Forgotten Bonds – Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Seven
Authentic Flight

March 12th, 2009. Thursday, 8:33 pm.

Dick ran out of the interior warehouse and into the night, breathing in the air deeply as the excitement surged through his entire being. He pulled out the locator from his utility belt and found the location where the girl was being kept. He put the locator back into his utility belt and in a swift motion, he pulled out a grappling hook and shot it towards the roof of the nearest building. Smoothly, Dick lifted into the air; flying upwards to the roof. He landed gracefully, laughing to himself. He felt so alive. It had been too long since he felt this.

The feeling of flight.

The feeling of being completely free and weightless in the world. It was different than playing on the high bar. This was true freedom; this was true flight – and the best part was the fact that he was going on a mission that suited his style.

Saving someone.

He wondered how many contracts that Slade got which dealt with saving someone. How many people had he rescued? Were most of his contracts assassin ones or were most of his contracts ones that required his other skills? Dick didn’t know, but he rather hoped that Slade had spent his energy helping more people than killing them.

Perhaps it was just idealistic thinking, but Dick had seen that Slade’s contracts always contained something that had a glimmer of helping someone. While Slade’s thinking of taking out a mafia boss didn’t really set well with Dick, he did see that Slade didn’t take out innocents. It had always been someone who had a long track record of evil.

It seemed that Dick truly had to search to see those enlightening, interesting, and perhaps even in his own odd way, chivalrous qualities in Slade.

Dick landed in crouch on the edge of a roof, looking down at the traffic below. There were speeding cars, honking horns, and pedestrians who were walking along the crowded sidewalks. Dick just couldn’t hold back the grin that was plastered all over his face. The people below didn’t know that right at that moment, Robin was back in business. But, of course, he wasn’t going to announce his presence to anyone and it wasn’t like they’d recognize him in this outfit.

He looked far different than Robin, but he was still Robin at that moment. He wasn’t going to give that part of himself up yet. While the alter ego of Robin might be lost, that didn’t mean the hero Robin was lost. Somehow, Dick had to convince Slade to let him do more than just criminal work, even though he had yet to see Slade do anything other than kill in a contract. But there was this little stirring in his heart that was telling him Slade wouldn’t require that of Dick. He did want to please the man, but they still had conflicting morals they needed to work out. But somehow, there was this reassuring glow inside Dick’s heart that said the future held bright things.

And one of those things was to save this little girl.

Dick pulled out his locator again. He quickly read that the coordinates were just a roof away within a large business building. Dick quickly shoved the locator into his utility belt and stood up. With another grappling hook shot across the alleyway, Dick swung over to the other roof.

Carefully, Dick crouch walked to a window in the roof; peering into the building. He could see a number of men in black suits walking by in the hallway below. Dick could tell that these men were powerful, with high upper body strength. They had guns at their hips and weren’t afraid of letting them be seen.

Dick pulled away from the window, lying back against the slanted roof. He glanced around until his eyes caught sight of a power box switch. He crawled to it, digging into his utility belt and pulling out a hacking device. He opened the box and set the device next to it, starting it up. Wires automatically writhed from the back of the device and burrowed into the box, connecting to the inside wires. Dick couldn’t help but smile. Slade made the coolest stuff ever – no doubt about it. A schematics screen appeared on the device of the nearby security. With a smile, he started working on shutting it down on the small keypad. He was grateful for the hacking training he’d received under Slade. As a Titan, the team’s general approach was to bust into the place, ‘guns a`blazing’ so to speak.

But this was a sensitive mission. The girl could be taken away in the chaos of a fight or be killed to put an end to it. Stealth was the most important thing here until he had the girl in his sights. Sneaking into this place would not have been possible without the training Dick had received in the past months.

His device lit a green light as all security systems were shut down. Dick closed the box, leaving the hacking device there. Dick’s heart started to pound rapidly with the adrenaline that began to pump through his veins. He ran his tongue over his dry lips, breathing out once to calm himself.

It was time now.

