It was supposed to be the first night patrolling as the new Batman, Bruce finally gave him the mantel just saying "You´re ready" and John believe it so. As soon as she found out, Stephanie Brown, aka Batgirl decided to be his partner for the night. They knew each other, once when he was a detective, Barbara had set them a date, soon enough he had found that Stephanie and Batgirl were the same person. They were partners, even if Steph had an obvious crush on John. Not like he mind it really.
The suit fit him perfectly, knowing Bruce might have done some adjust to it. Batgirl stood next to him as he put the cowl over his head. Batman was out again on the streets. Steph smiled proud at him and tapped his back a little. Before taking the street at old fashion, using the grappling hook. It was simple. Some burglars, same old same thing. Until something caught his eye. A purple suit was seen after an explosion nearby a School. Both went to check out the place and found The Joker. John always fined him scary but never really fears him. Not until that night he didn´t understand why everyone on the Bat-family was so afraid of him.
He gave the order to attack. Steph couldn´t say no, when he uses the, oh so familiar Bat- voice. He took first Harley Quinn, the little girlfriend of the Joker, leaving Steph with him. Bad thing. John heard his laughs, and saw Stephanie clinging her fits; he was trying to make her angry and succeeded. Batgirl attacked the Joker, and this, hit her with a crowbar, which seemed to be his favorite thing to hit at the Bats apparently. And then he took off, laughing as usual, John had that laugh on his ear for hours, Steph body lying on the floor, coughing blood. He panicked and soon took her to the Cave.
Reckless, Impulsive, Just Damn idiotic. John hits the wall next to where Steph was laying, unconscious but stable. It was his fault, Bruce had told him about this. He needed to be cold, think about things. And the first time going on patrol he almost got one of his friends, partners, killed.
"John-" her voice was weak, but still she tried to move her hand, reaching his. John moved next to her, cowl off, gripping her hand tight, making her smile. "Don´t blame yourself"
"It was my fault. I didn´t think- I leave you at the mercy of The Joker" his eyes meet hers and when she tried to get up, he help her, his other hand slicing on her back, as a support. "He could have kill you. I need…to be more like him"
"No. You need to be you. We all make mistake on the first night" she shakes her head, still being able to smile at him, when she could be dead at the moment. She had that effect on him, to make him calm "You are not Bruce. Be Batman yes, but not be Bruce. He is a good guy but…being him might be worse. Just be John" she nodded, agreeing with her own words
He sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed, and gently she wrapped her arms around his waist. Like the one in need of support wasn´t her. She smells like cheap perfume and blood and still, he found this even more comfortable, hiding his face on her shoulder, whispering words of support and caring on his ear.