Chapter 5

We drove in silence for a mile or two before I broke it. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

Dick relaxed slightly in the front seat. "I wanted to have a conversation about where your powers come from."

"You wanna ask questions and have me answer you," I concluded. "What do you want to know about the Angels then?"

"Which one is your father?" he started.

"Michael," I answered. "He's one of the Arch Angels, however he's also the most powerful of them."

"So, what does that mean for you?" he asked in concern as he shifted in his seat. "With your father being the right hand of God and all?" I looked over at him, slightly impressed. "What?"

"Robin knows his Bible," I teased, and he rolled his eyes at me. "I'm actually impressed. But to answer your question. No one really knows. In the past, only lower Angels had Nephlims. It's never been an Arch Angel before. And with Romolo and I now, we aren't really well liked. Most of the other Angels think that we should be killed for existing, like we had a choice in the matter."

"So, you have a price on your head?" Dick concluded with concern in his voice. "Are they all after you?"

"They wouldn't dare," I contradicted. "Despite what you may think, Angels are soldiers. They wouldn't act without direction from the Arch Angels. And the Arch Angels wouldn't act without a full vote between all of them."

"What about Romolo?" Dick inquired, trying to redirect the conversation. "You said that you're cousins through your fathers. So, which Angel is his father?"

"Raphael," I answered. "He's one of the one's that isn't against us, despite being one that's the angriest. Gabriel isn't against us, but he's always been a rebel. Sariel is the kindest, so he's on our side. My father, Michael, is actually apathetic towards the whole thing, so he's a neutral part. The others are mostly against us being alive but won't push unless we misuse our powers."

Dick glanced at me in slight confusion. "How many Arch Angels are there?"

"Seven," I answered, but shrugged. "You'll hear about many different variations on the names, but the main four are Michael, Raphael, Gabriel and Uriel. The other three are Sariel, Raguel and Remiel. Those three were fairly new back in Bible times, but they have the most experience. So, they are divided with what they want. Three want us alive and three want us dead. With my father being a neutral party, the vote won't be even."

"Shouldn't your father want you alive like Raphael?" Dick questioned in disbelief. "I mean he is your father after all. He should care that you are alive."

"That would be where you're wrong," I spat bitterly. "He's one of the most apathetic being in existence. He doesn't care either way, only cares about what his Father wants. Most Angels don't have many emotions, except for the Arch Angels. He was only with my mother because they needed someone on Earth to kill Rachel, and he's the most powerful. Romolo was born to be a guide and companion to me, that way I wouldn't feel alone."

"So, your own father doesn't have an opinion on his own daughter?" Dick asked in absolute astonishment. It was as if he couldn't fathom a father not caring about his child.

"Not everyone has a great family experience like you Dick," I teased lightly as I placed a hand on his arm. "My father sees me as a necessary evil that needs to be to do their will. That was something that I am grateful to God for, because he made me with free will, so I can decide what I want to do."

"I'm glad that we all have free will too," Dick agreed, placing his hand over mine. "If I helps, I'm glad that you were born. It means that I get to know you."

I giggled at him. "Charmer."

He chuckled at my humor. "So, can anyone see Angels or is it just you?"

"Angels need a vessel in order to come down to Earth," I explained, shifting in my seat. "They have to have permission by the vessel in order to use them in any way. Regular Angels can possess certain people, while Arch Angels only have one vessel that they can control. And doing so can be devastating to the person."

"That sounds rough," Dick commented. "So, they can't possess someone who says no to them?"

"No, they wouldn't be able to do that," I told him. "If they could possess anyone, they would be a demon, not an Angel."

"Demons exist too?" Dick asked incredulously.

"Dick, if Angels and Heaven exist, wouldn't that mean that demons and Hell exist as well," I chuckled at his surprise.

There was a pause in conversation as Dick thought over what all was said. But then he asked a question that made me groan. "What about your birth mother?"

"Dick, I've told you," I groaned. "It's safer for everyone if you don't know anything about my family. My father's family I can talk about because there's less risk. My mother's family is off limits, and you know it."

I noticed that we were getting close to our destination. "We should focus on what we are here to do. Getting answers for Rachel."

