Three Hours Later: Metropolis International Airport
Batman flitted between the sleeping forms of the airliners, his hawk-like gaze panning left and right. He pressed a finger to his right ear and activated the COM link he had established with Lex's cell phone. The line rang once and Lex answered.
"What have you got?" the younger man's voice was worn and ragged. Bruce knew that this was taking its toll on them both. He paused and looked up into the landing gear of the jet he was under.
"I have located the target, searching for the item now." He reached up into the joint and felt around. "Any new developments?" he asked. Lex made a rude noise.
"I take it that means no." Bruce said as his fingers brushed a manila envelope knocking it down onto the dark pavement. "Hold on. I have located something." He said crouching down. He opened the package with fast fingers.
His eyes scanning the page inside, he heard a slight chinking sound and looked down. Glittering in the half-light was a woman's ring. He picked it up and held it to the light getting a better look. It was an expensively cut garnet of the purest cranberry hue set in platinum.
"Lex, did Ash get a new ring recently?" he asked making his way back to the hidden jag.
"Yes," Lex answered. "I gave her a garnet to celebrate the completion of the record demo. Why do you ask?" he quarried, dreading the answer. Bruce did not respond right away; he slipped into the shadows of an empty luggage trolley as a maintenance truck cruised by him.
"Bruce?" Lex's voice was strained. It had been a very long night; losing contact with Bruce now would most likely undo Lex. The trolley moved on and Bruce answered.
"I am here, I asked because he left it as proof in this last 'love note'." He explained as he climbed into the car. He pulled his cowl off and drove the car out onto the road.
Lex was sitting at his desk hands clenched in fists on either side of his head, thumbs rubbing his temples painfully.
From the kidnapper's nest, Bruce had gone to Metro National Bank, found a note and a locker key in the claws of a gargoyle on the tenth floor. From there, he had gone to Metro Main Subway Station; in the locker was another note with directions. Next, he went to the docks of Hobb's river and broke into a shanty to find the note directing him to the airport and promising proof of life. Lex ground his teeth, the only proof they had was that he had her, not that she was alive and well.
"What does this one say?" Lex asked. Bruce turned the car up the freeway ramp and cut into the sparse traffic.
"I am headed for The Daily Planet building." He replied wearily. "The note says the end of the search is near. I don't believe it though. Keep clear. I will be in touch." He said before closing the link.
Lex listened to the dial tone for several seconds before pulling the headset off and tossing it across the glass desktop. He looked up at Phillips who stood over a map of Metropolis. They had made red marks on the paper at every destination point. The dots spread across the city in back and forth patterns. The guard watched his boss with tired eyes.
"The Planet." Lex said standing up and stretching his back. Phillips made the new mark and sat back in his chair. He was deeply concerned for his employer as well as Miss Embers.
Robert Phillips was good at what he did; he had never had any problems keeping his charges safe until recently. The fact that Luthor's home had been breached on more then one occasion left he feeling personally responsible. He liked his boss despite what the media said about the Luthor family.
Lex could be clipped and cool at times, but never unkind and always generous. The girl he felt the most concern for; she was the one he had truly failed. Ashley was a delightful girl; she always gave him a genuine smile and thanked him for everything he did for her. He felt that her entrance into Lex's life had been a blessing; it would truly sadden Robert if she came to harm. He would do anything his boss asked to see that the girl was brought home safely.
"Are we any closer, sir?' he asked with trepidation. Lex ran his hands over his face irritably and shook his head.
"I have no idea, Robert. And we are running out of time." Lex said with dread etched deeply in his face. Robert looked down at his hands he was lost for what to say.
"Sir... Mr. Luthor...Lex..." he fumbled for a bit. "I-I'm so sorry." His voice dropped to almost a whisper. Lex felt his chest tighten; he did not blame his team, not really.
"Robert." Lex said in a calm voice. "Even if the men had known this asshole was here they would never have been able to stop him. He has been trained to do exactly what he did." Lex returned to his desk chair and sat.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, Phillips, you weren't even here when it happened." Lex said looking at his guard with honesty.
" Never the less, I promise you Sir, we will not fail you again." Robert said straightening his back. Lex gave him a small smile and nodded.
