GSOG Chapter 43

Confirmation from other League members, Jason is allowed to learn the secret of the Wayne Family, Melinda as well since Slade may target her too. So, come morning, Bruce wakes Melinda and Jason very early, despite getting back home late last night, having them come to his study.

"Melinda, Jason, what I'm about to show you has to remain absolutely secret, not a word to anyone." Bruce starts. "I don't know how either of you will feel from this, but…" Bruce turns and sets the Grandfather Clock. It makes a strange whirring sound, then lowers into the ground, a thin door opens. They have to enter one at a time, then it closes behind them. Bruce leads them down a flight of stairs, coming to a large cave. The Batcave. Both of them gape at it, walking further in.

"Is this…" Melinda starts to question.

"Holy shit, you're Batman!" Jason realizes. He turns this way and that as he heads down, looking at everything. "You're really Batman?!"

"Yes. Now you can see why I request secrecy. You both know the dangers Gotham holds. Dick and I are the ones who protect it." Bruce tells them.

"I knew it was fishy that you would disappear sometimes…" Melinda remarks. Jason's made his way to the Batcomputer, pressing a button, it lights up, and it's asking for a password.

"Whoa… Imagine watch movies on this thing!" Jason states excitedly, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

"The Batcomputer is not to be used for such. Which is why I had the mini theatre put in, otherwise Dick would be watching movies on here all the time."

"Oh, come on, look at this thing! It looks like something out of a crime mystery novel!" Jason mentions. He looks back at Bruce. "Why are you showing us this, anyway?"

"I need to bring you both somewhere that's safer than the manor. Slade Wilson, the man that's been after Dick, he may harm you to get to him. I'm bringing you to a place called The Cave until Slade is dealt with." Bruce explains. Jason and Melinda look at each other, both suddenly feeling concerned, mostly for Dick's sake.

"What about work?" Melinda asks. "Jason's school?"

"You are officially on vacation. For however long it takes." Bruce states. Melinda and Jason look at each other once more, then back at Bruce. "Ready to see that cave?"

"Yes!" Jason states excitedly. Melinda still seems a little concerned. Both go down to where the Zeta tube is with Bruce by their side.

"I'll go in first, you each enter one as a time, I'll authorize you both entry." Bruce says. Both nod in understanding. He programs for The Cave and heads in.

"Recognized, Batman, 0-2." There's a bright flash and he's gone. Both of them look at each other in shock. So, he really is Batman… Unless they're both dreaming the exact same thing! Which is very unlikely. Melinda goes in first. And she appears in the Cave. "Access Granted, Melinda Grayson-Lin, A-0-7. Authorization, Batman." She steps into the Cave, it's definitely impressive, but the Batcave is cooler. Aqualad steps forward.

"Welcome to the Cave, Melinda. It is a pleasure to meet you." Aqualad greets.

"Access Granted, Jason Todd-Wayne, A-0-8." The computer states and a new bright flash allows Jason to enter as well.

"Thanks, uh…" Melinda trails off.

"You may call me Kaldur. A friend of Dick's is a friend of mine." He states, smiling softly.

"What about sister?" Melinda asks, smiling widely.

"Well, sister may be pushing it a little, though perhaps one day I will see you as such." Kaldur answers, holding his hand out for her to shake.

"Whoa… webbed fingers?!" Jason questions, looking at Kaldur's hand. "That's so cool!"

"Glad you think so." Kaldur responds, giving both of them a shake of their hands.

"What's this thing?" Jason asks, running up to the large circle on the ground. It begins to glow around him.

"Initiate combat training." The computer states.

"Whoa…" He steps around it, then turns, kicking out in the air. It takes his score for the accuracy of the kick. "Ha! 5 points, baby!" He starts kicking the air and moving around. Melinda watches him curiously. Aqualad simply shakes his head, though smiles. If he didn't know any better, he'd say he really was biologically related to Dick. Jason roundhouse kicks, almost striking someone in the gut, but that person grabs his leg before he can hit them. Then he is hung upside down by his foot. "Hey!" he complains, looking at the one holding him the best he can.

"Who's the kid?" Conner questions.

"Oh! That must be Jason!" M'gann remarks.

"Oh." Conner lets him go, but grabs him again in such a way that he's back on his feet.

"Uh, I'm guessing you're uh…" Jason trails off, looking Conner up and down. "Superman's brother?"

