A Different game: 4d
Hearing the computer alarms going off, Clark had walked into Barbara's control room. He stood near Alfred and they watched as Barbara worked. Clark wanted to ask what was going on. He had asked Alfred who hadn't knownanything -- except that Barbara was upset.
"No!" she cried. Her hands finally going still.
"Barbara?" Clark asked moving closer to her.
"They've been captured," she said without emotion. She sounded numb.
"My word," Alfred said as his hand went to his mouth.
Clark leaned over Barbara's shoulder, "Where?"
"Bludhaven," she said defeated as a tear ran down her cheek.
***********************************************************************
"It's not over," Dick growled lowly as he watched the armed officers approaching his car. "I won't let it be over."
"If you've got any ideas, now's a good time," Tim replied, his hands resting on the dashboard of the car. He was trying to calm his breathing down as he eyed the many drawn guns pointing at them. His efforts weren't working very well.
Dick's eyes darted from side to side as he watched the officers approaching, then he dropped his head and looked toward the floorboard of the car. "You're Jack Malone until they can prove otherwise. Understand? I'm Robbie and you're Jack. Go with it," Dick said as he looked up to meet Tim's gaze.
The officers opened the doors. Dick and Tim both felt hands grabbing them and pulling them from the car. The officers grabbed Dick by the arm and back of his jacket and threw him onto the hood of the car. Dick looked across the hood of the car, his eyes meeting Tim's. He could tell the boy was nervous. He understood. He was too, but he was determined to get them out of this. Dick steeled himself.
"What the hell's going on?" he asked in his best Jersey Malone accent.
"Spread 'em!" one of the policemen yelled in his ear as he felt his feet being kicked apart. He felt the officers patting him down. He felt the cold steel of the handcuffs clamping down on his wrist. Then his arms being pulled behind him, the handcuffs claiming his other wrist as well.
"Man, what is your friggin' problem? What's this about? Jack and me ain't done nuthin'!" He was acting the part. He had to act the part. No, he had to be the part. He had to be Robbie Malone.
"Shut up Grayson," a plain clothed officer said moving close enough to Dick that he felt his breath on his neck.
"Grayson? Who the hell is that? I'm Robbie -- Malone. That's my brother Jack. We ain't done nuthin'," Robbie yelled, then added, "lately."
"Yeah," Jack said squirming under the weight of the officers pressing down on his, "get off'a me!"
The plain clothed officer turned Robbie around, "You think we don't know who you are?"
"Well since youse is calling me 'Grayson', I guess you don't. I'm Robbie Malone. Check my ID in my wallet."
The officer pulled the wallet out of Robbie's back pocket and looked through it. Driver's license, social security card, credit cards, car registration -- all in the name of Robert Malone. And a probabtion/parole card. Pulling that card out and holding it in front of Robbie's face, he asked, "What's this?"
"What? Probation officer's card. Don't call that jerk, he'll try to put me in jail and I ain't done nuthin' this time. You cops are going psycho on us. We just got outta jail, we don't wanna go back."
"What's the kid's ID say?" the plain clothed officer asked across the car.
"Jack Malone," a uniformed officer responded.
Tossing Robbie's identification across the car to the uniformed officer, the officer holding Robbie said, "Call in a wants and warrants check on these two, I'm going to my car and have them patch me in to probation and see if I can get this guys so-called probation officer."
"Aw man, don't call that jerk. Come on!" Robbie yelled as he watched the plain clothed officer walking to his car. He turned to face Tim, their eyes locked. He tried to convey confidence with a slight smile. Tim tried to return it, but he found he couldn't.
***********************************************************************
New alarms started sounding on the computer. Barbara looked up, a smile started to form on her face. "Maybe it's not over yet."
"What?"
"They're running a warrants check on Robbie and Jack Malone."
"Who's that?" Clark asked confused.
"Matches' little boys. Dick and Tim's underworld identities," she replied.
Clark smiled when he realized what was going on, "So they've convinced the police enough to check."
"Yep. We're not home free yet, but there's still a chance. If we can just keep them from taking them into the station," Barbara said as her fingers were flying over the keyboards. "There, rap sheets on the Malone boys have just been received on the on-board computers."
"Blackgate?" Clark asked reading the information that filled the screen.
