Two of a Kind [Batman]

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Everytime traveling back and forth from Gotham to Bludhaven, it never seems to change. No matter how long he had been gone and how far he goes. Gotham remains the same. And he always found himself coming back to this city. In more than one way it was home to him.

But now a days, it was a home to him. He belong in Bludhaven. They needed someone to fight for them. The people that would never know him. The people that needed to have freedom back. And a reason to no longer fear the dark.

Nightwing was the one to help clear that up. The night live in Bludhaven was active. And by crime most of all at first. But as time went on, more people started to get back to their day to day lives. Because someone was out there trying to make a difference.

And some in Gotham see it almost as what it had been for them. But this was different. Bludhaven didn't have all the psychos like Gotham. They had more gang wars than that. More under handed work behind the walls. Even the police more so than Gotham had back in the day before the Bat.

But coming back to Gotham wasn't exactly a breath of fresh air. You came back to the crime and the war still going on. And could go on forever. But Batman was there.

Nightwing came back for a few reasons. Reasons he would not express out loud as his mentor would never do the same. But something was bothering him with what was going on lately.

He still felt a wall there after what had happened in the past between them at time. As well as with having Tim as the new Robin, it was still a little off.

Nightwing could be found on the ledge of a building. He knew Batman was near. But could not find a trace at first. Not until he heard some commotion going on in one of the near by alleys. And he knew who that was.

Quickly making his way toward the noise, Dick found himself over looking a fight between Batman and some of Thorn's goons. A smirk on his face as he watched for a moment before he saw someone with a crowbar heading toward Batman from behind.

Nightwing jumped from the roof and before landing swung out into a spinning kick. Knocking the man to the ground as Nightwing caught himself for a eased landing.

"Need a hand," he says to Batman as another thug comes their way. Nightwing spaced away from Batman to take a few swings at the new challenge.

[vigilant]

Some things never change. Gotham City, for example. It was still plagued by crime of the most nefarious sort. Psychos still stalked the streets, a cancerous sore upon the city's well-being. The crime rate was still alarmingly high, though since Batman's arrival, it had taken a noticeable dip. Whether the citizens thanked them or not, Batman and his crew were largely responsible for crime's gradual decrease. Since the days of his youth, the city had transformed, making Gotham a changed place. But like all great changes, it takes time. Time, and a whole lot of patience.

The latter, Batman had plenty of. He figured with patience and diligence, he'd build a mountain out of anthills. That with time, he'd able to clean up Gotham, and bring peace and prosperity to all. But time... that was something he didn't have much of. No time for himself. No time for sleep. And sometimes, when the doubts starts whispering to him in low, taunting voices, he wondered if he had enough time to truly make a difference.

But all heroes have doubts, at some point in their career. It was like swimming against a current of molasses. He just had to push through it; wade through, keep his head above the surface, and keep marching on. That was why, even though he had done this at least a million times, Batman was prepared to do it a million more. Patrol the streets, scour the skies. Wage war on Gotham's black-hearted criminals, and bring them to justice. That was why, even though some days he wondered if one man could truly reshape the world, he knew he had to keep going. Not for him, but for Gotham's citizens.

Batman was doing battle with Thorn's goons. A wide swing here, a duck, and a kick there. Men charging at him, roaring furiously. His body glided through the air, blazing at them like a freight train in the dark. Bam. They fell, stacked on top of one another, groaning in pain and dizzy from the shock. That was when a thug came after him with a crowbar. But he was saved the need to defend himself. Nightwing had arrived. He would never miss that voice or forget that flashy figure anywhere. Nightwing was his protégé, and Batman couldn't help but feel a swell of pride to see him swing through the air with such grace.

"No, I didn't."

He picked up the goon who had attempted to attack him, and flung him at one picking up the discarded crowbar. They both crumpled in a heap, before all the thugs, upon seeing Batman now paired with Nightwing, made a run for it. Batman whipped out his grapple gun, pulled, and his body went careening through the air. Boot-clad feet smashed against their heads, bumped their skulls together like bowling pins, and knocked the gang unconscious. Landing near the wall, Batman drew his cape around his figure, seemingly displeased. But Nightwing, who for years had been on the receiving end of his mentor's odd moods, would probably sense that he was at least happy to see him.

"What're you doing here?"

