Week One

Dick Grayson is glad to be "alive" again and be back in Gotham. He's finally home. Home…home…home…where Barbara Gordon is.

Without a second thought, he speeds on his motorcycle towards Old Town and to her father's apartment. He hasn't quite figured out what he's going to say to her, but he knows that he needs to see her. It's been too long since his eyes have gotten to feast on her form.

Under the cover of darkness, he nimbly climbs the tree to her window. He gets ready to tap on the pane of glass only to realize that the room was now empty, save for a few childhood trinkets and memories.

The idea that Barbara wouldn't be there when he returned had never occurred to him. He carefully opens the window and creeps inside the room to look for clues. He doesn't look for long. On top of her desk is her acceptance letter into the PhD program at Gotham State University. Well, at least he has a place to start.

He quietly closes the window behind him, making sure the room is left the way he had found it. He rushes to the other side of Gotham to Wayne Manor, intending to go straight to the Bat Cave, only to be surprised by the shock of vehicles parked in front of the building.

A gala.

Dick has never been so grateful for whatever deity is on his side tonight. No matter where Babs is living now, she would be here.

He parks his bike in the garage and hurries through the servant entrance. He sneaks into his former room and changes into a plain white button down and black slacks; he musses his hair to hide his face. He gives a shocked Alfred a quick hello and kiss on the cheek while he ties on an apron. He absconds a tray of champagne from a passing server and begins to work the ballroom.

Every cliché known to man happens at that moment.

The crowd parts and not more than ten feet away from his is the love of his life standing next to his adopted brother. His jaw drops taking in all of her beauty. Just then, she turns from her conversation with Tim with a sigh. Dick ducks his head and makes his way towards the pair. When she grabs two glasses from his tray, his debonair charm fails him and he keeps walking.

Maybe another night.