"Mister Wayne, your boy is lucky you found him when you did. He has a few broken ribs, and a sprang wrist and....." Bruce watched the doctors face.
"And what?"
"Dick hurt his head, he struck his head at his right temple."
"Yeah, he had a cut there."
"That's not all, it caused more damage."
"Will you spit it out, what is wrong with Dick?"
"He's blind." Bruce's eyes widened for a moment then he turned and looked around the room, and then back at the doctor.
"Blind? No, that can't be. He saw me earlier."
"Did he?" Bruce set his jaw, and saw Alfred coming on, and Jennifer.
"Get the best doctors available, call anyone in from anywhere."
"I know this isn't easy for you to hear. There is swelling at the site, when it goes down he might regain his sight. If you want specialist, I will find the best for him."
"I insist doctor, and right now. If they are somewhere else, I will send my jet for them. Just get on it. Make my boy well. Is that all? Can I see him now?"
"Yes, he is resting comfortably, you can go in. He's just coming around now. Do you want me to tell him?"
"No I will." Bruce turned and walked down the hall. He had his cell phone out and he would find the best doctors for Dick.
Alfred followed him down the hall, and Jennifer started after him.
"Alfred? I'd like to be with Bruce." Alfred turned and looked at her, he didn't like the young woman, and he hoped his boy didn't marry her.
"Miss Daniels, maybe later would be better, Mister Wayne is with his boy right now. "
"Tell him that I will stop by Wayne manor later to see him."
"Fine Miss Daniels." Alfred moved down the hall and glanced in the window. Bruce was sitting on the edge of the bed, he had Dicks hand in his. He stood watching.
Bruce sat there beside Dick watching him breath. His hand felt hot in Bruces. Maybe he was running a fever. He looked at the boys face, and the bandage on his temple. There was swelling there. How he wanted to trade places with the boy, take away his pain. He felt a tightening in his chest, as he again thought how close he had come to losing the boy for good today.
Dick's eyes opened, Bruce saw the blue of them still unfocused. "Dick?"
"Bruce?" Dick's eyes searched for his fathers face. He reached out a hand to him. "Where are you, why are the lights out? Is it because of the storm?"
"No Dick, you were hurt earlier today. You are in the hospital."
"Hospital? I hate them."
"I know Dick, so do I. You need to rest." Dick reached out and found Bruces face, and he touched it.
"Bruce, why can't I see? I am blind aren't I?" Bruce could hear the panic begin to rise in the young voice.
"Yes, I have specialist coming in to see you. Doctor says it's probably because of the swelling, and it will go down."
"I'm sorry." His voice low as he spoke. Bruce was puzzled.
"Why, you didn't do anything wrong."
"I let you down, a certain bird wont be able to help you now." Bruce leaned and hugged the boy.
"I don't care. I have you, that is all that matters. Just keep your spirits up, this isn't over yet."
Two days later Dick was home with his family. There was no laughter in the now silent house. Bruce watched Dick sit on the sofa, doing nothing. His rigid back told a lot to Bruce. What could he do for the boy? Dick had insisted that everyone do what they normally did. He refused to be led around like a blind man he said. Now Dick got up, and moved towards the side table where the glasses stood. One hand before him, he walked slowly, sliding his feet as he went. He tripped on the rug, and went down. Bruce rushed to his side, coming down on one knee next to him.
"Dick, are you alright?" Dick turned unseeing eyes towards Bruce, there was anger there, and the beginning of tears there.
"No, I am blind!" He lowered his head. "I am useless to everybody." Bruce put his hand on the boys shoulder.
"No you're not. You are no quitter, and this isn't over. I am going to be there for you no matter what. Together we will fix this."
"Fix it? What am I, a car?" Dick wiped at his tears, and turned away getting up and feeling around him. It tore at Bruces' heart to watch him.
"I want to do all the things I used to do. I don't want people to pity me. I don't want to use a cane." Yelled Dick, as he grabbed a glass and flung it at a wall, and missed hearing breaking glass, as it sailed through the glass doors leading to the patio. He cringed at that. Bruce pulled Dick close and hugged him.
Alfred came in as the crash sounded, and looked at the two by the fireplace. "Mister Wayne, there is a call for you. A doctor, Jameson, calling from Switzerland." Bruce looked over at him.
"Alright, I'll take it in my study. Alfred, the glass? Don't want anyone to get cut on it. " Alfred nodded, he hoped it was good news from the doctor. Dick felt his way over to the door and crunched his way outside. He stood on the balcony, his face turned up to the sun, as Alfred swept the glass up. Dick turned and made his way down the patio to the stairs and out into the yard. He remembered the layout of the yard. He began to do flips, but kept falling, because the problems inside his eyes, his balance was off. He turned and listened to the crunching sounds of footsteps.
"Master Dick, you should not be out here, without a coat, it is freezing. Come inside now, and I will make you some lunch." Dick walked towards his voice.