Chapter Text
The chair creaked under him as he rocked back and forth. A growl rumbled in front of him growing increasingly annoyed. It so happens that each time the person tried to speak instead of growl, a creak would deafen his voice.
Dick smirked when the growl turned into a frustrated howl, and string of curses. It was too easy to annoy the man in front of him. The Riddler, dressed head to toe in green, had manage to kidnap him.
Or more so Dick LET him kidnap him, after he had an argument with Bruce after school already boiled his blood. It was fine at first, but increasingly grew boring as Riddler set up his “amazing” fantastical riddles.
He was trying to get Batman to reveal himself, as if that would work.
Dick let out another loud yawn, when the man tried again to monologue to him. Earning him another angry rant from the pickle suit man. From corner of his eye, he saw a shadow move.
Looks like their “fun” was about to be over. He rocked in his seat more, keeping him distracted.
“That's it!” The Riddle growled, holding the chair still, glaring at him face only inches away. “You little brat! Forget the riddle! I'll make sure he won't ever find you, you arrogant twa-”
A metal bonk rang throughout the empty theater.
“Get away from my little brother!” a young high-pitch voice screeched.
Riddler was whacked from his face and slide several feet on the floor. His body twitched but otherwise was knocked out cold. However, Dick's eyes were focused on the preteen in front of him.
Her hair was natural red, long, and tied back by a teal ribbon. She wore a teal dress with black ribbon around the waist. She panted heavily, clutching tightly the metal bat in her hands. Her sharp gaze holding down the Riddler, readying to attack the man again if need be, but relented when it was obvious he was out cold.
Her eyes turned to him, blinking madly. Her cheeks flush red, holding the bat close like a stuff animal.
“Y-you're not Danny!” She stuttered, embarrassed.
“'Fraid not,” Dick grinned, “Nice hit though. Play any sports?”
She looked at the bat, then hid it behind herself swaying on her feet. “O-oh, no. I just- This is my parents' anti-creep stick. I lost my little brother, so when I saw a creep grab a black-hair boy- I just-,”
Riddler groaned loudly from across the stage. Cursing. The girl jolted back into action with a squeak, quickly untying Dick's ropes.
“Let's get out of here first, C'mon,” She grabbed his hand once the ropes fell, sprinting towards the back door.
Dick whistled as he saw two goons Riddler employed each having been smacked senseless with a metal bat. Apparently Riddler didn't employ many at the door, assuming B would make a grand entrance. Dick did enjoy crashing windows.
They ran as far as they could. Once the girl started to slow, Dick took the lead sneaking them through a shortcut in the ally to a safe spot to rest. She wheezed, dropping her bat and moving her hands to her knees. Dick wheeled himself into a hand stand, walking towards her.
She glanced at him and let out a huffed breath. “How- how do you have so much energy?! We ran, like.. like a mile!”
“Just a mile?” Dick laughed, rolling back onto his feet. He laughed harder when she glared at him.
“I take gymnastics. Running is like, nothing to me,” Dick explained, joining her against the brick wall of a building. Hidden in the abandon secret lot full of weeds and trash.
“T-that explains it,” She slowly caught her breath, standing straight again, using the wall to support her weight. “Are you okay?”
“I'm fine. Thanks for the rescue buuut I'm not the one you're after, right? Danny's missing?” Dick gave a wink, then went straight to the point. Another kid was out there lost or kidnapped, presumably.
“Right! Danny! I was suppose to watch him while Mom and Dad did their presentation at the convention. We were going to the park, but something happened and Danny wasn't beside me anymore!” She screamed a little, jolting herself off the wall then out of panic spilled what happened.
Dick took a moment to register what she said, “So, that's when you saw Riddler yank me off the street?”
She nodded tearfully.
“Then let's start back there, we can catch the bus or a cab. I got a magic card to lets me go anywhere,” He pulled out one of Bruce's credit cards, loaned to Dick for travel and food expenses, mostly for emergencies. Alfred was not pleased he had it. He got a lengthy lecture from him afterwards when Bruce's didn't suffice. He only “listened” because it was easier then lugging around a hundred dollar bill everywhere.
“Why do you have a gold credit card?” She jumped straight to the point.
“For emergencies,” Dick grinned.
She narrowed her eyes, then mumbled something about that explains why he was kidnapped. He just smiled and lead the way, gesturing for her to follow. She pat out her dress, grabbed the bat, then followed him.
“Name's Dick,”
“Oh, I didn't know some people still nickname their kids that. I'm Jazz,” Jazz said, not even flinching at his name. She only gave a raised brow in question. No fun.
