GAH! Sorry it took so long again. I've been really, REALLY lazy. And, I'm going to tell you right now, I don't really like how this chapter turned out. But, it's an update, and all those still reading, and somehow enjoying the story, I hope you like this chapter. Now, to review responses…

Goddess of Twlight- I'm glad you thought so. And yes, I do read DC comics, but not much Batman. Anyway, I'm glad that you enjoyed the last chapter. Thanks for reviewing!

Trecebo- YAY! Another person who thinks Bat's wasn't out of character! Yeah, I also felt that nobody else could have had that kind of a talk with Richie, although it might have been fun trying to make it work with someone else. :P. Thanks for reviewing!

Kate Maxwell – I'm glad that the last chapter cleared a few things up, and I'm happy that you liked the humor. I thought the story needed some so it wouldn't become a tear-fest. Okay, I'm now reassured that Batman wasn't really OC, because you're the second person to say he's not. YAY! Thanks for reviewing!

And a thank you to shadow dragon goddess04, zizzy333, Kid Flash IV, WhiteVeils, lins, and gear'sgirl09 for reviewing. It means a lot to me. Sorry again for the looooooong wait, and no, onward to the story!

Chapter 14- Death on a Plate

He had counted every damned dot on the ceiling. Every single dot. Do you know how many dots are on 1/4th the ceiling of a private hospital room? 685,237,846, 546,225,493,596,687, 438, . He had even recounted to be sure. The TV had inevitably broken, and Richie had fixed it…Then had Flash rewire it so he'd have something to do when the other hero's left. Right now though he was waiting anxiously for Flash to come back with his doctor.

Richie had been cooped up in that hospital room for the past three days. That was MUCH too long for him. Every time someone had come to visit he had asked about Virgil, and every time he had heard the same pleasing news; he was doing better. Flash had been back and forth for the past few minutes, obviously trying to occupy himself just as much as Richie was. Five seconds before the doctor came into the room, Flash zipped in and warned the young hero to put his helmet on.

With a slight click the door opened and Dr. Haley stepped in, scanning his patient's chart. Grinning, he set it down on a nearby table and removed his glasses.

"So kid, you ready to get out of here?"

"You bet." Replied Gear with a grin rivaling that of the doctor's. He was fully dressed in his uniform and would have been standing had Flash not pushed him into a wheelchair just one millionth of a second ago.

Dr. Haley laughed and handed over the release forms, Batman having signed in all the correct places. Now Gear just had to put his signature on the pieces of paper and he was home free. Taking the clipboard, he quickly signed where he had to before handing them back to the doctor.

Taking the release forms, the doctor looked over the young hero. "Come back in about a week so I can make sure that wound is healing up well. I don't want you as a patient again, yah hear?" He asked with a smile. Gear nodded as he was wheeled out of the room by Flash, who as soon as they were out of the doctor's watchful eye, zipped down the corridor and into the elevator. When they finally halted, Richie managed a breath.

"Wow." Was all he could say as Flash stood there laughing at his dumbfounded expression.

"Bet you've never done that before." He laughed. Gear, still slightly shocked, shook his head no before his mouth spread into a huge grin.

"What would Batman do if he found out you just did that?"

"Probably scalp me….slowly." Flash replied as he eyed the security cameras apprehensively. "He's probably watching us right now." They both laughed at that. Calming down, they waited for the elevator doors to open. Gear fidgeted slightly, not sure if he was fully ready to see his best friend yet. Before he could protest, he found himself in front of Virgil's hospital room, Flash already tapping on the door.

"Have you ever heard of taking your time?" Gear asked, a quizzical look on his face. Flash simply shook his head and replied with a 'Nope.'

Sighing, he prepared himself to enter the room just as the door opened, revealing a very happy Mr. Hawkins.

"Ri…Gear, it's good to see you out of bed. Sorry I could only come once, but we were busy up here." Grinning, he stepped aside and let Richie in.

Instantly, the young hero's eyes moved to the bed, now only a heart-rate monitor by it's side. Not fully sure as to what to do, seeing that Virgil was sleeping, he glanced around uncertainly. Receiving a nod as if to say that he should go ahead, Richie wheeled himself to the bed. Looking over his friend, he was relieved to see that the breathing tube had been removed and was replaced by a nasal canal. His eyes wandered to the thick bandaging around his friend's midsection. Everything after that was covered by the thin hospital blanket, only leaving the teen's arms visible as they lay atop the sheets. He was paying so much attention to every beep the machine made, he didn't notice Flash and Mr. Hawkins leaving.

"You gave us all a huge scare. Man, don't you ever flat-line on me again." Richie looked down, fidgeting uncomfortably in his chair.

"Don't worry, I wont." The words were hoarse, but Gear's head flew up to meet the smiling face of Virgil Hawkins. A smile spread across his own face as he nearly jumped up to hug his best friend. Seeing that Richie wasn't about to do anything except stare, Virgil continued talking. "Rich, in case you haven't noticed, rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated."

The blond teen couldn't help but laugh at the over-used TV line. "Still can't crack a joke, can yah?"

"Sure I can, you just don't understand my marvelous sense of humor."

"Well, I got a question for yah V-man. How do you like the food here?"

"Death on a plate." Looking around, Virgil noticed the not-quite half eaten lunch. Nodding toward it, he asked, "Want some poison?"

"No thanks, I too had to live through that trash they call food." They both laughed, and it felt good. With a sigh, Richie somberly changed the subject. "All joking aside, how do you feel?"

The smile faded slightly from the young hero's face, but he seemed to catch himself before his face fell into an all-out frown. "Like I got shot. But no worries, I'm still in one piece aren't I?"

Sad eyes looked down again. "Yeah." Mumbled Richie, unsure of what else to say.

Virgil, noticing his friend's discomfort, wasn't about to mention the nightmares. Deciding to change the subject before too much tension built up, Virgil broke into a patent smile. "How about you? I heard you fainted when you found out I was alive." He couldn't help but laugh slightly at Richie's bewildered expression.

"I…I didn't faint, I…I passed out!" Defended the blond. "There's a difference yah know!"

"Sure there is Rich, sure there is."

Well, there's the chapter. I know it wasn't much, but I promise you that there WILL me character interaction between Richie and Virgil about the bank robbery. So, please review!