"Let's pray there is never another reason for your men to be tested like this." Lex replied.
xxxxxx
Across town, Bruce was standing on the roof of The Daily Planet, the massive golden globe spinning over his head. He held the latest note in his hand; his eyes glittered with anger that had reached its boiling point. This -Son of the Shadow' was toying with him and he was fed up.
Now he expected Bruce or more accurately Batman to cross the rooftop to LuthorCorp Tower and brake in to retrieve the next clue. The fool must not have considered the fact that Bruce and Lex would work together. Clicking the link, he waited for Lex to answer.
"Where now?" Lex's voice was harsh.
"I need you to get me into LuthorCorp Tower." He said slowly. Lex exploded.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me! He got into my father's building and left something there? Un-Fucking-Believable!" Lex shouted his fury giving way as Bruce's had.
"I know it's astounding, but can you get me in?" Batman repeated not wanting to waste any more time. Lex sighed in exasperation and thought for a moment.
"Yeah, it will take a while though. I have to do some fancy talking. Stay put I will get back to you." Lex said.
"How long is a while?" Bruce grunted, waiting he could do but Ashley did not have that luxury.
"I will get it done as fast as I can, Bruce." Lex hung up. Bruce cursed, and placed the latest note in his belt with the others. Moving silently, he found a shadowed corner of the roof and set in to watch LuthorCorp.
Lex stood over the map and continued to curse loudly. Robert listened to the rambling and surmised the situation. He made the mark and stood up.
From his vantage point, he looked down on the map. Something about the pattern made him blink and look again. It danced just outside his logic; there was something he was missing. Like he was looking too close.
Thought broke thru like a bolt of lightening. 'Like he couldn't see the forest for the trees!' Where were the trees in Metropolis?
"Lex!" he cried grabbing up the map. "I think I know where he is!" he folded the paper up and jabbed his finger in the center of the array of red dots.
"He is in Centennial Park! Most likely the old caretakers building, it's abandodned and boarded up. In the middle of the park no one whould hear anything coming from that place!" he felt the rush of adrenalin knowing he was right feeling it in his gut.
Lex snatched the map from him, his sharp eyes flicking over the landmarks. Suddenly his forhead smoothed and his eyes rose to meet Phillips'.
"I think you are right, Robert." he grabbed the man by his arm and squeezed tight. "Let's go, I will call Bruce once we are on the road. Now!" Lex dropped the map and turned to his desk, he picked up his coat from the chair. He paused for a moment and his eyes narrowed.
"I'll meet you downstairs, Phillips. Get two of the men and start the car. I'll be but a moment behind you." He said with his back to the guard. Robert flushed with the pride of his discovery agreed and dashed out the door.
Lex walked to the wall and pushed aside a brightly colored painting to reveal a wall safe. He punched in the code and turned the handle. Reaching inside, he took out the few contents before closing it once more.
He jammed the items in his coat pockets and left the loft quickly. As he climbed into the car, he dialed Bruce. Now he was back on even footing, Bruce may be Batman but Metropolis was Lex's city and he knew how to get around here better then anyone. This -Son of the Shadow' was going down and going down hard.
xxxxxx
Twenty Minutes Later: Centennial Park
The black car pulled up to the darkened caretaker's building, the thick foliage of the wooded park cast eerie shadows on the structure. The drive thru had put Phillips on edge; he hated Centennial Park especially at night. He shut off the engine and turned to the two guards in the back seat.
"We need to check the perimeter, find the most likely point of access." The two men nodded and got out of the car. Robert reached out a hand to stop Lex as he moved to follow.
"Please, Mr. Luthor. Let us secure the area first." He asked in a hesitant voice. Lex looked at the man and considered his words. Robert knew there was no way he could keep his headstrong boss completely out of the mix, but he had to do his best to make sure he stayed safe. Lex surprised him when he sat back and waved a hand.
"Go, you have five minutes, then I am going in." his voice was somber. Not wanting to give Lex a chance to change his mind, Phillips nodded and got out. As the man walked away, Lex reached into his pocket and withdrew the items.
There were two rectangle boxes made of black leather. He opened the larger one and took out a sleek black Glock. He opened the second box, which held the clips and extra ammunition. Checking a clip, he found it full and slipped it into the gun, chambering one round and flicking the safety off. With a grave face, Lex put the gun in his pocket and waited.
