Birdwatching part 6: Notching the Arrow
Title: Birdwatching part 6: Notching the Arrow
Author: darthbatgirl
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Characters: Roy/Tim, Dick, Lian, Vandal Savage, Kon, Connor
Summary: An old family member drops by for a visit
Word Count: 2507
Warnings: slight violence, some language
A/N: Birdwatching master list can be found here
“So how you getting along?” Kon asked over the phone.
Tim smiled as he held the phone with his shoulder as he shifted the ice pack on his knee as he laid on the coach at Roy's townhouse. “I'm doing pretty good actually. Been doing physical therapy three times a week. The arm's pretty good, though I still need a brace for my knee.”
“So any chance of you coming out to the tower this weekend?”
“Sounds fun, but there's no way Roy will let me go. He's been watching me like a hawk making sure I don't do anything that might get me hurt again.” Tim said ruefully
“You are so whipped Wonder Boy!” Kon laughed.
“It's not that bad. The massages he makes sure I get aren't half bad,”
“TMI! TMI!”
Tim chuckles, “If it helps I haven't been getting to many massages since Dick's been here visiting,”
“And how's that going?”
Tim gives a groan and shakes his head even though Kon can't see it. “Well it's great that they've made up and Dick's not giving us a hard time about dating anymore, but the bad part is I can't do anything! I get up to get a drink I get told to go sit down, I go to work on the computer I get told I'm doing to much and to go sit down, they think I've been awake to long I get told to go take a nap. Lian has even started doing it.”
For a few moments all Tim could hear was Kon's laughter. “Oh man how do I get on the act. Would love a chance to boss you around for a bit.”
“Never going to happen.” Tim said firmly. Before he could say something else the doorbell rang. “Hey Kon got to go. Someone's at the door.”
“Okay buddy. You take care and maybe in a couple of weeks your keepers will let you come out to play. Bye Tim,” Kon joked.
“Sound like a good idea pal. Talk to you later Kon.” Tim said as he hung up the phone. Tim tossed the ice pack to the side as he got up to get the door, figuring it was the guys and Lian back from the grocery store. They were probably ringing the bell to get Tim to answer the door so they could tell him he shouldn't be up doing stuff like that, Tim thought with a half amused smile on his face.
Though instead of seeing Roy and Dick when he opened the door, a tall man with broad shoulders stood in the doorway. He wore a suit that reminded Tim of the ones that Bruce wore and had a black mustache and goatee and black piercing eyes. Behind him stood a half dozen men in black light body armor. “Hello. I'm Vandal Savage, and I'm here to see Lian Harper. Is she home?”
Tim could feel his mouth drop open in surprise, “I'm sorry you have the wrong house,” Tim said as he went to shut the door.
“I think not,” Savage said as he snapped his fingers. The men behind him surged forward pushing the door open, nearly pulling it off it's hinges. Tim was knocked off his feet, but was able to sweep the legs out from underneath the first two guys in. He regained his feet soon enough and sent nerve strikes to two more men as they stepped over their fallen comrades. Unfortunately for Tim weeks of recovering from his accident had left him unable to fight off the mercenaries and a well placed kick sent him crumbling to the ground clutching his injured knee. Two more men grabbed Tim and dragged him further into the living room, forcing him on his knees and binding his arms behind his back.
Savage wandered in with an almost causal air, giving the room an almost bored look. “Where is the girl?”
“I don't know,” Tim said as he glared at the broad shouldered man. “I”m just the pool boy.”
“Pool boy?” Savage questioned. “In a place that has no pool?”
“It's an easy job.”
“Hmm he's probably nothing more than Harper's newest bed warmer,” Savage said as he turned to the men behind him. “The girl is probably not here, but search the place anyway.”
Five men left the room and Tim could hear them going through the house searching for signs of Lian. “What do you want with a little girl?”
“It's not the girl I want at all, but the father. She's simply the easiest way to ensure I have his attention,” Savage said sparing Tim a quick glance.