"Something like that." Conner answers.

"This is Conner, and you can call me Megan!" M'gann says happily.

"Cool." Jason states. Bruce steps over to them.

"I'm going to head back to the Manor. You behave yourself, alright?"

"Totally best behavior!" Jason states, smiling widely and unconvincingly.

"Mhmm. Kaldur will report back to me often with updates. He is the Team Leader, you will listen to his authority. Is that understood?" Bruce warns firmly.

"Yes, sir…" Jason mutters, crossing his arms.

"Good." Bruce states, then he kneels so he's more level with Jason. "I also want you to be safe, a lot can happen here, which is why I'm trusting you to behave." Jason relaxes a bit, dropping his arms, nodding. Bruce smiles softly and pulls him close for a hug. Jason's still not entirely used to affection, but he does hug Bruce back. "Be safe, Jaylad. I love you."

"I love you too." Jason says softly. Bruce lets him go and stands up, walking over to Melinda, opening his arms for her. She doesn't hesitate to give him a hug, feeling like he's the dad she never got. Bruce hugs her tightly.

"You be safe too, Mel. I love you too."

"Love you, Bruce!" Melinda says happily. Bruce breaks from her as well and then leaves the Cave.

"Recognized, Batman, 0-2." With a flash, he's gone. There's a light ping on her phone. Melinda immediately pulls out her phone and is typing away.

"May I ask who you are messaging?" Kaldur asks.

"Huh?" Melinda looks up from her phone. "Oh uh, just… a friend…" She states, though there's a soft blush on her cheeks.

"A friend, hmm?" Kaldur smirks knowingly.

"Ok… Ok, so there's this girl. She's a security guard where I work, her name is Audre and she is absolutely stunning." Melinda explains, her smile so wide her cheeks hurt. "She's such a sweetheart, but also very strong, but is also rather soft, but can be so scary and intimidating when she wants to be." She rambles, much like Dick tends to when he's excited. "I really really like her, and I think she might like me too. We talk a lot, even exchanged phone numbers!"

"Sounds like you have a pretty sturdy foundation by this point." Kaldur states, trying to keep up conversation, even though small talk isn't really much of his strong suit.

"Definitely! And she just gets me! I really never felt like this, ever! But then again, any time I showed any interest in someone, I was often shot down. The Maroni family could be very protective, especially Pino." Melinda states. "But even though Bruce makes me feel safe, I still just kinda can't tell him yet… past trauma, you know?"

"I understand. Especially with a relationship such as this, it can be difficult for one to feel safe sharing." Kaldur agrees. "Take your time. Though chances are he will figure it out at some point. He is a detective."

"That's fair." Melinda states.

"You said, Pino, right?" Conner asks, looking at Melinda.

"Yea, why?"

"Wally said something about a Pino to Barry at one point, I overheard it when we visited him at the hospital." Conner explains.

"You think it's the same one?"

"Does the name 'Fats' ring a bell?" Conner asks. Melinda gasps, her fists clench.

"That's… Zucco…" Melinda says softly. "Everyone called him 'Fats!' Oh my god… The Maronis probably killed Wally's parents!" She pales, stepping back. Her heart is beating like crazy and she starts shaking. Kaldur steps forward, grabbing her firmly, having her sit down.

"Easy, take slow deep breaths. He cannot touch you here." Kaldur states. Jason runs over to her, kneeling in front of her.

"5 things you feel, go." Jason states, taking her other hand. "Come on, what are five things you feel?"

"I-I feel you… right here… and… the ground…" Melinda starts.

"Yes, that's it, three more things, you can do this, Linlin." Jason encourages.

"I can feel Kaldur… And… my clothes… My bracelet."

"There you go, good job." Jason says, smiling at her. "What are four things you can see?"

"Uh, you… Again, Kaldur… Megan and Conner…" She takes a couple slow breaths.

"Good. You'll be ok. He can't get us and even if he tries, the League can just pop his head like a grape!" Jason says happily, smiling widely. Melinda smiles a bit, loving his dark enthusiasm.

"Definitely not a Wayne at all." Conner states sarcastically.

Back at the Manor. Dick stirs, starting to wake from the sedative. He opens his eyes, then realizes he's gotta go. He goes to sit up, but immediately gasps in pain, holding his stomach. He lays back on his bed, closing his eyes tight, not only from pain but lightheadedness. He stares up at the ceiling in worry. What time is it?!

