There was a full moon shining in the sky bright enough to light up Gotham, even in the darkest sections. The air was crisp on the early autumn night and the sky was clear of clouds. Tiny stars that looked more like mini-snowflakes speckled the sky.

"Star light, star bright. First star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might have this wish I wish tonight." I said to myself quietly before taking a moment to think of a wish. At almost twenty years old, you think I'd have gotten out of this habit. "I wish the Joker would stay in Arkham. And never hurt anyone I love again." I said before sitting up on the Wayne Manor rooftop.

It was the two year anniversary of my arrival at the Manor. When I arrived here, I was Hailee Anne Lewis. Now two years later, I'm Hailee Anne Wayne, although I prefer to still use Lewis as my surname. I don't live up to the Wayne standards, which Bruce respects. He just wants me to finally feel like I have a family here, so he adopted me even though I was eighteen and technically couldn't BE adopted but well… not the point. No one knows he did it because I don't go out much. I'm basically a secret which I prefer.

It was also the two year anniversary of meeting everyone in Wayne Manor. Bruce, Alfred, Dick, Barbara (she was here the night I came in) and Jason.

Jason.

The thought of him still hurts. It still feels like I'm in some deranged nightmare. In a matter of three months, the Joker had taken everything that I held close away. The kids at the orphanage as well as our caretakers and nurses. Everything I had from my childhood, regardless of how minimal. And then Jason.

I still remember the day the orphanage burned down. I remember a young eight year old boy, Billy, talking to some strange man at the fence during outdoor chores. The rest of the day, he seemed like he was in some sort of trance. He moved so robotically and was so obedient, something so off because he wasn't the best behaved kid. That night, the fire began in his room, which was right next to mine. It spread quickly. I only got out by jumping out a third story window, something that still shocks Bruce when I bring it up. There were no survivors and I came here. Three weeks later, I turned eighteen and was considered an "adult," so I was out of the adoption system anyways.

I clung to Jason immediately. We had a lot in common in terms of attitude. Most girls enjoyed makeup and obsessing over boys where I preferred sitting around and reading a good book in some baggy pajama pants and a band shirt. He liked to sit around and do things around the Manor that he probably shouldn't have been doing, although he never made a mess because he hated Alfred cleaning up after him. When he put on that suit though, he was all business. He was the Boy Wonder.

I would sleep in his room every night. After the fire, I just felt uncomfortable sleeping in a room by myself and Jason never minded... I assume. I'm sure he could have brought home girls if he wanted. We didn't date. A kiss here, a peck there, a talk of sex here but never actually going through with it; it was all a huge tease but it was all a tease I didn't mind. I was around him and that mattered.

The night he died, I stayed awake and sobbed. Dick tried talking to me. Alfred tried to bring me some water to stay hydrated. I didn't accept anything. Even as I sit on this roof, looking at the moon like we used to, I still feel like I'm in one of Joker's nightmares and none of this is real. Jason's just on vacation and Tim is taking his place... indefinitely.

More than anything, I wish I knew Jason's motives. Why go out without Bruce? Why go without your tracker? It sounds like a suicide mission that he was determined to complete, and he did. Bruce still says it's his fault. "My partner. My soldier. My fault." But is it really? If Jason would have kept his tracker, Jason would still be alive. We could have all found him and gotten to him. I'm sitting here, sounding like I'm blaming him but we all tried.

I heard the door to the roof quietly close and a set of footsteps which knocked me out of my thoughts. I looked up at the moon as Dick came and sat down next to me. I could see from the corner of my eye that he was in his Nightwing getup meaning he had just gotten back from patrol.

"Blüdhaven's quiet tonight?" I asked him, not taking my eyes off the moon.

"Quiet as a mouse. Bruce told me there was a situation in the Bowery section of Gotham but told me he had it. Riddler nonsense." He said, placing his staff down on the other side of him. "Any reason you're up here?"

"It's the first full moon of the month. You know I keep up the tradition." I said.

"Is three times really a tradition?" Dick asked.

"Those three times mattered. This was Jason and I's thing. His secret spot, and now mine. I'm not ready to let go yet."

"Hai, with all due respect, it's been 2 years, almost. Jason made the decision. I know you miss him, and we all do, especially Bruce. But you and him both need to live in the present. Jason and I minimally got along, but he was full of life and he'd want both of you to be as well." Dick explained, taking my hand in his.

"I am full of life. And I will devote mine to prevent his memory in my mind from going away." I sighed, lacing my fingers with his. In the past 2 years, Dick and I slowly formed a friendship that was unlike any I've ever had. He was like a brother to me. He was my shoulder to cry on, my punching bag to vent to and a person who I could confide all of my secrets in. He was aware of my feelings for Jason before I needed to tell him and he accepted them.

