Pawn of the Sea

Chapter 14

Note: FINALLY!!!! Thanks to my awesome beta, Simon.

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As soon as Dick pulled the boat out of the cave he checked the navigational computers. Yes! He was in luck. The coordinates of the spot where Braden had held him were still in the memory banks, since that was the last time anyone had used the boat. This was a good thing since he hadn't exactly been cognizant enough to know where he was at the time. Setting the course quickly, he gunned the engine.

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Garth became aware of a horrible pounding in his skull first, and then he noticed the wrenching ache in his arms. He groggily opened his eyes and tried to make sense of what he saw. One thing was clear; he was no longer in water. He immediately recognized that dry, tight feeling in his skin and the nausea that always came with being dehydrated. He needed to get back in the water soon or he'd be in big trouble.

As he shook his head to try to clear the fog from his brain and his vision, it occurred to him suddenly that he was hanging by his arms. That woke him up a bit more as he studied his surroundings further, trying to figure out exactly where he was. The last thing he remembered was heading into the Hall of Justice for Braden's trial.

"So, I see you're awake, cousin," came a familiar voice from somewhere slightly below him.

Garth looked down and tried to focus on the man standing before him. He didn't have to really see to know who it was. "Braden, what are you doing?" he asked weakly.

"I was fortunate enough to come across your body after I destroyed the House of Justice. It was as if you were a gift from the Gods, Garth. This is too perfect."

"Destroyed? House of…?" Garth repeated groggily.

"Oh, do try to keep up, Garth," Braden interrupted. "You didn't think I'd really let you or Arthur prosecute me, did you? No, with the help of a friend I set off a concussion bomb that brought the house down, and hopefully Arthur with it! Then I found you and here we are."

"Where are we? What are you going to do with me?"

"We're in one of my favorite spots, Garth," Braden replied with a sly smile. "I think the humans used this particular structure to weigh the large fish they caught. I thought it would be rather ironic to tie you to it." He gestured toward Garth and continued talking.

"This is where your friend, Dick, and I first made love. He's such a good lover, don't you agree?"

Garth's eyes snapped open as a hot rage boiled up inside him. "How dare you? You don't even say his name, you bastard!" Garth struggled with his bonds and noticed that they were, in fact at the same abandoned dock where Braden had held Dick hostage just days ago. "You raped him and you know it. Don't you dare try to call it love."

"Oh, is that what he told you?" Braden asked. "He seemed pretty willing to me."

"Liar!" Garth yelled as he pulled at his bonds again.

"Well, we shall soon see, since, our mutual lover should be here shortly."

Garth stopped moving. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I invited him here, of course," Braden stated casually. "I think this will be a very interesting meeting, don't you?"

"What makes you so sure he's coming?" Garth asked casually, though inside he was terrified at the thought of Dick trying to go anywhere in his state, let alone on a mission to rescue him.

"Oh, come now, Garth. He knows I have you. Do you think the great Nightwing is going to leave you in my clutches?"

"No, but I'm sure you'll enjoy your meeting with Batman," Garth replied, though his heart was sinking, knowing Dick as he did.

"Surely you don't think I'm that stupid. I told him to come alone, or I'd kill you."

"Braden, don't be ridiculous. This is Batman and Nightwing you're talking about. They aren't just some amateurs. There's no way you'll get away with this."

Braden's face burned hot with rage. "Don't ever call me ridiculous!" he ranted. You have no idea what I'm capable of!"

Garth shut out Braden's tirade and closed his eyes, trying to focus his powers on the water below them. He made an effort to manipulate them to save himself, and hopefully Dick as well. It was difficult because he was so weak, but he felt the sea begin to respond.

Unfortunately Braden sensed it as well and calmed himself down. "Uh, uh, uh, dear cousin," Braden clucked as he pulled out a syringe and stepped closer to Garth. "I am not going to let you ruin this for me." He stuck the needle in Garth's leg and Garth literally felt his powers drain away. "This should keep you awake enough to know what's going on, but too weak to do anything about it." Braden laughed as he stepped back. "Now, you wait here. I've got some preparations to make for my guest."

Braden moved away and Garth's head sank down to his chest. He thought he heard the hum of a powerful boat motor in the distance. "Dick, no," he whispered quietly to himself.

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Batman and Robin clung to the cable that had dropped down to the rooftop and was now pulling them toward the bat copter. As they entered the machine, Robin began to ready more equipment as Batman slid into the co-pilot seat. "Thanks for the lift, Alfred. Do you have him on the tracker?"

"Indeed I do, Master Bruce." Alfred deftly hit some buttons, while turning the copter at the same time to follow the signal emitting from the bat boat."

"Let's go get Dick, then," Batman replied with more calmness than he was really feeling.

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The sun was peeking over the horizon as Dick brought the boat to a stop when the old dock loomed into view. Memories of trying to run down the dilapidated structure and then being pulled into the water by the jelly man assailed him.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to get the pain in his head to recede. He really wanted to lie down. How in the hell was he going to save Garth in this state? He still felt so weak and so uncertain about meeting with Braden again.

