I do NOT own any of these characters
Tim is about 15 in this story
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Enjoy!
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When Tim reached his room, which was just a few doors down from the strange group of people, he immediately sat down at the table and started doing any and all research on what may have happened to Bruce. A few hours in he is disturbed by his stomach grumbling and comes to the conclusion that he should probably get some sustenance. Which will include coffee, a lot of coffee.
Looking at the time he notices that it is 2:30 am, he gets up and makes himself a quick coffee from the provided sachets in the room, caring very little about the scalding effect it has on his tongue he makes quick work of gulping it down. Falling into a pushup position, he does a few exercises to stretch out his limbs after the hours of sitting.
Tim's mind drifts back to the people in the other room, they were definitely not from around here and they were definitely not just 'tourists'. Who would make a holiday trip somewhere and stay in a motel on the outskirts of the city? There was something about them that didn't make sense.
'I will have to keep an eye out for them while I am working. If something even more suspicious than Nate keeping my identity to himself arises, I will investigate further. But for now finding Bruce is my top priority.' Tim's mind was racing through Bruce's case as he went through his 2 hour routine and as he completed his last set of exercises, he got up, cleaned and rewrapped his wounds and with another cup of coffee sat down for another 2 hours of research.
When 6:30 am came, Tim decided to head to the diner across the street for a quick breakfast, pulling on a hoody and sunglasses, he snuck out the room with his laptop bag strapped to his back, and stalked towards the diner. Entering the small restaurant, he sighed inwardly when he recognised the familiar faces of the people who helped him the previous night. He feels the subtle gaze of someone, most likely the shortish-Jason-like guy, on him from the moment he stepped into the place.
Though he doesn't show it, he is also not oblivious to the not so subtle glances he receives from everyone else. Giving them no notice, he headed straight for the booth at the end of the room in the corner, which was just close enough that he could almost hear what was being said among the suspicious outsiders who found him the night before.
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Eliot was having a restless night and couldn't sleep. He doesn't usually sleep long in general but when he does get a chance it usually isn't this bad, all because he could not get Alvin, or rather Timothy Drake, off of his mind. Why was he in the ally alone? Why did he refuse the hospital? Why did he seem so… so… lost? Defeated? Sad? Eliot did not know what to make of the boy.
So around 4 am he decided to go for a jog, which was probably a bad idea because it was 4 in the morning in Gotham city, but at that point in time he really couldn't try sleep any more. When he finished a thankfully uneventful jog, he managed to get the room number Tim was staying in with a few tricks of distracting the desk lady by asking for spare keys for his room.
'Just in case anything happens then I know which room to find the kid in.' Eliot thought to himself as he made his way up to his room. 'And how did I not manage to hear a door opening and closing when Tim left our room yesterday especially when he is only a few doors down from our room?'
By the time he got back, everyone, except Hardison, was up and all decided that a breakfast at the diner across the street would be good. However, the place only opened in about 30 minutes so they had time to try wake the last of them up and get him moving.
By 6:20 the Leverage team had table next to a window, with Eliot and Hardison doing their bickering with Parker and Sophie pitching in every now and then. Nate, as usual was surveying their small somewhat messed up family.
Eliot makes out the doorbell ringing as the waitress arrives to take the groups orders. Force of habit pushes his sight towards the door to acknowledge the newcomer in order to determine whether they would be a threat or not, noticing the boy from the previous night he glances and takes note of the time.
'He's up really early for a kid his age, maybe he couldn't manage sleep with all that bruising.' Eliot thought as he takes in Tim's slight limp and tense posture, watching him walk straight past their table and occupying a few tables down from them. Eliot notices some people giving the young boy a double take before continuing on their way.
'Kid's likely to get jumped again if he doesn't learn to be more observant. Didn't even look up to see who was in the room. Gonna have to keep an eye o-'
"Hello! Earth to Eliot!" Sophie's voice penetrates his thoughts snapping him back to the present. Eliot blinks a few times glancing between his table, the menu and back at Tim.
