Gotham City
Subway Tunnel
12:01 A.M
The Talon, William Cobb; the great grandfather of Richard Grayson was dragging his unconscious great grandson through the subway tunnel. Nightwing was able to put distance between himself and Talon by hanging him from a grapple line. Nightwing tried to make it to the subway tunnel to regroup but lost consciousness from blood loss and fell down the stairs. Now, Talon had regained ground and dragged Nightwing farther into the subway. Talon felt Nightwing stir a bit, beginning to regain his consciousness. He was dragging Nightwing by the back collar of his suit, walking deeper and deeper into the subway. Nightwing began to stir more but still not fully conscious.
"As much as you believe it's your choice what you can become in Gotham…"
Talon held Nightwing against a wall, he stabbed throwing knives through the loose part of his suit by his shoulders and into the wall, pinning him in place. His suit was torn and battered, his mask half torn off. Blood trickled down his body and the wall. Talon began pulling off his own mask.
"…It's important to realize what your place COULD have been."
Nightwing had come to, he grunted and tried to free himself but his strength hadn't returned. Talon had freed himself of his mask and Nightwing could finally look him in the eye. He looked almost exactly like Richard, his eyes were steel grayinstead of the blue eyes that Dick had, and he had shoulder length hair and countless scars from over a hundred years as an assassin, but other than that they looked exactly alike. All doubts that Nightwing had about this guy being his great grandfather were now gone.
"You still don't understand do you? Everything that was sacrificed in order to procure that future which you rejected."
Nightwing spit blood onto the ground, and looked into the eyes of the man in front of him.
"You see, I was once like you… There was this girl, looked like yours actually. Her eyes… You could stare in them for hours and not-. Well, it doesn't matter."
Talon had been reminded of memories he had left behind for a century or more. Memories from before Dick was born, from before Dick's father was born, from before his Grandfather was born. He came back to the world.
"For most of the year that I courted her, I only met Amelia's father in passing. An important man such as Burton Crowne had little time to spend involved in his daughter's affairs. Our relationship was defined by weeks apart as I traveled on the road with Haly's Circus… Or so I had thought…"
Nightwing's eyes got wide, he was surprised to hear the name of Haly's, especially from this man. William saw the surprise in Nightwing's eye.
"Oh didn't I tell you? I was an orphan, just like you. Haly's took me in, they treated me like a family, like I belonged. I was one of them, again, just like you."
Nightwing was struggling, he still couldn't get free.
"One night, as I was escorting Amelia, her father invited me into his office to speak with me. I should have slit his throat right there, but I was naïve. And soft. I was hoping for a pleasant conversation. I couldn't have been more wrong… He asked me outright what exactly I was doing with his daughter. I told him I didn't understand… He asked if I was a fan of chess, he told me that it was a pure game. Two sides, and two sides only, LIGHT and DARK, BLACK and WHITE much like this city."
William was getting angry, remembering things that were better lost than remembered.
"He told me the white pieces, which always move first, are the most powerful. The ones who really MATTER. Then he asked if I knew how to play, which of course I didn't. He said that was precisely his point. He told me that just because I pulled myself out of the slums but I was still living in FILTH. Then he said a city of LIGHT and DARK has no middle ground, it never has that I'm not going to change that."
William turned around, he checked where he had been wounded to see they were healed, his regenerative factor was still in play. He turned back to Nightwing.
"So Burton's disapproval weighed heavy on our relationship. It became worse when Amelia discovered she was pregnant. Her father forbade us from being together, which meant my love had a choice to make. Although I suppose it was never REALLY a choice at all. Every tie between Amelia and myself was severed. That bastard Burton arranged for her to marry a second cousin. Hiding the true identity of OUR son. For all the city would ever know, the child would be a Crowne. As he was SUPPOSED to be. I had started as nothing and in the eyes of those who mattered I would always be NOTHING! No matter what. THAT WAS GOTHAM CITY."
He looked back to Nightwing who was still trying to fight off losing consciousness again. He was trying to control his breathing, doing everything he could to get a second wind.
