Battered and Broken [Black Canary]

[royskopp]

As Batman began to work on the wounds, Nightwing began to thrash around and move away from the needle Batman was holding. Dropping the needle on the tray, the dark knight moved to restrain his thrashing companion. If he kept on trying to move, he would seriously injure himself. It was possible he had internal bleeding already and broken bones, moving would only complicate things.

It wasn't Nightwing's fault he was doing this. His mind was near destroyed from the Joker's torment. It would take months, perhaps years, to recover from the mental and physical torture he had been given. Batman wanted Joker dead for this. He wanted to kill him, feel his life ebb away in his fingers that were grasped around Joker's throat. No, he couldn't focus on the anger now... he had to help Nightwing.

Taking a syringe full of sedative from the tray, Batman got ready to sedate Nightwing to prevent him from hurting himself any more than he was already.

[canary]

Dinah moved forward and quickly grabbed Nightwing’s legs and struggled to hold them down. He was stronger than her, but in his weakened state it was slightly easier. His thrashing could only be from a flashback he was unfortunately enduring. It broke her heart that he was going through this. ”Nightwing, calm down. You’re safe.” Her voice was soft as she tried to break through his frenzied fit. He was just going to hurt himself further. She could tell by Batman’s actions that he was anticipating the same, but she knew that Nightwing wasn’t lucid enough to realize that the needle his mentor was holding was there to help not hurt.

Unsure what to do, she pressed all her weight on Nightwing’s legs to keep him from fighting more. She could tell by the pained expression on his face that he was hurting himself, too. And there was no way he had the energy to keep this up. He was going to make himself worse.

She winced slightly as one of his thrashes connected with her ribs, stinging slightly. Yea, that’s gunna bruise. Wrapping her arms around his ankles, she held him down tighter. Nightwing was going to need months of psychiatric help. She was worried that she wouldn’t see him out on the streets defending Gotham anytime soon. That made her want to use her Canary Cry on the Joker at point blank range. The clown definitely deserved it, but it wasn’t her place. The Joker was Batman’s foe. She knew he would get his comeuppance.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

At the first action of the dark figure over him, coming down to restrains his upper body, Dick only yelled out more and tried to thrash around more. The pressure on his chest only made him cry out in pain even more as the pressure was applied to his few broken ribs he had suffered from during the torture. Dick didn't like this at all. His mind wasn't sure what was going on. He only knew that someone was trying to hold him down.

Kicking out with his legs while his upper body have been restrained, it was only a matter of moments before he could feel that Black Canary was trying to hold his legs down. As the pressure was added, Dick only reacted with struggling even more. He heard his name being called, but most of the words were muffled to him.

He could feel he had hit something with his knee, but he couldn't tell what it was. He was more focused on trying to get away. It became more difficult for him to struggle when something was restraining his ankles, causing him to not be able to struggle and kick out as much. But it still didn't stop him from trying.

The kicking out started to die down as he was losing energy. Though he was still struggling against the restraint of his legs. He was more concerned when his eyes caught sight of the syringe that the Batman was holding. To Dick this only registered in his mind as the same threat of the Joker toxin he had been given during the torture.

As soon as he caught sight of the syringe, He got a second small burst of energy to try and fight against them, but it was even weaker than the first. He was running low on steam. His body was tired, but his mind still telling him to fight back. When Dick saw the syringe in his hand, he gave it one look and then started to whip his head from side to side to try and get away from it. His body starting to thrash less as he began to tire. "No! Stop! Let me go," he yelled out without any trouble speaking these words. The came out stronger this time, but still lacked his full strength to his words.

He yelled out in pain as the pressure on his chest was too much and his body was burning with pain after his attempts of trying to fight back. Dick could tell what was going on, he just wanted out of there and away from all this. Restraining him was only infuriating him more and the surgical equipment was only causing him to become more jumpy and want out of there.

Through all the struggling, Dick was only causing himself more pain. His body was picking up on it, but his mind was blocking it out as it was in a mode of defense. Dick's actions only became lessened as it passed. His body was too weak, but he was still trying to struggle against the restrains and trying to get away from the syringe.

