Again I wish to thank all my reviewers you guys really push me on with this im so glad the story has developed such a loyal following it makes me squee to be honest. It makes me sad that eventually this story will be over but not just yet, two stories may stem from this and I hope that my current readers will also fall in love with those…..well on with the chapter enjoy.
Linksonlygirl- Hehe thanks a bunch love hearing people say that
FudoTwin- In through nose out through mouth you'll be ok lol
Daydreaminfofyou- lol wow what a review but yeah im working on things and developing but you all seem to be enjoying so yay
Helpicantgotosleep- Yeah there is tenderness between them coming but it is still a mystery lol well for you guys anyway
Shoshanatherose- welcome new reviewer and thank you in the beginning it said that it was taken I believe
NowNao-good to see your still with me and glad you are enjoying
Animelover5000- welcome and thank you so glad you are enjoying
He could hear voices, they sounded so distant, like they were far away but beside him at the same time. Then the pain hit him, the broken ribs, his convulsing stomach, he whimpered and tried desperately to remain unconscious.
"He's breathing!", was that Artemis?
"We need to return to the Mountain, Connor radio the League", Kaldur? He was losing grip again but this time he didn't want to fall, he didn't care if it was another hallucination he needed to hear them.
"Just hold on Rob we got you now", that voice was the one that made him relax instantly, it was Kid Flash, his best friend.
"K…..F", the team all turned at the sound of Robin's weak voice.
"That's right man its me, I'm here man", he choked up as tears filled his voice, he never thought they would find him, he lost hope.
"M'gann how long?', Kaldur asked as he looked back at her.
"A few more moments, she is giving it all she has", she responded.
"Super Boy to Mount Justice, we are inbound with need of medical on stand by".
"I read you Super Boy, what's the emergency?", Black Canary appeared on the screen.
"It is Robin we have found him", Kaldur intervened, watching as Black Canary suddenly looked shocked.
"Roger that, E.T.A.?"
"Five minutes have the bay doors open!", Wally shouted as he looked down at Robin who was currently laying across his and Artemis's laps, he was shaking violently from his cold wet uniform. As much as Wally wanted to wrap him in a solar blanket he knew that this was the best thing, Robin's low body temperature was helping to keep his bleeding wounds from causing him to bleed out. Artemis was shaking slightly as she took in the boys state, it was horrifying and heart breaking.
"Bring him home team", was all Canary said before the screen vanished and they could all just make out Happy Harbor and Mount Justice.
"Recognized Batman, zero-two", Kaldur and Superman looked to the teleporters as Batman appeared. Bidding good bye to Superman, Kaldu left the main room without pause to rejoin the team.
"Is it true?", was all he said to Clark.
"It is", Superman nodded, and watched as Batman brought his hand up to brush it over his masked face, his body seeming to relax instantly.
"How is he?"
"Stable now, Man Hunter is over seeing him now in the medical lab", Batman lifted his head and then looked around.
"He is here at the mountain?", before Superman could respond Batman was already heading down the side hall. The man of steel finally caught up with him outside of the lab doors, pulling Batman to a stop.
"Bruce no you don't want to go in there", the use of his real name did not deter Batman as he pushed past him and through the swinging doors.
Martian Man Hunter looked up from the chart he held in his hand to the others as they entered the room. Superman gave him an apologetic look but Man Hunter shook his head as he set down the folders and walked to the end of Robin's bed.
Batman slowed his pace till he came to a stop beside the bed, lifting his hands he pulled back his mask taking in the sight of what was before him. Robin laid motionless, what was exposed of his body was covered in white bandages, multiple I.V.s were attached to him and a breathing tube was fed down his throat. The paleness of his skin almost blended perfectly with the sheets that lay over him.
"What have you found?", he looked over to J'onn, who nodded and picked up a chart.
