Hello everyone! This is nekotenshi-hime back with another chapter. I know it's been a long while since I updated, but I will finish this story one day. I have been swamped by college classes and the Bane of students' existence known as: HOMEWORK...
Any way, I have quite a few more ideas for this. All I can ask for is your patience. By the way, I've gotten a message from Lunar Silver who wants me to write up 2 more stories following our one-shots (I wanted to give credit where credit is due)! I do hope you'll like this one, it is probably one of my longest ch.s yet. Please R&R it helps keep up my confidence and morale to write more! So without further ado here is Ch. 25.
Chapter 25: Rescue and its Consequences
The boom of closed cell doors echoed in the hall. Other inmates confined in similar cells drowned out any thoughts of the newest occupant. He stared from blank unseeing eyes at his surroundings. Even the helpful officer Rachel could say nothing to lift his spirits. Her brother on the other hand, grinned from ear to ear, his eyes sparkled with unrestrained glee, and if the young teen didn't know better he could have sworn Ramon was dancing after closing the door to his freedom.
How had he, former apprentice of the Dark Knight, former leader of the Teen Titans, and current apprentice to the criminal mastermind Slade fallen so far from grace? Was there nothing that could lead him to some form of forgiveness, or absolution? As far as he was concerned nothing could grant him that, so he was left with no sense of time, in a darkened cell filled with people that he put behind these bars, and the knowledge his friends would never speak to him again.
Nightwing ignored the taunting of the inmates. His own thoughts were torment enough. So when a person stepped out of the shadows he paid the figure no attention. The figure held a metal staff in his left hand and wore a grim smile, but it was impossible to tell given he wore a full face mask. He walked up the cage and whistled. Nightwing sat in the corner of his new home staring at the opposite wall, looking out at other cells. Nightwing didn't even jump or make any sound as all the inmates became hushed, while the lights turned out one by one.
"I know why the caged bird sings," he said with a chuckle. Nightwing made no response. His late night visitor decided to try to lighten the mood by joking with the teen.
"Well, well, look at the bird wonder now. How does it feel to be on the other side?" The boy sighed as he ran his fingers against the bars. "Are you not even the least bit curious how I got in here? Do you even want to get out of here, for that matter? Or am I talking to a brain dead vegetable now?"
Nightwing didn't look up or open his eyes. The least of his worries was a thief attempting a jail break for him. Besides he had to at least find Kiara and get her out of here. Kiara and Magnet, her impish and sometimes cunning "inner-sister" was too innocent to survive in a prison. Lost in his tortured, self-criticizing arguments he found the strength to talk too much trouble right now. The last person he wanted to confide in was X, although that was not true, the last person he wanted to confide in was Batman. Nightwing had no doubts his former mentor would be paying him a special visit, if nothing more than to critique his current life choices.
"Dude I am not going to spend the night talking to a corpse. So do yourself a favor and get over yourself! At least your friends are not dead! At least that cutie with the pink hair, that somehow has the ability to turn into a fantasy creature, is not dead! Can you not see the silver lining in this situation or are you going to wallow in self-pity!? You are pathetic Robin."
Nightwing lifted his head. The silence following Red X's little speech seemed quite unnerving. Nightwing sighed and after taking a deep breath made a decision. Talking to X was more productive than listening to his thoughts right now. Besides what else did he have to do?
"Ah, you are too kind Robin. So do you feel like tasting freedom or are you going to stay in the cage and sing?" Red X smiled behind his mask to see some tiny, tiny spark of life in the other's teen's eyes.
Nightwing gave a dry laugh. He rested his head on his knees as he stared at X. "Now that you mention it X, I do have something to say. The view could be better, the food is edible but bland, and I'm stuck in a prison with a psychotic Clown. Now what are you doing here? I don't remember ordering 'annoying thief room service', X."
Red X laughed in relief to hear Robin's old witty comebacks. "I'm hurt you know. I came all this way and all I get is 'annoying-thief-room-service'?" Red X paused for a moment pressing a button on his waist and revealed a tiny black pen. Nightwing gave no indication he even cared about the pen, but when X took off the cap and twisted the end, and a small flame appeared; well now he had his attention.
"The whole city is buzzing about the great Bat and the Clown coming here. Guess nobody needs you anymore. I think I'll stay awhile. But you know; I'd be delighted to look after the cutie with the pink curls down the hall for you."
