Disclaimer: Not mine
Warning: Language
"The experts have not shown excessive concern about the dangers connected with the widespread of the knall. They would observe that this device does not spill blood, which is reassuring." (Primo Levi, The Knall)
He liked working in darkness.
"Is the new location ready?"
His deep voice posed the questions as if they were commands, and his people knew it and obeyed, never daring to demur.
"Yes, sir."
He liked working in darkness, because that was how he learned about it.
"Move subject alpha, standard procedure. And keep me informed."
He liked working in darkness; he had come to know it so well that it had become a part of him.
After hanging up the phone, he remained on his chair, looking nowhere in particular, focused in his thoughts.
"We are getting closer, Clark, you and me."
Lex liked darkness, and he dwelled in it so comfortably now that he knew exactly where inside that darkness he was going to throw Clark, once and for all.
Blüdhaven. Gotham. They're all the same hell now, no difference between them.
I look down from the top roofs of the city which has ripped out everything I had, leaving me nothing but hatred; the people roaming the streets below at this hour are nothing but scum; despicable and detrimental shit.
I don't reject the wrath I feel inside, I don't want to find a reason to do it right now. And I hide behind my mask and costume to let myself loose.
My well-trained eyes are fixed on one spot where drugs are sold. To children. Fucking bastards, they drug kids to ensure their client network, if they get to live long anyway. Barbara had been monitoring them for weeks, and we knew where to strike. They're so good the police haven't been able to catch them. But this ends tonight, one way or the other. And a part of me hopes that whomever I confront puts up a fight.
So I wait patiently for hours, and finally I'm rewarded. As I spot the dealer and an approaching customer I let myself fall into the void, leaving any trace of forbearance I had far behind.
They don't listen to me landing on the dark alley, and as I remain put, I can hear the dealer.
"What do you want?"
The customer, a girl, a teenager, she seems nervous. I'd say it's the first, maybe the second time she buys the shit. Whatever fucked up dysfunctional family she comes from, I don't care. She was born, she has a life, and she doesn't seem to know what a gift she was given. My child didn't get that chance.
She takes out a roll of money with shaky hands. No more than a couple of hundred dollars. To buy any common design drug.
"Ecstasy."
The dealer preys on the tyro. He offers her less than half of what she could buy, but she's either ignorant or scared to death, because she takes it.
Ok, time's up. My turn now.
"Get out," I order the girl while I step out of the shadows.
They look at me. I think the girl has peed on her pants. She's not made for this: I'm starting to think she's doing the job for somebody else, and that makes me sick. "You. Out," I repeat.
Shaking, she starts to walk past me. Then I see it. The move I was hoping for.
In less than a second my sticks are in my hands, now moving as an extension of my body. In a swift twist my right leg makes the girl fall on the ground buying me enough time to stop her while I jump towards the dealer before he even tries to plunge the knife into my abdomen. Before he knows it, he's standing against the wall trying to get rid of my grip.
"That wasn't a smart move," I say as I hear him cry when he realizes I've broken the hand carrying his weapon.
My attention turns back to the girl, again standing but too frozen to move or feel ashamed for the liquid slipping through her legs and leaving a small puddle by her feet.
"The drugs don't leave with you," I tell her. She's too terrified to answer to a simple order, confirming my suspicions about her playing the errand girl. "Drop the drug on the ground," I firmly repeat. "Now."
Hesitating, her trembling hands finally get the signal form her brain and she drops the bag with the MDMA. "Whatever beating you're getting for not bringing in the drug back, will be better than the one you'll get from me. I see you wasting your life away again, today's blows at home will seem like a day in the park."
As the girl turns and runs away I go back to the human junk choking at the end of my hand.
"Who's your boss?," I ask.
"I work alone," he says.
"You're lying. No one works alone here." Babs had you tagged, you answer to somebody, I know it. "Who is it?"
"Nobody, I work alone!," he insists. His eyes are closed, trying to block out the pain in his hand, his brain probably confused between the throbbing ache and the difficulty to breathe. I take advantage of the vital need by increasing the pressure.