"It wasn't until almost a month after Amelia's wedding, I was working on the tent at Haly's. Nathaniel came up to me. You know who Nathaniel is don't you Dick? Course you do, everyone from Haly's knows who started the circus. Nathaniel asked me if I really loved her, I told him it didn't matter, not in a city like Gotham. He told me it didn't HAVE to be that way, so of course I was curious and asked what he had meant. I believe his exact words were 'What if I told you… I had a way for you to CHANGe this city forever. What if I told you, I had a way for you to truly matter? But it was far from simple… As I had soon found out… I was starved and tortured for months. Driven mad. I was made… better. They, the owls, told me that in a city divided, they were the middle. They said from the shadows they keep order, and that they were the GRAY of Gotham. They offered that I join them, so of course I took the offer. The first year was liberating. I was making a difference in this city the only way one can. The ONLY way it WORKS. I had found my true place in Gotham. I was shaping the future. But even then I knew… The owls would require more, especially once I was gone. They would need a way to continue shaping the future. And what better way to do it… Than with a true GRAY of the city. I snuck into Crowne's house, murdered the bastard in his sleep, slit the throat of Amelia's husband and stole our child. I handed him to Nathaniel and told him to raise him with Haly in secret. Prepare him for the legacy. My son; THE GRAY SON OF GOTHAM."
Nightwing looked up at hearing those two words together. Gray Son, the two words that formed his moniker. GRAYSON.
"That's right, your name comes from MY legacy. You were supposed to be the TRUE GRAY SON OF GOTHAM!"
William turned and stared Nightwing in the eyes, his steel colored iris' staring into Nightwing's blue irises.
"So now do you understand the significance of what you could have become, Richard? The significance of what you've betrayed? It's not simply that you were CHOSEN by the court to help save Gotham… It's that you were bred for it. The perfect athlete, the perfect assassin, the PERFECT TALON. But what you do now… None of it matters. None of it works. You're just one more person who thinks they can belong, but will never rise higher than SECOND BEST. Gotham is a city of birds- A city of owls. Without us, nothing will ever change. And you will never be more an imitation Wayne… And a knockoff bat… But with us Richard? Well… You could be the greatest bird of all…"
William should have stopped talking at second best, Nightwing was enraged. He had fought his entire life to fight on par with Batman, to be his equal. Calling him second best, and then an imitation Wayne and a knockoff of something he didn't want to be. Nightwing freed both shoulders as he delivered a head-butt to William.
"You're wrong!"
Nightwing tackled William to the groung and started landing repeated strikes to his head, William threw Nightwing off, and they both stood and stared each other down.
"You're wrong about Gotham not changing, William… It DOES change.
Nightwing looked up at the pipes overhead.
"Take this subway for example. As the city became more modern… The power companies needed a way to insulate their cables. So they started packaging the lines with liquid nitrogen. Which is why I brought you down here."
Nightwing looked to William with a smirk.
"And Talon's don't like the cold."
If William ever looked nervous it was now. His face had a sudden look of panic, it was brief, but his eyes got wide and he gritted his teeth. In one quick movement Nightwing threw three different wing-dings to the cables severing them, liquid nitrogen came spewing out. Nightwing pulled out a rebreather and stuck it in his mouth, William stumbled around as he was hit with blasts of liquid nitrogen. William walked towards Nightwing trying to get to him.
"Tr- Trivial… So… Trivial"
The liquid nitrogen was causing William's hibernation process kick in, lowering his blood temperature which prevents his healing factor and other abilities from working. Nightwing walked closer to William as his body began to collapse.
"You can't… escape… what you are… Take your place here Richard… Embrace it…
Nightwing pulled a throwing knife from the wall and gripped it hard.
"I'll tell you what I embrace William. What I embrace…"
Nightwing stabbed the knife through William's chest. Not killing him, just incapacitating him as his body went into a hibernation from the cold. Nightwing bound William's hands behind his back and threw him over his shoulder as he began walking out of the subway.
"…Is that destinies DON'T exist…"
Gotham
Wayne Manor (Bat-cave)
1:47 A.M.
Rachel was still sitting on the table where she was bandage. She was still only wearing her black sports bra, giving the cuts on her abs air. Bruce was still in front of the computer, he hadn't said a word since he finished bandaging up Rachel. They were both still worried about where Nightwing was, he hadn't checked in yet.
"More tea Miss Roth?"
"No thanks Alfred. I've had enough for the night."
He watched as she looked at her phone, checking for a message or looking at the time. He could tell she was getting restless waiting. He put a hand on her shoulder, she tensed under the weight.
"I'm sure Master Dick is fine. This isn't the first time he's been gone without word. We hadn't heard from him for six months before you brought him here after that incident in Bludhaven."
Rachel looked up from her phone.
"Really, it was that long?"
Alfred nodded.
"Indeed."
Rachel looked back to her phone.
"Yeah, he can handle himself right? Always has."
"Of course he can. I made sure of that a long time ago."
Bruce had heard their conversation. He won't out right say it, but this was his way of reassuring Rachel he would be okay. Rachel noticed Bruce's body language, he turned his head slightly, listening, observing the situation. Rachel stopped and listened, there was a feint noise, a feint whine in the distance. Rachel looked to Bruce.
