James's gait was rather sluggish as he made his way into the hospital. For Gotham it was pretty quiet out, aside from the ever constant sirens. Still, it wasn't even 6:00am yet, the sun hadn't begun to rise just yet and so far only the birds seemed to be waking up.

James took a moment in front of the doors to relish the rare, calm moment in this messed up city. He couldn't stay long though, he needed to help get Dick prepared before his family came.

He took a deep breath before entering the building, giving a distracted nod to the receptionist as a greeting, and quickly took the closest elevator to Dick's floor.

Dick's family had finally made the proper accommodations. The guest room on the ground floor has been turned into his new bedroom, with a hospital bed instead of his usual one. The gym has been outfitted with walking bars to help with Dick's recovery. And Dr. Aguilar will be visiting every Tuesday and Thursday to continue therapy. The bathroom connected to his new room has been outfitted with the equipment to give Dick more... independence. Much to Dick's relief.

Instead of his intravenous pain medication, he has transitioned to a somewhat weaker strength and in a pill form. And of course, Bruce had to get a new car to accommodate his wheelchair, as well as ramps for the front steps and back porch. Not that that was a problem.

He's been doing very well, all things considered.

He's been able to stand on his own for more than fifteen minutes at a time, all within a month since the first victory. Still, it's been a slow and painful process. Not to mention very frustrating for his patient.

It's been bittersweet really. As the strength in his legs are returning, the feeling is coming back as well.

And with feeling, comes pain.

Couple that with his headaches-- well, Dick's mood has been pretty sour lately despite the encouraging progress. A silver lining perhaps, is the success of his anti-seizure medications.

The rate has lessened and for the most part they are very mild.

Yesterday marked the tenth month since he had been admitted to the hospital, so when it was suggested he continue his recovery at home, Dick was all too eager. Of course there were some limitations. 

When he tries to stand, someone must always be present with him, he will be using a wheelchair at home, and he must have a cane whenever he's standing (unless it's with the use of the walking bars). 

And along with Dr. Aguilar's visits, James will be stopping by every Wednesday to check on him. Since Mr. Wayne has the proper equipment to tend to his son at home, it was unanimously decided that Dick would now be much better off at home. 

For both his physical, emotional, and mental recovery.

James lightly knocked on his patient's door and waited for a moment before going in.

James stopped at the foot of his bed and sighed gently.

He was asleep.

For the most part, the monitors and machines had been disconnected already. Either Evaline or Rosa must have been here already.

Very well. James can help him pack his belongings, although he was sure Dick would rather have Bruce help him get dressed.

James hesitated a moment but after checking his watch, he made up his mind.

He walked over to Dick's bedside and gently shook his shoulder.

"Richard? Come on now, time to wake up."

Dick's eyes slowly opened before blinking blearily up at his doctor.

"Today's the day, Richard."

Dick's eyes blinked in momentary confusion before opening all the way in realization. His face was momentarily strained as he forced himself up into a sitting position.

Had Dick tried that on his own a few months ago, James would have immediately stopped him.

But now, it was almost encouraged. He merely watched on carefully before giving him a proud smile once he was finally sitting comfortably.

"Mr. Wayne should be here in about an hour Richard..."

James moved to Dick's cubby on the other side of the room as he talked.

"He will help you get dressed and one of your nurses have already disconnected most of the machines..."

He picked up Dick's blue duffel bag and promptly ignored the sharp intake of breath from behind him.

He turned back around to face Dick, coming to stand at the foot of his bed and setting the bag near his feet.

"I am here to help you pack your belongings, between the two of us we shouldn't forget anything!"

Although his tone was light, Dick didn't seem to be listening.

His gaze was trained on his bag, steady and focused.

As though he remembered something was in there...

Finally, he snapped his gaze back up to his doctor.

"I-it's okay. I can do i-it m-myself."

James frowned and his own gaze went from Dick to the bag and then back again.

After a moment the older man sighed before coming around to sit at Dick's bedside.

"It's alright Richard, it's alright..."

James grabbed the bag and slowly zipped it open.

Dick's entire body tensed but all James proceeded to do was put two of Dick's books into the bag.

Dick eyed his doctor for a moment before wordlessly handing him his phone and charger. And then his laptop and charger.

Neither men saying a word.

James was at war with himself, believing he should say something but not having the faintest idea on what those words should be.

