I apologize for the slight delay. I wanted to get this up last night, but I was tired. I hope you guys enjoy it.
How Ra's managed to allude Batman was an enigma to Tim. They managed to elude him long enough to make it over an ocean. That's what was frightening, even if his body forced himself to pass out from the inevitable change in time zone.
From what he could guess, they had left the country, but what one they were in currently was a little unfamiliar. The setting wasn't as dry and sandy as their previous location, opting to sport grass and clear skies. The seclusion and the elaborate building was the same, but that was about it. While Tim could admit he enjoyed the change in scenery, it came with the dark reminder that Tim was still Ra's' unwilling prisoner.
"Hopefully the Detective doesn't catch on long enough for use to regain our strength." Ra's processed, dragging Tim along. "We'll move on once we've gotten over the expected jet lag. Let's go Timothy."
Tim didn't bother arguing, not having the energy to. Not that he'd get far if he did. He reminded himself there wasn't a point to it either.
The room Tim was shoved in was a lot nicer than the previous one. It was brighter, felt more welcoming, and it didn't present itself like a prison. Even if it was providing a similar use. It wasn't going to be a permanent settlement, but he could live with that.
That was an odd notion. Tim slowly sat on the edge of the bed, as it started to sink in. He hated that he was being used as a prize that Ra's wanted to keep to himself. To be broken, manipulated and enslaved. At the same time, there was a small lingering desire to be in contact with Ra's. It felt so perplexing to Tim.
"Rest up Timothy." Ra's demanded. "You'll need your strength so we can continue to allude the Detective."
His confusion dropped as something came over Tim at that statement. Be it the fact that Ra's said it, Batman was coming to save him, or both, Tim wasn't sure. Regardless, it did bother him.
"I don't want to allude him." Tim admitted. "I want to be with him."
Ra's leaned over Tim, sternly observing him. A hand made sure that Tim kept his gaze on him.
"I don't care. What you want doesn't matter. Your old life doesn't matter anymore. You belong to me now and you know that. I thought you finally grasped this after I've reiterated it so often."
Ra's pushed Tim back. Tim bounced slightly as he landed. Keeping his attention on the man, Tim was intimidated by the fact Ra's was still looming over him.
"Now sleep. I won't have you getting ill or exhausted on me."
Tim didn't get a completely restful sleep before he was removed from the room. Ra's simply stated that they had to move. Ra's didn't say anything, but Tim could tell that he wasn't pleased as he practically dragged through the building.
The moment Ra's got Tim outside, he realized that they weren't alone. Several feet away was Batman. There wasn't going to be a smooth escape, if any, at that point, forcing Ra's to give Batman his attention. Not that Tim cared. He was just glad to see Batman, hopeful that this could end in his favor.
"Let him go Ra's." Batman demanded, approaching them.
Ra's' grip only tightened on the teen's arm, causing Tim to painfully hiss.
"No." Ra's refused. Tugging Tim along to keep some distance. "He's mine."
Batman's stone cold determination remained unchanged. He was not in the mood for Ra's refusal. The anxiety in Tim's eyes didn't help either.
"You've kidnapped my child, bartered another, and you have the gall to even consider claiming him."
"No." Ra's disagreed. "I have every right with Timothy."
"Bruce, help me." Tim begged, attempting to run in the man's direction.
"Silence!" Ra's demanded, throwing Tim back.
Tim tripped over his feet, causing him to fall down. Everyone stopped moving. Tim slowly sat up, keeping an eye on Ra's.
"You seem to have forgotten your place Timothy." Ra's reminded. "Now go to the transport while I deal with the Detective."
Something in Tim refused the command. He didn't want to listen to Ra's anymore. He was tired of the control. Tim slowly stood back up.
"No."
A whipping sound cracked in response to Tim's refusal. Both him and Batman appeared equally shocked by Ra's' choice of action. The red mark on Tim's face didn't help him either. A hand roughly grabbed the base of his head, gripping a wad of hair with it. With that much control, Ra's forced Tim's attention on to him.
"You will do as your told young man," Ra's stated, "unless you want a grander punishment later."
Tim's silence coupled with Ra's' authoritarian status was uncomfortable to Batman. The fact that Tim was letting this happen, and by extent how much power Ra's appeared to have over him, was even worse. He knew Tim wanted to fight, but something was stopping him. Tim was uncomfortable, but he was remaining calm.
"I don't care. I'm not going anywhere."
Ra's wasn't pleased with the response. The insubordination was bothersome, and he was willing to address it as cruelly as possible. Batman could see it.
Instead of vocally responding, Batman stormed over to them. He grabbed Ra's' shoulder and pried him away from Tim. He defensively stood in front Tim as Ra's regained his footing, enraged.
Ra's drew his blade, ready to fight. Batman shifted his stance to combat Ra's'. He remained protectively in front Tim for a moment.
"Stay here." Batman ordered. "I've got this."
"But…" Tim began.
"No. I'm not letting you get hurt."
"Don't make promises you can't keep Detective." Ra's interrupted. "He's going to hurt, and given his rebellion, a stern punishment."
"You're going to do anything." Batman denied. "He's coming home."
