Cognitive Dissonance

Chapter 9: Assignment

No one would hear it from Dick Grayson but the moment Barbara Gordon grabbed his hand, he saw both his past and his future. He felt a sense of relief wash over him like he never felt before. Or he had but has been missing it for a while. It doesn't come easy with the kind of work he has.

He has forgotten how being at ease feels. And it's remarkable how Barbara can make it happen with just a touch of her hand. Dick can't help but wonder whatever happened that led to the demise of his relationship with her. He can only remember it was his fault. What he can't recall was why.

"Dick, are you listening?" Barbara Gordon asked her former lover who seemed to be in a trance. She squeezed his hand that she was already holding to get his undivided attention. It was necessary that he give her his focus. She had something important to say.

"Uh, yeah," he responded. Barbara didn't even hesitate to roll her eyes at him. "Yeah, right," she responded, not taking his bullshit. She can't afford it given the circumstance at hand.

"You need to snap out of whatever it is you're in. This is not small fry, Richard!" she hissed at him as they finally passed through the door of the commissioner's office. Her office.

"Relax Barb," Dick responded, realizing the gravity of the situation when she used Richard to address him. It meant business and by the looks on her face, this isn't the fun kind.

He followed her to her desk -- the warmth of her hand leaving him -- expecting her to sit but she didn't. She just grabbed a file on her table and faced him. She looked like she tasted something bitter.

"I did the assignment you gave me, and I don't like it one bit," Barbara relayed. She handed him the file and he immediately took it. "Shit," Dick almost crumpled the folder in his hand. "Are you sure?" he asked.

"Napier, like Jack Napier?" Dick added. Seeing Barbara nod to confirm made his insides churn. A few years back, an encounter with Jack Napier had an unpleasant turnout. It almost rendered Barbara paralyzed.

"This is not good Dick. No one has successfully kept the Joker in prison. Not even Bruce Wayne," Barbara continued to speak in a hushed voice. She couldn't help but embrace herself. Just the thought of the Joker is enough to send her into a downward spiral.

Dick Grayson brushed a hand over his face to wake himself from the nightmare. "Shit! Shit! Shit!" he cursed. "Rich--" Barbara started as she walked close to him but she was cut when he held his palm up.

He took out his phone and immediately made a call.

"Ey Dickie, what a surprise!" Jason said as soon as his brother appeared on the screen. It was a rare call that he was immediately amused by it. "Jay, I need you to listen to me," the older brother said on his end. "Go on, I hear you," Jason responded as he continued to brush his teeth before going to sleep.

"Don't leave the house," Dick instructed, "What are you talking about? I never leave the house," Jason answered. "I know you drive at night, you're not exactly mister subtle. But that discussion's for another day."

"Alright, you caught me. But what caught your panties in a tight grip?" Jason continued to probe. Dick looked like someone died. And while the older brother usually looked like that, the call has to mean something.

"That's for later too but make sure you're not going to leave the house, keep an eye on Rach--" Dick continued giving instructions but Jason cut him. "Are you kidding me?" the teen asked, bubbles flying from his mouth.