Usual disclaimer, I have no legal right to Batman and company, and I make no money on this. Please read and review, I love feedback.
* * * * *
Chapter Six – Questions
* * * * *
Robin found Batman in the Bat Cave, in front of the computer bank once again. This was usually nothing new, after a night on the streets. What was odd to Robin was the murmuring that was coming from Bruce as he clicked keys on the keyboard. Reaching over to a table, he grabbed a mug of hot chocolate and headed over to Batman.
"You're not one for internal monologues where others can hear them. Questioning the contents of the universe in your spare time, or practicing your time on the stand in the near future? You did manage to completely mangle that guy that was working with the Mad Hatter earlier this evening." He took a sip of the drink, then continued. "Look, I know you're under a lot of stress, but there's going to be Hell to pay from the judicial system if you keep messing up the defendants before they make it to court."
Batman did not turn around, but he did sigh. "It's just pressure."
"Yeah, pressure does strange things to people, and though you might doubt it, you are human. But seriously. Are you alright? You seemed kind of distracted tonight. Something you can talk about?"
"Maybe a fresh set of eyes might see something I'm missing." Bruce leaned back in the computer chair, and took a moment to gather his thoughts. "If you were offered a deal, and you knew it was a bad idea, but it could change things for the better, would you take it?"
Robin perched on the edge of a table, and thought for a moment. "What kind of deal?"
"One of those that you knew was a bad idea. Hypothetically speaking, you knew it would cost you something precious, but could make it possible to fix something wrong with the society around you. Something that would make a difference in the world around you, or at least your little section of it."
"Then I would want to read the fine print on this deal, and I would debate if it was really worth it. To use your own hypothetical reasoning, it would depend on if the change was enough to make the sacrifice worth it, and if you were really willing to give up that one thing that's important enough to you." Robin took a sip of his drink, then continued. "I don't know if I could go through with that kind of deal. There are nights when I'd love to have not lost my parents, but then again, I'm pretty content with the life I've got now. I wouldn't have met you, I wouldn't have become Robin, and my life would not be the one I'm satisfied with now. No matter how much you want to change the past, it also makes you who you are now."
Batman pulled back the cowl of his costume, and rubbed his eyes. "Nothing that would change the past. But if that deal gave you the power to keep that same horror from happening to another family, just one child and family, would it be worth it?"
"Bats, you already made that choice years ago. You've sacrificed the possibility of a regular life, and you've paid for it in blood, broken bones, and a broken life. What else would be worth changing what's already been given? How much can any one man give, to make a difference? Your company donates millions to worthy causes, you risk life and limb every night you're on the streets, and other than a tiny circle of friends in the know, you've got no one in your life. Selena Kyle does not count as a sweetheart, in case that's what you're wondering."
"My childhood is gone. You are right, I'm pretty much alone most of the time. I've seen the scans, seen the broken bones and lost blood. But to save another child, so he or she doesn't have to live in an empty home, I don't know what I'd do to keep that one child from that kind of empty life." Bruce picked up a cup of coffee, and took a long drink. Then he continued. "That's the question, really. What is it worth to me, to save another? Not just another round up of the scum in this city, or keeping the inmates at Arkham behind bars and hopefully rehabilitated."
Robin set down the now empty mug. "You've given more than your fair share, Bats. You've given more than anyone has ever asked of you. Your shoulders might be broad, but there comes a time when you have to sit back and realize that there's only so much that one person can give, that one person can sacrifice."
Robin motioned with one hand, encompassing the contents of the Bat Cave. "You've got bigger things to worry about, instead of staring at your navel. You've been breaking bones lately. It's not saying that those thugs and lowlifes don't deserve a bit of rough treatment, but you're coming close to that line that you taught me never to cross. You need a vacation from this life, if you want to keep your sanity and balance. I'm not talking about a few nights off, down here planning your next nifty bat weapon. I'm not talking about going to the beach with some bimbo. You need to step back and find your balance again, because you're starting to worry those that are close to you. And you can add me to that list of worried friends. Now, I'm going upstairs to warm up and get some sleep before I've got to head back to the university. This is the last night I can tag along for a couple weeks, we're getting ready for mid-terms at school. Goodnight, Bruce."
Robin changed out of his uniform and took the elevator up to the main mansion, leaving Batman sitting in the dark, the only light coming from the green glow of lights on the computer system. Bruce slowly leaned back, and continued to think. Finally he headed to the uniform area, and got dressed in his nightclothes. The rash on his leg had not spread, but it was also no better than a few days ago. The spot on his wrist was still there as well, along with the slight gray tint to his fingernails. Slipping into the silk nightclothes left him with little protection from the chill and damp of the cave, but in the last few weeks he really could not feel it anymore. It felt comfortable down in the Bat Cave now, soothing and calming.
Shaking his head, he went up to his bedroom, slid into the bed, and closed his eyes. It did not take long to fall asleep.
* * * * *
"Nothing beyond my ability to give, you said." Bruce stood in the darkness, aware that this was all a dream. Still, here he could feel the bitter cold better than he could when standing on rooftops in Gotham lately. Here, the cold was beyond bone chilling. It was soul chilling.
"That's correct. You have something that I want, very dear to my non beating heart. Something that I'd be willing to trade power and strength for, if you can offer it."
"It's not my soul. You can't take that, due to some rule in your existence."
"That too is correct. I can't claim souls. To be technical, I already have your soul, considering that we are part of each other in a philosophical meaning. I have no need for souls, considering my limited existence at this time in my being. I'm nothing more than part of you in a shape that you can comprehend in your dreams, a form given shape by your mind."
"Can you offer this power without me knowing what it is that you want?"
"No. It has to be understood on some level, and you don't have that understanding as of yet. I can't take what you do not have the ability to give without conscious thought of what you are offering. So, there is no 'go for it' without knowing what it is that I want for my part of the deal."
"Can I know what you are offering, in literal terms?"
"Again, no. I don't have to explain my side of the bargain. I choose the form it arrives in, though with training and effort you can harness even more power from it as time goes on. I will say this though. You have come up with some very good questions thus far. Worry less, however, with what is offered, but on what I am after in this discussion. You just wasted a night with questions that have no real bearing on the deal that is being offered. I've given you plenty of hints. As someone known as the Detective, you should have enough information to make a studied choice. The sun is rising, Batman. Time for me to go, and you to rise and shine. Tomorrow night is the last night of the offer. Then I fade back into your mind, never to be questioned again. Have a good day, Dark Knight."
* * * * *