So someone said.. many chapters ago.. That Bruce needs to get back to Robin... And you know what..? I agree. I've had this little idea in my head but it required a lot of setting up so.. well I just hope you enjoy and that it's satisfying...

Plus... 98 reviews? Wow.. 2 more to the nice number of 100 ^.^

CHAPTER 29

It was hours after the mission had gone wrong. The mountain had remained in silence. No one dared turn on the TV. They knew what they'd see. They needed no more reminders of how badly they'd screwed everything up They didn't want to face a death toll for their mistakes. They couldn't think about it without everything twisting inside. Instead they were all sat down, no sound but their own breathing and no movement.

Until the zeta beams hummed to life and announced their incoming leader and a few friends.

"Bats come on! It was an accident!"

Wallys head flew up at the sound of his uncle. It was honestly rare that the speedster visited the cave. The fact he was pleading with the Dark Knight help little promise for their asses being saved. He swallowed hard, shrinking back against the wall. Maybe if he focused enough he could become invisible or something. He'd never wanted the ability to pass through walls more than he did now.

Taking a look around, it would seem everyone had the same idea.

Black Canary was up on her feet, putting her hand out, palm facing them as if to push the group of teens back in a protective gesture. "Everyone stay here!" She said before taking off in the direction she heard the Flash coming from. She arrived in time to see Barry let out a frustrated noise as he followed Batman. "What's going on?" She asked urgently, watching as Batman continued without them towards the med bay.

"He's in his mood." Flash said. "I tried convincing him to leave the kids be till he's not so.. blood thirsty.. " He paused looking for the right words. "But he won't listen!"

Canary took off down the hall after Batman, leaving Flash behind. She caught up to him, where she was running, the hero of Gotham was walking slowly, with dark intent. "Batman!" She called out. "Batman! Stop!" But he didn't even acknowledge her. "Batman!" She was getting angry. She saw the door, he was almost there. With a growl she ran ahead of the man, blocking off the door just as he was about to enter.

"Bruce!" She growled out, to which he answered with a dark glare. "You can't keep treating these kids like this! You're doing more damage than the villains!" Batmans expression didn't shift. "Please.. approach when your mind is calmer..." Next she knew Canary was on her butt. He wasn't overly forceful but he made sure there was enough force to get her out of the way and insure that he had time to get into the med bay and put in an emergency override, locking it and blocking her from entering. Barely audible was her scream at him on the other side of the door.

He turned to look at the occupants of the room. There, nearly in the center of the room, were his two birds, unaware of his presence. Taking a few steps forwards he could see why. Curled up on the large medical bed, the two were fast asleep, Sparrow was half draped over Robins chest, her head tucked snugly under his chin. The blankets were still neatly tucked under them. It would appear the two hadn't meant to fall asleep in each others arms but had rather just passed out.

His heart froze. Robins head was wrapped in bandages, there were multiple bandages about his face, separated by bruised and swollen flesh. There were bandage wrapped about his ribs and the exposed skin was spotted with bruises the size of small fists. Looking over the the tiny girl curled in his arms, his heart beat fast. Sparrow was covered in many more bandages, probably half her body. There were bruises and cuts peeking from underneath, many he knew weren't there when he last left them. He took several heavy steps forward.

Robin groaned, his head hurt and his body was sore. He peeked an eye open, squinting through the bright light. He saw a black shadow sweep across his vision. Instantly the drowsiness vanished and he moved to sit up, hindered by the light body using his chest as a pillow. "Batman.." A groan came from the girl that was still partially draped over her, her hand curling against his chest, gripping his bandages and causing him to wince.

"Hmm..." Sparrow slowly opened her eyes, whinging at the white light. "Batman...?" She blinked, seeing the man. Her eyes widened as she shifted, moving away from Robin, despite how cold it made her. Instead she sat on her knees, side by side with the original bird of Gotham and examined the man. It was clear he was tired, his caped was dust covered and his face was bloodied and scraped. He'd gotten into scuffles. Probably part of Jokers crew. But he was alive. She gave a relieved sigh as the terror gripping her heart eased.

"Can you walk?" Came the gruff, dark voice from the demanding vigilante.

Sparrow turned to look at Robin, taking a minute before hesitantly answering turning back to her mentor. "Yes...?"

"To your room." Came the command. Sparrow turned to look at Robin again.. afraid to move. "Now!" came the more demanding command.

With slow movements she reached for her mask, slipping it onto her eyes. She slid from the bed, suppressing the shiver as her bare feet touched the cold floor. She moved quietly to the door, looking back over her shoulder to her older brother sitting on the bed, his eyes downcast even though Bruce hadn't said a word. She really didn't want to leave him alone but she knew staying would only make it worse. Instead she padded in her code, the door slid open and she exited.

