Sorry for any ooc! First time writing Jason!

Disclaimer: Still do not own anything but this angsty plot!

Chapter 4

Gotham Hospital

Several hours later…

Dick Grayson had always been known to have "itchy feet". He had always been an active child due to encouraging parents, being raised in the circus, and then growing up in the shadow of the bat. To Dick being on the move was a natural and positive feeling. This time however, Dick just wanted to sit still and let the world crash around him. Right now, he was currently pacing the visitor waiting room, perhaps driving Alfred crazy.

Alfred, who had arrived at the hospital shortly after Dick, stood rigidly still, eyeing the disheveled young man. Hair tussled, his formal outfit wrinkled with some blood (which Alfred was slightly disconcerted about) finally paused to brush his fingers through his thick dark hair.

"Master Dick, perhaps you would do well to sit and have a cup of coffee" the elder man suggested politely but firmly. Dick paused in his tracks glancing over at Alfred then nodded. "Coffee does sounds good, thanks Al"

"Then please do sit and I shall fetch you some"

Dick reluctantly took a seat in the comfortable chair, elbows on his knees as he buried his face in his hands. For the past few hours he could only replay what had happen over and over. Why hadn't he run, why hadn't he been at her side?

"Are you honestly going to sit there while that waste of filth is out there?" a very familiar male voice inquired.

Dick lifted his head out of his hands and his blue hues met intense green eyes.

"Jason" Dick murmured and stood up, taking in the other male. Black short cropped hair, vivid green eyes, a strong jaw line and well built, Jason Todd had come back in well shape. Jason was sporting his signature black leather jack over a black tshirt and jeans, completed with biker boots. He was surprised to see him out in the open like this. Jason was known to keep his distance from the rest of them.

"Answer me Grayson"

"He's being taken care of"

Jason snorted then grimaced angrily at Dick. "We have very different views of that saying."

Dick walked over to him. "Why are you here Jay?"

"You might not know this Dickie boy, but she and I did work together before I died. I am here to warn you if either of you fail to take out of that scumbag I will. Got it?"

Dick was silent at Jason's words and looked away briefly. Barbara was the second victim of their family, he knew Jason would make good on his word.

When Dick looked back to Jason, the other had swiftly vanished. Staring off where Jason had stood, Dick was startled when a disapproved "Ah-Hem" was heard. Dick turned to see Alfred with a tray of food with a cup of coffee.

"Master Dick, I do insist that you sit down and eat. You look as if you had seen a ghost"

"Sorry Alfred. You're right. Oh, is that cafeteria food?" Dick inquired to change the subject. He couldn't drag Alfred into this mess.

"Indeed it is. Sadly it is not my homemade cooking but it shall suffice" the man replied stiffly and set the tray down on the table as Dick sat and took a sip of the coffee. The taste was bitter and watery to Dick's distaste but he gulped the liquid down knowing he would need the caffeine later on. He then attempted to eat managing to swallow down the food without noticing or enjoying the taste.

What seemed like a lifetime, an attractive blonde male doctor appeared in the visitor lounge, his expression grim. "Mr. Gordon? ?"

"Mr. Gordon will be here shortly. My name is Richard Grayson but call me Dick. I'm the boyfriend" Dick replied, stood up once more and shook the doctor's hand.

"Nice to meet you Dick, I am Doctor Williams. I have some good and bad news. Which would you prefer to hear first?"

"Good news please"

"Good news is Barbara is now in stable condition and her vital signs are strong, the bullet went straight through. She is resting now. The bad news is, the bullet went through her spinal cord and despite our best efforts and technology at hand... I regret to inform you that Barbara will never be able to walk again. She is paralyzed from the waist down. I'm so sorry"

Dick stood there feeling numb as the doctor talked to Alfred who knew more about the medical field then Dick did. Dick shook his head sorrowfully and felt a hand on his shoulder. "You may go in and see her son" Dick looked up at Doctor Williams and nodded.

"Thanks Doc."

"I shall stay here and wait for our other company" Alfred said softly looking at Dick. Dick nodded then slowly followed Doctor Williams up to Barbara's private hospital room. Dick entered the room silently; his heart felt like it was being ripped apart as he saw Barbara lying in the hospital bed. Her appearance made her look so fragile, her skin was pale, and her usual bright red hair looked dull. He sat down in the chair beside her bed and gently took her hand.

"I am so sorry Barbara." *He held her hand with both of his hands as he gazed intensely at her. "I should have been right by your side to push you out of the way, to block him from you. I should have protected you...it should have been me" To his utter amazement he felt her hand weakly squeeze his and heard her voice.

"Don't you ever say that Richard John Grayson"

"Babs?" He leaned forward to see her blue eyes cracked slightly open, gazing up at him.

"You couldn't have seen him coming Dick. It wasn't your fault. We will kick his ass once I recover" Dick looked down at her hand. She didn't know...know that she wouldn't be kicking any ass. Barbara groaned as she moved her fingers.