X ended his little announcement with a laugh. Nightwing narrowed his eyes. Kiara needed a doctor, she did not need to be in this place, and she needed Sensei- it did not have to be in that particular order. Needless to say, the last thing she needed was a date with a hotshot, cocky, boy with an eye for glowing and dangerous liquid he had no business with. Then again, his personality may match well with Magnet's confident nature and Kiara's playfulness.
What was he thinking? Kiara was more of a sister to him. Why in the world was he thinking of her dating? As if Slade would ever allow it. Not that her dating was really the problem, Kiara had little interest in it, so X had to first prove himself to Slade…And that was as daunting a task as Nightwing ever heard.
"You know birdie, if you feel that bad I could just leave her a note." Nightwing snorted. Red X chuckled for a second. A white-blue laser appeared at the top. Nightwing stared at the light similar to a moth drawn to a hot lamp. X twirled the pen in his fingers for a moment, but before he could slice the bars soft footfalls echoed behind him. X turned around and stared into the darkness.
Now it was Nightwing's turn to laugh. "I know those footsteps anywhere. I was wondering when you two would pay me a visit. Sorry I couldn't call ahead to get you better rooms, cause this is no 4-star hotel and the food is bland…yet it could be worst. So what do you think?" Two slender figures walked up to the cell with small smiles on their faces. Red X whistled at the younger girl, she rolled her eyes.
"Oh man it was true. Robin what are you doing behind the bars? Shouldn't the weirdo in the black outfit be in your place right now?"
"It is nice to meet you lovely. The name is x, Red X. And your name is?"
"Batgirl, you can call me Batgirl." She ignored X's outstretched hand. Red X let his hand fall. The other woman shook her head at the boy's cocky attitude. Nightwing gave a low whistle you'd think he would have figured out that none of the girls around here would be that interested.
"That makes no sense. If you are Batgirl then how come he's not Bat-Boy?" He scratched his head in confusion. Was it something he said?
"Why are you here?" Nightwing asked after the awkward silence.
"I followed the clown. He said he had some rare jewels priceless actually. You know I have a weakness for shiny objects" Selena said while licking her lips.
"It is such a shame you can't get most of those shiny objects the legal way, Selena." Batgirl held her hand through the bars. Nightwing stared at her hand and decided to reach forward.
Nightwing laughed at his old friend. "I could not agree more Barbara". Before he could say more a group of people strolled up the cell and he squinted in the dim light. When they came closer he ducked under the bed with the sheet hanging over the side. As Selena, Barbara, and Red X looked at him puzzled.
"Guys you're going to have to keep this short. I'm not supposed to let you in here and I could get fired for this. Hope this works out for you" Rachel said as she hurried away down the hallway and through a set of doors hidden in the wall.
"Robin you must have really messed up this time" Selena said.
Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Raven stood in front the cell. Terra and Blackfire stood off to the side, but Starfire did not move any closer. Raven and Blackfire were the first to look back. Starfire started to sniff and rub her eyes. Her head was down but it wasn't long before everyone heard her cries. Beast Boy smelled the salt from her tears. Blackfire growled and turned with her hands glowing dark violet luckily; Raven was there to keep her from causing too much damage.
"How long are you going to hide under there, Robin?" Barbara asked crossing her arms in front of her. He shook his head and did not move. Starfire turned away from the cell and started to walk away. Nightwing scrambled from under the bed. A nagging conflicting tightness in his stomach compelled him to get up. After banging his head on the bed with a breathless squeaking whisper passed his lips. Nightwing cleared his throat and tried again.
"Starfire, wait! Please wait!" Starfire did not turn around. For a moment everyone thought she was going to leave. Nightwing stared at Starfire's back for the longest time. Raven squeezed Beast Boy's hand while Cyborg rocked back and forth.
"Well this is not going the way I thought it would go. You know with this little reunion and all. Don't you agree Barbara?" Selena said.
"I could not agree more Selena" Nightwing whispered. However, before anyone could say another word a shadow fell across them. The other inmates became quiet, so quiet in fact the silence made Nightwing's visitors uncomfortable. Nightwing snapped his mouth shut and glared at the figure appearing out of the shadows. Raven squeezed Beast Boy's hand, if she did not already know this was a person; she would have sworn a monster was going to attack them. Starfire backed away from the figure she stopped in front of Nightwing.
"Are you going to explain yourself?" Batman's deep voice echoed in the now silent halls. Nightwing reached out to touch her hand. Starfire pulled her hand away.
