Barbara hated goodbyes; she always had. Even as a child she had refused to wave off her relatives after they'd visited on Sunday afternoons. It was partially to do with the fact that, to her, saying goodbye symbolised yet something else in her life disappearing from her.

First, it had been her grandparents moving away to their newest country home in Ohio; and then it had been her friend Kylie moving away to Boston for her dad's new job back in sixth grade. There had also been that time her uncle had driven off to Seattle for 'work' with his new girlfriend Candy, and after 9 years still hadn't returned. To her, goodbyes were far too often and always painful.

Take this morning, for example, standing in the doorway of her home wrapped in her oldest blue knitted jumper- yet another goodbye - and this one was unusually painful.

She watched with a heavy heart as the worn, beaten up car below her was filled with numerous boxes and bags of all shapes and sizes. Most of it, the stuff she had known growing up. There were boxes full of books, clothes and other items she recognised, all of it stuff that should be back inside her home right now. But then again, what was the point in keeping it in a house that was nearly empty anyway? Especially now her mother was going, taking her brother with her. However, she had to admit, it was all probably for the best.

Her brother Jimmy hadn't slept in weeks, his dreams full of that dreadful night over three years ago. He had been coming in more and more regularly to sleep with her in her bed, which he hadn't done since he was five. It worried her. Since the night with Dent and the Batman, he'd not been the same; none of them had been. Their family had been changed forever and Barbara knew it wasn't for the better. Jimmy was slowly sinking away from the boy she'd known him to be, once so full of life and joy. It had just been getting worse and worse.

Plus, there was the small matter of her mother and father arguing all the time. Sure, as a kid she'd witnessed them having the occasional tantrum, but all parents fought. It was normal. However, it had been happening more and more recently.

Most nights Barbara sat in her room, her door ajar, listening to the feud as it raged in the kitchen. She knew Jimmy did the same. It was just like listening to a broken record. Night after night, the battles raged till dawn driving them all slowly insane.

Both she and her brother knew the truth, things weren't right, even if their parents denied such ideas whenever one of them dared to raise it.

If only one of them could just have said something. It was too late now though. Her whole world seemed to be falling apart and she could do nothing to stop it.

Barbara shook her head, turning back inside the house.

The hallway was surprisingly empty now, what with the walls bare of their usual picture frames and the shelves deprived of their ornaments, exposing the once vibrant blue paint on the walls.

She looked up as the floorboards creaked ahead. Barbara watched as her Mom suddenly appeared at the top of the hall, armed with the final bags of her stuff.

Barbara smiled weakly and stepped towards her.

"Want a hand?" she breathed, trying to get the words out without breaking into tears. She wasn't ashamed to admit it; she would miss her mother. She wanted her to stay here, with her. The pain inside was all too raw. Watching as her mother took their life with her out the door, Barbara couldn't help but wince.

Her mother shook her head gently, placing the bags down at her feet as she reached her eldest.

"You do know, you don't have to stay here. Even if he is your father," she whispered, her eyes almost pleading with her eldest. Barbara could see a similar pain to her own in her mother's eyes and could hear it in her voice.

Barbara sighed silently to herself. How many times had they already had this argument? She didn't want to go another round, not now especially. "I want to stay Mom. Honestly," she answered smoothly, sliding a loose strand of her fiery red hair behind her ear. She had her mother's hair. It made them look almost identical.
They both were rather short and had matching hair that never seemed to behave, much to Barbara's annoyance. Barbara had inherited her mother's appearance, but it was clear she had her father's attitude. The fact she had fought her way into staying here, in Gotham, was proof enough of her iron will.

Her mother shook her head slowly. "You could come with us. It's not too late; We'd wait for you to go get ready. Besides, he'd understand."

It seemed her mother would never stop trying to persuade her to go. Yet, Barbara had made her mind up. She wasn't going back on her word now. She was staying here, in Gotham. It was final.

Barbara simply responded by throwing herself into her mother's arms and burying her head in her shoulder. The feeling of her mother's arms around her was a comforting one, and as she inhaled the familiar scent of her mother's perfume she felt a single tear escape her eyelids.

"I can't leave him Mom; he needs me. Besides, my whole life's in Gotham. Friends, school-"

"-but not me."

Her mother's words cut into her like a knife. Didn't she think she knew that detail already?

