CHAPTER 7

BATMAN'S JOURNAL

After the realization I saw in Artemis' eyes, I knew that my secret identity couldn't be hidden from the team much longer. The doctors had uncovered Dick's face and left his mask off so that they can check his pupils regularly, to check his brain injury. Most of the team would figure out his identity, and mine, just from seeing his face.

I sighed, knowing that I was getting tired. I'd been sitting at Dick's bedside for the past twenty four hours without sleeping. I was...I was afraid that if I slept, he'd be gone when I awoke. So, I kept a vigil over him. He had stopped struggling after M'gann sang to him, but neither did he return to consciousness. Finally, somewhere in the darkest part of the night, Dr. Midnite stopped by.

"Batman, you should go and sleep," he said.

"I'll sleep when I'm dead," I rumbled, afraid that he would have me removed from Dick's bedside. I nodded towards my son. "How is he, really? Why hasn't he regained consciousness yet?" I paused as a terrible thought hit. "He will regain consciousness, won't he?"

Midnite frowned and sat down next to Dick's bed, motioning me to sit beside him. "I believe that he will wake up, but it might take a while. He's in a coma at present, but his activity level is a good sign, as are M'gann's observations that he's reacting to his dreams. What I would expect is a gradual awakening. He'll open his eyes for longer and longer periods, be more responsive to commands, like asking him to squeeze your hand. We can't really evaluate the long term result of the head injury yet. It will take time."

"He won't just...wake up? Like you see in the movies?" I asked, ashamed of my ignorance.

Midnite smiled sadly. "No. That's the movies. He'll come back gradually. I would recommend that you stay and try to keep him engaged. Talk to him. Sing to him. Tell him about your day. Play his favorite songs." Midnite looked over his shoulder towards the doorway. "I noticed that his friends have been keeping watch over him. Have them in here too. You never know what a coma patient will respond to, so try different things. M'gann's singing seems to calm him. With her telepathic ability, she may be able to help him come back as well."

I noted the vent they still had breathing for him. "Will he be on that much longer?" I pointed toward the machine.

"We'll wean him off it slowly, monitoring his oxygen saturation levels. I don't think he's lost the ability to breathe independently, but his brain needs all the oxygen it can get right now. The collapsed lung didn't do him any favors." Midnite got up and moved over to Dick's bedside. "You've got a strong boy here, Batman and in the peak of health. From what I've seen of Robin, he's also very stubborn. All things considered, I'd put my money on your partner."

"Thank you," I said and seated myself again. I was alone with Robin again and began to talk to him. "Well, partner, what do you think? Artemis has figured out who we are. Should I just give up and tell the rest of the team? I know this secrecy has bothered you in the past, having to wear sunglasses and hide your true identity. Why don't you wake up and we'll talk about it, huh?" I squeezed his hand as it lay still in mine. "Squeeze my hand, Robin, let me know you're in there." Nothing. I leaned in and spoke softly. "C'mon, Dick. Show me some of that Grayson mule-headedness! Squeeze my hand!" Still nothing. I sighed and leaned back in the chair, ready for a long day.

I had given Jim Gordon a number to an untraceable cell phone that I carried with me as Batman. To my surprise, it rang.

"Hello, Commissioner," I said cautiously.

"How is Robin?" he asked.

"Alive," I replied, staring at the boy in the bed.

"The Deputy AG wants an investigator to get a copy of Robin's medical charts and have a CSI take photos of his injuries..."

"No!" I said quickly. "Strangers aren't allowed in the Hall of Justice." The title sank in. "AG? A Deputy Attorney General? Why are the Feds getting involved in this?"

"Dent, a former DA for Gotham City, is accused of murdering a Gotham City judge. Too much conflict of interest floating around. And the AG wants to be there when the CSI works. I'm just grateful I'm still allowed to investigate the case," Gordon said.

