Title: Time Will Tell
Author: DC Luder
Summary: After a tragic injury, Bruce must make the long road to recovery with the help of family and friends.
Rating: T
Infringements: All recognizable characters belong to DC Comics, not DC Luder.
Author's Note: This chapter has been modified from its original version to make it more awesome-er.
^V^
After spending a long, unforgiving night patrolling not only Gotham, but Bludhaven as well, I had navigated to my apartment on auto-pilot. Disrobing my dampened suit, I collapsed onto the bed, rolling in order to bury myself underneath down blankets and flannel sheets.
Nestled in my cocoon, at ten minutes after six in the morning, I sighed, "Night night."
And then the phone rang.
Rather than untangle myself, I simply let it ring. The answering machine from the hall announced, "Hi, this is Dick Grayson. I am out at the moment so leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible."
Beep.
"Uh, Dick. You're there. I know that you are because I called Barbara and she said you weren't there and you are obviously not here... Pick up. Please, Dick," Bruce stumbled over his words.
I managed to unearth an arm and reached out blindly for the phone on my nightstand. No, that was a shoe. No, that was some sort of piece of food. Ah, phone.
After clearing my throat, I asked, "What's wrong, Bruce?"
He replied, out of breath, "You need to come back to here, right now. I need your help."
"Alfred is there, Bruce, just go wake him up…"
"I know he's here… so is Leslie and… just… I need you to be here, Dick1"
I slowly sat up in bed, the blankets keeping my arm pressed to my side, "Leslie, why is Leslie there?"
"Selina, she… she was having contractions last night and they weren't bad and then all of the sudden they were really bad and…"
I shot straight out of bed and ran about the room, barely untangling myself in time to land on my feet. Randomly gathering articles of reasonably clean clothing, I spoke into the phone, "Bruce, why didn't you say she was having the baby to begin with?"
"I don't know!" he barked, then sighed, "I'm sorry. I'm just scared… and Selina is screaming… threatening to kill me…"
"Don't be scared. Tell her to wait for me and I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Okay, hurry, I doubt she wants this to last any longer than it has to."
In the week since New Year's day, Selina had grown ever impatient with her impending child's arrival. She had it with the swollen ankles, the cramps, the headaches, the backaches, the rashes and the martial artist sired infant kicking her every ten minutes. She had tried on numerous occasions to convince Bruce into letting her have induced labor to get it done and over with but he, and her obstetrician, had been adamant against it. She had feared she would go passed her due date, something that none of us would have survived in one piece.
Every hour of the first ten days that she had not gone into labor, Bruce received a new degrading name. And he always replied the same thing.
Yes, dear.
Since summer, Tim and I had been making jokes about Bruce being literally whipped by Selina in their relationship and seeing him cower in fear of her had put us over the edge. Alfred had caught us laughing about it once in the Cave and had simply rolled his eyes before walking away in disgust.
Thinking of him, I dialed Tim's cell phone after grabbing my keys and leather jacket. I would have taken the cycle but the wind chill would have sent me right back to my downy, heavenly bed. He answered on the second ring in a hushed voice, "Hey."
"Hey, so apparently today is the big day."
"I know… I'm here… skipping school for the day… bad idea."
"Why's that?"
I heard muffled screaming in the background before he replied, "Leslie thinks it might be too late for an epidural… she flew through dilation… Selina is… not happy."
The screams came more loudly, "Are you in the room?"
"No… I'm at the end of the hall."
No wonder Bruce had been terrified.
"Fear not, Robin… I'm on my way."
Through the course of the drive, my mind was flooded with questions that none of the satellite radio stations seemed to be able to drown out. Would it be a boy or a girl? Would it be healthy? Had they decided on a name? Was Selina going to kill Bruce? Would they live happily ever after?
From what I heard through the Family grapevine, Bruce had proposed to Selina on Christmas. I honestly could not recall seeing an engagement ring on her finger the four times I had seen her since the holiday where Barbara was adamant she had seen something. I had asked her to try and access security camera footage at Wayne Manor to spy on them in order to find out for sure but she had declined.
"what's the big deal?"
"Do you want to look into their bedroom when they think they are alone?"