Out side waiting was Canary. She maneuvered to enter the room when the door opened but Sparrow caught her arm, gently holding her back as the door slid shut, blocking the womans view. She gave Canary a look. Having anyone in there now would only hurt Robins pride more... The woman looked to her in confusion. The request was clear, it was her motive that were being questioned but Sparrow would not answer. Instead, among the teammates asking if she were okay and offering assistance, she walked in solitary silence to her room to await her punishment.

Inside, Robin had never felt so small as he did under the gaze of his father. He couldn't bring his face up to me Bruces face, knowing the anger, the disappointment that would be awaiting him. "I screwed up..." Came his soft, reluctant answer to the unasked question hanging in the silence. "The team wasn't at fault.. I forced them to jump in when they did. Don't blame any of them..."

"How did you get these bruises. They weren't there when I sent you home." Dick didn't answer. That was all Bruce needed to know his answer. So it had finally come to blows...

"Gotham..."

"Not as bad off as it could have been."

"Joker...?"

"On the run.."

Robin continued to stare at the bed sheets. "She said... she said.. Joker.. That Joker kills Robin.." Batman stiffens. "She said he beats him to death..." He chokes. "Her world is.. I mean she said Conner.. and M'gann.. what if..."

It didn't take the worlds greatest detective to see where the teen boy was headed. Bruce reached up. Pulling the cowl from his face and letting it hand on the back of his neck. He clapped a hand on his sons shoulder, causing the boy to look up at him. "It won't." He said gruffly. He saw the boy nod but he looked into the unmasked, deep pools of blue. He knew it didn't sink deep, the boy was still wondering, still scared. Before he could think he pulled the boy in, an arm wrapped around his shoulders, pressing the boys upper body against his chest. He had to make him believe. He'd never let anything like that happen.

Sparrow sat on her bed, ignoring gentle raps that came at her locked door, the soft calls of various teammates. She sat in waiting, knowing what would befall her soon enough. She listen intently, staring at the wall scroll of the imperial dragon she'd gotten and hung on the wall of her door. Her eyes slid shut when she heard the sudden shuffle and run of feet outside her door. Their would be only one reason for the sudden departure of thee pestering teens outside her door. She began the countdown inside her mind. '4..3...2..1..' She opened her eyes as the door slid open and in walked Batman. She met his gaze evenly, though her heart was attempting to jump from her chest and run to save itself.

"Why didn't you tell me." He demanded once the door was shut.

She swallowed hard. "There are some things that shouldn't be told..."

"A death! A murder!" He growled deep in his throat, challenging her to explain herself.

"How did you want me to tell you the boy you took in, your son, was killed by the villain YOU created!" She challenged, the rage returning to her own body. "You;d never have believed me! And.. and if I told you... I don't know what might have happened to Dick!" She blurted

"Spill it!" He said with a dangerous voice.

"Dick didn't just outgrow Robin... He outgrew you!" She accused. "He out grew the lies, the distrust, constantly being second best. He outgrew the oppression." She was breathing heavy by she caught her breath, calming her heart enough she looked pleadingly up to the man. "He needs love! He needs friends. DICK needs friends not 'partners' for Robin.." Her voice grew soft. "He needs Bruce.. not Batman..."

"He's never had any complaints." Bruce defended.

"Of course not. He's a good soldier, just like the rest of us. Just like Jason.. Right up till the explosion killed him..." She shifted her eyes, looking back and forth, chewing her bottom lip as she thought about what she was about to say, how to say it.. if it should even be said. "Listen... I know you only took me in because you HAD to... I found out your secret ID, you had to protect it. Once I was in.. I know I'm just your attempt to redeem yourself from Jason. I've seen the pictures of the boy. His eyes.. they're just my color.. and the way you look at me... I accept it!" She said with a determined nod. "But Dick deserves much more."

Batmans expression was blank, she couldn't read him. A child of the bat could not read him. That was a bad sign. She watched as Batman turned, walking towards the door. As he began to put in the key to leave she began.

"It's too late in my world, but it's not too late here." He began to walk through the door so she shouted out after him.

"Don't loose him!"

Okay,, quite angsty... O.O okay.. so listen. I kindda wanted to do side shots. It's not that they don't fit with this story, it's more.. well lets just say it's like they're little stories from future times that have nothing to do with furthering the story but rather just.. Funny moments with the team or something... I NEED YOUR HELP to answer my dilemma. Would my loyal readers prefer I add them in as chapters (even though chronologically it'd make no sense) or make a side story for the various chapters/drabbles of out of place stories that have been stuffing my brain and blocking the main story line? Let me know in reviews/PMs and I'll go by popular vote.