Reunion

Chapter 21: Threats

Superman sat on the edge of his bed, contemplating how to proceed with the current situation. Surely he would have to find Jason and Bruce and explain what Morgan had said. Especially that the curse would be permanent after 6 months. That was an urgency.

Clark sighed, internally conflicted. He didn't want Bruce anywhere near Morgan, especially if he contained the 'sun' she was babbling about. If he brought her the Ruby however, she might reverse Bruce's curse… they could compromise. He would deal with the repercussions of the Ruby, but the sun was out of the question. Who knows what might happen to Batman if Morgan extracted the power from him.

The only thing Clark knew for certain was that he couldn't continue mulling this all over. He needed to take action.

A knock at the door startled Superman. He had been too absorbed in his internal musings to notice Diana approaching.

"Clark?" She started tentatively, "you've been in here for days…'

Superman turned to face the Amazonian, unable to wipe the scowl from his face. Diana flinched at the sight.

"Diana, what do you want?" Superman couldn't hide the annoyance from his voice. He didn't mean to hurt Diana but he was just too tired to avoid it.

Her eyes immediately narrowed and any concern she may have harboured for the Kryptonian immediately dissipated.

"Don't take that tone with me Clark. Everyone's worried about you, we called a meeting hours ago and you didn't show. Care to tell me what's more important than locating your best friend?"

"He's away on business, he told us that." Clark didn't want to cause panic by giving the League the truth. Le Fey had told him to keep this secret, and if she found out that he'd shared her plot he was sure she would leave Bruce as he is. A bubble of worry fluttered up Clark's chest at the thought…

Diana raised an eyebrow. "You really believe that? Why hasn't he contacted us then, Clark? I want to initiate a world wide search; the rest of the team are on board. I need your consent."

"No."

Wonder Woman's mouth fell agape. What the hell is he playing at!

"Superman, you need to face the facts. Bruce is missing. He may even be dead in that cave for all we know, and you just want us to sit here and do nothing?!"

"Yes, that is exactly what I want us to do. I need you and the rest of the League to stay the hell out of this! How do you know we're not endangering him by alerting to the world to his disappearance! There would be riots in Gotham, and god knows what else! Leave it Diana. I mean it."

With a final look that would send any mortal man screaming, Diana spun on her heel and stormed off.

Clark snorted, thinking Bruce hadn't been the only one to be de-aged.

"Alfred! Its him!" Dick ran into the kitchen, anger, shock and panic merged into one erratic emotion. The sight of Alfred hunched over the sink greeted him.

"Fox was right; Jason is out there. I… I think he has Bruce."

Alfred continued washing the dishes in a rhythmic motion, not even acknowledging Dick's presence. The squeak of the cloth on the china started to grate at Nightwing's ears.

"Are you deaf Alfred, it's that Bastard Red Hood! Answer me god damn it!" His hand slammed down on the kitchen table, causing the placed cutlery to jump from its position. Dick surprised himself at the action.

"Master Dick, may I ask you to refrain from using such language here." Alfred's voice was steady… monotonous… it made Dick's heckles rise and his hair to stand on end. Something wasn't right.

"…Alfred…"

The click of a ready gun stopped Dick mid sentence.

"Knock knock, Dickie bird."

Dick attempted to turn in the direction of the voice, but the cool familiar pressure of a gun against his temple halted him.

"No games now sweet cheeks."

"Jason…" Dick growled, knowing all too well who the perpetrator would be.

"Been a while, bro. How's Babs? And little Timmy? God don't you love a reunion."

"What the fuck do you want?" Dick's voice was identical to Alfred's, unwavering and clear.

"Ah ah ah! Language! Didn't you listen to Jeeves over there?"

"Go to hell Jason."

He laughed, lowering the gun from Dick's head.

"Been there, done that. Got the horrifically painful and mentally disturbed T shirt." Jason pulled a chair out from the table, the screech making Dick wince.

"Sit."

Dick obliged, not wanting to anger his "brother" into doing something that he would regret. Then again, did this man even feel remorse.

"You might be asking yourself, why am I here? Well Dickie It isn't to rekindle the lost ties of brotherhood that's for certain."

Dick snorted and shook his head.

"I don't want to drag this out any longer than I have to. You have something I need. And you're gonna get it for me. You got that?"

"Why would I help you?" Dick spat, disgusted at the notion.

" Cuz if not, our old pal Alfred here is gonna get a reunion with his other family. Mummy and Daddy Wayne."

"You're bluffing!" Dick tried to stand but Jason immediately pointed the loaded pistol at their faithful butler. Dick raised his hands then brought them down into his black locks, internally conflicted.

"He practically raised us, Jay. Don't be stupid." Dick's voice started to crack, and he mentally berated himself for showing weakness.

Jason's eyes pierced the blue sapphires of the man in front of him. Jason was a blank canvas, showing no emotion, contrary to the chatting man he was a few seconds ago. No thrill of the chase. No satisfaction. No regret. Without missing a beat, the man pulled the lethal trigger. The noise of the bang mingled with the scream of Dick's surprise and the wail of pain from their old friend. Everything went in slow motion.

Dick rose from his seat and threw the chair across the kitchen. Alfred fell to the ground, grasping his foot, shoots of blood pouring from the hole in his leather shoe.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?" Dick advanced on Jason, but the cruel man raised his gun a second time, making Dick freeze where he stood.

"I am not bluffing."

Hi all Just a short update!