Sorry for making you wait...the next and last chapter is up! Please, please review!

The next day the sun was as radiant as the morning they received the terrible footage of Richard's capture. It was so intense that Bruce had to squint in order to keep his hourly long bat glare-which was fixated on the medical bay door-steady and true. Finally he broke his gaze only to find his eyes glued on the clock which was slowly ticking away long, unsure seconds of Robin's post operation recovery.

The stink of the fat, blood and gore which still clung to the mourning man's hands, hair, skin and even clothes-he hadn't bothered to change-as promised he remained in his sickly attire until-that was-his beloved son woke.

And if God heard, Batman saw his son stir on the opposite side of the glass. Robin reached up and placed a feeble hand on his white bandaged head. And said a single sentence that made Batman melt, crumble and laugh all at the same time-like an under baked cookie-

"Oh god, tell me you didn't shave my head"

After a moment of intense grinning-so intense Batman's cheeks stung-He stood gently, took a breath and burst into the room embracing his son as if he'd never let go

Robin thanked the heavens above for the ability-which he had been deprived to move before-to hug his father back.

Their tears mixed on their cheeks as they pressed them together, Batman kissing his son's forehead softly muttering

"Richard, my Richard"

And Robin yanking away and saying back

"Dad, why do you smell like rotten, raw meat?" Batman touched his son's head with a smile

"How do you feel?"

"Like someone took a corkscrew to my skull…but I'm ok" Batman kissed his son again letting more tears run down his face.

"I can't believe your ok"

"Hey, I'm too cool to kill off" Batman chuckled forcefully and stumbled to a chair

"I-I just can't image what I was going to have to do…to-to live on with out you Richard" he sighed and buried his hands in his hair "I did-didn't think I could do it, it was just too much…just too much hurting" Robin slowly and stiffly swung his legs over the bed side.

"I would never leave you"

"Sometimes you can't promise that, Robin…you know as well as I do that life isn't that nice to heroes" suddenly there was a startled yelp and the door flew open. Kid Flash embraced Robin.

"Rob, you're alive! IknewitohgodIknewit!" The rest of the heroes flooded in, hugs and handshakes were exchanged. There was a mixture of

"Robin!"

"Lad, you're all right!"

"I knew it"

"No nephew of mine-!"

And screams and tears of relief and pure joy.

Batman clasp Robin's shoulder as the flurry died away and expressed his relief once again

"Oh god, Richard it's so good to see you" Robin smiled and gave his father a brief hug

"There's just one thing I need to do, dad"

A week later.

Robin was fit to travel.

Bruce had washed.

All chaos was initially gone.

Robin went to rape victim counseling.

But there was still that layer of shock.

Still that hushed silence about all things related to "the incident" –as they called it-

Robin stood outside of the asylum staring at the doors as if every answer was just beyond them. He touched his bandaged head and pushed through the doors. He made his way through the halls to that one…hellish cell.

"Hello, Nigma" The Riddler's head snapped up with pure shock etched into his features,

"Rob-Robin?" The man burst from his bed in a leap and was at the door in mere seconds. "You came, YOU CAME!" the crazed man swallowed a fit of giggles by biting his knuckles. "This make my day! Hell, this makes my WEEK! MY YEAR EVEN!" for a second Robin wished he hadn't told batman to stay in the car, as he felt bile rising in his throat and that unmistakable fear. He shivered

"Riddler, I came to say-"

"Say you forgiver me" the man pleaded getting on his knees, Robin backed away slightly, "Please" the man begged softly with tears in his eyes, his voice overflowing with sincerity. "please"

"I do" Robin said softly reaching through the bars and offering his hand to the Riddler, the man took it and stood

"Really?"

"Really…hey just…don't do it again, ok?" The Riddler let go of his hand and smiled sadly

"Scouts honor, boy wonder, scouts honor."

When Robin walked out he noticed the car was empty. Turning his head slightly he realized where Batman must have gone. Only a block from here was the cemetery that held Bruce's parents. Robin strolled down and sure enough was gazing at his fathers back as he was knelt next to two headstones.

"Hey" Robin said softly kneeling next to him. A gentle wind rustled the trees above and a bird chirped –no doubt it was a Robin- There was a respectful silence

"I can't imagine if I had to bury you too" Bruce said putting an arm around his son. Robin managed a small smile,

"Lets never find out…" was all Robin could reply. It suddenly hit Batman the answer to the Riddle, how many ways can a Robin die?

All the while Robin lay sick and recovering it had nagged Bruce's conscience, he had pondered and pondered the possibilities.

Now it was so clear.

The answer in all it glory was simply and plainly

None.

Because no matter how many ways Robin died, it was who was behind the mask-Richard Grayson- who was the true hero.

In all of it corny, cheezed up sounding ways.

It was simply NONE.

Because the true hero wasn't Robin at all.

It was just…Richard.

And that made Bruce hug his son just a little bit tighter.

THE END

Awww. sorry it's over guys. thats all folks.

remember reviews will inspire me to write other stories as well.

And for the last time for "how many ways can a Robin die?"

I say. "Good Night folks."

Robin: Or morning.

EACT: would you just SHUT UP!

-EACT