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Nightwing took the chance to throw back a few punches. Knocking the guy out in a few hits. He armed himself with his escrima sticks ready for another move. But was faced to the sight of the men trying to run away.

It was then that before he could even take action, Batman took the lead. His boot meeting the face of the two thugs. Leaving them out cold on the ground as Batman towered over them.

At Bruce's words as Batman, Dick looked over at him and a slight smirk came to his face. He knew the mix feeling he was getting. Unwelcome and barging in on a fight. But also the bit of having not seen each other in a while and just not showing the friendly side. Then again Batman never showed a friendly side.

"It's good to see you too," Dick replied smugly as he put his escrima sticks away.

He glanced over the thugs quickly then back over at Batman as he then grabbed a thug and dragged him over to the other two near Batman.

"Guys working for Rupert Thorn? I take it this was more than just a warning to them," Dick said as he dropped the thug to the ground again.

He looked back up at Batman. The return of the dark figure staring down at him only made him want to joke around more.

It was a very rare sight to get even the slight edge of the corner of the month type of smile to even get on Batman's face.

A cocky grin came to Nightwing's face as he looked at his old mentor. "Admit it, you've missed having me around," Dick said.

[vigilant]

With Dick, it was always a mess of confusing emotions and mixed signals. On one hand, he was proud of the boy. Whether he admitted it or not, Batman always kept an ear out for news on Bludhaven. Occasionally, he would hear of Nightwing's triumphs, the trials and tribulations he had to endure, as a lone soldier against a corrupted system. This made Batman reminisce of the days of his youth, when he first put on the cowl and declared war on Gotham's criminals. He knew Dick was walking the same path, and he could only hope that having fought alongside him, it would at least be a familiar trail; one having been blazed by someone else, proving that change was possible.

But when he saw Dick's smug, knowing smile, Batman felt the anger boil deep inside him. Things weren't well between them, not since Dick having stormed out and Batman's disapproval of his new identity. Thinking back, it was likely a mixture of pride and protectiveness. The same protectiveness a father would feel upon seeing his son hurt, and the indignation felt to see that very same son strut out of his home and build one of his own. He understood how illogical and inane it all was, but on an emotional level, Bruce was still struggling.

"Are you coming or not?"

He was tall, taller than Dick. Always has been. Perhaps that was why, when Dick was still a boy, it was so easy to intimidate him. So easy to make him cower and stutter like the little boy he was. But the boy's a man now... Without another word, Batman stepped closer, his broad figure resembling an enormous gargoyle, pitch black with white slits for eyes. It was odd, standing toe-to-toe with his protégé. Sometimes he forgets how much the boy has grown, how one day, his height suddenly skyrocketed, so that he was no longer struggling just to reach Batman's chest, but towered above his shoulders. From there, he only kept climbing higher.

Still, he was glad that Dick dropped by to visit. It was like old times... almost. Still, Batman had accepted his help, and that was saying a lot about the man who never backed down.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

The grin slowly disappeared from his face as there was a bit of silence between them. It was always like talking to a stone wall at times. But the best this about it, Dick would and could keep the conversation going against this wall. He didn't need words to try and cut him off.

He knew Bruce well enough to get through to him. And he knew how to tick him off or respect the current situation. Dick could tell there was still some resentment against him.

Though, at that time, he wasn't going to be the one to bring it up. The last thing he wanted at that moment was a n all out war of anger against his mentor. This was sort of a night of for Nightwing from his city and a chance to see how things were going with others.

His mentor had only gotten stonier since Jason's death. And news of the Red Hood would be unwelcome by taken in and later than searched until he found out what was going on. But what Jason had done to Bludhaven was Dick's business. And it was something the police there were not entirely sure of.

As for Tim, Dick knew he was fairing pretty well. With Barbara along side of him, the kid would keep his sanity. Just an on going joke between some of the bats. Barbara and Dick used to always laugh about it since most of the time one might prefer to jump off the edge of a building to feel the rush rather than taking a day off and watching tv like a normal person.

At Bruce spoke, Dick had went ahead and started tying up the three thugs that lay nearest to them. His words an easy signal that he was done there for the night. But by the sounds of it, there was possible more to this ad just these thugs.