[canary]

{To keep this thread going, I'll just do my best to play along}

Dinah watched as the Batman slid the needle forcefully into the crook of Nightwing's left arm and depressed the sedatives into his bloodstream. She continued to hold down his legs until the sedatives could kick in, not wanting him to hurt himself any further. He was already in obviously excruciating pain. ”Just relax, Nightwing. You’re safe.” She watched as Batman stepped back, retreating towards the back of the room. He waved her over and indicated to her that he had just picked up something on the police scanner from the Commissioner.

At this point, she had been shown where everything was and he had helped her get Nightwing sedated, so she was certain she could take care of things from here. ”I will contact you if things change. I promise.” She moved back towards the medical equipment as the Dark Knight vanished into the darkness. She paid him no mind as she set to placing the intravenous fluids into his arm to keep him hydrated. He needed to get the remaining toxins flushed out of his system and this was definitely the best way to do it.

While he was still unconscious, she moved to the deep gashes in his sides, stitching them up with the sterilized needle Batman had prepared before he was forced to leave. Slowly, Dinah pulled the wound together with the needle and sutures, knowing how painful this had to been even in his sedated state. Once she was done with the stitches, she rewrapped his ribs, carefully supporting the broken bones in his sides. She knew how painful broken ribs were first hand.

Dinah moved back up towards his face, cleaning all the wounds carefully and bandaging them with the medical supplies that were available to them in this basement. ”What did that sick bastard do to you?” Her voice was gentle as she continued to work down his body, cleaning each of his wounds and bandaging them as carefully as she could.

The sedatives were likely to wear off in the next few minutes, so she brought the restraints over his ankles and wrists just in case he was still delusional. She didn’t want to have to hurt him trying to subdue him if he became violent again.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Dick tried to escape the needle, but there wasn't a chance for him to. His body was so weak. He only yelled out in pain at the injection. The thrashing became less as he still continued to fight it. But the sedative was kicking in pretty fast since it had been injected into one of the veins.

His actions become slower as it took affection. Dick head lay to one side as his body started to quiet down. His legs and arms no longer trying to strike who ever was around him. His mind going in and out. Everything becoming more fuzzy to him. He wasn't able to tell where he was and his mind was shutting down to keep him in a quiet state to keep him relaxed.

Finally his mind and body went more into a quiet state. He was unaware of what was going on around him. As the time passed, he could feel the pain of something working on him. But he could not react to find out what it was. His breathing was light and steady as he lay on the table.

There were not many signs of flash backs as he lay unconscious to the world around him. This mind was too quite for that. Occasionally, there was the slight jerk of twitch of movement from him. His mind still reaction to small pieces of fractured memories, not able to find everything whole because of his sedated state.

After some time of being under, the sedative began to wear off. Dick's mind was still all in a light daze to him as he started to come too. The bright lights blinding him. His vision was blurry as he began to try and focus again. He wasn't sure how long he had been out. But it had felt like a long time. His body aching all over. He could feel some of the stitches that were in him as he lay there. His eyes opened slowly. Glancing about the place, he couldn't see all that well.

He could see that some woman was in the room well, at least the figure of one from what he could make out through his blurred vision. He started to move his head slowly trying to get things together. His mind clearing up a bit. That little bit of knock out helped to free him mind up and bring Dick back to reality a bit.

Dick's sight started to come in a bit better. His body hurt so bad, he just wanted to roll to one side to keep off of at least one side for a while. He went to try and move, but found his wrist bound to the medical bed as well as his ankles. He struggled against them weakly.

Dick was much too tired to put up a fight at the moment. The pain settling over him after being out for some time. Dick looked over at the woman, his eyelids still heavy as the sedation started to wear off. "Let me go," he let out in a whisper. "Where am I," come out after the first comment. His mind picking up on where he had gotten to after the torture.

[canary]

Once Nightwing’s wounds had been taken care of, Dinah had laid down on the sofa that was in the basement with an ice pack pressed against her bruised ribs. Even injured, Batman’s former protégé packed a power punch, or kick in this situation. As she had been woken in the middle of the night by the injured vigilante, she was still tired. She had nodded off rather quickly and soundly, but her eyes fluttered open at the sound of his voice. Her subconscious knew it was important to answer, so despite how much she didn’t want to, she woke. ”Nightwing, its ok. You’re safe.” She set the ice pack down on the counter behind the table he was strapped down to before coming to his side so that he could see her.