Dick slid over and began working on a nearby air conditioner and heating duct. Pulling out a small, heat-ray gun out of his utility belt, he began to burn through the sides of the duct; the hot metal glowing an orange red as it began to melt. Dick was patient with a steady hand as he wrapped around all the edges. Then, the beam connected where it began and the door of the duct fell forward into Dick’s awaiting hands.

Setting it aside carefully, Dick began to crawl into the duct system. Surprisingly, his armor plated knees did not make a sound against the metal of the ducts. He briefly wondered what material they were made out of, before he turned his complete focus on his current mission.

Save that girl.

Dick passed a few rooms, peering into each through the slits of the ducts. Each of the rooms had vaulted ceilings with a few levels of metal rafters above the ground. Some rooms were empty, but others had equipment of numerous types. There were a lot of strange things. Dick couldn’t help but frown at some of the stuff. These people were definitely shady.

As a Titan, he probably would’ve done everything he could to take down the entire building and every crook inside. But at that moment, he knew that his only purpose was to save that little girl. He couldn’t take down all these people on his own, after all. He couldn’t do it all. He just didn’t have that power. He knew it; he accepted it.

What power he did have could be used to help one little girl and her family.

And it was enough.

Then, Dick caught sight of a crowded room. He stilled as he studied everyone. There were eight men in the room below. One of them was a large, beefy man. He was sitting in a soft arm chair that seemed to be groaning beneath his weight. Beside him was the little girl, sitting on the floor at his feet. She was curled up in a little ball, her arms wrapped around her legs and her face buried in her knees. Her shoulders trembled in what Dick had no doubt were silent sobs.

The men were arguing about something, but Dick didn’t pay attention. His focus was on that girl. He pulled out his heat gun and began to burn through the duct once again. In a few moments, he burned an opening; grabbing the metal before it fell to the floor. He quietly set it aside. Then, he slipped through the opening and landed onto a high hanging, metal rafter.

He dropped to a lower one and sat in a crouch as he observed the group below. He sat still, unmoving as he watched every movement below; waiting for the right moment. He felt all his senses dull in the stillness, all his focus below – yet every sense heightened.

‘You can do this.’

Slade’s voice rose in Dick’s mind. Dick smiled. He could do this, more especially now that Slade stood behind him. As long as he had that man behind him, Dick could do anything. Having Slade’s support was far different than having the Titans’ support. There was just something different, something special – having an adult, a father, made all the difference in the world.

A small mischievous laugh left his mouth.

Adrenaline poured through his entire body. A culmination of so many feelings flooded through him as newfound power. Love, acceptance, excitement, thrill, and harmony. His entire soul felt alive with it – pure harmony.

With that mischievous grin spreading across his face, he fell forward down in the midst of the men. With terrible force, he bolted forward; twisting his body into a speedy kick. He could feel it; the power pulsing through his entire body. He didn’t need weapons; his body was good enough – been trained enough. The men around him weren’t expecting an attack and were in shock as one them suddenly smashed into the wall from the force of his kick. Dick had landed in a crouch and was slowly rising up. He turned to the group of gaping men. He lifted a languid hand near his face in greeting.

“Yo.”

Chaos ensued.

With that mischievous laugh escaping his lips again, Dick was already in the midst of the group. Everything seemed so easy to him. He was completely dominating the group. Never had his fighting before felt so simple, so easy. He felt thoroughly alive.

The men weren’t pushovers, but they certainly weren’t as skilled as those assassins that Dick and Slade had encountered during that setup mission. Dick really could feel all the months of training pouring through his entire body and soul, completely making it fully clear just how amazing it was to have Slade as his teacher.

One of the men darted towards him; Dick easily grabbed the man by the shoulder and neck with his hands, and tossed him over his head. Instantly, Dick dropped to the ground to sweep his leg at the nearest foe; toppling him to the floor. Then, Dick flipped backwards onto his hands, swinging his leg upward into the chin of another. He landed into another crouch, before he leapt up and swung his leg into another dominating kick at two advancing men.

Further blows were exchanged with two men; Dick easily dodging the attacks with such ease, it was laughable to him. His entire body was toned with power from Slade’s constant, intense training.

“Enough!” demanded a gruff voice. There was a gunshot, stilling Dick’s heart. With inhuman speed and reflexes, Dick immediately pulled out his tranquilizer gun out of his utility belt and pointed it towards the source.

