The Familiar Darkness: Part viii


By: Corbin


Disclaimer: Don't own anything, just sorta borrowing things for a little while. I promise to put things back where I found them when I am done.


It had taken far too long to make it to the Batcave as far as Batman was concerned. Now that they had made it home all Batman wanted to do was look his partner over for injuries, physical or otherwise.


Batman jumped out of the vehicle and went to the passenger side to help Robin get out. As Batman reached out to grab the boy, he noticed that the boy flinched and almost pulled back. After a few seconds Robin allowed himself to be helped out of the vehicle. If Batman hadn't known better, he would have thought that there was fear in Robin's eyes.


Robin leaned heavily on Batman as the older man led them toward the examination table.


"You remember the last time you were on a table like this one?" The imaginary Batman paced around the metal table, gently tracing its border with his forefinger. "You don't want to go through all of that again, do you?" The image stopped suddenly and glanced at the real Batman and then back to Robin. "That's what'll happen if you let him put you on this table. To be honest with you I don't know if you can handle that much stress again being as weak as you are right now."

Robin felt his body tense up. His heart was pounding. He didn't want to suffer like he had in Arkham ever again, Bats was right it would kill him, he was too weak for that much pain again so soon. The boy locked his knees refusing to move forward willingly. Batman sensed the sudden resistance and stopped not wanting to pull against his partner.


"What's wrong?" Batman asked softly, "Robin, what is it? Are you hurt?"


Robin's vision focused in front of him, the gaze was intense, Bats had his full attention. "You aren't hurt yet. But you will be if you comply with him."


The boy had started to shake, his eyes were wide with fear. He swallowed hard. "Please," The word came out in an almost inaudible whisper. "Not again. It's too soon, you'll kill me if you do it again so soon! Please don't!" Robin's voice became more frantic with each word that escaped his lips. The boy had a death grip on the edge of Batman's cape and was attempting to dig his heels into the stone floor of the cave and pull them back away from the table and the medical supplies near it.


"Robin," Batman tried to speak in a gentle tone, he hadn't ever seen the boy this frightened before. "Robin, relax. I don't want to hurt you. I just want to make sure that you're all right. I know that you've been through a lot, we'll try and take things nice and easy. Okay?"


"Does he think you're that stupid? Don't listen to him. He's not the one who's going to suffer. He doesn't care about you."

Robin had stopped trying to force Batman to back up, they weren't going anywhere if Batman didn't want to. Robin was still shaking with fright and fatigue, but at least he'd stopped crying out.


"My word!" Alfred's voice came from behind and both crime fighters turned at the familiar voice. "Master Dick, thank heaven's you're safe!" Alfred seemed to calm himself suddenly and he straightened his jacket. "I'll bring you some fresh clothes and something warm to drink. Would you like anything, Master Bruce?" Bruce shook his head, he didn't need anything right now. Before Robin could say anything to protest the offering, Alfred had disappeared.


Moments later Alfred reappeared carrying a set of navy blue pajamas under one arm and a cup of hot chocolate on a saucer. "Here we are Master Dick," The butler said setting the chocolate down near the computer monitor. Batman led Robin over to the computer and helped him into the sleeping clothes. Dick didn't really object to shedding his Robin uniform, he recognized the blue flannel pjs and thought if he was going to suffer he might as well have a little comfort before he went.


Batman helped Dick sit in the chair in front of the bat computer. Alfred handed the boy the cup of hot chocolate. Dick accepted it with shaking hands. "Thanks Alfred."


"You're quite welcome, Master Dick. Are you feeling all right lad?"


Dick stared into the cup of chocolate, wondering whether or not to drink it. Surrendering to the first pang of hunger he'd had in a while he took a cautious sip of the warm liquid. It rolled warmly down his throat and settled in his empty belly. "This is very good," Dick managed to give Alfred a halfhearted smile before continuing to sip the comforting drink.


"I'm glad you like it young sir."


"You know you're going to regret drinking that in about fifteen minutes," Bats was standing behind Alfred and speaking in the mocking tone of voice once more.


Dick tried to pretend like he wasn't listening, but he had to wonder if what he was drinking just hot chocolate. 'Guess I'll know in about fifteen minutes,' Dick thought to himself as he finished the mug and set it back on its saucer.


Dick looked up dizzily at the image of Batman, it had only been five minutes and he already felt woozy. Must have been because of his empty belly. Dick felt strong hands gently lift him from the chair and carry him toward the dreaded metal table.


As Batman set the boy down, Dick pled softly as he fought to remain awake, "Batman, please help me . . . " Dick's eyes fluttered closed and he drifted off.


"Thanks Alfred," Batman stated softy as he looked down at the sleeping boy and he lowered his cowl.


"No thanks are needed, Sir. I happened to be in the cave when Master Dick was upset, I thought it would be best if he rested for a bit."


Bruce raised an eyebrow, he hadn't noticed Alfred in the cave when he had been trying to get Dick to the exam table, he was grateful that Dick hadn't noticed him either. Bruce reached down and gently brushed a damp piece of hair out of the boy's face.


"Dick, why are you afraid of me?"



...TBC. . .