Roy had told Tim all about the fact that he was a descendant of Savage's and immortal's plan to use Lian's organs to prolong his life. Tim had thought Roy had stopped Savage's interest in them though.
Tim flexed his wrists, seeing how much slack he had and was disappointed to find there wasn't much at all. One of the men who held him smack Tim hard on the back of the head. “Stop moving whelp.” the man hissed.
Before Tim could respond the five men marched down the stairs to report to Savage. “No sign of the girl Lord Savage.”
Savage gave a sigh as he stood with his hands clasped behind his back.”No I suppose there isn't. It would have been easier to have something to hold over Harper's head now before he knew we were coming for him, but I'm not above adjusting. Kill the boy and finish ransacking this hobble.”
One of the men holding Tim yanked his head back by his hair, while the other gave Tim a sickly gleeful smile as he pulled out a knife.
“Wait Lord Savage!” One of the mercenaries shouted as he waved a photograph to gain the immortal's attention. “The boy could still be of some use.”
Tim felt his stomach drop as he recognized the picture frame as the one he and Lian had glued painted macaroni to hold the picture of him and Roy that Lian had taken at Ollie's.
Savage's eyes lit up as he slowly compared the picture to Tim. “Seems as if we have something more than just a pool boy, and something that will definitely get Harper's attention.”
Tim gave an involuntary snarl as he struggled against the hands that held him.”Roy's not going to give you anything you want.”
“Oh I disagree on that my young friend. I think Harper will give me anything I desire,” Savage said as Tim was dragged from the house.
* * * * *
Roy, Dick and Lian pulled up in the drive way. Dick got out shaking his head “Don't know why you wouldn't let me buy the powdered doughnuts Roy. Lian and I wouldn't have eaten them all. Right Lian?” He asked as he winked at Lian as he got her out of the car.
Lian grinned up at Dick. “We would have been good Daddy.”
“I know you would be good sweetheart,” Roy said as he went to get the groceries out of the trunk of the car. “Uncle Dick on the other hand is never good. I'd have to add lots of money to the swear jar with Uncle Dick on a sugar high.”
Lian giggled as Dick made a face. Roy couldn't help a smirk crossing his face as he opened the top of the trunk and handed Lian a small bag of apples.
“Roy!”
Roy looks up at Dick's sharp shout and followed his gazed to the front door, that stood open at an odd angle. He took Lian's hand and took her back to the car. “Lian I want you to lay down on the floor of the back seat and don't make a sound until either I or Uncle Dick comes to get you.” He ordered.
“Yes Daddy,” Lian says picking up on her Father's sudden shift of mood. Roy shut and locked the car doors and reached for the gun he kept in the back of the trunk. He already saw that Dick had his escrima sticks out and in hand.
“Where the hell were you keeping those?” Roy asked as they cautiously made their way to the door.
“You know the Bat motto, 'always be prepared,'” Dick said with a wolfish smile.
“That's the boy scout motto,” Roy said as he poked his head around the door.
“Oh yeah I keep getting those mixed up.”
They carefully made their way into the ransacked townhouse. Furniture was turned over, books littered the floor, but no sign of Tim. Roy bit his lower lip to keep himself from shouting Tim's name, desperately wanting to know if his lover was alright.
Dick motioned to Roy to check the kitchen while he went to the study. Roy nodded and made his way to the kitchen and saw that it was in the same state as the living room had been. The chairs had been toppled over, the plates and cups laid on the floor broken, Roy's fear for Tim's safety was soon joined by the anger for having his home invaded.
“Roy in here!” came Dick's shout.
Roy whirled around and ran to the study. The study was in a similar state as the rest of the house, Tim's CD's was all over the floor and chairs were over turned. What held Dick's attention was a note was stuck to it with a dagger, and from the hilt of the dagger hung Tim's pendant.
“No!” Roy cried as he ran over and ripped the note from the wall.
