Post by adrini on Jan 26, 2014 16:18:09 GMT -5
"And who are you." The man walked to the door, one hand near his pocket. Roy assumed a weapon was there. "Never seen ya."
"I don't mean no disrespect. I was told to come so I did, help with the stiff job." He backed up as they came closer. "Carlie K, from south wide in Gotham."
"They said we was getting help, Tom." A short man behind Tom Blake said. Roy had spent the last three weeks working himself into the system to get transferred here. "I think he's legit."
The man, with Hispanic features and a very aggressive manner looked him over. As instructed Roy slumped and let him take control.
"Fine, but you follow my lead. This is my crew." Tom nodded.
"Long as I get my cut we have no issue." Roy kicked the ground abit, looking uncertain. "All I'm here for. Take any little jobs you got to."
"That's fair." Tom nodded, taking the story at face value, it had to be common in these parts. "Respect me and you get paid. They fill you in on the job?"
"Nah, just told me you were playing with some paperwork. And that the pay was good, that was enough." Roy followed them to a table.
"Good. Timo, a drink for my new associate here. Hell, make it a round." Tom waved to the man at the bar.
"Here's the beef. When someone dies certain paperwork has to be filed. Some by the Feds, some by the family. That's when life insurance kicks in and whoever is left behind gets paid." The drinks arrived and Roy knew to drink up. "We got some friends though that don't like to pay, so we make sure a few things don't quite make it to the office. We get a cut of they would have paid and they still save some scratch."
He pulled out a bag and passed files around the table.
"This is the easiest job there is. They've done it all for us. Go to those locations, take the files they have ready for you and get rid of 'em. All there is. Don't care how so long as it's done. You missed the pay off today, Chucks. You'll be cut in tomorrow." Tom leaned back in the chair. "You in?"
"What's my cut?" Roy asked, the others at the table looked at him. Tom nodded with an impressed grin.
"It's a fair question." He motioned for the table to calm down. "The crew gets ten percent, you get fifteen. If we can catch a couple million fish, it's payday. Most are closer to fifty k though,still nice. That enough scratch for you?"
"I'm in, when do I start?" Roy didn't have to pretend to be impressed, this scheme was making serious coin.
"That's what I like to hear. In the morning, you were too late for today. I'll toss you a juicy one as a welcome aboard present." Thomas Blake raised his glass.
"Thanks Mr. Blake." He remembered the lessons, he had to dig. "I'll take odd jobs to, need the money. Anything you got."
The man nodded and went back to talking to his crew. Roy took the hint and found a corner nearby, close enough to show obedience, far enough away to respect space. Luck arrived shortly.
"Hey, Blake. Phone for ya." The barman put a receiver on the bar. Blake got up to take the call.
"Sus, please you're killing me." Blake slumped into the call soon after. "Everyday."
Roy watched the man argue over the phone and fought his blood boiling. The man really didn't care about his son at all, pride had to be the only reason for keeping him.
"Fine! I'll be there in a-" Blake stopped and switched to Spanish, the language Roy had learned growing up with his mother. Not that Blake knew that."I'm sending my new man over, from now on there's a mess you talk to him."
Roy focused on playing with his drink, running the character through his head. Broke gambler,
needs work, can't say no.
"Yo, chucks. Come." Blake waved him over. Roy looked behind him and made sure he understood what was said. "Ya, you."
"Something you need." He said, eagerly when he walked over. "Whatever you like."
"You want some coin, kid? What do they have you for. Drugs, possession?" Blake leaned on the bar.
"Nah." Roy rubbed his neck. "I play too much, that's all."
"Gambling." Blake smiled. "We have games every payday, you come to them. But I got a job you can do. My kid threw up on himself again. Get him cleaned up, changed and babysit for a bit at the house. You'll take home pay today. Comprende?"
"Ya, ya sure." He grinned. "I'll take good care of him. Thanks."
"The address. Now go." Blake turned back to the table and Roy hurried out.
>--)->
Susan's house was more of a run down apartment. Roy walked to the door and saw the get away car on the corner. This was almost done. He knocked.
"Are you Tom's new errand boy?" Susan sighed when she saw him. "Can't show up for his own goddamn kid."
"I, um, Mr. Blake sent me." Roy swallowed.
"Course he did. Come on in." Roy walked into the living room, several kids were in the apartment, poverty obvious in all of them. "You know kids, right? Please tell me you know something."
"Sure." He hurried to say. "I spend time with my sisters family, or did."
"So long as I don't have to help. Tommy is in the bathroom, take care of it." Susan shoved a bag in his hands and walked away. "Then take the brat with you."
