CHAPTER 6

BATMAN'S JOURNAL

I joined the team on the bio-ship, primarily because it was the fastest transportation available to get me to Robin. The batwing is fast, but it takes time to call it, prep it and fly. The bio-ship also gave me an opportunity to directly observe the team at work...I'm lying to myself. I was emotionally incapable of flying at that moment and needed the ride.

Zatanna approached me with a shy smile. "Batman, your wrists...I think you need some first aid."

I looked down and recalled that the acid had eaten through my gauntlets, showing my already lacerated wrists. I allowed her to take me to the medical bay and apply first aid. As she was bandaging them, she was silent, then finally said, "I...hope Robin will be all right. He's our friend, a good friend. If there's anything my magic can do..."

A generous offer, but I didn't believe that she had training enough for the level of healing Robin needed. Still, it was kind. "Thank you, Zatanna," I said. "I will remember that."

When I looked away from her I saw that the remaining team members on board were watching us, trying to hide the worry on their faces. They quickly looked away and went about their other tasks.

We arrived at the Hall of Justice and it was gratifying to see the hallways clear ahead of me and my small entourage, for the team insisted on accompanying me. We finally arrived at the medical center and were met by one of Dr. Midnite's assistants.

She got up from a desk and gestured for me to follow her. The rest of the team was to stay behind. Only Kid Flash, Wallace West, objected.

"Hey," he said loudly. "Robin's my best friend. I deserve to know how he's doing! We're all his friends. We'd die for him!"

Kaldur shook his head while M'gann put a hand on Wallace's arm. I sighed and reminded myself that Wally is Dick's best friend and tried to soften my manner. "Wallace, I will tell you everything I know when I return. Will that satisfy you?"

Kid Flash shot a look at his friends and abruptly gave in, sinking back into the chair. I nodded to Midnite's assistant and followed her through the door.

The medical center inside the Hall of Justice is complete, capable of caring for metahumans as well as ordinary ones. We benefit from S.T.A.R. Labs technology as well as the advances our contacts with alien civilizations have gained us. As we approached the operating room, that didn't comfort me.

The assistant opened a drawer and offered me a pair of infrared goggles. "Dr. Midnite is blind by daylight, so the operating room is darkened to accommodate him," she explained. "You'll need these in the observation room."

"I'll be fine," I said absently. "My cowl is fitted with infrared lenses. How is Robin? What are his injuries?"

"First, my name is Sara and I'll be Robin's nurse when he comes out. Here is the observation room," she said and led me into a darkened room with a glass wall. As I activated the infrared in my cowl, the picture became much clearer. I saw below that Robin lay on a table, surrounded by doctors and nurses, led by Midnite.

"What are his injuries?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice level.

"He has a depressed skull fracture. The MRI scan showed bone fragments in the brain as well as bleeding and swelling. Dr. Midnite is trying to relieve pressure and remove the chips as well. Robin also has a fracture in his right arm and his tibia. Both have been casted. He also suffered several broken ribs and a collapsed lung. They are repairing the lung right now." Although I tried hard to control my expressions, she must have seen something, because her voice became more gentle. "He's got a wonderful doctor and his chances are excellent. We're taking good care of him."

I tried to reply but my voice seemed to be gone, so I only nodded. She gave me a last smile and slipped away. A few minutes later, the door opened again and Superman came into the room.

"How are you holding up?" he asked, all Kent.

"How would you be?" I said.

"Worse than you, in all likelihood," Superman said easily. "By the way, I took the liberty of calling Alfred. He's on his way."

"Alfred!" I had forgotten all about him. "What did you tell him?"

"That Robin had been injured and you were with him. You can explain as much or little as you want," he said, eyes focused on the small figure on the table below.

"I heard that you transported Robin here. ..Thank you," I said grudgingly.

"You'd have done the same for me," Superman replied. He was silent for a moment, then said, "I understand that a criminal did this to him..."

My demeanor became ice, my voice frozen. "Harvey Dent, aka Two-Face...I was tied...I couldn't...I couldn't..." I felt a big hand on my shoulder.

