"Jackson bludgeoned David Juneau to unconsciousness with a crowbar he used to break into the store." Melanie spoke from the pedestal in the courtroom. She stared at Jackson, who still hadn't moved much since arriving. Melanie sighed quietly.

"The bruising was lower on the body, and most likely caused internal bleeding. But it's not what killed Mr Juneau." Melanie folded her hands together and leaned back in her chair as Jackson's lawyer raised a brow to her.

"If that's not what killed him, what did?"

"Multiple injections of a paralytic toxin known as Suxamethonium chloride. It's mostly used during medical examinations, but Jackson used it to subdue David Juneau before turning off the security camera's ... And kill him mercilessly. He kept beating him with the crowbar even after he had died." Jackson's lawyer hummed, knowing that all evidence pointed to his client and there was no way he would win this case.

"Thank you, detective." He walked away from the stand as Melanie took the quickest glance towards  Mrs Juneau, who sat with her lawyer, staring down at the floor.

"You may take your seat, detective." The judge stated and Melanie stood up quickly and walked to the back of the courtroom, finding her seat behind Mrs Juneau.

In the far back, Dick was staring Melanie down, glancing down to his phone, which had all the information he could have gotten from her.

There was very little.

•••

Dick sat in his office, still reading through his phone with a confused look as there was a knock on his door. He shut his phone off quickly and tossed it into his desk, opening his computer up. "Come in."

Sterling walked into the room, holding a case file and raised it up. "Melanie wanted me to send this over. It's Jackson's case."

"Thanks." The bearded man nodded and handed the file to Dick, starting to walk back towards the door. "Boone."

"Yeah?" He spun back around to face Dick, who had an unsure look on his face. "What's with that face?"

"How long have you known Melanie?" Dick asked, Sterling raising a brow before shrugging.

"A day before you. She's my neighbor, actually." Dick's interest peaked for a moment before nodding.

"How much do you know about her?" Sterling gave Dick a suspicious look, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Nothing, actually. Only that she knows Barry Allen and she moved here from Central City. Why?" Dick stayed quiet for a moment before looking to his phone, and huffed. He turned back to Sterling, who had become slightly unsettled.

"Can you keep an eye on her?"

"Why? She done something?" Sterling crossed his arms, leaning against the wall as Dick shook his head.

"No. But there's something off with her. I want to make sure Gordon didn't hire another corrupt cop." Sterling let out a laugh, and Dick gave him an odd look.

"Come on, Dick. Just because she keeps to herself doesn't mean she's hiding anything. Maybe she just likes personal space." Sterling shrugged, dropping his arms. "I'll see you later, man."

Dick stared ahead as Sterling left his office, pressing his lips together firmly as he picked up his phone, staring at the single, most recent photo of Phoebe he could find.

He knew she was hiding something. How couldn't he? He was holding a secret just as bad. Maybe worse, considering he was technically wanted by the police.

He glanced back to the door to his office, looking through the window and up at Gordon's office. He sighed heavily, setting his phone down. "Fuck it." He mumbled before standing up quickly from his desk and walked out of the office.

•••

Melanie pulled a reagent out from a cabinet, walking back over to her microscope and leaned down, staring through the lens as she took out a dropper and sucked the reagent up. She dropped it over the liquid on the microscope, turning to the computer as it started to change.

"What the..?" She moved away from her microscope, still staring at the computer and walked over to it. "That can't be right." She grabbed the computer and turned it up to face her, staring down at the screen with a look of pure confusion.

There was a loud knock on the door, and Melanie turned to it as Gordon walked in. "Captain, come look at this."

"What is it, Nyx?" Gordon raised a brow as Melanie turned back to the computer.

"The blood that I collected from that crime scene last night. Near the sewer entrance. It's not human." Gordon quickly turned to Melanie, his eyes widened just a bit.

"Not human?" Melanie shook her head, pointing to the screen.

"Well, partially. Look at the way the cells are reacting to the reagent. A human's cells would have started replicating at a fast rate to attack the substance, but half of these cells are staying dormant while the other half attacks. I think it's a hybrid. Reptile and human, maybe?" Gordon stared at Melanie for a moment before quickly turning around. Melanie frowned in confusion. "Where are you going?"

