Starfire awoke suddenly. A hand violently smacked against her face, and an elbow collided with her stomach. Given her natural resilience to physical blows, they didn't so much hurt as startle.
She sat up quickly, quickly orienting herself. She was in bed, next to Black, where they had fallen asleep together while talking.
Now, he had his eyes clenched shut tight as he tossed and turned in agony. A grimace pulled at his lips as he bared his teeth.
"Robin?" She shook him gently.
He thrashed involuntarily, kicking and whipping his arms around, knocking a pillow off the bed.
"I will take you to the medical bay," she declared, grabbing his flailing wrist.
The touch seemed to hurt as he cried out in pain.
"I'm sorry," she sternly pulled him to her body, pinning his limbs. "I can't allow you to hurt yourself."
He continued to jerk and wriggle as they swiftly traveled. He moaned and whined, but didn't scream, which she was thankful for as she didn't think she could handle it.
When they arrived at the med bay, she made quick work of getting him onto the bed, and restrained. "It is not ideal," she apologized. "But it is only temporary, and only so you do not hurt yourself. I will return shortly."
As a girl on a mission, she zipped through the halls. Cyborg's room was the closest, so she entered and awoke him.
"Many apologies for disrupting your sleep cycle, but I believe the time has come to perform Robin's blood test."
Cyborg blinked his human eye at her, blearily. "Oh, gotcha. It'll take a second for my system to start up. But I'll meet you there."
"Very well. I shall go inform Mr. Batman."
At Robin's room, where Batman was staying, she knocked once. He answered fairly quickly, making her wonder if he was even asleep.
"He's ready?" Bruce asked, by way of greeting.
"I believe so. He is in the medical room. He was unresponsive and his body moved against his will. I have restrained him."
"I see. Good work. I'll go tend to him. Why don't you let the others know? They might want a chance to see Robin, if he'll make an appearance."
"Yes sir."
—-
When Starfire returned to the med bay with Raven with her, Cyborg, Bruce, and Alfred were hard at work.
Alfred was the one taking the blood sample, while Cyborg and Bruce held Robin still.
Starfire and Raven took up their places and helped.
"Unfortunately," Bruce began, "we might end up having to take a few tests over time, depending how much fentanyl is in his system."
"And we can't give him Narcan?" Cyborg asked.
"There would be no point. At this stage, he's not under the effect of any opioids, and giving him anything would further mess with the test."
"I have a sample," stated Alfred, capping off the IV port.
"I've got the computer all ready for analysis," Cyborg gestured, leading Bruce into the next room.
Robin continued to moan softly. But his movements were less erratic and spaced farther apart. He was sweating profusely.
Starfire wetted a washcloth with cool water and gently wiped his face and neck.
Shortly after, Beast Boy arrived, still in his pajamas. "Sorry I'm late," he yawned. "Did I miss the test?"
"They're analyzing it now," Raven provided.
"Cool. I hate needles. How's Robby?"
"Unresponsive," Starfire lamented as she dabbed his face.
"What did he say when he came to you?" Raven asked. "Was he a little responsive then?"
Starfire blushed slightly. "It was several hours ago. He could not sleep and he came to me to tell me of his time in captivity. Eventually, we both fell asleep."
"That's not really a conversation most people would fall asleep to…" Beast Boy smirked.
"You are correct, but I believe he felt…relaxed. I took notes, and I will share with those who wish to know. I will caution, it is not easy to hear."
Bruce and Cyborg returned a minute later. "I think I'd like to get another test in about an hour. There's trace amounts of fentanyl in the system that will throw off the antidote formula. In the meantime, the computer is at least compiling a list of components to counter the poisons."
"What do we do in the meantime?"
"We wait. As long as someone sits up with him, the rest of you can go back to sleep."
"Ugh," groaned Beast Boy. "After all that? Boooo." He morphed into a cat and jumped up to curl up to sleep on a chair.
"I shall stay up with him," Starfire stated.
"I'd stay too," said Cyborg. "But I'd like to finish charging my batteries in case of an emergency."
"I'll make some coffee," said Raven.
"I shall assist," offered Alfred.
After they all left, it was just Bruce and Starfire left behind. The room turned rather quiet, as the only sounds were the beeps and boops of the medical equipment. Robin's groans of pain had calmed down considerably, though he didn't appear to be any more comfortable or relaxed. His face was tight as his mouth twisted into a grimace.
Starfire frowned harshly as she wetted the wash cloth again and put it on his face. It was so unfair that he had to be in all this pain and couldn't even have any medicine to help.
