Author Note: Thanks for the positive reviews guys! As you probably guessed by this update, I am planning on continuing the story now that I know there are still people who read it. This chapter is rather short, and the reason I posted this so soon was to alert you guys that I will indeed be continuing, and I'm going to be at a Onerepublic concert tomorrow and camp from then to next saturday, so this seemed like my only chance. That being said, this chapter is rather short, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless. Thank you to all who gave reviews encouraging me to continue! I am greatly thankful for that, and can't wait to spice up the story when I get back from camp. Thank you once again, and enjoy!

Disclaimer: The characters are not mine

Chapter Five: How Long Can Hope Be Held?

Kaldur, with most of the Justice League and Young Justice team, stood underground, inspecting the entrance of the tunnel. He pointed his flashlight into the tube's mouth, but the artificial light was quickly swallowed by darkness. Echoes could be heard in the distance; the atlanteen knew them to be feet quickly flying over the cracked concrete deep within. Kid Flash and his former mentor were having a speedy search, but the air was thick with apprehension from the waiting party.

With each breath Kaldur took, he was aware of his tightening muscles. His mind only knew one word—Robin. They had to find Robin, they had to rescue Robin, they had to protect Robin, they needed some kind of clue here to tell where Robin was. He must be okay. He had to. Kaldur felt a wave of nausia shake his stomach at the thought of Robin being anything but alive. They had worked so hard to get here…and the atlanteen feared what would happen if they faced another disappointment.

The teenager placed his right hand on the crumbling wall and took a deep breath. It was hot as hell down there, and all his sweat reminded Aqualad of how it felt to be underwater. His muscles ached from their vigorous work earlier and he longed to sit down, but was too stressed for such a leisurely action. Why should he rest when his teammate was gone, possibly already dead?

It seemed the rest of the group felt a similar way, because they all stood, some pacing, some motionless, some leaning against the wall, but they were all wound as tightly as springs. Nobody spoke. Kaldur knew they were all thinking about Robin, as he was. Robin, who was usually so independent and self-reliant. Robin, who was flexible, an acrobat, and an expert at doing his job. Robin, who had been with his mentor far longer then any of the other Young Justice teens. Robin, who made using a grappling hook look easy. Robin, who was always ready to work. Robin, who always kept his cool. Robin who always found a way out.

But not this time, Kaldur reminded himself bitterly. The Leaguers and my team all know one thing: this may be the last time we have a hold on hope. If something reveals that Scarecrow plans on killing Robin, the little bird is done for. This may be the last time any of us have a hope of seeing Robin again. Have a hope of him being alive.

Kaldur squeezed his eyes closed and hung his head. This was all his fault. He was the leader of the team, he was supposed to ensure their safety. He had told them to stay together and he should have protested their splitting up as soon as they mentioned it on the mental link. No matter how he looked at the situation, Aqualad could blame nobody but himself. He could still remember the moment when the bomb went off; he had Batman yelling at him from the communicator and his teammates shouting to each other on the mental link. That was the moment reality sunk in, yet deep inside his mind he was still holding on to the hope that this was just a sick, twisted nightmare.

Kaldur slowly opened his eyes, and wiped the dripping sweat from his forehead. The teen glimpsed a dark cape and raised his eyes. Batman stood in the tunnel, just past where the flashlight ended. The darkness seemed to wrap around the Caped Crusader like a cloak and even from the distance, Kaldur could see how rigid the man stood. Aquaman's protégé felt as if a knife had slid into his stomach as he noticed Batman's hands were shaking. From rage or sadness, he couldn't tell, but it was an extremely rare occurance for the man to show any signs of emotion.

Kaldur hated to even thing about Batman at this point. He could only thing of one synonym for the name now: shattered. Batman was shattered. That was the simplest way Kaldur could think about it without forcing his mind to another subject. But really, he knew Batman's emotions right now were anything but simple. He most likely felt as if his world was concaving and there was nothing he could do about it. He was a man of action, who wanted nothing more then to run to Robin's side and protect him, but that couldn't be done.

Indeed, Kaldur thought that a trapped Batman, as he was know, was extremely similar to how he imagined a trapped grizzly would be. As they had worked towards the tunnel, Batman had moved more rubble than most of them had, even though he didn't have powers of his own. He was working for Robin, and Aqualad observed now that his dark uniform was torn in many places, and spots of blood were visible.

He contemplated saying something to the Caped Crusader, maybe suggesting he find a first-aid kit, but dismissed the thought. Batman knew he had wounds, and Kaldur knew he disliked it when people pointed out the obvious. He could take care of his wounds himself, and didn't need others trying to make decisions for him. Saying anything to Batman right now could end badly, especially for himself. He probably hates me and blames me for what happened as well, Kaldur realized grimly. Nothing had been worse than telling Batman Robin was gone.

Aqualad turned his attention to the area around him once more as he heard Superboy's whisper behind him.

"Did you hear that?"

Both Kaldur and Batman turned around, hearing the urgency in his voice.

"I did indeed," Superman replied, letting out a breath that almost sounded like a sigh of relief.

Superboy blinked, seeing that all eyes were on him. "Barry said, 'Thank god. If there had been nothing, I'm fairly certain Batman would have strangled us on the spot.'"

Everyone visibly shifted at this information, weather it was their stiff bodies becoming a little less tense or letting their muscles relax. The assembled teams both shared in a few minutes of pure relief. At last we are certain our efforts have been for something, Kaldur thought, leaning against the wall once more. We haven't been wasting out time. Whatever the clue was, it was a clue nonetheless.

Aqualad's anticipation and curiosity grew as the echoing footsteps got louder and louder. Before he knew it, both Flash and Kid Flash stood beside Batman, panting and drenched in sweat. The crowd gathered around them and Barry took a pause in his gasping to hand something over to Batman.

Kaldur stood closer to them, and could easily see two different envelopes in the dark knight's hands. The Justice League and Young Justice team held their breath, waiting in tense anticipation once more.

This could be it, Kaldur thought with a twist of emotion. This could give us a newfound strength, or crumble our hope of ever seeing Robin smile again.

All eyes were on Batman's gloves as he wordlessly tore open the first envelope.