"Keep working, Nyx. I'm handling this." Melanie frowned as Gordon swung the door open, watching it close before quickly walking over to the door and peeked through.

"I need everyone's attention!" Gordon bellowed. The precinct became deathly quiet, all eyes now facing the captain. "Killer Croc is back."

"That's impossible." Melanie glanced away from Gordon to see Dick walking over. She closed the door more so she was barely seen. "Batman and Robin locked him in the sewers years ago."

"Well he's fucking escaped and now we have a problem." Gordon mumbled to Dick, and Melanie quickly shut the door. She pressed her back to the wall, squinting her eyes shut tightly before swearing under her breath.

Her problems were no longer her top priority.

Dick gave Gordon a wary look, unsure of what the captain was saying was true. He had gotten Killer Croc locked away years ago, and there had been no signs that he had escaped. No DNA, no footage. How had Gordon discovered this?

Dick turned to the door leading to Melanie's lab and walked in, not bothering to knock. Melanie jumped back with a small yelp, throwing her fists up as Dick stopped, closing the door behind him.

"How did you find out Croc escaped?" Dick asked and leaned down to Melanie, whispering it as if the metal door next to him wasn't sound proof already.

"I didn't." Melanie answered bluntly, dropping her arms. She walked over to her desk, gesturing towards the computer. "I found some blood that I thought could belong to our killer, since the victim had a knife with blood on it and clearly fought against his attacker. When I mixed the blood with this solution, it didn't react like human blood is supposed to."

"You have chemicals that specifically react to human blood?" Dick raised a brow and Melanie turned to him.

"I have chemicals for everything in here, I think." After a short moment of silence, Melanie shook her head. "Besides the point. This blood is reptilian, and human."

"How did you know it was half-reptilian?"

"Because most of the cells aren't doing anything." Melanie stated the obvious, showing Dick that the cells had indeed not moved at all. "The reagent is the same temperature as a reptile's blood. It's just slightly warmer than a human's, so it would have had the cells in our body multiplying at a consistent rate to kill the solution."

Dick walked over to the computer and watched it for a while. Melanie went back over to the microscope, peering through before taking a pause and stood up straight. She turned to Dick, analyzing him for a moment.

He looked on edge. Something was seriously messing up his mind in that moment as his eyes flickered around the computer. "He kill your friend or something?"

"No. But almost." Dick answered bluntly and Phoebe shrugged, turning back to the microscope.

"Well, if your friend isn't dead, then it's fine. I'm sure Batman and Robin will handle it."

"You had to have seen the news. Batman hasn't been seen in over a month." Melanie pressed her lips together and looked back to Dick. "Gordon is going to have cops lining the streets and sewers the next few days—"

"He's going to get people killed." Melanie interrupted Dick sharply, leaning against her table. "Robin's defeated Killer Croc once before, hasn't he?"

"With help." Dick gritted through his teeth. Melanie paused for a moment, noticing Dick's off-balance with the way he talked now. Melanie crossed her arms, looking back at the computer screen.

"I can probably make something to immobilize Croc. But it could take a while with this equipment. I'd need to call someone." Dick looked around at all of Melanie's equipment, and she was right. Everything was outdated by at least a decade.

"Don't get yourself wrapped up in this, Nyx. Killer Croc is extremely dangerous." Dick warned and Melanie brushed him off quickly.

"My job is to help people. That's what I'm doing. I need to get back to work, excuse me." She walked past Dick and to her desk, turning her computer around and sat down in her squeaky chair. Dick stared for a moment before walking out.

Melanie waited until she heard the door click before pulling out her phone. She placed it to her ear, crossing one arm over her chest.

"Barry. It's Melanie. You're probably still dealing with your own villain of the year but... Just call me when you can, okay? I could really use the Flash's resources with this."

•••

Cisco Ramon sat in the cortex of S.T.A.R. Labs. He was brandishing his own bag of Big Belly Burger, spinning in his chair with an over exaggerated amount of boredom.

