INT. DARK ALLEY – GOTHAM – NIGHT
Rain continues to fall, tapping gently against the roof of the car where Dick sits parked, soaked coat clinging to his back, hands gripping the burner phone. His face is unreadable, the tension in his eyes masked by exhaustion and guilt.
He dials.
A moment passes. Then—
"Grayson." The Grandmaster said over the phone.
Dick clears his throat, keeping his voice even."It's done. Frank won't be a problem."
There's a brief silence. Then—
"Good. He was a thorn for too long. A painful one, at that." The Grandmaster said.
"I'll take care of the body and clean the scene." Dick tells him.
Another pause.
"Very well. Return to base once you've handled it. The Court has new plans to set in motion." The Grandmaster said.
Dick leans back against the seat, eyes staring up at the ceiling of the car, the weight of his choice pressing into him."I'm going to lay low tonight—stay off the streets, avoid attention. I'll be back in the morning."
The Grandmaster seems to hesitate, but relents."Acceptable. You've earned the rest. But don't keep us waiting."
The line goes dead.
Dick lowers the phone and tosses it to the passenger seat. He exhales, long and heavy. The storm outside shows no signs of stopping.
Neither does the storm inside him.
INT. BELFRY – NIGHT
The elevator dings softly, its metal doors sliding open with a smooth hiss. Dick steps out, his Court coat slung over one shoulder, face unreadable—but his eyes soften the moment he sees her.
Barbara, seated at her Oracle hub, is locked in a flurry of data. Multiple screens flicker with crime scene schematics, GCPD radio chatter, and video feeds from across Blüdhaven.
BARBARA (into comms):
"Red Robin, the suspect's heading east on 4th. Red Hood—cut him off at the alley near Grant and 9th. He's armed."
Tim's voice crackles back through the comms.
RED ROBIN (comms):
"On it. Hood, keep him talking—I'll come in from above."
RED HOOD (comms):
"Oh, I'll keep him talking. My kind of conversation."
Barbara rolls her eyes."Just try not to break his legs this time, okay?"
She's focused—professional. Controlled. She doesn't notice the figure silently approaching from behind.
Dick smirks mischievously as he tiptoes closer…
Closer…
Then—
"Oracle, status report on 'Operation Boo'?" Dick shouted appearing out of nowhere.
"Gah!" Barbara screams
She jolts, chair spinning halfway as she clutches her chest."Dick! You jerk! I could've short-circuited something!"
Dick tries and fails to suppress a laugh, hands raised in surrender."Hey, stealth is part of my job description. You're slipping, Oracle."
"Next time I taser you, don't say you weren't warned." Barbara said trying so hard not to grin
He takes a step closer, letting the laughter fade just a little."Had to see you smile. Been too many days without it."
Barbara stares at him, caught between affection and exasperation."You scared the hell out of me… and I'm still mad at you."
"I know. And I'm sorry. But right now, I just wanted to be near you." Dick told her softly.
Their eyes lock. No more games. Just truth between two people holding a fragile thread in a world constantly tearing it apart.
Behind them, the Oracle hub hums quietly.
Outside, Blüdhaven screams for justice.
But for a moment, all is still.
The tension slowly melts as the screens dim and Barbara takes off her headset. Her fingers fly across the keyboard, wrapping up the last bits of data before pushing away from the Oracle console.
BARBARA (into comms):
"Red Robin, Red Hood—you're clear for the night. I'm signing off. Try not to level another warehouse while I'm gone."
RED HOOD (comms):
"No promises."
RED ROBIN (comms):
"Night, B."
She shuts down the link and leans back in her chair with a sigh. Dick, standing behind her with arms crossed and a raised eyebrow, grins.
"So… is my city still standing, Oracle?" Dick asked with a small smirk.
Barbara looks over her shoulder at him, deadpan."Barely. But yeah, Blüdhaven lives another night."
He nods and steps closer."About Frank…"
Barbara's expression turns serious."You got to him?"
