Chapter Eight- Robin's Nightmare
Robin had adapted well to life in Wayne Manor. She had her mother, and for the first time in her two year old life, her daddy. Father and daughter were close, just as Rachel and her own father had been.
Terry liked being a father as well. He took Robin to the park, bought her toys she didn't need, and got her ice cream on a regular basis.
"I don't know how you managed for two and a half years, Rach. Robin is a real handful," he groaned after returning from another outing to the Gotham Zoo.
"I had to," she reminded him gently. "I was alone. Granted, it was my fault I was alone, but I was alone all the same."
"True. I was merely stating that I couldn't have handled it."
"Women are stronger that way," Rachel said smugly.
"Oh yeah?" Terry countered.
"Yeah."
"We'll just have to see abut that."
Terry hugged her with such force that she was knocked backwards onto her bed. Simultaneously, they moved their heads, meeting in a kiss.
"I love you Terry," Rachel whispered breathlessly after they broke apart.
"I love you too, baby."
"Mommy? Daddy?" Robin inquired, walking into Rachel's room. "Can I have a snack?"
The two reluctantly pulled apart.
"How about a grilled cheese and then nap time?" Rachel suggested.
"Kay. Come on Mommy." Robin reached for her mother's hand.
Terry, however, didn't want to let go.
"Rach," he whined.
"Robin's going to take her nap soon," Rachel said, winking.
"Fine," he grumbled.
"Mommy, are you and Daddy d-d-divorced?"
"No sweetheart," Rachel answered.
"Then how come I never meeted Daddy till Grandpa got sick?"
"You'll understand when you're older," Rachel promised. "Let's go see about that sandwich, all right?"
Robin's lunch was hastily prepared and she munched on it happily.
"Nap time," Rachel announced, picking her daughter up.
"Me and Mr. Fluffers is sleepy," Robin said smiling sweetly at her mother.
"Which is why it's nap time."
"Love you Mommy," Robin murmured as Rachel tucked her in.
"Love you too, Robin."
Robin fell asleep instantly, clutching Mr. Fluffers. Rachel remained in Robin's bedroom, remembering a discussion she'd had with Max before she'd gone to Metropolis.
Flashback
Rachel sighed, staring at the ceiling of the dorm she and Max shared.
"You still awake?" Max asked groggily.
"Thinking," Rachel replied.
"About the baby?"
"Yeah. What were Terry and I thinking? We're in college; how am I supposed to handle a baby?"
"You make it sound as if Terry won't help with the baby," Max said.
"I'm leaving before the baby comes," Rachel stated.
"Leaving school."
"Leaving Gotham. I'm going to tell Terry I'm pregnant and then I'm leaving."
"That isn't what he would want. That isn't what you want," Max pointed out.
"It's not about what we want," Rachel snapped. "I'm responsible for this child, Max. He or she is going to be taken care of properly. I know firsthand that Gotham City is no place to raise a child."
"But-Terry-Gotham-me," Max spluttered.
"I'll visit," Rachel promised.
"Terry'll go crazy without you."
"He shouldn't have to leave school to support the baby and I."
"It's what he would want. Besides, where will you go?"
"Metropolis."
"You're crazy."
"I'm not crazy."
"If you say so. Try to get some sleep, all right?"
"Thanks, Max."
End Flashback
She got up, pecked Robin on the cheek and went back to her own room.
Terry was still lying on her bed.
"Robin all tucked in?"
"Yeah…"
"What's wrong, baby? You seem so sad."
"Max. I'd like to see her, you know," Rachel replied.
"She's still at school. I see her sometimes, but she's made it clear she won't talk to me."
"Loyal to whoever she agrees with until the end, isn't she?"
"I didn't mean to kiss Dana, you know."
"I know."
"You should go call Max. Tell her you came home and would like to have lunch or something," Terry suggested.
"I will then. I think I'll bring Robin along. Max would love to see her."
Rachel began dialing Max's phone number, but was interrupted by a scream.
"Robin," Rachel said, dropping her phone.
Robin's parents rushed into their daughter's room. Robin was screaming loudly, but was still asleep.
Rachel shook her daughter awake. "It's OK, Robin. Mommy's here."
She held her daughter to her chest, rocking her gently.
Terry joined them, wrapping his arms around Rachel.
After several minutes Robin was silenced.
"What happened, Princess?" Terry asked gently.
"No Mommy or Daddy. No one take care of me. Bad man hurted me," Robin whimpered.
"It was a bad dream. That's all. We love you, Robin. And someone will always take care of you if something happens to us."
"Do you remember the man's name, sweetheart?"
"Corpus," Robin said in a terrified whisper.
Terry's worst fears were confirmed. "I won't let him hurt you," he promised, his heart hammering somewhere in the vicinity of his Adam's apple.
"Daddy is Battaman. Battaman keep Gotham safe, keep me safe too," Robin said trustingly.
"Exactly. I promise you, Robin, Daddy will keep you safe."
"And Mommy will help."
"No more nightmares, please. I wanna go sleep."
Rachel gently forced Robin back into the pillows and drew the quilt up to her chin.
"We love you, Robin. We'll be right here if you need us," Rachel said. "I love you, angel."
"Love you, too, Mommy. Love you Daddy."
"Good night, Princess."
The adults stayed until Robin was fast asleep. Creeping out quietly, they returned to the ground floor and entered the Batcave.
Terry sat down in front of the massive computer, only to begin looking over the document that contained all clues he and Bruce had gathered about Corpus. He began typing furiously.
Rachel wandered the cave wistfully, looking over the various costumes neatly housed in display cases. It made her very proud seeing her own suit next to her father's.
"I got it!" Terry yelled triumphantly.
"What?" Rachel inquired, drifting over to where Terry sat.
"What Corpus is up to."
"Let's hear it."
"He wants…our Robin."
#Ducks from vicious blows# Sorry for taking so long…I was focusing on my Narnia fic. Sorry. Really. I will have the next chapter up much more quickly.
Love
Queenie