TWO-FER ALERT! You're welcome! ;D

WARNING: Strong Language . . .

Oracle stared at the screens in front of her, unseeing.

She had never heard Dick so out of control before . . . His language! She had heard him angry enough times to know that he could strip the skin off of someone with just his tongue alone, but it felt a lot different to be on the receiving end of it this time.

It had taken her a while, but she had finally gotten it. Something was horribly wrong! Honestly, she should have realized it immediately. Dick took his night work very seriously, and he would never bail on something as dangerous and important as tonight's operation was unless something came up that took precedence over it. He would never leave Bruce hanging like this unless . . .

Life and death. He had used that term twice to describe it.

Babs frowned. It sounded like something more than mere 'life or death' . . . It had sounded personal as well. She wondered . . .

Shaking it off, she knew the Bruce would have to know. Maybe Tim could contact the Titans. Would they be able to get here on time to help with the smuggling ring bust? Only one way to find out.

"Batman, where are you now?"

He answered immediately. "Last minute adjustments to the plan, Oracle. Have you heard from Nightwing yet? I need him here in time to go over these changes before this thing goes down. He's late."

"I just heard from him," she said, sighing. "He's not coming. Something else came up."

There was the slightest pause before Batman's voice came back through the com. "More important?"

"Apparently," she said, dryly. But there was worry there, too. "I'm thinking that maybe he's in trouble."

"Why do you say that?"

No hesitation; no pause. The question had been snapped out like rifle fire, and she knew she had the Bat's full attention. Why they pretended to be so cool and emotionless in regards to one another, she never understood. Nothing ever got between Bruce and Dick unless it was their own stubbornness.

"It's just . . . I've never heard him like this before."

"What do you mean, 'like this'?" Batman came back.

Babs took her glasses off and rubbed her eyes. "He was . . . upset. He swore at me. He said it was life and death important; told me to 'fuck off' and said he didn't care what I told you."

There was the pause. "You're right. That doesn't sound like Nightwing. Can you get a fix on him?"

Oracle had already anticipated his request. "I have him on highway heading back to Bludhaven. He must have been almost to Gotham before deciding to turn around. Good God, he's flying . . . Wait a minute while I hack into the traffic cams.

"Oh my God!" The lights were farther apart on the highway, and no sooner did she register Nightwing on the camera, he was gone again – Disappeared into the darkness between the occasional oases of artificial lighting. "He's going like a bat out of hell! Holy shit! That semi almost clipped him!"

Batman cut in. "Check the police scanners in Bludhaven. See if you can hear anything that might explain what has him driving so recklessly."

"Right," she muttered, forcing her eyes from the terrifying sight of Dick driving like a maniac and onto the keyboard. She could do this blindfolded, but needed something to distract her from the video feed. She really, really didn't want to watch Dick wipeout on the road going that speed.

"Do you want me to contact Red Robin to fill in for Nightwing," she offered.

"Actually," Batman's voice rumbled, "I want you to contact Red Robin to fill in for me."

"You?" Babs' fingers fumbled on the keys. "You're pulling out of the operation, too?"

"See if Red Robin can pull in some of his teammates with the Titans as back up. Your father can lead the sting from his position with the GPD. He knows all the details, including the changes."

"But they don't know what is going on . . ." Babs worried.

Batman remained firm. "I trust Tim and your father to handle the smuggling ring. All the groundwork and preparations have already been done. All that's left is the clean-up."

"Easier said than done," she muttered under her breath. Louder, "So, you're going to Bludhaven, then."

"I think you're right. Nightwing's in trouble. He might need his own back up."

"Right, then. I'll get back to you," she said before cutting transmission.

In the quiet of the clock tower, Babs sighed. "Thank you," she whispered, relieved.

Batman watched the dot that represented his son as it flew across his GPS screen almost faster than the computer could keep up with it. Barbara hadn't been exaggerating when she had complained of Nightwing's speed.

What would make him risk his life this recklessly? Before he could answer the question, Oracle came back on the line.

"Batman, Red Robin's on it. He's bringing in Superboy and Wonder Girl. Both of them are fast enough to get here in time and strong enough to make a difference. They know how important this is. Dad's been apprised," she reported.

"Good," he rumbled. "And what about the situation in Bludhaven? What have you found out?"

"Actually, that's interesting," she murmured. "I've heard Dick's name being bandied about on police channels in relation to a number of 911 calls that came in approximately fifty minutes ago."

"Dick's name? You mean, Nightwing," he said.

"No, I mean Richard Grayson, as in the police officer for the BPD," she clarified for him.

"That makes no sense," Batman growled. "Based upon where he is right now, assuming he was driving the speed limit while on his way here, he would have been halfway to Gotham City fifty minutes ago. How would he be involved in a 911 call in Bludhaven at the same time?"

Oracle continued. "From what I gathered, the local police department sent a cruiser to his apartment looking for him. He wasn't there, of course, and it is being called back because they were able to finally get ahold of him on his cell."

"I want to hear those 911 calls," he ordered. He pressed on the gas pedal, edging the Batmobile to greater speeds.

He would never be able to catch up with Nightwing at the speed he was going, but luckily, the younger man had apparently been nearing Gotham before the call came through that turned him around. If he discovered where his son was going, he could arrive close behind him; hopefully in time to assist.

"I have them here." Oracle told him. "Bringing the first one up now."

911: "911. What's your emergency?"

A woman's voice spoke. It was naught but a whisper, but even so, you could easily hear the fear and pain in the ragged, breathless sound.

Woman: "Shh . . . He's still here."

Batman's eyes widened. Was that . . .?