Dinah had put her domino mask on in hopes that he would recognize her as Black Canary. He clearly didn’t know Dinah Lance just by looking at her, so perhaps a friendly vigilante’s face would help job his memory. ”You’re only restrained for your own good. You were kicking and thrashing and hurting yourself.” She checked his pulse, noting that it was steady and normal. Apparently the Joker toxin had cleared his system. ”If you can stay calm, I’ll release you.” Wanting to give him a sign of good faith, she released his wrists. If he needed to be restrained again, getting his arms pinned would be much easier than his legs.

She stepped back, giving him space to breathe. Dinah didn’t want to alarm him and she also didn’t want to push him. She knew that it would be ideal for the Batman to still be there, but he clearly had something to do that couldn’t wait. ”Batman was here. He received a call from someone and had to leave. He probably will want to hear that you’re conscious.” She handed Nightwing his communicator that she had been using, another gesture of kindness. Everything she was doing now was to put his wandering mind at ease. She knew he had to be confused. Hell, she was still a little confused. Dinah was just glad that he was physically going to be ok. Now it was just time for the mental part.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Dick's eyes tried to follow the voice that was now speaking out, trying to trace it back to its owner. His eyes fell upon a woman with long blonde hair. She wore a mask as well. The face seemed familiar. His mind recognized her as the woman that had helped him in when he had gotten to the door step.

His mind was trying to place her. It was there in the back of his mind. But it would stay there for a while. His mind to shook up to try and figure everything out. But he recognized her and was a bit relaxed at the sight of her. Dick could feel her lay a hand on him as she checked his pulse. He didn't pull away.

A laid back way seemed to keep him level headed at the moment. His mind was blocking out the torture. His mind confused as to what happened. He knew deep down, but didn't want to admit it. His mind was free from the torment for now. And he was more content to stay that way for the time being.

When she spoke of the restrains, Dick's eyes looked down at his body laying on the medical bed. He didn't move as she came close and released his wrists. He kept still, his body numb and pain shooting all over. What ever they had used to knock him out had worked well.

Dick listened to her as she gave him space. He remember the dark figure that had been there. It had been Batman. Dick saw her hand with the communicator in it. He watched and took it into his left hand and set it down on the bed.

"What happen? I only remember getting here until I blacked out," he said in a weak whisper. He remember the torture, but wasn't going to bring it up. What had they done to him. His body felt tight in places, he could feel some sort of stitches on his body. His words were less broken, but he was still tired and out of energy. At least he was managing to say something. "What's the damage?"

[canary]

Dinah ignored his first question about what happened to him. There was no point in even saying the Joker’s name and getting Nightwing all riled up again. He was calm, his pulse was steady, and she didn’t want to have to restrain him again; she was exhausted. Instead, she looked at him and answered his second question. ”You have several lacerations to your face and abdomen as well as broken ribs. I’ve wrapped everything securely, so you should be able to move. Limitedly, of course.” She removed the restraints on his ankles before motioning towards his left foot which was elevated slightly to keep the swelling down. ”Your left foot is badly bruised. I brought crutches down for you to use. I don’t think you’ll be able to put any weight on it.” Again, she wasn’t going to mention who had done this.

After bringing the crutches so that they were within arm’s reach, Dinah removed the IV from the crook of is arm and placed a large cotton ball where the needle had been before taping it down tightly. He had lost enough blood, she didn’t want to deal with more. ”You have a few electrical burns, severe bruising to your back and chest and it looks like your wrist as dislocated and then relocated.” She motioned towards the hand that was currently wrapped tightly with an ace bandage before continuing with her summary.

The last injury would definitely warrant explanation, but she hoped he would just accept what she said instead of asking what happened. ”It also looks like you were whipped repeatedly. I cleaned the wounds and bandaged them to the best of my ability.” She already felt sorry for him simply on the fact that he would have to use crutches with broken ribs. All the other wounds just pushed her over the edge. She thought back to Batman, hoping he would keep his cool around the Joker as best he could. The Batman didn’t kill and she didn’t think now was a good time to start.

”It’ll take some time to heal. You can stay here if you’re worried about the FBI. They won’t be coming out this way.” Dinah offered him another comforting smile before bringing the cover she had been sleeping under over his bare shoulders to keep him warm. They last thing they needed was for him to start shivering.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Dick laid quietly as she spoke. His eyes following her as he lay there watching her go about and removing the ankle restrains. He didn't move about much. His body felt so tight. And his chest hurt. He'd move when he wanted to. "Great, back to the crutches again. I just got off of a set not to long ago. Thank Jane Doe for that one," he said sarcastically through his tired state. He nodded his head and was looking at his right leg.

