Loud and Clear Explanation

He stood with narrowed eyes watching the explosion again and again. Batman watched him with worry. It wasn't healthy to re-watch your home being destroyed again and again.

"Nightwing," Batman called. Nightwing didn't respond. Batman sighed. While Nightwing's initial hearing had come back, it wasn't fully back. He could hear shouts or normal talking if he was less than a foot from whomever was talking. Batman had realized this when Nightwing had explained how he over-heard Wonder Woman's plan to be paparazzi. Turns out she and Roy (Arsenal) had been arguing on who should take the pictures.

"Nightwing." Batman yelled. Nightwing didn't jump, he just turned around. It was obvious he couldn't tell the volume that Batman had used was louder than normal. It dawned on him when Superman and Red Arrow ran into the computer room with worried expressions.

"What!" Nightwing hissed. He and Batman had made-up from their argument, but Nightwing was still furious at his lack of ability at the moment.

"Stop re-watching that." Batman ordered, still speaking loudly. Nightwing's brow furrowed as he tried to focus in on Batman's voice.

"I'm trying to figure out who would have done it." Nightwing said, looking over his shoulder slightly, his own voice ridiculously quiet, forcing Roy and Batman to struggle to hear it.

"You're just going to make yourself crazy kid." Arsenal accused. Nightwing didn't move his head, evidence he hadn't heard what had been said. Before Arsenal could repeat himself, the alarms went off. Everyone perked up and ran into the main hall of the Watchtower.

Nightwing stood among the crowd of other heroes, feeling the buzz of their talking rather than the voices. Batman stood next too him, about four inches taller than he was. Nightwing didn't hear a word that Captain Atom said about the alert. He felt a hand on his shoulder and followed Batman out of the room. He didn't need to hear the silence to know everyone was watching them exit. In the hallway, Batman gave Nightwing the debrief, in sign language.

"Another bombing has happened. This one was in Romania. I think you should go because of your skills, but do you think you can go?"

"If Megan of J'hn can mentally link me up, I should be fine, but my hearing…" Nightwing signed back.

"We talked about this four days ago. It is temporary, and you should just relax and let it heal."

"Wait, do you want or do you not want me to go on this mission?"

"I'm your father; of course I don't want you to go. I'm also Batman and I know you have skills that are perfect for this mission. Also I will be going."

"Did Atom say a list for who was going?"

"Yes. Myself, Superman, Red Arrow, Arsenal, Wonder Woman, and J'hn. You were invited to join."

"Wait, in front of everyone he invited me and I just stood there?"

"No, he said there was one opening left and it would have to be debated on who would fill that spot. He just so happened to glance at you."

"I did wonder why, but you kind of pulled me away, so I thought it was just me turning."

"Well?"

"I'm going Batman."

"Damn."

"You just wanted to sign out 'Damn', didn't you."

"Partially, but I'll admit to being worried."

"My balance is fine, and I have been sparing with Canary and Flash. I can fight without hearing."

"How are the burns?"

"They were mostly healed when I woke up, that was six days ago. I'll be fine."

"Nightwing… you have to be extra careful."

"Why do you always assume I'm to one to get hurt?"

"Because you tend to throw yourself into the bullet for someone else."

"When do we leave?"

"When you are ready. I'll go inform Atom." Batman walked off, leaving Nightwing standing in the hallway.

A second bombing. In Romania, my birthplace? It couldn't be Slade… he has never done this before. Who else? Is this even targeting me, or Bruce? Nightwing pondered as he went to the med-wing. He ran into Arsenal.

"Need your belt?" Arsenal asked. After a slight pause that was slightly longer than normal,

"Yes, thank you." Nightwing took his belt from Arsenal's hands. Arsenal and Nightwing then walked to the hanger, ready to go to Romania.

"Batman." Wonder Woman called. The said crusader turned to meet her. They were just outside the hanger. They walked in together.

"I think you should remove Nightwing from this mission. It is too dangerous, his hearing isn't back yet!"

"Wonder Woman, I asked him. If he thinks he can, he is free to go. He is 18, a legal adult, I can't make his choices."

"But Batman, he is being emotional, rash, you can't let him do this!"

"Why not?"

"He… He could and probably will be hurt." Wonder Woman said. She did nit think this was a good idea. Batman sighed.

"Call out to him, see if his hearing is good enough." Batman said. Wonder Woman hesitated for a minute before calling out to Nightwing.

