Author: JoPo
Disclaimer/Summary: See chapter one.
What's Happening: Batman was just found covered in blood.
Note: This has been updated and edited as of 9/18/11
Happy Reading, Enjoy!
Chapter 2: I Should Be the One Comforting You
When the Javelin landed in the main hanger a medical team ran forward as Wonder Woman emerge with Batman in her arms a gurney prepped for the injured hero. Laying Batman on the gurney the medical team attempted to keep their shock hidden, but failed. Wonder Woman began pushing the gurney ignoring the medical team, "Flash run ahead and clear the halls, and make sure the medical bay is ready," she commanded not bothering to slow for the medical team running behind her.
Wonder Woman and the others reached the medical bay and moved Batman to an operating table where J'onn began giving out instructions to the doctors around him. The other founding members stood to the side trying to stay out of the way.
"Diana if you would please remove his cowl, Superman, Green Lantern, Shayera, Flash, may I ask you to leave," J'onn asked his tone commanding.
Superman nodded, "Of course," the Man of Steel tried to hid the tremor in his voice but everyone heard it.
Wonder Woman approached Batman slowly, she wasn't worried about removing the cowl, she knew do that without getting hurt; she was hesitant because she could not believe that the 'World's Greatest Detective' was hurt, and hurt so badly. Diana placed her hands on either side of the cowl and began to trace seams adding pressure and pulling at small latches, finally hearing a click. Diana's thoughts were pulled to Star Wars when Luke removed his father's helmet; she pulled off the cowl revealing a gorgeous god like face. Unkempt black hair feel over the front of his face, Diana pushed it back and ran her hand trough the rest of it; it was thick, luscious, and soft. She lightly dragged her fingers over his closed eyelids; she knew if his eyes were open they would be a mix between cobalt and sapphire portraying no emotions. Her hand drifted over his nose and checks, smooth like silk and perfect, not disfigured in anyway. Her hand stopped at his lips, she traced a finger around them, soft and pink; taunting her in every way; what she would give to kiss him, really kiss him. She pulled her hand away before she did something she would regret, or rather something Batman wouldn't approve of. Taking one last look at the handsome face of Bruce Wayne she placed a wet towel over his eyes and forehead.
Diana knew she was getting to him, before the disappearance of Darkseid and Luthor he had pushed her away, but she was pulling his wall down brick by brick.
"Diana," J'onn said.
"I know," Diana sighed defeatedly no seeing the Martian's sympathetic nod. Exiting the room she stood by the window with the others, watching as J'onn and the doctors carefully pulled the Kevlar off Batman. What lay beneath was horrific, not only were there open, rotting wounds that he had when they found him, but hundreds of other scars, all the scars Batman had gotten for watching over Gotham. The heroes turned away, heading for their rooms, each needing time alone to collect themselves.
Two hours passed and the Watchtower was alive as it ever was, all the heroes unaware of J'onn following a line of bloody and exhausted doctors out of an operation room. The doctor's cleaned up and nodded as J'onn passed them heading to the entrance of the medical bay. As he mad his way to the fifth level he called the other founders and met them in one of the lounges on that floor.
When J'onn entered the lounge he sat himself down at the small table in the corner with the others.
"How is he," Wonder Woman asked, breaking the silence.
"Not good," J'onn answered truthfully.
The founders were so lost in thought they took no notice of the other heroes in the lounge eyeing them warily as they muttered quietly to one another.
As Green Arrow followed behind Black Canary, Huntress, and Wildcat, heading for the elevator he spotted a handful of heroes in the medical bay looking through a window. He would have kept walking if not for the fact that Zatanna was crying into B'wana Beast's shoulder and Orion of all people was attempting to comfort a crying Gypsy and Dr. Light. Blue Devil, Mr. Miracle, and the Creeper were looking through the window eyes wide.
"What is it, Arrow," Wildcat asked noticing the archer had stopped.
Black Canary paused and walked back to him, "Come on Ollie."
Green Arrow ignored them both and began walking into the medical bay. "Something's going on," he said motioning towards the small group.
When Black Canary and Huntress saw the crying heroines they ran forward. "Light what's wrong," Canary asked rubbing Dr. Light's back.
Huntress put her arm around Gypsy and shared a look with Canary, "What happened G?"
"Thanks," Orion whispered still a little unsettled from the contact.
Huntress and Canary convinced Dr. Light and Gypsy to go to their room and shower before laying down. Afterward they turned to Zatanna and a distraught B'wana Beast, "Zatanna, come on, you look like you need some rest," Canary said laying a hand on Zatanna's shoulder.