"She's nine months pregnant," I had smirked.
Barbara had been quick to point out, "Just how do you think labor is induced naturally?"
"Gross," I had gulped.
Bruce and Selina. I had always thought of them together as Batman and Catwoman, seeing how their unmasked relationship had ended just before I came into his life. Growing up, I was never as oblivious as I had let on in regards to the sexual tension between my mentor and his feline foe. Whenever we had pursued her, I had always waited to jump into the scene when she would have her whip around his stomach and her claws tracing his muscles, their faces being mere inches from each other.
After a few interruptions, he started to send me to look for evidence or secure the Batmobile so they could have a moment alone.
Now, they would never be alone.
^V^
"BRUCE I HATE YOU!" Selina screamed, before giving into hasty panted breaths.
I grimaced as she squeezed the life out of my hand, ignoring my offered words of comfort. When Leslie had arrived two hours earlier, Selina had been fairly calm and composed, enduring the pains of contractions with a grimace and a growl. First sign of contractions had started a little after six the previous night, although they had been manageable enough for Selina to sleep through most of the night. Show woke me around four in the morning, hitting me square in the face before screaming at me to call Leslie.
However scared I might have been that our child was about to be born, I was more worried about living long enough to see it.
Alfred had already contacted Leslie the night before and she had planned on coming up around five in the morning no matter what. While we waited, Selina took a warm bath, through an unlit candle at the mirror hard enough to shatter it and then felt well enough to walk around for a bit, the kitten playfully following her. When Leslie had arrived, she was quick to examine her for progression of labor.
"We've got quite a way to go, only about three centimeters… contractions are still more than ten minutes apart," Leslie had confirmed.
Selina had groaned, expecting to be further along after nearly twelve hours.
"We should go to the hospital then, right?" I had asked.
Selina, Alfred and Leslie looked at one another in a silent conversation. Alfred then spoke, "Master Bruce, it is Ms. Selina's desire to have your child here… at the Manor."
"It is?" I had looked to her.
She had looked surprised but then said, "Oh… right… I mean… Leslie here… and… I really hate hospitals."
"What if something happens?" I had asked, worry creeping into my voice.
Leslie had then assure me after setting a hand on my face, "Everything is going to be all right."
Something had suddenly flashed in front of my eyes, of Leslie doing the same for a much younger version of myself.
There had been blood on my hands and knees…
Before Selina had been hooked up to an EEG, an IV for fluids and a fetal heart rate monitor, we had moved her and the equipment into the bedroom down the hall. I had asked why she hadn't wanted to have it in our bed and she had slapped my cheek softly, "That's a happy place. And I'd like to keep it that way."
We worked through the next dozen contractions hand in hand, Selina growing increasingly violent as her pain levels increased. Leslie had said that an epidural was possible but that it was in the best interest to let things proceed naturally. To that, Selina had screamed, "Not in my best interest!"
After a course of Demerol, she was still in pain but at least not to the extent that she was going to hurt anyone.
As it approached eight-thirty in the morning, her water had broken, she was eight centimeters dilated and having vicious, minute long contractions every three minutes. Leslie said it was the transition stage and should last no longer than an hour. Sixty minutes and our child would be born, writhing and crying and alive and well…
Mattie Elizabeth. Or Jonathan Thomas.
Rather than go the route on an epidural or spinal block, Selina and Leslie had already agreed to having anesthetics injected into the cervix. The injection had been made just as he had reached five centimeters and would last for the remainder of labor, offering relief without hindering Selina's efforts.
From the red marks on my hands from her squeezing and clawing, I couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like had she chosen a natural childbirth. No doubt I wouldn't even have a hand… or an arm.
Just as the next contraction started up, Leslie and Alfred emerged from the attached bathroom with clean towels and a large bowl of warm water. As he set their gain on a nearby by table, Leslie took a peak underneath the sheet that covered Selina's propped legs. Selina forcibly pushed air out of her moth as she dug her nails into the my hand.
"Every two minutes now," Leslie commented as she stood upright, "Selina, we're going to get started okay? I'll do the episiotomy with a local anesthetic, then we're going to start pushing."
"Who's idea was this?" Selina groaned as the contraction ebbed.
