Hello everyone.

How are you all? This is (as you can tell by the title) Renegade part two and also the second or third last chapter of this series of one shots.

This is set about three months after Renegade part two and basically Nightwing's been training with Slade (and his kids) for that time but this story starts on his first day of freedom from the deal.

So as usual I own nothing, apologise for accuracy mistakes, OCCness, grammar and spelling mistakes.

I hope you enjoy.

Robyn out.

Renegade Part Two

Seeing the outside world for the first time in three months made Nightwing stop and stare at the faint stars in the night sky and nearly invisible moon barely visible above the smoke and pollution of the city. Standing on a rooftop in Bludhaven he celebrated the feeling of freedom before leaping away to his apartment revelling in the rush of the wind in his hair and adrenalin in his veins as he leapt through the sky where he felt most at home.

Slipping into his apartment after his first night back fighting crime he collapsed on his bed with a smile, one of the first to actually reach his eyes in quite some time. He knew he'd have to deal with the hero community and is family shortly, his return would no doubt be on the news and that would lead them back to him.

For now though he was just going to enjoy the peace. Rolling off his creaky bed and strolling to his cupboard to pull on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Wandering to the kitchen with his mismatched sock covered feet barely leaving he ground he opened a cupboard to find a box of cereal and a pack of cookies but other than that sorely lacking in food. Opening the fridge he found it contained some severely out of date milk (which instantly went down the drain) and eggs.

Shrugging he grabbed the box of cereal from the cupboard and grabbed a mouthful as he stumbled onto a chair in the tiny living room area attached to the kitchen, making a mental note to go shopping tomorrow.

He slipped into a light sleep barely an hour later with the box of cereal abandoned at the foot of the chair he was curled up in.

It was in fact three days later when the first hero showed up at his door. To be fair it had taken them longer than expected and it wasn't the person or rather people he had expected to appear first. He hadn't done much in those three days apart from shopping and a visit to the GCPD to ask about applying for a job and he spent his nights getting back into the swing of fighting crime.

The door bell had rang in the early afternoon and after spending a minute debating if he really wanted (and could be bothered to move form his comfortable spot) to open the door he reluctantly trudged over and did so, schooling his face into a neutral look. Taking a moment to just stare at the unexpected faces.

The first people he thought would show up were either Bruce or his brothers though he had known that the people standing at the door would show up sooner or later.

"Are you going to let us in or are we going to just stand her forever?" Wally West asked with a shy smile gracing his face, Dick could read under the lines though this was a peace offering. They just wanted to talk. They being Wally and the two familiar faces beside him - Conner and Kaldur.

Opening the door wider he allowed them to pass him into his apartment before taking glance outside for anyone watching and shutting the door almost silently. Walking to where his guests had settled in the living room almost mechanically he crossed his arms and looked at the wooden floor.

"So, em. This is awkward, em."

"What Wally is attempting and failing to put into words is we want to know why and about everything. We know we haven't been the best with everything that has happened lately but we're here now if that means anything at all." Conner explained from his place on the only sofa where the three sat squished together.

Dick collapsed onto the armchair facing the sofa like his legs could no longer hold his weight and suddenly floods of words poured out. Sometimes they made no sense and he paused at random moments attempting to gather his thoughts. The three boys just listened and smiled to encourage him when they though he needed it.

He told them more about his Titan years, how he'd met Slade and the fights and apprenticeships. He told them about returning and his brothers, the fights with Bruce and moving to Bludhaven. He told them about his struggles during the Invasion and the deal with Slade in return of his silence. He told them things he had never said out loud to anyone and at the end warm tears streamed down his face leaving red marks scarring his cheeks.

The three witnesses moved forward slowly, as if afraid to spook the youngest, and drew him into a hug, a hug that said everything without words. A hug that provided warmth and comfort between the four brothers.

"All those years ago three of us and Roy were told we were to see their headquarters in preparation of becoming members of the Justice League but all they gave us was a glorified tour of their public headquarters used as a decoy for the Watchtower. Roy walked out and then our mentors left us. We snuck out, disobeying orders and found Conner at Cadmus breaking him out and befriending him. We proved ourselves. We made a stand that night and formed a team, the team. We made promises as a team and as a family." Kaldur glanced at his three brothers who listened to every word before continuing, "lately we haven't followed those promises and it's about time that changed. We trust each other and are here for each other no matter what."

The three stayed for the rest of the day, watching old movies and talking of the past. They were a family again and it was time they started acting like one. When they finally left late that night, Nightwing went on patrol with a genuine smile splitting his face.

