Nightwing: Heartless

Part 60: Rescue II

He couldn't get across the roof fast enough. He watched Deathstroke let her go, toss Willa backwards off the roof, her body fall without a fight. He dived anyway but Deathstroke was ready with his blade. They battled, blow for blow, each as fast and as strong, except Deathstroke knew Batman was distracted, picturing the girl's body on the ground.

"You'll pay for this," Batman growled.

Deathstroke just grinned, "no, I think you will." Then he detonated a smoke bomb, disappearing into the night with the rest of his Shadows.

Batman ran to the edge of the roof, bracing himself, but there was nothing below. Slowly, a familiar red and blue suit rose into view, holding the frail body of the girl who should have been dead. "Didn't know if you'd show," Batman said and breathed a sigh of relief.

"I always do," Superman smiled briefly, "but her heart is slow. She's dying."

"Get her to Gotham General. Dr. Palmer should be waiting."

Superman nodded then flew off, faster than a speeding train. Batman just hoped he was fast enough. Willa had a wound to the right abdomen and was bleeding freely when Batman had gotten to the roof after taking out the rest of the Shadows. She didn't even seem to recognize him, the light in her eyes gone. He didn't like to picture her swollen and bruised face. Selina was right, she had been here a while. Too long.

Batman jumped off the roof, swinging to the ground and running to his car, speeding to the hospital.

**

Batman had changed into a tailored suit rather than an armored one. He sat in the waiting room on the top floor, the private floor he had ensured the hospital had when he bought it. There was no one else here but Bruce resisted to tap a knee anyway. He had sent Clark home once Willa was taken to surgery. Internal bleeding, pretty routine but Palmer had said anything was possible with someone so close to death.

He couldn't get her face out of his head now that he had time to think. The girl was nothing more than a skeleton, bruised and bloodied from head to toe, blood oozing from a stab wound to her stomach. Her eyes would haunt him if she died.

God, what this will do to Dick... Bruce ran a hand through his hair at the thought. His oldest was so strong, trained so well to never show weakness, but he had such a kind heart. Bruce had warned him so many times, tried to drill it into him, to close his heart, harden just a bit more. But it never stuck. Dick was such a warm kid, he brought so much light into the mansion. He carried that light even after he became Robin, was always so warm and open to making friends. He must have gotten it from his parents, God knows he didn't get it from Bruce. Wally, Will, Kaldur, everyone loved him.

Then he fell for this girl, Bruce cursed, even when Bruce told him not to get involved. He had never imagined this would happen, but knew it wasn't a good idea. It was on trend though, Dick falling for someone like Willa, someone as warm and smart, without the scars of the hero life. Bruce had noticed Dick change through the years, how he laughed and less and less. How he took on leading and expanding the Team as his friends left. And then Jason came along... and he was nothing like Dick. No matter how Batman trained him he wasn't cut out to be a Robin. Mercy and justice didn't come naturally, and then he was gone. Then Aqualad went under, Artemis went under, and Wally died. What was he going to tell him?

Bruce looked as Dr. Palmer rounded the corner, taking off his mask and gown. Bruce stood and shook the doctor's hand. "How is she?" He asked.

"Alive." Bruce breathed a sigh of relief. "But not out of the woods," Palmer continued, "the stab wound missed her major organs, but it'll be slow healing. She's severely dehydrated and malnourished; we've put her on a nutrient drip and an antibiotic cycle for pneumonia in both lungs. She also has a broken wrist and three bruised ribs." Bruce pushed out a breath as the list went on and on. "Repeated head injury will require observation and most likely lasting effects. Other than that, bruises and cuts will fade, except for a more, ah... creative one on her left hip."

Bruce massaged his temples, "is that all?"

"For the physical injuries. The psychological and emotional... Bruce, I don't know if they'll ever heal."

"Thanks, Ray."

"What should I put on her file?"

"Car accident."

Dr. Palmer nodded and turned to go, "she'll be waking up in a few hours, and she shouldn't be alone, Bruce."

Bruce nodded. He knew.