07: Connor and Megan Have An Announcement

19:02 September 27th

Skye felt her chest tighten as they sped toward the club. Glancing at Dick, she saw him focusing on the road with an intense gaze. It was barely seven, the club had just opened for a MMA fight that was on television. What had happened? She worried about Laura and Matthew, and the three other employees she knew was working there tonight. Dick went only a little over the speed limit, but enough to have to weave through traffic.

Who was Dick's father and what kind of connections did he have? If he could find this out from Jersey, what else could he find? She took a deep breath as she thought about her past. There is no shame in what happened, she told herself. Still, it was the one thing that held her back. It was way too early for Dick to find that information out.

The pulled up into Club Arctic's parking lot, with two police cars and a large black police truck. The area was buzzing with officers, talking to each other, people in the area, and into their walkie talkies. Skye held onto Dick's arm as he led her around the group and into a dark alley a block away. She frowned up at him.

"Don't worry, like I said, connections." He gave her a reassuring smile and then looked into the darkness. It took a moment, but she saw the outline of someone she knew. Nighwing! He stayed in the shadows. Skye felt herself relax. This connection, she could handle.

"I'm sorry about your friends, Skye." The voice came from the shadows.

"Are they alright? What's happening?" She looked over her shoulder out at the people milling about in front of the club.

"It seems your friend Matthew made some bad investments. A collector is inside, refusing to leave until he gives him his money."

"What about her friend? The other employees?" Dick asked.

"The girl, Laura, is being held with a gun to her head." Skye sucked in a breath and Dick glared at the dark. "I've talked to the officer in charge - old pals - and I'm going inside in a moment."

Skye tightened her hold on Dick.

"Please, don't let anyone get hurt, Nightwing." She felt Dick stiffen as the shadow disappeared. She let Dick turn her around and head back into the crowd.

"They'll be fine, I promise," he murmured.

01:22 September 28th

He handed Laura a cup of hot coffee, mostly cream and sugar. The woman's hands were still shaking, but she seemed much calmer now that she was at Skye's apartment, sitting on the couch. Skye had insisted to the officers after Laura had come out for her to come with her to calm down. They reluctantly agreed after Laura said she would come to the precinct early in the morning. Dick had followed to help.

"I don't know… how it happened. It was so fast…" Laura shuddered and held the dark blue comforter around her shoulders tighter. She sipped the hot coffee using her other hand. Skye knelt in front of her friend and put a hand on Laura's knee. Dick stood a few feet away, not wanting to crowd Laura.

"What happened?" Skye asked gently. Laura took a shaky breath.

"I was getting ready to open shop, but then the back door slammed open. A huge guy stepped in, and I instantly knew it was a bad sign." Laura shivered and drink a bit more coffee. "Matthew came running in to see what happened, then he screamed like a little girl." Laura shook her head, brushing tears out of her eyes. "I can't believe I was in love with that creep. Anyway, he… started yelling about getting paid, punched Matthew, and grabbed me..."

"You'll have to try to give specific descriptions to the police," Dick told her quietly. He wondered if she could do that in the morning.

"Yes, I know," she sighed, nodding. Skye squeezed her knee. "So, he held a gun to my head as he… made me sit in a chair. I remember being so scared…" Laura shuddered again. "Then the guy in the black and blue suit came in and flew so fast.. I didn't even know the man was down until I saw him on the ground."

Dick pressed his lips together. Batman had handled it alright - by pretending to be him. He supposed that helped his face with Skye, but his ego was a bit bruised. He had expected the Batman suit, not his own. The two of them were different sizes, as well. how had he made it look like him? That thought was for another time, because Laura burst out crying. Skye hugged her friend, then stood up and moved to Dick.

"I'll leave if you want me to go… Laura should get your attention."

"Yeah. I'll text you tomorrow." Skye looked over her shoulder at Laura. "Thank you." She turned her gaze to him. "Thank you for the connections you're father has."

Dick opened his mouth to reply, but was stopped by a gentle press of her lips on the corner of his mouth. He nodded with a small smile. Laura nodded thankfully toward him with watery eyes.

"If you need anything, I'm sure I can find a way to get it," he told Laura."

"Thank you," Laura whispered.

11:19 September 28th

Skye Lovett

The police deal is all done. Laura is not looking forward to testifying.

Again, thanks for everything.

Dick was wide awake and doing a midday workout of pushups and situps. He finished a few more situps and then took a long drink of water before replying to Skye.

Dick Grayson

I'm sorry she has to go through this.

Are you alright?

Skye Lovett

Yes, just worried about a friend.

I'd like to see you again, but with this…

Dick Grayson

Don't worry, I totally understand.

He knew this would kill things. Dick couldn't blame himself or Skye - her friend was in need. Still, Dick wondered if she would see him again after this settled down.

Skye Lovett

Don't pout, I didn't mean I'd never see you again ;)

Grinning, Dick replied.

Dick Grayson

How do you know I'm pouting?

Skye Lovett

You seem the type.

Dick Grayson

So that means you'll go out with me again?

Skye Lovett

Yes, promise.

22:00 October 2nd

Nightwing finished the guy by slamming his fist into his face, letting him fall to the ground. He was out cold. The man's friends - five of them - were lying face down in the alley behind the largest bank in the city. They had successfully broken in, but had unsuccessfully gotten out, thank to Nightwing's fists. Blowing out a breath, he cracked his neck and stepped back into the shadows. The police were coming around the corner.

The communicator in his ear beep, and he pressed the tiny button.

"Nightwing, go."

"Hey, dude, how's it going?"

"Impulse.. er, I mean Kid Flash?" Nightwing frowned as he made his way back to his apartment, sliding through the darkness with his dark suit and mask. It was still odd to call the kid that name, even after all this time. "Why are you using this to contact me."

"You didn't leave a number!"

Dick slid into his apartment window and closed the curtains before turning on the light. he stood in the middle of the room to continue talking to Bart Allen.

"You could have asked Batman, Robin, or even Batgirl." Nightwing grinned, amused at his young friend's talent of finding it on his own.

"Where's the fun in that? Anyway, you should come back for a bit. You know, catch up."

"Why?" He narrowed his eyes. "What happened?"

"Hey, is that Nightwing?" He heard Connor's voice in the background. There was a struggle, with a few curse words, and then Connor started to speak. "Dick, is that you?"

"Okay, what is this all about?" Nightwing was a bit more relaxed with the tone of their voices, but still suspicious.

"Uh…" Connor suddenly sounded a bit… shy? "Well, you see…"

"They're getting married! Superboy and Miss Martian!" Bart's voice was in the background. Dick raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but grin.

"Really? Aren't you two a bit young?"

"Considering I'm stuck looking like this forever, why not? Anyway, we're having a celebration next weekend, and we're inviting everyone."

"Everyone," came an echo from Bart.

"Alright then… sounds like a party I might enjoy. Now next time, call me on my actual phone, alright?" He gave the guys his cell number and then disconnected the line.

He changed quickly, taking a shower then lying on his back in his bed in his underwear. He felt a little old now. His friends from years ago were getting married - Connor and M'gann and Connor had been together for the last few years. He wasn't sure what else was happening - it made him feel guilty for not keeping in touch with the people outside the Batfamily. He wondered if it was a costumed party or if they were going to be normal people. Maybe he could bring Skye?

He sat up immediately and laughed at himself. That wasn't going to happen. Not this soon.