"Do you want to die?," I ask him. "Tell me now!" He's hurting, I can see it in his face. But there's more, there's fear. Does it come from me? "Talk now, who placed you here?"
"I can't t--tell!"
I'm tired, I'm sick of lies and games. "Either you tell me or I kill you. Slowly and painfully."
"I--I know you, you're Nightwing, you don't k-ill."
"I'm not that person anymore." That person is dead. "And you don't want to test me."
"I don't care what you say, I'm not--"
The first punch breaks his nose. "I'm not about to ask you once more," I say.
"I don't know the names, I swear!"
"Not good enough!" The second and third blows go to the kidneys, and soon he's on the ground, crying in pain.
"You're hurting me, I told you I don't know! They don't give us names!" I know that. I know you can't tell me a thing because Babs knew you wouldn't take me anywhere. You get your money and your instructions anonymously. But you're the one I can beat, the one I can put a name and a face on.
Suddenly my ears catch a new sound. Police sirens. Someone has called them.
The guy is unconscious when I leave.
Angry, back on the rooftop I seek for him. I know it's been him who called them.
Hidden in the shadows, Bruce talked through his comm link. "Well done, Oracle."
Ollie focused, trying to find a proper angle to shoot his arrows, but his opponent would not let him, strategically placing Dinah in the way while he fought her.
"Oracle, are you done babysitting for Batman?," he asked.
"Hey, I was looking for the file at the same time, Arrow. You know, as in 'I can actually do two things at once'?,'" said Chloe.
"Cut her some slack, will you?," said Dinah suddenly while attempting a full kick on the man's chest.
"If I had known you were going to side with her on a permanent basis I wouldn't have told you--"
Suddenly Chloe cut him. "Ok, I got it," she said looking at the new file appearing on her screen. "And Arrow, you're not alone there, keep your mouth shut, will you?," she commanded more than pleaded. Chloe knew Ollie would never give away her name, but even to admit he knew her identity to rant with Dinah about the fact that they had also told her, was something she didn't want with an enemy in front of them. Granted, Chloe was glad Dinah knew. A good girl friend was something she was happy to have.
"I might be the one with the vocal power, but boy, don't you have a dangerous tongue!, " said Dinah in between kicks and punches. "Ok, Oracle, I'll be happy to hear anything you say, my fists are already sore!"
Ollie jumped to dodge another bullet. "Yeah, Oracle, now a little help could come in very handy!"
Chloe was reading the file as fast as she could, in order to find a proper approach against him. "He calls himself The General, formerly known as Wade Eiling," she said.
"We already know that, Oracle! Can you give us something we can actually use? I don't think being able to talk to the guy on a first name basis will help!" Ollie shot another pair of arrows; Dinah evaded a blow while she replied with a kick on the enormous deformed man's hands, disarming him.
"Hey, I was just trying to catch up, these villains pop out like mushrooms"
"Oracle, get to the point!," exclaimed Ollie.
"What the hell was he dying of?--wait, he regenerates?"
"No wonder my arrows were not hurting him," protested Ollie rolling his eyes.
"Guess the canary cry is out of place," said Dinah resigned to an endless and uncertain combat.
Chloe looked at the screen. "Actually it could work, but at full force, and there are civilians close, Dinah, you'd hurt them."
"Swell." Dinah had to run out of Wade's range before he took back the weapon. Soon she was with Ollie.
Ollie took her arm and both ran towards Dinah's bike. "Swell? Spending to much time with a certain farmer?"
"I'm trying to watch my language, Arrow."
"Well, you didn't exactly say 'swell' this morning after I--"
"Guys! I'm still here!"
Ollie smiled. "We know." Soon they reached the bike. "Ok, Oracle, we got us some speed, if you guide us we'll get to a safe position for Canary to use her cry."
"That'll take too long, Arrow. I already have some help on the way," said Chloe grinning.
The couple exchanged a look. "Help?"
Soon, a sonic boom was heard, and they saw a red and blue blur crossing Eiling's path. The General dropped on the ground like a stone.
