She's still not used to this city.

She iknew/i Gotham, every bit of it, and not simply because the maps and layouts were stored forever in the depths of her mind. She knew its rhythms and its rages, its peaks and perforations.

Bludhaven is different. Crime and corruption flow differently here, in this bleak reminder of Gotham's past.

As she kneels on the fractured ledge, she flexes her talons and wonders if coming here had been for the best. As always, she rebukes herself for the thought.

Dick came here, after that bullet took the sky from him. The least she could do was follow.

As if summoned, his voice fills her ears.

"Hey, Babs. Robbery in progress at the National History Museum."

She's already leaping when she answers, a sleek black shadow gliding through the sky.

"The museum, really? Any idea what they're after?"

"Nope. This is a surprise to me, too."

"Now ithat's/i interesting."

This, this is the same, swinging rapidly from building to building, cape flaring behind her. This costume is heavier – it's more advanced than her last – but it was a minor adjustment.

Everything was a minor adjustment, really, compared to what Dick went through.

"I think I can see the getaway car, it's on the road behind the building." Barbara adjusts her direction accordingly.

A few silent darts take care of the tires, and then she swings just as silently through the broken door.

"Okay, Babs, I'm looking through the security cams now."

"Could you not call me Babs in the field?" she murmurs.

"Well, you don't have a codename yet."

"Only because we vetoed Accipitrid."

"There are four of them, they've split up."

"Joy."

She makes her way further into the museum, stepping lightly in heavy boots. She adjusts the goggles set in her cowl to night vision; there are no stars or street lights to guide her here.

She hears him before she sees him, steps hefty and awkward under the weight of a stone statue. The tricky bit will be immobilising the thief and preserving the piece of history at the same time.

She moves in fast, too quick to startle him, and delivers a swift chop to his neck. His arms go limp, and she catches the statue as he falls, stumbling slightly under its weight.

This is how each confrontation goes, with two more men and one woman. She doesn't use the taser equipped in her glove or the sedative that can drip from her talons. She doesn't even touch her silver utility belt.

"And that's four out of four for Bludhaven Vigilante."

A smirk curves her lips as she finishes her knots. It's delicate work with these gloves, but she practiced long before she was out on the field with them. "That's Ms. Bludhaven Vigilante to you."

"Two honest cops are on their way."

Barbara stands, stretching her fingers. "I'll wait, slip out before they notice. Then I'll swing by and give you a better description of the pieces they were after."

"Looks like tomorrow is research day."

Sometimes she hates that he always knows what her silence means.

"Or not."

"Promised I'd train Robin."

"Ah." The cheer he strives for so doggedly dissipates in one sound.

She could say Tim is a good kid, that he really should let him in, that the boy thinks the world of him. Him and Jason…

Barbara closes her eyes, for a moment.

"I'll come by afterwards. I can bring pizza from Enzo's."

"I do miss that pizza." She can almost see the strained smile.

"Speaking of awkward topics." Oh, now he's turning the tables. "Given any thought to joining the Titans?"

No. I've never worked on a team before.

It would be too much like replacing you.

"Let's figure out a codename first."