"Yeah. He's on a plane now. Headed to… I don't know where. But he's alive." Dick tells her.
She nods slowly, eyes searching his face for something unspoken.
"Good. He deserved at least that." Barbara said.
The silence lingers a second, then Barbara straightens and claps her hands.
"Alright. Are you hungry?" Barbara asked.
"Starving." Dick said rubbing is stomach.
"Perfect." Barbara said turning her chair towards the kitchen.
She starts to wheel away, smirking."You're making tea."
"Son of a bitch…" Dick mutters under his breath.
"I heard that." Barbara said grinning.
Dick lets out a laugh, finally letting the weight of the last few days fall off his shoulders as he follows her.
INT. BELFRY KITCHEN – NIGHT
The sound of sizzling fills the space as Dick stands over the stovetop, sleeves rolled up and focus narrowed on the pan in front of him. The soft, warm lighting from the overhead fixtures makes the scene feel almost domestic—normal—if only for a moment.
Barbara sits at the kitchen island, chin resting on her hand, eyes fixed on him—not just watching him cook, but watching him."How far along is Evelyn with her plan?"
Dick doesn't answer right away. He stirs the pan slowly, then reaches for the spice rack. His jaw tenses just slightly—just enough for her to notice."Far."
He flips something in the pan with a practiced motion. The flame flares a little."Far enough that the rebellion is about to start. She's moving pieces every day—shifting loyalties, purging her father's allies. By the time the Grandmaster notices the board's changed… it'll already be too late."
Barbara leans back in her chair, processing."And where do you stand when the board flips?"
Dick turns his head slightly, meeting her gaze."Where I've always stood."
"In the line of fire." Barbara said softly.
He smiles faintly, but there's no humor behind it."If I can steer this from the inside—even a little—I will. I'm not going to let Gotham fall under her rule."
"And if it means putting her down?" Barbara asks.
Dick stirs the pan again, quieter now."Then I'll do what I have to. But she's smart. Dangerous. And she thinks she's untouchable."
Barbara folds her arms on the counter and looks down for a moment."She's not untouchable. You're not alone anymore."
Dick glances over his shoulder at her, something soft flickering in his eyes."I know. That's why I'm still standing."
He turns off the burner and begins plating the food."Now eat. Before I throw you over my shoulder and make you."
Barbara raises a brow, smirking."Is that a threat or a promise?"
"Depends on if you like the food." Dick said placing the plate in front of her.
They share a look—just for a second—before Barbara picks up her fork.
For now, in this fleeting space between shadow wars and masks, they have each other.
And dinner.
INT. BELFRY – BARBARA'S BEDROOM – LATE NIGHT
The clock ticks quietly as the city's hum fades into the background. Gotham sleeps, but two of its protectors finally get a moment to rest.
Dick gently lifts Barbara from her chair and into bed, careful with every motion. She leans against him, her hands on his shoulders, the unspoken comfort between them stronger than any words.
"You okay?" Dick asked softly.
"Better now." Barbara said smiling tiredly.
He climbs into bed beside her, expecting to lie back and finally close his eyes—but Barbara climbs on top of him, her movements playfully bold despite the hour.
"You're impossible." Dick said chucking.
"You love it." Barbara said grinning.
She leans in, and their lips meet—slowly at first, but growing deeper. Their hands begin to explore familiar paths, as if trying to memorize each other all over again.
The world outside might be crumbling.
But here, in this stolen moment, nothing else matters.
They make love—not rushed, not desperate, but with the quiet urgency of two people who don't know how many nights like this they'll get.
When it's over, Barbara rests her head on his chest, her fingers tracing idle shapes across his skin. Dick kisses her forehead, holding her close.
"I don't know how this ends… but I know I want every end with you." Dick said softly to her.
"Then fight your way back to me." Barbara said murmuring.
He closes his eyes.
Tomorrow, the war resumes.
But tonight, he's home.