~.: De's P.O.V. :.~
I woke up in a strange room with a huge window nearby, a huge wooden door across the room from me as I managed to struggle into a sitting position. Groaning in exhaustion, I raised a hand and rubbed at my right eye that throbbed at my touch.
"Ow..." I mumbled, dropping my hand and facing the window beside me. As I glanced out the window, I saw that it was raining and dark outside. How long have I been out? I wondered warily, trying to get to my feet. I glanced down at my legs and spotted cuffs around my ankles, locking them together.
"I wouldn't try to get up, little songbird,"
I jumped at the sound of a masculine voice in the room, then looked up to see a man in a black fullbody suit, a red X slashed on the mask he wore to cover his face.
"Wh- who are you?" I rasped confusedly as he approached me.
"Nobody important, cutie," he replied simply with a shrug as he crouched down beside me, "But I know who you are; your name is Spade, aka, Nightwing's special someone. So I'm holding you hostage for my partner," he reached out a gloved hand and stroked its backside against my cheek. I felt my blood turn to ice.
"Who is your partner?" The stranger merely smirked through his mask, "Who are you working with and why did you kidnap me? Why are you holding me hostage? Leave Nightwing alone!" I glared at him as he chuckled in amusement at my fussing.
"Whining isn't going to get you any answers, babe," he cackled softly, tilting my chin up so that our gazes locked. I yanked my face away from his.
"Stop calling me those names and stop touching me." I growled softly, my face burning as I glared at the floor. Why is he messing with me? I want to go home!
"Sorry, little birdy, can't do that until your boyfriend comes barging in to save you like he always does. You should really try to learn how to defend yourself! You're always getting your poor little self in trouble, aren't you?" His words stung and I found myself silenced, shaking under his crudeness, "That's right, I keep hearing about how you constantly keep getting into trouble, you and Nightwing's little sister! You two just don't know when to quit... maybe I could teach you a few things about defending yourself? Hmm?" He's in my face again and suddenly I'm pinned down beneath him.
"Leave me alone!" I hissed, pain flaring in my stomach. Concern for the unborn life I was harboring flared inside of me and I used a psychic blast to throw him off.
"Cute," he chuckled softly, his eyes narrowed as he got back to his feet and stepped toward me again, "So your powers only activate when you're upset? Interesting." I glared at him but before he could do anything more, another voice, deep and gravely in comparison, cuts in from the intercoms overhead.
"Red X, cease your childplay at once, I didn't agree to let you work with me just so you could play with my prisoners," the voice snapped, "If you're just going to toy with her, I'll let her loose and then I'll permanently dispose of you personally." With those words said, the intercoms went deadly silent and Red X huffed, rolling his eyes.
"You heard him," I growled softly, sitting up once more while rubbing my belly, "Fuck off."
Red X raised an eyebrow at me, "Deathstroke ain't my boss, he can't tell me what I can and can't do, sweetheart," he cackles dryly, but backs away, "You're not very fun anyway, so I'll be seeing you around. Better hope your boyfriend don't come to your rescue this time around because he's got big things waiting for him here."
I flinched worriedly as Red X left the room, and I'm left to my own devices. I struggle to crawl over to the window nearest to me.
"Nobody can see you through that window, little songbird," Red X's voice sounded through the intercoms, "You can see out there, but nobody can see in here. Peaceful, am I right?" Then the speakers fall silent once more.
"Oh, Nightwing... I'm so sorry..." I whispered, closing my eyes as I rested my forehead against the cool glass window.
****
~.: Nightwing's P.O.V :.~
I can't focus. My hands are shaking and my heart is racing too fast as I run my hands stressfully through my hair.
"Dick," I barely heard Tim's voice near me as I tried to calm down, "Dick, maybe you should stay at the Cave while someone else leads this rescue team? With Deanne being the one in danger, it might be best for you to stay behind..." I shook my head in denial.
"No, Tim, De needs me. I can't just sit here while she's somewhere out there. She needs me. I can't just, I can't," I was on my feet again, but my head was spinning.
"Dick, I think you need to listen to Tim for once," Aria spoke up. She'd woken up from her momentary unconsciousness not too long ago.
"Aria, no-"
"Don't 'no' me, you big dummy," Aria snapped, her blue eyes sparking with anger, "I know you're worried about De, I am too. She's my best friend, idiot. But I know that my emotional state won't be of any use to her if I can't even think while I'm upset about her going missing. Let someone else lead this rescue team," she explained to me, approaching me and gently putting a hand on my cheek.
I pursed my lips and looked away from her, deeply considering her advice. She was right... what good could I do for Deanne while my head was spinning and my thoughts a mess?? She needed saving...
"Fine. Superboy," Conner looked up at the sound of his name being called, "Take Wally, Robin, and M'Gann with you on the rescue mission. Find Spade and bring her back without any unnecessary risks," I huffed in defeat, sitting down on the couch as I ran my hands worriedly through my hair. Aria sat beside me and rubbed my shoulder after she kissed Wally's cheek.
"We'll find her, Dick, it's gonna be okay, just relax and we'll be back in no time," Wally offered gently. Then the rescue team left.
TBC