"I suspected you may attempt to move the moment you woke." Alfred states.

"What time is it…?" Dick asks from his thoughts.

"Why would you like to know?" Alfred asks.

"I have somewhere I need to be…"

"With Slade I presume." Alfred states. Dick falls silent again, clenching his jaw. "He threatened Jason, yes?"

"Where's Jason…?" Dick asks, he tries to sit back up again. Alfred, gently but firmly, forces him back down, the sedative still making him weak and groggy thankfully. "Alfred, where's Jason…?!"

"He's safe, sir. Both he and Mistress Melinda have been taken somewhere safe, they are not alone, and the League is close at hand." Alfred explains. Dick pieces together where they're at immediately, resting his head back now, relaxing a bit.

"So, what's gonna happen now…?" Dick asks softly.

"You will recover from the sedative, and leave for Master Wallace's, perhaps stay with him for a while. First however, you must eat." Alfred states. He holds up a roll of crackers. Dick smiles a little, vaguely remembering the 'savory biscuits' conversation. "I figured these would be adequate." Now he helps Dick sit up a bit, propping up his pillows to make him more comfortable. He then opens the package of crackers and sets them down for him. Thankfully he has the function of his arms. He manages to eat a few and drink some water, and starting to feel somewhat better.

"What if he comes here… and tries to hurt you…?" Dick asks softly.

"He can try." Alfred states, smirking. There's a knock on the door. Alfred immediately prepares for confrontation, just in case, but it's just Bruce. He comes in and sees Dick is awake at least.

"Glad you're awake." Bruce states.

"How'd you find out?" Dick asks immediately.

"There were cameras in the stairwell, it picked up audio as well." Bruce tells him. "I heard him threaten Jason, I sent Melinda along with him just to be on the safe side. Jason seemed pretty happy, harboring no fears." Dick nods, Bruce confirming to him where they are. He eats another cracker, finally feeling somewhat hungry.

"I'm glad he feels safe…" Dick states softly. Bruce gets a call on his phone and immediately he checks it. Leslie…

"I need to take this." Bruce states and he leaves the room. Dick saw the hint of concern, brows knitting in concern of his own. "Yes?"

"Your paranoia paid off. Mees' lines. And all other symptoms line up with arsenic poisoning. As his physician, I am having him sent to my clinic for better monitoring. I will run some tests, but I'm fairly certain of the diagnosis." She explains.

"Any idea how this may have happened?"

"No one else in the facility is sick, so it's likely not in the water or on one of the staff members. I believe someone is intentionally poisoning him. If he starts getting better immediately after receiving my treatments, that may just clinch it." She explains. "I just wonder who would want to poison such a sweet guy who's already lost practically everything…"

"It's quite possible Zucco may be behind this. Around the same time he calls a hit on the parents of Dick's boyfriend, his uncle is being poisoned?" Bruce mentions. "I don't believe in coincidences."

"Are you going to tell Dick?"

"I don't know yet. He's still reeling from everything that happened last night, I'd rather not bring more stress on him right now." Bruce explains.

"Understood." They make their farewells and hang up. Bruce goes back to Dick's room. He's eaten half of the crackers by this point.

"That was Leslie, she's having Rick transferred to her clinic for further care. She went to see him this morning and felt it would be better for him." Bruce states, deciding not to tell Dick quite yet what he suspects until it's confirmed.

"That's good. He was looking kinda bad… I wonder why he got so sick, I mean, no one else is." Dick states. Then it dawns on him, concern fills his eyes as he sits up slightly, looking at Bruce. Seems Dick's already pieced it together.

"Already on it." Bruce states, which Dick noticeably relaxes, laying back once more. "She found mees' lines on his fingernails, she's going to run a few tests just to confirm, but she believes he's been targeted."

"Oh god, no…" Dick mumbles.

"I may see about having him brought to the Watchtower once he's better, to keep him safe while we figure out what the cause is. However, that will likely reveal our secrets to him." Bruce explains.

"Would that even be ok…?" Dick asks. "I've wanted to tell him for so long, part of me feared what he'd say, or do, or convince me to, and part of me believes he already knows."

"I will discuss it with the League." Bruce states.

