A/N: This is the Sequel to Leverage and the Ties that Bind, I do highly recommend reading those two first otherwise quite a bit won't make sense. And so sorry this took so long, had a very serious case of writers block towards the end. I have to admit reviews, follows, and favs totally spurred me on.

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Prologue

"Welcome back to our exclusive interview with Roy Harper and Richard Wayne. We are now joined by Richard's adoptive father Bruce Wayne. Tell me Richard, since your parent's tragic death and coming to live with Mr. Wayne you have been the victim of a number of kidnappings and other dangerous incidences. What made this one so different?"

Richard eyes were sad as they glanced to his father, the elder placing a comforting hand on his shoulder to encourage him. Taking a deep breath he answered "Every time is awful…these guys think they can just take me, Bruce gives them money, and they go on their way…but it's not like that, not for me, I just don't get over it. I see and hear them in my dreams at night, the threats that they'll be back or come back to kill me so I can't testify. I'm scared to walk past an alley not knowing if there is someone in there with a bottle of chloroform, or at school when there is a fire drill…is it really a fire drill or is some creep in a mask waiting in the woods for me to come out…"

He paused again Roy now placing a hand on his other shoulder "But this time with Mr. Luthor it wasn't about money, it was about completing and army and devastating the city if not more. Then when we were rescued and the robots stopped, he got away with it! Claiming to have been protecting us rather than masterminding it and no one believed us. I guess that is what made it worse, knowing he was still out there, and the public eating out of his hands".

"But your father was able to get a restraining order against him" Lois added gently.

Dick nodded "Yes, after Mr. Luthor threatened me at a public function, saying basically he would never stop using me against Bruce…and he's not the only one either, I know it will happen again no matter how well protected I am". Now the tears appeared, bright blue eyes driving into the camera "I have already lost one family and it hurts to know there are those out there trying to take away my new one".

Lois paused seeing the crew around her in tears "Mr. Wayne, how does this make you feel?"

Bruce let out a sigh, looking tenderly at his son. "Honestly?" he said returning his attention to her "Furious…and helpless all at the same time. Something called to me that night at the circus, telling me I could help him having gone through a similar experience myself. He brought a joy and light to my home that had been missing since my own parent's death and it took less than a year for it to happen the first time, they snatched him as my butler was picking him up from school. I often feel selfish, that I want him in my life and because I need him there he is constantly in danger, constantly a target…"

It was Dick's turn to place the comforting hand on his father leaning into him, assuring him he was there his eyes shimmering with tears…

Ra's Al Ghul had seen the interview enough times to have it memorized, but even after multiple viewings he still liked to watch it. He had been watching the Detective long enough to know that very little of that was acting, rather raw, real emotions playing out before the entire world. Turning off the computer he turned his attention back to the files on his desk. Scattered upon it were blueprints of Wayne Manor, Wayne Enterprises, and Gotham itself. His efforts to find a way into the Manor had proved fruitless, Lock Up's attack turning the home into a fortress. The soft click of the door opening alerted him to Talia's arrival.

His daughter swept in, eyes cold. True he had punished her severely for her betrayal back in Metropolis, however he had also been incredibly pleased. She has shown imitative and drive worthy of a leader and he had rewarded her with more responsibility within the League of Assassins.

In her hands she carried a pile of newspapers gathered from all over the world, the Daily Planet right on top, its headline dominating most of the front page; LEX LUTHOR SENTENCED TO LIFE. She dropped the pile on his desk. "Good morning my Daughter" Ra's regal voice greeted picking up the article.

"Father" she returned waiting for his full attention as he read the article.

"I see the Detective finally found his revenge" he mused looking at the headline. Wayne had a history of making those who harmed his son pay dearly and Luthor had unknowingly done it a number of times in both is civil and vigilante forms. He clipped the headline and moved to the wall of the office, the wall dominated by pictures of the Detective and his son, adding it to the collection. With a cruel smile he pulled the one that had become his favorite, one Luthor had provided by assisting Aquaman.

Richard hanging helplessly from the trapeze bar, mouth open in an unheard scream, pain and terror filling his young eyes. Few knew it was a trapeze but Ra's knowing everything he could about the Detective had to give credit to Aquaman for the sheer cruelality of it. He would have given much to see the look on the detectives face when he first saw it.

"Yes, he has" Talia replied breaking him from his thoughts as she tore into a manila envelope that contained even more photos from the spies in Gotham. As she pulled them out her eyes hardened and a hiss escaped her lips. Ra's turned to her, his eyebrows raised in amusement, knowing what would elicit such a response from his daughter. "That cat again?" he asked.

She growled again the jealousy overwhelming. She drove the photo into the wall with the dagger from her belt, the blade in the blonde's forehead. It was a candid shot, the trio at what seemed to be a baseball game, the perfect little happy family. Selina had always been a part of his life, and though still elusive was beginning to show up more and more in the pictures. Moving on to the rest of the pile felt more jealously swell as she looked at the father and son, how the boy had wormed his way into her Beloved's heart and kept him from her. The last picture was a close up of Bruce as he left his office, completely unaware of the camera pointed at him. His eyes shone and a soft smile graced his lips. Longingly she ran her fingers over them, fantasizing about them capturing hers once more.

Ra's watched her for a moment before returning to his desk. "Patience my daughter, our time has nearly come" he said thoughtfully.

"I have been patient long enough" she said crossly "I want him now". The months of rebuilding and waiting had taken their toll on the warrior, turning her infatuation into a dangerous obsession that now rivaled her that of fathers.

"And you shall" he soothed "We want the Detective to feel safe, let his guard down. As he spoke he pulled an ornate wooden box from his desk. The contents having been delivered to him the night before. Talia gasped in surprise as he opened it and pulled out a vial full of an ominous yellow liquid "The good doctor has finally finished his work…we will depart for Gotham at weeks end".

Her dark eyes glittered as she moved to her father's side, taking the vial from him and caressing it with her fingers. "I am coming for you my Beloved, and no one will be able to stand in my way" she asked eyes traveling back to the pictures along the wall.

To Be Continued…