Gotham City
Gotham City (West Market)
2:10 P.M.
"This is it, the best food in Gotham right here. Food from every country and nationality, all in one place."
Dick was walking through the market with Rachel at his heels. The market had an open roof with multiple rows that went on for a half mile. There were collapsible awnings that came out during the rain. The market had just opened again after being closed for the winter months. The sun was out in Gotham today and Rachel could feel the warm rays of sun on her face. The market was crowded with people who were either walking down the straight, standing in line ordering or sitting at tables eating. The noise was so loud that Rachel could barely make out what Richard was saying. Rachel kept following from behind and looked around. She could hear people ordering their meals and the people working the food stands shouting to drum up business or speaking in their native language. She could smell all the different types of food blending together.
"I thought the best food in Gotham was at that TV chef's restaurant and in Drescher."
"That's what the CEO's and other business executives will tell you. But I've had better food here than those gourmet places. Stay close Rae."
Dick tensed and dropped a shoulder to push through a crowd of people. A girl close to their age who had her nose in her phone wasn't paying attention and took a full force shoulder from Dick and was knocked off balance.
"Hey, watch it ass!"
She yelled as she was recovering.
"Sorry!"
Dick apologized as he was still pushing through the crowd.
"Maybe if you would get your nose out of your phone and pay atten-"
Dick cut her off.
"Leave it Rae. She's not worth it."
They cut through the crowd and came to an area that wasn't as crowded and they had room to move so Rachel picked up her stride and walked next to Grayson.
"So, see anything you like?"
"Plenty. There's food here I haven't seen in years."
"Alright, I'm going to head back into that mess back there and grab some food. Want anything?"
"No, I'll hang around here and grab something. Then find a table that hopefully isn't surrounded by people."
"Suit yourself."
She saw Dick walk in the direction they just came from and disappear into the group of people they fought so hard to get through.
"Better you than me."
She thought to herself as she walked to one of the food carts. She ordered a salad from one of the carts nearby and luckily found a table that wasn't surrounded by people so she wouldn't feel crowded. She sat down with her back against the wall so she could scan the room around her. Another habit she had learned from Richard. A few minutes later Dick came walking through the crowd and locked eyes with her, he crossed the room and came to her to table. He took a seat across from her. She watched as he tried to scan the room but his back was to most of it so he couldn't see. Rachel felt how uncomfortable he was not being able to scan the whole room.
"Here, take my seat. I know you have to be able to see everything."
"You sure? You like to see the whole place too."
"Just switch me."
They switched seats so Dick could see everyone and everything around him, always being vigilant. The way he was trained.
"A salad? I bring you to the West Market where you can get every food from every country and you get a salad?"
Rachel shrugged.
"It looked good."
He got that smirk on his face.
"You watching your girlish figure or something?"
She just glared at him.
"You of all people should know my girlish figure doesn't need work."
Dick lowered his voice.
"Yours definitely beats Babs' figure…"
Rachel was glaring at him.
"Sorry."
"No please. Do go on. Keep comparing me to all of your exes. Or do we not have that kind of time?"
Dick looked back down and started eating.
"Sushi. And eel? Predictable Grayson. Go to Japan for six months and get hooked on the food."
Rachel used her magic to pick up a roll of sushi and put in front of her. Dick looked up and watched as she put the roll in her mouth with a smile on her face.
"Using magic irresponsibly? Weren't you were the one who lectured Garfield on the irresponsibility of magic for three hours?"
She shrugged.
"Gar isn't here. And he'll never know."
Dick just continued eating. Rachel again changed the subject, something more serious. Something she had been wondering since the Night she let him get away.
"Slade. Have you found him?"
He didn't even look up, just used the chopsticks to put a piece of eel in his mouth.
"How do you know I've tried?"
"I know you better than anyone alive. Except for maybe Bruce."
"Not since I-"
He paused to put another piece in his mouth.
"No. Just like before, he vanished. He's as good as I am at covering his tracks."
He wasn't telling her everything. Again, being just like Batman. It wasn't his fault, it's how he was trained. How he was raised. At least that's what Rachel told herself. She knew he was holding something back but knew better than to call him on it. If it was truly important and lives mattered he would say something.
"Well, we both know we haven't seen the last of him. He'll turn up."
