It hadn't been long since Lady Vic had returned from Europe and she was set on getting Nightwing a present, just to let him know how much she meant to him, something along the lines of serving his own head on a silver platter to Blockbuster.
Brutale was not too far off on those sentiments. His last encounter with Nightwing had left him to be hospitalized for more than a month recovering for wounds that Nightwing actually had very little to do with but the blame seemed to go to the mask vigilante anyways.
Shrike on the hand, wanted more than just making Nightwing to pay for making a fool of him and getting him thrown in jail. He was going to make Nightwing suffer. He had done his research and knew Nightwing's friends...especially those close to him. One in paticular was the Titan Donna Troy...he had no intentions of letting her die slowly.
Donna had promised Lian that she would meet her and her daddy for hot dog's in the park that day. So shortly before noon she left her aparment dressed in her maternity clothes and stepped out onto the street. She could no longer fit into her costume and even though Nightwing would not say anything she knew he wanted her taking it easy during this last month, so she had basically taken her leave of the Titans for a while.
Roy harper, walked hand in hand with his daughter, talking and jokeing through the streets of New York. They where off to spend an afternoon with Donna. Something that has been neglegted to much as of late, with Donna being pregnant and school, and the ocassional bank robber who's day was in need of ruining. But today, was a day to live like normal people for once, sit back, and have some fun*
The three goons had run across each other and it was with great hesitation that Shrike let them in on the information of what his plans were. But he had decided that they would work fine as distractions and for keeping any of Nightwing's back ups out of the way till the deed was done.
Donna sat waiting next to the large fountain at the North side of Central Park. Since it was still winter, she was wearing a colorful fleece parka that hung freely from her shoulders but did nothing to hide her full term pregnancy.
A bright smile came to her lips as she seen Lian and Roy come around the corner. And carefully she stood. "Hey Lian."
*Like a typical kid, Lian complained that her feet where hurting, and even though he knew well enough that she would be running around like a little hooligan when they got to Central park, He still swung her up onto his shoulders, telling her to keep a good watch for Donna, even though he was certain that Donna would spot them, before Lian spotted her. After all, how many handsome redheads wander around the park, with Their daughter on their shoulders, while still looking at all the women? Atleast he was a good boy today and didn't whistle at any*
*"daddy, there she is" came the call from over his head, and with a smile, he let his daughter down, to go run and give Donna a big hug, while he followed along behind with a friendly wave* Hey hot stuff
Brutale: "There she is. I know. The Titan woman Troia."
Lady Vic. "Hush. We have eyes too."
Shrike: "Both of you take your places. I see they have company." He pointed to Arsenal. "Brutale, I believe that will fall to you. Lady Vic, the girl is of little concern, but should we need her for leverage, your the. Otherwise, detaining the woman is going to be the hardest. She is a meta human after all even though she is in delicate condition." A sinister gleem came to his eyes. "Too bad that isn't Nightwing's own child he is carrying. I could really make him suffer."
*Nightwing steps off the ferry, He was feeling much better after surveying the condemned mess that was what was left of the Titan's Tower. He wanted to look up Donna and Roy. Donna for entirely personal reasons and Roy for business. Batman was leary about Roy being included on this new team of Outsiders but Nightwing knew that Arsenal definately had some skills that would come in handy. After checking his titans locator he saw they were both headed to Central Park. With alittle luck and some skill he might even beat them both there.*
She walked over to Roy and Lian, taking notice of the continual roving eye of Roy's and she chuckles. "Hi Roy." She gives him a hug. "Lian, how about you and I get something to eat and daddy can go play." She chuckled.
"How are things going for ya Roy, obviously still on the single father seen." She nudged playfully
Shrike: "Lady Vic, you see about getting the atttention of Mr. Lonely heart over there to start so that Brutale can take him from behind."
Brutale: "And what are you going to do El Capitian?"
Shrike: He growled slightly and then grinned like a hungry preditor. "I am going to take the woman down. NO hesitation. Now go."
He shook his head softly at Donna hey now. this isn't play. It's hard work scopeing out all the ladies, carrying on a conversation, and keeping a free eye on Lian.
Lady Vic had started out first till she was with in ear shot of Roy, just a few feet behind him.
Brutale had gone the other direction to stay out of view until Lady Vic had gained his attention long enough to get a knife in his back.
A very smooth and seducing female, Elngish accented, voice came from just to the left of Roy. "Well Hello there Handsome. You come here often?"
At that moment, Brutale had already drawn his knives, three ready in one hand which was pulled back. With a swift follow through of his arm, the three knives were released aimed striaght at Roy's back.
