Routine can be good. It can keep people grounded or help them get back on their feet. Returning to routine, even slowly, after a rough day can bring a person closer to feeling themselves again. Routine can also be terrible and monotonous. That is when it needs to be broken, shaken up with something exciting. Or when you're being followed. A tail really should be taking notes from Victor because it was too easy to change his route through his actual stomping grounds in China Town and lose them. So much for taking the day off.
After finding a spot to see behind him without needing to turn he waited for that tail to pop back up. No one he recognized but then again the families' jobbers start to blur together. Very few were worth keeping track of. Even few may actually pose a threat to him. He had to assess the man's dress. Even the smallest detail would give him everything he needed. A particular necklace, a style of shoe, the way they fidget.
He hit another block and dipped into a bodega. He made it easy for the man following him to slip into the store while taking a leisurely stroll through the isles. Who was this guy? As the man passed by a row of refrigerators with glass doors he spotted the one thing he needed. Victor would grab a soda, pay and then leave. His tail was smart enough to give time before stepping out. He was already gone.
The confused man looked in the direction he walked but in spite of Victor being quite tall he couldn't see him. The nearest ally was the first place to look. He must have made a run for it. There was no time for this cat and mouse bullshit, he had a job to get done! Taking off he nearly tripped over a can not five feet from the entrance of the alley. "The fuck?!" Inspecting the can it appeared to be the one Victor bought. Unopened.
Victor dropped down behind the man and before he could turn had his arm around his neck and a curved blade pressing against his skin. "Hey, buddy!" Victor said in a cheery tone. "Lookin' for me?" The man swallowed and the act resulted in the tiniest prick from the blade held rigid to his throat. The only trembling came from the unknown stalker. "Let's go for a walk. Catch up." The man tried to nod but winced as he was cut again. "Good! Now start walking." The peppy voice was replaced with one that was ice cold.
They wouldn't go far, just far enough to keep from anyone listening. "So where ya from and what do they want from me?" The knife was pulled just far enough away but the firm hold from his arm reminded him he was on borrowed time. "Quickly!"
"I...I'm from." Victor held up a hand and narrowed his eyes and the man stopped.
"Say 'fifty dollars'."
The man stuttered then repeated in a barely masked accent. "Fif...fifty dollars?" Victor sighed, hung his head and put the blade away. "What does that mean?!"
"Tell your friends I'll be in touch!" Victor says before slamming the man's head into a dumpster and letting him slump to the ground. After making sure he's still breathing and not twitching too much he heads back to the main street. He circled back to pick up the soda and toss it in a bin. There was no going back to his place. Message received! He took his phone out and found what he felt to be the right number.
"Victor." The voice on the other line said flatly.
"Ibane! There are better ways to get a hold of me than having me followed," Victor said with an icy voice.
"I do not know what you are talking about."
"Mm, what do you want?" he asked while checking his surroundings.
"You're becoming a problem, Victor. It is being discussed how to deal with you."
"And you drew the short straw?" Victor laughed. "How unfortunate for you."
"Volunteered. You will work for me exclusively and the problem will go away."
"Not my style. I like being a free agent. Keeps things fair, you know?" Victor had yet another tail. This one is larger and less concerned with going unseen. Seems they found their friend in the alley. "Plenty of me to go around." He looked up one street and down another. Black SUVs located on both. They were never known for being subtle. "Only 12 guys? I'm insulted, Ibane."
"And I thought you were good with numbers." That confirmed Victor's suspicions. How was he going to wiggle out of this one? No refuge for a free agent. His stash back at his apartment was probably cleaned out, but this lot are sloppy and not known for being thorough. He felt being flesh-mongers will do that to one's attention to detail. He exhaled and picked a car to approach. It didn't matter which one, the others would be following close behind him soon enough. The street became scarce. There was the possibility of blood in the air and no one wanted to catch a stray bullet.
There were men behind him, to the left and right as the car door to one SUV swung open. A hand reached out from behind to push Victor towards the vehicle. He dipped to avoid that arm and rounded on the man with his knife. "Don't fucking touch me, pig!" Several guns varying slightly in caliber were held up ready to drop Victor. One was pushed against the back of his head and Dragos Ibanescu came from the SUV to the right of their little party. "Get in the car, Victor." Cornered he held up his hands and dropped his knife. "Take him some place easy to clean."