"Three broken ribs and a collapsed lung, we had to do a blood transfusion do to loss. There were multiple infected stab wounds and bruises, fractures were found on both his right arm and left temple. He is currently in a chemical coma to keep him stable and to let the remaining toxins in his system to filter out.", Batman closed his eyes and shook his head as he sunk to his knees. Man Hunter looked to Superman and handed over the charts before leaving the room quietly.
"Bruce, he is home", Clark wasn't sure what to do for his friend. The usually cold and emotionless elite seemed to be crumbling at the moment.
"I know, but look at him. Look what that sick bastard did to him", it was in that moment that Batman decided what he was going to do. Standing slowly he pulled back on his mask and turned to look at Superman.
"Don't be hasty, the boy will need you when he wakes, a familiar fa-", it was then Clark noticed that Batman was no longer looking at him. Turning he caught sight of Wally West, the protégé of Flash standing in the door way.
"I came to check on him", he said softly.
"Wally I need you to do something for me", Batman approached the teen slowly and Wally looked to Superman in question.
"Anything".
"Stay with him, be here when he wakes", the boy nodded slowly his puffy red eyes noting that he had already been in to talk to Black Canary for a counseling session. Each of the team would go through the process, it was mandatory to make sure all was well mentally with each of the teens.
"Yes sir", he nodded and watched as Superman followed the dark knight out of the lab. Turning to look at his best friend he grabbed a chair and pulled it up to the bed side and sat down slowly. "You scared all of us man, we thought you were gone for good. I thought you were gone for good", he slowly laid his hand on top of Robin's hand, the icy and clamminess making him wince but he would not leave. Batman asked him to be here when Robin woke up and he was going to do just that.
"Bruce wait", Clark followed the angry male down the hall toward the Zeta Beam Tubes.
"No, I have allowed his antics long enough but he has tried my patience with this. The moment he took Robin he signed his death warrant, I am going to kill him….slowly". Superman pulled him to a stop and turned Batman too face him.
"Listen to your self Bruce!", Clark managed to jar the man and he took a deep breath. "He will not go unpunished for this I promise you, but killing him will not undue what was done", his words seemed to calm the bat as the tenseness left him.
"I need to clear my head, keep me informed on his condition, I will be back", this time Superman let him go, well aware that he was back to his calm and collected self. Turning back to the hall way he looked up to see Connor walking down the hall with M'gann tucked beneath his arm as she cried silently. As they grew closer he cleared his throat and Connor looked up as he stopped, but his hold on M'gann did not drop.
"H-how are you two?', the question came out awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Better now that he is back", Connor answered as M'gann wiped her eyes and nodded.
"Connor can I…..speak to you for a moment?", the question seemed to shock the teen but he nodded slowly before looking down at M'gann.
"It's fine, I need to find my Uncle J'onn, ill see you later Connor, Superman", she paused as Connor kissed her cheek and then flew away. Connor turned back to Superman and shrugged with a lop sided smirk.
"So you wanted to talk?".
The pain in his body was unbearable as Robin tried to stay conscious, Joker set down his blade and looked at his blood soaked gloves. The session had started what seemed like days ago but Robin was sure it was probably only a few hours.
"Alright time for your medicine", he closed his mouth tight as he watched Joker with seething eyes. "Tsk…tsk, I learned my lesson the last time, so may I present plan B", he lifted a needle and vial. Robin started struggling trying hard to ignore the horrible pain in his wrists and ankles.
That vial was filled with one of the Joker's many concoctions he created and tested on Robin, and from experience Robin preferred the knives and electrical shocks. The cutting into his skin made him stop fighting as Joker finished filling the needle chamber, approaching him his smile broadened to that creepy distorted smile of his.
"This will only hurt a lot".
Robin's pulse jumped off the charts for another time and Wally watched as Black Canary pumped a sedative into his I.V., she looked down at the boy with sad eyes and brushed wet hair off his sweat covered forehead.
"The first twenty-four hours are critical Wally stay with him", the speedster nodded slowly as he watched her leave the room. When the doors were closed he looked back at Robin, the younger teen was now still and his pulse had evened out. Twenty-four hours, it sounded so simple when she said it like that.