"Not to you" Nightwing murmured under his breath. Batman stood unmoving in front of the cell. Nightwing glanced at his friends' reactions and he clenched his teeth. Despite the fact that he had royally messed up- he wanted his reunion with his friends to be pleasant. The last thing he wanted was to see his friends all freaked out because of his former mentor's imposing presence.
"Why not Robin" Barbara asked after a tense silence.
"Because Barbara and Selene he does not deserve an explanation from me." Nightwing ended his statement with an audible growl. Batman raised an eyebrow but did not make any other movements. Of course with that mask on his face, no one could see the raised eyebrow. Nightwing scoffed even without being able to see his expressions he knew his mentor too well.
"Hello my dark angel and the beautiful star girl. And who are you miss tall, dark, and beautiful?" Red X walked out of the shadows with a cocky grin on his face. Barbara just sighed as he whistled up to them.
"Are all the bad guys in your city flirts?" Barbara and Blackfire asked.
Raven sighed, "No it's just him I think."
"Not to worry Robin. We'll have you out of there in a jiffy." Beast Boy said as he shifted into a gorilla to push the bars of the cell apart. Cyborg started to chuckle as Beast Boy strained against the steel. Raven giggled a little seeing her friend put such effort into something that was clearly not going to happen.
"What are you doing with that tiny torch?" Blackfire asked. Red X had a small silver pen out after pushing the bottom of the pen a fine point blue laser appeared. Red X seemed to ignore the caped crusader, as he barely glanced in his direction.
"What do you think my lovely? I'm getting him out of here."
"Listen I would rather take my punishment like a man. So just get out of here all right? The last thing I need is to be stuck in here for real. You and a failed attempt to "rescue" me will make matters worse, X."
"Worse you say? After all the trouble I went through to find this place. You would deny my help so quick? Fine be that way. I was going to consider giving you a present but now you can forget it Bird Boy."
Beast Boy shifted out of the gorilla panting for breath. Starfire placed her hand on his shoulder to comfort him. Beast Boy smiled at her but he was surprised when Raven wrapped his right arm around her waist, pulling them closer together. Was Raven a little jealous of Starfire for touching him? Raven also wondered where the sudden urge to be closer to Beast Boy came from. At the moment she did not really care if anyone saw her hugging him.
"Nightwing not Bird Boy do me a favor and remember it. My name is Nightwing."
"I thought it was Robin. How many names do you have" Red X asked scratching his head. The rest of his friends gave him strange looks.
"One and that is all you need to know. Now get out before I call security" Nightwing moved away from X still holding that pen-torch. Starfire turned around and refused to look at him. His heart fell from his ribs to his feet and then melted through the floor. As if it was not bad enough he was in jail, his friends had to find out he was alive by getting arrested, and his old mentor was about a minute from chewing him out… Could this day get any worse?
"Why would you want to stay here when you could be talking to any one of these gorgeous young ladies? You are an idiot. Besides I thought you liked walking on the dark side. It was fun am I right? I'm sure the cute pinkie would agree with me." Red's question was met with annoyed glances from Nightwing, Blackfire and Raven. Terra seemed to be more interested in staring at Selena in her Catwoman outfit. Beast Boy and Cyborg tried to not stare at Batman with childlike awe of meeting their favorite superhero. Their attempts were not going so well.
"I chose to do this it had nothing to do with her."
"What are you even doing here Red X? You're the one who's supposed to be in jail", Terra said.
"I was in the neighborhood. I also needed to pick up a short supply of my juice."
"Dude do you know what that is, it is Zinothium! You have any idea how picky, how short-tempered that stuff is", Cyborg shouted.
"I know enough Cy. Well I can see you are having a little family reunion. Don't let me interrupt. Tell your sister I said hi", Red X shrugged. Before Cyborg could question him more X jogged off towards the doors at the end of the hall. He used his laser pen as a lock pick and disappeared through the door.
"Robin should be prepared to take responsibility for his actions." Batman stood in front of the cell, but Nightwing refused to look at him. Instead he stared at his friends' various reactions to the Caped Crusader. Nightwing almost chuckled while Beast Boy and Cyborg whispered to each other. He was sure sooner or later they were going to ask for his autograph.
Beast Boy cleared his throat and smiled. "Wow …oh my goodness! It's him! Uh, we are ready and willing to, do whatever we have to Mr. Batman sir!"
"You can start by not calling him Mr. Batman. He has enough ego issues as it is" Selene said as Barbara shook her head. Beast Boy seemed a little too eager. Raven bopped him on the back of the head.
