After some time passed, I felt somewhat calmer knowing that Bruce is with Damian. But he also kept his promise. I hope he does keep it because I wouldn't want anything terrible to happen to him. Or else.

******

It was kind of awkward just being the three of us after a while. Langstrom was quietly working on the serum, Dick was managing the Batcave and I just felt out of place.

"I'm going to the kitchen to make something, you guys want anything?" I asked both of them, knowing Alfred was asleep and didn't want to bother him.

"Uh, no thanks, I'm good". Dick said, looking at the bat computer.

"You, Dr. Langstrom?

"No, thank you". He said, tentatively working on the serum.

I went to the kitchen, opened the fridge, and grabbed a few things. Water bottles, Ham, cheese, lettuce, and tomato, and prepared some sandwiches for both of them anyway, knowing that they will be hungry after this long day.

I felt so much sympathy for the doctor. Slade must have scarred and threatened him, even taken his family. Even if he doesn't know, I'm probably the person that understands him the most at this moment.

As I was heading back to the library and activating the entry, I noticed there was a little piece of paper right next to the grandfather clock. I picked it up, and read :

"Beware the court of owls that watches all the time. Ruling Gotham from a shadowed perch behind granite and lime. They watch you at your hearth, watch you in your bed. Speak not a whispered word about them, or they'll send a talon for your head".

I didn't know what that was supposed to mean but after reading that, I got a chill down my spine. It sounds as if it came from a sect, but I didn't want to think too much about it. Maybe it was a case Bruce was working on. I left the paper inside the edge of a bookshelf and started walking I went down to the Batcave to see what was going on.

Dick was still in with the monitors and Langstrom was still working with the serum. Even though it was still the same, I felt safer here than in the library.

" I brought you some water and food if you want", I said, as I left each plate and water bottle near them.

"Thanks, Is...thanks," Dick said, stopping from reviling my name. I think now know why he was asking about my codename. So that when things like this happen, I can protect myself by using an identity

It was eleven o clock when the next hour passed, so I thought it was probably time for all of us to go to sleep already.

"Nightwing, I think we should all get some rest, am I right?" I said to Dick.

"Yeah, I'll show Dr. Langstrom where he'll spend the night". "

What?" Dr. Langstrom asked nervously.

"You can finish it tomorrow Dr. Langstrom. Or is it a lot?" Dick asked him.

"No, it's just a few little details".

"You can finish it tomorrow, I believe in you ". I said to him, trying to give him a boost of confidence.

"Thanks, for believing in me". He replied with some lightness in his voice.

"Right this way", Dick said as he was taking Langstrom somewhere in the Batcave.

**

"It's been a busy day, hasn't it ?" I asked Dick.

"Yeah, meeting Bruce's son was definitely surprising". Dick said as he was shutting the bat computer off.

"So...how was it that you became Nightwing?" I asked him as he turned

" Why do you want to know?" He asked with a smirk

"I don't know. Maybe so I can distract myself a little bit, and process the fact that my little brother turned into Robin today", I explain, relieved to finally express all the anxiety and stress I held inside ever since Bruce left.

"You really do care about him". He expressed as I walked in his direction.

"...He's my brother. I've been taking care of him ever since he was born. Talia always implemented in me that I need to protect him. It's been that way for years. So it makes me feel really uneasy thinking about what could happen since I'm not there. I don't think it's even healthy to feel like this" I explain, taking a deep breath. I never talk to anyone about this kind of stuff. But right now I needed to let it all out. And thankfully, he was willing to listen.

"It doesn't have to be that way. Think of it as this, not only is Bruce bonding with his son but you are also starting to become someone that isn't simply his protector. " Dick's attempt to reassure wasn't really helping. I am his protector no matter what. Or maybe it's just me not thinking straight

"Okay", Dick sighed as he grabbed two chairs and placed them in from of the bat computer.

"Welcome to my office. Please, take a seat." He said in a dramatic light tone, which I didn't know how to react to.  As I sat down,  I keep thinking this is going to be his form of interrogation, which Bruce probably put him up to. I will deny everything he asks if it's too personal and to keep me safe. 

"So, what's your favorite color?"

"What?"

"You said you wanted to be distracted. So, I'm starting with the easiest question ever". That completely took me off-guard.  I couldn't help myself but stifle a laugh. I mean, for meeting this guy just today, I have to admit that he's pretty funny. Nothing like Bruce at all.

"Uuh -well,  It's blue.  I- I guess I should ask yours now. So what about you"? I ask him, trying not to sound awkward.

"Just regular black and blue". Dick said lightly.

"I can tell", I pointed as I looked at his suit. I think it's interesting he chose a bird instead of a bat.  Wonder what might've been the story behind that

" Do like  the manor so far?"

"I think it's huge, especially the library section. I never thought that Bruce would have been the reading type of person".

"It's boring though. Mostly they're about business and classical literature". Dick said, as he sighed and looked directly at the screen for a moment.  I knew what he wanted to ask. But didn't have the guts to say it.

"...You want to know why we're here. I can tell you've been wanting to know ever since you saw me" I directed at him, trying to get that out of the way.

"My mother thought that it would be safer for us not to be involved with other assassins trying to take over Ra's organization. She sent us here to try to keep us safe for a while. And on the plus side, Damian finally gets to know who his father is".