“Dad thought it was funny, kind of old fashion. Teachers don't like it,” Dick grinned, aiming straight down to bus stop down the block.
Jazz snorted in response.
“Do you know where you guys were?” Dick asked.
“Hmm. Don't remember, but I remember Danny wanted to go to the park that had the observatory near it.”
“Robinson's park? That'll take a bit. Do you think he'll wait for us there?”
“He'll wait! He knows to wait when he gets lost,” Jazz beamed proudly then paused. She slumped her shoulders speaking more truthfully, “Well, he does when he's interested in something where he's at.”
Dick grinned, “Then perhaps we could hitch a ride instead if bus takes too long.”
“We might have to- if Mom and Dad finds out we're missing...” She grimaced, trailing off. She shook her head, “We have to find him before then.”
“We'll find him,” Dick assured her as they reach the bus stop. He glanced at the schedule times listed on the sign, to see if this would be fast enough. Subway was an option as well, but it would be easier to be kidnapped there. Pushed off the wrong stop.
Just as he checked his watch, the bus rolled up solving the answer for him. He grinned at Jazz pulling her onto the bus, paying for it with his card. She stood nervously close to him, but the relief rolling off her shoulders was clear.
He led her to an empty seat, allowing her to take the window, blocking the aisle. It was hard to believe looking at them that this girl had just smacked three grown men out cold just ten minutes ago, but Dick happily took pride in that secret. The eyes on them, just assume they were a cute couple of kids out playing. Some even tilting their head, no doubt wondering if he was Bruce's ward or not.
Though press had died down after a year, he still was a hot topic. The most popular bachelor becoming a father figure. Normally Dick wouldn't be seen out without Bruce or Alfred, but Alfred had taken the week off to visit his daughter- and Bruce...
Well Dick jumped out of the car after arguing with him, while Bruce was force to be stuck in traffic. He knew it wouldn't be long before a Bat comes swooping for him. He wasn't going to make it easy.
He glanced back at the girl beside him, a little guilty at his train of thought.
“How old is he? Your brother?” Dick asked. Might as well build a profile.
“Nine. He'll be ten before school starts,” Jazz replied, fiddling with the handle of the bat.
“Oh, about same age as me. How old are you then?”
“Eleven, I'll be twelve in September.”
So about two years older. Hm. Dick crossed his arms, kicking his feet.
“What does he look like? Besides like me,” He grinned jokingly.
She shook her head with a smile, “Black-hair, blue eyes. He was wearing a t-shirt that had a print of a tux on it. Hair scruffier. He has a huge grin. Adorable- when he's not being an annoying little brother of course.”
“I don't think I hear others call their siblings adorable.”
“He is. Last year he saved up money from mowing yards to get me a model of a brain! Though mom helped him in the end. It was very accurate. I try to do the same. Mom and Dad make sure we think hard about the people we love- or well Mom does. Dad forgets sometimes. He means well.”
“A... brain? So is your parents like, surgeons?”
Jazz went quiet, glancing out towards the window. “Mmm, no. They're.... scientist. They invent a lot of things. I want to be a brain surgeon. Its fascinating organ.”
Dick raised a brow, nodding a long. Not too many almost-twelve year olds could say that- and have actually studied it already. So very smart family- wouldn't be surprised if Danny was kidnapped. At least he would more likely be used as ransom.
“And Danny likes space?” Dick asked, remembering the line about the observatory.
She nodded enthusiastically, “Yes. He's annoying with it. He's built almost every model space-ship he could get his hands on. Can tell you exactly why each ship failed, what computer systems they were running. Almost any fact related to space travel that he can get his hands on, he knows it. I don't understand why space is such a big deal when there is so much about our own bodies that is still a mystery, but that's him. He can rant for hours, just like Dad can.”
She smiled looking down at her hands, “He dragged me to see stars so many times while Mom and Dad were busy in the lab, that they finally built an observation tower to help with their lab but also so Danny can look at stars without keeping me and him out at a certain hill in the park, that had the best view.”
Dick blinked for a moment. He never thought much about what it would like to have a sibling. Maybe once or twice at the circus, but only to have someone else to swing with or play with elephants. Though he slightly envied the girl, to have someone so close like that.
Her smile wobbled, no longer warm as worried settled in. She sniffled. Dick felt a stab to his chest, hating how selfish his thought was in the moment. He reached out to put his hand over hers that rested on the knob of the bat.
“We'll find him. If we don't, Batman will. He looks scary, but he's soft.”
“Not the police?”
Dick shook his head, “They're not as fast.”
Jazz tilted her head, then gave a nod. She didn't question it out loud. She must have heard about Batman during her week here.
“I hope so.”