The large, short man was standing, holding a gun in his hand and pointing it up at the ceiling. With his spare arm, he was holding the little girl around the neck. Her feet were lightly brushing the floor, her hands clasping against the meaty arm that was almost blocking off her breathing. Her eyes were clenched shut as she gasped for breath.

Dick’s expression hardened at the sight.

The other men slowly regained themselves. Three were completely out of it because of Dick. He kept an eye on every movement in the room, remaining completely aware of his surroundings. His hands tightened on the gun that he was holding, a tiny worry rising in his chest.

He was holding a gun. There was a possibility that Slade slipped real bullets into this gun. If he pulled the trigger, what would come out? What if Slade had done that in his effort to protect Dick or some other ulterior motive?

But didn’t Dick trust Slade completely? If Slade said this was a tranquilizer gun, then that’s exactly what it was.

Right?

Dick took a deep breath as he tightened his hold on the gun once more. He let his fears go, allowing his heart to fully believe and trust Slade’s words. The man had proven himself this long. He had promised never to lie to Dick; he had promised never to strike Dick cruelly, even apologizing with deep regret for past actions.

And the man had kept his word.

“Drop your weapon or missy here gets it,” said the beefy man. Dick didn’t move. The gun wasn’t pointed at her. If it was, Dick would’ve been more inclined to obey. However, Dick was faster than this thug that looked like a giant human meatball. He could shoot him with a tranquilizer dart before the man could blink.

The problem was this guy was extremely large. Would one dart do? Dick was confident in his aim, though. After getting over most of his fears, Slade made him practice with targets. Dick wasn’t exactly thrilled with the learning, but at this very moment, he was pretty grateful. With the instruction he received, Dick could save this girl’s life.

“I’m the one with the gun to your head, mister,” said Dick, dropping his voice into the deepest, smoothest voice he could. He vaguely was reminded of the way Slade spoke sometimes and he felt an internal smile spread through him. “So, really. Who has the upper hand here?”

The beefy man growled and began to move, but Dick cocked his gun quickly.

“Ah, ah, ah, don’t move, if you please,” said Dick in a light tone, but then he slid it into a dark one. “I’m a bit trigger happy.”

“What do you want, boy?”

“Funny you should call me a boy when this boy just completely dominated your goons,” goaded Dick with a smirk. The thug growled deeply again. “But it should be pretty obvious what I want. Let the girl go and I won’t have to hurt you.”

“Who sent you?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know? Sorry, bub; that’s classified info. Let the girl go.”

“A little boy like you isn’t a threat to me. Get out, brat.”

“Wrong answer,” said Dick with a smirk. His finger pulled the trigger. There was a muffled shot and the little girl screamed. An instant later, Dick noticed – with relief – that a red dart was protruding from the thug’s neck. That tiny, nagging worry slipped away; Dick’s trust hadn’t been compromised.

Dick was smiling. He had trusted Slade, who in turn, completely made good on that trust. Slade hadn’t sneaked any bullets into this gun. The joy of knowing that Slade would keep his word even when the man believed differently was beyond reassuring. Dick did completely trust Slade, but it was definitely to nice to see these types of reassurances.

However, the tranquilizer dart wasn’t quite affecting the man as it should. The man was slowly going down, but he still had a sharp hold on the little girl. Dick darted forward, kicking the gun out of the thug’s hand. Then, he sent a sharp punch into the thug’s huge, pudgy face. There was another cry of fear from the little girl. As the man went down, his hold loosened on the little girl. Dick quickly scooped her up into his arms and jumped upwards, using the thug’s head as a stepping stool to land into a crouch in the rafters above.

There were shouts from the other men as they tried to collect themselves in their chaos. A few gunshots exploded into the rafters where Dick was. The little girl cried out in fear again and he tightened his hold on her; protecting her head with his arms. He had to suddenly bolt backwards in a scuttle as a bullet narrowly missed his nose. He could smell the strong scent of the gunpowder. He gulped for a moment, feeling unnerved by the closeness of that.

