DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the Teen Titans characters, or the DC Comic Characters. Nor any of the brand names found in this story!
Summary: Kori Anders, news reporter, has seen a lot in her time. With the recent killing of civilians, Kori is putting away her papers, and testing out her investigation skills. Not only worrying about becoming the next target, she is worrying about her old flame Richard Grayson who seems to be appearing a lot more often, especially when she is with billionaire and rival to Bruce Wayne, Slade Wilson. Who is killing the people and will Kori be next? Oh, and who is Nightwing?
- - - - - - -
Twenty-Three
He raced at incredible speeds down the streets of Jump. He felt more invincible then Superman at the moment. The cold air whipped threw him as went over eighty miles per hour on a fifty-five miles per hour street. He was ready for action. He was ready to save Kori. He was ready to be Nightwing.
The colors of all of the streets lights blurred past him. He felt a cold sweat make its way down his back. His grips on the handles were tight. Nightwing kept his eyes focused on the road in front of him, avoiding traffic and civilians. Regardless if he got in an accident or not, he wouldn't stop. He would just run the rest of the way to rescue Kori.
The Jump City Post building was up ahead. He could see all the windows darkened. He slowed down for once as the building came closer and closer to his view until he was finally in the front. He parked his bike, setting a secure lock system and ran into the front.
The doors were open which wasn't a surprise. He checked around the front office seeing of anyone was here. He saw or heard no noise or clues. He made his way to the elevator knowing there was no possibility that anyone would be on the first floors knowing that he met Kori the first night as Nightwing on the top floor.
The elevator dinged and he ran in. He looked around the elevator checking for any time of henchmen before pressing the up button to the top floor. The elevator music played Christmas music. Winter Wonderland currently played in a jazzy remake. The elevator couldn't go fast enough to the top. The music screwed with his head.
The bell rang and he ran out. The top floor looked completely empty. No lights or anything. Regardless, he checked out the room. Nothing seemed out of place. The cubicles hid no secret weapons or anything that would be a threat, maybe besides pencils.
Running to the back offices, Nightwing checked Kori's first. The door was locked so he kicked it down. It fell with a bang throwing papers up in the air in a fury. The papers flew towards the ground. He walked around and checked under the desk and the rest of the room…nothing.
He took off from the room and went to the only other place that Deathstroke would be expected to hide Kori, Mod's old office. The door once again was locked so he kicked it down, not caring if his enemy knew he was approaching or not. It fell with a louder bang then the last. He checked the small closet not finding anyone in there or anyone under the desk.
Losing hope, Nightwing walked to the window. Banging against the glass he was surprised it didn't shatter from the force he used. He leaned his head again the cool glass, relaxing him only slightly. Looking outside snow fell like little angels from the heavens above. He examined the office building in his view. He could see all the windows darkened slightly and hall lights on. There were no late workers tonight or even a janitor, just a lonely office building. His vision tailed up till he stared long and hard at the roof of the office building. It was then that an idea hit him. How could he have been so stupid?
Nightwing kicked himself away from the glass and ran out the office. He looked across the room where he saw a red lighted up EXIT sign. He ran towards it until he finally reached the door. He took a breath and his time as he opened the door. There was only a long flight of stairs and a ceiling of stars.
He crept up the stairs. He was quiet, cat like, slick as a fox. He held his breath as the skylight appeared closer and closer. His hand rested on his utility belt ready for action. Taking the last step, Nightwing felt the snowflakes fall down and melt on his uniform. He reached the top.
"Kori," his voice yelled.
Kori was tied against a type of heater. A rope was tied tightly around her body. She looked over to see him. Her eyes lit up in hope. She looked like a disaster but at the same time beautiful. She struggled against the rope. Her screaming being muffled by a fabric tied at the back of her head.
She kept screaming something at him. He couldn't make out a thing she said. She shook her head repeatedly. Kori looked a lot like she did at the end of the video warning him to go. She looked behind her and her eyes looked more panicked as she warned at him again to go.
