I could tell I overslept since I could feel the sun's warm rays against me through the window. It felt surprisingly good. And so out of place. What's wrong with me? I never brake my routine. But I guess so much stress and anxiety have worn me out my body decided to give it a rest. Like yesterday, I changed into my workout clothes, tied my hair up, slipped on my sneakers, and grabbed my wooden escrimas's heading towards the Batcave. And as usual, start with my normal arm stretches before starting. This time, I would practice circular strikes, which were the hardest ones to do every time. As I retracted each strike, It feels so strange that it was so quiet, that the only sound heard was the echo of my sticks hitting the punching bag.
"What are you doing here so early?" Dick asked as he was coming to the Batcave. It was really weird seeing him in normal clothes. A black shirt with some beige pants. I had to admit it kind of suited him.
"Just doing my morning workout, as always. Nothing interesting". I said, pausing a moment to answer.
"Let's see". He said, arriving and standing next to me.
"Are you insinuating I don't know how to use these?" I asked jokingly
"I'm just curious. You're the only other person I know that knows how ".
"I feel like being stalked right now." I continued to strike the punching bag as I do, but it felt really weird that Dick wanted to watch me. This was mostly a my-time thing. An hour for me. So I felt as if he was being an instructor of sorts and invading my personal space at the same time.
" Those are really challenging to do since you have to move your arms in a small-circle motion. I'm impressed. There's one thing though..Your position".
"How? My stance is balanced."
"Here, you're not moving your hips and shoulders". Dick said as he came closer to me.
"You just need to move slightly". Dick said in a cool tone behind me, holding me by the waist and slowly shifting me to the left, then separated my arms an inch from each other.
I could see the mistake that I did. He was right, my position wasn't where it normally was. But the way he was holding me. And the way I could feel his warm breath on my neck.
"I-I think I can take this from here". I said to Dick, immediately removing his hands from me.
"Try it again".
I was getting up to a point where I kinda wanted him to leave, but I knew it would be very imprudent of me if I said something like that.
" I see what you meant. This morning", I huffed. " Simply messed up.. my schedule", I replied, hitting the punching bag with all my strength. I stopped for a moment to take a few deep breaths and a sip of water.
" For how long you've been doing this?" Dick asks, walking to the bat computer. which made me a little bit more relieved.
"My whole life basically. From two and a half hours, every day. I take other days to practice my other skills like punches, kicks, gymnastics . If that's what you wondered". I know he didn't but I wanted to say it for some reason. I don't know what's into me today.
"Okay, I already set up some things in here. We should be waking Langstrom pretty soon so he can finish the serum," Dick said, as I could see he was heading out.
"Oh, and one last thing." He cleared his throat. "Good morning...Miss Isabelle", he said with his fake British accent, clearly trying to impersonate Alfred.
"...Did Alfred put you up to this?" I asked mockingly, feeling a smile across my face.
"Nope. Just being me. Miss Isabelle. Hmm, it sounds...elegant". Those were his last words as he stepped out. I admitted to myself that I really wanted to laugh. His jokes are always hilarious. So I did laugh a little bit, quietly, so no one could hear me. I didn't feel openly showing these types of emotions. I think only with Damian is who I can really be my true self.
***
"Morning Miss Isabelle" Alfred greeted me in the kitchen, and I stupidly remember Dick's impression of him. "I made some oatmeal if you don't mind".
"Alfred, it's perfect. Thanks".
As I grabbed a bowl, I went to the stove where I started pouring oatmeal from the small cooking pot.
When I finished eating, I changed into yesterday's outfit, let my hair loose, and went to the cave to surprisingly find both Langstrom and Dick there. I brought him some oatmeal and to our surprise, he finally ate something. Poor thing, he must have been worried about his whole family that he didn't think about anything else.
"You're an angel. Thank you", he said, taking the bowl gently.
" No problem. You're almost done with the serum right Doctor?" I asked.
"Yes, I just need a couple of little details. Then I'm done. Do any of you know anything about my family?"
"Batman saved them last night from Deathstroke's hideout". Dick said in a direct but calm way.
"Thank you. All of you. I don't know what would have been without any of you".
"Well that's what we do, don't we. We help people whenever they need our help". I replied to Langstrom in hopes of reassuring him.
***
I didn't think just a few 'little' details was going to take almost 4 hours but we trusted Langstrom since he's the only one who knows about this serum to stop the man-bats for good. An explosion happened unexpectedly and Dick and I had to turn it off quickly. Fortunately, none of us got seriously injured.
