Here with another update.

Eyes slowly opened up to the sights of a white room. The confusion and lack of company caused a frantic search of the room. Memories of a similar situation surfaced along with the anxious loneliness that came with it. A frame soon came into frame that instantly jumped.

"It's okay." Hal calmly stated, hopping from his chair and moving closer to the bed.

Kyle calmed down, thankful that Hal was there.

"Where am I?" Kyle asked.

"The hospital. You got hit by a motorcycle."

Kyle hissed in pain as he tried to sit up. Hal assisted, helping Kyle sit up comfortably. Kyle quickly scanned his body, wondering why he was hurting.

"You have a few fractured ribs." Hal answered, knowing what Kyle was wondering. "You also had a dislocated shoulder that had to be relocated."

Hal sat in silence as Kyle processed his injuries. Hal's mind wandered to what caused these injuries. The terror, unpredictable shift, and the revelation of one cruel man's actions, exploded in a matter of minutes. What made it worse, was the fact that Kyle acted like he wanted to end it. As though the memory and the mere image of the man triggered a mental break.

"Why did you do that?" Hal anxiously asked.

Kyle saw the worry in Hal's eyes. The concern broke him and the residual guilt didn't help. Biting his lip, Kyle mentally preparing himself.

"I'm sorry." Kyle whispered. "The moment I saw him, some of the memories started to resurface. I remember him leading me in the alley and knocking me down. I remember screaming, but I have no visual of when I did or what followed. I didn't want to live knowing that that man did this to me."

Teas began to form in Kyle's eyes. Guilt and grief battled it out. The residual trauma refused to leave and he hated being such a burden. Hal was being so supportive, but Kyle felt like his presence was nothing but troubling.

"I'm sorry Hal. I'm trying to work on it, but I've been letting it take over. I'm abusing your kindness and not recovering. Someone could have been hurt, if someone hasn't already, because I didn't say something sooner. I'm so selfish. You should get rid of me."

Kyle's self-loathing wasn't winning him anything. In fact, it only seemed to disturb Hal more. Hal gently placed a hand beneath Kyle's chin and made him look at him. Kyle was still trying to suppress his tears.

"Now listen here." Hal ordered. "You are not selfish. Nor am I getting rid of you. If anything, I'm just sad that you felt the need to even attempt to end your life. We now know who did this, which means we can start moving forward. Even get you justice."

Hal carefully hugged Kyle, making sure not to crush Kyle's already hurt ribs. Kyle didn't fight it, not that he had the strength to if he did. Hal could feel his shoulder getting a little wet. A sign that Kyle took his word in from what Hal could guess.

People came into the room without warning. Hal glanced over to see who it was. Guy and John were anxious, processing the scene intently. Kyle curiously peered over Hal's shoulder to see their visitors.

"We came as soon as we saw the news." Guy stated, revealing why they were there.

Guy trotted over to the bed, taking residence on the other side of Kyle. He saw the tears, alarmed by them.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm okay." Kyle sighed, pushing away from Hal. "Finally starting to piece together what happened."

"We now know who raped him." Hal stated.

Kyle twitched at the mention of it resulting in Hal apologetically tapping on Kyle's arm. The admission startled both John and Guy. It seemed like a good thing to learn, but it was still surprising that the individual was identified.

"It was a little overwhelming, but we can finally move forward. He just has to stay here for two days before we can go forward."

Guy stood up, glaring at Hal, who looked at him confused.

"You said you'd keep him safe." Guy growled.

"I am." Hal admitted, offended by Guy's implication.

"Yeah, like letting him run in the streets to hurt himself is safe."

Hal stood up furious.

"You think I wanted this to happen to him? He's still got trauma and I'm still working with how it fluctuates. It's not his fault."

"It's your fault he's here in the first place. You refused to get him help from the beginning. Refused to get him justice. All you're doing is holding onto him and not those needed steps."

"I want to do what's best for him. I don't want to rush him into something that will traumatize him more."

"Shielding him is traumatizing him, and this incident proves that."

"Enough!" John finally stepped in.

Hal caught a glimpse of Kyle's distress, clearly upset by their arguing. A spike of aggression surged in Hal, hating that Kyle had to watch this. He had gotten so into it that he didn't even think about how it would affect Kyle.

"Get out." Hal growled.

"What?" Guy gasped confused.

"Get out!"

Kyle frantically bounced between them while John approached Guy. He wasn't going to let this continue, knowing that Kyle didn't have the strength to stop it.

"We have to go Guy." John stated.

Guy stared at Hal for a few moments.

"Fine." Guy bitterly agreed.

Guy stormed out of the room leaving the others behind. John and Hal stared at the door briefly before turning their attentions towards each other.

"I'm sorry about that." John apologized. "He's just been concerned. We saw the news about a motorcycle accident, and with what the reporter said about everyone involved, he had to come and see him."

"Figures." Hal sighed.

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm taking Kyle to Gotham.

"No!" Kyle gasped, gripping Hal's wrist.

Hal sat back down, wanting to level with Kyle.

"I'm sorry Kyle, but we have to. It's the only way to help you feel at peace." Hal could feel John watching him. "I would have said that had Guy not have snapped at me. I want get him justice. I want to help. I just wanted to give it time."

"I know, but time is one thing that you don't have. You've got to follow this lead."

"I know."

"Don't I get a say in this?" Kyle asked.

Hal gave Kyle his attention. Kyle as anxiously looking at Hal, disturbed by their decision.

"Of course."

"I don't want to go. I don't want to live through it again or prolong it."

Hal sorrowfully grinned. He cupped Kyle's shoulder in his hand.

"I understand, believe me I do, but if we don't take care of this, I fear for what it'll do to you. I don't want you to live with the fact that your attacker is still out there, not paying for what he did. I know you hate it, but I want you to heal. And if this helps you recover, I would think that taking the briefly added trauma is worth it."

Kyle stared at Hal. His grin was still soft, but was a little more serene.

"I'll be with you through it all. I promise."

Finally going to get to Gotham and with it a cameo or two and some drama.