Happy Tuesday! Hope you are excited to jump into the latest installment of Holding Out for a Hero. Tonight's addition is the final revision of the original chapters ...which means brand new chapters are coming SOON! Be sure to keep the story on your favorites/alerts so you can be the first to read the newest chapters. As always, be sure to leave reviews! :) Happy reading - trs0010
Chapter XI: Here Comes the Boom
Cassidy leaned against the window frame, gazing upon the Gotham skyline. It was a cloudy afternoon. Cassidy was exhausted. She had barely slept or ate of the last few days. There was still no news of Bruce. The longer his absence grew, the more concerned she became.
On this particular afternoon, Cassidy made was had become her weekly visit to Commissioner Gordon's hospital room. She did her best to check on her boss a couple of times a week, keeping Gordon informed on what was or more importantly, what wasn't getting done concerning the Bane issue.
As he had done on most of her visits, John Blake accompanied Cassidy.
She careened her neck to sneak a peek over her shoulder at Blake. He watched Gordon as he pulled himself to a seated position with the help of a nurse so the trio could get down to that afternoon's business.
After their failed, but ultimately successful first "date," Blake spent every night at Cassidy's apartment. With Bruce still missing, the Joker's newest threat and Bane looming in the shadows, Blake stepped up to the plate as Cassidy's strength, and she was forever grateful for his simple act of spending ten to fifteen minutes with her every night, even crashing on her couch on her worst night.
Something inside of Cassidy clicked after their "date." She realized there was absolutely nothing she could do or say to change his mind. What was the point of fighting it any longer?
The attentions of the young detective were not going anywhere. Blake would be by her side through whatever Gotham's worst could through at them.
Despite her logic internally fighting every step knowing the danger she was putting them both in, Cassidy let her heart win just this once.
She gave Blake a chance. More importantly, Cassidy was giving herself a chance at something she thought she never deserved to experience again.
Blake switched gears, turning his attention from Gordon to catch Cassidy staring with a faint smile on her lips. He shot her one of his patented smirks that he knew Cassidy hated that she loved them. Her face flushed a brilliant hint of pink. Her embarrassment painted on her face for the entire world to see, but her lopsided smile graced her face, the smile she knew drove him crazy before she returned her gaze to the window and the city below her.
Blake shook his head despite himself, gazing appreciatively at the woman before him.
He knew exactly where his feelings for Cassidy Williams stood. He had been in a committed relationship with her for five years now despite being the only one in that relationship. Cassidy was just late to the party in his mind, but she was getting there as fast as she could.
Since the day the rookie cop nervously stumbled into Gotham's Police Department and spotted the stressed out and scared beauty fumbling through paperwork, she stole his heart.
His attentions never faltered, his loyalty never wavered.
Blake's friends teased him and called him crazy for being hung up over her four years now. They urged him to move on, but nothing could ever change his mind.
Cassidy Williams was something special. He knew from the moment she introduced herself on that fateful first day on the job. Blake knew then, and there she was worth the fight. All he needed was a chance.
She finally gave him that chance. Cassidy didn't reject him. She didn't push him away like he often thought she would. Cassidy accepted and embraced him for who he was. That night she laid in the safety of his arms and never looked back.
For the first time in five years, Cassidy was open to exploring the inklings of a relationship that had secretly grown. She wanted to take things slow. John couldn't blame her. After all she'd been through; she needed her time, but he was determined to prove to Cassidy that he was in this for the long haul.
Blake couldn't help it. He could finally admit it to himself. Blake was in love with her. He could only hope she'd allow herself to fall in love with him.
Gordon silently watched the exchanged between his two detectives. A knowing smile played across his face. Gordon knew the look on Blake's face. He mastered that same look a long time ago when he was young rookie cop meeting his future wife for the first time.
He could hide the happiness he had for the down-on-her-luck detective to have the attentions of someone worthy of having them returned, but there was a bigger matter at hand. The moment had to break.
"So," Gordon began, breaking Blake's gaze. Cassidy straightened herself to command attention, but she did not look away from the skyline. "You think our friend is gone again?"
