A/N: Thanks for reading and following the first chapter. Here's the next one. Reviews are much appreciated, and I hope you enjoy it. ~ Velvie
Disclaimer: I don't own Young Justice.
Batman returned to his home to tell Robin the same thing he had told the team. Robin had not left the gym, even after his talk with Batman; he had feelings that he needed to work off. He heard the door open and knew Batman had returned, but pretended not to notice.
"Robin" Batman said from the doorway. Robin continued to ignore him.
"Robin" Batman repeated. Still Robin ignored him.
"DICK!" Batman yelled, and this time, Robin turned round.
"Yes, Bruce?" Robin answered coolly.
"You're off the team" Batman said, in an equally cool tone.
"WHAT?!" Robin yelled "You can't do that! That's so unfair!" Robin turned away and clenched his fists. "You can't do that" he repeated in a whisper.
"Yes" said Batman "I can. From this point on until I see fit, you will no longer be joining the team on their missions. You will work with me and only me."
Batman turned and grabbed the door handle, ready to exit, when Robin mumbled "but why?" Batman let go of the door and walked over to the bench. He gestured for Robin to sit with him.
"I'm worried about you, Dick. This isn't like you. You're off your game, and we both know it. I just want what's best for you, and if that means taking you off the team, then so be it. You need time to relax and recover, and then you may rejoin the team." Robin thought it over, not making eye contact with his partner. Batman continued "You're young, and I know you've been through a lot in your life, but when have you ever taken a moment to slow down? I know I'm not the best example for this, but we all need to take a break once in a while. Hit the showers then go to the cave. The team are all there and I'm sure they'd like to speak with you."
Batman stood up and left the gym, leaving Robin to think it over and respond in his own time.
Everyone was getting ready to leave when they heard someone enter through the zeta tubes.
"Recognised: Robin B-01".
Wally jumped to his feet "Rob! You're back!"
Robin glanced down at the floor "not really. Batman took me off the team until he thinks I'm ready to return."
Kaldur placed a hand on his friend's shoulder "we heard." M'gann, Conner and Artemis joined the others around Robin.
"It really sucks, we're gonna miss you" M'gann said.
"I'm still allowed to come to the cave, just not allowed to leave on a mission." Robin told M'gann.
They all stood around in silence before Wally announced "Me and Rob are going on a walk. Come on." He grabbed Robin by the hood of what he was wearing and pulled him to the zeta tubes. Robin gave the rest of the team one last look before leaving after Wally.
Robin and Wally walked a little way from the cave's zeta entrance in silence. Wally then stopped and turned to Robin and asked "so what actually happened earlier?"
Robin sighed and contemplated his answer "I guess it was a moment of weakness. Losing Zatanna was kinda like reliving the night I lost my family. I coped with that, and helped Batman bring their killer to justice. But I can't do that with Zatanna, because the person that took her from me is now her. I don't know of any way I can get her back without destroying her also." Wally just looked at his friend with a worried expression. They began to walk again. "You know, sometimes I wonder if I'm too young for this job. At age 9 all I wanted was revenge and justice, and I got that. But then I kept the gig going. I never really thought about how it would affect me... and now it has. I'm no hero, I'm just a boy. Not even a Boy Wonder." Robin kicked a stone off the sidewalk.
Wally moved in front of Robin and stopped him. "No. You are the Boy Wonder. The reason Batman let you keep being Robin is because you were born for this role. I've never met anyone more naturally suited to being a hero. And as for the justice part, once you got justice for your family, you kept going, because deep down you knew there were other people out there that wanted the same thing you did; justice. But you also knew that they weren't as brave as you, so you went and did it for them. You're the most heroic hero I've ever met, and that's saying something, because I've met the entire Justice League."
Robin stared at Wally, wondering whether he truly meant everything he had said. Him? A hero? He certainly didn't feel like one. But maybe what he felt like, and what he really was, were two different things.
After a long moment of silence, Robin looked at Wally and said "thanks, buddy." Barely a minute passed before Robin passed out in the street.
Wally scooped up his friend from the street and ran as fast as he could back to the cave. He burst through the zeta tubes and set Robin gently down on the floor. He then ran around the cave, trying to find as many of his friends as possible to help Robin. Only Conner and Artemis were there, but both came to aid Robin. Artemis placed a wet towel over Robin's forehead and sat with him while Conner went to find Red Tornado and Wally called Batman. Wally then joined Artemis as they waited for Robin to come round. Conner returned with Red Tornado as Batman entered the cave.
"I came as fast as I could. What happened?" Batman jumped straight to the point.
Wally hesitated for a second then replied "me and Robin went out for a walk and after we'd talked for a little while he just passed out" Wally's voice hinted at his concern.
"He's breathing normally but his temperature is crazy high" Artemis called. Everyone turned to her then gathered around.
"Step back" Batman commanded and everyone moved away from Robin. Batman knelt beside Artemis and checked Robin over "we need to get him to a hospital." Everyone looked in shock at Batman.
"But how will we get him there quickly without giving away the location of the cave? Surely he needs an ambulance." Artemis said, a mix of emotions running through her every second.
"I guess I could run him there" Wally suggested hesitantly.
"Too dangerous" replied Batman bluntly. "We will get him an ambulance, but first we have to get him somewhere away from the cave."
Conner and Wally carried Robin through the zeta tubes and over to a nearby bench. They gently set him down and Artemis crouched beside him. They just hoped the ambulance would come soon. Batman appeared from the cave and stood beside the team.
"The ambulance is on the way. How is he?" he said, addressing Artemis.
"He's still breathing, but his temperature keeps going up." She stated, worry evident in her voice.
"When the ambulance comes, I will accompany Robin to the hospital" Batman addressed them "you three will return to the cave. Thank you for all of your assistance." The three of them looked at each other then back at Batman
"Will we be able to visit him?" Wally asked.
"I will answer that when we know more information about his condition" Batman responded. The three team members looked at each other once more and headed back to the zeta tubes as the ambulance pulled up. Wally looked back over his shoulder to see Robin being taken away.