Then, another wry thought crossed his mind. If he didn’t get back home to Slade in one piece, the man would probably kill him.

Smiling at that thought, he let another laugh of excitement escape his mouth. With a tighter hold on the girl, he leapt from his spot to higher points in the rafters. Then, he broke into a run. Now he had to get this girl out of here. It didn’t matter how many enemies were here; the job was to save her, to protect her. Nothing else mattered. Dick was alone and his first priority was to protect the small bundle in his arms.

Except the small bundle was struggling, crying in fear.

Dick had no choice but to set the girl down once he got back into the safety of the ducts. The little girl pulled away from him in fear.

“No, no,” murmured the little girl, tears beginning to stream down her face. Dick assumed she had to be no older than eight years old. Dick gently and slowly lifted a hand to her head. He kindly stroked her light blonde hair, his fingers lacing through the soft strands. The girl slowly began to calm down. Then, her eyes lifted open; stunning, bright green eyes appearing through thick, black eyelashes.

“Hey,” said Dick gently, moving his hand to stroke her cheek. “Everything is going to be okay now.”

The girl’s eyes widened as she looked at him.

“You’re Robin!” cried the little girl, sounding shocked and excited. “You are, aren’t you?”

Dick’s own eyes widened beneath his mask.

He hadn’t counted on anyone recognizing him. He wasn’t sure if he was ready to explain certain things and he especially wasn’t ready to talk to his friends; at least not until they read his letters. Slade was definitely showing that he was capable of compromising with him, like with the gun, but Dick felt the two of them still had a ways to go. He wanted to reach a full and complete understanding before he asked Slade if he could face his friends.

“Uh… yeah. Yeah, I am,” said Dick in a soft voice; nodding once.

“You’ve come to save me!”

Dick smiled. “That’s right.”

The little girl gave him a soft smile of her own through her tears. “I knew you’d come back.”

Dick stilled, his eyes wide with surprise. The little girl tilted her head in questioning; those eyes blinking once, eyelashes stroking her cheeks.

“The Teen Titans just aren’t the same without you. They always said you were away. Where’ve you been?”

Where have I been? Where exactly have I been?

Dick could only stare at the girl; her brightly curious and innocent eyes looking back at him. Dick’s thoughts flashed through the events of the past months. He could remember the feelings, the learning, the happy times, the sad times, the frightening times, the pain, the comfort, the peaceful moments – each and every moment culminating to the one most important moment of all; that moment where Slade extended himself to adopt Dick as his own, clearing his first intent completely – his son.

His father.

Each moment felt crafted; each moment incremental in opening eyes to reveal what truly laid before them – both Slade and Dick. Each moment building upon the other to soften the heart. Each moment growing the care and love within the soul. Dick knew that he hadn’t just received physical and intellectual training the past seven months – he had received emotional training as well.

But Slade hadn’t intended that, had he?

Who had intended the emotional training, then?

It hadn’t just been Dick who grew; Slade too had grown to care about him, to become softer with him. Slade wasn’t the same man he was seven months ago, just as Dick wasn’t the same boy seven months ago. Each underwent a powerful change and growth of their own.

So, why?

Why had Dick been stolen away from the world for this culminating training? It was too perfect, too insane, too brilliant to happen by chance. Surely chance couldn’t have been so flawless as to create the only environment where Dick and Slade could’ve reached such a point. Surely it had been a play of fate, a play of destiny in their lives; arranging the pieces so perfectly like a skilled game of chess.

Destiny had placed him somewhere he had needed to be, hadn’t it?

Perhaps… Perhaps I’ve been where I needed to be; somewhere I could grow and become stronger; somewhere I could learn to become a better person; somewhere I could learn lessons that I just couldn’t have learned anywhere else – lessons I couldn’t have learned in my obsession and hatred against Slade.

Somewhere I could change for the better.

Somewhere I could gain a father in the most unlikeliest of places – something I’ve needed for far too long.

“I’ve been where I needed to be,” answered Dick, his voice turning softer. The little girl’s eyes brightly glistened innocently at him.

“You were where someone needed you?”

Dick blinked, completely taken aback. ‘You were where someone needed you.’