"Not mine,," I smirked nervously. I quickly moved on the bed beside her, moving to sit behind her to offer a brace for the next stage of labor. My torso was suddenly met with her arched back and quivering muscles, her form already wary of the next contraction.
Before it took hold of her, Selina looked up at me, "Bruce?"
"Yes?" I asked before putting a cold washcloth to her brow.
"We do this again… you're having it."
^V^
Until the rest of the Family had arrived, I had been alone, meandering the halls of Wayne Manor, trying to find something to do or a room far away enough that I wouldn't hear parturition induced screams. Realistically, the only safe place was the Cave but I knew Alfred would have frowned down upon it. He had suggested tending to school work seeing how I was cutting my morning classes for the grand event but I had no interest in reading through my Health class book, given the circumstances.
I found recluse in the kitchen, making an easy breakfast of two bagels with peanut butter, a pear and a heaping bowl of cereal. When the service door opened at a little after seven, I had just finished my first bagel, peanut butter sealing my mouth shut. Barbara and Cass appeared, both far more excited than I had been. Something about girls and babies, something sixteen year-olds such as myself had no interest in. I was happy for Bruce and Selina, and it was exciting to welcome a baby into the Family for the first time, but I couldn't find it in myself to giggle and have sparkly eyes…
As the two had departed into the hall, I had called out after them that everyone was on the third floor but no doubt Barbara already knew every detail, down to the last centimeter of dilation. I had expected Cass to linger behind for breakfast but sighed when she vanished.
Alone again, my thoughts drifted to
"Hey, are those Oh's?"
I glanced up to see Dick stepping through the kitchen entrance.
Nodding, I pointed out the yellow cereal box I had left out on the counter. I knew they were Selina's, seeing how neither Bruce nor Alfred would have indulged in them.
Dick poured some into his hand, tossing them in his mouth before crunching, "Man, really is the best cereal… Aside from Cinnamon Toast Crunch…" After another handful, he asked, "Where is everybody?"
"Upstairs."
"Nothing like a good old timey home delivery."
"Yeah," my ears thought they had detected a faint scream but I tried to convince myself it was just my imagination before continuing, "Feel bad… lying to him."
"Well, going to the hospital raises lots of questions. Much easier to take care of things here… We can run any blood tests needed downstairs, Barbara's on the birth certificate task force anything else, Leslie and Alfred can handle. Worst case scenario, we load everyone up in the Bat-ambulance and take them to Memorial." He snuck a hand out and stole my second bagel, "Besides, Selina's got good birthing hips."
"Did you just say that out loud?" I asked in disbelief, "If she had heard you-."
"What? I don't' mean… that, it's just… her costume didn't ever leave much to the imagination. And at any rate, she can't possibly hear me over the… exciting and… exhilarating experience of having a baby."
After a beat, I resumed working on my cereal as Dick ate my bagel. He retrieved a carafe of milk from the fridge and I was surprised that he retrieved a glass from the cabinet as opposed to drinking from the pitcher. Then again, no matter how distracted Alfred was as all knowing as Bruce had once been.
"Barbara tell you?" Dick asked after downing eight ounces.
"Tell me what?"
"About the engagement?"
I nodded again, "Yeah… wonder why he didn't do it when we were all here?"
"Beats me," Dick replied taking a seat on the stool next to me, "Kind cements everything, though." I asked what he meant and he explained, "How things have changed. I mean, Bruce never would have proposed to her, no matter how much he loved her… Hell, he wouldn't have proposed because of how much he loved her… how he wouldn't want her to get hurt."
"Right," I sighed, thinking of all the people had had driven away over the years for the same reason. Not just girlfriends, but allies of both Bruce Wayne and Batman. He had always been a firm believer in keeping his enemies much closer to him than his friends.
Had…
We sat in silence until our bowls and plates were emptied, rinsed and put in the dishwasher. He had looked to me and I nodded before we made the trek upstairs. The screams grew louder with each step and I could feel my heart beating faster. I could only imagine what condition Bruce was in.
Barbara and Cassandra were waiting diligently outside of the closed bedroom door. Dick and I chose to take a seat on a small sofa a few feet away, knowing if we staye don our feet we would end up pacing. A long, painful scream sounded followed by soft words in Leslie's soothing voice.