Dick glanced over at me before turning back to the road. "We'll get answers, but this topic isn't over. You need to talk about it eventually."

"We'll see about that," I grumbled.

*Angel with a Shotgun*

Our destination turned out to be an office building in Chicago, Illinois. We both walked in after parking to see an older woman trimming a bonsai tree. Dick looked up the directory and it only said one name: Adamson in the penthouse on the thirteenth floor. We looked at each other in suspicion at that. Walking over to the elevator anyway, Dick pressed the up button, then turned to me. He looked up towards the ceiling which had me spinning around to see a security camera.

We turned back to the doors, only to hear a voice behind us. "Butterscotch?"

Spinning back around, we found the older woman from before standing there with a kind smile on her face. She held up two butterscotch candies in her hands. "Thank you," we whispered as we took them from her.

"You're very welcome, dears," she said and then turned back around to walk back to the tree. Dick turned to me with confusion and surprise on his face. I had a feeling that my face mirrored his.

We turned back to get on the elevator as the doors opened. We rode the elevator up to the thirteenth floor, where it came up to a glass door. Walking inside, I looked around at the spacious yet bare penthouse. It looked like the place came furnished and no one made it a home. I heard a pop came from down a small flight of stairs and I followed Dick towards the noise. What we found was not what I was expecting.

There was an older man with graying hair that was pouring a glass of champagne. He looked up at us and cracked a small smile. "Detective Grayson," he greeted, then looked at me with interest. "Emma Roth."

"Are you Mr. Adamson?" Dick asked.

"Doctor Adamson," he corrected. "Are either of you hungry? I've got something on the stove." I looked at him in disbelief when I saw a crepe frying in a pan. "Neither of you are vegetarians, are you? I do prefer an animal-based protein."

"Who are you people, and what do you want with Rachel?" Dick questioned, ignoring his inquires.

"As much as I'd love to have a lengthy conversation with you both about Rachel Roth, Detective, Ms. Roth, I'm afraid there's no time," he explained crossing his arms. "You found me. I've been exposed. So, the organization is sending people to kill us." He looked to the clock while Dick and I shared a worried glance. "We have one minute. Unless we leave right now. Or we could stay for one last glass of champagne."

"No one knows that we're here," Dick opposed.

"I do," Dr. Adamson countered. "So does the old woman downstairs. They're everywhere."

He took a drink from his glass and Dick seemed to be thinking over something. "Does this organization work for Rachel's father?" he questioned finally. "Is he still looking for her?"

"You could say that, yes," the doctor deflected. Then he looked to the stove as a burning sound came from there. "Oh, dear, my crepes are burning."

At this point, I had had enough. Lunging forward, I grabbed him and put my face in his. "If you don't give us some answers, I'm gonna stick your face in it," I threatened him.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Roth, but we have ten seconds before the final answers come for all of us."

"What do you want with Rachel?" I asked again, getting frustrated.

"I do love a good champagne," he deflected again with a creepy smile.

"We want some answers," I growled as Dick came forward.

Doctor Adamson then began to count down as I looked at Dick in frustration. "Okay, you're coming with us," he told the doctor.

However, just as the doctor reached one, the sound of a gun cocking made up look up. I threw Adamson to the floor as a shot was fired and we both dodged. Dick grabbed the frying pan and threw the oil at the first two assassins. Dick started to fight them. I joined in as more come down the stairs. We did our best to fight against them, however one caught my back and then another caught my face that knocked me to the ground.

We were both down when a smoke ball appeared, and a figure began to fight against the assassins. Dick was reaching over to look at me when the figure put down the last assassin. Struggling to sit up, I saw a boy in another Robin suit.

"Wow," he said with a grin. "Dick Grayson in the flesh. Nice to meet you, bro. I'm the new Robin."

Dick just kind of looked at the outstretched hand. I smacked his arm to knock him out of his daze and he took the hand to stand. He then reached out to help me and stabilized me as I was shaky on my feet.

"Oh, Emma Roth, even better," the boy said in excitement. "This is great. Here, let me help you getting this guy downstairs."

He rushed past us to grab hold of Adamson's feet. I exchanged a look of disbelief with Dick before I shrugged. Nodding towards the guy, I held my side where I got hit. Dick sighed but got my message and went to help by grabbing the other foot.