The sound of panicked screaming was impossible to miss. Opening the door a terrified boy was curled into a corner, shaking. There was vomit on his shirt and pants but who he was was unmistakable. That was Jade in the soft black hair and brown eyes. The boy had gotten nothing from his father. It took real control not to grab the boy and run right then.
"Tommy?" He gently approached. "It's okay, Tommy. I'm not here to hurt you."
The boy looked up and Roy saw the same look of fear Jade's eyes held when she woke from a nightmare or bad memory. A lump formed in his throat.
"Let's get you cleaned up, alright?" Roy said gently. "Then we'll go home, just us. Make it better. That sound alright?"
Tommy looked at him and his cries turned to whimpers. Roy walked closer and picked him up, careful to support the small form. He was too light for a two year old, too thin to be healthy.
"We're just going to get all this messy stuff off, okay?" He asked as he put Tommy on the counter. The boy nodded and put his arms up.
Taking off the soiled outfit Roy saw bruises on the young skin, badly healed cuts and small burns. All signs of abuse. Tommy saw his anger and started crying again, mistaking it for anger against him.
"No, no." Roy hurried to calm down. "You're fine, boyo. We're almost done here. Arms up."
He got Tommy into a new outfit and put the old one in the trash. Tommy had a whole suitcase of new cloths on the plane, and he didn't want to see it again. He picked up the boy and opened the door. Susan was on the back porch smoking.
"He's clean. Mr. Blake said to take him to the house." He said. Susan looked over.
"Well aren't you a natural." Tommy had settled into him and was falling asleep. "Round the corner, apartment G. Key under the mat. Now get."
Roy walked into the street and saw the door to the car ajar, he didn't need the hint. He walked over and got in, closing the door as he did.
"Digs, drive." He let his breath go and was free to kiss the soft head and hold the child close. Tommy looked at him, not understanding but enjoying the affection.
The car moved into main traffic and was soon pushing eighty.
"Digs?" He looked to the driver.
"Not exactly." Di pulled off the hat and her hair fell onto her shoulders. "Digs and Oliver are meeting with the lawyer, Jade is at the hospital waiting for us and you are a natural father." She grinned into the rear view mirror. "Hi Tommy, I'm your auntie Di. You have been very, very missed." She waved with a beaming smile and Tommy giggled slightly. "God, he's cute. Looks just like Jade."
"But the plan-" He didn't understand. He also didn't like her driving, plus they didn't have a car seat.
"Didn't take state law into effect. We would have been breaking federal law if we crossed state lines with him without legal approval. Tommy would have gone right back or have been placed in foster care." Roy felt his hold tighten. Di noticed. "Exactly. By the time we found out you were already undercover. Contacting you would have compromised the mission."
"So what's the plan?" Roy pulled a blanket from the bag Di had put in the back seat and made sure Tommy was warm. The boy's eyelids quickly dropped as he fell asleep.
"Angel." Di was looking at them again. "I know there was abuse, Adrien and I have for awhile. A cop friend of mine is meeting us at the hospital to take photographs and formally file evidence. Oliver got a friend of his to take the case on a federal level. Adrien tracked down the birth certificate and Jade made sure to bring your marriage certificate and joint proof of income." She pulled into the hospital parking lot. "The plan is to lawyer him to death."
>--)->
Roy moved carefully as he got out of the car with Tommy crashed in his arms. Di smiled and sighed as she joined them walking to the entrance, her shirt was far less flat then it had been.
"He is so happy right now." She brushed the soft cheek. "I wish you could see this."
"I'm sure there will be lots of pictures." He smiled. "You'll be wanting to practice?"
"Absolutely. Little guy needs all the cuddles he can get." He smiled in agreement. The door opened and Jade ran out.
"Roy, oh god, my Tommy!" He pulled his wife close as she touched Tommy's face and back, convincing herself he was real. Tears fell as she really came to believe it. Tommy woke up slightly and saw her, and cried himself demanding his mother. Roy lifted him to her and left the two to reunite. Di had done the same.
"Do you think it's worth it?" She said quietly. "The worry, the separation, the grief?"
"You mean this?" Roy motioned to the reunion and she nodded. "I think so, and the worst of it is over now. Why?"
"It's not important." Di shook her head. "We're almost certain he knows who we are now." Di said quietly, for only Roy to hear. "If not he will in a few days at most. He's been digging into our public records. Jax caught the hacker again."
"Oh." Roy felt his breath catch. "Crap."
"Pretty much." Di said, stress clear in her voice. "Three teens, a toddler and an infant in a war zone. I don't know how this is going to work."
"We don't let it become a war zone." Roy heard himself say. "Who knows?"
