Cold
November 9th, 2014.
Robin starred at the now blank screen. The signal was cut sooner than he expected. There was little to way he could get a message out now. At least I managed to inform them about Bruce. Maybe they can locate him. He closed his eyes, whispering a silent prayer to himself.
If he's still alive that is.
Dick hoped the League would keep itself from interfering. It would be too risky, too many lives at stake. He stood up, going to the dressing room. A few minutes later he appeared as Dick Grayson. "I am going out." he informed Selina, who sat in one of the chairs, a blanket wrapped around her and a cup of tea in her hands.
"Is that a good idea? Didn't you just tell the League that you would be safer if you remained Robin? You are pretty easy to recognize." she remarked, a hint of worry in her voice as she regarded him her sharp eyes.
"There's something I need to do, and I can't do it as Robin. Black Gate still stand, for now. My guess is that I'll be back a few hours before it gets really dangerous. So I should have enough time."
"You think Bane will release all the prisoners?"
"Without a doubt. He needs them to spread panic, to start this revolution or whatever the hell he think it is." Dick sighed, suddenly feeling very tired.
"The wealthy and powerful people of Gotham have about one hour to go underground. I need to round up some people before they disappear. "Dick gave Selina a quick reassuring smile, pulling the hood up over his head.
"I'll be fine; just you focus on getting better. I'll be back soon." He hurried out of the door, leaving Selina alone with her tea and blanket, frowning.
"Just you focus on getting your strength back. We'll need it soon." He thought to himself as he hurried down the dark alley.
oOo
He didn't even get the chance to knock on the front door before it was shot open. A pair of hands grabbed him, pulling him inside before he had a chance to react. Dick's mind quickly told him to fight back. But a mess of red hair behind the person manhandling him pushed away any thoughts of resistance. "Dad, put him down! It's Dick!" Dick was released and watched with slight humor how Lieutenant Gordon a slight blush appeared on the policeman's face. "Sorry kid." Gordon apologized, before looking suspiciously at the door before turning his attention back to Dick.
"What are you doing, running around the streets? Haven't you heard the news? It's dangerous."
"I was careful! And I needed to make sure Barbara was okay." Dick looked Gordon over, noticing his pain expression. "I didn't want her to be alone. I thought you were in the hospital."
"I discharged myself. With all of this going on I'd be little too easy to hit." Gordon looked suspicious at Dick. "I very much doubt Mr. Wayne or Alfred would let you run around like this." "Alfred's at the manor, and I haven't been able to contact him. Bruce is overseas, attending a business meeting. I stayed overnight at the penthouse, so I could get a little more sleep." Dick answered sadly.
Gordon's eyes grew soft. "Sorry to hear. I'm afraid it'll be some time before you get to see them again."
"That's okay, as long as they are safe." Except Bruce isn't exactly safe. For all I know he could be dead.
"That's why I came over. Bruce has a secure place, where we can be safe. I thought I would bring Barbara" Dick gave his friend a smile "so she would be safe."
Gordon looked at the two teens. "I suppose that would make me feel better, knowing you'd be out of harm's way." He said, looking at his daughter.
"Let me go with Dick dad." She took his hand. "I don't want you to worry about me all the time, you'll put yourself at risk if you don't have your head in the game."
Gordon looked at Dick, doubt in his eyes. "Where is this place? Who else knows about it?"
"Alfred and Bruce. No one else. It's in the old town, the last place they'll look for a rich spoiled brat don't you think?"
Barbara laughed, and Gordon smiled. "I suppose so."
"I'll go pack my things." Barbara disappeared upstairs, leaving the two men.
"Will I be able to find you?" Dick shook his head. "No, but we can meet up once a week or something. A new place every time to avoid suspicion."
"You sound like you have experience?"
Dick laughed.
"That's what the press does for you, learns you to hide!" Gordon smiled. "I trust you kids to look after each other."
Dick gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry commish. I've seen Barbara throw a punch and plan vengeance on her enemies. I don't think I can be any safer place than with her."
"You got that right." Barbara announced herself as she walked back down stairs with a backpack, wearing a jacket and winter boots.
"Are we going now?" Dick nodded, and she turned to her father. "Don't worry about me daddy. I'm a big girl. Just take care."
"Meet me in Old Town, in front of the closed theater The Golden Stars – you know where that is?" They both nodded.
"Good." Gordon pulled Barbara into a hug, which she returned.
"Be safe dad. We'll get through this." She said, offering him a comforting smile.
"See you in a week." Gordon watched the two teenagers disappear through the kitchen.
"Please be safe."
oOo
"So, where are we going?" asked Barbara as soon as they left her street.
"Can't say. You'll just have to memorize it." Dick gave her a smirk. "Which I know you won't have any problems with."
"Fair enough." They walked in silence. Neither of them wanted to be out when the darkness fell. The streets were mostly empty, most of the citizens hiding inside their homes.
"What do you think will happen?" Barbara asked after a while.
"The truth?" Dick asked and looked at her. She nodded.
"People will die. The laws of society will be overruled by Bane and his people." His voice was dark.
