Chapter Twenty - Tick Tock
Jim blew the smoke out through his nose as he huffed in frustration. Batman had been hunting down the Arkham escapees, but every night that he'd light the Bat-Signal - Batman was a no show. Batman and him had been working together for going on twenty five years, why the sudden change? Also, he hadn't been seen in three days. Jim dropped his cigarette on the ground and stomped it out with his foot. If he wasn't going to show, then Jim wasn't going sit here in the cold.
He turned around, nearly jumping out of his skeleton at he saw Batman's figure standing in front of him. He sighed in frustration, "Needa put a damn bell on you." he grumbled, he looked up, "Where the hell you been? I been shining this over sized flashlight for three days."
"Following a lead." Batman lied, Dick had only just now gotten back into fighting condition from the attack, "I'm here now."
Gordon chuckled, "So you are." he nodded, "You sick? Your voice sounds weird."
Batman didn't answer.
"Batman's got a cold - never thought I'd say that one." he chuckled, "Anyway, It's Croc." He informed, handing Batman some pictures of Killer Croc stalking his way though the sewers.
Dick felt fear bubbling in the pit of his stomach. He was petrified of Killer Croc. A nine foot crocodile-human hybrid with an appetite and a bad attitude, about as terrifying as he sounds. Batman didn't show any emotion as he glanced through the photos, "Do we have a location?"
"Exact? No. Approximate? Yes." he popped out another cigarette from the pack, flicking his lighter a few times, "He's in the sewers. Underneath somewhere in the East End. It's where he's nesting." he explained finally lighting his cigarette, "I'm not sure if that helps, but-" he turned around and the Batman was gone. He shook his head, "Every damn time."
Batman's boots splashed into the muck that he tried not to even think about. His knee still hurt like all Hell and he didn't have full capability in his wrist yet, but Gotham needed him. He trudged on through the disgusting waters. His heart began to beat faster and faster with every step that he took forward. The sewers were completely silent, aside from his boots sloshing the water around.
"Master Dick?" Alfred asked through the comms.
"Not now, Alfred." Batman grumbled.
"My Lord, you went out didn't you?" he huffed in disbelief, Batman could hear the disapproval in his voice.
"I've been idle for too long, Alfred." he explained quietly, his eyes darting all around the sewers, "This city needs Batman."
Batman could hear some muffled arguing from the background, "Let me talk to him," he heard a familiar voice demand, along with some scratching of the microphone, "Richard John Grayson-Wayne." Diana growled in a low tone.
"Yes ma'am?" he gulped.
"If you aren't back here right this instant..." her voice trailed off, Batman wasn't sure if he wanted to know the end of that sentence.
"I'm sorry Di, I'll be back before you know it." he smiled, "Crocodile hunting. Gotta go."
"Wait, Dick, don't you dar-" Batman ended their transmission. He knew he was in for it when he got back to the cave, but he didn't worry about that right now. He needed full concentration on finding Killer Croc... and surviving the whole ordeal.
Wally leaned against the counter with a grin as Cyborg scrambled some eggs on the stove. Raven held her face in a book, but her suspicious eyes were lingering on the speedster. Wally took a whiff of the eggs, "You're an angel, Cy." He said with a grin, nibbling on a piece of bacon, "I take that back - even angels couldn't cook a breakfast like you."
"Friends, why are we breaking our fast during the time of night?" Starfire questioned, floating over to the two of them.
Wally chuckled, "Breakfast food is good no matter what time of the day it is, Red." he winked, taking another bite.
Raven narrowed her eyes, but said nothing. Beast Boy snickered from the other couch, he was sprawled out on the couch eating a bag of chips. Raven lowered her book, "Something funny?" she questioned, scarily calm.
"If you're gonna pretend to read that book, it'd help if you'd quit making goo-goo eyes at Kid Flash."
Raven looked in disgust, "I-I wasn't-"
"Sure you weren't." Beast Boy rolled his eyes.
Raven didn't have the energy, not right now, she opened her book back up and began reading it. She grumbled, "Just leave me alone."
Beast Boy's expression softened, "I was just teasin', Rae." he tried.
Raven didn't look away from her book, "I said leave me alone." she repeated quietly.
Beast Boy slumped back into his seat, defeated. His face was guilt-ridden.
