Wow so I didn't realize when I wrote this chapter but there is a ton of dialogue. I kinda like it but let me know if you don't like it and I'll edit further chapters that might be like that. Although I could just be trippy today and that's what the rest of my chapters look like. :p Anyway enjoy^^
By the time the pair had made it to the tower Richard was unconscious. After at least thirty minutes of hyperventilating the low oxygen intake mixed with his exhaustion and lack of sleep managed to knock him out. Starfire lead Batman to the medical bay. Once inside he instructed her to wait outside and make sure no one disturbed him.
Although disappointed, she agreed and left the room. The first thing he did was scout the room for cameras and microphones that could pick up what he was doing in the room. He didn't find any and, after he was satisfied, he locked the door. Once locked, Bruce removed his cowl and gloves and walked over to his son. He took a damp towel and gently whipped the smeared makeup off his face.
He then walked towards the gray cabinet, threw the cloth in the waste basket next to it, and removed a medical garment from the cabinet.
He took off Richard's shirt first and examined him starting from the top and moving downwards checking the boy for any serious injuries. Luckily most of his injuries were small and did not require immediate attention so he slipped the gown over his head.
Besides the injuries Batman had given him from their fight, Richard was showing signs of malnutrition and random sores. He looked exhausted even as he slept. He did notice old injuries were spread out over his body. They looked self-inflicted whether by accident or on purpose he could not tell.
Outside Starfire was pacing nervously around the door. She didn't like being shut out from her friend after being included in the bulk of his rescue. She pressed her ear up to the door but couldn't hear anything. She sighed and slide down the door and brought her knees to her chest. She got up again and floated curiously when she heard loud noises fluttering throughout the halls.
"Friends, is that you?"
"Star!"
The Titans yelled as they rounded the corner. They looked around quickly and then started towards the infirmary door.
"Wait, Robin is being cared for in there and you cannot enter."
"Why not?"
"His K'norfka does not wish to be disturbed."
"So he's just going to hoard him away in there?"
"Cyborg calm down. We can see him when he opens the door. Till then we just have to wait, no big deal."
As Raven said this, the pictures around them shook dangerously making the group laugh. Beast Boy slide down the wall to sit on the floor and the others followed his example.
"So how is he? You screaming that Ringleader died kind of freaked me out."
"Yeah!"
"But, he did die. Now that we have Robin we killed Ringleader so he cannot go crazy and wreck Robin."
"Okay, just how is Robin?"
"I am unsure. He was crying and had the trouble breathing because he was crushing his face too hard to his K'norfka and went to sleep. I lead him to the med bay and he had me wait outside. I haven't heard from them since."
"But he is okay? Nothing life threatening?"
"Not that I am aware of."
"Good. I'm still surprised how that turned out. I hate to say it but I'm glad he attacked the city otherwise I don't know if we would have found him."
"Not true, we had discovered a trail and were following it. We could not have failed dear Robin."
"Of course not. But I can't believe that worked out like it did. We put every single one of those lunatics behind bars or have them cornered thanks to that force field tent. I guess they didn't plan on having to escape."
"I don't think they thought that far ahead and they probably assumed their Ringleader was going to cancel the tent."
"Or that horrendous lady, what happened to her after I won the battle with her."
"Well, like the rest of the group she was taken to jail. They are going to test her later for insanity but she seemed pretty sane to me. She's just a trapped animal now."
"What if she talks about Robin? Do we know how much she was in on?"
"As far as we know she doesn't know much. Apparently she was his right hand girl, helped organize his events and stuff. She bought, well stole, a ton of things for the event and worked her strings to get the animals brought over. She didn't know Robin's identify though and said nothing that hints she knew he was Robin. Just a strange girl with a sick need for theatrical violence."
"Yeah, well, I hope the police can force her to tell them how to disable the force field. I was able to open up a walkway but only one person can get through at a time. I'll look at it more tonight."
"I can help assist you this time."
"Good, I could use your help."
"Do you think now that Batman is here when we walk through that door Robin will be normal?"
The group sat quietly thinking. Batman did seem to know what was wrong with him. Wouldn't it only make sense that he could fix him? After all, it was the drug that made Robin the way he was. Raven spoke first.
"No, no I don't think so."
"What do you mean sure he will, just like when we removed that dust from him that made him see Slade everywhere."
"I think it'll take time BB. Not only that but he's going to have to come to terms with what he did."
Just then the door interrupted them and the group scurried to their feet. Batman emerged carrying his young charge in his arms. Robin's face was covered by a cloth but they could see his chest rise and fall steadily.
"Is he okay?"
Cyborg asked. Batman brushed past him silently and began walking to the main room.
"Um, did you get the toxins out of him?"
They didn't get a reply and everyone but Starfire seemed upset by this. She had stopped floating behind them and was now walking sadly after them. When they reached the main room they thought he would stop but he just turned to the right and was about to go through another door when Starfire kicked her feet off the floor and floated down in front of him.