When no one else had shown up four days later he decided to stop hiding or as he had taken to calling it mentally preparing himself and getting himself back into a normal routine (though he was still lying to himself).

The decision on who to visit first was hard. Should he go see the Titans (Cause they definitely needed an explanation), the team (again really need an explanation) or his family that had affectionately been dubbed the Bat family, he didn't want to know how his brothers would react let alone Bruce.

After spending a day debating (which included sitting and lying in various and often odd positions around his apartment) he decided on his family first, get the most painful one out the way first (and he meant physically painful not mental knowing his brothers). After that he'd deal with both teams.

The next day he started on his explanation list. Staring up at Wayne manor from behind the gate for the first time in a month stirred a daunting feeling in the pit of his stomach and he resisted the erg to turn around and not deal with the chaos he knew would inevitably happen.

Taking a deep breath he steeled his nerves and went up to the com next to the gate pressing the button he heard a familiar voice.

"Yes?" Hearing Alfred's voice was like being dunked in an ocean of nostalgia and he couldn't help the small smile light up his face.

"Hey Alfred, it's me, em, Dick. I wanted to talk and em explain-"

His rambling was cut off by the com going silent and the gate opening allowing him to enter. Slipping past the gate he marched up the lane determinedly knowing if he looked back at the closing gate he'd loose all confidence he had gathered.

The door to his old home swung open and he was engulfed in a hug as he stepped into the hall. In his surprised it took him a few seconds before he hugged back glad to be in the familiar arms of his grandfather figure.

"It is great to hear your voice again Master Richard. I'm glad you've finally come home."

Dick was released form his hug and given a quick glance over before he was shepherded into the main room to wait while Alfred collected the rest of the family who had been staying in the mansion for the time being.

He stood in the main room one hand rubbing the opposite arm as he shifted legs awkwardly, impatient for this to all be over. He allowed his mind to wander on what they would all think of him, running off with a villain for three months thought o be fair it wasn't as bad as stuff his siblings had done - one of which had died and came back slightly more psychotic and two were both raised as assassins not that he blamed any of them , they couldn't help it.

He was broken out of his wondering thoughts when he heard the thunder of footsteps coming down the stairs and chatter coming from a few rooms over. Then the arguing came into hearing range, a small grin found its way onto his face as the nostalgia came over him, his brothers were always arguing and occasionally brought his sisters into it as well.

As he stood facing a window opposite the door he heard a voice, "Tt, why does Pennyworth even want us all in the main room for anyway?" The grin widened at the familiar superior voice made its way through the walls to him.

He hadn't realise how close the voices had gotten though until he heard the gaps. The smile was wiped of his face instantly as he whipped around to face his sisters who had appeared at the door first though his brothers swiftly joined them looking to see what had surprised them, Bruce appeared last with Alfred who smiled to Dick before leaving the rest of the family to get reacquainted.

The shocked faces staring a him would have been comedic if not for the suffocating silence they accompanied. Well as shocked as they could look (after all one of the first skills you learn as a member of the Bat Clan is how to hide your emotions and keep a blanc face).

Feeling incredibly awkward he shuffled from side to side before giving an awkward smile and a little wave muttering a 'hi'. Feeling a bit stupid he let his arms fall down to his side and his gaze followed. He was waiting for the shouting, screaming and the threats, maybe even some punches from his siblings.

He instead was suddenly enclosed in Bruce's giant arms, he tensed before relaxing into the comforting familiarity of his adopted father's embrace. He watched with confused eyes as his siblings followed his fathers and surged closer but didn't join the hug. The pair pulled out of the hug and Bruce held his eldest son at arms length smiling.

"How about we all sit down to have this conversation." Bruce may have phased it as a question but it was clear that it was a command. Glancing at each other they all settled down into various chairs and sofas around the room. Dick settled in armchair but remained tense with his fingers tapping against the arm.

"Emm, how about, emm. I don't know how to explain, maybe, emm." Stopping he took a breath and tried again. "How about you ask questions and I'll do my best to explain whatever you want to know."

The Bats all glanced around as if to see who would ask the first question. "Why did you go with Deathstroke?" Surprisingly it was Tim who asked the question staring at his eldest brother with unusually hard eyes.

