A.N. IM SO SORRY

I know I said within the week, and I had the thing finished, but where I stopped, the chapter was just basically a filler, and I didn't want you guys to have to read that.

So I started writing more and then Winter Break hit and I had to go to a family Christmas reunion thing which didn't really leave time for writing. But when I got back today, I immediately finished the chapter and now I'm posting it.

I really am sorry guys.

But Merry Belated Christmas to all of you! (if that's a thing)

And Happy Early New Years! (In case I don't update until afterwords) (If that's also a thing)

But enough with my boring commentary and useless apologies,

On with the story!

Everything was silent.

Nothing could be heard but the quiet labored breathing that was obviously trying to lessen itself.

Percy, still dressed as Seabird, sat on the floor, head between her knees, not daring to look up. She was the one behind the only sounds in the almost empty room. Dried blood coated her hands, but she made no move to cleanse them, instead choosing to wrap them around her legs tightly. Small streaks of the blood coated the wall behind her and the floor under her feet, contrasting with the stark whitness.

Bruce stood in the corner, cowl firmly in place, refusing to take a seat. His hands remained clean and clenched at his sides, his eyes staring straight ahead. He was completely silent, his breathing complete inaudible, even in the pin drop silence.

Nothing moved.

The room Dick was in was completely closed off from them, soundproof and lacking windows, probably so family members couldn't hear the groans of pain their loved ones went through during surgery or other treatments. Usually, that helped, but now, Percy felt as if she was the one dying.

The same nurse as before walked into the waiting area, causing Percy's head to shoot straight up, while Bruce remained as stoic as ever, his tightening knuckles being the only indication he acknowledged her. Both, however, held their tongues, waiting for her to speak first.

"He's going to be here a while, until morning at least," she spoke, less aggressive than before, possibly because of the Batman, "In case you wanted to get some sleep. We can't tell you anything for the next couple of hours."

Percy slumped back down, but her hopes lifted slightly. Very slightly.

If they were still...doing whatever it was they were doing with him...that must mean he was still alive!

She could tell that Bruce had come to the same conclusion.

He nodded curtly at her and she disappeared back from where she came from.

Bruce looked at her through the whites of his mask, eyes softening, although she couldn't tell.

"Get some sleep," he suggested, but more like ordered; he knew how much she desperately needed it right now, "I'll wake you when there's news."

She was comforted by his use of when and not if, so she nodded and shut her eyes. But sleep was not going to come as easy as that. Although her eyes remained closed, she didn't fall asleep until almost an hour later.

As it turns out, Bruce didn't need to wake her. She jolted up, too anxious to feel drowsy or tired, moments before the nurse came back into the room. She studied the woman's expression; it seemed tired and said, but not of one who had just seen death, so Percy remained hopeful.

"How is he?" Bruce demanded this time, not waiting for her to talk.

"He's alive," the nurse spoke quickly, needing to get that piece of information out before either of them jumped to conclusions.

"But?" Percy asked, using her voice for the first time since Bruce arrived. Her throat felt heavy and congested, but she managed to get the words out.

"He's in a coma," the woman reported.

Percy breathed out shakily, not relieved but not pessimistic.

People woke up from comas, right?

"What's his condition?" Bruce seemed collected as he got straight to the point, but Percy could tell he was going out of his mind with worry. She wondered if he had even told the rest of the family yet.

Probably not.

"He has no external injuries below the neck and he had slight internal bleeding when he was brought in, but it's stabilized now. He suffered a rather extensive injury on his head however. He had severe head trauma and bleeding, and even though it seems that some of that had been rapidly healed, it caused a lot of damage. He's stable now, and fortunately, it's not the question of if he'll wake up, but when."

Bruce actually visibly relaxed while Percy exhaled, looking up at the ceiling, thanking the Fates over and over and over again.

"I want to see him," she told the nurse, and it was obvious that she wasn't going to take no for an answer.

