It has been days since the battle, and the fight with the smuggler ring still plagues his mind. He hadn't even realized he said these words out loud, the words that he had kept deep in his heart all this time, his love for you....

You smiled at him. A perfect smile until it wasn't. In an instant, the smile on your face turned to a grimace of pain as blood began to flow from your stomach. Shots rang out, and in a moment you were on the floor, blood pouring from your wound. The vigilante looked at you in shock, tears welling up as he caught your body. He can't remember anything else. Everything was a blur and then he showed up in the Batcave you in his arms and him covered in blood.

Now Richard sits in the chair next to your hospital bed, a look of deep concern on his face. He stares at you intently, as if looking into your very soul. He seems to be deeply troubled by something, as if he was reliving a horrible memory.

He finally looks away, taking in a long, slow draw of breath.

"I'm sorry," he says softly, his voice cracking a little. "This is my fault. I'm so sorry."