"It doesn't matter who this AG is, strangers still aren't allowed in the Hall," I knew I was being stubborn. I just kept looking at my boy, so quiet in that huge bed and didn't want someone with a camera taking pictures of him to be shown in court. Even though I knew I was being illogical.

"Tourists go through there every day. Don't give me that," Jim said dryly. "Look, do you want Harvey prosecuted for his attack on Robin or not? We can always stay with the murder charges, but even that will be tough to prove. Robin's the only one who saw Dent trip the handle. The henchmen are all clamming up."

"Robin can't testify. Not the way he is...now..." I replied. "And yes, I absolutely want you to prosecute Harvey for what he's done to Robin! As for the murder, use circumstantial evidence. "

"Not good enough, Batman. Dent was wearing gloves. No prints on the handle and you were hooded. You want him in prison for sure, we need evidence on Robin. I understand that you can testify about what happened..."

I cut him off short. "Yes. I can testify to what I saw." Although I certainly wasn't looking forward to it. Then, I had a thought. Barry Allen, the Flash, is a CSI for Central City Police Department. "What if the League used a forensics expert known and trusted by us?"

I heard Jim sigh. "Won't work. An outside expert retained by the JLA, your outfit, doesn't have the requisite neutrality this job needs. I'm sorry, but it'll have to be someone from G.C.P.D."

I pulled my cowl back and rubbed my eyes. I'd been in the batsuit for well over twenty four hours. I was hot, tired, discouraged and anxious. "All right, but you come too. I want you to ride herd on the others."

"Okay, I'll be there," Gordon said, then added. "You know, I've got a daughter Robin's age. I know what it's like."

"I know, I've met Barbara. But you can't possibly know what it's like...And I hope you never do. I'll contact you when I've made arrangements for our visitors." I put the phone away and settled back into my chair, taking up my vigil.

Alfred came by later with a change of clothing for me, and not a bat-uniform.

"Since your identity is generally known within the League, I see no harm in your dressing in...er...'civvies'. Your uniform, combining armor as it does, weighs a good forty pounds. You must be tired," Alfred produced a suitcase and opened it on the next bed over. I saw that he'd packed a polo shirt and khakis, a common outfit for Bruce Wayne.

I glanced at Dick and creaked over to the suitcase. "I might as well take a shower while I'm at it," I said to Alfred, who had already taken a seat at Dick's bedside.

"I'll keep an eye on him for you, sir," Alfred said, eyes already fixed on Dick's face.

I came out of the shower refreshed, my mind made up. Much as I would prefer to keep my secrets, there was no question that my boy needed his friends. He would have whatever he needed, whatever it took. But first, put Dent away in the deepest, blackest hole I could engineer for him.

REPORT OF: Wally West

CODE NAME: KID FLASH

Page:4

When Batman called for me, specifically, I knew that the worst had happened. I mean, I'm Rob's best friend. Anything happens to him, happens to me, too, y'know? Ever since we rescued him out of that warehouse in Gotham, I've been thinking about him. He was so hurt, nothing like I've ever seen on anybody before. I know that Doc Midnite is real good, but still...Rob's only human. He doesn't have powers, just a little bit of armor on his uniform, and that's not much. Batman wanted to put much heavier kevlar, but Robin refused. He said that he's an acrobat and that's how he fights. If the suit is too heavy, he can't move. Batman grumbled, but let him have his way.

That's the first time I ever saw them argue and how (sorry, Bats) Rob has always been able to wrap Batman around his little finger. Something about those big blue eyes...

So, I was scared to take the call, but felt better when Batman explained that I was only supposed to escort some VIPs to the Hall of Justice. Then he explained just why they were coming.

"What? They're gonna take photos of Rob? Like some vultures?" I was steaming mad. Why couldn't they let him alone? He was in a coma, for God's sake...

Batman's voice was surprisingly soft when he replied. "I understand, Wallace, and I feel the same way. But if we're going to prosecute Harvey Dent for what he's done, there has to be evidence. The...physical...evidence is on Robin's body. It needs to be presented to the jury. Robin may not be able to testify."

