A/N: Thanks so much for all the reviews and favs! Moving along nicely here now, as always I am open to suggestions.
"Approaching Red Arrow's signal" Miss Martian said as the Bioship sailed above the streets of Gotham "We'll be landing in 3 minutes". Wally was vibrating in anticipation, his hand still fruitlessly attempting to contact either of his friends or their mentors. Superboy set down his own communicator "The League will get here when they can, earthquake in Tokyo, Canary and Artemis are coming from Star…heads up she is not happy. I honestly pity whoever touched 'her boys' again".
Kid Flash just grunted upset that the League was once again unavailable when his friends really needed them. "I swear those two can't be left alone, ever".
Miss Martian finally landed on the roof, signs of a chopper having been there recently, as well as footprints through the layers of undisturbed grime that had accumulated through the years. Aqualad easily slipped back into his role as leader as they moved through the night "I believe we need to follow the path set for us, Miss Martian please stay cloaked here and wait for the League to arrive".
Following the footprints in the dust they easily found Roy and Oliver in a heap, arms and chests bound with duct tape, another piece across their mouths. Roy appeared to be unconscious, his entire neck a deep purple. Oliver was awake, fighting and screaming against his bonds. Kid was at his side in an instant, ripping the tape off causing the archer to grunt in pain. "Kid? What are you doing in Star? Did you see Merlyn?"
Kid Flash froze, Roy had mentioned fighting Merlyn last week "You're in Gotham" he said using the blade to shred the last of the tape as Conner easily snapped the bindings on Roy. Oliver held his head everything a foggy blur "Gotham, I really hate Gotham…how did we get in Gotham?"
As he was freed Roy finally began to come around Wally, easing him up into his guardian's arms, finding a pair empty syringes on the floor. "Ollie? He asked groggily, looking around the warehouse with a start "Crap, I wasn't kidnapped again was I?" Finally noticing his friends "What are you doing here, don't you have a date or something? And you! You should be in Atlantis!"
Aqualad held up the syringe, "This must have wiped your memories" he muttered, mentally calling Miss Martian down.
"What of Batman and Robin?" Conner asked scanning the room for the father and son.
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Bruce carried the shivering form into the room Ra's was leading him too, glancing worriedly at his watch for the tenth time since they had arrived at an island somewhere in the Mediterranean best he could tell. It had been eleven hours and forty minutes since Dick had been injected by the poison and if what Ra's had said was true, had twenty minutes to get the antidote.
He paid little heed to the opulence of the room, continuing to whisper words of comfort in his son's ear. Ra's opened the door to what was a bedroom, and despite the hurry he was in stopped dead in the door way. The room was almost an exact replica of Dick's room back at the manor, down to the picture of his parents and the book he had been reading on the nightstand.
"Come Detective" Ra's said enjoying that he had managed to shock him. He gestured to the bed, some of his servants now entering the room with medical supplies. Gently Bruce laid him on the bed, brushing the hair from his eyes tenderly "its okay" he soothed "the antidote is coming".
Dick moaned fitfully, even resisting as they pulled his arm out to put the IV in. "Easy" he said "Let them work". Though unconscious the boy immediately obeyed "Tait…" the voice slurred.
"I'm here" was all Bruce could do as they finished getting the IV in. Ra's pulled a syringe from his robes again, this time the liquid a deep blue color that he inserted it into the line without hesitation. Bruce held his breath as it went in, waiting a few tense moments before Dick's pain finally eased and the shivering stopped. "I have upheld my end of the bargain" Ra's said dismissing the medical team with a wave of his hand "I fully expect you to as well". Bruce nodded, meeting his gaze "I gave you my word, I will act as your heir but I will not kill".
Ra's smiled "We shall see, one day you will find it a necessary evil of our goals", opening a drawer in the nightstand, pulling out a black cuff. Bruce couldn't move fast enough, as it was snapped around Dick's wrist with an ominous hiss. "What is that? You said you wouldn't hurt him!" Bruce demanded, grabbing Ra's by the front of his robes and shoving him into the wall.
"Careful Detective" he chastised pulling out a button "It's insurance that you don't' get into your head the need to escape or get a message off to the League. If you so much as take one step out of line I will activate it and it will deliver another dose of the poison. He just had the only vial of antidote in existence and it will pick up right where it left off, meaning he will be dead 15 minutes after it's administered….and he said I couldn't hold him hostage forever".
Bruce released him immediately and took a step back "You liar! You said he would be released". No wanting Dick doomed to the same fate as he had and by the looks of the room and his words, Ra's intended on keeping them for a long time. Smoothing his robes the Demon moved to leave, addressing his heir one last time "I am a man of my word, I will return your son to Gotham as soon as the next phase of my plan is complete. I require his and yours technical expertise…and by then you should know your proper place. Now, I will give you tonight to ensure he recovered, my men will be here to fetch you at precisely 6am, I suggest you don't' be late".