"What will you be ordering Mister?" The waitress asks Eliot with a polite smile and flirtatious eyes.
"Uhm yes sorry, I'll have the double breakfast omelette and a glass of water please. Thanks sweetheart." Eliot says addressing the (very beautiful blue eyed) waitress with a wink. She blushes and hurries back to the kitchen to deliver the order.
"Damn Eliot, hitting on the lady so early on in the morning? I mean can you imagine how much of that she'll get through the day? Because Let me tell you that she is Fine." Hardison pokes then with his eyes going comically wide turns to Parker, "I mean still got nothing on you and Sophie I mean there is absolutely no comparison and-"
"Okay we get it Hardison." Interrupts Nate before he can make himself look like a fool, "Eliot, got something on your mind?"
With no response, Eliot simply tilts his head in Tim's direction. The table fills with mixed emotions when the group sees Tim Drake, a.k.a 'Alvin', the son of the man the group has been hired to expose as a rotten, no good playboy philanthropist, just like so many other scumbags they've brought down over the years.
"We should talk to him." Parker whispers to the group with a straight face. "Talk to him and Sophie you can do your thing, your magic thing that gets people to trust us and then he will willingly tell us what we need to know to do the job."
"You really think the kid will just tell complete strangers about his personal life and cough up any dirt on his father? You think he even knows anything about business or deals or contracts at that age?" Sophie asks looking at Parker incredulously who just shrugs in response.
"I mean, think about it. Why would the kid of a billionaire be in an ally in probably the roughest part of the city, refuses to be taken to a hospital and gives a fake name to his saviours if he isn't running away from home or something? There's obviously something fishy going on there, I just know it."
"You think maybe the big W is hitting his kids? He is too much in the lime light, there ain't no way something like that can be hidden for so long." Hardison asks with furrowed brows.
"What else could it be?" Nate says pitching in. "I had a funny feeling with that kid last night; I can't explain it but something I think we should look into."
"So did I. Though I don't think it is abuse, he didn't act like someone who is 'abused,' " Eliot said.
"Either way, it is an angle we must work. It could be what moves this job along." Nate says with finality. The table lapses into silence as they all stare at random spots on the table with pensive looks on their faces. They are brought out of the moment with the waitress retuning with all of their drinks. It was also obvious that Eliot's show of interest left a good impression, as she would not take her eyes off him the entire time.
"So what of the capes in this area?" Parker asks out of the blue.
"What about the who?" Hardison asks back with a raised eyebrow.
"The Capes, you know, like the heroes or superheroes. What do we know of the ones in Gotham?"
"Pfft those things aren't real sweet cheeks. That just made up stuff from people's imaginations and all." Hardison replied nonchalantly.
"So what would you call Superman then?" Sophie asks Hardison with a pointed look.
"See to believe Soph. Wait, Eliot are the real?" Hardison once again puts his faith in his secretive friend to provide some answers because this is something he would definitely know about. Being the mysterious mystery he is.
With a blank face and a sip of water being the response he gets from the super-secret hitter, Hardison's eyebrows shoot even further up. "No, ahah no there is no way that there are actual people running around at night in skin suits and capes being all ninja and fighting crime!"
"I have seen one." Parker states. "and I know one. Kinda. However, she isn't really a hero so I don't know if that counts."
"Of course you do. Who?" Hardison asks in disbelief.
"Catwoman. I think that is her name. From what I heard."
"Excuse me, Catwoman? And how exactly do you know Catwoman?"
Shrugging Parker says, "She and I were competing for a fancy jewel. She got away with it the bitc-"
"Okay hol' up no need for name calling. And of course I should have known, two renowned thieves competing over a jewel. Eliot do you know Catwoman?"
"Hardison, you're talking too much. Yes I know of Catwoman. But the one we need to watch out for here is Batm-" Eliot begins but is interrupted by a harsh hiss from the customers at the table next to them.
