All of the characters and story lines and everything else I can think of are the property of DC comics and the WB network. The only bits that're mine are the words and the voice.
Chapter 2: News
Softly, at the very edge of her hearing, Barbara became gradually aware of the constant muted beeping of a machine. It was somewhat annoying, but not so much so that she felt the need to open her eyes. A rustle of clothing betrayed the presence of a person nearby. There was a clicking sound. The beeping stopped, and the rustle faded away, as though the person had quietly left. There was a murmur of voices some distance away, and closer at hand, she heard the whisper-light rustle of a turning page. Barbara stirred and sighed and started to drop back into sleep when it occurred to her that her bedroom smelled wrong—a mixture of antiseptic and bleached linen and several other things she couldn't identify…and why was someone in her room? Startled, she opened her eyes.
Where the hell am I?
"You're in the hospital, Barbara. You're all right…you're safe. It's going to be okay." Dick's voice was low and reassuring, the same coaxing, quiet tone he always took with frightened animals or children who had witnessed terrible things. He was leaning forward in a chair by her bedside, his book having slipped unnoticed to the floor. He reached over and brushed her hair back from her forehead, still speaking in that comforting tone. "I'm here with you, Beegee. We're all here. You're safe…you're safe."
Why does he keep telling me I'm safe? Oh, God, what happened to me? She fixed her eyes on Dick's earnest grey ones, "Dick, what happened? Why am I in the hospital?"
Dick's brow furrowed. "You don't remember?"
She started to shake her head, then immediately thought better of it as pain exploded. "No," she said, wincing.
"I wouldn't move my head abruptly if I were you,"
"Gee, Dick, thanks for the advice."
He flashed her that wry half-grin of his. "Don't mention it." He glanced around, "Your Dad will want to know you're awake. We've been taking it in turns sitting up with you. He's sleeping in the family lounge. I'll go get him." He rose and started to turn, but she grabbed his hand, stopping him, pulling him over to sit on the edge of her bed.
"Dick, what happened to me?"
Worry and uncertainty flooded his sensitive face. Dick had never been able to hide his feelings from her or anyone else. Perhaps that was the very trait which made them all trust him so much. He was everyone's confidant, the one you could count on to listen and understand. He exuded empathy. If you had to have bad news, it helped if Dick was the one who broke it to you.
"Tell me."
"Maybe your father should…"
"Tell me. I'd rather hear it from you."
He sighed. "Barbara, the doctor gave very specific instructions about not overwhelming you with information the second you woke up. Your dad and Bruce reinforced that directive in no uncertain terms."
Green eyes flashed as she gave him a look. "If you don't tell me what happened right now, when I get out of this bed, I will give you an ass-kicking that will make anything Bruce could do to you seem like patty-cake." She grinned, then, "You know I can, too!"
He choked and looked away, not wanting her to see the sudden tears which flooded his eyes. She wouldn't be kicking his ass or anything else ever again. Those days were over.
"Dick?" Her voice was soft. "What is it, love? What's wrong?"
With a valiant effort, Dick got hold of himself. It wouldn't do for him to fall apart right now—not now, when Barbara needed him to be strong. For a long moment, he kept his face averted, willing his grief to recede. When he turned back to her, his eyes held only affection and compassion, with just a hint of the grief which lurked within him. He made a stab at lighthearted banter: "Sorry, Barbie-doll, it's been a long couple of days."
She playfully smacked his arm. "Now, I really am going to kick your ass. You know better than to call me that!" His eyes lit up for an instant as he once again gave her that lopsided grin. Then, the grin faded as he sized her up. Barbara could see the struggle he was having with himself. She cleared her throat and began to speak, using the quiet tone she had learned from him.
"Dick, it's obvious to me that something terrible has happened that put me here. I may not be able to remember it, but I can still figure out that much at least. Whatever has happened, I need you to tell me. I can bear it, I promise you. What I cannot bear is not being in the know. You know me well enough to know that what frightens me most is not having control over my own destiny. I need to know what has happened to me. It's the only way I can start to deal with it. I need to deal with things my own way, in my own time—not when other people think I'm ready. Please, Dick—we've always been honest with each other. I trust you. Whatever it is I can deal with it, because I know I can count on you."
His expressive, grey eyes filled again, "Wouldn't it be better for you to hear it from your Dad, or the Doctors, or Bruce?"
She reached up and stroked his face. "I'd rather hear it from you. You…you understand me, Dick. You've never tried to overprotect me—from the truth, or anything else."
He nodded and swallowed, his mind made up. "It…it's bad."
Green eyes held grey, "I know." Dick reached over and took both of her hands.
"It was the Joker, Barbara. He took his revenge, tonight—and you weren't his only victim. He had Selena Kyle killed."
"No," breathed Barbara, "Oh no—poor Bruce." Her eyes flooded with tears of compassion for her mentor.
Dick nodded, "And then, he came after you." Barbara became very quiet, scarcely breathing. Dick continued, "He—there's no easy way to say this, Beegee—he raped you." Her heart felt as though it were being squeezed by an enormous fist. Dick's eyes still held hers. He ran his fingers through his hair. "There's more…" She nodded, taking his hand again, giving him permission to continue. He swallowed. "You were shot. The bullet entered your abdomen, low, and passed through your spine."
Barbara's blood went cold. "Meaning…"
"Meaning it partially severed your spinal cord." Barbara was completely silent. "It was low enough that you still have bowel and bladder control and can move your hips to shift your weight. They were able to repair your intestines, but the damage to your reproductive system was irreversible—you'll never be able to have children. And your legs…" He choked, and could not continue.
Fear coursed through Barbara's soul, making her voice sharper than she intended. "I will be able to walk, right?"
He closed his eyes to hide the pain. "No."
"But, you said partially severed. That means there could be hope that…"
He opened his eyes and let her see the grief and compassion they held. "No."
Barbara wasn't aware that she was crying until Dick reached over and wiped her tears. Kicking off his shoes, he climbed onto the bed and gently maneuvered himself so that her head was cradled in his lap. The tenderness of the gesture released the tears, and she broke down completely and sobbed into the crook of his arm. Tears coursing silently down his cheeks, Dick stroked her hair and held her until, exhausted and spent, she finally dropped off.