*Angel with a Shotgun*

Eventually we were able to get Dr. Adamson down to the parking garage after handcuffing him. Both of the boys dragged him across the ground, each holding one foot. My side still hurt, and Dick refused for me to help them. The "new" Robin was starting to get a little annoying. "Man, dude looks dead."

"Trust me," Dick said, annoyance lacing his voice. "There's a difference between dead and knocked out."

There was silence before the boy broke it. "This is awesome! Robin and Robin, in action."

"Who the hell are you?" Dick finally asked.

"Jason Todd," he introduced himself. "The new Robin. Robin 2.0, right?"

We finally made it to the car and Jason stopped Dick before he could open the back. "Hey, seriously, man, it's an honor to meet you," he said then held out his fist.

Dick took a minute before he bumped his fist with Jasons. They both went to lift the doctor into the car after the back was opened, and Jason started talking again.

"I always wondered what this moment was gonna be like," he grunted from lifting. "Never thought when it happened, I'd be saving your life. Or you're girlfriends."

Dick ignored the last part and quickly tried to change the subject. "So, there's a new Robin, eh?"

"Yours truly," Jason bragged. "In the flesh."

"Does Batman know you're here?" Dick continued to question.

"Of course," Jason replied immediately. "Bruce knows how badly I've always wanted to meet you. Pick your brain, catch a couple of pointers, he's all, go for it bro."

I almost laughed at the thought of Batman saying bro, but I held it in. To me, Jason Todd seemed like an excitable puppy. He then ran off, saying he was going to get his clothes. Dick looked over at me and I just raised my hands up in defense. "I had no idea that there was a new Robin," I told him before he opened his mouth. "This is news to me too. I've stayed out of the whole hero business."

*Angel with a Shotgun*

After Jason came back with his civilian clothes on, we all got into the car. Dick was driving, I was in the passenger side and Jason was in the back. It was pretty quiet in the car for a moment as we made our way through Chicago. Jason then pushed his head in between our seats, grinning at Dick. "Can't believe it," he said excitedly. "Here we are, together, in the same car. This is so cool!"

Dick was whipping his nose with a cloth. He refused to let me heal him, not wanting Jason to notice. "Yeah," he muttered. "Real cool."

Jason then turned to me. "And being in the same car as the Seraph! That is just a dream come true. Bruce talks a lot about you and your combat abilities. He said they were top notch."

I gave him a look and Dick cut in before I could lose my temper. "So how long have you and Bruce been, uh…"

"Together?" Jason finished turning back to him. "Almost a year."

"A year?" Dick echoed doing a double take at Jason, who nodded in confirmation. Dick only chuckled softly as I gave him a worried look. "Wow. Okay. Didn't waste any time. So how did you and he—"

"I was out boosting cars," Jason cut him off. "Guess I chose the wrong one. Or the right one."

"You tried to steal the Batmobile?" I asked incredulously.

"No, girl," he denied but then shrugged. "Just the hubcaps."

"And just like that, he took you in?" Dick inquired with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Guess he saw potential," Jason replied, oblivious to Dick's annoyance. "So, what do you think of the new suit? Upgrades are pretty sick, right? The new tunic is made with Zylon fibers, six times stronger than Kevlar. Seriously, bro, you can hit me with a flame thrower from ten feet and I'd be like, 'That's all you got?'"

"Zyon fibers?" Dick echoed.

"Smart, right?" Jason bragged. "Hey, no offense bro but you gotta admit, the old version was a little outdated."

There was silence after that, and I was starting a little annoyed with the pissing contest that was going on between the two of them. But there was something that was bothering me. "So, how'd you find us anyway?"

"The tracker," he answered nonchalantly.

Dick on the other hand was confused as well as I. "What tracker?" I asked.

"In his arm," Dick said like it was obvious.

"There's a fucking tracker in my arm?" Dick snapped.

"Yea," Jason confirmed pulling his sleeve up to show us his. "In mine, too. Don't you remember him putting it in?"

"No," Dick said stonily, but obviously agitated.

"Maybe you forgot," Jason tried to pacify. Then he decided to change the subject. "So, where are we goin'?"