It had been over a month or so since he had been off the crutches themselves and having to wrap the injury. And after the accident with Catwoman, it hadn't been all that long since he had stopped wearing the special brace he and Babs had come up with for him to wear while out patrolling. All that was left was a large scar where the doctor had had to stitch up the laceration from where the knife affected his Achilles tendon. Though it couldn't been seen with the leggings of the bottom half of his suit still on him.

He watched as she brought down the crutches and had placed them within his reach. He winced a bit as she removed the needle from his arm. He still didn't like needles. But he was used to getting shots of sorts for injuries and such.

Dick slightly moved his right wrist and looked at it when she had mentioned about what might have happened. His mind blocking out the scene of it all. Not wanting to go back to that part of his thoughts. They were locked away for he time being. Protecting his sanity by blocking them out until he would be ready to face the subject.

He didn't respond to the words about his back. He didn't want to put his two cents in on the subject of the event. It'd come back to him when it did. And for now, he preferred to not understand as much about the situation. He was calm. Dick felt like a weight had been lifted from his mind with him blocking out the events of that night.

Dick used his left arm to help prop himself up and then to help him sit up. His legs still on the medical bed. He winced in pain as he slowly got up. He was in much pain his ribs burning in his chest. As she put a cover over his shoulders, with his good hand, he pulled it in closer to him and tighter to keep warm. "Thanks," he said as he did this. "And I think I might take you up on the offer of staying for a while. Going into town like this would only raise questions."

[Deleted]

For a moment he wasn't sure what had angered him more... The Joker encroaching on HIS territory, causing torment, anguish, and suffering to his people... To Dick, or the fact that every safe point he had plotted out for safe medical administration if more than the makeshift care could provide, was now crawling with FBI agents, limiting his resources and jeopardizing the safety of the lives of those who took up fight in his crusade, or was it the fact that Dick had been caught in a trap that Bruce would've seen, would've been aware of if he had been the one calling all the shots--not Nightwing?

The fact that Dick had taken damage and from someone the Joker not only made his blood boil out of such a personal attack, but weighed heavily on his conscious, played heavily into his guilt. It was the Batman's fault Nightwing had been created, and Bruce's fault that Dick felt the need to wear such a guise. But the damage was done--he had seen the brunt of it, administered the small amount of help he could with a very random and yet somehow vaguely familiar individual at the safe house Dick managed to get himself too. Before much more could be done on his behalf, an all call was put out on the Joker's whereabouts--all of GCPD and apparently the FBI were now on high alert as the alert was placed having seen Joker somewhere around the Gotham City Police Department itself.

The call was a bust save for one small fact that the Bat had time to establish small nooks of safe hiding from the prying eyes of the Feds (to an extent) to still allow him some ability to administer his patrols and to show up to locations unseen/unheard... Given how much the FBI had surged into Gotham, he knew he would have to break that silent wall of cooperation Commissioner James Gordon and he had--it was time.

Now? Late as the hour was, dawn just on the brink, he arrived back at the given safe house to where his partner of the past remained, still quite wounded, but from the looks of things--would live. He had slunk back into the vicinity of the safe house, moving like a shadow and twice as silent. His specialized gaze took in the scene--taking just a moment to scan over all security breaches, any unseen heat signatures within the safe house, any unknown variables to compromise the sensitivity of the situation any further. The batmobile remained outside, camouflaged by the darkness and its own black armor--capable of transporting a passenger or so if need be.

Nightwing: "And I think I might take you up on the offer of staying for a while. Going into town like this would only raise questions."

"Exactly. But so does staying here." His dark, gruff, and controlled cool voice was suddenly heard from his spot in the shadows.

His tall, powerful, inky form stepped forward barely allowing much light to be seen upon his muscular toned and well armored body. The firm look on his lips gave him a menacing yet stoic appearance, that being the only visible flash of humanity within the batsuit he wore. Even his stark, icy blue gaze was hidden behind unblinking thin white sharp slits for eyes.

He then looked to the blonde masked girl before him; a silent simple nod was given. His dark cape was wrapped about him almost like a cocoon, making him seem like a gargoyle from afar. He moved down towards Nightwing, taking in the damage closely and deciding the best place to help Dick up, before moving to give hoist to the young man, propping him up in an attempt to leave.