"How can I contact you?"
His facial expressions did not change but he turned and walked towards the computer. He entered the contact to the Batcave into their address book and then exited out.
"Thank you."
He nodded at her but the others had started to catch on.
"Wait a minute!" Beast Boy cried.
"You're not taking him away are you?"
"Friend he must recover at his own home."
"You can't just take him away. He's our friend too! We should be able to help him recover."
"Yeah, man let's let him wake up so he can decide what he wants to do."
Batman narrowed his eyes at them. "What he'll want to do is kill everyone in this city." The Team gasped at his harsh words.
"He will not!"
"No? Then what has he been doing?"
"He's sick."
"The Joker's sick too."
"What are you going to do throw him in jail!?"
"That's none of your concern."
"Damn right it's our concern! He's our leader, our friend, part of our family and you can't just take him away! You should either stay here with him or leave without him!"
At this statement Batman let out a harsh bark of laughter.
"Leave him with you? The very people who ignored his symptoms that he obviously displayed long before he committed murder! People don't turn crazy overnight. But, you kids just ignored them and because of that over 20 people are dead from events that would never have occurred if you were observant instead of sticking your heads in video games! And you expect me to leave my under aged child in your hands when your ignorance caused this. If you can't handle being a full time hero you should just disappear."
The Titans stared meekly and angrily at their toes which gave him enough him enough time to slip out of the room before they could say anything else. Now that he was gone, the group's head began to clear.
"Ah man I'm sorry guys. I completely screwed us over."
"Damn! If you hadn't opened your big mouth and he wasn't such an asshole maybe we would have actually got to help."
"Friends please, all hope is not lost look I'll show you."
A tense silence fell over the group as they watched her float over to the computer and pull up an unnamed contact in the system.
" Remember, he left us means to contact him so we may call about Robin. You just angered him. Please understand it must be terrible to see your child in such a state."
"His kid? Oh gosh I never thought about that."
"Is Batman his father?"
"Robin's never said."
"I have always felt he was his K'norfka like I call him but the role is one in the same I suppose."
"Did anyone else hear him call Robin a minor?"
"I'm a minor."
"It shows."
"Man does that mean I've been taking orders from a guy who is younger than me!"
"He's good at what he does."
The Batwing swooshed into the cave and alighted on the circular landing pad. He jumped out and grabbed Richard and began walking to the main section of the cave. He stopped when he saw Alfred.
"Is it ready?"
"It is indeed sir. I have prepared the first one."
He nodded and hurried off towards the holding cells on the far right side of the cave. He set him down in a chair and quickly changed him into grey sweat pants and a blue sweater that Alfred had laid out for him. Next, he laid him on the cot which was on the right side of the wall , strapped him down, and took a blood sample from his arm. He closed and locked the door behind him.
It didn't take long for the computer to come back with the blood results. Bruce studied them on the screen and noticed some old toxins had emerged from his blood that had been jacked through him so long ago. There were new toxins that he didn't quiet remember as well.
"Alfred."
"Yes sir?"
"Get in contact with Dr. Tompkins. We need her again."
"Of course."
He spoke sadly as he observed the results on the screen. Batman was about to turn away when his screen fuzzed and a signal was coming through. He answered the call and Starfire slowly appeared on the monitor.
"Hello? Can you hear me over there?"
"Yes. What?"
"You are okay? And Robin? I was worried he might have woken up and done something rash like attack while you were flying or end his life."
"Has he tried that before?" His voice rose slightly.
"No, but it is not uncommon for my people to act so after an episode. They have trouble recognizing they were sick and needed help themselves so please watch him closely."
"I plan to."
Her eyes lit up and she smiled at him.
"I am glad. I wish great success for you and his recovery."
She then bowed and terminated the signal. Bruce hovered around the main computer staring off at the heart of the cave. His mind drifted back to his days when his son had first started his career. He had been so hard on him those days but he had done it to keep his bird safe, something he seemed to be failing at the moment. Using the main computer Bruce brought up the old files of Robin's blood and the antidote he had used before. The new toxins were different but still similar.
"Alfred."
"Yes, Master Wayne."
"I want Richard kept under while we remove the drugs from his system. There's no point of him being awake like that."
"If you say so sir."
He turned back to the screen once more and waited impatiently while the computer made a new antidote. He needed to flush the drug through Richard as quick as possible so that they could begin his therapy and decide how much of the murders had been the drug and how much had been Richard.
He also had to decide what to do with Richard. He couldn't charge him in court like he should be because it would reveal his identity but his actions couldn't go unchecked. He brought his hand up to message his temple and left it there as he sat there with the silence of the cave.
The Titans sat around the living room table on the floor with Starfire at the head.
"So we have all gathered today because out dear friend Robin is off getting well and we are not there to help."