"We gotta find a place to put that guy," I told him, nodding my head to the back.

Jason looked smug. "Can I make a suggestion?"

Dick tried to cool his anger, but his jaw twitched. "Sure."

Jason gave directions to a building in Chicago. We all got out and got our cases. Going inside, Jason was looking around in slight awe. "According to Bruce, the design of this place is inspired by Frank Lloyd," Jason explained.

Dick and I both looked at him in disbelief. "Wright," Dick corrected.

"I know, right?" Jason agreed, oblivious to getting corrected. "Dude's really into, you know, lines and shit. Bruce has a bunch of places like this. He calls them saft houses, but they're more like condos. Never been to one."

"You're lucky," Dick deadpanned, then he walked over to the retina scanner.

It scanned his eyes, and then turned red. "Access denied."

"I got this," Jason said. They switched places and it scanned his eyes, then turned green. Jason turned around to look at us and shrugged. "Guess he changed the locks."

We all got into the elevator, and it was quiet. The tension coming off of Dick was almost stifling. However, it seemed as though Jason was oblivious to it. I stood in between the two of them, and I felt very awkward.

"Why are you doing this?" Dick asked, breaking the awkward silence. "Why do you even want to be Robin?"

"Are you kidding?" Jason countered. "This is the dopest gig ever. Hangin' out with Batman, kicking bad guys' assess, being famous, driving the goddamn Batmobile."

"He lets you drive the Batmobile?" Dick inquired in accusation. I put a hand on his arm in an effort to calm him down. "Wouldn't you rather have your own name? Like Sparrow or Blue Jay, for Jason?"

"Fuck, no," Jason shot down. "The whole point is being Robin. Batman needs Robin. Why do you think he makes us wear those lame color? 'Cause we're drawing fire. 'Look up here, assholes!' Then boom, the Bat lands and starts trashing ass."

The elevator stops before the door opens and Jason walked out first. I followed when Dick nudged me forward. He then gives Jason his case. "Here, I'll go back and get our friend."

Jason nods and walks off while I saw the look on Dick's face. He looked a little like he was lost.

*Angel with a Shotgun*

Dick pulled the unconscious doctor through the elevator, and I went to reach to help him. Dick only pulled him away from me. I huffed at him, crossing my arms. "Come on Dick. I'm fine. Let me help."

"No, you need to rest," he told me dragging the doctor further into the room.

Rolling my eyes, I smacked his shoulder causing him to drop Adamson's legs. He looked at me in shock and confusion. "I thought we were past the doubting me thing," I hissed, getting in his face. "I can heal myself the same as anyone else, so quit treating me as if I'm breakable."

"I'm not doubting you," he said in defense. "I just want you to rest a little more."

Before I could respond, Jason cut in with a question. "Hey, guys, who's this?"

We turned to him to see him looking at a painting of a man in red and black. "Niccolo Machiavelli," I told him.

"Oh yeah," he acknowledged with a smile. "Bruce has talked about that dude. Sounds like a total savage."

Dick then quoted the guy with one of his sayings. "'If an injury has to be done to a man, it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared. Severities should be dealt out all at once, so that their suddenness may give less offense. Benefits ought to be handed out drop-by-drop so they may be relished the more.'"

Jason looked thoroughly freaked out. "You know, I used to read about you as a kid. Bruce has told me tons of awesome stories about you."

"I bet he has," Dick muttered, and I gave him a concerned look.

"I know it's none of my business, but he never said why you quit," Jason prompted.

Instead of answering, Dick moved to drag the doctor down the hall. "I guess I just couldn't cut it."

Jason let it go and walked towards the kitchen, jumping over our unconscious guest as he did. "Are you thirsty? I'm gonna go check out the brew sitch."

"The what?" I asked.

"The beer situation," Jason replied as though it was obvious.

Dick shook his head and made his way down the hall to the bathroom dragging Adamson with him. I followed after him at a slow pace. Dick dragged him into the large shower in the middle and re cuffed him to the metal bar in the little glass room. Dick took off his jacket, rolling up his sleeve as he walked over to the sink and listed the mirror. I walked over and took the scalpel from him as he brought out his phone.

