Nightwing: Heartless

Part 16: Red Arrow

This was a waste of time. Dick had known it would probably end up like this but he at least had to try. Roy, or Red Arrow was struggling, in a downward spiral and refusing help from his friends. He was too skinny, unshaved, and stealing from the people he helped. Not that he didn't have legitimate reasons to be having an identity crisis, but it hurt Dick that he didn't accept their help.

"Do you think he'll ever come around?" Wally asked as they watched Red walk off the roof.

Dick sighed, "I hope so." He was just afraid of whatever would eventually push him over the edge. Dick glanced over at Wally. "You want to come to the Cave and say hi to everybody? The younger members idolize you."

Wally checked his watch, "sure, Artemis went over to her mom's house tonight." They walked in silence to the nearest zeta tube.

"How are M'gann and Connor doing?" He asked as they walked into the Cave. The floor was empty, most people off duty at home or in their rooms. "Doesn't M'gann have a new boyfriend?"

"Yeah, it's...interesting," Dick admitted, "they were always such a constant, you know?"

"I guess when you blast someone's brain into little pieces that puts a strain on a relationship."

"You are so wise, Wally."

"I try."

Dick looked around to make sure no one was in the vicinity. "I think they're both doing well. Connor definitely doesn't like Lagoon Boy, but you can't blame him. He still has his back in the field, which is what matters."

"Always thinking about the mission."

Dick couldn't tell if Wally was giving him a compliment or taking a jab at him. He decided not to push it. He knew how Wally felt about the life, especially when it came to Artemis. It was easier for him to walk away, he had a normal childhood, got superpowers, then decided to save the world a few times. Dick, on the other hand, this was all he knew. Despite what Wally thought, he was always thinking of the mission, and it was a good thing.

"B16: Batgirl" The computer said from behind them.

Barbara walked in, still in uniform, coming back from investigating some missing teens. She was one of the best detectives on the Team, and had enough experience Dick was confident in sending her alone. Her face brightened from tired to surprised when she saw Nightwing and Wally.

"Kid Flash!" She exclaimed and gave him a hug. "Good to see you."

"You too, Batgirl. Working late?"

"Blame this guy," she motioned with her thumb to Dick. "It was important though."

Her exhaustion was obvious. She had been pulling a lot of hours lately, and not all of them because Dick asked her to. He didn't know much but he had a notion something was going on at home. Maybe she had finally told her dad she was Batgirl. He also knew she would gladly stay and debrief him if he asked.

"You did good tonight, why don't you get some rest," he said instead. She moved to argue but he gave her a look and she sighed, heading to the showers. He stared after her, wondering if he should ask her about it or if that would be crossing a line.

"She's taken on a lot of responsibility, huh?" Wally asked.

"Yeah," Dick answered, "I'm keeping an eye on her; making sure she's not overworking."

Wally laughed, "dude, you wouldn't know what overworking looked like if it slapped you in the face."

"What does that mean?"

Wally held up his hands, "nothing, nothing."  He started heading to the kitchen and pulling out various snacks. Suddenly he snapped his head back to look at Dick and lowered his voice, "the other day when you asked me about Artemis, were you thinking about Batgirl?"

Dick almost had to laugh at the thought. Him and Barbara? They were like family, and you don't date family. It's just weird. "God, no."

"Why not?" Wally asked with a mouth full of chips, "she's out of your league."

"True, but Babs is like a sister. She's Batgirl for Chrissake, it'd just be wrong."

Wally shivered, "you're right, it does sound a little wrong. But you're not actually related. You never lived together, you've been friends for forever."

"Not gonna happen, KF."

"Ooo-kay," he rubbed the chip crumbs on his pants, "but sometimes she looks at you in a not brotherly way..."

This was not where Dick had expected this conversation to go. He definitely didn't want to think about Barbara like that, and he really didn't want Barbara to think of him that way. There was only one girl on his mind these days, but he couldn't tell her that. He wasn't sure he even wanted to tell Wally yet.

"You get one girlfriend and think you have the whole gender figured out, huh?"

"The ladies have always loved the Wall-man."

"Shut up."