"Right you are Star, so my brilliant mind has come up with the idea of the ultimate get well soon basket!"
"Beast Boy sit down!" He laughed nervously, got off the couch and slide next to Starfire.
"So, how are we going to get this thing to him? Somehow I don't think showing up and just handing it to the Bat is possible."
"Umm actually I was thinking that or maybe this cave of his has a mailing address."
"You're kidding right?" "I do not understand what kids have to do with this."
"No, No, he doesn't think Batman will let us give this to him."
"Why would he not?"
"Um remember when he left and was screaming at our faces."
"Oh you are afraid he will no longer contact us. Not to worry friends. I communicated with him about twenty minutes ago and he said Robin was home and well."
"Wait, he is!? Can we talk to him?"
She shook her head and the group all sighed in defeat.
"He is not awake yet."
"So you really think he will let us send the get well soon basket?"
"Of course."
The Titans all looked at each other, grinned, rushed out of the tower, and piled into the T-car. On the way over they chatted amiably about what to put in the basket. The sun hung high in the sky which casted a luminescent glow on the city. Clouds floated leisurely through the air and playful birds dived in and out of them. The traffic was flowing smoothly once again for the barrier had been removed.
At the edge of the city the tigers, lions, panthers, and other animals stretched inside the barred walls of their new homes. Their large paws flattened the blades of grass as they walked and collected the morning dew on their fur.
The female lion flicked her tail in agitation as she sat behind the trench and bars keeping her in. She stood up, hunched herself down and peered across the trench to judge the distance to see if she could make the jump. But her motivation died quickly and she exhausted herself. She got up with her shoulders slumped as if heavy weights were on her and dragged herself back into the shadow of her artificial den made of wood and straw.
The T-car crushed the patches of dry grass under its wheels as it pulled up the store. Then just as the grass had begun to creep up towards the sun it was trampled underfoot as the Titans poured out of the car.
Starfire's hair blew messily in the wind and a single strain floated down onto the ground.
The automatic doors closed shut behind the group. Beast Boy quickly led the way to the counter on the right side of the store with balloon designs littering the walls behind it. They ordered five large balloons and then split up throughout the store to find the perfect gift to put in the basket.
Cyborg grabbed the nearest cart and began strolling down the aisles. He found the baskets and selected the biggest one he could find. Moving forward he collected green basket grass and a bag of Hershey's candies.
He then came to the trinket center and grinned in anticipation. Small plastic trinkets littered the shelves of various greens, oranges, yellows, reds, and blues. He reached out and grabbed a small blue kazoo and dropped it into the basket. Next, came the pink bouncy ball, the paddle ball, sticky man, mini whoopee cushion, plastic flute whistle.
He didn't know how long Robin would be at the med bay but he would have some slight entertainment. Cyborg looked up and a large pile of stuff made its way into the cart.
"Thought he could use some comics and stuff to look over while he is recovering you know?" Beast Boy explained.
"Man, you found some comics in this place?"
"I know right? This place has everything!"
Plop, another pile landed in the cart.
"I figured he could use something intelligent to read and I got him a journal with pens and stuff. I t would do him good to write about what happened." Raven stated.
"That is a great idea friend!"
Bang, a large clump of things topped off the cart and Cyborg felt the Titan expenses start to shake with fear.
"Goodbye, Benjamin."
"What?"
"Huh, nothing, so what's all that?"
"Ah! I found this fun bright scarf of feathers, a mug that says you are loved, fun paper to write a letter, a necklace with the letter R on it and lots of other delightful gifts!"
"Well, everyone good? Ready to check out?"
"Yip." The chorus replied.
Cyborg pushed hard on the cart and rolled it towards the checkout counter. By the time he was through paying an earthworm had eaten through his wallet leaving him with little else for the week. Despite this the group loaded their things into the car and stormed into the nearest café.
Three sodas, one tea and four cookies later, everyone quieted down. Beast Boy planted the stack of comics on the table and began writing messages on the white back boards in each plastic case. Raven wrote in the first pages of the journal. While Cyborg borrowed paper from Starfire which both where using to write on. Each of them wrote carefully, absorbed in the events over the last few days but they wanted to make it clear in their letters that they loved him.
They did not condemn him but forgave him. They wanted him to come back when he could and not just as Robin but as their friend and leader. It was well into the afternoon when the last of them dropped their pen.
Feeling very tired they decided to head home and then figure out how to get the present of Robin. They made a large dinner that night. No one had realized it but their appetites had dropped during the time Ringleader ruled. Their world seemed to be falling back into place with his departure and with their gift basket sent. They were ready to finally sleep but instead their night was filled with pacing the hallways, gazing at the ceiling, and endless silence.
Wee! Hoped you liked the chapter.^^ There will be a lot of cuddling after this chap and what not. I'm trying to keep the titans in each chap because this is a teen titans story but I'll be focusing a lot on Robin and his recovery now.