It had been a few months and Dick was still struggling. It seemed, to him, as though he had made little real progress since he came home. He still woke up screaming most nights and either Bruce or Alfred would have to go in and calm him down and soothe him back to sleep. He was still in therapy even though neither he nor Bruce thought it was doing any good. They kept on hoping that if they stayed in therapy someday there would be a miraculous transformation, a breakthrough and Dick would be cured!

The therapist kept on telling Dick to "give it time" and that it "wasn't something that could happen overnight" Dick knew all that but how much time was he supposed to give it? It had been months already! Dick was getting very frustrated he didn't want to be this person anymore he wanted desperately to be back to his old self but he just didn't know how that would ever happen.

He got through each day as best that he could although every day was a struggle and presented new challenges. He hung around Bruce as much as he could. Bruce was the only person who made him feel like he wasn't a total freak even though he knew he was. When he was around Bruce he felt hopeful and optimistic like everything would be ok. Bruce knew how fragile Dick was and how much he needed him so he tried to be around as much as possible. He and Bruce would talk and reminisce and that seemed to help Dick. It helped to have something to focus his mind on. It helped to keep the visions away. They had also begun to work out together. Bruce had suggested it as a way to channel Dick's energies. It really did actually help and Dick was grateful for it.

Other than that Dick read or watched TV or did whatever he could to keep his mind focused so that the visions and hallucinations stayed away especially when Bruce wasn't there it was much worse then. He just didn't feel like he could talk to anyone else the way he talked to Bruce so he mostly kept to himself while in the manor. He hadn't left the house since he had been released from the hospital. Bruce had arranged for the therapist to come to the house so he didn't need to. Bruce had tried to encourage him to go out. He thought it would be good for him instead of being cooped up in the house all the time. He tried to encourage him to go out to dinner, go to the movies, but Dick had refused insisting he wasn't ready to mingle with people.

One day Bruce and Tim were playing cards in the kitchen when Dick, who had been in his room all day, came down to see what was going on. Bruce was glad that Dick had chosen to mingle. He thought that he kept to himself too much and that wasn't good for him.

"Hey Dick, how's it going?" Tim asked.

Tim had been especially nice and kind to Dick since he got home. He always went out of his way to ask how he was doing or show him some new video game he was playing or just spend time with him in general. Tim knew that things were much harder for Dick when Bruce wasn't around so he tried to be extra nice and caring at those times. Even though Dick liked to keep to himself most of the times he appreciated Tim's efforts. It was nice to know that if he wanted it, he had someone else to lean on besides Bruce.

"Ok today I guess." He said with a weak smile.

"That's good. We are playing cards want to play?" Tim asked trying to be as cheerful as possible.

"No thanks but do you mind if I just sit and watch?"

"No not at all."

Dick sat in silence at the table. After a few minutes Bruce decided to speak up.

"Is everything alright son? Is there something you need to talk about?"

"No…It's just…" He hesitated "Do you think we could go out tomorrow?"

Bruce was stunned. Dick had made it clear he didn't want to go anywhere since it happened.

"Of course we can go somewhere, anywhere you want."

"Good because I don't think-I can-I mean I just don't think it is a good idea for me to drive"

"No no of course not but you know you don't need me to go with you. Alfred can take you anywhere you want to go."

"I know but I don't really want to go by myself. I would rather go with someone."

"Well than sure we can go anywhere you want."

"Ok cool." Dick said smiling. It was rare that Dick smiled about anything these days and Bruce was happy to see it.

"It's your deal." Tim said coolly.

The nerve! How dare Dick make plans with Bruce right in front of him and not even invite him! It really pissed him off.

Neither Dick nor Bruce seemed to notice he was pissed off which pissed him off further. After playing a few more hands Tim stomped off to his room claiming he had homework to do.

There was silence for a few minutes. Bruce shuffled the cards a couple of times just because he was nervous and it was something to do. After a few minutes Bruce decided to break the silence.

"Where did you want to go tomorrow Dick?"

"I would like to go into downtown"

"Ok, could you be a little more specific? I mean is there a special place you wanted to go or something special you were looking for?"

"Well I-" Dick hesitated he seemed to be embarrassed to tell what he wanted. "I kind of would like to go and get some new clothes and a present for Barbara. You see she called the other day and she wants to see me and so I want to look nice and I would like to get her something special."

"I think that would be great Dick! That is very kind of you.

