Life After Death (Rewritting And Continuing)

Chapter 3: Not Jason

"Nightwing. I need backup. Are you in Gotham?" Batman's voice echoed through Dick's ear, sending coordinates to his holo watch as well.

"Yeah. On my way," Dick responded and stood up from the grave site. He tucked the image into his pocket and disappeared towards his motorcycle.

"Bats I'm just 3 minutes away. What is going on?" Dick said through the comm. He got no responce.

When Nightwing arrived at the warehouse he snuck in and saw Batman fighting a figure draped in a hood. He quickly recognized the figure as the one from the gravesite. In a sudden gamble Dick jumped down in front of Batman, watching as the figure froze before throwing what would have been a punch.

Batman let out a growl of "Nightwing" but Dick didnt listen. Instead he looked at the figure and seemed to be calculating everything in his mind. Slowly he took the picture out of his pocket and handed it back to the figure. The hood slipped off the figure and although all that could be seen was a brown leather jacket and a red helmet, Dick knew who this was. As the boy took the picture from Nightwing, Batman pushed Nightwing aside. "Who are you?" Batman demanded. Although Dick couldnt see his face he was sure the boy was seething with anger. "Red Hood," he said simply, voice moderator hiding his identity, and in a moment he was gone.

Back at the cave Bruce was furious, "What was that?!"

"I was just-" Dick started.

"Putting your life in danger?! We dont even know who that man is and you just hop in front of him and give him the perfect opportunity!" Bruce exclaimed angrily.

"Stop it!" Dick yelled, "I'm an adult. I'm not Jason!"

They both were silent for a moment. Bruce was stunned.

"I'm not new at this Bruce. I'm not Jason. I know the risks and I wouldn't have done that if I didn't know 100% that he would halt," Dick said calmly yet angrily.

"Dick I-" Bruce started but Dick interrupted him.

"Not now Bruce, not now," and he disappeared.

As Dick got on his bike and headed home to Bludhaven. Finally in his apartment he threw off his mask, watching it hit the floor.

"Thanks for not telling him," Dick heard from his window.

Dick glanced at Red Hood on his windowsill. "How long?" Dick demanded.

"Less than a day and I was back," Red Hood said.

"Where have you been the past two years?" Dick asked, still several feet away from the window, tears gathering in his eyes.

"League of Assassins. They kept me there for a while, forced me through training before I could get away," Red Hood said, switching the voice modulator off halfway through his sentence.

Dick looked away for a moment to ask, "Are you real?"

"I promise I'm real," Red Hood replied, his still young voice shining through.

In an instant Dick had wrapped the younger yet taller man in his arms, wracking with sobs.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I wasnt fast enough. I'm so sorry. I love you so much," Dick cried out.

"I love you too Dickie. This wasnt your fault," Red Hood replied.

Dick looked at his reflection in the red helmet. Slowly he brought his hands up and removed the helmet.

"I've missed you so much Jason."