And when he stood again and Batman stood closer now, Dick looked at him almost eye to eye. It was always hard to be at eye level with a man who had a couple of inches height wise. And Dick only stood 5'10''. Though with his gear and boots, he might have gained an inch in appearance. And probably would not grow much taller.

But no matter. It just helped to his tricks any ways. And over the years had had to adjust his acrobatic and gymnastic abilities as he had grown. It was always fun to think how many times back in training at times he would try again and again to perfect a dangerous stunt before he would take the move to the streets for the real test on his own. Perhaps it was just a habit installed on him at a young age, the way he trained. Only allowed to leave a training session until he had it down perfectly of could bring down his mentor some what.

Giving a slight mock eye roll over the question, Dick answered him, "I guess so." A slight smile coming to his face as he pulled to be a bit more serious once again. The eye roll gesture was pretty much the same reaction as if to say 'why did you even bother to ask that when you know the answer would be yes'.

Just another one of Dick's ways to maybe set off his mentor a bit since he knew him the best out of all the Bat-family besides Alfred. And he was sure at time Bruce preferred for someone not to be able to read him so well. Though there were times where Dick would become frustrated with him at not being able to figure out things. Especially when being pushed away.

It was always like Nightwing felt like he had something to prove to Batman. And when they were in each others presents, the tension would only grow over time. But Dick was the light hearted one. Always trying to break the tension. Though always failing against the master stone wall.

"Now I'm not trying to ask so many question, but you got to throw me something here," Dick said. Knowing his mentor had avoided his first questions. "But I know this has more to do than just with a simple drug dealing situation."

He knew his words might be answered with a narrowed glare over not doing his homework. But this wasn't his town any more. He could keep up on somethings, but he has his own to deal with. Dick knew he would get some sort of answer perhaps as they headed on like usual.

[vigilant]

"Rumors have it that The Joker might be involved."

There was an edge of animosity to his voice that Dick surely wouldn't miss. But to most people, his voice sounded flat. No hostility. No anger. Just calm. But to Dick, who for years had experienced his mentor's odd, sometimes erratic moods, he would sense the undercurrent of abhorrence there. The loathing. For years, his battle with The Joker was impersonal, even if most considered the deranged clown his arch nemesis. But things have changed since Jason's death. Even Batman himself seems changed. Perhaps that's why he's been so angry lately.

A sideward glance, brief eye-contact, then silence. Dick would understand. Even now, with Tim as the new Robin, Batman still held a grudge against The Joker. There wasn't a time when he didn't think of trapping the Clown Prince in an isolated place, torturing him for days on end, only to kill him. When these gruesome images came to mind, Batman recognized it as the voice that told him only by killing The Joker would they be even. Nights like those, Batman never slept. It was just him, his burning desire for vengeance, and the guilt.

"If he is, he won't get away. Not this time."

Whether having admitted it or not, Batman knew he needed help. Not against The Joker. Killing him would be easy. Oh, so easy. He needed salvation, not from the clown, but from himself. Deep down, he knew this wasn't healthy. This hatred, this need to 'get even', was like a poison in his system; acid slowly eating away at his insides, until his heart, too, would one day be gone. But now, as he glared down at Dick, he couldn't help but wonder. Had he done enough for Jason? Here was Nightwing, guardian of Bludhaven, an unfailing success in the battle against evil. What had he done wrong with Jason? What if it was only a matter of time before Dick, too, gets taken away from him? All these doubts and more shrouded his mind. No wonder he couldn't sleep at night.

Without another word, Batman fired his grapple gun, and swung himself onto the roof. There he waited for Dick, his protégé, his friend.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Dick knew that tone. And he didn't very much like to hear it in Bruce's voice over the matter. Things have been off lately with the Dark Knight and he knew it. Even trying to confront Bruce on it, he'd take it as an attack on him.

And he wasn't sure he wanted to say something about it. He understood what Bruce was going through. Maybe not from the actual experience. He knew that in a lot of ways, Bruce was like a father to all of them. Always trying to provide them with the best he could, but in a strict way.

The problem was, Dick saw Jason as a out of control case when he had started as Robin. And Bruce knew that. Dick had tried to say something before long ago. But it had only caused their ties to sever for some time. Jason had always been one to even challenge Dick and he had questioned before to him how Bruce's could put up with the kid.