"Nightwing!" She yelled. Everyone turned to look at Wonder Woman. Nightwing tilted his head up first, and was the first to turn slightly. Wonder Woman fumed silently. She couldn't tell if Nightwing had responded to her, or to everyone else in the room. She had her own test to do now. She walked up to him, towering five inches above him.

"Nightwing, will you be able to hear me if a gunman has his sights on you?" She asked in a normal voice, exactly 18 inches from Nightwing. This was personal space, reserved for friends and talking to family. She knew Batman and Nightwing were usually closer than 18 inches, in private space. The space reserved for close loved ones. Wonder Woman wouldn't drop into that space, because she was testing Nightwing. She could see his acceptance of the challenge in his posture. He didn't lean in to hear her, and she even back up to 25 inches away.

"Of course, I have to trust you guys to watch my back, while I watch yours." Nightwing responded, only a second later than normal, but only Flash and Wonder Woman noticed.

"Can you hear me calling across the room with gunfire raining down everywhere?"

"I can listen for your voice if you want." Nightwing responded with a light laugh. Wonder Woman couldn't hold back her smile.

"Fine, but then you must listen for me." She said as she passed by Nightwing and onto the jet. Nightwing smiled and was tackled by Flash.

"Whoop! Kid, this is going to be fun!" Flash yelled.

"It is a wonder you aren't on the Young Justice team." Superman joked as he followed Wonder Woman. Red Arrow and Arsenal laughed as they also grabbed Nightwing and dragged him onto the ship. Batman followed with J'hn.

"Now I'm sure something bad is going to happen." Batman told the Martian.

They landed about four hours later. Nightwing looked around and couldn't stop the wave of nostalgia that washed over him. Batman saw the young hero take a deep breath before speaking.

"J'hn, could you mentally link us up? I should be able to hear everything you guys hear if we stay connected." Nightwing said. The tone of frustration was evident in his voice. J'hn complied to his wish.

Weird… - Flash

This is not the most pleasant experience. – Wonder Woman

I'm getting strange vibes that remind me of my Fortress of Solitude. – Superman

How does the Young Justice stand this! – Red Arrow

I feel violated. – Arsenal

… - Batman

Well, get traught about it because it is the fastest form of communication. – Nightwing.

Traught? – Flash

Shall we continue? – J'hn said, stopping the explanation his niece had once told him about through a fit of giggles.

The group exited the ship, and walked slowly into the circus tent. Nightwing could tell the others were watching him, but he held his emotions in check. He almost laughed aloud when Flash's uneasiness was evident for everyone. Correction, he laughed quietly.

Ahh! Why can everyone tell what I'm thinking! – Flash

We are mentally connected. – Superman

I know! It is still really weird. Flash.

Nightwing smiled as he followed Batman further into the tent. Soon the whole group was in center ring. The lights blared on and a figure stood on the high stand; were tightrope walkers started, and acrobats prepared.

"Hello Batman and company!" the figure called, he looked like a shadow with the light behind him.

"So glad you could come and meet me! Too bad Grayson or that old Robin boy isn't here though. There are rumors that the dashing lad in black net to you is he, but I'm skeptical. I thought Robin died? There may be a new one now, but I am certain my old friend the Joker took one out!" The man laughed. He grabbed a rope and jumped off the stand. He was lowered quickly to the ground, and his identity, though already assumed by Nightwing when they saw the circus tent, was revealed.

"Zucco." Batman hissed. Nightwing had fire in his eyes. He could see the mismatched eyes, one blue one green, laughing. They had played right into a trap.

"Glad you remembered my name! I bet you are wondering who I escaped prison? Well a life sentence can be greatly shortened when your family funds are as high as mine, and the judge has a drinking problem." Zucco laughed.

"SO you rigged the Wayne mansion?" Nightwing pried, ready to end the conversation with a well placed kick. Zucco smiled, his gold tooth flashing.

"Not me personally, but I funded the whole thing. I guess I'm the mastermind behind it, but a really nice electrician wired everything." He paused and stared at Nightwing.

"I guess you could be the old Robin, the hair is right. Of course I'll know after you see this video!" Zucco pulled out a remote and pressed a button. A large screen dropped down and flickered on to show the room of a hospital. Nightwing recognized it as the hospital he had gone to as a young boy every time the circus passed through here. It was the hospital he had been born in. He didn't let himself react. He just watched.

