A/N: Yeah! Fifty reviews for only nine chapters, you guys make me feel so loved (well, appreciated anyway ;)! Yes… well, enjoy, okay?
Only Human
Chapter 9
He really should have expected this. No. That was not strictly correct, both he and Superman had expected something like this. It just seems they hadn't taken enough precautions. J'onn supposed that he was too used to working with the other heroes, for when they said something they tended to follow it to the letter. Not so with the Dark Knight. He seemed to do as he said he would for only as long as he saw fit to. He had stayed in the infirmary-until J'onn had left it. The Martian had expected that the Batman would try to escape, most likely to return to his city; if all of what Superman said and J'onn sensed was true. He was a very stubborn individual-to put it mildly-but only human. And he was not in the best physical condition. The Martian was confident that he could persuade the man to see reason.
1…1
Finally, finally he had made it to the hanger bay. It had taken him so very much longer than usual. What had possessed him to build this place so big and so open? He was finding the lack of shadows extremely disconcerting. 'I must keep it together,' the Dark Knight thought desperately as he approached the Javelin. He recognized his wandering thoughts as a warning sign.
His defenses were weakening.
He needed to get home.
To Gotham.
Suddenly the Batman tensed. He may not be at the top of his form, but he could still tell when someone tried to approach him undetected.
"Batman," replied J'onn J'onzz to the cowled man's accusing stare. He drifted down trough the ceiling and landed squarely between the vehicle and the room's occupant, "This is not wise."
"What is not wise," he ground out, subconsciously searching for the concealing shadows, "is to stand in my way."
"I do not believe you have thought this through clearly," continued the Martian as though the Batman had not spoken. The Batman was not used to being ignored. He did not like it. He had a problem, yes, and he acknowledged that. But he would take care of his… condition if every one would stop getting in his way. Everyone… that reminded him. Clark. Since J'onn had apparently discovered his ruse, there was no evidence to say that Superman hadn't already been informed of his…a-hem…escape attempt, and in his condition it would be best if Clark never caught up to him. He needed to expedite matters.
"Let me pass, J'onn."
"I will not."
"I- I ask you. Let me pass."
"I cannot, and I will not."
"Very well." Suddenly the Martian was awash in pain, the feeling surrounded him, assaulted him, and completely overran what minuscule defenses he was able to raise in his sudden surprise and horror. As the alien slumped to the ground he could barely perceive a dark cape swish overhead before he was forced to turn all attention inward...
1…1
The Batman felt only the slightest trace of guilt as he tunneled all the repressed pain that he had been holding back and focused a psychic blast of it at the Martian. By this time his full concentration was fixed firmly on his city: what might happen to it and to him in an extended absence from it. The reflex of decades had kicked in: when one was injured one returned to the Cave. In Gotham. Return to Alfred's worried sarcasm and practiced administrations. In Gotham. At all costs. This ingrained reflex had severed him well in the past. When he was alone. When he was only human and adrift in a world full of deranged psychopaths, maniac supervillains, and meta-human foes. These precautions had to be taken, and now it seemed that they had taken over.
1…1
The Javelin set down with something rather short of its usual grace, but nothing jarring enough to cause any permanent damage. There was a long period of stillness before the ramp lowered and the Javelin's occupant descended. Immediately the Batman felt the comfort that all humans feel when they finally return home a dark, dank, and infested as it may be. This was his city. Here he held the advantage and would ambush any and all comers from the shelter of the twisting streets and multitudes of enshrouding shadows. He automatically secured the ship before calling the bat-mobile. The auto-pilot would get him home with a minimal amount of guidance and after forcing his mind clear to safely land the Javelin, minimal was all he could give. Gratefully he slid into the car's padded seat, but continued the struggle to keep himself conscious until the familiar, vaulted ceiling of the cave was passing overhead. Alfred would find him eventually. Or he'd drag himself up the stair to the manor. At the moment he didn't care because he was safe. He had truly come home.
A/N: Aww, who knew Bats had a soft side? I hoped you enjoyed it, please feel free to review if you did (or didn't for that matter).
Many thanks to Saibachick, Valandil, EvilHamsterMastermind, AniriRevan, RedSoxGirl5, and balletangel19 for reviewing last chapter!