[glow=navy,2,300]"I'll take it from it here."[/glow]

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Dick jumped a bit at the sudden answer from a new figure in the room again, unaware to the fact that Bruce had been there just now. That guy knew how to make people jump from their skin. Normal Dick wouldn't have taken notice to it and have no reaction to this, but considering what he had just gone through he had a right to be on edge after all that had happened that night.

His mind was trying to settle back into reality again. What had happen and what next? His mind scrambled into pieces over the many questions and memories and scars of that night. The torture had taken it's damage on him. He' d recover, it would only take time.

Still blocking out everything of the events, he didn't have much of an answer for Bruce. He had barely survived neath death at the hands of the Joker and knew there was going to be more than just that to have to get over. Dick's worries weren't on what would happen between any one at the moment. His was more concerned over the here and now and what was to possible come medically.

Dick looked at the tall dark figure of Batman. Not saying a word in protest to the known fact that Bruce was calling the shots right now. His mind piecing back together event and reactions to this situation. He sat there calmly as the Batman come toward him.

His gaze fell as he got closer. Bruce always had away to reduce him to a kid in some situations, even when they had been working together. Dick knew what had happened, but for now would leave it be. There wasn't much he could do against Bruce making the decision to take him out of there. Dick knew the risks with the FBI around. This city was getting ridiculous with all this happening with the FBI.

As he was being lifted he tried to hold back his cries of pain over being shifted. His ribs hurt. It was like a hammer every time hitting him with the movement that was going on. The tight wraps on his body restricted his movement. There was only slight groans of pain at the adjustment of being moved again. The pain was written on his face. Trying to stay calm and relax was all he could do from letting himself slip back into the flash backs. He didn't want to face them again.

Dick got a little bit of a snap in him over the situation now. His mind just getting defensive over this now. "Are you going to give me a chance to walk," Dick's tone was low because he was still feeling weak after just coming too from everything including the sedative, but there was still a bit of that annoyed tone coming to it toward this. There wasn't much of a chance of Dick getting up and walking out of there on his own. That and he wouldn't be able to move quick enough. But in Dick's mind he was blanking out things. It was hard to tell what was going on. It was still all confusing.

[canary]

Dinah, unlike Nightwing, was able to turn to face the Batman, readied in the defensive stance. She wasn’t going to let some Fed sneak in here and drag him away. When she realized who it was, however, she quickly composed herself before stepping back to allow him to get nearer to his fallen protégé. She watched as the taller, darker figure quickly took control of the situation and moved Nightwing to stand. ”Hey, take it easy.” She moved closer, but didn’t quite intervene. Dinah knew Nightwing could interject and defend himself if he needed to. She, however, felt it necessary to make sure she stood up for her little home.

”My mother, the original Black Canary, had this place registered as a legitimate floral shop. The Feds won’t come sniffing around here. And if they do, all they’ll find is flowers.” Her tone was stern. Dinah didn’t like the insinuation that her safe house was less than adequate to keep a member of the Bat family safe from a squad of g-men.

She stared hard at the Dark Knight, waiting for either him or Nightwing to make the next move. Dinah wasn’t going to interfere with what the Batman wanted and she wasn’t going to undermine Nightwing’s own free will. She would let the two alpha males argue between themselves.

[Deleted]

Nightwing: "Are you going to give me a chance to walk,"

[glow=navy,2,300]"You've reached your quota for chances." [/glow]

The tone of his gravelled voice easily hinted at his lack of good mood over the given situation--even if his relief that his oldest and closest partner was okay and still alive to fight another day. He helped Nightwing up and then heard the protesting voice of what he could assume was the new Black Canary (considering the masked blonde had stated something about her mother being the original) provide detail on the safe security of the given location at hand. He allowed Nightwing to rest his weight partially on him as he helped the young man up and then turned to the girl.

[glow=navy,2,300]"Your assistance is appreciated, as was your mother's. I'll be in touch." [/glow]

Not much else need be said from the silent Dark Knight and with that he moved towards the back exist of the safehouse--closest to where his remote accessed batmobile lay in wait. Soon enough Nightwing was helped into his armored black and iconic car; the silence of the Bat was deafening now, and something Nightwing would be all too familiar with...

((Going to be moving this thread into Wayne Manor, under the thread titled, Shadows of the Bat.))