Dick's eyes cracked open, the only light coming from the moon. 

It's been a week since Wally had come with the video games, and while that was great and something Dick really needed, Wally has not been allowed in the Manor since. 

No one has actually, except for Barbara obviously, and those that live there. 

Now that in of itself didn't worry Wally too much. 

It was the fact that Dick himself requested that Wally not be allowed back.

Now, it's not because Dick didn't necessarily want to see him it's because... that night Dick took a sudden turn for the worse.

His pain doubled and sometimes he couldn't even see straight. It became a battle just to get him to drink water, let alone put something solid in his stomach.

And Dick didn't want him to see that, or anyone else for that matter. Although there were obviously a few people he couldn't avoid.

Dick's eyes narrowed, trying to get his vision to stop spinning. When his vision finally cleared enough, he turned his head to look at his bedside clock.

Hmm, it was still late. Bruce and Tim were probably still out. And Barbara...

Dick's eyes snapped open the whole way.

She was here but... Alfred's probably making her eat something. 

A harsh shiver tore through Dick's body, causing him to tremble uncontrollably. He grit his teeth against the tremors, clenching the blankets that were drawn up all the way under his chin. 

B-blankets... there's gotta be more in my closet somewhere...

He glanced at his phone on the bedside table before turning his gaze away from it. 

No, the least he could do is get himself another blanket. 

He forced himself up into a sitting position, clenching his teeth and gasping with the effort. 

By the time he was on his feet he was gasping and trembling, his vision was starting to blur, and he had to grip the bed post to keep his balance.

Oh come on Grayson! You've been an acrobat your whole life, the least you can do is walk a few feet!

He raised his head up, his closet was close. He could do this.

He managed a few stumbling steps until he lost his balance and nearly fell into the wall near the closet.

Sweat was dripping down his forehead, getting into his eyes, and he could touch the door knob... but suddenly that was the last thing on his mind.

He adjusted himself so that he was now being supported by the door to his bathroom instead. He leaned his head back onto the wall, eyes closed, his breath coming in little gasps of air.

Something's wrong, something's--

His eyes bulged open, his stomach lurching. He threw his bathroom door open and scrambled to the toilet just in time. 

His spine curved upward and his throat burned as he retched, eyes shut tight. 

When it was finally over he was left shaking like a leaf, he dropped his hands below him, resting some of his weight on the floor. 

He slowly opened his eyes, his vision swimming, his ears roaring. He felt a drizzle of something wet come from his lips and out of instinct he weakly wiped at with his arm.

But when he pulled back, his arm came away with a line of red.

...what?

He finally bent his head to look inside the toilet, his eyes still trying to focus.

It wasn't food he threw up. Wasn't even stomach bile.

Red stared back at him, causing his eyes to gloss over with unshed tears.

Blood... he threw up blood!

G-gotta get my phone... Barbara...

He rocked backwards, clumsily turning around onto his knees, trying desperately to crawl back to his phone.

With every movement his vision got darker, his movements more sluggish. 

His hand touched the carpet of his bedroom before his strength finally failed him and he collapsed, rolling onto his side, one arm splayed out to the side and the other awkwardly tucked underneath him. 

"God, please... not yet..."

The only thing that answered him, was a sudden and steady beeping.
_______________________________________

Alfred was trying unsuccessfully to get Barbara to eat something, the most he's managed is a cup of tea. She was ignoring all offers, opting to stare at her folded hands on the dining table.

He wasn't getting better, and there was nothing she could do. She had never felt so helpless...

A sudden beeping startled her from her thoughts, both heads swiveled to where Barbara left Bruce's phone. 

The alarm... the alarm was going off!

She stood up immediately, running to the phone and looking at what could be going on.

"His vitals are dropping-- Alfred call an ambulance!"

Barbara threw the phone to the floor, turned and started running the stairs, jumping over two at a time.

She knocked Dick's door open and nearly cried at what she saw.

Dick was sprawled on the ground, almost looking as if he had fallen. He had blood dripping from his mouth, and his eyes... they were open. He was still awake!

She ran over to him and fell to her knees by his side, gently cradling his head in the crook of her arm.

"Barbara..."

His eyes were glazed and half-lidded, he looked at her with the most heart breaking expression.

He was confused, scared, and in so much pain. 

"Shh... I've got you."

She took her free hand and gently wiped away the sweat that had formed on his forehead before coming to rest on his cheek.

"Alfred called an ambulance, help's coming--"

He cut her off by moving a shaking hand to touch hers.

"I... love... you."

Tears started pouring from her eyes, a few landing on Dick's face, colliding with the blood trail.

In the distance, blaring sirens were starting to get closer.

"I love you too... Dick, please..."

The corners of his mouth twitched up when she said that, his eyes starting to close, the grip on Barbara's hand loosening.

"Dick, don't-- ALFRED!"
_______________________________________

Barbara stared down at him as if in a daze, his eyes were closed, and he had an oxygen mask over his mouth. A blanket was pulled up to his chest, mostly concealing the hospital gown underneath. An oximeter was attached to one finger and on that arm was an IV containing blood, on his other arm were IV's for both liquids and nutrition. 