"The ninjas, Adrien, Jax, Ollie, you and me. We're running intelligence to try to weed out their plans. So far we've been about to fill out their roster somewhat." Mrs. Queen sighed. "It's something."
"It's a start. Do they know about you?" Jade was holding her son close, now he knew it was his job to keep that the case.
"I'm how they figured it out. They were looking for when I was out due to injury and when each person was with me on raids." Roy could take it from there.
"Where they looked up who was out of the city when and for how long." She nodded.
"We knew they'd guess someday. Question is how will they strike?"
>--)- >
Oliver saw his wife holding a small dark haired little boy and didn't have to ask who he was. Di saw him, flashed a grin at him and went back the kissing the dark head.
"You're a master." He sat next to her. "I can tell you're loving it."
"You have no idea. He's wonderful." She hugged him close. "If we make it he and Robby will grow up together."
"You are hooked on that name." He sighed softly, no less worried then his wife. "How bad was it?"
"It's bad." She closed her eyes. "Bone fractures, burns, intentional cutting, bruising. Also he's really malnourished. I think he was punished for looking so much like his mother."
"At least that's over now." Oliver looked at the little face, it was hard to believe what he had been through. "Our lawyer got the file from the hospital and is talking to the judge now. Blake has a federal warrant on his head for child abuse or will by morning. We should have the official paperwork."
"Good." She nodded. "When we get back we'll revamp the security protocols, make sure he stays safe."
"That you all do." He grabbed her hand. "Including our newest members."
"Tommy and Robby?" His wife asked, confused.
"Kate, Renee and soon their little one as well. Adrien has already cleared another room for a nursery. They had to find somewhere safe after haven, Renee called me." Di took a minute for the news to sink in. "They'll be there when we get back."
"Never thought I'd see that again." She said after a minute. "That's going to be interesting."
"See what?" Di handed him the toddler as she got up to use the restroom, something she had to do more now that she was farther along.
"Having the Birds back together again, I was rather sure that was finished." Di said lightly as she walked to the hall. "Hell, might give us a goddamn chance if we can make it to spring."
Oliver sat back in the chair as the toddler woke up and looked around, not sure how he felt about his wife's toughening attitude.
"Mama?" Tommy asked, looking at Oliver, when he didn't see Jade. He looked at the man holding him. "Auntie Di?"
"They'll be right back. I'm Uncle Ollie, Auntie Di's husband." Ollie said softly, not wanting to scare the child.
Tommy considered what he said.
"Baby Robby's papa." He stated, and grinned as Ollie nodded. "Potty?"
Ollie steeled himself and took the boy to the men's room, he'd have to learn soon anyway.
>--)->
"They'll be here in an hour. I'll work on getting the room done next week." Adrien said into the phone. "How is Daddy-to-be training?"
Anderson looked at her as she nodded and smiled. He leaned back in the chair and grinned.
"It should be getting real by now, you're not that far out anymore." Adrien teased the young Mr. Queen. "How is Roy taking it?" Adrien smiled again. "I knew he would. Let me know when to send a car." She said before she hung up.
"News?" He smirked.
"Where to begin." She grinned, thrilled at so many little feet about to be in the house. "We're turning into a commune."
"You'll have plenty of people to baby sit." The police chief beamed. He was excited for the new heir, even if he wished Lance could be here for it. Still, Mrs. Queen had welcomed him with open arms, she hadn't forgotten him. Being here for her was something he could still do for his old partner.
"You had news yourself?" Adrien put the phone on silent.
"I wanted your input. We found this." He pulled a ring case from his bag. "It was in the possession of Mrs. Bonnie King-Jones. We think we know how she got it. I need to know if you want to press charges."
"Thank you." Adrien looked at the emerald ring and smiled sadly. "Maybe, I'll need to talk to Oliver and Di."
"Ms. Rivers, I don't have it all figured out yet but I've guessed enough. If you need our help it's okay to ask. I'd rather be allies then trade in secrets." Anderson chuckled at her expression. "With Mrs. Queen in the family way and a kid flying back you could use help keeping them safe of a non super nature."
"How?" She gripped the chair arm.
"I knew the Lances, remember? Lance called his wife 'my canary' half the time." He leaned forward and looked stern. "You're the good guys, I'm glad to have you. But I could do without the lies, as much as I understand them. Fair?"
"We didn't like misleading you." Adrien nodded. "Thank you. We can help you more directly now."
"Two questions, though. Why the costume act and what happened to Dinah's leg?" The long scar was still disconcerting. "No way that was sudden artery issues."
"Same answer. There was no legal way to rescue Mia, and while we were there someone got in a lucky shot." She shuttered. "Just don't mention it to Oliver, he knows how close he came to loosing her. I don't see him getting over it."
