Thanks to Patty and Tammy for their beta work. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Char

COURT MARTIAL: Part 13

Tarantula righted herself during her fall, bending her knees tightly to her chest then executing a flip in the air. Hitting the ground somewhat unsteadily she managed to land on her feet. Sneering at Catwoman, she taunted, "That was a lucky shot. You won't get that lucky again."

Catwoman smirked. "I don't have to." Taking her index finger, she pointed at herself and said, "Cheese." Pointing at Tarantula, she then stated, "Rat." The pointing the same index finger straight up, Catwoman finished with, "Trap," as Batman broke through the skylight gliding down with his arms outstretched and his cape billowing behind him.

Tarantula's masked eyes grew wide. Caught off guard by his amazing speed, she was unable to steady herself to fight him. His boot connected with her chin knocking her backwards. Flung backwards, she pulled her knees up, and rolled into a ball midair. After one loose rotation, her body straightened out as her hands smacked the ground into a quick handstand, and her feet continued over as she pushed off hard from the ground. Using the momentum, she flipped flopped three times and came up on the other side of the room in a split second with a dagger in her hand. "Backoff!"

Catwoman leaned across the railing on the catwalk for a bird's eye view. "This is gonna be good."

Batman's cape wrapped tight around him as he charged across the distance between them. Tarantula flung her dagger at him. A black gloved hand emerged from beneath his cape releasing a batarang. It clanged into the dagger and sent it cartwheeling off to his right. She put her weight into a jabbing punch at his throat and his arm effortlessly deflected the blow. His other hand shot out, grabbed her arm, and one quick throw she was tossed across the room into a work bench. Spinning, he watched her hit the steel bench scattering assorted tools with metallic clangs as they fell around her onto the floor. He pressed his attacked and began moving as she continued acrossed the bench. Before she slammed into the wall, she again rolled with the momentum and managed an impressive semigraceful landing coming up into a judo stance. One of gloved hands quickly curled into a fist as the other arm in front of her was open handed and across her chest, her legs braced for his charge and ready to dart to the side. Beneath his cowl, Batman raised an eyebrow. He recognized the move. She was better trained than he thought. Not trained well enough, but still considerably more skilled than he had expected.

"Why attack me? We're on the same side," Tarantula said as she looked for an advantage. "We're after the same-" Before she could complete her sentence, he had barreled into her. He skillfully wrenched her arm in a countermove to her hold and pressed her arm into the back. She was slammed into the wall and then again tossed back across the room. She again tried to roll with the force and use it to her advantage, but this time she became entangled in the heavy metal chains used to move heavy equipment.

"Hardly," he growled out and began closing again with hard purposeful strides. As his hard running steps echoed in the dark room, the clanging of chains announced Tarantula's movement as she managed to swing free and drop with a resounding smack of her boots. Breathing heavily, she backed up and moved into a defensive posture.

"Honey, give it up, it won't hurt quite as much. It will still hurt," Catwoman commentated as she watched from her perch.

Growling, Tarantula threw her second dagger toward the irritating Catwoman, and moved quickly towards the ladder. She reached the ladder, leapt up and quickly scurried up the ladder with remarkable speed. A bolo wrapped around her legs with sufficient force, knocking her off the ladder. She fell with a cry of surprise and anger. Still tied, she smashed into the floor but quickly rolled over on to her back. In a single smooth draw, she pulled the twenty-two pistol from its holster and started firing blind.

Batman's running stride never faltered, he sprinted hard forward, then sprang up and forward with a powerful leap and moved into a twisting flipped to land behind her avoiding the hail of bullets to land behind Tarantula. He jerked her up by the back of her halter top. She thrust her legs sideways into him as her arms moved up clasping him by the cowl and twisting at his head. Using her momentum, she swung her legs up and over her head pushing Batman to the floor. She landed straddling his back and finally managed to get out of the bolo.

Catwoman continued to watch. "Don't get to comfortable in that position," she called.

Instantly, Batman's hands grabbed Tarantula, flinging her off him and into the wall. Snarling, he continued his attack. He smashed her face into the wall pressing his knee into her back. "You. Will. Tell. What. You. Did. You. Will. Clear. Nightwing."

Tarantula grimaced in pain. "I won't ... lie," she moaned. "We killed Blockbuster. ... Together."

"AHHH ... wrong answer," Catwoman commented casually as she dropped down to the main floor. She knew she needed to be closer, if only to keep Batman from doing something he would later regret.

"Who sent you? Who trained you?" Batman questioned in a gravely voice.

"I was trained ... ugh ... by a ... Titan. ... To help."

Batman released her and let her collapse to the floor. He tried to process what she had said. "Who?"