"Well, where are we at, O?" Dick asked.
Barbara rolled her eyes before reporting, "Fully dilated, baby is in a perfect position. Selina is regretting not having an epidural and she is going to kill Bruce if he ever impregnates her again."
"So we are moving in the right direction, then… good," he mused.
Cass took a seat on the floor across from the door, the excitement all but gone from her face. Barbara caught me looking at her and was quick to explain, "When Alfred came out to update us… she saw… Well, let's just say, she's decided to never have children."
Poor, sweet, innocent Cassandra…. Better her than me, though.
The shouting and crying lessened for a moment and I thought it was all over.
That was until something shattered against the wall in the room followed by a loud pounding sound. Dick and I rose to my feet, worried for our former mentor's well being when the door opened from within. Leslie, red-faced, asked us to retrieve more pillows form the linen cupboard.
"Is everything okay?" Dick asked as he turned around, retrieving three down filled pillows from the small closet.
"Oh, fine.. Just… She's trying to distract herself from the pain by banging her head on the headboard. Figured we'd pad the hard surfaces down before we go any further."
Thinking how strong and willful Selina was, in and out of the mask, the thought of her literally loosing her mind in pain forced me to join Cass's position on never having children.
Ever.
^V^
Had Master Thomas and Ms. Martha still been with us, they would have welcomed to the world their firstborn granddaughter, a writhing, lively infant with crystalline blue eyes and wisps of dark hair.
With Master Bruce's permission, I had brought Mattie Elizabeth Wayne to the world, although truly the honors rested with Ms. Selina's valiant efforts. Child birth, in any form, was a tiring and painful process, one that Master Brcue's love had managed to survive. Although the porcelain vase and the antique table lamps had not…
The first cries of life brought relief to the exhausted parents, as well as to myself and Leslie. Promptly cleaning her and checking vitals, she was deemed to be in perfect form with all of her fingers and toes accounted for. Wrapped in a sterile towel, I carefully offered her to the open arms of her mother, watching as all the pain and frustration ebbed from her beautiful face. The newborn cried and cried at her new surroundings, but soon settled into her mother's arms. I felt a stirring in my chest, the same feeling I had once endured when Master Bruce had returned alive or whenever I had looked upon Master Dick in secret awe.
The stirring had been without a doubt a swelling of pride.
What Master Bruce had lost, he had gained tenfold, most notably in his second chance at life. The life his parents had desired for him, as well as myself. An existence with loved ones and the safety of normalcy, a chance to live long enough to see the birth of his children's children. Had he not been given the path of life which he currently led, I dreaded he would have lived his remaining years as he had spent those that had come before.
Alone.
Carefully, I opened the bedroom door and glanced into the corridor to see the Family gathered and waiting impatiently. Drawing attention to myself by clearing my throat, the group glanced up, worried smiles growing over their faces. Masters Dick and Tim rose to their feet and approached with synchronized strides while Miss Cassandra remained seated on the floor and Ms. Barbara in her chair.
"Well?" Master Dick asked.
"I am unable to inform you of their progress…" I began.
"Oh, Alfred, come on, what's going on?" Master Tim pleaded.
"I apologize. There is someone else who would wish to tell you bring you up to speed…"
"Bruce?" Ms. Barbara inquired.
I shook my head and opened the door further. The silence of the hall was pierced with a shrill infantile cry. Joy washed over their faces as I closed the door, quieting the great hall. "Master Bruce and Ms. Kyle will introduce you to Miss Mattie in due time."
"Mattie?" Miss Cassandra finally spoke up as she stood.
"Mattie Elizabeth, to be exact," Ms. Barbara explained before looking to me, "That's what they decided, right?"
I nodded curtly, "And it suits her well." Leslie called for me form within the room and I went to excuse myself.
Master Dick stepped forward, "What is it? Is everything okay?"
"Everything is fine. Ms. Selina has reached… the third stage of labor… I shall return when they are ready for visitors."
"The third stage?" Master Tim wondered aloud.
She simply stared at him, "And now, class, what comes after the birth?"
He shuddered, "Never mind, I shouldn't have asked..."
