Chapter 11 – A confession
We drove Clay home then we got back to Chicago to the apartment. It was quite late, the others were already in their rooms, resting, sleeping. I said goodnight to Dick without any further conversation. This day was long enough already. But somehow, I got a feeling I won't be able to sleep for a while and not just because of my injured shoulder. Just too many things were happening nowadays, too many things to think about.
"May I come in?" Dick asked as my door was ajar.
"Sure." I answered even though I wasn't so sure it's a good idea.
"I found some painkillers" He started, placing a few pills on my nightstand with a glass of water. "And I know it's not much, but you should wear this. It will help a bit." He stepped closer showing a home-made sling which he knotted from one of his shirt.
"Thank you, Dick" I said smiling. I was really grateful for his thoughtfulness. I took a pill right away, then he offered the sling. "I'll change quickly first" I said disappearing in my bathroom. But soon enough I had to admit, it's not going to happen. One hand hurting like hell, with only the other I wasn't able to take off my shirt. I walked back to the bedroom defeated as Dick raised his brow surprised.
"Mind to…" I asked embarrassed, but I haven't really had any other choice. I didn't want to wake Kory or Rachel because of a shirt.
He froze for a moment as I was about to change my mind. It wasn't that bad, I could've change it in the morning.
"Of course" He said then stepping closer leisurely. I casted my eyes down. I didn't know why I felt so nervous. It's not like he hasn't seen me like this, quite the opposite.
First he freed my normal arm.
My senses heightened at his closeness. I inhaled in his musky scent trying not to get too carried away with all the memories.
He lifted my shirt up above my head as I silently thanked myself for wearing a considerably acceptable bra. His fingers touched my skin sometimes even though he was very careful not to, it was inevitable. Just like my reaction to it. My entire body tingled, responding to him keenly.
Lastly he gently pulled off the cloth from my injured arm.
"Thanks" I noted as I was pretty sure my cheeks were as red as a ripe tomato.
"You're welcome" He said then he stayed there, expectedly. "Your other cloth?" He asked as I realised I'm still standing in front of him in my underwear.
"Right" I agreed hurrying to the bathroom.
"Still your favourite colour?" Dick noted with a half-smile when I came back. For a moment I looked at him puzzled, but as his gaze wandered down on my bra, I understood. Royal blue, he remembered.
"Um, yeah" I admitted it handing him a new shirt. You liked it I remarked it before I could censure my thoughts.
I still do. He reassured me while we locked eyes as my blush deepened. "Here, I start with your hurt one now" He said sparing me.
I tried to help him with the dressing as he concentrated hard not to cause any pain. He frowned focusing, being totally lost in the process, which gave me the opportunity to examine his face up close. Those four years left its mark on him, but not all in a bad way. He got some wrinkles in the corner of his eyes, just like on his forehead, yet he was still very handsome. A sudden, consuming thought burst into my mind. What would we be if he stayed? Would he still be Robin? Or he would've quit it earlier? Maybe we could've teamed up. Robin and Firecracker. Well, that sounded rather childish…
I gasped as he had to move my arm, snapping me out of my daydream.
"I'm sorry, Ror" He apologised instantly, but I shook my head.
"Don't worry" I ensured him as he was done with the worst part. He quickly pulled the shirt over my head as I slid my other arm in it.
"There you go" He said, bringing the sling. "It will do the trick" He added, placing my arm in it softly then he leaned in to knot it behind my neck. "Is it good like this?" He asked. "Not too tight?"
I could feel his warm breath on my skin as he spoke, caressing me. I closed my eyes for a second as my pulse quickened with forbidden longing.
"No, it's perfect" I answered eventually, taking a step back. "Thank you, again"
"Anytime, Rory" He said it casually, but I knew he really meant it. Maybe for the first time in our relationship. "Try to rest, tomorrow we have to interrogate Adamson." He added, leaving me alone.
I scoffed, sitting down on my bed. What should I do with you, Dick Grayson?
DDD
The next morning we decided to make our doctor talk. At all cost. Kory told us that he refuses to talk to anyone, but Rachel. Well, we will see.
"Are you sure you want this?" Dick asked once more as I was about to enter the bathroom. He didn't want to talk. Fine. But it didn't mean I can't read his mind...
"Don't worry, I can take care of myself" I ensured him. "Yes, even with one hand, Dick, he is a handcuffed old man" I rolled my eyes at his thought.
"Okay-okay. Just shout if you need me" He backed off finally
"You're not Rachel" Adamson noted as I visited him.
"Your sharp mind is truly remarkable, doctor" I murmured stepping closer.
"What do you want with her?" I tried the old-fashioned way, who knows, but he just raised his brows disapprovingly. I sighed getting tired of him. "Alright then" I closed my eyes trying to fine tune his vibes.
"Your tricks won't work on me, Lorelei." He warned me. Of course, he seemed like knowing almost everything about us.
I haven't answered just kept attempting to catch his thoughts. And I finally managed! Yeah, I could figure out how much he likes omelettes and what a shame that he had to leave that champagne at the apartment...