"Shhh! Don't you say that name. We don't want that kinda trouble here folks. Ya'll outsiders?" The stranger asks looking around the table. The team each give a curt nod.
"Huh no kidding. Well I'll give ya a lil' piece of advice. Don't talk about the capes; don't mention names and they won't possibly hear it."
"How will they hear it? Aren't they human?" Nate asks.
"That don't matter whether they human or not. They got something going on there. I bet my ass that the bat has superpowers. So if you don't speak it they won't hear it ever." The man says with a determined look on his face.
"Sounds like paranoia to me." Nate says sceptically.
"Out here in Gotham, that paranoia keeps us alive folks, don't you forget that."
"So can you tell us anything about the capes?"
"Did you not just hear what I said? No speak no find!" He retorted.
"Excuse us sir, but as you've noticed we are in fact outsiders. We really don't want to step on any toes while we are here and it would do us a great service if you could just tell us to be aware of. Please could you do that for us? For me?" Sophie says in a soothing syrupy voice with big worried and pleading eyes. The man was obviously having an internal crisis and seeing Sophie's sweet face was not helping whatsoever.
"Okay okay fine!" He concedes looking around the diner and through the window to see if the coast was clear to speak.
"Ever since the…" the man placed two index fingers on either side of his head creating two batcowl ears, "… took on his little child sidekick many years ago there's been a lot of growth and changes in the cape community. The one now is different to that one. Rumour has it the bat is different too. Some say the other one is dead. The one that started the whole thing. And that someone else has taken his place. But you don't need to worry bout them long as you on the right side of the law. You ought to worry about those crazies. Pray there ain't no Arkham breakout while ya'll are here." He finishes off in an ominous tone.
"And sometimes we get a visit from the neighbouring city hero, say he's in cahoots with the bat, we know the bats been dealing with the gun toting maniac going by Red Hood but he hasn't been seen for long too. I think he caught the son of a bitch, but I don't know I am going off of heresy. I ain't no crook, they would know more than me ya know."
"Anyway folks I wish ya'll luck, I gotta go." He says getting up and hurries out the door.
"Well that was something. Not freaky at all." Hardison says blankly.
"Arkham Asylum is notorious for its breakouts. Let's do this job, get it done and leave. I do not like this place one bit." Nate says firmly, the conversation moves to lighter conversation until the food arrives, when they have their food they discuss very brief and vague ideas of what and how the job can be executed well.
Eliot casts one last glance at Tim who still waiting for his breakfast is engrossed in the laptop in front of him. For a moment, Eliot thought that the screen was being used as a mirror to watch their little group but scratched the idea when he saw it wasn't at the right angle and he himself could barely see the screen over Tim's shoulder. Turning to his breakfast, he casts his attention back onto his group.
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Tim, taking his seat and booting up his laptop decides it wouldn't be the wisest decision to do and serious batman research out in the open and decides rather to get himself caught up in terms of worldly politics. See who's fighting who or who has made deals where. What has Lex Luthor been up to and all the information about the powers that would most likely prove useful should his superhero team ever get an overseas mission again.
'Don't see that happening any time soon if I don't get Bruce back fast.' Tim thinks pausing on his keys at the thought of his team. 'Stay focused Drake; nothing will get done if you start your pity party all by yourself.'
Partially listening to the conversation going on behind him and reading all the latest celebrity and important person news articles Tim saw a headline about a Spanish politicians daughter in Madrid being kidnapped and ransomed and bookmarked the article. 'May as well look into this, was already planning a trip to Madrid.' Tim planned in his head when he suddenly felt the all to knowing sensation he gets when he is being watched.
Glancing into the top left corner of his laptop screen, which he set up at just the right angle to partially see the group behind him. He notes that they are indeed looking in his direction however, what catches his full attention is the whispered sentence that followed. Suddenly he is soaking up all the information from their discussion he can gather. 'Surly they should know that it doesn't help much to whisper, if anything it attracts more attention.'
