You Do What You Have To - 57

 

Once he was on his feet, Robin managed to say, "I'm okay—now."

 

"Not really."

 

"Well…better? It's not as bad when I'm standing. Now walking might be another thing."

 

Being very careful, he made it to the bathroom with Micky's help. "I'll take it from here," Robin said, closing the door.

 

Micky leaned against the wall, cursing under his breath. If I get my hands on that bastard, I swear I'm going to do to him what he did to Robin and I'll love every damned minute of it. He reconsidered and sighed. No. No I won't. I'm not like that SOB. I might be able to shoot him, if it came down to it, but I couldn't put anyone through the torture he inflicted on Robin. At least I hope I couldn't. He's a monster. I'm just beyond angry and into furious.

 

"You're deep in thought," Robin said, coming out of the bathroom. He held tightly onto the doorframe then Micky's arm when he offered it.

 

"Just wondering if I… Never mind."

 

Robin looked up at him after gingerly sitting on the bed. "What, Micky?"

 

"I hate to admit it, but for a minute there I was contemplating using his own methods on Mackenzie to teach him a lesson."

 

"You couldn't. That's not you. You're a good man." Robin patted the bed. He chuckled when Thor immediately crawled over to lie beside him.

 

Micky nodded as he sat on the other side of Robin. "I like to think I am. Compared to you, though, I'm not so certain. You have a dedication to righting wrongs I don't think I could ever match."

 

"Not true. I have the feeling it's in here—" he pressed his hand to Micky's chest. "You've just never had the chance, or maybe a reason, to let it out. Although—" he dropped his hand to rest on Micky's leg, "—I think you're starting to. You didn't balk at going to the Yours Truly whorehouse to try to connect it—and Tanzer—to Mackenzie."

 

"It worked, too. I told you that."

 

Robin frowned. "You did? Oh, yeah, I guess so. I was sort of out of it at that point."

 

"I know." Micky picked up the pill bottles, dumping one from each into Robin's hand when he held it out. Getting the glass, he went to fill it with water then gave it to Robin.

 

"This is easier than doing it lying down," Robin said, swallowing the pills.

 

"Which you should be," Micky replied.

 

"I'm fine like this. My ass hurts, but not that bad, in the grand scheme of things."

 

"I wish there was something I could do to help, other than getting you water for your pills."

 

"How many times do I have to say it," Robin replied, brushing his fingers over Micky's cheek. "Just you being here is doing more than any pills or doctors ever could."

 

"I hope you mean that, because I want to be here."

 

Robin gazed at Micky, smiling softly. "I meant every word."

 

Micky looked back at him and nodded. "I know. I…" He swallowed hard. "Damn it. How can I care about…about someone I've barely gotten to know, as much as I do about you?"