The Thing Inside Me

Chapter 21

Dick's POV
With Christmas over I returned to the layer and awaited the arrival of the team. I quickly ran into Conor and Megan sitting at the computer. They were watching the news about what happened last night in Gotham. "Robin! Did you hear about this?" Megan asked as she noticed me come in. "Yah, a little. I was going to watch the news here." I responded as I pulled up a chair to watch. "The beast wrecked buildings, demolished cars and killed several people before disappearing with no trace. Police are looking for its whereabouts as we speak. Police also ask that Gotham citizens stay indoors unless needed." The lady said before the news change to a jewelry store robbery in Gotham. "It disappeared? What kind of animal disappears?" Conor asked turning towards me. "Not sure, but I have run into it before. Right before I met Nightslash. She took care of it the last time, we will wait for her to get up before we ask her any questions." I said as I turned to leave. "Nightslash went out last night and hasn't returned." Megan said quietly, stopping me in my tracks. "She didn't?" I questioned restraining my concern. The computer beeped and Batman showed up on the computer screen.

"Where is Nightslash?" He asked with a dark tone. "I was just informed that she hasn't returned." I responded carefully as I acknowledged his anger that he was suppressing. His expression darkened, making me uncomfortable. "I need to speak with her immediately, call me when you hear from her." He said hanging up. I walked away from the computer keeping my questions to myself. Why does he need to talk with her? Not like the monster in Gotham has nothing to do with her. I thought grumpily as I headed towards the entertainment room. I sad down on the couch in front of the TV, and used the remote to turn it on. All the news channels were talking about the same thing, the monster. I examined each footage looking for any weaknesses and how the monster disappeared. I watched in amazement as the monster reflected a majority of the bulls the police and SWAT fired at it. Leaping far over their heads on to some buildings, it's smart enough to know where the police can't fire at it. The screen switched to a different video. The monster was racing towards the harbour, I watched as it vanished out of sight. That's similar to- "Robin! It's Nightslash!" Conor yelled as he ran into the room.

We rushed down the hall finding Wally carrying Nightslash in his arms. "What happened!" I yelled as I approached them. "I'm not sure, I found her at Gotham's main dock." "Let's get her to the infirmary." Wally walked quickly as we made our way there. We placed her on the bed and I set up an IV for her, her jaw clenched as I placed the needle in her arm. "You found her at Gotham's dock?" I questioned making sure I heard him right through all the panic. "Yah, I had a wired dream about it last night. I decided to check it out." "She's still loosing blood, hand me the gauze and the sterilizer." I said as I grabbed the needle and thread. "What was the dream like?" I asked as I took the gauze and sterilizer from Wally. I pored some sterilizer on Nightslash's wound, her muscles twitched and pulsed around the wound. "In the dream I was jogging and heard a scream so I went to check it out. As I ran there, images appeared not my mind. Nightslash was there and she had a item stabbed into her side. She collapsed and stared to bleed, a lot. In then I woke up." Wally said in a bit of a daze.

I finished stitching Nightslash up, "Wally call Batman, he wants to see her as soon as possible." I said nodding towards her as I checked her vitals. "If don't mind I want to stay with her." Wally said taking her hand. I'm not sure why but the way Wally held her hand made me angry. But I nodded and left the room. Why did I feel like that? Wally is my best friend, he would tell me if he had a thing with Nightslash. Wouldn't he? I reached the computer and called Batman, he picked up almost immediately. "Has she returned?" He asked in a bit of a rush. "Yes, but-" "I'm on my way." "Waite!" I almost yelled. He paused, "What?" I took in a deep breath before continuing, "Wally found her unconscious on Gotham's main dock, she has lost a lot of blood. And still needs lots of rest." "Fine, your on night watch tonight." "Night watch? Who is going to watch Nightslash?" I questioned trying to push down my concern. "Anyone can watch an unconscious person Robin." He said before hanging up.

I just don't want to leave her. What if something happens while I'm gone? Get it together Dick! She will be fine. I walked back to the infirmary, Megan and Conor were waiting outside he door. "You can go in, it won't hurt her." I shrugged as I opened the door for them. We walked inside and gathered around the bed. "She won't wake up for a while, that's why Batman wants us to watch over her in till she wakes up. It will be up to you three, I have night watch tonight." I said as I crossed my arms and leaned back against the wall furthest from the bed. "I have to be home by five so I'll take first watch." Wally said adjusting himself in his chair. "Wally, it only nine in the morning. You can't just sit here for four and a half hours." Megan pointed out. "She's got a point." Conor said crossing his arms over his chest. "Okay, I'll start my watch after lunch. Anyone else hungry?" "Wally, only you could think about food in times like these." Megan laughed. Wally stood up, letting go of Nightslash's hand. "We will leave her alone for a bit so we can make brunch and discuss who's watching her when." I said and everyone nodded and followed me out.

Megan cooked as we talked about our plan, "I will take the first shift from two till three. Wally you will take the second shift from three till four thirty, so you have enough time to get home. Conor will take the next, staying till seven. Megan you will be next, yours will end at twelve. I should be back by then. If I'm not just head to bed." I said confirming the plan, everyone nodded. "Well, lets eat. We got a long night ahead of us." Megan said placing plates on the table covered in warm food.