"Well, I know I way you could do that…"

"Dick, you are aware that if I went near Barbara's old Batgirl suit, Bruce would break his rule and would probably kill me. He blames himself for everything that happens to anyone he cares about. He adopted me into the Wayne family. I'm not trained or prepared to be Batgirl or any variation of Bat at all." I explained as I let go of Dick's hand and stood up.

"I can help train you. You're already a hacking genius thanks to Barbara, so let me help you with your combat. You have the motivation." Dick said, standing up next to me with his staff in his hand.

"Oh? And what's that? What's the motivation to make me want to be Batgirl?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Keeping Joker and his men in Arkham."

"They're all in Arkham."

"Two of his men escaped." My eyes widened. "They slipped over the gates and past security. Smaller guys who really aren't huge threats, but that means that Joker is starting to stir things up. It's only a matter of time before he concocts some plan to break out of Arkham." He said with a sigh. "I don't think Bruce, Tim and I are enough to keep him at bay. Tim is still fresh, Bruce is mentally out of it because of Jason's death and wouldn't allow me to leave Blüdhaven. We need another set of wings." I sighed and looked at the ground before looking back up at him.

"Get Superman." I turned on my heels and walked towards the door that led to the Manor.


The next morning was a late start. Bruce had gone to Wayne Enterprises to check out some new things that Mr. Fox had in the prototype stage. Dick was awake, but Alfred let me sleep in although I hadn't slept much. My talk with Dick earlier had lingered on my mind. Me as Batgirl? Was he going mad?

I sat up, draped my legs over the side of the bed and took a hair tie off the side table, tying my dark red hair into a messy bun before standing up. I put on a black and white robe and walked out of the room barefoot. Looking over the balcony that overlooked the main living room area, I saw Alfred dusting some furniture and Dick walking back and forth, apparently looking for something. I walked over to the staircase and proceeded down, walking over to Alfred.

"Did Dick lose his head?" I asked and Alfred flashed me a smile.

"Miss Wayne. Master Dick apparently is expecting someone and he seems to have lost something… again." Alfred said.

"Alfred, if you're not going to call me Hailee, can it please be Miss Lewis?" I asked, giving him a small half smile.

"As you wish, Miss Lewis. Can I get you anything this afternoon?"

"I'm just going to get myself a bowl of cereal. I got it. Don't worry." I reassured, walking into the kitchen.

Taking a bowl out of the cupboard, I found a box of Tim's Cocoa Puffs and poured some into the bowl. I was a weird one and didn't like milk with my cereal, so I didn't bother taking a spoon. I began picking at the cereal with my hands while making myself a cup of some herbal tea with honey when I heard Dick shuffle into the room.

"Does this look okay? Do I match? Is my hair okay?" He panicked. I looked over at him and turned away from the simmering water.

"Lunch date? Midday sex outing? What the fuck are you worrying about?"

"It's a date! A third date! With a reporter. She's always super serious and I feel like such a dickhead when I'm around her." He said, tightening his tie.

"You are a dickhead, Dick." I joked, turning back to the teapot as it began to boil. Turning the water off, I carefully poured it into a small teacup and placed the teabag in.

"Not helping." He said, walking out of the room.

I walked into the living area and sat down on one of the chairs. Alfred had left to dust other parts of the house. Dick apparently ran upstairs to change. I was alone. You would think I would be used to the solitude, but it never became familiar; it always felt like loneliness and emptiness. As I ate some more of the chocolatey cereal, I heard the doorbell of Wayne Manor ring.

"Got it Alfred!" I stood up and placed my bowl down before walking over to the door. Opening the door, there was a young woman with black hair and glasses that fit her brown skin perfectly. She wore a flowing black skirt with a suitable white top and black blazer. Very reporter-like.

"Can I help you?" I asked.

"Hello, my name is Marcella. Marcella Castellano. I'm here to meet up with Dick Grayson?" She smiled as I tilted my head.

"Dick told you he lived here?"

"No, I figured it out myself."

"So you stalked him?"

"No. It was actually very obvious. Dick never sees me at night, so I know he's occupied. He has the same hair and eye color as Nightwing and has the same build. Bruce Wayne is Batman so I only figured that Dick could be living here." Marcella smiled as my mouth hung open.

"DICK. GET DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW." I screamed.


Pacing back and forth by the fireplace, I thought hard about how to explain this to Alfred. Marcella and Dick sat down on a couch and stayed quiet. As Alfred entered the living area, he set his duster down and walked over to me.

"You rang, Miss Lewis?"

"We have a huge issue, Alfred." I said.

"HUGE? This is insane." Dick said, standing up.

"Dick, I promise, I'm not going to tell anyone. Really. I've known for a while!" Marcella said, standing next to him.

"If it's not obvious, Alfred, Dick's girlfriend knows he's Nightwing. And she also knows that Bruce is Batman." I explained and Alfred took a deep inhale and closed his eyes.

"Oh dear. Okay. How did this happen?" Alfred asked all three of us.

