A/N: Woohoo! Nothing else to say, so get ...COMFY!
Also because I forget to say it sometimes, thank you so much to all of you readers, whether you're a reviewer, a member, or not! :) I've never had this many hits on a story before and I wanna thank you for letting me know in your ways that this idea, a small one I thought up of while getting gas in Chattanooga at 5a.m., was totally worth the typing! Lots of love.
(All we know.)
"Hey Gar,
First of all, be lucky I'm even able to write you such a tiny message. You've seen my hands, so you better thank me. We already talked about this last week. I hope you told Kory, so don't forget to pass this onto her. Now...
1. Be courteous to the staff. Say thank you to the cafeteria workers, clean up after yourself, and don't eat slow. Eat your meals quickly. If you make them wait too long, they grow frustrated and think your conspiring something in your mind. Let them believe you've got nothing on it. Let them know that you're mature, unlike Jack and the rest of them."
Jan 23rd
When the cafeteria worker put a hot bowl of cereal of Richard's tray, he looked her in the eyes and said a firm, "Thank you" laced with gratefulness, before turning around and letting his nurse. When he turned his head as he sat at his table, he saw Rachel finish gulping down her tea before she wiped her mouth and placed the cup down. She turned to her nurse and mumbled "I'm finished. Thank you." Richard had to stop himself from smirking – the nurse turned absolutely white. Rachel never spoke to anyone. But she nodded her head and took the tray away while Rachel waited. She threw a quick glance at him.
"2. Talk only to stable patients. If you can show the staff that you know how to distinguish between who's... 'crazy' and who isn't, well... they'll remember you more. Just say 'good morning' to the stable ones, choose to sit with them...set yourself apart."
Feb 2nd
Richard normally stood at the front of the living room while her nurse chose a spot for him to sit down in, generally from everyone else because that's how Richard always wanted it. To the nurse's curious delight one day, he walked in first and as he passed the humbly, quiet patient Wally West sitting in an armchair, he said 'Good morning,' after their eyes met. He continued to do it every day after, and even chose to sit with a man named Garth who was set to be released in a few weeks. They ate in comfortable silence – and the nurse felt more relaxed.
"3. Make the doctors feel like they're doing you a favour. Gar, you know. The doctors here think they're gods... but they're the only ones who're gonna bust you out. So eat out of the palm of their hands. Dr. Slade? Feed his ego, make him believe he's saving you."
February 16th
"Miss Rachel, how are you today?" Dr. Slade asked in the teasing way he always did. Rachel lifted her head and nodded.
"Fine doctor," she always replied back.
"Before I begin, I thought it might be interesting to pass on this ...tidbit of information to you."
Rachel pursed her lips. "What is it?"
"Nurse Vicky said she could not believe it but, she said you talked to her, a few weeks ago at your breakfast. Care to share why? You have never graced anyone but me with your voice before."
Rachel fed him his ego. "I guess I'm ...just ...finally realising how much care you've been giving me. I-I have to try... at least, to... It seemed unfair not to ...appreciate it. I'm sorry. After all ...look at all the patients you've helped to leave Arkham."
Dr. Slade leaned back and smirked, completely oblivious to any suspicion he should have raised.
"I told you, dear girl. Everything I have done for you and told you all these years was for your own benefit. And now look..." he uncrossed his arms and spread them out like a bird, "You're finally coming out of your shell."
"4. Look presentable. I know, man. This hospital makes you think the worst about yourself like no one's gonna care about you anymore. But face up. Straighten your clothes even if they're dirty. Wash your face. Fix your hair. Rub the sleep from your eyes. And eat well. Look healthy again."
Feb 28th
"Oh look... it's Richard," one of the teenaged nurses gushed amongst themselves near the linen closet. A fresh faced Richard was coming out of the washroom and ran a hand through his hair – he'd just smoothed down it with water. He'd grown a little taller since his arrival. Nurse Karen was with them, smiling like a chesire cat.
"Arkham has been doing wonders to him recently," one of them giggled.
"I know! How can a guy so cute be so ...bad?" another teased slyly.
"Well, I don't know about you," Karen threw in, "but I'm going crazy just looking at him!"