She was trying to give him confidence. Change the subject. It didn't work.
"No… He'll never be out of my life. Not until I'm face down in the dirt… Or he is…"
He was quiet.
"Just like Blockbuster. He'll never stop hunting me. Never stop ruining my life. Not until one of us lies dead."
She needed to change the subject.
"So, Bruce's assistant. Macy. What's her story?"
"No story. Just doesn't make the best judgement calls."
"Oh come on, there's obviously a story there somewhere."
"Her dad is a lawyer at one of Gotham's top firms. And he's damn good at what he does. He's cares about and would do anything for Macy but what he does, especially in Gotham makes it hard to sleep at night. So he suffers from alcoholism, and he's not one of the nice ones. Her mother stays with him because she tells herself he still cares about her."
"Tough situation. But what about her? She said the vigilante in blue saved her."
Dick looked around, made sure nobody was listening. The market had emptied out some as people went back to work.
"The first time, she just walked down the wrong alley. Three guys, two knives and a revolver. Easy. She thanked me rather profusely, tailed her until I knew she was safe."
"The first time? How many times have you saved her?"
"Three."
"Three? If I didn't know any better I'd think you were stalking her."
"Not the first two times. The third time I was actually looking for her."
"And the other two?"
"Second time she was at a nightclub I was investigating because I had tracked a shipment of drugs from the South side of Bludhaven. She had taken the drug which was a heavily modified version of ecstasy. I crashed in there to take out the dealers and shut the product down. Macy overdosed, had to drive her to Leslie's clinic for treatment.
He put the last piece of sushi in his mouth.
"Last time was the same week as Blockbuster's death. After I… killed him. Her dad was heavily intoxicated and had a gun, tried to shoot himself but Macy disarmed him but accidentally shot him in the bicep. She ran. I had heard on the police radio and went off to find her, it wasn't her fault. She didn't do anything wrong. When I found her, she was on Gotham Memorial Bridge. She had thrown the gun in the water and was ready to jump herself. I talked her out of it. Though, looking back, I don't know if I should have saved her."
His words took her off guard. Why wouldn't he save her?
"What do you mean you shouldn't have saved her?"
"She felt the same way I did. Felt like her life was never going to get better, and that jumping was the only way to make things better. I couldn't blame her for that."
She could feel his thoughts, they went to that dark place again. The same place they went that night when Slade came back. She had to say something.
"So, she wanted to go get coffee with you? Any intentions there Grayson?"
"No. Never were."
"What's the matter? Perky blondes not to your liking?"
"She's Bruce's assistant. And every relationship I've ever had ends in either death, or words being said that can never be taken back. You think I would even consider going out with Bruce's assistant when I'm his adopted son? That would create far too many problems…"
Rachel was taken back by his answer, she was only kidding when she asked but his answer was actually more mature than she thought it would be.
"That's actually rather mature of you."
She finished eating her salad.
"Contrary to popular belief Rachel, even I have standards."
She took a sip of her water as Dick finished talking.
"She's a nice girl that feels lost and needs something to go her way. Same story you see everywhere. So before you criticize her faith, and her praying. Consider what she's been through."
Rachel looked annoyed, she despised faith and religion. It was probably Arella's influence on her, or maybe the priests of Azar. It annoyed her how people looked to it for answers. It's hypocritical and condescending. She just rolled her eyes.
"Faith is belief based on an absence of data."
"You're right. But you and I have both lived long enough to see good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to good people. We're the living example of that."
"Faith and religion created racism. It starts wars and genocides. Hell, the whole crusades was one big condescending hypocritical mess!"
"Yes, I agree with you. But everyone around us deserves to be happy, and if faith or religion gives them answers or happiness, then who are we to judge?"
"But-"
"Macy hasn't done anything wrong, she-"
Rachel cut him off.
"Except took ecstasy. And shot someone…"
He glared at her.
"She's never tried to harm anyone. Still has her innocence. Which is more than I can say."
Rachel sighed realizing he was right. Again. Why was he always right?
"Okay, you're right. I shouldn't judge her for trying to find happiness. Especially here in Gotham."
Dick ate the last piece of eel and put the chopsticks on the table. Rachel could still tell his thoughts were dark.