An old man was pushed into the room. He was in a wheel chair. He had a bald head, and looked very strong. He had a sad smile, and when he got to the bed, easily lifted himself into it by himself. Nightwing ignored Zucco's snicker. The man seemed to hear something and looked at the screen. Nightwing felt his heart stop. He recognized the dark eyes, with a scar under one from a time a line snapped in his face. The narrow face with the strong chin. The man was about fifty, Nightwing knew this. Nightwing knew the man hated cheeses, loved pepperoni, had a dead wife, a dead son, a dead sister-in-law, and a dead brother. The man was a Grayson, you could tell from the black eyebrows on the otherwise hairless head. Nightwing felt tremors run through his body. His uncle stared up at the camera for only a minute, then turned down to say something to the nurse. Zucco turned the volume up.

"I know the cameras are for security, but I can't lose the feeling I'm being watched by someone for than the fat police man downstairs." He was speaking Romanian. Nightwing swallowed painfully. He hadn't hear what the man had said himself, but he understood through what the other's had heard. The familiar language was like a favorite old book he had just reopened. His uncle, out of a coma! He stiffened his trembling. He would question Bruce on why he didn't know about this earlier, but for now he had to figure out what Zucco was planning.

"Remember how I rigged your house, Bruce?" Zucco's revealing of Batman's identity made everyone mad.

"Yes." Batman answered, hissing out the word. Nightwing was still staring at his uncle.

"This lad was caught in it right? He is the first Robin, but more importantly, he is Dick Grayson!" Zucco laughed. Batman felt anger flood his veins like fire. J'hn could feel everyone, except Nightwing, get angry too.

"You'll love this then!" Zucco laughed. As the nurse left the room, she said goodnight, and turned off the lights. Nighwing's eyes widened in realization, and the building blew.

"No!" Nightwing screamed, then fell to his knees. The screen now showed a news helicopter's view. The news reporter spoke quickly and in fear. The hospital was on fire. The top five floors all but gone from the blast. Police were trying to save any survivors. Nightwing dropped down so his forehead was against the ground. He felt a little bit more of his heart break. His family, completely dead. His mother, father, aunt, and cousin, from a fall, his uncle, from a blast. Tears threatened to fall, a few did leak into the fabric of his mask. His head hurt, the world swam, Nightwing felt separated from everything. Dick felt like the world was ending, all over again for him.

J'hn had to cut Nightwing from the mental connection to avoid being overrun with the powerful emotions the young man felt. Zucco laughed, and didn't see the angry crusader's fist. Batman punched the devil of a man so hard, a crack was heard. Zucco stood, his jaw hanging oddly, suggesting it had been broken, and probably dislocated too. Superman then grabbed Zucco and threw him across the room. Wonder Woman caught Zucco, and threw him as hard as she could into the ground. Flash ran over to the man and his speed caused a fire ring to surround the man as he rose painfully. Zucco whipped his head back and forth, but still laughed.

"It's too late! You've entered my trap. Grayson will still die! I will finally succeed in my plot! I have still won!" Zucco was finally shut up when to arrows pierced just under his arms, and pinned him to a support pole. RA and Arsenal then ran over towards Nightwing.

Nightwing was trying to breathe. He noticed something was wrong, but he didn't care. The video feed was still active. Nightwing didn't look up at it. He welcomed the silence his still injured ears brought him. But he could still hear the echoes. He heard the blast that had nearly killed him, saw his uncle blown to bits, his imagination produced images that may or may not be real. He saw them out of the corner of his eye. He lifted his head and saw twin redheads. Their hair was cut short. Their red vests were rather revealing. They had clown painted faces, and Nightwing could see the gears on their shoulders. They were robots. He jumped back, reason slow to return to him.

"Hello Richard." They sneered. The two Roys ran up to Nightwing and stared at the twin girl robots.

"What the …" Arsenal started, when one girl threw her whip and it electrocuted Arsenal into unconsciousness almost immediately. RA charged, arrows shooting out so quickly his arms were a blur. The two girls both sent out their whips, and RA too, fell. Nightwing snapped back to reality. He couldn't let his friends get hurt any more.

Nightwing jumped and swiped the feet from under one twin.

"DEE!" the other cried.