Richard walked past them with his nurse behind him and gave them a sweet smile. "Good morning, girls," he said nonchalantly and headed for the cafeteria. When he wasn't within earshot, they squealed.
"And that's it really. Pretty basic stuff, huh? It's easy but... well, when you're here too long you start to not give a damn about anyone or anything and this stuff seems pointless. But it's our only shot out. So tell K.
Oh, and a precaution. I ...realised something. Get up at 7a.m., and no matter how tired you are, stay up – at least for a half hour. I learned something I probably wasn't supposed to know but I think it's important. I sleep with my eyes half-open and staff knew that. But I'm telling ya... couple times, Dr. Slade poked his head in my room around that time and just stared at me. He thought I was sleeping but...his eye... it was staring at my body like, he was trying to remember my physical traits. He was looking me up and down, man. I don't know if he's ever done that to you or anyone else but... just watch out."
-V
Richard rolled up the message and stared down into Rachel's blanket.
"I know something else that Victor didn't," he whispered to Rachel. She leaned in as he continued. "When I was in an appointment with Dr. Slade recently after I... gave him the benefit of my gratitude," his teeth gritted, "I discreetly asked him how patients like Gar and Kory were able to, you know..." He motioned his hands to her door. Rachel nodded her head, understanding.
"Well, he said everything we thought. Good behaviour, mental progress. And then, he added something," Richard chuckled darkly, "info I don't think he realised how important it is to you and I. He added that on rare occasions, if certain patients can get along with both staff and other patients comfortably they ...can stay in the presence of another mentally unstable patient for some time. To, you know, talk to each other."
Rachel raised her eyebrows but her face scrunched in deep thought. "As in, be like, a supervisor to the other patient... like what, 'friend time'?"
Richard nodded, inwardly adoring her simple referencing. "Imagine if I was being 'cured' progressively. If I do this right Rachel, I could stay with you, just the two of us, for ten minutes every day. Then, if we both continue to show mental stability, that time could increase to 20 minutes, 30, 40, probably up to an hou-"
"Yeah..." she agreed, "And no one would be suspicious about my sudden improvement after eight years. Because being with you would be considered successful help." Rachel's eyes lit up and Richard nodded with a small smile.
"We wouldn't have to sneak around in the dark like this anymore. We could be together. Outside in the halls..." he grabbed her hand but noticed Rachel frowning. "Rachel, what's wrong?"
"All these things Victor said... Richard, other than you and Dr. Wilson, I'm not comfortable opening up to other people. I haven't spoke to anyone in years and now you're asking me to sudde-"
"No, Rachel. Not suddenly," he smiled sadly. "You think I don't know you well enough to not know that? I know it's gonna be tough. I don't want you to force yourself to instantly be this happy girl who magically improves mentally. I'm not asking you to be Kory."
Rachel lifted her head and stared into Richard's blue eyes. He squeezed her hand. "I don't want you to be anyone but yourself. I like who you are."
And Rachel nodded, heat creeping again up into her neck and face.
x
"Richard, do you know what day it is today?"
"Sunday, March 3rd."
"Correct."
"But I'm not scheduled to meet you except on Wednesdays."
"Keen eye. I'm glad to know that your unhealthy interaction with the world hasn't stopped you from knowing what day it is."
Richard remained outwardly calm and curious but inwardly heated. He really hated Dr. Slade.
"Today, my boy, is a celebration. Of sorts. Your last mental assessment was Thursday correct?" He got up from his desk and walked around, addressing Richard to do the same. Richard nodded.
"Yeah, I ...had it earlier than I was supposed to."
"You have the kind comments of your caring staff workers to thank for that. They passed onto me how well behaved and ..'.presentably mature' you seem around the hospital. I myself was impressed when your test came back with flying colors. You're calm, relaxed, a little more ...cheerful than I remember in the winter months."
Richard rubbed his neck shyly, but it was mostly due to the passing thought of Rachel in his mind.
"And for that," he said as he reached back for the desk and plucked a paper from the top and handed it to the seventeen-year-old. "You no longer require a nurse advisor to follow you around."
Richard held it in his hand. He was jumping in his head because the plan worked but kept it cool and pretended to be shocked like he didn't see it coming.