Master Dick took another step forward, standing up on his toes in order to peer over me and into the room. Before retreating and closing the door, I reminded him, "In due time, Richard."
Leaving the Family to relish in the new addition, I returned to find the child had quieted, nestled in her father's arms. He had remained sitting behind Ms. Selina, although she had shifted in order to allow him room to hold their daughter. His massive form miniaturized the infant, his single hand more then capable of cradling the child's head. Ms. Selina carefully put a hand on his forearm before leaning in to kiss the newborn's forehead and then Master Bruce's cheek.
Dr. Thompkins and I stood in silent wonderment, a long lost dream of ours finally realized. He was happy and he was loved.
The lost little boy we had raised was now embarking on his own parental journey. God's gifts, however little, were indeed worthwhile; my father had always told me. This gift was greater than any I had ever received.
In a quiet whisper, we heard Master Bruce say, "Mattie."
After handing the child back to Ms. Selina, he then wrapped his freed arms around her, holding onto his newly acquired family.
I felt Leslie's hand settle on my elbow and when I looked to her, she nodded towards the bathroom door. Leaving them alone for a moment, she carefully closed us in before launching her arms around m neck. I gently placed mine around her waist, settling my chin on her shoulder. There had been no need for words, given that we had shared the same love for Master Bruce since he was a young boy. Becoming surrogate parents to him had never been our intention, but having stood by him through triumph and tragedy for so many years, there had been no other choice.
After several moments, Leslie released me, kissing me on the lips softly before excusing herself, "Time to start the Mommy 101 class."
"Time to start preparing breakfast," I countered.
Leaving her to tend to Ms. Selina and little Miss Mattie, I passed through the bedroom and returned once more to the corridor. Not eight minutes earlier, I had informed the Family of the successful birth of the first Wayne child in over three decades. In the brief time that had elapsed, the gathering in the hall had grown to included nearly a dozen more individuals, but an equal number of flowers and balloon arrangements.
Gazing over the group, I quickly recognized Mr. Kent and his wife Lois in civilian attire, Ms. Prince, Mr. J'onnz and Mr. West in their colorfully hued uniforms and Mr. Rayner, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Harper and Ms. Zatara sporting disheveled pajamas of varying interest. When they spotted me, their hushed conversations diminished and looks of excitement were directed towards me,
"Oh, dear," I muttered under my breath as I made my way throw the group and towards the stairs.
Master Dick fell under my gaze and simply stared at me as opposed to explaining the sudden presence of so many unexpected visitors.
I asked promptly, "May I question as to how the welcoming wagon arrived so quickly, sir?"
He gulped for breath, "Um, well, you know news travels fast."
Mr. Harper laughed at his friend's predicament, "You're the one who sent a mass e-mail to ever-."
Master Dick went to strike at his ally but I intervened with a curt cough, "Master Dick, you will see to it that everyone is escorted to the den and remains there until brunch is prepared."
"Yes, sir," he answered, suddenly reduced to being a ten-year-old.
"And that entails, what sir?"
He sighed before answering, "No tours, no touching of anything… and no more e-mails."
^V^
"Alfred is going to kill me, isn't he?" Dick asked, although it was obviously a rhetorical question.
Shaking my head, I replied, "Of course not… you can't legally be claimed sa being murdered if they can't find the body."
"Thanks, Babs… thanks a lot," he sighed before turning to his guests.
"Don't mention it," I called out before making my way to the elevator at the end of the corridor. In all honesty, I had warned him about making it public knowledge that Bruce had a baby girl born that morning. IT would have been one thing to politely contact Clark, seeing how he was already aware of Selina's pregnancy as well as Bruce's condition. But to let the entire JLA know…
Bruce's reserve status prior to the shooting in May had made it fairly easy to avoid dick's involvement in their activities over the course of the year. Clark, finally fed up with being lied to, had made an appearance at the Manor, forcing us to tell him the truth. Given his strong, albeit strained, relationship with Bruce, he had been willing to carry o the façade for us, lying to his fellow League members.
Their being strewn about the globe, it had made it easier to maintain that Bruce was fine and that he just wanted to focus on Gotham for the time being.
