"Pack enough for a week, should be enough. I don't know how long we'll be in Gotham but a week worth of clothes should be plenty."

Dick was already packing clothes into a bag when he poked his head around the corner to tell Rachel how much to bring. Rachel was putting the clothes Dick had gone out and bought her a few days ago into the bag Dick had packed for her the first night she was in town. Rachel then heard the beeping noise from the biometric scanner on the armory door then heard the door itself open.

"Do you really think you're going to need your suit at a funeral?"

Rachel heard Dick pull the suit down and pack some of his gadgets along with it.

"I hope I don't need it, but it can't hurt to be prepared. Besides, if I don't need it for the funeral then I at least have it if Batman needs help."

She then heard him pulling gadgets off the wall then heard him pull his escrima off their brackets. Rachel was almost done packing when the armory door closed and Dick leaned on her door frame watching her as she finished packing. Rachel stood and turned around to see Dick leaning on the frame in street clothes. Dick was texting someone when she turned to face him, Rachel didn't know who though.

"Who are you texting?"

Dick looked up at her when he answered but his thumbs never stopped moving, all those hours he spent in front of the bat computer as a kid helped him learn where everything was on a keyboard. Of course his perfect hand eye coordination helped too.

"Sending a message to Bruce, he's probably still at Wayne Tower but he'll get my text when he gets a chance. Of course he probably already knows we're both coming."

He was hiding something from her. She knew the message was too long just for a simple I'm on my way, Rachel is coming with me and he was trying to hide his thoughts again. Rachel didn't want to pry so she changed topics.

"If you're taking your suit should I take mine as well?"

Dick slid the phone into his pocket and grabbed the bag off his left shoulder, unzipped it a bit and pulled out Raven's leotard and cloak and showed it to her.

"Already taken care of Rae. I got you covered."

"How did you…?"

Dick smirked.

"Get your leotard and cloak without you knowing? It's me, that's how."

Dick zipped the bag up and flung it over his shoulder then headed for the living room. Rachel followed behind with her pack on her back. Dick grabbed his sunglasses from the table along with the keys to his bike. They locked the apartment and went down to street level and got onto Dick's bike. They both put on their helmets, Rachel was in back and Richard was driving. The engine fired, the back wheel spun and Dick pulled off the brake and they sped down route 61 to the bridge that would take them into Gotham.

"Here, send Bruce a text and tell him we're on our way, we should be there within the hour."

Dick passed his phone back to Rachel and she almost considered reading his earlier text to see what he was hiding but decided against it. He probably deleted it and wouldn't have given her the phone if didn't trust her. Rachel sent the text. Rachel wrapped her left arm around him and started to slide his phone back in his right front jeans pocket.

"Hey, whoa, whoa. Watch what your hands, that's not an area I want you messing around with."

Raven was laughing.

"You wish you were so lucky Boy Wonder."

Dick playfully elbowed Rachel in the side as they got closer to the bridge that led into Gotham.

Gotham City Outskirts

10:27 P.M

"Hey! Wake up!"

Rachel had dozed off a bit; she was still tired and sore from the Black Mask raid. Rachel was tough but she still needed sleep, unlike Dick who could go four days without it.

"Huh, what is it?"

"We're coming up on the city; you're going to wanna see the view."

He was right, Rachel looked over Dick's shoulder and saw the skyline of the city. There was a full moon that was so bright they almost didn't need street lights. The city was lit up like Christmas. They got closer to the center of the city when Dick's voice brought her out of her trance.

"We're about in the heart of the city, you'll see Wayne Tower in three, two, one…"

They came around a turn and there it was, Wayne Tower. There were only a few lights on inside the tower but the big W was lit up. The full moon shining bright next to the tower. Dick could almost hear Rachel sigh under her breath from the view.

"Wow. It's beautiful."

"What was that Rae?"

"Oh, uh nothing Dick."

Dick knew what she said; he thought the same thing when he first saw that view for the first time ten years prior. He didn't want to press the issue, better that way.

"We should be at the manor in twenty minutes or so. Alfred probably knows we're coming so he should be the first to greet us. I doubt Bruce will be home so we should have about four or five hours until he gets home, unless he wraps things up early."

Rachel knew better than to ask but strangely she needed to know. Maybe she was worried that Batman would need help from Nightwing; after all she knew he had the suit with him.

"What's Batman investigating?"

