(Cries) Poop on you all. I only got two reviews. Oh well, better then none I guess…

trecebo: I'm glad you liked the dream. I wasn't sure if I made it effective enough. Hmmm, yeah, having Bats talk to him would be cool. Thanks for the idea, although I won't be using it in this chapter...not really anyway. Thanks for reviewing!

zizzy333: Yes, I know, twists are evil, but I'm sure you'll enjoy this one. Thanks for reviewing!

Chapter 12-Rest

Gear stood shocked, watching as doctor's and nurses examined his best friend. It's all my fault. None of this would have happened if I hadn't convince him to go into that damned bank in the first place. And then…Then I took too long getting that password. It was just a stupid password, and I was too stupid to find it any faster! Damnit! He's going to die and it's all my fault….Before he had any more time to yell at himself, he head a loud cheer coming from inside the room. Confused, the young hero kept watching as nurses adjusted machinery and doctor's examined their patient.

Looking over, Gear saw Mr. Hawkins and Sharon were just as equally confused. What the hell? Deciding that the few seconds he had stood waiting since the cheer were much too long, Gear made his way inside the room, scanning every millimeter of equipment as he got closer.

"What's going on? What happened?" His voice was now laced with the slightest traces of anger, but confusion was the most obvious emotion.

One of the doctors, supposedly the lead surgeon, began talking. "We don't know. It seems as though his energy suddenly started up and somehow messed with our machines." Fatigued, Richie couldn't comprehend what the not-so-subtle clue and huge grin represented. He also didn't notice when Mr. Hawkins and Sharon walked up behind him. "Don't you get it? He's alive. The more conscious he becomes, the more energy he uses". And then it hit him. Of course! He needs to be at least somewhat conscious to be able to use his powers. He needs to ALIVE!

"He's alive." Gear mumbled, a huge grin spreading across his face. "He's alive!" The young hero shouted, turning to huge the just as excited Hawkins. "He's gonna make it." Gear said with a final sigh before darkness overtook him.

The need to somehow pry open his eyes was not readily accepted. He was tired and sore. It was comfortable in the darkness, why should he leave? And then he remembered. Remembered his best friend in the hospital, his desperate search for the guy who put him there, the crooks discovery, and…and…

"Virgil?" Richie mumbled, suddenly feeling a cold compress on his forehead. With a groan, he tried to move. But a mysterious hand prevented this action.

"Keep still Richie. Everything's alright." Who was that? It wasn't Mr. Hawkins, that was for sure…

"Dad?" Richie pried his eyes open, just enough to make out a blurry image of his father standing over him. Once again, he tried sitting up, and, like before, his dad stopped him.

"Richie, please, just lay still." That was his mothers voice.

Giving up, the youth settled back into the pillows. Wait…pillows? Where am I? "What happened?" His voice was slightly shaky, and noticeably weak.

"When you found out Virgil was okay, you passed out. Seems as though you've been running purely on adrenaline since this whole thing started, and you finally shut down. How do you feel now son?"

Thinking for a few seconds, his stomach decided to answer for him. "Hungry." He mumbled as his parents laughed slightly. "And tired." He added as an afterthought.

"You should be. You've got a temperature of 100. 3." Replied his mother and she removed the cloth from his forehead, dipped it into some cool water, and placed it back to it's original spot. "Why don't you get some rest, and we'll go get you something to eat." His mother continued, looking over her child.

Richie watched as his parents left, but before he could even think about sleeping, his dad popped his head back in. "You've got company." He said before leaving. Turning toward the door, the young hero watched as the League entered his room.

"How yah feeling kid?" Asked Flash the instant he zipped over.

"Okay." Richie replied, not even noticing the fact that his mask wasn't. on. Why should he? They already knew who he was.

"Sure you are." Retorted Green Lantern, a smirk lighting his face.

"How's Virgil?" Richie asked, trying to sit up, and once again having someone push him back down, except this time it was Batman.

"Still out. That slight energy use was a little too much for his system to use up."

Jee Bruce, gentle lately? Thought Flash as he decided to put everything in…nicer terms. "Don't worry kid, he should be fine. The doctors are feeding him energy now. A little at a time. He should be sitting up and complaining about his hospital food in no time."

Richie grinned slightly as his eyes drooped. Content with the knowledge that Virgil was truly fine, he let himself slip back into unconsciousness.

Unknown to the young genius, the conversation continued.

"Virgil's clear," started Flash, "But what about him?" He asked, motioning to the now sleeping Richie.

All eyes came to rest on the hero. "I'll have a talk with him." Said Superman.

"No." Batman broke him off before he got a chance to say anything else. "I'll talk to him."

Questioning eyebrows rose from all his teammates, but nobody ever dared to argue with Batman. J'onn knew what was going on. "That's a good idea. They boy's mind is still troubled. He needs someone who will listen." The other Leaguers nodded and made their exit, leaving Flash alone with him.

"Take care of yourself kid." Flash whispered before zipping out of the room.

Sorry it wasn't very long. Actually, it was freakishly short, so sorry 'bout that, but I hope you liked it! It was yet another filler chapter with a happy twist.