My audition music for ensemble placement just came out this morning, so I'm trying desperately to get this finished within the next day so that I can practice the damned music for all hours of the day without any distractions...

Regression

"I watched the black ocean in his eyes and saw this flash behind them and understood... He was not so far gone as to be lost, but he was close. Whether I wanted to or not, I anchored him to this world. I inhaled sharply at the wildness I saw in him, the despair that was threatening to rise."

"Dr. Wilkins, he's regressed into almost a completely catatonic state. There is nothing more we can do for him here. We are a rehabilitative mental health facility, not a stagnant asylum for brain dead-"

"His mind is not gone." Elaine glared at the board president. Her eyes were surrounded by dark circles, her face lined with worry. "I believe he can still come out of this."

"When?" The man asked her incredulously. "Elaine, you can't predict the future. Hell, if people could predict the future, we probably wouldn't have mental patients any longer. You can't possibly tell me that you are positive that he will recover."

Elaine looked down sadly. "No, I can't." She paused. "But, if we give up on him now, we are enabling him to never recover."

The man frowned, looking into her face. "Elaine, you look terrible."

She gave a sheepish grin. "That's what happens when I'm spending hours upon hours researching and doing everything I can to help my one patient."

The doctor nodded. "You really think you can make him snap out of it?"

She nodded slowly. "I've been gathering some ideas to help him."

"Would you care to enlighten me with those ideas?"

Elaine hesitated. "Glenn, I really believe he is attempting to repress everything in his life that makes him who and what he is. Every good memory and thought in his life seems to have an association with something negative. Especially after bringing some particularly traumatic events to light, he is desperate to get as far away from those traumas as possible."

Glenn nodded slowly.

Elaine continued. "Despite how necessary it has been to extract him from his normal life, I can't help but wonder if... perhaps, a visitor could help... remind him of who he is."

The doctor instantly shook his head, his expression cold. "Absolutely not. Do you know how much of a risk this could be? I mean, he could regress further, he could have a complete breakdown, he could become violent and hurt his friends and family-"

"Glenn, he's lost right now." Elaine said softly. "Like a sheep without his flock. He only needs someone, something to remind him to begin making his way back. He's lost all hope in himself. A visitor from his past life could help him remember that he has to continue living."

After a moment, Glenn finally gave a glum nod. "You are to have no less than three attendants there, ready in case something goes wrong. I don't want to hear about some patient killing his friends in an attempt to escape, and then receive notification that our facility is being sued."

Frowning at his blunt honesty, Elaine nodded.

Glenn's expression softened. "Elaine, I want him to recover, just as much as you do. But if he's still not responding to treatment within two weeks, then we are sending him to Arkham."

Elaine shuddered.

Dick.

...

I know you're listening. I know you can hear me.

...

I know you don't want to talk. But, could you please say something? Just so that I know you're here with me?

...

Fine. I'll do the talking then. I know what all this silence is about.

...

You are trying your damnedest to repress everything you know, everything you are. You are sick of the pain, so you're trying to completely eliminate every possible source of pain in its entirety.

...

I know we've tried so many different types of therapies. I can understand if you're sick of all my pestering. But, I'm not ready to give up on you.

...you remind me of my mom.

Really. Why is that?

...you just do. You're so determined, like she was.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

...don't you get it? Trying to make me better is so pointless.

Why?

You and I both know that I'm never going to get better. I don't even want to get better anymore.

...you haven't told me this. What has made you feel this way?

...

So, you are willing to take comfort in being considered crazy?

...no.

Then, what has made you decide to give up?

...

Dick. I can't help you if you won't talk to me.

...I've tried. You've tried. We've both tried so much, and it's gotten me nowhere. Slade is still here. I still see and hear things that aren't real. I'm never going to get better. I'm sorry.

...

...Dr. Wilkins-

I will not stand for you apologizing for something that is not your fault. Do you understand me?

...

(sighs) I'm going to be honest with you. My boss is threatening to go over my head and send you to Arkham if you don't make progress sometime soon. I've fought this as much as possible, but at this point... fighting this isn't going to help me... or you, for that matter.

...

So, I have one last idea for treatment. If it doesn't work, then fine. I give you permission to give up on yourself. I won't pester you anymore. But, I just want to try this one thing. Is that okay with you?

...

Tomorrow morning, I'm bringing in someone very special. I really think it will help you tremendously.

...

It's settled then. (leaves)

...

Author's Note:

Who could it be? Batman? One of the Titans? Alfred? Please review!