Olivia stepped through the glowing bright light of a teleporter to a landing dock of sorts in the batcave. Bruce was at his computer in his casual clothes typing away and monitoring the city. "Hi dad!" she said then stepped over to give him a kiss on his temple.
"Welcome home. How were your exams?" he asked not once stopping what he was doing while Olivia's phone buzzed away in her hand.
"I...didn't do terrible," she began with a wince. "I got an 83 in my algebra class..." She was shrinking away as if he was going to be furious.
Bruce turned in his seat and smiled. "You dragged that grade up from the ground. You should be proud. I am." Olivia was relieved and bounced on the spot.
"So does that mean I can go?" Bruce turned back to his work and Olivia tried to move the chair back around. "Please please please!" What did Jason say about Bruce being wrapped around her little finger? "Dad! You promised! I worked hard to get my grades up. I excelled in my training." His eyes dropped to her phone again. More ringing but it was silenced and set aside. "And I managed to balance all that with still doing my commissions!"
"I promised I would consider it and I'm not sure that is a good idea after what happened in the spring," he explained. "I promised to let you have your privacy and I trust you stuck to no contact but this will just be a temptation."
"But you promised!" she whined. "You said I could go to Gotham Academy for my senior year. I want to graduate with Damian! I want to have my picture in the same halls as you!" Her phone began to buzz across the computer desk. "Oh my god!" She snatched it up, hair crackling as she looked at the number. "Some jerk has been calling me non stop all day from an unknown number. I had to take out the battery, it almost got me kicked out of one of my exams."
Bruce grew concerned and held his hand out for the phone. Olivia begrudgingly handed it over. He checked the most recent number and entered it into his computer to be tracked down while checking the rest of her call logs. A father can only respect his child's privacy for so long. Not a single call from one of Victor's numbers. So she was telling the truth in that regard. Checking her messages was an invasion he would not commit and gave her back her phone. "The number has been cloned. Tracing it from there is going to take some-"
The phone rang again. Olivia looked to Bruce unsure. He grabbed a cable and connected it to the phone then turned to the computer. Given a signal Olivia answered the call. "...Hello?"
"Hey, beautiful." A lethargic voice came from the other end.
"Victor?!" She looked at her dad in a panic but tried to stay calm. She knew he could figure something out. "Victor, why are you calling?"
A groan, a wince and then the faint shuffling of something or someone near him could be heard before he spoke again. "Remember that night out we had." He groaned again and took a breath. "And those three jackasses were hassling you?"
Olivia focused on her breathing and maintaining control of herself. "Yeah?"
"Well, I should have let them take turns on you when I had the chance."
"VICTOR?!" she snapped.
He laughed. "God you're such a stupid bitch. If you'd just played nice I would have made my-" The sound of a fist crashing against something and Victor's gasps came through. The line went dead.
Olivia held her hand over her mouth while staring at her phone. "Dad...what? What's happening?" Tracing the call was halted. Voice analysis confirmed that it was Victor but could barely pick up any others besides his. The phone rang again. A new number and she shrieked.
Bruce reached up to touch her hand. "Answer it."
"It...it's a video call." A bit of typing and he nodded to her. Olivia tried composing herself before holding out the phone to answer. Her image had a backdrop of pitch black. The person on the other end was an old, stout looking man, grey hair slicked back and amber colored sunglasses.
"Miss Wayne," the man said with a thick eastern European accent. "Good afternoon."
"Where's Victor?!" she snapped, hair crackling as her eyes lit up.
"Be calm. He is here. See for yourself." The phone was moved away giving a sweeping view of a dark warehouse and landed on Victor. He was bound to a chair, bloodied and battered. There were burns on his skin, a few of his fingers looked broken and a fresh bruise on his face about the size of a human hand. "You'll have to excuse him, he is a bit tied up."
"Boo..." Victor jeered and received another punch, this one to the stomach for his time.
Olivia screamed. "LET HIM GO!"
"Now now. We have a bit of business to discuss first. Victor here swears that he doesn't want anything to do with you. That you are a spoiled brat incapable of loving a piece of street trash like him. I think he is wrong and you are going to help prove me right."