Dinah was the first to react, muttering through the comm device. She still had the subcutaneous one. "Oh, that help."
Superman flew towards them.
"Are you guys ok?"
Ollie talked, looking sideways, causing Dinah to snort. "Swell."
"I have to go now," said Clark. Then he turned and left as soon as he had arrived.
Dinah looked at him, suddenly a pensive façade taking over her face.
"Oracle, do you realize how bad this looks on our reputation?," asked Ollie.
"Don't feel your pride hurt, Arrow," said Chloe amused.
"Hey, it's not my pr--"
Chloe cut him. "The Department of Metahuman Affairs is on its way. Oracle out."
"Of all the lines to pick up from Barbara she had to choose that one?"
Ollie turned to Dinah expecting one of her usual answers, but she was looking at the sky. "Babe, are you ok?," he asked, placing his hand on her shoulder. Dinah was dealing with Barbara's death well, but sometimes he forgot she was her best friend, and reflected maybe his comment had been insensitive.
Dinah smiled sweetly and leaned on him.
"Yeah, I'm ok, Ollie. I just had a déjà vu, that's all." Dinah kissed him.
The Justice League's professional agreement with the Department of Metahuman Affairs was on a tightrope, but Ollie and Dinah had helped ease things to establish a framework for collaboration between both entities. After a unit came to take Eiling into custody, Dinah and Ollie headed home.
"Thanks for helping," said Ollie while he mounted on the back of Dinah's bike.
"Lover, we were in the middle of a hot date when you got the call from Delphi Girl. What was I supposed to do?," she said smirking.
"Still, I insist. I love working with you."
"Even more than with Hal?"
"Honey, I don't get from Hal the rewards I get with you."
"How romantic."
"That's me." Ollie smiled and kissed his lover. "Talking about Leaguers. Have you heard from Bruce lately? Ever since he took the solo trip he's been awfully evasive."
Dinah's face turned serious. "Things at Gotham are not that good, Ollie. All I know is that Bruce is coming up empty handed with Babs' murder investigation. And things with Dick are ugly."
"Can you blame him?"
"No, Ollie, I can't," she said. They were both on the bike, but the conversation was taking them to a place where neither would move. Dinah continued her talk, now sitting on one side, both feet on the ground. "I know what is to lose the love of your life, Ollie," she said grabbing his hand and looking at him. Ollie gave her a sympathetic smile and kissed her hand. "But I was lucky, you came back. It was a unique situation, and don't ever think I take it for granted."
"I know you don't, babe."
"I was so lost after you were gone, Ollie. Even if we were not on our best place when it happened, it struck me hard, suddenly I lost my way. And it was Barbara who brought me back and gave me a direction."
"I know, honey. I will always be grateful for that."
Dinah looked at Ollie with determination, but partly unsure of his reaction to her intentions. "That's partly the reason why I'm going to Gotham for some time," she finally said.
Ollie gently broke the embrace in which he had her so he could see Dinah's face and let her explain.
"Bruce can't help Dick with this as much as he'd like, but I know a part of what he's going through. I want to help him."
Comprehension and understanding let Ollie talk through his eyes before adding matching words. "You need to do it. And Barbara would've wanted you to."
Clark made a quick stop at the restaurant to pick up his alibi and went back home, speeding up when he was out of sight and nobody could see the mild mannered reporter running faster than the speed of sound, slowing down when he was near the apartment. Holding the bag with the ice cream, he rang the bell.
Lois opened the door and he greeted her with a smile before addressing their guests.
"Hey folks, I'm back with the ice cream!"
"Thanks honey," said Lois giving him a quick kiss on his lips while she took the bag. "I can't believe I forgot to cook dessert."
"I brought Strattiatella and chocolate with orange, is that ok?," he asked Lucy and Ron.
"Perfect, Clark," Ron replied.
"Probably better than Lois cooking, brother in law," said Lucy teasingly.
"I'm still here, you know?," Lois jokingly protested, a grin on her face.
