Don't Fear the Reaper

35) Will is an Icon

Steph gripped Barbra's hand tightly. "So you can actually do it?"

The blonde, Will, let out a long breath, his eyes locked on the copies of Bab's x-rays and MRIs from over the years. "Probably, but I won't know for sure until I'm doing it." He seemed to hesitate for a moment before he set down the scans and looked directly at Barbra. "My brother... he taught me a lot. He was the one who taught me everything I know— but this is different. This isn't about a procedure or a skill that you can hone in a practice lab. It's completely about if I'm powerful enough, and I think I am, but you need to want it."

Barbra's eyebrows drew together slightly. "What?"

"I will give it everything I have, but I can't heal something like this unless you want it— and not in a casual 'I guess I might as well since you're already here' kinda way. You need to want  it." Will stepped forward, kneeling in front of Babs. "I don't know why Nico chose to help, but I have to believe that he saw something in you. He disappeared two years ago without a trace. We spent years looking for him, doing everything in our power to at least get a message to him, but we never could. He didn't want up to find him, and yet he reached out to us for you. I have to believe that he did it for a reason, so I will  be strong enough to do this, but you have to understand what this is. If you decide to let me try, it isn't going to reverse time and make you exactly as you were. Your muscles have atrophied and the strength in your legs is completely gone. You will probably have to do daily sessions of physical therapy, not to mention the work you will do on your own. The pain you feel in your legs will get worse long before it will ever get better. This is the first step of a very long uphill climb-"

"But I'll be able to take the steps," Babs said, her face determined. "I know it'll take work, but I want to be able to stand up on my own two feet and take those steps. No matter how long it takes, I'll get there. I just... I don't need you to fix everything. I just need you to make it possible."

Will's eyes scanned her face, seemingly looking for even an inkling of hesitation, but he found none. "Okay then. When do you want to do this?"

Steph felt her chest ache with relief. "How long will it take?"

Will stood up, running a hand through his hair. "No clue. Maybe it'll take 5 minutes, or maybe it'll take all night. I think it would be best to at least wait for Percy to finish up with talking to Cassandra and Damian, that way I have someone who knows what's going on with me in case I need anything, but I can do it whenever."

Babs let out a shaky breath, squeezing Steph's hand tightly. "We... we should tell Bruce."

"Oh, I don't know if it's the smartest idea to tell people about my powers-"

"We already know," Steph said. "We saw his powers and know that others like him also have some sort of powers."

Will's eyes flashed in surprise before a guarded look took over. "Did Nico say what our species was?"

Both of them shook their heads. "He wouldn't say."

Will's guards lowered slightly, but the look still partially remained. "Okay. Why don't you two tell Bruce, and I'll go check on Percy?"

Steph nodded, squeezing Barbra's hand. "Okay. Thank you. I just... thank you." 

~~~~~~~~~~

They all sat numbly in the living room, staring at the closed door at the end of the hallway.

"Are you sure we can't even-" Dick tried to say, but was promptly cut off.