A/N This section is 'Speaking' and is set just after the first part, when they returned from the mission. These shots will be all over the place, sorry.
If you have any ideas for future chapters showing Robin and Kid Flash's brotherly relationship (you can add Roy in if you want) tell me through a review or PM!
"What did I say?" Robin asked on the trip back from the mission. "When I was... Exposed to the Fear Gas, what did I say?"
"I don't know." M'ggan said. "And I can telepathically understand every written language." Wally's head snapped up, he was sitting next to Robin, wanting to be sure that he was alright.
"You were speaking Romani." Wally replied, and he turned to M'ggan. "His native language, it's, uh, not a written language." He turned back to Robin. "You said... We were falling." Robin looked down, and nodded. "Rob, what else did you see? What else did you hear?"
"I.. Had to be... Batman." He said. "And... Everyone died because I made the wrong choice." He looked down, away from the Team. "And that wasn't even the worst part. You were all dead, but you... You all were somehow speaking. Said it was my fault..." He buried his head in his hands, and Wally hugged him.
"I'm sorry." He said. "You will never be Batman. Never. Even if you do something that results in my death, I won't blame you. It'd actully be my own fault, for choosing the superhero life."
"None of us would blame you." Artemis put in. "Anyone can die, anytime. It's part of the occupational hazard."
"You saw your parents there, didn't you?" Wally asked suddenly, wide eyed. Robin nodded, not looking at him. "That's it. After this mission, I'm dragging you to Roy's and we're all going to play video games and maybe you'll finally trust me enough." He rolled his eyes. "Geez, I swear you're such a dick sometimes."
"What did you call me?" Robin asked, sounding more startled than angry.
"A dick." Wally said, refusing to back down. Robin stared at him for another second, before laughing. The confused speedster turned to the Team. "What'd I say?"
"I don't know." Artemis said, perplexed. "One second you insulted him, and the next he's laughing his head off."
"We're here." M'ggan said as the Bioship landed. "Time for the mission briefing."
**0O
"This new Fear Gas." Batman said. "I'm going to investigate it. Robin, you won't be involved, you could have gone into cardiac arrest." What's that mean? Aqualad asked, and as Robin replied to his mentor, Wally answered his question.
"What?" Robin asked. "That's outrageous! We're facing a new criminal who somehow powered up the effects of Fear Gas that we know nothing about and you're refusing to even have me as backup!" It means his heart could have stopped, and he coulda died. Was Wally's response.
"You were already hit by the new Fear Gas once, Robin." Batman said. "We may not get so lucky next time, and I refuse to put you in danger. I'm taking you off the field."
"News flash, Bats!" Robin said. "You can't do that! Remember when I was eight, and went out without your permission? I did it then, and I'll do it now. I made my choice to help you, let me!"
"No." Batman said. "If you're going to act like this, I'll make it permanent." Robin's eyes narrowed.
"You wouldn't dare." The boy ground out. "What if you get exposed to the Fear Gas, you'll need someone to insert the antidote into you. You've seen more and been through more than me, tell me, which one of us is more likely to go into cardiac arrest thanks to this new strain of Fear Gas? You. If you'll agree to have me as backup for this investigation, and keep me informed, I'll stay away from the Fear Gas, I won't interfere in your investigation unless absolutely nessessary. And, best of all for you, I'll take either Wally or Roy with me on patrol every night until the investigation's over." Batman stared at Robin for a few moments.
Would someone explain what's going on? Artemis asked through the mental link that Robin had been excluded from.
Um... Robin's challenging Batman because he's worried about him. Wally said. But Batman doesn't want Rob to be exposed again, so he's gone Daddy!Bats on Rob, and Rob doesn't like that, so he's giving Batman a reasonable comprimise. If Bats lets Rob stay on the investigation as backup, and keep him informed, Rob'll stay away from what's going on, unless Bats gets exposed, and he'll take either me or Roy on patrol each night, until Bats is done investigating.
"Scarecrows still in Arkam." Batman said. "Look into it." Robin nodded, meekly, and brought up his holo-glove.
"There's no way someone could have gotten the formula from him while he's been in Arkam." Robin said. "According to the file, he hasn't gotten visiters, which means it happened during one of his escapades. Good luck tracking 'im down." The holo-glove closed, and Robin nodded at Batman. Normally, their arguments don't escalate like that. Wally said. But Bats is worried about Rob's saftey, and, well, Rob get's worried about Bats just the same. Batman nodded, before leaving.
What happened there? Zatanna asked.
Batman yielded to Robin's technical expertise. Wally said. He's letting Robin investigate the technical side of things while he investigates physically.
You know it's bad when your Bat expert is Wally. Robin said. I was added to the mind link to hear your speech about Bats yeilding to my technical expertise, and it sounds right. Anyways, Wallly, let's go.
Wally grinned, before waving at the Team and grabbing Robin before taking off to the Zeta Tube and heading for Roy's house, stopping on a nearby rooftop.
"Why'd you laugh when I called you a dick?" He asked.
"Cause it's my nickname." Robin said with a grin. "I mean, Richard is too formal, and I'd rather not be called my last name 'Grayson! Grayson, come over here!" He mimicked a high pitch girls voice. "Thanks for not looking me up, with everything I already told you." Wally grinned, before taking Dick to Roy's, and they were excited to see he already had a video game ready.