"DEE!" the fallen one yelled, as she recovered. Nightwing reacted quickly. He did a split kick that took down both girls. He drew his eskrima sticks and turned them on. He hadn't told anyone that his weapons were now more dangerous, and charged. Nightwing could send out individual shocks if he wanted too, but he only had three shots. He could also just leave the weapons on and have a three hour continuous charge that made the weapons hurt three times as much. He listened to the hum and prepared himself. He was glad he couldn't hear the girls taunting, because their mouths never stopped moving. He struck, one eskrima hitting the twin on the right. She convulsed and he saw sparks fly off her shoulders. Her twin struck, hitting Nightwing with an unnatural amount of force. Nightwing flew back and landed on Arsenal. He saw the other twin, the one he hit, get up in jerky movements. The girls attacked again, but Nightwing jumped out of the way to keep Arsenal safe. The girls followed him and surrounded him. Nightwin was now surrounded by four identical red-head girls.

"How?" Nightwing started, but had to dodge the flurry of kicks and punches. A few hit, but Nightwing stayed on his feet. A bat-a-rang flew and took one girl out by slicing her head off. Nightwing mentally thanked Batman, and realized he wasn't in the loop. This momentary distraction made him not notice the girl charging him with a hammer.

Wonder Woman saw the girl charge, she saw Nightiwng not turn around, but defend himself from a girl in front of him. Wonder Woman felt despair, she did what only came naturally.

"Nightwing, look out!" She cried. Her voice echoed through the tent.

Nightwing threw the girl off of him, and then he heard a faint voice call out his name.

Can you hear me calling across a room with gunfire raining down everywhere?

I can listen for your voice if you want…

Nightwing reacted. He ducked and rolled sideways. He saw a blue man fly right above him and catch the charging hammer girl. Her head disappeared under his strong hands. A black figure was taking out another girl. J'hn and flash trapped the final girl and took her out. The fighting stopped.

Zucco stood in angry shock. His plan had failed!

"No, no, nonononononononono!" he cried in frustration. Batman walked up to the devil spawn, and kicked him in the head. The man fell unconscious. Batman walked back over to Nightwing, who was getting up slowly. He could see in Nightwing's posture that he was fighting the need to mourn. The tremors that were visible in Nightwing's body never ceased. The Roys were revived, and everyone was ready to go back to the Watchtower. Zucco was handcuffed, and slumped in the center ring. Batman had left a note saying the man was raving mad and needed to be put in an asylum.

Not Arkham. Batman thought, forgetting these thoughts were being heard by everyone else. No, too dangerous. I can't let Richard know where he is. I can't know where he is either. Batman's musings were cut short when Superman put his heavy hand on Batman's shoulder. Batman nodded and the ship was quiet. Soon the Watchtower was in sight and the ship, able to fly on Earth and in space, was approaching the docking pad. Nightwing was straight up in his chair, face devode of anything, his mind carefully sealed from the others. J'hn dropped the mental link as they exited the ship.

Batgirl and the other YJ team members were waiting for Nightiwng to return. When he stepped out last, Batgirl saw immediately that something was wrong. She glanced at Batman, and saw he was angry. Robin and Batgirl shared a look.

"Nightwing! Nightwing!" various YJ members called.

"Will you be training us soon again? Black Canary is so nice, but your exercises are more fun!" Gar said, flipping around in his monkey form. Megan gasped as Nightwing glared at Gar. His glare sent chills down everyone's spines. Megan felt the hurt, the desire, the pain.

"Later." He said, his voice monotone, controlled. The team parted like the Red Sea as he walked through them. The Leaguers dropped their heads.

"I better check his hearing." Barry said, and J'hn followed.

Nightwing didn't hear the knock. He didn't hear anything. After his hearing had been checked, he had locked himself in Batman's room to be alone. So far no one had found him. He didn't know the whole Watchtower had been searching for him the last hour. They hadn't thought about Batman's room, because Batman had gone to Gotham for a short while. The Leaguers once again felt sorry for his adversary.

But when Batman had returned, and found his door to his room locked, he asked what was going on. Everyone had been rushing around, but he was going to just escape the commotion and figure out what to tell Nightwing. He had meant to surprise Dick with the news of his uncle's recovery, but now…

Batman typed in the override code as half the people in the Watchtower tried to look into the room. The door opened, and Batman swooshed into the room and the door closed before anyone could see the dark form huddled on the bed. The room was dark, no lights were on. But Batman had come to this sound-proof room for the same reason Dick had many times. He knew the layout, and didn't need light.

