Act Two: Hush: Chapter Fourteen: The Hostage

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Hush belongs to Jeph Loeb and DC Comics. Tim Drake is omitted from my continuity because I don't want to deal with that so all Tim's dialogue is coming out of Dick's mouth. I'm sure the Tim Drake fans will be able to live.

Dick Grayson finished packing his suitcase and headed out the T Car where Cyborg was waiting for him to take him to the Jump City Airport where he would catch a flight to Gotham City. He wanted answers; he wanted to know why Bruce had kept Jason's death hidden from him. He stared out the window in the front seat, not saying a word.

"Dude, are you sure you're gonna be okay? How long are you gonna stay there?" Beast Boy asked.

"I'll stay as long as I need to," Robin said, staring straight ahead. Starfire was unusually silent; she knew that Robin wasn't in the mood to talk. They arrived at the Jump City Airport and Robin grabbed his bags.

They walked into the airport and Robin showed the ticket taker his ticket. "Flight American Airlines 815, Robin," the man said. Robin nodded at him and made his way over to gate four.

The Titans followed him. "I hope you find the answers you seek," Starfire said, putting her hand on Robin's shoulder.

He smiled and looked her in the eye and smiled for the first time since he'd received the news of Jason's death. "Thanks, Star." He looked at the other Titans, "Thanks for seeing me off."

"Just call us if you need us," Cyborg said.

"Or if you just wanna say hi," Beast Boy added.

"Take care of yourself, okay?" Raven smiled. "We'll all go crazy if we have to take orders from Cyborg for an extended period of time."

"Hey!" Cyborg shouted, irritated. "That wasn't funny, Raven!" The others were laughing as he turned very red.

"Dude, that was funny," Beast Boy shot back.

"I'd better go," Robin said, preparing to board the plane.

"Robin," Starfire said suddenly. He turned back to her.

"What?" he asked.

She didn't say anything. She just pulled him close and kissed him. It wasn't like the movie kisses that were long, sloppy, and made the observer cringe with disgust. It was soft, sweet and full of meaning. Dick's mind drifted back the first time she had kissed him. Starfire had crash-landed on Earth when she fled from the Gordanians. She had fought Robin and he had freed her from her bonds after Raven said that fighting wasn't the answer. Starfire was Tamaranian and could absorb language and speech through physical touch.

Robin placed his hand on her cheek and held it for a few seconds before pulling away. He smiled. "Goodbye, Starfire."

"Goodbye, Robin," she smiled as she watched him turn around and walk away.

""Why'd you kiss Robin?" Cyborg asked.

"I just felt that I should," Starfire said, sounding very serious. Beast Boy saw this and was about to say something when Raven elbowed him.

"Don't you dare say a word, Beast Boy," she warned.

Five Hours Later…

Robin saw Alfred waiting for him when walked into the airport. "Alfred!"

"Hello, Sir," Alfred greeted. The two went and collected his luggage and walked outside the airport where he caught sight of a familiar limousine waiting for him in the parking lot. His butler opened the passenger door and he sat in the back as Alfred made his way to the driver's seat.

They began driving to Wayne Manor. "Alfred, why didn't Bruce tell me about Jason's death?" Dick asked.

"I asked him the day of Master Jason's funeral if I should contact you. He said in his own words, 'No, I'll deal with it in my own way. No more help from now on…that's the way I want it.' That's what he told me."

"But he still receives help from Oracle and Huntress," Dick observed.

"The only reason Huntress is allowed to work in Gotham City is because he wishes to keep an eye on her."

"She's amoral, I know that," Dick said, "but he said he doesn't want any help, but he has it." Dick stared out the window, watching Wayne Manor rise up into view. They pulled to a stop in front of the vast gates. They opened for them and they drove inside.

Alfred parked the car and Dick climbed out. He walked through the doors and made his way straight to the Batcave. He pushed the clock hands to the time that Bruce's parents died and the door opened to the Batcave. Dick headed down the stairs and walked in and saw Bruce entering information into the computer.

