Vigilante Struggles

Chapter six

Dick's P.O.V
I pulled the scrap of paper from my jacket and looked at it as I left the cafe. I felt wrong, like I was cheating on Barbra, but then again she and I are not even in a romantic relationship. This could be the perfect opportunity for me to move on in my life, to leave that last bit of the old me behind. I shove the paper back in my pocket and let a small smile make its way onto my face. I make my way back home to get ready for work and to figure out what is going on in this city.
_____TIMESKIP_____
I sit back in my desk chair and rub my eyes tiredly. I feel the ache in my lower back from leaning over the table while researching the 'city advancements'. I subconsciously rubbed my injured shoulder, testing it. It had gotten a lot better honestly, that or the fact I have gotten used to these kinds of injuries.

So far nothing suspicious has come up, but I have a feeling in my gut telling me to keep digging. Between the nine murders, the warehouse explosion Joker has caused as well as his new toxin and the city closing down, something big is coming, I'm sure of it. I look up to the clock. It was seven, I'd have to leave and get ready for my date with Lorna. I honestly can't remember the last date I was on. I have just been so busy with work and being Nightwing that I left no time for my social life. I log out of my computer and head out of the precinct. I took out the scrap of paper once more, checking the address wondering what she had in plan. If it was me I would take my date to a restaurant or the cinema. This girl is different, in a good way.

Lorna's P.O.V
I pulled my apron off and hung it on the rack with the others. I had to stay back and clean up the mess in the dishwasher. Someone walking by had tripped and spilt food into the machine. So yeah, I have been picking soggy bits of food out of the dishwasher, trying not to gag. Fortunately I, have a date to look forward to. I slap my forehead. A date and no concrete plan. Well done Lorna. I have ingredients at home. I'll make brownies and I'll grab stuff for dinner on the way home. It's only six. The cafe had thankfully closed early because the manager had a wedding to attend and she felt generous. I make a mental list in my head and leave the cafe. I can't wait for eight!
________TIMESKIP_________
I collapsed on the chair in my kitchen. I am so tired. The dinner is cooked and the brownies are nearly ready. I looked at the clock. It was seven thirty. I jump out of my seat I spent too long cooking.  I should have gotten a shower while I was waiting for the food to cook. I run to the bathroom to get a quick shower and do my makeup. I must say I am totally proud of myself, usually this takes me hours. All I have to worry about it choosing something to wear. I rip open my wardrobe. My eyes dart left to right searching vigorously for 'the one'. I use my hands to separate the hangers. I'm glad my mother raised me to be a clean freak. All my evening dresses and party dresses have their own section. I decide to wear something dressy casual because we were going to be staying in. I pull on an off the shoulder blouse, skinny jeans and ankle boots with a medium height heel. I turn to look in the mirror. Judging myself, making sure there was nothing wrong with me.
" You can do this. It's not your very first date" I take a deep breath. Why am I so nervous?

I'm interrupted by a beeping noise in the kitchen. THE BROWNIES!!! Ugh shit. I shuffle as fast as I can to the kitchen and open the oven. The brownies had a slight crisp around the edges. I could just cut that off. I pull them out and place them on the counter. I sigh, why didn't I just book a restaurant? It's too late now anyway. It's eight.

