Vigilante Struggles

Chapter 11

Jason'sP.O.V
The satisfying sound of gun's safety being switched off filled my ears. I lower the firearm closer so that the metal was touching the man's head. He shuts his eyes and begins to tremble.
"P...please....don't " he spits out. I smirk under my mask. This job is almost too easy.
"I dunno. You see I already asked you nicely, and..." I take a pause to stand straighter, I let out an exaggerated breath of air for dramatic effect" you didn't answer me, so....plan B"
"Have mercy P...Please. I have a family, kids." He stutters, pathetic. I roll my eyes at his cliche remark. Predictable.
"Well....that changes things" I say taking the gun away from his head. He opens his eyes in disbelief. "Really.....*coughs*Really?"
"No" I growl "I suggest you talk before you have to get procedures done on both knees" This was my favourite part.
"Both knees?! But...but they are fi....argggh!" I interrupt his pathetic whining with a bullet in his knee.
"Now...you are gonna tell me where the fuck the joker is, or you can bleed to death" I hiss. I place the barrel on his other knee "talk"
"I don't know man....I DON'T KNOW!" He pleads, his dark brown eyes glistening with truth. I delve my hand into my pocket and pull out a burner phone. I throw the device into the man's lap.
"Get yourself help. This isn't mercy on your behalf, it's mercy on behalf of your wife and kids. Don't get too comfortable yet though, I'll be watching you" I aim the gun and fire a round above the trembling man, leaving a small crater in the wall before walking further into the dark alley.
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Barbra's P.O.V
I watch as Red Hood slams the apartment door. I feel uneasy about the whole situation. We are meant to apprehend this very criminal....or saviour? I don't honestly know where I stand with this person, he knows all of our identities, yet he has not made a move on our civilian identities. Come to think of it, all of his targets carry a heavy criminal record. Perhaps he is trying to do good, but with the wrong methods? At the same time however, not all his morals or reasonings are clearly portrayed and I cannot explain why he hates Bruce personally, why he seems so intent on creating chaos within Batman's life. Despite all these emotions I am now sitting in one of his very own secret safe houses with both Red Robin and Nightwing.
"I managed to grab one of working comm links" Tim says while inspecting the small device." We should be able to contact Batman"
I sigh in relief, Dick would finally be able to rest easy, all the while staying protected by the most expensive security system in the continent. Speaking of Dick I look over at him only to find him struggling to stay awake. So stubborn.
"That's great news Tim, you work on contacting Bruce.....and Dick.....go to bed" I demand. He won't listen unless I demand. Dick rolls his eyes playfully at me before painfully proceeding to the bedroom.

I move my chair closer to the table so that I could help Tim. "Any answer" I ask him. His eyes flicker to look at me." Nope, not even a crackle to prove this thing has a signal" he replies. I sigh in frustration, why is it always so difficult, every time we need help something else must go wrong.
"Here let me try" I offer, soon enough the tiny device finds its place in my hand. I have no tools on me so I have no idea as to how I am going to fix it. I try press on it to insure that everything was connected. Nothing.
"I don't know Tim, we have no tools, no mobility, nothing" I look tiredly at the comm unit. I lay my forehead on the table and close my eyes. That's when I hear it. Batman's emotionless voice, demanding and bossy as usual, yet in this case, I don't find slightly irritating, but rather the opposite. I grab it and place it near my ear, making sure to squeeze it gently.
"Barbra...T..m...do...copy?" It was like beacon of hope. A song of angels, I don't care if I'm being dramatic.
"Batman, it's Barbra I copy you." I honestly don't know if he can hear me, but it's worth a shot.
"Barbra?...location"
"23 Ritter street, Ryder heights"
"Copy...eta 15 minutes" I place the comm on the table and put my head in my hands.
"15 minutes Tim, then we will be home" I smile at him. The gesture is kindly returned.

-----------------TIMESKIP---------------
Sitting in the Batcave gave me a sense of security and familiarity. Most people would find this place unsettling at first, before sub coming to the grandeur of Batman's souvenirs, I on the other hand, find this place cosy and, of course, safe. I just wish I could access more of the cave's facilities. Bruce has made everywhere wheelchair accessible, but training? That's not something I have done in a while.

Soft footsteps sound throughout the cave as Alfred makes his way down the spiral steps.
"Miss Gordon, Master Richard has awoken, if you would like to see him. Master Bruce and Master Timothy are with him in the living room" he informs me.
"Thank you Alfred, I be up in a minute, I'm just shutting down the Bat computer" I reply. Alfred mumbles his response before making his way back up to the manor, probably to make tea.

I finish the last of many stages required for shutting down the computer before finally making my way upstairs, using the lift. A delicious aroma of cookies and cocoa fills my senses as the elevator doors open and release me. Genuine laughter giggles through the halls, causing a small smile of my own to grace my face. I reach the sitting room and the image is heart warming. Dick, although a bit pale, has a massive grin on his face. Bruce is sitting in the armchair across from him, his own lips twitched slightly upwards, hot cocoa in hand, surprisingly. Alfred stands behind the couch hiding Tim who is laying sidewards. I wheel myself into the room not being able to resist the joyous atmosphere any longer.
"What's so funny?" I ask.
"Babs! We were just reminiscing about the old times" Dick laughs. "Remember when I use to wear shorts with my Robin costume!" A light laughter echoes throughout the room.
"Yeah! And your little booties. Hahaha. You were just adorable" I laugh.
"I'm just glad, you know, that you changed the uniform to have trousers" Tim mumbles.
"Well Tim I was a great distraction for Batman" Dick points out, a little pout on his face. I knew they were joking, but it was very convincing.
"Yeah a real distraction Dick, you were a walking, talking target" Tim banters. Dick just glares at him, before laughing. "It worked though didn't it"
"I remember you Tim on your first patrol with Bruce" I begin, laughter preventing me from speaking further. Tim sits up quickly. "You wouldn't!" He whispers, eyes wide with desperation. I smile slyly at him. "I am, and you can't stop me"
"*ahem* I just think it's a bit unfair of you to say you didn't like Dick's costume, considering I saw you try it on before you went out" there was silence before Dick burst out laughing.
"You..haha....wore my costume, you weren't even as young as I was...haha...agh" Dick's laughter was cut short when he doubled over in pain. "Master Dick!"
Bruce stood quickly intent on making his way over. He stops short as Dick....starts laughing? " Dick..what's wrong" horrible laughs escape his throat. It is not long before Dick's body flies back into the chair from the force of his laughter. Blood seeps down his face exiting from the corner of his mouth and running from his nose. His eyebrows knit in pain, but his mouth is stuck in a permanent smile. It was like he was dosed with joker toxin, but how could that be? Unless.....the bullet! It must have been laced with poison.

I pull myself out of my thoughts in time to see Bruce race into the room with a needle. I hadn't even noticed he left. The sound of laughter depletes to sharp giggles and frequent chuckles before the drug kicks in and Dick is limp in the armchair. The room is deathly quiet, the other occupants wide eyed and frenzied.
"We need to get him down to the Batcave for analysis, he also needs an antidote to whatever the Joker just drugged him with" Bruce states, thankfully restoring the order.
"Right away Sir, I shall prep the medical equipment"
I can only watch as Alfred briskly makes his way to the Batcave, with Bruce close behind with Dick in his arms.