Donna had been pre occupied with laughing at Roy silently, when Lady Vic's voice came. She turned just her head to look but instead of getting to look the full direction, her eyes caught the flash of the knives from the bushes. Her super fast reflexes were called into play. "Roy get down." She grabbed Roy from behind the neck and basically jerked him down, bringing up her other arm to catch Lian before she would smack the paved walk way. All three come down hard on the ground.
Shrike: The assassin watched as th other two moved into place and then the attack came. That was his sign to move. Less than 50 feet away now, it would take him no time to get out of his plavce and take down Donna. In his hand was a tranquilizer dark that he would plunge into her skin himself. Three deep breaths came as his body became ridged and his legs sprang him forward out of the brush toward Donna and Roy.
*he raised a brow, and turned towards the voice, about to throw on his full charm, a grin on his lips, and a sparkle in his eye. He was about to say something along the lines of "no, but if you do, then I may have to change that" When he caught a glint out of the corner of his eye, heard his daughter scream,mingled with Donnas warning and felt an all to familliar sense of pain in his right side as his body hit pavment. all that came out of his mouth then was a groan of pain and a selection of navajo curses that would crack adobe brick*
Brutale: His knives went sailing over Roy and Donna's heads and sunk deep into the bark of a tree behind them. The Mexican cursed and came leaping from the bushes. "I say it is now time to cut up pretty boy's face."
Lady Vic: "Brutale, quit talking and take him down." She said as she already started an assult on Donna, pulling out her gun and circling around to keep them surrounded until Shrike joined them.
She got up quickly to her feet and still holding Lian in one arm, she placed herself between her and the woman with gun. "Lady Victim. I am guessing you couldn't take down Nightwing so you have lowered yourself to taking out his pregnant friends and their kids. Well believe me, It's going to be no picnic in the park today for you." She stood facing Vic and did not see the danger coming from the bushes.
Arsenal: *Roy rose quickly to his feet, with a cry of "whoa ugly" as he turned to face off against Brutale, and Lady Vic* Well, here we are, once again. You know hun, you really are my most interesting date....we should do this less often
*Nightwing leapt and hits Shrike right between the shoulder blades with his feet and rolls to the side. Rising up he shakes a finger at Shrike.* "Now now now. Thats not a nice way to behave. I thought we had this out before. Now I'm not sick and you don't have your army of monkey boys to back you up. Why don't you just surrender and get it over with?"
Shrike: He landed chest first in the dirt but then rolled and came up to his feet. it was apparent by the grimace on his face he was appauled to see him there as well as angry that his plan was not going according to his wants. "I won't give up till I make you pay. That and your friends over there. If I don't take you down, I bet the father of the child will be rather upset that you didn't hand yourself over now and spare that childs life. So I will give you the option of giving up."
Brutale had stopped dead in his tracks and was staring with a look of disbelief on his masked face.
Lady Vic: "What are you waiting for?" She yelled. "Take him down." Then she looked back over her shoulder and seen Nightwing rising to his feet as Brutale was making a nose dive into the dirt. "Oh."
*Roy's grin grew wide as he heard a familliar voice from behind* Hey, nutwing, your late. the fun started without ya. But, as you can see, I left a couple of them for you to play with
Donna turned in the direction Lady Vic was looking and her heart was filled with relief. Although she still wore her bracelet for protection, she was not in the top physical condition to be deflecting bullets. She took the advatage and kicked her foot sharply into Lady Vic's hand, knocking the gun from her grasp and then, she laid in a forceful punch staight to Lady Vic's face.
*Brutalle and Lady vics distraction was all the time he needed to reach up the back of his jacket and pull out a small selection of shuriken. Now that they where on more even footing, he was far more willing to stick around and fight, still not looking, he called over his shoulder at Shrike* You (insert rather vulgar insult ->here<-)I happen to be the father of one of the children here, and if you so much as lay a finger on her, I'll put this shuriken through your eye, and stand over you as you bleed to death
Nightwing Laughs The only thing you are going to do Shrike is go back to jail. I'm fairly sure the father of her child wouldn't want it any other way. He draws his escrima sticks and makes a faint Roy I'm disappointed in you. I would have thought you would have finished with these guys by now. You must be getting old.
Brutale: Roy hesitation in his attack bought Brutale enough time to regain his senses and sling three more knives directly at Roy's chest. As soon as the blades had been released from his grip, he dropped and rolled out of the way of an on coming attack. "COme on Vic, we can't take all three."
Lady Vic. "Coward," She yelled at Brutale as he was preparing to flee. Instead of listening to him, she drew her swords and went to attack Donna. "Let's see how you like these as serving knives. I'll serve your hide right to your friends."