He heard a chirping noise and a splash. As he looked over the side of the boat a sleek, gray body hurled out of the air and did a flip. "Grayson!" Dick exclaimed. "Is it really you?"

The dolphin stuck his head up near the boat and bobbed it up and down at the man.

"It's good to see you again. Garth is in trouble."

Grayson bobbed again in agreement.

"I don't know if I can do this," Dick stated. "I don't know if I'll be able to help him."

Grayson chirped madly again as if encouraging his friend and offering to help.

Dick smiled at the dolphin and moved to pick up a set of binoculars out of the equipment storage box. He lifted them to his eyes and focused on the dock. The first thing he saw made him suck in a shocked breath. There was Garth tied to an old fish scale, hanging from his arms, his legs bound as well. God knows how long Braden had kept him out of the water and soon he would be exposed to the harsh glare of the sun.

Dick let his anger and fear fuel his strength as he laid down the binoculars, did one last equipment check and then gunned the boat toward the dock.

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Braden gazed out over the calm water with gleeful anticipation. Soon Dick would be his again, and Garth, well Garth would cease to be a problem for anyone.

He turned back to the boathouse where he had set the perfect mood for his and Dick's reunion. All he had to now was wait.

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Dick leaped onto the dock and quickly tied the boat off. He did a cautious survey of the area, and slowly made his way to Garth, knowing that Braden had to be there somewhere, but more fearful about the kind of shape that his lover was in. Depending on how long Garth had been out of the water, dehydration was Dick's main concern.

"Garth," Dick called, but the other man did not move. "Garth, it's me, Dick. Can you hear me?"

Garth slowly rolled his head to the side and then after a great amount of effort lifted his chin. "Robbie?" he slurred weakly.

Dick let out a breath of relief as he moved closer. "Hang on. I'll have you down in a minute." He reached in one of the compartments of his uniform, pulled out a small utility knife and then began to study Garth's bonds carefully.

Garth just weakly shook his head. "No, Robbie. Get out…get out of here…save yourself…" he trailed off, and Dick simply shook off his pleas, not about to listen to his lover's crazy idea.

Dick noticed the explosives just as he heard a voice behind him that sent an icy chill down his spine. "I wouldn't do that if I were you, Nightwing."

Dick slowly turned to face Braden, who had stepped out of the boathouse, and was casually leaning against the doorway. Dick braced himself and stood up as straight as he could. "Oh, and why is that?" he asked the other man in a strong voice, trying to play it cool.

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Braden smiled. "Well, perhaps the explosives I have wired to him are reason enough. His bonds are attached to tripwires and I have the detonator." Braden pointed to a small remote that was attached to his belt.

Dick turned back to Garth again, giving himself a chance to really study the device that was planted at the base of the old fish scale Garth was tied to. It was fairly simple, and one he knew he could easily dismantle, but first he'd have to try and beat Braden at his own game. He slowly backed away from Garth, who was looking at him with pleading eyes. He tried to shoot his lover an encouraging smile as he turned once again to face Braden. "What do you want?"

"You," Braden answered simply.

"I don't understand," Dick answered blankly, trying to keep the anger from his voice so he could keep control of the situation.

"Don't you?" Braden asked as he ran a gentle finger down the side of Dick's face. Dick's jaw tightened, but he remained still.

"No!" gasped Garth, as he tried to struggle.

Dick turned to his lover. "Garth, stop it! Stop it or you'll blow us all up!"

The thought of harm coming to Dick made Garth stop his struggles. "No," he whispered again desperately.

"If I agree, will you let him go?" Dick faced Braden again.

"Robbie, no!" Garth called out.

Braden stared into Dick's eyes. "Yes."

"Why should I believe you?" Dick stared back.

"Because you have no choice." Braden lightly stroked the device at his waist.

"Fine, I'll go with you, but you have to let him go first. Look at him, he needs water. He's dying!"

"No, I don't trust you. Come with me first. We'll just be over there in the boathouse. As soon as you've satisfied your end of the bargain, I'll let him go." Braden slid his arm around Dick's waist and Dick barely suppressed a shudder. "Come, Richard, it will be just like our first time."

It was all Dick could do to keep the contents of his stomach. The remnants of poison that were still in his body chose that moment to attack, making him go weak in the knees. He began to sink to the ground but Braden caught him in his strong arms. "Why are you doing this?" Dick asked weakly around the throbbing pain in his head.

Braden smiled. "Because I can." He leaned forward and placed a savage kiss on Dick's lips. He ignored Garth's strangled moan. "And because I love you," he whispered as he pulled away from Dick.

Dick regained some of his strength and pulled himself upright and out of Braden's arms.

"Fine, lead the way."

Dick looked at Garth as he followed Braden to the boathouse. Their eyes met, Garth's full of concern, not that Dick was about to give himself to Braden, but for the plan that he knew Dick was formulating. He worried that his lover was not in any shape to execute it.

Dick smiled reassuringly back at Garth, mouthing, "I love you," before disappearing inside.

Garth let his tired head drop back down as he prayed to his gods and any others that would listen.

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