Forever Robin
By
AJ
Part 6
It was 48 hours before they heard anything. Bruce slept nearly all of those hours, but it wasn't a restful sleep. Nightmares plagued him, from reliving his parents' deaths to losing each of his sons in turn. Dick would move over to Bruce's side, giving him comfort while the nightmares would run their course. Once Bruce was in peaceful slumber again, Dick went back to the computer trying to find information on the three victims.
"Master Dick, you need to rest," Alfred said, delivering yet another pot of coffee and sandwiches.
"I can't, not while Bruce's life may still be in danger."
"You know your father can take care of himself."
"I know, but I made a promise, a vow and I intend to stick to it," Dick replied, a vow he had broken years ago, which left them estranged for many years. He did not want that to ever happen again. "Alfred, do you remember anything else when you found him?"
'I dare say I do. His skin had a bluish tint to it. He was very cold to the touch and rigid."
"Why didn't you administer CPR?"
"I did Master Dick, but there was no response. I tried for an hour."
"The defibrillators," Dick stated. "Why didn't you use those?"
"They were down in the batcave and would have taken too long to retrieve. And the paramedics who arrived could not revive him either."
How did Bruce survive? It was astounding. It was also just as astounding when Bruce had been thrown back in time, not just hundreds of years, but thousands, and somehow, he managed to let them know he was still alive. Dick recalled their own moments when they went back in time, learning about the origins of the batcave, finding a broken piece of old Indian pottery that had an inscription that read "Death to the man with two identities." It was an eerie and odd time. He still had the strange arrow-head that had been from Jeremy Coe's first trophy collection. He remembered Bruce suggesting to Mr. Coe about starting a collection. And then there were the countless times that either one of the other came close to dying. Over the years he should have died, from the time he had been savagely beaten by that prizefighter and when he had been kidnapped from Ravik the Butcher of Gotham City. Dick was aware just how much Batman fretted over those attempts. He nearly killed Jim Conners and Ravik out of shear rage. Batman became far more protective, over protective really, shutting Robin out of the worst cases afraid he might get hurt or killed. Robin walked out. He meant it to be a means for Bruce to rethink his behavior, but then Bruce replaced him and the hurt he felt caused them not speak to each other for a very long time. Then Jason was killed. Months later Tim came along after that, and for a while it looked like things were going to get back to normal . . . almost. Dick and Bruce still had their difficulties. 'And Bruce barely learned to accept Tim as Robin and me as Nightwing. When Damian came along things got really complicated." Dick shook his head at all the events since including the death of each of his brothers and then wondered, 'Why am I still here? A father should not out live his sons. Will I leave him like the others before all this is done? Or am I meant to be here 'till the end?'
Dick's musings were interrupted as Bruce put a hand on his shoulder. Dick looked up into a face that was fresh and ready to go. No longer did it have the haunted look that it had before or the exhaustion that threatened to collapse him earlier.
"Your turn," Bruce said.
"How do you know I haven't gotten any sleep?" Dick asked.
"I know I didn't go through those nightmares alone."
"You could tell I was there?"
"Who else would be by my side?" Bruce said. "You know, you better change out of that uniform and at least put on a fresh one . . ."
"Sirs," Alfred approached. "Commissioner Gordon is waiting for you both in the living room."
"We'll be right up, Alfred," Bruce replied. "Any luck Dick?"
"Something did occur to me. Do you remember the round robin murders?"
"Yes," Bruce replied. "To this day I can't divulge any of the content within that letter or the case."
"Do you also remember what happened to me?"
"Great Scott, Dick! Do you mean I was subjected to . . ."
"Electric shock," Dick answered, interrupting Bruce. "I recovered quickly because I wasn't grounded when the shock hit me. You must have been grounded and it would have taken hours to revive you, but I'm surprise no one recognized the signs. I don't think they were trained to do so. Alfred, was there any electrical work done in the Manor recently?"
'Yes two weeks ago. Some of the electrical wiring had been replaced."
"I was in Bludhaven working on a case as Nightwing," Dick replied.
"And I was in China setting up some trade negotiations with Wayne Enterprises."
"Do you know who worked on the wiring," Dick asked, taking the lead.
"It was a new company. I believe I have the receipt," Alfred went over to an old style file cabinet. "Here we are. Dr. Electric."
"Doctor? As in Doc?" Dick said.
"Doc Hastings."
"He and Freeze could be working together."
"I don't think so," Bruce replied.
"Uh hum,' Alfred interrupted. "Your guest . . ."
"Barbara," Dick said. "We better get upstairs Bruce. We shouldn't keep the lady waiting."
"Wait," Bruce said. 'I just want to say this," Bruce placed a hand on both Alfred and Dick's shoulders. "I don't say this enough. Both of you have been there when I needed you the most."
"Master Bruce there is no need . . ."
"There is," Bruce said. "I need a witness. Dick, I've never really told you how much you've meant to me over the years. You've stuck by my side . . ."
"Not always," Dick replied, remembering their roughest moments.
"But you've been there in here," Bruce pointed toward Dick's chest. "I know because I've often thought about you during those times as well. And the nightmares brought those back to me. I don't want to wait without saying something." Then he pulled Dick into a hug, surprising him. "I love you son. I wanted to say that just in case I never got that chance."
"I love you too . . . Dad," Dick said. "Now, we better go see Barbara before she decides to storm the batcave. She knows where the bunker is, but not this place."
"Point taken."
Alfred left to take the service elevator while Bruce and Dick used the bat poles to propel up to Wayne Manor. What Barbara had to say though wasn't what they expected.
Continues with Part 7
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A/N: References to the following Comics:
Origin of the Batcave - Detective Comics #205, March 1954
The Return of Bruce Wayne (2011)
Hunt For a Robin Killer - Detective Comics #374 April 1968
How Many Ways Can a Robin Die - Batman #246 December 1972
The Round Robin Death Threats Detective Comics #366 August 1967 and
Where There's a Will There's a Slay Detective Comics #367 September 1967