Shrike: He had regained his former suit and the guantlets on his forearms revealed two deadly weapons. One Blade and one spike.
Shrike: "Your gonna have to go through these first Nightwing. I'm not going back to jail." He lept forward toward Nightwing, placing a safety stopping point before going to far. He would throw, One punch with his spike, a kick with his leg and a slice with his other arm.
*Once again he threw himself down to meet the cement to avoid the knives. Even as he fell, he threw the blades in his hands all three aimed to disable the fleeing Brutale* Donna, get Lian, and get out. The bird and I can take care of these costumed wackos.
Nightwing easily dodges the punch and brings his knee into Shrikes midsection while choping him in the back of the neck with the butt of his escrima stick You yahoos really need to get new material. I've been hearing that same line from wannabe's since I was a kid.
Donna was quite easily able to deflect the blows from the sword. She was superior in skill and in speed. She continued, almost enjoying herself until she felt her muscles tighten in her abdomen. She almost lost focus but worked her way through it. "That's it. I've had enough." With three fluid movements, of delfect, punch to the face and sweeping Lady Vic off her feet. One last blow came to Lady Vic's face from the back of Donna's fist, knocking her out. ANother contraction came and Donna fell to her knees. It was clear it would not be an easy birth.
"Lian..."She said almost out of breath. "Come over here, sweety."
Shrike: As the blow from the escrima stick came down on his neck, he lurched forward with a grunt. But he was not going to go down that easily. His head was spinning and he could not focus. He swung blindly at Nightwing's mid section. "Raaa, just die." He fought to stay up and delivered one successful kick to Nightwing's back, then made the attemt to deliver a fatal blow with his spike to Nightwing's heart.
Brutale: Brutale fell and tumbled fairly harshly but not as hard as Lady Vic had. He turned and quickly ripped the blades from his legs, just wildly tossing them back toward Arsenal, but they just skittered across the ground. Brutale got to his feet and frantically limped away, cursing in Spanish.
*Lian hurried over to Donna's side, with a look of worry on her young face, and a maturity of sorts far beyond her years...something she did not get from her daddy* are you alright auntie Donna? *Roy on the other hand was gathering up Brutales thrown knives quickly, and moveing back to watch over Donna, and make certain that no one else causes any trouble*
*Nightwing rolls with the kick to his back. Planting his hands he brings his legs up as Shrike rushes in and catches him under the chin.* Heard that one too bunny boy. Come on you can do better than that. Let's hear something new.
Donna had started to breath normally again for a moment. "Yeah. I'm all right. Just a little too much excitement." She smiled as she looked to Lian. "The baby wants to come help I think." And then Donna doubled over again. Through clenched teeth and trying to breathe through the powerful contractions. "Roy, get Lady Vic tied firmly. If you can get out of the knots, just assume she can to...and get her weapons off of her."
*sticking the knives in his pocket, he set about following Donnas suggestion, whipping off his belt, and praying that his pants don't fall down around his ankles, he began binding her wrists, and removeing her weapons* Lian, you go and find a policeman, and tell him that there has been some trouble, and that some crazy person in a superman costume told you to get more police and an ambulance, okay hunny
Shrike: He is stopped by Nightwing's powerful legs and flips over backwards to hit the ground hard on his back. Slowly he rolls over till he was on his stomach. Blood dripping from his mouth, he just licks it away as he groans. In the corner of his eye he seen Lady Vic's gun just a few feet away. It wouldn't be honorable, but he was getting desperate and if anything, he would be taking his friend down. With a flick of his wrist, he shot the tranq dart at Nightwing's legs, then darted for the gun.
She nodded as the contraction subside and lie on her thigh so as to breath while she had a moment to rest. "I need to get to Star labs. They are set up for this." She looked up and toward Nightwing. He was clearly taking care of the situation on his own.</
*As Nightwing is moving to put Shrike away he see's shrikes last desperate ploy. He bats the dart away with one escrima stick and throws the other at the base of Shrike's skull just behind the ear*
Shrike: As Shrike pulled the gun into his hand aiming toward Donna, the last thing he heard was the sound of an object flying toward him, just before the flash before his eyes and the shooting pain to his head as the ground fllew up at his face...then all went dark. The gun fell from his unconcious fingers, never having the chance to even cock the pistol.
