Hope you guys like this. All of the chapters are pre-written so it is just a read through process before posting, but I do like reviews please
Barbara POV 3
I can hear the nurse open my front door, I feel bad for her. Bruce was trying to be nice, having a live in nurse to keep me company. The doctors say that I'll have enough mobility to take care of myself in a few months, but until then I need one. Also, we're working on getting me a handicapped safe place to live with short cabinets and bars in the bathroom and all on one story because stairs are dumb. The lift is not an option for me, I would hate myself every time I used it.
She opens the door and helps me get dressed. I can almost do it by myself, now three weeks and 2 additional surgeries for tissue damage and internal bleeding after the accident I am getting enough arm strength that it isn't so awkward to lift my useless legs. I can also almost get myself onto the toilet by myself. I try to lift weights everyday, I want to be strong enough to do this as soon as possible. Plus my poor nurse has to lift me up onto the toilet for now because much like the stair lift, diapers are not going to happen, I refuse. I wont be a cripple. I'll still be independent. Which I'm sure my nurse isn't so fond of with me.
"How are you feeling today Ms. Gordon?" She smiles her sweet smile and I try to smile back. I haven't smiled since before this all happened.
"Better as always, only time will tell." I pull on my bra, shirt, and socks, but she has to lift me up so I can pull my jeans on. I'm working on getting a rope or something to pull so I can get myself up on my own, but not yet. I reach over for my chair and yank myself in then adjust my legs.
She smiles, "You're getting better at this, soon you wont need me at all and you can be on your own." I almost smile at that.
"Susan are you saying that because you know I want to hear it, or are you being sincere."
"I wouldn't lie to you." I frown again. Everyone else lies to me, what makes her think she's so much better. I can see why all the villains in this town got there now. It always starts when things change. The joker's scars, the Penguins deformity, Ivy and her plant DNA, it would make anyone go nuts. Being in a wheelchair, suddenly tossed from everything I've always known and into a horrible twisted world where nothing is the same, has given me some pretty dark thoughts to match.
But I'll never get to act on them, I used to be dangerous, now I'm just another cripple who needs a nurse. Another young girl who can't do anything she once did. I fasten the belt close around my hips to keep me upright and I start moving. I move every single day until my arms give out and wont go anymore. Susan worries about me, but I just want to never see her or anyone else again as soon as possible. As soon as I'm deemed able to live on my own, I'll never leave my house again. I'll go out in the middle of the night to buy groceries. I could just be alone until I finally get up the nerve to kill myself… In fact, why wait.
"Susan I need to speak with you." She smiles and turns in my direction.
"What about, Hun." She sits down opposite of me and is ready to listen.
"I don't want you to keep coming, consider yourself fired. I don't need you, I can do this by myself. I want you to leave now." She is definitely stunned.
"I know you hate this Barbara, but you can't live on your own yet. You don't have the strength or ability to get anywhere. You can't cook, you're not ready for this, give it another month. In a month I'm positive you'll be ready to live on your own. It's just a little longer. I worry for you if I left now." She seems so sad and concerned, but I will not be fooled, I know how people like her work, she's just in it for a paycheck, she's just very good at her job.
"Fine, two weeks, and I don't want you full time. 8 hours during the day. I suggest trying to find a new job." She nods and I go over to my weight set, I refuse to live with a nurse. I will not do it.
At least Dick doesn't come see me, he still remembers me as I was, and if all goes according to plan, he'll never have another chance to see me in a goddamn wheelchair, I'll be dead before then. Susan goes to make breakfast and I start lifting weights trying very hard not to cry. I hope I can get the nerve up to die before Dick sees me again.
BRUCE POV
I got a frantic phone call from Susan today, I guess Barbara gave her two weeks to find a new job and get out of the house. I knew Barbara hated it, but I didn't realize as much as she did. I'm afraid of the nurse not being there. Barbara isn't mentally stable right now. Lord knows shed do something stupid. I know that girl, and I know her father.
Jim is a wreck right now, and Dick feels like an asshole, but I don't think Babs blames him much. She understands, I think she's glad he doesn't come see her or anything, it'd be to hard on her ego. She seems to almost revel in the idea of him still only remembering her as the strong person she was. She forgets she is still a strong person, just now she's a different kind of strong person.
Last time she had surgery we were all there, Tim, Dick, Alfred, me, her father. But when she woke up she refused all visitors. She had strict instructions that none of us were to see her at all. When she recovered Susan took her home and she never said a word. Jim says they still get a phone call every night, but I worry what all this reclusing is about, and Susan can't tell us because of doctor patient confidentiality. That doesn't cover Suicidal behavior though, Susan is allowed to tell us that, so it must be okay in that respect, or Babs is a really good secret keeper. Having a detective father would do that though.
