Awright, anti-climactic ending to a story I should've finished long ago. Yay me.

Was supposed to be a Fidget origin story, but I have long since realized I should not write backstories. So, minor change there.

Thanks so much for all who've stuck with this story, even after it's long hiatus! You're all awesome!

Sylvia glanced worriedly at Fidget's sleeping form, tossing and turning under his covers. He was moaning and crying in his sleep, fighting off some form of horrid night terror. He'd been having these awful nightmares ever since she'd found him on the shore of the Thames, but they'd gotten increasingly frightful since he'd rescued that girl from being run over, and that was over two weeks ago.

Finally having enough of watching her friend suffer, the apothecary stood swiftly and retrieved a tattered teddy bear from the mantel, putting it in Fidget's arms. Even asleep, the bat clutched the bear like a life preserver, nearly squashing it against his body. She sometimes gave the bear to Fidget after he'd gone to sleep and, though it helped for a little while, he still awoke the next morning drenched in sweat and tears. Sylvia's heart went out to the bat, hating to watch as he fought these nightmares, and she gently shook him awake. "Fidget? Fidget?"

He bolted upright with a gasp and Sylvia jerked back by reflex. She noticed the red rims around his eyes had returned. After a tense moment, recognition flooded his gaze and he let out a quiet breath, ridged form easing. "Sorry, Syl."

She smiled gently. "It's alright. How are you feeling?"

He sighed roughly. "Like a road after rush hour."

"Maybe talking about your nightmares would help." Sylvia suggested softly, not wanting to push Fidget too hard.

He turned his bright eyes to her, expression sad, and then looked away again. "Sometimes I'd like to. But... I can't. Not yet. Not now."

Sylvia nodded understandingly, putting a comforting paw on Fidget's shoulder. "It's alright, Fidget. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." She stood to leave. When she reached the door to the hallway, she paused and turned to look back at him. "Just... remember that whenever you need someone to talk to, I'll be here."

His stare softened, but he still wouldn't meet her eyes. "I really appreciate everything you've done for me. I'm not so great at saying thank you..."

The mouse's smile was bigger now. "Oh, think nothing of it. It's my pleasure. Goodnight." She gently shut the door, leaving the bat alone.

He studied the bear in his hands, spitting coals in the fire his only companion. His tall ears drooped a little as he remembered the faces in his nightmares. Olivia, scared and alone, separated from her father; and Ratigan, sadistic smirk always lurking in the shadows. Would he never be free of Ratigan's shadow, or Olivia's fear?

Would his past ever stop haunting him?

Fidget slumped back against his pillow, heart heavy. He would be stuck dwelling on past mistakes until he found a way to rectify his mistakes, a way to make it up to her...

An idea popped into his head. He nearly dismissed it, but it caused something to spark inside his chest, something akin to hope. He hadn't felt hope for a long time.

Slowly and carefully, Fidget formulated a plan in his mind, mouth spreading until he was full-out grinning. Yes, yes this was perfect. This was what he was going to do.

He turned it over in his mind, dissecting it and piecing it back together time and again until he finally drifted into a nightmare-less slumber.

Fidget sat on his bed, holding his broken wing out to Sylvia. She was grinning at him. "Are you ready?" He nodded so hard his head nearly fell off. Then, finally, after nearly six weeks, Sylvia cut off his cast and his wing was free.

Fidget marvelled at how light his arm felt without it. He flexed his stiff fingers and stretched it upwards, warming up his unused muscles. "That feels good."

"Try flapping," his friend urged. "See if you can get airborne." He extended his wings, spreading his fingers, causing his wing membrane to grow tight. After a few powerful down strokes, Sylvia gasped. "Fidget, you're flying!"

The bat glanced down to see that he was indeed hovering above the floor. He whooped happily and began fluttering around the room. "I can fly! I can fly!" He swooped to the ground beside Sylvia, loving the feel of his mended wing. He threw his arms around his friend's neck. "Thank you so much, Syl!"

She laughed, hugging him back. "You're welcome, Fidget. I'm glad it turned out well."

Fidget was bursting with happiness, and it showed from the tips of his ears to his foot. Even his peg leg felt happy! After years of being grounded, he was once again a creature of the sky.

Fidget watched as the sun slipped below the horizon. The glowing glee in his chest faded somewhat, merging to dull regret. He turned his gaze to Sylvia, who was resting after a particularly difficult child with mumps. She lay on one of the hospital beds, dozing on the covers. Her face was peaceful in her slumber, causing one corner of Fidget's mouth to quirk up, but it didn't last. He gazed back out the window. The orange sunlight reflected off the Thames, and Fidget thought back to his past six weeks. Sylvia had helped him so much, even when he was difficult. And now he was leaving.

He rose from his spot by the window, moving to his bed and staring sadly at the stuffed bear laying on his pillow. He fingered it gently, sitting it up straighter. Then he retrieved his hat and scarf and opened the door to the street.

Before he closed it behind him, he glanced back at his mouse friend. She hadn't stirred. All the better.

This time, Fidget's smile reached his eyes and he shut the door as quietly as he could. Loving the feel of sunlight on his freed fixed arm, Fidget extended his wings and took off into the open air for the first time in years. Though he was swooping and diving freely, in his element, he was a bat on a mission. He needed to find someone, and ask her to forgive him. He needed to right his past wrongs, otherwise he could never live with himself.

He needed to find Olivia.

END