Fic: Home (Nightmare series 5 of 8)

[munnin]

Title: Home.
Series: Nightmare 5 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.

Two days later and Jim Gordon finally had a chance to visit them again.

The morning sunlight made the room seem unnaturally bright and automatically he looked for the red of Robin’s costume and was surprised to find it, and its wearer, missing.

Hearing the squeak of Gordon’s shoes against the floor, Nightwing eased his eyes open, focusing slowly, his gaze hazy with painkillers.

“I didn’t mean to disturb you,” Gordon said gently, “but it’s good to see awake son.”

“Thanks Commissioner.” Nightwing muttered, his voice gravely with disuse. “If you’re looking for Robin I sent him home. Poor kid hadn’t slept properly in over a week.”

“I doubt he went without a fight.” The old cop took a seat at the young man’s side.

Nightwing rolled over to face him, wincing as the tube in his hand tangled and caught. “I was going to get one of the big orderlies to sedate him but even exhausted I’d put my money on Robin.” Nightwing’s smile was a shadow of its former glory but genuine none the less. “He told me, what you did for me...I don’t remember much but...” He reached out, taking Gordon’s hand. “You were there for me and I appreciate it.”

“It was the least I could do son.” Gordon squeezed the youth’s hand gently in return. “How are you feeling?”

Nightwing gave a sardonic little snort and let himself fall back onto the bed, folding his arms loosely across his chest.

“Sick of being asked I take it?” Gordon said mildly, his eyebrow raised.

“Not that, no...” Nightwing trailed off, his eyes distant as he stared up at the ceiling, “Sick of not be sure how to answer.”

Gordon studied him for a long moment. Though the bruises and cuts were fading the shadows on his skin, Nightwing still moved like a man broken, his eyes soft and blurred, his voice uncertain in ways it had never been before, his posture unwittingly defensive and guarded.

A wild creature, hurt and out of place.

Please don’t let this be the end of him.

"What do you need son?”

Nightwing turned to look at Gordon again, to looking through him just like the Bat did. The look that made Gordon wonder if they actually could read his soul.

“I need to go home.” The young man conceded, strangely deflated by the admission. “I can’t...I can’t stay here. I need to be somewhere I can...”

“Somewhere you can be yourself.” Gordon finished knowingly.

The young man’s smile was both soft and hurt. “Yes. If the doctors clear me, can I ask you to...” he trailed off, unsure how to phrase it. “I’d ask Alfred to come collect me but-”

Gordon smiled. “That wouldn’t do much for your cover now would it?”

“Robin tells me I won’t need to give you directions.” It was neither an accusation nor a complaint, simply a statement of acknowledged fact.

Gordon nodded. “As soon as you convince the doctors to release you, get the officer at the door to contact me. I’ll make arrangements to get you out of here on the quiet.” He rose to leave, dusting the creases from his pants. “Get some rest till then.”

“Commissioner?” Nightwing called out to him as he reached for the door. “Batman was right, to trust you.”

Gordon glanced over his shoulder. “I hope you do too.”

Nightwing shrugged with a bemused smile. “Welcome to the family.”

***

Midnight found Gordon relieving the officer guarding Nightwing and slipping into the darkened room. The young vigilante was perched on the edge of the bed, tugging almost nervously at the hem of the skimpy hospital gown.

“I brought you fresh clothes.” Gordon assured him. What little of Nightwing’s costume the Joker hadn’t destroyed, the doctors had removed to treat his injures. Only his mask remained, crumpled and crusted from many days of wear.

“Thank you.” Nightwing breathed, reaching for the bag and stripping off with the unselfconscious ease of someone who was accustom to changing wherever the situation required.

Before he could turn away, Gordon saw the scars; old and new, marring the hard planes and tight muscles of Nightwing’s back.

So many scars. Each one a sacrifice for the protection of the city. Each one the price paid.

How many scars had Batman worn?

How many more would the others wear without him?

Nightwing rested a hand on Gordon’s shoulder, steadying himself as he slipped into the borrowed shoes.

“Can you walk?” Gordon asked, letting the young man find his balance.

“Yes...” Nightwing muttered, slightly uncertainly. “I’d rather not be wheeled out of here if I can avoid it thanks.” The laugh he gave was broken and a little lost.

With an arm around Nightwing’s waist for support, they made their way slowly down to the underground car park.

A dark figure dressed in a hooded jacket detached itself from the shadows as they approached the car and Gordon shifted his weight, reaching for his sidearm.

“It’s alright.” Nightwing whispered, his voice tight with pain and exhaustion. The walk had cost him dearly. “It’s Robin.”

The figure shrugged back the deep hood to reveal the young man’s face, a pale oval, broken by the mask under the sickly sodium lights. “Let me help.” He said softly, inching forward to take his brother’s weight.

Gratefully Nightwing let himself fall into the younger man’s arms as Gordon opened the door, helping the pair of them into the back seat.

Robin crawled in, gently pulling Nightwing with him so the elder hero’s head rested in his lap. Nightwing’s breath hitched in pain but Robin ran his fingers though the dark mane soothingly. He caught Gordon’s eye in the rear view mirror, nodding tightly. “Let’s go.”

They drove in silence for several miles, the Commissioner carefully plotting a route to misdirect anyone following.

Robin tapped his ear. “O. Do you read me?”

There was a pause as the boy cocked his head, listening to the reply.

Affirmative. Thanks O.” He met the Commissioner’s eye. “We’re in the clear – no tails and all surveillance has been disabled. Could you please take us to the Manor?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you.” Even without the costume, the youth’s voice rang with the clear, steady tone of Robin.