"Master Dick infiltrated Blackgate last year as Robbie Malone," Alfred added as he moved closer to the computer console, "therefore there are actually photographs of Master Dick's 'Robbie' persona in the system."
Barbara pulled a headset on, "Gotham City Probabtion/Parole Office, how may I direct your call?" she asked.
Clark smiled as he watched this performance before him. He knew Bruce and his people were well organized, but he never had any idea they were this detailed. It was as if they did have separate lives.
"One moment please," Barbara said as she put the intercepted call on hold. "Clark, I need you to play Robbie's probation officer. This is a role set up for Bruce, you'll have to fill in. Your name's Andy Horton."
"What do I say? I don't know --"
"Watch the screen. Everything's going to be there," Barbara said as she handed him another headset. "Sound frazzled, you're an overworked state employee."
"Frazzled I can sound," Clark said as he watched Barbara flip a switch and point at him, "Horton here."
***********************************************************************
Dick and Tim had been moved to the trunk of the car while the officers were running their searches on them. Tim leaned over and whispered, "Think they'll buy who we are?"
"Yeah," Dick said. None of these officers knew him, they shouldn't have any problems, if Barbara was manning her computer that was. And he was sure she was.
"Maybe you should've called her," Tim said.
Dick glared at Tim. "Don't start."
Amy Rohrback pulled up in her squad car and got out. "Miller, what's up? I heard you had my ex-rookie," she asked glancing at the two suspects in custody. She could only see their backs.
Miller threw his hand up silencing her as he continued to speak into his radio communicator.
Dick looked around as he and Tim leaned against the trunk of the Nightbird. His eyes grew wide when he saw Amy Rohrback standing near Officer Miller. "Oh shit," he said under his breath.
Tim looked at him, "What? What!"
"Amy," he whispered.
Tim's eyes widened, "Oh God. We're dead."
"I'm dead, you have a long life ahead of you, a very long life."
***********************************************************************
"Mr. Horton, I'm Officer Miller, Bludhaven P.D. I have a suspect in custody who claims to be one of your probationers."
"Who?" Clark asked as he was reading the file on Robbie Malone that filled Barbara's screen.
"Robbie Malone."
"What's he done now?" Clark said with a loud sigh.
"We've got guy claiming to be Robbie Malone and a kid who says he's his brother --"
"Jack, sixteen year old, lot of attitude?"
"Sounds like him. We thought we had Grayson and Drake."
"Whoa, the Malone's are about the same age as those two, but I don't think Grayson and Drake would pose as the Malone brothers. No one would pose as one of the Malone's. I'm sure running their prints would verify who you have."
"Do you have any warrants out on them currently?"
Clark looked at Barbara's screen, "No, they're out on bail for gunrunning and breaking and entering, their usual stuff. They run with a gang -- the Vicelords. Bludhaven's a little out of their territory."
"Have a photo of these two?" Officer Miller asked.
Clark looked at Barbara, who nodded her head. He watched the screen and followed Barbara's script. "I have a file photo of Robbie, from Blackgate, and, let me look in my file, yes, I do have a file photo of Jack Malone too. Known criminal associates, you know."
"Could you send me copies of those over the DCIC system?" Miller asked.
"Yes," Clark responded as he watched Barbara nodding her head. "I'll also send you the descriptive information sheet, it lists Robbie's tattoos, or at least some of them, he may have gotten new ones since we filled this out last, that boy likes a tattoo parlor."
"Thanks, all of that would help us figure out who we actually have here."
Clark smiled as he read Barbara's latest line for him, "Well, if you have two guys with a lot of mouth, I'd say you have the Malones."
Miller thanked him for his cooperation and the connection terminated. Clark removed his headset as he saw Barbara sending off the mug shots and forms.
"You gave an academy award winning performance," Barbara said as she wheeled around to look at him. "Let's hope all of this was successful."
"Every bit of that was illegal, wasn't it?" Clark asked solemnly.
Barbara twisted her mouth, "Well, lets just say it was for the greater good and not think about it too hard. Oh, welcome to the Bat clan, you will receive your official membership card in the mail."
***********************************************************************
"Miller?" Amy questioned.
"Horton's sending mug shots of the Malones over the system," he said as he sat in the front of the car watching the screen of the on-board computers. "Thought I did have your partner, Rohrback, but it looks like I have some guys named Malone. They look a lot like Grayson and Drake though. Since you're here, why don't you give me a verification."