Though nothing positive had resulted from that. And Jason's recklessness had proven Dick right over the matter. It wasn't over Bruce taking in another kid and bringing him into the part of Robin so shortly after he had left. But it was with who he had and not realizing what a danger he was to them and himself.

"Why would the Joker get involved with Thorn in the first place," Dick pondered out loud over it.

Joker wasn't usually one to play with the thugs and gangs in Gotham unless they wanted his help. That or if he had business of his own that was larger than just a joke he wants to find a punchline for.

And at the last part of Bruce's words, concern crossed over his face. Not for the clown, but for Bruce. He hadn't head that before in that way. Something was definitely getting to him. And Dick knew the reason for it. Even then he wasn't going to let Bruce head down that path he had long tried to avoid.

As Batman grappled off onto the rooftops, Nightwing shortly followed. Catching up to him in no time. And glad to see Bruce had not just decided to continue head on into this matter. Dick needed to confront him on his last words. Not this time was one of those things they tried to avoid. But the way he had said it, it sounded more like he meant it with his anger rather than with logic. Sure the clown had it coming, but that wasn't what they did.

Bruce's had pushed him away from the edge several times when growing up. Especially when he had wanted to finish off Zucco for all the pain he had caused in his life. The murder of his parents. But Bruce had been their to convince him otherwise. And now it seemed time to try and set in on what live had given both of them. One getting the other to think logically and remember the oath they had taken up. Dick could still remember the night he was sworn in years and years ago joining Batman as Robin.

As soon as he landed on the roof, and there was a bit of concern write on his face. As well as the knowledge that it might be best to hold his tongue, but he couldn't let Bruce go on like this. It wasn't healthy. And even Alfred was showing concern over it. And Tim had been the one to pick up on it and want to try and help.

He crossed over the roof to stand a bit closer to Batman. He needed to know. And if it turned into a war between them, he wouldn't leave his side that night, not even if he tried to force him to. Dick was going to try and help.

"Bruce....Are you really considering this," Dick asked in a hushed voice.

No one else around would even be able to hear the words he said. And he wanted to hear it not from Batman but from Bruce. Alfred had often said that he feared that he would lost Bruce in more than one way. And Dick was starting to see more of what Alfred was talking about.

During Dick's time of recovery after the Joker had tortured him before all this with Jason, Bruce had been the one to push Dick back into the game. As Nightwing had been lost to the streets for a few months because of the mental damage that had been done as well as the physical injuries. He still had the scars from the knife and whip lashes he had taken.

Bruce had been the one to ruthlessly push him back into training through the time, to keep his mind off all that had happened. And Dick felt it was his time to true that treatment. But he didn't want to seem like he was attacking him. Not after how Bruce knows how he felt about Jason the whole time. And now he had more reason to be annoyed with Jason over trying to take on his town in ways.

[vigilant]

"Considering what?"

It was the snarl of a cornered animal. Batman sounded angry, defensive, and impatient. This time, rather than just towering over Dick, he leaned towards the boy, shoulders flared, like a panther on the verge of attack. He seemed truly frightening then. White lens, flashing ominously, teeth bared, like the canines of a jungle cat. Compared to Nightwing, who sported an acrobatic and flashy suit, Batman seemed like a terror having risen straight from Hell. All darkness and chiseled muscles, scowling face and raging eyes.

"And don't call me that."

He almost hated Dick then. Hated him for knowing him so well, wanting to help, and having the courage to do so. Even if he had, technically, asked for the boy's assistance by allowing him a fleeting glance into his damaged psyche, Batman was still in denial. He wanted help, but he didn't. He wanted to be free of this hatred, but he wanted to seek revenge. It was a confusing mess, and all the Batman could do was stand somewhere in the middle, watching this internal tug-of-war like the helpless child he was, that night outside the theatre.

"Are you questioning me, Dick?"

Batman's shadow loomed over Dick's own, massive, like the darkness cast by a giant skyscraper. He knew that the boy he unfailingly managed to intimidate was hiding there, somewhere, behind the determined eyes and set lips. This time, it was Bruce who was spiraling downwards, like a man caught in quicksand, a trembling breath from being dragged into the darkness below. Dick wanted to help him, but it wouldn't be that easy. Bruce wasn't going to go down without a fight, and the time they spent together taught him his protégé’s weakness. Batman hadn't forgotten that it was him who built the grieving Dick into who he is today, and like an architecture who had designed the building himself, he alone knew where the weaknesses lay; where to push, and where to pull.