This time, he might not be back," Blake answered gravely.
He never let his eyes leave Cassidy as he answered Gordon's question. She visibly tensed as the words left his mouth. Blake knew how heartbroken she was over her cousin's disappearance. He was the last family she had left. It killed Blake he couldn't give her any concrete news to ease her pain.
Gordon, too, digested the news. He had seen Bane and knew the power they were up against once he revealed himself and his end game to Gotham.
Batman was their last hope, and now knowing that the Dark Knight may have been defeated permanently by the masked villain that remained shrouded in secret to the majority of Gotham, Gordon feared what would happen to their beloved city without the Caped Crusader in their corner.
As the heavy silence fell upon the room, an agitated Foley burst into the room stealing everyone's attention.
"Okay, Commissioner. You were right." Foley admitted defeat.
"What's happened?" Gordon questioned.
Cassidy stood on the balls of her feet, ready to spring into action. She shot a quick look in Blake's direction. He was on edge.
"Your masked man kidnapped the Wayne Enterprises board," Foley explained. "He let most of them go, but he took three down into the sewers."
"Fox," Cassidy whispered to herself. Concerned laced the single word.
It went unheard by all save Blake, who gave her a confused, but sympathetic look. She shook her head to wave him off. There would be time for explanations later; there were larger matters at hand.
Cassidy met Fox through Bruce on several occasions. He was the mastermind behind all of Batman's weapons, vehicles and more. Cassidy grew rather fond of the old man. She couldn't imagine what horror he was facing if he was amongst through kidnapped by Bane.
If the masked man could potentially kill her cousin, her hero, she couldn't imagine what he could do to civilians. She prayed Fox was spared.
"No more patrols," Gordon announced. "No more hide and seek. Send every available cop down there to smoke him out."
Gordon was determined to end this today. Cassidy steadied her look. It had to be done and now before things escalated, and it was too late to stop Bane. Cassidy knew what part she had to play.
"The mayor won't want panic," Foley began to argue.
"So it's a training exercise," Blake offered as a solution.
"I'm sorry for not taking you seriously," Foley apologized to Gordon. Cassidy couldn't hide the smug smirk across her lips.
She took more pleasure than she liked to admit from the self-righteous Foley admitting defeat. Though knowing Bane was knocking on their doors and what he may have done to Bruce, Cassidy secretly wished Gordon just imagined things.
"Don't apologize for believing the world's in better shape than it is," Gordon spoke. "Just fight to make it true."
With their marching orders, Foley made a beeline to the hallway with Cassidy trailing behind him.
"I'm going in," she announced once she caught up to his stride.
"Excuse me?" he questioned.
"They'll need eyes above ground, and that's where you'll take the lead," she explained. "They'll need someone to take charge once inside. We don't know what we are facing down there. I'm going."
Foley didn't argue. He nodded in acceptance and continued toward his patrol car waiting outside.
Once outside the muggy, humid air of Gotham, a shout from Gotham's General's entrance stopped Cassidy short as she opened the passenger door of the black and white.
"CASS!"
Blake rushed over, stopping her from entering the patrol car.
"Make it quick, lover boy," Foley quipped while rolling his eyes. He slammed the driver door behind him as he began shouting orders over the radio putting their game plan into place.
"Be careful," Blake gave her a grave look as he held her gently by the shoulders. Concern filled his eyes.
"You're not coming?" she questioned.
"Gordon wants me to finish up the Daggett leads," he explained. "Promise me; you'll be smart since I won't be there to save your ass."
He closed with a joke, drawing a small smile from Cassidy. The last thing she planned on telling him was her plan to storm the sewers in search of Bane.
"Please," she scoffed, nudging her with her elbow. "You're the one that's going to be in horrible shape without me."
"Watch it, Williams," he winked, turning towards his patrol car.
He didn't get far before a voice called his name. A hand firming gripped him and pulled him the opposite direction. As he turned, soft lips met his for the briefest of moments. He thought he had imagined it, but as he looked down, Cassidy was wrapped around him tightly.
"One for the road."