"What do you want?" she asked and tried not to look at her dad but held her hand out for him to hold. She needed strength and a quiet way of communicating.
"A ransom to be delivered face to face."
"You must think I'm stupid! Why would I go anywhere you tell me to?"
"To save him of course. He's become a problem that needs solving. Money will solve that problem. Four million. Pennies for someone of your status."
"And if I can't get the money?"
"Then he dies. Problem solved. You wouldn't want blood on your hands, now would you Miss Wayne?"
She felt a squeeze of her hand. "I...I'll get the money."
"You have two hours."
"I CAN-"
"Be more positive Miss Wayne. Your father's love for you must surely be enough to forgive you for stealing from him for the sake of love. Two hours Miss Wayne. We will send the details shortly. Come alone, or he dies." The call ends. Olivia dropped her phone and held both hands over her mouth fighting back the urge to wail.
"Your brothers are on their way home. The location was easy enough to pinpoint but they may move him to spring their trap," Bruce began. The suits along the back walls lit up and two released from their case."
"They want me, don't they?" she asked as she stared at the still image of Victor on the screen above them.
"Yes. Ibanescu is a notorious trafficker and pimp and may be taking this one connection Zsasz made to branch into more expensive clientele." She nodded along while her heart pounded in her ears. "Alfred."
"Yes, Master Wayne?" came the butler's voice from the computer. "Collect four million in one of Olivia's suitcases."
"What is the nature of the emergency?"
"A rescue. We'll be receiving the details shortly. Tim and Damian will be taking point." Olivia's phone vibrated and she held it up to show the address in text. "We have less than two hours."
"Of course Master Wayne." The call ended and the cave was buzzing from Olivia pacing around.
"Olivia."
"YES?!" She practically jumped out of her skin. Bruce was on his feet and gently pulled her into his arms. "It's going to be okay. The moment we confirm where Zsasz is we can pull you out."
"...I want to try and do more to help."
"I can't allow that."
"Yes you can!" She stepped back to look up into his eyes. "You said you trusted me to be able to take care of myself. If Tim and Damian are going to be shadowing me then I...I think I can take them on. I don't need to be that strong to drop them and they don't actually know I'm not a meta-human. It'll be easier to spin that I panicked and took them down by dumb luck and being a freak."
"You're not a freak."
"I know dad and I'm not a little kid anymore." She was trembling. Terror of what might happen to Victor won against her own personal safety. If she messes this up, he might die. She crouched and took up her phone to call a car. It will take some time to get off this hill and back into town. She'd rather be early than late.
The nest of hornets that got kicked up when Tim and Damian found out the details of the plan could kill a pack of wolves. It was one animated Tim and quietly seething Damian against a silent Bruce, but by the time they were suited up Olivia was already on her way.
"I don't know why you're risking her life over that jackass," Damian argued as he zeroed in on the signal the initial call came from. Analyzing the layout from that quick sweep put him in the general area to look. Narrowing down that further based on the Romanian's territory.
"I just don't get why we have to put Liv in danger," Tim added. He looked down to see his sister pacing on a near empty street. "Pull strings, get a double! Manhunter's not busy. I'm sure he would have helped."
"We're pressed for time. Stay focused. Damian."
"Nothing so far. The possibility he's been moved is likely. Wait. There's a mass of heat signatures from one location. Going dark."
Bruce checked the time on his watch. There was no way he'd stay in the cave for something this important. Olivia had no desire like her brothers to become a vigilante. She was given self defense lessons and trained on how to safely utilize her powers but she's never shown the focus of a fighter. Bruce's part to play was genuine. A father concerned that his daughter has gotten herself into trouble.
The doors of the GCPD headquarters were thrown open with Bruce Wayne, panicked and followed by Alfred rushing to the nearest desk. "WHERE'S GORDON?"
The officer behind the counter jumped and sank far into her chair at the sight before her. "Mr. Wayne! If you calm down, we can help you."
"My daughter is missing, how am I supposed to calm down?!" For a moment he looked livid but after a few deep breaths he closed his eyes. Some officers in the back were already scrambling to find the commissioner. "I'm sorry. I found one of my safes open, money was missing and she received a strange message from a number I've never seen before."
