A/N: Okay! So, I haven't updated in some time so...I kinda owe you guys. I made this chapter really long, I hope you guys like it.
PhoenixK14: I'm glad I was able to bring out your emotions. I've been doubting my writing skills lately. I hope you enjoy yet another long chapter.
Sairey13: I am so sorry. There were technical difficulties, but they were fixed as soon as they were discovered. I took into mind your suggestion, but I think that not placing them in the system would be a little too much. I mean Blüdhaven is filled with criminals so... As for your other question, you'll be in for a surprise for the next few chapters.
hypersreak: I know! I always loved stories with a familial feel to it. I'm glad that you still love this story.
randomkitty101: Me too! I thought that it was about time that Ollie and Lian had some bonding time. Here's a long update since -as I mentioned before- I haven't updated soon enough.
hhwheuejsjne: Don't worry, I'm determined to finish this story.
Grace: He had a rash reaction. I'm sorry it took me so long to update, here's another chapter!
Guest: Thank you! I'm glad you were able to enjoy my story, here's another chapter for you.
beutyyyy: Well here's another chapter to satisfy you, I hope. You'll have to read and see what happens
Disclaimer: I do not own YJ JLA or any of the characters.
Wally and Roy burst through the doors of the emergency room. Wally, carrying Dick's upper body, and Roy, carrying Dick's lower body. Dick was even paler than before, he lost more blood in the car, and the whole time, Roy was muttering about not knowing there was so much blood in a human body.
"SOMEBODY HELP US!" Wally screamed. There weren't really any people in the emergency room that morning, so most of the present staff rushed over to help. There were five people in total. One female doctor, two male nurses, and two female nurses. The male nurses went to fetch a gurney.
One of the female nurses recognized, who they were carrying onto the gurney. She gasped. "Is this Dick Grayson?" Wally and Roy mentally cursed. They were hoping that he wouldn't be famous in Bludhaven, but apparently he is. They shared a brief glance. There was no point in hiding it now, so Roy confirmed her suspicion, and asked that she didn't contact Bruce.
The two gingers had never been happier that they were in Bludhaven of all places, because they didn't ask many questions after their strange request. They were told to go to the waiting room. They argued with one of the male nurses for a good ten minutes, but they eventually complied.
Roy started pacing, but Wally sat and stared ahead. There was a lot going through Wally's head, he was worried for his younger brother, but at the same time he was hurt by him. They had promised each other that they would only cut when the other two were present. Yes, they knew that cutting was bad, they knew it was definitely not healthy, but at the same time, they understood each other. They all knew the relief that comes when a cut is made. Still, though, they wanted to protect each other, so they compromised. He could still remember the pact they made long ago.
It's been a week since the boys confessed to one another that they cut. It was of course a shock, to all of them, at first. As it turns out, they're all better actors than they had imagined. Of course Roy, being the responsible big brother, suggested that maybe they should stop. As it turns out, stopping cold turkey wasn't the best idea.
During missions, each of them got antsy –to the point where it could've gotten them caught. They snapped at their team members. Cutting was their way of releasing all the painful emotions they harbour, now that it's gone, their teammates have become their verbal punching bags.
They tried to control this for a month. "We can control it" Wally had insisted, but it just wasn't the case. Every day, it got worse. Every day, they jeopardize their missions, more and more. Every day, they risk their teammates' lives all because they get twitchy during missions.
They couldn't afford the others knowing their dirty secret. It would be too painful, because if push came to shove, they'll find out about their reasons. The after effects of that was something they couldn't, and didn't want to imagine. It was Dick who first realized that if they continue this, it would lead to no good.
He asked them to meet up at Pete's Diner at Central City. By 7:00 pm that night, they were seated and patiently waiting for their orders.
"They're getting suspicious, and we're going through withdrawal." Dick hissed quietly. In all honesty, he knew that there would be side effcts. He just didn't think they would be this severe.
"We know," Wally says "but what can we do?" There was a moment of silence, as Wally voiced the one question going through their heads. What do they do? They needed to cut, but they couldn't. If someone was going to ask them individually why they stopped cutting, their answers would be the same.
"So my brothers stop too."
Keeping in mind his intentions, Roy suggested the idea that somewhat helped them keep their little charade up for longer than expected.
"What if we just cut when we're together?" He suggested. The other two shared a look, and then motioned for him to continue.
"If we set aside one day every month, to meet up and...you know, then we wouldn't go through withdrawal." He finished. If it were up to Roy, his brothers would never see another blade for as long as he lived. However, that would make him a hypocrite, and he can see that they need it as much as he does.
Wally and Dick contemplated the idea for just a few more moments before agreeing. This, they decided, would be the best way to handle their situation –in their opinion that is. Soon enough, their food arrived. Just as they were about to dig in, Wally remembered something from when he first started cutting; it was freaking addicting. Sometimes, no matter how much you don't want to cut, you do it. They need to fight it, and to do that, they need to want to fight it.
"Wait," Wally said, surprising the other two. Wally was usually the first to dig in, but now he's the one preventing them from eating.
"We have to promise each other that we will only cut when we're together, on the assigned day." He said firmly.
Dick knew where he was coming from, so did Roy, so without hesitation Dick said to his brothers "I promise."