"Good one Selene," Nightwing gave a tiny smile. Batman dipped his head to Beast Boy and Cyborg who tried not to squeal in delight. To be able to meet this legend in the flesh was better than any comic book ever! Raven sighed, "Now he must really think we're a bunch of little kids. Would you two please control yourselves?"
Starfire looked from Barbara to Nightwing. Blackfire was still glaring at him though. Nightwing got the biggest shock when Starfire spoke to Batman. "Robin is one of the most trustworthy people I know. He did not mean to be accused along with the evil clown. That was a misunderstanding. I am sure the puppet-girl did not mean to cause harm." Starfire finished by brushing her fingers against his cell. Nightwing gasped as her fingers touched his for the briefest moment. Terra whispered, "Maybe there's a chance to get our trust back after all."
Batman was not impressed by Starfire's confession. "That does not change the fact he broke the law and he must face the consequences." His tone clearly showed his disappointment. Nightwing scoffed at his cold tone.
"Is she okay or more importantly are you okay?"
"Are you talking to us" B.B. asked looking around as if Nightwing had not spoken.
"I thought we were dead right B.B." Cyborg laughed at his friend. Nightwing had nervous written all over his face. Were they serious or were they joking as they ignored him?
"Last time I checked we were alive, right Blackfire, Terra" Raven smiled at Nightwing's nervous expression. He could not tell if they were messing with him right now and the suspense was killing him. It was nice to see him so flustered. Lucky for him Blackfire bailed him out.
"Come on you guys give him a break. Can we all agree that the whole "I-thought-you-were-dead" situation should be like forgive and forget? He did not mean it. I am sure he is sorry until the ends of the earth now can we all please go home?"
"I am afraid it is not that simple. The police have to decide what to do with him." Batman finished his statement by looking straight at Nightwing. Nightwing glared at his former mentor and wished more than anything: first that his friends were at home eating dinner and joking with each other, and two, that his Sensei was here.
"You say that like he is a criminal now. But he's not. I could say this from experience that people can change, I mean I was a villain for a while and they forgave me. Granted I don't remember any of that, but why can I get a second chance and Robin, I mean Nightwing, can't?" Terra said in a quiet voice.
"Do you really need an answer to that question" Nightwing asked as if Batman's thoughts on the subject were not obvious enough. In his mind now he was a criminal and he had to pay for his misdeeds. No matter what his friends said they could not convince Batman otherwise.
"He is still Robin". Cyborg looked at Barbara who had said the same thing. Raven and Beast Boy smiled despite all the craziness that was going on, to see all their friends supporting Robin was heartwarming. This meant there was a better chance that Robin would be welcomed back without harsh words or threats to beat him up if he ever did something like this again.
"How do you know? He could be brainwashed by Deathstroke."
"Who is Deathstroke" the Titans asked in confusion. Before Batman could comment on this another set of footsteps echoed in the quiet halls. Nightwing could not stop the grin spreading over his face. Everyone else stared into the darkness trying to figure out who was coming now.
"That would be me."
"Hi Dad it's good to see you." Nightwing said with genuine warmth. A shaft of moonlight appeared from somewhere above them. The group gasped in denial and amazement. The last person they expected to walk in was striding up to them as if he was on a moonlight stroll. Batman narrowed his eyes. His left hand clenched into a fist. Everyone stood in two lines as if they were lining up for a country line dance or parting like the Red Sea.
"Dad?!" they all shouted except for Batman and of course Nightwing. Nightwing gave Slade a sincere smile and Batman sneered. The rest of the Titans did not know what to make of this new information. Since when were Slade and Robin best buds? What did that mean for them as a crime-fighting team, or more importantly as friends?
"You know if you keep standing there I'm just going to ignore you." Nightwing continued to stare at the ceiling of his cell, in fact at anything in the dim room as long as it was not his former mentor.
"I don't understand why you are in here. Why are you in a cell waiting to be convicted for trying to rescue a stupid fan-girl of a super-villain?"
Batman said this with a scowl and disgust in his voice. Nightwing's expression did not reveal his inner–struggle to not slug the Dark Knight in the face and make him beg for mercy; thoughts which did; however bring a cruel smile across his lips. Barbara and Selene couldn't figure out what to do. On a certain level they understood what Robin was going through. Yet it was not difficult to understand Batman's point of view either; why should Robin waste his time getting involved with a dangerous criminal and his little lost duckling?