"So Grayson, speaking of happiness. What is it that you need to be happy?"
He just smirked, he knew the answer but didn't want to say it. He knew what would happen if he did, how he would feel. He couldn't give in, especially to her. He locked his eyes to hers. Her violet eyes looking back into his.
"You should know the answer to that."
Before Rachel could respond, Dick's phone rang. He pulled it out and looked at the screen, he stood up and walked a few steps away.
"Hey Bruce."
Rachel watched as she thought to herself.
"Bruce can't save you forever Grayson."
He kept talking on his phone.
"No, we're at the West Market. Need something?"
He turned and looked at her.
"Lucius certainly works fast. Yeah, I'll make sure she gets them. Thanks Bruce."
She watched as he turned his back to her and his tone changed.
"Bruce, are you sure you want to do that? You know what that means."
He looked over his shoulder at Rachel and lowered his voice.
"I know it means you trust her but-"
He turned his back again.
"Bruce, it was my idea to bring her in. But what you're proposing? This quickly? It took you three years to-"
He sighed, Rachel saw his shoulders relax after being tense from the conversation.
"Alright fine. I'll go along with it. But don't force this on her, let it be her decision. Not yours. Don't manipulate her like you do the rest of us."
She took another drink of her water finishing it. She kept listening to his conversation.
"I don't know, tonight maybe. I feel like I've been gone too long and need to get back. Yeah, Malloy has been covering for me while I've been gone. Okay, I'll see you tonight Bruce."
Dick looked to Rachel and walked over while putting his phone back in his pocket. He sat down in front of her.
"Lucius is sending some documents to you. He needs you to sign them electronically and send them back. It'll get things moving."
"Alright, I'll take a look. And the other thing?"
"Bruce-"
He shook his head in frustration.
"Bruce is also sending you something. You don't have to sign it unless you want to."
"So what is it?"
"It's a recommendation letter… For the League…"
Her eyes got wide, her heart skipped. Panic began to settle in. She felt like she couldn't breathe. She looked around her, the market was almost empty as everyone had went back to work or moved on with their day. And to make sure nobody was eavesdropping.
"Wait. The League? As in The Justice League?!"
Her voice was louder than she had anticipated, a few people glanced in her direction. She caught their eyes and put her hood up, trying to take the attention off of her. The people who had looked in her direction went back to what they were doing and she lowered her hood.
"Yeah, the Justice League. Bruce wants to put you into the system as a potential member."
"Meaning he wants me to join them…"
"Look, it doesn't mean anything. It's a lot of politics, there are hundreds of people who are also being considered. Besides, you don't even have to sign it if you don't want to. I made sure Bruce knows that this is your decision. Not his."
She smiled.
"So, if I do sign this, what happens?"
"Basically, you'll be put into a database. Then someone sorts through the database and evaluates each recommendation. They give them a rating based upon their abilities, skills, and other assets. The rating is based on a priority rating, High, Mid, or Low priority. High priority, obviously means they are more likely to be recruited. Then the founding members and a few other high ranking Leaguers have a vote on each recommendation. Get enough votes, and you're in."
"So who sorts through the applications? Don't tell me the league has a secretary."
"Well, actually they do. But no, she doesn't do it."
"So who does?"
"Batman, Superman, and Manhunter do their fair share. But you already know the person who sorts through them."
She looked at him as another look of horror appeared on her face. She dropped her head.
"Vic…"
"You guessed it. Cyborg does more than just monitor communications. He can sort through all those applications in minutes."
"So if I agree to this, Vic is going to sort me? And how do I know he won't be biased and put me on the High Priority list?"
"Come on Rae, you know Vic better than that. He won't play favorites."
Rachel was quiet, she was thinking about whether she should consider the offer or not. Then a thought crawled into her head, she remembered the e-mails that she had seen on Dick's laptop. The invitations asking him to join the league. She smirked.
"So, I've seen the e-mails on your computer. The invitations to join The League. What priority are you exactly?"
He just glared.
"Let's not go there."
He stood up with his tray and started walking to the trash with it, Rachel followed after him. After they put the trays back they started walking back through the West Market.
"You never answered my question Grayson. What is your priority?"
He glanced at her, he could see the smirk on her face. He also knew she wasn't going to drop it until she had an answer. He looked straight ahead again.