His call to Bruce had been brief and Bruce had not been very happy that Lex had left the loft. Lex had told him the location and hung up before Bruce could try to give him any other orders. He refused to be left out of this. He wanted nothing more then to have Ashley back in his arms, safe and unharmed.
That cavernous, angry thing that took control of Lex that night in the alley, when he stopped the junkie from attacking her, reared its head once more. If this man had hurt her in any way, Lex would do him serious damage.
Drawing a deep breath Lex looked at his watch and proceeded to exit the vehicle. He walked slowly across the gravel drive, his leather shoes crunching softly. The wind had picked up, sending icy gusts across his head; he shivered and pulled his coat closer.
The building was tall and simple, more of a storage facility really. He made his way around the side keeping watch for any of the security guards. Lex scanned the side of the structure finding the door Phillips' men had forced open.
Two steps inside he found a body. The man had been garroted by a length fine wire, it appeared to have been set as a booby-trap. He stepped over the body and noted that it was not Phillips but the younger Becket. Lex moved on into the darkness.
xxxxxx
Cursing in six different languages, Bruce drove like a mad man thru the nighttime traffic. Luthor was being a damned fool. There were enough variables in this screwed up situation to begin with, he did not need to worry about Lex getting him self into trouble as well.
Turning the wheel sharply he cut off a red SUV, he could see the tops of the trees in Centennial Park now. Truth be told he was a little put out that he had missed the clues that led Lex and his men to find the answer before he did. He could only surmise it was his fear for a loved one that clouded his thinking.
Wishing for the tenth time that he had his own car, Bruce shifted gears and ran a very red light, the entrance to the park loomed before him. He hoped Lex had not done anything stupid yet.
xxxxx
Phillips moved thru the dimly lit room, keeping a sharp ear, he thought he could hear movement on the other side of the door off to his right. Walking with great caution, his weapon raised, he pushed to door.
The room was wide and open; there had probably been several separate rooms at one time, but not any more. The rafters seemed thick with cobwebs and dust, sending a drifting haze down with the sudden gusts of wind the open door let in. He could see a dark shape toward the back of the room. Sweeping the space with his eyes once more, he crossed the open floor.
Halfway there he could see it was Ashley, taped to a folding chair, her mouth cruelly gagged. His paced picked up and he holstered his gun. Pulling a pocketknife out he immediately began to cut her bonds.
"Miss Embers, are you alright?" he whispered pulling the tape from her legs, she was bug eyed and shook her head. Her voice was muffled by the gag as she tried to warn him.
The blow caught Robert in the side of his head, knocking him across the floor, unconscious. Ashley cried out as her captor walked toward the fallen guard. He looked back at her with a vindictive sneer.
"Don't fret so', jus' one'o'da princes' knights. Fy do 'em 'dat makes 'free 'all together." His voice was full of nasty glee. Ashley felt the tears coursing down her cheeks; she had already watched him snap the neck of the first guard who had found her. She did not think she could bear to watch him kill Robert. The man laughed at her and noticed her bonds had been cut.
"Now, now, we can't be havin' 'dat." He said as he returned to her. He pulled off the tape holding her arms to the chair and yanked her up. Her wrists were still bound; he leered at her in this vulnerable position.
"See, if ders knights, dat means a prince is near." He said grabbing her face hard in one hand. "An if ders a prince near den I git what I wants." He held her up by her face thinking for a moment on where he wanted to display her.
There was a sudden loud bang as the door at the end of the room slammed open. The man whipped his head around and found Lex Luthor standing in the doorway.
The duel feeling of relief and utter terror flooded Ash's brain. Lex walked leisurely toward them, she could see his cool façade was firmly in place. The man spun Ash around in front of him self and brought a wicked looking knife up to her throat.
"I am here to do business." Lex's voice came clearly thru the now silent room. Lex held his hands held out to show he wanted to talk. "I have your money, please let us talk business." The man peered at Lex over Ashley's shoulder as he brought his arm further around her neck until the knife blade sat just below her ear.
"Where's Wayne?' the man asked sullenly. Lex shrugged and lowered his hands.
"I don't know. My deal is with you, not him." Lex said matter-of-factly. "Do you have a first name I can call you by, 'Son of the Shadow' seems so formal." Lex hoped it was not to flip but he needed to by time. The man snickered pulling Ashley tighter to him.
"You kin call me Kurt." He said. "But dats all we'll be talkin' bout. See here, this fing dona happin wifout Wayne. If I dona git to kill em den she is me consalation." Lex took a cautious step forward and held up his right hand.