The sounds of plates clinking together could be heard from the kitchen, "Come and get it." Cyborg announced. Kid Flash was half way done with his food already and Starfire sat next to him eating her much smaller portion.
Raven stood to her feet, "I have to go." she announced.
Cyborg frowned, "Where you goin?"
"Not important. I'll be back before the sun rises." she informed as she was already headed for the elevator.
Beast Boy gave her a concerned look, "Need me to go with? I'm not hungry anyway." he asked hopefully.
Raven shook her head, "No." This was something she had to do alone, despite how much it terrified her.
He was absolutely terrified. Killer Croc rose to his feet, his nose sniffing in the air. The monstrous half-man turned to look at the Dark Knight. His nine foot eight inch frame towered over the Batman. His scales, that acted as a natural armoring, shifted as he looked Batman straight in the eye. His eyes were the worst part, yellow. Hungry.
"You smell different." Croc's low growl of a voice stated, he bent down as he began to approach Batman.
Batman chuckled nervously, "It's Old Spice," he quipped, "You should try some. Won't help the face, but the ladies love it." he added as he began walking backwards.
Croc's long slithering tongue slicked out of his mouth, licking his scaly lips, "You smell afraid." he let out a roaring laugh, "You're never afraid."
"There's a first time for everything."
Killer Croc sniffed the air once again, "You aren't the Batman."
Batman backed up into the wall of the sewer, "You know - the cape and cowl usually give it away."
"You smell of Robin." he grinned, showing all rows of his vicious teeth, "I've always wanted to taste a Robin."
"No offense, but I don't like you like that."
Killer Croc growled and raised his fists above his head to bring them down on Batman. The Dark Knight rolled to the side and smacked a small device on the side of Croc's ankle. Killer Croc snarled and whipped his head around and he stalked forward toward Batman, "I'm going to break your bones," he snarled, "Eat your flesh." he opened his hands, his claws glimmering in the dim light of the sewer.
"Doubt it." Batman flipped backward into the air as Croc swiped at him. Batman's attacks wouldn't do anything to his near impenetrable skin. Luckily Croc was as dumb as he was big.
Croc roared in rage as he charged Batman. The Caped Crusader slid in between the gap in Croc's legs, sneaking another device on the side of the other leg. Batman smirked, he forgot how much fun it was taunting the bad guys. He hadn't done that in a long time.
"Big," Batman sidestepped a strike, placing another device on his right shoulder. "Green," He rolled to the side, slapping another one of the devices onto the opposite shoulder. "And ugly." Croc charged in, ready to tackle the Dark Knight, but Batman leaped over him - placing one final device on the back of his neck.
Killer Croc whipped his head around, looking at Batman, roaring with all might, "Face me! Coward!"
Batman rolled his eyes, "You can add stupid to that list." he remarked, pressing a button on the side of his gauntlet.
A powerful electric shock coursed through all of Croc's body, slowly bringing him to his knees, then eventually knocking him unconscious. Croc's head smacked against the concrete of the sewer, splashing in the mucky water.
Batman caught his breath, the side of his torso was killing him, he pressed his hand to it and used the other to press the button on the side of his cowl, "Oracle?"
"Loud and clear, Batman." she answered back.
Batman chuckled, "Tick tock, tick tock - I caught myself a Croc."
Tick tock tick tock, the clock seemed so loud in the cripplingly silent room. Raven waited nervously on the examination table, he bounced her leg up and down in anticipation, and for some reason she couldn't stop biting her nails. She didn't even mean to do it, it just keeps happening. She was nervous, maybe she'd made a mistake coming here. Her mind, that had been running a muck since she left the Tower. Suddenly cleared.
She really wished Dick were hear.
She sighed, took a deep breath in and exhaled out slowly. She needed to calm down.
The doctor walked in abruptly, tearing Raven away from her thoughts. The doctor smiled kindly at Raven, she was younger than Raven would've thought. Late twenties - early thirties. Pretty too, long blonde hair that was tied back into a ponytail, round soft facial features, bright white smile, and stunningly blue eyes. Raven was forced into remembering Dick's bright baby blues. She could hardly picture them anymore.
"Good Evening, Miss Roth." the doctor nodded, "I understand you're here for a check up?" she questioned.
"Not for me," she clarified.
The doctor nodded with a smile, "For your baby, yes ma'am, I know." she stated with a chuckle, "Lift up your shirt, please."