"Well certainly going straight to the hard stuff, huh?" Dick attempted to joke before seeing the glares he was getting, sighing he continued. "I'm sorry you guys deserve answers. Back when I was a Titan this new villain showed up, he attacked randomly but strategically. We found out his name was Slade buy you know him better as Deathstroke. He kidnapped me than injected my teammates with these nanobots things that would kill them if I disobeyed. Apparently his attacks had been a test, he wanted an apprentice and he decided I was the perfect candidate."

He paused to take a breath not meeting the intense eyes of his family, "We managed to fight and free ourselves from his control but I became obsessed. He attacked again and there was this whole thing with Terra but anyway. After I left the Titans he found me a few times and we came to a mutual agreement, he could train me but he wouldn't make me kill or steal."

He smiled slightly. "When Kaldur was undercover and reported seeing Deathstroke I panicked slightly before realising he would have no way of knowing Kaldur hadn't truly swapped sides. Then Artemis went under and he recognised her. He found me and offered a deal he wouldn't reveal them and later allow Kaldur to beat him in a fight so M'gann could take his place in the Summit. In return I went with him for three months for training away from you all. Usual deal. I thought after the Invasion no one would notice me disappear at least for a while and agreed. That's what you caught us doing anyway, i was about to leave with him."

He finished his story and waited for a reaction, refusing to look up and face his family.

"Why did you think we wouldn't notice your disappearance?" It was Barbara who asked drawing his eyes to her question but sympathetic eyes. Glancing around he saw similar looks mirrored in the eyes of the rest of his family as well as some other emotions like sadness and anger - at who he didn't know but he hoped it wasn't him.

"I just kind of assumed after all the team was so angry about everything from the Invasion and I thought you would all be so happy to have Bruce back that you wouldn't notice me not being here. Especially Damian, Tim, Steph and Cass would be glad to be out of my care." Dick shrugged a self-depreciating smile on his face. He hadn't really thought on it much, in his kind he hadn't needed to he just thought they wouldn't notice.

"Of course we would notice your disappearance besides you were a great carer, you took care of us and loved us." Steph announced while Cass and Tim nodded. The three looked at Damian until the younger boy nodded and mumbled a 'it wasn't the worst' which was glowing praise in the boy's own way. "You're a great brother as well Dick, don't doubt yourself, we'll always notice."

The questions continued afterwards but answers came easier with the worst done. He stayed the rest of the day and even got them all to have a movie night with him. He smiled as he watched them fall asleep one by one, this was his family and he loved them.

He knew in the morning he would have to leave and face the teams but for now he was warm and happy.

The next morning came too soon in Dick's mind. He left with plans to head back to Bludhaven get changed into his Nightwing costume and visit the teams, starting with Young Justice as some of the old Titans were among them.
He left at the same time as Jason (who apparently had only been staying for a few days as he had grudgingly teamed up to beat a newer villain that was attacking street kids). He'd had to promise to return soon various times under a degree of different threats ranging from death to pranks to (which he thought was the worst) no more of Alfred's cookies.

When he finally was in costume and made his way to the zeta-tubes it was late morning. Taking a deep breath he stepped into the abandoned phone box and made his way to the Watchtower.

The team (bar Robin and Batgirl) were sparring under the careful watch of the original team when the zeta- beams announced the arrival of Nightwing. Everyone stopped what they were doing out of shock which lead to a few hits on unsuspecting teammates that they hadn't managed to block due to their surprise.

The younger members paused to look at the original team for permission and they quickly received nods for an answer before the team, both old and new raced to the hanger to meet the formerly missing hero, apart from Superboy, Aqualad and Kid Flash who exchanged looks and followed at a slower pace.

Skidding to a halt in the hanger they faced the eldest son of the Bat who smiled sadly at the group. Mentally Nightwing chuckled it seemed where ever he went the past few days brought awkward silences. "I came to explain things to you as I thought you deserved some sort of answers." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"You think!?" Lagoon Boy muttered but he didn't seem as angry as usual and offered an uneasy smile at Nightwing. Clearly he'd had time to think and forgive. The betrayal that had clouded his thoughts seemed to have cleared.

Beast Boy surged forward and surprised Nightwing by giving him a suffocating hug. "I'm glad you're back. Slade didn't hurt you did he? If he did then-." The green boy drew back and scanned his friend and older brother figure for injuries.

Nightwing crouched down so he was on the same level as the young hero. "I'm fine, I promise. You know what Slade is like he's obsessed with me but won't harm me unless in training or I disobey and he hasn't been as hard on me since I grew up, left the Titans and let go of my obsession. Besides Ravager and Jericho were there to keep him in check." He smiled at the hero before standing up and facing the rest of the team.

