ANNNNNNNND We're back! I know this is super late and that falls on me...Adulting is no fun and totally gets in the way! Anywho the ride is about to begin so please remember to fasten your seatbelts and keep all hands and legs in the ride at all times!


Tim finished attaching his cape and set his mask on the edge of the Batcomputer as Bruce listened to the police scanner chatter, determining were the bulk of the crime seemed to be happening in the city. They could cut time if they headed right to the trouble spots were from the start.

"Nothing coming out of Arkham?" Tim asked casually.

He had checked an hour ago, but one couldn't be too careful with the asylum's inmates. Personally, he thought Bruce's money would be better spent redesigning and updating the cells and security in the hapless facility. Truthfully, they had done just that only a year ago for the most dangerous criminals housed there. For the longest period of time on record, Arkham had remained quiet until, that is, just a couple of months ago, when Joker finally succeeded in outwitting the security measures and escaped. The designs were good, however. The escape, they had learned, had been due to human error.

The Riddler had managed his own release three weeks ago as well by bribing one of the new guards that had been hired. Luckily, everyone else had failed where Joker and Riddler had succeeded. Unfortunately, those two escapes had given the rest of the inmates new hope that eventually, they too, would find a way to slip through the automated system and past guards to make good their own bid for freedom.

"All's quiet on that front, thankfully," Bruce murmured as he scooted back. He tugged the cowl over his head, adjusting the mask over his face for a comfortable fit. "We'll start downtown and then head for the wharf around Midnite. Rumors have it that a large shipment is coming in from Central America."

Tim applied his own mask. "Did they say from where?"

"Columbia." Batman stood.

"So, could be either drugs or illegal weapons," Robin noted.

"I'm thinking it will be drugs, but don't let your guard down. The men involved have no problem with using their own merchandise to ensure the shipment gets through," he warned.

"Not a prob . . ." Robin trailed off as the computer announced a message coming in from the watchtower. "The League expecting trouble?"

It was not Batman's turn for watch duty and as far as Robin had heard, there were no meetings scheduled either for the League or for the Young Justice team. Curious, he hovered nearby as Batman answered it. Mr. Terrific appeared on the screen.

"Terrific, this had better be an emergency. I have an important shipment to thwart tonight," Batman led off impatiently.

"You're needed aboard the Watchtower." Mr. Terrific didn't beat around. He knew the best way to deal with Batman was to come straight to the point.

"Unless it's a full-blown alien invasion, it can wait," Batman snapped. "The League has enough members now that you can carry on without my presence."

Robin tilted his head, intrigued when Terrific seemed to hesitate. The man was nothing if not efficient. It was why Batman felt easy enough to let the other hero direct operations with no interference. There weren't many that had achieved that kind of respect with the Dark Knight.

"There was an incident . . ." Terrific did it again. He was hesitating. Robin took a step closer. "The Young Justice team went on an unauthorized mission. They've returned successful in their endeavor, but . . ."

My team? Why hadn't Robin heard anything about this?

Batman's eyes narrowed. "But what?"

"You are needed aboard the Watchtower. Now," Terrific added unnecessarily. Now could be inferred from his tone.

Robin's comm chirped in his ear, alerting him to a communication on the team's private channel. He tapped the tiny comm-link, switching channels effortlessly from years of practice.

"Robin," Tim announced. "What's up? Is this about that secret mission no one felt the need to tell me about?" he asked sarcastically. He hated secrets being kept from him. It hurt that anyone felt they couldn't trust him with the information.

"Robin," Aqualad's voice came through so clearly, he might have been standing at Tim's shoulder. "You are needed on the Watchtower as soon as possible, my friend. It is important that you do not delay."

Tim glanced over his shoulder at Batman who had just ended his own communication. Whatever this was, it concerned them both. An uneasy knot twisted itself into existence in his belly.

"Right. I'll be right there." Robin answered.

"And Robin?" Kaldur's voice stopped him from cutting communications. "Bring Batman with you."

The knot tightened and doubled in size.

"Sure. I don't think that will be a problem," he murmured as Batman headed in the direction of the Batcave's zeta-tube instead of to the Batmobile. He cut the line and rushed to catch up with his mentor. "Batman! Hold up! I'm coming, too."

Batman looked back at him. "I want you to stay and contact Commissioner Gordon. The two of you can still meet the shipment . . ."

"Aqualad just requested my presence on the Watchtower, too. Whatever's going on requires both our presence." Robin said as he moved forward with purpose.