"Where are you going?" Dick asked me as I headed out of the Batcave.
"Bathroom. To wash out the chemicals."
***
As I was coming out of the bathroom, I headed directly from the cave and heard what appeared to be a conversation between Bruce and Dick. I leaned against the cold metal wall and waited for me to actually 'enter' the cave. I was just curious to hear what they were going to say.
"Why are you staying in London?"
"Interpol, I'm bringing it to them on it". Bruce responded.
"How's the little prince ?" Dick asked and I'm assuming he's referring to Damian.
"Sends his love. We just ordered room service".
"Maybe he's human after all ". All this time he's been trying to cope, but he is still filled with rage about Ra's death and wants to take vengeance on the killer. But I know that deep down inside of him he is not a killing machine as Bruce and Dick think he is. That's just the way we were taught. To kill your enemy.
"How's Isabelle? How is she taking the whole thing?".
"I told her that you do keep your promises and that Damian is safe with you". I really hope that Bruce was keeping him safe.
"Do you know any sort of info on her? Has she told you anything?" I can't control what Dick is about to say right now. I would appreciate it if he kept his promise. Simply keep what was said between us. But if he does tell him, I'm never trusting anyone with these kinds of things. And this will teach me not to trust anyone easily.
"...No. She didn't want to tell me. So I respected her decision".
He kept his promise. I was in shock. I actually expected him to rat me out with Bruce. But, it felt really nice to know he kept it. My heart was felt with relief.
"What about Langstrom?"
"Ever since I told him his family was safe, he's been a scientist on fire. Once actually on fire. Something exploded I had to put it out. Minor burns".
I decided to actually come out since there's really nothing much going on.
"But he is producing the antidote?"
"Hundreds of doses. Is something wrong?".
"Deathstroke has Talia".
"Langstrom's wife said that there was another prisoner. A woman". I think Talia attacked the stronghold and got captured. I saw signs of torture in one of the cells. Bruce said, whispering. I was getting worried because she was still my mom, and didn't want her to die. But I don't even want to think what Damian would do if he knew that Talia was captured especially by Slade. Deathstroke.
"But no idea where she is now?" Dick asked.
"None". I was starting to feel hysterical and desperate about this whole situation.
"What if she's dead? What if we can't find her? What if-. No. I have to remain calm about this whole thing. And besides, Bruce is pretty smart so hopefully, he will figure this out somehow. Hopefully.
"Have you found anything?" Bruce asked Dick.
"Maybe. A dormant oil rig belonging to Ra's, part of a shell company went active a few weeks back. Thought that was interesting".
"That is interesting. Hold on." Hold on for what? Was he going to check on Damian? I couldn't think straight. All I want is for Talia to be safe and have my little brother back.
"Where's the oil rig?" Bruce asked. "Close to you". "How close?" "Scotland's. Out the outer Hebrides. What's wrong?"
"Batman, what's going on?" I asked Bruce directly.
"Damn it, he's gone, and took his uniform."
"WHAT? WHAT DO MEAN HE'S GONE? I TRUSTED YOU TO KEEP HIM SAFE." I demanded of Bruce.
"Both of you, chill. The rig is 50 miles off the coast, what's he gonna do, swim there?" Dick asked.
"You don't know what he's capable of doing. If he has to swim all the way up to Scotland, he'll do it. Just to save Talia". I added.
"Just be ready whenever I call on you". Bruce said.
"We'll be there," Dick said as he turned off the bat computer.
"We need to go to Scotland right away". I said as I headed towards the batwing.
"Iz-,"
"Sialis" I interrupted
"Calm down, really". Dick said as he tried to reassure me. "What are we going to do, Nightwing?" I desperately asked.
"Okay, here's what we are going to do: get inside the batwing, wait until Batman has some sort of information about Robin or Deathstroke, and head quickly to the oil rig". Dick said as he planned.
I reluctantly agreed to this because I couldn't think of any other options.
"Okay, let's stick with that. Dr. Langstrom, are you done?"
"Yes, why?" He asked.
"Bring the serum and everything you need. It's time". I said as the three of us entered and seated in the batwing.
2 hours later
"Nightwing, Bluebird you need to come to the oil rig. Is Langstrom done with the serum?" Bruce asked Dick. "Yes, every single dose is completed". Dick responded.
"Good, because we're gonna need it".