Barbara pulled back so that she could see her Mom's eyes, welling with tears. It broke her heart to say this, but her mother was the one tearing the family apart: Not her. God. Why couldn't she just stay here? Keep the family together. Were things so far gone they couldn't be fixed?

"I love you Mom, but I … can't. Just promise me, you'll look after him," Barbara whispered, looking towards the car outside. She could see the dirty blond hair of her brother against the passenger window as he waited. Barbara would miss that idiot. She'd miss her hugs with him, their fights over nothing… But Jimmy wasn't well. She knew it. Even her parents could see it.

Oh well. Maybe a while away from Gotham would be good for him. Who knew? Maybe that was one positive of all this?

Barbara could only hope. "He needs you, Mom," she sighed.

"And I need you, Babs… you're my baby." Her mother squeezed her shoulder tightly in her thin elegant fingers and kissed her forehead with love.

Barbara looked back at her mother slowly. "You may be my mother. But, you're his too."

Barbara's mother must have finally got the message, as she sighed weakly and stepped back in surrender. She reached down and took the bags back in her hands.

"Fine, but the moment you want to come down: Call us, we'll only be a few hours away."

"Ok. Promise," she agreed in return, shaking her head. "Now, you'd better get going else you'll hit the traffic," Barbara smiled.

Her Mom nodded weakly and looked towards the kitchen. "Should I-?"

Barbara paused and nodded, knowing the end of the sentence already. "Say goodbye. He'll appreciate it."

"Who will?" came the gruff reply.

Both girls turned in surprise and looked at the figure that stood hunched in the doorway. How long had he been stood there?

Barbara hardly recognised her dad anymore these days. He hadn't shaved and had stubble all over his chin, plus he had big dark bags where his eyes used to be. His shirt was creased and all this with her Mom was not helping. Her father had always had poor health with his job; the long hours and stress were enough to wear any man down. Unfortunately, home wasn't any better.

She rubbed her neck and stepped back watching the scene unfold. Things had been tense between her parents recently. She could hardly bear it. Most of the time they would hardly say anything to each other unless it was to yell about something.

Her Mom seemed to unfreeze from her surprise and stepped towards her husband slowly. "I was just going to-"

"Goodbye," he sighed icily, cutting her off as he stood upright and turned from them back to the kitchen.

Barbara stared irritatedly. Sometimes, he was unbelievable. Couldn't he swallow his pride even now? Even just to say goodbye?

"Dad," she warned, reaching for him.

"Safe journey," he nodded over his shoulder, not paying any attention.

Her Mom froze, visibly trying to swallow the hurt written across her face. "Jim," she tried again, her expression falling.

"Hurry on now."

"Please, dad," Barbara begged, her desperation clear in her voice. She didn't want this to be how they parted. Could he do this, for her?

Jim Gordon stopped, gazing at his daughter and wife, sighing slowly once more. He knew she was right, he was being stubborn. He just didn't want to face the reality of the situation. He finally took a small step forward and hugged his wife in his arms.

"I'll miss you," he breathed into his wife's hair.

Despite the calm and composed exterior, Barbara could see the pain in her father's face. He didn't want her to go. He wanted his family together. Barbara wanted that too, more than anything. However, she stood perfectly still, watching the exchange.

Barbara's Mom took a moment, whispering something in her father's ear; something Barbara failed to hear, but she did see the flicker of a smile on her dad's face. Her mother let go slowly and walked backward.

"This isn't permanent Jim, you know that right?"

An awkward silence filled the house; the only noise was the young kid honking the horn in the car outside.

Her mother glanced over her shoulder at the door. "That's my cue."

Barbara hugged her mother once more and aided her with the bags. Together they stumbled down the iron stairs into the empty courtyard below. She heard her father following them outside into the warm summer afternoon.

Barbara handed her Mom the bags and waved to her animated sibling, who waved back excitedly at her. Her Mom smiled at them lovingly once more and slid inside the car, starting the engine without much more fuss.

"Bye, baby," she smiled with a small wave.

"Bye, Mom," Barbara breathed, becoming drowned out by the loud stereo beginning to blast into the air as they reversed out of the courtyard.

After a moment more, the car had disappeared down the road, leaving Barbara watching emptily. She missed her Mom already.

