Cameras flashed all around as she was ushered from the car to the door. This treatment was not new to her, in fact it had been her life since the night her parents died.
Some were still calling it a freak accident. She knew better. And since that night she hadn't uttered a single word.
Tonight she was going to the police station for questioning. It would be exactly the same as the night before, and the one before that. She would be sat there, frozen. Unable to make a noise because of the threat uttered from that scumbags mouth
'Never speak a word of this to anyone, or I'll take you too' played on repeat in her mind. And the only solace she had was in the arms of the one man who knew best what she was going through.
For the first time in almost a week she reacted with a weak smile as Bruce Wayne strolled confidently through the doors of the Gotham City police station and knelt down beside her. She let out a distraught sob as she realised it was her fathers arms she wanted. But he was lying cold and dead in the mortuary now and he wouldn't be able to hug her again.
Ever.
Bruce whispered softly into her matted hair
'Come on Barbara, this isn't the place you need to be right now' giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze and inclining his head toward the door.
'Alfred is driving us back to Wayne Manor tonight so you can have a good rest and collect yourself' he added, helping her up and steering her towards the heavy oak station doors. The policemen and detectives stared in obvious distaste but they couldn't argue with money, and so Barbara and Bruce left the harsh brightness of the station and stepped into the balmy summer evening.
The redheaded teenager blinked a few times while her eyes got accustomed to the darkness and then her mouth fell open at the sight of the expensive car in front of her. It was sleek and black and sat low to the ground, purring like a contented kitten as it waited to take her to safety. Looking at Bruce for some sort of confirmation that this was real, she steadied herself and climbed inside the car after he opened the door for her.
Inside was cool and crisp, white leather contrasted the black exterior and heavily tinted glass protected her from the staring eyes and flashing cameras still milling about trying to catch her.
The car pulled smoothly away, the driver was Bruce's long time friend and trusted butler Alfred Pennyworth. A man of many secrets, though it was no secret he made the best tea in Gotham.
As they drove, the smooth rumble of the cars engine lulled Barbara to sleep and she slumped into Bruce's side no sooner had she sat down. Out cold and slightly snoring.
The billionaire rolled his eyes and muttered
'girls'
Before pulling off his jacket, draping it over her like a blanket and keeping a guarded watch over her until they got back to Wayne Manor.
This time he would succeed in keeping someone safe from the terror of Gotham.