Nightwing, half asleep, reached up absently to scratch at the edge of his mask where his skin was red and irritated.

Robin caught his wrist to stop him. “You’ll make it worse.” He chided softly.

“I want it off.” Nightwing growled but Robin held on.

“We’re almost home.”

“Now Tim. Please?”

Gordon saw Robin glance up, watching him from the back seat and weighing up his options.

“I trust him.” Nightwing said simply, answer Robin’s unspoken concerns.

Robin hummed, almost reproachfully but reached for something in his pocket, touching the edges of Nightwing’s mask with a tiny vial of solvent. With tender care Robin peeled away Nightwing’s mask, the skin around its edges red and raw.

Nightwing shuddered, giving up his hero self for the first time since the attack and Robin brushed his thumb over the broken skin soothingly. “We’re almost home.”

Wayne Manor loomed large as the gate opened automatically at their approach. “Follow the driveway around to the right if you would Commissioner.” Robin prompted.

A roller door along the right side of the manor opened and Gordon guided the car into an enclosed garage big enough to be an aircraft-hanger. Dozens of cars and just as many bike stretched out before him, every one of them worth more than he earned in a year.

All of them garishly expensive.

All of them belonging to Bruce Wayne.

But not to Batman.

Alfred Pennyworth walked towards them as the car pulled up, too serene to run but only just. “Welcome home Master D...” but he hesitated, suppressing a sidewards glance at Gordon.

“It’s alright Alfred. I’m fairly certain he knows my name by now.” Nightwing smiled wearily. “We owe him that much.” Drawing himself up to his full, unsteady height, Nightwing held out his hand in mock formality. “Dick Grayson.”

Gordon suppressed a smile and took his hand, shaking it carefully. “Jim Gordon. Pleasure to meet you.”

Robin buried his face in his hand, muttering something impolite under his breath. “Good. Well, if you two are finished with this farce - can I please get you inside before you collapse?”

“Robin is right Master Dick. I really must insist you retire to the house.” The old butler held out an arm but Robin already had hold of his brother, insistently but gently dragging him towards the door.

Unsure where he stood at this point, Gordon scuffed his shoes on the concrete floor. “I should be getting home myself.”

Alfred paused, watching the two young men go before turning to look Gordon in the eye. “I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for us Commissioner. Master Bruce always spoke highly of you, I can see why.”

Spoke. Past tense.

“I take it there’s no news of him then?” Gordon asked, almost kicking himself for being so tactless.

Alfred’s lips grew thin. “His body was not recovered from the gorge, nor from the river and we have had no word.” The old servant dropped his eyes. “At this point, most of us are...assuming the worst.”

Most of us...

"Robin?”

“Is an optimist,” Alfred replied smoothly, “and has great faith in Master Bruce’s ability to overcome adversity. I can only hope his faith is rewarded.”

“What will you do?” Should I announce that Batman is dead? Should I tell the world that the Joker finally won?

"A decision has not yet been made. We’d appreciate your...discretion in this until matters are resolved.”

“I understand.” Gordon turned back to his car, reaching to retrieve the discarded mask from the back seat and dropping it in Alfred’s hand. “Take care of them.”

“To the very best of my ability sir.”

Robin was waiting by the driveway as Gordon pulled out of the garage, his face barely visible in the dwindling moonlight. He stuck his hand out as Gordon drew level. “Tim. Tim Drake.” The Commissioner shook it gingerly though the open window. “You already know but this makes it official.”

“Nice to meet you Tim.” But the boy was gone, slipping once more into the shadows of the house.

Tim’s voice echoed from the dark. “By the way, welcome to the family.”

Comments

[loopylouise123.livejournal.com]

Oh Dick, so broken, but at least he has his family there to help pull him back together.

And I dare to hope that Bruce could be alive.

[munnin-odanin.livejournal.com]

You and me both. This story's still kinda working itself out. Thanks so much for commenting and I'm glad you liked it.

[byday-bynight.livejournal.com]

Wow. I'm really in love with this story line. The total love that the brothers have for each other is so.....warm and fuzzy <3 ^_^ Even if it all started with very not warm or fuzzy things... Great job, I can't wait for the rest!

[munnin-odanin.livejournal.com]

Thanks and I’m glad you’re enjoying it. I must admit I was kinda nervous about posting it, I’m fairly new to the fandom but I’m glad people are getting into it.

Thanks so much for commenting.

[goldensuzaku.livejournal.com]

Here's to hoping Bruce is alive. If Black Canary know something is going on with Nightwing (even if she doesn't know exactly *what*) will we be seeing Roy and the others in this?

[munnin-odanin.livejournal.com]

Funny you should say that - I was walking up to the shops with my housemate the other day. She, who has no understanding or interest in the fandom, very kindly listened to my ramblings about how I was going to fit everyone who would want to check in on Dick and Tim into the mansion. Still not sure yet. Poor Alfred!

Thanks for commenting and I’m glad you’re enjoying it!

[batboys.livejournal.com]

This is really good! I love Gordon in this fic. Is there more?

[munnin-odanin.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

Not yet, I kinda lost the thread and haven't had a chance to pick it up but I hope to one day. I know where I want to go with it though.

Thanks for commenting and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[thegodoftigers.livejournal.com]

Love it... love it to death... Dick is a shinning sun not to cold (sometimes though he is a bit moody) but he's a loyal friend a brother...

I kinda wish Damian was in the storyline but I can understand how that would never work. Timelines, Timelines... D:

[munnin-odanin.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's been such a long time but I do hope to finish it over the holiday.

I know, D would be fun but not this round.

Thanks again.