Chapter Twenty- Nine
Its not often Bruce Wayne visits the hospital, many think it is because he think of himself to be too snobbish than to be seen in a public hospital and has his own health service, others think it because he hasn't got any friends or family close enough to ever have to visit them, the real reason is simply he doesn't like hospitals, too much death for his liking, deaths that he has no control over.
He awkwardly walks through the miserable corridors, trying hard to be invisible to the others around him, which is a lot harder than when he is Batman lurking in the shadows. It wasn't long before he reaches his destination, but he found it a lot harder than he was expecting to enter it. He was so close that he could hear the beeping of the monitors but didn't want to move enough to be able to see what was on the other side of the doorway.
"Bruce?"
"Oh… Gordon"
"Come in please, its so good to see you" Gordon's pale complexion greeted his good friend with relief, it has bee a while since he had seen any one other that the nurses and doctors around Barbara and so Bruce was here for Gordon as much as he was for Barbara
"How is she?" Bruce gingerly enters the room although managing to cover his awkwardness, after all it was his entire fault this ever happened to her if only…
"She's resting at the moment, she had a tough few days, especially after the operation and everything" Gordon sighs and brushes her hair from her face
"How did it go… the operation?" Bruce didn't really want or need to ask how well it went, it didn't take him long to realise that the bullet had hit her spine but thought maybe Gordon may need to talk, it was the least he could do after everything
"Not well Bruce, there was nothing they could do to repair the nerve ending in her spine, she's lost all sensation in her legs… she snot going to be able to walk again" Gordon bit heavily on his lip to compose himself
"Gordon, I'm sorry"
"There's nothing you could do Bruce you weren't there"
Bruce hesitates for a moment, it was his fault and this was probably the only chance he could have to apologise for what happened to his daughter "But if I was there, I would have made sure that it wouldn't happen, but we cant be everywhere Jim, sometimes bad things just happen, things that neither you or myself could stop, its just the flaws of being human"
"I know Bruce, thanks"
"How did she take the news?"
"Good, well you know, she put up the front that she always does, but I know that's its hit her hard, but she'll cope, my daughters a tough girl Bruce, she'll cope"
"I'm sure she will Jim, and you, are you alright?" Bruce rests a firm, reassuring hand on Gordon's shoulder.
"I'll manage Bruce, nothing can be as bad as what Barbara will be going through"
"Youre worn out Jim, you need a break, get out of the hospital for a while… why don't you go home, have a shower, change of clothes, you'll feel a lot better, I'll stay with Barbara"
"I can't expect you to stay here on your own, it wouldn't seem fair"
"I wouldn't have offered if I didn't want to Jim, Alfred will give you a lift" His offer left no room for discussion and so Jim accepted his offer and left soon after.