"You don't think the government or the Justice League will help?"
"What can they do? It's atom bomb. They'll be too scared to help. This is a city with over 12 million people – they can't sacrifice that. And Bane knows it.
I'm pretty sure they are already working on evacuating the people from the suburbs."
Barbara nodded. "You are right." She looked around.
"Where are we?"
"Old Town."
"I can see that smart ass! How can Bruce build a secret hideout in this part of the city without anybody noticing it?"
"He has his ways" Dick answered with a grin, leading her down a alley.
"You think the others from school will be alright? Why didn't you bring some of them?"
"They'll be fine. With any luck most of them are out of the city. It is weekend after all."
"What about Artemis?"
"Out of town, visiting relatives. She told me yesterday."
"We didn't have school yesterday."
"Aren't a guy allowed to use a cellphone anymore?" Barbara laughed, giving her friend a push.
"I'm a little afraid you're stalking the poor girl. You know, she doesn't even live in Gotham anymore." That caused Dick to stop, and turn to Barbara.
"What?" Barbara felt the sudden change of the conversation and regretted what she'd just said.
"You didn't know? She moved to Palo Alto a few weeks ago. Something about a boyfriend.. she really didn't tell you?" she answered unsure, watching as Dick's face grew dark again.
He showed his hands down his pockets and started walking again, not answering her.
"You didn't know?" No answer.
"Dick, answer me!"
".. she didn't tell me."
"And that is bad becaaaause?"
"I know her boyfriend, we go along way back."
Bingo.
"And he didn't tell you either." She asked, understanding how he felt.
"No. Look, can we not talk about this? I'm a little bit more concerned about the terrorist who're holding our city hostage." He snapped, looking gloomy.
"Sure, no problem." she said, a little surprised by his tone. Dick rarely got angry, but when he did.
Ouch.
They walked deeper into the Old Town. It was starting to get dark. Barbara wasn't scared; her dad was the police commissioner for crying out loud! She was used to danger. She'd been taking self-defense for nearly twelve years. But she wasn't stupid and being out after dark in this part of town was not a good idea.
"Not to sound like a child or anything, but are we there yet?"
"Almost." It seemed like Dick's anger had lifted.
"Just a little further." He guided her down a dark alley with no light or windows. He then lifted a manhole cover.
"Ladies first." She stared at him.
"Are you serious?"
He nodded. She shrugged, and climbed down.
To her surprise she didn't end up in sewage water. It was dirty sure, but dry. Dick climbed down after her, pulling the cover back, erasing any tracks of them.
"This way." He pulled out a light, leading her down.
"This is the back entrance. I figured I'd show you the more direct when I'd instructed you back at the hideout.
" Barbara looked at him, confused. "Instructed?"
"You know, on how to get here without tipping anyone off."
"Oh." That made sense. A few minutes later he stopped beside an innocent looking door. She watched as he placed his hand on the bare wall. What had appeared to be a solid concrete wall suddenly lit up, scanning his handprint.
'Regonized RG-1. Entrance allowed.' The door opened and Dick walked in, followed by Barbara who hesitated ever so slightly. However she'd barely maked it through the door before it slammed shot. It hit her backpack, causing her to stumble forwards. Dick managed to catch her before she fell over.
"Thanks." She muttered, confused. I knew Bruce was paranoid, but this is ridiculous! What kind of man keeps a hidden bunker in the underground?!
"Welcome back bird! Any problems?" a voice suddenly sounded. A woman's voice. Okay, what? She finally managed to get the hair out of her eyes, and looked around.
Her eyes growing wider by the second.
What.. the..
Everything was state of the art. Computers, lights, floor. Made in stainless steel and in perfect sync. A doorway let to another level. And in the door stood the same woman she assumed had just called out. "I didn't know you'd bring back a friend little bird." The woman purred, eyeing Barbara with a smile on her lips. She was wearing a black catsuit, and a.. "You're Catwoman!" Barbara spluttered, not believing her eyes. The thief made a court bow.
"At your service. Or actually not, unless you can offer a good price kitten."
"You're feeling better?" Dick asked, looking at the thief. Barbara shot him a look. He didn't exactly sound bothered by the fact that one of the best thief's in the world had somehow managed to get into his and his very wealthy guardian's secret hideout.
"Much better, thank you little bird." Wait, bird? Barbara took a quick look around, her eyes almost popping out when she saw the bat symbol on the computer screen. She spun around, starring at her friend, who was wearing a sheepishly look on his face. "You're ROBIN?!" she yelled, dropping her bag in shock.
"... Surprise?"
New chapter already. What is this?
… it is me having nothing to do at work, that is what it is.
One major difference to this story and Dark Knight Rises is quite obliviously Catwoman's part in the whole thing. Selina is a thief and therefore a criminal. But she also have a very well developed sense of justice.
So, she'll lend a hand. And oh, what's this? Barbara? I'm bridging the 5 year gap people.. or trying to.
I don't know when I'll be able to write on this again. Next week will be busy, both at work and in my free time (Christmas!). Let's see how it goes.
Have a nice weekend.