He ran to help her.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A voice warned.
Nightwing stopped in his tracks as Deathstroke came out behind the heater, holding a gun to Kori's head.
- - - - - - -
"What's wrong?"
Silence came from Rachel's end as she drove the car in silence. Her heels were taken off and placed neatly in the back seat. The radio played silently with joyful Christmas music, though there was nothing joyful currently in this car. The whole ride had been silent and half way home, Gar managed to talk.
"Rae, obviously something is wrong. Are you going to tell me or not." Gar crossed his arms like a young child. He sat back in his seat shaking his head.
There was silence from Rachel still. Gar turned his head and looked out the window. Snowflakes fell down. He looked at all of the different flakes as they fell to the window and melted. A small smile crossed his face before disappearing as he heard Rachel curse.
"What's wrong?" Gar asked panicked. They had seemed to pick up speed which Garfield had not noticed before.
"I sped past a red light. Shit." Rachel muttered, yet she still drove fast.
"Well, you'll speed through another one if you keep going this fast!" Gar commented. He was a bit annoyed by Rachel's behavior. He wasn't usually this easy to tick off. Gar felt as if something was being kept from him.
"Damn it Gar!" Rachel slammed on the breaks and the car stopped.
The car was quiet for a moment. Rachel's foot was still on the break petal, her hands still on the wheels. Gar sat up in his seat. His body forward, hands rested on the dash board as if he was about to get up. They both sat there. Rachel's breaths were silent as Gar's were heard.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Gar leaned up and looked at Rachel who stared straight out at the room. "What is going on with you? This whole night…you've been so distant. Lately you've felt distant. I don't know why either. I'm trying to figure out. You don't show much emotion so it's hard for me to figure you out, especially right now." He shook his head.
Rachel still stared out at the road. Her hands finally slid off the steering wheel and into her lap. She leaned back and closed her eyes. The car was still on and she couldn't have been more thankful for no cars behind her.
"I'm sorry," she murmured.
"Rae, it's hard to get you sometimes. I feel as if, as if I am being a bad boyfriend. I don't want you to leave me because I sure as hell will never leave you. But if something is going on, you have to tell me. I need to know these things. I need to know I'm not doing something stupid to screw up this relationship."
"Gar," Rachel breathed. Her hands balled into fists as she leaned them against her head. Her hands slid down her face and as they moved away fresh tears came down her cheeks.
"Aw, Rae, I didn't mean to make you cry!" Gar apologized suddenly feeling guilty.
"It's not that. I love you. Some things have happened. Not all I can tell you because I just don't know. But what I do know, I'll tell you. Kori is in danger. My best friend is in danger and, and I'm scared. I'm scared what will happen to her and I'm scared I'll lose her. And if I do lose her, I'll be very afraid that I'll lose you next and I don't want that to happen."
"Aw, Rae," Gar posed. Taking off his seatbelt he reached over to hug his girlfriend. "I love you. I believe you. If Kori is in danger I'm sure everything will be okay. Obviously someone is on their way to rescue her because I know you would have freaked out earlier. Everything will be fine. I promise you, everything, everything will be okay."
His whisper in her ear sent chills down her spine. They silently hugged awkwardly. Her seatbelt scratching against her skin as she leaned up to make Gar's reach easier. The hug only lasted a few seconds until Gar kissed her tears away. They stared at each other, slowly leaning down.
That was when they heard the sirens. Gar quickly fell down landing on the ground in the car with his legs up in the air. The red, blue, and white lights came up behind their car in the mirrors. Gar got up as the sound came closer and closer. It blared in their ears.
"I bet they are after you about that red light." Gar cracked a joke.
Rachel managed to smile but still felt a bit nervous. Her nerves calmed down as the two police cars sped past her sending some of the snow in a mix. Her nerves only calmed for a minute before she saw the police cars go down the next street to the right. Then she remembered…that's where Kori's work building was.
- - - - - - -
"Watch where you move," Deathstroke chuckled.
