It Runs in the Family Part 6:
"What happened to youse?" Matches asked Robbie as he walked closer to the young man sitting on the sofa in the ragged little apartment. His eyes carefully scrutinized the bandages on the young man's shoulder.
"Just a little trouble, Pop. Nuthin' for you to worry 'bout," Robbie replied.
"Youse gets yourself shot. That ain't good business. Whose de' bums you're hanging with?" Matches asked pointing his thumb at the Vicelords who were standing near the apartment door.
Sean Donavan moved closer to Matches, "We're the Vicelords. And we don't like people asking 'bout our business. We don't care who it is."
"Donavan, I wouldn't..." Jack started to say when Matches Malone grabbed Donavan by the neck and shoved him into the wall.
Matches glared at Donavan, "Don't be such a wise guy with me. I'm a professional, you're just a punk. Now get outta here."
There was something about this man. He was dangerous, more dangerous than anyone Donavan had ever known. Donavan could feel it. Donavan gulped when Matches let him go. Looking at the Vicelords, he said, "Lets go boys. Robbie, Jack, later."
The Malone's watched as the Vicelords left the small run-down apartment. Matches' hand instinctively went up in the 'all silent' position as soon as the door shut. He walked to the door and listened for signs of people lingering in the hall. With his other hand, he motioned for Jack to check the window.
"All clear, they're leaving," Tim reported.
"Good," Batman responded as he walked closer to Dick. Sitting on the sofa beside his son, he asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Leslie patched me up. I've been hurt worse falling off a building," Dick laughed as he sat against the sofa back.
"Funny," Batman replied flatly. "Do you think you can continue this job or do I need to pull the two of you out?"
Tim turned toward the two older men and held his breath.
"I am perfectly capable of handling and finishing this job," Dick said between clenched teeth.
"I didn't say you weren't. I asked. You answered."
Dick looked at Bruce. He wasn't getting the argument he had expected. "Oh," was all he could say and he laid his head on the back of the sofa. "I am a little fuzzy though. But I'll be okay."
"Good. What happened?" Batman asked, this time turning his direction toward his youngest partner.
"Uh, well, you see, we uh, we went to meet the buyer with Donavan and it turned out to be the Ventriloquist," Tim responded.
"And?"
"And, well, he uh, he was upset about Donavan not showing up last night like he was suppose to and he started shooting to kind of make a point with the gangs. Dick pushed Donavan out of the way and took the bullet."
Looking back at Dick, Bruce responded, "Youse did good kid," and he ruffled the raven black hair of his oldest boy.
"Yeah, well, it runs in the family," Dick responded with a smile.
***********************************************************************
Matches Malone. Donavan certainly did not like the man. He could now understand the Batman's interest. But Donavan did not like being made a fool of either. Especially in front of his men. He'd have to do something about Malone.
"Donavan," an angry voice called out as the Vicelords walked into their hangout.
Sean Donavan and the gang turned to face a very angry Abel Crown. Frankie and Dice eyed each other and backed away from Donavan.
"What'dya want Crown?"
"What the hell happened with the buyer? You freaking messed that up you know."
"That psycho started shooting. Hit one of my men. He ain't gonna get away with it neither," Donavan shouted, anger in his voice.
"Yes he is!" Crown shouted across the room. "You and your gang here are not to retaliate. You hear me."
"Yeah," Donavan growled. "You need to know though, it was Malone who got shot."
"How bad?"
"Not too. Took him to some Doc for patch work. He'll be okay."
"Doctor! Have you lost your freaking mind Donavan? Doctors call cops." Crown yelled at Donavan.
"This one don't. She's worked on the Malones before. Since that nut case shot Robbie, the doc won't say nuthin'. We just met Robbie's old man. That ain't gonna sit well with him. I dunno what he'll do," Donavan responded as he paced around the room.
"Robbie's old man? The one who works for Galante?" Crown asked, very interested.
"Yeah."
"Well, let him deal with Scarface on his own. Just as long as it ain't dragged back into us. We can use both of their connections, but I don't want their trouble.So, you're still gonna make your shipment to Scarface."
"Problem is, we ain't got no guns," Donavan sneered as he turned to face Crown.
Crown walked over to Donavan, handing him a folded piece of paper, "Here's where you can get some."