"Wait, hear that? That's Nightwing's bike."
Bruce stood up.
"Yeah, good ear Rachel."
The noise got louder and louder until they heard the echo of the bike enter the cave, they both turned to see the headlight pierce the darkness.
"Ah, you see? All is fine. I told you he would return."
They watched as he parked the bike, as soon as Rachel saw the way he moved he was in bad shape. His movements weren't fluid. He stumbled getting off the bike, that's when Rachel saw the shape the suit was in, his torn mask and the blood dripping from him. She watched as he limped and then went down to one knee, his leg giving out from the pain.
"Dick!"
Bruce stood and walked towards them, Rachel sprinted across the cave to him. Rachel grabbed his hand and draped his arm across her, taking as much weight of his own weight off of him as she could.
"Take him to the table."
Bruce was barking orders again, although everyone knew it was because he saw how injured Nightwing was, he was concerned.
"Jesus Dick, what the hell happened to you?!"
Somehow even in this state he managed that famous smirk.
"Got my ass kicked by an old man. What about you? Looks like you lost a fight with a bear."
"Demon actually. And I won, thanks."
"So it WAS a demon. Anything I should know?"
"Later, all right. AFTER you've been taken care of."
They made it to the table and Rachel leaned him against it so he could take all his weight off. Bruce came walking over from the table as Alfred watched from a distance. Nightwing looked to Bruce and pointed to the area they had fought earlier.
"Talon knew about our fight. Someone bugged the cave, in that area."
Bruce nodded and walked over to the area. Raven watched as Nightwing held his hand, and then she noticed the whole through it.
"What happened to your hand?"
He saw her concern and tried to hide his wound from her.
"It's nothing."
"It's not nothing Grayson!"
He sighed.
"Combat knife, didn't see the sleight of hand."
He watched as Bruce picked up the ring he had brought back earlier, he brought it over and showed it to Nightwing.
"Small camera and receiver, in the rush I forgot to screen it."
He handed it to Nightwing who looked down at it. He dropped it to the ground and smashed it under the weight of his boot. He looked back to Bruce.
"They've been listening to us this entire time."
"Don't worry, I handled it. There is no longer a court of owls. I made sure to disband them as I got free. William was the last one. Speaking of which, what happened?"
Nobody had asked him what happened to the Talon since he got back, everyone was worried more about him than Talon.
"He was going after the mayor and deputy mayor. I interrupted him, we fought, got my ass kicked, he talked quite a bit and then I forced his body to go into hibernation by rapidly dropping his body temperature with liquid nitrogen."
Bruce looked impressed.
"The old insulated cables in Gotham subway… Clever."
Bruce had inferred how he froze William.
"Where is he? Do I need to send a car?"
Nightwing shook his head.
"No. I took him to Gordon, he handled it. That's why it took so long to get back."
"You know GCPD can't hold him."
"Relax Bruce. I delivered him to Gordon at Arkham, in Freeze's old cell. The cold will keep him in hibernation."
Bruce just stood there, processing what he had just been told.
"Good work Nightwing. You handled it well."
He shot a look to Rachel as he said it, one of those 'never doubt my decision' looks. She ignored it since there were more pressing matters at hand. Bruce started walking to a cabinet near the table and looked to Alfred.
"Alfred, give Leslie a call. Tell her Dick's injured and needs medical attention, I'll stay here and try to stabilize him as best I can."
"I shall call Ms. Thompkins right away."
Alfred turned to call her when Rachel chimed in.
"You don't need to call anybody, I can handle his injuries."
Both Bruce and Alfred turned to her out of confusion. Bruce questioned her.
"I appreciate you wanting to help Rachel but look at him. He needs more than just a few stitches and some bandages."
"I can."
"Rach-"
"Who do you think patched him up all those years ago when we were Titans? You think he went to a hospital then? Or called a doctor?"
"He needs-"
"Bruce, it's okay."
Nightwing was looking at Bruce, he was sitting on the table now.
"Let Rae, do her thing. Trust her."
Bruce looked to Dick, then to Rachel.
"All right. Rachel, do whatever it is you need to do. Alfred, hold off on that call."
"At once sir."
Bruce just stopped and watched, curious as to how Rachel was going to treat him herself. He watched as Rachel concentrated, and focused on him. Nightwing looked to Bruce while Rachel was focusing.
"Have, you called Zatanna?"
"No, I've been pre-occupied."
"Call her Bruce. Just let her hear your voice. That's it."
"I'll think about it."
"Promise me Bruce."
"All right. When I know you are okay, I'll call her."
Dick looked to Rachel as she nodded back to him.
"Wait, before I forget."
He lowered his voice to a whisper so only she could hear him.
