Here it is Chapter 11 - A long 48 hours.

This chapter is short but sweet. I tried a lot of new stuff. I attempted first person for the first time. Please feel free to let me know if I utterly stunk up the joint!

One quick note:There is a scene involving email address's and fanfic would not let me post something with the'at' symbol. But I feel when you come to the email part you willunderstand what I was trying to do.

Oh almost forgot. I do not own anything about DC or anything else that I may have to say I do not own.

11:00pm Sunday

Flickering lights from the television reflected off of Bruce's eyes. He sat slumped in his recliner, exhausted from several sleepless nights. He clicked on the nightly news and felt himself drift to sleep.

"Our top storyof the night takes us straight into downtown Gotham. Five well known banks were robbed minutes ago…"

He struggled to stay awake. Something as trivial as a couple of crazies going on a bank robbing spree was something he felt the police were well equipped to handle themselves.

"Though these were no ordinary robberies. All the banks involved reported there were no forced entries and the vaults were found completely empty with no sign of a break-in. A security guard was quoted as saying 'It was like someone popped in and out of the vault like magic."

The recliner shook and was suddenly empty.

2:30am Monday

There's always a fine line a vigilante crime fighter walks, one between upholding justice through the law and upholding justice through any means necessary. Up until now I have always thought I have walked that line quite well. As I stand atop the roof of Gotham Center for Disease and Virus Control preparing to break in, I wonder if I have crossed this line, if there ever really was one. I know there is something in this lab that will help saves hundreds, if not thousands of lives. This is one of those times I have to do whatever it takes. But a part of me wonders if I would arrest a simple thug if he were about to break into this lab? Probably, but this has to be done. Besides who have I actually sworn any oaths too? Not to the city and surely not to Batman. Nope, it's an oath I have sworn to myself the day I decided to wear this mask and become Robin. Even though I am technically breaking the law, I must remind myself this is for truth and justice.

I slip into an open vent on top of the roof. It's my usual choice for a quiet entrance. After a few twist and turns in the tight air vents I lower myself into a hallway. A list of doctors is posted on the wall next to me. I scroll down the list and see the name I am looking for. I head to room 712 – Dr. Skylar. I am about to turn the corner right before the office when I hear whistling. I hurry into the closest unlocked door. I can see through the blinds that it's just the nightly security guard making his rounds. I lean back into the darkness as he walks by almost stumbling over a table in the room. My hands falls into some open boxes on the table. I pull my hands out along with some of the contents in the box. I can't help but smirk. I am holding Condoms. They would have come in handy last night. The guard is long gone and I quietly exit the room. I turn down another hall and I finally find room 712. The door is unlocked. I let myself in and look around the room. One would think the head doctor in charge of this 'unknown virus' would be a little more organized. Papers were scattered everywhere on the desk. Blankets draped and covered the couch on the other side of the office. Looks like the doc has spent many nights at work. I search through the mess on the desk and notice a picture frame standing in the mess. It holds a picture of a little boy in a little league baseball uniform. He looks so happy.

"Look…take whatever you want. Just don't hurt me!"

Now why didn't I see her before? I look over at the couch and notice the blankets are now on the floor, feeling like an idiot for not noticing her. "No, I'm not here to harm anyone. Don't you know who I am?"

"No sorry, should I? I mean you look like some punk kid in tights?"

It was then I knew this woman wasn't from around here. "My name is Robin." I was hoping to see some sign of recognition. Still I could see she didn't know. "You know Batman and Robin? Caped Crusades? Defenders of Gotham?"

"Oh, now I have heard you. You're Batman's helper, right?"

I made a mental note to get out of Batman's shadow. "So who are you?" I can see she let her guard down.

"Oh I'm sorry. My name is Doctor Debra Skylar from Jump City."