He looked at me in surprise, and I just shrugged. "I have a lesser chance of cutting something vital," I explained. "Not to mention, I can heal you after."

Dick could only nod and got the scan ready. Holding the light over his arm, he found where the tracker was. I took his arm and carefully cut into his skin. "How are you doing with all of this? Honestly."

He only sighed. "I'm not sure what to make of it just yet. I'm trying to get used to it I guess."

"Get used to what?" I asked, focused on my task. I reached in with the tweezers.

"Being replaced," he replied, and I looked up at him. His honey brown eyes were locked onto my own. I could see that emotion again. He opened his mouth to speak again, but my phone ran in my jacket pocket.

I used my other hand to reach in and took it out. Seeing Kory's name, I answered the call, despite Dick's audible sigh, and put it on speaker. "You've got impeccable timing," I told her as I put the phone on the counter.

Continuing with my task, Kory was angry. "Where the hell are you two?" she demanded.

"Chicago," Dick answered simply.

"I thought you both were coming back here," she said in a resentful tone.

"Things got a little weird at our friend's apartment," Dick explained as I pulled out the tracker. "His name is Dr. Adamson, by the way. Doctor of what, I have no idea."

"Let me guess. He tried to kill you."

"He tried to cook us breakfast, actually," I corrected as I cleaned the blood off Dick's arm. "His friends tried to kill us. Ten of them. I got the feeling there's more where they came from."

"You both took out ten assassins?" she inquired. "Not bad."

"Robin and Seraph got some skills," Dick joked, but I could hear the slight pain in his voice. He then moved on as I healed the cut on his arm. "Any update on the family?"

"Um," Kory said hesitantly. "They're all dead."

"Kory!" I admonished.

"I didn't kill them," she replied defensively. "I just walked in, and they were, like, dead. Their heads exploded."

"Hell of a coincidence," Dick muttered.

"Maybe not," I countered, and Dick looked at me confused.

"What do you mean?" Kory asked.

"Just a theory," I shrugged. "But what if he had another way to control them besides the brainwashing."

Dick looked as if he was thinking it over, but I moved past it for now. "Look, you guys need to get out here," I told Kory. "We're at 888 North Lakeshore Drive. It's less than an hour. You'll be safe here."

"Are you sure?" Kory asked.

"It's a safe house," Dick backed me up. "It has safe right in the name."

I rolled my eyes at his attempt at humor as I said bye to Kory and hung up. Dick grabbed his jacket as I put my phone back in my jacket pocket. Following him out of the bathroom, we found Jason coming out of the kitchen with a couple of beers in his hand. "Hey, Jason, thanks for the help back there," Dick said as he handed the tracker to the young man. "But we're good now. You should head back to Gotham."

Jason did a double take, looking from the tracker to Dick. "What the hell, man?"

"I'm not Robin anymore," Dick explained. "Have a safe trip back."

"You didn't have to do that," Jason muttered.

I just stood back by the hallway and leaned against the wall as the two of them talked it out.

"Yeah, I did," Dick snapped. "And you should, too."

"Why?"

"Because we're not animals in Bruce Wayne's private zoo," Dick explained, raising his voice a little, putting his jacket on the back one of the chairs.

"You don't get it, man," Jason shot back. "He did it for you. For us. In case anything ever happened, he could find us."

"Thanks for stopping by," Dick said, evading what was said and handed Jason his case. "Tell Bruce I'm gonna need the place for a couple of days. He should be okay with it."

"I'm not sure you really understand him, man," Jason tried, putting down his case and turning to Dick.

"I think I'm the one guy in the world that does," Dick snapped back, getting frustrated. "Look, Jason, he might have you thinking that you're a partnership, but everything Bruce does is in the best interest of one person. Bruce. Time to go."

Dick walked past Jason and waved a hand at the wall across from me to open the elevator. When he turned around, Jason looked at him with regret on his face. "Sorry, man," he said reaching into his jacket. "I can't. He wanted me to show you these."

In Jason's hand was a yellow envelope. Dick sighed through his nose and took the envelope.