"I dig the new look. The sports bra and the tape I mean, makes you look hot."
"Only you would think about that at a time like this Grayson. You ready?"
He laid back on the table.
"Yeah, go ahead."
"I'm not going to leave you awake for this. I know your tough but this is going to hurt like hell."
"You want to put me to sleep again don't you?"
He hated these. He never slept well and would often only get two hours of sleep because he was always too alert or couldn't shut his mind off. This way, he wouldn't feel the pain when she used her magic.
"Come on Grayson, it's not that bad."
"Fine, do it."
She nodded and took two fingers that had her black aura at their tips. She placed them on his forehead and everyone in the room watched as he entered a deep sleep that made him look lifeless. She looked around the room to see Bruce and Alfred staring at her. She took a deep breath and pulled her fingers away from his forehead. She took another deep breath as her hands were both encased with her black aura again as she started to lay her hands over Dick's chest.
"Azarath. Metrion. Zinthose."
All eyes were still on her as she kept her hands on his chest. Bruce and Alfred both watched in amazement as Dick's body twitched from bones being set, his wounds on his skin began healing and all traces of visible injury left his body.
"Azarath. Metrion. Zinthos."
She recited the words again as his body neared a hundred percent. All that remained on his body were small amounts of dried blood from the wounds that had been sealed. Rachel staggered as the aura around her hands went away and she was panting, magic like that takes its toll. She stepped back and lowered her hands. Bruce came walking up and looked at Dick then back to her.
"He's healed. Completely. I don't even see a single surface wound."
"Yeah. He'll be really sore in the morning and his muscles will be stiff but other than that he's at a hundred percent."
"So, you can do that all the time?"
"No, not- Not all the time. It takes a great deal of concentration and the magic itself takes strain on my body."
Bruce looked at her.
"That's twice tonight you've proven yourself. I see why he trusts you so much now."
Rachel didn't know how to respond, she was trying to stay conscious more than anything else, her healing magic tires her out. She was getting light headed but didn't want to show it.
"The words you speak. What do they mean?"
"Azarath is where I was born, where I was raised. It's where the monks taught-"
Rachel felt a sensation in the base of her throat, she knew what was coming. Another side effect of using her healing magic and the strain it takes. She ignored the sensation as long as she could but couldn't hold it. She walked away from Bruce and Alfred, she got a good distance away and then let it go. There was a gagging noise and everything she had in her stomach was now on the cave floor. Throwing up was always a side effect of using a powerful spell or using too much power after already being fatigued. It always came after the battle though, when her adrenaline lowered, that's when it happened. She felt everyone's eyes on her, she hated it. She held her head between her knees for a few more seconds then wiped the edge of her mouth off with her hand and looked to Alfred.
"Sorry Alfred. Another side effect of my magic. I'll clean it up."
"Don't trouble yourself Miss Roth. I shall see to it. You are obviously fatigued and just need rest. I have made up your bed for the night so why don't you just turn in."
"But it's my mess, I shou-"
"Nonsense, I will not hear another word. I shall handle it, off to bed."
There was a hint of scolding in his voice. She imagined he had to use that quite a bit when Dick was still Robin and living there. She knew better than to argue with Alfred, at least about this. She just nodded.
"All right, sleep does sound amazing. I guess I'll see you guys later."
Bruce chimed in.
"Thanks for your help tonight Rachel. Couldn't have managed without you."
He turned back around and walked to the computer.
Alfred had a small smile.
"Believe it or not, but that is very high praise coming from him."
Rachel watched Bruce then turned to walk to the elevator to the manor.
"Night, Alfred."
"Sleep well Miss Roth."
She looked to Dick who was still laying on the table, the most peaceful she's seen him look since they were teenagers all those years ago in jump city. She put her hand on his forehead, she wanted to say or do something but she didn't want an audience. She just smiled and whispered so nobody could hear her.
"Sweet dreams Grayson."
She turned and walked to the elevator, as she pressed the button she heard a call going through over video chat. The elevator came down, she walked into it and turned around. As the elevator climbed she heard a woman's voice.
"Bruce?!"
"Hey Zatanna."
It was Zatanna. Bruce must have called her since he promised Dick he would. As the elevator climbed higher her voice became unintelligible but she could hear Bruce's.
"Yes I'm fine. Yeah I know, he's here now. All right Zee."
The elevator reached the manor and Rachel walked from the study to the guest room she had been staying in. She could tell Alfred was expecting her, he had put fresh sheets on the bed. She walked over and ran her hand over the sheets and spoke to herself.
"He doesn't have to trouble himself for my benefit. I'm not that special."