"N-no, I—I am not t-tired," Zatanna sobbed.
The Creeper and Mr. Miracle stepped back from the glass, both with looks of pure horror. Mr. Miracle closed his eyes, opened them, and sped off looking sick. The Creeper took a step forward, but tumbled like a drunk and Green Arrow caught his arm, "You okay, Creeper?" The Creeper didn't say anything, but followed Mr. Miracle's lead and stumbled off.
Wildcat stood next to Blue Devil and looked through the window, "Oh shit," it was a low whisper of anxiety.
Green Arrow, Canary, and Huntress joined them. "Fuck..," Huntress gasped he heart practically stopping.
"W-what, how—how?" Canary asked putting her hand over her mouth.
Green Arrow stepped back in shock, shaking his head, not believing what lay on the other side of the glass.
They were all looking in and seeing the bloody body of Batman lying on a medical table. There was a towel over the top half of his face, hiding his identity. Bandages covered small cuts, but the larger ones were all uncovered, each with several small tubes sticking in them pumping a clear liquid in to the open wounds. The liquid was spilling out of the gashes along with green pus; each gash yellow with rot.
"We need to inform Alfred of what's happened," J'onn said calmly.
"I'll do it, it should be in person," Superman added.
Wonder Woman nodded in agreement, "We should tell them we're coming."
"We should send the heroes to the Metro-tower, clear out the Watchtower," Shayera said.
"I believe you are right," J'onn agreed. "Flash, Green Lantern, Shayera can you clear the Watchtower?" They nodded.
"I think we should keep this whole thing quiet, this circle should stay as small as possible, we don't need anyone to panic," Green Lantern remarked.
"Very well, we will tell everyone that we are having technical difficulties and that we need to temporarily move everyone to the Metro-Tower," J'onn paused, "Shayera; Green Arrow, Wildcat, Huntress, Black Canary, Gypsy, Dr. Light, Orion, Creeper, Blue Devil, Mr. Miracle, B'wana Beast, Zatanna, all know about Batman's condition, you must tell them to keep this information to themselves," he paused again, "I suggest we let Zatanna, Black Canary, and Green Arrow, stay onboard, Zatanna won't leave and Canary can stay with her."
"I'll go talk to them," Shayera nodded leaving the room.
"Flash, Green Lantern," J'onn said.
"On it," GL stood up, Flash following.
Superman, Wonder Woman, and J'onn were left alone. "I will call Alfred," J'onn said.
"And I'll head to the manor," Superman added standing.
"I'm going with you," Wonder Woman stated.
Superman hesitated, "I don't know Diana..."
"Clark, I'm going with you." Wonder Woman snapped. Superman didn't argue. He and Wonder Woman headed to the hanger. Leaving J'onn to call Wayne Manor's Batcave using the private phone line.
"Good evening," came the crisp British voice of Alfred.
"Good evening Alfred," J'onn paused, "we've found Bruce." The other end was silent so J'onn continued wishing he didn't have to deliver this news, "He is not doing well, his condition is critical." Still the line was quiet. "Alfred?"
A throat was cleared. "Understood, thank you," Alfred answered cooly.
"Superman and Wonder Woman are headed your way with the Javelin, the Watchtower is being clear out so you and the others are welcome," J'onn added.
"Very good sir, but I'm afraid welcome is not the right word for this situation," Alfred replied.
"I am sorry," J'onn said.
"Do not fret. I will see you shortly, then you can tell me more," Alfred finished hanging up. Though Alfred did well to hide it, J'onn was still able to hear the quiver in the butler's voice.
"J'onn to Superman."
"This is Superman, go," Superman answered.
"You will be treading on cracked glass, choose your words wisely," J'onn cautioned.
"Understood, Superman out."
Quarter of an hour later Clark set the Javelin down just inside the Cave's secret entrance. He and Diana exited the plane to find the Batclan, Selina, Alfred, and Donna waiting for them. Nightwing stepped onto the Javelin wordlessly and sat down, the other following suit.
"Donna?" Diana asked her lookalike.
"Hey," she answered quietly, giving her sister a quick hug before sitting next to Nightwing.
"Ready," Clark asked sitting back down and adjusting his glasses. Alfred nodded. As the ramp was closing, two sharp barks could be heard fallowed by the sound of claws on metal. Max and Pride leapt into the Javelin as the door sealed itself.
