When We Never

Chapter Four: Match Made in Heaven

A few days later, Rachel walked in from work carrying a large pink box full of doughnuts.

"Robin, baby, I'm sorry I haven't been paying attention to you lately. I was upset, sweetie. We'll eat junk for dinner and watch movies and play Yahtzee, OK?"

She set the box and her small black purse down on the table. "Robin, I realize you're mad at me for ignoring you…" Rachel began, starting towards her daughter's room. The door was closed, the first sign something was up. Robin rarely closed her door. Taped to the door was a note in Robin's loopy handwriting.

Mom,

I know you're going to be worried sick when you see I'm not at home, so I'll just tell you I'm going to Gotham to see Daddy and Bruce. I'm fine, I promise. I have plenty of money for fare, and I know how to take care of myself. You've taught me to defend myself since I could walk. I'll be fine and I'll call when I get there, OK? I love you.

Robin

Rachel let out a frustrated grunt. This wasn't Robin, running away to Gotham. At least, it wasn't her Robin.

She sighed and opened the door to her daughter's room. It was clean and tidy, the bed made up neatly under the old fashioned patchwork quilt. A teddy bear called Mr. Fluffers, who had seen better days, sat on the pillow. Rachel coiled her body lithely onto the squashy mattress and clutched the bear to her chest. A few tears fell from her eyes.

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Robin paid the taxi driver and nervously made her way to the colossal front gates of Wayne Manor. She pressed the intercom.

"Hello?"

"I don't want any cookies," an old, harsh voice snapped.

"Grandpa, it's me," Robin protested.

"Robin?" the harsh voice asked.

"Who else calls you Grandpa?"

"You're just like your father, you know. He thinks he's funny too. I'll let you in."

The gates swung inward, allowing her to enter the mansion's grounds. Robin hurried up the front walk to the creepy-looking house. It had been beautiful once, as Rachel had told her, but Bruce had shut himself away years ago, not allowing anyone near him. The equally huge oak doors opened. Bruce, leaning heavily on his cane, limped away so she could let herself in.

He rubbed his old, tired eyes furiously as if trying to decide if Robin was a mirage. "You look just like your mother, Robin. Except…your father's eyes. Definitely his eyes. My eyes."

"He told me about you being his father," Robin offered quietly.

"Well." Bruce scrutinized his granddaughter. "Want something to eat?'

"Thanks."

"Kitchen's this way," Bruce mumbled. "Do you like soup?"

"Yes," Robin squeaked. He still intimidated her a little bit, even though she'd known him her whole life.

"Does your mother know you're here?" Bruce wanted to know.

"I left a note. Can I give her a call in a bit to let her know I'm safe?"

"Of course. Your father is still at work. He'll be back soon," Bruce replied. "He knew you were coming, right?" he added pointedly.

"No," Robin admitted. "It ended even worse than when my mom went to Metropolis before I was born. They…er-"

"I know," Bruce replied dryly. "Terry told me everything. I don't know where he got off thinking he made a good decision, telling Rachel he loved her and then telling Dana the same. In front of Rachel, too. Especially, as I heard it, neither of your parents talked about what the night meant to them."

"They didn't," Robin responded. "I don't think what he did was fair to her."

Bruce stared at her. "No, it wasn't. Go on; call your mother while I fix your soup."

Trembling, Robin dialed her home phone number. No answer.

"She must have left to get me," Robin informed Bruce. "I'll call her cell."

Rachel's face flickered into view. "Robin Mary McGinnis, what makes you think it's OK to just run off to Gotham City without my permission?"

Robin hung her head. "I was trying to get you and Daddy to talk, Mom," she murmured. "You always say how unfair it is that I don't get to see him as much as I should. You always say how I deserve to have both of my parents in the same house, or at least the same city."

Rachel's expression softened. "I know, sweetheart. But your father and I have discussed the custody situation a thousand times. I'll be there soon, Robin. I hope you're not giving your grandfather a hard time."

"She's only been here a moment, Rachel. She's no bother," Bruce interjected. "Really, you'd think she was bouncing off the walls."

Rachel rolled her eyes. "Alright, Bruce," she said in a bothered tone.

"Anyway, how close are you?"

"I have about an hour, Bruce," Rachel replied. "I took the train. It's a lot faster than a four hour drive."

"Daddy will be here soon. Will you at least talk to him?" Robin probed quietly. "For me?"

"Yes, Robin, I will talk to your father. I will say hello and goodbye. I should go now, alright?"

"Alright. I love you Mom."

"I love you too, Robin. See you soon."

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Robin finished her soup in record time and followed Bruce down to the cave.

"I want to see Daddy," was all she said by way of explanation.

She didn't have long to wait; Terry's car found its way home fifteen minutes later.

"Daddy!" she exclaimed brightly as an exhausted Terry exited his car. She ran into his arms.

"Hey Baby Bird," her father replied. "What are you doing here, and why didn't I know?"

"I came to see you, Daddy," Robin answered, looking a bit hurt. "You and Mom need to talk."

Terry regarded his daughter fondly; she was such a sweet little girl, trying to get them together again.

"Robin, your mother has nothing to say to me," he responded.

"Perhaps if you told her Dana has called it quits for good this time," Bruce offered. "From my understanding that's what the problem was."

"Do you mind?" Terry asked irritably. "Rachel and I have nothing to talk about relationship-wise. I'm sorry, sweetheart," he added to Robin.

"Oh," Robin said quietly. "I guess coming was a waste of time."

Terry ran a callused hand through inky locks. "I will always be happy to see you, Robin. My baby. Want to go home with me for a bit?"

"Alright Daddy," Robin sighed.

"I'll tell Rachel," Bruce informed his son. "You'll be at your condo, correct?"

Terry nodded. "Please add I had nothing to do with it, too."

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Rachel directed the cab to go to Terry's condo. She was fuming. If Terry had said he had nothing to do with it, then he definitely did.

She marched up to the door and pounded on it furiously. Robin herself answered, flinging herself onto her mother.

"Where's your dad?" Rachel demanded sharply.

"I'm right here," Terry answered. "Look, Rachel…"

"What?"

"I talked to Max. She told me I went about it all wrong. I'm sorry I never clarified what last Saturday meant to me."

"You should be," Rachel spat. "That really hurt."

"I know," Terry murmured apologetically. "Friends?"

Rachel considered his question. "For Robin," she said finally. "But only for Robin."

"I understand," Terry replied. "Er…I was honest about what happened between us with Dana. She said she was tired of everything and she left. So that's how the cookie crumbles."

"Well I'm sorry, Terry."

"Listen, Robin is off of school in two days anyway. Let her stay a few days. I want to make my last visit up to her. What do you say, Princess?" he asked, turning to her.

Robin's face lit up. "Can I Mom?"

"Alright. I know you packed a bag anyway."

"YES!" Robin punched the air and then threw her arms around her father.

"The invitation is open to you, too, Rachel."

"I haven't taken a vacation in a few months," Rachel admitted. "And I've been meaning to see Bruce again, too. I'll stay for a few days."

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The few days turned out to mend their relationship. Four months later, Rachel and Robin moved back permanently. Six months later Terry and Rachel said "I do."

And as for Robin…she was always known affectionately as the Matchmaker.