"You...you have her phone?" In the officer's mind that would make finding her that much harder. Anyone bold enough to do harm to Bruce Wayne's daughter would make it quick or make their demands known soon.
"No, I had a clone of her phone made."
"You cloned your daughter's phone?"
"Any good father would and this proves that I was right to do it."
Back on the street Tim shifted closer to get a better look of the vehicle pulling up. He took note on the plates and the few faces he could make through the dark tinted window. Olivia tensed and couldn't help putting off a bit of static. That's fine, being genuinely nervous was fine. A large man stepped from the front passenger seat and moved to open the door in the back for her. "Get in. I will be taking this." She nodded then looked inside as the suitcase was moved. Another man was sitting in the back holding a silver control collar in his hand which was proven to suppress meta-human abilities. "Put it on or your boyfriend is as good as dead."
Time to make it look convincing. She took the collar with trembling hands and placed it around her neck. A gasp and flicker of her eyes should be enough. Once "disarmed" she was shoved into the car. "HEY!" She cried out. The other man held her down and she nearly electrocuted him. The suitcase was thrown into the back before he squeezed into the seat beside her. Olivia tried to make herself small and focused on controlling her powers. All that energy was pulled along her spine and mentally held in her stomach. The car pulled away and Tim was on the move.
"They're heading north," Tim relayed to Damian. "Anything?"
"He's not here. Zsasz is more useful to them than they let on. They're trying to pressure him to cave." Damian hopped onto his bike wearing all black. A bit more stealth was required.
"And there goes her phone. At Least they're not insulting us by being sloppy. Scanners are buzzing."
"They think there will be a reward for finding her. Shame they can't be this motivated everyday."
Victor swayed on a rickety chair Ibanescu's men moved him to. A bit of a drive to get to this new spot. Just as ratty a place as the last warehouse just with more things. There were scattered shelves and broken boxes. Nothing he could reach from the center of the room. She wasn't coming. Her dad was too smart. She was too smart to walk into a trap. Even for him. And then he heard the call confirming they were on their way. His heart sank into the pit of his stomach. He was actually afraid. He reserved himself to death but he wasn't going to let them take Olivia! He tried tugging at his restraints. They'd learned from before and stuck to more reinforced cuffs "borrowed" from Blackgate. He managed to break free while they tried to move him and nearly ripped out one man's throat with his bare hands. He's slipped through worse. He just needs to twist, turn, and bleed.
His head snapped up as he heard the creaky doors that once swung close behind him open. Olivia was ushered into the room and she gasped seeing him. No. This isn't real. "VICTOR!" she cried out but was held back growing more frantic. It's not real. She would have zapped them by now. No one was allowed to touch her like that. No one! The glint of the control collar caught his eyes. NO!
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER!" He roared, thrashing to get his arms free. His chair was kicked over and he crashed to the floor. The back of the chair shattered but with how battered and weak he was the cuffs would be enough to restrain him.
"DON'T HURT HIM!" she cried. Her face was snatched and a phone held up. Ibanescu was on the other end safe in his office. "Well, it would seem you two do care for each other. Wonderful."
Olivia whipped her face away from that rough hand. "You have your money! Let him go!" She could hear Victor's mind firing off. "Please...let him go," she said through a choked sob.
"I'm afraid that will not be happening, Miss Wayne. Victor needs to be kept on a short leash and we'll have that, now that we have you." Her eyes widened and her breathing quickened. "Yes, dear. I lied. The world can be so cruel, eh? Bring me the girl and the dog. Start with the girl's finger nails if he causes further problems."
"I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU DRAGOS! THERE WON'T BE ANYTHING LEFT TO BURY WHEN I'M DONE WITH YOU AHHHHH!" He gasped, eyes that could barely open widened and a blood curdling cry rang out as one of the henchmen pushed into his stomach, grabbed what he could and twisted.
"STOP IT!" Olivia shrieked! The phone was tucked away and Olivia broke free to rush over to Victor. They felt no need to stop her. Let them have this one last tender moment. The man now standing over Victor chuckled as she pushed past him. "MOVE!" she snapped, with her eyes and hair lighting up. A palm was pressed against his hip and a current rushed through his body, making him convulse then fall on the floor smoking but still alive. There were panicked voices around them but none spoke a word she could understand. "Victor."