"Wow you're so…"

"Young? Yea, I get that a lot actually, don't feel bad." She was a lot younger and lot more attractive than I had expected

"All the way from Jump City huh? I remember reading that they have an opening for super heroes out there. Thought about it, but I just can't see myself living the west coast lifestyle." Why was I feeling the need to make small talk? Did I always naturally flirt with good-looking woman? I had to get myself refocused.

"Yea Gotham is definitely different. So can I ask why you have decided to break into my office in the middle of the night?"

Good, she was making it easy for me to get back on point. "What can you tell me about this 'unknown virus'?"

"Just what you have heard on the news. It's killed hundreds and we're not sure what's causing it."

As a well-known crime fighter I often take for granted that people automatically feel a need to trust and usually spill the beans right away when it comes to stuff like this. But she was giving me the press-released statement. I knew there was more. "Look I know you have to keep your work private but I am truly trying to help. I believe this virus was caused by something man-made. This is no accident." I couldn't tell right away if she thought I was crazy or agreeing with me. She just kind of stared at me. Perhaps she was trying to get a feel for my intentions.

"You do seem like you're trying to help. Besides if you were going to kill me, you would have done it by now. But what I am about to tell you, you did not hear it from me." I was glad to see she trusted me. "You're right, this virus was no accident. Each living person has DNA and RNA right?" I just nodded my head, anxiously waiting to see where this was going. "Well they determine what order our amino acids are put together. This virus is altering the amino acids and in some cases its completely destroying them."

She can tell I am not quite following where she going with this. I thought I was a good biology student. Should have stayed awake in classmore often. "So what exactly happens when these acids are altered or destroyed?"

"I guess science is not a prerequisite for crime fighting?"

"Nope, I haven't got that far in super hero school." Again I was flirting with her without even trying. I am just glad Selina isn't here to witness this.

"Ok, well let me simplify this for you. This virus is altering our DNA and causing the amino acids to stop producing the necessary proteins needed to build and maintain human cells. With no cells comes no life. Thus we die."

"Wow, that's heavy stuff. Who would be insane enough to make something that does that?"

"Exactly! And that's why we are stumped. We know why people are dying but we do not know what's causing the change in DNA. And that means we don't know howto reverse the effects."

"Right and without knowing what's causing this virus, there is no way to tell how long one has to live once infected. This is serious stuff Doc!"

"You catch on quick!"

"Thanks, but I have one last question. Earlier you said you agree with me that this virus was no accident. What makes you agree with me?"

"Ah, this is where it gets a little weird. Even though we are unsure of what the actual trigger is for the virus, we are pretty sure we know what's not causing it. We have ruled out anything biological. Meaning its not something a living species is carrying."

I was a bit skeptical. I knew this was confirming my theory but I needed more than just a hunch if I was to convince Batman that there is more to this than just people getting sick.

"Don't look at me like that. I am not the crazy one here. Oh I forgot I have to simplify it for you. Anything your body makes naturally will always leave a trace in your blood. No matter what it is. None of our victims had any trace of anything deadly in them. It's almost like the virus goes in and after its done killing its out. We suspect it's something chemically made but again we haven't really been able to prove that either."

I had heard enough. I wasn't sure if I should be happy that my suspicions were correct or deeply sad because they were correct. Either way we should have been on this sooner. I turned away from her and headed for the door.

"Hey! Wait!" I stop and look back. "Will I see you again?"

"Oh I am sure we'll be in touch. This virus could get much worse and I'm going to need someone on the inside to help me. I can count on you, right?"

"Of course. I want to solve this as much as you do."

I left the way I came in and headed straight home. I needed time to sleep on this and digest this new information.

11:45am Monday

'You've got mail'. Barbara plopped herself down onto her computer desk and sipped on her diet cola. Her spirits were high and she was in an unusually good mood. Her first full week home was not nearly as bad as she expected. She sifted through her emails.

CHammonds1.Gotham.GSU Subject: Hey Barbara!