I hear knocking at my door. I squeal silently. I hesitate at the door and take a deep breath before pulling it open. Ahhh Richard Grayson. I'm glad he didn't turn up in a suit, I would have been under dressed then, and embarrassed.
"Hi" I smile. His face brightens and he returns the smile. A genuine smile. You don't get many smiles like that nowadays, sadly.
"Hey" he replies. He's nervous as well, thank god it's not only me." Can I come in?" His smile turns to a smirk.
" oh eh yeah, sorry" way to embarrass yourself. He just chuckles in reply. I take a good look at him. I haven't really gotten to see what he actually looks like, just his face in the cafe and in the alley. He wore a tailored light blue shirt and jeans. He was definitely a shoulder and a head above me. Well maybe not a full shoulder. The top of my head is at his shoulder height.... stop it me. Stop getting distracted. I travel back to reality only to see he was judging me, like I was him. We soon both realised that we had just been standing in my doorway staring at each other. I burst out laughing. He soon joins.
" sorry" I gasp still laughing " sorry, I haven't had a date in a while"
"Really? Me too, I haven't been on a date since I lived in Gotham" he admits. I was shocked. How could someone that good looking and genuine and brave and I rambling...to myself.
"Well then we can help each other through this experience then." I joke. He laughs. I am fallen for him hard.
" Well the kitchen is this way, I cooked pizza and chips, which I burnt and.." the look on his face is priceless. He is trying so hard not to think negatively about my effort.
"I'm joking by the way". We entered the kitchen and sat down. Let the mission begin.
Barbra's P.O.V
I'm currently trying to hack into Blüdhaven security cameras. Someone would have to take control of the city's infrastructure manually. There are too many corrupt individuals with hacking abilities to have the city totally online. Therefore some things are better off old fashioned. I have replayed the footage over and over throughout the city hall's cameras, until I notice a flicker. I pause and replay the 11:01 time frame. It's relapsing the last five minutes. There is a computer in the back ground that someone had not turned off. All computers self shut down after awhile. This computer however was flickering on and off every two minutes. It must have shut off at the third minute of the relapse. I need to call Bruce and Tim. I had decided to stay over at my dad's house for the weekend. I felt guilty spraying at the Wayne's all the time, that and the fact I missed home. I used to have my own flat but old memories and physical evidence has made it hard to go back. Even the thought of living alone again leaves me unsettled. I quickly dial Bruce's number.
"Barbra? I'm on patrol. What is the matter" Bruce's voice sounds through the phone.
" I have a lead on the Blüdhaven mystery"
" What is it? Is it plausible?" He inquires.
" I'll have to show you, meet you in the Batcave when you get back"
" okay, but Barbra could you research a man for me? He goes by the name Red Hood"
" sure" I agree, I want to put this man behind bars, I'm also curious of his knowledge " I will bring anything I find with me, see you then" he hangs up the phone and I begin my search on the Red Hood.
_______TIMESKIP_______
I had to lie to my father again. I told him that Bruce and Alfred were going out of town for business and I had to mind Tim. He seemed to believe me. I'm currently sitting with Bruce, Alfred and Tim in the Batcave.
" What have you found Barbra?" Bruce is the first to question me. I grab my laptop and turn it to face them.
"That, is what I have would" I state " the camera footage is on a relapse of five minutes from 11:01 to 11:45 before normal footage resumes. Then at 1:00 a.m., all communication is lost to the whole city. This all happened when Nightwing was here" I look at them, their faces furrowed in thought and understanding.
" They are going to attack Dick when he has no backup. Which was anytime starting this morning" Tim informs. He is right. "Has anyone found a way to get into Blüdhaven or even contact Dick. Are his comms working?" He continues.
"Bruce and I have already tried to contact him through his Nightwing comm link, but it isn't working. There must be a disruptor, something jamming the signal, I doubt Dick even realises that his comms aren't working"I say. This is a really tough situation. " someone must be watching him. Communication went down at 1:00a.m. When he didn't need it. Transportation and travel routes closed down at 7:00 a.m. Dick was already back in Blüdhaven by then. They must know his identity. Joker isn't that dedicated or smart to think of this plan. Deathstroke yes, but not alone" I state.
" Do you think that 'Red Hood' guy is in on it. He knows our identities" Tim asks
" I don't think so" I say " From my research, the Red Hood is trying to do some good, just not with the right methods. He is taking down drug dealers and other lowly thugs" I look to Bruce to see his reaction.
" there are no records of him on any data base. He has only surfaced over the last few weeks, other then that it's like he never existed, like he was dead to the world"
" We need to worry about reaching Dick first the the Red Hood, if he is working with Deathstroke we will solve two things at once" Bruce finally speaks up again.
" I will have Lucius run diagnostics on the tec in Blüdhaven to find any bugs, then we will make our move" Bruce states confidently. He stands and leaves the room.
" Good work Barbra, we will begin our counter attack tomorrow morning"
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Thank you to all those who are patiently awaiting my slow updates. I hope that date scene wasn't to cheesy😬😂