"I understand," Superman replied. "I spoke with the Young Justice team before I came in. They told me all about it. While they were on their way to you, M'gann got a good look at what was happening from Robin's mind. She's keeping it to herself for now." He touched my wrist very lightly. "And I can see how hard you tried to fight yourself free."

"My fault," I said. "This was my fault. I adopted him. I trained him. I took a child and put him on the streets. I told myself that he could take care of himself, that he had the skills. I..."

Superman, no, Clark Kent's blue eyes were moist. "You loved him, Bruce. You love him like a son. That's why it hurts so much."

"Well, maybe I shouldn't have. If I'd left him alone, he'd be on a playground somewhere right now without a care in the world," I said.

"It was his choice, too," Superman said. "He chose every day to be Robin. He loves being Robin. You've heard him laugh when he goes into action."

"So did Harvey Dent," I said, fists curling. "He said he'd wipe that laugh right out of him. And he has."

Several hours later, the doctors finished and removed Robin to a bed. Superman, who had stayed with me throughout, accompanied me to the waiting area. I found that the entire team had taken over the room with teenagers sprawled over the furniture, surrounded by the debris of soda cans and candy wrappers. When they saw us, they jumped to their feet immediately.

"How is he?" Kaldur asked.

"They're moving him to a bed right now," Superman said. "He's alive but they haven't told us his prognosis."

I cleared my throat and Superman fell silent. "Robin has several broken bones and a skull fracture. I think it's safe to assume that he will be on leave for a while. You should plan for his extended absence."

"Can we see him?" Wallace broke in and was promptly elbowed by Artemis.

"Wally, Batman hasn't even seen him yet!" she hissed.

"It's a fair question," I said. "The doctors haven't give us a schedule yet, but I'll keep you posted when I know. For the time being, I'll be staying here with him. I'd suggest that you all go back to Mount Justice for the time being."

I could see that my suggestion wasn't being taken well. Superboy looked stormy, Zatanna frowned, Wally and Artemis got into some kind of argument and Rocket looked uncomfortable. Finally Kaldur cleared his throat. "Sir, would it be acceptable for two of us to remain? We could trade off, always having a pair of us keeping watch. We...don't want to leave our teammate alone at this time."

I must admit that I was touched by that. Robin really does have some good friends. "All right. Set the schedule yourselves, but don't cause disruption in the Hall and," here I glared at Wally. "Clean up after yourselves if you eat or drink anything."

The nurse, Sara, reappeared to take me to Robin. As Superman and I left the waiting area, we saw the teenagers scrambling to clear up the mess.

The hospital area of the medical unit is quite large since JLA members are often in pitched battle against a variety of enemies. At that time, however, things were quiet. Robin's bed was in a large room crowded with beds, his the only one occupied. Sara led me over to him and pulled out a chair for me to sit with him. Superman patted me on the shoulder and left, as did Sara.

My boy was so small and frail-looking. They had him in the standard medical bed, one that would easily fit someone the size of Big Barda or Hawkman. His head had been shaved and had a dressing on it. His right arm was in a cast, as was one of his legs. More upsetting, I saw that he was on a ventilator. But most upsetting, I saw that they restraints on him. Robin was hardly in any condition to run anywhere, much less fight back! I rang the buzzer and Sara came back quickly.

"What is the meaning of this?" I asked, the rage against Dent that I'd pushed down flaring again. "He isn't a prisoner! He's a hero."

Sara nodded, holding her hands out in a calming gesture. "I agree, Batman. But Robin began to struggle while we were setting his limbs and he was especially active while we were trying to get an MRI of his skull. The MRI's magnets make a loud banging sound and it's possible that Robin was hallucinating. We have him on some very strong medications for his pain. Because of his injuries, we can't afford to have him moving around a lot..."

I sat back down. "I see," I said and let myself exhale. "I'm sorry. It's just that..."

"I understand," she said. "Working at the Hall and caring for heroes has always been my dream. My patients will always get my best, because they deserve it."

"Thank you," I replied and settled in the chair to watch over my son. After a while, I could see what Sara was talking about. Dick began to mutter and struggle. I heard the name Dent on his lips and knew that he was having some kind of nightmare.

