Getting to know you

What happens when The League gets protective?

Dick woke with a groan. His head hurt, and the ground was hard underneath his body. He cracked his eyes to see the missions room of the watchtower, the League staring at something above him. He could feel something cold pressing against his neck. "Let him go. Now." Wally growled, vibrating. 

Now, why would I do that? He's not complaining." A silvery voice said, letting Dick understand how bad this was. He knew that voice. "Step away from him, Mary. We've already beat you." Bruce attempted, a batarang in his hand. "That's why I came back for round two. You were lucky I just drugged him instead of knocking him out forcefully. He will be fine." "Until the Court gets their hands on him again."

"I confess, we will punish him. But he must see that this is not acceptable. The Court has purpose for him again." "He doesn't want you. He escaped for a reason." Jason snapped, his gun trained on Mary. "He was a youth who didn't know better than to run from what he didn't like. He's eighteen now. It is time for him to return home." "He is home. You are the one taking him from us." Diana growled, her sword out. She only pulled her sword out when her family was in danger.

Dick closed his eyes and used his hearing. When he was in his room after a mission, or when nothing was happening, he would train his ears. They were hypersensitive when he wanted them to be, unless he was hurt. It was harder then. He had a talent similar to echolocation, where a sound could reveal where things were. Thanks to the League and Mary, there was plenty of that. Mary was alone, no other Talon heartbeats. She had only her knife, which Dick could easily disarm her of. But could he do it before the League attacked?

The answer was no.

The originals attacked, pushing her away from Dick's limp body. Wally dashed in and pulled Dick out, cradling him to his chest. Dick opened his eyes again, watching as Mary attempted to fight the League and some of the bats off. Wally shook his shoulder, making him groan again. "Hey, you with me?" Wally asked. "Yeah. What happened?" "We were talking about you joining the team when it seemed like you fainted. Mary dropped from the rafters and held a knife to your throat. Are you ok?" 

Dick groaned as he tried to sit up. His arms quickly gave out, and he landed in Wally's embrace again. "No. Can't support myself for very long." Dick heard Mary's knife clatter to the floor, and heard her grunts of discomfort as she was pinned to the ground. Several people raced over to Dick, concerned for the drugged avian. A hand rested on his shoulder, and he looked at them using his eyes.

Barry, Clark, Diana, Dinah, and Hal were crouched next to him. "Kid? You ok?" Hal asked. "I feel like I got hit with a truck, but otherwise yeah. I'm ok." Dick smiled wearily, as if to reassure them. Wally grabbed his hand, gently squeezing it. Dick squeezed back. He was so tired, he didn't want to move. It was comforting. being surrounded by his family.

Wally picked him up. "Let's get you to the infirmary. I don't know what she used on you." Dick leaned into Wally, closing his eyes again. The lights in the infirmary hurt, even with his mask. Bruce had managed to incorporate the protective material of his googles into the mask he wore, but it wasn't as strong as the original.

Wally laid Dick on the gurney and kissed his forehead. "Get some sleep, Dickie. Leslie will be able to know what she got you with through a blood test." Dick grabbed Wally's hand again and intertwinned their fingers. "Will you stay?" "Of course. I will never leave."

Dick had his legs curled, his feet planted against the gurney. It looked like he was simply relaxing instead of being in there to find what Mary had drugged him with. Wally was sitting in the chair next to him, a few of the Leaguers walking in the door as Leslie took the blood to test it. Wally ran his thumb over the back of Dick's hand, feeling the coarse material rub against his own glove.

Mary was taken to a special pod, a cryogenic pod used for any severe injuries that could not be currently tended to. It worked for Talons as well, but Dick was unaware of these pods. Bruce feared he would get angry if he knew about them. The League has agreed to keep quiet about them. Wally felt it was unfair to not tell Dick, especially since they had something that could kill him easily. But he promised to remain silent as well, keeping Dick safe from the knowledge that could destroy him.