Their being present in Gotham City, in Wayne Manor to be exact, made the task impossible.
All it took was for one of them to approach Bruce…
I had deemed Dick e-mailing everyone on his Blackberry as a lapse into temporary insanity. There was no other logical explanation for the message to appear on the communication devices of the collected group of heroes who knew the man behind the bat. Namely, a message declaring: Bruce's Bat-Baby has arrived! 19 inches, 7 lbs, 6 oz!"
Reaching the main floor, I navigated towards the kitchen, expecting my father to arrive shortly. Rather than entering the kitchen, I bypassed it, noting Alfred was hard at work and muttering to himself about manners and cordialities. Offering help was futile as he preferred to work in solitude, knowing where everything was and how it should be.
Just I reached it, the side door opened and my father stepped in, dressed for the day in a worn, but well kept suit. Upon seeing he, he asked, "How are they?"
"Good, great actually. Upstairs resting for a bit, no visitors quite yet…" the look on my face caused him to tilt his.
"But?"
"But… Dick decided to inform a fe of Bruce's former colleagues… and they decided to drop by."
"Ah…" he nodded, "I guess I should be asking what condition Dick is in."
I led the way back towards the front of the house towards the den. On the way, /I had explained that I would have one of the guests, J'onn, to put a mental block on him, keeping him from seeing or hearing the real faces and names of those inside. He had readily agreed, admitting, "Knowing all of your real jobs is more than enough."
Asking him to wait outside, I entered in order to pull J'onn aside from the group who had been talking excitedly. It took little discussion before he nodded his head, "It is done."
"Thank you, J'onn…"
As I turned to leave, he inquired, "I would like to speak with you, for a moment…"
I had a bad feeling as to what he wanted to discuss but I agreed, stating, "After I get my dad settled in."
"Very well, Barbara."
Given how often J'onn took monitor womb duty at the Watchtower, I had spent many late nights in his cyber presence, either researching for the League or simply conversing to pass the time. Of all the League members, save for Bruce and Clark, it was he that I felt the closest to, that I could trust.
I let Dad into the den, made a quick tour of introductions before joining him near the armchairs in front of the cold fireplace. Given the chilly January morning, it would have been nice to have a blazing fire, although not in the proximity of a Martian.
After a few moments of listening to the activity in the room, Dad leaned over and asked, "Does Bruce remember any of these people?"
"No. He's met with Superman, but not anyone else outside of Gotham."
He paused and stared out at the window, "I guess it is a big deal then…" He waited another beat before continuing, "A baby girl… A first for him… you and Cassandra were teenagers when he took you under his wing…"
I smiled, "Selina will make sure he doesn't corrupt her… that and I plan on babysitting every second I can…"
"I'll take you up on that, Barbara," Bruce's voice broke through the murmurs of the room.
Spinning around, I watched as his eyes scanned the room, observing each guest that was present for the strangers they were. I was about to speak when Dick approached him, whispering into his ear before escorting him out of the room. Regrettably, not fast enough as the entire Justice League began applauding him, and approaching to offer their congratulations.
Having pretended to know faces for months, Bruce did well while shaking hands and taking praise.
It was then that I felt an odd sensation wash over me, followed by J'onn's baritone voice, "A word, Barbara?"
Turning to face him, I said, "Dad I'll be right back."
Following J'onn into the corridor, I was thankful that he was willing to discuss things without the telepathic link. He closed the side door after I had passed through, then remained silent, waiting for me to explain.
After a deep breath, I did.
He stood stoically, taking in the news that one of his closest allies had been suffering in silence for so many months. Simply explaining his condition had evolved into revealing his rehabilitation as well as the discovery that he was going to be a father and that he had proposed to Selina and that he was having flashbacks and…
"I would like to help him. In whatever manner I can."
"J'onn… I don't know if… if he should remember…"
Even though he had the ability to, there was no need for him to read my mind, "Because he is finally at peace with life? As opposed to living in the shadow of death…"
"Exactly," I sighed heavily, hating myself for admitting as much.
J'onn paused for a moment, crossing his arms over his broad, bare chest, "I do respect your opinion… However, this is not a decision either of us should make."
He was right.
It was up to Bruce.
^V^