Lhasa, Tibet

[_nightwing_]

[continued from here]

Like pallbearers, three dark figures make their way across the white landscape bearing precious cargo; expressions grim. Three Robins - past and present - together for the first time. Tim Drake at his head, Jason Todd and Dick Grayson on either side. The silence of their journey is punctuated only by the soft sounds of their

Comments

[last_joke_x]

A curt nod is given as he moves over to the controls. I done some flying. Pitch, control, and so forth. I'll handle that you deal with the Bat. As Red sits down he takes a look at the controls for the real first time and raises a sharp brow thinking "Why exactly do you need so many buttons for cabin pressure? Don't ask. Just fly."

Taking his commlink, he actually uses it for the second time since getting it. Oracle this is Red.

[oracle_watching]

"Oracle here. Go ahead."

[last_joke_x]

Roger. Need you to take control of the other jet and fly her home.

[oracle_watching]

"Leave the driving to me. ETA?"

[_robin_]

Robin casts a concerned eye over Batman before turning to Nightwing.

How's he doing? What can I do to help?

[_nightwing_]

I'm gonna need you to monitor his pulse, respiration, BP and pulse ox, and hand me stuff as I need it. Okay?

He fixes the younger man with a look that says 'I need you to stay calm. It'll be alright.' Even if he's not so sure, deep down, that it will be.

[_robin_]

Now that help has arrived and they're en route home, Tim is finding it much easier to be calm. Thus, he fixes his brother with a steady look in response and nods.

You got it.

[_nightwing_]

Good. Take off your gloves.

He hands Tim some medical gloves instead.

[_nightwing_]

Dick winces.

Sorry, kiddo.

He tries to make this as quick as possible. The tube is lubricated and inserted into the trachea, the blade withdrawn. He makes a brief check to ensure the tube is correctly placed before securing the tube with medical tape; lifting Bruce's head carefully to wrap it around. The nasal tube is removed in favor of hooking the oxygen up to the larger valve.

[_darkknight_]

It's over, it's done, the tube is in. Bruce stops fighting and slides back to the table again, a dry raspy sob the last indication of discomfort from that particular process.

[_nightwing_]

Dick's shoulders slump, partly from relief, partly from fatigue. But he can't stop now. He forces himself to move again, reaching for the IV stand. This last part is the easiest. A hand rests briefly on Bruce's chest.

Almost there. Stay with me.

The transfusion takes mere moments in comparison to set up. Two units of blood, crossmatched. More tape to secure the lines, and he's done all he can for now.

He strips off the latex gloves and throws them aside, then leans forward, head bowed. Exhausted, the wave of adrenalin he's been fuelled by until now leaves him, and he's feeling nothing but the pain that comes from stress and worry.

[_darkknight_]

The grotesque gurgling sound is gone, the strain for breath diminished, and color has started to return. Blood pressure remains alarming, pulse thready, but the improvement in respiration makes Bruce more at ease.

Helps that Dick is no longer trying to hurt him to help him.

As the young man sits, head hanging, a hand brushes his and fingers come to a stop atop his own.

[_robin_]

Tim makes his way up to the front of the jet, where Red Robin is at the controls.

Hey. How're we looking?

[last_joke_x]

Looking over his shoulder for a minute he almost seems to ignore the first question totally.

Don't you have work to do? But knowing Tim might get the wrong idea he still answers the question. Speed is good and altitude high enough to cut some time. Close to two hours until we arrive.

[_robin_]

Tim nods. His tone is flat, almost cold.

Nightwing's got it all in hand right now. He told me to come up here, ask you to give Oracle a status report.

[last_joke_x]

Understood. I'm giving Oracle instruction of our progress and situation as it happens. She already knows what needs to be prepared and our ETA.

A pause as he seems to gauge Tim by his presence without looking to him. Something you want to say to me?