"One of the biggest gun runner gangs is in town from South America, run by a guy named Alejandro Rojas from Portugal. I had a run in with him when I was Robin but he was just a small crewman, now he runs one of the largest gun running organizations in the world. Gotham is a popular port due to its low cost shipping fees, bare minimum regulations, a don't ask don't tell cargo policy and its location that can easily get merchandise throughout the country from here."

Rachel couldn't help from laughing a bit under her breath, she never understood how he always had this much information at his disposal. Then she remembered that he hacked into the Watchtower database and knew he also still had access to the bat computer files she used to hear Dick geek out about when he was Robin. Then again, she figured she shouldn't be so surprised. This is Grayson we're talking about. Rachel didn't respond, she just held on and enjoyed the ride, or more likely enjoyed holding onto Dick more than anything else.

The two of them came to a bridge that left the three main islands of the city and came to a highway that took them to a long windy road.

"Wayne Manor is just at the end of this long windy road. If we're lucky Alfred has some food ready for us because I'm starving. Last thing I ate was that sandwich from Ibano's eleven hours ago."

Dick eased up on the throttle as he got closer to the house, they came around a bend and the house came into view. Rachel was here almost a week ago but it still amazed her like it was her first time seeing it, in theory it was. Last time she was here she was worried about his injuries and hardly paid attention to the house but now she saw the magnificent architecture of the building that the second generation Wayne's had built.

Dick parked the bike in front of the house and killed the engine. Rachel couldn't believe how quiet it was, there weren't even crickets chirping. Rachel got off the bike and swore the only sound she could hear was her own heart beating in her chest, well that and the faint sound the breeze made when it traveled through the trees. Dick climbed off the bike and looked at the Manor; he almost seemed unsettled that he was here again.

"Well, better not keep Alfie waiting; he hates it when people are late."

He couldn't help from laughing a bit when he said it. They both walked towards the front steps when Rachel spoke for the first time since she asked about Batman.

"Any news on when the funeral is?"

"Few days from now, Bruce wants to wait until the entire Bat-Family is back in Gotham City, along with Lucius Fox which is the CEO and President of Wayne Enterprises."

They approached the front door and Dick rang the doorbell which was loud enough to be heard all throughout the long halls of the Manor. Rachel heard Dick speak of the Bat-Family before and she figured it was everybody the batman had trained and associated with; she was smart and observant but she still wasn't completely sure what it was.

"What exactly is the Bat-Family? I've heard you mention it a few times but I'm not a hundred percent sure of what it is or who all is in it."

The door opened and in it stood Pennyworth.

"Ah, welcome home Master Dick, I see you look much better than when you were last here."

"Yeah, they're healed. Rachel took… good care of me when I got back."

Rachel glanced at Dick knowing he was talking about his fight with Slade. His wounds still fresh and Deathstroke had increased his injuries but with Rachel's healing magic all of his injuries were healed.

"My thanks for that Miss Rachel, Master Dick does forget to take care of himself most often."

Rachel smiled.

"I noticed. What would he do without me?"

Dick glared at her. He hated when people acted like he depended on them, made his doubts grow of whether or not he can be a solo act.

"Well, please do come in."

"Thanks Alfred."

Rachel said as she was the first one to step into the Manor.

Alfred turned his body and allowed the two of them into the Manor. Dick took off Rachel's helmet and then his and placed them on two hooks by the door. Alfred came up from behind them and walked in front to face them.

"I have made some dinner for the two of you should you feel hungry. Miss Roth that was more directed towards you as I know Master Dick is probably halfway to raiding the kitchen as we speak."

"Sorry to disappoint you Alfie, but I'm still here. Although I am starving."

"Miss Rachel shall I show you to your room?"

"Don't worry about it Alfred, I'll show her to the guest wing and help her get settled in. Then I'll raid the kitchen."

"Very good sir."

Dick and Rachel started to make their way down the hall to the guest wing when Alfred cried to them from the entry hall.

"Ah, Master Dick I forgot to mention; Master Bruce is not here at the moment as he has other engagements at the time I'm sure you understand. But he did want me to leave a message; he received your proposal and likes the idea and is taking it into consideration. However, he believes it requires further testing to see how it acts in the field."

Dick got a smile on his face, Rachel was lost but that was Alfred's intentions. She wasn't ready to know, not yet anyway.