"When I came to Earth," Starfire said aloud. "I had just escaped a Gordianian slave ship. Prior to that, I was held captive by the Psions and experimented on to satisfy their sick curiosities."
Bruce had the impression that Starfire liked to hold conversation, but this wasn't your average small talk.
"I have seen many horrible things. Human morality is not the standard across the universe. Many fellow prisoners were killed over scraps of food. Pain was an expectation. Out of my friends here, I believe I was the most prepared to hear of Robin's time in captivity. Even then, some of the things he said made me sick to my nine stomachs. There is causing pain because you do not care about the people around you, only your survival. And then there is causing pain because it gives you great delight and pleasure."
Bruce narrowed his eyes, giving her his undivided attention.
"I used to believe that the Psions were the most evil creatures in the universe, because they caused pain for curiosity's sake. But even that can have an ounce of good in it. But what these men did…"
Bruce closed his eyes, all too familiar with the torture she had probably been told about.
"Humans are so complex and nuanced. I stayed on Earth because its inhabitants are beautiful creatures," she delicately pushed some of Robin's hair away from his face. "But this was a side of humanity I wish I never knew existed."
"The Joker is an exception. His depravity isn't the norm. It does happen, and has happened if you look over the span of human history. But those actions are largely considered abhorrent. Don't lose sight of the beauty in humanity. We need more people like you, Starfire." Bruce said this with such conviction and ferocity, she didn't expect it.
"But…"
"In our line of work, it is so easy to become jaded. To think that humanity is beyond saving. Especially in Gotham," he chuckled mirthlessly. "That place is a cesspool, and I often find myself wondering if my work will ever be done. But then I see parents out with their kids, or a student walking a dog, or teenagers laughing and eating pizza. I see lives that are complex and full of nuance, and they need our protection from the exceptions."
A smile, however small and sad, graced Starfire's face. "I suppose you would be correct. You have been doing this much longer than I have, so you would know. I shall take your advice to heart."
Bruce didn't say it, or even let any part of his face convey it, but he was glad that Robin was around Starfire. She was a good influence, and would bring better healing than he ever could. Instead, he said, "thank you, for telling me about your past. I understand you better now."
A genuine smile painted her face.
"Star?" A small voice spoke from the bed.
"Robin?" She perked up slightly, and leaned in to tend to him.
"Star? Starfire?" He asked again, his head lulling back and forth.
"I am here, my dear Robin." She undid the restraints that bound his wrist and took hold of his hand. "I am right here." She spoke softly.
Robin tightened the hold, almost like he was checking to make sure she was real.
Bruce quietly got up to let the others know that he was awake.
"How…do you feel?" He croaked.
"What? Why do you ask such a thing? I should be asking you."
He moved his hand up to touch her neck. "I hurt you, Star…I hurt you…"
"Oh Robin, that was not you. And I am fine. You know it will take more than that to damage me."
"I'm sorry," he sniffed. "I'm so sorry…"
"You have been forgiven." She petted his hair. "Do not fret, dear Robin."
"I hate this. I hate all of this," he cringed as a wave of pain rolled through him. "I can see you, when Black is in control. I can see you, I can hear you…but I can't do anything else."
"We will have you fixed soon. They shall take another blood test and create an antidote for the poison."
"I can't wait," he winced. "Because this sucks."
Beast Boy shifted back from a cat. "I thought I heard Robin's voice, is he…?"
"H-hey Beast Boy…" Robin managed to smile.
"Hey buddy! Good to see you! How you feeling?"
Robin shook his head slightly. "Not...not great."
"Yeah…that's fair," Beast Boy gave his leg a pat.
Robin swallowed thickly as he met Beast Boy's eyes. "I'm so proud of you."
Beast Boy startled at the sudden compliment. Robin didn't hand them out very often. "For what?"
"My puzzle. It was the only thing I could think of that wasn't suspicious…and someone on the team would figure out."
"Well, Raven was the one that figured out that you were picking songs on purpose. So I can't take all the credit."
Robin's eyes crinkled with something akin to mirth, "I'll have to thank her too, then."
"Looks like you can do that right now!" Starfire chirped as Raven and Alfred came into the room.
"What is he doing?" Raven asked.
"Thank you for helping Beast Boy–" a wince, "solve my code."
She sat beside him and held his hand. "Anytime."