She pulled the sheets down and crawled under them. It didn't take long for her fall asleep.
Gotham
Wayne Manor
8:17 A.M.
Rachel awoke to the sound of nothing. She couldn't hear footsteps or voices. Just an old clock on the wall outside of her room. She got out of bed and ran her fingers over the bandages that covered her injuries. She stretched out her shoulders and walked towards the shower. Raven took off her bandages, she plugged her phone into the speaker and turned on her music. Music that would scare away most people. Rachel took the rest of her clothes off and stepped into the shower. She let the hot water run over here, it does wonders to bruises and injuries. Over the music playing she thought she heard someone enter her room. She didn't hear anyone call her or say anything so she just assumed it was Alfred or Dick looking for her. She finished showering and walked back into her room to see clothes already laid out for her on the bed. She looked through the clothes that were laid out.
"These are my style, and my size. Where did Alfred get these?"
Rachel put the clothes on and walked into the hallway. She could hear the old grandfather clock down the hall, it was the only sound. A house this big with only four people in it still made it feel abandoned. She didn't know how Bruce and Alfred stood it. Of course at this point they were both used to a nearly abandoned house. Rachel walked farther down the hall toward the kitchen, she felt the slight temperature change in the air from the stove. She began to hear the sound of something being grilled and the smell of breakfast soon reached her. Rachel walked through the archway into the kitchen to see Alfred making breakfast, there was still no sign of Bruce or Dick.
"Ah, good morning Master Rachel. I shall have breakfast ready shortly."
"Thanks Alfred it'-"
She had just realized what he called her, he called her 'Master Rachel' she only ever heard Alfred call Bruce, Dick, Jason, and Tim 'Master'.
"Wait, why are you calling me that?"
Alfred was a bit confused.
"Because you are one of us now. You have become a member of the Bat-Family, thus earning you the title."
"Please Alfred just Rachel is fine. Or Miss Roth if you prefer. Master leaves a bad taste in my mouth."
"Of course Miss Roth."
Even though she had told Alfred not to call her Master, part of her was proud to hear Alfred say that she was one of them.
"Has anyone else been through here?"
"Master Bruce has been through here earlier about an hour and a half ago and will return shortly, Master Dick I have yet to see."
"Well, glad to see I woke before him, that would be a first."
"Ah yes, I am afraid he gets his sleep patterns from Master Bruce."
"Yeah, he was always first to rise back in Jump city. Most of the time before the sun came over the bay."
"That sounds like him. I used to tell him to sleep in and that a growing boy with his schedule needed more sleep but he just refused."
Rachel began to remember all those years ago, waking up to the sound of loud music and walking to the dojo to see Dick training. He would always push himself harder with each strike like he was never good enough, never fast enough. Alfred broke the silence.
"Where are my hospitality and manners?"
He turned to face Rachel.
"What would you like for breakfast Miss Roth?"
Rachel was confused, wasn't he making breakfast?
"Aren't you making breakfast Alfred?"
"Well of course, but what kind of host would I be if I did not ask for your preference?"
"Thanks Alfred but you don't have to-"
"Burden myself? Please Miss Roth, I appreciate the politeness but there is no need."
"Whatever you are making is fine Alfred."
"Of course Miss Roth."
The kettle sounded and Alfred turned to empty it.
"Herbal tea. I know how you enjoy it."
She smiled.
"Thanks Alfred. By the way, these clothes are just my size. How did you know?"
"I must admit that Master Dick had those clothes laid aside for you. He knows your size apparently. I shudder at the thought of how he knows…"
Alfred was joking of course but it went over Rachel's head, she didn't catch it with Alfred's tone and accent.
"He's observant. I mean we've never actually ha-"
She was about to say something when she realized Alfred was joking.
"You were joking weren't you…?"
"Not to worry Miss Roth, I shall not tell the world you didn't catch a joke. Or the other thing you were about to say."
She felt like an idiot, mixed with a feeling of embarrassment. Rachel poured a glass of her tea and sat down at the table while Alfred finished breakfast. After a few minutes they heard footsteps outside the kitchen, they turned to see Bruce walk into the kitchen. He looked like he had just come from a meeting the way he was dressed.
"Greetings Master Bruce, and how was the meeting with the board this morning?"
"Same as always. Half the board wants to pull one way, the other half pulls the other way. Plus the power struggle that's now open after we eliminated Roland Daggett. Others from outside Wayne Enterprises that want a say."
"Well I have no doubt everything will work out for the better."
Bruce sat down at the end of the table, where he always sat. Alfred poured a cup of coffee and gave it to Bruce.
"Breakfast will be ready shortly Master Bruce."
"No rush Alfred, Take your time."