A hand softly landed on her shoulder as her dad stepped beside her. She knew he missed her already too. She could see it in his eyes as he gazed after the car. He remained quiet for a long minute before he finally turned and looked down at Babs.

"You could have gone… I mean, do you really, and honestly want to stay?"

The question caught her off guard even though, for Barbara, the answer was easy. "I do Dad, I love you," she said leaning forward, and hugging him tightly in her arms. He hugged her back, not wanting to let go of the last of his family.

"I love you too, Babs," he replied, kissing the side of her head. The gesture made her feel a little better.

They remained together for a few minutes like that; taking in the comfort that each of them gave the other. Neither cared about the neighbours who they knew could see them from the surrounding apartments. Let them stare if they wanted to. They didn't care.

Eventually, they let each other go and headed back into their empty home.

So, it was just them now.

Barbara felt her father's hand coil around her waist and she smiled for a second, blocking out the empty hallway. Her home seemed eerily quiet without her mother and brother.

She just wanted to curl up in her bed and sleep this day away; pretend that it had never happened. She now knew what it had felt like when her friend's parents got divorced- not that her parents were getting divorced, they were having a break - A very, very… very long break.

Once they were back inside the apartment, she closed the front door. Her father disappeared into his study, leaving her stewing in her emotions. Barbara slowly trudged into the shower upstairs, turned on the hot water and used her lavender shampoo, filling the air with a deep aromatic scent. She loved lavender. It was her favourite smell and made her relaxed.

Technically it was her mother's shampoo. It had always been a bit of a running joke about how quickly they went through bottles of the stuff in this house, which was why as she used it, she felt a tear escape down her cheek.

She spent a while, scrubbing and brushing before finally wrapping herself inside a fluffy towel. Barbara stumbled back into her room before dressing in an old t-shirt and pair of joggers that were far too big for her. Her answer was simply to roll up the ankles and let her wet hair hang on her shoulders. She always had preferred comfort over style, but that was Barbara for you: she was a simple girl. There were only a few things she really cared about in life: Her family; her friends and work.

As it was, she'd recently applied for an internship at the DA's office. She hadn't exactly said to her father about it yet, (he'd had enough to worry about), but he could hardly object to it. It was just part-time work helping with administration and watching things around the place after school.

They also offered an apprenticeship, which Barbara was seriously considering signing up for when she turned eighteen in a few years. It meant she'd be able to study a law degree whilst getting practical experience where possible. It wasn't exactly the same as being a cop, but it was much better. Although, her dad had always been overprotective of things like this, but she knew it would be good for her: a chance to fight crime in Gotham for herself. Never mind, she'd mention it later.

"Dad?" she called loudly as she exited her room.

"Babs?" he replied, appearing in the hallway.

"What's for dinner?"

He paused a moment, considering her question. They both knew how empty their fridge was currently.

"How's pizza?"

"Great," she smirked. "I'll call."

Within the hour, they were sandwiched on the worn sofa, stuffing their faces with greasy pepperoni and half watching an old cop movie that they'd both seen before.

Barbara knew they only watched it to avoid the … rather large… elephant in the room. Eventually they fell asleep buried in the cushions and blankets, and personally, she was glad. It was the two of them - that was it. They were in this together, and how bleak it seemed. Lying in her father's arms she realised how much they needed each other. Gotham was a city for those who were strong. That's who she'd be. She would be strong, not just for herself, but for her dad too. She had to be.

2 years later:

It was a busy summer morning. Barbara could tell the fact as she was dressed in a loose, crisp white blouse and tailored, grey work trousers, attempting to look as professional as possible. However, she'd regretted the decision as soon as she felt the heat of the sun outside. It was baking, and she felt stuffy. She'd also worn a pair of short black heels, and scraped her mess of hair into a ponytail.

She made her way inside the heaving building, trying to make sense of where she was even supposed to be. What a great start to her career. Couldn't she even find her way to her first meeting?

She groaned, turning and almost colliding with a woman, headed toward her.

Both stopped, staring at the other.

However, it was the woman that spoke first. "Hi. Excuse me, do you know where room..." She paused as she stared at a post-it note attached to her folder. "223b is?"