"Hello, Dick," Bruce said, not even turning to acknowledge him, "I heard you were coming. What brings you back to Gotham?"

"Jason Todd," Dick said flatly. "Why didn't you tell me he was dead?"

"I wasn't ready," Bruce answered, staring at the screen. "The grief was…too much."

"Was that grief so strong that you hid it from me for three years?" Dick asked angrily. "Jason was my brother and my friend as well. Why didn't you tell me? I would have come to the funeral, and you buried him without me. I could have helped you, but you shut me out!"

"I was trying to deal with another tragedy, another death, another grave," Bruce said quietly. "I won't take another Robin; I won't ask you to come back. You have your team, I have Oracle and Huntress."

"Alfred said you wouldn't have help after Jason died, yet you do," Dick stared at him, his face hardened angrily.

"I know you're angry with me, I should have told you, but you have your own team now, your own problems to deal with. You don't need to be burdened with mine."

"Bruce…I'm sorry about what happened to Jason," Dick felt his anger dissipate. He had heard Batman's behavior had been more erratic, reckless. He did not know it had been because of Jason's death, he thought it had come from the fact that he had taken Jason off duty as Robin. He thought his behavior had stemmed from the fact that he was angry with himself for his decision.

Dick's eyes fell on Jason's costume, encased in glass along with his mask, utility belt and as Jason had called them, the "evil, ugly pixie boots". Jason had always said that they made him look like a fairy and that he wanted ninjas boots instead.

Below, engraved on the pedestal, were the words, Jason Todd, A Good Soldier. "A memorial?" Dick asked.

"Yes, in memory of Jason, he was the best," Bruce sighed.

"Yes," Dick agreed. "He worked better with you than I ever did."

"You tell him this?" Bruce asked.

"Yes, I did," Dick said, "I told him that when I last saw him. That was over three years ago."

Bruce nodded as he stared up at the screen.

"So, what's going on?" Dick asked.

"I'm working a case," Batman said. "Killer Croc's kidnapped a boy. His father is a contributor to President Luthor's political campaign."

"Oh, joy," Dick sighed. He didn't like Lex Luthor as President or as a person either. He had it out for Superman specifically, not to mention most of the meta-human population, specifically superheroes.

And he had it out for Bruce Wayne as well,. Luthor held a grudge because of the fact that Wayne Enterprises had made a contract with the military, outbidding LexCorp, which Luthor had once owned, but had left Talia Head, A.K.A. Talia Al Ghul in charge of in his stead.

"Croc kidnapped the boy, name's Edward Lamont IV. He was walking home from school when Croc grabbed him and dragged him down into the sewer."

"Lamont...as in Edward Lamont, the heir of Lamont Chemical Company," Dick said, crossing his arms, "the acquisition of LexCorp, the company that made RC-60; the stuff that makes Napalm look like lipstick."

"So, did Killer Croc ask for ransom money?" Dick inquired. It had been awhile since he'd handled a kidnapping case. Maybe he might get a piece of the action.

"Like clockwork," Batman said, "six hours later, he called the Lamont's and demanded ten million dollars in exchange for the boy."

"That doesn't sound like Crock's M.O. at all," Dick observed. "He's not that smart."

"I know. Everyone wanted to pay the ransom, the family, the D.E.O., the F.B.I., everyone except me."

"I think I know why…" Dick said thoughtfully, "even if Croc got the money…he would kill the boy anyway. That's his M.O."

"Exactly," Bruce said, "I've pinpointed his location with help from Oracle. I've observed him and I know when he'll be gone. He's going to be gone at 7:05 tonight. They paid him the money, but knowing him, I have two minutes as most to get him out of there before Croc kills him."

"They paid him?" Dick asked, shocked. "They actually think he'll keep his end of the bargain."