"I've known for a while… Alfred, was it?" She asked and he nodded. "There was no way any normal classed, humble human could afford the cars and planes and gadgets and constant suit upgrades and fund the same thing for multiple other people." Marcella explained. "I graduated at the top of my class at Gotham University a full two years early. I'm the youngest writer at the Gotham Times and you have my word, I will not say anything. Bruce has done so much for this city, the least I can do is keep his secret." She said.

"I'd hope so." A voice behind us said. Bruce stood in the clearing next to a wheelchair bound Barbara Gordon.

"Master Bruce, I didn't get the message to come and pick you up, my apologies." Alfred started but Bruce shook his head.

"Lucius drove me home. I had to pick up Barbara anyways. We have to discuss Joker's two men escaping from Arkham." Bruce said and approached us.

"There was a minor breach in security at the penitentiary ward. All the cameras in that area went dark around one in the morning. Joker has to have someone in there, but to question every person who works at Arkham would take weeks. He's planning a breakout." Marcella said, crossing her arms. "I told you guys, I'm willing to give back to Batman for everything he's done for this city. I can help you. I can give you information. I make trips to Arkham at least once a week and I know I can find out information for you. Things people wouldn't tell the Commissioner for fear of being arrested. But they'd 'anonymously tip' to a reporter." She said.

The room was quiet. The situation didn't involve me and I couldn't make a decision. This was up to Bruce, Dick, Barbara and Alfred. Tension was high and I wanted to leave but I stood there, my arms crossed in my black and white robe that went down to the floor.

"Alright. You can help with Barbara. I assume you'll be around often anyway. You're sworn to secrecy now. Let's keep it that way." Bruce said and walked towards the wine tasting room, Barbara in tow to the Batcave.


Bruce, Dick and TIm were getting ready to suit up for patrol that night. Barbara had familiarized Marcella with the Batcave's computer systems and Alfred paid close attention to the police scanner. Marcella was going to watch over the cave while Alfred drove Barbara to the Clock Tower to observe from there. My job was to make sure she didn't break anything and do hacking jobs while Barbara wasn't near a computer. As everyone got ready, I stood in front of one of the suit cases that was never touched. A long black cape, bright yellow accents, form fitting. The Batgirl suit was untouched and dust free in its case right next to Jason's Robin costume which the GCPD respectfully returned to Batman.

"What a suit, huh?" Dick said, turning his back towards me so I could zip up his suit.

"I know what you're thinking. I'm not going to be Batgirl, Dick." I said, making sure the suits bulletproof padding was all in place.

"Why won't you just let me train you at least? It'd be nice to know how to defend yourself anyways. Imagine you go out one night and you get mugged. Wouldn't you want to know how to beat someone up, at least?" He explained, and as much as I hated to admit it… made a point. Self defense, especially for a woman living in Gotham City was important.

"If I say yes, will it shut you up? You can train me in self defense, but no Batgirl." I said and tapped him on the shoulder to go to Bruce. "Go patrol. You can start training me tomorrow, okay?" I finished as Dick smiled.

"Good."

"Alright, we have the plan for tonight? Tim and I have Gotham, Dick is in Blüdhaven. Marcella, keep in contact with Dick and track his progress. Hailee, you're with Tim until Barbara and Alfred return to posts. Barbara will then be with me and Alfred will be with Tim. Are we clear?" Bruce said as he walked to the Batmobile.

After everyone had left, it was myself and Marcella left. She was typing away on the computer and tracking Dick's movements while I sat at Alfred's post and tracked Bruce and TIm.

"TIm, just let me know when you're in the Bowery. The police scanner is saying there was a string of small robberies. Obvious culprit is Two-Face and his gang, but be on your toes. We have two of Joker's men out there." I said into the mic.

"No problem Hailee. Bruce told me he's going to get the Park Row and Industrial Districts tonight. Bowery is my area. Apparently, there are a few more issues in Bruce's sections." Tim responded as he began to come to the Bowery border.

"I'm ejecting you Tim in three… two… one… now!" I said as his tracker went from being on the street to in the air. "Be safe, kid."

When Barbara finally got to the Clock Tower and Alfred returned back to the cave, I was able to free roam around the cave. I could clean, look at gadgets and sort out blueprints and schematics for new cars and bikes. I didn't choose any of those. I continued to look at the Batgirl costume and then look at Jason's Robin costume. Back and forth, back and forth.

"Miss Lewis, if I may speak out of term?" Alfred said, coming up behind me.

"You know you always can around me, Alfred." I said, not taking my eyes off the suit.

"You'd make a lovely Batgirl. And Jason would be very proud of you, I'd think." He said, his arms behind his back.

"Bruce doesn't want me to be Batgirl, Alfred. You know that." I said, looking away from the suit and at him.

"But what do you want?" He asked before walking back to his station to contact Tim, leaving me to ponder what I really did want.