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

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Selina holds up her hand to Alfred displaying a finger. Not the one someone might think of but, instead, one that currently has an empty finger.

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

In return, he offers her a polite cough.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Brows arch at that.

"I'd hurt myself, Alfred. I have no desire to stay here longer than I have to." A small smile, "I'm more worried about yelling."

Her throat still feels odd. Maybe a side effect of the painkillers. Hrmmm.

[lesliethompkins.livejournal.com]

"There will be no yelling in my clinic," Leslie states. "And whether or not you'll be sharing a room has yet to be decided."

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

He knows damn well neither one of them are going to get any rest if they end up sharing a space. He can't very well stay away either.

Instead of addressing Leslie's question, he sets foot in the room, his silence deafening.

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

Alfred turns around at last, that stern expression still in place. "Master Bruce, go to your room."

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Selina sighs softly and closes her eyes. The urge just to go back to sleep is powerful. As much as she'd like to fight this fight, really, there isn't much in her to do it right this moment.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

He's never been any good at taking orders. Even when he knows they're for his own benefit. And hers.

"Five minutes," he counters.

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

"Three," counters the butler.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

"Four."

[lesliethompkins.livejournal.com]

Leslie shakes her head in exasperated disbelief. In no position to bargain and yet he persists.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Selina smiles faintly at the bargaining, eyes still closed.

[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.