Donavan read the paper and smiled.
***********************************************************************
Jack Malone walked toward his apartment door to answer the knock. Before opening the door, he looked back and saw Robbie sleeping on the bed in the small bedroom. Turning to the door he opened it. Jack felt his mouth drop at the sight before him.
"Babs? Cassie?" he asked in disbelief. There before him stood Barbara Gordon and Cassandra Cain. Cassie was holding Babs up. Babs was pretending to be either very high, very drunk, or both. The two of then were dressed in short leather skirts that gave a new definition to the term mini. They were wearing garish tops and Babs had a feather boa wrapped around her neck. Cassandra walked past Jack into the small apartment.
"Where is he?" Babs asked when Tim shut the door.
"Bedroom," Tim replied as he walked over and picked Babs up, taking her to the bed where Dick lay. Carefully he sat her down beside him. Tim left her there when she smiled up at him. He walked out to Cassie, quietly shutting the door behind him.
Barbara watched Dick sleep -- the gentle rise and fall of his chest -- she looked at his bandaged shoulder --the faint traces of red that seeped through the white bandage. Looking down on his peaceful face, she saw that lock of hair that never would behave. Gently she pushed it out of his face. Her hand moved to the unshaven portion of his face. She smiled as she ran her hand across his stubble. He had a few days growth. Surprisingly, she liked it.
Dick stirred as she softly caressed his cheek. His hand went up to hers. Opening his blue eyes he stared up at her in disbelief.
"Babs?" he said sleepily.
"Hey short pants," she responded. "Can't I leave you alone for two seconds without you going and getting yourself shot?"
"Nope," he laughed as he sat up. When he did, he saw what she was wearing. "What the..."
"Don't start," she said pointing her finger at him, "Cassie and I wanted to play dress up too."
"Cassie?"
"She's out front with Tim. If any of your vicelord friends drop by, they'll just think you two are making out with some skeevy chicks from the street."
"Skeevy huh?" Dick said with a laugh, "I like skeevy." With that he pulled her into his arms.
She snuggled against him. The rise and fall of his chest reassured her. She held him tightly, "I had to come. Even though Leslie said you were all right. I had to see for myself."
"I'm good, babe."
"Promise me you'll be more careful."
"You know what a promise like that's worth from us?"
"Promise me anyway," she said determinedly.
He chuckled as he laid her head back on his chest, "Okay, I promise."
***********************************************************************
An hour after they arrived, Tim was teaching Cassie how to bet at Blackjack when another knock came at the door. With a sigh he looked into Cassie's face, "What are we, Grand Central Station today? Hide the cards, we need to look..."
Tim stopped speaking at Cassie pulled him into a big awkward kiss. She slobbered on his mouth and moved quickly to his cheeks.
"What are you doing?" he mumbled.
"You look maked out," she replied pointing at him.
He looked in the mirror and saw that she had smeared her lipstick all over him. That was just great. That was like kissing your sister. And that was yucky. As he moved to the door, he heard Cassie give a signal knock to Babs and Dick. He didn't know why Cassie felt the need to do that. Dick and Babs were probably making out for real.
"Donavan, Dice, you're back soon," Jack stated.
"Ain't we welcome, Jackie boy?" Donavan asked as they walked in. Then he saw Cassie. Turning back to Jack he noticed the lipstick stains, "Oh, I see. Where's Robbie?"
"Bedroom."
Donavan walked over, knocked twice and opened the door. Barbara lay in Robbie's arms, her head on his bare chest.
"Sorry to disturb ye, man," Donavan began, "but if you're up to it, we got a job."
"I'm up to it," Robbie replied.
"Robbie, no," Babs replied in a sultry voice, "You'll get hurt again. I want'cha to stay."
"Babe, don't get in my business," Robbie said in a tone that reminded Donavan of Matches.
Barbara pouted her lips and turned from Robbie. Sitting up on the side of the bed, Robbie looked at Donavan and said, "Give me a minute."
"Yeah, sure. Sorry man." Donavan said as he walked back into the living room of the apartment, shutting the door behind him. Donavan looked at Jack, "Where's your old man?"
"Left again. He'll be back. He always comes back; we just never know when. Sorry 'bout earlier. That's just Pop."