Tarantula wiped blood from her nose and mouth with a shaky hand. She looked up at the Dark Knight. "Female, long black hair, ... I didn't catch her name."

Catwoman rolled her eyes, "You train with a lot of nameless people?" Tarantula shot a venomous glower full of loathing and spit. "Didn't think so. We'll get the name."

Batman stepped back at the sound of his JLA comm in his ear. He continued to glare at Tarantula. "Not now," he replied to the signal.

"Sorry to interrupt," Superman's voice sounded in his ear.

"It'll wait, I'm --"

"There was an incident at the Watch Tower," Superman blurted out before Batman closed the connection. "Nightwing was injured. Not seriously, but ... I know you would want to know."

Batman's jaw flexed. He stared at Tarantula and then the wall and back again. His breathing was heavy. "I'll be right there," he spat out. Looking to Catwoman, he said, "Finish it."

Catwoman watched as Batman shot a line through the broken shards of glass of the skylight. Pressing a button, he rose until he was on the roof and out of sight. She looked back down at Tarantula and kicked her. "Don't move." She cocked her head as Tarantula appeared to be trying to move into a position where she could spring. "Stupid." Catwoman followed with another two swift kicks catching the fallen woman in the gut and then the chin. Catwoman in an almost graceful stomp ground her heel into Tarantula's ribs. When there was no movement or response, Catwoman shook her head. "Whatever did he see in you? More's the pity, that I don't get the pleasure of playing with you bug. I'm sure we could have had some fun, but there are some very upset people anxious to talk to you. Too bad for you." Opening the communications channel that Oracle had given her, she called to the other operatives, "I've got the source of Bludhaven's bug infestation." Catwoman entwined her claws in Tarantula's disheveled ponytail and jerked her head up as the spider groaned. "Send in the Orkin clean-up crew."


Dr. Midnight finished applying the white gauze bandage to Nightwing's back. "You'll be okay. The salve I applied will heal up the burn in a few days. I can give you some pain medication if you need it."

"Thanks doctor, but I'll be all right. I've had a lot worse than this scratch." Nightwing looked around and picked up the tunic of his uniform.

Booster leaned against the wall, his arms crossed in front of him. "Maybe you should at least take something ... tonight."

"That would be a good idea. It would make me feel better if you'd take something," Dr. Midnight replied as he was putting the bandages and gauze away.

A sideways smile crossed Dick's face. Doctors ... they were all alike. Leslie had, on many occasions, shamed him and Bruce into taking their medicine because it would make her feel better and not worry. Dick nodded, "Sure, if it'll make you feel better, Doc." He watched the now less grim Dr. Midnight move to the pharmacy dispensary. He returned handing his patient two pills and a small paper cup of water. "Thanks," Nightwing replied as he took the medication. Hopping down from the exam table, he pulled the tunic over his head and looked at Booster Gold. "Can we go now?"

Booster smiled, "Sure. Come on, Nightwing, and I'll regale you with my latest heroic exploit." He winked at the younger man beside him. "It's prison, what's a prison without torture."

Dick smiled as they headed toward the secure area. Then, in a serious tone, he stated, "I really didn't mean to upset anyone."

"I know," Booster said looking at Nightwing, "but I also know that you're not thinking very well. For example, what did you think would happen when they saw you were out?"

Nightwing shrugged. "I didn't think I'd be out long enough for them to find out."

"Nightwing, your cell is under surveillance ... you know that. Someone was bound to find out and think about it, guess who they're going to blame that the surveillance alarm didn't go off?"

Nightwing closed his eyes, "Wally? Damn. He didn't have anything to do with it. I just ... screwed up again."

"No. To me, it says you're not acting normally. But that's not what Ted or anyone on the other side will see."

"Why does he hate me so much? It's more than ... than just prosecuting this case."

Booster shrugged as the door to the secure area opened. "I dunno ... Ted's a friend of mine. My best friend and he's a good person. I don't agree with what he's doing, but I am trying to understand why he's doing it and give him the benefit of the doubt. I don't think it's you, really I don't. It's what happened. Maybe he feels that he's come close to what you've done." Booster shrugged again and winked, "Personally, I think he needs to get laid." Booster gave him a genuine smile.

He reminded Dick of Roy, and Dick could not help but smile back at the jovial hero. "Maybe," Dick sighed. "Maybe that's it. Maybe this is over Oracle."

"Oracle?" Booster asked, a confused look on his face.

"She's ... my girlfriend. He ... he likes her. Tried to date her."

"Whoa, whoa," Booster said shaking his head. "Look, Ted maybe a jerk and a little too ... uptight. But he wouldn't do that. No. Way. Trust me ... this is about crossing the line, not about a girlfriend. He'd NEVER try that."