"That was not your deal with me." His voice was cold and logical. "Bruce, I am sure, will be along shortly and then the two of you can go about killing each other. Nevertheless, you and I had the agreement of money for the girl. I have my end of the bargain right here." He reached into his jacket and pulled out a slip of white paper. He held it out toward Kurt.
"This is a cashiers check for two million dollars. It's yours, all you have to do is give her to me and let us leave safely." His hand was steady as he held the fortune out; the silver-blue eyes clear and bright, stared straight into Kurt's.
The man stood stock still, pondering his options; a dirty smile crept over his face. Gripping Ashley in a headlock with his knife still pressed to her neck, he brought his other hand down her shoulder. He gazed directly at Lex as he tore the lace of her bra spilling her porcelain breast out into his palm.
"Yeah, bet you'd pay gist abou' anyfing fer this piece o' tail wouln't you now?" Kurt asked waiting for the other man to lose his cool. Ashley stared at Lex while the indignity being done to her painted her face with a red blush. Lex didn't speak for a moment, the long muscle in his jaw twitched and he took one more step forward.
"I will only say this once." Lex said in an iron tone. "Take your hands off her." though outwardly calm and collected, inside Lex was a raging inferno. If the fucker had not been using her as a shield, Lex would have shot him right then and there.
Ash tried not to squirm too much as the blade was pressing into her throat, but she did not want his hands on her. Even more revolting, she could feel him getting hard against her as his hand squeezed her breast painfully.
"See Gov, heres whot I fink, I fink sins I dona git to kill Wayne den I should git a littl' taste -o the tart for me troubles." Kurt said pressing his point hoping Lex would make a move.
The moment stretched out like taffy on the pull, too many things happened at the same time.
As the filthy words left Kurt's mouth Ashley closed her fingers in a vice like grip on his genitals. When he shouted she slammed her head back into his face, breaking his nose, he let her go and she ran blindly toward Lex.
Lex watched Kurt's face contort in pain and Ashley crack her head into his nose as Batman descended like an Angel of Hell from the rafters. There was a thud as Bruce landed on Kurt's back knocking him to the ground.
Then all bets were off.
xxxxxx
The Batman's landing knocked the wind out of Kurt's lungs. Bruce attempted to yank him up by his collar; Kurt rolled out from under Bruce and sprang to his feet. The Bat watched him with patients, waiting for him to make the first move. The two men circled each other. Kurt grinned despite the blood that ran from his mashed nose.
"Well ya' decided -ta show ye'r face after all." He spat blood at Bruce and lunged forward. With the swirl of a batwing cape, Bruce sidestepped the clumsy attack and spun to watch, Kurt's momentum sent him reeling.
The man caught him self before he fell on his face and turned back to assess his opponent. They were matched in size, both broad and tall but Bruce moved with a surer foot.
Kurt would have to watch his powerhouse tendencies The Batman was faster then he was. Bruce advanced, forcing Kurt to back up and take a defensive stance. The man fell back on his taunting tactics.
"You'r a coward Wayne! I know you turn'd traitor on -da Master! An' you'r gona pay fer Ra's Al Ghul's death!" Kurt screamed and went for Bruce again. The Bat brought his arms up easily blocking the attack; pivoting on his left foot, he spun around, kicking Kurt in the small of the back, sending him down again.
"You are delusional, a danger to your self and others. My advice is to stay down." Bruce growled down at him. Kurt began to chuckle, the sound was wet and gurgling.
He rolled to his right, leaping to his feet; he caught Bruce in the ribs with his knee. Though the body armor took most of the impact, the cracked bones sent knife blades of pain through Bruce's body. He staggered; Kurt exploited the weakness aiming for the same spot this time with his fist.
Bruce moved without thinking and the blow fell on his plated abdomen, there was a cracking sound and Kurt howled. Bruce brought his head forward head-butting Kurt hard enough to stun them both.
Ashley stumbled into Lex's arms, her breath heaving with her muffled sobs. He untied the rope freeing her of the horrible gag then pulled the tape off her wrists, trying not to tare her skin. He rubbed the abraded flesh with his fingers. She sucked in deep breaths her wet eyes glued to him she shivered violently.
