Do You Trust Me? ?~|~?Nightwing Fanfict?~|~? (Read Desc)

When I came to, it was disorienting. I felt a pounding in my head that wasn't helped with the loud voices off to my right. I readjusted myself to my side but it only brought about an overwhelming wave of nausea. I spilled my guts earning a cry of pain on top of it; a cry of pain that emitted from me when the contents of my stomach were gone. A gentle hand eased me onto my back, her words of comfort lost on me as I was injected with something that eased me back to darkness.

Coming back around the second time was much easier than the first. The lights didn't seem as bright and my pain was a ghost of what it was in my mind. My nausea wasn't what it was either. A faint tingle in my side reminded me of everything that conspired before and brought me back to the hazy reality that now surrounded me. I managed to ease myself into a sitting position, taking in my surroundings at last; it was cave like in appearance yet, where I was, it seemed like a converted medical wing complete with a heart monitor and an IV drip.

"Take it easy," a voice panicked from my other side, "it's good to see you're up, but don't push yourself."

The woman that came over to me was elderly but she still had young features about her; a kind face and concerned eyes, full of care. I felt relaxed around her. She gave an aura of a loving mother and compassionate caretaker. She gave me a small, plastic cup of water which I carefully took and brought to my lips. The liquid made my throat unclench and it felt like I hadn't been hydrated in a long time.

"Who are you? Where am I?" I wondered at last, taking another look around me when I realized something, "Where's Dick?"

"He's running some errands right now. I'm Doctor Leslie Thompkins. We're back in Gotham - have been for a few days now," she explained kindly, "That infection took a lot out of you. How much do you remember?"

"How long is a few days? I only remember waking up once to spew whatever was in my system," I recalled, feeling a surge of worry.

"That was yesterday, dear. And, to answer your question, it's been almost a week," she noted, placing a consoling hand on mine, "You're doing much better now, and your wound is closing nicely now that it's properly treated."

"Gotham..." I trailed off, taking a deep breath as my mind trailed backwards in our conversation, "I'm actually back home? Not still in Blüdhaven?"

"You were for a time, but when the infection took hold, I compromised with Dick to bring you here," Leslie explained, "It was closer to my clinic and easier to come and go without suspicions rising."

I nodded, understanding. It was a lot to take in on one sitting but Leslie gave me time to digest it all. She went about checking my vitals one last time before removing the IV drip from my arm painlessly. She helped me ease my legs over the makeshift bed. It was then I thought of another question.

"I know you said we're in Gotham but where exactly?"

"I can't give specifics but I can say we're in the Batcave. And, not to worry," she stated, as if sensing my breath catching in my throat, "You're not going anywhere but with Dick after this. He had a lengthy conversation with the bat about it," she said, giving me a smile that I knew all too well.

By 'conversation' she meant they argued relentlessly. I felt my returned smile turn to a small sense of gratification towards the bird in black and blue. He stood up for me, even when he didn't have to, and guaranteed I wouldn't get put in Arkham or Belle Reve.

"That's quite the smile, dear," Leslie pointed out, catching my attention, "May I ask who or what is causing such a glow?"

"Just grateful," I sighed, "For all I know, Dick could've booked me a place in Arkham."

"And why would he do that? He seemed to care about you," She told me, with curiosity.

"Does he?" I wondered, "I'm just a con who happened to get saved by him before getting pumped full of holes. Twice, actually, and all I did in return was protect his dog while running away."

"You did what I asked, at least," A new voice, Dick's, piped up, "That scores some good guy points with me."

"Welcome back, Dick. You finished Alfie's chores that were asked?" Leslie chimed, turning her attention towards lift doors that were now closing where Dick had just exited.

"Yes, ma'am," Dick answered before turning his attention towards me as he approached, "and don't call yourself a con. You signed up to be a hero with me, remember?"

"Okay, okay. Ex-con," I stated with a roll of my eyes, "Thanks for sticking up for me by the way."

"I wouldn't be a good teacher if I didn't," he joked, before looking at Leslie once more, "How long till she can start walking around again?"

"Now, but only if you take it easy and don't do any training until the wound is cleared by me or Alfred," she answered with full confidence.

"Alfred?" I chimed in curiosity, "how many people do I have yet to meet?"

"While there are some you can get on without meeting, Alfred is a must," Dick stated, "Best butler ever."

"As much as I appreciate the compliment, Master Dick," a heavily accented voice spoke up, "I do wish you had waited for me upon receiving the notice of Miss Nova's luckily regained consciousness."