"Pleased too," Amy said as they headed toward the suspects.
Dick watched Amy and Miller started walking from the unmarked patrol car toward them. His mind was racing, trying to come up with an escape plan. None of his ideas ended good. "Can you get out of those handcuffs?" he whispered leaning close to Tim.
"If I have to, I could. Why?"
"I'll cause a distraction, you get away."
"Are you crazy. We'd be shot," Tim replied.
"I'll keep their attention on me. You just promise me that you'll get away."
Tim's eyes grew wide as he looked at Dick. "No. I know what you're planning, I won't let you."
"Getting one of us out of this situation is better than none."
"No. Unacceptable," Tim replied, sounding very much like Batman.
Miller and Rohrback reached the two prisoners, "Well, Rohrback," Miller began, "this your ex-partner?"
Amy Rohrback looked into the eyes of the young man handcuffed before her. His blue eyes staring at her impassively.
"Well, Rohrback?"
"No, this isn't Grayson. My ex-Rookie's a lot cuter than this perp. And not nearly as skeevy."
Dick continued to stare at Amy. He wasn't exactly comprehending what was happening. He knew she recognized him. But she was letting them go? Tim felt himself start to breath again. But was it still too soon to hope?
"You sure this ain't Grayson?" Miller asked her.
"Yea, this isn't him. Sorry, your bust is a bust."
The officers removed the handcuffs from Dick and Tim. The officers handed their wallets back to the boys. Miller looked at them and said, "You two can go."
Dick and Tim turned and started for the car when they heard Amy say, "Are you letting them go just like that?"
"I thought you said --"
"Hold it Malone," Amy called out.
Dick froze in place. What was she doing? He looked to Tim, the boy was too pale. How much more could he take, could either of them take?
Amy walked in front of him, "This your car?"
"Yes,"
"Well, Miller and the boys might see fit to let you go, but not me. I'm giving you a ticket for this window tint violation." She started writing the ticket. Ripping it from her book, she handed the pink citation form to 'Robbie'. "You do bear some resemblance to my ex-Rookie, so I'd be more careful in the future, if I were you. Some cops in Gotham and the 'Haven might just shoot first and ask questions later."
Dick looked deeply at his partner. He wanted to smile, but knew he couldn't. He took the pink citation form from her. "Yeah, we will be," he said as he quickly mouthed 'Thank You." and got back in his car, throwing the ticket in the back seat. Tim was already in the passenger seat. Dick turned the ignition and left the parking area, pulling back on the Highway headed toward Gotham.
"You okay, bro?" he asked the boy next to him.
"I...yeah," Tim said weakly. He picked up his Zesti and took a sip. It was watery where the ice had melted, but he didn't care. "Dick, do me a favor?"
"What?"
"Don't speed. I can't handle us getting another ticket right now." Then, he faked a clutch at his chest, and with a grin said, "I'm too young for heart problems."
***********************************************************************
"It worked," Barbara stated with a smile. "They've released them."
"Yes," Clark said as he continued to look over Barbara's shoulders.
"Thank goodness," Alfred added. "I shall go and tell the others."
"Thanks Alfred," Barbara said. She turned and watched her communicator light. He should be calling her any minute now.
"He's lucky," Clark said as she sat on the corner of her console.
"Yes, that was a close call," she replied with a sigh as she removed her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"No, I didn't mean the escape. I mean he's lucky to have you."
"If he doesn't call me soon, you might want to rethink that," she said with a smile.
***********************************************************************
Dick woke up to the beeping alarm. He had set the Nightbird's internal alarm for 1:00 a.m., giving them four hours to sleep. He rubbed the back of his neck. It was stiff from sleeping in the car. He looked over at Tim who was starting to stir. He watched and smiled at the boy yawning before him.
"You okay, slugger?"
"Yep," Tim replied as he went into another yawn.
Dick laughed at him. "Good, we've got a lot of work to do," he said as he started the car's engine and drove out of the parking lot of Gotham City's airport.
Tim looked at the digital clock as he stretched as much as he could in the passenger seat of the car. "You were right about us getting some rest before going to the Morgue. I really needed it."
