"I never actually agreed to the coin toss."
It had happened too fast for Gordon to do anything about it. Harvey had flipped his coin, it landed heads, and like a shot Wayne was off pounding on the door before Gordon could mount a protest. Once Wayne had done that Gordon knew he couldn't interfere – it would just make the criminals suspicious and blow any chance they had.
"Don't be a sore loser Gordon."
Bruce waited until they were hopefully out of earshot of the group. Both guards were escorting him; one was behind, the other leading the way. Both were clearly not paying him much attention. Stupid. And costly.
Bruce drew up short.
"Get going," the goon behind him nudged him with his gun.
Bruce flicked his eyes at the shadows above. "I thought I saw – never mind," he quickly shifted to nonchalance and resumed walking.
That got their attention. Though still escorting Bruce, both guards' gazes fixated on the ceiling.
Slowly Bruce unclasped his watch. He waited, preparing himself. Two more steps, and he threw the watch into the corner.
The guards whirled at the sound, and he instantly melted into the shadows. In milliseconds he ripped off his jacket, throwing it high up into the air. It was the final distraction he needed.
A quick jab to the rear guard's throat, and then he was using him as leverage to kick the other square in the jaw. The second was out for the count. He then spun around and leveled a punch that would've taken down Ali.
Two down in less than ten seconds, and hopefully his distractions were enough to make them think Batman had done it (which technically, he reminded himself, he had).
He stripped one of his jacket and cell phone, then dragged both into a closet, binding them with their shoelaces.
Clinging to the shadows, he ran soundlessly down the hall. He could always engage 600, but Gordon was right; reinforcement was the game. All he wanted was to know where exactly they were. If only he had actually worn a hi-tech watch instead of his playboy Rolex.
A window; he could see the main bridge. Okay that meant he was in the Narrows. He switched directions.
Found another window. He could see – other warehouses. Well that narrowed it down. He needed to get higher.
"He should've been back by now." Something had gone wrong. Gordon knew it.
"It's only been five minutes. Relax."
"Relax," Gordon muttered under his breath. He twisted his body trying to find a comfortable position along the wall.
Harvey watched him fidget. "Have you ever actually relaxed a day in your life?"
"I just let a civilian walk out of here on some harebrained scheme, and he could be dead for all we know. I'm not going to relax."
"He's not dead. It's not rocket science, and Wayne's not an idiot. He can do this."
"It doesn't matter if he can do this, he shouldn't have had to."
Dent rolled his eyes. "That again? I don't mean to bruise your ego, but it doesn't take a badge to walk to the bathroom and back. He'll be fine."
There. He knew where they were. Quickly he dialed 911 and growled the information. He hung up before the startled operator had a chance to respond. He had a lot to do.
Break it down: keep all bad guys away from the hostages until the cops arrive, taking out as many as possible. Make everyone believe it was Batman doing it. Destroy any and all evidence to the contrary.
It wasn't as impossible a task as it seemed. Keep to the shadows and tap into the fear he had already created. The only thing was he didn't have was any of his bat- branded weapons.
But he was in a warehouse, and he had the disassembled parts of one of the goons' guns. Time to MacGyver it up.
Too much time had passed. Even Dent couldn't kid himself any longer. Something had gone wrong.
The attorney was subdued. He rolled a coin nervously through his fingers. "I didn't think it was that dangerous."
Gordon was about to encourage the DA when his statement and actions got his attention. Silently cursing himself, he reached out and took the coin.
He turned it over. And just stared at it.
Dent couldn't take the silence. "I thought he had a better chance," he argued, full of defiance.
Gordon was not a vindictive sort; he knew Dent had just been trying to help. He could also hear the guilt buried beneath the attitude. Besides, it was done.
"Well you were probably right about that," he admitted mildly.
He held the coin back out, and after a moment's surprised hesitation Dent took it.
Two more goons down. They had to know something was going on now.
His priority above all else was the safety of the hostages. Then he could take on the rest.
The door to their prison creaked slowly open. Gordon and Dent shot to their feet.
No one appeared in the doorway.
"Well that's not creepy," Dent broke the silence.
Gordon took a step forward. "Stay here," he addressed the room.
He cautiously made his way to the open door. Harvey was right on his heels, but Gordon wasn't going to waste time fighting a losing battle.
No one was outside; the warehouse was dark and empty. He stepped out of the door. On the ground in front of him were two assault rifles and a cell phone -
- that began to ring. Eyes searching the warehouse he bent down and retrieved the phone. He pressed the button and waited.
"Gordon," a voice growled in his ear.
"Where are you?" Gordon asked, hope flaring to life. He turned and motioned Dent out. He nodded at the DA's silent question.
"Here." Succinct as always. "Police are on their way. Stay there; I'm going after the rest."
"Wait. Bruce Wayne's out there. He—"
"Taken care of. He's safe." There was a bit of disgust in his voice as the Bat discussed Wayne. Before Gordon could inquire further the line went dead.
Pocketing the cell he turned to Dent. "Ever shot a gun?"
Dent stared at the assault rifles, his mouth twisted. "Never one like that."
"Hopefully you still won't have to." He quickly walked Dent through the basics. He then positioned the DA into the shadows. "Keep the safety on. Don't even think about shooting until I'm dead on the ground and a bad guy's five feet away from you. I don't want you accidentally shooting a cop. Or yourself."
"Cheerful as ever Gordon," Dent muttered, but he nodded acceptance.
Gordon left him and took up his own position on the other side, giving him full view of the winding, metal stairs and the only available entryway.
Dent was wrong; he was so ecstatic he was almost shaking with relief. They were all going to make it out of this.
His partner was here.