Bruce wasn't going to stop him from accompanying him. Ever since Dick left the team, Tim had taken on a greater and greater role until he was Aqualad's second-in-command. In fact, the Atlantian had been talking about stepping down himself and turning the team over to Robin completely. He was getting too old for the team, Kaldur had said. Young Justice had been created for young sidekicks to learn how to work together and on their own without the constant supervision of their mentors, to prepare them for their eventual induction into the League. It was time for leadership to pass to the one best ready to step into Kaldur's place. With Batman's training behind him and Tim's own head for strategy, he was the most logical choice.

Surprisingly, Batman didn't try to stop him.

"Fine. I'll contact Gordon with the details as soon as we arrive at the Watchtower. He should have plenty of time to arrange for a detail of his men to reach the area before the ship is scheduled to arrive." Batman told him.

It was Tim turn to hesitate. "Do you think Gordon's men can handle it on their own? We could always request for backup. The League or my team should have one or two members free to assist . . ."

"No. I can call in Nightwing if Gordon needs help." Batman interrupted as he tapped in the codes for the Watchtower.

The alien device hummed as it powered up and the two stepped into the light as the Batcave faded from view. A moment later, the cave was silent but for the screeching of the startled bats overhead.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

A grim-faced Superman was standing in front of the zeta-tube when the two arrived. The knot in the pit of Tim's stomach turned to ice as Batman imperceptively stiffened beside him. What could have happened that the League felt it was necessary to send Superman as an envoy? As he moved to slip past them to find his own team, Superman placed a hand on Robin's shoulder.

"Walk with us, Tim," Superman murmured. "You're both going to the same location."

Tim blinked behind his mask. Superman called him Tim? The only thing worse than that would be if he called Batman Bruce. Bad things usually have to happen for people to call you by your given name while in costume.

Batman's eyes narrowed. "Why don't you start talking?"

"Bruce, I think you should hear this from Kaldur," Clark said before he led the way out into the Watchtower proper. He turned away from the direction that led to the conference rooms. This way led to the lifts that took you to the brig, the cafeteria, and the . . . medical bay.

"I'm not in charge of the team anymore," Batman reminded him. "The elder members are advanced enough that they handle assigning their own missions now. There are any number of League members that are capable of debriefing them."

That was true, Robin thought. Batman's connection to the team had lessened over the years since Nightwing's resignation as team leader, nearly ending altogether when Barbara decided to pursue her Ph.D. in computer science full time. Oh, Batman still acted as mentor and provided some degree of training, but Tim suspected it was only because there was still a Robin attached to the team. In the last two years, Batman only took report when the YJ team's missions were directly linked to League business that he had a personal investment in.

"This concerns you," Clark said as they took the lift. He punched the button for level 29, the med bay. He glanced at Tim. "The both of you."

Tim swallowed, retreating into his Robin guise even more. He glanced up at Batman beside him and watched Bruce do the same thing. If anyone thought that Batman's persona was forbidding before, he was downright glacial now, more like a robot than a man. Tim realized that the man was struggling with a chunk of ice in his own gut right now as well.

The doors opened, and Superman led the way down the hall toward the medical bay. They passed the main doors that led to patients' care, a larger, communal room that held a number of beds, and a few private rooms for those unfortunates whose condition were so serious that it required constant monitoring. Tim knew that a couple of Leaguers had even died in the private rooms. Tim frowned as they were being led to the waiting room outside of the surgical unit.

He couldn't imagine what the problem could be. With Nightwing in Bludhaven and Babs away at the university, the only thing that the Young Justice team held in common for the two of them was Robin himself. But Tim was right here . . . So, who else could it be?

They turned the corner and his mouth dropped open. The waiting room was full, with people spilling out into the hallway. Everyone was here - literally the entire team, old and new, as well as several League members. Even Tigress was here sans her mask, sitting with the Flashes! He was surprised since she hadn't chosen to be an active member since Wally's death three years ago, only coming in to help on request, but then Tim's eyes focused on the figures beside her. One was Barry but . . .

Two Kid Flashes? What? But no, it wasn't Bart. Bart was vibrating in place next to this redheaded version. Who? Tim gasped before he could check himself.

"Wally?!" Robin gaped. "Y-You're alive?"

Wally stood, facing them with an unreadable expression. "Yeah, I'm back," he smiled uncertainly, looking terribly uncomfortable. Artemis reached for his hand, squeezing it in support, Tim observed.

"Oh, my God! How?" Tim glanced around the room and knew there was someone missing. Someone who should be here despite having left the team. "Does Nightwing know yet? Did someone think to tell him?"

Hard to believe that he and Batman would arrive before Nightwing. Dick had been devastated by the loss of his best friend. He should have been the first to learn that Wally was alive.

Wally glanced briefly at Batman and then looked away abruptly. "Superman didn't explain anything to you?"

