Nightwing woke up in the Bat-Cave some time later. Tim was standing over him.
"Dick, can you hear me?"
"Yeah, Tim. I'm fine. Where's Ruby?"
Damien stepped into his line of sight. "Gone. She left with my mother."
Dick shot upright. "Talia al-Ghul has her? We have to save her."
Jason looked at him funny. "I don't think you quite get it, golden boy. She left with Talia. As in she went willingly. She bowed to her and everything."
Damien looked guilty. "This is my fault. She was attempting to protect me, so instead of allowing me to return to the League of Assassins with my mother she offered to take my place. Mother must have accepted her offer."
"I don't care whose fault it is so long as we get Ruby back," Dick told him sternly.
Tim looked worn and sad. "That's the thing, Dick. We're not sure we can."
"We'll find a way." Dick looked and sounded calm, but Tim was the only one who bought it. Jason gave his older brother a knowing look before escorting Tim upstairs for hot chocolate and sleep.
Damien stayed. "Why do you bother acting when your act is so utterly unconvincing?"
"Maybe because I have to keep it together for Tim's sake. Maybe I just think that if I pretend that things are okay then they will be. What does it matter to you?" That last part came out harsher than he would have liked.
Damien was unaffected by his tone, however. "Ruby explained to me once, about a week after I arrived here, how people who shared no blood relation could be a family. She said that family was anyone you would give your life for. I didn't understand at the time. I do now. I have even come to see you as my... Brother. " Damien hesitantly wrapped his arms around Dick in an awkward gesture that surprised Dick. "I believe you call this a 'hug', yes?"
Dick overcame his shock enough to hug back. "Yeah, that's right."
Damien pulled away after a little bit and glared up at Dick. "If word of this reaches the others I will slit your throat while you sleep."
Dick snorted. "They'd never believe me if I tried to tell them."