Dispel The Darkness

[lesliethompkins]

Hope for the best, expect the worst. It's one of the many valuable lessons Leslie has learned over the years. Taught by her father, reinforced by experience. She had hoped the bomb delivered maliciously to the clinic would not be an indication of things to come. Somehow she knew that wouldn't be the case.

A week later, there are three patients in residence. Black Mask has had his revenge. Leslie and a select few are left to pick up the pieces.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_alfred_/]

"Three," repeats Alfred. "Breach that limit and I shall remove you from this room by physical force."

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

He considers Alfred's words seriously, knowing full well he'll make good on the threat. In perhaps the wisest decision he's made these past few minutes, Bruce decides to cut his loses.

"Fine," he concedes.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

"Thank you."

Her voice is soft but intent.

[lesliethompkins.livejournal.com]

Leslie's gaze falls on Selina and for a brief moment she wonders if their protectiveness has done more harm than good. She places a hand on the edge of the door, her intent clear. She's going to step out and give them their three minutes of privacy.

"I'm going to go check on Holly," she announces. Before leaving, she delivers a look in Alfred's direction. She hopes he'll follow her out.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_alfred_/]

Alfred gives Selina and Bruce a sad look and a haughty sniff, as appropriate, then follows Dr. Thompkins out the door.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

He waits motionlessly until they're both gone from the room before moving to the bedside chair. He lowers himself into it slowly, taking care not to make contact with the backrest.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Selina follows his motion with her eyes as rolling over right now is pretty much physically impossible.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

He simply watches her and she watches him.

How much of their precious three minutes will he waste in silence?

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Selina swallows visibly, trying to think of what to say. While she doesn't assume that there will be condemnation, she's still waiting for it.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

His thoughts, so often organized and compartmentalized, are in shambles. They shift from past to present, from the Joker to Black Mask, from himself to Selina. Parallels are drawn and broken, reassembles and pulled apart.

"Why didn't you do it?"

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

"I'm still not sure."

Her voice is layered with emotions and she sounds very tired. "Next time he's not going to toy with me. He'll just start killing people."

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

Perhaps someday including her. The thought can't be stopped, pushed away, or forced into submission.

His hands curl into fists and the muscles in his jaw harden.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Carefully, she lifts a hand and reaches it out to him.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

Her touch has a way of softening his anger. He isn't entirely sure at first he wants his anger to fade. Anger fuels. Anger focuses. Anger covers all aches and pains.

His hand eventually finds hers.

He holds it tight.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

"This is where we live."

The awkwardness, the uncertainty, the waiting for something horrible to happen, catching moments of brilliance and hope in the midst of it all.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

Simple words. Meaningfully deep. Understood and perhaps appreciated more than she'll ever know.

He drops his gaze and whispers softly. "And when we're not here? Where are we?"

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

"Together."

It is a word that escapes her before she realizes the shape of it, what it means, the weight it will hold. It makes her want to look away from him, in a small moment of irony.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

The hold he has on her hand immediately lessens. There's a pause before it slips from his hand entirely as he leans heavily back in the chair. Pain briefly materializes in the lines around his eyes.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Concern rushes through her and she tries to push herself up to get a better look at him. The pain that flares through her causes her to pause and try to catch her breath.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

"Don't," he says sharply.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Her hands are shaking as she leans back into the bed, her face pale.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

He grips the armrests and stiffly pushes himself to his feet. Leave it to his own stupidity to necessarily call their three minutes short. "I'll get Leslie. Try and relax."

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

"No."

"Please."

If she has to she'll get out of the bed to take his hand again.

And won't they get in trouble then?

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

He stops within reach, suddenly unsure as to whether he's coming or going.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Reaching out, she grabs his hand again. She's straining herself some to do it but it doesn't matter.

"Please."