Little Bird's Vengeance Chapter 35 Surprise Surprise

"We have a problem," Rhodey declared as he ran into the kitchen.

Tony looked up from the plate of bacon he'd selected for breakfast. Steve and Red pulled their attention from the half dozen papers they were pouring over, and Steve asked, "What's the problem?"

"I got a call from my superiors," Rhodey said. "There were some raids on our bases in Afghanistan last night. The reports indicate armour suits."

"Are we being asked to scramble?" Steve asked.

"I am," Rhodey replied. "I was told that 'while assistance would be appreciated, we will not beg'."

"Meaning the military is too proud to actually ask," Red concluded.

"Think we should leave it until they do?" Tony asked, somewhat chagrined that despite everything he'd done for the army they still wouldn't admit when they needed his help. They wouldn't even asked Captain America for help! Mind you, no way would Tony leave that tech in someone else's hands. He'd just wait until the army had completely failed to deal with the problems themselves.

"That wouldn't be fair," Steve disagreed. "It would be punishing the men for their officers' mistakes. If they'll accept proffered help, we'll give it to them."

"Suit up and take a Quinjet or two?" Red asked, standing.

"Not you," Cassie objected from the other side of the table.

"What?" Red said, distinctly irritated.

"You are not going," Cassie told him firmly. "You are still injured."

"I'm fine," Red protested.

"Not by my definition."

"And don't you think I know my own limits?"

"Rob," Cassie said. "You can join us when SHIELD's doctors clear you as fit."

"What makes you think they haven't already?"

"I know you. You almost certainly snuck out after promising to take it easy, a promise you have no intention of keeping. And they would have told you to come back for a check-up, which either hasn't happened yet or you didn't go to. That's what makes me think you haven't been cleared."

Red glowered at her. "It's tomorrow afternoon," he admitted.

"Then you can wait until then, or we can tie you down."

Tony found himself watching the conversation like it was a tennis match, bouncing from side to side. Finally the two teens settled to glaring at each other. After a few minutes, Cassie sighed and looked away. "He won't be happy if you get yourself hurt unnecessarily," she murmured.

Red kept his gaze focussed on her, then looked down. "Fine," he muttered. "But I want to coordinate. With your permission, Captain?"

Steve nodded. "Give me any recommendations," he said. "Colonel Rhodes, can you send us the incident reports?"

"Officially, no, but I can leave them lying around," Rhodey answered, somewhat dubiously. Tony remembered that he still had doubts about Red, although he'd eased up a little recently.

"Did your superior email you them?" Red asked.

"Yeah..." Rhodey said, a certain look of suspicion stealing over his face.

"Close enough," Red shrugged. "No-one can blame you for leaving them there."

"It's password protected," Rhodey protested.

Red smirked. "I'm not as fast as Tony, but I'm a pretty good hacker."

Tony nodded. "Not your fault people have a habit of leaving things lying around in heavily protected locations."

"I see why you two get along so," Cassie quipped. "Shall I get the team ready while you make your plans?"

"If you would," Steve nodded. "Red Robin, I'd appreciate it if you can find the enemy's weakness."

"Well, I'll have time if you're flying halfway round the world. Go; I've got it."

Steve nodded and set off Tony and Rhodey headed for their suits. "You sure about the kid's abilities?" Rhodey asked.

Tony shrugged. "We can at least give him a chance," he said. "He says he has a lot of experience with this kind of thing."

"And his friends?"

"Dealt with those drones before we were even in the air," Tony reminded him. "They have some neat skills." He restrained a shudder at the thought of how they'd 'played' with a live bullet. "They're not as professional as us, but not everyone is."

They arrived at the suits and stepped into them, metal wrapping securely around them. "We'll see," Rhodey allowed.

Nick Fury stepped into the Tower, knowing full well how empty it was but proceeding anyway. The mission was too sensitive to assign remotely, and he wanted his best on it as soon as possible.

The helpful-but-irritating AI directed him to a small office. Red Robin was seated inside, pages all over the desk and complex schematics flashing across a computer screen. He was already through the door before the teen turned to look at him. "How may I help you, Director?" he asked.

"Pass this on to Barton and Romanov," Fury answered. "And give them any assistance they may ask for."

Red took the proffered folder and opened it. He frowned, then stiffened. "You are seeking this...individual?" he asked, forcing all emotion out of his voice.

"He has been committing acts of vigilantism that have resulted in multiple fatalities," Fury explained.

"I see," Red said shortly. "I can deal with it."

Fury restrained his disbelief, thinking of Red's offer objectively. "He has to be neutralized," Fury insisted. "From what we know, that most likely means termination. You're no killer, kid; you told me that yourself."

"I know," Red acknowledged. "But I think I can deal with it." Fury frowned; the teen certainly believed it. "Please," Red begged, letting desperation show. "Give me a chance."

Fury thought a moment, and nodded. "One chance," he decided. "Then it's up to Barton and Romanov."

Tasha was exhausted. The hard part of the mission had been finding the terrorists, leaving them flying search patterns until Superboy finally located them. Then there was a fairly standard attack pattern, except the flamethrowers came as a bit of a surprise and at one point sent Kid Flash running to the nearest coast with his hair on fire. Luckily, the nearest US army base offered them a meal and use of the bathroom facilities before they set off home.

They were only two hours out when Fury called with news that a sensitive mission briefing for her and Clint had been left with Red Robin. Tasha was more than willing to give the kid his shot at the mission, if only so she could get some rest.

She guided the Quinjet onto the landing bay, Clint mirroring the action behind her. The door popped open and her passengers stepped out. Tasha had just moved over to talk to her partner when she heard a loud crash from the lounge. She sprinted through with everyone else, to find...

Red Robin was fighting another boy a few years older than him. The stranger was wearing jeans, t-shirt and a biker's jacket, gloves and boots. His dark hair was marred by a white forelock, and his eyes were covered with a red domino mask. Every motion was suffused with rage, and he clearly wasn't holding back.

Tasha glanced at her companions to gage their reactions. Most were shocked and angry, but the Titans looked distinctly horrified. Tasha locked eyes with Clint, and they blinked in agreement to help Red Robin. Clint subtly mouthed "one, two," but before they could get to three, Tony cleared his throat. "What the hell's going on here?" the billionaire said.

The two boys broke off the fight and turned to see their audience. "Um, hi," Red said sheepishly. "This is...well, he's kinda my brother." The older boy snorted derisively, and Red ploughed on regardless. "We call him Red Hood."

AN: I'm not convinced this is the best chapter I've written. Spidey's going to be a minor character, but Jason is going to be fun. Quick reminder, THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS WAYNE'S BOYS. The amiable relationship Tim and Jason have in that is not going to be the same.

At least one person wanted Deathstroke. You just can't please everyone...

I'm afraid you're going to have to wait a fortnight before finding out how Tim got Jason. More Black and Red next week. This week and next, Family Ties sees the continuation of the action against Riddler and Cluemaster.

Please, please review, and I will try my best to address any issues you may have.

See you soon,

Katara