"We both did. We've been up for fifteen grueling, emotionally draining, hours. This has got to be one of the worst days in both of our lives. But we're gonna change things."
"What if ... what if we don't find anything, Dick. What if nothing changes? What do we do then?"
Dick looked at the road in front of him. He didn't want to look at Tim. This was a question he didn't want to think about. He sighed before he answered, "Well, I guess Robbie and Jack move to L.A."
Tim groaned and sank further into his seat.
"When we get to the morgue, I'll get the D.N.A. samples, I want you to get the employee log and security videos."
"Gotcha."
As they sat at a red light, Dick picked up his cell phone and dialed a number. "Hey -- Fine -- look that's not what I called about. I need your help. Meet me at 3:00 a.m. at --"
***********************************************************************
Tim stood back as Dick approached the headstone. He watched as Dick rubbed his hands across the carved letters spelling "Bruce Wayne".
"Dude, you called," Roy said as he and Wally approached.
Dick turned at glared at them before he spoke, "Wally, I said I needed YOU! Not everyone."
"Dick, Roy's not everyone, he's not even anyone."
"Hey!" Roy shouted.
"Will you lower the volume. We're trying to keep a low profile. On the run you know," Tim added.
Wally walked closer to Dick, "Look, Roy was with me when you called."
"Yeah, and I wasn't about to let fleet feet come alone. C'mere," he said as he pulled Dick into a hug. "You okay?"
Dick smiled, "Yeah. Had a close call earlier."
Wally hugged Dick too, "Yeah, we heard. If you don't call Barbara soon, though, you won't have to worry about the State trying to kill you."
Tim smiled slightly as he watched the three friends together.
Roy noticed and walked over to him, throwing his arm around Tim's shoulder, "And how about my little designated driver, how are you holding up?"
A wide grin formed as Tim remembered their trip last spring. "I'm doing better."
"So, Robbie, you wanna tell us what you need my help for?" Wally asked.
Dick's features grew solemn. "I need your speed to ... dig up Bruce's grave."
To be continued ...
***AUTHOR'S NOTE***
Roy's "D.D." comment to Tim is a reference to my fic "Roadtrip" at the Bludhaven Tahoo Group and soon to be posted to ff.net
Hearing the computer alarms going off, Clark had walked into Barbara's control room. He stood near Alfred and they watched as Barbara worked. Clark wanted to ask what was going on. He had asked Alfred who hadn't knownanything -- except that Barbara was upset.
"No!" she cried. Her hands finally going still.
"Barbara?" Clark asked moving closer to her.
"They've been captured," she said without emotion. She sounded numb.
"My word," Alfred said as his hand went to his mouth.
Clark leaned over Barbara's shoulder, "Where?"
"Bludhaven," she said defeated as a tear ran down her cheek.
***********************************************************************
"It's not over," Dick growled lowly as he watched the armed officers approaching his car. "I won't let it be over."
"If you've got any ideas, now's a good time," Tim replied, his hands resting on the dashboard of the car. He was trying to calm his breathing down as he eyed the many drawn guns pointing at them. His efforts weren't working very well.
Dick's eyes darted from side to side as he watched the officers approaching, then he dropped his head and looked toward the floorboard of the car. "You're Jack Malone until they can prove otherwise. Understand? I'm Robbie and you're Jack. Go with it," Dick said as he looked up to meet Tim's gaze.
The officers opened the doors. Dick and Tim both felt hands grabbing them and pulling them from the car. The officers grabbed Dick by the arm and back of his jacket and threw him onto the hood of the car. Dick looked across the hood of the car, his eyes meeting Tim's. He could tell the boy was nervous. He understood. He was too, but he was determined to get them out of this. Dick steeled himself.
"What the hell's going on?" he asked in his best Jersey Malone accent.
"Spread 'em!" one of the policemen yelled in his ear as he felt his feet being kicked apart. He felt the officers patting him down. He felt the cold steel of the handcuffs clamping down on his wrist. Then his arms being pulled behind him, the handcuffs claiming his other wrist as well.
"Man, what is your friggin' problem? What's this about? Jack and me ain't done nuthin'!" He was acting the part. He had to act the part. No, he had to be the part. He had to be Robbie Malone.
"Shut up Grayson," a plain clothed officer said moving close enough to Dick that he felt his breath on his neck.