"They're ignorant and stupid, they don't know him like we do."

Dick began tightening his utility belt. "I'll go with you—"

"No," Batman said sternly. "There isn't enough time. I need you to stay here and watch the cave, if something comes up or if anything happens to me, I need you to be ready."

"I'm not a little kid that you can boss around, Bruce," Dick said, glaring at him.

"I know, that's why I need you to stay, there's something going on and I'm going to find out what it is." Batman jumped into one of his many Batmobiles. Dick stared at the screen.

"Contact Oracle," Dick ordered the computer. His friend's face appeared on the screen. She was in the Clocktower, her personal haven and fortress that she used to keep tabs on Gotham and many other cities.

"Dick!" she exclaimed, a little surprised. "I'd heard you were heading back, but this was quick. Of course, I shouldn't' act too surprised. Hacked Jump City Airport's computers, saw you booked a flight under the name Robin."

"Must you always stick your nose in my business, Babs?" Dick asked teasingly, smiling a little.

"Yes," she said with a smile.

"So, why's Croc suddenly changed his M.O.?" he asked. "Kidnapping Edward Lamont. It's not his style, we know that."

"Beats me," Babs said, "I'm watching Bruce through the cameras, looks like he's going to have quite a night. The boy's well guarded."

"Babs, how are you? After what the Joker did to you and all, I'm sorry I couldn't have been there to help—"

"Please don't gush all over the place with sympathy for me, Dick. It's hard for me, yes. I miss the old days…I still have nightmares, but I'm not letting that get in the way of my life." She gave him a smile. "You best hang up and leave me alone, some of us have work to do, Dickie," she smirked and ended the transmission.

"I hate it when she calls me that," Dick muttered, he sat down and began typing in information into he computer. While he was in town, he might as well look up Slade's information, see if he could find out what his arch-nemesis was up to. He began running a scan in the computer, he would make good use of this visit.

Batman made his way down into Gotham's vast sewer system. He knew Croc was gone and it was 7:04. He had three minutes. He began moving quickly through the muck and dirt down to a locked doorway. That was where Edward Lamont was. He made his way to the door and found it was locked. He didn't have time to pick it, he only had three minutes to get the boy out of there. He pulled out a vial from his utility belt and burned through the lock. It was risky, but he had to do it, he couldn't waste the precious seconds needed to rescue Croc's captive.

The F.B.I. was ready to catch him and preparing to capture him. But they didn't know how he thought; they didn't know how he worked. He was going to kill the boy, money or no money. He had hired men to guard the boy while he was away. Nails Nathan, Tommy Harper, Spider Handcock and Carlos Valdez. Nails Nathan was a former C.I.A. OP, Tommy Harper was a gunrunner, Spider Hancock, was Gotham City muscle, and Carlos Valdez was a Chilean mercenary.

Batman threw a poison-tipped Bat-a-Rang into Nails Nathan's right arm, being right-handed was a weakness he could exploit. The man fell to the ground in seconds as the poison knocked him out. Tommy Harper had a plate placed in his skull and Batman knew he was susceptible to vertigo if he was hit by anything metal. Batman slammed him into the pipe, rattling his brain as he slumped down unconscious. Carlos Valdez didn't even know what hit him and found himself tied up in the blink of an eye. Spider Hancock Batman knew very well. He had broken three of his rips three nights ago; he knew those weren't going to heal up any time soon. Batman tied him up and hung him from the pipeline. He decided to let him know that he wasn't in the mood for a long discussion.

"Where's the boy?" Batman demanded in a gruff, harsh voice.

"I swear, I…don't know," Hancock stammered out.

"You're lying," Batman said, grabbing him by the collar.

"No…NOOOOO…!" Hancock shrieked. He spilled the boy's location instantly. Fear was an excellent motivator.

Batman sprinted down to where Edward Lamont was held. He could see him curled up behind a locked door. He was staring down at the floor with his head between his hands. "Stay down on the floor and cover your ears," Batman ordered. The boy did as he was told.

