This is chapter 6, not the longest nor the most action-filled one, chapter 7 will be arriving shortly (in fact I even finished chapter 8, but I have no idea how to start 9). As always I don't own or earn anything.


Chapter VI A new hope, or is it

Dick was driving as fast as he was allowed. He wouldn't risk losing any time talking to the police, but he wanted to see her as soon as possible. Leslie had said Barbara was stabile, even though she might still be unconscious for quite a while. He would have left as soon as he heard the news, but he didn't want to disrespect Alfred, who had just prepared him a meal. He knew Bruce had done this plenty of times before, but he wasn't like Bruce. He respected the efforts others had done for him. But what could be expected from a person that has been taken care of for his entire life? He was different, he knew what work was, chores were a daily matter when he was in the circus. Besides Leslie had told him that she wouldn't regain consciousness in the next couple of hours, probably not even within the day. Hence there was no harm in leaving a bit later, in order to eat some of Alfred's roasted duck. It was his specialty and Dick loved it. Somehow Alfred always managed to surprise him with the taste, as if he actually knew a million recipes for it. Well he probably even did, and they all tasted wonderful. It made Dick forget about his little, well you couldn't really call it a dispute as they barely spoke, with Bruce. He didn't want to think of it, not now. He knew where he was needed. He had to be there when Barbara woke up, as her father probably wasn't going to make it in time. She had to know that she wasn't on her own in this battle, that he would be there for her no matter what happened. He parked his car in front of the Wayne Memorial. It was a rather cheap car. Certainly not the type one would expect the average inhabitant of Wayne Manor to drive. But then again such a vehicle probably wouldn't even survive the night in this area. He still wondered why he went by car. He usually took his motorbike for these trips, when the weather would allow it and today the sky was completely clear. It came in very handy too, as he had used the sun to intimidate Milo. Maybe he had thought at the moment that he might take Barbara back home, even though it was a crazy thought as Barbara would probably be in hospital for at least another week. Or maybe he just didn't want to risk visiting Barbara as a roommate, even though his riding skills definitely weren't bad. He didn't know, nor did it matter. He wanted to see Barbara and he wanted to know what Leslie had to say. On the phone she had said that she needed to tell him something important. He hoped it wouldn't be anything bad. She had said the night before that there wouldn't be any permanent damage. Maybe she was wrong, maybe complications had arisen. No, he couldn't think that way. Barbara would be fine, or would she? Of course she would, she's a fighter and he should know! For how long has he known her now? Several years at least, they even went to high school together, and she always had spirit. That's what attracted him in the first place. Her spirit. No matter how hard, how impossible even, her situation was, she would never give up and he admired her deeply for this. This situation wouldn't be anything different, she'd fight like a lioness and in the end she'd be victorious. That's how he knew his Babs. Her wounds would be begging her for mercy in no time, well in a figure of speech at least. He knew she would be all right. Dick entered the hospital. He saw Leslie at the information desk. She often sat there when she was on duty. "Hey Leslie", Dick greeted her, "What's the important news you wanted to tell me?"

"Hi Dick", Leslie replied, "I think we'd better discuss this in private. My office?"

Dick started to look more worried. This couldn't be good, could it? "Why?", he asked, "Has anything bad happened to her?"

"No no, she's fine", Leslie reassured him, "but the news might still come as a shock though." She turned towards a nurse that was drinking coffee. "Steven, could you take over for a while?"

"Sure Les", he replied.

"Thanks" Her attention turned back to Dick, whom she motioned to follow her. She opened the door to her office. It wasn't big but it had the necessary accommodation. On her desk was a picture of the Wayne family. "Have a seat", she said, "Coffee?"

"No thanks", Dick replied as he sat down, "I just had dinner."

Leslie took a seat behind her desk. "Well, let's get to the point then. … As you know, we thoroughly examined Barbara for anything that could be or go wrong. I think you'll be quite happy to know that she hasn't been sexually assaulted."

"Guess I was just in time to prevent that from happening. They sure were up to it."

"I'm sure she'll appreciate it. … Anyway … I already told you that she hasn't got any wounds that she won't recover from eventually. The examination did expose an odd result though." Dick's eyes widened. What could it have been? Would it be serious? He was all ears as Leslie continued. "Her hormonal activity differed significantly from what we had expected. We double-checked and looked into it of course, and our suspicions were confirmed: she's pregnant, Dick."

Dick's mouth fell wide open as he heard the news. Pregnant? Now that was a surprise to say the least. "So …", he shyly broke the silence, "I'm going to be a father."

"Now, don't start raising your hopes too soon, Dick. She's only in an early stage, two weeks at most. She probably doesn't even know it herself and I have to ask you not to tell her either. About sixty percent of the pregnancies abort in this early stage. Considering Barbara's recent trauma the chance that she will do so too is quite high. She has to concentrate on her own recovery for the time being. If she wastes too much energy on a cause that might be lost anyhow, it might harm her more than it helps. That's why she mustn't know yet, so don't tell her and certainly don't touch her belly, I know men have a tendency to do that. She'll notice immediately. Keep in mind she's been shot in the abdomen, if you'd ever get tempted."

"What about her father? She'll definitely notice there's something wrong. I don't think we'll be able to keep that from her."

"I know. Just hope she doesn't ask and tell her if she does."

"OK, can I see her now?"

"Of course, I'll take you to her room.