"Barbara?"

Glaring at Bruce, she grabbed him, and started their way back to the streets.

Barbara walked down the block, not making any response to Bruce.

"Since when did Batman get an apprentice?" he asked, half teasingly towards the masked librarian.

Barbara stopped, turning to Bruce almost angrily. "Don't do that. Batman is somebody that no one in Gotham should unappreciate. Ever. I became Batman's apprentice, the day I found out what a scum bag, Harvey Dent was."

Bruce gave a confused expression as his insides did a small flip, "What makes you say Harvey Dent was scum?"

"That's irrelevant," Barbara turned around. Bruce grabbed her by the arm. She immediately grabbed his wrist, pulling it back. He let her, as she spoke in a dark whisper.

"Don't grab me like that, Bruce. I can and will hurt you."

"Sorry," he grumbled in his whiny playboy voice. Barbara let go as he rubbed his wrist. "Where'd you learn to fight like that?" he asked as he followed her, again. Barbara was silent for a second.

"Different sources. Defense combat training was my father's idea, when I was in middle school, in case something ever happened. After I started learning it, I just could not bring myself to stop. "

They continued walking through the alley in silence, as the lights to the library became brighter.

Barbara gave a sigh. Turning back to look at Bruce, her eyes went to his outfit.

"You're wearing that to a masquerade ball?"

Bruce looked down at his tux, "It's Armani," he said, innocently.

"When you go to a masquerade ball, you wear a mask, and then match the outfit. You don't wear Armani."

"So you decided to go as a Batgirl?" Bruce asked, scanning her outfit. As he looked down, a grappling gun caught his eye, along with a retractable staff; neither were fake.

"No, I'm just late for my own party," she started.

"Wait," he interupted slowly, "Are you….literally..a," Barbara put her hand to his mouth.

"Sh," she whispered, pushing him back into the shadows of the alleyway for a more confidential conversation. "Be quiet."

"Barbara that's dangerous."

"No," she said, letting go of him, "it's helping."

"Batman never asked for help like that," he argued.

"Batman never asks for anything."

"How long have you been doing this?" he asked.

Barbara thought for a second, "About the time everyone else tried to become Batman. It's amazing how people live in a delusion that they think they know what they're doing. Batman, instead, had to go out and stop them from running around like kids in a Halloween costume just so they wouldn't get shot at. I help patrol that, as well as small criminal acts."

"Did it ever occur to you, that you might be one of those people, too?" Bruce asked.

Barbara smiled, "Here's the difference between them and me; I know how to fight. Granted, it's not as great as Batman's, but it's enough to where I'm not worried about being overtaken anytime soon." She glanced back at the Library.

"Look, I've a got a party to run, and a billionaire to entertain. Go make your appearance and I'll see you in there. We can talk about this some other time," Bruce stared on at her.

"Oh, and Mr. Wayne," she paused, showing a look of worry. "This thing that I'm doing, is a very important secret to keep. Please. It will be dangerous is word gets out that I'm helping Batman. Please."

Bruce gave a sigh, "Don't worry, Ms. Turnbow. I will never let this get out."

Barbara gave a smile. "Thanks." She walked back down the alley and around the corner to the other side.

Bruce put his hands in his pockets as he gave a sigh. "What's one more secret in my life, anyway."