He paused for a moment, then looked at me. "We have tourists visiting Gotham for the first time then", he replied, as a soft smile formed on his lips.  I felt kind of uncomfortable about this whole thing, but I've never really talked with anyone that's actually just simply talking. Strangely, he made it so easy

I never would've expected Dick, someone that grew up with someone as serious as Bruce, to turn out really charismatic. I know that it's going to sound strange even to me, but for the little bit that we've been talking, he does seem like the nice person Alfred was talking about.

****

For the short time that we had, we talked about a lot of things. From what snacks I liked, all the way to discussing if Bruce should have a remodeling for the bat cave. I've never had this much fun in ... forever.

The only person that I was able to talk to like this was my good friend, Jason. He was brought here as a victim of an accident that later was brought to life with the Lazarus pit. I didn't know anything about his past when the league brought him in. I never cared. All I cared about was having someone to listen to and talk to. When he had the chance, he left... with no trace at all. And I don't blame him. But that is why I can't do this

The people that I truly cared about the most, left these gaps in my heart, that not even Talia could cure it. Eventually, I got over them, but it still aches at remembering all the good times that Jason and I had. That's why aside from Damian, I really don't want to become attached to anyone. Because I'm afraid that something terrible might happen to them. I have to admit that talking with someone I just met today feels really strange. 

But for the first time in a while, I'm talking to somebody whose last name isn't Al Ghul. So I was relieved of not being scared when talking to Dick. But it doesn't mean I'm going to be an open book for him. I felt really bad when he was talking about all of these different movies that he's watched, I didn't know much about them. I didn't have the time to even see a clip of 5 minutes because of my training. But what I really did know about was music. I knew about underrated bands since it was the only thing that I could do for fun. Download music from my computer when I had the chance and put it on my iPod late at night, and listen to it afterward.

"So, what's dating like in Nanda? I mean, I'm just saying because of how strict the Al Ghul's there", He curiously asked.

"Dick, I didn't have the time to think about that. And besides, Talia wouldn't have supported me on that decision". I replied, not knowing what good response to give him. He looked at me with a surprised look on his face.

"Oh, yeah. Alfred told me a little bit about you. Don't worry, I just know your name, and that you were Robin when you were younger". I clarified.

"What about you? You probably have fangirls all over you". I said trying to go with his flow.

"Well, I did date for a while.... But things didn't turn out so well". He said, looking down at the desk.

"I'm sorry".

"It's okay, we are both on good terms". Dick said. There was a really awkward silence after that. But I got the feeling that the mood of this whole conversation was about to change.

"What was it like? Growing with the Al Ghul's? He questioned.

The first that I knew coming here was that eventually sooner or later, someone was going to ask me stuff about the Al Ghul's and their ways. But I wasn't expecting Dick to be the one to ask me. I took a brief moment to think about what I was about to say.

"Let's just say it wasn't the best childhood"

"I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting it to be all unicorns and rainbows. But I can't imagine what both of you went through all these years". Dick apologized

"Don't apologize, everyone goes through different things in life. Sometimes tougher than others. But I think if you look at the positive things you have, even if it isn't a lot, you will still be able to get through it". I said calmly. When I said that, the only positive thing I could think of was Damian.

"you're right. Been there, done that." He replied as I could tell he got lost in thought. He had quick moments like that when we were talking. I wondered what he thought about it.

"It's getting kinda late. We should be resting". Dick said as he both stood up and he turned off the bat computer.

 "I told you, but you wanted to keep on talking". I replied mockingly, as we took out masks. Both of us then walk out of the cave and head to their rooms. 

"I'm sorry if I seemed kind of nosey down there. I shouldn't have asked so much,"  Dick apologized as we walked upstairs. 

"It's fine, you were just-" I tripped and was about to hit my face against a hard wooden step when I notice Dick,  lean towards the railing and holding my torso tightly. I turn my head sideways to catch a glimpse of his face. His cool blue eyes gazed directly into my brown ones, and I didn't know if I wanted to look back.

"You ok?' He asked tentatively. I nodded as he helps me stand up. 

"S-sorry, I forgot that these stairs can get a little creaky sometimes," Dick said, as we paused for a moment. 

"I'm not used to noises in houses. My bad ". I removed myself from him and stayed quiet until we reached our rooms across from each other. 

"You know, it was nice talking to you, Isabelle". Dick said as he leaned on their door frame. 

"I- I haven't talked to someone like this in a long time". I admitted, holding myself from showing too much enthusiasm.

 "This was fun. It did distract me" I pointed out while looking down. 

" Glad I was able to help", Dick commented, but as he was entering his room an urge rose up to say something. 

"Hey, please...don't tell Bruce any of this", I said to him. I know it wasn't very personal what we discussed, but I didn't want to spark any more intrigue and mystery in Bruce about myself.  Needless to say, I felt that he gained some trust in me after the whole fiasco with Damian. Which does help, but it doesn't take the suspicion away. 

"... Don't worry, you're secret is safe with me.", Dick reassured me with a sincere tone. He looked at me one last time, gave me a warm smile, and closed the door slowly. 

As I walked into my room, I quickly changed into my comfortable clothes and went into the bed covering myself in the thick, warm blankets.

" I really do hope you do keep it", I said to myself in hopes of believing Dick's words. 

As I laid down and stared at the cream-white ceiling, I started thinking about what type of codename I should use for the time staying here. A memory then pops into my mind.

 I was back in the mountains in Nanda, working on my somersaults with dad after training in punching techniques with Taliah. The bruises she left that day really hurt for about a week.  He said I reminded him of something...

A Sialis. Calm and tranquil, but strikes when needs to.

"Together forever, no matter where" I recited, remembering his tight hug that day.

That's when it hits me...

Sialis will be my codename.