I remembered Robin as I'd last seen him when I'd been on duty the night before. He'd looked dead. M'gann's singing had calmed him down enough that he didn't struggle anymore, so they'd taken off the restraints. But I don't know if that was any improvement. At least before we knew he was fighting something...

"Okay, when do I pick them up?" I asked.

"You and M'gann will transport them in the bioship and return them to Gotham City when their task is completed. There will be three people: a lawyer, a forensics tech from Gotham P.D. and Commissioner Gordon. I thought that you would be the best candidate since you're familiar with Gotham City and your uncle is a CSI himself. You might be able to help if the tech needs assistance."

"I know who Rob is, you mean," I said. "'Familiar with Gotham City' means I've visited Robin there more times than I can count over the years and that since I know that Robin is Dick Grayson, I can protect his identity if the tech is getting too close to something."

"Precisely," Batman said, sounding pleased that I'd figured the whole thing out.

So, the next day, M'gann parked the bio-ship in on a runway at the airport in Gotham City. I went out to meet the VIPs. Commissioner Gordon I knew already, from a few cases I helped Batman and Robin with before. He came forward to shake my hand.

"Kid Flash! Why, it's been a long time since I last saw you. Let me introduce my companions. This is Marya Hayes, who will be prosecuting Two-Face. And this is Trinh Dang, the CSI who will be gathering evidence."

Marya Hayes was tall and pretty but looked really competent. She reminded me of Lois Lane, sorta driven if you know what I mean. Trinh Dang was younger, in her mid-twenties and looked like somebody you could talk to. She was short and thin with glasses. I offered to carry the case she was lugging but she turned me down.

"No, thank you," she said in a quiet voice. "I'm responsible for the contents, so I like to keep it close."

She reminded me a little of Uncle Barry. He gets that way about his instruments too.

I led them into the bio-ship and helped them get seated. M'gann was already in the pilot's seat. Gotta admit, I was pretty proud of the bio-ship. The passengers were oohing and ahhing over the ship and what she could do. I could tell that M'gann was pleased too; she blushed at the praise of her ship.

When we got to the Hall of Justice, we landed on the roof like we usually do. Batman was there to escort the VIPs in. M'gann and I followed. When we got to Robin's room, the tech went to work. Batman had put Rob's mask back on, so nobody would guess who he was. You could still see that his eyes were swollen up and his nose broken anyway.

The tech took pictures of Rob in his bed, then had him uncovered and took photos of his injuries. I've watched Uncle Barry do something like that, but never to anyone I cared about. It was...weird. I know why you need to do this, but I still didn't like it. Especially since, through all of it, Rob never once moved.

Next to me, M'gann kind of stiffened. She went over to the side of Rob's bed and put a hand on his forehead. Her eyes lit up and you could see her go into a trance. The tech stopped working and everyone in the room looked at her.

I was afraid to say a word. I was hoping that M'gann was finally reaching Robin, waking him up and I didn't want to mess anything up by disturbing her.

"M'gann?" Batman was the first to say anything.

She turned to us with her eyes shining and a big smile. "He's there. He's talking to me."

The whole room relaxed. "How long?" Batman asked.

"It will take some time, but he's there and he's fighting," she said.

I don't remember taking the visitors back to Gotham, but I know I did. Rob is getting better. He's coming back!

REPORT OF: Artemis Crock

CODE NAME: ARTEMIS

Page:3

We were called to the Hall of Justice, the entire team, for a meeting with Batman. When word came to us that we were to be there in two hours, we only had one thought in our minds.

He's dead, said Superboy. Batman wants us there because Robin's dead and he's going to break it to us.

NOOOOO! He can't be dead! Anguish washed through us all and we realized fast that it came from Wally. I went to his room and found him huddled on the floor beside his desk. He looked up at me, tears running from his eyes. Rob can't be dead. M'gann said he was getting better! Wally said to the group. He's not dead!