Sighing, Dick ran his hand through his hair, "I dunno. I dunno anything about anything anymore. You're right I'm not thinking clearly."

Booster smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "I've made a lifestyle of not thinking clearly. I recognize the signs. Hey, did I ever tell you how I once cured the bubonic plague?"

"Uh ... no ... you never did," Dick said with a smile.

Booster followed Dick into the common area of the secure area as the door closed behind them. "Sit down and let me tell you about it."


The Hall of Justice was filling with assembled heroes who had answered the call for an emergency meeting. Superman and Green Lantern stood on opposite side of the circular room. Blue Beetle paced near Lantern as Flash leaned against the wall behind Superman. Ranks were forming and the League was splintering. The Amazonian Ambassador entered the Hall through the sliding double doors. Immediately, she sensed the tension in the room. Swiftly, she moved to the large, round table that sat centered in the room. "Superman, what's going on here? Why did you summon an emergency meeting?"

Superman walked over to the table, his hand gripping the back of one of the large padded chairs. "Lantern injured Nightwing this evening. We need to discuss that."

"I injured an escaping criminal," Lantern interjected as he headed over followed by Blue Beetle. "We're supposed to stop the bad guys from getting away."

"Nightwing isn't a bad guy," Flash retorted.

Wonder Woman threw her hands into the air, "Stop. No bickering. Please." She turned to Green Lantern, "Nightwing was escaping?"

"Yes," Lantern replied.

"NO!" Flash yelled. "He was not. We had been talking about the case in my quarters and we were going back to his cell."

Wonder Woman turned her attention to Flash, "So you had escorted Nightwing to your quarters to work on his case and were escorting him back?"

Flash scratched the back of his head while he looked at her. There was something about her stance that reminded him of his old fifth grade teacher at Blue Valley Elementary. "Well, uh, no ... not exactly. I was escorting him back. He had escorted himself to my room."

"That's not the issue," Superman stated with authority. "The issue is Lantern's harming Nightwing. Nightwing, who was unarmed, was blasted in the back with Lantern's power ring."

"He was escaping. I had to stop him," Green Lantern said defensively.

"You did not have to harm him," Superman started.

"AND he was NOT escaping," Flash finished.

"We need to do something about the security. If Nightwing can just walk around the watch tower willy nilly, he's not really under arrest now is he?" Blue Beetle added.

Wonder Woman nodded. "It's clear that we have a lot to discuss."

"I would agree with your assessment," a new voice sounded behind them. The JLA members turned to see Tempest enter the hall followed by Cyborg, Beast Boy, Raven, and Flamebird. "That's why the Titans have come to lend a hand."

"We didn't ask for your help," Green Lantern snorted.

Tempest's voice remained calm as he replied in his most diplomatic tone, "We are not negotiating. The Titans do not plan on interfering with the JLA in any manner whatsoever. You keep watch on Nightwing. We're keeping watch on you."

"The Justice League does not need watching," Wonder Woman declared. "I appreciate the Titans concern for one of their own. However, this is a League matter and Nightwing is being held as a League reservist. That is how we have jurisdiction over him and I am not certain it would be wise to have the Titans hovering about."

"I appreciate your thoughts Madame Ambassador, however, I respectfully disagree. Nightwing was injured by a League member. Needlessly injured. Obviously we are not happy with this situation. Nightwing may be a League reservist, but he will always be the founding member of the Titans and as such, our loyalty will always be to him. We will secure his safety," Tempest concluded.

"See, that's just the problem," Lantern said, his voice raised angrily. "Their loyalty is to Nightwing come hell or high water. Justice be damned. That's exactly why Nightwing can't be here. We cannot guarantee security."

"Well, where do you suggest holding Nightwing," Flash asked shaking his head. He crossed his arms in front of him and propped himself on the edge of the round table.

"Off planet," Green Lantern replied in a low growl.

Flash almost fell off the table. His jaw was wide open. "I can't believe what you just said. You are not sending Di-- Nightwing off planet to some prison somewhere. It's not happening. End of discussion."

"No, it's the beginning of the discussion," Lantern retorted, pointing his finger across the table at Flash. "We have a prisoner who's letting himself out of his cell and going wherever he pleases. A prisoner who is charged with first degree murder. That makes him dangerous. Not to mention, we all know who he is and who trained him and what he is capable of. The Bats are dangerous enough when they're on our side. When they go rouge ... we need to take all necessary precautions. The Titans' presence will only serve to aggravate the situation."

"Oh please," the Atom said joining the group near the table. "This is not accomplishing anything. The Titans are not a security risk and they have valid concerns over Nightwing's safety after tonight's incident. On the other hand, Green Lantern has a right to be concerned about the breach of security. Like it or not, Nightwing is here as a prisoner, not as a league member. He cannot be allowed to roam the facility freely."