He squeezed her back. "I'm sorry I yelled at you…I was so relieved…when you made it inside my head. Having this…disease with Black is like my captivity is still going on. Even now, when I can finally speak, I know it won't last." He sniffed.
"It won't be much longer," Starfire comforted. "But Robin, we do not place any fault or blame on you for this situation. I have been studying psychology in an effort to help you. From my understanding, Dissociative Identity Disorder develops from shocking events as a coping mechanism. Children that had something traumatic happen during their childhood are at a higher risk, and from what we heard of your past…"
"Dissoci–is that what this is?" He cringed. "That's what they call Multiple Personality now, right?"
"I am far from qualified to confirm a diagnosis, but it seems fairly obvious to me."
"Agreed dude," said Beast Boy. "I don't even know what Dissa–Dia–Diablo Dent—"
"Dissociative Identity Disorder."
"Yeah, I don't really know what that is, but you definitely have two personalities."
Robin clenched his eyes shut as the pain and disappointment rolled over him. "Then…they were successful. They did it. I'm…I'm just like Dent."
"Not quite," Bruce said from the doorway.
Robin turned to look at him, mortified. Of course, he had known that Bruce was in Jump, but seeing him in person, after everything he had done, was a different story. "B-Bruce, I'm so…so sorry…"
"Hey, Dick, calm down." The man said as he sat by his IV port. "It's okay."
"I messed up…I messed up so bad." A tear ran down his cheek.
"You couldn't have known they were in Jump and responsible for this. You noticed something was wrong at the psychiatric unit and acted. Messing up would have been brushing off all the signs I taught you and letting them disappear without a trace. So stop beating yourself up." He prepared the next vial for a blood sample. "Starfire is right that your secondary personality is a coping mechanism for trauma. But how stable or powerful it is without that poison in your system, that is yet to be determined."
"And the opioids," Robin whispered.
"And the opioids." Bruce worked quickly to get another sample. "We'll see if this one is good. If it is, we'll get you a drip with painkillers in it."
Robin's lip trembled. "Just sedate me. I don't…I don't want him to talk anymore. He needs to die."
Alfred responded, "We have the means and knowledge to patch you up, but anesthesia is another matter entirely. One I am not comfortable attempting with all that is in your system."
Robin scrunched up his face as he was filled with more pain, anger, and humiliation.
"I've been treating it like you're drunk," said Beast Boy. "Not that I hang around that many drunk people, but you know how they say crap they normally wouldn't say when they're sober? It's kinda like that. Except you actually remember the stuff you say, so that's a bit of a bummer."
Robin coughed, and a little black spittle splattered on the sheets.
"Looks like visiting hours are over," Bruce said determinedly. "Get him hooked up to the fentanyl. I'm going to run this sample. We've waited until the last possible second, so this is as good as we're going to get."
Things moved quickly then. Beast Boy went to get Cyborg, while Bruce and Alfred got to work. Raven stood by Robin's head and used her healing powers to calm his mind.
While Starfire sat by his side, holding his hand, and feeling helpless.
Once the fentanyl was administered, they waited with bated breath to see what would happen. After about twenty minutes, Robin looked more relaxed and his complexion cleared.
"He's asleep," Starfire noted.
"As I would be," said Alfred. "He was in pain all day. He must be exhausted."
Beast Boy returned. "Cy's helping Batman with the antidote. How's he doing?"
"Better, it seems," said Raven. "He's resting. We haven't seen Black reappear."
Beat Boy sighed. "Then I feel like I can relax. It was really hard to sit by while he was in that much pain."
"Indeed," said Starfire, never once taking her eyes off of Robin's sleeping face.
About an hour later, Robin was still asleep. Bruce and Cyborg came into the room, looking cautiously optimistic.
"We've got the formula for an antidote," said Bruce. "I'll need to talk to one of my connections to get some of the components, but I think we're good to go."
"Wonderful!" Starfire chirped, slightly floating.
"But," Bruce interrupted them before they could begin celebrating. "There's still no guarantee this will fix him. If this really is a case of DID, a shot of chemicals won't fix it."
There was silence before Beast Boy, before anyone else, stated, "well, what's most important is his physical health first, right? This should keep him from putting himself in danger to get a fix, and he won't deal with the poison pain, right?"
Bruce nodded. "That's my hope. From here out, we'll have to be looking for what triggers his personality. Maybe moments of stress will make that other personality come out. Maybe it will fade entirely with the poison neutralized. We have to be prepared for anything."
