10: Might Be A Bit Fast
19:00 October 5th
Dick hadn't texted her all day, which was odd. In the past few weeks, he'd texted at least a 'hello' every day. Today was different. He might be working - as a freelance programmer, she was sure his schedule was not consistent. Still…
Skye Lovett
Busy today?
Dick Grayson
Yes, working nonstop.
I thought about texting you, but kept getting called to do a job.
Skye Lovett
Who knew programming was so demanding? ;)
Dick Grayson
Technology. Can't live without it.
Working tonight?
Skye Lovett
Yes, from 8 to 2.
Did you talk to Daniel?
Dick Grayson
Yeah, and I asked a friend to check him out.
Skye Lovett
And?
Dick Grayson
Waiting for information.
Skye Lovett
Should I be worried?
Dick Grayson
Not at the moment.
Talk to you later, I have a job to do.
Skye Lovett
Later.
Later that night, Skye was serving drinks to a handful of guys that were watching the football game with earnest. They barely looked at her, which she was grateful. Attention from guys in the club had always made her uncomfortable, but she was always polite and professional. Frank was working tonight again, and came over to her.
"Skye, take a break, it's slow at the moment. Twenty minutes," he said, taking the glass she was filling with ice out of her hand. The crowd cheered as the game ended and their team won.
"I've only been working an hour and a half."
"Someone asked for you at the backdoor," Frank said with a smile on his face. Skye frowned. "An attractive man in a mask," Frank added with his eyebrows raised suggestively.
Nightwing. He asked for her? Skye felt a flutter in her chest as she made her way to the back door and walked outside. He was waiting in the shadows, casually leaning against the brick wall of the opposite building.
"You asked for me?"
He stood and turned to her. Skye was hoping he'd come into the light a bit more so she could actually see his face better, but he didn't.
"I have information you might want to know about Daniel Masters."
Skye thought for a moment. Was this the friend Dick had contacted? Considering his father had connections to Nightwing, it made sense that Dick did as well. Nightwing stepped forward once, his body a bit more detailed but his face still shadowed. His head was down so she couldn't really see his face.
"If you're here, then it must not be good."
"His adopted mother is the head of the Falcone Crime Family here in Chicago. They were the same people who took Laura and Matthew hostage. Speaking off, have you heard from Matthew?" His head raised for a moment, and Skye saw his eyes. Sucking in a breath, she felt her stomach drop.
Those eyes! She knew those eyes… His head dropped quickly after they made eye contact. The connection between her and those eyes was just out of her reach.
"No…" she whispered, biting her lip. "Did they hurt him?"
"I don't know."
"You'll find out, won't you?"
"I'll do what I can. Can't promise anything, though."
"What should I do? If they know that I know…" Skye shuddered, thought of Laura and her past, and then took a deep breath to calm herself. "Nevermind. I have a good job here and no reason for them to know that I know."
"It may not be safe for you to work here."
"Are you saying I should leave?"
"Maybe." Nightwing stepped back into the shadows and looked up. She couldn't see his face except for an outline.
"Maybe you're right," she said quietly. "I'll think about it."
Nightwing nodded then disappeared. Skye watched the spot he was standing for a few more moments, breathing slowly. She wanted him to come back, to protect her, but he was gone. Dick's face came to her mind and she felt guilty. She was crushing on a masked man when she was dating another man that gave her almost the same kind of feeling. Except Dick was upfront and honest, while Nightwing was all mysterious and closed.
She finished her shift as quickly as she could, keeping busy with stocking and serving drinks as much as she could without stopping. Frank asked her about her little meeting, but she just smiled.
09:49 October 6th
Dick woke to his phone making noise, the tone for Skye texting him. He had gotten a good six hours of sleep, so he rolled out of bed with no trouble. Stretching and yawning, Dick picked up his phone as he made his way to the kitchen to make some breakfast for himself.
Skye Lovett
Your friend contacted me last night.
Dick Grayson
Oh? What did he say?
Skye Lovett
Daniel is the son of a mob boss.
I knew something was odd about him.
He creeps me out.
Dick Grayson
Are you kidding?
is it safe for you at the club?
Skye Lovett
Of course, they wouldn't do anything to a bartender.
Dick Grayson
But you know who they are.
I don't think it's safe.
Skye Lovett
I'll be fine.
I promise to take care of myself and be careful.
Dick frowned. When Nightwing told her to leave, she said she'd think about it. When Dick told her, she said she was fine. Hell, he was jealous of himself.
Dick Grayson
I'm still going to worry. I'm sure you can take a few days off.
Skye Lovett
I already did with Laura. I need the money to pay bills.
Dick Grayson
I'll take care of your bills for that time, then.
Skye Lovett
No! What are you thinking?
You can't pay anything of mine.
We barely start to date!
Dick Grayson
I'm only trying to help.
Skye Lovett
I don't need your help, Dick.
What is wrong with you?
Dick was surprised at her reaction to his offer. Well, not really, but all he was doing was asking to keep her safe for a few days. He didn't reply right away because he felt irritated and jealous of the stupid costume. If he had told her this in it, would she have agreed? It was completely stupid of him to feel this way, but it was there.
Dick Grayson
I'm not sorry I want to see you safe.
Skye Lovett
… I appreciate it but I can take care of myself.
I have for a while now.
We've been dating for a few weeks.
I'm not sure how to feel about you coming in and offering protection this fast.
It's odd.
Dick Grayson
What about it being a loan, then?
Take a few days off, please.
Skye Lovett
A loan. I can do that.
Am I still invited to the engagement party?
Dick Grayson
Of course. Let me know what you plan, alright?
Skye Lovett
Deal.
Dick was still a little irritated about the fact that she resisted his help, but then accept… his help. Did Skye have a thing for Nightwing? That thought made his head snap up and he stared at the wall for a long time, thoughts rolling in his head. It was a blow to him, the girl he was seeing was into someone else. Well, not really, but she didn't know that. His chest tightened and he huffed in annoyance. Skye had flirted with his alter ego, but it had been like that since they first met.
With Dick, though, she was getting closer physically while with Nightwing she was just studying him with those pretty gray eyes. His chest loosened. That was saying something. Maybe it was the mask - it seemed to get attention in that sense a lot. Dick felt a little more relaxed at that thought. It was the mask, not the guy. Nodded with finality, he moved to the stove to make an omelet.