The door latched closed and Bruce allowed himself to sink onto the bed wearily. The minutes ticked by in silence until the still form next to him began to stir. "Ugh, I am so not feeling the Aster" Dick mumbled groggily, his father quickly moving to check on him. His eyes were slowly opening, darting around the almost familiar surroundings, his other senses telling him something was off. His brain also caught up with him and he sat up with a start "Bruce, Roy…Talia…it was a trap".
Bruce put a comforting hand on his shoulder, easing the panic "Roy and Oliver are okay" he said.
Dick relaxed slightly holding up the cuff on his arm and IV. "And this…what are they making you do?" Bruce didn't want to tell him, knowing it would upset him but considering he didn't know when they were going to be getting out of here he couldn't lie. "Ra's and I have come to an agreement" Dick scowled not liking where this was going already "He injected you with a poison and in exchange for the antidote as well as the Arrow's lives, I agreed to become his heir…"
"You did what!"
Bruce eased him back down, not wanting him to strain himself too much, Dick having none of it "You can't be his heir, you can't do what he will make you…" He was finally able to silence him with a look "I was not about to let you die" Bruce said firmly "We will find a way out of this…it might take time but I promise you we will never let him win".
Dick glared at the cuff one last time before settling back down in the bed, suddenly feeling very weary.
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Manhunter look down at the Archer's with sympathy, feeling the frustration rolling off of them in waves. They had no recollection of the last week, let alone last few hours, neither one able to answer what had happened to Bruce or Dick, or their vigilante counterparts. Dinah had confirmed Oliver had come to Gotham that night to attend an event with Bruce, Roy planning on staying at the Manor to 'protect' Richard.
The League was tense with Superman and Flash still searching the city, Kid Flash and Artemis leading the team to find Catwoman, Wonder Woman to track down the Wayne's Butler, and Manhunter with the Arrows.
"Are you sure you want me go in there, the drug you were injected with was not in any of our databases, there is no way of knowing if I will make things worse, make you lose more time" the Martian said already knowing the answer. Green Arrow nodded having donned his costume upon returning to the Watchtower "Do what you must" He said Black Canary at his side while he motioned Red Arrow back "Just me, if this has any nasty consequences I don't want him to get it too". The younger was about to protest but the look from his guardians silenced him before he could speak. He felt as if something important had been lost and he had somehow failed…again.
Kneeling before his friend and colleague he gently took his face in his hands, eyes glowing green as he dove into the depths of the Archers mind. As expected he encountered his anger, confusion, and even fear at the gapes in his memory, all swirling around an area of darkness, something unnatural in his head. "I need you to focus Oliver" he said gently "Go back, show me the first thing you remember".
Arrow obeyed, the teams faces coming into view, a flash of worry as his eyes settled on his bound ward…follow by gratitude, gratitude that he was still there. Latching onto that, the love that he had for his 'son', his anchor "Why Oliver?" he continued "Why were you so grateful Roy was there when you woke up, what would have taken him…who would have taken him?" The Martian could feel pressure on his throat, as if a hand was clasped around it, squeezing, tighter and tighter. Fear again, coursed through him, not for his life but Roy's. Images of the teen hanging next to him, hand around his neck as well, gasping for air. It was then that a face came into view, regal and cruel, his lips moving with an unheard voice. The face was all he needed though.
Both men gasped and the telepath broke the connection "Ra's Al Ghul…he was the one responsible for the attack".
"No" Red Arrow breathed feeling his legs give way as he slumped into the closest chair. Black Canary blinked a few times but recovered, pulling out her communicator "Superman, recall everyone to the Watchtower…its worse than we feared".
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The swords clashed so hard a shower of sparks emanated from the blades, before the combatants leapt apart and circled each other. Sweat was pouring from both of their brows and neither man was about to give in. They circled for nearly a minute before Bruce leapt at Ra's with a cry, the older man forced to deflect and roll away "Excellent Detective" he praised before going on the attack himself.
Off to the side, two figures were seated, one with sad and the other with hungry eyes. Two weeks after that fateful night Dick had been forced to come to the training sessions, as a way of reminding Bruce just what a single step out of line would mean, the boy sadly preferring this to being locked up in their small quarters. The gym was large and similar to the one they had at the manor, right down to much of the gymnastics equipment. He had been allowed a few work outs of his own, though Ra's had seemed to have ideas of training him as well, something Bruce had ended the second it was spoken, saying he was not part of the deal. Ra's being a man of his word had relented and allowed Bruce to continue training him in peace.
"Again" Ra's barked running at his father again. Bruce had to move quickly to avoid being impaled and was clearly tired, the session had been going for hours and was now almost too much for even his body.
"Isn't he amazing" Talia purred wrapping an arm around him. Dick tensed and tried to pull away from her touch, only causing her to hold tighter "Look how my Beloved has blossomed under my father's guidance".
"You call it guidance, I call it blackmail" Dick shot "and he is not your Beloved…that ship sailed for good when you put this on me" indicating the cuff on his wrist. She let out a low laugh and fingered the device "You gave Father the idea little Robin, back in Metropolis when you said he couldn't hold you hostage forever" relishing the look of shock that passed across his face "And in time Beloved will come around, see all that I have done for him, for our family…and if he doesn't I have a way to force his hand".