"Release her Deathstroke!" Nightwing yelled. He came closer cautiously. His eyes stayed on the gun aimed at Kori's head the whole time. She silenced as the cold metal had hit her temple.
"But you didn't say please," His laugh sounded again and Nightwing looked around. Red X came out from behind Red X. His mask was shining in the moon, the skull almost glittering.
"What does she have to do with anything? It's me you want and I'm here. Now let her go!" Nightwing gritted his teeth together. He looked at Kori's pale frame and how she shivered under the snow that fell to her bare skin.
"What does she have to do with anything? Well she has everything to do with you." Deathstroke moved away from Kori and his arm still held the gun against her head. Red X took his cue and switched placed with Deathstroke.
"She's just a civilian. Look you got what you want. I'm here. Let her go." His voice lowered as he became angrier at the situation.
"Just a civilian? Well, I think she might feel a little offended." His gloved hands grabbed her chin and forced Kori to look at Nightwing. Her panicked eyes burned into his memory. "We all know she means more to you than that." His hands released her. Yet he came close to her face. He sniffed her hair with a satisfied smile as he leaned his head in the crook of her neck. Nightwing burned with anger. He wanted to kill that son of a bitch for even touching her, let alone looking at her.
"She means nothing to me."
- - - - - - -
The Commissioner of Gotham City Police department gathered the five guys on the clock and led them to their lockers. Each opened their lockers preparing with bullet proof chest armor. They suited up for the cold weather each placing a cap on their head.
Gordon led out his men taking himself and Ronald Todd in one car and leaving the other three officers to follow. The two police cars sped through the night passing by any moving cars and rushing to the scene of the Jump City Post. The sirens blared and the top lights were turned on, blue, red, and white dancing on the street pavement.
Each officer had been debriefed. Kori Anders, local reporter, was being held hostage by Deathstroke, a local and very devious crook at large. The procedure would be different from usual with hero, Nightwing, leading the mission. The mission would proceed as followed:
Nightwing would already be at the building trying to rescue Kori Anders. The police would come, but, only Commissioner Gordon and deputy Ronald Todd was go into the building to meet Nightwing. The fellow officers would be outside the building prepared for anything. The main mission was to get Kori Anders and their fellow coworkers out alive even if that meant leaving Nightwing to die there under attack.
The team was prepared. Everything would hopefully go smoothly so that everyone could go to their families in the morning with no mourning or long hour shifts. That was the plan, but plans change.
The cars soared through the night. Gordon drove quickly and safely. Ronald was strapped in as well. The Commissioner kept his eyes on the road as Ronald fuddled with the gun on his lap.
"Ever shot one of those?" Gordon looked at the young man. His cheeks were red from the coldness as well as his nervousness.
"A-a-at training, sir." Ronald stumbled on his words. He looked up nervously as his commissioner.
"Be prepared to shoot one tonight." Gordon spoke.
"Sir?" Ronald felt his hands go clammy.
"Be ready, chances are, a gun will come in handy.
- - - - - - -
"She means nothing to me." Kori heard the words come out of Nightwing's mouth. Her heart broke.
"Is that so?" Kori heard the gun click against her head.
"Don't!" Nightwing came forward a little. His hand reached towards Kori. She didn't even look at him.
"X, looks like someone isn't telling the truth." Deathstroke chuckled.
"I say we beat it out of him." Kori cringed at the thought of a bloodied and bruised Richard.
"Patience." Deathstroke hissed. "Nightwing, oh Nightwing, you have ruined my plans before." Deathstroke spoke. He moved away from Kori and closer to Nightwing.
"Is that what this is all about?" Nightwing hissed. Kori felt the gun shoved harder against her right temple as she watched Deathstroke and Nightwing walk around each other in circles.
"Oh, it's about more than that. This is an issue of women, money, and power. I'll be damned if you take that away from me." Deathstroke hissed.
"Have fun in hell."