"Highest Priority."
"Wait, Highest Priority? You said there were only three-"
He cut her off.
"Just drop it Rae. Please?"
She smiled.
"Consider it dropped then."
The two of them walked outside, back into the sunlight and walked down the street to where Dick had parked the bike. As they were walking down the street, they walked passed Gotham Square. On one of the large T.V. screens on one of the buildings was a talk show where they would interview athletes, actors or other celebrities. The show was based out of Metropolis. The woman on screen was in a red dress with a generous neckline. She had on a black choker with a silver clasp in front. She also had on black heels and silver bracelets on her right wrist. She had black hair that was held in a ponytail. Rachel never liked her, she was one of those perky innocent people who seemed too perfect, made Rachel think she was hiding something. She started speaking into the camera.
"We are live from Metropolis! My next guest is award winning actor, current leader of The New Doom Patrol, and former Teen Titan, Beast Boy, A.K.A. Garfield Logan."
Rachel stopped dead in her tracks and stared up at the screen, she couldn't find any words. Dick just smirked and stood next to Rachel as she stared at the screen. The woman on the screen continued.
"Garfield who has a new movie coming out in the next few weeks is here with me now live!"
The camera panned to the side and they saw Garfield walk out onto the stage. He was wearing a black and purple leather jacket with black jeans. He sat in the chair in between the show hosts he fixed his hair and put a smile on his face. Rachel looked to Dick who was still smirking and looking at the screen. The interview began with Garfield talking about the new movie, background, plot, and a few sneak peaks of scenes. Rachel took a step back and looked to Dick, she pointed a finger at the screen.
"What the hell does that imbecile think he's doing?! He went public with his identity?! Now everybody knows who he is!"
He turned to Rachel.
"To be fair Rae, he is green. He does tend to stick out wherever he goes. It's not like he can hide in public like we can."
"I admit that does limit his ability to blend, but becoming an actor? Saying publicly that he's Beast Boy? Why doesn't he just tell them he contracted Sakutia like he did when he went to Jump City High? The Green Virus is totally believable!"
He shrugged.
"Sure. But one look at BB and anyone who's seen any of his movies could instantly tell it's him. This way, people know that they are one and the same."
"So don't become an actor! Be a nobody! Just a random every day person with a genetic mutation!"
"Has to make a living and support his new team somehow."
"But-"
She put fingers to her temples then looked at Dick.
"You told me when we first met, that you wore a mask to protect the people close to you. If people know who Beast Boy is, if our enemies know… If Deathstroke wanted to, he could-"
"Destroy his life like Blockbuster destroyed mine, I know. But that's the thing that separates Garfield and I. I have a life outside of Nightwing. That can't be said about Beast Boy."
Rachel looked back to the screen, she saw the woman in the dress from earlier turn Garfield's head to the side. There was a bruise and a few small cuts under his ear by his jawline. A smirk showed on her face, Garfield looked like he was in his element. The woman in red started speaking again.
"And tell me about this little battle scar, am I to believe you got this filming? Or is this from your other hobby?"
Garfield ran his thumb over the wound. He gave a small little laugh and looked to the woman.
"Now, you know that I'm not allowed to talk about anything that happens during the other part of my job."
"So you admit that it happened while you were doing the super hero thing? Are you sure you can't tell us ANYTHING about your heroics Beast Boy?"
She used a flirtatious tone, batted her lashes and made an attempt to make other assets appealing. Rachel rolled her eyes, knowing that Beast Boy had a weakness for attractive women.
"Great, now he'll tell her everything…"
Grayson grinned and looked at her.
"Don't be so sure."
They went back to the screen. Garfield shifted his weight and looked back at the reporter.
"An old friend once told me that 'what we do in the dark, isn't for those in the light to see.'"
Garfield looked at the screen and smiled, then he put two fingers to his forehead and gave a small salute to the cameras. Rachel looked to Dick knowing that he was the one who told him that after BB had spoiled one of the Titan's exploits to another reporter. Rachel watched as Grayson smiled and did the same small salute to the screen. Rachel smiled, then broke the silence.
"He knows you're watching…"
"He doesn't KNOW. But he suspects."
They both looked back at the screen.
"And just who was this friend of yours who told you this?"
