California Nights
by Lauren

Rated PG
Disclaimer: I don't own, so don't sue :)
Canon: Comics

******************************************************

"Hey, Short Pants?"

Dick got up off the couch, where he'd landed, opting for the shorter walk there than to his bed. He went over to the computer and tapped a few keys. "Hey, gorgeous, what's up?"

Babs grinned. "I seem to recall hearing you say something about wanting a vacation in California..."

"You've got my full attention," Dick said, offering his near-patented smile.

"Good. I was doing some research..." Babs started.

"Wait a minute," Dick interrupted, "let me guess, vacation by day, work by night?"

"You've got it, Former Boy Wonder. I found some info on a *huge* drug dealer--it doesn't say where he's based--but he'd been apprehended once in Lucia, California," Babs said, then added, "and the vacation part is that Lucia is a coastal city."

Dick propped his feet up on the desk and crossed his arms over his chest. "Excellent, beach bum by day, ass-kicker by night."

Babs raised an eyebrow. "Maybe you'd want to bring your own beach bunny with you..."

"Who?" Dick asked, innocently.

"Me!" Babs said, glaring at him through the computer.

Dick laughed. "Only kidding, Babs! What are you going to do about the *Oracle thing*, though?"

Babs smiled, knowingly. "Already taken care of."

~~*~~*~~*~~

Barbara linked her laptop to the main console. She began downloading the program that would allow her remote access to her files and those on the Bat Computer.

She was about to move on to the one task she didn't want to do: telling Batman their plans. She stopped, her fingers hovering over the keys. "I guess you prefer being told face-to-face." She turned to the sliding door.

Batman stood in the near darkness. "I was doing my own research on the drug dealer case and saw you had viewed the same files about Tony Methier."

"Of course," Barbara said, not surprised. "I'll still be acting as Oracle, but my messages will be limited to text and if, for some reason, I can't or won't reply, I'll set up an automatic message. Besides, I would like to have some time that atleast *resembles* a vacation."

"One piece of advice: don't let Dick near a surfboard," Batman offered.

"Why?" she asked, then saw that, of course, The Bat had already left. She sighed. "You'd think I'd know when he's going to do that by now."

~~*~~*~~*~~

Babs opened her laptop.

Dick glanced over. "Babs, we've been on the plane for only ten minutes..."

"I know," she replied.

He let out a long, exasperated sigh.

Babs glared at him. "I'm setting up the automatic message for when I'm not available."

"Oh," Dick said.

"Because I've got something more important to do," she added.

"Like what?" Dick asked.

She grinned. "Like make sure you don't throw peanuts at the in-flight movie..."

"It was *Biodome*, Babs!" he argued.

"Or talk the flight personnel into giving you more of said peanuts," Babs continued.

Dick crossed his arms over his chest. "I like the peanuts."

"Or..." Babs started again.

"Okay! I get the idea. If I'd known I was bringing my *babysitter* instead of my girlfriend, I would've declined on this little trip," Dick said.

Barbara smiled. "I'll only be the babysitter on the plane. Your girlfriend will return when we get off."

Dick sighed. "This is going to be a long flight."

~~*~~*~~*~~

Babs stole a peek at Dick. 'Sleeping like a baby,' she thought. She opened her laptop, typed something quickly, then waited. She received an almost immediate response.

'I wish your laptop atleast had the video card,' was Black Canary's short message.

Babs smiled and looked over at Dick again before typing, 'No you don't.'

'What'd he do?' Dinah IM'd.

'If I tell you now, there won't be anything left for when we get back,' Babs replied.

'*sigh* Good point. I'll IM you later. Bye,' Dinah typed.

'Bye,' Babs typed, then shut down the laptop. She looked up at the screen. The in-flight movie was Biodome.

~~*~~*~~*~~

Several hours later, the plane landed and everyone exited.

Babs stopped next to a window to look out.

"I am so stiff," Dick complained, after walking up next to her. He began to stretch.

She glared at him.

He stopped stretching. "Well... I am."

"That's wonderful. *Any*way..." Babs said, then waved him down to her eye level. He did so. "We need some aliases."

Dick beamed at her.

"Oh, dear God, you thought of your own. I *hope* it's nothing bat related this time," she said, quietly.

He scowled. "No! I used that last time. How about a nice surfer name..."

"Bruce told me not to let you near any surfboards," Babs told him.

"What?" Dick asked, surprised. "Why not?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. He pulled his usual disappearing act."

"Anyway," he said, "how about *Rick Malibu*?"

Babs nearly burst out laughing, but, for Dick's sake, she did her best to stifle it. She forced an approving smile.

Dick folded his arms across his chest. "Well, what's yours then?"

"*Rachel Hampton*," she replied.

"As in Hampton Beach?" he asked, then grinned.

"Alright, it isn't that bad," Babs said.

Dick continued smirking. "Whatever you say."

She sighed. "Let's just go to the hotel, already."

"Great! I came up with a new persona, to mat the name! All I have to do is get a surfboard..." he said, happily, beginning to walk away.

