This isn't my favorite chapter. I am hoping the next one shows a better Bruce and Dick relationship.

CHAPTER SIX

Bruce was stunned into immobility when he saw Dick body slam Alfred. The boy, for being injured, was still lithe and fast. He snapped out of his trance and quickly rushed around the gurney to grab for the injured child when he saw Dick reaching for the scalpel that got knocked to the ground in the scuffle. Terror then rage filled Bruce and he roughly ripped the makeshift knife away from Dick and picked him none too gently in a bear hug. He held tight to the flailing bundle and felt a sharp pain in his hand from what he knew had to be teeth. The pain surprised him briefly but he renewed his hold and turned to find Alfred, hoping he could help calm Dick before further injuries could occur. But as soon as he started towards the butler he felt the movement in his arms stop and a dead weight take its place.

Bruce wasn't sure what to do as this point. His emotions flared between anger, shock, hurt, and worry. He looked down at the raven black hair and small pixie face and his heart hurt. Hurt from the pain his child had gone through and also for the unknown of what just happened.

The quiet voice of his butler filtered through the tangled mess of his mind, "Master Bruce, I think you can loosen your grip now." Alfred had picked himself off the ground and was walking toward him.

The response came as whisper filled with worry, "Alfred, what happened? Dick is not a violent child. He would never turn or betray anyone he cared about."

"I don't know Master Bruce, but I think we can attribute part of this to the stress of his confinement and the pain he must be feeling from his injuries. I must insist you loosen you grip and set him down, before he chokes on lack of oxygen."

Bruce gently lowered the body back down on the gurney and let his hands linger over the chest of his ward, feeling his breathing and relaxed muscles. He saw the broken and dirty finger nails and they made his nostrils flair at the man who caused this pain to a small child.

"Alfred, can you hand me that warm wash cloth on the table," Bruce asked without looking up from Dick's right hand. Alfred finished gathering the dropped supplies from where they had fallen when Dick tackled him, handed over the wanted object.

"I think we should give him a light sedative, sir. It will help keep him sleeping and ease the pain of cleaning and bandaging his injuries.

The reply was distracted, "Do what you think best Alfred."

Bruce gently lifted up Dick's hand and started cleaning away the dirt and blood that had accumulated over the past week. Then he noticed the swelling of the pinky finger. His mind immediately put the pieces together. "Alfred, his finger is broken. Grabbing his hand must have hurt and he's been so scared. Is that why?"

The question stayed open in the air, both adults knowing what the last part of the statement. Is that why you attacked Alfred. Bruce clicked his tongue in thought and finished cleaning the hand and arm of his ward. He went to go get a new wash cloth and returned to Alfred putting a finger brace on the injured digit.

"Master Bruce, I think you both can used some rest. I have given Master Dick a light sedative, one that should help him sleep out the night."

Bruce walked over to the sleeping child, his pajama top in place, covering the multitude of bruises and cuts that he noticed early, but couldn't focus on without fear of losing control and leaving to find the bastard that did this. He gently picked up Dick and cradled him like someone would for a child half his age and made for the stairs.

"I think Dick would want company when he wakes up. I'll set him in my room tonight Alfred," Bruce called over his shoulder.

Alfred smiled in knowing. "Good idea sir, should I bring you breakfast and the young sir something easy to eat in the morning?"

But Bruce was already walking through the entrance and couldn't hear. Alfred didn't mind, he was tired himself and knew he also could finally sleep tonight. He finished cleaning up and followed Bruce's footsteps upstairs. He was surprised to see Bruce still in the kitchen.

"Something wrong, sir?" Alfred inquired.

"He looks so scared Alfred. I noticed it when I got into the brighter light. I don't want him scared. He knows he never has to fear us, but why the worried look?" The worried tone drew Alfred up closer to look as the slumbering form in Bruce's arms.

"Master Bruce, please go upstairs. You know that this isn't you, but the tiring day we have all had."

"I guess…." But the weight of doubt hung in the air.

Bruce went upstairs and laid Dick down on his bed. His sheets weren't turned down yet and Bruce was too tired to try to battle pristine bed ware. He kicked off his shoes and changed into sweatpants and a loose gray shirt he found comfortable to sleep in, then located a quilt he could throw over both of them that would do the job of keeping them warm. He knew he should shower, but exhaustion was setting in and he couldn't imagine leaving Dick tonight for anything.

He laid down and pulled the child closer to him, so one hand could rest on the boy's shoulder and chest at all times. A feeling of even breathing let Bruce know that Dick was still there, and it wasn't a dream. He had his boy back.

He fell into a light sleep but was woken up by the feeling of restlessness. Snapping his eyes open he frowned deeply, his forehead wrinkled in worry at the tossing and turning of Dick caught in a night terror. A pained whimper could be heard.

"Shh, shh, it's okay Dick. I got you." Bruce pulled the struggling child closer to him. He needed him to calm down. His injuries were mostly superficial, but struggling wasn't going to help them heal any faster. Bruce sat up and reclined against the headboard, than cradled Dick while whispering soothing words to calm him down. He ran his hand through the thick locks of hair and gently rocked back and forth. Dick's head was resting against the broad chest of Bruce, and the constant low tone of his voice made its way into his unconscious and calmed him slowly.

They stayed like that the rest of the night. Dick calmed down and fell back into a restful slumber, but Bruce didn't want to risk any more nightmares. When dawn cracked through the thick curtains its beams fell upon the sleeping form of a father cradling his son who was nestled in his lap, sleeping soundly for the first time in days.