"Grayson? Who the hell is that? I'm Robbie -- Malone. That's my brother Jack. We ain't done nuthin'," Robbie yelled, then added, "lately."
"Yeah," Jack said squirming under the weight of the officers pressing down on his, "get off'a me!"
The plain clothed officer turned Robbie around, "You think we don't know who you are?"
"Well since youse is calling me 'Grayson', I guess you don't. I'm Robbie Malone. Check my ID in my wallet."
The officer pulled the wallet out of Robbie's back pocket and looked through it. Driver's license, social security card, credit cards, car registration -- all in the name of Robert Malone. And a probabtion/parole card. Pulling that card out and holding it in front of Robbie's face, he asked, "What's this?"
"What? Probation officer's card. Don't call that jerk, he'll try to put me in jail and I ain't done nuthin' this time. You cops are going psycho on us. We just got outta jail, we don't wanna go back."
"What's the kid's ID say?" the plain clothed officer asked across the car.
"Jack Malone," a uniformed officer responded.
Tossing Robbie's identification across the car to the uniformed officer, the officer holding Robbie said, "Call in a wants and warrants check on these two, I'm going to my car and have them patch me in to probation and see if I can get this guys so-called probation officer."
"Aw man, don't call that jerk. Come on!" Robbie yelled as he watched the plain clothed officer walking to his car. He turned to face Tim, their eyes locked. He tried to convey confidence with a slight smile. Tim tried to return it, but he found he couldn't.
***********************************************************************
New alarms started sounding on the computer. Barbara looked up, a smile started to form on her face. "Maybe it's not over yet."
"What?"
"They're running a warrants check on Robbie and Jack Malone."
"Who's that?" Clark asked confused.
"Matches' little boys. Dick and Tim's underworld identities," she replied.
Clark smiled when he realized what was going on, "So they've convinced the police enough to check."
"Yep. We're not home free yet, but there's still a chance. If we can just keep them from taking them into the station," Barbara said as her fingers were flying over the keyboards. "There, rap sheets on the Malone boys have just been received on the on-board computers."
"Blackgate?" Clark asked reading the information that filled the screen.
"Master Dick infiltrated Blackgate last year as Robbie Malone," Alfred added as he moved closer to the computer console, "therefore there are actually photographs of Master Dick's 'Robbie' persona in the system."
Barbara pulled a headset on, "Gotham City Probabtion/Parole Office, how may I direct your call?" she asked.
Clark smiled as he watched this performance before him. He knew Bruce and his people were well organized, but he never had any idea they were this detailed. It was as if they did have separate lives.
"One moment please," Barbara said as she put the intercepted call on hold. "Clark, I need you to play Robbie's probation officer. This is a role set up for Bruce, you'll have to fill in. Your name's Andy Horton."
"What do I say? I don't know --"
"Watch the screen. Everything's going to be there," Barbara said as she handed him another headset. "Sound frazzled, you're an overworked state employee."
"Frazzled I can sound," Clark said as he watched Barbara flip a switch and point at him, "Horton here."
***********************************************************************
Dick and Tim had been moved to the trunk of the car while the officers were running their searches on them. Tim leaned over and whispered, "Think they'll buy who we are?"
"Yeah," Dick said. None of these officers knew him, they shouldn't have any problems, if Barbara was manning her computer that was. And he was sure she was.
"Maybe you should've called her," Tim said.
Dick glared at Tim. "Don't start."
Amy Rohrback pulled up in her squad car and got out. "Miller, what's up? I heard you had my ex-rookie," she asked glancing at the two suspects in custody. She could only see their backs.
Miller threw his hand up silencing her as he continued to speak into his radio communicator.
Dick looked around as he and Tim leaned against the trunk of the Nightbird. His eyes grew wide when he saw Amy Rohrback standing near Officer Miller. "Oh shit," he said under his breath.
Tim looked at him, "What? What!"
"Amy," he whispered.
Tim's eyes widened, "Oh God. We're dead."
"I'm dead, you have a long life ahead of you, a very long life."
***********************************************************************
"Mr. Horton, I'm Officer Miller, Bludhaven P.D. I have a suspect in custody who claims to be one of your probationers."
"Who?" Clark asked as he was reading the file on Robbie Malone that filled Barbara's screen.
"Robbie Malone."