Babs rolled her eyes, then followed him.

~~*~~*~~*~~

"Dick, you've been in that bathroom for an hour! What are you doing in there?" Babs asked, through the door.

"Be out in a minute," came the reply.

She wheeled out onto the terrace and looked over the ocean. She began concentrating on the water and did see him come up behind her.

"Great view."

"It sure is..." Babs said, turning around. Her jaw dropped.

"What?" Dick asked.

She slapped a hand to her forehead. "Please... tell me you didn't *really* do that to your hair!"

He pretended to huff. "Well, I'm sorry, but how many *native* surfers have jet black hair, huh?" He grinned. "Besides, it's only dye and I've always wondered what I'd look like with blond hair." He ran a hand through his now lighter-colored hair.

"It looks... shorter... too," Babs stammered.

"Just a little shorter. I wanted kind of a spiked look," Dick said, obviously happy with what he'd done.

She closed her eyes. "Please tell me you didn't do anything *else*." She opened her eyes.

He turned to look out over the water. "Excellent view," he amended from earlier.

"What *else*?" Babs asked.

Dick turned back to her. "Well, I *am* planning on doing some surfing so I... uh... did a little extra shaving."

This time, Babs laughed out loud. In between peels of laughter she managed to ask, "Do you even *know* how to surf?"

"Um... well... how hard can it be?" he said.

She broke out into another fit of laughter.

~~*~~*~~*~~

'What did he do?' Dinah asked.

Babs sighed, the typed, 'What?' No *hello*?'

'SPILL!'

'Alright, you don't have to yell ;)' Babs replied, then added, 'He's out trying to rent a surfboard. I'm going to have to get some pictures...'

'Babs!?'

'Okay, picture Dick... with shorter, spiked hair... dyed blond,' Babs typed.

Dinah's response took a moment. 'ROTFLMAO!!!'

Babs smiled. 'That was my reaction.'

The door opened and Dick came in. "Babs?!"

"On the terrace," she replied, then typed, 'Gotta go, the surfer dude's back.'

'IM me the moment the word *cowabunga* leaves his lips,' Dinah typed.

'Deal. Bye,' Babs typed, then shut down the laptop.

"Again with the laptop? That's it, you're coming down to the beach with me," Dick said.

She glared at him. "Well... I *had* to tell Dinah about your little... transformation."

"You told *her*?! I bet she had a good laugh," he said.

"I think she did," she said.

"Great," Dick said, then paused. "Grab a towel and lotion, we're going down to the beach."

"Okay, I guess I'll have some fun now," Babs said, then grinned.

~~*~~*~~*~~

Dick sat on the towel next to Babs.

"Thanks for the *lift*," she said, then winked and added, "*Rick*."

He grinned. "Hey, you know I *had* to pick up such a beautiful beach bunny... especially considering it was you."

Babs laughed. "You've got to stop calling me that."

"Oh, sure," Dick began, "take all my fun away," he paused and winked, "Rachel."

"So, are you actually going to hit the waves? I'm interested in finding out if you *deserve* your new look," she said.

"Trying to get rid of me already?" he asked. "Okay where'd you hide the laptop?" He looked around, mockingly, then turned back to her.

Babs glared at him. "I'm not trying to get rid of you. I just want to see how many girls get jealous of me." She grinned.

"Oh, well, when you put it *that* way..." Dick said, then jumped up. "Waves, here I come!" He took off the shirt he'd left unbuttoned and ran off to rent a board.

Babs grinned, then pulled out the laptop. "Ah, the art of diverting your opposition's attention." She watched as Dick turned and ran for the water, with his newly rented board tucked under his arm. She pulled out a camera next, extended the zoom lense and took numerous pictures. "I wonder if I can use these for blackmail purposes..."

Dick, lying on his stomach on the board, paddled his way out to the surf. He spotted a wave and stood up easily on the board. "No problem," he commented to himself.

The wave came in under the board and he was off.

Babs watched, taking even more pictures. "He's still on the board, I'm impressed."

Another wave joined the one Dick was riding and his center of gravity shifted. Momentarily, he lost his balance, but just as quickly regained it.

"That was close," he muttered.

A third wave crashed into the one he was riding and he completely lost his balance. Dick dove willingly into the water.

Babs put her camera down. "Wow, lasted longer than I thought he would," she said under her breath, while tucking away the laptop.

A few minutes later, Dick came walking up the beach, board tucked under his arm.

She greeted him with applause.

He plopped himself down next to her. "Is the applause for my having stayed on for two waves or for my wonderful dismount?"

"Both," Babs answered, then smiled.

Dick spotted the camera. "Planning on blackmailing me?"

"Maybe," she replied, then gave him a mischievous smirk.

"Excuse me..."

Babs and Dick looked up at a young man standing next to where Dick was sitting.

"I'm a regular on this beach and I don't recall seeing you two before. I just wanted to welcome you. Here for vacation?" the young man said.

"Yes, we are. I'm Rick and this is my *girlfriend* Rachel," Dick said.

"Tony. Pleased to meet'cha," he paused. "Say, were you the dude who just rode those two waves?"