"Robin, it's all right, you're safe," I said, laying a hand on his good arm. He didn't seem to hear me. His eyes opened and he looked right at me, but they never focused. He didn't see me. I pulled down my cowl and tried again.

"Dick, it's me, Bruce. C'mon, wake up. You're safe, you're with me..." I remembered how I'd kept him safe in Dent's warehouse. "Wake up, Dick. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, I Iet you down, son," I said softly and heard my voice break. "Please be all right..."

REPORT OF: Artemis Crock

CODE NAME: ARTEMIS

Page:2

Kaldur let M'gann and I have the first shift at the Hall of Justice. Superboy flew Sphere home and the rest of the team used the zeta beam to get home. Oh, except for Wally. He ran home. Said he needed to clear his head. He was looking pretty upset about Robin, so Kaldur let him go as long as he promised to meet up with everyone at the mountain.

M'gann and I sat for about an hour after everyone left, talking through the telepathic link so we could be quiet. Then the door opened and Wonder Woman was bringing in this old man who looked awfully familiar. As they passed into the room, I made eye contact with him and knew who he was instantly. I've only seen Alfred pick up Bruce Wayne's kid every day at school. I was so startled that I said his name out loud. "Alfred!"

M'gann, sitting next to me, suddenly paled and looked from me to Alfred and back again. I know that she caught the thought and my immediate conclusion. Dick Grayson. That weird kid at school who took my picture and said we'd laugh about it later. Bruce Wayne's kid, really good at sports, kinda familiar, like I'd seen him before somewhere...Robin? Crap! (Um...sorry, am I allowed to swear on this? Well, anyway, what would you say if you found out something like that?) And if Robin is Dick Grayson, then Batman is...?

Of course, Alfred tried to save everything. "Master Wayne has asked me to see to Batman's needs, as he would for any friend," he said in his snottiest British butler voice. But M'gann and I were not buying it.

"Don't worry, Mr. Pennyworth," M'gann said. "We won't tell anyone. We're Robin's friends."

Alfred, realizing that it was pointless, gave us a half-smile. "Very well, then, young ladies. Where is Batman?"

Wonder Woman, who had been watching all this with great amusement, said, "They're in through here. I'll take you in."

"Wonder Woman?" I said abruptly. "Uh...when can we see Robin?" I was afraid she'd be mad at me for my...well, my presumption. I mean, she's Wonder Woman! The heroine every girl wants to be! She can kick ass and not even muss her hair.

She must have seen that, because she smiled and looked sympathetic. "I'll find out, Artemis is it?" At my nod, she went on. "For the goddess of the hunt? A well-chosen name for an archer. May she ever guide your arrows."

I sat down with M'gann again and felt really impressed. Wow. Wonder Woman knew who I was!

After a few minutes, Wonder Woman came back and told us that we could see Robin. She took us to the hospital section of the medical center. Batman...with his cowl pulled back I could see that he really was Bruce Wayne, was standing and talking to Alfred quietly. Batm...Wayne's face looked tired and drawn and Alfred didn't look much better.

M'gann and I sat by Rob...Dick's bedside. His mask was off and it was clearly Dick Grayson, that irritating freshman I knew. He looked...bad. I mean, we get hurt doing what we do, but we haven't had a serious injury yet. Maybe we've been lucky, but we don't really think about injury much. Death? Yeah, we do, a little, but not the kind of injuries Robin had. As I sat next to him, I saw that his arms and legs were tied down and I got mad.

"Hey! Look what they did to Robin!" I said, starting to undo the nearest restraint, but M'gann stopped me.

"He's having nightmares. He thinks he's still in the warehouse and he's trying to fight back. If you leave him untied, he could hurt himself worse," M'gann said. "He has a brain injury; that's part of the trouble. That, plus the medicines are causing it."

When I looked closely, I could see that Robin was sweating and twitching, like he was trying to move. "Can you do anything about it?" I asked her.

"I can try," M'gann said. Her eyes started glowing, then after a while she stopped. Robin seemed a little calmer. "I think maybe I should try this again, or ask Uncle J'onn for help."

"What were you doing?" Batman asked curiously.

M'gann smiled. "I was trying to persuade him to sleep, so I was singing him Martian lullabies."