Batman groaned as he woke up. The Joker had kidnapped Dick, and threatened to send him to the same fate as Jason. Bruce had arrived, but the building had still exploded.
"Dick? Dick, can you hear me?" Bruce yelled, coughing from the inhalation of dust. Nothing met his cries. He dragged himself to his feet and looked around. Besides a headache, he was ok.
He walked around, looking for his son. He kept calling Dick's name, trying to find him. He was getting closer to the hole caused by fragile beams being incinerated by the flames.
The sound of moving rocks caught his attention. A few grunts and whimpers followed, and Bruce crept over. They came from the large crater that Bruce hoped to God he wasn't in. Bruce could see no easy way out, and whoever was in there seemed badly hurt.
Bruce looked around, hoping to find the black and blue suit with a breathing boy inside of it. There was nothing. Joker had abandoned the warehouse long ago, leaving Dick locked inside. Injured and alone, hoping Bruce could save him.
Bruce heard straining about three feet to his left, like someone was trying to stretch themselves. A slam, and what sounded like a sob, before the straining resumed.
Bruce knelt down and grabbed the outstretched hand, pulling it up. Nighting crawled up the slab he'd managed to find, close to passing out. He looked awful, covered in blood and bruises.
Bruce pulled him into a hug, pressing his cheek into the side of Dick's head. Dick started crying, his head burying in Bruce's shoulder. Dick's hands grabbed at Bruce's cape, promoting a few tears to come from his own eyes.
"Let's go home, son." Bruce whispered into Dick's ear. He picked the Ebony up and carried him away from the rubble, keeping his hurt body close. Dick fell asleep, or more likely passed out, at some point in the journey.
Bruce laid Dick out in the backseat of the Batmobile, surveying his injuries. Dick's ankle was wrecked, so it was a miracle he'd even been able to walk on it. By the sound of his breathing, and the feeling of his chest, he'd injured a few ribs. He definitely had a concussion. Burns covered his body, but considering what had happened, he was lucky.
Bruce called the cave, hoping for someone to pick up. "Master Bruce? What on Earth happened, we've been trying to reach you for hours!" "Joker blew the warehouse up. It knocked Dick and I out. I found him, but he's hurt badly. His ankle's wrecked, he's got broken ribs, and he's got a concussion. He's covered in cuts and burns, and needs immediate medical attention. I need you to get the med-bay ready."
"How far out are you?" "Close enough to get to the cave in about ten minutes." "Try to make it five, or I fear he may not last long." Bruce grit his teeth and stomped on the gas, hurrying back. Dick groaned as Bruce took a few sharp turns, his injuries getting jostled.
Hang on, Dick. We're almost home. Bruce thought. The car skid to a stop, and Bruce wasted no time. He carried Dick to the med-bay, ignoring the gasps of shock. He set Dick down on the gurney, giving Alfred access to the injuries. Bruce pulled off what was left of Dick's mask, revealing two closed eyes.
Alfred cut the tattered shirt away from Dick's body, grimacing at the bruised chest. He always hated seeing his son and grandchildren hurt. Dick was especially painful, because he was what brought life into the manor. To see him losing life hurt more than anyone could imagine.
Bruce assisted in the care of his eldest, helping set bones and wrap bandages while Alfred stitched cuts. He could hear the others outside, waiting to see their big brother. Dick was paler than Bruce ever remembered, making him worry. Once Alfred was finished stitching Dick up, he ordered Bruce to connect a bag of blood to Dick's arm, allowing his body to heal.
When Bruce opened the door, he was immediately swamped with questions. He held up his hand, and the questions stopped. "One at a time." "What the hell happened?" Jason exclaimed. "Joker locked Dick in a warehouse and blew it up. Dick survived, but he was hurt badly. He's resting right now."
"Will he be ok?" Tim asked. "Master Dick will be alright. He will require plenty of rest and care, but he will be fighting again." Alfred announced as he walked out, motioning for the siblings to be quiet.
Dick had a breathing mask on, soft breaths fogging the mask up. The heart monitor informed the bats that his heart was beating strongly. An IV had joined the blood as part of the 'revitalizing Dick Grayson' squad." A blanket covered the extensive amount of bandages and injuries.
Tim sat down in a chair next to the gurney and grabbed Dick's hand. No reaction, but Tim felt better holding Dick's hand. Maybe Dick would feel better, knowing his brother was there.
What did you get yourself into now, Dickie? Jason thought grimly. He knew what Joker could do, but he never imagined the clown doing it to his big brother. Jason gently moved some hair so it was out of Dick's face.
Damian wasn't worried. Pennyworth had said Grayson was going to be fine, so he was going to be fine...right? Pennyworth knew more about medicine that Damian did. Besides, Grayson always bounced back. He would this time. He had to.
Please be ok, son. I don't know what I'd do without you. Bruce had to take a few deep breaths, or risk sobbing. His family didn't need that right now. If Bruce cried, it was bad. Dick would want him to be strong.
Cassie and Barbara sat together, watching Dick sleep. He was the big brother Cassie had always wanted, and he was special to her. Now, he was hurt. Barbara had fallen in love with the ebony long ago, but their relationship had ended. It was just too dangerous in this line of work. Now, he might die, and she had no way of apologizing.
Stephanie and Harper were out on patrol. Duke was with the outsiders, and had no idea Dick was hurt. Batcow and Alfred the cat didn't care, being untrained animals. Ace was laying down next to Bruce, ears flat against his head as he watched one of his favorite humans sleep. Would he ever wake up?
But, while they all worried, they knew Dick could make it out of this. He was strong, and always knew how to help them. It was their turn to help him. Dick was home, and his family was with him.
