Night life (A Nightwing and original character Fanfiction)

Chapter Twenty Two

(Two weeks later)

I fell to the ground again and clutched my ribs.

"Again." Bruce commanded looking down at me.

He's been training Dick and I like crazy lately, and I don't think I can handle much more.

I struggled to get to my feet and I stood weakly in front of him. I swung at him but he dodged and hit me in the stomach making me fall back onto my knees.

"Again."

"She's had enough Bruce." Dick growled coming back into the training room.

He came over to my side and knelt down, gently placing one hand on my back. "Are you okay Em?"

"Just a little sore." I muttered wincing at the sudden pain in my ribs.

"Your the one that wanted to be a hero. And I'm not going to let you suffer the same fate as Jason because you can't defend yourself."

"Well she won't be able to defend herself if you cracked one of her ribs." Dick spat glaring up at him.

"Dick I'm fine." I mumbled as he helped me to my feet.

"No your hurt. You need some rest." he said sternly picking me up bridle style, then turned his head to look at Bruce. "And you need to find someone else to take your problems out on."

He glared at Bruce before carrying me out of the room, being careful not to hurt me.

"I can walk on my own."

He ignored me and carried me upstairs toward my room. As we passed Jason's empty room I felt my chest tighten and tears threatened to spill from my eyes again.

Dick sighed and quickened his pace. He laid me down on my bed and brushed some of my hair away from my face.

"Your allowed to cry."

"I know... I just want to be strong for him." I said as a single tear escaped my eye unintentionally.

"You have always been strong Emma. I think he'll be fine if you break down this once."

I nodded and pulled my knees up to my chest, ignoring the pain and squeezed my eyes shut. Dick's arms wrapped around me and I sobbed silently.

"I c-can't believe h-he's gone!"

Dick continued to hold me tightly and whisper reassuring words.

After what seemed like hours I finally ran out of tears and just sat in his embrace.

"Feel better?" he muttered resting his forehead against mine.

"Y-yeah... A little."

He kissed my nose and we just sat in silence looking at each other.

"I love you Dick Grayson." I whispered as more tears filled my eyes.

"I love you too Emma,Tyson." He whispered back taking my hands in his and interlocking our fingers.

"Promise you won't leave me." I asked shakily. "I can't lose you too."

"You won't lose me." he said brushing away more tears. "I swear, I'll always be here for you."

I sniffled and wrapped my arms around his neck starting to cry again. He rubbed my back soothingly with one hand and ran the fingers of his other hand through my hair.

I started to doze off in his arms and he gently laid me back against my pillows.

"I promise." he whispered before kissing my forehead.

I let my eyes drift close and fell into a deep sleep.

________

((Nightwing/Dick's POV))

I watched her eyes slowly close and wiped her tear stained cheeks.

She hasn't even been with us for a full year but her and Jason were close. Really close. Yet she's stayed so strong.

I sighed and stood up from her bed, making my way to the door. I was far from done with Bruce.

I started to head toward the stairs when I heard Barbara call my name. I turned to look at her and she wrapped me in a hug.

I pushed her away from me and she looked shocked.

"Don't. Just don't Barbara." I said shaking my head.

"I was just trying to get some comfort. I loved Jason too!"

"I know you did. We all did Barbara! But using his death as an excuse to try to get close to me again is pathetic and unacceptable!" I snapped making her take a step back.

"I'm not trying to do anything!"

"Whatever just... leave Emma and I alone. She's been through enough." I turned to leave but Barbara continued to shout at me.

"She's been through enough!? What about the rest of us!? I think we've all suffered more then that-"

"THEN THAT WHAT!?" I screamed angrily cutting her off. "WHAT WERE YOU GOING TO SAY?"

She kept quiet and I glared at her before turning back around and heading downstairs. "That's what I thought."

I went into the training room still fuming and looked around for Bruce.

"He left master Dick." Alfred said from behind me. "Mission with the league."

I let out an irritated sigh and punched the dummy before leaving again.

I went into my room and slammed my door shut. I started pacing back and forth deep in thought and didn't hear my door open until a hand touch my shoulder.

I grabbed the persons arm and went to flip them but they landed on their feet expertly and spun around to face me.

"Emma!? I thought you were asleep."

"It's kinda hard to sleep with people screaming and doors slamming." she replied with a small smile.

"Sorry." I muttered letting her arm go.

"It's okay, I liked the part where you yelled at Barbara." She said with a smirk.

I sighed and sat down on the edge of my bed. Emma sat behind me and wrapped her arms around my neck, resting her chin on my shoulder.

"I thought it was kinda hot actually. Hearing you defend me." she muttered letting her one hand slip down my chest, and the other turning my head toward her.

She leaned in and kissed me and I turned grabbing her waist. I laid her down not breaking the kiss and she smirked pulling away.

"Horny much?"

I ignored her comment and leaned down to kiss her again when my phone buzzed. I glared at it but picked it up to check the message. It was a news alert about the Joker being spotted on the bridge.

"What is that clown up to?" Emma growled reading over my shoulder. "Come on Dick."

She got up off the bed and headed to her room to change into her suit.

"Dammit." I muttered under my breath as I grabbed my own suit.

That clown ruins everything.