"What's he done now?" Clark said with a loud sigh.
"We've got guy claiming to be Robbie Malone and a kid who says he's his brother --"
"Jack, sixteen year old, lot of attitude?"
"Sounds like him. We thought we had Grayson and Drake."
"Whoa, the Malone's are about the same age as those two, but I don't think Grayson and Drake would pose as the Malone brothers. No one would pose as one of the Malone's. I'm sure running their prints would verify who you have."
"Do you have any warrants out on them currently?"
Clark looked at Barbara's screen, "No, they're out on bail for gunrunning and breaking and entering, their usual stuff. They run with a gang -- the Vicelords. Bludhaven's a little out of their territory."
"Have a photo of these two?" Officer Miller asked.
Clark looked at Barbara, who nodded her head. He watched the screen and followed Barbara's script. "I have a file photo of Robbie, from Blackgate, and, let me look in my file, yes, I do have a file photo of Jack Malone too. Known criminal associates, you know."
"Could you send me copies of those over the DCIC system?" Miller asked.
"Yes," Clark responded as he watched Barbara nodding her head. "I'll also send you the descriptive information sheet, it lists Robbie's tattoos, or at least some of them, he may have gotten new ones since we filled this out last, that boy likes a tattoo parlor."
"Thanks, all of that would help us figure out who we actually have here."
Clark smiled as he read Barbara's latest line for him, "Well, if you have two guys with a lot of mouth, I'd say you have the Malones."
Miller thanked him for his cooperation and the connection terminated. Clark removed his headset as he saw Barbara sending off the mug shots and forms.
"You gave an academy award winning performance," Barbara said as she wheeled around to look at him. "Let's hope all of this was successful."
"Every bit of that was illegal, wasn't it?" Clark asked solemnly.
Barbara twisted her mouth, "Well, lets just say it was for the greater good and not think about it too hard. Oh, welcome to the Bat clan, you will receive your official membership card in the mail."
***********************************************************************
"Miller?" Amy questioned.
"Horton's sending mug shots of the Malones over the system," he said as he sat in the front of the car watching the screen of the on-board computers. "Thought I did have your partner, Rohrback, but it looks like I have some guys named Malone. They look a lot like Grayson and Drake though. Since you're here, why don't you give me a verification."
"Pleased too," Amy said as they headed toward the suspects.
Dick watched Amy and Miller started walking from the unmarked patrol car toward them. His mind was racing, trying to come up with an escape plan. None of his ideas ended good. "Can you get out of those handcuffs?" he whispered leaning close to Tim.
"If I have to, I could. Why?"
"I'll cause a distraction, you get away."
"Are you crazy. We'd be shot," Tim replied.
"I'll keep their attention on me. You just promise me that you'll get away."
Tim's eyes grew wide as he looked at Dick. "No. I know what you're planning, I won't let you."
"Getting one of us out of this situation is better than none."
"No. Unacceptable," Tim replied, sounding very much like Batman.
Miller and Rohrback reached the two prisoners, "Well, Rohrback," Miller began, "this your ex-partner?"
Amy Rohrback looked into the eyes of the young man handcuffed before her. His blue eyes staring at her impassively.
"Well, Rohrback?"
"No, this isn't Grayson. My ex-Rookie's a lot cuter than this perp. And not nearly as skeevy."
Dick continued to stare at Amy. He wasn't exactly comprehending what was happening. He knew she recognized him. But she was letting them go? Tim felt himself start to breath again. But was it still too soon to hope?
"You sure this ain't Grayson?" Miller asked her.
"Yea, this isn't him. Sorry, your bust is a bust."
The officers removed the handcuffs from Dick and Tim. The officers handed their wallets back to the boys. Miller looked at them and said, "You two can go."
Dick and Tim turned and started for the car when they heard Amy say, "Are you letting them go just like that?"
"I thought you said --"
"Hold it Malone," Amy called out.
Dick froze in place. What was she doing? He looked to Tim, the boy was too pale. How much more could he take, could either of them take?
Amy walked in front of him, "This your car?"
"Yes,"
"Well, Miller and the boys might see fit to let you go, but not me. I'm giving you a ticket for this window tint violation." She started writing the ticket. Ripping it from her book, she handed the pink citation form to 'Robbie'. "You do bear some resemblance to my ex-Rookie, so I'd be more careful in the future, if I were you. Some cops in Gotham and the 'Haven might just shoot first and ask questions later."