Arsenal: Star labs is set up to take care of everything it seems. Why I wouldn't be surprised if somewhere they had a psychic sitting there just comeing up with possible scenarios that they should be ready for. *he yanked the belt tight, takeing almost sadistic pleasure in the knowledge that Lady Vics hands will no doubt be very very numb and sore when she comes to*
Donna flinched as her body was racked by another sharp and painful contraction. She slowly looked up to check on Nightwing but her eyes were met with the horror of looking at the pistol barrel aimed at her. She held her breath but nearly fainted as the clang of the escrima stick smack Shrike's head and he fell to the ground. She released a sharp moan as she had no choice but to lay on the cold pavement. She whispered Nightwing's real name under her breath, just loud enough for her own ears to hear as a tear rolled down her nose and fell to the ground. She curled up into a fetal position and carried out the rest of her contraction.
roy just shook his head to think that she's supposed to be a profesional, and she gets a double action* he sighed and walked over to Donna, leaving Nightwing to deal with the clean up on Shrike* Don't worry hun, we'll get you looked after soon enough, and I'll even make sure that your kids father makes it in time to see this new life come into the world.
*Nightwing quickly pulls his tie wraps out and secures Shrikes hands and feet and then ties them both together behind his back.* Lets see this slippery eel wriggle out of that. *He rushes over to Donna and cradles her in his arms.* Roy the waiting for cops is your job. *He flips open his wrist comm.* Oracle. Get Star Labs med unit to my signal NOW!
She Looks up and sees that it is Nightwing who has her and she forces a smile despite the pain and she buries her face in his shoulder. "Are you all right?"</
*he removed his jacket, and placed it under Donna's head, not at all concerned about the chill in the air, hopeing that Lian hurries back here with some help.* These guys timeing really sucked. I was looking forward to a relaxing day, and now all this. That's it, I need to go back to being a full time hero, it's alot more relaxng then this civillian stuff
gee, all the fun jobs for me. Ah well, you too go have fun, and if it's a boy, don't you dare name it after anyone I know.
Barbra was sitting on the couch watching some silly mid day soap opera when Nightwing's voice came over the computer. She wheeled over to her desk. "Oracle here, Boy Wonder." She quickly tracked his signal and contacted Star Labs. "I hope you will let me know the details later. Anything else you need, Nightwing?"
Yeah. Let the cops know we have Brutale, Lady Vic and Shrike tied up here in Central park. Kidnapping/murder attempt. Thanks Oracle.
*He softly strokes Donna's Cheek* I'm fine. You're the one who needs help at the moment and it's on the way. Just relax and remember your breathing. Nice and easy. In and out. Don't fight it just relax. Everything is going to be just fine. His voice drops to a low whisper that only they two can hear My love.
She entered in the things to the Police. “Done. So Nightwing, are you all right then? Who were they after?" ,,,,,,She waited for a while with no reply and then glared and shut her mic off. "Yeah, just whenever you get back to me." Then she goes back to her movie.
Arsenal: He takes to leaning back against a tree, shaking his head softly, and looks up at the sky, whispering to himself* great spirit of the Navajo people, watch over these three and keep them safe. *with that he whips out his sunglasses, relaxes, waiting for the sounds of sirens* I wonder if Superman has days like this
Donna: Donna smiled up at Dick. "Thank you." She said softly and when the next contraction came she had a better grip on it even though it was extremely painful. Then she looked to Roy. "Thanks Roy. Where is Lian?"
Nightwing: He grins at her and then looks up at Roy.* After Donna and I take care of this matter you and I need to talk Roy. I've got some ideas that I'm gonna need your help with.
Arsenal: where you not paying any attention, I sent her to get the police and an ambulance, because somebody seemed about ready to pop. She'll be back soon enough
hey, batboy, you know I'm always here to shoot down all of your good ideas. just give me a call, and I'll be happy to let you take me out to dinner
When the Medical unit did arrive, they were proceeded by Lian who had not only got the attention of a police officer, it appeared she had brought almost half a department with her. The little girl led the troop down to where Lady Vic and Shrike were both tied and laid out on the ground.
Donna told Nightwing to go ahead and change and meet her at Star Labs. She didn’t want him held up for questioning. Nightwing nodded to her and headed off as quickly as he could and would probably beat her there. Donna was loaded up into the Medical Transport and taken to Star Labs.
(Actually labor and delivery will be in a separate post. For those of you unfamiliar with what has happened. Nightwing and Troia started dating About March last years. And About 9 months ago they took dating to the next step and a child was conceived. Only a few of the Titans actually know >
Posted on Jan 20, 2003, 8:44 PM from IP address 65.161.32.39
Nightwing
Arsenal/Roy Harper
TROIA/Donna Troy
</TT>
Brutale:
Lady Vic:
Shrike: