I woke up at around 7 even though the conference wasn't till 11:30. There were only a few kids up, and all the adults were. I grabbed some clothes and jumped in the shower. I took a pretty long one and just tried to calm my nerves. Got out did my hair, put on a little makeup, and gotten dressed. I decided to wear a nicer pair of jeans that were dark blue, and had a few rips in the front. A dark grey t1shirt with a kinda faded American flag on it, a studded-collar vest, a silver key bracelet that I never take off, and a pair of grey converse.
I went down to see that everyone was ready and waiting for breakfast. I was sitting at a table by myself, thinking about how much I'll miss this place. I mean I've wanted a home as much as the next kid, but I can't help but feel sad to leave.
"So todays the day! Are you excited" Caitlyn asked sitting down by me.
Cassandra across from me, and Jennifer on the other side of me.
"I guess, but I'm really gonna miss yuou guys. I'll just miss being here." I stared down at my food just thinking.
"Well you'll be fine. Don't worry, we'll still hang out. We're only 2- minutes away. We'll be in touch and hang out whenever you we can! Promise!" Cass said. They all nodded their heads.
It was about 10:30, and us girls were just hanging out in the rec room when Martha called me. She gave me a suitcase and my duffle bag to my pack my clothes. I finished packing at about 11 and looked outside to see reporters and a stage type thing being set up. I walked out to watch when Martha came up beside me.
"I know you don't like being spotlight, but you're just somehow gonna have to cope." She laughed.
I looked out and saw some kid playing with a ball by the street.
"Hey Martha? Who's that?" Just then his basketball had rolled into the middle of the street. He hesitated about getting it because this street can be busy.
"Oh that's Bruce's youngest boy, Tim." She turned around to talk to someone.
When I looked back at him he was in the middle of the street getting his ball.
"Hey! kid, look out!" He stood there frozen as a semi came barelling down the road.
He wasn't too far away so, as fast as I could, I ran through the other cars and jumped at him. I grabbed him and pushed him out of the way. We both rolled across to the other side of the street.
I laid there on my back just trying to breath, and making sure I was okay.
"Are you okay?" The kid asked me standing up. He came and stood over me. I nodded and then heard some people running over us.
"Barbara! Are you okay?!" Martha asked as she kneeled beside me.
"Yea, I'm okay. Nothing broken. Nothing sprained. So I'm good." I stood up and wiped my hands on the legs of my jeans. I looked over to see 'the' Bruce Wayne standing there checking the kid over. There was another kid around my age standing there to.
"Is Tim okay, Bruce?" Martha asked walking over to them.
"Yes he'll be fine! Thanks so much miss!" He shook my hand.
"Its not a big deal. Anyone would've done it." I bent down and tied my shoe that must've come undone during it all.
"Yes, but not everyone has the guts. So thank you." He put an around the boy's shoulders. "Well, should probably get back." We all walked back.
We all walked back into the building and went our seperate ways. The Waynes went to the refreshments and I pulled Martha to the side.
"Does Mr. Wayne not know who he's getting? He barely paid any attention to me!"
"No I never told him who I was assigning to him. I knew if he knew I chose a girl he'd talk me out of it." She sighed. "Now he can't back down in front of all these people." I nodded, knowing she was right.
We made our way out back to the podium where Mr. Wayne was standing. He looked at Martha and nodded while smiling. He started up some speech and Martha walked up on stage to take over.
"Thank you, Bruce. Well thank you all for coming today. Until now I've kept it as a secret from Mr. Wayne at which child I would like to send home with him. Well today he gets to find out." She motioned for me. "Bruce, I'd like you to meet, Barbara Gordon."
I walked up to them to see Mr. Wayne with a shocked expression. We shook hands, they took some pictures, and Mr. Wayne and Martha said a few more things. Then one of the reporters wanted to ask me a question. It was a woman she was blonde, medium height, and wore a tight dress, and tall red heels. She had a look, that I couldn't really tell, in hers eyes.
"So, Gordon right? Would you happen to be ex-commissioner Gordon's daughter?"
At this everyone stopped what they were doing either mingling, or taking photos, and looked at the both of us. I, myself, froze solid.
"Miss I don't think-" I cut Martha off.
"No, Martha. It's fine." I looked at the woman, in her 20s, in the eye. "Yes. Jim Gordon was my father."