He weaved his arms around her, giving her a comforting squeeze. "One for the road," he repeated before they broke apart, heading separate ways not knowing what dangers waited.
Cassidy gazed into the dark depths of one of the sewer entrances. A maze of tunnels ran underneath the city. They were expected to navigate them as quickly and as safely as possible. Foley stood by her side as the two assessed the mass of SWAT patrols and cops waiting for their final command.
"Foley will remain above ground as our eyes," Cassidy continued her instructions to her armed soldiers ready for battle. "He'll be on the radio helping us navigate and providing any development information."
"I'll be underground, keeping our command center posted. We will swarm the tunnels and meet at the center hub. If there aren't any questions, let's move!"
Cassidy loaded her gun, returning it to the holster. She hoped he didn't need to use it today. Cassidy pulled her leather jacket tight around her, zipping it shut. She silenced her cell phone, sending one last message before tucking it safely in her back pocket.
Clicking a flashlight one, Cassidy marched towards the entrance of the dark, ominous tunnel.
"You sure about this?" Foley questioned, grabbing her arm to stop her before she completely disappeared in the dark.
"No."
Cassidy wrenched her arm from his grip before disappearing amongst the hundreds of cops funneling into the sewers through manholes and tunnel entrances. Weapons and flashlights checked corners as the swarm frantically searched for any signs of life.
Cassidy led one of the SWAT formations. She studied the dark sewer pipe they were about to enter. A low, echoing boom sounded from deep inside the vast blackness.
Her crew turned their attention to her, waiting for her orders. She nodded gravely leading the charge into the unknown.
Cassidy waded through the nothingness, leading her squadron to the center hub of the sewer system. They were soon joined by the countless other units as they poured into the center, converging in the open space.
"Any signs of Bane?" Cassidy asked loudly. A resounding negative response came. There was no sign of Bane anywhere inside the tunnels. The hair on the back of Cassidy's neck stood on end. "Something's not right."
"Williams! Pull out!" Foley shouted over her earpiece, confirming the sickening feeling growing in her stomach. "Pull 'em out NOW!"
"You heard the man!" she ordered. "MOVE OUT!"
Chaos ensued as the armored SWAT and uniformed officers hustled to the nearest exits, retreating to the tunnels and the warmth of Gotham's sun.
"Foley what's going..."
Before Cassidy could finish her question, the tunnel roof began collapsing. Chunks of concrete thundered down around them, trapping all of Gotham's police force in the center hub and surrounding tunnels.
Cassidy darted to the last opening, weaving in and out of falling rock. Just when she thought she made it to safety, Cassidy was struck with a sharp pain. Then all was dark and quiet.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Blake crawled out of his overturn cruiser, taking his time to ensure no physical harm done. He brushed some dirt off of himself, expecting for external injuries.
They played right into Bane's hand, and now all of Gotham's finest were trapped underground. The impact of the explosion was enough to throw his vehicle in the air and caused mountains of structural damage.
Once satisfied he was unharmed, Blake snatched the radio from his totaled cruiser.
"Foley?"
"Jesus, Blake?" came his panic, muffled voice over the radio. "Every cop in the city is down in those tunnels!"
"Not every cop…" Blake realized.
Blake uncovered a shotgun from the overturned cruiser and flagged down a car navigating the wreckage. A flicker caught his eye. Lying amongst the broken glass of his windshield was his photo with Cassidy. He removed the photo from the carnage and placed it safely in his front jacket pocket near his chest.
Blake flashed his badge, commandeering the vehicle as he raced as quickly as he could towards Gotham General. He swerved around crumbled structures scattered on the street and dazed and terrified civilians.
Flames and smoke billowed from the sewers below.
"Put Williamson on," Blake ordered over the radio.
"Blake…" Foley hesitated, unsure of how to answer him.
"Put her on; " Blake ordered again more agitated.
After a long pause, Foley reluctantly admitted the truth. "She's gone."
"She's gone? What does that even mean?"
"She led the march into the tunnels," Foley answered. "She didn't get out."
"Why the hell did you let her go down there?" Blake shouted.
