Hey guys! Sorry it's been a crazy past few months but the plot bunnies finally won over my resistance to stay away from writing and my unwillingness to study for my finals was another winning factor! As always enjoy and reviews are most definitely welcome! :)

Rated T- cause I'm paranoid

Minor cursing if any and some treatments mentioned

Triggers: Cancer, Chemotherapy

I do not own Young Justice or any of the DC characters, yada, yada, yada

Chapter 11- The Waking

Complete and utter darkness.

That's what it was like for Dick Grayson the past two and a half days. Along with delayed and muffled sounds that would occasionally leak through from the outside world as he drifted in and out of consciousness.

He couldn't even bring himself to open his eyes, the light would most definitely blind him and his pain would also be a returning irritant.

'God the pain.' This wasn't the typical 'oh crap Joker just hit me over the head with a crowbar' kind of pain it was the kind of searing pain that swallowed and swallowed him from the inside out. Tearing away at every cell in his body and mind. It was absolutely and utterly excruciating. More distressing then anything he had ever dealt with before.

More muffled voices leak their way through to Dick's ears but he can't even begin to decipher what they are saying.

Then he hears it.

The slow rhythmic beeping signaling the beating of his heart.

'Okay so I'm not dead…' Dick checks off in his head while trying to clear the fog he's in and gather his senses.

He can feel the cold sterile oxygen burning his nostrils and feeding his greedy lungs.

He can feel the various tubes tangled around his arms and chest.

And he can feel a large warm hand on his along with a weight that he can't identify.

He slowly shifts in what he feels like is a bed beneath him but stops when his numbness is replaced my agony. He lets out an accidental gasp and snaps open his eyes letting the light enter his retinas and blind him. He squirms and adjusts to the numerous uncomfortable feelings while trying to wait out the pain.

When the throbbing in his nerves finally dies down he tries again but more carefully.

Slowly he opens his eyes and looks to the side of the bed where he feels the weight. He sees Bruce fast asleep with his head near his right hand holding onto it firmly.

Dick sighs, he can't remember how he got here or what exactly happened but he knows that whatever happened it was enough to get him admitted to the hospital and to be on 24-hour Bruce watch.

'Time to face the music.' Dick considers while he moves his hand out of Bruce's death grip and onto the top of his head, slightly patting him. Bruce stirs and sits up sleepily before realizing that Dick is awake. His eyes suddenly go wide and he leaps forward to gently hug Richard, tears coming to his eyes.

"Dad," Dick chokes, repulsed by the hoarseness of his voice and the dryness of his throat.

"Dick, oh my god you have no idea how much I was worried about you! When Alfred called I didn't know what to expect! But now you're awake and you're safe. Don't ever scare me like that again!" Bruce rushed while holding onto Dick's small face with his hands.

Dick was speechless while the memories of falling all came back to him. All he could do was stare blankly at Bruce as he took a slow shaky breath. After closing his eyes and taking another deep breath he let go of Dick's face and took a seat in the chair beside the bed.

"Okay let's try that again." Bruce said quietly while Dick moved into a more comfortable sitting position and taking extreme interest in the sheets covering him.

"How are you feeling." Bruce asked seriously while handing him a cup of much needed water.

"Like I just got run over by a bus." Dick joked lightly after greedily chugging the cup of water. The liquid felt good on his sore throat but once it hit his stomach he knew it wouldn't stay for long.

Bruce frowned while looking at Dick's paling complexion.

"Dick." Bruce said sternly, finally gaining the birds attention and eye contact. "Why didn't you tell me you were this sick?"

Dick quickly averted his eyes from Bruce's feeling the shame and guilt rise in his throat. "I didn't mean to" he finally said with a frown on his face causing Bruce to lean in and gently take Dick's hand in his own- a sign of comfort and encouragement told Dick that Bruce wanted more details.

Still averting his eyes Dick took a deep breath and continued. "I di-didn't want to disappoint you. I wanted you to think I could handle this. I still want to be Robin." Dick finished quietly sinking into the bed and looking away from Bruce's ever-present gaze.

"Dick," Bruce stated sadly "You could never disappoint me Dick. Why would you ever think I would take the mantle of Robin away from you? It is a part of who you are I won't ever take that away from you again [1]. When you get better it will be right there waiting for you" Bruce finished proudly with a small smile, he could never replace Dick as Robin, not now. That would be a title Dick would have to give up himself.

Dick shined with happiness and relief. Bruce had still trusted him after all that had happened? He would always be Robin, Dick would most certainly make sure of that. He would make sure to get better and that he would fly again.

A/N:

[1] I figured I would throw this little tidbit in here since I'm a major dork lol. In Robin: Year One Bruce decides to end Dick's career as Robin after a major beating from Two-face. This causes Robin to run away from Wayne Manor and join the League of Assassins (aka the League of Shadows). Blah, blah, blah, sub plot, blah, blah. Ultimately Dick rejoins Batman as Robin and the duo defeat the villain known as Shrike and capture Two-Face. That's why Bruce says that he would never take Robin away from Dick again. While Dick does pass the mantle on to future Robin's he first gives up the title himself after outgrowing it- eventually becoming Nightwing.

Thank you all for being so patient with me and my random updates. I hope you liked this chapter and continue to follow my story.

If you have a tumblr account I just got one myself! I am trying to put up my fanfiction on my account so I can make it more accessible. If you are interested my blog is named cornersandborders. All you have to do is type it into google along with the keyword tumblr and it should be one of the first results!

Reviews would serve as great encouragement :)

Thanks again!