August 16, 0130h

	Superman returned to the curtained area of the warehouse feeling 
suddenly at loose ends.  Nightwing was in surgery - nothing Superman 
could help with there.  Batman had made it clear that he did *not* want 
help from the *Boy Scout,* although he'd insisted that Robin help with 
his investigation.  He had reacted - unpleasantly - when Superman had 
suggested that perhaps Robin should stay with Nightwing.  The Flash was 
getting Barbara, leaving the Man of Steel in a position of rare 
helplessness.  He busied himself trying to find things for the 
inevitable waiting room crowd to sit on.
	He had just found a stack of five gallon buckets when he noticed a 
motion at the curtain.  Spud!  How had he forgotten - but, no, the boy 
had been shuttled to whichever grown up was nearest Nightwing ever since 
Superman had urged him from his father's side and cauterized Dick's 
wound.  Alfred or Leslie had probably just sent him out.
	Superman's expression saddened as he watched the youngster.  Spud 
clung with one hand to the curtain, as close as he could get to 
Nightwing.  His hand, like the rest of him, was covered in blood which 
was blackening as it dried.  Superman realized suddenly that the boy was 
shivering.
	The shivering prompted action.  In an eyeblink, the Man of Steel 
was at Spud's side, draping his cape across small shoulders.  There was 
no reaction until Superman tried to lift him away.
	He'd moved only two steps before he realized that Spud had 
stiffened every muscle, was desperately trying to get away.  He wasn't 
squirming, just pushing small hands against the unyielding chest of his 
unwitting captor.  The boy's head and neck craned away, facing urgently 
toward the impromptu operating theatre.
	Fearful Spud would hurt himself, Superman let him go.  The boy 
sprang from his arms, scrambling until he was back at the curtain, once 
again hanging on with one bloody fist.  The other hand held the cape 
around his shoulders, somehow making his lonely vigil seem more forlorn.
	Superman sighed.  He couldn't even comfort one small boy.  There was too much Bat in him.