Continued From: http://www.comicvine.com/forums/fan-fic/8/the-ravager-01/659732/#5
Disclaimer: I do not own any DC characters or locations. All rights belong to DC Comics.
Rating: T+ for this one. Future writings may elevate to M.
Note: This was originally intended to be the first half of Chapter #2, but the scene ended up going a lot longer than I had anticipated, so I decided to separate it into its own chapter. As such, this particular chapter is severely lacking in any action, but contains some hopefully interesting character interaction.
The Ravager #2
Int. Bat Bunker – Night
Dick and Rose have retreated to the sanctity of the Bat Bunker, the current functioning Batcave, located beneath Wayne Tower. They're in the upper levels of bunker right now, at the medical station. Rose lies flat against the padded exam table, the back of her costume open and exposing her injured backside. The flesh just below her shoulder is torn open from the shotgun blast, though it's nothing compared to what it could have been, had she not been wearing armor.
With a strong light shining down directly on the injury, Dick carefully works to remove the large pellets of buckshot with a long pair of sterilized tweezers. He keeps a cloth nearby, using it to mop up any excess blood that oozes out whenever Rose's muscles twitch from the touch of the invasive prongs. Each metal pellet that he picks from out her tattered flesh, he tosses in a small dish just within arm's reach.
Though she flinches slightly each time the tweezers dig in, Rose makes no sound, no audible gasp of pain. Whatever pain that she had felt after receiving the initial injury appears to have subsided; either that, or she simply refuses to show it.
Dick: You should really consider upgrading your armor to make it bulletproof. A little Kevlar goes a long way.
Rose: Oh sure, I'd love to. But in case you haven't noticed, some us don't have the means or the funds to acquire new gear whenever we feel like it.
Dick: Then, maybe I can help you out, design you something myself?
Rose: Appreciate the offer and all, but I don't need anymore favors from you. I mean, you're already letting me stay in your home.
Dick: Rose, you just took a bullet for me. The least I can do is improve your armor for you.
Letting out a sigh, Rose shrugs her shoulders absently. She flinches briefly, causing a sudden spurt of blood to seep out of her wound; Dick quickly dabs it up with his cloth.
Rose: Don't worry yourself over it, really. I'm not worth it.
Dick ceases his work for a moment, raising his gaze from her shoulder to the back of her head. A frown forms on his face, followed by a heavy sigh.
Dick: Rose, how do you expect others to like or respect you when you hold such a low opinion of yourself?
Rose: Really, Dick? A lecture is the last thing I want right now.
Dick: I'm just saying-
He goes back to removing the buckshot from her shoulder, digging the tweezers into a particular deep entry point. Rose's fingers grip the edge of the table suddenly, tensing up.
Dick: -you don't give yourself enough credit. I mean, yeah you can be obnoxious, self loathing, and rather grating at times-
Rose: Gee, don't sugar coat it.
Dick: -but you're a much better person now than you used to be, whether you see that or not. Just the fact that you blame yourself for what happened back with the Titans, it shows a level of maturity that I used to doubt you'd ever find.
Rose: What are you talking about? How could I not blame myself for that? It was my fault, there's no way around it. What happened then... it was my doing, and I have every right to suffer for it.
Dick: But that's what I mean. Yeah, it was your fault. You made a mistake, and people paid the price for it. But you're accepting the responsibility of that mistake, and that's where the maturity comes from. There was a time when you would have thrown blame at everyone other than yourself, but not anymore. Now, you're owning up to it.
A silence passes between them. Rose crosses her arms in front of her on the table, resting her chin against them and lowering her gaze to the floor. She wants to argue with him, tell him he's wrong, but she can't think of any witty or biting remark to make.
Rose: Maybe...
Dick: My point is that you've come a long way from the impulsive brat you used to be. You should be proud of yourself.
At his words, a long sigh escapes her lips.
Rose: Proud of myself, right... maybe when I'm not getting innocent people killed.
Dick: Rose-
Rose: No, don't, please. Just don't. No matter how much I've matured, it doesn't change what happened. I still have to live with it.
Dick: It's not a crime to forgive yourself, you know. It was a mistake; a pretty bad one, sure, but we all make mistakes. I'm no exception.
Rose doesn't answer, instead allowing an uncomfortable silence to consume the Batcave. The only sound is the steady metallic clink of each pellet that Dick pulls out of Rose's shoulder and tosses into the dish. Eventually, Dick speaks up again, deciding it better to change the subject.
Dick: So, was that the first time your precog ever activated for someone else?
Rose: As far as I can remember, yeah. Only goes off, usually, when I'm in battle, when someone's attacking me. For it to kick in when something's about to happen to someone else... well, it's new.
Dick: Interesting...
Rose: What? Don't give me that silence, I know when you're contemplating something.
Dick: Well, it is possible that your ability is evolving somehow, no longer restricting itself to activating only when your own well-being is at stake. For now, it seems as though it's beginning to extend to flashes of when others are in danger.
Rose: When... anyone is in danger? Because, that could get annoying real fast, with how much crap happens to people everyday.
Dick: Not necessarily everyone... perhaps just those you care about.