Aqualad straightened from where he had been leaning against the wall. "I asked him not to," he announced. "It is for my place to give the report from our rescue mission."

"This is a debriefing? Here? Who was hurt?" Robin glanced around the room again but couldn't locate the missing member. The entire team was present and accounted for.

Kaldur stopped in front of them. "Let us do this over here," he said, gesturing to the privacy of the hall they had just come from.

"Here will be fine," Batman growled. He was getting impatient and angry at all the secrecy and drama. Although he probably didn't sound any different to the others, Tim heard the worry hidden behind the obvious, as did Superman.

The Man of Steel stepped away but didn't leave the area. He made his way over to Wally and shook the young man's hand warmly, laying his other hand on the speedster's shoulder. Tim turned to the Atlantian he had come to respect since working with him so closely. Kaldur sighed and the knot of fear returned.

"Very well." He looked down at the floor between them as if gathering his strength for whatever he was about to say and then back up. His jaw and shoulders were tight with stress.

"Red Hood contacted Nightwing with information about the return of Wally West. Apparently, Vandal Savage had discovered the speedster was being held in the speed force." Kaldur paused. "Do you know about Red . . .?"

"I do," Batman grunted, cutting him off.

The Dark Knight's posture had become even more rigid upon the mention of his first two previous partners, neither of which were present, Tim noted worriedly. The last time Jason had come around, people ended up bleeding.

"This mission was obviously to retrieve the original Kid Flash," Batman snapped impatiently. He glanced around the waiting room and hallway again, looking for Nightwing. Tim knew it because he was doing the same thing. "If Nightwing knew about this, he would have insisted on accompanying you. Where is he?"

Dread was building up as he watched Kaldur flinch slightly. Artemis stood up, but Kaldur waved her back.

"This is my responsibility," he told her. Artemis looked like she wanted to argue, but Kaldur turned back to them. "The plan was for . . ."

Batman's voice lowered dangerously. "I don't care about the plan. Answer my question."

Kaldur continued, dangerously choosing to ignore the request in favor of his narrative, but reduced the details to the bare minimum. "During the course of the rescue, Vandal Savage stabbed Nightwing in the back before blowing up his compound. Luckily, Kid Flash had recovered enough by that time, and carried Nightwing out of the castle before the explosions went off. Unfortunately, in the process of saving his life, Kid Flash was forced to move him in spite of the seriousness of his injury. Nightwing is in surgery now, but, I fear, his condition remains critical." Kaldur looked away, unable to meet their eyes. "I am sorry."

To anyone else, Batman took the news without reaction; whatever emotions he might have had appeared to be nonexistent. But, for Tim, it was clear that the man was barely in control. Bruce was struggling to shove everything down deep inside. However he might appear, in reality, Batman was raging. Tim's eyes dropped to Batman's hands. The left one opened and closed into a tight fist, the leather of his gloves creaking in response. Without a word, he turned on his heel and left.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Whatever response people were expecting of the Dark Knight, that hadn't been it. Lagoon Boy straightened from where he had been leaning against the wall, angrily, pointing a hand in the direction that Batman had disappeared.

"What? That's it?" he asked, furiously. "He just walks away like it's nothing?"

M'gann looked up from where she had been sitting beside Conner. "La'gaan, wait! You don't understand . . ."

"What's to understand? That he doesn't care?" La'gaan growled. "He's made that all too clear. By Neptune's beard, he's going to get a piece of my mind."

He stormed past Kaldur, jerking his arm free when the older Atlantian attempted to hold him back. Turning the corner, he quickly caught up to the retreating Bat. Forgetting himself, La'gaan grabbed Batman's shoulder and spun him around.

"You piece of flotsam! Have you no heart . . .?" was all La'gaan managed to get out before a gloved hand closed around his throat and slammed him against the bulkhead hard enough to dent it.

Stunned, La'gaan gaped at the enraged hero even as he struggled to free himself. Out of the sea, the pressure on his throat was more than enough to prevent the Atlantian from breathing. His eyes bulged in shock and fear when he could see no mercy in Batman's expression. Although the Atlantian knew he was the stronger of the two but, currently, La'gaan realized he was within moments of blacking out.

Robin was immediately there, grabbing Batman's forearm and pulling with all his might to free the foolish hero. Even after several years on the team, the Atlantian tended to speak and act too impulsively for his own good. It was a dangerous attribute that had just caught up with him.

"Batman, stop! He doesn't understand," Robin said through clenched teeth. He grunted with effort. "He doesn't know!"