"He knows who he is, and I know who he is. Any more than that I won't say."
"Can't you give us any more information than that? Surely you can tell us something?"
"Flash me those eyes again and I'll tell you anything you want about the movie. The super hero thing? Well, let's just say you would have an easier time stopping a rampaging Mammoth."
"We'll be back, live in Metropolis with more exclusives from Garfield Logan, and stay right here!"
The screen went to a commercial, Rachel heard two college girls from behind them who had also been watching.
"O.M.G. Garfield is so HOT!"
"Dude, you don't have to tell me! And those ears!"
Rachel remembered hearing what BB would tell her all the time. 'Chicks dig the green ears.'
The two girls continued.
I'm telling you, if I ever saw him in public I'd go green so fast."
"Hey girl, once you go green you never go back!"
Rachel shuddered at the thought and felt like she had to throw up everything she had just ate. Dick just shook his head and the two continued walking towards where Dick had parked his bike.
"Well, good to know all those hours of watching pointless T.V. shows and all those movies paid off. And here I thought he needed to pick up a book… Or ten…"
"It suits him though. You saw how he handled that interview, made the woman sound like a ranting idiot."
"Yeah, can't disagree with you. The fame suits him… Just hope it doesn't go to his head though. Of course, he always had an overinflated ego of himself."
"On that we agree."
"I mean do you remember when you ran off to Japan and when we finally came to find you, Gar got called 'Otaku' by that one school girl? He thought it meant cute. I had to explain to him for half a day that Otaku is Japanese for 'geek'. He swore he read anime and could understand everything but yet he didn't know the language."
"I don't remember that. I don't think you had found me yet."
"Oh right… You were still at that Dojo."
They continued walking as Rachel kept talking.
"And Vic at all that wasabi covered food, I mean ALL of it. And it didn't even affect him, he just kept eating."
Dick smiled and looked at her, he had that look in his eye.
"Something wrong Dick?"
"You miss them. Don't you?"
She turned her head, she didn't want him to know the answer. But she knew he already did.
"Yeah, I do. Well, all of them except for Terra. That bitch…"
Dick just smiled and kept walking.
"What about you? Do you miss them?"
"Sure. Beast, Vic, Kori and Donna. All of them. Even Terra."
Rachel stopped dead in her tracks.
"How can you possibly say you miss that traitor?!"
"She was part of the team. MY team."
"Dick, what she did. What she tried to do? Aside from trying to level a city, she hunted down every single one of us and tried to…"
Her voice got low. She sounded like she had fear in her voice.
"I still have nightmares about that fight we had… If I hadn't of given in to my blood, she would have killed me. And you know how much it scares me when I put even a little bit of Trigon into myself."
"Yes. But she was still our friend. At least… She used to be."
They started walking again, Rachel broke the silence.
"I still can't believe that our little Beast Boy grew up."
"We all did. We had to. We aren't Titans anymore Rae, we never will be again. We all had to move on and find our own way eventually."
"Yeah, we both know that better than anyone."
They got back to the bike and crawled on, Dick opened the throttle and sped down the Gotham streets.
"So, what's the plan?"
Rachel asked as she was leaning back on the seat behind him.
"Head back to the Manor, say goodbye to Bruce and head back into Bludhaven. Been gone for too long, makes me worried."
Rachel wrapped her arms around Dick and put the forehead of her helmet to his back.
"As ever, I'm right behind you."
Dick smiled.
Gotham City
Wayne Manor (Outside guest room)
8:49 P.M.
Rachel and Dick had been back at the manor for hours, they had waited for Bruce so they could say goodbye and head back to the Haven. When Bruce got back it was already getting dark, after they had said their goodbye's Commissioner Gordon had summoned Batman via the Bat-Signal. So Batman had gone into the city, they understood. Batman was needed. He had been gone for almost two hours. Alfred had made dinner so Rachel and Dick had eaten dinner and disappeared into their respective rooms to pack and head back into Bludhaven. Dick checked the time on his phone as he walked down the hall to Rachel's room with his bag thrown over his shoulder. He wanted to get back to Bludhaven in time to go on patrol, to remind the city that he was still there. He leaned against Rachel's door frame and heard her zip up her bag. She threw it on her shoulder and turned around to see Dick waiting.
