Chapter Four

Dick and Bruce hurtled toward the ground. It rushed to greet him, and he spread his wings seconds before he smashed into the concrete. Bailey grunted as he grabbed her from her free-fall.

He angled himself expertly to alight on the top of an adjacent apartment complex. Holding Bailey firmly in one arm, he motioned to Dick to follow suit. The moment Dick joined them, Bruce jumped up and caught on a gust of wind off the harbor.

Back to the cave.

"Are you hurt?" They were back in the cave below Wayne Manor, and Bailey was curled up on a surplus army cot pushed into a corner. Dick felt stupid for asking, of course Bailey was hurt. She clutched her side and leaned precariously on the edge of the cot. She probably had broken ribs.

"Bru- I mean Batman? I think you should-"

"You've taken a first aid class, right?" Bruce, who still wore his mask, ignored Dick's question.

"Yeah, why?"

"I have to go back to the crime scene and sort this whole thing out with Gordon." He tucked his grappling gun into his utility belt, and opened the batmobiles door. "I need you to take care of her."

"But- you're just leaving?" Dick asked incredulously. "What about the girl?" He didn't understand- Bruce had never acted like this before.

The batmobiles engine growled menacingly. "Don't expect me back until morning," Bruce shouted over the engines growl. He sped off without another word, leaving Dick in a cloud of dust.

"Hmph." Dick hunched his shoulders and slouched off to the supply cupboard. As he rooted through boxed of bandages and thread, he make what small talk he could with his "guest".

"So, uh, Bailey, are you from Gotham?" She nodded without a word.

"Yeah, I was born here, too- in Crime Alley, unfortunately. You know, that area of town used to the metropolitan- a tourist destination, believe it or not. Ah, here we are." Dick jumped up to reach a fresh box of bandages from the top shelf.

He turned to Bailey, and a sudden realization hit him like bullet. He could hardly bandage Bailey's broken ribs if she kept her shirt on. "Er… Bailey?" He gulped as she looked up at him helplessly from the cot. "Do you think your ribs are broken?" Stupid question.

Bailey nodded slowly; she was clearly in pain. "Well, uh, I can't bandage you unless you- er-" He gulped again. He'd never even asked girls he loved to do this- "take your shirt off."

"Oh, is that it?" Bailey sat up straight. With one swift tug, her shirt was off.

"Hey, that's from last year's Victoria's Secret winter collection, isn't it?" The moment Dick said it, he wanted to stuff his shoe down his throat. His cheek's blazed scarlet as Bailey convulsed with laughter.

"Yeah, it is." Her smirk faded. "The Joker had a thing for lingerie."

"Oh." Dick stuffed the proverbial foot further down the proverbial throat. "Okay, well, if you could lay down, I just need to feel which ribs are- What?" Bailey was giggling.

"You're blushing bright red!" She bit her lip as she laid down, but that didn't stop her shaking with laughter.

Dick carefully laid his hands on her abdomen and began to feel her ribcage. Bailey no longer laughed, but breathed evenly. She frowned when Dick poked her in the side. "Don't, please don't," She pleaded.

Dick motioned for her to sit up and took up the roll of bandages. "Right- uh- put your hands over your head so I can wrap the bandages around." Bailey did so, and Dick couldn't help but notice the way her breasts stuck out. He knew he shouldn't think of her that way, but he admired her figure.

He bit his lip and hugged her, switching the bandages from one hand to the other behind her back. Before long, her torso was firmly swathed in gauze. "That feel alright?"

Bailey looked Dick in the eye and nodded. Dick couldn't fathom the look she gave him. It was almost…

The batmobile's lights swept across the cave, throwing Dicks shadow against the wall. He turned around resignedly. No doubt Bruce would have another round of questions ready for him. Lately, it was all questions and no answers with Bruce.

"How is she?" Dick bit his lip; his first thought was hardly polite.

"Bailey is fine. A few of her ribs are broken, so I wrapped them up."

Bruce didn't even look at Dick when he answered. "Good. I'll send Alfred down with some aspirin and food."

Dick was indignant. "We can't just leave her down here! You have a mansion full of spare bedrooms!"

"Aaaand we also have identities to protect."

"Oh come on, who's she going to tell?"

Dick jumped back a step as Bruce loomed over him. "She spent three years at the Joker's mercy. We don't know what she'll do. Now you will stop questioning my authority, or you'll be sleeping down here too."

"Your authority- we'll if that isn't a laugh!" Dick spluttered. "I may be your side kick, but I've never been your minion! You know what, I will sleep down here!"

Bruce didn't answer, but continued checking the equipment on his utility belt. Dick stormed to the back of the cave, and punched the button for the cargo elevator.