Fear The Reaper

1

"You know the team really misses you."

A small smile gripped Nightwings lips as he ventured further around into the warehouse. "They'll be fine." He stated into his comm, eyes skimming everywhere his flashlight touched. "I'm just taking care of a few things is all."

"You've been saying that for six months now. Don't think I can't see what's really going on, Dick."

Nightwing continued on his adventure deeper into the building, looking at each labeled crate carefully. Supposedly filled with different types of paper. Why he was here was beyond him, but the lead checked out and that was enough for him. "Nothing's going on." He finally said.

"Look, we all miss Wally." The other spoke. Nightwing froze. frowning slightly at the mentioning of the deceased speedster, this not being the first time he was brought up by the other. "We've all taken the time to mourn. But what about you?"

"Can we not do this now, Babs?" The acrobat sighed, composing himself, his eyes finally catching what he was looking for.

"There's nothing wrong with taking some time away from the mask."

"Well it's what keeps me sane at the moment." Nightwing grunted, pulling a dusted crate out into the open. The splintering edges sticking out with a label reading 'Live Ammo' inside. "Besides, people need my help." He stated, taking note of a few more crates with the same labeling.

"I'm sure there are enough hero's to pick up the slack right now."

"Not in Bludhaven." He stated looking around for something to open the box. Opting to check for any tools left behind. "Besides, I can't live in Bruce's shadow forever."

"You know it's not like that."

"Says the girl who chose 'Batgirl' as her hero name." Nightwing smirked, finally returning with an old rusted crowbar in hand.

"That doesn't mean anything."

Nightwing let out another small grunt before finally pulling the top of the crate off, a cloud of dust immediately attacking his nose and lungs as he quickly coughed it out. "Yeah well, we'll agree to disagree." He finally choked out, waving the remaining dust away. "Besides I like it here. No masks. No villains dressing up as clowns. Just more robberies and muggings."

"Come on." Barbara pushed. "Tell me you don't don't miss it."

"I don't." Nightwing stated quickly, brows furrowed a moment as he thought it over. "Well, not as much as you're hoping I would, I'm sure."

"How about visiting the cave? Tim would love to see you." Barbara tried once more. "Or even just the manor? Alfred keeps mentioning wanting to have a family dinner again."

The acrobat silently shook his head at the offer before quickly reminding himself his redheaded friend could not see him. "I'm sorry, Barbara." He apologized, his voice small and drenched with guilt. He only felt worse as Barbaras sigh trickled into his ear.

"Just be careful, okay? We've already lost enough." The line quickly went dead before the acrobat could even think to reply.

Nightwing groaned to himself. "Nice going, Dick." He mumbled, eyes finally redirecting themselves back to the crate of ammo. His current priority making itself known once more. Reminder: Ammo. In a warehouse that was only supposed to contain stacks of paper. "Probably best to give BPD a call. Then I can thankfully call it a night." He stated tiredly, hand reaching for his comm once more before it stopped with a twitch at the sound of a light beeping.