"Yeah," Donavan replied as his hand rubbed his neck thinking of the pressure Matches Malone had applied to it.
"Well, just go then!" Babs said loudly.
Jack looked at Cassie who raised her eyebrows at the sound of Barbara's raised voice. Jack winked at her.
"I am going. Now like I said before, stay out of my business," was Robbie's raised reply.
"If you end up in Blackgate, I ain't coming to visit you this time."
"Whatever," Robbie responded as he walked out of the bedroom, slamming the door behind him. Then looking at Cassie, he said, "You'd better get in there and calm her down before she starts breaking shit again."
Cassie edged along the wall to the bedroom door, opened it and walked in. She leaned her body against the door to listen to the conversation.
"So, Donavan, what do we have planned now?"
"We're getting a new shipment of weapons and ammunition. The kevlar piercing kind."
Robbie's eyes grew wide, and he turned toward Jack. "Let's go."
***********************************************************************
Robbie and Jack followed Donavan and the other Vicelords to their destination. They had traveled south, toward the waterfront. The sun had begun to set in the sky. Using the growing darkness the Vicelords moved through the shadows into the warehouse.
"Any idea who's warehouse this is?" Jack asked his brother
"Not exactly," Robbie replied.
"That's good. Too much information is a bad thing."
"You're a smartass, you know that?" Robbie said with a sardonic grin.
"I try," Jack replied.
They stopped their banter when they noticed Donavan motion everyone to the wall. Sean Donavan approached his men. He had had enough trouble trying to fill this order. The job seemed cursed, or at least unlucky. It was time to change their luck.
"Do you all have your piece?" Donavan asked.
Robbie and Jack glanced at each other as the remaining Vicelords nodded their heads at Donavan's question.
Donavan continued addressing the group, "We're getting the guns we need to fill our order. They're here. We're taking them."
"And they currently belong to who?" Robbie asked.
"Dawson manufacturing. They're about to ship to a client of theirs."
"Are you crazy?" Robbie snarled at Donavan. "Those guns are en route to the GCPD!"
Jack looked at Robbie. This was going to be a long night.
To be continued ....
"What happened to youse?" Matches asked Robbie as he walked closer to the young man sitting on the sofa in the ragged little apartment. His eyes carefully scrutinized the bandages on the young man's shoulder.
"Just a little trouble, Pop. Nuthin' for you to worry 'bout," Robbie replied.
"Youse gets yourself shot. That ain't good business. Whose de' bums you're hanging with?" Matches asked pointing his thumb at the Vicelords who were standing near the apartment door.
Sean Donavan moved closer to Matches, "We're the Vicelords. And we don't like people asking 'bout our business. We don't care who it is."
"Donavan, I wouldn't..." Jack started to say when Matches Malone grabbed Donavan by the neck and shoved him into the wall.
Matches glared at Donavan, "Don't be such a wise guy with me. I'm a professional, you're just a punk. Now get outta here."
There was something about this man. He was dangerous, more dangerous than anyone Donavan had ever known. Donavan could feel it. Donavan gulped when Matches let him go. Looking at the Vicelords, he said, "Lets go boys. Robbie, Jack, later."
The Malone's watched as the Vicelords left the small run-down apartment. Matches' hand instinctively went up in the 'all silent' position as soon as the door shut. He walked to the door and listened for signs of people lingering in the hall. With his other hand, he motioned for Jack to check the window.
"All clear, they're leaving," Tim reported.
"Good," Batman responded as he walked closer to Dick. Sitting on the sofa beside his son, he asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Leslie patched me up. I've been hurt worse falling off a building," Dick laughed as he sat against the sofa back.
"Funny," Batman replied flatly. "Do you think you can continue this job or do I need to pull the two of you out?"
Tim turned toward the two older men and held his breath.
"I am perfectly capable of handling and finishing this job," Dick said between clenched teeth.
"I didn't say you weren't. I asked. You answered."
Dick looked at Bruce. He wasn't getting the argument he had expected. "Oh," was all he could say and he laid his head on the back of the sofa. "I am a little fuzzy though. But I'll be okay."
"Good. What happened?" Batman asked, this time turning his direction toward his youngest partner.
