YJ: Finding Robin: Chapter 8

As the group of heroes walked sombrely out of the elevators the first rays of sunlight lit up the gray skies. The snow fall last night laid a thick blanket of white over the world. A few steps away from the elevator Conner allowed himself to fall to his knees his legs losing all their strength. Conner didn't realize he was crying until spots of melted snow began to appear before him. A few feet away Megan clung to Kaldur for comfort as she cried, Wally sat his face in his hands, Artemis stood away from the group but she cried as well. Batman stood with his back to the children, a dark shadow against the white snow, his shoulder trembled ever so slightly, but the children were too distraught to notice. Robin was gone.

The mechanical whirl of the large freight elevator door sounded and immediately the heroes turned towards it fear filling their hearts. Had the mindless creatures figured out a way up to the surface? The damage they could do in the streets would be catastrophic with the heroes too exhausted to put up a real fight. The door parted. Conner got back on his feet, everyone else was poised and ready. For a few tense moments, there was nothing. Then a small figure staggered out of the elevator.

"Robin!" Conner rushed forward and caught the boy in his arms as Robin collapsed. The boy was covered in blood, some of it his own, but mostly not. His chest rose and fell harshly as the boy tried to catch his breath.

"Robin." Batman took the boy out of Conner's arms examining him for injuries.

"I told you I was right behind you." Robin said smiling weakly at Conner, two batarangs caked in blood drop into the snow from Robin's torn up hands. "No force in this verse can stop me."

Two weeks after their mission in Metropolis lab Batman announced that Robin was ready to returned to Mount Justice. These two weeks seemed like eons for the teens as they all waited with baited breath. The memories of what Robin was like still fresh in their mind and Batman's warning to them didn't help either.

"With the information we found at the lab I was able to modify the compiling process and help restore some of the damage they caused. Robin has gained abilities that could be helpful. He can hear thoughts, not voluntarily but he can hear them." Batman's voice remained steady and stern as he gave them the details. "His brain seemed to have adapted to process all the information that his mind is receiving but being in large crowds is still taxing for him. Without his natural inhibitors he is able to observe everything, and then calculate the most likely outcome in his mind, so it would seem like he knows the future sometimes." As Batman spoke the teens remained silently listening to what has become of their friend. Conner vaguely wondered how Batman could speak of Robin so much like a test subject. To an outsider it seemed as if Batman didn't care about the boy, but Conner's memories of the protectiveness and tenderness Batman showed Robin reminded him otherwise. "These abilities come as a double edge sword, he can't turn it off. It will be hard for him to focus on just one thing. Human interaction will be even more difficult, especially in group settings. Our efforts have proven fruitless, the damage Cadmus caused is irreversible, but he is still Robin. I hope you all can see it in yourselves to accept him." In Batman's emotionless voice they all heard the soft pleading of a loving father.

"How can we not?" Wally smiled. "He is like our little brother."

"Yeah, we are family." Megan joined in.

"No matter what we become Robin has always accepted us." Artemis said softly guilt still tugging at her heart.

"Please let us have Robin back." Conner pleaded swallowing his pride. Batman said nothing and gave only a curt nod. The teens erupted in cheer. They were going to be a complete team once again.

Although they had all been excited now the moment has come for them to see Robin again worse case scenarios kept flashing in their minds. The team leapt to their feet as the computer's voice announced their arrival.

"Recognized. Batman. 02. Recognized. Robin. B01." The Dynamic Duo materialized at in front of the anxious teens. There Robin was in his civilian clothes, minus the shades, there was no point they had all found out his identity, standing there behind Batman. The boy's face was emotionless for a moment, and then he gave them a small smile stepping up to be next to Batman.

"Hey guys." Robin spoke. Wally's grin widened. Robin sounded so… normal.

"Robin!" Wally dashed forward and gave the boy a hug and the others soon followed. Through his friends Conner could see that the boy was uncomfortable, but Robin kept his smile on.

"Give him some space." Conner said pushing his way to be next to Robin. The others backed off a little and Robin smiled up at him gratefully.

"You can all resume your regular activities. I will contact you when there is a mission." Batman announced dismissing them. When the others left except for Conner, Batman looked down at Robin with what must have been a look of concern. Although Conner could not see a change of expression but Robin seemed to have understood because looked up at his mentor with a reassuring smile and nodded. Batman let his hand linger on Robin's shoulder for only another moment before turning and leaving the base.

Once Batman was gone Robin took Conner's hand and led the Kryptonian to a seat by the window away from the others. The two sat there in silence for a while watching the rain outside dance on the glass beside them.

"Thank you." Robin said softly breaking the silence. Before Conner could ask 'what for?' Robin continued as if he know the boy's question. "For everything. For helping me find Robin. Even though I am not your Robin."

"You are my Robin, and always will be…" Conner said looking into those sea blue eyes, those knowing eyes. Suddenly he felt a little awkward. "You probably already know what I am going to say." Robin smiled and nodded.

"Yes, but it's still nice to hear you say it."

"You would have done the same for me, for any of us. I will always be there for you. Always. No matter what you are Robin, never forget that. It is not what is up here." Conner said gently patting Robin's head and then he moved his hand over Robin's heart. "It's what's here that counts. A very wise boy once taught me that."

"That boy is not wise. The heart is merely an organ that circulates blood it has nothing to do with a person's personality or behaviour." Robin said straight faced.

"But it was you who said… You know that's not what I mean!" Conner, realising Robin was teasing him, protested playfully putting Robin into a gentle headlock.

Robin laughed his signature laugh.

Conner smiled.

Robin was back.

-END-

A/N: This is the end. I have really enjoyed writing this story and I hope you have all enjoyed reading it just as much. I would like to thank the Anon who posted this prompt in the first place on the LJ yj_anon_meme. I would also like to thank all of my readers and reviewers with all your kind and supportive words. I couldn't have done this without you. Thank you so much for reading!