There is test in life. Many times we find out that our heroes are just as mortal as the rest of us. Perhaps, they also have a little something more.
Everyone knows Batman and Jim Gordon were friends. Everyone suspected that Robin made eyes at them daughter. Then there was Batgirl. The female vigilante in an all boys club. She represented change. None of them, knew what she was going to do next and when she did do it...
It changed things for sure.
(Break)
"You've got a broken arm, miss." The kind old woman told Barbara Gordon as the young woman shook from head to toe. "It's not everyday a young thing like you ends up like this."
The cowl was heavy on her head, the weight of her red hair lying against her spine dim things on the edges of her conscious mind as she stared hard at the figure collapsed on Leslie Thompkin's floor.
"It's nothing. Are you ok?" She asked the doctor. Green eyes finally shot up to check the woman she had rescued from a painful ending. "That guy's the West Alley Rapist. He is known for wiring the throats of his victims and hanging them by their ankles in alleys that catch the last bit of sun."
Batgirl winced at them expression on the doctors face.
"I'm sure I'll be just fine." Leslie responded. "Your efforts saved me, however there is something that you need to tell me."
"What's that?"
"Perhaps we should let the police know we have their man?" Leslie suggested.
Batgirl nodded, somewhere in her mind she knew that was actually standard bat protocol. Not that her father ever really talked about Batman or Robin...
"Cripes, I'm gonna be late." Barbara exclaimed then winced when the doctor added the last layer of bandage to her arm. "How am I going to explain that?"
Her eyes widened at the inquiries she was likely going to face. Perhaps using the forearm to slow down the steel pipe hadn't been bright, nor was a possible escape plan likely when she was going to need medical intervention.
"As a professional, Batgirl, let me give you some advice. Call in sick and deal with the rest tomorrow. Perhaps find someone you can confide in about your... nightlife?" Leslie commented as she finished off the stays on the woman's cast. Offering to help child had been them least she could do and she gained information that Bruce could use to properly assess what to do with the girl.
Barbara nodded, her mind already thinking of a few healthy excuses she could use. "Thanks, doctor. Can I borrow your phone?"
Nodding, Leslie moved around the bed to doublecheck on the downed criminal as she listened to Batgirl make her call. With a smile and a nod, the red-head quickly left before the police arrived. After the few questions she asked, Leslie returned to her office where another Bat was waiting.
(Break)
"Batgirl was here." He pointed out.
Leslie nodded. "She injured herself in coming to my defense. That girl has a few practical ideas but no experience. I suggested she make some friends."
Bruce and even his brightly colored shadow both narrowed their eyes at her. "She could get killed."
"Without help, yes. But you boys know how to make sure those things don't happen. Why don't you look at the evidence and see what you think." Leslie countered. There were benefits to Batgirl's existence. "She can get in places you two can't, for instance?"
Robin grit hard. Bruce and him had discussed the Batgirl many times. The fact Leslie was backing the points they were both aware of was definitely not what he wanted to hear. Batman stood stiffly before nodding. "Talk to her Leslie. If we can train her to handle the more delicate cases, it might just ease her into this kind of work."
"Batman?" Dick Grayson was agape at this change. "We both knew she wasn't going to quit easily, but you can't seriously suggest training her for cases like the Joker."
"I'm not. However, Batgirl would be able to handle cases like what Leslie faced today. Robin, I want you to spar with Batgirl, help her work on her defenses and offenses." Batman explained. "For now, we can try to contain her until there is time for a better assessment."
Robin nodded, still not quite happy with the orders never the less there was a sense to them. "What about Gordon?"
Leslie flicked through a few pages as she listened to the conversation. Bruce halfway turned to look at the cop car as it began to pull away. "I'll talk to him."
...that was that. Bruce had his say, but not without taking the most obvious arguments into consideration. Even going so far as to find something like a milk run for Batgirl's training needs. "Were you hurt, Leslie?"
"A scrape. Batgirl took them brunt of them attack. Now, why are you two here?" She asked, when Robin held up his hands. Blood welled from the flesh beneath the material and Batman held out a first aid kit. "I want you home for the rest of the night, young man."
"What about my date?"
"Canceled." Bruce answered. "Alfred already made the call."
The young man glowered at his mentor, cursing the spray Bruce had used to not only numb the pain, but to clean the wound when Leslie set to work for the second time that evening .