As Wally and John became their civilian selves J'onn felt the Javelin land. "They are here and in a fragile state, especially Nightwing, beware of what you say," J'onn warned.
"Uh-uh," John replied.
"Got it," Shayera sighed while everyone else simply nodded.
Ollie looked from one hero to the next pausing at the speedster, "Wally you're rather pale, when was the last time you ate."
"Lunch," Wally mumbled in response.
"Wally you need to eat," J'onn said.
"I'll get him and Zatanna something to eat," John said standing.
"I'll help you," Shayera muttered, walking out.
Zatanna had stopped crying, but Dinah was sitting next to her still rubbing her back. Ollie sat at a computer staring at the blank screen. J'onn stared out the window at Earth waiting for Batman's family to enter.
"Here you go Wally, four hamburgers," John said reentering with Shayera.
Wally pushed the plate away, "I'm not hungry," he said quietly.
"Wally you need to eat it," J'onn repeated.
"I'm not hungry," Wally shrugged.
"Come on Flash, don't be the 'Dumbest Man on Earth', " John coaxed, holding the plate out to Wally.
"Fine," Wally signed, he reached for a burger and ate it slowly. After finishing the first one he reached for the second one and finished it quickly, then he gobbled the last two, some of the color returning to his face. "Thanks, GL."
"No problem," John smiled glad to see Wally acting more like himself.
"Are you sure," Shayera asked Zatanna setting a sandwich down next to her.
"Yeah, I'm not hungry," Zatanna said.
"Okay," Shayera shrugged nibbling on the sandwich.
The door to the lounge opened with a swish and the Batclan, Alfred, Selina, and Donna walked in fallowed by Clark and Diana. Zatanna looked up and ran to Barbra and burst into to tears. "Hey Z, come on, calm down," Barbra comforted patting Zatanna on the back.
"I-I'm s-sorry, I s-should b-b-be the o-one c-comforting y-you," Zatanna cried, hurriedly wiping her tears.
"Why don't we go see what damage has been done," Alfred suggested.
J'onn nodded, "Very well, follow me," he stood and made his way to the door.
"I-I can't go b-back in t-there," Zatanna sobbed.
"I'll stay here," Wally mumbled slumping down in his chair.
"Me too," Ollie said with a nod.
John and Shayera also stood, "We'll get dinner going."
"I'll help you shortly," Alfred said with a curt nod.
Dinah stayed behind too allowing her thoughts to settle.
Once everyone had left Ollie stood up, "I'm gonna check in with Mr. Terrific."
"I'll go with you," Wally said exiting the room with him.
"This is crazy," Ollie muttered.
"Yeah," Wally sighed.
"I can't believe Bruce is down, I've never seen him like this," Ollie said.
"Yeah," Wally repeated.
"What are we going to do," Ollie asked.
"I don't know," Wally said, "I better talk to Linda and tell her I won't be home tonight."
J'onn walked ahead of everyone to open the door of the surgical room. "Be warned he is in a terrible state."
"We've heard that," Selina snapped irritably pushing past J'onn and being the first to enter. Selina stopped dead causing Barbra to run into her. "Oh, Bruce," she whispered. Barbra wheeled closer and as she read the blinking monitors she began to cry. Tim was the next to enter; he paled the moment his eyes laid on the occupant of the bed, he stumbled back into the wall. Alfred was next, he hid his emotions well, but his eyes gave him away, "Oh dear, what have you done Bruce?" the informality Alfred used was completely ignored.
Dick and Cass entered the room, Dick froze like Selina, not moving a muscle. Cass slowly walked over to the bed, when she reach it she grabbed Bruce's hand, "Heal well." She let a few tear slide down her cheeks. Cass was the one who hardly knew Bruce, compared to the others, but she was the one who sat beside him and holding his hand encouraging his recovery.
Max and Pride walked in, upon catching Bruce's sent they troted over to the bed and laid their heads on the mattress, Max licked Bruce's face and Pride whined, they could tell he was in great pain and they watched the others in silence.
Clark and Diana follow after everyone. Diana looked over the grieving family and let her own tears flow for Bruce and his family; she went over to Barbra and rested a hand on her shoulder squeezing lightly. Clark stood still looking for words. Donna saw everything from outside the room, from the window, and she ran back to the lounge when she saw Bruce, she couldn't handle it.
"He has inhaled Crane's new toxin, he has lost a lot of blood, and most of his wounds are rotting as you can see; we have to finish cleaning them before we can stitch them, they have been rotting for over 24 hours. After I stitch the wounds we can examine him and the toxin more closely," J'onn explained.
