-Dick's POV-

"Where are you?" I asked, strolling around the apartment. 

"I'm out for lunch," Barbara answered, laughing about something in the background.

I frowned. "Who're you with?"

Barbara hesitated and said something to the people around her. "It's a work lunch. Duke and I are discussing things about the business and his father." Barbara chuckled again before quietly shushing Duke.

"Well, I thought we were going to go to the theater tonight," I pulled at my tie and tugged it off, "but if you're busy..."

"Yeah, I am. Thank you for being so understanding," Barbara said. Whatever jealousy I had quickly went away. I could hear her smile and how much she appreciated that I was leaving her alone. "See you tonight?"

I smirked and nodded to myself. "Of course." I hung up and took off my jacket. Staring out the window, the sun scorched my face and burned my eyes. I rolled up the sleeves on my white dress shirt, grabbed some sunglasses, and went outside.

It was a perfect, summer Saturday. Compared to the other beach-goers, I was vastly overdressed. I was still wearing navy dress pants and loafers. I looked like I belonged on a yacht instead of the beach. I considered dialing up Bruce and asking if I could throw a party on his yacht. That was always a summer staple when I was in high school.

I slipped off my shoes and carried them in my arm. I wiggled my toes in the hot sand and listened to the waves. It had been a while since I had just...relaxed. Being a hero was very stressful. Rarely did any of us get time off to do anything. If we did have time off, the time would be spent talking about serious business just like we were still working.

As I walked along the beach, I forced myself to stay away from any hero work. I put Red Hood out of my mind and thought about other things. Ever since my night out with the boys, Wally and I had been discussing his proposal to Artemis. He still hadn't done it, despite my advice, because he was apparently nervous she was going to say no.

While we both knew that Artemis loved him deeply, I could understand his hesitation. Artemis was not the housewife type. In fact, she was far from it. The fact that Artemis had been in a relationship for that long was surprising. She was not the type to be tied down. And Wally knew that. 

Artemis was very similar to a girl I knew. Barbara liked relationships, that's why we dated all throughout high school. But Athena was like Artemis. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. 

Athena and I couldn't of worked out. She never liked relationships. Looking out at the water, I accepted the truth. Athena didn't want to be in a relationship. Even if she would've stayed in Gotham, there was a high chance we would've broken up anyway.

I walked past Gotham Goodies and chuckled to myself. I bought an ice cream and thought on fond memories. 

I remembered Barbara and I came to the beach for our second or third date. I had picked her up from her house as Commissioner Gordon interrogated and threatened me. We had gotten seafood and watched the stars on the beach. After a few serene moments, Barb tackled me into the ocean and we both returned home soaking wet. Later that night, we had to go out on patrol still wet and sandy. Bruce scolded us both.

Those were the days. Crime fighting was innocent and we were just kids. But then Barbara was shot. And Jason died.

Eventually, the sun went down. I had lost track of time. It was time to get back into being a hero.

I got into my Nightwing uniform and swung around Gotham.

In the alleys of the city, I saw a couple being held up by a man with a gun. They slowly handed over their wallets. I landed between the couple and the mugger with a smile. 

"It's not nice to take things that aren't yours," I cracked, trying to clam down the frightened couple. The mugger glared at me.

"You better get outta here or I'll put a bullet in you." The mugger had an accent that wasn't from Gotham. No wonder he was trying to threaten me. His accent sounded like it was from Manhattan or Brooklyn. 

"Guess you're new here," I jumped up and kicked the guy in the face, "let me welcome you to the city." The guy got up and tried to punch me, but I grabbed his wrist and twisted it, "Gotham has lots of sights to see and businesses to offer. Don't forget to check out the beach!" I pinned the guy to the ground, knocking him out cold. 

The couple was still scared, still refusing to pick up their wallets off the ground. I plucked them from the damp, Gotham street and handed them to the people. "I believe these are yours."

"Thank you," one of the women said, taking her wallet.

"Thank you, Nightwing," the other woman spoke up softly, her hands still shaking. I winked.

"Be careful getting home, ladies," I warned as they took each other's hands, "Gotham can be dangerous at night." I grappled away and did flips in the air.

I saw another grapple in the sky for a split second. I knew Batman was doing work outside of Gotham for the night, Barbara was with Duke, and Tim was still devoted to the Teen Titans. I smiled and grappled quickly towards where I saw the line. Maybe Tim had returned!

Tim was nowhere in sight. Instead, I saw the undoubted red helmet of Red Hood. He looked back and picked up his speed. I chased him, getting close to him. As he shot out another grapple line, I slashed it. He fell down and landed on the roof of a building with a crash.

I landed beside him softly as he struggled to his feet. Red Hood was usually very skilled. But, he was off his game. I suspected that he was injured so I used it to my advantage. Red Hood tried to escape, but I grabbed his leg before he could dive off of the building. I pulled him back and tossed him into the concrete roof.

"Fine," Red Hood spoke as he got to his feet, "if you want to fight, let's go. But you will lose." He pulled out two guns and dashed towards me. I moved out of the way of his charge, kicking him in his ribs. He combat rolled and knocked me across the face with his guns. I swiped at his legs. He flipped back up, but I stomped out his knees. 

I jumped up and landed on his midsection with my shins. He wheezed. I reached up and grasped his helmet, meaning to tear it off. Red Hood punched my sides to try to stop me as well as trying to move my hands, but I held him down with my thighs. My fingers dug deep into the helmet, gripping it tightly. My technique was to crack it open like a walnut by squeezing it tightly with my hands. 

Just as I felt the helmet start to give, I was ripped off of Red Hood and flung across the roof. My back landed hard against the roof's ledge, flinging me over the side. I grabbed the ledge with one hand and pulled myself up to see what had attacked me. 

Kneeling beside Red Hood was Nightingale. She didn't even look up at me, but instead, helped Red Hood to his feet and gave him her grapple. As he stood up, I saw the large blood pool that was under him.

Red Hood shot out a line and fled. "No!" I shouted, grappling after him. Before I could actually get very far, Nightingale reached up and wrapped her arm around my waist, ripping me out of the sky. I let go of my grapple gun.

I looked up to see where Red Hood was gone but he had gotten away. I had to pursue quickly or I would lose him. 

"Move out of my way, Nightingale. Red Hood is getting away," I said, running towards the ledge. She jumped into the air and her boot met my cheek. 

I got up and she stood in the direction that Red Hood had gone. Her arms were crossed and I could tell she was flexing. She had definitely built up quite a bit of muscle since I last saw her. I wiped the blood off of my lips. I came forward with a punch, but she grabbed my knuckle and punched me in the gut. I keeled her in the jaw and cracked one of her ribs with my other fist. 

She ducked underneath my arm and her knuckles connected with the side of my head. It made my vision blur and I crumpled to the ground. I tried to get to my feet but she kicked me back down. 

I laid flat on my stomach and looked past her to the skyline. I knew too much time had passed. Red Hood had escaped. And it was all Nightingale's fault.

"You let him get away," I accused, getting to my knees and stared up at her through the stream of blood coming from my forehead.

She stared at me with no expression. "Yes, I did," Nightingale looked down her nose at me. Her mouth was bleeding from my hit. Her teeth were red and blood coated her chin. 

"Why?" 

"I'm sorry," Athena reared back and kicked me in the head again. The last thing I saw before my vision went black was her white and red laces. 

~~~~~~Yeah....I stalled a little bit on writing this story over the summer lol. It's mostly because I have been 100% focused on getting into shape this summer and haven't really had that much time or energy to write so I'm sorry guys. Tomorrow is my birthday so I probably won't be able to update then either. I'll try for two chapters today!~~~~