Chapter 10: Less Whelmed

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Dick rubbed his temples, lines of worry and frustration written over his face. The side of the hospital chair dug into his side, only making the hero's woes increase.

"Stay whelmed." Madison told him, looking over from her bed. Dozens of bandages were wrapped around her hands and wrist, making the girl look like a boxer.

Dick looked up at her. "I'm not overwhelmed, just... tired. It's harder to deal with all this now that Kaldur is gone. And Batman."

"We'll get through it." Madison assured him. "We always do."

"Yeah, well we always have the League to back us up when we don't. We've always had Kaldur too. And Artemis. Not to mention the looming alien invasion." Dick leaned back. "Face it, Madison, we screwed up. Bad."

"We'll be fine."

"How can you be so positive?" He demanded. "You're-"

Dick cut himself off before he could say anything he'd regret.

Madison smiled. "Useless? Broken? I'm used to it. But we've got something the bad guys will never have. With it, I know we'll always make it through."

"Don't say something stupid, like friendship." Dick glared.

"Nope. I was going to say... Okay, yeah, I was going to say that we have each other." Madison huffed. "But if you're so bent on pessimism, go... I don't know. I'm stressed too, Dick, but I've got to hope that things will get better."

"Then you're one step ahead of me." He muttered bitterly.

Madison shifted slightly. "I'm in a hospital for crushed hands, Dick. My career is over, two psycho supervillians are after me, my engagement is ruined, my fiancé is evil, and my best friend is dead. I'm staying whelmed, so you if you want to give up, then get in line."

Dick sighed. "I'm sorry. You're right."

Madison bit her lip. "Look, I'll help you organize missions and everything now that Kaldur is... busy. Just don't give up on me, okay?"

Dick smiled and nodded.

There was a moment of silence as the two heroes sat there. Dick stood up and headed to the door, but he paused on the doorhandle.

"I never thought being a hero would be this hard." He said.

"Neither did I." She told him softly.

"I don't feel like a hero anymore." He breathed. "How do the Leaguers do it?"

Madison didn't know.

Dick waited a moment before opening the door and leaving the room. Immediately, the door opened again and Connor rushed in, looking panicked.

"Did Nightwing finish interrogating you? Are you okay?" He asked rapidly. "Do your hands hurt? Should I go get the doctor? Do we need guards around your doors in case-"

"Connor." Madison raised an eyebrow. "Man up."

He sighed before sitting down. "Okay. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Before you jump to conclusions, which I'm sure are well underway, I want you to know that I'm not in trouble. I just wanted to get in some field work without Nightwing on my back. I found the Reach aliens, so you can't tell me I was being stupid."

Connor frowned. "You're stupid."

She leaned back. "Oh, here it comes. The Kent family traditon of chastising Madison."

"Because you're always doing stupid and dangerous things, Madison! You just won't stay down!" Connor exploded, before falling back into his chair in frustration. "Now you've messed up so bad, there's no turning back."

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