The Familiar Darkness: Chapter 12


By: Corbin


Disclaimer: Not making a profit, just having some fun at the expense of some awesome characters.


*Whoo Hoo it's Done! I hope you ll enjoyed this as much as I did!*


Alfred couldn't stop himself from flinching as Dick cried out loudly in his sleep. To Alfred it sounded like a sharp protest to a perhaps violent nightmare. The boy seemed to struggle for a moment in his sleep and then he went completely limp. The boy appeared so relaxed that it was difficult to tell whether he was breathing or not.

The butler watched apprehensively as the seconds passed. Still despite Alfred's mental commands to begin breathing the boy had not inhaled a single breath. Alfred reached over and gently felt the boy's throat for a pulse. The steady throbbing of blood greeted Alfred's fingertips and he rested his head on Dick's chest to listen and feel for perhaps really shallow breathing.

Not a twitch in even an attempt to draw a breath from the young man. Nothing but the steady thump of the strong heart which would soon be forced to stop as well. Alfred felt his own breath stop in shock. He couldn't allow Dick to die, not this way.

Alfred lifted his head from the boy's chest and tilted the young man's chin to clear the airway. Just as Alfred was prepared to force air into the young man's lungs the boy made a loud gasp for air on his own.

Dick was breathing again. Alfred felt himself deflate with sudden relief, he reached up with the small gun still in his hand and wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. He was going to be so glad when this was all over.

* * * *

The boy's body proved to be more difficult to control then it had first appeared. Bats had been so centered on just forcing the body to wake up after subduing Grayson that he'd somehow made the body stop breathing. Dick's mental voice, though distorted and weakened had saved them both. Bats heard the boy's thought that his body was going to die without air. Bats allowed the lungs their share of signals to the brain to keep breathing, once he'd figured out which signals they were that is.

Perhaps it was best not to rush this, although Bat was feeling impatient it wasn't going to do him any good to kill the boy's body before it even had the chance to wake up again.

* * * *

Alfred started with surprise as Dick's hand suddenly reached out and grabbed his wrist. As Alfred pulled back, he found Dick's grip to be a little more than tight. The boy's hold was firm enough to hurt and Alfred found himself unable to squeeze out of the boy's strong hand.

"Master Dick, please," Alfred groaned with displeasure, "release my hand."

Dick's grip squeezed tight and Alfred couldn't hold back a hiss of discomfort.

Something flashed inside of his head, a warning, it was forceful enough to cause him to let go of Alfred's wrist. Bats found himself sitting up with a groan and rubbing his eyes with unfamiliar hands. Alfred had stumbled back away from the boy, the small gun fell to the floor of the cave with a clatter. Alfred immediately clambered on the ground trying to feel for the gun in the dark cave. Alfred felt relief as his hands met with the cool metal of the gun.

Bats allowed the boy's muscle memory to guide him and within seconds he was standing over Alfred. Bats reached down for the gun in Alfred's hands. The older man had a tight grip on the small device, he did not intend to give it up willingly. Gently this time, Bats gripped the older man's hand and allowed Dick's training to find leverage.

"Thanks," Bats stated softly wondering at his new voice. Alfred recognized the new sound in the tone and recoiled from the boy. Bats laughed softly as Alfred attempted to reach to the computer to communicate with Batman. "You know that he'll be here soon enough. I don't need you calling him home early."

"Master Dick, please you need help," Alfred looked for a way out, but the boy was blocking his exits.

Bats smiled, forcing a cruel grin to form on Dick's face. "You know, you're right. I do need help, but that can wait. Since I can't have you warning him when he comes back, you get to take a nap, like our little buddy."

Despite the body's weakness Bats found more than enough speed to overtake Alfred in a smooth motion. Alfred found himself dosed with the sedative that had been meant for the boy, and he was sleeping peacefully at the chair near the Bat-computer.

* * * *

Batman returned to his cave, pushing his disappointment away he jumped from the Batmobile and called out for Alfred.

"Alfred, how's Dick?" A feeling of confusion greeted Batman. Alfred never ignored him. Batman searched the cave for his old friend and shuddered when he saw him. Alfred's unnatural slumber brought a growl of disappointment from Batman's lips.

Batman heard a soft shuffling behind him and he slowly turned around. His eyes met Dick's, Batman was surprised to find them unnaturally cold. Almost as cold as the sword in the boy's hands. The sword? Dick wouldn't . . .

Batman pushed his feelings aside and prepared to defend himself as the boy raised the razor sharp weapon. Dick rushed forward, the blade shining in the dark as he held it over his head, poised for the attack Batman prepared to roll out of the way, but he never had the chance.

A scream of violent pain erupted throughout the cave's dark interior.

Dick's back arched and he fell to his knees, dropping the weapon harmlessly behind himself with a clang. The boy clutched the side of his head once more and screamed again. Batman's eyes went wide as he wondered what was wrong. Dick rolled on the floor of the cave in pain, his eyes finally rolling white and his body quivered a moment before relaxing at last.

* * * *

Dick opened his eyes, finding himself in the familiar darkness of his room at the manor. He breathed a sigh of relief. There was no voice in his mind but his own.

"How do you feel?" Dick recognized the deep voice immediately, he couldn't help but smile a little.

"Okay I guess," Dick paused clearing his throat. "Bruce, am I . . . okay?"

Bruce approached the boy's bed and sat on the edge of it, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder. "As far as I know whatever you were given at Arkham was absorbed in your system. Your body just needed time to deal with the side effects of the drug."

"It was really scary not being in control of my own body."

"That's where you're wrong, Dick," Bruce smiled gently. "You were always in control of yourself. You stopped yourself from hurting the people that care about you."

"What about the Doc?"

"Police are questioning him now, with any luck they'll take care of him without outside help."

"That's good to hear. I don't think he was working alone."

"I know, but he won't talk. He's too scared to finger his boss."

"Oh," Dick stifled an involuntary yawn.

"We can talk later. Get some rest," Bruce patted Dick's shoulder gently and stood up to leave the room.

"Bruce, thanks for being there for me."

"If you need anything, I'm just down the hall, "Bruce smiled, pulling the door closed behind him.

Dick closed his eyes. He finally felt safe there was no fear at being alone in the room, because he knew he wasn't alone.

The End