Wonder Woman nodded. She looked at Superman. He looked up to avoid her gaze. "Atom's words are wise. There are decisions that must be made. Hard decisions. Those who are too closely connected to the situation cannot make these decisions. I think the Tribunal should determine what, if any, further security measures are warranted for the remainder of Nightwing's confinement."


Batman stormed into the secure area. "Open the door," he ordered as he continued toward the cell door.

Plastic Man looked up from the cards he held. It was one of those times that Plas hated. This was one of those moments when Batman seemed to exude a dark, violence that caused the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end. The Dark Knight, at this moment, was the embodiment of the darkest violent nightmare about to be unleashed. Personally, Plas wanted it to release somewhere else and preferably not on his well loved hide. "Uh oh," he said as he dropped his cards on the table and stood up. "Hi ya Bats, nice night isn't it?"

"I said open the door," Batman growled.

Booster Gold stood heading for the control panel, "Oracle's talking with him at the moment. And he's okay." Batman turned and glowered but said nothing. Booster sighed as he started entering the code. "I was there, and took him to see Dr. Midnight afterwards, he really is going to be okay."

The door slid open and Batman marched in. Booster pressed the key pad and the door slid back into place. Booster moved back over and sat at the small round table. He picked up his cards and looked at the seven of clubs that Plastic Man tossed as he too sat back down. Booster grinned picking up the card. "Gin."

"Yeah, bet Lantern could use a pint after Bats gets done with him," Plastic Man added as he picked up the cards to deal again.

Booster grinned. "Or maybe a few quarts of blood."

"What happened?" Batman asked as he entered the small cell.

Dick and Barbara looked up at him from where they sat on the bunk. Dick sighed, "Nothing. It's nothing. Everything's okay."

"Superman called and said you were injured. What happened?"

Barbara spoke. "Your son decided he needed to speak to Wally and instead of waiting like a good little prisoner, he opened the door and walked out." She shook her head as Dick rolled his eyes and continued, "I've explained to him why that was not the smartest move he's ever made. And why he will not do it again."

Batman's jaw flexed. "How were you injured?"

Dick stood, "Lantern used his ring. Energy beam hit me in the back knocking me down. I've got a bruise on my back. That's pretty much it. It's no big deal."

"Yes. It. Is."

"No it's not."

"This is different."

"Why?"

"Because."

Dick looked at Batman. He could not see the older man's eyes, but he did not need to. The slight flexing of his jaw, the jut of his chin, the way the cape clung to him like a second skin. Dick knew the man beneath the mask was seething in anger, all the while his stomach was knotting with worry. "I know. And I know if it was anyone else, you wouldn't have a problem with it." Dick held his hand up to stop the protest that was about to come. "No, you know you wouldn't. But I am okay. Really."

"I will not excuse this. He should have known better. He should have done something else. He had many alternatives, his actions were excessive and without reason. I will not excuse it at all."

The door opened slightly and Plastic Man stuck his head in until his face came up between Batman and Nightwing. "They want you in the Hall. All three of you. Looks like there's going to be some kind of hearing."


Roy Harper rappelled from the roof to a balcony on the twentieth floor of the The Hotel Amarante Champs-Elysees. He looked at the Eiffle Tower shining in the distance as he secured the climbing gear to the balcony railing. Paris was called the city of lovers. The last time he had been in Paris, Donna had been with him. Dinner, dancing, flying around the top of the Eiffle Tower, and then making love until dawn. Paris was the city of lovers. Donna was always first in his thoughts when he was here, he couldn't help it. Her scent seem to waif about him in the night air. Roy shook his head. "Harper get your mind back in the game and out of the past," he murmured to himself. He did not have the luxury of living in the past, he had to deal with the present.

If this was ... well ... Dick had an idea and if Dick was right. Roy sighed. Try as he might, his head kept going to scenes in his past. If this was who -- If this was true, if she was involved in this -- No matter what he had felt, no matter how it hurt, he would deal with this particular past harshly. Very, very harshly.

Shaking his head once again, Roy moved over. He did not have time to mull over his conflicted feelings, this was dangerous ground. Reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulled out a lock pick and started working on the double French doors leading into the hotel room.

He entered, breezing past the white chiffon curtains and looked around. The hotel room was dark, but the bed was unmade. Someone had been sleeping here. Stealthily, he moved to the bed yanking the pillow up to his nose. He knew her scent. How could she have been involved with Tarantula? Why would she have done this? Of all people ...

"Hello, Roy."

TO BE CONTINUED...