"Yeah, that was me," Dick answered.

"That was excellent! How long've you been 'boarding?" Tony said.

Babs stifled a giggle and Dick nearly elbowed her for it.

"A couple years now," Dick answered.

Babs coughed and turned away to hide her smile.

"Cool. Me and some other guys are having a competition this weekend. You wanna be in it?" Tony said.

Dick looked at Babs, who had since composed herself. She shrugged, then nodded. He turned back to Tony. "I'd love to."

"Excellent!" Tony said, then pulled out a card. "Just give this number a call and my guys will set you up." He handed Dick the card. "See you later." He began walking away.

"Bye," Dick called after him, then turned over the card. "Tony Methier." He looked at Babs. "That's our guy."

"Him?" Babs said. "Wow, some act he's putting on."

"Maybe it isn't an act," he said.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

Dick was about to answer, but changed his mind. "I think we ought to go back to the room before we discuss this anymore."

"Good idea," Babs said, catching his line of thought.

~~*~~*~~*~~

"So, do you think this Tony guy has gone straight?" Babs asked, crossing her arms over her chest. She was sitting with her back against the headboard of the bed.

Dick paced at the foot of the bed. "I don't know. I'd *like* to give him the benefit of the doubt, but I'm wondering if this surfing competition won't be limited to just surfing."

"Good point. He has been known to use cover-ups where only his *guys* know what the real deal is. Now, *I'm* wondering if maybe he wants to make you one of his *guys*," Babs said, then added, "Will you stop pacing! You're making me dizzy, you surf nut!"

"Sorry," Dick said, stopping. "I have a feeling you're right about him looking for me to be a new crony of his." He paused. "Now, about when he greeted us..."

"How he acted like he knows everyone?" Babs interjected.

"Exactly. The next question is, *does* he really know everyone and would that mean they're all involved in some way..." Dick trailed off.

"What's the matter?" she asked.

"This bust could be huge. I mean, this could take down drug lords on the East Coast, too," he said, an incredulous look forming on his face.

"So, what's the plan of action?" she asked.

"First, we get some food," he paused and looked at his watch, "then wait for sun down..."

Babs rolled her eyes.

Dick continued, "Then Nightwing checks out the address on that card."

"And to think it's only our first night," Babs said, mockingly.

He grinned. "Well, I suppose we could wait a little while before getting dinner..."

She smiled. "I'm starting to like this new persona." She paused. "Will waiting require Oracle to make her automatic message say she's unavailable?"

Dick tapped his index finger against his lips, looking like he was in deep thought. "Umm... yes." He grinned again, then jumped on the bed, next to Babs, and pulled her into a long and wonderful kiss.

~~*~~*~~*~~

"Room service for dinner," Babs huffed, glaring at Dick.

He shrugged. "Maybe tomorrow we should look into renting a vehicle. Maybe a dune buggy..."

She shot a look at him as though he was crazy.

"What?" Dick asked, innocently.

Babs shook her head in disbelief. "There *is* a restaurant in this hotel, you know."

"Yeah, I know," he said, through a mouthful. "I know because I was looking through their menu. Apparently, you didn't." He handed her the menu.

"Let me see here..." Babs said, then looked over the menu. "Uh... I take it back. Room service is fine. Wonderful!" She cringed and put down the menu.

Dick grinned. "Score one for the surfer dude!"

Babs nearly burst out laughing.

"What?" he asked. "What'd I say?"

"I'm sorry," she said, trying to compose herself. "I'm still trying to get used to your new look."

"It's only a disguise, Babs. Okay, so the only thing I can do about it is wash out the dye..." Dick began.

"Or skip the hair gel," Babs interrupted.

"Or that," he said, then sighed. He paused and slowly began to smile.

"What?" she asked.

"I finally got rid of that cowlick!" Dick said, practically beaming.

"Awe..." Babs said, almost mockingly.

Dick's smile fell and he crossed his arms over his chest. He glared at her. "You *liked* it? Do you know how many times I'd wanted to do something about it, but couldn't without practically shaving my whole head?"

"*I* thought it was cute," Babs countered. "Besides, you got a chance *to* practically shave your head." She paused. "Atleast it's better than that ponytail you had for a while."

Dick raised an eyebrow. "Just keep the shots coming, Babs. Sure, I'll be you punching bag."

She rolled her eyes. "Serious conversation is totally lost on you, you know that, Dick?"

He grinned upon hearing her use his actual name. "Yeah, I know. You've only *told* me a million times!"

Babs sat back in her chair.

"I didn't mean... Geez," Dick said. "You're right. You'd think that living under Alfred's watchful eye that I'd know how *not* to insert my foot into my mouth."

She cracked a smile. "Thank you." She paused. "So, when are you going to check up on our friend Tony?"

"I think as soon as I finish eating. Maybe I can make it a short night," he replied, then paused. "Although, I'd like to better acquaint myself with this city."

"We *both* could do that tomorrow during the day," Babs suggested.

Dick smiled. "Good idea."

~~*~~*~~*~~