It hurt. It hurt to move, to think. He could only curl in further and hold onto the shirt of the one carrying him.

"We need to break through that door," someone was speaking.

He felt himself passed onto a pair of slimmer arms - slimmer, but no less strong - a faint scent of salt water tickled his nose. Kaldur.

There was a roar, and metal protesting.

Then he was passed back to the powerful embrace that could crush him. But the hold on him was gentle, its strength held back. Superboy.

"I'll scout ahead!" A rush of wind against his face. Kid Flash. KF. Wal-

His mind flared, scalded raw. He clutched at the arms holding him.

Then a soothing balm, with a strange spice.

M'gann?

It's going to be okay, Robin. Take a rest now.

He wanted to do as the voice said. But something nagged at him. Something...

"What's wrong with him?" Brash, no-nonsense voice. Artemis.

"He's fighting. Fighting the...sedatives." A sigh. "I'm sorry, I can't do more. Robin doesn't want to sleep."

"Can't you make him?" Anger and concern. The arms holding him tightened.

"I-I can't. There's been too much stress on his mind. It'll hurt him if I put any more pressure."

"So he'll stay like this 'til the drugs wear off?" Disbelief from Artemis.

"No, Robin has to choose to rest. Then my Uncle and I can heal his mind."

"Batman may know how to relax him." Calm and collected. "For now, we need to leave this place."

"Guys! I found the way out!" Rush of wind again, voice filled with hope. "This way!"

More running. It might have been longer, but he didn't...couldn't-

He whimpered at the flare of pain.

There was an answering growl and a comforting squeeze on his arm.

Then a loud bang and the chemical smell was replaced by the scent of cut grass. The sun was bright against the inside of his eyelids before something blocked it.

"What happened?" This growl was familiar.

"They tortured his mind to obtain your secrets." That was Kaldur. "They were expecting us-"

Kaldur kept speaking but he was already reaching for that familiar shadow-

There was someone else holding him now. Someone warm, smelling of Kevlar and special metals. He burrowed his face into that warmth, breathing deep the scent of safety, protection, and comfort. Only then did he finally let go.