"Once we breakdown the toxin everything will be-" Clark stopped mid sentence, his eye wide.
"Say it," Dick demanded quietly.
"What," Clark asked feigning innocence.
"Say it. Finish your sentence," Dick snarled, his voice growing in volume.
Clark swallowed, he hadn't meant to say what he had and he didn't want to repeat it so he stalled. "Uh..?"
"Say it now," Dick commanded.
"I can't," Clark sighed hanging his head.
"Then I will," Dick hissed coldly.
"No, please don't, I didn't mean to," Clark pleaded, color draining from his face..
"Everything will not be okay," Dick growled. "It won't be and you know it, maybe you should think before you open your mouth."
"I'm sorry, it just slipped," Clark apologized weakly.
Dick burst, that was it, that's all he needed, "It Just Slipped? That's How This Happened," Dick shouted waving a hand at Bruce, "Bruce will not be fine, just look at him, he has never been this bad. And even if he does survive this what then?"
"Master Dick, please," Alfred said sternly.
"No I Won't... I Won't. This is all his fault; His And Bruce's," Dick yelled at Clark, "He Could Have Been There For Him, Bruce Could Have Asked For Help!" Dick was glaring at Clark murderously and panting.
"He's right," Clark nodded, "I'm sorry."
"Master Dick This Is No More Clark's Fault Than It Is Ours," Alfred shouted. Everything became deathly quiet, Alfred had never shouted, ever. In a low, calmer voice he continued, "If anything it is more our fault." Dick collapsed against the wall, burying his face into his arms, his shoulders heaving. Alfred sat down next to him and placed an arm around him, comforting him.
Tim, who no one was paying attention to, had turned green. He drew everyone's attention when he ran towards a small basin and hurled into it. After a few moments he fell against the floor, white as a sheet. Diana stood up and scooped Tim up in her arms, "He need's some rest," she muttered heading for the private quarters of the founding members.
Clark fallowed her out.
Where are you going, J'onn asked telepathically.
Home, I need to rest and to see Lois, Clark replied.
Dick didn't mean what he said, it's not your fault this happened, J'onn thought back. Clark didn't respond, he kept going, and upon reach the teleporters, transported himself home to Metropolis.
A voice pulled J'onn's thoughts from his big hearted companion.
"I'm going back to Gotham, I'll have Todd help me patrol," Cass said in a hoarse voice releasing Bruce's hand for first time since she entered the room, "Gotham still needs to be patrolled."
"I'll call the Titans and let them know they need to cover for Tim; I'll call The Nest too, tell them I won't be in for awhile," Barbra added.
"You're right, I'll patrol Bludhaven," Dick nodded standing up.
Alfred pocketed a handkerchief he'd lent to Dick, "I'll help with dinner."
"Alfred may I help," Selina asked quietly.
"Of course Miss Kyle," Alfred nodded holding his arm out as an escort would.
"Alfred please, it's Selina," she whispered taking his arm.
Pride and Max whined.
"I'm very sorry, I have forgotten to feed you, let us fix that," Alfred said walking out of the room with Selina and the dogs following.
Cass and Dick were the last ones to leave the medical room. "Get well, you're the father I never had and always wanted," Cass whispered before turning the light out and closing the door. Dick who had heard her, felt terrible, this was just as hard on Cass as it was everyone else, he put and arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. Their looks of sorrow and pain mirrored each other.
As Ollie and Wally were walking back to the lounge they heard shiffiling. "Who is that," Ollie asked pausing to listen.
"I don't know, I doesn't sound like Dinah, Z, or Shayera," Wally said walking down the hallway where the sound was coming from; Ollie followed.
When they reach the other end of the hallway Ollie stopped, "It's coming from the hallway, but there's no one there."
Wally walked back the way they'd come. He stopped in the middle of the hallway and pressed his ear to the wall. "Hey Ollie! It's coming from the wall."
"What are you talking about," Ollie asked walking back to Wally.
"Listen," Wally said pressing his ear to the wall again. Ollie placed his ear against the wall, when he heard the crying get louder he knocked on the wall and fell into a room as the wall slid away, he landed with a flop onto the floor.
The crying stopped, "Who are you," came a small voice.
"Wally and Ollie," Ollie said, "who are you."
The voice giggled, "That rhymed." The owner of the voice stepped out, "I'm Amanda, but people call me Mandy."
Ollie stood up, "How'd you get in here."