"Thanks Alfred, I'll make sure IT is ready when the time comes."

The two of them continued to the guest wing of the Manor. They came to a large door, Dick opened it and on the other side was a large king size bed, a closet, two dressers, a large flat screen on the wall opposite the bed, it's own bathroom and a door that led to a balcony.

"This is you. Room fit for the Wayne's so it should suit you just fine."

Rachel dropped her bag on the floor and went over to the balcony doors and opened them. A cool breeze entered the room causing the drapes in the room to sway. Dick walked up behind her.

"Well, I'm going to go raid the kitchen now, old Alfie would go into cardiac arrest if I didn't. I'll check in on you later but if you're asleep I'll see you tomorrow Rae.

Dick turned to walk out of the room when he heard Rachel.

"Dick wait…"

"Yeah?"

"You were going to tell me about the Bat-Family."

Dick smiled.

"Later."

"And this proposal thing…"

"Again, later."

He was hiding something, he was always hiding something. She decided to leave it alone and not pry. She kept telling herself to pick her battles; this wasn't one of the ones she could win.

"Goodnight, Rae."

Dick left the room and closed the door behind him. Dick lied to Rachel, he wasn't going to the kitchen. He hated that it was so damn easy for him to lie to her like that but he didn't want her to follow him, or worry about where he was going. Dick waited ten minutes then went to check on Rachel. He poked his head in the door and she was fast asleep so he quietly closed the door. Alfred was standing behind him.

"Look after her while I'm gone Alfred, if she wakes and starts looking for me tell her I went to Wayne Tech to look in on some new equipment or that I went to Wayne Enterprises to try and push the proposal forward."

"Is lying to her really the best course? She is your friend."

"I hate lying to her Alfred, I really do. And it bothers me how damn easy it is for me to do it, or that I don't even hesitate. This is for the best though."

"As you say. I shall not take an eye off of her sir,"

"Thanks Alfred, I'll be back later.

A rooftop near Gotham Docks

1:03 A.M.

"You should work on your stealth skills, I heard you coming halfway across the rooftop."

Nightwing was kneeling on the rooftop watching the activity on the docks when the shadowy figure approached him from the shadows. They approached him and stood behind him looking out to the docks. The figure stepped out from behind him and into the light fully revealing himself, the cowl was the most distinguishable feature, well that and the giant bat across the chest. The Dark Knight, Batman.

"Got your message, you and Raven make it in okay?"

"Yeah, we did. She's sleeping back at home."

Batman kneeled down beside Nightwing; they were both scanning the docks. Batman from right to left, Nightwing from left to right; perfectly in sync.

Heard about that mess with Two-Face and the GCPD hostages at their own station. You make it out okay?"

"Yeah. Gordon had guards outside to keep his gang at bay while I infiltrated the station to take down Dent."

Dick gave a short laugh.

"Let me guess, the old coin flip and .45 calibers to the front of the head execution style? Then the big trap that deals with two's? Maybe a chemical bomb with two detonators or the bomb had two stages?"

"Close Nightwing, very close. It was thermite not chemical. Not even sure where Dent got thermite, no one in Gotham smuggles it."

"No one in Gotham USED to smuggle it. Take a look at those crates."

Nightwing pointed to a set of shipping containers that didn't quite match the others. They weren't average shipping containers, they were military.

"Military crates. That's how Dent got thermite. Military is a hard target."

Nightwing looked to Batman.

"By the way, Alfred passed along your message. Said you were pleased with my proposal and considering it? And that it needed to be tested?"

"I need to be sure she's ready Nightwing."

"She is Batman. I've fought alongside her. Hell, I've bled next to her. She's pulled me out of fire as many times as I've pulled her out. Don't you think I wouldn't have suggested it if she wasn't ready?

"She needs to be tested."

"What the hell do you think the Titans were Bruce? Just a bunch of teenage wanna be hero's? When do the damn tests end?!"

"I just don't…"

"Of course you don't trust her! Just because her father is Trigon? I TRUST HER. I trust her with my life, just as I trust you. Trust me that I trust her."

Neither of them wanted to argue about this, not here not now. Batman scanned the docks one more time, looking for Rojas or a good time to move on the gun runners. Nightwing leaned closer to the edge of the building like he found something.

"Rojas is on the cargo ship, on the bridge. Looks like he is running the checklist of cargo. How do you want to play this?"