Barbara shook her head. "No, sorry. I was about to ask you the same question but, guessing as you just asked me, it's safe to say you don't know either," she smiled as she gazed around the hectic office building. This was chaos in its truest form. At least it seemed she wasn't the only one suffering now.

"This place has me well and truly lost, and personally, it's too early for me to deal with this," the girl continued, brushing her hair back off her shoulder in a hair swish that was nothing less than vogue- worthy.

Barbara couldn't help but agree, nodding her head at the statement. "At least you brought yourself a coffee," she smirked, pointing with some jealousy at the steaming cup of coffee perched in the girl's well-manicured hand. "I wasn't smart enough to. Now, I am seriously regretting that decision."

"Oh yeah," the girl chuckled, gesturing to the Styrofoam cup in her hand. "Juice of the gods in my opinion, can't manage a day without it."

As if on cue, she took another long sip, wiping a little of her pink lip-gloss onto the rim. Barbara smiled, adjusting her bag as it threatened to slip off her shoulder.

"Same. My dad usually works late hours, so we both tend to heavily rely on the good old cup-of-joe."

Barbara heard the girl laugh again.

"What's your dad do?"

Barbara paused, biting her lip. This was always slightly awkward. She usually tried to avoid this topic in particular. "My dad... He's a cop," she breathed slowly, looking down at the floor as she did.

"Same, again," the girl laughed, interrupting. Barbara looked up in surprise. "But in Starling City instead."

"You're from Starling?" Barbara queried curiously, raising an eyebrow. "What are you doing here? In Gotham?"

"You know, the usual reason: wanting to spread my wings and get my own life- that doesn't involve my dad breathing down my neck," she sighed, frowning a little as she did.

"That, I fully empathise with," Barbara muttered. Being the Commissioner's daughter wasn't exactly easy. It made social lives and even dating a nightmare. Luckily, her introverted nature had meant it wasn't that often a problem arose.

"Your dad's not as bad as mine."

"Want a bet?" Barbara laughed at the comment. "My dad's the commissioner. Try having that as your father figure, especially when you don't have a Mom as well."

The girl shrugged casually. "That I fully empathise with too. My Mom doesn't live with us. It was just me, my dad and my sister- Laurel."

"Sorry to hear it."

"Don't be. I'm Diane by the way. Diane lance."

"Pleasure to meet you, I'm Barbara Gordon."

Both girls extended a hand and shook the others, smiling as they did. After a moment they released each other. Diane was the first to continue their discussion.

"Well, I can see that you're following your father's influence with the whole legal thing then."

"Well, I always wanted to be a cop but well... With my dad- I'm sure you know. He didn't want another hero in the family."

Diane smirked, rolling her eyes. "Oh, so you're fighting for justice another way? Smart."

"Exactly." Barbara blushed a little at the compliment and giggled. She was relieved Diane did the same.

"I'm just here because, personally, I like the pay."

Barbara paused, not sure what to say to that.

"God. I'm joking," Diane laughed suddenly, swatting her arm and breaking the tense silence that had just descended upon them. "As if. No, I genuinely find the law fascinating."

Barbara laughed in relief. "Cool. That's a relief. I'm sorry... I'm just spouting a lot of personal crap and I've just met you."

"Don't worry. I have that effect on people," Diane smirked. "But I like you, Red."

Barbara paused. She replayed the word in her head. Red? That was a new nickname.

She liked it.

As she opened her mouth to reply she was cut off by a high pitched voice from behind them that startled them both.

"Are you both here for the apprenticeships?"

They both turned, looking up at the woman who'd disturbed them. Barbara saw the immaculately dressed assistant stood before them, welding her clipboard and Blackberry like they were the greatest of swords. In this office though, they probably were.

Barbara and Diane nodded in unison.

The woman smiled and gestured behind her. "This way then, please. We're just down the hall."

They'd barely taken a step when Barbara felt a hand on her arm.

"Please sit near me. I don't want to get stuck next to some old goon," Diane whispered suddenly to her, eyeing the woman as she walked off ahead of them.

"Promise," Barbara agreed, grateful to have found someone to share this with. She didn't exactly like the prospect of sitting alone either in the board room.

Diane smiled wider at her. "I think we'll be good friends, Barbara Gordon."

3 years later:

To every normal person in Gotham, no, to be more precise - the world, Friday marked the end of a hard weeks work either at school or the office. It marked the beginning of a two-day freedom. Two days to do anything you wanted and not worry about being attacked by criminals like the mob… Well, unless you were a Gordon.