"What makes you think you can come into my city and act like you know anything?"

There, he said it. He knew how it would feel like. A dagger, sinking straight into Dick's heart. He had built the boy up and he knew how to break the boy down. But more than anything, more than truly wanting to hurt Dick, he wanted the boy to leave him alone. In that instant, Bruce felt like a wild animal taken in by a kindly caregiver. No matter how hard they tried or what method they used, he was still hurting. Any sudden movements would be interpreted as an attempted attack. Try as they might, bandage the wound and sterilize it with alcohol, he flailed and screeched, fought and roared.

No, it wasn't going to be anything close to easy. In a way, it would probably be one of the toughest wars Dick [and Bruce] had to wage. A war against themselves.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

This wasn't quite the reaction he was hoping for. He knew Bruce. And he hadn't expected him to get this defensive over the matter. It had only taken a few words to turn his ally against him like that.

And as Batman literally loomed over him, Dick had the urge to want to take a step back. But he held his ground. He did not take that step back that was instinct. He wasn't going to let Bruce treat him like that. Like a new vigilante crossing into his territory.

This time almost reminded him of the times when he had taken on a mission that was over his head at the time without telling Batman of his going out on patrol. Almost the same way he acted and punished him for disobeying orders to stay out of the matter.

But this...this was different. He could see Bruce felt attacked. He could see that hatred towards bringing it up.

"If you want an answer...then yes," Dick said straight out.

There was no beating around the bush between them. Unless it was more of getting information out of them. But this was different. Dick hadn't seen him this made since the time he had left. And even then, this seemed a thousand time worse.

It was like a hundred daggers were ready to be thrown at him. Ready to strike him down. Take him out of the way for wanting to help.

It was then that Bruce's words burned into him. Words he would never forget. In such a tone he hadn't ever been on the receiving end. A look of shock came to him. That one had cut deep. Deep enough to definitely break something within him. Almost seeming to be his confident against Bruce at the moment.

He stood their silently looking up at the man he had once worked along side of. Feeling much like the child once again that was being told off. To go home and he meant nothing to him. His words caught in silence. Nothing coming to him as he searched.

Him mind wrapping around those words. Playing around with the doubt. But something trying to overthrow it. It was a struggle.

"I'm just trying...to help," Dick said. Having trouble getting the words out still caught in a bit of shock at the attack he had gotten from his mentor.

For another moment, he tried to regain himself. He could push through his. It's what he did. And it was what he had to do.

"I came back to this city because I know when something is wrong," Dick said. His eyes narrowing slightly in challenge.

"I know what is going on. And I'm not going to let this push me away," he continued. His words pointed toward Bruce's attitude.

Dick knew it wasn't just affecting Bruce. It was affecting his way of fighting and living. And affecting those around him. And Dick had concern for those around Bruce as well at that time. He just hoped none of them had faced the wrath he was face just then. This was something he had experience in. He knew how he could help work him through this.

And if it meant taking a few hits to his pride and his spirit...Then so be it. Bruce needed help. And it was his turn to return that help.

[vigilant]

Bruce could see the shock register on Dick's face. Then the pain, spilling across his features like red paint on a white canvas. Underneath the mask, a look of guilt crossed over Bruce's visage, crumpling the hard, marble-wrought features into one of loathing and self-doubt. But with the cowl pulled tight over his expression, it only seemed like his jaw had slackened, and the mask of stoicism became a look that was almost humane. More than Dick, more than The Joker, more than anybody else, Bruce hated himself. He hated himself for failing Jason, for hurting Dick, and most of all for turning into that monster, who was tempted, only moments ago, to prey on his comrade.

Bruce was ashamed and guilty. But perhaps he's been that way most of his life.

"Look, Dick..."

His voice was gruff, the first hint of emotion, of frustration turned inward, creeping out. Then his jaw tightened again, and behind the mask, his eyes grew hard. That was the closest Dick would get to an apology. Even if Dick had managed to get through to him, to the Bruce buried underneath the mile deep layer of suffering and self-loathe, it was no use. He refused to acknowledge the presence of this side of him, the side that watched, powerless and in tears, as the world he knew was shattered before his eyes; obliterated, shot down, by a man with a gun.

"What's wrong, Dick?"

