I do not own Batman, or any of the other Batman Characters. If you liked Expose, then you'll love Hush! Hope you enjoy!

Please tell me what you think, love hearing reviews.

Chapter 1

Barbara twirled a strand of her red hair around her finger. The skyline of Gotham stared back at her. The view she had in the penthouse would never get old to her. She still couldn't believe Bruce had rented it to her at a fraction of what he probably paid for the place. He called it an investment and convinced her of needing a professional looking apartment for her new professional job as chief editor of the Gotham Times, formally the Gotham Herald. Once telling her he was in negotiations to buy the paper, then the deal went through coincidentally just after Barbara's show down with Vicki Vale over the Batman Exposé. With Bruce in charge of the paper, Vicki was quickly fired citing no journalistic integrity and Barbara replaced her.

Barb still gives her head a shake with a slight smirk that Bruce gave her Vicki's job. She heard Vicki didn't leave without a fight. But no one challenged Bruce. He had collected all of Barbara's articles from the Times thanks to Andrew and proved to the partners that she was the right woman for the job.

It was no longer a secret that she was Barbara Gordon, not Andrews. Jim's men began to know her well and they knew she could hold her own after the night with Harvey and the Joker. The knew if they messed with her, it wouldn't just be commissioner Gordon they'd deal with, it'd be Barb too.

It had been 6 months since that horrible night. Barb was settled into her job. With the help of Alfred, she redecorated the penthouse to have a more feminine touch. Bruce didn't seem to mind as he hung artwork for her while Alfred teased. Bruce and Alfred became her second family next to Jim, Sarah, and the kids. Not only would she have Bruce over but also she made sure Alfred was always welcome. She often surprised Alfred and Bruce at her ability to cook. It became a regular event between them. She found it funny how 6 months ago she was forced to come to Gotham practically kicking and screaming but things have changed and Gotham became her home again.

Barbara turned to look at what was now her room. Curtains draped most of the windows and a vanity sat in the corner of the room. The wood flooring was covered with an area rug and on the bed was a dark finish wood frame with a deep purple spread.

Often having days were she wished her and Bruce were together, she still knew it wasn't the right time. She knew that when life was a little more settled and he was ready they would be together. It was hard, she knew who the real Bruce was. The one who didn't care about his money or kept the tabloids in business about his dating life. None of that was the real Bruce. But yet he still played the part habitually. It was often quickly dispelled whenever Barbara brought up the subject. She learned to let Bruce live the life he wanted to with little pushback.

She thought often of the Batman. She hadn't seen him since Arkham. She hoped because he was busy. Along with her father she kept close watch on the crime rate of the city. It was slowly doing down but going unnoticed. Harvey has been in therapy with a new Doctor Ruth Adams. Barb felt she owed it to Rachel for missing the funeral to help as much as she could with Harvey. He was able to move into his old apartment but still had a caretaker with him while Bruce was researching every plastic surgeon in the world that could help him while Barbara would bring him meals and help him get back to some semblance of a normal life helping him realize that redemption was possible. It just took time. She hoped Batman would some day believe that as well.

"Deep in thought" Barb heard behind her. She smiled knowing the voice well.

Turning with her arms folded she stared at Bruce. "Actually I was thinking of what else can I shove in this huge apartment to make it smaller" she teased

Bruce raised his eyebrows as he stepped towards barb. She liked when he was dressed causal. His long sleeve polo shirt hung over his dark wash denim jeans. His smirk matched his attire as he stood at the window and looked out onto the city he protected. "I miss this view," he said

Barb shrugged "Cant change your mind, I signed the lease remember" she said

Bruce nodded "I said I missed the view" he chuckled "Not that its any better than a 360 degree view of the palisades" still looking out the window.

Barb stood defeated. She was glad Wayne manor was rebuilt. Bruce told her about the fire, and she read the article about it. He admitted full responsibility. He was still trying to come into his own identity with being back in Gotham after years away. He realized until it was too late that even though it had been sometime since he had lived in the house and had always felt that it never was fully his home to truly appreciate what his family had spent decades building.

"And how was the 45 minute drive" she continued to battle him.

She turned slightly towards Bruce. His hands were casually shoved in his pockets. This bickering became a normal game between Barbara and Bruce "You mean the 15 minutes in the Lamborghini?" he said nonchalantly "Its great, good scenery"

Barbara shook her head walking away "You win Wayne" Bruce finally turned away from the windows.