*Angel with a Shotgun*

It ended up being pictures of people who were dead in the photo. We all moved to the couches and Dick spread out the pictures on the coffee table. Jason sat to Dick's right while I sat to his left. "How did you get these?" Dick asked, breaking the silence.

"They were sent to the Gotham PD addressed to Robin," Jason explained. "Whoever sent them thinks you're still Robin."

"I know these people," Dick said looking down at the pictures. "I worked with them at the Haly's Circus."

I looked at him worried. Dick would talk a lot about them in the past. He used to get a light in his eyes when he did. I had always wanted to meet them, but I guess that I couldn't anymore.

"Before your parents were…" Jason trailed off.

"Yeah."

"That must've sucked," Jason said, trying to be sympathetic. "He burns them with acid."

"Hydrofluoric acid," Dick corrected.

"Calling card of the Maroni crime family," Jason trialed on like he didn't notice. "Harvey Dent, your parents—"

"I know," Dick cut him off before sighing. "Tony Zucco worked for the Maroni's when he killed my parents. But they were put away years ago."

"Why'd he, do it?" Jason asked.

I took Dick's hand and laced our fingers together for comfort. He looked to me with a grateful glance before answering. "Haly owed the Maroni's protection money. Couldn't come up with the cash. So, my parents paid the debt with their lives."

It was silent for before Jason moved on. "Papers call this guy the Melting Man, because he melts the flesh right off their bones. Creepy as shit, huh?" He then turned to Dick. "Any idea who this freak is?"

"The man I'm thinking of is dead," Dick replied immediately.

"So that's a no."

Dick sighed and rubbed a hand down his face while not letting go of my hand. "Have you checked back in with the police?"

"Why would I go to the fucking cops?" Jason asked with a disgusted face.

"Because five people were murdered," Dick shot back, getting angry.

"The cops are a joke, man," Jason simplified. "There's two kinds, useless and dirty."

"Is that what Bruce says?" Dick asked.

"No, it's what I say," Jason declared. "They hit a dead end, so they came crawling to Bruce and me. As usual. When Bruce realized who the victims were, he sent me to find you."

Dick looked back at the photos before chuckling softly. I squeezed his hand in question, and he glanced up at me with a small smile. "There's still one more."

With that, he let go of my hand and moved to the computer room, with Jason and I right behind him. Jason leaned up against the desk while I went to lean on the opposite side. Dick sits at the main computer and goes to type in his password but stops. He sighs before turning to Jason. "You mind?"

"Sure thing," he consents, walking over and typing in his password. "Boom!"

He steps back and Dick comes back to type in the search box. He typed Atlas the Strong Man, and a number of pictures pop up of a large black man. The profile of Clay Williams come up and I smiled softly at that. Dick used to tell me about Clay and how if things were different, he would have lived with him instead of Bruce. Dick loves him like a second father.

"Phone bill paid last month, utilities on," Dick read from the screen.

"Looks like he's still alive," I concluded with a small smile.

Dick typed the number on the screen on his phone. It ran a few times before the voicemail picked it up. "This is Clay Williams. I'm not home right now, so please leave a message."

Dick hung up the phone and put it back in his pocket. "Milwaukee's only an hour and a half from here. I gotta make sure he's safe."

Dick stood and I was prepared to go with him, but Jason cut in. "We're going on a road trip. Excellent."

"Not us," Dick denied as he turned to face Jason. "Me. Loo, I appreciate you bringing this to me. I really do. But there's no reason for you to come. This is personal. You're Bruce's Robin, not mine."

"No, I'm my Robin," Jason declared.

"I don't need your help," Dick shot back.

"You did back at that apartment," Jason countered.

Suddenly, the computer started beeping and Jason brought up the surveillance camera by the elevator. It showed Rachel, Kory and Gar standing there waiting. I huffed and pushed past both the boys, knocking into them on purpose. "I'll get 'em."

If Dick wanted to be all secretive, then that was fine. I thought we were getting better with that, but apparently not. One step forward and two steps back.

*Angel with a Shotgun*

I brought the three of them up the elevator and we walked in to see Dick and Jason glaring at each other. Jason took a drink of his beer and stood up when he saw us. "Who are your friends?"

"Not important," Dick snapped.

"Who's he?" Kory asked.

"Not important."