"Good eye Dick. We move in sync, you go left I go right. If things get heated we meet in the middle and fight together. Rojas is the secondary objective; mainly we want to seize the cargo for evidence. GO!"

They split up, Nightwing went left, and Batman went right. It was picture perfect. They moved in harmony together. Nightwing would take out one guy quietly Batman would do the same. They both avoided spotlights, or from making noises. It was like Batman and Robin were back. No shots rang out and nobody was aware of the two of them until Rojas spotted a gun lying out in the open. None of the cargo crates were opened yet so he knew one of his men dropped it. And they wouldn't drop it unless they were attacked. Rojas yelled out over the loudspeaker of the ship:

"Turn on all the lights. Check the shadows twice. Nobody gets out of here alive. And no one gets paid until the Bat is dead!"

The spotlights on the dock all came on, the docks lit up like it was daylight. Gunfire erupted from every direction, once one person shoots all the others shoot at every scurrying rat or moving shadow. Both Batman and Nightwing began moving to the ship Rojas was on, they both remembered the plan. They reached the long pier where the ship was anchored but Rojas called for reinforcements. Nightwing and Batman reached each other and started to fight back to back. They had fought like this so many times it was second nature by this point; they never had to think about what to do next. A group of gang members stood on top of a cargo crate looking down at the duo ready to open fire.

"Nightwing, up high!"

"I see it."

Nightwing threw a smoke pellet at the group blinding them momentarily. Nightwing then ran towards Batman who took down a guy that got too close. Batman turned, cupped his hands in front. Nightwing stepped in his hands and Batman gave him a boost and Nightwing jumped. Nightwing back flipped to gain momentum. He pulled two wing dings and threw them each hitting the gunners at each end of the line. The smoke began to clear as Nightwing pulled out his escrima and landed on the cargo crate sweeping one at the same time. His escrima connected with the guy he just took down in the temple taking him out of the fight. Batman planted a sonic device that stunned all the gun runners around him leading to easy takedowns. Rojas loaded a single crate onto the ship and started the engine to the ship trying to lose the two vigilantes. Nightwing disarmed the last gun runner on the crate when he heard Batman.

"Nightwing!"

Batman threw a tracer rifle at Nightwing. Nightwing caught it and shot it on the crate Rojas just loaded. All the gunners were unconscious and Rojas was getting away.

"Batman, call the bat boat we can finish this."

"No Nightwing. We need to clean up the mess here, and wait for GCPD to confiscate all this."

"What? Are you insane? After Two-Face attacked the station it could take hours! You're just going to let that bastard get away?"

"Rojas is clever; he's going to hide for the night. Besides you got the tracer on that cargo crate, whenever he goes to sell whatever is in there we can track it!"

"Batm-"

"Enough!"

An hour passed before GCPD could get on scene. Another two passed before everything was finally cleaned up. One of the gun runners woke up and Batman recognized him as a lieutenant.

"Nightwing."

Nightwing looked over and saw Batman. Batman tilted his eyes in the direction of the crane controls that was still holding a cargo crate. Nightwing understood and walked over to the controls and took a hold of them. Batman dragged the lieutenant into range.

"Where is Rojas!"

The lieutenant had a thick accent.

"I don't know!"

"Do it."

Nightwing smirked, he enjoyed this part.

"Right."

He dropped the crate. The lieutenant screamed as the cargo crate came within inches of crushing him. Nightwing hit the other button and the crate stopped dead but was swinging wildly. The crane creaked and moaned as the weight from the dead stop was almost too much.

"I don't know, I swear! He has a number of warehouses. One of the 43 abandoned ones throughout the city docks. He never tells us which one is the fall back point."

Batman and Nightwing both looked at each other, they both had the same idea. They walked to the lieutenant and each grabbed an arm. They kicked him to the ground so he was laying on his stomach and put pressure on each collar bone. Batman asked one last time.

"One more time, and I want you to think carefully. Which Warehouse?"

"One on the North docks. He never tells us exactly which one, they are always assigned last minute I swear! Please!"

"Well, Batman you heard the man."

They both shattered each collarbone. There was a sound, of popping and cracking bone. The lieutenant screamed then lost consciousness from the pain.

Batman stepped back.

"We'll hit the warehouses tomorrow, it's going to be day light soon and we need to get back."

"But…"

"Now Nightwing!"

The two headed back to the Manor without saying a word.