-Dick's POV-

"Bruce, you need to tell me what's up," I said, grasping Batman's shoulder.

"We have code names for a reason, Nightwing," he grumbled back.

I rolled my eyes. "I know you are hiding something from me. Can you just tell me what you know?"

"That's the thing," Bruce continued to stare straight into his binoculars, "I don't know anything and it is very frustrating." I crossed my arms. Bruce and I shared the same thoughts and feelings. The fact that Red Hood was easily evading the Bat family was something neither of us had ever dealt with.

It also didn't help that Tim was taking a break. He was devoted to leading the Teen Titans. I felt bad for Bruce. Last time I told him I just wanted to focus on the Titans, I decided to become Nightwing. Bruce must've been pretty nervous.

We continued to sit and wait. I always hated stakeouts. Batman never liked to talk.

Eventually, we saw something.

In align with each other, our grapples shot out at the same time and we swung down just in time to see Black Mask.

He was surrounded by his goons and inspecting something. As we landed, several guns turned our way and began shooting.

"Oh stop it, you idiots. That's the fucking Batman. What're you going to do?" Black Mask called over his shoulder, still inspecting whatever he was beside.

The goons lowered the guns just as Batman and I prepared for a fight. I sighed in disappointment. I was hoping it was going to be a fun night.

Batman pushed through the goons with ease. He walked through the split crowd like Moses. With his cape sprawled out behind him, he looked like a king walking past his subjects. I guess in some ways, Batman was the king of Gotham. Many criminals over the years had tried to claim that title for themselves, but they could never get past the Bat. Bruce didn't have the ego to believe in such titles, though. But, we all knew. Batman was powerful.; He protected and loved Gotham. He wasn't going to let anyone take that away from him.

I followed behind, leaning on the side of a building. Black Mask crossed his arms as his assistant stood beside him.

"What happened?" Bruce asked. Black Mask tensed. I could tell he was outraged. He took a few calming breaths before talking.

"Some special cargo I ordered was destroyed again," he grit his teeth, "and I have a pretty good idea who it was."

"More cargo like...Amazo?" I pushed off the wall with my heel, a cocky grin on my face, "Thanks for those fresh scars, by the way. It really adds to my collection." Black Mask's face -- well, what he had of a face -- tightened at my sarcasm. I dared him to make a move.

"That was private business that you managed to get destroyed," he growled.

"So buying a mass weapon-cyborg is private business now?" I taunted.

"Listen here you little--"

Black Mask's assistant grabbed his bicep before he could even take a step. He whispered something into Mask's ear, which seemed to calm him down. With a couple more slow breaths, Black Mask turned towards Batman. He seemed to be ignoring me now.

"My cargo was supposed to be delivered here an hour ago," Black Mask commented.

Bruce inspected the area before meeting Black Mask. I joked, "Are you sure the driver just didn't stop to get pizza?"

Black Mask didn't even turn half a degree towards me. I saw his shoulders rise though. Making criminals mad was always a fun game on an uneventful night.

"Nightwing is right. How can you be sure something happened?" Bruce asked.

"Because I just got a call that my guy's dead body was found in alley!" Black Mask shouted back. His assistant seemed to let that outburst slide.

"And who do you expect to be at foul play?"

Black Mask's face went deadpan. I was barely containing my laughter. It was hilarious to watch such an angry dude be forced to calm himself. "Red Hood, who fucking else!? He blew up my robot, he took my kryptonite, he--"

Black Mask stopped talking when he released he said too much. "Why did you have such a collection of kryptonite in the first place? It is illegal to smuggle and trade such a rare rock," Bruce regarded, with a smirk. I was surprised by the gesture. But, I was still going to join in.

"Yeah, and we could prosecute you if you decided to use such a rare rock for dangerous activities," I grinned, stepping closer to Black Mask. He wasn't a short man, but I was still taller. I looked down from my nose at him. The rise I got out of him made my abs hurt.

"THAT'S NOT THE POINT! RED HOOD IS RUNNING AROUND BEING AN ASS AND YOU DON'T EVEN CARE!" He screeched, like a toddler having a tantrum. Bruce patted my back. I got the memo. He wanted me to back off. I let my smile drop as I stepped back.

"As far as you're concerned, know that Red Hood is being handled. Your cargo was probably illegal anyway, so you should be happy that we didn't find you with it," Batman threatened. Black Mask winced, but didn't react.

When Batman grappled away, I managed to wink at Black Mask before following. I heard him scream in anger as we flew away.

Perching on a building, we combined thoughts. "Red Hood has been stealing cargo from other cartels, but I guess he is taking on Black Mask now," I remarked.

"Yes, it seems that way," Bruce pulled up his computer, "It isn't the first time he stole from Black Mask. We know his main motivation is to get footing in Gotham, but maybe now his main target is Black Mask."

"So...should follow Mask until Red Hood shows up?"

"Yes. We have to ignore the acts that Black Mask commits for the time being. We will have to use him as bait."

"Isn't he a little unstable?" I thought back to all the anger and yelling that had just happened. Everyone and their mother knew that Black Mask had quite the temper.

"Which is what makes him perfect as bait," Batman looked up, "he's predictable."

"And Red Hood isn't." I let my legs dangle over the edge of the building.

Batman continued to research. I looked up into the sky and studied the Bat signal. It brought a smile to my face. I always loved seeing it as a kid. Before I was Robin, every time I came to Gotham and saw the signal, I was reminded that good people still existed in the world. When I became Robin, the signal meant that I could help someone in need and that I could hang out with Bruce. Sure, I had friends growing up, but Bruce was and always would be my best friend.

Now, as Nightwing, the signal reminded me of a happier time. It made me feel like a kid again with all the hopes and dreams I could ever want.

"Bruce," I got him to look up, "has Nightingale given you any information recently on Red Hood?" It stung a little to ask, but I needed to ask. Last time I saw her, she had been helpful towards the investigation. And even though we weren't on good terms, I had to keep in mind that Bruce didn't hate her.

"She actually told me a couple weeks ago that she wants to work on her own," he answered, emotionless.

"Sounds like her," I jested, watching Bruce closely for reaction.

"Yes, well, we had an misunderstanding that resulted in her wanting to work separately."

I thought on it. "Do you actual trust her in the first place, though?"

Bruce hesitated. He leaned back and closed his computer. "Dick, look. There are a lot of things about Nightingale that you don't understand."

"But you do?"

Shaking his head, he continued. "No, I don't. She's complicated. But, just because she won't tell you something, it doesn't mean that what she is hiding is bad. If you truly care for someone, you have to believe in their character."

How could he still trust her? Did he not care about everything she had done?

"I can't believe in someone I don't know."

"You can't know someone you refuse to believe in."

I crossed my arms as my eyebrows knitted together. I couldn't believe him. Athena had been nothing but untrustworthy to all of us, but Bruce still had a soft spot for her. I didn't get it. A part of me wanted him to hate her just as much as I thought I did.

"Do you know something I don't know?" I was suspicious. Did she say something to him? Bruce never blindly trusted someone. Was I missing something?

"No," he answered quickly, "I just think you are judging far too quickly and far too harshly."

Before I could protest, Bruce stood up and dove off the building. "I caught a glimpse of Red Hood. We should go after him," Bruce order with only a hint of suggestion.

I nodded. I was still disappointed that Bruce hadn't backed me up.

~~~~~~~~~~Anyone got any song suggestions? I need them lol. Finals are kicking my ass you guys. I know you probably won't read this until finals are already done, but know that, as I'm writing this, I am STRESSING! Please suggest songs lol. ~~~~~~~~