"I'm going to pretend I did not hear you call my little sister a 'stupid fan-girl'. Now do you have anything meaningful to say cause if not can I go back to sleep now? You bore me." Nightwing glanced at his friends for some support. Starfire refused to look at him. Blackfire was glaring at him again. Cyborg and Raven had the most sympathetic looks. Beast Boy and Terra just seemed to be in shock overall.
"Robin I did everything I could for you. How could you betray me like this? Have you ever considered what those friends of yours think about all this? There is no way…?"
Batman was interrupted by Rachel jogging up to them in rapid steps. She stood still for a moment to catch her breath and then she announced some disturbing news.
"I really do not mean to interrupt but I felt you all needed to hear this. The Mayor will be giving a press conference in the morning to publicly decide your fates. He could keep you both in here for a long time, or he could send you to Juvenile Court because it's your first offense, or there is the possibility he will send you to Gotham with the Joker; claiming you two were his allies. I doubt that last option will happen, but we have more pressing news. The Joker is leaving tonight. He's going back to Gotham. The Batman and his two female companions have the option to return to Gotham or stay here. Either way, the choice is yours. It is unfortunate but all of you will have to…wait a minute where did the two guys in black armor go? They were just here!"
Red X had already left when Batman showed up. Slade seemed to have made use of a favorite technique: "blend-into-shadows-disappearing-without-a-trace". Nightwing was certain he was still in the building, perhaps he went to check on Kiara. He knew Slade had not left the building- unlike someone else he really wished would leave.
"Barbara and Catwoman you should go back to Gotham. It appears I have some unfinished business with Deathstroke. I'll meet you there in no less than a week. Barbara I want an update when you get to Arkham."
Selene shook her head sighing. "Who is he to order me around? I'm not some goodie-two-shoes crime fighter. I'm a fashionable, up-scale, and modern woman, with a keen eye for shiny objects. I don't care what the Bat says."
Nightwing chuckled, "Well you know how serious he is. He wouldn't know how to lighten up if it smacked him in the face."
Barbara gave a lighthearted chuckle. "Contrary to popular belief us goodie-two-shoes do have some class unlike you Cat Lady."
"Oh I'll get you for that little sweet fangs, just you wait" Selene laughed while examining her claws miming scratching them on a scratching post in mid-air.
"It does not matter who will be getting who- we are all leaving tonight. Robin I will get to the bottom of this so-called admiration you have for Deathstroke or Slade as he now refers to himself. I expect you to come to your senses soon." With that said Barbara and Selene shuffled out of the room and his friends were not far behind. Most of them gave at least sympathetic smiles, except for Starfire- she did not glance back once.
After they were all gone Nightwing tried to go to sleep. It was a losing battle. The last few hours played in his mind back and forth on a loop. If he did not figure out a way to shut off his thoughts he might consider himself insane. However, an unseen visitor returned to give the distraught teen some comfort.
"Well I thought they'd never leave."
"It's good to see you again, Dad." Slade stepped out of the shadows similar to a ghost. Nightwing could not help chuckling. Were the guards here too comfortable dealing with "regular" people and not super-powered mutants, or were they oblivious to the tall armored figure standing in front of his cell?
"I missed you."
"Really, we just saw each other not seven hours ago, dad."
"Well it feels a lot longer than that…Hmm? Is something on your mind?"
"What makes you say that?" Slade replied with a low chuckle.
"It's simple. Your right ring finger twitched. That means you're nervous. Care to share? I won't be going to bed anytime soon."
"You know me so well."
"Giggle, it is so surprising? We have been together for over four months now." Slade glanced at another figure obscured in the shadows. He was sure he knew who it was but he wanted some alone time with his boy and bringing up that person again would only cause trouble.
"I want to ask you a question. So please do me the favor of not laughing at my awkward pauses."
"Must be serious," Nightwing said after sitting up on his flat and barely cushioned bed. With his hands resting on his lap; he leaned forward on the bed and nodded his head. "If you keep hesitating something must be bothering you."
"I have been puzzling over this for quite a while now. I'm just not sure what you will say."
"You won't know unless you ask, please Dad?" I know it seems bad now but trust me you'll learn to like it… Who knows I might even become like a father to you.
"Robin, why do…why do trust me? After all this time the most reasonable reaction would've been you running for the hills. Why are you still here?"
