Now THAT took work to keep the sarcasm out of my voice. Harley pouted and crossed her arms, and I was about to shut the door on her when I heard a familiar voice.

"Wrong answer Pammy!" I hadn't noticed their car until now, and Joker sat in the passenger seat pointing one of his Joker Cannons right at my greenhouse. His maniacal laugh was drowned out when he fired and the far side of my greenhouse ignited. I felt the adrenaline kick in as I shoved past Harley towards the flames, grabbing a garden hose on my way. I felt the pain of my beautiful plants and my ears were filled with their cries of agony. By the time I had extinguished the flames, there was ash everywhere and the clowns were nowhere in sight.

"Ohhh, my babies. I'm so sorry. I won't ever let that man near you again! Don't worry. We'll get him back for this." I grabbed one of my healing supplements and applied a little dab to each of my babies who'd been burned. Normal plants can't recover from fire, but I'm sure I don't need to tell you that none of my plants are normal. "Drink up babies. You'll feel better soon." I did my best to remain calm, looking in the mirror and taking deep breaths. They're all ok. Just need to repair the damage to the greenhouse, and then get my revenge. But how?

And in an instant I knew. The perfect solution. I'd be able to kill two birds with one stone. This was fate. It had to be. Everything fell into place. I was fairly certain Joker's plan was going to fail, but I would be sure of it now. Without my help, Joker will have to use his own men and probably Harley to keep Batman busy. But it won't matter, his plan will be over before it's started. Not only will he fail, but to add insult to injury, I will set Nightwing free. And maybe even watch as he pummels "Mistah J". And then….well….I'm not certain what comes next. I'll keep my pheromones handy, but I'm not so sure I'll need them.

It's me who's under his spell anyway.

Thank you for reading.

More coming soon.

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