Terry looked over at Barbra, unsure of what to say. He'd just kissed Batgirl, which admittedly had been a fantasy of his since he'd learned about time travel, not that he'd ever tell Bruce or Barbra. As he thought about what to say, he reflected that it had been the best kiss of his life. He couldn't ever remember feeling this way when he'd been with Dana, although at the time he would've just put it off to the fact that he couldn't tell her his secret. Then that excuse went out the window when Melanie found out his secret. After she returned to her life of crime, he realized that he didn't love her anymore; come to think of it, he wasn't sure if he'd ever loved her.
"You know, most girls don't like it when a guy they like is thinking about his exes" Barbra says, and he felt his face heat up under his mask.
"How did you-"
"I saw that look enough times on Bruce's face to know exactly what it looks like, mask or no mask" she replied, and her voice grew sad; Terry swore to himself he was going to have a long talk with Bruce when he got back.
"So you like me huh?" Terry said, allowing a slight smile to show on his face. Barbra didn't respond; instead she just leaned over and locked her lips with Terry's. Terry threaded his hands through her hair as she put her arms around his neck. They stayed like that for several minutes before the need for air caused them to break apart.
"That answer your question?" she asked, and Terry nodded, his head still spinning from their kiss.
They continued to patrol the city for a while, Terry in the air as he still needed to clear his head, and were just about to head back to the cave when Terry heard gunshots. He flew down to the nearby alleyway, where he saw a man that appeared to be in his early thirties lying dead in a pool of his own blood. However, that wasn't the worst part. He had a sickly smile on his face, and both his arms appeared broken. Terry swallowed the bile in his throat, and instead bent down to see if there were any clues as to where his killer had gone.
"Don't bother trying to find anything Batman, there's nothing there" a voice from behind him said, and he turned around to see a man dressed in all black, save for the blue mask on his face.
"Who are you, and what do you know about what happened here?" Terry asked, advancing on the figure.
"I know only what may be Terry McGinnis, and as for my name, you may just call me the Observer" he said, and Terry watched as he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
"Terry, Terry are you alright?" he heard over his communicator.
"Yeah I'm fine. Call the commissioner and get him to send a medical examiner"
"What happened?"
"Joker happened" he said, and he flew back to the car.
"I called the police and they said they're on their way" she said, and he nodded. Terry debated about telling her about the Observer, but decided it would be better to wait until he actually knew something himself.
When they got back to the cave, they both went into their rooms and changed out of their costumes; Terry had been given Dick's old room and was pleasantly surprised that some of his clothes fit.
"Terry, you awake?" he heard Barbra ask from outside the door.
"Yeah, it's not like we sleep at night" he replied and she laughed, before opening the door.
She walked in and Terry was surprised to find her in a black silk dress that came down to her knees, with black heels on her feet.
"Did you want to stay in, or go out?" she asked.
"Definitely go out" he said, and she laughed again before taking his hand and going to her car.
"Where are we going?" Terry asked.
"You'll see" she said, but she didn't elaborate. They eventually pulled up outside of the Iceberg Lounge, and Terry looked at Barbra shocked.
"You do realize that the Penguin runs this place right?"
"Yes, and tonight he's hosting a policemen's benefit ball, and dad made me promise I'd go" she said before they walked inside. She spotted her father easily and made her way towards him.
"Hi dad" she said, giving him a hug, which he returned before looking at Terry.
"Terry, this is my dad Jim Gordon, dad this is my boyfriend Terry McGinnis" she said, and as he and the commissioner shook hands, Terry found it quite amusing to be introduced to someone he'd met just a few hours ago.
"Nice to meet you Terry" the commissioner said, and they talked for a bit before Barbra pulled Terry away to dance.
"So I'm your boyfriend now?" he asked, and she blushed slightly.
"I hope you don't mind-"she said, but he cut her off.
"Why would I mind? It gives me another excuse to do this" he said before kissing her.
"You don't need an excuse" she said, kissing him before they resumed dancing. Terry couldn't believe how lucky he was as he continued to dance with his girlfriend. He had a gorgeous girlfriend who knew his secret, and he could still be Batman. He did miss his friends however, and he laughed as he thought of the look on Max's face when he told her he was dating the original Batgirl.
"What's so funny?" Barbra asked him, and he smiled as he told her.
"I hope I'm there to see her face for myself" she said, smiling back at him.
Meanwhile, in a back room of the Iceberg Lounge, the Penguin looked around him, smiling. So far everything had gone according to plan. The Joker had played his part perfectly and it would be time to reveal themselves very soon, but first they needed one more recruit. Then Gotham would be at the mercy of the Penguin's five.
A/N: I hope you guys liked this chapter! Who is the Observer, and who are the other members of Penguin's evil group, and what are their plans for Gotham? Also, how will Bruce react to Terry dating Barbra? It will all be answered in time! Please review as your reviews make my day!