CHammonds1.Gotham.GSU Subject: Where have you been?

CHammonds1.Gotham.GSU Subject: What did I do?

RGrayson4.Gotham.GSUSubject: Re:Lunch?

CHammonds1.Gotham.GSU Subject: Fine!

CHammonds1.Gotham.GSU Subject: This isn't funny!

"Nope nothing but junk…Oh wait, here is one from Dick. She deleted the rest of the emails in her inbox and took another sip of her cola. She doubled on Dick's email.

Subject: Lunch?

Time: 4:27am

From: RGrayson4.gotham.GSU (Richard Grayson)

To: BGordon23 (Barbara Gordon)

Hey,

Your last email sounded pretty serious! I just hope the favor is something I can come through on. And of course I can do lunch, anything for a friend right? All right well it's late and I need some sleep. I am free all afternoon tomorrow. Well I guess later today huh? LOL. Just give me a call when you want to meet up.

Dick.

She leaned back in her chair. She was truly amazed at how accessible Dick had been lately. With one simple phone call she now had plans to meet him for lunch. She threw on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans, not bothering with any makeup. She knew there was no reason to try and impress him anymore. It was no longer about that. Her light heartedness mood made it seem as if she were almost floating down the stairs. When she made to the bottom she noticed her dad sitting in his easy chair reading the paper. "Hey daddy, you don't have to work today?"

Commissioner Gordon folded his paper back. "Oh I do. Just not until later. You know I have to keep the night shift on their toes." He dropped his paper to his side. "You certainly seem to be floating on air today. Glad to see you in such high spirits." He was very happy to see that she was not only physically better but emotionally just as well.

The unusually happy red head stood now at the hallway entrance. "Yep things are getting a lot better. I mean I still have some nightmares. But all in all I am feeling great."

He couldn't help but smile. Her resolve during such a trying ordeal was remarkable. "So, where are you off to?"

"Just meeting Dick for lunch. There's this new Vietnamese place he keeps ranting about." She said causally.

"You know pumpkin, for a young man like Dick to stand by your side during your…" He could not find the will to say it. As much as he dealt with rape cases everyday at work, he still could not bring himself to say what had happened to his daughter. "Well…. whenever he pops the question, he'll have my blessing."

Barbara wasn't sure if she should cry or laugh. She then realized that through this whole ordeal she never did explain to her dad that she and Dick were no longer going out and were just friends. "Well dad I don't think you will have to worry about that." She started off telling him in high spirits but she definitely lost some of her bravado when she finished telling him.

"Ah well I didn't expect it to be anytime soon. I just meant that he is a young man of great character."

"There's no denying that. But daddy I think you should know that Dick and me are just friends now." She could see him growing concerned and a bit agitated. "Oh no daddy it's not what you think. We broke up long before I was raped." Both of them cringed at the mention of the word rape, but Barbara knew she would have to face the reality of the situation if she ever wanted to move on. "It's kind of a long story, but know that things are great between us." He gave a kind of' 'are you sure look'. "Yes, I swear things are actually somewhat better with us."

The grayed hair man slowly rose from his easy chair and embraced his daughter. He trusted her and what she was doing. "I'm just glad to see you two handling everything like adults." She returned the hug. "Now go on get out of here. Don't let your old man make you late for your lunch date.

"Thanks Daddy!"

8:30pm Monday

"You know Dick, I just don't get it. You say there's nothing going on between you two but then you conveniently forgot to mention that you had lunch with her again this afternoon." Selina was looking like her usual elegant self, her blond hair bounced off her shoulders as she questioned Dick.

Dick sat there trying to finish his dinner. He waved to the server for another drink. He focused his attention back to the angry blond. He knew he didn't purposely forget to tell Selina. It just never came up. He let her go on for another couple of minutes before finally giving her the 'are you done yet' look.

She definitely noticed the look. "It's obvious you don't care how I feel on this." She threw her shoulders back waiting for a response.