Batman lunged at Ra's. He was ready to unleash his anger towards the man out. The fight immediately took a physical route, using their preferred martial arts method. Ra's' sword was used in an attempt to either injure or distract Batman.
"He's a wonderful child Detective." Ra's complimented. "He's got so much potential, so much life, but it's squandered on your crusade."
"He's perfect the way he is." Batman argued. "He doesn't need what you maliciously have to offer."
"I disagree given your mentorship over my grandson. He needs someone who cares."
"That's not you."
The fight continued as Batman's anger grew.
They came to a stalemate after several minutes of combat, but neither one was ready to give up. Not with Tim's life in the balance. Batman hated the thought of leaving Tim behind. He already went through two months of captivity. Two months of torment. That wasn't fair, nor was it right.
Ra's' mindset was towards the opposite notion. He wanted to keep Tim to himself. To have an heir that heir that his previous two choices denied. He would need a little more breaking, but maybe after dealing with the Detective, it would be easier to mold him.
Tim couldn't stand to watch any longer. He was tired of waiting around for something good to happen. He was tired of not doing anything. Tim wanted to fight. He knew Batman didn't want him to, but he didn't care. He bolted at Ra's, but not without catching Batman's attention in the process.
"Tim! No!" Batman yelled.
Ra's took note of the command, turning his attention towards the teen. He didn't have the chance to react as Tim punched him square in the face. Ra's was able to pick up on his attack quick, defending himself from Tim's fight.
Tim tackled Ra's, stealing a small dagger from him. He held it above Ra's' heart. Ra's wasn't fazed by the predicament. He was actually curiously amused. He could easily gain the upper hand, but he didn't want to. The troubled and determined glow in his eyes was amazing, and Ra's wanted to see how it would play out.
"Go ahead." Ra's encouraged. "Stab me. You know you want to."
Batman was concerned. He wanted to say something to stop Tim from what he could possibly do. However, saying something could only push him over the edge. Whichever, Batman knew he couldn't do nothing.
"Tim." Batman sighed. "Don't."
"Don't listen to him Timothy." Ra's debated. "This is your choice. Your moment."
Tim didn't respond. He continued to hold the blade. He was at war with himself. He wanted to kill Ra's, he really did, but something was holding him back. After all Ra's put him through, Tim knew he deserved it. But no matter much he mentally ordered himself to kill him, a lingering theory plaguing the back of his mind. Tim started to shake.
Several minutes passed and there wasn't any response. Ra's and Batman were on opposite ends of suspense. Ra's was curiously impatient, wanting Tim to make a move, while Batman was anxiously praying that Tim would make the right decision.
"I… I can't." Tim realized, throwing the blade aside. "You'll just come back. I could kill you. I want to, but you would be revived. I could leave you alive and you'd still come back. I could destroy you're hideouts, but you would still find a way to regroup. No matter what I do, I won't be able to stop you."
Batman sighed with relief. He was glad that Tim hadn't been completely over taken by the urge to kill Ra's. However, the fact that Tim was still able to hold on to his sense of reason was amazing.
Ra's, on the other hand, was intrigued. He had half expected Tim to stab him without remorse, but the fact that he weighed his options was a good thing. He listed off several accurate deductions.
"True." Ra's agreed. "Any of those options could come to pass, and I applaud your observation. No matter what you do, I'll always come back. Since you've come to accept that, I think I'll let you go. For now."
Tim was startled by the declaration. After all Ra's put him through, he was just going to release him. It was unheard of. Even Batman was surprised by it.
A hand placed itself on the back of Tim's head, bringing him closer to Ra's. It was as though Ra's had a secret that he wanted only Tim to hear.
"My kindness doesn't come without a price." Ra's whispered.
A sharp pain pierced Tim's chest as the blade he tossed aside entered it. Tim groaned in pain as his hand moved to the wound. Ra's took the opportunity to gain the upper hand. Using Tim's imbalance, he knocked the teen off of him, pinning the Tim down.
"I'll see you soon Detective." Ra's promised.
Standing up, Ra's ran towards his transport. Batman ran to Tim's side. As much as he wanted to chase after Ra's, Tim had to be his first priority. The blade was still embedded in Tim's chest, and he had to get it out.
"This might hurt." Batman warned as he grabbed the blade's hilt. "I'll try to be as quick as possible."
Tim weakly nodded. Batman kept a firm grip on the hilt. Taking a deep breath Batman quickly pulled blade out. Tim only gasped in distress. Blood began to spill out of the open wound. Thinking fast, Batman slowly sat Tim up and ripped a good sized chunk of Tim's cape off and tightly wrapped it around the wound. Tim was trying to hold onto consciousness, but the loss of blood was affecting him.
Batman carefully picked Tim up, one arm wrapped around his shoulders and the other around Tim's legs, and ran towards his jet. He didn't let Tim go as he punched in the coordinates and turned the autopilot on. Once the jet got off the ground, Batman sat down, positioning Tim on his lap. Batman took his cowl off, carefully watching Tim. Tim's breathing had slowed down and he was limp and unconscious.
"Hold on Tim." Bruce begged. "You're going to be okay. You hear me? Everything will be okay."
This was a fun chapter to write and is the longest chapter. Tim's free, but not without a sinister context.