He looked over to Rachel.
"You look better after a nights rest."
"Yeah. Seems I needed it. I don't normally sleep well, at least not since my mother and Azar-"
She got quiet and looked at the mug in front her. She gripped it and didn't take her eyes off of it, even as Bruce and Alfred watched her. She should never have mentioned it. Bruce looked at her.
"Bad memories? We won't pry."
He looked to Alfred.
"Has anyone seen Dick? He awake yet?"
"Not a sign of him sir."
Bruce looked to Rachel, her head was bowed and her eyes closed. She opened them and looked up.
"He's still asleep. Heart rate is slow, not responding to outside stimuli."
Alfred looked to her then back at Bruce.
"Well then, I suppose that answers that. Master Dick is safe and sound in his old room."
Rachel was curious.
"In his room? Last time I saw him he was on the table in the cave."
Bruce took a sip of his coffee and looked over to her.
"I carried him to his old room. Seemed better than having him sleep on a metal table in a cave."
Alfred had a smirk on his face.
"Even though I'm sure Master Dick has slept in worse conditions."
A timer went off and Alfred turned to the stove, Bruce took another sip of his coffee as Rachel felt out of place.
"Ah, here we are."
They both turned to Alfred.
"Breakfast is done and there is plenty so don't feel bad about having your fill."
Alfred stared Rachel down as he said that. Knowing she would eat a small amount to be polite and not 'burden' him more. They all began to fill their plates when Rachel looked away, then back to them.
"He's waking up."
Bruce sat his plate down and stood up.
"Excuse me."
He turned and walked out, he was moving toward the direction of Dick's old room. Rachel felt a shiver run down her spine. Alfred saw a nervous look on her face.
"Don't worry Miss Roth, this will be a friendly conversation. Bruce just likes his privacy, in this case it's probably because he's about to say something he would rarely say."
Bruce neared Dick's room and could hear him moving around, he knocked on the door and walked in to see Dick changing. He had his back turned but he knew who it was.
"Morning Bruce."
"Feeling better? How are your injuries?"
"They're gone. Shoulders and back are really tight but that can be fixed fairly easily."
Dick finished putting on his shirt as Bruce sat on the bed.
"How'd Rachel do last night?"
"I know why you trust her so much, she's capable."
Dick almost started laughing.
"Yes, she is. I would have never had suggested she take Damian's place if she wasn't."
"She also knows how and when to take charge…"
"Damn it. Look whatever she said or did it was becua-"
He cut him off.
"Enough Dick. I came in here to say this away from her so she doesn't stop trying to prove something to me… But I trust her Dick. I trust her the way I trust the rest of you."
Dick was at a loss for words.
"Come on, your breakfast is getting cold."
And just like that his demeanor was back to normal. They both walked together back into the kitchen, Dick was the first one through the archway.
"Morning all."
"And good morning to you Master Dick. Rising later than usual this morning are we?"
"Yeah, I guess I needed sleep."
He sat down next to Rachel, and Alfred handed him a plate. With the way Dick started eating, you'd think he hadn't eaten in days. Rachel just smiled and kept drinking her tea, she knows more than anyone how much food Dick can eat. Especially after she puts him to sleep. Finally he slowed down and looked to Bruce then Rachel.
"I heard last night you guys fought a Demon, anything I need to know?"
Bruce answered first.
"It was Etrigan."
"Etrigan? What is Blood doing running around downtown?"
"It wasn't Blood. Well it was, but… I'll let Rachel explain, she knows more about these things than I do."
To anyone who knows Bruce, that was odd. He didn't let others talk in his place, but Dick knew why. He trusted Rachel. Dick turned to Rachel.
"Jason Blood was suppressed. Trapped inside Etrigan's mind, unable to influence or force the transformation back into Jason."
"Wait, so it was like that time Trig-"
He stopped himself, he didn't want to mention his name. It always invoked anger and memories nobody wanted to re-visit. He gave her that look.
"Yes, it's like when HE tried to influence our world. Except this time Etrigan made a deal with someone, causing Jason's mind to become trapped."
Alfred chimed in.
"I do hope Mister Blood is alright, he has been a friend of Bruce's for several years."
"He is, or soon will be. I entered his mind and was able to cause the change back into Jason which also restored his control and influence over Etrigan. Won't even remember what happened."
"I sent a car to have him taken home as we were leaving the scene. GCPD took him back to his place and put him in his room.'
Bruce had chimed in from the end of the table, he put his coffee to his lips. Alfred looked around, everyone sitting at the table together was a nice change. Usually it was just Bruce sitting at the table eating, then he would get up without a word and be gone the next minute. A smile crept on his face as he spoke to the group.