"What do you want me to say? I didn't tell you about lunch because well there was nothing to tell. I mean you say that you trust me and now you are getting all crazy on me, what gives?" He gulped down his drink that the server just moments ago set down.

Selina reached for hers. "I'm sorry Dick. It's just that I don't like sharing. And I feel like I'm sharing you with that bitch!"

"Don't call her that!" He slammed his glass violently down on the table and leaned in closer. "She has been through a lot recently and I don't appreciate you calling her names that she doesn't deserve. "

Selina was taken back by the sudden assertiveness he was showing. She was the one usually making the demands. She wasn't quite sure what to think of this new Dick, but she let the issue drop.

Dinner passed with polite conversation, neither of them really discussing anything important. Dick stood next to Selina by the curbside. It was a cool brisk night and Selina looked cold but Dick ignored her. When they were finally able to hail a taxi, Dick helped Selina into the cab but did not follow behind her. "Aren't you getting in?"

"Look I have to go take care of a few things. I'll call you, ok?" Dick didn't wait for her response. He shut the cab door and pounded the roof to let the driver know he could go. He reached into his pocket and made a phone call to a good friend. "Hey what's going on? Remember what you asked me earlier today? Well we should start now. Meet me at 32nd and Birch in thirty minutes."

4:45am Tuesday

It waslate and Robin sat at his com-station going through his daily logs. It had been a long forty-eight hours and he was ready to shut things down and head to bed. Just as he closed his last program he heard a loud rumble. "Looks like Bruce had a long night as well." Robin was now completely shut down and decided to wait for his friend. The engine to the Batmobile cut off and Batman stepped out. "Hey Bruce, long night huh?" Dick was expecting some sarcastic joke but instead he received nothing.

"Where have you been?" Batman gritted his teeth and headed to the vault that held the bat suits. "I had Two-Face on the run. It would have been nice to have you there with me."

Robin knew why he wasn't there and thought it would be a good time to bring up the virus, but wanted to first hear about Two-Face. "So what happened?"

"Two-Face is using the Stealth-Warp technology to rob banks. He robbed five banks on Sunday night and tonight I located where he was and it was a massive car chase. Like I said, it would have been nice to have you there."

"Wow, so he got away?" Robin knew Bruce was pissed at him but he was trying not to go down that road.

"Yes, after a thirty minute chase, he drove into a small abandoned warehouse and blew it up. The police are convinced he didn't make it out alive, but I know he escaped during the chaos." Batman turned and headed to the locker room, Robin was still following and listening. "So are you going to tell me what has been so damn important that you weren't there when I needed you?"

"It just so happens I was following up on a hunch of my own and I turned out to be right." Robin quickly lost his edge when he remembered what he was right about. "You know that virus you keep telling me ignore? Well it turns out I was right."

"I never said ignore, I just said there are others things that we should be putting our focus on." Batman was on the defense.

"Well it turns out the virus is a man-made virus. That means there is some psycho causing all these deaths and last I checked that means that's something we should focus on." His edge was back. With every word he was becoming angrier.

"This isn't good." Batman understood the severity of the situation.

Robin was now livid. "That's it! That's all you have to say. No 'I'm sorry Dick'? You were right and I was wrong?"

"You went against my orders and then went behind my back to get this information and you want an apology?" Batman was becoming angry now.

"You know this isn't the army and you're not my commander. Since when do you give orders any? I thought we were a team! This is fucked up."

Batman grabbed Robin on the shoulder and shook him. "You look here, don't you ever use that type of language with me ----"

"Don't you ever touch me again! You are fucked up! Did you hear me? Fucked up!" Robin threw down his mask and walked away. Bruce just stood there and watched.

Wow the drama continues. And please remember I keep my posting updates on my profile. I have been pretty good at keeping up. Well at least for the past couple of chapters. I must let everyone know that it will now average about two weeks between postings!