Contacts

You're dead to me

Harley sat in the hospital room, holding Dick's hand. He had yet to wake, and was very weak. The doctors had decided he was strong enough to breath with a mask, but to Harley, he looked so much weaker than what he usually did.

Joker was to thank for that. He wasn't puddin' anymore, just Joker. It didn't matter if he came to her with the most romantic thing, there was no way in hell she was going back. He'd lost her once, he wasn't getting her back.

Bruce sat on the other side of the hospital bed, conflicted. He was mad, but he didn't know at who. He didn't know if he was mad at Joker for hurting Dick, Harley for not being there, or maybe even at Dick, for trusting the clown girl. He decided on the Joker, since Harley had gotten Dick to the hospital.

Dick had a broken arm. Several broken and cracked ribs, with a mild concussion. An IV pumped fluids into him. The heart monitor beeped its high pitched beeps, keeping track of Dick's heart.

He'd been asleep for three days. For three days, Harley sat by his side. She called into the office and explained what was going on, and took a few days off. Bruce had arrived during his lunch break, having taken the rest of the day off. That in itself had been a major achievement.

A groan drew their attention. Dick's blue eyes fluttered open, taking everything in slowly. "Hey, Dickie. How ya feelin? Thumbs up for good, thumbs down for bad." Harley pet his head. Dick groaned and put his thumb about halfway.

"I'll get the nurse. Keep him awake." Bruce stood up. "Will do. What do ya remember?" "Not much." Dick rasped out. He could feel his throat practically bleeding. "Well, tell me what ya do." "Waiting for you to come home, hearing a knock, seeing Joker, and then nothing."

"He'd broken in to try and get me back. You've got a broken arm, a couple broken ribs, a not-so-serious concussion and you're still very weak. Brucie said keep you awake. Ya scared me earlier, when they were workin on ya, and you passed out. Thought I lost you." "Sorry. I was seeing in threes. Couldn't stay awake for much longer." "S'ok. Just stay with me."

Bruce walked in with the nurse, who smiled. "Hello, Richard. Nice to see you awake." "Hey." He really needed to stop talking. "I'm going to check a few things, and then the doc will be in to see you." Harley moved so the nurse could easily run tests.

Harley could see the pain Dick was in. Not just the pain Joker had inflicted, but the pain of having these tests done on him. The pain of being so close to Bruce, and unable to grab his hand, or pull him into a hug.

Harley motioned with her eyes, telling Bruce to help his son. Bruce cautiously stepped forward and grabbed Dick's hand. Dick squeezed it, and Harley could see some pain disappear. Bruce rubbed the back of Dick's hand with his thumb, getting his eldest to relax.

"You're looking good right now. Dr Irons will be in soon to see you." The nurse left, and Harley moved back to get original spot. More pain had disappeared.

"Definitely not how I imagined we'd meet up again." Dick joked. "It wasn't in my agenda either, but it's time without your brothers." "True. No offense, Harley, but they'd tear you a new one if they ever knew you lived with me." "I figured. They ain't exactly the friendliest on the block." "No kidding." Dick smiled. At least he was able to smile.