Chapter 31:

Chapter 31:

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[Dinah Lance POV]

Batman led Oliver and me to a room adjacent to where Dick and David were, leaving them in the caring hands of Alfred, who was changing their IV fluids.

"Dinah, I understand how you feel. But you shouldn't let your feelings cloud who you are," Batman said as soon as we entered the room, in a non-confrontational tone.

"She has the right to feel however she wants to feel. Bruce," Oliver growled, crossing his arms.

"I know," Batman agreed. "But I also know Dinah's not one to hold a grudge."

"I'm not," I said, staring at Batman, trying to muster the right words to continue. "But this is my baby brother Bruce. I'd kill for him; I'd die for him... And your protg almost killed him."

Batman didn't answer right away. Remaining silent for a couple of seconds before speaking. "I know. I know what Dick did was beyond reckless, there are simply no words to begin to describe what he did... I know, I know all too well. And I'll see to it that he remembers it. But don't blame him, blame me."

I stared at him for a couple of seconds, my mind clouded with worry, anger, and pain. David was all I had, all that was left from our family, and today I had almost lost him, I had almost lost the person I was supposed to protect, I had almost lost an irreplaceable part of my world. "Bruce, I already do. I just need time not to associate that feeling with Dick."

Batman nodded. "That's all I ask."

I didn't know if I would ever forgive them.

Right now, I was thinking, speaking, and acting out of anger. Emotions ruling my every move.

Perhaps one day, I would be able to see past what could've happened, perhaps when all of this is over, I won't be mad at them. Right now, however, I couldn't bring myself to forgive them.

Not without hearing David's take on all of this.

"Why is David taking so long to wake up?" Oliver asked, snapping me out of my train of thought.

"He sustained more injuries than Robin, considerably more," Batman answered without missing a beat. "Be that as it may, most of his injuries have already healed, thanks to his healing factor. However, his mind is taking longer to put itself back together."

I need to pretend everything it's okay.

These feelings will go away with time, time heals everything.

I just need to pretend they don't exist.

~Hey,~ I smiled at her, faintly, as she rushed to my side, hugging me tightly. ~You should see the other guy.~ I smiled, winking at her.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Dinah smiled, hugging me softly, almost as if scared of breaking me.

I smiled, hugging her back. Everything would be okay, I had won. I had survived, now I simply had to deal with the aftermath.

"How are you feeling kid?" Oliver asked, coming into view with a tired smile.

~Fine,~ I signed with a quick nod. ~Tired more than anything to be honest~

I was fine. I was alive. That's all it mattered.

HaHaHaHaHaHaHAhAHahaHaHahA!

I

"Lying to me," Dinah chuckled, giving me a kiss on the forehead. "I guess you are in the age of doing so"

~What?~ I smiled, tilting my head.

"I heard that laugh," Dinah muttered, putting a reassuring hand on my shoulder that had started shaking.

Had I laughed?

Was the virus still in my system?

~I didn't laugh!~ I replied in a hurry, my hands barely managing to make the signs to convey my message.

"You didn't" Dinah nodded, hugging me tightly.

"Your mind did, kid," Oliver added, with a worried look.