Dick took a quick breath at that thought. Was that even possible? Did Slade… need him? Had it not just been Dick who needed a father, but Slade too that needed a son? Could that man who was completely all powerful, all knowing actually need him?

Dick let a soft smile lift his mouth at that thought. He certainly hoped so. He certainly hoped that Slade needed him like that. Sometimes it truly seemed like that. Perhaps it had been Dick’s destiny to fill the void in Slade’s heart, which had been left by his family; just like it had been Slade’s destiny to fill the void in Dick’s heart.

Destiny was such a curious thing.

“That’s right,” answered Dick, smiling at the girl. “Someone needed me and you know what, I needed them, too.”

“Wow,” breathed the little girl. “You’re the coolest hero yet!”

Dick let out a light chuckle.

“What’s your name?”

“Grace!” cried the girl happily, bouncing once in the duct. “My name’s Grace. My mama calls me Gracie or Gracie-Bug. She always loves calling me nicknames. Does your mama love calling you nicknames, too?”

Those curious green eyes blinked innocently again. Dick found himself falling into them. They reminded him too much of two very special people in his life who held bright green eyes as well: Mary Grayson and Starfire. He found that he couldn’t deny them.

“My mama… she would call me her little robin. That’s why I go by Robin.”

Grace’s eyes grew big as saucers. Dick smiled at her. Her expression was reverent, as if she were holding precious information. Dick turned slightly and held out his hands behind his back.

“Come on, Gracie. Time to get you back home to your mama,” said Dick, motioning with his hands. “Put your arms around my neck and don’t let go for anything, okay?”

“Mhm!”

Dick felt little arms wrap around his neck. Her legs lifted to wrap around his waist and Dick supported them with his arms. Dick noticed that there was a gentle warmth from this contact. He wondered for a moment what it would be like to be a father himself one day and would it feel like this, perhaps.

He rather liked the idea.

“Hold on tight,” said Dick. He felt those small arms tighten in response.

With a smile, Dick began to crawl through the ducts quietly. He could hear the chaos of his presence below him; men shouting, men barking orders. But it didn’t matter. He had the girl and he was going to get her out safely. He’d do it for her, for her family, for himself, and for Slade.

Dick continued to crawl through the ducts, careful to not to make noise, but going quickly. Soon, he reached the outside. With a careful look to make sure the area was clear, he crawled out into the night air. He felt the little girl slipping out of her grasp around his neck as he stood up. Dick wrapped an arm around to support her weight. He quickly went to the power box and opened it. With one hand, he entered codes to put the entire building into lockdown. Then, he sent an alert to the police.

That should do.

Dick entered one more code into the device and the wires retracted themselves. Once completely disconnected, Dick put the device into his utility belt. With another heft of the little girl, Dick pulled out the locator from his belt. He looked up in the direction to go. The distance to her home was at the upper north area of the city – near Titans Tower. Dick dug into his belt again and pulled out a small brace. He quickly wrapped it around his waist, securing the little girl to himself.

“Hold on tight, Gracie,” said Dick, pulling out another grappling hook.

He felt the little girl obey him and tighten her arms around his neck; her legs curling more around his waist. Then, he leapt off the roof, freefalling briefly. He heard the girl gasp with fright and bury her face into his neck. The grappling hook shot into the air and connected to the other roof. Dick swung in the air and landed on the other roof in a crouch. Then, Dick raced forward, doing the same for the other side.

It took him a few minutes to pass through the city. Dick used the rooftops only; not wanting to attract the attention of anyone on the ground. Soon, the towering height of Titans Tower came into view as he passed over a skyscraper. He glanced at it for a moment before he tore his gaze away to look down into the high society area of the city. There were a number of mansions with gated areas around them.

Dick leapt down into the courtyard of the mansion that he knew was the girl’s house. He slowly walked up the pathway of her home. Once he reached the front door, Dick untied the brace that held her secure. Then, he gently untangled her from his neck. Her eyes were closed shut in fear, but Dick knelt down in front of her and placed a hand beneath her chin.