"Dick." He called. The mattress creaked. Batman sat on the edge of the bed.

"Bruce?" a hoarse voice said softly. Bruce reached out and found Dick's shoulder. He squeezed it reassuringly.

"Why didn't I know?" Bruce knew what the question was asking.

"It was going to be a surprised for when you had recovered completely." Bruce said, as he tapped the message in Morse code on Dick's shoulder. He felt better saying it, because he could fool himself into thinking Dick was alright.

"Thank you." Dick said, surprising Bruce.

"Why?" voice and Morse.

"If you had told me, if I had known, I might have done something. I might have killed Zucco. The shock of seeing him, it, it was enough to stun me so I didn't do anything I'd regret." Dick said softly. Bruce knew the feeling. He bent over his adopted son, and hugged him. Dick rolled over and returned the hug.

"Next time we have a fight, I'm going to force myself to remember what you've done for me." Dick said. Bruce just hugged him tighter.

"Don't bother. A father loves his son unconditionally. I will always rejoice when you visit or talk to me." Bruce said. He didn't tap out the message, but he felt like Dick knew. Dick sighed heavily. Bruce released his son, and felt the mattress move as his son scooted over.

"I know you went to Gotham. This is your room," Dick just let the comment hang. "There is a crowd isn't there?" The two sat on the bed in silence. Bruce grabbed a remote on his nightstand and pressed a button. A screen on the wall showed the screen just outside the door. Every person there had their ear pressed against the door. Dick laughed lightly. Bruce smiled.

"Want to leave via air vents?" Dick asked, seeing his father's face from the glow of the screen. Bruce smiled villainously and nodded. Both men put their persona's back on, cowl, mask, and Bruce opened the vent. Dick jumped in first and Bruce followed. They exited out the vent in the kitchen. They snuck through the Watchtower until they were staring at the crowd.

"What are they saying?"

"I can't hear through these walls!"

"Can you see through them?"

"The lights are off."

"Can anyone get into the room?"

"My niece and I cannot phase through the rooms, there is an alloy that prevents it for us."

"These cracks are too small for even a fly to squeeze through."

Nightwing smiled and stepped from his hiding place. Batman stood behind him.

"What are you guys trying to do?" He asked loudly. Everyone turned around, feeling like they were caught in a spotlight. They froze at the sight of the two crusaders. Nightwing let his famous cackle escape and even Batman let a small smile dawn his lips. The YJ members and the Leaguers stood in shock. The two then walked to the zeta beams and went to Gotham. They went to Bruce's penthouse, where he was living until his mansion was rebuilt, and lounged in overstuffed chairs. They had each showered and wore simple white cotton button up shirts. Dick wore khakis, and Bruce wore black slacks. They were sipping coffee and just reminiscing when through the door an old man in a neat black suit.

"Alfred!" Dick jumped up and went to greet the elderly man. The man held up a hand. Dick saw the man was angry.

"Master Richard, already I can see your partially healed burn mark on your face, I know the burns that are almost healed on your back will probably scar, your hearing is as shotty as my mother's for the next two weeks. This I was informed of this. What had been conveniently skipped over in my message from Bruce was that it was the Mansion that had been blown to bits! I assumed it was just a warehouse! My china! My carpets! The priceless furniture, paintings! The place is a mess! Bruce!" Alfred turned his attentions on Bruce Wayne. The millionaire, who was also the great and feared Batman, the vigilante of the night, the dark crusader, vengeance, felt utterly like a child.

As Alfred scolded the two men, Wonder Woman, Superman, and everyone else who knew Nightwing's and Batman's identities laughed as they watched the video of these two mighty heroes get scolded by an elderly butler. It had been easy to get him on their side. They just showed him the Mansion and asked him to do this for them. Alfred smiled and said yes, for a price. The watchers of the video didn't know the price yet, but when they got the call for what they had to do, they paled and wished they had never made the deal. Nightwing and Batman watched with great amusement as the others had to clean the batcave. That included polishing, dusting, mopping, vacuuming, sweeping, buffing, shining, and of courses they had to get in the groves of a couple statues…

Alfred smiled as he walked up to the two crusaders watching their teammates. He handed Nightwing a cloth, and Batman and can of air-freshener. He pointed towards the bat-mobile and the two went over to the large vehicle and began to do touch-ups. Alfred smiled, his punishments were complete.