"Oh, I was just coming to find you. I'm ready to go whenever you are."
"Let's go then. I want to get back before the sun comes up. Remind everyone that Bludhaven is still my city."
Rachel turned around and grabbed her biker jacket that she had bought during their trip to the Gotham mall before Cheshire interrupted them. They turned and walked down the hall, heading to the front of the house where they had left the bike. Alfred approached them from behind.
"Ah Master Dick. Master Rachel."
They turned to face him, Rachel felt uncomfortable by what Alfred referred to her as. He noticed and corrected himself.
"Apologies Miss Roth, I had forgotten you don't care to be addressed in that manner."
She smiled.
"No harm done Alfred."
"Come to see us off Alfred? We need to get back."
"I tried to fix the guest room before we left. Don't need you cleaning up after me, you have enough to do as it is."
"I appreciate the gesture Miss Roth but it really is no trouble."
Alfred looked to Dick.
"Actually I have been sent here by Miss Gordon. She was rather adamant that I fetch you before you left."
Dick just looked to Rachel, she shrugged her shoulders.
"I guess I'll go see her then."
"Very good sir."
Rachel followed behind Dick as he walked into the study and summoned the elevator that took them down into the cave. As they walked across the walkway Rachel looked left and saw his old Robin suit, she couldn't help but smile as she remembered seeing Garfield on T.V. and then their conversation a few hours ago. Barbara watched them approach and turned in the chair in order to see them.
"Dick, glad you're here."
She looked to Rachel.
"And Rachel, you're here too? Right, of course you are. You haven't left yet."
Dick looked to Rae then back to Barbara.
"What's up Barbara? We really need to get going."
"I know you want to go back to Bludhaven. But listen, there's been a… development…"
"What do you mean?"
"It's Batman… He's… Well, he's gone dark… Again."
"What do you mean he's gone dark? He's only been gone for two hours."
"I mean he's not answering on the comm."
"So? That's normal. Not just for him but every one of us does it. We get involved in a case and don't answer. You know he only answers if it's important or he needs something."
"Look, I've been scanning channels. All of the channels we use, primary, secondary, emergency channels. All of them. Nothing."
"That's not strange."
"No, I mean there is nothing. No signal. No connection. No feedback. Batman's comm's are simply dead. They're being jammed, or blocked. I don't know."
"Did you re-route Wayne Tech satellites to try and boost the signal?"
"Of course I did."
"What about his backup comm, did you try that one?"
"Yes, Dick. I tried. Everything."
He looked to Rachel and then walked up to the computer. He hit a few buttons and a no connection symbol popped up on one of the many monitors.
"Hmm, can't connect to suit biometrics either… So it's not just comm's that are down but telemetry data too… Hmm."
He hit a few more buttons, this time he pulled up surveillance data throughout Gotham. It was working exactly as it was supposed to.
"So, it's not a systems crash. Everything works except everything on Batman's end."
"That's what I have been telling you."
"It's hardly the first time this has happened. He does it two or three times a week."
"I know Dick. But… Normally I wouldn't be worried. Like you said, this happens all the time. But, after Damian… Then the Court of Owls…"
Rachel stepped forward.
"I agree with Barbara."
Dick looked at his phone to check the time. Then back to Barbara.
"You want me to go on a rescue mission when we don't even know if anything is wrong?"
"Look, I know you have to get back to Bludhaven. But he hasn't checked in."
Dick looked down at the cave floor.
"Okay, where was he headed?"
Oracle looked to Rachel then back to Dick, she held his gaze. There was fear in her eyes.
"Arkham…"
Dick dropped the bag to the ground.
"Arkham? Dammit… Why was he going to Arkham? There haven't been any breakouts."
Barbara was terrified, she was trembling. Rachel could feel the terror coming from Babs, it was VERY intense. So intense that Rachel had to go into a half meditative state to control her emotions. She looked to Dick, terror written on his face. Her voice wavered.
"It's HIM Dick. HE'S back… JOKER IS BACK!"
Dick took a step back, he looked to Rachel. Then he looked to Babs, she was trembling. A tear was running down her cheek.
"So that's why you're so worried. Because it's Joker…"
"Dick, you KNOW what he's capable of."
"Yeah… Like no one better."