Barbara hated Fridays- to her they signified the end of a week of work, studying and cases. She had been amazed her father had even allowed her to take this job in the DA's office, but he really hadn't had a lot of choice when she'd told him two years ago.

Barbara sighed loudly, chewing hard on the rubber on her pencil. She hated paperwork and being a full-time student and trainee attorney meant that there usually was a lot to catch up on. That was probably why once again, she was here alone in the office at 7 pm on a Friday.

She paused the music that was playing through her earphones and shoved her books back inside her bag. She was going home. There was only so much paperwork she could take in one night, and besides- the receptionist kept looking at her strangely. No one else but he was usually here this late. Everyone else bolted as soon as the clock struck five. Unfortunately, Barbara had never been like that and put her workload first. Her boss had said that she was taking a part in their newest case: An actual shot at one of the major players in the now reformed Mob. She couldn't afford to slack off.

Privately, she knew it wasn't just the work that kept her here every night. It probably had more to do with the fact that going home meant normality. It meant dinner, dishes, and dad (If he ever made it away from his own job). For some reason, they both acted out the same charade every week of being a normal family; which they were not. She loved her dad more than anything, so at least that was positive: she got to spend some time with him.

She stood up and tucked the chair back under the desk quickly. She turned and began to stroll out of the all too eerie office. She replaced her books back onto the dusty mahogany shelves and nodded to the receptionist as she went.

She pulled on her coat and slid out the front doors. She noted as she exited the building that it was freezing tonight. Part of her wondered if it was early wintery breezes. She tilted her head down and hurried home.

"Hi dad!" she called loudly, dumping her bag down on the floor and removing her coat as she closed the front door behind her. "How was work?"

There was a sudden loud bang- probably from saucepans- and a loud cry from the kitchen. Two seconds later her dad appeared, armed with a tea towel and apron.

"Hi, Babs didn't hear you come in. You gave me a fright."

"Sorry," she apologised quickly.

"No, it's ok. How was work anyway?" he chuckled. She grinned, walking over and hugging him warmly.

"Fine- boring, but fine." She shrugged casually in response.

"Good. I'm making you dinner."

Barbara pulled back from him as her head was instantaneously filled with burnt, grey dishes lying on the table for her. "Uh…? Why?"

Her dad smiled and patted her shoulder. "I'm out tonight, remember? That whole Dent thing at Wayne manor tonight? I have to do that ridiculous speech."

"Oh that," she breathed. She remembered it was Dent day. Everyone in the office had been discussing the party tonight that was taking place up at Wayne Manor. Barbara had forgotten all about it. She hated these sort of things. "You'll be fine. You've been practicing that speech all week," she assured him, biting her lip nervously at the thought of him delivering the speech he'd been writing all week.

Her dad nodded and turned to the kitchen muttering to himself quietly. Barbara heard the groan. "That's not what I'm worried about."

She shook her head in confusion but said nothing and followed him. As she entered the room she stared down at the tray of mac and cheese that sat steaming on the table in front of her.

"Well, at least it isn't burned."

"Ha ha," he teased sarcastically. He seemed almost a little proud of his culinary creation. Barbara couldn't help but giggle. "You be quiet missy," he scolded, swatting her with a tea towel. She grinned even more as she dodged it with ease.

"I won't say a word." She crossed her heart and her father rolled his eyes, looking down at his watch.

"Good. I need to run and get ready… I don't suppose you want to go?"

"Hell no," she chuckled instantly. "All I do is end up eating shrimp balls listening to the Mayor drone on about the absent Batman. Good luck though. I'm going to stay and enjoy my lovely mac and cheese."

Her dad smirked at the comment, letting the slight insult slip by. "Well, keep the door locked and I'll be back later."

"Yeah. Now … go." Barbara laughed, pushing him towards the door.

Damn it.

She felt bad. He needed her there tonight. He always needed her at stupid social functions like this. They were a team; the two Gordons'. She couldn't let him face the crowd of people that would be there tonight alone. They were ruthless.

"Dad… Wait!" she began, dashing to her own room. "They better be amazing shrimp balls."

All she heard was her dad's faint laughter echo through the apartment.