"I've been trained"
I groaned in frustration as I approached him threateningly. He was really getting on my nerves!
"You can do anything to me, I'll only talk to Rachel" He informed me calmly and I was sure he's telling the truth.
"Son of a bitch" I muttered storming out of the bathroom as everyone looked at me curiously.
"Nothing." I admitted it. "He's a fucking psycho"
"I need to talk to him. Alone." Rach drew the conclusion.
"Don't think that's a good idea." Dick shook his head.
"Why? 'Cause I can't take care of myself?"
"That's not the point."
"I need to find out who he is. Why he's chasing me." She tried to reason.
"I don't trust him."
"What's not to trust? The man's tied up." Kory joined in.
"One word from Rachel, and I'll walk in and gladly put my foot through his face." I offered still pissed. "Dick, please." I added softly. He looked at me and I saw him easing up.
"Five minutes."
"Thank you." Rachel said happily, then almost immediately disappeared.
She couldn't spent in there more than fifteen minutes, but she ran out with her hands soaked in blood.
"He killed himself" She started with a shaky voice as I hurried there to hug her. I knew that man is mental... "But I healed him." Rach continued looking at me all confused. "He said to put my hands on him and it worked. The cut healed." She gabbled as I glanced at Dick. He beckoned me to follow. Kory came up to us, pulling Rachel into her embrace as I went after Dick.
"How did you know she could do that?" He already started the questioning.
"I know everything about her. She will purify the world." He started with pathos. "There's a prophecy that says Rachel will destroy the world. An interpretation based on fear."
"Alright, you're sick" I said disgusted as Dick decided to has enough too. He stepped up to him, grabbing his arm, bending it backwards in a nit so natural way.
"What do you want with Rachel?" He demanded.
"She will purify the world." Adamson repeated vaguely as Dick twisted his arm more. The man groaned in pain.
"I'm not gonna ask you again."
"To reunite her with her father." He pressed between his clenched teeth.
"Who is he? Where is he?"
"I don't know." He muttered. "I swear. You can't stop him." He added in agony. "Angela couldn't. Melissa couldn't. No one can keep Rachel from him."
"Who's Angela?" I asked now getting interested. "You said she couldn't keep Rachel from him. Who is Angela?" I insisted as Dick pushed him harder to incite him.
"Her mother. Angela is her mother." He responded quietly.
"Now we're getting somewhere. Let's talk about Angela." I offered.
Turned out that they are keeping her locked up in an asylum not so far.
"He says your birth mother is still alive." I said to Rachel after we finished with Adamson. We decided to tell her, there was no point in lying.
"What?" Rach asked astonished.
"He claims they've been holding her prisoner. He may be lying." Dick said concerned.
"He says your mother's name is Angela Azarath. They're holding her at some asylum. Apparently, he and his people are dead set on keeping you two apart." I added.
"Why?"
"I don't know. Sounds like your mother isn't a fan." Kory guessed.
"My mom's alive." Rach declared excited. "I could meet my mom. We have to go. Now." She urged us getting worked up.
"Even if he is telling the truth, this could be a trap." I noted. "At best, we would be marching into an enemy stronghold. You've seen what these people can do." I wanted to cool her out.
"No one's going anywhere until we take some time for recon." Dick agreed with me.
"What if they move her? They know we have him." Rachel asked in disbelief.
"I'm not risking all of our lives on his word. I'm sorry." Dick was relentless.
"Rory, please." She pleaded breaking my heart.
"Rach..." I started but she cut me off immediately.
"Save it. I thought you could understand me" She noted it bitterly. "You think we should go. Right, Gar?" She turned to his only hope, but as he remained silent, she lost all hope. "Gar?"
"I'm sorry, Rachel." He said painfully as she jumped up running out of the living room. I was thinking to go after her, but Dick stopped me, placing his hand on my shoulder. I looked at him confused but he beckoned to Gar's direction. He was also on his way to her.
I nodded. He was right. They needed some space.
"Come, let's check the asylum" He offered as we headed to the tech room.
"Public records show that the facility where Rachel's mom is being held is closed and abandoned." Dick told me as he sat in front of the computer.
"Doesn't look like either one to me." I muttered frowning. So it was indeed a trap.
"Nope. Fourteen monitored exits. All hooked up to CCTV and IR sensors." Dick continued. "Thermal scans showing upwards of ten security staff patrolling on the inside. No heat signatures on the outer buildings, but another dozen are patrolling the grounds."
"Okay. So, option one, we walk up and knock on the door." I summed up the possibilities. "Option two, Kory blow down the door. Or option three..."
"Tunnels." He nodded. "Connecting the main asylum to the decommissioned outbuildings. We use them to get past the ground patrols." He told me the plan. "Once inside, we'd still be pretty heavily outnumbered, but..."
"We've faced worse." I finished his thought agreeing. "Great, I tell the kids" I smiled at him positively. I knew Rach was going to be happy!
"I find Kory" Dick said as I ran upstairs where Rachel and Gar was supposed to be. Right. Supposed to. Because they were nowhere.
"Damn it!" I cursed hurrying back to Dick. We had a huge problem.