Fic - Neworked (Nightmare 4 of 8)

[munnin]

Title: Networked.
Series: Nightmare 4 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.

Gordon glanced up at the clock in his office, wondering if it was too late the swing past the hospital. Three short days and already the city was in chaos. With Batman gone and Robin...otherwise occupied, the criminal element was having a field day.

All but the costumed crowd.

Purse snatchers and car jackers, everyday burglars and cutthroats were out in force but the masked villains, the true crazies, all seemed to be holding their collective breath. Whether out of respect or concern - they were waiting...waiting to see what happened next.

As are we all. He thought, rubbing his forehead and glancing at the clock again.

No. It’s wasn’t too late. He’d feel better after he checked in on Robin and Nightwing.

“All quiet here sir.” The officer reported, standing alert at the door of Nightwing’s room. The hospital was still at this hour but for the muffled beeps of machines and the shuffle of nurse’s shoes. “Sir? Is it true what they’re saying? Is Batman dead?”

Gordon met the young officer’s eye, trying to marshal a mask of his own. “Are you paid to listen to rumours officer?”

The young officer dropped his gaze. “No sir. Sorry sir.”

Gordon took a deep breath, seeing the hope dying in the young man’s eyes. How many of his officers looked up to the Bat? How many of them would lose hope without the city’s dark protector. “We don’t know yet son.” He said, resting a comforting hand on the man’s shoulder. “But even if he is, there’s still hope for Gotham. We’re not alone.” He nodded towards the closed door. “Not yet.”

“I understand sir.” The man straightened up with a nod, resuming his post as Gordon passed. “Oh sir?”

“Yes Officer?” Gordon paused in the half open doorway.

“Tell Nightwing - tell him get well soon for me.”

Gordon felt a small smile spread over his lips. “I will son. I will.”

It took him a second to adjust to dimness of the room and for a moment he wondered if Robin had broken his vigil. The chair at Nightwing’s side was empty but as his vision returned he realised the young man wasn’t missing - he’d simply found a different spot from which to keep watch over his brother.

Robin lay on the narrow hospital bed, his small frame perched up high against the pillows so that Nightwing’s head rested against his chest. The elder vigilante’s hand curled naturally around Robin’s hip. The two of them almost perfectly at peace; two brothers protecting each other against the night.

Almost.

In the meagre moonlight, Gordon could make out a glimmer of blue behind Robin’s dark mask, alert and watchful.

“It’s only me son.” Gordon whispered, “Just wanted to check in on you both.”

Robin’s reply was a tight nod before he closed his eyes again, snuggling down into the blanket pulled awkwardly around him. The slight movement made Nightwing’s fingers tighten around the younger man’s waist, his breath hitching slightly but Robin’s hand was in his hair, stroking gently until his breathing evened and they both slipped back asleep.

As he sat down to watch over them for a little while, Gordon wondered how great a trust he’d just been granted. How deep did their training go? Surely deep enough that it must be difficult for either of them to relax, to let their guard down with someone else in the room. How often did the Bat watch his protégés sleep?

Either way, Gordon made a mental note to arrange Nightwing a bigger bed.

An hour passed, then another. Gordon had only meant to stay a little while but seeing them there, curled up against each other, he felt the need to stay, to watch over them as he was sure Batman would have done.

A tiny, almost ceramic slither outside the window had him out of his contemplations in a flash, his hand reached instinctively on his holster.

A purple mask, framed by long black hair pulled into view. The young woman smiled down the barrel of his gun. “Relax Commissioner. I come in peace.” Huntress hauled herself up on to the ledge, eyeing Gordon as he lowered, but didn’t reholster, the gun. “Oracle asked me to check on them.”

Wearily Gordon let her climb in though the open window. “I wasn’t aware you were a member of the family.”

“Family? No. Not so much. Let’s just say I was...drafted.” She looked over to where Robin and Nightwing slept, her voice low and her hard eyes softening. “Oh god. Oracle said he was in bad shape but I didn’t realise...” The rest of her comment was lost in a sickened gasp.

Gordon simply nodded, letting her take her time as she looked them over, chewing on her thumbnail. For a moment she reached out as if meaning to touch Nightwing’s pale skin but she hesitated, pulling away and turning back to Gordon and the window. “Will you stay? Watch over them?”

“A little while longer yes.” Gordon answered.

She nodded, taking a deep breath. This sort of quiet seemed forced in her, like she desperately wanted to scream or hurt someone but was fighting to hold it back.

Another victim, Gordon mused. Another powerful individual rendered helpless by the Joker’s final act.

"Tell Robin...” she started, her fists clenched as she reined herself in. “Tell him Nightwing’s things have been moved to the cave as requested. Tell him Black Canary and I have Blüdhaven under control and Batgirl’s on her way to lend a hand here.” One hand on the windowsill she glanced back at the bed and the two young men asleep in each other’s arms. “Tell them both...we’ve got their backs. For as long as they need.”

He let her go, locking the window tight behind her before settling back into his seat. Hell, what was a couple more hours? It would be dawn soon and he had messages to pass along.

There’s still hope. We’re not alone.