"This is nice. Everyone sitting at the table having a meal together, I can't remember the last time something like this happened."
Everyone sat and looked at each other, not one of them saying a word. Emotions were touchy subjects to all of them, and not one wanted to admit how they felt. Dick broke the sience.
"Yeah, I think the last time was when Katie came back from the Marines a year and a half ago."
"Has it been that long? My all that has happened since then..."
Bruce stood up.
"I am needed at Wayne Tech with Lucius still on vacation. Sorry for running off. Dick, Rachel, you two have the run of the place."
Alfred stood.
"Allow me to drive you sir."
Bruce nodded and walked off. Alfred turned to Rachel and Dick and nodded.
"I shall return shortly."
Alfred walked off leaving Dick and Rachel with the Manor all to themselves. They both looked to one another trying to figure out what to say or do next. Rachel stood up and took her plate along with Dick's to the sink. Dick waited until he heard everyone leave before he spoke to Rachel.
"What's the part you're not telling me?"
"Huh? What are you-?"
He stood up and walked closer to her.
"Rae, I know you better than anyone else alive. I know when you tell the whole truth, and I know when you leave things out. You said Etrigan made a deal, meaning he made a deal with someone more powerful than him."
She looked at him.
"You taught me basic occultism and Demon hierarchy when we were Titans. Etrigan is a powerful demon he wouldn't make a deal with anyone. You entered his mind, and I know you would have tried to find the answer. So what aren't you telling me?"
Rachel looked down and then back at him with worry and fear in her eyes, Dick could sense her emotions through the psy-link. She sighed.
"I… I searched Etrigan's mind, his memories. I found one of him kneeling, speaking to someone…. Then, those eyes… They pierced the darkness and I heard the voice… That damned voice of pure hatred and rage… Of evil incarnate… My father… He's looking for me…."
"Didn't you lock him away between dimensions?"
"You and I both know he was going to get free eventually."
Dick had a sudden look of panic on his face. Even with all his years of training, fighting an inter-dimensional demon and his invasion was something he couldn't handle… Even with her…
"Rachel, is he back? If he is we need to act. I can ca-"
"No. He's not back. Not yet… We shouldn't worry."
Dick took her hands in his and looked in her eyes.
"I promise you Rae, if he ever comes back, if he ever comes for you… We'll stop him… Together…"
Dick leaned in and kissed her. When they were close like this the bond was unbelievably strong, even with all their self-control it was so hard to not give in. He pushed her against the wall, his weight forcing her shoulders against it. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close. Her grip was tighter than it should have been. Her self-control came back and she pushed him back.
"Grayson, you shouldn't ha…"
"Yeah… I uh… I'm going to go work out. I'll see you later Rae."
Dick turned and walked out of the kitchen. Rachel turned and placed her forehead against the wall banging it softly against it.
"Damn it Rachel… Control… You need to control… I can't let my emotions affect his. He can't have his judgement or emotions compromised… Control Rae…"
Psionic Empathy was one of her powers, able to sense the emotions of everyone around her, a side effect was that she was able to project emotions to others as well. But when it came to Dick she would unconsciously project what she felt to him who was also fighting to control himself. Imagine trying to fight off two people's emotions in your head…
"Damn Alfred… making me want to-"
Almost telling Alfred that they had never 'hooked up' put a desire in her head that she projected to him. She gathered herself and went back to washing dishes. She finished shortly after and heard Dick's loud heavy music from down the hall. She walked to her room and changed into workout clothes then walked to the room Dick was in. Dick had his knuckles wrapped and was working on a punching bag. He was already beginning to sweat. Rachel walked over and turned the volume down so he could hear her, she heard the rhythmic sound of his fists hitting the bag three times and then a tornado kick to finish.
"You still listen to the same music…"
"Drowns out the negative thoughts. Takes my mind off things."
She smiled.
"And lets you project them to the punching bag."
"Yeah, pretty much."
He punched the bag with his right hand. Rachel started stretching.
"Your turn."
"For what?"
"Your thoughts have been hazy since you woke up, full of doubt. What's up? Something happen last night?"
"It's fine Rae."
"Talk to me Dick, you know I won't judge or think any less of you. I didn't when you told me about Blockbuster and I won't now."
"William told me things… Things that made sense. You remember when Bruce said I was supposed to be a Talon?"
"Yeah, when he brought that ring back…"
"He was right, about all of it. Haly's was a front, it produces child athletes every generation and gives them to the Court of Owls… Or they did since the Court is gone. William started that tradition… He was an orphan, Haly's took him in, trained him, treated him like family. He pulled himself out of the slums. He fell in Lo-"
He stopped, he hated saying that word.