Bruce sounded exhausted. He turned his back to Dick, and gazed broodingly at the Gotham night-life. For nearly a decade, he has defended this city with his life. It had cost him everything. His time, his sleep, his identity. Any semblance of a normal life. But they did say the price of freedom, Gotham's freedom, is eternal vigilance. If that is the case, then he would gladly sacrifice his freedom for Gotham's own. That was why he was Batman, the eternally vigilant, the Dark Knight, because he alone could afford to make that choice and live it through to the end.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Dick had been silent after his own words. And at first remained so as he watch Bruce come back from the dark for a moments time. There was something definitely wrong with him. The way he was reacting was not Bruce.

And now more so than before did Dick fear for Tim, Alfred, and Barbara's sake that they had not had to face this yet. He didn't want them too. It wasn't something any of them deserved. And he didn't want them to see Bruce this way.

Sure Alfred might have many time before, but it seemed to be getting worse. Tim had always once in a while updated him on stuff back at the cave and would report back of such things. And it seemed Bruce was doing what they knew best. Bottling everything up.

Dick was almost giving off a stone cold reaction to Bruce's attempt to apologize. He was silent and only looked at him. The look that said he wasn't going to forget this.

But when Bruce spoke again and turned away from him. Dick started to ease back to himself again. Though more serious than joking like he had been before. He saw what he was dealing with. It wouldn't take much to turn his mentor against him.

"There are a couple of things wrong," Dick started, not getting any closer.

Leaving Batman to his brooding for a moment. He didn't say anything or move for what seemed minutes. When it was only seconds.

"There's something wrong. And honestly, I'm worried," Dick said. He wasn't one to usually say such things feeling wise. But Bruce had him beyond concerned.

He wanted to know what was going on. And attacking him wasn't the way to do it. And not such a personal thing like this matter in the air of the open night.

He'd do what he could on the street tonight, but he would confront Bruce again on this later where the masks are off. And no one else would have to face what he just saw.

[vigilant]

Dick was beating around the bush. Taking too long to answer. Bruce recognized it immediately for what it was, and assumed that perhaps Dick didn't want - or wasn't yet ready - to answer. A moment's silence, as the Batman drank in the view of the Gotham skyline. It was so beautiful. So breathtaking. The gothic architecture, the straight lines and enormous buildings. He could see bodies moving in the darkness, an old couple ambling slowly across the street as the street-light turned from red to green. On a park bench, some distance away, there was a boy and girl holding hands, gazing dreamily into one another’s' eyes.

Bruce marveled at the strangeness of it all. Here was Batman and Nightwing, nearly coming to blows for what seemed like an imagined offense. Hypersensitivity, a result of many sleepless nights and the death of his sidekick. The people trudging along on the streets, marching to the rhythm of their heartbeat, would never know. They would never suspect a thing. Not until they saw an immense, black-shaped shadow fly over them. Sometimes he envied them, because they had something he would never have. Normality. Peace.

"We've got things to do. Come."

Perhaps that was the only way Bruce knew how to appease himself. That he had things to do, places to go. That he would never fit into that life. The life that so many people took for granted. For them, the price paid for freedom and peace is eternal vigilance; a large price paid by the few, for the many. But he couldn't help but think, especially after Jason's parting, that it was his fault. That one day, he'd watch them all be slaughtered, one by one, and see his hands glow bright red with their blood. Because it was him who brought them into this life. Because now there was no turning back. Because there was no way for them, for any of them, to ever be like the couple on the street, or the boy and girl on the bench.

A diving swoop, followed by the swish of his cape against the air, then Batman was gone. He was on the ground, a shadowy figure moving through the semi-darkness. Expecting Nightwing to keep up with him, he led them along abandoned alleyways, through shortcuts and some of the most secretive pathways of Gotham itself. Soon, they would arrive at a darkened building, where two armed men stood on guard, while the inside buzzed with the sound of whispered conversation.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

At Batman's instruction, Dick was silent. And the figure of Nightwing soon followed suit of Batman. Staying almost one step behind him. Always able to keep up and keep his distance all at once.

Dick would be bringing this up later though. Perhaps the cave or if he got a ride back would be best. Though...It was never going to be best. Bruce had literally snapped on him back there.

This was dangerous water it seemed. Playing with fire. Something that was there as a defense. But someone wanting to break out of it if offered the help.

