C2: Cassandra

Dick walked Cassie back to her room and indeed met Muriel. She ogled him for a bit but continued to fuss over Cassie, helping the girl back in bed. Cassie didn't dismiss him and since the nurse didn't seem to actually ask him to leave, he stayed for a bit and talked. He only left when the police turned up to question her.

But instead of saying goodbye for the day and leaving completely, he went straight to the gift shop and browsed for something special. She didn't look like a giant teddy bear person and the balloons wouldn't go down too well, especially if one popped and scared her.

He settled on a 'Get Well' card and a small, potted cactus, with a little pink flower growing out the top. He didn't really know her, but he still wanted to show he cared. She'd been on his mind since the attack.

When he returned, he was surprised to find her alone, looking away from him, out the window.

"Hey," he said quietly, and she turned, looking just as surprised as he did when he saw her without the cops.

"Hi. I thought you'd left?"

"Well," he slowly walked in, holding up the gifts, "I saw your room was lacking some colour and I thought I'd drop these off."

She quirked the corner of her mouth in a small smile.

"Thanks...that's kind of you."

Seeing she wasn't about to kick him out, he looked at the vacant chair by the side of her bed, hopefully.

"Do you mind if I sit down?"

"You're good," she held out her hands for the pot, which he gave her, "I like Geraniums, it's just a shame they die quickly."

He placed the card by her side and watched her finger the petals. He decided to be brave and as he sat down, asked her about the cops.

"So...can I ask how it went?"

She stared at the flower but nodded her head.

"Yeah. It was ok. I told them what I knew...which wasn't a lot and then I told them I didn't want to talk anymore. They left."

He smirked, even though she probably wasn't paying attention.

"See? Told you it works."

She let out a short let, but there was definite sadness in her voice.

"Yeah, but they said they would contact me again if anything turns up. I'd rather just not talk to them at all."

"I get you. But now they're gone, so you can just relax and rest. The nurses and doctors-"

"I told you, I can't afford this place," she sighed and looked at him, her big eyes appearing as two deep marbles, "as soon as I can, I'm leaving. I have to get home and let my work know I won't be in for a day or two."

He tried to think carefully of his next words.

"That's well...good of you. Fast healer?"

"Have to be," she tilted her head and observed him as one would an item of clothing in a shop, "it's so weird...I was just about ready to spill all my financial struggles to you and I've only just met you, Richard Grayson."

He grimaced.

"Please don't call me Richard. How would you like it if I started calling you Cassandra?"

She snorted.

"You sound like my history teacher."

"So," he trailed off, giving her a look and she knew what he wanted.

"Ok...Dick."

He copied her head tilt.

"Cassie?"

She laughed again, this time brightening visibly.

"Can I just ask...why are you still here?"

"Well, Wayne's not finished, and...that's not what you meant, was it?"

"No."

Truthfully? He wanted to be with her and tell her it was going to be ok. That he'd saved her life and he'd heard her words and that she shouldn't be scared.

"Well...I saw someone that maybe needed some company. I've been in hospital before alone and...well, it sucked."

She seemed to accept this explanation and offered him a real, non-snarky smile.

"Thanks."

"So…Cassie…wanna' open up about those 'financial struggles'?"

She sighed heavily and looked away.

"I make enough to get by, and a small amount put away encase of emergencies but…hospital expenses would eat it away. Insurance is good but I'm still going to have to go back to work."

Dick had seen the way she struggled to walk. There was no way she'd be able to carry on as before and return to work.

But she spoke about insurance and he was sure, with some digging, he could come up with something. Or, at the very least, Bruce would.

They talked a bit more, about life in general and it was all going so well, until of course, Dick just opened his big fat mouth.

"I'm surprised you don't have more up," he looked around the bare room, "could your mom not get anything down?"

Cassie turned startled eyes to him.

"Excuse me?" She said in accusing tones.

He gulped nervously.

"Well...I just thought...you know, mom's...urm," he stuttered, wondering what to say to stop her looking at him in such an angry way, "it was a passing comment from a nurse."

Cassie turned away from him, but he'd seen the look in her eyes. She looked about ready to cry. What had he done?!

"My mum…my mum died a long time ago. I don't know which nurse said that to you, but they were mistaken."

'Shit.'

"I'm-I'm so sorry. I didn't think-"

"I'm tired."

That was it. No angry retort. No need. He got the message loud and clear. He'd outstayed his welcome.

He got up, feeling deflated that he'd ruined a perfectly good conversation. He was going to walk out of there and never see her again.

'No.'

He didn't want that. He wanted to talk with her again. He-he didn't know why but he couldn't leave it like this.

Just before he got to the door, he turned around.

"I am sorry...can I come and see you tomorrow?"

She paused and kept her head turned from him.

"I might be gone by then."

"I'll try to be early."

'Please.'

She slowly turned to look at him and nodded.

"Thanks...Richard."

There was a twinkle in her eye, and he saw her fighting a smile.

"No probs, Cassandra."

He left her then, feeling a lot more chipper and hopeful. He even felt like he had a spring in his step and his demeanor didn't go unnoticed when he found and joined back up with Bruce.

"Dick," he smirked and walked side by side with him, "did you sneak off to flirt with the nurses?"

"Not exactly," he decided that now was the best time to tackle the issue and ask for Bruce's help, "can I talk to you about something?"