"Anyone want a brew?" Jason asked, holding out his beer bottle.

"Yeah, I do," Gar responded.

"No, he doesn't," he corrected. "No one wants a brew."

"That can't be Adamson," Kory said looking Jason over.

"He's not Adamson," I told her, and she turned to me. "Adamson's in the bathroom. Unconscious."

Rachel then decided to be polite and walked over to Jason with her hand out. "Hi, I'm Rachel."

"Jason."

"Okay, who we all are doesn't matter right now," Dick said desperately. I could tell he was starting to get frustrated. "Can we just chill out, relax, sit on the couch and watch TV or something?"

"Yo, when did you get another one?" Gar asked in surprise.

"That one's mine," Jason corrected with a slight smile.

"Yours?" Gar inquired in shock. "Wait, you're Robin, too?"

Dick reached up to pinch the top of his nose in aggravation. Rachel went to walk over to the table with the cases on it. "I thought you were Robin."

"I am."

"He was," Jason corrected with a hostile tone. I just rolled my eyes at him, and Kory smirked at me.

Gar chuckled nervously at the tension. "Okay, how many Robins are there? Are there a lot? Cause I would love to—"

At that point, even I was getting a headache with all the back and forth and finally snapped. "Okay, quiet," I cut him off raising my voice. "Sit." Both Rachel and Gar both sat down with slight fear. I then looked to Kory and Dick, who was nodded in thanks. "Bathroom."

I then led Kory towards the bathroom with Dick following behind.

*Angel with a Shotgun*

In the bathroom, we all stood over an unconscious Adamson. "What happened to him?" Kory asked curiously.

"I gave him something to help him sleep," Dick explained. "I kinda had my hands full."

"Wel, did he say anything?" she questioned as she moved to lean against the wall.

"He said he works for something called the Organization," I explained next. "And they work from Rachel's father. He seemed to have people everywhere."

"You sure you weren't followed?" Dick asked.

She pointed down the hall. "You sure you weren't?"

"Him?"

"Yeah."

Dick chuckled. "He's not with the Organization."

"He works for Batman, too?" Kory inquired in surprise.

"Yeah," Dick confirmed. "He's my replacement."

"Oh, good," Kory said, fiddling with her rings. "Yeah, that's good. You said you didn't wanna be Robin anymore, right?"

"Right," Dick confirmed.

"All right, so problem solved," I spoke up with a smirk in place and I turned to Kory. "I've already told him all this."

"So, you told him the new Robin is probably younger, and healthier and smarter than him," Kory teased with a smirk, playing the game again.

"Of course, I did," I teased, nudging him with my elbow.

Dick chucked at the both of us. "I'm just trying to get used to the idea of being replaced."

"Wow," Kory said with a smile now. "An honest answer, for once. Well done. What's he doing here, anyway?"

"Some people I know were killed," Dick explained crossing his arms. "The killer's still out there. There's someone I need to check on, make sure he's okay."

"So, go," Kory encouraged.

"What about him?" Dick deflected.

"He is handcuffed and unconscious," I told him. "Pretty sure that we can handle it."

Dick looked at me with that emotion in his eyes again. I still didn't know what that emotion was. It was making me aggravated with how many times I've seen it. I know how he felt, but he hadn't said it since, so I didn't know if he was being serious. "I'll be back, but I should probably talk to Rachel," he said not looking away from me.

"Oh, she's used to in by now," Kory said, drawing both of our attention and she seemed to have a secretive smile on her face. "What about the other Robin?"

"He comin' with me," Dick declared. He then chuckled as Kory went to walk away. "Try not to kill this one, okay?"

"I didn't kill them," she called over her shoulder.

I laughed as went to walk after her. I was stopped by a hand on my arm, and I turned to Dick, who suddenly looked nervous. He let go and rubbed the back of his neck. I raised an eyebrow in question. "What is it?"

"Um, would you come with Jason and I?" he asked nervously. "I totally understand if you don't want to, but I would really like for you to meet Clay. Also, I could use the back up if we run into trouble."

I was stunned for a moment. He was actually letting me in, but he was also not doubting my abilities. "Sure," I answered, and he let out a breath, smiling at me. "I would love to."