WHAROOOM!!! An explosion rocked the sewer as Batman detonated the explosive that blew the door off its hinges. Young Edward stood up as the smoke cleared. He stepped toward Batman nervously.

"I'm going to get you out of there," Batman said, extending his hand to the boy.

"Y-you're Batman?" he asked nervously.

"Yes," Batman replied. He wrapped his arm around the boy's shoulder and shot a grappling hook up to the sewer manhole. He would be much safer once they reached the surface. He helped Edward through the manhole and then hoisted himself up. He was halfway out when suddenly Edward whispered fearfully in his ear.

"L-look out—" he said. Batman barely had time to turn around when he spotted Killer Croc. Killer Croc slashed at him with his clawed hands. Batman barely had time to avoid the blows.

Batman noticed something. Killer Croc was mutating, now he knew why he was so desperate for money. He looked more like an animal, he looked less human; he was more of a monster than a man.

"YOU SHOUDN'T HAVE COME HERE," Killer Croc roared. "THIS DOESN'T CONCERN YOU."

Killer Croc slammed his clawed fist into Batman's face. "I NEED THAT MONEY." Blood sprayed from Batman's mouth splattered on his face.

"I'M GONNA EAT YOU ALIVE!" Killer Croc raged at the top of his voice. His long tongue flicked in and out of his mouth. Batman could see Croc's jagged teeth as he snapped at him. Why would Waylon Jones bother to kidnap a boy? It was too complex for his simple mind to pull off. Too many variables, too many things that could go wrong, but this was well timed and well executed. Someone was telling him what to do. He was working for or with someone.

Batman slammed his elbow into the hand holding the suitcase with the money. Croc dropped it. Using his distraction, he slammed his head into Croc's and he felt his skull rattle. He followed it up with a kick that sent the suitcase flying away, while Batman was fighting a grappling hook slipped down and as someone slipped down to the case,

"YOUR BONES WILL SNAP," Croc roared, "YOUR BLOOD WILL FILL MY BELLY." Crock flew at him, claws out stretched to rip him to pieces. Batman jumped out of the way and Killer Croc hit the pavement.

Batman placed a hypersonic emitter on the back of Croc's head. This was one thing he was vulnerable to. He was going to take advantage of that.

"YARRRRXCH!" Killer Croc roared, trying to pull the device off the back of his head. Batman grabbed a chain near one of the pipes. He wrapped it around Croc's head and torso, hoisting him up and slamming his head into the pipe. Killer Croc slipped into black oblivion and slumped over..

"YEAH!" Edward shouted, rising his fist in the air.

"Edward, be quiet," Batman ordered. Just then, about a dozen Gotham Police, F.B.I, and D.E.O. dropped around them.

"F.B.I.! STAY WHERE YOU ARE!" the leader shouted. She was a red head with a strong personality and a slight distrust of the Batman.

"Not how we would have handled it—" she said.

"This is my city," Batman growled.

"Easy, son, we're going to take you home now," a man from the G.C.P.D. said to Edward.

"…But…I want to stay with Batman," Edward protested in a whisper.

"—Let me finish," the leader said staring at Batman. "But you got results. The boy is safe and the money—"

She looked down at the ground. The money was nowhere in sight. "Where the heck is the money?"

Batman activated the heat sensor in his cowl. "During the fight…someone took it."

"That's impossible," the leader protested. "No one could've gotten through our perimeter."

"I did," Batman said, firing his grappling hook.

"Where's he going?" the officer near Edward asked.

"And she could have easily…" Batman said as he glided away.

"She?!" The leader asked in shock.

"CATWOMAN!" Batman shouted. She was hanging onto a pipe high above Gotham City.

"What took you so long?" she asked.

"You're back in Gotham City," Batman observed, sprinting after her.

"And you're…" Catwoman said, somersaulting across the roof, "…as observant…as ever."