La'gaan began to worry that Batman might indeed throttle him to death. He was going to have to fight back if he wanted to live. The idea of taking on the Bat in an all-out fight was intimidating as rumors of the human's prowess whispered insidiously through his oxygen-starved brain.

"Nightwing would never forgive you," Robin blurted out.

If anything, the fingers seemed to squeeze tighter for a second, and then, as quickly as the attack happened, it was over. Batman released the younger hero in disgust, but whether that emotion glimpsed was aimed at Lagoon Boy or at himself, La'gaan couldn't be sure. He fell to his knees, gasping for air. His eyes looked up the hallway, afraid that someone might have witnessed his appalling error in judgment. The corridor was empty, but La'gaan's relief was fleeting. This blunder was epic and wouldn't be soon forgotten.

Batman stepped past him, entering one of the private observation rooms without apology. As the door hissed shut behind him. Robin kneeled beside his teammate.

"I realize you were upset about Nightwing and it was the reason for your anger," Robin said, not unkindly, "but, you need to understand, Batman isn't uncaring. He just doesn't show it in public. If he leaves the room, it is only because his control is slipping. He needs the privacy."

La'gaan nodded, wincing slight at the pain the movement caused.

"I assume that Dr. Midnite is with Nightwing now?" Robin asked, waiting for the Atlantian's confirmation. "If he comes out before Batman returns, we'll be in here," he said, indicating the room into which Batman disappeared. "It would be better if you send Midnite in to us. Do it right away. Understand?"

La'gaan nodded again and croaked. "He's stronger than I thought he would be. Faster, too. Are you sure he's only human?"

"He's human all right," Robin smirked. "Just try not to get him angry."

The Atlantian blinked in surprise. "That wasn't angry?" he whispered hoarsely.

Robin shook his head. "Not really. He's mostly just worried about Nightwing. Don't take it personally."

La'gaan gaped, disbelieving, as Robin patted his shoulder and rose, entering the room after the madman. His adrenaline slowing, Lagoon boy was now more embarrassed than anything. He had miscalculated when judging the Caped Crusader. Swallowing painfully, he reminded himself, when dealing with Batman, to do so from across the room.

Slowly, he climbed to his feet, rubbing his throat gingerly. Luckily, his coloring should hide any bruising, although Kaldur and M'gann might still notice. He considered leaving until he remembered the order that Robin had given him concerning Dr. Midnite's appearance. He would have to go back if only to relay the message to someone else.

He entered the area much more subdued than he had leaving it just minutes ago, but none of the older members looked at him oddly. The only glances he got were from Beast Boy, Wonder Girl, and Blue Beetle.

La'gaan? M'gann voice spoke into his mind. He should have expected that. Are you alright?

Yeah, just swell . . . Don't worry. He didn't kill me.

He glanced up to see her looking back at him.

Batman's a very private person. Just because he doesn't show his emotions publicly, doesn't mean he doesn't have them, she thought at him.

He snorted lightly, ignoring Blue Beetle's curious gaze. Now you tell me.

I'm sorry. You just rushed out of here so quickly and you shut me out of you mind when you did.

I'm an idiot.

She smirked. Yes. You are . . .

He looked startled.

But, luckily, I don't think it is a permanent condition, she assured him before he could get angry.

He sighed, settling in for a long wait when Kaldur sat down beside him. The older Atlantian slipped something into his hand. Curious, La'gaan looked at the packet of pills that sat in his palm.

"For the pain," Kaldur explained in a whisper. "Don't worry. I do not think anyone else has noticed."

"Did you see?" La'gaan asked worriedly.

"No, but I did not have to in order to know what happened." Kaldur murmured without looking at him. "I have known Nightwing and Batman for many years. This is not the first time that Nightwing has been seriously injured . . . although, I believe it is the first time it has been this dire."

"You could have said something . . ."

"I tried to," Kaldur reminded him. "But sometimes the best way to learn something is to experience it for yourself."

La'gaan grunted as he tossed the painkillers into his mouth. He grimaced in discomfort as they went down, resisting the urge to rub his neck again. He only hoped that he would begin to feel their effect soon. Closing his eyes, La'gaan passed the time by imagining the million other ways he might have handled that encounter than didn't end with Kaldur having to slip him painkillers.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was hours before Dr. Midnite stepped through the doors into the waiting area.

"Nightwing is in recovery. His condition is stable," he announced. The response was immediate as the tension that gripped the room finally eased somewhat. "Where is Batman? Someone should have contacted him by now."

"I'm here, Doctor," Batman stepped forward from where he had been standing alongside the wall.

Midnite was blind in the light. A brilliant surgeon who, through an accident lost his vision in the presence of any kind of illumination, could only see now in total darkness. Anyone assisting him had to wear night goggles to be able to function during the surgery.