"Uh, well, you see, we uh, we went to meet the buyer with Donavan and it turned out to be the Ventriloquist," Tim responded.
"And?"
"And, well, he uh, he was upset about Donavan not showing up last night like he was suppose to and he started shooting to kind of make a point with the gangs. Dick pushed Donavan out of the way and took the bullet."
Looking back at Dick, Bruce responded, "Youse did good kid," and he ruffled the raven black hair of his oldest boy.
"Yeah, well, it runs in the family," Dick responded with a smile.
***********************************************************************
Matches Malone. Donavan certainly did not like the man. He could now understand the Batman's interest. But Donavan did not like being made a fool of either. Especially in front of his men. He'd have to do something about Malone.
"Donavan," an angry voice called out as the Vicelords walked into their hangout.
Sean Donavan and the gang turned to face a very angry Abel Crown. Frankie and Dice eyed each other and backed away from Donavan.
"What'dya want Crown?"
"What the hell happened with the buyer? You freaking messed that up you know."
"That psycho started shooting. Hit one of my men. He ain't gonna get away with it neither," Donavan shouted, anger in his voice.
"Yes he is!" Crown shouted across the room. "You and your gang here are not to retaliate. You hear me."
"Yeah," Donavan growled. "You need to know though, it was Malone who got shot."
"How bad?"
"Not too. Took him to some Doc for patch work. He'll be okay."
"Doctor! Have you lost your freaking mind Donavan? Doctors call cops." Crown yelled at Donavan.
"This one don't. She's worked on the Malones before. Since that nut case shot Robbie, the doc won't say nuthin'. We just met Robbie's old man. That ain't gonna sit well with him. I dunno what he'll do," Donavan responded as he paced around the room.
"Robbie's old man? The one who works for Galante?" Crown asked, very interested.
"Yeah."
"Well, let him deal with Scarface on his own. Just as long as it ain't dragged back into us. We can use both of their connections, but I don't want their trouble.So, you're still gonna make your shipment to Scarface."
"Problem is, we ain't got no guns," Donavan sneered as he turned to face Crown.
Crown walked over to Donavan, handing him a folded piece of paper, "Here's where you can get some."
Donavan read the paper and smiled.
***********************************************************************
Jack Malone walked toward his apartment door to answer the knock. Before opening the door, he looked back and saw Robbie sleeping on the bed in the small bedroom. Turning to the door he opened it. Jack felt his mouth drop at the sight before him.
"Babs? Cassie?" he asked in disbelief. There before him stood Barbara Gordon and Cassandra Cain. Cassie was holding Babs up. Babs was pretending to be either very high, very drunk, or both. The two of then were dressed in short leather skirts that gave a new definition to the term mini. They were wearing garish tops and Babs had a feather boa wrapped around her neck. Cassandra walked past Jack into the small apartment.
"Where is he?" Babs asked when Tim shut the door.
"Bedroom," Tim replied as he walked over and picked Babs up, taking her to the bed where Dick lay. Carefully he sat her down beside him. Tim left her there when she smiled up at him. He walked out to Cassie, quietly shutting the door behind him.
Barbara watched Dick sleep -- the gentle rise and fall of his chest -- she looked at his bandaged shoulder --the faint traces of red that seeped through the white bandage. Looking down on his peaceful face, she saw that lock of hair that never would behave. Gently she pushed it out of his face. Her hand moved to the unshaven portion of his face. She smiled as she ran her hand across his stubble. He had a few days growth. Surprisingly, she liked it.
Dick stirred as she softly caressed his cheek. His hand went up to hers. Opening his blue eyes he stared up at her in disbelief.
"Babs?" he said sleepily.
"Hey short pants," she responded. "Can't I leave you alone for two seconds without you going and getting yourself shot?"
"Nope," he laughed as he sat up. When he did, he saw what she was wearing. "What the..."
"Don't start," she said pointing her finger at him, "Cassie and I wanted to play dress up too."
"Cassie?"
"She's out front with Tim. If any of your vicelord friends drop by, they'll just think you two are making out with some skeevy chicks from the street."
"Skeevy huh?" Dick said with a laugh, "I like skeevy." With that he pulled her into his arms.
She snuggled against him. The rise and fall of his chest reassured her. She held him tightly, "I had to come. Even though Leslie said you were all right. I had to see for myself."