"What exactly happened after he left all those years ago?" I heard that he took some bribes from some gangs, and hightailed it out of Gotham."
I think Martha saw the anger in my face and stepped up to the woman. I took my arm and held Martha back and gave her a look that told her to let me take care of this. I'd been back in Gotham since I was 13 and had heard all sorts of rumors at school and all over town about my dad. No one really knows why he left because one night he just took me and we left.
"I'm not even going to respond to that. You can hear all the rumors you want about my father, but they're not true." I stepped up to her, and got into her face. "My father was the best cop Gotham had at that time. He was one of the three good cops on the whole force, so don't you dare talk about him that way. I may just have to wipe that smirk right off your face."
Then Martha stepped up and dragged me away. Everyone went back to what they were doing, but I noticed that other boy that was with Mr. Wayne, and Mr. Wayne watching me. I couldn't tell what they were thinking, but I knew that I probably just blew my chance.
"I'm sorry Martha. I know you told me to like be on my best behavior and all that, but she was trashing, Dad! It's not fair! People don't know all that happened so they should keep their mouths shut!" I sat down angrily in one of the chairs.
"I know, I don't blame you at all. It's fine, and I think anyone would've done worse than you. Don't feel bad, just walk it off." She looked around and looked over towards the Wayne's area. "Come on.
Let me introduce you to bruce's boys, and his butler, Alfred." I got up and followed her over to them.
We walked up to Mr. Wayne and his boys. The older one was wearing some khakis and a red polo with some nice looking tennis shoes. The one I saved earlier was wearing khakis, a blue and green button up. Mr. Wayne was wearing a black suit, and his butler was wearing a butler's uniform. So I guessed.
"Bruce I thought I should introduce Barbara to the boys." She put an arm around my shoulder, and pointed each one out as she introduced me. "This is Tim, like I said earlier. How old are you, Tim?"
"I'm 13, ma'm. I'll be 14 soon though." He smiled at me and shook my hand.
"This is Alfred Pennyworth, their butler. But they all think of his as family." He shook my hand as well.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Gordon."
"It's just Barbara. No Miss Gordon stuff please." He kind of just chuckled, but nodded.
"And this is Richard, but he'd rather be called Dick." He didn't shake my hand, and I made no effort to shake his. We just stood there looking at each other for a minute before Mr. Wayne finally spoke.
"Well Barbara you'll have to excuse us. Honestly we weren't really expecting a girl, but we'll give this a try! I hope you'll give us a try as well." He put on a small smile, and I nodded. "So, are you all packed and ready to leave anytime?"
"Yes, sir. I'll just go get my bags and say goodbye." He nodded.
"Of course, take your time." He went back to mingling, Alfred went to talk to Martha, and the boys went to do their own thing.
"Yea, of course." I muttered to myself.
I walked up to the room I shared with my three friends. I slung my duffle on shoulder, my bag on my other shoulder, and pulled my suitcase behind me. I went all the way down into the foyer to see the girls all waiting to tell me bye. Caitlyn ran up and crushed me in a hug, and then Jen, and Cass came up and all hugged me. I hugged them back, and even though I knew we were gonna hang out as much as we could, I knew things weren't going to be just like they were.
We said our goodbyes and when they left I turned around to see Martha coming my way. She was carrying a smaller, plan, black back pack. I knew that it had my costume in it. I had torn it a couple of nights ago,
and so she repaired it for me.
"I'm gonna miss you, Sticker. Be careful at night okay?" We hugged each other and had to part ways.
I walked outside to the limo, tat Mr. Wayne brought, and saw that Alfred had just finished putting my things in the back. He came over to me at the side door.
"Would you like mt to put that in the back?" I held my bag closer to me.
"Um no, it's okay. I'd rather keep it with me." He nodded and opened the door. I told him thanks and got in.
When I got in I was met with a stone face boy , and a smiling Bruce Wayne. I just had the feeling, though, that his smile was put on. I sat beside Tim the whole way, and he made some small talk with me on the way.
When we pulled up I was astonished at what I saw. The manor was huge! It was brick and weathered looking, but it was beautiful. There wer gardens, woods, and a couple of greenhouses in the back. I kept my face clean of emotion not giving anything away.