Raven did as she asked - she had come in her civies, she had hoped for less questions this way. Most people in Jump knew who she was either way, but it was just easier like this. Raven lifted up her shirt, exposing her stomach. She hadn't thought about what she was going to do when she started showing. She wasn't looking forward to the Team's 'advice'.
The doctor spread the gel around her stomach, she jumped unintentionally, she wasn't expecting it to be so cold. The doctor gave her best reassuring smile to Raven, "You seem nervous."
Raven nodded meekly, "A bit."
"Would you like to call the father?" she questioned, waiting for the image to pop up on the screen.
Raven frowned and shook her head, "He won't be joining us."
The image displayed on the machine in front of them, the doctor looked over and smiled, "There it is."
Raven looked on in disbelief. She knew she was pregnant - she'd shown all the signs, taken three different tests, there was no doubt in her mind, but to actually see it. It was something else, "That's my baby?" she questioned.
The doctor nodded, "Yes ma'am." she studied the picture, "Two weeks - maybe a bit more."
"Wow," Raven commented breathlessly. She damned Dick Grayson. She was falling in love with another piece of him, all over again.
"What in the Hell were you thinking?" Diana exclaimed as Dick laid in the medical chair, Alfred was redoing the stitches that he'd torn in his fight with Killer Croc. Diana was pacing back and forth, acting the angry mother, throwing her hands in the air.
"Killer Croc was getting ready to make his move." he explained with a wince, sometimes he wondered if Alfred made it hurt worse on purpose, "He's way too dangerous to let go free. It had to be done."
"Not by you!" she snapped, "You can barely move without pain medication!"
"I'm Batman, it has to be me." he groaned.
"No it doesn't and no you're not!" she yelled, then turning his back on him as she shook her head, "Dick... I can't lose you. Bruce wouldn't have wanted this." she added, softer this time. She turned back to him, "You've done good, Dick." a desperate look was in her eye, "You don't have to be Batman anymore."
"Diana, I can't quit being Batman." he huffed, "You wouldn't understand."
Diana walked up to him and grabbed his hand, "Try me," she pleaded.
Dick looked down in shame, "It was my fault." he muttered, "All of this is my fault." he took a deep breath, he tried so hard to block the memory out, "Jason... the night that he died. He'd asked me to come visit. I can't remember what he wanted - maybe to train or maybe just to hang out, but I do remember that I said no. I said no because me and Bruce were still not on speaking terms." Dick shook his head, "Selfish. So selfish."
"Dick..." Diana spoke softly.
Dick pulled his hand away from hers and got up out of the chair, "Everything that Jason has done - to me, to my friends, to you, to Bruce. All those people at the Galla, their deaths are on me. Just like Jason's death is on me." he explained somberly, "If I just would've been there for him... none of this would've ever happened."
"Raven?" Beast Boy's muffled voice came through her door. She was on the floor, her back pressed against the door and her knees hugged to her chest as she quietly cried, holding the picture of the ultrasound to her chest. She'd thought everyone else had gone to bed.
"Go away Beast Boy." she tried to make her voice strong, but he saw right through it, "What are you even doing up?"
"I waited up for you," he chuckled, "Well, I tried. I might've dozed off for a bit." a long paused of silence held between the two Titans, "Can I please come in?"
"No." she answered back.
There was a small pause, she'd thought he'd left for a moment, "That's okay." she could hear his back slide down against her door, "I think I'll just stay here with you."
Raven shook her head, why'd he have to do this now? She could hear his muffled humming through the door. Against her better judgment, she asked, "What's that?"
"A song my momma used to sing to me," he paused, "It's all I can really remember of her. It helps."
Raven was shocked, Beast Boy never talked about his time before the Titans. Raven didn't know how to respond.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine." Beast Boy quietly sang, Raven listened closely, "You make me happy when skies are grey. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away."
There was a long silence between them, "I think there was more, but... I can't remember much."
"Do you think about her often?" Raven asked quietly.
"Every day."
Raven opened the door that held between them, Beast Boy looked at her with a sad smile. Raven held the tears in eyes back as she showed the green changeling the picture. Beast Boy didn't have a look of pity, like she'd expected. He just pulled her in and hugged her tightly, "I'm here Raven." he cooed softly, "You're not alone."
And that was what she needed.