The fight was not unlike other fights that Dick and Damian had faced together. When the doors to the club swung open, countless thugs possessing very little fighting skill but dripping brute strength manned the lobby. It was a familiar dance, they each pummeled, kicked, ducked, and swung. A chorus of yells, grunts, and thuds filled the air.

Damian pounced on his victims, agilely jumping and twisting in the air to avoid being caught before landing a slice that floored two men twice his size. When he landed in a squat, there was no pause before he kicked a man's legs out, used him as a jumping board and was on the attack again.

These brutes were a distraction. The only thing going for them was their sheer number. For every one Dick felled, two more charged at him. He let a trio of batarangs fly with one hand to clear some space as his other fist connected, demolishing the teeth of his next opponent who dropped to the floor.

Dick and Damian fought there way into the casino, finally appearing to make progress on the attackers that had enveloped them in the lobby. As Dick turned to take on one of the last thugs, the casino doors slammed shut behind them.

The remaining thugs suddenly abandoned their fight and slithered away behind slot machines and tables.

Dick and Damian stalked slowly through the huge room, constantly on guard.

They stopped as a slow clap filled the air and Penguin walked out onto the stage across the way.

"It's about time, Bats. I thought you'd never get here."

"Penguin, give us Maria. We'll get her whatever care she needs," Dick said, taking a step forward. "End this madness."

Dick had clearly struck a nerve because Penguin's face became twisted and colored by rage. He shook as he spoke, his finger stabbing the air as he emphasized each word.

"Whatever care she needs?! And where would she be getting said care. Those halfwit doctors at Gotham General failed her and then decided to pull the plug on her! I am the only one willing to do what is needed to keep my child alive."

Dick took another step forward, "Penguin, your daughter's gone. Everything that made her who she was left when her brain died." Dick put his hands up as he stepped forward and took on a softer tone, "She's never coming back."

Penguin took deep breaths, his shoulders visibly rising and falling as he turned is back to Batman and Robin. "I told you to leave this alone, Batman. I told you should stay out of my business." He gestured towards the side of the stage and out ran four suited men carrying large guns. Dick and Damian dove for cover as Penguin screeched, "Bring me Robin's heart!"

Somewhere off in the distance thunder rolled over the hills and lightning crackled across the sky. Dick's eyes felt heavy as he tore them from the window's view of the verdant pastures. Barbara sat across from him, her face glowing with a light from which Dick couldn't trace the direction. He watched Barbara's smiling words as she spoke, saw her hands gesture and her forehead crinkle with expression, but he could only hear the throbbing in his head. He tried to look past Barbara to figure out where exactly he was but the room was surprisingly dark and unfamiliar.

Dick felt as though lead filled his veins, weighing him down, making it hard to even concentrate on Barbara. He could watch Barbara forever, she was so beautiful. Maybe if he just relaxed. Something pulled at the fabric at the edge of his mind. He had been somewhere else before, with someone else...

Lightning cracked again, this time seemingly right above the house. Dick glanced to the window to gauge the storm, finding the sky completely darkened by clouds. When he looked back to Barbara he found what appeared to be her soundlessly screaming at him. Her gestures were wild and her eyes frantic. She seemed to be mouthing his name...but his head throbbed so loudly, he couldn't concentrate...

"Dick!" Barbara's voice pierced his ears. "Dick! What happened?!" He wasn't dead yet.