"You think maybe the big W is hitting his kids? He is too much in the lime light; there ain't no way something like that can be hidden for so long." He heard 'Hardison' say a little louder than a whisper and forced himself to make himself even more invested in his research to avoid any suspicion from Eliot as to whether or not he is eavesdropping.
'Huh, you'd be surprised how much can be hidden from the press, just takes a little bit of determination and long term planning.' Tim though smirking to himself. It of course wasn't the first time having people assuming that Bruce was abusive or only adopted to have little boy toys around the manor. So that train of thought didn't bother him. What bothered him was the entire content of their conversation.
'Blonde said the other lady must work her magic to get me to trust them and spill any dirt on Bruce or the company? Sounds like they've been hired to take down either Wayne Enterprises or Bruce Wayne. But… why? Sure, there are many enemies of both the company and even more so of Bruce Wayne, but what could have provoked such action now? Maybe if I find out I can know who it is that hired them.'
Tim's mind was reeling, building a puzzle with all the given information, and determining what it is he needed to research further. 'Fact 1. This is a professional team and they're here to take down either Bruce or WE. 2, Eliot is the muscle, he can fight though how well I do not know. 3, Nate is definitely the brains of the operation. 4, Sophie, most likely the talent, but between her, Parker and Hardison I am yet to find out what it is they do.'
"-apes, you know, like the heroes or superheroes. What do we know of the ones in Gotham?" Tim heard the blonde ask and listened for a reply.
"Pfft those things aren't real sweet cheeks. That just made up stuff from people's imaginations and all." Hardison replied, 'Okay so obviously he doesn't get out much.' Tim thought shocked that there are still people who don't know that superheroes are an actual thing. Considering how many attacks there's been, not only in Gotham but around the world. The following discussion ticked off another skill in the group.
'So, Nate is brains, Eliot muscle and Parker is a thief. Probably a fairly competent one too if she was competing with Catwoman. That leaves Hardison and Sophie. Though by the way this is going I assume Sophie is indeed the acting talent, something like a conwoman. And Hardison, probably the computer geek or the 'man in the chair' which would explain him being oblivious to heroes and all.' Tim draws up these conclusions as he skims through another interesting news article.
During his eavesdropping, he picks up that Sophie will be given a fake pass and job into the company where she will be the eyes and ears from the inside. Hardison will be hacking the databases in search for any discrepancies in the finances, emails, reports etc. Nate will be acting as a possible client and Parker is in charge of 'snooping' when the head of offices are distracted. Eliot's role for the moment is apparently to 'sit tight' as there isn't need for his expertise just yet.
He also found out that they did plan to work his angle as well. 'This could be interesting; I could go along with it and con the conman. That won't work well in and around my work to find Bruce. I can't have any distractions.' Tim thinks and taking a deep breath and making a decision he really did not want to make.
'I must let Dick know. As much as the thought of him just makes me want to punch him in the face multiple times, I can't allow these outsiders to ruin Bruce's business. His name. Especially when it is under the assumption, that Bruce is a dirty businessman and an abusive father.
His food arrives and he hadn't realised just how hungry he was and made quick work of his egg and bacon breakfast. Downing another 2 cups of coffee and ordering another one to take home, he looked at the time and seeing it is already almost 7:30, stands up to take his leave. Stopping by the counter to pay for his meal he is interrupted by a surprised sounding Sophie.
"Alvin? Is that you? Goodness I hadn't recognised you with the hoodie and shades." She says placing a gentle hand on his shoulder that makes him tense slightly. "How are you? Why are you up so early? Silly boy you should have let us bring you some food you should be resting!"
Putting on a slightly shocked face Tim stares at her through the shades. He removes them and smoothing out his expression says, "Oh morning… " he starts with furrowed brows pretending to have forgotten her name.
"Sophie, Sophie Devereaux." She says with a kind smile, Tim thinks he sees a small hint of hurt that he hadn't remembered her name.