We got out and Alfred started to unload my things. I took my duffle bag and all I let him take was my suitcase. We made our way inside, and before I could say or do anything Mr. Wayne walked off up some stairs and closed the door to a room. Alfred shook his head and then turned to me.
"Excuse Master Bruce he must have some work that needs done. I need to start cooking supper which is at 6 sharp." I nodded at him and then he turned to Dick. "Master Dick show Barbara to her room, and help her with her things. I'll have no back talk just do it. Tim come help me with supper." He handed Dick my suitcase and walked off to the kitchen followed by Tim.
"Well come on! I have things I could still get done if you'd hurry!" He made his way upstairs and I followed.
We stopped in front of a wooden door. He opened it and pulled my suitcase in and laid it on the bed. It was a nice room. It had plenty of room, two windows, a queen size bed, a dresser, and a walk in closet. It was an ocean blue with black curtains and black carpet. I put my other things besides my costume on the bed, and turned to him just staring at me.
"What's your problem?!" I said it a bit more mean than I should have. "You scared I'll like replace you or something? I just can't seem to see what you have against me when we just met."
He shrugged. "No, I'm not afraid you'll replace me. That's stupid. It's just only ever been us guys, and now there's a girl to tag along and girl things all up. You'll probably ruin everything. And ruin anything fun we do."
"You think I'm one of those little girly girls that whines and pouts when she doesn't get her way" He nodded. I scoffed. "Don't judge a book by it's cover remember? You've alreaedy pegged me wrong. I'm not going to change anything. I may not even stay, so whatever your deal is get over it!"
"Whatever. You should probably upack." He turned around and left slamming the door behind him.
"Well that went well."
*Supper*
I started making my way down to supper. I had changed my clothes since my other clothes were muddy. It took me a few minutes to find the dining room, but I finally did. When I stepped in to the dining room Alfred was setting the plates on the table.
"Oh, Barbara! I was just about to come get you. Please sit down and eat something." I sat down across from Tim who smiled at me.
"You'll love Alfred's cooking, he's the best! Just wait till dessert!" He started eating, and I slowly started eating.
"So, Barbara. How old are you? Martha never mentioned." Mr. Wayne asked, but kept on eating.
"I'm 16, Mr. Wayne." He nodded.
"No Mr. Wayne stuff. Please, call me Bruce."
"I think I'll have to ease in that." We stayed silent for a few more seconds. Then Mr. Wayne looked down at his phone, and then looked at the boys. "Um please excuse me." Then he and the boys left the room. Alfred came out, shaking his head, and took their plates back. Then he came back out with his own plate.
"Would you mind if I joined you for dinner tonight?" I changed my sad, disappointed look, and gave him a small smile.
"I'd be absolutely honored, Alfred." We finished eating, but after just sat and talked.
"I do apologize for their behavior." He said bringing out the dessert he ade even though by now it was almost 10.
"It's okay I guess. It doesn't really matter. Dick doesn't seem to like me very well anyways. I don't think this is all going to work out. Mr. Wayne would've rather had a boy, and I just don't think it's gonna work."
I finished the food and pushed my plate away.
"Master Dick, I agree, isn't too friendly with you yet, but he will soon enough. He and Master Bruce just sometimes take a while to warm up to people. Master Tim though sure has already taking a liking to you though."
I smiled. "Yea he seems sweet."
We sat there and just talked and laughed till about 11 when I decided to go to bed. I excused myself and got ready for bed. I changed and sat on the bedl I wanted to go out as Batgirl, but it'd been an exhausting day. I knew Batman and his boys would take care of anything. I was about to lay down when I heard a knock at the door.
"Come in." Tim came in slowly. I smiled at him, he waved back.
"Hey. Sorry about supper. I feel really bad." I patted the spot next to me and he came and sat down.
"It's fine. I had a great time with Alfred so its cool." I put my hand on his shoulder and gave it a pat.
"Well to make it up to you I asked Bruce if tomorrow, since it's Friday, if we could go to supper and then a movie. He said it'd be fine with him." I smiled at his eagerness and excitedness.
"That sounds great."
"Bruce can't come so I'm sorry about that. He said he'd join us next time, but Dick is coming!" I secretly cringed at that.
"Well ok. It's a date." He smiled probably proud of his idea. "I'd better get some rest. Night!" He got up and walked to the door.
"Night, Babs!" Then he closed it.