"I promise." Roy echoed. Wally didn't need to say it, he suggested it after all, but he still said it.
"I promise."
The memory was clear as day in Wally's head, even if it happened over a year ago. It was so clear, in fact, that it brought tears to his eyes. He was hurt. Dick promised he wouldn't cut. This was the very thing they wanted to avoid, if Wally hadn't woken up….
The thought of losing his little brother caused Wally to release a particulalrly loud sob. This sob brought Roy's attention to him. Roy was unaware of what was going through Wally's head, but he knew that it had something to do with Dick.
Roy strode over to Wally and calmed him down with a gentle voice. "Hey, hey" he said softly. "He'll be okay, he'll make it through this." He reassured. He was hoping with all his might that Dick wasn't making him a liar.
Wally, however, just sobbed harder. He looked at Roy with his bloodshot eyes.
"He promised." Wally said in a soft whisper.
It took Roy a few seconds to realize what Wally was talking about. When he did, his eyes softened even more. His brother wasn't just worried, he was hurt.
"Wally listen to me," Roy ordered softly. "Dick was just confused, he didn't mean to break his promise. He just went through a terrible nightmare" he reminded Wally "He wasn't thinking clearly." He finished.
He knew wasn't comforting Wally, not really, he was just giving him half-baked theories. Honestly, those theories were what was keeping him together at the moment. For a long time, they just sat there in the waiting room, hoping, praying, that their little bother would survive.
It was 4 in the morning, Jason was still looking for leads. Everyone went to get some sleep, and Bruce insisted he get some too, but he refused their offer and went back to work. His face was illuminated by the faint glow of the cave's computer. Other than that faint glow, there was no light in the room.
Jason heaved a heavy sigh. He was losing hope. He'd never admit that to anyone, but he was. It's been four days. They were losing time, and fast. Every minute that passes, and they still didn't have any leads, adds more fear into his heart.
He finally reconciled with Bruce and Tim, now he just needed to reconcile –properly– with Dick. He was determined to bring his family back together, and he'd be damned if he didn't succeed. The computers were running a scan for all Dick, Wally, and Roy's names, and aliases. He was lightly dozing off, when a beep came to his attention. Hope instantly surged through him. Was this it? Would he finally be able to find his brother? Hopeful questions were running through his head, and that's when the glorious words appeared on the screen.
MATCH LOCATED
He wasn't completely sure if he was the one who did it, but he heard a joyful scream. He was so happy. He found them, he actually found them. Everyone was staying at the cave, so informing them would be an easy task. He went over the the PA system and said "Attention everyone, I found them. I repeat, I have a lead on the terrible trio. Report to the mission room ASAP." As soon as he said the words, there was a racket in the cave.
Everyone was either rushing to change into something decent, or stumbling their way to the room noisily. Unsurprsingly the first one into the room was Flash, who was then followed by Batman and Green Arrow. They were all in their sleepwear, but they didn't really care. It took only 30 more seconds after the fathers' arrival for everyone else to pile into the room.
Conner stepped up, and asked the question everyone wanted to ask. "Where are they?" he asked anxiously. Everyone else nodded their head frantically at the question, as if to repeat it. Jason turned to the computer and read the loaction, once he did, the smile on his face was promptly wiped off. His smile was replaced with a worried frown.
"They're at Blüdhaven General Hospital." He said grimly. This revelation, drew worried gasps from Iris, Selena, Diana, and Dinah.
"Who's checked in?" Iris asked fearfully. She didn't want to know, but at the same time she needed to.
Jason read the infromation once again, and blanched. "Dick Grayson" he said hollowly. Why? He thought Why is it that the world wants me to suffer. I know I killed but, I'm sorry he mentally apologized to whatever god was out there, begging them to save his brother.
Bruce stepped forward, and started giving orders. "Team you are to stay in the cave." Most of them looked ready to protest but thought better of it. Jason, and Tim however, where growing red in the face. This was their brother. They had a right to see him. Coupled with their anger, however, was worry. Roy and wally woudn't have just checked him in for a couple of scratches, they were trained in the medical field. There were very little injuries they couldn't treat that came on their line of work –most of which are very grave.
"We will go to Blüdhaven and find out what happened." He said facing the other worried parents/guardian. They turned to leave, but was promptly stopped by Zatanna, blocking their path.
"No." Zatanna said firmly
"Excuse me?" Batman said menacingly. Most people would've cowered at his tone, but Zatanna remained unfazed.
"No." she repeated. "We are going with you" she said motioning to the original team members, plus Jason and Tim. She knew that the newer team members wouldn't want to see their big brothers like that.
"You are not going to leave us behind, we'll go even if you leave us anyway, so don't make this hard for us" she said with narrowed eyes. For a while, the magician and the bat just stood there, staring at each other. The original team members silently praised Zatanna for standing up to the bat.
She'll fit right in to the family M'gann thought fondly to her fellow teammates, sans Zatanna.
In response they chuckled silently, while mentally conveying their agreement.
After a minute and a half of staring, Batman finally realized they were just wasting time. "Fine." he agreed tersely. "Let's go." With that he turned on his heel and headed towards the Zeta-tubes. His sons trailing behind him.
What happened to Dick? Was he okay? How serious was it? Worried thoughts were running through his head, while he and the others headed to Blüdhaven.