If you wish to see the boy again, come to Madison Towers at midnight tonight. Vandal Savage. Roy read before crushing the note in his fist. Roy supposed Dick's grim face matched his own. “Guess we have plans tonight.”
* * * * *
Roy sent Lian to Mia to keep her safe, while Connor had come immediately over to help his brother. Roy asked Connor to stay at his place while he and Dick went to see what Savage wanted. It had begun to rain lightly by the time Roy and Dick got to the Madison Towers that evening. When they stepped out onto the roof the rain was accompanied by a chilled wind, not that Roy noticed. As soon as they were on the roof his entire attention was drawn to the lone figure at the far end.
“Savage!” Roy bellowed as he and Dick stomped over to where the other man was standing.
“Ah nephew, so good to see you again,” Savage said pleasantly, holding out his arms as if waiting for a hug.
“Your no family that I claim Savage,” Roy spat out glaring at the taller man.
“But we are family, weather or not you wish to claim it,”
Roy looked at Savage in disgust as he asked, “Where's Tim?!”
“Tim? Is that his name? The boy was most stubborn about sharing that information,” Savage said mildly.
“If you've hurt him . . .” Roy began stepping forward, only to be stopped by Dick's hand on his shoulder.
“Roy stay calm,“ Dick whispered.
“The boy is well. A few bruises perhaps, but nothing more than that,” Savage said mildly, a small smile played at his lips as he viewed Roy's struggle. “Weather he remains that way or not though is up to you.”
“What do you want Savage?” Roy bit out.
“Five days ago in a small fishing village outside of Hong Kong, a martial artist of some renown was challenged by the Paper Monkey. She of course won the fight and as a memento of her victory she took a medallion that the Master was known to wear.”
“Paper Monkey . .?” Roy asked in confusion.
“She's been to Gotham a couple of times before,” Dick supplied grimly. “Connor knows her.”
Roy's eyes went wide and his mouth went a little slack. “You don't mean . . “
Dick simply nodded..
“It just so happens that I was on my way to negotiate with the Master for the medallion. You can imagine my displeasure at finding it gone,” Savage continued as if Dick and Roy had said nothing. “What I want from you nephew is to retrieve my medallion from me.”
Roy shook his head and gave Savage a look that clearly said that Roy thought he was crazy. “Why me” Why not send one of your goons for it.?”
“The Paper Monkey is one of the best fighters in the world. It will probably take a long range fighter to take her down, and since she took what should have been mine, I thought it fitting if my retribution came from the family.”
“I'm not going to be your killer,” Roy spat out.
“I think you will,” Savage said smiling. “Because think of the alternative. Your Tim is not unappealing, and he did look ever so tempting down on his knees.”
“You son of a bitch!” Roy screamed as he lunged for Savage, only to have Dick grab him around his waist to hold him back.
“Not now,” Dick hissed into Roy's ear. “We have to play his game for right now.”
“I would listen to your friend nephew,” Savage said smirking at the duo. “My latest information states that the Paper Monkey is still in the Hong Kong area. There is a plane that's leaving from the airport in two hours. A ticket is waiting for you at the boarding desk, if your friend is coming with you he'll have to buy his own ticket.”
“How do we contact you once we have the medallion?” Dick asked.
“Arrangements for that have already been made in Hong Kong.”
With a frustrated growl Roy spun on his heels and headed down the stairs that lead into the building, with Dick on his heels. Pausing at the door, Dick looked over his shoulder, “If Tim's harmed in anyway there won't be a place on this planet where you'll be safe.” he threatened. Savage just threw back his head and laughed as Dick followed Roy down the stairs.
When Dick caught up with Roy he was on the phone to Connor. “I need you to pack up my gear and get Ollie's plane and meet us in Hong Kong.”
“Your gear? What do you need packed,” Connor asked his brother.
“I don't know, just pack all of it,” Roy growled. “Things just got complicated,”
“Complicated how?” Connor asked.
“Savage wants me to kill Lady Shiva.”