Okay, bare with me, This is the first story I've posted for years. My long term girlfriend and I write Batman Fanfictions for fun, and it also gives us something to talk about besides work and college. I write the Barbara POV and female roles, and she writes Dick, Bruce, Alfred, and just about every male role. I re-read these to make sure there are no blaring, obvious mistakes, but sometimes things do happen.

I don't own any characters in the DC universe.

Barbara POV

I walk out of the shower and start to towel dry. I love Dick, but its nice sometimes to be alone and take a warm shower listening to my music. Dick is out right now, busy scanning the city I'm sure. There have been quite a few brutal murders lately, he even teamed up with Bruce to help, which isn't normal for him since he became Nightwing. Normally his partner is my job, but I don't mind the time alone for now.

I wrap a towel around my hair and tie my robe on. I open the door and the steam streams out of the room. I turn around to grab my hairbrush then hear a gunshot and fall down. I didn't feel any pain, but I know I should be in some. I look around and see a pool of blood forming around my back. I flip myself over then pain shoots up my spine. I hear a cackle from where I can't see, it's even louder than my screaming, it's the Joker's laugh. "That should keep you grounded little bat. Don't worry you'll bleed out soon, it wont last to long." I hear footsteps receeding and then the front door shut. My eye lids are fluttering closed even though I'm now on my stomach and no longer bleeding outright.. I reach for my beeper on the toilet lid, I knock it over by some miracle and send one word before I fade completely, "help." I just hope Dick comes.

I wake up in a hospital bed. The last thing I remember is the Joker. I try to sit up but can't even move my head. I feel groggy and sore. I look around and my father is here. He's always there when things are safe again, things must be alright. "Dad, what happened,, how long have I been out?" He looks at me shocked and a little sad.

"You've been in a medical coma for 3 weeks while you healed, you were shot by the Joker." I stare at him in awe, how could it have possibly been that long. Three weeks, where is Dick?

"Where is Dick? He must have come to get me when I sent that text, where is he now?" My dad looks even more-sad and I start to worry.

"No one has seen him in almost two weeks, I don't think he could handle the news." I see tears brimming in his eyes and suddenly a realization occurs to me.

"Why can't I move my legs?" I feel the panic rising in my throat like a bouncy ball. My heart is pounding. "Please answer, Dad."

"You're paralyzed form the hips down, doctors believe that with enough physical therapy you may get some returning feeling to your toes and a little lower on your thighs, but you'll never walk again Babs…" I try to stay calm, Dad wouldn't be able to handle it if I freaked out.

"Dad, can I have a minute… I need to be alone, this has to sink in…"

"Of course Baby girl." He kisses my forehead and leaves. I have an MIA boyfriend, no legs, can no longer do what I love… I feel like maybe I should have never sent that text, I should have just died. I hear the door creak open and I try to wipe away my tears. It's Bruce, he gives me a small smile and sits down next to me.

"Hey, how're you doing?" He gives me a grin and I try to smile back, but it must be more of a grimace.

"I've definitely been better…. Have you heard from Dick?" I'm upset, I can't believe that we've been dating for five years and he wont be here to help me through this.

"He is just having some problems accepting things, I'm sure he will be here soon. I've let him know that you're awake, I'm sure he is speeding here as we speak. As if on a schedule there is a knock and then Dick opens it. I break into a smile and the tears start falling again, for a minute I thought he had left me for good. Bruce stands up and leaves and Dick takes his place and holds my hand. He seems a million miles away. "Dick, thank god you're here, you came. I've been so worried, I thought you weren't going to come back… I know this changes a lot of stuff."

"Yeah, it does Babs… That's actually what I need to talk about." Another pit starts to form in my stomach, that doesn't sound good at all.

"Well, shoot I guess." I choke out finally over the lump in my throat.

"Barbara, I can't do this, I can't handle this. I need more freedom, and right now Gotham needs me to be Nightwing… I can't take care of you Barbara, not the way you need me to. I already set something up with Bruce, he'll pay for you to have full time nurse in the apartment, I have a new place. I love you Babs, I'm sorry it has to go this way." Before I can reply he stands up and leaves. I feel my heart crumple to nothing and flake away inside my chest. He shuts the door behind him and I'm alone.

I hear people knocking on the door, as much as I hate the idea of seeing anyone, I can't stand up and lock it. No one comes in, they must know I need a moment, or a lifetime, to get over what just occurred. No legs, no boyfriend, nurse 24/7. Can't take care of me the way I need him to…. I can hear Bruce and my dad talking outside the door about what to do, Bruce knew Dick would do this. Now I have to hate him to.

DICK POV

I honestly hate myself. I should have never left her…but I know I couldn't take care of her. Not right now. I know how Bruce feels now, I know exactly how he feels. I love Barbara but I'm not Superman. She has every reason to hate me. I would hate me too if I were her. It's been such a long time since I've seen her and it kills me inside. I regret leaving her there in that hospital room like that. I should have stayed since it was fault to begin with. She wouldn't be in this situation if I hadn't of left. I should have never left…this is my entire fault. And the Joker, that man, I could kill him. He has no idea of sanctity, not a thought for something as priceless as Barbara.

I honestly haven't done much since the accident. I've sat in my living room and drank myself into a tizzy a few times. Other than that I just sit here and think. Some times I write Barbara a letter and once I finish I rip it up and throw it away. She doesn't want to hear from me anyway so I might as well get rid of it. A love letter is useless when the woman hates you.

I've talked with Bruce a bit but it was nothing but an update. I don't think she is doing well…but I can understand why. I wonder if she misses me… I miss her. I've gone to her surgeries and I always check up on her. I just don't have the nuts to do it face to face I suppose. I should get used to it. I doubt she will ever miss me. Good riddance…right?

Okay, I'm sure there are grammatical errors and everything else. My girlfriend and I write these Batman fanfictions for fun, and this is the first story I've posted since I was in 9th grade. Now I'm a freshman in college, and to be honest, I don't have the spare time to correct something I do for fun. Please read and review, and don't be to harsh, I am not an English major. :P