We do not know Robin's status, but I think that we must prepare for the worst, Kaldur said heavily. In any case, prepare the bioship as we normally would for a mission. It is entirely possible that Batman will brief us and send us out. We will only find out when we meet with him.

The grief that had begun to percolate through the team with Wally's outburst, began to fade as we all realized that Kaldur was right. Batman had been with Robin since we brought him in. He could just want us for a briefing. We hadn't heard anything from M'gann, either. She and Rocket had been at the hall for five hours of their twelve hour shift. Surely we would have known if there was trouble.

"He's not dead and he's not gonna die," Wally said as he packed his duffle, his hands a blur.

"Not if we can help it," Superboy agreed, loading the bioship with our standard equipment. "So, M'gann's singing is helping Rob?"

"That is what Dr. Midnite has told us," Kaldur said, stowing his water-bearers. "Perhaps it is the telepathic contact, although she does sing very well," he said quietly, casting a glance at Superboy. Conner just kept working, his face a blank.

Nobody's quite sure what happened between M'gann and Superboy, but sometimes the tension between those two could be cut with a knife. In any case, we took off and got to the Hall in record time. M'gann and Rocket were waiting for us when we got there.

"Robin okay?" Wally asked as soon as we opened the door and saw them there.

"He's still alive, if that's what you mean," Raquel said.

"So, what's this meeting all about?" Conner asked as we all sat down. "New mission?"

"Of a sort," the door opened and Batman came in, followed by Dr. Midnite. "You're Robin's team and his best friends. Dr. Midnite thinks that you can have a role in his recovery."

We all sat up straighter with that. Dr. Midnite began to talk, explaining his theory that by talking to Rob and just keeping him company, we can help him come back. I listened, but my eye kept going to Batman. He seemed...fidgety somehow.

"You'll be seeing Robin regularly," Midnite finished. "He's going to be leaving the Hall of Justice to be cared for at home from now on."

I could see everyone sit up straighter. At home? We knew that Rob had a home, nobody had ever seen it. Who the kid's parents were, nobody knew, although we all knew each others' stories by now, only Robin hadn't been allowed to tell any secrets. Batman's secrets. I glanced over and saw Batman moving to take Dr. Midnite's place at the front of the room. He looked grim and I wondered what he was going to say.

"You aren't serious, are you? About taking Rob...home?" Wally blurted, then he tried to recover. "I mean, a batcave isn't the best place for him to recover, is it?"

I've known for a while that Wally and Rob have been friends forever and that Wally is in on the Secret. Not that I've admitted that to Wally himself.

"No, home is just where he needs to be. And I want him surrounded by his friends," Batman said, gripping the podium with both hands. Oh no, I thought, he's not gonna...Oh, yeah, he is...

"In order to make that happen, you'll be given some confidential information. You've already proved your trustworthiness in many ways. Therefore, I'd like to introduce myself..." He put his hand up to his cowl and pulled it back to show the seamed and tired face of Bruce Wayne.

Raquel was the only one who looked surprised.

"I had suspected who you might be, sir," Kaldur said. "I don't know much about the surface world, but based on a few remarks that my King has made from time to time, I thought you might be Wayne. I am grateful for your trust in us."

M'gann said nothing. I think she'd known for a long time, catching the information from Robin's thoughts. Wally, of course already knew.

Conner shrugged. "I'm sorry, but I don't know much about the world yet. Are you famous or something?"

Bruce Wayne looked at us, consternation on his face. "Is it so easy to tell, then?" He gave me a wry smile. "I decided that I needed to let you all know, since you'll be my guests at Wayne Manor for a while. I knew that Artemis had figured it out, but not the rest of you."

We all did our best to look abashed, except for Rocket.

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm surprised!" Raquel said. "So that makes Robin...Dick Grayson? Your adopted son?" Well, at least she was impressed.

Wayne nodded. "He's been Robin since he was nine years old." He stood up. "In any case, we'll be moving him to the manor today. You'll follow in the bio-ship."