No author's note for this. Just get to the story

Chapter 17

"I heard you were back," Zatanna said, as she entered the gym a week later, to find Dick sitting on the floor. She frowned, when she noted the obvious exhaustion weighing on his shoulders. "Are you okay?"

Dick took a shuddering breath, and lifted his head, giving Zatanna a strained smile, as he got to his feet.

"I'm fine," he lied. "Just...haven't been sleeping well."

"Why?" Zatanna asked. Even though she had broken up with Dick years before, she still loved him, and couldn't help but think his getting hurt was her fault.

Dick was silent for a few seconds, before answering. "I've been having some...weird dreams. It's like...they're more like a memory. But whenever I wake up, I don't remember anything about them, but I always wake up in pain, with a massive migraine."

"Have you talked to Bruce?" Zatanna asked gently. "Maybe he could help."

Dick shook his head. "No, I don't want to involve Bruce."

"Why?" Zatanna frowned. Dick sighed.

"He and Tim and Jason...everyone...they've been acting weird around me. They...they're too protective, and up in my business."

"You were shot and kidnapped by Slade Wilson," Zatanna explained. "Dick, you mean the world to them. To all of is. We're just trying to protect you."

"Yeah, well I take take care of myself!" Dick shouted, before shaking his head, and pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled. I'm just...I'm just tired."

"It's okay," Zatanna smiled. "Do you want me to leave you alone?"

Dick nodded. "Yeah. Yes, please."

Zatanna nodded, turned to leave, but before she could take a step forward, Dick called out.

"I'm moving."

She froze, and turned back. "What?"

Dick shook his head. "I'm moving. To Bludhaven. It's not the safest city, but I still want to help. I'm going to be a police officer there. During the day. At night, I'll be Nightwing, but...I can't live with Bruce anymore. I just can't. He's suffocating."

Zatanna nodded in agreement. "I understand. Have you told him yet?"

Dick sighed. "No. Not yet. I was...I was about to but then my migraine came back, so I got distracted."

"Am I going to see you again?" Zatanna asked. Dick shook his head.

"Probably not. I have no intention of ever coming back here, or setting foot in Gotham, ever again," Dick dropped his gaze, and gave a sad smile. "You've heard the saying I'm sure. No one ever leaves Gotham the same way they came in."

"I've heard it," Zatanna confirmed. Dick nodded.

"That practically describes me, doesn't it?" he asked, lifting his gaze. "I entered Gotham with a family, and I'm leaving it as an orphan."

"Does that really matter?" Zatanna asked. "No, you have no biological family, but you have your friends, and th Justice League. Aren't we like you're family?"

Dick shrugged. "I guess you are," shaking his head, Dick walked past her, making his way for the door. "Goodbye Zatanna."

"Dick, you can't!" Tim protested, as Dick stood in front of him, Jason, Roy, and Bruce, in the living room of the manor. Dick shook his head.

"It's already set, Timmy," he explained. "I've already got a job lined up and I've already got my apartment in order."

"Why are you leaving?" Bruce asked. Dick gave a hollow laugh.

"You guys are suffocating," he admitted. "I feel like...I can't breath, Bruce. Every time I turn around, one of you is standing there, asking if I'm okay, and in all honesty, I'm not. I've been awake for a week, and have had little, to no time to myself. That's why I'm leaving. All of you, my entire old team, you all act like I'm going to break at the slightest misstep. Yes, Bruce. I am broken. But I am not fragile. I can take care of myself. I'm twenty-one. It's time I left."

"Bruce, tell him he can't do this!" Tim cried. Jason nodded in agreement, but didn't say anything else. Bruce sighed.

"Is this really what you want?"

"Yes," Dick confirmed firmly. Bruce was silent for some time, before nodding.

"My only request is that you let me check in on you from time to time. That's it. Please."

Dick sighed. "Deal. Just...call ahead first. Once a week. Any more often than that, and I'm moving out of the country."

"Dick, please don't leave," Tim whispered. Dick sighed.

"Sorry, Timmy," he said softly, turning, and walking out of the manor.

Dick stood alone, staring into his empty apartment. After a few seconds he shook his head.

"I can do this," he coached himself. "Bruce was suffocating me, and frankly, I'm not half convinced he hasn't been lying to me. I hadn't been in a coma for long. I couldn't have been, because I know what that feels like."

Suddenly, Dick stopped, and slapped himself. "That's enough Grayson," he ordered himself. "This is a new home, and a new life. Everything else? Put that behind you. You're on your own now."

With that, Dick nodded to himself, and began to unpack, unaware that he was being closely observed the entire time.

That's it guys. That's the end of Forced Love. This is exciting, I haven't finished a fanfiction in a while ANyway, I hope you enjoyed. Please review, and let me know your thoughts. Also, keep your eyes open for the sequel, called Addicted to you. I owe the basic outline of the sequel, as well as the title to Nightcrawler509. Without them, I would have no idea what was going to happen in the sequel!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed, and I'll see you all in the sequel!

Also, one last thing. I know I mentioned the Kryptonite Gun then never talked about it again. No worries. It'll be talked about in the sequel. I promise

PLEASE REVIEW