He kneeled down and started rummaging through his bag until he found his suit. He pulled his shirt off. He started to strip, and then change right in front of them. Rachel and Barbara stared at him, then looked to each other then quickly looked away. They were thinking the same thing. Dick stood and zipped his suit up.
"I still don't understand. Why is he back? Why now? He shows his face again, after a year of nothing. Now he comes back?"
"We all knew he'd be back. I just, I guess I imagined it would take him a little longer."
Rachel put her pack on the ground and started digging through it.
"Hold on Dick, I'll come with you."
He looked down at her, this time his voice was cold, emotionless.
"No. Not this time."
"What?"
She looked up and saw him put his mask on. She watched as the mask sealed to his face. Rachel kept digging for her cloak. Dick put an earpiece in.
"Right, if I'm going to Arkham I'll need the new security codes."
"Uploading now."
"The cryptographic sequencer? Lucius deliver it yet?"
Barbara dug through the bag attached to her wheelchair and pulled out a small black device.
"Here, hasn't been tested yet. Already programmed the frequency that the Arkham guards use. You'll be able to hear their broadcasts."
Nightwing took it and slid it into a pocket in his gauntlet.
"Nothing like a field test."
Rachel found her cloak and was starting to get ready. Dick pulled out his escrima from the bag, he twirled them through his fingers then slid them into the holster on his leg.
"Okay, I'm heading out. I'll be in touch. Keep those satellites in place over Arkham, I might need the extra signal."
"Of course I will."
Nightwing turned and started heading towards his bike, Barbara called from behind him.
"Dick… Remember what happened last time… Just be careful okay… I don't want to lose you too."
Her voice wavered again, she was still terrified. She never got over her fear of him, from he did to her. She was still trembling. Nightwing walked over to her and kneeled down, he wrapped his arms around her. She buried her head in his chest as tears ran down her face. His voice was soft.
"Hey, it's okay. I'll find him."
She brought her lips to his, and held them. It was Barbara's moment of weakness. She saw Rachel watching them and she pulled away. Nightwing stood and began walking back to his bike. Rachel followed after him.
"I'm coming too."
He turned around, his voice was cold again. Emotionless.
"I. Said. No."
Her anger rose this time.
"You can't just put me on the bench Dick. We're in this together."
He raised his voice, almost at the point of yelling.
"Do you know Arkham's layout by heart? Each point of entry, guard routes, security codes, every secret, every tunnel, every shadow?"
Rachel just glared.
"Didn't think so. Arkham is dangerous, within those walls are the most clinically insane and psychotic criminals in the world. And I won't have time to show you around, or baby sit you. You'd be a liability, and inside those walls, that means we're both dead."
Rachel raised her voice, Barbara just watched. She didn't want to be in the middle of their argument.
"I'm not a liability! And I sure as hell don't need you to baby sit me, we've handled psychopaths before remember?!"
"They were small time compared to Arkham inmates. You think Dr. Light even compares to the people within those walls?"
"I'm not a teenager anymore, I can handle this. I'm not helpless!"
Rachel's outburst caused glass vials over in the medical cabinet to shatter, it echoed throughout the cave. Dick looked down and sighed, remembering who was standing in front of him.
"Look, Joker is dangerous. Unbelievably dangerous. You have no experience dealing with him. If we go to Arkham together, and something bad has happened, then I need to be at my absolute best. And that means I can't worry about anyone's safety, not even mine."
Rachel tried calming down.
"Joker finds the weakness of everyone. EVERYONE. If he finds out what you are capable of, he will break you and use it. But more than that, if he even SUSPECTS our relationship, how we feel about each other, Joker will exploit that. And one of us won't make it out of there. Maybe neither of us. I work ALONE."
Rachel blushed, then smiled. He said they had a relationship.
"Why are you smiling? This is serious."
"You said we had a relationship…"
Nightwing narrowed his eyes, same way Batman does.
"Don't imagine things."
He turned and walked towards his bike a final time. His voice was cold.
"Be back later."
He put a helmet on a climbed on, he started the bike.
"I'll be in touch."
He hit the throttle and sped out of the cave leaving Rachel and Barbara in the cave together. Rachel glanced at Barbara who was still embarrassed about her moment of weakness and turned her back to Rachel.