"He might never. That tends to stick." He sighed. "The poor man."
>--)->
"I think they like green things." Renee said dryly as she approached the gate. "I could be wrong."
"No, they do." Kate replied quietly. "The gate. Just let the house know."
"I think I remember how this works." Renee said, and pressed the comm. "Renee Montoya and Katherine Kane."
So glad you're here safe. Park the car in the back, the room is ready and I have dinner in the oven if you're hungry. Get inside and we'll get you settled.
"Seem nice, that's something." The dark haired woman continued as the gate opened. “Tell me again, how much vigilante activity should I worry about? More child soldiers?” Even as the last three words came out, Renee regretted ever saying them.
"Not like home, from my understanding. They try not to make a habit of it.” Kate readjusted herself as the baby began a kicking fit again. “They’ll keep us in the loop…For our own safety,” she hastened to add as the dark look crossed her beloved’s features.
"And we'll be with Di again." Renee murmured, trying to bring some levity back to the somber vehicle. "She okay?"
" Due in December, married – not sure on the order – and the new leading lady of Star City. Better than before." Kate shrugged. "Jade got here a few months ago, married now too."
“Everybody is putting a ring on it but us,” she laughed with a shake of the head. “Good on them.” They arrived at the house, following the sandstone path to the large garage in the back. The ornate gardens shined as the sun set. "Though I can see getting used to the view."
Kate looked at her mate and opened the door, pulling herself up using it. Renee helped her stand up at the last minute.
"Enough with the attitude. I'm still here." Renee sighed. "I’m staying here. I not going to lose you. Either of you."
"I know." Kate said softly, watching a tall woman walk into the garage.
"Kate and Renee." She smiled and hurried over. She grabbed a quick hug – and awkward – from Renee and walked over. "You poor dear, come inside. Let's get you resting."
Inside she was led to a large chair, Adrien knew exactly where to put the support pillow to stop her back from hurting. A glass of water seemed to materialize next to her.
"You relax. We'll bring things in and set things up." Adrien put a blanket nearby. "If you need anything at all, whatever it is, just let me know. You'll be cared for here. Without any of those snotty penthouse servants you’re accustomed to." She walked to the door.
Kate watched the woman leave and relaxed into the firm padding. The room was soft, warm, covered in portraits and wedding pictures. Ollie hadn't allowed any of them to be published, he and Di looked incredibly happy in them. Jade beamed like she never had before next to Ollie's assistant Roy. She heard giggles, and whispers. Mostly giggles. Adrien opened the door, carrying a couple bags.
"Girls, enough. The Montoya-Kane's are here to relax, not be ogled. Help bring things in or stop bothering them." Adrien scolded. "Now come out so Kate can see you."
Kate sat up a little as she heard a shuffle of feet from the hallway. In a moment a blonde, brunette and red headed teen stood by the chair.
"Kate, these are the girls. This is Thea, Oliver's sister, you should remember her. This is Ollie and Di's new ward, Di’s cousin, Mia Dearden Queen." Mia ducked behind the red head, who quickly moved to hide her. " and this is Rose Wilson, Mia's keeper. They will be keeping you company or helping but not disappearing up stairs."
"Just one more bag." Renee walked into the living room with more than a few in her arms. "But it's small. It’s mine." She looked into the room to make sure Kate was okay and froze. "Am I seeing things?"
"Nope. It's competition." Kate answered dryly and without elaboration over the girls’ confused faces. "And it gets better, the blond is Di's cousin."
"Sarah's daughter." Renee said at once, crossing to get a better look. "Thank goodness, they finally found you."
Mia nodded and curled into the taller red head but Thea spoke.
"Thanks. When are Ollie and Di getting home?" She asked.
Adrien had returned from placing the bags by the stairwell. "Within the next hour or so. We need to get these two settled so we don't get complete chaos. People will be hungry so why don't you put something on for Kate and start the food while Renee and I unpack."
Kate grinned as the three jumped into action, Adrien's words more orders then a request. The tv was turned on and Thea handed her the remote. Smells began to come from the nearby kitchen.
"The four top buttons are for streaming, regular tv, and the two game consoles. Just let us know." The young woman said.
"Thank you. What are you making?" It was a smell she that brought back memories.
"Dinah's pasta and garlic bread. It's our go to when we have a ton of people showing up." Thea replied.
"She learned it from her mother." Kate told the brunette. "It's a good call. Haven't had it in a lifetime."
"I'll get you a plate when it's ready." Thea grinned and hurried back to her friends, discussing chores as Kate looked at the remote.