“You’re home now. Everything is all right,” said Dick in a kind, soft tone. Green eyes popped open; dancing from side to side as they took in the surroundings. A bright look of happiness and relief crossed over the girl’s young face. Then, Dick placed his hands on her arms for a moment, looking up into her face.

“Hey, Gracie; would you do me a favor?”

“Of course! Anything for Robin!” cried Grace, those emerald green eyes wide with eagerness to please. Dick smiled at the girl; a glow in his heart at her innocence.

“Don’t tell anyone that Robin saved you, okay?”

“But why?!”

“I can’t tell you why, Grace,” said Dick, giving her a serious look. “Please don’t tell anyone. For me, okay?”

Grace gave him a fierce nod. She clenched her little fists and brought them in front of her chest with a determined look on her face.

“Okay! Your secret is safe with me!”

Dick smiled.

“Thanks, Gracie,” said Dick, patting her on the head. “I’ll be watching to make sure you get to your mama safely.”

“Thank you, Robin!”

With a wave, Dick sent another grappling hook to the roof of her home. In one upward swoop, he landed gracefully onto the rooftop. He dipped into a crouch on the edge of the roof, watching above carefully. He smiled as he watched the little girl knock on the front door. There were a few moments before the door opened. There was a twisting, glowing sensation in his heart as he saw her mother scoop her up in her arms and hold the little girl tightly; her mother sobbing terribly and blessing the name of the savior who saved had her child. He smiled gently.

He was glad for her.

Moments like these were the reasons why Dick took on the name Robin. Moments like these were the reasons why Dick trained with everything he had, just so other children would never be prematurely separated from their parents. He never wanted them to experience the same pain he had felt and still felt from their absence.

But he also had a new reason.

He didn’t want parents to be separated from their children – like Slade had been when he had lost Grant. Dick wanted to protect everyone he could. There was just a brief moment where he could say that he had longed for the same thing that little Gracie just had – the enveloping embrace of a mother.

But Dick was thankful – thankful that he now had someone to go home to that would be there for him. Yeah, Slade wasn’t exactly welcoming him home with a great big bear hug, but maybe… just maybe he would one day and just having that thought heartened Dick.

Dick turned away. Over the horizon, he could see the giant tower of the Teen Titans, a large building in the shape of a T standing out over the bay of Jump City. Dick couldn’t really get a good look at it from his current location.

He bit his lower lip for a moment. He wanted to see it, just for a moment. After seeing it, he’ll go back. Slade was waiting for him after all.

Dick broke into a dart, leaping off the roof to shoot his grappling hook to the far roof. He swung upwards to land on a business building. Then, he ran towards the nearest rooftop. He landed, rolling once forward before pulling up to his feet in a fluid movement. Three more rooftops passed and he was at the edge of the coastline.

Dick smiled, seeing the Tower glimmer slightly in the moonlight. A chilled breeze blew by and he shivered in spite of himself. Slowly, he lowered himself down to sit on the ledge of the roof; one knee pulled to his chest as he leaned his arms on it, while his other leg dangled in the air.

He let his eyes soak in the Tower.

The moonlight glimmered across the surface of the ocean, white glittered waves softly washing against the shoreline. The gentle sounds of the waves could be heard, this area of the city much quieter than the more bustling end. The air of the ocean brushed across Dick’s senses. All the while, he stared at the quiet, darkened tower, only the moonlight gleaming against its windows.

It was like Dick was mentally telling his friends that everything would be all right soon. He didn’t know when or how, he just knew soon everything would be fine. There was this rising warmth in his heart that was reassuring him that everything would be fine. There was no true logical reasoning to it; he just knew. He took a deep breath, taking in the salty night air of the ocean. Another chilly breeze passed over him, ruffling through his hair.

Time to go back home.

Dick stood up, taking one last glance at the Tower. He’d be back soon – that much he knew.

Then, another chilling breeze flowed over him, but this time there was something dark about it. Terrible shivers went down Dick’s spine. Something felt overpowering, almost like death itself. Yet there was a feeling of never ending life. This aura was frightening, chilling, and somehow very familiar in some ways.

A dark, feminine voice lifted smoothly into the air in a mocking tone.

“Well, what do we have here? It’s the Titans’ missing birdie, isn’t it?”

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