"I'm good, babe."
"Promise me you'll be more careful."
"You know what a promise like that's worth from us?"
"Promise me anyway," she said determinedly.
He chuckled as he laid her head back on his chest, "Okay, I promise."
***********************************************************************
An hour after they arrived, Tim was teaching Cassie how to bet at Blackjack when another knock came at the door. With a sigh he looked into Cassie's face, "What are we, Grand Central Station today? Hide the cards, we need to look..."
Tim stopped speaking at Cassie pulled him into a big awkward kiss. She slobbered on his mouth and moved quickly to his cheeks.
"What are you doing?" he mumbled.
"You look maked out," she replied pointing at him.
He looked in the mirror and saw that she had smeared her lipstick all over him. That was just great. That was like kissing your sister. And that was yucky. As he moved to the door, he heard Cassie give a signal knock to Babs and Dick. He didn't know why Cassie felt the need to do that. Dick and Babs were probably making out for real.
"Donavan, Dice, you're back soon," Jack stated.
"Ain't we welcome, Jackie boy?" Donavan asked as they walked in. Then he saw Cassie. Turning back to Jack he noticed the lipstick stains, "Oh, I see. Where's Robbie?"
"Bedroom."
Donavan walked over, knocked twice and opened the door. Barbara lay in Robbie's arms, her head on his bare chest.
"Sorry to disturb ye, man," Donavan began, "but if you're up to it, we got a job."
"I'm up to it," Robbie replied.
"Robbie, no," Babs replied in a sultry voice, "You'll get hurt again. I want'cha to stay."
"Babe, don't get in my business," Robbie said in a tone that reminded Donavan of Matches.
Barbara pouted her lips and turned from Robbie. Sitting up on the side of the bed, Robbie looked at Donavan and said, "Give me a minute."
"Yeah, sure. Sorry man." Donavan said as he walked back into the living room of the apartment, shutting the door behind him. Donavan looked at Jack, "Where's your old man?"
"Left again. He'll be back. He always comes back; we just never know when. Sorry 'bout earlier. That's just Pop."
"Yeah," Donavan replied as his hand rubbed his neck thinking of the pressure Matches Malone had applied to it.
"Well, just go then!" Babs said loudly.
Jack looked at Cassie who raised her eyebrows at the sound of Barbara's raised voice. Jack winked at her.
"I am going. Now like I said before, stay out of my business," was Robbie's raised reply.
"If you end up in Blackgate, I ain't coming to visit you this time."
"Whatever," Robbie responded as he walked out of the bedroom, slamming the door behind him. Then looking at Cassie, he said, "You'd better get in there and calm her down before she starts breaking shit again."
Cassie edged along the wall to the bedroom door, opened it and walked in. She leaned her body against the door to listen to the conversation.
"So, Donavan, what do we have planned now?"
"We're getting a new shipment of weapons and ammunition. The kevlar piercing kind."
Robbie's eyes grew wide, and he turned toward Jack. "Let's go."
***********************************************************************
Robbie and Jack followed Donavan and the other Vicelords to their destination. They had traveled south, toward the waterfront. The sun had begun to set in the sky. Using the growing darkness the Vicelords moved through the shadows into the warehouse.
"Any idea who's warehouse this is?" Jack asked his brother
"Not exactly," Robbie replied.
"That's good. Too much information is a bad thing."
"You're a smartass, you know that?" Robbie said with a sardonic grin.
"I try," Jack replied.
They stopped their banter when they noticed Donavan motion everyone to the wall. Sean Donavan approached his men. He had had enough trouble trying to fill this order. The job seemed cursed, or at least unlucky. It was time to change their luck.
"Do you all have your piece?" Donavan asked.
Robbie and Jack glanced at each other as the remaining Vicelords nodded their heads at Donavan's question.
Donavan continued addressing the group, "We're getting the guns we need to fill our order. They're here. We're taking them."
"And they currently belong to who?" Robbie asked.
"Dawson manufacturing. They're about to ship to a client of theirs."
"Are you crazy?" Robbie snarled at Donavan. "Those guns are en route to the GCPD!"
Jack looked at Robbie. This was going to be a long night.
To be continued ....