"A-are you serious?" he asked. "Really? No more nurses?"
"Well, you did always wonder how my previous patients earned the privilege. I am surprised that you are not more excited about this." He raised his only eyebrow but Richard shook his head with a smile.
"Ah no, doctor. Believe me. I'm truly happy about it. But I'm on my way to normalcy" he used a page from Kory's script. "I can't be expected to jump around like the sick patients still in here."
"Smart words," the doctor drawled and then went back to his desk to sit. Richard sat down too.
"From this point on, we'll only have tri-weekly appointments. Nothing too urgent, so long as your current behaviour remains consistent amongst all the staff who observe you. But it also means that your court date may come closer than you anticipate..."
Richard nodded and while he should have been overjoyed about the thought of being let go soon, he couldn't fight the fear in his voice. If he left soon, then what about-
"And," Dr. Slade continued, "There is the matter of something else I would also like to request from you." Richard looked him in the eye and waited with a tight lip.
"You have done marvellous progress in getting back to mental stability since November. I trust now that our therapy sessions, clinical treatments, and the time in which you have stayed here has helped to cleanse the criminally-based pleasures in your mind." Richard mentally rolled his eyes. Criminal pleasure, my ass.
"It was under your help, Doctor. Remember that," Richard said firmly. Dr. Slade smirked like he wanted him to.
"Naturally, Richard. I do this kind of work to help the wayward. I am no amateur. I do you and society a favour." Richard felt himself shiver under the tone of that last sentence.
"Since your progress has both affected yourself and the staff positively, perhaps you would like to help in the efforts of ...someone else."
Richard heart and stomach switched places. "Someone else?" Please let it be-!
"Another patient of mine. Quiet girl, hasn't said so much as a word to anyone in years. Except for recently. I doubt you have seen her. She is always locked up in her room, despite my constant push to help her. I believe that in the presence of someone like yourself, she might... improve quicker."
Richard pretended to stay in the dark about Rachel but inside, his heart was jumping with success. "Y ...you say 'years' but ...you've never tried to have someone talk with her before?"
"We never had someone like you come around, Richard. You have the type of personality and intelligence she might sit comfortably to. She's about your age now. I'm sure you'll find a way to ..get her to crack. Her future depends on it." And with that, he sent Richard away.
x
Tuesday, Empty living room
Richard was sitting at the couch and turned his head to see Rachel and her nurse come through the frame. Rachel was placid as always but when he looked into her purple eyes, they danced with the same energy as his.
"O-okay, Miss Rachel," her nurse mumbled. Rachel looked at her and pretended to be a little afraid. "Don't worry, Richard won't hurt you. He's a good patient. He's ...just going to sit you for a few minutes then I'll be right back! You don't have to say anything to him. But ...it might help. I'll return from the foyer in ten minutes." The nurse watched as Rachel approached Richard warily. He stood up and held out his hand for her to shake it. When the nurse thought things would be alright from that point on, she turned around and walked away out of the view of the living room.
The second she disappeared, Richard yanked Rachel into a tight hug which she happily returned.
"You did it," she whispered. Everything just had to get better from here.
(Is falling into place.)
A/N: Well there you go! Hit me with a thought – and remember anything that doesn't make sense, I'll try to answer for you, unless it'll be revealed for itself in the next chapters. The next one is coming your way quickly! ;)
Whew! Mailbox:
RxRFannnnn: LOL all I can say is, THANK YOU! Your eagerness makes literally driving me more to finish this! :D Oh! And aw thanks for reviewing both chapters! :3
SladeRavenFan: Haha, oh you just want me to be lazy all day and type this? :D Lmao, well your lucky I have a couple more days left to actually do so – I'm also glad I'm on break from work till I go back in Jan to even get the chance to relax at home and finish this! :) Mkay and to answer your delicious question! Yeah, unfortunately Raven and Robin won't be able to be friends with Garfield or Victor or Kory – the three are gone, and while they play big roles in my story, this story is in no way parallel to the actual Teen Titans. :( Like yeah, Slade's still the bad guy, Robin's the hero, and Raven's a pawn in everything, but apart from that, cameo is really the only part to have the characters play in this story. It's an AU for a reason. ;)