The nurse obliged and stepped out of the way, letting Percy and Bruce pass. It was funny, Percy's ADHD mind randomly thought, that even though they were powerful and respected and feared heroes, they still had be given permission.

When she entered, the door shut firmly behind her, indicating that no one was going to be in there but her and Bruce. Her eyes found themselves upon Dick and she nearly burst into tears all over again.

He looked, for the lack of a better word, dead. He had no bangages except for the ones emcompassing his head, over the mask, as they had promised. His limbs were horribly pale and limp, splayed out around him as if someone purposely positioned them that way. His face was even whiter than his body, and gaunt. His cheeks seemed sunken in and his lips were thinner than normal.

Percy glanced at her hands, caked in his blood, then back at him. She shuddered.

Water emerged from the air and when it evaporated, it took with it the red stains. She reached over, fingers shaking, and gripped his hands, nearly gasping at the coldness of the touch. The vibrating dulled but didn't stop completely as she held onto his fingers for dear life.

She brushed the other hand across his face, missing the warmth it used to emanate.

Snap out of it, she told herself, he isn't dead!

She quickly stepped back and let Bruce see him. The famed Dark Knight actually took off his gloves and cradled Dick's head before leaning down a placing a soft kiss on his forhead.

Percy almost laughed bitterly at the thought that this--a near death and a coma--is what it took for the infamous Batman to show outright fatherly affection.

And when she looked back at Dick, she did a double take, for even though this, this body, was pale and cold, it still undoubtedly belonged to the man who had stolen her heart from the first time she laid eyes on him, the man that she would gladly die for--and almost wished she had.

After a few minuted of more heartbreaking silence, Bruce spoke up, his voice heavy with grief but still strong. Somehow, the pain in his eyes seemed to penetrate through his mask and become visible.

"We need to take him to the Watchtower's sick bay. He'll be safer there and we can keep an eye on him 24/7. You know what to do."

Percy nodded silently and placed a hand on Bruce's heavily armored arm. She took Dick's hand in hers once more and couldn't help but try to warm it up by rubbing the back of it with her thmb. Bruce took out several large bills, and placed them on the table, before Percy vapor traveled them away, equipment and all.

When they reappeared, Bruce and Percy worked together to transfer Dick to one of the Watchtower's hospital beds because the more advanced technology could provide a deeper analysis of his coma.

"I have to go inform the others of what has happened," Bruce said, although it was obvious he didn't want to leave, "Meet me in conference room A in an hour to debrief."

Bruce remained as professional as ever, but Percy didn't comment . People dealt with grief in different ways, and if his normal routine was going to give him some comfort in these crazy events, who was she to judge?

He took one last long lingering look as his son and then turned, exiting the med bay.

Percy visibly collapsed in a chair next to him; she had never once let go of his hand. She knew that Dick was a very touchy feely person, greatly differing from Bruce, so she stayed by him, hoping he could feel the contact even in the coma. She opened to mouth to say something.

People in comas could sometimes still hear what was going on around them, right?

"Hey Dick," her voice was shaky, but trying to stay strong, "If you can hear what I'm saying, I just want you to know that I love you and I hope you come back to me --to us--really soon. I don't know what I'd do without you-"

She broke off to laugh a little, although it sounded more like a choking cough.

"-And I know that it sounds cheesy, but it's true. So just please, Dick, please wake up."

She stayed next to him, just silently deep in thought, for what seemed like forever, until she heard people racing through the halls and she knew they were coming to visit him. It was mostly likely Wally, no doubt, rushing to see his best friend, and Percy took that as her cue to leave. She disappeared just as Wally threw open the door with a loud cry.

Batman was already waiting for her in the conference room.

"You came early," he observed.

"I didn't want to face the others," she admitted, looking down, "It's my fault."

Bruce frowned at the statement, but didn't comment on it.

"What happened?"

Percy took a deep breath.