It was Dick's turn to laugh "Hate to burst your bubble Mommy Dearest, Ra's has his heir now…marrying, loving, or whatever twisted fantasy you had in mind were not in in the agreement, meaning you don't get to use me to get to him!" Even Wally could tell by the look on her face that she hadn't realized this before now. For the first time since his capture Dick felt Robin emerging and pressed the advantage while Ra's was distracted and unable to sooth his volatile daughter "Just realized that he left you out in the cold, didn't you?"
Her hands shook with anger against his shoulders "No" she said "father assured me I would get what I wanted…"
"Not using me" Dick said feeling the battle was winding down and needing to prove a point. "Talia, he may have had feelings for you once…but those are gone. Not only have you don't this but his heart now belongs to another…"
"Liar" she hissed her grip tightening.
Hell hath no fury Dick thought praying this wouldn't backfire "Selina's always been there, you know that, but with everything that has happened over these last few months…it has shown him just how important family is…and he is almost ready to make her part of ours…"
She screamed in rage, throwing the teen roughly on the mat. Robin could have controlled his fall, twisted and landed on his feet before flipping away, instead allowing his body to make a loud smack as he hit and Talia to land on top of him with her dagger at his throat "You lying brat, you are not even his real son! You are a filthy gypsy, inferior, and not worthy to be in the presence..."
"Daughter cease at once" Ra's ordered coming over from his battle, Bruce not far behind screaming "If you so much as give him a paper cut the deal is off, he is NOT to be harmed".
Talia didn't move, if anything the blade inching closer "He lies" she hissed "Keeps me from my Beloved…" The Demon's Head could see the movement and barked again "I said Cease!" The tone of his voice left no room for argument and she finally let the boy up, who scrambled to his father's waiting arms. She could swear she could see the brat smiling from the place she so longed to be.
Ra's grabbed her roughly by the arm "Detective return to your quarters, continue your work on programming the guidance system, I will be there shortly. Take note you have a mission is tonight as well. Come my daughter we have much to discuss". Talia yanked her arm away and followed her father out casting one last longing look at Bruce as she left.
Without a word Bruce led Dick the short way back to their quarters, waiting until the door was closed before beaming at his son "Well done, I don't know what you did but well done".
Dick returned the smile as he glared at the parts scattered on the work bench, a constant reminder of the position he had placed his father in. "Thanks, I realized Ra's has everything he wants right now but Talia doesn't. She seemed to think her father was going to allow her to use me to force your 'affections'. However am I correct in she was never a part of the bargain?"
Bruce was smiling now, seeing a small glimmer of hope as the best way to split up an alliance was to pit them against each other. "No 'affections' as you call them were never a requirement".
"And you said once the next phase is done he I was going to be released?"
"Yes" Bruce replied, picking up the tools, unwilling to risk inciting Ra's wrath anymore right now.
Dick smiled he was going to enjoy this, "You can't do anything but I can be the hostage from hell to her, my goal is to get her unhinged enough that the terms are broken or she rebels against her father…if she has control of this thing" indicating his cuff "you could easily seduce her and get the controller.
Bruce shot him a disapproving look "She could kill you if you provoke her enough" not to mention the thought of touching her revolved him. Dick picked up one of the tools as well "I won't do it unless we are with you and Ra's to stop her…Tati we have to try something. You and I both know he has you gathering components to launch something or things by the amount of parts here, and I have no doubt he's going to use as a weapon. We can only take so long to assemble these components".
Bruce knew it too, though it was the other items he had been gathering that were starting to worry him more, ancient herbs and artifacts, all seemingly linked to the Jewel of Atlantis taken from Gotham.
"All right" he relented "but very carefully"
A wicked smile appeared and a loud knock at the door interrupting him, Ra's not waiting for a response before he strode in with a group of his men.
"Detective, Richard I must apologize for my daughter's outburst. She was out of turn and it was dishonorable of her to disregard our agreement. I assure you she will be punished as I see fit" the Demon said his voice as cruel as ever sending shivers up Dick's spine, feeling slightly guilty he was responsible for it. Bruce nodded his acceptance, unable to help himself has he placed a protective hand on Dick's shoulder, waiting for him to continue. "Ah, right to business" as he spoke he produced a mask, similar to his own jackal like one "The Justice League acquired a few scrolls from Atlantis I was after before the Shadows could collect them. I trust you know where they are being kept?"
Bruce stood rigid under Ra's gaze "I do" he said simply trying not to squeeze his sons shoulder in frustration.
"Collect them, and I do not need to vocalize the consequences should you fail to acquire them, get captured, or leave any indication of where you are at…" Dick couldn't help himself and slipped behind his father's protective form, Bruce reaching back and squeezing his arm comfortingly "I will not fail you, Master".
Ra's was pleased motioned his men forward, seizing Bruce while shoving Dick away "Wait here young Richard, if all goes according to plan your father will join you for dinner". Dick watched them going offering a small smile to Bruce before he was forced from the room. And if all goes according to plan for us we'll be out of here in no time…
To Be Continued….