He was angry with Foley for letting her lead the charge, a duty that Foley should have taken on himself. He was angry with Cassidy for volunteering to lead the swarm underground without telling him now. He was angry at the unwavering dread and concern building over Cassidy.
"She's not answering her radio," Foley finished. That was the final nail in the coffin for Blake.
"Shit," he fumed. He threw his radio forcefully against the passenger seat before slamming his fist against the steering wheel. If Cassidy got out of those tunnels, he was determined to kill her himself.
Blake skidded to a stop outside of Gotham General, racing into the entrance. He sprinted up the stairwell towards Gordon's floor, jumping into the corridor with his gun raised.
Shots echoed down the hall. Blake wheeled his legs faster. He burst into Gordon's room with his gun raised high, but Blake froze a cool metal touched the base of his skull.
"Clear the corners, rookie," a familiar voice offered.
Blake slowly pivoted to find Gordon holding his service weapon at his side. Two mercenaries lay dead at his feet. "Get me coat, son," Gordon ordered.
Gordon and Blake drove in silence as twilight overtook the deserted Gotham streets. Blake navigated the carnage of Bane's attack towards his apartment. He prayed it would be a safe harbor for the night.
Gordon slumped against the passenger door while listening to the president address the union.
"As the situation develops," the president's steady voice flowed from the car's radio, "one thing must be understood above all others. People of Gotham, we have not abandoned you."
"What does that mean?" Blake scoffed, never taking his eyes off the road.
"It means we're on our own," Gordon answered. "I have to get in front of a camera."
Blake countered Gordon's ridiculous train of thought. "Sir, they'll kill you the second you show your face."
"The mayor's dead," Gordon explained. "I'm the symbol of law and order. Bane says he's giving Gotham back to the people. They need to know that I could lead."
"Bane's not going to let that happened," Blake countered.
"Then he'll show his true colors."
"And you'll be dead," Blake stated, silencing Gordon and putting an end to any argument.
Dead. The word tugged at Blake's heartstrings. The fear that built within him since his checking in with Foley was threatening to spill over. With night falling over Gotham, he would be helpless in searching for Cassidy, especially with Bane's new world order in charge. He was forced to wait for tomorrow's first light for any chance of finding her.
As the night continued to fall with no word from her, Blake could not help but think the worst may have happened. She could have easily been at the wrong place at the wrong time. With walks and tunnels collapsing around them, one may have fallen… He couldn't complete the thought.
A hint of a small tugged on his lips. Cassidy was too damn stubborn to go out that way.
He dug in his chest pocket unburying his greatest treasure. His only photo he had taken with Cassidy. He secured the photograph to the dashboard in the same spot it once held in his cruiser.
Gordon studied the young detective. "Still no word?"
Blake shook his head no. The pain was evident, etched deeply in his eyes. He reached for his cell phone from his jean pocket. In desperation, he did the only thing he knew to do. Blake called Cassidy's cell.
It rang… rang… rang… and then…
"Officer Williams," he heard her energetic, but determined voice.
"Cass!" Blake breathed into his phone. Relief filled his body. His heart soared at the sound of her voice. She was alive. "Thank God. I was so worried…"
"…please leave a message, and I will return your call as soon as possible."
As quickly as he was elated, Blake was devastated by the crushing sound of a tone. Voicemail. His heart shattered once the end of the message registered over his excitement.
"Cass, it's Blake," he began not knowing if she would ever hear this message. "Heard about the stunt you pulled today. So much for not doing anything stupid, eh? Things are pretty bad above ground, and I can't get to your right now."
Blake coughed as his voice cracked over that last sentence He choked back a tear that was about to fall. He wasn't going to say goodbye, not like this.
"As soon as you get this, call me. I'll bring you home. Please be okay, kid. I need you."
Blake ended the call. "Why won't she answer?" he asked aloud. The pain of loss was shattering clear to Gordon.
Blake's eyes wondered down to his cell once more a notification for an unread text stole his attention. The sender was Cassidy Williams. She must have sent it before she marched into the tunnels.
Don't hate me. I did something stupid. I'm sorry.