"I went with Deathstroke as part of a deal so he would not reveal Aqualad and Artemis's/Tigress's true alliance and allow Miss Martian to take his place in the Summit." Nightwing explained.

"We understand, at the time maybe we didn't but these last three months have given us time to think. We were also wrong to blame you for the invasion, you did the best you could, better than many of us could have done." Guardian glanced to his fellow teammates as they nodded reassuring Nightwing that they agreed.

"Yeah, we know you were dealing with a lot of stuff and we didn't help. Clearly your plan and Impulses' interference meant the future didn't end up like the one Impulse came from. We had no right to treat you like that, we're sorry." Wonder Girl offered a sincere but sheepish smile, as she continued Guardian's explanation.

"Thank you." Nightwing was left slightly speechless at his friend's words.

"I think my friend." Aqualad stepped forward from behind the younger heroes smiling. "That maybe your leave of absence is over?" Despite the question, Aqualad's tone made it clear he already knew the answer.

At his nod, Superboy took over "In that case would you like to re-join the team. I'm sure we could all do with a different style of fighting to practise against."

"Of course the only reason you want me back is for my fighting Supes." Nightwing joked chuckling. "I'd love to join but at the minute I have one last group of people that I really think I should visit to explain myself to first."

"If you're going to see the Titans, I'll come. Maybe that will help for you to have some support." Beast Boy shifted into a falcon before flying over and settling on Nightwing's shoulder.

"I'm sure I won't need it but I always appreciate your support BB. In which case we best be going if i want to see them today." With that he waved goodbye and re-entered the Zeta-tubes.

"Why does feel like this may be the hardest to face?" Nightwing sighed as he stood just in front of the Zeta-tubes (that he'd added after going back to Young Justice to make it easier for them to get around and him to visit if they needed help).

"Because they know about Slade?" Beast Boy, who had changed back into his normal human-ish shape, answered for him.

"I wasn't really looking for an answer but if I was that would be a good one." Nightwing chuckled at the younger boy. He'd missed spending time with him.

"Well, well look who it is? Finally care to come explain yourself?" Cyborg had snuck up in front of the pair with Starfire and Raven at his side. Sheepishly Nightwing smiled at the three.

"Hi guys, em yeah. I thought you deserved to know about what happened three months ago."

"Come on then, if we're going to have this conversation we may as well be comfortable." Raven sighed and the five old teammates and friends settled in the main room and lounged in the chairs.

"Well, it started-" And for the fourth time in a week Nightwing poured out his heart to his old teammates and dear friends. He retold them everything from the start of the invasion to their last meeting before the disaster with Slade/Deathstroke.

The explanation and following questions lasted the rest of the afternoon. With a final goodbye and promise to visit and stay in communication Nightwing took Beast boy back to the Watchtower before returning to Bludhaven for patrol. He revealed in the cool air of the late night, the moon shining past the dark clouds and fog.

He was glad he hadn't been killed (which may seem extreme but you knew his family) and finally explained himself. Though he hadn't explained everything to anyone. He'd left out some parts but wasn't ready to tell anyone. Some things were better of as secrets.

He hadn't told any of them about Blockbuster or. . . Tarantula. Squeezing his eyes shut he took a deep breath and paused on a rooftop. He couldn't deal with what had happened just like he couldn't tell anyone. They may have forgiven him for this but they wouldn't for that. He had yet to forgive himself. No, they couldn't know. And he really needed to forget Tarantula and what she did.

He forced himself to move on to better thoughts, memories of the old days with the team and even before with the League. Days where he had less cares, where he could be a kid and play around. The old days full of pranks. Oh, and the trolling. He hadn't cackled like he used to in so long. He didn't even think Damian had ever heard it. He sighed (wow, he was doing that a lot) he wished he had never had to grow up, though didn't so many?

Grinning as he resumed flipping across the rooftops his thoughts moving back on the past few days, it was good to see them all again and he couldn't wait to fight with the teams again after all he had a feeling something big was coming. Something they may not be able to beat so easily. For now though he'd enjoy the air and rush of takin down criminals.

And done.

Yeah no idea what happened with that chapter, but I hoped you enjoy despite the lack of action.

Thank you for everything, to all still reading by the way, I mean fifty chapters, that's crazy. I never thought I'd reach that many but it's pretty awesome. You guys are awesome.

Thank you.

Hope you enjoyed.

Robyn out.