Okay so I'm submitting chapters, but they will be in the afternoons during school days, and there prob won't be any on Weds. School, school, and church.

(If you have ever happened to see the 2005 version of Doctor Who then you already know the American. ^^)

.®.®.®.®.®.Chapter 10.®.®.®.®.®.

Un Moment

?

August 13, 6:12 EDT

"You're French?" he asked her, astounded.

"Yeah. Have been my whole life. My mom was her whole life too." her tone demonstrated that she was tired, and had concern over his reaction. His demonstrated that he was wide awake, and had concern for their safety.

"You do know that-" he stopped himself. He couldn't tell her, could he? He never said that the French mafia was were the people after her, he was careful not to mention names.

But, what if she was part of it? What if it was a trap, and her dad was involved? Jennifer Blye was giving her information to the French mob, and the daughter of her supposed killer was French too? Was it just a coincidence? It had to be. She was just a girl, a rich girl, who was kidnapped.

"Do you have anything to do with this?" he blurted out, uncontrollably. Dangit.

"Do I have anything to do this? Really? How can you- I am kidnapped and stuck in the back of an eighteen wheeler with the Boy Wonder and-"

"Grace! I don't like it any more than you do but I'm stuck here and I need to be sure that I can trust you if I'm gonna' get the both of us out! Now tell me if you had anything to do with this!" his booming voice drowning her's out easily. When she gave no more than a raise of her eyebrows as a response, he continued, angrier than before. "CAN I?"

"Yes! You can! Okay?" Grace broke down into tearful sobs as she wrapped her arms around herself as she sank down. "Happy?" she screamed.

"Grace, I..."

"No, I know what you wanted! You just want to..."

"Stop! Just stop. You don't know..." his piercing words and harsh tone was about to say 'anything', but something stopped him. She was just a girl. Sitting next to her, Caleb put his hand on her shaking shoulder. "It'll be okay. I'll get us out." he comforted between her sobs.

He darned himself for getting so close to her. He really felt like he was her big, well little, brother. He was her protector, her guardian. It was up to him to keep her safe, no matter what. For the first time in several days, he realized what his mission was all about. She was important, precious. if the mob thought that they could get what they wanted, if her dad was to talk, it would be disastrous for both Batman and him.

Both Dick Greyson and Bruce Wayne's pictures would litter the TV and internet. Bruce would be tried for Batman violating laws. Dick would be hunted day and night by those that want to get revenge at Bats.

He sighed, taking it all in. What was he to do? He couldn't fight, he couldn't call for help. He couldn't help. Surely as soon as Grace and him arrived where ever they were going, there'd be a camera with a chair waiting for Grace. He would get shoved to the side as they recorded her, crying, and the vid would go viral. There would be no stopping it.

You don't know how important you are... he gazed down at Grace as her head collapsed onto his shoulder between sniffs. Pleadingly, he looked at the tiny little window.

It was bright out. It was morning. He actually slept all through the night. But had she? He looked down at her, and gently stroked her wavy brown hair so he could see her eyes. She was asleep. Either that or very relaxed. It was sleep, not even he was that chilled.

Looking up as the truck stopped, he remembered that Grace did said that they turned off the highway. Using his finely tuned senses, Caleb heard the roar of many other truck engines as they started and stopped. He smelled the easily definable stench of gasoline. They were at a gas station.

He searched around, following voices as the drivers walked along the outside of the trailer. They were rattling off in French, so he could only pick out a word or two. They were talking about food. Caleb concluded that they were either typical guys, and since they were French, they weren't. So then they were stopped to get a bite to eat.

He cursed his stomach for growling. He never had dinner, he hardly ate any lunch, and now was missing breakfast. But that was the least of his concerns. If the drivers had a break, away from the truck, that could give Grace and him the chance they needed to escape. Well, at least call for help.

The door to the trailer rolled and clanged as it opened. Two guys stood in the opening surveying the inside. Grace and the other kid were asleep, each curled up with their backs against opposite walls, facing each other. The kid's faces were conveniently covered by their hands, knees, or arms, and the men couldn't tell that they were looking at the other, the boy mouthing commands.

Grace nodded with her eyes by blinking twice. He had instructed her to remember what their abductors were saying, and translate it later, when he asked.

"Hey!" One guy yelled, slapping the inside of the wall with the flat of his hand. His voice was scratchy, and deep. He was easily annoyed, and had little control of his anger. Caleb was impressed how Grace kept herself from jumping after the noise. It almost caught him off guard. "Wake up!"

Caleb said no to her, then shook his head slightly to make sure the point was across. They wouldn't wake up. Not yet, the men needed to believe that they were docile.

"They're really out." Caleb recognized the voice as Grégoire's. It took everything inside him not to strangle the character. He studied Grace who lay motionless, her face unchanged. Grégoire was her boyfriend, she would be more disturbed than he was. The boy was impressed even more and started having faith in her performing abilities.

"What do we do?" the first guy asked.

"Why don't you make 'um wake up Grégoire?" a third voice yelled from off somewhere. This one was mister 'trying to be funny'. His voice was like that of what you would consider to be the typical American dude. Traitor.

"You're an idiot." Grégoire muttered.

"Yeah, pucker up for some sugar!" the scratchy voiced man teased.

"Wait, you know we're talkin' about kissin' the girl right?" the man in the distance man laughed. After which he cursed at the machine for ceasing to pump the gas quick enough.

"You're all idiots! Just close it up! And be sure you actually lock it this time!" Grégoire fumed as he walked out of sight.

Caleb smiled an evil smirk. He had remained expressionless this entire time, but he felt the fact that their abductors didn't even lock the door pretty amusing.

Grace and him felt the trailer rumble as he door was closed, and heard the voices outside walk around to the left, near the gas pump. Raising his head, he looked to make sure they were, in fact, alone. Smiling, he and Grace met eyes as she too sat up. "Having fun yet?" he asked.

She giggled, then covered her mouth. After which she proceeded to giggling, only quieter, as she shook her head violently.

He smiled at her obvious countenance of entertainment. Amateur.