Lex removed his coat putting it on Ashley's shoulders to cover her tattered lingerie. He held her face in his hands looking deep into her eyes. Their lips met in a fierce kiss, it seared both their souls. The fear that he would never again be able to hold her like this had moved Lex on a profound level. Breaking the kiss, Lex pressed his forehead to hers.
"I thought I had lost you." He said his voice quaking. He clasped her to him in a firm hug. She fisted her small hands in his shirt and hung on tight. Her whole body shook in his arms, Lex finally turned to see how Bruce was doing.
Bruce was winning; Kurt had a terrible realization forming in the back of his mind. Maybe Wayne had not double-crossed the Master; perhaps he had beaten him after all. If Wayne was better than Kurt, he was not going to win this fight. Could it be true that The Batman had been better then Ra's Al Ghul? Frantically his brain sought a way out.
Bruce sensed his opponent's faltering and advanced. As he gathered his strength for a punch, Kurt reached into one deep pocket of his pants and back peddled. Allowing Bruce to advance closing the distance, Kurt hurled two small spherical objects at him.
The concentrated concussion bombs exploded against Bruce's body armor, the force was enough to knock him up and back across the floor. His body landed and his head bounced hard against the concrete.
The blast was very strong, knocking Lex and Ashley to the ground in a heap. Kurt, having ducked and covered, hopped up turning his gaze on the two lovers. He needed to get out fast, it would be better if he got the money from Luthor and the girl for insurance.
He crossed to the dazed pair with malice in his eyes. Lex heard the footsteps and fumbled to his feet. Before he remembered that his gun was in the coat, Kurt was on him.
"Oh fink you'r gona' be -da hero now do ya'?" Kurt said nastily. Lex raised his right hand palm out as if to hold the man back, then his left fist caught Kurt under the chin.
The punch knocked his head back, his teeth snapped and he bit his tongue hard. Rage filled Kurt's cranium and he grasped the smaller man by the throat with both meaty hands. He lifted Lex off his feet, choking the life out of him. Clawing at the huge fists around his neck, Lex fought to breathe.
Ashley looked up at the two men, the knowledge that Kurt was killing Lex made her scream shrilly. Her frantic eyes flashed from Bruce's unconscious form and back to the body going limp in Kurt's hands. She climbed to her feet, her mind becoming sharply focused as her hand slipped into the coat pocket.
Lex stopped fighting he wilted in Kurt's grasp. The man dropped Lex to the floor and turned with a lascivious smile to the small female cowering against the door. His grin froze and then fell as a black muzzle loomed up between them.
Bruce shook his head trying to clear his vision, he heard Ash scream and rolled groggily to his side. His eyes began to clear; he could see Lex on the floor and Ashley's arm rising with a gun.
Lex coughed and gasped for breath. Rolling onto his chest he pushed him self slightly up and suppressed the desire to vomit. He turned his head and watched in abject horror as Ashley brandished his gun toward Kurt.
Both men shouted NO simultaneously, but in vain. The shot cracked thru the vast room, making Bruce jump reflexively. They both watched, as Ashley's innocence was lost forever.
She achieved a one in a million shot, catching Kurt right between the eyes. His brains exploded out the back of his head with a wet splatter that spewed over the pavement.
The body crumpled and hit the floor with a sickening thud. She sucked in a deep gasping breath. Time stretched again, as each man felt as if his limbs had turned to lead.
Ashley stood shaking, smoke curled up from the barrel in a slow tendril. Lex finally got his body to obey; he stumbled to her reaching for the gun. He pulled her stiff body to him, closing his hand over the Glock.
"Ashley, Baby, give me the gun." He whispered trying to pry her fingers off the weapon. She let go sluggishly; her eyes were glazed as Bruce walked up. He pulled the cowl off and looked at her. Her teeth chattered as she looked back at him.
"I had to, Bruce." She said in a flat voice. "He was a rabid animal. He'd have kept coming back." She turned her head to look at Lex. "I had to put him down."
Bruce shared a pregnant gaze with Lex, silent but expressing so much. Bruce let his eyes fall back to his cousin, she appeared frightened.
"Bruce," she asked, "Can you forgive me?" her voice was small and uncertain. Bruce felt his heart squeeze in his chest. His guilt more profound then ever, he reached a gloved hand out to cup her cheek.
"Oh Ash." He whispered. "Can you forgive me?"