Dick looked deeply at his partner. He wanted to smile, but knew he couldn't. He took the pink citation form from her. "Yeah, we will be," he said as he quickly mouthed 'Thank You." and got back in his car, throwing the ticket in the back seat. Tim was already in the passenger seat. Dick turned the ignition and left the parking area, pulling back on the Highway headed toward Gotham.
"You okay, bro?" he asked the boy next to him.
"I...yeah," Tim said weakly. He picked up his Zesti and took a sip. It was watery where the ice had melted, but he didn't care. "Dick, do me a favor?"
"What?"
"Don't speed. I can't handle us getting another ticket right now." Then, he faked a clutch at his chest, and with a grin said, "I'm too young for heart problems."
***********************************************************************
"It worked," Barbara stated with a smile. "They've released them."
"Yes," Clark said as he continued to look over Barbara's shoulders.
"Thank goodness," Alfred added. "I shall go and tell the others."
"Thanks Alfred," Barbara said. She turned and watched her communicator light. He should be calling her any minute now.
"He's lucky," Clark said as she sat on the corner of her console.
"Yes, that was a close call," she replied with a sigh as she removed her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"No, I didn't mean the escape. I mean he's lucky to have you."
"If he doesn't call me soon, you might want to rethink that," she said with a smile.
***********************************************************************
Dick woke up to the beeping alarm. He had set the Nightbird's internal alarm for 1:00 a.m., giving them four hours to sleep. He rubbed the back of his neck. It was stiff from sleeping in the car. He looked over at Tim who was starting to stir. He watched and smiled at the boy yawning before him.
"You okay, slugger?"
"Yep," Tim replied as he went into another yawn.
Dick laughed at him. "Good, we've got a lot of work to do," he said as he started the car's engine and drove out of the parking lot of Gotham City's airport.
Tim looked at the digital clock as he stretched as much as he could in the passenger seat of the car. "You were right about us getting some rest before going to the Morgue. I really needed it."
"We both did. We've been up for fifteen grueling, emotionally draining, hours. This has got to be one of the worst days in both of our lives. But we're gonna change things."
"What if ... what if we don't find anything, Dick. What if nothing changes? What do we do then?"
Dick looked at the road in front of him. He didn't want to look at Tim. This was a question he didn't want to think about. He sighed before he answered, "Well, I guess Robbie and Jack move to L.A."
Tim groaned and sank further into his seat.
"When we get to the morgue, I'll get the D.N.A. samples, I want you to get the employee log and security videos."
"Gotcha."
As they sat at a red light, Dick picked up his cell phone and dialed a number. "Hey -- Fine -- look that's not what I called about. I need your help. Meet me at 3:00 a.m. at --"
***********************************************************************
Tim stood back as Dick approached the headstone. He watched as Dick rubbed his hands across the carved letters spelling "Bruce Wayne".
"Dude, you called," Roy said as he and Wally approached.
Dick turned at glared at them before he spoke, "Wally, I said I needed YOU! Not everyone."
"Dick, Roy's not everyone, he's not even anyone."
"Hey!" Roy shouted.
"Will you lower the volume. We're trying to keep a low profile. On the run you know," Tim added.
Wally walked closer to Dick, "Look, Roy was with me when you called."
"Yeah, and I wasn't about to let fleet feet come alone. C'mere," he said as he pulled Dick into a hug. "You okay?"
Dick smiled, "Yeah. Had a close call earlier."
Wally hugged Dick too, "Yeah, we heard. If you don't call Barbara soon, though, you won't have to worry about the State trying to kill you."
Tim smiled slightly as he watched the three friends together.
Roy noticed and walked over to him, throwing his arm around Tim's shoulder, "And how about my little designated driver, how are you holding up?"
A wide grin formed as Tim remembered their trip last spring. "I'm doing better."
"So, Robbie, you wanna tell us what you need my help for?" Wally asked.
Dick's features grew solemn. "I need your speed to ... dig up Bruce's grave."
To be continued ...
***AUTHOR'S NOTE***
Roy's "D.D." comment to Tim is a reference to my fic "Roadtrip" at the Bludhaven Tahoo Group and soon to be posted to ff.net
