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Bruce was woken by Leslie. The woman had tears in her eyes, and he felt his heart sink. If he lost Dick...

"Bruce, he's awake. They both are awake, but Dick is the most stable."

All hopelessness left the man, and he was up and walking to his son's room before anyone could stop him.

"Dick?" he asked softly as he entered the room.

A wimper of pain answered his call, and he rushed inside to stand on the edge of the bed. Nightwing looked up at him with swollen eyes, but he was alive and that was all that mattered to Bruce Wayne at that moment.

"Son?" he said, grasping Dick's limp hand with both of his own, gazing into the blue orbs with pride laced in his gaze. My wounded Romany warrior, back from a violent battle.

Dick looked up at him, and said through the respirator,

"Bruce...I won."

"Yes, yes you did." He managed a half smile "I knew you would. You're too stubborn to die from a disease. That would be too easy wouldn't it chum?"

Dick smiled, "Yes actually, it would." He then began panicking "Bruce...I saw Jason!"

"You were close to death Dick, of course you would run into—"

"He's in trouble. Deep trouble...with Hal."

The Spectre..."How deep is he in trouble, and why do you sound so stressed? You...you're still alive, wich is all that matters to me."

"He saved me, Bruce! I have to do something to repay him!"

"Not now, Dick!" The Voice snarled "Please not now. I just got you back. I will not risk losing you again. The Spectre is dangerous, a being of vengeance. He won't think twice about dragging you back down and finishing you off if it suits some purpose."

Dick was silent then. He knew when to obey the Voice and when it was a good idea to challenge his mentor. Now was not the time.

But still, he swore that once he had the opportunity, he would somehow...someway, repay his successor for his guidance and willingness to lead him out of his death coma, even though he knew what Jason wanted was for Dick to join him on the other side.

In the bed next to his, he noticed, Tim was beginning to stir. Cassandra was all but leaping in joy as his eyes opened and a smile graced his lips.

"Hi Cass."

The current Batgirl hugged him, whispering in his ear with a false snarl,

"Stupid Tim."