"Nothing from Zoom. No robberies. Fires. Maybe I should just go on vacation." Cisco complained as he rolled his head back. There was a sudden beeping on the monitor, startling Cisco, who shot up quickly.

"Awe come on." He say back down, pressing a button on the computer. "Hey, Mel. What's up?"

"Thank fucking GOD it's about time someone answered my call. Are you guys busy?" Melanie asked quickly as Cisco set his bag of food down.

"No! We aren't! Please tell me you have something I can do." Cisco begged. Melanie was quiet for a moment, letting out a strange noise. "Don't tell me this was just a house call and you wanted to know how we're doing!"

"How much do you guys know about Waylon Jones?" Cisco's eyes widened.

"You mean Killer. Croc? I know so much about this guy! I mean, he went missing in the sewers of Gotham and came out as a murderous half-reptile half-human crocodile. It's—" Cisco stopped himself as he could already sense Melanie's judgment, and cleared his throat awkwardly. "-So not cool."

"I just need the Flash's help creating a sedative for a him. He got out of the sewers last night and he's already killed someone."

"Yeah! Yeah we're on it. I'll call Barry and have him help."

"Thank you, Cisco. I owe you guys one."

•••

Melanie stood between a stall in the shooting range, aiming her gun carefully at her new target. Shells layered at her feet, and despite wearing earmuffs, her ears still rang from the echoing of the gun going off.

Sterling stood outside of the room, peering in through the glass from the range and watch Melanie carefully. He crossed his arms as he leaned against the wall, frowning.

"What are you doing?" Sterling let out a gasp as Dick had startled him, turning to the detective.

"You said to keep an eye on her. That's what I'm doing." Sterling lied and Dick raised a brow at him suspiciously.

"I don't think you're listening to me." He said. Sterling stayed quiet for a moment before leaning his back against the wall and shrugged. "Look, I'm not going to stop you from stalking your little crush, but I do need you to get back to working on that Killer Croc case."

"I'm not stalking her." Sterling snapped defensively, glaring at Dick. "And she's not a little crush. We aren't kids. Besides, I already finished the file, just waiting for the everyone to get ready and head out." Sterling gestured towards the main room of the precinct. Dick looked back for a moment, noticing that most of the cops were gearing up and preparing themselves to search for Killer Croc.

Dick waited a moment before turning back to Sterling. He looked down at the clipboard in his hand before sighing. "What?"

"Killer Croc is dangerous, we all know that. Gordon isn't being smart sending us out to find him." Sterling crossed his arms and quirked a brow. A few gunshots echoed from the shooting range and Dick glanced through the window to see Phoebe reload her gun.

"So tell him it's a bad idea. Have Melanie make that neutralizer before sending everyone out." Dick scoffed at Sterling's advice, shaking his head.

"You know him, Boone. He's going to try and get Batman, and when that doesn't work—" Sterling opened his mouth to speak, Dick continuing. "Because it won't, he's going to start having us gear up and go after Croc."

"Might be true, but you know he's doing it to protect Gotham." Sterling argued, and Dick sighed, nodding.

"I'm aware of that. But he also wants to protect us and this is doing the opposite. Melanie needs to get that neutralizer instead of playing target practice." Dick opened the door to the shooting range and Sterling watched him approach Melanie before walking away.

"Nyx." Dick called out as he walked up to Melanie. She lowered her gun, turning around to face Dick and took off her earmuffs and goggles.

"Can I help you with something, Detective?" She asked, shoving her gun in its holster before resting her hand on it.

"Yeah. I need you to work on that neutralizer." Melanie nodded, clicking her tongue.

"I am. It's aging right now." Dick gave Melanie a confused look, staring at her for a moment. "You want me to use alcoholic terms? It's fermenting. Stabilizing before it can work."

"You could have just said that. I'm not good with scientific terms." Dick stated and Melanie nodded in agreement.

"Clearly. Besides, it still needs another day before it's ready."

"Another day? We don't have another day. Killer Croc could be out in the city right now— Killing."