Bruce was ecstatic he hadn't wanted to see Barbara, in fact; hadn't wanted to see anyone since "it" happened so Bruce thought it was great that he finally wanted to see her. She had called several times asking for him and Dick wouldn't even come to the phone. This was a very good sign.

When is she coming over?"

"Saturday"

"Ok so we will have plenty of time then."

"Yes"

"Ok well then that sounds like a plan!" Bruce said and Dick smiled that great great smile he had that was so rare nowadays. Bruce smiled too.

"Would you like to play anything?" Bruce asked

"Sure deal me in for poker-5 card draw."

"Ok then."

After they played a few rounds of poker they both realized how late it was and Dick decided to go to bed. Bruce was going on patrol but said he would wait and make sure Dick got to sleep; however, Dick said that no he was fine to go to bed on his own but Bruce insisted. After Bruce got Dick to bed he went to tell Tim to go get suited up for patrol because they were already running late. However, he found that Tim was already in bed asleep. He decided not to wake him after all he was perfectly capable of going on patrol by himself.

The next day Dick and Bruce got ready for their big day out. Dick was excited and nervous it was the first time he had been out of the house since he got home. However, he really wanted to do this for Barbara.

"Ready to go?" Bruce asked

"Yup" Dick said unconvincingly.

Bruce put a hand on his shoulder. "Dick it is going to be ok."

"I know I just feel like everybody is going to be looking at me and staring at me like I'm some kind of freak or weirdo."

"Nobody knows anything alright. If they look at it you it is probably because you are just so darn handsome."

Dick smiled. "You are just saying that."

"No I'm not you know I never say anything I don't mean."

That made Dick smile even wider.

"I know"

"Alright then let's go."

"Ok" Dick said. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all maybe it would actually be fun. It was really nice actually. Dick couldn't believe how much fun it was. He forgot how nice it was to be out around other people. He did feel a little weird at first, felt like everyone was staring at him. However, Bruce assured him that they weren't. The first store he went in he was really shy and wouldn't leave Bruce's side. He was scared of getting lost the store was so big. So Bruce suggested that they go into a smaller store somewhere where they could get more personalized attention.

They went into one of the smaller trendy clothing boutiques where Dick bought a whole new outfit. He bought some new jeans 2 shirts and a nice jacket.

"Alright now you are going to look all nice and spiffy for your da-time with Barbara."

"Spiffy? I don't think anyone has used that word since the 50's." Dick said sarcastically laughing.

"Shut up it is a perfectly viable word." Bruce said chuckling if Dick was making stupid jokes and laughing he must be feeling better.

"Do you really think I will look nice enough for Saturday?"

"Yes those clothes looked great on you. You looked very handsome."

Dick smiled. He was feeling so great he couldn't even believe it. He hadn't had one vision or hallucination all day. He hadn't even thought about any of it all day.

"Let's get some lunch huh? I'm starving."

Dick nodded.

While they were sitting at lunch Bruce noticed Dick smiling for no reason. It warmed his heart. It was so rare to see Dick smiling these days. He knew it would do him a world of good to get out.

"So what did you want to get Barbara?"

"I don't' know I was thinking some jewelry and flowers."

Bruce looked stunned he hadn't been expecting Dick get her something so…nice. It was like something her boyfriend would get her. He didn't 'want to send her the wrong message but he figured it couldn't really hurt.

"I know it is very unoriginal." Dick said taking note of the weird look on Bruce's face.

"No it is very nice and sweet of you. We can definitely do that."

"Really?"

"Yah"

"Great, thanks Bruce"

"No problem." Anything to make you happy. Bruce thought but didn't say.

Dick smiled. Bruce was being so awesome and so generous he couldn't believe it. He would have to do something to repay him.

Bruce and he went to a jewelry store and got her a crystal necklace surrounded by small diamonds and rubies.

"We should probably wait and get the flowers before you see her on Saturday."

"Ok."

"Do you think she will like the necklace?"

"Yes I do. It is beautiful and it is very thoughtful of you."

"Is there anything else you wanted to do?"

"No, but I don't really want to go home. Could we stay out a little while longer?"

"Sure Dick."

They stayed out and walked around the city until it was time for them to go home for dinner. After dinner they talked for a while then Dick went to sleep and Bruce went out on patrol. That night, Dick didn't wake up screaming once. Instead of having nightmares about the Joker torturing him, he dreamed of Barbara.

Maybe all he needed was to get out Bruce thought. Maybe he had turned a corner and was finally starting to get better. He thought it was good for him to be going out with Barbara he spent too much time alone in this house. He only hoped that Dick would continue to get better.