I sit down and put my head in my hands. I wish there was something I could do. I feel so responsible. If I had never let her be Batgirl, the Joker would have no reason to do this. I feel like this is all my fault.
Dick POV
I can't believe I am doing this. I'm walking up the long drive to Wayne Manor so I can talk to Bruce. He called and demanded that I come by and talk with him about some things. I just hope Barbara doesn't see me… that's the last thing shed need right now. I know I broke her heart and I abandoned her. I do hate myself for it but I know she can do so much better without me. She's a very strong woman and I pray she knows it.
I knock on the door roughly, (You see, since the door is so big you have to knock loudly or just use the doorbell. But I like to be a hassle, especially to Bruce, so I knock, and Alfred answers as quick as magic. "Good Afternoon Master Dick." He smiles politely and opens the door further allowing me to walk in. I sigh with the faint memories that play through my mind. I can still see myself flying around on the banisters following Alfred into the hidden door that leads to the Batcave. I wasn't very sneaky back then but it was all a part of my charm.
"Dick, It's nice to see you again." And there is the big man himself, Bruce. I give a bland smile and follow him into the living room off to the side. "I'm glad you came. I have some important things to discuss with you." The way he is talking it sounds like something is wrong. I hope nothing bad happened to Barbara…
"Is something wrong?" He chuckles under his breath lightly and sits down on the expensive-looking couch. It's nearly a mocha color and it reminds me of deep fall.
"Well, sort of. Dick I know I can trust you and its important." Just spit it out Bruce. I don't have the time to sit here all day and just listen to you babble. "…I need a new Batman. I asked you to come here so I could ask you about taking over for me. I'm getting old Dick and I can't continue on being something I'm not right now."
"Ugh…wow. Why me though?" I'm honestly stunned. He never trusted me; so how does he want me to be Batman if he can't trust me?
"Dick, I know you. I trust you. Especially with this. You have the training and the knowledge to be able to be Batman. You're the most qualified out of all of the options.
"Bru-" My voice disappears as I hear a small noise, causing me to turn towards to doorway. My eyes meet Barbra's for a split second before we both initially panic. I stand up and start to move towards the door while she moves herself backwards. She shouldn't see me here. I need to go.
"Get back here you two." Bruce's strong voice pulls me back to the present day. I stop moving and turn around again. I look back at where Barbara was and see her getting pushed back in by a nurse. Babs looks like she wants to kill someone. I know she doesn't want to be here now, but I think she doesn't want me seeing her even more. I don't blame her; it's my fault after all. She is trying to move herself backwards while the nurse pushes her forward. She eventually gives up and is wheeled up to the coffee table in front of Bruce. "Dick, sit down."
I don't want to though. I want to go. I need to go. I give and move back around the couch and sit down. She is watching me ever so slightly. I wonder what's on her mind. "Hello Dick. How have you been?"
"Hey Babs…" is all I can choke out before a lump forms in my throat. Her nurse's eyes grow big for a moment. She must know who I am… I wonder what has been said about me. Never mind it's not a big deal. Bruce looks back at me and continues where he was before the interruption.
"So, what do you say Dick?"
I swallow slightly and sigh. "Ya… I'll do it." He smiles gratefully and looks over at Babs. She has a juice in her hand and is sipping on it occasionally.
"Now, Barbara. I need to ask you something."
She takes another sip of the small juice. "Okay, shoot."
"I want to offer you your old job back."
Her eyes grow wide and I about die. My breath is caught in my lungs before I can object.
"Woah! What? Bruce are you blind?" My thoughts exactly.
"It's not exactly your old job, but I think you will like it." He gives her a small smile. "Plus you get to watch out for his sorry butt again. I know you had fun with that."
"Ya, but what would I be doing Bruce?" Please just stop Bruce. I can't let her do this. I can't let her be apart of Batman anymore.
"It's a behind the scenes type of work. He does the dirty work while you supply him with all the information he needs. You have complete access to everything in the cave and you get to boss Dick around. He needs his partner back. He is useless without you." My jaw drops and I about lunge across the table at Bruce. I swear I'm going to kill him! Batman is what got Barbara into this mess and I wont let it go any further.
She stares at Bruce slightly shocked by what he just said. "I'll have to think about it. I'll let you both know tonight." I close my eyes and give a heavy sigh. The pounding in my heart isn't right and I hate myself for saying yes. I should have known better. I can't do this to her again. I wont do this.
YAY! Okay so here is our next set. I hope you all like it. Please review they make me want to keep posting these as I re-read them
