Teen Titans: The End of the World

Chapter Two: The Invisible Man

Now I'm scared that this reality/Is much too heavy for me/

I'm too weak to be strong/I can't be the only one/

Holding on till the day you find me

~ Blake Lewis. End of the World

The black-clad man swooped in and out of the shadows, keeping an eye on the flashing lights and nearby electronic scouts. He made his way out of town, or what was left of it, and headed towards the vast grounds covered in dilapidated mansion. He was late from his scouting watch but he didn't care; there wasn't much that he actually cared about anymore to be honest, and that suited him just fine. He had lost so much over the years that he got used to being cold, hard and not unlike the man who raised him. He arrived at the far east wall that used to house the elaborate study of Wayne Manor and then, waiting until the scouts passed by, pulled out "The Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison from the bookshelf and slid stealthily into the stairwell that opened in the floor.

He made the long trek into what used to be the Bat Cave and was now a safe haven for their tiny rebel sect. Gotham was one of the first cities to fall to Slade's army, which was really no surprise considering the majority of Gotham was comprised of scum and low lives. Combine them with the wealthy wussies that joined Slade merely to avoid losing their big mansions and BMWs and it only took a few hours to topple the majestic city.

The young man walked for a little longer before coming to the security point of their base; he put in his information and entered into the cold, sterile environment that had served as his home for the last 7 years. A few people greeted him upon sight and then went back to whatever menial thing they were using to occupy themselves nowadays. He headed toward the main console where he knew Bruce would be waiting and, before he knew it, he felt her before he heard her.

"Where have you been?" came the powerful voice from behind him. "You're over three hours late! Thompson has been back for a long time and he said you didn't communicate with him. I hate it when you do that."

Richard Grayson sighed heavily and turned around to face the angry woman glaring at him.

"I'm sorry," he apologized, not really meaning it. "I just needed some time to think. I already radioed in and said I didn't see anything. And I'm okay, you can see now."

She sighed, her shoulders dropping all the tension and anger in her body. "I'm sorry too. I don't mean to be so harsh, I was just worried…. You've been taking a lot of time to 'think' lately. Something on your mind?"

She moved forward to rub his arms and comfort him, but he felt guilty enough just talking to her. He weighed whether or not to even tell her but he knew she wouldn't stop prodding until he gave her what she was looking for.

"I've been having some dreams lately…. Nightmares really," he admitted, looking off at the wall. "It seems like that night keeps playing over and over in my head recently and I don't know why or how to shake it. I can't stand that memory… I wish it would just disappear already."

She smiled comfortingly and leaned against his chest. "It's been seven years, Dick," she soothed. "And it was a horrific experience; I can't imagine what it must have been like to watch all your friends disappear like that. To top it off, you would have died too if Bruce hadn't been there to save you." She paused to kiss his chest and smile up at him. "You take all the time you need with this. Just let me know in the future instead of just running off, okay?"

He nodded and agreed as she walked off and he continued his journey to the operating room where he knew Bruce would be waiting. He shook his head to try and physically clear his mind as he entered the brightly lit room to see his mentor and father figure talking quietly to another scout. They looked up and Bruce said his goodbyes and motioned for Richard to enter the room. He saw Alfred come in from another room with a cup of black coffee for him and sat down at the long table, waiting for the barrage of disapproval.

"You sure have a way about you, you know that son?" Bruce growled, not looking at him just yet. "I'm glad you're okay but I know how these moods of yours take over and I'm used to you disappearing like that. You should know better than that to do the same to that poor girl."

Richard was completely taken aback by this turn of events. He expected to be yelled at, berated, maybe even locked into a room for not coming back on time but he never saw Bruce getting mad at him because of this. When he finally collected himself, he saw the two older men staring at him, waiting for a response.

"Um, I'm sorry," he fumbled, clasping his hands around the warm mug. "I guess I figured she would be fine. In fact I never considered how she would be to be honest…"

Bruce sighed and his body relaxed a little. "I know. It's just…. She's been through a lot in the last year and I feel like I need to look out for her since it's my fault she's alone anyway." He paused as if remembering something horrific and shook it out. "I just wish you would move on and be happy with her. You two fit really well together. You're kind of like….well…. like birds of a feather, I guess."

Richard's whole body tensed and he felt the leftover pieces of his heart vibrating with pain in his hollow chest. He clenched the mug so hard he thought it might break; it took several minutes for him to calm down enough not to cry, something he hadn't done in almost six years. He took a deep breath and let it out before thinking about what he wanted to say.

"First off Bruce," he began quietly, not looking at anyone in particular. "What happened with her father…. It wasn't your fault. Things happen in times like this and she understands that. Second… I care…for her. I do. But I'll never feel the same way….. That's just something I can't do. If I haven't healed in seven years, then I don't know if ever will." He stopped to see pained looks on the only family he had left in his life. "I'll try harder not to worry her but she knows how I am. I can't change how I feel and she knows that…. Knows me, I guess. Right now, we're a comfort to each other but that's it and we both understand that. Please don't worry."

He stood up, drained his coffee and set it down with a weary look on his face. "I hope you'll excuse me but I haven't been getting much sleep lately and I really should rest up before my next mission."

He started to walk off and Bruce spoke up as he reached the door.

"I will try not to worry," Bruce said softly. "But please remember that I've taken Gordon's place in her life and I only want both of you to move on with your life and be happy in these hard times. You're lucky to have someone like Barbara who cares for you, Richard. Good night."

Richard mumbled something back and skulked back to his room, the last vestiges of his heart desperately fighting to feel something once more.