Family Ties Chapter 25 Almost Time

Dick paced the cave restlessly. Bruce and Damian had located the building Tim had mentioned (a Wayne Shipping warehouse next to Swift Transport's third largest) and were looking at the plans for it and the surrounding buildings. Jason was watching the video for the fourth time (now mercifully muted), trying to find extra clues. Babs was using the Batcomputer to follow Cain's hack. Cass had left to deliver the spare video to the police.

Steph, like him, was at a loose end. He flipped, and sidled over to her. "Spar?" he offered.

She nodded, rising and grabbing a bo staff. Dick picked up a pair of escrima sticks, and they moved to the training mat. They sank into 'ready' positions, but were distracted by the roar of a motorcycle, announcing Cass' return.

"How did Dad take it?" Babs called out.

"Not great," Cass answered, dismounting and removing her helmet. "He'd already heard vague reports, but insufficient detail. Told him we passed video to Batman as well."

"Suppose that's one advantage of Batman Inc.," Dick mused. "Cuts out the middle man."

"Cassandra, does your father know what Tim said?" Bruce asked.

She frowned. "I think not. But most likely can guess."

"He will assume we know where he is," Damian said. "That is standard practise in the League of Shadows."

"When would he be most likely to expect a rescue attempt?" asked Bruce.

"At once, or nightfall, I suppose," Cass mused. "Or after a week of stakeout."

"When would he least expect it?"

"Noon tomorrow." Bruce sighed, and Cass raised an eyebrow, as though to say 'you DID ask'. She rolled her eyes. "Or early morning. Four to six."

"Hmm." Bruce examined the diagrams drawn on the Perspex board. "We need to convince him we're waiting, or cause a distraction."

Damian and Cass frowned, Jason fiddled with the clip in his handgun and Babs chewed the arm of her anti-glare computer spectacles. Dick tilted his head, running through all their resources to see what would help. A thought slowly formed.

"I have an idea," he offered. "You may not like it. Do you trust me?"

"Of course," Bruce said, frowning. "You know that."

"Enough to relax some of your usual rules?"

Bruce locked his gaze. "To get Tim back? I trust your judgement."

Dick nodded, and pulled out his phone, dialling the number. "Hello, Cassie?"

Hours had passed. Little had been achieved. Babs had tracked the hack back to a computer in the college library. When Dick examined it, he found the hard drive ripped out and the mother board snapped. No way to trace anything.

As it started to get dark, Jason went off to mark the area as Red Hood territory, a process that involved threatening anyone who didn't like it and bloodying several knives.

Bruce had a long discussion with Leslie about what she'd be treating Tim for tomorrow. She didn't like it, especially not the 'quite probably something else as well' bit, but was grateful for the advance warning, and the confirmation of the rumours.

Dick had prepared a statement for the press, requesting privacy, voicing confidence in the GCPD and all resources they may have, and promising a further statement at such a time as circumstances changed.

Bruce and Cass were currently out, Batman co-ordinating the upcoming operation with Gordon, and Black Bat taking control of the security cameras in the area with the help of Oracle. Babs may more usually go by Batgirl now, but she still enjoyed returning to her information broker persona, if only for a few hours.

A voice ran through the cave. "Nightwing!" Dick came out of a side room with an armful of spare weaponry, and saw a small group of four brightly dressed teens.

"Wonder Girl," he said, smiling. "Superboy, Kid Flash, Ravager."

Ravager rounded on Wonder Girl. "You said we wouldn't be with them."

"We're trying to make it look like we've decided on a week of stakeout before making a move. I'm assuming that's the story Cassie gave you? Your job is to cause a distraction and look like you ignored us and came on your own for a rescue mission," Dick explained.

"Can you please tell us everything that's happened?" Superboy asked.

By the time Batman and Black Bat returned, they'd nearly finished the report. "So we're working out a rather specific schedule," Dick finished. "Take it from here, B?"

Batman moved over to the map. The Titans and Bats clustered around. "This is the warehouse where Tim is being held," he started. "The exact location is concealed; we don't know how. At three-fifteen, we will start feeding the security cameras a loop. By three-thirty, we will be in position." He ghosted his finger over markers for the Gothamites, before pointing out places for the Titans. "At four, you four advance into these locations, Attract attention, but be stealthy. Look like you're trying your best to be inconspicuous. You must be seen by quarter past. Then, attack these three targets. I leave that part to you. At half past, we will attack down these routes. At five, the police arrive. You must be gone by then. Clear?"

Superboy raised a hand. "Who gets Tim?"

"Rescuing him is our first priority," Dick said. "If you can get him out, do so. But we will be turning him over to police custody, so bear in mind we'll be taking him if you get him."

"Why is it meant to take so long?" Kid Flash whined.

"This kind of strategy gives room for modification," Babs explained. "We don't want to be so tight for time we can't improvise."

Ravager snorted. "Look, I only came 'cause it's Cain. I don't take well to being a distraction. When do we get to kick assassin butt?"

The tips of Batman's lips twitched, his version of a broad grin. "As long as you stick to the plan, Miss Wilson, you may kick all the assassin butt you want."

AN: Okay, so we're FINALLY getting places. You like Dick's plan? I'm thinking it might be a little OOC for Bruce to accept, but with one of his sons on the line... If you have a strong opinion either way, feel free to PM/review and say so.

Any other matters, also welcome to PM or review.

The eternal wait is over next week, here in Family Ties. Can't wait? Check out Flashback, for the latest three part installment, which features a little bird, a bat-to-be, and just a spot of trouble...

See ya.

Katara