Her hand was covering his own, the one without the oximeter, and gently stroking his fingers. She watched every uneasy movement of his chest, listened to every rattling breath. 

She drew in a shaky breath and turned her attention to the heart monitor. It wasn't faint but it was... irregular.

And... 

She drew a comforting circle on his palm.

He was so cold, he was like ice.

She started rubbing the pad of her thumb against his skin, trying to offer him a little warmth.

Alfred watched this exchange from the other side of the room before turning to a cubby and grabbing an extra blanket... better make it two.

He brought the folded blankets over to his bedside and quickly shook one out before laying it over his still form, this one all the way up to his chest. 

Barbara tore her gaze away from Dick's face and looked to Alfred, a grateful smile gracing her lips.

Alfred gave a gentle nod before covering him with the other blanket.

When Alfred took a step back, Dick gave a low groan and turned his head to the side, facing Barbara. Still though, his eyes remained closed. Another groan passed through his lips, this one louder.

Barbara adjusted the way she was sitting to place the back of her hand against his cheek.

Dick tensed for a second before relaxing into her touch, a blissful smile overtaking his face and he sank further into the bed, his whole body starting to finally relax. 

The door opened to reveal both Bruce and Tim, clothes haphazardly thrown on it seems, and both of them nearly out of breath. 

Tim froze for a moment before walking up to the opposite side that Barbara was on and gently touched his brother's arm.

Dick gave a low sigh, didn't appear to be out of discomfort, before falling silent once more. 

"How did this happen?"

Bruce's tone was low, and so quiet so as not to disturb Dick.

Alfred, it seemed, was the only one who heard.

"We are... unsure. Your phone started alarming a change in vitals and Barbara rushed to him, finding him collapsed in his bathroom... Bruce..."

Bruce's head turned towards Alfred, an eyebrow raised.

"He had vomited blood."

Bruce's eyes closed and he bowed his head.

Barbara finally raised her head to look at him.

"You have to call Wally, he deserves to know."

Does he?

He was about to say just that until his son slightly stirred in bed.

Bruce sighed, resigned.

He would... probably want him here anyway. In case he...

He raised his head to look at Alfred, an unspoken question sparkling in his eyes.

Alfred, for his part, just nodded before leaving through the door to find a phone as Bruce pulled a chair for Tim and then for himself to sit at the foot of Dick's bed.

At this point, it was a waiting game for him to wake up...

If he would.
_______________________________________

Wally sighed for the umpteenth time that hour, distractedly flicking through channels, Artemis snoozing against him.

Why wouldn't Dick want to see him? Was he still upset?

Wally scowled at himself.

Of course he is! But did I do anything else to upset him? He was fine with me there at first...

Wally was pulled out of his thoughts and Artemis jolted awake as the phone rang.

Wally rolled his eyes and heaved himself off the couch, not even crossing his mind that it could be about Dick. After all, he was banned from the Manor... why call him?

Whatever, who knows it could be Barry needing him to babysit. Again.

He picked up the phone, not bothering to look up the caller I.D and answered in a strained tone.

"Yeah?"

"Master Wallace, it's Alfred. I'm afraid I'm calling with bad news..."

Wally's blood ran cold, and he quickly put the phone on speaker so Artemis could listen too.

"Master Dick has been... rushed to the hospital. I will not disclose anything over the phone, this is... something you should hear in person. But I do suggest you come as soon as possible."

Wally raised his head to see Artemis already pulling on her coat.

"We'll be right there."
_______________________________________

Both Artemis and Wally had a hard time processing what they saw before them. Especially Wally.

Obviously, he's seen Dick very sick. But...

It looked like he was dead.

"I... I don't understand. How could he get this much worse so fast?"

Everyone, besides Wally and Artemis, glanced at each other.

Finally, Tim stood up, murmuring to Alfred that he was hungry, and Alfred was all too happy to place his hand on his shoulder and lead him out.

As they left Bruce stood up from his chair, gesturing to both his and Tim's vacant seats.

"I think you should both sit down."

Both Wally and Artemis did as he said and glanced at each other, fingers laced together. They braced themselves for what he had to say.

"Dick wasn't being completely honest with you, Wally."

Wally's eyes widened slightly, an eyebrow raising along with it.

"His leukemia is much more... aggressive... than he was letting on. It wasn't always like this but in the past month, it has progressed faster and worse than before."

"So..."

Barbara finally looked towards them, her voice having a slight shake to it.

"This is... this is why he didn't want you or anyone else in the Manor this past week. The last night you were there, he declined quickly after you left. Tonight... he had a pulmonary hemorrhage. He... hasn't been awake since. It's been stabilized but..."

She trailed off, her voice breaking. She turned her gaze back to her boyfriend, her hand going back to clasp his.

Artemis glanced at Dick before facing Bruce again.

"And the doctors can't do anything?"

"We have tried to find suitable donors, but haven't been able to find anyone. Not even Tim, Barbara, or myself are a match."

Suddenly Wally's head shot up, like he had just thought of something revolutionary.

"Me..." 

His voice was nothing more than a murmur.

All heads turned to him, and he spoke up again, clearer this time.

"Test me!"
_______________________________________

Ah Wally, it's not going to be that simple...