At the implication, Rose flinches, turning her head and eying him.
Rose: Hey, I don't... I mean, it's not like I care... that much. Because, I don't. Not really. You're just... good company. That's all.
Dick: I wouldn't think anything else.
Rose: Are you almost done back there, by the way? Or do you just enjoy staring at my backside that much?
Dick: Just about... last one. And... got it.
The last pellet hits the dish with another echoing clink. Dick takes the next several minutes to stop the bleeding completely, then clean and sterilize the wound, before applying a dressing and carefully covering it with bandages.
Dick: There, all set. Just don't strain yourself for a while.
Rose: Please, I've always been a fast healer. Give it a few days, and I'll be good as new.
Pushing herself up on the table, Rose takes a moment to slip her costume completely back on. Dick respectfully turns his attention elsewhere during this time, and she can't help but frown a little when she notices this. For whatever reason, he had always been able to completely ignore or reject any sort of advance she made.
Granted, most of the time she was simply having her fun, teasing him to get a reaction, but even when she was being somewhat serious... he never took the bait, not once. Perhaps he could just always sense that she never had anything more than the physical aspect in mind, and for that he would never accept her advances.
Dick Grayson, ever the gentleman.
Rose: So, this is the famous Batcave, huh?
Dick: The second one, actually. When I became Batman, I moved it from... it's original location.
Rose: Right, and one can only wonder where that might have been.
Dick: Anyway, you stay here, recover. The lift over on the far side of the bunker will take you straight up to the penthouse; the access code is 367814.
Rose: And where are you going?
Dick pauses a moment, taking time to put his cape and cowl back on.
Dick: I'm going back out. The night isn't even half over.
Rose: You know, I'm injured, not crippled. I can still-
Dick: Don't worry about it, just take it easy, alright? Besides, I thought you were against the whole 'rooftop-to-rooftop crime fighting' thing?
Rose: Well, I... whatever, just go. I'll be here when you get back.
Dick: Right, see you later.
He heads for the stairs that will take him to the lower levels, where the Batmobile is waiting for him.
Dick: Oh, and Rose... don't touch anything.
Rose folds her arms and frowns, as Dick disappears.
Rose: Don't touch anything... like he thinks I'll break something...
Groaning quietly to herself, she grabs her Ravager mask and starts walking towards the back of the cave, with every intention of returning to the penthouse. About as quickly as that intention goes through her mind, however, she decides to further explore the Batcave. She takes time to examine the garage area, containing a whole assortment of different bat-vehicles, as well as the training area, and what appears to be a research area, complete with a large, multi-screened computer.
Eying the computer curiously, she holds a hand up to her chin and inspects it closely. She's sure he won't mind if she uses it for just a few minutes... Before she can even make the attempt, however, an abrupt voice interrupts her.
Voice: I believe Master Dick told you not to touch anything.
Turning around quickly, Rose snaps her gaze behind her to see an elder gentleman in a black tuxedo, carrying a silver tray with him.
Rose: Who the hell are you?
Alfred: Alfred Pennyworth, longtime friend and butler of the, um... Bat Family.
Rose: So, being Batman apparently comes with its own turndown service... interesting.
Alfred: May I offer you something to eat or drink, Miss Rose?
Reaching up to the tray he's carrying, Alfred lifts the cover to reveal a steaming bowl of soup, a plate of biscuits, and a hot cup of tea. Rose eyes it warily.
Rose: Uh... as appetizing as that looks, I'm not really that hungry. Think I might just head back up to the penthouse.
Alfred: Shall I escort you to the lift, then?
Rose: I remember where it is, thanks.
Marching away from the butler, she heads up the stairs to the back of the cave, where the lift is located. She can't help but notice Alfred idly following her. The lift opens at the touch of a button, and she steps inside to find a large panel of numbers next to the door. She lifts her finger for a moment, just staring at them.
Rose: …
Alfred: Anything I can help you with?
Slowly, she glances toward him.
Rose: ...what was the access code, again?
Alfred: The access code is 367814.
Rose: Right... uh, thanks.
She swiftly punches in the proper numbers, then leans back against the wall.
Rose: Later, Jeeves.
Alfred: It's 'Alfred', actually.
Rose merely shrugs, as the lift doors close.
Rose: Alfred, Jeeves, whatever. They're both butler names.
Int. Penthouse – Night
Rose lies back against the couch, staring at the small white card in her hand. It's the card that she was given earlier that day, in the bar. Her eyes keep focusing on the big lettering of 'Daggett Industries'. It's the same company name as the one she'd seen on the side of the white van fleeing from them that night. There had to be some kind of connection; it was too coincidental to be... well, a coincidence.
Just forget about it, Rose. Don't worry yourself... let the Bat People take care of it, it's none of your business. You're just passing through, remember?
Flipping the card over, she brings her gaze to the name 'Daniel Costello' and the phone number beneath it. She feels her better judgment telling her to just toss the card and be done with it, but she can't bring herself to do so.
Or... you could play off your hunch, have a little fun, and solve this thing all on your own. A small smirk slowly forms on her face. Yeah, that sounds like a much better idea.
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