Chapter 13

Athena lay on her back, staring up at the cracked gray ceiling of her imprisonment room. Her leg still felt as though it was on fire and her arms were impossible to move. She'd been laying in the same place for hours. Every few minutes, the Joker would walk in, kick her, and then walk back out. So far, he hadn't used his knife in anyway.

Her heart pounded as she heard the door open and the Joker walked in once again. This time, he held a long metal rod in his hand.

"You know, something about this seems really familiar." He looked down at her and grinned. "You wouldn't happen to know a nice young man named Jason Todd do you?"

Athena's heart beat faster. "Jason?"

"So you do know him. Or, knew him, would be the better phrase. Well just be happy I'm not in the mood to blow you and the building up." He raised the rod and brought it down across her gut. Athena rolled on her side and curled into a ball. She was in the same room with Jason's murderer. If she had any strength left, she would've taken him out then and there.

"Oh I'm sorry did that hurt?" He turned back to the door. "See you in a few minutes my dear." Joker walked out and closed the door behind him.

Athena rolled onto her back. She ignored the pain in her arms as she propped herself on her elbows then pushed herself up against the wall so she was sitting up. A few seconds later the Joker popped his head back in the room.

"By the way, you wouldn't happen to know when Nightwing is going to show up do you? I'm dying to know if he'll chose your life over his own." He laughed and closed the door.

Athena processed what Joker had just said. Your life over his own. Her eyes widened in terror.

"No, no, no," she whispered. "Dick, wherever you are, please, stay there." Joker was going to kill him.

"Are you sure this is the place?" Robin asked through his com. He was standing on the roof of the building adjacent to the Joker's supposed hideout.

"Positive," Nightwing responded. "I did background checks on this place. Batman had to deal with countless villains in there. It's like villain central. What better place for the Joker to hide?"

"So what's the plan of action?" Batgirl asked.

"You and Robin stay on the roofs of the buildings adjacent to this one. I'll signal you if I need help."

"And you're just going to walk through the front door?" Robin asked.

"That's the plan."

"Why can't I go with you? You said so yourself. She's my sister too."

"I don't want you to get hurt."

"But I don't care-"

"I do. Rather me than you. Stay alert. I'm going in."

Robin looked at Batgirl across the way. She shrugged and looked back down at the ground. Nightwing took out his Eskrima sticks, twin fighting sticks, and prepared himself. He kicked down the front door and walked in.

Robin's voice came in over Nightwing's radio. "That wasn't very subtle you know."

"I don't care right now Robin." Nightwing continued into the dim lit building. Old wooden storage bins lined the walls and were stacked three at a time. Nightwing walked with caution, constantly turning around to make sure no one was behind him. Up ahead was an old wooden staircase. Nightwing looked up and around. The second floor was mostly dark. A balcony looped around the perimeter. He began climbing the stairs. On the second floor, there was a series of doors on both sides. He walked up against the wall, putting his ear up to the doors to see if he could hear someone on the other side.

"Nightwing come in," Batgirl said over the radio. "Have you found her?"

"Not yet," Nightwing whispered.

"Do you need backup?" Robin asked.

"No, stay where you are. We'll be out soon. Nightwing out."

A small voice came from the other side of one of the doors. It was quiet, but he could've sworn it said "Nightwing."

He reached down and tried the handle. It was unlocked. He pushed the door open and saw Athena leaning against the far wall.

"Piper," he said as he ran to her side. He looked at her arms, which were still bleeding. Her face was spotted with bruises and one of her hands was clutching her gut. "Piper, what happened?"

"Dick, you shouldn't be here," Athena said through forced breaths.

"What do you mean I shouldn't be here?" Nightwing said confused. "I'm here to get you out."

"You don't understand." She cringed in pain. "He's planning something. Something that's going to result in your death."

"Well he's not getting to me before I get you out of here." Nightwing put his arms under Athena's body and lifted her so he was carrying her like a baby. She gasped in pain when he touched her arms. "Sorry," he mumbled.

Nightwing carried her out of the room and back down the stairs. "Robin, Batgirl, move in," Nightwing ordered over the com.

"We're on our way," Robin responded.

"Nightwing stop," Athena whimpered. "Please stop"

"What's wrong?"

"My arms. I can't feel my arms."

"We can't stop yet Athena. Hang on just a bit longer."

Nightwing carried her out of the building and met Robin ad Batgirl in the street.

"Where are the bikes?" Nightwing asked.

"Where we left them; around the corner," Robin answered. "Where's Joker?"

"Don't know and right now I don't care. We have to get her back to the Cave. Batgirl, go on ahead and radio Batman. He has to know what happened."

Batgirl nodded and ran off to the bikes. Robin looked at Athena. He reached out and took her hand.

"Piper," he whispered.

"Tim, now's not the time," Nightwing said. "We need to get her home."

Robin nodded. "Right."

The two ran off to the bikes. Robin got onto his bike and started its engine. Nightwing put Athena on the back seat of Robin's bike.

"Piper, you need to hang onto Tim. And Tim, make sure she doesn't fall off."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Robin said.

"Get to the Zeta tubes and head to the Cave then go home. I'll follow."

"Right. Hang on Pip." Robin revved up the engine and zoomed off toward the Zeta tunnel. Nightwing stood and watched them disappear. He took off his mask and rubbed his eyes. He then put his mask back on. Suddenly the radio com ringer went off.

"Nightwing."

"Dick." It was Batman. "Where are you?"

"East Gotham. Just a few blocks from the Baker house."

"Where is Piper?"

"She's with Tim on their way back to the Cave. Bruce, it was him."