911: "I can barely hear you, ma'am. Who's there? Is there an intruder in your home?"

Woman: "Please . . . send . . . help."

911: "What is your address?"

Woman: "Shh! He'll hear you . . . I-I can't . . ."

There was a slamming noise heard in the background and a heavy thump. Batman frowned. It sounded like a body falling. And that woman's voice! She sounded a lot like . . .

The sound of heavy boots walking on glass grew louder. There was a rumble as if the handset or cellphone was being shoved across a wooden floor.

911: "Officers are on the way, ma'am. Please, stay on the line. Don't hang up the phone."

Batman winced. The 911 operator was speaking too loud. What would the intruder do once he realized that the police were on their way?

Intruder: "I apologize for the interruption, sweetheart. What's the matter? Don't tell me you've run out of fight already? Oh baby! You and I, we're just getting started!"

The man's voice sounded distant. As Batman suspected that the rumbling noise had been the woman sliding the phone across the floor; perhaps in an effort to get it out of sight.

A shuffling noise came through in the distance followed by a loud crack.

Intruder: "Come on! Show some spirit! You're taking all the fun out of this."

Woman: "My fiancée's a cop! If he catches you here, he'll put you down like the dog you are!"

Oh no! No, no . . . There was no mistaking that voice now. Batman grimaced. No wonder Dick turned around. He watched the dot swerving from lane to lane of the GPS screen. No wonder he was speeding.

Way too fast . . . Slow down, Dick, before you kill yourself!

Intruder: "What? You don't think I can take him?"

The man sounded amused. He wasn't worried about interruptions, obviously.

Elle: "No contest!"

Intruder: "Thanks for the warning, sweetheart . . . cause you see, I'm here for supercop, too." That last was spoken almost too low to hear.

Elle: "Nooo . . . Don't . . ." There was real fear in her voice now.

Intruder: "Oh yes, I don't know what you did to piss this guy off, baby, but I'm getting paid for two bodies . . . And I was told to make it messy." There is male laughter. "Thanks to you, I'll be as rich as a Spanish Conquistador . . . Or maybe a pirate! What do you think? Would I look good in a beard?"

There was a clacking sound and another thump; scuffling.

Intruder: "You fucking little bitch!"

One side of Batman's lips tilted up. Elle was fighting back! Good, good . . . But he was worried. This guy didn't sound like a common street thug. He sounded like a professional. If that was the case, Elle didn't stand a chance. Worse, still, the guy had just announced his endgame.

He check the chronometer. He knew where he was going now, anyway; knew where Dick was headed. He hit turbo and kept to the beltway. There was an exit closer to his destination, and it would be faster and safer than cutting through the city proper. He would try to close the distance between him and Dick while he had the space to do it.

The noises that followed made his gut clench. Thumping noises; thing shattering, falling . . . Elle was being hurt, and there wasn't anything he could do about it. The worst thing about it, however, is that what he was listening to had already happened. If this ended with a gunshot or a gurgle . . .

He thought about the change of clothes he kept in the back of the Batmobile. He could count on one hand the number of times that the world had needed Bruce Wayne rather than his counterpart. Seldom, when he was out as Batman, was he required to change back into civilian attire. But this was Dick Grayson, not Nightwing anymore. Batman might still be needed, but tonight, Bruce was going to be needed more!

The man's voice cut through his thoughts, bringing his attention back to the drama being enacted through the phone lines.

Intruder: "What the fuck?! . . . You called 911? You little sneak!"

Ah, he found the phone. A thrill of fear shot up Batman's spine as he heard a huge thump and clatter. Elle's startled cry. Loud boots clumping forward; increasing in volume.

He frowned. He thought the intruder had kept the phone, but now realized that he had thrown it instead . . . At Elle?

Intruder: "Change of plans, baby . . ." A loud thud was followed by the sounds similar to clothing sliding along a wall or the floor.

A minute later the line went dead.

Change of plans? The plan had been to kill her, and possibly lay in wait for Dick to come back. But now the police had been alerted.

Hope rose that the hitman hadn't killed Elle yet. It made sense for him to take her somewhere safe for him and use her to lure Dick out into the open where he could take him out at his leisure. He couldn't do that if she were dead.

Then there were the references the hitman had made to the Spanish Conquistador and again to pirates. He didn't think those particular comments had been random. No . . . Those had been his clues!

What did a Spanish Conquistador have in common with one another? Spanish doubloons . . . Gold? What else? Tall sailing ships of old? Or the more modern vessels of today?

He slowed as his exit came up on his right. Oracle came back as he made the turn he needed to take him to Elle's apartment. He hadn't been here before, but he had looked up the address after meeting her for the first time. Dick had been correct that he would investigate the young woman as soon as he had her name. Any guilt he might have harbored for that vanished as he turned with unerring accuracy towards her home.

"Two more 911 calls came through shortly after this one. Did you want to hear them also?" Barbara asked him.

"Not necessarily. I was able to glean a lot of information from the first one," he told her.

"Was that . . .?" she hesitated, then plunged on. "Was that Dick's girlfriend that made that call?"

The answer pained him. "His fiancée," Batman corrected without heat. "And yes, it was."

"Oh shit." Heard a small thump, and guessed she had dropped her head to the counter. "I really stuck my foot in it this time. No wonder he yelled at me!"

"With luck, you'll have the opportunity to apologize later," Batman told her.

REACTIONS?

REVIEW! Review, review, review . . . . FAVE! LOL!

Tell me what you think of the story thus far? I want to hear from you! Even you - Guest Reader! Thank you, all those who have reviewed so far! Are you still interested in that sequel I've mentioned?