Dick on the other hand, just wanted his doctor to get his hands the hell out of his bag--

"Richard... it's alright, I promise... it's hidden."

Dick's soul nearly left his body, his wide eyes were locked on his doctor.

James didn't even have to look at his patient in order to mentally slap himself.

What a stupid way to--

"P-pardon?"

If Dick was still connected to a heart monitor, the readings would likely be off the charts at the moment. 

"Y-you... c-can't-- listen I--"

James set a comforting hand on his patient's leg, effectively making Dick shut up.

"Richard, listen to me-- I have not told anyone. I will not tell anyone. Do you understand me?"

Dick squeezed his eyes shut and leaned his head back, groaning loudly.

Dick didn't open his eyes or say anything for a moment and James just kept his eyes locked on Dick's tense face, his own expression soft.

After a moment Dick let out a heavy breath, his heart rate starting to calm down. He opened his eyes once more, his expression suddenly growing weary.

"H-how?"

James gave a timid smile before reaching into the bag and unzipping the pocket he hid Dick's wing-ding in. 

Being mindful of the sharp points this time, he carefully gripped the weapon and pulled it out, holding it up against the light.

"Before you woke up from your coma, the Rowan family had gone back to the ruins of their old house to see if anything was salvageable and they found your duffel bag covered in soot. They took a quick look inside to see if anything was damaged and found your clothes. They brought the bag to us and as I was putting your clothes away, it nicked me. After that, it wasn't exactly hard to put two and two together. After that, I placed it in the zipper compartment in case anyone else were to look inside." 

When James was finished speaking, he carefully put the weapon back in the compartment and zipped it up again. 

Dick looked at his doctor with a reproachful expression before shaking his head and turning his gaze to the window.

The first rays of sunlight were beginning to get swallowed up by Gotham's smog. 

"Is t-that why y-you were so focused on h-helping m-me? B-because you k-knew who I a-am?"

James's nervous face turned into a frown.

"Richard, I cared for you the same before I even knew who were. And it wasn't because you were Bruce Wayne's son either. I know Gotham doctors don't always do much to harbor faith, but I care for each and every person who comes under my care! Was I more stressed? Yes, I will admit that. But it never influenced my level of care!"

Dick's eyes flitted back over to his doctor. He studied his face for a moment and after a minute he sighed, his face softening once more. He could tell his doctor was being honest.

"...sorry. U-um thanks, by t-the way."

James's didn't say anything. Instead, his smile just returned and he gave a short pat to Dick's leg.

Dick timidly returned the smile and he wordlessly handed James his notebook and pens.

For fifteen minutes they finished and packing and double checked that they hadn't forgotten anything.

Just as they were nearly certain they hadn't forgotten anything, Bruce entered the room, a calm smile gracing his features.

Everything was ready. The media wasn't aware what was going on, but the sooner they leave the better.

James stepped out of the room for a few minutes in order to give Dick some time to change and took this opportunity to grab Dick's own wheelchair from the nurse's station. Not one of the hospital's of course, this one was ordered for Dick to own.

When he made it back to the room, Dick had already gotten dressed and was sitting up on the hospital bed with his legs dangling off the side, duffel bag sitting in his lap and James happened to hear their conversation.

"Tim and Alfred are waiting at home, and Alfred has made your favorite cake. Zitka of course, will be very happy to see you!"

(Zitka is the name I chose for an OC dog for Dick I made in another book. The chapter was just a Christmas special, not really relating to the story. Zitka is a male German Shepherd puppy, with jet black, fluffy fur. Barbara had gotten him for Dick one year, as it was his first year without Ace as she passed away from old age.)

"I expect Wally, Artemis, and the others will be over tomorrow if not later today. And... Barbara is coming home today from her mi--"

James cleared his throat as he entered the room with Dick's wheelchair.

"Ahem, she's finally back from her journey."

(In reality, Barbara was on a long mission to Mars and had only just gotten back.)

"The coast is still clear outside, and everything is ready to go. Richard? It was nice to meet you young man."

James reached for a handshake and Dick immediately took him up on it, a large smile overtaking his face.

"Thank y-you."

'Home... finally.'

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Yeah, this chapter was originally going to have more to it but... I'm so damn tired.

I'll just add that stuff into the next chapter.

Please, tell me what you think!