"Well I'm sorry, detective. But you can't rush science, that's how you make things worse. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to check on that tranquilizer." Melanie walked out of the shooting range as Dick huffed in annoyance. He turned to the stall Melanie had occupied, pausing to stare at her target.

The head of the target was covered in bullet holes. Dick turned back to the door Melanie had left, then to the target again.

•••

Dick Grayson paced back and forth in the BatCave, his mind racing with thoughts of Killer Croc wreaking havoc in Gotham City. He had trained under Batman for years, and had faced countless villains in his time as Robin. But now, with Batman out of commission and Melanie Nyx still working on a solution, Dick was faced with a difficult decision.

He knew that the police were doing everything they could to stop Killer Croc, but he also knew that their resources were limited. If he didn't act fast, more innocent lives could be lost.

"Dick, what are you going to do?" Dick turned to face behind him, spotting Alfred standing near the top of the stairs. His voice echoed through the cavernous space as he slowly walked down. Dick sighed, shaking his head.

"I don't know, Alfred." Dick replied, running a hand through his hair. "I want to help, but I don't know if I can take on Killer Croc by myself."

Alfred stepped forward, his gaze steady. "You are more than capable, Master Grayson. You have trained for this."

"But Bruce always said we were stronger as a team," Dick argued. "Without him, I don't know if I can do this alone." Dick turned back to the Bat-Computer and Alfred sighed.

"You won't be alone," Alfred reassured him. "You have the entire BatCave at your disposal. Your coworker, Detective Nyx is still working on a neutralizer."

"Which still has sixteen hours left. And look..." Dick turned the Bat-Computer to the news, which showed a street in downtown Gotham in utter chaos. Several cars were flipped or on fire, and there were at least a dozen bodies.

"He killed one person yesterday. Now it's 15 tonight and at least another dozen are in the hospital. He was just starting, Alfred." Dick turned to the old man, who was staring at the screen with no expression.

"You can't take him on by yourself, Master Grayson. It's far too dangerous."

"What else am I supposed to do, Alfred? Sit here and twiddle my thumbs? Waiting for some fucking tranquilizer a woman I barely know is making?"

"It bothers you that you barely know her?" Alfred let out a small chuckle, placing his hands behind his back as that comment seemed to calm Dick down fairly quickly. "That's your main concern?"

"No." Dick spat, turning back to the screen. "Melanie creating something that she says can take Killer Croc down in the matter of seconds. How am I supposed to believe her?" He crossed his arms tightly and Alfred shrugged, looking to him.

"You don't." Dick frowned, looking to his mentor. "You say she's only been here less than two weeks, you have no reason to trust her at all. Unless, you think you should." Dick didn't meet Alfred's gaze, and the old man held up the slightest smirk. "You believe she is hiding something."

"She isn't a priority right now, Alfred. The priority is her tranquilizer." Dick leaned against the desk, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he tried to think.

"— And as Killer Croc's rampage seems to be taking more and more lives, Gotham City is left to wonder..." Dick turned around to face the computer, which was now showing a news anchors worried expression. "Where is Batman and Robin?"

Dick's eyes flickered everyone as his brain pooled with thoughts. Horrible thoughts, in fact. Everything was telling him he needed to act now. He couldn't wait another day for Melanie's compound to be ready. He certainly couldn't wait for Bruce to heal. But he couldn't go out there on his own.

"Why don't you give your friend Barry Allen a call?" Alfred suggested, but Dick was quick to shake his head.

"Barry's already dealing with his own guy. I need to get to the department, have Gordon evacuate as many people in downtown Gotham as possible. It will at least minimize casualties until Phoebe's neutralizer is finished."

"That's the safest idea, Master Grayson." Alfred praised, looking over to a glass case. Dick turned his head to it as well, staring at the Robin suit.

He looked to the case next to it, to the Batman suit that still had yet to be fixed from the last time Bruce had worn it. The mask was mostly destroyed, and there was a large hole in the left side, which had taken away a chunk of the shoulder.

Dick still didn't know how Bruce survived.