Nightwing smiled at his memories over the past months. For Slade to be so unsettled by his reaction must mean that he had been considering this question for a long time. "You told me that trust takes time to build but it is easy to destroy. So why trust you now?"
"When everything else points to the contrary especially based on our past experiences and interactions, why?"
"I've been with you past four months right?"
"Yes ever since your friends took care of the Brother Hood of Evil."
"So at least six months I do include my little episode of not speaking to anyone. That little possibly troublesome fast of mine it was no big deal."
He laughed, "That was no fast. That was a hunger strike."
"It is good to hear you laugh. I like it." Nightwing could not help laughing as well.
"Yes where was I? That's right when I finally accepted that my best friends were…dead…What was I going to do? I lost my will to live- without them, my family, who was I: a villain or a hero? I realized I was the same boy who looked into the eyes of the Bruce Wayne and asked 'who am I'. You, Wintergreen, and yes even the cutie Kiara became my family."
"We did that for you?"
"You kept me on the solid ground of sanity and away from the cliff edge known as insanity. By the way, X seemed to have his eye on my sister."
"He will require watching…"
"Now if you didn't do that where would be the fun in that?"
Nightwing sighed, "How is she?"
"Last I heard still in the infirmary. Do you think X is serious?"
"I have a strong idea how he thinks. He's a lot like me but he talks more. He won't go half-way it's all or nothing with him."
"Not sure how I should interpret that."
"I know how you feel. Why is he still watching us?"
"All your friends left but he's watching us like a hawk." Sure enough a dark silhouette appeared in the corner staring at them with an impassive expression. Nightwing ground his teeth clenching his fists at his sides. Slade rubbed his hand on the boy's shoulder to soothe him.
"You did not brainwash me…What does he think you are a vampire?"
"I like that idea. I think I'd make a compelling vampire, don't you agree?"
"Oh dear you as a vampire, now that's a scary thought! However let's not give the control-freak another unnecessary reason to hate you and give Kiara one more reason to fawn over you."
"Speaking of which, just so you know I am confident I have lost all trust with Starfire. She won't even look me in the eyes. She barely said a word before she left!" Nightwing kneeled on the stone floor. Slade did not know what to do.
"The worst part of it is, it is all, my fault," Nightwing started laughing in an unsettling way. Slade wondered if perhaps he was going crazy. "I suppose there is a silver lining to all this."
"What might that be?"
"I don't have to worry about a psycho clown killing my friends—that after this little fiasco will never speak to me again. Isn't life just wonderful?"
"No one ever said it would be easy. But I know you Grayson. You will find a way to make this right."
"How do you know that?" Nightwing asked staring at the unmoving shadow in the corner of the room.
"Because you and I have one good thing in common, although depending on how you look at it you could say it's a bad thing… We hate to lose. And I am confident you will earn your friends' trust back, because to do otherwise would be a serious breach in character for you."
"That stupid, condescending, indifferent, stoic scowl is driving me crazy. I'd rather he hit me. Anything is better than that stare of complete disapproval and disgust. I think he'd be more forgiving of me if I had killed someone during at arrest. Uh-ha, um speaking of arrests you probably would not want to hear what he said about Kiara."
"Go on."
"He called her a fan-girl. In all honesty he called her a 'stupid' fan-girl." Nightwing's comment was met with silence. No growling, or wise-cracking comebacks, not even a snort or loud laugh; Slade just stood there staring into darkness without a word. Needless to say, Nightwing was now quite nervous.
"I believe the general impression is Kiara follows you like a baby duck.
"Since when is there anything wrong about that" Slade muttered wringing his hands.
"That's what I was thinking but if that Bat hurts her or my friends…"
"Easy Grayson, don't give him a reason to put you in a strait jacket or worse solitary. Just calm down my boy you are all right. "
"Right, calm is so easy to do. Remind me again how do you be calm?"
Slade chuckled a little. "I have no idea. I've been winging it mostly."
"That's a lie! You know I really do think of Kiara as my sister."
"Good I know you'll look after her."
"What's gotten into you? I've never heard you sound so…"
"Mushy, sentimental, emotional may come to your mind."
"No, I was going to say, you sound like a father. A decent father is worth his salt."
"Thank you Grayson, I mean Nightwing."
"You are welcome, Dad." Nightwing turned over as he felt Slade's presence leave the room. He did his best to clear his mind. Tomorrow was going to be the start of some crazy new experiences but with any luck, it may be the fresh start he needed to getting back in his best friends' good graces.