The fight began as Nightwing ran across landing a blow to Deathstroke's stomach. A grunt was heard but Deathstroke stood tall and angry. Nightwing continued to circle him, waiting for his enemy's next attack. Surprisingly, he watched as Deathstroke backed out and Red X came in. They were practically tag teaming him.
"Get ready to die bird boy." Red X hissed.
Together, they both charged. Red X led the fight landing a swift kick to the legs knocking Nightwing off balance. He landed a blow to his stomach as his foot came down, slamming him further into the ground.
Nightwing quickly gained the upper hand again as he jumped up and punched Red X's face to the left, following with a jab to the right, and finally punched his jaw up with an uppercut. Red X went flying back before getting back up and charging again at Nightwing.
Kori watched in silence and cringed with every blow Richard had took for her. She looked away as X found Richard's weak spot, his old gunshot wound. He hit the wound and Nightwing fell with a grunt. She could imagine the satisfaction on the villain's face.
"Is that all that you got?" Red X sneered. He then lifted his head as he heard siren's approaching.
Nightwing lay on the ground. Kori could see his breaths from here. Within a second's blink he was up and charging at Red X. The two fell to the ground as they rolled on top of each other across the side of the building.
Kori screamed as she saw Nightwing teetering to falling off. Currently Red X straddled the hero's body constantly punching Nightwing's buff frame. She could see some blood or spit fly out of his mouth. She turned away from the sight.
"Watch it, Kori. This is all for you." She heard Slade's voice in her ear. She closed her eyes blanking everything out so that everything was black. She focused on Slade. She imagined him right behind her in his Deathstroke uniform. This was all before she threw her head to the side landing in his nose.
"You bitch!" Slade's yell caused Red X to look up from his kill fest with Nightwing.
Deathstroke clutched his broken helmet. He swore he could taste blood in the inside of his mouth. This distraction allowed for Nightwing to once again gain the upper hand. He rolled on top of Red X and began to punch his face, his mask giving little protection.
Nightwing gained enough strength to get up and pull his opponent with him. He pulled up the heavy body of Red X and kicked him to the ground and picked him up again. He punched him in the face a straight shot to the nose, probably breaking it in the process. His head rested over the edge of the building. Nightwing thought of what to do.
"Do anything to him and I kill her."
Deathstroke had grabbed Kori's hair and was pulling upwards. Her mouth gag had fallen down to her chest. She heaved hair and Deathstroke pulled harder. The gun wasn't in his hands but a knife. Kori could see Nightwing across the building pause.
"What are you doing?" Nightwing sounded unsure for the first time.
Slade grinned behind his cracked mask of Deathstroke and used the knife to cut Kori free of her ropes. They fell to the ground and Kori began to try to run. She was stopped as Deathstroke kicked her legs from beneath her so she fell on her knees in front of him. Her head hung down and he pulled at her hair lifting her head and causing her to groan in pain.
"Getting what I want." He held the gun under Kori's neck. He could blow her brains out at any minute. She heard the gun click. Tears streamed down her face. The snow was cold beneath her bare legs.
"What is that?" Nightwing gulped.
"You dead," Deathstroke lifted the gun away from Kori pointing at Nightwing.
A long scream pierced the air as Commissioner Gordon and Deputy Ronald Todd arrived on top of the roof. They came up quietly waiting for the right moment to strike, not even being there thirty seconds, their guns were pulled out.
A gun was aimed as Deathstroke. A gun was aimed at Nightwing. The last gun was aimed at Red X who had gotten up in the mist of all of the chaos and stood behind Richard. Three shots fired into the air. Two made their target while the other missed. The scream stopped as the bodies fell and the air was finally silent.
- - - - - - -
AUTHOR'S NOTE
*Very, extremely sorry for not updating. Lots of crazy things going on. There is a lot of drama and issues so I'm pretty sure it's all over with now?
Hope it didn't suck too badly. It was a bit rushed but I felt as if I needed an update. Everyone agree right? I hope you all like it. It's not too bad. Who do you think is going to die? It might be a surprise!
Thanks for all the support!