Fic: Turn (Nightmare series 3 of 8)

[munnin]

Title: Turn.
Series: Nightmare 3 of 8.
Characters: Batfamily, Commissioner Gordon.
Rating: PG but with dark implications.
Disclaimer: All fun, no cash
Summary: in the aftermath of tragedy, the Bat family must pull together to care from their eldest son.
Author’s notes: a continuation for nightwing_subs brilliantly heartbreaking story Nightmare. Posted with her consent and blessing.

It would break Barbara’s heart by she needed to know. Better she heard it from him than on the news.

Ringing doorbells tonight was rapidly becoming Gordon’s least favourite pastime.

“Dad? Hey.” Barbara’s eyes were slightly bloodshot when she finally answered the door. “Sorry I was...” she gestured at the abandoned laptop on the couch. “Come in.”

“You alright?” he asked, following her in as she reached to close something down on the computer.

“It’s just hayfever.” She countered, slipping her glasses off to rub her eyes. “With all the rain we’ve had I wouldn’t have thought it would be so bad. So what brings you this side of town so late at night?”

Jim lowered himself to the couch, wondered why Barbara looked as tired as he felt. “Honey...I’m afraid I have some bad news...” For the second time tonight he went over the horrific events, even more careful this time of the words he chose. He knew the affection his daughter had for their city’s protectors, even after what had happened...

Even after she too had become a pawn in the Joker’s games...

Ever after she had become collateral of their war...

Maybe that’s why she needed to know. As a survivor of the Joker maybe she had the insight that might help Nightwing live though what had been done to him.

“Where is Nightwing now?” she asked, her voice strangely steady despite the gathering tears.

“Gotham General.”

“Can you take me there? I know it’s late but I...” He put a hand out to steady her as her voice cracked. “I just need to see him. I need him to know he’s not alone.”

“Of course honey.” Gordon leant in, kissing his daughter’s forehead as he rose.

“I just need to freshen up. Can I meet you at the car in a few minutes?”

“Take as long as you need.” He smiled, strangely heartened. He had expected to spend the night comforting her and yet it seemed... “I’ll meet you down at the car.”

One healing soul to balm a broken one.

As the door closed with a click she reached for the laptop, flicking the screen on. “I’m on my way over there now Alfred.” She muttered as she reached for her communicator. “I’m relaying all the search teams to report to you.”

“Very good Oracle. I will inform you if there is any further news. Should you have need of me...”

“I’ll call. Thanks Alfred.” She closed the connection carefully, rubbing her eyes. It was time. It would break Tim’s heart but he needed to know. Better he heard it from her.

***

Robin was sitting at Nightwing’s bedside as they arrived; his gloved hand cradling the older man’s bruised fingers. He straightened up as the pair entered, nodding to them, his manner almost painfully formal. “Commissioner. Miss Gordon.” But his eyes met Barbara’s and never left them.

“How is he son?” Gordon asked, drawing Robin away as Barbara took his place at Nightwing’s side.

“The doctors are confident that, physically, he’ll make a full recovery.” Robin’s answer was concise and direct and told Gordon nothing he didn’t already know.

Behind the mask, Robin’s face was an inscrutable facade of calm.

At least to anyone who wasn’t accustom to trying to read the Bat.

The young man was stalling but Gordon wasn’t sure why...

Once more Robin looked across to Barbara, a silent conversation passing between their eyes. “He knows.” The young man stated simply, glancing across at Gordon.

“I suspected as much.” Barbara sighed, looking up at her father. “Dad, could you give us a minute?”

Gordon nodded as the pieces fell into place. “I’ll be just outside if you need me.” As he pulled the door closed behind him, he found himself wondering where his own child fitted into this family.

Like a dam breaking Babs reached for Tim, pulling him into her arms. “Oh babybird. I’m so sorry.”

Tim let Barbara hold him; comfort him as she felt she needed to. She needed to cry, needed him to cry but he couldn’t. Not yet. Not till Dick was awake. Not till there was news.

“How is he? Really?” She asked, pulling herself back together. As she dabbed her eyes Tim saw the transition from Barbara to Oracle, from cripple to crime fighter, from daughter to sister.

“He hasn’t woken yet.” Tim whispered, unwilling to disturb the quiet of Nightwing’s drugged sleep. “Most of his wounds are superficial but...”

She nodded, understanding the weight of his unfinished statement. “What do you need?”

Tim’s shoulders set with the determination of a Robin. “I need news.”

“They can’t find his body.” Oracle stated, shifting again from sister to agent, from member of the family to disciple of the Bat. “The Joker’s body has been relocated to the cave but -”

“Then he’s still alive.” Robin said softly but firmly, turning his focus back to Nightwing, taking his brother’s hand once more.

“Tim there’s no proof...”

But he ignored her, his focus solely on Nightwing’s still form.

Knowing there would be no arguing with him over this, she changed tact. “He saw Tim. Joker made him watch. Why would he stay away knowing Dick needed him so badly?”

“Because he trusts us.” Robin growled, his voice was low and passionate. “Because he knows that we’ll look after Nightwing, that we’ll look after each other.”

Babs’ gaze softened as she reached to run her hand through his hair. “Of course we will Robin. Of course we will.”

Gordon was leaning against the wall as she pushed open the door. “Ready to go home?” He asked.

“Yes,” She muttered distractedly as he fell into step at her side. “Thank you.”

The silence between them stretched out until they reached the car, each caught in their own contemplations. As he drove, Gordon glanced sideways at his daughter, half wondering which version of the suit she wore...

But he wasn’t ready - to ask or to know.

“Will you be alright?”

Staring out the window she parted her lips slightly, slow to answer. “I think...Yes. I’ll be ok...I think we all will...eventually.”

And for now that was all he needed to know.

Comments

[faile-neume.livejournal.com]

You already know how I feel about this but I'll just mention how awesome it is again.

I really love the little interaction between Babs and Tim, and Jim not really wanting to know how Babs fits into the Batfamily.