"That's kind of a risk of the job, isn't it?" Cyborg mused. "Stopping crime is fun and feels good, but there's always a chance you are irreparably damaged. You just have to roll with it."
"One more thing," Bruce crossed his arms. "If Black wakes up before we administer the antidote, we shouldn't mention what its goal is. If he realizes the poison in his body is what lets him exist, he may become uncooperative."
"It's probably best he stays in here until it's administered, then," stated Raven. "And we should keep the restraints on his legs."
Starfire landed on the floor again.
"So, playing the waiting game again, huh? My favorite…" Beast Boy morphed into a cat again and resumed his nap.
"Is any of that coffee ready?" Bruce asked Alfred. "I'll take a cup in the office. I have an email to write."
As everyone filtered out, Starfire was left alone with a sleeping Robin. She sat on the bed, and just watched him. Watched as his chest rose and fell with deep breaths. Watched for any sign of discomfort, but he was still.
Disease. Irreparably damaged. He needs to die.
Starfire didn't know how to feel. Black was an unstable, volatile character that was unpredictable. But…he was a friend. And he was part of Robin. A coping mechanism. She didn't really like him as a replacement to Robin, but on his own…
Would it feel like curing an illness? Or sacrificing a person?
Ultimately, it wasn't up to her. It was Robin's choice. And Robin was trapped, and needed to be free. There was no point in considering alternatives. If the antidote killed Black, then so be it.
Carefully, Starfire laid down on the bed, right beside Robin, and rested her head on his chest.
"I'm sorry."
—
"It's done."
Bruce set the tray down on the table next to the hospital bed. Inside the tray was a set of syringes filled with a pink liquid, and the kit for administering it. "Fomepizole, potassium phosphate, prednisolone, and good ole Sodium bicarbonate."
"But is it bubblegum flavored?" Black asked.
"Yes, but you won't be tasting it," said Bruce. "We're injecting it right where we took your blood sample last night."
"Then why bother flavoring it?"
"Because I knew you'd ask."
There was a pause before Black nodded knowingly. "You're joking. That was a joke."
"I'm chock full of them." Bruce took a seat and snapped on the gloves. "Now, the antidote has to be administered in steps. Because it neutralizes the poison in your system, a chemical reaction will take place. The chemical reaction could cause some adverse side effects if administered all at once."
"Like what? Will I turn purple?"
"In a way…" Bruce said vaguely, not elaborating. "We're going to give you the first dose, then in an hour, then next. I can't guarantee it'll be a pleasant experience either, but once it's over, you should be all free of the pain of the poison."
Black looked highly skeptical as he frowned and bit his lip. "I suppose I don't really have the choice in backing out now, do I?"
"Not a chance. We went to a lot of work to make this."
"Fine then." Black grumbled, but relented. "Bottoms up," then he turned to look at Starfire. "That's what people say when they take a shot."
Starfire squinted her eyes in confusion, but decided not to ask for clarification.
Bruce pushed the first dose of the antidote, and gnawed on his tongue while he waited for a reaction.
"Ohh, that burns. Not as bad as the poison they gave me, though," Black wiggled his fingers as a heat traveled up his arm. "Okay, it's getting a little…worse…" His eyes began to droop as his head tilted forward. His skin flushed and his breathing became heavy.
"Just relax," Bruce gently pushed him back so his head rested on the mattress.
"I'm…burning…fuzzy burning…"
"Yep," he hooked the saline drip back up. "That's what Lucius said would happen. You remember our friend Lucius Fox, right?"
"...ears…and a tail…"
Bruce shook his head and looked at the Titans. "We won't really know how it worked until we're all done with the dosing, and that will take a few hours. Until then, he's likely going to be in and out of consciousness. If he's awake, he won't be coherent."
Beast Boy gave a long, exaggerated sigh. "And so again, we wait…"
Like divine providence, the alarms sounded, muted slightly in the med bay, but flashing red lights all the same.
"Or not," Beast Boy perked up.
Bruce removed the gloves. "How bad is it?"
Cyborg analyzed the report on his arm. "Looks like Billy Numerous."
"Is that bad?"
"He can divide himself into an army of clones. He has a limit, but it's in the thousands."
"And he has an annoying accent," added Raven, under her breath.
"Master Bruce, I am perfectly capable of finishing this on my own," said Alfred. "You should aid the Titans." He took Bruce's seat. "You could use the distraction."
"Fine. Sounds like you guys could use all the help you can get with a villain like that."
"I call shotgun in the Batmobile!" Beast Boy damn near screamed.