"The collar?" he breathed.
"It only works on meta-humans. Stay down. They don't want to kill me." Olivia stood over Victor, hands at the ready as she turned into an electrical storm. The slightest twitch made sparks arc off her arms and strike metal close to the men. "I don't share the sentiment." All she wanted was for them to back down. Who were they more afraid of? A presumed meta-human too strong for a collar or their feeble boss. The first to move was struck. The man wailed in pain then dropped to his knees. Still alive but no one dared move now. Her heart was pounding in her chest and ears. She can do this! She can be precise. Just five more. Damian and Tim would have taken care of the rest outside by then and be on their way.
One man reached for something in his pocket and he was dropped with a stronger jolt. She could hear their minds working over time to figure out what to do. She was too fast. "Just...just leave us alone. I don't like hurting people."
"Just run," Victor managed out. A nick to the side of his hand got him what he wanted and he pulled, wrenched and thrashed to get free.
"Victor, please hold still," she asked but didn't wait for him to comply. Two moved at once. Was the price on her head that great? Her eyes snapped to one while both hands were aimed at one a piece. They both crumpled to the floor twitching and drooling. Two now. The men that collared her and rode in the back with her. For a moment rage took over and the one that collared her was struck leaving a burning hole in his shirt and a wound on his chest. The other ran towards the doors. Down! It was over, right? Olivia started hyperventilating. She allowed herself to break down, gasping and shaking. She did it!
There was shuffling behind her but she needed to gather herself and check if the coast was really clear. The first to be struck down by her rose up behind her and in her frazzled state she did not comprehend what was happening. She turned to see the barrel of a gun rising but before she could scream a blur cracked the ruined chair over the henchman's head and he collapsed back to the ground. Victor stood in place, barely able to keep his eyes open with one hand free of the cuffs. "Sun..." he swayed and dropped to his knees before falling to his side.
"VICTOR!" Olivia screamed and rushed back to his side. She wasn't sure how to help. Her whole body was rolling in static and her own hands were shaking. Breathe! She inhaled, drawing her energy back in, then exhaled. A soft palm touched Victor's cut and bruised cheek as tears welled up in her eyes. "Victor... I...I should have answered sooner. I'm sorry," she squeaked.
A hand of busted knuckles and two broken fingers reached up to touch hers. "Told you. I'm not worth crying over," he breathed with a pained smile.
"Yes you are!" she sniffed.
"My what a touching reunion," came Red Robin's voice as he emerged from the shadows. "Miss Wayne."
"..Were you here the whole time?!" she said, coming across outraged.
"No ma'am. It's easy to sneak around a place when you don't use doors. Now we just need to wait for my associate." The wail of someone being hurled down the hallway and then a crash upon their landing was heard before a second Robin pushed through the doors, slamming one in the head of the attempted runner. "Right on time."
"GCPD are already on their way," D Robin said, looking towards the bodies. He inspected the nearest one and smiled. "You help mop them up?"
"Didn't need to. Seems she took care of everyone here." Before she could play up more and speak, Red Robin knelt by her. "We can take it from here, Miss Wayne. Let me get that ugly collar off you. Clashes with your outfit."
Victor groaned, drawing Olivia's attention back to him. "Don't move." Both Robins went about ensuring everyone was taken care of and honestly waiting for Victor to black out. The man looked like he was thrown into a wood-chipper. "Everything is going to be okay. My dad is probably on his way right now."
"Then I should make myself scarce or he'll." He tried to move and dropped alarming Olivia further. "He'll finish the job. I can't believe you actually came." He chuckled as his eyes shut. "Am I really so pathetic?"
"Stop talking. Try to get some rest."
"Coming here was really stupid, Sunshine."
"I know."
"Promise me you won't do that again."
"I promise."
"Finally got to watch you zap someone," he snickered. Olivia cracked a smile and nodded with his hand pressed against her cheek. "Hot as fuck!" She laughed while wiping a tear off her cheek. "Me next?"
"Absolutely not!" she huffed.
"Had to try while the iron was still hot. I..." He shook his head trying to fight exhaustion but he finally dropped with Olivia's cries for him to open his eyes far from him.