Bruce nodded "I always do" Barbara sat in the vanity and looked at him through the mirror. "The opening ceremony of the hospital is tomorrow. The paper's covering it right?" he asked. Her loose waves covered her back as Bruce looked on. She was beautiful; she made it look effortless to have such grace and beauty. Bruce loved that Barbara was happy with herself, and it showed. She radiated the perfect balance between confidence and humility.

Barb nodded. "The brand new Gotham General revision and renewal ceremony. Wouldn't miss it. I'm going down to report on it myself"

Bruce wasn't surprised as he nodded "It was only a matter of time before you jumped out from behind that big desk of yours"

Barb smiled "it has been a while."

Bruce looked down. "You haven't written an article since the Batman story" He said trying to get her to open up.

Barb glanced away knowing exactly how long it had been. Not realizing until later just how much the experience had changed her. She used to think journalism couldn't be manipulated even the most honest writing couldn't be used for harm but the Joker made her see differently. She didn't want anyone to suffer from her words. She was almost relived that her job was so demanding from so many other writers she didn't have time to report any of her own. She ran the paper from print to press making sure everything written would be the way should would write it. It was an honest and sincere driven paper. The city noticed and continuously gave Barbara praise for how she ran it. Bruce was proud of her for it as well but worried she was hiding behind her fear. She took the job seriously and she was good at what she did, but she feared her own writing since that night. He would subtly try and encourage her to write but never got lucky until Gotham General was built. It was that last significant rebuilding project that Gotham had completed. It was part of the rebuilding process; the city was picking up the pieces after the Joker. It was showing signs that the city was healing, slowly but surely and so was Barbara.

"I know." She said simply "Tomorrow is about healing, and rebuilding after a disaster. For both myself and the hospital" she gave him a nod as he shot her a worried glance.

Bruce was going to be there as well, after a funding the rebuild they named a new wing dedicated to his late father Thomas Wayne. He hoped that Barbara would write again, Gotham needed to hear her truth.

He nodded. He smiled lighting the mood "Speaking of rebuilding. I may have taken a peek inside your new walk in closet to see what you had for ball gowns"

Barb looked at reflection in the mirror "Why are all yours at the cleaners?"

Bruce stopped and chuckled. She got him he admitted. She grinned. He loved that grin she gave him when she teased. She turned to face him with a proud look.

"You don't have anything to wear tomorrow night," he continued

Barb looked at him confused "What's tomorrow night? The gala afterwards? No Bruce I'm not going to that" she protested

Bruce looked at her with a long face "why not?"

She threw her hands in the air "Because Its for all the donors and hospital staff, and all your people. I don't have any business there"

Bruce shifted as he smiled willing to go to battle over her going "You need to report on the whole opening of the hospital. Well the gala is part of it."

Bara shook her head persistently "Sorry. That kind of night is for the other Bruce Wayne. It isn't for Barbara Gordon" she said. She admitted it was a low blow but there was no way she was showing up at those parties Bruce constantly complained about.

Her words stung him but only because he thought of Batman and Bruce Wayne. Not the real Bruce Wayne and the playboy Bruce Wayne "You can keep me company, what's the problem. Its free booze and food for an entire night. You only have to talk to those you want to quote in the paper," he pleaded "Just go with me and then I don't have to being another model that I cant stand talking to"

Barb chuckled "Jeeze Bruce, surround by beautiful women, a black book the size of Russia, being surrounded by people who adore you. Wow, such a hard life" she said

Bruce stood for a moment silent. He was starting to come up short on his offense. Barb sat strong. She wasn't going. There was nothing he could do or say that would make her want to go. Bruce had it. It was his last effort. He walked out of the bedroom. Barb was convinced he gave up as she turned back in front of the mirror. She rummaged through the drawers when she heard Bruce come back inside.

"What did you forget to pick up what was left of your pride?" She said looking through the drawers

"No forgot to show you this" he said.

Barb looked up to see Bruce holding the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. Barb stood with her jaw open and eyes wide. It was stunning. He held it on the hanger, wearing his dangerous grin. The dress was a pale gold satin color. Strapless with a sweetheart neckline there was a diamond jeweled broach that sat just below the chest hem. Barbara stood in awe of the dress. Bruce knew he won her over. The dress worked.

She looked up at him with wide eyes "As long as I can keep the dress" she was sold

Bruce gave her a nod "of course" Barb smiled standing to her feet and taking the dress from him and hanging it on the closet door. She stepped back to hug him, thanking him for the dress. Bruce smiled as he hugged her. Her hair smelled like vanilla, he loved her scent he loved holding her even more