"Well Dick and I were on patrol as normal. He said he had been feeling off for most of the night, and I pleaded with him to be careful, but I wouldn't be surprised if he shrugged it off. We were about to head home, but then there was an explosion. We won't to go check it out, but there was no evidence. We helped all the people in the surrounding building get out and we were about to leave, when the Joker appeared. It was obvious he had caused the explosion."

Bruce's eyes narrowed behind the mask. Neither of them had said anything about what happened, too busy worrying about Dick.

"The Joker?" he almost snarled.

Percy nodded miserably.

"He wouldn't tell us why he was there at first, but then said it was because of Dick. All of a sudden, Dick was launched up into the air. I used my powers to catch him and he was safe, until the Joker sprayed me with some sort of acid. It took all of my concentration to get the posion off before it killed me, and that's when I dropped Dick," Percy said, putting her head in her hands for the last part, "I'm sorry, this is all my fault, just because I was being selfish."

Bruce frown deepened at the self-accusation, but stopped himself from countering her so she could continue.

"He said he was there because of Dick, but what did he mean by that? He called him a 'good for nothing, shiny, brand-new bat'?"

Bruce seemed to be in deep thought, for a moment before he understood.

"Joker hates Dick the most out of all of us, because he's the only one he hasn't gotten to," Bruce explained. Percy looked confused for a moment, so he continued, "He managed to kill Jason, he had Tim brainwashed for a while, and every time Damian's around him, Damian wants to kill him. Dick's the only one who never really let himself be affected by Joker."

Percy smiled sadly at that thought.

"Is that why he's going after Dick? And why now?" she asked, furrowing her brows.

"That is still unclear," Bruce said, "If you're up for it, come with me to canvas the scene."

Percy was up in an instant.

"Anything to help Dick," she said firmly, promising to stay strong until he woke up.

Bruce didn't smile, but she knew that he had acknowledged her determination with respect. Now she just had to keep this up, until Dick was back.

After all, how hard could it be?

"The bomb residue matches Joker's MO exactly. There's no doubt it was him," Batman reported, bending down to examine the scraps of metal and concrete left.

Percy got up and walked towards where Dick had fell. The blood still stained the area, leaving a rust-like smell. She continued to gaze at it, not even realizing what she was doing until Bruce placed a hand on her shoulder, effectively breaking her out of her trance. She quickly walked over a few feet, ignoring her slip-up.

"This is where Dick was standing before he flew up," she said, silently wondering how something like that was even possible.

Batman looked down, carefully avoiding the area with his feet. He placed a rock on it, stepped back, and waited.

After a minute or two, the ground lifted itself up and the rock was thrown into the air.

Percy glared at the concrete.

"A modified jack in the box spring?" she snarled at it, as if Joker could somehow hear her, "Are you fucking kidding me?"

Bruce waited for her to calm down before speaking.

"The Joker uses many tricks and deceptions, but he's never used something like this before. He's getting smarter, and that is not a good thing."

Percy snorted bitterly.

"No shit, Sherlock," she said to the great detective.

Bruce didn't say anything, knowing that she didn't mean it; she was just frustrated and furious.

"But not smart enough to realize one thing."

Then she looked over at the city. Batman watched, waiting to see what she would say next.

"By hurting Dick, he made me more determined to take him down, and when I do, it's not going to be pretty."

Two weeks had passed since the attack.

Percy could say that she stayed strong and determined and optimistic but she would be lying. She didn't give up though. No, she spent every waking second of her time, looking for the Joker, searching and researching, but nothing.

He hadn't been seen by anyone, not a single soul, since that day, and it made Percy want to pull her hair out in frustration.

"You'd think he would come out of his rock eventually, but no, he won't even stop by at a dam grocery store to buy food," she muttered, snarling at a wall.

She found it ironic how she had barely slept in the past two weeks while Dick practically snored away, refusing to wake. Percy looked at herself in the slightly reflective wall. Her eyes, rimmed red, were surrounded by the biggest bags she had ever seen, her hair was full of tangles, and her face was clammy and pale. But she couldn't bring herself to care.

