22: The Last One

The months passed quickly for Dick. He worked in Chicago for a good few weeks before he could make the move down to D.C. The Falcone Family weren't out of commission, but it was exceptionally hard for them to make any moves now that their secrets were out. At the beginning of December, Dick finally moved down to D.C. and into Skye's apartment with her. It was an easy transition, although normal people would consider it too soon.

Skye was busy with work through Diana Prince five days a week, and Wonder Woman seven days a week on average. She visited the Hall of Justice multiple times through November and December, getting to know the members and the reserved members. Although she didn't know all identities, she did get to know a few more. Tigress was Artemis, who had become more of a friend of Skye. Robin was Tim Drake, while Cassie was Wonder Girl. Miss Martian was Megan and Connor was Superboy.

She knew Bruce's hidden identity, and Dinah opened up to her about being Black Canary when Skye started to see her once every couple weeks for therapy.

18:00 December 25th

Wayne Mansion, Gotham City

Dick lounged on the comfortable chair in lower level living room in the Wayne mansion, looking into the flames as he heard people coming through the front door. He watched lazily as Skye stood and went to see who it was. Megan and Connor entered, looking normal and happy, carrying lots of boxes and presents. Alfred came in carrying more.

"Merry Christmas!" Megan exclaimed, sitting the gifts under the huge tree opposite the fireplace.

"Hi!" Skye answered, giving Megan a hug. "Dick, you didn't tell me they were coming. Is anyone else coming?"

"Yep," he answered, putting his feet on the coffee table. Alfred came over and pushed them off with a glare. Dick sighed and put his ankle on his knee instead.

"Who else?" Skye asked again, flopping onto the couch next to him. She poked him in the ribs until he answered.

"Hm…" Dick pretended to think hard. "Artemis, Raquel, Cassie, Zantanna, Diana, Clark, Bart…." Dick stopped and thought some more, actually doing it this time. "I think Dinah and Oliver may come over for a moment, and John, Megan's uncle."

"The whole crew," Skye quipped.

"Most," Megan corrected.

At that moment, Alfred showed Artemis, Oliver, and Dinah into the living room. Skye waved to them, and Artemis joined her on the couch with Dick.

"We won't be here long, I just wanted to come by and see how you're doing, Skye," Dinah said, looking at her intently.

"Good. Holidays are odd for me - I never really celebrated them. My family was too busy doing their own things."

"I know, which is why we're here," Dinah said, smiling. Skye had found out a few weeks earlier that Oliver and Dinah were dating. Artemis lived in the same city, so she had probably came with them to Gotham.

"I came for a beer with Bruce before I head off," Oliver said, turning around and leaving the room. He seemed to know exactly where he was going.

"I didn't realize Oliver and Bruce were best friends," Skye joked, leaning against Dick.

"Sometimes," Artemis interjected, smiling.

The day continued with everyone coming by to place a little gift under the tree. They were secret santa gifts - where each person got one or two people to buy a few gifts for. Bruce and Diana had organized it - mostly Diana, but Bruce had given into having it at his mansion. Skye had gotten Barbara's and ending up having an odd conversation with Dick about what she liked.

Skye was only a little jealous, but not enough to feel odd about having Dick's ex-girlfriend as a secret santa giftee. It took a few weeks, but she finally decided on a new tablet with all the latest technology. She had also gotten earrings and necklaces for the girls who were there who liked jewelry.

It turned out Tim had gotten Skye as a secret santa giftee. He had gotten her a t-shirt with a drawn Nightwing on the front and a jigsaw puzzle featuring a rainbow of colors and abstract art. After everyone had exchanged gifts, eaten dinner, and had a few drinks - except the underage teens, Bruce and Alfred saw them out with smiles and waves into the snowy streets of Gotham City.

"I have a headache," Bruce sighed, sipping on a drink of scotch on the rocks. Skye sat in a chair across from him while Bruce stood leaned up against the wall next to the fireplace. It was a sitting room on the second floor.

"Too much people time," Skye chuckled.

"Exactly," Bruce said, smiling over the rim of his glass. He finished his drink and stood. "I have to do somethings in the cave. I'll see you two in the morning."

He left them soundlessly. Dick took his seat and leaned forward, looking at her intensly.

"What?" Skye asked, her feet up under her in the big chair. She raised an eyebrow.

"Is it weird to have sex in my dad's house?"

Skye laughed so hard she couldn't answer.

"I don't know what that means," Dick said, taking her hand and pulling her up. He held her close, his arms wrapped around her, in front of the fireplace. The light of the fire was the only thing lighting the room.

"It is weird," Skye answered finally. She still had a grin on her face.

"So… wanna do it?"

Skye stood on her toes and kissed him. This was an intimate moment - in front of the fireplace on a holiday. Pulling back, she decided to say it.

"Dick, I love you. Thank you for letting me into your life, even the secret one."

Dick stared at her, looking like he was thinking too hard. Skye pressed her lips together, giving him a moment. The words were powerful, she knew, to both of them. The silence stretched and she started to pull away, a little panicked. Dick tightened his hold and made her stay.

"Love you, too," he murmured, putting his forehead to hers. Dick smiled. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Keep playing dress up at night?"

"I still do that, but now I come home to you."

He kissed her passionately.