Batman fired a grappling hook and latched it onto a flagpole. Catwoman sing around the flagpole and vaulted across the skyline. "Like the view?" Catwoman asked. "It's about the only thing you're going to catch tonight."

"Don't be so sure," Batman said, reaching for her ankle. Suddenly, he felt something snap. It was the line on the grappling hook. It snapped. He began falling…falling and there was no way for him to stop it from happening.

Selina Kyle landed on the rooftop. "You were saying…?" she asked, turning around to face the Dark Knight who was trying to catch her…only to find he wasn't there. "Batman...?" She stared. Where was he? It didn't matter; she turned and headed off to Gotham Tower Apartments, she had to meet someone.

Batman tried to stop his fall by grabbing a protruding gargoyle. He clutched at it vainly. He felt his shoulder snap as it broke. "ARGHK!" he screamed. His body betrayed him. He slammed into the rooftop rolled off the side of the building and hit the ground hard. He could hear, but he couldn't see.

"Well, well, well," a gangster said, holding a knife in his hand. "Look what fell into Hell."

Selina Kyle arrived at Gotham Tower Apartments. She climbed over the balcony. "Any problems?" a voice asked.

"Batman," she replied.

"And?" the voice asked.

"He…couldn't keep up," she replied.

"You sound disappointed…" Poison Ivy said, one of her plants coiled itself around Catwoman's wrist.

"Does it matter?" Catwoman asked.

"Not really," Poison Ivy said, "As long as you have the money." Ivy smiled. "How would you say it?" she asked. "Purrrfect," she said, imitating Catwoman's purr.

Now…bring me the money…" she said it a hypnotic voice, her plants were working their charms on the thief. "That's it…you know you can't resist me…No man—or woman can." Selina Kyle's eyes glowed poison ivy green as she stood in front of Ivy. So far, Ivy's plan had worked and she had the money.

"Can you hear me?" Oracle asked, she had watched him fall from the building. She was speaking to him through a secure line, trying to assess the situation. "Okay people, we've got a situation."

"You think he's dead?" a man asked. Batman wished he could tell her he was in Crime Alley.

"I saw him fall outta the sky like one of them pigeons with a busted wing. I hear he ain't human," a man in dreadlocks said.

"What'dya mean he ain't human?" a man in a hoodie asked. "He's bleeding!"

"How do ya know it's not human blood?" another man in a green cap asked.

"The Blackbird is down," Oracle said, "I repeat, the Blackbird is down."

"I got a way to tell if he's human or not—" the man in the bandana said, reaching for his mask.

"He's in the North End," Oracle continued. "Is anybody in the area?"

"—Let's take off his mask!" the man was about to pull it off when suddenly mace poured out form vents in the side of his cowl.

"Koff, ack!" the man shouted, clutching his eyes, "Gah…can't see …eyes."

"Didja see that?" a man asked. "Didja see that? He didn't even touch him!"

"That's it, I'm gonna bust him up," the man in the green cap said; raising up a pipe to bash in Batman's face. A stream of electricity shot out and electrocuted him. "AGGH!" he shouted.

"This is H," a voice said, "I'm in the area."

"Get out of the way!" a bald man with a bandana tied around his head shouted. "There's only one way to deal with a freak like this." He pointed a handgun in Batman's face.

"O-kay. Is there anyone else in the area?" Oracle asked.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, O," H smirked.

"Human or not, he dies now," the man said, he prepared to pull the trigger.

"No, H, I only mean in case you needed backup—" Oracle began.

"Shut up, O," Huntress shouted as she sped into view of the men, "I know what you meant."

"Who the—?!" The man shouted in shock.

She slammed her foot into the man's head. "GUNGH!" he fell hitting the pavement.

"I'm here," Huntress said. Batman was injured and she wasn't going to let a bunch of lowlife punks off him. She pulled the bike to a stop; she was ready for a fight.