Tale of Two Gothams

Ch. 10: Saying Goodbye

Bruce had stayed in the other dimension for a whole week hoping that Dick would wake up, but he never did. Bruce was starting to lose hope. Gordon was released about three days ago and stopped by every day to see how Dick was doing along with Barbra and the Dick Grayson from this dimension. In fact, they should be arriving any time now.

The door opened and Gordon, Barbra, and Dick walked in. "Good morning, Bruce," Gordon said.

Bruce didn't even look at them as they walked over and found a few seats. "How's he doing?" Barbra asked.

"Nothing," Bruce replied. "Not one movement or any signs that he'll wake up."

They all looked sadly at Dick. "I'm sorry, Bruce," Barbra said sadly.

Gordon looked at Bruce and realized how tired he looked. "When was the last time you slept?"

"It doesn't matter," Bruce said not looking away from Dick.

"Bruce, it doesn't help him if you don't take care of yourself." Bruce just ignored him. Gordon sighed. "And I bet you haven't eaten in a while either have you?"

Bruce's silence was enough of an answer for everyone. "Bruce, you need to eat," the Dick from this dimension said. "Come on, we'll go down to the cafeteria and grab something then come back."

"After you get a few hours of sleep," Gordon added.

"No, I need to be here when he wakes up," Bruce said stubbornly.

"Have you ever thought that he might think you're the Bruce from this dimension if he wakes up and sees you standing over him?" Dick asked.

Bruce looked up at him wide eyed. "No, he'd know it was me."

"Bruce, please," Gordon pleaded placing a hand on Bruce's shoulder.

Bruce looked at his son sadly then sighed. "Fine, but just long enough to get something to eat."

"And get some sleep," Gordon said. Bruce just glared at him. "You can use the empty bed over there," he said as he pointed to the empty bed on the other side of the room.

"Fine," Bruce said reluctantly. He then stood up and placed a hand on his son's hand. "I'll be back, Dick." He then turned and all four of them went down to the cafeteria.

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBB

It had been two and a half hours since they got Bruce to eat and lay down for a while. Gordon had taken Dick and Barbra back to his house then came back to sit with Bruce. He felt horrible because he was responsible for Dick and he got hurt.

He sat watching Dick sleep. "Please, Dick, you need to wake up. Your Bruce is running himself down. He hadn't eaten or slept in probably a week, if not more. He needs you." He then sighed and looked down.

It was completely dead for the next few minutes before Gordon heard a shift on the bed, and it wasn't Bruce. He looked up at Dick hopeful. "Dick?" He stood up and got closer. "Dick, come on." Gordon saw Dick's eyes twitch. He immediately pushed the call button to get a doctor in here then went over to Bruce. "Bruce. Bruce, wake up. Dick moved," he said excitedly.

Bruce was awake in an instant and over by Dick's side. "Dick?" He grabbed Dick's hand and squeezed it gently. He smiled when he got a small squeeze back. "He's waking up," Bruce said happily as he turned to Gordon.

The door swung open and a doctor and nurse came in. "What's wrong?" the doctor asked.

"He's waking up," Bruce said.

The doctor walked over and checked Dick over. "Dick, if you can hear me, I need you to open your eyes." He then looked up to Bruce. "If he can't hear me, it's possible that it may just be a reaction."