"Well there were these mean looking heroes coming down the hall so I hid in the shadow, but when I leaned on the wall it moved, and when it closed I couldn't get out," Mandy said her voice hoarse.
"Why don't we go take you to J'onn and Diana," Ollie suggested pushing himself up. Mandy nodded and together her and Wally and Ollie made their way back to the lounge.
As Wally and Ollie pushed Mandy into the lounge Diana looked up, "Mandy what are you doing here?"
"You know her," Ollie asked with a raised eyebrow.
"She was one of the children with Batman," Diana answered picking Mandy up and resting her on her hip.
"I'm sorry I snuck on the ship," Mandy said quietly, "I just have to know if he'll get better."
"It's okay, but what about your family, they must be really worried," Diana asked.
"I live at the orphanage, with Bobby," Mandy explained.
"Oh," Diana said quietly.
Mandy looked at her stomach, "I'm kinda hungry."
"Of course you are, dinner will be ready in a little," Diana said with a small smile.
"Actually Miss Prince, dinner is ready now," Alfred corrected entering the room.
"What are we having," Wally asked his eyes brightening.
"Roast beef, Cesar salad, a German wheat bread, grilled zucchini and a Jamaican banana apple desert, it's not much, but that's all I could come up with with the spices and minimal supplies you have here, not to be rude," Alfred replied.
Wally's stomach growled and everyone gave a small smile.
"Alfred anything you cook is wonderful," Diana said.
"Thank you Miss," Alfred nodded.
"Do you have milk," Mandy asked Alfred as she and Diana walked by the butler.
"I'm sure there is some around here," Alfred said smiling at Mandy.
Metropolis
Clark Kent and Lois Lane-Kent's apartment
Lois set down her knife and fork and glared at her husband sitting across from her. Something was wrong and she knew it, she also knew Clark didn't want to talk about it. This time something was different, she could tell. When he'd arrived home he looked at her hard and long, like she would disappear and as she attempted to kiss him in greeting he pulled her into a quick hug, kissed Jor-El, and hopped in the shower without a word. Lois thought he would open up after his shower, but he didn't, he hadn't said a word since he had come home. She'd tried to make conversation at the table, but Clark didn't say a word. Frustrated Lois carefully set down her silverware and looked across the table. "What's wrong Clark?"
Clark looked down at his plate like a guilty young boy.
"Smallville if you don't tell me what the problem is I will make you sleep in the Watchtower for the rest of the week," Lois threatened growing irritated with his childish silence.
Clark continued to stare at his plate, he pushed his food around having not eated any of it.
"The reason we got married is so that we could become closer to each other, how can we do that when you're not telling me what's going on." Clark was quiet still. "Damn it Clark," Lois swore. Still nothing from the Man of Steel. "You can put your dishes in the sink on your way out," she hissed quietly.
Lois watched him carefully as she cut into the chicken, she opened her mouth to snap again when he lifted his head. "I'm sorry Lois," Clark said softly. Lois tried to hide her surprise when she saw his face, two lines of tears fell down his cheeks and worry, sadness, and fear were etched into every line of his face.
"What's wrong Clark," Lois asked again all her frustrations forgotten.
"Bruce he's…..he's," Clark stopped.
"What is it," Lois asked trying to come up with as many reason as she could for why the Man of Steel would be crying over Bruce, yet the only one that came to mind was that Bruce was dead.
"He's…hurt," Clark said using the only word he thought that fit the situation.
Lois let her breath out, "What happened?"
"We don't know. He was found at the explosion in Sitka, he was also sprayed by Crane's new toxin and we don't know how to counter it," Clark answered.
"Well I'm sure you'll find an antidote," Lois stated firmly, visibly relaxing.
"We might, but Lois, you should see him, he has over 23 broken bones and all the wounds he has are rotting, I've never seen him this bad," Clark whispered.
"He'll get through it," Lois said confidently thinking of the stubborn, strong Bruce she'd dated.
"Lois his body can't heal at it's normal rate. He's in some sort of coma from the toxin; his wounds will take four times as long as they usually do to heal," Clark explained, "You should see his family, Alfred actually shouted at Dick today, Alfred. Not only that, but I'm worried about Diana she seems fine, but this has to be eating her up on the inside."
"Maybe she can come and visit me and we'll go out," Lois suggested thoughtfully.
"I'm gonna turn in," Clark said taking his dishes into the kitchen before heading for their bedroom.
To Be Continued…..
Note: Opinions are appreciated via review or PM; constructive criticism is welcome.
-JoPo ;)