"Ok…"

Later on, Dick feels ok enough to go see Wally. He doesn't want to tell him anything going on right now, not wanting to worry him when he's already feeling awful. Dick even has concealer on to hide the welts on his face. He also doesn't particularly like having to be chaperoned by a member of the League, but if it means he can still be there to support his boyfriend, so be it. Iris allows Dick and Diana inside her home, greeting them happily. Barry had explained to her that morning that a member of the League would be with Dick. Diana decided to join as she figured she wouldn't make Iris feel too uncomfortable. Iris has met a number of League members, knows Hal pretty well especially, as well as Clark and Bruce, but there is something to be said about being alone with another woman than with a man who isn't family.

While Iris and Diana talk downstairs, Dick heads up to go see Wally. He takes it slow on the steps, trying not to push his stomach injury too much. He knocks on the bedroom door before entering. He looks over at Wally, who's curled up on the bed, his back to him.

"Hey, love. Sorry I'm late, but I'm here." Dick says softly. He grabs the chair he sits in every day and of course, takes a seat. He reaches over and gently rubs Wally's arm in hopes of helping comfort him. "Have you eaten today? I brought some gummy bears. Diana let me stop along the way here for them. And some cheddar bugles. They were out of chicken whizzies though, sorry 'bout that." Dick sets the treats on the nightstand. As usual, Dick doesn't get a response, but he's not upset at Wally for it. He's just worried about him. Dick sets his bag down and takes out his book, the Grimm's Fairy Tails that he got for Christmas.

Wally stares out the window, seeing grass on the ground, bright sunny skies, looks like spring is trying to come through, the equinox is almost here at least. His mom loves spring… She loved to plant flowers, she and Rudy would go to the store together and they'd pick out flowers together, and while his dad wasn't that great at gardening, neither is he, they would have fun as a family just planting flowers. This spring, there won't be any flowers in the flower box… No shopping for mulch, or soil, the smell of wet dirt, the beauty of the displays his mother would make… It's gone now… He closes his eyes, not being able to really cry anymore, but the lump in his throat hurts.

At some point, Dick starts to feel tired, so he places his bookmark and sets the book down on the dresser and takes off his jacket, leaving it hang over the back of the chair. He stands up, kicking off his shoes and climbing up onto Wally's bed, curling up beside him to just rest a bit.

In Wally's dreams, he keeps seeing his parents die, and then being asked by them why he didn't save them, he's a hero, he's supposed to save them! He failed them… They hate him for failing them, disappointed them, he should have tried harder… Then he sees them die again, and the cycle repeats, more blood, more fear, more painful words. Then… all his friends leaving him alone. They can't get over the fact that he failed his parents, his uncle fires him as his protégé, saying how disappointed he is, how he trained him better than this. Iris can't even look him in the eye knowing her big brother is now gone because of him.

And in the real world, Dick hears Wally sob, which wakes him up. He opens his eyes, reaching forward, grabbing his shoulder, shaking him gently, trying to wake him up.

"Wally…" Dick says softly. "Wally…!" He calls a bit louder. Wally gasps, his eyes snap open. All Dick can see is pain in those beautiful green eyes. Dick pulls him into a hug. "I'm sorry, Love… I'm so sorry you're going through this…" Having this sense what Wally was dreaming.

"They hate me…" Wally says softly, finally speaking, his voice isn't even a whisper. "I deserve it…"

"No. No you don't, and they don't hate you. Wall, they love you. They love you more than anything, I'm fully confident of that fact." Dick reassures, rubbing circles on his back.

"Everyone will leave me… because I failed them… M… not a hero… I couldn't even save my parents… I should have saved them…" Wally mumbles.

"There may have been nothing you could have done… Or you may have been killed yourself… But you are a Hero, baby. And I think they'd just be relieved you're alive, I know I am…" Dick states. He nuzzles him. "And I'm not going anywhere… You're stuck with me."

"Mom and Dad… would plant flowers in the garden pots… nd the planter boxes… but there's no flowers… no flowers at all… never will be…" Wally doesn't seem to be really hearing him.

"We can get some flowers. We can plant them together, ok?" Dick asks softly. Wally's stopped talking now. Dick sighs softly, nuzzling into him more. He wishes there was more he could do to take this hurt away, but Dick knows well that healing is all up to Wally. Dick is just there for support. "I love you, Wall…"