"He felt the L word for a girl, a high born. Her father was Burton Crowne, y'know the family that got their fortune from those steel mills and all the train yards? Anyway he didn't like his daughter dating a nobody, and explained to him that Gotham has two sides; Black and white, light and dark, and that there was nothing in-between so they dated in secret… Until she became pregnant. Then both their ties were cut, she ended up marrying a second cousin since it was okay back in those days. The Talon's took him in, trained him, made him suffer then used him to do their dirty work. He realized that the Court would need more, so he murdered Crowne and his daughter's husband, stole their son and gave him to the founder of Haly's. Told him to raise him in secret and train him, when he became of age he was given to the court. They called him the GRAY SON of Gotham. My name comes from that child. I was bred and trained, the perfect athlete. That's what waited for me at Haly's. Then Bruce took me in. If he hadn't, I may have been A Talon. I fought my whole life to be here, I thought I was making a difference. But now… Now I just don't know…"
Rachel knew how he felt, no one better understood how he felt.
"Dick, I know how it feels. I was supposed to be a vessel for Trigon. He was supposed to influence me and have me ensnare this world, but I defied him and use the abilities he gave me to right the wrongs he did. That's why you're here…"
"Yeah, I guess you know how it feels…"
Rachel knew only one thing that would distract him.
"That punching bag is a little outmatched, how about hitting something that will hit back?"
Dick looked at her with a surprised look then a grin.
"We haven't sparred in years…"
"Well?"
"You sure you want to do this?"
Rachel grinned.
"Oh yeah…"
Dick turned around and threw the tape at her, she snatched it and started wrapping her knuckles. He walked to the center of the room, there was a big circle around him. He used to train the same way as Robin and at Titans Tower. Rachel finished taping her knuckles and walked to the circle.
"Last chance to back out."
"Not on your life pretty-boy."
"Remember the rules?"
"Yeah, stay in the circle, first one flat on their back or to get knocked out of the circle wins."
They started to spar. Rachel was good, maybe the second best hand to hand fighter on the old team. But she was against Grayson. First round ended with Dick knocking Rachel out of the circle with a back kick. Before they went again, unaware to them they had an audience. Alfred had returned and was standing in the doorway watching, neither of them noticed him.
"Again!"
Rachel was ready for another round. She started with a few punches which Grayson easily flowed around, she threw a kick to his kidney which he grabbed, put a hand on her stomach and pushed her away, he moved into a flurry that Rachel blocked but then Grayson landed a kick to the back of her knees causing her to crumble to hers then Grayson kicked her chest. Rachel had the reflexes to twist and land on her stomach.
"Damn it!"
She slapped the mat and stood back up.
"Not out yet."
Dick winked.
"Yet."
Rachel launched a frustrated punch, Grayson was faster, he spun out of the way avoiding the punch and swept her legs causing her to fall to her back.
"Down."
He reached down and helped her up.
"Be aware of your opponent's body parts at all times."
"If I might interrupt a second."
They both turned to see Alfred watching.
"Alfie! How long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough."
He looked to Rachel.
"Miss Roth if you might indulge me a second."
She nodded.
"Master Dick's form is near perfect and his speed is un-matched by any normal human. That being said, he is not unbeatable. Watch the way he moves, how he shifts weight, at its peak just before he recovers he is vulnerable. If you can hold out long enough you can use that either to counter or strike, drop his guard."
"How do you-?"
"I haven't always been a butler."
Alfred turned and walked out of their way, he then turned back to watch the display. Rachel turned back to Dick and nodded, he came at her with flurries of kicks. She bided her time and didn't strike, just focused on dodging and blocking. Then she saw what Alfred had mentioned, the shift in momentum. Dick threw a punch and Rachel grabbed the arm at the wrist and above the elbow and used his sift in momentum. She flipped him over her shoulder, Dick landed flat on his back looking at the lights above and a grinning Rachel.
"Excellent Miss Roth, masterfully done."
"Thanks Alfred."
She reached down and helped Dick up.
"Watch out Master Grayson, she may surpass you one day."
"I'll be waiting."
Alfred walked off.
"How does Alfred know how to fight?"
"Who do you think taught Bruce how to fight before he began to travel the world? Alfred joined the army when he became of age over in England. He quickly became a member of Her Majesty's Special Forces and did jobs for MI5 and MI6. He retired and became an actor and then was an instructor for MI5 agents. He did a secret mission and he had to change his name and move here afterwards. That's when he became a butler to the Waynes."
She never knew Alfred had lived a full life outside of being a butler.
"Now, I refuse to get beat by a girl so what do you say? One more?"
"Hell yes."