And he was going to be there for him. He wanted to help and he wasn't going to let his mentor slip away like that. He promised Alfred he wouldn't let it happened. To lose Bruce in the way that he could become a weapon was the most dangerous thing for them all.

Turning against those that fight along side of you was not what they wanted. Dick had already seen that result in Jason now. But that was a whole different story. But how it could be used against them was what made it count.

Dick followed him through the alleys and secret ways around the city. Until finally they had stopped. It was easy to see the two larger men guarding the door.

"Of course they have the welcoming committee out and ready," Dick said to Bruce as now Batman and Nightwing remain hidden from these men.

"So front door, roof, or windows," Dick asked in a have joking way as he looked over the location points of the building before them.

His computer screen within his mask analyzing a few things here and there. Stuff out of place. People locations and gear around the building.

[vigilant]

Bruce knew that Dick was still thinking of their little mishap earlier. He knew his pupil, perhaps better than the boy knew himself. But then again, Dick could also argue that he, along with Alfred, was more aware of the intricacies of Batman's character better than he knew himself. For years, they've watched him, fear and concern written in the form of furrowed brows and pensive eyes. They didn't fear him as much as they feared what he would become; what he was slowly becoming. It felt like Bruce's whole life had come to revolve around his identity as Gotham's masked vigilante, and slowly, the Bruce Wayne who traipsed about without the need of a mask started fading away, like a corpse gradually drifting to sea.

He never understood their concern though. What was there to miss about Bruce Wayne? He was just a sheep-skin, a costume he masqueraded in so Gotham would not suspect him of any night-time mischief. If anything, they could only gossip about the number of notches Bruce had on his bedstand, and the extravagant, over-the-top parties he participated in. In reality, his true identity was Batman; it was Bruce Wayne who was the mask.

"Almost all the windows are guarded by thugs with pistols and tasers. Maybe some crowbars too. The only free one is the back."

Batman had done his homework. He knew the layout of the building down to the most infinite detail; all possible exits, secret passageways, the approximate number of guards, their weaponry, the type of drugs being transported, even the material the building was composed of. A quick glance at Nightwing, as though to scold the younger man for not having made ample preparations beforehand.

"I'll break in through the back window. Crash in through the roof once you hear screaming."

Slipping quietly around the building, Batman became one with the shadows. Even Dick, who was trained by the Caped Crusader himself, would have trouble discerning his shape. Soon, he was behind the building, ready to dive in and wreck havoc on the drug heist.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

"Of course they would be. In a town like this, one could wonder why," Dick said sarcastically.

His expression remained unchanged. He was serious over the matter. His head was in the game. But Bruce would know him by now to make such remarks. Not as if to say he was being completely obvious, but just because this was Nightwing.

Dick wasn't the quiet, stone figure his mentor was. And it seemed Tim took more after Bruce than most of the others had what so ever.

At the glance Bruce gave him over the matter, Dick looked back and gave a slight shrug over the matter. Not like he didn't care over it. But stopping in Gotham was kind of a spare of the moment deal and he had his own town to handle as well. Not to mention a red hooded so call 'brother' running about lately.

He wondered if Bruce had even noticed the appearance of Jason again. Sure everything stayed out of the papers relating to the work that was being done. But it was kind of hard to miss the way Jason handled his targets.

"Alright. Roof, got it," Dick replied.

Not sooner after that, Nightwing had taken flight as to running and jumping on top of an empty parked moving truck. Where from there he did a spring flip to the fire escape. Easily pushing off and landing on top of the building near their target.

It would take two building leaps to get to the roof of their main priority. And Nightwing was moving fast. Wasting little time. And moving quick to stay silent and out of sight. He ran and lept one building. Then getting closer to his target, he surveyed the area.

When it was clear he made the leap over the alley way and to the next building. He stayed low. And kept his comm link on for communication between him and Batman. He got to the over hanging sky light of the building.

Looking in and staying out of view, he could see a large metal object in the room as well. This looked like more than just a drug deal.

"I think this is a bit bigger than a drug dealing operation with the Joker involved. You don't think he has a use or need for a large set bomb or anything do you," he said into the link.

The object was similar in was to what it might look like. But he wouldn't be able to tell for sure until they got inside and he got a closer look at it.