The Aftermath, The Recovery
Who: Elizabeth Raleigh, Dick Grayson NPCs: Wayne Manor staff Where: Wayne Manor When: September 12, 2012 What: After being released from the hospital, Lizzy recovers from her injuries in the safety of Wayne Manor, while Dick tries to conceal his double life from her. Rating: PG Status: incomplete
If it weren’t for the pain killers, Lizzy likely would be climbing the walls. She really wasn’t one to ever sit idle and just let life happen to her. She was a go getter, proactive, always willing to go after what she wanted. Yet here she was, on bed rest for at least another few days, probably longer. Truthfully, she should probably still be in the hospital, but Wayne Manor was far more secure, even if she had a police guard at the hospital. Wayne Employees seemed to be unsusceptible to being bribed, unlike half the force.
The guest room she was currently occupying was posh, and full of everything she could possibly need. She had a private nurse to change her bandages and help her with the everyday activities she simply couldn’t do for herself yet, like go to the bathroom. The burn was on her right side, which was her dominant side, so even eating was clumsy. Any work from the DA’s office was forbidden, and Lizzy was supposed to be resting. Any time there was a hint of discomfort, she was given more medication. Still, the room felt a bit cold. She didn’t have her cell phone or iPad, so she wasn’t really able to reach out to her friends who were scattered across the country after law school.
For now, she was sitting up in bed, a kindle in her uninjured hand. She was reading a trashy novel, a secret vice, but it was taking her mind off things. She was worried about Dick. He looked terrible. In fact, she was fairly sure he wasn’t sleeping. So much so, that she forced him to lay down with her last night at the hospital. She had to admit, the feeling of his warm chest against her back helped her fall back asleep. Something about him just got to her in ways that she couldn’t quite put to words. There was a spark, a connection, and it was very obvious that he cared for her.
She put down her kindle and gently scratched where the tape that held the sterile gauze to her burns touched her neck. The burn extended from just above where her shoulder met her neck all the way down her arm and chest down to her elbow. Fortunately, her bra had actually saved some skin, but for someone who was a bit vain, it was hard to take in that she would be so scarred – flawed. Being pretty had always been part of who she was, as much as she hated to admit it. Now, she would be disfigured. People would stare. Maybe even Dick would think she was hideous now that she was so marred.
She closed her eyes and leaned back against the pillow. She didn’t want to think about that. She wasn’t in the market to cry right now. She’d already shed enough tears, had enough nightmares since Sunday.