"For someone in your position," Dernell gloated, "the decision should be easy."

"I'm not inclined to give in to bullies." Bruce's voice still held that eerily calm tone that said he was waiting for a distraction. But with more than half the armed thugs aiming at him, Dick doubted even Batman would be fast enough to avoid getting hit. There was also his injured leg to account for too.

The distraction came when one of the thugs tilted his head and stepped close to whisper something in Dernell's ear.

The bank executive gave a disappointed sigh and spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear, "Watch them. Don't let them leave this room alive." Then he turned and walked out. One of Dick's guards followed him.

And the other?

Dick swept his guard's feet out using his good leg. He rolled and twisted to crouch behind Dernell's large desk as thuds sounded behind him. White hot pain shot up his leg and it was all he could do to stay conscious. He had bought them seconds but with six guns shooting at you, those seconds can be eaten up real fast. He had to move!

The thug he took down suddenly rounded the desk. He wouldn't be able to completely dodge that shot-!

A flying thug abruptly collided with the first and both fell.

"Can you stand?" Bruce was standing beside him, hand outstretched.

Dick took the proffered hand. "Not without help, no."

"I'll look at it later. Air vents?"

"Just give me a boost."

Bruce did, and soon the two of them were crawling through the dusty tunnels towards the supply room. It was one of the few rooms they could hole up in, and it was the nearest one they could reach.

Dick fairly crumpled the moment he dropped out of the vent. Fire lanced up to his heart in waves. He couldn't think. He couldn't breathe. There was a brief bout of weightlessness as someone carried him but he was too busy just getting in oxygen.

When the fog of pain finally lifted, he found Bruce wrapping a rough 'bandage' over his wound.

"Dick?"

"Can you...imagine how... cheerful Damian's going to be?" Dick said breathlessly. It felt like his leg was tearing open. "Both Batmen being trapped hnnggh...and needing rescue by... one Robin?"

"Two," Bruce replied, busy tying the bandage made of Dick's good slacks.

"What?"

"Two. Tim told me he was passing by Gotham today."

Dick fell back with a laugh despite the fire in his leg.

"You need a doctor." His father pronounced gruffly.

"Later. We still need to-"

"No. You're staying put. I won't risk you crippling yourself permanently."

Dick started to form a protest but Bruce's expression told him not to argue. He leaned his head back on the shelves instead. "Damian will be gloating the moment he sees us."

"It's not a rescue."

He blinked at the older man. "It's not?"

"I consider it, 'needing an assist.'"