She was currently standing in Dick's room in the med bay, looking away from him. Bruce had forced her to take a break, and she agreed, but only if he, too, took the time to sit by his son for a while.

She turned around and swiftly walked to his bed, grabbing his hand and gripping it.

"Dick, you stupid, heroic, ass of a guy, wake the Hades up! Things are hell without you, and everyone misses you. I miss you! You and your dumb made up words and your dumb jokes. Even your dumb smirk. And the doctor said you will wake up so you have no excuses you.. you dick!" she practically yelled at him, and then quieted down, "Gods I miss you."

She shut her eyes tightly when a few tears started to pool in her eyes. She kissed his cold lips, backed away, and then opened her eyes. She couldn't decide whether to glare at him or shake him hard until he opened his eyes.

She turned away, choosing instead to exit through the door, letting the tears fall onto her cheeks.

Behind her, Dick lay completely still, until...

A finger twitched slightly.

Percy stormed down the halls of the Watchtower. A couple heroes glanced at her nervously and scattered before she reached them. They had learned, through experience, that it was best not to get in her way on some of the worser days.

She sat by herself in the cafeteria, taking the time to actually eat some food for once. She stabbed her fork into the meat, glaring at it. There were very few heroes in the cafeteria, which she didn't find to be odd; it wasn't like the Watchtower kitchen made the best food.

Suddenly, the hero closest to her, Supergirl, or Kara, stood up straight and gasped. Percy looked up curiously at her, when it became obvious the Kryptonian's outburst was directed towards her.

"He's awake!"

Percy jolted up, knocking her food to the ground, and looked wildly around.

"What?" she asked breathlessly.

Kara nodded, "I can hear him. Batman and the others are there now."

Percy felt elated and furious at the same time.

Her boyfriend was awake, and alive!

And Bruce didn't even bother to tell her.

She vapor traveled to outside Dick's room, prepared to enter, only to find a big red, yellow and blue chest blocking her way.

"Persephone-" he started.

"Dick's awake!" she cried happily and moved towards the door, but Clark stepped in front of her.

"What?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

"I think it would be best if you didn't go in there, at least not yet" he tried.

"What?" Percy asked again, this time angrier and completely taken aback, "Dick's awake! Why wouldn't it 'be best' if I saw him?!"

Clark looked uncomfortable and fidgeted. "I can't say, but Bruce said-"

"Bruce?" Percy was now outraged. Who was Bruce to tell her she couldn't see Dick?!

"Let me in Clark."

"No," he said, taking a stance to guard the door.

Percy got in a offensive stance. "I will fight you Clark, don't be mistaken. I will take you down to see Dick."

He put his hands up, but he was clearly ready to fight as well.

"Come on Percy, think about this. Be calm, you can see Dick late-"

He was cut off by Percy throwing a punch at his face. He put him hands up to block it, but while he was busy preparing for the hit, Percy vapor traveled into the room.

As soon as she was inside, Bruce was blocking her view. Behind him a sea of people filled the room, completely surrounding Dick.

"Move out of my way Bruce," she said through gritted teeth.

"There's a reason I asked Superman to keep you out, and although he managed to fail miserably, I had a reason for asking him to do so. Look around you, do these people seem happy to you?"

Percy glanced around the room. Heroes were looking down, some teary, some simply looking close to depressed. She saw Artemis buried into Wally's chest who looked equally as miserable. Barbara was comforting Tim and Damian, who was stone cold most of the time, even had a devastated look in his eye.

Percy looked up at Bruce, who she could see now seemed defeated. His shoulders sagged and he looked like the complete opposite of Batman.

Percy steeled her resolve and looked up at him.

"I want to see him," she said firmly.

"You might not like what you see," he said, almost sighing, but when she refused to budge, he stepped aside to let her pass.

Percy immediately pushed through the sea of heroes looking for an opening.

Then she stopped.

There he was. Sitting straight on the bed, his legs dangling off the side, his face looking down as someone checked his vitals.

He felt someone watching him and looked up, to see sea green eyes boring into his.