A Lane thing, the teasing, Clark reflected. All in all, it was nice to see both sisters close again.
"Smallville, come and help me with the chicken, and put the ice cream on the freezer. Guys, you want something else to drink?"
"No, we're fine, Lo."
As soon as they were in the kitchen, Lois lost her grin.
"You owe me one, mister. And you are eating my cake, just so you know."
Clark placed the ice cream in the freezer and opened the oven. "Lo, you didn't switch it on."
Lois placed her hands on her hips, eyebrow arched. "Well, you want to eat something tonight, right?" Clark rolled his eyes. "I'll watch the door."
Clark took out his glasses and used his heat vision on cook their meal.
"At some point in your life maybe you should consider learning to cook, you know?," he said.
"Avoiding cook duties is my reward for all my pains, Clark."
Clark turned his head. "Pains?"
"Hey, watch it. Focus on the chicken."
This time he didn't move his head. "Pains? Care to elaborate?"
"Clark, I'm married to the biggest news in the world there is. And I cannot write about it. Do you have any idea how hard and frustrating is that for me?"
"I thought you got your refund for that. Several times a week."
"Nice try," she said smirking
Clark put his glasses back on. "Dinner's ready."
When they came out of the kitchen, Lucy was talking on the phone. "I'll tell her, don't worry. Bye, Dad." She hung up.
"Checking up on the general?"
"I wanted to know If Sam was behaving."
"So, how's Dad doing these days?"
Lois' relationship with her father was still uneasy, they hardly talked, but Lucy had gotten closer thanks to little Samuel.
"As usual, Lo."
"And what did he want you to tell me?"
"He said it's been long since Clark and you had lunch together."
"Clark and I, uh? Yeah, that's very him, the man ahead."
Clark felt the rampage coming, and opted for a safe retreat. "Hey, Ron, help me cutting the chicken?"
"Sure," replied Ron quickly, also seeing the storm coming.
Lois, however, was not about to let Clark get away that easily.
"Smallville, don't run, I just spoke the truth, Dad likes you a lot."
"Lois, you don't take the phone when he calls, so I'm the one stuck doing all the talking."
Lucy tried to ease things. "Lo, you're lucky that Dad actually likes your other half, no pun intended sweetheart."
Ron responded. "None taken, honey." It was a fact that Sam Lane still didn't like Ron, even if having Samuel had improved their relationship.
"So what? Just because he likes Clark I have to have a great relationship with Dad?"
"Dad's changed. You know the other day he was protesting because you two didn't--"
Clark cut her. "Get married?"
"Ha! Nice try, Smallville," said Lois.
"No, Clark, I'm sorry. He knows his daughter and his daughter's defense mechanisms all too well. In fact, he knows her so well, that he considered the fact that you two are going to have kids unmarried as not such a bad thing after all."
A lump formed instantaneously in Clark's throat at the mention of such a delicate topic. Lois, on the other hand, replied without a problem.
"That'll be something new!," blurted out Lois.
"Well, I–"
Ron tried to calm him. "Hey, Clark, don't feel the pressure man," he said smiling.
But Lois was not about to let things go that easily.
"No, Smallville, it's ok. Look, maybe if you knock me up I'll call Dad. Yeah, I'll call him the year our kid decides he or she is going to be a pacifist against all form of army."
The uneasy silence filled the room. Clark was so taken aback by Lois' sudden declaration that he didn't have a word to say. It was Ron the one who tried to ease the tension.
"Erm, guys, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, Ron." Anything would be better than the tense silence or Lois opening her mouth once more.
"It's silly, but I just noticed. You don't have blinds."
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Dick is purposely out of character; otherwise I cannot imagine him using the 'f' word so much, so that apparent hole in his characterization is very intentional. Dinah's déjà vu, memories, and Ollie's death-come back, from comic!verse.
MUSIC INFO: As soon as I upload the soundtrack, will post link on my profile.
Muse 'New Born', Dick's anguish and rage at the beginning.
The Kinks 'Everybody's gonna be happy', song on the player when Clark arrives home.