"I can barely move! I am going to out of commission for weeks! Months even! What are you boys going to do without me? I can't believe he did this! I can't wait to kick his ass seven ways from Sunday, he'll be sorry. I will make sure he will get a taste of his own medicine! " Dick gave a faint smile at her as she ranted.

"Babs you should rest"

"I have plenty of time for that Dick. I am just so angry!"

The couple fell silent, both getting lost in their own thoughts. Dick knew that this tragic incident could change their relationship. He worried that Barbara would push them away. Push him away. Suddenly he was jolted out of his thoughts by Barbara's panicked voice.

Dick. I-I can't feel my legs! Dick! My legs!"

"Babs..I'm so sorry" Dick said softly stood up and leaned down as her blue eyes were wide and terrified, her hand clenched his arm tightly.

"Dick I'm..I'm paralyzed. Aren't I?" Barbara uttered softly in realization and gazed up at him, regaining her composure she released her hold on him. She then stared blankly at the ceiling above her.

"I'm so sorry I wish there was some way"

Silence befallen them once more.

"Where is my father? He's here right? I can't remember if he was there"

Dick kept silent unsure how to tell her.

"Dick, answer me dammit! Where is my father?!"

"Joker took him-"

"The bastard took MY FATHER?!"

"Batman-"

"You got legs! You can walk, leap, and kick! What are you doing here?!"

"Barbara I know you're upset but I had to be here for you-"

"Upset is putting it mildly Dick. Just-Just go" the ranting had exhausted Barbara, who closed her eyes turning her head away from Dick.

"I'll be back soon" Dick said softly and left the room. Closing the door behind him, he rubbed a hand over his face then nodded to Alfred who nodded back, knowing very well that Dick was going out. Dick found an abandoned room and changed into his vigilante suit, placing his mask on he then made his way to the hospital rooftop. He had left Alfred to gather his clothing.

"Gotta hand it to you Grayson, you have a way with the ladies. Those redheads are so feisty around you "

Dick turned to see Jason who donned his Red Hood outfit. He could feel the smirk underneath the blood red helmet.

"What are you still doing here?"

"I was in the neighborhood, remember? I figure someone should protect Barbara since you fail to"

Dick flinched at the harsh words, the words slapping him in the face. He turned his back to Jason.

"Since when have you cared about anyone since you came back?"

"Ouch Dickie, have I stepped on a sore spot? You usually aren't this uptight. As to your question, I'm not completely insensitive as you think."

Dick fired a grapple hook; once it latched securely he glanced over his shoulder. "Thanks for keeping an eye on her while I'm gone" With that being said Dick leapt off the rooftop and swung away into the night

Jason stood on the rooftop and watched the blue and black figure disappeared. Jason then made his way along the edge of the window ledge until he reached Barbara's room. Slowly and quietly he pried the window open. He wasn't concern about being spotted at this altitude; her room was about ten stories up from the ground floor. Slipping inside, he kept to the shadows and removed his helmet. There she was, in a slumber. From what he had overheard he knew Barbara was a fighter and stubborn as hell. He silently went over to her and gazed at her. Jason knew well that there would never be anything between him and Barbara. He gently stroked her cheek then sighed. Dick always got the ladies with that damn Grayson charm of his.

He did enjoy Barbara ranting at him through, yes he had bugged the room before Grayson entered. Jason would stay by her side. Out of them all, Jason could relate to Barbara's situation. The Joker had taken something from both them but he would bring them closer. He partly closed the window, leaving it open enough for him to escape if necessary. He made sure his guns were loaded then tucked them away then leaned back against the wall waiting for Barbara to awaken.

"Who's there?" Barbara uttered groggily awhile later, sensing another presence in the room.

"Beauty and brains, no wonder Grayson is smitten with you" Jason commented lightly as he ambled his way over to the bedside.

"Why are you here Jason?"

"Ugh why is everyone asking that? Listen you out of all people know why I am here"

Barbara gave a small nod. "I do. The Joker"

Jason plopped down into the chair, his green eyes meeting her blues. "Pretty much. I also want to be here for you Babs"

"Only Dick calls me that" Jason held his hands up in defense. "My bad"

"That you are but thank you. For being here with me"

"Anytime Barbara. I know I can come off as a jerk, asshole whichever you prefer to call me but you are a friend, always were to me. I hate to admit it but I do have a soft spot for you"

"Ohmigod Jason Todd has a sensitive side! I must record and document this!"

Jason gave an amused chuckle. "There's the smartass Barbara I know"

"Shut up Todd"

The two fell into a comfortable silence.

"I swear if he harms my dad, I'll kill him" Barbara admitted aloud, much to Jason's surprise.

"Huh, never took you for the killer type. But hey count me in love to join in on that"

"I'm serious"

"So am I. That piece of garbage has it coming"

Barbara nodded and grew quiet.

Jason took and held her hand. "You'll get through this"

Barbara turned her head to the side and gazed at him.

"Damn right I will. You can take the girl out of the fight, but you can't take the fight out of the girl"

"I couldn't have said it better myself"