"Let's walk," Midnite suggested, and he heard the hiss of a leather cape as Batman turned back in the direction of the observation room he had used earlier for privacy. They were lucky that privacy was seldom needed, considering their line of work, but he was grateful for the foresight the builders had when designing the Watchtower.

Robin took Midnite's arm and followed, determined to not be left out. "You don't mind if I join you, do you?" he asked.

Midnite patted the boy's hand. "Of course not, Robin."

It wasn't hard to hear the worry in the boy's voice. If it were good news, there would be no reason for privacy. The doctor would have just announced it to everyone, just as he had a minute before. The door had barely closed behind them, when Batman demanded answers.

"The knife? What kind of damage are we talking about here?"

"Do you want to sit down first?" the doctor asked.

Robin swallowed. "Do we need to sit down?"

"Whatever Nightwing needs to make a full recovery, he's got it," Batman growled. "You name it. Anything."

The generous expanse of that offer wasn't lost to him. Batman had made similar offers on more than one occasion for others. The intensity he heard in the hero's voice told the doctor that there wouldn't be any monetary amount too high. He had long suspected that Batman alter-ego was an extremely wealthy man, before he had learned the hero's true identity, just as he had always known that the relationship between the Dark Knight and his partners extended far beyond that of mentor and student, to that of family.

Midnite sighed. "It's not going to be so easy this time around, I'm afraid. The knife Vandal Savage used on Nightwing struck the spinal column."

He heard Robin slide into one of the upholstered chairs.

"Were you able to repair the damage?" Batman asked after a long pause.

His voice was different, Midnite noted. Not as deep as before, the gravelly sound that made it so distinctive had disappeared. This, Midnite realized, was the Dark Knight's real voice. The direction it came from told the doctor that he, unlike Robin, had chosen to remain standing. He judged the other man to be roughly eight feet in front of him and slightly to his right. The doctor adjusted his position so that he could face Batman directly.

"The blade struck the T11 vertebra, breaking portions of the vertebra and piercing the spine. I understand that there were several bombs and that Kid Flash had been forced to carry him to safety, that a shockwave had thrown Nightwing out of his arms . . . As a result of this extraneous movement and the violence of the tumble he took, several other nearby vertebrae were also damaged."

Midnite paused as he listened to the shift in breathing. Robin's hitched in a way that was distinctive. The boy understood what Midnite was telling them and was having the expected reaction. Batman, however, had stopped breathing altogether upon hearing the news.

"So," Batman cleared his throat, "rehabilitation will be lengthy."

Denial . . . Midnite pursed his lips. It was not the reaction one might expect from Batman who normally preferred the cold, hard facts in any situation, but it was the reaction he would expect from a father.

"Didn't you hear him?" Robin snapped, his voice rising in pitch with his emotions. He had leapt from his seat in anger and shock. Midnite laid a hand on the boy's shoulder. Robin was shaking beneath his fingers, a fine trembling that grew in intensity.

"Easy," the doctor murmured just loud enough for the boy to hear.

"I can make a request to Star Labs," Batman continued. "Perhaps there is some technology available that can help him. Something you aren't aware of yet."

Midnite decided a repeat of his diagnosis was necessary. He switched to a more personal tone. "The blade severed the cord, Bruce, and the damage he received from being moved and tossed around was substantial throughout the surrounding areas. A certain amount of rehabilitation will be necessary for Dick to adjust to his new situation as will extensive counseling."

"Are you not even going to try?" Batman barked, anger creeping into his voice. "If you aren't able to help him, there might be someone else who can!"

"I know this is difficult for you to accept," the doctor spoke calmly, "but your son will have to, and it will be easier for him to do so if you do not fight what you know is the truth."

"Fight is what we do. You do not become exceptional by accepting the limitations that one doctor tells you. You get a second opinion and a third, if necessary!" Batman snapped.

"And a fourth? They will all tell you the same thing that I am trying to explain to you. Do you propose to drag him all over the world just to hear the same words over and over again? That is cruel, even for you." Midnite ground out harshly.

"You don't understand," Batman said through a clenched jaw, "Nightwing won't be able to accept this. He . . . can't be . . ." but words failed him here.

"Paralyzed. The word is paralyzed," Midnite stated, although not unkindly. "I'm very sorry, but there is nothing more that I, or anyone at this point, can do for him. Whether either of you accept it or not, Nightwing's career is over. Dick Grayson will never walk again."


SOOOOOOOOOOO I'm just gonna leave... I'll pop up again next month! Sorry not Sorry!

Let us know what you all think! And thanks for reading!

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