"Ah yes of course, I'm sorry I wasn't… paying much attention last night." He responds casting his eyes to the floor for a split second before bringing them up again, but never making eye contact. "I am well thank you for asking."
"Yes well, the others and I saw you, or we thought we saw you and hoped that it wasn't you because we thought that you would for sure be resting after last night." She says switching to a motherly tone to appeal to a teenage boy the way a mother would to her son.
'Not bad.' Tim thought. Softening his face slightly, "Look Miss Devereaux, I appreciate the concern but I am okay. Really, I will be fine. If it helps at all, I promise that I'll give you a shout should I not be fine." Tim responds with sincere and gentle eyes. With one last smile and nod towards the groups table, he finishes the payment and walks out with a slight limp.
Tim could feel the watchful eyes of the group on him as he left the diner and now with the new found information, Tim sighs in resignation as he realizes he has a lot of work lined up for him in the coming days, weeks or months, but first, he had a call to make.
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Nightwing leaps over the incoming slash and expertly dodges the spray of knives that are flung his way by the attacking ninja. Sending out attacks of his own, he forces the ninja to fall into some defensive moves, only to soon be having to didge the next onslaught of attacks. Even with the impressive display of acrobatics, athleticism, skill, speed and agility from his opponent, Nightwing has a long way to go before his limit is reached.
After a few more minutes of fighting, the sound of clashing weapons and flesh is interrupted by a loud rendition of 'Stayin' alive' by the Bee Gees. Making this the timeout Nightwing quickly gains the upper hand and brings the fight to and end when he gets the ninja in a checkmate by throwing him over his shoulder and knocking the air out of his lungs. Nightwing starts walking away as he pulls out his phone and dodges yet another throwing knife as he answers the call.
"Do not turn your back on me Nightwing! This fight is not over! I am still standing!" the tiny ninja yells hurling another knife at the retreating vigilante. His frustration grows and runs at Nightwing when the vigilante lets out a loud warm laugh in response.
"This is no fight baby bat, this is training and as you can see I have a call." Dick says between laughs, sidestepping Damian and ruffling the kid's hair, "Hey Timmers!" He says sticking his tongue out at the fuming mini bat.
"Dick…" Tim says in a monotone through the phone making Dick wince a little.
"Yeah Tim, are you okay?"
"There is a group in Gotham who seems to have been hired to look into and take down either Wayne Enterprises or Bruce. I overheard them in passing. You can look into them. Names I have so far, Sophie Devereaux, Nate, Elliot, Hardison, Parker." Tim states getting straight to the point of the call, not wanting to get into any form of small talk.
"Take down Bruce? Do you know who may have hired them?" Dick asks.
"Not sure who the employer is. And from what I gathered about the group, Parker has been in contact with Catwoman at some point, Elliot is the muscle and fighter, Nate is the brains of the operation, Sophie is most likely a conwoman and has a fake ID, pass and will be infiltrating WE. Hardison has been tasked to hack the company database to search for any discrepancies in the books."
"This is big Tim. Good job on getting what you got." Dick says trying very hard to avoid the question he really wanted to ask and that was to find out how his little brother is doing. He hadn't seen him since he left and had to restrain himself from going out and looking for him. He knew that Tim was smart and needed to find his path now that he was no longer Robin, Dick just hoped that Tim would realise he still could come to Dick for anything.
"Yeah well, my skills didn't get taken along with the title Dick." Tim finishes with a hint of petty comeback and hangs up, leaving Dick to wallow in what was said. With a big sigh, Dick drags his hand down his face. 'Tim surely you can understand why I had to do what I did.'
"What did Drake want?" Damian asks sticking his nose in the air.
"Just letting us know that we have work to do, but before that, go shower and get ready for school baby bat." Dick says with an evil smirk knowing how much the kid hated and despised school.
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Okay, so I did two chapters yayay
Again, if you enjoy it I ask for patience.
Haven't been able to do much outside of studies recently so this story will definitely take some time.
Feedback would be appreciated and hope everyone has a great week.